Chapter Text
Phuwin knew something was wrong the moment Dunk walked into the engagement party carrying a suspiciously large rectangular package.
It was even wrapped in silver paper. And he knew his friends, have known them since they were in high school. They never brought fancy gifts. Ever.
There was a bow on top. Phuwin knew this was not a good sign.
Joong was walking beside him, biting his lips like he was physically fighting for his life.
Gemini trailed behind them holding his phone, already recording.
Phuwin narrowed his eyes.
“No.”
Dunk stopped in front of him, offended. “You don’t even know what it is.”
“I know your face.”
“I’m handsome, I know that’s right.”
“Your handsome face is about to ruin my life.”
Joong snorted.
Dunk rolled his eyes at Phuwin, “You’re being dramatic.” And elbowed his boyfriend, “Be supportive.”
“I am supporting chaos.” Joong snickered.
Pond, unfortunately, looked delighted. He’s like a golden retriever, happily chasing the ball his owner threw for his to catch.
“Oh, a gift?”
Phuwin turned to him. “Pond, do not encourage them.”
“But it’s our engagement party.” Pond pouted.
“That means people should behave,” Phuwin said like it’s a matter of fact-- a fact that their friends never acknowledge.
Gemini, still recording, whispered, “Historically unlikely.”
Phuwin pointed at him. “Delete that.”
“No.”
Dunk placed the gift on the table with dramatic care.
“This is from all of us.”
Phuwin looked at the package.
Then at Dunk.
Then at Joong.
Then at Gemini.
Then at Pond, who was already reaching for the bow.
“Pond,” Phuwin warned.
Pond froze. “Yes, fiancé?”
Phuwin’s expression twitched.
He still was not used to that.
Fiancé.
Pond had started saying it every chance he got.
Good morning, fiancé.
Did you eat, fiancé?
Can you pass the remote, fiancé?
Phuwin had threatened to end the engagement twelve times.
Pond had responded each time by smiling, kissing his hand, and saying, “Okay, fiancé.”
It was infuriating.
It was also why Phuwin loved Pond. It was also the reason why he would say a thousand times if Pond asked him to marry him a thousand times and more.
Pond pointed at the gift. “Can I open it?”
Phuwin sighed. He knew the battle was already won since Pond pouted the first time. He could never resist the man, no matter how nonchalant he tried to look like.
“Fine.” Phuwin prayed to the gods of the universe that this may be a pleasant and normal gift from his not so normal friends.
Dunk immediately lifted his phone too.
Now both he and Gemini were recording.
Phuwin’s stomach dropped. No.
“Oh no.”
Pond removed the bow.
Then the paper.
Then the protective cardboard.
Then he stopped.
Silence fell across their small circle.
Pond stared.
Phuwin leaned closer.
Inside the frame was an enlarged copy of his hospital X-ray.
The ring was clearly visible in his stomach.
Underneath, in elegant gold lettering, were the words:
HE SAID YES BEFORE HE EVEN SAW THE RING (COZ HE ATE IT!).
There was another line below it.
Pond & Phuwin: A Love Story in Gastrointestinal Radiology.
For three full seconds, no one spoke.
Then Joong broke.
He folded forward laughing.
Dunk followed immediately.
Gemini wheezed behind his phone.
Pond made a sound somewhere between horror and delight.
Phuwin stared at the frame.
Then at his friends.
Then at the X-ray.
Then at Pond.
“You,” Phuwin said quietly. Then looked at Dunk, “I am going to end you.”
Dunk, laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes, lifted both hands. “It was a group effort.”
Phuwin looked at Gemini.
Gemini said, “Technically, I handled layout.”
Joong wiped his eyes. “I suggested the font and also made it golden so that everyone’s attention would be on the message.”
Dunk proudly added, “I came up with gastrointestinal radiology. My anatomy professor back in college would be so proud of me.” He wiped his eyes, tears still gathering at the corners as he continued to laugh at the fiasco they proudly made.
Phuwin closed his eyes.
Pond was still staring at the frame.
His mouth trembled.
Phuwin looked at him sharply.
“Are you laughing or crying?”
Pond sniffed.
“Both?”
Phuwin’s face softened despite himself.
Then Pond whispered, “It’s kind of beautiful.”
Phuwin stared. “Beautiful?” He asked, just to clarify if he heard Pond correctly.
“You proposed to my stomach.”
“And now we have art. It’s beautiful, Phu.”
“I hate everyone in this room.”
Dunk grinned. “No, you don’t. You love us.”
“I especially hate you.”
“You’re welcome. I love you too.”
Pond lifted the frame carefully.
Phuwin immediately panicked.
“No. We are not displaying that.”
Pond blinked. “Not even in our house?”
“No.”
“Our future house?”
“No.”
“Our bathroom?”
“Absolutely not.”
Gemini raised his hand. “I vote bathroom.”
Joong nodded. “Guests should experience the story.”
Phuwin turned to him. “Guests should experience peace.”
Dunk gasped. “This is history.”
“This is a medical record.”
“This is romance.”
“This is evidence.”
Pond hugged the frame to his chest.
“It’s our evidence.”
Phuwin looked at him.
Pond’s eyes were bright, amused and soft and so painfully fond that Phuwin’s anger weakened immediately.
He hated that.
He hated love.
He hated that Pond could accidentally send him to the hospital and still make him feel like the most adored person alive.
Phuwin sighed.
“One condition.”
Pond perked up. “Yes?”
“It does not appear at the wedding.”
Everyone went silent.
Too silent.
Phuwin’s eyes narrowed.
“Why are you all silent?”
Dunk looked at Joong.
Joong looked at Gemini.
Gemini slowly lowered his phone.
Pond clutched the frame tighter.
Phuwin’s voice dropped.
“What did you do?”