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Something inside Bison's heart broke and it was so painful that he thought he was going to pass out. Tears fell on his cheeks and he felt like no air was running through his lungs. As he watched the guy who had managed to steal his heart talking with the police guy from the benefit, Bison realized that everything had been a lie. It was all fake and even if he mostly felt devastated, he also felt dumb for falling for it. It took him a few minutes to compose himself and then, he went away. Once he reached the house, he pulled out his phone.

"Fadel... it's really them... they are the snitches."

And then, he broke down completely... screaming of rage... crying in pain... and destroying everything he could get his hands on. His eyes fell on the trophee... the one he won at the bowling alley... the one from his dance with Kant. He grabbed it and stormed out of the house. He went to one of their lairs... one that was abandonned... and he started a fire in a baril. And then, he threw the trophee in the baril, watching it burn, feeling dead inside. Fadel arrived at that moment.

"Come on then... say it! Say you told me so! I'm ready to hear it."

"What would that do?"

"I'm responsible for this all mess. Even for Style... because I'm the one who asked Kant to find a way to get you out of the way!"

"You hired him?"

"No, I didn't! But it was my idea. Fadel... I'm sorry!"

"I'm your brother... and you do this to me?"

"I... I wanted to see you happy. I wanted you to be in love!"

"Well, look around, dumbass! Look what love does to you! I don't need anyone to tell me how to live my life! I already have Khun Mae doing that."

"I'm sorry. I'll handle everything. This is my fault to begin with so this is my responsibility."

"I'll make you pay for that later but, for now, we're in the same boat. We need to take care of them first."

"We have to kill them."

"Yes... but not now. I want them to suffer. They fooled us... they made us fall for them... so I say we return the favor : I want them to be fooled too... I want them to suffer too... and when we end them, I want them to be head over heels in love with us so they can feel the pain we're feeling now. The question is... when that time comes, will you be ready to pull the trigger?"

"I feel like I'm dying... I want him dead!"

"Good. Let's get moving then. We need to act like nothing happened so get yourself together, Bison!"

"Right."

And that's when it happened : Bison was following Fadel out of the hideout when he suddenly felt faint and he passed out. When he regained consciousness, he was at the hospital and Fadel was watching over him.

"What happened?"

"You fainted. I drove you to the hospital. You woke up briefly in the car but it was just to throw up before you passed out again. They did some tests : they should come back soon with the results."

"Damnit! I hope this is just the aftershock of the betrayal and that I didn't catch some kind of virus... because I can't afford to be sick right now."

The doctor entered the room five minutes later.

"Khun Bison... I see you're awake. How are you feeling?"

"Weak and dizzy."

"Quite normal in your condition."

"Condition?" Asked Fadel.

"Oh shit! I really caught something, didn't I?"

"Well... I wouldn't say "caught" exactly but yes... you have something. I gather you didn't know?"

"Know what?"

"You're pregnant."

The silence is the room couldn't have been heavier : Bison and Fadel's eyes were wide... looking at the doctor like he had just said the stupidest thing ever.

"That can't be!" screamed Bison.

"Bison... protections?" Asked Fadel.

"Damn right we did! Every single time! Kant may be a snitch but he's a responsible guy when it comes to sex."

"Well... one of those condoms must have broken then," said the doctor. "You're definitely pregnant. I'm taking you to have an ultrasound, Khun... so we can see how far along you are and if everything is okay."

Bison walked inside the ultrasound room like a zombie : he was still in denial. Fadel sat next to him, feeling anxious.

"Right... this is your baby... it looks healthy... I would say about 10 weeks... does that sound plausible?"

"That's the first night," said Bison. "The one after the bowling alley... the one that was supposed to be a one-night stand. How come I didn't have any symptom until now?"

"Sometimes you don't. Women usually realize pregnancy early because of lack of periods and stuff... but there's no such thing for men so it can go unnoticed longer."

"This is a disaster," whispered Fadel, shaking his head.

"This is so unfair," said Bison, closing his eyes.

"Hmm... does that mean you wish to terminate this pregnancy?"

"I... er... I don't know... er... how long do I have to decide?"

"The limit is 20 weeks, Khun. In the meantime, I would advise you to take it easy for a while : whether you decide to keep it or to have an abortion, your body needs rest for now... so don't overdo it!"

When they went back to the house, Bison had a fit of tears and he cried himself to sleep in Fadel's arms. Once Bison was settled in his bedroom, Fadel took out his phone.

"Keen... we need to talk... something happened... come to the house... and please... not a word to Khun Mae!... I'm ready to beg you on my knees if I have to... because despite everything, you're our brother."

When Keen arrived, half an hour later, the usual smirk on his face was replaced by curiosity. Fadel gave him a beer and they sat down in the living-room.

"This is awkward," said Keen.

"I know. I hesitated a lot before calling you. But then, I realized I didn't have a choice."

"What happened?"

"The police being at the benefit wasn't a coincidence, Keen : we were snitched on."

"So Khun Mae was right : you really let something slip."

"No, we didn't. But still... this is our fault... because we were fooled."

"I'm listening."

"Bison got hooked... and I did too. They barged into our life with a bang and we weren't ready for that. I was suspicious at first... I knew it was too good to be true... but eventually, I mellowed. They got us good."

"Police informants?"

"So it seems. Bison took it hard... harder than me... and when we decided to solve the problem ourselves, he passed out and I had to take him to the hospital. He's upstairs now... sleeping... and since he can't be stressed more than he already is, I didn't think it would be good for him to confront you."

"What?"

"He's pregnant."

"Shit!"

"Yeah... that was my reaction too. Pregnant by a snitch whose mission it is to arrest him... this is like a Korean drama!"

"Is it too late for an abortion?"

"No... there's still time. But let's be honest : you and I both know that Bison will never do that. We're orphans, Keen... we grew up without our real parents and the woman who adopted us made us criminals. I know you love her more than Bison and I do... and that you crave for her recognition... but I think you're smart enough to know that it's never gonna happen. We're just her pawns, Keen... for her own aspiration... and I think you've started to realize that yourself."

"She raised us."

"Yeah... to become hitmen. Good parenting! Keen... aren't you tired of being her lackey? I could be wrong but, lately, you look wary of her. Did something happen?"

"I found someone too. But contrary to your snitches, mine is genuine."

"Good for you. I thought I had that but it turned out to be a lie."

"You're talking about the guy from before, right? Not the snitch?"

"You know about him?"

"Of course I do. Like you said... I'm smart... so I can find out anything. But Fadel..."

"What?"

"That guy didn't leave you."

"Huh?"

"You're right : I'm wary of her now that I have someone special in my life... because I'm afraid she'll do the same thing with mine as she did with yours."

"No... she didn't!"

"Yes... she did. Putting a hit on a normal guy is easy for her. And before you ask... no, I didn't do that myself. She knew I would never agree in the first place."

"Then why didn't you tell me before now?"

"At that time, I was still resentful. It's always been easy for you and Bison to have her approval when I had to struggle for her to look my way. Stupid, really... considering she never thought of us as her sons. You've realized it, haven't you?"

"I don't think Bison have : he was acting like a lovesick teenager and his mind was focused on that snitch. But after we found our families' files in that fucker's office and after Khun Mae let slip that she already knew about it, I wondered why she didn't tell us sooner."

"I've been wondering about that too. A guy like Ruerat can't be so dumb as to let such incriminating evidence lying around. I believe she planted those files on purpose for the time you would rummage Ruerat's office. As for my parents' file, I found it on her computer."

