33. Thank You for Still Loving Me

"If you're not holding my hand since yesterday, all those beautiful moments are meaningless. I'll say this one to you from the bottom of my heart for your love in return, telling you and keep reminding you, thank you for still loving me."- ขอบคุณที่ยังรักกัน (Thank You for Still Loving Me) by TAE TEE

•••

A few years later...

The sound of the condo door unlocked and opened by someone distracted Bright who was sitting on his bed, leaning his back on the headboard, while reading a book. He narrowed his eyes to the bedroom door which was wide-opened even though he was wearing glasses. He tilted his head a bit because he was curious what it was, but too lazy to climb down the bed.

Not until his boyfriend showed his head with his body was hidden behind the wall.

"Hello, P'Bright." He greeted with a big smile, showing his teeth to Bright.

Bright emitted a deep sigh. He was 32 years old since last month and having a–next month would be–31 years old boyfriend who still loved to play like this. "Welcome back."

"Have you had dinner?"

"I have, how about you?"

"I have."

"And why are you still there hiding your body behind the wall?"

"I'm playing hide and seek with you."

"What? Did you buy me something?"

"How do you know? I bought you cakes."

"Of course I know. Stop playing now, I win. Bring the cake here, let's eat, so you can take a shower soon."

Win entered the room with a box contained 3 slices of cakes with various color and flavor. All from his siblings' business. They owned a dessert shop.

"New flavors?"

"Umm," Win said. "P'Ming dropped by just before I came home to give this to me, to you."

"To me?"

"Umm," Win nodded.

"Why? I always go there to buy the new product every time Souri announces it," Bright confused. "These flavors, they don't publish it on social media yet."

"I asked her to make it special for you," Win confessed. "It's a bribe, so you will love me more and more each day." He grinned.

Bright took a glance at Win, but he immediately looked at the cakes again. He spooned himself thrice, once per cakes. And then, he stared at Win. His head nodded. "Ok, I will love you more and more each day."

Playing along with Win was actually fun and Bright learned to enjoy it. It was his boyfriend's way to make him smile more often everyday.

"Now, put this cake on the fridge, then take a shower. No chatting. Go!"

Win got his ass off the bed. He ran to the bathroom before Bright scolding him for real. He was followed by Bright who went to brush his teeth in the wastafel and came back to the bedroom.

Talking about showering, Win always took his time every time he was doing it alone. He did it while singing his heart out. Of course, another one in the bedroom was happy to listen to 30 minutes of free concert. Each time Win forgot the lyrics, Bright would join singing until Win reached the part he knew again. Just like playing along with Win's joke, all habits of Win was a treasure for Bright. All of them made Bright happier.

Win showed up in the bedroom again. He is already in his shorts and oversized tee. He crawled on the bed and sat beside Bright in silent.

Bright gave up one of his hand, extended it toward Win to be held. The younger one smiled and grabbed it right away.

No one talked. Bright was reading and Win started dozing off.

Bright checked his boyfriend when he felt the hand that holding his hand tightly earlier loosened. He found Win who still managed to open his eyes but his eyelids were fluttering.

"I'll dim the light," Bright said. "You can lie down."

Suddenly Win's eyes were freshened up when he was poked by Bright to fix his sleeping position. "But we have not talked yet."

"But you are sleepy and tired,"

"I'm not tired."

"Yeah, but sleepy."

"P'Bright, I want to have a chit chat first..." Win pleaded. His eyes suddenly sparkled, like a child who was about to cry. His hands swayed Bright's hand back and forth.

Win smiled. He put his head on Bright's broad shoulder.

"How's your day?" Bright asked.

"Great."

"The rehearsal for your farewell fanmeeting tomorrow, too?"

"Umm, everything goes well." Win replied undoubtedly. "Next week the contract with company is ended. I will finally inherit my family businesses. It's time to devote my life for running what is making my family survives all this years."

