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Their first stop was the mall. With Akin settled in the shopping cart seat and Gun holding Nirin's hand, they walked into the giant building. 

"Let's get the vegetable first." Gun immediately commanded, leading the way towards the said section, seeing the young teacher so confident made Off's heart do weird things, like beating fast. He fell in love with the image of their small family, even if it was just for a little while. His niece and nephew will return to their parents in two days, and his life will once again fall into a mundane routine. Or maybe not. Off glanced at Gun, who was showing Nirin and Akin the colourful vegetable, explaining to them why it was important to include it in their menu. A smile spread across his face, realising the pretty teacher would be there for him even after the kids would not, and Off would happily be the anchor for Gun in return. 

"P'Off, are you okay?" Gun touched his arm lightly, pulling him out of his thoughts. Off shook his head, smiling at the younger male. 

"Yeah, where are we heading now?" 

"Ice cream!" The kids shouted excitedly. Off glanced at Gun questioningly. 

"We can get it later. Now is the time for something different."Gun responded in a mysterious way, sparking the curiosity of the other three.

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As soon as they arrived in the cabin, Black pushed his brother inside and instructed him not to stick his nose out. White didn't complain at all as he was still shaken from the unexpected encounter. Black had no doubt his baby brother would busy himself with cooking to distract his restless mind. 

"I am going to look around for a bit. Make sure my brother is safe, or I will end you." Black glared at Sean, not waiting for the response before he stormed away. He needed time to think about Tawi without getting distracted, and worrying about his twin's safety was one big distraction. At least the guard dog was of use now. Black walked around the cabin in a big circle, pondering. If Tawi sent spies to a neighbouring country, it could only mean one thing. He shivered at the thought of possible war. Black made one more round before he headed back. Leaving White with Sean wouldn't do anything good, and he needed to talk with the lap dog about General Gumpa. 

"It's a shame we didn't get to go to the pond. My grilled fish with wild herbs is the best." Black could hear White's giggly voice from the inside of the cabin. 

"I would like to try it." The saccharine response from Sean made his blood boil. 

"I am back!" Black burst into the cottage, startling his brother and their bodyguard. White had a hand over his heart, blinking in surprise at him, while the wooden spoon he had been holding now lay on the floor. His eyes wandered towards Sean, who stood in front of the table, ready to pounce on the intruder. 

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"It's late, you should go home." Thawin glared at Alan. The other male wanted to answer Liftoil's question, but it seemed Thawin had a different opinion.

"But Phi..."  Liftoil whined. 

"We can continue talking tomorrow." Thawin's decision was final. Alan nodded before he stood up. 

"See you tomorrow, Oil." He ruffled his hair and left. Liftoil heard the entrance door close and turned his attention to Thawin. The older male held him tightly against his chest as if he would disappear any moment. 

"Can you tell me about us? How many lives have we lived?" Liftoil asked, gently placing his palm against Thawin's cheek. The older male leaned into the touch, staying silent for a while as if he tried to remember the painful reincarnations. Liftoil almost gave up on the answer when his neighbour finally spoke up.

"Too many. We lived too many lives." 

"Which one do you like the most?" Liftoil snuggled closer, leaning his head against Thawin's shoulder. The older man took his hand and gently kissed the back of it, closing his eyes for a brief moment before speaking again. 

"You were just a tiny pipsqueak recruited to my ship. You were so clumsy that you caught my attention.  Somehow, you made all of my man take care of you instead of scolding you. I remember you liked this old sea shanty, and you made my crew sing it with you almost every night." 

"Oh, you were a pirate." Liftoil giggled. Thawin blinked at him, amused. 

"Where did this conclusion come from?"

"You look like one." Liftoil shrugged. The older one shook his head in disbelief. 

"For your information, it was a merchant ship." He huffed out. Liftoil chuckled at Thawin's behaviour and, with a smile, he leaned closer and placed a quick, tender kiss on his cheek.

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When Pick emerged from the backroom, Rome was already cornered by Porsche. His friend was too close to the younger boy for his liking, and the pink tint adorning his cheek didn't sit well with him either. 

"Leave him alone, don't you have work to do?" Pick pushed his friend away from Rome.

"I am out, bye." Pick grabbed Rome's hand and dragged him out of the clinic before Porsche could react. He sighed in relief when they were sitting in his car, far from his curious colleague's eyes. Sometimes, Pick thought it would be easier to work with a pirate crew than with nosy Porsche. 

"Are you okay, P'Pick?" Rome's worried voice pulled him out of thinking. 

"Yeah, sure. Where are we going again? Pick asked, waiting for an instruction. Rome blinked at him cutely, giggling a bit before he answered.

"Just a block ahead. We could have walked there. It's not that far." 

Pick opened and closed his mouth in an attempt to respond, but no words left his mouth. He was stupid. Rome did mention the restaurant was walking distance from the clinic, but in the heat of the moment and the fear of Porsche sticking his nose into things that did not concern him made him forget. 

"It's okay, P'Pick, they have a small parking lot there," Rome assured him with a smile.  Pick nodded, started the engine and made the car move. 

