Lane never expected to become a mafia therapist, mainly because she assumed there would never be such a thing. While she grew up mafia-adjacent, rather than truly in the mafia, she was often too close for comfort. She lived with Auntie Jing and Uncle Direk when she was a teenager. Their space was small in comparison to what the Theerapanyakuls have, but still more than huge and luxurious enough to have a staff quarters and provide family suites to family and friends. While she lived there, she received the best education, opportunities to be taught in musical instruments and foreign languages by the highest ranked professionals, and had her college experience fully paid for by Uncle Direk. He was so kind to her for the longest time. She had known that he could be brutal and cutthroat. She also had known Tay never particularly warmed to him, but tried to be kind and peaceful regardless.
“It's to set an example.”
He told her that when he was twelve. She's surprised he never became a therapist. Instead, he opted to work with Kinn on the more legitimate businesses and talk to his father when needed. Despite Lane being allowed to study whatever she wanted to study, she only learned the plans made for her once she got her master’s. Uncle Direk and Pa sat her down, said that she caught the eye of a young business man due to her looks and academic accomplishments, and that it would be good for the family if she gave him a chance. The way they worded it initially was suspicious, but seemed to offer free will. She had assumed that if she didn't like him, she could stop seeing him and focus on herself.
She knew she wouldn't like him within seconds of meeting him. She was twenty-four at the time. Kovit was forty-five. She grit and bore it as he put his hand too far up her leg, talked about how easy on the eyes she was, and asked if she wanted to be a mother. When she told him that she wanted to work on a career and probably wouldn't even think about kids until she was at least thirty, he said there would be no need for her to have a career. Lane immediately went back to Uncle Direk’s compound and told him and her father no. She thought there would be no issue until there clearly was, that she was part of a deal and had no choice. It resulted in her mother, Aunt Jing, Tay, and even Time all getting involved. It also resulted in her mother divorcing her father and Aunt Jing trying to divorce Uncle Direk. She didn't make it out of that one. She supposedly died of natural causes, but both she and Tay feel differently.
Taking this job could have been a conflict of interest. She played with Khun when they were children and hung out with him on and off until he went to an international boarding school for upper secondary school. Tay and Kinn were attached at the hip since infancy. She has been involved enough with their family throughout the years to know the Theerapanyakuls are not unlike the Lerttravinonts, except the Theerapanyakuls are even more wealthy and powerful. But that also means the younger generations of those families are victims. So when Kinn called her up, bluntly told her what happened to Kim, and asked if she could become his therapist, she did so without hesitation. Surprisingly, she has never once felt hesitation, even after taking on Kinn and Chay as well. Tankhun has even toyed with scheduling a session for himself, and that would arguably be a bigger conflict of interest, since they were sort of childhood friends. While part of her feels like she is professionally compromising herself, she also recognizes that people in this life tend to become severely damaged by death, manipulation, and witnessing things that are incredibly traumatic. It leads to such extreme trust issues that their prospects on healing appropriately are limited.
It's also likely a reason she chose this career path to begin with. It took her a while to overcome the trauma she faced from growing up adjacent to it. But it had been worse for her cousin and for the Theerapanyakul children. She can honestly say Tay is much better adjusted than the Theerapanyakuls, but he has known Uncle Direk’s true colors for a lot longer. There is something more sinister about Korn. He's too pleasant and soft spoken, flexible about his sons’ preferences and hobbies, yet had more control over them than Uncle Direk ever had over Tay or herself, at least up until recently. He alarms her.
He especially alarms her when his focus is on her.
“Ah, Lane,” Korn says, approaching her, “It's nice to see you. I take it you just had a session with Kim or Kinn?”
He’s friendly - almost soothing - and he is wearing a sweater meant for a grandfather. She supposes he is one now, but he probably shouldn't be.
“I am leaving a session now, yes,” Lane says, keeping the answer vague, “How are you, Khun Korn?”
Korn gives her a smile, “Oh, I am doing well. Just busy, now that I have taken some work duties up again. How have you been?”
“I’ve been fine,” Lane says, “Busy as well.”
“So I've heard,” Korn says, “I talked to Direk this morning. He said he heard you got engaged very recently.”
Lane nods and says nothing.
“Must be something in the air,” Korn says, chuckling, “Tankhun and Arm, now you and…Rolan. That's his name, isn't it?”
Lane keeps her breathing steady as she confirms her fiancé’s name.
“Yes, that's my fiancé’s name.”
“You met in school, didn't you?” Korn asks, “You knew each other for a long time, but only got together a few years ago?”
“We were friends for quite a while, but only started dating after we were both licensed.”
“He's a therapist in the pediatric oncology unit at Samitivej, isn't he?”
Lane nods once, “Yes, Khun Korn. How did you know that?”
Korn just smiles and doesn't answer her question.
“That's noble work,” Korn says, “Probably very challenging and upsetting at times.”
“It is,” Lane says, “Working with those who have significant or terminal illnesses can be very upsetting, but especially when they are children. But Rolan has the right temperament for it. He's very patient and kind.”
“That's good to hear,” Korn says, “Direk seemed to think otherwise.”
Lane breathes out through her nose, “My uncle hoped I would pick a suitor who was willing to work for him. But Rolan is good for me and we have a lot in common. I'm actually meeting him pretty soon for lunch-”
“At Baan Suan Sathorn?”
Lane feels her heart drop, “Yes, Khun Korn. How did you know that?”
“Lucky guess,” Korn says, smiling oh so pleasantly, “You aren’t meeting him until one. Come have tea with me.”
Lane’s feet feel like lead. She really should have accepted Kinn’s offer to walk her to her car.
“It's already set up,” Korn says, glancing over his shoulder, “Don't begrudge an old man of some company.”
And because Korn is even more terrifying than she already gave him a lot of credit for, she goes.
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It had taken a while to get Kim to agree to lie down in his room. Tankhun did not like the look in his brother’s eyes as he checked out for too long or would try to quietly excuse himself to who knows where. It hadn't been to his old room here and it couldn't have been to the bedroom he shares with Chay, not after what they read.
Tankhun could kill Chay right now. And that breaks his heart because he loves Chay dearly. Except now, he can't. He can never love or accept someone who undid so much of his baby brother’s progress by cheating on him. After Kim helped him learn sign language, fell madly in love with him, signed him onto his label, falsely incriminated that rapey producer, and treated him to a nice vacation so they could celebrate Chat's acceptance into college.
What was Chay THINKING?!
“You said Arm brought over my meds?”
It's more words than he's heard from Kim since shortly after his breakdown. Tankhun had Arm bring all of Kim’s necessities over since Kim clearly needs to move back in with them.
Maybe they need to switch suites, or move altogether. Tankhun loves living close to Namphueng. Up until today, he liked living close to Chay too. Now, it's something that can't happen for Kim’s sake.
This is so unfair. Kim had fallen in love. This isn't how any relationship should end, let alone his first one, not when they lived together, worked together, shared a dog together, and supported Chay’s mother together.
What was Chay THINKING?!?!?
“Khun?”
