2

The early morning sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the industrial outskirts of Bangkok. The KM&C facility stood as an imposing silhouette, its clean, geometric lines stark against the hazy glow.

Khamron parked his car with practiced ease, stepping out into the warm air. His sketchbook was tucked under one arm, and a faint smirk played at his lips—a look that never quite gave away what he was thinking.

The facility's entrance loomed ahead, a dark glass facade that gave away nothing of what lay beyond. To Khamron, that secrecy was the most intriguing part of Kaímon. It wasn't just a project. It was a puzzle, one that demanded control and chaos in equal measure.

Inside, the air was cool, almost unnervingly so. Staff moved with quiet efficiency, their movements precise but impersonal. A man approached, clipboard in hand, his expression carefully neutral.

"Almeida," the man greeted him with a polite nod. "Your requested materials are ready for inspection."

Khamron tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening. "All in good time. First, I want to see the main workspace."

The man hesitated, clearly caught off guard, but a brief nod sent them walking deeper into the facility.

The main workspace was vast, a blend of polished metal and muted tones. It felt clinical, like a place built for precision rather than creativity. Khamron's sharp eyes swept across the space, his steps slow and deliberate.

He stopped near a set of modular panels, their curved edges catching the overhead light in an almost unnatural way.

"These," he said, his voice cutting through the quiet. "Who approved them?"

The man with the clipboard glanced nervously at the panels. "They were selected based on the design brief—"

"Then someone misread the brief," Khamron interrupted, his tone sharp but not harsh. He stepped closer, running his fingers along the edge of one panel. "The finish is too flat. It catches the wrong kind of light."

The man scribbled something on his clipboard, his expression tight. "Shall I arrange for replacements?"

Khamron's smirk returned. "Obviously. This project isn't about playing it safe. Fix it."

Moving on, he stopped near a series of structural beams that framed the workspace. The lines were solid, practical, but they lacked presence.

"These beams," Khamron said, gesturing vaguely. "Too utilitarian. They don't command attention."

The man blinked. "But they're meant to—"

"Function? Yes, I know," Khamron said, cutting him off. "But Kaímon isn't just about functionality. It's about power. Presence. These beams need to look like they're holding up the entire world, not just the ceiling."

The man made another note, clearly overwhelmed but unwilling to argue. Khamron, for his part, looked entirely at ease, his smirk widening as he moved on to the material inspection room.

The material storage area was a curated masterpiece. Rows of samples stretched across polished steel tables, their organisation almost artistic in its precision. But Khamron's eye immediately went to the flaws.

He picked up a textured panel, his fingers brushing over its surface. The texture was close to what he wanted, but the colour was off—too light, too safe.

"This one," he said, holding it up. "The tone's wrong. Midnight, not slate."

The man with the clipboard nodded, adding it to his growing list of revisions.

Khamron moved to another table, his gaze narrowing as he studied a set of metallic accents. They were sharp, aggressive, but they clashed with the softer elements of the design.

"These need to be refined," he muttered, almost to himself. "Softened. They're too rigid."

The man hesitated. "You mean—"

"I mean," Khamron said, turning to face him fully, "you need to trust my eye. Make the adjustments."

As the man scribbled furiously, Khamron's smirk returned. The chaos of Kaímon didn't bother him. If anything, it excited him.

By the time Kay and Amon returned home, the sun had long since dipped below the horizon. Their house stood on the edge of the city, its sleek design offering both privacy and comfort. Inside, the atmosphere was calm, the chaos of their workday left at the door.

"Amkarn" - Kay's other name that aligns with the family

Kay was in the kitchen, boiling water for tea. His movements were precise, almost ritualistic, as he reached for two cups. Amon leaned against the counter, watching him with a faint smirk.

"Tea again?" Amon asked, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Kay didn't look up. "Not all of us use alcohol to cope, phi."

Amon chuckled, taking one of the cups as Kay handed it to him. "And not all of us pretend tea fixes everything."

Kay shot him a look, his expression unreadable.

"You're not as funny as you think you are."

"Funny enough," Amon countered, taking a sip of his tea.

Kay stared at the faint ripples in his empty teacup, the room bathed in the warm glow of the overhead lights. The silence between him and Amon stretched longer this time—calm, but full of unspoken thoughts.

Amon glanced at his brother, his fingers tapping lazily against his cup. "You're doing it again."

Kay's gaze flicked up. "Doing what?"

Amon smirked. "Overthinking. I can see it on your face."

