Work Text:
The first reasons for the experiment start on a humid day in Bangkok while Singto’s crammed onto a small and uncomfortable stool next to a bladeless fan that’s barely doing anything to cool the room.
His team is scheduled to shoot some photography for an ad campaign. It’s hectic in the rented studio space because the company before them has run overtime in their booking, leaving his crew displaced and trying to set up their equipment and wardrobe while the overlap in time slots makes things crowded.
Singto has his phone a few inches from his face, making use of the unexpected free time to read through the character synopsis and rough draft script for a new role he’s signed on for.
In the beginning stages of the contract, he’d jumped on the brand-new acting opportunity for more work in the industry.
And, ok. Singto had acknowledged early on that this type of plot was – like so many other shows on television – chock full of messy relationship drama that viewers ate right up. And of course, that meant, at some point, his character would have a sex scene.
So, look... Singto is a professional and he’s gaining a reputation for always keeping a cool head while filming. But sitting here in a stuffy studio, reading the sordid tiny text of a scripted scene off his phone preview, he’s swiftly and bluntly confronted with the knowledge that he will, in fact, be required to act this out.
Oh no.
*
The shoot wraps several hours later and Singto’s picking at the meal he’s ordered, huffing while his manager P’Jane is laughing as he reads through the scene of that script.
“Now you see?” Singto cracks a genuine smile, glad that the other man is finding humor in it.
“Yes I do see!” P’Jane finishes his chuckling and sets the borrowed smart device down on the table.
“This is going to be a mess.” Singto’s laugh turns into a sigh of self belittlement and he runs a hand through his short black hair, scrunching his nose. “Ahhhh.”
P’Jane gives Singto a patient look and pats his free hand. “Nerves are normal, especially for intimacy on camera. You know that. It won’t be any different while shirtless. Don’t worry too much about this- the scene is only going to be less than a minute.”
Well, hey. It’s not that Singto’s shy! It’s not even that he’s nervous. He just tends to overthink his performances. He tends to over prepare. When he’s able to and left to his own devices, he’s going to do both.
“Singto, there’s still some weeks before filming. Practise beforehand. It doesn’t need to be with your co-stars. Find someone you can experiment the scene with. You’ll have a long career in this industry and that means there’s always going to be more and more outside of your comfort zone. You won’t always have chemistry with the people you work with. Preparing for this is just a small hurdle you’ll get past.”
“Thank you, P’Jane.” Singto’s hands press into a wai for his manager and they nod and smile at each other, returning to their meal.
And that’s really good advice. Perfect advice… in theory. But now the gears in Singto’s mind are turning and he’s feeling pressured with the whole new problem of trusting someone to help him with his work.
The LINE app message alert chimes a few times from his smart device and Singto glances at the notification bar that lights up his phone. Someone is sending him cute animal memes. He clicks into the app and sees that it’s just Krist.
There’s a little heart covered emoji staring back up at him from an endless column of cats and then his phone screen auto-locks and something inside Singto crashes to a halt. He’s stunned with epiphany, suffering the whiplash of a Eureka! moment to end all moments.
… It’s Krist.
That’s who it is!
It’s like a catalyst.
If he’s going to experiment for a love scene, who better to ask than his closest co-star with all of their endless chemistry? There couldn’t be a more perfect solution.
Singto’s phone starts blowing up with more LINE app chimes, more memes from his favourite Nong flooding in, and he gulps.
Only now, the thing about that was, how is he going to ask him?
Sawasdee crap.
*
Even if the end result is going to be a tiny part of the scripts’ entirety, Singto knows those types of scenes can become an important, if not the most important, visual for a show. He may be new to the industry and a rising idol thanks to SOTUS, but even he knows that when it comes to show business; sex sells.
He’s exhausted from the day and relaxing in bed, his LINE chat with Krist open on his phone screen.
He types and re-types.
He types and deletes.
His thumbs are swiveling on the touchscreen but he can’t seem to make this message something worthy of sending. Everything comes across as too risky or too vague.
And yes, he’s highly aware he’s left Krist on read for a long time now. He’s going to message him! He really is, he’s going to put it out there. The longer he goes without doing it though, the later in the night it gets, and the prospect of sending Krist this crazy request while there’s the possibility that the other is asleep? That’s a cruel and unusual punishment to try and endure waiting on a response until the morning.
He exits out of the app, intent on maybe playing a game instead to delay what he needs to do, but the other window open in his phone is the one with that script.
A meme cat with watery eyes suddenly pings his LINE app. Looks like Krist is still awake.
