Work Text:
1
Thame had always been the leader of Mars, a T-Idol group that had earned their place in the spotlight through sheer talent and dedication. He was used to being the center of attention, the one the members looked up to, the one who kept everything in balance. But lately, there was an unsettling feeling gnawing at him whenever he saw Po and Jun together. The way Po laughed at Jun’s jokes, how easily they had bonded, the secretive glances they exchanged when they thought no one was looking—it bothered him more than it should have.
At first, Thame tried to dismiss it. Po was new to the job, still adjusting to the dynamics, and Jun was friendly by nature. Surely, nothing was happening, right? But the longer he observed them, the more he realized something in him was shifting. Was it jealousy? Thame wasn’t sure. He had never felt like this about another man before, not even once. He had always been the calm, collected leader who took pride in keeping his emotions in check. But something about Po’s easy connection with Jun set his nerves on edge.
It was an odd feeling, this discomfort. It wasn’t like the usual irritation he felt when things went wrong with the group. It was deeper, more personal, and much harder to ignore. He found himself watching them more often than he cared to admit, his gaze lingering when Po and Jun spoke quietly to each other or exchanged subtle smiles. Thame’s chest tightened, but he quickly brushed it off. It’s nothing, he told himself. It’s just because I’m the leader. I need to stay focused on the group. Yet, as he saw Po laughing under the dim lights of their practice room, something inside him stirred. He couldn’t quite name it, but it left him unsettled.
2
The day of their photoshoot was supposed to be just another routine task. Thame had already prepared himself for hours of posing and rehearsing, and yet, as they stood around between shots, his eyes kept drifting back to Po and Jun. They were talking again—heads close together as they whispered to each other, their shoulders brushing occasionally, the kind of intimacy Thame wasn’t used to seeing between them. He tried to focus on his own tasks, but each time he looked at them, the tension in his chest grew.
It wasn’t just the closeness. It was the way Po seemed to gravitate toward Jun in every moment they had together. There was an ease there that Thame didn’t share with Po, despite their long friendship. He couldn’t help but feel... displaced. Po had always been the quiet, observant one, the one who had gradually found his way into the company, and Thame had been there every step of the way, supporting him. But now, seeing Po’s carefree demeanor with Jun made Thame feel like he wasn’t needed anymore. Maybe Po didn’t need him as much as he thought.
And yet, the more he tried to convince himself that it was nothing—just a friendship, just normal work bonding—the more Thame felt a stab of something he couldn’t quite identify. He saw the way Jun would reach out to touch Po’s arm casually, the easy way Po would laugh at something Jun said. There was an intimacy in those gestures that Thame couldn’t ignore, though he would never admit it aloud. He felt like an outsider, watching as Po and Jun connected in ways that felt... exclusive.
He tried to distract himself, focusing on the work at hand, but his mind kept returning to them. What is this feeling? Thame wondered, frustration rising within him. It was only a photoshoot, only a few hours in the grand scheme of things. Yet, it had become an hour-long torture for him, filled with moments where he couldn’t help but steal glances at Po and Jun. They were laughing again, this time with their heads tilted back, eyes sparkling with amusement. And Thame? He stood there, clenching his fists behind his back, trying to ignore the ache in his chest.
3
By the time they were back at the hotel, Thame’s irritation had only grown. Po and Jun were inseparable. Every time Thame turned around, they seemed to be sharing another moment together—whether it was a quiet conversation over dinner or a playful exchange during the downtime between performances. Thame found himself getting increasingly frustrated, though he couldn’t pinpoint why. It wasn’t like Jun and Po had done anything wrong, but somehow, their growing connection made him feel like he was losing control.
That evening, after a particularly exhausting rehearsal, the group gathered in the hotel lounge for a break. Thame was busy checking his phone, trying to handle some work emails when he heard Po’s laugh—louder than usual, full of joy. Thame looked up just in time to see Po lean into Jun’s side, both of them grinning like they shared a private joke. The sight twisted something deep inside Thame’s chest. He tried to look away, but it was impossible. Po and Jun looked so... comfortable with each other, and the more Thame watched, the more that nagging feeling of jealousy began to take root.
