Work Text:
Thame had quite frankly been having the worst past few weeks of his life.
It had started of with the arrival of a new filming director the company had allowed in. Thame hadn’t even bothered to catch his name - all he knew was this guy was a disguised saesang and no one else but him had caught on. He was sure that he'd seen that face at a fan meet- a photographer specifically peeking out from the crowd. Simply put, Thame hadn't taken his eyes of the other persons as though he was interlocked in a second that spanned over an eternity. Those eyes were unforgettable. A face you would be drawn to even amidst hundreds... But now that same person was so coincidentally applying for a job the company needed urgent hiring for, while claiming to not know anything about him or his group. Surely that was suspicious even without the knowledge of him attending their events. Couldn't the company even do a proper background check nowadays?
What was worse was the increase in pressure from his manager on pursuing a solo career. It defied his whole purpose, the reason why he’d enjoyed being an idol so much- in a group, together. But this, this wasn’t what he’d envisioned for his future- yet here he was standing at the airport off to South Korea for a ‘promotional staging’ he didn’t even want to do.
Thame sighed taking out his boarding pass from his pocket as he approached security. Luckily for him, there'd been no issues so far- no stray fans who recognised him, though that was partially thanks to him wearing a mask. He just hoped it would stay like that.
He wasn't used to that wariness, the feeling of thinking about how he'd intercept a situation alone. Normally he relied on being in a group - with his friends. Yet now, it was just him.
"Thank you, have a good flight sir" the attendant beamed, Thame nodded in response making his way through the airbridge.
Eyes searching over the seat numbers, he found his row, taking of his stuffy mask before going to put his hand luggage in the overhead cabins. Thame knew he shouldn't be putting too much pressure on his wrists after a minor injury during dance practise- but he had boarded early enough for the flight attendants to be preoccupied at the fronts and no one to be around to help him out. The moment he felt the strain on his muscle, Thame knew this was a mistake.
Shit-
He winced as he lost grip of the unnecessarily heavy bag at the worst time possible. What had he even packed into that thing? But before he could try to prop it up again, he felt a second presence looming behind him, arms reaching up to support him from behind. Surprised, Thame took a step back knocking into the sturdy frame of the other-
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry, I mean i should be thanking you I-“
As Thame looked up to meet the eyes of who had helped him, he found himself facing the last person he had ever imagined to be on the same flight, or more truthfully the one he would have dreaded the most to see.
"Thame?" came the voice of the other figure, hesitant and uncertain.
"You! What are you doing here?!" Thame exclaimed jabbing an accusatory finger towards the mans chest.
"I didn't- I didn't know you'd be here I'm sorry-"
"Sorry?? You even have the nerve to make up a lie and follow me all the way to another country?"
It was him. He was furious, and regretting the relief he'd felt on not running into any problems too soon. This was worse, wayyyy worse than any crazed fan spotting him. Now instead this saesang was following him?
"Get off this plane before I press charges for stalking me, God I really tried to be nice by not reporting you to the company but this is too much."
"Hey, I payed for this flight and I've got work I'm flying for as well, I didn't know you were here."
"Yeah? Well then don't bother me and stay out of my sight."
Thame huffed as he pushed past the other to get to his seat.
What a streak of luck. Now he just hoped the flight wouldn't have anything worse to offer. He'd just put his earbuds in, try to fall asleep and get to South Korea without seeing that guy again and get over his stupid promotions. Easy right? But as he was going to reach for his phone, Thame felt a pair of eyes on him.
"Are you asking for me to report you?"
"My seat is here..." the other man mumbled.
"What"
"My seat, it's 12B"
Thame stared at the boarding pass that was presented in front of him, as though he already knew Thame would refute against a false claim. 12B, clear and bold next to the name 'Po Pawat Neunganan'. Unfortunately, it was the right seat, and very much right next to his 12A.
"You're completely unbelievable. First you show up at my company, then you follow me to this plane, and now you're telling me it's all just a twisted coincidence I have to sit next to you?"
"I told you- I really didn't do this on purpose." Po fended for himself.
"Po right that's your name?" Thame responded his eyes flicking back down to the name on the paper, "Go sit somewhere else ok, get off this plane for all I care before we have an actual issue."
