The Greatest Showman #1468 - 1 Million Years

It was quiet in the lounge, with only the soft hum of air flowing gently filling the space.

Rooney sat quietly beside a lazy sofa, her attention focused on the script of The Bursting Drummer. She was learning about Andrew Neiman's story in greater detail. The scenes painted vivid images in her mind, and she found herself piecing together fragments of Renly's experiences, even though they were just small pieces. Each one, however, seemed to bring her closer to understanding him.

She turned her head, her gaze falling on Renly. A look of concern crossed her face as she studied his condition.

Rooney could vaguely feel the warmth of Renly's body. He felt like a small stove, a sign that something was not quite right. His forehead was damp with a light sheen of sweat, and his lips were parched from the heat. It was clear that Renly wasn't at his best.

Despite this, Renly remained in a drowsy slumber. There was no pain or struggle, just a deep relaxation after exhaustion. He seemed to have shed all the stress and fatigue, slipping into a semi-conscious state, drifting into a peaceful sleep.

Footsteps approached the door, and Rooney raised her head abruptly. She put a finger to her lips, signaling silence. It was the drama assistant, likely coming to inform them that the next scene was ready.

Rooney glanced at Renly, who had already fallen into a dreamlike state. She shook her head, silently indicating that he should not be disturbed. There was no need to say anything further. The meaning was clear.

The assistant paused for a moment, then nodded with an "OK" gesture and quietly left to consult with the director.

Rooney's attention returned to Renly, though she had originally intended to continue reading. But now, she found herself unable to tear her eyes away from him. She carefully studied his features:

The elegant eyebrows, the slender eyes, the high bridge of his nose, the full lips... His hair was a bit messy, damp from sweat, tracing the outline of his forehead and temples. It gave him an air of laziness and fragility, subtly hinting at the melancholy and disappointment that lingered beneath the surface—carefully concealed behind his gentleman's mask, but impossible to ignore.

Her gaze lingered on his lips, and for a moment, Rooney felt a strange urge rising from within her. A sense of panic followed, and she quickly averted her eyes. But then, she realized that there was no need to shy away. She didn't need to feel guilty. With a deep breath, she met Renly's gaze once more.

Renly remained silent, his eyes calm and steady as they locked with hers. The faintest smile lingered at the corner of his lips, and there was something unreadable in his expression, as if he could see through her mask, peeling away the layers to expose the truths she kept hidden.

Rooney opened her mouth to speak, to ask him how he was feeling, whether he needed medical attention, whether he was sure he was alright. But as the words formed in her mind, she realized they were unnecessary. They were both communicating without words. Instead, she closed her mouth and smiled faintly, raising her eyebrows just slightly. A subtle yet bright spark lit up her eyes.

She stared into his pupils, where her own reflection stared back—her slightly flushed cheeks, her eyes alive with excitement.

And in his eyes, she saw his reflection—his tired face softened by a warmth in his gaze.

Time seemed to stand still. In that moment, all the turbulence, the trials and tribulations, the deja vu, the unspoken understanding, all of it felt like a cosmic explosion. A moment of connection that transcended time, as if the universe itself paused to watch.

A thousand years in a glance.

They imprinted each other's image deeply in their eyes, as if this had been inevitable, though they hadn't known it until now.

Slowly, imperceptibly, they began to draw closer. Their eyes guided them, and with each passing moment, their lips seemed to inch closer, their breaths merging into one. The tension in the air was thick with unspoken desire, and then, their lips met in a slow, tender kiss, deepening little by little until they couldn't tell where one ended and the other began.

Renly's gaze dropped, his lips seeking hers. His breath grew shallow, and his heart beat faster, the sound of it thundering in his ears. The space between them closed with each heartbeat.

Closer, closer...

The unexpected chill of their noses brushing caused them both to shiver. Their breaths were warm, their skin heated with intensity.

"Renly!"

The voice shattered the tension in the room, instantly breaking the intimate moment. The quiet, the unspoken connection, the closeness—all of it evaporated, like shattered crystal, scattering into the air.

Neither Renly nor Rooney panicked. They both froze, gazing at each other in stunned silence. The atmosphere that had once felt so charged now felt empty, and they couldn't help but laugh.

No embarrassment, no awkwardness, just laughter.

At the door stood Nathan and Damien, looking uncomfortable. Damien had originally been annoyed, unsure of how to interrupt what was clearly an important moment. His first instinct was to turn and pretend he hadn't seen anything. But then, he realized his reaction was naive. What was so embarrassing?

Looking at Renly and Rooney's calm, unexpected reactions, Damien and Nathan suddenly felt awkward, as if they had intruded on something private.

Damien cleared his throat and tried to act normal, "Renly, how are you? If you're tired, we can take a break and reshoot later. Your health is the most important thing."

Renly met Rooney's concerned gaze and smiled, nodding. He then turned to Damien. "I'm fine. Just bring me a glass of warm milk and a box of chocolates. I'm ready for the next scene."

Damien brightened, eager to move on. But before he could cheer, he caught himself. "Really? Are you sure?" His voice betrayed his excitement, though he tried to keep it in check.

Renly, knowing Damien well, smiled at his enthusiasm. "Yes, I'm sure. Trust me, I know my body best."

Nathan still looked worried, his face flushed with concern. He didn't speak, but he had his own doubts. Renly had said the same thing when Heather passed away.

Though Nathan didn't argue, he muttered softly, "I'm going to tell Andy and Roy. I need to let them know." He turned to prepare milk and chocolates for Renly.

Damien noticed Nathan's hesitation and scratched his head, awkwardly trying to move on. "I'll handle the preparations for the next scene. Ten-minute break, then we shoot."

With that, he quickly left the room.

Rooney's eyes followed Damien's retreating figure, and then she felt a weight on her shoulder. Renly's voice was soft in her ear. "Don't move. I'll take a break soon."