"I'll close my eyes, then I won't see

The love you don't feel when you're holding me..." 

===$$===$$=====$$===$$==

"I look sexy," Tul exclaimed, grinning ear to ear while looking at the mirror.

Tin rolled his eyes, exasperated by his brother's enthusiasm, "hurry up. We need to leave for the meeting."

"Would you stop?" Tul looked over at Tin through the mirror, "you are always either talking about meetings or deals. I just came here. Why can't you be a little more polite?"

"Polite?" Tin asked, rotating his phone on his fingers with a thoughtful frown.

Tul nodded, "ask me how my flight was. Ask me how many days I will live here. Tell me how you feel that I am here. Throw me a party or something."

"Are you always this dramatic or today is a special occasion?" Tin asked, amusement clear in his voice.

Tul sighed, "I am always this cheery, my brother. You are very dull. Anyway, I threw myself a party. Tonight in our family house. Invite whoever you want. It's all on me."

Tin groaned, looking out through the vast window. His phone was carelessly dropped on the desk, swivelling his chair towards the Thailand skyline Tin fixed his eyes on the view. He was waiting for a call. It wasn't here yet.

"You look inattentive," Tul observed, coming to sit at the edge of the table and looking down at Tin, "what are you thinking?"

Tin shrugged, "just about the meeting I had yesterday."

Tul rolled his eyes, "do you have anything else to talk about? How are your friends? Wait, you don't really have any. How is family? Wait, I know that better than you do. Well, how is Rune? Did you talk to her after the date?"

"She is nice," Tin leaned back against his chair, looking up at the ceiling, "very open-minded. We had fun. I must say, she fits me well."

"Fits you well?" Tul scowled, "she is not a clothing item, Tin. Your description is so vague and offensive."

Tin watched the fan move, the blades blurred yet sometimes glowing when the light caught on them. With a sigh he rolled his shoulders, cracking the bones.

"We met once, Tul. She is nice. I stayed for the whole date. That's all I can say. We are meeting tomorrow for dinner again and well, that's all."

"So there is still chance for this woman," Tul mumbled, thinking to himself with a teasing smile, "you two will have very beautiful children."

He laughed heartily when Tin sprang up from his chair, straightening his coat and walking out of the office with long strides. He could hear Tul's robust laugh following him until the door of his office closed shut behind him.

===$$===$$==

"Oh, my God, I am so sorry," Can looked at the boy standing in front of him, drenched in his coffee.

The pained expression was understandable because Can's scorching hot coffee was trickling down the front of the boy's shirt. Can grabbed some tissues, trying to wipe the liquid when the boy stopped him by grabbing his wrist.

"You are spreading the stain," the boy said, pinching the shirt and pulling it away from his skin to ease the burn, "no worries. I will wash it."

Can nodded, still feeling stupid, "I will help you with your equipment."

The boy had a backpack and a tripod in his hand. He nodded, both turning towards the loo.

While walking Can looked at the boy properly.

He had blue hair with some pink highlights. His nose had a piercing where a ring was secure. Can looked down to see another ring was glinting at the corner of his bottom lips. A smile quirked Can's lips when he saw the cross hanging from the boy's necklace.

"You look like some punk," Can blurted out, cheeks going rosy when the boy's startled eyes matched his.

Can sighed in relief when the boy smiled, shaking his head, "this... well, I had some modelling to do. I hate all this."

"Huh?" Can asked, pushing the door of the loo open for the boy to walk in.

"Yeah," the boy nodded, "I model for a few companies. So I dress up as they want me to. This time the shoot was for a skateboard company. I had to dye my hair and these piercings are fake. I was rushing to go back home so I didn't change at the shooting place."

After finishing his rant the boy looked at Can, eyes wide and expression embarrassed, "sorry. Am I oversharing? I do that and that's why I don't really like talking."

Can smiled, shaking his head before taking the boy's backpack and hopping onto the counter, "I don't mind. I am glad you are not shouting at me for ruining your shirt."

