MileApo Universe Month 2023 - Collection

Day 25: Pet name

Apo suddenly realizes that he and his man don't have the habit of using pet names.

(English version of the first chapter of Vietnamese series Phi và Em)

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"Wow, so beautiful!" The old lady smiles seeing the pictures he just took, her curving eyes give her a beautiful and kind look. Her husband also lauds his talent. Apo feels his heart popping.

"You're very handsome, little one." The old man says, his tone as if talking to his grandchild, "Just like me when I was young."

Apo giggles, as the lady hits her husband on the shoulder, "You're full of yourself, mister."

The man laughs, "If not, how could I marry you, my heart?"

Then, he pecks her cheek. Apo is touched, by how they look at and stay close to each other, by their natural and easy affection. Maybe lots of decades have passed through their life, but their love stays intact. Apo thinks of a certain someone, about his soft eyes, his indulging smile and the protective habit had traced in his subconsciousness. Despite their safe amount of caution when in public, basically there aren't many differences, except he and Mile don't often regard each other by pet names, or intimate words.

The couple says goodbye, thanking Apo for the beautiful photos, leaving him dazed at the sunfilled park.

Come to think of it, they truly don't have the habit of using pet names.

Of course, they still do sometimes, for example, "N'Mai", "P'Mee", "Old man", "Croissant of my life" whenever Apo feels like teasing his boyfriend, or "P'Po", "PoPo", "Mew Mew", "Kitty Po" if Mile is in the mood to return the favor. There are nights when they're high in love, his boyfriend whispers sweet nothing into his flushing skin, driving messy sobbing responses out of him. However, speaking like that in daily life is... not really them. They are men – Asian men to be specific, they aren't good with words, expressing feelings is even more disastrous. Practicing dharma and being an actor help Apo to be more comfortable and open with emotions, yet he cringes so damn hard at almost every sappy thing coming out of their mouth. Mile isn't better, Apo knows, his man is easily shy, neither as quick-witted as Apo.

His mind wheels back to KinnPorsche. Apo remembers Porsche is called Kinn's heart, which became a symbol of their love.

His phone rings, interrupting his trance. It's Mile, he's picking him up.

"Did Po wait for long?" It's the first thing Mile says after Apo slides into his car. Next, he drops a paper bag into his hands. "Gift for Po. The meeting lasted longer than expected, forgive Phi."

Mile is doing some business abroad, Apo also coincided with finishing filming a movie. They decided to make it into a vacation because before that they both were busy, super busy to the point despite being in the same city, they felt like living in different time zones. However, said as their vacation but it's mostly Apo's, Mile needs to handle a load of work. Apo feels for him, but can't do anything, they have chosen their careers, accepting the hustle and bustle is a must.

"It's ok, I'm fine being alone." He opens the bag, curious. Greeting him is the sweet scent of baked cake and the warmth of a coffee cup, his eyes bright. "Niiiiiiiii!"

"I passed by a cafe you like, so I bought a set." He looks at the person who is wiggling happily and bursts out laughing. "Po took many pictures?"

"Yes, many." Apo pinches a piece of cake, stuffing it into his mouth. The taste is soft and sweet, his heart goes gooey. "Ah, Phi has to see this one!" Due to Miley having a meeting this morning, Apo wandered alone with his camera in his hands, only to meet two beautiful old souls. 

"Oh." Mile's nod is enough to bring a grin on his face. Apo starts to prattle about how he asked the couple for permission, how lovely they were together, also how they complimented him on beautiful photos and his handsomeness. Mile, as usual, quietly listens to him. Dark eyes focus on him, the corners of those lips tick up, Apo feels like the whole world is revolving around him alone. Suddenly, Mile reaches out and wipes something on Apo's temple. 

"Po is sweating," The older explains gently as he sees the bewilderment on his boyfriend's face. "Is it hot?" Without waiting for the latter's answer, he adjusts the air conditioner in the car.

Apo is so carried away that he doesn't realize they've parked here for quite a long time. Before Mile, he rarely felt this loose and accepted, so accepted that he could talk about everything he likes, be annoying as long as he wants, also be distracted and floating in his mind. Amidst the chaotics of life, and the noisy joy he often puts on, when he's with Mile, he knows he can always return to himself.

Ah, right. Nothing is more important than when we're together, Mile can be Mile, and Apo can present as Apo.

"Phi."

The other hums absentmindedly, concentrating on driving out of the lot. Apo calls again, "P'Mai."

"Yeah?" Mile glances at him, tender patience drips in his tone, "Wait a minute, Po. Phi is reversing the car."

Apo's heart is pounding so hard it's gonna bursting out of his chest. He thinks about the old couple, about the sweetness they have for each other - in fact, it goes beyond words and sentences. Apo smiles so hard his cheeks ache, suddenly wants to bury his head on Mile's shoulder. "Phi spoils Po too much."

We have all the time in the world, keep being like this is enough, right Phi?