Threads of Destiny

1.

The cool breeze of the morning swept over the garden as Kinn Theerapanyakun, then only five years old, stood watching the colorful flowers sway.

The world around him seemed peaceful, the air filled with the scent of roses and jasmine. His mother, Rose, was nearby chatting with Namphung, and his father Korn was deep in conversation with Porsche's father, Pat Kittisawat.

In the distance, Kinn could see Thankhun and Kim running around. But what truly caught his eye was the small, giggling bundle of energy toddling toward him—Porsche, who had just turned two.

His tiny feet stumbled over a rock, and before he could fall, Kinn was by his side, steadying him with a small smile. Porsche looked up at him with wide, adoring eyes. In that moment, something shifted inside Kinn. Though he was much younger than him, he felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility for him.

"You okay, Porsche?"
he asked softly, brushing dirt off his little pink dress.

Porsche giggled, wrapping his arms around his legs, his brown curls bouncing as he nodded.

“Kinn!”

he squealed, as if his name was the most exciting word he had ever learned.

From then on, it became a familiar sight. Wherever Kinn went, Porsche would follow, toddling behind him, sometimes calling out his name. As the years passed, that little boy grew into a constant companion. He became more than just his cousin—he became his best friend.

"Why do you follow me everywhere?"

Kinn asked one afternoon when they were both in the garden, much older now, with Porsche at the age of eight and Kinn at eleven. Porsche was sitting cross-legged beside him, sketching in his little notebook.

Porsche smiled, not looking up from his drawing.

"Because you're my favorite person."

Kinn laughed, shaking his head.

"You're strange."

"Maybe."

The bond between them was unbreakable. Kinn, heir to Theerapanyakun Enterprises, had responsibilities waiting for him in the future, but Porsche was the lightness in his life. He never felt the weight of the world when he was around, always so full of life and creativity, with his drawings and paintings filling every quiet moment.

As they entered their teenage years, Kinn grew taller, stronger, more distant in some ways. He became more focused on the family business, on the responsibilities that loomed over him.

Porsche, on the other hand, remained constant in his presence—always there, always following, always looking at him with those same wide eyes filled with admiration.

"Kinn, do you ever think about the future?"

Porsche asked one day when they were sitting by the pool, his voice tentative.

He glanced at him confused by the question.

"Of course. I have to. You know that."

Porsche bit his lip.

"Yeah, I know. I just... I wonder if it will change things between us."

Kinn frowned.

"Why would it?"

"I don’t know. Maybe one day you'll get tired of me following you everywhere."

Kinn chuckled, leaning back on his arms.

"I could never get tired of you, Porsche. You're family. You’re always going to be here."

Porsche smiled, but deep down, his heart twisted. He wished Kinn could see him as something more. Something more than the little boy who had always followed him around.

And so, as time marched on, the seeds of something deeper began to grow in Porsche's heart—something he would one day confess, not knowing it would change everything between them.