It takes Techno around ten minutes to get their bags in to the luggage compartment before he can board the bus with everyone else. Though Kengkla offered to help him with the bags, Techno denied, trying to get away from the other as soon as he could.

When he was around Kengkla, Techno felt pure guilt like a stab to the heart. But surprisingly, one smile from Kengkla seemed to heal the wound but only temporarily. Somewhere along the way, he became weak to it. It was the only reason Kengkla was now his "boyfriend," which sounded strange even in his head. There was no way Techno was going to say it out loud, let alone tell anyone about them.

But Kengkla didn't leave him much of a choice when he asked if they were "boyfriends." He looked so sad and pitiful, and his cold words, "I know where I stand in P's life" only made the guilt worse. Techno could only nod and give him what he wanted. Then he was rewarded with one of those smiles and a strange warmth in his chest.

To ease his mind, Techno told himself Kengkla would tire of him eventually and end things. His life would be normal instead of going on a trip with his brother, Kengkla, and his friends. Technic was still a mystery. He wondered how Kengkla convinced his brother to tag along, if Kengkla gave Technic the same pout, but Techno he realizes he's never seen Kengkla act that way with anyone else.

It's an amusing image yet one that twists something strange in Techno's gut. He ignores it and refocuses his mind to the present as he enters the bus, which was more crowded than he expected. It's easy to spot his friends near the middle of the bus with Can leaning over Good to yell at Type and Champ across the aisle.

Techno pays no attention to the strangers and walks through the aisle in a breathless rush to his friends. But as he passes each seat, it becomes clear there's no seat left in front of Type and Champ nor Can and Good.

"P'No, what took so long?" Can asks, but Techno's attention swings to the seat behind Can where Kengkla sits alone.

Kengkla's watching Techno, his gaze steady on Techno even though he has to crane his neck over the seat. "P'No," Kengkla says his name in a breath.

Their eyes meet for a moment, and Kengkla smiles; then Techno looks away to Can. "I don't know, Ai' Can. Why do you think I took so long?" Techno forces out sarcastically as if Kengkla doesn't exist.

Can huffs. "I was just following P'Type's orders!" He shouts back, and Techno can't help himself, falling into Can's trap.

"He's not the captain, Ai' idiot. I am. Listen to me for once," Techno argues, reaching out to grab Can and do whatever he could to annoy the junior when someone tugs on his shirt to stop him. He jumps at the contact, glancing at Kengkla who's staring at him with a frown now, then turns around to see Type letting go of his shirt.

"How about you both shut up?" Type groans and motions to the front of the bus. "The driver's waiting for you to sit down, Ai' No."

"Oh shit," Techno mutters and looks around the bus as the burn of embarrassment spreads across his cheeks. He was too distracted with Kengkla and Can to notice the riders glaring at him. But he hesitates, unsure what to do as the only seat free is near the front or right next to Kengkla.

He's trying to decide when he hears Kengkla clear his throat, drawing Techno's attention to him. "P' No, you can sit next to me," He says with a smile.

Techno feels his stomach drop; he feels like it has been for the past few days. "Ai' No, just sit down," Champ chimes in, but Techno's anxiety is climbing. But he finally gives in and slips past his the seats to Kengkla's behind Can and Good.

Kengkla scoots over, allowing him more room, and Techno sits down with a plop, glancing over at the sleeping couple adjacent to them. It's ridiculous. Kengkla and him have spoken before, they've touched before, for far longer and with far more intimacy, just an hour or two before even.

This realization brings back memories, and his heartbeat won't slow, his cheeks won't cool. It takes everything he has not to jump away when Kengkla's knee bumps into his. He turns his head to look at the other so fast that he practically gets whiplash.

"Sorry, P," Kengkla whispers softly.. He's pulling his knee back and away from Techno's space, leaning against the wall as the bus drives away from the curb. Kengkla's smile is pulling Techno's attention to his mouth, and Techno can feel himself blushing again. "The bus is so busy."

He's not wrong. The bus is ridiculously packed for a trip that's drivable for those with a car. "Uh, where is Ai' Nic?" Techno asks Kengkla as soon as he remembers, pushing himself off the seat so he can look toward the back of the bus. He scans for his brother for a few seconds then spots Technic next to a female who looks around his age. Before Kengkla can answer, Techno lets out an annoyed noise and drops back into the seat. "Of course, "He says sarcastically.

Technic is practically with a different girl every time Techno sees him. He's quite popular with them, even the older ones; the total opposite of himself. He lets out a sigh and glances at Kengkla who's nodding at him. "Ai' Nic wanted to sit there," Kengkla explains calmly. "He said he knew her, and I said it's okay because P'No will sit with me."

"I'm sure he knows her," Techno says, rolling his eyes; then his mind catches up with him. "Wait, Ai' Kla, you didn't --" He swallows, glances to make sure Type and Champ are distracted, and leans in closer to Kengkla. "Tell Ai' Nic-" His breath catches, his heart racing while he manages, " About us, right?"

