perfect actors|| hyunlix ❀

Chapter26

The set was buzzing as always. It felt different today, though. More relaxed. More natural. Yuri and Hyunjin were wrapping up a scene, and I couldn't help but watch them from where I stood. It wasn't about the acting—it was the way they interacted, the ease between them.

Hyunjin's smile was effortless. He was in his element. It reminded me of how he used to be in the beginning, but something had shifted. It wasn't just for the cameras anymore.

I couldn't help but feel that slight knot in my chest as I watched him. It was strange, the way my thoughts kept drifting back to him. Not in a dramatic way—more like a constant presence.

I snapped out of it quickly. Focus, Felix. There was work to be done.

A few moments later, the scene wrapped, and people began to clear out. Hyunjin walked over to me with a casual stride, his eyes meeting mine before shifting to Yuri, who was right behind him.

"So, Felix," Yuri began, her tone playful, "when are you going to come join us on set again? Or are you too busy with your 'business' now?"

I laughed softly, trying to keep the conversation light. "You know how it is. Work never ends."

Yuri shot me a knowing look, her gaze sharp. "Of course. But you're really good at balancing it, aren't you?"

Before I could respond, Yuri added, her voice dropping a bit, "You two are really starting to act like a married couple, huh?"

I froze for a moment, the words landing heavier than expected. The casual way she said it, as if it was no big deal, made it feel more real. It was true, though, wasn't it?

We were married. It was part of the job. But to hear it out loud like that...

Hyunjin, standing next to me, laughed lightly, brushing the comment off. But there was something in his expression, something subtle, like he was thinking the same thing I was.

"Guess it's part of the role, right?" Hyunjin said, his voice light, but the way he said it made me feel like there was more to it than that.

Yuri wasn't buying it. "Oh, sure. But I've gotta say, you two... you're really convincing. Almost like you want to act like it's real."

My chest tightened a little at her words. It wasn't like that, was it?

I glanced at Hyunjin, but he wasn't looking at me. He seemed... lost in thought. Yuri must've sensed the shift because she gave a small shrug, her playful smile fading into something more thoughtful.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop. But don't say I didn't warn you," she said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "I'm just saying, you two make a great pair."

We all stood there for a moment, a silence hanging between us. Yuri broke it by turning to leave, but she paused halfway, glancing back over her shoulder with a half-smile.

"You two are good for each other, though. Don't forget that."

I didn't know how to respond. The words felt like they lingered in the air. Good for each other. It was a strange thing to hear. Because, honestly, I wasn't sure if we were "good" for each other, or if it was just what we had to do. What we had to be.

Yuri's voice cut through my thoughts as she waved goodbye, and I turned to look at Hyunjin.

He was quiet now, more so than usual. There was a look on his face I couldn't quite read.

"You good?" I asked, feeling a little out of place.

He didn't respond immediately. Instead, he just nodded and gave a half-smile, though I could tell it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Yeah, just... thinking," he said quietly.

I wanted to ask what he was thinking, but it felt like too much. Like if I pushed, it might break whatever fragile balance we had.

We walked back to our hotel room in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't easy, either. It was the kind of quiet that left a lot of space for things unsaid.

When we reached our room, Hyunjin was the first to move, dropping his bag on the couch and pulling out his sketchbook. I sat on the edge of the bed, watching him for a moment.

"You know, you were really good today," I said, trying to break the tension. "You've got this... thing, when you act with Yuri. It's effortless."

He glanced at me, his eyes flicking back to the pages of his sketchbook. "Thanks," he muttered, though his tone was distant.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed, even if we hadn't said it out loud. We were still acting, still pretending. But something was different now. Something unspoken had shifted.

I tried to let it go. I really did. But the weight of it followed me as I sat down at the desk to go through some company stuff.

There was a lot on my mind, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Hyunjin. The way he'd looked earlier, when Yuri made that comment. The way he didn't meet my eyes.

I wasn't sure what to make of it.

Later that evening, we both settled into bed. The room was quiet except for the low hum of the air conditioner. It wasn't the usual uncomfortable silence, though. There was something more peaceful about it, like we were finally getting used to the rhythm of our new routine.

Hyunjin was on his side, facing away from me. I didn't want to intrude, but I couldn't help but reach over and rest my hand on his back for a moment. Just a brief touch. He tensed slightly, but didn't pull away.

"I'm glad we're doing this," I whispered, even though I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to say.

Hyunjin didn't respond immediately, but after a beat, he turned his head slightly, just enough for me to see his eyes.

"Yeah," he said softly. "Me too."

And just like that, the silence didn't feel as heavy anymore.

It wasn't everything, but for now, it was enough.

The next day, things felt a little easier. We were back in our routine. Work. Filming. Getting up together. Having breakfast. It wasn't perfect, but it was real, in its own way.

I didn't have all the answers, but for now, I didn't need them.