#in order: kinn tankhun and kim

[marcusluvshelly]

This combined with the fact that Kan says to Vegas that he is like his mother, in an insulting way, just makes me think even more of how they are similar aside from realizing that their fathers are bad to them and yet wanting to make their fathers proud.

Maybe if they managed to actually sit down together and talked about their shitty fathers and their (probably nice) relationships with their mothers, they would be able to form a much powerful Theerapanyakul leadership than either Kan or Korn could have ever imagined.

thinking about kinn and his "people say i'm more like my mom." thinking about who possibly could have said that to him.

maybe he looks like his mom. maybe adults used to say it to him all the time when he was a kid, as he held back from hiding behind his mother's skirts — he looks so much like you, such a darling. maybe his mom dressed impeccably, and kinn wanted so bad to look as good as her (all three of them did) and every time he wears something in a particular shade of red he thinks about her.

maybe his mom was so good to the staff, and the staff would praise him in corridors for being a good leader just like her. maybe his mom was a crack shot, an unbelievable marksman, and he learned how to hold a gun from her. maybe his mom used to sing.

but when korn says it — and he does — it isn't a compliment. your mother corroded me, korn says. your mother corroded you, he means. if you were more like me, and less like her, we would all be better off. you are weaker for having known her.

and despite all of that, kinn says it with such pride. i am more like her. i recognize that as a strength, regardless of what my father tells me. in a long string of concessions to his father, it shines as one of the only parts of himself he stands up for — and he does it right from the beginning.

[aeternallis]

One of the many things about Kim that sticks out to me in the show is the fact that he's not actually introduced to the audience as the love interest for Chay right away. Like, it wasn't a full introduction like how we see with Kinn or Vegas, where we were able to see their faces and some semblance of their personalities off the bat, yknow?

Nah, Kim was introduced in parts: first as a random name drop Pete says in passing when he's explaining who the three brothers are, then as a silhouette, then as WIK, then the reveal that WIK and Kim are the same person.

The audience is introduced to him in "proper" order; we get an idea of how most people probably see him (somewhat as an afterthought, but considered Not As Normal as Kinn, haha), all the way to how his own family treats him: Korn acts fatherly enough, but is suspicious of him. Tankhun is at ease with him and wants him to move back home, and Kinn sometimes forget he has a younger brother because of his absence.

I've mentioned before in a previous rant that it's actually much easier for the audience to see how Kim fell in love with Chay, rather than the other way around, but now I can't help but also ask myself:

I wonder why it is that BOC decided to show more of Kim regarding who he truly is (at the very least, as a member of the mafia) to the audience, rather than to his love interest?

Why did Chay get to see more of WIK, but the audience saw more of Kim? One would think it should perhaps be the other way around, right? Is the audience supposed to see Chay as some sort of vessel to self-insert themselves into?? Lol

And before I go any further, I’m not saying that what Chay saw of Kim was entirely false. Not at all. It’s not as if Kim wasn’t genuine when he was with Chay; at least when it came to his enjoyment of spending time with Chay, for the most part, he probably was—if the Polaroids were anything to go by.

And yet, we barely see them together during the Polaroids Era, as I call it. What Chay sees of Kim during their time together is purposefully kept elusive, from both Porsche and the audience.

And when Chay confronted him in front of his apartment, what we see of Kim isn’t entirely correct from either the audience’s perspective, or Chay’s. We know Kim has felt some measure of guilt in keeping the truth from Chay, we see it multiple times in the show.

And yet, despite that confrontation, Kim still keeps the facade on—he doesn’t admit his guilt, but rather creates the narrative that he never cared at all. For the audience, this shouldn’t come as too much of a shock, as we know Kim is capable of lying on the spur of the moment.

But Chay isn’t aware of that, not until Tankhun unintentionally gives Kim's deception away, in any case.

Getting back to the original question, however: why is Kim shown more of who he truly is to the audience, more so than to Chay? Why is Chay's perception of who Kim is (at least 3/4 of the way into the story) so different from the audience's own?

And I would answer that as: the audience knows more of who Kim is, in order to demonstrate how he stands on equal footing with Kinn and Vegas.

When you compare Kim to Kinn and Vegas, it's not obvious right away as to what makes Kim dangerous. Kinn is dangerous, because of his distrust of most people around him and all that that entails, as well as his position within the mafia itself as the heir; we see this throughout the majority of the first half of the show through Porsche's eyes. Vegas is dangerous, because of his capriciousness, his willingness to do anything to further the agenda of his father, his own, and the Minor family.

But what about Kim?

Kim is dangerous, because of his natural ease with committing deception—but more than that, the extent to which he can keep the lies going, how difficult it can be to understand his intentions because of that. That is what makes him stand on an even pedestal along with Kinn and Vegas. Not only is Kim introduced to the audience and to Chay in parts, even what he's capable of is also shown in bits and pieces; it's no accident that Kim's fighting ability and preferences for combat isn't shown until literally the last episode.

And even when he wasn't necessarily trying to hide from Chay, it's astounding that even the simple act of him walking away as soon as he was done killing off the goons in the bar, is yet another lie he imposes on Chay. How is that a lie, one might ask?

In the end, Chay is not aware of who killed those goons and who protected him.

See what I mean? XD Kim is a natural liar, even all the way to the end! LOL Sure, we can argue that Chay would have probably figured it out on his own down the line, but at the end of the day, that's not what's shown in the aftermath of that fight.

While I would argue that Kim is no strategist, he is a good liar, if nothing else. In fact, I would even go so far as to say that Kim is the epitome of a wolf in sheep's clothing in KPTS, and I will stand on that hill 'til my dying breath!

I used to think I would have loved to have seen more of the Polaroid era in the hopes of having gotten more Kimchay scenes, but now—I've changed my mind~ I'm actually quite satisfied that they didn't show us! I'm happy they didn't—because it allows for Kim's character and the audience's impression of him within the world of the mafia—to stand stronger, to really drive home the fact that he's not one to be underestimated, that no matter his gentleness to Chay, his love for Chay, Kim is a product of his environment—of the mafia.

And what perfect way to show that, other than by showing the audience more of the truth, rather than what Chay knows in the show.

[chalkrevelations]

Proposed:

Vegas and Porsche spend a whole bunch of time plotting to kill Korn, only for Macau and Chay to get there first.

Some intense questioning and emotional manipulation by his Hia finally get out of Macau that he lied when he initially told everyone that he stumbled into Korn and accidentally knocked him down the stairs when Korn grabbed his wrist during an argument, but he wanted to protect Chay. He says that the two of them didn't think people would believe Korn fell accidentally when Chay tried to push him away from Macau, after Korn grabbed Macau's wrist during an argument.

Some emotional manipulation by Porsche does not get anything out of Chay, who just looks at Porsche with big wet eyes from under his bangs and doesn't uncurl from the corner of the couch in Tankhun's rooms.

