[MilkLove] "Between the Lines of Us" - ONE SHOT

 

[Khun Pansa~~ have you landed?]

[Yes, madam. Plane just touched down.]

[I was worried about you! Couldn’t concentrate in my meetings either.]

[Awww, my poor Nong Love~ Will I see you tonight?]

[Yes. You better not forget about it.]

 

***

Beep beep beep beep beep.

The electronic door lock beeped as the passwords were keyed in.

Sugus perked up from his bed, ears twitching as he sensed a familiar presence outside. "Meoww~" he purred lovingly. Jaguar, Lion and Panther sprinted to the front door, eager to greet their guest.

Hearing the door open, Love quickly made the final touch to her "masterpiece" before rushing to wash her hands. She barely dried them off before dashing to the entrance, excitement bubbling inside her.

The door flung open, revealing Milk—chaotically dragging her 20-inch cabin bag while juggling multiple paper bags in the other hand. The four cats immediately swarmed her, rubbing against her legs and meowing in delight.

"Phiiiii!!!" Love squealed in her baby voice.

Milk stood in the doorway, arms spread wide, her signature goofy smile lighting up her face. The cats continued their chorus of meows, demanding her attention.

"Nong Love!! I’m back~!"

Without a second thought, Love dove herself into Milk’s arms, burying her face in the warmth of her embrace. Milk didn’t hesitate, wrapping her up tightly—as if she hasn’t seen her in a while.

"Oh my, I've missed you so much," Milk mumbled, snuggling into the smaller girl.

Love nodded silently in her embrace, too lost in the warmth and the familiar scent of Milk to say a word.

"Are you making dinner?" Milk blurted out suddenly.

Love looked up, eyes sparkling with warmth. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes, and tired too," Milk sighed. "But now, I feel slightly recharged." She flashed a sweet smile, her eyes locking onto Love’s boba-like gaze.

"Good, because I made you something." Love gently cupped Milk’s face, her voice soft. "Close your eyes for me."

Milk was about to comply but suddenly glanced down at the eager little creatures swarming around her legs.

"Okay, but before that, I need to serve these guys first," she said, eyeing the cats with fondness.

Love chuckled as Milk crouched down, instantly showering Sugus, Jaguar, Panther, and Lion with attention. The cats meowed louder, purring as they rubbed against her hands, demanding more affection.

"Did you all miss me too?" Milk cooed in a baby voice, scratching their chins one by one. "I missed you all too."

The four cats bundled together on the floor like a tangled ball of rugs, contended with Milk’s return.

Still kneeling, Milk glanced up at Love. "Did you make what I’m thinking?" she asked, hands still busy petting the cats.

Love smirked. "You’ll see. Now, close your eyes for me."

Obediently, Milk stood up and shut her eyes. Love reached for her waist, guiding her carefully toward the dining area.

"You can open your eyes now."

Milk opened her eyes and gasped at the spread before her—a plate of somtam (Thai papaya salad), fried basil chicken, boiled eggs, and a steaming bowl of hot soup.

"I thought you might be craving Thai food, so I made these. Full of protein and fiber."

"Awww, Nong Love!" Milk squealed in happiness, her heart swelling with warmth and contentment. Unable to contain her joy, she pulled Love into another embrace. "Thank you so much."

Love giggled shyly at the sudden affection, cheeks flushing ever so slightly.

"Come, let’s eat. You must be hungry," Love said, pulling Milk toward the dining table. Like a true gentlewoman, she made sure Milk settled into her seat first before taking her own.

"You arrived just in time. Everything is freshly made."

"I know I’m the lucky one," Milk said with a wide smile, her eyes almost disappearing into crescent moons. She reached for Love’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," she mouthed softly.

Milk eagerly picked up a piece of basil chicken, took the first bite, and immediately widened her eyes in amazement. Love watched, her grin growing at Milk’s reaction.

"How is it?" Love asked, leaning in slightly.

Milk swallowed and declared with excitement, "One word—Aroi makkk!"

Love crossed her arms, a proud look on her face. "Hmph, of course! It’s made by Khun Pattranite, with love."

Milk chuckled, reaching out to gently pinch Love’s chin. "So much love for me, huh?" she teased.

They slowly enjoyed the simple but heartwarming meal. As they ate, Milk shared details about her solo project in South Korea, recounting every moment without missing a beat. Love listened attentively, even though she already knew some of it—Milk had been updating her in bits and pieces throughout the trip.