Tankhun takes a deep breath. They won't focus on moving, not tonight. If Chay is smart, then he won't show his face.
“They're over here,” he says, then goes and grabs the medicine bag-
“I’ll take them,” Kim says, sitting up, “You can go and watch a movie with Arm or something-”
“Absolutely not,” Tankhun says pointedly, then grabs a bottle of water from the mini fridge before squatting next to Kim, “Evening meds only. One dose. And a sedative, if you want. You have plenty. Do you want a whole pill, or just half of one like you used to take?”
Kim stares at him for a moment before looking away, “A whole one.”
Tankhun nods in acceptance, includes a full tablet with the rest of Kim’s evening meds, and watches Kim swallow the medicine. He stays by his brother's side, strokes his hair, and doesn’t bring much attention to Kim’s tears. All he does is try to offer him reassurance.
“It will be alright,” Tankhun murmurs, “I know it doesn't feel like that right now, but it will be. Just get some sleep.”
Kim shakes his head, but falls asleep within fifteen minutes, so the pill clearly worked. Tankhun can only guess Kim was shaking his head over the possibility of things getting better. Tankhun wishes Kim wouldn't be so pessimistic.
But at the same time, it's slightly realistic. While Tankhun truly hopes and will strive for Kim to eventually bounce back from this, it will be very hard after everything Kim has gone through.
Tankhun wants to cry for him. Instead, he just continues stroking Kim’s hair until he's sure Kim is in a deep sleep before grabbing the medicine bag and going back into the living room.
“He's asleep,” Tankhun says to Arm, who is getting to his feet, “He's um…He's not doing well. I think he will need to stay here for a while. Sorry.”
Arm nods, “Is there anything I can do?”
Tankhun walks to his boyfrien-
Fiancé. Arm is his fiancé.
Regardless, he still takes his hand.
“Will you sit with me?” Tankhun asks, “Stay close in case…He had a sedative and he should stay asleep for a while unless someone purposely wakes him up, but I want to make sure he has support. He trusts you and-”
“Of course,” Arm says, then lets Tankhun pull him to the couch, “Have you told Kinn yet?”
Tankhun shakes his head, “He’s at that dinner meeting. And even if he wasn't, he would try to play devil’s advocate for Porsche’s sake. Because that's what Chay is. The Devil.”
Arm breathes out, “We still don't know the whole story-”
“We know enough!” Tankhun says, looking at Arm sharply, “You saw those texts. He's been sleeping around! And…And when you combine Kim’s mental health struggles with his guilt over his past with Chay…”
Tankhun trails off before clearing his throat, “I can't believe I didn't catch onto anything happening between them prior to this. Even when I think back, there were barely any clues. But…I suppose there may have been a couple. Like when Kim cried after Chay left the infirmary and mentioned Chay probably had no reason to visit after that night. I thought that was an odd thing to assume, but chalked it up to how isolated and alone he was feeling. And then, there was that time he wouldn't text Chay to invite him to Cambodia. He asked me to do it and seemed as if it was too nerve-wracking for him to do such a thing, or even ask for his number despite spending time with him at that point. I just thought it was anxiety after cutting himself off from everyone for so long, or maybe the start of a crush and he didn't know how to handle those feelings.”
Tankhun groans and lets his head fall into his hands, “They moved way too quickly. That was probably another hint too. I didn't think much of it because Chay made him happy and I knew they were safe when they were with each other. On top of that, I wanted to see Kim happy. But Kim isn't someone who jumps into relationships. He wouldn't have done that unless he already knew Chay. I let my excitement over it all cloud my judgment. This is my fault and-”
“Tankhun.”
Tankhun waves his hands, “Don't try to talk me down from my spiral, Arm! It's one thing for you to have not caught on. You don’t know Kim like I do, and you never really arranged his security since there has never been much to arrange due to his stubbornness. But I should have known something triggered such a steep decline! I'm his older brother and it was my job to figure out how to help him, even if he was partially at fault-”
“I’ve known for a few months.”
Tankhun freezes at the words, the remainder of his monologue stuck in his throat because what Arm just said makes no sense. How could Arm have known?
“Please elaborate,” Tankhun says stiffly.
Arm wrings his hands together, but does just that.
“When Kim went missing, I was going through any of his accounts I could find,” Arm says quietly, “Not much was popping up, at least nothing that would imply his whereabouts. When I hacked into his phone to read over recent texts, nothing was suspicious either. So I tried going further back, even though it was a long shot that potential subjects would have reached out. It was only then that I saw…I saw undelivered texts from Kim to Chay. They were often distressed, and I assume that was because Kim got to a point where he felt Chay was never going to unblock his number. I was very confused by them. Concerned. I didn't think Chay was a suspect, but I also found it strange that he knew I was working my ass off sifting through Kim's technological footprint and never said anything about this. So when Chay and I were alone in the room, I confronted him and gave him an opportunity to come clean. He ended up telling me everything. He was still clearly heartbroken, despite how much time that had passed. I…He said that he still had feelings for Kim, but he couldn't come to terms with what he had done. I asked him to put that all aside and really think about if there was anything else I could look into. Kim had texted him from another number. I guess he did this sporadically, likely through an app. But the text that occurred two months before his disappearance was from a second cell phone, one Kim had on him when he was taken. I was able to track that phone down and we found Kim shortly after-”
“You knew.”
Arm tries to take Tankhun's hand, “...Yes, but-”
“You knew and didn't tell me,” Tankhun says, standing up, tossing Arm’s hand away from him, “You saw me scared and worried out of my mind over my brother’s mental health, knew of a secret trigger that contributed to it, and kept it from me while I tried to care for him.”
When Tankhun turns around to glare at Arm in accusation, Arm’s gaze looks desperate and pained.
Normally, that would bother him. But as for now, he simply doesn't care.
“It wasn't my story to tell,” Arm says, standing up as well to step closer, “I…I wanted to. But Chay started visiting Kim not long after he woke up and I didn’t…I thought one of them would say something and admit they had a past, especially after they started developing a relationship again. But then, they never did, at least to my knowledge, and I wasn't sure how to say it and-”
“Well, it sure wasn't supposed to be said like this!” Tankhun snaps, “Five months after knowing and keeping it from me, because I'm what? Too fragile to know the business of my family, even when I was the one caring for the family member in question?!”
Arm shakes his head immediately, “That wasn't why I kept it from you. I didn't tell anyone what Chay told me. I thought they would do it. It wasn’t my business and-”
“Did Kinn know?” Tankhun cuts in, “The three of you shared a hotel room to work out of. So did my other brother know and not me?”
“I told you to get out!” Tankhun says more forcefully.
“Chay only told him because of the second phone number I tracked. Kinn demanded answers once he knew Chay offered that information and that was a conversation between the two of them-”
“I don't care!” Tankhun snaps, “You were still present for it, and then were present as I practically made myself sick with worry while I relived my own trauma by sitting next to my unconscious and suicidal brother! So you either didn't think I was worth telling or you decided to treat me like a child!”
