Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chay sat next to Kim's hospital bed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He couldn't sleep. Not when Kim was unconscious in the medical wing. Kim had been stabbed. Stabbed. They had been walking back to the apartment from the restaurant arm in arm when suddenly Kim was torn from his grasp and yanked into an alleyway. Chay had been stunned, then activated the alarm on his phone and charged into the alley. There was Kim, held at knifepoint by a pack of a half dozen gangsters. Apparently, they were so focused on Kim that they hadn't noticed Chay.

"Khimhant Theerapanyakul. He doesn't look like his brothers." One of them said.

"He's a Theerapanyakul. He's related to them somehow."

Kim rolled his eyes.

"Okay, kid. You're coming with us. Let's see if your family will pay to get you back." The oldest one said.

Kim glanced at Chay and flicked his eyes over to the dumpster at the mouth of the alley. Chay nodded and ducked behind it, watching.

"I have a husband to get back to, so why don't we do this right here?" Kim said.

"Fine. This shouldn't take long."

The older man took a picture of Kim and presumably sent it to Kinn with a ransom demand. Kim stood relaxed in his captor's hold, hand inching towards his front pocket.

One of the men eyed Kim appreciatively.

"Fucking rich kids! He's wearing a fortune in jewelry." The man said, leering at Kim's hands.

"You're already getting a ransom for me. You need my jewelry too?"

The man stepped forward and yanked the gold necklace off Kim's neck. Kim winces but straightens up.

"Congratulations. That will get you fifteen thousand Baht."

The man sneered and plucked the diamond studs from Kim's ears.

"Another ten thousand."

The man grabbed Kim's left hand and pried a platinum signet ring off Kim's forefinger. Kim tenses.

"That's thirty-five thousand."

The man wrapped his fingers around Kim's wedding band and Kim's hand flashed up, grabbed the wrist of the man holding a knife to his neck, yanked the blade forward, and jammed it into the thief's throat. He dropped gurgling to the asphalt. Kim's head snapped backward and cracked into the nose of his captor, breaking it, and the man screamed and stumbled backward, cursing, clutching his face. Kim flicked the knife from his front pocket open, slashed the throat of his initial captor, and turned to face the other four men. The oldest one swore.

"He's a Theerapanyakul alright. Fuck!"

Kim snarled and lunged forward, ducking the thrown fist of one of the men. He stabbed that man in the gut, and whirled around, slashing a huge man across the eyes. The big man screamed and fell to his knees, burying his face in his hands, while the older man pulled out a knife of his own. Kim feinted at the older man, then retreated and snapped a kick at the last unarmed man's head. Kim's heel crashed against the man's temple and he dropped like stone. Kim twisted to the side to avoid a tackle from the older man and stabbed down as hard as he could between the man's shoulder blades, blood spurting onto his hands. The man cried out and lunged at Kim again, the movement wrenching Kim’s knife from Kim’s grasp. Kim stepped back and pivoted out of the way of the man's blade, and grabbed the man's wrist, trying to squeeze the weapon out of his hand. The man rammed Kim with his shoulder, knocking Kim into the alley wall, plunging the knife into Kim's side, blood immediately staining his shirt. Kim cried out and snatched his knife back from between the man's shoulder blades while the man shrieked in pain. Kim plunged his retrieved knife into the left eye of the older man, piercing his brain, and slid to the ground, the older man's corpse on top of him.

"Phi!" screamed Chay, scrambling to Kim's side.

"Not safe!" Kim panted.

"They're all down, Phi!"

"Some are still alive. Get out of here. Call the manor." Kim gasped, shoving the dead man off of himself and groaning.

Just then footsteps skidded into the alleyway. Kim wrestled Chay behind himself and stood, shaking.

"Porsche!" Kim said and collapsed.

Porsche and three guards looked stunned at the scene in front of them.

"Hia! How did you get here so fast?"

"We were at a restaurant around the corner when we got your alarm," Porsche said, pulling out his gun. "Close your eyes, Chay."

Chay closed his eyes and heard six muffled shots. When he opened his eyes again, all six men had a bullet in their foreheads. One of the guards was gathering their cell phones, while Porsche rolled Kim on his back.

"Shit. The kid is losing a lot of blood. We need to get him in the car! Now!"

Porsche lifted Kim up in his arms and carried him out of the alleyway into the waiting car while Chay scrambled in after him.

"To the compound, Gin! Step on it!"

Chay yanked his t-shirt off and balled it up around the knife in Kim's side, putting pressure on the wound. They sped to the compound, Kim bleeding out in the backseat. When they arrived, Porsche put Kim on a stretcher and the nurses whisked him off to the medical wing, Chay following closely after.

"We're getting him into surgery immediately!" one of the nurses said, holding Chay back from following any further.

Chay cried out, but Porsche grabbed him around the waist. Chay sagged in Porsche's hold, and Porsche soothed his little brother.

