Chapter 25

(Chan POV)

Sunday Evening - Knight Residence

Chan looked at the reflection of himself in the mirror thoroughly, and if he may say so himself, he looked pretty damn good. His favorite tailored black pinstripe three-piece suit fit him perfectly, he shaved, slicked back his hair, and even put on his oxford shoes. Chan hoped his looks for tonight were in accordance with the theme of the party that Porsche and Kinn were hosting at the Moonlight (Musical Night!). The last thing he wanted to do was to put shame on his date, who would - Chan had no doubt whatsoever - look flawless (has Tankhun ever looked less than perfect?)

Nah, Chan snorted, never! Moreover, Tankhun was the type of person who still looked bloody amazing even though he was wearing a sack. So, chances that he could look bad was close to none. How the Captain wished that he would be the first person that saw Tankhun's appearance for tonight before other people in the Moonlight had a chance (possessive much?), but he didn't want to be on Tankhun's bad side for being too demanding. That was the main reason why he didn't want to press Tankhun to change his mind when the Doctor insisted Chan didn't need to pick him up in his message last night.

To be honest, Chan still felt a bit worried about tonight. Because, this was their first meeting after that unpleasant dinner. And despite the civilized tone of the messages that exchanged between them, when Chan and the boys competed out of town, Chan fully realized things at dinner that particular night, weren't what he expected. After five days of receiving cold treatment from Tankhun, Chan truly hoped that dinner would lighten the mood. He even expected Tankhun would tell him, in more detail, what really made him act like that toward him. Was it really just guilt? Or could there be any other reason? Something that could make Chan more optimistic, perhaps?

Don't you think you did enough damage from expecting too much, Chan Knight?

Chan let out a long sigh. If only he kept his mouth shut or at least didn't mention how he missed Tankhun, or that hug and kiss in the locker room. He should have been more patient and able to restrain himself better. Chan still remembered clearly Tankhun's awkward expression that night.

Stupid, stupid… Ugh!

However, after spending a few days scrutinizing thoroughly about things that happened at dinner, Chan couldn't help but think what occurred right after the incident were also quite confusing and intriguing. Why did Tankhun suddenly bring up the jacket issue? And why would Tankhun connect the issue of him giving Tankhun his jacket - Chan only wanted to see Tankhun wearing something of his and it was glorious! - to his ex and that traitorous snake!?

Chan's fists clenched automatically as soon as Peter got into the picture. Now that he knew all about Anna's ugly sides that were absolutely rotten, the Captain didn't give a damn about her betrayal anymore. But Peter was his friend , they had known each other long before Anna came into Chan's life, long before the fame and everything. Chan was the one who helped him when he-

Enough! Stop wasting your time on that ungrateful bastard! Focus on Tankhun!

Yet, just this once, Chan couldn't do it. And the reason was not because he didn't want to forget about that two-faced hypocrite, but because as Chan recalled, somehow Tankhun's mood that night became so much worse after Chan mentioned Peter's name. Something that was really odd, because obviously, Tankhun didn't know Peter. So, what was the reason?

Unless ...

NO! Really? No way! It's impossible!

But… that's the only explanation that makes sense...

Suddenly the alarm that Chan had set for tonight on his cellphone rang. It was already 8 pm, he had better leave now if he wanted to make it on time. Chan grabbed his car keys and got the hell out of his room in a hurry.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Tankhun POV)

Sunday Evening - the Moonlight

Tankhun looked at his reflection in the mirror meticulously, and if he may say so himself, well… Did he really need to spell it out? Of course, he looked fa~bulous and fierce! Tankhun always paid attention to his appearance - H to T even on a daily basis. And now… when he was on a mission like this? Oh, please… *insert the biggest smirk GIF here*

