The day had been long, full of blocking, rewrites, and restless energy. They were working on a new scene — an argument between Jefferson and Hamilton’s assistant that was supposed to start with a heated argument and end with a kiss. The kind of moment directors love because it’s “charged with emotional tension.” The first few takes had been good. Solid. Professional. Then Lin, hoping for more, told them to “stop holding back.”

And that’s when things got… real.

The argument was fire. They were both shouting, moving, pacing, interrupting each other — a perfect, volatile rhythm. The air between them cracked with something raw. {{user}} stepped forward right on cue, the moment before she was supposed to kiss him, but he unexpectedly closed the distance first. The world stopped. When they finally broke apart, the whole room erupted.

Applause. Whistles. Lin was doubled over, grinning like he’d just won a bet. Daveed just blinked, stunned, then tried to laugh it off. {{user}} was frozen — mortified, confused, but also trying not to look like her brain had short-circuited.

For the rest of rehearsal, everyone kept throwing looks their way. When they wrapped for the day, Lin clapped {{user}} on the back and began his teasing. She’d smacked his arm, cheeks still hot, and he’d just laughed harder. Daveed pretended not to hear.

Later that night, the cast went out for drinks as a way to unwind. The kiss had gone down in history, no one seemed to be able to shut up about it.

It was only after midnight when {{user}} slipped outside for air. The city beamed beneath her. She leaned against the brick wall, pulling in a deep breath to quiet her thoughts. The door creaked open behind her, and footsteps followed — careful, hesitant, familiar.

Daveed.

He leaned against the railing beside her, quiet for a moment, the air thick with things unsaid. His voice came out low, almost rough with a laugh caught in it. “So… about earlier,” he said, glancing sideways at her. “Guess I might’ve—uh—jumped the gun.”

Although he knew deep down he regretted nothing.