Chapter Text
November..
"...And the Y Universe Awards Best BL Couple of the Year goes to... Khun Tle Matimun Sreeboonrueang-Reungrat and Khun Firstone Wannakorn Reungrat-Sreeboonrueang... Yin dī dwy, TleFirstone!"
A triumphant congratulatory tune blasted throughout the hall as fans erupted into deafening screams. Tle and Firstone's faces immediately appeared on the giant screen from where they were seated in the front row. People around them applauded enthusiastically, while others wore expressions of disbelief and shock at what they had just heard.
The couple wai-ed to those around them before making their way past the cameras, wearing humble smiles beneath the spotlight that followed them onto the stage. As all celebrities traditionally did, they wai-ed to the announcer before receiving their trophy and bouquet, which had been placed upon the trophy plinth. Continuous cheers from the fans echoed throughout the hall.
"Thank you, nong-nong announcer. Ao la, N'Tle, N'First, please say a few words to your fans."
The MC guided the flow professionally, though a subtle smirk appeared on his face, hinting that he already had another question in mind.
First gestured for Tle to speak first, his sparkling eyes slightly reddened as emotions overwhelmed him. Tle took a deep breath, trying to suppress the emotions welling up inside before beginning his speech.
"First of all, we would like to thank Y Universe Awards for presenting us with such an award. Thank you to the judges who believed in and supported TleFirstone. Thank you to our company, Domundi, Papa Aoftion, for placing your trust in and supporting TleFirstone. Thank you to P'Bob and P'Nut, who have taken care of us since the very beginning. Thank you to all the phi-phi staff, including the makeup and hair teams, for supporting TleFirstone every single day.
Also, we are not going to forget our beloved fans, Tidfons, who have supported us from the very beginning or joined us at any point throughout TleFirstone's journey. Whether you are Thai Tidfons or Inter Tidfons, without your support, we would not be standing here today receiving this award. We will continue to repay your love and support with dedicated work and new songs. Please continue to support TleFirstone na khrap."
Tle finished his speech with visible tears gathering in his sweet, big round eyes, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Khop khun mak le ka, N'Tle. What about N'First? Please share a few words with us."
The MC's voice gently shifted everyone's attention back to Firstone.
Firstone wiped away the tears that had rolled from his sparkling eyes down his cheeks. Tle's heartfelt words had only deepened his emotions, but he gathered himself, determined not to leave out anyone he wished to thank.
"Khrap... Oh, seriously, I'm so nervous and emotional right now. Thank you, Y Universe Awards, and thank you to all the phi-phi judges for giving TleFirstone such an honourable award. Being recognised as Best BL Couple of the Year means so much to us. It feels like we are truly being recognised by both the community and the industry.
And thank you to all the phi-phi Tidfons from the bottom of my heart. Without your continuous support, TleFirstone would never have been able to receive this award. So, this award is not only for TleFirstone but for all of our fans as well, khrap. Love all of you na... khrap."
"Congratulations to TleFirstone! But... but... but... Phi has something to ask both of you."
"Khrap..." Tle replied while gently rubbing Firstone's back, trying to soothe the younger, who was still calming his sobs.
"If I didn't hear wrongly, when both of your names were announced, your surnames were addressed differently. Was that an error... or?"
The MC playfully raised his pitch. Before he had even finished the question, fans throughout the hall were already screaming. Some people were still frozen in shock, while others were only beginning to process what they had heard. Then, almost instantly, the hall fell silent.
Hearing the MC's question, Tle and Firstone turned to look at each other. The overwhelming emotions still lingered on their faces, though now they were accompanied by unmistakable happiness.
Tle patiently waited until Firstone gave him a small nod—one that was also captured on the giant screen as the camera remained focused on the couple. Firstone quietly slipped his hand into Tle's beneath the microphones, their fingers interlocking to show silent support for what was about to be said.
A small wave of cheers erupted before the hall became quiet once again.
"Actually... there is no error, khrap."
Tle paused.
The entire hall exploded into screams as media photographers frantically captured every second. Everyone in attendance—including the award show staff and even their own co-workers seated below the stage—was visibly stunned.
"We haven't told anyone about this. Not even the company knows. Both of us only mutually decided this morning that, if we really won Best BL Couple of the Year, this would be the most appropriate time and place to announce it."