"It'll be okay. Kim's tough. He'll be fine."

Chay collapsed onto the hallway floor and cried.

Now here he is, in one of his Hia's t-shirts, clutching an unconscious Kim's hand. Kinn and Khun are sleeping on the couch, and Porsche has run down to the kitchens to get some food for everyone. Kim had a nicked bowel they had to stitch shut but is otherwise okay. An IV is running fluids and antibiotics into Kim's body, and Chay has removed the rings from Kim's hands before his fingers swell. Chay had carefully threaded Kim's engagement and wedding rings onto the necklace Kim gave him when he recorded his first single and clasped it around his neck again. Sighing, Chay leans forward and rests his head on the bed next to Kim's hip. Chay closes his eyes for a few seconds, and the next thing he knows there's a hand combing through his hair.

"Hia?" Chay asks, sitting up.

Kim smiles at him from the bed.

"Phi!" Chay shouts, startling Kinn and Khun awake.

Kinn and Khun race for the bed and Kinn jams down on the call button at Kim's side. Khun fusses with Kim as he tries to sit up, clutching the stitches at his side.

"No, Phi! Lie down!" Chay whimpers, pressing down on Kim's shoulder.

"I'm okay, baby," Kim says, as Khun raises the hospital bed to a seated position.

"No, you're not! You've been stabbed!" Chay cries, breaking into sobs.

A nurse strides into the room and asks Kim questions.

"Do you know where you are?"

"Theerapanyakul medical wing." Kim answers.

"Today's date?"

"When I got stabbed it was June thirteenth."

"It is now the fourteenth."

"How long was I out?"

"Eleven hours, Khun Kim."

"I'm so sorry, angel. Anesthesia always hits me hard," Kim says, caressing Chay's hand.

Chay sniffles miserably.

"What's my condition?" Kim asks.

"The knife nicked your descending colon. It might have healed on its own, but in an abundance of caution, we put in a stitch. You'll be on IV antibiotics for three days to prevent peritonitis. The wound is stitched up, fortunately, it won't leave much of a scar, but as always, scar revision is available to you if you desire after you heal completely."

"Scar revision?" Chay asks.

"Plastic surgery to make the scar less noticeable. I had it the last time I got stabbed."

"What do you mean 'the last time you got stabbed'??" Chay shrieks.

Kim winces and squeezes Chay's hand.

"Baby? Breathe. I got stabbed when I was fifteen. Right here." Kim indicates a spot below his collarbone.

"But there's no scar."

"There is, you just can't see it unless my skin gets darker. I've never really tanned enough around you for you to notice."

Chay puts his hand over the healed stab wound.

"Phi?"

"Yes, baby?"

"I hate your Pa."

"Me too, baby."

"Kim? What happened?" Kinn asks, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I got yanked into an alley and held for ransom."

"So you fought free?"

"Not exactly. They had a knife to my throat."

"I saw that in the picture they sent."

"I couldn't risk anything with Chay there."

Chay sniffles, tears running down his cheeks.

"You did the right thing," Khun said.

"They just stabbed you?" Kinn asks.

"No, I fought, just not immediately." Kim clarifies.

"Did they let their guard down?"

"Not exactly." Kim murmurs.

Kinn peers at Kim closely. Kim squirms under his brother's gaze.

"Chay? Why did Kim start fighting?" Kinn asks.

"Don't ask him!" protests Kim.

"You're not talking. Chay, when did Kim start fighting?"

"One of them started yanking his jewelry off," Chay says.

Porsche slides into the room and leans against the wall, listening in.

"Kim, your jewelry is insured and easily replaceable," Kinn scolds.

"Not all of it!" Kim mumbles.

"Phi!" Chay yells.

"What is it, Chay?" Kinn asks.

"You didn't start fighting until he touched your wedding ring!" Chay scolds.

Kim drops his head.

"Oh, Kim..." Kinn sighs

"I couldn't let him take it!" Kim cries, putting his right hand over his left.

Kim gropes at his ring finger.

"My ring? Where is it?"

"I have it, Phi. I took it in case your hands swelled up." Chay says, pulling his necklace with the rings out of his shirt.

Kim collapses in relief.

"Thank you, baby."

Porsche slides in and smacks Kim upside the head.

"Hia!" Chay cries, manhandling Porsche away from Kim.

"Porsche!" Kinn reprimands.

"You can get a new ring, Kim. Your life is more valuable." Porsche says sternly.

"This is the one Chay put on my hand at our wedding. I won't let some thug just take it," Kim sulks.

"P'Kim, that's very sweet. But I would rather you not get stabbed. I will marry you all over again if you want, to put a replacement ring on your finger during a wedding. Just... be safe."

"Who was behind this?" Kinn asks Porsche.

"One of the new gangs that's sprung up in the last year. We edged them out of a cocaine smuggling route a couple of months ago."

