Starstruck on You [Mile x Apo] [MileApo]

Chapter 12: Master the Hurricane

It was too late to get cold feet.

It was too late to turn back.

Any hesitance that he might have experienced, any doubt that trickled into his mind, was immediately shoved down into a deep, deep hole that Apo promptly covered with dirt and planted flowers. The smile on his face read 'I'm ready' even if his heart was saying 'What the fuck did I get myself into?'' as he was carted off the plane with the rest of the band into Manila.

The staff just shuffling around him like worker ants, carting the equipment that were instruments and sound boxes, the band's luggage, and he sagged his shoulders. Must be nice to have such treatment. Meanwhile his fingers curled around the handle of his little carryon suitcase – well actually it was Kasem's as he'd never traveled anyone to warrant needing one – and looked out of place in the busy airport. His attire, his look, all of it, just stuck out like a sore thumb. Mile had offered one of his, but Apo insisted he'd find his own way with an assuring smile. Apo didn't need to cart around Louis Vuitton bag while wearing flea market painted jeans and a t-shirt with cats on it.

He wasn't embarrassed of his style, more that he preferred to match; accordingly, he wasn't luxury or glamour, Apo was comfortable, artistic, and pleasant.

He didn't want to be a distraction or inconvenience to Mile. The second that he was, he'd fly home. Apo was secretly resolved to this, especially after he realized that him going on tour would require him to pay for all of his flights as well, he sighed out loud at the expenses. Mile jumped on it, dropped the money for the tickets, just kissed his protests, and said, "Let me be happy too" And promptly distracted Apo with a deliriously mind-blowing blow job that had him practically sobbing at how good it felt.

Apo shook his head and went with the flow, curled up next to Mile and just didn't bother to disclose his set-in-stone resolution of leaving if he felt himself a disturbance to Mile who bounced around giddily in the apartment, they lived in. Apo didn't have the heart to crush his excitement with his pessimism.

The other item he carried was his camera bag. Apparently, the band needed a professional picture taker, Mile immediately recommended him like the simp that he was, and the group agreed. He thought they were being biased since he was Mile's boyfriend, but assurances from both the band and Kamala as they reviewed his professional college portfolio, his work was perfect. It was originally angled, clean, and clear. They needed someone with an attentive eye to the little details, and he nodded. It was the least he could do.

He fidgeted through the customs process, Mile got stuck ahead of him with the rest of the band as the agent's assistant held all of their passports but noticed Mile look back every minute or so to check on him. Apo smiled, gave a gentle wave in the man's direction, and chuckled to himself when Mile turned back once he confirmed Apo was okay. Did he really think Mile would be so attentive?

Probably not. They'd gotten off on a bad foot, a terrible impression (one that Apo admittedly also got frustrated with), and the blackmail was Mile's poor attempt at romance. He understood that now. There were a lot of threads that were trying to twine them together and all Apo did was take out the scissors of destiny and snip at them.

Except what fate wanted, fate got.

One string cut, five more came; all of them wrapped around his heart securely until all he could think about was Mile. And the man's 180 personality change – or perhaps there was always this side of Mile that existed and he hadn't known – he'd only seen the bad facet, left a bad taste, and judged from there. He winced at his own immaturity.

How else could it be explained for his impulsiveness? His snap decision to take a sabbatical for the semester, spoke with his professor to confirm he could do so and would be able to submit additional portfolio photos from his travels, arranged to take a work leave at the café, and told his parents he'd be wander-lusting for three months?