The boy shrugged, washing the stain, "the company gifted this shirt to me and as an introvert, I am terrible at confrontation. If I screamed at you, people would look at us and I would hate it. Plus, you didn't do it on purpose. So it's fine."

Can chuckled, "I am Can. I am glad that it was you I poured my coffee onto. I am pretty sure anyone else would have kicked me on my shin by now."

The boy dismissed it with a smile, "it's fine. I am Hin. Nice to meet you."

Can watched the boy clean himself up, "you were rushing home?"

"Yes," Hin nodded, "I had the shoot last night. Could not get a blink of sleep and I am actually working the evening so I was hoping to buy a cuppa and running home. I live nearby."

Can nodded, "sorry, let me buy you the drink."

The boy shook his head, "it's okay."

"That's all I can do, come on," Can said, giving the boy a pout.

Hin looked at him with a sigh and nodded, "another quality of mine. I can't say no to even strangers."

Can smiled, jumping down from the counter and walking out of the loo with Hin.

They found a table. After ordering their drinks and a few muffins, Can joined Hin.

"So you are a model," Can said, "I must say, your looks are not lacking."

Hin actually blushed, looking down at his hands with a small smile, "It's not what I want to do though. I am still in college so this part-time job gives me the money to go by. I am actually studying fashion designing. I hope after college, I can either work under someone who knows a few things about fashion or open my own boutique."

Can nodded in fascination, "that's amazing. Well, good for you. I must say, your own boutique sounds more promising but at first, it's better to learn work under someone. No?"

Hin nodded, "that's the plan. That way I will get some money and experience. Then I can open my own boutique."

"If you need publicity, you can tell me," Can said, "I can help you if you want."

Hin frowned at him, a little confused.

Can smiled, nodding his thanks to the waitress when she came to place their orders on the table, "well, I am a Youtuber. I have a decent amount of followers. I can maybe post about your boutique."

Realization dawned on Hin's face, making him smile, "oh, okay. That would be great, Can. Thanks."

Can waited, watching the boy take a muffin and probe at the wrapper studiously. A small laugh escaped his lips, catching Hin's attention.

"This is the time you ask for my mobile number, you know?" Can said, taking a sip of the Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino.

Hin blushed, pulling out his phone and pushing it towards Can, "save it for me. I am so hungry."

Can nodded, taking the phone and looking at it for a moment. The phone was an old one. Its screen-guard scratched multiple times and the edges cracked almost. Can could feel the dent at the back of the cover-guard, feeling it with his index finger. He pressed the button at the side, smiling at the screen.

It was a small puppy, sleeping on its paws with its mouth half-open.

"Is this your dog?" Can asked, recalling Gucci, "so cute!"

Hin had a melancholic smile on his face, "yeah. He is my parents' dog. I miss her. I can't afford to have a dog around. Too much work."

Can nodded, "that's true. Plus you are a student. You have to stay away from your flat a lot, right?"

Hin nodded, "yes. I want to adopt one though. When I have my life almost sorted."

Can nodded, typing his number before saving it. He called himself from Hin's phone, saving the number in his phone too.

"You look tired yourself, long night?" Hin asked after shoving the phone in his pocket, observing Can.

Can looked down at his hands, shrugging.

He woke up to Tin gone, with a small sticky note on Tin's pillow saying, "Have an important meeting. See you soon. x"

Can jerked his head, brushing off the man's thoughts from his mind and looking up at Hin, "yeah, kind of. The storm and all, I don't handle well."

"That fucking storm delayed our work so much," Hin cursed, biting his tongue the next moment, "sorry."

Can laughed, shaking his head, "it's alright. So, it was an outdoor shoot?"

Hin nodded, wiping the corner of his mouth with the tissue, "yes. Had to skate on a road while the photographer clicked photos. Fell on my ass for more than three times," he stopped to glare at Can when Can giggled, "don't laugh. I hate skating and the photographer kept missing the 'perfect shot,' making me do it all over again. It was tiresome."

Can nodded, chewing his own muffin and taking a look at the vanilla latte the boy was having, "that sucked then."

"Big-time," Hin agreed.

They talked for an hour or so, coming out of the café to stand by the crossing.

