Chapter 38: Extra: Pond/Phuwin

The garden buzzed with warmth and laughter. The scent of grilled meat wafted through the air as Pond stood by the barbecue, flipping skewers of chicken with an exaggerated flourish, a grin plastered on his face.

“Pond, I swear to God,” Phuwin said, his hands on his hips, exasperated but amused. “You’re not a celebrity chef. Just flip the damn chicken and stop twirling those tongs like you’re on TV.”

“You’re just jealous of my technique,” Pond shot back, tossing the tongs in the air and catching them with one hand. “Admit it, I’m a natural.”

Phuwin rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched with a smile. “You’re a natural disaster, maybe. That’s going to burn if you keep showing off like that.”

“Burn? Me? Never!” Pond declared dramatically, puffing out his chest.

A loud sizzle interrupted him as a bit of grease caught fire on the grill. Phuwin yelped, stepping back, but Pond just laughed, quickly managing the flames with a flick of his wrist.

“See? All under control,” Pond said, grinning over his shoulder.

Phuwin let out a long-suffering sigh but couldn’t help the fond smile creeping onto his face. He stepped closer, nudging Pond lightly with his shoulder. “One of these days, your overconfidence is going to get you in trouble.”

Pond tilted his head, his grin softening. “Yeah, but you’ll always bail me out, won’t you?”

Phuwin blinked, caught off guard by the sudden sincerity in Pond’s tone. For a moment, the teasing atmosphere between them shifted, growing quieter, more intimate.

“Of course I will,” Phuwin said softly, his voice steady but warm. “Someone has to keep you in check.”

Pond didn’t reply immediately. He just looked at Phuwin, the usual humor in his eyes replaced by something deeper.

“You’ve always got my back,” Pond said finally, his voice quieter now. “Ever since we were kids. I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for that.”

Phuwin frowned slightly. “You don’t have to thank me, Pond. That’s what friends do.”

“Yeah,” Pond said, his gaze lingering on Phuwin. “Friends.”

The word hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken meaning.

Phuwin cleared his throat, stepping back and crossing his arms. “Anyway, just don’t burn the chicken, okay? I’m not letting you ruin dinner for everyone.”

Pond chuckled, the moment passing, but the look in his eyes lingered as he turned back to the grill.

---

Later That Night

After the party wound down, Pond and Phuwin found themselves sitting on the steps of the porch, the soft glow of the garden lights illuminating their faces. The others had gone inside, leaving the two of them alone with the quiet sounds of the night.

Phuwin leaned back on his hands, staring up at the stars. “You remember when we used to do this as kids? Sneaking out to the backyard after everyone went to bed?”

Pond chuckled, resting his elbows on his knees. “Yeah. You always brought a blanket, and I always forgot, so we ended up sharing yours.”

Phuwin laughed softly. “Because you never plan ahead. Some things never change.”

“Hey, I resent that,” Pond said, nudging him lightly.

Phuwin turned to look at him, a smile still playing on his lips. “But you always had the best stories. You’d make up those ridiculous adventures, and I’d believe every word of them.”

Pond grinned. “That’s because I’m an excellent storyteller.”

“Or I was just a gullible kid,” Phuwin countered, though his tone was teasing.

They fell into a comfortable silence, the memories wrapping around them like a warm blanket.

After a while, Pond spoke, his voice softer. “You were the only one who ever listened to me, you know. Back then.”

Phuwin glanced at him, frowning slightly. “What do you mean?”

Pond shrugged, his gaze fixed on the ground. “I was always the loud one, the class clown. Everyone liked having me around because I made them laugh, but… no one really listened. Not like you did.”

Phuwin sat up straighter, turning to face him fully. “Pond…”

“I mean it,” Pond said, finally looking at him. His usual grin was gone, replaced by something raw, something vulnerable. “You’re the only person who’s ever really seen me. Not just the jokes or the loudmouth. Me.”

Phuwin’s breath caught in his throat. He didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to respond to the weight of Pond’s words.

“You know,” Pond continued, his voice quieter now, “sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if I hadn’t met you. If I didn’t have you in my life.”

“You don’t have to wonder,” Phuwin said quickly, his voice firm. “I’m here. I’ve always been here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

Pond leaned closer, his hand brushing against Phuwin’s. “You mean that?”

Phuwin nodded, his throat tightening. “Always.”

The space between them disappeared as Pond leaned in, his forehead resting lightly against Phuwin’s. “You’re everything to me, Phuwin. You know that, right?”

Phuwin swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. “Yeah,” he whispered. “I know.”

And then, as naturally as breathing, Pond kissed him.

It wasn’t rushed or hesitant—it was warm, steady, like the quiet certainty of the stars above them.

When they pulled apart, Pond was grinning, his usual humor creeping back into his expression. “Took me long enough, huh?”

Phuwin laughed, shaking his head. “Yes you are.”

“Do you like it?,” Pond said, his grin widening.

Phuwin rolled his eyes, but his smile betrayed him. “Yeah,” he admitted softly. “I do.”