He told himself it wasn’t anything to be concerned about. Jun and Po were just friends, just getting to know each other better. But something inside him refused to believe it. Why did it bother him so much? Why did seeing them like that make his heart race in a way he didn’t understand? Was it because he had always been the one Po turned to, the one who protected him, supported him, and now... now it seemed like that role was slipping through his fingers.
At that moment, Thame found himself standing at the edge of the lounge, watching them from a distance. His chest tightened, his jaw clenched, and he couldn’t bring himself to approach them. What was he supposed to say? “Hey, Po, you’re laughing a little too much with Jun. Maybe you should spend more time with me?” It sounded ridiculous, even to him. So, he stayed silent, nursing the strange frustration building inside him. You’re just imagining things, he tried to convince himself. Po is your friend. There’s nothing to worry about. But his heart told a different story.
4
Thame couldn’t escape the feeling anymore. It was like an itch beneath his skin, a constant reminder that something was changing, something was slipping away. He could feel it in the air—the distance between him and Po. The warmth that used to exist between them now seemed to have faded into something quieter, something uncertain. When he looked at Po now, it was like staring at someone he couldn’t quite reach, someone who was drifting further away every day. But what was happening? Was it Po who was pulling away, or was it Thame himself?
The rehearsals that week were intense, pushing everyone to their limits as they prepared for the big final concert. But amidst the chaos, Thame couldn’t focus. His mind kept circling back to Po and Jun. It didn’t help that Po and Jun were practically inseparable between the long hours spent rehearsing and preparing for their stage performances. They talked between breaks, shared quiet moments during events, and laughed together in a way that made Thame’s stomach churn. It was subtle, the way they interacted—nothing overt, nothing too obvious—but to Thame, it was glaring. It was as if there was an invisible thread between Po and Jun that he couldn’t seem to cut, no matter how hard he tried.
One night, after a particularly exhausting rehearsal, the group was unwinding in the hotel’s lounge. Thame had just finished going over some final details for the concert with the manager and was heading back to join the others. As he walked into the lounge, his eyes automatically sought out Po. But when he saw Po sitting closely next to Jun on the sofa, talking softly, his heart sank. Jun’s hand casually rested on Po’s knee, and Po, without hesitation, leaned into the touch. They were laughing at something Jun had said, but the sound was muffled to Thame’s ears, his focus completely taken by the proximity between them.
Thame stopped in his tracks, frozen. He wasn’t sure what was worse—the fact that Po and Jun were so close, or the fact that he was standing there, unable to move, his body filled with a mix of frustration and confusion. Why did this bother him so much? Why did it feel like a punch to the gut?
He turned away quickly, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t know what to do with the feelings that were overwhelming him. Maybe I’m overreacting, he thought. Maybe they’re just friends. There’s nothing more to it. But deep down, Thame knew it wasn’t that simple. It wasn’t just a casual friendship between Po and Jun. There was something deeper, something Thame couldn’t deny anymore. He was jealous. Jealous of their closeness, jealous of the way they seemed to understand each other in ways that Thame had never been able to.
Thame retreated to his room, but sleep didn’t come easy that night. He tossed and turned, his mind replaying the scene over and over again. “What’s happening to me?” he wondered. “Why does it feel like I’m losing Po to Jun?” He had never experienced anything like this before. His whole life had been focused on the group, on his role as their leader, but now… now he found himself consumed by something he couldn’t control. These feelings for Po—these feelings of longing and frustration—were foreign to him.
And yet, every time he closed his eyes, he saw Po and Jun together, smiling, laughing, sharing moments he used to have with Po. Thame’s chest tightened, the jealousy mingling with a deep ache he couldn’t describe. It was a gnawing feeling, a constant presence in the back of his mind.
5
The next few days were a blur. Thame went through the motions—rehearsals, meetings, stage performances—but his mind was elsewhere, constantly occupied with thoughts of Po and Jun. They were growing closer every day, and Thame couldn’t help but feel like he was being left behind. Whenever he tried to talk to Po, to get his attention, Po was always with Jun. Always smiling, always engaged. Thame couldn’t seem to reach him anymore.
