Chapter Text
Pete rang the doorbell, his heart racing as he glanced at Vegas beside him. Vegas stood stiffly, his hands shoved into his pockets, clearly trying to mask the nervous energy coursing through him. Macau stood on Vegas’s other side, bouncing on his heels, a mix of excitement and nervousness.
The door opened slowly, revealing Yaai, Pete’s grandmother. She was a small woman but carried an air of strength. Her eyes softened immediately when she saw Pete, and she opened her arms, pulling him into a tight hug.
“Pete!” she exclaimed, her voice warm and slightly shaky. “It’s been so long, my boy.”
Pete sank into the hug, closing his eyes for a moment. “I missed you, Yaai,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.
Before Pete could fully pull away, Macau darted forward, throwing himself into Yaai’s arms with a laugh. “Yaai!” he shouted, clinging to her like a child. “I missed you so much!”
Yaai laughed, wrapping an arm around Macau as well. “How are you little one?” she asked playfully, her eyes twinkling.
Macau grinned up at her. “I’m great as always, apart from hia and p’Pete annoying me” he said, teasing his brothers.
“Something like that,” Pete said with a chuckle, ruffling Macau’s hair.
Then Yaai’s gaze shifted to Vegas, who had been standing a step back, watching the interaction with an unreadable expression. The warmth in her eyes dimmed slightly as she took him in, her sharp gaze assessing him.
“This must be the one you told me about,” she said, her tone neutral but firm.
Vegas stiffened, bowing his head deeply. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Vegas,” he said, his voice steady but quieter than usual. He looked unsure, out of place, like he didn’t know whether to step forward or stay where he was.
Yaai stepped closer, her eyes never leaving Vegas’s face. For a moment, the air was thick with tension, Pete holding his breath as he watched. Then, Yaai surprised everyone by pulling Vegas into a gentle hug.
“Thank you for coming,” she said softly, her voice so kind it made Vegas’s throat tighten.
Vegas froze for a moment, caught off guard, before he slowly returned the hug. His hands trembled slightly as they rested on her back. “Thank you for having me,” he murmured, his voice low.
When she pulled away, there was a faint hint of tears in her eyes, though she quickly blinked them away. “Come in, all of you,” she said, ushering them inside. “You must be tired from the journey.”
The three of them followed her into the house, the air shifting from tense to tentative warmth. Yaai led them to the living room, her hand resting lightly on Pete’s arm as they walked.
“Macau, your room is still the same,” she said with a smile, gesturing down the hall. “Why don’t you freshen up?”
Macau beamed. “Thanks, Yaai!” He darted off, leaving Pete and Vegas standing awkwardly in the living room.
Yaai turned to Pete. “Take him to your room,” she said, nodding toward Vegas. “He looks like he needs to rest.”
Vegas opened his mouth to protest, shaking his head. “I can help—”
“No,” Yaai said firmly, cutting him off. “You’re still recovering. Go rest.” Her tone left no room for argument.
Pete chuckled softly, grabbing Vegas by the arm before he could argue further. “Come on,” he said, steering him toward the hallway.
As they walked to the room, Vegas let out a sigh. “She’s... intimidating,” he said quietly, glancing at Pete.
Pete grinned. “She’s just protective. Don’t take it personally.”
Vegas gave a small nod, though he still looked uncertain. When they reached the room, Pete opened the door, motioning for Vegas to enter first.
Vegas hesitated, stepping inside slowly. The room was small but cozy, with light streaming through the curtains. Vegas stood in the middle of the room, looking slightly out of place as he glanced around.
“You okay?” Pete asked, closing the door behind them.
Vegas nodded, though his posture remained stiff. “Yeah. Just... I’ve never done this before,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Done what?”
“Met someone’s family,” Vegas said, his gaze dropping to the floor.
Pete’s chest tightened at the vulnerability in Vegas’s voice. He stepped closer, placing a hand on Vegas’s shoulder. “You’re doing fine,” he said softly. “She’ll come around. She just needs time.”
Vegas looked at Pete, his eyes filled with doubt. “You think so?”
“I know so,” Pete said with a small smile. He squeezed Vegas’s shoulder lightly. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up. Yaai’s not someone you want to keep waiting.”
Vegas managed a faint smile, nodding as he let Pete guide him to the adjoining bathroom.
