Work Text:
The humid air hit her instantly as she put on a smile to wave at her fans. More than a year has passed since she became View’s on screen partner, yet some of View’s fans still refused to accept her. This was the second time she’d joined an event like this, yet her nerves felt just as overwhelming as before.
The cheer of the crowd seemed louder and louder when she got closer to the field.
Last year, View had been by her side the moment they entered the arena. A squeeze of the hand, a reassuring smile or even a whispered joke between the two of them. Small things that made the overwhelming crowd easier to face.
For some reason, this year the company decided to make them stay in different teams, which didn’t help with the countless rumours that they were already facing.
The fact that both of them were introverted and not liking to share what they do in their personal time did not help ease the situation. They hung out all the time behind the camera but they just didn’t post it. She held the Kome plushie tighter to her chest, while trying to recall the comforting words View told her backstage.
***
"Nong Stop fidgeting, you’re going to pancake the Kome" View had whispered, gently nudging her shoulder.
“Phi View I’m scared”
View’s eyes softened looking at her as she held her hand and gently stroked her thumb to calm Mim’s stage fright. “You will do great, just look at me across the room and not at others”
A small smile tugged at Mim's lips at the memory.
Unfortunately, View wasn't here physically this time.
***
The MC announced that the event will start as soon as the music starts playing. It was time for her to step out. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she stepped onto the bright stage light, she smiled and waved just like she practiced countless times in the mirror.
Her mini dress flowed perfectly as it should, but suddenly the harness belt felt too tight in ways it wouldn’t, she wore this outfit 3 times during the rehearsal.
She looked across the room to the lightning cheetah’s team, and View wore a worried expression on her face as she looked back at her. Mim gave her back a small reassuring smile. Just to show her that she’s fine, but Mim was far from being fine.
A silent exchange between them did not go unnoticed by Bonnie, her fellow 04 line that she became close with while filming for Us the series.
“Looking at your girlfriend for reassurance, I see” Her breath stopped as she heard that word slip from Bonnie’s lips.
“We aren’t girlfriend, we’re just good coworkers”
“That’s exactly what me and P’Emi said before we started becoming more than coworkers.” Bonnie flashed her a knowing smile before returning her attention to the stage.
Meanwhile, Mim's brain had completely stopped functioning.
Mim tried her best to argue back but the words died in her throat. She remembers every hand-holding moment, every blind box gift, every late-night conversation, every time View looked at her like she hung the moon.
Or maybe she was just overthinking and View was just doing her job as a screen partner, she's seen how View treats her friend as well…. Right?
Coworkers didn't immediately search for each other in a crowd of thousands.
Coworkers didn't give each other special treatment.
Coworkers didn’t choose each other.
Most normal coworkers definitely don’t call each other soulmates.
The silence continues to stretch between Mim and Bonnie as they slowly finish their walk across the hall and enter the backstage. Bonnie altered something in Mim’s brain that kept her thinking and made her totally forget about her previous nervousness.
“Oh no”
"Took you long enough," Bonnie muttered.
“Ter did great,” View whispered so only Mim could hear her but, before she could even react and say something, View pulled her in a side hug like usual and gave her a sweet smile.
“Thank you, Phi…” reciprocating the hug.
Usually, the gesture would have calmed her instantly.
Today, it only made her heart beat faster.
View’s smile faltered a bit while looking at her.
View made a light hearted joke after seeing the expression on Mim’s face. “What’s wrong nong? Not happy to see me?”
"No!" Mim answered far too quickly.
View blinked.
Mim blinked.
Bonnie snorted from somewhere nearby. Trying her best not to laugh at the pale faced Mim.
“I- erm I will be back, Phi. I'll change into the jersey.” Mim left View before she could even say another word.
Standing alone trying to process what just happened and why Mim was acting odd towards her. They were doing fine this morning before the event started, hell she was comforting Mim before so she won’t be too nervous.
***
She changed into a Shadow Eagle oversized team jersey, hair tied up in a messy ponytail with little strands sticking to her flushed cheeks.
Mim looked at herself in the backstage mirror, she looked exactly like she usually does. Cute. Small. 3 apples tall. View’s partner. Even if people can’t accept that fact, at the end of the day she’s still View’s and View is still hers.
The make up artist touched up her make up a bit to make it look fresher. The overall fit made her look cute as always. She pressed her hands against her flushed, warm cheeks and took a slow breath.
What was I thinking of acting differently in front of P'View? Of course she will notice right away, she always does. Just go back out there. Act normal as if Bonnie’s words didn’t affect you.
***
She stepped back out to the waiting area to wait for Bonnie and Emi, View was already leaning against the wall waiting for her, eyes scanning the hallway as she searched for Mim.
“There you are,” View said in a soft tone, trying to close the distance between the two of them in quick steps, but Mim took a step back. Her whole expression softened as soon as she saw baby.
