Chapter 16
Namtan awoke to the sight of Film carrying a coffee to her bedside, fully dressed and apparently showered, her damp hair falling around her in soft curls.
Namtan's eyes widened when she glanced at the clock beside her side of the bed.
"Eleven thirty?" She gasped, and Film smirked.
"You were very tired. In fact, I had to check for a pulse."
"Shut up." Namtan rolled her eyes. She immediately clutched her head, ignoring the dull pain that was reminiscent of her alcohol imbibing college days. "Ow. How did I even get to bed? I don't remember."
"You don't?" Film's smirk only grew as she sat on the edge of the bed with a look of pure amusement.
"No, I don't." Namtan retorted, squeezing Film's hand as a thank you, as she accepted the coffee.
"I help carried you." Film grinned. "You made fun of me for not being able to hold my liquor, but you, dork, are something else entirely. Slept face first on the table."
"Shut up." Namtan gaped. "I-never-that's never happened before."
"Apparently my arm made the sweetest pillow." Film smirked. "I'm quite flattered, if not offended because I spend hours at the gym trying to tone them."
"I've noticed." Namtan blurted out quickly, and as soon as Film looked up in surprise, she sipped the coffee a little too quickly, wincing as she did so. "Shit!"
Film chuckled and looked away, hardly moving when Namtan gave her a light kick.
"Well, did you at least get in your run?" Namtan asked softly.
"And then some." Film nodded. "I came back, half expecting you to yell at me for taking my sweet time, but you didn't. That's when I checked your pulse."
Namtan stuck her tongue out at her childishly, in lieu of a comeback.
"You were very peaceful." Film commented in a soft tone, and Namtan forgot about anything in the world except for Film's lips.
"So, today's our break day. Because tonight, the group's party." Namtan grinned.
"You sure you can handle that?" Film fired, clearly enjoying her little victory over Namtan.
Namtan had to struggle not to think of Film's tone arms carrying her to bed just hours ago. She wished she'd been awake to remember that glorious moment.
"Look, smartass Film is back. Good. I was getting worried." Namtan spoke wryly as she rose to stretch, noticing her bra was still on, but she was in her underwear and a loose t-shirt. She quirked a brow. "Did we have sex?"
Film sputtered, shaking her head, cheeks red. "What? Oh, god, Namtan, no, I-"
"Relax, nerd." Namtan smirked, leaning forward to kiss Film's forehead. "It's called a joke."
Film heaved a sigh of relief, and Namtan knew Film never would have taken advantage of her like that. But of course, it was fun to see the usually reserved and stoic brunette trip over her own words every once in a while.
"I think I'll go shower." Namtan murmured. "Thank you for the coffee, Babi."
"Of course." Film dipped her head. "I'll give Bonnie a call, see how she's faring without her new best friend."
"Tell her Namtan says Hi!" Namtan threw over her shoulder cheekily as she shut the bathroom door, leaving Film to sink into the bed with a sigh.
Namtan's kiss still burned her forehead.
*
"Namtan?" Film called as she ambled into the bedroom, having finished her emotional skype call with Bonnie.
Namtan was now dressed and showered, sitting in the corner of the room where the single desk was, smiling up at Film.
"Hey Babi." She murmured, rising from the chair, sketchpad and pencils in hand.
"Oh, please, don't let me interrupt." Film smiled. "I can go-"
"No need." Namtan grinned. "I figured out how we're going to pass the time."
"How's that?" Film cocked her head to the side, ever curious.
Namtan tried not to melt too much on the inside at Film's adorable idiosyncrasies, like her favorite, Film's curious head tilt.
"Drawing." Namtan offered with a knowing smile, tugging Film into the living area of their hotel room, plopping onto the floor beside her, backed up against the couch.
"Namtan, the fundamental issue with this plan is that I never have been able to draw." Film pointed out, sitting with her back absolutely erect, not a dent in her posture.
"Have you ever been best friends with an artist before?" Namtan fired back teasingly.
"My list of best friends isn't exactly long, Namtan. I didn't have any growing up." Film admitted, her voice suddenly soft.
Namtan's face fell in time with her heart, and she turned to face Film, smiling brightly at her like the sunlight that flitted in through the windows. "While I have an incredibly difficult time believing that, Film, I'm here now. I'm an artist, and I'm most certainly your best friend."
