Jasper stared at the email, horrified.

Hi, this is Janie Frank from Grand Skyline Talent Agency PR. We just heard the Esteemed Television Podcast episode you two did and had this brilliant idea! To increase interest in the second season we are going to arrange some fun dates for you two to show the public your chemistry runs deeper than just as Will and Johan. The first 'assignment' is for you two to take our Brandon's cute pup Peppy in Los Angeles. We've arranged some photographers to be on standby. Please let us know if September 21st or 22nd work for you. Your agents and managers have been informed.

He grabbed his phone and immediately called Brandon, his heart skipping a beat as he did. He'd held within him these feelings for so long, ever since Brandon had been so lovely to him on their first day of shooting together. Brandon's smile lit up the room, and when it was directed at Jasper, he could hardly breathe. He steeled himself for the next part. "We have to say no to this," he told Brandon as his raven-haired co-star picked up the phone.

Brandon laughed his usual sparkling laughter. "We're doing this, Jasper. It's just a couple of hangouts. Surely you don't hate my company that much?" he purred down the line, and chills went down Jasper's spine.

No, he did not hate Brandon's company and that was The Problem.

"No way." He held firm.

"Yes, way." Brandon's smile was audible in his voice. "Don't you want to meet Peppy?"

Jasper's heart lurched desperately. He was weak for cute dogs, but more than that he was far too weak for Brandon goddamn Masters.

One date, he promised himself. One date and then he'd forget all about it. After all, this wasn't even a date. This was a photo op.

"Wear something cute," he said sassily, which made Brandon laugh, and that laughter made Jasper's heart ache. His co-star was so talented, so beautiful, so not available to him. He could get through this. He had to get through this.

Somehow. Some way. Soon.

---

Brandon was excited. He had not set out to flirt with Jasper on that podcast interview, but he'd meant every word of it, and now he was finally able to spend some quality time with his favorite co-star.

He'd talked to his agent about this and had drawn up a list of five date plans. First of all - Peppy and the dog park he always liked going to because people left him alone. Then: drinks with Jasper in West Hollywood, where Brandon knew Jasper felt most at home. After that, a dinner date at the most expensive sushi restaurant he knew, where the entrance was always filled with photographers. There was a parking lot and a more secret entrance out back, but if they wanted to make a splash with this fake relationship, that's not the one thery would use. After that, he wanted to go to New York and meet Jasper's friends, an organic feeling setting for a fourth phony date.

He paused, feeling a tightness in his chest. He liked spending time with Jasper and the fake relationship was a good way to do it. He'd done fake dating before, it wasn't a big deal. What was a big deal was spending time with Jasper in these new, intimate environments, and not have it mean anything. He wanted it to mean someting, but what? He could handle tabloid and online gossip speculation about his sexuality, but what about when their relationship would have to inevitably end and Jasper would be free to date someone else? Brandon really did not enjoy that thought.

For their fifth date, he had a wedding in mind. They were both actors. It would not pose a huge problem to pretend to be all loveydovey in front of Brandon's cousin's family. Jasper was the most interesting, funny person in any room he walked into and that wedding would be no exception. But then, that would be that? Wouldn't it?

Unless Brandon could do something to make it continue...