Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It’s been said before, by various people throughout her life, that Emma Mountebank was born to be a star. 

The first time someone said it to her was when she was 7 years old and got the lead role in her elementary school play. After the show her father patted her back and said, “Emma, you’re gonna be a star someday.” That’s one of the few times Emma ever remembers her father showing her any affection, ever being proud of one of her achievements. 

(That’s one of the sources she uses for the more emotional scenes. Specifically the angry ones.)

The second time was at Summer Camp, when her theatre coach said, “Your improv is amazing! I bet 50 bucks you’ll be a star on Broadway or something when you’re older.” She’d spent the rest of the day boasting to the other kids, who she’s sure found her entirely too arrogant and obnoxious at the time. 

The third time was after the final performance of her play in senior year of high school, her co-lead had said it to her as she hooked up with them in the changing room after everyone left. Less of a pleasant memory than the rest, but still, they had a point. 

She’s heard it countless times after that, and she’s never doubted that she’ll become a star, she thrives on attention, loves to perform. Currently being a star might be a bit of a stretch, though, and Emma isn’t the type to self-deprecate, so it’s a genuine assessment of her current position. 

She will say, she’s pretty damn proud of herself. She’s worked her ass off through auditions and chemistry reads, through shoots going late into the night, and she’s come out the other side as very as ever for more. Now that’s all left is her press tour, to see the fruits of her labour be appreciated by the world.  

There was a time when being interviewed was one of her more favored aspects of her career—the cheering audience, the cameras all pointed at her, being dressed up in glamorous outfits, and, best of all, being able to talk about herself without people complaining. It’s exhilarating, or it was . Now though, the more and more her interviews devolve into this , she’s starting to hate them. Her publicist and stylist worked hard to set this up, even going to the effort to get her an outfit made to match her new show coming out, but instead of talking about the reason she’s actually here, she’s stuck being asked the same question she’s asked in every other interview. Honestly, it’s getting boring, and Emma doesn’t understand why so many people find it so intriguing.

“So, Emma, I have to ask,” the interviewer says, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively, “are the rumors about you and Jacob Custos true?” The audience chimes in with a wave well-timed, and likely staged, cheers and ‘oooohs’ .

It’s not that Emma hates Jacob, far from it actually, he’s the probably closest thing she has to a best friend, but she is sick of being asked about their completely non-existent relationship. Not to mention the articles about them. It’s not surprising that people have managed to center her career around a man, but that doesn’t mean she’s accepted it either.

Emma laughs, because that seems like a better alternative to crying out of frustration in front of a live audience, and plays it cool. Time to shut down these rumors, just like she has a thousand times before today. She’s basically an expert at it by now. She keeps her voice calm and inviting, politely smiling as she answers, “Jacob and I are exclusively friends, and that’s all we’ll ever be. No offense, Jacob. Sorry.”

(She’s not sorry. Not in the slightest.)

The audience boos and groans in disappointment, and Emma has to grit her teeth to prevent herself from doing anything rash. She maintains eye contact with the interviewer, who seems just as disappointed that they haven’t gotten an exclusive scoop.

“Are you sure there’s no potential for romance in the future?” the interviewer continues, and Emma wishes they’d just drop it. Her new show coming out doesn’t even have anything to do with Jacob, and yet he’s still being brought up. “No blossoming love underneath that friendship?”

“I’m sure,” Emma says, wincing at the way her voice wavers slightly as it leaves her throat. She can hear the irritation lacing her words, and she hopes no one else will pick up on it and misconstrue it into something it’s not. “Maybe with someone else eventually, but not Jacob. Like I said, we’re just friends.”

“That’s a shame.” The interviewer laughs awkwardly, Emma laughs too just to ease the tension, but she is so ready for this to be over. She’s been ready for it to end since she sat down. “So, about your new show. You're the star, a big role to take on. Can you tell us anything about it?”

Fucking finally.

“I’d love to!”

//

Hot Goss: The complicated relationship between Emma Mountebank and Jacob Custos, is it really as simple as the pair are letting on? Or is there a secret romance we just can’t see?

“I swear if one more person asks me if I’m dating Jacob I’m going to die,” Emma declares as she gets in the car, tossing her phone onto the seat, not wanting to read any more of the article. “I don’t see anyone asking him about me when he’s doing interviews. It’s such bullshit!”

Kaitlyn rolls her eyes, not even looking up from her phone. “Stop being so dramatic.”

“You know that’s what they pay me for,” Emma says, slouching down in her seat. “But I’m serious, it’s just so frustrating! Can't my career just be mine? I love Jacob, but he needs to get his massive head out of my business.”

“You know it’s not his fault.”

Emma sighs. “I know that. I just… I want them to stop.” She looks out the window, already imagining how people are going to spin the interview to fit their narrative. “Not that they will, not until I admit something that isn’t even true.”

“Well…” Kaitlyn starts, and Emma sits up and peaks over at her, curious as to what she’s up to. “What if I told you I could figure out a way to deal with this?”

“I’d say you were bullshitting me.”

“Shut up.” Kaitlyn still hasn’t looked up from her phone this whole time, tapping away in focused publicist mode. “I make no promises, but I think I have a plan.”

“If you actually manage to fix this mess I’ll start praying to you, because that will be a miracle.”

Kaitlyn smirks and looks up, winking at her. “Better get on your knees then.”

//

Emma stares at Kaitlyn, contemplating whether she wants to strangle her or kiss her. She knows Kaitlyn tends to have pretty unconventional solutions to issues, but this really takes the cake.

“Do I have to sit here all day watching you stare at me, or am I excused?” Kaitlyn asks from across the table, a smug look on her face. “Seriously, I feel like I’m being held hostage here.”

Emma rolls her eyes at her publicist/sorta-friend’s dramatics, despite her own tendency to be just as bad, if not worse. “Remind me again why I ever agreed to work with you.”

“Because I’m the best in the biz and you know it.”

“Is this really the best you could do?”

“It isn’t a terrible idea.” Kaitlyn leans back in her chair, crossing her arms. “I mean, is it a bad one? Maybe. But, you’re pretty in an objective way—”

“Wow, thanks.”

“—and there’ll be plenty of people jumping at the chance to date you, soaking in all your fame for themselves. Plus, it’ll get some more eyes on your new show, and deal with your Jacob problem, which I’ll remind you is a desperate need for you right now.”

Emma sighs, slouching forward against the table. “I know,” she says, because as much as it pains her to admit, Kaitlyn often is right. “I just… I’ve never been good at the whole dating thing. It might be hard to believe since I’m me, but it’s… I don’t know. Daunting?”

“Daunting?” Kaitlyn repeats, a single brow raised.

“Yes, daunting!” Emma defends.

“It’s a fake relationship, just do your job and act like you’re madly in love. It can’t be that hard, you’re basically a natural.”

“What if they end up being a total creep?”

“You’re not commiting to a marriage, here. You don’t even have to sign anything until after the first date. Speaking of…” Kaitlyn reaches down into her bag and pulls out a stack of paper, dropping it in front of Emma. “You can always say no.”

Emma peers down at the contract, not even daring to open it yet. “Yeah, but what if I go and make a fool of myself and everyone thinks I’m a giant loser?”

“Chill with the melodramatics. Sure, you are a giant loser, but I promise you won’t make a fool of yourself.” Emma shoots Kaitlyn a skeptical look. “Listen, what possible scenario would possibly lead to you being outed as the loser you are?”

“My pants could fall down and the paparazzi could take a picture of my butt and use it to ruin my reputation forever,” Emma replies with a completely straight face.

“That won’t happen. This is literally your only option. Stop making stupid excuses and just say you’ll go!”

“Okay, okay!” Emma relents. “If I end up getting murdered, I’m blaming you and I’ll come back to haunt your ass.”

“Big ego assuming you’re enticing enough to murder.”

“Fuck you.”

“Love you too.” Kaitlyn laughs and picks up her phone. “Seriously, though, if you really don’t want to do it you can always keep answering those questions about Jacob,” she says, “or you could even ask your parents to deal with it.”

“Ugh, pass and pass.”

“Great!” Kaitlyn finishes typing on her phone and slips her phone into her pocket. “You should get an email about the date soon.” She stands and picks up her bag from the floor, pulling it over her shoulder. “I promise if you end up going missing I’ll be right here on the front lines, searching for your mutilated body.”

“Thanks, you’re so sweet.” Emma follows her to the door. “Don’t I get to know who I’m going on a date with?”

“Nothings set in stone yet, there’s a few options. Besides, I can’t say until they’ve agreed to it.”

“And when will that be?” Kaitlyn shrugs and Emma sighs. “Okay, well, you’ll be the first one to know how well it goes.”

“Ugh, do I have to be?”

“It is quite literally your job to know,” she says, opening the door, “and seriously, thanks for helping me with this.”

Kaitlyn steps out, throwing a “you’re welcome!” over her shoulder as she disappears down the hall.

Emma watches her walk away, wondering what the fuck she’s got herself into.