"Really?"

"Yeah... alongside various evidence of her past criminal activities."

"We always knew she must have been a hitwoman before. We just assumed she was targetting bad guys like we are. Instead, it looks like she's the one who killed our parents... all of our parents... on behalf of that piece of trash!"

"Yeah... most likely. I was about to look for more evidence when you called."

"Where is she?"

"Probably sucking up to Senator Suthasini's wife. She aims to enter Parliament."

"Not surprising. Keen... the police are on to us because of those snitches : it's only a matter of time before they arrest us. And since Bison won't have the heart to kill either his baby or the other father, we have to make a run for it. That's why I called : you need to do what's necessary to finish this, Keen. Ruerat, Khun Mae, those snitches... it's up to you to deal with the situation accordingly. If you want to have a normal life with that guy, you can't keep being that woman's lackey."

"I know. Give me all the informations you have on them : I'll assess the situation. And with the evidence I have on Khun Mae, she's going down. Don't disappear without a trace from me, Fadel : like you said... we're brothers. I may have resented you and Bison for having that woman's recognition before, but now that we know her true colors, the resentment is gone. Does that make me a hypocrite?"

"No... I feel the same way. We'll keep in touch. Take care of yourself."

Four years later, London, England.

Fadel was flipping burgers and waiting on customers as usual. The restaurant he had managed to open with Bison in the English capital was very popular, especially since it was located not far from Oxford University. They had a lot of students coming to grab a bite between classes. The door opened suddenly and before Fadel could register what was happening, a fiery little boy rushed to him and jumped into his arms.

"Uncle Fadel! Me hungry! Me want burger!"

"Alright... but you have to eat one with veggies today."

"No veggies! No good! Me no like!"

"I wonder why."

"Fadel... don't force him," said Bison, joining them. "It's useless. We've been trying for years to get him to eat vegetables and it always ends up the same."

"Yeah... on the floor or in my face."

"Uncle Fadel... no veggies please!"

"Alright... alright. Go sit at the table, Anuel."

Fadel went to the kitchen to make a burger for his nephew and when he came back with it, the little boy started eating happily. Bison frowned.

"Where's mine?"

"It's been four years. You can do that yourself now."

"Yeah... but I like yours better."

"How was school today?"

"The same as any other day : Anuel got teased for being of Asian descent and he beat up the bully."

"I'm so proud."

"Yeah... me too. But it starting to become a problem with the other parents. I had a talk with some of them : they understand it's not Anuel's fault but they don't appreciate this "unecessary violence". We may have to change school again."

"Hopefully one where the spoiled English brats don't pick on Anuel for being Thai."

"Or for having just one papa and one uncle. A kid asked him where was his mama again."

"Right... that too. Damn! He just started school and this is our third change already!"

"Maybe... er... it's just a thought I've had lately but... don't you think maybe it's time to go back to Thailand?"

"And risk being arrested? Remember what Keen said! That woman may be in jail but the captain is not to be trusted."

"But... I mean... like you said, it's been four years. After so much time, maybe that freaking captain forgot about us."

"I'm not taking any chances, Bison. We have to be sure... especially considering Anuel."

"I know. Anyway, I'm hungry : how about that burger?"

"Spoiled little brother!"

When Fadel returned from the kitchen, he had made a burger for Bison and one for himself too. They sat together, eating as a family. Fadel was tending to some customers when a scream echoed in the restaurant. Bison and Fadel looked up : a group of students standing in the doorway... and one of them looked overly familiar.

"Babe!" Screamed Bison.

"P'Bison! You're here! Oh my God! This is unbelievable!"

"Is that..." said Fadel.

"Yeah... that's Kant's brother. Babe... what are you doing here? In England, I mean."

"I'm an exchange student at Oxford, P'! I couldn't get a scholarship for the whole program but they agreed to let me spend senior year in England. Have you been here the whole time?"

"No. We went to my place first... my parents' house at the seaside. We only came here after I... er... shit!... this is not how I wanted him to find out."

"What?" Asked Babe.

"Papa... man speak Thai... papa friend?"

Babe looked at the little boy with wide eyes and then, he gasped and covered his mouth.

"Oh my God! Really?"

"Yeah. This is Anuel. Baby... this is your uncle Babe."

"Dada brother?"

"Yes. Please don't tell him, Babe! I want to do it myself but I... yeah... some stuff happened and we had to leave and I didn't... yeah... it's complicated."

"If you're referring to what I think, there's no need to speak in riddle."

"You know?"

"Of course I do! That dreadful woman came after me after all!"

"Huh?" Asked Fadel.

"I don't think you want to have this conversation here... even if no one can understand us."

"How about you sit with your friends to have dinner?" Said Bison. "We'll talk afterwards."

An hour later, when Babe's friends left, Fadel and Bison closed the restaurant and they went back home with Anuel and Babe. Bison put Anuel to bed and waited until he was asleep. And then, he joined Fadel and Babe in the living-room.

"You're all grown up, Babe! How old are you now?"

"I'll be 21 soon."

"Time flies. Are you studying Literature?"

"Yes. I'll be a writer after I graduate."

"Good for you. How's Kant doing?"

"Drunk out of his ass most of the time but he manages. You know... I really resented you before... for leaving without a trace... making my brother miserable. I couldn't understand what happened. And then... yeah... everything became clear when that wicked woman made her move."

"What happened?" Asked Fadel.

"How much do you know?"

"Just what Keen told us," said Bison. "He delivered all the evidence against Lilly and Ruerat to that captain and he assessed everything concerning Kant and Style before leaving himself. He told us that the situation didn't require killing them but he didn't tell us why."

"Because P'Kant was coerced by the captain : he was blackmailed."

"Blackmailed?" Asked Fadel.

"The captain promised to erase his criminal file... you know... stealing cars... if he'd get evidence on you two. If P'Kant had refused, he would have ended up in jail and I would have been alone."

"Keen was right," said Bison, sighing. "That freaking captain is not to be trusted."

"On the other hand, P'Style didn't know anything until P'Fadel agreed to date him : that's when P'Kant told him who he was up against."

"Right..." said Fadel. "That's why he was suddenly acting weird."

"Also, believe it or not, the first meeting was a total coincidence... whether P'Kant and P'Bison's encounter at the bowling alley or P'Style and P'Fadel's text-driving incident. The captain contacted P'Kant only the day after that night. Destiny is something weird but as a writer, I find it fascinating."

"I bet," said Bison.

"Anyway... P'Kant was kind of hogtied. But he realized very early on that he was hooked and he tried to negociate with the captain. He brought him evidence... things he found at your house... you know... that night you were at the bowling alley and I called pretending to be bullied. He didn't tell me why he needed me to lie at the time : I found out later. But, even with those evidence, the captain insisted for him and P'Style to stay close and find more proof. I think that's when P'Kant realized he liked you more than he should have. He told the captain... in an attempt to stop everything... but that freaking captain told him to get over himself and to be professional. P'Kant said the captain didn't believe you guys were capable of leniancy and that you were going to kill them without a second thought if they were busted as informants."

"Yeah... because hitmen don't have feelings, right?" Said Fadel, shaking his head.

"That captain is obviously ignorant when it comes to love," assured Babe. "After everything was over, I slapped him... first, for using me to blackmail P'Kant... and second, for denying my brother the right to love... because I thought it was his fault you guys left. But now... I'm thinking that maybe you left for another reason."

