Chapter Text
The entire crew was buzzing with excitement. The team had organized a three-day beach trip to celebrate the official start of filming Mr. Fanboy, Ryujin and Patji’s first series as an official pair.
They weren’t the leads, but it was still a huge milestone for them. It felt like a well-deserved victory lap before the real workload began. So everyone was given a week off. Three days at the beach and the rest to do whatever they want.
The beach house was lively from the moment they arrived. Friends and seniors scattered across the sand, laughing and playing in the water.
Wave, North and Teetee were trying (and failing) to build a sandcastle. Copper was splashing Fifa and Pung. The seniors- Tle, Firstone, Keng, and Namping- lounged under umbrellas, watching the chaos with fond amusement.
Ryujin and Patji were inseparable.
During lunch on the beach, they sat close together sharing food. Ryujin fed Patji a piece of grilled squid, eyes soft. Patji blushed but accepted it, leaning into Ryujin’s side.
“Are we interrupting something?” Wave gasped and called out dramatically.
Fifa grinned. “Should we give you two the whole beach? The rest of us can leave.”
“Shut up.” Patji muttered, face burning. Ryujin just laughed loudly and proudly, wrapping an arm around Patji’s waist and pulling him closer.
“Let them stare.” Ryujin said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “I’m not hiding anything.”
The teasing only got worse around the bonfire that night. Drinks flowed, food was passed around, and the group roasted marshmallows while sharing stories.
Namping raised an eyebrow at the way Ryujin kept feeding Patji. “You two are disgustingly cute. When did this happen?”
Patji hid his face in Ryujin’s shoulder. Ryujin just grinned. “We’ve been slow. But we’re here now.”
Dean- the new co-star who had been hovering around Ryujin during table reads- sat a bit too close on Patji’s other side. He laughed loudly at Patji’s jokes and casually brushed his arm.
“You’re really funny, Patji. We should practice lines together more often.”
The shift in energy was immediate.
Ryujin’s jaw tightened. Tle, First, Keng, and Namping noticed instantly.
“Dean,” Keng said lightly but firmly, “Give them some space.”
Dean feigned innocence. “What? I’m just being friendly.”
Ryujin had enough. He looked up, voice low and serious, tension thick in the air. “He’s not interested in your kind of ‘friendly.’ Back off.”
The entire group fell silent. The crackling bonfire was the only sound for a few heavy seconds.
Namping’s expression turned sharp. “Dean. A word. This behavior stops now. If you continue with any ill intentions, it won’t end well for you in this company. Stop it. Understood?”
They had all noticed Dean’s behaviour towards Ryujin and Patji. Patji had previously expressed his concern to Keng and Namping about how uncomfortable Dean makes him feel. Always making rude and unnecessary “jokes” not to mention him causing that misunderstanding between Patji and Ryujin when he got newly signed. So everyone already had enough of his bullshit. He was seeking trouble and Namping did not like that.
Dean finally backed down, muttering something under his breath.
Patji looked shaken. He forced a small smile at Ryujin, then stood up. “I’m… going for a walk.”
Ryujin followed without hesitation.
The moon lit beautifully over the calm sea as they walked along the shore. The waves lapped gently at their feet.
Patji breathed in the salty air. “Thank you… for standing up for me.”
“I’ll always do it in a heartbeat.” Ryujin said, taking Patji’s hand. “You’re mine to protect.”
They walked in comfortable silence for a while.
“We finally get to act as a couple. How do you feel?” Ryujin asked warmly.
“Bit nervous…but excited.” Patji answered. He then turned to look at Ryujin. “I’m excited to do it with you.” He finished with a smile.
“Same here. We’re about to get busier than ever though, can’t say I’m too excited for that.” Ryujin said and chuckled softly.
They had stopped walking now and turned to face each other.
“Well yeah at least I’d rather be busy and exhausted and complain to you than be busy and have no one to complain to.” Patji said and then leaned up to press his lips lightly against Ryujin’s.
Right as he was about to pull back, Ryujin grabbed him behind his neck and pulled him back in for a kiss again. He kissed him deeply, and slow, as if he was scared Patji was going to disappear.
The next day, while everyone was out and about, Ryujin received a bank notification. His parents had sent a large sum of money with a message: “Congratulations on your new role, son.” Along with it, his nanny forwarded a photo of a limited-edition wristwatch waiting for him at home.
No call. No real words. Just money and gifts. Again.
Ryujin’s mood soured instantly. He tried to hide it, laughing with friends and staying close to Patji, but the hurt lingered deep. No matter how he tried to ignore it.