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Gun watched the GMM staff unfurl the giant banner from afar. His and Papii's smiling faces popped out alongside words of encouragement from Babiis. He couldn't help but tear up a bit. The support and love from their fans always made him emotional. When he remembered the wobbly start of their ship, the time Papii was still P'Off, hating his touches, kisses and presence, his heart squeezed painfully. But it was all in the past. Now he had his Papii, the person he loved the most. 

"What are you thinking about, Ter?" The long arms snuck around his waist. Gun's back leaned against the hard chest of his favourite person. 

"Just reminiscing, Papii," Gun mumbled. He didn't want Off to feel bad. The older still tended to feel guilty for his past behaviour, and it hurt Gun too. He felt Off tense behind him, and he immediately turned around, facing his boyfriend. 

"I was thinking how lucky I am to have you, Papii." He stood on his tiptoes and gently kissed the older's neck. 

"I should be the one saying it. You are the best thing that happened to me." Off leaned in closer and, without hesitation, pressed his lips against Gun's. 

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The peeling walls of the petrol station gave it an air of abandonment, supported by the neglected surroundings. As Black led him towards the small bathroom at the back of the building, White let his eyes wander. The full dustbin located across the parking lot emitted a nauseating smell. White had to look away as a swarm of flies emerged from within it. The grass on the sides of the path hadn't been cut for months, and the planks lying abandoned there started to rot. White took a deep breath, trying to calm down before his brother nudged him into the tiny room. 

"I will wait here." Black leaned against the wall, arms crossing against his chest. White nodded before he hesitantly walked inside. The ugly smell immediately hit his delicate nose, and the thought of not continuing further crossed his mind. But he didn't want to make trouble if they had to stop because of him again. He quickly took care of his business, ignoring the dirty tiles and the buzzing of flies. He washed his hands in the tiny sink and hurried outside. 

"That was fast." Black glanced at him, peeling himself off the wall. 

"Let's go back, Phi." White reached for his twin's hand and started walking.  The rest of the gang was already waiting for them in the car. The door was open, and White could see his boyfriend playing with the plushie, giving it a scratch on its fluffy head. The sight was adorable. 

"We are back. Sorry for waiting." White smiled timidly as he climbed inside the car. 

"It's okay, baby. Look, what I got you." Sean settled the toy on his lap before he handed him a pack of his favourite snack. 

"Thank you, Sean." White's eyes sparkled with happiness. 

"You are welcome. Do you think I deserve a reward?" Sean beamed happily, pointing at his cheek. White's face turned bright red, not knowing what to do. He was torn between fulfilling his boyfriend's wish and the embarrassment. The vehicle's door closed with a loud bang, startling him. 

"We can go." Black's icy tone solved the dilemma for him. 

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It's been a while since Rome and Emma went out just by themself. With a piled-up seminary work, tests, and studying, they didn't have time to relax. It was hard enough to find time for their boyfriends, let alone for going out like they used to. So when they were finally done with the annoying school, they decided to let themself loose. Pick didn't seem happy with the idea of him going to the club only with Emma, but he drove him there anyway. 

"Call me when you are done. I will pick you up." Pick grumbled, but Rome knew he meant no harm. 

"Okay, P'Pick. See you." Rome leaned closer, stealing a quick kiss from his boyfriend before he jumped out of the car and went towards his best friend, who was waiting for him at the entrance. 

The night went well. They found a nice table, ordered colourful drinks and something to munch on before they went on the dance floor. They danced and drank, enjoying the night when everything went south. The DJ switched to slow songs, prompting Rome and Emma to return to their table. Rome was pleasantly exhausted, contemplating calling his boyfriend. Emma was all in when he mentioned it to her. They sipped from their drinks, chatting happily, while waiting for Pick to arrive, when the tall male approached them. 

"Hi, there. Can I ask for a dance?" The man addressed him. Rome almost choked on his drink. He looked him over, offering a polite smile before he spoke up.

"I am sorry, but we are about to leave." 

The man didn't appear to be put off by the answer and continued to pressure him.

"You are still here, though. It won't kill you, right? Just one dance." The man's attitude startled them both. 

"No, thank you." Rome declined firmly, standing up. It was better to wait for Pick outside. Emma followed immediately, but the guy stood in his way. 

"Don't play hard to get. I saw you shaking that booty, seducing all the males here." Rome gasped at the rudeness. 

"I did not. I was just enjoying dancing, and I have a boyfriend." He tried to walk around, but the man didn't let him, grabbing his arm. 

"Hands off." Pick's voice echoed through the room. The guy turned around, catching the murderous glare of the newly arrived guy. The hand quickly left his arm, and Rome took an opportunity to hurry to his boyfriend's side. 

"You are still here?" Pick growled in a low tone, and soon the male disappeared in the crowd like the coward he was. 

"Thank you, P'Pick." Rome wrapped himself around his boyfriend's arm, blinking at him cutely. 

"We are talking about this at home." Pick retorted as he turned round, guiding Rome and Emma out of the building. 

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Sean and Black walked towards the training area, which Gumpa set up at the back of the garage. White clung to his arm, the string of nervousness pouring over to him through their bond. 

