Work Text:
Mil grabbed the stuff for one of his models and wondered whether he would be able to get Phukong to do it with him. After the last time, Phukong had given him suspicious looks every time Mil had tried to bring up model building - something which Mil probably earned considering he had abandoned Phukong halfway through the last one. But if he sold it as Mil had to do the model anyway and it would eat up in their time together, he might at least get a helpful boyfriend on the side who would keep him company.
He pulled out his phone to text Phukong that he was done when someone stepped in his way. Mil went to swerve around them instinctively but looked up long enough to recognise the face.
"Ai'Mil." Earth smiled at him, the same sunny smile which had attracted Mil to him in the first place.
"Earth," Mil said. "Hi. What are you doing here?"
Earth laughed. "Not even a 'nice to see you, Earth?'," he teased and Mil managed a smile at his ex-boyfriend. Earth had always found his straightforward speech amusing until he didn't.
"It is nice to see you," Mil said carefully. He shifted the bag back onto his shoulder. "How have you been?"
"I've been doing well," Earth replied. "I did an accelerated course in Business which meant I could barely breathe during it but I managed to finish in two years."
Mil nodded as he tried to remember what Earth had said he wanted to do after uni. "Did you go into your dad's business?"
Earth gave him a pleased smile. "Yeah, I did. It's been hard work but compared to the degree, it's almost a breath of fresh air. What about you? Did you go into Sports Science like you wanted?"
"No, Architecture actually." Mil nodded at the surprise on Earth's face. Yeah, Mil's drawing skills had never been the best. But his eye was good. "When I went to the open day, I found myself really interested in it. Of course, they didn't mention how much work it would be." The two of them shared a laugh and then silence fell between them. "What are you doing here, Earth?"
"Ai'Mil." Earth ducked his head. "I wanted to - going into work means I've started to look back on other areas of my life. I haven't dated since we broke up. I didn't want to at first, and then there wasn't time for anything else but work. I didn't like how we ended things and I wanted to see if we could reconnect. Not back to how things were but something new and stronger."
Earth took hold of his hand and Mil was so surprised that he let him for a second before he pulled back.
"Ai'Earth," he said quietly. "You may not be dating anyone but I am. And I really like him." Earth looked heartbroken for a second, something Mil wished he never had to see again, before his face smoothed out.
"Does he really match up with you like I did?" Earth asked quietly. Mil had to bite back the instinctive reply that Phukong actually matched him better than Earth had ever done but that was just rubbing salt into a wound.
"Yes," he said instead.
"P'Mil!" Phukong's voice had Mil turning his attention away from ex to smile at his boyfriend coming closer. Phukong didn't look happy but he managed to smile at Mil as he came closer.
"N'Phukong," Mil said. He reached out with his hand in an instinctive gesture which Phukong returned. He slipped his hand into Mil's and something in his face lightened. Then he turned to look at Earth and his expression flattened a little. It made Mil feel like Phukong already knew who he was.
"I'm Phukong." He let go of Mil's hand to give Earth a wai but then went back to holding it in one fluid motion. Earth returned the greeting, though he looked shocked and more than a little uncomfortable.
"Earth. Mil and I used to know each other in high school," Earth said politely. He was kind enough not to tell Phukong that he was Mil's ex-boyfriend in case they hadn't talked about it yet, but it was a wasted effort on Phukong. Judging by the complete lack of surprise on his face, more satisfaction that his guess had been confirmed, Mil knew Phukong had definitely seen more of the conversation before he stepped in.
"Don't worry, he knows we used to date," Mil said. "Phukong is part of the Faculty of Architecture like me."
Phukong raises an eyebrow at him, maybe at his straightforward addressing of the issue hanging between them. Then he catches sight of the bag. "You got another model, P'Mil?"
Mil grinned at him. "I was hoping I could sweet-talk you into helping me with it."
"Only if you promise not to abandon me with it halfway through," Phukong replied. Mil was about to shoot back about any interruptions that happened would be well received by both of them when he remembered his ex-boyfriend watching this whole exchange. He glanced at Earth and then back at Phukong.
