blindly essential
This story is a prequel, meaning it happens before virtually perfect.
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"It must hurt like hell. Porsche is a proud man. Always. Even in this power-imbalanced relationship. Now the deep, deep insecure part of him is forced out."
Apo said, considerate and articulate, when they all were gathering for script reading.
"Being rejected by the man he loves very much, who he's taken as his Alpha without thinking about his Beta status. Has been blindly brave although subconsciously understands that he can't ever be his Alpha's perfect match like his first love. That agony. It'll be like digging his heart out."
........
"-Phi will love him, Po swears! His eyes were sooooo round when Po fed him. And they were green too! Like two emeralds! He didn't bite me while eating from my fingers, hehe."
Mile chuckles at the non-stop rant of his friend. How long has this call been already? Mile doesn't know. He's lost track, as usual, because the stories they (Apo mostly) share have jumped from one to many others.
Mile loves this pattern between them – some random calls with random stories on a random day. This is like a secret channel just they use to communicate, even when they're miles and days away.
"It's because he sees Po as one of his kind." Mile can't help but tease back, then listens to the younger man hum out a happy harmony.
"Phi says that all the time, weirddd." The d letter is modulated in Apo's typical-ridiculous-cute way. Mile laughs, imagining the pouty look on his face right now.
"Are you still wandering?" He glances at his watch – 5 minutes to 3 PM. Oh, so they've talked for about 30 minutes. "How is the weather?"
"Scorcher." The other answers quickly. Mile looks out the window, the sun is blazing outside. He guesses it's not much better in Bangkok.
"Be careful with the heat, Po. Don't fall sick."
"Phi - Oh dear , Po forgot! I think I will faint!"
"Po." He hardens his voice, then can literally hear Apo rolling his eyes.
"I know my body."
The older rolls his eyes back. This petulant boy.
Rationally, he knows perfectly well Apo is a grown-up man, not a little boy like his fans love to regard him. However, the irrational part of his brain, the logical part of a properly educated Alpha – which is not very logical, urges him to care for and take care of this Omega. Not any Omega, but Apo - this Omega. Everyone sees Mile as a gentle and loving person, because it's how he's raised; but with Apo, there is something different - more special, warmer and closer. His protective radar easily reacts to things related to his younger co-star.
" But, seriously, no need to worry, P'Mai. I'm waiting for my cab to the airport."
Mile is surprised, Apo hasn't mentioned this before. "You need to go somewhere?"
"Nah, Po 's old friend from NY is coming. Po told Phi about him- Oh my cab is here. Let's talk later, ok?"
"Alright. See you."
With that, they hang up. 37 minutes 54 seconds. His phone is warm in his strained hand. Before Apo, Mile had never thought he can remain on such a long call full of trivial things but work relate.
Why is he in the kitchen anyway? What did he want earlier? Ah right, he needed some caffeine. Did Po say he told him about that friend-
His mother appearing at the doorway cuts Mile off his thought. She gives him her motherly smile. "Finish? It was a long call."
"It was." Mile chuckles, focusing on the coffee machine. "It's Apo. You know him."
Looking up when he hears nothing from his mother, Mile realizes immediately he's fucked, because that motherly smile has turned into a knowing, mother-who-can't-wait-to-meet-their-son's-lover one.
"Do I? Do I know him?"
"Ma, you and him talked many times."
"But through video calls, Mile. Nothing can compare to meeting face-to-face."
Mile sighs, not this again.
"What with that attitude, young man? Don't make me disown you."
"You just wait for any reason to disown me so you can adopt Po."
"My silly boy, despite how brilliant that idea is, I would prefer having Apo as my son-in-law."
"Ma!"
The aforementioned topic is dismissed from his mind.
........
Mile wasn't always this attentive when it came to Apo.
When they reunited and started to work together, it was clear to Mile that Apo wasn't like any Omega he used to be with. In fact, he wasn't like an Omega at all. He was muscle and strength. He existed as a walking chaos, a capable fighter and had a potty mouth if you got on his nerves. Apo was utterly good-looking, sure, but also too active, constantly moving, talking too much while laughing with no restraint. He gave no shit about what others saw or thought about the way he behaved. Apo didn't evoke the need to protect and treat tenderly in Mile – a very properly educated Alpha; on the contrary, he stirred up Mile's urge to poke and prod and rile him up. This man was something, in a great way that Mile did, does, and will never stop being fascinated by; but wanting to indulge or handle him like the way he did with other Omegas?
