Smoke Signals • EarthMix AU

CHAPTER 6: Fuel

If Mix has a list of things he wouldn't expect to see in front of his unit on a Saturday morning, it'd definitely place a wide-eyed Earth Pirapat holding two store-bought cold brews with a film camera slung over his neck at the very bottom.

But that's exactly the image he woke up to this morning.

"I'm in my boxers," Mix says slowly, by way of greeting, too stunned and so confused to do anything aside from look at the man suspiciously.

Earth is dressed in a pair of washed denim jeans and a plain shirt that he topped with a plaid flannel long-sleeves for volume.

"I could see that. And also, 'good morning, would you like to come in?' is usually the more appropriate greeting," Earth removes his long-sleeves, almost absentmindedly, and wrestles with the idea of tying it around Mix's waist himself. But he figures it would be too much so he tosses it to him instead.

Mix hurriedly ties it around his waist, flustering when realization finally dawns. The image is almost comical in Earth's eyes, but also equal parts enchanting and, well, distracting.

Very distracting.

Earth hopes Mix doesn't see him flushing.

The younger man breaks out of his dreamlike spell and makes way so Earth could finally enter. Walking slowly behind Earth, Mix tries to remember if he did make plans to meet with him. Thing is, he doesn't trust his memory anymore. He's always too sleep-deprived. So the idea that he might've actually made plans but has somehow forgotten about it isn't too far-fetched.

"Do you always open your door in your boxers?" Earth asks, a smile dangling on the corners of his mouth. Mix rubs both of his eyes with the heels of his palms, his eyelids still heavy with sleep.

"I'm—hmmm. I honestly thought I was still dreaming." He is suddenly very aware that he's almost naked. Not that the image of him naked would still surprise Earth, but things are a little different now—he thinks.

Platonic. Friendly even.

"Sleepwalking, more like it." Earth smirks and paces around the room, stopping only when he notices a bundle of overripe bananas on the table. If he's not mistaken, Khaotung bought it for Mix a week ago when the latter moved in.

"Would be better to throw those out,"

Mix dismisses his remark with a wave but makes a mental note to do it later. He feels his head clearing and proceeds to ask, "Am I expecting you today? Did we honestly make plans to meet? Is this for The Curio?"

"You weren't. We didn't. And it's not." Earth settles into a chair and answers. Mix waits for a few seconds for Earth to elaborate but after an extended silence, he prompts him.

"I think this is the part where you tell me why you're at my place at—" Mix glances at the clock and was astonished to see that it's still too early—much too early for a surprise visit. "—7:30. Holding coffee."

As if remembering the cold brews, Earth tosses one bottle to Mix who almost didn't catch it.

"We're going out."

"What? Where?"

"On a neighborhood tour."

Today marks the first week since Mix has moved in, but he hasn't really gone anywhere yet. And he hates it.

He hates that he's too holed up in the office. Dejected with the fact that he comes home every night too exhausted to even entertain the idea of a quick evening stroll. He loathes that the news of him moving closer somehow gave their art director even more reason to keep him way past work hours.