"I felt betrayed... I was devastated... I was ready to kidnap and confront him... and I was even considering killing him... dropping him into the ocean and letting him drown... and then... yeah... pregnancy reveal. Suddenly, nothing else mattered."

"We had to leave because Lilly would never have accepted that child," said Fadel. "She would have forced Bison to abort and she would have make sure Kant was eliminated."

"Yeah... like she tried to do to P'Style when the news reached her."

"Huh?" Asked Fadel.

"What's that about?" Asked Bison. "I thought that woman was in jail... Keen said so!"

"She was arrested but she didn't stay in jail," said Babe. "She made a lot of connections throughout the years and she was released because some people bribbed the captain and the judge. When P'Kant found out, he went ballistic : he said it had been all for nothing and he trashed the captain, threatening to expose him for bribery. Because in addition to taking bribes, he was also giving some... like to the headmaster at my school for instance... you know... to make sure his son's grades were always above average and that he could be accepted to a good university."

"Who said the police was exemplary nowadays?" Asked Fadel, shaking his head.

"So, when that Lilly woman got out, she was desperate to find her sons... her three sons who had mysteriously vanished. And after a little investigation, she found out about P'Kant and P'Style. She kidnapped me and P'Style's father in order to lure P'Kant and P'Style. She thought they knew where you went and she used us to pressure them. But she made a mistake... she was careless : she didn't think too much of them so she handled everything by herself, without any back-up. And when she started making threats against us... saying that she was going to kill us if they didn't spill their guts about your whereabouts, P'Kant snapped and he shot her in the leg."

"Huh?" Asked Bison.

"Kant shot Lilly?" Asked Fadel. "Like... really?"

"Yeah. I didn't even know he owned a gun. I guess he found it at your place after you were gone. Anyway, while P'Kant was keeping Lilly in aim, P'Style released his father and I. And before we left that awful place, P'Style slapped her, warning her never to come after his dad again. Unfortunately for him, the news of his condition reached that woman a few days later and she decided to solve the problem : she shot him while he was at the garage."

"Shit!" Said Bison.

"Is he..." said Fadel.

"No... he's fine... just a graze on the arm... six stitches."

"The former hitwoman missed her shot?" Asked Bison. "That's embarrassing."

"She didn't miss : it was on purpose."

"Why would she wound him on purpose?" Asked Fadel.

"I'll get to that later. Anyway, after that, P'Kant and P'Style realized that, as long as the woman was still alive, none of us could live peacefully. The police was useless, they didn't trust the captain and your other brother had vanished. So, they asked that rotten man who had your families killed."

"They asked Ruerat for contacts in order to have Lilly killed?" Asked Fadel.

"Since he was the one who hired her in the first place, P'Kant and P'Style thought that maybe he had other contacts they could use. And since he was busted as a criminal because of her, he didn't hesitate to help them : he said it was a pride thing. Apparently, people who are in jail, if they were powerful enough beforehand, can still pull a few strings."

"No kidding!" Said Bison.

"By the way... thank you for trying to kill him that night : if you had waited any longer, instead of getting a scholarship for College like I thought he was gonna give me, I probably would have been sold to some sick people. I still can't believe that man was a child trafficker!"

"Yeah," said Fadel. "Sorry for shooting at you : I didn't see you."

"It's okay, P'! P'Bison got me out of the way so it doesn't matter."

"So..." said Bison... "that means... she's dead, right?"

"Yeah. She was found lifeless in her dining room : no fingerprints except her own, no evidence of another person's presence and poison in her glass. They ruled it as a suicide."

"Serves her right!" Assured Fadel.

"Still... I would have liked to kill her myself," said Bison.

"P'Kant said the same thing. But P'Style said they couldn't stoop to her level and that they should let professionals handle it. After the announcement of her death, we all went to the burger house to celebrate."

"Burger house?" Asked Fadel. "That crazy ass Style kept the restaurant?"

"He said it was yours and that he had to make sure it was still standing for the time when you'll return. P'Bison... P'Fadel... I know you must have felt betrayed back then... but I want you to know that, even if it started as a job, they never faked their feelings. When P'Keen confronted them, basically telling them that you knew the truth, they broke down completely and they spent days looking for you in order to explain themselves. And then... well... they had to face the truth : you were gone and probably never coming back. At least, that's what P'Kant believes and that's why he's regularly getting drunk. As for P'Style, he's been handling everything like a champ : he's convinced that you'll be back someday."

"Really?" Asked Fadel.

"He has to stay positive, P'Fadel... for his children's sake."

"WHAT?" Screamed Bison.

"Anuel came as a shock for you, P'Bison, but P'Style had an even bigger shock!"

"He was..." said Fadel.

"That's why the wretched woman snapped," assured Babe. "We all thought she shot him because she wanted him and the babies dead. But in fact, it was meant as a warning : somehow, in her crazy mind, she was picturing herself raising his children. She probably would have raised them like she raised you."

"Over my dead body!" Screamed Fadel.

"I am SO glad I left," said Bison. "We were wrong, Fadel : she wouldn't have forced me to get an abortion. Instead, she would have killed Kant and I and raised my baby to become a hitman. I feel like throwing up."

"Children... two of them?" Asked Fadel.

"Yeah... twins... a boy and a girl... Tyl and Del. P'Style said conception date must have been the abandonned warehouse since it was the only time you guys did it without a condom."

"No condom, Fadel?" Asked Bison. "Really? Who was the one making sure we always had supplies at the house?"

"Well... shit happens," said Fadel. "What did he... er... I mean... do they know about me?"

"They know everything... minus the hitman business of course. What about Anuel?"

"I was angry at Kant for being a snitch," said Bison. "But I'm an orphan and I grew up without a father so I was not going to deny him that. He knows too : like you said, everything minus the hitman business."

"I'm an uncle... a real one this time... that's so cool! Please don't wait too long before telling P'Kant : with any luck, this could put his head back into place before he drinks himself to death or starts rehab."

"Fadel..."

"Yeah... you were right earlier : I think it's time for us to go back to Thailand."

"Is that freaking captain really unable to move against us?" Asked Bison.

"He knows he's done for if he lifts a finger," assured Babe. "P'Kant kept all the evidence against him and his criminal file has been destroyed. When they arrested Lilly, none of you was mentioned : they managed to make her take the blame alone. There is no proof against you... because P'Kant erased everything afterwards... and since she never legally adopted you, there's nothing that can link you to her. Your other brother erased everything before leaving... making sure people never know she had adoptive sons. Captain Chris is the only one who knows the truth and he's hogtied. You're safe, P's! Now, before you go back to Thailand, I demand at least a week : I need some quality time with my nephew!"

A month later, Fadel, Bison and Anuel arrived in Thailand. They settled at Bison's parents' place first... just to get reacquainted with the climate and to spend time with the caretaker Bison had known all his life... who was more than happy to have his young master back. And then, they went back to Bangkok... to the house where they used to live before... the house that was gifted to Kant and Style. Babe told them Lilly's company went to another big wig and that all of her properties... like the hideouts they often used in the past... had been sold. Apparently, Keen didn't do things halfway before leaving : he made sure all the paperwork was done properly... whether it was for the house or the restaurant. Style was still working at the garage but since he couldn't possibly live there with his children, the house came as a salvation. And as soon as Babe was in College... living in a dorm... Kant left the house and the tattoo studio behind : it was a rental place to begin with and it was too big for him alone. Instead, he moved into the house with Style and his kids and he rented a little studio for his tattoo activity. As they were standing in front of the house, feeling uneasy, Anuel looked at the house in awe.

