#thk novel spoilers

[invisiblegarters]

The Heart Killers Ep 4

I'll be honest, I kind of don't want to watch today.

I've seen enough spoilers to know that we've got some stuff that resembles the novel a lot coming up, and there's one scene in particular that imo is indicative of everything about the novel that I hated and made me not want to watch in the first place. So even though I have been reassured it's not quite as bad as that, I head into today's ep with trepidation and not the fun kind.

Anywho, without further blathering, here we go I guess. Yay?

Also in case the above wasn't clear, there will be some novel spoilers in this one. Read on at your own risk.

Honestly the thing that hasn't left my brain all week is Captain Krist slapping Kant's thigh. They could have showed it again in the previouslies I would not have complained.

Pffft Kant I like you a lot more than everyone else here save Fadel, but I don't think the cops give two shits that Bison is into BDSM OR the northern lights, like. Come on honey.

Ooh I like the stairs. And they have rails. We love rails.

It would be funny if he pulled out some of Bison's BDSM stuff. "I just wanted to keep the blindfold as a memento, okay?"

Oh hey there's the vomiting. And to think that last week I said Bison had it easier than the secretary he and Fadel drugged. You know, the one that they just left praying to the porcelain god with vomit still drying on her chin.

PFFFT is he really just standing outside their house taking pictures bold as brass? I know Fadel is taking care of Bison but what if he decided Bison could wait five minutes while he made sure Kant took off?

Just kill him? Bison if Fadel took you up on that offer and was like sure let's kill him, I don't think you'd like it.

Okay I'm pausing because this is once again what I mean when I say I'm skeptical of the Bison has been playing 4D chess all along stuff (and what will make me roll my eyes if the show tries to convince me of it later). If Bison was as suspicious of Kant as people keep saying, he'd have done the damn background check himself. He wouldn't need Fadel to be connecting these dots for him.

Here is what I know of Bison based on what I am getting from the show thus far: he's something of a loose canon, he's a bit naive slash a lot naive in spite of what he does for a living, he wants a boyfriend and to be done with the assassin shit, he enjoys power and yes, is having a great time leading Kant around by his dick. NO, he does not believe that Kant is as into him as he says and that's mostly been fine because Bison has been more in love with the idea of someone wanting him than interested in Kant as a person. So much is made of Kant not actually wanting Bison but frankly I doubt Bison wanted him all that much either. He wants a boyfriend, I don't really think that he wants Kant specifically.

There were a few points last ep when it felt like maybe he was liking Kant for himself, but not enough for me to really be sure of it. For the most part he seems to be just enjoying playing around with Kant / using him as a stepping stone to the life he'd rather have. I genuinely do not think the person matters to him at all.

That said, I still don't think that he's thinking that Kant is much more than a playboy doesn't like being told no.

Until now. When FADEL has to point out all the things that Bison should have thought of if he were actually suspicious of Kant doing what he's actually doing.

Or maybe he's just that excited to tie someone down and whip them. It could be that too.

And again. I do think that up 'til now he has been suspicious of Kant's motives. I just don't believe that until this particular point his suspicions have been even close to being in the right direction.

Now what I can see happening from here is instead of Bison choosing to trust Kant in spite of himself, he does start playing the game that Kant's actually been playing this whole time and every moment between them from now on is false on his part just as Kant starts to get more real.

Which would normally be interesting to me, except I barely believe Bison likes Kant now so the game playing wouldn't be that impressive. And I don't trust Jojo not to drag it out too long, squash the "reveal" and the "forgiveness" (with maybe about three or for other conflicts in between) into second to last episode of the show and then try to make me believe that suddenly Bison has real affection in the last ep because the script says so. Romance!

Don't tell me he didn't do that in OF we were all there. Mew and Top had a pretty solid arc though, I'll give him that. Then again since they were based on real folk that arc was kinda laid out for him, eh?

Aside over, back to our regularly scheduled program.

Oh hey Fadel does remember the secretary. Do you also remember how you left her passed out on the toilet? I really hope you at least locked the door when you left her there boys.

SEE! THIS SHIT RIGHT HERE. NO Bison I DON'T actually think that you would notice if you ingested the same drug you used on the woman literally nobody gives two shits about because you CLEARLY DID NOT NOTICE.

4D chess, baby.

Lol poor Style having wet dreams. Hey where is his racecar bed?

HA dad is mean but I like him. And whatever, I like Style too. I like that he's an ass. Genuinely my favorite thing about this show is that all of these people suck. I can root for and against all of them.

Except Fadel. Shut up. I just need him to be loved okay my baby has been through it I literally don't care if everyone else winds up miserable so long as he is happy.

Him looking everywhere for Style is kinda great. Style knows exactly what he's about right now, doesn't he?

Why is this so funny.

Hm, Bison using Kant's tricks on him eh? But also he might not be the best at this spying gig but he's not gonna leave evidence in plain sight either, if that's what Bison is there for. Come the fuck on.

Gosh Kant is pretty. I'm just gonna focus on that and not on the fact that apparently he pays no attention to that brother he adores so much JUST so Bison can figure out something's wrong instead. Sure why not.

STYLE WHAT ARE YOU DOING.

This man is insane. Now that Kant is entering his useless and stupid era this man right here is probably going to take his place as my second favorite.

Uh oh Fadel mad.

LOL Kant smacking the bully kid around is pretty funny.

Smack him again Kant.

Pfft ducking out of sight like that wasn't suspicious at all no sir.

Well now he needs to die.

Okay Kant that's nice but maybe stop giving us exposition while breaking into a fucking car jesus. Time and place, babe. Literally no one in this show knows how to do any of this stuff properly. No, not even them.

Maybe Mother Lilly. She looks competent, although since this is pulp her competence will totally fail at a crucial moment lol.

I respect Kant still trying to run his game in the middle of a little B&E though.

I don't keep my ugliest secrets in my car, Kant. Except maybe that I am bad at getting the poor thing washed but that's out there for all to see I wear my shame on the outside.

Sorry I missed whatever they were saying I was distracted by how hot Kant looks when he's pissed off and planning to beat a man.

Wow to hear other people talk Bison defeated that dude with his eyes closed and one hand behind his back while Kant cried in the corner. But it did not go that way at all. They both took their fair share of hits and got their fair share in too, imo. I know why no one else seemed to watch this version of the show but also please be serious, fandom.

I'm not bugged about Bison delivering the final kick because I would hope he knows how to fight. Kant is scrappy but a car thief isn't necessarily going to be a fighter. Plus he's been living a more cushy life of late whereas Bison should still need those skills. Theoretically.

Fadel full on broke a man's arm with his thighs Bison has a LOT to live up to.

Teacher is fucking gross.

Kant beating him with the plunger was funny.

