Chapter Text
"Good morning, what can I help you with today" Pond said, getting out his order note and standing at the counter. He was working in the university's coffee shop and had working there since he got into the university roughly two years prior.
Chulalongkorn University was a prestigious school and he had worked hard and gotten a full sports scholarship from basketball but that was not enough for his own personal needs so he worked to get the extra cash he needed. The coffee shop was perfect as the boss understood he was still a student and arranged his shifts accordingly.
It was only Monday but he was exhausted from his shift at the bar he was working in.
"The usual please." He raised his head and saw Phuwin, a boy that was a constant in their shop. He smiled politely and got to work preparing the drink.
"He's here, did he bring his friend?" Joong asked bringing in the fresh pastries he just finished baking into the show glass. Pond rolled his eyes at his best friend's antics who pouted in disappointment when the boy he was looking for was not beside Phuwin. "Give up Joong" "Never" The boy retorted heading back into the kitchen.
Phuwin Tangsakyuen and his best friend Dunk Natachi were insanely popular Business majors. Their parents were among the top 1% percent people in the entirety of Asia and they were both only children who would inherit the empires their parents were leaving behind for them. They were both insanely book smart and beautiful. Phuwin was the best swimmer on the swimming team and led the team to their first gold on his first year in the school. Everyone loved the two princes as they were fondly called but not everyone approached them as you would be called a gold digger and mocked badly.
Pond had a crush on Phuwin when they had initially met but when he found out exactly whom he was, he immediately gave up and focused on his own life.
At least that was what he told Joong to get him off his back.
However Phuwin had always been a regular customer, sometimes brining over his line junior and seniors to eat. He also brought Dunk whom Joong had a major crush on, and while they did not talk, the seat Phuwin chose gave him a clear view of the boy.
While he definitely could never date him, the boy was eye candy and it never hurt to look.
He finished up quickly with his three hour shift and cleaned up for the next person who would be taking over. Quickly changing from his worker uniform to his university clothes, he grabbed his bag pack and headed to his class.
He was studying engineering, and headed to class, sneaking in as lectures had already started. Sitting down and grabbing his notes to jot down. He did his best to listen until he succumbed to exhaustion and fell asleep.
"Wake up." He felt a tap on his back and stood up quickly to see Pooh, a sweet guy from his class. "Classes are over. It's already 3pm. We have an assignment to be turned in tomorrow. I answered all the attendances for you so you're good. I'll text you the assignment."
"I would date you if you accept me." He said thankfully which made the boy laugh. "No thank you, I already have someone else I like. See you later Pond." Pooh left and Pond felt his stomach grumble. Taking out his phone, he called Joong who had finished class so they could eat lunch together.
They headed to the school canteen, Joong bought the paid lunch but Pond took the complementary one the school offered.
"You have basketball practice after lunch. Were you able to get any sleep at all?" Joong asked and Pond nodded. "Yeah, I took a nap in class. Luckily Pooh woke me up or else I'll have missed lunch which would have been terrible as I absolutely did not have breakfast."
"You're running yourself completely ragged. Maybe you should quite one of the jobs you have. They are simply too much and you're not even resting." Joong said and Pond smiled, reaching out to ruffle his hair which he knew always annoyed Joong. "Not all of us have the luxury of only getting a part time job because our condo is lonely. Some of us actually need the money. I send most of my cash home. You know the situation with my dad." Pond said and Joong felt slightly guilty about making his friend remember his issues.
"But thank you for caring Joong." Pond said which made Joong smile at him. They finished eating and headed over to their basketball practice.
- - - - -
"Thank you all for coming, see you at our next week study session?' Mix, Phuwin's line senior ended the study meeting they were having and Phuwin started packing his bags.
"Phi, let me walk you to your car." Fourth, Phuwin's own junior said and Phuwin nodded at the boy, both of them walking to the car that was waiting for Phuwin.
"Do you want me to drop you off at your house?" Phuwin asked and Fourth shook his head. "Never mind. Today my little sister is in her study session so I'm heading to pick her up." Fourth explained and Phuwin rolled his eyes. "Then I can drop pick you up and drop you both. It's not going to take any thing from me. I'm not even the one driving .'' Phuwin shrugged and Fourth smiled and accepted the offer gratefully.
After telling the driver his stops, they both sat at the back seat.
Fourth had met Phuwin as his line senior. It was love at first sight for him. His senior was absolutely beautiful in an aristocratic sense and while he had a cool exterior, he turned our to be the most warm and friendly person when he knew you well, always taking good care of his friends.
Fourth was the first born, so meeting Phuwin was the first time he was not the one responsible for himself. Phuwin was sweet, kind and easy to fall for. Fourth did not want to confess and ruin everything but he felt bad whenever he thought about loving Phuwin secretly all his life, not getting him and not moving on.
Fourth's sister Mae was talking to the person handling the extra lessons when Fourth came in to sign out for her. "Phi!" She yelled excitedly when she saw him and ran to give him a huge hug.
"Hello Khun Fourth. Mae was an angel as usual." Fourth looked at Gemini, the boy who was taking his sister's classes. He had heard of him well as they attended the same university and were both in the football club.
Gemini was for, for all he looked similar to Phuwin, a weirdo. It came as absolutely no surprise that he did not have any friends that Fourth knew of. The only reason he did not protest the boy teaching his sister was the fact it was a free class and the teachers were all volunteers. Also his sister seemed to love him.
Mae waved goodbye and grabbed Fourth's hands chattering excitedly.
"Hello Phi." She greeted Phuwin who smiled a bit at the child whom he saw quite often.
Fourth could not help but find it cute as Mae talked to Phuwin about her day and he focused on her, answering her and even giving her details about his day in return. "You really like Gemini don't you? Maybe you should ask him out Fourth and get Mae to have him as a brother in law." Phuwin teased and Fourth scowled his face.