“Feeling better after changing?” Mim nodded quickly. Too quick for View not to notice. “Yeah, the dress was too tight, it was suffocating me. Jersey is more comfortable”
View just stared at her. Trying to study why Mim was still acting strange, usually Mim would be very clingy with her. Especially when there are just the two of them, in times like this.
Trying to hold her hand, or stay close where there would be no space between them.
View tried to test the water a bit. She reached out and lightly adjusted the collar of Mim’s jersey, fingers brushing against her collarbone for a second longer than necessary.
“You look really cute,” View murmured, voice low so only Mim could hear.
“My favourite Shadow Eagle.”
The compliment should’ve made her melt, and she wished it did. As opposed to what she would’ve felt, Mim felt like someone just splashed cold water in her face. Instead of feeling comfort, she felt her chest get tighter by each second.
Is this how she acts with all her screen partners?
View’s brow furrowed. “Nong Mim… talk to me. Did something happen out there? You’ve been acting weird ever since we came backstage after the performance.”
Mim opened her mouth, then closed it. View held Mim’s hand trying to comfort her somehow. Her thumbs stroked soothing circles on the back of Mim’s hands, exactly like she had backstage earlier.
Just then the staff came in to tell them that the next segment was starting.
“We will talk after the event, okay? Just remember what I told you earlier today. Different team or not. You will always be View’s Luuk” Mim gave her a small smile and a nod.
Mim’s heart fluttered at the familiar name. View’s Luuk. The word View often used to show other people that she was View’s.
“That’s my girl. Now, go shine out there for me” View gave her one last smile before jogging toward the Lightning Cheetahs’ side while Mim headed to the Shadow Eagles.
The arena lights felt brighter, the crowd louder, but the nervous knot in Mim’s stomach had not loosened.
***
Mim joined Bonnie and Emi on the bleachers. Milk and Love were there too.
For some odd reason, they made Mim sit in between each couple.
“Mim, I don’t usually ask about other peoples’ relationships. But did something happen between you and View?” Love asked in a concerned voice.
“We’re fine phi. Things are just getting in my head too much at the moment”
“Is it because of what I said before? Mim, I didn’t mean to make you overthink” Bonnie says.
“No Bon, but what if you’re right?” Mim blurted out before she could even stop herself.
The entire bench went silent.
Milk nearly choked on her drink.
Love blinked.
Emi slowly turned toward her.
Bonnie looked far too pleased.
“Forget I said that.”
Suddenly the ever ‘so quiet, Love is the only person on my mind’ Milk speaks up.
“Nong Mim, you don't have to figure everything out today.”
“Yeah, just like phi Milk said but if someone's presence makes you feel safe, that's usually worth paying attention to." Emi agreed with Milk before giving another advice to Mim.
"When you're upset, who do you call first?"
"Phi View."
"When something good happens?"
"Phi View."
"Who did you look for when you entered the arena?"
"..."
"Phi View…"
That got Mim thinking even more than before. The event continues to happen but she couldn’t put her mind to that at all, all she could think was how View acts with her when they are together with PPG + 1 or Mim’s friends or when they are in private.
What am I supposed to do now? I think I like you. What if you don’t feel the same way?
***
Meanwhile on the other side of the hall
View sits beside Nantam, Flim, Tu and Prim. Just like Mim, her mind wasn’t at the event at all.
“I don’t know why she’s acting weird when we were backstage. We were just talking and doing fine this morning”
“I did see her talking with Bonnie while we were walking and waving at the fans. Maybe ask Bonnie if she knows something” Tu suggested.
“But Mim would tell me if there’s something going on. She always does. I don’t know what I did wrong”
“Maybe, it’s not what you did. Maybe she found out about the fact you like her”
“Am I that obvious?” View asked Tu before thinking about her actions towards Mim. There was no way Mim would find out, She's always acted lowkey so Mim wouldn’t know how she felt towards her.
Mim please don’t leave me. I haven’t told you I like you yet.
***
Back at shadow eagle
"We're just friends."
"Mhmm."
"We're partners."
"Mhmm."
"She treats everyone nicely."
"Mhmm."
"Stop agreeing with me!"
"I am agreeing with you. I said all of that before I started dating P’Emi."
"You should probably stop." Emi suddenly speaks up.
takes a sip of water
"She's right though."
Mim was still in denial and was arguing with Bonnie and Emi when all of the sudden, she saw View coming her way from the corner of her eyes with some snack. She was not supposed to be here.
Phi View what are you doing?
Please don’t come over here
Please don’t-
Oh no she’s walking over.
Bonnie also saw View coming over. So with a smirk on her face, she moved over so View can sit beside Mim.
View drops down beside Mim.
“Phi View, what are you doing here? You’re going to get yourself in trouble"
Mim took the water bottle to drink it, trying to cool herself down and act as normal as she could.
“I came to sit beside my partner, what’s wrong with that nong?”
Mim nearly chokes on her water.
Bonnie raised an eyebrow.
Mim immediately looked away.
