Chapter Text
Aran didn't understand how his fate ended up like that. Even after everything, Tawan still stands up in front of him, as his partner for the photoshoot.
"I really didn't know about today. My manager did this." Was what Tawan had instantly said.
Aran didn't believe it but he could care less. All he wanted now was to get this done. Maybe steal Mok for a second and then plan the extended days of Rome's vacation. Their previous (third) date as three was just a nice fancy dinner but it was the best date in Aran's opinion.
Now as he stands in front of the cameras, center of everyone's attention, he makes sure to be professional. Even when Tawan comes up to him, stays beside him, around him.
His eyes are looking around the studio. Because if Peach is coming then Thee is definitely going to show up. And if Thee shows up Mok would too. The thought of seeing Mok makes him feel giddy.
"Ran~ calm your horses." Peach knew his little brother really well. He shook his head, approaching with a teasing grin. "Khun Thee has a few important meetings. They won't be done before us."
Aran paused his search and looked at Peach. He pouted. Peach caressed Aran's hair which weren't done yet. Aran complained.
Aran didn't need to look at Tawan to know how angry he is. It was honestly a surprise for him that Tawan hadn't thrown a punch yet, like the usual. Aran shook his head and shooed unwanted Tawan's thoughts away.
The shoot went on as smoothly as the staff wanted it to. Because Tawan is not easy to work with, it's not surprising.
Aran noticed after an awkward set that the air had changed. The staff were nervous.
"What's up with everyone?" Aran muttered to himself.
"I have no idea." Tawan replied from behind.
Aran furrowed his eyebrows, "I didn't ask you." He stood up.
"Ran-ran." A voice took his attention.
Aran looked around and saw the source. He smiled widely.
"Shut up! What are you doing here?" Aran asked making his way.
"Hello to you too."
"Rome!" Aran exclaimed.
"Flowers for the beauty." Rome said, giving him the bouquet he hid behind him. "And, I was being shown the company by one of the staff. Then I thought since you're here anyway then why miss an opportunity to see you."
Aran admired the flowers happily. "You're the only guy I've gotten most bouquets from."
"And I plan to keep it that way." Rome proudly said.
Peach approached them, surprised. "Oh, Mr. Rome. How come you're here?"
"Who are you?"
Rome looked beside Aran. He didn't need to think or ask for his name. He knew. And he wasn't happy.
"Your business?" Rome asked, instead of replying.
Tawan's anger increased. It was obvious. Aran stepped a little closer to Rome in case Tawan fucks up and anger Rome.
"Don't pay him any attention Rome. Don't spoil your mood." Aran softly said, holding his hand.
Rome looked down at their arms and smiled. "Tch- I'm not going to get angry." He said. "It'll take more than this," a judgy glance at Tawan. "to actually anger me."
He then smiled at Peach. "Hello khun Peach. I was getting bored by myself. So P'Kian had some staff tour me this office. I remembered Ran saying he had a shoot today so I came to see him." He answered Peach's question that was asked before they were interrupted.
"Aran, who is he?" Tawan asked, in his infamous rude tone.
"Ran-ran, how long till your break?" Rome didn't let Aran even look at the guy. "I was thinking we could go for a late lunch. Mok would be done soon too."
"I was actually thinking of finding Mok after shoot to plan something. Good that you already did." Aran smiled widely.
Peach cleared his throat. "Okay. Ran we need to get back to shoot."
"Right!" Aran nodded. He turned to Rome again and gave the bouquet back. "Hold on that for me?"
"Of course. Mok says he was entertained when he watched your shoot the last time."
"Tsk- entertain? Khun Thee was more entertaining with his extra ass." Aran laughed.
"Ran!" Peach scolded.
"See, now his boyfriend's being upset at me for teasing."
"Shut up."
Rome laughed at them. Peach was blushing and avoiding eye contact at the same time.
___
Rome and Mok waited by the car for Aran to arrive.
"I saw that guy." Rome said.
"Who?" Mok asked.
"Tawan."
"Where? Here?"
"Yeah."
"Ha? How? Khun Thee wouldn't like that."
"Why?"
"He punched Khun Peach last time and he always behaves rudely with him."
"What did Peach do?"
"Nothing. He's jealous. Really jealous. He glared at me once just because I greeted Aran." Mok rolled his eyes. "Khun Thee doesn't understand why I don't like him."
"I met him for the first time and I also don't like him." Rome muttered.
They saw Aran approaching with the bouquet Rome got him.
"The bouquet?" Mok asked.
"Rome bought for me." Aran answered.
"Shall we?" Rome asked pointing at the car.
They agreed. Aran settled in the back while Mok took the wheel.
___
Aran smiled as he saw Mok at the door. "You're here."
Mok smiled at him and walked in. Rome was just behind, waiting to be noticed.
"You're here too?"
