Beneath The spotlight

Chapter 61: A Year Later

The warm glow of a table lamp illuminated Phuwin’s apartment, casting soft shadows across the tidy space. Papers and open notebooks were spread across the desk in front of him, his laptop quietly humming as he typed.

It had been a long day of research and compiling notes for his latest project, but Phuwin was in his element—focused, calm, and entirely immersed in his work.

Well, mostly.

On his lap, Pond was curled up like a cat, his head resting against Phuwin’s chest. His even breaths were a soft rhythm, and the faintest hint of a smile lingered on his lips. Pond had fallen asleep about half an hour ago, mumbling something about “just closing his eyes for a second.”

Phuwin’s initial protest—about how Pond was too heavy and distracting—had quickly faded when he realized how peaceful Pond looked. Now, he simply let him rest, one arm loosely draped around Pond’s waist to keep him steady.

“Ridiculous,” Phuwin muttered under his breath, glancing down at Pond.

He couldn’t deny how far they’d come in the past year. Somehow, Pond had managed to worm his way into Phuwin’s life, bit by bit, until he was no longer just a visitor or a distraction—he was a constant.

Phuwin’s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles as he returned to his laptop.

As he worked, Pond stirred slightly, his arms wrapping more securely around Phuwin’s middle. “You work too much,” Pond mumbled sleepily, his voice muffled.

“And you sleep too much,” Phuwin replied without missing a beat.

Pond hummed in response, nuzzling closer. “You love it.”

Phuwin didn’t respond, but his hand moved to brush through Pond’s hair, a silent acknowledgment of the truth in his words.

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An hour later, Phuwin had finished his work and was carefully shifting to get up without waking Pond.

“Where’re you going?” Pond mumbled, his eyes barely opening as he clung tighter.

“To put you to bed,” Phuwin said softly.

“Mm, comfy here,” Pond said, refusing to let go.

Phuwin sighed, exasperated but fond. “You’re impossible.”

Pond grinned sleepily, his eyes still closed. “And you wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Phuwin shook his head, a rare and genuine smile breaking through. He leaned down, pressing a light kiss to Pond’s temple.

“Fine,” he said quietly. “But if my legs go numb, you’re paying for it.”

Pond’s laughter was soft and warm as he snuggled closer, and for a moment, everything felt perfectly right.

Phuwin allowed himself to relax, holding Pond close as the quiet hum of the night settled around them. For once, he wasn’t thinking about work or the walls he’d built to keep people out.

Instead, he was simply grateful for the boy asleep in his arms and the unexpected happiness he’d brought into his life.