Chapter Text
The first day of filming always carried a special kind of buzz. A nervous excitement tingling through the air, punctuated by the clatter of cameras being set up, the scent of fresh paint on newly built sets, and the constant hum of walkie-talkies.
KiraFilm Productions’ banners hung proudly over the sprawling set. Today, they were starting with a major sequence for “Duskfall”, a high-stakes action drama about a political whistleblower entangled in an underground rebellion. Awards bait, her father had joked. Cait preferred to think of it as a passion project.
For Caitlyn Kiramman, director, days like these were more than routine. They were her pulse.
She stood at the center of it all, clipboard in hand, her smile sharp and bright as she greeted every familiar face with an easy charm.
Another day, another movie, she thought, brushing a strand of dark blue hair behind her ear. But this one was special. This time, it was a collaboration between KiraFilms Productions—her family’s legacy—and WarwickFX, the stunt and VFX company owned and run by some of the most important people in her life.
Cait’s smile grew bigger just thinking about them, specially her… her best friend.
As if summoned, the roar of a motorcycle echoed outside the soundstage.Knowing exactly what — or who — it was, Caitlyn took her binder, redirected herself and stepped out.
Vi had arrived, late as always. She swung off the bike with practiced ease, tugging off her helmet and setting it on the seat. Her hair shook loose around her face, wild and effortless.
She strode across the set like she owned it, a cocky, genuine grin lighting up her face. Faded jeans, and a scuffed bomber jacket hung open over a plain T-shirt. A radio was clipped at her hip, bouncing with every step.
“You’re late,” Cait said, smirking without even looking up.
Vi grinned lazily as she approached, a to-go cup balanced perfectly in each hand. “Fashionably,” she said, handing Cait one of the coffees.
Without missing a beat, Cait took the cup. It was exactly how she liked it: strong, no sugar, with just a touch of cream. Cait didn’t even have to ask; Vi knew. Cait inhaled the rich aroma of her cup, and as she took a sip, a soft and genuine moan escaped her.
"God, you're the best. Thank you, darling," she murmured, cradling the cup like it was some kind of sacred artifact.
Sky, a production assistant standing nearby overheard the exchange and couldn’t hide her surprise.
"Oh... so, is that your girlfriend?" she asked the director. Her voice full of curiosity, her gaze bouncing between Cait and Vi.
Cait chuckled, leaning casually into Vi’s side — so effortlessly, so naturally, it only deepened the PA’s confusion. She waved a hand dismissively, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"No, no... just really good friends!"
But Vi, with that signature grin of hers, chimed in, "Much to her misfortune, I’m not — just friends," she added with a wink.
"I get why you'd think that. Happens all the time. Worry not," Cait said, trying to calm the assistant so she wouldn’t feel too embarrassed.
Sky blinked, clearly confused, but didn’t press the issue. Cait and Vi exchanged a knowing glance before Cait turned back to the set, her focus shifting to the next task at hand.
"Occupational hazard," Cait added dryly.
They moved on, leaving yet another person confused of the nature of their relationship. Inside the stage, Jayce, one of the producers—and basically Cait’s honorary brother—waved them over.
“Morning, girls!” he called out with mischief. Cait flipped him off with a sweet smile, Vi just laughed and nudged her.
The day went on, and with it, the day’s agenda. The buzz of activity intensified. Moments later, on set, everyone had taken their positions, the atmosphere charged with anticipation.
“Action!” shouted the director of photography, and in that instant, Cait took her place behind the camera, giving direction to the crew with a practiced ease. Her movements were smooth, confident — a director who had earned her place in the industry.
On the opposite end of the set, Vi was prepping the stunt rig for an upcoming high-octane scene. The moment demanded danger and precision — a perfect test for Vi, who had made a career out of balancing both with her own brand of cool.
With her calm demeanor and flawless execution, she was one of the best stunt coordinators in the industry. She made the final adjustments to the safety cables, a playful grin spreading across her face as if it were just another ordinary day for her. A playful smile spread across her face as she made some last-minute adjustments to the safety cables.
Vi, already halfway into her harness, flexed dramatically. “I’m telling you, Kiramman, I was born for this,” she said through the radio comms, voice full of confidence.
The stunt scene they were prepping today was an intense rooftop chase. Practical effects team WarwickFX—headed by Jinx and Ekko—were finalizing the pyrotechnics and cabling rigs for a mid-air stunt where Vi, doubling for the lead actress, would be hurled over a two-story gap.
“Vi, double-check security on the harness” Cait called out, her voice smooth, giving the order with a quiet authority.
Vi turned her head, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. “Yeah, sure, better if you don’t mess up the shot, Director,” she teased, her tone oozing a bravado that Cait was well used by now.
“I'm not worried about the shot, I'm worried about you and the risk you live with. I swear you were born to give me a heart attack," Cait shot back, trying—and failing—not to sound stressed.
Jinx’s exasperated voice crackled over the shared line. “Urgh, Get a room! Some of us are trying to work here!”
Cait rolled her eyes so hard she nearly dislodged her headset. “We’re on a shared channel, children. Focus. It’s a valid concern.”
Vi grinned as she double-checked her gear, catching Cait’s eye across the set. She gave her a mock salute before the wire crew lifted her into position.
