The call sheet placed the bathroom scene on Stage Three at seven in the morning.

Elliot arrived twenty minutes early after barely sleeping. He had spent most of the night remembering Roman's hands on his waist during rehearsal.

The bathroom set was already filled with steam. Tiled walls surrounded a porcelain tub, and amber light reflected across the water.

Maya waited beside the monitors with Elena.

Roman arrived at six-fifty. He nodded to Elliot before joining them near the tub.

"We're filming the scene in one continuous take," Elena said. "The tub is heated, and the steam level will remain controlled."

Maya reviewed the safety arrangements. Both actors would wear swim trunks and modesty garments beneath the water.

"The stop signal is still two taps," she reminded them. "Use it whenever you need to."

Roman looked at Elliot.

Elliot nodded.

Wardrobe gave him a thin robe to wear over the swim trunks. In the dressing room, he avoided looking at his reflection until a production assistant knocked on the door.

"Two minutes."

Elliot tightened the robe and returned to the set.

Roman stood beside the tub in the same costume. Elliot's attention caught on his bare shoulders before he forced himself to look away.

Elena called them to their marks.

The crew became quiet.

"Action."

Noah and Julian entered the hotel bathroom in the middle of an argument.

"You left," Elliot said.

"I had to."

"You didn't say goodbye."

Roman moved closer. "I couldn't look at you and leave."

The line tightened something in Elliot's chest.

Roman touched his jaw and waited the fraction of a second built into their choreography. Elliot gave the smallest nod.

Roman kissed him.

Elliot gripped his shoulders and pushed him against the tiled wall. Roman absorbed the movement, allowing Elliot to control the pressure.

They kissed again.

Roman's hands settled around Elliot's waist. He lifted him, and Elliot wrapped his legs around Roman's hips as they had rehearsed.

Roman carried him to the tub.

Water spilled over the edge when they lowered themselves into it. Elliot settled across Roman's thighs, their chests touching.

Steam curled around them.

Roman kept both hands at Elliot's waist. His grip stayed firm, guiding their positions for the camera.

Elliot followed the choreography until Roman's thumbs moved against his skin.

The motion was slight. Elliot still felt it everywhere.

He lifted his eyes.

Roman was watching him.

For several seconds, Elliot forgot the next movement. He had seen that expression years earlier across classrooms, parties and crowded university hallways.

Roman had always looked away before Elliot could understand it.

Elena called cut.

Roman released him immediately.

Crew members entered with towels and robes. Someone checked the water while another assistant adjusted the lights.

Elliot climbed out of the tub.

Heat remained trapped beneath his skin, and his body had responded to the contact. He wrapped a towel around his waist before anyone could notice.

Roman stood across the set drying his hair.

Their eyes met.

Elliot turned and left.

He reached his dressing room, closed the door and leaned against it. His breathing sounded too loud in the small space.

He sat on the floor and pressed his forehead against his knees.

The reaction could have come from heat, pressure or prolonged physical contact. Listing possible explanations did nothing to calm him.

He had wanted Roman.

That was the part he could not dismiss.

Elliot messaged Dana and told her he felt ill. She released him for the rest of the day without asking for details.

He returned to his apartment and stood under a cold shower until his hands went numb.

Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw Roman in the steam.

He fell asleep near midnight and dreamed of the bathtub. Roman held him beneath the water and kissed the side of his neck.

Elliot woke at four with his heart racing.

He stayed home the following day and told production he still felt sick.

His phone buzzed several times. Mara asked whether he needed a doctor. Friends from Los Angeles sent messages to a group chat.

Roman sent nothing.

Elliot left the television on for background noise and moved between the couch and the kitchen. He had convinced himself he wanted space.

By evening, Roman's silence had begun to feel deliberate.

The dream returned that night.

Elliot woke before dawn and remained in bed until the room turned gray.

A message from an unfamiliar number appeared shortly after six.

I'm outside. I brought food.

A second message followed.

There's medicine too, in case you're actually sick.

Elliot recognized the tone.

He placed the phone facedown and made coffee. Twenty minutes passed. Then forty.

Roman did not knock.

On the third morning, Elliot opened the door to collect the newspaper.

Roman was sitting on the hallway floor with his back against the wall. A paper bag and a pharmacy package rested beside him.

He looked as tired as Elliot felt.

"What are you doing here?"

Roman stood carefully. "You didn't answer."

"That usually means someone doesn't want to talk."

"I considered that."

"And you stayed?"

Roman glanced at the untouched bags. "Yes."

Elliot folded his arms. "I told production I was sick."

"You're avoiding the set."

"You don't know that."

Roman looked at him for a long moment.

Elliot's grip tightened around the edge of the door.

"I saw what happened after the scene," Roman said.

Cold moved through Elliot's chest.

"How much?"

"Enough."

Elliot looked toward the elevator, though the hallway was empty.

"I didn't tell anyone," Roman added.

"You shouldn't have followed me."

"I didn't. You had already left when I understood."

Elliot wanted to close the door. His arm refused to move.

Roman lowered his voice. "You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"Don't."

"All right."

The immediate silence gave Elliot room to breathe.

Roman bent to collect the food and medicine. "I can leave these here."

Elliot watched him place the bags beside the door.

He appeared ready to walk away without demanding an explanation. After two days spent fearing this conversation, Elliot found himself unwilling to let it end.

"Roman."

Roman stopped.

Elliot stepped back from the doorway.

The invitation remained unspoken.

Roman picked up the bags and entered the apartment.

Elliot closed the door behind him.