Chapter Text
The resort is… a lot.
Not in a bad way. Just too polished, too bright, too perfect in a way that makes Joss immediately suspicious of it.
“Why does it look like a commercial?” he mutters, stepping out of the car and pushing his sunglasses up properly.
Gawin closes the door behind him with more care than necessary. “It’s a five-star resort.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“It answers it perfectly.”
Joss hums, unconvinced, eyes scanning the place like he’s expecting something to jump out at him. “I don’t trust places that look like this.”
“That sounds like a personal issue.”
“It is.”
Behind them, the back door swings open.
“Oh, this is nice,” Barcode announces, stretching like he’s arrived on vacation instead of what is very clearly going to be a socially complex situation.
“I could get used to this.”
“You’re here for your brother’s wedding,” Gawin reminds him.
“I can multitask.”
Poon steps out more quietly, adjusting the strap of his bag, already looking like he’s mentally preparing for something. He takes one look at the resort. Than at his dads. Then back at the resort.
“…Please don’t embarrass me,” he says, very calmly.
Joss looks offended. “When have I ever—”
“Last week,” Poon replies.
Gawin snorts.
“That was one time,” Joss says.
“It was not one time.”
Guinzly climbs out last, slower, immediately reaching for Gawin , fingers curling into his shirt as he looks up at the building like it might move if he stares hard enough.
“Big,” he says.
“Yeah,” Gawin murmurs, softer now, resting a hand on his head. “Very big.”
A second car pulls in.
The shift is instant.
It’s subtle. So subtle anyone else might miss it but Poon doesn’t.
Joss straightens, not stiff exactly, but aware. Gawin’s expression smooths out into something polite and controlled. Barcode’s eyes light up.
“Oh,” he says, delighted. “This is them, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Gawin says.
“Be normal,” Poon mutters.
“I am normal,” Joss replies.
“That’s the problem.”
The second car door opens.
Podd steps out first, looking like he belongs here in a way Joss refuses to acknowledge.
Then Papang, already glancing around like he’s assessing everything.
Then , Ohm, who spots them immediately and smiles like this is a completely normal situation and not something that’s been quietly tense for years.
“Hey!” Ohm calls, walking over with the confidence of someone who thinks love can solve things.
(He’s wrong, but it’s nice of him.)
“You made it.”
“Of course,” Gawin says, easy, practiced.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Joss adds.
They share a brief hug. It looks fine but it feels like a test.
“Long trip?” Podd asks.
“Not bad,” Joss says. “We are used to it. You know , we travel a lot.”
“We try not to,” Papang replies smoothly. “Too much moving around isn’t great for kids.”
Gawin smiles, just enough. “Ours seem to manage.”
Joss glances at him, just briefly.
Oh, we’re doing this immediately.
“Hi,” Ohm says again, softer now, stepping toward Poon.
Poon steps forward too, like gravity. “Hi.”
And for a second, everything else fades out—no tension, no parents, no expectations.
Just them.
“Kin.”
Barcode’s voice cuts through it like he’s been waiting for this exact moment.
Kin, who has very clearly been trying to stay just behind his parents like that might make him invisible, looks up slowly.
Their eyes meet and immediately Kin rolls his eyes. “Barcode.”
Barcode offers a tight smile. “You know the rules , you must not be in my sight. I don’t care to see you. “
Kin rolls his eyes again then steps forward a bit. “Then I do hope that you do your best to stay away from me. This whole weekend , I don’t wanna see your ugly face.”
Barcode says “Ugly? Even you don’t believe that..”
“Just stay away from me .”
“Make sure you’re practically a ghost in this resort.” Barcode says and walks towards his dad and plays with Guinzly.
“Oh my god,” Poon mutters under his breath.
“Charming,” Papang says with a half smile , glancing at Joss.
“He gets it from somewhere, he gets it from you?” Podd adds.
“Only the good parts,” Joss replies easily.
Gawin exhales through his nose.
Poon pinches the bridge of his nose.
Guinzly tugs on Gawin’s shirt. “…Friends?”
There’s a pause.
A small one. But long enough.
