You don't know about Us - A MewGulf AU

Chapter 6: One-on-one

After Mew arrived, the rest of the workshop mainly consisted of getting-to-know-each-other games and teamwork exercises. After some improv exercises at the end, everyone was given a 'temporary script', containing scenes from episode 1 and 2. Although not many approached him at first, thanks to Mild and Mew by his side, Gulf didn't feel as out of place as he had expected to be. The games were fun and the improv exercises, absolutely hilarious.

Gulf's absolute favourite was their last exercise of the day. Mew was standing at the front of the room, hands behind his straightened back as he regards everyone with his piercing gaze. When he started clearing his throat loudly, Gulf quickly stood a little straighter. Mild – who was standing next to him – let out a quiet giggle and did the same, but not before he received a glare from Ja who was standing next to Mew in front. Any other time it would've been rude towards his phi, but right now they weren't themselves anyway.

"Attention everyone," Mew's voice echoed through the room with an air of discipline. There was another laugh, this time from the other side of the room, probably the staff, which Mew quickly addressed. "I will not stand for laughter when I speak!" Which only resulted in more muted giggles. Gulf let a brief snort escape but refrained from going further. It was hilarious how well Mew was acting as the role of head-hazer. Briefly, he wondered if Mew had ever been one himself, or if he was just channelling a character of a random drama.

"If I hear one more laughter," Mew continued, "I'll have you all doing push-ups. You will regret it!" he threatened. At his side, Mild looked at him with a daring glint in his eyes.

Gulf could only look back in confusion before the phi suddenly started to laugh overdramatically loud, saying; "Gulf! Don't make jokes right now, it's not funny!"

Before Gulf could speak up to defend himself, but Mild only increased his laughter. The phi was grasping his stomach as he almost fell over, an action which just showed how over exaggerated his laughter was. There was no doubt Mild was doing it on purpose to get Mew's attention. He heard the approaching footsteps despite the loud laughter, feeling a little panicked he looked away from Mild to the source. He was met with a glaring Mew right in front of him, eyes hard as if he was looking down and judging the nong. Although Gulf knew it was just an act, he still felt a shiver run through his spine. He hadn't seen that kind of face on his khun phi before. Catching Mew's gaze, Mild finally stopped laughing as well.

"Mister Kanawat," Mew stared right at him, "Do you think this is funny?"

Gulf swallowed and quickly shook his head. Mild let out a snort which sounded between panicked and amused, but Mew said nothing to him. Obviously the two had targeted him out on purpose. The actors surrounding him had stopped giggling, instead looking with amused interest on what was happening. Gulf even saw a girl – he remembered her as Becky – taking out her phone to record.

Oh god, is this really happening?

(You better bite back, nong, if you want to prove you can play Type.)

Knowing the words were true, Gulf decided it was time to properly play his part. After taking a large breath, he met Mew's eyes straight on. "I do not think this is funny, sir," he had no idea why he added the sir. He tilted his head slightly, leaning forward on his toes as he spoke. "But I do think you're standing awfully close to me just to intimidate me," he smiled politely, but he tried to appear as daring as possible, "I'm afraid it's not working."

There was a brief second where Mew wasn't sure how to respond, Gulf could see it on his face. Then, as if he had made his decision, he took a small step forward, closing any space which had been left between them. His face was right in front of Gulf's, only centimetres in between. "Is it not, Kanawut? Then why did I see you swallow just now? Or was it an illusion?"