Chapter 7

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As Pete gets ready to leave the hospital, he tries not to focus on Vegas's persistent glaring and instead just pretends everything is fine. 


"I should be back in a few hours," Pete tries, but it doesn't seem to bring Vegas any comfort as he crumples up the styrofoam cup in his hands. 


"Vegas, I'm going to support Tankhun-"


"No. You're going out on a date with Kinn," Vegas mutters, exhaling out of his nose with rage. Pete rolls his eyes and comes over to sit on the bed. 


"Please tell me when I would have been asked out by your cousin," Pete says, reaching over to touch Vegas's arm, "I have barely left this room, so when would I have-"


"I saw it happen," Vegas growls, jerking away from Pete. 


Pete sputters at the accusation before narrowing his eyes, "Vegas. Are you sure this wasn't a dream?"


Vegas says nothing and glares at the wall, but Pete can see he's genuinely hurting. Despite whatever impression he's under being false, it is likely very real to Vegas at this moment. 


"Okay," Pete says, sighing, "Tell me what you think happened."


Vegas doesn't look at him but complies with the request, "Kinn came into my room and pointed a gun at me. He said he was going to take you away. Then, he said you were going out to lunch together and that he was going to marry you before I could, even though Uncle Korn already proposed to you. He shot through the glass window so it shattered, pulled out a long rope, and tied it to my hospital bed. He threw the rope out the window before throwing you over his shoulder, then used the rope to climb down the building with you. I got up and yelled at him. I told him to bring you back and he just laughed at me while he ran to his car with you in a fireman's carry. Then, Tankhun yelled out the car window and said he promised to bring you back, but he never did. When Kinn turned the car around and drove away, I saw Kim playing his Switch in the trunk. It happened. "


Pete tries his best not to laugh. He really and truly does. 


It's just so fucking ridiculous. 


"It's not funny!" Vegas hisses, hurt, angry tears filling his eyes as he crosses his arms and looks away. Pete lets out a sigh and touches Vegas's face. When Vegas initially tries to pull away, Pete takes both hands and forces Vegas to look at him.


"You're confused again," Pete says gently, "It's probably the med changes-"


"It HAPPENED-"


“Let’s say that it did," Pete interrupts, trying to get Vegas to meet his eyes, "How am I here right now if Tankhun never brought me back?"


Vegas shrugs silently, then sniffles. Pete really hopes that means he's getting somewhere. 


"So I guess if this did actually happen, I must have escaped the first chance I got and ran straight back here," Pete says, which causes Vegas to look at him, "I must have missed you that much." 


Vegas thinks about it, then nods, as if he's slowly accepting what Pete's telling him. 


"But it didn't happen," Pete reminds him, "However, I promise if it did, I would fight Kinn to stay here with you."


Vegas clenches his jaw, "Then why are you meeting him for lunch?"


Pete runs a hand through Vegas's hair and tries to keep him calm, "Because Tankhun asked if I could. I think he's nervous about his family knowing he's in a relationship. Kim knows, but he was very protective. While I am assuming Kinn will be less rabid about it, he will probably be just as protective and much more controlling. Or at least that's what Tankhun is worried about. So I am going there to be supportive. He needs Kinn on his side when it comes to this. Korn…Korn made Tankhun think he was crazy and ruined by what happened to him. I obviously wasn't there for all of that, but I heard enough insinuations that Tankhun made about his father when it came to that period of his life. He needs all of his friends and family on his side before becoming more open about things. Do you think I want to see Kinn? No. I really don't. I like him as an ex-boss and even as a friend, but I am sure he has mixed feelings about me right now. But I thought you were starting to realize how manipulated you all were by your pa and your uncle. Kinn was manipulated too. Maybe…Maybe this can be an opportunity for him to see that. You liked him at one point, right? When you were kids? You even made sure Porsche was able to give him a Switch." 


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