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Chapter Text

Vegas Theerapanyakul, an infamous name. When Porsche first joined the main family, he was bombarded with horror stories of the first-born son in the minor family – mostly from Kinn to warn him off. He was slippery and untrustworthy to anybody that he worked with… Which is something that Porsche learnt the hard way after putting his trust in the wrong people so many times before. He learnt on his own how much of a snake Vegas was. How nobody should believe a word he says or get too close with him. He was venomous and sly, waiting for just the right moment where you aren’t suspecting it, to attack, seeping poison into your veins.

That was why it was so surprising when he found out about Pete’s feelings for him.

His best friend had returned to the major family household bloodied and bruised, shaking like a leaf as the bodyguards rallied around to hold him in a no doubt bone crushing hug. Porsche had suspected that the minor family was behind it, specifically Vegas, yet Pete never said a word about it. Merely smiling in the face of danger and fobbing him off with something that was clearly a lie. Porsche struggled to understand why on earth he would be protecting such a ruthless attacker such as Vegas… But it all made sense when he talked to the snake himself.

The look in Vegas’s eyes were unlike anything he had ever witnessed him wearing before. He looked almost… Apologetic? Fearful. And the one constant that came up in their conversation was Pete. Vegas kept asking after him, wanting to know his whereabouts, his condition, everything he could get, and though Porsche seemed wary at first – reasonably so considering his usual character – he eventually realised that the only tone Vegas was using did not seem callous or hiding any hint of deception. Rather more concern and care, which was definitely a shock. He seemed desperate to see him, to speak with him. What about? Porsche was unsure, but it seemed like any information he gave was unsatisfactory considering it didn’t come from Pete himself.

Porsche would never truly know what happened between them, nor he would never ask again. It wouldn’t have been fair to drag either one of them back to that place, since they had clearly worked hard to move on from however they had acted in the past. But one thing was for certain, whatever went down, it had changed both of them for the better.

He peered around the door, watching as Vegas and Pete stood by the pool, laughing together. They had come over for a meeting, waiting on Kinn to come out to see them, and were just revelling in the small stolen moment they had that was just with the two of them. Before, it would have been rare to see Vegas with a smile – a genuine one, that is. Not the cunning expression that he wore in order to trick his victims. Yet, when he was with Pete, that is all he ever did, smiling at him like he was the most precious sigh to behold. Porsche recognised it as the same look Kinn had reserved specifically for him. He could only smile at knowing just how much that small look probably meant to his friend, as he knew from experience just how much a single flash of a smile could make you weak at the knees.

Vegas’s eyes shone as he looked at his boyfriend, a hand coming up to ruffle his hair, consequently making Pete swat him away with fake annoyance, moaning about making him not look presentable. Porsche shook his head as he watched them playfully bickering together, completely unaware of anyone and everything happening around them. It was like the whole world melted away when they were together, like the whole city could burn down around them but it wouldn’t matter because they had each other. He’d hope it wouldn’t come to that though… Love was blinding, but in the case of an emergency, Porsche would have to knock their heads together if they didn’t give some type of assistance in the matter.

“Pete! Pete, stop it!” came Vegas’s cries, though his tone was laced with humour.

Porsche had to use every ounce of his self-control not to laugh uproariously at the sight. In retaliation to messing up his hair, Pete seemed to have thought it would be funny to threaten him with a dunk in the pool. His hands were on Vegas’s waist, gripping tight as he walked him closer to the side of the pool, only stopping when his feet were half hanging over the edge.

Now, all three of them were more than aware Vegas could get out of that hold, but he only stood there, merely asking Pete not to push him in. Though Porsche couldn’t see his face from his position anymore, he found it likely that Vegas was smirking, thoroughly enjoying the situation and moreover the power that Pete had over him. It was known to everyone just how much Vegas loved to be in control, to have power over everything… But, yet again, Pete seemed to be the only exception to that rule. He couldn’t lie, it was a more than a little funny to see someone controlling the once untameable man without even breaking a sweat, watching with a smirk as his best friend held Vegas at the poolside.

Pete tilted his head forwards a little as the two exchanged words that Porsche was unable to hear from so far away. Whatever it was though, made Vegas break out into peals of laughter that echoed probably all the way to the other side of the block, all while Pete made a scandalised sound. With that, he removed his hands from his boyfriend, stepping back and watching with glee as the mafia boss tumbled backwards unceremoniously into the pool, almost creating a tsunami on the balcony.

He came back to the surface a few seconds later, splashing with his arms as he spluttered, spitting water out of his mouth, and flicking sodden hair out of his eyes. Honestly, after seeing him like that, Porsche thought it would be hard to find him scary again (unless he was pointing any number of weapons at him again, of course).

“Oh, you are in for it now…” he said, dragging himself out of the pool, taking half of the water with him in his clothes as he squelched across the floor.

Pete giggled a little as he backed away, but there weren’t really many places for him to run to – unless he was willing to jump over the railings and hope not to fall to certain death. Though Porsche thought that was an unlikely scenario.

Vegas ended up pinning him against the railing, wrapping his arms around Pete and fully pressing his body against him, likely wanting to return the favour and get him just as soaked. He shook his head from side to side like a wet dog, spraying remnants of water everywhere, before he continuously brushed his head against Pete’s, peppering kisses on his face as he did so.

“Get off me!” Pete laughed, as Vegas continued his onslaught. But he had wound his arms around Vegas’s back, so neither one of them believed his pleas.

Watching them hug like that reminded Porsche of the first time he had truly seen the two of them together.

It was after Vegas had been shot. He was visiting him in the hospital to see how he was doing. Under normal circumstances he wouldn’t have bothered, since the reason he was injured was down to him invading the major family house. No surprises that he didn’t have a lot of sympathy to start off with. But when he heard how tired and worried Pete had sounded on the phone, he thought he should take a trip down there, if only to support his friend.

When he arrived in the room, he found three people fast asleep. Macau curled up in a chair by the window, headphones on his ears as he slept, while Vegas and Pete were both in the bed, clung onto each other even during slumber. Pete’s head was rested in the crook of Vegas’s neck, both of their expressions conveying complete and utter bliss. It was odd, Porsche had thought, to see two people so happy to be in a hospital – especially since Vegas was no doubt still in a world of pain. But it made him realise something, that the two of them were truly content when they were together. They seemed to have an understanding, a deeper connection than anyone would ever truly be able to fathom apart from them, and it warmed Porsche’s heart to see. Though he wished that his friend could have found someone less… Murderous? He was still happy for him that he had Vegas in his life, if that was the person who made him smile like he had never seen before.

A hand came to rest on Porsche’s shoulder, one that he immediately recognised as his boyfriend’s.

“What’s going on?” Kinn asked, curiously. “Why are you stood by the door?”

Porsche just inclined his head towards Vegas and Pete, who had begun kissing one another. Vegas’s hands were in Pete’s hair while Pete had the sopping material of his suit jacket twisted into his fists.

Kinn shut his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing in exasperation. This hadn’t been the first time something like this had happened, oddly enough.

“Aww c’mon, Kinn,” Porsche teased, lightly poking his chest. “You’ve gotta admit, they’re kind of cute together.”

“More like a hinderance to our meeting,” he grumbled in return, though there was hint of a smile on his lips when he looked back to the two boys outside.

Rolling his eyes playfully, Porsche replied, “Like you weren’t late!”

Kinn scoffed, eyeing his boyfriend.

“Whatever. I’m gonna go get them so we can get this meeting started finally.”

He fully opened the door, marching out onto the balcony, Porsche following after him. Not that he needed to, but quite frankly he was curious to see how things were going to play out.

The mafia boss cleared his throat, crossing his arms over his chest. The abrupt sound seemed to capture the attention of the other two, who broke apart with a jump. Vegas didn’t seem too bothered by the sudden presence of Porsche and his cousin, continuing to hold onto Pete. But Pete clearly felt differently, gently pushing him away and fixing his damp suit, nodding at Kinn respectfully.

“Um… Khun Kinn, I’m sorry about-”

Kinn waved his hand in the air, cutting him off.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“I wasn’t,” Vegas mumbled, smirking as he ran a hand through his dripping hair.

Kinn ignored the comment, while Pete elbowed him in the side. Porsche could only bring a hand up to his mouth to hide his smile.

“Even so,” Kinn continued, narrowing his eyes slightly at Vegas. “Could we please get on with the meeting? That is, if you two are prepared?” He gestured to their wet demeanours with his hand.

“Maybe I should ask the same question,” Vegas replied. “Where have you been this whole time, Kinn? We’ve been waiting for you while you’ve been, what… Hooking up with your boyfriend?”

Porsche snickered at that. They had been known to hurriedly arrive at meetings with shirts done up wrong and somehow swapping half of their pairs of socks in their haste, but unluckily for Vegas, that was not one of those times.

“No, I wasn’t… But you were certainly having fun with yours.”

“Children, children, let’s all calm down,” Porsche said, putting an end to their bickering. “How about we go inside and get started, yeah?”

Kinn shrugged, turning around and heading back inside, stalking off to the meeting room. Porsche waited a second before he followed, looking at Vegas and Pete with a smirk.

“Have fun?” he asked, winking.

Pete flushed, “Shut up, Porsche.”

Vegas merely grinned, grasping hold of his hand as they all made their way indoors before Kinn came to chastise them.

Porsche could safely say he had never hand to sit through a meeting where half of the parties involved were soaking wet with nobody questioning the situation at all. It was a little hard to keep his composure, something the other two clearly struggled with too considering the twitching of their lips whenever they made eye contact or brushed their hands together underneath the table. It was just entirely odd trying to stay serious and talk about actual problems while the room basically turned into its own swimming pool. But they all got through it eventually.

And to be honest, it was kind of satisfying to watch Vegas uncomfortably shifting in his chair, the cool guy visage finally crumbling at his feet. Sure, he made Pete happy, but Porsche still took great enjoyment in his irritation.

“Ok…” Kinn said eventually, as the meeting came to a close. “Thank you for coming.” He cast Vegas and Pete a look, half smiling when he said, “And maybe next time… Think about bringing a swimsuit.”

Pete awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, “We, uh, we’ll be sure to remember that.”

Vegas rested his hand on Pete’s thigh, quirking an eyebrow.

“Or we could just wear nothing.”

Kinn scoffed at that, “Like hell you will.”

Porsche began cackling at that, remembering his own night with Kinn in the pool. No wonder he didn’t want Vegas going there and tarnishing the memory.

The two cousins continued to go back and forth, a battle of wills that was seemingly never ending – but everyone knew that it no longer carried the same malice that it did before. They were no longer enemies, trying to fight to the death. They were just too stubborn for their own good most of the time.

Pete caught Porsche’s eye over the table as they shared a knowing look before his gaze was drifting back to Vegas. Even then, his face was full of love and adoration for his boyfriend.

Porsche didn’t think him, and Vegas would ever be the best of friends… But that didn’t matter. At the end of the day, he was the one that put a smile on Pete’s face – that was the important thing. If Vegas was the person he had chosen, then so be it, Porsche would be there supporting him forever.

Chapter Text

Bullets were flying everywhere as Kinn held his gun aloft, firing back at the attackers who had dared open fire on them. It was supposed to be a friendly meeting to discuss business… Or, as friendly as you could get when dealing with another mafia family. These things always were a tough line to toe, especially where the Italians were concerned. Kinn had never really cared for them, they were a bunch of backstabbers that he wished he could entirely cut ties with – and after that little show they had put on, shooting at them without warning, he had no problems with severing any alliance that they once had. He didn’t care if his father had wanted as much peace as possible, when they were faced with a bunch of ruthless gunmen, the idea of peace was pretty much off the table.

He had Porsche at his right side, helping to defend him against the attack – and looking extremely hot doing it, though that was nothing out of the ordinary. Kinn was almost always distracted from missions due to his boyfriend’s hotness, that was something everyone had just come to expect.

But what wasn’t the norm was Vegas on his left. In fact, there was something that felt almost wrong fighting beside his cousin. Not that he wasn’t extremely grateful that Vegas was no longer the bitter, revengeful man he once was, it was great that he was helping to push back the people that threatened their family. It was just still a little hard for Kinn to have full trust that he wouldn’t turn again. Not that he needed to worry much, as there was one thing in his life that he knew would stop Vegas from ever going to such a dark place again.

Pete.

His former bodyguard had struck up a relationship with his cousin a few months prior, promptly resigning to go and be with him. At first Kinn didn’t know what to think or how to act. He was sad to lose Pete… He was a friend, not just an employee and he cared about him deeply. He was angry that Vegas had managed to pluck one of his bodyguards away, steal him from the safety of the major family premises. He was scared even, that something would happen to Pete. Vegas wasn’t exactly known for his compassion or patience, there was no telling what he would do.

As it turned out, there actually wasn’t anything he needed to worry about. Since he got Pete in his life, Vegas seemed to be like a completely different person. Of course, he was still snide and sarcastic and prickly as ever to Kinn – some things never do change, and he was never expecting his cousin to have an entire personality transplant… But it was surprising just how soft he had become after getting with his boyfriend.

For one, he was always smiling, whether it be at Pete directly or just because someone mentioned him, there would always be a designation kind expression that Vegas reserved especially for him. Kinn had to admit, he was glad that he had found that kind of happiness in his life, even if it did weird him out a little when he saw them together. Just because he was used to seeing them in an entirely new light, not the sudden loved up relationship they revealed to everyone.

The point was, Pete was the one person that would prevent Vegas from betraying them, because Pete wouldn’t betray any of his friends – the people he considers family – and there was no way that Vegas would go against him. Sure, it wasn’t the most touching of reasons, Kinn would have preferred he not betray them because they’re family and they should stand together, but hey he’s not betraying them, so the reasoning didn’t matter too much in the long run.

Kinn did a quick scan of the room, realising that Pete was no longer in the room. He had been so focussed on the Italians that he hadn’t noticed his departure.

“Where did Pete go?” he called to Vegas.

“To find Arm,” he replied. “He went off to get the information from the computer, but that was before this lot decided not to play nice. Pete wanted to get him back safe.”

He nodded in understanding, shooting two other goons in the head as he did so, slightly smiling in satisfaction as they crumpled to the floor, no longer a danger to him. Of course, there was the other fifteen or so that needed to be dealt with, but small victories and all that.

“We need to get out of here,” Porsche said, hurling blades at a guy who had ran at him in an attempt to slash his face.

Kinn smirked a little, pitying his attempt. Porche was too quick for an idiot like that.

“There’s more of them here than we thought,” he continued, sparing a quick glance at Kinn and Vegas. “We can’t take them all by ourselves.”

Vegas scoffed, “We can take them, no problem. They’re not exactly skilled.”

Right as he said that, about ten more rushed through the door, brandishing guns much bigger than the others had been carrying. His face paled a little, though he never let fear take over his features. He was always much too proud for that – even if he was staring down the barrel of a gun, Kinn was almost sure that Vegas would just smile, unwilling to give the other person the satisfaction.

“You were saying?” Porsche deadpanned. “Let’s go! We can get out the back if we go now. Arm is with the car, right?”

Kinn shook his head, “Vegas just said he’s still with the computer.”

“And Pete’s gone to get him.”

He noticed the worry building in Porsche’s eyes, though he continued determinedly fighting back the Italians.

The three of them ducked behind a pillar as they continued taking whatever shots they could, trying to figure out where to go from there and hoping they could keep them back for long enough to figure it out.

“So, they’re upstairs and we have no way of exiting the grounds?” Porsche asked, and Kinn desperately tried to keep focussed on the dangerous matter at hand instead of staring at the beads of sweat glistening on his boyfriend’s face.

Porsche must have noticed this since he rolled his eyes a little.

“Kinn, focus,” he reprimanded, though there was no malice in his tone.

“Yeah, come on, Kinn, this isn’t a game.”

There was definite annoyance when Vegas spoke. Though he supposed it was warranted, considering Pete was possibly trapped somewhere in the house. He knew how scary it was having your loved ones in danger with no way of being able to help. However, in Vegas’s mind he didn’t think that was the case. In fact, he was eyeing up the swarm of men making their way closer with each passing second, seemingly eyeing up how many of them he could take down to get past them. Kinn could tell by the calculating look in his eyes that he genuinely believed he could get through them alone.

“Vegas don’t even think about it. You’re great, but you’re no match for all of them.”

He glared at Kinn, fire in his eyes, “Well, what do you expect me to do here? I’m not just going to run out of here without him! You two might be fine doing that but I’m not.”

“We weren’t saying we should just leave them,” Porsche said, peering at the Italians anxiously. “I was just saying we should get away from this lot. You know Pete and Arm can handle themselves, it’s not like we’re putting them in mortal peril.”

“So, tell me something, Porsche… If three of us can’t handle them, then how do you think those two are gonna handle it? You’re an idiot if you think I’m going anywhere without Pete. Run off if you want, but I know where I’m going.”

Vegas made a sudden move to move away from the pillar, to put himself right into the line of fire and no doubt get his head blown off in an instant. Before he could do so, Kinn grasped his arm, dragging him back and not letting him go.

“Get the hell off of me, Kinn,” he spat, trying to elbow him harshly in the stomach.

“Not a chance.”

“I need to get to-”

The back door was broken down with a bang louder than the gunshots, making all three men jolt in surprise, momentarily distracted from the hoard of armed barbarians behind them. For a second, Kinn thought that it was more Italians, that they had become completely surrounded and there was no chance in escaping, in even thinking they had a chance at escaping.

But that was when two familiar faces came bursting into the hall, guns raised and firing immediately.

“Pete,” Vegas gasped, rooted to the spot for a second in utter shock and probably a bit of confusion.

“How the hell did you guys get here?” Porsche cried.

“Jumped down from the balcony at the back,” Arm explained as he continued taking shots. “Most men are round at the front of the house, so it was easy to-”

“Are we really doing this now? What the hell are you all waiting for?” Pete yelled at the three of them, determinedly gunning back the Italians with precision. When Kinn risked a look back, they were all dropping like flies – there was a reason Pete had been head bodyguard. “We can’t hold them off for long, let’s go! We can discuss this all later.”

None of them needed telling twice. Vegas made a beeline for Pete, grabbing hold of his arm as they ran, making sure they weren’t separated again. Kinn did the same with Porsche, looking around and taking note that Arm was also in front of him, so they had all thankfully made it out.

Obviously, their sprint to the car was made a little harder by the bullets continually being shot at them, but they managed to get away practically unscathed. No gunshot wounds, miraculously, no major organs damaged, nobody on the brink of death in the backseat… Though they almost hadn’t got out, Kinn could safely say it had been more successful than some other missions they had been on by a long shot.

“Is everyone alright?” Kinn asked, looking around the car as they sped off, leaving a bunch of disgruntled Italians in their wake. 

Arm hummed from the front seat, more focussed on driving than giving a proper response, while Porsche squeezed his hand as confirmation. Vegas and Pete said nothing at all. He turned to look at them, deeply concerned for a second that something had happened that he managed not to notice in the height of battle, but thankfully not.

They were curled up together, Pete’s head tucked into Vegas’s neck as they softly whispered to each other, hands intertwined. His cousin was wearing a look of utter relief to have Pete back in his arms, safe and sound.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” he heard Vegas mumble.

“You were the one being shot at…”

“Trust me, that wasn’t as scary as thinking you were in danger.” He looped his arm across Pete’s shoulder curling his fingers in his hair. “So, are you ok?”

Pete just nodded, tilting his head up and pressing a soft kiss on his jaw, causing Vegas to smile softly. There didn’t need to be any words spoken after that, the actions were enough to say everything.

Kinn looked away, feeling like he was interrupting a private moment that shouldn’t be witnessed by outsiders.

Sure, it had taken him a while to really understand their relationship, but at the end of the day both of them were willing to run into a line of fire to save the other. Neither one of them prepared to leave the other behind, despite knowing they were more than capable of handling themselves.

And, after knowing that, how could anyone not think they were perfect for one another?

Chapter Text

“Pleeeese Pete?” Tankhun begged through the phone, flopping down dramatically on the couch, almost crushing Pol in the process. “Could you just come? It’s so boring here without you!”

Pol and Arm both made a disgruntled sound at that, sharing a look, but Tankhun chose to ignore them.

It had been half a lie. The two of them were great company and, dare he say it, good friends to him. They all got along well, and they never complained when Tankhun wanted to binge watch entire series in a single day, despite it probably being boring for them. Yet, regardless of how great they may be, there was just something missing with Pete being gone… Like a lost limb or a missing wheel on a car. They had been a team of four for so long that it just felt entirely too weird not having him around.

Pete chuckled at the other end of the line, “I’m sure you can have fun without me… Aren’t Pol and Arm with you?”

“Yes,” he pouted, even though Pete couldn’t see him. “But you haven’t been here for so long! Is that devil stopping you from leaving? Because if he is then say the word and I will come and-”

“No, no, no, he isn’t! It’s all fine, Vegas doesn’t stop me from going anywhere.”

Tankhun frowned slightly at the sound of his cousin’s name. The name of the man who had stolen Pete from him, dug his claws into the sweet unsuspecting soul and dragged him away.

He had tried so desperately to get Pete to stay, to continue being his bodyguard instead of going to the minor family – or what it is more accurately described as, hell. He had done everything he could to try and convince him. He cried, screamed, threw himself on his knees as he begged, but Pete had held firm in his choice, telling Tankhun that he had to follow his heart, which had somehow been filled up by Vegas.

Honestly, Tankhun didn’t know how someone as lovely as Pete could have been won over by his snake-like cousin. He deserved so much better.

“If that’s true, why not come then? Pleeeease? We’re having a horror movie night again, you loved it last time! Come on, Pete.”

There was silence for a few seconds before Pete replied.

“Alright, I’ll come.” and there was a smile in his voice as he said so.

Tankhun grinned at that, laughing excitedly as he began rattling off all the things they can do and all the films they are planning on watching once Pete arrives. All the former bodyguard could do was hum along as Khun went on his spiel, knowing that anything he said would be promptly left behind in the constant stream of conversation anyway.

By the time the phone call had ended, Tankhun was smiling from ear to ear, practically bouncing with excitement on the sofa, making Pol shake next to him as well as he made the whole piece of furniture move.

“Did you hear?” Khun asked the two bodyguards. “Pete said he’d come! Isn’t this great?”

They exchanged another look between them. He was always more than a little jealous of the silent communication that Arm and Pol seemed to be so good at, the whole thing making him seem a little like an outsider. He just moved past it though, trying not to let it bother him.

“What is it?” He prompted, looking at them expectantly.

Arm cleared his throat, a little awkwardly.

“Well… It’s just that, uh… Aren’t you afraid Vegas will come along?”

Truthfully, the thought hadn’t even occurred to him. He was so focussed on his happiness, on Pete coming, that the possibility – the nightmare – of Vegas tagging along didn’t cross his mind. He preferred it that way. Ignorance truly was bliss.

“I… Wasn’t.”

“Oh ok, well forget I said-”

Tankhun threw his hands up in the air, eyes bugging out of his head.

“But I am now.”

Pol hesitantly placed a hand on his boss’s shoulder, wincing when he was immediately shrugged off.

“Mr… Mr Tankhun…” he stuttered, stealing a nervous glance at Arm before he looked back at the panicked man beside him. “We don’t know that he’s coming. I mean, he probably won’t! Vegas doesn’t exactly seem like a movie night kind of guy, right?”

Tankhun considered this for a moment.

“Hmm, I guess not.”

“See, there you go!” Arm said, cheerily. “Nothing to worry about.”

He sent his bodyguard an icy look, “Like I said – I wasn’t worried before you said something. So, thank you for that.”

Arm tittered nervously, “Yes, um, sorry.”

But the apologies fell on deaf ears. Tankhun was too busy trying to convince himself that the devil incarnate himself wasn’t going to dare turn up at his door, wanting to be let into an exclusive cinematic event that he most certainly wasn’t invited to. As much as he loved Pete, his boyfriend was not someone that he wanted showing up and ruining the perfect evening he had been planning.

“I’m sure it’s all going to work out fine,” Pol told him.

And Khun really hoped that he was right.

***

He was not.

When Pete finally arrived, walking through the door donning casual clothes and a bright smile, Tankhun had instantly dropped everything (quite literally speaking. Pol had to scurry behind him to the different items he had been holding in his arms) to go and hug him. He brought his former bodyguard into a tight embrace, squeezing him so hard that he squeaked a little.

“Pete! Oh my god, I missed you so much!”

“I’ve missed you all too,” Pete replied, chuckling at Tankhun’s enthusiasm. 

But the excitement of the moment was short lived as Pete’s leather clad-grumpy faced-satanic ass boyfriend waltzed through the door after him. Tankhun stared at him in disgust over Pete’s shoulder, hating the way Vegas was smirking.

“You know, if you miss us so much then you should just come and work here again,” he suggested, glaring daggers at Vegas. “Kinn would take you back in a heartbeat, I just know it. Not that he would have any other choice, I’d make him.”

His snake of a cousin quirked an eyebrow, talking before Pete could answer.

“Not happening. Pete quit. Deal with it.”

It took literally everything in him not to tackle the idiot to the ground right then and there. Though his bodyguards probably would have stopped him before he could do so anyway. Why exert his energy when he clearly had to suffer through an entire evening with Vegas?

“What the hell are you even doing here?” he asked in distaste. “Arm, go and get the tray, would you? I told you I’d need to make use of it.”

“Mr Tankhun, I don’t think that-”

“I pay you to follow orders, not to be disobedient.”

At that, Pete reached out and squeezed his shoulder quickly.

“Vegas doesn’t mean any harm… He didn’t even really want to come, I told him he should.”

Tankhun wrinkled his nose in disgust, looking between the two of them. Pete remained standing there, calm and steady as always, while Vegas just shrugged, seeming just as unenthused about the whole situation.

“Why on earth would you think that?”

“Because you two need to clear the air,” Pete put simply. He pointed at Tanhkun, “You need to figure out that Vegas isn’t truly a bad guy, that he’s changed. And you,” he turned round and pointed at Vegas, “need to socialise and talk to your family because your little solitude woe is me act won’t fly much longer than this.”

To Tankhun’s surprise, instead of getting mad at the way Pete had spoken to him – which he highly expected to be the case – Vegas pouted slightly, something unexplainable behind his eyes.

“Pete,” he said, sounding suspiciously like he was whining. “I’m fine, I have you remember?”

Tankhun had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. Then he remembered that he didn’t care if Vegas saw, so he did it anyway.

“Um, no… No, you’re not,” Pete argued. “You keep getting all mopey and sad and I know it’s because you stay at home all day refusing to go out!” He stepped closer, cupping his face with the utmost gentleness. “Look, I know it’s hard after what happened to you here…” Tankhun thought back to the battle, frowning at the memory. The gunshots. Finding Pete sobbing over Vegas’s almost lifeless body. As much as he didn’t get on with his cousin, it was a heart-breaking sight – and one that he had hoped to forget soon. “But this could be good for you, yeah?”

Vegas sighed, but eventually nodded. Pete took his hands away, looking back to his former boss.

“Great, so what do you say? Can he stay?”

Khun crossed his arms, “What’ll happen if I say no?”

“Then I’ll have to go home with Vegas…”

Tankhun almost laughed… Until he understood that Pete wasn’t joking, that he would genuinely turn and walk out, making that their shortest interaction to date. At that realisation, he groaned so loudly that Pol jumped at the noise, making Vegas snicker a little – consequently earning him Pete’s elbow jabbing at his side.

“For god’s sake, fine then, Pete,” he cried in annoyance. “You win. Your little boyfriend can stay.”

“Little?” Vegas mumbled, indignantly. “I’m not that much shorter than him.”

Pete barked out a laugh, “I do keep trying to tell you, but you don’t listen.”

“Shut up,” he replied, but his tone was full of something Tankhun had never heard from him before… Love.

Tankhun rolled his eyes again at the display and looked back at Arm and Pol for some support. But he didn’t get any.

He had hoped that Pol would look equally as baffled seeing them together, teasing each other in such a coupley way. He was normally the one that would share his emotions for things, the one that would be the most understanding of how he was feeling. Tankhun thought for sure that he could rely on Pol in an alliance against them… But no. Not that time.

Neither of them looked phased at all. Arm had been out on missions with Pete and Vegas since they had announced their relationship, and he assumed that they had met up on their own time. Pete often came to the Hum bar with them, it was possible that Vegas had slithered along too, sneaking in, and winning over his bodyguards one by one. Ugh, it made him sick just thinking about them bonding. Wasn’t he satisfied enough with one of his bodyguards?

He watched as Arm and Pol greeted the two with polite enough smiles. They were clearly immune to the disgust and contempt that watching Vegas and Pete caused, but Tankhun did not think he would ever be able to get past that stage.

His looked towards his cousin, taking in the smug expression on his face… If he didn’t feel ill before, he certainly did after looking at him. Honestly, he was surprised that he didn’t turn to stone after looking him directly in his beady little eyes.

Pete cleared his throat, trying to be the first one to make a move, after everyone had just stood there in silence for way too long.  

“So, uh, should we get started?”

