And I Will Consume You

29

Since that morning, the two had been out and about like a regular couple- no body guards breathing down their necks, no interruptions, no meetings, no guns. For once they could really act like a normal couple the way Pete had dreamed to once upon a time. They went to a cat cafe and had some fantastic coffee. Turns out Vegas is quite an animal lover, and the cats loved him too, climbing all over him. The. They went to the shopping district and did some window browsing, though neither of them found anything actually worth buying, and then went to the mall where Vegas had decided to spoil Pete with the bottomless luxury of the apple store and his black card. Having been Tankhun's bodyguard for so long it was only natural for him to have gotten used to both the endless reruns of the same two series and A videogame that seemed to repeat itself no matter what path you took. Pete still loved videogames and movies and anything that took his mind off of work. He'd never been the type to be hard to please, no less a difficult person to deal with. He'd never asked for much in life, but being capable of buying up the entire apple store with the snip of his fingers, it was not where he'd expected to be in life so soon.

"I think you're due for a new phone. Get yourself a laptop or an ipad while we're here too, then you'll have something to play with while I'm busy with work" Vegas smiled, looking through the new products as if they were 1998 Motorola's missing a battery. Pete just hummed knowing there was no point in asking. Vegas had the money to spend, and thought he minor family weren't quite as well off as the main family, it didn't mean they weren't filthy rich. Vegas was the type of person to have five million baht of hard cash in his wallet at all times just because he could. A number like that was pocket money to someone like him. Pete on the other hand? He never liked to spend a lot of money at once, especially if it wasn't his. Who wanted to be indebted to someone? But with Vegas, he didn't exactly have much of an option, so he graciously accepted the blessing of God that was his lovers exceptionally deep pockets and went about with his day.

He had ended up settling for a MacBook pro and the newest model iphone after a rather lengthy discussion with Vegas around the unacceptable Removal of the headphone jack. Toss in a pair of Gucci sunglasses and a new button up shirt, and the couple had finally found themselves sat a dinner table in a quite fancy restaraunt with warm, dim lighting, and wafting smell from the kitchen that damn near made Pete dribble on his shirt. The place was mostly empty save a few elderly couples or businessmen and women in expensive gowns throwing occasional looks their way. Initially Pete was convinced they had been throwing glances their way because he had something on his face that Vegas refused to tell him about and proceeded to rub it raw, but it turned out to simply be blatant homophobia as their eyes weren't infact focused on either of them in particular, rather just the fact that they were holding hands. "Don't mind them" Vegas said simply, a smile on his face and his eyes gazing upon his partner lovingly.

"How long has it been since you've been out like this?" He asked, getting Pete's attention who took his time to remember exactly when. He hadn't had an opportunity like this in forever. Porsche only ever took him, arm, pol, and Tankhun out to Yok's bar, so it had probably been years. "Before I started working for the Main family, I think... I can't quite remember" Vegas too hadn't been out much since he was maybe a teenager and engaged in the usual loitering. He went out to buy a new watch or suit occasionally, yes, but he hadn't taken time out if his schedule like this in a while. It was nice to get a moment off of work, especially now. He was busy enough as it was, but with the planning of his father's funeral and taking over on his behalf, it was a bit hectic. "Me neither" Vegas chuckled, Leaning back in the booth seat. "Probably not since I was Macau's age... Speaking of... Do you have any siblings?" Pete shook his head, no. "Growing up I always wanted a younger brother though. You're lucky to have Macau. Blood is thicker than water after all" Vegas stayed quiet for a moment, nodding but contemplating just how to phrase this next sentence. "He can be a little shit. But I love him. He's had a rough life, the poor kid. he was barely four when mom died. I had to raise him, and lord knows I was terrible at it. But he's a good kid."

Pete perked up hearing the mention of the others mom and the expression on his face made it show. "Your mom? I don't t mean to be rude but... I thought she passed before Macau? I thought he was your half brother?" Vegas chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "There's a lot of things the main family doesn't know. They like to assume a lot about us. No, Macau and I have the same mother. I don't remember much about her, but I remember her face. She looked a lot like him, he takes after her. I take more after pa... Unfortunately". Feeling the atmosphere grow tense Pete grinned his brightest smile, "Grandma would love you" he said affirmatively with a decisive nod. "She would never stop praising you, I can already picture it. 'Yah, Pete! You found yourself a handsome husband, find me one too!'" he imitated, rolling Hsi eyes dramatically. Both of them were now orphans. Phi'Yai would have to feed both of them well from now on, not just Pete. Vegas chuckled hearing his impersonation of his grandmother, and while it was meant to be comedic, it was also very much true. "Would you want another sibling?" Pete asked, just wondering if Vegas would have been up to the challenge of raising another snot goblin. It obviously was unlikely considering both if his parents were now dead, but as a hypothetical, Pete was curious to know. Vegas shrugged, taking a sip of the wine he'd accidentally let oxidize in it's glass. "I don't know. I guess it depends on how much younger he'd be than Macau. If he was the same age ora little younger, probably not. Macau is a handful enough as it is. But if he was a lot younger? I don't think I would mind as much somehow"