Work Text:
In Bangkok, the weather was nice and the sky was clear in a typical Saturday. And while most people didn't work, Vegas usually visited the office in the morning so he was already up. That day, he had to rush to the port to fix a problem with an important shipment. He took a quick shower, put on his favorite leopard printed shirt, some perfume, planted a kiss on his lover's left dimple, made a shush sign to baby Venice, who copied the gesture in the crib, and left.
Pete woke up a few hours later and asked himself where Vegas was, seeing his keys and wallet were gone, he got up and while he brushed his teeth, he checked his phone. Vegas had left a message saying he went to the port. ‘Work today, no way…’ a sleepy Pete muttered, sat on the bed and looked at Venice who was now standing and looking at him with great interest. Pete heard the notification sound of his phone and saw a message that made him frown, he had no idea what to do now that his plan for the day was ruined. He decided to take a shower and have breakfast. Food would definitely fix his bad mood.
The minor family house was full of colored lights and a huge Christmas tree in the living room. There was no fireplace, but socks with the name of the residents were pinned on the wall. Red ribbons, candles and toys were also part of the decorations and Christmas songs would be played often, because Venice loved them and Vegas was trying to teach him some English using some of those songs.
A few days ago he even played the guitar to ‘All I want for Christmas is you’, precisely the same song Pete was singing to Venice at the moment while he made himself some rice. It was the holiday season and there were less bodyguards and people around the house. Grandma and Grandpa had asked them to go to the island for the holidays, but work kept Vegas too busy so he wouldn’t be able to take leave and Pete decided to stay in town. The main family had decided to throw a party that evening and asked Vegas and Pete to go, but they politely refused. They talked and decided to have that day for themselves, for good food, pictures and memories.
Pete would prepare the food, some western dishes he hated but Vegas loved, and enough curry for himself. He wanted his family to be together, have dinner together and celebrate together, and to have all the preparation done with enough time to relax a little, but things didn’t go as planned... The problem was that some of the food he ordered would arrive late due to problems with his order, and all his cooking and arrangements would be delayed. He sighed heavily at the realization. Pete got really grumpy when things like that happened. Besides that, Macau was also not there yet, he had left to meet Dr Top and give him a Christmas gift and would be home only in the afternoon. Pete, who needed help to set things up, had no extra hands to help him. It was only Venice and him, he was being a bit dramatic (a few maids and bodyguards would help him out).
Pete calmed himself down and remembered that some things were in order, a beautiful and almost complete homemade cake was waiting to be eaten in the fridge beside the champagne. Gifts for everyone and of different colored wrappings were under the tree. It was Christmas Eve after all, a date people celebrated with their family and loved ones - everything Vegas was to Pete. Plus, for the minor family there was something else, something even more special. Christmas was the day their devil was born, Vegas' birthday. Pete paused a minute to think and had an idea, he asked Vegas for forgiveness aloud in a prayer and called Porsche, he would need his friends' help.
Vegas was still at the port and it was almost lunch time. He hated to fix other people’s mistakes and a matter that was supposed to be simple was taking longer due to the holiday season. Vegas also hated that time of the year. All the brightness and happiness of the world made him flinch, his birthday too. A date so unimportant his father used it for boring dinners that would end up in fights. Without love, the gifts he wanted or cakes… Vegas remembered nobody had ever asked him what he wanted for his birthday or Christmas. He had never had a real cake with candles at home with his family for his birthday. Vegas wouldn’t let Macau feel that way, so he bought him a big one and gifts every year. Vegas often said he hated his birthday, but maybe what he really hated was how that day, Christmas day, showed him how unhappy he was, how pitiful his life was.
This year, however, Vegas’ life was not the same, he had Pete and Venice and a family so he didn’t want to spend that day at work, he was starting to get angry. While waiting for the final documents, something that happened a few days ago popped into his head...
🎄 Flashback
Vegas was at work after a meeting when Pete called.
‘Hi Vegas, can you talk right now?’
‘Yes, baby. Did something happen?’
‘No, hmm, you know my cooking skills are bad, but I started this online course…’
‘Pete, are you alone in the kitchen right now?’
‘Nop is here, but wait, why are you asking that?’
‘Nothing, but good. So, the course what? I’m at work.’
‘So, hmm, if I were to bake a cake, what flavors would you li…’
‘I hate cakes.’
‘Oh, OK, but imagine you had to buy one, for me for example…’
‘I would buy curry.’
