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Phuwin is starting to understand why some choose to date secretly. But wait, don’t get him wrong (or be happy too soon), it’s not like he’s actually dating anyone, or more specifically, a certain someone who goes by the name of Pond Naravit. Honestly, there’s no label to define whatever is going on between them. After all the ups and downs in the 5 years that they’ve known each other, Phuwin is pretty clear about his feelings for Pond, and he knows his partner feels the same way too but that doesn’t naturally have to mean that they are dating. In fact, he's happy to tell anyone who wants to know that he's still single.
It’s kind of unspoken between Phuwin and Pond anyway. They can continue keeping whatever that’s going on between them a secret. There’s also no rush to put a name or label to it. And even if they are dating, Phuwin knows they would both prefer to continue keeping it private for the sake of everyone’s sanity.
Despite this, it has come to Phuwin’s attention that his closest friends, Fourth and Satang, at some point in time (behind Phuwin’s back, mind you) has decided otherwise - that leaving their relationship ambiguous is somehow not an option. Apparently, after helping Phuwin understand his feelings for Pond, they both, with only good intentions of course, have made it their mission to ensure Phuwin gets his happily ever after, even if it means putting their relationship in the spotlight.
Between Fourth’s constant teasing and Satang’s cryptic remarks, Phuwin is starting to regret telling them everything especially when their seemingly harmless comments are aired publicly and Phuwin isn’t prepared to manage his reactions in front of the camera. He knows it’s the same for Pond too (even though Pond probably has no clue on what the lonely gang is up to). Like when Fourth asks if he and Pond are dating, Pond instantly shies away and Phuwin decides to bite Fourth’s finger as revenge for teasing them. Or when Satang suggests for Pond to be paired with others, and Pond looks so uneasy, almost fearful, while Phuwin looks like he’s ready to murder someone.
If he knows his lonely gang well enough, they are most likely trying to edge Pond on with all the teasing to make things official. Which brings him to this exact moment when he’s in his room, sitting at his desk with the usual set up like when he does a live stream but instead on a video call with his friends.
“I know what you both are doing.” Phuwin glares into his front camera in an attempt to show his annoyance, as serious as he’ll ever be, “Stop it.”
“So is P’Pond your faen already?” Fourth asks, eyes bright and hopeful.
“What?! No-”
“Fot, I guess we have to look out for other opportunities.” Satang cuts Phuwin off nonchalantly.
Fourth groans, “What’s taking P’Pond so long… I’ve dropped more than enough hints already.”
Satang thinks out loud, “Maybe we should-”
“Hey, why are you both acting like I’m not here?” Phuwin is somewhat annoyed, mostly amused.
“Oh?” Satang’s lips curled, “Does this mean Mr Phuwin Tang would like to do something to help himself?”
“Guys, come on…” Phuwin huffs, “Pond and I… we’re ok with the way things are.”
“But why just be ok when it could be better?” Fourth asks, genuinely curious.
“Ok then,” Phuwin crosses his arms as his lips stretched into a thin smile, “Things are great between us actually!”
Satang scoffs, “Do you think we are stupid?”
Phuwin shrugs, “Well, I never knew you guys were this nosy so…”
“Ai Phuwin, we only just want you to be happy.” Fourth says, sincere and hoping Phuwin actually understands their good intentions.
“I am happy.” Phuwin deadpans, “But I’ll be happier if you both stop-”
“Err, what’s going on?”
Without any warning, a fourth (numerically, just to be clear) voice interrupts their conversation and Phuwin’s phone screen suddenly splits into four. He recognises that all too familiar voice even before his screen reveals the owner of the voice who is now occupying a quarter of the screen.
“Hia!” Phuwin curses, completely caught off guard by the twist of events.
“Oui P’Pond!”
The greeting comes from Fourth who is clearly as stunned as him. Phuwin’s eyes dart to Satang who is now looking the sassiest he has ever been.
Frustrated, Phuwin grits his teeth, “Satang-“
“Sorry, looks like I shouldn’t have answered.” Pond senses the tension and tries to quell the situation, “You guys continue, I’ll leave the-”
“No, actually, Phuwin has something to say to you~” Satang sing-songs and makes eyes at his youngest friend, “Fourth?”
