Work Text:
Phuwin has always been a creature of habit, a man who loved a routine. His days were always tightly packed with acting classes, script readings, coffee runs with friends and evenings spent unwinding with Pond, his boyfriend. They were two halves of a whole, their lives shared a comfortable beat of shared laughter, gentle teasing, and unwavering support.
Then, Project JASP.ER happened.
Pond, with his energetic spirit and unique charm, was chosen to join the new T-pop group, together with Joong, Aou, and Santa.
Overnight, their lives were immediately turned around into a frenzy of practice sessions, singing lessons, and media appearances. Phuwin was genuinely happy for Pond. He knew how badly his boyfriend wanted this opportunity, how hard he had worked to chase his dreams. But happiness was quickly replaced by a nagging feeling, an unwelcome guest named jealousy.
The daily meet-ups stopped. Their usual banter-filled phone calls were now shorter, filled with hurried apologies and promises to call back later. Pond was busy, consumed by the demands of Project JASP.ER. Phuwin understood, but he was so used to being indulged by Pond, so this recent change made his heart ache with the absence of his other half.
He threw himself into his own work, filming his current series with a renewed intensity. But even on set, surrounded by familiar faces and immersed in his character, thoughts of Pond and Project JASP.ER lingered in his mind. He scrolled through Instagram during breaks, his thumb hovering over Pond's profile.
That was when the first pang of jealousy hit.
Pond had posted a group photo after a late-night rehearsal. He was smiling, with his arm around Santa's shoulders. The caption read, "Another day, another step closer! #ProjectJASPER" It was innocent enough, a simple celebration of team spirit and fellowship. But to Phuwin, it felt like a punch to the gut.
He stared at the photo, his mind coming up with scenarios he knew were irrational. Santa was a handsome, talented, and seemingly nice guy. And he was spending all his time with Phuwin's boyfriend.
Without thinking, Phuwin posted a bunch of photos of himself, looking effortlessly cool in a vintage leather jacket, with the caption, "Level up" It was a subtle, unconscious attempt to remind the world (and maybe Pond) that he was still out there and still working.
The pattern continued. Whenever Pond or Santa posted a picture together, Phuwin would retaliate with a post of his own. A simple selfie, a behind-the-scenes shot from his drama, and even a picture of his adorably fluffy cat, Hana. Anything to get noticed.
He meticulously liked all of Pond's posts, except, of course, the ones featuring Santa. He even started showing up at Project JASP.ER's practice sessions. He'd claim he was "just in the area" or "had a free afternoon," but everyone knew better. He was an adorable, jealous mess.
Santa, oblivious or perhaps tactfully pretending to be, followed Phuwin on Instagram. Phuwin saw the notification, his heart pounding in his chest. He stared at the "Follow back" button, his finger hovering over it.
He wanted to follow back, to acknowledge Santa's existence, but his pride wouldn't let him. He scrolled down his feed and promptly followed another colleague's account instead, pointedly ignoring Santa's follow request.
The fans, ever observant, were quick to pick up on the tension. Soon, "PondSanta" was trending on Twitter. Edits of Pond and Santa flooded social media, fueled by wishful thinking and the insatiable appetite for "ghost ships."
That was the final straw.
Phuwin, who was usually a master of his emotions, finally cracked. He messaged Pond a string of sulky, passive-aggressive texts that would have made his drama characters proud.
"Busy?" he texted.
"Always," Pond replied, followed by a string of apologetic emojis.
"Just checking to see if you remember that you have a boyfriend," Phuwin snapped, followed by a dramatic eye-roll emoji that conveyed his inner turmoil perfectly. "Or have you traded me for a trending hashtag?"
"Of course, I do! What's wrong, Phuwin? You're acting weird," Pond texted back, his confusion coming off the screen. "And what hashtag?"
"Nothing. Just enjoying all the PondSanta content on Twitter."
Pond, bless his heart, didn't understand and was genuinely confused. "What? PondSanta?"
Phuwin, exasperated, didn't reply. He threw his phone on the bed and buried his face in a pillow. He felt childish, insecure, and utterly ridiculous. He knew Pond loved him. He knew the "ghost ship" was just harmless fun for the fans. But the constant stream of images and speculation had chipped away at his confidence, leaving him feeling vulnerable and replaced.
He didn't talk to Pond for the rest of the day. He ignored his calls, his texts, his increasingly concerned messages. He was determined to punish him, to make him feel the same pang of jealousy he had been experiencing.
The next morning, a notification jolted him awake. It was from Instagram. Pond was live.
Hesitantly, Phuwin clicked on the notification. Pond was sitting in his dressing room, looking tired but still impossibly handsome. He answered fans' questions, and his voice was gentle and patient.
"Pond, what do you think about PondSanta?" someone asked in the comments.
