(A/N: Hopefully this long chapter makes up for the wait.)

It doesn't unlock the phone.

He lets out another sigh. This was a sign that he shouldn't be nosy. "Okay, okay," He mumbles to himself and puts the phone down. But after a few seconds, Techno picks it back up again. "I'll try one more thing."

What was important to Kengkla? Technic? Nah, they were just friends. His parents? No, they didn't seem to be on good terms. Maybe - damn, it's official. He's an idiot.

Techno's birthday unlocks the phone.

"Shit," He whispers to himself. Kengkla's background was almost a perfect match to his own. It's almost cute.

He starts swiping around Kengkla's phone, looking at his apps in innocent curiosity, when a Line message comes through. It's from Technic, and the preview reads:

Technic: did u end up getting a room? or u heading back?

At first, Techno thinks maybe Kengkla was just telling Technic about how they got stuck, but he realizes he's been with Kengkla the entire time and didn't see him on his phone once. Even though guilt nags at his mind, Techno reads the conversation anyway. It begins earlier today.

Kengkla: waiting for my wife. this interview is taking a while

Techno feels his face flame at the nickname.

Technic: it should be fast right? y does he even need to interview? didn't u talk to them?

Kengkla: yes. but p'no doesn't know. it has to look legit.

Technic: he'll probably blow it. then ur secret will be out. [laughing dog emoji]

Kengkla: the only thing he will be blowing is me when he gets the job.

Technic: disgusting dude [throwing up emoji]

Techno feels a sour weight in his stomach. Kengkla doesn't talk like this with him, doesn't make dirty jokes, and at first, it's all that upsets him. But the implications behind the entire message is clear. The entire interview was set up by Kengkla. Somehow, he's not sure how, but it's obvious from the message that Kengkla ensured he would eventually get the job.

The disgusting thing is that even his own brother was in on it.

Maybe, he tells himself, this was a one-time thing. Kengkla really wanted to help him, so he helped set up the interview. Maybe he was reading it wrong. He decided the only way to find out was to look through his older messages, despite how wrong it felt.

Kengkla: why haven't you told me about Dawn before?

Technic: oh so u met her? she's into P'No but he's too dumb to realize it.

Then a day later.

Kengkla: doesn't matter. He just rejected her. P'No is all mine now.

Technic: wow surpsied she got the courage to but what the f did u do to him? Why did P say no

Kengkla didn't answer after that, and Techno swallows loudly in the quiet room. Kengkla knew about Techno rejecting Dawn? Technic knew she was interested in him? He felt so foolish. He wonders how Kengkla knew. but after thinking back to that day, he thought maybe Kengkla overheard them. But the way Kengkla talked about Techno - it was like he was Kengkla's whore.

After that text, Techno couldn't stop, wanting to know the truth, and read the previous conversation, which began a week before.

Kengkla: p'no still won't answer my texts

Technic: he hasn't been home.

Then a few days later.

Kengkla: he won't answer my calls either. invite me over.

Technic: why

Kengkla: so you can call him and find out.

Technic: i can just text him.

Kengkla: i want to hear his voice

Technic: [headdesk emoji] fine

Everything made sense now. All those calls from Technic asking where he was at all times from the past year. It had to be Kengkla who was asking Technic, asking him to check up on Techno. Yet, Techno still couldn't accept that Kengkla had bad intentions. Maybe he really worried about Techno who was avoiding him that time anyway. It was right after their vacation, which is when the next texts started again.

He's reading faster now, worried that Kengkla would return soon. In the texts, Kengkla didn't mention the night - the one that makes his face flush just thinking about it - but it was everything else he read that flared his veins with anger. It was an emotion Techno wasn't used to feeling to such a degree, but with this message, his fists clench on their own.

Kengkla: remember what I said? empty the beers but pretend i'm drunk. idc what you do.

Technic; i remember. do u remember our deal?

Kengkla: yes

Kengkla pretended to be drunk that night? He couldn't believe it. Kengkla was so convincing. Didn't he drink because he was upset over his parents? Was that even true?

Techno takes a breath, feels the strain of it knot his throat on the threat of almost-tears he hopes to restrain. He feels played, like a joke. Before he can stop himself, he lets out a soft whimper and reaches up to rub the back of his hand at his yes, trying to stop the tears before they start. It's through his tear-stained vision that he reads the conversation above. It's dated the same day but earlier.

Kengkla: you missed something.

Technic: what? Iim at a girl's place.

Kengkla: i know. no one asked.

Technic: what did i miss?

Kengkla: that asshole P'type fell and hurt himself playing volleyball

Technic: DID YOU TRIP HIM

Kengkla: no but wanted to. fell on his own. What luck.

