The DTAC photo books are out. The relaxed summer photoshoot was fun and romantic for Mile and Apo. Mile thinks he might honestly get some of the pictures framed. All they need now is a shared house to put them up in.

THC winds down with a special event on July 1. Mile and Apo wear matching cowboy shirts under leather jackets. Couple outfits is their love language. Together always is their motto.

Mile sings. He looks at Apo during while singing "I never told anyone that I loved, just having only you." Apo nods his head. He's had his hands up, doing little dances, recording with his phone, hyping Mile up as usual.

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During the after-party, Mile follows Apo around everywhere, just like Apo complained to Woody on stage. The one time he takes his attention off Apo to talk to a female crew member, he regrets it. Jealous Apo starts aggressively patting - or smacking - Mile on the back to regain his attention.

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•••

Mile and Apo have a Srichand tea party live event on July 3. Three days later, they've got a Hello Engfa interview followed by a promotional event for Man Suang.

"There you go. That's it." Apo unbuttons Mile's dress shirt a bit more. "Get that heaving bosom on display."

Apo gazes in awe up at Engfa as she attempts to make her way down the stairs blindly for comedic purposes. Looking at Apo, Mile finds himself hoping she trips. He hates what Apo has turned him into.

"I wasn't staring at her for that reason," Apo explains later in the car, without being asked. "I admire how open she is about being attracted to women."

"Oh." Now Mile feels like a jackass.

Following the interview, Mile and Apo visit a pottery workshop and ceramics store called Charm-Learn Studio. As part of movie promotion, they're designing and conceptualizing art exhibits and drink menus in the historic trading neighbourhood of Song Wat.

But Apo loves art and shopping, so it's also a perfect date destination. There's a solo exhibition opening in two days, PATH, and Apo is beguiled by it. Artist Chanchai Boriboon himself shows them around. Mile can't help likening the trip to wedding shopping, as though each piece Apo points out to him is a potential candidate for their new home.

Then there's dinner at POTONG, a historic, progressive Thai-Chinese restaurant. It's also the only Michelin-star restaurant in the area. Chef Pam is one of Thailand's most innovative chefs, helping put Bangkok on the fine-dining map.

Mile always lets Apo drink or eat first. He passes a forkful of everything on their table to Apo.

"Thank you," Apo says when handed his favorite dish of watermelon dried fish.

"Of course, princess." Mile winks.

Apo moans under his breath after every single bite, and it drives Mile crazy.

As bartending and cocktail lovers, Mile and Apo are looking for the best menu for Man Suang at the Opium Bar. Only they can appreciate the aesthetic beauty of the cocktails they are served, and post the most beautiful ones to their Instagram stories.

Mile slings back a shot and shudders. "Of all people... Why Pond?!"

"It still bothers you, doesn't it?"

"Fuck yeah it does! I've hung out with you like sixteen times as much as he has. How could anyone think he's closer to you than I am?"

"Just let it go."

Mile shoots his drink back with a sigh. "Slow down." Apo places a hand on his arm. "It's meant to be savoured."

"Sorry. I guess I'm still just stressed."

"Relax. You've worked hard. It's time to unwind."

Drinking from the same cup and eating from the same plate is another part of their love language.

They wind down their luxurious late night dinner, both drunk on expensive whiskey and full of delicious food, relaxed after the perfect date.

Two days later, the new voiceover for the Man Suang trailer is released. A cute Twitter exchange between Mile and Apo follows.

On July 9, Apo starts a Threads account and posts pictures of him posing with a cat. He uses the sun emoji because Mile has convinced him that he is pure sunshine in human form. Mile has been counting down the days since Instagram rolled out the feature until Apo got it. Apo, ever the curious and social butterfly, was bound to take the bait. Mile is older, more reserved, and skeptical of the new app. He doesn't think he needs another chatting app on his phone. And he doesn't want to get it just for the sake of fitting in. But Apo can't be alone on the platform.

So, Mile gets Threads the next day.

•••

Mile and Apo go on a date a few days later. It's not exactly a proper date, given that it takes place at Mile's condo. But he brings out his nicest, antique plates and cooks for Apo, so the effort is there.