One evening, after a particularly grueling practice session, the group decided to unwind at a nearby café. It was supposed to be a casual night, a moment to relax before their final show. But for Thame, the night quickly became another reminder of just how far away Po seemed. He walked into the café and immediately spotted Po and Jun sitting at a small table near the window, talking quietly, laughing as if they shared a secret that Thame wasn’t a part of. There was something in the way Po’s eyes lit up when he looked at Jun—something that made Thame’s heart twist painfully.
Thame approached the table, but as he did, he noticed how easily Po and Jun interacted. It was effortless. They were comfortable together in a way that Thame hadn’t been with Po in a long time. He felt like an outsider, a stranger to their connection, and the sharp pang of jealousy hit him once again.
Jun caught sight of Thame standing there, and with a playful grin, he waved him over. “Come on, Thame! Join us!” he called out, gesturing to the empty chair. But Thame hesitated. He wasn’t sure if he could sit there, next to Po, and pretend like nothing was wrong. So, instead of joining them, he stood there, watching them. He watched as Jun reached over to ruffle Po’s hair, a small gesture that sent a bolt of jealousy straight to Thame’s chest.
This is ridiculous, Thame thought to himself, trying to shake off the feeling. They’re just friends. Po and Jun are just friends. But the words felt hollow, a lie he was telling himself to avoid confronting the truth. He was jealous, and he couldn’t deny it any longer.
Jun and Po didn’t seem to notice Thame’s discomfort, too caught up in their conversation. Thame forced a smile and walked away, his mind reeling. He didn’t know how much longer he could watch Po and Jun’s growing bond without completely losing himself. Something had to change. But what?
That night, he found himself pacing in his hotel room, unable to sleep once again. The jealousy, the confusion, it was all too much. He couldn’t stay silent anymore. He had to confront his feelings. He had to face the fact that what he was feeling for Po was something more than friendship, more than just leadership. But how could he even begin to explain that to Po? How could he admit that he had been hiding his feelings for so long, trying to bury them under the weight of his responsibilities?
+1
Thame couldn’t run from his feelings any longer. It was no longer something he could dismiss or rationalize away. The jealousy, the longing, the ache in his chest—everything was becoming too much. But how was he supposed to confront it? How was he supposed to admit to himself, let alone to Po, that he had fallen for him? He had always kept his emotions locked away, had always been the steady, composed leader. But now, with every passing day, with every interaction between Po and Jun, it was becoming clear that something had shifted. Something had changed, and Thame could no longer pretend otherwise.
The next day, the group had a brief break before their final rehearsal. Thame found himself sitting in the quiet corner of the practice room, staring out the window at the city beyond. His thoughts were swirling, each one more chaotic than the last. He couldn’t focus. His mind kept drifting back to Po and Jun—how easily they had fallen into step with one another, how effortless their bond seemed. And then there was him, standing at the periphery, watching, feeling like he was being left behind.
But just as Thame was about to slip further into his thoughts, Pepper appeared. Pepper was one of the few people who could always read Thame, who knew when something was off. Without a word, he sat down beside him, a knowing look in his eyes.
“You’re quiet today” Pepper said, breaking the silence. His voice was soft but sharp, as if he already knew what was going through Thame’s mind. “What’s going on?”
Thame didn’t know where to start. He had never been one to openly share his struggles, especially not when it came to matters of the heart. But Pepper had always been different—he was the one who had listened when Thame needed someone to talk to, the one who didn’t judge, who just... understood.
“Po and Jun” Thame began, his voice quieter than he expected. “They’re too close. It’s like… like I’m losing him to Jun.” His words felt strange, but they were the truth. Every time he saw Po and Jun together, it was like a piece of Thame’s heart was being chipped away. He couldn’t explain why it hurt so much. It wasn’t as if he had any right to claim Po. Po was his friend, but still... something about it felt wrong.
Pepper’s expression softened, and he leaned back, his arms crossed as he considered Thame’s words. “You like him, don’t you?” he asked, his tone not accusing, just curious.
Thame froze, his breath catching in his throat. “What?” His heart began to pound in his chest. The realization hit him with the force of a wrecking ball. Of course he liked Po—he was in love with him. He had been for months, maybe longer, but he had buried those feelings, convinced that they were nothing more than a fleeting attraction. But now, with the growing distance between him and Po, with the way his chest tightened every time he saw Po and Jun together, he couldn’t deny it anymore.