"Please I don't want to date him. He's a weirdo." Fourth said pouting and Phuwin frowned and Mae also looked upset. "You said I should not say mean things about people. He's a great teacher and he always makes sure I understand everything." Mae said and Fourth shook his head at the girl.
When the car stopped at their house, Fourth waved goodbye to Phuwin. "Do you want to hang out tomorrow? At our usual coffee shop? I want to ask you for help on our assignments." Phuwin nodded, thinking about how since it was a Tuesday he would have Pond as the server in the afternoon. "Should we meet by 1?" Phuwin suggested and Fourth nodded and after waving he headed into the house.
"Come on, let's go home." Phuwin said and the driver took him home.
His parents were around when he left for classes in the morning but it was not surprising that the house was empty as he returned to it.
He made himself some noodles after his shower and slurped them after changing into comfortable pajamas and scrolling through his phone, viewing Pond's Instagram page. The most recent post was one of him after what was obviously after basketball practice. It was posted earlier. He was wearing the practice gear and had his long hair in a headband.
Phuwin did not want to like it but accidentally double clicked the picture. He groaned in frustration. "No.." he whined but pet himself with the knowledge that Pond had enough followers not to notice when another one joined. He had more than twenty thousand and while it was nothing compared to the millions he had, it was enough for him no to notice hopefully.
His hope was cut short though as he was in a Zoom meeting with the European branch of his mother's company when he got a notification on his Instagram saying someone was following him. It was 5am and he had woken an hour before to attend the meeting so he had to finish it up before he checked his phone.
When he finished, he picked up his phone and gasped when he saw it was Pond that was following him. "Shit, he definitely saw my like then." He whined before collapsing on his bed again. "Dunk, help me. I used my official account to like his picture and now he'll think I'm some sort of annoying rich kid who only depends on daddy's money."
Dunk's laugh was not comforting in the slightest. "I warned you about stalking him with your main account. You said you would be careful." Dunk teased and Phuwin whined which made Dunk laugh louder. "Fine, just follow him back then."
"What? I only follow three pages, yours, and my parent's company page. It would be obvious if I started following some rando in the university." Phuwin complained and Dunk scoffed. "Well I do not think anyone of major importance cares and is this not a perfect way to tell all the university people to back away from your man when they eventually notice."
"What about my parents?" Phuwin asked and he could literally hear Dunk roll his eyes. "You came out to them last year stupid. Plus he's not even in the closet, all the flags are on his bio. He's a sweet hardworking boy who you've had a crush on since he helped you three freaking years ago. Make a move or I will."
"Please. he's not even your type. Your type is his best friend whose always following you around."
"Shut up Phuwin. I don't like Joong, I just tolerate him because our parents are business partners."
"Tell yourself that until you believe it." Phuwin teased and was not surprised when Dunk ended the call.
Phuwin stood up and got ready for school. He had a feeling today was going to be different.
- - - - -
"Gemini right? Get out, this is our spot in the library." the bully said and he frowned at the senior. He had come there first. "I'm sorry I was here first." He stated calmly. Before he could even finish, he was dragged out of the seat and his back hit the bench.
The librarian pushed them away but he was too embarrassed to continue studying there. He went to his class to study and although he did not feel fully prepared, he was still the first to finish writing. He went to turn it in, ignoring the scoffs of weirdo and nerd he heard. He decided to just sit in his lecture room instead of having to be rejected from other places.
He hated university.
It was easy to be a victim of bullying when you did not have any friends and it was hard to have friends when social interactions made you easily exhausted. He had one friend from primary school and they unfortunately did not go to the same university. His terrible social life now was due to the fact he rejected a senior on his first week of school. His name was tarnished so badly that you were picked on for even associating with him. Soon he was alone as no one wanted to risk their necks to talk to him.
That was when he saw the option to be a volunteer teacher for twelve year olds. There was no monetary gain but he still was able to get human contact and interaction. His father was a musician and his mother a doctor, so he hardly saw them at home. The children helped assuage a part of the loneliness. It was also when he met Fourth. The boy loved his sister and was adorable and really good at football. Gemini knew his crush would go absolutely no where but it was nice to feel happy by just seeing someone's face.
After classes, he went to eat his lunch. It was Tuesday afternoon so after lunch he went to the coffee shop to do his work there. He hid there a lot because Phi Joong, one of the workers in the coffee shop had absolutely no qualms on banning people who attempted to bully him from there, so it was a safe space.
After placing his order, he turned to sit and saw Fourth was with his line senior. He knew he was named Phuwin and was one of the rich twins who everyone tried hard to befriend. He sat in a way that it was easy for him to watch Fourth and be as low key as possible but he knew that Joong saw through him by how an eyebrow was raised at him.
Gemini could not hear them but from here it was obvious that he had absolutely no chance with Fourth. His crush was completely smitten with the other guy and while Gemini could not feel heartbroken as he had not even had a conversation with the other guy that was not about his sister, human emotions were never rational and he could not help the twinge he felt in his chest.
The door opened and Gemini turned to see Dunk, Phuwin's best friend whom had won every single pageant the school had ever done. It didn't help that he was an active model and was brand ambassador for many luxury brands.
Gemini watched as the boy apologized to Phuwin and Fourth for being late, and he could not help noticing the obvious disappointment on Fourth who obviously wanted to spend alone time with Phuwin. He also noticed how while it was Dunk that ordered coffee, Phuwin got up to collect the coffee from Pond, the other server.
He tried studying but the drama he was noticing was making it really hard to concentrate. Soon it was time for Gemini to leave and coincidentally he and Fourth stood up at the same time. Not wanting to call unnecessary attention to himself, he walked out of the coffee shop, avoiding his eyes completely.