Mile stares down at his cookbook in consternation, sleeves rolled up, glasses slipping down his nose. Meanwhile, Apo makes his specialty cofftails and teases Chef Mile.

Breakfast is a clumsy mess of egg on a crepe, wrapped around a sausage, but Apo moans around every bite.

And, of course, no date with Apo is complete without water. Today, their destination is the Tha Chin River in the Nakhon Pathom area, a river that separates from the Chao Phraya River at Tambon Tha Sung, at the mouth of Khlong Makham Thao. Therefore, the river is called the Makham Thao Canal and turns into a separate river that flows to connect with the Chao Phraya River - or, as Mile and Apo call it, The River.

And then they have to part.

Apo is in business attire when spotted by fans because he has a meeting with May, a BOC artist manager. She posts a picture of their drinks to her Instagram story and Apo reposts. They are discussing the details of their upcoming business trip to China.

That night, Mile puts on Potato Band and Yers concerts and they cuddle under the covers. He'll be seeing them live soon. He uploads videos to Instagram not realizing both he and Apo are kicking their feet. Oh well.

They chat idly about acting as a profession. As of tomorrow, the Screen Actors Guild officially goes on strike alongside the Writes Guild of America. The strike is in response to many issues, one of which is an AI proposal offered to SAG by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers which proposed that background performers should be able to be scanned, get paid for one day's pay, and their company should own that scan, their image, their likeness, and to be able to use it for the rest of eternity in any project they want, with no consent and no compensation. Apo has a lot to say. Mile is content to sit and listen to his vocal lover rant.

On July 16, Mile and Apo are at a concert at the Impact Arena again. It hits different because they used to perform on that very stage. The annual concert of the PTT shareholders is fun as always. Mile can't remember how many years he's been attending.

They are subtle, careful not to be spotted together. Yesterday, Apo wore a pair of socks gifted to Mile at a suit fitting for their upcoming press conference, and uploaded a picture to his Instagram story. Within minutes, everyone knew about the origin of the socks. Their fans should be hired by the CIA.

The parking lot was much less of a headache this time, though it helps that he leaves a bit early. Apo follows him fifteen minutes later.

The next day, Mile receives a call from Pond over breakfast. He leaves Apo to take it, wiping his mouth of crumbs.

"Mile...it's about Build," Pond sighs. "I wanted you to hear it from me-"

"Again with him? I thought we fired him."

"This is...different."

"And you want me to do something about it? Pond, a silent partner is supposed to be silent."

"Mile, it involves Apo."

Mile sits down.

"Alright, hit me."

Pond goes on to explain about the leaked text messages between Build and Poi. It's bad, a veritable nightmare of a scandal. He attacks Bible, Jeff, Barcode, Nodt, Bas...and Apo.

Mile inhales sharply. "And you've read these messages?"

"A few of the others have read them too. I'm just so fucking frustrated, man..."

"Tell me about it. The third drama in like a year? I told you he was a liability."

"I think we should call a company meeting and talk about this with everyone involved in those messages."

"Okay," Mile is swift to agree, nodding grimly. "Make sure Build is there."

•••

Pond lays into Build at the meeting.

"You degraded your coworkers. You went after them as actors, insulted their looks and abilities..."

Even Apo, Mile thinks, outraged. What has Apo ever done to anyone? He should be cherished and worshipped. He deserves only good things to happen to him.

"I'd like to talk after this meeting," Mile says suddenly, the words coming out of him without conscious thought and that's not really who Mile is; Mile does everything with conscious thought. "One-on-one."

The actors linger around the table after the meeting, too stunned to leave, talking amongst themselves in hushed voices.

Build has publicly apologized to his former co-workers and fans via Twitter, for the abuse and ridiculing of Bible and Apo. He owns up to his guilt and expresses his regret, stating that he privately apologized to every party involved.

Apo did not reply to the message.

The betrayal must sting; Mile sympathizes. Apo defended him. Apo was there for him. And Build stabbed him in the back in such a publicly humiliating way.

A tear slips down Apo's cheek. Mile sees his wobbly finger hovering over the Unfollow button on Build's Instagram profile. Mile takes his other hand, opens his own Instagram app, and they unfollow Build at exactly the same time.

