#keyframes mc

“Let that rest for a bit- Col, are you serious about Iris being Percy’s girlfriend? I don’t see him anywhere on her page, like, anywhere.” Col grumbled a few complaints under their breath before they speak “You’re still looking that up? I mentioned it once-” “Yeah? I just don’t believe it, isn’t it so... Sudden?”

Col didn’t get to meet Iris on the day of the rehearsals, after being introduced from afar by Holly, they just returned back to the dressing room like they never even met her. They were close to asking Percy about it as they did his hair, but the thought of an awkward conversation about his personal affairs caused them to back down. However, Deja wasn’t one to not snoop when information was right at her fingertips.

“How would I know?- Why are you still asking about that, Dee? I’m trying to get you to go to the vacation with me,” they whined, if Deja were to see their state through the phone, they were practically melting on their bed from the sheer misery of going on a vacation without any of their friends “Okay, look,” Deja snapped her fingers “I’ll go if it is to investigate this relationship-”

“What? You can’t go around playing detective, it would be so obvious,” despite not seeing her mischievous grin, Col knew Deja had a plan ready “Can you ‘beg Percy’ to let Cameron come too? I need extra hands.”

It was simple making a deal with them, because whatever it is to let their friends come along was already a ‘yes’ in their books.

---

Of course you can’t expect a newly debut boy band to have an entire island to themselves, despite how famous they were already getting. It was merely a corner of Marty’s own private property, a villa for the boys and some smaller huts outside by the sandy beach for the other crew members who could go.

Deja, Cameron, and Col stepped out of the crew’s tiny, but luxurious yacht for normal citizens like them, with excitement on their faces. Cameron’s mouth was practically open for the entirety of the trip and it was not closing any time soon. Deja pulled her floppy beach hat off of her head to bask in the sun, late May’s warmth embracing her skin “How are you guys enjoying it?” Elio asked, walking over to them once he stepped off his own water transportation.

“Hello? If Col didn’t take us here, I would’ve never been able to see this view,” Deja said, smiling as she stride over to the shore, her sandals quickly being soaked by the seawater “It’s nice of you to let them join,” Elio brightened up at the mention “It’s no problem! I mean… It’s already a big secret that you’re here, why not go another mile, you know?” Col felt bashful when he said so, they really were three uninvited people at the end of the day.

Before Deja even placed her hat on again, there were sounds of conversations, maybe even arguments mixed into it which came from the boys’ side. Iris and Percy walked out, evidently having some kind of important discussion that the two of them manage to disregard the welcoming greeting that Elio gave to the friends prior. Elio tried to catch his friend’s attention, but as he raised a hand up, Jamie instead pulled it back down “Lovers’ quarrel,” Deja raised an eyebrow at that.

“Lovers?” Elio’s shoulders tensed, at a loss for words if it wasn’t for Jamie being next to him “They’ve been having these deep conversations for days now, I’ve grown tired of eavesdropping, it’s better to avoid them when they’re together,” he simply mentioned, but Deja was already writing mental notes in her mind on what to do “…Got it,” she was definitely planning to eavesdrop.

Holly guided the group to their shared hut, but as Col and Cameron tuned into what she had to say, Deja had her fingers resting on her chin, planning and scheming on how to get her plan going.

The very moment Holly said she’d be checking in on everyone else and left the three to their own devices, she grabbed Cameron and Col for a needed meeting.

“We need to find out if they’re really a thing,” Col groaned “Why? Isn’t that kind of stalker-y?” Deja put one finger up, wagging it left and right “I would agree if we were not on the same exact island and said celebrities are living a few feet away from us,” Cameron pursed their lips, looking from Col to Deja before speaking “You know, Deja might be onto something-”

“Cam!”

“What? I mean- I’m curious too, this is kind of a lifetime chance to find out what these celebrities do behind closed doors, it’s not like we plan on leaking the truth!”

There was a reason Col was so reluctant on doing this. As Deja and Cameron replied with their justifications, they can’t help but think that Percy isn’t just a celebrity. Maybe to those two he was, but they still see him as the same YouTuber they happen to find in the middle of their suggested videos. He’s just some guy.

