From the moment dawn broke, the set carried a taut, uneasy tension.
Today's shoot was one of the most crucial scenes in the entire drama.
Noah sat hunched in a chair, script clutched tightly between his fingers, lips pressed thin. He knew how difficult this one would be—the older brother would snap, kiss him by force, and then Asher's character would storm in, deliver a punch, and shield him in his arms.
"Don't stress." Ren bent slightly at his side, voice smooth, reassuring.
"Just follow your own rhythm."
Noah looked up, uneasy. "Mm… I'll do my best."
The director clapped his hands. "Alright, everyone ready? Let's run it once."
Crew members moved quickly into place—lights adjusted, cameras shifted, sound checked.
And then, Ren glanced at Noah with an easy smile.
"Want to try it with me first? The kiss, I mean. We can work out the angle so it doesn't feel awkward when the cameras roll."
Noah froze. "Practice? You mean… right now?"
Ren nodded calmly. "Yes. Just finding the angle."
Noah opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Asher cut in, voice like ice:
"That's unnecessary."
The air thickened instantly.
Ren turned to him, tone still gentle. "You might think so. But I'd rather test it ahead of time. Didn't you two rehearse your kissing scenes?"
Asher's gaze locked onto him, voice low but laced with heat.
"It's none of your business whether we rehearsed or not."
Noah stood caught in the middle, sensing the crackling hostility. His chest tightened. It was true—he and Asher had kissed enough times already. They didn't need practice.
The director's brows knit. "Alright, enough. Ren has a point—these shots require angle work. Noah, it's your call."
Noah stiffened under the attention. He dropped his gaze, unsettled.
Ren softened his smile. "We're only marking positions. That's all."
After a moment's hesitation, Noah whispered, "…Okay."
Asher's eyes darkened immediately.
---
Under the lights, Ren's hand settled firmly on Noah's shoulder. His movements were careful, restrained, his expression deeply serious.
"Imagine it like the scene—years of repression breaking all at once. That's why I'd lunge in like this."
Noah gave a small nod. "Alright."
Their eyes locked. A faint pressure filled the space between them. Noah instinctively stepped back, only to be steadied by Ren's grip.
From the sidelines, Asher's knuckles whitened against the armrest, his stare fixed on their narrowing distance, heat sparking in his chest.
Ren leaned in, lips hovering just shy of Noah's, his voice a breath against the air.
"How's this angle?"
Noah's throat bobbed. "…It works."
That was all it took—Asher shot to his feet. His voice cracked the air, hard and cold.
"Enough."
Both Noah and Ren startled, turning toward him.
The director frowned. "Asher, what's the matter?"
"He knows the staging," Asher bit out, voice tight with restrained anger. "There's no need to go further."
Ren chuckled lightly, still unruffled. "You don't have to be so tense, it's not like I actually kissed you."
Asher's glare cut sharp. "Shut your mouth."
Caught between them, Noah's palms dampened with sweat. He whispered, "It's fine… I think I get it now."
The director waved them forward impatiently. "Good. Then let's roll straight into a take. Places!"
---
The cameras settled. Lights bore down.
Ren exploded into character, voice hoarse and desperate.
"We're not even related! I've held back long enough—I can't pretend anymore!"
Noah's eyes went wide, breath ragged, body trembling.
"What… what are you saying?!"
Ren seized his wrist, dragging him close. "I love you! I've loved you for so long!"
He lunged forward, mouth descending, forceful.
Noah struggled, crying out, "No! You're insane!"
And just as Ren's lips pressed against his—
A violent hand tore him back.
"Bang!" Asher's fist slammed into Ren's jaw, merciless, raw.
"Stay away from him!" His growl cut the air, eyes flashing with deadly fire.
Noah was pulled against his chest, stiff, wide-eyed, the rim of his eyes red.
The director's palms clapped together, voice elated.
"Yes! That's it—that's the energy I wanted!"
Crew members let out collective breaths, the atmosphere easing at once.
---
When the pause was called and the crew adjusted for the next shot, Ren wiped at the corner of his mouth, smiling easily.
"You were great just now. The emotion felt real."
Noah gave a small nod. "Thank you."
Asher stood off to the side, his gaze cold, lips sealed.
Ren turned toward him next, smile faint.
"And you—nice punch. Had me thinking you really meant it."
Asher's tone was cold. "I was in character."
---
By the time shooting wrapped, night had already fallen.
The final bell for the day rang out, echoing across the set.
The director shut his script with satisfaction. "Good work, everyone. We've got what we need."
Crew packed equipment, chatter lightening as exhaustion gave way to relief.
Noah shrugged out of his costume, his body heavy with fatigue. He collapsed into the chair, a long breath escaping his lips as if the strength had drained out of him. Lately he'd felt unusually worn down, as though an illness was looming at the edge. When his hand pressed to his forehead, the heat beneath his skin confirmed it—he was running warm.
"Here. Water." Ren appeared with a bottle, voice as gentle as always.
Noah accepted it and took a sip.
From not far away, Asher stood apart, coat in hand, eyes refusing to stray their way.
Noticing the distance, Ren suddenly called out, voice carrying:
"Tough day. Want to grab dinner together? Noah, you too. Let's relax a little."
Noah froze, startled, gaze darting instinctively to Asher.
Asher's step faltered for just a fraction—but he didn't answer, didn't even turn. He simply strode straight for the exit.
Noah's lips parted, but no sound came out before he was gone.
Ren raised an eyebrow, unconcerned. He smiled faintly, then looked back at Noah.
"Guess he's not in the mood."
Noah lowered his head, murmuring softly, "…Maybe he's just tired."
Ren's smile didn't fade. "Then never mind. But what about you? Hungry? Dinner's on me."
Noah hesitated. "Now? Isn't it a bit late…"
"It's fine. Not too late," Ren said easily, his tone coaxing. "Better than going home hungry, isn't it?"
Noah's fingers curled around the water bottle. Truthfully, his stomach did ache. But Asher's silence lingered in his mind, unsettling.
Ren noticed his pause and lowered his voice, gentle again.
"It's just dinner. No pressure."
After a beat, Noah finally nodded. "…Okay."
Ren's smile warmed. "Good. I know a great place nearby."
---
Outside, the night air carried a faint chill.
Noah pulled his jacket tighter around himself as he followed Ren toward the parking lot.
Ren reached the car first, opening the passenger door. "Hop in."
Noah hesitated, then slid inside.
The engine purred to life. Streetlights streaked past the windows, painting fleeting shadows across Noah's quiet face. Music played low, filling the silence.
Ren spoke first. "That scene earlier—you dropped into the emotion faster than I expected."
Noah pressed his lips together. "It was hard at first… but you helped. Otherwise I'd have lost the thread."
Ren glanced at him, a small smile tugging his lips. "You have more talent than you give yourself credit for. Don't downplay it."
The car eased into the city, neon bleeding through the glass.
Then Ren asked casually, "So, you and Asher—what's your relationship off-camera? You two have a spark in your scenes."
Noah's hand tightened around the bottle. He shook his head quickly. "Nothing… just colleagues."
Ren's brow arched, though he let the answer slip by with nothing more than a smile.
"Just asking."
Noah's chest tightened, unease curling deep inside.