When the other actors have left the room, Mile confronts Build. He closes the door behind him, barring the only exit, and advances slowly.

"So you've been talking shit about Apo," he murmurs darkly.

"I-I already apologized. I wasn't being serious-"

"See, the thing is, I took it seriously. You made Apo sad - and that's a grave mistake."

"What are you going to do? You already fired me."

"Technically, I made you resign. But I can do a lot worse. And if you don't think I will, come closer and look into my eyes. I'm sick of all your drama." He approaches Build until they're nose to nose. "For some reason, I never liked you. I should trust my intuition more. I knew you were poison and that's why I made the unpopular decision to vote for your dismissal. I fought with Apo because of you - and, trust me, our relationship has enough problems without you."

"None of this was my fault-"

"You can pin your ex as the root of all your problems, whatever helps you sleep at night, but it was still your decision to date her. See, it all comes back to you. You hurt Apo. So now you're dead to me. And I'm going to make sure Be On Cloud as a company forgets your name."

Mile doesn't take excommunicating people lightly. Every decision he makes is thought out and mature.

"You may or may not have noticed that Apo and I unfollowed you on social media. He told me I didn't have to get involved just for his sake. After all, you didn't have the balls to say anything about me. But I'm here to tell you in person that whatever involves Apo involves me."

Mile holds up his phone. "I'm pretty generous with my follows. I follow more than five thousand people, most of which I don't even give a shit about... But I cannot bear to follow you. Let that sink in."

He makes a show of blocking Build entirely, then points a finger in the man's face. "Stay away from Apo. Keep his name out of your mouth. Don't even type it out. If you do, we're going to have worse problems. Understand?"

"I-"

"You and your fans have had it out for Apo, don't think I'm not aware of that. I know you're all jealous. But none of you will ever be him. He's Apo Nattawin Wattanagitiphat, and I've already forgotten your name."

With that, Mile leaves the room.

•••

July 18 is a dark day for Mile. Pond invited him to Tomorrowland two weeks ago, a large-scale annual electronic dance music festival held at De Schorre provincial recreational park in Boom, Belgium. Since it will also be Mos' birthday soon, Mos, Pond, Gift and other BOC staff come together for the trip. Mile is thrilled because he's wanted to attend Tomorrowland for some time, and didn't think he'd get the chance. It also facilitates Guerlain and L'Officiel Hommes work.

But, meanwhile, their Chinese friends invited Apo to China.

It's a little scary how fans already know where he's going and even what hotel he's staying at. He's tried to keep this under wraps but he's always been torn between personal safety and getting to interact with his fans. Mile is convinced that Apo doesn't take himself seriously enough. Mile's bodyguard is paid to guard Apo when Mile isn't there. Apo declines this time. He goes to the airport alone, no makeup, brandishing sunspot-dusted cheekbones and the occasional blemish. He's still the most beautiful thing ever seen.

Meanwhile, Mile is going to Belgium. Although Pond invited everyone - including Apo - to Tomorrowland weekend, Apo declined.

"I'm not going anywhere with Pond right now. Not until this bullshit dies down."

Mile is sure it's just a fringe minority that believes he and Pond are actually dating, but Apo doesn't care. The rumors have successfully fucked up their friendship. Plus, the guys in China extended a courtesy to him. It's a great opportunity to get to know the people, culture, and environment more, figure out if he can actually work there.

When Mile begged him to stay, Apo laughed. Mile, it's like a week. A week. Relax. You're always such a big baby about these things.

If they have to be apart anyway, they may as well travel at the same time to minimize the amount of time they need to be apart.

It isn't easy. Apo has become engrained in every aspect of Mile's life. Mile can longer find satisfaction in anything by himself.

Before they parted ways, Mile made sure Apo was wearing his ring necklace. It's a perfect replica of his own, something he gave Apo roughly a year ago. Apo wears his on a chain so it isn't too obvious, right over his heart.

Apo has also given Mile something to remember him by. Back in a 2022 Vogue interview, they played What is in your bag? Apo showed the camera the lip balm he'd worn throughout the filming of KinnPorsche. So it has nothing to do with sentimental values or memories? Mile had teased him. Apo had been wearing it during all of their kisses. Apo just laughed the question off. In February, Apo lost the lip balm, and was broken-hearted for several days. Now, it goes with Mile to Europe.