Singto’s indecision dissolves, and he decides to react instead of overthink it all.
He hits the call button.
“Oi P’Singto!” His junior’s familiar voice comes through the speaker. “You’re calling me now?”
“Hi Krist. I’m calling because-… I,” Singto stops and tries again. “Just- are you free to come over? I need your help.”
He can hear Krist loudly shushing some chaotic pet sounds happening in the background, and then the whipping of breath and static as his Nong presumably jumps onto his couch, or maybe his bed, giving the call his full attention. “My Phi needs my help! Of course I can come over, na. What game are we playing?”
Singto’s fingers involuntarily cringe and he quickly switches his phone to a different ear. He’d conveniently forgotten he’d have to explain what exactly the favour was. “It’s... not for a game. Actually- I need help to film something with you on my camera, so I didn’t mean come over tonight.” He hastily looks at the clock on his bedside table.
“Ok…” Krist sounds confused and Singto can’t blame him.
“Is there a day you’re free?”
“I am never free, I’m only for purchase.” Krist laughs. Wow his joke is an A+ flirty comeback.
This is normal for them. And, normally Singto would smirk back and laugh too, but it comes out tinged with some guilt. The back of his neck feels suspiciously hot. If Krist is busy, he’s not sure what he’ll do.
“Hang on, I’m sharing my schedule.”
Singto gets an e-vite to view his former co-star’s electronic schedule. “Oh! Sunday afternoon and night, can you block it off with me please?”
“Done! You don’t have to ask so formally, if it’s you then the answer is going to be yes.” Krist immediately affirms. “P’Sing, what do you need?”
Singto’s mind goes blank. The answer is going to be yes?
“…I need to film us making love.”
“….”
There's silence on the other end of the call and Singto presses his lips together, subconsciously holding his breath.
Krist is never silent.
The longer the dead air stretches out, the more Singto starts to second guess absolutely everything. If he’s overstepped one of the few boundaries in their friendship… that’s the last thing he wanted to do.
“I-…Krist, forget it-”
“No, wait!” Krist blurts before Singto can hang up.
“.... Is this for fanservice? You’re missing me that much?!” Krist’s voice sounds dangerously delighted.
That startles an honest laugh out of Singto and he feels some tension release. “No no no no, this is just between us. It’s like this-”
Singto confides in Krist and goes over the details of the role and the scene. And while he’s too proud to voice his insecurities about being judged harshly on his performance, his body type, or his career choices, he knows Krist gets why he’s coming to him for help.
“It’ll just be pretend. I know it’s a lot to ask. You can change your mind. Sleep on it?”
“My mind is already set on this! I’m sleeping with you, P’Sing.” Krist lilts.
Singto rolls his eyes skyward and grins. “Ok. Good night Krist!”
“Good night! See you then.”
*
Thanks to their packed schedules, Singto has barely had time to breathe let alone freak out about his rehearsal date with Krist. Neither of them had chatted too much further beyond the basics of what to wear (K🐢: You’ll be taking it off won’t you!?), and what to bring (K🐢: some Shinmai Pops for snacks). Instead, Singto has tried to be as clinical about the whole thing as possible.
He’s fussing around with the lamps lighting his room when Krist arrives.
“Wow! P’Sing you’ve turned your bedroom into a real set.” Krist whistles as he sets a plastic bag filled with snacks down in the corner.
Ok, so maybe he’s put more thought into this than he’d admit. He’s got his favourite DSLR camera with video feature set up on a floor tripod across from the bed, and as a secondary angle his phone sits on a Bluetooth stand on his bedside table for close ups. Everything is charged up to 100% but he found his back up batteries too just in case. His memory cards are recently emptied and ready to capture. He’s put fresh black sheets on his bed – the yellow Minions merch set having been hastily stripped off and hidden away in his laundry that morning.
“Hoh… I really overprepared.” Singto grins sheepishly and moves forward to greet his friend. “Thanks for coming, Krist.” They hug easily and Singto notices Krist smells nice today.
Krist pulls back and doesn’t quite meets his eyes. “No problem.” He looks down but smiles wide enough for his dimples to show. His junior looks around the room again and heads over to Singto’s sound system. “Ooh, should we put some music on?”
“Won’t you start singing along though?”
“….” Krist makes a sour face but turns away from the speakers. His expression turns sly and he jumps onto the bed, his plain white t-shirt fluttering as his body bounces. “I’m ready, P’Sing.”
Singto blinks and his eyes travel up and down, quickly checking Krist out before he’s pressing his lips together and turning to fiddle with the settings on his video camera.
