The shoot wrapped later than planned. When the director called "Cut!" for the last time, the set sank under a weak wash of yellow light and air heavy with rain. Thunder rolled in the distance, then the sky opened as if someone were pouring water from above.

"Damn, it is coming down hard." A tech scrambled to gather cables.

Miu stood under the awning, bag hugged to her chest, watching the white curtain of rain swallow the parking lot. Her phone lit up again and again with the same message: "No drivers found near you."

Lena walked over in a long black coat that still looked elegant at this hour. Dark hair clung damp to her neck. Her face stayed calm, as if there were nothing to worry about.

"Could not get a car?" Her voice was low, a little husky, strangely warm.

Miu shook her head. "No. Maybe the rain is too heavy. I will wait a bit and see if anyone accepts."

Lena glanced at the lot, where her black Audi sat with rain sliding down the glass like silver ribbons.

"Come with me. My place is close. Ten minutes."

"I do not want to trouble you."

"It is no trouble. In this weather I would feel guilty leaving you to catch a cold."

She said it lightly, but her eyes were firm, and Miu could only nod.

"Thank you."

Lena smiled, lifted a black umbrella, and tilted it toward Miu. "Come on, quick, before we are soaked."

Beneath the umbrella they stood close enough that their hands brushed. Miu could not tell if it was the rain or her heart that made her fingertips tremble.

⸻

The car door shut and the storm outside was sealed away, leaving only the low, steady drumming on the roof like a heartbeat.

Miu sat in the passenger seat with her fingers laced together. Lena started the engine. A soft, woody perfume spread through the cabin, familiar and refined.

"Cold?" Lena glanced over, hands steady on the wheel.

"A little."

She turned the dial and warm air flowed out. "Better now?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Streetlights skimmed the windshield and slid across Miu's cheek, setting off her smooth skin and rose-soft lips. Lena let herself look, then looked away, the corners of her mouth curving.

"Do you get cold easily?"

"I think so. I always wear covered pajamas to sleep. Every season."

"Oh." Lena chuckled. "I am the opposite. Strappy sleepwear. Cool, easy to rest."

"You are brave." Miu laughed, a sound light as breath.

"I live alone. No one to complain about what I wear."

"True."

Lena tipped her head, a playful smile. "What is that look. Imagining me in strappy pajamas?"

Miu spluttered and turned away. "What are you talking about. I am not."

Lena's laugh was soft and teasing. "Your face is red."

Silence settled in the car for a moment. It was the sweet, warm kind, full of the same hovering promise as the rain.

⸻

Lena's apartment was in a high-end building near the lake. When the door opened, a gentle gold light came on to reveal a space both polished and cozy. Black leather seating. A small wine rack. A piano in the corner.

"Welcome to my place," Lena said, hanging her coat.

Miu looked around with a quiet gasp. "It is beautiful. Like a magazine."

"Thank you. It is pretty quiet since I live alone. You can handle quiet, right?"

"I like quiet."

"Good. Go shower before you catch a cold. Your clothes are soaked."

"Okay."

Lena opened the wardrobe and took out a few sets of sleepwear.
"I have some strappy ones, the fabric is cool. Pick one."

Miu hesitated, her voice shrinking.
"Do you have something long-sleeved?"

"Long sleeves?" Lena looked surprised, then laughed. "You really do hate the cold."

"I am used to long sleeves when I sleep. And... I would feel shy in straps." Miu scratched her cheek, blushing.

"Adorable," Lena said, softer now. "Alright. I have an old set from a Europe trip. Real silk, very soft."

She pulled out a pale cream set. "Here. Try this. It is clean and already smells nice."

Miu took it and caught a faint mix of cinnamon and wood. "Thank you. You are always so thoughtful."

Lena folded her arms and leaned on the wardrobe. "If I were not thoughtful, how would I keep such a charming co-star close."

"You make it sound like you are flirting."

"I never said I was not." Lena smiled, eyes bright.

Miu dipped her head, lips pressing together. "I will change now..."

As the bathroom door closed, Lena let out a breath, the smile still on her lips. "How is she this cute."

⸻

Miu came out in the long-sleeved pajamas, loose in the best way, cuffs covering her wrists and the pants brushing her ankles. The light softened her skin to milk.

Lena was making tea. She looked up and laughed under her breath.

"You look like a fabric softener commercial."