"What's up, love?" Sean touched his demon companion's cheek. White looked up at him, a slight pout on his lips. 

"I am worried for you." 

"You don't have to be. I can take your brother now." Sean tried to calm White down. Strangely, he felt like he really could face the evil twin as an equal. 

"He slaughtered a kraken by himself once. I can be worried." The pout deepened, making Sean beam at his cuteness. 

"Don't smile like that, it's a serious matter." White poked his side. 

"Okay. I will be careful." Sean leaned closer, kissing his companion's plump lips before he joined Black. 

"I will show you what it means to be a demon," Black growled, as his eyes changed into the two dark holes. The flames on his horns spread down to his shoulders and towards his clenched fists. Sean mirrored his action, waiting excitedly for his brother-in-law's first move. 

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Spending the morning with Gun felt like a dream. They talk about simple things, enjoying the delicious food the pretty omega made. And when the time came, Off didn't want to leave.

"It was nice spending the morning with you, even though you are weird," Gun commented while he accompanied him towards the door. 

"You are not bad company yourself." Off winked at the young guy. Gun rolled his eyes, but the smile on his face assured him that he was not angry. 

"Will you let me take you to lunch or dinner? It's only fair after you treated me to breakfast." Off wasn't sure if his proposal had come across correctly, as he didn't want Gun to think he had only asked him as a form of payback. The cute omega tilted his head to the side, pondering. The gesture looked so adorable in his eyes that he couldn't help himself and leaned closer, gently brushing his lips against Gun's. The movement startled the younger one for a moment before he pressed against him, allowing the innocent kiss to deepen.

"I take it as a yes. I will call you later and pick you up here." Off grinned like a madman. Gun nodded breathlessly. 

"You should go now." Gun pushed him out of the door, making Off's alpha growl in distaste. 

"Or you stay, and face P'Tay. He likes to come here around this time and raid my fridge before he goes to work." Gun shrugged. Off immediately glanced over his shoulder, making sure his best friend was nowhere in sight. He wasn't prepared to face Tay for now. 

"I am going. See you later." He stole a quick peck from Gun and hurried towards his car. 

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Third watched Khai take the empty boxes into the kitchen to toss them into the trash can, and the worry in him rose again. The time for sleeping finally came. He reluctantly stood up, nervously waiting for Khai. 

"Ready for a bed." Khai smiled at him. Third nodded, shyly. He mentally scolded himself for being so affected by the other's presence and hurried towards his bedroom. He felt Khai following him. 

"Which side do you prefer?" 

"I don't know." Third, answered honestly. Until now, he hadn't thought of it. This simple matter never crossed his mind. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he barely shared his bed with anyone. It happened only with Khai, Two or Bone, and it was so long ago, he almost forgot about it. 

"In that case, I am taking the right side." Khai slipped under the duvet, shuffling to find a good position for sleeping. The old timber creeked under the movement, waking Third from the stupor. Lifting the duvet on his side, he too slipped under it. He positioned his body as far as possible from Khai without risking a fall in his sleep, and turned his back towards him. 

"Good night, Third," Khai whispered. Third hummed something in response before closing his eyes. 

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The mast holding the red flag they had to get didn't look so high to Off until he was forced to climb it. Not that he was scared of the heights, but they evoked respect in him. He glanced up, calculating how far he had to climb still, and sighed. He resumed with the careful movements when the familiar cheerful voice caught his attention. 

"Su su, Papii!" 

Off risked a quick glance at the ground, spotting his boyfriend happily cheering for him. His small jumps and broad smile infused him with new energy and determination. Gun was the medicine that made him go. He always stood by his side and cheered him up no matter what. With the image of his boyfriend's face, he reached the top in no time, getting a round of cheers and applause from his teammates and Gun. 

"P'Gun, why did you cheer him up?" One of Gun's teammates groaned. Most people would expect Gun to feel remorse, but Off knew him well. 

"Because he's my Papii," Gun answered with a cute pout. And if the cameras weren't on, Off would have kissed those juicy lips. 

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Liftoil made Thawin talk about their lives on the sea. The adventures the older one told him about sounded more like a fairy tale to him: the pirates, the storms, an unknown island and the hidden chest with gold doubloons. Liftoil snuggled up to Thawin's chest, yawning. All the talking made him tired, but he wanted to listen more. 

"You are tired. I will take you home." Thawin stood up from the couch and held him in his arms.

"No! Let me stay with you, please." Liftoil gripped Thawin's shirt, pleading. 

"It's lonely without you." He added, whispering. The older male stood still for a second before he moved. And it was the stairs leading to his room, not the entrance of his house, where he took him. The happy smile spread across Liftoil's face, knowing that he won't be alone tonight. There was a lot he still didn't understand, but it could wait until tomorrow. For now, he decided to enjoy Thawin's warm embrace. 

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The dinner was over fast. Prem loved how Ten took care of him, even though he was quite shy and embarrassed at the beginning. Now, he tried to find a reason for Ten to temper him more. They were in the car again, on the way to the hospital, so that Ten could redress his injury. 

"Are you okay, Cook? Does your arm hurt?" The doctor asked in concern. Prem didn't realise he was frowning until Ten voiced his concern. 