Tankhun tore his eyes away from Vegas, deciding to focus on having Pete with him instead.

“Yeah! Let’s get this show on the road.”

To say that evening was odd would have been entirely too big of an understatement. Being around Pete and Vegas was like a whole other experience, the two of them acting in ways that he had never seen before – or ever really wanted to see if he was being perfectly honest.

Vegas whined and moaned when the group began to put on face paint (it was a tradition that they always had to uphold during their movie nights, and it was non-negotiable… Not that any of them really complained about it). He tried to wriggle away and warded off Tankhun with his hands when he tried to throw the paint pallet at his head in frustration, yet when Pete approached him, he instantly calmed. Vegas slumped back on the sofa, allowing his boyfriend to kneel between his legs on the floor, reaching up and smearing patterns all over his face, forcing him to join in with the festivities.

And the weirdest thing was that Vegas actually seemed to start enjoying it.

He laughed as Pete painted his face, looking at him like he had hung the sun, moon and all the stars in the sky. No longer complaining like he had done when anyone else had tried to force him to do something, merely letting Pete take full control and handing him the reigns. Honestly, Tankhun kind of wanted to throw up at the sight.

While they were watching the movies, jumping at the scary parts, Vegas intertwined his fingers with Pete’s, the two of them leaning their heads together as they intently watched the screen. The touch seemed to be more for Pete’s benefit who, as Tankhun knew from previous experience, got unnerved by the jump scares in the movies. It was a little funny, he thought, that his former bodyguard – one that was unphased by anything – could be reduced to a squealing mess just from watching a sequence on a screen. It just made him more loveable though. What he couldn’t understand, although maybe he should have expected it, was Vegas continually looking at the screen with a curious expression. Of course, a psychopath like him would be intrigued by the films instead of scared. He was the same old Vegas after all.

“Getting off on the violence, Vegas?” Khun sniped, side eyeing his cousin.

Vegas tutted, no doubt rolling his eyes at the statement.

“Just watch the movie,” he grumbled in return, nestling closer to Pete.

Tankhun added that to the list of gobsmacking things that had occurred that evening. The fact that being around Pete stopped him from being a complete ass and blowing up at him like he normally would… He must have really fallen. Not that that changed anything, Tankhun would rather miss every single beauty pageant till the end of eternity than admit that Vegas was slightly less of a personified bad smell.

In the middle of the marathon, during a break between the movies, Pete looked around the room, smirking at his friend’s terrified faces.

“I’m gonna go get some drinks,” he said, making a move to get up.

“Oh, I’ll come with-”

Pete shook his head at Vegas, “No, it’s ok, I’ve got it. You stay here.”

He nodded, pressing a kiss on Pete’s cheek (raising his middle finger in Khun’s direction when he made vomiting noises at the action) before he got up and strode out of the room.

Maybe Pete knew that everyone’s eyes were following him as he did so, silently begging him to stay, not to leave them all there, but he did so anyway. Arm and Pol looked at the two cousins wearily as they sized one another up, icy glares turning the air frosty in Pete’s wake.

“Whatever it is you want to say,” Vegas said, pursing his lips. “Just spit it out.”

Tankhun shrugged, “Fine, but I think you already know what it is… I don’t like that you’re with Pete. I don’t like that you stole him. I don’t like that you keep him away from us – his true family. I just don’t like you.”

“Bet you’ve been waiting all night to let that out.”

He merely crossed his arms, haughtily.

“Ok, well now it’s my turn.” Vegas said, his voice calm yet clearly conveying his inner aggressions that were just begging to be let out. “Putting it simply, I love Pete… And he loves me. That’s why he isn’t here anymore, Tankhun. He quit because he loves me, not because of some delusion you have of me being this big manipulative bad guy who forced him out of the major house at gunpoint.”

“How the hell is that a delusion? That is literally something you have done before. You kidnapped Pete, kept him hostage! You came in here and shot the place up! You’re a complete psycho.”

“And I regret the way that I acted in the past. I’d never hurt Pete now and he knows that… Frankly, I have nothing to prove to you, but since you’re so insistent on painting me as a villain, it has to be said. I never stop Pete from going anywhere. If he wants to come here on visits, if he wants to come here permanently then he should do so because he is his own person, he can decide to do what he wants. But just so you know, you aren’t his only family now. He has me. He has Macau. We both love him too. And if you’re so dense that you can’t see that, maybe you should take some time to think and figure out who it really is that’s trying to control Pete.”

Tankhun spluttered at that, “What are you implying? That I’m controlling him? I would never!”

Vegas raised his eyebrows, “Oh, you wouldn’t? So, you wouldn’t keep going on and on at him to come back to a job that he quit, to a house that he moved out of, away from a man that he loves? Honestly Tankhun…”

“No, no, no, you are not throwing this back on me! You-”

“Can I not leave you two alone for two minutes without this happening?” Pete said, walking back into the room with a frown.

“Nope,” Taknhun and Vegas said at the same time, promptly grimacing since they had technically agreed on something.

The former bodyguard shook his head walking forwards and placing the drinks on the table before turning his attention towards Arm and Pol.

“You couldn’t have done something?”

Pol held his hands in a surrender, “What did you want me to do?”

“Stop them?”

“Hell, we weren’t getting in the middle of that,” Arm scoffed. “We only step in if punches are being thrown.”

“We’re bodyguards, Pete, not verbalguards.”

Pete shook his head, sighing, “I… Don’t even know where to start with that so I’m not even gonna try.” He looked towards Tankhun and Vegas, going to sit in front of them. “What is wrong with you two?”

Both of them instantly started talking over each other, trying to defend themselves but the entire thing just turned into a jumbled noise that nobody could even begin to try and decipher.

“Ok, ok, stop,” he ordered, grimacing slightly at the sheer volume of their voices. “One of you, explain.”

Tankhun shot Vegas a glare, daring him to speak first, but he just sat back, arms crossed moodily. Success, finally, Tankhun thought to himself.

“Your boyfriend is being a bastard,” the eccentric boss blurted out, pointing at Vegas accusatorily. “He says I’m being possessive and controlling just because I miss you! I didn’t realise wanting to see my friend was such a crime. I guess it’s worse than, I don’t know, kidnapping and brainwashing someone.”

“Hey!” Vegas growled. “That is completely uncalled for and totally blown out of proportion and context. Shut your mouth Khun, before I shut it for you.”

“Oh yeah? I’d like to see you try. Come on, hard man, or is your bark worse than your bite?”

“I think you know exactly what I’m capable of…”

Pete groaned in frustration, “Enough!”

He looked between the two of them with a tired expression.

“Look, it’s not a problem that you miss me, Khun, I know I haven’t been around much and I’m sorry for that.” Tankhun sent Vegas a triumphant expression. “But you have to understand that I am happy with Vegas. He didn’t brainwash me at all, these are my true feelings, I genuinely love him. And I don’t need your acceptance on that, it’s happening whether any of you like it or not.” Vegas looked smugly at Tankhun. “You aren’t my only family anymore… Him and Macau mean a lot to me and, although I don’t need your approval, I would love it if you could at least try not to hate the idea. The last thing I wanted was more animosity between everyone, that’s why I brought Vegas here.”

The way that Pete’s entire face softened as he spoke about Vegas was enough to make Tankhun’s heart ache. He never meant to make Pete feel bad about his choices or the person he wanted to spend his life with, he was simply focussed on wanting to see his friend once in a while.

“I’m sorry…”

“God no, don’t apologise,” Pete insisted, though Vegas muttered something in disagreement under his breath. “You just wanted to see me, I can’t be mad at that, right? In fact,” he glanced at his boyfriend, “that’s something you can both agree on. Isn’t it?”

Vegas and Tankhun begrudgingly locked eyes.

“I… Suppose so,” Tankhun said. Slowly, like the words were being forcefully taken from him.

Vegas rolled his eyes before nodding, “Yes.”

“See? One step closer to peace!” Pete said, cheerily, laughing as they both rolled their eyes.

He walked over, sitting in the space between the two men, allowing Tankhun to sling an arm round his shoulder while Pete pulled Vegas towards him, holding his hand. Tankhun noticed that the two of them instantly relaxing now that they were back in each other’s spaces.

Now, he would never particularly like his cousin or forgive him for the devastation that he caused. Nor would be probably ever fully approve of the relationship he had with Pete, but he clearly made him happy. He made him the most smiley, excitable, comfortable version of himself that Tankhun had ever seen, so for that reason, he wouldn’t say another bad word towards them (at least not for the rest of the evening, he only had so much self-control after all). He hoped that in the future he would not have to see them shoving their love in his face… But he liked that Pete had found a love so special to him and he would always support him in his choices.

“Tankhun can you stop breathing so loud?” Vegas muttered. “We’re trying to watch a movie not listen to your mouth noises.”

Then again… Maybe he could convince Pete to stay the next time he came round.

Chapter Text

“Oh, P’Kim!” Chay smiled as Kim walked through the door. Kim was always taken aback by the sheer love that greeted him when they saw one another, every single time without fail… He was trying to get over himself and just accept the unconditional kindness Porchay had for him though. “Are you alright?”

The older boy nodded, going to sit next to his boyfriend on the sofa, opening his arms automatically so that Chay could snuggle into his side.

“Yeah,” he answered, eventually. “I’m all good.”

“Ok… That explains the weird smile then.”

Kim made an affronted noise, looking down at the small boy in his arms. He was grinning madly, eyes sparkling, knowing exactly what he had to do every time to get a reaction out of his boyfriend.

“Do you have a point, Porchay?” he asked.

“Ooh, Porchay, is it?” Chay giggled. “No, I didn’t have a point, Kimothy.”

Kim snorted, “Kimothy? Come off it.”

Chay laughed again, resting his head on Kim’s shoulder.

“Alright, alright. So, what happened?”

“I bumped into Vegas and Pete again.”

Kim had never really considered himself as the most sociable amongst his family. Sure, at university he was popular – as in he had quite a lot of friends and people knew him because of his singing… But he wasn’t the outgoing type. Not like Tankhun, his flamboyant, unapologetically loud oldest brother. Or his other brother Kinn, the suave mafia boss that had everyone at his beck and call, hanging on his every word. No, Kim was more subdued, a listener, an observer. He preferred to hide behind his lyrics and his guitar. Maybe it was the musician in him, the way he could pick up on the soft voices that would otherwise fade into the background, taking note of the body language that most people would overlook.

That was how he had discovered Vegas and Pete’s relationship.

He had noticed the way that the two would gravitate towards the other when they were in the same room. The way their eyes would lock, staring at each other with gazes that were in no way friendly – or rather more than friendly.

His cousin didn’t use the same expression of hatred that he did for everyone else. When he saw any member of the main family and their bodyguards, he would glower at them, probably hoping that actual lasers could shoot from his eyes. Yet, with Pete, there was something almost soft and kind that came over his face, something that Kinn had never seen from Vegas before. And that was what really made him take special notice of the two of them.

The way it seemed like the whole world melted away when they reunited with one another. The way that they always found a way to be next to each other, to be put on the same missions. Vegas always wheedling Kinn into putting Pete on his teams when Vegas had to go see to their mutual enemies. Not that it was particularly hard of an ask, Pete was the head bodyguard, wanting to have him on a mission didn’t seem out of the ordinary – not for anyone except Kim, who knew that there was something much deeper under the surface. Something that they clearly wanted nobody else to know.

Unfortunately for them, he stumbled upon them pretty quickly after that.

Kim had been on a trip home, visiting his brothers. It wasn’t something that he did particularly often, not liking the fact he normally somehow got roped into their stupid mafia behaviour. Against his will most of the time, he would just like to add.

He had been walking along the hall, looking for a bit of peace and quiet (he had just escaped from one of Tankhun’s binge watching sessions and was in desperate need of some silent time. As much as he loved his brother, he could send his ears ringing from the sheer volume of his commentaries). As it turned out, that is the same thing Vegas and Pete had been looking for… An empty room, away from prying eyes and loud voices.

The musician had walked into the room, hoping to only find empty chairs and shelves lined with books. Instead, what his eyes clapped on was Vegas laid on the couch, Pete sprawled on top of him, their lips connected, their hands clawing at one another. Now, while Kim had known that there was something between them, there was a clear difference between knowing and seeing.

He made a sound of shock, causing the two men to look up at him, clearly just as surprised by the intrusion.

The three of them proceeded to merely stare at each other in an awkward silence, none of them knowing quite how to go on from there. Eventually, it was Kim that made the first move, clearing his throat awkwardly and making his swift exit, trying desperately to burn the image of them from his brain. As much as he didn’t care that Vegas and Pete were together, he also didn’t really want the mental picture of them burned into his mind.

Since then, the two had revealed their relationship and they seemed happier than ever. Kim was truly happy for them, he knew the toll it took on people, being a part of the mafia. It was part of the reason he’d left, after all. Of course, Vegas had done things that most people raised eyebrows at, even in their world, but any idiot could see that Pete had fallen hard for him, and Vegas for Pete. So, really, if it didn’t matter to them, it shouldn’t matter to anyone else.

Despite that, he would have preferred to maybe see less of them. It seemed like every time he went home for a visit, he managed to run into the two of them. Whether it be in the major family house seeing his brothers or going to the minor family house to see Porchay, Vegas and Pete would be there without fail. And, due to Kim’s dumb luck, he would always stumble upon them in situations where they clearly didn’t want to be disturbed.

Obviously, that wasn’t always sexual moments – they did have some control (Kim assumed so anyway). Normally it was just sweet moments where they were standing close, giggling softly, and exchanging whispers in each other’s ears, stealing moments while they had time between meetings and missions. Honestly, they were no better than Kinn and Porsche, the two of them running off shamelessly as soon as they had the opportunity.

Kim didn’t know why they always had to cross paths like that, but it had just become their routine by that point. Vegas would roll his eyes while Pete would smirk, the three of them exchanging knowing looks before they would move on like nothing happened, going back to whatever they were doing.

“Again?” Chay laughed. “Are you sure you aren’t just stalking them, Kim?”

“I can assure you, I’m not,” Kim grinned.

“Hmm ok, if you insist…”

“I’m not!” He exclaimed, ticking Chay lightly on his side, laughing along with him. “Trust me, as happy as I am for them, I’d rather not see their love shoved right in my face every single time.”

“Ahh, not one for love, are you? Ok, point taken.”

The smaller boy proceeded to wriggle away, attempting to put some space between them on the sofa. Not that he got very far. Kim had grasped him before he could scramble away, winding his arms around his waist and pulling Chay back to his side, rolling him almost completely onto him. 

Porchay giggled again, resting his chin on Kim’s chest as he looked at him with glittering eyes.

“I’m not one for their love… At least not as much as I’ve been subjected to it,” Kim clarified. “But ours? I’m all for.”

He punctuated his point by learning forward a pressing a gentle kiss on the tip of his nose, delighting in the pink blush that dusted Chay’s cheeks at the action.

Chay shook himself out of it quickly, smiling up at Kim.

“You know, Macau has been moaning about the two of them as well.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Mmm. He keeps ranting to me about how he never gets any piece with his brother and his in law. I don’t think they’re too bad though, I live here too, and I rarely see them. Granted, my room is on the other side of the house, but I’m not gonna jinx it, I’m happy living in oblivious bliss, you and Macau can witness all of their moments for me thanks.” He grimaces a little. “I’ve already walked in on Kinn and Porsche more times than I’d care to admit. Those two are your guys’ problem.”

Kim laughed out a sigh, “I suppose it’s hard to get privacy around here, huh?”

“You can say that again.”

“Maybe sometime in the future… You should come and stay with me… Permanently.”

Chay looked at him, his lips parted in surprise.

“You… You’d want me to? You’d want to live with me?”

“Of course!” he smiled, ruffling his hair tenderly. “I mean, not now obviously, I’m only just finishing school and you’re starting it – it doesn’t seem like the best time. But, yeah, someday when we’re both settled… I think it could be really good for us. Is that something you would want?”

His boyfriend stared in disbelief, “Are you kidding me, right now? Obviously, I’d want that!”

He completely collapsed onto Kim’s chest, hugging him tight – a touch that Kim reciprocated immediately.

They were laid there in their little bubble, enjoying their time together and basking in the rays of their promise and the ideas of the future that is laid out for them. A happier time where neither of them needed to worry about murders or kidnappings or any other terrifying act that could befall them. Only joy and comfort and warmth.

As they did so, two familiar figures appeared at the door, making their way to the kitchen. Vegas smirked at the two while Pete gave a genuine smile. Kinn looked back at them the corner of his lip twitching upwards, his eyes conveying more than a smile could at that point.

“Careful,” Vegas teased. “You’re in my house now, Kim. Be glad it’s just a hug I’m witnessing.”

Chay peered over at them, “Actually, it’s Porsche’s… But semantics.”

Kim was surprised by his confidence. He assumed that Chay would be shy of Vegas, especially since he wasn’t exactly a part of the mafia family and the whole idea of it made him feel uneasy. A person like Vegas would have made him shake to his core months previously… But he supposed the stories Macau had told, about his brother, probably made him feel a little less scary.

“Oh, you want to play that game, Porchay?” There was no malice to Vegas’ voice, more like humour.

Since Chay was close to Macau’s age, he seemed to be treating him with the same amount of kindness and protectiveness that he did with his younger brother, which Kim appreciated. He couldn’t be with Chay all the time, so he was relieved that there were others looking out for his wellbeing just as fiercely as him and Porsche.

“Leave them alone, Vegas,” Pete chuckled, placing his hands on his boyfriend’s waist, attempting to steer him away.

Although Vegas went wherever Pete moved him, he peered back round at Kim and Chay, pointing at them.

“I’ll be sending the cleaners for that sofa later,” he announced.

“Oh please,” Kim shouted back, laughter in his voice. “I’ve seen way worse from you and Pete.”

To his surprise, there was no retaliation, Pete shoving Vegas out of the room before he could even think of a reply.

“Guess we’re the ones being walked in on now,” Chay snorted once they were out of earshot.

Kim held him impossibly closer, “Making the idea of my flat sound so much sweeter…”

He laid with Chay on the sofa, thinking about the bliss of living with him. The privacy they would have to just be by themselves with their love. Play music together, hug, kiss, and everything else they possibly could, everything else they wanted to, without interruption.

Maybe that even meant he could go without bumping into Vegas and Pete often as well – which he was sure they would also count as a small miracle.

Chapter Text

The grumpy, villainous mafia boss, a brooding force that made people quake with fear and scatter as soon as his presence had been made clear. The headstrong, stubborn as hell bodyguard, who was willing to burn the ground at his feet in order to complete his missions. Two strong personalities butting heads, going up against one another in close quarters… Seems like a recipe for disaster and yet, it works.

Arm thinks that Vegas and Pete genuinely sound like they have stepped right out of a fiction book. Not that he frequents in reading those! No… No, those are definitely Pol’s books lining the shelves of their rooms, and it’s him that reads them every night before going to sleep… Yeah. Definitely him. Pol. Nobody else.

Even so, Arm could appreciate when a good story is being told. Just like with Kinn and Porsche, the ideas of forbidden romance, the love that is just out of reach yet so tantalising that you just have to reach out and grasp it with both hands. Of course, with Mr Kinn, he had known of the feelings between him and the new bodyguard that had joined the major family. It had been completely obvious how much they liked each other from the get go – though Arm having access to the cameras scattered around the grounds probably did help him see a lot more than most in terms of them sneaking around everywhere trying not to get caught. Even going so far as to jump fully clothed into the indoor pool together.

But the oldest son of the minor family and the head bodyguard of the main family… Though it was possibly every fanfiction ever, Arm hadn’t seen it coming. Though, why would he have done? Vegas was malicious and cruel and downright murderous. And from what he had seen of his friend Pete, the guy could be hard obviously – he was the head bodyguard for a reason, entrusted with some of the most sacred and important jobs that any of them could be asked of. Yet, he didn’t seem to have a cruel bone in his body. He did what had to be done, sure, but he was kind and funny and just a general nice guy to be around. Arm couldn’t exactly picture the two of them being together in his head.

That was why it came as such as shock when he had spotted them together during the battle. Just after Porsche and Kinn had run off after the head of the minor family, Pete and Vegas had been at a showdown, guns aloft as they stared one another down. Arm kept his eye on that place in case he had to help out his friend, maybe send in another bomb to blast Vegas across the room… As it turned out, none of that was needed in the end. After a short fight that was one hundred percent on Pete’s side, the two had shared a kiss.

They were enemies. Two men buzzing with aggression and pent-up anger. Sat on a bloodied floor surrounded by the dead bodies of Vegas’s men. Not exactly the most romantic scene of them all, by all accounts. But it was an unmistakable kiss. Arm had turned the camera off before Tankhun could see what was going on (and since he was satisfied that no harm would befall Pete) since his boss would no doubt go marching into the heat of the battle purely to yank Vegas away from his bodyguard himself. Not that Tankhun’s blissful ignorance lasted too long, the boss later finding Pete – along with the other staff – laying over Vegas’s gunshot riddled body, inconsolable and screaming for someone, anyone, to help. Arm wasn’t totally sure Pete even recognised that any of them were there, or if he had been yelling like that to an empty courtyard since the incident had happened.

Either way, it took them ages to calm him down, the poor guy buzzing with the adrenaline still flowing through his system, along with the fear of losing Vegas. It was a nasty combination, one that kept him up for hours. He only allowed himself to relax when he was finally assured that Vegas would pull through, and he was let through to go and sit by his bedside with Macau. The two of them residing there as they shared their concern, seeking comfort in each other as they waited for their loved one to wake up.

It was a long while after that, that Arm actually witnessed the two of them in person – and in much less tragic circumstances. But when he did, it was hard to give a single reason as to why the two weren’t suited for one another. It was like every bad thing that had happened up to that point vanished, their happiness cancelling out each negative thought instantly.

They had all been at Hum bar, enjoying an evening off. Technically anyway. They were still on duty, but Tankhun loved it there, partying the night away, knowing he would be treated well there with Yok behind the bar and Porsche supplying him with a multitude of drinks. They had only been there for a couple of hours and their boss was already staggering around, practically oblivious to the rest of the world as he danced with Porsche, Kinn sitting at the bar, watching them both with an amused expression.

It was probably for the best that Tankhun was pretty much out of it, since when Pete finally decided to grace them with his presence, Vegas came in tow.

Pol leant on his shoulder, putting his mouth up to Arm’s ear when he spoke.

“Well… That’s not good.”

“You can say that again.”

“Well, that’s not good,” he repeated, the shape of his smile pressing against Arm’s skin.

He lightly elbowed him, chuckling.

“I didn’t mean literally, idiot.”

He nodded, “Porsche should have the sense to keep Mr Tankhun away.”

Arm could only shake his head at that, glancing quickly over to his friend before he turned back to Vegas and Pete who were fast approaching.

“This is Porsche we’re talking about,” he clarified to Pol, eyebrows raised. “Porsche who has been drinking his goddamn herbal spirits. He has less sense than us all.”

The realisation dawned on Pol as he listened.

“Ok, I’ll put Yok on babysitting duty,” he promised, patting Arm lightly on the shoulder before he rushed off.

“Oh, she’ll be so pleased about that,” Arm muttered under his breath, grinning when Pete finally reached him.

Pete returned the wide smile with his own, looking happier than Arm had ever seen him. Sure, he had been excitable before, especially on their nights out. In fact, he remembered the night where Pete had been more than happy joining in on the dancing, going so far as so jump up on the chairs in order to show off his moves. It had been one hell of a party.

Even so, there was something different about him. He just seemed so much more… Content. Relaxed. Like there was no pressure on the way he had to act anymore. Maybe it was because no part of him was on duty anymore. He didn’t have to worry about looking after Tankhun – though a part of him probably always would. Just because he had gone over to the minor family with Vegas didn’t mean that he had severed his loyalty to the major family. Arm didn’t think Tankhun – or any of them for that matter – would ever let that happen. But the point was that he wasn’t working, merely just living. Enjoying his time. Kicking back and having fun with his friends… And Vegas.

Speaking of whom.

“Where did Vegas go?” Arm questioned. “I saw him come in with you.”

“Well, hello to you too,” Pete laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Sorry! Hi, how have you been?”

He reached out and lightly pushed Arm’s shoulder, “I was just joking! But I’ve been good, thanks. Things have been…” he smiled yet again, no doubt thinking about his boyfriend. “Good. But, uh, yeah Vegas just went to get us some drinks.”

Pete tilted his head towards the bar, indicating to where Vegas was stood. He was leaning against the counter, engaged in a stare off with Kinn, neither one of them making the first move to speak. In the end, Yok came over to talk to Vegas and get his order, ending the stalemate.

“Surprised Vegas didn’t initiate anything there,” Arm mused.

It was supposed to be an inner thought, but apparently alcohol did wonders for his filter – who knew?

He thought for a moment Pete would be annoyed by his admission, but he was completely unphased by it.

“I told him he wasn’t allowed to,” was all he said in return, giving a small shrug of his shoulders.

“You… You what?” Arm spluttered, completely shocked.

Never in his life had he heard of anyone telling Vegas Theerapunyakul what to do. Apart from his father of course, but that was a whole other playing field.

Pete merely shrugged again, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Yeah, I told him he wasn’t allowed to start anything with Kinn. This evening shouldn’t be damaged by their petty arguments. I know things are better with them now, but this evening should be fun, so I didn’t want to take the risk… You know how those two can get.”

He would never claim that Kinn was a person that put himself on a pedestal or made himself out to be better than anyone… Yet, hearing Pete talking about their boss – well, Arm’s boss – and Vegas like they were close personal friends all of a sudden, was a bit of shock to say the least.

Arm hummed in response, nodding.

“I guess so,” he adjusted the glasses on his face as he peered curiously at his friend. “I think it’s just a little odd… Y’know, hearing you ordering Vegas around.”

Pete snickered, “True. It just comes naturally to me now; I forget that it must seem weird to you guys. But trust me, he’s not gonna like… shoot me for telling him off.” The former bodyguard grinned. “He wouldn’t dare.”

Arm raised the glass in his hand, clinking it against an imaginary drink in the air, a mockery of a toast to Pete’s words.

“I’ll have to take your word for it. I certainly won’t be testing the theory.”

“Probably wise,” he snickered in return.

It was at that moment that Pol came crashing back to Arm’s side, knocking into him so harshly that most of his drink was spilt down his front.

He peered up at Pol over the rim of his glasses, glaring fiercely.

“Are. You Kidding.”

Pol beamed back, his eyes full of laughter.

“Sorry,” he said, reaching out and plucking at the wet material in a joking manner. “Maybe you should take it off – give us a repeat of that little show… I know everyone would be so happy to see you dancing again.”

Arm shoved him off, though he was laughing along with him and Pete. The three of them exchanging smiles just as easily as they had when they all worked together. It was like nothing at all had changed, they just slipped back into their routine as easily as putting on their uniforms.

But abruptly, Pol was gasping, making all laughter cease in an instant.

He was pointing towards Pete in shock, causing the former bodyguard to panic slightly, running his hand over his face.

“What?” he asked Pol. “Is there something on me? What’s wrong?”

Arm was just as confused, looking between the two in bewilderment.

“No, no, it’s not that,” Pol told him. He took a step forward, adjusting the collar of Pete’s shirt to better reveal the side of his neck – and consequently, the deep red splotches that had been hiding there.

Pete flushed with embarrassment, taking a small step back, enough for Pol’s hand to drop back to his side.

“Oh, that,” he chuckled nervously, moving his shirt back to cover it.

Pol looked at him, angrier than either of the two had ever seen him. Pol was always known for being the calm one, the friendly, most approachable of the bodyguards in the compound. But in that moment, his face was full of fury, his eyes basically blazing with untamed fire as he stared at Pete.

“Did Vegas do this to you?” he asked. His voice was quiet, but it was boarding on completely furious.

Pete wrinkled his nose in confusion.

“I… Yes?”

“That son of a…” Pol’s face contorted with anger. “When I get my hands on him, I swear to God. He’s gonna regret ever hurting you, I-”

Arm made a sound of realisation, understanding what Pol thought the marks were from. Honestly, it was kind of adorable, he couldn’t help but smile at the small misunderstanding.

He grabbed his shoulder, squeezing tight.

“Pol, I don’t think that-”

“No,” he cried. “He hurt Pete and he can’t get away with that! You know what? Wait till Mr Tankhun hears about this, we’re gonna make him wish he was never born. He can’t mess with you and get away with it…”

Pete looked at him, his face still flushing a deep beetroot, but there was a touched expression behind his eyes.

“He didn’t hurt me,” he explained. “While I appreciate your concern, Pol… There’s no need to go attacking Vegas. The marks, they’re… They’re just…” he made a pained expression, like he wished he didn’t have to be talking about that with them – which was understandable. “They’re just hickies, Pol.”

“I- oh.”

Pol backed up so he was back at Arm’s side, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, smiling sheepishly.

“It’s alright,” Pete smiled. “It’s sweet that you’d actually be willing to fight him for me.”

