"What are you going to order, P'No?"

Kengkla asks the question from his seat across from Techno where he's practically leaning over the table with the booth seats pushed in so close together. It's close enough that Techno's foot brushes up against Kengkla's with every movement he makes under the table. Techno's thankful Kengkla randomly had clothes in his car so he doesn't smell, but Kengkla's father's button-up and slacks are a bit too dressed up for the typical Thai restaurant.

"I don't know," Techno offers in response, staring down at the menu in front of them in self-consciousness. "Maybe the Gang Som Pak Ruam?"

When Techno looks up from the menu, Kengkla is smiling at him, reaching for the paper to write down his order. "Sounds good. I'm having Tom Yum Gung," Kengkla tells Techno while he puts in the order and holds up the paper, waiting for the waitress.

She is over at the booth quickly, smiling at Kengkla with flushed cheeks while she takes the paper from his hand. Always polite, Kengkla nods and grins at her until she leaves, turning back to Techno. It's the same smile Kengkla gave Dawn, and something prickles over Techno's skin, something he doesn't understand. It feels like he needs to say something, and he doesn't understand why.

"So, did you like Ai' Dawn? How long were you two talking before I walked over? I haven't seen her in such a damn long time," Techno babbles, playing with the napkin on the table to keep his hands busy. "She's a good family friend. Her dad worked with mine."

Kengkla blinks with a smile but otherwise gives nothing away with his expression. "Only a few minutes, P'No," He states. "Does P'No like P'Dawn?"

Techno's eyebrows jump up, his expression opening under a burst of shock. "Like her? Well, yeah, P'Dawn is a good friend. I've known her since - damn, I don't know when. Anyway, I don't hang out with people I don't like," He explains honestly.

There's complete silence for a breath, no motion but Techno's fingers playing the napkin while Kengkla stares at him. Then, "No, P'No," He says, his voice taunt on some unreadable strain. "Do you like P'Dawn more than a friend?"

Techno's finger clench the napkin in his hand, and his heart speeds under Kengkla's stare. He's not exactly sure what Kengkla is asking, but he can guess. "Uh," He considers for a second then shrugs. "Not really. I've known her a long time, and she's always been just a junior to me, kinda like you were. Uh- I mean she is pretty and smart. Plus, she already knows all my bad habits, and she's damn rich." Kengkla's shoulders stiffen but otherwise says nothing, and it makes Techno think back to Dawn.

"Actually, she just told me she's even going into pharmaceutical science. Isn't that what your parents do, Ai' Kla? Honestly, she's more suited for you than me."

As soon as the words fall from Techno's lips, his heart clenches, but he doesn't understand why it bothers him that Kengkla and Dawn are so similar. Maybe it's because they're both intelligent, good looking, and rich, and he isn't. It has to be. But Techno realizes the pressure in his chest he's feeling now is the same as when Kengkla smiled at the waitress a few minutes ago. It feels like something gnawing at him, and Techno reaches up to scratch his chest out of instinct.

However, Kengkla looks at him as if he's speaking Spanish with a raised brow and tilt of his head. He really resembles a puppy at this moment. It would be almost cute if Techno wasn't so worried. "I disagree," Kengkla purrs, reaching out to brush his fingers across the back of Techno's hand holding the napkin, and he stills his hand under Kengkla's touch. "P'No is most suitable for me."

Kengklas words send a shiver up Techno's spine. "W-what?" Techno blurts as his cheeks glow to heat under Kengklas gaze. "But Ai' Kla, I'm not rich or even good looking! Don't you hear Ai' Type make fun of me for my grades? Honestly, I'm not as cool as Ai' Dawn and you."

He can see the way Kengkla's eyes go soft and his mouth curves, fingers still brushing Techno's hand. "But I don't love P'Dawn. I love you, P'No," he says it casually like he's not saying this for only the second time, in public of all places. "You're cool to me, not Ai' Dawn."

Techno opens his mouth to reply and dismiss Kengkla's words when he hears footsteps behind him. He quickly pulls his hand out from under Kengkla's and glances up as the waitress approaches with their plates. Techno's cheeks are practically crimson now, watching her set their food on the table, but the weight against his chest easies with Kengkla's sweet words, something that's becoming more and more common.

"Shit, this looks good," Techno says, trying to change the subject, once the waitress walks away. He stares down at the food with a smile, ignoring the way his face is still warm from only seconds ago.

"P'No, thank you for taking me out to dinner," He hears Kengkla say, and when Techno glances up at him, Kengkla is smiling, holding out chopsticks for Techno. "What a lovely first date."

"First date?" Techno mouth twists, pulling in a frown despite the fast beat of his heart. He takes the chopsticks from Kengkla and shoves a piece of food into his mouth before something worse comes out instead.

Kengkla nods and uses his own chopsticks to pick up the food with a more delicate touch than Techno. "Yes, this is our first official date...even though we already had a sleepover." Kengkla even waits until he finishes speaking to eat a bite.