So.
It's not as if he’s never thought about it. Together they've alluded to having had sexytimes enough that naturally your imagination just goes there, ok? He’s thought about it. They’ve posed in practically every position and had their hands and faces in precarious places. He’s definitely thought about it.
At least this time they get to go further on their own terms. This time they’re going to direct, produce and star. Singto tries to hide a smile from breaking free as he meets Krist’s eyes.
Time to act it out.
A little bit of university hazer comes out when Singto straightens his back and looks down at his Nong sprawled on his bed. “You read the scene, so you know it’s got to be intense. We can’t just hide under the blankets. Shirt and shorts off.”
“Yes Phi!” Krist wai’s and shucks his white tee off easily, tossing it aside. He shimmies out of his board shorts, leaving on his designer boxers.
“Ok, you look good. I mean- that’s good. Can you drape your arm over the pillow?”
Krist lets it flop down without much thought and Singto squints in scrutiny. “No, hold on. Let me help.”
Singto starts arranging Krist’s pose like an artist painting on a canvas. He pulls the sheets this way and that way, silky black cotton dragging on Krist’s fair skin. He gently fixes stray hairs that fall on his Nong’s cheekbone and then his long fingers catch on Krist’s chin to angle that pale jaw exactly how Krist likes to think he looks best.
There’s a flush beginning to colour Krist’s ears, but Singto doesn’t mention that.
Their gazes lock and Singto’s lips curve upward. “Perfect, hold that.”
Singto goes to stand back near the tripod, checking the framing on the viewfinder and starts the recording.
Krist holds still as instructed, but he can’t help making his eyes go comically bright and his mouth perks up into a mischievous smile.
Singto wags a finger at him, holding back an answering smirk. “Now Kit Kit,” He sing songs, his voice turns stern. “The mood of this has to be… sexy. Sensual.”
“Rawr.” Krist makes his hand into a paw and bats toward the camera like a cat would with a lure.
“Krist!”
“Ok ok ok!”
They both laugh together. Singto’s heart is full of warmth over the fact that his junior and long-time friend agreed to this and that they can even have fun with it. He knows with certainty now that asking Krist to experiment with him was the right idea. He would not choose anybody else.
As always, Singto thinks, if it’s Krist and if it’s him, then the motivation will come easily.
“Phi! Come on now!” Krist slaps the bedding. “Come over here, I’m sure you’ve got it set precisely already. Is this about me or about you?”
Singto eyes Krist and then wordlessly tugs his loose black tank up over his head.
“Oi,” Krist sucks his bottom lip between his teeth. The senior’s abs are washboard tight and his biceps are popping. “Did you go to the gym today?”
“No!” Singto shakes he head. “I would be too worn out from that to do this with you.” He’s placing the article of clothing on the back of a nearby chair when he pauses in the motion. “Hang on, I should have taken my shirt off while on camera...” Singto reaches for the tank top and actually looks like he’s contemplating putting it back on.
Krist makes a loud frustrated sound from the bed, and Singto just abandons the shirt and drops his pants, going to join his junior right away. They’ve got on the same brand of underwear today.
“Thank you for being patient.” Singto softens his voice and smiles winningly. “Let’s do this.”
*
Now, the problem with experiments is that even if all your equipment is precisely tuned and you think you’ve factored for everything that could possibly go wrong, there’s still something that inevitably goes wildly differently than you originally expected. In this case, it’s the human element that’s messing with Singto’s desired results.
The pair had easily slid into bed together, held each other, said a few approximate lines while touching safe zones they were already comfortable hanging onto. Playing Krist’s lover was like muscle memory, but, here’s the thing: Camera angles can only do so much.
They’re swiftly figuring that much out that when filming sexy imagery, it’s super easy for it to appear awkward and not hot at all unless you hit that pose right on.
Singto’s rolling the playback of their first take for them to review and they’re groaning in dismay.
“Ay P’Singgg! My head looks gigantic here!”
Singto drops a hand to Krist’s head briefly from where it’s resting on his shoulder. He starts fast forwarding through the recording. “The lens on this is just basic so our proportions won’t be as true as they would be with the focal length on a television rig.”
“I need to move around more,” Krist critiques. “Shinmai Pop BBQ flavour is spicier than this.”
Singto shoots a short-lived glare at Krist, but wow, silently he’s agreeing. They didn’t have to be sweet here, what were they thinking?! Still, Singto feels responsible that Krist is the one self-evaluating himself. “You’re here helping me, you’re allowed to just lie down if you want, you don't have to touch me back.”