Arm had to hold his hand to his mouth to stop the laughter from escaping, unfortunately he didn’t manage to stop himself completely, earning himself a look from Pol.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, nothing, nothing…” Arm said, trying to keep himself from cracking up. “Just the thought of you trying to beat up Vegas Theerapunyakul. I mean… I love you dude, but I don’t think that would go in your favour.”

Pol made an affronted sound, “I could do it!”

Pete and Arm exchanged a look, smirking at one another.

“I so could!” Pol protested again.

“You could what?”

Pol almost jumped out of his skin when he heard Vegas’s voice, and he looked visibly shaken when he saw him appear, taking his place beside Pete. Arm could see the blood slowly draining from his face, as Pol gently nudged him to stand in front, acting as a human shield against the minor family son.

“Chicken,” Arm whispered to him.

As if Vegas would do anything, especially with Pete standing right there.

They watched as he gave Pete a soft smile, handing him a drink and then snaking the free arm around his boyfriend’s waist to hold him close. It was smooth, Arm couldn’t lie.

“So… What could you do?” Vegas asked again, looking at Pol with mild curiosity.

“Uh, nothing! It was nothing, Mr Vegas…”

The corner of his lip twitched at Pol’s nervous demeanour.

“What’s making you so nervous? I don’t bite, you know.”

And that was Arm’s breaking point. He couldn’t hold in his laughter for a second longer, especially when he caught a glimpse of Pete’s burning face right before he buried his head in Vegas’s shoulder.

“I have it on good authority that you do…” Arm teased, grinning at his friend.

Vegas took a sip of his drink, completely unphased by them all, only tightening his grip on Pete’s waist.

“Ok, that may be so…” his eyes flicked up to look at Pol, an unexplainable expression on his face. “But I only do it when I’m asked.”

Pete lifted his head up at that, slapping him lightly on the chest as he chuckled lowly.

“Vegas, oh my god! Shut up!”

Arm set his drink on a nearby table, crossing his arms.

“The truths all coming out now… Mr Vegas, do tell, is there anything else we should know about Pete?”

The former bodyguard clamped a hand over his boyfriend’s mouth before he could utter a single word in response. Because clearly, he knew him well enough to know there would be a response. 

He glanced at Arm, “You can shut up too. Unless you want me to show Vegas the footage of your little Magic Mike performance.”

Arm’s mouth hit the floor.

“You have the video?”

“Yok gave me the CCTV footage,” he replied, smug as ever. “So, what’s it gonna be, Arm?”

“Hold up… Magic Mike performance?” Vegas looked intrigued. “What did you used to get up to, Pete?”

He snorted at the statement, raising his finger to point at Arm.

“Oh, no, that was all him. I had nothing to do with it, other than being forced into being an audience member for his little show.”

Vegas tilted his head, pressing his mouth up to Pete’s ear to whisper into it. Neither Arm nor Pol could hear what was said but judging by the way their friend started blushing again, they probably didn’t want to either, lest they be scarred with mental images they definitely didn’t want put in their heads.

“Stooop!” he warned Vegas, poking his cheek lightly. To which his boyfriend only responded with a soft tug on the silver hoop dangling from his ear and a soft chuckle.

Again, Arm found himself surprised that Vegas’s only reaction was a soft smile. Maybe he shouldn’t have been. After all, Pete was with him for a reason, and he wouldn’t be stupid enough to date a guy that would hurt him at all – let alone over something as silly as that. Arm was just worried, that was all. Worried that his friend would get hurt… Vegas was unpredictable. He would hate to witness something bad happen to his friend and have to way of helping him.

But, judging by how they had been acting that evening, there was no reason for him to worry himself. Vegas clearly loved Pete. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have showed up at the bar in the first place. It was no secret that him and his cousins weren’t the best of friends, even after their slow thaw from the hatred they once had for each other. The only thing that would drag him down here would have to be love, the thing that could keep him safe and comfortable when surrounded by the main family instead of his friends.

“So, Arm,” Pete continued. “What’s it gonna be?”

He smiled at his friend.

“I’ll shut up.”

After all, there was nothing that needed to be said. No words of warning. No threats (not like he dared to anyway) towards Vegas. No fearful looks either. Pete looked entirely comfortable in Vegas’s hold, cuddling up even closer to him and resting his head on his shoulder.

They shared smiles and whispered to each other throughout the evening, entering their own little bubble more times than they would probably ever admit, ignoring Arm and Pol for what felt like hours. But neither of them could find it in themselves to be annoyed at their friend. In fact, ever time it happened, they just exchanged a knowing look, smiling. They hadn’t realised it before… But they were perfect for one another. And if anyone ever asked Arm in the future, why on earth Vegas and Pete were together, he would simply tell them to go and take a look for themselves. Because, really, that’s all the answer they need.

Chapter Text

Honestly, Porchay didn’t understand why everyone had such a problem with Vegas and Pete being together. He couldn’t understand the weird glances they got or the whispers that they received behind their backs, nor could he fathom the clear confusion that people had towards their relationship. Because that’s what it mostly was, confusion. Nothing snide or cruel… For the most part. People just seemed weirded out that the two men had found their way towards each other. But, at least in Chay’s eyes, he couldn’t think of any two people more suited – apart from his brother and Kinn obviously.

He was a bundle of nerves when him and Porsche had to move to the minor family compound. Chay had only just adjusted to living in the major family mansion instead of the place he had always called home, but with the welcoming personality of Tankhun and his smiley bodyguards, he had allowed himself to fit in. But with Porsche becoming the head of the minor family, it was only natural that his brother should move there – meaning that Chay had to tag along, uprooting his whole life for the second time in less than a month.

It was definitely… Different. But in a good way, actually.

Things seemed more laid back there, less regimental, which Porchay actually liked. He found that it was actually a nice place with some pretty nice people. The bodyguards he had come across greeted him with nods or smiles… Now, whether that was just because he was the brother of their boss or just because they were nice people remained to be seen, but Chay appreciated the gesture, nonetheless.

And once he had moved there, he met Macau, who had become one of his closest friends in a very short amount of time. It turns out they went to the same university, so they used that to first bond and just went from there, finding out they actually had quite a bit in common. But it wasn’t Macau that Chay was most nervous for at the compound… It was his brother that he had heard the horror stories about, and with every day that passed, he became more and more agitated at the prospect of his return.

He had been hospitalised after that battle had broken out at the main family mansion and had resided there all while Porsche and Chay had been moving in, so the two had never crossed paths. But from every story that people had told him, Porchay was glad for that fact. The only person that had a good word to say was Macau, yet that was a little bit of a bias, since he’s Vegas’s brother.

As it turned out, there was absolutely no need for him to be worried. When Vegas finally arrived back to his home, he was a little grumpy, sure, peering at Porsche and Chay with a small bit of contempt. Though that was probably to be expected, since they had kind of taken his house without asking. Porchay didn’t really understand the whole story, nor did he particularly want to ask, but by the sounds of it, things were in his brother’s hands now, instead of with Vegas’s family, though they were by no means being kicked out. Chay seemed on edge when he saw the moodiness that Vegas had, but that soon subsided when Pete caught up with him, wrapping an arm round his waist and walking with him along the halls, taking him to his room.

Vegas was instantly smiling and softly muttering to Pete as they walked together, every ounce of a bad mood that had been present consequently vanishing into thin air. It was like magic, the power that Pete wielded.

“They’re sweet,” Chay mused. To which his brother only hummed in response, looking after them with a small smile.

Porchay saw quite a lot of them after that, and he had to admit that he enjoyed their company. They were funny and kind and treated him just like one of their own, which was very touching. If people didn’t know any better, they would probably think that Porchay was another younger brother of Vegas.

Porsche went back to the main family house a lot. Kinn was there and, along with being his boyfriend, they had matters to discuss with missions and… Whatever else the mafia did, Chay tried to stay out of that stuff. So, while he was gone, he made it clear that Porchay needed to be taken care of.

“I’m not a baby, Porsche,” he had grumbled.

“I know,” his brother had laughed, gently cupping his chin. “But I still worry about you.”

Pete had smiled at the two of them, “Don’t worry, he’ll be safe here.”

And he was.

Vegas pushed him to do his homework along with Macau and made sure that they didn’t get into trouble, protecting them whenever they wanted to go out. Well, he would kindly ask Pete to do it most of the time, since he was still in recovery, but his boyfriend was more than willing to help out. And they took it in turns making food for all four of them, often eating on their own away from the other bodyguards. It was really nice having them there.

Macau often moaned to Chay about them. About how Vegas was on his back too much or about how he had just walked in on him and Pete for the third time that day and he was getting sick of them not locking the door. But all Porchay could do was nod along and smile. He was just glad to be surrounded by so much love in that house, so be surrounded by a family. Sure, they were part of the mafia and things got messy sometimes, sure it probably wasn’t the most ideal situation to be in… But everyone treated Chay with so much kindness, especially Vegas and Pete. They shielded him from the realities of their world and, along with Porsche and Kim of course, kept him focussed on university and his own normal life. He couldn’t be more grateful for them all.

Chay trudged down to the kitchen, his bare feet stinging a little against the cold tiles on the floor and his eyes twitching at the bright light. He had never really been a morning person, but when he saw Vegas and Pete there, he brightened up in an instant.

They welcomed him over with warm smiles, Pete pulling out the chair next to him for Chay to sit on, as Vegas continued busying himself at the stove.

“Sorry for disturbing you,” Porchay mumbled, still a little tired.

Pete tutted, waving off the comment easily.

“Don’t be silly, you aren’t disturbing! Besides, Vegas is making enough to feed a whole army, so it’s a good thing you came down.”

Vegas made an affronted noise, “Careful, you might just not get any now…”

“Like you’d make me starve,” Pete pouted.

“I might.”

“Yeah, sure. Let’s see how long that’ll last shall we? I’ll just be snappy all day, groaning because on my empty stomach, feeling absolutely betrayed because my boyfriend failed to provide me with the sustenance that I needed-”

“Alright, alright,” Vegas grinned. “You win.”

Pete looked sideways at Chay, winking, “He always gives in.”

“Only because I can’t bear to hear you moaning all day. It would drive me insane.”

Porchay giggled at Vegas’s grumbling, knowing there was no cruelty behind it. Everyone knew he would listen to Pete griping all day, if that meant he could hear his voice. He was so completely head over heels for his boyfriend, that even his bad moods were like music to his ears apparently.

“Is Kim here?” Vegas asked, as he caught a glimpse of the shirt Chay was wearing.

It was a few sizes too big, hanging almost like a dress, brushing his knees. The front emblazoned with one of Kim’s favourite bands. Either one of those was a dead giveaway, it wasn’t exactly subtle wearing it around the house, but he flushed regardless.

“Uh, no… No, he’s not here right now,” Porchay mumbled. “He just left this here for me to have.”

Vegas pretended to throw up, “So cheesy. Didn’t know my cousin was into all that. Though he does write those love songs… Maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he loves all of that cliché romance stuff.”

“Uh, Vegas…?”

“Hmm?”

“You literally couldn’t stop talking about it when I put your shirt on last week…” Pete was smirking as he spoke. “Like you literally begged me not to take it off, you were obsessed.”

“Pete-”

“I tried to take it off, but you were adamant that you wanted to stare at me wearing your clothes for just a little longer. Except in your world, a little longer means a few more hours.”

“Pete-”

“I’m just saying, you seemed pretty into the whole clothes sharing thing before, Vegas. What’s changed?”

Vegas said nothing as Pete looked at him expectantly, the corners of his lips twitching as he tried to keep himself from laughing. Him and Porchay watched on in silence as Vegas moodily dished up the pancakes he had been making, practically tossing them onto a plate and placing them on the table.

“Just shut up and eat,” was all he eventually said.

He leant down and pressed a quick kiss to the top of Pete’s head before he was storming out of the room. Porchay assumed it was to go and rouse his brother before the food went completely cold – a theory that was confirmed when he heard the shrieks of Macau and the maniacal laughter of Vegas. Macau came followed Vegas to the kitchen sopping wet, his hair dripping into his food when he sat down, glowering at him from across the table.

“You didn’t need to pour all the goddamn water from the tap at me. A simple ‘wake up, Macau’ would have sufficed,” he hissed at Vegas, who just shrugged, smiling.

“But where’s the fun in that?”

Pete choked on his food a little, looking up at his boyfriend with glittering eyes.

“Oh, ok! I’ll keep that in mind…”

Macau held his hand aloft, giving Pete a high five, as Vegas’s face morphed into something that looked slightly terrified.

“Pete, don’t you even think about it.”

“Too late, sorry. Already got the plan lined up, nothing you can do about it now.”

“You really had a plan that quickly?”

“Of course.”

Vegas shook his head, muttering to himself. Something along the lines of “why am I not surprised?”

Chay just sat there, eating his pancakes in silence as he observed them, a smile on his face. They were just completely perfect for one another, their little family just fit, like it had always been that way. If Porchay had never been told about their past, then he never would have guessed they had ever been apart. Vegas and Pete just worked so well together, and he knew that there were reasons for people being apprehensive… But, at the end of the day, how could any of that matter when they looked at each other with so much love in their eyes? Chay would never be able to comprehend people suggesting they shouldn’t be together, and he was certain neither of the two men cared about those opinions either. They were just content being with one another and making sure their happiness grew with every day that passed.

He watched as Vegas flicked one of the pancakes at his boyfriend, hitting Pete square in the face, the two of them bursting out into peals of laughter.

“Idiot,” Pete spluttered, grinning as he aimed a light kick under the table.

Yeah, Chay thought, they’re great.

Chapter Text

Macau loved his brother, he really did. Vegas had always been there for him, protecting him from every bad thing that could get thrown his way – namely their own father, but both of them preferred not to even think about him anymore. He supported him at school, helping with his work and asking him about his classes and his friends like he was genuinely interested… Macau was never truly sure if he actually was, but it touched him that Vegas cared enough to pretend even if he thought that topic of conversation was boring.

But the point was that Macau loved having a brother. And when Pete came along, he was thrilled! It meant he had two brother figures, two awesome guys in his life that he could rely on. He had always secretly liked Pete, admired him from afar. Not in a romantic way, not in the slightest – that was Vegas, not him. Macau just liked how strong he was. He was the head bodyguard of the main family, a ruthless fighter yet such a kind and approachable person. In the brief meetings that the two of them had shared, he had always felt that him and Pete would get along – and he was right.

After him and Vegas started dating, and Pete moved into the minor family compound, all three of them got along great. It felt like they were a proper little family from the get-go, sharing jokes and laughter so easily it was like it had always been that way for them, like Pete had never not been a member of the minor family. The three of them – sometimes four when Chay wasn’t out with Porsche or Kim – would watch movies together or cook. One time, Macau built a miniature obstacle course in the training room, and Vegas and Pete had spent hours messing around with him there, the three of them getting overly competitive seeing who could complete it the fastest.

It was safe to say, having them both around made Macau happier than he ever had been before.

There was just one problem… Vegas and Pete couldn’t seem to grasp that PDA wasn’t exactly looked kindly upon by… Well, everyone.

Most days, he would walk in on them in literally any room in the house, nothing seemed to be off limits apart from his and Chay’s rooms, which he counted as a small blessing. And it wasn’t even an exaggeration. In the past week, Macau had witnessed, Vegas crowding Pete against the kitchen counter, the two of them laid right in the middle of the training room, making out in the pool, the library, the garden – the list was endless.

He understood, ok? He got it. They had to keep their relationship under wraps for ages, then Vegas got shot and that threw a wrench in everything once again… It took a while for them to actually become official, to be able to be with one another properly. Even so, Macau didn’t think it was too big of an ask to request they keep their sexual escapades in the comfort of their own room. Especially considering they were into some… Pretty freaky stuff. Macau almost had to go and bleach his eyes when he accidentally stumbled upon his brothers… Uh… Equipment? No, he wasn’t even gonna think about it.

“Chay I can’t deal with this any longer,” he moaned to his friend, flopping down on his bed.

Porchay chuckled lightly, “I’ve never walked in on them before…”

“Oh, so you’re saying this is my fault?”

“No!” he waited a beat. “Ok, maybe.”

“Porchay!”

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” the boy grinned.

“You better be…” Macau reached out and poked his cheek lightly. “I don’t like what you were implying there. I have to go and scoop out my eyes every time I walk in on them, it’s not like I want to be witnessing their… Ugh.”

“Why don’t you just come out with me today then? You definitely won’t bump into them if you aren’t in the house.”

Porchay was heading over to the major family to see his brother (the guy technically owned this place, yet he was barely ever there, preferring the company of his boyfriend in their cushy little mansion the other side of town). Kim would probably be there too if Macau knew his cousin at all. He gravitated basically wherever Porchay went – it was kinda cute but also a little sickening.

“Nah, I’m not being a third wheel.”

Chay tutted, “You won’t be.”

“I will.”

“You won’t.”

“I will.”

“I said, you won’t.”

Macau fixed him with a look, “You say that every time, Chay. But it’s fine, I have homework to do anyway, I don’t have time to be going over there. Especially since Tankhun would no doubt drag me away for whatever game competition he’s having with his bodyguards today.”

“I heard it’s Jenga,” Porchay smiled.

“Riveting.” He drawled in response, a small smirk on his face. “Whatever, I’ll just make do here. Have fun with Porsche!”

“I will!”

“Will you be back later? I can order you food if you want.”

“Umm, not sure. Probably not. Reign check?”

Macau nodded, dragging himself up from the bed and making his way to the door.

“Sounds good, see you tomorrow then.”

He gave a mocking salute to his friend before he departed, heading to his room and immediately getting lost in his work. He was practically drowning in paperwork and textbooks, all of it scattered around his bed as he stared at it, his head spinning and throbbing from the sheer amount of knowledge he was expected to consume in one sitting.

He loved school, don’t get him wrong, but revising and prepping for tests was just the most awful thing a person could go through. He knew his brother had been shot and almost died… But he thought he could make a pretty compelling case about why he was in a possibly worse situation.

Macau sat there for hours by himself, going through his tasks meticulously, writing until his hands was cramping and he was on the brink of complete insanity. Part of him wished that Chay could have stayed with him. When they did their work together it was always so much more bearable. They didn’t study the same subject or anything, but the shared looks of despair were always a comfort to both of them, and the small talk they made throughout broke up the monotony of the work. Even so, he got through it without his friend, slamming his books shut (and almost hurling them across the room to get them as far away as possible) as soon as he had completed it all.

He padded out of his room and down the hall, his limbs screaming at him due to the position he had been sat in. Vegas always moaned that he should sit at his desk, not hunched over on his bed, but he never listened. Maybe he should… But Macau was too stubborn for that.

Making his way to the kitchen was all he had on his mind, trying to ignore the cracking of his bones as he stretched on the way there. He had managed to ignore his snack cravings while he had been working, but now that he was done, he was ready to give in to temptation and raid the fridge for all it was worth. Vegas and Pete normally cooked when they were bored, so there were always things he could grab while nobody was there.

Unfortunately for him, someone was there. Two someones in fact.

Pete was sitting right up on the counter with Vegas standing between his legs, the two of them furiously making out as they were surrounded by their own clothes littering almost every surface and the floor. It seemed like they had just wildly tossed the fabric around with no care of their surroundings.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.”

At the sound of Macau’s voice, the two of them broke apart. Pete jumped down, ducking behind the counter, his face a burning red, while Vegas just looked a little annoyed at the intrusion.

“May we help you?” his older brother asked, sounding faintly amused as they pulled on some of their clothes, covering up.

“Yes, yes, you can help me actually… I just have one small question,” he threw his hands up in the air in agitation, exclaiming, “why the actual hell are you fucking in the kitchen? For one it’s completely unsanitary – people have to eat in here. Oh, and also this is a public space. You two aren’t the only people who live here – and I would much prefer if I didn’t have to look at your goddamn naked bodies every single day. Is that alright with you two?”

Pete nodded, embarrassed, looking like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

Vegas just quirked an eyebrow, “That was two questions.”

His boyfriend elbowed him in the side, hissing at him to shut up.

Macau just looked on at his brother, huffing out a laugh.

“Ok, that’s how it’s gonna be huh?” he nodded a couple of times, sauntering over to the sink in a nonchalant manner. “Good to know…”

He calmly grabbed a glass, filling it up to the brim with water as the other two men stood there in confusion. They stared at him in silence, not quite knowing what to make of his behaviour.

All became quickly apparent when the younger boy advanced towards them with the overflowing glass in his hand, a cunning look on his face.

“Macau…” Pete said, his tone warning.

“Don’t even think about it,” Vegas added, the two of them trying to back away. But there was only so far they could go, until they had cornered themselves in the kitchen.

“Oh, I’ve already thought it. I’ve planned it through. You’re too late to stop me now.”

Before anyone could say another word, Macau had thrown the entire glass of water in their faces, successfully drenching them.

They both stood there with gobsmacked faces, mouths agape with shock as water dripped from their hair onto their toes. Macau simply watched with glee as they spluttered, turning the glass around in his hand as he laughed.

“Punishment fits the crime, don’t you think?” he said, eyes glittering. “Thought you two needed cooling down a bit… Did that do the trick?”

“You are in for it…” Vegas grumbled, wiping the water off his face with one hand, using the other to try and grab his brother – but Macau was too quick, jumping away at the last second.

“Nuh uh, this is just revenge. I seem to recall somebody waking me up with an entire sink worth of water… Plus, I don’t think either of you have been subjected to walking in on me having sex, have you?” he looked at them both, awaiting an answer that never came. “That’s what I thought. So, I guess we’re even now.”

He was ready to just turn on his heel and leave it at that, but he was met with the sound of his brother laughing. And it wasn’t just any laugh, oh no, it was something dark and cold that left a shiver running down Macau’s spine. What made it even worse, was that Pete joined in, his eyes connecting with Vegas’s as they seemed to speak without exchanging any words.

His brother nodded at Pete, who in turn grinned and nodded back. Macau loved that they were close enough to understand each other so well, he really was. The fact that they could communicate with just a single look was astounding and he hoped one day he would be able to find a connection just as strong as theirs… The only problem Macau had was when they used it against him.

“You think this is over?” Vegas chuckled. “How sweet.”

Pete smiled; his eyes filled with something that he couldn’t place.

“You aren’t getting away from this that easily, Macau.”

Macau abandoned the glass on the side, attempting to make a break for it but he should have known it would be a futile effort. His brother and Pete were two of the strongest and most capable men that he had ever come across, there was no way he would be able to outrun them.

They caught up in a matter of seconds, Pete wrapping his arms tight around Macau’s chest to keep him steady while Vegas swept his legs up with next to no effort, the two of them hoisting him into the air.

He kicked, he screamed, he flailed all of his limbs, but it was no use. Their grips were like iron, unrelenting and robust as they carried him through the grounds. All of the bodyguards looked on in confusion as they saw the two men basically in the middle of a kidnapping. Macau called out for them to help, but obviously none of them would ever try and go up against either one of them, they valued their lives too much for that. So, Macau accepted his fate, groaning in frustration as he relaxed (somewhat) into their hold and waited to figure out where they were taking him.

Not that it took too long to puzzle that one out. Once they reached the room, the smell of chlorine hitting him in the face, Macau rolled his eyes so hard it almost hurt.

“Are you kidding me right now?” the boy said, his voice going up a few pitches. “Can’t we talk this out? Negotiate?”

“Oh, your rights to negotiation went out the window when you threw water in our faces instead of talking like a grown up,” Vegas smiled.

“Right, because this really screams adult behaviour,” Macau retorted.

Vegas and Pete positioned themselves by the pool, beginning to slightly swing the younger boy in their arms.

“I’m sorry, ok? I shouldn’t have done it!”

Pete chuckled softly in his ear, “I’ll be willing to accept your apology…”

“Oh my god, thank-”

“After you’ve had your punishment.”

“You little-”

Before he could get any more of his words out, they had both let go, sending him flying into the pool. He hit the water with a crash, one that sent waves through the entire room, almost soaking Vegas and Pete for a second time that day – though they would have deserved it for that stunt.

He finally resurfaced, spitting the water out of his mouth and gasping for air, floundering as he swum to the side, his clothes slightly weighing him down. It was a hinderance, but he had gone through training exercises like that multiple times, so it barely mattered to him anymore.

“Bastards,” he glared when he swam to the edge.

Pete just shrugged, crouching down.

“I’m willing to accept your apology now.”

Macau nodded, faking sincerity, “How great.” He raised his soaked hand out for Pete to shake. “Truce?”

Honestly, he didn’t truly think that Pete would fall for it. He was one of the smartest people that Macau knew, normally he wouldn’t miss a trick, never really falling for things like that. Maybe he was just a little off guard, too busy laughing at how much Macau looked like a drowned cat to think about what was really going on.

He took his hand, beginning to shake it, when Macau moved back, desperately clinging onto Pete as he dragged him into the depths of the water.

For about half an hour, the only sounds that could be heard from the pool room were the shrieks of Pete and Macau as they continually splashed each other with water, taking turns to dunk the other underneath the surface, as Vegas watched on, unable to stop laughing.

***

Macau tiptoed into the living room, still slightly shivering in his sweats and oversized jumper. He stood in front of Vegas and Pete, who were cuddled up watching a movie – though they paused it when they saw Macau coming.

Pete was nestled into Vegas’s side, a blanket wrapped around him, making him look a little bit like a burrito, but Macau pushed down the urge to laugh, merely offering them both a small smile that they both returned.

His brother rolled his eyes, opening his other arm wide to welcome Macau into a hug. One that he immediately accepted, joining the cuddle with no hesitation whatsoever.

“Sorry again for pulling you into the pool, Pete,” he mumbled.

“Sorry for throwing you,” the man laughed in return.

They both looked expectantly at Vegas, who waited a few moments before he sighed.

“I’m also sorry for throwing you in.”

“And?” Macau prompted.

“And for having sex where you could walk in… Again.”

Vegas ruffled his hair lovingly as Pete hummed in agreement.

Pete cleared his throat awkwardly, “We probably have been a bit… Uh… Over the top, with the affection.”

“I don’t mind the affection.”

“No?”

Macau shook his head slightly, “No, you guys are sweet.”

It wasn’t a lie. He genuinely did think they were adorable together… It was just the insane amount of sexual encounters they seemed to have that made him a little on edge.

“Ok well, the point still stands,” Pete said, a smile in his voice. “We’ll tone it down, alright? The last thing we would want to do is make you uncomfortable. This is your home too.”

“I thought it was pretty fun…” Vegas mumbled, earning him a light slap on the shoulder from both of them.

“Vegas,” Pete warned.

“Kidding!”

Macau huffed, “Yeah, real funny.” But he was grinning along. “But, um, thanks. I appreciate that.”

“Cool, glad we got that all straightened out…” Vegas said. “Can we finish watching the movie now?”

“Go ahead,” the smaller boy smiled, making himself more comfortable in his brothers hold, resting his head on his shoulder. Vegas pressed a soft kiss there, as well as on Pete’s head, as they all settled to watch the rest.

And that was how they stayed for the rest of the night, comfortably nestled together on the sofa, sleeping in each other’s arms.

He’d said it once, but he would say it a thousand more times because he was sure it would never stop being true: he loved their little family, and he couldn’t be happier.

Chapter Text

Korn always knew that Pete wasn’t the person everyone thought he was. He wasn’t the soft, sunshine, smiley man that he was made out to be, hiding behind his wide grin and soft eyes as he blended into the background. No, Korn always knew that he had a dark streak, that he was so much more than everyone around him assumed on first glance.

The first time he had seen Pete was in a boxing match, though not an entirely legal one with a cheering audience and a ring with partitions and proper safety measures in place. No, this was bare knuckled chaos, jeering audiences that were almost joining in on the fight themselves with how closely they had surrounded the boxers. Korn watched as Pete fists went flying, along with his legs. He brutally attacked his opponent, punching his face and kicking him in the gut without mercy, without even a hint that he was bothered by his violent actions. Sometimes fighters would show some remorse, but Pete seemed to be lit up as he fought, his eyes dancing with unadulterated joy as the other man tried and failed to beat him.

Korn knew in an instant that he had to bring the boy on board. Sure, he was barely more than a kid, with a clear lack of straight fighting discipline, but that could be taught in no time. What couldn’t, was the spirit and the lack of regret. Pete had all the necessary qualities that he needed to look after his son, he was the person they had been looking for that entire time, he was sure of it.

So, while Pete hid behind his fringe and his unassuming stances in the back of meetings, Korn knew the truth all those years. He was a fighter, a warrior, a soldier. Ready to take revenge on anyone who wronged the major family as he was as loyal as they came.

Perhaps that was why he was one of the only people unsurprised when Pete quit.

He wanted to be with Korn’s nephew, a child that had been twisted and warped for so many years that he had buckled under the pressure and turned into the same wicked ways that the generation before him had done. He was filled with anger and deceit and want, nobody could understand why Pete, the kind-hearted boy, would want anyone to do with him. But when he heard his words of resignation, the distraught look on his face after Vegas had run away, the inner turmoil that had clearly been eating at him… Korn didn’t see how it could be more simple.