"No, I am okay. I just don't like hospitals." Prem pouted. Ten nodded in understanding, but he didn't stop or turn around the car. 

"We won't stay long, I promise." Ten smiled at him, and Prem found himself agreeing. He was so down for this cute man. They arrived at the hospital parking lot sooner than Prem thought. Ten led him inside, straight to the examination room. He made him sit on the uncomfortable bed and proceeded to prepare the necessary things for checking his injured arm. 

The door suddenly opened, revealing an older male clad in a white gown. Prem looked his way, startled. 

"Oh, you are here, son?" The man spoke up. Prem felt the doctor tense. 

"Yeah, I am looking at my friend's injury." The word friend sent a pang straight into Prem's heart. And even though they weren't more for now, it still hurt. 

"What are you doing here?" Ten asked his father. The older male glanced at the PC situated on the table before he answered.

"I forgot the flash drive in the USB port." 

Ten stared at his father for a moment before he nodded. Prem watched the old man walk towards the table, retrieving the device he forgot. 

"So you are my son's friend?" The question surprised him. 

"Yes, my name is Prem. We met at a cooking class." Prem didn't know why he told him.

"You two are taking a cooking class together?" The man seemed surprised. Ten opened his mouth to say something, but Prem was faster.

"Ten is actually my student. He's a little clumsy, but aside from that, he's doing well." Prem smiled at the older male. Ten's father's eyes sparkled for a moment, and a small smile appeared on his face.

"Weren't you leaving?" Ten interrupted them, and his icy tone did not go unnoticed.

"Right. It was nice to meet you, Prem. I hope your injury heals soon." The older male said goodbye before he disappeared from the room. Prem looked at Ten, wondering what could have happened to him and his father to act around each other like that. 

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The rest of the night went well. Rome didn't wake up again, sleeping soundly, cuddled against his chest. Pick held him tightly all night, and when the alarm clock echoed through the room, he wanted to smash it against the wall for disturbing his precious angel's sleep. The younger stirred in his arms, opening his eyes slowly. 

"Morning, P'Pick." Rome greeted him sleepily. 

"Morning, angel." Pick kissed the top of Rome's head, receiving a cute blush as a response. 

"It's time to take a shower and eat breakfast," Pick gently pushed Rome away. And even though he wanted to stay in bed with the cute male, they had a difficult day in front of them. Rome nodded lightly, before he sneaked out of the mattress. Pick saw a hesitation in his moves. He shuffled from the bed, walking towards him. He sneaked his arms around Rome's waist, holding him against his chest. 

"Should I go with you?" 

Rome tensed in his arms for a second before he shook his head. 

"No need. I can shower by myself. You can make me seaweed soup instead." Rome quickly turned around and pecked his lips before he ran out of the room. Pick shook his head, grinning like a fool. He changed into fresh clothes and went to the kitchen. Emma was already looking through the cabinets, searching for ingredients for their breakfast. 

"Morning, N'Emma. Do you know how to make seaweed soup?" Pick asked, looking lost. The girl looked over her shoulder, smiling. 

"You bet, P'Pick. After all, it's one of Rome's favourite dishes." 

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"Avast!" White shouted at his brother and his boyfriend. They were at it again, shaping at each other, just because he slipped and sprained his ankle. His leg throbbed, sending a sharp pain through his whole leg, and instead of helping him, these two were ready to punch each other. 

"What did you say?" Black looked at him, confused. White glared at his brother, tears streaming down his angry face. He didn't care if they didn't understand him. Not many people knew the pirate slang after all. He just wanted them to get him into the hospital. 

"Baby, we are not sailors for you to shout at us these old commands," Sean commented, and though White wanted to praise his boyfriend for the knowledge, he gritted his teeth, holding the pain.

"You two act like criminals, anyway." He snapped at him. 

"Can you take me to the hospital, or should I call someone else?" White was losing his patience. 

"Sorry, baby brother." Black was instantly at his side, helping him up from the floor. Sean stood at his other side, supporting him too, while he glared at Black. White moaned in pain as they led him to the Gumpa's car. 

"Can you wait with your bickering after they drug me with a painkiller, please. I don't think I can stand the pain and your fights at the same time." White exiled shakily. The nods from his boyfriend and twin were enough for him for now. 

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"I want Papii..." Gun whined, curling his arms around Tay's torso like a tiny octopus. His mind was fuzzy as the alcohol running through his veins finally started to work. 

"Where is my Papii, P'Tay?" He asked his friend, shaking him weakly, to get the answer from him. 

"He's on the way, Pet." The taller male petted his head, but Gun didn't believe him. 

"No, you are hiding him from me. I want Papii, now." He demanded, tightening his grip on his friend. 

"Just wait a little bit more, nong. Peng is probably parking the car right now." Tay tried to calm him down, but the words only made him sad. He missed his boyfriend terribly. They both have been busy lately, with not much time to spend together, and when Tay proposed to go for a drink to cheer him up, he didn't protest. 

"I miss my Papii." The tears gathered in his eyes, threatening to spill. He buried his face into Tay's chest, hiding from the prying eyes. His coworker's arms wrapped around his waist, trying to comfort him. They stayed like this for a while until the familiar voice interrupted them.

