"It's a Wednesday night," Type complains, his back turned to Techno as he lifts a bottle in one hand to pour the dark liquid into the glass set on the counter before him. "Don't you have to work tomorrow?"

"Shut up, Ai' Type," Techno snaps with a frown, but there's no anger behind the words, only annoyance that comes out like a whine. "I bought the alcohol. Be more thankful."

Type glances back at that, looking like he might be thinking of further banter, but the amusement in his expression melts as he considers the other. He turns back towards the counter and sets the bottle aside.

"Still the same Ai'No even after graduation," Type chuckles without turning around. There's the clink of ice against the glass like punctuation for his statement. "Isn't it time to grow up?"

Type's words strike a sensitive nerve, and Techno can feel himself swallow, forcing any emotion out of his voice. "Shut up," Techno repeats, keeps his gaze fixed on the bottle alongside Type's elbow to avoid eye contact . "Maybe I have a reason for drinking, Ai' Type. Ever consider that?"

"Yeah," Type answers. "I know you're keeping something from me, Ai' No." He picks up the glass from the counter and turns around, holding it out toward Techno as he reaches for a napkin to slide across the table beneath it. Then Type narrows his eyes at Techno in a hard stare and says, "Want to tell me why you spent finals week crying in your room?"

Techno looks away, feeling his heart constrict around the same anxiety that has been building in him for the last few weeks, trying to keep this all hidden from Type.."Finals was stressing me out," Techno lies, keeping his eyes on the glass rather than meeting the steady force of Technos's gaze. He lifts the cup to his lips to sip against the heat of the liquid inside.

"Damn, you're a shit liar, Ai' No." Type's laugh is soft, more gentle than Techno expected to hear from him, more resignation than amused. "Now tell me who broke your heart?"

Techno's throat tenses, his lungs spasm. The alcohol on his tongue sticks and burns, and he rocks forward to cough before he can press his hand to his mouth and pin back whatever other reaction he might have had. His chest burns, and he shuts his eyes, waging war with himself to decide what to say next.

Techno lets his hand fall and opens his eyes again. Type is still watching him. There's a crease at his forehead, his mouth is soft and pained, his whole expression reading of sympathy too clearly for the impulse to be misunderstood. Then Techno decides and lets his gaze drop from Type's steady attention to the liquid in his glass. "Do you remember Ai' Kla?"

Type's sigh is heavy in the quiet of the apartment. "Why did I know it had something to do with that kid," He says then lifts his glass up to take a drink, and Techno's eyes widen in shock. He was so careful with Kengkla. Everything they did was hidden, and he never said anything to Type. Then before Type can ask, Type lets out a noise from the bitter taste of the alcohol and says, "I thought something was up. He was hanging around too much. You brought him on the trip, and he was looking at you -"

"Looking at me?" Techno interrupts.

Type nods. "Looking at you like he wants to eat you."

Techno's hand tightens against the glass, and he can feel his cheeks burning, can feel his shoulders hunching. "Really?"

"No," Type says, then lifts his glass to take another drink, speaking again after he swallows. "Like six weeks ago, he came around asking for you, said you wouldn't answer his texts. I told him to get lost."

He tries not to picture Kengkla with his sad eyes waiting for Techno at his apartment, begging Type to let him in, but he can't help it, feels his chest tighten in guilt while he takes another sip of alcohol. There's no reason for him to feel this way. Kengkla betrayed him, lied to him, yet Techno's soft heart aches for the other. "Sorry," He sighs, and his voice is as pained as he feels. "That he confronted you, I mean."

Type shrugs one shoulder. "You're my friend, Ai' No. I don't care," He says, and Techno knows he's telling the truth by now. "Just tell me what the hell happened. When did this start?"

Techno sighs, looks down at his glass of alcohol, frowning into the liquid like it can push away the too-clear image of Kengkla's face when Techno confronted him in the hotel room. "Okay," Techno says with a sigh. "Well, uh, Ai' Kla and I started dating almost three months ago cause he tricked me into it." He winces when he hears himself say it and glances up look at Type.

"Tricked you?" Type repeats then leans back against the chair as if to get comfortable, leaving the drink on the table between them. "Shit, I'm not that surprised, Ai' No. That kid, Ai' Kla, he seemed - I don't know. But I couldn't help but think that whatever he said was bullshit."