They loved one another. Even in the mere few minutes that Vegas and Pete had been together before him, it had been obvious. The way that Vegas calmed at just one word from the bodyguard. The way Pete’s normally steady hands shook as he felt the obligation to point the gun at Korn’s nephew. The way Pete looked ready to wrap Vegas up in his arms and take him away from all of it.

And despite the hard nature of his nephew, Korn had next to no doubt that Vegas would have let him. He looked uncharacteristically scared as he knelt there on the floor, staring at his father. His mask slipping just for a moment as he allowed everyone in the room to witness just how broken and in pain he was, even after the person that had caused him to fracture inside had been bested, shot in the head, and stopped for forever harming him anymore.

If Pete had been as brave as to completely lower his gun, to ignore the orders he had been given and comforted the person he had been told was the enemy… Vegas probably would have allowed it, darkness be damned. They would have been able to comfort one another, bringing light into each other’s lives, showing everyone the truth. But of course, that didn’t happen.

“Why did you let him go, Pa?” Kinn whispered, after Pete had run from the room, confusion written all over his face.

Korn looked back, equally as surprised by his statement.

His son had been around Pete for just as much time, fighting alongside him and being accompanied on missions. He didn’t think it was that far a stretch to assume Kinn had noticed the change in Pete’s behaviour from when he was around the compound to when he was in combat mode, the dark streak inside of him growing even more present each time. Though he supposed Kinn was more focussed on the matter at hand – or at Porsche – than he was at taking note of Pete’s shifting performances.

“Pete can make his own decisions…” Korn replied. “He’s not weak or naïve. He knows his own mind.”

“But Vegas is so… He might-”

Korn glared slightly at his son, “He could do that whether or not Pete is under this roof or not. Remember Ken?” Kinn remained silent. “Pete knows the dangers of the minor family better than most, so if he thinks he can handle being close with Vegas, who are any of us to try and stop him?”

Korn never would have stopped him because he knew the consequences of Pete’s actions. He knew that by allowing him to go to Vegas, he had earned a fraction more of the bodyguard’s trust and held firm on the loyalty that he had to the main family, despite his departure.

He knew that the two boys would revel in their love, would comfort one another, lean on one another. Many would think that this would be their greatest strength, that in this newfound romance they would be able to bring the best out in one another and be the most honest and greatest versions of themselves that they had ever been. And while that may be true, Korn also knew that it would be their greatest weakness.

Korn had seen the way their resolves had both crumbled when they had been near each other. No matter how deep either of their darkness ran inside of them, neither one could deny that their love beat all of that. They were each other’s soft spot, the point at which they could lose all control. Korn knew that if harm came to one, the other would be at a complete loss. And that was what he needed. He needed to bring Vegas down after what he had done, seek revenge and of the root of all evil that that eroded into the heart of the minor family.

While he took no joy in Pete being mixed up in the plan, he also knew that it had become necessary. He was a fine bodyguard, and he would always be grateful for the protection he had given Tankhun, but Pete was the only way he could get a fraction of weakness from his nephew… And so, it had to be this way. He had to allow them a moment of joy, of pleasure, in order to get them on side. Then he would inflict a world full of pain.

Chapter Text

“Good morning, Khun Pete.”

The bodyguard nodded in respect as his boss passed, who in return gave him a brief smile.

Aat wasn’t sure what to make of him if he was being perfectly honest. He had been a loyal bodyguard for the minor family for a number of years, recruited back when Vegas’s dad was still the head, back when Porsche was just a car instead of a name that everyone knew, back when everything was completely different.

He had met Pete many times, when he had been assigned to accompany Vegas on missions. Back then, he had been the head bodyguard of the rival family, dressed up in his suits, proudly showing off the shining golden pin emblazoned on his jacket. He used to look at the minor family bodyguards warily, not in fear… More in a general cautiousness, which most of them found more than a little insulting considering they weren’t that different.

The only thing that separated them was the fact that they worked for different parts of a family, that was all. They were all still bodyguards, their job was to serve and protect, to follow orders and to make sure the family they were hired for was safe. Aat would put his life on the line for his bosses, as he was sure Pete would do the same for Kinn. Which was why it rubbed him the wrong way to see Pete so cagey around them when he came to their compound on missions, as if the only difference between them was their employer. 

Aat thought he was a little snobbish for his taste, not engaging in any conversation with the minor bodyguards, mainly just keeping to himself. Whenever he was on missions he would merely sit there silently, as he regarded Vegas and Porsche with a distrustful expression. It was almost like he was tracking their every move. Aat didn’t know what it was about, previously he thought it was because he didn’t trust Vegas to keep up with his side of the plans. Though, considering Pete was now dating Vegas… He would put it down to jealousy and think nothing more on it. It seemed like the most logical solution, what with Vegas clearly having been flirting with Porsche quite a bit – orders or not, the flirting was palpable and any of the bodyguards around them, even the most oblivious, could see it.

Perhaps that was why them dating came as a bit of a shock… No, a lot of a shock. Vegas was so out there when he was pursuing Porsche, making his intent clear to anyone that so much as glanced in their general vicinity. It was a little sickening, to be honest, having to witness his flirting all the time, and Porsche’s seemingly lack of awareness towards it (he seemed to be the only one not to realise what was happening). So, him and Pete dating just seemed to come completely out of the blue. There wasn’t any warning signs, nothing that would have alluded to them even liking one another.

And of all the people Vegas could have chosen to start a public relationship with, Aat never would have guessed that it would be someone like Pete. Someone so… Boring and tame. With all the people he had seen his boss with before, Pete seemed to pale in comparison… Though that image quickly faded as Pete became a more prominent member around the compound, making way for something dark and brooding. He had seen the way that the man behaved during the heat of a battle, the red-hot fire that practically seeped from his pores as he protected those he cared about. Pete was ruthless and intense when he needed to be – quite different to the quiet, almost shy, man that used to present himself. Sometimes he would even give Vegas a run for his money with the sheer mania that he seemed to exhibit during fights.

And seeing the two of them together was like something else entirely. They would smile so softly and speak in a tone that almost nobody else could hear, like it was lighter than air itself. To say it was unnerving to see the infamous Vegas, the bloodthirsty, trigger happy, man, bested by a former bodyguard, turning him into a giggling mess of a person… It was an understatement to say the least. If someone had told Aat a few months prior that Vegas would have fallen in love with Pete, he would have laughed in their face and called them insane. Yet, it happened and now it seemed odd that it had never always been that way.

Pete moved in. He became one of the most powerful people in the minor family. Though Porsche was their official head, it was known by pretty much everyone that the day-to-day operations there were run by Vegas and Pete. They were the ones that lived permanently in the minor family compound, instead of flitting back and forth to be with Kinn.

It seemed like Pete was a permanent fixture in their lives, both Macau and Vegas looking at him like he hung the sun in the sky. Aat was still wary though. He truly didn’t know what to make of him… He couldn’t grasp what his true personality was. Was it the gentle flower that nobody dare touch? Or the burning fury that shot anyone that had the audacity to even look at him?

It was only when Macau became injured that Aat realised why everyone adored him so much.

The boy came back from school bloodied and bruised, a scowl etched on his face. Aat looked on in shock as he staggered into the compound, his nose streaming red.

“Get my brother,” he snapped. Not to Aat specifically, just to anyone listening. But since the others busied themselves guiding the boy to sit down, he took it upon himself to go and find help.

He raced through the grounds, heading towards Vegas’s office – which normally they were instructed not to go near during specific times of the day. Times when it was made clear he wanted to be by himself. If it was during Gun’s rule, they would have been shot on sight just by knocking… And to be truthful, he was still a little wary of that happening. But when there was no yelling or gunfire at his tentative rap on the door, he felt it was somewhat safe to proceed.

“Khun Vegas, I-” Aat’s eyes fell not on Macau’s brother, but on Pete instead. He backtracked a little awkwardly. “Sorry- Khun Pete, I mean…”

Pete shrugged it off, “Vegas has a meeting with Kinn. What’s the problem? I can deal with it.”

“It’s Macau, sir. He’s been hurt.”

No sooner had those words left his lips, Pete had risen from the chair he was sat in, a furious expression on his face.

Aat had thought he would need to give a little more context, explain literally anything else (not that he really had much other information to give) but the man was already advancing towards the door with clear purpose, marching down the hall within the time it took Aat to merely blink, having to scramble after him. He looked on nervously, unsure as to what reaction was going to come of the situation. Pete was practically impossible to read.

“Where is he?”

“He was by the front door when I left him…” Aat replied. “I think he was probably taken to the infirmary though.”

Pete nodded in response, heading in that direction.

He burst through the doors when he finally arrived, practically buzzing with anger, though that seemed to quickly dissipate when he laid his eyes on Macau. The man went to his side, gently wrapping his arms around him, Macau burying his head in his chest as he softly sobbed – though it was clear that he was holding himself back, probably with all the eyes of the bodyguards on him.

“Leave us alone,” Pete ordered, his voice polite but firm. Nobody particularly wanted to argue, filing out of the room, and standing in the hallway.

Not much could be heard, other than Pete’s insistent questioning. After he had made sure the boy was ok, taking care of his injuries (Macau apparently kept pushing away anyone that tried to help him before), he had begun asking who had done this to him, demanding all of the information that he needed. Oddly, Macau seemed hesitant to give it up, which was something Aat had never known from him before.

He had been there when an incident had happened between him and Porsche, involving Macau being pushed into the pool and hitting his head quite nastily on the bottom. He had made sure everyone knew right away, dropping Porsche in it and watching intently as the punishment was given to the man – even seeming to enjoy it. But it was entirely different when he spoke to Pete. Though Aat couldn’t hear everything, he could make out the hesitance that Macau seemed to be displaying in his voice. Like he didn’t want Pete to know who had hurt him. Though, when Pete finally got it out of him, it became very apparent why.

He stormed out of the room, eyes burning with something Aat had never seen before.

“You,” he said, staring at Aat and another guard beside him. “Come with me.”

They complied, of course, but not without confusion.

“Where are we going, Khun Pete?” Aat asked, hesitantly.

“To find the son of a bitch that laid their hands on my brother,” Pete spat, practically running down the street at the pace he was going.

Aat looked at the bodyguard beside him in alarm, something that was very clearly mirrored. They both were very much aware of what Pete was capable of, they had fought beside him and opposite him in numerous battles and he was sure everyone would agree, it was so much better having him onside. Once you were one of his enemies, it was like a timer had started on your life, one that there was no way of turning off, no matter how much you might try. He was appointed head bodyguard for a reason, entrusted to take care of the oldest sun for a reason, taken on missions with Kinn and Vegas for a reason. He was damn good at what he did – scarily good.

He feet pounded the pavement as he walked to where he needed to go, allowing the bemused bodyguards to trail after him cluelessly as they continued their pursuit of… Justice? Revenge? They had no clue what was even going to happen when they got there.

Eventually, they came to a standstill in front of a house, the gates wide open just begging them to step onto the property. A thing that Pete was all intent on doing. His hand was reaching for his gun, about to step inside – but just as he did so, hands were gripping onto him, pulling him back and pressing him firm against the wall.

The bodyguards had drawn their guns in an instant, pointing at the person that had grabbed him… But the person they clapped their eyes on was a great relief.

Vegas stood there in his loose black shirt, silver necklace swinging from his neck like a pendulum as he leaned towards Pete. He had pulled up behind them in his car, running out and stopping him at the last second before he had gone in all guns blazing – quite literally speaking. He had acted so fast that he had left the door open in his wake, the faint hum of the radio still playing.

Aat allowed himself to relax, knowing it wasn’t some psycho trying to kill Pete.

“What are you doing here?” Pete asked, looking at his boyfriend in confusion.

“Macau called. Told me what happened and where you were headed.”

“For God’s sake, I just-”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Vegas demanded; his face close to Pete’s, not waiting for him to say anything else.

“I was protecting Macau!” he replied, defensively. “You didn’t see what they did to him, Vegas! You weren’t there. There was blood all over his face, probably bruising that we haven’t even seen yet. What, you think I’m just gonna let that go?”

Vegas held strong, continuing to press his boyfriend against the solid bricks behind him. That was probably a smart move, with the state he was in, Pete was probably go tearing straight towards the house again if not held back.

“I’m not saying you should let it go,” he said, gently. “I’m saying you need to be smarter than this – something that I know you are.”

Pete scowled back, clearly still irate.

“C’mon Pete… I literally just came from a meeting with Kinn and Porsche. Remember them? The guys that are basically our bosses? You think they wouldn’t find out about this little stunt? Whatever it is you were planning. God you… You can’t just go and shoot a kid because he hit Macau. You just can’t.”

“But-”

“Just… Just think about it logically for a second,” Vegas cut him off. His voice still remained at a steady level, no volume increase, no anger or aggression… It was crazy the affect that Pete had on him. If it were anyone else, he would no doubt be kicking and screaming at them for how stupid and reckless they were being. “I take no joy in saying this, trust me, and I’m just as mad as you are – but you can’t shoot him. For one, Macau doesn’t want that. He told me himself, Pete. He’s not the same little dumbass that liked seeing others punished… He doesn’t want this to go any further than it has to, and I see his point. What do you think will happen if he goes back to school and people find out you shot one of his classmates? Nobody will go near him; he’ll be in an arguably worse position than he is right now.”

“So, you’re saying we let this idiot get away with what he did?”

“I’m not saying that at all.”

“Then what?” he glared at Vegas.

Aat knew he would be able to break out of the hold if he so wished, Vegas likely knew it too. But Pete seemed to be calming down with each second that passed, his voice definitely at a lower decibel than it had been frequently. The calming affect they had worked both ways, it seemed.

Vegas took one hand off him, stroking his hair lightly instead.

“I’m saying we need to think of something else. Something that won’t come back to bite us – or Macau,” he explained. “We can be smart about this; we can make the kid pay… But it can’t be just outright shooting him, Pete. You’d end up arrested or worse and I doubt Kinn or Porsche would look lightly at your actions, no matter how close you are to them.” Vegas leant closer, resting their foreheads together. “Pete… I love you, and the last thing I want is you landing in trouble because of some idiotic teenager that can’t handle his anger. Trust me, I’m pissed off too… But this isn’t the way.”

Pete let out a breath, nodding slightly and Vegas fully let go, content in the knowledge that he wouldn’t go running straight into the house. And he was right. The only move Pete made after that was winding his arms around his boyfriend’s neck and nuzzling his nose into the side of his face. It felt like an extremely private moment, one that he felt a little awkward to be witnessing, but it ended pretty soon after it had begun.

“Come on, let’s go home,” Vegas mumbled as they pulled away, quickly kissing Pete’s forehead. He spared a quick glance to the bodyguards as they advanced towards the car, jerking his head as he motioned for them to get in too.

Once they returned to the compound, Macau immediately raced (ok more like slowly limped) towards them, relief written all over his face.

“Thank god, I thought he might not have been able to stop you.”

Pete brought him into a hug, lightly ruffling his hair as Vegas scoffed.

“Yeah right, he does exactly what I say…”

“As if,” came Pete’s retort. He looked down at Macau. “Have you eaten?”

The boy shook his head.

Vegas smiled at them, “I’ll make us some food.”

Aat found himself smiling as he watched them all walking away towards the kitchen, Vegas and Pete holding hands as Pete kept his other arm wrapped around Macau’s shoulder.

While he hated that it took Macau getting hurt to bring Aat to his realisation, it did prompt him to learn why everyone loved Pete. It’s because, despite how many masks he wore throughout his life, despite how little he showed of his real self to the masses… When it came down to those he loved, he wouldn’t even hesitate. When it came down to the people he cared about so deeply, nothing would stand in his way of making things right. That day, he hadn’t been the delicate flower, smiling all innocently. He hadn’t been in bodyguard mode fulfilling his duty. He had been angry and desperate and filled to the brim with love. Aat couldn’t fault him for that.

And the fact that Vegas had managed to cool him down in a matter of minutes, stopping him from completely boiling over with violence and rage… That was just astounding. And it worked both ways too. Aat had no doubt in his mind that if that same situation had happened before Vegas had fallen for Pete, he would have done the same thing. He would have shot that kid without a moment of hesitation… Possibly because back then, he felt he had nothing to lose when the consequences crept up on him.

He truly understood in that moment why they fit so well together, why they had been so quickly accepted by everyone around them. It was because everyone could see just how deeply they loved one another. They were callous fighters a lot of the time and their kills counts were probably through the roof – which was to be expected. But the fact that they would promise not to kill for one another, that they would push all anger aside in order to keep love at the forefront. That was the most amazing thing.   

Some said that love made you soft, that it created a weak point where people could attack. But after seeing Vegas and Pete that day, Aat had to readily disagree. If that was love – it could only make you stronger, the strongest you had ever been. Vegas and Pete leaned on each other, built each other up, and he almost felt pity for the boy who’d hit Macau… Because that kid had no idea the storm that was brewing, the sheer power that was about to come crashing down on him. Because the two of them together, well, it was pretty unbeatable.

Chapter Text

Yok quite liked Pete. He was one of Porsche’s friends and one of the men that worked for the eccentric Mr Tankhun, a frequent customer of Hum Bar. He would drag them all along – though of course they were up for it every single time, drinking the bar dry by the end of the night and dancing so wildly that they almost broke a few things one night.

Pete was bubbly and smiled ninety percent of the time. Yok thought he was a really nice guy. They hadn’t had too many interactions – Tankhun normally took up most of her time, talking her ear off for hours about the latest series that he had been watching – but Yok remembers the first night that they had met, Pete had ended up passing out on her lap, curled up like a little kitten while they both slept on the red sofa. She had woken up first and hadn’t had the heart to move him, so she stayed like that until her legs went numb, just waiting for him to finally get up.

She didn’t find it hard to admit that she was fond of Pete, he was a nice guy. And he was best friends with Porsche, so he was automatically in her good books. Anyone who was good enough for him was good enough for Yok, especially someone who made him laugh so much. She had seen them together on multiple occasions, making each other crack up with their insane dance moves, every one getting more and more elaborate the longer it went on. They looked insane, but they were having fun, so Yok could only smile at them.

But she had to admit, she had seen the way that Pete faltered every time he thought nobody was looking. The way that his face would fall slightly, his smile slipping for just a fraction of a second before he was bouncing back and enjoying the fun. He wouldn’t allow anyone around him to see, wouldn’t allow them to know that he perhaps wasn’t enjoying things as much as he was letting on. Yok didn’t know what was going on, but he looked like he was struggling.

This was extremely apparent after Pete came back after a while of being away. He looked tired and fragile, and all of his friends seemed to be handling him with kids’ gloves – namely Tankhun, who gave him as many hugs as he could cram in before Pete reluctantly wriggled out of his grasp.

“What happened?” Yok whispered to Porsche, nodding towards his friend, a look of concern on her face.

She could see Pete smiling and reassuring everyone that he was fine, but his smile never reached his eyes. He looked dark and sullen, like something inside of him had broken. All she wanted to do was go over and give him a hug, to help him heal whatever it was that had shattered, but she knew coming from her it would likely do no good.

It broke her heart to see him like that. He was so happy the last time they had crossed paths, so full of life… It didn’t seem fair that he had been so mistreated, he deserved all good things and not whatever cruel hand he had been dealt.

Porsche frowned, “He, uh, he says he got attacked by a dog…”

“A dog?”

Yok highly doubted a dog would have made him look so depressed.

“Yeah, that’s what he says,” Porsche hummed. “But I think I know exactly what’s wrong.”

“Which is?”

He looked at her apologetically, “I can’t tell you… But I’m dealing with it.”

“Is that what you stormed off for?”

Moments before he had stalked out of the bar with clear purpose, heading towards the back alley. She’d had half a mind to follow him, to see if he was alright, but now Yok was glad she wasn’t embroiled in whatever business had gone down.

Porsche hummed again, looking at Pete with such sadness behind his eyes and fury that was clearly directed at whatever had caused his friend hurt. Yok noticed that he was rubbing his fist, the knuckles looked red even under the strobe lights of the bar.

She tutted lightly, reaching behind her in the fridge and quickly wrapping up a few ice cubes in a napkin. It wasn’t the most suitable material to use, but it was the best she had on hand.

“Here you are darling,” she said, passing the makeshift icepack to him and gesturing to the injury.

He smiled gratefully, “Thanks… But isn’t whiskey more suited when you’re hurt?”

“Don’t push your luck,” Yok warned, but she made him one anyway. There was no way she could ever say no when he looked at her with his wide brown eyes. He was a nuisance… But an adorable nuisance.

He made a grateful noise as he slid the glass across the bar to him, drinking it normally like it was nothing more than water.

“You know… I hope you made them pay.” Yok said.

Porsche looked up at her curiously.

“For Pete,” she clarified. “I know you can’t tell me, but I hope you made whoever hurt him pay.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that, they’ve been set straight. And Pete will be fine,” Porsche looked over at his friend. Despite the confidence in his tone, he still looked unsure. “He’s strong.”

“Maybe on the outside,” Yok mused, frowning. “Make sure you take care of him.”

Porsche reached out and squeezed her hand, winking quickly.

“Don’t worry, I will – we all will. He’ll bounce back.”

***

Yok didn’t really believe Porsche’s words when she first heard them, she thought there was no way that Pete would be able to build himself back up so quickly, considering how completely shattered he seemed to be, how the light has completely dimmed in his eyes the last time they had seen one another.

However, the next time that he came round to the Hum Bar (which admittedly was weeks maybe more than a month later) he looked happier than Yok had ever seen him. She even had to do a double take to make sure it was Pete she was looking at.

He was dressed as he normally was when he attended the bar. Same floaty patterned shirts and jeans, same black sneakers, same silver hoop earrings swinging from his ears. But the one thing that he had changed, the one thing that stood out from the rest was his smile. His blinding smile – his real smile that put all of the other drunken grinning idiots in that building to shame. Pete was beaming so wide that it was a wonder his cheeks weren’t aching, but he never stopped, in fact he was laughing loudly at something someone had said… But when Yok looked at who was beside him, she was surprised to see that it wasn’t Porsche. Of course not, since he had arrived at the bar about half an hour before Pete had.

No, the person at his side, attached to his side, was a handsome man that Yok had never had the pleasure of seeing before. He was wearing tight fitting leather trousers and a what looked like a red velvet shirt tucked into them and one arm wrapped around Pete’s waist almost like a makeshift belt. He used the other one to poke the dimple on the side of his face, making Pete giggle even more than he had been already.

Yok continued to stand there behind the bar, watching on as Porsche and the rest of his friends went over to greet them. Well, they greeted Pete anyway, bringing him into a group hug – which he seemed to protest at, but made no move to get out of. The other man stepped away when he saw them coming and they made no move to bring him in. Porsche reached out and gave him and small clap on the shoulder while the others nodded politely, but that was the only greeting they gave him. He didn’t seem too bothered though, merely waiting there until they were done and gratefully taking Pete’s hand when he was let out of their human cage.

They sat down for a while, just talking to one another. Yok assumed they were catching up, as Porsche had told her Pete had quit, so perhaps it was the first time they had all been together in a long time. The man with Pete sat there with him, silent for most of the time, only joining in when someone said something to him directly, mainly just listening intently to whatever it was that Pete had to say.

After a while, he muttered something to Pete, followed by him getting up and walking over to the bar.

He greeted Yok with a smile, and she noted how lovely his face was up close. He was all sharp lines and cheekbones, shining eyes and smooth skin. He was a picture.

“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure,” she said, offering out her hand. “I’m Yok.”

The man nodded, taking it in his own with a level of gentleness that contrasted the slight callouses on the palm of his hand.

“So, I’ve heard…” he smirked, eyes glittering. “I’m Vegas.”

He ordered a few drinks for the table, leaning against the bar as he waited. Yok noticed how he never took his eyes away from Pete, watching with a soft expression as he laughed with his friends.

“How come I haven’t seen you round here before?” Yok asked, placing the drinks on a tray.

His head snapped back towards her, “Oh, well, I was never invited in before – and it’s rude to enter without an invite, right? Nobody likes a gate crasher.”

There was a grin on his face when he spoke, like there was some hidden joke in his words. What it was Yok was unsure, but she thought better than to ask. Vegas didn’t seem like the type of person too interested in small talk and the way he kept glancing back over at the table – at Pete – made it clear he wanted to get back there as soon as possible.

“Well, I’m glad you were finally brought along! Pete’s… Friends… are always welcome here.”

She followed up her statement with a pointed look, quirking her eyebrows for good measure.

If Vegas was just Pete’s friend, then she would eat her own shoe. There was no way that two people that looked at one another the way they did were nothing more than friends. She had seen Pete with Porsche; she had seen the way they had interacted, and it was nothing to the way he was around Vegas. Even in the short amount of time she had seen them, it was obvious the feelings between them were so much stronger than any of them could even begin to fathom.

Vegas said nothing, but the corners of his lips twitched into a smirk as he took the tray of drinks.

He was about to walk back to the table when Yok stopped him.

“You know,” she said, looking over in Pete’s direction. “I’ve never seen him happier. Pete.”

“Yeah?”

Yok hummed quietly, “So you better take care of him. I don’t want to see that boy’s heart broken ever again.”

His face lit up with faint surprise at that, looking at her with slight panic.

“I…” Vegas shook himself out of it, smiling and nodding back at her. “I intend to. Nothing bad will ever happen to Pete, not on my watch.”

She knew she could take his words with a pinch of salt. She didn’t know him, he could just be spewing a bunch of nonsense, some lies to get Yok off his back. But the sternness and sheer confidence in his tone told her he was telling nothing but the truth. The blazing in his eyes showed his sincerity, the care he had for Pete and the need he had for him to be ok.

Yok wasn’t sure if he had known what had happened with Pete before. Judging by his panicked reaction previously, she thought it was a likely assumption, but how involved he was in the situation she couldn’t say for sure. All she did know was that Vegas clearly cared a lot about him and at the end of the day, that was all the information she really needed.

“Glad to hear it – now go and take those drinks back before you spill them over the floor. Or you’ll be the one cleaning it up.” She made a small shooing motion with her hands. “And tell Pete he better come over and say hello at some point this evening, or him and I will be having words…”

Vegas gave a low laugh at her orders, heading straight back over to the table and whispering something in Pete’s ear that made him smile and look over at Yok. He gave a small wave and looked like he was considering getting up to go and greet her properly. But before he could, Vegas was distracting him with more words and a soft kiss pressed against his cheek, and he instantly forgot everything he was planning to do, melting into his touch.

Their actions caused the rest of the group to groan at. Porsche going to far as to chuck a napkin in their direction. But Yok could only fondly smile at them.

She knew there were things she would never understand, about the business that they were all embroiled in, about the devastation that so clearly affected them all, about what it was specifically that had made Pete so hollow mere months prior. Though she knew one thing for sure: they had managed to find love in the darkness, something to pull them out of whatever sadness was trying to swallow them whole.

Yok had seen the transformation with Porsche when he had met Kinn. The sad boy who was barely scraping by in life, completely turned around when he fell for his former boss. Now the same with Pete, the happiest he had ever been at Vegas’s side. Really, she didn’t need to know anything else about them or their work. The important thing was that they cared about one another, and that they clearly brought out each other’s best sides.

She couldn’t be more happy for them.

Chapter Text

“Khuk Kinn, it’s so nice to finally be able to meet with you.”

Somchair held his hand aloft for Kinn to shake as he turned his head, peering around the premises of the main family household.

It had been many years since he had been there, barely a teenager himself when his father had brought him along to a meeting with the former head of the family. From what he gathered, it had been important, but judging how there hadn’t been another meeting between them (or very few) since then, it hadn’t gone particularly well. Well, Somchair was interested in fixing the mistakes his father had made with his incompetence when he was in charge.

He had approached Kinn, who had also taken over from his father, in order to try and repair relations between them. Kinn had seemed enthusiastic enough to meet, which was encouraging. Times had changed and so could they. Somchair felt confident that he could regain the people that were once their allies and return stronger than ever to the mafia world.

His father had been… A joke, to say the least. He fumbled missions and messed up a number of deals, losing drugs a number of times without getting any payment. Lest to say, it had been many years since any family wanted anything to do with them, but after his father stepped down as head – finally – Somchair was sure he could allow them to regain their former glory.

“This is a lovely place,” he commented, feeling satisfied when he saw Kinn smile at the comment.

“Thank you. It is mostly my father’s work… But I think sometime soon I can put my own stamp on it.”

Somchair nodded along, “Often new things can be a good change.”

“I am so glad you feel that way,” Kinn replied, finally letting go of his hand. “Should we go to the meeting room? Everyone else is waiting for us there.”

That took him a little by surprise. He had been under the impression that this meeting was just between the two of them, since he wasn’t aware of either one of Kinn’s brothers taking charge of their business with him.

Even so, he tried not to let it show on his face, masking his wariness with a smile and nodding along. Perhaps he had just meant some more bodyguards anyway, it was nothing to be concerned over.

Somchair and Kinn both motioned to their respective groups of guards to follow as they walked along the halls to the meeting room.

