Podd's cheerful voice cut through the daze enveloping First and Khao. "Babe, I missed you..." he exclaimed, completely unaware of the complex tension simmering beneath the surface.
Khao's eyes instantly locked onto First, his expression morphing into a medley of guilt, shock, and panic. First's face turned ashen, his eyes darting between Khao and the speaker.
As if sensing the sudden shift, Podd continued jovially, wrapping his arms around Khao in a warm embrace. “...thought you’d be back sooner,” he said with a bright smile, still oblivious to the storm of emotions brewing around him.
Khao's body stiffened involuntarily, and he met First's gaze, seeking answers. “Hey, guys, what’s going on?” Khao asked, his voice attempting to maintain a casual tone, though it dripped with a forced attempt at ease.
“I hope it's not a problem, we just decided to drop by,” Force replied.
“Yeah, we wanted to visit you, and we brought Podd along,” Mix added.
Neo and Earth exchanged knowing glances, their smiles tinged with caution. Though First maintained a neutral expression, unease danced in his eyes. Khao, on the other hand, wore an expression laced with guilt, his eyes silently pleading for understanding.
Oblivious to the undercurrents of emotion, Podd tightened his hold on Khao's waist, professing, “Missed you so much.”
Khao managed a strained smile and replied, “Missed you too.”
Yet beneath the surface, something had shifted; his excitement dulled, replaced by annoyance. The warmth he once felt for Podd began to flicker like a dying ember, overshadowed by concern for First's feelings.
Desiring some privacy to discuss the brewing storm, First approached Neo and Earth discreetly. “Why didn’t you guys tell me about them?” he whispered, frustration evident in his tone.
“Bro, we really wanted to inform you, but your phones were unreachable,” Neo replied, trying to appease his friend.
“Damn it, we switched them off to avoid distractions,” First retorted, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“Not really our fault then. Just promise us you won't do anything stupid today,” Earth cautioned.
“Like what, Phi?” First asked, genuinely confused.
“Like… I don’t know, getting it on with Khao in the bathroom while we’re all here trying to have fun. We don’t need any drama,” Earth said, his seriousness interspersed with laughter.
The tension broke, and both First and Neo erupted into laughter. “What the hell, P'Earth! Why do you have to say it like that?” Neo exclaimed, playfully shoving Earth while still chuckling.
“Hey, hey! Enough with the laughter. We got you girls to quench your thirst, not Khao,” Earth shot back, rolling his eyes at both of them.
As the laughter continued to ripple through the group, Earth decided to divert his attention and headed towards Mix.
“Phi can be so funny,” Neo remarked, still smiling as he savored the moment.
The night air pulsed with the heavy beat of the music, the group of friends moving in time, fueled by the flow of alcohol. First and Khao kept up appearances, their smiles tight-lipped and strained, the tension between them electric.
As the drinks continued to flow, inhibitions began to melt away like ice under the sun. Neo's eyes took on a glazed sheen, his movements clumsy as he swayed to the rhythm, lost in his own little world.
Earth and Mix were locked in a heated embrace, their lips fused together, completely lost in the moment. Book and Force moved as one, their bodies intertwined as they danced.
First soon found himself pulled into a passionate dance by an attractive girl, her body pressed flush against his. He allowed himself to be swept up in her advances, his eyes continually darting to Khao, silently seeking attention. The girl seemed not to notice his distraction, eager to feel his body against hers.
Khao, on the other hand, was trapped in the clutches of Podd. Even as Podd's hands roamed over his body, Khao's gaze remained fixed on First and the girl, a flicker of something akin to jealousy flashing in his eyes. He tried to focus on Podd, but it was a losing battle. He yearned for First, no matter how much he denied it.
As the alcohol continued to flow, the party spilled out into the backyard, the pool now the epicenter of the festivities. People splashed and laughed, inhibitions cast aside. Neo stumbled through the throng of bodies, laughing uproariously at some joke only he understood.
Khao, feeling bold and intoxicated, slipped away from Podd's side. He made a beeline for First, who was now locked in a passionate kiss with the girl. Reaching out, Khao grabbed First's hand, pulling him away from his dance partner.
"Hey, hey, let's go somewhere quiet," Khao slurred, his words slightly muffled by the pounding music.
First, equally drunk, allowed himself to be led towards his bedroom. The door barely closed behind them before Khao pushed First against it, his hands fisting in the front of his shirt.
"Why have you been kissing that girl all night?" Khao demanded, his eyes wild. "Did you not think about me at all? Did you not know how much I wanted you?"
First, still reeling from the sudden shift in Khao's demeanor, could only stare at him in fake confusion. "Khao, I...I thought you were busy with Podd. I didn't want to interrupt."
Khao's grip tightened, his face mere inches from First's. "I'm yours now, First. I can't stand him."
His words were punctuated by a sloppy, desperate kiss, his mouth crashing against First's with a fervor that belied his inebriated state. First, too caught up in the moment to protest, returned the kiss with equal fervor.
It was just as things were starting to heat up that the door burst open, and the girl from earlier stumbled in. "First, baby, where did you go?" she slurred, her eyes wide as she took in the scene before her.
Khao, startled, released First and stumbled back, a scowl darkening his features. "I...I'm sorry, First. I didn't mean to..." He trailed off, his eyes flashing with jealousy before he turned and fled, the door slamming shut behind him.
First stood there, his heart racing as he watched Khao disappear into the chaos of the party once more. He knew he wasn't innocent, that a part of him liked seeing Khao jealous, liked knowing the effect he had on him. But he couldn't dwell on it now, not with the girl still standing there, her eyes filled with confusion and hurt.
"First, what was that?" she asked, her voice shaky.
He turned to face her, plastering on a reassuring smile. "It's nothing, baby. Don't worry about it."
First pulled her close, his lips trailing along the sensitive skin of her neck. She let out a breathy moan, melting into his touch. But even as he kissed and caressed her, his mind kept wandering back to Khao's face –the flash of jealousy in his dark eyes before he'd turned and left.
A part of First couldn't help but feel a thrill at the knowledge that he could affect Khao so strongly. But he pushed those thoughts aside. Now wasn't the time to dwell on it, not with his current companion looking at him expectantly.
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