Not really.
The sole thing that reminded him of the other's second gender was his sweet scent, like honey pastries, consistently lingering on his skin.
Mile wasn't sure if those were normal or not, but Apo didn't seem to care, so he kind of throw it to the wind.
Until one interview, not with only them two but there were other casts, he noticed his co-star's mood decrease at some point. He still played, joked and wiggled his whole body in enthusiasm, his scent was still pleasant enough to fool others around into buying his fake high spirit. Unfortunately, Mile wasn't other people. He can see Apo wasn't happy.
Especially, when he recalled the session, he realized...
"It's a rather harsh thing to say in an Omega's face, you know?"
Mile refused to admit he was startled out of his skin.
"Huh?"
"Huh what?" Tong narrowed his eyes, his pitch high and clipped, Mile can understand why this man was perfect for Tankhun's role. "Thing you just said, forgot already?"
"...What did I say..."
The Omega huffed, his hands moved up from his hips, fingers wiggly made the air quotes. "Who wants to be your Alpha?"
Ah, that... Right. Mile admitted he, too, was condemning himself because Po did look taken back like being struck across the face after that left his mouth. But he schooled his expression so fast and just burst out his signature childish laughter, Mile was certain it was he was using his excellent acting skills for those short, short seconds.
It was a joke, a slip of tongue (no, not a Freudian slip). In spite of his sometimes crude manner toward Apo, he wouldn't ever want to hurt him, not in any way.
Mile found his younger colleague an hour after that, when they'd done removing the make-up. The said boy was meditating in the corner of their changing room, peacefulness and silence surrounded him like invisible clouds.
Apo in a meditation state was another aspect mesmerizing Mile. He was so different, strolling effortlessly into the forest of calmness, and staying completely still like a thousand-year-old tree. Gone the hyper child, came the sedate old soul.
There were many paradoxes in this boy. Mile wondered, how was it like to be in Apo's inner world? Was it large with a lot of nooks and crannies? Was it a splendid, enormous castle with cracks running across the walls? Or was it a small, cozy house with green plants fencing it in? There were loads of prospects left for imagination and expectation. Can he earn the right to stay close, peep into, and even step inside? Mile wasn't confident, but they needed to play a couple, it would be awkward if he can't.
"P'Mile?"
Apo had finished and now looked up at him, no sign of hard feeling in those bright brown eyes. Only curiosity. Like a kitten. "Are you waiting for Po?"
"Yeah," The apology was stuck in his throat, so he tried to cough it out. "Actually... I want to say sorry."
Apo blinked, "For what?"
"F-For... what I said earlier, you know, telling you that no Alpha-" But Apo cut him off.
"Wow, such a gentleman." The Omega giggled, there was a thread of relief in his voice, "It's fine, P'Mai, Po heard worse. I wasn't happy, but I understood you meant no ill." He smiled now, foxy eyes crinkling. "Thank you, anyway. Po appreciates that."
A strong spark of dislike roiled in his chest hearing Apo accustom to foul words. Suddenly, the reason for him giving no shit about what others saw or thought was seen in a different light. No, Apo shouldn't be accustomed to people saying ugly things to him, especially about his gender.
It was out of bounds.
........
They meet again two days after that call. All the cast are gathering to watch KinnPorsche ep.7 with fans.
"P'Mai!!" Apo warbles, beaming from ear to ear. His baby footsteps echo as he rushes toward Mile.
"Ouch- Po!!" The Alpha instinctively holds out his hands to catch the over-excited kitten. "Stop running to Phi like that! What if I fall?!"
Apo laughs, bouncing on his soles, hands wrap around the older's shoulders. "Nah, Phi is strong like a bear. Haha, P'Meeeee~"
It should bother him, the way Apo pronounces his name. But it doesn't.