“Yes,” Gawin says.
“Obviously,” Joss adds.
“Of course,” Podd says.
“Clearly,” Papang finishes.
Ohm looks like he might laugh.
Poon looks like he might walk into the ocean.
A staff member steps forward with perfect timing. “Welcome. Thank you so much for choosing us as your weekend stay. We’ll take you to your rooms.”
“Great,” Joss says.
“Thank you,” Gawin adds.
They start walking together, the group naturally splitting into smaller clusters.
Up ahead, the parents fall into step , close enough to be polite, not close enough to be comfortable.
“So,” Joss says, casual. “You planned everything?”
“Ohm and Poon did,” Papang replies.
“They did a good job,” Podd adds.
“They always do,” Gawin says, quieter but firm.
Joss hums. “Must be nice. Having kids that organized.”
Papang glances sideways. “Yours aren’t?”
“Oh, they are,” Joss says. “They just don’t make it their entire personality.”
Gawin elbows him lightly.
“What?” Joss mutters.
Behind them, Barcode walks slightly ahead of Kin like he’s trying to prove a point no one asked about.
Kin matches his pace anyway.
“Can you walk like you’ve had your legs for 22 years?” Kin mutters.
Barcode scoffs. “You’re so obsessed with me , you even know how long I’ve had my legs.”
Kin grabs Barcode’s arm to make him face him.
“Let’s get one thing clear. I am not obsessed with you. And what happened last time was a mistake that me and you will work very hard fo make sure it won’t be repeated. Good?”
“Good.”
“Good.”
A pause.
“If you guys want to fight , there’s space by the pool. I’m not having this energy for my wedding energy. ,” Poon says without turning around.
They both fall silent.
For about three seconds.
Further ahead, Papang glances at Podd, voice dropping just enough to whisper to his husband.
“You know,” he says, “if this goes well, we could have more people.”
Podd gives him a look. “We already invited too many.”
“I meant—” Papang gestures vaguely toward Ohm and Kin. “We only have two.”
Podd blinks. “…We’re not having this conversation here.”
“I’m just saying,” Papang insists, lower now. “The house is big.”
“So is the responsibility.”
“We handled it twice.”
“That doesn’t mean we need a third.”
Papang huffs and walks a bit more faster as if he’s trying to get away from him.
Up ahead, Ohm reaches for Poon’s hand again, grounding, steady.
Poon lets himself lean into it for just a second.
“…We can still cancel,” he murmurs.
Ohm smiles faintly. “No, we can’t.”
“But baby look. Between parents and our siblings , I’m already getting a headache. “
Poon looks ahead at their families—already talking, already subtly competing, already too much.
Then back at Ohm.
“It’s just that it’s been a while since everyone has been together like this. I say , the excitement will wear off and everybody will behave like an adult.” Ohm says.
Poon nods and they share a small kiss. It feels familiar and grounding.
Behind them, Barcode and Kin are still walking too close for people who allegedly can’t stand each other.
Ahead of them, the parents are already circling each other in polite conversation that means nothing and everything.
The lobby is worse.
Not visually because visually it’s stunning, all glass and light and soft music that feels like it’s trying too hard to calm people down.
But socially?
It’s a disaster waiting to happen.
“Welcome drinks?” a staff member offers, appearing like they’ve been summoned by tension alone.
“Yes,” Joss , now carrying Guinzly , says immediately.
“No,” Gawin says at the same time.
The staff member freezes.
“…Yes,” Joss repeats, already reaching for one.
Gawin exhales. “We just got here.”
“And I’m already tired,” Joss replies, taking a sip. “This is medicinal.”
“It’s juice.”
“It’s emotional support juice.”
Barcode takes one too. “I support this.”
Poon doesn’t even look at them. “Please don’t start drinking like this is a coping mechanism.”
“It’s not a coping mechanism,” Joss says.
“It is literally coping.”
Guinzly tugs at Gawin’s hand. “Juice?”
Gawin softens instantly. “Okay, you can have one.”
Joss points at him. “Hypocrite.”
“He’s five.”
“He’s judging us.”