Po who had tried to reason with the impatient idol was starting to lose his patience explaining the situation. He really had no idea that he would have to sit next Thame, it's not like he was completely fond of the idea either. Thame had been treating him completely unfairly since he'd joined the company- holding onto a meagre argument of him being some sort of saesang or whatever. It was like the idol found every moment to threaten him with that information, all bark and no bite. Sure, he'd done some work for Baifern but it was nothing of that sort. Po furrowed his eyebrows losing the calm demeanour he'd been trying so hard to keep-
"Look here. I'm not going, I already told you. I'm on this flight for work too. If you're so bothered go somewhere else- you'll be doing both of us a favour."
By this point more people had filed into the plane and people had caught sight of the commotion going on between the two.
"Sir, is there an issue here?" a flight attendant asked warily as she approached.
Thame cut in before Po even had a chance to open his mouth, "Yes, I'd like my seat moved somewhere else, or his I don't mind as long as one of us moves"
Po glared at Thame who flashed a characteristically fake smile that befitted his professional guise that he only put up for work.
"I'm afraid we're fully booked for the day, however I will let you know if any availabilities come up"
Thame's smile faltered for a second, "Surely one of us could just swap seats with someone else then?"
"I'm afraid that is not possible as of the moment- oh excuse me I have to attend to the other passengers now" the attendant hastily stated, almost as an excuse to escape.
At the evident outcome of the situation, Po plopped down into his seat next to Thame, smirking at the complete look of disgust on the others face.
"Shame, I was so close to being graced with the absence of your much needed presence- and, did you not even know my name before this?" Po added recollecting how Thame had acted beforehand. Now a slyness tinged his words, as though the helplessness of the much bothered other man was a complete victory that boosted his courage which had been previously suppressed due to their workplace.
Thame scoffed looking out of his side window, "I never had a need to learn the name of someone who wouldn't be working with us for long"
"Pardon my expectations your greatness, working together for almost two months isn't worthy of you learning my name it seems." Po paused, "So, why didn't you report me to the company for apparently being a crazed stalker."
Thame shot Po an annoyed look.
"So you admit that you are one."
"No, but isn't that how you see me?"
It was true, every time Thame had tried to file any kind of complaint he'd stopped himself. Like something else was preventing him from getting the photographer fired. He would be doing the company and himself a favour so why hadn't he?
"Hah, you're lucky the others in the group like you so much or you would've been gone from the second you stepped into the building"
It was a half crafted lie, while it was true that the rest of MARS was fond of Po, even that had taken time that Thame could've outed him on countless occasions. So why hadn't he done so from the beginning.
"Yeah, sure" Po mumbled into his palm, propping up his arm on the arm rest between the two.
"Don't intrude my space, and stop asking so many questions already, ok?"
Po begrudgingly removed his arm from the rest as he watched Thame take out his earbuds from his pocket, replacing the empty space with his own intruding elbow.
"If only your beloved fans could see how you actually are", he muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing" Po smiled, eyes creasing in an almost mocking manner.
-
The next couple hours were surprisingly quiet between the two, Po reading his book and Thame listening to music, huddled in his corner as far as he could reach -away from the other. It was easy ignoring each others presences when caught up in their own worlds. That was until it was time to eat-
"Sir, what would you like to eat?"
"Pasta for me please."
"And your friend here?"
Thame looked offended at the assumption of the attendant, reaching to stop his music to reply, but before he could say anything Po cut in, "He'll have the same thank you"
As the meal was passed along and the lady went onto the next row, Thame sulked at a smirking Po whom was all too amused with himself.
"I wanted the other option"
"Mmm well she asked me and as your friend, I just picked whatever."
"Tch in your dreams"
As they ate, an awkwardness overlapped with the previously appreciated silence that the two had held so sacredly. Now it was like there were words to be filled in the odd space between them, with their forced proximity and lack of distraction from one another.
"Hey get your elbow out of my space"
"Not my fault the seats are so close together, how do you want me to eat exactly?"
"Don't."
Po sighed, there was no getting to a normal basis with this guy, it's like everything he did just enraged Thame- like his very existence was an offence to him.
"What did I do to you?" he started, "Like really, without all that nonsense of me being a saesang."
Thame thought for a second, almost evading the question but he knew that if he didn't answer now then Po would find a way to ask him again, and again, and again for the next few hours. It just had to be a plane they were stuck together on, the most inflexible and close knit space he could imagine for them.
"I just don't like people messing with my work and it's been hard enough for me lately with the new contract the companies enforcing."