“Neither of those things are true!” Arm says, raising his voice too, “I already told you the reason I didn't say anything to anyone! Not just you, but to anyone! If I could go back and tell you, I would in a heartbeat! The more time that passed, the more I realized Kim and Chay weren't going to do it, so I got stuck with their secret-”
“Which was your decision! I have told you about how much Kim struggles with talking about things! I even told you about his suspected autism! He wasn't going to share shit unless I initiated the conversation! And I'm sure Chay wouldn't dare tell me, not if he has had some plan to break his heart in the works all along!” Tankhun says before he loses his volume control, “You told me you wouldn't treat me like a child and keep me in the dark! You LIED to me!!!”
Arm isn't doing much better at keeping his voice at an acceptable volume level, “I didn't mean to lie to you! And that wasn't what this was! Can you just calm down enough to let me explain-”
“Calm down?” Tankhun says, feeling a fury build up inside of him, “Calm DOWN?! I'm only going to calm down when you get out!”
“Khun, please-”
“GET OUT!!!”
Tankhun screams it, louder than he has screamed in quite some time. And yet, Arm acts resistant to leaving, leaving Tankhun no option but to push at him until he is out the door. Not hard. Tankhun doesn't want to hurt Arm physically, despite being this angry with him. He isn't an abusive partner.
If that's what they still are. Partners don't keep such things from each other. A partner doesn't infantilize the other by keeping important information about their family members from them, especially when Arm knows that is a huge trigger.
And Arm just didn't question it. He never cared to tell Tankhun. He kept him in the dark because he has been trained to believe Tankhun is a child who isn't capable of handling serious matters, even when Tankhun tried his best to structure Kim’s daily activities in a therapeutic way, at least when Kim was at his worst and still living in the same suite.
Kim. He couldn't have slept through all of that.
Tankhun wipes away the tears that have gathered in his eyes to walk towards his bedroom.
His and Arm’s bedroom, if that's even what it is anymore.
Regardless of what it is, Kim surely has to be awake due to the yelling. Despite being so upset with Arm, he doesn't want Kim to be affected by the fight, not while he is in the headspace he is in.
Not when there is a balcony in the bedroom.
Tankhun quickly opens the door, only to find Kim fast asleep, dead to the world and luckily not dead on the concrete outside or from a hidden switchblade. That is something Tankhun would never be able to handle, but especially right now. He's surprised how hard one of those sedatives hits Kim. They are probably similar to the ones Tankhun used to be on, the ones he hated. But that was years ago. That was before Arm bravely and almost recklessly advocated for him to his father, saying that Tankhun didn't like how the sedatives made him feel and that it would be better for Tankhun to explore his options when it comes to medicine, or other coping skills outside of pills and injections, that Tankhun having more control and being more informed about any medical care would be beneficial and ethical.
Arm is SUCH a hypocrite!
One of those old pills would sound nice right now. It would make Tankhun not care as much. He would stop perseverating on Arm keeping all of this from him. He would also stop perseverating on their fight. They have never had a fight like that. Disagreements, sure, as well as the occasional need for space. But nothing like that.
Maybe he should take one of Kim’s pills. Just one. He has plenty since he only takes that particular medication when he absolutely needs to calm down. They have piled up due to months of refills. Kim wouldn't miss just one.
But along with making Tankhun not care about his anger and hurt over Arm, it might just make him more apathetic over Kim’s heartbreak and decline. For his little brother’s sake, Tankhun can't afford to be apathetic right now.
So instead, he stands by the large window in the living room and cries. He keeps it quiet, despite the heaviness of Kim’s sleep making itself known.
And yet it is all-consuming. Tankhun doesn't stop until there is a knock on the door.
Porsche: I'm going to ignore you just saying that and instead ask for clarification. Whose baby did you steal? You're too young to be a parent. You have your college interview and practical coming up.
Macau: Does P’Pete’s dad have another baby he was mistreating that you took?
Pete: I am in this group chat, Macau.
Macau: Sorry 😬
Chay: He's not a human baby! He's a dog!
Porsche: Chay! Dogs are a big responsibility! What about college?
Chay: I can walk him on some parts of campus! You are acting like I can’t take him anywhere. And even if I can't take him somewhere, you are acting like you won't watch him.
Porsche: I won't! You got yourself into this mess! I'm not taking care of him!
Chay: Meet Koda!
Porsche: …I will protect him with my life.
Pol: Awwwww ♥️
Khun: HE IS THE CUTEST DOG IN THE WORLD!!!! I’M AN UNCLE!!!! ❤️🧡🧡💚🩵💙
Nalin: You already are an uncle, Khun! 🙂♥️
Arm: Why are you in this group chat???
Nalin: To gather stray gossip about you. You're SO interesting despite how boring you can be.
Arm: Who added you?
Nalin: Why do you not want me included? You could just be grateful that I take an interest in your life?
Arm: Huh?
Porsche: Did he pose like that?
Chay: Yes! He was jumping for a ball. When I pulled my phone out to take a picture, he looked at me, then stood up on his hind legs and gave me that look! He's SO smart and sweet. I love him more than I have ever loved anyone.
Porsche: Wow. Kim and I are RIGHT HERE.
Kim: He has said it fifteen times to me and your ma already. We both accept it. He's a sweet dog. Great actor too. He acted sickly and depressed while we were at the shelter. We took him to the pet store and that all stopped. He kept pulling us through the aisles and taking all the toys he was interested in off the hooks.
Chay: And he got every single one because he deserves them. 🥰
Kim: Not for his abilities on a leash.
Chay: Fine. He needs some practice on a leash. But he doesn't jump on anyone unless you prompt him to jump up on his hind legs. He's perfect. And he wasn't faking being sick, Kim. You know he has problems. We can both see the polyp and inflammation in his ear! But Kim is telling the truth. His personality changed within minutes. It must have sunk in that he finally found a loving home. ♥️ Mindset and support can do wonders to alleviate depression and chronic pain! He's not even 3 yet and the staff said his asshole owner dropped him off there when he was only 8 months old! He was there for over two years and no one showed him any interest because of his ear problems. I can't believe that vet wouldn't come out and operate on him for another week. That's why we got a hold of Phoenix’s vet. We dropped his paperwork off at the office and he said he could do the surgery in two days.
Kim: Probably for the best. That way, you aren't stressing about it and compromising your interview and practical.
Chay: Or when we meet with your label next weekend.
Kim: OUR label.
Arm: Are you both sitting at the park together but talking through here?
Chay: You all are free to jump in at any moment.
Nalin: Your dog is really cute, Chay! I love dogs. ♥️
Macau: You do? I do too! I’ve been thinking about getting a dog.
Vegas: Since when? You've never even had one.
Macau: I've always wanted one.
Nalin: If you get one, Preeda volunteers at a rescue near our apartment.
Macau: I'll go there first ☺️
Nalin: 😁
Arm: 🤨
Vegas: 🙄
Pete: Do you have more pictures, Chay?
Pete: Very cute. 🙂
Kinn: I'm looking forward to meeting him. 🙂
Tankhun: I am too! 🤗 Although, it is bad timing.
Chay: Getting Koda today was PERFECT timing.
