you're the little thing, my saving grace

Chapter 16

"Mom's singing beautifully, right?"

Pete nods with a smile, stroking his son's head:

"Yes, baby, it's very beautifully."

It's been almost six months since that warehouse shootout. Sometimes Pete wonders if it was real, though, and immediately frowns and shakes his head. Of course it was. But it's like not six months have passed, but a lifetime. And all this time there were two Vegases next to him, one of whom he is now holding by the hand, and the second sees at the bar, with invoices in his hands, discussing the range of the bar for the current season.

A small resort on the coast. Perhaps one of the few legal businesses of Vegas' family. Pete knows that despite those emotional hugs and their rescue, the elder Teerapanyakun did not instantly turn into a caring father. But still, he conditionally released Vegas, allowing him to start a hotel business with Pete.

Today is the opening of the bar at the resort, to which Pete invited Layan. At first, little Vegas was constantly clinging to his mother, who has seen him only for the third time in these six months. And although the kid told Pete that he knew it would be better for mom, he still can't understand how Layan doesn't break her heart to leave him for so long. Even in such safe hands as his and Vegas'.

Vegas. He's an adult and so responsible. Pete is pleased to see him seriously immersed in normal work. They never had a chance to talk openly about who they are to each other now. Sometimes Pete thinks it's more convenient for both of them. They are not a couple, but very close friends. And no matter how many long, wistful glances Vegas throws in his direction when they go to different rooms before going to bed, Pete considers their prolonged bromance the most appropriate. They had crossed the line before, in the small kitchen in Pete's apartment, but now it would be better for him if everything remained as it was.

"What's with the drinks?" Pete asks Vegas, who has just come up.

"Everything is okay. The bartender does his job well."

"Great!"

The bar doesn't start emptying until midnight, just before closing time. By this time, Pete manages to see off Layan to the ferry — tomorrow she has a performance in another city, and also put into bed little Vegas, who agreed to sleep only next to Pistachio, who moved from that shelter to their resort a long time ago.

"Go lie down, Pete," big Vegas puts his hand on Pete's shoulder, flexing it slightly. "I'll finish up here and close the bar."

"No, let's finish it together, I've already awake," Pete waves off his offer, doing the cash machine."

"Whatever you say," Vegas condescendingly concedes and leaves him for a while, retreating to the back room. From there, he returns with a bottle of champagne — the best of their bar's assortment:

"Everyone was celebrating and having fun. And you and I have not celebrated the opening. Not only this bar, but also the resort itself."

Pete runs his eyes over the empty bar tables and hesitantly agrees:

"If a little bit... why not. There's still a lot to do tomorrow. You know that."

"Don't worry. I have no intention of getting you drunk," Vegas winks at him.

"Well, it's like no conditions to get drunk," Pete giggles, wearily plopping down on a high chair at the counter. "The drink is not so strong."