"Holy shit, this kitchen is huge," Techno blurts while he scans the room from the white cupboards to the stainless steel oven and marble countertops. "Shit, sorry." He apologizes and glances at the older woman who's showing them the apartment standing in the small dining area adjacent to the kitchen.

She smiles at him and chuckles. "it's okay," She says, glancing at Kengkla. "Will you be living here as well?"

"No, just P'No," Kengkla tells her from the perfectly comfortable slouch he's adopted over the bartop separating the kitchen from the living room.

"I don't know, Ai' Kla. This place is way too nice for me. No way I can afford it, even if I got that job," Techno says, sounding concerned and convinced. When Kengkla glances to the kitchen, Techno's not even looking at him; his attention is on the stove and the burners.

Kengkla turns to the woman instead and narrows his eyes at her. "P'No, my uncle is offering this one at a discounted price right now. right?" Kengkla says with a cheerful tone despite the threatening look he offers his uncle's employee from where Techno can't see.

"Yes," She agrees right away then clears her throat, avoiding Kengkla's glare. Walking into the kitchen, she pulls a paper from the folder in her hands and displays it in front of Techno. "Right now, we're running a special for students and employees of the university." It's a lie, of course, but Kengkla wants to ensure Techno has no excuse to turn down a job offer.

Taking the paper from the woman, Techno glances back at Kengkla who flashes the other a smile. "Really?" Techno asks in disbelief then examines the sheet in his hands. "It's really this price? That's a steal, damn."

She says nothing to confirm it, so Kengkla pushes himself away from the counter and walks around until he's behind Techno in the kitchen. He wants to put his arms around the other but doesn't want to spook Techno in front of a stranger. "My uncle is an alumni, so he wants to support the school. When I heard you had an interview here, I remembered this place." Kengkla settles for touching Techno's shoulder with his hand and leaning into him slightly, pretending to look at the paper.

Techno jumps but doesn't move away, glancing at Kengkla. "Really?" He repeats. There's a soft tint of red at his cheeks that could be excused by the heat as the air conditioning was turned on moments ago. But it's enough for him.

He has Techno's attention now, Kengkla muses and steps away to lean against the stove with a satisfied smile. "Yes, it is," The woman confirms with a nod, side-eyeing Kengkla. He nods back at her.

"Shit," Techno mumbles before turning to Kengkla. "Thanks for showing me this place, Ai' Kla. But I don't even know if I'll-"

"You'll get the job," Kengkla interrupts him and steps closer to Techno until they're practically touching. His tone is serious but quickly changes it to cheerful when he says, "I know. I just have a feeling, P'No."

Techno huffs an awkward laugh and leans away, only to back into the counter with no place to go. "Uh, is there a deadline to apply?" He asks the woman to Kengkla's surprise, looking at her.

Instead of answering, she pulls out her cellphone and glances at the screen. "Actually, let me go get the application so you can review it. It's in the office on the first floor. It will only be a few minutes, sorry," She tells them before nodding at Kengkla. "Don't be afraid to look around while I'm gone." Then she's leaving the apartment, shutting the door behind her.

Kengkla's not sure if she was feeling awkward and wanted to leave or if she's really so incompetent that she left the application in her office. But he's thrilled for the alone time with Techno. Kengkla wastes no time and steps closer to Techno, flashing the other a grin. "Do you like it here?"

There's tension along Techno's shoulders when he takes a single step back, eyeing Kengkla up and down. "Uh, yes?" Techno sputters.

"Awesome, P'No. really was hoping you'd like it," Kengkla says succinctly. "That's so great." He leans in so he can reach out and touch his fingers to Techno's shirt, pulling him closer with a gentle tug. The fabric is light under Kengkla's touch, the give of it speaking to how cheap it must be. Still, it's more expensive and fits Techno better than his usual uniform. "You look so cute dressed up, P'No."

Kengkla can see hear Techno's swallow, can hear him whisper, "Ai' Kla," in a scold. But he ignores it to stare at Techno's tie, at the light blue of his shirt, at the cheap silver buttons. Then Kengkla shifts his hand up to grip Techno's tie and lets his grin drag lopsided across his face. Then he meets Techno's eyes. "Yes, P'No?"

Techno's gaze jumps to the door, his face falling into the slacklines of a frown. "What are you doing?" He whispers.

He huffs a laugh. "Nothing, P'," Kengkla lies. "I was just thinking of where to eat. Since you're dressed up so lovely, maybe we should go to a nice restaurant. Somewhere nearby?" His fingers tighten around Techno's tie and tug until Techno is going with it. "Have you ever tried western food, P'No?"