Oh my GOD is that Freddie Mercury the second?

Oh oh OH. OH Fadel's FACE when Freddie 2 was talking about his BF just saying he didn't love him anymore..

I'm still sure ex was killed but did he break Fadel's heart first? Do we have a Jim from MLC situation on our hands where Fadel never got to come to grips with the heartbreak because his lover "disappeared" before he could, thus sort of leaving him in a helpless limbo where he can't forget or properly forgive? Don't threaten me with a good time, show Jim is my favorite character in any Thai show ever. I'm not even kidding whenever I rate a show I ask myself "is this as good as MLC?" It never is.

Nope you know what. No this makes perfect sense for Style to do. He fucking would. I don't even feel bad for Fadel. I feel bad for the poor support group who has to deal with this shit. They did not sign up for these shenanigans. Poor Freddie Mercury 2 was just trying to get some support.

Hahaha even the group leader is like "the fuck?"

Oh no Freddie don't buy into this. Don't do it. DON'T try to commiserate with Style he does not give two fucks about your pain he's needling someone.

...and that's the second time Fadel has dragged Style out of there. Are they going to fuck in one of the rooms again?

PFFFT I'm genuinely surprised that Style didn't yell at Fadel that he totally DID get him pregnant, so he needs to take responsibility dammit. That sounds like something he would do.

"I'm not hiding a thing from you! Just the ex wife that I may or may not have. The cop I'm working for who I may or may not have slept with. The ex with the Kant tattoo who I may or may not have honey trapped before you. Oh. Also all those pictures of your BDSM equipment I may or may not keep wanking over. And the blindfold that I may or may not have stolen for said wanks. But other than that I'm an open book I swear."

I don't buy a word of this. I don't care how much pretty music you put over it. I do like the song though.

Fadel dragging Style out into the woods is cracking me up. I would not be following that man I'd be worrying he was gonna do a murder.

Oh my gosh imagine if Style had decided to just drive home. He would totally call Kant to ask him how to hotwire that Jeep and that would have been a delightful conversation.

Fadel, honey. He absolutely thought about strangling Style for a sec though. Like if I kill him I won't have to worry that this will turn into something beyond my control and hurt me the way the last one did.

My boy is so gone. Poor baby really has no defenses against this sort of thing, does he? See this is what happens when you keep yourself from even the most superficial affection. You should have been out one night standing it like your brother.

Although I don't think that would have helped you. You're our main love starved character Fadel. You never had a chance.

Oh hello brooding shower scene. See though, I was right that pathetic simp Kant is coming. You can tell because now we're actually getting a scene of him alone so we can get a sense of where his head is really at. I will miss ruthless Kant so much. I really think he showcased First's abilities in a big way.

Pffft you're about as in love with Kant as the wall (the wall might have a better chance actually).

Fadel on the other hand...baby is not god's strongest soldier.

Okay not buying that this dude was responsible for their parents' deaths even a little bit. It's way too convenient. Also we KNOW Mother Lilly is a bad guy (duh). Red suit of evil, remember?

Well I am glad that Kant told Style about the assassin thing. But I don't know if telling him and then asking him to keep helping is the best thing to do here. The emotional blackmail was also a choice, hahaha. Why do I like him best when he's being awful? I'm going to miss this version of him so much I feel like I need a support group.

Kant I admire your confidence but they're totally gonna catch you. in like, five minutes.

I expected Style to be a lot more angry but I'm kinda loving how this bit is shaking out.

Poor Fadel he's being a good boyfriend and Style is busy freaking the fuck out because he's dating a literal hitman I love this for them. I know I said I didn't want Fadel hurt but I have no doubt they'll work it out in the end and both be just as ridiculous about each other so right now I'm just enjoying the ride.

Oooh I like this James. He's a twerp but honestly so is everyone. Can he make out with Kant a little? As a treat for me specifically?

HAHAHA this guy is a delightful asshat I hope he sticks around for a bit. Kant strung him along long and hard enough he got a whole ass tattoo to represent their love, poor thing, which is why we don't do things like that. Just buy some couple T's like everyone else. Then when the obvious playboy breaks your heart you can burn them as a representation of your ability to fully love and trust another person going up in flames. Think smarter, James.

I wonder if he was involved with a past job? I genuinely would not be surprised if Bison wasn't the first time Kant went with the "I'm just so into you baby" routine to have an in for a job.

Well Kant, kinda a jerk does describe you. This is not a criticism I like you best when you're a jerk.

Also is it better to get a tattoo blackened or removed? who wants a black bar behind their ear? Although I guess one is probably less expensive than the other.

Kant still hasn't put those glasses back on. This is an attack against me personally.

Yes Kant he's unhinged. Were you unaware? Although to be honest if he weren't working with the cops I bet he'd find that threat hot. Yes, even knowing Bison is an assassin. This is the man who dropped a bowling ball on someone else's foot and thought it was a perfectly okay thing to do to communicate jealousy you can't tell me he wouldn't be super into someone he actually liked threatening to murder an ex lover if he flirted with them. Come on.

That said, I don't really think Bison's pissiness has much to do with Kant at all. And I do not think that his ire when he finds out what Kant's been up to is going to be hurt. He's just gonna be pissy about Kant trying to trick him. But seriously he could spare us the drama and just put a bullet in the man's head. Save us all some time.

In conclusion, I'm back to not enjoying KantBison. We had a couple of brief, shining moments last ep but they were not meant to last, apparently.

Oh well. We had a good run.

I will say that it makes sense that Kant would start to see Bison in a different light once he helped him help Babe. In retrospect I should have known that part of the novel would stay, because it's probably the only way show!Kant would ever have looked at Bison differently - Babe is his whole world, that man would do anything for him, so of course that's the reason he'd start to soften and actually see Bison as a person and not just a means to an end.

I was hopeful in spite of myself that the novel had changed a lot with them at first because Fadel and Style have been different in ways that make them much better and because Kant was less emotionally compromised from the get go. But alas, I now think that I was wrong. Too bad, their dynamic in the novel really turned me off.

What I would love and am now positive I will not get is Bison who deliberately turns a blind eye to how sketch Kant is starting to look because he already likes him too much. I want him to throw himself into this head first not because he likes the novelty of being in a relationship but because he likes being with Kant specifically. I want him to tell Kant what he and Fadel do, not as a manipulation tactic but because he needs Kant to know and accept him anyway.

And then have it get to the point where he can't ignore it anymore and so he makes up all these elaborate rituals for getting rid of the problem but what it really is is stalling because he can't kill him but he's also not ready to forgive him. Plus let's be real he deserves a little bit of torture for fun. I want him tearing rooms apart from sheer rage because he let this man in and now he can't bring himself to kill him so what is he supposed to do, huh (the answer might be psychologically and maybe physically torture Kant a bit)? I also want him to think that Kant might actually be dead at one point and lose all his shit, because that would be fun. For me.

