Hi guys!
Welcome to Episode 3
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After Joe's pointed remark, Fort couldn't stand being there anymore-watching Joe flirt with Peat, the way Peat smiled even if it was polite, the way Joe leaned in like Fort wasn't even present. It was too much.
"I'm going to look for some friends," Fort said to Peat, avoiding his eyes. He didn't mention who, didn't wait for a reply-he just left.
Peat watched him go, a tight knot forming in his chest. It wasn't just the way Fort left-it was the expression on his face right before. That flash of something... vulnerable. Defeated. And then, almost instantly, it was hidden beneath that familiar irritation.
Joe tried to fill the silence, asking questions, making light conversation, but Peat wasn't really listening. Not fully. His eyes kept drifting toward the crowd, scanning for Fort. His mind kept replaying that look. That silence.
"Phi, I need to go find Fort," Peat said finally, interrupting whatever Joe had been saying. "It's almost 3 a.m."
Joe tilted his head. "Why do you need to find him?"
"We need to head home. We've got something early tomorrow," Peat replied, his tone more distant now as his eyes searched the crowd again.
"I can drop you off if you want," Joe offered. "No need to bother Fort."
Peat stopped, his gaze locking with Joe's for a beat too long.
"Phi, I'm not bothering Fort," he said softly, but firmly. "Even if we're not dating... we love each other. Genuinely. He's family to me. He's more than just a co-star."
Joe blinked, thrown off by the quiet conviction in Peat's words.
"I need to find my Nong," Peat added, voice almost a whisper now, laced with something heavier than worry. It was longing.
Joe finally nodded. "Okay. If I see him first, I'll give you a call."
"Thanks, Phi," Peat said before disappearing into the crowd.
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The noise of the festival had dulled now, but the lights still blinked overhead like fading stars. Peat moved through the thinning crowd, glancing from face to face, his heart pounding with every step.
After thirty minutes of searching, he finally spotted Noeul, who also looked like he was looking for someone.
"Noeul!" Peat called out. "Have you seen Fort?"
Noeul turned toward him, a little out of breath. "Yeah, I saw him. He was with Boss and me about twenty minutes ago. Said he needed to find somewhere quiet to sit down."
Peat nodded, anxiety tightening in his chest. "Where is Boss?"
I'm looking for him too," Noeul said. "We got separated."
Peat's eyes scanned the edges of the festival grounds, the dark corners, the quieter places where someone like Fort-hurt and trying to hide it-might go.
"Okay... I think I know where he'd be," Peat said more to himself than to Noeul, already walking away again.
•••
Peat followed the path out of the chaotic center of the festival, his steps unconsciously pulling him toward the edges-where the lights dimmed and the noise faded into a distant hum. He knew Fort well enough to guess that when things got too loud, too close, he'd retreat somewhere quiet. Somewhere he could breathe.
And then he saw him.
Fort was sitting alone on a low bench by the canal, bathed in the amber glow of a streetlamp. His head was tilted back, gaze fixed on the night sky, an empty drink beside him. Still. Quiet. But it wasn't peace-it was something heavier.
Peat stopped for a moment, just watching him. There was something about Fort in that silence-unguarded, distant in a way that made Peat's chest tighten.
He stepped forward, voice soft.
"Fort."
Fort looked over slowly. There was a flicker in his eyes-relief? Hurt?-but it vanished before Peat could catch it.
"You found me," Fort said, the words low, flat, like he was trying to make them lighter than they felt.
"I've been looking for you," Peat replied, walking closer. "Why did you leave like that?"
Fort didn't answer right away. He shifted, making space on the bench. Peat sat beside him, their knees brushing, silence falling for a beat.
"I didn't like the view," Fort muttered.
Peat turned, confused. "What view?"
"You. Laughing with him like he still mattered," Fort said, eyes fixed on the water. "Like I was just... no one."
Peat's throat went dry. "Joe's a friend. That's all it was."
"I know," Fort said, voice calmer now but with an edge beneath. "But I'm tired, Peat. Tired of pretending it doesn't get to me. Watching him touch you, flirt like I'm invisible
Peat opened his mouth, then shut it again. He wasn't sure he was ready for this-for them to have this conversation.
"You've had a lot to drink. Let's go home, Fort," Peat said quietly, reaching to help him up.
But Fort caught his wrist, pulling him closer in a sudden, unsteady motion. Their faces hovered inches apart, breath mingling, the air sharp with tension.
"Why do you keep running from us?" Fort's voice cracked just slightly. "If you don't like me like that, say it. Just say it. I'll deal with it.
I promise you it won't affect our work. But stop pretending like there's nothing going on between us."
The pain in his voice made Peat flinch. Fort let go of him slowly, rising to his feet, a bit unsteady but still holding his ground. Then, without another word, he turned and started walking toward their car.
Peat followed quietly, heart pounding. The words Fort left hanging between them echoed louder than the music they'd left behind.
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And that's it for Episode 3! Can't wait to see you all in the next chapter. Don't forget to like, vote, and drop a comment-I love hearing from you guys! Love y'all. Bye!