Pineapple

Leonard’s words hung in the air like a loaded gun.

“Kai, you can leave,” he repeated, slower this time. “But Jaxon’s staying.”

Kai’s fingers tightened around Jaxon’s arm. His lips trembled. “Leo… what are you saying?”

Jaxon stiffened. Every muscle in his body went taut. He finally turned, his eyes snapping to Leonard, sharp and blazing.

“No,” he said flatly. “You don’t get to decide that.”

Leonard’s gaze didn’t waver. “I already did.”

The room felt smaller. He stepped closer, closing the distance with calm, deliberate strides. Not rushing. Never rushing. Like a predator that knew its prey had nowhere to run.

Kai looked between them, confusion giving way to fear. He shook his head slowly. “Jaxon… it’s okay. I’ll go.”

“No,” Jaxon whispered, gripping his hand tighter. “It’s not.”

Leonard stopped right in front of them. His voice dropped, low and dangerous. “You see, Jaxon… it is.”

He turned his attention to Kai, his tone suddenly softer—calculated. “Go home. I’ll call you.”

Kai hesitated. Tears slid down his cheeks. “You promise?”

Leonard didn’t answer immediately.

Jaxon noticed.

That silence said everything.

Kai swallowed, then nodded weakly. He released Jaxon’s hand, casting him one last look before turning and walking out.

The door clicked shut.

The sound echoed.

Silence.

Jaxon rounded on Leonard instantly. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Leonard exhaled slowly, like he’d been holding his breath for hours. “You.”

Jaxon scoffed. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And yet,” Leonard said, eyes darkening as he stepped closer, “here you are.”

Jaxon backed away until the desk brushed the back of his legs. “Don’t do this. Don’t start whatever sick game you’re playing.”

Leonard placed his hands on the desk on either side of Jaxon, caging him in without touching him. His face was inches from Jaxon’s now.

“This isn’t a game,” he murmured. “Games are fun.”

Jaxon’s pulse hammered in his ears. “Then what is it?”

Leonard’s gaze dropped briefly to Jaxon’s lips before returning to his eyes. “A mistake I can’t stop making.”

Jaxon’s breath caught—just for a second.

He hated himself for it.

“Say whatever you want,” he whispered. “It doesn’t change anything.”

Leonard tilted his head, studying him like a puzzle he was close to solving. “It already has.”

Jaxon pushed past him, needing air, space—anything. “You’re with Kai. The whole world knows it now.”

Leonard straightened slowly. “The world believes what it’s fed.”

“Leo! Whatever you’re doing, you need to stop it. You’re hurting Kai, which is something I can’t tolerate. I know he can be—”

“Stupid,” Leonard cut him off.

“No, dummy. I meant silly,” Jaxon snapped at him.

Leonard froze for half a second.

Dummy.

The word echoed in his head, absurd and harmless—and yet it hit him harder than any insult ever had.

He turned away before Jaxon could see the smile tugging at his lips.

What the hell was wrong with him?

He dragged a hand down his face, exhaling slowly. He was losing it. Completely. Because why did it suddenly feel hot in the room just because Jaxon had called him dummy?

He’d been called worse. Much worse.

Yet that—

That soft, irritated familiarity in Jaxon’s voice—

It twisted something deep in his chest.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

Leonard clenched his jaw, forcing the smile away.

Get a grip.

But even as he faced Jaxon again, his eyes were darker, warmer… and unmistakably affected.

And Jaxon had no idea just how much power he held.

“You okay?” Jaxon went closer to him, placing his hands on Leonard’s shoulders.

Leonard stared at him, his eyes dark. Only if Jaxon knew how his touch affected him.

Leonard regained his composure immediately and his mischievous smirk returned.

“You care about me.”

“No, I don’t,” Jaxon denied, casting him one last look before leaving.

When he was about to enter his car, he heard his name from another angle.

He turned and saw Bruce backing his car, smiling like a fool.

Jaxon smiled as he sauntered toward him.

“Good afternoon, my prince,” Bruce smiled like a fool as he opened the car door like a perfect gentleman.

He slid into the driver’s seat and ignited the engine.

“Where to?” Jaxon asked flatly.

“To my studio, of course. We need to record our new track together and also shoot the video. We have a lot of pending tasks,” Bruce replied, occasionally stealing glances at him.

Jaxon noticed and smirked.

“If you keep stealing glances at me, I’ll label you a thief,” Jaxon joked, and Bruce grinned.

Jaxon turned his gaze to the window side and his eyes caught a familiar figure—Jeremy, walking inside the most famous LGBTQ club in New York, popularly known as The Eagle.

Jaxon scoffed as he looked away.

A tear drop unknowingly fell from his eyes.

QUEENS CENTER MALL

The mall was total chaos right now. Evan and Pinky were fighting over a jacket that obviously wouldn’t fit either of them.

“Let it go, it’s mine!” Pinky snapped, dragging it hard.

Evan wasn’t relentless—he was petty. If he couldn’t have it, no one could.

He slid his hand into the hanger and yanked.

Rip.

The sound echoed like a gunshot.

Silence.

Then—

“My JACKETTTT!” Pinky wailed like someone had just announced the end of the world.

Evan gasped dramatically, hand flying to his chest. “Oh no… it tore? That’s so tragic.”

“You tore it!” Pinky screeched. “You witch!”

Evan shrugged. “Maybe it couldn’t handle your energy.”

A nearby shopper snorted.

Pinky lunged, but his sneaker slipped. He windmilled, knocking into a rack of scarves that collapsed like dominoes.