//

Two days pass with no news. No emails telling her the date. Nothing. Complete radio silence.

Emma hasn’t attempted to read through the contract yet. She knows she should and she will before she signs it, but it’s been sitting on her table untouched since Kaitlyn left it here. She stares at it whenever she goes into the kitchen, contemplating whether this whole fake-dating thing will even be worth it, or if she should just crawl back and beg her parents for help.

The answer to that question is obvious.

Anything, literally anything, would be better than going back to her parents. Hell, Emma would rather be tasked with cleaning the entire Los Angeles sewer system than simply look at her dad’s phone number.

At 2:36 AM Emma finally sits at the table with a pen and forces herself to read every page, taking notes as she tries to understand all the legal jargon and figure out what they’re not saying. It's not too dissimilar to other contracts she signed, essentially being an NDA with a few extra pages. Stuff about the timeline of the fake relationship, required social media posts and appearances, boring stuff. 

She reaches the end of the contract 3 hours later and sets her pen down on the table, ready to get some sleep, when her phone buzzes on the table. With a sigh Emma picks it up, assuming it’s another one of Dylan’s crazy night time scheme proposals or Kaitlyn reminding her of an event she’s forgotten about. Except, instead of a completely ridiculous and literally impossible scheme or an angry text on her screen, it’s an email. Emma doesn’t even bother to read the preview, clicking on it and holding her phone way too close to her face.

It takes a few seconds too long to load, and Emma’s getting antsy with the short wait. Damn her slow WIFI.

She blinks.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected] , [email protected]

My client has agreed to the meeting on the 14th next week. If all parties are available and you’re still interested, email me back and confirm.

Nora Laker

For a moment Emma doesn’t even process the words on her screen. Then they hit her all at once, and when she realizes she’s not going to have to crawl back to her dad, she screams. Well, not screams screams. More like squeals, jumping from her chair and doing an embarrassing happy dance she’s glad no else is there to witness.

For the moment she’s purely happy that she has a solution to the, aptly named, ‘Jacob problem.’ It’s not until later that the nerves set in. That this truly becomes daunting.

(And for the next week she’s stuck in a perpetual state of tentative panic)

//

“Shit, why did I agree to this?” she asks no one in particular, pacing back and forth through her bedroom. Dylan scurries after her, trying to fix the collar of her blouse. “I’m not built for dating, even if it’s fake. What do you even do on dates? Should I bring them flowers? No, too much.”

“Emma, I get that you’re stressed, but stay still for one second.” She sighs and stops, and Dylan smiles as he finally fixes the slightly upturned collar. He looks her outfit up and down once more, tapping his chin with the pointed finger of his prosthetic hand. “I mean, you look great. Does it really matter what you do if you look hot?”

“Yes, because this isn’t real. I assume we’ll have to have some sort of friendly relationship if this is going to work, so I can’t be a pretty face with no substance.”

“You’re screwed then,” Kaitlyn says as she walks in, eyes glued to her phone, like always. She glances up, catching Emma’s worried look, and rolls her eyes. “I’m kidding. If you were boring I wouldn’t be working for you. I like the challenge of handling your giant ego.” She sits down backwards at Emma’s vanity, resting her back against it. “Think of this as less of a ‘date,’ and more of a business meeting. You’re getting to know each other, figure out if this is a viable option, if you’re gonna sign the contacts or not. It’s not a date in anything but appearances.”

That does help quell some of Emma’s worries slightly. She sighs and sits down on her bed, pushing Dylan’s hand away as he attempts to fix another part of her outfit. He holds his hands up and sits down next to her, pulling out his own phone. 

“Do I get to know who it is I’ll be ‘dating,’ or are you going to make me walk in blind?” she asks, hopefully hiding how eager she is to know. It’s probably good that Kaitlyn’s held off on telling her who it is for so long, otherwise she would have gone full on detective mode looking into them. The whole social media and career staking disaster. That isn’t not a pretty look for Emma, not at all. 

(The memory of the intense staking of her first boyfriend in high school makes her internally shudder.)

“Oh, right, I didn’t tell you. She’s an up and coming musician, Abigail Blyg. Heard of her?” Emma tries to think if she recognises the name, but it’s not one she can remember. She shakes her head. “Well, her manager and I have come up with a story as to how you met. You can flesh this out with her if you want later, but essentially you met through a mutual friend and things escalated from there.”

“Mutual friend?” Emma asks, brows furrowed, “is this a real person, or am I going to have to fake that too?”

“They’re real. You’ve met Dylan’s boyfriend right?”

“Ryan?” Emma glances over at Dylan, who nods. “A few times. Why?”

“He’s friends with Abi. They went to art school together, so you met through him.”

“So, do you know Abigail?” Emma asks Dylan.

“We’ve met a few times,” he says, “but before you ask, Kaitlyn said I’m not allowed to tell you anything. As much as it pains me, ‘cause she’s pretty cool.”

Emma deflates, resting her cheeks against Dylan’s shoulder. She sends a glare to Kaitlyn, who appears unbothered. “Are you doing all this to torture me?”

Kaitlyn shrugs, but the smirk on her face says different. She stands and finally puts her phone away, gesturing to Emma and Dylan. “We should have left ten minutes ago,” she says, leading the two out the room. “You don’t want to make a bad impression, do you?”

She’s doing it on purpose, just to get under her skin. Emma knows that, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t working. 

//

Kaitlyn basically kicks her out the car as soon as they reach the cafe, tossing her bag and phone at her, telling her to be nice, and shutting the door. Emma watches as they drive away, fixing her skirt as she turns to the cafe. It’s small, homely. Not too intimidating for a first date, not that this is a date. It’s a meeting, about business, which just happens to be a fake relationship. 

How did her life get so strange?

As soon as she steps inside she’s hit by the smell of coffee and something sweet. It’s not too full, but not empty either. She looks around, eyes catching on the mostly wooden furniture and decor that looks like it was bought at ikea. No one waves her over, so she thinks it’s safe to assume Abigail Blyg isn’t here yet. Emma sits at a small booth, far enough away from the rest of the customers to give them some privacy, but close enough that she can keep an eye on the door. Not that Emma would even know if Abigail walked in, Kaitlyn didn’t even bother to show her a photo of her. 

She pulls out her phone and sends a quick text to Kaitlyn, mostly consisting of question marks, about finding this girl. Kaitlyn says she’ll know when she sees her, and Emma has no idea what that’s supposed to mean. She briefly wonders if she should get coffee now or wait for her ‘date,’ whether being chivalrous even matters, when the door’s bell rings. Emma looks up, and…

Oh. Now she gets what Kaitlyn meant. 

The girl that walks in definitely stands out from the beige sea of wood and coffee related decor. Her hair dyed a dark red, the roots a dark brown. And her outfit, a black skirt with fishnets underneath and a dark red shirt tucked into it, a dark blue Jean jacket over the top, gives off a very alternative vibe. Emma catches her eye and waves, not taking a second to consider it might be the wrong person, because this is the only person in here that gives ‘up and coming musician’ vibes. 

(Plus her eyes are flickering around the cafe and she looks super nervous.)

As she gets closer Emma notices her cheeks are slightly flushed, and she’s a little out of breath. She smiles as she sits down across from Emma, placing her bag, a little black backpack with wings that Emma finds endearing, down next to her. 

“Um, hi,” she says, still catching her breath. Her eyes dart around the room for a moment before returning back to Emma’s face. “Sorry I’m late.”

Emma smiles that same polite smile she does when she’s answering questions about Jacob in interviews, but somehow it feels more genuine than it’s ever been right now. “It’s okay, I was late too. I guess we’re both on time instead.”

“I’m not sure that’s how that works,” Abigail says with a quiet, slightly breathless, laugh. She holds her hand out across the table, as if for a handshake, and says, “I’m Abigail Blyg.”

Right. Business meeting. Professional. 

“Emma Mountebank.” Emma shakes her hand, smiling at how sweaty it is. That sounds strange, but it’s good to know she isn't alone in her nervousness. “I have to say, I’m a little inexperienced here. Can’t say I’ve ever been on a fake date before.”

Abigail laughs again, and Emma can feel her own smile grow at the sound. “Me neither, so I guess we’ll have to figure it out together,” she says, tapping her fingers against the table, “oh, and you can call me Abi. If you want.”

“Okay. It’s nice to meet you Abi.”

“And it’s nice to meet you too, Emma.”

There’s a moment of silence before they both start laughing again.

“I can’t believe I was so nervous about this,” Emma says, “I was worried I’d screw it up.”

“ You were worried you would?” Abi asks, “I was worried! I mean, at least you’re an actress, I have no experience in faking anything. I’m a terrible liar.”

“I guess I’ll have to teach you everything I know.” Emma doesn’t mean for it to sound so flirtatious, but she’s not against it. This is a date. Well, it’s not , but it is. She figures this is basically a chemistry read, if they’re not at least a little flirty then how are they going to prove they’re ‘madly in love,’ as Kaitlyn put it.

If the pinkness of Abigail’s cheeks is anything to go by, this might work. 