"Please." Miu smoothed her hair, flustered. "It smells so good though. Cinnamon. Is it yours?"

"Yes. Now you smell like me."

The sentence made Miu still and look up at her. Lena was still smiling, gentle, with something unnameable underneath.

Miu turned away, heart thudding. "You should shower. I will make more tea."

"Okay. I will be quick."

⸻

Ten minutes later the bathroom door opened. Miu almost held her breath. Lena stepped out with damp hair loose around her shoulders, wearing a gray camisole set. The warm light traced her pale skin, narrow shoulders, the clear line of her collarbones.

Miu ducked her head to her cup as if it demanded full attention.
"Finished?"

"Yes." Lena towelled her hair, amused. "Were you looking at me?"

"I was not."

"Sure." Her voice was a playful nudge. "You look bashful again."

"Do not tease me," Miu laughed, cheeks a bright pink.

"Alright, I will stop. But honestly, you are very cute when you are shy."

Miu bit her lip. Her heart felt a little wild.

⸻

Lena pulled out an extra blanket and pointed to the bed. "It is big. Sleep on this side. I will not hog space."

"I can take the sofa."

"Listen to me." Lena cut in, gentle but firm. "I will not sleep if I know you are curled up out there."

Miu nodded, climbed in, and stayed close to the far edge. Lena turned off the main lights and left the small lamp glowing in the corner.

Rain still fell outside. Inside, tea and cinnamon mingled into an unexpected warmth.

Five minutes. Ten. Twenty. Neither of them slept.

Lena shifted and her voice drifted through the dim.
"Still awake?"

"Yes. Maybe the room is new."

"Or because you are sharing it with me?"

"It is not that." Miu's answer came too fast. She heard herself and winced.

Lena laughed quietly. "Close your eyes. I will sing you to sleep."

"You sing?"

"I studied a little."

She began a soft French ballad, low and warm, smooth as silk. Miu lay still and felt her heartbeat slow to the song.

"Lena," she whispered when the last note faded.

"Yes?"

"If I told you I like you, would you laugh at me?"

The silence held for a few seconds. Outside, the rain seemed to pause with it. Lena exhaled and spoke so quietly the words felt like touch.

"No. Because I was about to say the same thing."

Miu opened her eyes and turned. In the lamplight, Lena was watching her with a tenderness so honest it made her heart shake.

"Really?"

"Really. I have liked you for a while. I just kept quiet so you would not feel awkward."

"Me too. I thought I was only a colleague to you."

"You are not," Lena said, brushing Miu's hair with her fingertips. "You are the reason I want to go home early."

They looked at each other and laughed softly. Miu reached for her hand. "Your hand is so warm."

"And yours is cold. Come closer."

Lena drew her in. Her chin rested on Miu's crown and the scent of hair met the cinnamon note between them. They lay there, listening as the rain faded from the eaves.

⸻

When Miu opened her eyes, a pale morning lit the curtains. Lena was still asleep, arm around Miu's waist. Her breath was warm, even, safe enough that Miu could have stayed there all day.

"You are beautiful," Miu murmured.

"Thank you," Lena answered in a drowsy voice.

"You are awake?"

"I woke up when you said I was."

"Oh my God." Miu laughed and covered her face.

"Do not hide." Lena pulled her hand down and touched her forehead to Miu's. "Let me say it back. You are the most beautiful thing I have found."

The words were light as breath and still enough to flush Miu for the whole morning.

⸻

After breakfast, Miu stood by the window in Lena's shirt. Below, traffic glittered in the sun after rain.

Lena came from the kitchen and set two coffees on the table. "Heading out?"

"Yes. I have to get to set early."

Lena nodded, eyes smiling. "If it is raining again after you wrap tonight, come sleep here."

Miu looked up, startled.

"I mean it," Lena said. "Even if it does not rain, come anyway."

Miu glanced down and spoke softly. "If you want me to."

"I always want you to," Lena said, taking a sip. "But next time, do not wear long sleeves to bed. You will overheat."

"Lena." Miu's eyes went round and her cheeks flushed cherry-red.

Lena laughed, a sound that melted into the morning light. Outside, the city was still damp after the storm, but up here everything felt bright and calm.

Love does not always begin with a formal confession. Sometimes all it needs is a rainy night, a look exchanged, and two people carrying the same hint of cinnamon on their skin.