The inspiration came from some tweets saying Po is getting softer nowadays, along with the clip of him dozing off while Mile stood beside him - filmed in Korea.
Hope you enjoy this silly story of mine.

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Mile knows Apo has been flagging since their departure at the airport. Although the most intense period has fortunately passed, his heat hasn't truly been over yet.

Their dense schedule accidentally coincides with Apo's physiological season - something unavoidable, but it doesn't mean Mile can't feel sorry for his younger co-star.

"Are you well? Did you take your medicine?" He whispers because probably Apo is having a horrible headache at the moment. It should be weird that Mile is familiar with Apo's heat; however, considering how close they are, Mile even helps Apo overcome his heat sometimes (by scenting him and taking care of him, nothing more), it's not that weird if you think about it.

Or, maybe, it'd become much weirder. Mile can't say for sure, it's just... so right, being with his Omega co-star.

The said Omega, who keeps sulkily staring out of the window and unusually quiet, shakes his head. The older man doesn't know if he's answering the first or second question.

But right now it's not important. The more important matter is Apo needs to take advantage of the flight to rest, or his mood will become worse by the time they arrive.

As Mile has described in some interviews, Apo really resembles a cat. If this cat chooses you, then you will have to play with it. But now the cat wants a nap, thus no one in the world has the right to disturb him.

"Try to rest your eyes, Po. Do you need my jacket or something?"

He asks softly, ready to lend Apo his jacket. Due to their time together, Mile understands his scent and presence calm the younger man, it's the reason he's fine with Mile scenting him during his heat.

Hearing that, Apo only turns to smile at him. His eyes curve into two semicircles.

"Nah, Po is ok. Stop worrying, Phi."

........

It was a surprise when Mile found out his co-star is an Omega.

I'm not like an Omega at all, am I? The younger man said once, light-heartedly, between laughter, as if it was just a joke. As if he used to hear people telling him so.

It's a fact Apo isn't fit the common conception of Omegas. He isn't petite, short, or soft. His body is tone, skin dark like honey, hands can break Mile in half and legs can kick him straight through seven hells. He has the face of a Greek God, according to Mile's imagination and childhood impressions, any Omega – men or women – would love to be in the arms of an Alpha with a look like him. However, an Omega appears like this? It's rare, especially in his country.

Not that Mile was judging or berating his co-star, on the contrary, that face was something he couldn't forget for ten years. Mile was only... amazed, even more after he knew Apo had gone through a lot because of his appearance, but he still deeply treasures himself and his secondary gender. Apo never denies or hides his true identity, it's pretty wholesome, inasmuch as when you were disregarded or mocked for being yourself again and again during the past, it'd be tough to find peace inside your mind.

Over time, the more they work together, the more he gets to know Apo. Mile learns the boy is not just a pretty face, but he is actually a very beautiful existence. Such a pity for whoever didn't realize this.

Or not, because it's clear that they don't deserve him.

........

The thing is, Mile can't stop worrying about his co-star - his Omega friend.

"I'm tired. Can Phi sit down?" The boy says, almost whining, grasping his wrist. His lids are heavy and merely open.

Glancing swiftly at the phone pointed at them, and sighing in relief when they've stopped being recorded, Mile releases a whiff of his pheromone to smooth the other's anxious nerves. Just a little, not enough to overwhelm everyone else and can be easily dissolved within the cluttered atmosphere, but enough for Apo - who is sitting very close - quickly catch it. His pale fingers tap the underside of the boy's wrist, as an act to ground him.

"Do you need to go back to our room?"

Apo relaxes immediately and visibly after he catches Mile's woodsy scent. He falls forward blindly, trusting Mile won't let him tumble off the chair, and rests his forehead on the older man's arm. His skin is warm, but not feverish.

"No, this is alright. Thanks."

........

Apo's appearance isn't soft, but his heart is a different story. Of course, Apo is strong and can bring any Alpha down on their knees. But he is also a little planet full of intriguing secrets. He lives in his own world which will be open to welcoming you if you ask (nicely). However, only the people he feels connected to, 'the chosen ones', can reach deeper, to the most secret place inside, where his heart is cherished and guarded with prudence.