“Well,” Abigail says, smiling at her, “I can’t wait to learn.”

Yeah, Emma thinks this is going to work out.

//

This not a date, date has been going pretty well so far.

In the past Emma has always preferred doing stuff than hearing someone talk about themself, she’d found it boring to sit through and would keep checking the time for when she’d leave. That’s the whole reason she’s been so bad at dating, the reason she resorts to hooks up and flings instead. It’s why she was so reluctant to agree to this in the first place, even if it is fake. And sure, she’s loving getting to talk about herself too, but as this date progresses, she’s coming to find herself a little entranced as Abigail shares details about her 

Her favourite color is yellow but she refuses to wear any yellow clothing because she worried she might over expose herself and get sick of it. Her favorite animals are pigs, yes because they’re cute, but also because they’re misjudged by society—people think they’re gross slobs, but Abi thinks they get an unfair amount of flack and has been dreaming of having a pet pig since she was eleven years old. It’s nothing too deep, but it’s the first time in a long time that Emma’s felt this… this desire to know more. To ask more questions. So that’s what she does. 

“So, what made you decide to try fake dating?” Emma asks, taking a sip of her coffee.

Abi laughs again, it’s a noise Emma has heard a lot over the past two and half hours. “My manager thinks I need the extra publicity before I go on tour,” she explains, fidgeting with her cup of hot chocolate, “I didn’t really even want to agree, but I thought I might as well give it a chance. What about you?”

“Well, you might wanna settle in for this one,” Emma says, and Abigail grabs onto the table, which makes her smile. “My friend, his name is Jacob, is also an actor. Except, for some reason, everyone’s convinced we’re dating and it’s driving me crazy. I mean, I just finished a press tour about my new show, and all anyone’s asked me about is him.”

“Yikes, that must suck.”

“It does,” she says, shaking her head as she remembers the article she hate-read last night. 

Hollywood Insider: Is it true that Emma Mountebank and Jacob Custos are facing rocky relationship troubles? 

“My publicist said she had a way to solve my problem, and now I’m here.”

“Seems like a very extreme way to get rid of relationship rumours,” Abi says, and Emma can’t help but agree. 

“That’s Kaitlyn for you,” she says, “you'll ask her to get you from point A to point B, and oh she’ll definitely get you there, but not without taking a detour through points C to Z first.” The amount Abigail is laughing is making Emma feel like the funniest person on the planet, and for a moment she wonders if Abi’s faking it. Though, she did say she’s bad at lying, so maybe not. Emma smiles and looks back up at Abi, but her eyes catch on the person coming through the door. “Speak of the devil.”

As Abi glances behind her Kaitlyn makes her way over to their table, stopping in front of them with her hands in her hips. She stares at them in silence for a moment, and the two share a glance before she speaks. 

“Am I interrupting something?”

“You mean besides our totally real and not at all fake date?” Emma asks, revelling in the frown that appears on Kaitlyn’s face, “because besides that , nope, you’re good.”

“I know this might be hard for you to comprehend, Em.” Kaitlyn says, checking the time on her phone, “but you do have other things to do today. Which I’m sure you forgot about.”

“I didn’t forget . I just assumed you’d… remind me.”

“Right.”

“It’s your job!”

Kaitlyn rolls her eyes and folds her arms. “Okay, well, wrap this up. You have another interview in an hour and Dylan needs to get you ready.” She turns to Abigail, sending her a kind smile she’d never dare have around Emma. Godforbid she suggests she cares about her client and friend. “Oh, and I’m Kaitlyn.”

“Abigail.”

“Yep, you sure are,” she says, because Emma’s pretty sure Kaitlyn’s never gotten through a conversation without a little sarcasm. “If you even need a publicist, I’m your girl.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Abi says with a smile, and Emma groans.

“Do you have to be selling yourself all the time?”

Kaitlyn ignores her. “Oh, and your manager said something about needing your opinion on a…” she trails off, peering down at her hand, “I have no idea what that’s supposed to say.”

“It’s okay, it’s probably something to do with the tour.” Abi stands, grabbing for her bag. “It was nice to meet you,” she says to Emma, before glancing at Kaitlyn. “Both of you.”

“You too,” Emma says with a smile, before she reaches out for Abigail’s arm and says, “wait.”

Abi blinks at her, slightly confused look on her face, as Emma rummages through her bag. She finds a pen she’d left at the bottom months ago and quickly scribbles her number down on Abi’s arm, adding a heart at the end for good measure. 

“Here’s my number,” she says, suddenly realising she might have been a bit forward with the assumption Abi even wanted it, “you know, if you want it.”

“Thanks.” Abigail says, and she sounds a little breathless, which makes Emma think it was a good idea. 

Emma watches as she leaves, before turning to look at Kaitlyn, who’s taken Abigail’s seat. 

“I thought I have an interview soon?”

“Oh you do. I’m just waiting for you to get that stupid look off your face.”

“Wha— There’s no stupid look!”

“I didn’t think I’d have to remind you of this,” Kaitlyn says, taking Emma’s coffee for herself, “but this isn’t real.”

“I know that.”

“Your heart-eyes say different.” Emma scowls, opening her mouth to shoot back a retort but Kaitlyn’s speaking again before she can. “Now, come on, you don’t want to be late to being asked more questions about Jacob.” Kaitlyn grins as she stands, and Emma lets out a groan as she trails after her.

//

Marie🐝💛 @mfktoox

is it just me who kinda ships Jacob and Emma? i mean look at the way she responds in this interview!! 🥺🤔

TK @tarameena659

replying to @mfktoox

omg me too!! they’re couple goals they just have to announce it already!!

Marie🐝💛 @mfktoox

replying to @tarameena659

glad to know I’m not alone on this!!! and they’re so cute!!

🔪Jules🔪 @specymoon

replying to @mfktoox and @tarameena659

its super weird that ur shipping to real people… i bet they’re not even dating…

Marie🐝💛 @mfmtoox

replying to @specymoon

stop being a buzzkill 🙄🙄

Emma is doing the one thing Kaitlyn always tells her not to do, and that’s read tweets about herself. The interview she did early today was a total train wreck, where she barely got a word in about her show and instead was forced to talk about Jacob for most of the 20 minutes. 

It only solidifies the decision in her mind. She is going to have the most romantic, shippable, show-stopping, couple goals relationship possible with Abigail Blyg. Everyone’s going to eat it up and forget about her and Jacob, and it’s going to be glorious.  

//

Emma walks into Kaitlyn’s office, marching right up to her desk and waiting for Kaitlyn to notice her. Though, Kaitlyn being Kaitlyn, she simply keeps working, pretending she’s totally oblivious to Emma’s presence. She clears her throat, and Kaitlyn slowly, so slow it’s infuriating, lifts her gaze up to Emma. 

“Did we have a meeting today that I forgot about?” she asks in lay of a greeting, and Emma holds back a sigh. 

“As if you’d ever forget,” she says and she pulls the signed contract from her bag, she drops it on to her desk with a thud. “No, I came to drop off this.”

Kaitlyn smiles as she pulls the contract toward herself, flicking through the pages for a moment. “So you’re 100% in, huh?” she asks, and Emma can tell she’s pleased. 

“Yep.”

“I wasn’t sure you’d actually do it.”

“Why not?”

“You are aware that this is for just over a year, right?”

Emma rolls her, actually sighing now. “I did read the contract before I signed it, Kaitlyn.”

“Which means, you can’t see anyone else in that time frame,” Kaitlyn says as she leans forward, bracing her hands on her desk. “No dates, no flings, no hookups. You think you can handle that?”

“How depraved do you think I am?” Emma asks, genuinely offended, and even more offended by the look Kaitlyn gives her. “I’ll be fine,” she says with a dismissive wave, sitting down in the chair across from Kaitlyn. “I’ve gone longer without seeing anyone.”

“Too much info.”

“You brought it up,” Emma says with a shrug, resting her chin on her palm. “So, how does this work from now on?”

“Abi’s already signed her contact, so we were waiting on you. Her manager suggested we meet up and plan out this whole thing. You know, how you met, your first kiss, why you break up, blah blah blah.”

“ We as in you, and her manager? Or we as in me, you, Abi, and her manager?” she asks, slightly nervous at the idea of her entire fake love life being controlled by two people who aren’t her. 

“The second one.”

“Oh,” Emma relaxes her shoulders, “so we’ll have some input.”

“We’re not going to just make stuff up without giving you a choice,” Kaitlyn says, as if that’s the most morally objectionable thing she could possibly do. “I’ll let you know when we set a date.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll start brainstorming some ideas.”

“You do that. Now, if you don’t mind, I have some work to do.”

Emma raises a brow, suspicious of Kaitlyn’s politeness. “Is that your polite way of telling me to fuck off?” she asks, and Kaitlyn lifts her head to look at her. 

“What do you think?”

Emma holds up her hands and backs away. “Bye, love you!” she yells over shoulder as she leaves, pulling the door closed behind her. 