Techno stutters an inhale and grips Kengkla's shoulder, steadying himself. "Ai' Kla," He blurts, obviously trying to scold Kengkla. Yet, he doesn't pull away, instead of staring down at Kengkla with a frown. "I'm-"

"I know you said you're broke, but I'll pay for P'," Kengkla interrupts for the second time today. He's not even looking at Techno now, his attention is catching and sticking to the strip of skin exposed by Techno's unbuttoned shirt at his collar.

"To celebrate your interview. Wouldn't you want to do that?" Kengkla whispers then pulls hard enough on Techno's tie that the other falls forward. He feels Techno's grip on his shoulder tighten while he steadies himself and hears a gasp of breath; then Kengkla's free hand slides up Techno's back to pull him down. Kengkla can't resist the draw of Techno, can't hold himself back from the temptation to press his nose and lips against the rush of Techno's pulse in his throat.

"Ai' Kla," Techno hisses, his voice raw and straining on the words. "Hey, she might be coming back soon."

Kengkla can feel how tense the other is from under his touch at Techno's back, and Kengkla lets out a sigh before pulling away with more strength than he thought he had. "Sorry," Kengkla whispers, licking his lips at the sweet familiar taste. "I'm so sorry, P'No. You just look so good in that outfit. I can hardly control myself." He's not lying this time. He really was trying to resist.

Techno's only blushing a little when Kengkla looks up at him, but Kengkla is confident no one would notice anything else. He's biting his own lip without thinking as he looks at Techno's neck, eyeing the soft tint of red, then Techno glances at him and looks away in a rush. "I'm not- don't say that," Techno mutters, softly enough that even Kengkla can barely hear him.

He's moving without thinking, reaching up to touch Techno's face. But the door handle sounds in the quiet apartment, and Kengkla's leaning away from Techno and going around the counter, watching Techno gape at him. Kengkla says nothing as the door opens, revealing his uncle's employee from earlier.

"Sorry about that. Here's your application," She's saying, almost out of breath while she walks inside.

The expression that flickers across Techno's face is hard to read. It goes by too fast for Kengkla to track, but it looks like relief or something very close to it. Kengkla lets his grin stretch wider, hiding his face by looking back at the living room.

...

"Damn, I'm glad I was already in dress clothes. It was way too fancy there, Ai' Kla. They were wearing ties and just - Do you always eat in fancy places like that? With a special fork and special knife? What the hell was that?" Techno asks Kengkla while they stroll through the restaurant toward the exit. He's almost laughing, but Kengla can see Techno's face flushing red, hinting at his obvious embarrassment.

"You look amazing, P'No," Kengkla tells him smoothly, watching Techno glance around the room at the other patrons as they walk between tables. "I'm sorry you were uncomfortable. I just wanted to treat you. That's why I picked this place. I promise that next time I will pick somewhere better."

"Ai' Kla, it's okay," Techno assures him, glancing at Kengkla while he pushes on the door, holds it open for Kengkla to walk through first. "It tasted good though. I never knew western food could taste that amazing. Damn, if Ai' Can's ever had it, he would drive me crazy bugging me to bring him here if that IC kid doesn't take him out already."

"I'm glad you liked it, P'No." Kengkla steps past Techno into the hotel connected to the restaurant then waits for Techno to walk in, offering him a smile.

Techno gives him a genuine smile back and lets the door shut behind him. "This hotel is crazy crazy expensive though," He whispers to Kengkla while he glances at the desk agent watching them closely. Kengkla doesn't expect when Techno grabs his arm, leaning in closer. "How much do you think a room is here? Like a million baht?"

His tone is joking, but Kengkla can't help but smirk when he looks at Techno, stopping to stare at the other. "P', we can stay here if you want."

Techno starts laughing almost loudly. "No, no, don't be ridiculous," He insists then presses the hand on Kengkla's arm up to his shoulder, directing him toward the door. "I need to go home and get to practice."

Kengkla laughs silently at him, trying not to say anything or give away his plans.

It doesn't take very long for them to find his car in the parking lot. However, Kengkla already knows they won't be leaving. However, he wants Techno to believe he has every intention to go home so he opens the door for passenger Techno with a smile. "Get in, P'No," Kengkla tells him sweetly.

But Techno shakes his head and crosses his arms. "I'm not a woman, Ai' Kla. You don't have to open the door for me," He tells Kengkla. "Jeesh." Then he reaches out to ruffle Kengkla's hair with a smile before getting into the car.

Kengkla can't fight his grin or the warmth glowing all across his face. He considers going back on his plans while he walks around the car to the driver's side, but once he gets inside, he decides against it. He already asked his uncle to help him with this issue, too, so it would be for nothing if he changed his mind. Plus, he can't stand the thought of taking Techno home already.

When Kengkla turns the key, the car starts up, but when he shifts into reverse there's a loud bumping noise from below the car. It doesn't go anywhere, and he glances at Techno who's staring at him with wide eyes. "Ai' Kla, what is that?" He asks with wide eyes.