Meanwhile Kant has fallen into his own trap and is now willing to turn that ruthless streak of his towards doing whatever it takes to get Bison the hell out of the assassin gig because that's what Bison wants. I want him to realize that he genuinely doesn't care one way or the other what Bison does because he's all in and it's not like he's a saint either. I want him to be conflicted and messy and caught like an animal in a trap, and I want him to want to tell Bison what's been going on but not be able to get there before it's discovered (and also be shitting his pants because he's aware Bison might actually kill him). I want him to somehow almost get away clean but then be absolutely unable to leave Bison to his own devices. I want him to save Bison's ass at some point, lol. That's for me.

I want them to be utterly unhinged about each other. Like "for any normal people this would be enough for a break up and a restraining order" levels of unhinged. "We would rather die than live in a world without each other" levels of unhinged. "We will burn the entire world down if anyone tries to separate us" levels of unhinged.

Barring that, I'd take them both using each other til the end. So long as they feel mostly evenly matched I don't really care tbh.

Alas, I do not think this is what I will get. I think what I will get is a Kant who falls into his own trap and a Bison who never really seems to care about him beyond what he represents - a life outside of being an assassin. I think Kant will be devoted. Bison will accept that devotion as his due. Romance!

I like Kant with Babe. I wish there were more scenes with those two but I know that their relationship is not that important to the plot except as a catalyst to get Kant to work with the police in the first place. Still. They are sweet together, and I love seeing Kant in big brother mode.

I also quite like Kant and Style together. I would like to see more of them please. They're dicks but I do think they care about each other. And as I said I appreciate that Kant didn't let Style stumble into the whole assassins thing on his own.

Fadel and Style are excellent. I loved Style's reaction to finding out that Fadel and Bison are hitmen, it was perfect. And Fadel. Oh, that man. He's spent so much time holding himself in such rigid control that I'm really not surprised he's moving so fast now. Fadel is the opposite of Bison for real. One says he wants love he's more into the idea of it than anything else. The other says he doesn't want or need love but he is so very weak for it. I think it's more a case of not wanting to want love because he was burned so badly before. He thinks that by shutting himself off from everyone but his "family" he's saving his heart from being broken again.

But he can't help himself. Because Fadel was made to love. His heart is soft even if he wants it to be stone, and there's no more proof than this episode. I don't think he's in love with Style either yet, but I do think he craves the kind of affection Style is offering him. When he does let himself fall it's gonna be so hard, for real. But I get the impression that Style's gonna be just as bad when he falls, so that's good. Fadel deserves good things. Or barring that, he deserves to have the little asshole he's in love with love him back just as hard.

I do really want more backstory on that ex though.

I am really looking forward to how these two will develop. Fadel is starving for affection, I've said it a million times already but he is. And Style's an ass but it's very obvious that when he cares about someone he's all in. Look at how he didn't even get that mad at Kant for siccing him on a literal murderer! Look at how he let him talk him into continuing with said murderer despite all the reasons why he shouldn't! Style is the ride or die type, I know it in my bones. He's not there with Fadel yet but it's coming. We all know it's coming. And I for one am very excited to see it play out.

I think that Fadel won't be able to kill him like he should, I don't think he'll even try tbh (which makes the likelihood of him having killed his ex even less), but I do think he'll try to get rid of him in other ways. Too bad for him Style is like an unfairly attractive burr. That man is going nowhere. Except not really because I doubt Fadel is going to want him to go anywhere even if he pretends real hard that he does.

There's also, admittedly, that I just prefer my couples to be equally obsessed with each other, and FadelStyle is looking to fit that bill in a big way. The whole servant and god dynamic is not for me.

Also, randomly, I want to know what's going on with Keen and JJ No Name (did he get a name and I was just too busy yelling about giving him a BL romance? Dunno but I'm too lazy to go to MDL and check). Please let it be something gay.

[sunsetsover]

i went back and watched first ep of thk again this time without being psychologically flashbanged every 2 seconds (which was only semi-successful tbh) and my biggest take away out of everything was that bison really gets off on power.

you can see it clear as day in that very first scene with the guy that they're targeting. this is clearly someone who has money and power - he's picking men out of line up like they're nothing more than clothes on a rack. but the reality is that bison is the one who's really in charge. bison is the one who has all the control. bison literally has this big, powerful man's life in his hands, and he really, really likes that.

you can see it in the look on his face when he shoves the guys face into his chest - he's disgusted, clearly, but he's also smiling. he looks so deeply satisfied, and why would he in a situation like that if not for the fact that he knows he has all the power in the world in that moment and is almost a little turned on by it. it doesn't matter that the other guy thinks bison's some weak little guy to be bought and given commands. it doesn't matter he's sitting there all smug thinking he's in control. bison knows the truth. that's enough. it's probably why he can so easily play along - that knowledge. that power. because really, what does it matter how rich or powerful someone is now that bison has him in his clutches? and what is that if not complete and total power?

you can see this desire for power and control bleed into other dynamics too. i think it's why he's so 'difficult' with fadel. fadel clearly loves and cares about him, and his concern is well meaning, but he does treat bison like a child. and to a certain degree it's probably warranted (i mean look at what happened at the karaoke bar). but at the same time between him and the little bit we know so far about their mother, bison's completely smothered. and sheltered (the guy doesn't even know how to cook a burger. they literally run a diner). and i think that has less to do with bison being inherently untrustworthy or reckless, and more to do with the fact that he just doesn't want to do what he's told. and i imagine in turn that made his mum - and by extension fadel - tighten the reins on him.

because bison, at least so far, seems to have really no control or even any say over his own life. he just does what he's told, either his mother or by fadel. he has no other choice really - it seems he has nothing and no one else. he's effectively trapped (which i think will be the catalyst in his and kant's relationship, bc kant is also trapped in a situation he can't get out of, but i digress) so he's rallying against their control over him in whatever little ways he can - causing problems, being difficult, being purposefully obtuse. i think bison is someone who knows he doesn't have any real power, and so uses what he does have to his advantage. he plays dumb and weak and naive and sweet to manipulate people and situations so he can get what he wants for a change. that's his power. and it seems effective enough, and he probably likes the little things that it can get him, but i think what bison really likes is the fact that he can make people bend to his will. sure he has to work for it, but the fact that he can have people dancing to his tune while being completely unaware of what he's doing is what he really likes. i think that's where bison's true power lies. and i think that that power goes straight to his head.

