Work Text:
Vegas stares at the little two lines on the tiny plastic tube as he sits on the edge of the bathtub, his heart racing faster and faster. No, no, no. This can't be happening, he can't be pregnant, he can't be. This cannot be true. He was always careful, always, especially when he was with Kinn.
But that last time, three weeks ago… They were drunk - both on alcohol, and pheromones, and all they had in their minds was for Kinn to get himself buried in Vegas, and for Vegas to wrap his arms around Kinn’s shoulders and hold him close, closer than what was allowed outside of the hotel room they usually met at. Vegas did not think about the consequences of him begging Kinn to just fill me up, Kinn, god, please, fill me up, please, please, but he should have.
The two pink lines that stare back at him from his shaking hand have the potential to change his whole fucking life and that terrifies him.
He could get an abortion. He should get an abortion. There is no way he could have this child and raise it to be happy and healthy in their family. His father would never allow it, his uncle would never allow it. If he keeps the baby and gives birth to it and they somehow found out that it was Kinn’s - they would kill it, they would kill his baby… Abortion really was the best solution for this situation.
But just the thought of going to a hospital and doing this makes Vegas sick. He loves Kinn, even if Kinn doesn't love him back. He doesn't want to love him, but he does. Ever since their first kiss when he had just turned sixteen, Vegas's heart had belonged to Kinn. And he had tried to get over his feelings, he tried for years, but just a single look from Kinn was all it would take for the walls that he would start building around his heart to crumble down in ruins, and he kept going back to him again and again and again…
There is no way he could get an abortion. He wants this baby, he wants to have this proof of his and Kinn's relationship, he wants to have a child that he could raise away from this life. Which means that he has only one option if he wants to actually get to keep himself and his baby safe. He has to get away and he has to do it now.
Without even stopping to think for a moment, he gets out of his bathroom and starts putting clothes in a bag. Nothing fancy, just some shirts and sweatpants, things that would help him blend easily in any crowd. He stuffs a wad of cash he keeps hidden in a secret compartment in his wardrobe for emergencies, and a pair of guns that he got for himself a few years back, and walks out the door, heading towards the garage. Once there, he looks over the cars and contemplates going into one for a moment, but quickly realizes that a car will be much easier to track down. Instead, he walks to his bike, puts on his helmet and drives off, leaving everything and everyone behind. He tries not to listen to the voice in his head that sounds terribly a lot like Macau to just stop and head back, to not leave him behind, but instead shakes his head and blinks quickly a few times to clear his vision.
*****
Macau steps out of his car, twirling the keys around his finger. It’s a Friday, and he managed to finish all of his schoolwork already, so he has all of his weekend free. For a moment he thinks about going out with some of his friends, but as his father is out of the country and for once Vegas didn’t have anything business related to do, he thinks that they could spend the two days together. They don’t have that many opportunities where it could be just the two of them, and this seems like the perfect time for them to just be in each other’s company. Macau loves his older brother - he had been too young to remember their mom, and his father was hardly up for any awards for being a good parent, so all he was left with was Vegas. And he did the best he could, even though he was still a child himself, and Macau loves him for it.
“Hia?” He calls out softly as he knocks on the Vegas's bedroom door. He waits and waits for a reply but when he doesn't get one he presses the handle and opens the door slowly, expecting to see Vegas just resting for once. The room is empty - everything seems to be in its place, nothing seems out of sorts, but he feels uneasy as he looks at the stillness of it and he can’t shake off the feeling that something is wrong. He pulls out his phone and dials Vegas's number and just a moment later freezes in his place when he hears a phone ring in the bathroom. Slowly, he walks to the smaller room and sees the phone on top of the cabinets, his own name staring back at him from the flashing screen. Something is definitely wrong. Vegas always has his phone on him, in case Macau needed to get to him quickly if he was in any danger, even if he was out on missions he always had it on him. Macau ended the call and looked through his contacts, scrolling until he saw the one name he’s looking for. “I need to see you,” he says as soon as the person picks up, instead of greeting.
“I'll be at our spot in twenty minutes.” Is all he gets as a response before the call ends, just as he expects. Frowning, he pockets his phone and then grabs Vegas's as well, and walks out of the room, almost running through the halls.
“Khun Macau, where are you going?” He stops when he recognizes the voice of one of his father's most trusted men. He takes a deep breath and makes himself relax as he turns around.
“I am meeting some of my friends to hang out. Why? Am I needed here?” He asks, careful not to let his voice shake with worry.
“No, we have everything under control. Will you need a security detail with you?”
“Nah, I should be fine, and if not, I’ll make sure to call you.” The man nods at that, seemingly pleased with his explanation. His father’s men generally leave him alone - he had learned a long time ago to not get in trouble with them, or he would get a visit from his father, so he treats them with respect and stays out of their way as much as he can. “I should be back before midnight, but if plans change I’ll make sure to notify you or someone from the team.” He says and turns around quickly, almost running out of the house. He gets in his car and drives off, his mind racing.
Where is Vegas? Did someone take him? Is he in danger? What could have possibly happened for him to just disappear without saying anything? Macau’s thoughts are a complete mess and he is on the verge of panic the whole ride. When he finally reaches his destination, he sees the familiar Maserati already parked next to the road. He parks his own car next to it and gets out, quickly walking towards the small safehouse.