There were spells they spent hanging out, talking about all kinds of things in heaven and on earth; there were late filming sessions then they drove around alone, enjoying the scarce feeling of freedom; there were so abominable days that they decided to down their sunset in several beer cans, even though Apo's alcohol tolerance is surprisingly awful. Step by step, they grew closer and closer, and before Mile can realize it, he'd grown too fond of the boy.

You indulge him too much. Are you sure you're not dating?

Mile loses count of how many times has he been asked these types of questions. Honestly, for Mile, Apo is a summer breeze. It's difficult to imagine this breeze staying still, being marked, being tied down.

Phi, I dated before, remember?

The boy giggled, after listening to Mile's silly babble at their second drink. He was tipsy and his caramel eyes sparkled under the feeble light of his spare room.

Right, Apo did date. Male, female, Alpha, Beta, Omega. Mile heard about some of his past relationships. Apo let him read a few text messages from his most recent boyfriend, an Asian-American Alpha he met in New York. True to his gut, Mile has a bad impression of this person, he's glad they broke up.

I know, just... protect your heart carefully, Po.

He hopes his younger friend can find someone who is enough, someone who can truly embrace his whole.

........

Mile glances at the mess on the floor and the Omega dozing on the sofa, seemingly unable to lift himself up to go to bed.

Poor boy.

"Are you gonna take a shower? Or sleep first and shower later?"

As common sense, an Omega in heat will be arranged to stay with another omega, even a beta. However, in their case, firstly, Apo has mostly passed his season, he doesn't need a nest anymore, at the moment it's just the post-heat period, so everything is basically fine; Secondly, in their group, Mile is the most familiar with dealing with Apo's current state. No one has a problem with them sharing a room, they all are used to it anyway.

It takes a while for the younger to blink his hazy eyes open. His pheromone lingers unconsciously in response to Mile's. The Alpha couldn't help but pat the boy's head. It's a bit odd for someone who looks like Apo to bear such a sweet scent, like honey pastries; though it makes sense since scents often reflect their owner's inner world.

Apo gingerly reaches out and makes grabby hands. Mile chuckles at the boy's static.

"Use your words, Po. What do you want?"

Replying to him is a pout, "Phi knows what I want."

The Alpha tuts, "You called me old man yesterday."

"So? You can carry me when I was Porsche. I'm lighter than I was then."

Mile raises one of his brows. "For someone who is tired, you talk a lot."

Apo flutters his lashes and shows off his best puppy eyes. He indeed appears much awake. "Come on, Khun Phakphum, please take care of this Omega."

'Khun Phakphum' sighs in defeat, he can see the other's triumph smile without actually seeing it. So, he bends over, slides his hands under his back and knees, then lifts him up; everything goes in a smooth motion.

The Omega lets out a happy noise, wrapping his arms around his shoulders, and rubbing his cheek again his clavicle. His pleasant pheromone surrounds them in a genial embrace, consoling and mellowing.

Apo is touchy when he's clear-headed, during his heat he can be even more tactile.

On top of that, his Omega self turns up more and more often during the time they spend together, the boy is clearly more comfortable showing the most vulnerable part of himself.

........

This is my first NC scene after 10 years of acting, you should be honored.

Apo joked. They both were still sticky, flushing, and disorientated. Mile's hands hadn't left his body yet while his broad back worked as a shield covering the Omega's naked form from others' eyes and all camera lenses. Their scents mingled, Apo's neck was bare in front of his nose.

Of course. He answered, breathlessly. This is my first, too. How can I not honor this?

How can I not honor you?

........

"Sleep for an hour, then go wash up, ok?"

"Shut up. You talk like my mother."

"You reek, Po. Not just your scent. And we'll share a bed."

"Geez, calling an Omega stink, how rude..."

"Po."

"Alright, Mae. Just be quiet and take me to bed."