But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own

And in your eyes you're holding mine

This was it. This was the day.

Bo Gum couldn’t get much sleep the night before. All he did was toss and turn, thinking of the scene he had to film the next day. He’d done kissing scenes before, sure, but this time, it was different. It was his first kiss with Yoo Jung, and his heart couldn’t handle the amount of excitement it was feeling.

The first few takes, though, didn’t go as well as he’d planned.

“NG! Cut! Let’s do it again one more time.” The director yelled from behind the screen.

“Joesonghamnida. I’ll get it right this time.” Bo Gum looked at the director and bowed.

His ears were red and, even though he truly felt sorry for making the crew film for so long, he couldn’t help but smile on the inside. All these honest mistakes meant he could carry on kissing Yoo Jung, at least for a while longer. He stood up straight again and saw Dong Yeon behind the crew, covering his mouth with his hand, trying to stifle his fit of laughter. Bo Gum made a mental note to playfully scold his dongsaeng for mocking him after the scene was over.

“Aish, why am I so bad at this?” He laughed looking at the crew. Bo Gum was aware that the cameras were filming him for the Making Film, and so he tried to look as calm and as amused as possible. Inside, his heart was about to burst.

“Gwaenchanha, Bo Gum-ssi. You’re doing ok.” The director approached them. “Just kiss her with a little more determination. Aim for her lips and truly kiss her. I’m sure Yoo Jung-ssi doesn’t mind, right, Yoo Jung-ssi?”

“Ne, Director-Nim.” Yoo Jung looked at the director and nodded. The director went back to his spot behind the camera and she looked up again at Bo Gum. “Oppa, it’s okay. I know you’re worried about me, but don’t be. Please help me and let’s film a great scene, ye? Fighting!” She put up her fist and gave him her brightest smile.

Bo Gum couldn’t help but feel a tug in his heart. No matter how she was feeling inside, Yoo Jung’s will and determination to work hard and deliver a beautiful scene gave her the power to overcome any fear. He ought to do the same.

“Action!”

He looked down at her and, all of a sudden, felt a wave of emotion rushing into his heart. His gratefulness for being able to act in such a wonderful project, his pride and humbleness over everything he’d achieved so far, and his love for the girl that he was holding in his arms.

Bo Gum couldn’t help staring at her with tenderness in his eyes. Oh, dear God, how he loved her! He knew it now and decided to channel all of that love into the sweetest kiss he could give. He leaned down, and their lips met. All he could think of in that moment was that he felt at home, and that even though this was the first time they kissed, it felt like he had spent all of his life (and his previous lives, for that matter) kissing her as well.

After a few seconds his heart leaped with joy, as he felt her relaxing in his arms and softly puckering up to him. It was very subtle, but enough for him to notice, and it made him want to respond with a more enthusiastic kiss. He wanted to keep kissing her for as long as possible. This moment was everything he’d been dreaming of, everything that had kept him up at night and much more. If only he could stay there forever…

“Cut!” The director yelled. Bo Gum softly pulled apart, still looking at Yoo Jung, and lovingly cleaned her face, where his makeup had transferred. The director spoke again from behind the camera.

“OK! Great, both of you! We’re done with this scene. Good job, everyone, let’s take a break.”

Bo Gum finally let go of Yoo Jung in order to bow at the crew and then turned back again to look at her. Her cheeks and ears were red and she was looking around her sheepishly.

“Gwaenchanha, Yoo Jung-ah?” He teased. He could feel his face was hot as well, but tried his best to play it cool.

“Gwaenchanha, Oppa.” She smiled back at him. Bo Gum couldn’t really tell what the look in her eyes meant, or whether or not she had felt as flustered and short of breath as he had during the whole scene. He one more time by softly pinching her nose.

“I’ll go change, Yoo Jung-ah. See you in a while.” He turned around and walked away from her. He’d wanted to kiss her again, right then and there, this time for real, without the cameras rolling or anyone from the crew watching them… But obviously, he wouldn’t dare. If there was ever to be an off-screen kiss between them, he would let her take the lead. That way, he’d know she wanted it as much as he did.

“Park Bo Gum, what are you thinking?” He mentally scolded himself and shook his head. On his way to the dressing room, someone approached him from behind.

“Hyung!” Dong Yeon was still giddy from laughing while his co-stars kissed. He looked at Bo Gum’s red cheeks and started laughing again.

“Aish, you brat! Who are you making fun of?” Bo Gum tried to act mad at his dongsaeng, but he ended up laughing with him as well. He was too happy to be mad at anyone, really.

“Ah, hyung. It’s just that…” Dong Yeon caught his breath between his fit of laughter. “Hyung, you should’ve seen your face! I can see right through you! I know everything now, and I’m not the only one.” He winked at Bo Gum mysteriously and ran off. Bo Gum’s heart dropped as he looked at him running away.

“Yah! Come back here! What do you know?” But Dong Yeon was too far away now. 

“Could he know?” Bo Gum wondered in silence, as he continued his path to the dressing room. “Could… Could she know?”