‘You know I love cakes, why would you buy curry but no cake? Buy both, jeez, it makes no sense…’
‘You don’t make any sense right now either…’
‘Ugh, Vegas, what's your favorite cake?’
‘I like any chocolate cake, dark chocolate things, nothing too sweet.’
‘OK, thank you.. Jeez half an hour to answer a simple ques..."
‘Love you, Pete, but I gotta go.’
‘Go, see you later, bye.’
‘Don’t destroy the kitchen, please.’
‘Whaaat... If anything happens it was Nop and Venice, not me.’
🎄
Vegas smiled at the memory, he had received food from girls and several men before, but something he really wanted to eat? That would be a first. He had seen the decorations and felt delicious smells filling the house from time to time. He had never paid attention to the Christmas tree before, but now he noticed some of the ornament balls were actually made with their pictures and he smiled even wider. Having a Pete in their lives was really something else, something like the best gift ever.
Vegas fixed the issue at the port and reported to Porsche who urged him to go to the main house to deliver the documents and only that already ruined his mood. Going to the main house was one of the things Vegas hated the most and that will probably never change.
When Vegas arrived in the main family mansion he went straight to Kinn’s office, he knew he would find Porsche there. Arm announced his presence and he entered the room. Ditto. Porsche was sitting on the sofa and Kinn was standing next to the window, they weren’t working.
Porsche thanked him for the papers and they talked a little bit about the problem. It had been fixed, but they had to be more careful. It was just a quick visit, until it wasn’t. When Vegas was about to leave, Kinn offered him a glass of whisky and as he opened his mouth to refuse they heard the doors bustle open. Tankhun had just arrived.
Tankhun entered, cursing Vegas for not letting Pete attend their Christmas party.
‘Vegas, is it really you? Bastard, if you are here why isn't Pete with you?’
‘Dear cousin, I was working, Pete is at home…’ The sarcasm in his voice was palpable.
‘Lies, why didn’t you let him come to my party tonight.’ Tankhun shouted.
‘We decided to stay home to celebrate as a fam..’
‘We are family, have lunch with me, I'm not letting you leave.’ Tankhun said as he left the room, preventing Vegas from saying anything else.
Vegas looked puzzled and was thinking of leaving anyway and ignore this whole show when Kinn got closer and said ‘Vegas, have lunch with us, I have a gift for you.’
‘YOU have a gift for me?’ He laughed.
‘No man, seriously, we do have a gift for you.’ Porsche said as he put his hand on Kinn's shoulder.
‘OK, now you have my attention.’ Vegas replied, still wavering.
‘Maybe not a gift for you, YOU. But for you… let’s eat then we can explain.’ Porsche completed.
Vegas felt he had no choice but to stay. It was almost 2 pm when food was finally served. There were a lot of people at the table, except for Kim. It was weird for Vegas to be there now without Pete, Venice and Macau. His uncle was no longer there, so Tankhun sat at the end of the table shooting deadly remarks and complaining about how Pete had abandoned him on that special occasion.
Vegas was starting to get worried and suspect something was odd. The courses were normal but the food was being served at the slowest pace possible. Tankhun said they were short staffed but that made little to no sense to Vegas, that was the main family mansion. When they finished the meal it was already 4 pm. Vegas stood up first, eyed Tankhun who showed him his tongue in a very childish way, excused himself and asked Kinn to accompany him to his office because he had to leave.
Pete had just received the food and all the things he had to cook, stir and fry. He was a mess already and Venice was not even bathed yet. Macau arrived with Dr Top who offered to help, he would attend the party in the main family house later. Pete thought Dr Top was rather lenient with Tankhun as he played with Venice and Macau helped in the kitchen. Pete felt like he could do it!
Back to Kinn’s office, Vegas finally asked about the gift while Kinn poured him some whisky.
‘Vegas, you wait here and I will get it for you, we have some gifts to give to your son too.’
Kinn left, closed the door and locked it. Vegas was startled by the sound of the key.
‘Hey, what are you doing, Kinn? I swear to god…’ Vegas shouted and hit the door, but he was interrupted by Tankhun’s voice.
‘Vegas, this is our gift to Pete, he asked us to hold you back, but god this is so boring I can’t, so just stay there. There’s food, drinks and a TV.’
‘What, let me out!!! Why would Pete do that?!!!’
‘Use your brain, birthday boy.’ Tankhun replied as he left with Kinn.
