Off-Script

Chapter 1

TODAY

"And we're back in five, four..."

Gemma smoothed her skirt and turned her million-watt smile back to her guests. "Alright, guys. We've talked costumes, we've talked the incredible stunt work with the planes, we've talked and talked and talked." She laughed, and the two men sitting on the plush white couch across from her laughed too. "But the fans have one question burning up our social feeds."

Nico di Angelo kept his posture relaxed against the couch, one ankle resting on the opposite knee. Beside him, looking comfortable and extremely happy to be here, Will Solace lounged with his arm on the backrest.

Gemma leaned forward, her expression turning conspiratorial. "The chemistry between Bat and Cowboy. It's... visceral. People are saying it has to be real. So, give it to us straight. What's the secret?"

Will Solace let out a soft laugh, the sound easy and familiar. He shifted, his knee bumping into his co-star's. The contact was brief, professional. "The secret is replacing coffee with herbal tea, and a fantastic director who knows how to make two regular guys pretending to be WWI pilots look good," he said, his tone light. He turned to his co-star and gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder. "And this one. Never flinched, not even when I had to slam him against a fake hangar wall for the tenth take."

The corner of Nico's mouth twitched upward. "The script did most of the heavy lifting. We had some of the best writers I've ever worked with, and it also helps that the original source material is just... incredible."

"Absolutely," Will said fervently.

Gemma nodded. "Of course, of course. But now you mention it, Will. That scene in the hangar. It's all everyone's been talking about! I mean, you guys filmed a lot of steamy scenes, and I mean a lot. But that one definitely stands out. Was there something... else going on there? It just felt so real."

"We had an incredible choreographer," Nico said. "Every scene was carefully designed by a group of extremely talented people. Really, we were the lucky ones getting to work with so much talent."

Will nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, yeah. The choreographer, the intimacy coordinator, everyone worked so hard on and off set. It's been a real honor. No joke."

Gemma pursed her lips. "But you make it feel lived-in," she pressed, undeterred. "The looks, the tension... the pining. It doesn't feel acted at all! So, is there... anything more going on? The fans are dying to know."

The air in the room didn't change. The lights didn't dim. Will and Nico exchanged glances. Will arched an eyebrow while Nico snorted silently and shook his head in mock-exasperation.

"What you see is two actors who respect the hell out of each other and the story we were telling," Will said, his voice a little flat, a little serious. "Anything else is just... the magic of television."

Nico nodded. "Just the magic," he echoed.

Gemma's smile did not falter, though she seemed to deflate just a little. "Well," she said, "whatever you did, it's certainly working."

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

Nico had made out with four men today. Despite how it sounded, it really hadn't been anything particularly exciting. His jaw ached a little, and his chin had the beginnings of a beard burn from those last two guys with the designer stubble. He inspected himself carefully in the mirror, then resumed brushing his teeth. Just one more to go, and then he could call it a day and go home.