Phuwin adjusted the garland on his cousin’s lapel for what felt like the hundredth time that evening, suppressing a sigh as he admired the final look. The wedding hall buzzed with the energy of family, friends, and laughter, but after two days of constant wedding preparations and celebrations, all he wanted was a little break.

"Phuwin, where’s the ring box?" his aunt called, eyes darting in the crowd.

"In my pocket, Auntie!" he yelled back, giving her a reassuring smile as he pulled it out.

He’d been a one-man wedding machine—fetching flowers, arranging seating, handling last-minute vendor issues—so by the time the night’s afterparty rolled around, he was exhausted.

Spotting an empty room upstairs, Phuwin slipped away from the party, figuring it was just a guest room. The bed called to him like an oasis in the desert, and he fell onto it with a sigh, melting into its comfort as he closed his eyes.

The peace lasted all of thirty seconds before a voice cut through the silence.

"Is the bed comfortable?"

Phuwin’s eyes flew open, and he sat up, startled to find Pond, the groom's younger brother, leaning against the doorframe, arms folded and a smirk firmly in place.

"Pond…" Phuwin began, straightening up, “What are you doing here?"

Pond raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening as he strolled further into the room. "And here I thought you’d come up here to avoid the party on purpose. You looked like you were trying to sneak away.”

Phuwin flushed, instinctively pulling a pillow closer to his chest. "I—I was just…tired," he stammered. "It’s been a long day."

"Of course," Pond replied, eyes glinting with mischief as he leaned back against the wall, hands sliding casually into his pockets. "But what I don’t get is why you picked my bed for your little escape plan. Didn’t anyone tell you it’s tradition around here to steer clear of the groom’s family’s private rooms?"

Phuwin huffed, determined not to let Pond get under his skin. "I was tired, okay? I thought it was just a guest room. It’s not like there was a ‘No Phuwins Allowed’ sign on the door."

Pond chuckled, amused by his response. "Guess you’ll need a personal invitation to avoid crashing in places you shouldn’t be.”

“Oh, please,” Phuwin replied, rolling his eyes. “Maybe next time, don’t make your room look so inviting. You know, maybe a big, scary sign on the door might’ve done the trick.”

Pond’s gaze flickered over Phuwin, a playful spark in his eyes. "I think you just wanted an excuse to see me again."

The words caught Phuwin off guard, and he struggled to come up with a response. He had no idea why his heart was racing from Pond’s teasing words, nor why he felt a warmth spreading across his cheeks.

Pond laughed at Phuwin’s silence, taking a step closer. "Remember, we did meet earlier. You stole the last mango dessert from me at the buffet line."

Phuwin’s lips quirked up in defiance. "I remember you trying to guilt-trip me into giving it back. As if you weren’t already hoarding an entire plate.”

Pond shrugged, a slow grin spreading over his face. "What can I say? A man knows what he wants."

Phuwin tried to ignore the way Pond’s words lingered in the air. "So, what are you doing here, anyway?" he asked, hoping to redirect the conversation.

"I came up to get some quiet too,” Pond replied, his voice softening slightly as he looked at Phuwin. “Seems like we both had the same idea."

There was a beat of silence between them, a comfortable pause that felt oddly intimate.

"You really threw yourself into this wedding, huh?" Pond finally asked, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. "I saw you running around all day. You didn’t even stop to eat, did you?"

Phuwin shrugged, suddenly self-conscious. "I just wanted everything to go well. My cousin deserves the best, and…I guess I wanted to make sure it all went smoothly."

Pond’s gaze softened. "It’s admirable. I don’t think anyone realizes how much you did to make today perfect."

Phuwin looked away, feeling his cheeks warm. "Well, someone had to keep things together. Weddings are kind of chaotic."

Pond nodded, then leaned in a little closer. "You seem to be the type who likes to take responsibility for everyone’s happiness. But who’s taking care of you?"

The question took Phuwin by surprise, and he looked back at Pond, his heartbeat pounding in his chest. The room suddenly felt too small, the air thick with an unspoken tension.

Pond’s hand brushed against Phuwin’s hand, lingering for just a moment too long. "Maybe it’s time you let someone else take care of you for a change."

Phuwin’s breath hitched, his eyes darting to Pond’s, seeing the intensity in his gaze. A part of him wanted to lean in, close the distance between them, but he hesitated, unsure of where this was going.

Pond smirked, noticing Phuwin’s internal struggle. "Relax," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I’m not going to bite. Unless, of course, you’re into that."

Phuwin’s face turned red, and he smacked Pond’s arm. "You’re impossible."

Pond laughed, enjoying the reaction he’d drawn out of him. "I try. But you have to admit, it’s more interesting than the party downstairs."

