Celebrity relationships were notorious for burning bright and brief, but Cassian and Clara somehow made theirs look effortless. They didn't flaunt it with matching outfits or daily couple selfies like so many others in the industry. Their relationship existed in subtler gestures: a glance across a crowded room, a quiet smile during interviews, or the faint brush of fingers when no one was paying attention.
They still attended every EON event together, of course. The group had returned to its usual rhythm—equal parts chaos and charm—with Cassian now a little more relaxed, and a lot more teased, than before.
"Can you two not make heart eyes during every break?" Jace groaned, tossing a pillow at them between takes. "You're going to give the rest of us diabetes."
Theo pretended to gag. "You see them smile and the air literally turns pink."
Luca nodded solemnly. "Tragic. Our edgy image—gone."
Cassian didn't even look up from his phone, where he was scrolling through Clara's latest selfie. "Jealousy's an ugly color on you, gentlemen."
Theo groaned louder, collapsing dramatically onto the couch.
At the makeup station, Noah just shook his head with a quiet chuckle.
Clara laughed softly through the teasing, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "We'll try to tone it down," she said, still smiling.
"Nah," Jace said, grinning. "Don't you dare. I live for the drama."
But despite the obvious chemistry between Clara and Cassian, fans had long since lost their collective sanity. Because Clara had worked closely with all five members of EON, fandoms had erupted into madness—each corner of the internet passionately convinced their ship was the true one.
Clarian (Clara x Cassian) – the canon, the "real thing," the one everyone had to admit was perfect.
Clace (Clara x Jace) – for fans who loved chaotic energy and delusional optimism.
Cluca (Clara x Luca) – the artistic, melancholy duo "too deep for mainstream audiences."
Claeo (Clara x Theo) – the "rivals to lovers" ship for people who liked witty banter.
Clano (Clara x Noah) – the mysterious, slow-burn tragedy everyone wrote fanfics about at 3 a.m.
Every corner of social media became a battleground, with fans waging full-scale wars through edits, elaborate theories, and passionate fanfics—complete with polls, analytical essays, and an endless stream of memes declaring which ship reigned supreme.
One afternoon, Cassian stumbled upon a thread mid-rehearsal and scowled. "Listen to this. 'Clace is more natural. Cassian gives older brother energy.' What does that even mean?"
Theo snorted. "It means some fans brother-zoned you."
Cassian's eyes narrowed. "Why is this happening to me?"
Jace puffed up his chest. "Hey, I can't help it if the audience sees chemistry."
Cassian crossed his arms and loomed over Jace threateningly. "Failed chemistry will end in mysterious lab explosions."
"Down, lover boy," Luca muttered, flipping a page in his music sheet. "Our fans are lunatics. 'Cluca'? That sounds like a bird species."
Clara was doubled over laughing in the corner. "You're all ridiculous."
Noah simply adjusted his in-ear monitors, muttering under his breath, "Children."
During a lively talk show, the host leaned toward Clara with a teasing grin. "Alright, Clara—since you've worked so closely with all of EON, tell us honestly—who's your favorite?"
The boys immediately gasped as if she'd been asked to choose a favorite child.
Theo pointed at himself. "It's obviously me. I'm the funniest."
Jace leaned in dramatically. "Come on, Clara, we danced together once! That's basically a sacred bond."
Luca raised a hand. "I take better pictures than all of them combined."
Cassian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of yourself?"
Clara giggled behind her hand. "My favorite EON member?" she repeated, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hmm… that's a secret."
The audience howled.
Cassian leaned back in mock despair. "Unbelievable."
Theo whispered to Jace, "He's dying inside."
"Yup," Jace whispered back. "I can hear the heartbreak from here."
The clip went viral before the day ended.
Meanwhile, Mirabelle sat cross-legged on her sofa, laptop open, watching the same interview. She had followed the entire EON x Clara Delvine series from its very first episode and had adored it—every song, every scene, every heartbeat of its artistry.
When Clara first appeared on screen—luminous and graceful—Mirabelle's breath caught as recognition struck her; it was Clara Delvine, the very girl from her past life, the one Noah had fallen in love with, and the one for whom he had broken off their engagement.
"Oh my gosh," Belle whispered, pressing her hands over her mouth. "It's her! It's really her!"
Her heart fluttered with excitement rather than jealousy. "This is it!" she squealed, bouncing slightly in her seat. "This is where their love story starts again!"
This time, she wanted to be supportive. She remembered how happy Noah had once been whenever he was with Clara—how his eyes lit up in a way she'd never been able to make happen. Back then, it had hurt. But now, as nothing more than a fan, she wanted to root for his happiness.
She scrolled through the flood of fan comments, grinning. Everyone praised the "Clarian" chemistry, and Mirabelle laughed softly. "They're just acting," she told herself. "The real story's between Noah and Clara. It always was."
Still, as she replayed one of the music videos, her smile began to fade; the chemistry between Cassian and Clara didn't feel like acting at all—their laughter and shared glances were too natural, too real to be mere performance.
"Hmm…" she murmured. "Maybe they just work really well together."
Later that afternoon, Mirabelle took her guitar to her favorite plaza. The sun painted the city gold as she tuned the strings and began to sing—a gentle ballad inspired by the fated love she remembered between Noah and Clara. Her voice floated softly through the square, wistful and warm. When she finished, a few fans applauded and gathered around.
"Belle!" one of them grinned. "Are you joining the Noah x Clara ship? You seem so into their story lately!"
Mirabelle laughed, cheeks pink. "Of course I am! They're meant to be."
Her fans cheered, and she smiled, unaware of the irony— that the love she believed was destiny had already begun to rewrite itself into something entirely new.