Smoke Signals • EarthMix AU

CHAPTER 4: Combust

"Are you awake?"

"Awake now," Mix groans and breathes heavily to his phone, annoyed at being disturbed this early. He steals a quick glance at the time displayed on the screen and closes his eyes.

'8:16. Less than four hours of sleep.'

"Are you decent?"

He massages his temples with one hand and forgets all about White at the other end of the line so Mix was momentarily startled when he finally spoke.

"What do you mean am I dec— of course I am."

"I mean, did you sleep naked?"

"I know what you meant and no, I'm clothed. Why are you asking me th—"

"We're coming in."

"Wait what?" It took a split second for Mix to realize what's happening. What's happening again.

"I'll take him. Khao—shoes." White orders Khaotung before walking over to Mix. He watches White's sly grin settle on his face before he makes his way to him. In no time, he corners Mix and takes him from the bed in one fell swoop.

Struggling is no longer an option at this point because while he's taller, White's bulkier and physically overpowering. Once he holds on to something, White doesn't let go easily. He slings Mix on his shoulder like he weighs no more than a few pounds and locks him in a firm grip.

Khaotung scans the open boxes lying around the room and finally found the one with Mix's shoes. Mix watches Khaotung zeroing in on a pair and grinning cheekily.

"No, not those. Khaotung!" His eyes widen at the sight of Khaotung picking up a pair of black leather Oxfords, the type one wears with suits at formal events—not a white sleeveless top and grey sweatpants at random getaways.

"Khao, shoes? We're good? Mix, stop squirming, man!" Mix tries to free himself from White's grip in an attempt to grab his favorite chunky sneakers by the door but eventually fails.

"Got 'em." Khaotung raises the Oxfords and grins. He looks so satisfied with himself but so, so ruthless in Mix's eyes.

'Asshole.'

Mix could only sigh and weakly object at this point, letting his friends have their way. The trio soon emerges from Mix's bedroom and was greeted by Off who was busy making breakfast in the kitchen.

"Bring him back in one piece!"

"Can't promise anything, pa, but thanks for letting us in!" White shouts from the door before he and Khaotung salutes the old man.

Gun, who has just woken up, gives his husband a back hug, burying his head on the curve of Off's back. They hear Mix protesting faintly outside. Off chuckles before facing his husband and giving him a small forehead kiss.

"Good morning, my Gun Bun."

The other crinkles his nose, seemingly annoyed at the endearment which they both know he secretly loves.

"Was that White? Khaotung?" Gun stifles a yawn and melts into his husband's embrace.

"Uh-huh. Your son just got kidnapped."

Gun chuckles and shakes his head. It wasn't the first "home invasion" and he hopes it wouldn't be the last. He loves his son's friends like his own and is grateful that Mix has them to count on.

He finally looks up at Off, squinting his eyes and noticing something for the first time. "They're greying, papi. Your hair," Gun's hand parts Off's hair, eyebrows furrowed in concentration.