He didn’t know if Luka could handle the full force of his attention, and that was the only true thing that scared him about the whole situation. Joy had proved to him that it was possible for a partner to match his level of intensity, which was a treasure he would hold in his chest forever to help him remember that even if things had endedverybadly, it waspossible. And, it didn’t mean that the next time it was possible would end badly either.
He felt himself falling into circular thoughts. Would Luka be able to handle him? He didn’t know. Other people had been able to, and it was still worth it to take the chance. Would Luka agree? Would he be able to handle him? He didn’t know. Other people had?—
So, he pulled out his phone and logged into the plane’s wifi to stop the cycle from starting over.
He tucked his feet up into his chair, thankful for the extra room in first class, and sipped his drink while scrolling through his social media accounts. He responded to a few fellow guitarists, always happy to send encouraging words. He liked sharing their music and videos on his page so his fans would find them, too.
It wasn’t long before he found himself scrolling through a comment thread on a fan page. It was a nasty habit of his. He was nosey, he admitted it easily, and couldn’t help but peek at tabloids and gossip. Jaewon chewed him out for it regularly, but it still didn’t stop him.
He really had expected the fan base to calm down, at least a bit, over the last week, but it looked like things were escalating. It didn’t take long for him to stumble on a blurry photo of him and Luka at the park yesterday.
Kandi was going to kill him.
He zoomed in on the photo. Thankfully, it was taken with a regular phone and zoomed in so Luka’s features were hard to make out. Reno had still been identified, even without his makeup and while wearing a hat. He was starting to wonder if he needed to wear a face mask outside all the time like the big K-pop idols did. He never thought he’d be at that level of popularity, and it was unsettling to think that people might be keeping eyes on him wherever he went. He worried for Luka more than himself, as the comment thread was growing and speculation was pointing fingers at Luka’s account again.
His account was private, but a few of his tweets had been reposted as screenshots, so it was likely that some follower was spreading information.
Someone had reposted a photo of Luka in the comment thread, and people were agreeing that the blurry park picture looked like him. The video from the concert was getting reposted as well, showing Luka going backstage.
Reno tabbed away from the comment thread when it turned into a debate about his sexuality.Thatwas nothing new. He was just grateful it took the attention away from Luka. Maybe PR could spin it like Luka was a visiting friend and Renowasstraight, but immediately he hated that idea.
His eyes widened at another screenshot, this one of a tweet Luka posted two years ago.
Below it were several confused comments asking if Reno and Luka actually knew each other and had somehow kept their friendship or relationship secret over the years. Under that screenshot, there was another.
Reno frowned at his screen. It felt weird looking at tweets from so long ago, stolen and shared without Luka’s permission. And he really didn’t like the direction conversations were going. He hated it too, thinking that Luka of all people couldn’t get a VIP ticket when he deserved it more than anyone. Also, how did Reno not see him? They could have connected two whole years ago, and Reno hadmissedhim. He logged off his main account and got onto his private account, where only his bandmates and a few non-industry friends followed him.
Reno switched to WhatsApp.
Sage
Wait, he drew me?
Oh, lol. Yup. [image attachment], [image attachment], [image attachment]
If Reno hadn’t already been falling for Luka, he would be now.
The drawings were from his performances, and so tenderly rendered, Reno could hardly believe it. It felt unreal, like he was looking at someone other than himself; the person he was seeing in Luka’s hand was far too beautiful to be him.
He immediately saved them to his phone.
Sage
Whoah
I know. He's really talented to make ur dumbass look so good. U dont even look like that in ur photoshoots for magazines
idk how to take it sage i rly might be going insane
thats nothing new
no, no. this is a level never seen before. I am physically vibrating.
Will you please get me from the airport? We land in 1.5 hr. I dont wanna see anyone from the label when I'm this unstable.
I got u bestie. u can cry in my car
I owe u