Kim: He will not take any critique that includes Koda’s name in it. Watch it. He's come up with three songs about him in the last twenty minutes.
Porsche: Aww. Are they good?
Kim: They’re…songs.
Tankhun: I'm not critiquing a new family member. But I was going to reach out in a bit to see if you, Kinn, Vegas, and Macau were available tonight. I wanted to go to Yok’s together and rent out the VIP room for long overdue brotherly/cousinly drunken bonding!!! 😩
Vegas: You want to get drunk together?
Tankhun: Of course!
Vegas: What's your angle?
Tankhun: Finding out Pa’s angle is my angle! And I want to spend time with my brothers - who know him the best, as well as with you and Macau - who hate him the most!
Vegas: How did the breakfast with him go?
Tankhun: He arrived set on ending the relationship and ended up taking away Arm’s guard status!
Nalin: You don't have a job anymore, Hia???
Tankhun: He gave him a better job. Arm is to solely focus on the technical aspect of our security system. The only duty he will be keeping from his time as head guard is overseeing the intake and routine trainings. To fill up his time, Pa has offered him the Chief Information Officer for the Theerapanyakul Luxury and Amenities Brand. And then, he called him “son.” 🤢
Vegas: Sounds like he actually approves, but has taken an interest in him. That sucks.
Macau: Congratulations on the new job, Arm. 🙂
Arm: Thank you?
Vegas: 🙄 Suck up.
Arm: What?
Nalin: Glad you're not jobless. You get dangerous when you're bored. That's what Malai and Hansa always say.
Arm: They exaggerate.
Pol: You literally built toy cars that explode on a slow work day.
Vegas: YOU built those?
Tankhun: To be fair, I gave him the idea.
Vegas: Well, I figured that.
Tankhun: Let’s get drunk together and move past it! Macau too!
Vegas: No Macau.
Macau: Hia, I am legally allowed to drink now.
Vegas: Not around me.
Macau: Fine. I will just go somewhere else and drink. Alone.
Vegas: You won't.
Macau: Why can't I see you drunk? You're a messy drunk, aren't you?
Vegas: No
Tankhun: I can't speak for Vegas, but I can assure you I am incredibly classy and low-key when I am under the influence.
Arm: 😂🤣😂
Tankhun: ARM, YOU ARE ONE TO USE THOSE EMOJIS TO TRY AND ACT LIKE YOU ARE A BETTER DRUNK THAN ME! 🥃🍻🕺🏼⛳
Pol: I don’t remember Arm ever golfing when he was drunk…
Nalin: I want to see Hia drunk.
Arm: Absolutely not.
Tankhun: I promise we will have a girls’ night, Nalin. I am in full support of Arm inviting you girls to spend time with Pete, Pol, and Porsche. If you choose to drink together, that's your call. But I feel like an exclusive hang out with my brother and cousins is needed at Yok’s
Nalin: Fine. I will crash your hangout at Pete’s, Hia.
Macau: I will be home too. Hia doesn't want me to go to Yok’s. Sorry, Khun.
Vegas: Changed my mind. You can go.
Macau: It's okay. I don't want to make you feel weird. That's how nice I am.
Tankhun: You're going, Macau. It's required!
Macau: Whatever…
Nalin: 🫶🏼
Tankhun: Aw, Nalin. You're so sweet. ♥️ you too!
Chay: Kim can go. Koda and I will be fine. We're heading back now. 🙂
Tankhun: Yayyyyy! I can't wait to meet my new nephew and spend time with my brothers and cousins tonight!!! It will be so much fun!
Vegas: If you say so?
Macau: …Yay.
Tankhun: Oh, fuck off! We all made up! See you at 8. 🖕🏼
While Chay does work this evening, he may have lied about why he needed to leave for his shift early.
“There is an event,” Chay says to Kim, which is true, “I am going in to help set up and make sure new bottles are at the bar. I’ll be back late.”
Kim buys it. None of it is a lie, but there is an omission of one, single truth. If the circumstances were different, Chay would have no issues with telling Kim he's meeting Ye Joon. But Kim is weird about him, and Chay isn't sure if it comes from a persistent insecurity, a past experience with another producer, or something more complex than either of those things. If Ye Joon wasn't a respected producer and shareholder at the label Chay is now working under, he feels like he would pull away since Kim has such an issue with him. But he is a respected producer and shareholder, one who is involved with big international stars and bands.
And for some reason, he has taken an interest in Chay and his talent. Kim’s as well, but Kim doesn't really need Ye Joon’s support. He's already made it. With the new album, Kim’s place in the music industry will only become more monumental. Chay is still new, and while being featured on Kim’s album is a big deal, it still might not establish him as a separate talent.
At least, that's what Ye Joon says. But Ye Joon has been a powerhouse in the industry for twenty years. He knows what he is talking about. If he thinks Chay is worth putting work into, then he is going to be grateful for that and not mess it up. Kim should understand that.
But Chay also feels like Kim would make a big deal about him going to Ye Joon’s apartment. It was there or the studio, and Ye Joon made a good point about how bad traffic gets downtown around this time. Ye Joon’s apartment is also close to Yok’s, so it made more sense to meet there.
Kim probably wouldn't see it that way, but it will be fine. Chay knows it.
“Right on time,” Ye Joon says, smiling as he lets Chay inside. It's a nice, luxury apartment, one that is only half unpacked. Despite that, Ye Joon has two wine glasses out filled halfway and candles lit.
…Maybe he just likes soft, warm lighting. Kim is the same way.
“Here,” Ye Joon says, putting his hand on the small of Chay’s back as he leads him over to the couch, “Sit.”
Chay does what he's told and runs his hands over his knees as Ye Joon sits down next to him, “You said you wanted to talk to me about an opportunity?”
Ye Joon nods and reaches over to grab a binder, “I heard Kim doesn't have much interest in acting, but I was wondering what your stance on it was.”
“Oh,” Chay says, then tries to think out what he wants to say before actually saying it. He can sing songs in English easily, but speaking in it is a little harder. It isn't as natural for him as it seems to be for Kim.
Maybe he can ask for English lessons next. Kim keeps telling him his English is completely understandable and fine, but the fact that he has to script out longer responses in his head probably means he needs to work on it more.
“I don't know. I haven't given it much thought. I always did school musicals growing up and got prominent roles in them. I did acting workshops at performing arts camps my brother saved up for and sent me to. I got good feedback. My main interest has always been music though.”
“So you would be open to an acting opportunity if it caught your interest and could further advance your music career?” Ye Joon asks, then hands over the binder, “Because I have a partnership with a production and artist management company here. We are developing a few projects to include international up and comers. While I did throw Kim’s name around for another project, Noel made it clear Kim had no current interest in such a venture. But you are your own person, and I see you as someone who is…more suitable for this particular project. It would be a Thai and Korean based project-”
“I only know a little Korean,” Chay cuts in.
Ye Joon shrugs his shoulders, “You don't need to know much. The character I would have in mind for you is Thai and primarily speaks it. His love interest is a tourist from Korea, so he would need to brush up on his Thai and English, but your language skills are where they would need to be for this role.”