Twitter, Instagram and Line are restricted in China, so Apo uses Weibo to communicate with the world. Mile feels left in the lurch, desperate for a way to reach across the dark chasm between them.

He only writes GN on Weibo now, and also likes all of Apo's Weibo posts.

Mile is in Brussels for the 21st of July, the country's National Day. From 10 AM, there is a big popular feast between the Parc de Bruxelles and the Place Poelaert.

Meanwhile, Apo is at the SLEEP NO MORE immersive drama experience at the Shanghai Mckinnon Hotel. The hotel is the setting of the story itself; you can walk around in it, and each actor carries out their performance around you. The main story branches off into several side stories.

They get to enjoy their vacation for two days, and then, on July 23, Pond once again has to deal with drama on his Instagram post. One fan summarizes everyone's sentiments, and Pond awards the comment with a Like.

Mile misses Apo. He hasn't posted to Twitter since July 16; there's no point, if Apo can't read it.

Two days later, Mile is in Paris for Guerlain, staying at the gorgeous Maison Guerlain Champs Élysées.

Apo is back in Thailand on July 25, so Mile finally posts to Twitter. He's missing Apo too much to worry about subtlety.

On the 27th, Mile does an Instagram livestream with Pond. The lipstick Mile mentions is KISSKISS BEE GLOW, valued at 1,650 baht. It contains honey and other natural ingredients, and helps restore natural lip color. Mile buys it for Apo, already envisioning applying it to Apo's lips himself, then kissing and licking it off slowly in silky sheets.

In addition to his Guerlain work, Mile is also in Paris for a L'Officiel Hommes Thailand photoshoot. He doesn't like doing these without Apo. Apo is the one who always hypes him up to the fucking stratosphere.

On July 28, he is finally on his way home, excited to see Apo again.

Video-chatting doesn't compare to the real thing. Apo's effervescent presence has been sorely lacking from Mile's life. Mile has realized that it wasn't the tourist attractions themselves that always made travelling so fun; it was his companion's bubbly, curious, childlike personality. Without Apo, Mile has been bored out of his skull in Europe.

Mile makes a romantic gesture for their reunion, giving Apo the lipstick over a lobster dinner.

He posts some shots from Paris from their bed, Apo's scent and lipstick all over him.

It still makes his heart flutter when Apo comments on his posts, though Mile doesn't let it show.

On August 1, they receive a sample of their new Srichand and Man Suang co-branded gift box.

They celebrate the next day with dinner, and are spotted by Thai fans.

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"What if we moved to New York?" Apo suggests.

"New York? Why?"

"The last time I was there, I was getting hit on by women left and right. So eventually I snapped and told one, I'm gay. She said: You're living in the right city then. And that got me thinking..."

Apo looks up at Mile. "We could be happy there, together." He's right. It's not just that they can't get married here; if they were openly out, they wouldn't even be legally allowed to donate blood.

"I never would've thought..." Mile chokes up a little. "I didn't think you'd want that."

Apo rolls his eyes. "I never asked... Are you...actually gay, or..?"

"Bodies are bodies," Apo shrugs. "They can feel good or not so good. I don't have a preference."

•••

In an exclusive Deep Talk interview, Mile and Apo talk to Ttkomkit Lamjeack about soft power and Man Suang. They talk about how most people still don't accept BL, how it's a generational thing. Apo explains that Khem loves himself but can't express himself freely or come out, because of the time period. Apo once against asserts that he never thought of himself as abnormal.

"So you just...elevate how you see genders," Lamjeack tries to understand.

Mile watches Apo affirming this and wishes he were braver. He isn't sure if he's just private or a coward.

"I don't want a BL series to be one of the film genres," Mile tells Lamjeack about Man Suang. "There's more to it than that. By saying it's a BL film, you create expectations. It changes what you expect from the film."

Apo adds: "I always tell myself that it's not normal to classify - WLW, MLM, whatever. If we just see it naturally, anything is possible. People living together just want to develop their relationships. I see it as a couple wanting to develop their relationship. Every step I take, I don't judge if it's weird or not."