Mile pats the other's back, fondness oozing out of his act. He can hear someone snicker behind, must be Tong, or Jeff, but he ignores them. Everyone in the camp is used to them being like this.
However, out of the blue, his nose catches a whiff of something on Apo's nape.
Not the familiar sweetness. Of course, it doesn't go anywhere. But there is another scent. Bitter like herbal and wine. Marking. Clingy and obnoxious.
Alpha's pheromone.
Some Alpha scented him.
It's faint, you need to stick at his side to notice it. It's also not in a willful and possessive way to tell other people fuck off, but more like to brag as you see, I was with this Omega.
It can be unintentional – for the Alpha and the Omega both, and there is a high chance that the Omega doesn't even know. Nevertheless, these thoughts do nothing to settle the Alpha in Mile, which was on edge the moment he realizes Apo was close to someone enough to get scented, maybe without his consent.
His Alpha self grunts in his head, Mile snatches it back just in time before it storms out and does something stupid. For example, demand the name of whoever the fuck that asshole is then go find him to bite his head off.
No, he's not a savage.
"Phi? Why are you quiet?"
Apo tilts his head, watching him with concern. The skin on his neck is flawless. His pheromone is light and mellow, harmonious with his consistent desire to soothe people around him.
Mile sighs, pinning his Alpha down by reminding Apo is a grownup, he can take care of himself. "Tired. Phi just arrived this noon."
The other nods in sympathy, no suspicious at all. Then a staff calls them, so Mile decides to shove his restlessness down.
For now.
........
The first time Mile had a clear look at how fierce and... weird he can be toward Apo was when they filmed ep.7.
Yes, their (not Kinn and Porsche's but Mile and Apo's) first NC scene.
It wasn't difficult to fall into a couple with Apo, but he wouldn't say this scene wasn't hard. It was strenuous, not only for them. Mile observed how Pond argued with staff about lights and camera settings, meanwhile Apo talked to Bible in a hidden corner. Mile understood Vegas was an exhausting role, especially for a newbie. Bible and Vegas were too dissimilar, the younger Alpha held too much respect for Omegas in general, and Apo in particular. Even Mile felt bothered watching their kiss, the way it was forced on Porsche. He wondered what would it be like in the time they shot KinnPorsche's first sex scene.
Despite all of that, working with Apo was like a dream. They had been partners for two years; besides, all the workshops and practice sessions helped. They discussed the intimate touches, which would be off limits and how to put a stop signal when they weren't comfortable. However, despite how much they discussed and practiced, Mile didn't think he was prepared for the deep, alien feeling when he sagged into Apo's arms as soon as they said "Cut". It was like his soul was split in halves yet merged into one immediately after that. Kinn was pulsing under his skin, his raw emotions tangled with primal instinct into a confusing mess, vibrating along his thunderous heartbeat. Hi- No, The Omega – His lover, Porsche / Apo was pressing against him, pliant and warm and real. Naked. Neck exposed and totally vulnerable. His fingers on his nape were tender, just like his sweetish pheromone, which was released in reflex to reassure his distressed acquaintance Alpha. Suddenly, Mile noticed there were too many people there. His senses were impossibly heightened, too aware of the intruders who were able to harm hi-the Omega.
Someone wanted to come close to them, but Mile – or his instinct, or Kinn-self deep inside him – didn't want it. He did something he'd never imagined he would do: He bared his fangs and growled, his inner Alpha making a full appearance, forcing the poor staff to back off. His hands gripped hi-the Omega's slender waist even tighter. It seemed to hurt the Omega, because a small whimper slipped out of his mouth.
Which was enough to slap Mile back to his sound mind.
"Sorry." He rasped out, burying his face into Apo's shoulder, taking a deep breath. Apo's honey smell fluttered under his nostrils, helping him to stay focused. His hands loosened yet had not let go. These series of actions held too much intimacy, out of every boundary Mile himself set to be respectful to his Omega co-star.
"Shh, it's alright," Apo whispered, breathless. "This is my first NC scene after 10 years of acting, you should be honored." He joked, effortlessly following the natural impulse of an Omega to console and ground the Alpha in front of him.