Vegas was the last one to come downstairs, the sound of Pete’s voice drifting up the stairs catching his attention. He paused briefly, listening to the warm hum of Pete talking with Yaai. As he stepped into the living room, he saw Pete sitting beside his grandmother, a soft smile on his face, while Macau was sprawled on the floor, eagerly setting up a console for his games.
Vegas rolled his eyes, walking over to his brother. Without warning, he smacked Macau lightly on the back of the head as he reprimanded his brother, "You little shit, how addicted are you to these video games? Can’t you spend five minutes away from a screen?"
Macau yelped dramatically, rubbing the back of his head as he glared up at Vegas.
"Hia!! What was that for? I’m just trying to have fun!"
Vegas chuckled, shaking his head, but his attention was soon caught by the collection of photographs neatly arranged around the living room. He wandered closer, his eyes scanning the various frames. Most of them were of Pete as a child—smiling brightly, playing in the garden, or posing awkwardly in school uniforms. Vegas picked up one of the frames, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he studied the younger version of Pete.
Macau glanced up and grinned, "P’Pete was so cute, right? Even as a kid, he had that innocent look."
Vegas nodded absentmindedly, but his gaze was drawn to a larger frame placed prominently in the center. This one was different. It showed baby Pete, no older than two, cradled between his parents, both of them beaming with pride. Yaai stood behind them, her hands resting protectively on her daughter’s shoulders. There was something bittersweet about the photo—a moment frozen in time, before the pain and loss that would later shape Pete’s life.
Vegas lingered in front of the frame, his fingers brushing lightly over the glass. The sight of Pete’s parents brought an unfamiliar ache to his chest. He wondered what kind of life Pete might have had if his mother was still here. Would he have been happier? Would he have ever crossed paths with someone like Vegas?
Before he could dwell on the thought, Yaai’s cheerful voice broke through his reverie.
"Vegas, Macau! Lunch is ready! Come now, before it gets cold."
Vegas turned, setting the frame back in its place as Yaai walked into the room. She glanced at him and smiled warmly.
Yaai spoke gesturing towards him, "Pete tells me you two can’t handle spicy food. Such a shame, truly. But don’t worry, I’ve made the baby version for you both."
Vegas raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Baby version, huh? That’s what we’re calling it now?"
Yaai gave him a teasing look, her hands on her hips, "You’re part of a Southern family now, Vegas. You’ll have to learn to handle real spice soon, you know. No excuses!"
Pete chuckled from the couch, his eyes glinting with amusement. "She’s not kidding, Vegas. You’ll regret it if you don’t start training your taste buds now," Pete chimed in, stuffing a dumpling in his mouth.
Macau snickered as he got up to follow Yaai to the dining table, "Good luck with that, Hia. I’ve already accepted my defeat."
After lunch, Pete leaned back in his chair, his eyes lighting up as he turned to Macau. “Let’s check out the market nearby before we hit the beach. You’ll love it.”
Macau perked up instantly, nearly spilling his glass of water. “Really? Now? Let’s go! Let’s go!”
Yaai glanced at Pete with a raised brow, then at Vegas, who had been sitting quietly, absently rubbing his wrist where old scars remained. “Pete, don’t take Vegas with you,” she said, her tone soft but firm. “He’s still recovering. I don’t want him overdoing it.”
Vegas gave a faint smile, reading the subtext in her words. “She’s right,” he said, his voice calm but laced with tension. “You two go. I’ll stay back.”
Macau frowned, looking between Vegas and Yaai. “But, Hia, you never come with us anywhere anymore.”
Vegas smirked faintly, reaching over to flick Macau’s forehead. “You little shit, don’t act like I haven’t spoiled you enough. Go have fun. Buy something stupid. Just don’t let Pete spend all his money on you.”
Macau rubbed his forehead, scowling but quickly distracted by the idea of exploring. He darted off to grab his shoes, leaving Pete and Vegas alone in the dining room.
Pete hesitated, lingering near Vegas. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked softly, his voice full of concern.
Vegas nodded, his expression unreadable. “I’m fine,” he said, waving him off. “Just… don’t let Macau drive you crazy.”
Pete chuckled but stayed rooted for a moment longer. He looked like he wanted to say something but held back. Instead, he placed a hand briefly on Vegas’s shoulder and gave him a small, reassuring smile before following Macau out the door.
The house fell silent, the laughter and footsteps fading away. Vegas sat there for a moment, staring at the door. His chest felt tight, a familiar ache clawing at him.