Vegas was livid, but he couldn’t destroy the things in that room, sadly. Vegas started to think about the scenarios and reasons that would justify Pete's actions and put him in that situation. Many things crossed his mind and most of them had one element in common: his birthday. Pete was plotting something. He didn’t know how to react because that was another first in his life, to have someone who invested in his birthday. He decided to call Pete.
Pete was finishing the salads and was about to deal with some bacon when his phone buzzed. He saw Vegas' name and hesitated but decided to answer.
‘Vegas, is everything OK?’
‘Yes, Pete, I’m at the main family mansion.’
‘Oh really, has the party already started? I don’t hear anything…’ Pete failed to seem surprised and Vegas noticed it.
‘No, nothing yet, we just had lunch. Listen, I think I’ll stay here for a bit to have some drinks with Tankhun.’ Vegas said so and thought Pete would never normalize that.
‘Vegas that is odd, but I’m happy for you. Take your ti…' *bang* Phi Pete, Venice*
‘Pete, is everything OK?’
‘Yes, Venice just found some chocolate and well, he is now completely covered in it a few minutes after taking a shower. I gotta go, call me when you leave, have fun.’
‘Pe…’ Pete ended the call and Vegas was stupefied. Something was definitely up. He could hear Macau’s voice and hardly ever there was any chocolate in the house because Pete was very strict with Venice’s diet. Vegas breathed heavily and was annoyed by the lack of choices. There was nothing he could do but to wait for a couple of hours.
‘Vegas, hey.’ Porsche said as he entered warily and locked the door.
‘Porsche I get it, I’m not going to try to escape.’
‘I knew you would understand, you got the brains. Let’s have a smoke?’
‘Don’t you have to get dressed or something.’
‘I do, but there’s chaos there right now with Tankhun shouting and things flying.’
‘So tomorrow is your birthday? How is it to have the same birthdate as Jesus, for the Christians?’
‘Hell, and you’re not helping.’
Pete had to bathe Venice again, but that was one of the last things he needed to do. Venice was now wearing a nice red onesie and played with his toys. Dr Top had already left and Macau was playing video games. It was almost 8 pm and finally Pete would have time to have a shower and get dressed.
At 8 o’clock Tankhun entered Kinn’s office with several bags for everyone, Venice, Pete and Macau. Vegas wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't any for him, he still had his reservations with his cousins. He was perplexed though when he noticed there were a few bags for him, from Porsche and Kinn, Porschay… he didn’t know what to say so he nodded and took his leave. He couldn't say thank you.
Vegas thought about how much he wanted to see Pete, to hug him, to be with his family in his house. Only a couple of hours in that mansion made him sick, even if things were better between them, some wounds take a long time to fully heal.
Vegas arrived home and the first thing he noticed was the Christmas light Pete had put in front of the house, they were blinking in different colors and that was nice. He smiled at the surprise. He never thought he'd see something like that. He entered the house and there was nobody in the foyer, then he checked the kitchen and it was empty too, so he decided to go to the bedroom. On his way he saw Macau.
‘Hia, did you enjoy your stay with the main family? Chay told me you were there.’
‘Of course not..’
‘So many bags, what are these?’ Macau asked, pointing at the things Vegas brought and left by the tree.’
‘They are gifts from the main family.’
‘They are what?’ Macau asked with a surprised voice and face, because that had never happened before. They would attend the Christmas party at the main house, get a gift or two for Vegas' birthday and leave before midnight to “enjoy” the time with the family, a time they never enjoyed at all. They would just shower and sleep. Nothing special.
‘This is the Pete effect.’ Macau said, and Vegas smirked.
Vegas then took the stairs and when he opened the door to their room a naked Pete was wearing only a white tank top and checking out his muscles in the mirror, humming a Christmas song. He was so distracted he didn’t notice Vegas at the door. Venice was sleeping soundly on the bed.
‘Pete, what’s this?’
‘Ow, V... Vegas.’ Pete got to say as he grabbed a towel to cover his private parts. Baby powder was all over his body.
‘You don’t have to hide it babe, there’s nothing there that I hadn’t seen.’ Vegas said as he got closer.
‘That’s a reflex, I was just... hm… cleaning the mirror.’
‘Yes, of course you were.’ Vegas was too close. He demanded ‘Look at yourself in the mirror again.’ and so did Pete, still holding the towel. Then Vegas whispered in his ear ‘Give this to me.’ as he got the towel from his hands. ‘You’re so beautiful...’ Vegas said and Pete turned around to look at his eyes and smiled shyly yet fiercely. They kissed, a long lustful kiss, hungry, thirsty.