Some intense questioning by Kim does not get anything more than a "fuck off" out of Chay when Kim 1) calls bullshit on Macau's confession to Vegas and 2) accuses Chay of now taking the rap for Macau because they all know that no one would ever believe it was an accident when the displaced second son of the minor family pushed Korn Theerapanyakul down the stairs during an argument.

(Kim is not ... entirely correct. He's not entirely wrong, either, for all the good it does him.)

Kinn gets nothing out of anyone, because neither of these kids trusts him as far as they could spit. If Kinn was the least bit trustworthy, Vegas would be head of the minor family and Porsche would not - this is something both Macau and Chay have been in agreement on for a long time.

Tankhun takes one look at both of them in tears, Macau practically hyperventilating, just after they're pulled away from Korn's body in the stairwell - these two boys who previously have always been protected in one way or another from the dirty work of this family - and he KNOWS there was nothing accidental about it. He's just not sure who actually did the pushing, so he keeps his mouth shut because he doesn't really care about Vegas's brother, but no one is going to do anything to his baby chick Chay if he has anything to say - or not say - about it. (Pa shouldn't have given him a kid, if he didn't want something more important than Pa in Tankhun's life.)

Tankhun's right about one thing - it wasn't an accident.

Macau never - ever - admits to anyone that they did it together, 1-2-3-go, when Korn made the mistake of turning his back to them while he was at the top of the stairs to Nampheung's garret. Occasionally, Macau will catch Pete looking at him speculatively, head tilted just a bit, and Macau just stares back with the blandest look he can manage until Pete shakes his head and looks away. (These are, in fact, the only times Macau can manage to win a staredown against P'Pete. He doesn't realize how suspicious that is, in and of itself.)

(Macau never, ever, wants Vegas to know that their family - who Vegas tried so hard to protect him from - stained him enough that he could commit murder, even if it was in order to protect his Hia.)

Chay tells Porsche three years later during an argument right before Chay packs his things and moves out of the main family compound for the last time. He doesn't tell Porsche that Macau was the one to first send a significant look Chay's way when Korn dismissively turned his back on them at the top of the stairs. He does tell Porsche that he's the one who gave the final go-ahead nod to Macau.

(Chay absolutely wants Porsche to know that the Theerapanyakul family - who Porsche exposed him to - stained him enough that he could commit murder in order to protect his Hia.)

Working title: Nobody Talks, Everybody Walks

[the-cookie-of-doom]

Kimhan Theerapanyakul is, by far, the worst of the young heirs. This is a fact universally, quietly, agreed upon by all of the bodyguards. 

Tankhun is… odd. Eccentric. His moods are unpredictable and his punishments unorthodox. He’s vindictive but never truly cruel. Not the way Vegas is, some will whisper, trading horror stories about what they imagine may go on in the Minor family compound. Tankhun is also a safe assignment; he never leaves the tower, meaning whatever guards are on his rotation have a relatively cushy life, as long as they can put up with him. Most of them can’t, and ask to be reassigned within two weeks. You don’t become a bodyguard for the mafia because you want to be safe. 

Kinn, despite being the middle brother, is the true heir, the one being groomed to lead the family. He is serious but kind, firm but fair. It is an honor and a privilege to be placed on his detail. An honor that Big worked very long and very hard for, sacrificing his life and his body to earn the right to stand at Kinn’s side always. 

And then Tawan came into the picture. 

A conniving, jealous little creature, who had Kinn wrapped so tight around his finger, it’s a wonder he could even breathe. Big, loyal guard that he was, tried his best to protect Kinn from himself. He overstepped. He urged caution in this fledgling relationship. Of course, Kinn was young and in love, and Tawan could do no wrong, right up until he was caught selling information to a rival gang. 

Big was the one to reveal Tawan’s schemes. He wishes, deep down, that he had been the one to kill him, too. That he could have spared Kinn that pain. 

Big is dismissed from duty after it’s over. Reassigned. He has been with the family for years at this point, worked his way up as a personal guard to the heirs; he expects he will be reassigned to Tankhun. Instead, he receives orders to report to Khun Kim, who’s recently moved out of the tower and into an apartment across town. 

It’s best if Khun Kinn doesn’t see you right now, Chan had told him. That hurt worse than the dismissal. Big was only doing his job, looking out for his boss—his charge, his responsibility—and here he is, punished for it. Thrown away. Banished from Kinn’s presence entirely. It aches. But Big only nodded and bowed, and accepted his orders, because he is a good and loyal guard, and he will do as he is told. 

Despite Big’s years with the family, he has had little contact with the youngest son. The next six months show him exactly why his coworkers call him the worst assignment.

[fandomdynamics]

Other than Tankhun, all of the Theerapanyakun cousins are pathetic losers

But specifically in this order:

Kinn: the least dangerous, but pathetic enough he gives Porsche an entire mafia family to head

Vegas: extremely dangerous, but so pathetic he falls in love after two days with someone he was supposed to kill.

Kim: the most dangerous, and the most pathetic loser to ever grace the face of this planet. Falls in love from making eye contact with a boy who brought him to his knees in one song.

[shou-jpeg]

-Back on the Beat-

Part 2. 06

October 26th, 5:39pm

Kim is feeling… unsettled. 

If he didn’t know better, he would say he was nervous. Except Kim does know better and he doesn’t get nervous. 

He’s frustrated because he can’t figure out what to wear, and he’s changed his outfit four times now. 

But he isn’t nervous. 

Jimbo, Kim’s cat, intermittently walks into the bedroom, only to walk back out again a few minutes later. As if he wants to be in there with Kim, but the tension is too much for him to stay long.

Kim sighs. 

Tonight is family dinner night. It’s a new weekly tradition Kinn and Porsche are trying to make happen, and tonight will be the third night they hold it. For Kim, it will be his first night attending. He doesn’t mind spending time with Khun, but Kim doesn’t get along too well with Kinn, and he’s hardly exchanged more than two words with Porsche. His father will also be there, which is never an appealing situation. 

Normally, Kim would avoid such an event and ignore Khun’s hassling until his attendance is given up on. 

Except Porchay asked Kim to come. 

Kim thinks he would go through far more grueling activities than family dinner in order to spend time with Porchay. 

And… this will be the first time since they broke up that Kim and Porchay will be spending an extended period of time in the same room together. 

They might even get a chance to talk. 

…

Maybe Kim is a little nervous. 

But only to see Porchay. 

They’ve been texting most days recently. The topics they talk about vary a lot, and Porchay is usually the one to initiate the conversation. He also asks for pictures of Kim’s cat on a regular basis, and Kim has taken to bringing his phone with him around the house so he can snap pictures of Jimbo for the next time Porchay asks for them.

Kim looks down at the leather jacket in his hands and holds back a smile. 

…

He really needs to get going though, or he will be late. 

Well… later than he already is anyway. 

Kim throws on the first outfit he tried 45 minutes ago, checks himself in the mirror for another ten minutes, gives Jimbo a scratch under his chin and leaves his apartment. He’s now running almost 25 minutes late for dinner. 