"Well, I was invited and I didn't want to reject it."
Aran chuckled. "So business-y. Come on in."
Aran closed the door behind them. He had already packed up a lot of things.
"You did all that by yourself?" Rome asked, looking at the boxes all over the living room.
"Yeah. I had a lot of free time. And I'll get busy tomorrow with moving so.." Aran shrugged. He had been having unwanted thoughts and memories. And to distract himself from them he put his mind elsewhere.
"What's that thing?" Rome asked, pointed at a box, sitting in the corner away from the others.
Aran looked at it and sighed. "Box of things that don't belong here anymore."
"Hm?"
"Some of Tawan's stuff I found while packing." Aran replied, it felt awkward talking about Tawan to them.
"His stuff..."
Aran cleared his throat. "How about we just eat something first? And see what's left of the packing?"
"Let's do some work first." Mok suggested.
"I'd like it either way." Rome said.
"Then we go to my bedroom." Aran announced turning around to walk through the little corridor inside a room.
"That's his bedroom."
"Right you said you've slept over here." Rome muttered followed Mok into Aran's room.
"You are surprisingly organised." Rome commented looking at the room.
"Tsk- did you think I'd be the messy kind?" Aran asked, offended by the comment.
"Haha- c'mon. I've seen your messed up hotel room before." Rome defended his comment.
"You saw it after a hook-up that's why it was messy." Aran casually said.
Rome paused. "A what?"
Mok just looked between the two.
"Back in Hawai, when we accidentally saw each other in the hotel and then you came the next morning to invite me for a breakfast. I had slept with this really hot guy. Haha- that was fun."
"I'm just finding out."
"Models usually don't go talking around which non-popular person they fucked." Aran muttered. "And I'm sure neither of you want to hear me talk about who I've slept with."
They started working after that. There wasn't much to pack since Aran had done most of it.
Aran sat on the couch beside Mok, going through the food delivery app. Rome was in the bathroom.
"I wanna eat Japanese. What do you think?" Aran asked, leaning over Mok's arm.
Mok moved and instead pulled him closer, putting his hand around Aran's shoulder. Then he casually said, "I don't mind. It's been a while since I've eaten Japanese food."
Aran didn't even bother hiding his red face this time. He snuggled closer. "Then let's ask Rome what he feels like eating when he gets here." Mok nodded.
When Rome got out, he was met with the cuddling couple. It made him smile. He approached them and sat down on Aran's other side, joining the cuddling session so naturally that it surprised him.
When their food came, Aran went to plate it while Mok set the table and got them water. The doorbell rang. Mok looked up, alert. It was currently 10.37 at night.
"I'll go see." Rome offered. Mok still followed him to the door, his bodyguard instinct taking over.
Aran didn't pay it any mind. He wasn't expecting anyone. Rome opened the door.
Mok paused, his expression changed to that of anger.
Why would this dude come here this late?
"Tawan." Rome was careful so Aran wouldn't hear them.
"Who the hell are you?" Tawan was fuming. He still didn't know who he was. He then looked back at Mok. "And you again? What's a bodyguard doing at my Aran's house at this hour?"
"What an actor is doing at our Aran's place at this time, should be the actual question." Rome wasn't happy with the way Tawan called Aran his.
"Who is it, Rome?" Aran called from the kitchen.
Rome looked back. "It's no one sweetheart, someone came to the wrong address." The nickname was surprising for everyone in the room.
If the two were looking at Aran they'd have seen him go red at the nickname.
Sweetheart.
Aran's hand paused as he stuttered out a 'Okay' in response.
Tawan was glaring at Rome but he was unfazed.
Rome looked at Mok and said, "Tell Ran I'm going to get us some drinks from the corner store. I'll be back in few."
"If Aran finds out..." Mok was hesitant.
"He'd thank us for saving him from the drama." Rome interrupted. "I'll deal with this issue and be back."
Rome walked up, physically making Tawan move from the door.
"What do you even want?" Was the last thing Mok heard before the door closed.
Aran came to him. "Uh- where did Rome go?"
"To buy us some drinks." Mok muttered.
"Hm? We could've ordered from the restaurant."
"Maybe he just thought of drinking?" Mok asked looking away.
Aran knew Mok was lying about something. He thought it must be about something mafia related so he didn't ask more.
It took Rome 15 minutes. He had a few cans and a smile. Mok looked at Rome with worry. Aran took the carry bag from Rome and went to the dining table.
"He's alive." Rome whispered. "But I'm going to look into him later. He's suspicious." He added.
Mok nodded, deciding to discuss more later. They joined Aran at the table.
"So, are you staying over?" Aran asked.
"Yeah." Mok answered.
And Rome asked, "Do you want me to?"
Mok looked up from his food. He first looked at Rome then at Aran, awaiting his answer.
"Of course. I don't mind." Aran smiled at Rome.