"Hey." Fourth called out immediately they left the shop and Gemini turned to face him. "Why are you following us? Huh? Stay away from me and Phi Phuwin. I saw you looking at us creepily you weirdo freak."
Gemini felt hurt and shocked. This was not like Fourth at all, he was really sweet.
"I was not looking at you. I was studying and I zoned out. I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable but that does not mean you should make hurtful claims about me especially as you do not even know me. Insulting me was a bit too unnecessary." Gemini retorted and Fourth raised an eyebrow.
"So you can speak." Fourth's tension lines had relaxed and his eyebrow was raised a bit. "Why don't you then. Think you're better than the rest of us." Normally Gemini would feel defensive but the last line was delivered in a teasing way. Praying he was not reading it wrong, he replied "Well I haven't found anyone whose on my level. Are you?"
The laugh he got in response made him float. "I'm sorry for what I said. I know it's no excuse but I was hurt by something and I took it out on you because I knew you would let it slide easier than most. That was shitty of me." Fourth apologized and Gemini smiled at him. "I guess I forgive you."
Fourth nodded and stretched out his hand. "Let me have your phone please." and when a confused Gemini handed it over Fourth typed in his number and gave it back. "Let's have ice cream sometime to make up for me being shitty today. I'll see you later Gem."
Confused Gem could feel his ears were bright red and he was stunned, standing in front of the coffee shop.
- - - - -
"Joong please leave me alone." Dunk whined at the boy who just smiled brightly and sat down on the bench Dunk was already on.
"Don't worry I'm not here as your suitor." Joong said, facing away from Dunk whose entire expression had changed hearing he was not the one he was here for.
Dunk was in his third year of school and Joong had been flirting with him and actively asking him out for more than a year now, he had started the first day they met which was the first day of his first year. Dunk did not have feelings for the boy, but having him routinely try and get with him was already part of his scheduled daily activity.
Wake up, dress up, come to classes, have Joong corner him to ask him out, eat lunch, get flirted with, go home, chat with Joong, do some of his brand gigs, get a compulsory goodnight from Joong. Sleep.
Having him move on would destroy the__
"Are you even listening to me Phi?" Joong's voice snapped him out of his reverie and he turned to the boy who reminded him mainly of a golden retriever. "I'm sorry what were you saying, I have a lot on my mind."
Joong did not look like he believed him but he nodded and smiled. "Phuwin. Your best friend. I wanted to ask does he like_"
"Yes, he likes someone else so give up. You're not even his type so just give up on him."
"Tell me how you feel why don't you Phi." Joong chuckled, sounding slightly hurt. "I don't like Phuwin, I love you. I have loved you for more than a year now and I don't think I could stop even if I tried. I'm asking about Phuwin because he acts like he likes Pond. So is he for real or is he fooling around? He followed Pond's page and so many people approached him to warn him off. My friend deserves to be happy. His life is shitty enough. So if Phuwin wants a joke tell him to find it somewhere else.''
Dunk was frozen. Joong had confessed to him before but it was usually done in a friendly way that did not make him feel so cornered. This time he did not even get an opportunity to laugh it off as a joke.
"I can understand your worries but Phuwin is sincere. He's liked your friend since we even came to university. Apparently his car had messed up on a rainy day and this handsome Adonis had come with his high school uniform and worked on it, saving him and his driver who also did not know what to do." Dunk explained, a teasing lilt to his voice when he said the Adonis.
"Pond would be pleased with that description." Joong teased and Dunk could not stop himself from smiling at that. "Okay then. I'm already worried about Pond. I don't want to have to add heartbreak to that mix. He hardly sleeps as it is."
They sat in silence and Dunk was impressed about how much Joong cared about Pond. Apparently his devil may care attitude did not apply to those close to him.
"I have to go_" "Let's go to the amusement park together." Joong and Dunk said respectively. Dunk saw the moment when what he said registered as he saw the way Joong gaped at him in shock.
"As friends. I don't like you the way you feel about me, but I want to try, I don't want to have any regrets." Dunk explained and if Joong's excited smile brought a strange flutter to his chest then that was between him and his heart.
- - - - -
Pond arrived at the pool with his cleaning supplies and everything else he needed. He rang the warning bell which was put to warn people who were swimming in the pool to evacuate for cleaning or in the state of an emergency.
Since it was Wednesday which was cleaning day he was not expecting anyone to be in it but he was not surprised when he saw Phuwin leaving the water. He was the best swimmer in their squad, who had taken their team to gold on his first year in the school. He definitely had to practice more to gain such good result.
"Sorry to interrupt your practice time but I have to clean the pool." Phuwin nodded and left to the changing rooms. Pond started with draining out the pool completely. He had gotten the gig of cleaning the pool twice a week every Wednesday and Sunday and he was paid 1000 baht weekly for it. Most of his money from the coffee shop, the bar he worked the night shifts till 5am and even the dance studio he taught at on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays were all sent home. His father was sick with colon cancer and the treatment and medicine drained his account especially as his mother could not work. The pool money was what he used for feeding himself and saving to get necessities.
With music blasting in his ears, he finished the cleaning and turned on the water again. Immediately he was done, he was about leaving the pool when he saw Phuwin standing there seemingly waiting for someone. "Hey who are you waiting for?" Pond asked nicely although he was exhausted and had spent more time than he predicted so he needed to go to his bar shift which started by 9. It was already seven and he would need to shower and change first.
"hey Pond. Um, I wanted to- i want to- I- [mumbles] ask you something." Phuwin knew he was stuttering but he could not help it. Being so close he realized how much taller than his Pond was, with lean muscles and a delicious bodily smell that clung to him even with the proof of exertion on his body.
"What's wrong? Are you okay? Do you need something?" Pond asked, his earnest eyes reminding Phuwin of the night in the rain when the boy had so rudely fixed his car, politely refused money and instead had taken his heart as collateral.