Kim arrives at the compound dining room just as the staff are putting food on the table. Kinn and Porsche both look surprised to see him, but Kim ignores them in favour or looking at Porchay. They lock eyes, and Porchay smiles gently at Kim. 

Kim’s heart soars. 

“It’s not nice to be tardy, little brother!” Tankhun remarks haughtily, pulling Kim’s attention away from Porchay. If Kim didn’t know Khun so well, he would miss the pleased look that Khun is trying to hide in favour of his fake exasperation. 

“Hush, Tankhun,” Korn says “it’s lovely for you to join us, Kim. What a pleasant surprise!” Korn looks every bit the pleased, loving father he pretends to be on the outside. Kim sends him his most charming smile. 

“I happened to be in the area, thought I should stop by at least once.” Tankhun huffs at his excuse, but he still looks pleased as he begins sorting through the food on the table. 

Kinn doesn’t say anything, but he does have a hint of a smile on his face as he follows Khun’s lead with the food. 

Perhaps tonight won’t be such a struggle after all.

The staff bring out an extra table setting for Kim, and he begins serving himself some rice.

The conversation at the table kicks off when Porsche turns to Porchay and asks him about the garden bed he's been cultivating under the watchful eye of the family's gardener. Kim makes a mental note to ask Porchay more about his flowers if they get a chance to talk and he needs something to fall back on.

Khun makes a comment about how delicious his food is, but how the pad kra pao could have been better. Kim silently agrees, but only because his pad kra pao is one of the best things he cooks. He was taught how to make it by their previous head chef when he was fourteen, and he perfected it when he moved out. Ever since that chef retired, the dish cooked by anyone else has never managed to please the table, and it’s almost guaranteed that Khun will comment on it. Kim has been meaning to make some for Khun, but he's a little nervous he won't live up to the standard. 

Just as Kim is starting to think family dinner isn’t so bad after all, Korn turns to Kinn and Porsche and begins to talk business. 

Which of course means various metaphors instead of actually talking directly, even though everyone at the table knows exactly what is being discussed. 

"Kinn, how did the meeting go last week? Did you sort out the issue with the bread?”

“Yes pa. The bread is running through the clubs with our regular bakers once more. There was a slight disagreement regarding the ingredients used but it has now been sorted out.”

“Wonderful news. Well done. I knew you could handle the situation,” Korn remarks jovily. Kim internally rolls his eyes. He would bet good money the issue was actually caused by Korn’s own devices as some way of testing Kinn. 

Kim’s phone buzzes in his pocket, and he turns away from the conversation to fish it out. 

Kim’s hand flies up to his mouth, but he’s not nearly quick enough to stifle the loud snort-laugh he lets out at Porchay’s message. 

The table goes quiet as everyone turns to look at Kim in surprise, Porchay looking at him in delight, though he’s trying to hide it. It’s not working. 

“Sorry,” Kim explains, “I ate too quickly.” His face feels like it’s burning, and he keeps his head down as he fishes a piece of tofu off his place. 

The conversation resumes, but Kim is no longer paying it any attention.

How fucking embarrassing. 

Kim looks up at Porchay, who is already watching him with a pleased smile. They lock eyes for a moment before Kim feels like he needs to look away once more, unsure how to handle the soft look on Porchay’s face.

Dinner passes without further incident, Khun asks Kim a few things about his music and demands photos of Jimbo and Kim makes a mental note to send Khun a few of the pictures he’s been taking for Porchay.

The night winds down and eventually Korn retires for the evening. Kinn and Porsche have been giving each other bedroom eyes for the past half hour, and excuse themselves shortly after.

Tankhun looks to Kim like he’s about to say something, but changes his mind and excuses himself with a swish of his long cloak and a request for Kim to join them next time. 

Kim doesn’t think he can handle another family dinner.

He’s standing up to leave when Porchay speaks up. He’s still sitting at the table, picking at the edge with his fingers.

“It’s good you could come. They always serve too much food and I feel awful leaving it on the table.”

“Don’t. The staff eat any leftovers so it doesn’t go to waste.”

“Ah.” Porchay looks down at the table, fiddling with his thumbs. The suspended silence is awkward, but Kim still hesitates to leave. 

Just as he decides he should probably go, Porchay speaks again.

“Hey, are you busy after this?” he asks.

“Mm no, I was just going to head back home and do some work.”

“Oh... are you working on new music?”

“Maybe. Not sure if this one is going anywhere yet though.” Kim shuffles his feet. He's not sure what to do with his hands, and tucks them away in his pockets.

“Well…” Porchay pauses, as if unsure of his next words, “um, if you’re free for a little while, can you come upstairs with me?”

Kim’s brain short circuits. What?

Porchay continues quickly, “I’m fine tuning my latest shit post and I could use your critical eye.”

Kim doesn't know what to say. Porchay fiddles with his fingers some more, looking down at the table top and back up at Kim, and then looks away again.

"Yeah," Kim eventually finds his voice "Yeah of course. Lead the way."

END OF PART 2

< Prev - Next >

First

[tumsa]

turn this knife the blunt way around

happy belated birthday, @kimchaybrainrot!💛 you're lovely and deserve all the treats! i tried to write fluffy soft things but failed spectacularly because angst and i are besties. i promise there is some sweetness at the end.

here is some post-canon kim + kimchay:

- - - 

Kim is not surprised when Porsche shows up and enters the café exactly when Kim is wrapping up his set. Kim has ignored calls and messages from Kinn, Tankhun and the Unknown caller. So he signs a few autographs, takes selfies with fans and lets his manager tell them that Wik is very busy and needs to go. Porsche meanwhile orders a caramel macchiato for himself and his bodyguard and waits until Kim packs away his equipment. 

"Khun Kittisawat," Kim finally says loud enough to annoy Porsche's security guard, who is holding his drink as he has never seen coffee before.

"I know you helped Chay at the warehouse and at Yok's," Porsche says, ignoring pleasantries, making it sound like an accusation, "but you have to leave my brother alone."

Porsche has taken well to his new role. He manages to sound steely, not heated, like someone in charge of the situation, and he doesn't have to add any threats. It's an order, even if Porsche has no hierarchical power over Kim. Porsche doesn't know that Kinn is just a placeholder for Kim. 

"Okay," Kim says, with his perfected poker face and neutral tone. He can tell from how Porsche squints and grips his macchiato that Porsche had expected some resistance. 

"Okay," he finally nods, sips his drink and turns to leave. Kim picks up his guitar and waits for Porsche to take a few more steps.

"Porsche," he says because there is a good reason why Kim has trailed Chay for a few months now. Kim has killed at least seven people that wanted to get their hands on the precious innocent baby brother of the minor family's new leader. "Chay's bodyguards are horrible."

Porsche freezes. There are still people around them, some of Wik's fans lingering around, as well as regular customers, so they cannot talk openly. Kim knows that's why Porsche had chosen the location, but it's funny to see him regret that choice now. Porsche opens and closes his mouth, quickly figuring out Kim's words' meaning.

Kim leaves. 