“Right, right, yes, bye P’!” Fourth, of course, gets the hint and excitedly waves goodbye.
Just as fast as Pond joins the call, Satang and Fourth exits it, leaving only Phuwin and Pond on the line.
Phuwin sighs as a message from Satang pops up on the screen.
Thank us later ❤️
“… is everything ok?” Pond breaks the silence cautiously.
“You mean whether I am still friends with those two idiots?” Phuwin laughs, “Well, no.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have picked up.” Pond mutters out loud. Even in his confusion, he can tell it was a wrong decision on his part.
Lying back against his gaming chair, Phuwin shakes his head and lets out a breath, “It’s fine…”
“Should we end the call then?” Pond suggests, ever so gentle and accommodating to Phuwin.
“Sure, if you don’t want to talk to me…” Phuwin says.
Pond sulks, “Hey, you know that’s not what I meant.”
Phuwin laughs and does his signature hand gesture to signal to Pond that he is just kidding. Pond can only smile defeatedly while Phuwin slowly sits up, resting an elbow on the desk and cupping his chin in one hand as his gaze rests on Pond thoughtfully for a moment. He sees that Pond is sitting up in his bed, wearing a simple white tank top, his hair tousled. Phuwin guesses Pond probably came out of the shower not too long ago and was likely catching up on a day’s worth of social media when Satang’s call came.
“Aren’t you curious about why Satang called?” Phuwin questions, watching Pond’s reaction closely.
Pond attempts a guess, “Is it something to do with all the teasing these days?”
“So you feel it too…” Phuwin observes out loud.
He pauses to ponder for a moment before deciding to be blunt with Pond.
“It’s because they want us to date.” Phuwin announces matter-of-factly, with no emotions whatsoever.
“Oh...” Pond raises an eyebrow, “They don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“That we are?”
“Are we?”
“We aren’t?”
“Huh? What?”
“Phuwin.”
“Pond.”
They lock eyes through the camera, staring each other down with faces so serious that you may think the two of them are arguing with the way the conversation went. But after a beat, the supposed tension in the air breaks, and both Pond and Phuwin burst into laughter.
It’s moments like these that reassure Phuwin of the understanding they’ve built with each other, and that their hearts have and will always be on the same page.
They share a knowing smile before Pond, sincere about getting the lonely gang off Phuwin’s back, throws out a suggestion.
“Well, if it saves you the trouble, just tell them we are.”
“And let them think they deserve the credit?” Phuwin narrows his eyes at Pond, “No way. Besides…”
There’s a mischievous glint in Phuwin’s eyes for a brief second that goes unnoticed by Pond.
“Hmm?”
“If we were really dating, you would have to chase me first… but you haven’t made a move on me yet so.” Phuwin shrugs, “No can do.”
Upon hearing Phuwin’s words, Pond almost drops his phone. His eyes widen in shock, the muscles in his jaw tensing, as he is rendered completely speechless. This is brand new information to him.
“You know it’s not so easy to win over my heart right…” Phuwin smiles, looking all innocent like he hasn’t just dropped a bombshell on Pond.
“But I thought- well, we…” Pond stutters, struggling to find the right words, “I mean, like… aren’t we already-”
It’s obvious that Pond’s mind is in overdrive, but let’s be honest, Phuwin is enjoying every moment.
“It’s ok. Relax.” Phuwin smirks, “We’ll be together for a long time, so whenever you’re ready~”
“Phuwin…” Pond pleads, doubtful if Phuwin is playing with him or actually being serious.
“Sleep on it, teerak~”
Wiggling his eyebrows, the smile on Phuwin’s face grows even wider as he intentionally ends the call before Pond can say anything more.
As soon as it’s safe, Phuwin finally lets out the laughter he has been holding in, thinking back on Pond’s reaction. Well, that was fun! No wonder Fourth and Satang enjoys teasing them so much. But, Phuwin thinks, only he should have that special privilege to tease Pond.
As he is reminded of the message that Satang sent earlier, Phuwin grabs his phone and decides his lonely gang deserves some credit after all. While they may not have achieved what they hoped for now… Phuwin can't deny that Pond and himself are inevitable anyway.