He couldn’t help but notice how the expensive décor spread through the entire mansion. Now maybe that shouldn’t have shocked him so much, considering they were a wealthy family, but in his place, they normally put all of the most expensive things near the front of the house – to impress anyone that came by to visit. While the rest of the house would be slightly more… Unimpressive. Though this didn’t seem like a problem for the Theerapanyakul’s, their taste staying at the same expensive level down to every corner and crevice.

“Ah, here you are!” he heard a voice announce happily when Kinn walked through the door of the meeting room. A second later, Somchair realised who it was.

Porsche Pachara Kittisawat, the new head of the minor family.

Kinn went and sat beside him at the table, looking at him like a little puppy, holding his hand under the table in the most unsubtle way he had ever witnessed. But their blatant love, the fact that everyone else was so unbothered by it, wasn’t even the worst part. No, that was the fact that two other people were sitting on the other side of Porsche, staring at him with unreadable expressions.

“Vegas, Pete, this is Somchair Thakur,” Kinn introduced as Somchair came and sat on the opposite side of the table.

Porsche, he could slightly understand. Though he had only been interested in the business of Kinn and the main family of the Theerapanyakul’s, he heard that Porsche was practically attached to his hip. The unprofessionalism aside, it made some sense that he could observe the meetings that Kinn had with clients, to get some experience in that area – since he was such a newbie.

But Vegas Theerapanyakul and his little pet? There was no way Somchair could get behind that.

Vegas twisted his mouth in what could only be described as an attempt at a polite smile.

Pete nodded in his direction, “Nice to meet you, Khun Somchair.”

Sure, they had never met before, but he already knew everything he needed to about Pete.

He used to be the head bodyguard of the major family, and a good one too from what he had heard. Though the two had never crossed paths, the word of how strong he was had spread around after Pete had been on a few missions, proving himself and how deserving he was of the position.

The problems for Somchair came more recently, though. He thought it odd how Pete was willing to give up everything just to be Vegas’s little toy. Looking at him there, dressed in clothes that looked like they had been stolen directly from that psycho’s wardrobe. The flowy patterned shirts tucked into his jeans and the sparkling sliver hoops in his ears painted quite the picture, especially compared to the bodyguards standing a few feet behind them, in their smart black and white suits.

It was just interesting, he thought, how easily some people could be bought. It probably didn’t even take that much to lure Pete away, just with the promises of a luxurious life and all the leisure time he could ever want. All he probably did recently was swan about like he was better than everyone else, just because Vegas looked upon him favourably. Well, he shouldn’t. Because everyone else was probably thinking the exact same thing as Somchair – that he was a little slut that didn’t know a good thing when he had it.

He would have respected him if he had turned Vegas down, kicked that manipulative shrew where it hurt and spurned his offer. But he had left the stability of the major family and the job position so many people clamoured for, just to be with Vegas Theerapanyakul… For that, Somchair could barely stand the sight of him. He would never cave so easily as that.

And sure, he could understand why Vegas would want Pete. He was unmistakably attractive with his sloping nose and wide brown eyes and a smile that – while he had only seen briefly walking into the room – had definitely sparkled. Though that wasn’t the point, of course, it was just blatantly obvious to anyone with eyes… The point was that clearly Vegas would have desired Pete, but the fact that Pete was stupid enough to fall for Vegas’s wiles just made him lose any and all respect that Somchair could have had for him. It was a shame; he could have made a good bodyguard to have borrowed for missions. But he never would have allowed a traitor like that to fight at his side.

Somchair ignored Pete’s greetings, haughtily turning his head back to Kinn instead.

“Excuse me for saying this, Khun Kinn… But I thought this meeting would just be with the two of us.”

At the side of his vision, he could see Vegas rolling his eyes and Pete laying a hand on his leg to settle him. Truly pathetic.

Kinn smiled, shrewdly.

“You requested that you speak with the head of the family,” he replied. He gestured around the table, like it was obvious. “Well, you’re speaking with the heads.”

“Maybe you misunderstand me. I meant, just with the major family head,” he spared a glance at Porsche, who had narrowed his eyes. “Not with the minor side.”

“Like I was saying before, I have been implementing some changes around here. We are not like before, Mr Somchair, we were sick of the politics, the lying, the rivalries in our family, so we decided it would be best to unite our teams and our power. So, when you ask to speak to one head – you get both, because we are now a package deal. Instead of getting one ally, you are effectively getting two… Does that not sound like a better plan than you were bargaining for in the first place?”

Somchair lightly ran his fingers along his chin, thoughtfully.

“Fine,” he eventually said, giving a small smile to both Kinn and Porsche, who both looked slightly less welcoming than they had when they first met, probably a little put out by his statement. “I can make my peace with Porsche being involved.”

Especially since he knew Kinn would be the one to oversee the operations. There was no way they would put Porsche in charge of something so important… In fact, he probably only had the title of ‘head of the minor family’ as a formality, to try and boost his self esteem or something. It sounded purely like a pity project. Something to make Kinn’s boyfriend smile.

Kinn gave a curt nod, “Great, glad we got that sorted. Now, I was thinking that-”

“Ah, sorry,” Somchair said, interrupting him. “But I wasn’t done.”

“What else is on your mind?”

His tone was polite, but there was something unmistakably unpleasant lurking in Kinn’s eyes that Somchair chose to ignore.

“Them.” Both Kinn and Porsche looked in surprise to where Somchair was pointing. “Why on earth are they here?”

“Vegas and Pete are both-”

“Neither Vegas nor Pete have a claim to be head of anything,” the man replied. His voice was calm, but his words were anything but kind. In fact, he had the rest of the room completely baffled, increasingly maddened with each passing moment. “Vegas got his rights taken away and given to Porsche. And don’t even get me started on Pete.”

That was when Vegas decided to finally speak.

“What the hell have you got against Pete?” he spat, looking like he was about to pounce across the table and attack.

Pete held his arm, gripping tight, “Vegas, don’t.”

Somchair smiled at him sickeningly.

“Yes, Vegas, listen to your little slut.”

“The fuck did you just call him?”

“You heard me.”

“Don’t you dare even-”

“That’s enough,” Kinn snapped, bashing his fists on the table, and silencing them both from their back and forth bickering.

Vegas looked like he wanted to continue but sat down after Pete muttered something too quiet for Somchair to pick up. Honestly, they both made him feel nauseous, he wanted them out of the meeting as soon as humanly possible.

“Yes, Vegas was not given the role of head of the minor family,” Kinn explained, his voice firm. “But like I explained to you before, Mr Somchair, we are running things differently now. We are all allies here and Vegas plays an important part in the day-to-day operations and the running of the minor family compound. Just because he doesn’t have the title, doesn’t mean he isn’t a valued member.”

Somchair said nothing, quirking his eyebrows and crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. He knew there would be more to Kinn’s little speech and if he cut him off it would only become unnecessarily longer and even more unbearable.

“And Pete is the former head bodyguard of the main family. He is highly qualified and a great asset to our team. He gives invaluable insight, and his fighting techniques are some of the best we have, probably better than any one of us in this room. What problem do you see with that?”

Pursing his lips, Somchair surveyed the room with interest, eventually locking his eyes directly with Pete. His dark eyes peered through his bangs, glaring daggers at the man, but he said nothing in his defence, letting Somchair have the room.

“I just think it’s very interesting,” he said. “That you allow someone so easily bought off to be in your supposed team.” Somchair looked back at Kinn, who was definitely calmer than Porsche who was clearly agitated by the line of conversation. “I know I wouldn’t let someone like that stay.”

“Pete left the main family of his own free will,” Vegas spoke through gritted teeth. “I didn’t buy him or force him or do any of the things that you’re implying, you asshole.”

“Vegas,” Kinn warned, though he didn’t sound too mad. There was even a hint of a smile on his face when he looked at his cousin.

Somchair wasn’t too surprised that they were united on that front, their family seemed to have gone completely downhill from the legendary stories he was told about them.

“I wasn’t implying anything,” his eyes glistened as he glared back at Vegas. “I was being perfectly clear in my assumptions that Pete was clearly lured over to your side of the family with the promise of… Well,” he gestured to Pete’s general attire, “That.”

“You are such a-”

“I pity you; you know.”

All heads snapped to Pete as he cut Vegas off.

“Oh, you do?” Somchair smirked at the statement.

“Mhm, I do… Because you clearly didn’t receive much love, right?”

He startled at that.

“I- what?”

Pete leant forwards, resting his elbows on the desk as he stared Somchair down with a challenging look, his eyes burning with something dark and unexplainable.

“You’re so blind to the love all of us have, so blinkered to the reasoning we have for what we do. You seem to think these businesses must run on hate, on narcissism, on dictatorship, because that was all you were taught as a child.” He pouted a little. “Did daddy not give you hugs? Did he not shower you with the validation you needed to become a decent human being? Well, grow up, the rest of us have.”

Somchair could see Vegas grinning triumphantly beside him, sitting back silently. Porsche snickered too, though he tried to poorly cover it up with a cough.

Pete gestured over to his friends, not even sparing a second to glance at them – he didn’t need to.

“Porsche and Kinn work so well as co-heads of the family because they love and trust one another. They could unite and create the allyship between the major and minor family, closing that massive rift that nobody dared to before, because of the love you so clearly don’t understand.” He opened up one of his hands on the table, expectantly, and Vegas immediately grasped onto it. “And I went with Vegas because I love him. Not because of money or materialistic things that clearly are a priority to you. I just went because of love. That is literally it. I don’t care if that’s too complicated for your pea sized brain to handle, that’s just how it is. But I sure as hell know us two aren’t going anywhere, so maybe you should spend this meeting trying to convince Khun Kinn that you aren’t the asshole we all think you are right now instead of trying to get us kicked out.”

Coughing and spluttering with sheer confusion and rage, Somchair looked towards Kinn for some assistance.

“Are you just going to let him speak to me that way?”

Kinn just shrugged, “Yes.”

To say that he was angry would be a severe understatement. Somchair felt like he was about to explode with the anger that was coursing through his veins, bubbling under his skin. Nobody had ever had the nerve to speak to him that way. Sure, his family had been looked on harshly in recent times but there had still been a level of respect, a line of decency that people were expected not to cross despite the controversy that his father had brought on them. Yet Pete, with his slutty unbutton shirts and unbothered demeanour had waltzed into his life and decided to throw all the rule books of social etiquette out of the window, disregarding everything he was supposed to know about hierarchy.

Pete was practically nothing, but he was being treated like a god. Pampered and primped by the people that were supposed to treat him like staff. It was infuriating, to say the least.

Somchair looked at in disdain, observing as he sat there, basically displaying his whole chest to the room. Pete may as well have just taken the whole shirt off with the number of buttons he had undone, to hell with the little material that was clinging to him as it was. What a fucking provocative ass outfit, trying to draw everyone’s attention – ineffectively, of course. If he wanted to dress like that for Vegas, then he should do it on his own time. It was a meeting, not a place to try and entice his boyfriend.

He bristled as Pete continued to stare – or more like glare, lifting a hand and running it through his hair, letting it fall back haphazardly as he never broke eye contact, grinning as he waited for a comeback that never came. Honestly, Somchair couldn’t wait until he left that goddamn meeting room so he would something else to look at than fucking Pete. Literally anything would have been a preferable view.

“You know,” Kinn said, breaking the silence that was steadily growing in the room. “Now I understand why you and your family have no support. You have done this all on your own and you have nobody to blame but yourselves. I had some hope before you came here, that we could genuinely mend some broken bridges, that you would be different to the kind of man your dad supposedly was… But I don’t think you’re any different.”

“That’s not true.”

Kinn levelled him with a look, “Isn’t it?”

They fell into silence once again.

“I think you should go,” Porsche eventually said.

“What? You can’t do that.”

“I can and I have,” he replied, simply. He looked sideways at Kinn. “Unless you want him here?”

“Nope. I can decidedly say that I don’t.”

And just to add fuel to the flames, Porsche smiled over at Vegas and Pete.

“What about you two? Fancy this twit as an ally?”

“Absolutely not,” Pete grinned, while Vegas merely shook his head, the boredom rolling off him in waves.

Like either of you could properly decide that anyway, Somchair wanted to spit back, but he held his tongue, silently glowering at them instead.

Kinn clapped his hands together, looking at him expectantly.

“I guess that’s decided then. My guards will see you out, Mr Somchair.”

“Or in other words,” Vegas said, raising his middle finger a  s Somchair made his way to the door. “Fuck off.”

Pete and Porsche both cracked up at that, with Kinn covering his mouth so his laughter couldn’t quite escape.

Honestly, he couldn’t get out of there quick enough. None of those people had the right amount of respect or willingness to cooperate, so he knew none of them were going to last much longer in the world that they all lived in. The mafia was a tricky business, they couldn’t except to get through based solely on good looks and charm and love as they tried to claim as their secret ingredient to success. It was revolting and just plain stupid to listen to.

He was almost glad that he had been turned down because he didn’t want to be an ally with people like that anyway. Why would be want to be associated with a daddy’s boy, a naïve newbie, a psycho, and a slut? He would lose the small amount of good rep that he had managed to maintain. So, yeah, it was a good thing that he wasn’t working with them, especially not Vegas and Pete. He definitely got a lucky escape.

Somchair didn’t need them anyway.

Chapter Text

“Good morning.”

Tay greeted his boyfriend with kind words and a sweet smile as Time wandered into the kitchen. He was in a daze, still half asleep even though he had slept through almost half the day.

He ignored Tay, merely yawning as he made his way to the fridge, picking out a bottle of juice before walking away and throwing himself down on the nearest available sofa. Honestly, the walk from the bedroom to there must have been tiresome for him, he deserved the break, poor thing.

Tay tried not to be mad at the clear neglect. He suffered through it basically every morning, after all, why should that day have been any different?

He’s tired, he reasoned with himself. The words he repeated in his head each day, the only things that helped him to maintain his sanity. He only just woke up, give him a minute.

So, he did. He followed Time’s steps, sitting on the opposite side of the sofa and waiting there in a sort of awkward silence. The kind where you can hear every little sound in the room, every tick of the clock, every gust of wind outside, every little breath each one of them took. It was the kind of silence that everyone so desperately wants to break, yet nobody knows quite how to begin.

Tay cleared his throat tentatively, after a while. Time had finished his drink by then, he assumed it would have given him at least a small energy boost – perhaps a personality transplant.

“Good morning,” he tried again, pinning that same polite smile on his face.

He knew exactly what his expression was full of – hope. He had caught himself God knows how many times with that hopeful smile on his face, trying to get a small bit of attention, of love, from the boyfriend that used to express it every day… Pathetic really.

“Did I not say it before?” his voice was gruff and slightly bored as he spoke.

Tay shook his head, letting out a slightly pained laugh. Not that Time would be likely to take note of that.

“No… You didn’t.”

“Oh, sorry beautiful.” He always used that word when he was guilty of something. When he wanted something. By that point it had become a word that stung rather than the joy it used to fill him with. “Good morning to you too, then. Did you sleep well last night?”

“I did,” Tay nodded. “Until you came bursting in at stupid o’clock.”

Time grimaced absentmindedly, tossing his empty bottle in the direction of the bin. He missed.

“Sorry babe, things with Tem went on for longer than we expected.”

“Mmm.”

“Neither one of us expected to be out that late.”

“I’m sure.”

“You should have come! It was a laugh. He’s so fun to be around.”

Tay knew exactly what type of fun his boyfriend was referring to – which is why he knew he didn’t want to be a part of it. Not in the slightest. He could barely even handle hearing Tem’s name without a part of his heart breaking.

Things hadn’t been perfect before Tem came along, not by a long shot. Him and Time had been going through a rough patch, as all couples do, but he thought they would be able to get through it as they normally did. He assumed that it was no big deal, that things would go back to the way they were in no time at all… But then Porsche had to go and bring his friends to a party, and just like that, changed everything in a heartbeat.

Time was completely infatuated with Tem, head over heels, like a schoolboy with a crush. He was all Time would talk about, going on and on about this stupid guy, disregarding his own boyfriend, the person he was supposed to be in love with, the man that he once apparently used to love. Though it had been so long since the word was even mentioned that Tay was beginning to wonder, was that ever the case?

He was all too aware of what the two of them got up to when he wasn’t around… Well, even when he was. It was all a part of their arrangement, after all. Time had made the request; he had asked Tay for permission and stupidly he had granted it. He had practically pushed the love of his life into the arms of another man, standing idly by as they stomped all over his heart.

At first, Tay was included in their little game, and it was like things were ok for a while. They could all pretend like things were totally normal. Like they were just having a threesome or something like couples did once in a while, but it was like torture every single time for Tay. He couldn’t stand it, he couldn’t watch it, he couldn’t listen to it. So, he backed away.

He told his boyfriend that he could continue if he wished… Maybe that was the most idiotic thing that he could have done, maybe he was way too naïve for his own good. But the fool he was, Tay really thought that Time would put it to and end. He thought Time would see how desperately unhappy he was, that he was only saying those things because it was what his boyfriend wanted. Of course, nothing of the sort happened. Time took that permission and ran with it, never once looking back or checking if Tay was still alright with the way things were.

So, that was just how their lives were from that point onwards… Their new normal.  

Tay and Time would spend the day together, acting like everything was ok. Then most nights, Time would disappear to go and be with his little sidepiece, who Tay was almost sure he cared about more.

It was all in the smiles and the glint in his eyes and the excitement in his voice at the mere mention of his name – it was like how he was when he and Tay first started dating. Before the magic died. Before Tay spent each evening burying himself in as many blankets as he could, hugging himself to sleep as he slept alone in a house that no longer felt like home.

But that was the one rule they had set in stone, one rule that Tay was adamant they stick to. Tem wasn’t to be brought back to the house. Because, though it no longer felt like the comforting and warm place he once thought of it as, it was his safe haven. It was the one place that he knew he wouldn’t have to run into Tem or see his face, the one place where he could at least try and convince himself that him and Time were still their normal selves.

“I don’t think you would have wanted me there…”

Something flashed in Time’s eyes, but whatever it was wasn’t surprise.

“That’s not true, you know you’re always welcome.”

But me being welcome and you wanting me there are two completely different things.

“I suppose.” Is what he settled on instead, still smiling. “Anyway… I’m going over to Kinn’s today.”

“Ok,” he shrugged.

“You want to come with me?”

“Nah, you go ahead. I’ve got important stuff to be getting on with here.” Tay nodded, saying nothing. “Just tell Kinn I said hi.”

“Oh, uh, I’m not going over there to see Kinn. I think he’s out anyway, Porsche said something about a meeting? I dunno… None of my business anyway.”

Time looked slightly puzzled.

“Then… What are you going there for?”

“Um, I do have other friends, you know.” There was an edge to his voice when he spoke.

“I know that babe!” Another pet name that only sent a wave of nausea through him now. “I just meant that, normally we go there to hang out with Kinn. He’s our friend! I didn’t know you were really close with anyone else there, that’s all.”

Tay hummed.

He had definitely mentioned it before, just liked he talked about a lot of his life and his interests. As usual, it went right over Time’s head. He rarely listened to anything anymore.

“Well, since Vegas is out of hospital and feeling better, him and Pete are going over to the main family mansion to hang out. Porsche invited me along… So, I’m going.”

“Vegas and Pete?” Time spluttered, smiling in a slightly confused way, even tilting his head slightly to the left as he stared at Tay. He found it so incredibly condescending, he almost reached out and slapped him right there. “When have you ever been interested in spending time with them?”

“Maybe round about the time you started hanging around Tem.”

He hadn’t really meant to say it out loud, but the look on Time’s face made any ounce of regret he felt slip away. He was all too satisfied with the goldfish-esque look his boyfriend had, trying to gasp for any words and failing miserably.

Standing up, Tay only looked back at him once.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be out, so… Don’t hang around waiting for me.”

Honestly, he was sure Time wouldn’t have even though to wait for any amount of time anyway – he wasn’t a considerate enough person for that. But regardless, it gave him a sense of satisfaction to say it anyway, to become the person to walk away, to have the last word for once.

***

Tay actually had an ulterior motive meeting with Vegas and Pete. He wanted to make sure Pete knew what he was getting into dating someone like Vegas Theerapanyakul, that he understood exactly the type of person he was.

And that doesn’t mean spelling out the dangerous, egotistical, manipulative side – as he thought Pete would be all too aware of Vegas’s tendencies by that point. Everyone knew just how cunning the oldest son of the minor family was, only an idiot would question Pete’s ability to understand the territory of dating someone like that.

No, Tay was more interested in a different side of Vegas, a side that more heavily involved his revolving door of suitors.

Of course, that was also not a secret. Vegas never kept his dating history a secret – not that there really was one, only a tally as long as his arm of men he kept on a short leash no longer than a week. Not to slut shame, but Vegas never kept with one person for too long. He grew bored and restless with the monotony of it all, harbouring a clear distaste for staring at the same face for long periods of time and kicked them to the curb once he had his fill.

He had even offered Tay to join in on the fun a couple of times before, back when Time had first brought him onto the scene. To say that Tay had been intrigued would be an understatement. Vegas was an attractive man and clearly knew what he was doing considering the amount of people that pounced at the chance to be with him for even just one night. Plus, Tay clearly had a thing for the narcissistic type men, the ones who prioritised themselves over all else. Vegas reminded him so much of Time – albeit a more threatening version but still similar, nonetheless. But he had declined, too in love with his boyfriend to even consider the idea of sleeping with someone else… Clearly, Time hadn’t had the same reservation.

The point was, he wanted Pete to make sure what could happen, because he had been in that same situation. He knew Time liked to sleep around, that he was a livewire, but he genuinely thought that the love they shared could beat it all. He believed that what they had was stronger than all of the urges that Time may have. He obviously couldn’t have been more wrong.

Pete wasn’t stupid. Yes, he knew Vegas’s history and he had likely seen all of the warning signs a million times over. But was he just entranced like Tay had been? Blinded by the same love, the all-consuming feelings that a new relationship can have. Because it was so easy to get caught up in all the empty promises, in all the whispered words late at night that were nothing more than a post sex high that unknowingly became null and void the next day.

He had known Pete for years. The former bodyguard was kind… He was strong, both mentally and physically… But that didn’t mean he could handle the insane amount of heartbreak. The last thing he wanted was a decent person like Pete to be played the same way that Tay had been himself. It just wasn’t fair.

“Tay!” Porsche greeted him cheerfully when he walked into the room.

The two of them had grown close since Kinn had taken the time to introduce them to one another. He was a really approachable guy and insanely funny – it seemed the cold and brutal ways of the mafia hadn’t yet got to him like it had the rest. He was still somewhat normal, a brief glimpse into the past, into what life was like before Time had allowed him to stumble into their way of things.

Porsche really was a real friend, at least Tay hoped he was. The two got along really well and regularly kept in contact, even when their interactions weren’t prompted by their own boyfriends.

In a way, Tay had always hoped that he would become friends with Porsche. From their first meeting, where the then bodyguard had spiked Kinn’s drink with wasabi, he had been intrigued by him… He was unlike most of the other rigid frames in their black suits, dotted around the mansion like empty suits of armour. Porsche actually seemed to have a personality, or at least one that he wanted to show instead of being forced into the regimental scheme of pushing down any emotion that wasn’t anger. Tay was friendly with all of the bodyguards there, sure, but he felt like Porsche got him in ways that the others didn’t. He seemed to actually see Tay, actually understand him, and he was glad to have someone so kind in his corner.

Tay made his way over to Porsche, sitting on the empty side of the sofa. The man gave him a friendly touch on the shoulder as he did so, squeezing for a moment before letting go completely.

Vegas and Pete, who were sitting on the couch next to his, nodded at him, smiling kindly. Really, he thought it was the first time he had seen Vegas properly smile. Before it had just been snide smirks, but he genuinely just looked happy to be there. Really, the only reason he was smiling was because he had seen the grin on Pete’s face, his expression had nothing to do with Tay in the slightest.

He had his arm slung lazily around Pete’s shoulder, lightly drawing patterns wherever his fingers could reach. Their sides pressed up against one another as they sat as close as they possibly could. Tay noted just how relaxed they both looked, especially compared to the last time he had seen Pete.

He hadn’t visited the hospital while Vegas had been admitted, he didn’t think it was really his place to, and doubted that the man would have appreciated his presence much. Though, he had run into Pete on the street. He had been on a trip to get food, clearly heading back to see Vegas and he was a complete ball of stress. The fizzling of anxiety was practically pouring off him, it was a little hard to witness.

Tay hadn’t really known what to do in that situation. It was rare to see Pete so frazzled and off kilter, since he was the one person that normally knew how to keep his emotions completely masked. All he could really do was wish him and Vegas well, hoping that would be enough.

It was a relief to see the improvement in the both of them.

“Hey, it’s great to see you all,” Tay replied, “Glad you’re doing better, Vegas.”

“Thanks,” was all he said in response, though to be fair it was more words than the two of them had spoken in… Well, probably months. So, he was glad to get that much.

Tay had thought the four of them would just settle into an easy conversation. He had assumed it would mostly revolve around Pete and Vegas, since they were the ones that had been through a traumatic event, who had their lives changed so dramatically… It would make sense that they would be the ones to update the other two on what had been happening.

Though, of course, that wasn’t what happened.

“So, Tay, how’s Time?” Pete asked.

His tone was light enough, and the question could have been an innocent one… But there was something lurking behind Pete’s gaze. Tay couldn’t quite place it but it set him a little on edge. Though that feeling could also have easily been the mention of Time’s name, it had an awful habit of sending an uncomfortable shiver down his spine.

Tay stiffened slightly and he could see Porsche looking at him with caution.

Of course, he was one of the only people aware that there were problems between the two of them. Not that Tay had revealed much to him explicitly, but Porsche wasn’t an idiot, he knew something wasn’t quite right between them. Not that he would probably be able to guess Time was cheating with Porsche’s school friend… But he knew something was up, nonetheless.

“Um… He’s…” Tay cleared his throat, forcing himself to smile. “He’s fine.”

“And are things- are they good between you two?”

“Mhmm, yeah, things are good.”

Pete and Porsche shared a look, a lengthy conversation happening in just a few seconds. It ended long before Tay had any time to try and decipher what it meant.

“Ok,” Pete grimaced a little. “It’s just that, um… I – we –” He gestured between himself and Vegas. “Saw Time with someone-”

“Tem.” Porsche added.

Pete nodded, while Vegas looked at his boyfriend with a questioning stare.

“I don’t who that is.”

“That’s the guy he was with.”

“So, we had to leave the club because Time was almost having public sex with… Some guy?”

“Tem,” Porsche prompted again, though that time Pete shot him a glare.

He turned his gaze back towards Tay, who had been trying to follow along their confusing conversation with slight difficulty.

“Look we were trying to break it gently…” Pete said to him. “Thanks for your tact, Vegas.”

“Hey, Porsche was the one blurting out his name.”

“I don’t think saying his name was the most brutal part of this conversation!” Pete cried, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know what, never mind.”

Vegas shrugged, “Well sorry, but I didn’t even know this was supposed to be an intervention. Maybe you should have brought me into the loop before he got here.”

Tay stilled at the statement.

He genuinely thought that he had been invited there as a friend, as someone that they all just wanted to hang out with. He thought that Porsche had brought him round out of kindness, to be with friends and to just have a nice time… But he could now see that it was all just a ruse, perhaps still out of kindness, though still shrouded in secrecy, nonetheless.

It was just another thing that Time had somehow tainted without even having to be there himself. He couldn’t just have one day, one single day of fun. Of not having to think about his asshole boyfriend and what he did, of not having to wonder what he was doing, of not having to think about how goddamn stupid he was all the time.

The other three continued to talk, clearly not noticing the look of realisation and upset that had come over Tay’s face.

“I didn’t think you had to be brought into the loop, Vegas! I thought you were smart enough to pick it up on your own.”

Vegas smirked, “Excuse me, for only being able to look at you. I didn’t particularly want to look at their sex show when I had the best view in front of me…”

“Oh please,” Porsche groaned. “Don’t use this as an opportunity to flirt, now is literally not the time.”

“Agree to disagree,” Vegas mumbled, while Pete lightly slapped his leg.

Pete stared at Tay with an apology written all over his face. Tay couldn’t stand the sympathy, the sheer pity that was being thrown his way. He had gone there to see if Pete needed a warning, not the other way around.

“Sorry Tay,” he said, his voice gentle. “But Time was… Well-”

Tay held up his hand, cutting Pete off before he could say anything further.

“You really don’t have to do that,” he said, his voice tired, resigned. He had long since lost the energy to speak of his boyfriend with such enthusiasm. “I already know.”

All eyes turned towards him.

Pete blanched, “Huh?”

Porsche’s eyes looked like they were about to bug out of his head.

“You do?”

Vegas said nothing. Really, he was the only one that didn’t really react, only looking at Tay with an expression he couldn’t place. Though he never could tell what Vegas was thinking on any normal occasion anyway.

Tay nodded, “I do. He’s been sleeping with Tem for months now. It’s alright though, I said he could.”

