Archive of Our Own

Ché blearily stared into his breakfast cereal. It was Wednesday morning and he was waiting for the tiny chocolate crunch dinosaurs to soak up enough milk that they were soggy enough for his liking. 

He rested his head on his hand as he waited, a small sigh escaping him. 

Wednesdays were his least favourite days. Wednesdays meant morning classes. Morning classes meant he was up before everyone else to not miss the shuttle bus that left at 6.30 a.m. Even the aunties making the breakfast for everyone wouldn’t come in until after he left. 

A yawn forced Ché’s jaw open so widely that it cracked. The clock on the microwave was currently displaying a glaring red 5:47 a.m. With a sigh, he put his spoon into his bowl and stirred. He looked up in surprise when a steaming cup of hot coffee was placed next to his bowl. 

He hadn’t even heard Kinn come in. 

Ché quickly straightened out his slouching posture and smiled. “Thank you, Khun Kinn!” 

The corners of Kinn’s mouth lifted over the edge of his own cup. “You can call me P’, Porsché. No need to be so formal when you’ve been living in my house for this long.” 

Ché couldn’t help himself. He gaped at the older man. 

Ché couldn’t lie and say he didn’t find Kinn intimidating. It was just a natural reaction to the kind of presence Kinn had and the way other people at the estate treated him. As if they were seconds away from throwing themselves on the ground so Kinn’s feet didn’t have to touch the floor.

“Are you sure?” 

“You’re Porsche’s little brother.” 

As if that explained everything. But then, it kind of did. 

“Okay, uhm, thank you for the coffee then, P’Kinn.” 

Kinn nodded and sat down opposite of him at the kitchen island. He had his tablet in hand and sipped his coffee while reading some undoubtedly very important business papers. 

Happy about the quiet company this early in the morning, Ché turned back to his cereal. He emptied his bowl before picking up the coffee mug, taking a cautious sip. The strong, bitter aroma made his tongue tingle. Whatever blend Kinn drank—and Ché had no doubt that it was as expensive and meticulously selected as everything else Kinn owned—it did wonders to make him feel awake. 

It was exactly 6 a.m. when the sound of bickering voices came in from the hallway. A moment later, Porsche and Kim entered the kitchen. They tried to get through the door at the same time, which caused them to get stuck for a moment before they managed to squeeze through. Ché swallowed down his laughter as he watched them glare at each other before they continued walking. 

He took another sip of his coffee. 

Ché knew Porsche had been headed for Kinn directly, but when he saw that Kim was headed for Ché, Porsche changed course and made it to Ché first. Ché couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him when Porsche draped himself over his back. He couldn’t see it, but he was pretty sure Porsche was sticking his tongue out at Kim. 

Kim looked pissed for a second before he rolled his eyes and went for the fridge instead. 

Ché felt a little confused at the sight of his friend this early in the morning. He had expected Porsche to come to the kitchen, because whenever Kinn showed up somewhere, Porsche was bound to follow. Kim, however, had no reason to be up this early. 

“Why are you awake?” Ché asked him when Kim sat down on the stool beside him. 

Kim looked at him as if Ché was the one who was confused. “To drive you to university, obviously.” 

“But it’s 6 a.m.” 

“You have morning classes on Wednesdays so we have to be up this early. Did you forget?” 

Ché couldn’t help but smile at Kim’s words. He liked being a we with Kim. “Are you sure? I can take the bus. You were up so late yesterday.” 

Kim smiled at him. “I’m sure, angel. It’s not a problem. Let me drive you, yeah?” 

“Take the Taycan,” Kinn spoke up. He had his business face on, but the effect was dampened by the way he was supporting Porsche’s head on his shoulder with a gentle hand. Porsche wasn’t a morning person. Ché wasn’t completely sure his brother wasn’t currently asleep on his boss’ shoulder. “It needs to be taken out for a spin anyways.” 

Kim’s eyes glittered with excitement. “Okay.” 

Kinn turned back to his tablet. Porsche on his shoulder let out a quiet snore. Ché smiled. 

Maybe Wednesday mornings weren’t the worst. 

*

Ché felt like his spirits return to him when he stepped out of the university building and into the afternoon sun.

“Help, I think my brain has melted.”

“You didn’t have a brain to begin with, so it’s not a big loss.” 

“Oi, shut up!” 

“That was the hardest exam of my life. I can’t believe we only had two hours to work on four pages of tasks.” 

“Right? I think the professor wanted us to fail.” 

Ché only smiled as his friends around him aired out their grievances. He hadn’t struggled with the exam as much as the others, but it would have been rude to brag about it. He didn’t want his friends to feel bad. 

“Ugh, I need a pick me up,” Ohm complained. “Anyone want to go to the cafeteria?” 

“I’m in.” 

“Me too.”

Ché stole a glance at his phone. 

“Ché?” Ohm asked. 

“Forget it.” Rune waved him off, a grin forming on his lips. “Ché’s not coming with us. His mafia boyfriend is here to pick him up. Look!” 

Rune pointed at the university parking lot where a crowd had formed. It was hard to see anything past the sea of university students, but Ché knew precisely what, or rather who, was in the centre of the crowd. 

“He’s not my boyfriend.” 

“He drops you off every morning and picks you up once classes are done,” Rune said. 

“Definitely your boyfriend,” Mine chimed in. 

Ché shot him a look, clutching his chest in betrayal. 

Mine only laughed at him, waving his hands in a shooing motion. “Don’t look at me like that. Go, go, don’t let your boyfriend wait.” 

“You’re all horrible people,” Ché mumbled, but made his way towards the crowd. 

“Ask him whether he’ll let me drive his car some time!” Rune called after him. 

Ché gripped his backpack straps tighter as he squeezed past the first row of people. Most of them had their phones out, either filming the car or Kim himself. For a moment, Ché imagined himself smacking the phones out of their hands. 

He startled at his own thoughts. 

Ché wasn’t a violent person. Despite being raised by Porsche, who definitely was a hit-first-talk-later kind of person, Ché had been raised to talk his problems out. But he also knew how much Kim valued his privacy. How much he hated it when people tried to get too close to him. 

Admittedly, pulling up to the university parking lot in a supercar wasn’t helping. 

Kim was sitting on the hood of the Taycan. His head was lowered as he typed away on his phone, his eyes hidden by his sunglasses. Ché couldn’t help but admire how relaxed Kim looked even though there was a gawking crowd around him. As if they weren’t even there. Or he simply didn’t care enough that they were. 

Kim put his phone away.

Ché's phone vibrated it in his pocket. 

He didn’t need to check it. He waved. “Kim!”

Kim’s head shot up. The corners of his mouth turned upwards when he spotted Ché in the crowd. 

“Excuse me,” Ché apologised as he squeezed past two girls in the front row of the crowd and finally made it to the car. 

Kim hopped off the hood and opened his arms. Despite all the people around them, Ché didn’t hesitate to step into the hug. He’d gotten up very early and written a very hard exam today. He deserved this.  

Kim squeezed him tightly before he pulled away to open the passenger door for Ché. Ché hurried to get in. He was eager to get away from all the people watching them. 

“Seatbelt,” Kim told him as he leaned into the car to buckle Ché’s seat belt in himself. 

“Thank you.” 

Kim only smiled at him and pulled away so he could shut the door. Ché was thankful for the tinted windows of the car. 

It wasn’t the first time such an ordeal was happening when Kim came to pick him up, but it never got any less embarrassing. 

After Ché had begged him to, Kim usually stuck to one of the less ostentatious cars in his collection. Cars that some of the rich kids from the International College drove around and parked on this lot too. But today it seemed like Kim hadn’t been willing to give up the keys to Kinn’s Taycan just yet. 

Kim took off his sunglasses as soon as he was comfortably sat in the driver’s seat. Ché was surprised when Kim picked up a to-go cup from the centre console and handed it to him. 