Bright nodded. Ten years since the first time Bright met Win. They really were together until the end. Bright's heart moved. His hand extended to stroke Win's hair gently. "Next month, you'll be 31. Need something?"

Win giggled, "I'll be so busy adapting with my office life. I'm afraid I can't celebrate it with you this year."

"Don't mind it," Bright reminded the younger one. "We don't always celebrate it together. We'll always find a good time to celebrate it later if we can't meet on your birthday."

Win exhaled heavily. "I want to celebrate it with Phi. I'm sad."

"I will find the way, then. Don't be sad." Bright ended the sorrow instantly.

Both were only focus at playing with their fingers which were intertwined with each other's until Win back to their conversation.

"I think," Win began again. "The task to announce about our relationship will be yours starts from tomorrow."

"Umm," Bright agreed. "If I have a chance, I will announce it. Or maybe we should just show up somewhere, in public place, holding hands. You won't be in the entertainment industry anymore next week, anyway."

"Oh!" Win's eyes suddenly sparkled. "That must be so great! Let's do that, Phi!"

Bright smirked, "You have to see your face right now. You are really enthusiastic. I hate you, Ai Win." He shook his head in amazement.

"If you think about it, we have gone through many obstacles, including rumours, gossips, whatever you call them, they were all lies. I am tired to cast them off," Win whimpered. "Let me feel the bliss of saying yes for one of the breaking news about me." He gave Bright puppy eyes.

"Ah, ok, let's do that when you're done with your fanmeeting."

As easy as pie. Bright would soften for Win thousands times even though others called him cool like a king, but for Win, Bright was cute like a cat.

Several years of dating, there was only one thing that Win–at the beginning–always asked, but not yet fulfilled. Frequently rejected, Win decided not to ask Bright again. And tonight, because his Phi was in a good mood...

"Since tomorrow will be the farewell fanmeeting, will you be there?"

Bright took a glance at Win. Of course, he–normally–would not come to the place where his presence was seen as a creep. After a long time not being asked, now the question made a come back. "If I am there, your fans are going to leave the venue. They will say goodbye even before you say it."

"That is possible," Win admitted. "No worries. Most of them were neutral, they will stay until the event finish. Maybe.. 3 or 4 people?"

Bright hissed and this reaction making Win laughed, curling on the bed while hitting the pillow repeatedly. Bright really thought that it would be a serious conversation. Apparently, Win teased him. And Bright lost for words.

"Hfffftttt," Win tried to calm down. He smiled widely. "I'm joking. Seriously, Phi, my local fans are not extremist. Most of my fans are neutral. They are happy if they see me acting cute around you."

"You really said that you 'acting cute around' me," Bright giggled.

"Am I not?"

"....."

"Those people who hate you, I wished they left for a long time but they don't. I don't want my name to attach to them every time they try to bring you down," Win said. "So, if your presence will filter my fanclub, that's a free service from my boyfriend, right? I don't have to pay."

Bright sighed, "You are so good with words. I'm exhausted, Win."

"Huh? Why?" Win was confused. "Why are you exhausted, Phi?"

Bright shrugged his eyebrows, then his shoulders. He added a smirk on his face and changed it into a gentle smile. "Do you want me to sing a love song?"

"No, I'm still confu-" Win stopped when he realized that Bright was answering his question and his lips curved up automatically.

Bright nodded, even though he mumbled how slow Win was to catch what he meant.

"So...?"

"Fine, I'll attend your fanmeeting. There will be your family and some fellow actors, too," Bright agreed.

Win wanted to jump onto Bright's lap but before doing that, Bright said something that stunned Win. "Also, I heard you invited mom and my uncles. I wonder why I did not hear it directly from you but from them."

"That..." Win cried inside. He forgot to tell his boyfriend about it. "They said they could not come because they would not be in Bangkok until the day after tomorrow."

"Have they apologized to you?"

"Umm," Win nodded. P'Bright is not angry?! He surprised himself.

