Work Text:
It starts when Win and Team head to Dean and Pharm’s new apartment for a movie night. Team and Pharm are gathered on the sofa in front of the TV, while Dean and Win prepare a variety of snacks in the kitchen just behind them.
Team and Pharm are deep in conversation about his last competition when it happens.
“Honey,” Dean calls, “did we get popcorn?”
Pharm tilts his head back, “In the cupboard on the left.”
“Got it, thank you.”
Team’s face twists, throwing Pharm a look.“Honey? You actually let him call you that?”
“It’s cute,” Pharm smiles sweetly at him, but the acidity in his voice is hard to miss, “P’Dean and I have a lot of nicknames for each other. You’re just jealous.”
Team scoffs. “You and I both know I’m not jealous.”
“I agree with whatever Pharm said,” Dean adds from the kitchen.
“Simp,” Team calls to Dean.
“I’m your senior,” Dean retorts, “show me some respect.”
“P’Simp,” Team corrects. Win cracks up beside Dean.
It’s not a lie that Team isn’t jealous. He fails to see the need for all the pet names he hears thrown around between couples lately. Win occasionally calls him baby and, in softer moments, sweetheart. Even they used to make him squirm, something warm unfurling behind his sternum, but he’s used to it by now.
Mostly.
Team doesn’t have any specific nicknames for Win; to him, Win is just his hia. Team shudders at the thought of calling him pumpkin or something else equally as garish.
“You should try it sometime,” Pharm suggests. “I bet P’Win would enjoy it.”
“Hard pass.”
“Good luck trying to convince him,” Win cuts in. He’s standing beside Dean, dumping a huge packet of Lays into a bowl. “Team would rather eat glass than say sweet things to me.”
Team swivels on the sofa to glare reproachfully. That’s not at all true, but arguing Win’s point would mean admitting in front of Dean and Pharm that he’s gone as far to say romantic things to Win. Win is fully aware he’d never reveal that, the corner of his mouth turned up by smugness alone.
Team huffs and turns back to the TV. The weight of Pharm’s eyes on him is simultaneously amused and knowing.
There’s the soft rustle of clothing as Win appears behind him with the bowl.
“Here you go, sweetpea,” Win’s voice is cloying and tooth-rottingly sweet, leaning down to hand Team the food.
Team takes it, smiling sarcastically at him. “Thanks, babydoll,” he responds, just as sweet and disgusting.
Pharm laughs, but Team can’t help but notice the momentary pause in Win’s movement. His face falters slightly, before he quickly covers it with an amicable smile. It goes unnoticed by Dean and Pharm, but Team can read the nuances of Win’s expressions like a book by now.
Win turns away to head back to the kitchen. The tip of his ears are blushed a soft petal pink.
Interesting.
Team glares daggers through the glass front of the ice cream shop. His current arch nemesis—the server behind the counter—continues on with her job, completely oblivious. It’s Valentine’s Day, so the place is packed with couples of all ages happy and in love, yet Team is stuck outside, fuming.
Win’s hand reaches out to massage soothingly at the back of his neck.
“Team, we don’t need the couples’ discount.”
Team tries not to get too sidetracked by Win’s ministrations.
“She thinks I’m lying about dating you, hia.”
Win, sensing Team isn’t going to back down any time soon, sighs.
“We can go somewhere else.”
“But I want to go here,” Team tries to keep the whine out of his voice, “this shop has the best strawberry flavour and the best view.”
“I’ll buy you a different ice cream shop,” Win offers.
Team turns his head to stare at him. “You mean a different ice cream?”
The pause Win takes is a little too long.
“Sure,” he says casually, “an ice cream, singular.”
Team’s eyes narrow, but he decides to let it go.
“My honour is at stake,” he complains. “They think we’re only pretending to be boyfriends just to get a discount. That’s ridiculous, who would even do that?”
“You would,” Win counters immediately. “If we weren’t dating, and you brought a friend instead.”
Team stares at him. Win stares back impassively, daring him to disagree. Team cracks first, looking away to stare determinedly through the glass again. The server inside bustles around, unaware of his inner turmoil.
“That’s not the point, hia. It’s the principle of it.”
Team heads to the entrance of the shop again and Win hastens to follow.