As soon as he walks inside, he finds himself engulfed in a tight hug.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Kim’s voice breaks through the fog in Macau’s brain. Sighing, Macau lets himself be held by his Alpha, as he buries his face in his shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent. “Mac, what’s wrong?” Kim whispers and Macau can hear the concern in his voice, so he slowly pulls out and looks him in the eyes.
“I think Vegas is in danger,” whatever Kim was expecting to hear, Macau knows that this is not even on the list. “He wasn’t at home and he had left his phone there. He didn’t say he was going out and he always makes sure to let me know, even if it’s just a note with one line.” He keeps talking, as if begging Kim to understand that this is concerning behavior and he is justified in being concerned. He’s shaking now and so he takes in a deep breath, trying to not let his panic overtake him. “I know it’s not a lot, but I know him, Kim. I know my brother and I can’t help but feel like there’s something wrong…” There are tears in his eyes now and he lets Kim pull him closer once again, resting his forehead against his shoulder.
“Shh, sweet thing, it’s okay. We’ll find him.” They stay like this for a few moments and only separate when Macau’s phone starts ringing. It’s an unknown number and Macau wonders for a moment if he should answer, but he finally does when Kim prods him to.
“Mac?”
“Hia?” Macau almost yells as he pulls the phone away from his ear so he could turn on the speaker. “Hia, where are you?”
“I’m sorry, Mac. I am sorry.”
“Hia, what’s wrong? Where are you?” Macau asks again and this time the panic is clear in his voice.
“I have to leave, Mac. I have to.”
“Are you in danger?” Macau asks finally and he hates how small he sounds. He can feel Kim move behind him and not a moment later there are arms wrapped around his midsection, rubbing him comfortingly.
“I will be if I stay. Macau…” Vegas cries out and Macau feels his heart break. He hasn't heard his brother sound like that in a very long time, not since they were still kids and they were still learning how to navigate around their father and his anger. “Mac, I didn't want to leave you like this… I never planned for this, please believe me. Please. I love you so much, Mac… If there was a way for me to stay there with you I would have never left…”
“Hia…” Macau is crying now too and he leans his back into Kim's chest, seeking the comfort he so desperately needs. He hears Kim shush him quietly, and feels the oh so familiar lips brush over his temple. “Hia, will you… Will you call again? Will I see you again?”
“I… I don't think that that will be possible… Not for the near future at least. I… I am sorry, Macau, I am really, truly sorry, but I need to do this.”
“...Okay, Hia, okay. Do what you need to do.” He says finally and they listen to Vegas cry on the other side of the phone. He squeezes his eyes tight shut as he lets the tears fall down his cheeks. “I love you, Hia.”
“I love you, too.” The call ends and Macau's whole world turns on its head as he sags to his knees, sobbing at the loss of his older brother.
*****
Kinn looks at his phone, bored out of his mind. His father had called an urgent family meeting, requesting that everyone from the main and minor families attended, but refused to disclose any details. Currently, he, Khun and Kim are sitting on one side of the table, waiting for their father and the others to arrive. Kinn notes that Khun also looked very bored as well, which is very normal for him. Kim, on the other hand, doesn’t act right at all. Normally, he is the last one to come to these meetings, always reluctantly going to the room, acting like this whole thing is beneath him. Not today. Today he was already there when Kinn walked in the room. He keeps throwing looks towards the door and his shoulders are tense. He looks as if he is expecting something bad to happen.
Less than five minutes later his uncle and younger cousin walk in the room, Vegas nowhere to be seen. Kinn sits up straighter in his chair and looks questioningly towards the empty chair that his cousin would usually occupy.
Where is Vegas?
He is about to ask that question when his father finally walks in the room, Chan following him closely. His father takes his place at the end of the table and looks first at his sons, then at his brother and nephew. He raises a brow at the empty chair and tilts his head to the side.
“Where is Vegas? I explicitly mentioned that everyone needed to be here today.” Gun doesn't meet his brother’s eye but keeps looking at his hands, resting on the desk in front of him. That is strange - his uncle isn't one to keep quiet, especially not when it comes to his sons. “Gun, where is Vegas?” Korn asks again, his voice harsh enough to make Khun wince.
“He's gone.”
“Gone? What do you mean gone?” Kinn can't help but ask. Did something happen to him?
“Three days ago he just walked out of the manor and disappeared. My men managed to follow his movements for the next few towns but after he sold his bike they lost track of him. He's gone and we don't have a way of finding him.” Gun explains quietly and Kinn feels his blood freeze. Vegas just… left? But why? He seemed okay the last time he saw him, just over a week ago. He didn't act strange, if anything, he was acting as he usually did when they were in public - he was cocky, and self-assured and pushed every single button Kinn had. But Kinn knows that that wasn't the real Vegas.
No, he knows the real Vegas, the one that is still sarcastic, the one that likes to tease Kinn but never in a cruel way, the one who… loves him. He can still hear Vegas's voice, quiet in his insecurity, finding the courage to whisper the words when he thought that Kinn was asleep the last time they were together. But Kinn had been awake, and at that moment he had decided to keep pretending to be asleep, but now… Now with Vegas gone he wishes he hadn't. Because now he lost his chance to let him know that he feels the same.
When they first started this thing between them, it was nothing more than pure lust for Kinn. He was a horny teenager and Vegas was there and he was willing and he had felt so good that Kinn kept coming back to him again and again. And somewhere along the road he realized that he felt something more for his cousin, something he didn't dare put into words. He should have. He should have been brave enough to chase his happiness with Vegas, his father and uncle be damned, but he didn't… And now, by the looks of it, he wouldn't get the chance to do so.
