After eating out with Pond, Gift and Mos, Apo and Mile order takeout - BHC chicken - because Apo wants to try the various fried chicken chains in Korea in their hotel room. Apo feeds him while Mile rambles about a weird dream he recently had. In the dream, they were both spirits, but neither knew the other was also a spirit, and they tried to possess each other but couldn't. It's a recurring dream, which he first had almost a year ago, and talked about in their joint iQIYI interview.

Now, Apo is giving Mile a vicious grin while poor Mile is just trying to enjoy a tall, refreshing glass of water after some spicy chicken.

"Mile, what would you do if I treated you to a little something special?"

"I'm almost scared to ask..."

Apo opens his mouth. "Wait." Mile halts him with a pointed index finger. He makes a show of finishing his water and setting it safely down on the table with a thump. "Okay, now say what you were going to say." Apo catches him off guard too often. Not today.

"What if I gave you a strip show?"

Mile's eyes widen; he is grateful he had the foresight to prepare himself.

"And what's brought this on?"

"I saw the way that hot waitress looked at you," Apo scowls, not even trying to veil his jealousy. "She looked so...experienced. She probably licks elbows erotically, exactly your type. I could never compete. All we've done is blowies and handjobs; I know you're getting bored."

"You think I'm bored, huh?"

Apo needn't worry. Even though Mile used to make spiteful plans to invite an entire harem of women over on days when Apo broke his heart, he could never follow through.

But such a clinical assessment of their sex life reminds Mile that this is just sex for Apo. The kind of sex that's either exciting or boring, depending on what's involved, completely divorced from love. Love is what makes their clumsiest tryst amazing to Mile. Apo being his unique self is erotic enough for Mile. But the sex doesn't need to carry so much meaning. It can be easy and simple. Mile's life can be so much less complicated. After the novelty wears off, they can just go their separate ways. When they're done with each other, it can be a clean, quiet separation, no heartbreak, no headlines.

Except Mile is sort of inclined to stay with Apo for an embarrassingly long time, maybe forever. And it has nothing to do with how exciting Apo is in the bedroom.

He thinks about saying this. But Mile can just see it in his head, Apo's mouth curving in mockery. Don't you know what wise men say, Mile? Only fools rush in.

"Of course! How could you not be?" Apo's leg fidgets restlessly.

Apo's mentality is perfectly sensible. It's perfectly fine if they fuck around a bit while they're in the mood. It's a phase. But what if he gets bored of Apo? Will he move on to the next, hotter, thing? What if one day Mile meets a beautiful woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with? Rumors of a raunchy history with his male costar would sabotage his chances with her. He needs a clean slate. Keep your options open. Don't commit too much to one person too soon. That's the smart thing to do.

Mile knows this. He just doesn't want to accept it, in the same way he doesn't want to get up early and work out in the mornings. But a workout is nothing compared to swallowing the bitter pill that Apo thinks their relationship is boring.

Mile understands. Sex was once a mindless blur for him, too, an outlet to release tension. And he didn't keep anyone boring around for long.

Part of Mile resents Apo, feels wounded, but he trains himself to focus on better understanding his partner, rather than bottling up his pain.

Maybe Apo has never been in a committed, long-term relationship, not because he didn't want it, but because nobody he hooked up with wanted it with him. Maybe nobody's ever made him feel worthy of the long, slow-burning, boring kind of love that Mile craves.

Maybe Apo doesn't fall in love easily because nothing good ever came of opening up his heart to anyone. Mile will teach him. He will show Apo that it's okay to fall in love; Mile will be there to catch him.

He kneels, slides his hands under Apo's t-shirt, and kisses the warm skin of his tummy. Mile would probably miss being with women if not for Apo's soft curves.

Apo makes a sound deep in his throat and pushes into Mile's lips. Mile lifts his eyes to find that Apo's are closed, his lip snagged between his teeth. He fists Mile's hair when Mile licks a hot, wet stripe up his naval.

"I...guess it would be nice if you put on a little show for me." Mile smiles until his eyes crinkle, rising to his feet and snagging Apo around the waist.

"Aww." Apo fingers the thick tuft of jet black hair at his nape. "You're so shy," he coos.

"Shy..." Mile sniffs in mock disdain. "I'll have you know I'm an animal in bed."

"Oh, yes. Yes you are. A samoyed." Apo grins. Then his face softens and he noses into Mile's ear. Thumbs at the corner of Mile's curved lips. "I love you, my shy samoyed."

Mile exudes confidence, but inwardly he's still the awkward, shy, chubby boy who loved math and didn't have the courage to talk to anyone pretty. He never would've imagined he'd be with someone as gorgeous as Apo. Apo looks like a fucking wet dream. Even prettier up close.