"I am here. Give me my boyfriend, Tay." Gun immediately looked up, his teary eyes landing on his handsome boyfriend. 

"Papii..."He sniffled, jumping on Off. Two strong arms immediately embraced him, keeping him closer. 

"Hey, what's wrong, Ter? Did Tay hurt you? Should I kick his ass?" Off asked, concerned. Gun shook his head, looking up at him.

"Gun missed Papii." Off's eyes softened, hearing his words. 

"I missed you, too, love." Off leaned closer and stole a quick kiss from his lips. 

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As soon as Ryan and Pie stepped into the meeting room, his eyes landed on the board placed at the head of the table. He tilted his head to the side, confused. This thing was full of ideas for the commercial yesterday, but today it was empty. He sat at his designed seat next to Pie and waited for Jane to start the meeting. 

"The script is going to change. Baimon suggested adding exotic animals, and the owners agreed." Jane's tone was cold, professional, and so different from usual. Ryan looked around the room, trying to spot the director, but he was nowhere to be seen. The sudden realisation hit him out of nowhere. So that's why his fiancée was so irritated. Baimon dumped this on him, knowing they had not much time to come up with the new idea. His eyes wandered back to his man, trying to send courage to him through his gaze. Soon, their eyes met, and Ryan could tell that Jane visibly relaxed. A small smile appeared on his face. Now that Jane was way calmer, they needed to come up with something breathtaking to impress P'Pick and P'Porsche. 

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White observed the gang talking and laughing, taking in the cheerful atmosphere. If the situation were different, you could easily assume they were just a bunch of friends going on a trip. But they were not. The reason Black and his friends had to flee again and hide flashed through his mind, making him frown. It was all his fault that they had to leave. All of this wouldn't have happened if he had stayed with his father. None of these precious human beings would be in danger. 

"You will like it there, White. The cabin is small, but the beach is within walking distance." Dan's voice snapped him out of the inner turmoil. He didn't even realise he was clutching Tao and the snack so hard that Sean and Black looked at him worriedly. 

"Are you okay, baby?" Sean touched his hand gently.

"You can tell us, White." Gumpa encouraged him to speak. White glanced at his brother, receiving a nod from him. 

"I am sorry, you have to hide again because of me." He whispered and stared at the plush toy in his hand as he couldn't bear the gang's eyes on him. 

"You have nothing to be sorry about. It's not your fault, nong. " Gram assured him. 

"It's not true. If I hadn't come back and bothered P'Black, this all wouldn't have happened. Father, Todd..." White sniffled. 

"Stop right there." Black suddenly pulled White's face closer, making it impossible for him to look away. 

"I don't want to hear this nonsense. It was so brave from you to leave that shit of a person who calls himself father and return to me. You are not bothering me; without you, I am nothing. You are my other half. I love you so much, my baby brother. Do you understand?" The tears were streaming down White's face, and before he could respond, his twin hauled him into a tight hug. 

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Off didn't have an idea where Gun was leading them. The mall was big enough to be compared to a maze, with its endless shelves, so he gave up figuring out the way and quietly followed the tiny teacher, pushing the cart with Akin and their grocery. 

"Here we are." Gun smiled happily, entering the open area with small stalls scattered around. Off looked around confusedly, noticing the paper boat and the flag with crossbones on one side and a superhero on the other side. 

"They are giving out samples here," Gun explained. Off nodded, feeling a surge of excitement building within him. He was unaware of this section of the mall.

"Which one do you want to try first?" Gun asked the kids. 

"The boat!" They shouted enthusiastically. 

"Fine with me." Off pushed the cart towards the stall, followed by the young teacher and Nirin. The man standing there wore a blue-striped t-shirt and a red scarf, resembling a pirate. The small table was filled with plastic cups full of colourful filling.

"Do you want to try our new yoghurt?" The man asked with a smile. 

"Which flavour do you have?" Gun observed the cups, thinking. 

"Strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, blueberry..." The salesman said. In the end, Gun took one from each flavour, handing them to the children and Off. They ate happily while walking to another stool. The young teacher was whipping Nirin's mouth when the young woman tried to lure him towards her booth. 

"Hey, handsome, do you want to try a new hot sauce?" Off raised an eyebrow, sensing that she wasn't merely interested in having him try the product. He opened his mouth to retort something not so nice when Gun appeared beside him. His tiny hand wrapped around his arm, silently claiming his ownership. The smile spread across Off's face. 

"Thank you for the offer, but my boyfriend doesn't like spicy things." Gun glared at the women before he nudged them to move away. 

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Third snuggled closer to the heat and the fluffy pillow he was holding. He sighed happily when the pillow tightened its grip around him, shielding him from the cold. 

"Nice." A soft murmur sounded near his ear. His eyes snapped open. Horrified, Third looked at Khai. The older male was obviously still unconscious, smiling happily in his sleep. Third's heart hammered in his chest, and the butterflies filled his belly as he watched Khai's resting face. Could it be possible for him to become more handsome over time? 

