“Rise and rise until lambs become lions.”
You collapsed into the nearest seat once everyone took a break from rehearsals, frustrated with yourself for being unable to bring your best today. As excited as you were to get one of the lead roles along with your boyfriend, Hyun, you found it increasingly difficult to become one with the character you were playing.
Meanwhile, Hyun was bringing his best performance just like any other role he had. It was unbelievably overwhelming to be dating someone like him - someone whose acting career far surpassed yours despite how much you pushed yourself to grow as an actress. Ever since you first started dating him, everyone’s been comparing your abilities to his, so much so that your confidence began to falter.
Frustrated tears sprouted in your eyes and you quickly shut them, all while taking your frustration out on the water bottle you gripped tightly in your hands.
It was like a gift from heaven for you and Hyun to both have a main role in the same play. The fans went crazy with excitement when the casting was announced; it was what they looked forward to most. You couldn’t afford to crush their hopes by giving them what could be the worst performance of your life. The opening night was only a week away and your performance was currently subpar at best. If you messed this up, it wouldn’t just affect your popularity, it would affect Hyun’s as well-
“[name],” a voice said softly, followed by a soft hand being placed on top of yours.
You opened your eyes and noticed Hyun kneeling beside you, trying to loosen your death grip on the bottle. You were clenching it so tightly that your knuckles turned white. He removed the bottle from your hands and replaced it with his own hands.
“You’ve got this, [name],” he told you as he rubbed your hand gently with his thumb. “I know you have it in you - you wouldn’t have been chosen for this role if you didn’t.”
You sniffled and swiped away with your tears using the back of your hand. “It’s just… It’s just so hard to give it my all for this character. I’m so used to playing villains that suddenly being a main protagonist is completely foreign to me.”
Sighing, he sat down beside you, allowing you to lower your head onto his shoulder. He knew all too well how easily worked up you could get but everytime it happened, his presence alone was enough to calm you down whether it be by the warmth of his body beside you or how comfortable it was for you to rest your head on top of him.
“You’re overthinking it. You didn’t perform well because you were acting as a villain; you performed well because you’re talented.”
Tears welled up in your eyes again but you refused to shed them, not when Hyun was trying so hard to cheer you up. You couldn’t understand how he could have such unconditional faith in an ability of yours that you didn’t even realize existed. He was truly something else.
“How do you do it? How are you capable of so easily getting absorbed into your character?”
“Well, that’s easy,” he said with a small chuckle. He softly brushed his hand against your skin and interlocked his fingers with yours. “I remember that the main character and I have a lot in common. For one, we’re both unbelievably handsome-“
You playfully shoved him away, but you had no argument against that statement. Despite his intent, he managed to make a smile appear on your face at his ever-so-high confidence.
“Although, the main thing we share in common is that we both have an extremely sweet and beautiful love interest who just so happens to be you,” he said, pausing for a moment to amusingly gaze at the deep blush that flooded over you before you buried your face into the crook of his neck.
“That being said, I don’t necessarily need to become a different person when I’m reciting my lines directed towards you. In those scenes, I’m pretending it’s just you and I - no other actors and no audience.”
Tilting your chin up ever so slightly, he placed a soft kiss on your lips as he caressed your cheek. Your arms snaked up his body and wrapped themselves around his neck, fully welcoming his kiss. He slowly pulled away and brushed his nose against yours in the process.
“Just pretend you’re confessing your undying love to me.”
You leaned in and brushed your lips against his before pulling away. A smile tugged at your lips as you hummed softly. “I think I can do that.”
Standing up, he grabbed your hand and pulled you up with him, placing a hand on your waist to steady you. Hyun wrapped his arm around your waist, bringing you closer to him. You leaned into him and wrapped your arms around his whole body. You couldn’t help but cling to him.
After all, he was the one who continued to push you to keep doing the best you possibly could.
