Littlelovestories

“That’s not fair. That’s cheating,” Jasper says in a whisper as he walks into his lounge room to find Ryan lying shirtless on the couch with their baby niece fast asleep on his chest. It’s been a week since he announced he was leaving the band, though he’s yet to follow that up with an official statement and it’s driving everyone insane with speculations. “Shh.” Ryan pats Ellie’s back. “Can you imagine coming home from work as an international, iconic pop star, to me as a stay-at-home

After a tiring day being sucked up to by everyone hoping for a spotlight position in Chicago, Ryan sets off to the studio. Jasper had organized for Blake to drop him home after work while Ryan’s at rehearsals, but today he’d sent Ryan a message to let him know he’d be late as he’s planning a music video with Mark. With any luck, it’ll be a long meeting, because Ryan has something important to plan himself. “Hey, dude, your boyfriend is in a meeting,” Blake says, disconnecting and packing up

“Ryan, welcome. How are you feeling?” “I’m excited.” Ryan’s panicking on the inside but he’s thrilled to be here, standing on a Broadway stage, regardless. Considering his intention to disappear into the shadows of fame, he’d rejected the position offered to him, and somehow ended up being invited to shadow the choreographer, a mid-thirties black woman named Maria. “Today we’ll be doing a run through, getting to know each other and then outlining our rehearsal schedule. We’ll get more

“Blake’s new music video seems like an attack or even a threat against the media. What do you have to say about that?” It takes a brave reporter to question the band now, with legal consequences being pursued against the journalist that’d tracked down Damien. There are only a handful of people in the room with notepads, cameras, and the balls to interview the band. “We’re just doing our jobs. Don’t take it personally.” Jasper offers a very obvious hint at the media’s pathetic defense o

“You’re quitting?” Simon asks, staying still as Fi works her stylist magic with the thrown together outfit she’d picked out for him. “Leaving the group is what’s best for us all. I’m not the right person for this career and you guys never needed an extra member in the band. I don’t add anything to the group,” Ryan explains, buttoning his own jacket. Luke and Simon don’t seem all that surprised, which alleviates some of the guilt Ryan has been feeling about stuffing the band around.

“Welcome back.” Jasper greets Blake at the front door, letting him in. “Why the hell did Ryan go to Demion’s?” Blake snaps with a tone of disapproval as he walks in, passing Jasper a brownie. Jasper’s shoulders sink. “Dude, he just stood up to his ex. If that were me, you’d be telling me I’m badass. Can we talk about why you hate everything my boyfriend does, please? Because I’m pretty sure I told you to be nice and instead, you’re being super judgy and—” “You asked me to be judgy

“Ryan, thank you so much for coming over to help me out with this. I swear I didn’t know I was being ambushed by media.” Damien stresses the moment he sees Ryan. Though he’s never seen Damien like this, Ryan shows no interest. He walks in, ignoring the flashes of cameras behind him that have already captured every moment since the car pulled up out the front, right up to the second Damien closes the door. “Full disclosure, I’m not here to ‘help you out.’ I’m here to sort out the part of thi

“You’ve still got his number, haven’t you?” Jasper turns to Ryan, who looks like all the air and blood has been snatched from his body in an instant at the sight of his ex, who is yet to say a word. “Ryan, tell me you are not still in contact with him,” Jules asks, her best stern parenting tone unleashed. She isn’t taking her eyes off the screen either, and if looks could kill, Damien would no longer be a problem. “I blocked him,” Ryan says, drawing in a shaky breath as he pulls his ph

“It’s clear you need to leave.” Ryan orders, trying to remain polite despite the tension in the room. “Disgraceful,” John scoffs. Absolute disgust rises in Ryan cracking a splinter in his composure. “You know if I was a parent that treated my kids the way you treat yours, it’s not them I’d be ashamed of. Now, do I need to ask you to leave again? There’s nothing for you here,” Ryan states with more determination. “I will not be spoken to like this by a man who has taken advantage o

“Mom?” Ryan looks shocked when they arrive back at their apartment the following morning and find Jules in the living room folding baby clothes. He turns to Jasper, lowering his voice. “I swear I didn’t invite her or even suggest she come over while your parents are here.” Jasper isn’t at all worried; in fact, he’s relieved to have a parent in the house who smiles at him. “Your mom is always welcome at our place. You don’t need to fold the laundry, though.” Jasper greets Jules with a hug.

“Hey, it’s me.” The sound of Ryan’s voice seconds after a gentle knock, gives Jasper immediate relief. He slips out of bed and rushes to unlock the door, eager to be wrapped in his boyfriend’s arms, soaking in the comfort that he’ll never admit he’s desperate for. “Give me a second to get back in bed before you open the door,” he orders, running to dive back under the sheets before yelling for Ryan to come in. Ryan opens the door and steps inside, locking the door before his atten

“Following accusations of an affair between Jasper Reid and a sex worker during Ryan Kurtis’s appearance on Dancers and Dreamers season three, Ryan appeared to show support for his controversial partner.” Blake reads the article aloud on his phone with bitter emphasis. “However, in the evening, Ryan was photographed leaving the couple’s residence with a suitcase, sparking fresh speculation Ryan has left his disgraced boyfriend, Jasper. It is unknown what this effect will have on the new music se

“Thanks for what you said back there. I should’ve known there’d be photos and I should’ve been more prepared…” Jasper starts, but Ryan lets go of his hand and turns to him with crossed arms now that they are in the privacy of their practice room again. Jasper rubs his hand, missing being held as Ryan takes one step away from Jasper. The space between them is cold and thick with tension as Jasper waits for Ryan to speak. The silence as Ryan stands before him, lost, is agonizing. Finally, he

“Jasper, you were doing so well. You haven’t been late in weeks,” Simon calls out as Jasper and Ryan walk in more than an hour late to band practice that morning. “Guess I’m nothing but a complete disappointment to everyone, then.” Jasper heads straight to the piano. “I’ll be sitting here expressing feelings all day. Nobody talk to me.” Everyone looks from him to Ryan for answers. “Did I hit a nerve?” Simon asks. “His parents are visiting us today. He’s stressing in advance,”

“Ryan,” Jasper calls in a singsong voice as he peeks into the bedroom, regretting his life choices as he sees his boyfriend relaxed on the bed, wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, immersed in something on his phone. The scent of aftershave and body wash is so delicious it’s difficult to control himself. “Is Blake gone?” Ryan places his phone on the bedside table and pats the bed beside himself, inviting Jasper over with a sly smile. Every part of Jasper wants to join