Kengkla mirrors his expression and peers at the dashboard of his car, and as expected, the tire error lights up. "P'No, I think somethings wrong with my tire," He says in a put-on shocked voice. Opening the door, he gets out of the car and hears Techno do the same, passenger door shutting.

And just like he planned, his car's front tire was completely deflated. Kengkla bends down as if he's examining it and runs his hand along the side. When Techno appears behind him, crouching down to see, Kengkla gasps and tugs something out of the tire. It's a large rusty nail. "Shit," He hears Techno curse. "You must've run over it. Damn. Do you have a spare, Ai Kla?"

Kengkla lets himself frown and stands up, looking at Techno. He knew the other would suggest this first. "Yes, P'No. But it's not safe to drive on a spare tire for long." Even if he didn't plan this out, there's no way Kengkla would damage his car this way. "My uncle might be able to bring one over though. Let me check, P'No," He lies and takes out his phone, pretending to text his uncle.

Techno let's out a sigh, and Kengkla peers up at him to see the other leaning against his car, the cold night, wind blowing through his air. He wraps his arms around himself then catches Kengklas gaze. "Just waiting for a reply," Kengkla tells him with a smile. "I'm sorry, P'No. I should be a more careful driver."

"Ai' Kla, you can't help it. Anyone could have driven over a nail. It happens," Techno replies, smiling now, as he begins fiddling with his tie. He's too cute sometimes.

A loud ding erupts from his phone before Kengkla can reply, and he checks the text. But instead of his uncle, as Techno believes, it's Technic.

Technic: wtf did u really fake a flat tire so my stupid brother will get a room with you??

Another ding.

Technic: he's dumb but not that dumb. You're the idiot now smh

Then he sends Kengkla a sticker of a dog shaking his head.

Kengkla doesn't bother to reply. He can get back at Technic for calling his brother names in many other ways. After locking his phone, he glances up at Techno to see the other watching him with raised brows.

"P'No, I'm sorry. My uncle said he's out of town until tomorrow morning. That's why his employee showed us around the apartment instead of himself. So I checked stores nearby, but they're all closed," Kengkla explains. "It's too late in the day. I'm so sorry."

At first, Kengkla's not sure Techno believes him until the other lets out another loud sigh, flailing his body up against the car. "Dammit, ugh. I'm sorry, Ai Kla. I just really need to get home since Ai' Type is still hurt. Dammit," Techno complains, turning around and putting his forehead against the glass of the driver's seat. "I guess we can always take the bus."

Normally, Kengkla wouldn't let someone hit his car, but this someone was Techno. "P'No, please don't take the bus. It's not safe. It's too late, and I don't want anything to happen." Kengkla steps in closer and rests his hand on Technos shoulder. "I'm sorry, P'No. Please stay here with me . Let me make it up to you."

This makes Techno take his head off the car and turn around, facing Kengkla. He's smiling awkwardly and backing away. However, there's nowhere to go with the car behind him, so Techno backs into the car door. "Stay with you where?" Techno asks, eyes darting everywhere but Kengkla.

In a dimly lit parking lot at night, between two cars, it's highly unlikely anyone would see them, so Kengkla cages the other into the car with his hands on either side of Techno's head. When he leans in close, he can hear Techno take a breath. "Here at the hotel," Kengkla answers then glances up at Techno, fighting back a smile.

Even in the dark, Kengkla can see Techno staring at him, his cheeks flushed and eyes dark and lips parted on surprise, maybe, or concern, on the rising edge of fright behind the unfocused soft of his eyes. "Ai' Kla, that's not - we shouldn't. It's so expensive. I can't stay here with you. You're joking, right? The bus isn't that bad. Just come with P. You'll see what I mean. Don't waste your money." While Techno is rambling, Kengkla becomes increasingly frustrated, can even feel himself frowning.

The look on his face must give it away because Techno suddenly stops talking. Then he reaches out to press his hand on Kengklas shoulder, gently pushing at him. "Um, are you okay? Ai' Kla?"

Kengkla doesn't budge and stands firmly in front of Techno, never dropping his arms. "Please, P'No. Stay here... with me. Stay with your boyfriend," He begs, lip trembling and eyebrows sloped in sadness.

Techno's eyes search around for a moment then land on Kengkla, and with every moment Techno doesn't reply, Kengkla's heart practically races out of his chest. But when Techno finally nods his head shyly and says, "Okay," in a quiet voice, Kengkla lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

Victory.

A/N: Thank you all for waiting

Also, thank you so much for over 100k hits!

٩꒰ɵ̥̥▿ɵ̥̥●꒱۶ So amazing. I don't deserve it. I hope to release a preview of my original story with the next update. I am trying to finalize the outline. I hope you look forward to it.