"I will go to the left," Hin pointed at the quiet, narrow road, "you?"

Can pointed at the main road, "I have to catch a cab."

Hin nodded, smiling at Can, "I never thought I would say this to a person who poured hot coffee on me but it was nice meeting you, Can."

Can grinned, "I never thought I would say this to a person who I poured coffee onto, I liked meeting you."

Hin matched Can's grin, taking a step back, "see you around. Bye, Can."

Can nodded, waving at the boy, "take care. See you soon."

Can watched the boy nod, his hair catching the sun as he ran towards the road. With a content smile Can turned towards the road.

The day was already looking up. Can walked away with a smile on his face.

===$$===$$==

The papers rustled on the table, the lamp cascading dim light on the lines to make it visible to read.

There were clothes scattered around the floor, a shirt flung over the arm of the chair.

The sound of skin slapping against skin, the legs of the table scrapping against the hardwood floor were the sounds echoing through the room.

The man leaned down to capture those reddish lips, smearing the lipstick around the edges. The long traces of hair clutched tightly in his fist.

The woman moaned, soft whispers falling from her lips. The man's efforts doubling with the continuous flow of his name falling from those luscious lips.

Orgasm never felt sexier.

.

.

.

"That's all," the woman said, fixing her bra strap and turning to face the man sitting on the chair now, "all the papers you wanted and all the deals you can break now."

The man smiled down at the papers, flicking through them while smoking a cigarette he shared with the woman, "thanks, love."

The woman came to sit at the edge of the table, strapping her ankle-strap platforms on. She looked at the man going through the papers, one by one. A sigh escaped her lips.

"Exactly how long before you do something and I get out of that hell hole?" she asked, rolling her eyes at the man when he pulled her to sit on his lap.

"Soon," he whispered against her ear, biting the lobe, "we need to strike with everything at our side, right? We can't go against The Medthanans with nothing to back us up."

She nodded, leaning back against him with a sigh, "I am just done being around them all the time. Mainly Tin, You know?"

"We will be free soon," the man kissed her ear, turning her to face him, "very soon."

The woman nodded, arms circling the man's neck, "I believe you, Ethan."

===$$===$$==

Tin could feel eyes on him, looking up he made a face, "what?"

"What?" Tul asked, "I am just saying, call Can. Why are you not calling him? Did you two fight?!"

Tin leaned back against the chair of the canteen, fork playing with the noodles, "I messaged him. He will be there. What else do you need?"

"He said he will come to greet me!" Tul said, "where is he?"

"Are you a newborn or something?" Tin frowned, irked, "why do you need everyone to come and greet you? Everyone knows you, you come here often! Goodness!"

Tul rolled his eyes, "I am still a big deal. I am the senior Medthanan. I don't live here anymore. This is just a visit for a few days. I was picked up by only your driver! I am pretty offended! Even Lay didn't come to meet me!"

Tin rolled his eyes, taking a mouthful of noodles to chew onto so that he would not spit out words at his brother.

The canteen was bustling with activities. A group of interns were sitting at the corner table, talking among themselves. Tin could hear his name once in a while, making him uncomfortable. He looked at the man in front of him, typing away on his phone.

"We could easily have lunch in my office or someplace nice, why did you beg to come to the canteen?" he asked Tul, making the man look at him with quizzical brows.

Tul shrugged, "why not? It's your office's canteen. Why don't you come here to eat?"

"There are people here," Tin murmured, "I kind of don't like mingling with my subordinates."

Tul rolled his eyes, "you are still so uptight. God, a good boss is a person who can mix with his employees."

"A good boss is someone who knows how to lead a company," Tin cut in, "don't sugarcoat it."

Tul laughed, "You are still the same. The young master of the Medthanan household."

Tin didn't answer, mouth snapping shut when Tul's phone rang. Tul smiled ear to ear, picking up the call.

"Can!" he gushed, "how dare you not come to meet me?"

Tin looked down at his plate, the noodles testing stale in his mouth. He put his fork down, wiping his mouth with a tissue and leaning back to stare at the unfinished plate.