- - - 

It's not surprising that Chay barely gets to leave the compound afterwards. And when he does, his security detail matches one of Kinn's and Porsche's combined. 

"He hates it," Pok says, sliding a photo over Kim's desk. And yes, Chay looks miserable in the image; he looks small in his soft hoodie and loose jeans. Kim knows how it feels to be surrounded by all these suited men and still feel isolated and lonely. 

Kim hates how thinking it's for the greater good, his own safety doesn't chip away at the guilt he feels knowing it's his fault.

- - - 

It's also not surprising that another few months later, Chay moves out. Just like Kim, Chay is not made for golden cages; there's only so much that your love for your brother(s) can balance out, and Chay has always been brave enough to go after what he wants.

Kim keeps his promise and stays away, he's too busy trying to keep Wik's career from exploding. He knows his father will end it if the fame draws too much attention to their family. The freedom Kim has is imaginary; it's just a leash made longer, long enough that sometimes Kim forgets it's there until he makes one step too far, and it chokes him viciously.

"Do you want me to keep following Khun Porchay?" Pok asks.

Kim thinks about his father's chess board, the pieces he moves around, and the plans he executes. He thinks about his father saying: "I will fake my death", "the minor family will attack", and "you have to protect Porsche's brother, I know what you've been doing with him". He thinks about Korn killing his own brother, Vegas and Macau being pushed away their whole lives only to be embraced when they are no longer needed on the board, and Chay's mother, drugged and unaware.

"No," he says because he is tired of being his father's son. He makes a choice and tells himself to be brave and be like Chay. "Leave him alone."

Pok nods and leaves quietly.

- - - 

Kim buries himself in music because music loves him back. 

- - - 

"Your new album is so sweet," the boy says, and his voice shakes slightly as he smiles shyly, handing over the card to be signed. His older sister is recording their conversation with a cheeky grin on her face. Kim can imagine that this will be future blackmail material. 

"Thank you," Kim smiles, "what's your name?"

"Rune," the boy says, still in awe, as Kim writes him a small, personalized note. 

"I am glad you wrote some happier songs," the older sister says conversationally, unbothered that Kim is Wik, while Rune picks up his signed card like it's the greatest treasure. "All the sad ones Rune was playing for months made me a bit worried for you. He still gets teary-eyed about the Why Don't You Stay one."

Ah. Kim is saved from answering it because Rune is mortified and pulls his sister away, telling her to shut up, oh my god.

"Hi!" the girl that was next in the line waves at him with a big grin on her face. "I love your new album; it's very sweet!" 

Kim smiles back.

- - - 

Your new album is amazing, and we are so proud! We miss you. 

Kim reads the message again and again; he swallows tears and thinks about the song he wrote weeks ago, about the tiny hints he left there, knowing that nobody but him would know. He didn't think that-

"Kim?" Kinn picks up right away. He sounds hopeful, and Kim realizes that their father is so wrong. The love has not made Kinn weaker; it has made him human.

"I miss you too," Kim says. He can hear Kinn smiling.

- - - 

"I am disappointed," his father says, and Kim thinks nothing has ever made him feel more proud than Korn's disappointment. "Maybe I was wrong about you."

"Maybe," Kim says, and they both know he means, yes, yes, you were.

"I don't know what I did wrong," Korn says, defeated, in a rare moment of honesty, "how all three of you ended up like this."

Like this, he says. And he means stupid, weak and pathetic. He means, why would you pick anything over power, ambition, or being the victor? Why would you willingly lose a fight? Who would you do that for, and why?

"You wouldn't understand, father," Kim smiles, pushing Kinn's ring across the table, "after all, you killed your brother and locked up your sister."

He gets up and leaves, half expecting a bullet in his skull, but it never comes. 

- - - 

The knock on the door makes Kim jump. Only a few people know where he lives, and all the ones who do know to inform him before their arrival. Tankhun has started to show up unannounced, but Kim (now) knows that Wednesdays are shopping days; Tankhun has discovered the magic of shopping malls, and they are a lot shinier than Kim's apartment.

Kim finds the gun before heading for the door but puts it down when he looks at the security camera. He unlocks the door, suddenly very aware of his messy hair, worn shirt and mismatched socks that Kinn had gifted as a joke.

"Hi," Chay says. 

Kim has not seen him for almost two years, so he files away the new haircut, a bit broader shoulders, a sharper face, but the same sweet smile and big, innocent eyes. 

"Hi?" Kim answers, unsure because Chay's smile is short-lived, and he looks closer to tears.

"I know you loved me," Chay says, and he might as well kick Kim in the stomach, "I mean, I listened to your new album, I mean, sorry, it's none of my business, I should not say that, I just, well," he keeps talking, nervously shifting, looking anywhere but at Kim, "I need you."

Kim feels like someone dropped him in an ocean, leaving him to drown. There are waves of feelings crushing him, pushing him down to the seabed. I know you loved me. Apparently, Chay still knows how to flip Kim's world around. Kim moves before Chay can flee, opening the door wider and stepping aside.

"Come in," Kim says, his voice trembling funnily. And then, because he cannot help it at all, he asks, "You listened to my new album?"

"Of course," Chay says, and it reminds Kim of Tankhun's eye rolls.

Did you like it? Kim wants to ask, but he doesn't. He doesn't get to have this, and he won't be selfish if it hurts Chay, not anymore, and he's been doing good so far. 

"Why do you need my help?" Kim asks instead as they walk to the living room. Chay sits on the sofa, back to looking like he is about to cry, but like crying is not a choice he is allowed to make, and it makes Kim's insides hurt. Chay needs to point, and Kim will aim his gun. 

"It's about my mom," Chay explains, "I don't know how much you know, but-"

"I know everything," Kim says, and their knees brush as he sits down next to Chay. "I am sorry, I-"

"It's okay," Chay brushes it off quickly as if what Kim did is not a big deal. And Kim wonders if it isn't for Chay anymore. Maybe Chay has learned that there are worse things than stalking and using someone, maybe Chay is helping Porsche now and has done similar things, or maybe Chay has killed someone. Kim has no idea, and it's making him a bit dizzy.

"She remembers everything," Chay explains, and Kim doesn't say that he suspected that too. He looks at Chay's hands that are nervously moving around, wants to grab them and keep them still, but talks himself out of it. "She told me a while ago, she remembers that Uncle Korn killed dad, and wants to tell Porsche, but she's worried that Uncle Korn will... And I am so worried about her and Porsche, and I think Porsche maybe knows too, and something is about to happen, and I-"

"Do you want me to kill my father?" Kim asks carefully. He realizes that he would if Chay asked.

Chay looks horrified. "What? No, of course not!"

Kim is lost, has been lost since he opened the door. "So, what do you need me to help with?"

"I didn't say that," Chay says so quietly that Kim almost doesn't hear it. "I said I need you."

Oh.

And because Chay is the bravest one of them both, he climbs into Kim's lap, hugging him like he did the very first time, with everything he has, and bursts into tears.

"I don't know," he whimpers in Kim's neck, his tears mixing with Kim's, shaking as Kim holds him closer, "what I will do if Porsche dies. I don’t want to be alone anymore, Kim."