This obviously didn’t go unnoticed by Patji, but he couldn’t pull him aside and therefore made a mental note until they were back in their room that evening.
The drama had long since ended, but the TV was still murmuring in the background like white noise. Patji lay half on top of him, warm and solid and here, yet Ryujin still felt like he was floating somewhere cold and far away.
Patji’s fingers paused on his chest. “You’ve been quiet all night. Talk to me.”
Ryujin swallowed. The words tasted like rust in his throat.
“My parents’ assistant called today.” he said flatly. “They’re sending another watch. Some ridiculous limited edition thing. Apparently it’s their way of saying ‘good job’ for the recent role.” A hollow laugh escaped him. “They didn’t ask how I was. Didn’t ask about you. Just the watch. And some money. Same shit as always.”
Patji stayed quiet, but his hand pressed firmer over Ryujin’s heart like he was trying to hold it together.
“I spent my whole childhood trying to be perfect for them.” Ryujin continued, voice cracking.
“Straight A’s. Sports captain. Never talking back. Smiling in every fucking family photo even when they weren’t there. And they still never showed up. Not once. My nanny was the one who sat with me at night when I couldn’t sleep. She’s the one who stayed when I had panic attacks because my parents were at another business dinner or gala on the other side of the planet.”
He stared at the ceiling, eyes burning.
“They thought money fixed everything. New toys when I cried. Expensive trips when I got lonely. A new tutor when I started failing because I couldn’t focus from the exhaustion. They bought solutions. Never once gave me them.”
Ryujin’s breathing grew shaky.
“And the worst part? I still fucking wait for them. Even now. Every time the phone rings I think maybe this time they’ll actually care. But they don’t. They never have. So what does that say about me? That I’m not even worth their time?”
Patji shifted up, eyes wide with worry. “P’Ryu-”
“No, let me finish.” Ryujin’s voice was rough, almost angry at himself. “That’s why I can’t sleep. That’s why I’ve always been like this. Lying there as a kid, waiting for car lights in the driveway that never came. And now I’m doing the same thing with you. Waiting for the moment you realize I’m too much work. That I’m broken in ways you can’t fix with hugs or late-night calls. That I’m not… worth staying for.”
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Ryujin laughed bitterly, eyes glassy. “See? This is why I don’t talk about it. Because it sounds pathetic. Rich kid crying about absent parents while they throw money at him. Boo-fucking-hoo.”
Patji looked devastated. He cupped Ryujin’s face with both hands, forcing him to meet his eyes.
“You’re not pathetic.” Patji said fiercely, voice trembling. “And you’re not too much. I don’t care about money or perfect or any of that. I care about you. The one who lets me stay here. The one who remembers everything about me. The one who’s been carrying all this alone for years.”
Ryujin’s breath hitched. A tear slipped down his cheek before he could stop it. He tried to turn away, but Patji wouldn’t let him.
“I keep thinking you’ll leave.” Ryujin whispered, broken. “Everyone else has. My parents. Friends who only wanted the rich lifestyle. Everyone. Why would you be different?”
Patji’s own eyes were wet now. He pressed their foreheads together, voice cracking.
“Because I’m already here. And I’m scared too, okay? I’m terrified every day that I’m not good enough for you. But I’m still here. I’m choosing to stay. Every single day.”
Ryujin squeezed his eyes shut, a quiet sob escaping him as he pulled Patji down into a desperate hug. His whole body trembled.
“I don’t know how to believe that yet.” he admitted against Patji’s shoulder, voice barely audible. “But… please don’t stop trying.”
“I won’t.” Patji whispered, holding him tighter than ever. “I promise.”
The next day, while everyone prepared to leave, Ryujin requested if they could stay longer, which was easily approved. Ryujin pulled Patji aside.
“Can we stay one extra day? Just us?”
Patji’s eyes lit up. “I’d love that.”
The others teased them relentlessly before leaving, but Ryujin didn’t care.
They spent the extra day exploring the local market- trying street food, laughing at silly souvenirs, and getting matching plain white t-shirts customized with hand painted designs.
Patji painted a small dragon on Ryujin’s shirt. Ryujin painted a jellyfish on Patji’s.
Later, they returned to the beach at sunset. They played in the water like kids, splashing each other until they were exhausted. Then they sat side by side on the sand, shoulders touching, watching the moon rise over the sea.
The salty breeze felt perfect.
Ryujin’s heart raced. I’m gonna go crazy if I don’t do it now. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two silver chain bracelets, each with a half-heart pendant. When brought together, the magnets clicked into a full heart.