Techno is so surprised by Kengkla's words, which he really shouldn't be anymore, that he almost spits out his food. "Ah, shit," He grumbles, cleaning up his face with a napkin. "Ai' Kla, I didn't think this was a date. I'm doing this so you'll forgive me." He practically cringes at his honest outburst and decides to shovel more food in his face,

Kengkla still smiles. "P'No, I already forgive you, " He says then carefully picks more food off his plate. "But I was really sad all this week. Is there any way we could go on a second date? Then I would be so very happy."

Techno's knee jerk reaction is to give in to Kengkla and his request, especially when Kengkla's looking at him with those puppy dogs eyes. But an idea comes to Techno that makes him drop his chopsticks and take out his phone. "Uh, I actually," He mutters, scrolling through his contacts for a specific one. "I think-"

"Maybe tomorrow night, P'No?" Kengkla interrupts before Techno can finish, but Techno continues looking for Dawn's number.

"Uh, well, er.... Ai' Dawn asked me to see some movie, but now I think you should come too, Ai' Kla. We can all go tomorrow afternoon," Techno suggests then glances up, and Kengkla's lips pull down into a frown before he takes another bite of his food, watching Techno.

After a moment of silence, while Kengkla eats his food, he sets his chopsticks down and wipes off his mouth politely. "You want Ai' Dawn to join us...on a date?" He asks. His tone suggests that he's genuinely confused, but the way his eyes narrow make Techno's skin prickle all over.

Maybe the idea is hurtful to Kengkla when he's asking for a date, but Techno thinks it's the right thing to do. Dawn wants to visit with Techno, and Kengkla wants to go on a date. This will kill two birds with one stone, and not to mention, getting them closer is best for everyone. They're perfect for each other, not with Techno, and it would solve all his problems. Or at least, that's what Techno tells himself, ignoring the sudden knot that twists tighter in his chest.

"Uh, not a date then? We'll hang out as...like friends? Um, I think you'll like Dawn, Ai' Kla. She said we should go see that new superhero movie. I hope you like it. I'm sure it's dubbed, even though you both probably know English, unlike me. Anyway, it'll be fun," He rambles with as much forced cheerfulness as he can muster.

Even with all of Techno's ranting, Kengkla just nods and adverts Techno's gaze to look down at his food, and Techno feels a pang of guilt strong than before.

"But maybe we can eat together after?" Techno adds hesitantly, but the smile Kengkla offers him fills Techno's chest with warmth. "But you know, nothing crazy. I mean my wallet needs a break. Ai' Can made me buy his lunch three times this week. That kid..."

"Okay, P'No. But I think next time I should pay," Kengkla says, lips dragging into a lopsided smirk at his mouth. Techno can feel unexplained adrenaline purr up his spine, threatening his cheeks with a flush again before he looks down and picks up more food.

"That's not what I--" meant, Techno intends to say, but the words refuse to fall easily. He closes his mouth instead, and though his fingers move to text Dawn about their plans, his thoughts are entirely absent from what he's doing. Lately, Kengkla's words makes him tingle all over. It's only recently that Techno realized Kengkla is flirting with him when he says things like this, and it makes Techno feel wanted.

His heart is still beating fast in his chest as they make small talk throughout the rest of their meal, and by the time they leave the restaurant, the guilt and apprehension has shivered into the warmth of happiness.

...

Kengkla insisted on driving Techno to Type's place after dinner, and although home is usually with Technic and his parents, his things are still at his friend's apartment from last week. But Kengkla didn't complain after Techno gave him directions, even when Techno knows the other lives in the opposite direction.

Along the way, Techno's been ranting about studying, trying to find an internship, and being a captain, and Kengkla encourages him to continue by nodding but mostly remaining silent., Techno finally realizes that he's been doing all the talking and feels a pang of guilt for ignoring Kengkla by the time they round the block toward Type's house.

When Kengkla stops the car , Techno glances out the window and unbuckles his seat belt. "I'm sorry, Ai Kla. You probably didn't want to hear my bitching," Techno says with an awkward laugh. But before Kengkla can reply, Techno can't stop the flow of his ranting. "It's just crazy. You know? I need an internship to graduate and need to pass my damn classes to graduate. Wait, why the hell did I even go to college? I should've just became a plumber like Ai Nic said. "

Techno's smiling, sincerely now, as he imagines himself in a plumber uniform, and finally turns to face Kengkla. He expected the other to be smiling or even laughing at him. Techno was definitely not expecting Kengkla's gaze, as it turns out, fixed on his face, steady and unblinking.

"It's okay, P'No," Kengkla says, immediately, without a trace of hesitation. "I don't mind. I just wish I could be more help. Maybe I can?"

Techno heaves a sigh, reaches up to scratch at his neck in nervousness. "You can't really help unless you know someone willing to help me study college-level math or give me an internship. But then I'd have to go to the interview and make a resume. Damn, that's a lot of work."

