Alter

Take 7! Cut!

The Phuket beach location was postcard-perfect, with golden sands stretching out beneath the sun, and the clear blue ocean in the backdrop. The team had set up their equipment, cameras pointed towards the sea, as actors rehearsed their lines. War stood at a distance, watching quietly as the crew bustled around him, setting up for the next shot.

Despite everything that had happened between him and Vee, the dynamic between them had shifted back to something that resembled the past. The teasing, the banter—none of it was there now. Vee had retreated into his cranky, controlling shell, and War had once again wrapped himself in his invisible "Vee protection suit," avoiding any emotional entanglement for the sake of keeping things professional.

War had shrugged it off, thinking that maybe this was for the best. If Vee wanted to act like their near-kisses and superhero moments never happened, War could roll with that. For now.

Vee, of course, was at his usual peak of intensity, barking out instructions to the actors and crew, his temper shorter than usual.

"Cut! CUT! What is that?" Vee snapped, his voice ringing out across the beach like a whip. The actor playing the lead role, Best, flinched visibly. "Did you even read the script? You're supposed to feel the scene, not recite it like a goddamn robot!"

The actor, young and visibly nervous, mumbled something about trying his best. But Vee was already moving in, steamrolling over any excuses. "Trying your best? Is this your best? Because if it is, we're all screwed. Why are we even here, huh? Did you come to Phuket just to ruin this show?"

Best's eyes started to water, but he stood there, frozen, as Vee continued to tear him apart in front of everyone. The crew around them exchanged awkward glances, none daring to intervene.

War, standing nearby, had been watching the whole thing unfold. He could see that Vee's outburst was going beyond the usual frustration—there was something more simmering beneath the surface. He clenched his fists, taking a deep breath before he stepped forward.

"Vee, enough," War said, his voice steady but firm.

Vee shot him a look that could kill. "Not now, War."

"Yes, now," War insisted, walking over and standing between Vee and the poor actor who was visibly breaking down. "You're pushing too hard. The kid's doing his best, and you're treating him like he's a punching bag. He's not the problem here."

"The problem is I have incompetent actors and a crew who think they're on a holiday vacation!" Vee snapped, turning his frustration towards War now. "If you're going to start playing the hero again, spare me the lecture."

War squared his shoulders, refusing to back down. "You're upset, I get it. But you can't keep tearing people apart like this just because things aren't going your way."

"Oh, you get it, do you?" Vee's eyes flashed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How noble of you, War. Always the saint, always the one who's right, like you have any idea what it's like to be responsible for all this."

"I don't have to be a director to know when you're being an asshole," War shot back, his calm demeanor cracking under the pressure of Vee's relentless insults.

"Is that so? And what are you going to do about it? Stand there and look pretty while you pretend you've got all the answers?" Vee's voice rose, drawing more attention from the crew, who were now discreetly watching the confrontation unfold.

War clenched his jaw. "This isn't about me, Vee. You're out of line."

Vee's face twisted in a sneer. "Out of line? You've been out of line since day one! Always trying to 'fix' everything, like you're the answer to all of life's problems. You think you can just waltz in and save the day, but guess what, War? You're not the hero in this story."