Written in the Stars

25: Scandal

 ❝just grab my hand and don't ever drop it, my love / they are the hunters, we are the foxes / and we run❞

- i know places : taylor swift

Seeing Gustavo Rocque angry was something that Kit had grown used to over the past few years. She learned his tells and how to read his body language, which was why the sight of him pacing the front of studio A raised her attention. He had been doing so when Kit and the boys arrived.

The call came during the boys' morning jog and Kit's songwriting hour. Gustavo's insistence that they meet him as quickly as possible resulted in the boys arriving in their workout clothes- which also meant they were wearing jogging shorts and no shirts.

"Dogs, with the increased boy band competition and— Kit, this goes for you, too— instant entertainment news, it is more important than ever to avoid bad press and scandalous photo ops," Gustavo continued to pace as he explained.

He stopped dead in his tracks as he took in the sight of the boys properly. Gustavo gestured to the four boys, incredulous:

"Like that!"

The four of them were still slightly sweaty from their workout and stood with their hands on their hips, each behind a music stand that was unfortunately placed at just the height that they covered the boys' shorts entirely and left them all looking naked. Kit followed Gustavo's gaze with a raised eyebrow. The boys exchanged confused looks.

Kendall held his hands up, shrugging, "What? We can't go jogging anymore?"

"I'm competing against this!" Carlos raked his eyes over James's body once, jamming his thumb out at the taller boy.

James gestured to himself, adding. "This takes work!"

Kendall and Logan's protests were drowned out by another yell from Gustavo, "No!"

They stepped past the music stands and retrieved their shirts, putting them on finally.

"Because I want you guys to think of ways to get us good press and back to the top!"

James jumped at the opportunity, "Ooh! How about 'James Diamond dates Taylor Swift?'"

Kit shook her head at this idea. She could already hear the breakup song in her head now, and James would not handle it well. Gustavo seemed to agree.

"Oh," he retorted. "How about– pbbt!"

He stuck his tongue out at the boy and blew a raspberry in distaste.

"-'Cause the last thing Big Time Rush needs right now is to get Swifted!"

The teens exchanged a glance. Half of them were unfamiliar with the term. Logan and Kit, on the other hand, simply shared a knowing look.

"Swifted?"

"What is Swifted?" Asked Carlos.

Logan turned to answer him, "It's what you call it whenever you date Taylor Swift, do something stupid, then she writes a hit song telling the entire world that you're a total jerkface."

Kit nodded, adding, "I still haven't forgiven Jake Gyllenhaal, and God, don't even get me started on John Mayer-!"

Logan placed a hand to her shoulder, quieting her. Kit pouted slightly but let it go.

Carlos nodded in understanding.

Gustavo elaborated, "Which will ruin your sweet and cute reputation and destroy the band."

"Got it," said James, resigned to his fate. "No jogging, no Taylor Swift, and no scandals."

"But, just for the record, I am a great boyfriend!" James added, frowning slightly. "Right, Kit?"