Krist quirks an eyebrow up and digs his chin more firmly into Singto’s bare shoulder, staring at his Phi. “But if it's a love scene, then your co-star wouldn't be still, would they?”
“Hmm,” Singto doesn’t have to think that over while he smiles. “Good point.”
Singto pecks Krist on the lips as thanks. A level 1 spice rating. He’s always amazed by Krist’s willingness to go all the way in everything he does. Maybe he’s been unfairly holding back when there’s no reason to. He cups Krist’s chin and gives him a more significant kiss for good measure just so he knows how much he appreciates this.
Krist’s face lights up like the sun.
Singto quickly skips forward some more in the footage but is quickly becoming dismayed.
“All you can see is my back!” Singto clucks his tongue in disappointment. He’d held himself above Krist but the wide angle shot meant you couldn't see the banging pectoral muscles he had worked so hard to build with his gym membership.
Krist’s hands immediately go to the smooth brown skin at Singto’s back, stroking lightly before he holds his broad shoulders, massaging the muscles with his fingers. “Let’s film it again in a different position!”
“You want to be on top?” Singto raises an eyebrow.
Krist tries to look serious. “I will do it, especially if it will help you show off your chest.” He ruins his solemn expression by reaching over to flick one of Singto’s bare nipples.
“Uh huh.” Singto replies, amused.
“This will be good practice for me too, na.”
*
The floor tripod video camera is rolling again, and they’re rustled under the thin sheets. Krist is hovering over his senior. “Like this?”
“This might help,” Singto stretches from underneath Krist, reaching out a long arm for his phone stand on the bedside table. He fumbles one-handed to get to a front facing camera to use as a mirror, luckily Instagram is already open. He clicks through and both smile seeing themselves in selfie mode.
Krist slowly bends his arms to lower himself down closer, filling the negative space in between them without needing to be told. It’s a good composition. Singto reflexively snaps a still image.
“Should I post it?” Singto teases.
“Phi!! No way!” Krist jerks his hand for the phone too and moves too clumsily knocking the device off balance. “Ah catch it!”
“Oi Kit!” Singto quickly rights the Bluetooth stand. Of course, they would never reveal what they were actually doing today. It was a secret no one else was getting proof of.
Krist lets all his weight fall onto Singto, his cheek pillowing on his hard chest.
“Oof! My Nong…”
“OK! This is take 2! And… action!” Krist throws up a peace sign and rolls his face into Singto’s skin, his hands running down his sides.
Singto arcs his back at the pleasant sensations and distantly he acknowledges that this way is really giving him a bigger range to work with looking sexy, wild and unabandoned.
Krist is enthusiastically nudging Singto’s cheek and neck with his nose, but his lips are barely making it into the equation. It feels restrained and Singto knows from an outside point of view it’s going to look that way too.
“Krist! This is silly…If you’re going to kiss me, really kiss me.” His fingers grab the nape of the other’s neck, holding him still to meet his eyes. “I want you to.” Singto improvises, his gaze melting into a dark adoring one.
“Phi?”
Singto plants a hot, open-mouthed kiss on Krist’s lips and his junior tilts his head into it, returning the kiss with equal fervor. Ok. Yes. They’re doing this.
Now that they’re committed, every touch is getting bolder and it’s like a chain reaction getting hotter and hotter until something’s threatening to explode.
Krist’s lips are drawn magnetically to Singto’s neck, and Singto lets his head fall back into the pillow, eyes fluttering shut. He hooks a bare leg around one of Krist’s, his toes sliding against the back of a pale calf. Singto tentatively lets out a staged moan.
Krist’s eyes go wide and he pauses in his attack on Singto’s neck.
“Don’t stop.” Singto pulls Krist back down.
And, actually…
Can he call this staged? It’s entirely too easy to be vocal about Krist’s attentions right now. ‘Don’t stop’ wasn’t even a line in the script.
This was all just happening organically.
“Y-you like gripping my neck that much?” Krist wonders out loud when they separate long enough to breath. He rubs a hand up the back of his neck and endearingly squeezes one eye shut.
“Then please tell me where you want me to grip you.” Singto murmurs into his ear.
Krist’s ear turns beet red. Singto gently bites the blushing earlobe.
“P’Sing!”
His Nong is just too cute. And can you blame him for wanting Krist to enjoy this? He’s really enjoying this.
“Is this too much?” Singto uses his tongue to flick the small hoop earring Krist is wearing.
Krist’s hips jerk against his and Singto doesn’t move away.
