Word traveled fast.
By late afternoon, the estate hummed with life. Friends who hadn't visited in weeks showed up with arms full of food and smiles wide enough to rival the sun. They came not just to see Pond—but to witness the boy Phuwin had become in his absence.
Phuwin greeted each of them at the door like a host, his fingers twined unconsciously with Pond's. He was nervous, excited, a little overwhelmed.
But when he stepped into the dining hall, saw Joong, Dunk, Santa, Fourth,gemini, perth and even the quiet twins from the southern border clan—his heart bloomed.
"Everyone," he said, standing near the head of the table where Off and Gun sat, "Pond is back."
They erupted—cheers, claps, even a few tears. Joong pulled Pond into a rough, brotherly hug while muttering something about *"finally, asshole"*, and Fourth almost tackled Phuwin with joy.
Pond didn't say much. He didn't have to. The way he stood close to Phuwin—silent, protective, eyes constantly scanning the room like he was still fighting ghosts—said everything.
Dinner was loud and warm. Laughter filled the corners of the room like music. Gun had made roasted fish with herbs Phuwin picked himself that morning, and Off kept refilling everyone's glasses with an unusually good bottle of wine.
And then, as dessert arrived—a homemade cake that Fourth had helped Gun bake—Joong cleared his throat loudly.
Everyone turned.
Dunk, seated beside him, suddenly looked like he wanted to crawl under the table.
Joong smirked, draped an arm lazily around Dunk's shoulders, and said, "So, just putting it out there—we're a thing now."
Pond raised an eyebrow. "A *thing*?"
Dunk groaned and covered his face with both hands. "*Joong, please—*"
Joong just laughed. "Okay, fine. I'm dating this gorgeous, fussy Omega who won't let me eat street food and makes me wash my hands before bed."
Everyone exploded.
Santa shouted, "Finally!" and Fourth howled in mock betrayal, "*You said you were single, Dunk!*"
Even Pond cracked a smirk, and Phuwin leaned against him, whispering, "I already knew. Dunk's been smiling into his phone like a schoolgirl for weeks."
Dunk turned an impressive shade of red, but when Joong kissed his temple, he stopped protesting.
Later that night, with bellies full and hearts fuller, the group sat around a fire in the garden.
Joong and Dunk curled up on a bench, bickering softly.
Santa dozed off with perth braiding little flowers into his hair.
Fourth was sitting on gemini's lap and arguing over cupcakes
Phuwin rested his head on Pond's shoulder, watching the flames.
"You were right," he murmured. "Coming back stronger didn't mean changing who you were. Just… accepting it."
Pond glanced down at him, brushing a kiss to his forehead.
"And you were right," he replied. "You didn't wait helplessly. You became someone I could come home to."
Phuwin smiled, eyes fluttering shut.
The fire crackled. The stars blinked overhead.
And for the first time in a long time—everything felt *right*.
The moon was full that night, painting the estate in soft silver. After the laughter and feasting, the house fell into a peaceful hum—quiet, warm, and full of love.
Off and Gun stood at the balcony overlooking the garden. The air was cool, and Gun leaned into Off's chest, eyes misty with contentment.
"He's smiling again," Gun whispered.
Off nodded. "He never used to smile like this. Not even as a child."
Gun smiled softly. "It's because he has someone to come back to now. Someone to anchor him."
Below them, Pond sat with Phuwin on the garden swing. Phuwin leaned back into his chest, cradled between Pond's thighs, his hands laced over Pond's arms wrapped tightly around him.
Too tightly.
Pond didn't let go. Not even for a second.
Phuwin giggled when he noticed it. "You've turned into a human seatbelt."
"I like having you this close," Pond murmured into his neck, his voice low, rough. "The world feels... bearable when you're touching me."
Phuwin turned slightly to kiss his cheek. "I'm not going anywhere, you know."
Pond's arms tightened just a little more.
"I know," he said. "But I still need to *feel* it."
Not far away, Joong and Dunk were lying on a blanket under the stars. Dunk rested his head on Joong's chest while Joong traced shapes in the air with his free hand.
"See that one?" Joong pointed up. "That's us."
Dunk snorted. "That's literally three dots."
"Exactly. You, me, and all the chaos between us."
Dunk laughed, soft and happy. "Then what's this one?" he asked, pointing.
Joong looked, grinned. "That's the future where we have three dogs, two cats, and you're still yelling at me to wash my hands before bed."
Dunk rolled his eyes but didn't stop smiling.
"Love you," Joong added, suddenly serious.
Dunk's eyes softened. "Even when I'm difficult?"
"Especially then," Joong said. "Because you're *mine*."
Further down the garden, Fourth sat on the edge of the fountain, splashing water at Gemini, who stood there pretending to be annoyed.
"You're a menace," Gemini said, water dripping from his sleeves.
"And you love it," Fourth teased.
Gemini sighed, then leaned in to kiss him without warning. Fourth blinked, stunned, then smiled so wide it hurt.
"You're not supposed to be the spontaneous one," he whispered.
Gemini smirked. "Tonight, I am."
At the far edge of the field, Santa and Perth lay side by side in the grass, eyes locked.
Perth reached out, brushing Santa's belly were Thier baby lay away
"You still don't believe I'm real, do you?" he asked softly.
Santa blinked. "I used to think people like you only existed in stories. Scary, broken, unreachable."
Perth's jaw tensed slightly. "And now?"
Santa reached up and cupped his cheek. "Now I know even monsters need love."
Perth didn't cry. But his voice cracked when he whispered, "You're my safe place."
And Santa kissed him like he meant it.
Back on the swing, Phuwin shifted to look at Pond. "You haven't said much tonight."
Pond traced his thumb along Phuwin's jaw. "Because I'm busy memorizing you."
Phuwin flushed. "You see me every day now."
"No," Pond said, eyes dark, intense. "Not like this. Not with stars in your eyes and the scent of home on your skin."
Phuwin's heart pounded. "Pond…"
"If anyone ever tried to take you from me again," Pond said quietly, dangerously, "I'd tear the world apart."
Phuwin leaned forward and touched their foreheads together. "No one will."
Pond breathed in like he was drinking oxygen after drowning. "Promise me."
"I promise," Phuwin whispered. "I'm yours. Every part."
Pond kissed him—slow, hungry, full of all the things he couldn't say.
From above, Gun wiped away a tear.
"He's changed," he whispered.
Off nodded. "Still dangerous. But now he's dangerous *for* someone. For love."
Gun smiled through the ache in his chest. "Then he's exactly who he was always meant to be."
And the night carried on—stars watching over them all, as every heart slowly found its place.