How could anyone possibly wish an injury on someone? Didn't Kengkla know how many games he missed? Or how many practices Techno had to lead o his own? Not to mention staying at Type's just to take care of him - Techno was angry now, hurt dissolving into complete disgust. He defended Kengkla that day. Even if he really wasn't responsible - the fact that he wanted Type to get hurt - Techno should not have defended him. But he didn't know at the time, and Kengkla was practically crying when it happened. He even kept apologizing. Was he that good at acting? But why would Kengkla dislike Type so much? Techno couldn't wrap his mind around it.

Maybe texts from before would tell him. His heart told him not to read, but his mind wouldn't stop him.

Kengkla: I'm going to check on p'no. distract P'type if he tries to come in.

There was no response from Technic after, and although he should be mad that Kengkla planned that "surprise attack" in the kitchen, it's nothing compared to wishing hurt on Type. Techno doesn't know how to feel about Kengkla's messages, but his heart aches painfully. He can't imagine it could get worse, but he reads on. Before this text, it was mostly innocent bantering between the two for a few days and an address sent from Kengkla to Technic.

It was an address of the bus stop from where the group departed for the beach. It reminds Techno of how Kengkla invited himself and Technic on the trip. His whole face feels hot at the thought, his cheeks burning with self-consciousness. Techno knew deep down - repressing it for a while now - that it wasn't right how Kengkla got Techno to agree. He used persuasive techniques so Techno couldn't refuse.

Falling back on the bed, Techno shuts his eyes, taking a deep breath. He should stop now, but he wants to read for as long as he could. He lifts the phone back up over his head and checks the time on the phone. It has been about ten minutes since Kengkla left, which means he doesn't have much time left. He speed reads the previous conversations, which mentions the mall and school work. It's nothing interesting until he sees a message from Technic to Kengkla. The date confuses Techno, but it believes it's the same day Kengkla showed up to his game. It was the first time they had seen each other in a week since the night that started it all. He doesn't even want to think about that time or this time or the next time.

Technic: coming home. date bailed. don't be fucking my brother in the living room

Techno gasps a sound of affected hurt when he drops the phone on himself. It lands on his chest, but it doesn't hurt much compared to the metaphorical hurt he feels. Technic and Kengkla were talking about him so shamelessly, and the worst part of all is that Technic wasn't far off from what happened that night. Memories flood him, and Techno covers his cheeks with his hands, trying to stop the burn again. He let Kengkla do that to him in his own house. Why didn't he stop him? Why didn't Kengkla stop? If Technic didn't come home, he wonders how far things would have gone.

He swallows, takes a breath, wills his heart to beat less rapidly. He decides to stop reading. He has enough evidence to confront him yet when Techno glances at the phone in his hand, his instincts tell him it's not enough. Techno knew Kengkla was going to argue everything thus far. He would say he was acting stupid, joking with Technic, and acting immature and jealous. He could practically see the tears now, and Techno knew himself, knew he would end up forgiving him. After all, Kengkla did say he loved Techno.

Scrolling up on the phone, Techno reads the previous conversation as his heart pounds on the anxious desire for reassurance that there is nothing worse.

Kengkla: go with me to P'nos game. i'm tired of trying to show up when he's home

Technic: make it worth my while

Kengkla: i'll loan you the car for a day

Technic: that was what you gave me for sending a picture of p'no sleeping. give me a better deal

Kengkla: tell me what you want instead

Technic: what you offered last time

Kengkla: what last time?

Technic: when I let you in my house to "eat" P'no when he was drunk

Kengkla: i'm not loaning your my car for a week again

Techno feels confused - completely shocked would be a better word to express his feelings. Technic, his own brother, was sending Kengkla photos of Techno. And the way he said it implied that he sent a photo, perhaps more, before that night with Kengkla, the night Kengkla claimed he began having feelings for Techno. Was it possible Kengkla was interested in him before?

The "photos" was the only part of the message Techno zones in on. He can't let it go. Biting at his lip, Techno's stomach turns with anxiety, and he closes out of the Line app to open up Kengkla's photo gallery. It takes him seconds to find one titled "My Wife," and normally, Techno would find this embarrassing. But he's too upset and angry to care.

When he opens the folder, the first few photos are pictures of Techno from the last few times they hung out, some when Techno was looking and others when he wasn't. It was annoying, but he could just assume Kengkla is a lovestruck teenager.

Then he scrolls further and finds photos that make his mind hiss monster . It was a group of photos, and after checking the date, he confirms that they were taken the night he supposedly took advantage of Kengkla. But in the photos, he's the one passed out. He looks debauched, drunk, and most of all, clearly ravaged from the hickeys on his neck and half-naked with only a blanket to cover his bottom half.

It's obvious what really happened. Technos eyes burn when he blinks. There's an ache at the back of his throat, nostalgia sweeping up from his past few months with Kengkla. He remembers all the times Kengkla was sweet and loving, and now they've been replaced. Part of him wishes he never looked, wished he could return to when everything was easy, when affection came without the complication of pain and betrayal. Techno can't imagine anything more appealing in this moment, can't think of anything he wants more. When he blinks, an overflow of tears trail down his face. He presses his lips together and swallows hard.