“You can sit here all day, or you can help me,” Yaai’s voice cut through his thoughts, gentle but sharp.
Vegas turned, meeting her gaze. “What can I help you with?” he asked, standing slowly, his movements careful as if his body still remembered the months of pain.
Yaai gestured to the couch. “You can help me by sitting down and resting. You just recovered. Let me handle things.”
Vegas hesitated, his hands twitching at his sides, but he obeyed, lowering himself onto the couch. He rested his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor, waiting for her to speak.
Yaai joined him a moment later, settling into the armchair across from him. Her hands folded in her lap, her eyes studying him carefully.
Finally, she broke the silence. “I recognized your voice,” she began, her tone even but heavy.
Vegas blinked, lifting his head to look at her. “What?”
“A year ago,” Yaai continued, her gaze steady. “You called me. You asked me to let Pete take a break, to give him some time away. You said it was for his sake.”
Vegas stiffened, his chest tightening. He didn’t respond, his hands curling into fists on his thighs.
“I thought it was strange at the time,” Yaai went on, her voice softer now, but with an edge. “Pete never took extra leave. Ever. But I thought… maybe you were his boyfriend. And I was happy for him. Happy he had someone who cared enough to make him rest.”
Vegas’s jaw tightened, his head lowering further. He wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come.
“But then,” Yaai’s voice sharpened slightly, “Khun Tankhun told me who you really were. A Theerapanyakul. The most feared one, no less.”
Vegas’s breath caught, and his shoulders tensed. He stared at the floor, his mind swirling with guilt and shame.
“I didn’t understand at first,” Yaai admitted, her voice cracking slightly. “I urged Pete to tell me what happened, but he wouldn’t. He became quiet, distant. Even Khun Nu wouldn’t give me a straight answer.”
She leaned forward, her eyes piercing. “Tell me the truth, Vegas. Whatever happened between you two… it wasn’t right, was it?”
Vegas swallowed hard, his throat dry. Slowly, he shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. “No,” he admitted. “It wasn’t.”
Yaai exhaled heavily, leaning back in her chair. “Do you know what I see when I look at Pete?” she asked, her voice trembling. “I see a boy who was broken long before he met you. His father… my son… he was a monster. He ruined Pete. And I let it happen. I let my own son turn Pete into someone else.”
Vegas’s head snapped up, his eyes wide and filled with guilt. “I know,” he said quickly, his voice breaking. “I know what he did to Pete. I know how much pain he caused him.”
Yaai nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Then you understand why I can’t see him hurt again.”
Vegas’s voice cracked as he replied, “I’m a bigger monster, Yaai.”
Her gaze softened, though her words remained firm. “Maybe you are. But who isn’t? Monsters exist everywhere, Vegas. The difference is what you do with it. And you…” She paused, her voice catching. “You used it to save my baby. You got him out of that messy life his father sold him into. You protected him when I couldn’t.”
Vegas’s throat tightened, and tears began to pool in his eyes. “I’ll keep protecting him,” he said, his voice trembling. “I swear. I’ll take care of him.”
Yaai reached over, placing a hand on his. “I believe you,” she said quietly. “But don’t let your guilt eat you alive. Pete’s been through more than most people ever will. And so have you. You both deserve a chance at peace. Don’t waste it.”
Vegas nodded, his tears falling freely now. In that moment, he felt both unworthy and deeply grateful. For Pete. For Yaai. For the fragile chance at redemption he had been given.
Vegas stood in the kitchen, carefully stacking plates in the cupboard while Yaai folded a dishcloth, watching him with a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation. “You don’t have to do this, you know,” she said, her tone teasing. “You’re a guest here. Guests are supposed to relax.”
Vegas smirked as he reached for another stack. “I don’t know how to sit still,” he replied. “Besides, you’re letting me stay in your home. The least I can do is help.”
Yaai shook her head, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “You’re as stubborn as Pete,” she said, a hint of affection in her voice. “Must be why you two get along so well.”
Vegas paused for a moment, his hand lingering on the plates. “Or why we fight so much,” he muttered with a small, self-deprecating smile.
Yaai smiled faintly, her expression softening as she picked up a tray. “Did Pete ever tell you about the time he got his head stuck in the railings outside our old house?”
Vegas raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. “No,” he said, turning to face her. “What happened?”