"No, that's great," Tul nodded, "See, you always manage to pick my mood up. Send me the link when you are done and come to the party tonight. Yeah?"

Tin tuned them out, looking around the room. He looked at the entrance of the canteen to see Lay coming in, her eyes searching faces before stopping on Tin's. She paused for a moment, a smile rising on her reddish lips.

Tin frowned, noticing the dishevelled state of her outfit.

"Where have you been?" he asked as soon as Lay came closer to their table.

Tul looked up, grinning as soon as their eyes connected, "Lay!"

Lay giggled when Tul stood up to hug her, hugging him right back. Tin watched them, exasperation clear on his face. When Tul pulled a chair for Lay to sit and they both started talking about how it had been months since they last met, Tin sighed.

"I will see you two at the party, if you'll excuse me," Tin stood up, pushing the chair backwards, "tell Mayra to send me the documents I need to sign, yeah?"

Lay nodded, "you should really rest some more but alright."

Tin walked out of the canteen, dutifully ignoring the looks he got while walking away.

===$$===$$==

The sound of the door opening echoed in the empty condo. Tin placed the keys on the bowl next to the door. The spacious living room had a few dim lights on, the open kitchen brightened with a few more. Tin clicked the switches at the side of the door, turning on every light. With a sigh he untied his shoes, placing them neatly in the shoe rack.

He walked on the marbled floor, socks slipping almost. Eyes on his phone Tin dropped his bag on the sofa and unfastened his tie, letting it hang from his neck loosely while he shrugged off the coat.

After dropping it on the backrest of the sofa, Tin walked towards the bedroom, pushing the door open.

His bedroom had a view of the Thailand skyline, small lights littered across the dark blanket of night. Tin liked sitting on the mini couch with a bourbon on the glassed-corner table and looking out at the lights for hours with nothing in his mind.

Today though... he ignored the view, going straight to the bathroom and discarding all his clothes he walked into the shower. Lukewarm water sprayed across his chest, cascading down.

Tin closed his eyes, fixing the showerhead so the spray hit his face. With a sigh Tin let his day wash away...

===$$===$$==

"Either you pay your rent for last two months or I kick you out, your choice," the landlord glared at him before storming out of the room.

Hin sat on the creaking chair, looking at the closed door with lines marring his forehead. Minutes passed by as he sat there and yet, no solution came along. So he got up and opened his dresser, pulling out an envelope to check the money inside. It wasn't much. It was in no way the amount of rent. Hin closed his eyes, placing the envelope back in its place and looking around the narrow room. He opened his laptop, powering it on while sitting on the creaking chair. Hin logged in with his password, going through his emails and refreshing the page repeatedly to see if there was any more modelling work for him to do.

There was nothing.

Hin combed his hair back, looking down at the keypad with a tired sigh. His inside was bubbling with worry, muscles flexing with tension. He could not think of a way out. Time was ticking by and with each passing second, it felt like a rope was tightening around his neck.

Hin pulled out his mobile, calling his friend from college. Rings went on and so did the tapping of Hin's foot on the floor.

"Hey, what's up?"

Hin blinked at the screen in front of him, "Hey, do you have any extra job I can do?"

"Like, modelling?" the girl asked, "I have nothing right now, Hin. I got you one last night!"

"I had to pay the college fees," Hin mumbled, "see, not just modelling work. Anything, Sammy. I will do anything."

"If you need money so badly, why don't you ask your parents to help?" Sammy asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

"They barely get by," Hin hunched forward in defeat, "if I tell them to pay for my college, they will tell me to come back and help them in their shop. I will never graduate, Sammy. You know!"

"God, can't you just take on a part time job somewhere?" Sammy asked.

"I can't," Hin shook his head, "I have to study in the morning, make assignments at the evenings. I can't have a fixed shift. So can you have something just for a day or so?"

"Well," she trailed off, thinking, "I do have one work."

"What is it?" Hin perked up, "tell me."

"Waitressing," Sammy spoke, "there's a party tonight and the organizer wants a few waiters and waitresses. You in?"

