With the air between them now cleared, Phuwin and Pond sat on the swings, their shoulders almost touching as they exchanged smiles. The conversation had left them feeling emotionally lighter, and for the first time in weeks, Pond felt a sense of calmness wash over him. Phuwin reached over, squeezing Pond's hand as if to say, "It's going to be okay."

Pond looked over at Phuwin, his eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and shyness. "So, what now?" he asked, his voice soft, uncertainty creeping in.

Phuwin grinned and tilted his head back, gazing up at the sky. "Now," he began thoughtfully, "we start fresh. No more overthinking, no more avoiding each other. Just... us. One step at a time."

Pond nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. He felt a spark of excitement mixed with nervousness at the prospect of exploring these newfound feelings with Phuwin. "One step at a time," he echoed, feeling reassured by Phuwin's calmness.

"How about we take that first step now?" Phuwin suggested, standing up and offering his hand to Pond. "Since Joong gave us a half-day off, let's do something fun. What do you say? Ice cream and a walk around the lake?"

Pond hesitated for a moment, glancing at Phuwin's outstretched hand. Then, with a deep breath, he reached out and took it. "Yeah," he agreed, allowing Phuwin to pull him up. "Ice cream and a walk sound perfect."

They began walking toward the ice cream truck, their hands brushing against each other before finally intertwining. Phuwin led the way, chatting animatedly about random topics, attempting to lighten the mood. Pond found himself laughing at Phuwin's antics, the awkwardness between them melting away bit by bit.

After grabbing their ice creams, they made their way to the lake nearby, which had a serene, calming effect. They walked side by side, enjoying the silence and the occasional breeze that rippled through the trees.

Pond glanced at Phuwin, who was licking his ice cream happily, eyes sparkling with joy. "You really love ice cream, don't you?" Pond teased, his smile growing wider.

Phuwin looked at him, playfully sticking his tongue out. "Of course! Ice cream solves all problems," he declared confidently, then turned serious for a moment. "Well, not all problems, but it definitely makes things sweeter."

Pond chuckled, shaking his head. "You're such a goof sometimes," he said affectionately. It felt natural, like slipping into a warm, familiar routine that they had lost touch with for a while.

As they continued their walk, Pond hesitated before speaking again, the words tumbling out nervously. "Phuwin... can I ask you something?"

"Anything," Phuwin replied, turning his full attention to Pond.

"Why me?" Pond asked, his gaze fixed on the lake's surface. "I mean, you could have anyone, Phuwin. So, why did you choose me?"

Phuwin stopped walking, prompting Pond to halt as well. He took a deep breath and smiled softly. "Because you’re you," he began, his tone sincere. "You're stubborn, fierce, and sometimes a bit cold, but you're also thoughtful, caring, and kind. You push people away to protect yourself, but underneath that tough exterior, there's a heart that cares so deeply. You make me feel alive, Pond. You challenge me, and I... I like you for that."

Pond felt his heart skip a beat at Phuwin's words. It wasn't just flattery; it was genuine admiration, acceptance of who he was....flaws and all. Pond felt a warmth spread through his chest, filling the void that had been gnawing at him for so long.

He looked up, meeting Phuwin’s eyes, and for the first time in weeks, he allowed himself to truly smile. "You’re an idiot, you know that?" Pond said, his voice breaking into a soft laugh.

Phuwin chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, well, I might be an idiot, but I'm your idiot," he replied with a wink.

Pond felt his cheeks flush, but he didn't look away. Instead, he nodded. "Yeah... you are," he admitted, feeling a flutter of happiness in his stomach.