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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"So, how are the love lives of my two favorite Riverdale boys?" James Corden asked with a cheeky grin.
"Married to videogames and puffed corn snacks," Cole replied with a grin of his own. The studio audience laughed. You, watching from the hallway to backstage, laughed as well.
You'd been preparing for your role on Riverdale for two months now, and had just began shooting. You and Cole were growing infinitely closer, but your friendship with KJ helped cope with any sadness about Lili. With Cole, you wondered over the vastness of the world, made cheesy jokes, and explored Hollywood in a way you never could alone. With KJ, you ate ice cream while venting over your unrequited loves, went surfing at the beach, and sang music together. Things were actually... nice.
"Oh come on!" James said. "There has to be some ladies in the lives of such handsome young men!" The audience oohed.
"Well..." KJ said with a blush. The oohing increased in volume. "There is someone." The smile fell from Cole's face, which he replaced quickly for the sake of the audience.
James put a hand over his mouth in exaggerated surprise. "Tell us more! Is she a celebrity?"
"Well... yes."
"...a co-star perhaps?"
KJ eyed Cole uneasily. "Yes."
The crowd rioted in laughter, some taking out their phones to begin avid Twitter speculation. You grinned from off-sides, knowing exactly to whom KJ was referring.
"Any more hints?" James asked, already basking in the hits this exclusive information would get his show.
"She is by far, the most beautiful girl I have ever seen."
You smiled at KJ's sweetness towards Lili. Cole did not fail to see this out of the corner of his eye, and his face reddened of its own accord.
"Looks like you have something to say, Cole," James said. The audience reaction increased. Cole was a fan favorite, and they ate up any information they could get on his personal life.
"I too, am currently interested with a fellow Riverdale co-star," Cole said matter-of-factly. The audience cheered. KJ eyed Cole in challenge, who eyed him back likewise.
Your heart began to hurt. It was easy enough to ignore Cole's other involvements when Lili wasn't around, but things like this just reminded you that you and Cole weren't together, and most likely would never be.
"Tell us more!" James said with an interested smile.
"Well, I would agree with KJ that she is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I would also say she's intelligent, and kind, and amazing, and I know her better than anyone else on the set." Cole said, raising an eyebrow at KJ's increasingly reddening face. You bit your lip, holding back tears.
James looked between the boys. "Wait... so you're talking about the same girl?"
The boys refused to answer, averting their eyes. While Cole thought KJ was referring to you, and KJ thought Cole was referring to Lili, there was no way for the other to know that!
"So, does life imitate art?" James asked. "Is this the classic Barchie versus Bughead love triangle?"
The crowd quieted, eager to hear their answer.
"Well actually..." Cole said, holding up a finger.
James cut him off, listening intently to a message from his earpiece. "Well it looks like we have to cut to commercial a little early, folks! Cole, KJ, thank you both for being on The Late Late Show! Give 'em a hand, everyone!"
The audience clapped slowly, disappointed at the timing.
The crew went to work preparing the stage for the next bit. Cole and KJ went to shake James's hand once more.
"That was your agent, Cole," James said, pointing to his ear piece. "For some reason, he didn't want my question being answered." He winked good-naturedly. "You'd better go find him and see what that's all about."
Cole nodded, leaving without a look or word towards KJ. To his surprise, you were gone as well. Upset by Cole's words about Lili, you had excused yourself to KJ's dressing room, ready to vent.
Cole found his agent in one of the viewing galleries. "What's up?"
His agent stood, face stern. "Do you like your place on this show, Cole?"
"Well... yes." Cole said, confused.
"Then I'd suggest you heed my advice to keep any feelings you may have for (Y/N) out of the spotlight, and focus on pushing 'Sprousehart'. We've received specific instructions from the CW to do so. And if you fail to deliver, you're toast," the agent said. His phone rang. "Gotta take this. It's your career, buddy." He patted Cole on the shoulder, leaving the room.
Cole stared out at the monitors in front of him, seeing the closed-circuit camera capturing activity in the hallway. You were there, looking radiant as ever as you walked towards the dressing rooms. KJ then walked up to you, wrapping you in his arms. His heart panged. He wanted to fight for you... but he couldn't.
It was either someone who may very well be the love of his life... or his acting career.
