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Pete raised his head as he heard the door slamming shut and he narrowed his eyes, looking over to Vegas. The two of them were going over the seating plan that Tankhun had sent them earlier that day, trying to make sure that they liked how everyone was going to be seated at the reception, when the two of them heard the door being slammed.
Not only one door.
Someone was definitely pissed off.
Vegas was about to stand up and go over, figuring that it was his men again arguing, but it seemed that it wasn’t his bodyguards, but Macau? Vegas narrowed his eyes when Macau suddenly opened the door of the room and stepped inside. Then, he slammed the door shut and he took a deep breath in. Pete arched his brow and Vegas narrowed his eyes.
“What’s with you?” asked Vegas suspiciously.
Wait, wasn’t he supposed to be out with Leo? Something about meeting his family, finally… that was what Macau had told them earlier before he left. Despite everything, Macau was actually excited about meeting Leo’s family, but now it didn’t seem that things went well? Or did something happen between him and Leo?
Vegas pressed his lips together and he gritted his teeth.
“What did he do?” asked Pete, faster than Vegas that time and Macau glanced at him, biting on his lower lip and he huffed under his breath, shaking his head. Macau was pissed off in every way that was possible, forming fists with his hands and he shook his head.
“Nothing,” grumbled Macau and he looked away.
Pete tensed up and his eyes darkened as he glanced over to Vegas, who wasn’t concerned about the seating plan anymore and he was immediately up on his legs, feeling anger already bubbling up from within and he marched towards Macau, who gritted his teeth.
“Okay, spill, what did he do?” asked Vegas, not wasting any time and Macau shook his head.
“He didn’t do anything,” said Macau and slowly tried to calm down.
“Bullshit,” said Vegas in English.
“That didn’t look like nothing, Macau,” said Pete. He appeared calm, but he wasn’t calm. Not really. Macau was upset and he could see it. Macau couldn’t really hide his emotions well, so it was pretty obvious. “What happened? Did you meet his family?” asked Pete and Macau tensed up.
“Unfortunately,” grumbled Macau.
Honestly, it was supposed to be only Leo and him with his sisters. No one said anything about Leo’s parents being at home as well. Macau didn’t mind though, he would have liked to meet them even though Leo told him more than once that they weren’t pleasant people.
And boy… he wasn’t lying when he said that.
“Macau, what happened?” asked Pete again, but that time his voice sounded colder and Vegas glanced at him.
Pete was pissed off.
Vegas was as well.
“I thought I would be only meeting Leo’s sisters, but his parents were there as well,” said Macau and Vegas crossed his arms on top of his chest, listening carefully to his younger brother. “And who knew? Apparently I’m not good enough for their son,” hissed Macau.
So much went down, but he didn’t really want to go into details.
The things that were said to him pissed him off because they didn’t know anything about him. Spoiled, rich people who knew nothing about the hardships that came with life. They were as selfish and self-centred as Leo had told him. If not even more. And Leo tried calming the whole situation down, he told his parents to stay out of it. He went ballistic when his parents started insulting Macau, but he had heard enough.
Macau stormed out even after Leo tried calling after him, Macau didn’t really want to stay there anymore. He had heard enough and he wasn’t staying at the place where he was so unwanted.
It sucked, he really liked Leo.
Anyway, now he was back home and all that he wanted was to lock himself in his room and eat his feelings away. Not a healthy way to cope with the anger, but still better than-
“Who said that?” snapped Pete and Macau glanced at him.
“His mother. But it’s not like his father is any better, both of them-”
“Those pieces of shit,” said Vegas and Pete glanced at him.
“Let’s go,” said Pete and Macau narrowed his eyes.
“Where?” asked Macau and Pete looked at him.
“To have a chat. With Leo’s parents,” said Pete and Vegas grinned, rubbing his hands together. Macau rolled his eyes and he sighed, grabbing Pete’s wrist before he managed to leave the room.
“Don’t,” whined Macau and rolled his eyes.
“Well, we’re not gonna stand for this, they have to know that they can’t just insult you and expect no consequences,” said Pete calmly, but his voice was cold and Macau sighed.
