Chapter Text
Win let out a sigh. It had been about five years since he had returned to Bangkok. He had chosen to do his degree in London. He had initially planned to continue his studies there but had to return home. Due to his grandma's declining health, his family has urged him to return home.
He was on the plane trying to calm his anxious heart. He was never a fan of plane rides, another reason why he didn't want to return to his homeland. He hated the turbulence. The minor turbulence didn't seem to bother anyone around him. However, he was feeling the opposite.
"8 more hours." Win breathes out.
"I know, right." The person next to him says. Win turned to face the other and met with a rather handsome face. The other passenger didn't catch his attention at first since he was wearing a black mask and sunglasses.
"First time flying?" The person asked again, leaning closer to Win, a little too close to his comfort.
"No." Win replies, and the person nods. "Do you want to hold my hand?"
Win had looked at him weirdly, taken aback. But a sharp jolt of the plane had Win grabbing onto the person's hand firmly. If Win weren't so scared, he would love to smack the knowing grin from the other's face.
"Just hold onto my hand as long as you like." The man added on. The plane jolted again, and Win gripped the other's hand even tighter as he squeezed his eyes. Win prayed that the time would move faster because he was undoubtedly regretting to be flying back home.
He hears the person ask again, "Do you know why a koala isn't a bear?". Win wonders why this stranger wouldn't shut up and seems persistent in conversing with him.
"Koalas are marsupials." Win managed to reply.
"No." Win opens his eyes to look at the other, the smile never leaving the other's face.
"Because they don't have the koalafications." That somehow made the other laugh out loud. Win furrows his brows, "That's lame."
"I got another one." Win was about to retort, but another jolt caused him to hug the other's arm for dear life. The other let out a chuckle.
"Hold onto me as long as you like, koala." He hears the other say again before he shuts his eyes, praying for his life.
Win felt someone poking his cheeks. He groans and nuzzles into whatever is against him. "Wake up, koala. We have reached." Win quickly opened his eyes and looked at the other. "I'm sorry-" He says shyly. He can't believe he had used the other as his pillow.
"Don't fret about it." The other replies before getting up and taking his carry-on. "See you around?" The other says before moving to depart the plane. Win quickly got up and took his things, switching on his phone, and was bombarded with notifications.
He lets out a groan when he reads his text messages.
'I'm sorry, Win. Pluem won't let me go. He wants me to accompany him over the holidays. Hope your grandma is well.'
Fong was supposed to accompany him back home. Another reason his family was persistent for him to return was because they had been eager to meet his boyfriend. A fake boyfriend that he had made up so they wouldn't keep bugging him when will he find a partner.
How was he supposed to find a last-minute boyfriend? Fong had agreed to be his fake boyfriend, but he couldn't come. He was sure his family was waiting for him outside the arrival hall. He groans in frustration, trying to find an explanation why his boyfriend could not make it.
Win looked around and noticed a familiar figure. His seatmate was talking on the phone as he waited for his luggage. Win moved towards him, waiting for the other to end the call. As the person puts his phone away, Win taps his shoulder.
"Hi," Win says, giving the other a small smile.
"Hey, koala." The person grins. He was wearing his sunglasses again, Win noticed.
"Be my boyfriend. For a day." Win mutters softly.
"Sure." Win blinks. He did not expect the other to agree so quickly.
"You're cute. So why not?" The person adds on.
"It's just for a while. I'll introduce you to my mom and grandma, and then you can go on to whatever you need to do." Win pleads.
"Relax, Koala. I said I'll do it, right?"
"It's Win, Win Metawin." Win introduced himself. The nickname of koala needs to go. He was nothing like a koala.
"Nice to meet you, Win," The other replies. Win looks at him, waiting for the other to tell him his name. "You don't know who I am?"
Win frowns, was he supposed to know the names of his seatmate?
The other laughed. "Bright, Bright Vachirawat."
"So, Bright, are you ready to meet my mom and grandma?"
They both walked through the gates, and Win was a little taken aback when he heard some staff squealing over the taller man. Probably because the other was a walking supermodel, Win thought. Bright was so handsome that if Win were a girl, he would probably be squealing hard. But for now, he was just content the man beside him was his fake boyfriend for a day.
