The dressing room hums with pre-show energy as you finish adjusting your hair in the mirror. Beside you, James is hunched over, focused intently on the small eyeliner pencil in his hand. His brow is creased, his steady hands struggling with the delicate work as he tries to trace a clean line along his lashes.

You watch as he leans in closer to the mirror, carefully drawing the pencil across, only to pull back with a faint sigh as the line ends up slightly uneven. He assesses his work, lips pressed together in mild frustration.

After a moment, you turn toward him, voice gentle. “Want a hand with that?”

James glances at you, his expression serious, giving a small nod. “Yeah. Probably a good idea.”