The handyman can

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The next day Porchay first goes to the dentist appointment he made a while ago and then to the barbershop. Neither were things he and his brother used to go to for a simple check-up or when it wasn't absolutely necessary. Now they have the money for Porchay to finally get some braces and get a hair trim ever four to six weeks. It's nice to feel like he can take care of himself and his body and this alone makes him feel load better about himself. He also joined a gym, just because he doesn't want to work out with the bodyguards at the compound; that would discourage him more than anything. Because of the physical labour at the house, he doesn't go there today but usually he goes three times a week and even got himself a trainer.

After he is done, he goes to fetch some food in the neighbourhood. That's when he slowly gets nervous. A big part of him knows that Kim will be there, but a smaller part still worries he might simply not show up without a word.

He chickened out the day before from talking to Kim about the video. Everything had been very tentative and he still doesn't fully understand the motivation behind Kim wanting to help him. Kim is complicated and no one really seems to know him. Porchay has spent enough time with Tankhun to hear his rants about his nose little brother who is never around and so closed off he wouldn't even tell him his name if he didn't know it already. Just to tell him next that it was Kim who held him when they thought their father was dead, while Kim himself hadn't reacted emotionally, but had simply been a rock to Tankhun and a reminder to Kinn what it meant.

Porchay wonders if Kim doesn't feel. But how can he write songs this deep and beautiful if he doesn't feel anything beside anger? And if he feels then where are his emotions? He must be choking on them constantly. The song talked of his loneliness, of wounds that he has and has to take care of on his own, about having no place to call home. His gut feeling tells Porchay that all of it is true, but then why does Kim never talk to anyone? Tankhun is dying to be there for him, Kinn is also fond of him and Kim must have friends, right? He is Wik and Wik is charming and nice, so there is that side to him.

Porchay contemplates the mystery that is Kim while he walks home, three bodyguards following him, who he already gave their food to that he also bought. Kinn tried telling him that he shouldn't do it, because they are on a monitored diet, but the enthusiastic reaction of his security details the first time he made them eat with him - and the fact that Tankhun does the same - let's Porchay simply ignore it and feed the men protecting him.

When he reaches his house, he finds Kim already leaning against his car, hands stuck in his pockets like usual. He is wearing his sunglasses and an outfit similar to the one the day before. It's less rockstar and more boy next door than anything Porchay has seen him wear before. It doesn't soften his look, the ever present scowl on his face makes sure of that, but it still hits different.

"Hey," Porchay greets him and looks around for a moment, because for the first time he realises that Kim doesn't have bodyguards. Every brother has them, even he has them, so why is Kim running around without protection?

"Hey," Kim greets back and straightens.

"Sorry to make you wait."

"It's ok, I was early."

Porchay unlocks the gate and waves Kim inside. The bodyguards follow and do a quick sweep of the house, like they always do whenever Porchay went out. Porsche is not taking any chances with his brother's security. And while it feels weird standing in the yard, watching two of them enter the house with their guns drawn, while one stays to protect Porchay, he is still glad. It really does make him feel safer here. Sometime in the future it might not be necessary anymore, but for now it is for his own peace of mind. While they wait Porchay also notices that Kim widens his stance and looks around, ready to fight and protect as well.