Pond guided a stumbling Dunk through the front gates of the Jamornhum mansion. Dunk's voice rang loud and cheerful despite his glazed eyes. "Hey, Uncle Lam..." Pond said.

"Hello, Uncle Lam..." Dunk greeted his father after Pond.

Lam's brow furrowed as he folded his arms. "How drunk is he? Can't even tell I'm not his uncle but his father?" he muttered. But his eyes shifted toward Pond, who wad avoiding Beam's piercing stare.

"Uncle, it's his graduation year." Pond explained evenly. "He partied hard, had some drinks, a little marijuana. Don't worry-he'll just have a headache. Give him these tablets when he wakes up." He handed the pills to Lam.

Dunk blinked at Lam's stern face. "Uncle, where are we going?" A light smack to his arm increases his whining. "Pond, save me!"

Pond turned to leave, but Beam's voice cut through the air. "Stay here. It's already late."

"I'm going home." Pond replied without turning.

"Home is where family lives together." Beam said.

"Family is built on trust." Pond countered sharply, his voice low. His eyes burned as they met Beam's. In his thoughts, the words cut deeper: (That's all you ever do Paa-force people into things they don't want.)

From the hallway, Forth watched silently. He knew the two men's tempers all too well: Beam's unyielding pride, Pond's stubbornness. Neither would bow, not when old wounds still festered.

Forth finally stepped forward, a warm smile breaking the tension. "Hey, kiddo..."

Pond's face lit up. He forgot the previous argument he had with him and embraced his father. "Hey, Dad. I missed you." He said.

"Me too. Stay a few days, huh? Let me at least share breakfast, lunch, and dinner with my favorite son." Forth teased. He knew Pond would not get angry with him. He always likes to have his parents only for him.

Pond chuckled. "Pretty sure P'First won't like hearing that, Dad."

"Then we just won't tell him. Pinky promise?" Forth held up his little finger. Pond laughed openly at the sight.

"I'm not a kid anymore. And honestly? I can't wait to see P'First's face when I tell him you called me your favorite son." He settled into the couch with a faint grin.

"Munchies?" Forth offered.

Pond shook his head. "I've got surgery early in the morning. But... since I'm already here, I'll stay for a few days. So you get to eat your meals with your favorite son, and Uncle Lam won't kill Dunk. Win-win." He stood "Goodnight, Dad." and disappeared down the hall without sparing Beam a glance.

Forth turned to Beam, resting a hand on his shoulder. "He'll come home for sure one day, Beam. Don't worry." But Beam's unease lingered. In his gut, he felt it: a storm was on the horizon, and it was headed straight for their family.

Far from the mansion, at top a secluded hillside under a vast expanse of stars, Techno let out a soft sigh. "Wow... I've never seen a sky like this. Why doesn't anyone know about this place?"

Kengkla smiled, his fingers intertwining with Techno's. "Because my dad owns it. My private hill... my escape when the world feels too heavy."

"Thank you, Nong. This is exactly what I needed." Techno leaned back as Kla lowered the seat.

They lay side by side, staring at the night sky.

"I like being with you, P'No," Kengkla said quietly.

Techno turned, gently placing a finger to his lips. "I know what you're about to say. But don't. I can't think about something that can never happen."

Kengkla removed the finger and pulled Techno close by the waist. "Don't you trust me? I'll make it happen. Just don't give up on us."

Techno sat up, his voice firmer now. "Do you know why my father hates Technik, you and  Mix? Why he's beaten Technik since we were kids? Technik never wanted his money, his rules. Your friendship gave him courage to rebel. My father blames you for that." He met Kla's solemn gaze. "You're not at fault. Neither any of you. But us being together? That's a declaration of war between our families." Resting his head on Kla's shoulder, Techno closed his eyes. "It's peaceful like this. Perfect, even."

"And how long can it stay like this?" Kla's patience cracked. His love for Techno was no secret, but his resolve was wearing thin. "What happens when your father tries to marry you off tomorrow? Will you tell him you can't because you love me? Or will you marry the person of their choice and ruin three lives in one time?"

Techno's lips tightened. "Please, Nong. Let's not fight tonight."

Kengkla rose, frustration and devotion warring in his chest. "I love you, P'No. My whole life revolves around you. You know that. You study, work, and live independently so you don't owe your father anything. So why? Why can't you choose us over him?"

Techno whispered, "It's not that easy. My father is powerful man, Kla."

Kengkla's voice was resolute. "So does my. I'll protect you, our family-everyone. Just trust me once, P'No." His gaze held nothing but hope.