"Papa... nice house... big... papa and uncle Fadel house?"

"Sort of," said Bison.

"Dada and uncle Style live house?"

"Yes," said Fadel. "Are you ready to meet them?"

"Yes... me want see dada. We knock?"

"We don't need to, baby" assured Bison. "We have a key."

Bison took a breath and reached for the key he had kept all this time. The gate opened and they walked inside the property. The lawn looked the same... except for the swings and slides. And when they reached the front door, they came face to face with two little kids who were probably going out to play. The kids froze and looked at them with wide eyes. Fadel froze and broke into tears. And then, both kids screamed.

"Dada!"

They rushed to Fadel and jumped into his arms, cuddling him to death. A few seconds later, Style came out of the house : his mouth was open and his eyes were teary.

"Fadel..."

"Hey... I'm back."

Style let out a laugh and he joined in on the family hug. Anuel watched the scene with raised eyebrows.

"Uncle Fadel cry... sad?"

"No, baby," assured Bison. "He's very happy... because he found his family."

"Family... uncle Style and cousins?"

"That's right!"

"Cousins..." said Style, who had just noticed Anuel... "that boy... no fucking way!"

"Please don't swear in front of kids, Style," said Bison.

"Papa always bad words!" Assured the little girl, Del.

"Papa bad mouth... uncle Kant and grandpa say!" Assured the little boy, Tyl.

"Why am I not surprised?" Said Fadel, shaking his head.

"Indeed... why?" Asked Style. "You cried but you don't look too shocked. You already knew?"

"Only since last month... when Babe stormed into our burger house in London."

"Damn! What are the odds? So... you guys left not because you were afraid of being arrested but because Bison got knocked up?"

"You can say that," assured Bison. "But being arrested was not an option either."

"Uncle Style! Me Anuel! Dada where?"

"Dada who?" Asked Tyl.

"Boy who?" Asked Del.

"Del... Tyl... this boy is apparently your cousin. His papa is your uncle Bison over here... and his dada is your uncle Kant."

"Uncle Kant no here!" Assured Del. "Work tattoo!"

"Uncle Kant no know he dada?" Asked Tyl.

"No, he doesn't know," said Style. "Just like your dada didn't know about you until last month. Let's get inside! Dada, uncle Bison and Anuel had a long trip : they need to rest... and also see how we arranged the house. Bison... wait till you see what Kant did with that secret room where you guys used to work on those... er... things."

The first thing Fadel noticed when he went inside was that the kids had taken over the place where he used to relax before : now, it was an indoor playground. While the kids were getting to know each other, Style made coffee for everyone. Curiosity got the best of Fadel and Bison and they went straight to the basement... to the room where they used to work on their hits. When they walked inside, they froze solid. Fadel chuckled and turned around, shaking his head, while Bison bursted into laughter. Style smirked.

"Told you!"

"I can't believe he did that," assured Bison.

"That's the only thing that kept him going these last years : more than the playgrounds for the kids, he became obssessed with the one for you. And before you ask... no, the kids are not allowed to go in there. Make sure you warn Anuel : you wouldn't want him to see those things, would you?"

"No... not really."

"So... you guys were in England with no clue about what was going on here?"

"If I knew, I would have come back and killed that wretched woman myself," said Fadel.

"Kant said Bison would probably be the one most disappointed to not have killed her."

"Yeah... I would have like that," said Bison. "Is it true what Babe said?"

"About what?"

"About Kant being in a drunken stupor all day long."

"That's a bit of an exageration. He never drinks during the day... or in this house because of the kids. He just goes out after office hours to let loose. And not every day... only every now and then. Babe is just a worrywart."

"Really?" Asked Bison. "Because I don't need him drunk for his first meeting with Anuel."

"Trust me : if Kant was wasted every day, I would have forbidden him to ever come near my kids and I would have confiscated his equipment because... really... what person in their right mind would let a drunk tattoo people? You know... with needles and stuff!"

"Fair enough," assured Bison.

"He got a new tattoo since you left... on his heart... a little penguin. Is there something I should know? Because he refuses to tell me what that's about."

"I'm keeping my mouth shut," assured Bison, smiling tenderly.

"Bummer. Oh well... nevermind. How about I show you mine instead?"

"You got that car tattoo you wanted?" Asked Fadel.

"No... the car tattoo will come later. There were two others I really wanted before that one."

Style removed his shirt for Bison and Fadel to see the works of art on his skin. The first tattoo was on his chest... Tyl and Del's names entwined with a burger. And the second one... on the lower stomach... was the perfect carbon copy of the one Fadel had at the exact same place. Fadel smirked.

"Lack of inspiration or sentimental memento?"

"A little bit of both. I missed you, babe."

"Weirdly... I did too."

"I can't wait for you to get to know Tyl and Del! They were desperate to meet you."

"Who do they take after?" Asked Bison.

"Tyl is my father's heir : he's obssessed with cars just like I am and spending time with my father at the garage is what he likes the most. But he has a brooding behaviour and a sour face that resembles his dada's. As for Del... well... don't be fooled by the angelic face she inherited from me : she's the one in charge and she makes sure everyone knows it. She told James off once."

"Who the hell is James?" Asked Fadel.

"Are you talking about Kant's ex?" Asked Bison.

"He resurfaced : when he heard that you were gone, he tried to force his way back into Kant's life. One day, when we were at the bowling alley... yes, we taught them how to bowl... the creep arrived and he started to make a fool out of himself. Del dropped her baby bowling ball on his foot and then, she pinched him, telling him... and I quote : "uncle Kant no like you... you bad man... you go now!"... end of quote."

"Good girl!" said Bison.

"And she's learning to cook because she wants to make burgers like her dada. So... yeah... a little bit of Fadel in both of them but Del is probably the one who takes after him the most. Is Anuel a fury like Bison or does he have Kant's peaceful temper?"

"He's a menace," assured Fadel. "Kids who pick on him are regularly beaten and everything he wants, he gets... unless you want him to throw a temper tantrum."

"But there is a few things he gets from Kant," said Bison.

"Anuel... that's an unusual name. Where does it come from?"

"The German philosopher, Immanuel Kant," said Bison.

"Damn! You were pissed and considered killing him but you still named your baby after him?"

"Yeah... somehow, I never could hate him."

"What happened to your other brother? We haven't seen him or heard from him since he came to the garage with the paperwork for the house and the restaurant."

"Keen and Thanon are in Singapore," said Fadel, "managing a company that's gonna make them richer than Lilly ever was. We're calling that "the ultimate payback". I really hope Keen didn't know in what condition you were before he left... because if he knew and didn't tell me, I'm gonna kick his ass!"

"He left once he thought everything was settled... with Ruerat and Lilly in jail and with all the paperwork done. I only found out I was pregnant after... when the news of that woman being out of jail reached us : I had a panic attack... which resulted in vomiting... which resulted in dizziness... which resulted in Kant taking me to the clinic. The rest is history."

"KITTY!"

The scream made everybody flinched. They looked around : Anuel was running towards a black cat.

"No kitty!" Said Del. "No baby cat! Old!"

"Del!" Said Style. "Don't be so mean : he's not that old."

"Cat name Heart!" Assured Tyl. "Uncle Kant cat!"