“Stay out of it, please,” said Macau and Vegas tensed up.
“Pete’s right, we will just have a little chat,” said Vegas and then he placed his hands on top of his sides. “And where is Leo, then?” he asked as he narrowed his eyes. “Did he even attempt to stop them-”
“He did,” said Macau and rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t matter anyway,’’ said Macau and made a little pause. “His relationship with his parents is already distant, I don’t want to be the reason that their relationship becomes even more strained,” said Macau and shrugged. “Maybe it’s for the best, I mean,” said Macau sighing. “I still haven’t told him… about us being part of the mafia, so… you know,” said Macau.
Yep, Macau still didn’t tell him. Leo had been over a few times, but when Leo was coming, Macau made sure that the bodyguards knew beforehand so that they didn’t… Weapons were hidden when Leo was there, but that only happened three times already.
Leo had been over only three times so far.
Macau already thought that Leo had suspicions about their family ‘’business’’. Macau didn’t really tell him what it was about, but Leo probably suspected that something shady was going on.
Telling him would put Leo in danger.
Hell, dating him put Leo in danger, so maybe it was for the best. Macau should have gotten together with someone else.
Shame. He really liked Leo.
“And now his parents don’t approve of me, maybe it’s for the best,” said Macau and shrugged.
Vegas frowned and then he came closer to Macau. He understood the struggle, to some degree. It was for the best if the kid didn’t know the truth, but he also understood that it meant that Macau had to be lying to him and that couldn’t be so easy.
But, was he going to give up just like that?
Only because of the parents?!
“So, you’re just gonna give up?” asked Vegas and Macau glanced at him. “Are you Theerapanyakul or not?”
Macau snorted and he rolled his eyes.
“Now you’re gonna suddenly say that you like me being with Leo?”
Vegas huffed and he glanced down.
“You could do worse, I guess,” said Vegas and Macau gave him a tired smile.
“I just… have to think things over,” said Macau and glanced at both Vegas and Pete. “I’ll go to my room to… think. You two don’t do anything stupid, alright?” asked Macau and Pete slowly nodded with a heavy heart. Vegas also wished that he could kick some sense into those parents, but all in all, Macau was asking them not to do something.
So, Vegas decided to listen. Just this once.
“Alright,” said Pete and Macau thanked them, slowly going to his room.
Pete looked at Vegas, who pursed his lips and then he clicked with his tongue.
“Oh, you’re so annoying. Move, I need to go inside,” said Leo, who was now standing in front of the door, trying his very best to get through the men guarding the area.
Why were there so many of them? Leo didn’t understand what was going on, but frankly, he didn’t care. He was there to see Macau. It’s been three days since he had last seen Macau and he was getting worried. Macau wasn’t replying to his texts, he wasn’t answering his calls.
What else was he supposed to do?
Giving Macau space was something that he tried to do, but it’s been days. Not even a text. Macau had read all of his texts, but he didn’t reply to any of them. Macau didn’t really seem like the type that would get scared off so easily. His parents overstepped the line, he knew that. But… Macau was giving up just because his parents wouldn’t approve of him?
That didn’t seem like Macau he knew.
There had to be something more and Leo needed explanation. So, he wasn’t leaving until he would get one. If Macau wanted to dump him because of his parents, then… He would have to tell him that in person.
The bodyguards didn’t get any orders about the teen coming over. Though they had their guns tucked away for now, they also weren’t backing down. Especially not when the boss wasn’t home.
“I just need to speak to Macau,” said Leo.
“You’re not getting through,” said one of the men and Leo scowled at him.
“Look, kid, it’s better if you go away. You really don’t know who you’re dealing with here,” said the other one and Leo scoffed.
“You really think that trick is going to work on me?” asked Leo and rolled his eyes. He tried getting past the men, but they stepped in front of him again and pushed him back.
“Kid, just give up. You’re not wanted here.”
Leo rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Then just call Macau here,” said Leo.
