Kengkla's waiting in his car when the gate to Techno's house slides open. He's been waiting for ten minutes, arriving later than he wanted after first driving home to change out of his school uniform. Then he had just enough time to check his hair in the rearview mirror and straighten his shirt while he waited. Two minutes pass, five; by the time the door of the car opens to reveal Techno, Kengkla can feel his heart pounding with excitement. Techno looks at Kengkla first, staring at his chest like he's shocked Kengkla isn't in uniform; then his gaze diverts, Techno's attention skipping to the door as he shuts it close and slides into the seat next to Kengkla.

Kengkla's tense frown at his mouth vanishes, giving way to a flicker of a smile. "So good to see you, P'No. How was class?" Techno's close enough that Kengkla can see the color of his eyes as he looks up. "I missed you, P'."

" I texted you about class earlier when you asked how I was," Techno mutters under his breath while he struggles with his seatbelt. "Ai Kla, you have the directions set in your GPS, right?"

Kengkla leans in close closer to Techno, reaching out to grab the others seatbelt from where Techno struggles to pull it out of the door clip. He can smell Techno now, can identify the faint scent of aftershave and cologne. It's cologne that Kengkla gifted him a year ago. He still remembers how Techno found it awkward, but Kengkla loves the idea of the other wearing it.

When he pulls on the seatbelt with his arm above Techno, Kengkla can hear the gasp Techno takes and see the way his eyes widen. He's close enough to touch too, but Kengkla doesn't, bringing the seat belt around Techno and clipping it in.

"There you go, P'No," He says with a grin and returns to his position at the wheel, reaching down to shift into drive.

Techno flashes Kengkla an unreadable look before his forced smile appears. "Uh, did you set the GPS then?" He repeats.

Kengkla wants to sigh at Techno's one-track mind but simply says, "Yes, P'No." Then he holds up the phone in his lap for Techno to see before pulling his car away from Techno's house.

A few more minutes pass with Kengkla keeping his eyes on the road until he notices Techno moving around in his peripheral, and when he spares a glance at his passenger, Techno is biting his nails staring at his phone. "Are you okay, P'No?" He asks and unfortunately has to tear his gaze from Techno to drive.

He hears Techno sigh and can see him slump in the corner of his vision. "No, Ai' Kla. I've been studying what Ai' idiot Type told me during class, but I feel like I'm going to fail this interview for sure."

It takes Kengkla second before the knot of jealousy in his chest eases enough for him to think of a reply. "P'No," He says, reaching out with his hand, gripping the wheel with his other, to caress Techno's wrist between them on the armrest. "You're going to do amazing. Remember that I helped you too? I did help, right?" He can't see Techno's face while he's driving but imagines the red tint to his cheeks when Techno's wrist tenses up under his fingers.

"Uh, y-eah," Techno manages then clears his throat. "Yeah, you both helped a lot. But still, I'm a damn idiot."

"Don't say that, P'No," Kengkla blurts, looking at him this time as they come to a stoplight.

Techno is blushing, there's pink coloring all across his face, but he's not looking at Kengkla but staring at his phone. "It's true though," Techno mumbles to himself. "I don't do well in class." But he doesn't pull his wrist from Kengkla's grasp, even when Kengkla begins rubbing his thumb on the sliver of skin exposed that Techno's dress sleeve doesn't cover.

"P'No is smart," Kengkla tells him and lets himself smile, allows the sharp edges of his grin catch at the corners of his mouth where Techno can't see it then returns to driving as they pull away from the light. Even if Techno completely fails the interview, throws up on his shoes, or forgets how to speak Thai, Kengkla has already ensured Techno will pass the interview and receive a job offer.

There are some things money can buy after all.

....

They arrived at the university almost fifteen minutes before Techno's interview. It gave them just enough time for Kengkla to find a parking spot near the building and a student cafeteria. Then Techno practically jumped out of the car and headed toward the building, giving Kengkla no time to say anything. He watched Techno power walk from the parking lot, staring shamelessly at the other's backside with a smirk while he sent Techno a good luck text.

His wife ran so cutely.

KENGKLA can picture it now while waits patiently next door in the food court, sipping a coffee. He stares out the window facing the building Techno disappeared into a half-hour ago when his phone on the table starts vibrating. The caller ID isn't logged into his contacts, but he answers anyway. "Hello?"

"Hello, Nong Kla," The older male voice answers, which Kengkla identifies as his uncle. He was waiting for this call.

"Uncle, how are things at home?" Kengkla plays sweetly at first.

His uncle laughs. "You don't have to pretend, Ai' Kla. Everything is as you wanted. An employee of mine will be available this afternoon to show you around the place."

Kengkla lets out a sigh. "Thank you, uncle. This means it's the price we discussed too, right?" He asks.

"Yes, yes. The discount is available for your wife," His uncle answers with a laugh. "Do your parents know about this? I'm sure my P' would want to know."

"It's not their business," He says, and there's a bite to the words that he doesn't bother to strip off. His uncle hums, almost like he's considering something, so Kengkla tries to play nice. "Besides, I think I might attend here next year, especially if P'No gets a full-time job here."