"This cat looks familiar for some reason," said Fadel.

"That's the one who was hanging around the diner," said Bison. "The one I used to feed and pat. That night, Kant showed me a picture and said he took him in... but I didn't think he would adopt him for real."

"After you guys vanished the first time, we were stopping by the restaurant like twice a day... in the hopes you'll resurface. Kant didn't want the cat to be left alone or to starve so he took him home. And after you were gone for good and Kant moved in with us, he brought the cat with him. He said he was sort of yours and that they should wait for you together."

"He's such a big baby," said Bison, smiling tenderly.

"Papa!" Said Anuel, running to them.

"Yes, baby?"

"Me hungry!"

"I bet."

"How about a little snack then?" Asked Style. "Do you like pancakes?"

"Yes! Yummy!"

"I'm gonna reheat the leftovers from this morning. But you have to wash your hands. Del! Tyl! Show your cousin where the bathroom is!"

The twins led Anuel to the bathroom and then, they ate their snacks. Fadel and Bison strolled around the house. Bison's room was exactly the same, except there was now Kant's clothes and belongings inside. In Fadel's room, in addition to Style's stuff, there was also a lot of toys... proving that the children were regularly spending time in there. The second floor, which was totally unused before, was now the children's rooms. After they finished snacking, Bison took all three of them to the lawn so they could play outside. Style cleared the table and started to do the dishes. Fadel came up behind him, grabbing him by the waist and putting his head on his shoulder.

"Babe... I'd rather have the reunion sex where the children can't see us."

"After all these years, you're still a perv. I thought having kids would change that."

"No... it's just a little more tame. I'm sorry, Fadel. I swear... I didn't know anything until you agreed to date me."

"I know. Babe told us everything... including why Kant was sent on our asses in the first place."

"He struggled a lot because of that. But he didn't have a choice : he had to think about Babe. As for me, I'm afraid I was in it for a car at first."

"What?"

"Kant told me to hit on you so he could be with Bison : I thought he just wanted to flirt without you being in the way. When I realized the target was that mean guy I rear-ended before, I told Kant it was out of the question. But then, he agreed to give me his car... his fabulous vintage car... if I could manage to get you."

"Really? You acted like a total fool and got on my nerves, risking for me to kill you, for a stupid car?"

"Sorry... I really love Kant's car. Speaking of cars... yours is at the garage, babe... in case you want it back."

"So... you have my house, my restaurant, my kids AND my car? Selfish much?"

"It all belongs to you... I was just the temporary keeper. Well... the kids are mine too... obviously... but since you just met them whereas I've been with them from the start, they might be exclusively yours for a few weeks. Get ready for some serious quality time with them, babe!"

"Show me."

"What?"

"The scar... from when that wretch shot you."

Style turned around and lifted his sleeve : just below the shoulder of the left arm, there was a scar. Fadel stroked it.

"That must have hurt like hell."

"Yeah... but my father took me to the hospital pretty quickly so I didn't suffer long. Can you believe that bitch shot me not because she wanted to kill me and the babies, but because she expected me to give them to her?"

"She probably realized her sons were not going to do her bidding anymore and that she needed new heirs."

"Yeah right! I would have killed her myself if she had laid a finger on them. Will I have a punishment for lying to you? Like the one Kant is probably gonna have from Bison?"

"That depends. Is that room downstairs exclusively for them or can we borrow it from time to time?"

"You'll have to ask Kant : he's the one who worked hard to make that room."

The rest of the afternoon passed peacefully : Fadel spent a lot of time with his kids, getting to know them. And then, when everyone was in the indoor playground, the front door opened and Kant walked in.

"Style! Khun Irin stopped by the studio with some clothes for the kids. There's like six bags! So move your ass and come help me!"

"DADA!"

"Huh?"

Kant turned around just in time to catch a fiery little boy in his arms. He gasped and his legs gave out from under him. His eyes went wide when he saw Bison slowly marching to him and he shed a few tears.

"Bison..."

"Hey, Kant... I'm back... and I brought you a little surprise."

"Dada... me Anuel... me want see dada much!"

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"But... we always..."

"Apparently, it's not always enough. As you may recall, that one-night stand was wild! So a broken condom is not that surprising."

"I can't believe it."

"Dada... you pretty."

"You're very pretty too."

"Me look like dada... papa say!"

"Yeah... I can see that. Would you excuse me for a minute, baby?"

Kant let go of Anuel and stood up. And then, he took Bison into a bone-crushing hug, crying on his shoulder. Bison smiled tenderly and stroked his back.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I was mad but I'm not anymore... because you didn't have a choice. And since those tears don't look fake, I know the feeling is real."

"I knew I was fucked very early on. I'm sorry : I tried to reason with that shitty captain but he wouldn't cut me any slack."

"I know. If I see him, I'm pummeling his face. We'll talk some more later : for now, please indulge Anuel... short for Immanuel... and spend some time with him."

"You named him after me even though I snitched on you?"

"Even before Keen reported back to us, saying the situation was understandable from your point of view and that killing you was not necessary, I couldn't lie to myself. No matter the lies... no matter the years... no matter the distance... it always feels the same. You nearly broke me, Kant... but I found out I was pregnant that night so that gave me the push I needed to throw everything away and to quit being that woman's pawn. So... yeah... thank you."

"I think it's time for dinner," said Style. "Kant... while we're taking care of that, why don't you chat with Anuel? Babe... I missed your burgers so you're on duty for tonight : we need seven burgers... one without veggies, please."

"Two without veggies," said Fadel.

"Huh?"

"No veggies!" Screamed Anuel. "Gross!"

"Veggies no gross," said Tyl.

"Tomato yummy," said Del.

"Me no like!" Assured Anuel.

"Really?" Asked Kant.

"I tried... Fadel tried... it's pointless," said Bison. "He threw the lettuce at Fadel's head once."

"That's funny."

"Are you really smirking at me right now?" Asked Fadel. "Remember who helped raising your son, dumbass!"

"Yeah... just like you should remember who helped raising your kids."

"Be nice to him, babe," said Style. "Especially since you want to ask him that favor we talked about earlier."

"Yeah... you're definitely still a perv."

After dinner, Anuel fell asleep in Kant's arms... and so did Bison : they ended up sleeping entwined in Kant's room. Fadel put his kids to sleep while Style was finishing cleaning. When he was done, he looked for Fadel, who was having a bath. Style smirked : he undressed and hopped in the bathtub, laying on Fadel.

"I've been dreaming of that moment."

"I bet! But considering your perverted mind, it might have been X-rated."

"Guilty as charged. For now, just having you in my arms is good enough."

"You're the one who's in my arms right now."

"I see you still have that quick wit. I missed that."

"Anything else you missed?"

"Yes... your pissed off face whenever I was teasing you. But I guess that's gone for good : I can tease you all I want, you're never telling me off again, right?"

"You're so full of yourself! You and that tattooist are lucky Bison got pregnant, you know! Because if not, we would have dealt with you accordingly."

"Rather... let's say you would have tried. Because I want to believe you wouldn't have had the heart to do that."

"Hitmen, remember?"

"Yeah... killing only bad guys and desperate for love despite having been raised by a monster. Is it true what she said? She had your ex-lover killed?"

"She told you that?"

"After we freed Babe and my father, she was pissed... and also in pain because of the gunshot wound from Kant. She screamed like a mad woman and she threw a glass against the wall. And then she said : "I got rid of one of Fadel's sluts before... I'll do it again!""