Even though Techno's chest tightened upon Type's words, he couldn't help but let out a soft laugh at the irony. "Yeah," He agreed with a frown. "Remember that night we went drinking? You had to carry me into the house?"

Type nodded, reaching for his glass again for another drink.

"Well, that night Ai' Kla told me that I took advantage of him," Techno admits, feeling his cheeks burn flame-hot in self-consciousness then holds up his hands in defense. "I didn't though! It turned out to be a lie. He's the one who took advantage of me! But I believed him since I was so drunk, and he told me to 'take responsibility' and date him. Can you believe that shit, Ai' Type? Then he was all nice to me with those stupid puppy eyes and made me feel guilty about it. Shit, he even guilted me into doing-" He pauses for a moment, hunches embarrassment into his shoulders. "Doing more stuff with him while we were dating. I mean, not that stuff but-"

"Ai' No, I get it," Type interrupts. "Stop making me picture it."

Techno's face burns. "Anyway, I felt bad for him too cause it seemed like he had family issues, so I stayed with him since it made him so damn happy. He was clearly lonely and hurting...or so I thought. Then he got me an interview and helped me find an apartment near the job. It was going too damn good, and he kept telling me loved me. I thought maybe I can stay with him since he's so nice and caring. Crazy, right?"

Then he has to pause, has to pull his thoughts into perfect clarity so he can hold back the weight of tears. "But it was all a lie. I found texts between him and my brother. Before this even began, Ai' Nic was sending him photos of me, sleeping or drunk, or not looking. It was creepy as shit, Ai' Type. Then I read more and found out Ai' Kla lying to me about practically everything. That's when I found out it wasn't me who took advantage of him but Ai' Kla who did to me. I wanted to kick his ass, but I just broke it off and blocked him on everything. But the worst part is that I almost thought I loved him."

There's a long pause. Techno feels like it's forever, with the thud of his heart going too-fast in his chest from his confession. Then Techno offers, "Wow" with the shake of his head. "He's a real manipulative bastard, huh?"

Techno huffs exasperation. "Didn't you hear what I said, Ai' Asshole? He took advantage of me. Shouldn't you be more pissed off? Ai' Nic was the one who helped Ai' Kla do that to me. He left the house on purpose! That's why I forced him to go study abroad. I told you it was Ai' Nic's choice, but it wasn't. I threatened him."

Type hums and takes another sip of his drink, letting out another noise of disgust from the strong taste. "Of course, Ai' idiot. You're my friend. I'm pissed as hell, but what do you want me to do? You already sent Ai' Nic to England. Go beat the shit out of him and Ai' Kla? File a police report?"

He understands what Type is saying because Techno already considered all his options for weeks after the breakup. He didn't want to harm Kengkla physically, definitely not his brother. Techno was never a fan of violence, even if Kengkla and Technic deserved it. Type would surely beat them good, better than Techno's pathetic slap to Kengkla. And Techno can't deny his lingering fondness for Kengkla. The thought of seeing Kengkla bruised and battered made him physically sick, and his mother wouldn't forgive Techno for hurting Technic/

A police report would be useless. There's hardly any evidence besides the texts and even those were substantiate. Kengkla's family lawyer would surely beat whatever Techno could afford, and his personal business would be all out for everyone to see. Everyone would know what happened. His mother, father, his friends - there's no way. A police report was out of the question.

"No," Techno manages finally, shoulders slumping. "None of it would help, I guess. And like you said, Ai' Nic is gone now. I know he hates speaking English. Stupid idiot."

"Ai' Kla's probably suffering without you too, right?" The flat of Type's voice makes the question more a statement than an inquiry. "That kid's obsessed with you. Ai' Kla looked at me like he wanted to murder me any time we got close."

Thankfully, Techno wasn't drinking, or he would have spit it out. "What?" He blurts in shock. It's not the others words he's struggling with, or at least not the basic components of their meaning. He knows what Type is referring to but doesn't quite understand where he got that idea. "What do you mean? I told you he was doing all that shit to manipulate me! Probably for fucking fun!"

Type pushes himself out of the chair and moves halfway across the room, navigating around the corners of the furniture without showing any signs of being tipsy despite his empty glass. "Come on, Ai' No. You're not that stupid."