"That you are." Film murmured, and Namtan felt herself getting lost in Film's intense gaze.
"Right," Namtan cleared her throat. "So, let's sketch something easy, huh? How about your bracelet?"
Film blinked, looking suddenly uncomfortable. "I've never taken it off." She admitted softly.
Namtan grinned reassuringly. "Neither have I. You can use my hand for a model."
Film couldn't help the grin that graced her full lips as she took Namtan's hand up to the light, inspecting it carefully as she narrowed her eyes in focus. Trying not to pay too much attention to her veins and long fingers and actually looking the bracelet on her wrist.
"Alright." Namtan smirked. "Let's see if you're actually good at everything you set your mind to, Film Rachanun."
*
Namtan had ordered room service, the girls ate a late lunch, Film had caught up on all her business calls, and the drawing was finally complete.
"Well, fuck, Film." Namtan huffed in amazement, "Are you actually bad at anything? Are you a robot?"
Film smirked in response, cheekily holding her sketch of Namtan's hand, so in detail that it looked realistic, like an old photograph.
"I couldn't draw circles an hour ago. I'm not sure what happened." She admitted.
She knew exactly what it was, however well she lied. She'd wanted to impress Namtan so badly that she'd meticulously went over every line again and again, giving it her all.
Apparently, she'd succeeded.
"You know what, nerd?" Namtan shook her head, pressing a kiss to Film's cheek as she stood up. "You disgust me."
Film just grinned back up at her, accepting her extended hand. "I try."
"So, you ready to wear skimy dresses and rub up on strange guys?" Namtan teased, eyeing the clock.
Film made a face at that.
"Strange girls?" Namtan altered her earlier statement.
Film still made a face.
"Fine, fine, we'll rub up on each other." Namtan amended finally. "We have that-fake relationship to preserve, and all that."
Film nodded slowly, swallowing the doubt. "They-ah-your friends, they'd probably expect a lot of drunken PDA tonight."
"Right." Namtan tossed over her shoulder, reaching into her pile of clothing for her dress. "We can't stop now."
"I suppose not." Film murmured, going for the one dress she'd brought but hidden from Namtan until she absolutely needed it.
Now was that time.
*
Namtan had been leaning over the counter, texting Lookmhee, trying to get a hold of her since that morning, and fruitlessly so.
While the erratic thumping had stopped, Namtan had no doubt that she and Sonya were still at it.
They'd probably received several noise complaints.
Namtan wouldn't have blamed anyone. She and Film were tempted to place the call in themselves.
Namtan got a whiff of exotic, almost spicy scented perfume. It was her favorite scent in the whole world. It was just a little tantalizing, a little dangerous, yet sweet enough to lure her in.
It was Film.
Glancing up, Namtan's eyes widened and her jaw actually dropped.
Film was wearing a tight, form-fitting black dress, short with slits on the side, complimenting every curve of her incredibly delectable figure.
Namtan licked her lips, trying to come up with a compliment, or to breathe, at the very least.
Film wore a shy smile, as if to ask Namtan, "What do you think?" Without uttering anything at all.
Namtan took in a breath. "Babi-I-wow, okay Jesus, that's... You're so beautiful Film, I can't believe-"
Film froze, eyes widening, clearly stunned by her flattery. "Oh. Thank you, Namtan. You always look radiant."
Namtan shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "You know, you're very smooth for a nerd."
Film smirked. "Perhaps you labeled me a bit too soon."
Namtan rolled her eyes. "The 'fine stud' bracelets were all sold out, sorry." She teased.
Film grinned at her, offering her hand to Namtan. "Ready to brave the world of drunken idiocy together?"
"I thought you'd never ask." Namtan laughed, accepting Film's hand as the two ventured out of the confines of their own little safe-haven.
*
"This is awkward, Film." Namtan whined.
"It's not awkward, Namtan. They slept together. It happens."
Namtan froze, turning on Film with wide eyes, the distant sound of the hotel bar and club's music ringing in her ears. "You're saying you don't feel awkward seeing Sonya and Lookmhee right now?"
