Techno stops to pick up dinner on his way home. There's a food stall a few blocks from his house that he knows Technic likes, and since his parents won't be home until late, he grabs something for the two of them. After all, he used his brother unknowingly as an excuse. He feels a bit bad.

As he parks his bike in front of the house, he'd like to think he wasn't considering whether Kengkla would be at his house, but he stands at the front pathway for a moment, heart pounding in his chest. Then he shakes his head, convinces himself he's being ridiculous and makes his way to the front door. There's no fancy black car out front anyway.

It's quiet when he enters. The light in the entryway is left on when he lets himself inside. It's a usual occurrence, nothing worth noting, and tonight Techno is grateful for it. Without nosy parents to greet him, there's no need for small talk, no risk of getting pulled into a conversation that will keep him away from his room.

He toes off his shoes in the entryway and leans down to place his dirty cleats on a rug. "Ai' Nic, where are you hiding?" Techno calls out, breaking the silence. He doesn't hesitate to flip on the light, illuminating the dark house.

"In here, P'No," He hears Technic call out, and considering the distance, he must be in the living room.

He pushes the door shut behind him, turns the lock, and heads toward the living room, two bags of food in hand. But when Techno rounds the corner, his gaze is immediately drawn to the couch where Technic sits next to Kengkla.

Fuck.

Techno's stomach drops and chest tightens. He was hoping Technic would be alone, but all he can do is leave the room as quick as possible. He takes a sharp breath and freezes in the doorway, clearing his throat twice before he can speak. "Oh," He manages. "You're not alone."

"P'No, is something wrong? Do you want me to leave?" Kengkla asks, and he's looking at Techno with pleading eyes.

His cheeks flush at the sound of his name from the other's mouth, and as much as he wants to tell Kengkla to leave, Techno shakes his head instead. "N-no, no problem," He says, smiling despite the tension.

"It's just that," Technic tries to find something to explain his shocked expression. "I only grabbed food for two." He lifts up the bag of food and approaches with caution, watching Kengkla smile up at him.

At the close distance, he notices two things: they're both out of uniform, dressed in some trendy athleisure wear, and Kengkla's bag is on the floor, too big to be a backpack. He racks his brain for a moment as he sets food on the coffee table. "I didn't see your car, so I didn't know," He adds awkwardly before quickly withdrawing to stand farther away.

There's a small pause of time before someone speaks. Techno wouldn't notice at all if he wasn't so tense. Kengkla is the first to speak, looking away from Techno for a second. "There was someone out front, so I parked it down the road," He explains. "Technic said I could stay the night, is that okay?"

Technic grabs one of the bags of food, placing it on his lap and opening it up. "Yep," His brother agrees, not bothering to look up at Techno.

Techno's eyes widen, and he steps back as a shudder runs through his body. Partially it's from Kengkla's presence, a bit because Technic doesn't seem to care, but mostly it's from the affirmation that the other will be staying in his house tonight. This is bad.

"Don't worry about the food, P'. I don't need anything," Kengkla informs him, not even reaching for the extra bag of food.

He thinks for something suitably off-hand to say in return. "Please eat it," Techno blurts. Kengkla winces and Technic finally looks up, offering Techno a confused expression. "Uh, what I meant was," He pauses for a moment. "It's okay. Our parents won't be back until later, so you need to eat something, right?"

Technic snorts a laugh. "Just eat it, Ai' Kla," He says to his friend who offers him a strange look Techno's never seen from Kengkla before, but he quickly turns back to Techno before there's time to analyze it.

"I'll feel bad," Kengkla pouts, dragging the last word into a whine as stands up from the couch, taking a step closer to Techno.

All his calm evaporates like a blown-out candle, and it takes a conscious effort of will not to run out of the room. Instead, he slowly backs up, avoiding eye contact with Kengkla and looking at his brother. Technic wears an amused expression, smiling around his chopsticks while he eats food from the to-go box. He's of no help then.

"It's fine, Ai' Kla, really," Techno begins, pointing at the stairs across from the living room. "Just eat it, and I'm just going to my room and— " He waits for his brain to provide him with an excuse. "Do some homework."

There was probably a better excuse, but it's something at least. He's wandering away, taking him out of range of Kengkla's reach as he heads toward the steps. Before he turns his back to the room, Techno spares Kengkla a glance, and he sees the other frown, watching him go up the stairs.

It makes Techno's heart skid, but he simply runs to his room, shuts the door, and locks it.

...

A/N: In honor of 1,000 hits, I published this part early!

Let me know what you think! :P