Techno knew Kengkla's feelings weren't a passing phase. First, he'd assumed it was a teenage crush. Then, just fleeting attraction. But years later, Kengkla's devotion hadn't faded.

Technik's words echoed in Techno's mind: If you love him, show him. If you don't, end it. Don't leave him hanging. If that rope of hope snaps suddenly, it'll kill him. You are my brother P'No and Kengkla is my best friend. It will hurt me more if any of you get hurt.

Kengkla's heart pounded as Techno finally met his eyes, sighed, and leaned forward-pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

Kla blinked in surprise. "What...?"

"We kissed. So... does that mean we did it?" Techno asked earnestly.

Kengkla nearly laughed. How can he be Technik's brother? "No, P'No. It's just a peck. But... we'll get there. Soon." He gently guided Techno down onto the seat, smiling as he imagined a future beyond the stars. Not tonight, not here-but one day, he'd announce Techno his, without fear or secrecy.

Morning light broke with a buzz of Pond's phone. First's face appeared on the screen.

"So, you're finally home?" First smirked.

"Dad wanted his favorite son. How could I refuse?" Pond teased.

"His favorite son is working his ass off here. Don't get cocky."

"The youngest one is always the favorite, no matter what." Pond quipped.

"I'm the firstborn, kid. You'll never take my place." First replied with a smirk. But Pond's faintly sad expression sobered him. "Hey, I was joking."

"Yeah... sure. Firstborn's always first." Pond muttered, voice heavy.

"Hey. Stay there a while, okay? I'll be back soon-the work here is almost wrapped. I want you, Boom and Dunk to meet someone."

Pond narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me you got married over there."

First grinned. "I Got a kitten."

Pond smirked. "You didn't answer me but anyway. Those bite marks on your neck definitely screams 'kitten.'"

"Stay out of trouble-both, you and Dunk. Give Boom my love. Bye." The call ended, leaving Pond staring at the blank screen, his thoughts heavy with unspoken doubts and tangled loyalties.

Dunk woke to a throbbing headache, the kind that felt like hammers pounding against his skull. His eyes snapped open as a shock of icy water drenched him, dragging him fully from his slumber.

With a gasp, Dunk sat bolt upright, teeth chattering. "This is a cruel joke, Paa! Don't you have a heart?" he groaned, glaring at the stern figure looming by his bedside.

Lam crossed his arms. "Oh, so now you remember I'm your father? Last night, I was just your 'uncle'-the one you were desperate to escape from."

Before Dunk could retort, another splash of water hit his face. He clutched his ears dramatically and bellowed, "DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!"

The door burst open. Park, Forth, and Beam rushed inside. Park immediately hurried to Dunk's side. "Sweetheart, what happened?"

Before Lam could speak, Dunk shot up, pointing an accusatory finger at his father. "Do you know what he did? He poured cold water on me. Twice! On me, Dad! I was sleeping like an innocent baby, and he-he's so heartless!" Dunk wrapped his arms around Park's waist, his voice dropping into a sob. "I'm your little boy, Dad. He traumatized me!"

Park's gaze hardened as he turned to Lam. "Now, that's too far. I've never stopped you from scolding him or nagging him about his clothes, but this? This is unacceptable. Stop torturing him."

Lam's jaw tightened. "Torturing? Do you know in what state Pond dragged him home last night? He was high on drugs and booze, Park. He couldn't even recognize his own father!"

Park's brows knitted. He turned back to Dunk. "You did drugs?"

Dunk blinked innocently. "Dad, I didn't know it was a drug. It was just lying on the table, so... I mistakenly ate it assuming food crumbs. I was drunk. Ask P'Pond!"

Park exhaled sharply. "Which club?"

"VAST." Dunk muttered, lowering his head.

Park pinched the bridge of his nose. "Figures. That place is a mess-drugs everywhere. Don't go there again, understood?"

Dunk nodded, relief washing over his face.

Lam, however, wasn't appeased. "That's it? You're just going to take his word for it? Don't you want to cross-check?"

"I trust my son," Park snapped, his tone firm. "And you'd better stop speaking ill of him."

The tension snapped further when Pond, fresh from a grueling three-hour surgery, entered the room. He had run up after hearing Dunk's scream.

"Lam is right, Park," Beam interjected coldly. "You can't keep turning a blind eye. It will only get worse."

Pond's sharp voice cut through the air. "Take advice from Paa, Uncle Park. He's very experienced in not trusting his own blood."

"Pond!" Forth's warning tone made him pause.