So is it right to know about his dating life, be it real or fake?

“You guys can figure that out yourselves, I’ll just hang around,” The two physically deflated at their rejection, but Col didn’t want to be persuaded much longer. Whatever plans they conjured up is in their hands, they have a reputation to take care of and getting caught meddling about Percy’s dating life is not something they want to be known for if they were going to stay with the band a while longer.

The time was starting to get late, they arrived in the middle of noon and as Col wandered around the beach, picking up sticks to draw on the sand and digging their feet into the waves before going back on the cycle of walking and drawing, the sun was already setting. There wasn’t a clear-cut agenda for what they were planning to do at the island, it was simply a pit stop. Might be a ‘thank you’ gift from Marty—if we were being generous—for the boys’ success so far.

When bits of sand was flung forward again, Col was about to call it a day, maybe join in on those who were setting up a campfire. Instead, they were stopped by another kick of sand their way “Hey,” Percy had his hair up in a ponytail, only wearing a loose tank top and beach shorts. They weren’t able to see his outfit when he zoomed away previously with Iris, but it was nice to see him more laid back, away from the usual stage clothes.

“Hey,” Col replied, before they can even process anything, Percy signaled them to follow him and they did.

It wasn’t like Col wasn’t affected by the sudden knowledge of him dating Iris, but it wasn’t a clear effect to them. Without them realizing, their want to know about him faded out as concerts rolled around. Their spark to befriend him died, not wanting to overstep their boundary as merely a fan. Moreover, what would Iris think if she knew this stylist keeps trying to dig up personal info about her boyfriend? Wouldn’t it be weird?

Even without her around, Col hung back, walking slower behind Percy as he led them to a more secluded part of the beach. The palm trees were drooping down, weighted by the leaves and there were less footsteps to be seen than the shore before. If it was anyone else, Col would’ve ran back the way they came from in fear of a dangerous encounter, but it was just Percy. The singer they like.

He sat on the sand, patting a space beside him, but Col sat down a few feet further.

He didn’t question it.

“It’s nice to get a break from the lights and audiences sometimes,” Percy started, a lighthearted way to complain about his tired self. Col snickered “I’m glad, you guys really put it your all these few days, this break is well deserved.”

There was a beat of silence, the sound of waves crashed and the chirps of birds flew by. It was then that Col finally wanted an answer.

“Why did you invite me to tour with you guys?”

Percy turned to them, just to notice that their eyes were still transfixed to the orange waves, reflected from the setting sun “Why?” He seemed to ask himself “I wanted to thank you.”

His fingers touched the clover charm, thumb rubbing it gently, a gesture he has grown familiar to since he got it “I know it may be a bit ‘too far’, but I genuinely feel less scared whenever I see you in our concerts,” Percy chuckled, finding himself ridiculous “It’s stupid really, I guess I wasn’t ready to let go of my crutch? I still get scared to go on stage, but your encouragement helps.”

Starstruck? Perhaps befuddlement? Shock?

Col stared at him, like they had misheard something bizarre, but he had a soft smile on his face as he looked down at the necklace. They didn’t think something as simple as their love for his work would help him in a lot of ways “I honestly regretted yelling out in the middle of your audition,” Percy laughed “Really? I thought you were always like that,” they tilted their head “Like what?”

“Like…” He used his hands as he looked at them, gesturing a circular frame to their face “Like a ball of energy?” If the sun wasn’t turning the world warm in hue, their blush would’ve been obvious “I’m very quiet,” they spoke, looking down at their feet, distracting themself with the sand that stuck to their skin more than the look of Percy’s face “And I’m not that excitable.”

Percy furrowed his eyebrows, a disbelieved smile present “I guess you don’t show that much,” they meekly answered “No?” He shook his head for confirmation “Not at all,” Percy leaned back until his back hits the sand, he closed his eyes while he smiled, finding it peculiar how different Col saw themself compared to how he did.

“You were always singing our songs in the dressing room, I saw how you dance and shout the lyrics out during that first concert, and-” he points at their hair, although he wasn’t looking at them “The blue tinsels are very eye-catching,” he made a circle with his hands again “Ball of energy, sunshine perhaps.”

