Chapter Text
The message came at nearly the same time for both of them.
‘You’ve been selected for DMD Friendship season 3’.
Patji stared at his phone, eyebrows furrowed. They had already done this show once. Why were they being called back? Then it clicked- the same situation as p’Tee and p’Latte last season. A second chance.
He let out a slow breath and continued getting ready, mind spinning.
Truthfully, during their first season, Ryujin had been one of his options (only option really). But Patji was young, cautious, and unsure whether Ryujin would actually choose him back. So he picked himself. Safe. Clean. No risk of rejection. P’Aof had even sat them down and given thoughtful advice about choosing a long term partner carefully. Patji had taken those words to heart.
What he didn’t know was that Ryujin had been thinking the exact same thing.
Patji was quiet the entire ride to the location. His manager, Chamook, had already explained the schedule: solo modelling shoot first, then duo shoots. The cameras would be rolling for the show, capturing everything.
He kept fiddling with the hem of his shirt, heart beating a little faster than usual.
It wasn’t exactly nervousness about the work. It was more about seeing his p’Ryu again.
They had known each other since high school, not close, but acquainted through mutual friends. Patji used to read tarot cards for him sometimes. Ryujin had always been the calm, cool collected type. Introverted. Level headed. Kind, in a quiet way that made Patji secretly admire him. He wished he could be more like that.
Can I really pick someone I already knew before the agency? The thought kept circling.
The van pulled up. Patji thanked p’mook and stepped out, secretly relieved when he learned Ryujin had a morning schedule and would arrive later.
Ryujin, on the other hand, felt a quiet buzz of excitement under his skin the entire morning.
He liked being around his nong Pat. The younger boy was calm like him, introverted, but with this cheeky, bright energy that balanced everything out. People naturally gravitated towards Patji, wanted to take care of him, protect him, spoil him, Ryujin found himself severely wishing he could be the only one to do all of that.
He wasn’t sure what the feeling was yet. Admiration? Something more? Ryujin wasn’t the type to overthink these kinds of things. He preferred to let things flow naturally. If something was meant to happen, it would.
Still…this second chance felt important. Last season he’d joined late. This time, he wanted to make the most of it.
By the time Ryujin arrived at the shooting location, the set was alive with staff rushing around. P’mook spotted him immediately.
“Nong Ryu! You’re here. Nong Pat is already in the dressing room getting his makeup done. Go ahead so you can get ready too!”
Ryujin nodded, offering a polite wai before heading inside. The moment he opened the door, his eyes found Patji.
Patji was sitting in front of the mirror while the makeup artist worked on him. Their gazes locked through the reflection. Patji’s entire face lit up with the brightest grin, eyes curving into happy crescents.
“P’Ryu!” He waved enthusiastically.
Ryujin couldn’t stop the soft smile that spread across his face. He walked over and ruffled Patji’s carefully styled hair without thinking.
“Auuuu p’Ryuuuuuu!” Patji whined, trying to fix the mess making entire room burst into laughter.
Ryujin just chuckled and moved to his own chair, feeling strangely lighter already. Patji looked…more grown. More confident. It made something warm bloom in Ryujin’s chest.
The makeup artist teased him, “What’s got you smiling so much, nong?”
“Nothing.” Ryujin lied smoothly. “Just excited to meet everyone.”
When they finally stepped onto the main set, the other actors greeted them with loud cheers. Some familiar faces, some new. After quick introductions, p’Park pulled Ryujin and Patji aside to be announced as the surprise guests.
“Are you excited?” Ryujin asked quietly while they waited backstage.
“Yes…but I’m kind of nervous.” Patji admitted.
Ryujin reached down and gently squeezed his hand.
“You’ll be fine. You’re Patji. You can do anything.”
Patji’s heart skipped. See? This is exactly why I respect him so much. That quiet, steady kindness.
The announcement came, “Everyone, welcome Ryujin and Patji!”
They walked out to applause and bright lights. P’Park handled the mc duties smoothly, explaining the modelling shoot concept, individual shots first, then duo pairings. The best solo performer would get their photo on the cover of Praew magazine. Everyone was buzzing with competitive energy.
The solo shoots went well. Patji cheered loudly for Ryujin. Eyes sparkling every time his p’Ryu struck a pose. He looks really hot… Patji thought to himself, cheeks warming up. The fitted outfit only made it worse.
Ryujin, for his part, kept his eyes on Patji the entire time. Patji was shooting with his longtime friend, Wave. They had cute chemistry. Easy, familiar, playful. A small, unfamiliar pang settled in Ryujin’s chest. He pushed it down and cheered for them anyway.
When the results came in, Copper won the solo cover. Wave matched best with Patji, and Fifa matched best with Ryujin. As a reward, the four of them would have dinner together later- group friendship time for the show.
As the cameras cut for a break, Ryujin and Patji found themselves standing close again.
Patji glanced up at him, a shy but genuine smile on his face. “It’s nice seeing you again, p’Ryu.”
Ryujin looked down at him, something soft and unspoken in his eyes.
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “It’s really nice.”
Neither of them knew it yet, but this second chance was about to change everything.