Then he realizes he's not alone in the room. When Techno looks up, Kengkla is standing before him with wide eyes, holding a bag of what Techno assumes is clothes he bought.

"P'No." There's no words that leave Techno's lips, no motion at all besides the tears that fall down his face. "P'No, what's wrong?" Still nothing. Kengkla glances at the phone in Techno's hand. "Please answer me, P'No.." Techno's heart is racing "Please."

Techno tosses the phone at him and feels a little annoyed that Kengkla manages to catch it. "Ai Kla? More like Ai Liar," He growls. There's a vibration against his chest, and Techno realizes he's never been angry like this before. "You lied about almost every damn thing. Didn't you?" He watches Kengkla stare and scrambles off the bed to stand across from him. "Y-you kept lying and lying and stupid Ai' Techno believes."

His heart is racing as if he's sprinting up an incline, hands are curled into the tightest fists he can make of them. He can barely see Kengkla past the tears in his eyes but can see the other take a step closer, and Techno quickly steps back. "You're not stupid," Kengkla tells him with a frown. "But, P'No, please listen to me. I can explain everything!"

Kengkla's eyes were wide, almost glassy, but Techno won't fall for it again. "No, I don't want to listen to you, Ai' Kla," Techno answers in a choked off voice. His vision smears to a haze for a moment before tears overflow to run down the heat of his cheeks. "Everything you say is a lie!"

"That's not true. I did all of that because I love you!" Kengkla's almost yelling now. But Techno can't hear Kengkla, can't hear anything beyond the sound of his heart pounding in his chest. He doesn't think, just raises a hand up and strikes Kengkla across his right cheek with the palm of his hand.

The sound of the slap fills the otherwise quiet room, and when Techno pulls his hand back, Kengkla's cheek is bright red, no doubt going to bruise or mark. His lip is busted and bleeding, and while Techno's hand throbs from the pain of the force he used, it's nothing compared to the hurt he feels in his heart.

When Kengkla reaches up to rub his cheek where the other hit him, rubbing the blood off his lip, his eyes are wide in shock. Techno thinks maybe he shouldn't have him, but Kengkla shouldn't have played him.

"P-people who love each other do not deceive and lie," Techno hiccups now, his words blurring to choke him on a sob he doesn't want to set free. He catches his mouth tight around it and looks away from Kengkla for a moment. "I don't believe a word you say. You lied to me since the beginning!"

Kengkla says nothing, but Techno can hear him breathing heavily. Without looking at him, he can tell Kengkla's likely crying and tries to ignore the tightness in his chest. He still cares for Kengkla. That much is obvious. Though he must ignore it. He lets his breath go and glances up at Kengkla who is indeed crying. But the younger reaches up to wipe his tears off and meet Techno's gaze.

"P'No, I love you! I mean it. I can explain it all!" Kengkla argues, still trying to convince Techno.

Techno glares at him and steps forward, pushing at Kengkla's chest. But the other doesn't fall, catching himself then staring up at Techno, cheek still red. "You have no idea how stupid I feel right now! Ai' Type always said I was dumb, but dammit, I must be. I cared about you! I worried about you, Ai' Kla. I worried about your parents, your home, your emotions. I took care of you when you were hurt or upset. But this is how you treat me! All you do is "eat" me, lie to me, talk bad about my friends, and make deals with my Ai' Asshole brother! Everything good you did was just a joke!" Techno's voice is still strained, still tense in the back of his throat as he tries not to keep crying.

"P'No, it wasn't like that." Kengkla's blinking too fast, like his eyes won't quite come into focus or like he's trying to hold back the weight of more tears. He wonders why Kengkla doesn't want to put on a show now. He was so quick to cry every other time.

"You must feel pretty good right now after tricking me and making me look like a fool. But how satisfying can it be? I'm just some idiot who can barely graduate! Just an idiot with a face that's no better than the next guy!" Techno shouts at him. "Just an idiot who thought I found love!"

Techno's chest clenches tight as the words leave his mouth. It seizes around his heart as if to steal the breath from his lungs, and Kengkla stares at him as tears stream down his face. When he reaches out to touch the elder, Techno pushes at Kengkla again who lets out a pained noise when he hits the wall from the shove. Even though Techno doesn't want to care, he still glances at Kengkla to make sure the other isn't hurt, but Kengkla seems to find his footing, stumbling slightly against the wall to stand upright.

"Just leave me alone, Ai' Kla," He manages, meeting Kengkla's eyes with the coldest stare he can muster then walks past Kengkla toward the door.

He's not surprised to hear Kengkla call out for him. "P'No, please don't leave! Please, I love you!" Kengkla's voice sounds strained like he's fighting for breath, and Techno still has to fight to keep from looking back then opens the door and slams it shut behind him.

Techno's tears stop after a few minutes of walking down the hall.

The heartache does not.

....