"Of course." This is his first, too. "How can I not honor this?" He tried to curl his lips into a crooked smile, which must be miserable. The Omega's palms were clammy as he touched his face, raising it so they can look at each other. At least his mind was clearer now, focusing on Apo's endearing beam or soft scent wasn't a difficulty.
"I'm ok. You did good, Phi. Alpha. You can calm down now."
Mile watched owlishly through the corner of his eyes as staff assisted Apo in putting on some clothes. There were scratches on his neck, from Mile/Kinn's fangs and nails, in the desperation to feel, to touch, to stay close to his lover. It was in the script, not the scratches but Kinn enclosed his teeth on Porsche's neck, yet Apo said it was a superb coincide – describing the conflict wrestling in the Alpha's head toward his bond with his Beta boyfriend. Looking at him right now, seeing the marks he left on Apo, as well as Porsche lively in the other man, all of a sudden, fear and helplessness whirling in his heart.
Mile knew, it was Kinn's about Porsche, not his about Apo. It was just...
A lot.
........
Watching ep.7 brings many memories back. It's fun, though how embarrassed they both were, are. Mile thinks he's going to be steamed in his seat, meanwhile Apo sinks so deep in the chair as if he wants to disappear into it.
Kinn is reviving in him somehow. Mile peeks at Apo sometimes. Porsche is shooting on the screen while Apo is here, leaning heavily on Mile's shoulder, whispering to him this and that, gnawing his thumb, or munching some popcorn. Both are strikingly beautiful. The Omega glances back once, raising his brow in question, but Mile just smiles, their hands brushing when he gives him another popcorn. The disturbance has been subtle long ago, now throbbing dully.
They talked about the incident that day. Apo said it was fine, things like that happened, especially with newcomers connecting too deeply with their roles. And because you're such a good Alpha - Apo also said, coupled with his shit-eating grin, making Mile blush, but also lightening the mood. There was no awkwardness after that, Mile was grateful. In another hand, there was something else he was forced to deal with: Seemingly, his Alpha started to consider Apo akin to one of his pack.
Which wasn't, isn't, true. Absurd even. They aren't relative, they don't date, mate, or whatever. Apo is just a friend.
Very precious, dear friend.
His Alpha is pacing and grumbling again, dissatisfied by this simple thought. Mile wants to whack it, risking being looked at as a weirdo because of hitting himself in public.
Talking about being in public, Mile is standing outside the WC, waiting for the above-mentioned Omega to take his leak.
The phone in his hand vibrates, grasps his attention. It's not his, his is in the pocket. It's Apo's phone.
Mile swears, he doesn't mean to snoop. Regardless of Apo's unconcernedness about him looking into his phone – like Mile's about Apo knowing his screen password – he still keeps in mind that this can be very private and need to be respected.
It's pure habitual, seeing a phone bright up and checking the notification. Mile honestly doesn't know what he should feel when messengers pop up on the screen.
Back to Bangkok. Wanna hang out?
It shouldn't bother him. It often doesn't bother him. Apo has lots of friends, he doesn't know all of them. But something irks him. A hunch. Mile doesn't remember if he ever heard about this Ben guy either. So, it does, bother him.
Maybe because of this afternoon, when he noted that Apo was scented by someone, the protectiveness in him acted up like a programmed machine.
Apo steps out, stretching his arms. He looks tired, a little sleepy. Mile hopes he gets enough sleep.
"Are you going home now? Do you need a lift?" He asks, returning the phone to Apo. The other unlocks it and types something, then he raises his head and smiles at Mile.
What a pretty smile.
"No need, I drove here myself. I don't go home anyway."
Why the mouth with such a pretty smile can say hurtful things to hurt people like that?
...
That night, when he comes home, dog-tired and jittering in his bed, opening his social media with a hopeless intent to relax. Then Instagram notifies him that nnattawin has posted some stories, so he visits it immediately, so natural and mechanical.
What catches his eye is a story shared from another account, Apo standing behind the bar - apparently a private bar in someone's kitchen. He seems to enjoy himself, showing off his magical talent with all the beverages he can't even drink without being drunk out of his mind. At some point, Apo looks up, smirking, following it is a laugh coming from the person recording the clip.