"Hey. Give me a few minutes?" He reached up and stroked the back of Phukong's head, the hair sliding easily through his fingers. Phukong gave him a look that said he knew exactly what Mil was doing and it was only working because Phukong allowed it.
"Sure. Do you want me to take the model bag?" Mil gladly off-loaded the bag to Phukong. Standing still with it had been more tiring than he thought. "I'll grab us some food. Meet me at the canteen when you're done," Phukong added quietly and Mil was helpless to do anything but smile back. He knew how jealous Phukong could get about Mil's past exes, though he was sure it had more to do with Mil having exes and Phukong not having any, and to leave him here with Earth was a huge sign of trust.
"See you soon." Mil watched Phukong go and then turned back to Earth. He didn't apologise or say anything, just waited for Earth to get his bearings back.
"So there's no chance." Earth's mouth twisted into a bitter smile.
Mil sighed and glanced away from Earth and then back again. "Earth, we liked each other but I don't think we would have survived us going to different unis as a couple. Do you honestly think we should get back together or is this just you missing high school when things were a lot simpler?"
Earth stared at him for a few moments and then ducked his head with a laugh. "Always straight to the point. I just - I miss you, Ai'Mil. If we can't look at getting back together, then maybe we could look at being friends again?"
From the sounds of it, friends were thin on the ground for Earth and Mil knew Phukong would understand. "Yeah, that sounds good. Give me your new number." They exchanged numbers and waved each other off, Mil much preferring to get to dinner with Phukong rather than spend any more time around his ex.
Phukong had settled into an empty table near the entrance of the canteen, mindlessly fiddling with his phone. Food boxes were stacked in front of him but Phukong hadn't opened any. Mil smiled at the sight. It was good to see Mil meeting with his ex did still affect Phukong, even if he hadn't said anything about the two of them talking alone.
"You know you could start eating," Mil said as he sat down on the other side of the table and opened up one of the boxes. Spicy pork and rice.
Phukong glanced up from his phone and the darkness in his expression disappeared under his surprise. "That was quick," he said.
Mil snorted. "Well, it wasn't like we had that much more to say to each other." Phukong looked at him, ignoring the food Mil had just pushed in front of him. "Eat and I'll tell you," Mil said. Phukong started eating and Mil ate some of his food before he started to speak again.
"He wanted to reconnect. He did an accelerated course for uni and now he's working but I think he didn't make a lot of friends during uni because of how busy he is. So we're going to be friends." Mil waited and was not disappointed.
"That wasn't everything," Phukong insisted. "I saw him hold your hand."
"I knew you were watching," Mil said and Phukong's shoulders hunched as he got this sulking expression on his face. The thing was, Mil still found him attractive. He wanted to laugh at him and coddle him at the same time. It's a good thing Phukong didn't know how head over heels Mil was for him otherwise Mil would never get anything done. "Yeah, he asked. I think more because he was lonely and nostalgic, than actually thinking it was a good idea. I said no, I had a boyfriend and there was a reason we broke up. He accepted this and then you came in."
Phukong played with his food a little and Mil watched him. "Phukong," he said.
"He's very handsome," Phukong said. He glanced at Mil and then back down at his food.
"Yeah, I have excellent taste. And it just gets better," Mil said. There was a beat before understanding dawned. Phukong looked up at him and flushed. His pink cheeks had Mil grinning and wishing they were alone so he could show Phukong just how attractive that blush was.
"So ridiculous," Phukong said with a shy smile starting to spread across his face.
Mil shrugged. "Look, Phukong. Earth and I broke up for a reason that has nothing to do with you. But us not trying again or even talking about it, has everything to do with you."
Phukong stared at him for a long moment, the smile gone. "Finish your food, P'Mil. The model is going to have to wait."
A flicker of confusion and then the meaning of Phukong's words sank in. Mil's whole body flushed hot and he wished he had suggested taking their food and eating somewhere else.
"Your place or mine?" Mil asked in between him finishing his food with large bites.
"Yours," Phukong answered as he scooped up the last of his rice and spooned it into his mouth. "P'Wat still has my key and I don't want to be interrupted."
Mil was fully on board with this. Two minutes later, they were heading out of the canteen to Mil's flat, holding hands the whole time. Earth was forgotten.