“He,” Chay says, “So it's a BL?”
“They are very popular in this country,” Ye Joon says, “Korea is just starting to realize the potential in funding and marketing shows focused on same sex pairings, but they aren't as…daring with it. The shows here seem to be unafraid to cross that boundary. The actors go all out and aren't afraid of the more provocative scenes. Many of the actors have also entered the music industry, either while acting or they transition to the music industry after developing a fanbase. This show would feature a well-known actor from Korea. He's a bit older than you - mid 30s - but that's what the script calls for. I don't want to throw his name out there yet, but I guarantee you have likely seen his work. He's wanting to do something more…unexpected. Dark. He's normally cast as a leading man, but wants to make some waves. Sometimes, that includes some onscreen controversy. Seeing him cast with a younger man as his love interest would get a lot of people talking in Korea. But it's a great script, and he will need a costar around your age with great musical abilities. If you play the part just right, he won't be the only one everyone is talking about.”
“...Oh,” Chay says, then clears his throat, “Uh…I can take it back with me and read it, if you want. Maybe see how I feel-”
“A read-through would be more immersive, with you reading as the character I have in mind for you,” Ye Joon interjects, his voice gentle but commanding, “We don't have to read the whole thing, of course. I respect that you are still loyal to your other workplace for the time being, even if I don't fully understand it. But I do understand it is important to be punctual. I think we have time for half though. So why don't we get started?"
With that, Vegas bursts into tears and buries his face into Khun’s shirt, all while Khun lovingly strokes his hair. Kim squints in confusion at the sight, scoots back from them, and gets his phone out of his pocket. It's only then that he feels the liquor really hit him.
Shit.
Kim: Whatt the fu ck is in this drin?
Chay: huh?
Kim: Vegas crying on floor. Khun rocking him.
Chay: 🙀 Take a picture!!!!
Kim isn't going to do that. It seems tempting, but rude.
But not as rude as what Chay also sent.
Kim: Why you send cat scream? You know I miss my cat. I want cat back. Think about her and feel sick and sad. Like failed her. You do it on purpose? To make me sad?
Within thirty seconds, Chay’s call lights up the screen. Kim pointedly declines the call, only for Chay to call again.
“What?” Kim says, his voice gruff.
“...Is that Vegas crying in the background?”
Kim glances at his brother and cousin, “Khun has now joined in too.”
“Huh. Sorry. There are four different liquors in that punch.”
“How it taste like juice?” Kim asks.
“I think it's more a question of how does it make you omit words from your sentences,” Chay says, then lets out a breath, “Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
“I'm sorry I used the screaming cat emoji. I didn't realize it upset you. I will try to be more mindful and practical about using cat emojis until we find her.”
“We won't.”
“There have been recent sightings of her, Kim! We’re gonna bring her home!”
“She deserves better than me!” Kim snaps, “And so do you!”
“Not this again!” Chay groans, “We are making your album together. We adopted a dog together. What else would you like me to say or do to prove that I am with you because I want to be?”
Lots of things. But even Kim isn't drunk enough to say them.
“I love you, Chay,” Kim slurs out instead, “I love you so much.”
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“No!” Tankhun says, feeling a buzzing, hurt rage in his head as he updates his Instagram feed. Again. Still no pictures or announcements.
“Why haven't they posted anything?!” he says, tossing his phone to the side, “Pete just posted the kittens yesterday! Vegas posted a story of Pete helping him cook breakfast with a heart as the caption this morning! Where’s the baby? Vegas was NOT holding some doll in the cemetery, and he referred to Pete as Papa!”
“Maybe they adopted her and it isn't finalized yet,” Arm says gently, “Or maybe they are fostering her and can't post pictures. We don't know the situation, which is why I am offering to call and ask Pete for clarification. We talk to him pretty regularly, and I don't see him keeping this from us unless he had a reason.”
“The reason is Vegas,” Tankhun mutters, “He probably told Pete to not tell us. He's rude like that.”
Arm lets out a sigh and takes his hand, “Tankhun. You have been worried sick about Vegas the last few nights-”
“Lies!”
“You said you thought Douglas hurt him too, and then you have been blaming yourself ever since,” Arm continues, “Why don't you…talk to him?”
Tankhun stares at his deranged boyfriend incredulously, “Absolutely not.”
“You said you used to babysit him a lot,” Arm says quietly, “And when you made a mad dash out of the safe room to get to me during the attack-”
“To save you, which I did!”
“You crossed paths with him, and he left you alone,” Arm says, “And when we found out about him getting shot, you broke down and cried.”
“Hmph!” Tankhun says, because it is much more preferable than admitting Arm is telling the truth.
“He's been the main thing keeping you from actually hanging out with Pete in person, but he never stopped it from happening the few times it has occurred,” Arm says, now massaging his hand, “He seems to be very content out of the business as well, and you just found out you, Kinn, and Kim may share an abuser with him-”
“We don't know if that's true,” Tankhun says, feeling his voice grow hoarse, “He may have just had to pee.”
Arm breathes out, “...And he just so happened to drive out of his way to a cemetery to pee on the freshly dug grave of a man associated with your family?”
“...Fine. That is far-fetched,” Tankhun says, “Maybe it was a witchcraft ritual, and that is why he was so okay with us holding a fake seancé. Vegas had a fixation on witchcraft when he was eight! I still think he likes the aesthetic, to be honest, but when he was little? He and I would be dark witches, and Kim would be a nice witch. That's all he would play for a while. Uncle Gun hated it, but Auntie Milan thought it was funny, especially when Vegas made a Ouija Board and we insulted our stupid, dead grandfather through it because we both hated him-”
“Tankhun,” Arm cuts in, “You're doing it again.”
Tankhun tilts his head at that, “What do you mean?”
“Talking about your cousin with fondness.”
“I did no such thing!” Tankhun says with a gasp.
“Lies,” Arm says simply, and that is true, but still!
“Will you be okay with never knowing for sure if Douglas hurt him?” Arm asks, “Because I would understand if that is the case. There is a lot of bad blood, and the feud your father had with your uncle strained things between you and your cousins. If you want to keep your distance, I will support you. But I thought…I don't know. We have been together long enough-”
“Two years in a little over a month,” Tankhun reminds him.
“It's coming up very soon,” Arm says, a small smile forming on his lips, “You have opened up to me a lot during that time. More than you ever did when I was just your friend and your guard. So I know enough to know that at one point, you really cared about Vegas. Loved him, even. And when we found out about Namphueng, you told me you wondered if we had fought for the right side.”
Tankhun looks away at that, “...I felt that way because Pa faked his death, let us mourn him, and got people killed. And because Kinn told me Pa kept Namphueng locked in a room and away from her sons. I also felt that way because he told me Uncle Gun saw her and cried, which wasn't like him. Uncle Gun wasn't good either. He became despicable too. But he wasn't evil enough to lock a woman up in a room and keep her from her family for years, let alone medicate her with...whatever she was being given."