“Don’t slam the—“ Kaitlyn sighs as the door slams. “Door.”

Chapter Text

TK @tarameena659

is it just me wondering when Jacob and Emma are going to come out with their relationship??

Phoebe🥑🐻☀️ @ pheebsbdds

replying to @tarameena659

omg same i ship them so hard djdjsjd 

Mel @JacRuf

replying to @tarameena659

me too!! they’re cute together 

Rach😷 @CatharticLoss

replying to @tarameena659

I really want them act in a rom com or smth together 

TK @tarameena659

replying to @Catharticloss

gah that would literally make my life!!!

//

Hot Goss: Rumors fly on Twitter about Jacob Custos and Emma Mountebank! When will they admit their love?

The fans have been picking up on some serious tension, it’s only a matter of time until the pair admit their feelings for one another. 

Jacob Custos and Emma Mountebank have been friends since before the limelight, (see old posts of the two here ), and it seems they’ve been keeping their relationship on the downlow. We know that they're couple goals, and now all us and the fans are waiting for the announcement any day now!

Fingers crossed it’s soon!

//

Emma sits in the lobby of a random office building in LA, watching as the clock ticks, ticks, ticks. Kaitlyn has scheduled a meeting with Abigail and her manager, which Emma is twenty minutes early for. Normally Emma was rarely early, sometimes she wasn’t even on time at all, but Kaitlyn had warned her that if she was late she’d book Emma an extra couple of interviews as punishment. 

She’s spent the past few days coming up with a couple ideas for her fake relationship with Abi, even bouncing a few off Dylan when he was around. Though, he hadn’t been much help. Dylan tended to lean towards the more fantastical, and a lot of the ideas he proposed were far too flashy, even for Emma. One of them was that she kissed Abigail for the first time after catching her mid fall which, whilst romantic, was very unrealistic. Honestly, it’s a miracle he ever got with Ryan in the first place. Though, she supposes Ryan being so serious and stoic is what grounds Dylan, so maybe they’re actually perfect for each other. 

There aren’t too many ideas written down in the notebook she’s now clutching in her lap. Turns out it’s not as easy as it seems to brainstorm a whole relationship, but that’s why she has Kaitlyn. She’s sure her, admittedly talented, publicist has already constructed an in-depth timeline, which is both comforting and intimidating. 

She feels very much out of her comfort zone with all this. Sure, she’s acted in romances before. In various plays, a few rom-coms, and her most recent show even had a romantic subplot. Emma’s no stranger to acting as if she’s in love, kissing someone she isn’t interested in, but this is different. Usually it’s a character she’s playing falling in love with another character—but now Emma is both the actor and the character, and Abigail is real too. It’s fake, but it’s real, and it’s all very confusing 

All she hopes is they’ll establish some boundaries whilst in there. How far is too far? What do they tell other people? Emma hasn’t mentioned this to anyone else yet, beyond Kaitlyn and Dylan, and she’s not sure what she’ll say. Is she even allowed to tell Jacob it’s fake, or is that a risk? 

It seems her questions are going to be answered, because Kaitlyn comes marching through the doors looking very professional and stops in front of her. 

“I see my little threat worked,” she says with a smirk, fixing the blazer she’s wearing. “If I knew that’s all it took to make sure you’re on time, I would have done it ages ago.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Emma rolls her eyes and stands, fixing her own shirt and slipping her notebook back into her bag. “It was very cruel of you, to threaten me with that of all things.”

Kaitlyn shrugs, looking smug, as she leads Emma down the hall and into one of the smaller conference rooms. “You know I take the tough love approach.” She sets out her things on the desk, and Emma does the same beside her. 

It doesn’t take long for Abi and her manager to show up, and Emma’s no less nervous as the meeting commences. 

“So,” Kaitlyn says as she claps her hands together, and she moves to connect her laptop to the tv mounted on the back wall, “I’ve been doing a little ‘brainstorming,’ as Emma would say, and have created a comprehensive timeline for this ‘relationship.’ ”

See, Emma knew it. She's worked with Kaitlyn long enough to learn how she does things, been friends with her longer to understand why she does them this way. Organized, professional, and comprehensive. The Ka motto. 

(Not really, but it might as well be.)

“That’s great,” Abigail’s manager, Emma thinks her name might be Nora or something, she can’t really remember. “As long as it adheres to the points in the contract.”

“Oh, trust me,” Emma says with a smile, slightly proud, “if there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that Kaitlyn does everything perfect.”

“I guess we’ll see about that,” Maybe-Nora says, and Emma glances at Abi and sends her a look. They have a silent conversation within the moments of silence that elapse. 

‘Your manager’s kind of an ass, huh?’

‘I know! Sorry.’

“Oh-kay,” Kaitlyn says, completely bypassing Maybe-Nora’s comment. “Obviously we’ve established that Emma and Abi met through…” she clicks on her little clicker, changing the slide, “Ryan, who is the boyfriend of…” next slide, “Dylan, Emma’s friend and stylist. But, there are more important questions here: why did they start dating? Who made the first move? What was the first date? When was the first kiss? And this,” Kaitlyn gestures to her PowerPoint, “is going to have all the answers.”

Maybe-Nora nods, seeming surprised but also impressed. “Let’s begin, then.”

If there was a single word to describe the following PowerPoint, well, Kaitlyn already said it actually. Comprehensive. 

First of all Kaitlyn makes it clear that beyond anyone that already knows, the fake aspects of their relationship must remain secret so it doesn’t get exposed. Emma gets it, she does, but it’s gonna be weird as hell lying about a relationship to her friends—and she isn’t even going to consider her family. Actually, she doesn’t hate lying to them that much. 

Next Kaitlyn outlines their romance . They met at dinner with Ryan, Dylan and a few other of their friends. It was Abi who made the first move because she thought Emma was funny and cute. According to Kaitlyn, Emma was too afraid since she’s had bad dating experiences. (True, but rude. ) 

Their first date was at a coffee shop, much like their fake-first date, and the two were absolutely smitten from the very start. They had their first kiss on the same day, initiated by Abigail once again, before they parted. It was soft and sweet, but left Emma wanting more. 

(She’s not liking how desperate she’s being made out in this story. Sure, it’s not real, but still!)

Kaitlyn is in the midst of setting up a plan to garner the couple both adoration and sympathy. The relationship is still new, and they aren’t ready to go public.  However, their cute little relationship will be exposed by some tipped off paparazzi, and both Emma and Abi will talk about how they weren’t ready for it to be public yet, but yes, they are dating. 

Following this, they follow the agreements of the contract. Social media posts, event appearances, interviews, that sort of stuff. Keep the hype alive, make everyone forget about Jacob, and promote Abigail’s tour, and then quietly break up a few months after both their goals are fulfilled.

Not as bad or scary as Emma was expecting. It’s not until the meeting’s over, and everyone’s packing up to leave, that she remembers she wanted to establish some boundaries. Which, she realizes, might be better to do just with Abi. 

“Hey,” she says to Abi, rounding the table to stand beside her. “Can you stay back a minute? I want to talk to you about something.”

Abi nods, placing her water bottle back down on the table. “Sure. What’s up?”

Emma waits until Kaitlyn and Maybe-Nora have left the room, the door softly shutting beside them, before she looks back at Abigail. 

“So, I was thinking,” she moves to sit on the table, “that, maybe, we should set some rules?”

“Rules?” Abi repeats, and Emma nods. 

“Yeah. Like, boundaries.”

“Oh, yeah, I think that’s a good idea.” Abi moves to sit down in her chair, tilts her head up to look at Emma. “Did you have any in mind? Or…?”

“Well, my first thought was kissing,” she says, hoping she doesn’t sound too… Desperate? Though, that is how Kaitlyn’s characterized her. “Not that we have to. I mean, some couples don’t do any PDA at all. I just want to know where the line is, where we stand with it.”

Abigail thinks for a moment. “I think I’d be okay with kissing you if I had to,” she says, before cringing. “That sounded really rude, didn’t it?”

“No, not at all!” Emma insists with a laugh. “I was actually thinking we could just do stage kissing.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s like real kissing, except it’s fake.”

Abi laughs, and says, “I guessed that part.“

“I mean, there are different ways to do them. Sometimes you just kiss with no feelings attached, but there are other ways as well. A common one is where you cover the other person both before you kiss them, you know if that makes the whole thing more comfortable.”

“Cover their mouth?” Abi asks, furrowing her brows, “how does that even work?”

“It’s hard to explain, and a little complicated if you’re not experienced” Emma says, and entirely accidentally uses a super smooth pick up line when she says, “but I could show you. You know, if you’d be okay with that.”

“Uh, okay.” Abigail nods, and Emma can tell she’s slightly apprehensive. “Yeah, okay.”

“Only if you’re 100% sure.”

“It’s okay,” Abi reassures her, and maybe herself, because she relaxes slightly. 

“Don’t worry,” Emma says, “our lips won’t even touch. Watch.” 