"Are you okay with it?"

"Umm," Win nodded again. "Mae would bring me many souvenirs, she said."

"Okay. I'll be there tomorrow."

"Promise?"

Seeing Win gave him a pinky finger, Bright furrowed. "Why are you so insecure?"

"Why do you think I am insecure, huh, Phi?" Win got him back. "Being rejected uncountable times for the same thing and you finally, FINALLY, said yes! What kindness did I do in my previous life? I have to go to church tomorrow before the event, don't I?"

Bright hit Win's head gently, but hard enough for the younger one to feel it. "You melodramatic bastard!" In a second, Bright changed his looked immediately at Win with his–rarely happened–pleading eyes. "It will be your last fanmeeting. I'll be there for you. I know you'll be in tears. You need a shoulder to cry on."

Win smirked, "You are showing a naive face like this? At this time, Phi? Do you want me to believe you?" Win denounced him right away. "What if, it turns out, the fanmeeting is not my last? What if in one or two years, I'll hold another fanmeeting?"

"If it's not your last, then it will be my last."

Win laughed for a moment but suddenly he went silent.

Bright who let his boyfriend teased him all the way, raised his eyebrows. "What is it?"

Win pulled up his pinky finger once again. "Promise first."

"Where is your trust for me?"

"Here," Win gave a 80 cm carrot plushie to Bright.

"Why carrot?"

"Because I know it will last, you will keep it. You won't eat it," Win replied easily. "P'Bright is my cat boyfriend, not a bunny."

"Ah, okay," Bright accepted the plushie just to move it to another side of the bed, as if it was a transaction. At the time he put the plushie on his side, Bright heard Win giggling. He turned around immediately but Win quickly changed his facial expression to the serious one.

"Khrab?" Win played innocent.

"Why did you make that sound?"

"What sound?"

"That sound," Bright ignored the real question. "You are 30 already but you still giggle like that."

"Like what exactly?"

"Like that."

Win repeated his giggle for a second and stopped. "Like that?"

"Don't do that again. Why do you always do that?"

"I don't always do that."

"Don't do that again."

"Tell me the reason why, it won't hurt you."

Bright clicked his tongue. He glanced sharply at Win. He wondered if he was this slow when Win was showing him his love before they got together like now? Bright took a deep breath because yeah, maybe he had done something that wasted Win's time in the past.

Bright smiled, "Because now, it still sounds cute." His second voice, only for Win, was there to spoil the prince.

Win who was in a playful mood earlier was clammed up.

"Ok, let's sleep."

"Ah." Win hurriedly caught Bright's arm with his two hands. He held Bright back to move.

Bright turned his head to Win for a second, then continued to dim the light, pulled their blanket up, without making many movements. Only his free arm completing those jobs. He came back to Win who was still leaning his back on the pillow headboard of the bed even though his half body had been covered with blanket. His free arm took its turn to grab Win's.

Without Win saying anything, Bright understood the younger one's needs. "Not tonight na. If you are not tired, we will do that tomorrow. Good night?" Bright said while slowly pushed Win to lie down. He gave Win a kiss on the forehead, got a return on the cheek, and they ended it with a soft kiss on the lips.

•

"Where is the dressing room?"

The GTV gang who had just arrived the venue, was confused by the crowd. And as one of eldest in the gang, Off took initiative to ask the crew. They followed the guidance and arrived in the dressing room.

"Nong Wiiiiiiiiiiinnnnn~ we are here bringing you a big bouquet of flowers khaaaaa!!!" Off shouted as soon as he entered the room.

Behind Off, there were Tay, Mook, Toy, Arm, Guy, and some others. Off admitted that he moved almost all people in the office with them that made Win laughed and surprised at the same time.

"Ah, almost forget!" Off extended his arm to the back and pulled one person out of the circle. "We bring him for you, too. A lost child who begged for a friend to come here."

