Slower

Austen has spent years watching from the sidelines, acting as the steady anchor for his best friend’s little brother, Corrin. As a rising rockstar, Corrin lives a life of chaotic tours and flashing lights, while Austen remains the constant, quiet presence in his orbit. They have always been close, but the line between friendship and something much deeper has become dangerously thin. When a public relations disaster threatens Corrin’s career, the two men agree to a fake dating arrangement to smooth over his image. It is supposed to be a temporary fix, a performance for the cameras that keeps their professional lives intact. However, the proximity reveals truths they have both been too terrified to acknowledge. The age gap between them suddenly feels less like a barrier and more like a bridge, and the comfort they find in one another turns into a burning, undeniable attraction. This is a story about the love that has been right in front of you all along, disguised as routine. It is a tender, slow-burn exploration of identity and devotion, proving that sometimes the best relationships are built on years of friendship. You will fall for these characters as they finally stop running from the inevitable.