The Rules of Pretend

"I want a separate closet," Kole said.

"No," Jackson replied, not even looking up from his phone.

The penthouse was absurd-glass walls, city skyline views, minimalist decor that screamed don't touch anything. Kole had exactly five duffel bags. Jackson had a walk-in closet the size of Kole's entire apartment back in Brooklyn.

Kole sighed dramatically, flopping on the velvet couch. "You know, I thought maybe we'd at least pretend to be civil."

Jackson looked up. "That was me pretending."

Kole blinked. "Jesus."

"Language," Jackson said smoothly. "We have brunch with my manager tomorrow. You'll need a shirt with sleeves. No more tank tops with offensive slogans."

Kole pulled the collar of his oversized tee that said LICK ME LATER and smiled sweetly. "What, not classy enough for Mr. Wang?"

Jackson's eyes flicked down his chest. "Not enough is the problem."

There was a long pause. Something charged.

Kole looked away first. "Asshole."

"You agreed to this."

"For a visa and enough money to finally start my own show, yeah," Kole snapped. "But no one said I had to like you."

Jackson stood slowly. "And I don't care if you do."

---

Jackson stood on the balcony, shirtless, tattoos glowing faintly in the moonlight. Kole walked in on accident and froze.

"Nice view," Kole muttered, but his eyes were on Jackson, not the city.

Jackson turned, slow. "You staring at the skyline or at me?"

"Depends," Kole said. "Is the skyline gonna insult my fashion again?"

Jackson smirked. "No. But I might."

---

Rina handed them a printed contract at brunch the next day. Kole was wearing a button-up. Barely.

"You're married in the eyes of the public for one year. No scandals. No side pieces. No leaks. Appear in public at least once a week. Jackson, Kole gets full social media access to post tasteful content. Kole, no sex jokes on TikTok. And absolutely, absolutely, do not fall in love."

Kole raised an eyebrow. "That's a rule?"

Rina's gaze was stone. "It's a warning."

---Kole made scrambled eggs. Badly. Jackson made protein pancakes and stared at him like he was an alien.

"Are you planning to burn down my kitchen every morning?" Jackson asked, sipping iced coffee.

"You say that like I'm staying long enough to learn your fire alarm's schedule," Kole said.

Jackson stepped closer. Close enough to feel body heat. Kole looked up.

"Get comfortable," Jackson murmured. "Because you're not going anywhere."

Kole swallowed hard. "We'll see about that."

---

Later that night, Kole accidentally livestreamed them while trying to film a cooking disaster reel.

The chat exploded.

JACKSON??? IS THAT YOU IN THE BACK?? WHY IS KOLE IN A ROBE-AND WHY IS JACKSON SHIRTLESS AGAIN- THEY'RE COOKING TOGETHER??? I SHIP. IS THIS A PR COUPLE OR A FANFIC IRL?!

Jackson walked into the frame, towel around his neck, and said:

"Tell them the honeymoon's just starting."

Kole didn't even blink.

"Only thing hot so far is the stove."

The chat exploded.