Arm says nothing, and Tankhun understands. No answer Arm can give will be a good one. If he defends Pa, it undermines everything horrible he did, and how many lives were ruined or ended because of him. If he sides with Uncle Gun and Vegas, then it would ignore the fact that several of his coworkers died by their hands.
But there is no denying Pa is the one who set it in motion, regardless of what happened to any of them. He and Kinn were just expected to fight for their lives until Pa thought it was appropriate to make himself known, and they just went along with it because that was all they knew.
And when he thinks about it that way, he supposes Vegas was in a similar situation and trying to meet his own father’s horrible expectations, that he was groomed by him, just like Pa tried his best to groom his own sons, albeit in a different way.
Just like he might have been groomed by Douglas like Kinn was.
Just like Vegas may have been threatened or hurt by Douglas like he and Kim were.
“Ugh, I'm mad at you!” Tankhun says, jumping to his feet to glare down at Arm, “I don't want to talk to you for the entire night!”
Arm’s entire face drops, “Khun-”
“The entire night! You can sleep on the couch!” Tankhun reiterates, then storms off to his room and slams the door behind him. He shuts his eyes and tries to stick to his resolve. How dare Arm make him overthink their strained family ties? He is supposed to be on his side! Also, it makes no sense for Arm to encourage him to reach out, even if Vegas had been hurt. Vegas hurt and killed several of their guards. They may not have been guards Arm was close with, but they were allies and their lives meant something.
Even though Pa clearly felt differently, since he triggered the whole attack purposely.
Arm is so annoying! If he weren’t so smart, compassionate, gorgeous, and incredible, Tankhun would be DONE.
Although, Tankhun supposes he has made mistakes of his own in the past. Arm has just taken them in stride, or sometimes worked with him on the occasions Tankhun expressed he would like to change the way he reacts to certain triggers.
But that doesn't make him less annoying! Arm is supposed to be aligned with HIM, with Pol coming in second because Arm loves Pol as a brother and Tankhun loves Pol too.
Just like they love Pete. And Pete is with Vegas, which makes that relationship strained because their relationship with Vegas is strained. And now, Pete and Vegas have a baby, and Pete hasn't said a word. That's probably because a baby binds him and Vegas together forever, and that means Pete will never leave Vegas.
Especially if Vegas actually treats him well and truly makes Pete happy.
Ew!
“What are you still doing on the couch?” Tankhun asks sullenly as soon as he opens the door again.
Arm meets his eyes and lets out a sigh, “I did pace for a little while and hover my fist over the door. But I wanted to give you space if you needed it.”
“No,” Tankhun says, lightly stomping his foot, “I want you in here.”
“Ah,” Arm says, standing up, “I must have misunderstood.”
Tankhun nods once in agreement, then leads Arm to his bed so they can both sit down.
Their bed. Arm stays here more than enough for this to be their bed.
“I can understand your concerning willingness to make up with Vegas,” Tankhun says, “You just found out one of your best friends is raising a baby with him. Of course you would like to extend an olive branch. Of course you would like to hang out with Pete in person a lot more. I get it, because…because I want those things too. It's just hard.”
“I know.”
“And…” Tankhun continues, swallowing the sudden lump in his throat, “The thought of getting Vegas’s confirmation that Douglas hurt him upsets me. I used to babysit him when he was younger. I used to adore him, and I know there is no point in denying that. So if he admits Douglas hurt him too, that means I failed him as well, and I don't know if I can handle that.”
Arm puts his hand on his back and rubs it, “Would you be able to handle never getting a confirmation, always wondering, and just continuing to have weekly FaceTime chats with Pete? Or is that preferred over finding out what Vegas went through and possibly...mending things? I don't know if that's possible, but it might be a step in the right direction if the issue is thought out and approached in the right way.”
Tankhun thinks on it, then breathes out, “I think it should be Kinn who reaches out. That would be the best way to go about this.”
Arm looks slightly startled by that, “But he hates Kinn the most-”
“But Kinn was also hurt by Douglas the most,” Tankhun interrupts, “And if Douglas actually managed to hurt Vegas, he may be bitter over the fact that Kim and I fought back and managed to get out of whatever Douglas planned to do to us. And if he got away from Douglas like we did, I…As much as he resents Kinn, I can't see him being happy about a fourteen year boy being sexually assaulted. I can't even see him being happy that Kinn went through something like that, because at one point, he loved Kinn.”
“...Do you think Kinn would be willing to admit that to him?” Arm asks.
“I don't know,” Tankhun groans, “Probably not. But Porsche is in contact with Pete and Vegas and visits them. Maybe he can help set up and facilitate a conversation like that. I just…Fuck, Arm! You are SO annoying!”
“You have said that before,” Arm acknowledges as Tankhun pulls out his phone. He sets up a group chat with Kinn, Porsche, and Kim before adding Chay at the last minute. Chay games with Macau and talks with him. Maybe that connection could provide a backup plan that Tankhun doesn't fully have formed in his head yet.
But regardless…
Tankhun: I need to have an important meeting with the four of you. Kim, Chay, I know you two have been working on music all day, but please take a short break. I hope we can come to a decision about this and move forward with my plan within the next couple of days.
Kim: What is this about?
Porsche: It sounds serious. There are no emojis.
Tankhun: 🎾🐁🌬️🎫📟🖨️🩻
Kim: You never even use any of those.
Tankhun: That's because I need to have a serious conversation with all of you. Come here. Now. Kinn, you too.
Khun: I am dumb and enthused about Namphueng. You should be dumb and enthused when Pa requests your company. Tried to keep him busy with the baby and the twins, but he's on edge so he left.
Arm: We are so happy and surprised Namphueng is talking. What a miracle!
The texts serve as both a piece of advice and a warning for the text that follows.
Korn: I am outside your suite. Where are you?
Kinn exhales shakily and texts the truth.
Kinn: On my way back. See you in a minute.
He is holding so much tension in his shoulders by the time he gets to his hallway and sees Pa outside his door. Before Pa turns around, Kinn thinks of the positives.
Namphueng can clearly voice. Regardless of hiding her other communication abilities from Pa, it was a genuine surprise. And it's a good thing when it comes to her future.
If Pa allows her to have one.
“Hey,” Kinn says with a smile, coming over to unlock the door. It seems to be the first time Pa has really taken in the new lock system, one that requires a certain fingerprint to unlock and records each and every profile that either attempts to open the door or accesses it. For some reason, Pa has yet to try to open this door even once.
“I just walked Porsche and Namphueng back over to her suite. Everyone is really excited,” Kinn says brightly, “She is so happy to have a conversation with her sons so she can get to know them and-”
“Have you been hiding this from me?”
Kinn pauses, tries to make sure his expression is neutral, then turns around, “Hiding what?”
Pa is practically seething. He hides it well, but Kinn can see it.
“Just a couple of days ago, my sister licked my face and barked like a dog, and Kim called that progress. Now, she is making toasts, recalling memories of my father, and being social at a dinner party, one that your cousins showed up at and you were somehow completely fine with that?”