Po blinked for a second taking in the somehow normal response he'd gotten. In fact, the comment had been bordering on sentimental, like Thame was finally opening up to him rather than spouting the same few phrases that made Po feel like he'd been talking with a brick wall the whole time. He stayed silent for a second thinking of what to say, what not to say to break this moment, and how to make it better.
"That day, I was only there for my niece- she's a big fan."
another pause
"And I'm sorry I didn't know this contract was something you didn't want"
Thame glanced up for a second meeting Po's widened eyes -slightly taken aback by the sudden realisation of their closeness. A smirk played at the corner of his lips as he continued to bite into his food.
"Yeah, I figured"
Po was shocked, or more frustrated? or both he couldn't really tell. So was everything Thame had been doing till now just to get a rise out of him?
"What! So you were just messing with me or something?! You know I was actually scared I'd lose my job after this flight right?"
"Don't flatter yourself, I already figured that you weren't any harm after the first few weeks- I'm not that stupid"
"Yeah, well then why hold onto it for so long?"
The fork that was half way to Thame's mouth halted at the words. Why? Even before this Thame knew deep down Po wasn't a threat. But the truth was he needed that reason, something to go off of to hate Po, to reject him, stay away from him. Not have to come face to face with him- and give in. But now that boundary was crumbling faster than he'd put it up and the tension and hatred he'd been relying on to shield him were coming down all too fast for his liking.
"Just eat your food" he mumbled.
Po grinned taking note of the evident shift in atmosphere. The previously annoying face of the man sat next to him was now morphing into something softer, more approachable. Thame was kind, he knew that from how he interacted with his band members, and maybe now he could see some of that himself for a change. This was a starting point that Po was all too grateful for after having to deal with Thame's bad side for so long. Maybe this flight was working in both of their favours.
As his thought wondered Po's eyes flicked to the corner of Thame's mouth.
"Hey, er you've got some food there let me-"
Po's hand moved before Thame could even register what was going on- the soft touch of a thumb coming into contact with his skin, paired with the light brush of Po's finger across Thame's lips.
Thame was left frozen in a moment that felt like centuries, stuck in a jumble of emotions and thoughts that couldn't keep up with each other or his brain-
"You-"
"Oh sorry I-" but before Po could finish afraid he'd been too bold, he noticed a visible blush that wasn't just subtle but practically dominating Thame's face. Ears flushed mouth half open in protest- like a bucket of rosy paint had just been dumped all over his face, the idol completely failed to hide his emotions.
So much for the perfect poker face he tries to keep up, guess the brick wall has a heart after all.
"- there was just something on your mouth", Po finished with a grin.
"Don't do, don't touch me again, just," but Thame's words were completely failing him.
This was too quick, moments ago he'd already broken a barrier between them but now- this was like a whole dam gate being flooded out. He was all too thankful for the perfect timing of the attendant coming to collect their finished food, handing over the tray himself when an amused Po offered to help.
Thame really tried to look threatening but it was to no avail. Giving up he simply turned his body towards the window and put his music back on trying to block out any thought of Po.
-
The next few hours were even more torturous for Thame. It was like Po had invaded his minded and chosen to stay there, the thoughts of him overpowering the music he was listening to.It was getting unbearable, and Po was slowly picking up on the constant glances in his direction. He'd flown to South Korea before, even further- longer journeys than just 6 hours, but this had to be the longest he'd ever felt stuck on a plane. It was like a never ending whirlpool that Thame was getting sucked into deeper and deeper.
Yet by the fifth hour there was a shift, as it was nearing sunset and the time was getting late. Thame let out a yawn he didn't know he'd been holding, feeling his eyelids growing heavier by the second- music already discarded time ago. There was a sense of serenity that hung in the stuffy aircraft, like it had gone to sleep after the much disturbing commotion that had been plaguing Thame's mind for all too long. He'd almost forgotten about Po, the annoyance of his presence, the persistence of it all, until he felt a weight slowly increase on his shoulder.
"Hey Po, get off I didn't say you could-"
But the other man was sound asleep and Thame had to hold in his breath as he looked down at the peaceful face of the other resting on his shoulder. The fatigue that had been teasing at his mind now vanished in a mere few seconds as Thame became all too aware of it all. He could see everything, feel everything. Po's face that was bathed in the glow of the sunset, long eyelashes batted shut- heart shaped lips ever so slightly parted. His hair, slightly brushing against Thame's collar, chest rising and falling slowly atop the other man, body leaning and exuding a warmth that was all too close.
