Only Friends: Dream On.

As the performance date approached, the atmosphere became increasingly tense. Even the director, Jack, needed time to relax. As soon as rehearsals ended, he invited Dean to a cafe-art gallery, but it seemed the combination of art and a pleasant atmosphere didn't help Jack feel any better. Dean watched the person sitting opposite him for a while before speaking in a tired voice:

 

"I didn't come here just to sit and watch you look so grumpy."

 

"Sorry," Jack tried to cheer himself up. "I don't know what's wrong. It's been so tense lately. Probably because the play's opening day is approaching."

 

"Just relax. This isn't your first play as a director. It has to be perfect, just like every other time," Dean encouraged. "Especially with a famous star like me, with hundreds of thousands of followers, starring in it. The same quality as Timothy." "It's Chalamet, you know!"

 

"So self-absorbed," Jack shook his head at his own self-serving thoughts.

But he finally managed a smile.

 

"Dean?"

 

The person addressed turned around at the sound of the voice, only to see 'Mew,' a friend from the business administration faculty whom he knew from before. Mew was with 'Top,' the guy Dean had seen dancing with in a viral video that inspired him to create "couple" content with Arnold, which gained a huge following.

"Oh, Mew!"

 

It seemed that Top also knew Jack well.

 

"Hey, Jack. I haven't seen you at Not's party lately," Top greeted him.

 

"Busy lately, huh? The drama performance is opening soon."

 

"And why are you two together? Don't tell me you're back together?"

 

"Yeah," Mew wondered as well. "I've seen Dean filming content with that other guy a lot, haven't I? Everyone's shipping them. At first, I thought they were really dating. They're so well-suited for each other."

 

Dean glanced at Jack uncomfortably. The director could only offer a wry smile.

No comment.

 

"It's just marketing, using it to promote the play," Prince of Fine Arts said. "On social media, it's just content, but the people next to him are the real couple."

 

"Acting students are exhausted. They have to act, build sets, and then do marketing too," Top shook his head, smiling, before realising he had to hurry.

 

"We're going now. Come to the party sometime, Jack. Everyone's looking for you."

 

"Yeah, I'll show up when the play is over."

 

They said goodbye, and Jack and Dean watched the two walk out of the cafe.

Until Jack spoke up.

 

"Have you ever planned to stop making content with Arnold?"

 

Dean raised his eyebrows, surprised by the question.

 

"Why?"

 

"I just think the play is doing well, and they're selling a lot of tickets." "There's no need to keep trying to sell chemistry with the male lead. I don't want you to feel forced."

 

"You don't want me to feel forced, or what?" The Prince of Commerce saw right through him.

 

"Just be direct."

 

"I don't like it."

 

"That's all." Dean pursed his lips, trying to suppress his embarrassment. "So what should I do?"

 

"Whatever you want."

 

"You're so stubborn, lonely boy. But I still like it." Dean pouted, trying to think of a good approach. Finally, he picked up his phone, intending to take a selfie together, but then changed his mind. Right now, it was time for a soft launch. Don't make a fuss yet.

 

The Prince of Commerce grabbed Jack's hand. The other man was curious but eventually complied. Dean took a picture of their hands and uploaded it to his Instagram story, not forgetting to publicly tag the other's Instagram account.

 

"You didn't have to tag me. I don't want anyone to notice."

 

"It's too late, I think. I announced it loudly at the resort during the outing. The news will leak out anyway. Just release it yourself and be done with it." Dean made it public.

 

"Are you satisfied now?"

 

Jack shook his head wearily, pretending to check messages on his phone but actually scrolling through his Instagram. Seeing Dean's tagged story, he unconsciously smiled before sharing it on his own story as well.

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

A big scene rehearsal was scheduled for this evening. Rome, in charge of the overall sound for the theatre troupe, had to prepare thoroughly. He had arranged the tracks neatly and written down the music cues in his notebook, which he carried with him at all times. He had discovered that creating sound for a stage play was just as fun and challenging as DJing at a big music festival. He headed to the rehearsal room before the scheduled time, but his heart sank when he saw Arnold hugging Dean from behind. They were the only two people in the room. Rome thought he was interrupting something he shouldn't have seen, but soon learned the truth.

 

"I want you, Romeo..."

 

"Romeo, my heart cannot refuse you...." Dean said, following the script.

 

"But who am I, and who are you? We can never have our desires fulfilled." A long silence ensued. The two hugged like that until Dean spoke in a voice completely different from the one he used when he was acting in that role.

 

"It was okay."

 

"Not too over the top, right?" Arnold asked anxiously.

 

"No, this kind of drama has to be this melodramatic," Prince of...Then he noticed the newcomer. "Oh, Rome! Why are you here so early?"

 

"Oh," Rome flinched, trying to quickly find an excuse. "I was free, so I came first."

 

His cell phone vibrated, interrupting them. Arnold rushed to his bag, which was nearby. He answered the call and talked for a while before turning to his fellow actor and saying, "I'm going to help Tua carry the stuff, okay?"

 

"Okay," Dean nodded. "Wow, Tua, such a drama queen." Hearing Tua's name, Rome's face suddenly became uneasy again. He just stood there until Arnold disappeared from the rehearsal room. It was then that Dean noticed something was wrong.

 

"What's wrong? Your face is pale, and you're sweating like you just went for a run."

 

"Nothing."

 

"Oh, really?" Dean narrowed his eyes. "Are you going to tell me nicely, or do you want me to keep asking until you get annoyed?"

 

Rome didn't like pressure. He sighed deeply in defeat before asking what he wanted to know most: "You and Arnold didn't...do anything, right?"

 

"What do you mean?" Dean wondered. "What kind of thing?"

 

"Like...what are you two to each other?"