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Love swears that she could fall asleep faster than anyone she knows.
It’s proven true especially when she’s in the zone—continuous (hidden) projects, workout plans draining her energy, and overseeing her business. When everything is happening all at once, it surely helps her go to sleep as soon as she lays on the bed. Not just because she’s tired, but because she has to or else she would wake up grumpy.
Love wants to reciprocate all the energy she receives from the fans. Her life is really doing great nowadays. She wants to wake up thankful and ready for the day, giving it her all to show everyone that she loves them back the same.
The 6 actresses from Girl Rules are having a fan meeting event tomorrow and Love finds herself unable to reach her dreamland despite the fatigue from travelling.
She lays on the bed squeezing her eyes closed, focusing on her breathing which then makes her more aware of her surroundings.
A rare struggle, really. She needs to sleep now. Or else…
She knows someone else who doesn’t want her to be grumpy.
How ironic because that someone may be the reason for her restlessness.
Love resigns her concentration, accepts her fate and slowly opens her eyes. The dark room welcomes her sight as she feels the dread for tomorrow. She will have to request for more matcha to be able to function.
Tired but not sleepy.
Love grabs her phone from the bedside table and checks the time. Turns out it is already an hour after midnight.
She can remember rare, important occasions when she has to stay awake at such an ungodly hour—urgent business matters that need to be attended to which would cost her bedtime, late flights for events, and waiting for a certain person’s call from overseas.
The same person who is keeping her awake now. The same person who doesn’t want her grumpy because it basically means she didn’t rest the previous day.
Love lowers the brightness and shines the light from her phone, enough to see the person sleeping beside her.
Her 30-year old phi is snoring softly… hugging her stupid horse plushie.
That should be me, Love thinks before she can catch herself.
It’s 1AM and Love can’t believe that she’s feeling jealous of a plushie… which she gave as a birthday gift by the way.
She stares down at the horse embraced by Milk’s arms which should’ve been around her waist instead.
Hmp.
She discreetly takes a photo of Milk hugging the plushie. Her phi’s eyes are still slightly swollen.
Love remembers how Milk cried earlier in front of everyone, touched with her surprise. Admittedly, she felt proud of herself for pulling that off. Weeks of planning, quietly observing Milk’s current interests and accidentally seeing Milk’s liked Instagram Reels really paid off. Milk may also have mentioned the plushie once or twice during their casual conversations.
Milk mentioned a lot of possible gift ideas for Love to pick. Love originally wanted to buy something expensive since Milk gave her that YSL top as a gift. She wanted to match her thoughtfulness with something more special.
That’s how she settled with the damn horse plushie now laying between her and Milk.
Those big, googly eyes staring right back at Love’s eyes, which was Milk’s favorite by the way. Not that she had competition.
She could easily weaponize her eyes to get what she wants but with Milk far off her dreamland, Love can only send a telepathic message.
The horse’s time is out. My turn, phi.
Hey, horsey. I know you’re cute. But I’m cuter!
Love thinks she’s already lost it. And really needs to sleep now but she really needs Milk’s arms around her too.
Yep. She can’t sleep knowing Milk is beside her in bed and not cuddling her. They rarely sleep together now due to the hectic schedules and in an opportunity like this, Love wants to make the most out of it.
Should she just pull the plushie and slowly scoot over Milk’s personal space? But she knows Milk is a light sleeper and she’s obviously tired from flying back and forth. She doesn’t want to wake her up.
Or Love should just suck it up and will herself to sleep.
You win, horsey. Enjoy my phi while it lasts—
“Nong Love?”
Milk’s groggy voice startles Love from her thoughts. She immediately turns to Milk, surprised to see her blinking eyes looking at her.
“Why are you still awake?” Milk asks, concern lacing her tone. “Is it hot?”
Love watches as Milk blindly reaches for the air conditioner's remote control and sets the temperature to Love’s preference.
Oh, her sweet phi. Looking after her as soon as she gains consciousness.
See that, horsey? You could never.
“Okay?” Milk turns to her, having a hard time opening both her sleepy eyes.
Love, however, takes this chance to showcase her ‘boba’ eyes and nods cutely to Milk.
“Thank you, P’Milk,” she says using her small, baby voice.
She hears Milk’s low chuckle and proceeds to hug the plushie more tightly, rubbing her face against the toy. Love feels her eyebrows furrow at the sight.