It was all unfairly perfect, and Thame couldn't take his eyes of the sleeping man- wouldn't dare to. His own heart thudded ever so slightly faster and face burned with what was a mix of embarrassment, shyness and something else.
He'd never seen Po like this, never stopped to give himself a chance to- at least not since the first day he'd caught the idol's eye. That day was nothing short of ordinary for Thame, boring if he must, but there'd been an irregularity to it- someone, a stranger, a random person he couldn't figure out why he'd been so drawn to. But it was only to be brief, and he could just ignore that feeling with time- until that face appeared, again, and again, and again until now.
And now, it was all in front of him and thats' what scared Thame the most because these were the moments he'd tried so hard to reject for all those weeks.
Don't give in you'll get over it.
But now that voice at the back of Thame's mind had stilled to a silence, and the tension in his body slowly began to disappear. Thame found himself leaning into the weight, relishing in this momentary peace he could have. Just this once, he wanted time to stop. And Thame knew, he knew he'd try and go back to how he behaved towards Po after this was over, but could he really? Though that was a problem for the future and now, all he wanted was this. His eyes that hadn't left Po's face began to droop, and that overwhelming calm and warmth overtook his senses as Thame too fell asleep...
-
The remaining hour came to a close as the jolt of the plane from landing woke up a startled Po. What he found even more surprising, was that as he was straining his neck up from position he was met by the bearing weight of a second head atop his, and a broad shoulder that was practically plastered to his frame. What was this position?? Surely Thame of all people hadn't let him sleep on his shoulder, and let alone do the same back? As his mind raced for answers, Thame slowly awoke from the absence of support for his head. Eyes groggy with sleep it took a while for Thame to register where he was again, blinking away the sleep as he came to make eye contact with whom was next to him.
"Morning, missing your pillow already?", Po snorted tilting his head to the side.
Thame's eyes widened in alarm, the memories returning of him giving into the warmth of the moment and probably leaving Po to be woken with him on top of him. How could he explain that? He didn't even have an answer for himself.
Trying to back away from those pestering eyes, Thame hastily took his phone out to turn off airplane mode retorting back, "It was a mistake you're imaging things"
"Mhmm"
But before Po got a chance to tease him anymore, a call lighted up Thame's phone: Dylan.
Thame who would have usually been annoyed at the immediate call was secretly thankful for the perfect timing.
"Yeah, I just landed... Yeah ok I wont forget to get souvenirs... I already told you, oh come on..."
Po recognised the voices of the other members of MARS through the phone, seeking an opportunity out of the situation. As the idol continued to converse on the phone, he reached his hand down to Thame's belt which was still buckled. He took extra care making sure the preoccupied man realised the movement, snaking his hand down towards Thames waist where the buckle was tucked away on the corner furthest from Po.
"Po what are you-" but Thame had stopped himself too late and Po's plan unfolded almost instantly.
"Is Po there? Wait what's he doing there with you Thame? You heard him say Po right? No way are they together?"
The questions flooded in prompting an annoyed Thame to shoot an annoyed look in the direction of a snickering Po while hurriedly wrapping up his call.
"I'll call you guys later, getting off now, busy , bye"
"Hey Thame wait-"
But before he could hear another word he hung up the phone. Oh God, he knew his friends wouldn't leave this matter alone and explaining it would be equally as hard and frustrating later on.
"Achieved your goal? You look a little too happy", grumbled Thame.
"Yup, had a good rest as well, I must say your shoulder was quite comfy I hope I was able to offer the same service", Po said, standing to grab his bag.
As he lugged his own suitcase down from the overhead cabins, Po reached for Thame's as well- positioning it in place for the man to easily access.
"Your wrist right?" he questioned.
"yeah."
And that was all Thame could muster without saying anything else that would make him sound dumb in front of Po. Thame was meant to get angry about what he'd said, counter those snarky comments, argue like he always did, like he'd done mere hours ago. But that little action had shut him up fast. Not just that, but everything had happened on the flight had made him soft, and that constant line of offence he seemed to be on around Po was gone.
"thank you" he mumbled after a beat.
Po's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected remark.
"So you do know how to be polite"
And instead of refuting the evidently playful claim, Thame only returned the comment with a chuckle, shaking his head at how ridiculous the shift in mood had been. This wasn't like him, not at all. But these few hours had changed him in a way that he had been stubbornly clinging onto for weeks. Maybe he could relax more, listen to his heart a little more, relax more about Po. And-
maybe this trip wouldn't be as bad as he thought it would be.