Shapeshifter? - Milo Manheim

Shapeshifter? - Milo Manheim

Chapter one

Summary: Milo and Auroras friendship is complicated. They act like they’re together but both of them swear they’re just friends. Well Aurora does. But things starts to change during the break before season 2

Playlist

Song rec: The downtown lights • The Blue Nile

———

The press tour had been a whirlwind—city after city, interview after interview—but today felt different. Maybe it was the exhaustion settling in, or maybe it was the way Milo kept looking at Aurora like she was the most fascinating thing in the room. This wasn’t new though, he always looked at her like she hung the moon and stars just for him.

They were in a bright, modern studio, seated on a plush semi-circle couch for one of the many press segments lined up for the day. A coffee table sat in front of them, scattered with cue cards and bottles of water. The energy was still high despite the long hours, everyone laughing and joking in between takes.

The interviewer, a woman with a warm smile and an easygoing demeanor, leaned forward, holding up a stack of cards. "Alright, we're going to play a quick game of Who's Most Likely To? You guys ready?"

The cast responded with various murmurs of excitement, stretching and settling in. Aurora tucked one leg underneath her, brushing her fingers through her hair as she glanced at Milo beside her. He was sitting relaxed, an arm draped over the back of the couch, his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

"Okay," the interviewer began, “Hi I’m here with the cast of school spirts and today we’re going to be playing who’s most likely!”

“Hi, I’m Peyton and I play Maddie!”

“Hi I’m nick and I play Charlie!”

“Hi I’m Aurora also known as Bug and I play Tilly.”

“Hi I’m Sarah and I play Ronda!”

“And I’m Milo Manheim and I play Wally!”

The group went through there introductions for the video before the interviewer continued by reading the first card. "Who's most likely to break character during a serious scene?"

Three hands pointed at Nick without hesitation.

"Oh, come on!" he groaned, throwing his hands up.

"Listen, buddy," Aurora said, grinning. "I love you, but we’ve all had to re-shoot scenes because of you."

"That one time—"

"Multiple times," Milo cut in, smirking. The group laughed as Nick shook his head in defeat.

The interviewer pulled another card. "Who's most likely to show up late to set?"

There was a brief pause before Aurora hesitantly raised her own hand, wincing playfully.

"See, I want to argue," Milo said, tilting his head, "but I can’t."

"Okay, in my defense—" Aurora started.

"There is no defense," Sarah teased. "You just suck at waking up early."

The next few questions sparked more laughter and playful accusations.

"Who's most likely to get lost in a new city?"

"Peyton," Aurora and Milo said in unison.

"Wow. Betrayal." Peyton said with her hand on her chest with fake hurt

"Who's most likely to cry during a movie?"

Aurora immediately pointed at herself, and Milo raised a hand, too.

"Wait, you cry during movies?" she asked, nudging him.

"Sometimes," he admitted. "I’m a sensitive man."

Aurora grinned. "Good to know."

The next card was read aloud. "Who's most likely to brighten everyone's day without even trying?"

Milo barely hesitated before turning toward Aurora. "Bug. No question."

The playful atmosphere shifted just slightly, the laughter dying down as Aurora blinked at him, caught off guard. "What?"

"You just…you have this way of making everything feel lighter," he said, his voice sincere. "Like, even when we're exhausted or filming a really tough scene, you always find a way to make us laugh or keep us going."

There was a collective aww from the group, and Aurora felt warmth creep up her neck. She met his eyes, offering a soft smile. "That’s really sweet."

Milo just shrugged, but there was a hint of something behind his usual easygoing expression—something almost shy.

By mid-afternoon, Aurora’s throat was dry from talking so much, and a small cough escaped her. Before she could even reach for her own drink, Milo was already holding out his water bottle.

She hesitated for just a second before taking it, their fingers brushing lightly. "Thanks."

He gave a small nod, watching as she took a sip.

“Who’s most likely to have the best playlist?”

“Mi! 100% there’s a reason why I get him to drive me home everyday from set!” Aurora said enthusiastically

“What kinda songs do you have?” The interviewer asked

“Oh I got everything! Lizzy, Sabrina, Taylor, Kendrick, the weekend all the good stuff!” Milo listed artist off as he scrolled through his playlist

“The amount of times I’ve caught these two in bugs trailer screaming cruel summer is unreal!” Peyton said as the group laughed

“Taylor is an icon we can’t help it!” Milo said holding his hand up in defence

By the time they wrapped for the day, everyone was drained. Despite that, they decided to head out for dinner together. After a full day of sightseeing with their co-stars, Aurora and Milo found themselves walking side by side, a little behind the rest of the group. The city lights shimmered above them, and the streets buzzed with life.

