You don't know about Us - A MewGulf AU

Chapter 21: Diversion

"She's so cute, phi, you have no idea!" Art gushed over the phone, making Gulf smile a little. He was sitting outside, on a quiet place 5 minutes away from set, watching the stars as he called his best friend. It'd been a spur of the moment thing, an idea to both check up on her and distract himself while the rest of the crew was busy.

It was cold outside, making him shiver a little in his light clothing, but the enthusiasm of his nong warmed him up anyway. He'd asked if she was busy, and then she had started a whole water-fall story of the date she had just returned from. Gulf was glad for his friend, truly, and found himself getting engaged in her happiness. It was better than the opposite, anyway.

"I'm glad to hear your date went well," Gulf laughed, "you should send me a picture, if you're claiming her to be so cute. See if your phi approves!"

"P'Gulf," Art lengthened his name, exasperated at his antics. "Even if you don't approve, I won't stop seeing her!" she said in that typical pouting tone which kind of reminded himself of how he spoke Mew at times. Confident, flirty, bratty. Art was only a friend, yet... Ugh, this was the exact thing he wanted to distract himself from. "By the way, you've already met her anyway!"

Gulf made a surprised sound. "Oh?" he asked.

Art giggled, sounding a little shy. "It's... ah, the girl who approached us in that pastry shop?" Gulf could imagine the lopsided grin on his nong's face. "I kind of put my number in her phone while taking that picture, and..."

"Wow, you're smooth," Gulf leaned back a little more on the bench. It was cold and dark outside, while Art was warm and bright on the other side of the phone. She giggled again.

"It's also nice, since she doesn't care about..." Art trailed off, suddenly stopping in the middle of the sentence. "well, you know..." Gulf did know. About the rumours between him and her. The stupid pictures the media had leaked which were now circulating more than ever, with the rumours of him and Mew going around.

Gulf didn't mind her bringing it up, on the contrary, it was after all one of the reasons he had called in the first place. One of the excuses he'd given to the cast and crew to go outside and take a walk on his own, ignoring the look of Mew who was getting his make-up done. It was the last night they'd be on the island, and Gulf wanted to enjoy the peace of it before he went back to the buzzing city of Bangkok.

"How are you?" he asked, "with the pictures and stuff, is everything alright?" he wanted to follow up saying he was sorry, but Art was quick to reply.

"I'm fine, phi! Like I said, she didn't mind since she knows that we're just friends, and my family have known you for years!" she spoke quick, as if she knew she needed to stop him from apologizing. "Mom wanted me to say she bought the interview and photoshoot in that one magazine, and she's looking forward to seeing you act."

He pulled a face. He was glad for the support of his friends and their family, yet, thinking about Art's mom, or worse his own family watching him make-out heavily with Mew on TV was a weird thought. He guessed he needed to get used to it, though.

Before, he would've been more excited about it; showing off his acting, showing off the chemistry he and Mew had. Now it almost felt like cheating, but, he guessed, that had always been the case, just a little.

(After the last NC scene they'd recorded, Mew and him had received many compliments. Gulf, normally shy yet loving the praises, had been unsure how to answer. Mew had pulled him closer, smile blinding.)

"I'll make sure to watch it with her," Art continued, unknowing of her friend's inner conflict.

"Good luck," the words left his mouth before he could stop it. Art giggled again, even more frantic than before. She really seemed to be in a good mood.