She reaches out, slowly, and cups Abi’s jaw. Usually she’s on the receiving end of these kisses, since it’s usually the male character that initiates in a lot of plays, but obviously that’s not possible here. Plus, it feels nice not to be adhering to gender roles for once. Emma moves her thumb and presses it against Abigail’s lips, and she leans forward, quickly pressing a kiss to her thumb before she pulls back.

“See?” For some reason her body is reacting as if she actually kissed Abi, but she assumes that it’s just the nerves. Adrenaline and all that. “We could do that if the occasion ever calls for a kiss”

Emma’s been doing her best to ignore it, but Abi’s also reacting as if they actually kissed. Her face is slightly flushed, and she stutters over her words for a moment before gaining her composure.

“Sounds good,” she says with a nod, “that’s actually pretty clever.”

Emma shrugs, smirking. “I’m guessing everything else is on the table? Hand-holding, hugs, that sort of thing?”

“Yep. Yeah.”

They both stand, almost bumping into each other, and share a laugh at how awkward the moment is. 

“You have my number if you need anything,” Emma says as they walk down the hall together, “or if you just want to chat.”

“I’ll be sure to send you a text soon,” Abi says with a shy smile, and they stop once they exit the building, and look at each other for a moment. 

Emma takes a risk here, and she leans in to hug Abigail. It’s the right move, though, because Abi hugs her back. 

“See you around, girlfriend ,” Emma says with a teasing lilt in her voice.

Abi flushes, but takes the flirting in stride, undeterred with her equally flirty response. “You too, girlfriend .”

They laugh again and wave each other goodbye, and as Emma gets into her car, she relaxes. None of this is ever as bad as she builds it up to be in her head. Really she should have more faith in Kaitlyn, and she and Abi are developing a good friendship too. 

Perhaps this will work after all. 

//

Honestly, Emma didn’t expect her second fake-date to be so soon. She’d assumed they’d wait a while, she’s not sure why—but she did. However, for Kaitlyn’s plan to work, they need photos. So here she is, on the way to pick up Abi for their next date. 

It’s not that she’s nervous, at least not as nervous as she was last time, but this whole thing feels weird. 

“You have to make sure you’re in the right place at the right time,” Kaitlyn says through the phone, and Emma resists the urge to bang her head into the steering wheel. She appreciates Kaitlyn’s organisation, she really does, but this is the seventh time she’s explained the same thing. “If you’re not here, we have no photo. If we have no photo—“

“Okay, I get it!” Emma interrupts, before quickly composing herself. “Sorry. Just… I know this is important, Kaitlyn. Just trust me to not fuck it up, okay?”

There’s a stretch of silence.

A sigh comes through the phone. “Fine. I guess I can trust you on this.” Emma smiles, glad that’s done with, until… “I just want to check one more time.”

“Kaitlyn…”

“Just one final check!” she insists, and when Emma doesn’t put up a fight she continues, “you need to be on Graven Street by 3:30, holding hands with Abi. Make sure it’s nothing too risqué, we want attention but not a scandal.”

“It’s handholding, how ‘risqué’ can it be?”

“I never know with you, Emma.”

“Okay, no ‘risqué hand holding.’ Whatever that is. I’m almost at Abi’s, so it’s time for you to leave me alone.”

“Just don’t fuck this up.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

“I’m not entirely sure I believe you. But, fine, I’ll go. Text me when you’re done.”

“Aye, aye, captain.”

“Fuck you.”

“Love you too! Bye!” Kaitlyn ends the call before Emma’s even finished the word, but she doesn’t mind. Emma leans back in her seat, relaxing her hands against the wheel. “Finally, I thought she’d never hang up.”

Abi actually hasn’t texted her yet, which Emma is deciding not to reas into. Maybe she’s nervous. Or busy. Or doesn’t want it talk to her. It’s fine. Emma’s not worrying about. 

That does mean, though, that Emma has got Abi’s address from Kaitlyn, and Kaitlyn got it from Maybe-Nora. Emma just really hopes she’s got the right, because if she hasn’t…

Well, let’s just say this isn’t the first time she went to the wrong address for a ‘date.’

She climbs up the stairs of the small, but cute apartment building. (Kind of like Abi.) Emma approaches the door Kaitlyn had passed along and knocks, hoping this won’t end badly. Like with a naked old man on the other side of something. 

(That’s totally not based on a real experience that happened to her once or anything. Nope. Not at all.)

After a few excruciatingly suspending moments pass the door opens to reveal, drum roll, Abi! Yay!

“Oh this is the right place,” she sighs, relief washing over her, before rembeing she’s actually talking to a human right now. “I mean, hi.”

Abigail shoots her a weird look but smiles. “Hi?”

“You ready to go?”

“Yep!” Abi reaches inside for a moment and then steps out unit the hall with that same little back pack. She follows Emma out the building. “So, where are we going? My manager doesn’t explain much of anything we’re doing to me.”

“First we’re going to grab coffee,” Emma explains, leaving out the bit that the coffee thing is her own addition. It adds a human touch, makes it seem real. Plus, Emma really wants coffee. “And then we’ll go on a walk. We have to be in a certain place at a certain time, but I’ll deal with all that. You just have to look happy and be cute. Think you can handle that?”

“Um. I’ll try my best?”

“Good enough! Let’s go.”

They stop off at the same cafe as last time and get to-go cups this time, and Emma leads them through the streets in the general vercinity of where they’ll need to be. 

“So, do you think you’re ready for the attention? When the news gets out?” Emma asks as they leave the cafe, guiding Abi to the street Kaitlyn’s reminded her to be at a hundred times today. 

“You’re assuming people will care,” Abi says, and Emma figures that more of an assessment of her own status than Emma’s. Abigail’s never experienced the degree of insanity that comes with people being obsessed with your love life, and she’s about to. Emma feels a little bad about that. 

“Trust me, they will.” Abi shoots her an incredulous look and Emma hurries to defend herself, “I don’t mean this in a narcissistic way, I’m serious. You should see the things people say about me and Jacob. Or write.”

“Now I’m curious.”

“I’ll show, but I have to warn you. This may traumatise you for the rest of your life. Are you willing to accept the risk?”

“How bad can it be?”

“Abi, this is serious. It’s a big risk!”

“Okay, fine. I accept the risk.” Emma quickly pulls up Twitter on her phone and scrolls for a moment, and it’s sad how easily this kind of stuff is to find in an instant. She hands it over to Abi, who squints at the screen as she reads. “This doesn’t seem so… Oh my god.”

“See?” Emma says, taking the phone back, “told you. That’s not even the worst of it, since their characters are limited.”

“Maybe I am worried about this. You don’t think I’ll get any hate do you?”

“I mean, honestly, you might. Don’t worry about it though, I will be getting most of it. I bet the narrative will be this:” Emma holds out her hands, gesturing out as if presenting something. “Perfect, hunky star Jacob Custos denied love from tease Emma Mountebank.”

“That doesn’t sound fair,” Abi says, pulling a face, “and it’s not even true.”

Emma shrugs. “That’s show biz.”

“If people are going to think that, then how is this a good idea? Surely Kaitlyn doesn’t want that?”

“Kaitlyn knows what she’s doing. That’ll be half of the narrative. The other half will think we’re an adorable, beautiful couple that makes a statement.” She holds her hand to her chest with a over the top gasp, putting on a voice, “I mean, two women, how ghastly and controversial!”

“You’re ridiculous,” Abi says with a laugh, shaking her head at Emma’s antics. 

“Only sometimes,” she says with a wink, grinnning at Abi. “My point is, people are always going to hate you—even if you’re perfect. Especially if you’re perfect. You just have to own it.”

“Hm,” Abi hums, tilting her head, “that’s actually good advice. Thanks.”

Emma shrugs, happy to help. She remembers when she was still new to this, and she wishes she’d had someone to help her out back then. She got taken advantage of way too many times back then—especially with contracts and pay. The sudden stardom was as scary as it was exilerating, and she hadn’t even been connected to someone else like Abigail’s about to be. She needs all the help she can get. 

“Oh, I have another question,” Emma says, and Abi gestures for her to go on. “Okay, so, you can totally say no if you want. That’s fine. But, I was wondering, can I listen to your music?”

She watches as Abi hesitates for a moment. Her lips twitch, and her gaze wanders as she thinks for a moment. 

“Not right now,” she says, and it sounds more like a question than an answer. 

“If that’s a no then that okay,” Emma reassures her, “you don’t have to sugarcoat it. Boundaries are important.”

She doesn’t miss the way Abigail smiles at that.

“Okay, then no. But, maybe soon. Let me think about it.”

Emma nods, whilst slightly disappointed, still excited at the prospect of the soon. Emma wants Abi to share all of herself with her, but still at her own pace. “Sounds like a plan.”

Her phone buzzes in her bag and Emma pulls it out, and, of course, it’s Kaitlyn. Which is good this time, since Emma almost forgot to check the time. 

“Kaitlyn says we need to get ready,” Emma says with a sigh, returning her phone to her bag.

“We’re just holding hand right?” Abi asks. 

“Right.”

“So why is she being so…?”