Vegas smacked Pete’s peach and he let out an ’Ouch’, thankfully not loud enough to wake up Venice. Pete knew by the gleam in his eyes that Vegas would devour him next.
‘Come and take a shower with me, love.’ Pete simply followed Vegas, he couldn’t resist.
In the shower, after pinning Pete on the wall, having him cum at least twice and satisfying themselves, Vegas told him about his day. About the mess at work, the visit and the gifts while they washed each other. Pete also told him about Dr Top's visit and how naughty Venice was while he was cooking. Those moments when they talked to each other about life were precious to them, they always made Pete even more confident about the choice his heart made.
‘I wanted to greet you downstairs with all the things in place.’ Pete said in a disappointed tone. ‘Why didn’t you call me like I asked you to?’
‘I wanted to be a bit naughty this year.’ Vegas replied joyfully.
‘No gift for you, then.’ Pete said, making a disgusted face.
‘Impossible, I already got it.’ Vegas said and Pete blushed, his chest was warm.
When they all got dressed and proper it was almost 10 pm. Pete had one person help in the kitchen to set the table and the mood. When they got downstairs, Macau was playing video games and dressed in a beautiful dark green suit. Vegas was wearing a black velvet suit and Pete was wearing a red velvet one. Venice was still sleepy and cried a little bit when they took him.
Dinner was served outside and most of the bodyguards who stayed had already eaten and left to be with their families. Just a few remained to guard the entrances and cameras. They sat at the table and before they started to eat, each one of them said a few words.
‘Should I start this? I don’t want to, no.’ Pete refused to start.
‘I can start. Phi Pete, thank you for this feast and for this Christmas Eve dinner. Thank you for staying with us, Phi, and being the best thing that happened to our lives. Bro, also thank you for being the best to me and to protect me.’ Macau said with warmth.
‘This year was a tough one, with some losses, but also many surprises. Thank you for this gift here’ and Vegas pointed to Pete who blushed ‘Pete I love you and Macau you are very important to me…’
‘Huuuuuun.’ Venice made this strange sound from Pete's lap and interrupted Vegas. ‘D... Dad Ve...’ Venice said, throwing his little arms in his direction, after listening to him speak. Vegas and Venice got really close these past months, so Pete let him go to Vegas' lap. He then continued ‘You too Venice, you are very important to me.’
‘Hm, I don’t know what to say, I just want... I’m grateful we have our family and I’m the happiest man to have you 3 in my life, Macau, Venice and you, Vegas.’
Pete was getting emotional so Venice wanted to go back to his lap, Macau blamed the onions he had cut earlier for the tears that appeared in his eyes and Vegas was feeling like he was in a dream, wishing never to wake up.
‘We should wait until midnight to eat…’ Vegas said because he did some research on the topic earlier.
‘But I’m hungry now.’ Said Pete who was staring at the curry in front of him.
‘Phi, let’s make our own traditions, let’s eat.’
Vegas was surprised Pete had cooked a western meal with a huge turkey for Macau and him, some curry and prawns. They drank some wine too. Venice was with his baby bottle, but later Pete would feed him some rice.
When it was about 5 minutes to midnight Pete excused himself saying he had to go to the toilet. The flow of things was so peaceful and the brothers were so satisfied that they stopped thinking about the time.
Suddenly all the lights of the house went out. Vegas was alert because something might have happened so he stood up to pick up Venice and instinctively reached for his gun, while Macau turned on the flashlight in his phone. That was when they started to listen to a low voice getting closer and saw a cake full of candles float-walk in the dark. Venice was too stunned to make a sound.
‘Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…’ Pete sang as he got closer to the table with a smile on his face.
Vegas also smiled and looked as if he was hypnotized by Pete and the cake.
‘Make a wish, Vegas.’
He did and then blew the candles. Vegas had never known before how much fun birthdays could be. Having people who care about him near, eating his favorite food and getting presents, simple yet amazing. He was overjoyed and prayed to the gods for good health, so he could be by their side and fight for their happiness.
‘Happy birthday, my love.’ Pete said as he kissed Vegas’ lips passionately. ‘Vegas, I wish you all the happiness and good health and love and peace and food in the world.’
‘Phi Pete, all the food? hahaha’ Venice started to giggle too after Macau.
‘I could say many more things…’
‘Nah, no need to say more, Pete. I have you, I think I already have the world.’