Pravat has been strolling around the hotel's parking lot since morning with so many thoughts in mind, but he gets no relief. How can he cope when obstacles are present in all his paths in the name of Jaran? "He won't take care of Tiwa carefully, and he also won't let me be near his side. What a grumpy jerk! This tour contains many dangers. As much as it brings fame and glory, it also brings danger, but the stupid band is blinded to everything because they think that their lives aren't at risk."
He groans, soothing the space between his furrowed eyebrows. "Just like Jaran, his bandmates are all stupid, so I'm not surprised that they're all joined to form a band called 'The Prides of Music'. But they must have some brain instead of high pride. Maybe Tiwa is the target, but if he falls into any trap, not only will his life and career be in danger, but also theirs. They shouldn't forget about that."
He stops in his tracks and thinks, "Does it seem that I care for them? Nah! Not even in their dreams will anything happen like that. I care only for my baby deer and his possessions because his brother doesn't have time to take care of those when he's busy collecting trash in that stupid brain of his. Also, he's only Tiwa's brother, for the name's sake, if anyone asks me."
"So I'm thinking about something very much along the lines of what I'm thinking. What I'm thinking is that my brain won't stop supplying helpful, vivid images of possibilities. I think I need someone's help with certain things, and it must be from Tiwa's close circle. If so, who can help me?" His focus on his thoughts is so intense that he fails to notice someone approaching until their voice catches him off guard.
"My brother is searching for you there, but you're onto something here. What's the matter?" Decha, a young omega, comes into view and stands face-to-face with Pravat, crossing his arms over his chest. "I may help!" He sounds and looks like he is offering himself.
Pravat looks up suspiciously, unsure whether to trust him or not. He has always been cautious of outsiders, especially omegas like Decha, who has a reputation for being unpredictable. However, there is something in his eyes that seems genuine, a glimmer of sincerity that makes him think. After a moment of hesitation, Pravat grins and wraps an arm around Decha's shoulders. "Not you may. You must!"
Decha makes a face. He opens his mouth to make a smart retort, and then closes it again.
"That's good." Pravat hits his head against Decha's playfully and strolls back and forth, thinking how much he has let him know. He needs to line the words up before saying them. He doesn't want to put so much weight on Decha's shoulders that the omega can't balance.
After deciding everything, Pravat gives some hints about what's going on and makes sure the omega takes them in. It's necessary before Decha puts himself at some risk and faces unwanted situations. The talking goes a little longer with Decha's suggestions and mental calculations, and Pravat loses the familiar gaze on him until it burns his skin. He turns to find Tiwa, his arm dropping to his side in surprise.
Tiwa looks as beautiful as ever, with his hair tousled under his beanie from the wild wind. He is wearing his usual black jeans and band hoodie, with cute glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. As their eyes meet, something flickers across Tiwa's face, leaving Pravat wishing he could decipher what it meant.
Decha says something, but Pravat doesn't pay attention until Decha pats him on the shoulder and repeats it. "I think we can catch up later."
Pravat acknowledges with a nod before turning to see Tiwa walking with Jaran toward the car. However, Decha catches his attention once more by stepping in front of him, looking over his shoulder with raised eyebrows and a reassuring smile. "You love Tiwa, right?"
Pravat glances through his lashes with a half-smile, but he doesn't answer.
Decha smiles and nods before continuing on his way toward his bandmates to get into the car with them. He then gestures at Pravat through the window to go meet his brother as the car is getting ready to drive off. Sighing, Pravat rubs his face and rushes over to the manager to address the situation.
***
It is time for another long journey, so all bandmates clear their things in the hotel room, then hand their key cards to the receptionist and reach the parking lot with their belongings while having a pleasant conversation. It is fun and interesting, so Tiwa doesn't feel awkward. In fact, he's silently enjoying it until he finds Pravat and Decha together.
It's the first time he's seen the alpha talking with another omega without even noticing him. Noticing… Well, that's when he realizes how intimately they are strolling around with Pravat's arm around Decha's shoulders. His blood boils, and his heart drops to his stomach. He curses quietly as the other alpha's gaze flickers up at him. There is confusion—almost too much to bear—and it takes him more than a moment to drag his eyes away.
He approaches the car, wanting to get in, but something holds him back. He doesn't understand what's come over him, but he feels like he's overreacting. His poor heart pounds loudly in his chest, adding to his uncertainty. He anxiously bites his lip and curses himself for fretting over something trivial, but it doesn't ease his unease.
Hesitantly, he glances at them over his shoulder once and frowns, his fingers trembling against the handle as he stands outside. He feels lost, unsure of what to do. Groaning, he gets in the car and gives Jaran a fake smile before thinking about what's going on between Pravat and Decha again. It doesn't mean he doesn't trust the other alpha. He's just curious. Whether it's about being friendly or something?
Eventually, after some time, he soothes his mind by reassuring himself that Pravat will fill him in later on, whatever is happening, and advises himself not to fret over it. He sighs and looks out the window at the sky, where the sun is nearly setting. He hopes his life isn't always like this setting sun. Leaning back against the headrest, he shuts his eyes to quiet all his thoughts.
They reach the airport two hours before the scheduled departure of their flight. Their manager takes care of the Central Industrial Security Force guard by providing all the details while they lead them to the baggage X-ray scanning area. After checking in and getting ready to board the flight, they wait in a queue at the check-in counter to get their boarding passes.
Throughout the process, Tiwa's mind is once again plagued by Pravat and Decha's secretive conversations and gestures behind his back. He feels betrayed, and no matter how hard he tries to push those thoughts away, they only intensify. The issue lies in the fact that he doesn't actually hate Pravat, despite what he may have said before. Additionally, he struggles to express his true emotions effectively.
Finally, they are guided to their seats. Heaving a sigh, Tiwa puts his handbags in the overhead bin and sits comfortably in his seat. He then turns to his left when Jaran gives him a small smile and squeezes his hand. Just as usual, they're seated side by side.
Unconsciously, his eyes search for the other significant person in his life and see him sitting with Decha in the same row on the other side. He groans, feeling angry and experiencing an unwanted return of his headache.
The flight takes off, but his mind is still stuck on the same point. It doesn't make any sense to him. He constantly glances at them from the corner of his eye. He can't tell from this distance, but he swears Pravat's eyes are on him the entire time while he's talking to Decha. As if to say… as if he's trying to say something about him. Foolish questions start to appear and scare Tiwa. He's not exactly sure if he really wants to know the answer. It's like he wants to discuss this with Pravat and find out exactly what he's been up to.