Tle could feel his heartbeat pounding as nervousness overtook him. He glanced to his side and found the one-and-only person he loved looking at him with unwavering eyes from the very moment he had started speaking.
Switching to the third-person honorific, Tle continued.
"...Tle would like to use this platform to announce to everyone that... Tle and Firstone legally registered as a married couple in May this year, khrap."
Silence.
Then the screams returned, louder than ever.
The giant screen flashed between the stunned faces of their co-workers and the couple standing on stage.
"Oh ho! Really? This is such a shocking announcement that will spread nationwide!"
The MC was every bit as shocked and excited as everyone else, though he quickly regained his professionalism.
"I believe fans across the country are already celebrating both of you. Ao la, ladies and gentlemen, another round of applause for TleFirstone, winners of Best BL Couple of the Year!"
The MC brought everyone's attention back to the award and gestured that the couple could leave the stage.
Tle politely raised his hand, asking for permission to say one final thing. The MC nodded.
"We know the phi-phi media and all the fan clubs are very excited to know more about TleFirstone. However, for today, we hope everyone will keep the focus on this award show and the awards being presented. We kindly ask for your patience while waiting for the official announcement from Domundi. We assure everyone that both of us are ready to answer all of your questions. Once again, thank you to Y Universe Awards and everyone who has supported TleFirstone. Khop khun khrap."
Both of them bowed politely to the MC before leaving the stage hand in hand as an uplifting melody played behind them.
Waiting backstage were their manager, P'Bobby, and P'Nut—the only people who had known beforehand and helped arrange everything. They captured every sweet moment before greeting the couple with heartfelt hugs, just as they always did.
Amid the bustling backstage filled with people rushing about, some lingered in disbelief as they watched the two artists, while others hurried to coordinate the next award presentation.
During the commotion, Tle exchanged a subtle glance and nod with P'Bobby, unnoticed by Firstone, who was currently being teased by the close staff they often worked with.
A small surprise Tle had prepared for his little one was already waiting inside the DMD artists' holding room.
As they walked toward the room, both artists were congratulated repeatedly by passing staff members.
Firstone, walking slightly ahead, became increasingly confused when he noticed that nearly every DMD artist attending the event had somehow gathered backstage. He looked toward Tle, who was now walking quietly beside him, searching for an explanation, but Tle remained calm.
One by one, everyone began teasing Firstone while subtly guiding him toward the holding room entrance.
The moment Firstone stepped inside, he froze and gasped.
Standing before him was a huge bouquet of pink roses, almost the same size as the one Tle had once given him backstage at the TOTY Music Awards, this time wrapped in elegant white and pink paper.
Their co-workers and company staff immediately lifted their phones to record Firstone's reaction.
Hidden behind him, Tle quietly recorded everything as well, his body reacting before his thoughts could catch up.
But the instant Tle entered the room himself, he also stopped in his tracks.
Emotion flooded him once again—not because of Firstone's adorable reaction, nor because of the affectionate atmosphere, but because beside the pink bouquet he had prepared stood another, slightly smaller bouquet made of white gerbera daisies and white roses, wrapped in soft white and brown paper.
"Aw... First also prepared a surprise for Phi? Come here, little chubby."
Still holding his phone and recording, Tle wrapped an arm around the younger's waist and pulled him into a warm hug.
"Did I surprise you?" First asked as he leaned into Tle's embrace, burying his blushing face against Tle's neck.
"So it's not only you who likes to prepare surprises. I can arrange something too—with a little inside help, you see."
First looked up at Tle with sparkling eyes that Tle knew he could never resist.
"Congratulations, baby."
Tle whispered beside Firstone's ear in his deep, angel-kiss voice, fully aware of how quickly it would make the younger blush. He gently kissed Firstone's cheek, earning an immediate chorus of teasing from everyone in the room.
Firstone's entire face turned bright red.
He let out a shy giggle and softly smacked Tle's arm, trying to escape from his embrace.
Behind the closed doors of the holding room, staff gathered around to take photos of the couple with their bouquets. Their co-workers admired the touching scene as congratulations continued pouring in and countless videos were recorded.
Smiles and laughter filled the room, drowning out everything beyond its walls. Whatever chaos, excitement, or speculation was unfolding online could wait until the celebration was over.