Noah's breath caught in his throat.
That face he'd seen countless times was now right in front of him.
Asher.
How could it be him?
The top in Desire Kiss... was Asher?
Hadn't he never done a BL drama before?
Asher walked in, his gaze sweeping across the room.
First the director, then Sarah.
Finally landing on Noah.
It paused for a second.
Maybe two.
Noah wasn't sure.
All he knew was that the look was distant, like viewing an object detached, without warmth.
But it lingered longer than it had on anyone else.
Noah's fingertips went slightly cold.
Asher withdrew his gaze and walked toward Sarah and the director.
"Sarah."
His voice was low, tinged with lazy indifference.
Sarah stood up with a smile. "You're finally here, bro."
Noah froze.
Bro?
Right.
Sarah, the screenwriter for Desire Kiss, was also the original novel's author.
He'd seen some gossip online before knew Sarah had an older brother in the entertainment industry.
Apparently, that was Asher.
Only now did Noah look at them carefully.
They really did look alike.
The contours of their features, the curve of their noses, even that cool, distant temperament all similar.
Except Sarah seemed gentler, while Asher was cold as ice.
Definitely siblings.
Noah suddenly understood.
Asher had never done a BL drama before. This time, he must be doing it for his sister.
Realizing this, some of Noah's nervousness actually eased.
His mind drifted back to when he was seventeen.
Back when he was still a trainee, training until midnight every day, exhausted to the point of self-doubt. For a while, he'd even considered quitting, convinced he wasn't cut out for this path.
But one night, scrolling through his phone in the dorm, he'd stumbled upon an interview with Asher.
The reporter asked: "What does persistence mean to you?"
Asher said: "Persistence is believing you can do it, even when everyone else thinks you can't."
Those words were like a beam of light.
Piercing through his darkest days.
After that, every late night, he'd pull up Asher's work. Watch him act, study every glance, every movement on screen.
That confidence, that control, that unwavering certainty of "I can do this"...
It was everything Noah craved but couldn't replicate.
Asher became his reason to keep going.
And now, that person was standing right in front of him.
Asher exchanged brief pleasantries with the director, then Sarah tugged at his arm and turned toward Noah.
"Look." Sarah smiled with a hint of pride. "It's him."
Asher's gaze followed.
Noah instinctively straightened.
Their eyes met.
Noah's heart raced uncontrollably.
Even from several meters away, he could feel the pressure radiating from Asher.
Asher was taller significantly so. Broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, the suit fitting him like it had been tailored specifically for his frame.
Deep-set brow bones cast shadows under the lights, making those eyes appear even colder. His gaze was indifferent yet carried an inexplicable sharpness.
His nose was perfectly straight, features defined with an almost severe precision no soft transitions anywhere. His jawline was hard, the angles sharp when viewed from the side.
That face was like a meticulously carved work of art.
Cold, distant, intensely aggressive.
Asher's expression remained blank, unreadable.
He simply looked at him.
Sarah pulled Asher over.
The distance between them closed.
Only then did Noah truly feel the gap between them.
He wasn't short by any means, but standing before Asher, he inexplicably felt overshadowed.
Asher had at least a head's height on him, shoulders much broader too.
Noah's frame was lean, clean-cut like a boy not yet fully grown.
Asher, on the other hand, exuded that mature masculine presence. Not exaggerated, but his muscle definition was visible, his strength obvious.
Standing together, the contrast was stark.
Sarah looked at Noah first, smiling. "Noah, this is my brother, Asher."
Then she turned to Asher, her tone tinged with pride. "what do you think? Doesn't he look just like Lin?"
Asher said nothing, only continued watching Noah.
Then he extended his hand.
Noah hesitated for a second before extending his own.
Their hands clasped together.
Asher's hand was cool, but his grip was steady.
Noah felt like his heart might leap out of his chest.
But in that moment
Asher frowned.
A subtle movement.
He stared at Noah, something complex shifting in his gaze.
A strange sensation swept through his chest.
Not attraction.
Not affection.
Something more primal.
The urge to draw closer.
To touch.
To possess.
Asher tightened his grip on Noah's hand slightly.
Noah felt the increased pressure and instinctively tried to pull away.
But Asher didn't release him.