“I don’t... I don’t know what to do,” Thame admitted, his voice breaking slightly. The walls he had built around his emotions were starting to crumble, and the weight of his unspoken feelings felt unbearable. “I’ve never felt this way before. I don’t even know if Po feels the same. What if I mess everything up? What if I hurt him”
Pepper smiled softly, his eyes full of understanding. “You’re scared, Thame. I get it. But the only way you’ll ever know is if you tell him. If you don’t, you’ll just keep spiraling, and you don’t want that. Not when you’ve got someone who makes your heart beat like that.”
Thame looked down at his hands, his fingers nervously twisting together. Tell Po? He had spent so long convincing himself that his feelings for Po were just a passing phase, something that could be ignored or suppressed. But now, with the reality of his emotions staring him in the face, Thame knew that he couldn’t keep pretending. He couldn’t keep living with this ache in his chest, watching from the sidelines as Po grew closer to Jun.
---
It was late that night, after the final rehearsal. The group was exhausted, their bodies worn from the hours of practice, but Thame couldn’t sleep. He knew what he had to do. It was now or never.
He found Po on the company roof, sitting alone in a quiet corner, his phone in hand. The moment Thame saw him, his heart skipped a beat. Po looked up from his phone, and their eyes met, a soft smile tugging at the corner of Po’s lips.
Thame took a deep breath, his nerves threatening to consume him. He had never been good at this kind of thing—at being vulnerable, at exposing the feelings that he kept locked away. But tonight, there was no more room for hesitation. No more running from the truth.
“Po” Thame started, his voice shaking slightly despite his best efforts to stay calm. Po’s smile faded, and he looked up at Thame with concern, as if sensing the seriousness in his tone.
“What’s wrong, Thame?” Po asked softly.
Thame swallowed hard, trying to steady his racing heart. He stepped closer, his hands clenched at his sides. “I… I can’t keep pretending. I can’t keep pretending that this doesn’t bother me.” he said, the words tumbling out. “The way you’ve been getting closer to Jun... It’s been hard for me, Po. I can’t keep watching you with him and not feel this... this ache inside.”
Po’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Thame, I don’t understand. What do you mean?”
“I mean that I care about you.” Thame said, his voice quieter now, as if the words themselves were something fragile, something he was afraid would break. “More than I should. More than just as a coworker, more than as a friend. I… I’ve fallen for you, Po. And it’s driving me crazy to see you with him like this, because I don’t know if you feel the same. But I can’t hide it anymore. I can’t pretend that I don’t want more.”
The silence between them stretched out for what felt like an eternity. Thame’s heart was pounding in his chest, his palms sweaty, but he stood his ground, waiting for Po to respond.
“Thame” he said, his voice quieter than he expected. “I... I suspected it from the beginning. But then Jun said... I started doubting myself. I thought maybe I was just being silly, imagining things. I even thought I saw you being jealous, but then I convinced myself I was just being delusional.”
Confusion flooded Thame's thoughts, his mind reeling from the information he received. Thame ran a hand through his hair, frustrated “Wait… Jun knew?”
Po rolled his eyes, a slight tone of irritation taking over his voice. “Jun is annoying, and he gets under my skin, but somehow... he’s the only one I can talk to about you. About how I feel. And so, we ended up getting close. But it’s nothing romantic. I swear.”
Thame’s eyes widened, a look of relief sweeping over his face. “You’re saying Jun knew… So maybe he was trying to test my feelings?” Po smirked. “Probably. He is very nosy.”
The two of them laughed together, the tension between them melting away. But as the sound of their laughter faded, something shifted. The atmosphere grew warmer, softer—something that made Thame’s pulse quicken. There was a slight tremor in Po’s gaze, a hesitance that mirrored his own. For a long moment, they simply stood there, the space between them filled with the unspoken truth of their feelings, both afraid to move, but neither able to look away.
“Po” Thame breathed, his voice barely more than a whisper. The words hung between them, fragile and raw. He wanted to say more, to explain, but the truth was too simple, too clear. He had been fighting this for too long, pushing down the feelings that had grown too strong to ignore. And now, standing here, face-to-face with Po, it seemed impossible to deny them any longer.