Kengkla doesn't answer for a moment. When Techno meets his gaze, Kengkla's smiling despite Techno's obvious discomfort. He reaches out to put a hand on Techno's thigh. "No, P'No. I said I wouldn't. I promise," He reassures Techno, gently squeezing his thigh.

The touch startles Techno, spilling an awkward laugh from his throat in reflex. "O-Okay, okay," He chuckles and flexes his leg until Kengkla pulls his hand off. "It's fine, Ai' Kla." He doesn't want the younger causing a scene. He's never sure what Kengkla is going to do, whether it be almost crying or giving affection.

"Thank you for believing me," Kengkla replies, sounding sincere enough that it undoes some of the panicky tension along Techno's spine. Maybe he's being dramatic. Kengkla isn't stupid enough to say anything on the bus in front of everyone, but then again, this morning Kengkla really surprised him.

He wondered what the hell the other was thinking. It's like Kengkla's soft smile grew fangs, and the cute puppy he knew before was suddenly a wolf. But it didn't stop there. At Kengkla's house, everything was going fine, beyond the awkwardness, when Kengkla woke him up, fangs out once again. The guilt was piling up. The only explanation he could think of was that now Kengkla convinced himself he was infatuated with Techno. And it was all Techno's fault.

His chest tightens and stomach knots into a surge of guilt. He closes his eyes for a second and tilts his head back, trying to work through things in his head. Type always said the only time Techno's brain was worth a damn was drawing plays and scoring goals. It always kinda hurt, but it was true. Yet, his playbook was blank. Kengkla was one opponent he just couldn't win against. He practically forfeited the moment he let the other call him his "boyfriend."

Or maybe it was that morning when he let Kengkla do things to him; or a week later after the game. Then again, there was on the couch the other day. Shit, he really had to put a stop to things, had to stop being so selfish. He had to stop letting Kengkla do things because it felt good or because Kengkla caught him off guard or whispered into his ear. He's not sure he'll ever rid himself of the memory of Kengkla's hand gripping his skin, the hot breath against his neck. His skin prickles hot with the memory of it, and he opens his eyes to peer at Kengkla who is gazing out the window.

Techno keeps watching him without looking away. Kengkla was attractive. Techno could admit it. No brainer there. Kengkla is nice enough too, almost overly nice with his constant apologies and compliments. The compliments are too much. He's weak to the sweet words and constant attention.

Then Kengkla catches his gaze, and Techno feels caught. "Are you okay, P'No?" Kengkla asks, keeping his voice low.

"What? " Techno blurts. "I'm fine. It's just a long trip." He stalls himself to silence, closes his mouth as he feels his cheeks heat.

Kengkla tilts his head, and Techno thinks of the puppy comparison he made earlier. "It's only three hours, but I think there's a stop halfway." He explains, but it does nothing to calm Techno. He has to spend three hours sitting next to Kengkla.

Though there's a chance he could switch seats halfway through if Kengkla gets off. He just has to stay busy until then. "Oh, okay," He says for the sake of a reply more than anything. Ignoring Kengkla watching him, Techno digs for the phone in his pocket and glances over to Type and Champ sitting diagonally to them. Sticking his foot out into the aisle, he kicks at Champ's foot until the other looks behind his seat to face Techno.

"What?" Champ snaps.

"Jeesh, Ai' Champ. Take my head off," Techno jokes and holds his phone in his hand, shaking it at Champ. "What was the game you were playing at practice?" If he's playing a game, there's no way Kengkla will talk to him, or that's what Techno hopes.

Champ rolls his eyes at the question. "Ai' No, I told you like three times and sent you an invite. Check your LINE for once," He replies with a shake of his head.

But Techno doesn't wait for Champ to turn back around, already looking down at his phone, scrolling through his LINE messages from Champ. He's searching for the game when Kengkla sighs audibly at his side. But Techno doesn't look up even when Kengkla asks,."P'No, do you and Champ text a lot?"

Techno doesn't know what it is about Kengkla's tone or weight with it, if it's the low murmur of sound or the way his voice dips over CHamp's name. Whatever the cause, something tells him Kengkla's looking for a certain answer. Techno's eyes never leave his phone to find out if Kengkla's expression matches his voice. "Sometimes," He answers with a shrug. "Mostly about practice and stuff."

Kengkla hums but doesn't say anything else, doesn't have a chance to either. Once Techno finds the game and starts the download to his phone, he fetches a pair of earbuds from his pants and slips them on. But he offers Kengkla a smile before turning his attention to the screen. Kengkla's expression is absolutely, unreadably blank.

....TBC....

A/N: Can I sit on a bus next to Kengkla if Techno doesn't want to?

This is an early present for everyone who has been so sweet about my original BL idea! :D I have decided to write a series of connected stories. Whoo. So multiple ships? But probably one (or two) per book.

Let me know what you think! And of course of this chapter! :)