Yaai grinned, her eyes sparkling with the memory. “He was about five. Always curious, always trying to see what was just out of reach. One day, he decided to see if he could squeeze his head through the metal bars on the porch. And, of course, he got stuck.”
Vegas chuckled, the mental image bringing a rare lightness to his face. “What did you do?”
“I panicked,” Yaai admitted with a laugh. “I thought we’d have to call the fire department. But Pete? He was calm as anything. Just sat there, swinging his legs and telling me it was fine. ‘Don’t worry, Yaai,’ he said. ‘I’ll figure it out.’”
Vegas laughed softly, shaking his head. “That sounds like him.”
Before Yaai could continue, the front door opened, and Pete’s voice echoed through the house. “We’re back!”
Vegas and Yaai turned as Pete and Macau entered, their arms full of bags from the market. Macau was chattering excitedly about some trinket he’d bought, but Pete’s eyes immediately landed on Vegas and Yaai in the kitchen.
“What are you two doing?” Pete asked, setting the bags down and crossing his arms. “And why aren’t you ready for the beach?”
Vegas smirked, leaning casually against the counter. “Nothing,” he said, his tone light but teasing. “Just learning a little more about you.”
Pete narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “What does that mean?”
Yaai grinned, wiping her hands on her apron. “Oh, just a few stories from when you were little,” she said innocently.
Pete groaned, his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. “Yaai, you promised not to embarrass me!”
Macau, catching on, perked up immediately. “Embarrassing stories? Tell me! Tell me everything!”
Vegas chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief as he glanced at Pete. “Don’t worry, I’ll save the best ones for later.”
Pete rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. “Alright, enough reminiscing. Go get ready. Macau’s been talking about the beach nonstop, and I promised him we’d go.”
Vegas pushed off the counter, his smirk softening into something gentler as he moved toward Pete. “Fine, fine,” he said. “But you owe me for sitting through these stories.”
Pete raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in his gaze. “Oh, I owe you? For what?”
Vegas leaned in slightly, his voice low enough that only Pete could hear. “For making me fall for you even more, hearing about how you’ve always been… you.”
Pete’s breath caught for a moment, his heart skipping a beat. But before he could respond, Macau’s voice interrupted them.
“Hia! Stop flirting and go change already!”
Vegas chuckled, pulling back with a wink. “Yes, boss.”
As he walked away, Pete stood there for a moment, shaking his head but unable to stop the warmth spreading through his chest. He turned to Yaai, who was watching them with a knowing smile.
“Don’t say anything,” Pete muttered, grabbing the bags and heading to the living room.
Yaai laughed softly, her heart lighter than it had been in years. The house felt like a home .
The sun shimmered on the surface of the waves, and the sound of laughter echoed across the beach. Pete was running ahead, his feet kicking up sand as Macau darted after him, shouting something about catching him first. Vegas trailed behind them, a sly grin on his face as he watched the scene unfold.
Without warning, Vegas broke into a sprint. In a matter of seconds, he caught up to Pete and scooped him up into his arms, lifting him effortlessly in a bridal style. Pete let out a startled scream, flailing his arms in protest.
“Vegas, no! Don’t you dare—”
But before Pete could finish, Vegas waded into the shallows and plunged them both into the cool, crystal-clear water. Pete shrieked as the waves splashed over them, soaking him to the bone.
“I told you not to!” Pete sputtered, pushing his wet hair out of his face.
Vegas laughed, a rare, unrestrained sound that made Pete momentarily forget his irritation. “And I told you I would,” Vegas said, his smirk widening.
From the shoreline, Macau was watching with wide eyes, a mixture of awe and disbelief on his face. “Hia, you can’t just do that to P’Pete!”
Vegas turned his attention to Macau, mischief dancing in his eyes. “Oh, can’t I?” he challenged, wading back toward the shore. Before Macau could react, Vegas lunged, grabbing him around the waist and hoisting him into the air.
“Hia! No, no, no!” Macau yelled, thrashing against Vegas’s hold.
But his protests were useless. Vegas carried him to the water and tossed him in without a second thought. Macau resurfaced moments later, gasping and sputtering. “You’re dead, Hia!” he declared, launching himself at Vegas in retaliation.
The brothers wrestled in the water, splashing and laughing like kids. Pete, still dripping wet, crossed his arms and watched them with a mock glare. “Serves you right,” he muttered, but the corners of his mouth betrayed a smile.
