You don't know about Us - A MewGulf AU

Chapter 25: On the brink

The grass was still slightly wet underneath his shoes; the spikes of his soles leaving behind indents on the surface of the football field. The spotlights surrounding Gulf were on – the only light in the dark and starless night of Bangkok. There was not a soul in sight, except for the occasional taxi or car driving away on the street, leaving him completely alone.

It was quiet and tranquil, a complete contrast to the past few months of Gulf's life.

After the recording had finished, the crew had gotten together for a small after-party in the villa they had rented. Mew had to leave early on, having some last-minute recording for his new song, leaving Gulf to enjoy himself with Mild and Boat and the rest. It had been wild; everyone, even the director, had been thrown into the pool one after other. The night had been warm, just like right now, and the atmosphere had been jubilant. Everyone had felt the freedom of the end of filming.

In an attempt to avoid getting thrown into the pool, Gulf had jumped in, on his own accord. Videos had spread through the internet like wildfire. Especially the one where Mew – who somehow had come back right before the end of the party – had stubbornly kept piling towel after towel on top of Gulf's soaked clothes. Patting him dry, towelling his hair, ignoring the comments from the rest of the crew. After sharing a mischievous look with Mild, they had pulled him into the pool as well; towels and all.

It had been a warm and pleasant night; filled with laughter and the shouts of his friends and crew. Tonight, the only companion was the silent wind surrounding Gulf as he walked further onto the field. Yet he didn't feel like it was a bad thing at all. Although he hadn't actually been to this place before, everything was familiar. Like the field had been waiting for Gulf all along, the lights shone down on him like a greeting.

Like an incentive. Like an end. Like a memory far away.

This was the place he once had felt completely at peace; willing to accept anything with a smile. It had been a normal and happy night at the time, and now it was one of his fondest memories. Even though the pitifulness of it all, even though it had been an ending for many things.

And the beginning for many others.

Eager to start airing as soon as possible, the director and his crew had been editing the footage endlessly ever since the wrap-up party. The enthusiasm and love of the crew had made Gulf feel even more motivated to promote the show well himself. His past days had been schedule after schedule; promotions, endorsements, photo-shoots; often beside Mew as a couple. Any good publicity for the show was good publicity for his career, and opposite. Mew and the rest of the actors had been busy much the same; the group-chat had gone silent as everyone prepared for the first episode to air.

They had promised to watch the first episode together; the restaurant was already rented. It had been the last post in the group-chat for 3 days, and every now and then Gulf would look at it with a smile.

In comparison to the crew chat, Mew and Gulf hadn't stopped chatting between themselves on Line at all. Sometimes to talk about upcoming schedules together, sometimes just sharing a meme and a picture of their pets; they had achieved a bond not to be broken.

Perhaps that was the reason Gulf had come to this football field on this late night. It was the same scenario – the same feeling – of back there, back here, back then.

He had to admit though, he missed having Mew here by his side. Maybe next time, he could invite his Phi here. If their schedules weren't too busy, maybe Gulf could teach him how to properly kick a ball in this universe. After all, they were soon going to endorse a brand involving sports gear; surely that was reason enough.