Chapter Text
"Dunk look this way."
"Dunk, Earn left shoulder, over your left shoulder!"
"Earn right this way."
Dunk had never truly gotten used to the frenzy of a red carpet. That’s not to say he was a flailing idiot the second he stepped out of the car and into the flashing lights. But he certainly sighed with relief every time he and Earn were safely inside the theatre.
It wasn’t his first red carpet, and it certainly wouldn’t be his last. He’d get over it soon enough. He had to.
He felt a small pinch on is arm. Following Earn’s line of sight he spotted the reporter they had been instructed to speak with that night. Making it look natural wasn’t hard, Dunk made a show of twirling Earn before the cameras once more before she stumbled toward their target.
"Woah, you two are just a sight for sore eyes. Say does love make you more beautiful or what?!"
"You’re too kind P'..."
"Oh just called me Jerry. I must say I was blown away by the reception of this movie. You two have clearly shown that no genre is out of your range. Tell me how did you find making the switch from romance to thriller for Cloudis Club?"
"Well there was always going to be romance involved." Dunk tugged Earn to his side where she melted happily, the movement tracked by everyone in view. "And I must say having her with me made doing a thriller much easier. It’s a dream to be able to work with her every day."
"Smitten wouldn’t you say Earn."
"I’d have to agree." Earn smiled up at Dunk holding eye contact for just long enough to seem lost in each other as the reporter rattled off another question.
"We hope everyone will enjoy Cloudis Club, I know it will be on repeat at my house. But I gotta know what is next in store for you two? I mean on the back of such success I can’t lie there is certainly pressure from your rabid fans."
"Oh the fans are honestly the sweetest. I say this so often to Earn-"
"He does truly."
"-we have the best fans in all of Thailand. We cannot thank them enough for all their support. And I just hope they are as excited for our new project as we are."
"Dunk are you saying you two already have something in the works?"
"Oh yes, keep your ears open everyone. You have not seen the last of us."
"How can they when every magazine is full of pictures of these beauties!"
Dunk knew it was coming, but he still had to muffle the flinch as he and Earn were roughly pushed to show off their matching Blooming marks. But hours of media training had his smile fixed firmly in place and he laughed along with Earn as they were guided away.
"You good? He didn’t… touch you did he?"
Earn smiled up at him, her hand squeezing his for a moment before letting go. "With you right there, and our marks on full display. Who would dare."
"Right."
"Come on where’s that smile I love so much?"
Dunk didn’t quite manage to school his expression into complete joy he knew she was looking for. But he did his best as they joined the crowds headed for the cinema doors and refreshments.
Halfway across Bangkok, lounging on his bed with his feet propped against the headboard, Joong Archen scrolled through an internet search for ‘Dunk Natachai’.
"Joong honey, supper is on the table."
"I’ll be right there," Joong called, his thumb hovering over the most recent video. The thumbnail of a smiling Dunk and his partner, Earn spinning on the red carpet. “Dunk proudly shows off his rose, Earn at the movie premier of Cloudis Club”. Joong threw his legs over his bed, making his way downstairs from the glow of his phone screen.
Hesitating a second more before clicking the video link."-just a sight for sore eyes. Say does love make you more beautiful or what?!"
"Joong what did I say about bringing your phone to the table?"
"It’s for work mother," Joong replied not looking up from Dunk’s smiling face as the young actor pulled Earn to his side.
Joong had to admit they did make a striking match, typical of Blooms to appear on stunningly attractive people. Joong remember throwing theories with his old friend whether Blooms had a part in segregating the attractive people from the average faces. Until a teacher had overheard and discredited their entire discussion with ease.
Blooms are not tied by any human notions. They are as fickle and unpredictable as nature itself. Yeah, until matches like Dunk’s appeared.
Joong’s eyes swept over Dunk once more. Taking in the tailored ivory suit, complete with a scarlet lapel that perfectly matched Earn’s floor length sparkling gown. They were like Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin.
"Joong put the phone down, now!"
Joong slid his phone away. But the video of Dunk smiling into the camera lens as he profusely and genuinely thanked his fans continued to play on repeat behind his eyes.
What was Dunk actually like?
It was only a matter of time before he found out.