“Pa, believe me, we were all just as confused,” Kinn says, ignoring Pa asking about Vegas and Macau for now, “If Namphueng made a huge stride like that prior to tonight, I would have said something. We were happy with her emoting more, pointing at things she wanted to see, eat, or do, and seeming to recognize us from the previous day. We had no idea something like this was possible at this point in her recovery, or possible at all. But at the same time, I'm not complaining. Are you? You tried to find a cure for her for years, right? You of all people should be thrilled-”
“I should have been informed!”
Pa doesn't raise his voice. He simply doesn't. The loudest he had ever heard him was towards Gun the night of the attack. He remembers talking to Ma about it once when he was young.
“Pa never yells, but he still sounds scary sometimes.”
“He doesn't want to be like your bpuu. But that doesn't mean he is any less scary.”
Even back then, it sounded like a strange thing for his mother to say.
“We were just as surprised as you were,” Kinn says more pointedly, “Why would we keep something that exciting from you?”
Pa steps forwards, his expression hardened.
“I feel like you have been keeping a lot from me. I want the details of her treatment. What medications is she on-”
“Ones that clearly work!” Kinn snaps back, “If you want details on her care, then ask her yourself! She is clearly able to tell you now, and it shouldn't matter anyway since it is working! It fucking worked and you should be celebrating instead of coming here to yell at me! Worse things have happened in the last few months and you didn't give a shit-”
“If you are referring to your brother, I TRIED to be present and it upset him more!”
“I was talking about ME!” Kinn yells, his voice becoming louder, “I told you I wasn't doing well! You know Lane started coming to meet with me too and you barely even inquired about it! You want to know why Vegas fucking showed up? We made up. We made up after he showed up at my fucking rapist’s funeral and smirked at the corpse! I reached out to see if the same thing happened to him, and it did so we made up and-”
“Kinn,” Pa cuts in, his voice sounding more resigned and hoarse, “Slow down. I need you to tell me what you're talking about.”
Kinn feels his face screws up, “Like you don't know! You let Douglas mentor me-”
“Because you seemed to respect him and enjoy the lessons!” Pa says in a hushed voice, “Not because…I didn't…You didn't…What happened? Tell me what happened."
When Pa reaches over to touch Kinn’s shoulder, Kinn immediately shakes it off.
“Kinn, please.”
“You don't care.”
“I do,” Pa says. He sounds genuinely devastated. Kinn doesn't know what to think of it. Pa had to have known something was going on, even though actual assault technically only happened once.
“I'm sorry,” Pa says, hesitantly stepping closer again, “You have my attention. Alright? You have it. Talk to me. Tell me what happened.”
Kinn stares past him, then shrugs his shoulders, “It was a long time ago and he's dead now. It doesn't matter anymore.”
“It does,” Pa says, “If it's still hurting you, then it matters-”
“Because it will make me soft?” Kinn says sharply.
Pa sharply breathes in, “No. No, it's because you're my son. I hate seeing you hurting this badly, and…and I hate knowing I brought someone here who hurt you in that way and I let them keep coming over. It doesn't matter when it happened. It should have never happened at all-”
“So it's my fault?” Kinn asks, even though that isn't what Pa said, “It was my fault despite being fourteen?”
Pa lets out a noise that sounds like devastation, but keeps it together, “No. It wasn't your fault. Can we sit down? Talk?”
Kinn is already shaking his head before his father is finished speaking.
“Kinn-”
“I need time to calm down,” Kinn says, trying to pull himself together, “I wasn't expecting to…to tell you that. It just came out. Sorry. I need some time to myself.”
“...Okay,” Pa says eventually, “I didn't know, Kinn. I swear to you that I didn't. If you would have told me back then, Douglas would have died a lot sooner.”
While Pa sounds truthful, Kinn wishes he could believe him without double guessing himself.
“Let's meet tomorrow,” Pa says, “Please? You have my attention. I am prioritizing you. Tell me when and where.”
Kinn looks away, “I have work-”
“Don't worry about work. Things are calm and stable. Take as much time off as you need,” Pa says, “Tell me when and where.”
“I don't know,” Kinn says, “I probably won't be in the mood to talk about it.”
“That's fine,” Pa says quickly, “We can just have lunch and talk about other things going on in your life. Whatever you feel comfortable talking about.”
Shit. He didn't know. He's practically pleading.
“I need some time,” Kinn mutters, “I'm sorry I blew up. I’ll reach out tomorrow.”
Pa really has no choice but to accept it. If he wants Kinn to know that he cares and is standing by him through this, he will go along with whatever Kinn needs, be present, and maybe - just maybe - leave Namphueng alone for a while.
But Kinn still might not get his request to be alone. Even after Pa puts a gentle hand on his cheek before walking out the door, he hears him say something else.
“I upset him. I didn't…Make sure he's okay.”
“Alright,” Porsche says, causing Kinn to close his eyes. Great.
“How much did you hear?” Kinn asks as soon as Pa is gone and Porsche makes himself known.
“Almost all of it, I think,” Porsche says, coming closer, “Are you-”’
“He was grilling me about your mother and her treatment, so I blew up and told him there were things he should be more concerned about, like me. I accused him of knowing about what Douglas did to me. He uh…” Kinn starts, “He claims that he didn't. I don't know if I believe him or not, but he seemed really upset.”
“Well…if he didn't know, then he probably was.”
“And if he feels like he needs to prove that he cares, he should take at least some of his focus off of your mother for a while,” Kinn continues, feeling buzzing beneath his skin, “I'll drag out whatever attention he is offering to spare and-”
“Kinn.”
Kinn stops talking and meets Porsche’s eyes, he is only holding them for a second before he starts feeling regretful and panicky.
“You're alright,” Porsche murmurs, closing the distance to put his arms around him, “You did what you needed to do to get his mind off of Ma and it worked. And you were brave while you did it. Thank you.”
And even though everything feels so uncertain right now, Porsche initiating a hug after several days of the bare minimum at best makes him feel more grounded.
It is nice to spend time with Ma in a space that is hers. She seems more comfortable and outgoing, and she also has some semblance of control over her environment that Porsche simply hasn't witnessed until now. She even makes them Kai Jeow and cuts up fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and cilantro to garnish it, something he hadn't expected her to do without someone assisting her. When Porsche had tried, she shooed him out of the kitchen.
“This is really good, Ma,” Porsche tells her honestly as she watches them eat, “I remember…”
As Porsche trails off, he decides it's best not to say he remembers her making this when he was young. He doesn't know what kind of reaction that would invoke, or if it would invoke one at all. There have been times he tells Ma good, benign memories he has, hoping it might make her remember it too, only to get very little in response.
“It's good,” Porsche just says again, “I think Kim would be impressed. Maybe one of us should go over and get him and Khun up since you made extra.”
Ma shrugs at that, “I don't think he is there. He is probably with Chay, because Chay is not a cheater.”
Ma has to spell the last sign because Porsche doesn't know it and Kinn is a little confused too. But once they understand, Porsche nods in agreement.
“You're right. Chay would never cheat on Kim,” Porsche says, then grumbles, “I just want him to openly admit they are a thing. I got so close last night-”
“He basically told you, Porsche,” Kinn says.
