It's halfway up the elevator that Techno starts regretting his decision to stay in a hotel with Kengkla.

Techno's not opposed to spending more time to Kengkla. He's been helpful with the interview and studying, even going as far as helping him find an apartment. No one has showed him this much kindness beyond his family, and he wasn't sure how to react at first. When Kengkla took him to the restaurant, Techno thought that would be the end of the night, and he would think of how to repay Kengkla later. But the flat tire changed everything. At first, he thought they would take the bus back though Kengkla seemed adamant on staying. Maybe he was afraid of the bus, Techno thought. He was rich after all. There was no reason for him to ever ride public transportation. Yet, they already rode a bus when they went to the beach house, so Kengkla's objection was confusing and frustrating.

It's not that Techno wanted to take the bus back. He would love the opportunity to stay in a fancy hotel, and he wasn't sure if being with the other in a hotel room alone is the best idea, considering what happened at Kengkla's house and the vacation home. But Techno blamed himself for it. He should have refused more obviously, should have rejected him Kengkla instead of giving in to his own selfishness. He made the same mistake again when he didn't take the time to convince Dawn to consider Kengkla, instead of refusing her outright with no explanation. Kengkla didn't need a college boyfriend who was practically failing, still living with his mother and/or mooching off his best friend; someone who didn't need a high schooler to help them with an interview or find them an apartment.

And yet, by the time the elevator is stopping and opening to one of the floors, Techno says nothing, just stares at Kengkla who smiles at him. "P'No, this is our floor," Kengkla tells him, guiding Techno out of the elevator with a touch at his back.

Techno blinks back into focus, glances at the floor number, and steps out, moving away from Kengkla's touch. "The top floor? Isn't that the...suite?" He asks in confusion as Kengkla steps out, doors shutting behind them. He was really hoping for a two-bedroom or at least something similar, so he would feel less guilty with Kengkla paying for it all.

"Yes, P'. I asked for a normal room, but they were sold out. I'm sorry," Kengkla explains with a frown.

"So," Techno drawls, looking around the hallway. "We're staying in the nicest room here? Shit, Ai' Kla, that has to be so expensive."

Kengkla shrugs his shoulders. "I don't mind. I'm glad we have a chance to enjoy such a wonderful room together." Then he takes a step closer to Techno and looks up at Techno with hooded lids. Techno draws in a breath and holds it. "It's been a lovely day, P'No."

Techno's whole face is hot, and he breathes out. "Uh," He says lamely, always lacking the right thing to say when Kengkla is around. "Let's go check it out then?" He offers with an awkward laugh before walking past Kengkla in a random direction. He doesn't even know where the room is located, but it must be the right way because Kengkla follows him.

"Why are you in a hurry, P'No? I thought you didn't want to stay here in the first place." Techno can hear the amusement in Kengkla's voice.

"Going to the hotel room is better than fucking around in the hallway like a couple of lost kids," Techno informs him in a grumble then realizes his choice of words. He closes his eyes tight and ducks his head to grant him a moment to let his cheeks cool. He really needs to watch what he says around Kengkla.

But Kengkla spares him and says nothing. After a moment, Techno glances over his shoulder to ask Kengkla where's the room, only to catch a glimpse of dark eyes and the flash of a smile. It sends a shiver up his spine, leaving him unable to remember what he was going to say.

"Everything okay, P'No?" Kengkla asks when Techno just stares at him while they walk in a pair down the hall. But the smirk on his face doesn't match the concerned tone.

Techno clears his throat, looking everywhere but at Kengkla. "Yeah, just- where's the room? It's down here, right?"

Kengkla stops walking, glances around quickly, then digs the key card out of his pocket. "Yeah, P'No. Right here." He points at the door to their left with a large "709" in gold letters on the wall next to it. "I hope you like it," He tells Techno as he waves the card over an electronic lock on the door before pushing it open.