“Overbearing?” Emma finishes, and Abi nods, shooting her a confused look. “Because it’s Kaitlyn. You’ll learn.” She reaches down to grab Abigail’s hand, sending her a smile to check she’s okay. She smiles back. “Okay, here we go,” she says, already spotting the completely vid ale and not at all inconspicuous paparazzi in the distance. Wow, Kaitlyn knows some real idiots in the industry. “Now, act like you’re really engrossed in what I’m saying.”

“I think that’s be easier if you were actually saying something interesting,” Abi says with a laugh. 

Emma has to say she’s shocked by how much Abi is joking around today. It’s good though, it means they’re getting closer. Emma would like to actually know her fake-girlfriend.  

“Rude! I’m very interesting!”

“Then show me that!”

“Okay, fine.” Emma sighs and thinks for a moment. “Here’s a fun fact about me: I worked at a circus for half a year.”

“Wait, what?” Abigail almost trips over her feet, Emma’s grasp of her hand keeping her up. She takes a moment to compose herself before she looks at Emma. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” She shakes her head, excited she’s getting a chance to tell this story again. “When I was 17 I worked a circus, I was on the trapeze. I took gymnastics and dance, so it was a good fit. I quit because my boyfriend at the time had a phobia of clowns.”

Abigail frowns. “That seems like a dumb reason to give up a cool job. Do you regret quitting?”

“Sometimes,” Emma admits, “ it was really fun and I broke with that boyfriend three months after anyway. But I’m glad I quit, so I could end up where I am now.”

“An actress in LA?”

“No, silly.” She bumps her shoulder agasint Abi’s playfully. “On a super real and not at all staged date with my totally real and not at all fake girlfriend. Duh.”

Abigail rolls her eyes and says, “I think the clown role would have suited you better.”

“Wow, I had no idea you had some much bite, Abi,” she says, quickly adding, “I love it. Maybe I’ll wear clown make up on our next date.”

“In that case I can’t wait.” Abi nudges her shoulder back, and Emma smiles. This is becoming easier and easier. 

They reach the end of the block and leave the sight line of the camera. Emma stops, but doesn’t pull her hand away just yet. 

“And we’re done,” she says. “Was that interesting enough for you?”

Abi nods, pulling her hand away to tuck her hair behind her ear. “Definitely.”

Emma pulls out her phone, rolling her eyes at the thumbs up message she just got from Kaitlyn. “Let’s hope Kaitlyn can pull this off, huh?”

//

A few days later Emma waits in her bedroom, ready for this ‘accidental-leak’ to just leak already. 

“You excited for the big reveal?” Dylan asks as he looks through her closet, glancing back to where Emma sits on the edge of her bed. 

She considers his question. Every step of the way she’s been nervous, always worried about what comes next. And yet, now that they’re on the verge of this thing becoming totally official, she isn’t nervous. Not anymore. No jitters, no excessive coffee drinking, no hiding from Kaitlyn. 

If anything, she’s more than ready. 

“I just can’t wait for people to get off my case about Jacob,” she says, scrolling through her secret Twitter account. This is where she indulges in her unhealthy, and slightly narcissistic, obsession with reading about herself. “They’re really dedicated. I can’t wait to see their hearts break in real time.”

Dylan turns to look at her with a grin, “I really admire how evil you can be.”

“Thanks.” Emma stands and makes her way to him. “What’s this for?”

“Kaitlyn’s booked you another interview before your next audition,” he says as he holds it up a skirt, scrutinizing it, “she’s hoping they’ll bring up Abi and you’ll get a chance to talk about it. Thoughts?”

“Huh, I never really thought about having any interviews after this. Not until my next project at least, but I’ll figure some stuff out with Abi and I should be fine.”

“Not with that,” Dylan says, annoyed as he hooks the skirt on her closet door and thumbs through her collection of jackets, “I meant the skirt.”

“Oh.” Emma blinks and takes another look at the skirt. Simple. Cute. Very, I’m in love now, vibe. If that’s even a thing. (Maybe it’s not a thing.) “Yeah, I like it.”

Before Dylan can say anything more Emma’s phone rings on the bed and she hurries to answer. She already knew it was Kaitlyn before she even looked at the ID, and she immediately puts her on speaker. 

“The news will be out in a few minutes,” Kaitlyn says, in her usual right to business, I’ve-never-heard-of-a-greeting Ka way. “So, I’d say be ready for a sudden influx of notifications.”

“Oh, I’m ready,” Emma says, settling back on her bed and Dylan sits down beside her. “I can’t wait for Jemma to burn right in front of my eyes.”

“Jemma?” Dylan asks, out of the loop. 

“Jemma. Jacob + Emma. It’s their ship name, keep up Dylan,” Kaitlyn sighs, and he and Emma share a look of ‘someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.’ “Just remember that you can’t post about it until tomorrow—you first, since your following is bigger, and then Abi later. You should probably meet up before then and plan your posts, a couple photo would be good.”

“Once again Kaitlyn, I’m reminding you I have read the contract.” She can imagine Kaitlyn’s eyeroll over the phone. “I’m just waiting for Abi to text me so I have her number. We’ll have a little fake date, really sell it.”

“Perfect, anyway I have to go. Meetings to meet, people to peep. Bye,” she hangs up before Emma, or Dylan, can say goodbye as usual. 

“Well, she’s in a good mood,” Emma comments, watching as Dylan moves back over to the closet. Hah, ironic. 

“Better than usual,” he jokes before asking, “are you not even a little bit nervous?”

Emma shrugs. “Maybe a teeny, tiny bit, but mostly just excited. Plus, this is how all my friends find out since they can’t know it’s fake.”

Dylan fake gasps, holding a hand to his chest dramatically. “Are you saying we’re not friends?”

“I’m saying that you’re trusted,” she says with a smile, always entertained by Dylan, “and Ryan too. Unlike Jacob and Max, who are major risks of a leak or whatever.”

“Oh, well then I’m truly honored.”

Her phone dings in her hand, and she’s half expecting it to be another text from Kaitlyn. But then it dings again, and then it won’t stop, and Emma knows why. Finally, they’ve gone public.

…yay.

Emma’s first course of action is to respond to Jacob’s onslaught of excited but also hurt texts that she’s dating again, but also that he didn’t know. She sends an apology and promises they’ll talk about it properly later in person, and she moves on to all the articles Kaitlyn is sending over. And, yep, there it is. A flashy headline and a cute photo of her and Abigail walking around town.

Her phone dings again, and this one is what she’s been waiting for. A text from Abi. Finally, 

Unknown Number: hi! its abigail!

Unknown Number: i guess we’re really fake-dating now 

Unknown Number: you know with the ‘leak’

Emma quickly saves Abi’s contact and sends over a reply. 

Emma: No going back now ;)

Emma: You doing okay with all this attention? 

<3 Abi: i havent gotten too much attention yet

<3 Abi: im guessing you have?

Emma: You could say that, but don’t worry about it. Most of it is good stuff

<3 Abi: well that’s good

Emma: Yep. Oh and Kaitlyn wants us to meet tomorrow for another date. You know for our confirmation posts 

<3 Abi: ok! ill be there :)

Emma: Cool! I’m sure Kaitlyn will want to pick the place, but I’ll let you know when I know

Emma: I’ve gotta run but I’ll see you tomorrow!

<3 Abi: okay bye! :)

“Ooh, is that your girlfriend?” Dylan asks, wiggling his brows, and Emma laughs as she tosses her phone aside. 

“Fake-girlfriend, yes. Now, walk me through this outfit so I don’t have to think about all the tweets I’m desperate to read.”

Dylan grins at her, “I’m on it.”

//

Hot Goss: Actress Emma Mountebank spotted with indie musician Abigail Blyg! Is this simply a photo of two friends, or is there more to it?

[A far off shot of Emma and Abi, each of them holding coffee cups in one hand, their other hands joined together. There’s a comically large red circle around their hands, surrounded by a flurry of question marks.]

Are the rumours true? Is this who Emma Mountebank’s really dating? We’re not so sure, but I must say I’m still a diehard Jemma stan until proven otherwise!

//

Gab👻 @jibbiep782

Anyone else seen this photos of Emma and some girl??? Are they together or not???

Marie🐝💛 @mfktoox

replying to @jibbiep782

im pretty sure they’re just friends and people are assuming they’re dating 🤦♀️

T-V @CappyBee

replying to @ellemta2

Isn’t that what u Jemma stans are doing too tho??

Marie🐝💛 @mfktoox

replying to @CappyBee

ye but jemma are actually dating…

Yivnos🙃🧇 @vsxkltbw9a

replying to @CappyBee

when Emma and Jacob come out about their relationship tmr to get rid of the rumours I’ll be laughing at u

T-V @CappyBee

replying to @vsxkltbw9a

And when Emma and this girl come out about their relationship I’ll be laughing at you :)

//

“We’re gonna have to make this look as authentic as possible,” Kaitlyn says as she lets herself into Emma’s apartment, her phone surprisingly absent from her hand, “so I have a plan.”

