Chapter Text
It starts as a flutter.
Hae-in was a tad bit early, as he often was before the beginning of a project. Script readings set the tone for what was to come, and he found himself pushing for perfection. The chaos of his life didn't allow room for error, so he took control where he could, including now, greeting those around him with a warmth that came easily, settling into his assigned seat in the middle of the room after the fanfare had died down at his arrival.
He'd sensed the air shift in the room before he heard the slew of warm greetings, the contained chaos. He's just finishing sifting through the stack of papers in his hands when she rounded the corner to walk towards her own seat, and as he looked up the next second all his thoughts had come to a screeching halt.
Beauty was a dime a dozen in their world but as she bowed in greeting and he bowed back, he couldn't stop the fluttering within his chest at the sight of her unassuming smile.
"It's great to meet you."
Pretty.
She was pretty. All dark hair and doe eyes, dressed in a casual cropped sweater that made him feel self conscious and overdressed in his own black get-up. He returned the greeting with his own, pretending his heart was a steady drum within his ribcage instead of the lilting frenzy that made him feel like a grade-school kid.
It was the first time they'd exchanged words, but it wasn't the first time he'd seen her. Hae-In had caught sight of her here and there, the gentle timbre of her voice while passing each other by or a simple glimpse of her silhouette. He didn't know her as a sunbae. Like many others, her career had started long before his had taken off, but he knew of her talent- had seen the sheer mastery of emotions in her lithe body time and time again when he stumbled upon her works. He didn't know if he could call himself a fan, but many a time he'd found himself wanting to act with her.
The opportunity had all but fallen in his lap. And yet here he was, willing his ears not to turn a flaming red as they both busied themselves by greeting everyone around them.
It was hard to focus. Hard to think.
He felt silly.
So pretty, he thought again as he saw her break out into a laugh in person - next to him, script in hand as their colleagues chuckled at the banter on ink coming to life.
He felt another flutter then, soft and lilting like the tone of her voice. But he carried on, trying not to look at her too long but listening attentively to the intonation of each line, the effortless flow she brought to each scene. It was exciting, truly, to work with someone of her caliber. Although he liked a good challenge, comedy wasn't exactly his strong point, and he hadn't shied away from voicing his trepidation.
You have no idea, the director had laughed, pouring him another shot of soju a few nights after he had accepted the script. She's amazing, don't worry to much and let her take the lead.
And Hae-In could see it now, the sheets and sheets of paper taking form in front of them as they ran through it line by line. He could see it so clearly. The lights, the camera, the set and the familiar long, long nights. She had his respect long before he'd met her but now she'd earned his trust. A jolt of eagerness overtook him as he nailed the delivery of his next line.
A laugh bubbled out of her and she turned to him - smiled at him.
His treacherous heart skipped a beat.
He smiled back and tampered it down.
He could do this, he thought, trying to listen in as Ji-Eun took over the rest of the deliver. Trying to ignore the pitter patter of his heart as something bloomed deep within.
He could do this.
Or at the very least he could try.