Kay didn't deny it, but his voice stayed level. "You're not exactly one to talk. I caught you staring at that skyline for an hour yesterday."

Amon set his cup down with exaggerated care, his tone mock-offended. "That was contemplation, not overthinking. There's a difference."

Kay huffed out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. For a moment, the lighthearted teasing masked the heaviness both of them carried.

Amon leaned back into the couch, stretching his legs. "Arisa texted earlier, by the way. She's coming over tomorrow."

Kay groaned. "Did she say why?"

"Something about a 'family update.' And Amarin wants to tag along."

Kay's lips quirked into a faint smirk. "Translation: Amarin's bored and wants someone to annoy."

Amon shrugged, his own smirk returning. "Don't say I didn't warn you. You're his favourite target."

Kay rolled his eyes. "Only because I actually respond to him."

"That's your mistake."

The banter faded into another comfortable pause. Amon studied his younger brother for a moment, his tone softening. "You know, Amkarn... you can take a break once in a while. It wouldn't kill you."

Kay looked at him, something unreadable in his expression. "And leave you to pick up the slack? That's a dangerous gamble."

Amon chuckled, though his gaze remained steady. "You'll burn out at this rate."

Kay didn't answer right away, his thoughts lingering on Kaímon—on the weight of the secrets they held. He finally pushed himself up from his chair, stretching briefly.

"I'm fine," he said. "Stop worrying."

Amon gave him a look, but didn't press further. Instead, he grabbed his cup and stood, brushing past Kay as he headed toward the kitchen.

"If you say so, Mr. Overthinker," Amon called over his shoulder.

Kay let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head as he followed.

Nightfall

Later that night, long after the lights had dimmed and the house had settled into stillness, Kay stood in his bedroom, staring out through the glass balcony doors. The city lights were distant from here—soft glimmers against the dark horizon.

He didn't know how long he had been standing there when he heard a faint knock at his door. Amon didn't wait for an invitation before stepping in, his presence calm as always.

"Can't sleep?" Amon asked.

Kay glanced at him briefly before turning back to the window. "No. Just thinking."

Amon sighed, crossing the room to stand beside him. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet hum of the night filled the space between them.

"You don't have to carry all of it, you know," Amon said finally, his tone softer than usual.

Kay didn't respond right away, his gaze fixed on the far-off glow of the city. "I'm not carrying all of it. You're here."

"You should take your own advice sometimes, you know," Kay said suddenly, his tone quieter but no less sharp.

Amon raised an eyebrow. "What advice is that?"

"Not carrying everything yourself."

Amon's smirk widened, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of something deeper. "I'll consider it. Right after you do."

Kay didn't respond immediately, but the faint curve of his lips said enough.

Amon's lips curved faintly, though his eyes betrayed his concern. "Tomorrow, we're at the KM&C site together. No distractions. No excuses."

Kay looked at him sharply. "Why?"

Amon's smirk widened slightly. "Because I'm tired of you pacing holes into the floor at night. Call it an intervention."

Kay exhaled, his shoulders loosening just a fraction. "Fine. But don't complain when you realise how much work I actually have to do."

Amon shrugged. "You can delegate some of it to me. I'm smarter, after all."

Kay shot him an unamused look, though there was a glint of humour in his eyes. "Keep telling yourself that."

The banter lingered as Amon left the room, the door closing softly behind him. Kay turned back to the balcony, the faint ache in his chest easing slightly. For all the weight he carried, Amon was right.

They would handle it.

Together.

The early hours of morning came too quickly. Before the sun had even begun to rise, Kay and Amon were already preparing for their trip to the KM&C site.

Amon leaned against the counter in the kitchen, watching Kay pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Ready to babysit Almeida?" Amon teased, his voice still rough with sleep.

Kay didn't look up. "I don't babysit. I manage."

Amon smirked. "If you say so. Just don't let him push your buttons too much today."

Kay's expression remained unreadable, though his tone was calm. "I won't. He's not the problem."

Amon raised an eyebrow, clearly curious, but didn't press the issue. Instead, he grabbed his own cup of coffee and gestured toward the door.

"Let's go. The sooner we deal with him, the sooner you can stop brooding."

Kay shot him a look, though his lips twitched faintly. "I'm not brooding."

Amon chuckled, leading the way out of the house.

As they stepped into the waiting car, the morning air was cool and still, the city just beginning to wake. The tension of the day ahead hung in the air, but for now, the quiet camaraderie between the brothers anchored them both.

Kaímon awaited.