The next morning, as everyone gathered at the dining table, Phuwin descended the stairs, still dressed in his oversized white shirt from the previous day that covered his shorts so thoroughly it looked like he wasn't wearing any. Joe’s eyes lit up the moment he saw him, and with a playful grin, he whistled. “Oh, Phuwin, now I get why your dad is so protective. I mean…wow.”

Phuwin chuckled, brushing off the comment with a casual smile as he sat at the table. Meanwhile, Pond couldn’t seem to stop staring, his gaze unintentionally fixating on Phuwin's bare legs. His throat bobbed in a visible gulp before he quickly looked away, feeling a strange sensation stir within him.

A few minutes later, Joong and Dunk joined the group, and everyone dug into breakfast. The atmosphere was relaxed, filled with laughter and easy banter. As they finished eating, they all moved to the couches to lounge, when Joe’s phone suddenly rang. He answered it, then hung up and turned to Pond.

“Looks like the officer’s letting our men go. Pond, you can drop Phuwin off back at his place now,” Joe said, flashing a satisfied grin.

Pond nodded. “Alright,” he replied, then turned to Phuwin. “Come on, let’s go.”

But Phuwin hesitated, looking around the room, before finally turning his big, pleading eyes on Pond. “Um, could you maybe drop me off…after evening?”

Everyone looked at him in surprise, blinking in confusion. “Wh…what?” Joe stammered, glancing between Phuwin and Pond.

Phuwin sighed. “If I go home now, my dad will call his friends again and keep pushing this whole marriage thing. If I can just stay a little longer, maybe I can avoid the whole ordeal.”

Pond cleared his throat, looking away, flustered by Phuwin’s puppy eyes. “Hey, we kidnapped you; that’s all. Don’t push your luck by asking us to cater to your schedule!” he muttered.

Phuwin huffed, his face falling a little, and turned to Joe. “Phi Joe, come on. You know how strict he is. If I go back now, he’ll set up the engagement before I can blink! Just give me until evening, please.”

Joe chuckled, patting Phuwin’s shoulder. “Fine, fine, he can stay here till he wants. Pond, just let it go.”

Phuwin's face lit up, and he gave Joe a big thumbs up. “Thanks, phi!”

Joe’s eyebrows shot up at the term of respect, his face softening. “Aww, you can call me phi, anytime.” He grinned, wrapping an arm around Phuwin’s shoulders. “You’re my favorite little nong now, after all.”

Phuwin smiled shyly, happy with Joe’s warmth and acceptance.

As Joe wrapped an arm around Phuwin, Pond frowned, shaking his head in disapproval. "Joe, don’t be soft on him. Letting him stay here longer is a risk for us. We don’t need any extra trouble. Someone else can drop him off if you won’t. I’ll do it myself.”

Phuwin raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed. "Aren't you guys supposed to be a mafia? And you’re scared of my dad? Always avoiding risks… How terrifying," he teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Pond’s jaw clenched, and his eyes flashed with irritation as he pointed a finger at Phuwin and took a step forward. “You…!”

Seeing Pond’s expression, Phuwin yelped, darting behind Joe and gripping his shoulder. “Phi, see? He’s bullying me!”

Joe burst out laughing, casting a mock-glare at Pond. “Aii, Pond, don’t you dare bully my precious nong!” He gave Phuwin a comforting pat on the back, his expression softening.

Dunk joined in, scolding Pond with an exaggerated pout. “Yeah, Pond, leave him alone. What’s gotten into you?”

Pond looked at them all in disbelief, throwing his hands up in frustration. “Fine! Do whatever you want,” he muttered, shaking his head as he went to sit down on the couch.

Joong and Dunk soon said their goodbyes, reminding everyone of some pending work. Before leaving, Dunk gave Phuwin a tight hug. “Stay safe, cutie,” he said, ruffling Phuwin's hair playfully.

Gemini walked over, offering Phuwin a quick hug. “Be careful, okay? I’ll catch up with you later at home,” he whispered before heading out.