"I need a good bar to go to tonight. Do you know anyone I can go to." Phuwin could kick himself for his cowardice but Pond smiled brightly. "Sure Khun Chai, let me go change and I'll take you to the one I work in. I make the best drinks if I do say so myself." Pond teased, leading them to his room.
When they got in, Pond took off his shirt and Phuwin turned to hide his red face, taking everything in. The luxury school dorm was smaller than his condo and this was definitely not the luxury dorm. For starters it was just one room and a bathroom meaning Phuwin could see all the clothes Pond had inside his cupboard, a cooker on top of a cupboard he was using as a store and the bed was also serving as a chair for the study table beside it. "Come on let's go." Pond said as he came in from the bathroom he had dressed up in. Phuwin froze a bit at the view he saw.
Pond was in a body hug black turtle neck, his hair was tied half up with a rubber band and his cheek was dusted with glitter and he was definitely wearing lip-gloss. It took all the control he always claimed he had not to push the boy back and kiss him.
"Come on, let's go."
Phuwin had his driver around but immediately he saw the scooter, he knew it would be a fate given opportunity to get to hold Pond's waist so he did not even argue the means of transport.
Phuwin grabbed Pond's waist, pleased that it felt as strong in his arms as he had spent all his time imagining. Pond took him in from the front before turning around to follow the staff entrance area.
Phuwin knew he would not be able to drink here alone especially as Pond would be busy for a while so he called Dunk who apparently had someone in his condo he would be coming with. Pond gave him a seat right in front of him and he was pleasantly surprised as he thought he would be completely abandoned.
When he was given the first drink, it was a bubblegum flavor that bubbled down his throat. Pond was a pro, serving him drinks, and others while managing to give him his full attention. Phuwin would have counted it as a date if he had not already planned their first date from the day they met.
"Wow would you look at that, you call me for help then don't even notice me for over twenty minutes." Dunk teased and the way Phuwin whipped gave him a slight whiplash and the dizziness from the drinks and Pond's entire existence started catching up on him.
"Hello" Joong smiled behind Dunk and Phuwin's inner mind was in shock that the boy had been in Dunk's condo. He had thought Dunk found the boy's flirting annoying but if he had been in Dunk's condo it must have been working.
"So both of you were together?" Phuwin asked, losing his filter. "Yes. Whatever you're thinking happened did. That's why we were late." Joong teased but Dunk glared at him, completely unamused which made Joong pout and say his statement was false.
"Obviously, you're not Dunk's type. He prefers older mature guys and you're_"
"Okay thank you Phu, you're obviously really drunk." Dunk grabbed his friend and hid him from Joong's harsh gaze. "Don't mind anything he just said, he's really drunk." Dunk explained and Phu could not help but think Dunk was really whipped if he was explaining as he usually let all his other partners imagine what they wanted.
Joong blushed and Dunk glared at him in annoyance. "Sorry Pond but I have to take him back before he says something that makes me kill him accidentally." Dunk explained and the boy nodded and after smiling softly at Phuwin, even wrapping him up with his jacket because 'goosebumps on his body show he's cold, wrap him in my jacket, I can just have it tomorrow it's fine'
"Wow Phu, I definitely get why you chose him. Boy was raised a gentleman." Dunk teased his disoriented best friend. "He's so hot. Do you know I got to hold his torso. He has abs and I got to touch them." Phuwin whined dreamily as Joong helped Dunk take him to his car.
"Oh" Joong asked, eyes raised sardonically "Does he know you were feeling him up?" Joong teased and suddenly Phuwin teared up and sat down on the ground unwilling to move. "I'm a horrible person." He sobbed. I took advantage of him. And even when I was in his dorm I wanted to press him against the wall and kiss his lips until it was bruised and I'm such a monster." He was weeping now and Dunk glared at Joong who had absolutely no idea how what he had insinuated even led to this. "fix this." Dunk mouthed and Joong rolled his eyes at the blubbering drunk on the floor.
"It's okay Phuwin. Trust me everyone has those thoughts about Pond. You're not a bad person." Joong teased and Dunk shot him a glare that made him stop smiling.
"Don't have those thoughts about him, he's mine." Phuwin pouted and Dunk just rolled his eyes and Joong laughed even harder. "He's actually adorable like this. My best friend cannot get the hint though so your friend would have to spell it out for him."
The duo took him to his condo and after Dunk made him drink water and change into his pajamas, putting the boy to bed. "Come on Joong, let's go sleep." Dunk said and Joong smiled brightly. "So we're going to your condo Phi?" Joong teased and Dunk laughed and ruffled his hair.
- - - - -
"Come on Gem, you promised me we would see the movie together. It's difficult to avoid spoilers and I really don't want it spoiled for me." Fourth whined and smiled when he heard the other boy huff fondly and start packing his things from the table they were studying on.
They had started hanging out after the altercation and Fourth had fulfilled his promise of taking Gemini out for ice cream to apologize for his shitty behavior. Phuwin had actually confided in him that he wanted to confess to Pond. Apparently he had liked him for longer than Fourth had even known Phuwin. He was hurt. He had no right to lash it out though and he was glad Gemini had given him a chance because he got a friend. That was only roughly three weeks prior but to Fourth, he felt like they had always known each other.
Gemini was weird. It was non negotiable and knowing him was uncovering various aspects of him showed how much weirder he was. However there was so much more to him. He was extremely playful, extremely funny, extremely kind, extremely good natured, extremely honest, extremely smart, and he was also really brave. He hated vegetables and did not do well with spicy food which made him such an opposite from him. Yet they both loved their families and while he was an only child, he was far from the most selfish person Fourth had ever met. Fourth was used to people insulting him for choosing to study music but Gem took his complaints seriously and made them study together when they were both practicing theory. It was easy for Gemini to make his heart warm.
Visually he looked so much like Phuwin that for the first week, Fourth could not help commenting on how much they looked alike.