"Oh, who am I kidding, of course I am." Film clicked her tongue. "But, we'll do it together."
Namtan bit her lip, continuing her path to the bar. "What do we even say? Congrats on the sex?"
"Has it occurred to you that we don't have to say anything?" Film offered, ever the sage one of the two.
"Um, Film, they were fucking against our shared wall." Namtan pointed out. "They know we heard."
Film wasn't sure why hearing Namtan talk like that sent a thrill through her. She bit her lip, trying to regain her composure. "Namtan, we're adults. If they bring it up, congratulate them for getting together, and just order a drink."
Namtan nodded, squeezing Film's hand as she weaved in and out of people, the dimmed lights of the club making it more difficult for Film to read her facial expressions.
Namtan led her to the table towards the back, where Orm and Lingling were already sitting on one side, Metawin and Bright on the other, Ten at the end in the middle.
"Okay, so they're not here. Didn't see that coming." Namtan mumbled.
Film mouthed "What?" Over the sound of the raucous of the bass.
Namtan just shook her head and led her to the relative safety of the table, away from the main source of the booming cacophony of music and the already hammered, sweaty bodies that danced on the relatively small dancefloor.
"Hey Namtan." Orm nodded as the two approached the table hand in hand. "Film. Wow, you look amazing."
Film humbly thanked her, but not before Archen and Ten voiced their agreement.
Namtan narrowed her eyes, her arm snaking its way around Film's waist, tugging her closer. Film didn't seem to protest.
"Save me a dance, huh?" Archen winked at Film.
"Ha. Dream on." Namtan spoke wryly, and Film snorted at her refusal to even acknowledge the idea. To be Namtan Tipnaree's date was to be treated like royalty. Film had to admit; she was enjoying it.
"Have you guys seen Lookmhee? Or Sonya?" Namtan asked, straining her voice a little.
Metawin nodded. "Bar." He motioned with his finger. He even offered a smile to Film, who reciprocated it in kind. Oh, how quickly the tables had turned.
"Right." Namtan nodded, leaning down to Orm. "Did they seem... weird, at all?"
Orm frowned. "No, but you seem weird. Everything okay, Tipnaree?"
"Huh? Me?" Namtan scoffed. "Nah. We're perfect. Where are Dew and Nani?"
"The Bar." Orm copied her brother, waving her shot around with a smirk.
"Is that Win's beer?"
"Yep."
"But how did they-"
"Leave it to them, Namtan." Orm smirked. "Go on and get some. We'll be here."
Namtan nodded turning to Film. "I'll be right back." She promised, whipping around for the bar.
Film seemed comfortable enough in the capable hands of Lingling and Orm, who weren't quite drunk enough to scare her off, and Namtan found her eyes settling on Lookmhee and Sonya as she made her way over, Dew and Nani also sitting at the bar beside them.
Namtan blinked in surprise. Everything seemed.. good.
Lookmhee was the first to see Namtan, releasing Sonya's hand to put her arm around Namtan.
"Party girl Nam!" She smirked. "Dew, Nani, hook it up!"
"Hey Namtan!" They called offhandedly, sliding several clear, harmless looking drinks down the length of the bar.
"Hey..." Namtan mumbled, barely audible over the music.
"Everything okay, Namtan?" Lookmhee asked, smile falling when she noticed Namtan's expression.
"Hmm?" Namtan glanced up. "Yeah, I just-I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Me?" Lookmhee cocked a brow. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Namtan glanced at the clear liquid, tossing back a sip before acknowledging Lookmhee's look of surprise.
Time for liquid courage.
"Well... you almost bore a hole in our shared wall having sex with Sonya last night." Namtan replied, willing the liquid to burn her insides.
Lookmhee's mouth pulled into a proud smirk.
Namtan was so lucky Sonya was occupied with inspecting the beer to notice.
"It finally happened, Tipnaree." Lookmhee pressed on, drink in hand.
"I could hear as much." Namtan concurred. "I just-are you happy?"
Lookmhee leaned close, her lips grazing Namtan's ear. "So much." She whispered.
At that, Namtan smiled, taking her step back. "That's all I care about, Mhee."
Lookmhee tapped Sonya on the shoulder and the taller girl turned on her bar stool, blinking in surprise when Lookmhee greeted her with an open kiss.
