Chapter Text
Present time
Mark was getting more and more frustrated. Every new variety show him and Junior took part in, every new event they attended, one thought was constantly on his mind. Stop with the cheekies! Junior was getting bolder and bolder with them, and even though Mark knew well that their fans were fond of seeing them press their cheeks together, Mark was not. Or rather, maybe he was too fond of it.
Every time Junior closed the distance between them to put his cheek against his own, Mark couldn’t help tensing up, the fear of getting caught twisting his stomach in knots. The softness of Junior’s skin, the smell of his cologne, the small smile etched on his face made butterflies explode in Mark’s stomach.
And the more it happened, the closer he was to letting his mask slip, letting the whole world see his feelings. That made him so anxious he spent a lot of sleepless nights thinking about it endlessly. He was afraid their fans would stop following them or be disgusted by him if they knew. But, more than that, he was afraid Junior would start distancing himself if he realized Mark’s feelings were not so platonic.
Then, Junior came up with the premium cheekies. They were promoting some cosmetics to their audience, and Junior was as playful as ever. Joking with Mark and grinning at the cameras. Mark was also playing his part for the cameras, smiling easily, seemingly unbothered by Junior’s teasing even though his heart was racing. After a few cheekies – way too many, if you asked Mark, Junior turned towards Mark with a teasing glint in his eyes before proudly announcing that they would now try something new, something he called premium cheekies.
Mark smiled uneasily, apprehensive at what else Junior had in store. Junior leaned towards him, closing the distance between them, and while Mark was prepared for the press of Junior’s cheek against his, he was definitely not prepared for Junior to turn his head slightly, his lips barely a few millimetres away from his own. Mark gulped nervously, eyes growing wide at the gesture, and leaned his head back slightly, a strained smile on his face. His heart skipped a beat at the closeness, and he stopped breathing, unable to trust his body in that moment. Thoughts were racing in his mind, just like his heart was racing in his chest.
After what felt like an eternity, Junior finally moved back, and Mark took a shaky breath, trying to keep his composure for the cameras. The rest of the live passed in a blur. If anyone asked Mark what they talked about, he wouldn’t be able to answer. From the moment Junior’s lips had touched the corner of his mouth, his mind had been blank.
When the live finally ended and the cameras were turned off, Mark felt his body relax slightly, a sigh passing his lips. He felt Junior’s curious gaze on him, but he couldn’t face him yet. He stood up from his chair and made his way to the changing room, mumbling excuses about wanting to remove his makeup to get away from the man that was making him so flustered.
He felt a lot calmer after taking some time to rid his face of any trace of makeup and changing into more comfortable clothes. When Junior entered the changing room, Mark was ready to talk to him. He had taken the time he was on his own to think about what he had to do. He couldn’t go on like this. He wouldn’t be able to take it. Even though he was afraid of what Junior would think of him, he was more afraid of slipping up in public. Plus, he didn’t need to tell everything to Junior. Just asking him to slow down with the fanservice would be enough.
As soon as Junior sat down, Mark, leaning against the edge of one of the vanity tables, turned towards him, but before he could say anything, Junior spoke first.
“Are you okay?’ he asked him, sounding worried. “You left so abruptly… Are you upset with me?”
“No Phi! Not at all.” Mark answered. “Why would I be upset with you?”
“I don’t know…” Junior told him truthfully, staring down, his hands in his lap. “You were so tense, and you couldn’t even look me in the eyes.”
Mark gasped. Was he that obvious?
“Sorry, Phi, I’m just tired. With all the schedules we’ve had this week, I couldn’t get a lot of sleep.”
“Ah.” Junior sighed in relief. “Do you want to sleep at my place today? We need to meet the crew at 8 tomorrow so it’d be easier this way.”
“It’s okay, Phi,” Mark answered, his mind racing to find an excuse to let the other down without sounding suspicious. The truth was, he needed time alone. If he stayed at Junior’s condo that night, it would be the end of him, or rather the end of the whole façade he had carefully constructed to protect his feelings.
“I already promised some friends I’d have dinner with them. We’re meeting near my condo.”
“Oh, really?” Junior sounded disappointed. “What friends?” he asked, eyebrows furrowing as he eyed him suspiciously.
“Some old friends from high school,” Mark lied through his teeth.
“Oh. Okay.”
Junior shook his head with a sigh and started to remove his makeup. He kept glancing at Mark through the mirror, like he wanted to say something, or like he wanted Mark to do something.
Mark took a deep breath. It’s now or never, he thought, his gaze turning once again towards Junior.
“Phi?”
“Hmm?”
“I… I’ve been thinking… Can we… Would it be possible to slow down a bit with the cheekies?” he asked Junior, his cheeks tinging slightly red at the request.
“Huh?”
“I mean, I know our fans love them and all, but… The truth is, I’ve been getting a bit uncomfortable…”
Before he could continue, Junior interrupted him. “Am I making you uncomfortable?”
Mark couldn’t bear the sad look on Junior’s face.
“No, Phi! That’s not what I meant!”
“Then what?”
“It’s just… I don’t think we need to do that much. The fans already love us, and they would love us either way, with or without cheekies,” Mark rambled, trying to find a way to make Junior agree with him, to make this torture stop.