He knows this is what his uncle wants to hear because he graduated from this school, but Kengkla is seriously considering it. Though Techno's internship is temporary, Kengkla is certain they will offer him a full-time position, and Techno would be as stupid to turn it down.

"It's a great school," His uncle replies, cheeriness returning to his voice, and he begins ranting about his college years. Kengkla isn't listening though, staring out the window, but he answers with a one-word phrase now and then to keep him happy.

His uncle is still talking when Techno exits the building across the parking lot and steps into Kengkla's view through the window. Techno's head is tipped down and gaze focused on the phone in his hand while he loosens his tie with the other. Kengkla knows what he's reading -- the message is from him, after all, the "good luck" text. Kengkla's grins is unseen as he watches Techno tapping out a response, expression unreadable from afar.

"Loong, I'm sorry," Kengkla interrupts his uncle on the other line. "I have to go. P'No is done with his interview, so we will be going to the apartment soon."

His uncle lets out a sigh. "Okay, okay. I can't believe you got someone an interview there. But all right, tell Ai' Nic I said hi and try to stay out of trouble," He tells Kengkla, frustration clear in his voice. "Bye then."

After Kengkla hangs up, he tosses his coffee cup in the trash can and walks out of the cafeteria, rushing toward where Techno stands in front of the building next door. Techno's head is still down while he texts, so it's easy for Kengkla to jog closer without being caught and stand close enough to touch. He lifts a hand to grab Techno's elbow, and Techno's head snaps up, eyes wide, and mouth parted open in surprise.

"What the hell," Techno gasps at being startled before he sees who it is; then his gaze lands on Kengkla's grin. "Ai' Kla, oh, it's you." He doesn't sound disappointed or annoyed but laughing.

"P'No," Kengkla smirks at him, holding Technos elbow until Techno looks down at his grasp. Then Kengkla let's go and motions to the car. "How did it go?"

Techno follows Techno obediently and finally puts away his phone. "Aish, I have no idea. I was a bit of a mess, Ai Kla. I kept making stupid jokes, and I don't know why. Then when they asked why I accepted the interview, I said I need an internship. I tried to save myself later but- dammit, no way I'll get it," He explains, sounding convinced of his failure.

When Kengkla glances over his shoulder at the other behind him, Techno is shaking his head and slouching. It makes Kengklas chest tighten with an odd emotion, and he slows down until he's walking beside Techno. Then he reaches out to grab Technos hand, causing the other to meet Kengklas gaze.

"P'No, I think they're more forgiving than you think. You were nervous. I'm sure they know. Plus, your jokes are cute and funny. You probably charmed them," Kengkla tells him, squeezing Technos hand.

It makes Techno smile and duck his head, clearing his throat. " I'm not a pretty girl. I can't charm anyone, Ai Kla, " He mumbles but doesn't pull away from Kengklas touch, again.

Kengkla grins as they come to a stop in front of his car. "You charmed me, P'," He says, pulling the door open for Techno.

"No, I didn't," Techno mumbles and glances at the open door. His cheeks are faintly pink, his mouth quivering like he's not sure whether to laugh or scowl. Then he shakes his head again and steps up into the car, shutting the door behind him.

While Kengkla walks around the car toward the driver's side, he can't help but chuckle. Techno charmed Kengkla the moment he met him. He just doesn't know it.

When he gets into the car, Techno is staring at his phone again. Kengkla wants to toss it. "P'No, did they say...when they'd call you?" He asks, pretending he doesn't know any other details.

Techno shrugs his shoulders. "By early next week?" He answers in an unsure tone, and Kengkla can see him sending a text to someone. It irritates Kengkla, but he tries not to let it show, putting on a smile.

"P'No, do you remember yesterday when I mentioned my uncle's apartments? He said we could go over today and look at them. There's a one-bedroom for 3,500 baht that's close to this campus." This finally gets Techno to look up, and he's knitting his brows, biting his lip, and Kengklas sure he's about to say no. "You told me you'd look at them. Remember yesterday, P'No?"

Kengkla knows how he looks like right now with pouty lips and wide eyes: a lost puppy begging his owner. He even runs his hand down the steering wheel as if he's nervous, and Kengkla's not surprised to hear Techno say, "Okay, okay," a few seconds later. "P' will go with you. But I'm starving. Can we pick up some food on the way?"

He flashes his teeth in a wolf-like smile that comes easy once Techno looks up at him. "That's so good to hear. You'll love it. I'm sure," Kengkla tells him while he shoves his key in the ignition, turning on the car. Then he turns to Techno with a frown, meeting Techno's gaze. "I'm so sorry, P'No. I would've got you something at the cafeteria. But is it okay if we eat after? My uncle's complex is only open until four-thirty. Sorry, P'."

"It's all right," Techno tells him, shaking his head. "I can wait. You didn't know I ate lunch so early. P's okay." He reaches for the seatbelt and looks away from Kengkla who nods his head.

Kengkla's lips quirk on a smile. "I'll make it up to you with a tasty dinner," He tells Techno, already forming a plan of where to eat after they stop at his uncle's apartments. Of course, it will take a little convincing on his end to get Techno to eat somewhere nicer, but he's always up for a challenge.

A/N: I needed a break