Hin nodded without missing a beat, "I am in. How much are they paying?"

"5 dollars per hour," Sammy said, "plus if you behave well, you will be tipped."

"Behave well?" Hin asked, confused.

Sammy chuckled, "you know, flirt and all. Just take in the situation and act according to it."

Hin nodded, knowing that he would not be tipped because he could not talk well, forget flirting, "I am in. Just send me the address."

"Cool," Sammy mumbled, "I will send you my reference and their email. Give it to the organizer and they will let you in."

"Any particular dress code?"

"Yes," Sammy whispered, going through her database, "white shirt and black pant with a black tie."

Hin nodded, "okay. Cool. Thanks, Sammy. You don't know how much you helped me out."

Sammy snorted, "Drama king. I do know how much I saved your ass. See you in college, stud."

Hin rolled his eyes with a smile, "bye."

After cutting the call he ran to take a shower.

The money wasn't that much but at this point, he would take anything he could get. As he discarded his clothes, his stomach growled. Hin gulped, he hadn't eaten since that café. A smile crossed Hin's mouth, recalling the boy he met. Can.

He wished he could be friends with Can. But then, he could not afford a single minute waste in mere relaxation, forget friends. He didn't really have a lot of friends for that reason, he was always running for either university or work.

He would probably never meet Can again...

Hin turned on the shower, closing his eyes with a sigh.

The night was going to be a long one.

===$$===$$==

"So that was how you would dress up for a party," Can grinned at the lens, cursing to himself when the camera slipped from his hand and hit the ground.

"I really need to do something about my sweaty palms," Can whispered to himself, getting the camera from the floor and checking it before securing it on a tripod. With a sigh he grinned at the camera again, extending his arms side by side to flaunt his outfit.

"How do I look? Is everything perfect? Let me know in the comment section and yes, don't forget to subscribe to my channel if you already haven't. I post videos whenever I feel like and you can follow me on Instagram where I ramble almost all the time. Thanks for watching. Bye."

Can clicked the camera shut, thinking if he should take it to the party. With a frown, he pulled out his phone and dialled.

"Hey," Tul sounded extra cheerful, "you are still not here!"

Can rolled his eyes with a smile, "it's just 7, Tul! I will be there. Chill. Listen, do you mind if I film your party? Like, for my vlog?"

"No, I would love to be in one of your vlogs," Tul chimed, "it's so cool to watch."

Can laughed, "okay then. See you."

"Listen," Tul interrupted him before Can could cut the call, "can you check up on Tin? He isn't here yet!"

Can frowned, "he is not with you?"

"He had to stay at the office, had an emergency meeting with the HR department," Tul said, "call him up, yeah?"

Can nodded, "cool. See you."

===$$===$$==

"Hey?" Tin sounded breathless.

"Where are you?" Can asked, slinging the strap of his bag over his shoulder, "Tul wanted me to check."

"I am home, running," Tin huffed, "why?"

"Home?" Can went through the shoe rack, trying to find an appropriate shoe for the night, "aren't you supposed to be at the party by now?"

"I will be there," Tin was sounding more and more breathless as seconds went by, "who attends a party right on time anyway?"

"Family?" Can chided, "this party is for Tul. You should be there with him, Tin!"

"Are you there yet?" Tin asked, exhaling long.

Can switched off the lights of his flat, taking the car keys, "I am getting out of my flat."

"Well then, pick me up," Tin said, "I will be ready in a few minutes."

Can closed the door, locking it, "you go on your own. I can't."

"See you," Tin said, "come right up, okay? Don't knock. I might be in the shower."

Can snapped his mouth closed when the call was disconnected. He looked down at the screen and cursed the man.

But he knew he could not ignore Tin's request. Can went into the lift, mumbling every curse word he could find and apply on Tin.

===$$===$$==

The roads were deserted due to the rain. Can's windscreen getting foggy no matter how many times the wipers tried to clear his vision.

Yellowish road-lights coloured his face from time to time, making him squint. Can turned the AC off, opening the car window to let in the cool breeze. The raindrops touched his skin, making Can shiver. He smiled, mumbling to the song played on the radio.