"If they're new, how did they know Kim? Kim's been out for a decade." Kinn asks.

"They didn't know me. I mean, they weren't even sure I was a brother. They just recognized my last name. They knew I was connected to the family somehow."

"They just looked up a Theerapanyakul and grabbed one?"

"Apparently."

"That's so stupid. They could have ended up with Vegas." Porsche says, shivering.

"They also could have gotten lucky and grabbed Macau," Kim says.

"Can 'Cau not fight?" Chay asks.

"He can but he won't. He knows Vegas likes to do it for him." Kim answers

"So they were incredibly dumb."

"And incredibly dead," Porsche says.

"How many did I kill?"

"Five. One of whom you killed with a single kick. You gotta teach me how to do that." Porsche says.

“I’m so sorry, baby. That you had to see that,” Kim says to Chay.

"How do we protect P'Kim?" Chay asks.

"It's one of the hazards of the family, Chay. No one with our last name is safe." Kinn explains.

Chay cries into his hands.

"Then I'll change my last name," Kim says, shushing Chay.

"What?" Kinn's jaw drops.

"I'm out of the family, Kinn. I don't use our last name the way you do. If I change it all that changes for me is my signature."

"But you're family, Kim!"

"I'll still be family, just with a different last name. I just got married. I'll take Chay's last name."

"My last name isn't safe either, P'Kim. Not with Hia being head of the Minor family."

"Then we'll both change our last names."

"Chay? You wouldn't..." Porsche stammers.

"I want us to be safe, Hia. Out of this life. As much as we can. If that means changing my last name then so be it."

"We can combine our last names. Kittisanyakul. Or Theerapansawat." Kim says, excited.

"Yes, P'Kim!" Chay chirps, smiling.

Porsche sets his jaw and strides from the room.

"I'll go after him," Kinn mutters, chasing Porsche.

“Or Kitibhon.”

“What’s Kitibhon come from?” Chay asks.

“My first piano teacher’s last name was Nitibhon. He was the father I never had. He died childless, but he always treated me like I was his own. The K is for Kittisawat.”

“I like Kitibhon very much,” Chay says, stroking Kim’s hand.

Khun sits down in the spot Kinn has vacated.

"Changing your name? Is my little bird finally leaving the nest?" Khun asks gently.

"Are you mad too, Khun?"

"No, baby brother. I thought you would take Chay's name. Coming up with a new one didn't occur to me."

"Why is Hia mad?" Chay asks.

"Because he sees it as losing his only family," Khun says, cupping Chay's cheek.

Kim bats Khun's hand away and replaces it with his own.

“Kitibhon?” Kim asks.

“Yes, Phi!”

Kim hauls Chay in for a kiss. Khun coos.

"You'll have to make sure it's unique." Khun cautions.

"I think enough money can get us around Thai naming laws," Kim says.

"Can't take the criminal out of the boy..." Khun sighs.

Kinn walks back into the room.

"Sorry, Chay. Your brother went for a walk to cool down."

"Hia can be angry, but I didn't join the mafia. He did. Besides, didn't he expect me to take Kim's last name? I had planned on it."

"He's just hurting right now, Chay," Kinn says.

"I'm not the one hurting him."

"You are. You two are abandoning the family."

"We're not, P'Kinn. Just the name."

"Same thing!" Kinn huffs.

"No. If we were abandoning the family, I would have told P'Kim to take the contract he got offered in Korea."

"Kimmy! You got offered a contract in Korea?" Khun gasps.

"Yeah. After my album came out."

"And you didn't take it?" Khun asks.

"We didn't want to leave. That contract could have opened up the world to P'Kim, but we said no because we didn't want to leave you guys." Chay says pointedly.

Kinn flushes and looks at the ground.

"It's just, you're a Theerapanyakul, Kim," Kinn finally says.

"Now I'll be a Kitibhon."

Kinn sighs.

"I honestly don't know how I'm going to talk Porsche into this."

"I'm not asking Hia's permission. I'm a married man. It was always 50/50 if my name was going to change. Now it definitely is. Hia has to accept that," Chay declares.

Kim hits the call button at his side.

"Kimmy, what's wrong?" Khun asks frantically.

"Painkillers are wearing off." Kim hisses.

The nurse bustles in.

"Looks like I'm right on time," she says, injecting something into Kim's IV.

Kim sighs in relief as she plunks a mug of broth in front of Kim.

"You're on clear fluids for the next few days. Get some soup in you and rest," she says sternly.

Kim picks up the mug and takes a sip, making a face.

"Sorry, P'Kim. I know you hate bland food." Chay tuts.

"It's just a few days, my love."

Khun smiles at them and pats Chay's hand.

"Why don't I get something for you to eat, ChayChay? Then you can nap with Kim."

"Thank you, P'Khun!"

