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Phuwin stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror of the *Taste* production set, trying to figure out exactly when his life had taken this peculiar turn. When had he gone from being perceived as the cool, collected actor to... whatever this was?
"Phu phu! Are you ready for the next scene?" came a cheerful voice from outside the door.
He groaned internally. Even the assistant director had started calling him that ridiculous nickname. It had spread like wildfire across the entire production, and no amount of his stern looks seemed to deter anyone.
"Coming," he called back, attempting to inject some authority into his voice. But as he opened the door, he was met with the assistant director's wide grin.
"Aww, you sound so serious! It's adorable," she cooed, reaching up to ruffle his hair before he could dodge. "The director wants to see you on set in five."
Phuwin's eye twitched as he watched her walk away, practically bouncing with glee. This was getting ridiculous.
The *Taste* set was buzzing with activity when Phuwin arrived. He'd been working with this new production house for two weeks now, and somehow, every single person seemed to have collectively decided that he was their personal source of entertainment.
"There's our little star!" Director Niran called out, his weathered face creasing into a fond smile. "Ready to film the confrontation scene with your on-screen father?"
Phuwin nodded curtly, trying to project professionalism. "Yes, sir. I've prepared thoroughly."
"Look at that serious face," laughed P'Arun, the veteran actor playing his father in the series. "You're trying so hard to look intimidating, but you just look like an angry kitten."
Several crew members nearby chuckled, and Phuwin felt his cheeks warm. "I'm not trying to look intimidating," he protested, which only made his voice sound higher than intended.
"Aww, he's getting defensive!" cooed P'May, the script supervisor, clutching her clipboard to her chest. "The way his voice goes up when he's flustered is just precious."
"I am not flustered," Phuwin insisted, his cheeks growing redder by the second.
"Oh, but you are," said Khun Joe, the cinematographer, adjusting his camera with a grin. "Look, your ears are turning pink too. It's like a built-in emotion detector."
"Can we please just focus on the scene?" Phuwin pleaded, but his exasperation only made the crew more delighted.
"Oh no, he's pouting now!" squealed one of the makeup artists. "Someone take a picture!"
"I am NOT pouting!" Phuwin's protest came out with such indignation that it sent the entire crew into fits of laughter.
P'Som, the wardrobe assistant, giggled as she adjusted Phuwin's costume. "Phu phu, you say you're not pouting, but your bottom lip is literally sticking out right now."
"It's not sticking out, it's just—" Phuwin caught himself touching his lip and immediately dropped his hand, which only made everyone laugh harder.
Director Niran wiped tears from his eyes. "Phu phu, you're going to be the death of us all. How are we supposed to take your angry scenes seriously when you look like that?"
"Like what?" Phuwin demanded, crossing his arms.
"Like a tiny storm cloud!" P'Nong, the sound engineer, called out from behind his equipment. "All thunder, no lightning!"
"That's actually perfect," P'Arun mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "My character is supposed to be stern with you, but honestly, I just want to pinch your cheeks and tell you everything will be okay."
"Please don't," Phuwin said weakly, recognizing the look in the older actor's eyes.
"Too late," P'Arun grinned, reaching over to gently pinch both of Phuwin's cheeks. "There. Now I can focus on being a stern father figure."
The entire crew burst into "awws" and several people pulled out their phones to take pictures of Phuwin's mortified expression.
"This is harassment," Phuwin declared, but his voice had gone up an octave again.
"This is love," corrected P'Nim, the assistant director. "You're like our set's baby now. Our good luck charm."
"I'm supposed to be a professional actor!"
"You are," Director Niran assured him, finally taking pity on him. "You're incredibly talented. You're also adorable, and there's nothing wrong with being both. Now, shall we film this scene? Try to channel some of that indignation into your character."
Phuwin took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "Fine. But no more cheek pinching during takes."
"Deal," P'Arun agreed solemnly. "But all bets are off between takes."
"I hate all of you," Phuwin muttered, which only made everyone coo again at how cute his grumpy face was.
Mercifully, Phuwin's phone buzzed with a call from Pond. He stepped away from the cooing crowd, answering with perhaps more enthusiasm than necessary.
"Pond! Thank god you called."
"Rough day on set?" Pond's warm voice came through the speaker, and Phuwin could practically hear the smile in it.
"Everyone keeps calling me cute and treating me like some kind of... of pet!" Phuwin huffed, unconsciously lowering his voice so the crew wouldn't overhear.
"Well, you are pretty cute when you're angry," Pond said, and Phuwin could practically see his boyfriend's teasing grin. "I bet you're doing that little furrow between your eyebrows right now."
Phuwin's hand flew to his forehead. "I am not!"
"And now you're touching your forehead to check, aren't you?"
"...No."
Pond's laugh was rich and warm. "I'll pick you up after filming. Try not to let them pinch your cheeks too much before I get there."