which brings us to kant. kant, who - at least in my opinion - bison thought was just another guy with a big ego who just expected bison to lay down and take it. like idk i just got the impression that bison was not super impressed w kant at first. and bison does try briefly to wrestle kant for the dominance/power that kant obviously thought was his to take (like the tapping to see who was going to go to who, and getting in each others face to see who was going to break and kiss the other first) but soon enough bison just lets him have it bc ultimately it's not that important. they weren't supposed to ever see each other again. he was gonna get off either way. but even so bison gave as good as he's got, making sure kant knew he wasn't just gonna lie down and take it. and i think that at some point bison kinda realises hey this guy is actually listening. hey he's kinda malleable actually. hey he's kinda putting on a lil show for me, taking his shirt off nice and slow. hey this is a lot more fun than i thought it would be. but at the end of the day he doesn't get his shit rocked by kant the way kant clearly gets his shit rocked by bison. bison literally put that man to sleep. kant's lying on his sofa all but twirling his hair afterwards. in comparison bison doesn't even seem particularly bothered about the whole thing until kant shows up at the diner.

but anyway my point is we pretty much know bison's desire for power is going play out in his dynamic with kant bc of the whole bdsm thing. imo this is going to be even more important if it does turn out that he knows/suspects kant's motives - which, after a second watch, i am a lot more likely to believe. it was just so obvious. of all the things bison could've been doing right then, he just so happened to be cleaning the windows? with a big mirror right next to him? yeah ok sure. but don't expect me to act surprised if we find out down the line that bison was behind the scenes puppeteering this whole thing with kant - and with his family too.

because really the question is if he suspects kant's intentions - which he clearly did, no matter how briefly - why would he not tell fadel? why would he not seek help? and i think the answer to that lies - again - in the fact that bison wants power. any thread of it he can grab onto he does with both hands, whether that be that killing or domming or pissing people (fadel) off. playing games with people's minds and lives in that way - even those of the people closest to him, even his own - really doesn't seem like that much of a stretch judging by his behaviour so far. i think he'd probably be rubbing his hands together like an evil little fly at the thought of everyone thinking he was dumb or naive or a liability when the whole time he's the one pulling all the strings. he's the one who has everyone's lives in his hands. he's the one keeping all of their asses out of prison while at the same time he's got the guy who's supposed to be his downfall tied up in knots (both literally and metaphorically)

and even if that isn't the case and bison really does have no clue what kant's up to, i still think he's loving the fact that kant is so desperate and eager to win him over. bc ulterior motives or not kant really was sooooo dickmatised by bison. even before chris got on his ass he was telling his bestie abt it like 'i didn't even get his name 🥺️ it's like i slept w a ghost 🥺️ he only exists in my memory 🥺️' like he was down horrendous for bison the moment he got him in that hotel room, and bison KNOWS it. he knows the power he holds over kant, and he loves that shit. he loves that kant ate that shitty burger just to stay on his good side and he loves that kant is so doggedly persistent in trying to be his boyfriend and he loves that when his big brother tried to scare him off kant didn't run or give up but instead asked him 'well how can i get him off our backs?'

and sure we know why. but does it really matter? bison just loves the fact that he can tease kant and not give him what he wants and still kant will just grin and continue to chase him, drooling like a cartoon dog who's just caught scent of a freshly cooked steak. it doesn't really matter why: bison loves power and he loves how eager kant is to give it to him. that's why it's really not that shocking their relationship veers into bdsm territory. kant already seems more than willing to give bison whatever he wants, and what bison really wants is power (and freedom, but we haven't really seen the depth of that particular want just yet). of course kant's going to give him that power, no matter what that looks like.

(but while we're on the topic, i'm really interested to see the dynamics kant and bison adopt the next time they have sex. we know they venture into bdsm territory eventually, but if bison introduces that into their sexual relationship right away (excluding their first time obv) i'm gonna be really side eyeing that little guy bc it's like oh? why are so desperate to be in charge? is it bc you know that guy thinks he's playing you and you wanna see how far he'll go to get what he wants? is it bc the idea of you having this man - this man who thinks he's playing you for a fool - blindfolded and tied to your headboard makes you feel drunk with power? is it bc the idea of hurting this man who's trying to hurt you and him wholeheartedly LETTING you gets you off like nothing else? bc if that really is the case we're reaching unprecedented levels of horny i fear)

anyway this post was just supposed to be a little thing about bison getting off on power i didn't meant for it to turn into a character study/ted talk on his relationship dynamics but here we are lmfao anyway i love bison already i wanna dissect him in a lab <3

[lazzarella]

Apparently, in the novel Style is already very much in love with Fadel when Kant tells him the truth (I haven't read it, though, so I could be misinformed, and apologies if I am), and I 100% get why that is appealing to a lot of people, I do!

But, damn, I LOVE that Style is on the cusp of feelings, finds out the truth, and then continues to fall headfirst in love with Fadel, despite (because???) of it. That is so my thing. That he knows this terrible truth, that he feels both scared and safe by turns with him, and he wants to know him anyway. He wants Fadel to lay himself bare for him. He wants to be his 100%. He wants to fall in love with him

And that is so beautiful to me

(I know the script isn't based on the novel btw, but reading about it spurred this post)

[bird-inacage]

The Heart Killers: Character Interviews (Kant/Bison Focus)

So this proved to be super interesting. Let us see what can be gleaned from these brief little interview segments with Kant and Bison.

Immediately, I'm struck by how serious and stoic Kant comes across. He has a very mature aura, and is quite hard to read (which I guess is a plus considering what he gets up to). I didn't expect this, based on how flirty and forward he appeared to be in the trailer, and that makes me wonder if it's all part of a persona he's playing. Or whether the real Kant is in fact more measured and introspective, and Bison just brings out his playful side?

A notable trait that gets signposted repeatedly is Kant's care for his brother Babe. I believe Khao has made a similar comment about him being family-oriented. It makes a tonne of sense to me as to why Bison would be drawn to a 'family man'; someone who has strong family values, when Bison's essentially been rejected by his own.

"My goal in life is to make sure my brother grows up into a good man. I want to make sure he doesn't feel like he's lacking anything. We're all we've got right now." "I just live day by day, just keeping with my goal which is making sure my brother grows up well." This is so telling of Kant's mentality. Not only does it suggest that Kant is a stand-in parent of sorts, but that he doesn't live for himself. (Which could be something of a parallel to Bison - who is unable to live by his own rules). His goals centre entirely on his loved ones' needs being met and supporting them. This definitely gives provider with self-sacrificing tendencies.

"I feel like my goal is just to make sure my loved ones get to live their dreams. For now, I just want my brother to have a good life. But one day, if someone comes into my life and I love them, my goal would be to make sure they get to achieve their dreams." And yet another selfless, touching sentiment. The desire to aid your loved ones to actualise their dreams, possibly before or over your own. I expect Kant will be a very doting, nurturing soul. (Lucky Bison).