"I guess I am a bit shy. I have been wanting to tell you some things... Some of them may be a little too dirty. I hope you don't mind."

"Fucking adorable." Apo smirks. "I love shy masculine guys."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. The type that're all quiet and reserved until they're pinning you against the wall... That's my type."

Apo leans in and connects their lips in a kiss that tastes like strawberry lipgloss. "When I caught you staring at the gym...and you flushed the prettiest shade of pink, even as you were lifting those weights like a big, manly man..." he grinds sensually on Mile's clothed crotch. "I wanted to get dicked down by you in the gym locker room...so bad... But you were too shy and clueless to pick up what I was putting down."

"We're going to have to recreate that. Only this time with a happy ending." Mile cups Apo's face and kisses those plush, delectable lips, hard. He wants to kiss Apo and never come up for air.

But all too soon, Apo pulls away and lifts his shirt up teasingly. "Ready for the show?"

"Yes, please."

"If you're just going to sit there and watch, at least make it worth my while." Apo strikes a pose, playfully seductive. "How much are you willing to pay, big boy?"

"You can have everything I'm worth," Mile breathes.

Apo shoves his chest and Mile falls back onto the bed.

And the show begins.

Mile's playful little kitten - the Apo who belts out lyrics to nonexistent songs and talks to himself and plays with his food - turns into a devious hellcat at night. Mile still can't believe this is the same man who once told him celibacy is good for the spirit.

Apo's movements are filthy and uninhibited, laced with the same confidence that has made him so popular with the fans. He can do anything and he knows he'll look good doing it.

Apo's body twists and curves as he sheds his clothing. The way he fists his own hair is so hot that Mile hears himself groan out loud. He loses himself in the slow, hypnotic, rhythmic movements of Apo's hips.

By the time Apo's fingers slip under the waistband of his briefs, Mile is fighting to breathe.

"Enough, just come here, baby." Mile's throat is hoarse with unbridled passion.

Apo steps between Mile's legs and runs his hand through Mile's hair. "I want you," he bemoans.

Mile pulls him down until the younger man is straddling his lap.

"So hot, so good for me..." He mutters between kisses to Apo's neck.

Gripping Apo's waist possessively, Mile rolls Apo onto his back and climbs on top of him. He captures Apo's upper lip to gently suck and lick at the soft skin. Their lips brush, gently at first and then with increasing desperation. Apo's fingers roam over Mile's chest, lingering at the opening of Mile's shirt. Mile likes this shirt, so he whips it over his head before Apo can rip it apart.

He licks over Apo's perfect teeth. This time, Mile kisses Apo with his eyes open. He wants to see everything, even as he swallows each wanton sound Apo makes. He brings his fingers up to Apo's mouth and traces its outline.

"Such perfect, pink cock-sucking lips..."

"The mouth on you, my shy samoyed," Apo whispers. He sinks his teeth into his lower lip. "Point taken, though."

Mile huffs a breathless laugh when Apo pushes Mile onto his back. He makes quick work of freeing Mile Junior from his cotton prison and engulfing him in the warm, wet confines of his mouth.

Just the sight of that beautiful face and those gorgeous, supple lips wrapped around him is enough to drive Mile to the edge.

Like with everything else, Apo takes to the task without pretence, efficient and direct almost to the point of being impatient.

Mile's eyes roll back with bliss, seeing stars. He can't be sure, but he thinks Apo is taking him an extra inch deeper than before.

The little victory reminds him that just learning to be together is an adventure. He likes exploring with Apo. It's an honor, a privilege.

Apo's skill has improved significantly. He's a fast learner. As his tongue works with reckless abandon, his stubbled chin glances off Mile's skin, hair brushing against Mile's thighs, tickling.

Apo lifts off to give Mile a slow, sensual lick from root to tip. Mile's leg gives an involuntary jerk.

His voice, calling Apo's name, comes out wrecked as Apo does his absolute damnedest to render him speechless.

"What's the matter, cat's tongue got your dick?"

Mile is pretty sure that's not how the expression goes, but Apo's mouth makes him forget. He can't even remember his name or the day of the week. He is on the brink of collapse.

Apo milks him dry, wringing every last drop with his hands and mouth, until Mile is begging him to stop.

Mile flips him over cleanly.

"Oh, no no no," Apo protests. "Not here." Apo prefers doing it everywhere but the bed. Bathrooms, hotel walls, even Mile's car. It's fitting. He has a limited attention span, always losing his train of thought, and his sexual proclivities align with that need for constant change. He always wanted to be adventurous during their touring days, preferring to mess around in dressing rooms and group vans, feeding off the disgusted, knowing looks. Meanwhile, Mile is more worried about their careers, and being able to look their friends in the eye. He's the one who proposed they refrain from intimacy a few days before special events, to avoid their hickeys being plastered all over social media.

