Chapter Text
Kris abandoned her suitcase in the hallway outside her bedroom door, exhaustion making her stagger across the floor to her bed before she practically flung herself onto the comfortable mattress, rolling over to stare at the ceiling.
Having a new hit song, paired with the music video that was still raking in views, despite being out for a fair amount of time already, was wonderful and all, but the press schedule and traveling that came with the success had worn her down to the bone in the past few weeks. She had traveled around Thailand, performing and interviewing, plus all the rest of the obligations that kept her music at the top.
Kris was grateful—she truly was—but all the same, looking around her empty condo, designed for cool comfort, she couldn't help but feel that something was missing in her life.
As her mind was wont to do as of late, her thoughts turned to a certain young woman with long, dark hair and eyes Kris could get lost in given the chance.
"What kind of girl do you like?"
The question echoed in her memory, tinged blue from the club lights strobing across their faces. Her own reply came, quick and smooth in the moment.
"She's right here."
Kris had been looking directly at her as she said it. She hadn't been able to look away from her since the moment Shasha had brought her into that secret club. She knew she shouldn't be paying attention; Shasha had asked her to be there with Gorya to help make her jealous, and Kris had happily agreed, partially out of desire to help her ex-girlfriend-turned-closest-friend, partially out of the fun of getting to flirt with a pretty girl.
That whole night, her eyes had been drawn to her where she had been dancing with Shasha. Every time she had caught herself, she had mentally chided herself as she pulled her attention back to Gorya. Thankfully, Gorya had been too caught up with watching Shasha, her jealousy oozing from every pore as she watched Shasha dancing with Baipor.
Kris hadn't been able to get her out of her mind since, and especially not after the moment at Ant and Nin's wedding. She remembered the lingering eye contact as she made her way through the crowd to her, which parted to make way. Her entire world had narrowed down to those eyes, dark and intense as she had watched her. How her hand felt in hers, soft and warm…
Bzzz
Bzzz
Bzzz
Kris was pulled from her daydream by the vibrating in her back pocket. She shifted off her back to pull it out, bringing her phone up to her ear without looking to see who was calling.
"Hello?"
"I heard you were back in town again." Shasha's voice came through the speaker.
"Mmm," Kris hummed in response, sitting up. "Just got back this afternoon."
"I just wanted to call and see if you wanted to come hang out at Blossom tonight with me and Gorya."
Kris looked out the window over the Bangkok skyline, the sky itself painted gold with the setting sun as she contemplated the idea. She was tired, yes, but perhaps she needed some distraction.
"Okay," she heard herself say. "I'll see you later."
"Bye, Kris."
The phone went dead, and Kris dropped it on the comforter next to her before laying back again to stare at the ceiling. She brushed the hair out of her face, carding her fingers through with both hands before dragging them down over her face.
She really needed some distraction before her own mind betrayed her yet again and replayed those moments.
Kris groaned, rubbing her face and scratching her scalp as she sat up. She had never in her life been this hung up on someone before—not even Shasha, whom she had dated, and who was now one of her best friends. And she'd only met Baipor twice.
What is wrong with me?
She shook her head as she stood up, hoping a shower before going out would clear her head.
* * *
Kris wove through the crowd of women to the bar, the bass loud and vibrating through her bones. The song finished just as she stepped up to the bar.
"Hey, Kris!" Ant greeted her in the lull between songs.
"Hi, Ant," Kris half-smiled at the woman.
"Your usual?" Ant asked. Kris shook her head.
"Just a glass of wine tonight, please," Kris replied. "I brought my car and I don't want to leave it here tonight."
Ant nodded in response, moving deftly behind the bar.
The next song started up, and the bass, usually so able to get her blood pumping and excited to find someone to share the night with, felt oppressive and overwhelming.
"Are you heading up to your usual spot to find a woman tonight?" Ant asked, half-shouting to be heard over the music as she slid the glass of wine to Kris.
Kris hummed loudly, half-agreeing, as she raised her glass to Ant. She was, indeed, heading up to the loft, where she could watch the floor for when Shasha, Gorya, and whoever else was coming with them that night got there, but she had no intention of bringing anyone home that night.
"Thanks, Ant."
Kris turned from the bar, wine in hand, and promptly walked directly into someone. Red wine splashed over the rim of the glass and onto the bodice of the woman's dress, the red lighting of the bar deepening the stain so it looked like blood, stark against the white of the fabric.
"Shit!" Kris exclaimed, putting the glass down on the bar and holding out her hands a little helplessly, unsure if she should touch, considering the location on a stranger's body. "I'm so sorry! I didn't hurt you, did I?"
Kris raised her eyes to look at the woman's face and found herself momentarily stunned when she was met with the same eyes that had held her so deeply in a chokehold for the past few weeks that she could barely think of anything else.
Time seemed to slow down, the din of the music and people fading as Kris stared into those eyes, dark and deep. She forgot how to breathe for a moment, until the world around her came crashing back, the bass and lights feeling violent now. Kris turned back to the bar, grabbing the napkins that Ant was holding out for her.
"I'm not hurt," Baipor said loudly, accepting the napkins that Kris held out for her, praying Baipor couldn't see the shake in her hand.
"But I'm going to go to the bathroom to assess the damage."
