Pairing: Aaron Pierre x Actress!Reader, MBJ mentioned, Theme: Slow burn romance, professional and personal entanglements, unrequited love?, sfw
New to posting please interact and lmk what you think! :) -A/N
The studio was alive with activity—cameras rolling, lights flooding the set, and the hum of chatter from the production crew. You sat on a plush chair across from Aaron Pierre, both of you dressed impeccably for your joint interview to promote the upcoming project you’d been working on together. It was the kind of film that already had buzz before it even hit theaters, the combination of your rising stardom and Aaron’s established talent making it an easy sell.
You adjusted the hem of your tailored jumpsuit and offered the interviewer a polite smile. The journalist, a sharp-eyed woman named Lisa, shuffled her notes before leaning forward with a practiced ease.
“First off,” Lisa began, “congratulations to both of you. This project has so much excitement surrounding it. The chemistry between your characters is electric on screen. How was it working together?”
Aaron turned to you with a playful grin, his presence as commanding off-screen as it was on. “She’s a powerhouse. Honestly, it felt like stepping onto the court with someone who’s always ready to play. It kept me on my toes.”
You laughed softly, your fingers toying with the rings on your hand. “Aaron’s being modest. He’s one of those actors who makes everyone around him better. Working with him pushed me in ways I didn’t expect.”
The exchange drew a delighted chuckle from Lisa, who scribbled something onto her notepad. “It sounds like you two really found a rhythm. Speaking of which, the fans have been curious about the dynamic you share. There are rumors about how close you’ve gotten during filming. Care to address those?”
Your stomach tightened, but your expression didn’t falter. “I think the dynamic speaks to the professionalism we bring to the table,” you said smoothly. “We worked hard to make the relationship between our characters authentic.”
Aaron nodded, his demeanor relaxed. “Exactly. When you’re in the zone, the focus is on the story and the characters. Anything beyond that is just speculation.”
Lisa’s smile turned mischievous. “Well, since we’re on the topic of personal lives, I have to ask: are either of you seeing someone right now?”
You froze, your breath catching for a fraction of a second. Aaron leaned back in his chair, a charming smirk playing on his lips.
“I’m single and ready to mingle,” he said with a light chuckle, the response landing effortlessly.
Your smile didn’t waver, but something twisted in your chest. You shifted in your seat, forcing yourself to maintain an air of indifference as Lisa turned to you.
“What about you?” Lisa asked.
“Just focused on the work right now,” you replied evenly. “Keeps me busy enough.”
Lisa nodded, apparently satisfied, and moved on to the next question. But the rest of the interview felt like you were on autopilot, your practiced responses masking the storm brewing beneath the surface.
Later that evening, you attended an industry gala—a glamorous affair where everyone from actors to directors mingled under the glittering lights of a grand ballroom. You’d chosen a sleek black dress that clung to your figure, its understated elegance drawing appreciative glances as you moved through the crowd.
Aaron was there too, his presence impossible to miss. He was surrounded by a small group, his laughter carrying over the music. You’d barely exchanged more than pleasantries since the interview, and part of you was grateful. Seeing him so nonchalant after his comment earlier made you feel foolish for letting it affect you.
You were nursing a glass of champagne when Michael B. Jordan approached, his easy smile and confident demeanor immediately drawing your attention.
“[Your Name], right?” he said, his voice smooth as silk.
You nodded, offering a polite smile. “That’s me. And you’re…?”
Michael chuckled, clearly enjoying your playful tone. “You’ve got jokes. I respect that.”
The conversation flowed effortlessly, his charm disarming you. He complimented your work, asked thoughtful questions, and made you laugh in a way that felt unforced. For a moment, you forgot about Aaron—or at least, you tried to.
But Aaron hadn’t forgotten about you.
From across the room, he watched the interaction, his jaw tightening with each passing second. He’d been trying to ignore the pang of jealousy that hit him when Michael approached you, but it was impossible. The easy way you smiled at Michael, the way he leaned in slightly as he spoke to you—it all set Aaron’s nerves on edge.
Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore. He excused himself from the group and made his way toward you, his presence commanding attention as he approached.
“Michael,” Aaron said smoothly, his voice calm but laced with an undertone you couldn’t quite place. “Didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”
Michael straightened, his smile easy but his eyes sharp. “Aaron. Always good to see you. I was just getting to know [Your Name].”
Aaron’s gaze shifted to you, his expression unreadable. “Yeah, she has that effect. Hard not to want to know her.”
The tension between the two men was palpable, and you felt caught in the middle. You cleared your throat, forcing a light laugh. “Alright, gentlemen. Let’s not make this awkward.”
Aaron’s lips quirked into a faint smile, but his eyes stayed on you. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Michael took the hint and excused himself with a polite nod, leaving you alone with Aaron. You crossed your arms, arching an eyebrow at him.
“Everything okay?” you asked, your tone light but probing.
Aaron hesitated, his jaw working as if he were choosing his words carefully. “I’m fine. Just thought I’d come say hi. Didn’t realize you were so popular tonight.”
You narrowed your eyes, your patience wearing thin. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He sighed, running a hand over his face. “Forget it. I’m just being stupid.”
“Aaron,” you said softly, your voice steady. “If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”
He met your gaze, his expression conflicted. “You really don’t see it, do you? The way he was looking at you, like he already had you figured out. It… it pissed me off.”
Your breath caught, his admission taking you by surprise. “Why would it piss you off?”
Aaron stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “Because he doesn’t know you like I do. And the thought of him trying to get close to you when… when I’m right here…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I can’t explain it. It just does.”
The air between you was thick with tension, the unspoken feelings you’d both been avoiding threatening to break through. You searched his face, your heart pounding as you tried to make sense of the moment.
“Aaron…” you began, but he cut you off, his voice firm.
“I’m not saying this is fair,” he said. “And I’m not saying I’ve got it all figured out. But I can’t stand there and act like I don’t care. Not when it comes to you.”
His words hung in the air, raw and unguarded. For the first time, the walls you’d both carefully built seemed to crack, and you were left wondering if you were ready to face what lay beyond them.
The rest of the night passed in a blur, but his words stayed with you, echoing in your mind long after the gala ended. The question now wasn’t whether you could go back to the way things were. The question was whether you even wanted to.
How’d I do for my first fic? 🤭 Planning on potentially making this kinda a series nothing too crazy tho. Trying to figure out how to make a master list so bare with me. Also if you have any tips for new writers please lmk like how to make headers and or just how to better improve the readability if need be. Thanks for the Support and please like if you want more (Have some stories in the draft I was too scared to post)! — Redacted