When Milk finally finished sharing, Love gazed at her with admiration. "I’m so proud of you, Pansa."

Milk felt her heart melt at the sincerity in Love’s voice. "I wouldn’t have achieved it without you, Nong Love."

Love giggled, shaking her head. "Of course, but let’s be real—your beauty and charm are too irresistible. No wonder the sponsors chose you."

Milk simply smiled. She couldn’t deny Love’s words. They had truly come a long way since their debut years ago. The industry had thrown them countless challenges—internal management issue, competition from fellow artists—but through it all, they had stood strong. Staying true to themselves, working tirelessly, and building genuine connections with their fans had led brands and audiences alike to recognize their worth.

Suddenly, Milk gasped. "Oh my! Look at me—before I forget, I have something for you!"

She stood up and hurried to her cabin bag, unzipping it in a rush as she dug through its contents.

Love watched her with an amused smile. Milk always brought her souvenirs whenever she traveled without her—whether it was a keychain, a plushie, or something special that reminded her of a shared moment. There was always something from Milk.

"Aha! Found it." Milk handed Love a paper bag. Love immediately peeked inside.

"It’s a salted bun that I had it in Seoul, and it was so good that I had to go back to the shop before my flight just to get some for you. I even double-checked with them to make sure I could bring it back to Thailand!"

Love’s eyes widened with excitement. As a food lover, she could never resist a good treat—especially one chosen by Milk.

"Phii Milkkkk!" Love squealed in delight. "Thank you! I think I have the perfect drink to pair with this."

Milk smirked knowingly. "Matcha latte?"

Love looked up, grinning. "Yes! And yours with oat milk, of course."

***

“Nong Love, can you pass me my towel and pajamas? I forgot to bring them in.” Milk’s voice echoed from the bathroom.

Without a second thought, Love ran to the bedroom and reached for it—not from a guest drawer, but from her wardrobe. When had they started sharing a closet? Love couldn’t quite remember. In fact, she couldn’t pinpoint exactly when their lives had intertwined so naturally, when Milk’s things had seamlessly blended into her space. It had just… happened. And somehow, it felt right.

During the filming of 23.5, Milk started hanging out at Love’s place occasionally to practice scripts together. Over time, sleepovers became more frequent—especially during their fan meet tours—so they could rehearse their performances together. Eventually, it became second nature for Milk to drop by unannounced, especially after Love gave her the password to her smart lock.

Milk, being the thoughtful person she was, would sometimes restock Love’s favorite snacks in her pantry or leave her favorite desserts on the dining table—without telling in advance. It all felt so natural that Love never saw it as an intrusion to her personal space. Instead, it made her place feel even more like home.

Then, Milk started staying over so often that she left extra clothes in Love’s wardrobe. Love even cleared out a space just for her. She couldn’t help but smile whenever she did laundry and found Milk’s clothes mixed in with hers. She would fold them neatly and place them exactly where they belonged.

Love never overanalyzed the situation—she simply went with the flow. Their schedules were always packed with events: sponsorships, photoshoots, fan meets, and endorsements. On top of that, she had to juggle between her TwentyWendy business.

Then, things shifted when they planned their South Korea trip. Originally, it was supposed to be a group of four, but at the last minute, the other two couldn’t make it. That left just the two of them. Rather than cancel, they decided to go ahead, knowing they both needed the break before the year’s end.

During the trip, Love noticed a side of Milk she had never seen before. They had traveled abroad together countless times for work, but there were always others around—P’Johm, the makeup artist, stylists. This time, it was just them, with no work obligations or schedules to follow. Milk was patient, attentive, and, as always, effortlessly funny.

To save on costs, they shared a room, but there was no awkwardness between them. Conversation flowed endlessly, and every day was filled with laughter. Their plans revolved around one of their favorite pastimes—figuring out what and where to eat. Despite their slightly different eating habits, they always found a middle ground they both enjoyed.

Though younger, Love naturally took on the role of leader—perhaps because she was the eldest child in her family. Milk, who was always easygoing when it came to Love, simply went along with whatever scenic or tourist spots Love chose. In a way, Love became her personal tour guide.

And then, there was Milk’s dorky side—something was always happening to her. Whether it was bumping her leg on something, accidentally walking into the wrong shop, or just getting herself into the most random situations, every single day brought a new reason for Love to laugh.