"Oh, okay, wow." Namtan nodded, grabbing her drink as well as Film's. "You two have a great evening and keep it down." She rolled her eyes at Lookmhee's smirk and wink as she scurried back to the safety of the table, and more importantly, Film.
It seemed that liquid courage would be the theme of the evening.
*
"Cheers!" Orm called as everyone back at the table raised their glasses of questionable liquid in the air, grins plentiful in the early evening. "To our really messed up family."
"To family!" They all echoed, downing their drinks like tap water.
Namtan paused, her drink in the air, glancing at Film, who'd been enjoying the toast until she remembered she had to drink the mystery concoction at the end. She gazed at it as if it Namtan had told her it was made in a toilet.
Although, for homemade beer, that was typically the way it went. Either that or a bathtub.
"I promise it's healthy." Namtan whispered in her ear, over the sound of their table chatter and the music.
Film shot her a glare.
"Okay, fine, I promise it won't kill you." Namtan amended, grinning as Film sighed, clinked their glasses together, and took a strong gulp.
Namtan nearly doubled over in laughter when Film bit back her obvious need to choke, eyes watering at the strength.
"That's it, babe." Namtan cooed, clapping Film on the back. "You'll thank me later, and hate me tomorrow morning."
"I think I hate you now." Film coughed slightly once she'd swallowed it down, watching as Namtan went in for her next sip.
*
They were rounds and rounds in, too deep to count and too far to look back.
Film had never felt so alive and utterly numb at the same time.
Film was convinced that the so called "homemade beer" was laced with ecstasy. Not that she knew what ecstasy was like, but dancing with Namtan Tipnaree felt pretty damn close.
Film never considered herself to be particularly sexual.
But Namtan Tipnaree, especially when drunk, simply oozed sexuality. She'd mussed her hair, and her lipstick was beautifully vibrant under the dark lighting. She'd laughed and giggled and coaxed Film onto the dance floor, and Film could do nothing but obey, utterly the property of Namtan Tipnaree.
Namtan never even had to ask.
Where Film had never been one for dancing, never even attending a school dance in all her years, Namtan's body was nearly liquid. It flowed so effortlessly and naturally, and the way she threw up her hands and tossed her hair while she swayed her hips to the beat was a sight Film was content to die watching.
But Namtan was so much more than beautiful. She was caring, intuitive, loving. She'd noticed Film's hesitation, her stiff reluctance, her inability to "just let go, baby" as Namtan had put it.
The alcohol was there; her mind was swimming in it. She knew she could forget her inhibitions if someone gave her the gentle push over the edge.
Namtan sent her plummeting off.
"Hey." She whispered, turning so that her lips were against Film's ear. She smelled sweet like her perfume, and Film couldn't get enough.
Film swallowed the lump in her throat. Namtan was the most beautiful person alive, she was sure of it.
"I want you to listen to me, Babi." Namtan breathed temptingly. "Can you do that?"
Film nodded slowly, her mind numb and shut off to anything and everything that was not Namtan Tipnaree.
"I want you to relax, first of all. You're beautiful." Namtan assured.
Film wasn't entirely sure what that had to do with dancing but the compliment sent her heart soaring. She patiently awaited Namtan's instruction, so eager to please. So much so that she didn't notice Lookmhee and Sonya getting entirely too physical on the dance floor, just bodies away.
"Put your hands around my neck." Namtan instructed. "And sway your body in time with mine. Let me handle the rest, Babi, I'll take care of you."
Film nodded once more, instantly regretting the distance Namtan put between them as she turned around, guiding Film's hands around her shoulders.
She completely missed Orm's murmuring to Lingling, "Look at how gentle she is. God, OOk, they're so cute."
Of course, they were practically miles away, back by the table.
Namtan's hands found Film's hips, and Namtan delivered on her earlier promise, moving Film to the beat without question.
Film found that, like everything else, it was effortless with Namtan.
She could barely handle the sight of Namtan, breathless, sweating ever so slightly, fringe parted, and then- Oh. Namtan Tipnaree was grinding onto her.
Film felt the rush of her heart rate, juxtaposed by the calm of the alcohol, and she felt like she needed more.