“This totally unexpected and surprising news,” Emma deadpans from where she’s sitting on the sofa. She types away on her laptop, sending an email to her agent about her next round of auditions. “Kaitlyn Ka? Having a plan? Unheard of!”

“Do you want to hear the plan or should I leave you to figure this out on your own?” There’s obviously only one answer to that question. So obvious that Kaitlyn continues before Emma can even open her mouth. “Dylan’s at Abi’s right now getting her ready.”

“You haven’t given me the location yet,” Emma says, quickly moving her laptop aside to fully pay attention to the conversation. “I was gonna text her the time and place for today.”

“I’ve changed my mind about how we’re going to do this.” Kaitlyn stands and makes her way over to Emma, gesturing for her to stand. “Abi’s coming here.”

“Here?” Emma repeats, blindly following Kaitlyn to her bedroom. “As in my apartment?”

“Where else would here be?” Kaitlyn asks as she disappears into Emma’s closet—somewhere she doesn’t frequent. She tends to leave all outfits to Dylan.

“It was a rhetorical question.”

“I don’t care.” Kaitlyn reappears holding a green hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. Yeah, this is why this job is Dylan’s. She chucks them at Emma and pulls out her phone, already typing away. Probably texting or emailing someone. 

Emma looks down at the clothes in her lap, and then up to Kaitlyn. “Uh, do you want to explain to me why you’re dressing me?” she asks, “and why you’re dressing me like this?”

“Nora and I have decided to show the casual side of you two,” Kaitlyn says, and Emma internally fist pumps. She knew her name was Nora. Sorta. Hah, that rhymes. “Instead of the very glamorous vibe you have in interviews, and the grungy, angsty vibe Abigail has on stage.”

The description ‘grungy, angsty vibe’ intrigues Emma. That definitely describes Abi’s sense of style, but not so much her personality. Emma would describe her as sweet and adorable, a cinnamon roll personified you might say. Now probably isn’t the time to ask, though. 

“I guess that makes sense,” Emma says with a shrug, dropping the clothes onto her bed. She starts getting changed, asking, “when are Abi and Dylan getting here?”

“In about half an hour.”

“Is Nora coming?”

“Who?”

Emma panics. Is Abi’s manager not called Nora? Had she got it wrong and is now going to be mercilessly ridiculed? Fuck. She hates giving Kaitlyn ammo like this. She’ll milk this slip up for the next two weeks, maybe even three. 

“…Abi’s manager?”

Kaitlyn’s silent for a moment. “Oh, her,” she says, sounding annoyed. “Thankfully not. The uptight bitch, she treats Abi like a child.”

“I’d argue you do that to me,” Emma says with a smirk as she pulls on the hoodie, turning her head to look at Kaitlyn. The death glare Kaitlyn shoots her makes her laugh. “Kidding! You are not my mommy.”

“I wouldn’t want to be,” she says and Emma gasps, raising her eyebrows. 

“I would be a great baby!”

“Keep dreaming. Now hurry and get ready, I have to take this.” She holds up her phone, ringing on silent, and leaves the room with a, “what the fuck do you want?”

Emma shakes her head and returns her focus on this outfit. Luckily she isn’t wearing too much makeup today, and hasn’t bothered to style her hair, so the casual look is believable enough. When she’s done she grabs her phone and shoots a text to Abi.

Emma: So Kaitlyn knows where you live now

Emma: When a strange man turned up at your door asking to dress you did you think you were about to be in a true crime documentary?

It only takes a second before she gets a response.

<3 Abi: it was scary that someone was knocking on my door unannounced 

<3 Abi: but I know Dylan already and even if I didn’t he doesn’t have serial killer vibes

Emma: That’s true. Kaitlyn’s the one you should worry about. If any step of this plan goes wrong she might be the next person to turn up at your door unannounced.

<3 Abi: Spooky

Emma: I would have let you know that plans had changed if Kaitlyn had told me. She let me know at the last minute. 

<3 Abi: it’s okay!

<3 Abi: ive gtg Dylan wants to try another look

<3 Abi: bye :)

Emma: See you soon! ;)

“Sometimes I forget how good I have it working with you most the time,” Kaitlyn says as she walks back into the room, shaking her head. 

“Aw, Kaitlyn, I think that’s the first time you’ve ever said anything nice to me!”

“Don’t get used to it.” She rolls her eyes, returning her phone to her bag. “You’re just mildly better than the rest of my clients.”

“Other clients?” Emma says with fake-shock, “I thought we had something special. Are you cheating on me?” 

“Shush, we have work to do.” Kaitlyn looks her outfit up and down, then shrugs. “Eh, good enough. If Dylan’s on time they should be here soon. We’re going to take a few couple photos of you around here—and then we’ll go outside for Abi’s.”

“Why am I getting stuck with the casual photos?”

“Because you have the bigger following, which means more people will see it. Now come on, we have set dressing to do.”

Emma isn’t too sure what set dressing is supposed to mean in this context. Turns out it just means Emma has to clean her apartment. In her defence it’s not even that messy, Kaitlyn’s just a neat freak who can’t handle stuff being out of place. Which, they’re not even out of place, they’re right where Emma likes them to be. Whatever. 

It’s probably a good thing Kaitlyn’s making her do all this. Emma does want to make a good impression on Abi, and her having  a messy, not dirty, apartment doesn’t send the best message possible. By the time she’s done following all of Kaitlyn’s extremely specific instructions on where things should go—which is bound to stab her in the back later when she’s looking for something she needs—there’s a knock at the door. 

“They’re here,” Kaitlyn says, and she does a strange gesture that Emma doesn’t understand before heading off to let them in. 

In the span of about 20 seconds Emma sits down and stands up about 50 times. On the sofa? Too casual. At the table? Too weird. On the table? No, also weird. 

When Abi, and Dylan but she cares less about what he thinks, enter the room she’s midway between sitting and standing, probably staring at them like a deer in the headlights. 

“Hey,” she says, deciding she should just stand. “Welcome to my humble abode.” Her apartment isn’t that humble, but it’s hardly luxurious either. It’s good enough for her lifestyle at least. 

Kaitlyn sends her a weird look as she comes in behind Abi and Dylan, and Emma’s sure if she could she’d be yelling at Emma to stop being a freak. 

“Wow,” Abi says, looking around the room, “your place is nice.”

“Thanks.” That doesn’t mean much really. Emma just picked the place and let someone else decorate, she doesn’t spend a lot of time here anyway. But still, it’s nice to hear any sort of compliment from Abigail. 

“You say that, but you should have seen what it looked like twenty minutes ago,” Kaitlyn intrupts, and assessing Abi’s outfit. It’s just as casual as Emma’s, which makes sense. “Anyway, enough chit chat, we have work to do.”

//

[A casual selfie of Emma and Abi, backdropped by Emma’s mostly clean apartment. Emma grins at the camera, her eyes crinkle at the edges. Abigail looks at Emma, her chin resting against Emma’s shoulder and a small smile on her lips.]

EmmaMountebankOffical: This isn’t how I expected the news to come out, but the rumours are true. Meet my lovely and beautiful girlfriend, Abi! ❤️💚🐻 @AbiBear03

Comments - 3,308:

JacobCustoss:

I CANT BELIEVE YOU DIDN'T TELL ME 

EmmaMountebankOffical:

replying to @JacobCustoss

Sorry! We wanted to keep it private for a while 😬😬

MaxBBrinly:

replying to @JacobCustoss and @EmmaMountebankOffical

I can’t believe you didn’t tell me and Laura too!!! 😥😥

EmmaMountebankOffical:

replying to @JacobCustoss and @MaxBBrinly

Sorry!! I promise we’ll all catch up soon and I’ll share all the details! Promise! ❤️

Emmanation4life:

Omg you two are so cute!

Carryjeet66:

What about Jacob???

melissaneroir0093:

did not expect this… congrats…

Speccys:

This is two worlds colliding!! I love Abi’s music!

FosterKRYeo:

Guess that proves you aren’t with Jacob lol

Mimi56:

congrats!

//

Breaking Gossip News: The rumours are confirmed! Emma Mountebank is officially dating newcomer Abigail Blyg! 

This news is unexpected (announced in these instagrams posts by Emma and Abi) but we’re already obsessed with this beautiful couple! Though it’s now revealed that Emma is only friends with Jacob Custos, we’re excited to see her in a happy relationship. 

As for her girlfriend, let’s dive in! Abigail Blyg is a musician releasing her first album just at the end of last month, following the growth of her internet vitality. It’s true she’s less famous compared to her other half, and it’s yet to be known how the two fell in love, we’re excited to see more of this rising star!

Now all we need is a ship name! Any suggestions? I’m partial to Blygbank!

//

Marie🐝💛 @mfktoox

today jemma nation mourns 😭😭💔

Rach😷 @CatharticLoss

replying to @mfktoox

im gonna miss them so much,,,, theyll always be real to me 😤

Yivnos🙃🧇 @vsxkltbw9a

replying to @mfktoox and @Cathartic Loss

😭😢☹️💔☹️😞

🔪Jules🔪 @specymoon

replying to @mfmtoox

Bestie they were never real????