The short story ends, whereas the frown on Mile's face deepens. He doesn't notice that he's frowning.
The account originally posting this story is bennd._
Ben.
He must be possessed, because by the time he's back to his senses, he's clicked into that account. His story is red and bright, the sign of some new stories being updated. Fortunately, Mile is conscious enough to not wander there. He goes through the pictures and videos instead. This man doesn't post much, but Mile can conclude he's a rich, young businessman. He's tall, well-built and, Mile has to admit, handsome. Through his profile, he's an Asian-American Alpha, three years younger than Mile, born and raised in NY.
For some reason, this man looks distantly familiar.
A recall flashes behind his sockets. Something clicks. Another thing, very, very ugly, is roused inside him.
Sleep flickers like an old lightbulb that long night.
...
Mile gets out of his bed at 6 the next morning, too early and wakeful. His fingers itch to pick up his phone and make a call. Mile knows Apo would claw his ears off if he disturbs his catnap, hence he decides to against it and kill his redundant energy by crashing into the gym.
Two hours later, when he feels refreshed and back to his self-control, Mile pours himself a cup of coffee, and makes himself as comfortable as possible on his sofa. Finally, he opens Line, finding Apo's name.
The said person answers after four or five rings.
"Alo? P'Mai?"
He sounds confused, not wasted or lack of sleep, so can he take it as a good sign?
"Hello, Po." Mile slips some coffee to clear his voice, "Phi wants to ask you about... our next photoshoot. I don't wake you, do I?"
"I've been up for a while. Po is surprised though, Phi never calls this soon, haha."
"Right. I'm worried you're still in your dreamland. I saw your story, party hard ha?" Mile honestly hopes his tone wouldn't give away anything.
"Whaaaa?? No, Phi." Apo's peals of laughter ring in his eardrum. "I'm at my parents' house! That clip was the day before!"
The lump in his chest pops. Disappear. In a blink. "Aunty and Uncle ok?"
"Ma is sick, but she's better now."
"Oh, good. Wait a minute, you drove to Hua Hin last night?"
A beat of silence, then Apo chuckles, "I drive very well."
"No, you drive like a madman."
"P'Mai!!"
Mile grins to no one, the bitter taste in his mouth is lovely and the sunlight on his skin is wonderful. "I thought you were out all night, my bad."
"Yeah I was supposed to, but I was busy."
Oh...
"Speak of that..." Mile moves his ass a little, his back taut. Alright, his protective insistence can be unreasonable, but it's absolutely normal if we want to know about our friend's friend, right? Not to mention the younger is like a close brother to him, right? Right?!? "Who was with you that day?" He winces, suppressing the cringe running across his body. "You... I saw you made a cocktail. Miss your cocktail."
"Owww ~~ Aren't you sweet? Phi misses Po too, don't ya?"
"You wish!"
"Tehe. It was Po's old friend in New York by the way. I talked about him before!"
"I don't remember any New York friends of yours." He mumbles, intentionally letting Apo hear him, "I can only recall your stupid ex-boyfriend."
"Haha, that..." Apo laughs, stiff. Shit, not good. "Yeah, that's him. Ben."
So, that's the reason for his intuition to run like that.
Fuck.
.......
The scene they worked on these days weren't particularly difficult, they had filmed more brutal ones, however, Apo seemed to be impacted a lot.
That was the scene Tawan came back, and conflict happened. The story gradually escalated, until it culminated with Kinn putting Porsche in jail. No explanation, no sympathy.
No love.
Nothing.
Mile remembered when they first talked about the script, Apo was so thoughtful about this scene. He was detail-oriented and thoughtful when it concerned work, but with this scene, Mile can see it touched Apo in a way unlike any other.
"It must be desperate, wanting somebody for your life but you can't have them totally."
It was painful, just listening to that.
The room set as the jail was chilling dark. Apo sat flat on the ground, his head down and his hands cuffed. The gloom of the corner hung over him. The silence was like a thick blanket, draped over his shoulders, drawing him down with its suffocating heaviness.