He thought that sentence would put an end to it, that they would realise they had misunderstood the situation and move on. Lots of people have those type of arrangements after all, especially mafia families. There was always dark and shady stuff that people hid, including lovers and the like. It should have come as no surprise to them that Time had secrets such as that, he was one of them after all.

However, all it did was cause Porsche and Pete to look entirely more stunned.

“You said he could?” Porsche parroted.

Tay nodded once more, “Yes, it’s all a part of our arrangement.” He spoke with no emotion; he was numb to it all by that point. “Time loves me… He just… Well, he… You know how it is.”

But their looks told Tay that, no, they really didn’t.

“Tay…” Pete started, but his voice trailed off.

“When you said that things weren’t like that, between you and Time,” Porsche said, frowning a little. “I didn’t know this is what you meant.”

“Well, lots of people have open relationships and stuff! I really don’t think you guys had to have a whole intervention just to say this.” He sighed. “Look, if that was all you wanted me here for, I think I’m just gonna go…”

Just as he was about to get up and walk away, Vegas’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Wait.”

Just one word, but it seemed to hold so much power.

Tay couldn’t help but look at him, sitting completely still.

He looked back with his fierce eyes, though Tay could tell there was something underneath the surface… Care, maybe? Though maybe that was a silly thing for him to assume. This was Vegas he was looking at; he didn’t care about insignificant people like that.

“I just have a question,” he said, his voice smooth and sure. “With this… Arrangement, that you and your boyfriend have. Are you allowed to see other people as well?”

His immediate reaction was to laugh, though he bit it back.

Tay had never thought to ask… There had never been anyone else for him. Since he met Time, he had been completely set. From the moment he clapped eyes on that dashing, doe eyed boy in the club, the one who seemed to light up the whole room with his smile – Tay hadn’t been able to look at another person.

The only time he had come close to making such a request would have been when Vegas had proposed they sleep together. Though that was more of a storytelling than an actual question, Time had got mad, nevertheless. Not at Tay, but at the situation – and Vegas. He had made it clear that he belonged to Time – and Tay had absolutely no objections to that, he loved his boyfriend with all his heart, and he already considered himself so.

But that was really all he needed to know. He never would have asked anyway, but even if there had been someone else that caught his eyes, Tay never would have said a thing.

So, that is why Tay replied with, “No.”

Vegas nodded, “I hate to tell you this.” And oddly it actually sounded like meant that. “But that isn’t an open relationship. Time is taking you for a fool.”

“He loves me.”

Tay isn’t particularly sure why he made such a retort, why on earth he was defending him so much, even when he didn’t particularly believe the words himself. When he had spoken to Porsche about Time, he hadn’t even considered being so adamant about protecting their picture-perfect image… So, maybe it was just because it was Vegas he was talking to. Maybe it was just so infuriating having the man he went there to warn Pete about being the one to try and advise him.

“You know… I never knew that much about love growing up,” Vegas said to him, never breaking eye contact. “But I can tell you for damn sure, that isn’t it. To me, love is something… Something meaningful. It took me so long to find it for myself, but I did. I found it in Pete.” He took his boyfriends hand, squeezing tight. “And I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but it is the most wonderful feeling.”

He was right, he didn’t have to say. Because, even if Tay hadn’t felt love before, he would be able to tell just how amazing it was purely from the look that filled Vegas’s eyes at the mention of Pete’s name.

“I had never really been able to tell what it felt like… But as soon as I found it – fucking hell, I would never act like that douchebag boyfriend of yours. Because he clearly doesn’t get it. It just feels so wrong to see someone mistreating it, to see them just throwing it away.” A flash of anger appeared in Vegas’s expression. “If you love someone, you don’t act the way that he is.”

“I… I told him it was ok though.” Tay protested; his voice significantly quieter than it had been before.

“But don’t you see? That doesn’t matter. If Time really loved you the way he claimed, he would never treat you the way he is.” He nodded his head towards his boyfriend. “I would never tell Pete that I loved him and then go off and sleep with someone else. I just couldn’t treat the person I love in such a shitty way; he deserves so much better than that… Right? Even if Pete told me to go out and fuck someone else, even if he was shoving me into another person’s arms, I wouldn’t be able to do it, because I love him too much – I respect him too much.”

Pete leant his head close to Vegas’s, “Not that I don’t appreciate this… But don’t you think that this could be worded slightly-”

“No, he needs to hear this. Sure, it’s hard, but it’s the truth.” Vegas’s lip twitched slightly as he looked at Tay. “And he doesn’t like me much anyway, so I have nothing to lose by saying it.”

So, he could tell. Lovely.

“Carry on then, Vegas.” Tay fixed him with a look. “Since you clearly know my relationship so much better than I do.”

He had no clue why he was being so snarky and mean towards the man, when he was actually trying to be helpful for once. Maybe because that fact was so infuriating to him. That Vegas, the one person that people would normally count on to be the spawn of the earth and the constant reminder of how horrible people can be, was actually being kind and shedding light on how disgusting Time truly was.

Maybe because Vegas was bringing truth to things that Tay wasn’t really ready to hear, that he maybe never would be ready for.

“Ok fine, I will.”

Tay flashed a smile, “Great.”

Vegas leant forwards, “Do you think Time feels guilty?”

“What?”

“Do you think he feels guilty at all for what he’s doing? When he comes home after a night out with his little toy, does he show you how much he loves you? Does he give you hugs and kisses? Does he tidy the house or do chores to make your life easier? Does he buy you things? Does he do literally anything to show you he had a single ounce of regret for not spending that time with you instead of Tem?”

Each question was like a blow.

No, he did none of those things. None at all.

When he came home, the most he would do was steal all of the blankets after rudely waking Tay up with his crashing about. No words would be exchanged unless Tay initiated conversation. He would leave the house an absolute mess… That bottle he threw earlier was likely still there, waiting for Tay to come and pick it up and place it just centimetres away into the bin. The thought made his blood boil, and partly because it just proved Vegas’s point. He was right about it all, he could tell everything in just a few minutes of looking at Tay when nobody else had been able to guess for months.

“You see, that’s the difference, right there,” Vegas said. “Between love and… Whatever it is you claim Time is feeling. Because, after things went down with Pete and I, there wasn’t a single moment that went by that I wasn’t completely eaten up inside by my own guilt – and let me tell you, I did everything I could to express how sorry I was for the things I did. I still feel it, you know. It still kills me, what I put him through.”

Pete looked visibly upset by the statement, tenderly running his thumb across the back of Vegas’s hand. Neither of them exchanged words about it, not taking a moment to pause from the already ongoing conversation with Tay – yet both him and Porsche could clearly tell the unspoken communication that was going on between them. The brief look they shared said everything that words couldn’t.

“But you know how I cope with it?” Vegas continued. “By making sure Pete is the happiest he has ever been. That smile on his face is the only thing that helps.” He went quiet for a few seconds, his eyes roaming Pete’s face, who had softly smiled at the words. “Tay, if your boyfriend isn’t doing any of that? I’m sorry but either he is the most poker-faced fucker that ever lived, or he just isn’t feeling the guilt at all. And really, do any of those options sound appealing? At best you get someone who can’t express their emotions, even for your benefit, and at worst… Do I really have to explain your own reality to you?”

Porsche laid his hand on Tay’s arm.

“Ok, I think that’s enough, Vegas. You’ve got your point across.”

He crossed his arms, leaning back in a completely nonchalant manner. As if the conversation meant completely nothing to him, like it was something he did all the time.

“I mean, neither of you two were saying anything, so… What, were we supposed to just sit here in silence?”

“No…” Pete said, firm yet still with a hint of fondness. “But there was probably a gentler way of putting it.”

“That was my gentle way.”

Porsche couldn’t help but snort a laugh, “Vegas, I really do think you have a future as an inspirational speaker.”

“Don’t encourage him.”

“No, really, what did you want me to say?” Vegas asked. “Tay, your deadbeat boyfriend is fucking someone else. He’s a piece of shit and you should get out of there. Was that better?”

Pete groaned, “Vegas…”

“I’m just saying,” he mumbled underneath his breath.

Tay shrugged, “Guys, it’s fine, honestly… Let’s just forget about it, yeah?”

From the looks on Pete and Porsche’s face, you might have thought that Tay had whipped out a gun and shot Vegas dead right then and there. They looked outright horrified at his words.

“We can’t just forget about it,” Pete said, immediately.

“You’re our friend, Tay! We can’t just let you walk out of here and go back to him like none of this ever happened. You might say you agreed, but we can tell you aren’t happy.”

“Well, none of you noticed before now. We can just go back to the way it was then.”

“Why are you so intent on living a life like that?” Pete questioned, looking genuinely concerned. “Tay, you can’t go on like this. What Vegas said was tough, yeah, but he’s right. Time is a complete dick; you’ll burn out completely if you stay with him.”

“He’s a liar,” Porsche added.

“A cheat and a liar. You think he’s just out there with Tem? He’s probably fucked so many other people without telling you.”

Tay felt his face drop, “You think he has?”

Pete looked panicked for a second, but he recovered quickly.

“I mean, I don’t know that, but it seems like something he would do, you know? It all links in with his whole ‘lack of guilt’ personality. And you don’t deserve that at all, you deserve someone who is loyal to you, Tay, who you can trust won’t lie right to your face.”

“No legacy is so rich as honesty.”

Pete looked at Vegas, grinning.

“What a load of bullshit,” he said in return, as Vegas reached out and playfully pinched at his hip.

Tay nudged Porsche beside him with his elbow, a questioning look in his eyes. He had absolutely no idea why Vegas had suddenly started spewing Shakespeare, or why Pete had such an aversion to the quote… Judging by the equally baffled look on Porsche’s face, he was none the wiser.

“I don’t think it’s bullshit,” Porsche mused as the two men continued to grin at each other, like they were in on some elaborate joke that nobody else would understand. Which seemed to be an accurate assumption of what was happening. “That was actually pretty smart.”

Vegas laughed at that while Pete blushed slightly, shaking his head.

“That’s not… Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”

Porsche wrinkled his nose slightly, “Well I don’t-”

“Can I just say one more thing?” Vegas asked, before he could say anything further on the matter.

Pete narrowed his eyes slightly, “Depends what it is.”

“Well, if I tell you what I’m going to say, doesn’t that defeat the whole point of asking?” he smiled, quirking an eyebrow.

“Whatever,” Pete pushed Vegas lightly, chuckling. “Just say it then.”

He jutted out his chin, pouting in Pete’s direction. It was an odd side to see to the mafia boss, to say the least. Tay had literally never seen him joking around so easily as he had been that day, so content and relaxed in his surroundings. So secure in who he was with.

“Ok, I will.”

Vegas focussed his attentions back on Tay, who felt himself shrink a little underneath his gaze. Not that he was scared at all, just that he had this way of staring in such a piercing way, it was hard not to feel at least a little intimidated by it.

“The way I see things is, I would never want Pete to be unhappy. Even if that meant letting him go, I would do it.”

He instantly narrowed his eyes at Vegas.

“You would let Pete go? If you loved him so much, why the hell would you willingly let him go?” He scoffed underneath his breath. “Seems a little backwards.”

“Not at all.”

“How so?”

“Because if Pete was genuinely unhappy with how things were, then who am I to trap him in a situation like that? I want him to be the best version of himself, I want him to flourish… But if he can’t do that with me, then I would let him go. I would give him a chance at being happy instead of trapping him in a place where he can’t soar.”

Tay paused for a moment.

“Oh…”

“Time is keeping you trapped,” said Vegas, sounding completely sincere. “If that’s love… I don’t think I understand the meaning of the word anymore.”

With that, Vegas shrugged and leant back in his chair once more, gesturing towards Porsche and Pete to signal that he was finally finished.

He could hear the two of them begin to speak again, but Tay’s head was reeling, the whole world suddenly turning static around him, white noise blocking out all other sounds.

Though he stayed with them in the main family house till the late afternoon, Tay remained in a state that toed the line between fully conscious and dazed. He couldn’t force himself to join in with any more of the conversations, still taken aback by everything they had told him, everything that they had tried to explain. And, while most of it were things he probably already knew, it was a lot of stuff that he wasn’t yet ready to admit to himself.

Him and Time had been existing together for so long, that he almost didn’t want to consider what would happen if all of that came to an end. Yet, with the reality check from people that clearly wouldn’t lie about such things, he could no longer bury his head in the sand and hope that they could continue their ‘perfect’ little life. Something had to be done.

***

“Do you promise you won’t just let him walk all over you again, Tay?” Porsche had asked before he had left the grounds… But Tay hadn’t been able to make such a promise to his friend.

How could he when he knew exactly how weak he was against Time?

He had stayed in that goddamn sham of a relationship for so long, clutching at the scraps of their so-called love for months just hoping that he might be able to piece it back together. And all the while Time had been causing more damage, ripping it to shreds right in front of his eyes. Tay was merely a pawn in his mind games, a doll, an ornament in the house. It was like he didn’t have a mind of his own to speak against whatever cruel things happened.

“I’m home!” Tay shouted as he walked through the door, hating the way his voice echoed across the halls. Just another reminder of how empty it was there.

There came no reply.

“Time?”

Still no reply.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he made his way to the sitting room.

Though, as soon as he got there, he wished he had never set foot in the house. He wished he had just stayed over with Porsche, maybe sway Tankhun into letting him bunk in his room – he always loved having someone to watch dramas with him all night. He even would have allowed Pete and Vegas to take him back to the minor family compound with them and slept on their sofa (which he can only imagine was built with snakeskin and nails). Literally anything would have been a better fate than what he walked in on.

In the few hours that Tay had been out, Time thought it was a fantastic opportunity to invite Tem round. That small fraction of the day was clearly too much for him to go without having some dick, poor boy must have been going through withdrawal symptoms. Of course, Tay could completely understand calling up his side piece the second he had left the house, how silly of him to think his boyfriend could have been monogamous for more than half a day.

The longer Tay stood there in the doorway, the more he could note about the disarray in the room. The handprints and smear marks on the sliding glass doors. The curtains that had been flung wide without a care. Each ornament on every surface and shelf had been swept to the floor, in clear haste. And, obviously, the two naked men on the couch, too wrapped up in their own bubble to take note of the sound of Tay’s heart completely shattering.

“What the actual fuck?” Tay exclaimed, when he could no longer bear the sight.

Tem and Time startled at the noise, rolling onto the floor in their fright.

“Oh, Tay, it’s only you…” Time laughed, once he spotted his boyfriend.

Tay couldn’t decide whether he was just ignoring the steam coming out of his ears and the aggression flowing off him, or whether he really was just that ignorant.

“It’s only me?” he scoffed, walking towards them with careful steps, his heeled boots clacking on the floorboards. “It’s only me? Are you being serious right now?”

“What-”

“Please tell me I’m just hallucinating right now, Time. Tell me that I’m going crazy.” Tay could feel himself breaking from the inside, so he wrapped his arms around himself tight in a poor attempt to keep it all together. “Because I know for a fact you didn’t bring him into the house… You wouldn’t. That is the one thing you just can’t do.”

Time shrugged, still sat on the floor, his legs tangled with Tem’s who was looking between them with a stunned expression.

“You were out, babe,” he shrugged, no semblance of shame. “I didn’t think you’d be back yet.”

Despite it all, Tay barked out a laugh.

Because standing there, looking down at his lying, cheating, pig of a boyfriend, he realised something… Something that he never thought would be true. Vegas Theerapanyakul was telling him the truth, he was talking complete and utter sense, pointing him in the right direction.

The short of it was, Time was a terrible person. He might have been able to understand the urge to be with Tem… Some people were interested in polygamy, they had romantic or sexual attraction to more than one person and that was fine. Tay was making his peace with it and if that was all it was, then he would have pushed through. But it was the lying, the sneaking around, the neglect, that sent him over the edge.

“No, no, no, see… I know for a fact you aren’t pinning this on me right now. You are the one that crossed a boundary. You are the one in the wrong here, you absolute piece of shit.” He locked eyes with Tem, though it pained him greatly to do so. All he could get out was one word, but it packed all of the venom needed to put the fear of God in him. “Leave.”

It seemed that the boy didn’t need to be told twice. He sent Time an apologetic look, before scrambling to grab his clothes and make a break for the door. The remaining two men stood there in silence, until they heard it slam shut behind him.

“Never in the house, Time. Never in the house, what is so hard to understand about that? What, you could handle a few hours without getting your dick wet, is that it? I was literally here this morning! I bet you were already planning it while I was here, huh? How you were gonna have your little thrills with your boytoy while I was away.”

“I can’t help it if Tem was there when I needed him.”

“Bastard,” Tay spat. “Fucking. Bastard.”

Time finally stood up, pulling on his clothes.

“I think you’re getting upset over nothing… You know full well what happens between me and Tem.” Tay involuntarily flinched at his name. “You gave us permission-”

“Not for this.”

“Well, forgive me for misunderstanding.”

“No.”

He screamed the word. He yelled it so loud that the cabinets in the kitchen probably rattled from the sheer force.

“You know what, Time?” he hissed, a stark contrast to his previous volume. “I had such an eye-opening conversation today… Porsche and Pete, they were trying to show me how dumb I was, staying with a guy like you. But do you know who really got to me? Vegas.”

“Vegas?”

Tay glared daggers.

“Don’t even think about fucking interrupting me,” He snapped, delighting in the stunned expression that morphed over Time’s face. “Yes, Vegas. He really shed a light on things… He is a cruel, black hearted, merciless killer. He had murdered God knows how many people, possibly innocents sometimes. I think he just does it for the thrill, just for the fun of it.” Tay paused. “And do you know why that made me come to a realisation?”

Time remained silent.

“Because if Vegas Theerapanyakul wasn’t ever willing to cheat on Pete, if he valued his boyfriend over everything else and wanted his happiness as a priority – even above his own… Then what the hell does that say about you? Because, let’s face it, that’s never been the case with us. You’ve never really loved me, have you? If you did, there is no way you would be acting the way you are. If you really loved me, you would treat me the way I deserve… This thing we have, it’s just lust – at least it was at the beginning, before you got bored too late, before you got stuck with me in this house and were too cowardly to say anything.”

“Tay, that’s not-”

“You’ve kept me here, stringing me along in this sick little circus game of yours. You can barely touch me, yet you still want me to believe there is still a flicker of emotion between us? Time, the only thing I’m feeling towards you now is disgust. I can’t even look at you right now.”

“I don’t think this is you talking.”

“What?”

“This is Vegas. He’s corrupted you. First, he went for Porsche, then Pete, now you. Don’t you see? He won’t stop until he has everyone to himself! He just wants them all, he’s trying to steal you away and you’re letting him.”

Tay looked at him in bemusement, wrinkling his nose. In that moment, he saw Time for what he was. Instead of the tall, beautiful, practically untouchable man he normally saw when he looked at his boyfriend, all he could see was a hollow shell of a man, a scared little boy that was trying to backtrack on all of the mistakes he had made – well, he was failing miserably.

“What on earth are you talking about? Are you listening to anything I have to say? Vegas doesn’t want anyone but Pete, that’s the whole point, Time. He is satisfied with one person because he loves them. He stopped his playboy ways, he stopped the endless sex with strangers, the hook-ups in clubs and back alleys. He stopped because he found the person, he wanted to spend his life with… I don’t think you could ever relate to that.”

“I’m here with you, aren’t I? I’m here with my boyfriend, in our house. I’m spending my life with you Tay, what more do you want?”

He smiled sadly. The anger was slowly ebbing away, revealing a more brutal pain underneath, a gut wrenching, chest aching pain that tried to push him to his knees.

“You’re here, yes…” he reached out his hand, poking him harshly in the chest. Tay tried not to think about how Tem’s hands had been in that exact spot moments before. “But you aren’t here.”

Time grasped onto his hand; eyes blown wide in a panic.

“Tay, please, don’t say that. Please. I am here.”

“No,” he snatched his hand away, hiding them both behind his back just in case. “You aren’t and you haven’t been for a while now. And you know… That’s fine. Really, it’s fine, because it’s made this whole thing so much easier.”

“Made what easier?”

“I’m going. You don’t love me, Time, and I can’t stay here with someone that ices me out the way that you do, someone that humiliates me the way that you do. I just can’t. So, I’m going. And it makes it easier because I know you won’t stop me.”

His face contorted in a way that Tay had never seen before.

“Of course, I’ll stop you! I love you, Tay, why the fuck wouldn’t I stop you?”

“But you don’t,” he cried. “You don’t love me. I don’t know if you love anyone… Maybe you just don’t have the capacity for it. Which is fine, you do you, but I can’t be a part of it anymore.”

He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a sigh.

“We’re done, Time. I mean, we have been for a while, but officially, in every sense of the word – we’re over.” Taking a few steps back, he peered around the room briefly before his eyes returned to the cowering stature of the man before him. “I’ll send someone round to get my things, I don’t want to send another second of my life sharing the same air as you.”

And with that, he walked away.

As much as it pained him to admit it, a part of him did wish Time would have run after him, would have insisted that he stay at least for that night. Because it would have confirmed that their time together had actually meant something, that their relationship wasn’t just something that could be wiped away from existence, that Tay hadn’t truly wasted years of his life with someone for absolutely nothing.

But he was free to walk away, stepping over the remnants of his broken heart on the way back to the front door and not looking back for a second. Time didn’t deserve the luxury of seeing his face again, not even for a moment.

Maybe one day they would run into each other again, when Tay had truly been able to move past that stage of his life and flourish into the person he had always hoped to become. Maybe Time would have another person on his arm, though likely a person he had picked up from the bar that very night. But, you see, that would be the moment, that would be where Tay could finally stand proud and know that he had got the better end of the deal, because he was no longer stuck with a joy sucking maniac that would be forever living in a state of disrepair and self-loathing. In any case, Tay couldn’t wait for that, where he could truly rub it in Time’s face what he could have had – and will never have – again.

As he walked down the street, he felt the smile growing on his face with the ever-growing distance he was putting between himself and Time, between himself and that growing abyss of darkness that had been trying to drag him down for so long.

And, oddly, he was still thinking about Vegas. Never did he think the person that would finally prompt him to cut ties with his boyfriend would be one of the most bloodthirsty mafia men that Tay had ever met.

He had started the day thinking he would warn Pete off dating him… But he had come to realise that Pete actually had it really good. He had someone that loved him above literally all else, who would do anything to keep him happy and safe. There wasn’t really much Tay could say anymore to dispute their relationship, especially after the help they had given.

Him and Vegas would likely never be friends, but he had gained a new level of respect for him that day. He knew that he wouldn’t cause Pete any harm, emotional or otherwise, so who was he to think anything bad about them again?

Chapter Text

Time narrowed his eyes as he wandered the street, purposefully keeping his steps soft and slow, not wanting to make a sound with his shoes on the pavement. His mission hindered on him being stealthy and smooth – almost suave you could say.

He had been intent on enacting his revenge since Tay had left. Or rather since he had been brutally ripped away from him, all down to the brainwashing from Vegas, the poisoned words dripped into his ears and corrupting his thoughts. Honestly, everyone thought the man had turned a corner after he had got with Pete, that he had supposedly discovered the wonders of commitment and monogamy. Time had never really bought it and there was his proof. The same old Vegas playing his tricks, seducing every pretty guy he laid his eyes on and breaking relationships as easily as it was for him to breathe.

Well, Time wasn’t about to let him get away with it. There had to be something done. He couldn’t just let Vegas roam around unbothered when he had made Tay leave him. Because it was obviously Vegas’ fault, no doubt about it. Tay had tried to cover for him, blaming it on the whole Tem situation and blowing his stack over something that had been happening for months and never bothered him before. So, it could only be Vegas. The common denominator. The guy that had come along and suddenly flipped a switch in Tay’s head that should never have been touched.

So, he made a plan – quite a clever one too, he thought.

Since Vegas was going about his life like he was so untouchable, Time was going to take the one thing that would make him understand just how callous his actions were. An eye for an eye. A boyfriend for a boyfriend. He was going to lure Pete away, drag him away from Vegas’ hold and show him exactly how it felt to lose his partner.

Because he deserved it. He deserved it all.

And hey, if he succeeded in his mission and got to have someone like Pete on his arm too… That was a bonus.

So, his plan. He was in pursuit of his target – Pete, slowly following him at a distance, waiting for the perfect moment to catch up and try and feign a spontaneous meeting with him. Strike up a fun conversation perhaps, flirt a little, try and reel him in. It all seemed simple enough… After all, it was a tried and tested method with multiple people before, and so far he hadn’t received any complaints about it. In fact, them falling at his feet seemed like a positive response to his wiles.

But there was a small hiccup in the mission… He lost Pete. The man turned round a corner, and it was like he disappeared into thin air, fading away into nothingness.

Kinn had always ribbed Time for his stalking skills – and he knew he had never been the best at tailing people, but he never realised how truly incompetent he was at it. It had seemed like a simple enough idea, and he had just been about to catch up to Pete and strike up a conversation. So, how he had managed to mess it up would forever be a mystery.

He stood in the middle of the path, hands on his hips, as he stared around in complete bewilderment.

“Looking for me?”

Time almost jumped five feet in the air at the sound of Pete’s voice.

Turning round to face him, he took in the sly smile on his face and his rigid demeanour with a jolt of nausea in his stomach. He looked like a hunter closing in on his prey, something almost bloodthirsty hiding behind the shining brown of his eyes. Though, he tried not to let that bother him. Time knew Pete. Sure, he was a strong fighter but he wouldn’t do anything to him right there. After all, he was a friend of Kinn’s and Pete was still very much loyal to the major family, despite his relations with Vegas.

“Oh, no you see-”

“Don’t try and weasel your way out of this,” Pete said, talking like Time’s entire existence was a scab on the universe. He had no idea what he did to make him so annoyed, but it definitely put a spanner in the works of his plan. “I noticed you start following me about ten minutes ago… So, what do you want? Don’t make me ask again, this is me being nice.”

Trying to recover from being called out – by a former bodyguard, no less – Time pasted the same flashy smile on his face that he knew made people’s hearts skip a beat. Some may say that was being full of himself… But he was merely quoting things he had been told many a time before from others.

“Sorry if I scared you…” he started, smiling easily.

“You didn’t.”

Pete’s tone was plain as he stared back in response, looking half bored yet half plain insulted at the insinuation that would be enough to scare him.

God speaking with him was harder than he thought. Normally his targets would have been giggling and twirling their hair by that point, blushing from the knowledge that Time had decided to give them his undivided attention. Though Pete was a harder nut to crack, his demeanour seemingly unbreakable. Though if Vegas could do it, then he sure as hell could.

“Well… Well, I was just trying to pluck up the courage to speak to you.”

Maybe the tough act wouldn’t work with someone like him… Maybe the softer approach would get him to open up and fall into the trap.

Pete merely hummed, waiting for him to continue.

“You see, I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a while, I just-”

“Let me guess… You’ve wanted to speak with me since Tay dumped your ass?”

Time spluttered slightly.

“Um, no? No that’s not- I don’t know what would make you assume that.”

“Oh, really?” He nodded. “See that’s really interesting because he just told me about how he left you. He also told me how he’d mentioned me and Vegas in that little conversation you two had… And now here you are. How funny.”

Clenching his jaw, Time continued to smile in what had become more of a grimace, running a hand through his hair to give himself a second to collect his thoughts.

“Alright, yeah Tay mentioned something about you and Vegas when we broke up. But that has nothing to do with this.”

Pete made a disbelieving sound.

“You really expect me to believe that right after we warned Tay off you, you stalking me is just a fun little coincidence? Fine. Fine. If that’s how you want to play this, indulge me in your little fantasy world. What exactly do you want?”

Honestly Time was starting to regret ever having started this conversation in the first place. He had assumed that Pete would have been all too easy to win over. Kinn had started dating Porsche in next to no time, after all, and he was best friends with Pete so surely they were similar in that sense? Also, he was the slut who had turned for one of the biggest playboys the Theerapunyakuls had ever seen (which was saying something), so logic had told Time that someone like that would have been easy to turn once again. But it seemed like Pete was holding firm against every possible angle Time tried to take – which was first for him.

Even so, he didn’t let it phase him anymore, trying his best once again to win the man over.

“I just wanted to say how much I admire you.”

“Uh huh.”

Time ignored the lack of enthusiasm in his tone.

“You’re just so incredible… I’ve been admiring you from afar for a while and I guess this breakup has just given me the push I needed to confess it to you.” He stepped a little closer, cautiously, to gage the reaction Pete had. Though he had absolutely none, continuing to regard him with a complete lack of emotion. “Every time I was round at the main family compound, you caught my eye. You know, I think you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen… I just wanted you to know that… And, um, and that I’ll be waiting if this is something you want to consider.”

“If what is something I’m considering?”

“Me. Us.”

Pete looked faintly amused at the prospect, which honestly hurt more than him being completely annoyed by the proposition.

“You’re joking, right?” he smirked. “Does that shit usually work on people? God knows how you got Tay and Tem to be with you at the same time – your game needs some serious work. I mean honestly, I’ve heard better confessions from drunkards at bars… Been more tempted by their offers too.”