“He’s a baby. And how can you say no to those eyes?”
“My eyes?” Joss says trying to give him puppy eyes. Gawin laughs and smoothes out Joss’s eyebrow.
Across the lobby, Podd and Papang are already speaking quietly with one of the coordinators, nodding like they’ve done this before, like they understand the system.
Joss watches them for a second too long.
“They look very comfortable,” he mutters.
“What? You can tell that from them just talking to staff?” Gawin asks.
“Plus they seem tense.”
“They’re checking in.”
“They’re tense.”
Gawin stands up from wiping Guinzly’s face and turns to him. “Babe , let’s leave other people’s affairs alone , okay?”
“Okay. Can I get a kiss? I haven’t gotten one in like 15 minutes.” Joss says , pretending to look sad.
Gawin gives Guinzly to Barcode who is on his phone , already done with day one of the resort. He comes back to Joss with a grin on his face and plants one kiss on Joss’s cheek. Joss points to the other one , Gawin kisses that one too. Joss finally points to his lips , Gawin rolls his eyes and kisses his husband’s lips.
“Ohm waves them over.
“Hey,” he says, a little apologetic already. “We just need to confirm a few things, then we’re done.”
“No rush,” Gawin says.
“Take your time,” Joss adds.
Poon gives them a look. I’m apprehensive , it says.
They shrug why at him. Poon continues to face front.
They gather near the desk, forming an awkward half-circle that feels more like two sides than one group.
The coordinator smiles brightly. “We’ve prepared your room assignments—”
“Oh, great,” Joss says.
“Perfect,” Gawin adds.
Poon closes his eyes.
Ohm squeezes his hand once.
“Alright,” the coordinator continues, still smiling like she has no idea what she’s about to unleash. “We’ve arranged the rooms by family for convenience.”
“Smart,” Podd says.
“Very practical,” Papang agrees.
Joss nods. “Love practical.”
Gawin glances at him. That tone means something.
Poon already looks tired.
The coordinator looks down at her tablet.
“For Joss and Gawin—your suite is on the third floor, ocean view.”
“Nice,” Barcode says.
“For Podd and Papang , also third floor, same wing.”
There’s a pause again.
Joss tilts his head. “Same wing?”
“Yes,” the coordinator says cheerfully. “It’s easier for coordination and group activities.”
Gawin smiles. “Of course it is.”
Joss takes a slow sip of his juice.
“Love that,” he says.
Poon opens his eyes. “No, we don’t.”
The coordinator continues, oblivious.
“For the children, we’ve arranged shared rooms based on age groupings—”
“No,” Poon says immediately.
“Oh?” the coordinator blinks.
“I mean…” Poon exhales. “Can we just… hear it first?”
“Of course,” she says.
“For Barcode and Kin—shared suite, 2 separate bedrooms , second floor.”
Silence.
“No.” That’s Kin.
“I’m not—”
“At all.” That’s Barcode.
“I don’t—”
“Absolutely not.”
They stop.
Blink.
Look at each other.
“…Why are you agreeing with me?” Kin asks.
“I’m not agreeing,” Barcode snaps. “I just don’t want to share a room with you.”
“Good. Because I don’t want to share with you.”
“Perfect.”
“Great.”
“Done.”
A beat.
“…Okay, but actually fix it,” Kin adds, turning to the coordinator.
“Yes, please fix it,” Barcode says at the same time.
The coordinator hesitates. “Unfortunately, due to availability—”
“It’s fine.”
Everyone turns.
Poon.
“No, it’s not,” Kin says.
“No, it’s really not,” Barcode agrees.
“It’s fine,” Poon repeats, more firmly this time. “It’s just for a few days.”
Ohm watches him carefully.
“…You sure?” he asks quietly.
Poon nods once. “Yeah.”
He’s lying.
Everyone can tell.
No one argues.
Ohm looks at Kin with pleading eyes. “Kin?”
Kin throws up his hands in surrender “What? Fine! You owe me a lot.” He says and goes back to folding his arms and looking away.
Poon just looks at Barcode and Barcode rolls his eyes , sighs and nods.
