The company has assigned you and Aventurine a task: to shoot a cover for the magazine together.

Don’t ask. The reason is simple—both of you have good looks, and your influence within the Stonehearts is unmatched.

As you stand there awkwardly, letting the stylist adjust the corset on your dress, Aventurine is already changed. Flashy, flamboyant, just as over-the-top as usual. He’s sitting nearby, smiling in that way that makes you wonder why he seems so ridiculously pleased with himself.

You decide to ignore him.

That is, until it’s time to start taking photos. The director says the theme for this issue is Love, and that you two need to work together on it. He asks if you’re okay with some close physical contact for the shoot. Just as you open your mouth to protest, Aventurine interrupts, “No problem, I’m very comfortable with that.”

…It’s painfully obvious to everyone that he’s a bit too eager.

You’re not quite sure how you survived the rest of the day. For hours, you and Aventurine are tangled up in poses—close embraces, lingering glances, and when needed, kisses. The director says you can fake the kisses, but no—Mr. Aventurine insists on “capturing the most realistic effect.”

You don’t want to remember any of this.

In the end, the shoot is finished, and the director is more than pleased. A few days later, a giant box of magazines arrives at the company. One for everyone. And there it is: the cover. You and Aventurine on a velvet couch, his hand toying with the strap behind your neck, the whole pose so suggestive you can’t even look at it without cringing.

Seriously, how did this even get published?

You want to die.

Topaz picks up a copy, stares at the cover for a solid three seconds, then turns to you with genuine concern. “…Did you two accidentally shoot for a romance serial?”

You’re considering whether she deserves a punch for that. Meanwhile, Aventurine, grinning ear to ear beside you, chimes in, “We look perfect together, don’t we?”