But beyond her playful clumsiness, Milk was incredibly dependable. Whenever things didn’t go as planned—whether they took the wrong direction, got off at the wrong station, or arrived at a shop only to find it closed—she never complained or placed blame. Instead, she would simply shrug it off, laugh, and suggest a new plan. Her ability to stay positive and adapt to any situation made Love feel at ease, as if no matter what happened, everything would always be okay as long as Milk was there.

After the trip, Love realized just how much Milk meant to her. Milk wasn’t just a colleague or an older sister figure—she was something more. But what exactly that more was, Love wasn’t sure. She could only cherish every moment she had with her.

She also didn’t know how Milk felt about her. Milk had always been the type to get along with everyone—her dorky personality made people naturally gravitate toward her. Compared to Love, she was far more outgoing, effortlessly friendly with staff and colleagues alike. A true extrovert, Milk could mingle with anyone.

That’s why Love hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she held a special place in Milk’s heart—or if she was just another friend in Milk’s ever-growing circle.

And here they were again—Milk staying over at Love’s place, fresh off her solo work in South Korea. Their schedules were packed for the coming weeks, filled with personal commitments, solo projects, and the upcoming Whalestorexoxo drama filming. Milk had said she wanted to practice the script with Love before the filming, but for Love, it was enough just to have Milk around. Milk had also left Sugus in Love’s care for the past three days, making the apartment feel even more like their shared space.

After dinner and a warm shower, Milk blow-dried her hair in Love’s bedroom while Love took her turn to shower. Moving through the apartment with ease, Milk picked up a cat toy, idly entertaining Jaguar while flipping through TV channels.

Moments later, Love emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying her damp hair.

“Did Sugus behave?” Milk asked, still waving the teaser wand at Jaguar. Her eyes flickered toward Sugus, who was curled up in a corner, lazily grooming himself. “Did you give Love Mummy any trouble?”

Love chuckled, glancing at the cats. “Jaguar and Sugus got along pretty well. At least they didn’t bully Lion and Panther.”

“Lucky for Lion and Panther, then,” Milk chirped. She knew Sugus had a mischievous streak—just like his mummy. He was lucky he had a cute face to make up for his antics.

Love then stepped into the bedroom, and without a word, Milk casually followed, switching off the TV behind her. She slipped into bed effortlessly, as if it was her own, while Love continued drying her hair. There was no need for words—just quiet understanding, an unspoken familiarity.

After Milk settled onto the bed, Jaguar gracefully hopped onto her side, purring contentedly. Without thinking, Milk ran her fingers through his sleek fur, the rhythmic sound of his contentment blending with the hum of the hair dryer. It was a simple moment — no words, no grand gestures — just the gentle weight of a cat beside her and the unspoken comfort of being in Love’s space, a place that felt more and more like home.

Seeing the scene, Love paused the hair dryer, the sudden silence making the soft purrs even more audible. She leaned against the dresser, a tender smile playing at her lips. “Jaguar really loves lying down with you..” she said softly, as if not wanting to break the moment.

Milk chuckled, scratching Jaguar under his chin. “Of course, I’m his Milk mummy,” she replied, her voice playful but warm.

Love’s smile deepened, her heart swelling at the ease in Milk’s words — as though Jaguar wasn’t just her cat anymore, but theirs.

 “Do you want a mask?” Love asked suddenly.

“Oh, yeah. I need one,” Milk mumbled.

Love set down the dryer, peeling open a face mask packet. “This is the one you gave me from Japan.”

“Thank you, nong Love,” Milk murmured, carefully placing the mask over her face before pulling the blanket up to her shoulder.

“Wow… these days felt like a weeks’ work crammed into 3 days,” Milk murmured, sinking deeper into the pillows. Her voice was laced with fatigue, her words trailing off as her body finally gave in to the exhaustion. The weight of travel, work, and endless schedules pressed down on her, but here, in the warmth of Love’s home, she could finally let go.

Love smiled softly. At least for today, Milk could finally rest.

Minutes later, despite the hum of the hairdryer, Milk had already drifted off, making small, tired snores. That was how exhausted she was.

Once her hair was dry, Love glanced at the clock—it was almost 11 p.m. She turned to Milk, who was already fast asleep, her face mask slightly peeling at the edges. Love reached over gently, removing it for her.

Carefully, she lifted the sleeping Jaguar beside Milk and placed him on the small bed by the bedside floor, where he curled up comfortably. Then, Love quietly slipped under the blanket, careful not to wake Milk.

She turned her head slightly, watching the peaceful rise and fall of Milk’s breathing. A fond smile formed on her lips.