Pond's gaze, however, stayed locked on Beam. "As for Dunk, I was there with him. It wasn't his fault. But if you still doubt him, feel free to investigate." Without another word, Pond left for his room.

The silence hung heavy. Lam stormed out in anger, Beam followed, his expression tight with hurt.

Left alone, Forth sat on the bed beside Dunk, Park lowering himself onto a chair. "I'm sorry I caused trouble between you guys." Dunk mumbled.

Forth ruffled his hair gently. "It's not your fault. Go get ready for university."

Dunk glanced at Park, who nodded, before planting a quick kiss on his father's cheek and disappearing into the bathroom.

Park leaned forward, rubbing his temples. "I don't know what to do with Lam anymore."

Forth sighed. "Let him be. He's always been strict, but he's gone overboard with Dunk. The kid needs space to live his life."

"That's what I've been trying to tell him," Park muttered. "But he's relentless. The pressure he's putting on Dunk is too much."

The two men exchanged a knowing look. Both understood-there was no option for changing Beam or Lam's rigid ways.

Lunch passed in strained silence; Beam and Lam skipped the table entirely. Later, Pond offered to drive Dunk to university.

"You're not upset?" Dunk asked, sliding into the passenger seat.

Pond smirked faintly. "I'm not your father. I don't get upset over every little thing."

"That's what I've been trying to tell him!" Dunk huffed. "But no, he just has to control me."

"Let him try. They're all the same," Pond said, eyes on the road. "Dad told me stories about how wild they were in their youth. Now, suddenly, they're saints."

Dunk grinned. "Does Uncle Beam know uncle Forth told you that?"

"What do you think?" Pond's lips curled into a sly smile.

"Slyyyy," Dunk teased, laughter filling the car as they neared the gates.

Dunk hopped out quickly once they arrived, waving as he headed toward campus. Pond was about to drive off when, out of nowhere, a boy sprinted in front of his car and yanked open the passenger door.

Before Pond could react, the stranger grabbed his tie, yanking him forward until their faces were just inches apart. Pond froze, heart hammering-was this guy about to kiss him?

He tried to pull back, but the boy's grip tightened as he turned his face away, shielding himself just as a group of men approached, scanning the area.

"Freaking morons making out at the gate. These couples are everywhere now." one of them muttered as they passed. "Let's find that guy first, then we will deal with the outsider."

Pond, still tense, caught the pleading look in the stranger's eyes and hesitated. He could feel the boy's breath against his lips, their proximity electric. 

When the pursuers finally left, the boy-Phuwin-sighed in relief. He turned, only to meet Pond's intense gaze. Those warm brown eyes, that closeness-it pulled something out of Pond he couldn't name. He leaned closer, almost instinctively, until Phuwin abruptly shoved him back.

"What do you think you're doing?" Phuwin demanded, his glare sharp.

Pond blinked, snapped from his trance. "Me? I should be asking you! Who barges into someone's car and nearly kisses them? Are you insane? Look at you-you're... beautiful. What if it wasn't me, but some creep? What would you have done then?"

Phuwin arched a brow. "First, it was an emergency. They've been following me for blocks. Second, I'm not 'beautiful'-I'm handsome and manly. Third, if I ever ended up in a creep's car like you said..." He whipped out a small pepper spray, aiming it briefly toward Pond's face before spraying a warning mist in the air. "I'd do this."

With that, he bolted from the car.

Pond sat frozen, bewildered, his heart still racing. Why was it pounding like this? Was it because of that boy's looks? His closeness?

No. Absolutely not. He was straight. Or at least, he thought he was.

Maybe it wasn't Phuwin at all. Maybe it was Beam-thinking about his father always raised his blood pressure. Yes, that had to be it.

Scowling, Pond shoved the thought away, shifted the car into gear, and drove off, his mood soured once more.

Kengkla couldn't stop smiling. The sunlight filtering through the the restaurant's tall windows felt warmer, the clinking of cutlery at lunch sharper, brighter. He had barely slept after last night - not because he was restless, but because for the first time, Techno had truly accepted him.

He celebrated the only way he knew how: by ordering an extravagant lunch spread. Plates of roasted duck, steaming bowls of soup, desserts stacked in towers, and bottles of champagne gleamed on the table like a victory feast.

Mix blinked at the spread in disbelief, while Technik leaned back in his chair with his usual dry glare. "What's this? Did you secretly trick P'No into signing marriage papers while he was asleep?"

Kengkla smirked, leaning on his palm. "Not yet. Though, honestly... not a bad idea."