Tears sting in his eyes as he shifts in his seat and meets Kim's eyes when he looks to his right. The usual boredom that he expects to see is nowhere to be found. Instead, he thinks he can see… Pity? Understanding? He lifts an eyebrow as if to question but Kim shakes his head slightly and mouths the word later before he turns to look at their father, who stares at his own brother with disappointment in his eyes.
“You let your heir just walk out of your home and now you're not even looking for him?” Kinn feels a chill run through his bones at his father's tone. He sees with the corner of his eye the way his uncle stiffens at the words, but doesn’t speak up, doesn’t look the leader of the Theerapanyakuns in the eye. “Chan, get Arm on this. I want to know where Vegas is and I want to know as soon as possible.” Chan bows deeply and Kinn follows him with his eyes as he walks out of the room. Good, he thinks, if Arm is the one trying to find him they would definitely bring back Vegas soon. The calmness at his father’s order disappears when he looks at his younger cousin.
Macau looks like he wants to object to his father’s order. He looks scared and Kinn can see a nervous tremor in his hands. Kinn realizes that Macau does not want them to bring Vegas back, which means that Vegas had told him that he was leaving. His younger cousin knows more than he shows and all Kinn wants to do is shake him by the shoulders and demand whatever information he has.
He almost lets the words slip out of his mouth, but as his lips part he notices something very strange - his younger brother looks very pointedly at their cousin, and after their eyes meet for just a single moment, Macau’s shoulders relax and a mask of indifference falls over his face as he leans back into his chair. Kinn has seen this type of interaction before, where alphas would be able to calm their omegas with just a single look. Fuck, he himself has managed to do the same with Vegas in the past, even though they weren't really a couple. Kinn glances at his younger brother as their father speaks out again.
“Well, I obviously need to change my plans now. I actually needed Vegas here, as he might have been useful in… securing certain players in this scheme.” Kinn feels his blood burn with rage. His father wanted to offer Vegas to one of his potential partners. Kinn is not an idiot - he knows that other families use the omegas in their family as nothing more than tools to secure loyalties and favors. He never thought his father would stoop so low, and he watches in disgust as his father's eyes turn towards Macau. No, he can't possibly mean to use his younger cousin - he's not even twenty yet, he's still just a kid, he can't… “We do have another omega here, but I fear that he might not be suitable…”
“Absolutely not.” Kinn turns to his right, stunned by the ice he hears in his younger brother's voice. He can feel everyone around him freeze as well. It was no secret in their family that Kim often went against their father's wishes, but he had never done it so openly, and never in front of the minor family. “Macau is off limits. You will not use him as a toy in your schemes.”
“And why not?” Their father asks and when Kinn looks at his brother's eyes, he knows that today is the day that everything changes for the Theerapanyakuns. He sees fire and determination there, and watches in astonishment as Kim rises to his feet, staring their father down, daring him to test him.
“Because he is mine.”
*****
Tankhun leans his back against the bench and closes his eyes, enjoying the sun warming up his skin. He feels Pol move around him, and hears Arm murmur something about buying them iced coffee but he pays them no mind. He's exhausted. He just spent two weeks overseeing the acquisition of one of the biggest hotels in Chiang Mai, dealing with conniving people who thought that they could take advantage of him simply because he rarely took part in such dealings. While it is true that he doesn't have a lot of experience with doing anything business related, that doesn't mean he's an idiot that anyone could just take advantage of. He is a Theerapanyakun, the oldest of the new generation - he grew up in this life and even though he stays out of it for the most part, he's still more than capable in securing one lousy deal. And he has gotten a lot smarter these last few years.
He would have preferred he had stayed back in Bangkok, but Kinn had looked so exhausted when he had asked if he could take care of this one thing for him, that there was no way Tankhun would have denied his request. And there was no way Kim would've been able to do this, since Macau had his finals this week and he needed to stay home. There was no way Kim would've left his mate on his own for two weeks, not when their father and uncle are still vehemently opposed to their relationship and would've one hundred percent used this opportunity to mess with them. He frowns slightly as he thinks of his younger brothers.
A lot of things have changed in the past three years and it all started when Vegas just disappeared. Tankhun still wonders what drove his cousin to just up and leave one day, without any warning or explanation. Vegas, while still an asshole, was a part of their family, and Tankhun still finds himself missing him - things were a lot more fun when he was around, especially during meetings or a party their family organized for their allies and Vegas would make snide comments about people. Now, he has Macau to keep him company, but it’s not the same. That isn’t to say that he doesn’t enjoy having his younger cousin around, because that's not true.