His mom greeted him. His grandma was in a wheelchair, hands wide open, ready to be hugged. Win hugged her tightly. "Hey, Nana," Win says.
"Hi, bunny. We missed you a lot." His grandma says. As she pulled away, she noticed the other.
"Is this the boyfriend?" His grandma asked. Bright wai'd towards the elders. Win's grandma ended up pulling Bright for a hug. "Thank you for taking care of our Win. He is a sensitive bunny."
Win whines. "I'm not sensitive." Bright seemed to hit off well, with his mom and grandma telling them what happened on the plane.
"Win is a scaredy cat. When he was young, he would sleep in our room after watching a horror movie." His mother shared. Win groans. Was it necessary for his family exposing information about him to his fake boyfriend?
"So, Bright, are you joining us for dinner?" Win looked at the other, biting down on his lips. He had only told the other to introduce himself, and he could go on his way. Win would make up excuses and stories later if his family asked about Bright.
"Sure. Why not?" Bright replies, smiling as he slings his arm over Win's shoulder. His mother and grandma were delighted as they headed toward the car.
"You don't have to, you know?" Win says as they walk behind. "What kind of a boyfriend would I be if I didn't join my boyfriend's family for dinner?"
Win elbowed the other's stomach. "Ouch. I must tell your mum that you're abusing your boyfriend."
"Fake boyfriend." Win whispered the fake.
"I don't mind, Win. Besides, I don't have anything planned for today." Bright had then gone up and offered to push Win's grandma. Win smiled as he watched how happy his grandma was that he had to remind himself that this was fake and temporary.
Win's mom drives them home. Win looking out at the cityscapes. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Win heard Bright says. Win nods. There's just something about being at home.
"But not as beautiful as you." Bright added. Win hears his mom gushing over them and tries to ignore the latter, looking out the window, hoping Bright couldn't see the blush forming on his cheeks.
"I'm glad Win met you." His grandma started to say. "We were always worried that he was alone, especially in a foreign country. He was devastated when Luke got a girlfriend."
"We don't have to tell Bright that-" Win whines, clearly embarrassed.
"I'm glad I managed to steal his heart somehow." Bright replies, grinning at Win.
When they reached home, his family members greeted him. All excited for him to come home.
"What is a celebrity doing here?" He heard his sister, Love, shriek. Win was confused as his sister ran up to Bright.
"This is Win's boyfriend." Win swore his sister's eyes were about to pop out when his mom said that.
"You? Dating one of the most popular actors in Thailand?" Love pointed out at Win, not believing at all.
The dinner was chaos. All seemed to be surprised to hear that Win was dating a celebrity. His mom didn't even know that and asked why Bright didn't inform them. Bright said it didn't slip his mind and hoped everyone could keep it a secret.
Win probably stopped working after realizing Bright was a celebrity. He did not just ask a star to become his fake boyfriend. Will Bright's fans attack him if they find out? He wasn't ready to die yet. He didn't even know who Bright was. How dare Bright miss out on telling him that he was a famous actor.
His family bombarded questions like how they met, and Bright answered them smoothly. If it were Win, he would probably be stuttering, and everyone would know they were lying.
It was already late at night, and Win's mom had convinced Bright to stay over. They were now in Win's room. They had changed into their sleeping clothes. Win had offered the bed to Bright, but Bright insisted they could share. They sat beside each other, resting against the headboard while Win surfed the tv channels. Win finally settled on a drama featuring Bright.
"You should have told me you were an actor," Win says, not looking at the other.
"Are you mad?" Bright asked, looking at Win. Win shook his head.
"What happens if your agency and fans found out?"
"You said for a day, right? I don't think it will matter." Win nods. It will end tomorrow. He can't help but feel sad. Bright had been a great company. He didn't reply but instead focused on watching the drama.
Bright though feels weird watching his drama. Usually, he would watch and observe to evaluate his acting and improve on it. However, after watching it a hundred times, it was becoming a bore for him. The show was at a moving part where his character discovered the girl he was dating had another partner. What Bright didn't expect was to hear some sniffles from the side. He grinned as he looked at the other, who tried to cover himself with a pillow.
