Chapter Text
Pete
Being one of the longest, strongest, and most loyal head bodyguards for the Theerapanyakul has many perks. One of which is being able to leave the compound during your day off. Pete can even have a vacation anytime he wishes.
These benefits are handy nowadays since Porsche becomes unbearable with his worries about his little brother Chay.
Porsché Pichaya Kittisawat, who the hell named their little brother after themselves? Of course, it's Porsche Pachara Kittisawat. According to Porsche stories, the kid is sweet, caring, loving, a must-protect, and everything worth living in this world personified.
He's everything the Theerapanyakul and bodyguards are not. What is worrisome is that the kid has no sense of danger, and leaving him alone for a month is driving Porsche crazy. And knowing Khun Kinn and their affiliation with Mafia, Porsche may take at least three months or a year before he can revisit his little brother.
This brings Pete here, outside the Kittisawat household taking a deep breath before ringing the bell. After two minutes, a little Porsche walk-run to open the gate. If Pete is able to meet Porsche like seven years ago, this is what he probably looks like. When the kid reaches the gate, he smiles at Pete, and damn, Pete thought the sun rises at 6:42, but why there's a ray of sunshine in front of him?
The kid looks at him up and down, then titled his head in question, like how Porsche did.
"Hello, Porsché. I'm Pete. Pete Phongsakorn Saengtham. I'm Porsche's workmate. It may sound weird, but I'm here to check on you." Pete said, a little hesitant.
He didn't plan it well enough when he told Porsche about looking after Chay during his day off. Maybe Pete should bring Porsche's picture? Or perhaps he should ask Porsche to write a letter? Damn, what if the kid thinks he's a scammer or a suspicious guy?
Oh, yeah. He works for the mafia.
However, the kid laughs at him. No, the kid is laughing at some memories he's thinking. He takes some moments before stopping himself, then gives Pete another bright smile.
"Nice to meet you, P'Pete. I'm Porsché Pichaya Kittisawat. Please just call me Chay. I'm sorry about Hia. I thought he had changed since he decided to work somewhere without contact. Please come inside, P. I'll prepare breakfast for us." Porsché replied continuously while ushering Pete inside the house.
Of course, this kid is a morning person. Of course, this kid will have so much energy to entertain a guest at 6:10 am. Is being hyper-energetic part of Kittisawat's genes?
"I'll take the offer, Chay. It's not too much if I spend my whole day here, no? It's actually my day off, but this is the only destination in my mind." Pete offers. Being roommate with Porsche, he knows that the Kittisawat love language is physical affection, and they glow whenever you shower them with love.
"Really, P'Pete? Do you want to spend your day with me? I love that! But please don't expect too much. I'm not really a great company." Chay replied excitedly but with a bit of shyness in it. Huh, low self-esteem is confirmed!
"Just be yourself, Chay. Just think of me as one of your brother's friends that you can confide with," Pete said. Looking around the house seems so much like home. There are pictures around, and the furniture arrangement is suitable for accommodating guests and spending family nights.
But there's also junk and used clothes lying around. Living with junk food and instant noodles is confirmed! It's not even an hour yet, but there are already two red flags here.
Chay, do a quick cleaning to the living room while sending Pete shy smiles. He was murmuring something about being too much busy with studies and P'Kim. P'Kim? Porsche never mentions any P'Kim. Is this a big bad man trying to steal little Chay away? Pete will never let that happen.
After cleaning up, Chay guides him to the kitchen. Pete thought they would have instant noodles as breakfast, but Chay prepared fried rice and a sunny-side-up egg. Oh, sweet little Chay, serve it with a smiley face ketchup. Pete thanked him, and they began eating.
"I'm sorry about my Hia P'Pete. He just really worries a lot." Yeah, now I can understand why.
"It's OK, Chay. Did this happen before?"
"Yes, the first week he works at Hum Bar, bartenders or bouncers are going here to check on me. Then sometimes, it would be either P'Jom or P'Tem. Hia is so protective, but I love him still." You're not bothered because you like your Hia's love. I want to cry now.