They get to the front of the queue again in less than ten minutes, during which Win tries to convince Team to go somewhere else, but Team refuses. They’re a couple, and they should be treated as such.
The server’s eyes actually go apologetic when she sees Team.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you the discount,” she lowers her voice, “my manager gave us strict instructions only to give it to people who are in a relationship.”
“We are in a relationship,” Team holds up his hand, which is entwined with Win’s, “what does this look like to you?”
Win gently tugs Team to face him, uncaring of the people around them. “Baby, we don’t need the discount,” he manages to sound both exasperated and ridiculously fond, “I’m happy to pay for both of us.”
Team risks a glance sideways. The server’s eyes have gone wide as they flit between Win, Team, and their joined hands. There’s recognition dawning in her eyes as she takes in Win’s tender expression.
Team knows there’s no faking the genuine affection that practically glows off Win when he looks at Team. It used to make him squirm, but he’s since acclimatised. For strangers, it can be a bit like looking directly into the sun. There’s no doubt of their relationship status when Win gazes at him like that, softly calling him ‘baby’ in that tone of his.
A lightbulb appears over Team’s head.
“You’re right, we don’t need the discount,” Team concedes. Win smiles at him, sliding his wallet out of his pocket so he can pay. “Thanks, babe.”
Team is sure to put extra emphasis on the pet name. Win ends up fumbling the wallet, the whole thing falling to the floor with a resounding slap. Stunned, Win doesn’t even move to pick it up.
Team bends down to grab it, flicks it open to take out his card and holds it out to the server. Before he can, she hastily shakes her hands in front of her.
“I’m sorry, I—I think I misunderstood earlier,” the server stammers. Her name tag declares her name to be ‘Film’. “We get a lot of people pretending to be dating with this promotional discount. Especially a lot of guys, they fool around and make a big joke out of it. I thought you two were friends playing pretend like the others.”
Team smiles, but it’s not unkind. “We’re not just two guys being dudes.”
Film laughs, but it’s a little strained. “Right. I really do apologise. What can I get for you both?”
Team picks the biggest sundae on the menu. One scoop each of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream, covered in strawberry sauce and candy pieces then topped off with a pink wafer. Film even gives Team extra rainbow sprinkles, to which she receives a beaming smile.
Once they take a seat, Team looks at the rainbow monstrosity in front of him with barely contained glee. Win eyes it with slight disdain as Team takes the first bite.
“You called me babe on purpose.”
Win is sullenly avoiding Team’s eyes, staring instead where the excess sauce drips down the glass and onto the table.
Team cheerfully takes another spoonful. “Obviously.”
“Are you proud of yourself?”
Team grins around the spoon, “Absolutely,” he lets that hang for a while, “babe.”
The apples of Win’s cheeks end up as rosy as the strawberry ice cream. Win steals the wafer off the top in retaliation. Team, completely content, lets him.
Win’s favourite flavour of ice cream is chocolate, though he’d give it all to Team if he wanted it. It had taken a lot of persuasion from Team to even get Win to tell him which flavour he liked. Usually, Win would just ask Team to pick whatever he wanted and then pay regardless. That got old rather quickly once Team got flustered one too many times at Win just watching him eat with a smile on his face. From then on, Team insists they share.
When they sat down, Team was careful to spin the glass so that the chocolate part was facing Win, and only eats the other two flavours. Win gives him this small secret smile when he notices, and Team figures he’s forgiven for the babe incident.
Team knows that Win likes the glass walls of this particular ice cream shop because Win enjoys people-watching. As a future hotel chain CEO, he likes to wonder about the lives of these strangers, what their likes and dislikes are, and how they would prefer to relax. Win has always been good at instinctively knowing how to make people feel comfortable.
Team just likes to watch Win. He admires the line of Win’s jaw as Win rests one hand beneath his chin, staring out of the glass at the people milling around. Team idly remembers something Win said earlier.
“Would you really have bought me an ice cream shop?”
Win directs his attention back to Team. “If that’s what you wanted.”
“Wow,” Team says around a spoonful of ice cream, “I feel sorry for the people who don’t have a hotel chain heir as their boyfriend.”
Win smiles, just a little, and adds, “I feel sorry for the people who don’t have you as their boyfriend.”
Team slips the spoon out slowly, then swallows. Says, “Well, now I just seem shallow,” in a small embarrassed voice.