“Patji…” His voice was thick with emotion.
“Knowing you has to be one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I always saw myself as a kid with poor luck, but that can’t be true if I have you in my life. I don’t know what I did in my last life to deserve you in this one.”
Tears welled in his eyes.
“I’m happier than ever when I’m around you. I look forward to waking up every day now because of you. You’re the reason I can actually sleep. You encouraged me to get help, but more than that, you’re my medicine. I struggled for years before we got close, and now I don’t even remember what my life was like before you.”
His voice cracked.
“On our first appearance on DMD Friendship, you were my first and only choice. The obvious choice. I was just young and scared. But I told myself if I wanted you, I was going to earn it. I’m so glad you chose me. I wouldn’t be here, in this industry, in this life, if it weren’t for you.”
Tears slipped down his cheeks.
“You’re the reason I don’t feel so alone anymore. You filled the void my parents created. You make me want to be better. To improve myself. To be deserving of your love and kindness. You’re the sweetest soul. You praise me, boost my confidence, raise my esteem. You make me feel like I’m worth something.”
He took a shaky breath.
“Patji, I never knew love before I met you. I was just existing… you taught me what it means to truly live. In a world full of temporary things, you feel like the only forever I’ll ever need. My soul recognized yours the moment we met.”
Ryujin turned fully to face him, grabbing both of Patji’s hands.
“You’re not just my person. You’re the quiet that calms every storm inside me. I love you, Patji. So fucking much. Loving you feels like I’ve been waiting lifetimes for this exact moment.”
Patji was sobbing quietly, tears streaming down his face.
“Patji… can I be your boyfriend?”
Patji broke down completely, throwing himself into Ryujin’s arms. “Yes,” he cried against Ryujin’s shirt. “Yes, of course. I love you too. So much. You’ve always been my first choice too. You make me feel safe and loved and seen. I want to do everything with you.”
And then they kissed. Desperate, tear-salty, full of joy and relief. Again and again under the moonlight.
Back at the hotel, after their emotional confession on the beach, the air between them felt charged with something new and deeper.
Ryujin closed the door behind them and turned to Patji, eyes soft but dark with want. “Can we shower together?” he asked gently.
Patji’s cheeks flushed, but after everything they’d shared tonight, he felt bold. He nodded, biting his lip. “Yeah… I want that.”
The bathroom filled with steam as the hot water ran. They undressed each other slowly, hands lingering on newly claimed territory. Ryujin kissed Patji’s shoulder as he slid his shirt off. Patji’s fingers trembled slightly as he pushed Ryujin’s pants down, but he didn’t stop.
Under the spray, Ryujin pulled Patji close, water cascading over their bodies. He cupped Patji’s face and kissed him deeply, tongues sliding together as steam rose around them. Patji melted into it, hands exploring the slick planes of Ryujin’s chest and back.
“You’re so beautiful.” Ryujin whispered against his lips, voice husky. He reached for the body wash and lathered his hands, then ran them over Patji’s shoulders, down his arms, across his chest. His thumbs brushed over Patji’s nipples, drawing a soft gasp.
Patji shivered despite the hot water. He took the soap and returned the favor, hands sliding reverently over Ryujin’s toned stomach, the V of his hips, the firm curve of his ass. He was still shy, but the way Ryujin looked at him- like he was precious and desired- gave him courage.
Ryujin dropped to his knees first.
He looked up at Patji through wet lashes, water streaming down his face. “Can I?”
Patji nodded, breath already ragged. “Yes…”
Ryujin took him into his mouth slowly, savoring every inch. His tongue swirled around the head, then slid down the shaft as he took Patji deeper. The wet heat, the suction, the sight of Ryujin on his knees, it was overwhelming. Patji’s hand flew to Ryujin’s wet hair, fingers tightening as moans spilled from his lips.
“P’Ryu… oh god, that feels-” His voice broke when Ryujin hummed around him, the vibration shooting pleasure up his spine.
Ryujin worked him expertly. Slow, deep strokes of his mouth combined with a firm hand at the base. Water ran down both their bodies. Patji’s thighs trembled. He tried to hold back, but Ryujin’s devoted gaze and skilled mouth pushed him over the edge far too quickly.
“I’m- I’m gonna- ” Patji gasped.
Ryujin didn’t pull away. He took Patji to the back of his throat and swallowed as he came, working him through every pulse until Patji was whimpering, oversensitive and boneless.
When Ryujin finally stood, Patji kissed him desperately, tasting himself on Ryujin’s tongue. His hands wandered lower, wrapping around Ryujin’s hard, leaking erection.