I wonder if Kant and Fadel will empathise with one another over their respective little brothers, and the sense of responsibility that comes with it. Bonding opportunity perhaps?

The most mysterious thing Kant says is "One more thing I'm not a big fan of is the beach." (The reason is personal). Curious. First has specifically talked about filming on the beach, where they were able to do a lot more improv. Any speculations on the above are wide open.

Now let's move onto our resident Murder Kitten. I've always said that Bison reads as a real sweetie-pie based on everything we've seen thus far. He's very animated and expressive. Khao very deliberately uses a softer, lighter vocal register as Bison, which just accentuates this cute, darling image. A real child at heart who wants to make up for a life he didn't get to lead. "I go out, I'm just trying to live outside the burger shop." His childhood dream about seeing the northern lights is just another example of a boy who has daydreamed of escape, and welcomes any excuse to be as far away from his actual life as possible. He also mentions being fond of a stray cat who resides near their burger bar, who he enjoys feeding and playing with. This precious boy, I cant. (Note: I need to have scenes of this in the show PURR-LEASE).

Everything about Bison as a person feels at odds with his violent lifestyle, which seems to be a central conflict in Bison's character arc. It does beg the question of what if Bison had never been adopted, what kind of life would he be living instead? And I think this drives Kant's desire to fight for Bison's chance at a new start. A boy with big dreams meets a man who wants to realise them. What a match.

Another comment we've heard before in the pilot is "I also don't like liars", no doubt foreshadowing the fallout when he finds out Kant did exactly that. I do think it's likely that whatever drives Kant to take the detective job has reasons to do with his own brother. He may wish to clear his record of anything untoward for his brother's sake. Based on this premise, when Bison does find out why Kant did what he did, I think that will help soothe any hard feelings.

On a side note - I've seen a comment mention that Kant apparently calls Bison 'kitten' in the novel. ERM HULLO?!! I will allow one spoiler, and that is whether this is true or not. And if so, I DEMAND that it is a featured pet name in the show, because why on earth would you miss an opportunity like that?!

You can keep tabs on bird-inacage’s BL meta directory for other long-form posts around The Heart Killers, which I'll be updating as the show airs.

[motelroomjesus]

Okay so.... I read the entire The Heart Killers novel in one sitting. How did I do that??? By ignoring my responsibilities, BUT I had a lot of fun LMFAO

I'm excited to see how they adapt this to the screen. It really is your typical assassin story, but the classics are classics for a reason! Unexpectedly fluffy for the premise, but also this a f4f (freak4freak) romance. Really excited to see how they manage to show the sex on screen because zoo wee mama..... the boys are crazy. Anyway, reading the novel has solidly cemented Fadel as my favorite character, such an unexpected side to him that I think all the viewers have already clocked just from the first two episodes.

I'm gonna talk about some characters and plot spoilers now so don't read under the cut if spoilers ruin your life

Okay, so already they've deviated just a bit from the novel, I'm assuming due to time and filming constraints (u know the usual). Mostly with Fadel and Style's story, it's nothing major tbh they just got the ball rolling pretty fast on them. They've stayed true to the characters, especially Style! Style is just as flirty and bold in the novel as he is in the show, which makes the bomb of him being romantically and sexually inexperienced in every aspect all the more shocking, even to Fadel. Their first sexual encounter together was rough until Fadel realized that he was Style's first. It was a really revealing moment for both those characters to me as a reader. It's the first time we see Fadel falter in front of anyone and the first time we see Style fully drop the confident mask he puts on. A very vulnerable moment and it's definitely the catalyst that propelled them MUCH closer to each other emotionally (and physically 😵‍💫).

Oh, FADEL...... He is so shxkbdksn. I love him to bits, like honestly. He is so deprived of affection. He is genuinely so soft hearted whether it's about his brother or his lover, he's constantly looking out for them. Even when he confronts Style later on, he's not even mad. He's so genuinely filled with sorrow and sadness that it's come to that, what he thought was the conclusion of the only love he's allowed himself was genuinely heartbreaking for him and it was apparent despite the tough assassin facade he was trying to keep up in front of Style. He is SO devoted and loyal. Love him BAD.

Bison, also seems to be presented pretty novel accurate so far. He seems too carefree and naive, but he's had a knife in his hand just in case the whole time. He really wants to live a different life. He wants out really bad and, unlike Fadel who made that decision after Style, Bison came to that before he even met Kant. He wants to fall in love and do laundry and cuddle with someone. He just wants true freedom. It made me feel even worse when he finds out of Kant's betrayal because he chose to let that guard down despite the gnawing feeling he had in the back of his head that he can't trust anyone. He took the chance on Kant and it ended up biting him in the ass. Also, we need more power bottoms I LOVE U BISON !!

Now Kant...... I can't say I liked him all that much until the end of the novel. 😭 He's genuinely selfish unless it's about his little brother and very much gives every man for themselves. He's all about self-preservation. He had no problem pulling an unknowing Style into dangerous undercover police informant work, did in fact drug Bison at one point, so yeah not on my nice list at all. I do think he had feelings for Bison at the beginning, but they weren't significant enough for him to stop what he was doing. He ends up redeeming himself a bit at the end. He tried to get the Captain to let him off the hook for this mission to no avail, and you know with the whole u kidnapped me and beat me up bc I betrayed u but I still waited for u to come get me at this abandoned house u left me at for hours so I could confess my love for u bit, but still. Very up and down feelings for him as a reader.

The bdsm was actually interesting to read here too. Sane (kinda), safe (sometimes) and consensual was really the name of the game here and I'm grateful for that. Were things a little under negotiated? Yeah, but I'm willing to look past that considering what s&m dynamics look like in other series and novels 😬 There was also a brief description of subspace that I found kind of nice. It was interesting to see these aspects of sexual dominance and submission present in a novel from a genre that often foregoes diving even an inch into safe kink (and sex) practices.

Also that masturbation scene is NOT in the novel from what I recall, so THANK YOU JOONG AND JOJO !!!!!

Crazy, but expected plot twist, and yet I was still at the edge of my seat. Granted I am easy to entertain, but I really enjoyed reading this. I actually would recommend this novel to others. It was just fun 😽

[automatamachine]

Spoilers from the novel The Heart Killers

So, I read the novel and these are the things that may happen after episode 5. SUPER SPOILER ALERT. Since there are a few differences from the novel to the series, things may go on in different directions. But, in general, this is the sequence of the story in the book:

Fadel and Bison goes on with the plan to kill Luerat, but it fails because of undercover cops.

Fadel, Keen and Bison realizes they have a police informant among them. And Kant is the number one suspect.

Fadel and Bison takes the recording from the secretary misson and discovers Style and Kant stalking them (In the series, they will probably find Kant's recording in the safe room).