Win grins at him, then dives back in for more chocolate ice cream.
The bar they’re in is hosting a karaoke night, complete with an actual stage and professional microphones. Four drinks in, Win manages to bully Dean into performing a dramatic rendition of ‘My Heart Will Go On’ from the Titanic soundtrack.
Win is fluent in English, yet he keeps changing the lyrics to whatever he feels like. Team has no idea what he’s saying but Win keeps singing directly to him and it’s simultaneously hilarious and absolutely mortifying.
As the song winds to an end, the other bar patrons clap and whistle as Dean and Win take a bow.
“That was terrible,” Pharm says around a laugh, clapping regardless. They had both moved away from their table and closer to the stage as per Win’s earlier request, so they had a perfect view of the whole thing.
“Truly awful,” Team agrees, unable to take his eyes off the way Win’s hair glows like a halo under the spotlight.
“Yet we choose to date them.”
“Regrettably,” Team says, “he’s the love of my life.”
Win’s head whips around so fast Team is surprised it doesn't fly off entirely – Team honestly didn’t think he’d be able to hear him over the noise in the bar. Win stuffs the microphone into Dean’s arms and leaps off the stage.
Team’s hand tightens on his drink as Win skids to a stop in front of him.
“What did you call me?”
Team raises his chin defiantly, “I said you’re the annoyance of my life.”
“Liar,” Win‘s eyes are almost manic, leaning into his space, “say it again.”
Team tilts him backwards with one finger, “Nuisance.”
Win wraps his hand around Team’s finger, bringing it down between them as he moves closer.
“Say it again,” Win insists.
“Once was enough.”
Win doesn’t respond, eyes roaming over Team’s face. The lights of the bar are reflecting in his eyes like stars. Team stays silent, sensing a change in him; Win has gone soft and still as he gazes back at him.
“Did you mean it?” Win’s voice comes out quiet. Team’s heart clenches in his chest.
“Of course I did,” Team replies, just as soft. “It couldn’t be anyone else but you.”
Win’s mouth splits into a tender smile, and a golden glow lights Team up from the inside.
Beside them, Dean clears his throat. Pharm smacks him in the chest in reproach.
“They were having a moment, P’Dean!”
Dean rubs the spot, frowning, “Do they have to have it in front of me?”
Team suppresses a smile. When he’d told Dean and Pharm last week that he was planning on proposing to Win in a few months, Dean’s eyes had been the first to go misty. For the sake of his reputation, Team had pretended not to see. He knows deep down that Dean is happy for his best friend, despite all the posturing.
Finally tearing his eyes off Team, Win throws Dean a look.
“You’re the worst,” he complains, “all you do is try to sabotage me.”
Without taking his eyes off Win, Dean gestures pointedly at Team, “At the first training camp, when you slept with one of our first year juniors, I never said a word.” Win opens his mouth, but Dean keeps going, “At the second training camp, I let you assign yourself the cabin the furthest away from everyone else so you could carry out your heartfelt moonlit confession. Even though you knew I was bringing Pharm, too.”
There’s an answering silence from everyone. Pharm’s lips are pressed together, trying desperately not to laugh.
“Dean,” Win solemnly clasps Dean’s shoulder, “you are the greatest best friend any man could ever ask for.”
Dean makes a noise of weary acceptance, mouth a flat line. There’s a glint of amusement in his eyes that Team is getting better at catching.
“It was a pretty great confession,” Team admits, sending him a wai, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Thank you for the opportunity, phi.”
“Your sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Win adds seriously.
Eventually, Dean shakes Win off and they head back to their table. Still holding Win’s hand, Team interlocks their fingers, Win’s palm sliding warm against his own.
As Win gets pulled into a conversation with Pharm, Team absently rubs the empty space at the bottom of Win’s ring finger with his thumb. Remembers the small velvet box hidden at the back of his drawer, and smiles.
They’re both on the way out of the mall when Team hears him.
“Team!”
Team turns in the direction of the vaguely-familiar voice, squinting against the glare of the sun. Who he sees makes his stomach twist in dread.
“Oh shit,” Team whispers.
Win goes still, sensing something wrong. “Who is that?”