"That sound so Porsche to do. And you're fine with that?"
"Hmm, it is what brings Hia comfort most of the time. You know the constant threat of debt collectors here."
"Is that so? How are you doing living alone here?"
"Well, kinda sad. This house is so happy and lively when Hia's around, and I'm used to having him all the time. But I understand if Hia needs to go somewhere, I just wish he visits me."
"Oh, Chay. You have no idea how much Porsche misses you. But our work is really tight in security matters it will take some time before he can visit. That's happened to all of us."
"I understand, P'Pete. Here, P' have some tea."
"Thank you, Chay. By the way, you mutter something about P'Kim. Is he your friend?"
"Ah, no. Sort of? But P'Kim is my music tutor. He's helping me to get admitted to a university."
"You're pursuing music, Chay? That's amazing! When's the tutoring started? How is it going?"
"Three weeks ago, P'Pete. It's great because he's actually my musical idol. I want to enter that university because of him."
Chay answered and continued going on about his idol Wik who happened to be P'Kim. And all of Pete's instinct rises.
Wik.
Kim.
Kimhant Theerapanyakul.
The youngest and most dangerous Theerapanyakul. Who happens to be Chay's tutor a week after Porsche becomes Khun Kinn's bodyguard. That spoilt brat is up to no good.
And oh so sweet innocent Chay, it's obvious he likes Kim. And Pete can't blame him; it's part of Theerapanyakul genes being charming. Even Khun Vegas is- okay, never mind.
Kim probably doubts Porsche because it is Khun Korn who wants Porsche to be Khun Kinn's bodyguard. That's suspicious, but Khun Korn is to be blamed; Porsche and Chay are both innocent. Pete will wage war if this kid, who he just met an hour ago, is hurt because of Theerapanyakul's bullshit.
Chay, stop talking and apologize for his non-stop bubbling. It's a hobby he got because Porsche loves to listen to him. Pete assures him that it's okay and he is actually interested in listening to Chay. And I need as much as I can get to tell Porsche, he added. That earns him a laugh from Chay. Please don't tell him about the mess; he'll come home immediately and scold me for like one week, Chay jokes. And both of them know how true that is.
Pete insists on helping Chay wash the dishes and clean up the house, to which the kid reluctantly agrees. Spending time with Chay turns out to be more relaxing and fun. It's full of domesticity and familiarity.
After getting comfortable, Chay gets more talkative. He's more polite at talking than Porsche. How the hell did Porsche manage to do that? Chay didn't even slip off cussing. But like Porsche, Chay got no filter.
Pete doesn't understand why Chay thinks he's not fun to be with. Is he unaware of his own charms? Pete already loves him in the span of 3 hours.
Then they rest on the sofa, still talking. They are both talkative, and despite the age difference, they are able to make it through. All of a sudden, Chay receives a call. The kid unconsciously puts the call on speaker, like how he did when Porsche was around.
"Hi, P'Kim. Do you need anything? Isn't our session scheduled for next week?" Chay innocently answers. Pete, keep quiet.
"Hello, Porsché. Yes, it is, but I have free time today and decided to come by. Is it a good time?" Kim is using his Wik voice to charm little Chay. Pete notes how that is a question and a demand at the same time. Like his word is final.
"Ah, sorry, P'Kim. I'm a bit busy for the whole day. I can't go to the studio." Chay said and smiled at him. Did he just reject Kim's offer to spend more time with Pete? Damn, just how long is it to process an adoption?
"Busy? You don't look busy to me. I'm outside, Porsché." Kim answered, and that sounded like so Kimhant. Chay is busy looking outside to notice Kim's tone. There's an accusation, anger, and a hint of possessiveness. Damn, Theerapanyakul! Just how long is Kim standing there? Probably long enough to see Pete tickling Chay and Chay hugging Pete to stop it. The glaring he receives from the outside confirms Pete's suspicion. I'm the one supposed to be mad here, Kim.
Pete sits comfortably and waits for two. He'll end Kim's play here now.