Tankhun can’t deny that he wasn’t surprised when Kim had publicly claimed Macau as his. He didn’t think they talked to one another, let alone be so close to actually start a relationship. But he’s happy that the two of them are together - he has seen how Kim acts when he is with Macau, how his smile actually reaches his eyes, how he acts more like the boy he was when they were still young. Their relationship might not be a conventional one, and his father and uncle had voiced their displeasure more than once, but Tankhun can’t help but root for them. He likes knowing that his younger brother is happy with his person, even if they do face opposition. He had promised Kim and Macau that he would support them no matter what and he will stand by his words, even if he has to go against their fathers. Kim has things under control, so Tankhun doesn’t spend a lot of time worrying about him. Kinn, on the other hand…
He sighs as his thoughts turn towards his other brother. Ever since the day Vegas left it’s like something snapped in Kinn. He is constantly working, closing deals left and right, securing their status as the most powerful family in Bangkok. To the outside world it looks like he is the dutiful son that people expect him to be - helping their father run their businesses, following closely in his footsteps so he can one day assume the position of the leader of the Theerapanyakuns. But behind closed doors things cannot be more different. While it is true that ever since that fateful family meeting Kinn has been working constantly, his efforts are in no way supporting their father’s goals. There is now a rift between the head of the Theerapanyakins and his heir, one that Tankhun doesn’t know can be fixed. It started right after Kim’s bold declaration - their father had immediately tried to forbid Kim from seeing Macau, using words that Tankhun didn’t wish to repeat even in his mind. It had been Kinn that had stood up for them then, giving their father an ultimatum - either he left Kim and Macau alone and didn’t intervene in their relationship, or he would announce to the world that he will no longer be his heir.
It wasn’t much of a choice, not really. Their father had spent the last twenty years molding Kinn into the next leader, and all of their associates knew that too. If Kinn went out and announced to the world that he will not be the next leader, this would make their entire family look weak, and if there is anything in this world that Korn Theerapanyakun hates the most, it is showing weaknesses. Until that moment, Kim had been the only one of the new generation to openly go against their father. Now, Korn knows that he essentially has no one on his side in his family.
“Papa! Papa, look at what I found!” Tankhun hears a child yell through the fog in his mind but doesn't open his eyes, not until he hears Pol whisper oh my god and feels his bodyguard squeeze his thigh rather harshly. Instantly, he opens his eyes and searches for the child that had just screamed and he freezes when he sees the small boy and his father. “Look at it!” He watches the boy jump around as the father kneels and Tankhun feels like all of the air has been sucked out of his lungs.
“King, slow down!”
Vegas.
He wants to scream the name, he wants to run to the man and slap him across the face, he wants to hug him and drag him back to Bangkok. He doesn't do any of that. Instead, he stares at the pair, taking note of the gentle expression on his cousin's face. Never has he seen Vegas look at someone with so much love in their eyes as he does the boy. And the boy… It is very obvious that the boy is his son (even if he hadn't addressed him as papa), but he looks like someone else Tankhun knows. He looks like Kinn too.
He watches, stunned, as the boy, King, hands something to Vegas, waiting for the man's reaction. When a smile blooms over Vegas’s face and he picks up the boy, making him giggle as he kisses his cheek, Tankhun feels tears sting in his eyes.
He knows now why Vegas had disappeared, and he immediately understands that for the Vegas from three years ago, that had been the most logical thing to do - him not only being pregnant, but pregnant with Kinn’s child? Tankhun just knew how his father and uncle would've reacted to the news.
Quickly, he pulls out his phone (the one that his father doesn't know about, the one that he keeps a secret even from Kinn) and takes a few pictures of the two of them, as they walk away, lost in their own little world. He thinks for a moment about sending them to Kinn, but decides against it. He doesn't know if his father hasn't tapped into his brother's phone, and he doesn't want to put Vegas and his… nephew in any danger. He pockets his phone and turns to look at Pol, eyes uncharacteristically serious.
“You will speak to one about this, not even Arm. Not before I've had a chance to talk to Kinn.” Pol nods and Tankhun feels sorry for asking him to keep this a secret from his alpha, but it's the only thing he can do at this moment.
*****
Kinn looks at the screen in front of him, but doesn't actually see what's written on it. He can feel a headache coming and he thinks for a moment that he should just get back to his rooms and be done for the day when he hears a knock on the door. Sighing, he relaxes back in his chair and yells for the person to come in.
“Pol! I thought that Khun was supposed to be in Chiang Mai for at least two more days.” He says instead of a greeting and frowns slightly when he sees Pol's polite smile slip.
“Khun Tankhun managed to finish work early and he wished to come back home as quickly as possible. I think he was homesick.” As far as excuses go it's a plausible one. After all, Khun rarely leaves their house, let alone the city. Kinn can't imagine how uncomfortable his older brother must have been during the last two weeks and feels shame burn through his veins at the realization that it's him who's at fault for that. “Here is Khun Tankhun’s report on the deal. He finished it on the way back and wanted you to have it as soon as possible.” Kinn wants to argue that there is no reason for him to go through this now, but something in Pol's tone makes him stop. He watches as the bodyguard throws a pointed look towards the report, then bows respectfully and walks out of the office, leaving him on his own again.
Kinn glances towards the report as his frown deepens. It looked like a regular report. There must be something more to it, though. Usually, Khun has to be pushed around to give his reports, the few times he has worked on a job for the family. Now Pol says that he did this one on the way back. Something is definitely going on.
Picking up the folder, Kinn starts going through the pages. Not five minutes later, he finds what Tankhun has left for him. He picks the note that has his brother's neatly writing on it and brings it closer to his eyes.
I need to talk to you. Somewhere where the walls don't have ears. It's urgent, so don't ignore me.
Kinn scoffs at the last words, but it's just a way to cover the uneasiness he feels. For Khun to feel the need for them to get out of the house and away from their father and his men, then something important must have happened while he was in Chiang Mai.
He turns off the computer, pockets the note and leaves his office. He passes the two new bodyguards he had hired a couple of years back and he nods at them.