Khun sweeps out of the room.

"I'll still be your brother, Kinn. But I haven't wanted Theerapanyakul as a last name since I left the house."

"Is it because of Pa?"

"Mostly, yes."

"But Pa is dead."

"But the things he made me do for the Theerapanyakul name live on in my head. It's time for me to set it aside."

"I'll miss you, Kim."

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm just changing my name."

"Are you changing Khimhant too?"

"No. Mom gave me that name. I'm keeping it."

"Kim Khimhant Kitibhon?"

Kim smiles and Chay lights up like the sun.

"Yeah. That sounds good." Kinn says, smiling tentatively.

"Don't worry, Kinn. You'll still see me around just as often."

"I better!"

"You will," Kim says, finishing his soup.

Khun walks back in with a tray of food and places it on a table, sliding it in front of Chay.

"Eat, child," he murmurs. "Kinn, your boyfriend is sitting in the living room with a full bottle of gin."

Kinn sighs and stands up.

"I'll go talk to him. Don't worry, Chay. He'll come around. Kim, I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks, P'Kinn," Chay says, wolfing down a bowl of noodles.

Kinn walks out of the room and Khun once again settles on the side of the bed.

"Can I design your new monogram?" Khun asks.

"Why do I need a monogram?" Kim asks.

"Handkerchiefs, business cards, invitations..."

"Yes, Khun. Design away."

"Thank you, Kimmy. How's the house coming? P'Jay treating you right?"

"There was a delay with granite for the kitchen countertops, so the move-in date got pushed back two weeks. But other than that, everything has been great. P'Jay has been wonderful. Thank you, P'Khun!" Chay enthuses.

"I'm glad, little Chay. Will there be a housewarming party?"

"Not really a party, we figured we'd invite everyone over and give a tour," Kim says.

"No party? Kimmy!"

"No party, Khun. Just family checking out the new place."

"You must let us buy you housewarming gifts!"

"No gifts, Phi!" Chay objects.

Khun pouts.

"Fine. No gifts more than five thousand baht." Chay relents.

Khun sighs.

"Fine, baby ChayChay."

Chay finishes his noodles and rubs his eyes.

"Nap time for both of you. Here, little one. Hop into bed on Kim's right side and get some sleep."

Kim shifts to his left and Chay crawls into the hospital bed with Kim. He curls up on his side, head on Kim's bare chest, listening to the steady beat under his ear. The heart that could have stopped beating forever. Tears trickle from Chay's eyes.

"It's okay, baby. I'm okay." Kim soothes.

Khun tucks them in, smoothing the blankets over their bodies.

"I'll be right here in this chair. Get some sleep." Khun murmurs.

Kim falls asleep almost immediately, and Chay follows shortly afterward. Khun watches over them with a smile on his face.

Chapter Text

Kim and Chay have come back from the civil registry office where they officially changed their last name to Kitibhon on all their documents. Miraculously, they didn’t need to bribe anyone because the name was, in fact, unique. They are headed to the compound so Kim can get his stitches out, and Kim is driving one-handed, his left hand on the back of Chay’s head, buried in his curls.

“My passport picture looks dumb,” Chay complains, looking at the little booklet.

“You want to get a new one?” Kim asks, scratching Chay’s scalp.

“No, Phi! What a waste of time! I’m just complaining.”

Kim hums and pulls through the gate to the compound. He stops in front of the entrance, gets out of his car, and throws the keys to the nearest guard. Chay rolls his eyes. They walk through the compound to get to the medical wing hand in hand. Kinn meets them at the clinic.

“Hi, P’Kinn!”

“Hi, guys. I’m just here to check on Kim.”

“I’m fine,” Kim says.

“We’re officially Kitibhons now!” Chay adds excitedly.

Kinn looks at them sadly and nods.

“Did you get all of your documents made over?”

“Yeah, though my passport photo looks stupid.”

“Do you want to get another one?” Kinn asks.

“Theerapanyakuls…” Chay mutters.

“Hey! I’m a Kitibhon now! “ Kim says with pride.

The nurse takes them back to the room and examines Kim’s wound.

“Looks good! Any problems?” she asks.

“Just itching.”

“A good sign they’re ready to come out. Any fever? Nausea? Vomiting?”

“Nope.”

“Okay then. Let’s get the stitches out!”

Kim pulls his shirt off and the nurse quickly removes the stitches. Kinn chokes, looking at Kim’s chest.

“You pierced your nipples?” he asks, aghast.

“Like, two years ago, Kinn.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted to.”

“P’Kinn? You didn’t notice? His nipple rings were in when he got stabbed.”

“I wasn’t paying attention to his nipples!” Kinn says, slightly green.

“I guess not,” Chay concedes. “But you can see them through his t-shirts, P’Kinn.”

“Safe to say I’m never focused on my brother’s nipples,” Kinn says, disgusted.

