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Ryujin was just trying to be nice.
That’s what Auau kept repeating to himself as Save chuckled—once more—at one of Ryujin’s lighthearted remarks. Ryujin had a natural warmth that effortlessly put people at ease. He was the kind of person who would notice if someone looked tired, discreetly offering a bottle of water or suggesting to the staff to lower the AC for someone feeling cold.
He wasn’t flirting.
He never flirted with anyone.
Thus, when he assisted Save after a misstep in choreography, it felt natural. Similarly, when he casually patted some lint off Save’s hoodie while smiling brightly, it showcased his usual thoughtfulness. When Save once again forgot his mic script, Ryujin discovered it neatly folded on the bench and returned it without hesitation.
"You’ve really got to stop leaving your things everywhere, Phi.” Ryujin teased, tapping Save’s forehead gently with the folded paper. “One day you’re going to lose your head and I won’t be able to tape that back on.”
Save laughed, rubbing the spot. “That’s what you’re here for, right? My emergency fixer.”
Ryujin just smiled and ruffled his hair, already turning to help someone else with their mic pack.
Totally normal.
Friendly.
Helpful.
Yet whenever Ryujin leaned in—offering snacks, sharing memes, or adjusting Save’s mic—something appeared to shift nearby.
That something was named Auau.
“Save,” Auau called, tone clipped as he walked over with a water bottle. “You forgot this.”
Save blinked. “I didn’t ask for water, Phi Au.”
“You always drink water after warm-ups,” Auau replied, voice flat, expression unreadable. “Don’t be careless.”
“Oh…uh, thanks?”
Before Ryujin could say anything else, Auau stepped neatly between them under the pretense of adjusting Save’s hoodie tag. He tugged at the back, muttering, “This thing’s crooked. It looks dumb.” Then, without looking, he added, “You’re standing really close, aren’t you?” to Ryujin.
Ryujin let out an awkward chuckle. "Sorry, I didn’t notice I was crowding you, Phi Au.”
Auau didn’t answer. He just gave a tight smile, tugged the hoodie one last time, and left Ryujin no room to slide back in.
Por observed the entire scene from a short distance, raising an eyebrow and slowly forming a smirk.
After Save drifted away for a makeup touch-up and Ryujin engaged with the crew, Por approached Auau with a mischievous smile.
“Geez,” Por remarked, crossing his arms. “You’re possessive when it comes to someone you like.”
Auau, gulping down his drink too fast, coughed slightly. “I don’t like Save.”
Por remained unfazed. “First of all, I didn’t even say Save’s name.”
Auau stood still, caught off guard.
“Second,” Por continued smoothly, “there’s this river in Egypt…”
Auau groaned. “Don’t.”
“It’s called denial.”
“Por.”
“You’re neck-deep in it.”
Auau turned away with an exaggerated sigh. “I just believe Ryujin is too friendly. That’s it.”
Por snorted. “The poor guy is just breathing around Save, and you snap at him, Au.”
“I am not—”
“Would you still be this grumpy if Ryujin flirted with me?"
"Your puppy Teetee wouldn't allow it." Auau fired back.
Por rolled his eyes. “That's not even the issue."
Auau mumbled something incomprehensible and walked away to sit on the sofa in the corner of the room, but not before Por shouted after him, “You’re not hiding it very well, you know!”
Not long after, when Save returned and plopped down next to him with a cheerful, “Miss me?”—Auau only responded by wordlessly tugging Save closer by the sleeve and pretending it was about space on the couch.
Por, watching from across the room, smirked and held up his water bottle in mock salute. “To denial.”
It had been a few days, and Save wasn’t dumb.
He had observed the glances—the way Auau discreetly positioned himself between him and Ryujin, the silent glares, and the oddly perfect timing of being present whenever Ryujin attempted to get too close. Save brushed it off because teasing Auau was one of his favorite activities, but now? Now he wanted to witness something.
Prove something.
So when Ryujin offered to assist him with a prop during rehearsal, Save took the opportunity. "Oh no,” Save remarked with an extra sweet laugh, “Ryujin, you’re such a lifesaver.”
He was aware that Auau was right behind them, seemingly adjusting the backdrop. "Here,” Ryujin stated, moving closer to him to straighten the fake collar Save had to wear for the scene. “Hold still.”
Save hummed, exaggerated, “Mmm, you’re so good at this. Phi Au never helps me with costumes.”
The sound of a metal pole clinking too hard against the set made both of them glance back. Auau stood there, frowning, his grip on the pole tight.
“You’re crooked again,” he said stiffly.
“I—what?”
“The collar. It’s off. Ryujin didn’t fix it right.”
Ryujin blinked. “Really? I thought I got it—”
“I said it’s crooked,” Auau replied, stepping in close. He moved in front of Ryujin smoothly, hands brushing against Save’s shoulders as he fussed with the collar. “You’re useless at this.”
“Wow,” Save chuckled lightly, his eyes glimmering. “You seem jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” Auau mumbled.
“Mm-hm,” Save teased, leaning in slightly closer. “And you’re not angry, right?”
“I’m just exhausted,” Auau retorted, adjusting the collar one last time.
“You look good for someone who's tired,” Save responded, obviously finding amusement in the situation now.
