Techno knew Kengkla would eventually find him.

But that's not to say Techno didn't feel guilty the entire week. With each text message and call from Kengkla, it felt like a stab to his heart that could only be ignored by practicing or studying. He was lucky to have the excuse of staying at Type's place to help him around, even if the team suffered from his inactivity.

Techno didn't know what else to do besides avoid Kengkla. Even after Techno tried to talk with the other the last morning of their trip about his confusion and feelings about the situation, it seemed like nothing was accomplished. Kengkla thought Techno agreeing to be his boyfriend made up for what he did. But Techno knew that wasn't reality.

There was nothing he could do that could make up for what he did. But Techno's best attempt was always giving Kengkla what he wanted: attention and affection. But it was getting confusing and overwhelming for Techno. At first, accepting it was just something he did out of shock and submission, wanting to please Kengkla to alleviate his own guilt.

But he realized the day they left the beachouse that perhaps it was something more. Kengkla made him feel good but not just physically. He cared about Techno in a way only his parents had, a way that made him feel important and relevant. When his friends or his brother would call Techno stupid or make fun of him, Kengkla would never.

Nothing has changed through this realization, but everything has changed. It only made his desire to ignore Kengkla that much stronger. If Kengkla really "loved" him and Techno was feeling new emotions toward the other, then Techno really had to stay away. Not only was he feeling insecure and conflicted about how he feels when he's around Kengkla, Techno felt it was best if he spent less time with the other. It could give Kengkla an opportunity to reconsider things.

Throughout the week, his phone was never turned on to ring out loud, and he shut off the vibration feature when he got to school in the morning to avoid the faint hum of noise that comes with an incoming call or text. It was better to keep his mind on class as finals approach, better to avoid the distraction that comes with knowing there's a message from Kengkla. Even when he isn't responding to them, Techno still read them, and it tugged on his heart with each sad emoji or message.

He tried to focus on class and practice. It paid off when Friday came around. It was their first game without Type, and Techno's team won. He didn't even notice Kengkla until after the game, and it wasn't a surprise. The real shocking factor was finding him next to his childhood family friend: Dawn. It didn't look like they were too friendly, but they weren't arguing either. Though Techno hasn't seen Kengkla get angry yet.

It was awkward to introduce them to each other. Dawn didn't know what kind relationship Kengkla and Techno had, but Techno knew and felt guilty calling Kengkla just his brother's friend. Even if Kengkla had said he was okay if Techno didn't tell anyone, he knew Kengkla was no longer just his junior or a fake boyfriend. Techno didn't even realize, right away, why he approached them so quickly. As soon as he saw Dawn standing next to Kengkla in the bleachers, there was something straining in his chest, an odd anxiety he couldn't place that forced him to approach them.

Then it still didn't go away. Even while his heart fluttered in his chest, Techno simply pretended everything was fine, as always, and tried to ignore Kengkla. His gut instinct said Kengkla was the cause of this feeling, this tension in his chest. He had been ignoring Kengkla all week, obviously, his presence would cause Techno some anxiety. Thankfully, escorting Dawn to the bus stop provided the perfect excuse to delay speaking to Kengkla.

But It's still present as Techno trudges beside Dawn toward her stop, a block away from the field and another from the parking. He's unfortunately thinking about Kengkla, wondering if the other is waiting for him at his car and what he should say when Kengkla asks why Techno wouldn't speak to him. Then he realizes Dawn is speaking to him.

"Anyway, after switching from computer science to pharmaceuticals, I think I've finally found the perfect major," Dawn says in a cheerful tone from his side.

"Yeah," Techno says as he pulls his phone from his pocket, checking to see if Kengkla texted him. But with no text from the other, he puts his phone away and glances over at Dawn.

She's watching him with a smile then frowns when they approach the bus stop bench. "P'No, you seem stressed," She observes. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

He lets out an awkward laugh. "Of course, I am. Sorry, Ai' Dawn. I'm just thinking of something else," Techno answers honestly. His mouth curves into a smile, and he stops to stand next to her in front of the bench. "Glad you found the right major. Uh, how long are you going to be home?" He's searching for something to say but feels his mind tug to get back to Kengkla.

Dawn shrugs. "A week," She informs him. "I'm on break from school." Then she looks down at the ground, taking a breath, before returning her gaze to Techno's. "I was hoping we could hang out some time while I'm here. Are you free...maybe tomorrow? There's a new superhero movie out. You still like them right?"

Techno's immediate reaction is to say yes when he hears about the movie, but he doesn't know what Kengkla wants or plans, which he wishes wasn't part of his consideration. "Um, maybe," He blurts and glances back at the field. "But I really have to get back. That damn junior Ai' Kla is waiting for me. Ai' Nic sent him here instead of driving himself. My brother is so lazy."

He's really just making things up as he goes, but Dawn just nods. "Ah, okay, P'No," She chuckles. "Funny to here Ai' Nic hasn't changed though I'm glad Ai' Kla is looking out for you, huh?"