Junior sighed again, his palms rubbing his face slowly.
“Do you really think I’m doing this for the fans?”
“Huh?” It was Mark’s turn to be confused.
“Forget it.” Junior shook his head. “If you don’t like it, I’ll stop.”
He stood up, about to leave the changing room, but stopped in his tracks at Mark’s next words.
“I never said I didn’t like it,” he mumbled, his words barely above a whisper.
Junior turned around abruptly, facing Mark, his gaze intense.
“Then what?” His voice rose, full of frustration. “I don’t see the problem. What are you afraid of?”
Mark sighed heavily, his gaze cast down, not able to meet Junior’s eyes.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold back,” he admitted, the words leaving his mouth before he could think them through.
He gasped, his hands going up instinctively to hide his blushing face, his eyes peeking through his fingers at the man standing on the other side of the room.
Junior was staring at him incredulously, like he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Then a big smile lit his face.
“Finally,” he exclaimed with a sigh.
“Huh?”
Before Mark could understand what was happening, Junior closed the distance between them and put his arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly.
“Huh???”
Mark was dumbfounded. He leaned back slightly, searching Junior’s face for any clue as to what the other was thinking.
“I was starting to think that you would never do anything,” Junior said with a chuckle, his eyes crinkling at the corners in an adorable way.
“Wait! Phi, did you do this on purpose???” Mark asked incredulously.
“Maybe?”
“Phi!” Mark punched Junior weakly on the chest, pouting. “Why do you keep teasing me?”
“I’m not teasing you,” Junior contradicted him. “I’m just waiting for you to say it.”
“Say what?” Mark asked, confused.
“What you really feel.”
Mark’s cheeks got redder at that, and he hid his face in the crook of Junior’s neck at the knowing gaze the older man was giving him.
“Since when did you know?” he asked softly, his voice barely audible.
“Since the day we finished shooting our last series,” Junior admitted, his hand stroking Mark’s back reassuringly.
Mark inhaled deeply, his body relaxing unconsciously. Junior had that effect on him. He had a way to make him feel safe and at ease.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
Junior leaned back slightly, his hand going under Mark’s chin to lift it gently, their eyes meeting. Mark felt his breath catch in his throat at the warmth he saw in Junior’s eyes.
“I was waiting for you to say it,” he admitted. “I want to hear it from you,” he added after a moment.
Mark nodded, and after a breath, his eyes never leaving Junior’s face, he whispered, “I like you, Phi.”
A smile bloomed on Junior’s face, so bright it was almost blinding.
“I like you too… Teerak,” he answered, both men blushing at the pet name.
Mark hid his face against Junior’s neck once more, happy but shy, Junior’s warm laugh making his chest tremble slightly. He snaked his arms around Junior’s waist, pulling him closer against his body. He inhaled the other’s scent, sighing contentedly.
“You smell good, Phi,” he whispered.
Junior chuckled.
“I know. You’ve told me before.”
“I have?” Mark asked, surprised.
Junior nodded.
“When?”
Mark felt a warm breath against his ear, making him shiver.
“That’s… a secret.”
“Phi! You can’t do this,” Mark whined, a pout on his face.
Junior chuckled warmly, stroking Mark’s head fondly.
“Okay, okay. Let Phi make it up to you.”
Before Mark could ask what he meant, he added, “I have a special kind of cheekies for you.”
“What kind of cheekies?”
“I call it the super special cheekies,” Junior said with a smile. “Do you want to try it?”
Mark had to admit he was curious. He nodded expectantly and turned his head to the side as Junior leaned forwards. Their cheeks touched slightly before Mark felt Junior angle his face until his lips touched the corner of Mark’s mouth.
Mark took a sharp inhale, feeling Junior’s nose sliding against his cheek as his tongue brushed against his upper lip playfully. Unable to stop himself, Mark turned his head to make their lips meet fully. He felt Junior smile against his lips before he took his upper lip between his own lips, lightly biting it. They took their time, kissing without rush, savouring each other. Neither one deepened the kiss, taking things slowly.
After some time, Mark felt Junior lean back, both men panting slightly. He chased Junior’s mouth, stealing one last kiss from him.
Junior’s eyes were full of glee, his cheeks pink, his eyes slightly wet. Mark felt his heart swell at the sight.
“You’re so pretty, Phi,” he whispered reverently, his eyes sparkling like stars.
Junior grinned, his voice warm and sweet like honey as he replied, “You’re taking the words out of my mouth.” He took a breath before adding, his gaze full of wonder, “You look breathtaking.”
Mark blushed at his words. He pushed Junior gently, leaving his embrace reluctantly.
“Let’s go back home, Phi,” he said as he took his bag from the nearby sofa.
Junior nodded and went to take his own bag. He followed Mark, but put a hand on his arm to stop him before he could open the door of the changing room.
“Wait! I have one more question for you,” he said, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“Yes?”
He leaned forward, his lips brushing against Mark’s ear.
“So… Now, can I call you Teerak?”
Mark chuckled. He turned his head to plant a kiss on Junior’s cheek.
“You’ve already done it, haven’t you… Teerak?”
He exited the changing room with a grin on his face, leaving a stunned Junior behind.