Mile didn't like how quiet he was. Dissimilar to Apo in meditation state, this quietness was lonely and exhausting. The ball of sunshine now shrank into a burned-out match - which didn't suit him in the slightest.
He expected the other to start as he sat down next to him, but he just glanced, his mouth tugged up. In a tick, the vision of Porsche and Apo blurred into one.
Kinn in Mile ached.
"How are you?"
He asked lowly, ignoring the noisy background.
"Hm, fine."
"You don't look fine." Or sound fine.
"I guess I'm a little tired." Apo sighed, leaning his head on Mile's shoulder. The action was simply smooth. Flat out 'their'. Mile got a dash of Apo's scent, richer and crisper than usual.
"Because of the shoot?"
"Dunno" Apo scrunched his nose. A part of Mile denied admitting that this person was artlessly adorable, but another part – a bigger one – disapproved. "Perhaps because of the hormone. My heat will come in two or three days."
That explained many things. "Are you really ok?" Mile had to ask, automatically releasing some pheromone. Omega's heat or Alpha's rut can be very tiresome.
The Omega hummed in gratitude, snuggling closer. "I'm on my suppression. After tomorrow Po will take a week off." The little shit peeped at him with amusement. "Relax, Phi."
They breathed in a hush, before Mile spoke up again, "The script is knotty, isn't it?"
Apo burst into laughter, rubbing his face into Mile's shirt. "Right, you can say so." He sat straightened, turning to him, "Phi has to hit Kinn for me."
"Will try my best." Mile vaguely noted that the Omega said 'me', not 'Porsche'. "Anyway, you need anything?"
"Mm, not sure..." Apo pursed his lips, as if thinking, before he dropped the next sentence, successful in causing Mile to choke on his own spit, "A knot would be nice..."
"Apo!!"
Apo's overjoyed laugh resounded throughout the room. He patted the older's back as if to bat his soul out. "Your poor virgin ears, sowwy."
"Oh shut your filthy mouth. Why are you this horny?! When did the last time you have an Alpha? Decades ago??"
"Hey!! I dated an Alpha in NY right before I came back!"
"That poor human."
"Nah nah, he liked me very much. We still keep in touch till nowadays!"
" Wow, Nattawin, you know how to trap people."
"Oh you're awful wrong, it's me who was trapped."
Huh? "What? What that means?"
"We met at the bar I bartended. He hit on me due to a bet with his friends. So stupid." Apo quirked a terribly nostalgic smile that cramped Mile's stomach. "Do you want to see his face?"
Mile wanted to refuse, but the other had scrabbled for his phone, hands still cuffed so Mile had to help him. "You said he approached you because of a bet?"
"Yeah, I figured out the second time he talked to me," Apo said, absent-minded, scrolling through his phone, unconcerned by the other's discomfort showed on his face. "But he was cute, so I gave him a chance."
"...Never thought you could be like that."
"Don't judge, Phiiii. Po was lonely. We still fell in love eventually." 'Love' was a big word, shouldn't be tied with any 'bet'. "Ah, there!"
Yeah, that man was handsome and tall – taller than his younger friend by some inches. Also, he had the appearance of a snobby brat.
The thought of someone approaching Apo for an impure purpose left a nasty taste in Mile's mouth.
.......
Apo stays home for four days. On the fifth, they have a photo shoot to promote the series. Mile is flooded with embarrassing relief when no weird smell reaches his nose as they stand together.
The Omega appears genuinely content, meaning Mile's Alpha is content too.
Ep8 receives a lot of attention when it airs. Fans rave about it on social media, and Mile finds them so funny when he read their writhing over KinnPorsche's lovely-dovely scenes. But he has a hint about the drama that will be pulled by Tawan in the next episode.
It implies Porsche will be sent to prison in ep9. Recalling the filming time, Mile is a bit looking forward to the upcoming episode.
It's around 2 am when he's done showering after watching ep8, the super busy life of an actor combined with a businessman turns his timeline into a different time zone, not Thailand's. When Mile checked his phone to get ready for bed, his eyes are met with two missed calls from 20 minutes ago. From Apo.
Why did he call so late? Did he need something?
