Always you (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 5: The Apology

The night after the argument, Pond was left alone in the silence of their once warm and inviting home. The echo of his harsh words and the sight of Phuwin's tear-filled eyes haunted him. Pond sat on the edge of their bed, staring at the empty space beside him where Phuwin usually lay, and felt an overwhelming wave of regret crash over him. The gravity of what he had done finally hit him—he had let his jealousy and possessiveness consume him, pushing away the person he loved most.

Pond ran his hands through his hair, his thoughts a chaotic whirlwind. How had things gotten so out of control? He had always prided himself on being a strong, protective partner, but somewhere along the way, his love had morphed into something darker, something that hurt Phuwin instead of making him feel safe and cherished.

He thought back to all the moments when Phuwin had tried to talk to him, to express his concerns, and Pond had dismissed them or reacted with anger. He could see now how Phuwin's happiness had slowly eroded, how the light in his eyes had dimmed under the weight of Pond's suffocating love. The realization that he had caused this pain was unbearable.

Pond knew he needed to make things right, but he didn't know where to start. Apologizing wasn't something that came easily to him; it required vulnerability, admitting that he was wrong. But as he sat there, in the emptiness of their home, Pond understood that this was about more than just saying sorry. He needed to show Phuwin that he was willing to change, that he was committed to rebuilding the trust he had shattered.

As dawn approached, Pond made up his mind. He couldn't let this be the end of their relationship. He loved Phuwin too much to lose him, and he was determined to prove that love didn't have to come with strings attached.

The next morning, Pond was waiting for Phuwin when he returned home. Phuwin had spent the night at a friend's place, needing space to think and breathe after the intense confrontation. When he walked through the door, his heart heavy with the unresolved tension between them, he wasn't sure what to expect. But what he saw was not the anger or defensiveness he had feared. Instead, Pond was sitting on the couch, his expression soft and full of remorse.

"Phuwin," Pond began, his voice trembling slightly. "I'm so sorry."

Phuwin hesitated at the threshold, his eyes searching Pond's face for sincerity. He could see the guilt and pain etched into Pond's features, and it tugged at his heart. Slowly, he stepped inside, closing the door behind him, but he kept his distance, unsure of how to proceed.

Pond stood up and took a few tentative steps toward Phuwin, his hands clenched at his sides as if he was afraid to reach out. "I was wrong," Pond continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I let my jealousy and fears take over, and I hurt you. I never wanted to make you feel trapped or suffocated, but I see now that I did. And I'm so sorry for that."

Phuwin's eyes filled with tears as he listened to Pond's words. He had waited so long to hear them, to see this side of Pond that was willing to acknowledge his mistakes. "I just wanted you to understand how I felt," Phuwin said softly, his voice wavering. "I love you, Pond, but I need to feel like I can breathe, like I have some space to be myself."

Pond nodded, his own eyes misting over. "I know," he whispered. "And I want to do better. I want to be the partner you deserve, someone who supports you and makes you feel loved, not controlled. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to change, to make things right between us."

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of their emotions hanging between them. Then, slowly, Phuwin closed the distance between them, reaching out to take Pond's hand. The touch was gentle, tentative, but it was a start—a sign that Phuwin was willing to give Pond another chance.

Pond squeezed Phuwin's hand, his heart swelling with hope. "I love you, Phuwin," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "And I'll spend every day showing you that love doesn't have to hurt."

Phuwin nodded, a tear slipping down his cheek as he leaned into Pond's embrace. The hug was slow, tender, and filled with unspoken promises of change and healing. As they held each other, the tension between them began to melt away, replaced by a fragile but genuine sense of hope.

They both knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy. There would be challenges, moments of doubt and struggle. But for the first time in a long time, they were facing those challenges together, with open hearts and a renewed commitment to making their relationship stronger.