Kim wishes he could hide Chay inside the walls of his chest, away from everything, but nowhere is safe with his father alive.

"Shhh," he says instead, "it will be okay, you are not alone."

- - - 

"Chay," Kim says hours later when it's getting dark in the apartment. They are still on the sofa, and Chay is half lying on top of Kim, cuddling like they used to, except Chay is quiet and looks defeated under the weight of the world. 

"Mm?"

Kim takes a breath and tells himself he can do this. If Tankhun can go to the shopping mall and Kinn can choose Porsche over their father, Kim too can face his fears. "I want to apologize. I am sorry; I know I hurt you, and you didn't deserve any of it. I wish I could take it back."

Chay hums and looks up through the bangs that are half covering his eyes; there's a small smile on the corners of his lips, and Kim wants to press it there, make it stay, and never let anything make Chay sad again.

"I forgave you a long time ago," he says, "Porsche told me how silly Theerapanyakul siblings are. I am very proud you used words this time."

He's teasing Kim, and Kim can't decide between laughing or crying; he settles on neither, holds Chay closer, and moves his hand to stroke Chay's hair gently. He thinks fate is being funny, giving him something only after he learned to let it go.

"And you did write me fourteen love songs."

Kim laughs.

- - - 

He returns early in the morning when the dawn settles over the city, a new morning ahead. Chay is still on the sofa, covered in blankets; he gets up when Kim enters the living room.

Kim puts down the gun on the coffee table. He knows he is still covered in sweat and smells like cigarettes that he shared with Porsche when Chay hugs him. 

"It will be okay," Kim promises, and buries himself in Chay. 

[snickerdoodlles]

☕️ on tankhun if it hasn’t been asked before or anything else in general.

ooooohhh my beloved Khun 👀 tbh not much immediately comes to mind? Khun doesn't usually get much focus in fic and while i might be hoping for some specific Khun headcanons or characterizations, it's easier to read around characterizations i disagree with for secondary character. the only hand and fast 'no' i have for Khun takes are any where Khun picks Chay over Kim, but i don't see that as much anymore. dunno if that's because it has truly died down or if i just have most of it muted, but either way i'm v grateful 😂 but everyone already knows that one, so a Khun characterization i don't much agree with:

very ""motherly"" (ie, soft) Khun

this seems to stem mostly from Khun saying he raised his brothers? ft a heavy dose of fanon characterization. but Khun having been a big part in his brothers growing up doesn't mean he'd be soft and/or necessarily a caretaker. Khun's still very sharp. i see his touches with Kinn and Kim being of the sort like, briskly yanking their clothes into order before they go out, doling out snark just as good as he gets from two moody teenagers, smacking them upside the head if they say something disrespectful, etc. Khun's still Khun. he's very impatient, intense, and brash, and he's still working through a lot of trauma that sometimes has him lashing out at others. he's not really a tender person, as much as i love tender moments with him--tenderness especially is dangerous in their life, and Khun was raised as the heir to their world first.

this is more vague vibes than anything else? it's not anything that will immediately have me backing out, esp because i love little moments where Khun can be softer with his loved ones, but Kinn is the bleeding heart of the family and i disagree with any fic that puts Khun as the heart instead.

[ send a ☕, get a bitchy* fic opinion ] *personal preference related, we’re not here to be mean

[kinnporsche]

okay but listen hear me out: kinnporsche bridgerton (season 2) au with porsche as kate, kinn as anthony, and porchay as edwina. it fits too well like, the orphaned kittisiwasd brothers are given patronage by yok (in the role of lady danbury) during the social season in order for porsche to find chay a husband—also, for the purposes of this au, porsche is 25 and chay is 19.

due to porsche and chay’s piece of shit uncle gambling away their family inheritance, porsche is adamant that his little brother marry into a wealthy family to ensure his future—and the theerapanyakuls are just the right fit.

enter kinn, the viscount theerapanyakul. when he was only 18, kinn was forced to take up the role of viscount after the passing of his father (in order to relieve his traumatized older brother, tankhun, of the burden). he’s now 26 and is looking for a marriage of convenience this social season, as he has sworn off love entirely due to being fucked over in the past (cough, tawan, cough).

if you’ve watched the show, you know where the story goes from here. also, porchay eventually falls for the youngest theerapyanakul (kim), so there are no broken-hearted younger brothers to worry about after kinn and porsche finally admit their love (and lust lmao) for each other and tie the knot.

[i-sveikata]

i don't remember if you've mentioned it anywhere in the fic, but what are the ages of your Vegas and pete !

hey anon!! it hasn't really been referenced much in the fic. but i do feel like i've answered this before. only i can't remember if it was in ao3 comments or on tumblr (and i can't even remember my answer lol) but this is the vague order i had (seriously hoping im not contradicting my prev response here lmao). so from youngest to oldest:

Porschay 17-18

Macau 18

Pete 25

Kim 25

Vegas 25

Porsche 26

Kinn 26

Tankhun 29-30

[lu-sn]

the theerapanyakuls go to barbenheimer

kinn: the oppenheimer message flies straight over his head. the barbie message, unfortunately, is also totally lost on him.

porsche: in the same boat as kinn, mostly because kinn pulls him aside ten minutes into both films so they can make out and [redacted] and also [redacted redacted redacted].

tankhun: forces everyone at gunpoint (literal) to come to barbenheimer. forces everyone at gunpoint to wear themed outfits. screeches and hollers during the whole barbie movie, and immediately places custom orders for all of barbies's outfits and half of ken's outfits. (none of the outfits from the kendom era, though. bleh.) ends up feeling very thoughtful about oppenheimer -- and makes sure nobody notices.

kim: wants to perish. khun had to handcuff him to the theater seat. at least kim managed to stop khun from stuffing him into a bespoke neon pink leather jacket.

chay: is having a great time! very much enjoyed dressing up with khun for the Event Of The Century. is currently very much enjoying watching kim suffer. cheered at all the right moments during barbie. (oddly quiet during oppenheimer.)

pete: kind of tilted about having to dress up, but finds himself genuinely enjoying both movies. empathizes with every character on screen, which is not what khun wanted him to do.

vegas: identifies way too much with oppenheimer in perhaps the worst possible way. barbie puzzles him on a molecular level.

macau: spends the entire time "subtly" (not subtly) filming both movies on his phone. his camerawork is absolute garbage. his thumb is in the frame the whole time. his flash accidentally goes off halfway through. he immediately uploads both bootlegs to utorrent.

pol: the barbie movie was made for pol. he is THE target audience. it changes the trajectory of his entire life.

arm: absently pats a teary-eyed pol on the back throughout the entire barbie movie. is a little too consumed by thoughts of how relatable some of the oppenheimer scientists are.

and last but not least, big and ken: are standing at the back of the theater. they weren't allowed to sit. ken has been stuffed into the "i am kenough" tie-dye sweatshirt and maintains his i've-stepped-in-dogshit face throughout the entire barbie movie. "i don't sound like that," he keeps hissing at big. big is too busy sobbing under his sunglasses to humor him.