Leo really didn’t understand what was with so many people guarding the door. It was strange. It wasn’t like he was there… he just wanted to see Macau. What was with all the security? Leo didn’t really know, but it probably had to do something with the family business, which he never really found out what it was.
Leo never really pushed Macau into telling him what it was, for many reasons. He knew that there was a reason why Macau was reluctant to tell him. The second reason was because it wouldn’t really change anything. No matter what the ‘’business’’ was about, Leo knew it wouldn’t change how he felt about Macau.
“Don’t push it.”
“Why don’t you mind your own business?” asked Leo and tried getting past the men again.
The bodyguards weren’t really patient, so one of them pushed Leo back so hard that he tripped over his feet, stumbling back and he landed on the ground. The rest of the men started laughing at him and all that Leo did was stand up, straighten his clothes, rolling his eyes, but then he grinned at them.
Yeah, he wasn’t leaving.
“He’s still here.”
“Yep.”
“It’s been hours.”
“Yes.”
“He’s not leaving.”
“He’s so irritating.”
Leo had a grin as he was listening to the bodyguards talking among each other as he was slowly walking up and down, but refusing to leave. Oh, he wasn’t leaving and he grinned when he glanced at them again, waggling his eyebrows when he saw that they were glaring at him.
“So, have you changed your mind already?” asked Leo.
“Ugh.”
“We’ve spent hours together by now. That should technically make us friends by now,” said Leo and came closer. “So, where is Macau? Is he home?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“It kinda is. Since I’m his boyfriend and all of that,” said Leo and crossed his arms together.
“Leave.”
“No.”
“If you don’t leave,” said one of them, whose patience was running really thin by now. He reached into his jacket, gripping onto the gun.
“Hey, don’t, ” said another one when he saw what he was doing and the man glared at him, growling. “Boss will kill us if you harm him.”
“I can do whatever I want.”
“Uh, sure,” said the other one. “But when he’s dragging you down to the basement, don’t-”
“Fine,” he hissed back and let go of his gun, gritting his teeth and he stepped away.
“Do you think there’s more life out there?” asked Leo, still talking to the bodyguards.
Another hour passed, he was still there. Now he was talking about possible life on other planets and the bodyguards were slowly losing it. If the kid’s plan was to drive them mad with his annoying questions, then it was working.
He was insufferable.
“I’m gonna shoot him myself,” said the one that was before trying to stop the man from shooting Leo. He wished he was joking, but Leo was that annoying.
“It really makes you think about it, doesn’t it?” asked Leo. “Like, there has to be more life out there. It’s amazing. Hm, I wish-”
“Shut up,” growled one of the men and Leo perked up.
“Ready to let me in?”
“Leave.”
“So, anyway, as I was saying,” said Leo, starting to run his mouth again.
And that was when the man snapped.
He didn’t care about the consequences.
He pulled out the gun and aimed it at Leo.
“I said, shut up,” he said and Leo was about to start talking, but then his words were suddenly caught at the back of his throat when he suddenly saw a gun being aimed at him.
Wait, what?
At first Leo thought that this was all just a joke, but then the man cocked his gun and Leo felt shivers going down his spine. He glanced at the others, who were now just laughing at him and he swallowed thickly, feeling his heart hammering against his ribcage.
That was a real gun, wasn’t it?
Fuck… what did he get himself into? Just what kind of a shady family business was this?! Leo gulped, but wasn’t leaving.
“Look, I don’t mean any trouble, I just want to see Macau, that’s all.”
“Well, you’re not gonna see him here, so you better leave.’’
“I just want-”
“ Leave, ” hissed the man, his finger on the trigger. He wasn’t going to pull it, not for real anyway, but it was fun watching the kid squirm in fear.
“No.”
Leo gulped and he closed his eyes, trying to even out his breathing. Who the hell did these men think they were?! They were threatening him, but Leo wasn’t backing down. He was afraid, yes.
“Stop acting tough, kid!”
That went on for a few more minutes until Leo heard someone yelling in their direction. As soon as the bodyguard saw Macau, he hid the gun behind his back. With Macau, Venice was walking alongside him. Luckily, the boy was distracted by other things, so he didn’t see the bodyguards pointing the gun at Leo.