Kim looks like he’s going to be sick, and the nurse snorts a laugh.

“Okay, Khun Kim. You’re all set. You still have your activity restraints for another three months, just to let your gut heal.”

“All of them?” Kim asks plaintively.

“No heavy lifting.”

“P’Kinn, cover your ears.”

Kinn sighs and places his hands over his ears.

“Can we have sex normally?” Chay asks.

Kinn retches and starts humming the guitar solo from “Hotel California”, rocking back and forth.

“As long as Khun Kim doesn’t try to lift you, yes. You can have sex normally.” The nurse says, lips twitching into a smile.

Kim sighs in relief and pulls his shirt back on. Chay smiles and grabs Kim’s hand.

“Where’s Hia, P’Kinn?” Chay asks as they walk to the lobby.

“He’s at the minor family compound,” Kinn replies.

“Did he need P’Vegas?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Is he avoiding me?”

“He’s hurt, Chay.”

“So his solution is not talking to me?”

“Give him some time. You changed your name today. Give him a few days to come to terms with it.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong, P’Kinn.”

“I know. He’s just upset.”

“He hasn’t talked to me in two weeks!” Chay says.

“I’ll talk to him, Chay.” Kinn soothes.

“Get him in therapy,” Kim says.

Kinn winces.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“Why? You’re in couple’s therapy.”

“Barely. Porsche doesn’t participate much.”

“You’ve been doing this for months! What does he do? Just not talk?”

“Pretty much. Then yells at me afterward for ganging up on him.”

Chay sighs and rolls his eyes.

“Sounds about right.” He says wearily.

“He’ll get there. I’m sure of it.” Kinn says.

“Well if he ever talks to me again, I’ll set him straight,” Chay announces.

“I’ll get him to call you in a couple of days. Speaking of which, what are you guys doing Friday night?”

“Dinner and a movie,” Kim answers.

“Can you reschedule?”

“Why?” Kim asks.

“I want to have dinner with the whole family at Chez Soleil,” Kinn says.

“Awfully fancy for a family dinner,” Kim says.

“It may be a special occasion.” Kinn grins.

“You talked to him about it?” Kim asks.

“Yes!”

“Talked to who about what?” Chay interrupts.

“Porsche. About having a wedding.”

“Hia doesn’t want to get married.”

“But he wants a wedding. So we’re going to have one! We’re just not going to register the marriage.”

“You’re having a wedding despite Porsche not engaging in couple’s therapy?” Kim asks.

“I love him, Kim.”

Kim exchanges a look with Chay. Chay rolls his eyes. Kim sighs.

“Okay, Kinn. We’ll be there.” Kim says, resigned.

“Just make sure Hia is talking to me by then!”

“I’ll make him call you. I promise.”

“What time is the dinner?” Kim asks.

“Eight.”

Kim considers. They can probably grab a movie beforehand. He nods.

“We’ll be there,” Kim promises.

Kinn beams and walks out of the lobby whistling. Kim grabs Chay’s hand and waits for his car to be brought around. When it appears, Kim opens the passenger door for Chay and then walks around to the driver’s side. Driving towards home, Chay puts in a Sabrina Carpenter album.

“Why is your brother so resistant to therapy?” Kim asks.

“You know how thinking isn’t his strong suit?”

Kim snorts. Porsche was not a planner. Thank god Vegas was helping him with the Minor family or the business would have collapsed.

“Well, if there’s one part of thinking Hia hates the most, it’s self-reflection.”

“He apologizes to me easily enough…” Kim says.

“Hia is a little afraid of you. Also, he really wants you to like him. He’ll do anything for you.”

“He doesn’t really want Kinn to like him? He won’t do anything for Kinn?”

“He’d die for Kinn. He just won’t examine his own feelings and responses for Kinn. He doesn’t do it for me, either.”

Kim thinks. He never has heard Porsche apologize to Chay.

“Has he ever apologized to you?”

“A few times. It’s not a habit.”

“I didn’t think Porsche was that egotistical.”

“It’s not ego. He just thinks he can’t change anything, so why try?”

“Because manners?”

“Hia grew up in a world where words changed nothing and self-reflection was a waste of energy. He couldn’t change anything. So he doesn’t look inward, and he gets uncomfortable when he has to.”

“So Porsche literally never changes his behavior?”

“He does if you explain to him why he has to do it.”

“So if you explain why he has to participate in therapy, he will?” Kim asks

“If I can give him a reason to, that's worth more than his discomfort in doing it.”

“What reason is that?”

“Probably that he’s being a hypocrite. Hia hates hypocrites.”

Kim hums. Porsche insisted that Kinn get therapy. It’s only fair he does it in return.

“Of course, he has to talk to me first…” Chay sighs

“I’m sorry he’s not taking this well, baby.”

“It’s not your fault, P’Kim.”