(brought to you in conjunction with the legendary @pomslices)

[aeternallis]

Kim and his home / A Meta Rant

Y'know, in a lot of post-canon fics I see for Kimchay, there's sometimes this common theme of Kim refusing to move back home, either because he likes his freedom too much, or he just hates Korn to the point he refuses to share a roof with him.

And tbh, strictly speaking from my own personal experience as an Asian, I've always felt this aforementioned theme to be more in line with a western individualistic mindset, rather than the one the show is more accurately set in: an eastern collectivist mindset.

So I thought I'd talk about it~ Having said that, please do not take this as an attack or critique of anyone or their works, it isn't. Fics are fics, headcanons are headcanons, they're meant to be enjoyed as they are. This is simply an observation I made, so again, I want to yap about it.

See, I am of the opinion that since Chay has moved into the Theerapanyakul compound, it’s actually more in line for Kim to move back into the mansion as well, rather than continue to keep away.

This idea is also foreshadowed by Tankhun when he asks Kim in ep. 5:

But before I continue, here's a theory I've been nursing for a while: technically speaking, if one were to line up how Kim and Chay were left off in the show, and how their story picks up in the first KP novel in that order, we already have some idea of how their story would have gone, had BOC and DAEMI’s working relationship not broken down, they weren't as problematic to work with, and Build didn’t have his scandal(s). 

At the very least, we have the skeletal roadmap of what BOC theoretically would have had to work with, had they been greenlit for a KP season 2.

A short summary of KimChay in the first novel:

During Porchay’s special chapter, Chay secretly follows Porsche to the Theerapanyakul mansion. When he’s at the gates, he makes a show of bravado of justifying why Porsche shouldn’t work there anymore, until Korn sees him. Korn tries to calm Chay down, but to no avail, until Kim pulls up in another car. It’s at this point that Chay mentions being familiar with Kim, and that they have some bad history that was never resolved. Kim corners Chay against the wall like the Theerapanyakul hubby that he is, until Chay kicks him in the nuts for acting all intimidating. 🤣 The special chapter ends with Chay getting dragged away from the compound, unbeknownst to Porsche. Later, Chay moves into the compound around the time Porsche and Kinn are kidnapped. Before facing the kidnappers, Kinn had told Chay to get ahold of Pete and ask for help, hence why Chay is brought to the compound in the first place. Presumably, this would also be around the same time he gets reacquainted with Kim (and most probably makes up with him). During the kidnap scene, Kinn tells Chay to call Pete and ask for back up. The next time we see Chay, he's visiting Porsche in the hospital, and Kim volunteers to take him home (as in, back to the Theerapanyakul mansion); it's implied that they've been spending quite a bit of time together, if Porsche's comments about it throughout the rest of the novel aren't indication enough. The rest of the story has them appearing here and there, mostly when Chay is complaining about the prospects of Kim cheating and/or no longer being in love with him. Lol There are some especially important moments between Chay and Porsche when they talk about their circumstances, but I don't want to spoil that scene in this rant too much.

In the show however, Chay's moving into the Theerapanyakul household is delayed later in the show's adaptation of the events, and he doesn't move in until the incident with his own kidnapping. By the end of the show, he's seen to be firmly ensconced in the Theerapanyakul compound, as we see in his last two scenes.

Focusing on Porchay's special chapter and his mention of the "bad history" between him and Kim in the novel, I'd always wondered if BOC had taken that line from the book and just ran with it, yknow? It would make sense (to me personally, at least), since Kimchay's story is different in the novel when compared to the show.

Although their stories are different, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they contradict each other. And with the first official art of the KimChay novel having been released, it’s clear now that DAEMI/Tiara_ME intend to incorporate the show’s KimChay story into their own (to what extent, who knows).

Having said this, let’s get back on topic: the likelihood of Kim moving back into the mansion had KP been greenlit for a season 2.

For a little bit of cultural context, I'll bring up three points (very generalized, mind you).

In Asia, the idea of children moving out once they’re 18 (or older, depending on the country’s age of consent laws) is very much a western concept. Most children in Asia don’t leave their family homes until they’re married, and even then, they sometimes still opt to live with their parents along with their spouse, so they can save money to buy their own in the meantime. In fact, a lot of Asian households can also have multiple generations living under one roof (I myself am also in this situation, at least part of the time when I go home overseas). That's not to say that children moving out early, or running away, or getting kicked out from home is unheard of, but for the most part, it's a rarer scenario compared to how normalized it is in the US.

For all that Kim goes behind Korn’s back, outwardly and at least towards his two elder brothers, Kim is a good son, in so far at least that he’s willing to go undercover in order to figure out the stink of what his family is connected to. He is loyal to his family—he’s protective over Kinn, and he’s gentle in how he interacts with Tankhun. Despite having moved out, the bored ease with which he strides into the compound shows that he visits often enough that it’s not an uncommon occurrence; the deference the bodyguards show him also supports this theory.

And finally, perhaps the strongest clue: when Chan tells him that Korn wants to see him at the end of ep 13, Kim cannot bring it in himself to disobey his father, no matter his own desire to go after the Kittisawasds. No matter what suspicions Kim may have of his father, at the end of the day, as my previous point—he is a good son, a filial one (all of them are, tbh). He doesn't outwardly show disagreements against Korn, and even during that tense meeting between them in ep 5, Kim shows some level of affection by bringing his father food. And yes, while I do agree that a lot of his smiles and behavior towards Korn is just for show, it doesn't change the fact that Kim doesn't want to disrupt the family harmony amongst them. At the very least—he actively chooses not to be the cause of that disruption.

So, with this context in mind, I’m of the opinion that Kim is more likely to move back into the compound, rather than continue to keep away. In fact, in the book, this is one of the big themes with Kim and Porchay: it’s due to Chay’s presence at the Theerapanyakul household that Tankhun comments about how Kim is often at home now.

It's Chay's presence in the mansion that brings Kim home.

The way I see it, Kim moved out because he had the luxury to do so. And I don’t mean this in the way that he’s able to discard his family obligations and pursue his own dreams, not at all.

I mean it in the most basic sense: Kim—or rather, the Theerapanyakuls—have the financial luxury to allow for Kim to move away. For any person that age, who wouldn’t choose to have their own space if they could honestly afford to do so? Besides that, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the apartment complex Kim lives in is owned by their family, hahaha! But I digress!

Getting back on point: Kim is most likely to move back in, because he now has a reason to do so, that being Chay.

I've always been of the belief that throughout this couple's story in the show and all the way from the beginning, it was always Chay unknowingly stepping into Kim’s world of the mafia and becoming further involved, not just because of his brother, but more because of Kim’s growing feelings for him.

And then by the end of the show, how it makes for a resounding statement that it’s Kim who reaches out to Chay: he’s now the one stepping into Chay’s world—which just happens to be the world of the mafia.