"Third," Khai mumbled again. Third's cheeks flushed, and he carefully wriggled out of his friend's grip. With one last glance at Khai, he shuffled out of the bed and hurried from the room. It was still a bit early to be out of bed, but he couldn't go back. Khai's sleeping body under his duvet was too distracting, and even though he promised to give Khai a chance, he was still scared. To distract himself from the unnecery thoughts, he reached for his laptop and settled at his favourite spot near the window. The floor was cold against his skin, and he suddenly didn't find the beanbag idea that bad anymore. 

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"And the boat had the cannon too. It was big and it was still functioning." Tay said, flying his hands around to support his storytelling. Off nodded to whatever his best friend was saying, focused more on his phone than anything else. 

"And then they shoot an elephant out of it." Tay crossed his arms against his chest, sulking. 

"Good." Off hummed, his eyes still fixed on the device in his hand. Tay rolled his eyes before he poked Off's side, finally getting his attention. 

"What the hell, Peng?" Off glared at him. 

"You were not listening. What's so interesting in there anyway? It must be something really good that it got your full attention." Tay leaned closer, trying to look over Off's shoulder. Off immediately turned the phone off and hid it in his pocket. 

"Really? Why are you acting like a child?" Tay huffed. 

"Or are you stalking my pet again?" He wriggled his eyebrow knowingly. Off's face flushed as he was caught. 

"I am not stalking him." Off denieyed. 

"You know that you can call him if you want to see him?" Tay pointed out. 

"He's busy." Off shiged. 

"So busy he can't see his boyfriend when they are both in the same building?" 

"He's here?" Off jumped off the sofa, staring at his friend. 

"Yes... Oh wait. I wasn't supposed to tell you this. He wanted to surprise you." Tay slapped his forehead before he reached for his friend's arm and pulled him back to sit. 

"Just wait here." He added. Off nodded excitedly. Soon, the door opened, and Gun burst into the room, all radiant and smiling. 

"Papii!!" The familiar nickname echoed through the air. The tiny actor hurried towards his boyfriend, settling on his lap. Tay stood up immediately, leaving the couple alone. He didn't want to be part of their lovely bubble and witness whatever they would do in the room after all. 

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Half of the day Off felt like floating on cloud nine. The morning spent with his omega filled him with myriad emotions. His alpha was wriggling its tail constantly, basking in the memory of Gun serving them breakfast. 

"What's with that constipated face?" Tay burst into his office, sitting in the chair across from him. Off jumped, startled by his best friend's presence. 

"You don't know how to knock?" He asked instead. Tay's eyebrow raised in silent judgment. 

"For your information, I did knock. It's you who is immersed in the depths of his thoughts that you completely ignored me." 

"Whatever. What do you need?" Off rolled his eyes. Leaning backwards, he waited for Tay to speak. Even though his friend probably came because of the new project, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Tay had come to warn him about Gun.

"Did you look at the financial proposal?" 

"I did. I don't see any problem with it. I can sign it, if you don't have any objection." Off confirmed. 

"I am all good with it." Tay nodded. Off took the folder and put his signature on the papers inside before he handed it to his friend. 

"Good. I am going to forward this." Tay stood up, waving the folder. Off watched him reach the door and turn around. 

"I hope the faint scent I smelled at my baby cousin's house was just a residue of his new cologne." Tay glared at him before he opened the door and disappeared into the hallway. Off froze for a second, the cold sweat forming on his forehead. How could he forget to use scent cover?  

Chapter Text

The restaurant was small, tucked away behind a brick wall and surrounded by greenery. The atmosphere was lovely and intimate—an ideal setting for a first date, in Pick's opinion. They found an empty table on the patio, situated away from the other diners, and began to look over the menu. Since Rome was a regular there and knew the best dishes, Pick let him choose for him. 

"So, P'Pick, did you always want to be a veterinarian?" Rome asked, looking at him with a glint in his dark orbs. 

"Yes. I have liked animals since childhood. They are easy to deal with, and they don't pretend to like you, unlike people." Pick explained. Rome nodded in understanding, yet his eyes turned sad as if he was remembering something.

"I know what you are talking about." Pick didn't like the melancholy in the younger's voice.

"People can be cruel," Rome added, with a wavering smile. Had someone hurt this wonderful person? He wanted to lash out at anyone who had made Rome feel this way, but he restrained himself.  Instead, he reached across the table, taking Rome's hand in his, squeezing it lightly. 

"Not everyone is like that, though," Pick said, trying to convey his support and reassure him that he was there for him. Rome squeezed back, but didn't pull away. Their hands stayed connected as they continued talking.

"And you, nong? Are you a student or are you working already?" Pick asked with curiosity. Rome looked young, and the probability that he was still studying was high. 

"It's been a while since I left college, P'Pick. I am a freelance photographer. I travel the world, capturing nature and sometimes people too." Rome let out a giggle, but Pick's heart dropped with the information. 

"Are you travelling a lot?" He asked. 

"I travel as much as I can..." Rome answered. "But I always return home." He added, smiling.

