Come out and Play

Chapter 5: Piranhas

"You should be more careful of the secrets you keep." He smiles at the younger who is now pointing a gun on his forehead.

"I could say the same thing about you." The smile is something else, something he had never seen from the younger.

—-----

"No." Vegas says with finality in his voice before turning the book he's reading to the next page.

"But I haven't even said anything yet!" Kinn argues, putting his hands on his waist. Looking at Vegas like he's offended.

It has been 5 weeks since Kinn and Porches decided to ask Vegas to help Porsche with the management of the business under the minor family, but Vegas said no and he keeps on saying no everytime they try to ask.

At first they talked to both Pete and Vegas. Pete said he could help out with document management or advise Porsche from time to time and that's all Vegas is willing to allow Pete to be involved with. Him, on the other hand, refuses to be involved any more than he is.

"If people see me helping you out, what do you think they will think?" Vegas asked Porsche who was quick to answer.

"That the harmony of the two families is not tainted after the altercation!" Porsche says, tone showing annoyance.

"Oh you sweet summer child." Vegas laughs and it shouldn't make Porsche feel insulted, but he is. "No. They will see it as incompetence from your side and question every decision you make. Give it some time, people will call you nothing but a figurehead."

"But-" Porsche starts before Kinn takes his hand. "He has a point." Kinn tells Porsche which made the other surprised. "What? You're the one who suggested it!"

The week following that, Porsche prepared Pete's favorite curry for lunch and was the one who hauled everyone. It wasn't just the minor family at the dining table. Kinn, Tankhun, Arm, and Pol also came to join.

"How's my gremlin of a brother, Macau?" Tankhun asked his cousin.

"I heard you visited him." Vegas comments with a smirk. Knowing full well how the interaction went.

"The asshole literally ordered your brother to slam the door in my face!" Tankhun says, loud as always.

"I said I was sorry!" Macau interrupted and Tankhun only hushed him.

"I go out of my way from my busy schedule and he wouldn't even see me!" He then looks at Macau again who was just trying to enjoy his food, now with a serious expression. "You do that to any of us here and I will throw you to piranhas."

Macau looks at his brother, clearly terrified with not knowing how much is actual threat in his cousin's words.

"Either that or I make you clean both houses with a toothbrush." Vegas tells him, taking another bite of his lunch.

Chay looks at his friend and simply pats him on the back. He may not know the Theerapanyakul family before the death of Khun Gun, but from what he heard, this moment would certainly be a core memory for all of them. Just family enjoying each other's company. Something that he thinks Kim is missing greatly, something he wishes the older would be more open to.

After everyone had finished eating, Kinn asked one of the staff to take out the cake he bought from a bakery he found out Vegas fancies. Everyone is served a slice of carrot cake with cream cheese filling and icing; something Kinn found out from the store owner the minor family favors.

Kinn and Porsche look at each other as Pete's and Macau's eyes light up and excitedly dig in. They simultaneously look at Vegas, only to see the other already observing them, smirking as he also starts eating the cake, never breaking eye contact with the couple; successfully making the two uncomfortable and doubtful of their plan.