"You're impossible," Phuwin muttered, but he was smiling despite himself.
"Love you too, kitten."
"Don't you start with the pet names too!" But Pond had already hung up, leaving Phuwin staring at his phone with a mix of exasperation and fondness.
Things got worse during the promotional interview scheduled for that afternoon. Three entertainment reporters had come to the set to interview the main cast, and Phuwin had foolishly hoped it would be a chance to show his more professional side.
"So, Phuwin," the first reporter, P'Nim, began with a bright smile, "how are you finding working with this new production house?"
"It's been a great learning experience," Phuwin replied carefully, sitting up straight. "The team is very professional and—"
"Oh my god, he's so polite!" P'Nim interrupted, turning to her cameraman. "Are you getting this? Look at how he sits so properly!"
The second reporter, a young woman named Ploy, giggled. "P'Phu, you're being so formal! Relax a little."
"I am relaxed," Phuwin protested, which came out sounding decidedly unrelaxed.
"There's that little pout again!" the third reporter, P'Keng, pointed out gleefully. "Our viewers are going to eat this up. Can you show us your angry face for the camera?"
Phuwin blinked. "My... angry face?"
"Yes! Like when your character gets upset in the series. Give us that fierce look!"
Feeling increasingly ridiculous, Phuwin attempted his most serious, intimidating expression. The three reporters immediately burst into delighted laughter.
"It's like watching a kitten try to roar!" P'Nim exclaimed, clutching her chest. "This is going to break the internet!"
"I'm a grown man," Phuwin said weakly, but his protest only made them coo louder.
Later that evening, Phuwin found himself at a dinner gathering with his usual friend group. He'd hoped for some normalcy, but as soon as he walked into the private dining room, he realized his friends were in on the teasing train too.
"There he is!" Fourth announced dramatically. "The internet's new favorite angry kitten!"
"Oh no," Phuwin groaned, sliding into his seat. "You guys saw the interview?"
"Saw it?" Joong laughed, pulling out his phone. "We've watched it twelve times. Look at this part where you try to look fierce—"
"Please don't," Phuwin begged, but it was too late. His friends had already gathered around Joong's phone, watching his interview with obvious delight.
"Dunk, show him the compilation someone made," Joong said, barely containing his laughter.
"There's a compilation?" Phuwin's voice cracked slightly.
"Oh, there's a whole compilation," Dunk confirmed, pulling up another video on his phone. "Look, they edited together all your 'angry' moments from different interviews and added kitten sound effects."
"They did WHAT?" Phuwin lunged for Dunk's phone, but Dunk held it out of reach, grinning wickedly.
"The best part is at 1:30 where you scrunch up your face trying to look intimidating, and they added a little 'mew' sound," Joong added, wiping tears from his eyes. "It has three million views already."
"I'm going to sue someone," Phuwin declared, slumping back in his chair.
"You can't sue the internet for thinking you're cute," Dunk pointed out reasonably. "Besides, look at these comments. 'Protect Phuwin at all costs.' 'I would die for this man.' 'Someone give him a hug and tell him he's doing great.'"
"The comments are incredible," Fourth chimed in, scrolling through yet another phone. "Someone said you look like 'an angry hamster demanding respect,' and it got ten thousand likes."
"Another person said you have 'the energy of a wet kitten trying to fight a towel,'" Joong read out, barely able to speak through his laughter.
"I hate all of you," Phuwin declared, crossing his arms and glowering.
"And there it is!" Dunk exclaimed, pointing at him. "That exact face! That's the one that's melting hearts across the internet!"
"Aww, he's sulking now," Gemini observed with scientific interest. "Look how his bottom lip sticks out just a little. It's like a built-in pout mechanism."
"Stop analyzing me like I'm a specimen!" Phuwin protested.
"But you're such an interesting specimen," Joong teased, reaching across the table to poke Phuwin's cheek. "Dunk, remember when we first met him? He was trying so hard to be all cool and mysterious."
"Oh my god, yes!" Dunk nearly choked on his drink. "He had that whole brooding artist thing going on. Dark clothes, serious expression, barely talked to anyone."
"I was being professional," Phuwin defended weakly.
"You were being ridiculous," Joong corrected fondly. "We spent months trying to crack that shell of yours. Remember the first time we saw him actually laugh? Like, really laugh?"
"It was when P'New tripped over that cable and fell into the craft service table," Gemini reminisced. "Phuwin tried so hard not to laugh, but then he just... broke. And we realized he was actually a complete softie underneath all that fake coolness."
"I wasn't fake!" Phuwin protested, but his ears were turning pink.
"You so were," Tay joined in, reaching over to pinch Phuwin's cheek. "I can see why everyone's getting cuteness aggression now though. You're like a walking stress ball, but cuter."
"What's cuteness aggression?" Phuwin asked, immediately regretting the question when his friends exchanged knowing looks.