Bison follows Kant to the place where he meets Officer James. He hears Kant giving information. When Bison decides to kill both of them, he hears Kant say to James that he can no longer be an informant because he loves Bison truly. So, Bison gets all the chills and decides to not kill Kant just yet... because of reasons.

Fadel and Bison make a deal to kill Kant and Style.

But Fadel knows he can't kill Style. So, without telling Bison, he thinks of a way to frigten Style... So Style will leave him without looking back or getting any more involved.

So, Fadel takes Style to his house. Shows him the safe room. Tells Style that he is a hitman and threatens Style. He says that if he sees Style again, he will kill him.

Styles runs to the door, thinking Fadel has a gun pointed at him, but he stops at the door. He wants to look at Fadel's face one last time. But, when he looks back, Fadel is broken, pointing the gun at himself. Style runs back to Fadel and kisses him.

Meanwhile, Bison goes to Kant's tattoo shop. He hits Kant in the head and Kant faints.

From the shock, Kant's head bleed and Bison has a mini breakdown from seeing Kant's blood and from the preassure of having to kill him.

He can't kill Kant again. So he kidnaps him and takes him to his family house, the same place his parents were killed. Which is in a secluded place. Bison ties up Kant on a chair and decides to kill Kant after the next mission. However, he let the rope loose, hoping Kant will wake up and run away. So, Bison wouldn't have to kill him.

Bison goes back home to find Fadel and Style in bed. He gets mad and say my favorite line in the novel "I would be so pissed off if I had killed Kant only to find you didn't kill Style."

Fadel says Bison still needs to kill Kant because Kant is an informant, while Style is innocent. But Bison says he won't kill Kant.

Fadel and Style go on a mission to kill Luerat. Fadel promises Style he will be alright and that this is the last mission.

In the mission, they discover Luerat is innocent. Luerat was a friend of their very rich parents. Mother Lily killed their parents, not Luerat. And she stole both Fadel and Bison. All that time, Luerat was trying to find them so they could have their parent's money. Mother Lily gives her next target to Keen: Fadel and Bison.

During the mission, Keen shoots to kill Luerat, Fadel and Bison. Only Fadel is hurt.

They manage to escape. Fadel and Bison go back home. Luerat goes to hiding. Fadel is not terribly wounded, but Style gets all worried and takes care of him.

Bison goes back to his family abandoned house, expecting Kant to be long gone. But Kant is still there, waiting for him, tied up to the chair. Bison asks why he didn't run, and Kant says he is ready to face any consequence from having betrayed Bison's love. Bison is still angry, but he wants a meeting with Officer James.

Style, Fadel, Bison, Kant and James have a meeting on how to expose mother Lily as the mastermind of all the killings, including Fadel and Bison's parents. James say that Fadel and Bison will have to face prison time, but they can get less time for helping the police. James say he cares about them all and wants them to get a short sentence.

They all go on one last mission together, Style and Kant included. Mother is exposed in front of the public. But, when the police tries to arrest her, she takes a hostage. Fadel aims at her, but James calms him down, saying he will face way more years in prison than necessary.

Far away, a sniper shoots and kills mother Lily. It was Keen.

Fadel and Bison are arrested in front of Kant and Style. Fadel and Style can have a moment of goodbye, but Kant is too heartbroken to even be able to hug Bison. But Bison forgives him and says he will finally be free after paying his dept to the justice.

It's also discovered that Fadel and Bison are rich heirs.

In two years, Style and Kant visits Fadel and Bison regularly as they are boyfriends.

When they are released, Fadel and Bison say goodbye to James. James says he is happy for them and that he doesn't want to see them back in prison. Which they respond they will live as normal people now, with their boyfriends.

Style and Kant gets them in the vintage car and they all ride back home (this is the scene in the novel's cover).

After a while, Bison moves to Kant's house, because Babe goes to study in the UK. And Style lives with Fadel in the house. Kant keeps working in the tattoo shop. Bison doesn't work, because he is just chilling for a while. But they have a black cat names Love and a ginger cat named Home (FK reference). Style and Fadel works at the Burger shop.

In the last scene for Bison and Kant, Bison says to Kant that he got a tattoo on his thigh... which Kant gets all jealous about Bison getting a tattoo from another artist, just to discover that the tattoo is fake and Bison just wanted an angry sex.

In the last scene for Fadel and Style, Style is taking orders and a costumer is hitting on him. Fadel senses a "disturbence in the air" and goes to check. Suddenly, he has a knife on his hand (because old habits die hard). And he drives off the costumer with his scary demeanor.

Happy ending for both couples.

This is it!!

[wuxian-vs-wangji]

KantBison ↪️ BisonKant

[gunsatthaphan]

THIS THK TRAILER IS SO INSANE OMG, BONDAGE????????? NIPPLE PLAY???? CHOKING????? GURLLLLLLLLLL THIS IS ABOUT TO BE SO CRAZY GODD I AINT READY it looks so chaotic and fun but knowing firstkhao are kings of emotional scenes i need a bit of angst and im sure there will be some, what was your fav part of the trailer? i really loved those few scenes of them smiling and being cute, specially that part in the car

😭 if you had told 2022!me that my babies would go from innocent highschool romance to bdsm in 2 years I would've snorted lmao but here we are. good for them!

I have watched the trailer a good 17 times since it came out and every time it leaves me with more questions sjkhd. I'm glad they didn't show too much of the plot and more of the relationships tbh but yeah I'm still trying to grasp what's going on lmao. I'm scared of that "lovers to enemies" spoiler by jojo but reading the novel content I'm optimistic and also they're gonna kill it either way (pun intended) so I'm not worried.

as for what my favorite part of the trailer is then this blurry 10 frame-moment in particular has been driving me out of my mind for the past 48 hours so there lmao-

-closely followed by that dance battle at the bowling alley bc what in the name of glee is going on lmao? 😭 Can't wait.

xxx

[nobodysuspectsthebutterfly]

The Hedge Knight graphic novel - could it work as a roadmap for HBO's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?

So, per reports, HBO's Dunk & Egg show is going to be 6 episodes. I've seen several people saying that's too long, it should be 4 episodes at most, a 2 hour movie at most, there will be too much filler, blah blah blah. Well let me tell you, that's not true!

In 2003, The Hedge Knight was adapted as a 6 issue comic book (later collected as a graphic novel), and I think its script, each issue ending in a cliffhanger or dun-dun-dunnn moment, would work perfectly for the show, and is very probably how they'll do it.

Potential spoilers under the cut, but first - is this not perfect casting and costuming? It so is.

Like I said, I think each issue could be the plot of each episode. So I'm just going to summarize these issues, I hope you've read the GN or the novella. (If not, go read it, go read all of Dunk & Egg, it's so good.)