Immediately calls back, but is answered by no one. He tries the second time, then the third, but the reply he receives is only forlorn tuts. Tension begins to pound behind his ribcage. The sharp premonition of a man who fights often in the marketplace ripples. Mile knows his gut or why he should trust it. Before he can think of anything, he grabs his jacket, his keys jingling in its pocket. He doesn't even change his sleeping clothes.
It's quite far from his house to Apo's, but Mile doesn't remember it's this far?! He attempts to reach the other again, but in vain. Biting his lip out of frustration, he speeds up his car. This fucking boy!
To tell the truth, his nerves are kind of on edge about Apo these days. Mile doesn't understand, he is a calm and practical man, he's never been this fussy. It confuses him to no end, and isn't healthy for his nervous symptom.
Nonetheless, they all, the calm practical individuality, the solicitude about his mental health, are discarded as soon as he parks his car and sees another one park right at the gate of Apo's apartment. Thanks to the dim light coming out from the hall, plus one darting from the street lamps, Mile could see a man getting out of that car, going around to the co-driver side to open the door. The man, tall and stout, is crouching down, seemingly talking to someone inside. Next, the person inside exits, lurching forward to be exact, near to falling flat on his face if not for the other saving him.
Mile feels blood rush to his brain.
Apo.
He steps out as the younger sways on his feet. "Apo!"
The said man snaps his head to look at him, dazed, before a big, sunny smile blooms on his face. He scrambles toward Mile like a clumsy bolt. "P'Maiii!!"
He catches his eager friend without a hitch. "Dammit, Po!"
Apo wraps his arms around him like a koala, his chortle next to his ear is enough to melt his irritation away. His body is drenched in the smell of beer and buzz from a prosperous place, mingling with a tad of the same bitterness some day ago but not in the scented way. His sweetness lingers gently as always. Nah, not the usual gentleness, a little stronger, still pleasant though. Gosh, he can hardly ever keep a stern mask in front of this boy.
"He said he's better now, I guess he's not." The voice, heavy accent, mixing with a hint of amusement, is so damn cheeky. Mile glares up, watching the other propping himself on his (?) shiny car. He bears fucking aggravating aura that even this far, Mile's Alpha bristles. "You must be Mile, or his P'Mai. Po mentions you frequently."
A bizarre feeling arises in him, he wants to puff out his chest. "And you must be Ben, his ex. Po talks about you too."
Not frequently, he adds in his mind. Yet the astonishment flashes on the other Alpha's expression, which somewhat turns smug, causes Mile to wish his teeth to sprout upside-down.
Fuck, he's so petty it's beyond ridiculous.
The cocky brat peers at his watch, clicking his tongue, "Need to go now. My plane takes off early in the morning." Then he switches to English, obnoxiously tending to talk to Apo alone. "I'll text you when I get back, ok?"
Apo waves without turning, his eyes closed, cheek still smushed by Mile's collarbone. Mile gives up suppressing his scowl as the shiny car launches into the night.
...
It costs a lot of struggle to bring Apo into his house. There is a part where he seems to be dozing off at where he stands, Mile has to pick him up, or else they wouldn't be able to move.
That's right, picking him up in the princess carry.
The ungrateful kid declines to be helpful, just cooing at his strength and making giggling sounds like crumbling crunchy biscuits.
Now Mile is in the kitchen pouring some water, meanwhile, the host is lazing in his bedroom. This house has become so familiar to him, he couldn't point out since when he started to move around as if this was his home.
Apo squirms from the bed to the floor the moment Mile comes back. He seems lost in thought, staring out the window. He only moves his head as the Alpha crouches down, pressing a cup of warm water into his hand.
"Drink this. Why the hell did you decide to touch alcohol anyway?"
Apo grimaces, yet obeys. Mile sits down next to him as he drains the water. The tiredness of tonight finally catches up, he is bone-weary and loves nothing more than a good sleep. "I was worried, Po. You didn't pick up. Don't do that to me again."
"Ok, I won't call anymore." Apo gives a curt answer. A wrong answer.
"You know I don't mean that way."