“You hungry?” Milo asked, glancing down at her.

Aurora gave him a look. “Milo, when am I not hungry?”

He grinned, nudging her with his shoulder. “Fair point.”

The restaurant was tucked away on a quiet street, warm and inviting, with dim lighting and the rich scent of garlic and spices filling the air. The cast had been on their feet all day—filming interviews, sightseeing, and navigating through the city crowds—but somehow, the energy was still high as they slid into their seats around a long table in the center of the dining room.

Aurora found herself seated between Milo and Sarah, with Nick and the others across from them. The table was already scattered with menus and glasses of water, condensation trickling down the sides.

A waiter approached, and the group wasted no time in ordering—pasta, steak, seafood, and enough appetizers to feed a small army.

“Okay, so who decided we needed three different kinds of bread?” Eli asked, raising an eyebrow at the selection of baskets in the middle of the table.

“That would be me,” Aurora said, reaching for a slice. “And you’re welcome.”

Milo smirked beside her. “That’s why she’s the smartest one here.”

Aurora elbowed him playfully. “See? Someone appreciates my genius.”

“Oh, trust me, I’m very appreciative,” Milo said, leaning in just slightly. His voice dropped, just for her. “You always know exactly what I need.”

She shot him a look, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up her neck. “Behave.”

He grinned. “Where’s the fun in that?” Across the table, Peyton rolled her eyes.

“Can you two not flirt for like, five minutes?”

Aurora huffed. “We are not flirting.”

Nick snorted. “Oh, you absolutely are.”

Milo just shrugged, completely unbothered. “What can I say? She brings it out of me.”

Aurora groaned, covering her face. “I hate all of you.” Laughter rippled through the group as the appetizers arrived, and soon, everyone was too busy digging into the food to tease her any further.

“Okay, but seriously,” Sarah said between bites. “Best moment of the press tour so far?”

“Oh, easy,” Nick said. “Milo tripping over a mic cord right before we went live.”

Milo groaned, tossing a piece of bread at him. “I told you not to bring that up.”

Aurora laughed, nudging him with her knee. “To be fair, that was pretty iconic.”

He turned to her, eyes narrowing playfully. “You laughed at me.”

“I did not—”

“You absolutely did.”

Aurora bit her lip, fighting a smile. “Okay, fine. Maybe a little.”

Milo shook his head. “Unbelievable. And here I thought you were on my side.”

Aurora placed a hand over her heart, feigning sincerity. “I am on your side. I just also really enjoy seeing you suffer.”

He leaned in again, his voice low. “You enjoy seeing me suffer, huh?” There was something in his tone—something teasing, but also…something else. Something that sent a flicker of warmth down her spine.

She cleared her throat, reaching for her drink. “Shut up and eat your pasta, Milo.”

Milo just smirked, clearly pleased with himself.

The conversation flowed easily as the meal continued—stories from set, embarrassing moments, inside jokes that only made sense to them. Aurora found herself laughing more than she had in days, the exhaustion from earlier fading into the background.

“Wine?” he asked, already reaching for the menu.

Aurora smirked. “Are you trying to impress me?”

“Depends,” he said, flashing a slow, lazy grin. “Is it working?”

She pretended to study her menu, ignoring the way her stomach flipped. “Jury’s still out.”

Conversation with him as easy, effortless, full of teasing and laughter. Milo was in full charm mode—leaning in just a little too close when he asked her opinion on something, stealing bites of her food like it was his right, throwing in the occasional wink just to see her roll her eyes.

“You do realize you have your own meal, right?” Aurora asked as Milo plucked another fry from her plate.

“Yeah, but yours tastes better.

She huffed. “That is objectively not true.”

He smirked. “Bet you just like the attention.”

She pointed a fry at him. “You are so lucky you’re funny.” Milo laughed, and damn it, she liked the sound of it.

At some point, dessert arrived—a rich, chocolatey something that non of them technically had room for, but Milo insisted on ordering anyway.

Aurora picked up her spoon, but before she could take a bite, Milo reached over, dragging his own spoon through the dessert before holding it up to her lips.

“Open up, princess,” he said, eyes full of mischief.

She gave him a deadpan look. “You did not just call me that.”