And they mustered out a soft chuckle, and Percy knew he was spot on.

Maybe Col didn’t notice, how they seem to brighten up at the mention of the boys. At the mention of him. But it was clear that they loved this band more than they’d like to admit it to the members themselves “So by the time the tour ends, you’ll be ready?” Percy didn’t expect that answer, he didn’t seem to like it as much as he knew it to be true. After this tour ends, then they’re back to square one. Fan and singer, right?

“Yeah,” but there’s some things your heart knows before you do, but with the odd ache aside, Percy didn’t think too much of it “I’ll be out and about with no fears later,” it was like saying words he didn’t know he could speak.

“There you are!” Col turned their head to the side, immediately locking eyes with piercing blue ones. Iris had both her hands on her hips, a tired smile on her face “I was searching everywhere! We’re starting the barbecue, you’re on?” Percy seemed startled, maybe disappointed that their talk was disrupted so easily, but he pulled himself up and nodded “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

Iris only acknowledged Col with a nod and polite smile as she held one hand over towards Percy. He hesitated when he saw it, but quickly held onto her hand as they walked over to the campfire.

It wasn’t like there was no lively music or no one dancing and having fun, but Col couldn’t help looking inside the cup of juice in their hands as they sat next to Cameron and Deja.

They were Percy’s appointed cheerleader according to him, did they wish it was more than that? Friends maybe? Perhaps it was too much to ask for when there’s clearly a difference in worlds right off the bat. Maybe Deja and Cameron were right, he is a celebrity, he’s no longer just a guy.

“What did he say?” Deja spoke out, though her eyes still spied Iris and Percy from afar, her mission was still ongoing “Who?” She turned to Col, but it was of concern instead of her playful nature “He’s the only one that can influence your mood,” Col find that unbelievable “No he doesn’t,” Cameron awkwardly laugh “And you still know who the ‘he’ Dee talks about.”

Where would they even start? That whatever this relation to him would stop the moment their first tour ends in a few months? That they’re everything that calms him down yet they’re sure they’re not friends yet? Col just wishes that he could be straightforward, his words doesn’t seem to make any sense to them.

With a sigh, they decided to push the problem away. That’s not their friends’ job to figure out, that was between them and Percy.

“What’s the job right now?” Deja grinned and Cameron lightly fist bumps their shoulder “Watch and observe how they move,” Col gave an incredulous look, one that clearly disapprove, but with nothing else to distract them, they joined in on the peeping.

Iris and Percy always seemed so… Uptight.

They were two gorgeous people, they were alike on the surface. Young, talented and gaining popularity in real-time. Iris was as tall as him, bright smile and graceful as she enjoyed the groove of the music. Percy at his eyes on her, but he wasn’t smiling, maybe he was too focused on her moves. He wasn’t exactly dancing either, only bopping his head to the beat, drink in one hand, the other brushes over Iris’s waist sometimes as he spoke with Elio who was picking out the next songs in queue.

Cameron made binoculars with their hands as they spoke “Doesn’t he look disinterested?” Deja nods, affirming their statement “Spot on, I don’t think he’s a good actor,” Col didn’t say a word, they only watched.

“Col, psst,” they didn’t want to think too much on it, so what if he was dating a pretty and presumably sweet model? “Col,” there’s no confirmation on if they were even friends, so it shouldn’t be a big deal that this stranger that they happen to be working for is dating “Col buddy?” Maybe they’re going crazy, working for the boys might’ve made them para-social-

“Oh Percyslover01-”

“Hey! There’s no need for that!”

“You were ignoring us, was there something you noticed?” Cameron questioned, tilting their head over to the couple they were keeping a close tab on.

They gave one last look over to the two. To Iris’s flowing dress and how Percy kept his eyes on her even if they noted that he was ‘disinterested’.

What if he was mesmerized?

They kept that thought to themself “We got a week here, let’s figure out some fun things to do,” this time, Deja and Cameron noticed the change in topic. They exchange a look, but ultimately decided not to push any longer.

If they were to find out a ‘truth’ to the couple, then surely it’ll come forth on its own in the one week they were here.