Apo styled Mile today, with dramatically rolled up jeans like the ones he wore during the Filmania KinnPorsche promotion period, and a shirt Apo received as a birthday gift from his fans.

This is, of course, nothing new for them.

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The next day, August 3, they have another interview. They're talking to Brandthink Cinema about their favorite films. Prior to the interview, Mile and Apo tease each other in front of the camera; Mile kicks Apo's stool and accidentally makes him fall, then sits him on his lap, soothing him with comforting motions. He was expecting the stool to be stronger, or maybe for Apo to weigh more, he's not sure. Regardless, this is not how he intended to break Apo's back.

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They also shoot with World Y. Apo wants to try drag and lets that slip, piquing Mile's interest. He'd fucking love to see it. Apo looked so beautiful as Khem, in full makeup and dance costume. Mile knows he would rock it.

They reveal they are finally able to rate their level of intimacy a 10/10 - no, more than 10/10. In the beginning, it was only 8.5/10 - because Apo said that this was the maximum intimacy he would reach with someone. No one but himself could know him better than that. Plus, Mile could not, for the love of all things holy, figure out how Apo really felt about him. They were at an impasse, both too scared and shy to communicate their deepest thoughts and feelings. Then, a few months later, they increased their rating to 9/10 and now, after Paris, here they are.

Mile talks about his sugar daddy tendencies, while Apo giggles in the background. He isn't about to give away Apo's identity as his principal beneficiary, but he does make sure to use gender neutral terms.

The following day, Pond posts a promotional picture of Mile.

"Damn, you look so cute here," Apo gushes. "Look at those calf muscles! I'm posting this."

Mile sighs.

"Of course you are." He wishes he loved his own image as much as Apo does.

•••

Mile, Apo, and Pond attend the Cocktail Classics symphony orchestra concert, a black tie event. Apo met the lead singer, Ohm, at GMM Grammy when Mile was in Japan with his mom back in May. The original soundtrack for the movie is composed by Cocktail, Mile's favorite band since childhood. He especially loves the song "Didn't come from the sky" and has been following the group for more than 20 years. Mile cannot wait to hear the full song, especially in the movie. He got Slot Machine to do the KinnPorsche OST and now he's done it again, securing the deal with Cocktail.

They are spotted by fans, with which they take pictures, and Apo fusses over Mile the entire night, telling him over and over again how handsome he looks.

Mile sits next to Apo to watch the concert. Little do they know as they're holding hands and whispering to each other that a fan seated in the row behind them is tweeting about their every interaction.

Fans ask Pond online about Apo fixing Mile's collar and Pond explains that it's a normal, everyday occurrence for them.

Mile posts from the event the next day, including a shot of Apo's back.

•••

It's August 6, with less than twenty days to go until the film release. Mile has been posting all the character cards in his Instagram story as they are revealed. Apo only posts one.

Mile and Apo have another Gangnam Live event, during which Mile does not hesitate to give Apo his water to drink out of before realizing Apo has his own.

"If you like someone," their interviewer asks, "you'd like to be with them all the time, right?"

Mile glances instinctively at Apo.

Apo grins, "of course."

"Do you have any plans to travel together?" they are asked next.

It's pretty clear what the interviewer is getting at.

"Why don't you just ask us which day we didn't meet?" Apo suggests, implying that they meet every day.

Mile sings cutely and Apo appears utterly delighted, thrilled, and charmed by it. The way he laughs resembles a car engine starting up; Mile loves it.

Apo calls Mile handsome for the umpteenth time. They're having so much fun that the event is over sooner than they'd like.

But it's alright because they have another interview with MonoEntertain on August 7, first a joint panel with Mile and Apo and then, after an outfit change, another one with Bas and Tong.

They're so busy that Mile is once again finding it difficult to fit in intimacy with Apo. Most days, it's just a hurried crash of lips and teeth in between events, hands fighting their way past belts and buttons and zippers into the confines of the other's pants. Most nights, they're too tired to do anything but sleep, and he's worried.

Pond senses Mile's stress. He posts about Mile to Instagram, praising him as a hard worker, and Mile likes a comment on the post which - correctly - refers to Apo as "his person."

In fact, Mile can't think of a better way to describe who Apo is to him.