“I got you an iced coffee from the café we went to last time. Remember the one with the graffiti on the walls that you liked? You looked tired this morning, so I made sure they added some chocolate syrup.” 

“Wow, thank you!” 

Kim only nodded. Pulling out of the parking space was tricky with that many people gathered around the car, but Kim managed it smoothly as always. Even if he had to honk at people twice. 

Ché sipped his coffee as they joined the inner city traffic. The coffee was iced and disgustingly sweet just how he liked it. 

“Did you have a good day at university?” 

“Very good. My exam went well.” 

“Ché, that’s amazing! I’m proud of you.” 

“Thank you.” Ché didn’t know why his face felt so hot. Porsche told him he was proud of him all the time but that never made Ché blush. “I just got lucky with the questions, I guess.” 

“It’s not just luck, angel. I watched you study for it. On top of being smart, you work hard. That’s why your grades are so good.” 

Ché´squirmed, happy and embarrassed at the same time. 

“You should pick the music today.” 

Ché beamed as he took the aux cable from the centre console and plugged it into his phone. Kim was very picky with the music he liked and he felt elated that Kim trusted him enough to let him choose. 

Driving around in Kim’s car was Ché’s favourite part of the day. Not because Kim drove fast cars. Sitting shotgun in a supercar was an incredible feeling, but Ché didn’t get excited about this kind of thing like his big brother did. 

Ché simply liked spending time with Kim when it was just the two of them. He liked how Kim would ask him about his day and they would sing along to the radio. He just liked having Kim’s attention. 

Ché would have been worried because he had never felt this kind of feeling before, but Kim never seemed bored or bothered by it. 

“Do you like the coffee I got you?” 

Ché nearly choked on his straw in his haste to answer. “It’s super good! Thank you!” 

“Do you like it better than the one my brother gave you?” 

Ché frowned, a little confused by the question, but he could only nod. Kinn had a fancy coffee machine, but he drank his coffee black and so Ché had gotten the same from him. 

The coffee Kim had gotten him had all the syrup in it Ché needed. 

“I like it better. This is perfect.” Ché shook his coffee cup. 

Kim seemed pleased. “Pick another song,” he said and turned the steering wheel to bring them home. 

*

Tankhun screamed in excitement as the animated horse on screen chased after Flynn Rider. Ché giggled. Friday night meant movie night and they were watching Tangled. 

For some reason, most people at the mansion seemed to find themselves especially busy on Fridays, but Ché didn’t mind being roped into Tankhun’s movie marathon. Tankhun had sweets and a huge flatscreen and the comfiest couch in the entire mansion. Ché liked hanging out with him. 

“I think I should buy a chameleon,” Tankhun said, his eyes following the pet chameleon on screen. “Do you think that would be a good idea?” 

Ché thought that over for a moment before he decided, “That sounds like a great idea.” 

“Right! Pol! Hey, Pol? Tomorrow we have to go to the pet store to buy a chameleon!” 

Ché subtly moved his body so Tankhun couldn’t see that Pol was asleep next to them. Tangled was the third Disney movie they were watching tonight. The bodyguard had been asleep since Toy Story.

“I think you should buy two chameleons, if you do. One might get lonely.” 

“That’s a very good point.” Tankhun sighed. “Maybe I don’t want a chameleon then. Two sounds like so much work.” 

“Way too much work,” Ché agreed, reaching for the popcorn. 

Both of them focussed back on the screen. They had nearly made it to the end of the movie when the door opened. Both of them hissed when the light from the hallway flooded the room. 

Squinting against the sudden brightness, Ché perked up when he saw who had come in. “Oh, Kim!” 

“He shows his face!” Tankhun exclaimed, better equipped against the sudden light as he was wearing a very fancy pair of shades. “Little brother, what are you doing here?”

“You stole my Ché.” Kim moved into the room. “I’ve come to take him back.” 

“Pah!” Tankhun threw both arms around Ché’s middle and pulled him against his chest. “Who says he’s yours, huh? What if he’s mine now? Isn’t that right, Little Ché? We’re best friends?”

“Sure,” Ché easily agreed. 

Kim crossed his arms in front of his chest. His posture looked intimidating, but Ché could see the badly hidden fondness on his face. Like the rest of the family, Kim had a bit of a soft spot for his older brother. “It’s way past midnight. You should go to bed now.”

Tankhun huffed. “It’s the weekend! We can stay up as late as we want! Right, Little Ché?” 

“I actually do feel a little tired.” Ché gave the oldest Theerapanyakul a sheepish smile as he pulled out of their embrace. “Thank you for inviting me for movie night, though. I had a lot of fun!” 

“Yeah, yeah, go on and leave me to play with my brother instead!” Tankhun dramatically waved him off, but Ché could see that he wasn’t really mad. 

He got to his feet, eager to get to bed now that Kim had mentioned it. He had underestimated how sleepy he really was, though, because his limbs didn’t cooperate with his brain as quickly as he would have liked, causing him to stumble. 

Kim was by his side in a flash, wrapping one arm around his waist to steady him. 

Ché hadn’t expected them to be so close so suddenly, his heart skipping a beat. “Oh, uh…” 

“It’s okay. I got you.” Kim’s mouth was so close to his ear, his warm breath making goosebumps rise on Ché’s skin. He felt his knees go weak for a different reason altogether. 

Instinctively, he held onto Kim, but Kim didn’t seem to mind. He never seemed to mind. 

Ché gasped when Kim hoisted him up and into his arms, carrying him bridal style towards the door. “Kim!” He kicked his legs. “Put me down!” 

Kim ignored him as he pushed the door open with his elbow. “Bye, Tankhun!” 

“Bye, kids! Guess it’s only you and I now, Pol. Pol? Pol! Are you asleep?!” 

Ché had expected Kim to put him down once they were out in the hallway, but Kim didn’t and so Ché accepted his fate. 

Kim carried him all the way up to their floor and then to Ché’s room. One of Kim’s bodyguards hurried to open the door for them. Ché was just thankful the guards stayed outside of his room as Kim carried him in and dropped him on the bed. 

“Urgh,” Ché groaned and grabbed one corner of his blanket so, in one big motion, he could roll himself into a blanket burrito. He was thankful he was already in his pyjamas. “I’m really tired.”

“Big baby,” Kim scolded him, but it sounded eternally gentle. Ché liked that the most about him. Kim was the nicest person he had ever met. “You should sleep, Ché.”

Ché pried one eye open to squint up at him. “Aren’t you tired too?” 

Kim shrugged, but Ché could tell he was playing it cool. 

“Do you want to sleep here?” 

A beat of silence, and then, “Do you want me to sleep here?” 

Ché blinked his eyes open. “Of course.” 

He watched as Kim stood there for a moment before he took off his shoes and jeans and then joined him on the bed. Ché smiled as he wriggled closer, resting his head on Kim’s chest. He liked lying like this. Like this, he could listen to Kim’s heartbeat. 

He frowned when he noticed how hard Kim’s heart was racing. “Was everything all right today?” 

Kim had accompanied Kinn to some kind of opening event this evening. It had sounded harmless enough when Kim had told him about it, but Ché wasn’t stupid. He knew that things could go very wrong very quickly when it came to the mafia business. 

Kim adjusted his position so he could wrap his arms around him. “It was fine.” 

Ché accepted that as an answer. He was used to not being told things from his brother. Kim never lied to him, though, so he was reassured that Kim was really fine. He let his eyes fall shut. 

“I missed you,” he mumbled, because he was sleepy and it was the truth. “Watching movies with Tankhun isn’t as fun when you’re not there.” 

“I’ll be there next time.” Quieter, Kim added, “I missed you too.”

Ché felt the ghost of a kiss pressed against his palm. 

Smiling, he allowed himself to drift off. 

*

Ché blinked against the burning of his eyes, but it didn’t work. His vision wouldn’t focus anymore on the tiny letters written in the large tome that he was currently working through. 

“I can’t do this anymore.” He sighed and dropped his head on the table next to his book. “My head hurts.”

