Seven

Jax and Kai tried to act normal after the kiss.

They really tried.

But it didn't last more than a few days.

After that night in Jax's apartment, something had shifted between them. It was like once the wall fell, they couldn't rebuild it. They couldn't go back to just being friends.

Every private moment became a kiss.

A lingering touch.

A quick glance that turned into something more.

---

They started sneaking around.

Cars were a favorite. Parking lots after filming. Kai would slide into the passenger seat and they'd just sit there talking at first. Then kissing. Sometimes for ten minutes. Sometimes for an hour. Until their phones buzzed or someone came looking.

Apartments were better. Safer.

They spent nights on each other's couches. Wrapped in a blanket, legs tangled, the TV playing something neither of them was watching.

Dressing rooms became dangerous.

Corners of backstage halls.

Event centers during rehearsal breaks.

Anywhere they could steal a few minutes.

Even in public, something had changed. They touched more, laughed more. Their eyes found each other without trying.

Fans noticed.

"Oh my God, did you see the way Jax looked at Kai?" "Kai couldn't stop touching Jax's jacket." "They are definitely dating. No way this is fanservice."

Theories started spreading fast about their relationship, fans stalking them to know more and satisfy their delusions.

Clips of their moments together, compilations. Analysis videos breaking down their hand movements and eye contact trended online.

Hashtags exploded.

#RealOrFanservice

#JaxKaiConfirmed

#TheyreSoDating

---

The company noticed too.

They were called in.

The CEO's office was quiet, cold.

Jax and Kai sat across from the man who had launched their ship, and was now watching it spiral out of his control.

"I'll get straight to it," he said. "There are rumors."

Neither of them spoke.

He sighed. "You two are very good at what you do. The show is doing numbers we've never seen before. But we've worked hard to build a public image, and that image relies on balance."

Kai frowned. "Balance?"

"Between fantasy and reality," the CEO said. "If the audience starts thinking you're dating, it ruins the mystery. The fanservice only works if it's just fanservice."

Jax stayed quiet.

The CEO leaned forward. "So. I'll ask once. Are you two dating?"

"No," Kai said quickly.

Jax hesitated, then nodded. "No. We're just close."

The CEO studied their faces. "Good. Because our company has a policy. No relationships between onscreen partners during contract periods. It complicates marketing, schedules, and it causes trouble when things fall apart."

Jax's jaw tensed.

"We're professionals," Kai said. "Nothing will affect our work."

The CEO nodded. "Good. Keep it that way."

....

Back in the car, the silence was heavy.

Jax drove.

Kai looked out the window, arms folded.

At a red light, Jax finally spoke. "Want to come over?"

Kai looked at him. "Yeah."

...

At the apartment, they dropped their bags and sat on the couch. Neither turned on the TV.

Jax leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I don't like lying."

Kai nodded. "Me neither."

"But I'm not stopping this."

Kai looked at him.

"I've been thinking about it," Jax said. "Every day since that kiss. Every time I see you. I like you. More than I thought I would. I don't want to pretend like this doesn't mean anything."

Kai was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "I feel the same."

Jax looked at him. "So what do we do?"

Kai smiled faintly. "We lie better?"

Jax laughed.

It was a short, tired laugh. But it helped.

Kai continued, "We're not hurting anyone. We're still doing our jobs. If we're careful, it won't affect anything."

"We'd have to be really careful," Jax said.

"No one finds out."

"Not even Eli?"

Kai paused. "Maybe not now. We can tell him later."

Jax nodded slowly. "Okay."

They sat there in silence, thinking about what they were agreeing to. Then Jax reached over, gently took Kai's hand.

"We'll be fine," Kai whispered.

....

The final episode of Fight for Love was a massive event.

The company booked the biggest venue in town. The moment tickets went online, they sold out in minutes, the website crashed. Fans were crying, screaming, camping outside the arena days before.

On the night of the event, the place was full.

Screams echoed through the space. Lightsticks waved in the air. Fans wore shirts, carried banners, held signs with Jax and Kai's faces.

Eli watched from backstage, amazed at how big everything had become.

Jax was fixing his mic.

Kai was adjusting his jacket.

Their eyes met, and they smiled without thinking.

"Don't do too much," Eli muttered jokingly, stepping between them. "People are already convinced you're married."

Jax laughed. "We're always subtle."

Kai gave Eli a sideways look. "Define 'subtle.'"

Eli rolled his eyes. "Just don't start making out in front of everyone."

The three walked onstage together.

The cheers were deafening.

The host started the event, asking questions about the final episode, their favorite scenes, what they loved most about the characters.

Kai answered calmly. Jax threw in a few jokes. Eli gave his usual heartfelt responses.

Then came the fan questions.

One of them read: "Can you tell us your honest thoughts about each other now that the series is done?"

Jax glanced at Kai.

Kai smiled at the mic. "Jax is… a lot more patient than I expected. I learned a lot from him. And I respect him."

Jax turned toward him slightly. "Kai has a strong work ethic. It pushes me. He's grown a lot during filming."

The crowd aww'd.

The host grinned. "That sounds like real love behind the scenes."

Everyone laughed.

Even Eli, though he gave both of them a knowing look.

As the event wrapped up, the final clip played on the giant screen behind them, the last scene of the series. Jax and Kai's characters walking off into the sunset, holding hands.

As the crowd stood and cheered, Jax leaned slightly toward Kai and whispered, "Still just fanservice?"

Kai whispered back, "Not even a little."