“Pete, I heard that Khun is back from his trip. I will take him out for a meal, we'll take Khun’s bodyguards with us, so you can stay here.” He watches as Pete and Porsche share a look and he wants to scream at them, but holds his tongue.
“But Khun Kinn, Khun Korn has explicitly ordered us that you need to have your own protection detail at all times when not at home. We cannot have you go out on your own.”
“You cannot allow me to go out?” He says, voice dangerously low. He sees the two men stiffen and Porsche opens his mouth as if to argue with him, but Pete elbows him in the stomach. Usually Kinn appreciates the candidness of the bodyguard, but he's tired, and he's worried and arguing with his bodyguards is pretty low on his list of priorities right now. “I think you need to remember that the two of you work for me, not my father. I said that I am going out on my own, is that clear?”
“Yes, Khun Kinn,” the two bodyguards answer quietly and he turns sharply, almost running towards the elevator. A few minutes later he’s knocking on Tankhun's doors. He doesn't have to wait for long before the door opens and he's met with Arm's careful eyes. The bodyguard immediately steps aside, letting Kinn walk into the room. Remembering his brother's words, he plasters a fake smile on his face as he approaches Tankhun.
“Welcome home, brother. Did you enjoy your stay in Chiang Mai?” His brother looks frazzled, but he speaks in his usual over the top manne when he finally replies.
“Mah, Kinn, I would have enjoyed myself even more if I didn't have to spend two weeks in different meetings, listening to boring people talk numbers.” He whines loudly and this time Kinn's smile is genuine. Not for the first time he wishes he had more time to just hang out with his brothers, especially now as things between him, their father and their uncle are incredibly tense.
But that is the choice he made that day three years ago. He saw the anger in his father's eyes when Kim claimed Macau as his, he saw the fury in his uncle's eyes when he looked at his own son and he knew that if he wanted to keep them safe, he had to step up. And so he did.
To the outside world, Kinn is the perfect son and heir of the Theerapanyakun empire - he works with his father, he does his share of the work, he closes deals and deals with their enemies when necessary. Privately, he's become his father's biggest enemy. He has been able to chip away at his father's influence and power piece by piece and he now is the de facto leader of the business, even if his father doesn't see it. Soon, he should be able to take over from him, he just didn't have a concrete plan on how the switch was about to happen.
“I know you just came home, but I was wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner at this restaurant I found out. It's glamorous and shiny and I think you'd enjoy it very much.” Kinn says, tone carefully neutral. He sees the moment his brother realizes what he's asking of him, though.
“Of course! Just let me find something fabulous to wear and I'm yours.”
“Great, we can take Arm and Pol with us, if that will make you more comfortable.” He sees the way his brother’s eyes soften at that and he knows that he's made the right decision. Khun rarely feels safe when he has to go out, which is why he is always accompanied by his most trusted bodyguards, the same people that have been by his side for years now. Khun smiles at him and turns around to go and change his clothes. A few minutes later he emerges in a bright neon suit that fits him to a tee.
They keep mostly quiet in the car, with Tankhun talking to his bodyguards every now and then. Twenty minutes later they're sitting in a secluded booth, Arm and Pol keeping a respectful distance from them. Kinn waits until the waiter is out of earshot to finally ask his brother about the mysterious note he had left for him. He watches as Khun takes a deep breath before he looks him in the eyes.
“Before I show you what I have discovered I need you to be honest with me.” Khun says quietly and leans forward, hands resting on the table. Kinn lifts an eyebrow but keeps quiet. He nods his head as he picks up his wine glass. “I need you to tell me what happened between you and Vegas.”
It's ridiculous and like a scene from one of the dramas Khun likes to watch, but Kinn actually chokes on his wine. He tries to play it off, but when he looks at his older brother he sees something in his eyes that lets him know that he can't bullshit his way out of this one.
“Nothing happened.” He tries to deny but Khun lifts one eyebrow, as if to say I'm not an idiot so don't treat me like one. Kinn sighs as he lets his head hang for a moment, before he looks up again. “We… We saw each other from time to time… I mean... There was something between us and I… He left before it could go where I wanted it to go…” He admits quietly and despite everything, it feels good to talk about this. Vegas left and took his heart with him, and even though he's been searching for him ever since, he couldn't really tell anyone about it. But he can talk to Khun now, and it feels good to share this secret of his.
“But you wanted it to be something more? Something like what Kim and Macau have?”
“I did. I do.” He admits quietly and hates that there are tears in his eyes. He sees Khun reach across the table and he grabs his hand, grateful for the silent show of support.
“I know where he is.” For a moment he thinks he didn't hear Khun right. “I know why he left.” He watches in silence as Khun pulls a phone out of his purse, one he hasn't seen before, and looks at the screen dumbfounded. There he is. Vegas. He's smiling as he looks at the small boy in his arms, a boy who looks a lot like… “He was pregnant, Kinn.” Khun whispers and it's a miracle Kinn can actually hear the words through the thumping in his ears. “He left because he wanted to protect your child.”
“H-how do you he's mine?” Kinn asks but even in his ears the question sounds incredibly stupid. The boy looks like the perfect mixture of him and Vegas, of course it's his child. The last time that they were together, three weeks before Vegas disappeared, they didn't use protection, too caught up in the moment. The tears are falling down his cheeks now, as he zooms in and looks at Vegas's smiling face. “D-did you talk to him?” He whispers and feels Khun squeeze his fingers.
