"That luxury resort better be amazing," Technic groans from Kengkla's side where he's pressed close enough for their arms to brush when the bus takes a hard turn. Kengkla rips his arm away and glances at Technic who's sighing with his arms crossed, looking out the window.

Technic's been complaining ever since they were forced to sit together after switching buses in Chanthaburi. Techno was quick to board the connecting bus to the beach house and sat down next to Type before Kengkla even stepped inside. This left Kengkla sitting beside Technic behind Can and Good's seat.

"You'll love it," Kengkla offers with disinterest, leaning into the aisle. Though Techno and Type were two seats away, Kengkla insisted on sitting on the outside seat o check on them every few minutes. Technic wasn't the only one annoyed with the situation." Why don't you take that girl from the bus?"

Technic snorts the edge of a laugh. "Fuck you, Ai' Kla. She was engaged. I can't believe you made me sit next to her and that senile grandma."

Kengkla would be worried about someone hearing them ,but Can was talking loud enough for everyone on the bus to hear his entire conversation. "I didn't make you," Kengkla says, trying to get a good look at Techno. "I offered another night for your vacation, and you took it." When Kengkla finally spots his prey, Techno is wholly engrossed in teasing Can, not sitting in Type's lap as Kengkla feared. This satisfies him enough, so he turns back to Technic.

"Like it matters, Ai' Kla. I could see you with P'No the whole ride," Technic tells him. His mouth is caught on a smile, the edge of it tugging into a smirk. "He paid so much attention to you."

It's meant as a taunt. Kengkla can hear the sarcasm under Technic's words. "It was better than him sitting with P'Type," Kengkla admits.

Technic rolls his eyes. "You already hate him? That fast? You just met the guy."

Kasuka shrugs. He's not sure if he hates Type pers say, but he definitely hates how much Type touches and spends time with Techno.

"Come on, Ai' Kla. I don't know what the hell is going on with you and P'No, and please don't tell me. I really don't want to imagine my brother doing anything with you." Technic says then makes a fake gagging motion, and Kengkla rolls his eyes. "But P'No and P'Type have been friends a long time. You have to get over it."

That's what makes it worse. Type probably knows Techno better than Kengkla does despite his constant spying and prying of information from Technic. Kengkla stares outside past Technic, his inner monologue vicious enough to drown out Can whining in front of them.

Then Technic holds his hand out in front of Kengkla's face, shaking it back and forth. When Technic says, "Hello? Ai' Kla," Kengkla isn't sure if it's the first or fifth time the other has spoken. He looks at Technic, and Technic sighs, shaking his head. "Please don't do that face. It scares me. Tell me what you're thinking," Technic says.

Kengkla almost laughs, mouth curving up at the very corner. "Thinking about how to get alone with P'No," He answers, and it's a whisper this time as if he's sharing a secret for Technic's attention.

But Technic knows him by now and rolls his eyes, leaning back in his seat. "Just tell me when," He sighs, dragging the last word to emphasize his point.

"Deal," Kengkla replies, leaning into the aisle again to take another peek at Techno who's glancing around the bus at the moment. Techno meets his gaze, eyes wide and mouth tense in a line, then he turns to speak to Can as if he had never seen Kengkla at all.

Kengkla huffs a laugh that goes unseen as he leans back to rest his shoulders against the seat and settle himself comfortably for the rest of the ride.

...

Kengkla is plotting the entire walk from the bus stop to the beach house. It's dark by the time they leave, and the light of day fades fast with each block they cross. Technic made light conversation a few times, but over the past fifteen minutes, he spent more time on his phone than paying attention to Kengkla. Good stayed quiet, quickly becoming Kengkla's favorite of Techno's friends, while Type, Champ, and Techno chatted with Can.

His thoughts keep circling back to Type and Techno at the bus stop, keep hovering around the confused tension in Techno's face when Kengkla bought him snacks. By the time they reach the beach house, Kengkla hardly notices until they all stop walking.

It's larger than Kengkla expected at a decent location with a beachside yard, but it's not a private beach, likely shared by the neighbors. Though it's not on cheap property either. Techno's uncle must be well off, not as rich as Kengkla's, but better than Techno's family. The outside of the house looks relatively modern with large windows covering most of the two-story walls, and there's a large deck attached to the back of it with a pool. The front of the house has impeccable landscaping and new furnishings on the porch.

"Damn, P'No," Can blurts while they approach the front door, dragging his bag on the ground now that Techno has forced everyone to carry their own. "This place is nice. You're the one who's secretly rich, not me!"

Kengkla falls in stride next to Technic toward the entrance, watching Type and Champ walking in front of them. Techno is already at the door, unlocking it with a set of keys, bag slugged over his shoulder. "I'm not secretly rich, Ai' Can. It's my uncle's place, and he shares it with some other families," Techno huffs then pushes the door open, but just before stepping inside, he mutters, "The only person rich here is Ai' Kla," low enough that Kengkla almost doesn't catch it.

It's enough to keep Kengkla smiling for the last few feet to the door. When everyone is finally inside, they stand awkwardly in the small room through the doorway toeing off their shoes. Kengkla glances at Techno once his sandals are off and watches the other shut the door, locking it. Techno turns around, but his gaze isn't on Kengkla but Technic next to him. "I can't remember the last time we were here. Can you, Ai' Nic?" Techno asks his brother, dropping his bag on the floor.

Technic hums. "Not really. Maybe before high school," He answers, staring at his phone.

"Who cares? I'm so hungry I could die!" It's Can, this time, speaking up from where he leans against the wall, clutching his stomach.