'You both are literally twins'
'You look like you could be the same person.'
'I feel like I'm hanging out with Phuwin when we hang out.'
'Wow, maybe take a DNA. You're both rich right? Maybe you guys are twins.'
However by the second week, he could hardly see any resemblance between them. Their personalities were just too different and he knew both of them well enough to know the glaring differences.
"Can I have two buckets of popcorn and two drinks please." Gemini ordered as Fourth arrived with their tickets in his clutches. "You know we could always wait until the prices aren't so cutthroat before coming again." Gemini whined which made Fourth laugh. Gemini was also so frugal with money. "Come on we'll see all the spoilers if we wait any longer. Let's go baby." Fourth teased, winking as they headed to the cinema.
If Gemini was being honest the movie was great and he could easily pretend this was a date although he had no shot. Fourth liked Phuwin and even if he did not, it would be social suicide for him to chose to date him. So he treasured the friendship especially as a lot of his bullies left him alone now that he was with someone all the time now. Even football club became much better as Fourth and he found out they had incredible passing chemistry and scored goals together. The only bad side was how much material his delusions were getting to work with.
"I was not expecting that ending." Gemini stated, awed as they exited the theatre. "It was such a plot twist." Fourth agreed as they walked out with Gemini noticing that his hands were being held by Fourth's. The warm hands made his ears color a bright red, shy even thought it was held for functionality. So he didn't trip and fall as he was not with his glasses.
"Fourth? Gemini? What are you both doing here?" A familiar voice called and Gemini raised his head to see Pond and Phuwin staring at them. It was Phuwin that had called. The immediate way he was let go of stung badly.
"What are you doing here?" Phuwin asked again and Gemini rolled his eyes, hating the senior for being the one Fourth loved. He knew it was petty but he could not stop the resentment.
"I'll be leaving now. Bye Fourth. Bye Phi" Immediately Gemini left Phuwin turned to Fourth.
"A conversation is long overdue, don't you think so nong?"
"Sure Phi" Fourth sighed, ignoring the kicked puppy look Pond was giving his senior. He might have been slowly getting over Phuwin but that did not mean he liked Pond who took him away from him.
Gemini's face when he was leaving was playing in his head.
Something was wrong, and he was itching to fix it.
He preferred the pretty boy's smile.
- - - - -
Pond was falling for the university's prince.
In the long run it was not his fault though. What was a gay guy to do when his living breathing fantasy decided to become his friend and follow him absolutely everywhere.
Phuwin did not force him to change his schedule for his comfort instead he eased himself into Pond's schedule, giving him mental relief with his presence. After the first night he had almost knocked himself dead with the drinks Pond had decided to only give him soda while they sat and talked in the bar but that was not the only place they hung out.
As usual Phuwin came to the coffee shop but instead of sitting away like usual, he sat close by and they talked when the costumers were coming on slowly.
Phuwin also found his dance classes and after practice before he had to go to the bar, they talked and more often than not went to the bar together with Phuwin doing his work inside Pond's employee locker room when he needed silence. Phuwin also sometimes had sleepovers om the days Pond's boss at the bar paid him in full and banned him from stepping foot into the bar or he would be fired.
Then Phuwin ate instant ramen, did his homework and held him as they both shared his small bed.
Those days were rare but bliss for him and it was easy to feed his delusions that Phuwin felt the same way for him when they had those moments.
Phuwin was easy to talk to and soon enough Pond found himself telling Phuwin about every thing happening with him and getting the same trust in return.
Pond told Phuwin about how sick his father was and how he was responsible for the bills to keep him alive. Told him about how hard playing basketball with his education on the line was. Told him how he slept during his classes most times to not pass out and still worked hard to turn in all his assignments and study for his tests. Told him how sometimes he felt resentment to people who could act their age, play and mess up without having to be in charge of a human. Told him how he felt guilty for feeling that way. Told him how thankful he was to have Joong as he made his life more colorful.
In return Phuwin found himself a safe space where he could easily express himself in return. He told him all about the pressure he felt to be perfect. About how he didn't even know himself as he had been built into a character and had worn it since he was so young he did not know any different. About how his parents were so busy being the CEO that they forgot to be his parents.
They were both falling for each other harder and harder but did not want to ruin it by confessing as they could not believe the other wanted to date them.
- - - - -
Joong rushed excitedly to Dunk who was eating lunch with Phuwin. "Dunk" he shouted, ignoring all the raised eyebrows he was getting. "My mum, step father and step brothers are coming to Thailand. I'm so excited." He cheered, sitting on the empty seat left without their permission.
Normally Dunk would scold and tell the boy to leave but this time he could not bring himself to replace the childish joy he saw with any form of hurt. Joong had told him all about his family and while Dunk could not like the boy's mother because of how sad some of the things she did made the boy, Joong loved the woman and was always happy when she came over.
Joong's parents were divorced and his father sent him loads of money every month while living with his wife and son that Joong was only older than with a week. Joong lived with his mother alone until he was six when his mother started seeing who was now his step dad. He was living in Turkey and at first they were long distance but soon they moved. However Joong did not move with them. He was put in a boarding school in England and went to stay with them during the summer holidays. Sometimes not even then.
However he never lacked any material thing and grow to an intelligent but mischievous boy with a handsome face that made him popular in school even though it was an all boy's school.
When it was time for university, he wanted to feel closer to his routes so he chose a university in Thailand where he met Pond at. As he was alone in his condo he mostly minimized his stay there which was also the reason he got a part time job and met Pond who became his closest friend and also the love of his life.
While everything had turned out well he missed his mother sometimes, especially as he felt very disconnected from her in major aspects of his life. Yet he loved her, and this was really exciting news for him.