The room is far bigger than Techno expected. He knew it would be big, but it's practically bigger than Type and Tharn's apartment. Through the front door is a small entranceway, which opens up to a large living room with a giant TV, two couches, a coffee table, and an expensive-looking rug, There's artwork hung on the wall that reminds him of the ocean, and the floor-to-ceiling windows cover most of the walls. He quickly rushes across the room to the windows and gazes down at the view, which overlooks the city and university.

He hears Kengkla shut the door but ignores him to walk into the next room. He's surprised to find an immaculate kitchen in a hotel room and gives it a quick inspection before moving on to explore the rest of the suite. Curiosity runs through him as he walks from the dining room to the bathroom then finally stopping in the bedroom. He's grinning when he walks in and looks around the room, surprised to see more large windows. The view is even better in the bedroom.

"It's lovely, isn't it?" He hears Kengkla ask from behind and jumps in surprise at his voice, turning around to face him. Kengkla's smiling with his arms crossed over his chest, and Techno nods then glances around the room quickly.

It suddenly dawns on him that he has no clothes to change into tomorrow, and he frowns then reaches up to grab the bridge of his nose. "Ai' Kla," He says the other's name, and Kengka hums. "What are we going to do about clothes? I can't wear this suit to bed, and I don't want to wear it tomorrow. Shit, we should have just taken the bus."

Kengkla sighs and reaches out to put a hand on Techno's shoulder. He jumps at the contact but doesn't pull away. "It's okay, P'No. Don't worry," He answers in a soothing tone. "There are robes in the bathroom for us to wear to bed, and they sell clothes down at the gift shop in the lobby."

Techno nods his head. It's like Kengkla always has an answer to his problems. Though he doesn't remember seeing a gift shop in the lobby, it sounds promising. He imagines there has to be something he can wear, even if it's an ugly hotel-branded shirt and swim trunks, but the idea of wearing a robe to bed makes him a bit uncomfortable. "You don't think they sell pajamas too?" He asks, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"I don't think so," Kengkla answers with a frown.

He curses under his breath then sighs in defeat, walking past Kengkla toward the door. "Okay, fine," He says, ducking his head while he digs into his pants pocket for his wallet. "I'll go buy clothes. You need some too, right?"

When he looks back up at Kengkla, the other is close to him now, standing only a few feet away. He reaches out and swipes Techno's wallet then tosses it on the bed. "Sorry, I can't let P' pay for something that's my fault. I was the one driving, so I need to fix this issue," Kengkla explains. His tone sounds serious and mature, and it surprises Techno. "Please let me?"

At first, he was going to deny Kengkla, but Techno glances at the bed where his wallet sits and imagines himself lying on it. "Okay," he gives in. "You go buy some clothes while I wait here."

Kengkla doesn't wait for Techno to reply before he heads out of the bedroom, and Techno wonders if he's angry with him. But the way Kengkla walks is calm, hands in his pockets, and he shuts the door gently like nothing's wrong. A wave of relief passes through Techno, and he wastes no time before flinging himself on the bed, grinning like a wild man.

The bed is softer than Techno expects, sinking into it as the comforter practically swallows him whole. He looks up at the headboard and reaches for a pillow, sliding it under his head. His eyes close for a moment while he takes a deep breath and sighs out an exhale that leave his body relaxed in a way he hasn't felt in weeks.

It's strange to be surrounded by quiet, an odd absence of Type's nagging, Can's whining and screaming, or Kengkla's smothering. He finds himself getting caught up in the silence, his mind running through different scenarios of how they will spend the evening.

Damn, this was this bothersome. Trying to shake it from his mind, Techno reaches into his back pocket, awkwardly sliding his hand under his body, then pulls out his phone. His background has been changed, he realizes after unlocking it and lets out an annoyed noise, flipping over on the bed to lie on his stomach. He holds the phone out with his arm on the bed and rests his chin on his other arm.

His background was previously the colors of his favorite football team, but now it's a photo of Kengkla and Techno at the beach. He doesn't remember changing it, which means Kengkla did it when he wasn't looking. It irritates him, and he lets out a soft, "That kid." But doesn't care otherwise. It's easy to change.