Techno rolls his eyes where Techno can't see him and takes another long swig, finishing off his glass. It's bitter on his tongue, catching sour at the back of his mouth in a way that whiskey always makes him grimace. "Shut up," He repeats for the third time. "Get me another drink, Ai' asshole."

"Stop telling me to shut up." It takes Type a few more minutes to pour two more drinks, glasses clinking loudly while he works. "What I'm saying is that Ai' Kla must have a reason for sticking around. I mean, think about it, Ai' No. He was getting photos of you from Ai' Nic before that night. Isn't that a little strange?"

He shrugs his shoulders, watching Type turn around with two drinks in his hands. "He was like a wolf hunting his prey," Techno muses out loud.

Type reaches the table, sits back down, and slides a glass across the table over to Techno. "Sounds about right. But if he already 'ate you', then why did he stick around?"

It's something that Techno has been wondering ever since he found out the truth. "Beats me, Ai' Type. I was wondering the same shit." Techno stumbles slightly as he reaches out to snatch the glass from the table, finally feeling some of the effects of the alcohol in his system. "Only thing I can think of is that maybe he wanted dessert."

Type laughs louder than the joke warrants, and Techno glares at him. "I'm sorry, Ai' No. But have you seen Ai' Kla's face? He's handsome. I'm sure he could have anyone, so why you?"

Techno takes another long swig of the glass before slamming it down, banging it on the table. "Fuck you, Ai' Type." He knows Type's teasing, but the alcohol makes him more irritable.

"I'm serious." Maybe Type is serious. "Ai' No, I think even though he got you in some sick and twisted way that the kid actually loves you." Nope, now Techno is convinced that Type must be joking.

Techno laughs sarcastically. "If you love someone, you don't lie and manipulate them! You don't take advantage of them!" He shouts, his voice a little bit breathless and strained.

Type shrugs, as nonchalant about Techno's frustration as he seems to be about the conversation in general. "True," He agrees. "Look at how me and Ai' Tharn got together. You should think on it for yourself. Do you actually love Ai' Kla? If you do, do you want to forgive him so he can be apart of your life? Or do you want to continue being pissed at him and move on?"

He can feel the words hit as if they're blows. Techno's been trying to avoid facing this particular dilemma ever since he realized his feelings for Kengkla still remain. Part of him wishes Kengkla never lied and manipulated him the way he did. Then he wouldn't even be having this problem, would have continued on with his normal life with no heartbreak. But there's also another part of Techno- a voice he's been suppressing for almost two months - that is happy he got to experience what it's like to love, even if he wasn't loved back.

"I don't know." It's honesty, and it's all Techno can offer.

...

Can waves Techno over across the food court from his spot at a table where he sits next to Tin. Techno approaches with his tray of Chinese food, trying not to run into any of the neighbors to Can's table. "P'No, what did you get?" Can asks him once Techno reaches the two of them, sitting down across from the couple.

Tin fixes Can with a glare. "Can, be polite." His tone is surprisingly softer than Techno has heard from Tin, but he's still frowning.

"Ai' Tin, stop treating me like a child," Can pouts and crosses his arms over his chest, refusing to meet Tin's gaze.

Techno doesn't point out the obvious that Can is indeed acting like a child, instead smiling to himself and opening up his chopsticks.

"Then don't act like one." Tin offers.

Can takes an audibly loud sigh. "Thank you for the dinner, P'No," He says, hissing the words between gritted teeth and a fake smile.

"Finally, some respect for your seniors, Ai' Can. Better late than never," Techno replies, only a little bit of skeptical laughter creeping into his voice. When Can rolls his eyes and frowns down at his food, Techno tries to lift the mood. "Anyway, I got shrimp fried rice. What did waste my money on? I shouldn't have handed you my damn card before knowing what you'd get."

Can's eyes go soft, his smiles tugs wider, almost as if nothing happened. "I got beef with broccoli and two spring rolls." Then he glances at Tin briefly. "Ai' Tin canceled my order for five."

Techno swallows, almost choking. "For five? You were going to get five orders?!" Can nods and picks up his food with chopsticks, shoving it into his mouth. "Dammit, Ai' Can. I'm saving up for an apartment, don't wipe me out! Jeesh, so inconsiderate."

