Chapter Text
Earth couldn't understand the nervous excitement that had accompanied him all day, making him unable to eat but a few bites at lunch.
Maybe it was because he didn't know who he was meeting and couldn't create a pitch that would suit their brand and company. He had never felt so unprepared.
His hands sweaty, he felt for the card Mix had given him in his jacket pocket for the nth time, just to make sure it was there.
Earth had been a little skeptical until Mook, the hostess at the lounge, had called Mix "Boss".
He had wondered at the polished mannerisms of the young bartender, but then it had made sense.
As he approached Illuminate, there was a line already rounding the corner of his street and his mind swam as he heard the words, "3cm Baby", peppered into the squeals and conversations around him.
There was no way- How would he even have known?
His throat tight, Earth couldn't bring himself to ask anyone the question circling in his head, 'Is 3cm Baby playing here tonight?'
He stumbled up to the bouncer who eyed him cautiously before he produced the card Mix had given him.
The large man glanced at the card and at him quickly before asking him to wait. The man then nodded at the door of the club, which opened immediately to allow a slender, older man to exit. The dark windows of the club made it impossible to see that he had been there waiting for Earth's arrival.
"Khun, please follow me," the man instructed, and Earth was led inside, down a corridor, and up a set of narrow stairs.
The man opened another door leading to a gallery lounge that would have been barely visible from the main floor.
Standing at the railing, he had a clear view of the clubbers, the bar, and DJ booth below which was fairly bare with minimal seating and a concrete floor. In contrast, the upper gallery was carpeted and furnished with an ample amount of ornate seating, including a plush swing that was occupied by three women sharing a laugh, one of whom he thought looked familiar but could not place.
Looking around, he realized he had been invited into the VIP area as he recognized some faces from Instagram, television, and magazines. One had been looking straight at him and he blinked in surprise when their eyes met.
It was the owner of Mekong Records, the first label that had rejected him outright earlier that week. Although he had barely glanced at Earth during the meeting, allowing the head producer to talk, he clearly recognized him. Earth gave a brief wai which was returned this time before the other man whispered something to his companion- a slim woman with high cheekbones and strong, arched eyebrows. He recognized her as the actress playing the antagonist on a lakorn that he had seen the ad for behind a tuk-tuk last month. She eyed him with interest and he felt a sense of unease start to creep up.
The change in music from below saved him as he turned back to the railing he had been standing at, only to see 3cm Baby setting up his system as the crowd started to cheer.
The clubbers jumped and danced before shouting out suggestions as 3cm Baby started involving them in the process. Earth could feel the music reverberate through the metal of the railing and thrum into his body, making him feel like his heart was beating in tune with the track.
Lost in the show, just as Earth realized an hour had gone by and no one had approached him, he detected the notes of a familiar tune. Then he heard the Ranat and the sound of shock that left his mouth was drowned out by his own composition. It was one of the demo tracks he had given Mix that night. The audience fell silent as they took in the sound of the classical instrument playing in a place so unfamiliar to it.
3cm Baby looked up at the viewers in the gallery as if he was searching for someone and then pointed the bow of his violin directly at Earth before joining in with the track, adding his own flavor. Earth could barely think, all the oxygen meant to enter his brain was in the breath caught within his chest as the cheers and screams of delight resounded once the music came to a halt.
The face below was more identifiable to him now. Just a few days ago, he had seen it clearly across the bar when the hair had been slicked back with gel. Mix was 3cm Baby. It was true that it was hard to recognize people when they were in a place you didn’t expect to see them.
Below, Mix had taken the microphone and informed the crowd that the composer of the song they had heard was an innovative Thai fusion artist who was among them tonight.
“TheEarth,” Mix said looking back up, their eyes locking, “I’d like to invite you down to join me in playing another one of your songs.” Earth watched as the younger man reached down and pulled up a case consisting of a Khlui and lifted it, offering it up as if it could just fly up to him in the gallery at will.
Earth nodded, knowing that he had been given the biggest chance of his life. His face burning, he took the stairs that directly connected the gallery to the main floor. One of the club staff opened the small gate at the bottom to let him through and then led him up to the DJ booth, the crowd parting for them automatically.
Mix- 3cm Baby grins at him in greeting and despite the nerves and feeling of bewilderment that has not yet left, he helplessly feels his own face split into a wide smile as he finally grasps the Khlui. No words are exchanged as they turn back to their audience and the music starts.
Their performance together is unpracticed, but he can hear Mix adjust seamlessly to his tune as he guides the music. And as unexpectedly as they had started, their performance came to an end. 3cm Baby closes out his concert as Earth is led to the back entrance by the bouncer and asked to wait.
This night is warm, reflecting the emotion taking form inside Earth's chest and he closes his eyes and leans against the wall of the club, allowing the breeze to brush across his face.
His hands are still shaking. They had started to as soon as the performance had ended - a comedown from the adrenaline that had fueled it.
