[Kengkla x Techno] Unfinished Business (Love by Chance Fanfic)

Chapter 15 - Part 1

Kengkla's waiting in his car when the gate to Techno's house slides open. He's been waiting for ten minutes, arriving later than he wanted after first driving home to change out of his school uniform. Then he had just enough time to check his hair in the rearview mirror and straighten his shirt while he waited. Two minutes pass, five; by the time the door of the car opens to reveal Techno, Kengkla can feel his heart pounding with excitement. Techno looks at Kengkla first, staring at his chest like he's shocked Kengkla isn't in uniform; then his gaze diverts, Techno's attention skipping to the door as he shuts it close and slides into the seat next to Kengkla.

Kengkla's tense frown at his mouth vanishes, giving way to a flicker of a smile. "So good to see you, P'No. How was class?" Techno's close enough that Kengkla can see the color of his eyes as he looks up. "I missed you, P'."

" I texted you about class earlier when you asked how I was," Techno mutters under his breath while he struggles with his seatbelt. "Ai Kla, you have the directions set in your GPS, right?"

Kengkla leans in close closer to Techno, reaching out to grab the others seatbelt from where Techno struggles to pull it out of the door clip. He can smell Techno now, can identify the faint scent of aftershave and cologne. It's cologne that Kengkla gifted him a year ago. He still remembers how Techno found it awkward, but Kengkla loves the idea of the other wearing it.

When he pulls on the seatbelt with his arm above Techno, Kengkla can hear the gasp Techno takes and see the way his eyes widen. He's close enough to touch too, but Kengkla doesn't, bringing the seat belt around Techno and clipping it in.

"There you go, P'No," He says with a grin and returns to his position at the wheel, reaching down to shift into drive.

Techno flashes Kengkla an unreadable look before his forced smile appears. "Uh, did you set the GPS then?" He repeats.

Kengkla wants to sigh at Techno's one-track mind but simply says, "Yes, P'No." Then he holds up the phone in his lap for Techno to see before pulling his car away from Techno's house.

A few more minutes pass with Kengkla keeping his eyes on the road until he notices Techno moving around in his peripheral, and when he spares a glance at his passenger, Techno is biting his nails staring at his phone. "Are you okay, P'No?" He asks and unfortunately has to tear his gaze from Techno to drive.

He hears Techno sigh and can see him slump in the corner of his vision. "No, Ai' Kla. I've been studying what Ai' idiot Type told me during class, but I feel like I'm going to fail this interview for sure."

It takes Kengkla second before the knot of jealousy in his chest eases enough for him to think of a reply. "P'No," He says, reaching out with his hand, gripping the wheel with his other, to caress Techno's wrist between them on the armrest. "You're going to do amazing. Remember that I helped you too? I did help, right?" He can't see Techno's face while he's driving but imagines the red tint to his cheeks when Techno's wrist tenses up under his fingers.

"Uh, y-eah," Techno manages then clears his throat. "Yeah, you both helped a lot. But still, I'm a damn idiot."

"Don't say that, P'No," Kengkla blurts, looking at him this time as they come to a stoplight.

Techno is blushing, there's pink coloring all across his face, but he's not looking at Kengkla but staring at his phone. "It's true though," Techno mumbles to himself. "I don't do well in class." But he doesn't pull his wrist from Kengkla's grasp, even when Kengkla begins rubbing his thumb on the sliver of skin exposed that Techno's dress sleeve doesn't cover.

"P'No is smart," Kengkla tells him and lets himself smile, allows the sharp edges of his grin catch at the corners of his mouth where Techno can't see it then returns to driving as they pull away from the light. Even if Techno completely fails the interview, throws up on his shoes, or forgets how to speak Thai, Kengkla has already ensured Techno will pass the interview and receive a job offer.