“It was my idea.”

“I was going to change my last name to yours anyway. Now it’s better because I don’t have to share your name with your awful father and the mafia.”

Kim wriggles in happiness, then sobers. He’s driving. Kim tightens his grip on the wheel. Chay reaches a hand up and strokes Kim’s hair.

“Hia is almost thirty. He can’t act like a child anymore.”

Kim never thought Porsche acted like a child. An over-eager golden retriever, maybe, but not a child.

“He needs to take responsibility for his own behaviors and fix problems before they start,” Chay says.

Ah. Kim can see that. How many times has Kim put Porsche in an arm lock to keep Porsche from ruffling his hair? Too many. Porsche doesn’t think before he acts. Kim sighs.

“Speaking of which, P’Mark wants me to take a bunch of neuropsychological testing.”

“Why?”

“He thinks I might be on the spectrum.”

‘You might be.”

“Does it matter? I’m learning how to cope with my issues. What difference does a diagnosis make? I’m still just me.”

“If you don’t want to, don’t do it, Phi. Some people want a diagnosis to feel right about themselves. Others don’t.”

“I don’t.”

“Then don’t do it.”

“You don’t want me to?”

“A diagnosis makes no difference to me. As long as you’re happy.” Chay says.

“Really?”

“Really, Phi.”

“I think for me, it would be just a label. I don’t like labels.”

“You like the label of ‘husband’” Chay grins.

Kim flushes and holds off a happy wiggle with pure force of will. He’s still driving.

“I do,” he says.

“Don’t do the testing if you see no value in it. I do not require you to have a diagnosis to accommodate you.”

“Then I won’t. I’ll tell P’Mark Thursday.”

“Good”

“It’s really, okay? I know you’ve suspected...” Kim says

“Sure, but I don’t care if you don’t.”

“Okay.”

They pull into the apartment garage, and Kim walks hand in hand with Chay up to their apartment. Kim opens the door and they take their shoes off. Kim finishes straightening the shoes on the rack, and heads to the living room to see Chay staring at the sofa.

“P’Kim?”

“Yes, angel?”

“I can’t bear to get rid of this furniture.”

“You want to redesign the new living room?”

“No… Can we put these sofas and chair in our rooms at the compound? In case we spend the night and need a nest there?”

Kim feels something inside him he didn’t know was unsettled finally ease.

“Sure, baby. That would be great.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely, my love.”

Chay sighs in relief and barrels into Kim for a hug.

“Oof!” Kim grunts.

“I’m so happy, Phi!”

“I am too, baby.”

“How’s your side?”

“Just fine.”

“Wanna exercise it a little tonight?”

“Baby, we could have been exercising it this whole time. I was fine.”

“You have a nicked bowel! That’s not fine!”

“Okay, baby. Shush. I’m okay now.”

“You sure?”

“I got cleared, didn’t I?”

“Okay, then. Tonight!”

“Can’t wait, baby,” Kim purrs.

Kim moves into his office to put their new official documents in the safe. While in there he pulls out an anthurium-shaped pendant that will be given to Chay for his necklace once they move into their new house. Kim hears the door open and he snaps the box shut and tosses it in the safe, slamming the safe door closed.

“Well that’s not suspicious at all,” Chay drawls.

“It’s a surprise. Now shoo!” Kim herds Chay back into the living room.

Chay collapses on the couch and pulls up a streaming network.

“Sit, P’Kim! It’s time to continue your movie education.”

“What is it this time?”

“The Last Unicorn.”

“Sounds like a chick flick.”

“It’s not! Now sit!”

Kim curls up next to Chay, puts his head on Chay’s shoulder, and is absorbed in the movie.

“That was so good!” Kim exclaims, stretching after the movie is over.

“Isn’t it? The Red Bull scared the crap out of me as a kid.”

“This is a kid’s movie?” Kim asks, horrified.

“It’s really not.”

“I liked the harpy. I liked that she got to kill her captor.” Kim says thoughtfully.

“I thought you might relate to Amalthea.”

“Why?”

“You went your whole life without a sexual impulse until suddenly you had them. You said you were terrified. Just like Amalthea was with mortality.”

“I can see that,” Kim says, wrapping his arms around Chay. “Who do you relate to?”

“Schmendrick, sometimes. Maybe Lir.”

“Why those two?”

“Schmendrick because I never know if I can make my talent and potential come together when it counts, Lir because I worshiped you and knew I would never get to have you.”

“Surprise! You got me!”

Chay kisses Kim soundly.

“I got you!”

After dinner, Kim and Chay are making out on the bed hungrily, biting each other’s lips, hands wandering under clothes.

“Fuck me, P’Kim!”