“It’s Jay,” Team answers quietly as the man, Jay, and a woman he doesn’t recognise get closer to them, “he used to be my friend.”
“Jay,” Win says slowly, his face unreadable, “the one from high school?”
Team doesn’t have time to confirm before Jay is in front of him, shooting him a wide grin. Team plasters a polite smile on his face as quickly as he can.
“Team,” he says again, sending him a casual wai, “it’s been years since I last saw you.”
Team returns the wai. “Not since high school.”
For some reason Team can’t decipher, that makes Jay chuckle.
“This is Jennie,” he gestures to the beautiful woman on his arm, who smiles back at them, “my darling partner.”
Before Team can speak, Win says, “I’m Win. Team’s partner.”
Jay gestures towards Team with his thumb. “Team probably hasn’t mentioned me, but both of us were on the high school swim team. We had a petty rivalry going on at one point. Seems extremely silly now, it’s not like either of us were going to swim professionally.”
Team could cut the tension rolling from Win with a knife, but for all intents and purposes, Win’s expression is calm, as if carved from stone.
During high school, Jay had all the latest equipment; a private pool of his own to practice in, and a personal trainer hired by his parents. Whenever Team ran into him at practice he was always flanked by his trainer and a physiotherapist, sometimes a dietician if it was near competition time.
Team had nothing but raw talent and a determination to never let the water beat him. Turns out, that meant way more than all the things Jay’s parents could pay for.
“So,” Jay pipes up in the answering silence, “what is it you do now, Team?”
“He’s a professional swimmer,” Win says. He’s got that look on his face where he’s feeling smug but trying not to show it. Team loves him so much. “Training for the national team started a week ago.”
“Oh,” Jay smiles, but he kind of looks like he’s been sucking on a lemon. “That’s great to hear.”
Win sends Jay a close-lipped smile that lets Team know Win thinks he’s full of shit. Team shifts in place as he tries not to smile, and the flash of his engagement ring must catch Jay’s attention.
He watches Jay check for the matching ring on Win’s finger, then ask, “Are you married?”
“Engaged,” Team corrects.
“Jennie and I are engaged too.” Jay looks strangely relieved now, latching onto a different subject to brag about now he knows he can’t beat Team’s profession. “I was so happy when this little sweetie said yes.”
Jay takes Jennie’s hand, offering up the ring for them to see. It’s a pretty huge diamond, at least as far as Team is aware—it’s not like he’s ever had to shop for a woman’s engagement ring before.
“It’s pure platinum, and the diamond is the highest quality cut,” Jay explains. “I’m sure yours are similar.”
Win and Team’s engagement rings were a collaborative effort. Team’s grandmother gave him his late grandfather’s wedding ring, which he then had melted down into bands for the both of them. In the centre of each ring is nestled a tiny diamond, given to him by Win’s mother, which she took from Win’s grandmother’s engagement ring.
The rings are a priceless symbol of the merging of their two families. Jay doesn’t need to know that.
“Actually, I won ours in a claw machine,” Win deadpans.
Team snorts.
Jay acts like he didn’t hear. “We’ve spared no expense for the ceremony, either. We have over four hundred guests attending, with a three-course meal for all of them. The entire beach is rented out just for us, isn’t that right, honeybunch?”
Team quickly runs out of patience for Jay’s bragging and his gag-inducing pet names. He places a hand on Win’s shoulder to get his attention.
“We’re hoping for a spring wedding ourselves. Bright and sunny, like our love,” Team puts on his best dreamy expression,“isn’t that right, pumpkin?”
The emphasis Team puts on the nickname is sickly sweet.
Win visibly holds himself back from turning around and walking away. If he wasn’t so willing to support Team against his ex-rival, he’d already be halfway across the parking lot. He’s such a good fiancé.
Jay and Jennie are looking between them in question. Win must realise they’re expecting him to respond.
“That’s right,” Win replies dutifully. After a beat, he adds, “sweetheart,” then frowns, like using the word in this situation has tainted it in some way.
“The best part of ours will be the honeymoon,” Jay continues smugly. “We booked it with Moonlight Hotel Enterprises.”
Win’s face twitches at the name. Team has to muffle a cough into his palm.
“It’s one of the most prestigious hotel chains in the world,” Jay explains, tugging his fiancée closer by the waist, “only the best for my little babycakes.”