Win giggled when Off threw Bright at him. He caught Bright immediately when he lost his balance after being pulled and pushed by Off.

Win laughed. "I told you to come together with me, Phi. I know you'll be like this," Win said as he fixing Bright's hair and shirt's cuffs because it was wrinkled by Off's hand. "Oiy... so cutely messed up, seriously like a lost child." Win smiled happily. He had been worried because Bright had not contacted him to tell where he was.

Watching the two love birds who should had not been love birds anymore considering the length of their relationship, others stepped back, but Win did not let them.

"P'Tay, P'Off. Where are you going? Don't leave P'Bright alone. Wait for him." Win called the two seniors.

Off and Tay had to stay, waiting for Win finish talking with his boyfriend.

"My family is already in the meeting hall. My friends from uni and school, too. You'll be there to watch me, right?" Win asked.

Bright nodded.

"Ok, your seat is beside P'Ming. Now, you can go." Win pushed Bright to Tay and Off.

Bright waved his hand while saying good luck for Win. He entered the hall with the gang. Since they had to pass in front of the seat for Win's family, Bright wai at them and whispered something to Ming before going to sit beside Off and Tay with the rest of the gang.

Yes, he did not sit where he was supposed to be. The reason was too clear. The fans.

The fanmeeting began with Win singing while playing piano for the fans. The fans were singing along. After that, the MC conducted games for fans chosen from lucky draw. Near the end, Win performed a song once again dedicated for his fans who was still beside him from the first day until now.

When it was time for the closing statements from Win, the big screen played a video made by his fans. His tears fell down. He lost his words.

"I knew it," Bright mumbled.

"Huh?" Tay who thought he heard something, asked Bright to repeat what he said. "Did you say something?"

"I knew he will cry," Bright replied. "I teased him about it last night."

Off clicked his tongue. "Ck! So domestic, I hate. I'm on the age of not being that romantic anymore. And Gun is not here, so stop."

On the stage, Win watched his fans, smiling. He took a deep breath before starting his closing speech. He wiped his tears with tissue and tried to express more of his happiness with laughing. "Win have to apologize for being a cry baby today na khrab," he began talking.

"Today," Win said. "Today is the last fanmeeting for us. Next time, there won't be a fanmeeting, maybe we just meet on the street, mall, or park. Say hello to Win na khrab. Win will be happy."

"How many years already? 10? 11? No matter how long it has been, at this event, I want to convey all the feelings I have inside me all these years," Win paused and shifted his body to face where his family was sitting

"Firstly, for my family. Mama, Papa, who patiently watching Win building a career for myself before finally become an official heir of our family business. It's time for me to return all Mama and Papa's favor. Thank you for giving Win a chance to taste the struggle of making money for 10 years."

"For my siblings, P'Ming, P'Ice, and Mick. Thank you for cooperating with me with the businesses we have now. I won't have time after this. You all take care of them by yourself na ja."

The sound of laughter from the fans was heard, fulfilling the hall.

"For people in GTV. P'Tha, thank you for finding me. Really. Without P'Tha, Win would not be here right now. This career would have never begun. I'm really thankful. P'Day, who is not really patiently guides Win through every problems in life, and sometimes secretly solves it behind my back, Win really cherish P'Day who always think about things painstakingly. P'Day saved Win uncountable times."

"Next is you, snowball power,"

Win stopped. He sobbed. The fans were crying, too. They shouted Win's name, asking Win not to cry.

"Thank you for being here with Win since the first day, and also you who knew Win when Win was already known and find Win worth your love and time. Thank you so much. I will never forget you all."

Win exhaled heavily. He took his time to stabilize his breath and continued with his speech.

"My friends from Uni and School. Thank you for coming here. I appreciate your support by scolding me every time you saw my face on the street or mall or BTS. From now on, you have to voice call me to see my face if you miss me," Win stated. When one of his friend shout that he would just visit Win, Win answered, "No, I'm not free. I'm busy." He pretended to play hard to get.