Scarves flew everywhere.

“Why is it snowing fabric?!” someone yelled.

A sales attendant rushed over, eyes wide. “Guys, please—this is a family mall!”

Pinky grabbed the torn jacket and held it up. “LOOK WHAT HE DID!”

Evan pointed at Pinky. “He started it! He pulled first! Also, this jacket was never going to fit either of us, so really—we saved it from embarrassment.”

A man filming whispered, “This is better than N*****x.”

Security appeared, two bulky guards trying—and failing—not to laugh.

“Alright, that’s enough,” one said, biting his lip. “You’re both coming with us.”

Pinky crossed his arms. “Tell him he ruined my shopping experience.”

Evan smirked. “Tell him he ruined the economy.”

As they were dragged away, Pinky shouted, “I HOPE YOU SHRINK YOUR CLOTHES FOREVER!”

Evan yelled back, “I HOPE YOUR ONLINE ORDERS NEVER MATCH THE PICTURE!”

The entire store burst into laughter.

The torn jacket lay abandoned on the floor.

Even it looked relieved.

[Outside]

Pinky continued to kick his tires nonstop. He didn’t stop until Sab came.

“Have you finally lost it? It’s all over the news—you’re fighting over a jacket that won’t even fit you,” Sab said with an eye roll.

“That Evan! I feel like strangling him to death,” Pinky said with wicked intent. “Just wait and see as I make him beg for mercy.”

“What’s your plan?” Sab asked, amused.

“I’m gonna ruin him and his favorite musician Tate’s reputation. Not just that—I’m going to make brother and brother hate each other,” Pinky smirked.

“How are you going to make Evan and Lionel hate each other? It seems impossible,” Sab pinpointed.

“I’m going to lay with Lionel. This would make Evan run nuts… I hope you haven’t fucked Lionel?” Pinky faced him.

“No,” Sab denied immediately.

He swallowed hard.

It was obviously a lie.

ON SET – FILM STUDIO / NEW YORK STREET SET

Apart from being a member of Golden Echo and a musician, Ryu was known for the roles he started in movies ,he's a bl actor 

Ryu and Liam(bl actor )were in the middle of the scene, tension crackling like electricity. Every word, every glance had to feel real.

The director’s voice boomed over the set. “Places! And… action!”

They moved closer, rehearsing the intimate moment. Liam’s hand hovered near Ryu’s arm, eyes locked. The chemistry was undeniable.

Then—

“CUT!”

Tate, Liam’s girlfriend, stormed onto the set, eyes blazing. “Cut! You’re too close!, pls don't try to infect your gay disease to my finacee”

Ryu didn’t know who Tate was—Ryu was Tate's replacement when she was dismissed from Golden Echo.

Liam jumped back, cheeks red. “Tate, it’s acting…,it's not real,you know I'm not gay”

“It doesn’t matter! I said cut!” she snapped, stomping her foot like she owned the place.

The director’s face turned crimson. “Do I look like I’m running a daycare? Focus! This is not a playground!”

Ryu blinked, trying not to laugh. “Maybe she should audition too?” he muttered under his breath.

Liam groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “This is impossible…”

“Impossible?!” the director bellowed. 

“You two are actors! Act! Or I’ll recast both of you with people who can actually follow directions!”

Tate crossed her arms, glaring daggers at Ryu. “Step back, Liam. I don’t like this.”

Liam muttered under his breath, “I can’t believe this is happening…”

Ryu smirked, stepping closer again. “Relax, Liam. Maybe she’ll calm down if you kiss me.”

“Ryu!” Liam hissed, eyes darting toward Tate.

The director slammed his clipboard. “Enough! Action! Or I swear—both of you are out!”

Ryu took a slow step back, smirking at Liam. “You know what? Maybe you should handle this yourself.”

Liam’s eyes widened. “Wait—Ryu, don’t—”

But Ryu was already turning toward the exit, his sneakers squeaking sharply against the studio floor. “Good luck with… her,” he said over his shoulder, voice dripping with amusement.

Tate’s glare followed him like a laser. “Finally! Some sense,” she muttered, glaring daggers at Liam.

Liam scoffed at Tate and walked out too. Tate followed him.

The director threw up his hands in exasperation. “What just happened?! This was supposed to be a simple scene! Simple! You’re acting like children!”

Ryu on his way out stopped and scanned the environment. No one was there. He slid his hands into his pocket and brought out a whitish substance.

He made to inhale it but it was snatched from him—Vincent.

“Really?” Vincent scoffed, clearly disappointed.

“Can’t you get over your addiction?”

“I’ll only get over my addiction if you make me addicted to something else,” Ryu smiled.

“Like what?”

“Like you.”

FINE DINING RESTAURANT – NIGHT

Bruce and Jaxon sat across from each other, soft jazz playing in the background, the low hum of other diners blending with the clinking of glasses. Candlelight painted warm shadows across their table.

Jaxon laughed softly at something Bruce said, leaning slightly forward. “I didn’t know you had such terrible taste in movies,” he teased.

“Terrible taste?” Bruce grinned. “You’re the one who cried at the ending!”

Jaxon picked up his pineapple juice. Just when he made to drink it, his phone buzzed with a message.

**Leo:** I’m disappointed in you, Short Witch. Should I always remind you that you’re allergic to pineapple?

He knows.

Jaxon looked around, trying to find any sign of him—and he did.

Leonard sat at a table not far from theirs. He was obviously in a dinner meeting.

Their gaze locked and he winked at Jaxon.

His heart skipped a beat.

TO BE CONTINUED...