Chapter Text

Liftoil fell into deep sleep as soon as Thawin lay him on the bed and snuggled with him under the soft duvet. He dreamed about the giant ship, the storm and the small dinghy drifting through the wild sea. He could feel the waves play with the boat, trying to turn it over, and the fear permeating his body. When a larger wave rolled over the board, he lost his grip, and the water swept him away. He desperately tried to stay afloat, but the sea had a different plan for him, pulling him from side to side, and finally under the surface. 

Liftoil's eyes snapped open, and he was gasping for air. He couldn't breathe as he still felt the salt water entering his airways. He was hauled into the tight embrace and rocked from side to side in a calming manner. 

"It's okay. It was just a dream." Thawin's voice comforted him. Liftoil clung to the older male, wishing his words were true. Deep down, he knew he had just relived his own death once again.

Chapter Text

Off leaned against the leather seat, checking the time on his expensive watch. He sighed, annoyed at seeing the time. Quarter past seven. He was getting late picking up his boyfriend from the filming set, thanks to traffic. Today was the last day of filming Gun's new drama, and he promised to pick him up and take him to a nice romantic diner as a congratulation. 

"We are almost there, Mr Adulkittiporn." His driver announced. Off hummed in response, looking out of a tinted window. The familiar building appeared in front of his eyes, announcing their arrival. The driver was trying to find a parking spot closer to the filming set, so they wouldn't have to walk far later when his phone rang. Off glanced at the caller's name, frowning to see Pond's name on it. He quickly picked up with an unsettling feeling growing in his stomach.

"P'Off, are you here already? Can you hurry up?" Pond did not greet him; instead, he asked questions, which made him feel uneasy.

"We are trying to find a parking spot. What's up, N'Pond?" 

"Will it take long? The last scene was emotional, and we can't get P'Gun to calm down." Pond's worried voice explained. Off's heart squeezed painfully. Gun's ability to get into the character was admirable, but it had its drawbacks, too. He still remembers the bundle of his crying boyfriend, snuggled up to him for hours after the particularly emotional scene in Theory of Love. 

"I'll be right there." He ended the call and indicated to the driver to stop the car, so he could get out. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Off hopped off, running towards the building. He absentmindedly greeted the staff as he hurried inside. 

"P'Off is almost here, P'Gun. Just wait a little bit." Pond's voice navigated him through the set. He stopped for a second, searching for his tiny partner, finding him sitting on the sofa surrounded by Pond, Dew, Phan and some of the staff who tried to calm him down. 

"Oh, Off you are finally here." The director recognised him and ushered him towards Gun. Off smiled at him in appreciation before hurrying to his other half. 

"I am here, Ter." Off sank beside Gun, opening his arms for him. 

"Papii..." The younger man sobbed, immediately crawling towards him, burying his face into his chest. Off hugged him tightly, rocking them slowly from side to side. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the staff and other actors fleeing the room to give them privacy.

"You did well, baby. It's alright now." Off kissed the top of Gun's head, knowing no one saw them. After a while, Gun's tears stopped, and he looked up at him, smiling tiredly. 

"Thank you for being here for me, Papii," Gun whispered, leaning closer and stealing a quick kiss. 

"I am always there for you." Off returned the smile. 

Chapter Text

Ten was strangely quick with redressing his wound and leading him back to the car. Prem observed him with utmost curiosity through the whole ride, pondering how rude it would be to ask him about his father. The vehicle stopped, and only then did Prem realise they were already near his home. 

"Do you want to ask something, Cook?" Ten turned to him, his puppy eyes piercing right through his soul. 

"No..." Prem shook his head nervously. The low chuckle escaped Ten's lips. 

"Are you sure? I saw you looking at me the whole ride." Ten said, making Prem blush. 

"I was just curious about your father." The uncomfortable silence spread through the car

"But you don't have to answer me." Prem immediately added. 

"It's okay... I told you we don't get along. It's because of my mother's death," Ten sighed as emotions overwhelmed him. Prem reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers in silent support. 

"She was ill, but he was too preoccupied with his job, so he didn't notice. When he did it was too late." 

"I am sorry, Doc. It must have been hard." Prem squeezed his palm. 

"She was an incredible woman. Even though she was weak and tired, she took me to the fair at our favourite pier. And he just let her..." Ten's eyes were filled with tears, and Prem couldn't bear to see him like that. He let go of his hand and hauled him into the somehow clumsy embrace. Ten sobbed into his neck, and Prem tried to hold his tears back. It reminded him of his own parents and their last trip. But at least Ten still had his father, and from the short observation, Prem could tell the older male wanted to be in his son's life again. 

He took it as his personal goal to get them closer again. 

Chapter Text

Sean felt the fire running through every tiny blood vessel in his body. He had never felt so excited to fight before. Seeing Black waiting for him at the mats thrilled him in every possible way. He wanted to show everyone he was capable of protecting his demon companion. Black's dark eyes were glaring at him, luring him to move first. Sean glanced at White for the last time before he launched at his twin. His burning fist barely missed Black's face. Another wave of excitement rushed through him when his brother-in-law swiftly returned the move, and he was able to avoid it. They circled the place, kicking and punching each other, and Sean was surprised how much he enjoyed it, even Black seemed to have fun. 