He wiggled the spoon slightly. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

With an exasperated sigh, she leaned forward, letting him feed her the bite. The second the flavor hit her tongue, she closed her eyes, humming in approval.

When she opened them, Milo was watching her. His gaze had darkened just a fraction, and the playful smirk on his lips softened into something else entirely.

“Good?” he asked, his voice lower now.

Aurora swallowed. “Yeah.”

For a moment, they just…looked at each other. The restaurant bustled around them, but all she could focus on was the heat in his eyes, the way his fingers toyed absentmindedly with the edge of his napkin, like he was holding himself back.

Then, as quickly as the moment arrived, Milo leaned back, grinning again. “Told you we needed dessert.” Aurora let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Nick groaned. “Oh my God, just date already.”

Aurora nearly choked on her drink. “Excuse me?!”

Milo, meanwhile, just smirked, twirling his fork in his pasta. “Patience, Nick. We’ve gotta keep the slow burn going.”

Aurora turned to glare at him. “I hate you.”

He grinned. “No, you don’t.”

She kicked him under the table.

He winked.

And just like that, the night carried on, filled with good food, endless laughter, and just a little more flirting than Aurora cared to admit.

By the time they made it back to the hotel, exhaustion fully hit. Aurora sighed as they walked through the lobby, reaching down to slip her heels off.

"I think my feet have officially given up," she mumbled.

Milo glanced down, shaking his head. "Why do you do this to yourself?"

"Fashion over function."

Without another word, he crouched slightly. "C'mon."

She frowned. "What—"

"Get on," he said, giving her a pointed look. "I’m not letting you limp up the stairs."

Aurora hesitated, but the dull ache in her feet made the decision for her. With a quiet sigh, she climbed onto his back, arms draping around his shoulders.

"You’re ridiculous," she muttered, but there was a smile in her voice.

"That’s what I’ve been told," he replied, adjusting his grip.

When they reached her door, she climbed down with a relieved sigh, stretching out her legs. "You’re officially my hero."

"I accept that title."

Instead of heading to his own room, Milo lingered for a bit. She unlocked her door and glanced at Milo, who was leaning against the wall next to her.

“You tired?” she asked.

Milo shrugged. “Nah. You?”

She hesitated.

He caught onto it immediately. “You want me to stay,” he teased.

“I didn’t say that.”

He smirked. “Didn’t have to.” With an exaggerated sigh, she stepped aside, holding the door open for him.

“Fine. But if you fall asleep on my couch, I’m kicking you out.”

Milo walked in like he owned the place, collapsing onto her couch with a dramatic groan. “God, I love being right.”

Aurora grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-fridge and tossed it at him. “Hydrate, ego boy.”

He caught it easily, cracking it open. “You should probably listen to your own advice, Miss ‘I Forget to Drink Water Until I Have a Headache.’”She rolled her eyes but took a sip of her own water anyway.

They fell into an easy rhythm—flipping through channels, scrolling through their phones, laughing at stupid memes. At one point, Milo leaned over, resting his chin on her shoulder to see what she was looking at.

“What’s that?”

Aurora didn’t even flinch at his proximity anymore. “Just pictures from today. Oh, look.” She turned the screen to show him a candid someone had taken of them when they were doing portraits of each other in a buzz-feed interview and she’d lent over smudging paint on his nose.

Milo smirked. “Proof that you treat me like a human canvas.”

“You let me do it,” she pointed out

“Maybe I just like being touched by you.”

The words were so casual, so effortlessly flirty, that it took her a second to process them.

Her heart did a stupid little flip.

“Milo—”

He stretched out, resting an arm along the back of the couch behind her. “Relax, princess. I’m just messing with you.”

She huffed. “I hate you.”

He grinned. “No, you don’t.”

He wasn’t wrong.

The longer they sat there, the heavier Aurora’s eyelids became. At some point, she shifted, curling into the couch, her head resting against Milo’s shoulder without much thought.

Milo froze for half a second before exhaling softly, his fingers brushing lightly against her arm.

“You’re getting sleepy, huh?” he murmured.

“Mmm,” was all she managed in response.

Eventually, he stood, stretching. "I should probably let you sleep."

Aurora stifled a yawn, nodding. "Yeah, probably."

But as he reached the door, she hesitated. "Hey, Milo?"

He turned back. "Yeah bug?"

She smiled, softer this time. "Thanks. For earlier. And for, you know…everything."

His gaze held hers for a moment before he gave a small nod. "Anytime, Aurora."