Baipor turned away without another word, weaving through the growing crowd to the bathroom. Kris hesitated for a moment before she followed her, heart pounding.
She slipped through the bathroom door after Baipor, shutting it behind her, muffling the noise outside. The bright fluorescent lights lit Baipor's face, looking serious as she surveyed the damage to her dress, dabbing at the stain that had bloomed across her chest and down onto her abdomen.
Kris paused, hand still on the door handle, then stepped forward, silently grabbing a paper towel and wetting it from the tap. She squeezed out the excess water before holding it out to Baipor, who glanced up and took it with a slight nod. Her eyes were guarded, expression so different from when Kris had seen her at the wedding.
"I'll pay for a new dress," Kris said, watching as Baipor attempted to salvage the ruined fabric.
"It's fine. I'll just go home now."
Her words were short and clipped as she scrubbed at the stain. Kris shrugged off her jacket before reaching out and lightly touching Baipor's hand.
Baipor stilled as soon as she felt Kris's hand. Her skin was warm under her fingers. Baipor finally looked up, meeting Kris's eyes. Kris felt her heart stutter a few beats before it picked back up, racing as they stared into each other's eyes.
Kris was unsure of how long they stood there like that. All she knew was that she never wanted the moment to stop.
But, alas, all things must end. The door crashed open loudly and someone stumbled in, making a beeline for one of the stalls behind them. The moment shattered as Baipor jerked her hand back, clearing her throat as she turned away from Kris.
"I should go."
"Wait!" Kris caught her arm lightly. "How are you getting home? Not public transport, I hope. You smell like alcohol, and I don't want you to get hurt."
"I'll just get P'Prim to take me home." Baipor pulled her arm away, but not before Kris draped her jacket over her shoulders, covering the worst of the damage. Baipor
"Wear this for now," Kris said, "and I doubt she and Bambi want to leave this early. Can I drive you home?"
* * *
"It's okay." Baipor pulled the jacket tighter around her, trying hard not to breathe in the scent that was enveloping her. It was spicy and warm. "Thanks for the jacket, though. I'll wash it and get it back to you."
Baipor glanced back at Kris.
That was a mistake, she thought as her eyes roved down Kris's now exposed arms with their soft looking skin over lean muscle. She snapped her eyes back forward to the bathroom door, using all her willpower to walk forward and not get lost in Kris's eyes again.
When she had seen Kris standing at the bar, she had been so excited, the butterflies from a few weeks prior at Ant and Nin's wedding returning so strongly. She and Kris had had a moment, one she had replayed in her mind so many times in the past few weeks.
Her traitorous mind dwelled on it once more now. Kris holding her gaze as she walked, singing, through the crowd, which parted in front of her. She had held out her hand, and Baipor had taken it. Her hand had been warm and soft. Kris had twirled her, and Baipor had done the same to her, a smile on her face.
Then Kris had kissed her hand.
It had felt electric.
Much like the feeling Baipor had felt a few moments before when she and Kris had stood, staring into each other's eyes.
No, she thought firmly, you can't do this.
She had heard Ant asking Kris if she was going to take someone home tonight. Had heard Kris's hum of affirmation. Had heard, and was about to turn away when Kris had turned first, spilling her wine across Baipor.
Baipor had learned her lesson with Shasha. Kris was far too like Shasha had been before she had met Gorya, and Baipor didn't want to get burned again, despite how attracted she was to Kris.
While Shasha had proven that she could change after meeting the right person, Baipor didn't want to take the risk again now. Better to play it safe and stay far, far away from Kris and her womanizing tendencies.
She opened the bathroom door and stepped back out into the noise of the club, holding the jacket around her shoulders. She was vaguely aware of Kris following a few steps behind her as she walked through the crowd to where her sister Prim, as well as Bambi, Min, and Praew were standing. Shasha and Gorya were nowhere to be seen, but this didn't surprise Baipor.
"What's up with you?" Prim asked as she approached.
"I got wine spilled on me," Baipor answered, opening the jacket to show them, hearing sympathetic groans from them all.
"It was my fault," Kris spoke from behind her. Baipor tried hard to ignore her, but couldn't help looking over her shoulder. She snapped her eyes forward when she found Kris looking back at her.
"Do you think you can take me home, P'Prim?"
"I offered, since I didn't think you'd want to leave yet." Kris jumped in before Prim had a chance to answer. Baipor shot her a look over her shoulder again.
"That's a great idea," Bambi said.
"Okay," Prim added, after a few moments' thought and a silent exchange with Bambi. "Besides, I've had too much to drink tonight as is. I was planning on leaving my car here overnight and calling a taxi for me and Bambi."
Baipor felt a gentle weight on her arm, thankfully through the jacket this time. She wasn't sure if she could handle Kris's touch on her bare skin again at the moment.
"See, I told you," Kris said. "Come on, let me make it up to you and take you home. Please?"
Baipor hesitated, looking first at Prim and Bambi before glancing at Kris again.
"Okay," she acquiesced at last.
"Okay?" Kris's eyes lit up. "Okay, let's go, then!"
They bade their goodbyes to the group and made their way through the crowd again to the door, running into Shasha and Gorya as they came through the door. Kris quickly explained the situation to them before they parted ways once more. Baipor felt Kris's hand on her lower back as she guided her along towards her car.
Oh, god, she thought, I am so screwed.