"I don't know why I was so shocked when Keen told me : I knew what kind of woman she was. She didn't want us to date to ensure we were always going to stick with her. In the end, it's my fault Fluke is dead."

"Why?"

"I told her I wanted to quit... that I met someone and that I wanted to move to the South with him. He vanished a week later. All this time, I thought he left me... and I even considered him being a spy for the police... but I didn't think it could be because of her. And now, I feel kind of dumb for never suspecting her."

"She was passing as a loving mother whose only job was to get rid of bad people. She must have told you that repeatedly... until it was engraved in your head. You were just kids conditioned to act like perfect little soldiers without ever doubting the person in charge. But she forgot about love... and that it can happen even when you least expect it."

"She didn't know what love is : the only person she ever loved was herself. Thank you... for making sure she can never hurt us or our babies again."

"Are you mad? That we went to that man? He's the one because of whom you're orphans and Kant was sick to his stomach at the mere thought of asking that asshole for help."

"It's not like you had any other choice. I would have been pissed if you had done it yourself : there's enough blood on my hands to know that I don't want you to ever go through that."

"Kant said the same thing. He said Bison would never forgive him if he stooped so low as to use his hands for killing. Because Kant's hands are meant for drawing and tattooing... and mine are meant to fix cars and to make you happy."

"See? The perversion is coming back already."

"Babe... you're in no position to say anything. Because since something is poking my back, that would make you a hypocrite."

"Fair enough."

Style turned around, his front now lying on Fadel. He grabbed his chin, licked his lips and then, he devoured his mouth. After a few minutes making out, Style stood up and started drying himself.

"That's new. You're the first one to back away. I'm shocked as hell."

"Babe... you have exactly two minutes to get your ass out of that tub and join me in our room. Because we're not having sex in here without condoms : I love my babies but I don't think we're quite ready for another one just yet."

"Point taken."

If you asked Style, passionate reunion sex was the best. He was so overwhelmed that he fell asleep, sated and happy, completely forgetting to mention a vital piece of information to Fadel. As a result, at dawn, Fadel was woken up by screaming children jumping on his bed.

"What the hell?"

"Sorry. I forgot to tell you : these little devils are early risers and they expect everyone to be the same. They always barge in at dawn... the best alarm clock ever!"

"I'm not really a sleeping in kind of person but I would have liked a couple more hours of sleep."

"I'm sorry to tell you but now that you're back, that's not gonna happen anytime soon."

"I'm afraid to ask but... naps?"

"In your dreams, babe! I gather Anuel is a late riser?"

"You have to drag him from the bed by force."

"Funny. Del... Tyl... good morning! Dada and I are awake. Why don't you try to wake your cousin?"

"Anuel sleep where?" Asked Tyl.

"In uncle Kant's room with uncle Bison."

"All still sleep?" Asked Del.

"Apparently."

"Tyl! Come! We jump uncle Kant bed!"

"Yes! All up! No sleep more!"

The wake-up call from Del and Tyl in the other room did not go accordingly for them. Kant chuckled and got up without a word... proof that he was used to it. Bison grunted and went back to sleep like nothing happened. Anuel sat up and glared at his cousins.

"Too early! Sleep!"

"No!" assured Del. "Time get up!"

"No stay bed!" Assured Tyl.

And then, Anuel pushed them off the bed, making them fall on the floor.

"You go now! Me and papa sleep lot! OUT!"

Tyl and Del were shocked but they left the room nevertheless : Tyl was pouting and Del was mad. When they joined the others at the kitchen table, Fadel hugged them.

"Your cousin and your uncle Bison are not to be messed with about sleep : if you want them to be happy, whenever they sleep, let them be."

When Bison and Anuel got up, three hours later, only Kant was still there.

"Only dada? Others where?"

"Well... since you apparently sleep a lot, you're missing a lot, baby," said Kant. "Uncle Style went to work and uncle Fadel took the twins to the park. They like to go there early in the morning because there's a lot of little animals to watch... like birds and squirrels."

"Me like sleep, dada."

"I wonder why."

"Don't blame me!" Said Bison. "It's not my fault I'm a night person and not a morning one."

"Let me guess... Fadel was the one taking Anuel to school in the morning and you were the one picking him up in the afternoon?"

"Are you being snide with me?"

"Yes... and I'm enjoying myself. Morning routine?"

"On a school day, as soon as he's awake, he takes a bath, he gets dressed and he's out the door with Fadel : he eats breakfast at school. And when there's no school... well... he doesn't have any kind of routine and just does as he pleases... and like Fadel told Style yesterday... everything he wants, he gets... unless you want him to throw a temper tantrum."

"Hmm... a mini-Bison with my face... how weird!"

"Dada! Breakfast! And draw pretty pictures after!"

"He likes to draw?"

"Yeah... he's a future artist with a fiery temper."

"Genetic is a frightful thing."

It took about a week for Fadel and Bison to readjust to living in Bangkok. As for Anuel, he was so happy to have Kant in his life that it took him a couple more days to realize something.

"Papa... no school?"

"Not yet, baby," assured Bison. "In England, children can go to school at 3 : it's called preschool, remember?"

"No preschool Thailand?"

"No... you can go to school when you'll be 5 years old, baby. Before that, there's daycare or private nannies."

"Which we decided not to use for Tyl and Del," said Kant. "Our schedules allow us to take turn taking care of the children, Style's father helps a lot too and, in case there's an unexpected event, we take them to Khun Irin's : she's a retired teacher who dots on the kids like they were her own. She's gonna adore you, baby."

"Woman nice?"

"Yes... she's very nice. And she makes the best cookies in the world... at least, according to Del and Tyl."

"Cookies yummy!"

"The kids go there?" Asked Bison. "She doesn't come here?"

"We avoid letting people in the house," said Kant. "I don't know if it's a psychological thing from the fact you guys didn't have anyone over before... but, somehow, Style and I thought a little privacy was nice. Except for Style's father and Babe, the only people who came here after you were gone are the plumber and the guy who installed the outdoor playground."

"Plumber? There was some plumbing problems?

"The sink faucet was completely trashed and we had to change it. According to the plumber, it looked like someone passed his nerves on it with a baseball bat."

"More like a crowbar. Sorry... I was in a mood."

"I can guess. I couldn't find the trophee anywhere in the house : did you trash it?"

"I burnt it. So... only two workers in the house? What about the people who did an amazing job on that room downstairs?"

"I did that all by myself. Style helped for the heavy lifting... you know... like that big chair... because it was too heavy for me to carry down those stairs."

"Papa special room! Me want see!"

"No, you don't!" Assured Bison. "What did I tell you?"

"No go down... adults only... Del and Tyl say too."

"Exactly... and since you don't want your dada to think you're naughty, you're gonna listen to what we say and NEVER go there! Understood, Anuel?"

"Yes, papa... sorry, papa. Dada!"

"What?"

"No school... me can sleep lot?"

"Yeah... I guess you can."

"Just what we needed," said Bison. "A reason for him to stay in bed all day."

"Baby... coming from you, that's a bit rich!"

"Me sleep papa and dada bed always?"

"No," said Kant. "Give me a few weeks and I'll make you a room, baby."

"Where?" Asked Bison. "Because there's no room left."

"I was planning to get rid of the outdoor stairs... you know... the one leading to the second floor emergency exit... the one I used to infiltrate this house... totally careless for your line of work, baby!"