“Good night, Khun Pansa,” she whispered softly before closing her eyes, letting sleep take her away.

***

Milk stirred slightly and woke up. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table—7 a.m. Still too early for a non-work day, especially for Love.

Turning her head, she found Love still fast asleep, her face bathed in the soft morning sunlight filtering through the window. The golden glow made her look even more beautiful—like an angel. But there was a slight furrow on her forehead. It was subtle, but Milk saw it. She always noticed the small things when it came to Love.

“Having a bad dream?” Milk whispered.

Reaching out, she gently caressed Love’s head with her left hand. “I’m here, Love,” she murmured. With her other hand still under the blanket, she searched for Love’s fingers and intertwined them with her own.

Almost instinctively, Love’s forehead relaxed, the tension melting away. Milk smiled in quiet satisfaction.

If only she could wake up to this sight more often.

She didn’t know what they were—or what label could define them. Their relationship had always lived in that delicate space between friendship and something more, a quiet, unspoken connection neither dared to name. The staff often teased them about being a real couple, and each time, they would blush, laugh it off, and exchange those fleeting glances—filled with something unsaid.

They had never sat down to talk about it. Never defined the late-night calls, the way Milk’s clothes gradually found a permanent spot in Love’s wardrobe, or the ease with which they fit into each other's lives. But did they need to?

Because Milk knew one thing—she loved what they were now. The way they instinctively leaned on each other, how Love quietly remembered the smallest details about her, and how they found comfort not in grand moments but in the quiet, ordinary ones. Preparing breakfast together, feeding the cats, or simply existing side by side—it all felt so natural, so right.

Fans adored their chemistry, that effortless push and pull between them. But it wasn’t just for show. With Love, things always just fell into place—like puzzle pieces clicking together, unspoken yet deeply understood.

And deep down, Milk knew this was more than friendship. She didn’t need to hear it out loud—she could feel it, in the way Love looked at her when she thought Milk wasn’t watching, or in the soft goodnights whispered into the quiet.

Breaking herself away from the thought, Milk quietly slipped out of bed and got herself ready for the day. After washing up, she picked up the yoga mat from the living room, unrolling it with a soft thud against the floor. The gentle rhythm of her morning routine—stretch, hold, breathe—filled the quiet space, a familiar way to clear her mind.

Twenty minutes in, the faint sound of rustling sheets caught her attention. She looked up to see Love standing in the doorway of the bedroom, her hair slightly messy, eyes still heavy with sleep.

“Did you sleep well?” Love's voice was soft, husky from just waking up.

***

Milk unpacked her cabin bag, carefully arranging the gifts she had brought for Love—Korean face masks, exclusive items from her 3CE sponsorship, and a few cat toys from Daiso. She placed each item exactly where it belonged, as if she had been doing this for years. Because, in a way, she had.

Meanwhile, Love busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast—salted bread paired with matcha. The scent of freshly brewed matcha filled the air.

“Phiii, breakfast is ready,” Love called out endearingly.

Milk set her bags aside and made her way to the dining table, greeted by the sight of two beautifully crafted matcha lattes. Love then placed a small bowl on the table, where three perfectly deshelled boiled eggs rested.

“And here’s your protein,” Love chirped. She knew how important protein was for Milk and never forgot to include it in her meals. In fact, she had even taken the time to learn how to make the perfect boiled eggs online. Spending so much time together, their habits and preferences had started to rub off on each other. Now, Love also made a conscious effort to eat more lean protein to maintain her health and physique.

Milk smiled, the warmth spreading through her chest like sunlight breaking through a clouded sky. “Thank you, nong Love.” she murmured, her voice soft but full of meaning. To have someone who understood her so effortlessly, who seemed to know her better than she knew herself—it was a gift, one she knew she couldn’t take for granted.

“Let me take a picture,” Love said softly, already adjusting the composition of her shot. She carefully omitted the eggs, knowing that their eagle-eyed fans would notice even the smallest details. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell who it’s from,” she added with a smirk.

Milk simply watched her, a quiet contentment settling over her. Mornings like this were the best.

Love took a bite of the salted bread and her face immediately lit up. “This is so delicious!”

“Right? I knew you’d love it the moment I had it.”

Love then took a sip of her matcha latte, eyes widening even more. “Phiii, this pairs so well with the bread. We need to buy more the next time we visit South Korea.”

Milk chuckled as she watched Love savor the food she had brought, her face lighting up with each bite. Meanwhile, she absentmindedly flipped through the script pages in front of her while enjoying the perfect boiled eggs.