In that sense, it’s Chay’s presence that ultimately brings/keeps Kim home, literally and figuratively. The way I see it, the fact that it's Chay's singular, enduring presence that would be the one to inspire Kim to come home is what makes their love story a powerful one, and one that can measure up equally to the other two.

[the-cookie-of-doom]

tagged by @jeffsatyr to tag my top 10 KPTS (+jeffcest???) ships! In no particular order, except that KimChay always reigns supreme

Kim/Chay (unsurprising)

Kim/Chan (daddy issues. Need I say more.)

Kim/Vegas (just. issues in general.)

Lucid/Ghost (🥺)

Sunshine/Evil Scientist (@shubaka 👀)

Kinn/Porsche

Vegas/Pete

Tankhun/Arm/Pol

Kim & Kinn & Khun + Vegas & Macau

Porsche & Chay

tagging: @shubaka @bisexualbard @snickerdoodlles @emberfaye @fawndlyvenus

[moviesstoriesandbooks]

What if Chay moves on healthily because no matter the reason , Kim's actions were shitty? Ok how about if Chay goes to therapy to deal with the "murder cat leaving bodies in the bar" incident , and talks and figures out his shit with a mafia approved therapist (I'm looking right at you , the person who wrote the ff) , and she is adamant about boundaries and respect , trust and basic needs in a relationship ??

And Chay , being the good boy that he is , listens. And understands. And actively works towards bettering his mind . He understands what Kim did is wrong on many levels and also that he should never settle for less , that he should never throw himself away , or be sad over other people and their horrible behaviour.

And he rediscovers his passion for music , goes to the very same college , and focuses on his life.

Gets an internship, moves to the US , where they specifically ask him to stay because they'd love to have him full term. And he builds his own life there , Vegas and Arm keep him off the radar , and he lives his life almost normal. No involvement with the mafia on a surface level.

Porsche though , still cursing himself for undermining Chay's safety during the coup , makes him take self defence lessons. Which quickly progress to advanced defensive tatics, much to Porsche's shocked surprise. Porchay has particular penchant for throwing knives . He's been trying with axes these days , more damage and incapacitating, Chay says on facetime to a proud but worried Porsche .

Kim doesn't know about any of these. Any information he craves about Porchay would have to come from Tankhun , Kinn or Porsche , and it's not like he's on speaking terms with any of them . He could visit Tankhun and fish for gossip , but even he seemed very tight lipped about Chay and his US college life .

Had Chay asked them all to keep it quiet? Kim did try to track the transactions and Chay's daily bodyguard tail info. Even that was so heavily underground that the only thing he could be sure about was that Chay was alive . Was Chay ordering it be this way??

Till one day , Kim realises that the ever present tightness in his chest , the heartache when he hears Chay's old studio recordings , videos they filmed together and even the major family cctv footage from before he left , is all Kim has left of his love. Because yes , Kim did love Chay , and he was too much of a coward to say it openly ,to even admit to himself and now he wants to say it out loud to the entire world , but there's no one to hear it.

Meanwhile Chay only ever thinks about Kim in anger and hate over what he did , and pity for Kim's supposed reasons , but also derision at the fear those reasons were trying to hide. Only ever thinks about him when his music is on his mind , but that music no longer making the bridge towards love .

And after two years when he returns , Chay is Porchay Pichaya Kittisawad , a man who has lived content with his friends and lovers , grown into his role as the minor family heir : with eyes that could melt hearts and hands that could stop them.

Kim doesn't even get notified when Chay returns , and the news is unceremoniously dumped on him five minutes before Porchay is walking into the ballroom clad in his pristine navy suit, fluid even in his stillness , joking with Porsche and Kinn , looking every part the heir , that Kim suddenly fell short. He used to be the mysterious heir , who everyone gravitated towards. Noone was looking at him anymore. While the years made him grumpy and unapproachable , the same seemed to have bettered Chay , like the finest of wine.

He even looked different. No more the stumbling shy blushing kid , he stood tall , taller than Porsche , and was making smalltalk with the snakes who Kim had threatened for trying to monopolise the profits last month , with the air of a prince meeting his long lost distant relatives.

The more Kim watched him , the more his confidence shrunk. Maybe he could make himself known after a few guests leave.

Porchay caught his eye at that exact moment , stopped and stared , then smiled at him and raised his glass.

Kim bowed his head slightly and turned away. He had lost track of whatever conversation he was pretending to be a part of.

He had to excuse himself to the bathroom to get his bearings and there , the gilded mirror pointed out the unwelcome red dusting his cheeks. His eyes looked overly bright and he looked like he'd run a mile.

Had Porchay forgotten everything?? The silent touches , the night spend cuddling , the days spent making music together , did they mean nothing to him anymore?? Maybe he doesn't want his brothers to notice anything. Of course he definitely hasn't told anyone anything because Kim would've known from Porsche , for sure, if he had.

Maybe Porchay wanted to keep things on the down low. Maybe they'll talk after the guests leave and he'd slip back into the old comfortable familiarity. Right now ,he was anything but familiar. And it didn't feel comfortable when Porchay looked at him so casually.

There was no longer that twinkle in his eyes for Kim , that used to be only reserved for him.

------------------------

Porchay was lounging on the couch by the kitchen , drinking juice straight out of the carton , Porsche sitting with his feet on his lap and torso supported on Kinn's when Kim entered. Tankhun was taking the other couch all to himself while paying strict attention to whatever Porsche was saying. They looked every bit the picture of family , that Kim suddenly felt like *he* was the outsider.

That he was the one who was introduced into this less than 3 years ago , and he was the one who had went away for two of them .

When his entry caught everyone's attention , tankhun patted the seat next to him and offered him a smile , which Kim returned while he lowered himself by his brother's side. He could easily fall into the conversation that resumed, about music , business , gossip they'd missed , bodyguards who joined , vegas, pete and macau and even little Venice.

After they all left tired to their rooms , Kim wondered if Chay would pay him a visit that night. He couldn't sleep till sunrise , but Chay still didn't show up.

[ae-azile]

Azile's OC Round Up, Part 3 - Progression OCs.

Since I am actively updating this story, I decided to make the list of my prominent Progression OCs. I will likely add Fern and Milan to part 4.

Vice

Introduced in: Chapter 1 of Progression

Age: 36

Profession: Major Family Bodyguard

Characteristics: hardworking, morally ambiguous, loving brother, quick to feel resentment

Importance: Chay's first sexual partner.

Origin: Ex-cop, orphan. Became a bodyguard to bail his troubled younger brother out of jail. Became enamored by Chay's growing confidence, abilities, and muscles. Despite their age gap and first time being sudden, they slept together a few more times. Chay declined the offer to go out on a date, then slept with Vice's roommate not too long after. This was a problem because Vice has been in a FWB situation with his roommate for a while, so he felt betrayed by both of them.

Sand

Introduced in: Chapter 9 of Progression

Age: 26

Profession: Major Family Bodyguard

Characteristics: Loyal, quiet, friendly, relatively strong moral compass despite job

Importance: Chay's previous sexual partner, the only one he considers a friend.