“Do you want me to buy you some coffee? I have my brother’s credit card.” 

Ché lifted his head and gave Macau a smile. “No need.” 

He had a credit card of his own. Kim had given it to him, telling him it came from Porsche. Ché rarely used it because he didn’t want to take any more of his brother’s money than he already did, but Kim had told him to just use it whenever he wanted to. 

With how tired he was, Ché figured that it was okay if he bought himself a little snack. 

“Do you want anything?” he asked as he got up. 

Macau craned his neck to squint at the menu written on the chalkboard signs that hung above the counter of the café. “Something with strawberry?” 

Ché nodded, noting that down in his head. He walked over to the counter, ordering a blueberry muffin for himself and a strawberry parfait for Macau. He figured that some sugar would help them get their brain cells working again. 

He handed the lady at the counter his card, frowning when she looked at the card, looked at him and didn’t swipe it. 

“Is something wrong with my card?” Ché asked anxiously. He didn’t have any cash on him. 

She startled at the sound of his voice. A huge smile appeared on her face. “Not at all, Sir!” 

Ché couldn’t hide his confusion. She was older than him, why was she suddenly addressing him so formally? But then she swiped the card and Ché breathed a little sigh of relief when the transaction went through. 

He took his card and the tray with the food and walked back to his table. 

“Thank you!” Macau’s eyes lit up when Ché placed the strawberry parfait in front of him. His expression faltered when he saw Ché’s face. “Is everything all right?”

Ché couldn’t help the pout that formed on his lips as he sat down. “I think there’s a problem with my card.” 

“Did it not work? Let me see. Do you need money?” 

Ché shook his head, handing the card to Macau. “It went through, but the lady at the counter was really weird about it.” 

Macau took a closer look at the card and then started laughing. “Yeah, I can imagine that.” 

“Why?” 

“Do you know what this is?” Macau waved the card in front of his face. 

“A credit card? My brother gave it to me.” 

Macau’s eyebrows rose to the middle of his forehead. “No offense to your brother, but I don’t think he has the kind of dough to be issued this kind of card.”

“What do you mean?”

“This is an exclusive card issued only to top-tier clients of its bank.” Macau took out his wallet. “Look, my brother’s looks the same. It has no limit. You have to have a substantial amount of wealth and assets deposited at the bank to be issued this card, which, no offence to your brother, but I don’t think Porsche is paid in gold bars.”

“I don’t understand.” 

“It’s a rich people only card.” Macau handed him back the credit card. “I don’t think the account that the card links to belongs to your brother.”

Ché stared down at the card. Porsche always told him not to worry about money anymore because he earned a good salary now, but Ché was sure it wasn’t high enough for anything to be made of gold. Disbelieving, he rubbed his fingers over the front of the card. The name on the card was his. Pichaya Kittisawat it said in gold-embossed letters on the black card. That was definitely Ché’s name.

“It has my name on it.” 

Macau shrugged. “It’s probably a second card. The account holder could decide to have their dog’s name imprinted on it if they chose to do so. That’s not an issue at this level. Do you have any idea who the account holder could be if it’s not your brother?” 

Ché shook his head. 

“Porsche gave you the card directly?” 

“Kim did.” He looked up when Macau fell quiet. “But he said it was from my brother and Kim wouldn’t lie to me.” 

Macau studied him for a moment before he picked up his spoon and started eating his parfait. Ché counted that as them moving on from the topic. He liked it better that way. He already had a headache from studying. 

Putting the card away, he focussed on his books again.

“Don’t forget to eat your muffin,” Macau reminded him. 

“Oh, right. I almost forgot!”

Macau winked at him. His smile fell when his gaze caught on something over Ché’s shoulder.

“Speak of the devil,” Macau mumbled. 

Confused, Ché turned around. His heart did a little jump when he saw a familiar figure step through the glass doors of the café.

“Kim!” He waved. “Over here!” He beamed when Kim came towards them. “What are you doing here?” 

“I want to ask you the same question.” Coming to a halt next to Ché’s chair, Kim dangled his phone from two fingers. “I’ve been trying to call you. Last I checked, I was supposed to pick you up in front of your university building an hour ago.”

Ché felt his heart sink. “Oh! I’m so sorry! I totally forgot to tell you! Macau and I were studying so I put my phone on airplane mode. I’m really sorry!”

“We’re on a date,” Macau told Kim. 

“A study date,” Ché corrected. 

“Which we do weekly,” Macau’s smile turned into a grin. He looked smug for a reason Ché didn’t understand. Being studious was a good thing, but it was not really something to brag about like this.

Kim’s lips pressed into a thin line, a muscle in his jaw jumping. “Oh?”

“Yes, Ché and I are great friends.” Macau smiled around the spoon in his mouth. “Aren’t we, Ché?”

Ché nodded. Macau was one of his closest friends at university. He had his friends from class, but the friendship he had with Macau was different. Macau was a Theerapanyakul. Ché never had to think of excuses for the weird mafia-related stuff in his life when he was with Macau.

He thought that it had to be a weird mafia-related reason why Kim wasn’t smiling. Hastily, Ché grabbed onto his hand. He wanted Kim to smile again and he usually did when Ché held his hand.

“Do you want to sit with us?”

Kim had sat down next to him before Ché had finished speaking. Kim draped his arm over the back of Ché’s chair and Ché couldn’t help but feel a little giddy when they ended up pressed together so closely.

“You look a little hungry, Kim. Are you hungry? Ché might buy you a snack.” Macau lifted his empty parfait glass with a grin. “He already bought me one, you know?”

When Kim didn’t answer, Macau turned to look at Ché. “You should buy him a snack, Ché. He waited a whole hour for you. It shouldn’t be a problem, now that we know your card won’t be declined.”

Kim furrowed his brows as he turned his head to look at Ché too. “Was there an issue with your card?”

“No,” Macau answered. “Ché just didn’t know what kind of bank card he had. Say, Kim, did you know Porsche wasn’t the account holder when Porsche told you to give it to him?”

Kim didn’t blink. “Porsche takes good care of his little brother.”

Macau’s smile widened. “I’m sure he does.”

“Porsche is the best,” Ché agreed, simply because it was something he was one hundred percent sure about. Unlike the rest of this conversation.

He shivered when Kim’s beringed fingers brushed over his nape. “Don’t worry about the card, Ché. You can spend as much on it as you want. Books, food, whatever you need.” A second passed. “Porsche told me to tell you that.”

Ché nodded. That did sound like something his big brother would say. Being so close to Kim, he didn’t want to leave his seat, but Macau was right. He’d made Kim wait an hour for him. He should at least buy him something sweet in return.

Reluctantly, he got up. “Is there anything you would like?”

Kim smiled up at him. “You pick for me.”

“Okay!”

Ché could do that. Kim liked sour things, so he would get him a lemon muffin. He got in line at the counter, waiting patiently until it was his turn to order. He got the lemon muffin and, tray in hand, he walked back to the table.

Macau was laughing when he approached. “Have you forgotten who my brother is? You can’t scare me, Cousin.”

Ché frowned. Had Kim said something mean to Macau?

Kim sounded eternally calm as he leaned back in his seat. “I was merely making a suggestion.”

“I’m sure you were. Unfortunately, I don’t think I like your suggestion. I don’t really feel like staying away. Oh, don’t look so sour about it, Cousin! Have you forgotten what Uncle always says? Competition keeps the family healthy!”

Kim didn’t sound so eternally calm anymore as he leaned forward. “You’re not my competition, you cockroach. I have no competition. He’s mine and you will respect that.”

Macau raised his hands, a faux-expression of shock on his face. “Whatever you say.” 

“What are you talking about?” Ché asked as he sat down again.

He was confused when both Kim and Macau jumped at the sound of his voice. Neither of them were prone to being jumpy, being the sons of a major crime syndicate and all that. And yet…

"Uhm," Kim and Macau said at the same time and then glared at each other. 

Ché sighed. "It's some mafia family thing, right?" 

He took their silence as confirmation. 

"Are you done studying?" Kim asked, his arm resting on the back of Ché's chair once more.

Ché pushed the tray with the muffin towards him. “I bought you a muffin.” He couldn’t help but feel a little disheartened when Kim didn’t spare the muffin a single glance. He pushed the tray closer again, but Kim didn’t pay it any mind. 

“Ché?” Kim’s tone was as gentle as it always was when he spoke to him, but Ché could tell he really wanted to leave. 

“Yes, I’m done.” He got up. He didn’t know why he felt upset all of a sudden. Maybe because it was late and he hadn’t studied as much as he wanted to and exams were coming up and, really, it was just a stupid muffin, wasn’t it? Ché hadn’t even finished his own. 

He gathered his things and pushed them into his bag, uncaring when some of the notes he had taken got crumpled. He’d just flatten them with one of his textbooks later. 

"Same time next week?" Macau asked him. 

Ché nodded, managing a smile. "Sure!"

Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he made a beeline for the door. Kim was right behind him, overtaking him at the last moment to hold the door open for him. The gesture made Ché’s heart flutter, which in turn made him bite the inside of his cheek to keep himself from crying. 

“Ché!” Kim called his name as soon as they were outside.

Ché kept walking. He didn’t want to look at Kim. He didn’t want Kim to see that he was upset. It was stupid and embarrassing and he felt he had already used up his quota of being both of these things for the day. 

He didn’t know which car in front of the café belonged to Kim, so he walked up to the only Ferrari in the line-up. It seemed to be the right one because Kim pulled out a key and unlocked it. Before Ché could get into the passenger seat, he suddenly found himself crowded against the hood of the car, Kim’s hands resting on the hood on both of his sides. 

With their faces so close, Ché struggled to avoid his eyes. 

“You’re upset.” Kim frowned as he searched his eyes. “Why are you upset?” 

Ché shook his head. He wasn’t crying, but his eyes were burning and the gentle tone of Kim’s voice just made him feel even more ungrateful. Kim did so much for him and here he was upset over a stupid muffin. 

Kim looked as heartbroken as Ché felt. “Please don’t lie to me, angel.” 

Ché bit the inside of his cheek harder.

“Is it because of Macau?” The last word came over Kim’s lips in a growl. 

Hastily, Ché shook his head again. “Do you not like lemon muffins?” he blurted out. 

“Huh?” 

“The muffin I bought you. You didn’t like it, did you?” Ché hated the way he sounded like a dejected puppy, but he couldn’t help himself. He had really believed he could pick something Kim would like. 

“You bought me a muffin?” Kim seemed to realise he had said something wrong because he hurried to grab onto Ché’s cheeks when Chè’s face crumbled. “If you want me to eat it, I’ll go back right now and get it and eat it all!”

Ché couldn’t help the laugh that burst over his lips. It was such a ridiculous thing to say, and yet Kim looked a hundred percent serious. He covered Kim’s hands with his own. His heart was still beating too fast in his chest and his skin still felt a little too tight but Kim was here. “No need.” 

“Tell me how I can make you happy again, angel. I’ll do anything.” 

Ché dropped his head against Kim’s chest with a sigh. “I’m just tired. I want to go home.” 

It was so hard not to cry when Kim’s arms wrapped around his middle, giving him just the comfort he needed. 

“I’ll take you home.” 

Ché nodded. He managed to pull himself together enough to reciprocate Kim’s hug. “Do you want to sleep in my room tonight? We can watch something on my laptop.”

Kim stiffened against him before his grip tightened. “Whatever you want, angel. We can do whatever you like.” 

*

If someone had asked him, Ché would not have hesitated to tell them that his big brother was his favourite person in the whole wide world. It had been just Porsche and him for as long as Ché could remember and while he enjoyed living in a house with many people, spending time with his brother was still his favourite thing in the world. 

Even if Porsche was yelling at him. 

“We’re not watching a slasher film, Ché! It’s not for children!” 

“I’m an adult already! I’m even allowed to drink beer now!” 

Porsche shook his head, clearly unimpressed. “Pick something else.” 

Ché pouted, but took some time to look at the posters above the ticket booth again. The queue moved forward and when it was their turn to get tickets, he asked for two tickets for the seasonal summer comedy. 

“Just for the record, if this movie isn’t funny, that’s your fault.” 

“Aw!” Porsche cooed as he threw an arm over his shoulder and already Ché struggled not to laugh with him. “C’mon, sulky baby, I’ll buy you some popcorn for your pains.” 

They entered the line at the snack counter and Ché felt his mouth water as he took in the rows of candy laid out in front of them. The sweet smell of popcorn filled his nostrils. He couldn’t help but seek out his brother’s gaze in amazement. 

Going to the movies like this wasn’t something new they were doing, but it was new that they were getting snacks at the counter and paying for their tickets instead of sneaking themselves and a bag of convenience store chips into the showroom. 

Porsche grinned when he noticed Ché looking at him. “What?” 

“Nothing.” Ché shook his head. “I’m just happy, hia.” He grabbed onto Porsche’s arm still draped over his shoulder. “I like spending time with you.” 

Porsche’s smile softened and Ché saw something in his eyes that he had hoped for all his life. Peace. There was no more anxiety, no more tension in the corner of his big brother’s smile. Porsche looked entirely at peace as he ruffled his hair. 

“I like spending time with you, too. What do you say we get a whole bucket of popcorn?” 

“Sounds great!” 

The queue moved and it was their turn to order. Porsche ordered a large soda for each of them and the big bucket of popcorn as promised. 

Ché watched as his brother paid in cash. “Hia, do you get paid in gold bars?” 

Porsche laughed as he handed him the popcorn bucket. “No, what makes you think that?”

Ché shrugged, popping one of the kernels into his mouth. “Nothing, I just thought.” 

Porsche’s face turned a little more serious. “Why, do you need money?”

“No, I already have your card. That’s more than enough.” 

“Card? What—shit, hold on.” Porsche pressed the cardboard holder with their sodas into Ché’s other hand as his phone began to ring.

He huffed when he looked at the screen, pressing the phone against his ear. “Are you dying?” 

Ché couldn’t hear the answer from the other end of the line, but it made Porsche roll his eyes. “You can endure two hours without me, Kinn. Just ask one of the other bodyguards if you need help with anything.” 

Porsche shot Ché an apologetic smile as he listened to whatever Kinn replied. Ché waited patiently while Porsche argued back and forth with his boss until he finally said goodbye with an annoyed clack of his tongue. The “Yes, I love you too. I’ll come back soon, I promise,” he tacked on sounded a little too mushy to make Porsche’s annoyed tone sound believable, though. 

“Do we have to go?” Ché asked as soon Porsche put his phone away. He willed none of the disappointment he felt to show on his face. 

He knew that if Kinn needed Porsche, that took priority over their movie night. Ché couldn’t even be mad about it.

Kinn was the reason they hadn’t sneaked into the cinema. Kinn was the reason Porsche was at peace now when he looked at Ché. Ché didn’t need to watch the movie. He needed his big brother to be happy, and Porsche was happy when Kinn was happy. 

He was surprised when Porsche shook his head. “No, Kinn’s just being a whiny baby. I took the night off to watch this movie with you and try as he might, he knows Kittisawat family time is sacred.” Porsche laughed. Ché loved it when his brother laughed. “So, let’s go see this movie!” 

They went into the theatre, finding their seats just in time for the commercials to start. As opposed to what Ché had feared, they ended up having a lot of fun watching the movie. 

It wasn’t because the movie itself was very funny, but rather it was so bad that they both had to laugh about it. At one point, Ché got scared that they might get thrown out by one of the staff for being so loud, but they made it through the movie fine. 

Ché was still giggling when they walked through the doors of Theerapanyakul mansion, clinging to the arm Porsche had thrown across his shoulder. 

Porsche was in the middle of a fit of laughter, so the “uh oh” that escaped him came out as a hiccup. Ché followed his line of sight. 

A look upwards revealed Kinn standing on the mezzanine of the grand stairs, looking down at them. He was in silken pyjamas and a robe, clearly having waited up for them to come home. 

Ché put on a smile as they ascended the stairs to greet him. A smile had never led him wrong. 

“Kinn,” Porsche greeted first. 

“Hi, P’Kinn.” Ché waved. 

“Did you have fun?” To Ché’s surprise, Kinn didn’t sound angry at all as he turned his head to address Ché first. He looked seriously interested. As if the outcome of Ché’s evening was important to him personally. 

Ché beamed at him. “It was great! Not the movie, but spending time with my brother.” 

He leaned into the arm Porsche still had thrown over his shoulder. Porsche cooed and pressed a resounding kiss against the side of his head. 

Ché giggled before he wriggled free. “But I’m going to bed now. Good night, hia. P’Kinn.” 

“Good night, Ché, I love you. Sleep well.” 

“I love you the mostest, hia!” Ché snuck in one more hug with Porsche before he pulled away. With a wave at Kinn, he left them in the hallway. 

“Did you have fun?” He could hear Kinn ask his brother as soon as he had turned them his back. It was the same question Kinn had asked Ché, but a different undertone. 

“It was great! Thank you for giving me the night off.” 

“You said it would make you happy, so I let you go.” 

“Yes, I bet that took a lot of restraint on your part. But don’t think I didn’t see the security you sent!” 

“What are you talking about? I didn’t send any security.” 

“Liar! I saw them lingering near the toilets. Don’t you think I would recognise the pins on their suit lapels? They were Theerapanyakul men.”

“I think I would remember it if I sent someone to watch over you, Porsche. Mostly because you would beat my ass for it.” 

“Then who…?” 

Kim was playing his guitar when Ché walked into his room. None of the bodyguards in the hallway had stopped him, so he had taken that as a sign that Kim was still awake and in the mood to have guests. 

He always felt like he was stepping into wonderland when he entered Kim’s room at the mansion. His own room was amazing already, as big and luxurious as it was, but Kim’s room was different. There was not a spot on the wall that wasn’t covered in music posters. Apart from the bed, the biggest piece of furniture in the room was a grand piano. 

Ché loved being here. 

“Kim,” he called out as he took his shoes off by the door. 

Kim looked up from where he was sitting on the floor, his fingers halting on the guitar in his lap. The hostility in his eyes immediately disappeared when he saw that it was Ché who had come into the room. A smile appeared on his face. “You’re back.” 

Ché nodded, taking in the pages upon pages of note paper that littered the ground. “Are you working on something? Do you need me to leave?”

Kim shook his head, putting his guitar down. He beckoned him closer. “No, tell me about your evening.”

Ché had been trying to be respectful, knowing how serious Kim took his craft, but he couldn’t hide his excitement anymore as he skipped over and sat down on the ground in front of Kim. 

“It was so fun, let me tell you! So we went into the theatre, right, but Porsche wouldn’t let me pick the horror movie I wanted to watch because he said it was too brutal so I had to pick some cheap comedy and at first it sucked, but then we started making up our own dialogue and—” Ché cut himself off when he noticed the glint in Kim’s eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry. This must be really boring for you to listen to.” 

“No!” Kim sat up. “Keep talking, angel, I swear I’m interested.” 

“Are you sure?” 

Kim nodded, resting his head on one hand as he motioned for Ché to go on. The soft smile on his face made him look extra handsome and Ché felt his heart flutter as he dove back into his story. He continued recounting every detail of his evening until he was sure Kim must’ve felt like he had been there himself. 

“...and that’s when I went to find you because Kinn and Porsche were looking at each other like that again and I knew they wouldn’t hear anything else I said.” 

Kim smiled as he leaned forward, brushing his fingers over Ché’s cheek. “I’m glad you had a good evening.” 

“Me too.” Ché flopped onto his side, bedding his head on his arm. “Do you want to show me the song you’ve been working on?” 

Inexplicably, Kim’s eyes darkened. “No.”

Ché winced. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

As quickly as it had come, the darkness disappeared from Kim’s eyes. “No,” he repeated himself more softly. “It’s late. We should go to bed.”

Ché nodded. He didn’t ever want Kim to feel like he was pressuring him to share his art. 

He crawled over the three metres to Kim’s bed and flopped down on it, feeling a little smug when Kim didn’t send him away. 

Kim looked at him with a sigh and simply got the second duvet from his closet. 

*

“Do you want to come to my pool party?”

Ché stopped short where he had been skimming through the library shelf, his phone wedged between his ear and shoulder. “You’re throwing a party?” 

“Well, it’s not a real party. It’s more like a get-together. You’re the only one I’m inviting, so. This Friday, let’s have some fun!” 

Ché winced. Fridays were reserved for movie night with Tankhun. “At what time?”

“Early afternoon? Whenever your classes end, you can come over.” 

Ché breathed a sigh of relief. “I can’t stay super long, but I think I can make that!”

“Great!” 

Ché smiled at the genuine excitement in Macau’s voice. “Do I need to bring anything?” 

“Just yourself, and some swimming trunks if you have them. If you don’t have any, I can ask one of the maids to buy you some.” 

“No need, I’m pretty sure I have some.” 

Ché was actually pretty sure he didn’t have any (none that would have still fit him, anyways) but he wouldn’t trouble anyone. He would just borrow a pair from someone at the house. He knew all the bodyguards regularly had swim training, so there ought to have been an abundance in the mansion laundry room. 

“All right. See you Friday, then! I can’t wait to hang out.” 

“Bye!” Ché pocketed his phone just in time to catch the book he’d been trying to pull from the shelf one-handedly. 

A pool party. The thought made him giggle as he walked back to his table. It was so absurd being friends with rich people. 

*

Ché hopped from one foot to the other as he waited for the door in front of him to open. He could feel the bodyguards stationed in the hallway try and fail not to stare at him in bemusement and, honestly, he couldn’t blame them. 

Finally, after a third time knocking, the door opened. 

“Didn’t I tell you not to bother me when—Ché!” Kim’s sour expression was overtaken by a smile, then his eyes popped open so wide Ché feared they might fall out of his head. “Why are you naked?!” 

“Uhm…” Ché didn’t get much further in his sentence because Kim was already dragging him inside his room. He slammed the door shut behind them, removing him from the view of the bodyguards. 

Ché had barely regained his footing when Kim was already running over to his closet and throwing a robe at him. Sheepishly, Ché wrapped it around his form. He tried very hard to ignore the fact that Kim’s robe smelled like him. He knew he should have put on some more clothes before coming, but that also kind of would have defeated the purpose of his visit. 

“Can you lend me some swimming trunks? Mine kind of don’t fit anymore.” He opened the robe enough to point at the very, very small duck-patterned swimming shorts currently cutting off the circulation of his legs. 

Ché had rummaged through his entire closet and felt quite triumphant when he had found his old swimming trunks from school. Unfortunately, the last time he had had swimming lessons at school had been in middle school and therefore the swimming trunks were a tad too small on him. Or rather, several tads. 

Kim averted his eyes and Ché felt embarrassed. Right, he was probably showing Kim a lot the other man didn’t want to see. Hastily, he closed the robe again. His cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Sorry.” 

“No, I…” Kim met his eyes before quickly looking away again. “Wait.” 

Ché could see a lot of the tension leave his body as Kim had a reason to turn away from him. He went over to his closet again and Ché bit his lip as he waited. Kim returned to him with a pair of long, black swimming trunks. The Theerapanyakul family emblem was embroidered at the bottom of one leg. 

Kim’s eyes stayed glued to the ceiling. “Take these.” 

“Thank you! You know, Macau offered to have his maid buy me some, but I couldn’t say no to that because that would have been just ridiculous and—” 

“Macau?” Kim interrupted him.

“Yeah, Macau invited me to a pool party at his house. That’s what I need the swimming trunks for.” Ché smiled. “I haven’t been swimming in ages, so I had to come here to ask you.” 

“You’re going to Macau’s house?” 

Ché furrowed his brows. “Yes?” 

Kim only stared at him, his mouth twitching as if he was actively keeping himself from saying something. 

Ché looked right back at him, willing his heart to stop hurting so much. It didn’t. 

“He’s my friend, Kim,” he said quietly. “I know you don’t like him, but he’s not his older brother. He hasn’t done anything.” 

Kim only shook his head. 

Ché huffed and turned away. He thought about leaving the swimming trunks, but he really needed them and he didn’t have time to ask anyone else, so he held onto them as he turned towards the door. 

“Wait, Ché!” 

He turned back around. 

Don’t go. Ché could hear the words Kim wasn’t saying, could see it in his eyes. He could also see that Kim wanted to forbid him from going. 

Kim inhaled, exhaled and then the expression in his eyes changed. It was no longer anger. It was nothing at all. Kim didn’t manage to control his voice as well as his face. “Just call me if anything happens. Anything at all. I’ll be there. I’ll—just call me. Please.” 

Ché nodded. He continued on his way towards the door, well aware that if Kim would have asked him to stay home, he would have. The fact that Kim didn’t say anything only made his heart hurt more. 

*

Ché laughed as he raised his water gun. Macau yelled as he was hit right in the face by the stream. He raised his own water gun, chasing after Ché to get revenge. They rounded the pool of the second family mansion once, twice before Macau had him at gun point. 

“Any last words?” he asked with a grin. 

“Let me think about it.” 

Ché walked backwards slowly before he stuck out his tongue and spun around. Water hit his back as he took a running start, turning the corner of the pool. He couldn’t contain his laughter as he made it to the other side of the pool, picking up speed when he heard Macau come after him. 

He’d nearly made it once more around the pool when his left foot hit a puddle on the tiles and he slipped. Holding the water gun in one hand, he tried to break his fall with his left arm. A scream escaped him as pain shot up his wrist upon impact. There was a gut-wrenching crack. 

Wailing out his pain, he dropped onto his side, clutching his arm against his chest. His water gun hit the tiles with an empty thunk.

“Ché!” Macau yelled, dropping his own water gun as he ran over. 

Whimpering, Ché held his arm. Even the slightest touch hurt. He could see blood flowing from a big tear in the skin, trickling down his arm and underneath, something white was sticking out.

“Fuck,” Macau panted as he came to a halt in front of him. His eyes were impossibly wide. “Ché, this doesn’t look good.” 

“It hurts.” Ché couldn’t help the tears forming in his eyes. Pain radiated from his wrist in overwhelming waves. 

“Hold on, let me call an ambulance!” 

“No!” Ché sat up, regretting his decision in the next moment, but he managed to stay sat up. “Don’t call an ambulance!” 

“What? I can see the bone sticking out, Ché, you need to go to the hospital!” 

Ché gritted his teeth as he sat up. “Can you call Kim instead?” 

Macau’s jaw dropped open. “What?! Why would I call him? You need to go to the hospital!” 

“Just call him, please.” Kim will know what to do. “Please, just tell him to come here.” 

Macau still didn’t look convinced, but upon Ché’s insistent pleading,  he tapped away on his phone screen for a moment before he pressed the phone to his ear. 

“Hello?” 

“What do you want?” Ché was relieved to hear Kim’s voice come out of the phone, even if he had to strain his ears to hear it. 

Macau rolled his eyes, but kept his tone serious, “Hello to you too. So I’m here with Ché and—” 

“If you’ve called me just to gloat, I really don’t want to hear it.” 

Macau let out an impatient sneer. “Can you keep it together for a second, you asshole? Ché is hurt and he asked me to call you. That’s the only reason I’m even talking to you right now so I’d really appreciate if you could stop being a dick for a second and—hello? Kim? Hello?” 

But the line was dead. Macau lowered his phone and shot the open page of Kim’s contact an incredulous look before he looked at Ché. “Well, I tried.”

“He’s coming here.” The thought was the only thing giving Ché a little bit of pain relief at that moment.

“Are you sure about that? He didn’t sound like he was willing to help.” 

“I know he’s coming.” 

“Okay,” Macau said slowly, clearly not convinced. He crouched down in front of Ché, hands hovering over Ché’s injured arm. “Are you really sure you don’t want me to call an ambulance?” 

Ché shook his head. “No ambulance.” 

He felt his heart jump with relief when the street-bound gates of the inner yard opened, but it wasn’t Kim’s Ferrari that came through. 

The sound of laughter was the first thing he heard as the doors of the car opened and then Ché could make out the familiar figures of Vegas and Pete, his brother’s best friend. 

Ché remembered how sad his big brother had been when Pete had left the main house, but Pete seemed to have found happiness here and that made Ché feel happy for him. 

“Uh oh,” Macau mumbled. 

Ché felt a twinge of panic as he moved to look up at his friend. “What do you mean, uh oh?”

“Uhm, perhaps I forgot to tell my brother that we were hanging out today?” 

“You didn’t ask for permission before throwing a pool party?” 

“It’s a pool get-to-gether! And it’s just me and you! And they wouldn’t have been mad if…” Macau’s eyes fell to Ché’s arm and he winced. “This wasn’t supposed to happen, obviously.” 

Vegas and Pete hadn’t noticed Macau and him yet, lost in their own world as Vegas walked around the car to lift Pete onto the hood and kiss him. Pete laughed and they headed for the house hand in hand. 

Both of them were wearing sunglasses so it was hard to make out the exact moment that they spotted Macau and him sitting at the edge of the pool. 

When they did, Pete let out a surprised noise, but then a bright smile appeared on his face as he came over. Vegas followed. 

“Porsché! What a nice surprise!” Pete’s smile dropped when he noticed the arm Ché held cradled against his chest, blood trickling from the wound in a steady flow. “Oh, Porsché! What happened?!” 

“Wrist fracture,” Vegas said, his eyebrows furrowing as he scrutinised Ché’s injury from where he was standing. “Probably caused by blunt force trauma.” He looked towards his little brother. “Did you two fight?” 

“No!”

“I tripped,” Ché admitted, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. “We got a little excited running around the pool with our water guns and there was a puddle I missed. I slipped and fell and hit my arm and now it looks like this.” He winced at the sight of his own arm. 

“It looks serious.” Pete’s voice was full of sympathy as he leaned closer. “Have you already called an ambulance?” 

“I wanted to, but Ché wouldn’t let me,” Macau complained. 

“What?” Pete looked at Ché in shock. “Why?” 

They all looked up when the gates to the inner yard opened once more. A deafening roar filled the air. The car came through the gates too fast, the subsequent screech of the brakes making Ché wince. 

The moment the car had come to a halt, the driver side door flew open and Kim jumped out. 

The last time Ché had seen Kim move this fast had been in the backroom of a gambler’s den, a gun in Kim’s hand and bodies dropping around them. Ché had the distinct feeling that this wouldn’t end with Kim singing a love song into his ear. 

“Kim!” he called out weakly. 

Where he had been looking around, Kim’s head snapped in his direction and then he was running towards him.

“Khun Kim!” Pete stepped into his way before he could come too close. “Young master, you need to calm down! We already got one injury from people running on these tiles!” 

“Let me through!” Kim pushed Pete out of the way, but was promptly stopped when Vegas shot forward, punching him in the stomach before he grabbed Kim by the throat. 

Kim’s face turned red as he was lifted off the ground, his feet kicking out. He struggled against the grip on his neck, but to no avail. 

Vegas’ voice was as cold as ice as he said, “I know you’re from the first family, you brat, and you weren’t taught to respect me, but right now you’re in my house, of which Pete is a master. So you will treat my spouse with respect or I will cut out that rude tongue of yours. Do you understand?” 

Kim puffed out the little bit of air he was holding in, freeing himself from Vegas’ grip the moment he was set back down on his feet. The skin of his neck was reddened, would bruise without a doubt, but he didn’t seem to care about the pain as he stormed past Vegas. 

Vegas looked like he wanted to go after him to teach him a proper lesson, but Pete caught his arm before he could. He quietly shook his head. “He’s just worried about Porsché. Let him go.” 

“I don’t give a fuck whether he’s upset. He pushed you.” 

Pete raised an eyebrow. “If I was hurt, would you let anyone keep you from me?” 

“They’d die trying.” 

“Exactly.” Pete smiled, placing a hand on Vegas’ cheek before pecking his lips. “Try to understand him. The one he loves is hurt. Didn’t I tell you it’s important to have empathy for the people around you?” 

Vegas rolled his eyes, but remained by Pete’s side. 

Ché was grateful for it. One less thing to worry about. 

He bit the inside of his cheek when Kim fell to his knees in front of him, frantically searching him for injuries before his eyes fell onto the arm Ché held cradled against his chest. 

“It’s not as bad as it looks…” Ché tried, but Kim shot him a look that could have made grass wither and gently lifted Ché’s arm by the elbow. 

Ché tried so, so hard not to wince, but he was unsuccessful. The shock of pain that went up his arm was intense enough to stop his breathing, his stomach flipping. 

Kim’s expression darkened. “Okay, that’s it. I’m taking you to the hospital.” 

“No!” 

“What do you mean no? Your wrist is broken!” 

“I said that too,” Macau muttered but shrunk under the look Kim shot him. 

“I don’t want to go to the hospital,” Ché insisted. 

He couldn’t go to the hospital. If he went to the hospital, then Porsche would catch wind of what had happened. That couldn’t happen. His big brother would worry to death and he was working today. Porsche’s job was dangerous as it was. Ché couldn’t be the reason he was distracted at work. 

Kim took a deep breath, in and out, before leaning forward to look him dead in the eye. When he spoke, his voice was gentle. “Please, Ché, let me take you to the hospital.” 

The soft undertones of his voice, coupled with the pain radiating from his wrist, was enough to make Ché cry for real. “Hia can’t know.” 

“He’s not going to hear it from me. Please, angel, let me get you some help. I can see you’re in pain.” 

Ché bit his lip, but Kim’s tone was so persuasive, the promise of help so alluring. “Okay,” he gave in. 

Kim seemed to slump with relief before he pulled himself together. Carefully, he placed Ché’s healthy arm around his neck before he helped him to his feet. Ché pressed his lips together when his arm was jostled, but couldn’t quite keep in the whimper that escaped him. Kim shot him a worried look, but Ché shook his head and they kept moving. 

“Ché!” Macau called out when they walked past him. “I’m sorry, Ché!” 

“It’s not your fault.” Ché shot him a smile over Kim’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about me.” 

Macau came closer, closer, as close as he dared until Kim outright growled at him. 

“Please, don’t stop being my friend.” 

Ché furrowed his brows. “Of course not.”

Kim looked like he had something to say about that, but he kept his mouth closed. Ché was thankful for that. 

He shot Macau one last reassuring smile before he let Kim lead him to the car. A big breath of relief escaped him once he was seated on the passenger seat. 

Kim buckled his seatbelt for him and with their upper bodies so close, Ché could hear how shaky his breathing was. He used his healthy hand to grab onto the front of Kim’s shirt. 

“Kim.” 

Kim ignored him. 

Ché frowned and grabbed Kim’s cheek, turning his head so their eyes met. 

“I’ll be fine,” he said.

Kim looked like he was the one in pain. “You’re injured.”

“It’ll heal.” 

Kim looked away.

“Stop thinking bad things.” Ché lightly tapped his cheek. “What are you thinking?”

“This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t let you go.” 

“You don’t decide where I go.” 

Kim took a deep breath in, pulling himself upright. “I know.” 

He closed the passenger-side door and walked around the car to get in the driver’s seat. Ché didn’t feel bad about relaxing into the seat, closing his eyes as he held his injured arm close to his chest. 

The drive passed him by in a blur, all his attention focussed on not vomitting every time his arm was jostled the slightest bit. He didn’t open his eyes until Kim tapped him on the shoulder. 

“Kim!” he protested when he saw where Kim had parked the car. “I told you I don’t want to go to the hospital!” 

“It’s not a hospital. It’s a private clinic. They’re not going to call your brother. They’re not going to call anyone.” 

Ché might have protested more, but Kim was already getting out of the car. He walked around it and opened his door. Ché struggled with his seatbelt until Kim undid it for him and then helped him get out of the car without bumping his arm into anything. 

Kim didn’t let go of his hand, even if Ché squeezed his hand everytime a wave of pain shot up his arm. 

Before they entered, Ché stopped them short. Maybe it was the pain coursing through his body, or maybe it was the dark expression on Kim’s face, but he felt like crying again. 

“I’m sorry,” he said. 

“For what?”

“For causing all this mess. You have every right to be mad at me.” 

“I’m not mad at you.” 

“You are! Your face is so obvious!” 

Kim looked surprised, as if no one had ever told him that before. And they probably hadn’t. It was just that Ché spent a lot of time looking at Kim’s face. He had learned to read it well. 

Kim frowned. “I’m not mad at you, Ché.” 

“But you’re mad at something!” 

Kim let out a deep sigh and Ché expected him to pull away from him, but instead Kim took a step closer. 

“You don’t know what went through my mind when Macau called me. He said you got hurt. Do you know what it means, in my family, when someone gets hurt?”

Ché shook his head. 

“It means they’re not coming back.” 

Ché swallowed. There were a lot of things he had gotten used to since he had become—if only by proximity—a part of the mafia world. 

This was not one of them. 

Kim looked tortured as he held onto Ché’s hand for dear life. “That can’t happen to you. I’ve spent so much time making sure it doesn’t. And then the one day I’m not with you, I get a call and Macau said that you’re hurt and it just can’t ever be you, Ché, do you understand that? Everyone else, but not you.” 

Ché felt something inside him settle. His body hurt, but his heart felt incredibly light. “I made you worry terribly, didn’t I?” 

Kim shook his head. “I’m sorry for making you feel like I was angry at you. I wasn’t. I’m not. It’s just that you’re hurting, so I’m hurting too. Can you believe that?” 

Ché nodded and Kim made a move to continue walking, so he quickly added, “Why?” 

Kim avoided his eyes. “Let’s go in.” 

Ché wanted to protest. He wanted to dig in his feet until Kim was giving him a real answer, but that would have been foolish. And he was still in pain. 

He was just thankful Kim was still holding his hand as they entered the clinic. The entrance hall of the clinic was large and modern, the flowers everywhere helping with the strong smell of disinfectant in the air. 

The lady behind the counter perked up when she saw them come in, her eyes widening when they fell onto Kim. “Oh, young master Kim!”

“He needs help.” Kim gently pushed Ché forward and immediately her expression turned serious. “As you can see, his arm is not doing well.” 

There must have been an emergency button or something similar at her desk, because not a minute later Ché found himself surrounded by nurses and doctors alike, all swarming to attend to him and his arm.  

Through the chaos, he turned to seek out Kim’s gaze. “Please, don’t leave.” 

Kim shook his head, a smile tugging on the corners of his mouth. “Never, angel, never.” 

*

Ché couldn’t help but giggle. Everything was nice. Everything had a fuzzy glow. 

His arm didn’t hurt anymore. His cast was pink. Something bright so people could sign it, the nice doctor had suggested. Ché liked the doctor a lot. He liked everyone. 

“Look,” he directed at the bodyguard who was standing closest to his bed. “Do you want to sign it?” 

The bodyguard, one of Kinn’s, startled. He had been engrossed in the scene unfolding in the middle of the room, much like everyone else.  

Ché wasn’t mad about that. His brother was being very loud. 

Porsche was currently yelling up a storm, kicking out as his upper body was being restrained. The one who was currently holding him back was Kinn, making a valiant effort to preserve the life of his youngest brother. 

“Let go of me, Kinn, I’m going to kill him! I’m going to strangle him with my bare hands!” 

“Ten thousand baht on Porsche,” one of the bodyguards whispered to another. 

“No, he wouldn’t dare hurt the young master.” 

A vase broke, falling victim to one of Porsche’s stray kicks. 

“Or maybe he will. Deal.” 

Money exchanged hands. Ché giggled at their silly antics. 

It turned out that him not calling Porsche immediately after the accident had been a good thing, judging by the current, lightly singed state of his and Kinn’s clothes, but now that they had made it to the clinic in one piece, Porsche clearly didn’t see the reason in that. 

All he saw was his baby brother hurt and Kim right next to him. 

“Just wait until I get my hands on you, you little bastard! I’ll break more than just your arm!” 

“Porsche!” Kinn tightened his hold. “Calm down now, darling. They said it was an accident.” 

“Accident, my foot!” 

Ché sighed as he relaxed back into his bed. It was a nice bed, the sheets soft and clean. It wasn’t as nice as his bed at home at the mansion, but it would do. He was about to let his eyes drift shut when the door flew open. 

The fight was broken up by Tankhun, who entered the room with a dramatic scream. “Someone told me the baby was hurt?!” 

Arm and Pol came in right after him, carrying a huge gift basket and an even larger teddy bear respectively.  

Tankhun pushed Porsche and Kim apart so he could make a beeline for Ché’s bed. 

“Little Porsché!” he wailed. “My, look at your arm! How terrible! I love the colour though!” 

“Thanks!” Ché beamed at him. “Do you want to sign it?” 

Tankhun gasped with excitement, ordering Pol to get him a pen right this moment. 

Pol sat down the gigantic teddy bear in his arms and, with a hasty wave in Ché’s direction, left the room to do his master’s bidding. 

Ché giggled when Tankhun joined him on the bed, pulling Ché against his chest. Tankhun always smelled nice, like cotton candy. 

“I hurried right over when I heard the news and—stop glaring at me, Kim, you’re not too old for me to spank you!”

Ché glanced over at Kim, who was standing by the door, a safe distance away from Porsche. His eyes were on Ché, though, and the hand he was rubbing up and down his back. 

“Does it hurt?” Porsche asked as he trotted over, claiming the sliver of bed on Ché’s other side. 

Now that he was so close, Ché could see the cuts on his brother’s arms and the not to subtle way in which he was favouring his left side. Their mission must have ended in quite the fight, then. 

Ché felt a twinge of worry pierce through the fog in his head. “I think you should get checked out too, hia.” 

“I agree.” Kinn came closer, reaching out a hand for Porsche to take. 

Porsche refused to meet his eyes, placing two hands on Ché’s head to stroke his hair into place. 

He pressed a kiss against Ché’s forehead. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.” 

“I slipped and fell, hia. No one could have protected me from that.” The last part, he didn’t just direct at his brother. 

Porsche still didn’t look very happy, but he let himself be gently guided towards the door by Kinn. 

The moment they were gone, Kim took the spot Porsche had vacated, prying Ché out of Tankhun’s arms and taking him into his own.

“Spoiled brat,” Tankhun muttered. “You’re the youngest so clearly you never learned how to share your toys.” 

When it looked like Tankhun’s temper might seriously flip, Arm jumped forward. “Khun Tankhun! I heard they have sorbet in the lunch area! Should we check it out?” 

“Sorbet?”

Arm enthusiastically nodded his head. “Yes!” 

Tankhun jumped up and Ché giggled at the dramatic sweep of his robes. “I must see that for myself!”

“Certainly, Khun-Nu. Lead the way!” 

They left and then it was just Kim and Ché in the room. Ché pressed his face into Kim’s chest and let out a big sigh. 

He loved his family, but they were a bit much sometimes. 

Kim’s hand was a calming weight on his back. “How are you feeling?”

Ché looked up with a grin. “Happy! Whatever they gave me, wooh, it makes everything feel so nice.” 

Kim’s eyes shone with amusement. “I can see that.” 

“My arm doesn’t even hurt anymore!” He was about to wave his injured arm around to prove his statement, but Kim quickly caught him by the elbow and gently guided his arm back against his chest. 

He looked at Ché then and slowly raised his hands, letting them hover in the air to give Ché the chance to say no. 

Ché only smiled and tilted his head forward. 

Kim inhaled audibly and then, much like Porsche had done, he placed his hands on Ché’s head, gently stroking his hair. After a moment, he pressed a kiss to Ché’s forehead. 

It meant something different this time. Ché knew it. 

They settled on the bed, face to face and Ché allowed his eyes to drift shut. Kim started humming a song he didn’t know. He wished that he could have recorded it. 

He didn’t know how much time passed like this, drifting in and out of consciousness, but the next time he opened his eyes, it was dark in the room. 

Kim was still lying next to him, his eyes closed but his breathing too shallow for him to be sleeping. 

“Kim?” he asked softly. 

Strong hands pulled him closer. “What is it, angel?” 

“If I asked you to kiss me, would you do it?” 

Kim’s eyes popped open. “What?”

“If I asked you to kiss me, would you kiss me?”

Kim stared at him. “Why would you want that?” 

“Because I like you.”

Kim searched his eyes before he lightly shook his head. “You don’t mean to say that. You’re doped up right now.” 

“It’s already worn off.” That wasn’t a lie. The dull throbbing in his arm was slowly but surely gaining in intensity. “If I can feel pain, I can also feel love.” 

“Love,” Kim echoed. 

Ché smiled, gentle like Kim always was with him. “You must know that I love you.” 

“You love everyone.” 

“I love you. I love you differently than I love other people. I love you in a way that I want you to kiss me.” 

He leaned forward. Kim moved back. 

Ché frowned, ignoring the light flutter of insecurity in his chest. “Do you not want to kiss me?” 

Kim let out a strangled noise, his hands settling on Ché’s shoulders as if he was afraid Ché would pull away from him. 

“Porsché,” he said, sounding strangled. “Don’t do this.” 

“Why not? We’re already together, are we not?” 

“Ché…”

“We are. I know we are. I know because you don’t treat me like you treat other people.” 

“I treat you like—”

“Like I’m your boyfriend.” Ché jutted out his chin. “So you might as well kiss me.” 

Kim stared at him, unbelieving until he did. He placed his hands on Ché’s cheeks. His warm breath fanned over Che’s lips. 

And then he pressed their foreheads together. 

Ché couldn’t help but slump with disappointment. 

“You’re my only chance at heaven, Ché, please,” Kim’s voice was a quiet whisper against his mouth. “If this goes wrong—”

“It won’t.” 

Kim shook his head. “You can’t know.”

“But I do know. I know it just like I know that you love me. You love me.”

“I do.” Kim sounded pained. 

Ché wanted to take that away from him. He was sick of pain. So, he leaned in. He waited for Kim to push him off the bed, but instead Kim didn’t move at all, didn’t even breathe as Ché pressed their lips together. 

Ché could hear his own heartbeat in his ears, his hands shaking as he placed them on Kim’s chest, but then, finally, Kim kissed him back and his heart rate slowed, every muscle in his body relaxing as he melted into the kiss. 

He kissed Kim until he couldn’t breathe anymore and then continued to peck his lips until Kim pulled away from him. The only thing better than kissing him was seeing the smile on his face, so bright. So lovely. 

The young master Porsché has brought back Khun Kim’s smile. It was just one of the many things Ché had overheard. 

“Ché.” Kim’s voice was so full of awe. So full of everything he’d been hiding away. 

No more. Ché wouldn’t let him. 

“That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Kim let out an unidentifiable noise and then he surged forward to kiss him again. They kissed until Ché’s lips were bruised and he felt like his heart might beat out of his chest, but he didn’t even care. 

He was just so happy, lying here with the boy he loved. 

It was the first, way-too-early morning of a lot of great days, Ché had no doubt.