"Are you crying?" Bright asked as he tried to remove the pillow away. Win had gripped the pad, hiding his face.
"Am not!" His voice was wavering. Bright had managed to take the pillow out, cooing at how adorable Win looked as his cheeks stained with tears. He smiles as he wipes the tears away. Win swore his heart was beating profusely.
"It's just a story. It's not real." Bright says.
"I hate her!" Win managed to whimper out. "How could she cheat on you? You were about to propose to her!" Win continued and received a burst of laughter from the other.
"It's just acting, koala." Bright pinched his cheeks. Win grunts and pushes the other hands away.
"If you continue to act this cute, I might just fall for you," Bright says, leaning closer to Win. Win tries his best not to look down at the other perfect cupid bow lips. His heart thumped loudly, afraid that Bright could hear it. They quickly pulled away when Win's room door opened. Face red as they looked at Win's mom.
"Oops." His mom says. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to tell Win that your cousins are coming over tomorrow. Would you stay for a while tomorrow, Bright?" Bright smiles and nods.
"Sure. I'll have till six before I need to go." Win smiles, although a little disappointed that Bright has to go. He has less than 24 hours with the other, and then they will return as strangers. His mom, seemingly content with the reply, exited the room, not forgetting to remind them to use protection.
Win swore everyone was out trying to embarrass him. He will probably turn into an actual tomato and what's worst is that he doesn't even like tomatoes.
"So where were we?" Bright asked teasingly; somehow, one of his hands was on Win's side as he leaned closer to Win.
Win took the pillow and hit the other. "Sleep," Win says. The other dared to pout. Win ignored him and got under the covers, back facing him. Bright settled under the covers as well and wrapped his arms around Win. "It's my turn to be a koala." Bright mumbles against his hair. Win somehow didn't push away; instead, enjoying the warmth of being in the other's arms, he blames the jetlag for making him feel this way.
The following day when Win woke up, Bright was not by his side. He sighed and took a shower before heading down. He was about to go up to Bright when he noticed a familiar figure talking to the other.
"Morning, koala." Bright says, and the figure turns.
"Hey, Win. Long time no see."
"Luke," Win says. His heart suddenly feels heavy. Bright moved towards Win and kissed his forehead, pulling him to a chair. "I'm sorry for not waking you up. You looked so cute sleeping." Win knows his face is probably red, so he tries to avert his gaze from Luke as he reaches for a toast.
"You and Bright a thing?" Luke asked. Before Win could reply, Bright had interjected.
"We've been dating for a few months," Bright says. Win swore Luke looked disappointed. "That's good to know. It's nice to see you after all these years."
"Yeah." Win replies, giving Luke a small smile. The boy that he had a crush on for many years. He had chosen to fly to London after having his heart broken by the other. Bright, sensing the atmosphere, pulled Win close. Luke suddenly feels out of place.
"Anyway, I'll take my leave. I'll see you around, Win." Luke says before taking his leave.
Win's mom came out of the kitchen. "Luke left already?" Bright nods.
"I heard he had broken off with his girlfriend." Win's mom says as she sits and sips her coffee. Win looked surprised. "Oh, why?"
"Aunt Mae says they didn't click and had broken off long ago. Luke had been single since then." Win nods, not realizing how Bright had looked sad.
The day went by fast. Everyone was more excited to meet Bright rather than Win. It was almost six, and Win sighed.
"Are you sad?" Bright as he got himself ready.
"Why would I be?" Win says. Bright nods.
"You must be happy to hear that Luke is single." Win didn't reply.
"I wish you the best." Bright adds on.
"Bright?" Win gathered up his courage as he looked at the other. "Can we exchange contacts?" Win asked shyly.
Bright laughed. "I mean, what if my mom and grandma want to call you? They adore you more than they adore me. What if they missed you?"
Bright took Win's handphone and added his contact.
"You can call me on one condition." Win smiles as he looks at his phone before looking at Bright.
"Call me when the person missing me is you," Bright says before leaning in to press a peck on Win's cheek quickly, grinning at how flabbergasted Win looked.
Bright said goodbye to his family before getting into his manager's car, not forgetting to tell Win he would be waiting.