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The sky is brushed in soft shades of lilac and rose, the kind of evening that makes the world feel quieter, slower, gentler.
The garden in Maison Mystique comes alive in a different way as evening settles over the hotel grounds. Soft amber lights glow along the winding pathways, casting long, dappled shadows beneath the trees.
Phuwin stretches his arms above his head with a satisfied sigh as he strolls under the vine draped archways, the buzz of an entire day of filming finally slipping off his shoulders.
“God, I needed this.” Phuwin breathes out, thankful that he finally has some free time to explore the beautiful garden of the extravagant shooting location. It is not often that they have the fortune to enjoy such a luxurious setting for a Thai series.
Behind him, Pond chuckles softly, “I know. You and your love for nature walks.”
Phuwin turns back to look at Pond with a smile, “I’m so glad we’re back here in Khao Yai.”
They continue a slow walk through the lush garden together. With the entire hotel being booked by their company for the filming of Me and Thee, it has truly become a hidden oasis that feels worlds away from the noise and motion of everyday life. At this time of the evening, the only sounds are the rustle of leaves and the distant murmur of a fountain.
They move without needing words, savouring the peace and quiet, and Phuwin thinks this is perfect.
Well, almost.
Because he becomes acutely aware of something that often happens when they walk together - Pond trailing just a few steps behind. Not distracted, not distant, just… there. Watching. A quiet shadow at his back.
It’s something that happens more naturally than intentional these days. Pond has been moving like that, half-guarding, almost as if he is positioning himself like a quiet shield between Phuwin and the world, that it has somehow become sort of an instinct for Pond.
This soft kind of protectiveness.
The habit of someone who cares more than he knows how to say.
Yet, Pond doesn’t even seem to notice he is doing it.
But Phuwin does. And at this moment, he doesn’t want this space between them, especially when they’re finally off work and away from the public eye.
It’s their personal time now.
He doesn’t need to be guarded or protected. He just wants Pond. Next to him.
So Phuwin stops walking.
Pond halts immediately, still two steps behind him, brows furrowed.
“Everything okay?”
Instead of answering, Phuwin closes the distance between them.
“Why are you always behind me?” Phuwin reaches out and carefully wraps his fingers around Pond’s wrist, “I’m going to suffer from a neck ache if you keep staying behind.”
He may sound annoyed, but his touch is gentle.
“Walk beside me.” Phuwin simply says as he tugs at Pond’s wrist, not giving him a chance to say no.
Pond stares for a heartbeat, like the words take a second to land. Then he smiles, a little shy, but with that look Phuwin has only recently begun to recognise. The one that says - “You mean more than I know how to explain.”
“Yeah, of course.” Pond nods and moves in step beside Phuwin, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“I know.” Phuwin interrupts, voice quiet as he lets go of Pond’s wrist and playfully nudges him on his side with his shoulder, “We should really change this habit of yours though... especially when it’s just us together.”
Pond blinks, surprised, but then his face softens, and a small, crooked smile tugs on his lips, “That’s easy actually.”
Phuwin raises an eyebrow in question.
Pond’s fingers brush Phuwin’s, hesitating for a noticeable moment before he gathers the courage to lace them together.
“This should do the trick?”
Phuwin glances at their entwined hands and then gives Pond his usual side-eye with the slow, exaggerated flair of someone deeply unimpressed, but only pretending to be. The corner of his mouth twitches, betraying the grin he is trying (and failing) to suppress.
“You must be learning such slick moves from all the acting as Khun Thee…” Phuwin mutters out loud (but doesn’t let go of Pond’s hand).
Pond squeezes Phuwin’s hand lightly and grins sheepishly, “We both know Khun Thee is capable of doing more…”
“Don’t you dare.” Phuwin warns, narrowing his eyes at Pond.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t.” Pond kicks a loose pebble, pretending to study the ground, and thinks out loud, “I prefer not to pretend anyway.”
Phuwin will not admit that his heart does a little somersault.
For a moment, neither of them says anything more as they wander deeper into the garden.
Until Pond breaks the silence, his voice low, “You know, I’m really gonna miss all this when we wrap up filming.”
There is a small pause. Phuwin’s expression softens.
“Yeah?” He says, carefully probing Pond to share more.
“Yeah,” Pond admits, “I thought I’d be looking forward to having space again. No call times at ungodly hours, no long hours in suits or exaggerated Lakorn dialogues, no shuffling between university life and filming, and well, finally having time for JASP.ER… but the truth is, I’m gonna miss you.”
Pond’s confession hangs in the air between them, fragile but unafraid.
“Hey, we’ll still see each other.” Phuwin shifts closer, elbows brushing gently, in an attempt to comfort Pond, “And come on, you’ll be so busy with your own activities to miss me that much.”
Pond sighs, “Phuwin…”
“Why are your post-wrap withdrawal symptoms starting so early this time round?” Phuwin laughs defeatedly as he reaches out to pat Pond on the side of his head.
“Because it’s different now.” Pond simply states, looking over at Phuwin, eyes searching.
Phuwin’s breath catches, just a little, as he stops in his tracks, which makes Pond stop as well.
“The cameras may stop rolling but you know I’m not going anywhere, Pond.” Phuwin reassures, more serious this time.
Pond looks down, toying with Phuwin’s fingers, a smile tugging at his lips, “Will you miss me too?”
Phuwin laughs under his breath, “Actually… No.”
“Oei!”
“Seriously, Pond, I just know we’ll see each other every day.”
“You’ll be busy filming Scarlet Heart.”
“Ok, fine, every other day.”
“You will have so much fun there that you’ll forget about me.” Pond lets out a loud sigh, “And I’ll be so lonely-”
“Get a grip, Khun Naravit!” Phuwin releases Pond’s hand, his own hands landing on Pond’s shoulders to shake that large body of his in an attempt to stop Pond from being so dramatic.
Pond can’t help but laugh when he catches Phuwin scrunching his nose adorably in frustration.
Beneath all the teasing is always something gentle and genuine - a sense that whatever they have built, it will definitely not end with the impending final scenes of their fourth series together.
Before Pond realises it himself, his arm goes around Phuwin’s waist to pull him into a hug.
Phuwin steps into Pond like he belongs there, his chin resting against Pond’s shoulder as Pond’s arms wrap around him, holding him tightly.
And there they stand, in the fading light, the roles stripped away. Just as two people, choosing to continue writing their story together - off the pages of a script, off the screen, and into something real.
They don’t need to talk after that.
The hug says everything.
And the garden seems to hum around them in quiet approval, as if even the trees knew - this is (dare we say) love.