The audiences laughed again after the sentimental part.

"For my seniors and friends from GTV who make time to attend this fanmeeting right now, it was a fun 10 years playing with you all. Thank you for not making the age gap a prob-"

"Don't mention the age gap, can you?" Kay shouted from the seat, cut Win off.

Again, the hall was full of laughter.

"Ok, then. It was a fun 10 years. Thank you for helping Win with things. I was not good at initiating conversation when we first met, and some of you approached to talk to me, made me feel accepted in the group. Thank you so much. We still can hangout together after this. Please don't forget me na khrab."

"Woohooo, Nong Wiiiiiinnn!!!" Off gave Win standing applause, followed by all the audiences while the rest of the gang tried to pull Off back to his seat. After Off finished applauding, he apologized. "I'm sorry. I just can't stand the sadness."

"Calm down, Phi. I'm not finished yet." Win grinned.

"Umm, do you think I forgot about you, the couple fans? Yes, BrightWin. All of you also part of my journey. I know you all support me every second even though I don't work with P'Bright anymore. All this time, I still see you and your love. Thank you so much. You all really last long. Are you graduated from Uni already? Or got married and having kids already? You are also there from the beginning. Keep supporting Phi from now on na."

After that, Win sighed. "It's a long speech already yet it's not finished yet. Hold on." Win turned around to drink. He exhaled noisily, amused the audiences.

"Everyone here have known that I have a boyfriend, right?"

"Yeeeeeeeessssss~"

"Hmm," Win nodded. "For a few years we've been together, he have never once attended my fanmeeting. But today, he bravely comes for me."

"For my boyfriend, I won't say a goodbye speech for him because our journey is still long. As long as I imagine, we have no end. What to do?" Win scratched his head while smiling widely, welcomed by the audiences' squeal. "But... I love my boyfriend so much, snowball. Please understand na."

"Khaaaaa~~~"

"He was there on the first day I officially stepped into the entertainment industry..."

The fans started making noise, whispering, looking at the upper seats to guess which one the boyfriend was.

"...and he is always there until now."

The fans could not control their curiosity anymore. They did not listen to Win anymore, but Win kept talking.

"He had been through thick and thin alone, so I decided not to leave him alone anymore. And when we got together, everything was not as smooth as we wanted. The road was rough, always rough and getting unbearably rougher dan by day. Also, opening up to each other was more difficult than anything. Nevertheless, I treasure him greatly as a boyfriend, a former brother, a former friend. He is someone who loves being alone but always says that he is happier with me than being by himself. All these years, I am the happiest person on earth because of him," Win stated. He looked up at the fans. The smile did not leave his face. He diverted his eyes to one specific direction. So obvious that everyone was turning their head to look at the same person.

"Thanks for–finally–coming here, P'Bright."

The shout and scream from fans started roaring through the hall. They gave applause to Bright who was looking down all the time while listening to Win until his name was called.

Bright did not see Win right away when he looked up. There were fans who left the hall after they found out about who Win's boyfriend was. Yet, he was distracted by fans' comments.

"What the hell with those fans? So toxic."

"Foreign fans or local fans? So embarrassing."

"Look at Nong's smile when he talked about P'Bright, aaaaaaa~"

Bright looked around. The fans who left did not make significant differences. The hall was still crowded. He, then, looked at Win on the stage. The younger one was not bothered about people who left him. His eyes was focus on Bright and he smiled with sparkly eyes.

Bright could not help but smiled back at him. Win's way to love him was unimaginable. He thought about everything in order. Bright could not control himself being moved by Win, he mouthed "Thank you", and Win only laughed inaudibly from the stage. Bright could feel water started filling his eyes, but the melancholy was ruined by the younger one.

"Now, now, P'Bright," Win called Bright with the mic. His hand was waving at the older one. "It's time for you to sit on your own seat, please. I'm a systematic person. Don't ruin it. Go sit beside P'Ming khrab."