"Do you need help cleaning your condo for their arrival?" Dunk asked and Joong shook his head, looking every bit like a puppy when he answered. "Nope. I got the news yesterday and could hardly sleep so I cleared everywhere. They're coming today. I have their arrival time mapped already. How about you join me to cook instead? The dishes I want to make take a lot of time."
It was preview of how important this moment was to Joong that he did not even flirt with the open opportunity Dunk gave him.
After lunch and all the classes they both went to Joong's house and Dunk changed into the clothes he kept on standby for when Joong emotionally blackmailed him to have sleepovers with him. Sure he had fun but it did not stop the fact that he was brought there unwillingly. Sure he could have clearly stated no instead of saying things that sounded like excuses but still....
Dunk had never seen Joong as serious as he was. They made the dishes on time and still had enough time to shower before Joong drove them to the airport to pick them up. They had taken the car Dunk came with because it was a sienna for all their bags and the people. He was happy to help as Joong's happiness was contagious.
They got to the airport and Dunk smiled a bit as he saw Joong's contagious happiness.
"So what time are they supposed to be here?" Dunk asked and Joong checked his watch. "Roughly ten minutes from now. I'm so happy. My brothers have grown up so much and I really want to see them. Plus I haven't hugged my mum in roughly_" He paused to count on his fingers. "Seven years"
"Seven?" "Yeah. Immediately I got to 8th grade I stopped going home for holidays. We talked on the phone a lot though." He said like that was supposed to make Dunk feel better about the entire thing. 'No wonder' He thought to himself but he was louder than he thought because Joong turned to him in confusion.
"No wonder what?" He asked and Dunk shook his head to signify it was not important. "Your clinginess is just explained now." Joong pursed his lips in hurt but Dunk did not understand what part of what he said was hurting the boy.
"What do you mean?" Joong asked again and Dunk got the feeling he had to tread carefully as his entire countenance had changed already.
"It's just a symptom of abandonment issues we learned about in psychology class and I just saw_" Dunk tried explaining but he heard how bad it sounded so he stopped.
"You're psychoanalyzing me? What? Are you using me for an assignment? The fact I like you and cling to you shows I have abandonment issues? That's actually so rude and so wrong. I do not have abandonment issues. Since we're now analyzing people let's talk about your commitment issues? Or do you really think sleeping with the world is the best way to live. Too scared to commit to someone who actually loves you so you take pleasure everywhere else."
Dunk was not expecting Joong's words to hurt as much as they did, so he had to retort.
"Please if I was using you for a work and so what? You're one to talk at least I can pull bitches you definitely cannot say the same. You've been chasing me for more than a year and still haven't gotten a peck. I'm as easy as you say and I still haven't given you a chance. Doesn't that show how unimportant you are? Give up, nobody wants you, especially not me or your family" He regretted it immediately he spat it out but he could not take it back. Some sadistic part of him was happy to see the tears in his eyes but his other rational mind was sad that they were fighting.
"Joong I_" he was unable to finish as Joong stormed away from him. Upset Dunk went back to the car. He started the car and drove off. Joong could easily find his way with the airport transport service.
He went home, changed and hopped on his bed, wanting to sleep off his anger. Sure he should not have mentioned anything about abandonment issues. He was a psychology minor and while he could not help but do things like that, he should have been more cautious of how he spoke.
He mulled over his own parts of the argument but fell into a rather fitful sleep.
Dunk knew if he missed classes Phuwin would be worried so he went. He called Joong twice and he did not answer so he just told himself that Joong was with his family and did not want to be disturbed with their fight, even though his mind was nagging him that Joong never ignored people when he was angry.
"Hey Phi Dunk do you know where Joong is? I haven't seen him at school and he was not home when I went to check on him by 5am."
Phuwin frowned and Dunk felt his heart beating in his head.
"Why did you go to his house by 5am? You told me you were going home." Dunk would have rolled his eyes if he wasn't crazily worried about Joong at the moment. Was this really the time for Phuwin's jealousy? "Sorry I didn't tell you were I was going but Joong never lets my phone ring completely and I was able to give him over thirty missed calls yesterday. So I was worried. The last time I spoke to him he said he would be with you. Where is he?" Pond looked really worried but it was not as much as Dunk who moved before thinking about it.
Carrying his car keys and without saying a word to the other two he ran away from the school canteen and into his car.
The last place he saw Joong was the airport. If he wasn't there the police would be getting involved. He no longer cared about people calling him a trust fund baby. He would squander the entire trust fund on finding Joong if he had to.
All in all, he broke about nine traffic rules and was a bit too above the speed limit but he arrived in the airport in record time. He rushed out and ran to where he had the argument with Joong which was insignificant in the light of how his heart felt. He had won the argument but at what cost? Risking that being the last thing Joong ever heard from him.
It was hard for him to see where he was going as he was completely teary. He reached the spot and seeing the familiar figure on the bench made him want to start sobbing in relief. He was here, he was alive and he was safe. Wiping away his tears and checking to be sure it did not look like he had been on the edge of hysterics he took a deep breathe and approached him calmly.
"You made Pond worried. The least you could have done was answer your phone." I said as I stood in front of him.
When he raised his head up I flinched back in surprise.
"What's wrong Joong?" I asked in shock. He was completely pale with a bit of blue tinges which was not as surprising as he had obviously been in the cold airport but his face was splotchy and red with his under eyes black.
He smiled but it was not his usual smile as his eyes did not join the rest of his features.
"You were right Phi. Guess I really am unwanted aren't I?" He said and Dunk did not know what was scarier. Joong not smiling at him, or Joong not keeping eye contact while speaking to him.
"No Joong I_" Dunk flinched again when Joong suddenly stood up and pushed a a phone into his hand. He turned it around and read the message that was sent to Joong from his mother.
Mami 💖💖
We decided to travel to Nonthaburi instead. To see new places. Bangkok can get boring even though we haven't been there in a while. I'll talk to you soon. Bye.