“I want a clear admission!” Porsche says insistently as he leans into Kinn, “And that will lead to a brotherly heart to heart where we talk about the brothers we are madly in love with.”
That gets a small smile out of Kinn. Good. He's been smiling so much less this last week, and Porsche doesn't know if Kinn even realizes it. Porsche definitely has. Kinn’s unguarded and unfiltered smile is his absolute best feature, and Kinn has so many great physical features. But when he smiles? It lights up a room. No, it lights up the whole compound. Porsche remembers the first time he saw him smile - his real smile, the one he lets himself show when he isn't trying to be a poised mafia boss.
Well, he sort of remembers. It had been at Yok’s, back when Khun rented out the bar for the first time. He remembers being completely drawn in. His intrigue had already spiked when Kinn tried to pull him out of the way of that bullet, but his smile is what drew him in. Once he saw it again in the forest - after Porsche taught him how to spear a fish - he was a goner. Kinn’s eyes were bright with excitement and he looked so youthful and happy. That is his absolute favorite version of Kinn - the one who is so happy that he is grinning until his cheeks hurt.
It's a version that had been coming back after Kim started getting better, and after Porsche’s arm started getting better too. But he hasn't really been around recently, and it's getting to a point where Porsche feels like he needs to sit down with Kinn, tell him his observations, and really talk with him. More specifically, get Kinn to talk to him about whatever is getting him like this.
“There’s that smile,” Porsche whispers, lifting his hand to run his fingers through Kinn’s hair. Kinn glances at him, but doesn't say anything. He does, however, lean in slightly when Porsche puts his arm around him. That will have to be enough for now.
“What are we doing today, Ma?” Porsche asks as he meets her eyes again. Ma stands up to pace, as if she is really thinking about it, then faces them again.
“I want to make a cake,” Ma signs, “Maybe Kim can help me, but I want to decorate it myself. It can be a late lunch. We can play video games too. Chay wants me to play the Switch he got me. And then we can go out. Explore.”
Porsche smiles at that, “Okay. That sounds like a really nice day. I'm in. What about you, Kinn?”
“I have a meeting at 11, but nothing besides that,” Kinn says, “It sounds like a good day.”
Ma smiles at that, “I'm glad you will be free. I want everyone I can trust here for my cake. I am going to work really hard at it. It's important."
“Ah, are you making one that's really fancy?” Porsche asks, smiling back at her.
Ma nods, “I want layers and colorful icing. I will have someone get the things I need from the kitchen. I have something called YouTube on my television. I searched for ideas, and I know exactly what I want to do.”
Once Ma makes her signs clear, Porsche raises his eyebrows at that, “You were searching cake tutorials up on YouTube?”
“And other things. It's very useful!” Ma signs, “But I do want Kim here. He is a good cook. He knows about food.”
Porsche looks down at his phone, “It's 9:30 now. I’ll text the group what you would like to do.”
Porsche: Morning! 👋🏾 Ma wants to make everyone a cake for a late lunch. 🙂 It sounds like we are basically eating dessert first, and then will go out for dinner together later if everyone is okay with that. She planned this herself, so the more people who can join, the better. Kim, she would like your help with making the cake if you are available.
Arm: I am tending to some training overviews this morning with the guards, but should be done by 1. Is that okay?
Porsche: That should be fine!
Khun: I’ll join! Cake for lunch sounds marvelous! 🎂🔪🍽️🍰🤤😋 Pol is with me right now, and he says he will join too!
Porsche: 😁💙
Khun: I shall go prompt my sweet, innocent baby Kim! 🧑🍼👶🏻 So that he knows his assistance is being requested!
Khun:...Sweet, innocent baby Kim is not in his room. 🤔 Is sweet, innocent baby Chay in his?
Porsche: No. He's not. 🙄 I’ll give them fifteen minutes, then blow up their phones. They can't even get frustrated about it, since they are included in this group text. Timer starts now.
Porsche keeps to his word. He gives both of them fifteen minutes before picking up his phone again. When he sees no response from either of them, he calls Chay. On the third ring, Chay answers.
“Hello?” Chay says, sounding like he is half asleep. Porsche looks at the phone, then stands up and goes over to Chay’s suite door to open it. It's empty.
“Where are you?” Porsche asks, his eyes narrowing.
“I told you I was going to the gym,” Chay mumbles.
“Yeah, you told me that almost four hours ago,” Porsche says pointedly, “And you still aren't back. On top of that, you sound like I woke you up from a dead sleep.”
“I worked out,” Chay says, “I’m tired now.”
Porsche narrows his eyes with suspicion, “Uh huh. Kim isn't in his suite either.”
“Huh?” Chay murmurs, not sounding concerned at all, “I wonder where he ran off to?”
“Chay, who is it?” Porsche hears Kim’s fatigued voice say quietly.
“He ran off to wherever you are because I just heard him,” Porsche says with a huff, “You're such a faker.”
“We worked out together and went to my old suite to gather some things,” Chay says, “But we were exhausted, so we took a nap. Like I said, we worked out. So hard.”
Porsche opens his mouth, only to feel his mind freeze at the memory of telling Pete how hard Kinn punished him when the reality had been so different from that.
“Chay,” Porsche says, feigning patience, “I am not dumb.”
“I never said you were, Hia. Did someone tell you that? I want a name,” Chay says.
“Just…you…” Porsche gets out, lets out an exasperated groan, “Ma wants Kim’s help in making a cake. Check your texts. You didn't answer. That's why I called.”
He hears Chay telling Kim to check his phone before Chay responds.
“We’ll be there soon. Sorry for missing them. I had the alarm set for 10. And I wouldn't have left if you weren't there.”
“I know that, but…” Porsche starts, then just decides to say it, “Chay, you don't have to lie. I realize you are an adult. I hate it, but I realize it. You don't have to tell me you were working out if that's not what you were doing, especially when I have given my approval of you and Kim very clearly.”
“It wasn't a lie,” Chay says, sounding like he's stretching, “It really feels like I worked out.”
Porsche isn't going to touch that. Nope, he is not. He isn't even going to give Chay a reaction, because that is most likely what he is looking for. He's so good at getting them too. Porsche refuses to give him the satisfaction.
“Wonderful. Glad you got your cardio in,” Porsche forces himself to say instead of some mixture of sputtering and screeching, “Please come back to your new suite with your boyfriend in tow. Make sure you look presentable.”
“Okay,” Chay says, “Love you, Hia.”
And while Porsche feels his heart grow at the sentiment, he does not miss Chay not even bothering to deny or deflect the boyfriend thing.
“Love you too.”
As soon as Porsche hangs up the phone, he looks at his own boyfriend.
“They snuck out of their suites to have sex. Chay sounded exhausted, so they were up to some freaky shit. I know it.”
“Hm,” is all Kinn says.
“Maybe you should check in with Kim,” Porsche suggests, “Give him another sex talk if he needs one.”
“If he exhausted Chay that much, I doubt he needs one.”
“Ew, Kinn!” Porsche says, then tries to scrub the last seven minutes out of his brain.
