Chapter Text
P'Kian and Peach were getting closer and closer day by day. Mok by proximity was also close to Peach.
P'Kian was loving it, more than he thought he would, he knew love was something that he wanted, because the shows he watched made it look so easy. His mom also made it sound easy. But his father being who he was also trying to protect his sons made the rule- Not allowed to love.
P'Kian had always followed that rule. Rome had as well to a certain extent. Rome had fallen for his Mok, P'Kian’s bodyguard, had been for years. Normally P'Kian would have an issue with this, but knowing Mok and his unyielding devotion to his job. So he let it go (for now)
When growing up P'Kian and Rome were very close, they shared a lot like normal brothers did. But as years went on and especially when P'Kian moved to Thailand, that closeness soon evaporated. Life tended to happen, and when life got busy they drifted apart. Rome had attempted to reach out a lot but P'Kian was busy and would either not answer or if he did he would be very terse with him in order to get off the phone as soon as possible.
Over the years the calls became less and less, and eventually just stopped. P'Kian didn't really notice. He has Peach and his sister in his life now. So he didn't notice how hurt his brother was by his actions. Rome felt like he was being replaced, but not knowing how to fix it because he had tried everything he could think of on his end, he tried calling, and even tried visiting a few times.
But P'Kian was just as terse and dismissive with him in person as he was on the phone. Rome was at a loss. He loved his brother, did he do something that made him upset with him? He tried talking to Mok once but Mok was just as unhelpful. He had no idea anymore. Rome was on the verge of giving up, and just deciding that he had lost his brother forever. He was devastated, he didn't know what he had done to lose him. But with nothing left he became distant and unemotional.
Peach was more observant than most people thought he was. Noticing the way Rome would look at P'Kian when he did visit, like a puppy that lost something precious. Peach was curious, he knew that something had happened but couldn't put his finger on what. Peach asked Mok when he could, knowing that Mok would give him a truthful answer.
“P’Mok? Can I ask a somewhat personal question?” Peach asked one night, P'Kian was in a late meeting, so better now.
“I can give you the best answer I can Khun Peach.”
“What happened between P’Kian and his brother? I’ve seen the way P’Kian treats Khun Rome, and it's kind of hard to watch.”
Mok thought of the best way to answer. He himself did not know the answer, but he had his suspicions.
“To be honest, I have no idea. I wish I could give an answer, because I don't like seeing the way Rome looks when he has to go back home. Like he has no one left.”
Peach thought for a minute, an idea popped into his head, it was not a great one, but it was literally the only thing he could think of- was it dramatic, was it going to make issues with P'Kian? Maybe….but not knowing any other way.
“P’Mok, i have an idea, you need to not tell P'Kian, and if he asks where i am, please make something up.”
Mok looked shocked, he had never outright lied to P'Kian before. Mok gave Peach a suspicious look.
Peach sighed, understanding Mok’s hesitation, he could lose his job for what Peach was asking him to do.
“P’Mok, I understand what I'm asking you to do goes against everything you were taught and what you believe, but I can't continue to watch Khun Rome suffer.”
Mok sighed, he understood that Peach liked Rome like a brother, and if there was something that Peach could do to at least help fix it, then he would.
Mok loved Rome from afar, and seeing him hurt was hurting him as well, but Mok was not in a position to fix anything. If Peach could do anything to help, then he would do it. Even if it lost him his job.
“What did you have in mind?” Mok asked.
Peach smiled, placing his hand on Mok’s shoulder, knowing that this probably wouldn't end well for Mok.
“Thank you P’Mok. I will try my best to fix things.”
Mok gave a curt nod.
“What do you need me to do?”
“I need a plane ticket to Bangkok.”
Mok looked surprised at that. But nodded, pulled out his phone to get Peach what he needed.
“P'Mok…also….I need you to let P'Kian’s father know I'll be showing up…I don't want guns pointed at my head again.”
Mok nodded, dialed a number and walked away.
Peach was so nervous, he had never done something like this before, he usually kept out of other people's business, but Rome meant a lot to him and watching him look like a kicked puppy was doing his head in. P'Kian would be absolutely furious with him if he found out. But this needed to happen.
Mok came back to him with the details. His flight was the next day early morning. Which was perfect as P'Kian was in a meeting. Mok said P'Kian and Rome’s father also knew he was coming, but would like to have a conversation before he goes to see Rome. Peach knew that this conversation was expected, but didn't make him any less nervous.
Mok said that there was going to be someone at the airport waiting to escort him. Peach thanked him.
Before Peach left, he heard Mok ask a quiet question…. ”What should I say to P'Kian when he asks where you are? I'm not accustomed to lying." Peach thought for a moment, it needed to be believable enough that P’Kian wouldn't immediately think it was a lie. But not elaborate enough that he wouldn't believe it either.
Peach passed back and forth thinking, something that P’Kian wouldn't immediately think was a lie. After a bit of thinking, Peach couldn’t think of anything, he decided that the best person to bring in on this was his sister. Peach called her, told her to come to the house, he couldn't explain on the phone but when she got there to not let P'Kian see her, she agreed.
Plub arrives 20 minutes later.
She made her way to the study, where Peach said he and Mok would be. She enters not knowing what was happening. Peach looked up and smiled at her.
“What is going on P’Peach? Why am I here at 7 pm at night on a Wednesday?”
Peach sighed, “because I need help coming up with a lie.”
Plub raised an eyebrow, that's not like her brother. He never lies to anyone unless absolutely necessary. She looked at Mok, Mok shrugged. She went to sit beside her brother.
“Okay, tell me why I'm helping you lie, and who are we deceiving?”
Peach started from the beginning, how P'Kian and Rome were acting, and how he was trying to get to the bottom of the issue, because P'Kian was not going to fix it, and Mok didn't know what happened. Plub raised an eyebrow at that, Mok only shook his head. Peach explained further that he was going to Bangkok tomorrow to get to the bottom of this. But he needed to keep P'Kian from following him once he was gone.
“I don't like seeing Rome look like a kicked puppy every time he comes here. If i can fix this, whatever it is I want to try. I am talking to their father before I go see Rome tomorrow. To make sure that I don't have guns in my face again.”
Plub sat back, in thought. She also noticed that Rome acted like he had something taken from him, and began to feel sorry for him as well. So yes, she wanted to help as well. Yes a lie needed to be told in order for that to happen. She got up, passed back and forth for a few minutes running through different scenarios in her head.
“How about this….I write up a ‘fake’ last minute contract that requires you to go to Bangkok, I can make it look official. P'Kian wouldn't be happy, if he finds out, but if it looks official enough he can't question it.”
Mok and Peach look at her, how had they not come up with something like that…Peach smiled.
“Can you get one written up in 12 hours?”
“Of course I can, that's what I do.” Plub stated confidently. “Ill get back with you guys in the morning.” She kissed Peach, hugged Mok, and strode out of the house.
Mok stood there stunned, he has never seen someone like Plub, confident in whatever she does. Peach grinned at him.
“She will have that one in less than 6 hours. Once she gets a task, she will put everything she has into that to beat the deadline, with no mistakes.”
Mok smiled, nodded once, then left the room. Now all that was left was to pack the necessities without P’Kian noticing. This should be interesting