Win nods along politely as Jay goes on to wax poetic about Moonlight Hotel Enterprises. Team has to bite the inside of his lip to keep from laughing.
“We booked a premium suite there for our honeymoon.”
For the first time since Jay arrived, Win looks genuinely interested, “Not the honeymoon suite?”
“Ah,” Jay’s eyes flit awkwardly away. “No. That was—that was a little out of our budget.”
“I see.” Win squeezes Team’s elbow. “Excuse me for a moment.”
Team watches Win walk out of earshot, slipping his phone from his pocket and pressing it to his ear.
Jay continues his ramblings about all the things he’s achieved since they last spoke, with a bunch of overly cheesy nicknames thrown in every time he mentions his fiancée. She’s blushing pretty hard next to him, so at least she doesn’t seem to mind it. Team has no idea how she isn’t mortified — he’s pretty sure he even hears ‘sweetcheeks’ thrown in at one point but chalks it up to a hallucination for the sake of his sanity.
By the time Win hangs up the phone and comes back, Team is about ready to grab him and make his escape. As Win reaches his side, Team asks, “Who were you calling?”
“My Mae,” Win responds. He turns to Jay, sending him what Team refers to as Win’s business smile. “You’ve been upgraded to the honeymoon suite at your hotel free of charge. When you land at the airport, a driver will be there to take you straight to the hotel’s private entrance. There will be champagne and strawberries waiting for you upon arrival, courtesy of the CEO. You’ll also be able to access your own private swimming pool. I really hope you enjoy your stay.”
The shock written across Jay’s face is truly worth the whole encounter. There is a prolonged silence in which Jay just stares at Win, while his fiancée tugs excitedly on his arm. When Jay’s eyes slide questioningly to Team, Team’s answer is the quirk of his mouth.
“Hia Win’s mother is the owner and CEO of Moonlight Hotel Enterprises,” he explains. He tries to keep the smugness from bleeding into his voice, but he’s not sure he’s very successful. “He’s set to inherit the business at some point in the future.”
Jay gapes like a fish out of water.
“That’s,” he manages weakly, “that’s very kind of you.”
Win waves him away magnanimously.
“Anything for one of Team’s old friends and his,” he pauses for a beat, “… babycakes.”
Jay continues to look stunned even after he and his fiancée say their goodbyes and head into the mall.
Team lets out a relieved gust of air as soon as they’re out of earshot.
“I’ve never even heard of half the things they were calling each other. Does he think calling his partner so many weird things will make me jealous of his relationship?”
Win shrugs in response, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Team squints. “What?”
“Nothing,” there is an amused lilt to Win’s voice, “you’re not even a little bit intimidated by him, are you?”
Team snorts. “Why would I be? I’m training for the national swim team, and I have you.”
Win ruffles his hair fondly. “Couldn’t have put it better myself.”
Team bats him away. Crossing his arms, he observes Win in silence for a moment.
Win raises an eyebrow, “What?”
“I was trying to work out why you would upgrade the hotel suite of somebody you clearly do not like very much.”
Win’s face is a picture of angelic innocence. “Because I’m a kindhearted person.”
Team prods him in the chest. “Because for his entire honeymoon, Jay will be surrounded by the reminder that my fiancé was the one who got him that suite in the first place. And every time he looks at that swimming pool, he’ll remember that I made it as a professional swimmer, and he didn’t.”
Win manages two seconds of his blank expression before his face cracks into a grin.
“Hia,” Team admonishes, but there’s laughter in his voice, “that was very mean of you.”
Honestly speaking, Team thinks Jay deserves it. They were best friends since childhood, inseparable for years — at least until Team surpassed him in swimming ability. When Team was only second best, Jay was as supportive as any person could be. But once Team got over his fear of the water and discovered his inherent talent for swimming, his times only improved week by week.
After he lost to Team for the third competition in a row, Jay cut ties with Team forever and labelled him as his rival. But Team didn’t want a rival. Team just wanted his friend.
“The few times you spoke about him, I could tell it affected you more than you wanted to admit.”
Win’s earnest expression takes Team by surprise. When Team first told Win about Jay, they weren’t even officially dating. He’d been delirious from sleep deprivation, walls torn down by Win’s soft gaze on him from the other pillow. They had only met mere weeks before, but Team had somehow known Win wouldn’t speak a word of what he revealed in the dark.