Dunk felt anger crushing him. The woman did not even apologize and from the text she obviously did not think she did anything that needed an apology. Dunk scrolled up and his heart hurt to see the messages Joong had sent narrating his life, asking questions and for advice and even for help for things like medication when he was sick that went completely unanswered. All his 'I love you' and 'I miss you' that had gone ignored. When he handed the phone back, he wanted to give the boy in front of him a big hug but knew it would not be reciprocated or even wanted.
"Joong_"
"They're just nine kilometers away. If she wanted to she would have come to see me even before they left but she didn't. She doesn't love me, she never did." At this point he was crying again but with his arms hugging himself he obviously did not want comfort.
"She does not want me. She never did. I was just the child from the man she did not want to be with. Who also did not want me." He was crying like a baby and Dunk's hands itched to pull the boy in and hug him but he had to let him express himself. He took a shuddering breathe before making the last statement that broke Dunk's entire resolve. "Nobody wants me! Not even you...… And I don't blame them. I wouldn't want me either"
Dunk hugged him tightly, putting all the might he could on him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I did not mean it. I promise I did not mean it." Dunk apologized and pleaded until the sobs died down. When he pulled away still having his arms around him, Joong smiled, a small but genuine one. "I'm sorry too. I should not have taken what you said out of proportion."
Dunk knew they had a lot to talk about but he just ignored it, nodding and holding him tighter in his arms.
He had to tell Joong how much he meant to him. Yet actions always spoke louder than words so he decided to start showing him.
Showing him how much he owned his heart and soul.
He was not used to it but he decided to find ways to try.
- - - - -
Gemini had his phone in his ear as he walked from his last class to the library were he and Fourth planned to study together.
"Come on Gemini, from everything you've told me he likes you. It's hard to spend this much time with someone you don't like." Mark, Gemini's high school best friend said and Gemini snorted softly in disbelief. He told Mark everything during their constant calls but Mark had always been a delusional romantic who held him to a higher regard than he was worth so he was not really a trustworthy source most times.
"You're only saying this because you don't hear the way he talked about Phi Phuwin. It's a lost cause Mark. We're just friends and that's all we're going to be. I have to get over him though. Because it hurts me whenever we hang out." Gemini pouted as he thought of all the ways he had fallen more in love with somebody who would never want him.
They spent so much time together, Fourth always took him for little adventures he pretended to hate but genuinely loved. They did stuff together that Gemini could easily do with Mark but it was all better because it was with Fourth.
Fourth was clingy so they held hands, hugged and even gave sniff kisses when he was feeling clingy. But Gemini could not enjoy it most times as it was obvious how much Fourth was dedicated to Phuwin.
It painfully reminded him of the dedication he had for the him. Rushing to him whenever he called, even though he was just a whim.
"I get what you feel to an extent. The person I'm in love with is the same with everyone so I can't even tell if he feels anything for me. I'm sorry for pressuring you. Guess I want mine to be true so badly I'm projecting." Gemini gave a small fond scoff and let the warmth he felt for his best friend reflect in his voice.
"It's okay Mark. You mean no harm. I'm in front of the library now so I guess I'll call you later." Gemini said and the silence made him know Mark was nodding as he usually did during phone calls.
"Okay Gem, I'll talk to you later. I love you."' Mark crooned and Gemini rolled his eyes fondly. "I love you too. Bye I'll call you later."
Gemini laughed and shook his heard before nearly having a heart attack when he heard Fourth behind him, screaming loudly and ducking down.
"Who's that?" Fourth asked and after Gemini was able to calm his speeding heart he turned and smiled but it stopped when he saw that Fourth was not smiling and actually looked really upset.
"What's wrong?" "Are you dating someone?" They both asked at the same time but the way Fourth was staring at him showed he was not backing down from the question and really needed his answers.
"No I'm not. I haven't dated anyone before, no one has ever liked me." Gemini explained but Fourth pursed his lips and looked sad, not angry anymore.
"So who were you talking to just now?" Fourth was pouting and Gemini smiled at how cute he was. "I was talking to Mark." Hearing that made Fourth stop pouting and he started blushing in embarrassment instead.
"Oh I'm sorry I just_ I was just jealous." Fourth explained and Gemini was the one frowning this time. "Jealous of what?" he asked in confusion and Fourth's serious eyes where once again on him. "You. You were telling someone else you love them. When that was what I wanted to hear from you. It was unfair. I was jealous."
Gemini was shocked. Emotions were rushing through him like a tidal wave. Happiness, Shock, Disbelief, Joy, Paranoia, Worry, Love, Anxiety. The rush ceased when he felt Fourth's warm hands holding me tightly. "I like you Gem. If you give me a chance I want to show you how much."
He did. They decided to start dating and the first three weeks were the best of Gemini's entire existence until he noticed that while he was the one dating Fourth, Fourth's favorite aspects of him where the ones that reminded him of Phuwin.
It started when he and Fourth had an argument because he chose to get coffee from a different shop instead of the one he had the first rude encounter with. Fourth had been so upset, saying things about changing the patterns. Then Gemini noticed the differences in Fourth's behaviors when he said something that was not what he expected.
Like when Fourth had asked him his favorite kind of movie and he had said he loved Romance and Fantasy and hated Action. The mood had changed then, with Fourth mumbling something that sounded like 'you both are really so different'
Sometimes Fourth even accidentally ordered food Gemini did not like but knew Phuwin did. It hurt him how easily it was for Fourth to do some things, almost like second nature and Gemini knew that while he liked Fourth, he was only Phuwin's replacement to him. Mark had advised him to end things with him as he deserved better than being treated as second best and only available option but Gemini didn't want to. Minus that small issue, Fourth treated him well, kissed him like he had never been kissed before and was sweet. Gemini liked him and he knew that Fourth would like him soon the more they spent time together.