With Joong, Dunk, and Gemini gone, the house quieted, leaving just Joe, Pond, and Phuwin.

Joe grinned at Phuwin, leaning back in his chair with a mischievous look. “So, nong, what do you want to do until evening?”

Phuwin’s eyes lit up as he thought, but Joe gave him a once-over and chuckled. “Actually, maybe the first thing is getting you some proper clothes. Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold in that oversized shirt.”

Phuwin looked down at his attire and shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. “You mean this isn’t the latest in mafia fashion?”

Joe snorted, playfully ruffling his hair. “Not quite, little nong. Let’s go get you something better to wear.”

Pond, still on the couch, rolled his eyes but watched them, unable to ignore the dynamic unfolding before him. He sighed, muttering, “Great. Just what we need. A fashion show in the middle of a kidnapping.”

Joe led Phuwin to one of the  rooms, handing him a bundle of clothes. “Here, change into these. Better than you staying in yesterday’s outfit all day,” Joe said with a smile.

When Phuwin came downstairs in an oversized grey hoodie and track pants, Pond looked up from his phone and did a double take, his eyes widening in disbelief. Phuwin looked both adorable and somehow effortlessly hot in the baggy outfit, practically swimming in the oversized hoodie. Pond’s heart raced momentarily before he snapped himself out of it, his brows knitting together in irritation.

“Hey! Why are you wearing my clothes?” Pond demanded, folding his arms with a slight scowl.

Phuwin raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “I don’t know, Phi Joe gave them to me. Ask him yourself,” he said with a casual shrug.

Pond shot an accusing look at Joe. “Really? You just let him wear my stuff?”

Joe waved his hand dismissively, grinning. “What? It’s your penthouse, Pond. I’m low on clothes here since I forgot to stock up. And honestly, you never care about anything else, so why are you making a big deal out of this?”

Pond rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath as he slumped back on the couch, clearly exasperated. Joe chuckled and plopped down beside him, grabbing the remote and turning on the TV.

After a while, Phuwin sighed, looking around the room in boredom. “Phi Joe, can we go somewhere? It’s getting so dull just sitting around here.”

Joe glanced over with a laugh. “Where do you want to go, little nong?”

Phuwin furrowed his brow, thinking hard, looking almost adorably serious as he pondered his options. Joe chuckled, patting him on the back. “Don’t think too hard, or you’ll end up with wrinkles. How about I just take you around town, and we can figure it out along the way?”

Phuwin’s face lit up, a wide smile breaking out as he hugged Joe. “Really, Phi? You’re the best!”

But just as Joe was about to reply, his phone rang with an urgent call. “Ah, sorry, Phu,” he said with a grimace, glancing down at his screen. “I’ve got to take care of this. Important work.”

Phuwin’s bright smile faded, replaced by a disappointed pout. Seeing this, Joe sighed and looked at Pond, who was watching them with a blank stare.

“Alright, Pond,” Joe said, turning to him with a smirk. “Looks like you’re up. Take my little nong around town, will you?”

Pond scoffed, sitting up with a glare. “Huh? No way. Why should I take him? I’m not going.”

Joe rolled his eyes, walking over to give Pond a playful smack on the back of the head. “Quit being stubborn. He’s bored out of his mind, and you’re not doing anything useful anyway.”

Pond clenched his teeth, throwing his hands up in surrender. “Fine! I’ll take him,” he muttered, clearly irritated.

Joe turned back to Phuwin with a smile, ruffling his hair. “Okay, it’s settled then. Go with Pond, enjoy yourself. I’ll see you around soon, yeah? If not, I’ll have Gemini check on you.” He pulled Phuwin into a quick hug.

Phuwin nodded enthusiastically, the disappointment melting away. “Yes, Phi! We’ll meet soon.”

Joe chuckled before waving them off and heading out, leaving Phuwin and Pond standing awkwardly by the door. Pond gave an exaggerated sigh, standing up and pocketing his phone. “Alright,” he muttered. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

Phuwin grinned, bouncing on his heels as he followed Pond out, both of them heading out into the crisp morning air, ready for whatever the day had in store.