It doesn’t take long before Mix exits from the same door, laptop bag and violin case slung over his body.
They stare at each other for a few seconds before they both start speaking simultaneously, immediately stopping to let the other continue.
Earth is struck by the awkward silence stretching between them that had not been present during their last conversation.
Now, the knowledge that Mix is 3cm Baby, that he had sat through Earth's drunken ramblings- a large part of which consisted of him extolling the virtues of the former, and the fact that they had just played together is in the forefront of his mind.
And Earth doesn't know what to do with it all.
His body makes the decision for him and the laugh that leaves him surprises him as much as it seems to Mix.
The bemused expression on the younger man's face changes to one of amusement as he joins Earth, caught by the contagion of his laughter. It's absurd and it's exhilarating, their mirth cutting through the sounds of the still vibrant nightlife.
It takes him a few minutes, but then, wiping his tears and through the gasps of air Earth is taking in an effort to calm himself, he finally wheezes out, "I'm sorry."
Mix just waves away the words, "I'm the one who should be apologizing. I just sprung this on you without telling you the truth about myself and I used your music without your permission."
"No!" His voice a little louder than he intended, Earth pulls himself back a bit, "No. This was amazing. You gave me an opportunity that any new musician could only dream of having. I…I just hope I did well enough."
"You were great. I-" Mix is cut off by Earth's cell phone and he takes it out to see the number of the producer of Mekong Records.
"You should take that," Mix tells him as he sees Earth pause for a beat.
Letting out a quick breath, Earth takes the call. It's short, to the point, and far more enthusiastic than anything he'd heard from the man previously. They may have a place for him after all and they'd like to meet again later in the week if Earth's availability allows.
Earth thanks him politely after confirming the appointment and he can feel Mix beaming from beside him.
"I was just going to say that you should expect these calls to start coming in, " Mix says as Earth hangs up and they start walking out of the alley towards the main streets.
"They're the ones who spoke against you previously, but I saw the owner at the club tonight"
"The larger companies are always the biggest hypocrites. They wanted me to sign with them before that, but I refused when they said they wanted the rights to license my software and use it for their other artists," Mix confesses wryly.
"That's bullshit!"
Mix shrugs before stopping and peering up at the taller man. "I need you to promise me something."
"Anything. I'll cancel the meeting with them if you want."
Mix chuckles, "No, that's not it. I need you to promise you won't tell anyone who I am. I took a big risk with you and now you are only the third person who knows the answer to "Who is 3cm Baby?", other than myself and my cousin."
"Your parents don't know?" Earth asks in surprise.
"Nope. They don't."
Earth can see the naked vulnerability on Mix's face and he hurts for the man who can't share the amazing things he has achieved with those who brought him into the world.
"I'll never tell another soul," Earth promises softly.
The solemnity in his tone startles a smile out of Mix, "It's not something you'll have to take to the grave or anything. I'll eventually have to make an announcement, I just don't want it leaking out before that."
"Thank you for trusting me," Earth says earnestly as they resume their walk and he's not even sure where they are going now anymore. He just really doesn't want to stop.
"I know you'll be a man in demand now, but before you sign with anyone, I'd like to throw my hat into the ring as well. I'm really interested in your music and I think we could work well together. Of course, you keep the masters to your music and we can talk about the details. But I just want you to take the time to think about if this would be something you would even be interested in."
"Are you kidding? I would be honored!"
"You should still hear out your other offers and figure out what's best for you. Talk to your family too. I'd feel more comfortable if you did and we can talk about it more then."
"Okay." Earth already knows his answer now but has a feeling that Mix will not accept it yet.
"I also wanted to ask…" The hesitation in Mix's voice makes Earth turn and he's never seen him look so unsure. The dependable bartender-Mix…the confident artist- 3cm Baby…they're both gone.
"What is it?" Earth asks gently. realizing it will take some coaxing.
Mix clears his throat softly, still looking away, "I know it's probably not appropriate given I just asked you to work with me and your answer won't change anything about that part. But I wanted to ask if you would be interested in getting to know each other a bit more…maybe have a drink or dinner, or…no pressure, if you're not interested, really…" he trails off before peeping up at Earth through his eyelashes.
Earth can't keep the grin off his face.
"I'd love to. Are we headed to your bar now?" He asks, realizing that they already seemed to be making their way there.
Mix looks up, "Shit! I didn't even realize we were walking this way. I'm so sorry, I didn't even ask where you live and I didn't mean we had to go now." He's all but flailing in panic and Earth is bewitched by the soft, pink cheeks deepening in embarrassment. It takes everything within him to not reach out and touch them. It's not the right time and he can't wait for when he doesn't have to stop himself.
"I don't live far. I meant to walk you wherever you were going anyway. But I'd like to have that drink today if you're still up to it."
Mix nods shyly and they continue in silence now with a destination in mind. Closer than they were before, their arms brushing softly against each other, they walk, heels clattering in harmony on the old cobblestoned path.