By the time he reached Tin's building, it was around 8.

He sat in his car, dialling the number on his speed dial. There was no answer.

Can called again, cursing to himself when Tin didn't pick up. After locking the car, Can walked towards the building, trying to call Tin again.

Tin didn't pick up.

.

.

The lift opened smoothly, letting Can walk out in the hallway. The door was right in front of him, the empty corridor illuminated by the pendant lights. With a long inhale Can pressed the bell.

The door opened a few seconds later, Tin dressed in a wine-red shirt and black jeans stood there.

"I was calling you from the car," Can said, following Tin inside.

"I told you not to," Tin shrugged, "I am styling my hair."

Can rolled his eyes, "slicked back and boring, I see."

Tin turned, framing the bedroom door with his body. His eyes were on Can, face scrunched up in offence yet Can could see the amusement in those eyes.

"What? I don't look good in slicked hair?" Tin asked, leaning against the door frame.

Can shouldered him away, walking into the bedroom to sit on the bed, "just get ready. We are already late. If Lay gets there before us, she will behead us."

"You are still so dramatic," Tin chirped, going to his dressing table and picking up the hair gel.

Can scrunched his nose, looking at Tin through the mirror.

Tin's eyes caught his, a smirk turning his lips up.

"Fine, fine, don't look so constipated," Tin said, placing the gel back down, "I will go with my hair down."

Can grinned, "See, you look great with your hair down. No need to be a serious boss all the time."

Tin didn't answer, going for his jacket to shrug it over his shoulders before looking at Can quizzically, "let's go?"

Can nodded, "I brought my car."

Tin hummed, dimming the lights as he went, "great. I will stay there so I don't need a ride back home."

Can looked around, "you seriously need to keep a caretaker around here."

"Someone invading my privacy? Someone to fly around my nose whenever I come home?" Tin looked in thought and then he smiled mockingly at Can, "no, thanks."

Can rolled his eyes, waiting for Tin to lock his door and calling the elevator.

"Who else is coming?" Can asked when the elevator door closed behind them, "someone I know?"

"Your sister, my brother," Tin counted on his fingers, "and a bunch of annoying workers I would like not to see after office hours."

Can grinned, shaking his head.

===$$===$$==

"Make sure you ask everyone about a drink and don't come in one's way," the lady said, her manicured fingers moving expertly as she clicked away on the laptop, "be polite. Just be a shadow, don't cause problems or chaos, remember you are just there to serve and nothing else. Stay alert and behave well."

Hin nodded, taking his ID proof from the entrance booth before walking forward to stand in front of the security who checked him for any dangerous item he could have on him and let him in after keeping his bag in the luggage area. Hin thanked him for the token in exchange for his bag and walked through the driveway.

Eyes scanning the mansion in front of him, Hin snickered to himself in disbelieve.

This was a house party for a man who wanted to celebrate his visit to Thailand. One uniform from this party could be sold for more money than Hin had to pay as a month's rent. Hin could not believe a welcome party could be this extravagant.

With a resigned sigh, Hin showed his ID to the doorman standing at the giant door of the mansion. He read the ID and motioned for him to go in.

"The right hallway, the third room is the changing room. Change there and meet the supervisor in the next room," the doorman said, voice sharp and words curt.

Hin nodded, walking into the mansion and following the orders.

He could hear the music already blasting, making his ears throb. He frowned down at the tiles, trying to ignore the vibration he could feel in his chest. He hated loud music, nothing could be heard only the bass and it would mess with his head.

He counted the rooms, walking into the one the doorman told him to. He found a man standing by the door, looking at nowhere. Hin stopped when the man extended his hand. Confused, Hin blinked. The man looked at him, his eyes filled with disdain.

"The ID," he said, eyes on the card in Hin's hand.

"Oh, right," Hin extended it, waiting.

He had attended parties as a waiter before, never in his life, he had to go through so many checkpoints. What was so much cautiousness about? Who was attending it?

"The fourth uniform is yours. Put the ID on your chest pocket. Take the last stall, change and meet Miss Tanya in the next room. Go."