Kim whips his shirt off and grabs the hem of Chay’s shirt, lifting it up, and exposing Chay’s nipples. Kim feasts on them while groping for the lube in the bedside table drawer. His fingers close around the bottle and he drops it at his side, yanking Chay’s shirt off. Kim rolls off the bed, stands, and shoves his pants and underwear off, while Chay wriggles out of his own. Clothes thrown in the hamper Kim cages Chay with his body, and kisses Chay thoroughly, tongues stroking each other. Both Kim and Chay are already hard.

“Hurry up, Phi! It’s been two weeks!”

“We could have been fucking this whole time, but no. You wanted to listen to the doctors. You wanted–”

Chay kisses Kim to shut him up, grinding his hard cock against Kim’s erection. Kim groans. Kim prepares Chay as fast as he can, slicks up his cock, and pushes into Chay’s tight heat. Chay cries out in pleasure and Kim fucks his husband hard and fast. Kim’s cock punches into Chay's prostate with every thrust of his hips and Kim drops his head, resting his forehead on Chay’s lips. Chay kisses his brow tenderly.

“Baby, I’m not going to last.”

“Me either, P’Kim!”

Kim reaches between their bodies and wraps a hand around Chay’s cock, stroking him quickly. Chay moans and wraps his legs around Kim’s waist, squeezing tightly with his thighs.

“I’m going to come, Phi!”

Kim thrusts into Chay harder, then hisses and stills, clutching his side.

“Phi!”

“It’s fine. It’s a muscle cramp. From where my abs are stitched together. It’s already gone.”

‘Are you sure?”

“Very.”

Chay rolls them both over and sits on Kim’s cock and rides him, pinning his torso to the bed.

“No more moving for you!” Chay moans.

Kim lies back and watches Chay bounce in his lap. He reaches up and grabs Chay’s cock, stroking it. Chay whines.

“I’m going to come, baby.”

“Me too!”

Chay drops down on Kim’s erection over and over until throws his head back, body stiff, and comes on Kim’s chest. Kim grabs Chay's hips and works him up and down on Kim’s cock.

“No, Phi! No lifting! I’ll move!”

Chay continues to ride Kim, until Kim bucks underneath him, moaning, spilling into Chay’s tight body.

Chay collapses forward onto Kim, smearing cum between their torsos, and kisses Kim happily. They make out for a few minutes, and then Chay sits back up, running a finger over Kim’s scar.

“Are you going to get the plastic surgery?” Chay asks.

“Probably. I wear enough crop tops that it will be visible, otherwise.”

“When?”

“Like, six months from now?”

“So you have to avoid crop tops for six months?”

“No. It’s a small scar. Makeup will cover it.”

“You could always say it’s a surgical scar.”

Kim hums.

“Do you not want me to get the surgery, angel?”

“I don’t care. It’s fine either way. It’s your body. Just giving you an option.”

Kim makes a face.

“Shower, baby?”

“Yeah, Phi.”

They shower and dry off, and then Chay’s phone starts ringing.

“Hia,” Chay explains reaching for the phone.

Chay answers the phone while slipping on his underwear. Kim pulls on his own boxer briefs and listens to Chay’s side of the conversation.

“No, Hia.

“No, Hia!”

“I said no, Hia!”

Kim sighs, walks into the living room, assembles the nest, lights the candles, and plays Gershwin softly through the speakers. He goes back to the bedroom, chivvies Chay to the cushions, and lays him down on them, covering him with his green cashmere blanket. Kim curls up behind Chay, takes the phone away from his ear, and puts it on speaker, laying the phone on the nest.

“-- Never would have considered this before him, Chay. I can’t believe you are so attached to him that you will follow his every whim, even on something so important.” Porsche lectures.

“You’re on speaker, Porsche,” Kim says levelly.

“How long have I been on speaker?” Porsche asks.

“Long enough for me to hear you be mean to Chay.”

Porsche huffs.

“Hia, I changed my name. Not my family. I was going to take Kim’s last name anyway, but now we took a different one. I wouldn’t have remained a Kittisawat either way.”

“You’re my family, Chay. Mine.”

Kim hisses.

“I’m married now, Hia. I’m Kim’s family.”

“Why couldn’t he take Kittisawat?”

“Because we want out, Hia.”

“You said I would never have to choose between you and Kinn. Why are you making me choose now?”

“I’m not, Hia. I’m still your family. Still your brother.”

“You’re not a Kittisawat anymore.”

“No, I’m not. But I’m still your brother.”

“What kind of name is Kitibhon anyway?”

“Ours!” snaps Kim.

“I was talking to Chay, Kim.”

“Not with that tone you aren’t.” Kim snarls.

Chay sighs. Kim runs a hand through Chay’s curls while Porsche huffs angrily.

“You’re abandoning me for him, Chay.”

“I’m not abandoning you, Hia. I changed my name. You should have expected this when I got married.”

“I have no family left, Chay.”

“I’m still your brother, Hia.”

“But nothing ties us together anymore!”