Kengkla hums in a vague, barely-there tone of someone paying attention, and Techno feels a frown shaping itself on his lips. "Um, I guess I better head inside. I'll wash your dad's clothes tomorrow and bring them to you," He insists, looking away from the other's continued gaze to the backseat where his bag of dirty clothes rests. "I'll text you what theater and what time tomorrow, okay?"

"P'No," Kengkla says, his voice dipping into a strange resonance on the name

"What?" Techno says, reaching in the back seat for his bag of dirty laundry before he looks back at Kengkla. "What is it, Ai' Kla?"

Techno prides himself on his quick reflexes on the field. He has honed his skills, has dedicated hours to training his abilities, but his reflexes are useless when it comes to Kengkla. So when Kengkla reaches out for him, he doesn't flinch away in time to dodge the contact.

Kengkla leans closer to Techno's seat, lifts his hand, reaches out across the width of the middle armrest. Techno can see the approach of the others fingers, the intention clear in Kengkla's movements. Yet, he neither leans away nor slaps away the touch in question. He just stares, still and wide-eyed, and then Kengkla's fingers are sliding against his jaw.

Everything in his head goes still and ringingly silent. Kengkla's hand is warm. Techno notes this, in some calm part of his mind. He can feel the heat of the other's body, and Kengkla's fingers skate across his jaw, fits in just against the side of his neck and under his ear. And Techno still isn't moving, is barely even breathing.

"Thank you for dinner, P'No, but I'm still hungry," Kengkla says, calm and level as always.

"What?" Techno repeats. That's all he has air for before his lungs are empty and he is left with the ache in his chest and no knowledge of how to remedy it.

Kengkla stares at him for another long moment. His eyes are dark in the low light of the car, but Techno can see the curve of his lips, smiling with what looks like a hungry expression. "I want dessert," Kengkla purrs then he leans over the armrest between them and brushes his lips against Techno's.

Techno doesn't shut his eyes, doesn't lean in to return the kiss. He doesn't take a breath for the entire span of time it takes Kengkla to kiss his mouth. It's chaste and sweet, very unlike Kengkla's usual kisses, and after a few seconds, he draws back just far enough to remove the lingering contact.

There's no panic in Techno's body this time. Everything is very clear and very distant. Kengkla's hand is still against his face. There are strands of Kengkla's hair brushing his forehead, tangling with his own.

He makes a strange, "Uhh," noise and feels his cheeks heat under Kengkla's stare.

"You're so cute, P'No," Kengkla chuckles. His voice sounds lower or rougher than usual, which makes Techno's heart pound hard like it's trying to make up for slacking off a few seconds ago.

"Nnn," Techno manages.

Kengkla laughs again. "One more bite," He says, and it's not meant as any kind of a warning because he's moving as fast as he speaks, nearly pressing the last word against Techno's mouth before it can be heard.

It's longer, this time. Kengkla's lingers long enough for Techno to process several things: the weight of Kengkla's mouth the soft of his lips for another. The heat of his skin, how he can feel the quick inhale Kengkla takes through his nose as they stay together. It might be the first time Kengkla's kissed him where he was calm enough to consider all these things.

Then Kengkla pulls away again.

"I'll never be full," Kengkla says, leaning back and drawing his hand away from the other's skin. "I could eat P'No all day."

There's a pause. Techno thinks perhaps this is intended to give him a chance to respond. But he can't remember how to speak, and all his skin is prickling hot except it's not unpleasant. He can't stop staring at Kengkla's mouth. He's pretty sure it's never looked so soft before.

Techno drags his gaze up, pins his attention on Kengkla's eyes instead of his mouth. They're soft at the edges but dark in a way Techno doesn't understand. He takes a breath and reaches behind himself for the door handle. He needs to leave, must leave.

Kengkla must see him do it because his eyes widen, and he holds his hand out. But Techno pushes the door open behind himself, leaning into it and away from Kengkla's touch. "Ai' Kla, Uh, I'll see you tomorrow," He says in a rush, shoving himself out the door, almost tripping on the sidewalk.

When he goes to close the door, Kengkla's staring at him, but instead of his usual shocked face when Techno runs away, he's staring at Techno with a grin. "Good night, P'No," He hears Kengkla say before he shuts the door with a click and turns toward the apartment building, heading up the stairs to Type's place.

Techno takes a breath when he gets to Type's door, feels the strain of a smile threatening his lips and can't restrain it. He lets himself grin, lets the warmth in his chest explode as he reaches up and knocks on the door.

Type yelling that he's coming to open it can be heard from the other side, but the only thing Techno notices is the sound of Kengkla's car pulling away.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! More personal life troubles as always. :/ Hope you are all doing well.

Did you hear that Mark got casted as Kengkla in the new TharnType prequel show the LBC director is doing? I'm excited! But also sad that Gun is not playing Techno. :( This is a prequel so I am interested to see how Kenkla will be in the show.

Probably stalking his wife even at a young age haha i'm awful...