Work Text:
After so many years in the entertainment industry, after numerous successes and failures, Santa never imagined being where he was now, at the peak of his career and, best of all, dating his on-screen partner, Perth Tanapon.
Their relationship was recent, intense, and, as everyone around them said, too sweet.
Santa never thought he would fall in love at work. He had always heard stories here and there about how complicated, fragile, and risky it was in his field. But Perth never let any of those worries get to him, from the moment they realized they were genuinely in love with each other, everything seemed light.
Not because it truly was, but because he had Perth and had come to trust his phi with his whole life.
Then, little by little, everything fell into place. His colleagues didn't even need to ask, seeing the love in his eyes from afar. Santa was shy, but no one could doubt how much he loved Perth. As for the older one, the audacious one, he was always the one who didn't mind shouting to the world how much he was in love with his nong.
Everything seemed perfect, the love amidst filming and promotions was light and fun, spending all their time together, sharing sweet moments and overly long meals. They both found themselves more in love each day, in their own world, learning more about each other every day.
Santa couldn't complain about anything, with Jasper and the filming of his new drama, his life with Perth seemed perfect.
But then, filming for Scarlet Heart began, in which Perth had been cast in a major role. At first, Santa didn't even feel the pace, spending at most 24 hours away from Perth, but the constant messages and calls made everything easier.
Perth always made a point of recording everything, sending countless videos and photos to his boyfriend, who gradually learned to crave his attention. Santa would get distracted, but he was always there in some way.
Over time, they both began to feel the distance, the red thread connecting them with each flight Perth had to take, his heart heavy every time he left Santa sleeping in his bed, bidding farewell with a light kiss on his forehead or cheeks.
The trips became longer and more days apart were added to their schedules. Santa still had his own commitments, filming and training, but homesickness began to creep into his heart in a sneaky way.
No one needed to know how needy the youngest was, except Perth, who had a sweet surprise when he truly got to know the boy who tried to appear tough to others.
In truth, everyone talked about how Perth was completely smitten with his boyfriend, so brazen and possessive. But no one besides the older man saw how much Santa desired him, how filled his inbox was being checked every minute they were apart.
Santa was needy, always asking for more from his boyfriend, more touches, more attention.
"Okay... It'll only be one day this time, you won't even notice I'm gone." Perth said sweetly, comforting his boyfriend who clung to his arm.
"But you've already been gone for a week! I haven't even had time to catch up." Santa looked at him with those enormous eyes, which were the older man's downfall.
“I miss you too... But I'll be back to you soon, mm? I always come back.”
Event days were always Santa's favorite, reuniting with the person he longed for so much, his eyes shining as soon as he saw Perth in front of him.
But with each new goodbye, a part of Santa cracked. Damn it, he was truly in love. No one could save him.
"Can I have your shirt? It smells so good." Santa asked, snuggling a little deeper into Perth's arms, wishing to merge with the taller man.
"So needy, my baby. You can have everything that's mine." Perth took off his shirt, handing it to his cute one.
The nights before their trips were always like this, quiet, just the two of them sharing each other's company in the comfort of their Perth home, which gradually became...was returning from Santa also.
They clung to each other in the sheets, sharing kisses and caresses, Perth always vowing to return to his boyfriend, no matter what.
“As soon as all this is over… We can seriously think about living together.”
“Phi..?”
"What? I'm not kidding when I say I want you, all the time." Santa's eyes sparkled. Only Perth had the ability to exude confidence, as if it were too easy. "I want to wake up every morning and see you, your hair tousled against the pillow, so adorable."
“Then finish filming quickly, Phi. I'll be waiting for you right here.”
Perth smiled, his eyes tender, completely in love with Santa, his Santa.
The longing would still come, as always, but as long as they are together, they did everything worth it. Between promises, touches, and kisses, the couple lost themselves in their intense feelings.
The morning brought farewells, but the night belonged to them, and that no one could take away.