“I just-”

“Save it,” Pete narrowed his eyes slightly. “You think I can’t see right through you? You think this little act was going to work? What was really the plan here, Time? You come over with your phony smiles and fuckboy attitude and expect me to throw away my whole life to be with you? You are absolutely pathetic.”

“No, I-”

“And I know for a fact this is because of what Vegas said to Tay. I get that you’re upset – the truth hurts, Time, it really does. But coming over here and trying to do what I can only assume is an attempt at seduction, isn’t going to work.”

Time frowned, the frustration bubbling under his skin. Pete had no right to speak to him that way. He would be nothing but a lowly little bodyguard if Vegas hadn’t decided to use him as a little toy, there was no way he could be talking like that to someone who was clearly superior to him.

“Why not? Why are you saying that like there was no way it would have worked?” Time cried, the hurt palpable in his tone. “I’m a way better man than Vegas will ever be in every sense of the word. Why on earth can he sink his claws into everyone and think he can get away with it? I’m just trying to take something back.”

Pete looked like he was just about ready to skin Time alive right then and there. The anger flashing through his eyes painted a thousand of the fantasies that were whirring through his mind. Of tearing him apart limb by limb, creating a sculpture with his bones and signing it off in blood. Time could feel himself shaking with fear, but he desperately tried not to give Pete the satisfaction of reacting to his unspoken threats.

When Pete eventually continued to speak, there was a newfound coldness that overtook all else.

“That’s a bold claim.” He finally unfolded his arms, letting them hang by his sides as he clenched his fists.

If Time was a smarter man, maybe he would have stepped back out of reach, but he wanted to see if Pete actually had the audacity to lay a finger on him.

“You know, you aren’t even half of the man that Vegas is. You couldn’t even dream of being in the same league.” He paused for a second, taking in Time’s slightly cowering stance with a look of disgust before continuing. “He didn’t make Tay leave you. He didn’t hold him at gunpoint and march him to the door. He didn’t bribe him with money – or sex, if that’s what you’ve been implying, since he is in a happy and committed relationship. Though maybe that’s a foreign concept to assholes like you. Tay just needed to hear some truths about what an awful situation he was in – and that is all Vegas did, tell the truth. Tay did all the rest on his own accord. Though I can’t say we all didn’t celebrate when he kicked you to the kerb like you fucking well deserved.”

“The truth?” Time scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Everything that happened was completely consensual, Tay didn’t have a problem with it.”

The two of them had slept with Tem together the first time. They had gone partying as a group, they had done everything together, and he had encouraged them to continue without him. Time really didn’t understand what all the fuss was about when Tay had literally said it was alright. Really, they were kicking off about nothing, especially those that weren’t involved in the situation in the slightest.

“How about you open your eyes for once and try and pay attention to literally anyone that isn’t yourself.”

“Says the guy who left his post, abandoned all sense of loyalty, and followed Vegas Theerapunyakul in a post sex haze.”

Pete’s fist had made contact with his face before he could do anything to react, the sound brutally echoing across the street and the impact causing Time to stumble back several paces.

“You son of a bitch,” he hissed, clutching his face protectively.

“Grow up,” Pete drawled, lazily examining his knuckles. “I doubt that’s the first time you’ve had a punch.”

It wasn’t, but that wasn’t something he was going to readily admit, especially not to Pete.

“And you had it coming, talking to me like that. Who gave you the right to judge me? You’re the one who just follows his dick wherever it takes him and completely ignored your own boyfriend who waited around for you for months.”

Time glared at the man with every once of hatred that he could conjure up within himself.

“I can’t believe I even considered this. You and Vegas deserve one another.”

“I know,” came his immediate reply. “Because we’re better people than you’ll ever be.”

“He’s tortured more people than I can count.”

Pete shrugged, “I said what I said. Also, I think we’re both fully aware why you went with this plan and it had nothing to do with ‘wanting me’ at all. It’s just because you’re not strong enough to take Vegas in a fight. Though this must be a terrible day for you… Not strong enough to fight Vegas and now realising you aren’t sexy enough to have me. God, wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Time spat back, practically buzzing with aggression. “Those are all just blatant lies! You said it yourself, I’ve been with multiple people, so clearly I must be attractive or how would explain that, huh?”

“Low standards.”

He ignored the comment.

“Also, I could fight Vegas any day of the week. You think I couldn’t take him? Well I could.”

There was silence that consequently fell between the two men as they studied one another, seething with equal amounts of anger. Though it was clear that Pete had a better bridle on his rage, Time unable to hide anything he was feeling on his face.

“Interesting,” Pete mused. “Very interesting.”

“What?”

“Well, since you’re so confident… How about we test the theory?”

Time felt his heart plummet. Him fighting Vegas would no doubt be certain death… He wasn’t exactly bad at it, but he was severely exaggerating his own skills – something which they were both all too aware of.

“I… I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Oh, but I do.”

“Well, he isn’t even here,” Time shrugged. “So, we can’t anyway.”

Pete immediately began grinning and Time thought it odd that a supposedly happy expression could cause more fear than his previous aggression.

“What, you don’t think I texted him as soon as I spotted you following me?” he laughed, a cruel and cold sound. “He’s on his way over here right now, probably going to be turning the corner any minute.”

He adjusted his jacket idly, like the two of them were just having a normal conversation. It was the air of calmness about him that made Time even more anxious about what was going on, like his doom was steadily impending. But he tried his best not to let it show, after all someone like Pete didn’t deserve the satisfaction of scaring him. They were never going to be on the same level, no matter how many material things Vegas bought for him, making him too big for his boots.

“So, the way I see it… You have two options.”

Time scowled, “Which are?”

“Leave. Run away now like the coward we both know you are – take off and don’t even think about speaking to me or Tay ever again. You’re nothing but a piece of dirt stuck to the bottom of our shoes, neither one of us particularly wants to spend a second more of our lives speaking with you.”

Scoffing, Time tried to respond.

“I don’t think you have the right to-”

“Shut up, who said I was done?” Pete snapped, his eyes flashing with frustration. “You scurrying around back alleys trying to enact some type of revenge isn’t going to end well, so I’d take this option while you still can.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I think you know perfectly well what happens to people that cross Khun Vegas, but I think you’re seriously underestimating what happens to those people that dare to even look at me with disrespect. Do you realise how seriously he treats matters like that? What he would do to you if he knew what you’d been trying to do here? Let’s just say… I don’t think being dumped would be at the top of your priority list anymore, there would much more pressing matters.”

“You’re full of shit.”

Vegas was a total playboy for most of his life, tossing men to the side night after night after he’d had his fill. Just because everybody claimed that he had settled down with Pete, Time didn’t buy that he was that committed to a bodyguard, that he would go as far as to be that possessive. Vegas was the type of person that went and took things from others. He wasn’t the type to throw toys from his pram at the thought of his partners having other interests because he never took ownership of them.

Time knew the type of person he was. Taking ownership was effectively saying the people meant something – showing that he cared for them. And Vegas Theerapunyakul would never in a million years publicly admit to loving someone that much unless it was full of deception and lies.

“Oh, you don’t believe me?” Pete smirked.

“Not in the slightest.”

“Alright.”

He fished his phone from the depths of his pocket, searching for a few moments before twisting the phone for Time to look at. Instantly, he regretted every decision that had led him to that specific moment in time.

On the phone was a picture, clearly taken in a dark alley somewhere at night-time. However, despite the dark and slightly grainy aspects of the image, the centrepiece was still very much visible. Time gazed over the figure of the bloodied man crumpled in a heap on the floor, red seeping through his clothes and matting his hair.

“Why on earth does this have anything to do with me?” Time asked, trying to keep his voice steady. Judging by how Pete’s mouth twitched into a smile, he didn’t do a very good job.

“You didn’t believe me, so here’s the proof,” he shrugged in return, pocketing the phone once again. “I seem to recall this guy wouldn’t take no for an answer – much like yourself, wouldn’t you say? Well, I didn’t really like that, and clearly neither did Vegas. Wouldn’t want the same thing to happen to you, right?”

“You’re barbaric.”

“Call me what you want, at least I know how to properly treat the people I love. Can you honestly say the same?”

Pete lunged forwards and grasped Time’s shirt in his fists, dragging him in with unimaginable force. It was so quick that Time almost stumbled right into his chest but managed to stop himself at the last second.

“So, what’s it gonna be? Choose. Wisely.”

Time clenched his jaw, feeling a twinge of pain with how hard he gritted his teeth.

“I’ll go.”

“Good.” leaning his head down slightly, Pete pressed his mouth near his ear to whisper his next words softly. “And take my advice: don’t stop running, or he’ll catch up.”

“Huh?”

As Pete let him go, Time only had a split second to peer down the road. The sight of the dark haired man, the literal embodiment of a red flag in his bright shirt, was enough for him to know he wasn’t welcome to stick around. So, he fled the scene, barging Pete accidently with his shoulder in his haste and not taking a single second to look back again, merely running until his legs were burning and he felt like he was about to pass out.

He had no idea whether the two of them had begun to follow him at all. All he really knew was, the sound of their manic laughter echoed in his head even until he was back in his house, behind his locked doors.

Time wasn’t completely sure if Vegas would have actually beat him down until he was one with the pavement, or if he would have just warned him off Pete… But he didn’t particularly want to hang around and find out. And he knew one thing for absolute certain – he was going to be avoiding the two of them like the plague for as long as he could. That run in was the closest he wanted to be to them for a good while.

Chapter Text

Arinya had always loved her grandson dearly, like one of her own children. The sweet little doe eyed boy with his chubby cheeks and wide toothy grin has always warmed her heart. Any time Pete came calling for a visit, he would be welcomed with open arms and the smell of curry to lure him straight to the kitchen where they would eat and chat together about everything and nothing till the sun had set.

She adored those times with her grandson, and she loved the fact that he felt safe with her. And while it was one of her greatest wishes were that Pete could be secure at all times, she was more than alright with him coming to her for comfort and security.

He treated her house like a sanctuary. When he came over covered in bruises, busted lips, and blood trickling from his eyebrows, she tended to him with all the love and care that he should have gotten from his own father. Pete had always mumbled that the injuries were purely from his boxing matches… She had her suspicions that wasn’t the case, that there was something more sinister at play, and all she wanted was to go marching round and give that no good deadbeat prick a beating of his own. But she was nowhere near her prime, plus Pete made it abundantly clear he didn’t want to make matters worse. So after a while she just let it be, merely giving Pete the love and attention he needed with no judgement.

And when he got a job working for Khun Korn and his sons, she was over the moon for him. He was a grand fighter, and he would serve well as a bodyguard – though she was sorry to lose their frequent visits.

That’s what made them that much more special when he finally got the authorisation for a few days of holiday and came down to see her. And this one was extra special because she was finally being introduced to Pete’s boyfriend.

He had briefly told her about Vegas over the phone, asking if it was alright to bring him down on his visit so they could be introduced. She was more than a little surprised, since Pete had never mentioned anything about a partner before, and his busy work didn’t really seem like it allowed time to build relationships due to the tight schedules. However, she was more than happy oblige. After all, there was clear happiness in Pete’s tone, a hint of joy that hadn’t been present for a very long time, so how could she really turn away a person that had brought the sunlight back into her grandson’s life?

“Hi Grandma!” he greeted cheerfully when he arrived, smiling as she opened the door.

“Pete!”

She reached out and brought him into a tight hug, relishing in the contact that she had been missing from her grandson for months too long. When she stepped back and finally took him in properly, she noticed something…

He looked different.

Of course, not much had physically changed since they had last seen one another. Pete was still thin from all his training and the clearly awful food that they had clearly not been giving enough of. She had moaned on to his employers many times about how he needed fattening up more, athleticism be damned, but clearly Mr Kinn had taken her words with a pinch of salt… And no other seasonings apparently, from what Pete had said about the cooking.

But that wasn’t what struck her the most. No, the thing that was different was the blinding smile on his face. And sure, he was always happy when he came back home, especially considering the visits were far and few, but there was a newfound joy in his expression, a sunniness that reached all the way to his golden eyes and made them shine with that almost childlike wonder.

Turning her attention to the dark-haired man beside him, she found herself lost for words for a few moments – which almost never happened.

She took in the dark hair, clearly meticulously styled, and the statuesque appearance of him. He looked almost doll-like with the way he was posing before her, like every part of him had to be laid out perfectly for their first meeting. Of course, it wasn’t entirely obvious, but just from the way he had a nervous energy about him, almost unmoving in his stance, Arinya could tell he clearly didn’t want to seem too relaxed – or rather uncaring – for their introductions, which she supposed was quite sweet.

He was standing there, shoulders almost raised to his chin with how rigid he was, his posture strong and unrelenting. Since it was the first time she was seeing this man, she had no idea if that was at all normal, but since Pete gave no indication that anything was amiss, she decided not to say anything about it. There was no use causing awkwardness, especially so early on. After all, she remembered how nerve wracking it had been meeting her own in laws once upon a time, so she could empathise with the nervousness Vegas must have been feeling in that moment.

When she smiled at him, he tried to return the expression but it was clear he was using a clearly rehearsed smile. It didn’t quite meet his eyes and he looked almost pained in doing so. Though she was almost certain that was not the desired effect.

“You must be Vegas.”

“It’s very nice to finally meet you.”

Vegas spoke with nothing but politeness, and it sent a flicker of familiarity through her mind. The tone that was smooth like honey, pleasant yet overly so, like he was purposely trying to be overly kind and win her over. Not that she minded that too much, it was always nice to have someone vie for your attention and approval.

“Have we spoken before?” she asked, a little puzzled when a brief look of panic flashed over Vegas’s face – though it was gone as quickly as it came. It hadn’t been said to frighten him at all, she was just curious about the answer.

Pete jumped in to answer instead, “Uh, yes you two spoke on the phone a while ago… About that holiday I took.”

Narrowing her eyes slightly, she peered at the two boys with added curiosity.

That day had been an odd one… There had been an unsteadiness to Pete’s voice that day that she had been unable to shake. A sense of foreboding that since that moment she had felt guilty for ignoring. Nothing had ever come of it, since she was never contacted about Pete being in any significant danger (and she had trusted that his boss would inform her of any ill health that may befall Pete, since she was certain her grandson wouldn’t inform her himself for fear of worrying her) but it had always been nagging away in the back of her mind. How off he had sounded on that call, how abruptly it had ended despite the supposed pleasantries.

Of course, it was possible there was nothing wrong at all. Phone calls always were a point of contention for her, she much preferred talking in person where she could see people’s faces. Arinya prided herself on being a good judge of character, but that almost always relied on looking into their eyes, into their souls, to be able to identify deception. So, merely hearing voices was not enough to go by, often resulting in miscommunication or crossed wires.

Meaning it was obviously possible that there was nothing out of the ordinary that day, but she couldn’t help being a concerned grandmother – after all, she had been the only one looking out for Pete his entire life, and she had no intentions of stopping.

“Is that so?” she regarded Vegas’s nervousness once more, with a little more scepticism.

It was clear that the man had noticed the caution in her eyes as he shifted just a fraction closer to Pete, their arms brushing together.

“Yes, yes that’s all,” Pete replied, clear dismissal in his tone.

“And how was that little holiday you two had, hm? Did you enjoy yourselves? In fact… Where did you go? I don’t recall either of you mentioning it.”

The two of them shared a quick look. Widening eyes and eyebrows raised, like either of them thought she just wouldn’t see them. Like they thought she wouldn’t see the guilt or the panic behind their eyes.

She crossed her arms as they silently conversed, waiting for their answer.

“Is there a problem?” she asked, her tone unassuming.

Pete turned back to his grandmother, that same deceptive smile he always wore when he wanted to mask his emotions. Did he really think she wouldn’t see through him?

“No, not at all,” he grinned. “It’s just… It wasn’t some grand holiday or anything, we just went to one of Vegas’s family properties. Just a bit of an escape, y’know? Get away from work and everything.” The boy raised his arm, lightly scratching the back of his neck thoughtfully. “We didn’t tell you that because our relationship was still very much under wraps, we wanted to keep it to ourselves for a while before we figured everything out.”

Arinya nodded slightly, still a little suspicious of whatever the truth of the story was.

“And… You’ve figured everything out now?”

“Yes.”

The response was instantaneous, no hint of a lie. It was like all shutters that had barricaded Pete’s face for that brief moment had lifted, allowing his grandmother to see his sincerity once again.

“We’ve worked everything out, Grandma,” Pete said, his eyes never looking anywhere else but straight at her. “You don’t need to worry.”

If there was one thing Arinya knew about her grandson, it was how stubborn he was. He really did take after her in that sense. So, she was perfectly aware of how futile it would have been to try and push him into talking further… But really, she found she didn’t need to.

She trusted Pete one hundred percent. He was one to keep his cards close to his chest, preferring to push any negative experiences out of his mind rather than dwell on them and talk them through, so she knew this time would be no different. However she always knew that Pete wouldn’t lie to her about something so important, about his safety. If he genuinely wasn’t ok, if there was something that would have put either of them in danger, then there would be no way Pete would have allowed it to come anywhere near her. He always was one to protect her rather than he was himself. And while that infuriated her greatly, since she thought he always deserved so much more than he gave himself credit for, Arinya could rest easy knowing he deemed Vegas good enough to bring back home.

It would probably never be known to her what exactly had happened – if there really was anything at all. But she took Pete’s word, trusting his judgement entirely.

Arinya reached out and lightly ruffled her grandson’s hair.

“I’m not worried.” She glanced between the two of them, still leaning up against one another, Vegas slightly behind Pete. “I’m not worried at all.”

Her words weren’t completely truthful – she would always worry about Pete no matter what, and he knew it too – but it came as close as it could get.

“Come on now, get inside the house.” She ushered them both inside the property, shaking her head at them. Distantly she wondered how long it would have taken them to actually step one foot through the door, had she not asked them to.

It seemed that Pete was more reserved than he normally was in that sense. Any other time he would come home, he would be bounding through the door like he had never left, bags dumped and shoes kicked as soon as possible as he ventured back into the familiarity of the building. However, he had remained firmly planted on the doorstep beside Vegas the entire time.

It was sweet, Arinya pondered, that Pete was so understanding of the situation. That he wasn’t willing to leave Vegas to fend for himself – even in such low stakes – wandering off and allowing his boyfriend to stand there like a waif all by himself while he tried to figure out what to do.  

“Take off your shoes and come join me in the kitchen,” she smiled, patting them softly on the shoulder as they both walked past her. “You came just in time for the curry.”

“Grandma, you really made it?” The glee in Pete’s voice was palpable. He nudged his boyfriend in the side lightly. “I’ve been telling this one all about it. Haven’t I, Vegas?”

Vegas smiled slightly as he looked sideways at Pete, visibly relaxing just a fraction.

“Nonstop. Macau’s been jealous he couldn’t come and experience it himself too, did you see the grumpy look on his face when we were leaving without him?”

“I’m sure he’ll get over it.”

“Maybe.”

Pete’s Grandma felt a wave of warmth flooding through her chest as she listened to them both talking. She often wondered if Pete really missed being back at home much, in such a small space, so much more confined than when he’s out in the world doing his job… But hearing him talk so fondly about the things he’s been missing made her feel even more loved than before.

Pete looked back at his grandma, an easy smile on his face.

“Macau is Vegas’s younger brother,” he explained.

“Emphasis on younger not young,” Vegas snorted. “He’s nineteen, the kid can’t get away with whining to get what he wants much longer.”

Pete fixed him with a look, highly amused.

“Then how come you still do it?”

Vegas merely scoffed in response, not even attempting to defend himself.

“Anyway,” Pete continued, glancing back towards his grandmother. “Macau wanted to come purely because of how great I made your curry sound. He’s been obsessed ever since I first described it to him.”

“Well, he’ll have to join us next time.”

“I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to,” her grandson replied. “I have tried to replicate it, but nothing can match up to yours.”

Her mind flashed back to all those cooking lessons they had when Pete was growing up. The messy cabinets and sticky fingers. The endless piles of washing up and an almost immeasurable near misses with the hot stove. It was stressful sometimes, yes, attempting to impart the knowledge she had acquired onto the young mind of her grandson… But the blinding grin on his face and the shining of his eyes when he was eating the finished product always made the tricky process worth it.

“Ever the charmer,” Arinya laughed.

“I’m telling the truth! Aren’t I, Vegas? Mine was nowhere near as good.”

The man shrugged stiffly, though his eyes were still soft as he kept his gaze locked on Pete.

“I thought it was great,” he said. “But…” Pete pouted at the change in direction, though jokingly. “I can’t really compare when I haven’t tried both.”

Arinya crossed her arms determinedly, humming quietly.

“Well, that needs to remedied immediately.”

The three of them went out to the kitchen, Pete and Vegas both sitting down patiently at the table while Arinya bustled about at the stove filling all of their plates.

She could see out the corner of her eye, the two boys clearly whispering about something. Their heads were inclined towards each other as they murmured, Pete’s hands creeping across the table and giving a comforting touch to Vegas’ which had been curled up into a tight hold, his knuckles white.

Once Arinya got over to the table, the steaming plates set out in front of each of them, Vegas seemed less tense, focussing his attentions on the food. Though she couldn’t help but feel concerned for the boy, if a little bemused as to why he was so shifty. She had never thought of herself as a particularly ferocious character, and she definitely had not wanted to seem unwelcoming to a person that had so clearly brough a brightness into her grandson’s life.

“How are you liking the food, Vegas?” she asked, after a while, her tone light.

He looked up to meet her eyes, a sincere sort of pleasantness written in his features.

“It is really lovely,” he told her, once he had finished his mouthful. “Thank you so much for making it for us.”

“It was my pleasure. I’ve missed having people around to make food for. You’ve done me a favour being here.”

Vegas nodded his head slightly.

“Really, the pleasure is all mine… I’m happy that we can finally be introduced.”

“Me too,” Arinya agreed. “So, why don’t you tell me a bit more about yourself, Vegas? Pete has been awfully stingy with details.”

He had revealed shockingly little about the boy he was dating, keeping his cards very close to his chest. It was part of the reason she had been so surprised seeing such a well kept looking man standing there at her doorstep. The way things were going, Arinya had been half expecting far worse scenarios than what had actually played out.

Vegas poked his food with his fork nervously as he stalled answering for a fraction too long.

“He’s a private person, that’s all, Grandma. Lots of things aren’t mine to tell… Aren’t you the one that’s always telling me don’t trust people who tell you other people’s secrets?”

She rolled her eyes, fixing him with a look – though Pete could only barely conceal the smirk he had in response.

“For heavens sake, Pete! I only wanted to know a little bit about him, not his deep dark secrets.”

“Maybe everything about him is a deep dark secret,” he shrugged, shovelling more curry into his mouth. 

Arinya settled her eyes back to Vegas, noticing the fond expression he had been wearing while listening to the two of them speak.

“There’s just not a lot to tell, I suppose,” Vegas said eventually. “I think the most interesting part of my life is probably Pete but, well, you already know all there is about him.”

“While that is a very sweet answer, don’t think you can skirt around the question. Come on, I’m a lonely old woman, talking about these things helps to keep me sane.”

She found herself laughing when Pete shook his head in disbelief, chuckling himself.

“Resorting to guilt tripping? That is low, even for you, Grandma. Leave the poor guy alone, he didn’t come here for an interrogation.”

“Ahh I see, you two just popped by to steal my food and not give me any information in return.” She laced her hands together gazing at them with interest. “I merely want to know about the man my grandson has decided is good enough to spend his life with… Is it so horrible that I want to see if he is good enough for you?”

Pete’s face dropped in an instant, his eyes flashing with guilt.

“Grandma, he is-”

“I work in my family business,” Vegas butt in, effectively cutting Pete off and turning all attention towards himself. “With my cousins, the Theerapanyakul empire. It was how I met Pete, he was a bodyguard for them.”

She had mostly put together that he was somewhat a involved with that family. The flashy clothes, the painted smile, the easy tone to sooth all that were listening – it was too similar to Pete’s boss to be a coincidence.

“I used to be heavily involved, my father grooming me to take over the business and run the second family. To be involved with, um, managing the day-to-day operations and… Things.”

Arinya hummed, “Oh interesting… So, do you no longer work for your father?”

Vegas’s face flashed with something that she couldn’t quite place.

“He, um, he actually died not so long ago.”

“Vegas, I’m so sorry, I didn’t-”

He waved the apologies away, “No, it’s ok… Honestly, forgive me if this sounds harsh, but I think it was a good thing. I don’t think half of things that I’ve been able to do would have been possible with him hanging around. He was not a good man at all.”

Thoughts of Pete’s own father flashed in her mind. The overbearing monster that cost him the happy and carefree childhood that he had deserved more than anything. The cruel, narcissistic man that couldn’t cope with his own failure so decided to take it out on an innocent child that couldn’t fight back against him until the damage was already done.

“I see.”

He glanced over at Pete but not for more than a couple of seconds. “After I met your grandson, he helped me realise what I really wanted out of life, that I was just doing things that people told me to do without knowing if that is truly what I desired. What I said before is true, Pete is the most interesting thing about my life because without him I don’t think I would really have one… He is the person that spurred me on to make decisions for myself, to do things for my own enjoyment instead of… Well, other things.” Vegas jumped a little when Pete reached out and touch his knee, but he didn’t let it stop him. “I’m not afraid to admit that I have made mistakes in the past and that I haven’t always been a good person, but… But I think that knowing and loving Pete has made both of us better as a result. And, to be honest with you, I don’t truly believe I’m good enough for your grandson and I don’t really know what he’s doing with me.” he broke off with a self-depreciating laugh. “But I’m trying to be better. Every day.”

Pete looked stunned into silence, his jaw hanging open slightly as he stared at Vegas long after he had finished his little speech. Though no words were really needed to express the sheer love that he was pouring out. It would have been clear to any sane person looking at them in that moment that they cared a great deal about one another, a love so strong that it still clearly managed to catch them both off guard.

“Thank you for telling me that, Vegas, that can’t have been easy.” Arinya sent him a comforting smile. “For what it’s worth, I do think that you’re good enough for Pete. A lesser man wouldn’t have even been able to come in here and look me in the eyes, let alone admit that he has been wrong and is a work in progress. It takes a strong person to be able to do that.”

He nodded along as she spoke, not saying a word.

“But, while it is important to acknowledge the past, you should not let it rule over your life. Pete loves you. And you clearly love him. Whatever happened, you two must be stronger because of it… So, I think it is safe to say you should leave it where it is and focus on the happier times to come.”

“I do too,” Pete agreed, shifting on his chair to lean closer to Vegas, their sides brushing. “Things are definitely looking up.”

Vegas hummed quietly, the corner of his mouth quirking upwards.

“Yeah… They are.”

The three of them spent the rest of the day just sitting and talking, sharing stories – mostly about Pete. After he had opened up before, Vegas relaxed a little and seemed more comfortable speaking with her. He was very keen to know what Pete had been like as a child, hanging on her every word as she told him all about it. The many busted lips from brawls with his friends. The muddy knees from playing for hours outside. The poorly hidden sugary lips when he used to sneak food from her cupboards.

“Macau was just like that,” Vegas chuckled lowly. “Whenever he thought nobody was looking he would be sneaking his hands into any jar or box that he thought would contain the slightest amount of sugar… Safe to say he was a very hyperactive kid.”

“You seem very close with your brother,” Arinya noted.

He nodded, “I am.”

Pete reached out, squeezing his boyfriend’s arm proudly.

“Vegas basically raised him, he’s an amazing brother.”

His smile grew a little as he shrugged slightly, seemingly coy.  

“I don’t know about that…”

“Come on,” Pete said, his gaze unblinking. “You know you’re the reason Macau turned out so great. You should give yourself more credit!” He turned to face his grandmother, obviously brimming with pride. “When we bring Macau next time you’ll see what I mean. He’s growing to be such a great person and that’s all down to his brother.”

Arinya smiled, “I’m sure you’ve done an amazing job, Vegas.”

“I just made sure he was loved and protected,” Vegas replied. “I don’t think I did anything less than what any person deserves.”

She watched as the same look of pain and resentment clouded both of their faces. The palpable tension in their shoulders rising as memories of their youth flooded back, the torturous moments from their past a never ending source of nightmares.

There was nothing she would be able to do to dull that pain, to take it away. What’s done is done, those things happened, and nothing could change that… But it still made her heart ache knowing the two of them, two young men who should be in their prime and enjoying life, still had long lasting shackles from monstrous creatures in their minds.

“You know…” she said. “It is something that everyone deserves – but it definitely isn’t something that everyone gets. So, while I don’t know your brother, I think he’ll be more than grateful to you knowing he got treatment that not everyone does.”

He bowed his head, “Thank you, Mrs-”

“Oh please, call me grandma.”

Vegas looked at her with slightly widened eyes. Though he was clearly pleased.

He was about to response when Pete abruptly stood up.

“Alright, I have to run to the bathroom… Can I trust that you two will play nice while I’m gone?” he smirked teasingly, looking between the two of them.

“No promises,” Arinya replied, laughing, as Pete left the room. 