"Sorry, Phi. I have a visitor today, so I can really go." Chay said apologetically. Theerapanyakul can't accept rejection, Baby. Pete thought happily. Pete stands up quickly and acts shocked when Kim comes into view. He does a usual bodyguard bow and hides his smile.
"Khun Kim! I didn't expect to see you here!" Pete exclaimed. Overy shocked. He wants to laugh at Kim's surprised face then there's anger in it. Pete actually learns a lot from Khun Nu's movie marathon. He may be shitty, spy-according to Khun Vegas- but he's not bad at acting.
"P'Pete, you know P'Kim?" Chay asks excitedly. Pete smirks and hides his glee. He sees Kim giving him signals to shut up or Kim trying to interrupt, but Pete isn't stopping now.
"Of course! Khun Kim is one of my and Porsche's bosses, Chay. Oh, sadly, Porsche hasn't met Khun Kim yet." Pete replied, putting more innocence and intrigue in his voice. Kim's lip twitches in annoyance. Chay's lip forms a little "o," as if that makes a lot of sense.
"How about you make tea and snacks for your second guest, Chay?" Pete suggested, and Kim hates how close he is to Chay.
Possessive Theerapanyakuls.
Chay gladly heads to the kitchen, giving Pete enough time to deal with Kim.
He's not Khun Nu's head bodyguard now. He's P'Pete. He helps P'Khun to raised N'Kim. And he's also N'Chay's Phi.
"N'Kim, what the fuck?" Pete asks, glaring at Kim. Kim takes a step back, realizing who he is dealing with.
Kim crosses his arm and pouts. A gesture he does when he is caught red-handed. Now, this is the Kim that Pete knows so well.
"It's part of the university program to tutor an incoming freshman, Phi." Kim defended himself.
"Yeah, like one week after Porsche started working for your big brother. Try again, N'Kim." Pete said seriously, this kind of talk is only exclusive to the two of them. Everyone thinks Big is the closest bodyguard to Kim, but it's Pete.
"What am I supposed to think, P'Pete? The fanboy I noticed during my university performance, whom I can't get out of my mind, appears in the portfolio of the new and suspiciously hired head bodyguard for P'Kinn. By my father, no less." Kim said, irritated. Pete blinks.
It looks like Chay's crush is not one-sided.
"N'Kim, Chay is innocent. Your first meeting may be fate, destiny, or whatever P'Khun calls it. Porsche, too, is innocent. I'm Porsche's roommate, and I can prove he's not a traitor. However, Khun Korn's insistence on hiring Porsche is indeed suspicious. Why not focus your investigation on Khun Korn's connection to, I don't know, maybe the kittisawat parents? Their uncle? Not here, N'Kim. Leave little Chay alone. Please don't hurt the kid. You know how manipulation can hurt a person. Porsché doesn't deserve that." Pete said. Kim's play must end here.
Pete made a promise to Porsche that he would protect Chay.
"I know. I'm aware. Chay doesn't even know where his brother works or what his job is. I don't even need to be around here anymore. But I agreed to tutor him, and the least I could do was to fulfil it and ensure he got accepted to the university." Kim said. Is that really all, Kim? Or are you that dense to realize that you like Chay already? Pete likes to ask but keeps his mouth shut and nods at Kim.
Porsché comes back with a tray of snacks and newly brewed tea. He serves tea to his guests like the good host he is. Pete mentions that Kim is leaving after having tea, to which Chay happily nods and tells about their plan to watch movies later. Kim is pissed by being excluded and not having Chay all to himself but does Pete care? No! It's his day with Chay, and he still has more time to spend with the kid. Kim is omitted.
Kim did leave after having tea while glaring at Pete. His glaring intensified when Chay happily escorted him out. Did Pete win over a Theerapanyakul? Pete wishes he'll never be in Kim's detail in the future.
Pete enjoys his day off with Chay. The kid is like everything positive. And it's been years since he had been this relaxed. Before leaving, he mentions to Chay that some of his and Porsche's workmates may also check on him. And he promised to bring Chay to Chiang Mai once he got a week off.