The clan gathering had ended. The leaders had returned to their territories, whispers of the awakened Enigma already spreading like wildfire through the lands.
But inside the Naravit compound, one room remained sacred and quiet.
A private sitting room, bathed in the soft glow of enchanted lanterns, was filled only with Pond,Phuwin, and their closest friends Joong, Perth and Santa, Aou and Boom, Dunk, Gemini, and Fourth.
Phuwin had arranged for this gathering. After everything that had happened, he knew Pond needed to be surrounded by people who loved him — not for his power, not for his title — but for who he was.
The room was full of warm conversation at first — Santa teasing Perth gently about his overprotectiveness, Boom offering homemade sweets, Gemini and Dunk trying to lighten the mood with small jokes, even Joong cracking a rare smile.
But Pond was quiet.
Too quiet.
He sat in the corner, eyes down, barely speaking, picking at the sleeve of his robe.
Phuwin watched him closely. Then finally, gently, "Pond… what's wrong?"
Everyone turned. The room hushed.
Pond lifted his eyes, and they were glassy. Unspoken weight clung to his shoulders like iron.
"I didn't want this," he said softly. "I didn't want to be your ruler. I didn't even know I *was* anything."
Joong blinked. "Pond…"
"I thought I was broken," Pond said, his voice cracking. "I was strong, but it didn't feel *right*. Alphas feared me even when I didn't do anything. My parents tried to protect me, but even they didn't know what I was. I kept changing… feeling things I couldn't explain. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't breathe. I thought I was just… cursed."
Phuwin slowly moved closer, sitting beside him. "Why didn't you say anything?"
Pond looked at him, eyes wet. "Because the only time I ever felt safe… was around you."
Phuwin's breath caught.
"I avoided touching you," Pond whispered. "Not because I didn't want to. But because I was afraid. Afraid that if I got too close, I'd hurt you. Or worse… that you'd see how *wrong* I was inside. That you'd run."
The room was still.
Santa, with his gentle heart, moved first. He took Pond's hand.
"You were never wrong," he said softly. "You were just… waiting to be understood."
Aou knelt beside him. "You don't have to be perfect, Pond. You've carried more than any of us ever knew."
Perth added, his voice calm but steady, "And you don't have to carry it alone anymore."
Boom leaned in, gently placing a warm hand on Pond's shoulder. "We're here. All of us."
Joong stepped forward, his tone rough but sincere. "You're still my brother. Enigma or not."
Gemini exchanged a glance with Dunk and Fourth, who all moved closer.
"We were scared of you," Gemini admitted. "But I think we were scared because we could sense how powerful you were. And how *alone* you must've felt."
Phuwin cupped Pond's face, tears now in his own eyes. "You don't have to be afraid of touching me, Pond. I'm not going anywhere. Whatever you are — Enigma, ruler, mystery — you're *mine*."
Pond broke.
The tears came freely then — years of isolation, of confusion, of fear and guilt pouring out in sharp, silent sobs. And for the first time, he didn't cry alone.
He cried surrounded by warmth, by acceptance, by people who didn't want his power — they just wanted *him*.
Phuwin wrapped his arms around Pond, holding him tight, as their friends formed a circle around them, offering comfort, quiet presence, and unwavering love.
And for the first time since his awakening…
Pond felt safe.
The room had grown lighter after Pond's breakdown—still tender, but now filled with quiet laughter and the kind of warmth only true bonds could bring.
Pond was leaning into Phuwin on the couch, his head on his omega's shoulder, the steady beat of Phuwin's heart grounding him.
Santa was chatting softly with Boom about baby names, while Gemini and Fourth were locked in a hushed conversation. Aou had somehow gotten into a mock arm-wrestling match with Perth, and lost spectacularly, blaming "omega distraction" as Boom giggled behind him.
That's when it happened.
**Dunk**, lounging on a cushion with his legs crossed, had thrown a cheeky glance at **Joong**, who stood nearby with arms folded and his usual calm expression.
"You know," Dunk said lazily, flipping his bangs out of his face, "you scowl like a bodyguard, but I bet you make really good tea."
Joong blinked. "Tea?"
"Yeah," Dunk smirked. "Strong. Steamy. Bit intense, but comforting when you're cold."
The room went silent.
A beat passed before **Gemini** burst out laughing. "*No way.* Dunk! You're flirting?"
Phuwin blinked, caught between surprise and amusement. "Wait—what's going on?"
Joong, to everyone's shock, actually smirked.
"I do make tea," he said coolly. "Want to try some tomorrow morning?"
**Dunk flushed**, caught off guard by the reply. "Wh—what makes you think I'll be up early?"
Joong stepped closer, just enough to lean slightly down toward him. "Because I'll wake you."
Gasps. Loud ones.
Perth whistled. "Okay, Joong! I didn't know you had game!"
Boom clapped his hands excitedly. "They're so cute together! Age-gap and everything!"
"Protective alpha and sassy omega," Aou chimed in with a grin. "Classic."
Dunk groaned and pulled a pillow over his face. "I take it back. Everyone stop looking at me."
Joong just chuckled and sat beside him casually, like it was no big deal.
But everyone knew.
The way Joong's hand brushed Dunk's as he passed him a drink, the way Dunk's ears stayed red the whole time — something was blooming there.
And no one was going to let them forget it
The moon was high when the others had gone to their rooms, leaving only Pond and Phuwin on the balcony overlooking the lotus gardens of the Naravit compound.
Pond sat quietly, wrapped in a soft robe, his eyes reflecting silver under the moonlight. Phuwin brought him a blanket and draped it around his shoulders before sitting beside him.
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Pond whispered, "They still see me. Not the power. Not the title. Just me."
Phuwin nodded. "Because that's what we care about."
Pond turned to him. "I used to think my story had to end in isolation. That anyone who got close to me would suffer."
"You're not alone anymore," Phuwin said gently.
"I know." Pond's voice trembled. "And… I want more. With you."
Phuwin leaned into him, resting their foreheads together.
"Then we'll build it. A life. Together. Clan or no clan. Enigma or not."
Pond smiled softly, finally at peace — in Phuwin's arms, surrounded by those who chose him not for his power, but for his heart.