As the stunt run concluded, with Vi landing safely, Cait’s phone chimed, pulling her attention away from the action. It was lunchtime soon, which meant her girlfriend would be arriving anytime now. Maddie had insisted on taking Cait to her favorite sandwich spot to celebrate the first day of filming — a quaint little bistro conveniently close to the studio.
Before Cait left her station, Vi dropped down from the rig and head beside her, still unhooking herself from the harness.
Just as Cait was about to speak, Sky approached, looking slightly embarrassed. "The guard at the entrance let your girlfriend through," she said, glancing toward Cait. "She’s probably on her way to the set. Do you want her to wait outside, or should she come in?"
Cait considered for a moment, then shook her head. "It's fine, let her through," she said, her voice calm but carrying a hint of warmth. Vi looked at her. “You sure you still want me on my best behavior with Ginger-Smurf?” Vi asked, voice low, teasing. “Could be entertaining otherwise.”
“Be nice,” Cait said with a warning look, already anticipating a potential disaster. “Please.”
Vi gave a lazy two-fingered salute. “For you? Always.”
Maddie approached, and Cait moved to greet her with a quick kiss.
Maddie’s eyes shifted to Vi, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She wasn’t surprised to find her on set—Maddie was well aware of the nature of her girlfriend’s relationship with Vi.
Though the situation might be awkward for both Maddie and Cait, it had never led to conflict. There was a lot of communication and trust between them—or at least, that’s what they tried to maintain.
Vi, for her part, kept her cool—hands shoved casually into the pockets of her pants, expression unreadable.
“Hi, Maddie,” Vi said smoothly. “Good to see you.”
“Vi,” Maddie returned, calm but civil.
Mel, the other producer on the film and a friend to both Vi and Cait, witnessed the entire exchange. She casually sidled up to Vi as Cait left to lunch with Maddie.
"Smooth landing," Mel said dryly, referring to both the stunt and the social minefield. She flicked a glance toward Cait and Maddie as they walked away. "Still not a fan?"
Vi shrugged one shoulder, unbothered. "Nothing against Maddie. It's just..." She hesitated, letting out a breath. "It's not that I don't like Maddie I swear, it's just... you’ve seen Cait in relationships before, right? And there's always this... missing spark."
Mel raised an eyebrow, showing Vi she was listening attentively, urging her to continue.
"When you've seen enough of someone's real smiles, you know when they’re not giving it. Cait deserves the kind of love that movies are written about. Sparks. Fireworks."
Mel chuckled softly, knowing Vi wasn't wrong. "You're too smart for your own good."
Vi shrugged casually. "Hey, I just call it like I see it."
At the bistro, Maddie couldn’t help but listen to her girlfriend. Her gaze softening as she watched the girl talk, her voice so full of admiration it was almost tangible.
“I just… I can’t even explain how lucky I feel to be here, working with such an amazing team,” she said, her words coming out in a rush, as if trying to keep up with the excitement bubbling inside her.
”The cast, the crew… they’re all incredibly dedicated to make this work, they all have this energy, this fire. And Vi…” The moment the name left her lips, there was a subtle change in her demeanor, her gaze softening, a fondness in her expression that made Maddie’s chest tighten.
There was something in the way she spoke about her best friend, as if she were savoring a thought too private, too close to the heart.
“I was terrified at first, you know that. It’s my first big-budget film, and there are stunts everywhere—way more than I am ready for. But Vi... she just has this way of making me feel safe. She’s not just the coordinator, she’s like a rock to me. I know she’s got my back.”
It wasn’t just admiration in her voice—it was something else, deeper. Something Maddie couldn’t ignore. Something that stung, just a little.
She’d seen that look in Cait’s eyes before, heard that same tone when Cait spoke about Vi. They had been through so much together, friends for over ten years, and there was a bond between them that Cait had never been able to fully explain.
Something Maddie didn’t quite understand… and honestly, something that gnawed at her.
Then, as if startled from a dream, the girl snapped back to reality, her expression faltering for a split second. Cait quickly glanced at Maddie, and the dreamy smile disappeared, replaced by a nervous tension that made Maddie’s stomach tighten.
The ease was gone, and the unease in the air was undeniable.
Maddie felt it deep within her — the weight of that subtle shift — and she couldn’t help but feel a surge of jealousy. Was it all in her head? Or had she just heard something more than Cait was willing to admit?
As the first day of filming neared its end, Cassandra and Vander — both company directors and close to the production team — didn’t want to let the moment pass without checking in and offering their congratulations.
They made a few rounds, casually inspecting the setup for their standards. Cassandra’s sharp eyes briefly caught sight of Cait and Vi as they said goodbye, playful and familiar in a way that was impossible to miss. She exchanged a knowing look with Vander.
A sharp whistle from Sky called everyone back into position. Cait gave Vi one last playful shove before hurrying back to her director’s chair. Sliding her headset back on, she caught a glimpse of Vi waving goodbye to the rest of the crew as she headed out.
"Give it time," Vander said quietly to Cassandra, his smile tinged with certainty. "Give them time," he added after a beat.
“Mmm, you’re right,” Cassandra agreed. “The best stories… write themselves.”
As Cait settled back into her seat, headset securely in place, her eyes briefly met Vi’s across the bustling set. A quick, fleeting moment.
It wasn’t anything.
It was everything.