On their first month anniversary, Fourth had been the one to wish him first, promising him a surprise if he went to their spot in the park which was a shrub beside the duck pond by 5pm. He had been ten minutes late as he wanted to get the flowers from the shop. He held his present and the flower and his his surprise when he went to the spot and nobody and nothing was there. Figuring out that Fourth was still running late he sat down and waited.
Twenty minutes. 5:30pm
One hour. 6:30pm
Two hours. 8:30pm
Thirty minutes. 9:00pm
"Gem I am so sorry. I am the absolute worse. I just ran out of time. I was helping Phuwin decorate for his birthday party tomorrow and I just completely lost track of time. Please don't hate me I'm_"
"Let's break up." Gemini stated calmly and Fourth froze. He could understand where Gem was coming from but his heart was in pieces.
"Gemini please don't do this. I know that leaving you out here for hours was shitty of me, and there is nothing I can do to fix it but. I like you so much and I_"
"Do you like me for me? Or do you like me because I remind you of him?" Gemini asked and the way Fourth froze at the question told him the answer more than anything else. "Dou see something and be like 'Wow let me tell Gemini.' or do you want to tell Phuwin then remember he's busy so you come to me."
"Gem I_"
"Come meet me when you have the answers to these questions." Gemini left and Fourth wished he had turned back so he could see the look of heartbreak on his face.
He wiped his tears away. He had to prove his love to Gemini. He knew he felt it so it definitely should have been easy.
He just had to do his best.
- - - - -
Phuwin was nervous for a reason.
He had invited Pond to his birthday party his mother was throwing for his twenty first birthday and planned to ask the boy out at exactly midnight which would be his real birthday as the party was planned earlier.
He knew his mother had just paid a planner to handle everything but he was thankful that she had taken the initiative to even celebrate his birthday and in all given him an opportunity to confess to the boy he was in love with.
He sat typing out his assignment when he heard Dunk's footsteps and saw him sit beside him from his side eye.
Phuwin had to stop himself from gaping at how terrible Dunk looked. He had dark circles, his eyes were red and his uniform was completely rumpled. Obvious tear marks on his face.
Seeing how upset Dunk looked, Phuwin pushed away his work. Dunk had always been his classy best friend who let absolutely nothing bother him. Seeing him this distraught and messy was upsetting and really concerning.
"Dunk? What's wrong? What happened?" he asked, grabbing his best friend by the hand.
"Joong is in the hospital. He tried to take his own life." Phuwin grabbed his friend closer and more tears came and he started sobbing again.
[flashback]
"Please. I just want us to have a mini date today. I want to have the best day ever." Joong whined as they were walking out of the university together and Dunk was completely over the childish whines [although he secretly found them really cute and they made his heart flutter]
"So what's your idea of the best day ever?" Dunk asked in fond exasperation as Joong sat on his passenger seat. As usual Joong had lent his car out to Pond to help him with transport and was hitching a ride from him.
"Well, seeing Pond and hanging out with him at school, which is a check, go to an amusement park with you, eat Pad Thai from the restaurant opposite mine and getting a kiss from you." Joong listed and Dunk could not help but roll his eyes as he found the route to the nearest amusement park. He had started intentionally letting Joong get away with a lot. It was so bad that even his house staff started saying they could always tell when;
'Master Joong is coming because Master Dunk starts getting all dressed and finding faults with things the mansion has had since he was born.'
Dunk rolled his eyes at the house keeper. He was just a very neat person who did not like seeing dirt and dust when he had guests. Any guests really.
When they got to the park Joong went absolutely feral like a kid in the candy store. He ate so much churros and bought them matching headbands, a dog and a cat which Dunk absolutely refused to put on his head.
He frowned a bit when Joong did not push and asked him to just keep it. As it was easier to keep when he was wearing it, he ended up with it but the smile he was given was like a match flame compared to the sun that was Joong's normal beams.
Dunk bought them tickets so they could go on all the rides and have no lines. Joong kept laughing but Dunk could not stop the niggling feeling on his chest.
After the park, they ate at the restaurant and finally Dunk stopped in front of Joong's house.
"What are you waiting for?"
"Kiss me?" Joong asked before moving closer and when Dunk turned to reprimand him their lips brushed lightly. Joong smiled at him but it was not as bright as the ones he had gotten all day.
"Shit so soft" was the only thing in Dunk's mind but he moved back like he had been shot and glared at the boy.
"Joong! Why did you do that?" Dunk whined and Joong did not reply just smiled a bright one and winked. Dunk could not help smiling back.
"I love you Phi. Thank you for making my life worth living. You made me so happy. In my next life I hope you love me back." Joong said and Dunk frowned at the strange choice of words and tensed but he decided to ignore it.
"Bye weirdo. I'll see you tomorrow." He said instead and drove away with his heart pounding in his chest
He was driving back when he saw the call coming in from Pond.
"Dunk please I need you to check on Joong. Please."
As the premonition in Dunk was already strong he turned the car around and started speeding back the way he came, Pond was still on the call. "What's wrong Pond? Why did you call Pond?"
"He spent the whole day with me, even attending my classes and missing his tests saying he didn't need them. I borrowed his car like I usually do and I just saw a letter telling me he's sorry and he wants to give me the car. He sounds like I won't ever see him again Dunk please. I'm on my way but I'm still far away
Luckily Dunk had arrived the apartment complex and rushed upstairs even as the man in the lobby gave him dirty looks. He pounded on the door and it was locked.
"Joong?! Joong I know you're in there, come out now!" He yelled and when he did not get an answer he went to the pot he knew Joong always kept his spare keys and was fortunately able to open the door.
"Joong?!" he called out and froze at the sight he met. The bathroom door was open and blood formed a large puddle, looking like a red river.
"JOONG!!!!!!!!"