Chapter Text
Having eyes on him as he walked around wasn’t something new for Kinn. Actually it was almost normal for him to be the center of everyone’s attention once he walked in a room. Most people looked at him and then their eyes went straight to his fingers where the ring with his family’s crest was adorned. And then the fear settled in. After all, Kinn was the head of the whole of Theerapnyakun family now and the mafia king of the whole of Thailand. He was now counted among the few most dangerous yet reputed individuals in the whole of Asia.
And yet here he was, consciously keeping himself from cowering as he walked the beautifully decorated halls, his eyes looking around for danger. As if waiting to be jumped on in any minute.
“You look scared.” Kinn almost jumped hearing Vegas’ voice. His cousin was in an ivory tuxedo, his hands carelessly at his sides as he gave him a once over.
“Must be your imagination.” Kinn said, his voice even and aloof. Vegas laughed, that hollow laughter which back in the day usually meant that something evil was coming. “Congratulations.”
“You’re not happy for me.” Vegas scoffed, his face marred with an ugly frown and Kinn wondered why exactly did he approach him.
“I’m not.” Kinn agreed. “But I am happy for Pete.” He let his eyes travel towards the center of the room where his trusted ex-bodyguard was smiling, looking picture perfect in the setting. Pete really had come a long way, from a perfect lethal bodyguard to now the perfect groom on his wedding day who had all the attention on himself. It was so obvious as he was surrounded by Tankhun, Pol, Arm and of course Porsche. They were all sitting on the table having what seemed like an enjoyable conversation, Chay and Macau were also nearby smiling but silent as they entertained themselves watching the loud group. Vegas followed his gaze and Kinn could actually hear the happy sigh from the man as he watched his now legally wedded husband smiling from ear to ear.
“Why did you approach me?” Kinn asked. He didn’t want to be direct but Vegas was out of the game now, had been for the past five years since he had moved to the states along with Pete and Macau. His cousin had started new and posed no threat to Kinn. Not anymore. But he was still cautious around the man. Vegas wouldn’t be Vegas if he didn’t scream danger just by breathing.
The said man chuckled. “You’ll think I’d spend my special day with only my husband, not with someone I have hated the most my whole life.” Kinn couldn’t find himself being offended at that, not when that would be the peak of hypocrisy.
“But?” Kinn prompted his cousin to continue.
“But I was given an ultimatum.” Vegas and Kinn were still staring at the table which was occupied by both their lovers. “I have to have a clean slate, Kinn.”
It was then Kinn noticed the subtle glances Pete was throwing their way. He was still very good at spying it seemed since Kinn would’ve not noticed it if it weren’t for Vegas’ words.
Who else could give the past devil of Bangkok an ultimatum except Pete?
“Pete wants me to make nice with the whole of the family, he wants our kid to have a healthy relationship and a happy family, something which both he and I couldn’t have.”
“Congratulations.” Kinn said, this time softly, with all the genuineness he could muster in Vegas’ presence behind his words. “You’re lucky.”
Both cousins let that soak in, their first healthy conversation since they were kids. The first conversation where both of them were in places where they both were happy.
“Am I the first one to know?” Kinn couldn’t help but ask.
Vegas snorted. “Porsche and Tankhun knew even before me.” The man had a displeased pout on his face, very un-Vegas-like.
Oh, so that kind of made sense. Kinn had been thinking that Porsche and Tankhun were going crazy, apart from what was normal at the prospect of meeting Pete, because they were excited about attending the wedding. Which could’ve been considered normal to some extent for Khun but not for Porsche. Kinn knew his beloved didn’t like such events. He also knew that Porsche hated weddings, quote unquote - “If one needs a ceremony to bring more meaning to their love and relationship then maybe it isn’t that strong to begin with. I don’t care about marriage, Kinn. In my mind, you’re mine and I’m yours, no matter what.”
That was the best way to reject a marriage proposal and Kinn who had been on his one knee at that time had gone down on both at the look of pure and utter love and devotion on Porsche’s face. Of course Porsche had gone on to saying that if Kinn really needed it, he would marry him in an extravagant ceremony of course. He wasn’t asking for acceptance but just understanding and Kinn had understood. They were married in the name of law but they never informed anyone, because they didn’t need to. Kinn and Porsche were one to anyone who looked and asked. They were each other’s world.
Coming back to his original thought, Kinn also remembered the tears shared between Pete and Porsche when they were reunited. It was again a rare sight, both men were strong and barely showed their real emotions in public like that. Kinn had brushed it off thinking that it had been too long since they had physically met each other but now that Vegas and Pete were expecting a child, the reaction made so much more sense.
“I even have to make nice with Kim.” Kinn couldn’t help but snort at Vegas’ bitter tone. He couldn’t help but grin as the man went away probably in search of Kim who for all anyone knew could be smoking a cigarette or on his flight to Thailand. Though the latter may not be the case considering Chay was still at the party.
