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“So…you're the…fiancé…” The last part is said with a curl to her lip as if she tasted something foul. Honestly, Sky is less than impressed himself.
“And you’re the…fujoshi,” Sky says back as a challenge, stumbling over the last word a bit. Rain had taught him the word the other day after he had started researching the…fandom.
It still feels weird to think that out loud.
He had found the girl while searching through some message boards, curious about Prapai and Samut, and how the public viewed them.
Also, with more ammunition to tease Prapai with. The faces he’s started making whenever it came up were priceless. Sky was even recruiting Rain into his efforts.
After conversing for a bit online, the pair had agreed to meet for coffee so Sky could get some of his questions answered. He still wasn’t sure if this was a good idea or not, but, well, he was already here.
“We prefer the term sao Y in Thai, if you don’t mind,” the young girl responds. She’s clearly a Matthayom student, probably about to graduate this year or next, and a little intimidated by Sky who’s clearly her phi, even if she is judging him.
“And you ship…p’Pai, my fiancé as you mentioned, with his rival, Khun Samut.”
The girl (Sky is embarrassed enough to realize he hasn’t bothered to ask her name yet) has the grace to blush at that statement, but still boldly goes forward. “The fans are called The Tide, since we ship PaiMut.”
“Pai being the dominant of the two?” Sky asks, trying to remember the crash course Rain gave him the other day in fandom things.
Of course Rain was an expert…
“Yes!” The girl is clearly excited now, practically jumping in her seat. Honestly, she reminds Sky a bit of Rain. The comparison brings a smile to his face and endears her a bit to him. “Pai represents wind because of his name, and we abbreviate Samut to Mut to represent sea. Together they are The Storm Pair™.”
“The Storm Pair?” Sky asks, already planning to use this shamelessly against Rain, who will undoubtedly Hate It (capitals intended).
The girl (Sky is going to refer to her as Nong Sao going forward, at least in his own head) is starting to get even more animated as she nods along, a fire starting to burn in her eyes. “Yes! Because when wind and sea clash they come together and make a storm!”
Sky smiles at that, admitting it’s clever and honestly more thought than he expected for a fandom for real people.
His musings are interrupted by a snort from the nearby table. He turns to see another girl, closer to his age and clearly in university.
“Ugh, you’re so immature,” which, while rude, Sky can kinda agree with. He doesn’t see the need to ‘ship’ real people together, but there doesn’t seem to be any real harm in it he supposes. “It’s so clearly SamPai. Like p’Pai is any sort of top.”
Which, ok, Sky takes it all back, this girl is incredibly rude. Sky hates her already. But before he can even say anything, the girl turns to him and goes, “And I know you…you’re the homewrecker…”
And wow, Sky has never been a violent person, but he is suddenly repressing the urge to throw down with this bitch.
Thankfully, before Sky can do something he (probably) will regret, Nong Sao steps up with just as much attitude back. “Ugh, don’t be such a Deep Current, the Tide doesn’t need your toxic energy.”
Sky is, admittedly, a bit lost at this point but judging by how red Rude Girl’s face got, that was clearly an insult. She’s suddenly huffing and packing her things up before leaving with a final retort. “You’re so lame! The Wind doesn’t dominate!”
Nong Sao gets a final comeback in before the girl can leave, yelling (arguably too loudly), “Oh sure! And the Sea doesn’t swallow!”
Sky can just hear Rude Girl’s scream of outrage before the door shuts behind her. Suddenly, None Sao is blushing and apologizing for her behavior, but honestly Sky is kinda impressed. And curious.
“It’s fine, it's fine. She was very rude, no harm done on your end. Though, can I ask some questions about that interaction?” At Nong Sao’s nod, he continues. “What’s a Deep Current?”
Nong Sao seems to relax as she gets back into her element. “Technically, it’s what we call hardcore fans, but it’s honestly not mainstream and most of The Tide just uses it to refer to sasaengs.”
“Sasaengs?” Sky questions, a bit alarmed as he recalled what Rain had said about them (and the face he made). “Like stalkers?”
Nong Sao nods reluctantly. “Yea, most likely. I’m not surprised she recognized you. Most of us in the fandom think of you as harmless (Sky doesn’t have a response to that) but to them, you’re kinda the ‘Other Woman.’ Admittedly, they're a bit obsessed. I’ve heard rumors that security has had to remove them from p’Pai’s parking lot before. Be thankful they don’t know where you live”
Sky will definitely be following up with Prapai about…all of that. “Are all SamPai fans like that?” he asks, recalling that was the primary argument of the girl.
Also, in what way is Prapai not dominant? He literally eats CEOs for breakfast as part of his job. He’s a shark (he has the grin as proof).
“No!” Nong Sao is quick to defend. “Just the Deep Currents, and not all of them are SamPai fans. For the most part, The Tide is inclusive. I ship PaiMut because to me it implies tension and movement and inevitability. It feels balanced and suggests storm conditions. Also, it feels mischievous, like p’Pai.”
Sky is beginning to suspect Nong Sao of a bit of stalking herself, but then again he supposes even blind people can tell that Prapai is mischievous. It’s his nature.
“SamPai fans are a bit more romantic, really. They feel the sea embraces the wind, and p’Mut is p’Pai’s, like, emotional anchor.”
Sky is again impressed by the amount of thought people have put into this fake relationship. Then again, they are childhood ‘friends’ so maybe some of this is insight rather than speculation. “You don’t see it that way?” Sky can’t help but ask.
Nong Sao snorts, “Please, p’Mut is hot like burning but cold like the ocean depth. He’s an anchor, but I’m not sure it’s an emotional one. Plus, I figure that’s what p’Pai has you for.”
As sweet as that is, Sky is suddenly a bit alarmed. “Wait, I’m not in this, too, am I?”
Nong Sao blushes again. “Technically no? Like The Tide doesn’t see you as a ‘homewrecker’ like that Deep Current,” she continues with a sneer, remembering that rude girl. “But you are p’Pai’s like, public fiancé. I think we all just figure you’re in the mix somehow?” She ends with a shrug.
Sky is suddenly reminded that this girl is very young, and has most likely never been in an actual relationship yet. Thinking back to his own past, he suddenly feels both jealous and protective of her.
Not enough to ask her name, yet, though.
Though, he does kinda want her to meet Rain. He thinks the two would get along.
The interaction ends with the two exchanging LineIDs and agreeing to remain in contact.
Nong Sao was already shamelessly asking for pics of Prapai. Sky knew he liked her. Rain would love her.
It was a good thing Prapai spent so long making sure Sky was secure in their relationship. Now Sky didn’t have to worry about feeling jealous and could focus on what he did best.
Teasing Prapai.
Still, Nong Sao was never allowed to meet Prapai. She might actually pass out from excitement.
They waved goodbye at the cafe entrance, Sky turning towards his car as she gave one final farewell.
“Bye p’Sky! It was great meeting you! Next time we meet, I’ll show you the fandom website!”
Wait…the what now?!