Rolling at Home

The knock at the brownstone door came earlier than Lex expected. Benny never wasted time, but showing up with a director and camera crew before 10 AM was pushing it—even for him.

Lex opened the door to see Benny Carton, Noah Ellis, and a tall, quiet cameraman balancing a well-worn case on his shoulder.

Benny grinned like he'd just struck gold. "Told you we'd be fast."

Lex stepped aside, letting them in. "You didn't mention this fast."

Noah Ellis—mid-twenties, disheveled in that artistically intentional way—glanced around the brownstone as he stepped in, his eyes tracing the space like he was already framing shots in his head.

"This place…" Noah said softly, voice trailing off. He turned to Lex. "It's perfect. I was expecting something more polished, but this—"

Benny cut in with a grin. "Your place looks lived in. We couldn't build a set better than this."

Lex smirked faintly. "Glad my home feels authentic to you."

The cameraman, Eli, set the gear down near the far wall, eyeing the high ceilings and rich, worn-in woodwork.

"We won't even need to light much. Natural light's killer in here," Eli muttered as he began unpacking.

Lex crossed his arms, watching the crew take over his living room. Rose still hadn't come downstairs yet.

"So what's the plan?" Lex asked, his gaze flicking to Benny.

Benny pulled out a folded schedule from his jacket pocket. "Three days, max. We're working quick. Noah's got a cut forming already."

Noah finally turned away from examining the staircase, brushing curls out of his eyes.

"We've got old behind-the-scenes footage from Rose's music video shoots and the album sessions. Some candid stuff too—from smaller events and even phone videos. It's perfect for jump cuts.**"

Lex arched a brow. "Where'd you get all that?"

Benny shrugged. "Jason's got folders on folders of archived footage. The guy doesn't delete anything."

Lex smirked faintly. Of course he didn't.

Noah stepped closer, folding his arms. "We'll film your scenes first, Lex. Today and part of tomorrow. Solo shots. Then Rose. After that, one scene with both of you.**"

Lex arched a brow. "One scene together?"

Benny grinned. "Gotta have the emotional finale. Audiences love a full-circle moment."

Lex shook his head but didn't argue. "Fine. But I'm not doing more than ten scenes."

Noah chuckled. "You won't have to. I like to keep it clean. Small crew, handheld—one camera."

Lex glanced at Eli, who was already adjusting the rig, testing angles against the living room's soft morning light.

Noah turned to Lex, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"You'll be fine," Noah said quietly, as if reading Lex's reluctance. "Just talk. Be yourself. I'll make sure it plays the way it needs to."

Lex held his gaze for a moment, then exhaled, rolling his shoulders back.

"Alright. Let's get started."

As the camera clicked into place, the faint sound of footsteps echoed down the staircase.

Rose appeared at the top of the stairs, hair slightly tousled, arms crossed as she leaned over the railing.

Her eyes flicked between the crew and Lex, a half-smile tugging at her lips.

"So… filming already?" she asked, biting back amusement.

Lex glanced up at her, smirking. "Apparently, my home is cinematic gold."

Rose grinned. "I could've told you that."

Benny laughed. "You're up tomorrow, Rose. Enjoy the show while it lasts."

She raised a brow. "I plan to."

Lex shook his head as Noah signaled for Eli to start rolling. 

It wasn't complicated. He told lex what to do in the scene. The first scene Lex sat in the leather armchair by the window, one leg crossed over the other as Eli adjusted the camera in front of him. Natural light poured through the glass, catching faint reflections in the whiskey glass Lex held loosely in one hand.

The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the camera's motor.

Noah stood just out of frame, his arms folded across his chest as he watched through the small monitor attached to Eli's rig.

"Lex, forget the camera's there," Noah said softly, his voice calm but sharp. Focused. "Don't perform. Just… sit with it."

Lex's smirk twitched faintly, but he let his shoulders relax, sinking further into the chair.

"What am I supposed to be thinking about?" Lex asked, his eyes flicking toward Noah.

"The truth."

Lex's brow lifted slightly, but Noah didn't elaborate.

Eli shifted, locking the shot.

"Rolling."

The room stilled, the camera's blinking red light the only indication they'd begun.

Lex leaned his head back against the chair, swirling the amber liquid in the glass.

"You know, my father used to sit right here." Lex's voice was low, almost absent, as if the words weren't meant for the camera at all.

"Every morning." He glanced toward the bookshelf behind him, eyes tracing over the row of old hardcovers and journals. "I'd catch him staring out that window like the city owed him something."

Lex's gaze drifted back to the glass in his hand.

"Sometimes I wonder if he ever got it."

Noah's head tilted slightly, but he didn't speak.

Lex's fingers tapped lightly against the glass, the faint sound barely audible.

"He thinks I'm chasing ghosts." Lex's smirk returned, colder now. "Maybe I am. But ghosts have long memories."

He let the silence hang for a moment longer, then set the glass down gently on the side table, the soft clink ringing louder than it should have.

"Cut."

Eli pulled back, adjusting the camera as Noah stepped forward, nodding thoughtfully.

"That's the shot. Don't touch it." Noah glanced at Lex. "You good for another?"

Lex exhaled slowly, rolling his neck. "Yeah. What's next?"

Benny's voice rang out from the kitchen.

"Breakfast. Rose made pancakes."

Lex arched a brow. "Are we feeding the crew or shooting a film?"

Rose appeared in the doorway, plate in hand, grinning.

"Both."

Lex shook his head but stood, following the smell of coffee and syrup into the kitchen.

Behind him, Eli repositioned the camera, already prepping for the next shot.

Two more days.

Lex had a feeling this wouldn't be the last project they shot here.