the place under the spotlight | soogyu

Chapter Five

"What was that?"

"He cried."

Soobin was in awe.

Filming the next half of the movie flowed like an estuary. Days and small parts made a trail to a whole ocean of stories that worked together, and Soobin found no reason to sigh that's not out of relief.

He stares at the screen, monitoring what he signaled previously to be the best shot for the day, and he thought that Beomgyu's performance was not something he could compare to anything besides heart wrenching. It was two souls in a night, light coming from the city but never enough to help the comforting darkness they found each other to be in. Soobin watches them bask in each other's presence, yet silently, like a bubble that's fragile but warm. He regrets looking at Beomgyu's eyes and seeing love—he was not supposed to find it dear, feeling it struck every corner in his system as if he was stuck.

Wow, Soobin thought. Beomgyu is a feeling.

Nothing compares.

"I don't remember Dohyun crying in the script," Soobin mused something even Yeonjun was wondering with jutted lips.

The scene was fairly simple; a confession, but vaguely. They acknowledge each other's places in their hearts even if they're both too scared to love. It was, in Soobin's subjective thoughts, a complex scenario flooding with emotions that's difficult to portray. Yet, with a touch and a silence that's louder than anything, it was so easy to call it a day.

Beomgyu smiles eagerly, more enthusiastic than the day they first started. "He's happy."

"And he cried?" Yeonjun teasingly replied, nudging his co-actor's shoulder gently. Their relationship now is better than before, and for that everyone is grateful.

Taehyun peers from his seat, a book in his hand. "Sometimes happiness can make you cry," He said; Soobin doesn't question any further.

"It's beautiful," It slipped effortlessly, but nobody commented on the obvious fact that the director was awfully happy with the final shot of the day. They packed up and wished everyone a pleasant farewell. Still, the closest Soobin got to conceding his gratitude was a routine of "good job".

It was not exactly the easiest to compliment Beomgyu all the way, even though he feeds off everyone's praise and adds heights to his shoulders—at least for Soobin, that is... because surely nobody else shares the same problem as him. Much to his surprise, however, is the fact that Beomgyu seems to understand and how he uses it to his advantage sometimes.

"Good job?" The actor echoed when Soobin tapped his arm as an awkward kudos. Beomgyu had been sickenly friendly with him lately after seeing Soobin's drunk honesty, and honestly, Soobin wasn't so sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing when he only had obscure memories of that night. He woke up in the morning with a cut from a knife in his hand, and he was surprised he didn't end up dead when the party's over.

He snaps back to where he is and laughs softly to let his words flow without stuttering. "You did great."

"Thanks. I did amazing."

"Of course," Soobin admitted. "Tell Kai to drive safe."

Beomgyu was quick to block his way before he could leave. "I told him to go without me."

"Wait, why? I still have a few things to do, so I can't drive you home," Soobin was quick to catch what the actor wanted to happen. Beomgyu seems to find a place in his passenger seat these days.

"I can go with you."

"I would take you with me if I can, but I'll probably finish at dawn. You need to sleep, Beomgyu," Soobin didn't miss the frown on Beomgyu's lips. "It's your fault for asking Kai to go. Maybe it's a sign to take the driving test for the third time."

He earned a familiar eye-roll. "Like I'll do better than the first two? The third time is never a charm."

"Then ask Yeonjun to drive you home. Bonding?"

It wasn't hard to tell that Soobin was just poking the bear---get it? Soobin found himself searching for the actor on Naver and went as far as knowing his emoji representation. Beomgyu is a promising passenger with a pocket full of banters and complaints, but he often had a reason why he wanted a ride. Soobin is just not exactly sure what it is this time.

Soobin liked to think that they were teetering in the line between acquaintances and friends, since Soobin was comfortable enough to call Beomgyu the latter. As for Beomgyu, however, it's up for debate. He feels like a person on a pedestal and untouchable by anyone. But then again, when Beomgyu drags him by his hand with a groan, he's not so far.

"He drives like he's late for a flight. That's why his manager doesn't ride with him anymore," He gave Soobin no choice. "I don't have anything scheduled in the morning, so I'm all yours!"

"I think I'll drive you home first before everything else," Soobin ignored Beomgyu's choice of words.

"Fine," Beomgyu grunts and welcomes himself to the seat that's been used to having him lately.

Soobin ponders if he should get paid for doing this several times now.

________________

Beomgyu said he read the book. Finally and really read the book.

They talk about it in the car as Soobin does his absolute best to keep his eyes glued on the road and not on a Beomgyu that's so animated with his illustrations.

"To be fair, the first chapters were confusing and boring. I fell asleep when I tried reading it after getting the role, and it took me weeks to pick it up from my desk again," The actor spouted without halt. It made Soobin chuckle, wondering how Taehyun would react if he heard someone talking about his book like this with such certainty in every word.

Soobin adored the work for that reason, exclusively. It exceeds all expectations while crumbling them down with the same impact, and then, you're left mourning for the dust.

It's a love story, for sure. Even KTH, Taehyun, himself labels it as that. However, it also focuses on a journey within characters. Reading it feels like a character study, and it's an incredible help to translate it into film.

Beomgyu huffs. "But now that I finished reading it I can't stop thinking about it."

"Taehyun is always great with endings."

"It's not that," Soobin's peripheral vision caught Beomgyu shaking his head. He hums to ask. "Dohyun is just awfully realistic, in every way. He's special, but overlooked, and Taejun saw him. So, I get it, you know?---Why you wanted to capture the feeling of invading, because it's raw. I think you're doing a pretty great job."

It became a challenge to bite back a smile. "Do I fit your standards now?"

Beomgyu doesn't reply immediately. Instead, Soobin heard the sounds of his clothes rubbing against the seat as he shuffled for a more comfortable spot. At that moment, he didn't think Beomgyu was different when it comes to being honest.

"Soobin."

"Hm?"

"You're okay."