However, as soon as he saw Leo, he cheered up, let go of Macau’s hand and he started running towards him. Macau glanced down, stood there for a little while, but in the end he followed Venice, sighing under his breath, tucking his hands into his pockets.
Macau’s heart almost jumped out of his chest when he saw the idiot pointing his gun at Leo. What the fuck was he thinking? Why was Leo there?! No, that made sense. Leo probably wanted an explanation.
Macau had done some thinking and the more he was thinking about it, the less he was sure of this… that they could make it work. He’s been lying to him, for all these months, he still didn’t tell him the most important thing of his life and he- Macau didn’t know what to do.
“Macau, look, look! Leo is here, Leo is here!” cheered the boy happily as he ran up Leo, jumping up and down, happily grinning up to him and he clasped his hands together.
Leo smiled and he leaned down.
“Hey,” said Leo happily and his eyes travelled to Macau, who was looking down. “Macau, long time no see… or hear from you,” said Leo with a frown. Macau gave him a mleek smile and then he looked over to the bodyguards, telling them to leave them alone.
So, the men left. For now.
Macau was going to have to explain all of this to Leo, somehow.
“What are you doing here, Leo?”
“I came to see you,” said Leo, keeping the smile on his face for the sake of Venice. “And Venice! How have you been?”
“Oh, good! Macau and I were on playground!” said Venice happily.
“Oh, really?”
“And soon wedding!”
“Mn,” said Leo. Was he even still invited? “Can’t wait to be there.”
Macau glanced at him and then he sighed.
“Can we talk?” asked Leo and Macau pressed his lips together.
“Not now,” said Macau and Leo stepped in front of him when Macau was about to go inside.
“When, then?”
“Some other time.”
“When?”
“I don’t-”
Venice was listening to everything. He didn’t quite understand what was going on, but talking outside of the mansion was somehow silly, wasn’t it?
“Macau, let Leo in. Can talk inside,” said Venice happily, thinking that he solved the problem and Venice smiled proudly.
“Well, I,” started Macau, but his voice trailed off.
“Can I come in?”
Well… it was better to get over it fast, no? He would tell Leo the truth and that would send Leo running through the door. He’s been preparing for that, anyway.
“Yeah, sure,” said Macau with a small voice and stepped inside. Leo followed in silence.
Macau took Leo into his room. Venice was playing in his room alone for now. Macau pressed his lips together as he glanced at him and bit down onto his lower lip. He closed his eyes when he saw that the other one was getting ready to say something and he bowed his head down.
That was going to be, Leo asking him why the bodyguards were pointing guns at him, why they were-
“Why have you been ignoring me for the past few days?” asked Leo instead and Macau’s eyes widened as he glanced at him. ”It’s because of my parents, right? I’m sorry that that happened. I didn’t know they would be home, they said they would be going on a business trip. It was supposed to be only me and my sisters,” he said and before Macau could say something, he was talking again. “Forget about what they said. I don’t give a flying fuck about what they think. You’re perfect the way you are.”
Fuck.
Macau almost felt like crying now. He took a deep breath and he shook his head.
“That’s what you worry about?”
“What else?”
“You… you were just held at gunpoint,” mumbled Macau and Leo blinked a few times.
“Oh, right,” said Leo and waited for a little while. “We can get to that later, first let me apologise,” said Leo and he crossed his arms. “I tried… you just stormed off that day, you didn’t let me even… ugh,” said Leo and then he took a deep breath in. “The point is - I hope you know that I don’t care what my parents think. I want to be with you. I don’t care about their approval or any of that shit.”
Macau shuddered and he felt his hands shaking as Leo stepped closer and smiled down at him, taking his hands into his own and he smiled.
“I want to be with you,” repeated Leo and Macau bit into his lower lip.
If only it was so simple.
“I don’t think we can be together,” said Macau and Leo frowned.
“Why?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Did I do something?” asked Leo, now in complete panic and Macau gave him a sad smile and he shook his head.