"It's when something is so cute that you want to squeeze it or bite it," New explained helpfully. "Like how people want to pinch baby cheeks or bite puppy ears."
"I am not a baby or a puppy!"
"No," Off agreed solemnly, "you're worse. You're a grown man who somehow triggers everyone's protective instincts while also making them want to tease you mercilessly."
"It's actually fascinating from a psychological standpoint," Gun added thoughtfully. "The way you try to look tough just makes you look more vulnerable, which makes people want to both protect you and mess with you."
"It's a dangerous combination," Krist nodded sagely. "No wonder everyone on your set has gone feral."
"Even P'Arun?" Singto asked with interest. "That man is usually so serious."
"Especially P'Arun," Phuwin groaned. "He keeps patting my head and calling me 'son' even when we're not filming. Yesterday he brought me homemade cookies because he said I looked 'too skinny.'"
"That's actually really sweet," Singto said, his teasing tone softening slightly. "It means he genuinely cares about you."
"See, this is what I mean!" Phuwin exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "I can't even be properly annoyed because everyone's being nice to me! How am I supposed to maintain any dignity when veteran actors are treating me like their actual child?"
"You could try being less adorable," Dunk suggested with a perfectly straight face.
"How exactly does one do that?" Phuwin demanded.
"Well, you could start by not doing that thing where your voice goes up three octaves when you're frustrated," Joong pointed out.
"Or the way you unconsciously touch your face when you're embarrassed," Tay added. "You're doing it right now, by the way."
Phuwin immediately dropped his hand from his cheek, which only made his friends laugh harder.
His friends burst into laughter at his frustrated expression, and Fourth reached over to ruffle his hair. "Poor Phu phu, cursed with an adorable face."
"Stop calling me that!"
"But it suits you so well," Joong teased. "It's like you were born to be babied."
"I'm a serious actor!" Phuwin protested one last time.
"You're both," Dunk said with surprising gentleness. "You can be a talented, serious actor and also be cute. They're not mutually exclusive, you know."
Phuwin was saved from further torment by Pond's arrival. His boyfriend slipped into the restaurant and made his way to their table, greeting everyone with his usual easy charm.
"How's my favorite angry kitten?" Pond asked, sliding into the seat next to Phuwin and immediately reaching over to pinch his cheek.
"Not you too," Phuwin whined, but he didn't pull away from Pond's touch.
"Especially me," Pond grinned, keeping his fingers on Phuwin's cheek and gently squeezing. "I saw the interview. You were adorable."
"I was trying to be professional!"
"You were trying so hard," Pond agreed, his voice dropping into that soft, fond tone that always made Phuwin's heart skip. "It was the cutest thing I've ever seen."
Their friends watched with obvious amusement as Pond continued to squish Phuwin's cheek, and Phuwin continued to protest half-heartedly.
"Look at him," Tay whispered to New. "He's pretending to be annoyed, but his eyes are all soft."
"The way Pond looks at him is actually disgusting," Fourth added, but his tone was affectionate. "Like Phuwin hung the moon."
"Can you guys not discuss us like we're not here?" Phuwin asked, but his complaint lacked heat, especially since Pond had moved to playing with his hair.
"We could leave," Joong suggested innocently, "give you two some privacy to be sickeningly cute together."
"We're not sickeningly cute," Phuwin protested.
Pond chose that moment to lean over and press a soft kiss to Phuwin's cheek, right where he'd been pinching it. "Speak for yourself, kitten."
The entire table erupted in exaggerated gagging sounds, and Phuwin buried his face in Pond's chest. "I hate everyone at this table."
"No, you don't," Pond said confidently, wrapping an arm around Phuwin's shoulders and pulling him closer. "You love us."
And despite his protests, Phuwin found himself melting into Pond's hug, allowing his boyfriend to continue his gentle teasing touches.
Later that night, back at Pond's apartment, Phuwin finally allowed himself to relax completely. He was curled up on the couch with his head in Pond's lap, letting his boyfriend play with his hair while they watched a movie.
"You know," Pond said thoughtfully, his fingers combing through Phuwin's soft strands, "I think I figured out why everyone's so obsessed with your cuteness lately."
"Please enlighten me," Phuwin mumbled, his eyes closed in contentment.
"It's because you're finally letting people see the real you," Pond explained. "Before, you were always so guarded, so determined to be seen as mature and professional. But now you're more relaxed, more natural. And the natural you is absolutely adorable."
Phuwin opened his eyes to look up at Pond. "Are you saying I was fake before?"
"Not fake," Pond corrected, leaning down to kiss his forehead. "Just... protected. Like you were afraid people wouldn't take you seriously if they saw how sweet you really are."
"Maybe I was right," Phuwin said with a slight pout. "Nobody takes me seriously anymore."
