Smoke Signals • EarthMix AU

CHAPTER 8. Ash

"So?"

"So what?"

"Were you ever planning on telling us?"

"Tell you what, exactly?"

"About you and him?"

Khaotung looks up from his camera and nonchalantly says, "We're having fun."

'Fun.' Mix scoffs at his best friend and waits for the other to elaborate. Khaotung scoots closer to Mix and whispers, "I like him, okay? And I really think he likes me, too."

"Did he tell you?"

"I mean, does he really have to?"

'Cocky.' Mix thinks to himself. But even he can't deny the truth in that. Podd doesn't really strike Mix as someone who'd deny anything if he comes right up to him now and ask. He's transparent—achingly transparent, really—about his feelings for Khaotung. Mix finds it adorable.

Mix looks at Podd, who was looking at him and his best friend. He raised his eyebrow at the older man before giving him a knowing smile. Khaotung doesn't really tell them anything lately, but he could wager a guess about what's going on between the two, just basing it off of their recent closeness.

However, he couldn't help for his overprotectiveness—which the gang always teases him for—to kick in. But before Mix could say anything, Khaotung lightly hits his arm and says, "Trust me on this, sir. And no, we haven't slept together."

"...yet." Khaotung adds with a wink.

Mix tousles Khaotung's hair and shakes his head.

The three are the first ones inside a rented studio that Khaotung booked for the day. They were scheduled to take portraits for The Curio's website and social media assets and they're expecting everyone to arrive any minute now. In the meantime, Mix and Podd help Khaotung set up his equipment. Khaotung opens the speakers, connects his laptop, and puts on a playlist he made. He does this to help set the mood and help his subjects feel more comfortable in front of the camera.

A few more minutes passed before Jennie arrives with a beautiful woman in tow, which Mix guesses is Namtan, her fiancée. Podd introduces Mix and Khaotung to the couple and Namtan immediately goes in to hug the two.

"God, you boys are so cute! Can I adopt you both?" Everyone chuckles and the three start getting ready. A few minutes later, Bright arrives as well with coffee for everyone.

"So we're now just waiting for Earth. Did he say anything about being late?" Jennie asks and scans the room, waiting for an answer. Podd takes his phone out in a bid to call his best friend when Jennie suddenly quips.

"Ah. Speak of the devil."

"I'm here. Sorry,"

Mix did his best not to stare but it was impossible not to when Earth arrived looking sharp in a fitted black open collar long sleeves shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He has on a brown, crisp suit pants and his hair styled simply parted on one side. Mix could see the man blinking rapidly and that's when he notices that Earth doesn't have his glasses on.

'Contact lenses. He's wearing contact lenses today. Like he did then.'

Mix could also make out a single chain necklace tucked neatly inside his shirt, resting gently on his neck, an accessory that completed his look.

"Close your mouth before they notice you drooling,"

Mix side-eyes Khaotung and immediately clears his throat before turning his back. He feels Earth come up behind him and oddly feels his breath hitching when the other spoke.