Shizuo's almost laughs."Right, watching out for me," He mumbles under his breath. If Kengkla is watching out for Techno, he doesn't want to know what an apathetic Kengkla is like. "But yeah, I'll see what's going on tomorrow." Then he waves and steps away from Dawn. "Have a good night, Ai' Dawn."

"Okay, P'No! Nice to see you again. Good night!" She calls out cheerfully.

When he turns away, Techno's frown returns, and he speeds up his pace, heading toward the parking lot on the other side of the field. All the guilt Techno had felt this week piles up on the walk to Kengkla's car.

...

Kengkla is waiting next to his car, leaning against the driver's door when Techno finally reaches the lot.

It took Techno around fifteen minutes to say goodbye to Dawn and get back to Kengkla, which means just about everyone from the game left already, leaving Kengkla's car among few in the lot. He's still sweaty and smelly from the game with no time to shower, and as he walks closer to the car, Techno becomes aware of his state. His cheeks heat with embarrassment from the fact but also in the realization of his care toward Kengkla's impression of him.

He shoves his hands in his track jacket pockets and clears his throat, stopping a few feet away. Kengkla looks up from his phone as Techno makes a noise. His mouth is set, and he looks almost calm, almost passes for composed. But Techno can see the hurt in Kengkla's eyes.

Techno's cheeks gain in color the longer Kengkla stares at him. "I'm sorry, Ai' Kla," He says with a sigh, and he means it.

"I didn't wait long, P'No," Kengkla replies shortly, and Techno wonders if he is pretending not to know.

"Uh, okay," Techno stutters, trying to decide whether he should roll with it or fess up. But there's a flash of guilt at the back of his thoughts as he remembers Kengkla crying on his voicemail. "I'm sorry for ignoring you, Ai' Kla," He blurts, and he's moving without thinking, lifting a hand to press his palm to Kengkla's head before his usual overthinking can stop him, and Kengkla's eyes go wide as he stills. "P' is sorry."

Kengkla is staring at him, unblinking and unmoving; Techno can't even hear the sound of his breathing over the noise of the cars passing along the street. His chest tightens, and Techno goes to pull his hand away, thinking Kengkla is too mad at him to react. Then Kengkla's free hand snaps out to grip Techno's forearm.

There's a rush of adrenaline, and his vision focuses on Kengkla's fingers curled around his sweaty arm. Techno finally looks up at Kengkla, but there's no anger in the other's expression, only regret. "P', did I do something wrong?" Kengkla asks, voice trembling. It sounds as if he's about to cry like before when he spoke about his parents.

Techno's heart clenches, but he doesn't jerk out of Kengkla's grip. He wants to say yes that Kengkla scares him, makes Techno confused about his feeling, but he also didn't want Kengkla to know all this. "Uh, no," He lies, sort of. "P' is very busy studying for finals, and with Ai' Type hurt, I have to spend a lot of time practicing. Those freshman can't lead themselves." He's practically rambling by now, looking for something to say. He settles on a half-truth. "I'm sorry for ignoring you. Ai' Kla, okay?"

Kengkla smiles slowly to eclipse the darkness in the gaze he's still fixing on Techno. He loosens his hold on Techno's arm and gently strokes his bare skin with his thumb. "P'No, I forgive you," He says in a tender voice as if he's the one comforting someone.

It doesn't calm the beating of Techno's heart. "Let me make it up to you, Ai' Kla. How about we go eat?" Techno exclaims with a smile, and he considers pulling his hand away as Kengkla's smile draws into a smirk. He gulps then thinks of something to say. " Wait, I kind of smell. Are you okay with that? Ugh, and I'm a little broke, but I can probably afford it. You know, I'm starting to think that damn Ai' Can is stealing when I'm -"

When Kengkla lets go of his arm and turns around to his car, opening up the door, Techno stops talking. Kengkla pauses, looking back over his shoulder with a smirk still clinging to his lips. "It's fine, P'No. I don't mind," He says, waving his arm toward the passenger side. "I have my dad's spare clothes in the car that might fit you."

Techno nods. "Okay okay," He says automatically and begins walking around the car while Kengkla shuts his door and gets in. With no audience to observe him, Techno lets his shoulders hunch and breathes a sigh of relief. He's thankful Kengkla forgives him but still feels the weight of guilty pushing on his chest. It seems like a simple apology made the other forgive him, but Techno was almost expecting more tears. He briefly wonders if Kengkla's reaction has anything to do with Dawn, but Techno dismisses this idea and gets in the car.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the kind words. Feeling a bit better, but I am sad HIStory 3 is over. The Jack and ZZ ending was perfect.

Now I'm watching Theory of Love, which I encourage you all to watch. :) I loved OffGun in Puppy Honey.

And for those of you asking about my original BL, THANK YOU. It's sooo sweet. SOON is all I have to say.