As the series began to air, Pon was overwhelmed by the positive feedback. He hadn't expected the outpouring of love from fans—especially the supportive messages he received from betas like himself. For the first time in a long while, Pon felt like he wasn't completely alone. People appreciated his performance, and despite the usual haters, he could finally breathe a bit easier knowing there were those who had his back.
But as the series gained more traction, Pon couldn't help but notice a growing trend among the fans—one that gnawed at him in ways he wished it wouldn't.
It was Nut and Sailub.
There were countless fan-edited videos shipping the two together, highlighting their chemistry on-screen. Clips of their interactions during the show and behind-the-scenes moments went viral, with fans praising how well they fit as a couple. Pon scrolled through his social media feed, his heart sinking a little more with every new post that popped up.
He knew it was silly to feel hurt. After all, the chemistry between Nut and Sailub was undeniable on-screen, and it was just a role. But off-screen? That's where it stung the most. He had seen Nut and Sailub spending more and more time together after shoots, whether it was during workshops, casual hangouts, or even simple meals after a long day of work.
Pon had always kept his distance, not wanting to intrude or make assumptions. But every time he saw Sailub laughing with Nut or catching them in a private conversation, a sharp pang hit his chest. He tried to shake it off, reminding himself that he had no claim on Sailub. Whatever feelings he had for the alpha were one-sided, and Sailub was free to spend his time however he liked.
The only thing Pon could do was remain professional.
And he did. Every day, Pon showed up to the promotional events, smiled for the cameras, and played his role perfectly. Whenever Sailub was brought up, Pon spoke highly of their work together, promoting their on-screen tandem without a hint of hesitation. He shared the latest updates with the fans, posted pictures of their appearances at events, and even uploaded snippets of their interviews on social media.
Pon knew his role was to push the series forward, and that meant supporting the Sailub-Nut pairing, no matter how much it hurt.
During one of their podcasts together, Pon could feel the palpable excitement from fans in the live chat. Most of the comments were about Sailub and Nut, asking when they'd next appear together or teasing their chemistry. Sailub, as always, played it off with charm, giving fans exactly what they wanted—more banter, more sweet moments, and more fuel for their ship.
Pon played along, his voice steady as he answered fan questions and contributed to the conversation. But inside, it was exhausting. Every time Sailub and Nut shared a knowing look or laughed at an inside joke, Pon felt a little more out of place.
As the podcast came to an end, Pon could only smile and thank everyone for their support. Once the cameras were off, though, he let out a long, quiet sigh. He was tired—tired of pretending that it didn't hurt to see Sailub gravitate towards Nut, tired of pushing down his own feelings, and tired of constantly reminding himself that this was all just work.
Sailub approached him after the podcast, his usual relaxed smile on his face. "You did great today, Pon," he said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Pon nodded, forcing a smile. "Thanks. You too."
Sailub paused for a moment, as if he wanted to say something else, but Nut appeared from across the room, calling for the alpha. Without a second thought, Sailub waved goodbye and headed over to Nut, leaving Pon standing alone.
Pon watched them leave together, his heart heavy but his mind resigned. This was his reality now. He was just a co-star, nothing more. Whatever feelings he had, whatever attraction he thought might have blossomed between them—it was all in his head.
