After the Fanfic Reading (SmoshGames fanfic)

Lunch

"I hope Joven is okay," Mari said as she sat down at the table opposite Sohinki. Next to them, Flitz and Anthony were opposite each other, and at the end of the table Ian and Lasercorn were failing miserably at subtlety as they ran their feet up and down each others calves under the table. As usual, the others pretended not to notice.

"He'll be fine, he's probably just feeling awkward around Ian after the fic," Flitz replied.

"What a wimp! I mean c'mon, me and Anthony have read way worse stuff about us." Ian glanced up, trying not to catch Lasercorn's eye in case he gave away what was going on with them.

"Yeah, but we've never had it acted out right before our eyes. Did you not see how bad Joven was freaking out when they nearly kissed? He's totally freaked out by the fanfic."

"I guess we have to put off filming Grand Theft Smosh then, if we're down Joven and Wes." Sohinki stabbed at his food angrily, showing his distaste for putting off the shoot.

"Woohoo! Afternoon off!" cried Lasercorn, his mouth stuffed full off food.

"Oh my god, learn some table manners you pig!" Mari threw a chip at him down the table, and he responded by pulling a face at her.

"Ugh, seriously Lasercorn, that is disgusting." Ian intervened casually, still trying desperately not to reveal the "secret" which everyone knew anyway.

Lasersorn finished eating first, having started stuffing his face before even sitting down, and after swallowing his last bite, he caught Ian's eye then glanced at his watch and proclaimed, "Well, I'd better get going, I have... important... stuff... that needs doing... at home... Er, I'll see you guys tomorrow." He hurried off before they could ask questions or challenge his excuse. Ian wolfed down the rest of his food, then racked his brains for his own excuse.

"I've actually got some editing at home that needs finishing, so I better head off too. See you." There was a chorus of "Bye!"s and "Bye Ian!"s from the others, then Ian walked off after Lasercorn.

"How long was that?" Anthony looked over at Sohinki, who had his phone out with a timer up.

"1 minute, 17 seconds. Are they even trying to be subtle anymore?"

"Are you suggesting they used to try? Come on they've been so obvious right from day one! Tell me again why we're still pretending we don't know?" Mari looked around at the guys, searching for an answer.

"How many times do I have to tell you, if we tell them we know before they decide they're ready for us to know, Ian will freak out. He might even leave Lasercorn, and you see how happy they are together. I don't want to put Lasercorn through the same thing I went through when Ian wasn't ready to be public." Anthony looked down at his food, pushing it around his plate glumly. The others gave him sympathetic looks.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have said... but surely he must be ready by now? Why's he still being so shy about it?"

"Don't ask me."

- - - -

Ian met up with Lasercorn in the car park, hopping straight into Lasercorn's car when he got there. Before saying a word he pulled his boyfriend in for a kiss. Then he pulled back and frowned.

"What was with that excuse back there? You could have given us away! You know I'm not ready-"

"To make this thing public, I know babe, I'm sorry. I just kinda froze up a bit and forgot what I was saying halfway through. I got distracted by your beautiful face." Lasercorn reached out  to stroke that face, really hoping a little bit of sweet-talking would appease his lover. He'd been looking forward to a nice afternoon together, and didn't want it spoiled by an argument before it had even begun. He leaned in for a gentle kiss, and when Ian still didn't look completely appeased, he said quietly, "C'mon, if they were gonna get suspicious, they'd have said something by now. Those idiots don't have the slightest clue what's going on. Don't let the thought of them spoil our moment." He pouted, knowing Ian wouldn't be able to resist that, or at least not for long. And sure enough, Ian's frown quickly melted away and he moved in to continue kissing Lasercorn.

"Mmm... C'mon... we should... go... before... someone sees..." Ian murmured between kisses. Reluctantly, Lasercorn pulled back from the kiss and started the engine.