“You seem not awkward.” Kinn heard the whisper followed by two hands circling his waist from the side. “Oh, is that a smile? But I just saw you talking with Vegas.” Porsche looked adorably alarmed. It was unfair how his husband could look so endearing even after thirty. Then again, Kinn was sure that he’ll find Porsche endearing and adorable even when they were eighty. He couldn’t help but kiss the man on the cheek and Porsche only smiled, that cocky expression proof that he knew exactly the effect he was having on Kinn.
“He told me about the news.” Kinn murmured. “Wanted to make peace.”
“Ahh. Pete told me about that.”
“So you knew about that too?” Kinn asked, his one eyebrow arched.
Porsche’s sheepish grin was the only answer he got. For a couple minutes, they both stood just like that, Porsche loosely holding Kinn while he wrapped his on Porsche’s shoulders. It was okay, as long as he had Porsche in his life, everything would be okay.
“So did you make peace with him?” Porsche asked softly and Kinn’s eyes hardened. It was a complicated question.
If Kinn was being honest, he didn’t want to be here. Walking into a place which belonged to Vegas always made him uncomfortable, even now when they weren’t enemies. It was safe to say the Kinn could never be comfortable in his cousin’s presence, he could pretend of course. He had been doing just that for the whole night. He also knew that Vegas shared the same sentiment. Years of animosity and thirsting for each other’s blood had rendered them incapable of feeling completely at ease or safe in each other’s presence. The only reason Kinn was here was because Porsche had insisted and he was also not fond of being apart from his partner for such a long amount of time. Pete had also played a part in his decision. Kinn liked Pete, he was a trusted and loyal bodyguard and he was man enough to admit that without Pete, maybe him and Porsche wouldn’t have ended up together.
“It’s fine.” Kinn tried to brush off the question but Porsche knew him now like the back of his hands.
“Kinn!” Porsche’s voice was insistent yet so soft. A few earliers, Kinn would have thought him incapable of doing so. “You need to let it go.”
“Don’t.” Kinn warned. He didn’t need to hear that just because Vegas was now a family man he needed to forgive him. Sure the man had gone through everything but Kinn had never been the reason behind his misery, never the direct reason anyway. Okay maybe he had his evil moments but Kinn had never threatened people Vegas held close to his heart, he had never used Macau or Pete as bartering chips while he was dealing with Vegas back when they were rival heirs. So no, Kinn couldn’t let go. Not when Vegas had tried to assault Porsche all those years ago, not when he had almost killed his love while colluding with Tawan, and not when he had almost killed him again during the attack on the compound. Kinn still remembered the scene vividly, Vegas stepping on Porsche’s chest with his gun trained right at his head.
“Listen.”
“No. Porsche please don’t push it.” Porsche of course narrowed his eyes when he figured that he wasn’t going to get his way on this topic.
“Fine.” Porsche said and untangling himself from their position, he walked away.
Kinn sighed. Some Things never changed. Porsche may have learned to be a little less chaotic over the years but he still was easy to anger. He’ll talk to him when they’re in the privacy of their rooms. The worst would be that they’ll have angry sex after which Kinn would be thrown out on the couch. Not a bad outcome in his humble opinion.
Vegas and Kim were both now back in the room, and they both looked disturbed. Kinn held on to the satisfaction he felt at that.
The wedding ceremony was well on its way to a good end. There weren’t many guests to begin with. Vegas and Pete had arranged the whole thing at one of their farm houses. The remote and homely location ensured that it was a private affair. With only family members in attendance, all of them could fit in the long ass table for dinner. Kinn silently ate, a little calm with Porsche by his side and Chay on his other. Tankhun was directly in front of him beside a blushing Pete who seemed to be drunk on happiness. Everyone was talking all at the same time, the chatter almost musical in nature. Chay and Kim were murmuring among themselves. Pete and Porsche were already talking about their plans for tomorrow and Vegas was clearly angry hearing that considering today was his wedding night but his husband seemed more excited at the prospect of hanging out with his best friend the very next day, Kinn himself felt a little disappointed. Tankhun was arguing with Pol about food of all things while Macau, Arm and another guy, probably Macau’s friend whose name Kinn didn’t know, were busy having a heated discussion. It wasn’t a bad picture at all. It was good.
To Kinn this was family. He felt Porsche’s hand squeezing his thigh as the man hooked his left leg under Kinn’s right ankle.
It was perfect. For a minute everything was perfect. Kinn had Porsche looking at him, a look which promised that sleep wasn’t one of the agendas tonight. He was happy that Porsche had calmed down and he couldn’t help caress the hand on his leg as he mouthed ‘I love you’ to Porsche who simply winked as if saying of course you do. Kinn laughed at the pompous behavior.
And that’s when they heard the first gunshot.