The mountains around the set glowed with afternoon light, softening the noise of the crew. For a brief moment, it almost felt peaceful; until Ohm caught the way Nanon was standing a little too far away from him, arms folded, gaze fixed anywhere but here.

They were waiting for the crossover scene: Pat and Pran meeting Tian and Phupha. The crew buzzed with energy, cameras being reset, makeup artists dabbing sweat. Across the courtyard, Earth and Mix were already laughing about something, leaning shoulder to shoulder like the long-time partners they were.

Ohm envied how easy they looked together. No space between them, no awkward silences. Just comfort.

"Alright, positions please!" the assistant director called.

As they took their marks, Mix glanced up from his script, eyes flicking between Ohm and Nanon. His smile wavered just slightly, curiosity sparking. Earth followed his gaze.

The take began.

Pran and Pat stood side by side, facing Phupha and Tian. The lines were simple enough: introductions, a hint of rivalry softened by humor. But even in the banter, Earth noticed the stiffness in Nanon's shoulders, the way Ohm delivered his lines with a brightness that felt just a touch too forced.

"Cut!"

P'Oaf called for a reset, and everyone relaxed. Everyone except Ohm and Nanon, who immediately stepped apart as if an invisible barrier snapped back into place.

Mix nudged Earth with his elbow. "You see that?" he murmured.

Earth nodded slowly. "Yeah. Something's off."

They didn't bring it up immediately. Instead, during the lunch break, Earth made his way to where Ohm was sitting under a tree, scrolling aimlessly through his phone. Mix, naturally, headed toward Nanon, who was perched on a folding chair, adjusting his guitar strings for an upcoming scene.

Earth sat down beside Ohm. "You okay?"

Ohm chuckled. "Yeah P', why?"

"Because you look like you're trying to swallow a whole storm without letting anyone see," Earth said simply.

Ohm blinked at him, caught off guard. He tried to play it off with a grin. "You've been acting in too many melodramas, P'."

But Earth just raised an eyebrow. "Trust me. I've been in this industry long enough and with Mix long enough to know when something's eating at someone. Whatever it is, it shows when you're with Nanon."

Across the courtyard, Mix was having a similar conversation.

"You're pulling your punches," Mix said lightly, plucking a string on the guitar Nanon was holding. "Every scene, you give just enough for the camera, but not enough for him."

Nanon's hands stilled. "It's work. That's all it needs to be."

"Mm," Mix hummed, unconvinced. "That's what Tian used to tell himself too. Until Phupha looked at him once and he realized work wasn't the only thing on the line."

Nanon gave a small, humorless laugh. "It's different."

"Is it?" Mix tilted his head. "Or are you just scared it isn't?"

Back under the tree, Ohm rubbed the back of his neck, sighing. "He's the one who pulled away. I'm just... trying not to push."

Earth's gaze softened. "Sometimes people pull away because they're overwhelmed, not because they don't care. I used to do that, you know. When Mix got too close, too fast. I thought if I let him in, I'd lose control of myself. But the truth? Pushing him away hurt worse than letting him stay."

Ohm stared at the grass, his throat tight.

Meanwhile, Nanon finally set the guitar aside. His voice was low, almost guilty. "I can't... let myself blur the line. If I do, it'll be harder later. For him. For me."

Mix leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Or it'll be better. We wasted so much time pretending our feelings were just part of the job. You don't realize how heavy that mask is until you take it off."

The lunch break bell rang, calling them back. Crew bustled again, voices echoing through the valley.

Earth stood, clapping Ohm gently on the shoulder. "Whatever's between you two, it's obvious."

Mix gave Nanon a quick, knowing smile as they walked back. "You don't have to figure it all out today. Just... don't close the door before he even knocks."

When Ohm and Nanon ended up side by side again, waiting for the cameras to roll, neither spoke. But for the first time in a year, the silence between them felt less like a wall and more like a bridge waiting to be crossed.