It starts like every other collab.

You and George, side by side on a chaotic panel for some YouTube challenge—something dumb involving whipped cream, forfeits, and a timer none of you respect. You’re already bickering before the intro's even finished, playfully jabbing him with your elbow while he rolls his eyes and calls you a menace.

“Can’t believe I’m stuck next to you again,” George mutters under his breath, grinning like he doesn’t mean it.

“Jealousy looks good on you,” you shoot back, nudging his knee under the table.

He bumps you right back.

The comments love it. They always love it.

But this time, someone goes further. A fan-made edit drops two days later: slow-mo clips of you two “arguing,” which—cut together with romantic music and dramatic glances—start looking suspiciously like flirting. One million views in under twenty-four hours.

“Have you seen this?” George texts, attaching the link.

You watch it twice in secret before replying: "Lies. Slander."

He sends back: "They got the bit where you laughed at my dumb joke and touched my arm for no reason." "You fancy me or something?"

You stare at the screen a bit too long before replying with: "I just like bullying you. That’s love, right?"

After that, it gets worse.

Or better.

You’re more aware of every time your fingers brush when passing things, every shared smirk that lingers a second too long. You don’t move your chair when your knees knock under the desk. And George… well, George doesn’t either.