Phuwin held his breath.
Pond's expression turned serious. He took a deep breath before speaking.
"Okay, guys," he said firmly but kindly. "I need to address this. I appreciate the support for Project JASP.ER and the friendships within the group. But I’m really not a fan of ghost ships."
He paused, glancing directly at the camera. "I love working with Santa and the other members, but that's it. We're friends and colleagues. I respect and appreciate all of you, and I hope you can respect my feelings on this."
He took another breath, and a small, almost shy smile touched his lips. "There's only one ship I truly approve of, and that's PondPhuwin. So, please, let's focus on supporting genuine relationships and avoid creating unnecessary drama."
Phuwin’s heart skipped a beat. He felt a wave of relief wash over him, so profound it almost brought him to his knees. He stared at his phone, mesmerised.
The comments erupted in chaos. Some fans were apologetic, flooding the chat with messages like, "Sorry Pond! We get it!" and "PondPhuwin only!"
Others, however, were more defensive, typing furiously: "But PondSanta is just a fun ship!" and "Don't tell us what to ship!" A few even tried to argue, "But you guys look so good together!" and "It's just harmless fun, don't be so sensitive!"
Amidst the storm of text, a few loyal fans tried to moderate, "Guys, respect Pond's feelings!" and "Let's support them both!" Some fans were even typing out long paragraphs explaining their love for both ships but also respecting Pond's wishes. Some fans were asking about Phuwin, and if he was watching.
Amidst the noise, a clear message was made: Pond had spoken. And he had made his feelings clear.
Later that night, after Pond's livestream had ended, Phuwin received a text message.
"Can we talk?"
Phuwin didn't hesitate. "Yes."
Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang, and before his family even had a chance to get up, Phuwin was already at the door. He swung it open and Pond stepped inside, his expression a mix of worry and tenderness. He looked tired, but his eyes were fixed on Phuwin, searching.
"Hey," Pond said softly, closing the door behind him.
"Hey," Phuwin replied, his voice barely a whisper. "Let's go to my room," he suggested, needing the privacy. As they walked down the hallway, they passed Phuwin's parents in the living room. "Sawadee khrap, Mom, Dad," Pond said politely, with a small wai.
"Sawadee, Pond," Phuwin's parents replied, their expressions concerned but understanding.
Pond nodded, and they walked down the hallway, the silence heavy between them. Phuwin closed the door behind them, and they sat down on the edge of the bed, tension hanging in the air.
"Phuwin, I'm so sorry," Pond began, his voice laced with sincerity. "I didn't realize... I didn't realize how much this was affecting you."
Phuwin looked down at his hands, twisting them nervously. "It's stupid, I know. I shouldn't be jealous. You're just doing your job."
"It's not stupid," Pond said, reaching out to take Phuwin's hands in his. "Your feelings are valid. I should have been more aware and considerate. I got caught up in the excitement of Project JASP.ER, and I let our relationship take a backseat. That was wrong of me."
"It's just..." Phuwin trailed off, then looked up at Pond, his eyes filled with a vulnerability he rarely showed. "It felt like you were slipping away. Like I was losing you."
Pond squeezed his hands gently. "You're not losing me, Phuwin. Never. Project JASP.ER. is a part of my life, but you are my life. I love you more than anything."
Phuwin's eyes welled up with tears. "I love you too, Pond. It's just... seeing all those photos, and all the fan edits... it made me feel insecure. Like I wasn't enough."
"Phuwin," Pond said, his voice firm but gentle. "You are more than enough. You're everything. Don't ever doubt that. Those fan edits, they're just fantasies. They're not real. What we have is real. And I'm going to make sure you know that."
He reached out, cupping Phuwin's face in his hands. "I need you to believe me," he whispered, his eyes searching Phuwin's.
He leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to Phuwin's lips. It was a kiss that spoke of reassurance, of longing, of the deep connection they shared. Phuwin responded, his arms wrapping around Pond's neck, pulling him closer.
They held each other for a moment, the tension slowly melting away as they simply enjoyed the comfort of their embrace. After a few moments, they broke apart, foreheads resting against each other.
"I saw your livestream," Phuwin said, a small smile playing on his lips. "You were pretty clear about the whole PondPhuwin thing."
Pond chuckled. "I wanted to make sure everyone understood. Especially you."
"Thank you," Phuwin said, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for saying that. For making it clear."
"I should have said it sooner," Pond admitted. "I promise, I'll be better. I'll make more time for us. I'll be more present."
"You don't have to change everything," Phuwin said, leaning his head on Pond's shoulder. "Just... don't forget about me."
"Never," Pond whispered, wrapping his arms around Phuwin. "I could never forget about you. You're my other half."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the tension finally dissipating. Phuwin felt a sense of relief wash over him, a feeling of being grounded again. He knew that their relationship wasn't perfect, but it was real, and it was strong.