#1 - Dunk buries Ser Arlan, decides to go to Ashford for the tourney, meets Egg and a weird drunk guy at an inn on the way, gets to Ashford, sets up camp in the forest (bathes naked in a stream), goes to the tourney field and sees Tanselle performing her puppet show, gets measured for armor he can't quite afford, gets back to his camp to find the weird little bald kid making dinner.

#2 - Dunk agrees Egg can be his squire, that night he sees the falling star, next morning goes to Ashford castle and gets told he needs to prove he's a knight to enter the tourney (or that Arlan was, since he says Arlan knighted him), meets Aerion (badly) but also the Kingsguard, sells his horse for armor money, talks to Tanselle and meets the Fossoways, then meets up with the young Dondarrion lord whose dad Arlan worked for and relates the House Dondarrion origin story (imagine them telling that via puppet imagery, ooh), gets told "yeah knowing that is no proof you're a knight, sucks to be you".

#3 - Dunk goes back to the castle, stumbles into Baelor and Maekar arguing about M's missing kids, Baelor remembers his epic joust with Arlan so yay Dunk can be in the tourney, Dunk and Egg talk to Tanselle about painting him a shield, they watch the opening of the tourney (lots of jousting and pageantry including Lyonel "the Laughing Storm" Baratheon), and the first day ends after Aerion deliberately kills that horse.

#4 - Dunk argues with Egg over how much of a douche Aerion is, more flirting with Tanselle, gossip with Raymun Fossoway about the Targaryens, Egg runs in to say Aerion's hurting Tanselle, Dunk beats up Aerion and almost gets murdered by Aerion's goons, Egg reveals himself to save Dunk, Dunk in prison, talks to Egg and Baelor, Baelor tells him he can be mutilated for striking a prince or ask for trial by combat, so "how good a knight are you, truly?"

#5 - Aerion says sure, trial by combat, but only a trial of seven, Dunk has to find 6 guys, talks to Raymun and Steffon Fossoway, Daeron apologizes and tells Dunk his dragon dream, shield reveal, next morning the smallfolk are all "a knight who remembered his vows", various guys show up to help Dunk and Raymun gets knighted, but Steffon Fossoway goes to Aerion's side so they're still missing a guy, "are there no true knights among you?", wait is that Valarr??? no it's Baelor in Valarr's armor omg

#6 - The trial of seven. You know how this ends. 😭 Then talking to Maekar, and Dunk and Egg ride off into the sunset together.

I hope that's convincing enough for the doubters! I can see a few points where something might be shifted from the end of one to the beginning of the other -- but on the whole I think the comic is an excellent roadmap for the show, and I hope this is the way they lay it out. Also ftr, the Sworn Sword graphic novel was also originally 6 issues so possibly season 2 ditto (unless they add an episode for the in between THK-TSS Dorne and Oldtown adventures that didn't actually appear in the novellas, idk). But the Mystery Knight was only released as one book, so who knows, they might go for more episodes when they get to that season.

Also, re taking inspiration from the comic, I really hope they adapt the Kingsguards' gold codpieces. Just because.

[mysterygrl20]

Sharing is caring 🥰

**SPOILER ALERT: THK Novel FadelStyle 🔞 Scene** via allaboutnia_jd

Style doesn’t remember how many times they’ve done it, but his body aches and numb all over. He tries to crawl off the bed, but that man grabs his ankles and pulls him back.

“Fadel, I’m tired.”

“I’m also tired.”

“Then stop, you idiot!”

“One more round and I’ll stop.”

“How can you be this starved and desperate?”

“I don’t know. When it comes to you, I keep thinking about this kind of thing. And you are exceptionally cute today.”

“But I’m going to die on this bed.”

“No one dies from this.”

“Fadel…”

“Please… just one more time. I promise it’ll be the last.”

Style presses his lips into a thin line, glaring at Fadel like he has no way to refuse.

This idiot!- Puffs out his cheeks and points up one finger to show me that he really wants one more round. Is it because he knows I love him, that’s why he keeps attacking me with his cuteness like this?

Style turns his head, exhaling in defeat. Yes… I’ve lost to Fadel’s charm once again. He mutters reluctantly:

“This is really the last time.”

“Yes.”

“Afterward, you have to help me shower.”

“Sure, I can carry you to the bathroom right now.”

“Hey, hey, hey! Wait!”

Before Style can react, Fadel slips back inside him and strides toward the bathroom, moving faster and stomping harder than usual.

“Ah, ah… huuueee~” Style moans, sobbing softly.

Fadel must be teasing me. From the bed to the bedroom is not even that far. Why did it take him so long? This crazy Fadel! *Style whines and cries like a child 😭*

//Let’s hope that Style will survive this night together, everyone 🙂‍↕️🙏🏻

[styling-fadel]

About the THK novel, but no spoilers!

I usually try my best to avoid spoilers, but I was impatient and read the "novel" a week before the first episode aired and at this point I can say that it's more like the author just wrote a fanfic about the series lmao

I think the main plot might go as it did in what they wrote but there's so much happening that wasn't in the novel and yeah... big parts of it are just smut and what the characters are thinking.

The novel was also so much shorter than I thought and all of it could fit in like 6 episodes so I'm excited to see what more is going to change and I hope there'll be plot twists that weren't in it!

[invisiblegarters]

kant is so wildly different from the novel they feel like two borderline different characters

Hi non!

They are all pretty different, although Bison is not as different as I'd like, and I suspect that Kant will slide closer and closer to the novel characterization as we go along. Unfortunately. I actually quite liked the Kant we were getting but now that feelings are clearly getting involved I'm terrified it's time to say bye bye bye (did I just earworm myself and hopefully you with N*Sync on purpose? Oh, yes) to that man and hello to the loser from the novel that was such a nothing of a character that I was offended on First's behalf.

Fadel and Style however are delightfully different and thus far I love everything that the show is doing with them. They are the entire reason I am going to continue watching. I can't wait to see what happens!

Well, that and Kant is hot. I'm irritated and disappointed not blind.

I am wildly attracted to the grandma glasses and I make no apologies for it.

[sunsetsover]

and piggybacking off my last post post, i really don't see a way of kantbison or fadelstyle getting back together given what kant and style have done without their interests aligning/them being forced back together in some extreme way.

like it's obvious there will be some fall out, but we know it can't be the way kant expects it to go (he hands over the info, the police take down the operation, he walks away with a clean record). aside from the whole 'developing real feelings' thing complicating the situation, there has to be something more that allows for the happy ending the genre pretty much dictates. which means at some point there has to be another betrayal, or even multiple - captain christ, lilly, keen (i still think style's dad is going to play a bigger part that it seems right now) - that means that they're of more use to each other alive/out of prison than they are dead/locked up.

i have no solid theories about what that'll be im kinda just spitballing. the only thing i really think is that lilly has been playing those boys for fools and will throw them out on the street the moment they start causing too much trouble, but it has to be more than that. there has to be something that happens that means all four of them have really no choice but to work together in order to survive as opposed to working against each other.

