Chapter 11 : Under the stars 1
Sunghoon freshened up quickly after his run and joined the crew for breakfast. True to Woo-jin's word, the food truck was there, a welcome sight in the early morning light. He ate in a hurry; as the lead equipment manager for the final day, he had to ensure the load-out was seamless. He didn't want a single mess on his watch, especially since it was his turn to finalize the inventory catalogue.
He was leaving the recreation area, his nose buried in the tablet, when he walked straight into a solid chest.
He looked up, an apology already on his tongue, before he realized who he'd hit. "Raiven!"
Raiven looked like he was about to say something,perhaps a continuation of their morning conversation,but a staff member called out for Haru from across the field. Sunghoon looked past Raiven, his professional instincts kicking in.
"Sorry, we'll talk later!" Sunghoon said. He gave Raiven a quick, casual pat on the shoulder and raced past him toward the containers.
"Everyone is waiting!" the staff member called out as Sunghoon arrived, bowing slightly in apology. The two of them speed-walked toward the equipment line, leaving Raiven standing alone.
Raiven watched him go before turning toward the food truck. He picked out some fruit and a carton of milk, but as he stared down at the modest meal, he realized Sunghoon had been right. He didn't like eating.
He'd spent his life being managed. He remembered the grueling diets his mother put him on before competitions when he was a child. He would watch his brother's plate, piled high with food their father had spoiled him with, and feel a sharp, silent jealousy. He couldn't voice his hunger without sparking an argument between his parents, so he'd learned to restrict himself to keep the peace.
By the time he became an idol, the hunger had just become a habit,a dull background noise. But now, Sunghoon's blunt observations were making him rethink things. Maybe he would take Hae-rin up on that offer to visit her girlfriend's restaurant. Maybe it was time to find a new palate.
The morning shoot was a whirlwind. As the equipment lead, Sunghoon was busier than ever, hardly having a moment to breathe, let alone watch the filming. On the rare occasions he paused, he would catch Raiven stealing glances at him. But every time their eyes locked, someone would shout "Haru!" and Sunghoon's attention would be snatched away again.
Raiven performed perfectly. He had done this a thousand times; the poses, the smiles, the way he caught the light,it was all mechanical.
"Cut! That's a wrap!" the director shouted after the final shot. The set erupted into applause. The director announced that the company had prepared a massive feast for everyone to celebrate a successful shoot.
Sunghoon joined in the clapping, a wide, genuine smile on his face, before turning back to his crates. He still had a mountain of gear to monitor.
"Did you get them?" Raiven asked his manager as soon as the cameras were powered down.
"Yes, here," Manager Kim said, handing him an envelope. "I don't get why they couldn't be electronic. It's 2025, Raiven."
"Physical is better," Raiven stated, his eyes already tracking Sunghoon's silhouette in the distance. "Go have fun, Hyung. I'll meet you later."
It was late at night by the time Sunghoon finished. He walked down the hotel street, flexing his aching shoulders and rolling his neck until it popped with a satisfying crack. He'd handed the tablet off to the morning shift lead; for now, he was a free man.
He threw his head back, groaning in relief at the cool night air,and nearly stepped right into Raiven again.
He let out an exasperated sigh, catching his balance. "You have to stop doing that!" Sunghoon scolded, his hands going to his hips.
"Sorry," Raiven said, though he didn't look particularly regretful.
"What's up? Are you lonely?" Sunghoon teased, gesturing toward the recreation area where music was blasting and the crew was cheering. "Everyone there seems to want to be your friend."
"I'm not naive," Raiven retorted softly.
"I never said you were," Sunghoon replied, starting to walk. "But it's good to talk to people. Besides, you talk to me just fine."
He stopped abruptly, causing Raiven to nearly bump into him for the second time. Sunghoon turned, his expression suddenly serious. "Have we met before?"
The question had been burning in the back of his mind. Raiven looked at him with a familiarity that Sunghoon couldn't explain. He felt like he should know this boy.
Raiven froze. The "yes" was right there, caught in his throat, heavy and complicated.
"No," Raiven breathed out.
"Oh." Sunghoon turned away, continuing toward the hotel."Well, let's get a beer then."
Before Raiven could protest, Sunghoon led him straight into the heart of the celebration. The recreation area was a chaotic mix of music, laughter, and the smell of grilled meat. Raiven watched in fascination as "Haru" moved through the crowd, exchanging jokes with the lighting crew as if he'd known them for years.
When they reached the main table, the Director,already a few drinks in,spotted Raiven and stood up, holding out a brimming glass of Soju.
"Raiven! Our star!" the Director shouted over the music. "One drink for a successful wrap. You can't say no to the Director, right?"
Raiven stiffened. He didn't want to be rude, but he had a grueling schedule in Seoul the next day and hated the feeling of a foggy head on camera. He started to reach for the glass, his smile polite but strained, when a hand suddenly intercepted it.
Sunghoon stepped in smoothly, taking the glass from the Director's hand with a charming, respectful bow.
"Director, our star still has to look like a prince for the cameras tomorrow," Sunghoon said with a wink and a playful laugh that immediately disarmed the older man. " I'll take the hit for him. I've got the stamina of a horse anyway."
He downed the shot in one clean go, making the table erupt in cheers. The Director laughed, slapping Sunghoon on the back and forgetting all about Raiven's refusal.
Raiven stood frozen for a split second, staring at the back of Sunghoon's head.
Sunghoon didn't make a big deal of it. He simply leaned in closer to Raiven, whispering under the cover of the noise, " Let's get out of here before he offers a second round."
He quickly began stacking a plate with grilled pork, perilla leaves, and side dishes. He grabbed a beer for himself and a bottle of water for Raiven, then jerked his chin toward the exit.
"Follow me," Sunghoon said, leading him away from the noise to the secluded bench he'd found earlier.
They sat in the quiet, the music now just a distant hum. Sunghoon took a long, appreciative gulp of his beer.
"You don't drink at all?" Sunghoon asked.
"I do. Just not when I'm working."
"So disciplined," Sunghoon teased. He shoved a bowl of meat toward Raiven. "Have some. Or do you not eat meat when you're working, either?"
Raiven looked at the food, then at Sunghoon. He scooped up a piece and ate it, the flavors surprisingly grounding. He looked up at the sky, a small, rare smile etching onto his lips.
"I can see the stars better from here," Raiven said softly.