I.L.Y. - A MewGulf AU

Chapter 5: Public couple

The bed still felt too soft when Gulf woke up the next morning. This time, he was lying in the middle of the mattress, basking in some familiarity. But when he looked around, he was still in that unfamiliar room where everything was expensive. So, it hadn't been a dream after all. Gulf didn't know whether to feel happy or sad about this realization.

He had been woken up due to some loud voices further in the apartment. If he concentrated on it, he could recognize Mew yell something agitatedly. There was no reply however, so he must be calling someone. Gulf groaned as he slid over to the side, grabbing his phone to check the time.

His eyes were still half-closed as he made out the time. 5:10. What an ungodly hour. Mew had told him he had an early schedule the day before. He wished the man could be quieter though, instead of waking him up like this.

After getting used to the harsh light of his phone screen, he noticed the several notifications demanding his attention on his phone. In his own universe, he'd never been that active on social media, so when he saw the hundreds of pings he was in awe. The other Gulf really was famous here, wasn't he? Scrolling through the notifications briefly – Mew had tagged him in an Instagram picture of yesterday's interview, the words 'I love you' written beneath – he saw he had some missed calls from one "P'Best". Having no idea who they were, he decided to leave the comfy bed to ask Mew about it, before he left for work.

Having slept in a tank top and boxers, he forwent dressing up to meet his husband in the living room. Mew was seated on the long white couch, loudly talking into a wireless earpiece while scrolling through his phone. He was bent over the phone as he concentrated on it, so he didn't notice the younger as he approached.

"Can't you just take the article down?" he asked, groaning. Gulf frowned and stepped closer towards the back of the sofa. Mew was holding his phone up, glaring at the screen. Taking another step closer, he caught a glimpse of what was displayed. What he saw, gave him chills down the spine.

Trouble in paradise? Nation's Husband Gulf spotted with girl during wedding anniversary!

The headline seemed to be screaming at him. Underneath it several pictures of him at N'Art's place yesterday were displayed. Even one of the two of them sitting on the couch, probably taken from the window. Although Art's face was blurred out, Gulf felt sick. He knew this was a clear invasion of privacy on the reporters' side, but this was also his fault. He shouldn't have gone there, even if he had no idea who he was at the time! Mew had almost predicted it with the comment he made in the car.

He felt his knees give out, almost falling forward until he caught himself holding onto the back of the couch. This made Mew notice him, as he looked up and nodded. He had sounded angry at the phone, but Gulf couldn't read any emotions from the others face. He simply looked... tired.

"Morning Nong", he greeted silently, nodding. Gulf wanted to answer, really, he wanted to say so many things at that moment, but none came out. He stayed silent instead, moving around the couch to sit next to Mew. The distance between them a clear contrast as to yesterday when they'd been at the interview. When they had been acting in love. When they couldn't let go of each other.

The elder didn't acknowledge Gulf as he sat, instead concentrating on his conversation on the phone. "I know, I know," he agreed with the person at the other side, although his voice indicated a tone of annoyance. "I'll see what I can do." The other person spoke, as it was quiet for a while. "Yeah, let's do that," Mew answered, "N'Gulf is free today anyways."

Gulf raised his eyebrows as he heard his name. He himself hadn't even known he was free today. Though he guessed, he wasn't free anymore. He waited as Mew continued his conversation, talking about things he couldn't and didn't want to understand. Eventually his husband took the earpiece out and turned to him.