Mix snorted, nearly choking on his drink, while Technik groaned, "God, just say it and spare us this display before I lose my appetite."

With a grin so wide his cheeks ached, Kengkla finally announced, "I confessed to P'No last night. And he said yes."

Two jaws dropped in unison.

"WHAT?!" Mix and Technik shouted, their voices echoing off the chandeliers.

Kengkla chuckled, his smirk deepening. "Turns out, he's known about my feelings for years. He just... didn't want to defy your father Ai'Nik. But he's not running anymore."

Nik's fist clenched under the table. "That bastard. Controlling even where his sons can breathe around-"

"Save the rage for later," Mix interrupted, still reeling. "Wait... you two kissed?"

Kengkla's grin widened. "We did."

Before he could elaborate, Technik held up a hand, glaring. "Stop right there. I don't need to know how or where you kissed my brother. Or anything else you might be doing. Just... for the love of sanity, keep the details out of my ears." He tipped back his glass, muttering into the rim, "My best friend sleeping with my brother. Unbelievable."

Kengkla only laughed. "Relax. I'm not rushing anything. I'd never touch him beyond what he wants. Marriage first, then everything else. I already have a honeymoon plan, though."

Mix perked up, smirking at Technik. "Oh? The one you've been dreaming about since you first met Techno? That private island?"

Kengkla's satisfied nod made Mix burst into laughter as Technik muttered something about "stocking up on earplugs."

But beneath the banter, Kengkla's chest tightened with quiet triumph. Last night had changed everything. Techno wasn't just someone he was chasing anymore - he was someone he could finally hold on to.

On the rooftop of Thailand's best , the wind whipped around them, cool against the heat simmering between their bodies. Nani's cigarette was crushed beneath Sky's fingers before he even realized Sky had snatched it.

"How dare you-" Nani growled, grabbing Sky by the collar, yanking him close enough to feel the other's breath ghosting over his lips.

Sky's smirk was infuriatingly calm. "What's wrong, babe? Tell me. Or... do you want me to guess?"

Nani's jaw tightened, his breath heavy. He didn't answer, but his grip didn't loosen either.

Sky's hand slid up, fingers wrapping around the back of Nani's neck, pulling him closer until their noses brushed. His voice dropped, husky and low, "Is this about Suzi? Or is it that you can't stand the thought of anyone else even looking at me?"

Before Nani could snap back, Sky closed the gap, crushing their mouths together. The kiss was nothing gentle - it was rough, almost punishing. Teeth clashed, breaths mingled, and Sky's tongue pressed past Nani's lips with practiced ease, claiming and coaxing all at once.

Nani's knees weakened, but he refused to surrender. His hands fisted Sky's shirt, dragging him closer until their bodies were flush, chest to chest, heartbeats hammering in unison. Sky pushed forward, backing Nani against the cold wall, his thigh slotting between Nani's legs in a subtle, deliberate press that made Nani gasp into the kiss.

The gasp only spurred Sky on. His fingers traced the sharp line of Nani's jaw before slipping lower, over the side of his throat, feeling the rapid pulse there. His lips left Nani's just long enough to graze along his jaw, teasing, before trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down the sensitive curve of his neck.

"Sky-" Nani's voice cracked, a mix of warning and want. " I hate you."

Sky's teeth grazed his skin, not enough to leave a mark but enough to make Nani shiver. "You hate me, huh?" Sky murmured against his neck. "Then why are you shaking like this?"

Nani's fingers dug into Sky's shoulders, grounding himself, but he didn't push him away. Instead, his head tilted ever so slightly, baring more of his throat in silent surrender.

Sky's mouth curved into a knowing smirk against his skin. He pulled back just enough to meet Nani's eyes, his thumb brushing over Nani's lower lip, still swollen from their kiss. "Love me. Hate me. Doesn't matter... because I love you enough to hold us together forever."

Nani's breath hitched. Without another word, he grabbed Sky by the back of his neck and dragged him back into a kiss - deeper, hungrier, as though trying to devour the smugness out of him.

Sky's hands slid around his waist, pulling him closer still, their bodies pressed so tight the space between them practically burned. The rooftop spun, the world narrowed to just heat, lips, and the sharp taste of want between their tongues.

When they finally tore apart for air, Nani's lips were kiss-swollen, his voice rough as he muttered against Sky's mouth, "I hate you... so much."

Sky chuckled, brushing their noses together. "And I love you... would continue to do."

Nani didn't reply - just kissed him again, slower this time but with the same intensity, their breaths heavy, their hands roaming in the quiet shelter of the rooftop, where only the wind dared to watch.