"This is boring," Yok exclaimed. Sean dared to glance at him, and immediately the fist landed on his face. His body wavered, but he withstood the blow quite well. The side of his face stung, and he was sure that the corner of his lip was split. Sean glared at Black, ready to strike back when White squeaked, immediately rushing towards him. His demon companion's tiny palms gently touched his face, examining the damage Black had made. 

"Looser," Black smirked.

"Fuck you," Sean growled as he let his lover fuss over him. 

Chapter Text

The three of them were throwing in ideas, but nothing seemed good enough, and when Pie randomly mentioned cove or sea, Jane's eye twitched. Ryan immediately recognised the sign and spoke up. 

"I think we need a little break, P'Jane. Maybe we can come up with something better after that." Pie immediately agreed with his idea. Ryan watched Jane take a deep breath before he nodded. 

"You are right, N'Ryan. Let's get something to eat." Jane pushed himself off the table he was leaning against and reached for his bag. Ryan's eyes lingered on his lover's curves perfectly fitted in the blue jeans, staying a little bit longer on his ass before the sound of metal scraping against the floor made him snap out of the daze. He quickly grabbed his things, pretending he wasn't ogling his fiancée and rushed after Pie out of the office. Jane was right behind them, and Ryan had a feeling the older male was well aware of his previous staring.

They went to a nearby restaurant and ordered quickly. While waiting, they engaged in small talk before Pie excused herself to use the restroom, leaving Ryan alone with Jane. The older male reached across the table, grabbed his hand and squeezed it lightly. 

"I am sorry for snapping at you. Baimon is stressing me with all this." Ryan smiled at his fiancée, nodding. 

"I won't say it's okay to act like this, but I understand you. Don't worry, everything will be alright. You have me and Pie to help you." Ryan assured him.

"Thank you, love." Jane returned the smile. They held hands for a bit longer until Ryan spotted Pie returning. He quickly withdrew his hand, noticing the slight frown on his fiancée's face. He knew exactly how Jane was feeling. He also disliked having to hide their relationship, but they couldn't change it until his internship was over.

Chapter Text

Rome's POV

Rome stood in front of the mirror, observing his reflection. His cheeks were light pink, contrasting with his usual pale skin. Pick's behaviour, and undisguised affection made him happy and shy at the same time. He felt like being drunk on a strong ale. He slipped his cheeks lightly, trying to get rid of the overwhelming emotions running through his body. When he was calm enough, he took off his pyjamas and stepped into the shower. The warm weather immediately hit his aching body, but instead of relaxing him, it made the wounds on his legs and arms sting. He winced in pain and completed the bath quickly. As he dried off, his eyes filled with tears from the towel brushing against his damaged skin. Some of the deeper wounds reopened, and thin streams of blood began to run down his legs. Rome's breath caught in his throat, and panic washed over him in waves. He tried to stop the blood with the towel, but his hands trembled too much, only making it worse. The tears were streaming down his face, and he didn't realise he had called for Pick until the older male was kneeling in front of him, holding the towel against his skin. 

"It's okay, Rome. I am here. Emma is looking for the first aid kit." Pick smiled at him, and Rome nodded. His boyfriend guided him to sit on the closed toilet seat, while he remained kneeling on the bathroom floor. 

"I should have gone with you." Pick murmured to himself as he examined the injuries. The bleeding stopped, but the worry on his lover's face stayed, and it made his heart flutter. 

Chapter Text

Sean was looking at his bank account with wide eyes. 

"Are you sure there's no mistake? Does this money belong to me?" He asked his banker for a fifth time as he still couldn't believe him. 

"It's true. This money belongs to you, Mr Bawongittacha. The investment you made paid off." The older male smiled at him. 

"If you are interested in another investment, don't hesitate to contact us again." Sean nodded absentmindedly before he stood up. 

"Thank you. I... I need to discuss it with my boyfriend first." 

"Very well. I hope to see you soon. Have a nice day." The banker said goodbye. 

Sean wobbled towards his bike and sat there for a while until he managed to calm down enough to drive. When White suggested that he try investing, he almost dismissed the idea. However, his boyfriend's puppy eyes melted his resolve, and he allowed White to handle his money as he wished. Sean did not expect the result to be like this, but hell, White parlayed his small savings into a vast fortune. 

Finally, he had enough to buy a nice apartment for himself and White and to ask him to marry him, Black be damned.

The drive to the garage took him longer due to his dazed mind, but as soon as he parked and spotted his cute boyfriend standing on the mats facing Gram, he rushed towards him. He jumped on White, engulfing him in a bear hug, and sending them both to the ground. The young male let out a surprised squeak as he was manhandled suddenly. 

"White! I love you!" He showered White's face with kisses, making him giggle. 

"I love you, too, Sean. Did something good happen?" White blinked at him through his glasses. Sean nodded happily. 

"I will tell you later. Now go shower, we have so much to do." Sean stood up, pulling his boyfriend to his feet. White quickly disappeared into the small bathroom, leaving Sean alone with Gram.

"Do I want to know?" Gram asked.

"I wouldn't tell you anyway." Sean grinned before he hurried into his and White's room. He needed to prepare a speech for his beloved after all.