“No, you are wonderful,” said Macau and he shook his head. “I know it will sound stupid, but it really is me, not you,” he said and Leo gripped onto his hands tighter out of desperation, feeling his heart dropping to the pit of his stomach and he shook his head.
“No, no, hey, Macau I’m sure we can work this out, please,’’ whispered Leo and leaned closer, hugging Macau’s face as he leaned closer and he pressed a little kiss on top of Macau’s lips, but the other one didn’t kiss him back like he usually would. “Please, don’t-”
“If we’re together, you’ll be put in danger,” said Macau and closed his eyes.
“W-what?”
“About what happened before,” said Macau and he shook his head. “It’s something normal for me,” he said and Leo blinked a few times.
“Right, and the next thing you’ll be saying is that you’re a part of the mafia or something like that,” said Leo, laughing as he wanted to lighten the mood. However, Macau didn’t laugh. Instead, his eyes travelled up at Leo again and then he glanced down.
Macau wasn’t laughing. Why wasn’t he… No, it couldn’t be, could it?
The family business… the shady things, the-
It all made sense now.
“ Oh. ”
“Yeah… oh,” said Macau and then he stepped back. “It was a mistake. From the beginning,” said Macau and he shook his head. “I shouldn’t drag you into this any deeper,” he said and smiled, shrugging. “It sucks because I really like you, but I’ve given it some thought throughout the last few days and-”
“Do I get any say in it?’’ asked Leo.
Leo’s head was spinning. He wasn’t going to lie and say that what he had just learned was easy to process. It was a lot and he still didn't really wrap his head around it. It would take him a while to actually realise the true meaning of that, but at least now he knew . Leo licked across his lower lip and he stepped closer when he saw Macau backing away.
“Don’t say it was a mistake,” said Leo with a small voice. It hurt. It wasn't a mistake, at least not to him.
“Leo, I’ve been lying to you all this time, how can you possibly-” he started, but his voice trailed off. His heart sank again and he pressed his lips together. Macau was slowly losing his cool and the emotions were getting to him. He didn’t want to think rationally, but he needed to. Leo’s parents already disliked him, if they found out that-
Leo shook his head.
To him… it didn’t matter. Macau didn’t tell him and now he knew the reason for that. But just like before, that didn’t change how he felt about Macau. It complicated things, but it didn’t change how he felt. At all.
“You weren’t lying.”
“Please, Leo, don’t make excuses for me.”
“I’m not,’’ said Leo and then he made a little pause.
“You don’t know how it is,” said Macau and gritted his teeth. “I don’t want to get you into this mess. I don’t want you to-”
“So you think breaking up is the best solution for this?” asked Leo, upset.
“Yes. You’d be safer that way.”
“You want to break up?” asked Leo, now stepping closer to Macau again, who found himself trapped in between Leo and the wall. Leo didn’t push it too far, though, there was still enough space for Macau to get away if he wanted. However, he couldn’t.
Macau took a sharp breath in, his head spinning as he was looking up at Leo. He didn’t want to break up. Every fibre in his body was yelling at him for being so stupid to even consider it. But he needed to be rational, he needed to think of others, not only himself. Macau loved Leo enough to let him go. It hurt. It sucked. But-
Macau didn’t reply.
“Please, Macau-”
“No.”
“Macau.”
Macau smiled bitterly and he shook his head.
“You should find someone else. I’ll bring nothing but trouble and danger your way. I’m not worth it, I’m really not,” said Macau and closed his eyes. Now he was on the verge of tears.
He was never worth it. It’s been hammered into his raw core by no one else than his own father that he was-
“Yes… yes you are, you’re worth it,” said Leo, softer this time and Macau formed fists with his hands. “Fuck, you’re so worth it, Macau,” he said and took another step closer.
“Don’t,” said Macau and covered his ears with his hands.