Mile rises from the bed, Apo's legs cinched around his waist. He walks forward blindly, stopping to passionately kiss Apo on every surface they encounter. Apo's hair is askew from Mile's fist buried in it, yanking his head back to tongue at his sinful throat.

They wind up at the hotel room balcony, Apo's back pressed against the glass. He hisses from the chill. Mile feels at home between these long, caramel legs. Strong thighs wrap around his shoulders in a secure hold while he goes to town. He lavishes Apo's skin with kisses and bites, a buffet to Mile's lips and tongue, not even feeling the strain in his back.

The way Apo is crying out won't do. They're going to have security barging in here in a minute if it doesn't stop. He plasters his hand over Apo's mouth.

Mile has acquired the special skill of making Apo come undone, and works him expertly until Apo cries his release in front of all of Soeul.

•••

Mile comes up behind Apo in the hotel bathroom while Apo shaves. He kisses Apo's neck while his morning music plays in the background.

"If you make me nick myself, I'm slitting your throat with this," Apo mutters wryly.

He notices Mile wince in the mirror as he rinses his hands.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just... I'm not twenty anymore. Hell, I'm not even thirty anymore."

"Okay, I'm worried about you now." Apo reverses their positions. He rubs Mile's sore shoulders like a good husband, kissing his neck. "Is that better?"

"Better. Listen... You know I love the outfits you planned for today, but I think it's a bit much. I think we should wear something different."

Apo smiles broadly.

"And I think we shouldn't. Whatever shall we do?"

Into the outfit Mile goes.

Back in bed, they trade sweet, languid kisses while catching up on social media and waiting for Pond, Gift and Mos to finish getting ready.

"My feet are cold," Apo complains, "can you rub them?"

"For sure, baby."

They have a litany of plans for their vacation. Flower shops and restaurants and guitar stores and just ambling around the city, exploring.

This time, Mile is there to observe Apo interacting with art firsthand. He stands in the background, watching him and taking notes on what he likes, ready to start a bidding war if need be. Pond looks at Mile looking at Apo looking at art, and snaps a picture.

"Art looking at art looking at art," Pond mutters.

"What was that?" Mile hums, turning around.

"Nothing."

It will never cease to amaze Mile how normal Apo acts around him in public, after having Mile's dick in his throat. He's a good actor. Their behavior in public is perfectly inconspicuous. They are, after all, two mature, adult men. They don't have to hold hands and make love-eyes at each other every minute they're together, not in public. Mile's female dates used to insist on the PDA, even though it wasn't his style, and throw a tantrum if Mile opted for discretion.

Every day with Apo, loving him in private, is like a fairytale. Mile doesn't want to do anything to spoil it, say anything that could take a needle to the balloon of his euphoria. 

But on days like today, he can't resist saying something. They are private, yes, but his love for Apo isn't a secret. There is a difference between the two, a delicate balance between expressing that love and trumpeting it.

So when they stop to consult their map, Mile takes the opportunity to post a picture from their walk to his story, nearly identical to the one Apo just posted, with a romantic song.

Mile worries briefly that the song is too much. But only one of his millions of followers could possibly understand what he's trying to say, and Mile has stopped expecting, or hoping, that he'll get a direct acknowledgement from him, ever.

Apo notices Mile roll his shoulder absently.

"Let me carry your bag," he insists when they resume walking.

"Thanks, baby."

Apo takes the bag and puts his arm around Mile's shoulders while Pond gawks behind them. "Okay, let's go. Remember the budget." Budgeting is Mile's responsibility since, as Apo himself has admitted in a past interview, Apo tends to just wander aimlessly around everywhere he wants to go and spend money randomly.

"Budget-smudget," Apo grins dismissively.

Mile sighs.

"I hope my wallet recovers from this..."

"From what?"

"From - you." Mile waves vaguely in his direction.

"You will never recover from me, Phakphum," Apo laughs, slinging an arm around Mile's shoulders. "Not financially or emotionally."

"It's highly likely that I won't."

The truth is that he hasn't yet hit an amount he isn't willing to spend for Apo.

The leggy love of Mile's life walks extremely fast, pointing at everything he sees and saying, "I wanna buy this."

If Mile replies with "You have that at home, baby," he is met with wheedling and puppy dog eyes.

"Look, a pharmacy." Apo points up ahead to the building across the street with the red plus sign. "Let's get something for your back pain."

"I'm not a grandpa," Mile scowls. "I'll be fine."

"I was thinking maybe we could also try something new," Apo coaxes in a sultry voice. "Something that will require lube..."