“Phi… Don’t say stuff like that.” Mim tried to save face but the damage was already done.
Mim’s ears were as red as a cherry.
“Why are you blushing?"
“I’m not.”
“Your ears are red.”
“It’s hot.”
“We’re indoors.”
“...”
View looked entirely too pleased with herself. She casually slung an arm over the back of Mim's chair, making it look suspiciously like they were cuddling. To make matters worse, Mim instinctively leaned closer instead of moving away. Mim hated how naturally she leaned towards her.
View gave Mim the snacks that she brought earlier. Already opened, ready for Mim to eat without having to struggle with the package.
“Nong, I bought your favourite snacks. I thought you might be a bit hungry”
“Thank you, Phi View” Mim replied, sounding a little too excited at the sight of them.
“Oh ho, Only for her, View? None of us?” Milk teased.
View didn't even look guilty.
"You all have hands. Go buy your own."
Milk gasped dramatically. Love immediately burst out laughing.
"The favouritism is insane," Bonnie added.
"I'm just taking care of my partner," View defended herself, though the smile tugging at her lips suggested she wasn't sorry at all.
Mim nearly dropped the packet.
“She forgets to eat when she’s nervous.”
The entire group turned to look at View.
“What?” View asked.
“Nothing,” Love replied, trying very hard not to smile.
View have never acted like this with her screen partners, especially not in front of their friend group.
Suddenly, Bonnie's words came rushing back.
What if you are right?
Mim swallowed.
View had worked with other screen partners before, but she had never seen her fuss over them like this.
View noticed the immediate shift from Mim. She tilted her head with that gentle, knowing look that always made Mim feel seen.
“Nong?” View’s voice was low, careful.
“You’re thinking too much again, aren’t you?”
“To be honest P’View I am. I want to talk about it with you when it’s just the two of us” Mim whispered in View’s ears so others won’t hear their conversation.
View’s heart dropped hearing that but tried her best to compose herself.
“Okay then after the event. I’ll meet you backstage”
***
The event eventually ended and Lightning Cheetah won. View and Mim met each other where the place was a bit deserted, so no one would catch their private conversation. Mim’s fingers found the hem of her jersey and twisted nervously.
“Bonnie… she said something” View waited patiently, stepping a little closer so their shoulders almost touched.
“She called you my… girlfriend,” Mim whispered, barely audible.
“And then I started thinking… Maybe I’ve been misunderstanding everything. All the handholding, the gifts, the way you look for me in the crowd, calling me your soulmate when we’re alone. And then I start wondering if I’ve been imagining how special this is. You've had other screen partners before, Phi. You’re sweet to everyone. But, you don’t do this with them. Right?”
At some point while she was talking, Mim didn’t even notice she was rambling. View looked at her with aww, finding Mim really cute at that moment. Cuter than she normally does.
“Mim.” View’s voice was soft but firm. Then gently took Mim’s hand and tugged her behind a tall equipment case, giving them a sliver of privacy.
She cupped Mim’s face with her left hand, thumbs brushing lightly over her cheeks.
“I am sweet to my friend.”
“ But only towards people I’m close with, like the girls from PPG+1. But I don’t call them my Luuk, or my little girl. I don’t drive them around the city. Buy their favourite blind boxes, or even go to their photoshoot after I finish mine.”
Mim went quiet, like her brain physically short circuited. Her mouth agape, no words coming out. Just stared at View with her eyes glistening.
View continued, not breaking their eye contact.
“You’re the only person who I want to talk to after we have an overwhelming event like these. The only person I want to continue to walk with. The only one I want to protect from everything..”
Mim’s eyes shimmered. She leaned into View’s touch, letting the reassurance sink in.
“So when Bonnie teased you,” View smiled softly.
“About being my girlfriend, she’s not wrong.”
"Bonnie wasn't wrong."
View's thumb brushed across Mim's cheek.
"I like you, Mim."
"I've liked you for a long time."
"I just never knew how to tell you."
A small, shy smile finally broke on Mim’s lips.
“But I do want to ask you out before we make things official between us, without anyone knowing.”
“What are you saying Phi?”
“Nong Mim, will you go out on a date with me?” View asked, with a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Mim let out a shaky little laugh and wrapped her arms around View’s waist, burying her face in her shoulder for a few precious seconds. The oversized jersey smelled like View’s perfume mixed with the faint scent of arena sweat, and it grounded her completely.
“Of course, Phi View” Mim replied, feeling like everything was surreal and like she’s floating on cloud nine.
“I’m sorry for overthinking again, and ignoring you instead of talking it out with you.” she whispered against View’s shoulders.
“Don’t be sorry. I like taking care of you when you do.” View rubbed gentle circles on her back. “Now let’s go pack up so I can take you home”
Mim nodded, pulling back with brighter eyes. Before they had to separate again, she quickly hooked their pinkies together and gave them a little squeeze.“View’s Luuk,” she said quietly, like a secret promise.View’s smile was radiant. “Always.”
***