Off and Tay helped Win by pushing Bright away until he finally walked to take a seat with Win's family.

"How are you feeling now kha?" Ming asked Bright right away when Bright finally sit beside her.

Bright shook his head, "All positive feelings are mixed up, I-"

"He has been loving you the whole time. Thank you for loving him back na kha."

Bright clammed up. Who should thank whom, actually?

•

Bright watched the back of his boyfriend. They both were walking from the parking lot to their condo room. The taller guy was walking one step ahead Bright. His steps were unusually wider than the normal ones. His happiness sparked all around him.

Suddenly, Bright remembered that he had not checked the social media yet and Win did not seem to care about it. As expected from someone who would be retired soon from the industry.

The one that caught Bright's eyes when he unlocked his phone was the amount of notification. So many missed calls and LINE chats. Bright just read one of them, then his phone vibrated. There was an incoming call.

Win continued unlocking the door of Bright's condo while Bright was still hesitated to pick the call up.

"Answer it once you get in the room," Win reminded him as he opened the door for the older to enter first.

Bright picked it up right away, but he also quickly put the phone away from his ear.

"What is it?" Win chuckled seeing Bright got annoyed by the call. He took over and turned the loudspeaker on. "Sawasdee khrab, P'Tay."

"Oh, here he is the troublemaker!"

Tay was the one calling, but so much noise behind him from the gang.

"Ai Win, you bastard! How come you left the venue this instant?! We were the victims! We were being held by the reporters. They were asking about your relationship! We just done now." Off did not hold back. He scolded Win from the bottom of his heart.

"But the fanmeeting was over, so I went home. I just arrived," Win replied calmly. He slowly put the phone on the dining table when Bright's arms surrounded his waist.

"So cold!" Arm commented. "Please check the interview later na. It seems like you are in a good mood and want to spend more time with Ai Bright."

The next sound to be heard was Win giggling over the neck kiss from Bright, "It's ticklish..." Win whispered.

"Sssshhhh..."

"Ah, ok. We give up. We don't want hear you kissing right there. Let's put the call to end, gang!" Off shouted before cut the call off.

"Oh? They ended it!"

"Umm," Bright nodded. His hugged tightened on Win's waist. He buried his face on Win's shoulder. "I... I apologize, I'm not good with words, Ai Win."

"You are lying."

"I'm serious. I want to say I love you as easy as you always convey me. It must feel so great," Bright's voice was shaky but his arms did not let the hug loosen.

"You just said it. You just said that you love me," Win calmed his boyfriend down. "What makes you like this, huh, Phi? I have never complained and you suddenly bring this up."

Bright exhaled a long breath. "The urge to do something for you, to show how big my feeling for you, is gonna explode soon."

"Don't say that, Phi. I'm scared," Win giggled. "There's nothing about you I will change. Stay as you are. I'm the happiest, I've told you and I'm gonna tell you again and again."

Bright finally released Win. He cupped his boyfriend's cheeks. "You have been loving me for so long, Ai Win. Aren't you tired and bored of me?"

"Do you want me to stop loving you now?"

"If I ask, will you?"

"Who do you think you are, ordering me to stop loving you? Even myself can not do that. This heart is doing what it wants," Win shrugged. He pulled Bright into his hug. "I love you, P'Bright. I wish now you could see that I have always been madly in love wi-mmmhhh..."

It was time to stop Win talking. Bright could easily chewed Win's pouty lips and slipped his tongue inside.

One swipe of the soft tongue on Win's hard palate, and it was the end of Win's world.

•••

Got you again! It's not the end yet 🤣Forgive me please. Let me present you with 2 more chapters if not less than that (?)I promise this story will be finished before #Still2gether starts next month. I'm really sorry! 🥺

Typo and absurdness will be fixed later na ja. Don't forget to vote and comment.Thank you from the bottom of my heart <3

xoxo,

dedededeva 💋