“No, no. They just walked past us, I saw him for no more than a minute, would've missed him completely if Pol didn't notice him first.” Kinn swipes his thumb across the screen and sees the next photo. Vegas is kissing the boy's cheek, and the child is smiling brightly, his arms around Vegas's shoulders. He can't believe he is looking at his son, their son. He looks healthy, happy. “I can't imagine how terrified Vegas must have been,” Khun whispers and Kinn chokes on his tears, “but I can completely understand why he did what he did. You see how father and uncle treat Kim and Macau, can you imagine what they would have done to Vegas?” Fury rushes through Kinn's veins and sees Khun wince when he finally looks him in the eyes again. “Kinn, please don't do anything rash. Don't put them in danger.”
“I will never put them in danger, Khun.” Kinn says, and he repeats the words in his mind, making it a promise to Vegas and their child. I swear, Vegas, I swear. “Now that I know why he left, I know what I need to do to bring him back, bring them back safely.” He doesn't say the obvious, that in order for Vegas and their child to ever be safe is for their fathers to be removed out of the picture, but Khun hears it nonetheless. Kinn watches his brother carefully, and he thinks of begging Khun to understand why he has to do what he needs to do, but in the end, he doesn't need to.
“You will do what you will need to do, Kinn, and I will support you. But I'm begging you - don't do it on your own. You have me, you have Kim and Macau - use us. You're not the only one that wants Vegas back, you're not the only one that's tired of how our father and uncle have tried to destroy us from within. So, use us, Kinn. Don't take the burden all on your shoulders, because it will ruin you. And you have a lot to live for.” He looks at the phone on the table and Kinn takes a shaky breath, smiling at his older brother.
He has missed out on so many things already. He wasn't there during Vegas's pregnancy, he wasn't there when Vegas heard their son's heartbeat for the first time, he wasn't there to feel their son kick for the first time, he wasn't there when their son was being born. He can't even begin to imagine what Vegas must have gone through, the fear, the desperation…
He has missed three whole years in which he could have had Vegas by his side, three years he could never get back.
As he takes a sip from his wine and watches the waiter bring their dishes, Kinn is already planning his next moves. He's going to being his man and their son back to their family if it's the last thing he does.
*****
“It is with immense heartbreak that we bring you this news. Earlier, my father, Korn Theerapanyakun, and uncle, Gun Theerapanyakun, were in a horrible accident that sadly took their lives. My uncle suffered great injuries and unfortunately died at the scene. Father was taken to the hospital, where, despite the medical team's efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. This is a very dark time for our family and we would like to ask for you to give us some space as we figure out how to deal with this loss. Thank you.”
Vegas drops King’s sippy cup as he watches Tankhun on the TV. His ears are ringing and he feels lightheaded and he can't even begin to process what he just heard. His father is dead? His uncle is dead? They're gone?
It can't be, it just can't be. It doesn't make any sense - his father and uncle, both at the same place, at the same time… There is no way it had been an accident. This was a hit, it was a planned attack, and while Vegas has been out of the business for a while now, he can't think of anyone being daring enough to go after the heads of the Theerapanyakuns. His uncle's men knew how to do their job, they would never leave him exposed enough for someone to take a hit on him, unless… Unless it was done by someone on the inside.
“Papa? Papa, you dropped my cup!” King says loudly and it pulls Vegas out of his thoughts. He looks down at his son, his sunshine, his purpose in life. Kinn's face flashes for a second and it makes his chest hurt.
When he ran, three and a half years ago, all he wanted to do was to keep his child safe. It had hurt so much, to leave his own little brother behind, to leave Kinn behind, but if he had stayed he never would have gotten to keep King. It was the reason he has stayed as far away as possible from his family, even if there were times all he wanted to do was call Macau to just hear his voice.
He has kept up with the family, though, as much as he could without standing out. He was really surprised when he learned that Kim had claimed Macau as his omega, not even two weeks after he left. For one, he had absolutely no inclination that Macau was interested in anyone, let alone Kim. He wasn't surprised that they had kept their relationship a secret, though - after all, no one even suspected there was something going on between him and Kinn when he was back in Bangkok. But then, of course, Macau and Kim were in love with each other - it was so very obvious in the way the two of them looked at each other whenever the tabloids managed to snap a picture of them. In Vegas's case, he had been the only one in love.
He has to admit that he is surprised that Kinn hadn't made an appearance with a lover ever since he left. There was a brief moment where he thought there might be something going on with one of the new bodyguards he had seen around him, but Kinn never confirmed the rumors that went around, and so they had slowly withered away. Objectively speaking, Kinn is a great catch - he is smart, handsome and filthy rich. Others of his status had a piece of arm candy everywhere they went, but not Kinn. Never Kinn.
Whenever Vegas sees him at a social event, all on his own, he can't help but hope that Kinn is alone because he's waiting for him. This tiny part of his heart has kept the hope alive that Kinn loves him, that he wants him back. But it can't be true. Vegas wasn't meant to be that happy.
“Papa!” King screams again and Vegas feels his slap his tiny hands against his knees.
“King, what have I told you about hitting people?” He scorns his son quietly as he picks him up, trying not to laugh when the boy frowns.
“You dropped my cup! It's broken now!” King whines and Vegas sighs deeply as he plucks the cup out of his son's grabby hands. He's right, he had somehow managed to break it, eve though it was made out of plastic.