"Why will you let P'No pay for you but not me?" Tin asks Can, setting his chopsticks on the table. Techno almost forgot he was with them with how quietly Tin was eating, but now Tin's voice lances through the air with all the sharp edge of a blade under it.

Can and Techno turn as one to look at Tin. Can looks annoyed, just starting to narrow his eyes at Tin, and Techno can practically feel the air around them change. Instead of waiting for Can to reply, Techno laughs so suddenly and so loudly that both Tin and Can look at him instead of glaring at one another.

It takes Techno a moment to think of something to break the tension. "Ai' Can, what did you get to drink?" He asks, pulling a smile onto his face.

There is a long pause before one of them speaks again. Tin only glanced at Techno briefly when he spoke before returning his gaze to Can, but Can's eyes left them both to peer around the table. His hands move across the top of it, knocking into Tin and Techno's trays. "Hey," Can blurts before looking up at them. "I never got a drink!"

Techno laughs. "Ai' idiot," He mutters with the shake of his head, grinning for real this time.

"Can, just go order one," Tin sighs, but he's grinning too, reaching under the table. When he holds out his wallet, Can frowns at it. He looks like he's turning something over in his mind then reaches for it, standing up from his seat at the table.

Can groans surrender, rolls his eyes in irritated capitulation even before he says, "Fine. But only because I'm really thirsty," Then he stands up to snatch the wallet from Tin who's still grinning.

It's only when Can is far enough away from the table, heading toward Li Wah, that Techno finally releases the breath he's been holding. When Techno glances at the other, Tin is watching Can with a smile and poking at the food on his plate. It makes something warm stir in Techno's chest, and after eating quietly for a few seconds, he swallows his food and decides to speak up.

"You better be serious with Ai' Can," Techno blurts. He means it as a warning, afraid what might happen if Tin is playing games with Can the way Kengkla played with his heart. There's something unsettling about the way they fight. He doesn't remember Kengkla ever fighting with him that way, but then again, he was never honest.

Tin frowns hard at Techno. "I am more serious about Can than I have ever been with anything in my life."

The sincerity in Tin's tone should drop the subject, but Techno can't stop himself. "Good to hear, Ai' Tin, because I'm serious. Even if Ai' Can is an annoying monkey, he's still my junior," Techno warns as he points his chopsticks near the others face. Tin glares at the utensils. "And I'm your senior."

Tin doesn't get a chance to rebuttal. Can walks up to the table, dropping Tin's credit card on the table before sitting down in his seat with a grin. But even as Tin puts the card back in his wallet, he holdsTechno's gaze in a way that sends a shiver up Techno's spine.

He looks away first. "What did you get, Ai' Can?" Techno asks Can, watching Tin continue to eat in his peripheral. It seems like they're on the same page of pretending the conversation never happened.

Can doesn't appear particularly astute about the situation, smiling and sipping on his drink. "Lemonaid," He answers after a moment. "I think the last time we had, it was on the beach. Remember that weekend, P'No? We should go back. Please take me back! Tin was so jealous. I bet it's because I went to a beach house, and he didn't. But he has his own beach house. What an Ai' idiot, am I right?"

Techno frowns at the reminder, at the memory of his time with Kengkla that seemed so harmless at the time but weighs so heavily on his heart now. He's struggling to react and turn it into some joke or offer a light-hearted counter.

Thankfully, Can keeps talking. "I haven't seen P'Champ or P'Type since graduation. Are you hiding them from me, P'? I want to hang out with you guys. It's unfair." Then he takes a bit of his food and continues with his mouth full. "Oh, by the way, P'. Whatever happened to that Ai' Kla kid? You know, the one you brought on the trip. He's friends with your brother."

"What?" All Techno's calm evaporates like a blown-out candle. His eyes flicker wide for a moment, surprise clear in his choked off voice, while he grips the chopsticks tight in his fingers. He should say something else-- anything, he doesn't even know what -- but Tin beats him to it,

"Ai' Kla as in Kengkla?" Tin asks with the first flicker of surprise Techno's seen in his expression since the two times he's met the other.

Techno takes a breath. Time with Tin and Can was supposed to be his escape from this topic. "Yeah," He answers, his heart skidding faster and faster. "How do you know Ai' Kla?"

TIn hums and takes a sip of his drink before answering. "Our families know each other."