Team didn’t realise Win had remembered everything.
“Hia,” Team says softly.
Win smiles a little sadly, “I wasn’t there to protect you back then, but I can do it now. Even if that means being a little petty sometimes.”
Affection coils in his chest and takes root, his heart leaning towards Win like a flower leans towards the sun. The mood is suddenly too serious for Team’s liking, so he takes Win’s cheeks between his palms and squeezes. “Thank you, babycakes. Let’s go home.”
He releases Win and turns to walk across the car park. Win swats his ass as he catches up.
“Lead the way, sweetcheeks.”
Team squarks as he almost trips over thin air. Win dances out of his reach when Team tries to smack him in retaliation, laughing in delight as Team gives chase all the way back to the car.
Team can’t believe they’re actually married.
He can’t remember ever being this happy in his entire life. The ceremony was beautiful, getting to exchange vows with Win, an infinite promise that they would always be together, no matter what happens. Team had no idea marrying the love of your life, your soulmate, could be so exhilarating.
It’s late into the night, coming to the end of the post-ceremony celebrations. Most of the guests have already trickled out, with Dean and Pharm staying behind at the venue to help clean up.
Team wanders over to where Dean and Win are clearing up what is left of the food.
“Thanks, P’Dean,” Team says. “You’re the best senior I could ever ask for.”
“Hey,” Win protests next to him, “what am I, then?”
Team glances towards Win, something unreadable and soft in his gaze. Finally, looking directly into Win’s eyes, Team says in a low voice, “My husband.”
Win undergoes a staggering transformation in his expression, a thousand emotions vying for centre stage. He buffers for so long that Team starts to think he broke him.
“We’re leaving for our honeymoon right now,” Win declares, tugging Team away and towards the door. “Thanks for all your help! We’ll see you in two weeks!”
Team’s delighted laughter echoes back into the room as they disappear out the door, bouncing off the walls and lighting the surroundings up with pure happiness.
The morning sun throws golden light through the window, illuminating the two figures tangled up with each other in the sheets.
Team blinks blearily into the soft bleak light. Win's arms are warm around him and his limbs are heavy with sleep, so he has no interest in moving. Win’s knees are tucked into the crook of Team’s legs, arm around his middle, nose nuzzling between his shoulder blades. He feels more than hears Win hum contently, growing louder as he squeezes Team’s middle.
Win slowly, deliberately, eases Team over and onto his back, wiggling until he’s pressed up against his side, draping himself over Team’s chest. Team feels Win’s eyelashes whisper against his skin as he nuzzles in, and Team brings his arms up to hold him close.
“Good morning, beloved,” Win murmurs.
Team aches with what feels like sunlight trying to crack through his bones. “Beloved?”
Win hums, nuzzling impossibly closer. “I’ve added it to your assigned pet names. No arguments, let me have this. Think of it as a wedding present to me.”
“I like it,” Team murmurs.
Win looks like he plans on sleeping for a while longer, clinging warmly to Team’s side. They have nothing to worry about for the next two weeks except enjoying the time they have together.
Team runs a reverent hand down Win’s spine. “We can sleep for as long as we want.”
“Mmm,” Win wraps himself more tightly around Team’s side. “Sleep good, awake bad.”
“My husband is a master of words,” Team says.
Win’s eyes flutter open, and he gets that particular love-drunk expression that Team adores, the one that means Team has affected him down to his core.
“Say it again,” Win breathes.
Team nuzzles closer to press a soft kiss on his temple. “Husband,” he murmurs, tipping Win over to leave a trail of kisses across his cheekbone, “you’re the one I married, my dear beloved husband.”
Team showers Win’s face with tiny kisses, from his forehead, across the bridge of his nose, down to his chin.
“My husband,” Team smooches a final kiss on the tip of Win’s nose. “Mine.”
Beautiful, dazed brown eyes stare back at him. Team can’t help but smile down at Win, heart swelling until it feels too big for his chest. Win wraps his arms behind Team’s neck, fingers threading through the soft hair at the back of Team’s head. Team can feel the warm press of his wedding band against his nape.
“Won’t this husband give his husband a proper kiss?” Win asks.
Team swoops down and does just that.