“Even so, when you broke that vase last week, did I hit you?” Vegas watches patiently as King tries to remember the incident, and smiles when a moment later he shakes his head no. “Right. You shouldn't hit people, even if you're upset. It's not nice. But I am sorry that I broke your cup. Why don't we go to the park so you can play with Bom and Jay, and then we'll go and buy you a new one, hm?” King squeals at that and starts wiggling around until Vegas puts him down. He knows that the possibility of playing with his friends will make him forget about the cup for a while. It's also a way for him to get out of the house and think over what he just heard on the TV.
Twenty minutes later King is running around, chasing the two older boys, happily laughing when he manages to get one of them. Vegas watches over him carefully when he sees a shadow stop on his right.
“Hia?” He hears someone whisper and he freezes in his spot. Turning his head slowly he feels like the air is punched out of his lungs when his eyes fall on his younger brother’s face. Macau looks so much older than the last time he had seen him, and yet so young at the same time.
For a second Vegas thinks about running away. It's pure instinct, self-preservation really, to run as far away as possible, to protect himself and his son. And then he remembers what he heard Tankhun say earlier. Their father is gone. Their uncle is gone. The two people that were capable of doing unthinkable things to him and his son are gone and his brother is right in front of him, and Vegas is so tired, and lonely, that all he does is jump to his feet and pull the younger man in his arms. His heart breaks as his brother sobs into his shoulder, but he doesn't know what to say, or how to explain why he has been gone for the last few years. And then he doesn't have to.
They feel someone bump against their knees and separate from one another so they could look down. King is looking at them, and Vegas can tell that he's about to be very upset, so he quickly picks him and holds him close.
“Shh, it's okay, my love, it's okay. Papa is fine, I promise.” He whispers and King looks at him as if he's searching for the lie. This kid, he says in his mind, and kisses his cheek softly. “King, do you remember when I told you about Papa’s younger brother? Do you remember his name?”
“Uncle Macau?” King says quietly after a moment and Vegas hears his brother yelp at that.
“Yes. This is papa's brother, your uncle Macau.” He watches then as King turns so he could look at Macau, head tilted to the side. He knows that move - it's what King does whenever he tries to figure out if he likes someone or not. Macau smiles at him through his tears, and apparently that's all that Kind needs to see, because he smiles at him as well.
“Hi, uncle Macau. Papa, who is that?” He then asks and that's the first time Vegas notices that there are other people there as well.
Kim is standing a few feet behind Macau, a worried expression on his face as he looks at them. Even from his place Vegas can feel his anxiousness and he just knows that Kim is the right person for his brother. His younger cousin nods at him and Vegas returns the nod before his eyes travel past him. For the second time in less than five minutes he completely freezes in his spot.
“Kinn.” He doesn't mean to say it, but the word slips out of his mouth before he can stop himself. For the first time in a long while, Vegas doesn't know what to do. He watches as Kinn pushes himself off of the car he was leaning on, and walks slowly towards them. He squeezes his arms around King, who lets a loud yelp, but Vegas doesn't let go.
It's like his feet have taken root against the earth and he's suddenly unable to move. He wants to run, he wants to hide, but he stays put as Kinn stops in front of him.
Kinn doesn't say anything as he looks into his eyes and Vegas wants to scream at him, but once again, he doesn't do any of that. He just stands still as Kinn lifts one hand and cups his cheek. Before he can even process that Kinn is here, that Kinn is touching him, there are lips on his own. Vegas whines into the kiss, and there are tears running down his cheeks when they part. Kinn rests his forehead against his own and when Vegas opens his eyes to look at him, he sees tears in Kinn's eyes too.
“Come home,” Kinn whispers, begs really. “Vegas, please, please come home. It's safe now. No one will hurt you.”
“I… Kinn, I…”
“I love you,” Vegas swears his heart stops beating for a solid minute. No, no that… That can't be true. “I love you, Vegas, I love you.” He's not lying, Vegas knows he's not lying and all he can do is cry out Kinn before he leans forward and kisses him again. This time, they are interrupted by tiny hands slapping them lightly over their chest. When they pull away and Kinn looks at their son, Vegas feels his heart swoon at the soft look in his eyes. “Hello,” he says quietly and King smiles at him.
“Hello. My name is King. I am almost three years old.” Kinn chuckles and lifts a finger, tracing the boy's soft cheek.
“Hello, King,” his voice is a bit wobbly and it makes Vegas feel all warm and fuzzy. “It's so nice to finally meet you. My name is Kinn.”
“That sounds like King,” the boy concludes and Vegas chuckles, before he kisses his cheek.
“It really does, bunny.”
“Papa! I'm not a bunny, I'm King!” The boy objects, making all of the adults around him chuckle.
“You're my little bunny.” Vegas insists and bounces him up. “See, you're jumping up and down, just like a bunny.”
“Papa!” King objects again, then looks around. “Papa, can I go play with Bom and Jay? Please?” He looks at him with his big round eyes, like Vegas has ever said no to him. He nods and puts him on the ground, but before King runs to his friends, he grabs Macau's hand. “Come with me, uncle Macau. You can play with my friends too.” Macau chuckles and follows the boy readily, no questions asked. Kim moves to follow them, but before he does, he stops in front of Vegas. He doesn't say anything, just pats his shoulder and gives him a meaningful look, and follows his son and brother to the main playground. Vegas looks at them for a few long moments, feeling happier than ever.