Origin: Has very little family outside of the compound. Comes from foster care. Took the job for stability and a place to live, stayed for the friendships. Would have been open to dating Chay, but okay with being friends too. They work out together and sometimes have semi-heartfelt conversations. Honestly a pretty good guy.

Lane

Introduced in: Chapter 7 of Progression

Age: 33

Profession: Psychotherapist

Characteristics: Patient, understanding, trustworthy, calm, professional

Importance: Kim's therapist, and she has actually made some strides with him.

Origin: Lane is the older cousin of Tay. She is his mother's sister's daughter. While her immediate family is not directly involved with the mafia, she grew up close enough to Tay to know some of the traumas that occurred. Kinn already knew her and was on good terms with her due to Tay, so he reached out after it became clear Kim needed extensive treatment in order to feel better. Kim genuinely likes her, and would probably not be able to switch to a new therapist easily, or possibly at all.

Malai

Introduced: In Progression, Tankhun mentions visiting her in Chapter 20, and she is introduced in Chapter 22 officially. Versions of her character are also mentioned/included in The Masks Series, Lay Me Down to Sleep, and I Do (Not Understand What's Going On).

Age: 34

Profession: Litigation Paralegal

Characteristics: Kind, ambitious, maternal, excellent multitasker

Importance: Arm's older sister

Origin: Malai as a general character was first introduced in 5, 3, 1, and On, which is a novel length prequel to Giant Dancing Hedgehogs are Nightmare Fuel told solely from Arm's POV. In that, she lives with her younger sisters and is characterized as a hardworking sisterly/motherly figure due to rescuing Arm and the girls from the human trafficking situation they were all in. In this universe, she is more career oriented, but still a motherly figure at heart. She adopted her foster siblings after becoming of age from a really abusive and traumatic household. Arm is six years younger than Malai, but the next oldest and the only boy in their family. He often feels a need to make up for her sacrifices, but she makes them happily. A year before Progression, she had a close friend pass away, leaving behind twin toddler girls. While she balanced the motherly/sisterly role with Arm, Hansa, Nalin, and Preeda, she sees Tida and Priya as her daughters now. She doesn't have much interest in marriage or romance. A history of abuse partially plays into this, but it just isn't her thing. She likes being independent in that regard.

Hansa

Introduced: Chapter 22 of Progression, but versions of her character are also mentioned/included in The Masks Series, Lay Me Down to Sleep, and I Do (Not Understand What's Going On).

Age: 26

Profession: Horticulturist/Florist

Characteristics: Quiet, Non-judgmental, cautious, kind, carries a lot of trauma, but has been doing better

Importance: Arm's younger sister, Pol's love interest.

Origin: Roughly 18 months younger than Arm, Hansa was the person he was closest to growing up. In both this story and in 5, 3, 1, and On (although she had it even harder in 531). But in Progression, they grew up in an extremely abusive home where they were all traumatized, but the foster father took a particular interest in Hansa. Arm is protective of all of his sisters, but particularly her. She has been hurt a lot and struggled with her mental health when she was in her late teens to early twenties, but found solace in gardening and watching things bloom. She wants to find love, but the last time she tried went horribly. Other than Arm, she struggles with feeling comfortable around men. She was surprised to find Pol so friendly, fun, and approachable. Now that Arm and Tankhun are together and reach out more to spend time as a group, they often bring Pol. She actually looks forward to seeing him.

Nalin

Introduced in: Chapter 22 of Progression, but versions of her character are also mentioned/included in The Masks Series, Lay Me Down to Sleep, and I Do (Not Understand What's Going On).

Age: 20

Profession: Robotics Major, student librarian at university library

Characteristics: Highly intelligent, quick witted, smooth, tech-savvy, a romantic deep down.

Importance: Arm's younger sister, Macau's love interest.

Origin: Basically a mini female Arm, but more charismatic. Her main interests lie in further integrating and advancing robotics when it comes to the medical field and to help those living with disabilities live more freely and comfortably in their day to day lives. While she works hard and is a top student at her university, she is occasionally known to have fun. She did meet Macau at a party and had a night with him that felt magical. Is he an idiot for dropping his phone into a grate? Yes. Did she hold a grudge so she wouldn't feel sadness and rejection? Yes. But that's cleared up now, and they have been talking multiple times a day since her brother's party. She doesn't know if Arm will be thrilled about her potentially dating his boyfriend's cousin, and she loves and looks up to her older brother so much. But she likes Macau, so...🤷🏻‍♀️

Preeda

Introduced in: Chapter 22 of Progression, but versions of her character are also mentioned/included in The Masks Series, Lay Me Down to Sleep, and I Do (Not Understand What's Going On).

Age: 18 going on 19

Profession: Gap year. Looking into colleges, having fun until then.

Characteristics: confident, flirtatious, indecisive, attention seeking, challenging, family-oriented.

Importance: Arm's youngest sister

Origin: The youngest of Arm's foster siblings. Despite being the youngest when removed from their abusive situation, she witnessed a lot, which has caused certain rebellions, impulses, and avoidances in her. Her family worries, but keeps communication open. This helps, because she feels free and happy to talk with her siblings and share things with them. Came out as a lesbian at 15 and never looked back. Wishes Arm were more flamboyant and obvious in his own gay-leaning tendencies, so she's glad he's dating Tankhun, who is fabulous.

[verynormalaboutkinnporsche]

E2 Scene 13 - Introducing Bread

I can't with the product placement, my brain just refuses to admit this is happening. I would rather have commercial breaks. That aside: party. Kinn is graciously hosting. Everything seems fine. Porsche is free to wander around unless needed and interprets this as freedom to get plastered. There is no version of reality in which this is acceptable behavior. He has to be here for Chay's sake, but he is refusing to engage with his situation on any terms other than resistance.

One of the main tasks of this episode is to introduce the audience to the supporting cast, which means not only who they are and what they're like, but who has power in the world Porsche now occupies. So far we've seen the pecking order among the bodyguards (Chan at the top, then Kinn's personal guards, then Tankhun's, all those nameless guys, and at the absolute bottom right now Porsche). We've seen the same thing within the family (Korn, Kinn, Tankhun, and then presumably the distant Kim). We know that Khun is capricious, vindictive, and distractible. We know Kinn will put up with some pushback but is not entirely predictable and tends toward violence.

Back to the scene. Rare sighting of a woman with actual dialog.

I wish we had seen her again, she seems fun. She is there to attack Kinn--not to kill him, which is a good thing because Porsche is very drunk right now. Bathroom fight ensues, lady departs.

I'm treating this as one scene even though it isn't technically. Lady reports to an unseen figure with excellent English that Kinn's new bodyguard is cute and not entirely unskilled.

Porsche is in so much trouble. Kinn wants him alone to yell at, which Porsche cleverly evades by passing out.

What we learned:

Someone is interested in Porsche

We don't actually know this, but in hindsight it must have been Ken who told Vegas that Porsche was going to be there, allowing for this whole feint to be set up