"So," Phuwin said, breaking the silence, "should I still ignore Santa's follow request?"
Pond laughed, a genuine, joyful sound. "I think it's time to follow him back. And maybe even be nice to him."
"Maybe," Phuwin said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "But just a little bit."
Pond kissed him softly, a tender, reassuring kiss that spoke volumes. "I love your jealous side," he whispered against Phuwin's lips. "But I love your happy side even more."
Phuwin smiled a genuine, radiant smile that lit up his face. "I love you too, you big dork."
They spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing, and simply enjoying each other's company. The air was light, the tension gone, replaced by a sense of renewed closeness.
As the delicious aroma of dinner began to waft from the kitchen, Pond felt a familiar sense of comfort. "You know," he said, looking at Phuwin and then towards the living room, "it feels like forever since I've had one of your mom's home-cooked meals. Would it be alright if I joined you all for dinner?"
Phuwin's eyes softened. "Of course, Pond. You know you're always welcome," he said, squeezing Pond's hand. "They'd be disappointed if you didn't stay." He stood up, pulling Pond with him. "Let's go tell them. They've probably already set an extra place for you."
They walked hand-in-hand to the living room, where Phuwin's parents were already setting the table.
"Mom, Dad, Pond's staying for dinner," Phuwin announced a warm smile on his face.
"Oh, Pond, wonderful!" his mother beamed, her eyes lighting up. "We were hoping you would. You know you're family here."
"Yes, please stay," his father added, patting the empty chair beside him. "We've missed you."
"Thank you," Pond said, his heart full. He gave them a respectful wai, feeling a genuine sense of belonging.
They spent the rest of the evening sharing stories, laughter, and a delicious meal. The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful. The air was light, the tension completely gone, replaced by a deep and comfortable sense of renewed closeness.
Later that week, Project JASP.ER had a performance at a music festival. Phuwin, despite his packed schedule, made sure to be there. He watched from backstage, a proud smile on his face, as Pond and the rest of the group performed. During a break in the show, he found Pond backstage, looking a little flustered.
"You were amazing," Phuwin said, handing him a bottle of water.
"Thanks," Pond said, taking a long drink. "I was a little nervous."
"Nervous? You looked like you were born for this," Phuwin said, playfully bumping his shoulder.
"Well," Pond said, a sheepish grin spreading across his face, "I knew you were watching."
Phuwin's heart fluttered. "Of course I was," he said, leaning in closer. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Pond's gaze softened, and he leaned in too, his eyes fixed on Phuwin's lips. The world seemed to fade away as they got closer, the anticipation building. It looked like they were about to share a sweet, intimate kiss...
"Suddenly, a loud voice boomed through the backstage area. "Great show, everyone! We killed it!" Santa appeared with a wide grin on his face, followed by Joong and Aou, all of them looking flushed and exhilarated from the performance.
"Thanks, Santa," Pond said, smiling, though a little startled by the sudden interruption. He glanced at Phuwin, a playful smirk on his face as if to say, Almost had a moment there.
Phuwin, feeling a flicker of his old jealousy (though much milder now), cleared his throat and stepped back a bit. "Yeah, you guys were good," he said, trying to sound casual, but his cheeks were still flushed. He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at the interruption but also relieved that his face wasn't any redder.
Santa, still buzzing with energy, clapped Phuwin on the shoulder. "You should join us onstage next time, Phuwin! We could do a special performance. Maybe a guest verse or something!"
Phuwin's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and excitement flickering within them. "Me? Onstage? With you guys?"
"Yeah! It would be awesome!" Santa said, beaming, and Joong and Aou nodded in agreement.
Pond looked at Phuwin, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You know," he said, "you do have a pretty good singing voice. You've been practising in the shower enough."
Phuwin blushed, suddenly flustered, but he couldn't help but laugh. "I… I don’t know…"
"Come on, Phuwin," Pond said, nudging him playfully. "It would be fun! We could even choreograph something simple."
Phuwin looked from Pond to Santa, then to Joong and Aou, and back again. He saw the genuine enthusiasm in their eyes. He couldn't help but smile, a wave of warmth spreading through him.
"Okay," he said, "but if I embarrass myself, I'm blaming all of you."
Santa cheered, and Pond gave him a reassuring smile, while Joong and Aou gave him encouraging nods. As they started to discuss potential songs and routines, Phuwin felt a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. He knew he was still a little jealous and a little insecure, but he was also surrounded by people who cared about him, and that was all that mattered.
The lingering tension had melted away, replaced by a recharged energy and shared enthusiasm. He was looking forward to this new experience with his boyfriend and his friends.
And if he happened to steal a little bit of Pond’s spotlight, well, that was just a bonus.