“Except blood. Except for nineteen years of life together. Except for every feeling of brotherhood we’ve ever had.”

Porsche sighs angrily.

“I’m not okay with this, Chay.”

“It’s not up to me to manage your emotions, Hia.”

“Seriously? That’s all you’re going to say?”

Kim squeezes Chay to his chest.

“I’m sorry you’re having a hard time with this, Hia, but it’s done. It’s up to you to accept it or not. Are you going to cut me off for changing my name?”

“Of course not!”

“Then accept that it’s done. I’m a Kitibhon now.”

“Come on, Chay…” Porsche whines.

“No, Hia. It’s done.”

“Why are you being so stubborn, Chay?”

“Because this is my life, Hia. I don’t want to lose you but I don’t want any tangible ties to the mafia. We want out Hia. We want to be safe.”

“You were safe!”

“How many times have I been threatened because I’m your brother?”

“You’ll still be my brother, Chay.”

“Yes. I will. But now it will be harder for them to find me.”

“You’re about to be famous, Chay. They’ll find you”

“Don’t go bragging to people about your famous brother and they won’t put the two of us together.”

“I can’t be proud of you?”

“You can. Away from the mafia. Brag to Yok, Jom, and Tem all you like. Leave Ivan the head of the Bratva out of it.”

“Fine. I won’t talk about you at work.”

“Thank you, Hia.”

“But there are still people out there who know Kim.”

“They’ve had ten years to come for him. If they haven’t by now, they aren’t interested.”

Porsche is silent.

“I’m still not okay with this, Chay.”

“You’re going to have to be.”

“Fine. I’ll get over it. Eventually.”

“You could always change your name to Kitibhon too.” Kim offers.

“I can’t leave Mom like that.”

Namphueng doesn’t seem to know her own name, much less Porsche’s. Kim does not express that opinion.

“Has Namphueng ever had an MRI?” he asks instead.

“What’s that?” Porsche asks.

“It’s a scan that could potentially map her brain damage.”

“No. Do you think it could be useful?”

“Maybe. Couldn’t hurt.”

Kim has a theory. He thinks his father lobotomized her. He doesn’t buy the attempted suicide story, and no drugs were found in her system. It’s the only thing that makes sense.

“Alright, I’ll schedule one,” Porsche says.

“Speaking of doctors…” Chay says. “You need a therapist, Hia.”

“Not you too!” Porsche whines.

“Hia, you punish other people with your feelings and trauma responses and that’s not fair to us. Don’t you hate it when P'Kinn does that to you?”

“How do I punish you?”

“The silent treatment. Guilt trips. Ignoring boundaries you don’t like. Yelling. You hit P’Kinn when you’re mad at him. It’s abusive, Hia.”

“I am not abusive!”

“You’re treading a very fine line, Hia. You forced P’Kinn to take steps to fix himself so he wouldn’t take things out on you. You’re a hypocrite if you don’t take similar steps.”

Porsche is silent for a long moment. Kim holds his breath.

“Fine. Who’s your therapist?”

“Nope. Get your own.”

“How do I find one?”

“Try Tanshi Bumrungkit.”

“Who is that?”

“She’s a therapist who specializes in adult parentified children.”

“Am I an adult parentified child?”

“Yes, Hia.”

“Fine. I’ll call her.”

“Thank you, Porsche.” Kim sighs.

“Shit, Kim! I forgot you were there!” Porsche gasps.

“I married Chay, Porsche. I’m always here.” Kim says.

“Right. I love you kids. I’m going to bed.”

“Love you too, Hia. Goodnight.”

Chay hangs up the phone and groans into the cushions. Kim strokes Chay’s hair and hums along to “Rhapsody in Blue”. They lay together in the nest, listening to the symphony, until finally, Chay goes lax in Kim’s arms.

“Feel better, baby?”

“Yes. Why is he so exhausting?” Chay whines.

“It’s his boundless energy.”

Chay hums and Kim buries his nose in Chay’s hair. Chay cracks a wide yawn, and Kim echoes it.

“Bed?” he murmurs.

“Yes, P’Kim.”

Kim rolls out of the nest and extinguishes the candles while Chay puts the cushions up. Kim grabs two bottles of water from the fridge and heads to the bedroom where Chay is sliding under the covers. Kim joins him, handing him a bottle of water. Chay drinks half of it, then leaves the rest on his bedside table. Scooting down under the covers, Chay curls up facing Kim, stuffed tiger in his arms. Kim grabs Basie the dinosaur, makes Basie plant a kiss on Louis the tiger, then clutches his stuffed animal to his chest. Chay smiles.

“I love you, I’m so glad you’re feeling better.”

“I love you too, angel.”

“Goodnight, Kim Khimhant Kitibhon.”

“Goodnight, Porchay Pichaya Kitibhon.”

Chay closes his eyes, and Kim smiles, following Chay to sleep.