There is a finger that pushes his chin to the side and he is once again looking at Kinn. He looks… tired, but happy. Kinn leans in and this time Vegas is ready for the kiss and accepts it willingly.
“I'm sorry,” he whispers when they part and Kinn shushes him, but Vegas shakes his head. “I didn't know what to do, I didn't know if you…” he stops himself and shakes his head again, as he looks at their son. “I just wanted to keep him safe.”
“I know. I know, baby,” Kinn whispers and pulls him in for a hug. “I understand why you did what you did.” He also glances at the small boy before he looks back at Vegas. “It's safe now, Vegas. They're gone.”
“Did you… Did you do it?” He asks quietly and Kinn nods. “Why?”
“I did what needed to be done. For you and King, but for Macau and Kim, too. Ever since Kim claimed Macau as his own, they tried all they could to separate them. They were so blinded by hatred that they were willing to cause my little brother pain. I couldn't allow that.” Vegas should be scared by the harshness he hears in Kinn's voice, but he's not.
“You love me?” He whispers instead and watches as Kinn's shoulders relax.
“I do. I should've told you before, but I… I wasn't brave enough…” He admits quietly, ashamed. Vegas nudges him gently and kisses his cheek.
“I love you, too. We'll come home.”
*****
Kinn wakes slowly, his face lit up by the sun rays that manage to sneak in between the curtains. He looks at the clock on the bedside table and sees that it's just after six. He sighs quietly as he turns to his side.
Vegas is still sleeping, hugging his pregnancy pillow tightly. Kinn spends the next few minutes admiring the sleeping man, before he decides he should get up. He does his morning routine and when he returns to the bedroom, he sees that Vegas is now awake.
“Good morning, my love,” he whispers and sits on Vegas's side of the bed, leaning over him to kiss his cheek. He lets his hand travel down until it stops on his partner's swollen belly. “Did you manage to get some rest?”
“A bit,” Vegas says and tries to sit up, the task a rather difficult one the further along he gets in his pregnancy. He rubs his hand over his belly, until it finds Kinn's. “This one wouldn't stop kicking until two a.m.”
“You should've woken me up, I could've kept you company.”
“Please, you just got home after a week of traveling, you needed the sleep.”
“Aw, whose husband is so caring?” He teases and enjoys seeing Vegas's cheeks flush. “Do you need help with your shower?” He asks after a few moments and Vegas shakes his head.
“No, I'm good. You can go and see if King is up yet. He missed you so much.”
“Aw, did he?”
“Yeah. He even slept here the first few days. He said that it makes him feel closer to you while you're away.” Kinn feels his heart warm up at that and leans for another kiss.
“I'll go wake him up. I’ll see you at breakfast, okay?” Vegas just hums and Kinn lets him be. As much as Vegas enjoys being spoiled by him, Kinn knows that there are things he prefers to do on his own. So he walks out of their bedroom and down the hall until he reaches their son's room.
He finds a complete mess when he opens the door. There are toys everywhere, and books and clothes and Kinn should be upset but isn't. When he was a child his father would scold him at the tiniest thing he saw out of place. He would get lecture after lecture on how they had an image to uphold and how they can't afford to be ‘messy’. His room throughout his childhood looked like a museum. King's room looks like a proper child’s bedroom, and the mess, while sometimes annoying, was very endearing to Kinn. And it's not like the room is always a mess - no, King is actually very responsible and always cleans up after himself. When he doesn’t, Kinn and Vegas know that he will, first thing in the morning.
Kinn sits on the side of the bed and pats his son’s hair softly.
“Come on, bunny. It’s time to get up.” King’s arms tighten around his stuffed dinosaur and he turns around, as if to escape Kinn’s hand. That makes Kinn chuckle, but he keeps petting his hair until finally King opens his eyes slowly. “Good morning, bunny.”
“Daddy, I’m not a bunny,” King objects, as he always does, and closes his eyes for a second before he opens them again, surprise clear in them. “Daddy! You’re back!”
“Of course I’m back. I wouldn’t miss your birthday for the world,” Kinn says as King throws himself in his arms, hugging him as tightly as possible. “Happy birthday, my love.”
“Thank you, daddy,” King says with a smile and Kinn can feel his heart strings being pulled - there is nothing he wouldn’t do for their family, if it meant that King got to keep his smile.
“You need to shower before we go down for breakfast. Do you need help with that?”
“No, daddy. I’m a big boy now. I go to school!” King exclaims and runs towards his bathroom, throwing his pajamas behind him. Kinn chuckles and starts moving around the room, putting things in their place.
He picks up a piece of paper and sees a drawing King had made - it has a few people drawn and the text above it says “My family”. Kinn wants to cry as he looks at it - he recognizes himself and Vegas, and their unborn baby that King has just named Princess in the drawing (they don’t know if they’re having a girl or a boy, he and Vegas wanted it to be a surprise), and he can see that King wants the baby to be a girl. Secretly, Kinn hopes for the same thing - there hasn’t been a girl Theerapanyakun born in the last three generations, one was definitely due to appear one of these days.
He had hoped that Kim and Macau’s baby was a girl, but no such luck. Not that Kinn doesn’t love his nephew - he absolutely adores the baby boy, how could he not when it made Kim so happy, so mature and relaxed now. But he can’t hope but pray for a girl this time, although he knows that even if it is a boy, he will love their child unconditionally. Same way he loves King, same way he loves Vegas.
He will always love and treasure their family.