Ever since being hired to work on the cast of Riverdale you've had more than professional feelings for your co-star, Cole Sprouse. His on-screen and potentially off-screen romance with Lili Reinhart complicates things, and you find solace in your fr...
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"Maybe something like you really like Cole but you think he likes Lili and he thinks you like KJ and he gets super jealous and idk then somehow he confesses his feelings hehe xx" –Anonymous
You watched your coworkers Lili and Cole as they did the latest interview in promotion of Riverdale Season 2. The interviewers teased Lili incessantly about "Bughead" and the makeout scene from the Season 1 finale. Cole joined in on the teasing, laughing all the while. Lili blushed, embarrassed.
You leaned against the wall of the viewing gallery, arms crossed. Your eyes narrowed at the interaction.
"Whoa there, Serpent girl," KJ joked, leaning up next to you. "Getting into your role a little too much?"
Little did the interviewers know that the girl watching from afar was going to be the newest upcoming star in Riverdale as the female South Side Serpent counterpart to Jughead, and Betty's rival as his love interest. While you were ordered to keep mum on the part until your big reveal, your agent asked that you shadow the others as they interviewed so that you could prepare for the fame that would come with your first big acting gig.
You turned to him, grinning good-naturedly. "Just learning from the best."
Cole put an arm around Lili and your expression soured. KJ laughed, and you glared at him, hoping the noise didn't interrupt the recording.
"Would you like to learn from someone in particular?" KJ asked, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
Your face reddened. Part of your preparation for the role included doing a lot of one-on-one character training with Cole to build your chemistry. Cole's idea of "character training" was not reading lines but instead spending inordinate amounts of time together going on walks, eating out, and other discrete adventures. To make things worse, his sincere blue eyes made your heart jump a little bit more than you'd like to admit.
You knew Cole and Lili were close long before you'd met him. You knew they were "couple goals" on his Snapchat and their relationship on the show was the biggest ship on teenage-targeted television. It didn't mean you have to like it.
"Are they dating?" You dared to ask KJ. You knew nothing would change his mind from the idea that you liked Cole. Might as well get some information out of him.
"Not officially, but everyone thinks they're going to be," KJ admitted. He was matter-of-fact about the issue, but his tone let on something else.
You turned to him. "You like her!" You whispered excitedly. "KJ and Lili, sitting in a tree..." You sang softly.
KJ put his hands on your shoulders, steadying your increasing jumpiness. "I take it back; happy and cutesy is not a good look on you. And what does it matter? Like I said, everyone thinks they're going to be dating."
You deflated, watching Cole and Lili continue to flirt for the interviewer. "Man, this sucks."
KJ put his arm around you comfortingly. "Kid, I've been dealing with this long before you even got into the acting business." He rubbed your arm. "But we'll get through it. We always do."
You leaned into him, glad someone knew what you were going through.
All the while, Cole had been discretely watching the exchange happen off-stage, fear growing in the pit of his stomach.
Following the interview, he brought Lili off to the side. "Do you think something's happening between KJ and (Y/N)?"
Lili shrugged, having been oblivious to the conversation. "I dunno, looks like they left together though..."
Cole watched you and KJ walk back to the dressing room. Frantically, he chased behind. "Gotta go!"
"Okay..." Lili said. "Bye, I guess."
Cole cut off you and KJ right as you were about to enter KJ's dressing room.
"Hey guys!" Cole said breathlessly. "Where were you going?"
"KJ was just going to show me some of his songs and try and work out some harmonies," you said, smiling at your crush. "Did you want to hang out?" You asked hopefully.
"Cole!" Lili called, following after everyone. "They want to do a shoot of the two of us doing cute Bughead stuff. Are you free?"
You stared Cole up and down challengingly. "Guess not." You followed KJ into his dressing room, shutting door behind you.
Cole sighed, running a hand through his hair. Whatever was going on between you and KJ... it had to stop.