"So is rummaging through our secret base without checking for cameras and meeting police officers out in the open."

"Touché! Anyway, that staircase will soon be destroyed and I'm gonna use the platform to make an additional room. A client of mine is a bricklayer : he's gonna help me in exchange of the new tattoo he wants. It was supposed to be a gym... because Style insisted Fadel should have a place like that in the house for the time he'll return... but... well... whatever! Anuel comes first... so if Fadel wants to work out, he can go to the public gym!"

"Did he ask you yet?"

"Ask me what?"

"Style said Fadel is planning to beg you for a little... er... renting time of the room downstairs."

"Absolutely not! It's YOUR room! No way I'm letting them soil it!"

"And... when do WE get to use that room?"

"Let me take care of Anuel's room first and then... it's on, baby!"

It took about two weeks for Kant and his client to build the room for Anuel. The little boy was so happy with it that he asked Del and Tyl to sleep there the first night so they could all have an indoor camping party. When all the children were asleep, Style and Fadel went out on a date and Kant dragged Bison to the room downstairs. There was making out with Bison pinned against the door... there was feeling up with Kant pinned against the wall... and then, Bison pushed Kant on the bed and tied him up by the wrists... just like he had done four years before.

"I thought you changed the bed in my room but you just moved it in here."

"This bed saw naughty things and it should be used only for that and not to sleep."

"That's funny : I really thought you'd be traumatized because of this little kink of mine. Instead, you got so addicted that you spent all of your free time working on this magnificent sex chamber."

"You like it?"

"Yeah... it's perfect. The hand drawn murals are amazing."

"Look up, baby!"

Bison did and he flinched. He hadn't paid attention to the ceiling before : there was a mirror and hand painted polar lights all around it. Bison smiled.

"So... not only did you keep those posters in my room but you also used them to paint that ceiling."

"I was inspired."

Bison got off Kant and rushed to the display stand... where all kind of whips and dusters were hanged. He grabbed one of each and resumed his straddling position on Kant... slowly opening his shirt.

"I waited four years for that punishment," assured Kant.

"I didn't... because somewhere in my mind, I thought you would have forgotten all about me."

"As if!"

"But I must admit... I'm really looking forward to it. By the way, lover... it's "punishments"... plural!"

"Figured as much. Two punishments for two terrible things I did."

"Three."

"Huh? I only count two : lying and seducing you to get your trust... making you drunk and drugging you to get you to take me to your house. So sorry, baby."

"The third one happened after I was gone but that doesn't mean I'm not mad about it."

"What?"

"Using your very valuable hands to fire a gun... a gun you stole from me by the way."

"I didn't have a choice : she was threatening to kill Babe! I snapped. I didn't kill her though."

"Good thing too! That woman wasn't worth you dirtying your hands, Kant : I would have been really pissed if you had killed her yourself!"

"I know... which is why I only wounded her. Can you believe she thought so little of us that she didn't even check if we were armed? I had one of your guns and Style had one of Fadel's kitchen knives. And the look on her face... like she was some kind of Goddess and we were just insects."

"Not surprising. She always looked down on people... even us. How much?"

"What?"

"How much did you and Style had to pay that guy Ruerat told you about to have her killed?"

"Not a single baht!"

"Really?"

"I was very upset when I realised we didn't have any other choice but to ask him for help. But... in a way... he's got some ethics about that kind of stuff : he didn't turn us down or ask any kind of financial retribution. He handled everything himself without telling us anything. We don't even know who did the job : he said it was a way to ensure no blame was to fall on us. And he was even ready to claim responsibility in case it was discovered she was killed. He said that, even if he was going to rot in jail, there was a voice inside his head screaming to get revenge against that woman. So... yeah... the guy is a complete dirtbag but his pride and his hatred of Lilly made him do a good thing. Ironic, don't you think?"

"The bastards responsible for killing my family mutually hated each other to the point of sending hitmen on one another. Yeah... that's kind of ironic indeed. Alright... I'm overlooking the use of a gun... but only if you swear never to do it again : you have artist hands... not killer ones... understood?"

"Yes, baby."

"Now... let me check that penguin tattoo."

Bison stroked it with his finger... and then, he licked it... and then, he caressed it with the duster... and then, he bit it. Kant seemed to enjoy the attention. Bison got up once again and started looking for blinfolds... which he found in a drawer. He put one on Kant's eyes.

"I'm having a flashback."

"Today will be upgraded compared to last time. Because, like you said, I was drunk and high so I couldn't do half of what I planned."

"I was a little drunk myself : that alcohol was very strong."

"I'm sober today, lover."

"So am I."

"Which, if we're to believe Babe, is very surprising."

"Babe is a nag. I was getting wasted like twice a week or so... nothing to be ashamed of. Unfortunately, ever since the ordeal with Lilly, Babe said I couldn't be trusted and that I needed to be watched over. Such a worrywart!"

"That's the little brother job, Kant."

"I know. Just like it was the big brother job to protect him until he was of age. Ha! That's so funny!"

"What?"

"The day after our one-night stand, I went home and Babe teased me, warning me to make sure I always use protections because he was too young to be an uncle. It's funny... considering Anuel was conceived that night. It's like Babe forsaw it was gonna happen."

"Yeah... Babe is very shrewed. Now... enough talk! It's time for punishment number one!"

"What about punishment number two?"

"It will come later... if you haven't passed out or splurted the safe word beforehand."

"I've been waiting four years for that : you're not hearing the "penguin" out of my mouth anytime soon, baby."

Two rounds of punishment later, they fell asleep while still in the sex chamber. Meanwhile, after their date at the rock club, Style and Fadel went to the garage. They were making out against Fadel's car... and then, against Style's car... and then, against another car... and another. And when they were fooling around on Style's father's car, the lights came on. They separated quickly and watched in shock as Style's father marched towards them. Fadel hadn't seen him ever since he came back, having spent most of his time with his kids. When Jay reached him, he slapped him.

"Pa!"

"Good evening, Pa. Long time no see."

"Yeah... you can say that."

"Pa... you promised!" Said Style.

"Was that slap because of my questionable professional past or because I left him alone with two kids?"

"Neither!"

"Huh?"

"About your old job... well... that came as a shock but after everything was explained and after I met that evil woman, I couldn't even be upset about it. And of course, since you didn't know about Tyl and Del, I can't blame you for that either."

"Then... what was that slap for?"

"Your car!"

"What?"

"You run away and switch cars in order to cover your tracks... that's smart thinking. But did you really have to abandon such a wonderful car out for everyone to steal? It didn't even take a week for some thief to break into it! You're lucky Kant knew him and could negotiate so we could have it back! Next time, leave it locked in a garage, you brat!"

"Pa... sometimes, you scare me," said Style. "And don't say "next time"! There will be no next time! He's here to stay... and that's final!"

"So... the car addiction really runs in the family?" Asked Fadel. "Somehow, I thought it started with Style."

"My grandfather had his car collection insured and he threatened the insurance guy with bodily harm if he ever tried to scam him. And my great-grandma shot two guys who tried to steal her Lamborghini with a shotgun. You don't mess with cars in our family."

"You don't fool around on them either," assured Jay. "Don't let me catch you doing that on my car ever again! Am I clear?"

"Yes, Pa!" Assured Fadel.

"It's late," said Style. "We should go to bed, babe."

"Style... I don't have earplugs anymore... not since that fool left town and you moved out. So keep it down!"