Por arrived just in time to see the standoff. Without stopping, he muttered as he walked by, “Just kiss already."
Auau’s ears flushed pink.
Ryujin, slowly stepping back, raised his hands. "Do you both have... a thing, or should I leave you to—?"
“No!” Auau replied too quickly.
“Yes,” Save said at the same time, grinning up at him. “Thanks for the help though, Ryujin. I think I’m all set now.”
When Ryujin left, Save purposely shifted closer, now shoulder to shoulder with Auau. “You know, if you’re gonna act like a boyfriend, people might start assuming things, Phi Au.”
“I don’t care what people assume.”
“Really? So if I tell everyone you glared at Ryujin like he was a homewrecker—”
“Save.”
“—and then pulled me closer like I was yours—”
“I will smother you with this script.” Auau cut his words short, sternly.
Save laughed, unbothered. “I knew it. You’re so obvious, Phi Au.”
Auau felt his face heat up; he had nothing to refute the accusation anymore, so he simply muttered, “...Shut up.”
“I won’t.”
Auau didn’t dismiss him. In fact, when they later sat for script run-throughs, Auau was the one who tugged on Save’s sleeve, pulling him marginally closer than needed whenever Ryujin passed by.
Later that evening, the group convened for a late-night script run-through in their comfortable rehearsal space. Everyone appeared to be at different levels of exhaustion—some with bags under their eyes, others with hoodies pulled over their heads, and a few wrapped in blankets taken from the props department. Bean bags, creaky chairs, and even yoga mats were claimed as personal territory while scripts lay open and snacks were casually shared.
Despite the sleepy energy, Save was thriving.
He had been having fun teasing Auau all day, and the night was no exception. Whenever Auau tried to focus, Save was always impossibly close on the sofa they shared, his voice a whisper near Auau’s ear.
“Line twenty-three,” he murmured, his lips brushing uncomfortably close to Auau’s cheek. “That moment when you gaze at me longingly and pretend you’re not interested? Very relatable.”
With his eyes fixed on his script, Auau remained silent.
Save bumped his knee gently against his. “You’re fidgety today,” he murmured, still all faux-innocence.
“I’m okay,” Auau hissed, avoiding eye contact.
“Really? You’re flushed, though. Do you have a fever, Phi Au?” Save leaned even closer, breaching Auau's personal space, flashing a smile that could ignite conflicts. “Or is it just warm in here?”
“Save,” Auau cautioned, clutching his pencil as if it had wronged him.
“Because if you keep avoiding eye contact like that, I might think you actually like me.”
From across the room, Por, who was playing with Teetee's hair while he lay on his lap, didn’t even glance up before stating, "You’d be correct.”
“Por, shut up and just focus on your boyfriend. You’re not helping,” Auau said, a hint of frustration in his voice.
Save shifted towards Por, dramatically placing a hand on his chest. “Oh, don’t mind him. His mouth is always sharp, but deep down we know how soft he is for us.”
He then turned back to Auau, smiling sweetly. “Isn’t he romantic? Say something, Phi Au. Don't just remain silent. I know you love me and also—”
“That’s it,” Auau muttered, cutting Save’s ramble.
In one swift motion, he grabbed Save by the collar and kissed him.
It wasn’t soft or shy—it was a frustrated, passionate, shut-your-mouth-and-listen kind of kiss. His hand was warm against Save’s neck, anchoring him in place. Save's hand instinctively clutched Auau’s shirt, with all teasing completely knocked out of him.
Time stood still.
When Auau finally pulled back, he didn’t move away much. His forehead rested gently against Save’s, his breath still ragged.
“Well, who’s got nothing to say now?” he murmured, his voice low and smug.
Save blinked, stunned and clearly processing the moment. “I—Wait, What? You—You kissed me.”
“Of course.”
“You kissed me.”
Auau comfortably reclined on the sofa, arms crossed, sporting a smug expression while watching Save’s dumbfounded expression. “Should’ve done it earlier. You talk too much."
Save opened and closed his mouth, eyes wide in disbelief. “I was winning that round…”
“Nope,” Auau said coolly, grabbing a chip from the nearby bowl. “Game over.”
Por, still preoccupied with Teetee's hair, broke the silence. "About damn time.”
Teetee cheered triumphantly and smiled at them. “See P'Porr! I told you they’d kiss eventually.”
Thomas held up his phone, waving it like a trophy. “I recorded that! You’re all welcome.”
Kong groaned into his script. “Ugh, I lost the bet with P'Tho. I never knew P’Au would pull a kiss move.”
Save had finally regained his breath, although his cheeks remained flushed. He smiled, a bit dazed yet radiant. “You’re going to regret that, you know.”
“Oh?” Auau replied, raising an eyebrow.
“Now I realize you have feelings for me.”
Auau smirked but said nothing.
Save leaned back beside him, triumphant and smug now. “Which means I win in the end.”
Auau tilted his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Hmm, whatever. The whole world knows I was the winner, and I’ll win again in the next round of rehearsal.”
“Bring it on, Phi Au,” Save said, challenging Auau.
Their friends groaned in unison.
Por groaned dramatically and tossed a pillow at them. “At this pace, I will witness more than just a kiss next time.”
Save smiled before bursting into laughter. “Well, if that's what it takes for me to win, then so be it.”