“Go to sleep, it’s already late.”
Milk closes her eyes and Love thinks they switched bodies because of how Milk easily slips back to sleep. And that horse getting all the physical touch that Love craves.
Powered by her desperation and affection, she moves closer to Milk’s body, snuggling (squishing) the horse plushie just to feel Milk’s warmth.
Love relaxes as soon as she recognizes Milk’s natural scent. She boldly hooks her foot right behind Milk’s leg under the blanket. The fact that Milk might probably be still awake gives her the courage to do so.
She hears Milk hum and finally reaches an arm behind her back, pulling her closer.
The horse plushie being the pink line from their roles as Shasha and Gorya.
Right now, they are Milk and Love and the latter wants to pull it down.
And that, she does.
“Hm?” Milk blinks her eyes open once again as soon as she feels the emptiness in her arms which is swiftly replaced by a familiar body.
Love hums in content, nuzzling her nose against Milk’s neck. She’s now right where she wants to be.
At last, she can rest.
“Nong Love, Bullseye can’t breathe…”
Love opens her eyes and pulls her face away from Milk, staring down at the latter.
“Are you serious right now?” she complains, not hiding herself anymore.
Milk pulls Bullshit from under the blanket and places it back to its previous position, then pulls Love back to bed. Back to the Shasha and Gorya’s situation.
“I like your gift, I want to hug it to sleep,” Milk mumbles teasingly but Love fails to notice.
She is eyeing the brown abomination, now situated in the same spot where she was seconds ago. Bullshit’s face is now snuggling her phi’s long, slender neck.
“I still don’t get why you like this so much. You like cats. Not horses.”
Love sees how Milk smirks and presses forward, their foreheads merely inches apart. Like clockwork, Love turns her attention to Milk and notices the teasing glint despite her small eyes.
She feels her heartbeat drum against her chest. Ridiculous. They have been together for years now but the affection never really goes away.
In fact, Love is already thinking of her gift for next year.
“I still like cats and now I like Bullseye too,” Milk explains. “I like the character from Toy Story, I’m not sure if I like horses in general.”
Love shrugs and continues to stare at Milk, relishing their private moment.
“Which one do you like more?”
“You mean between cats and Bullseye?”
Love pouts in return, knowing Milk already got her point. She hears the familiar sound of Milk’s laugh, and Love decides that she wants to hear it for a long time.
Love sighs, defeated but still feeling satisfied that her gift is well-received.
“Bulls… whatever can cuddle you to sleep. Just for tonight. Since it’s your birthday.”
“It’s Bullseye.”
“Whatever.”
Milk laughs louder and Love is unable to hide the smile on her face. She could really get used to this.
“Thank you, Nong Love. For the cake and the gifts. I really appreciate it.”
The genuine tone of Milk’s voice makes Love’s heart flutter in response. She thanked her a million times already but Milk probably thinks it’s not enough.
Love decides to be playful and tilts her head cutely.
“Just thank you?”
Milk puts a hand on her cheek, gently fixing her dark hair away from her face. Love gets the full, undivided attention she deserves as she freezes, anticipating what will happen next.
Milk, forever attuned to her, pushes forward and places a soft kiss on her lips, marking her gratefulness into action. Love sighs as her lips stretches into a smile, unable to contain her happiness.
“Thank you for being my love.”
Milk whispers as if she only wants Love to hear her confession. Love swears that her heart was about to jump out of her chest.
In return, Love pecks Milk’s lips with her own, both of them giggling at the soft, tender moment.
What Milk does next makes Love laugh out loud.
Milk eventually gives in to Love and sits up from her position. Love watches as Milk places Bullshit to her other side, not forgetting to place a blanket on top of its body. It’s endearing, really.
And then, Milk pulls her body closer, tucking her face securely below her chin.
“Nong Love. Let’s go to sleep,” Milk begs, not wanting to wake up grumpy later.
“Hm. You can get me matcha as soon as you wake up.”
“You don’t even have to ask.”
With Love being enveloped with Milk’s warmth, arms and scent, sleep finally comes to her.
And before she slips into unconsciousness, she hears Milk’s crying voice from earlier.
Expensive gifts don’t make me cry, but something like this does.
Yeah. Something like this really does.