And while Jay turned around and left, Fadel's face became crimson.

"He was using earplugs when we were... oh God! I want to crawl into a hole."

"No need to be shy, babe," said Style. "You're a stallion and you know it!"

In the morning, Bison and Kant were woken up by loud wails echoing in the house. They got dressed in a heartbeat and rushed to the ground floor, where Tyl, Del and Anuel were crying. When they saw Kant and Bison, they rushed forward and hugged them.

"What's wrong?" Asked Bison.

"Is someone hurt?" Asked Kant.

"Papa!" Said Anuel. "Dada! You leave! You no in bed! Me scared!"

"Papa and dada no in bed too," assured Del. "We alone!"

"No papa... no dada... no uncle Kant... no uncle Bison," said Tyl. "Scary!"

"I'm sorry," said Bison. "We didn't think Style and Fadel would stay up all night."

"More like... they probably went to sleep at the garage," said Kant.

"Me want look papa special room," said Anuel. "But Del and Tyl say no... no go room because forbid... because papa and dada angry if go room... so me no go room."

"That's very good!" Assured Bison. "Kant and I fell asleep in the special room, baby : we're sorry for making you worry."

"It was an accident, guys," said Kant. "Nobody will ever leave you alone in the house... I can assure you that. Anuel... baby... what are you doing already up? It's very early."

"Del and Tyl wake... me sleep... they look uncle Fadel and uncle Style... no find... look papa and dada... no find... say nobody in house... me up and look... Heart no here too."

"Heart is free to do as he pleases, baby," said Kant. "He has his little door, remember?"

"Yes! Heart always come and go."

"So... baby... now that you are ensured that we are okay and that we didn't leave little children alone, what will you do?" Asked Bison.

"Sleep more! Tired! Too early! Me no like!"

When Fadel returned, alone, he was ganged-up on by very upset children who basically warned him never to disappear like that again. They had such serious faces that Fadel couldn't help but to burst into laughter... leading to Tyl going to a corner to mope and Del scolding Fadel. When he walked passed Kant, he whispered in his ear.

"Imagine the awkward situation if my kids hadn't stopped your son from searching that room. Better put a lock on that door, Kant... in case he inherited his father's tendencies to snoop."

Fadel went away smirking while Kant sighed. A few days later, Kant was at the park with the children. He was sitting on a bench, watching the kids play... and then, someone sat down next to him and he flinched.

"Kant."

"Captain... what did we say about following me around?"

"I'm just keeping an eye out on things."

"Yeah right!"

"So... they're back, huh?"

"Yes, they are... and there's nothing you can do about it, Cap!"

"I see Style isn't the only one to end up with a bastard from a killer."

"Isn't he precious? Don't even think of ambushing him and trying to taint his mind like you did with Del and Tyl, Captain! He may have my face but he's got Bison's temper : he'll kick your ass if you badmouth his fathers."

"I bet!"

"Don't you think it's time for you to stop acting so irrationally? You played... you lost. Stop being a sore loser and move on already!"

"You had that woman killed... I just know it!"

"But if you can't prove it, you can't do a thing about it. You've been looking for four years, Cap... such a butthead."

"I should have sent you to jail right away."

"Yeah... you should have. And I was ready for it back then... because when you break the rules, you should be prepared to face the consequences. Instead, you used me as a pawn to do your dirty work while getting all the credit."

"You've become more bitter, Kant."

"I have the right to."

"Those two didn't face the consequences of their actions."

"It's different for them. I think they faced it in a way... because being raised by such a woman must have been like being in jail... with her as the warden. They lost their parents at a young age... just like me... but I was luckier than them because I had Babe... whereas they were adopted by the devil. They suffered enough, Cap : you don't get to mess things for them. You told me you wanted the big fish when you sent me to spy on them... and in the end, you helped that big fish escape from what she deserved while you're still trying to frame those loving people who were just badly raised. They were her prisoners, coerced into a life of violence and hate, and now, they're free, surrounded by loved ones... it's as simple as that. You should leave now, Cap... unless you want to have a black eye : Bison is coming and he really wants to pummel your face."

"Which could give me a reason to arrest him."

"You're incorrigible, Cap."

Chris got up and walked away... but then, he froze : Bison was walking towards them. When he noticed the captain, he froze for a few seconds and then, he clenched his fists.

"Baby!" Said Kant. "Don't! Just like that woman wasn't worth dirtying my hands, he's not worth dirtying yours more!"

Bison shook his head and glared at Chris. And then, he walked past him and sat on Kant's knees, devouring his mouth.

"Why is he standing within 20 meters of our baby?" Asked Bison.

"He's watching my every move in case I let slip something that could get him his reputation back. Don't worry, baby : if he knows what's good for him, he's not touching Anuel. He tried with Del and Tyl last year and that was a bust."

"Really? You didn't tell me that."

"It wasn't worth mentioning : as soon as he told them that their dada was a bad man and that he was never coming back for them, Tyl bursted into tears and kicked him... whereas Del stomped on his foot and broke his car window with a rock. He couldn't even file a complaint because... well... two year olds... and Khun Irin recorded the whole thing so we can have proof that it was his fault to begin with. So, you see... the kids trashed him, Babe slapped him and I could land a good punch : no need for you to add injury to his wound."

Chris was fuming when he left whereas Kant and Bison were smirking. Life was starting to feel good for everyone : their family routine, which would have been unthinkable before, made all the sorrows of the past disappear. One afternoon, they were lazing around at the house when suddenly, Kant received a phone call.

"Hey, dude... what's up?... really?... already?... you rock, dude!... yes, I'm picking them up right now... thanks... see you."

"Who was that?" Asked Bison, once Kant had hang up.

"A friend of mine who just finished the little thing I ordered."

"Are you talking about the shirts?" Asked Style.

"Yes."

"Damn! That was quick!"

"Since it's ready, how about we go tonight? We can eat at the burger house and close early."

"Good idea. We haven't been anywhere all together yet. I'll fetch ours."

"I hate when they're talking about things we don't know in front of us," said Fadel.

"Same here," assured Bison.

"Patience, baby!" Said Kant, kissing his cheek. "Wait for me... I'll be right back."

Kant wasn't gone for even an hour. When he returned, he was holding what looked like t-shirts. He gave one to Anuel, who looked at it with raised eyebrows.

"Pretty shirt... blue... for me, dada?"

"Yes. That's your bowling shirt, baby."

"No way!" Said Bison. "You made a shirt for him?"

"Yep... and I also kept ours. Only, since you came back with one additional person, I had a friend of mine alter them a little. Here!"

Bison took the shirt... which looked exactly the same, except that their initials were slightly smaller and there was now the letter "A" in between them. Bison smiled.

"You know what? This looked totally geeky to me back then but for some reason, now, I find it adorable. Go figure!"

"Here's your shirt, babe!" Said Style. "Kant's friend remade ours last year... when we decided to teach the kids to bowl. And of course, our "Fast Strike Team" has now two additional members. Del... Tyl... show your shirts to dada!"

Del and Tyl proudly displayed their shirts in front of Fadel, who chuckled and stroked their heads. The initials were shrunk and a "D" and a "T" were added.

"We go bowling, dada!" Assured Del. "We red team!"

"Dada know bowling?" Asked Tyl.

"My fast ball is better than his," said Style, "but he has a hard furious ball that's deadly."

"How come even talking about bowling sounds dirty coming from your mouth?" