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Dealing with a colicky baby was not something Vegas or Pete knew how to handle.
It has been about three months since Venice came into their lives, and while everyone in the house- especially Pete - loved him, it hadn't been easy. Venice had difficulty eating at first, not used to the environment around him, which resulted in late night inconsolable crying, walks around the house holding a baby while cooing over it. Thankfully, some of the staff were already parents so they were able to help, despite the scrutinizing death glares from Vegas whenever anyone got even close to the baby.
Month three brought colicks with it but by now, they knew how to deal with most things.
Pete is just finishing feeding Venice while walking around his room, an office turned nursery in the span of a week, when Vegas walks in, a distant, hollow look in his eyes. He stands by the door, not moving towards Pete, which sets off alarms in Pete's head. He quickly finishes the feeding and sets the baby in his crib. He walks over to his lover, taking him by the hand, leading him out of the nursery and into theirs. He sits him down on the foot of the bed, sitting right beside him.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" Quietly, he takes one of Vegas' hands into is own, tangling their fingers together, rubbing them, a futile attempt at comfort.
" Someone from the main family called. We're invited to dinner. They expect to see Venice as well. " Vegas still stares into the distance, seemingly mechanically letting the words fall. His tongue feels heavy in his mouth, his arms a bit tingly.
Of course he knew the family was aware of Venice's existence. Frankly, he was surprised they hadn't made any attempts to change that. Even though Korn had promised them safety, Vegas wasn't naive, he knew his place, expected his demise. If four bullets didn't do it, next time he would expect five.
But now he isn't alone. He has people around him he has to protect. Going to the main family's house is dangerous. It takes him off his ground and into the lion's den. He doesn't have a choice in the matter anyway, Korn doesn't simply ask, he kindly demands.
And Pete knows. He was employed long enough in the main house to be informed about what happens to enemies, family or not. What happens when someone disobeys the head of the family. So they'll go. They'll go, pretend to be a happy family, hoping noone there will deem their breathing a hassle.
The days leading up to the dinner were filled with jarring nervousness. Vegas was a lot more snappy, scaring off most of the staff in the house. He spent many hours in the kitchen stress cooking, baking, until Pete came to almost drag him to bed.
It's the night before the dreaded dinner and Pete is looking for Vegas around the house. He finally comes across him on the balcony, a shadow against the lights of the city. Pete falls in love all over again when he sees the vulnerability in his lover's eyes. It has taken a long time for him to be able to stop hiding it under anger, even just in front of Pete. He walks over, hugging Vegas' waist from behind, planting a kiss between his shoulder blades.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
" What do you think about tomorrow" Vegas still doesn't look at him.
"I think it'll be fine. Korn might be ruthless but I have a feeling he won't do anything. At least not now, since you aren't a direct threat. Kinn and Porsche would never hurt a baby. Plus, they also want out of this family madness." Pete answers thoughtfully and it stings. It stings to know that Vegas is not considered a threat anymore. Like a knife that has been so used it became blunt, noone paying it any mind anymore. It stings, because where does that leave him? If he isn't a threat he can't protect the people around him.
Pete is now rubbing his thumbs over barely healed wounds that remind Vegas of his failure even in death, but also, strangely, ground him.
"I can't promise you that everything will be okay. But I can promise you I'll do everything in my power to try to ensure it will, and I know you will too. So let's go to sleep, because there's a big day ahead and we need to be well rested."
Pete's reasoning doesn't do much to placate his worries, though he does appreciate the honesty. He manages to fall asleep, fitfully. Still better than nothing, he thinks in the morning, as he disentangles himself from Pete's arms, drawing the covers over him, planting a kiss on his head before he leaves the room to start his day.
Throughout the morning, Vegas' nervousness makes itself known in shaky hands, constantly tapping legs and it unsettles Pete. Most of all, what ties a knot in his gut is the quiet. Vegas in never quiet. He flirts, smirks, moves around with fluidity only seen in movies. He is never quiet, not only in words but in presence. Still, he feeds and changes Venice, -things he was adamant on helping with- rocks him to sleep, but he is quiet.
As the sunset approaches, Pete has more or less managed to get his nerves under control. Vegas, Macau and Venice need him composed tonight, so that's what he will be. He enters their bedroom to get dressed and Vegas follows like a ghost. Pete smiles at him, walks to their closet, picks a shirt and hands it to him.
"This is the shirt you wore when I first saw you. I still remember the image you made, the confidence that screamed when you walked. I want you to wear this today and once again prove who you are." He finishes, looking deep into Vegas' eyes.
Vegas looks down to the red silk blouse handed to him, feeling the texture with his fingers. Finally, he turns his gaze to Pete, drawing him in for a kiss that conveys his promise to do his best.
About an hour later their little family -oh, how they've come to call it that- is gathered outside waiting for the car to pull around. Pete insisted on holding Venice for now -Vegas was still shaky. Macau looks at them with uncertain eyes, deciding to keep to himself. He still doesn't understand why they have to play nice with the main family. Nothing other than blood and death ties them together, anyway. His thoughts are interrupted by the car stopping in front of them.
A while later they find themselves in the entrance of the mansion. Pete feels a bit nostalgic. Vegas wants to burn it down. Vegas picks Venice up from his baby seat and holds him close to his chest. He refused any kind of carrier. His lover takes his hand into his and squeezes reassuringly. It doesn't do much. They make their way inside the mansion, Vegas eying the bodyguard as they go. They are lead to one of the huge, useless dining rooms. A voice greets them
"Welcome!" Porsche greets with a smile, hugging Pete, shaking his and Macau's hand, cooing at Venice. Vegas is frozen. His legs are going numb as he stands across the men who killed his father, who complicated his life. When each of the main family members greets them, Vegas feels his arm tightening around Venice instinctively, the baby's fussing alerting him to his action. He loosens his hands.
"So this is the Infamous Venice." Korn says, making the room hold its breath. He moves towards the baby and Vegas wants to run. To take his loved ones and escape somewhere, as far from here as possible. He can't, though and it kills him bit by bit. Korn smiles down at Venice and hands Vegas an envelope.
"Just a small welcoming gift for the newest member of the family. Let's eat. " Everyone knows what this really means. A thinly veiled way of saying they can't run. They'll stay here and pretend to be a good family until their dying breaths.
Everyone moves to the table where the dinner is already served. Something expensive that reeks of wealth, Vegas can't pay attention. Any attempts at small talk are quickly shot down. Venice is still in his arms, now busying himself with the buttons on Vegas' shirt. The shirt. He reminds himself of Pete's words. He reaches for his hand under the table, reassuring who, he doesn't know.
The seemingly endless dinner finally ends with Korn getting up and announcing his leave.
"I'm afraid I must retire now but do enjoy the night on my behalf. " Chan follows him out the door, the room behind him remaining tense.
Unsurprisingly, Porsche is the one to break the tension.
" How are you dealing with Venice? I mean, it can't be easy with a baby..." He tries to start a conversation. Vegas simply looks at him. His tongue feels heavy.
" Sometimes it can be rough. Venice has been a bit colicky lately, but we're working through it. It really is rewarding though" Pete smiled turning his head to look at Venice.
"Well, at least we know she's not like her brother then" Tankhun shruggs, making Macau glare at him.
"Khun... Don't start this." Kinn placates.
After a few more jabs at each other, Vegas gets up and ruled it is time for them to go home, using Venice as an excuse. Pete and Macau follow him. The four of them make their way out after the appropriate goodbyes. Before they can get into their car though, they are stopped.
Vegas turns and comes face to face with Porsche asking them to wait, Kinn following not far behind. Macau scoffs and walks to the car. God, the kid has no manners, although in this case, Vegas is kind of proud.
Porsche elbows Kinn gently " Go on, tell them" he says with furrowed brows
Kinn grumbles but looks Vegas in the eye.
"Listen, I know we don't have the best relationship, but I'm glad you're here. It's really great what you're doing for Venice and we thought maybe you'd want to have him raised as part of the whole family. No more major-minor. " He looks away, as if avoiding facing likely rejection.
Vegas gives it to him, he's taken aback. Pete inhales sharply next to him, expecting his reaction. Vegas ponders.
It's easy for Kinn to ignore roles. He doesn't have to worry about a thing. It makes Vegas bitter. He has fought tooth and nail to be here now. He has shed blood, tears, withstood everything thrown at him. Kinn hasn't. It's so easy to say no. To leave, break something, set the fury in him on fire and watch the world burn with it as it damns him.
But a soft voice in his head that sounds an awful lot like Pete reminds him of Venice. Of a summer night when they promised each other that Venice would have everything they didn't. He would have a family that loves him, supportive people that will be there for him no matter what. It had sounded like a foolish, teenage dream back then, but what if.... He steels himself.
He's making decisions based on the welfare of a baby. Oh how the mighty have fallen.
"Of course, cousin. We wouldn't want for Venice to grow up without a big family" he tries to smile in his usual way that makes people uncomfortable, but he doubts he mustered any heat in it. Pete lets out a breath next to him. The atmosphere feels much lighter. That was easier than he thought.
A few hours later, Vegas is tasked with putting Venice to sleep. He cradles his head carefully as he walks him around the room, occasionally bending to kiss his forehead or his nose. Look at him now, Who would've thought that the terrifying Vegas Theerapanyakun, who tore off people's fingernails with a smile, would be nice with a baby, especially one that was born to replace him.
After Venice has fallen asleep and has been carefully placed in his bed, in hopes he won't wake up during the night, Vegas makes his way to his bedroom. Pete is reading a book, putting it aside the moment Vegas walks in. He smiles softly at him and beckons him to the bed. Vegas can't do anything but go, like a sailor falling for a siren.
"It went well today. I'm proud of you" Pete kisses his temple after they've settled down and turned off the lights. Vegas has always found it easier to talk with the lights off. Darkness gives you a special kind of freedom. It hides you and liberates you all the same. He hums in response.
Who knows? Maybe Venice will live a good life. If he plays his cards right he'll even have uncles to support him should something happen to him and Pete. While yes, his pride is a little wounded in trying to make amends, it's going to be worth it. He will make sure of it. Vegas has always been a fighter.
What's one more fight?