Phuwin crossed his arms, feigning a pout. "Maybe. But that doesn’t mean you get to tease me."

"Why not?" Pond’s voice softened, his gaze unwavering. "I think you like it."

Phuwin couldn’t deny the flutter of excitement in his chest, the way his pulse quickened every time Pond leaned closer. Maybe it was the exhaustion, maybe the thrill of being alone in the quiet, but in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to let down his guard.

Pond’s hand found its way to Phuwin’s, his fingers grazing his knuckles, testing the waters. Phuwin’s breath caught, his gaze flicking down to their hands and back up to Pond’s face. Pond’s smirk softened into something gentler, his eyes darkening as he took in the look of uncertainty and anticipation on Phuwin’s face.

“You don’t have to do anything, you know,” Pond murmured, his thumb brushing over Phuwin’s hand. “But I’d like it if you’d stay.”

Phuwin swallowed, his heart racing as he nodded. He felt Pond’s hand on his cheek, guiding him closer until their lips met in a slow, gentle kiss, filled with all the unspoken words they hadn’t yet dared to say.

When they finally pulled away, Phuwin was breathless, his heart pounding in his chest. Pond chuckled softly, brushing a thumb over Phuwin’s cheek.

"Looks like I finally managed to shut you up," Pond teased.

Phuwin rolled his eyes, unable to suppress a smile. "Don’t get used to it."

As the night stretched on, they talked in whispers, shared quiet laughs, and found comfort in each other’s company. For once, Phuwin didn’t feel the need to hold everything together. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he could just…be. And as he drifted off to sleep with Pond’s arm wrapped around him, he realized that maybe, just maybe, he’d found something he hadn’t even known he was looking for.

Phuwin woke up the next morning to the soft golden light filtering through the curtains and Pond’s arm still draped around him. For a moment, he stayed still, absorbing the warmth and comfort of being close to him. It was strange and surreal, but it felt…right. The events of the previous night replayed in his mind, and he could feel a blush creeping over his cheeks.

As if sensing Phuwin’s thoughts, Pond stirred, pulling Phuwin closer with a sleepy smile. "Morning," he murmured, his voice still husky.

Phuwin looked up at him, feeling his heart skip a beat. "Morning," he replied softly.

They lay there for a few moments, neither of them in a hurry to move. But eventually, Phuwin sat up, gently pulling away, a little embarrassed as reality set in.

"So…last night," he began, not quite sure how to bring it up.

Pond smirked, sitting up and stretching. "Yeah, last night." He glanced at Phuwin, a playful glint in his eyes. "Are you going to say it was a ‘momentary lapse in judgment’ and run away on me?"

Phuwin shook his head, a shy smile breaking through. "I’m not running. But I…didn’t expect it, that’s all."

Pond’s gaze softened as he moved closer, resting a hand on Phuwin’s cheeks. "Neither did I." He paused, his thumb brushing lightly against Phuwin’s skin. "But it felt…different, didn’t it?"

Phuwin nodded, feeling his heart pound as he met Pond’s gaze. "It did," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

Pond’s hand slid down to hold Phuwin’s, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I don’t know what this is," he began, his usual smirk replaced by a look of sincerity. "But I want to find out. With you."

Phuwin’s breath caught, the words sinking in. He’d spent so long avoiding anything that might complicate his life, especially with family so close. But somehow, with Pond, things felt simpler, natural even. And in that moment, he realized that whatever this was, it was worth the risk.

"Me too," Phuwin finally replied, a small, nervous smile on his lips.

Pond’s face lit up, and he couldn’t resist pulling Phuwin into a tight hug, as if he’d been holding back for so long. They stayed that way, feeling the steady beat of each other’s hearts, and the unspoken words they both understood.

As they broke apart, Pond chuckled, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "You know, if we’re going to make this a regular thing, I’m definitely going to need that mango dessert recipe of yours."

Phuwin laughed, giving him a playful shove. "If you want my recipe, you’ll have to earn it."

Pond raised an eyebrow, leaning in closer. "Oh, I plan to," he murmured, his voice dropping to a whisper. Before Phuwin could respond, Pond’s lips were on his, and all thoughts of playful banter disappeared.

It wasn’t like the gentle, tentative kiss they’d shared the night before. This one was full of passion, a promise that things were only just beginning between them. Phuwin’s arms slipped around Pond’s neck, pulling him closer, as if he could pour all the unspoken emotions into that single kiss.

When they finally parted, both breathless, Pond pressed his forehead against Phuwin’s, a satisfied smile on his face.

"I could get used to this," he said, his voice soft but full of warmth.

Phuwin smiled, his heart full. "Me too."

---

How is it?

Actually, this was inspired by an Instagram reel. When I saw it, my over-imaginative mind 😅 took me straight into the PondPhuwin world.