Always you (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 2: Innocence and Mischief

Phuwin was the kind of person who could effortlessly light up a room with his presence. His infectious laughter and easygoing nature made him the center of attention wherever he went. He had a way of making everyone around him feel comfortable and valued, and this was one of the many reasons why Pond had fallen so deeply in love with him. Phuwin's world was a vibrant one, filled with friends who adored him and hobbies that kept him constantly inspired. His passion for art extended beyond his career; it was woven into the very fabric of his life. Whether he was sketching at a café with friends or wandering through a museum, Phuwin's love for creativity was a constant companion.

On this particular day, Phuwin had planned to meet up with a group of friends he hadn't seen in a while. They were a lively bunch, always ready with a joke or a story, and Phuwin looked forward to catching up with them. As he got ready to leave the penthouse, he felt a familiar mix of excitement and anticipation. He knew the day would be full of laughter and light-hearted banter, a refreshing change from the sometimes intense atmosphere that had been growing between him and Pond.

Before he left, Phuwin found Pond in his study, absorbed in some work-related task. "I'm heading out," Phuwin said cheerfully, leaning down to plant a quick kiss on Pond's cheek. Pond looked up, his eyes softening as they met Phuwin's. "Have fun," Pond replied, his tone warm but laced with something else—something that made Phuwin hesitate for just a moment before shaking it off.

Phuwin knew Pond loved him deeply, but sometimes that love felt heavy, like a weight pressing down on him. Still, he pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the day ahead, eager to reconnect with his friends.

Phuwin's day out with his friends was exactly what he needed. They laughed, shared stories, and reminisced about old times. The easy camaraderie among them was like a breath of fresh air, a reminder of the simpler times before life had become so complicated. Phuwin felt free, unburdened by the growing tension in his relationship with Pond. He let himself relax, enjoying the company of people who knew him well and loved him for who he was, without any expectations.

However, even as he enjoyed the day, there was a small part of him that couldn't stop thinking about Pond. He wondered what Pond was doing, if he was thinking about him too, and whether he would be upset that Phuwin had chosen to spend the day with friends instead of staying home. These thoughts nagged at him, creating a subtle undercurrent of anxiety that he tried his best to ignore.

When Phuwin returned home later that evening, the penthouse was quiet. He found Pond in the living room, sitting on the couch with a glass of whiskey in hand. The television was on, but Pond wasn't watching it. Instead, his gaze was distant, his expression unreadable.

"Hey," Phuwin greeted him, a bright smile on his face as he kicked off his shoes and walked over to sit beside him. "You won't believe the stories they were telling today. It was hilarious."

Pond turned to look at him, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Did you have a good time?" he asked, his tone neutral but with an edge that Phuwin didn't miss.

Phuwin hesitated, sensing the tension. "Yeah, it was fun. I haven't seen them in so long," he replied, trying to keep the conversation light.

Pond's gaze lingered on Phuwin's face for a moment longer before he set his glass down and turned his attention back to the TV. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," he said, his tone flat. But there was something in his body language—the slight stiffening of his posture, the way his jaw clenched—that told Phuwin otherwise.

Later that night, as they prepared for bed, the tension between them was palpable. Phuwin could feel it in the way Pond's eyes followed him as he moved around the room, the way his presence seemed to fill the space with an unspoken demand for attention. Phuwin tried to brush it off, telling himself that Pond was just tired or stressed from work. But the unease that had been building all day wouldn't go away.

As Phuwin climbed into bed, Pond joined him, his movements deliberate and controlled. He pulled Phuwin close, his arm wrapping around him in a way that felt both comforting and constricting at the same time. Phuwin tried to relax into the embrace, but there was a tension in Pond's hold that made it difficult.

"Did your friends ask about me?" Pond's voice was low, almost casual, but Phuwin could hear the underlying question, the need for reassurance.

"Yeah, they did. I told them you were busy with work," Phuwin replied, keeping his tone light. He shifted slightly in Pond's hold, trying to find a more comfortable position, but Pond's arm tightened around him, keeping him close.

"They should come over sometime," Pond suggested, his tone still neutral, but Phuwin could feel the weight of the suggestion. It wasn't really an invitation; it was more of a demand, a way for Pond to keep a closer eye on Phuwin's interactions with others.

Phuwin nodded, not trusting himself to say anything more. He could feel the tension in Pond's body, the way his grip on him seemed to tighten with every passing second. Phuwin's heart began to race, and he wondered if Pond could feel it too. There was a possessiveness in Pond's embrace that made Phuwin feel like he was being held onto too tightly, as if Pond was afraid he might slip away if he let go even a little.

Pond leaned in, pressing a kiss to Phuwin's temple, his lips lingering longer than usual. "I just want you to be happy," he murmured, his voice soft, but the words felt heavy, like they carried a meaning that went beyond what was spoken.

Phuwin closed his eyes, trying to focus on the warmth of Pond's body, the familiar comfort of being in his arms. But the unease remained, a small voice in the back of his mind that whispered that something wasn't quite right.

As they drifted off to sleep, Phuwin couldn't shake the feeling that their relationship was changing in ways he didn't fully understand, and the physical closeness that had once been a source of comfort now felt like a double-edged sword.

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