“Well,” Joss says slowly, “if they’re okay with it—”
“They’re not,” Gawin mutters.
“They said they are.”
Podd clears his throat. “They’ll manage.”
“Of course they will,” Papang adds. “They’re not children.”
“…I am literally a child,” Barcode says.
“No comment,” Papang replies smoothly.
Guinzly looks up. “I share?”
The coordinator smiles. “You’ll be with your parents.”
Guinzly nods, satisfied.
Lucky.
Keys are handed out.
Plans are finalized.
Smiles are exchanged.
Everything looks normal.
It isn’t.
The elevator ride is quiet.
Too quiet.
Barcode leans against the wall, arms crossed. “This is stupid.”
“Agreed,” Kin says from the other side.
“Then switch.”
“With who?”
“…Not my problem.”
“Exactly.”
Poon stands between them, eyes closed like he’s meditating.
Ohm gently nudges his shoulder. “You okay?”
“Mm.”
“That didn’t sound convincing.”
“It wasn’t meant to.”
Ohm huffs a quiet laugh.
In a different elevator , Joss watches the mirrored wall.
“You know,” he says casually, “this could be interesting.”
“The shared wing?” Gawin replies.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Just a little.”
“No.”
“…You’re no fun.”
“I’m the only one being realistic.”
“You’re being pessimistic.”
“I’m trying to prevent my son’s wedding from being turned into the Parent Olympics. You out of all people know how Podd and Papang get.”
“He’s my son too , you think I don’t want to protect him or defend his honour?”
Gawin briefly closes his eyes and picks up baby G who immediately closes his eyes when his head lays in his father’s chest.
“Obviously , I know that. All I’m saying is , let’s not entertain the past babe okay? We are here for Ohm and Poon’s wedding. Let’s just focus on that. “
Joss nods once and faces front. His shoulders immediately tense up and Gawin pretends not to notice.
The elevator dings.
Doors open.
Saved—for now.
Same floor. Same wing. All across the hallway.
Podd and Papang get out of their lift and wave at Joss and Gawin.
“Well,” Joss says, turning slightly. “See you around.”
“I’m sure we will,” Podd replies.
“Looking forward to it,” Papang adds.
Gawin nods. “Of course.”
No one means it.
Ohm squeezes Poon’s hand again before they separate.
“Later,” he says softly.
“Later,” Poon echoes and goes the direction of his parents.
Papang hasn’t said much ever since they had a conversation in the lobby. Ohm notices this.
“Dad ? Is everything okay?”
Papang puts down his bag and takes off his jacket. He looks at Podd who’s already dragging their luggage into their bedroom then back at Ohm.
“Yes. It’s just , this is a very big and important weekend for you.”
“Yeah I’m so glad you said that because I wanted to ask you guys to stop.”
“Stop what?” Podd asks joining them.
“Stop whatever this is. With the Way-ars? It’s making me uncomfortable and I know for sure Poon doesn’t like it”
They all sit down.
“Son, we would never try to sabotage something so important to you.” Podd says.
Ohm smiles then gets up.
“That’s all I wanted. “
He is stopped by Papang’s voice as he is walking by the door.
“ As long as they stay away from us , we’ll stay away from them. Okay?”
Ohm turns around and offers a tight smile. “Okay.”
Barcode grabs his keycard and heads down the hall without waiting. Kin follows not because he wants to but because he has to.
Obviously.
“Don’t touch anything,” Kin mutters as they reach the door.
“It’s not your suite alone, you know that right?” Barcode shoots back.
“I’m just saying. This is not ideal but we need to find a way to coexist.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
Barcode unlocks the door.
They both step inside and look around.
“…Okay, this is actually nice,” Barcode admits.
Kin sets his bag down. “…Yeah.”
A beat.
“…You can take that side,” Barcode says, gesturing vaguely.
“I was going to.”
“Obviously.”
They stand there for a second too long.
Neither leaving.
Neither moving.
“This is temporary,” Kin says.
Barcode shrugs, dropping onto the couch. “Sure.”
Kin watches him for a second then takes his bed to his room