Behind the Spotlight

Chapter 10: Into the Spotlight

The following days were a whirlwind of activity as filming resumed and the chemistry between Pond and Phuwin deepened. They were more open about their feelings, but the reality of their situation loomed large—everyone on set seemed to notice the shift in their dynamic.

One afternoon, during a break in filming, the cast and crew gathered around a large monitor to review the latest scenes. Pond and Phuwin found themselves seated next to each other, their knees brushing, an electric current passing between them that neither could ignore.

Bright, ever the instigator, sat across from them with a playful grin. "So, when are you two going to make it official? You know, just to keep the fans happy."

Pond felt his face heat up, but Phuwin simply chuckled, unfazed. "We're just trying to focus on the work, Bright."

"But it's so much fun to stir the pot!" Bright shot back, nudging Win, who was watching with amusement. "The audience loves a good love story, especially when it's real."

Pond shot Phuwin a quick glance, unsure how to respond. The thought of making their relationship public was thrilling and terrifying all at once. They had only just begun to explore their feelings, and the idea of exposing it all felt daunting.

"Let them think what they want," Win interjected, leaning in. "If they sense something, they'll talk about it. Just be yourselves."

Phuwin nodded, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Exactly. Besides, if we play our cards right, we could have a whole new fan base."

Pond laughed, though the anxiety lingered in his chest. "Sure, but what if it gets out of hand? We're still trying to figure things out."

Bright shrugged. "That's the fun of it. You can't control how people will react. Just enjoy the ride."

As filming resumed, the playful banter continued, but Pond couldn't shake the feeling that things were changing. After their talk, they had made an unspoken agreement to be more open, yet the spotlight felt increasingly intense.

A few days later, the atmosphere on set shifted even further. Rumors were starting to swirl, and it was clear that their chemistry was not going unnoticed. Social media exploded with speculation about the nature of Pond and Phuwin's relationship, and fans were buzzing with excitement.

Pond was scrolling through his phone during lunch when he stumbled across a fan-made video montage of their scenes together, set to romantic music. He felt his heart race—not because he was embarrassed, but because he was overwhelmed. The love story they portrayed on screen was bleeding into reality, and there was no denying it anymore.

"Are you okay?" Phuwin's voice broke through his thoughts, and Pond looked up to find Phuwin watching him with concern.

"Yeah, I just... I didn't realize how much attention we were getting," Pond admitted, showing Phuwin the screen.

Phuwin leaned in closer, their shoulders touching, and watched the video play out. "It's kind of sweet, isn't it?" he said, a smile creeping onto his lips. "They see what we see."

Pond's breath caught in his throat as their eyes locked. The warmth of Phuwin's presence made it hard to concentrate. "It is sweet. But it's also scary."

"Scary how?" Phuwin asked, his expression softening.

"Scary because it means we can't go back. If we make this real, there's no hiding from it. No more pretending," Pond confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Phuwin took a deep breath, leaning in slightly closer. "I don't want to hide. I want to embrace it. With you."

Pond felt his heart swell at the words, but a shadow of doubt lingered. "What if it affects our careers? Our friendship?"

Phuwin reached out, placing his hand over Pond's. "We'll figure it out. Together. We're not the first to navigate this, and we won't be the last. Besides, our friendship is the foundation of this, right?"

Pond nodded, feeling reassured by Phuwin's conviction. "You're right. I just need to wrap my head around it."

As filming wrapped for the day, Pond and Phuwin found themselves walking to their cars together, a comfortable silence settling between them. The evening air was cool, and Pond couldn't help but feel grateful for the little moments they shared.

"Hey," Phuwin said, breaking the silence as they approached his car. "Do you want to grab dinner? Just us?"

Pond's heart raced at the invitation. "Yeah, I'd love that."

They ended up at a cozy little restaurant nearby, where the ambiance was intimate and perfect for conversation. As they settled into their seats, Pond felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"So, about the rumors..." Phuwin started, his tone serious.

Pond nodded, the weight of the conversation settling between them. "Yeah. What do you want to do?"

Phuwin leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "I think we should address it. Not in a huge way, but just enough to let people know we're not afraid of what they think."

"Are you sure?" Pond asked, concern flickering in his chest. "What if it changes everything?"

"Maybe it will, but it could also be freeing. I want to share this part of my life with the people who care about us. And I want to share it with you," Phuwin said, reaching across the table to take Pond's hand.

Pond felt his breath catch as he looked into Phuwin's eyes. "I want that too. I really do."

With a soft smile, Phuwin squeezed his hand. "Then let's do it together. We'll take it one step at a time."

As they finished their meal, the air between them felt charged with possibility. They had made the decision to be honest about their feelings, and the weight that had been pressing down on Pond felt lighter now.

Later that night, as Pond lay in bed, he replayed their dinner in his mind. He felt more alive than ever, excitement bubbling within him. Tomorrow would mark a new beginning, one where they could embrace their truth without fear.

He picked up his phone and shot a message to Phuwin.

Pond: I'm really glad we talked tonight. I feel... free.

A moment later, Phuwin replied.

Phuwin: Me too. Here's to new beginnings.

Pond smiled, feeling a sense of anticipation. Whatever lay ahead, he knew they would face it together. The journey would have its challenges, but with Phuwin by his side, he felt ready for anything.


Author's note : I'm so bored ~~ no new BL series to watch. i means i saw a long list but i don't feel the excitement. maybe too tired with RL. (T_T)