On the shore, Yaai sat on a woven mat, her eyes fixed on the scene. Her wrinkled hands moved slowly as she unpacked containers of food and laid them out neatly. She watched her grandsons with a smile that held both joy and a touch of wistfulness. Happiness looked good on them, she thought. It looked good on all of them.
“Yaai! Come join us!” Macau called from the water, waving his arms.
She chuckled softly, shaking her head. “I’ll watch from here, dear,” she replied. Her voice was warm, but her body betrayed her age. She could feel the stiffness in her joints, the heaviness in her legs. She wouldn’t have been able to move quickly even if she wanted to.
Vegas noticed the hesitation in her movements as he glanced toward the shore. “Macau, stop yelling at Yaai,” he called, his tone softer now.
Pete came wading out of the water, droplets cascading down his arms as he jogged over to her. “Yaai, let me help,” he said, crouching down beside her.
“I’m fine, my boy,” Yaai said, patting his hand gently. “You should go enjoy yourself.”
Pete smiled and leaned closer, lowering his voice. “You’re already enjoying yourself, aren’t you? Watching us act like idiots.”
Yaai laughed, a light, tinkling sound that carried on the breeze. “It’s true. Seeing you all like this… it’s the happiest I’ve been in years.”
Vegas walked up behind Pete, his steps soft in the sand. He reached down, brushing a strand of hair from Pete’s forehead before turning to Yaai. “Do you need anything, Yaai? Just say the word.”
She looked at him, her smile warm but her eyes serious. “Just keep taking care of my Pete,” she said softly.
Vegas nodded, his expression somber. “I will. I promise.”
As Pete stood, pulling Vegas back toward the water, Yaai sat back and watched them, her heart full. For the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, things would be okay for Pete.
The night had settled in, casting a soft, calming darkness over the room. The only light came from the faint glow of the moon outside, and the warmth of the bed wrapped around them like a cocoon. Pete lay in Vegas' arms, his head resting against his chest, the steady beat of his heart lulling Pete into a sense of peace.
Vegas’ fingers traced idle patterns along Pete’s back, the motion slow and soothing. His mind, though, wasn’t as calm. He had received a call earlier in the afternoon from Ice. The club deal was heading south, the kind of complication that Vegas usually handled without breaking a sweat. But this time, it was different. The weight of it hung in the air, heavy, even as he tried to push it away for the night.
Pete, sensing the shift in his mood, lifted his head, his eyes meeting Vegas’ in the dim light. "You got a call from Ice, didn’t you?" he asked quietly, his voice soft but filled with concern.
Vegas nodded, his gaze steady but distant. "Yeah... the deal’s not looking too good. Things are starting to fall apart." He paused, his hand stilling on Pete’s back. "But it’s nothing we can’t handle."
Pete frowned slightly, his fingers gently brushing against Vegas’ jaw. "So, do you need to go back now? I can—"
Vegas cut him off with a soft smile, the kind that spoke volumes even when he didn’t say a word. "When I said I was going down, I meant it for Kinn. It’s all worked out for us, baby," he murmured, leaning in to press a kiss to Pete’s forehead.
Pete closed his eyes at the touch, feeling the warmth of Vegas’ lips linger there. "Well, who would deny you, after all?" Pete said with a small, teasing smile, though his eyes held a quiet worry. "But still... the confirmation we promised, we should deliver soon, right?"
Vegas pulled Pete closer, wrapping his arms around him tightly. "We will," he said, his voice low and reassuring. "But for now, no work, okay?" He tilted Pete’s chin up, their faces inches apart. "In our bed, it’s just us. No distractions. Just us."
Pete’s breath hitched slightly at the intensity in Vegas’ eyes, and before he could say another word, Vegas kissed him deeply. The kiss was slow at first, testing the waters, but as the seconds passed, it deepened, the urgency of their emotions pouring into it. Pete’s hands slid up to Vegas’ shoulders, pulling him closer, their bodies fitting together like they always had, like they always would.
For that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the deal, not the complications waiting for them outside this room. Just the quiet comfort of being in each other’s arms, the certainty that no matter what happened, they had each other.
As they pulled away, their breaths heavy, Vegas’ thumb gently brushed across Pete’s lips. "We’re good, baby," he whispered, his voice hushed and tender. "We’re good."
Pete nodded, his heart full, and settled back into Vegas’ arms, the two of them sinking deeper into the comfort of each other. "Yeah, we are," Pete murmured, closing his eyes.