She observed Vegas curiously as he watched Pete walk away, a nervous energy coming over him as his boyfriend disappeared behind the door.

At first she thought perhaps it was because he had been left alone with her, and he wasn’t quite sure what they would be able to talk about without Pete being there to grease the conversation and just be there with his supportive presence like before. However, it became very apparent that wasn’t the case as soon as Vegas turned back round to face Arinya.

“There was actually something that I wanted to ask you…” he said in a low tone, she assumed so Pete wouldn’t be able to hear.

“Oh, what is it? Is there something wrong?”

“No, not at all! It’s just… I was wondering, if it isn’t too much trouble, would you maybe be able to give me some of your recipes?”

“My recipes?”

Vegas nodded, “Yes. I know that Pete’s been missing your cooking, that’s all. And I know that I wouldn’t be able to make it as good as the real thing, but I was hoping it would be good enough… Plus my idea was that maybe I could practice and then surprise him on his birthday with all his favourites" 

It was that moment where she knew for certain that her grandson was alright. That he was with someone that cared about him deeply and would make sure to ensure his happiness. 

Though Vegas must have misunderstood her brief silence as her declining his request, as he started hastily backtracking. 

"Of course, if you don't want to give them to me that's perfectly fine - I understand that these things are normally only shared with family members so-" 

"Vegas," Arinya gently cut him off. "I think it is a wonderful idea and I would be more than happy to give you whatever recipes you want." 

The man smiled gleefully, unable to hide how pleased he was. 

"Also… You've made my grandson happier than I have seen in years - as far as I'm concerned, you're family now." 

"Thank you," Vegas replied with sincerity, "Grandma." 

"I'm back!" Pete shouted out in a singsong voice as he waltzed over and flopped back down on the sofa. 

Vegas looked down at him as Pete sprawled almost completely on his lap. He raised his hand automatically, carding a hand through Pete’s hair and causing him to him to hum contentedly - not much unlike a sleepy cat. 

"So, what did I miss?" 

"Nothing," Vegas replied. His tone level like a practised liar. 

Arinya winked at him subtly. 

"Vegas and I were just getting to know one another a little better." 

Pete smiled once more, "That's nice, I'm glad." 

"It is," she spoke softly. 

She observed the two of them, wrapped up in their own bubble merely enjoying each others presence as they traded looks that said more than words ever could. 

Arinya had a feeling that it wouldn't be the last time her and Vegas would cross paths, that he was going to be around for the long haul. And she was extremely glad that there was someone who was going to keep Pete happy and smiling for as long as he could. 

Pete had his family now. He had Vegas and his brother, he had somewhere and someone that he could call a home, and it was everything that she had ever wished for him. 

He had gained what he deserved - unconditional love - and Arinya could not be more glad for it. 

Chapter Text

As he walked into the room, Pete was met with the sound of the baby’s gurgling. Definitely a welcome treat when compared to the earth-shattering screaming matches he had been having with himself for nights on end.

It had clearly unsettled him, all of the moving about. Being passed from person to person as if he were an item that nobody wanted to claim, not even his own mother. To be honest, Pete thought he was doing well for how quickly the little thing was acclimating to their home, the crying fits become less and less as time went on. He hoped it was because the baby could sense it was finally home, that it was finally going to be cared for and loved with all of the feeling that he had deserved from the first day he was born.

“Hey,” Pete whispered, as he walked towards his boyfriend. His steps were slow and careful, not wanting to cause any loud noises and disrupt the piece.

Vegas was stood in front of the cot. And, while Pete could not see his face, he just knew the fond smile that was sitting there.

He wound his arms around his waist, gently resting his chin on Vegas’ shoulder so he could also look down at the precious little boy.

It had been a shock, learning about his existence. Though that was his mother’s aim, wielding her baby like he was some kind of weapon of mass destruction. She had marched into their home with the bundle carelessly held in her arms as she smirked at them, revealing all about her and Gun’s relationship and the subsequent rights she had to his money now that her son was entitled to his inheritance.

From that moment Vegas had fought tooth and knuckle till he ensured the safety of his little brother, not resting for a second until he knew that the baby was going to be well looked after. As far as he was concerned, that meant him staying with them, where he could be protected from everyone – including the gold-digging, screw-up he had for a mother. Of course, Pete shared the sentiment. It wasn’t even a conversation they really needed to have. As soon as they laid eyes on the little boy, they knew he was theirs, that they were the ones that would take care of him. They had loved him from that very moment, and they would never stop doing so.

He was part of their family. Pete, Vegas, Macau, and Venice.

“He seems more peaceful today.”

Vegas hummed, leaning back into Pete’s hold. He could feel the exhaustion in his movements, the lethargy in his stance.

He always tried to be so strong. Always wanted to be the rock, the pillar of strength, the one to fight all the battles and protect the ones he loved.

Pete adored him for it. He thought his boyfriend was one of the most brilliant people that he knew, and one of the strongest – both mentally and physically. But sometimes it was as if he forgot that Pete was strong too. That they were in this together, and he was there to ease the burden that Vegas had been carrying for so long. Though he did realise it couldn’t have been easy to simply unload something that had been building up for his whole life.

But Pete would never stop reminding him that he was there, that he wasn’t leaving.

He was there to run the Minor Family with him, to keep the men in line. He was there to look after Macau, to help him with his homework, and to make them both dinner since it was something they often forgot. He was there to look after Venice, to do half of the night shifts, to cuddle him and love him and cherish him. And he was there for Vegas. To support him and adore him and sooth the pain that Pete knew still made his heart ache.

“How long have you been stood here staring at him?” Pete asked gently. 

He turned his head to the window, making a low noise when he noticed the light was no longer pouring in, only being met with an endless sort of darkness.

“Not sure,” Vegas eventually responded, his voice ringing with tiredness. “It’s been a while.”

Pete pressed a soft kiss to the side of his face.

“It’s been hours.”

“Oh.”

“Why don’t you come with me? Venice will be alright. Don’t you see him? He hasn’t cried for a while yet.”

“Mmh.”

Pete could sense the reluctance in his tone.

“Look,” he whispered. “You leaving the room won’t cause anything horrible to happen to Venice, okay? But if you stay here, you’re going to cause yourself to fall into a deeper state.”

“’M not in a state.”

He placed firm but gentle hands on his boyfriend’s shoulders, turning him around.

“Babe, I love you… But you look dreadful.”

“Oh, how I love it when you shower me with compliments.”

Pete rolled his eyes, “Vegas. Come on, I’m not trying to be mean, but you need a shower and some sleep. It’ll do you the world of good.”

The dark circles under his eyes were only growing bigger, and the hair that Vegas normally took so much pride in was puffed up and tousled without maintenance. Not to say that he didn’t look hot – Pete was always going to think he was the most gorgeous person in the room – but even he could admit when there needed to be an intervention in place.

“I might just stay for a bit longer.”

“Vegas,” his tone was even softer this time. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he sounded robotic when he spoke. “I just want to stay.”

“Don’t. Don’t do that,” Pete shook his shoulders. He probably would have raised his voice if they weren’t in front of the baby. Not out of anger, just pure annoyance at his boyfriend’s sheer stubbornness. “Don’t push me away. I’m here, okay? So just tell me what’s wrong.”

Vegas remained resolute in his silence, building up walls around him, shutters coming down on his eyes. Pete could still see the deep beautiful brown, though he could no longer see into the soul behind. It terrified him, seeing it all slip away right there in front of him. Watching the man he loved slowly crumble away.

Pete’s hands moved from his shoulders to his face, cupping his cheeks and forcing Vegas to stare into his eyes.

“You can put up a front for literally anyone else. You can pretend to be whoever you want to other people, I really could not care less what persona you use when you’re with them. But you never do that with me, alright? That’s not how this works. That is never how this has worked. You go right ahead. You show me the ugliest depths of your soul and I will love you with every ounce of my being.”

He pressed their foreheads together, noses brushing, as he tried to make sure Vegas could feel how much he meant those words. Sure, they had been together for months by that point and talks of love and commitment had been said many a time, but it was different when tiredness had taken its toll. It was like a cloud had come over his brain and no happy or rational thoughts were allowed to penetrate the barrier.

“Whatever it is that’s bothering you, we can work it out together. I’ve told you before, none of this is your burden to bear now. We face these things together, okay?”

Vegas took a breath, reaching out and grabbing onto Pete’s waist to steady himself.

“I’m just,” Vegas paused for a moment. “I’m scared, alright?”

“Of what?”

“What if we leave him alone and something happens to him? What if he’s only been settled because I’ve been here? If I walk away, he might think he’s being abandoned again, and the crying could start… It could set him back and he could be crying and crying-”

“Woah, okay, okay.” He pulled Vegas into his arms, holding him tight. “I’ve got you. It’s okay, I’ve got you.”

He carded a hand through his hair, standing firm as Vegas took laboured, shuddering breaths in an attempt not to alarm the baby with a full-blown breakdown. Honestly, even without Venice there, Vegas probably wouldn’t have allowed himself to completely break anyway. He guarded himself too much for that, even in front of Pete a lot of the time, though he was working on it.

“I just want to do this right,” he muttered into Pete’s neck. “I don’t want him to be messed up like I was… I don’t want to mess him up like I did Macau.”

“You won’t and you didn’t.”

The shorter man gave a small shrug of his shoulders. Macau’s childhood was still a point of contention. Vegas believed that, though he had still also just been a child when Macau was growing up, that he had somehow still been responsible for raising him. It wasn’t true at all, but he still felt like it was his fault that his brother had been given some of the same awful treatment from their father, that he hadn’t been able to properly protect him.

Pete thought that Vegas was one of the most incredible people he knew. Not a lot of people would be willing to take on as much as he was. An entire family legacy as well as becoming the sole protector of the family and carrying the burden of whatever his father had left him with.

A lesser man would have immediately been obliterated by the pressure of just one of those things, but Vegas managed to stand tall against it all, while showing his family all of the love and care he never received. Pete couldn’t be more in love with him if he tried, and all he wanted was for Vegas to see just how incredible he was, what a fantastic job he was doing and would no doubt continue to do.

“How do you know?”

His voice sounded so small; it sent a pang through Pete’s chest.

“I see it everyday in the way you care for your brothers, in the way you care for me. You are always there for them, always trying your best and providing them with everything they could ever need.” He squeezed him tight. “You love them, Vegas… And at the end of the day, that’s the most important thing. You can’t worry about the possibilities of everything that might lie in the future, the thoughts will crush you. You just need to stay in the here and now and remember that you’re doing an amazing job.”  

They stood there in silence for a moment, holding on to one another with all they had. Vegas clinging to his lifeline, and Pete making sure he didn’t drift away.

“Also…” Pete continued. “Children cry. Sometimes there is nothing you can do to stop it, it’s just something that happens. Venice is learning to regulate his emotions and when he’s tired, they can go a bit haywire… A bit like you.”

Vegas leant back from the hug to shoot him a glare.

“That’s not true at all,” he grumbled.

“Mhm, sure.”

He pushed at Pete’s chest, though not hard enough to make him step away.

“Shut up.”

“I won’t actually because you need to sleep. If not for yourself, then for me. I’ll be lonely if you make me go up there by myself.”

“Venice will be alright.”

It was said as a statement, but Pete knew he was really looking for some reassurance.

“Venice will be alright,” he confirmed. His eyes flitted quickly to the boy in the cot, droopy eyed and quiet. “He will be sound asleep in no time, dead to the world. And there’ll be people checking him periodically through the night, so you don’t have to worry.”

Vegas nodded, determinedly not looking back at the baby. Most likely all of the resolve he had built would have shattered if he had dared to sneak another glance.

“Okay.”

“Okay, come on, let’s go.”

***

After having a shower, Vegas proved to be considerably calmer.

Maybe it was the warm water that soothed him, or maybe it was the half an hour or so Pete spent lovingly drying his hair, gently running a towel over his locs, and scratching his scalp with his blunt fingernails.

Whichever it was, Pete was just glad that his boyfriend was in better spirits. Still sleep deprived and walking around like a zombie, but he was no longer on the brink of an anxiety attack, so it was a definite improvement.

They were laid face to face in bed, legs tangled together under the duvet, when Vegas decided to finally speak again.

“Sorry, I made such a scene.”

“Hey,” Pete reached his hand out and brushed his thumb against Vegas’ cheekbone. He felt a rush when his boyfriend keen into the touch. Sometimes it felt like they had only started dating and the small things still gave him butterflies. “You don’t need to apologise, least of all to me.”

“I just don’t want you to think less of me or-“ he cut himself off. “Never mind, let’s just sleep.”

“Oh, absolutely not, not after that.”

It was obviously the sleep deprivation messing with Vegas’ brain, but Pete just had to make sure he was reassured regardless.

“You have been carrying this family for years all on your own since you were a child yourself. Vegas, that was bound to take a toll… But you have stood to firm and strong. It’s okay that you took a moment to let go, to unburden yourself. Plus, that’s what I’m here for, to ease your stress, to help you, to be by your side. Why on earth would I ever think less of you for expressing your emotions to me when my job is to take care of you too?” He smiled, continuing to run his hand back and forth on the other man’s cheek, delighting in the tired smile he was given in return. “I love you. This would never change that. It would even make me love you more.”

He snorted at that.

“Me being a drivelling mess would make you love me more? Don’t lie. It’s not cute.”

“I’m not. Call me a liar, call me what you want, but you showing my your emotions – showing me you trust me with all of that – yeah, that makes me love you all the more.”

“That does it, I’m going to sleep,” Vegas announced. “All this sentiment is too much for me with this little rest.”

Pete chucked, pulling his hand back as his boyfriend got more comfortable under the covers, face burrowing deeper into the pillow. The likelihood was he was hiding his face to stop himself from being perceived in the moment, but Pete was willing to let it slide this time. After all, he did need the sleep. He would be free to tease him about it after a good night’s recharge.

“Goodnight, Vegas.”

He switched off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into a comforting blanket of darkness, before settling himself back in bed.

Pete felt hands grasping for his face, long fingers gently turning his head to the side. His boyfriend’s lips then moulded to his, a sweet kiss pressed to his mouth. He could feel all of the thankfulness poured into that one touch; no more words even needed to be spoken. Pete could gather all of the gratitude from that one action.

“Goodnight, Pete,” Vegas whispered back, bumping their noses together. “I love you.”

He promptly fell asleep, soft snored filling the room that gave Pete a level of comfort he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to live without. When he used to live with the Main Family, having roommates used to bother him, namely Porsche. Though he had lots of love for his friend, the constant racket would trouble him to no end. However, every night since he had slept next to Vegas, the sound of his deep breaths and snuffling snores had allowed him to fall to sleep in a relaxed slumber. He was sure that he would feel unsettled, had he needed to fall asleep without them from then on.

Tenderly, he wrapped his arms around his sleeping beauty, careful not to wake him, and cuddled close.

“I love you too,” he replied, even though he knew it fell on deaf ears. “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”

But he would never stop trying to show him.  

Chapter Text

“That’s a beautiful ring,” the shopkeeper cooed, her greedy eyes taking in his jewellery like a magpie. “Where did you get it?”

He glanced down at his hand, the gold glinting in the sunlight, looking as shiny as it had the first time it was placed on his finger.

“A gift from my fiancé,” was his response, unable to keep the proud smile from his face.

“Ah, you are very lucky.”

“I am.”

Often times he let himself live in the fantasy of it all. Allowed him to pretend that it was the reality he was living in instead of the nightmare his life had turned out to be. He escaped into his daydreams, fabricating these stories of things that he had once wished would’ve happened.

He fell asleep pretending that he was in the arms of the man he loved, warm and comforted into a peaceful slumber. He lied to shopkeepers about his wonderful life. People who he would never see again, people who had no idea the web of deceit that he was weaving around himself, just to make him feel better. He would boast about the magic of his proposal, the beauty of his fiancé, the amazing life that they are planning to lead together.

Yet none of it was true. It would never be true. He just had to blunder through every day knowing that he was a cold, unlovable shell of a human that would never receive the loving touch of another person again.

“Do not take your love for granted,” the woman smiled, eyes still flitting to the ring. He tucked his hand behind his back to shield it from her greedy gaze. “I can tell it is very pure.”

This was a fruit stall. He was merely trying to purchase something to eat yet this gannet of a woman thought that she could get familiar. It was clear she didn’t have a monkey’s what she was talking about – whether she was a fruit seller or a secret prophet. For there was nothing pure about his love, nor would there ever be. It would forever be tainted at the edges, the poison seeping into every memory and tarnishing everything that he thought he knew.

Even the ring on his finger, one that had brought him so much joy, pained him.

The day it had been gifted to him had been the happiest day of his life.

“Papa will accept us; he will see how happy we are together.”

He slipped the ring onto his finger, the golden circle a symbol of the infinite love they would share. Vegas’s delicate hands treated him with such care. It had always been like that with them, slow movements and unhurried embraces. Just them basking in their feelings and living in a bubble where nobody could harm them. In those moments they were just them, just existing and loving and caring.

Had it been foolish of him to have truly believed it would last forever?

“I love you Tawan,” Vegas’s eyes shone as he smiled. So much sincerity in his stare, the windows to his soul wide open for him to peer into. There were no secrets between them, no lies. “Marry me.”

If it were possible, Tawan would have wished for that moment to last for all eternity. The two of them stood there in the golden green lighting of the room. Standing in slightly darkness for a second, with the promise that both of them would be able to step outside together and bask in the sun. They could be hand in hand, married, tied together forever.

He nodded to the woman; his gaze hardened.

“Thank you,” he replied with a stiff tone. “For the fruit.”

Not for the phony unsolicited advice.

Tawan stormed away, holding the bag of fruit in one hand, and twisting the ring around his finger with the other.

It was the only thing he still had to cling on to. The only physical item that reminded him that all of those stolen moments, all of those nights laid with tangled legs and mingled breaths. The only tangible thing he could use to remind himself it was all real. That he hadn’t conjured the entire thing from his overactive imagination.

He knew that he could get carried away in the fantasies of what could have been… But that ring on his finger, the promise of more to come… That was the one thing he had that reminded him there was a glimmer of truth in it all. That, if he hadn’t messed up like he always did, him and Vegas could have continued their lives together like they had planned.

Making his way down the street, Tawan kept his head ducked down. It had been a while since he had ‘died’. Though, while he was certain that both families hadn’t been likely to dwell on that particular event, he also knew that running into them wouldn’t go down well. They likely wouldn’t take kindly to knowing he had escaped their grasp and wouldn’t let it happen again.

He had moved to a different town, a run-down place where he was sure that none of them would frequent. That was why it was all the more surprising when he heard a familiar voice. One that simultaneously sent a pang through his heart and a shiver down his spine.

“Yes, Macau, get whatever you want.”

The figure of Vegas followed soon after, looking just as gorgeous as he had the last time, they were together. Intense brown eyes, perfectly styled hair, flowy business shirt that left little to the imagination.

He watched as Vegas turned his head, a blinding smile forming on his face.

Was it happening after all this time? Had Vegas come to find him and take him away from the bitter squalor that he had been living in for so long?

Tawan had always hoped that he’d had a plan the whole time, that the events that occurred were merely to throw off the main family. He had hoped with all of his soul that Vegas would one day come and fulfil his promise, and it seemed like it was finally coming true.

“Are you coming?” he called.

A man quickly followed. He looked familiar, but Tawan couldn’t exactly place him.

The man was holding a little baby in his arms, his stance protective as he weaved through the market.

“Sorry for not running with the kid,” he laughed. “If you want to race around, you can carry him.”

He caught up with Vegas and his brother, walking in step beside them as if he belonged there. Vegas moved his head closer to the other man’s, whispering something that Tawan couldn’t catch from that far of a distance, before pressing a lingering kiss on his temple.

Their obvious closeness caused a wave of nausea to crash over him, a sense of betrayal to stab through his gut.

He was supposed to be the one standing there. The place next to Vegas was his rightful spot, the only place where he felt he was meant to be. He was his fiancé, the love of his life, his destiny… That tart didn’t deserve to be anywhere near someone as great as Vegas. To be stepping out in public having fun with his family and some random baby (which Tawan wasn’t sure exactly where it appeared from, but it infuriated him nonetheless).

That was supposed to be him. He was the one that had spent months tirelessly cooped up in that dingy old flat, Vegas’s promises dripping into his ear. He had been kept a secret with the hope that one day it would all be fixed, that he could take his rightful spot and spend the rest of his life with Vegas.

He knew that it wasn’t perfect. He wasn’t completely delusional.

During their last meeting, Vegas has screamed in his face and shot him in the chest, berating him in front of an audience. So, yeah, it wasn’t picture perfect, it wasn’t a rom com script, but Vegas still loved him. He knew that much.

Just before it all went down, he thanked Tawan for putting up with him and there was a clear apology in his eyes. He shot him only because there were people watching and he needed to keep up appearances. He left him there on the ground because he knew word would get back to his father if he showed mercy. The world wasn’t ready for the two of them, but Vegas’s love, their love, was still very much real.

So, Tawan would wait forever, lurking in the shadows, until Vegas came to find him.

Sure, he had lost hope for a while, the dingy living spaces and loneliness worming doubt into his brain. Though he really should have known not to think badly of Vegas. He always had a plan, something scheming on the back burner, just waiting to be put into action.

But if he was there to whisk Tawan off his feet, to finally get him down the altar and crown him as his husband… Why would he bring around some stupid slut and what he was assuming to be that slut’s little runt. Vegas hated babies, there was no way in hell it belonged to him.

The four of them made their way through the market, Macau marching on ahead as he browsed through the stalls. The others kept their distance, walking close as they continued speaking with each other.

Tawan followed along after them, knowing that if he bided his time there would be an opportunity to strike… And as luck would have it, it came sooner than he thought. Macau’s nimble fingers weren’t so quick as he thought, one of the Aunties grabbing onto his wrist and frantically berating him for his thievery. Vegas made his way over to smooth things over for him.

That left him all alone. Perfect.

Tawan marched over discarding his bag of fruit on the floor and using both of his hands to grasp him. He pulled the unsuspecting man through the crowd and behind the stalls lined up through the streets, shielded from prying eyes.

He seemed strong, trying to resist his grip, and Tawan suspected that he wouldn’t have been overpowered had the baby not been part of the equation. So, he let himself be backed against the wall, a stony look on his face.

“What the actual fuck are you-” his eyes ran over his attacker’s features. “Tawan?”

And after taking a good look, he finally realised who it was. Tankhun’s bodyguard, the quiet unassuming figure that would always be sculking around the main family household.

A wave of calm washed over Tawan at the sight of him. He was absolutely no threat, merely a glorified babysitter who spent his time playing Jenga instead of learning combat.

“You… Can’t say I expected that.”

He held the baby protectively, casting Tawan a furtive glance.

“What are you even talking about? You’re the one that grabbed me. Who did you think I was?”

“Knew you were the next one in Vegas’s lineup. Just didn’t realise he would stoop so low. He used to have standards.”

The bodyguard scoffed, “What, like you?”

“I’ll have you know, I’m his fiancé, which I bet you can’t say the same.”

He shoved his ring in the man’s face for good measure, so he would know just how serious Tawan was.

“Unlike you,” He replied, disdainfully. “I’m not so materialistic. Not that I owe you an explanation, but Vegas and I have a connection that your tiny mind wouldn’t be able to begin to comprehend. So, I don’t need some shiny ring to prove that he loves me… Which doesn’t even really help in your case.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“He doesn’t love you.”

“He-”

“I couldn’t care less what little delusions you’ve thought up. The bigger issue I’d like to address here is how the hell you’re still alive. Last I heard, you’d shot yourself in the head.”

Tawan shrugged, a sense of pride shooting through his chest. They had all underestimated him and his talent, yet none of them could properly distinguish his truth from lies. Surely that meant he was the smartest of them all.

“None of them checked,” he smirked. “I shot the gun upwards, fell to the ground, and they all scarpered. The explosions were a great distraction, none of them had the chance to see if I’d actually died or not.”

“I would be impressed but I don’t like you very much.”

“Then I guess the feeling is mutual.”

Tawan spat out the words resolutely, puffing out his chest.

The bodyguard merely rolled his eyes, looking back down at the now fussing baby in his arms. He made small shushing noises, smoothing his hand over its head.

“Ugly little thing, isn’t it?” Tawan mused, mostly to himself.

He was shot a glare so dangerous that it almost scared him. Though of course he wasn’t afraid one bit of a guy holding a child in his arms. There was literally nothing he could do to him without injuring the tiny creature.

“Alright,” he hissed. “I humoured you for a second, but you really just crossed a line.”

“What by stating a fact?”

“By being a pain in my ass.” He took a small step towards Tawan, eyes blazing with a fiery rage. “Do you have any idea what the main family would do if they found out you were alive? You must, considering you’ve clearly been living in squalor. Yet, you’ve been stood here trying to taunt me, kidding around like you truly believe you’re better than me… I don’t understand where the delusions you’ve dreamt up have come from, but you are seriously misinformed.”

Tawan scoffed, “How is that?”

“You are nothing to Vegas and that is what you will always remain. Absolutely nothing. Even if you were still alive in his eyes, your place in his life would be below the mud on the bottom of his shoes. He doesn’t care about you, and he never did.”

“And what, am I supposed to believe he cares about you?” he couldn’t help but laugh.

The man in front of him was nothing more than a show pony, someone attractive enough looking that Vegas could parade them about without arousing suspicion. Though the object of his presence was likely nothing more than to shield him from danger, not to fill a romantic hole. Not that he was even doing a very good job, since he couldn’t very well defend Vegas while holding an infant. What a stupid man he was.

He muttered a few profanities under his breath, covering the child’s ears while he did so. Pathetic.

“You are such a fucking dumbass,” he eventually said, speaking through gritted teeth. “This child isn’t just mine. He belongs to Vegas too. We’re a family.”

A beat of silence passed between them. Only the sounds of hustle and bustle from the neighbouring market filled the space between them.

“You’re lying.”

“What reason would I have to do that?”

“Jealousy. You’re so clearly jealous of the bond that Vegas and I share that you’re trying to poison it.”

His eyes narrowed menacingly, “You’re so insane that I almost pity you… And maybe a kinder man would, but you’re unfortunate enough to be dealing with me. So, let me spell it out for you Tawan.” He took another step. “If I wasn’t holding my child right now, and best believe you are lucky I am, I would be skinning you alive. You can taunt me, insult me, I don’t particularly care about your opinion… But come near my family and that’s where our problems lie.”

Tawan shrugged, “I don’t care about your empty threats.”

“Oh, trust me they are anything but empty, and these aren’t threats… It’s more like a gentle warning about what’s to come. The second I put my son down, I am coming for you. You may have escaped the main family before, but you will never be able to escape the minor family’s clutches.”

He backed up, though his fury never faded. Tawan could admit to himself that there was something almost bone chilling about his silent anger, the way he could almost see it coursing through his veins.

“So, do what you want, run, hide, I couldn’t care less. But just know that it’s all pointless. I will find you,” his eyes traced him from head to toe, as if was committing every last spot to memory. “And I will end you.”

Tawan gulped, “Oh, I’m so scared.”

“Hm you should be,” he smiled, lowering his voice into almost a whisper. “Because when I shoot a gun, I don’t miss.”

A familiar voice rang out above the racket of the food sellers. A voice that Tawan had fallen in love with, one that he dreamed of every night when his eyes fluttered closed, one that he wished every day would come back to him.

Except it wasn’t his name being called.

“Pete!” Vegas yelled. “Pete, where have you got to?”

He turned to Tawan, clearly sensing the turmoil and heartbreak that was washing over him in that tiny little alley. While he hadn’t expected his dreams to come true, it was another thing entirely to have them stomped on right in front of his eyes. All the man could do was smirk at him, disregarding the emotions he was feeling.

“See you later… Or rather, I’ll see you.” He peppered kisses onto the kid’s head, smiling sweetly as if he hadn’t just threatened murder. “Shall we go see Daddy? Come on, let’s go!”

And just like that he walked away, joining Vegas on the other side of the market, and leaving the tatters of Tawan’s life scattered on the dirty ground.

He twisted the ring around his finger. Lucky, the woman had called him. Lucky. Tawan couldn’t understand how that could be the case when everything he had ever wished for had been ripped from his hands in one foul swoop. One man snatching all of the things he had thought were destined for him, his husband, his family, his home… His life.

Tawan removed the golden band from his hand, tossing it onto the floor. Once upon a time it had symbolised freedom, a new beginning for him and the love of his life, of opened doors letting in the light. Yet, he had to come to terms with the fact that none of that would ever happen. The only thing that Tawan was destined for was a life or darkness. He would never be able to escape from the shadowy hands dragging him back into the depths of never-ending blackness, of space, of torturous pits of nothingness.

Vegas had made promises of love and light and acceptance, but Tawan hadn’t realised he was likely talking into the mirror. Promising those things for himself, but never Tawan. He had sentenced him to a life of torment.

He would continue to lurk in the shadows, but this time with the knowledge that Vegas wasn’t coming to rescue him. It would be to finally put an end to it all.