He just held Noah's hand like that, staring at him.
Several seconds passed before Asher finally let go.
Noah stood there, the warmth of Asher's palm still lingering in his own.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
But his heart kept racing.
The director glanced between Asher and Noah, then nodded. "Since everyone's here, let's do a test scene."
He flipped open the script. "The second half of the first scene the goodbye kiss."
Noah's heart lurched violently.
A kiss scene?
He'd seen it when reading the script.
But he hadn't expected... it would happen this fast.
And with Asher.
The director stood and walked to the center. "The key to this scene is emotion. Lin has decided to leave, but he can't bear to. The top doesn't want to let him go, so he kisses him."
He paused. "You can fake it if needed. Understood?"
Noah felt relief wash over him.
Faking was an option.
Asher would probably fake it, right?
After all, he'd never done a BL drama before. Surely he wouldn't actually kiss him.
Thinking this, Noah's tension eased slightly.
"Understood," Asher said.
The director nodded. "Noah, stand here. Asher, opposite him."
Noah moved to the designated spot, taking a deep breath.
He tried to slip into Lin's mindset.
Breaking up, leaving, reluctant but forced to go.
Asher stood across from him, very close.
Close enough for Noah to catch the faint scent of his cold woody cologne.
Noah's palms began to sweat.
Ever since Asher walked in, he'd been tense.
His heart beat abnormally fast, his breathing slightly erratic.
But he tried not to show it.
His expression remained coolly composed, his posture steady.
Only he knew his legs felt weak.
"Ready?" the director asked.
Noah nodded.
Asher nodded as well.
"Action."
Noah turned away, as if to leave.
He clenched his fists, fingertips trembling slightly.
He took a step forward.
Asher suddenly moved, grabbing his wrist.
The grip was firm.
As if afraid he'd truly disappear.
Noah's steps halted, his body stiffening.
He could feel the warmth of Asher's palm, feel that almost obsessive force.
"Let go."
Noah's voice was soft but resolute.
Asher didn't release him.
He stared at Noah's back, his gaze darkening.
He yanked Noah back, his other hand cupping the back of his head.
Noah was pulled entirely into Asher's arms.
The next second, Asher lowered his head and kissed him.
Noah's mind went blank.
Asher's lips pressed against his hot, forceful.
This wasn't faked.
He'd actually kissed him.
Without any warning.
Noah's breathing stopped.
He wanted to push Asher away, but his hands froze midair.
Asher's kiss was intense, carrying an indescribable aggression.
His hand gripping the back of Noah's head held tight, as if forbidding any escape.
His other hand still clasped Noah's wrist, thumb pressed against his pulse.
Noah could feel his own heartbeat abnormally fast.
Asher could feel it too.
Noah felt Asher's tongue tip lightly sweep across his lips.
Testing, or perhaps demanding.
Noah's mind grew more chaotic.
Asher's tongue traced the contours of his lips, warm and slightly wet.
Then, gently prying them apart.
Noah almost instinctively opened his mouth
Just then...
"Cut!"
The director's voice suddenly rang out.
Noah snapped back to reality and pushed Asher away.
He stumbled back two steps, breathing hard, face burning.
Asher remained in place, his gaze still fixed on Noah.
Dark, heavy.
As if he hadn't yet emerged from that kiss.
Noah didn't dare look at him. He turned away, fingers trembling slightly.
That kiss just now...
It was too real.
And Asher had even...
Had even used his tongue to part his lips.
The director approached, glancing between them and nodding. "Good. The emotion was there. Asher, you handled that kiss with great tension."
He looked at Noah. "Noah, your reaction was natural too. A bit raw, but for a first audition, this is already excellent."
Noah managed a nod.
He still couldn't bring himself to look at Asher.
Sarah laughed from the side. "See? I told you they'd be perfect together."
The director nodded. "Indeed. Noah, you matched well. The chemistry between you two is solid."
He paused. "Go ahead and head home. We'll notify you of the results within three days at most."
Noah nodded. "Alright, thank you, Director."
He bowed to the director and Sarah, then turned to leave.
Reaching the door, he instinctively glanced back.
Asher still stood in place, gaze resting on him.
Their eyes met.
Noah's heart skipped. He quickly looked away and pushed through the door.