“I want to make you feel good too.” Patji whispered shyly.
“You already do,” Ryujin breathed, but he guided Patji’s hand anyway, showing him the rhythm he liked. Patji stroked him eagerly, learning quickly. When his confidence grew, he dropped to his knees and took Ryujin into his mouth, tentative at first, then bolder, sucking and licking with sweet determination.
Ryujin groaned, one hand gentle in Patji’s wet hair. “Fuck, Pat… you’re so good. So perfect for me.”
Patji’s cheeks hollowed as he tried to take more. The sounds- wet, filthy, loving- echoed in the shower. Ryujin’s hips stuttered as he got close.
“Patji… I’m close- ”
Patji didn’t pull away. He kept going until Ryujin came with a deep, broken moan, spilling across Patji’s tongue and lips. Patji swallowed what he could, the rest mixing with the water.
Ryujin pulled him up immediately, kissing him messily, tasting himself. They held each other under the spray for a long time, foreheads pressed together, breathing hard.
“I love you.” Ryujin whispered, voice raw.
“I love you too.” Patji replied, glowing with happiness and a touch of shy pride.
They washed each other gently afterward, soft touches, quiet laughter, tender kisses.
They stumbled out of the shower wrapped in one oversized towel, still kissing lazily between steps. Ryujin scooped Patji up effortlessly and carried him to the bed, laying him down gently like he was something precious.
Patji’s skin was flushed pink from the hot water and everything that had happened. He curled into Ryujin immediately as soon as the older boy joined him under the sheets, hiding his face in Ryujin’s neck.
Ryujin chuckled softly, one arm wrapping around Patji’s waist while the other hand stroked soothing circles up and down his bare back.
“You okay?” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of Patji’s damp hair.
Patji nodded against his skin, voice muffled. “…Yeah. More than okay.” He was quiet for a moment, then whispered, “I can’t believe we just did that.”
Ryujin smiled, squeezing him closer. “Was it too much? Too fast?”
“No,” Patji said quickly, pulling back just enough to look at him. His eyes were still a little shy but shining with happiness. “It was… really good. I liked it. A lot.” His cheeks burned brighter. “You were so… gentle. And patient. Thank you.”
Ryujin’s expression softened even more. He brushed a thumb across Patji’s cheek. “You don’t have to thank me. I loved every second of it. You were perfect.” He leaned in and kissed Patji’s forehead, then the tip of his nose, then his lips, slow and sweet. “You made me feel so good, Pat. The way you looked at me… the way you tried so hard… it was everything.”
Patji buried his face again, embarrassed but pleased. “I was nervous,” he admitted quietly. “I didn’t want to do it wrong.” He’s had this thought since the first time they did it a few weeks ago, only now did he have the courage to say it out loud.
“You couldn’t possibly do it wrong,” Ryujin reassured him, voice warm and full of affection. “It was you. That’s all that matters.” He ran his fingers through Patji’s hair, gently detangling the damp strands. “How are you feeling now? Any soreness? Too overwhelmed?”
Patji shook his head, snuggling closer until their bare legs tangled together. “Just… warm. And safe. And really happy.” He traced a small pattern on Ryujin’s chest with his fingertip. “I never thought I’d get to have this with you. Not like this.”
Ryujin’s heart clenched. He tilted Patji’s chin up so their eyes could meet. “I’ve wanted this for a long time. Not just the physical stuff, though trust me, I’ve thought about that too, but all of it. Holding you. Taking care of you. Being yours.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I love you, Patji. So much it scares me sometimes.”
Patji’s eyes welled up again, but this time with pure joy. “I love you too. I’ve loved you for longer than I knew how to say it.” He pressed a soft kiss to the center of Ryujin’s chest, right over his heart. “Thank you for waiting for me. For being so patient. For making me feel… wanted. Like this.”
They stayed like that for a long while, trading slow, lazy kisses, gentle touches, and quiet words. Ryujin kept one hand stroking Patji’s back in soothing rhythms while Patji played with Ryujin’s fingers.
“You know,” Patji said eventually, a shy smile tugging at his lips, “I think I’m going to want to do that again sometime.”
Ryujin laughed, bright and fond, rolling them so Patji was half on top of him. “Whenever you want, baby. I’m all yours now.”
Patji’s smile widened, braces flashing adorably. “Boyfriend.”
Ryujin’s eyes crinkled with happiness. “Boyfriend.” He echoed, pulling Patji down for another deep kiss.
They eventually drifted off like that, limbs tangled, hearts beating in sync, the salty sea breeze drifting through the open balcony door.