"Thank you," Hin nodded, walking inside.

He was already dreading the party. He hoped it was over soon and he earned the money he was promised.

===$$===$$==

Can nodded his thanks when the enormous gate was pulled open for his car to enter. Tin nodded when the securities gave him a salute each. Can rolled his eyes, driving through the pebble filled path.

"Why do you need so much security?" Can asked, "you are no celebrity."

Tin leaned back against the backrest of the passenger seat, yawning, "we have money."

Can looked at him, "so?"

Tin shrugged, looking at him with a fatigued expression, "that's all. We have the money. To show, to protect. Whatever."

Can shook his head, "that was such a vague yet arrogant answer. Thanks, Tin."

Tin chuckled, "That too."

"Huh?"

Tin unlocked the seatbelt, looking at Can, "money... it makes one arrogant too. Blood money, you see. Otherwise, have you seen normal people throw such extortionate party?"

Can grinned, "cheers to Tul, then."

Tin huffed out a laugh, "cheers to that spendthrift."

.

.

.

The first thing Can noticed as soon as they walked in was the spacious bar right across the entrance of the ballroom. Can looked at the bartenders working there, mixing drinks and serving the people sitting on the stools.

The next thing he noticed was how immaculately everyone was dressed compared to him.

"This is a 'small, welcoming family get together,' for Tul?!" Can asked, shocked and outrageous.

Tin had his hands in his pockets, shoulder squared and eyes roaming around the room, "let's go and order our drinks. I think we will need it."

Can nodded wordlessly, following Tin as they went.

"Where is Tul?" Can asked after sitting on a stool too high for his liking.

Tin tilted his head, "no idea. He will find us. Let's order."

Can turned towards the bartender with a small, confused smile, "one spritz, please."

Tin looked around once, shoulders hunching, "one French 75."

They waited for the drinks to be made, looking around when Can saw Tul coming their way. A smile automatically rose on his lips, making him grin when their eyes caught each other.

"Can!" Tul came to stand by their stools, looking at Can, "finally you got the time to come and meet me."

Can nodded, "wouldn't miss it for anything. How are you?"

"Just fine," Tul said, turning around to point at the lady standing by his side, "meet her. This is Rune, probably Tin's future wife."

Tul laughed at his own little joke while Can just stared at her. The girl rolled her eyes fondly at Tul before facing Can with a friendly smile and extended her hand.

"Hi, Can, I am a huge fan," she said, voice sweet and words genuine, "I have watched all of your videos and I follow you on Instagram and TikTok. It's nice to meet you."

"Hi, thank you," Can whispered, feeling the touch of the girl's hand in his in a handshake.

"You said this will be a family gathering," Tin chipped in, "why is this so extravagant?"

"What?!" Tul sounded horrified, "all of these people are my family. Come on, Tin, be a sport!"

Tin rolled his eyes, sipping his drink when it was placed in front of him.

"Would you like something to drink?" Can asked Rune, offering her the stool he was sitting onto beside Tin and moving to the next one. Tin watched the exchange, sipping from his tumbler.

Rune sat, nodding at the bartender, "whatever Tin is having, please."

Can looked down at his own drink, stirring the straw in the mix. He could hear Rune asking Tin something but all he understood was chaos. Everything around Can felt like simple noise as he vacated his stool with a stumble.

"Sorry," Can said, smiling at Tul who caught him, "need to use the washroom."

"Careful," Tul said, "when you come back, can I have my first dance with you?"

"That's what we were missing," Tin said, exasperated, "ballroom dancing. Oh, mum would be so proud of you, Tul!"

Rune laughed, her hand slapping Tin's bicep in teasing admonishment. Can saw how Tin caught that hand in his, smiling at her and then at Tul. Tul said something to trigger another round of laughter. They looked like a closely knitted family. A family where Can had no place. He felt like he was invading their privacy.

With a shake of his head Can spun on his feet, walking away from the sound of laughter.

He knew he had to come back but he would feel a lot more comfortable when he knew his façade was right on place.

At that time, it was crumbling.

===$$===$$==

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