As Macau closed his eyes, tears rolled down his cheeks and he bit into his lower lip. He didn’t want to cry. He didn’t deserve this, he didn’t…
Leo stepped even closer and then gently placed his hands over Macau’s, slowly guiding them down and he leaned closer.Macau was a shaking mess by then, swallowing back his tears. He didn’t have it in him, he couldn’t push Leo away. He hiccuped and melted against Leo on his own. He leaned against him and Leo’s eyes widened when he felt Macau’s chin resting on his shoulder.
Macau wanted to be worth it. He wanted to be worth fighting for. He wanted… just this once…
Abandonment issues ran deep in the family. Just like Vegas, Macau was as well terrified of being left behind.
“You’re worth it, Macau… And it doesn’t change how I feel about you,” said Leo, finally wrapping his arms around Macau. “At all. I don’t care, I want to be with you, still… I don’t care,” said Leo and Macau gripped onto Leo, pressing his lips together. “I love you,” he whispered into his ear and Macau felt too choked up to say anything.
Macau wanted to tell him that he loved him too. How much he wanted to be with him, how much Leo meant to him, but all that he managed was a frantic nod and he squeezed himself tighter to Leo, who was still holding him in his arms as gently as ever and Leo swallowed back his tears.
Macau deserved to know how much he was loved.
Clutching onto Leo’s clothes, Macau pulled himself closer and buried his face into Leo’s neck, nodding.
“I love you too,” hiccuped Macau and Leo smiled, stroking Macau’s hair. “Don’t… don’t wanna break up, wanna be with you,” he carried on and closed his eyes. Leo sighed in relief and ignored his own tears that were currently gathering in his eyes. Instead, he pulled Macau closer and pressed his lips against Macau’s temple. “Don’t leave me, please, don’t-”
“I won’t. I’m not going to leave you, Macau. I promise,” whispered Leo and Macau only hugged him again.
Macau wanted to tell him that he shouldn’t make promises that he couldn’t keep, he wanted to think rationally, but he didn’t want to. He wanted to be happy. He didn’t care. He wanted to be with Leo even if it seemed impossible.
He didn’t care.
Macau wanted Leo.
And thankfully, Leo still loved him.
“So, you’re mafia boss,” said Leo and pointed at Vegas, who rolled his eyes and glanced at Macau.
It was several hours later. Macau managed to calm down. They talked, discussed things. Leo understood it wouldn’t be easy, but he… he didn’t care. Relationships weren’t supposed to be easy. For now, Leo was staying. He still needed time to adjust to it all, but he seemed to be taking it well. Not really understanding everything quite yet, but no one could really hold it against him.
“Yes,” stated Vegas proudly.
“Oh, cool.”
“Is it?” asked Vegas and grinned.
Vegas was… accepting. For his standards. He was glad to see that Macau and Leo were working things out. Pete was glad as well.
Leo was a good kid, so nothing changed when he learned the truth and both Pete and Vegas respected that. Then again, perhaps Leo was just too young to understand. Perhaps. But for now, he was staying by Macau and that was honestly what mattered for now.
“Yes!”
“He’s taking it rather well… I think,” commented Pete and Vegas shrugged.
“I don’t think he quite realises it yet.“
“Maybe,” said Leo, who heard that, but he smiled. “But I know one thing and that is that I wanna be with Macau no matter what,” he stated proudly and looked at Macau. Pete chuckled, while Vegas pretended that he was gagging when he heard Macau giggling.
Macau was just happy. Yes. He was happy.
“Dada, will Macau and Leo marry too?” asked Venice with a serious voice and Pete started laughing when he saw the look on Vegas’ face.
“Not any time soon!”
Venice started asking why, to which Vegas started ranting that Macau still had school to finish. Pete was observing them with a smile on his face, while Leo sighed and nodded. Good. This kind of chaos was good. He liked it. Mafia or not, he didn’t… didn't care.
Leo still needed more time to process it all, but for now he was taking it rather well.
Macau was just…
Cuddled up to Leo and he wasn’t letting go of him. He was afraid that if he let go, then the moment would disappear and it would be just a dream.
But it wasn’t.
It was all real.
Leo was really that amazing. Leo still needed time to process it all, but they weren’t breaking up like Macau feared it would happen.