[fadelbison]

slight thk novel spoiler!!! its just one line but you said you only wanted sex spoilers and this isn't one but I feel like it should be. doesn't give plot away but skip this if you don't wanna read it!!!

"Bison, turn off the lights," Fadel ordered. Bison obeyed instantly; on the job, he rarely argued with Fadel.

This is a line in the book and its making me soo 🥴🥴 Fadelbison dynamic is so compelling and I know we won't get to see them fuck nasty but they should. This is only partly fueled by the joongkhao size difference, I really am just into this type of relationship in general. Little dom Bison letting himself be bossed around by his big brother

BISON 👏🏽 OBEYED 👏🏽👏🏽 INSTANTLY 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

When I think about the possible delicious ways that Bison could feel about Style and Fadel's relationship to Style, with whom Fadel tends to be rather soft after the initial chase my. head. explodes.

This entire dom thing as a wish fulfillment of where Bison wants all that ordering around redirected to. Of course, the sex preferences could be simply a control/power issue but oh my my isn't it more fun when it's a - well - a desire issue?

It's the this is how he thinks his brother will want him, when he does, aspect of it for me. it's the this is the closest he can get to having sex with his brother, by becoming him aspect of it for meeee.

haunted, spooked, possessed by the overlay of Bison's turned on face with Fadel's voiceover saying no matter how much you love someone you can never lay yourself completely bare in front of them

Because how do you know this Fadel?? How do you know that love exists but there's always a condition, there's always a barrier that remains. Who taught you that Fadel??? Telllllll meeeeeeeeeeeeee.

What secrets do you keep from the one you love the most, Fadel? What do you hide from the person you trust your life with time and time again? What can you afford to hide from them? I need answers, Fadel!!!!!!!

[bird-inacage]

The Heart Killers EP1: Early Hints into Kant's Backstory

Kant is shaping up to be a very intriguing character in my opinion, and no doubt more so thanks to Khaotung's gushing. We've already been given a number of early signposts towards Kant's backstory, so this is my recap and speculations on what we know so far.

THE SKILLS OF A THIEF

We're shown through a flashback that Kant used to steal cars and sell them on - a series of crimes which Captain Chris agreed to disregard in exchange for Kant's previous assistance on his cases.

The natural question to ask would be why? Why was Kant stealing cars? If I were to hazard a guess, possibly due to dire financial straits where this was his only means to support his family. Bison comments, "from your car and how you dress, you don't look like a typical tattoo artist, you know? More like those uppercrust tattoo artists." Kant retorts he just makes enough to get by. I wouldn't be surprised if he and his brother did grow up in some form of poverty or limited means. It would then make sense then why Kant is so driven to support his brother's dreams - because they've felt so out of reach.

The other big question on my mind is why involve Kant? Did Chris see this as a form of charity or rehabilitation for a wayward youth, or an opportunity to exploit a boy who happened to possess valuable skills? "Keep your eye on you and your brother's future. You're a smart brat. You'll find a way." Either Chris is a dubious cop with questionable methods (including coercion), or Kant is a budding criminal mastermind whose too slippery not to be kept on side by the police. (If anyone remembers the Leonardo DiCaprio film 'Catch me if you can', the film's young protagonist is extremely adept at fraud and once caught, is then hired as a fraud detective due to his knowledge and experience of such crimes).

There has to be more than just Kant's history of stealing cars that has Chris so confident in his ability to help with this specific case. And to tackle hitmen of all things where Kant's life could be in serious danger.

AN ELUSIVE FATHER

Kant's parents have not been explicitly mentioned, but references to his father have been implied. They certainly don't live with parental figures so Kant appears to be Babe's sole legal guardian. As he's now 29 years old, Kant may have taken Babe with him once at legal age, or after reasons that kept their parents out of the picture.

In Kant's first scene, he gets a call from a contact named "old fart". My immediate hunch is this could be his father. Moreso, Kant looks visibly exasperated so they're clearly not on the best of terms.

I may very well be jumping here, but something has me speculating if Kant's father had any influence on his car theft; whether his father was the one who taught him how, or was in some form of trouble that Kant stole cars to fend for him and his brother out of desperation.

On a contrasting note, Kant does mention that his father left him his car, a possession that seems particularly dear to him as he's constantly warding off Style's attempts to pry it from his hands. It later becomes the very demand Style bargains for in order to agree to help distract Fadel, and Kant is visibly reluctant to let it go. Needless to say, his relationship with his father may be complicated.

BROTHERLY AFFECTION

We haven't been told Babe's age, but he's been seen wearing school uniform in some BTS photos - so late teens would be my guess. Babe expresses an interest in English literature and Shakespeare, vowing to visit the UK eventually to see his plays in person. If the two brothers did grow up under difficult circumstances, it would be safe to assume that such academic pursuits and going overseas would seem like a luxury, and very much aspirational rather than realistic.

Despite this, Kant is clearly very supportive of his brother's interests and wellbeing. He's very fond of him, and Babe is the sole motivation for why Kant is blackmailed into assisting Chris. This love goes both ways. Babe doesn't ask too many questions about what Kant gets up to as long as he's being safe. He looks happy for him when he spots Kant and Bison together.

I wonder if he has any idea of Kant's criminal history or that he's been assisting the police. My instinct would be no, as Kant would likely be inclined to protect his brother or to prevent him from worrying.

If anyone knows Thai and can translate, I'd be interested to know if there are any notable tidbits visible on Kant's criminal file (above).

You can keep tabs on bird-inacage’s BL meta directory for my other long-form posts around The Heart Killers, which I’ll be updating in real time as the show airs. Probably worth reading my analysis on the FK's character interviews where some of these points are touched on.

[khaopybara]

I just got spoiled in twitter for THK and now I'm terrified 😭😭

All my excitement for THK is ruined as I'm a FirstKhao fan first.

anon, i wouldn't worry about spoilers from the novel if i were you, to be quite honest. first because the author of the novel themselves was shocked when they read the script because apparently the tone of the two sources are different, but also bc there are always changes to one medium to the other.

plus, i'd like to say, if you saw spoilers on twitter from user

sandismyhusband,

or anyone who said they got spoilers from them, i'd immediately discredit them. they are not trustworthy and they are not a fan of firstkhaotung. they are associated with the fake spoilers last year saying that sandray were going to break up and they would be the one couple not together by the end of the show.

PLEASE BE WARY OF SPOILERS. PEOPLE ONLINE ARE NOT TRUSTWORTHY WITH THOSE AND THEY WILL TRY TO CAUSE MAYHEM.