He should have led with that. Mile books it.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"I got it," Apo crows in triumph, not very quietly. "Take a wild guess what flavor." He dangles it in Mile's face. "That's right. CHERRY!"

"Ohmygod, stop talking." Mile is mortified.

It's clear from the way the cashier blushes when ringing up their pain meds and lube that she doesn't normally get such unabashed clientele.

"Do you think everyone can tell that I got my back blown out last night just by seeing me walk?" Mile frets when they're back on the street. "The woman back there just winked at me."

Apo tips his cowboy hat with a smirk.

"I think it might have more to do with the way we're dressed."

•••

Apo emerges from the bathroom after what has felt like half a century for Mile. His nighttime routine includes five minutes of brushing his teeth, tongue scraper and all. His brushing is so thorough that, every time he goes to the dentist, he has to get a procedure done to fix his receding gums.

"We are not to be disturbed unless it's an emergency," Mile instructs their security detail. "And I mean emergency."

"Take your pain meds, grandpa," Apo taunts, sitting on the edge of the bed where Mile lounges.

"Go fuck yourself," Mile huffs, throwing an arm over his forehead.

"Fuck me yourself, you coward."

Mile's eyes reopen. He hesitates for a moment.

"You won't enjoy it, Apo." He sits up slowly. "I don't even want to pull your hair, anything that'll hurt you... It's just - it's not like that, with you."

"What do you mean?" Apo narrows his eyes. "Are you saying you just aren't attracted to me? Am I not hot enough for rough, kinky sex? Too cute?"

Mile sighs, kneads his temples. How can such a brilliant man be so dense?

"You're the most beautiful thing that ever breathed." Mile feels the abrupt need to tell him he's exquisite, that he's perfect in every way, but for the life of him, cannot emit the words. "Are you seriously insecure?"

"Of course not." Apo snorts. "I'm in bed with Mile Phakphum Romsaithong." He flashes his signature cocky grin, which slips into a lopsided smirk. "If you're too chicken to fuck me, then let me fuck you."

Mile's eyes widen.

"What?" That hadn't even occurred to Mile. Leave it to Apo to think outside the heteronormative box and challenge their prescribed roles.

"Why're you so surprised?" Apo's voice is husky. "I have the same instincts as you, Mile. When I see something pretty, I wanna fuck it." He leans in, thumbs Mile's cheekbones. "And you're utterly gorgeous."

Mile's jaw tightens. He has tried a lot of different things in bed. The one thing he has never done is given up control.

Apo shoves him onto his back and straddles his hips.

"You like this, big guy?" Mile doesn't hate this. He doesn't.

But he finds himself reversing their positions instinctually, pinning Apo back on the bed.

Apo sighs. "Well... Only one way to settle this."

They've reached a stalemate. Apo stares at him intently, one fist outstretched. "Rock paper scissors."

Mile climbs off him.

"No need." He lays his hand gently on Apo's. "You know I'll just let you win. You can do what ever you want to me and I'll love it; you've always known that."

Apo's face softens. He seems genuinely touched.

"Are you sure? You're not gonna have some huge crisis over it?"

"Why would I have a crisis?"

"Because you're straight, Mile. Yeah, I asked around, okay? All your friends told me the same thing. You've only ever been with women. A straight, rich player. You like me for my feminine beauty, and the possibility of fucking me like a woman."

Mile can only laugh.

"I don't even know where to begin explaining everything wrong with what you just said. Whoever you talked to, they don't know the real me, and neither do you if you honestly believe them." It pains him to suggest it.

But it is clear to him now that they aren't ready for this.

He lays a hand gently on Apo's thigh. "Let's just...put a pause on this for now, okay? We'll talk about this again soon."

It's probably for the best. A long discussion needs to happen before they go all the way. If they tangle together now, it will ruin Mile for anyone else, and unless it's the same for Apo, that isn't fair.

"Okay." Apo looks downcast but hopeful. He's just insecure, wants Mile to give him a chance before running back to his girls. He doesn't understand.

"Just...I love you. Okay?"

"I love you too," Apo whispers back. He pulls Mile into a tender kiss.

Apo takes him by the hand and pulls him from the bed. They stumble out of the elevator, hands laced together, giggling as through drunk. Mile doesn't ask where they're going, just follows him out of the hotel and into the night. Their bodyguards follow, until Apo gestures for them to remain where they are.

Apo has taken him to a secluded spot with a gorgeous view of Seoul's night skyline. Mile shivers, the night air chilly, and pulls Apo closer.

They sit side-by-side, pressed flush together.

"Look at the moon." Apo smiles dreamily, leans his head on Mile's shoulder. He inserts his hand into Mile's sweater to warm it. Neither feels the need to talk, not tonight. Not just yet.