Not that she ever thought she'd get this far anyway.
She danced nearly half the time away with Namtan, running her hands down Namtan's hair, swaying with her, leaning forward to eventually press a kiss to the base of Namtan's neck.
That was when Namtan froze.
Film felt her heart drop. She'd done too much, hadn't she? She'd gone and wrecked a perfectly good evening with Namtan because she'd misread the signals, she'd somehow messed it up with her alcohol addled thoughts and-
Namtan’s eyes meeting hers, gaze intense.
"Namtan." Film breathed, hoping Namtan could hear her. "I am so, so sorry I thought-"
Namtan attacked her lips with an unprecedented intensity, cupping Film's jaw with both her hands gently as she begged for Film's lips between her own.
Film didn't even have to think before she stumbled back in surprise, maintaining contact as she wrapped her arms around Namtan's waist, pressing them flush against each other.
Kissing Namtan was akin to a heavenly experience. Namtan's lips were soft and full, and Film loved kissing them even more than she enjoyed looking at them, which said a lot.
She was entirely too needy and desperate but nothing had felt more right.
This was her Namtan, her love. She tasted like her lip balm and alcohol, but Film hardly noticed the specifics at all. She was too busy teasing Namtan with her tongue, moaning heavily into her mouth.
Namtan took a page out of her book and bit down softly, dragging Film's bottom lip between her own. She couldn't help her smirk as she heard Film gasp in pleasure, and she knew she wanted to hear that sound over and over again.
She was breathless, heaving, a light sheen of sweat over her body.
Film was faring no better.
She couldn't help her little whine when Namtan pulled apart.
Film was ready for the litany of apologies from both parties. Surprisingly, they never came.
The two were merely breathing heavily, gazes locked on one another, dead to the rest of the world.
And then Namtan was taking her by the wrist leading her outside of the side exit, out into the quiet of the hall leading to the elevators.
Film, of course, followed without protest.
They didn't make it half as far as Namtan had intended as she pushed Film against the wall lightly, pinning her there as her lips found Film's neck, causing the brunette to moan aloud, cheeks flushed, feeling a certain need overwhelmingly pool in her stomach.
"Namtan..." She panted.
"Mmm, baby?" Namtan's response was more of a statement, as she hummed against Film's neck, glancing up for a split second.
"There's no one here," Film mumbled, trying to regain at least some of her composure. "We don't have to-"
It dawned on Namtan that Film was still under the impression that this was all for show. She bit her lip, sucking in a breath. She was already so intoxicated, the alcohol and her attraction for Film combining to give her a sort of dizzying rush of endorphins.
"Film." Namtan breathed.
"'S'okay." Film mumbled, the dejection deeply seated in her tone, unmistakable. "We can go back-"
Namtan interrupted her, because she simply had no more patience for games. They could have their talk later, but she needed to impart a very sensitive piece of information to Film right at that very moment, else she'd die, she just knew.
"Film, I am incredibly attracted to you," Namtan's voice was husky and breathy and it drove Film insane. "And I really, really like you." She mumbled, finding it hard to gaze into Film's feline eyes. Or to focus on one point at all.
Film's eyes widened and if Namtan's head had been against her chest, she would've heard the way Film's heart skipped a beat or two entirely.
"Namtan, I-I feel the same way." Film whimpered, her bottom lip wobbling slightly.
Namtan took her trembling lip into her own, reassuring it with what was, in retrospect, a messy but caring kiss.
Quickly, however, the kiss heated, and Film found herself lifted by Namtan, who somehow in her drunken haze, managed to lift Film as she leaned against the wall for support.
Film thanked her lucky stars that no one ended up barging in on them, as her dress was hiked, though Namtan showed no signs of being too forward, hands merely holding Film close as they deepened their kisses, breathing growing heavy once more.
Namtan laced her hands in Film's hair, leaning forward to suck gently on Film's neck, then peppering it with kisses as she marked her slightly, making her way back to Film's mouth.
The elevator lights flashed, and dinged, warning them that someone was coming down. Immediately, breathlessly they separated, both entirely too intoxicated to care about anything else at that moment.
It was the sloppy result of liquid courage and mutual pining.
It wasn't everything, but it was something.