Orbit

🎵

With their drinks in hand, Namtan still begrudgingly holding onto her unfortunate strawberry yogurt choice. Film strolls toward the heated food section, scanning the pre-packed meals. Namtan looks at her, and for a moment, under the soft convenience store lights, Film’s smile feels like the only thing in focus.

Maybe coming here wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

"I'm grabbing a rice bowl," she says, bending slightly to inspect the options. "You?"

Namtan, still recovering from the existential crisis that was her drink selection, glances at the shelves and grabs the first thing that catches her eye which was a katsu sando.

"This works," she says, pretending like she put actual thought into it.

Film hums in approval, still occupied with choosing her meal. Seeing this as her chance, Namtan finally gives in to what she's been dying to do: get rid of the cursed drink.

She lifts it to her lips and takes another sip, trying to give it one last chance.

Immediate regret.

Her whole face scrunches up as the artificial strawberry flavor coats her tongue. It’s too sweet, too milky, and whatever weird sparkle aftertaste it has is just wrong.

Suppressing a gag, she sticks her tongue out slightly and grimaces then hurriedly wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

How do kids drink this willingly?!

What she doesn’t realize, however, is that Film has already caught everything, watching her through the reflection in the glass fridge door.

Film bites her lip, shoulders shaking as she tries not to laugh outright.

A second later, she turns around, schooling her expression into an innocent one.

"You good?" she asks, arching a brow.

Namtan straightens immediately, clearing her throat. "Yeah. Totally fine." She gestures to the sandwich. "Excited for this, actually."

Film smirks, leaning against the fridge. "And the drink?"

Namtan hesitates for a beat. "A… unique experience," she finally says, nodding in fake seriousness.

Film lets out a soft laugh. "Uh-huh. Good thing you picked exactly what you came here for."

Namtan glares playfully. "You're never letting this go, are you?"

Film grins, grabbing her rice bowl. "Oh no, this one's staying with me forever. This is my first laugh of the day, Phi"

Namtan’s heart swells as she notices the stark contrast in Film’s behavior. Just a few nights ago, in that small makeshift jail booth, she was the girl who wouldn’t utter a sound nor show the slightest hint of emotion. And yet, here she is now, easygoing, carefree, and laughing for the first time today. Namtan thinks to herself.

She sees the way Film's eyes twinkle with amusement and thinks that maybe making a fool of herself isn’t so bad. Not if it makes Film laugh like that.

They sit side by side on top of a yellow concrete parking block outside, their convenience store meals balanced on their laps. The low hum of passing traffic, buzzing neon sign of the store and the chirping of night-time insects surround them as dusk settles. The asphalt still holds a bit of the day's warmth, but the breeze is cool against their skin.

Namtan takes a bite of her sandwich, watching Film out of the corner of her eye. She likes this, how Film isn’t the type to fuss over fancy dinner spots or perfect table settings. No complaints, no hesitations. Just sitting here, in the most random spot, eating convenience store food like it’s the best meal in the world.

I could be anywhere with her, and it’d still feel like the right place.

Film, on the other hand, sneaks glances at Namtan between bites of her rice bowl. The weight of the moment is settling into her chest, warm and comforting. It’s not the food nor the location, it’s the fact that Namtan came here for her. That she rode all this way, under no pretense, just to see her.

Neither of them says much as they eat, but it isn’t awkward, it’s easy, natural. The kind of quiet that doesn’t need filling. As they finish up, Namtan stretches, letting out a satisfied sigh before lazily sipping the last of her questionable strawberry yogurt drink. She grimaces slightly, making Film chuckle again.

"I'm starting to feel bad for you," Film muses, handing over her bottled water. Namtan takes it without hesitation, gulping it down like she’s been stranded in a desert, completely unaware of the way Film watches her, eyes filled with quiet adoration.

Then, without thinking, Film shifts closer.

Just a little.

Then a little more.

Until, finally, she rests her head against Namtan’s shoulder, exhaling softly.

Namtan stills, her grip tightening around the bottle for a moment. But then, a faint smile forms on her lips as she relaxes into it, tilting her head just slightly to rest against Film’s.

The sky in front of them is painted in deep orange and soft pinks, the sunset casting a golden glow over their faces. The world feels quieter, the moment stretching between them like a secret shared only by the two of them.

Film closes her eyes for a second, listening to the faint sounds of traffic in the distance, the rustling of leaves, the steady rhythm of Namtan’s breathing.

Namtan exhales softly, glancing down at the weight resting against her and then slowly, carefully, she slips her hand into Film’s palm, lacing them together. She had come all this way on a whim, driven by something she wasn’t ready to name. But deep down, she knew this was what she wanted.

The last remnants of sunlight stretch across the sky, fading from warm orange to dusky pink. The air is still, the world around them quiet except for the distant hum of cars passing by.

Film, still leaning into Namtan’s shoulder, gives their intertwined hands a gentle squeeze. She swallows, gathering the courage bubbling inside her.

“Phi…” she murmurs.

Namtan tilts her head slightly. “Hmm?”

Film hesitates for only a second before speaking, her voice soft but sure.

“Thanks for this,” she says. “For coming all the way here” She exhales, feeling uncharacteristically shy. “For wanting to be with me.”

Namtan blinks, caught off guard by the sincerity in Film’s voice. She turns her head slightly, enough to meet Film’s gaze. “Of course,” she says, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I wanted to.”

Film smiles, her heart swelling at the response.

“I see it, you know.”

Namtan tilts her head. “See what?”

“The effort,” Film admits, voice barely above a whisper. “You didn’t have to come all this way, but you did.” She glances over the horizon, watching the sunset. “I just… I want you to know I see it.”

Namtan blinks again, warmth creeping up her neck. She hadn’t expected to be thanked, not when all she did was follow what her heart wanted.

She opens her mouth to say something, but before she can—

Soft lips press against her cheek.

It was just for a few seconds, but it sent a quiet shock through her entire body.

Film pulls away, her face burning. Namtan stays frozen for a moment, processing. Then, ever so slowly, a grin spreads across her face.

“I think you might’ve just started something dangerous.”

Film raises an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Namtan leans in just a little, closing the space between them. “Mmm,” she hums, her voice lower, softer. “Because now I really want to kiss you back.”

Namtan inches closer, her gaze flickering from Film’s eyes to her lips, the space between them growing smaller. Film’s breath catches, her heart doing a full somersault. She swears she stops breathing for a moment.

Then, as if the universe itself wants to sabotage the moment, a car honks loudly from the street, making them both jolt in surprise and snap their heads toward the direction of the sound.

Film leans away, covering her face as she laughs, shoulders shaking. Namtan sighs exasperatedly, mentally cursing the driver.

“Guess the universe has other plans.” says Film.

Namtan smirks, tilting her head. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m patient.” Her fingers, still interlaced with Film’s, give a playful squeeze. “Next time, I won’t let a car horn stop me.” Namtan says while staring at her intently.

Film tries to maintain the eye contact but couldn’t bear the yearning in Namtan’s eyes and looks away shyly, hiding the way her heart stumbles at ‘next time’.

- 🐥See you on the next chapter 🐼-

P.S. Honestly one of my fave chapters, got me blushing while writing this 😭😭😭