They had just received the few episodes’ worth of script, and she was already hooked. Having read the original novel, Milk was eager to see how the screenwriter would adapt the intimate moments between Wan and Maewnam for the drama. As her eyes skimmed over one intimate scene, a small smile tugged at her lips, anticipation stirring in her chest.

"Are you reading that part?" Love emphasized, her tone teasing.

Milk chuckled, already knowing exactly which scene Love was referring to. "Yeah," she admitted, flipping the page. "Just thinking about it makes me blush already."

Love leaned in slightly, her dark boba eyes locking onto Milk’s. "Khun Wan, don’t forget to bring some chewing gum that day," she said, pausing for effect. "You know I like the strawberry-flavored ones."

Milk’s blush deepened, the tips of her ears turning noticeably red. She cleared her throat, trying to play it cool. "Yes, Khun Maewnam, I’ll put that on my to-do list," she muttered shyly, her voice just above a whisper, deliberately avoiding Love’s knowing gaze.

Not wanting to tease Milk further, Love simply smiled to herself and turned her attention back to her breakfast. The warm matcha latte and salted bread suddenly seemed far more interesting than the soft pink creeping up Milk’s neck.

She let the silence settle between them, giving Milk the space to gather herself — to wrestle down the blush burning on her cheeks. It was a small mercy, but one Love granted with a quiet fondness, her heart still fluttering at the sight of a flustered Milk.

“P’ Johm is coming to your place at two, right?” Love said, her eyes glancing toward the wall clock.

Milk, still slightly pink, nodded. “Yeah… he’s picking me up for the fitting.”

Love gave a small nod, her gaze lingering on her matcha latte. “I’ll drop you off after this then.”

A comfortable silence fell again. Milk fiddled with the corner of the script resting on the table, her mind half on the fitting later, half still stuck on the way Love had looked at her moments ago — soft, amused, and something else she couldn’t quite name.

Love, meanwhile, kept stealing small glances at Milk, biting back a smile every time she noticed the lingering blush on her face. The clock ticked on, but neither of them seemed in a rush to move — as though this moment, this quiet morning together, was something worth savoring just a little longer.

Milk sighed softly, her fingers absentmindedly stroking Sugus, who had settled by the dining chair beside her. "You always make it hard to leave, you know that?" she murmured, though it wasn't clear whether she was talking to the cat or someone else entirely.

Love, still sipping her matcha, tilted her head with a small smile. "I’m just a text away, and Sugus can drop by anytime, you know that."

Sugus let out a soft meow, as if to punctuate Love's words.

“Are you already reluctant to leave before we even get home?” Milk cooed gently at Sugus, fingers gently scratching under his chin.

Sugus purred in response, rubbing his face against Milk’s hand as if in agreement.

***

Love pulled up near Milk’s apartment guardhouse, slowing the car to a gentle stop. The familiar quiet between them felt comfortable, yet the air carried an unspoken hesitation—like neither wanted to part just yet.

Milk turned to Love, eyes soft. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”

Love nodded, offering her a reassuring smile. “Yeah. And good luck with the shoot today. Pansa su su na!” Her voice was bright, full of encouragement.

Milk exhaled, as if absorbing the warmth of Love’s words. “Thanks…” she murmured, her lips curling into a small, grateful smile. “Enjoy the SkyNani concert tonight. Send my regards to the others.”

“I will,” Love said. “And I’ll pass them the Korean snacks you brought. They’ll love them.”

Milk laughed lightly. “As always, you’re the best.” Her voice softened as she reached out, pinching Love’s nose in a teasing yet familiar gesture.

Love scrunched her nose in response, making Milk’s lips curve into a grin. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the silence between them stretched—soft, but heavy with something unsaid.

Milk sighed softly, her fingers lingering on the door handle, reluctant to break the moment. “Alright, I should go.”

Love simply nodded, her gaze deep and unreadable, but warm. She turned to the back seat, her voice gentle as she waved at Sugus in his carrier. “Goodbye, Sugus.”

Milk stepped out of the car, reaching back to gather her luggage and Sugus, the weight of their quiet connection still lingering in the air. Before closing the door, she leaned in slightly, her voice almost a whisper. “Drive safe, okay?”

 “I will,” Love promised with smile.

With one last glance, Milk closed the door and walked toward her apartment building. Love watched until she disappeared inside, before letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Then, with a small, knowing smile, she drove off into the street.