More than scripted

Chapter two: Between the takes

The rooftop set was quiet, the city skyline painted behind them in cool, glowing blues. Fake wind machines hummed softly as crew members positioned cameras for the emotional climax of the episode.

Smart stood on his mark, the script still clutched in his hand, even though he knew the lines by heart.

"I loved you before I knew what love was."
"You make it easy to believe in forever."

Corny, maybe. But the weight of them sat differently in his chest tonight.

Boom stepped into the scene, a little breathless from fixing his mic. He gave Smart a glance—quick, unreadable. His lips parted as if he was about to say something real, but the director's voice cut through the moment.

"Scene 18. Rooftop confession. Take one. And—action!"

The silence between them settled in thick and fast. Boom took a step forward, his character's eyes full of hurt, longing, hope.

"You disappeared after the graduation ceremony," Boom said, voice trembling in just the right way. "No message. No goodbye."

Smart met his gaze. "I didn't think you wanted one."

Boom shook his head, the pain in his expression toeing the line between performance and something more. "I wanted everything."

The words hit harder than they should have.

Boom stepped closer, the distance shrinking. "And I still do."

Smart's line was next. He felt his heart race as he opened his mouth, but the words caught for a split second. He covered it with a breath—barely noticeable.

"I wanted to forget you," Smart said quietly. "But I couldn't."

Boom's eyes glistened, and for a terrifying second, Smart didn't know if it was Boom the actor or Boom the person standing in front of him.

They moved together, slowly. The final mark: a soft, tentative kiss.

Boom leaned in first. Smart followed.

The kiss was brief. Chaste. Just enough to make the fans feel something. But when they pulled back, neither of them moved.

Cut.

The word barely registered.

"Cut!" the director called again. "Perfect. Let's move to the next setup."

The crew sprang to life around them. But Smart and Boom stood still, close enough that Smart could feel Boom's breath, see the slight flush on his cheeks.

"That... felt real," Boom murmured, his voice low enough only Smart could hear.

Smart looked away, stepping back. "We're getting better at pretending."

Boom didn't argue. Just nodded, jaw tightening slightly before turning to walk toward the dressing area.

Smart watched him go.

And for the first time in a long time, he wasn't sure if he wanted to keep pretending at all.

I hope you's liked this chapter if you's did please leave a comment ♥️😊