For what it's worth, Tankhun was glad he decided to be honest with Porsche about his feelings. His brother-in-law really helped Tankhun to decide his next step. Outsiders might see him as a decisive person (and he was), but ever since Ma died, all the decisions he made were in the best interest of his younger siblings, even though neither of them knew or even demanded it. The first thing that came into Tankhun's mind - every time - was whether Kim and Kinn weren't being neglected if he took this extracurricular at school, or joined that science camp somewhere far from home, or went away for the weekend with his boyfriend at university. Apparently, habit of fifteen years (hey, that's half of his life!) was hard to break. After years of always (consciously or not) putting the interests of others first in his every action, Tankhun didn't expect it to be so difficult to start thinking purely for his own sake. Porsche and Kinn were right, it is time.

"P', just focus on P'Chan. There's no need to waste time and energy thinking about Anna or anyone else. They don't matter."

"That simple?"

"Yes! Most people's biggest mistake is to exaggerate things and make them complicated. Don't be like that, P'. It is time."

"The stake is my heart, Porsche. Of course I have to think."

"But NOT overthinking. You like him, you want him, do something to get him. It's that simple, P'."

"O~H, so to follow your formula that you just told me, I'll just go to Chan's house right this moment, fully naked under the long coat and then seduced him, is that it?"

"No~~ that's too slutty, P'!"

"Shut up!"

"Hahahahaha!"

"Stop laughing!"

"Ouch! Wait, P', wait~ I have an idea… Theme party?"

"I'm listening…"

Tankhun looked at his reflection in the mirror once again. A determined smile etched on his face.

Be brave, Tankhun Theerapanyakul.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Chan POV)

Sunday Evening - the Moonlight

"Hey, P'Chan~ you made it! And look so dashing," greeted Porsche, his smile so radiant. "Niii~~~"

"Welcome, P'," added Kinn, whose smile was no less radiant than his husband who stood beside him. "Drinks and snacks are ready inside, it's going to be a spectacular night. Enjoy, P'!"

Was this just in his imagination, or had Porsche really nudged Kinn gently just now? Thought Chan as he stepped into the jazz club. There was something the two of them were hiding from him. Hm…

Oh, wow~

Chan looked around him in awe. He really liked the vintage vibes displayed in tonight's decoration, the Moonlight really looks like a jazz club in the 70's. Immediately, Chan's eyes started searching for Tankhun's tall and slender body, but he was nowhere to be found.

Has he arrived yet?

Initially, Chan intended to sit on one of the stools at the bar, but Porsche suddenly appeared beside him and steered him to a table right in front of the stage.

"P'Chan, we have prepared this special table for you and P'," said Porsche.

"Thank you, Porsche," replied Chan. "But, umh, where's Tankhun? Has he come yet? I haven't seen him and he hasn't replied to my text."

Chan bombarded Porsche with questions, but the owner of the jazz club seemed to have no intention of answering any of his questions. Very weird! Instead he gave a sign to one of the servers, who then came to his table bringing a glass of Cosmo and a single shot of Macallan.

"Enjoy the show, P'," said Porsche, again smiling radiantly. "It'll begin soon."

"But, Porsche, where's-"

Porsche didn't even let him finish his question and left Chan alone, standing by his table, just like that.

What the Fuck!?

The lights inside the Moonlight began to dim and the lights on the stage lit up. Chan sat down right away and took a sip of his Cosmo to calm himself down. Porsche and Kinn acted really strange tonight.

"Ladies and Gentlemen... Welcome to the Moonlight. The opening act for tonight, a sexy little number from "Chicago"!"

The iconic intro to "All that Jazz" filled the room, as well as the loud cheers from the people in the Moonlight. The stage spotlight illuminated a slender figure on the center of the stage with its back to them. The focus of everyone in the room, including Chan, automatically was on the said figure, who slowly began to rotate and walk towards the viewer to the sexy rhythm of the intro. Chan, who was right in front of the stage, was jolted and stunned in his seat. He couldn't believe his eyes.

T-TANKHUN!?

TBC