"That's not true," Pond said, his voice gentle but firm. "Everyone respects your work. They just also happen to think you're cute. There's nothing wrong with that."
"Easy for you to say. Nobody's constantly pinching your cheeks and calling you pet names."
Pond's grin turned mischievous. "That's because I reserve that privilege for myself."
Before Phuwin could protest, Pond had leaned down to capture his lips in a soft kiss. When they broke apart, Pond immediately moved to pepper kisses along Phuwin's jawline.
"Pond," Phuwin protested weakly, but he was already tilting his head to give his boyfriend better access.
"Mmm?" Pond hummed against his skin, finding that sensitive spot just below his ear.
"We were having a serious conversation."
"We were," Pond agreed, then gently bit down on Phuwin's earlobe, making him shiver. "But I got distracted by how cute you look when you're trying to be indignant."
"I'm not trying to be anything," Phuwin said, but his voice had gone breathy as Pond continued his gentle assault on his neck.
"You're right," Pond murmured, pulling back to look at him with eyes full of warmth and mischief. "You're not trying. You just are. You're cute when you're angry, cute when you're concentrating, cute when you're sleepy, cute when you're being stubborn..."
"Stop," Phuwin said, covering his face with his hands, but he was smiling.
"Never," Pond declared, gently pulling Phuwin's hands away so he could see his face. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life telling you how cute you are, and there's nothing you can do to stop me."
"That sounds like a threat."
"It's a promise," Pond corrected, then leaned down to kiss him again, this time deeper and longer.
When they broke apart, Phuwin was breathless and pink-cheeked. "You're impossible," he whispered.
"And you're adorable," Pond replied, then proceeded to prove his point by covering Phuwin's face with gentle kisses, paying special attention to his cheeks.
As the weeks passed, Phuwin gradually came to accept his new reputation. The *Taste* production wrapped with everyone from the director to the catering staff giving him fond farewells and promises to work with him again. The promotional materials featuring his "fierce" expressions became viral memes, but the positive response to the series itself proved that his acting skills were still very much respected.
His friend group continued their gentle teasing, but Phuwin began to realize that their affection was genuine. They weren't mocking him; they were celebrating a side of him that he'd kept hidden for too long.
And Pond... Pond continued to be absolutely insufferable in the most wonderful way possible.
"I have a theory," Pond announced one evening as they were getting ready for bed.
"Oh no," Phuwin sighed, but he was smiling as he brushed his teeth.
"I think you secretly love all the attention," Pond continued, watching Phuwin's reflection in the bathroom mirror. "I think you like being called cute and having people want to pinch your cheeks."
Phuwin paused in his brushing, meeting Pond's eyes in the mirror. After a moment, he rinsed his mouth and turned around.
"Maybe," he admitted quietly. "Maybe I do like it a little."
Pond's face lit up with such pure joy that Phuwin couldn't help but laugh.
"I knew it!" Pond exclaimed, immediately wrapping Phuwin in a hug and spinning him around. "You like being babied!"
"I like being cared for," Phuwin corrected, but he was laughing too hard to sound stern. "There's a difference."
"Is there?" Pond asked, setting him down but keeping his arms around him. "Because I distinctly remember you melting like butter every time I pinch your cheeks."
"That's different," Phuwin protested. "When you do it, it's... it's..."
"It's what?" Pond prompted gently.
"It's love," Phuwin finished softly. "When you do it, I can feel how much you love me. It's not just about me being cute. It's about you wanting to show affection."
Pond's expression softened completely. "You're right," he murmured, reaching up to cup Phuwin's face with both hands. "It is love. Every pinch, every kiss, every time I call you cute – it's because I love you so much that sometimes I don't know what to do with all of it."
"Then keep doing it," Phuwin whispered, leaning into Pond's touch. "Keep loving me like that."
"Always," Pond promised, then sealed it with a kiss that tasted like toothpaste and felt like coming home.
Six months later, Phuwin was back on set for a new project. This time, he wasn't surprised when the crew immediately adopted him as their unofficial baby. He'd learned to embrace the attention, to laugh at the memes, and to accept that being called cute wasn't a diminishment of his abilities – it was just another facet of who he was.
His phone buzzed with a text from Pond: *Saw the behind-the-scenes video. You look adorable when you're concentrating. Can't wait to pinch those cheeks later. 😘*
Phuwin smiled and typed back: *I'm working, you menace.*
*That's my cute, hardworking boyfriend. Love you, kitten.*
Despite himself, Phuwin found himself grinning at his phone. Around him, the crew exchanged knowing looks.
"There's that smile again," the director said fondly. "Alright, everyone, let's get back to work. But first – someone get a picture of Phu phu looking happy. The fans will love it."
Phuwin groaned, but he was still smiling. Some things, he supposed, would never change.
And honestly? He wouldn't have it any other way.
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Hope you like it.