He’s turned on. Aroused. Hard inside his boxers. From the way Krist is pressed tight against him, he’s making several exceptionally good points on feeling likewise.
Listen, there's only so many times when you're fast changing outfits backstage for a concert or fashion show before the inevitable happens and briefs accidentally get pulled down along with pants, but there’s no time to be embarrassed or ashamed of the nudity. So hey, they've already seen each other in every way.
Every way except this one.
Singto touches the designer name-emblazoned elastic waistband of Krist’s boxers. “What if we took our boxers off?” They’re alone but he’s whispering.
Krist’s full lips are flushed deep pink and he’s been staring so hard at Singto that he blinks dazedly. “…Huh?”
Singto kisses Krist again. He finds Krist’s hands and their fingers thread together like puzzle pieces. Their clasped hands slide along the sheets, neither wanting to let go, but the push and pull of their passionate make-out is losing the fight against gravity.
The sheets are rucked up all over the place and they’ve twisted and turned, but Singto’s past caring what’s getting caught on camera.
Krist is panting and red all over. “Phi, I want to know what my character should be feeling.”
Singto plants an open-mouthed kiss on Krist’s collarbone. “He’s feeling…” Singto’s brain isn’t keeping up with the rest of him. “He’s feeling pent up lust.”
Krist laughs and then whines when Singto’s tongue finds a pink nipple. “Besides that!” He gasps, grabbing Singto’s waist.
And Singto really looks at Krist now. Because he’s hearing the other question, the one that’s really being asked, behind the scenes.
He draws in close and immediately cradles Krist’s face in his hands. He caresses his junior’s hair trying to choose his words. They gave up following the script ages ago.
What is Krist feeling?
Singto wets his lips, unable to tear his gaze away from the other’s blown wide brown eyes. “Your character is feeling… Love. Not only that, but, devotion? He’s… wanted to be with me for a long time.”
“…P’Sing.” Krist sighs his name like it’s a lyric.
“And my character… has wanted that too.” Singto confesses.
As an actor you put pieces of yourself into each character you play.
Krist’s stare becomes more intent. “He has?”
“Yes.” Singto hums. He presses their foreheads together. “Very much so.”
He put the whole of his heart into SOTUS, and this experiment? It only confirmed that.
Even if they aren’t in the same story, they’ll still return to each other.
The pull of attraction is so, so strong, and they’re picking up seamlessly where they had paused. Touches more confident than ever.
Krist swings himself over his Phi and dark skinned hands hold pale thighs to steady him.
Singto arches up and bites at Krist’s hanging necklace, tugging him closer by it.
Krist groans, sucking in his lip and rolling his hips into Singto’s. What a freak in bed! Is what they both think.
They tumble over each other and one of the lamp light bulbs Singto had been futzing with earlier suddenly burns out, sending the room into soft darkness.
In the black, the red blinking LED of the recording video camera is scandalously bright now and Krist shamelessly takes Singto’s hand and drags it down, down, all the way down in between them. Underneath the fabric stretched there.
“Hold me here, Phi.” He smirks and Singto can only tell he does by the way his lips move against his shoulder.
“I’ll do more than that.” Singto promises.
They meet in the middle, and soon the matching boxers end up on the floor.
*
It’s well into the night and Krist is sleeping like a log, spread across Singto’s bed, totally spent.
Singto has carefully tucked a sheet around him and lies stretched out right beside, still awake.
He never thought this night would go the way it did, but he absolutely doesn’t regret a moment with Krist.
In the morning, he knows he’ll have to erase most of the captured video from the camera, but for now Singto grabs his phone from the bedside. It’s still open to the video function so he closes it and the regular camera feature returns. Singto glances over at his sleeping junior. He tells himself it’s the photographer in him that spurs him to snap a quick photo of the other, but his heart’s pounding and feels like it’s two sizes too big for his chest with how full of warmth it is.
The candid photo- It’s too dark, it’s too blurry, the sheets are wadded in a ball next to Krist’s open mouth, and there’s a mess of camera equipment and cords in the corner of the shot.
It’s his favourite from all the footage tonight.
He saves the image and tucks his phone away, smiling. For once he’s tired and comfortable enough to fall deep asleep right away.
And that’s the thing about chemistry.
You won’t always have it with everybody. And if you put it to the test, sometimes things don’t spontaneously combust. Sometimes the bonds that are there just get stronger and more inseparable.
A LINE app message chimes, but both Krist and Singto are too curled up to hear it.
(P’Jane: Singto… about that IG Live you just streamed…)
And sometimes the whole world reacts.
End. 😝