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"Phi, are you having fun?" Fort asked, raising his voice over the thumping music and chaotic splash of water guns spraying in every direction.
Peat turned to him, eyes lit up beneath dripping hair. "Actually... yeah," he shouted back, a surprised grin spreading across his face. "I thought I'd hate it-but it's so much fun!"
He swayed to the beat, his body catching the rhythm like it was second nature, water glistening on his skin under the colorful festival lights.
Fort leaned in, lips brushing just near Peat's ear. "I'm glad you're having a good time," he said, his voice soft despite the noise, his smile even softer. He looked at Peat like the whole world was in that one moment.
"I'll go get us some drinks," Fort added, though Peat only caught the word drink and nodded, signaling his understanding.
As Fort walked away, Peat's smile lingered... then slowly faded. His eyes followed Fort's retreating back through the crowd, and the familiar knot in his stomach twisted tighter. Ever since their last photo shoot, something had shifted. Something real. Raw. And if he was honest, it scared him.
He'd avoided Fort more than once since then-pulled back, shut down. He'd even considered bailing on the festival tonight, if Boss and Nouel hadn't talked him into coming.
That reminded him-he hadn't seen either of them yet. Hadn't even looked.
Before he could spiral further, a cheerful voice called out from behind him. "Peat!"
Peat turned. "Phi Joe! Longest time-how have you been?"
"I've been good," Joe replied, pulling Peat into a quick hug. "But you? You vanished. Your number stopped working, and you never replied on Instagram. Not that I expected you to, but I hoped."
Peat winced slightly. "Ah, sorry, Phi. I lost my old line and all my contacts with it. Been drowning in work lately-barely even check my socials."
"Can I get your new number, then?" Joe asked.
"Of course." Peat took the phone from him and typed in the digits. "There. All yours."
As he handed it back, Joe's fingers grazed his hand, slow and deliberate. Peat felt the touch linger longer than necessary, and he gave an awkward smile in response.
"You here alone?" Joe asked, scanning the crowd.
"No, I came with Fort. He went to get drinks or... something. I didn't really catch it."
"Oh," Joe said, eyes glinting with something unreadable. "I came alone. Mind if I hang with you?"
"Sure," Peat said easily.
"Think Fort'll be okay with that?" Joe teased, tone casual-but his gaze sharp, searching.
Peat smiled, brushing it off. "Why wouldn't he be? Fort's chill. He won't mind."
But when Peat turned, his words caught in his throat.
Fort was back.
And he didn't look chill at all.
His eyes flicked from Joe to Peat's hand, still awkwardly hanging by his side-and his jaw clenched just slightly. Just enough to make Peat's stomach drop.
The cup of drinks in his hand remained steady, but his expression had shifted. Cool. Controlled. But far from indifferent.
And in that moment, Peat knew: Fort had seen the touch.
And he wasn't okay with it.
"Phi, don't make him misunderstand. I'm not that chill of a guy," Fort said, handing Peat one of the drinks he brought. His fingers lingered, brushing against Peat's with deliberate pressure-just enough to be felt, just enough to say mine without words.
Peat felt the weight of that touch settle in his chest.
"Thanks," he murmured, voice tight. A strange guilt crept in-like he'd just been caught crossing a line he hadn't even meant to.
Fort's gaze shifted to Joe, eyes sharp but his tone smooth. "Khun Joe, right? Long time."
"Yeah, Fort." Joe smiled as they shook hands, but there was a flicker in his eyes-curiosity, challenge, something almost territorial. "Good to see you. You've really come into your own lately."
"Appreciate it," Fort replied, voice clipped-but his attention was already sliding back to Peat, possessive in a way that wasn't loud, but unmistakable.
"So, Peat," Joe said, leaning in slightly, "I'd like to take you out for dinner sometime."
Peat blinked, startled-but before he could even form a response, Fort spoke.
"Peat is booked and very busy," he said, cool and sharp. "He barely has time or energy for himself these days. I practically do everything for him."
The edge in Fort's voice wasn't loud. But it cut.
Peat turned his head slightly, meeting Fort's gaze, eyes wide. What the hell are you doing?
Joe let out a small chuckle, pretending to ignore the tension. "Good to know someone's looking out for him."
Fort didn't miss a beat. "I do more than that," he said, and took a slow sip from his drink-his eyes locked on Joe the whole time.
The message wasn't just clear-it was carved into the air between them.
Joe raised an eyebrow, then smiled like he was enjoying a game. "Why don't we let Peat decide for himself?"
Peat froze, caught between the two men and the storm of emotions neither of them was hiding anymore.
Joe's grin widened. "You don't have to speak for him. It's not like he's your boyfriend, right?" His gaze locked with Fort's, daring him.
Fort opened his mouth-and then stopped.
He didn't answer. For the first time, silence cracked through his walls.
Joe leaned back slightly, satisfied. "You're just work partners, aren't you?" he added, his tone almost smug.
Peat's heart was racing. Not from Joe's words-but from Fort's silence.
Because Fort, who always had something clever to say, something teasing or bold, suddenly had nothing.
And that said everything.
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