Type gets to him before anyone can reply and reaches out, wrapping his arm around Can's neck now that Type's hands are free of bags. "Don't be so demanding, Ai' Idiot. We're guests here," Type scolds Can, holding him by the neck into his chest.

Can lets out a whine and waves his arms around, trying to break free. "I'm not demanding. I'm just saying I'm hungry! Stop calling me an idiot. My name is Can!" Can continues to shout even when Type uses his free hand to clasp over his mouth, and it all becomes muffled.

Champ starts laughing and walks up behind Type, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Don't kill the Ai' Monkey yet. It's been five minutes," He says with a grin.

When Kengkla glances over at Techno, there's a smile at the corner of Techno's mouth too as he watches his friends. "Ai' Can, will you shut up if I make food?" Techno suggests, stepping closer and leaning down to Can. Unable to talk, Can nods his head violently.

Techno huffs a laugh."Okay, okay. I'll make food," He declares. "But you need to shut your mouth."

"You'll make food?" Champ asks. "Are we going to be poisoned?"

But before Techno can respond, Technic speaks up with, "Actually, P'No is a good cook." This statement shocks Kengkla, and he turns to his friend, eyes wide in surprise. Technic shrugs his shoulders, giving Kengkla a fac. "He's just lazy."

"Hey," Techno says loud enough that Kengkla looks back at him. He's frowning a bit, forehead creasing, and crossing his arms. "I'm not that lazy, okay? Just busy. I have school and being a captain. I spend all my time looking after these juniors. It's basically a full-time job."

Can finally breaks free of Type's hold and huffs, glaring at the senior, but Type ignores him. "Really, Ai' No? I've known you for so long, but I've never seen you cook," He says with disbelief. Something in Kengkla's mind purrs satisfaction with victory that Techno has never cooked for Type. Yet, he feels defeated at the same time, having not known this vital detail about Techno.

"Can we please eat?" Can whines and leans against Good with a hand on the other's shoulder. Good carries the other's weight easily and wraps an arm around his friend, rolling his eyes.

"You won't...die," Good states dryly.

"We couldn't get that lucky," Type mumbles, and Champ snickers at the comment, nudging his friend in the side with his elbow.

Techno doesn't appear particularly concerned, mouth tensing on that lopsided smile that just grows wider. "I think my uncle was here a few days ago, so there should be some food in the fridge hopefully," He explains with a shrug of his shoulders. "Maybe some stir fry?"

At this suggestion, Can lets go of Good and pumps a fist into the air. "Yes! I can't wait to taste P'No's good," He cheers.

It's practically the same as Kengkla's thoughts, and he finds himself smiling while Champ and Type drag a shouting Can down the hall with Good following behind silently. Once it's only Kengkla and Technic left in the room, Techno looks stiff and awkward, refusing to meet Kengkla's gaze.

"Guess I should get started on the food, huh?" Techno says with forced laughter, shaking his head; then he lifts his chin again, amusement evaporating when he says, "Ai' Nic, Ai' Kla, you can take the double room with Can and Good. We worked it out on the way. Ai' Champ and Ai' Type will share the guest room, and I get the master, of course."

"What?" Technic snaps beside him. "Why do you get the master bedroom, P'No? It has its own bathroom and everything. That's unfair."

He's as annoyed as Technic is but refuses to show it, masking his expression with blinking in confusion at Techno. Kengkla didn't exactly expect to share a bed with Techno during this trip, no matter how much he wanted to. But it flares his anger more than it should know to know Techno will be practically out of reach. But the elder rolls his eyes and leans down to grab his bag from the floor. He slugs it over his shoulder and walks up to them, placing his hand on Technic's shoulder. "Tough luck," He says, the corner of his mouth tugging into a smirk.

Kengkla can feel his mouth catch on the beginning of a smile, a flicker of amusement running through him. But Technic's forehead creases, mouth draws to a frown. "Fine, P'No," Techni huffs. "You win." He grabs Techno's hand to shove his brother off, but Tecno doesn't seem phased, stepping back with his hand up defensively. Technic pushes past his brother to head down the hallway, not bothering to wait for Kengkla.

There's hanging silence left by Technic's abandoned presence as Kengkla watches the other disappear down the hallway; then Techno breaks it at once when he says, "Uh, you should go unpack with the others, Ai' Kla." Techno is blushing again when Kengkla looks up at him through his lashes. He's biting his lip, sucking on the skin, and Kengkla can't help but stare at Techno's mouth.

Techno glances at him then looks away in a rush when their eyes meet. He lifts a hand to run a hand through his hair, turning to walk away, and Kengkla steps forward, clearing his throat. "Thank you for inviting me again, P'No," He purrs. This stops Techno, but he doesn't look back, so Kengkla continues. "I'm really excited to try my boyfr-"

Kengkla doesn't even get through the word before Techno stops him, whipping around to face him with wide eyes. "Ai' Kla," He chides. "Don't call me-" There's a pause and a sigh. "Nevermind. Just go unpack, okay?"

"Okay, P'No," Kengkla says with a nod and looks up with a smile deliberately crafted to be as innocent as he can manage.

Techno's cheeks flush, color showing his reaction to Kengkla's words before he turns away again. He doesn't say anything else, shoulders hunching in as he retreats into the opposite hallway the others entered.

Kengkla isn't satisfied with the current sleeping situation nor is he pleased with Type and Techno's constant close proximity, yet he feels his mouth dragging into an irrepressible grin. His future wife is a cook. It's almost too perfect. He couldn't wait to see his fantasy come to life.

...TBC...

A/N: This one will be split into two chapters. Updates may be longer now. Life is throwing me a curve ball with work. Please be patient.

Thank you all to those who continue to read and comment!