"Then what does Phi mean?" The younger suddenly chides, turning sharply to face the older, starling him. "You keep nagging and telling me to be careful and scolding and taking care of me as if I'm a child! Or... or..."
"Apo, what..."
"Yes, what?? I don't know, you tell me what the fuck, Phi?! Why do you care? Phi cares too much!"
Mile is bemused, staring at Apo, watching him huffing and puffing, his face wry with mounts of emotions. Mile hears his heart thump with... hurt, reacting to what Apo says "You're making no sense, Po. Are you saying you're bothered by my attention for you?"
This seems like a shake in Apo's mind. He squeezes his lids shut, biting his lips, brows and front contort as if he's in pain. Even his scent shifts, sour and darker. Mile doesn't understand anything, to be honest, one moment he is joking like a child, now he's angry and throwing shit toward him.
"No, I was... I-I don't mean that... I-" Apo stutters. His eyes glint when he opens them.
Fuck.
What the fuck is happening?
"Po! Goddammit, Po." Mile talks in alarm, turning so they can face fully. His Alpha is whining in his head, "Talk to me. What's wrong? Are you ok?!"
Apo sobs, withdrawing from Mile's look. A tear falls. Then another. They are burning the Alpha's heart. "I... I don't know, Phi. It... I'm upset."
"Oh, Po." Pulling the younger closer, he's aching with the way he latches on his arm and nestles his face onto his shoulder. His shirt is damp quickly. It's rare for Apo not to know what is happening inside him. He's so self-aware, full of insight, and very mindful of everything – they're things you need years and years to practice and be skillful.
"Po is worrying me. Did Phi do something? Why are you upset?" A thought strikes. "That Ben guy didn't do anything, did he?"
"Noooo," Apo whines. "Ben can be stupid but he's a good friend!"
"Alright," He hushes, releasing some appeasing scent whilst rubbing his back. He better be.
As fast as it happens, the turmoil bit by bit subsides, and the Omega begins to get a hold of himself, to the point Mile may think he's falling asleep on his shoulder if not for his sniffing.
They stay in weird, comfortable stillness. Then the younger stirs, though not detaching the other's side.
"Y-You..." Apo hiccups into Mile's shirt, muffled, "You're... irritated these days. My Omega is confused."
Ah? Ah, right. They're so close that their inner selves are in the same tune. Things like this happen in packs and with soul mates or dear friends at times.
But Mile is completely unaware that his mood is this bad to bring this much effect on Apo.
"Really? I don't know that. I'm sorry."
"I..." The other continues, wet and stuffy. "I watched today's episode. I was reminded when we filmed and all the despair Porsche will go through,..." He snuffles, "So sad."
At this instant, Mile is reminded, too. How Apo wallowed in the scene. The dullness of Porsche / Apo during it. How Kinn bled inside him.
Mile remembers ep7 when it was shoot, and how chaotic his emotions were.
"I get it." He says plainly, not sure what more should he say. But he does get Apo's feelings. Deeply, in fact.
There is a beat, before the other sighs. "No, I don't think so."
This catches Mile off guard. However, he has no time to question What do you mean by that, Apo lifts his head. He's flushed and sweaty, so pathetic that every word withers on Mile's tongue.
"Sorry for earlier, Phi." He smiles, drowsy but earnest. Mile bets he can open his swelling eyes. "My mouth runs too far. Shouldn't say stuff like that. Shouldn't worry you either."
"...Okay. Your tongue is very sharp, be careful with it."
"Hehe, I know, I know."
"Keep saying that. But I'm serious, talk to me if I offend or mistreat you, yeah? Actually, I think we still need to work this out another time."
"Whatever." The younger grumbles, dropping his head back on Mile's shoulder, skillfully avoiding the wet spot.
There are many holes they need to fill in this, but they can wait.
At least for now.
...
"Tonight is very embarrassing for Po, Po might want to dodge this topic later. Can Phi wait for me? I will talk when I'm ready."
"...Fine. I trust you, Po, you know it right?"
"I know, of course. Thank you."
=============
Did they talk? What did Apo mean? What happened after that?
Will we have more?
I don't know, I hope you can let your imagination fill in and tell me some of it ;)
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