But his finger hovers over the phone, distracted by the image. He's mesmerized by the dark eyelashes brushing against Kengkla's cheek in the photo, his plush red lips curled into a sweet smile and high-cheekbones that enhance his features.

Why was his heart beating so fast?

It was no secret that the male in the photo was a stunning, handsome male. He knew that since he met Kengkla.

So, why now did looking at the other seem to dry his throat like the desert and make him hesitate to change the picture. Huffing softly, Techno tries to calm down his madly beating heart by taking a deep breath closing his eyes. He can feel the awareness creeping under his skin.

This was simply ridiculous. Yes, he worries about Kengkla more than others, definitely more than Type or Can. He felt his chest tighten whenever he saw even the smallest cut on Kengkla's body and just a hint of a sad expression crossing his face made Techno want to rush over and comfort him.

Certainly, this is because Kengkla is younger than him, definitely more innocent and naive. Their whole relationship stemmed from something negative Techno did, and Kengkla had no idea, always smiling and happy. He didn't even seem upset about, even if Techno knew how wrong it was.

Kengkla made him happy, despite how painful it was to admit. He's always there to lend a hand and help Techno with his problems or inconveniences. He never thought about himself, and when he did, it was something that gave Techno pleasure anyway. It wasn't like Techno was incapable of saying no. When Techno was with Kengkla, despite the guilt and shame he felt he was generally happy.

Kengkla made him feel like no else had before. Whenever Kengkla smiled, it felt like his day brightened up in an instant and all he wanted was to see more smiles; to be the reason why the other smiled. The thought of Kengkla's lips curling up as Techno talked about his day felt like bliss.

Sharing food at his favorite restaurant then going home after, laying in bed together, and Kengkla pressing small kisses all over his fac-

Oh.

Oh, fuck.

He loved him.

Techno was in love with Kengkla.

Swallowing down the lump in his throat, Techno sets his phone face down on the bed and inhales sharply as the sudden rush of heat reaches his cheeks. It's pain that clenches tight in his chest, that seizes around his heart as if to steal the breath from his lungs.

He's only just realized it now when he was supposed to be sharing a bed with him later. Techno feels sweat collecting at his brow as he nervously shifts on the bed, grabbing the pillow and throwing it on the floor in his state of slight panic. The overwhelming amount of emotions flooding him was too much to hold in. He had to tell Kengkla.

What was taking him so long? Techno thinks to himself as he picks his phone back up and swipes it open to send a text to Kengkla.

Techno: where are you?

He sounds needy already. Techno groans in irritation but goes silent at the sound of a buzz in the room. Pushing himself into a sitting position, he scans the room from the television on the wall to the dresser next to the door before he stops at the nightstand. There sits Kengkla's phone, buzzing form Techno's text. Techno chuckles with a smile. Kengkla is forgetful for once. He couldn't wait to tease the other one he returned.

Though he shouldn't invade Kengkla's privacy, Techno shrugs his shoulders and decides "screw it" before reaching across the bed to grab Kengkla's phone. Maybe he could delete the needy text to avoid some embarrassment. But he couldn't get in, stopped by a lock. "Please insert key," He read aloud to himself. "Ugh, seriously? Why is he making it so hard to be nosey?"

Techno should just give up on it, but he tries to think of an answer instead. It was a six-digit code. "Fuck, Type was right," He shouted then covered his mouth with his other hand. "I am a dumbass," He adds, which is muffled under his hand.

Then it comes to him. Kengkla's birthday. Shit, he doesn't know it. He claims to love - he doesn't want to think about it again -he's dating the guy but doesn't know his birthday? He takes his hand off his mouth and opens his own phone, checking his Facebook app. He wasn't friends with Kengkla (do young people still use facebook?) but knew Technic was. Quickly, he finds Kengkla's page and checks his birthday.

It doesn't unlock the phone.

...

A/N: DUN DUN DUN. Thank you all my lovelies for over 100k again.

(*･∀･)／