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“P’Kim, you promised,” Chay frowns.
Kim really doesn’t want to argue with Chay, but he also really doesn’t want to play truth or dare. He would rather let Vegas remove several of his fingernails.
This truce of theirs is new. Fragile. Kim is terrified of losing what little ground he’s gained. Chay doesn’t owe him anything; it’s Kim’s turn to give everything. He knows he deserves this, having to watch them together. Macau wants to be official, but Chay won’t agree to it. It’s the only reason Kim is here.
Macau’s gaze oscillates between them, “What the fuck is the deal with you two?”
“Nothing,” Chay grumbles. When Macau steps up behind him to nuzzle his neck, Chay flinches. His eyes never stray from his former idol’s.
Kim’s jaw sets in a hard line and he looks away. After a beat, he lets out a resigned sigh. “Whatever you want, Porchay. It's your night.” The corner of his mouth creeps up in some attempt at a smile before he walks past them.
Taking a seat on the floor with his back against the wall, Kim lets his head fall against it with a dull thud. When Chay moved into the compound he affixed plastic stars all over the ceiling of his suite- the kind that glow in the dark when the lights are off. Kim stares at them and starts to wonder things he shouldn't, like if Macau has seen that glow reflected off Porchay’s soft skin at three am.
“Okay, let's play. P’Kim, you’re going first,” Chay says as he and Macau settle on the couch. Kim can’t help but notice that Chay has put some distance between himself and Macau, leaning against the opposite arm with his legs curled under him. “Truth or dare?”
He doesn’t expect Chay to go easy on him, the boy has always been unabashedly brazen. If Kim can manage to not embarrass himself in front of his cousin, that would be nice. It’s obvious Macau doesn’t know their history, but Chay can still make Kim suffer. More than he already is, of course.
“Truth,” Kim says, hoping his voice projects a confidence he doesn’t feel. He’s afraid to blink, worried if he loses Chay’s attention now he’ll never get it back. Macau isn’t paying attention to them, he’s busy doom scrolling on his phone.
“Have you ever been in love?” Chay’s voice falters a bit at the end, and he coughs to cover it.
Macau doesn’t even look up, “Wow, way to waste your question, babe. He’s a robot.” Kim wants to strangle him.
“Just once,” Kim responds. He hopes Chay can see into the depths of his soul. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to get him back.”
Chay chews his lip, unshed tears forming on his lash line. Macau might as well not exist. Kim’s unwavering gaze is a promise to never look away again. When Chay finally smiles at him, hope blooms warm in his chest. He knows he’s won.