T-V @CappyBee

replying to @mfmtoox

I think Emma and this Abi girl seem cute! Give them a chance jemma stans 😕😕

Marie🐝💛 @mfktoox

replying to @CappyBee

PLEAZE LEAVE MEI BEE IN THIS TIMEE OF MOURNINGG!!

Mel @JacRuf

replying to @mfktoox and @CatharticLoss

you guys are too much…

//

It’s the middle of the night, a few days after her fake-relationship has gone public, when Kaitlyn calls her. Emma blindly reaches for her phone, rubbing her eyes. She assumes it’s one of Kaitlyn’s sadistic tactics to make sure she’s on time for some meeting or whatever. Emma’s too tired to really theorise. 

“Hello?” she grumbles into the phone, sitting up slightly as she squints in the darkness. 

“I have big news,” Kaitlyn says, not sounding enthusiastic at all. “You remember that short film you did, the one that just came out?”

“Oh yeah. Right, I just went to the screening for that.”

It was a fun project. Low budget, but heartfelt. The story of two sisters, relying on each other. It’s actually made Emma emotional, considering the stark lack of sisterly love she has with her own sister. The short film got decent reviews.

“Well, it’s been nominated for an award at a short film award show,” Kaitlyn says, and Emma can hear the clacking of a keyboard on the other end. Does that woman ever stop working? “You’re invited to it next week. I was thinking you could take Abigail, keep the momentum.”

Award ceremonies have never been a stand out to Emma. Mostly because her projects never win much, she’s not salty about that, it’s just a fact. She’s forgotten most of them. That may or may not be due to her tendency to get black out drunk at the loser after parties. Though, it could be fun with Abigail. 

“Sure, I’ll ask her about it.”

“Great! I’ll add it to the calendar.”

Emma pauses for a moment, before asking, “I have a calendar?”

“Are you being serious?” Kaitlyn asks, scoffing. “I set up a digital calendar for you months ago. You said you’d check it out.”

“Whatever. I’ll do that. At some point.” Emma collapses back into bed, sighing. “Stop talking to me now. Sleepy. I need to sleep.”

“Fine. We’ll talk more about this tomorrow. Bye—“

This time Emma’s the one to hang up before Kaitlyn can finish her goodbye. It’s oddly satisfying, imagine the look on her face right now. Emma smirks to herself for a moment, but then her exhaustion knocks the smugness out of her and she chucks her phone across the room. 

She can be smug in the morning. 

//

“You look nervous,” Emma observes, finishing her makeup as she watches through the mirror, Abi fidgeting. 

Abigail laughs from where she sits at the foot of Emma’s bed, messing with the dress she’s wearing. It’s cute, something Dylan picked out. Abi had complained it was really her style, but she pulls it off nonetheless. 

“What gave it away?” she asks, flattening the nonexistent creases and picking at her painted black nails. “I’ve never been to anything like this.”

“You don’t need to worry,” Emma reassures, finishing up with her eyeliner. “This is a small event anyway. Plus, I won’t win.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No I do.” Emma packs up her makeup, turning away from her vanity to face Abi. “Trust me, I never win. Especially not in this short film stuff.” She stands, crossing the room to grab her bag, adjusting a clip in her hair. “If you ever get worried just squeeze my hand, I’ll direct the attention away from us.”

Abi’s silent for a moment as she smiles at Emma. She nods and stands too. “Thanks. I’m actually less nervous now.”

Emma shrugs, holding her hand out to her. “Isn’t that what fake-girlfriend’s are for?”

//

As predicted, Emma doesn’t win anything. She’s actually seen a few of the winners, and she isn’t surprised they won this year. In the end her and Abi end up at one of the loser parties, which isn’t really much different to a winners party really. They sit at the bar in idle conversation, away from all the action. Emma can tell Abigail is still a little nervous, even as she takes a sip from her drink. 

“Since you’re not allowed to listen to my music,” Abi starts, swirling her straw around in her drink, “does that mean I can’t watch any of your stuff?”

Emma shrugs, resting her chin on her hand. “I don’t really mind. Watch whatever you want,” she says, before clarifying, “well except the old stuff. I’d be surprised if you’d be able to find any of it though.”

“Hm.” Abi tilts her head, eyes focusing on the swirling liquid in her glass. A silence lapses, and it’s oddly comfortable despite this relatively new friendship/fake-relationship. Emma watches Abi for a moment, admiring the way the blue glow of the bar catches the tip of her nose and curves of her cheekbones. 

Before she can admire much more a flash catches her gaze and her eyes dart over to the window, where, as expected, their friends have arrived. And by friends Emma means the paparazzi. 

Emma leans closer to Abi, discreetly keeping her eyes on the cameras in the distance. “Look, cameras,” she says, nodding over to them, and Abi glances at them for just a moment before ducking her head and turning back to Emma. 

She knew they’d show up at some point, but now that they’re here she’s scrambling to figure out what to do next.

This is what they want, right? Kaitlyn said this would help with the momentum of their relationship. Being sighted all lovey-dovey in public would definitely do that. 

Abigail taps her hand and she shifts her gaze, focusing on Abi’s face in front of her. She looks nervous, her ears turning red and nose dusted with pink. Emma watches as she swallows, unable to tear her eyes away to look back at their audience. 

“Emma…” Abi whispers, her voice soft but shaky. Her eyes dart to the cameras again, but return to Emma’s face quickly. “They’re staring.”

Emma bites her lip to hold back a smirk, and brings her hand up to rest on Abigail’s shoulder, leaning slightly closer. “Let them,” she whispers back, “it’s what we want, right?”

She feels Abi’s breath against her cheeks as she quietly laughs, and she feels Abi’s shoulder relax under her hand. 

“Do…” Abigail starts, and she falters just for a moment, before seemingly gaining her confidence. “Do you think we should give them what they want?” she asks, and Emma is both surprised and thrilled at the sudden boldness. 

Emma hums lowly, bringing her other hand up to hold Abi’s chin lightly. She brushes her thumb against it once, leaning even closer. “You know what?” she says with a grin, tilting Abigail’s head up just a little, “I think that’s an excellent idea.”

She knows this is fake, Emma swears she does, but this feels infinitesimally different to their previous practice kiss. All guises of practice and acting go out the window, and she even forgets to cover Abi’s mouth with her thumb. Despite the performative nature, the fact they’re being watched, and that she can see the camera flashes against her eyelids, it’s oddly intimate. 

Their lips meet and Emma slips her hand up to cup Abi’s jaw, sighing at the softness of her lips and the strawberry smell of her perfume. The brush of hair against her cheek, the soft touch of Abi’s fingers against her bare knee, the way Abigail’s nose nudges her own. It’s all far too perfect and Emma can’t help but lean in for more, dragging her hand down Abi’s arm and closing around her hand.

She waits for Abi to squeeze it. To tell her to take the attention off them. No squeeze comes. 

Emma guides Abi’s hand to her waist and presses it there, pulling back slightly to catch her breath. Her eyes flutter open, and she sucks in a breath. Abi keeps her eyes closed, and her hand squeezes Emma’s waist slightly. 

“Should we stop?” Emma asks, despite knowing the answer. Of course they should. They’re in public. This is for show. None of it’s real. But still, she asks, and she hopes she’ll get the wrong answer back. 

“We should,” Abi replies, but she doesn't move away, doesn’t even open her eyes. “Do you want to?”

Rubbing a soft circle against Abi’s cheek with her thumb, she admits, “no. I don’t.”

There’s a beat of silence, the sound of their breathing drowned out by the music and chatter around them. Not that Emma can tell, the increasing beat of her heart echoing in her ears. 

“Me neither,” Abi says, all breathy and too attractive for Emma to handle, and that’s all she needs. 

Emma’s leaning back in with more force, the air being knocked from her lungs as Abi meets her halfway. Soon enough she’s licking against Abi’s lips, and their tongues meet, and this is no longer an innocent stage kiss. 

They’re both panting, but both refuse to pull away. Emma doesn’t even remember why she was so against the idea of fake dating any more, not when she brushes a strand of dark red hair behind an even more red ear and Abi makes a soft noise against her lips. The vibration has the tips of her fingers tingling, and she’s decided she wouldn’t mind it if that happened a second time. 

Maybe she’s liking this too much. Maybe it’s ridiculous that she’s even doing any of this. Maybe this is something she can blame on how much she drank tonight. Maybe this isn’t even as big a deal as she thinks it is. 

Point is, Emma isn't sure what to make of this. Not in the moment at least. All she does know is that she doesn’t want to stop kissing Abigail Blyg any time soon, and it seems like Abigail doesn’t want to stop kissing her either. 

So they don’t, they kiss in the light of flashing cameras, ignorant to the world around them for those few small perfect moments. Consumed entirely with each other and forgetting all else. 

Emma doesn’t know it yet, but this is the first of many mistakes.