"You're early."
When Hiro looked up, he wasn't surprised. He had already recognized the sound of the other man's voice.
It was Silas.
"…You too."
"I woke up early," the alpha said as he walked over. "Wanted to see the place before the yelling started."
"Well, it is indeed peaceful."
"Still feels overwhelming. Like it remembers everything that happened here yesterday. Like it's storing everyone's movements." Silas stared at the bed.
Yesterday, they had to re-shoot the first scene that Felix, Ji-Ha and Silas acted in a few weeks ago. But this time, more detailed and everyone knew the context better.
"…Did you sleep well?" Hiro asked, changing the subject. He didn't want to discuss the cheating scene and let a sour taste fill his mouth early in the morning.
"No."
Silas looked at him for a second longer before crouching beside the camera.
"Is this the camera you use for your personal work?"
Hiro nodded.
"I had to keep it here because it was raining yesterday."
Silas hesitated before asking, "May I?"
"Go ahead."
The auburn-haired young man placed his hand on the cold surface, brushing his thumb across the lens before peering into the screen. It looked nothing like the picture he had in his bedroom.
He stayed like that for a moment.
Then the door creaked open.
"Good morning, Ji-Ha!"
"Good morning."
"My, isn't that Silas? Good morning!" a male co-actor waved his way.
"Ah! I didn't even see. Good morning, Silas!"
Silas straightened up and walked toward them.
"Good morning," he greeted them politely.
"When did you arrive?" Ji-Ha asked.
"Pretty early."
Ji-Ha and the other actors exchanged glances.
Silas didn't say anything else. He wasn't exactly talkative. He wasn't awkward either. Just… unreadable and peculiar.
"All right, is everyone here?" The director clapped his hands to get their attention.
Everyone turned to face the director.
"We're filming a scene outside. The one with Gi-Jah falling to his knees in the middle of the road. So make sure to keep the extra clothes and towels ready. It's already raining, so we won't need extra equipment."
He glanced toward Silas.
"You ready?"
The actor simply smiled without saying a word. His gaze briefly flickered toward Hiro.
But Hiro didn't notice. His eyes were fixed on Felix, who was now sitting on a nearby table, laughing and shamelessly flirting with one of the staff members. Again.
"Hiro, come here! We're shooting outside. And the rest of you, start rehearsing—your turn's after this," the director said, heading out the door.
Silas and Hiro followed behind with the rest of the crew.
"It's raining?" One of the staff members asked another,
"Looks like it. Just what I needed—damp hair and clothes with soaked shoes." Another groaned.
Hiro glanced their way but didn't say anything. He also hated rainy days.
"It's part of the job," he muttered.
They arrived at the outdoor set. The crew placed a tent for Hiro to sit under while filming. A staff member stood beside him with an umbrella to shield the equipment.
In the back were more tents—one for lighting and one for props.
The director adjusted the mic.
"All set?"
"Yes!" the crew answered.
"Alright, Silas, go stand by the building. Wait for my cue."
Silas moved into position.
Hiro crouched down and looked through the lens.
Poor guy.
He thought as he began to roll the camera.
This is probably going to take a few tries.
Gi-Jah stepped forward.
Rain immediately drenched his white shirt, sticking the thin fabric to his skin. His curls were wet, his eyes empty.
When he reached the marked circle, he stopped. Then, his entire expression changed.
He looked ahead as if he wasn't standing in front of a camera. His eyes turned glossy. Tears fell, blending with the rain. He brushed his auburn curls aside and chuckled softly.
Then he burst into laughter.
He dropped to his knees.
The staff members tried to keep calm but their hearts raced at the performance. It was as if he wasn't acting at all.
"I-I… What did I do wrong…?" he whispered. "Where… did I go wrong?" He covered his face with both hands, gasping for air.
No one said anything. The crew was frozen.
Even if they'd read the script, even if they knew the scene—it didn't change the fact that Silas looked genuinely broken.
Hiro's grip on the camera tightened.
How… did he do that?
How could he slip into character so quickly?
Even top actors take a week…
Through the lens, Silas's figure blurred.
Hiro blinked, realizing he'd forgotten to breathe.
"CUT!"
Silas's assistant rushed with an umbrella and a towel.
The young man stood to his feet, shielded from the rain by the umbrella while he began wiping off the water dripping down his face.
"It looks good to me. Let's move to the other scenes," the director rose from his seat, while a staff member held the umbrella for him. He walked into the building once again, followed by the other crew members.
Hiro carefully packed the camera for fear it would get wet. He grabbed the umbrella inside his tent and opened it, walking into the building.
However, as if even God had turned against him, a harsh blow of air and his umbrella had turned upside down. Yet, surprisingly, barely a few drops of water fell on his skin.
Something was stopping the rain from falling on him.
Once he looked up, he saw a dark scarlet umbrella shielding him—Silas's.
"What are you?—"
"Thank you," Silas interrupted.
Baffled, Hiro simply looked at him.
"You need to thank someone if they do something nice," the man said with a smile.
Hiro clenched the bag in his hands.
Who did he think he was—teaching Hiro manners? He should have at least explained himself first! How was he supposed to know Silas's intentions?
Yet, Hiro sighed.
It doesn't matter.
He told himself and quietly walked inside the building. A few drops fell on his arm but he didn't care. Not until Silas wrapped his arm around his shoulder, pulling him close.
Hiro remained silent even then. He couldn't lose his composure even if he hated it.
Professionalism. Even if he doesn't have any, I need to show some.
He told himself, breathing in and out to control his emotions.
Then, a hand slapped Silas's off his shoulder.
Hiro staggered slightly from the sudden force. Silas's hand dropped, but he didn't react, unfazed.
Felix stood between them now, with an almost forced smile.
"Focus on your act," he told Silas coldly.
Then he leaned over Hiro's shoulder, whispering, "No need to act slutty when we're not in bed." His voice was low, almost casual—just loud enough for Hiro to hear.
Hiro stiffened. He didn't look at Felix, didn't answer, didn't defend himself but his throat tightened. Shame burned in his chest, his cheeks flushing a dark red, even though he knew he shouldn't feel any. He couldn't help but wonder whether Silas heard that.
Hopefully not.
He clutched the bag in his hand.