Po shifted, his lips parting as if he wanted to speak, but then he fell silent. His breath came in shallow bursts, and for a fleeting moment, Thame saw something in his eyes—something that mirrored the yearning that had been growing inside him for months.
Then, without thinking, Thame stepped forward, closing the distance between them. He reached for Po’s hand, his fingers trembling slightly as he brushed against the softness of Po’s skin. Their eyes locked, and in that moment, Thame knew. He couldn’t wait any longer. He didn’t want to wait.
Thame’s heart hammered in his chest as he leaned in, his breath mingling with Po’s, so close now that he could feel the warmth of his skin. The world outside of them seemed to fade away, the sounds of the roof, the buzzing of the company down there, all melting into the background. There was only Po. Only the feel of him standing so close, the tension thick between them, the ache in Thame’s chest that seemed to pull him forward, closer to something he had wanted for so long.
Slowly, gently, Thame brushed his lips against Po’s. The kiss was light, hesitant—almost tentative, as if testing the waters. But the moment their lips met, Thame felt something shift inside him. A spark, a rush of heat, an overwhelming flood of emotion. The kiss deepened, slowly at first, but with an urgency that grew with every passing second. Thame’s fingers threaded through Po’s hair, pulling him closer, as if he needed to feel the reality of this moment. To feel Po, to feel this closeness that had been missing for so long.
Po’s lips were soft, warm, and surprisingly yielding. Thame felt a surge of something wild, something raw, as he kissed him with a hunger that he hadn’t known he had—like the kiss was the answer to everything he had ever wanted but never dared to ask for. Po responded in kind, his hands moving up to Thame’s shoulders, then to the back of his neck, pulling him even closer. There was no space left between them now, no uncertainty. Just the rush of feeling, the press of their bodies, the intoxicating reality that they were finally here.
Thame’s pulse quickened as the kiss deepened further, and he felt the world around them completely disappear. His mind was consumed by the taste of Po, the feel of his breath, the warmth of his body pressed so close. The ache in his chest was gone, replaced by something that felt like home. Every doubt, every fear that had held him back melted away with each gentle movement, each shift of their lips against each other.
Po’s breath caught in his throat as their kiss continued, a soft gasp that sent a shiver through Thame’s body. It was the sweetest sound, the sound of Po letting go, of allowing himself to feel what they had both been too afraid to admit. Thame felt his own heart beat faster, the rhythm of it matching the intensity of the moment. He couldn’t stop now, couldn’t pull away. Not when Po was holding him so gently, yet so firmly, as though he, too, had been waiting for this.
When they finally pulled away, their foreheads rested against each other, and for a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was not uncomfortable, but full of understanding. Thame could hear Po’s breath, ragged and uneven, and he knew his own must be the same. There was so much left unsaid, so many emotions swirling inside him, but in this moment, there was only the feel of Po’s skin beneath his fingertips, the press of his body against his.
Finally, Po whispered, his voice low, almost hesitant, “Thame...”
Thame pulled back just enough to look into Po’s eyes, searching for something—anything—that would tell him this wasn’t just a fleeting moment. But when Po met his gaze, Thame saw it. The same vulnerability, the same longing, the same desire that had been building between them for so long.
And in that instant, Thame knew that everything had changed. This wasn’t just the first kiss. This was the beginning of something new. Something neither of them could undo, something that would shape everything that came after.
Thame smiled, a soft, almost shy smile, as he brushed a strand of hair from Po’s face. He could still feel the taste of Po’s lips on his own, the lingering warmth of the kiss that had left him breathless. It was a moment that neither of them would ever forget.
“I’ve wanted that for so long” Thame whispered, his voice barely audible, his lips still tingling from the kiss.
Po smiled softly, his eyes half-closed as if he were still savoring the moment. “Me too” he said quietly, his voice full of the same raw emotion Thame felt.
Thame didn’t need him say anything else. The words were unnecessary. The kiss had said everything. The bond between them was no longer just a feeling—it was something tangible, something real. And in that moment, Thame knew that this was just the beginning.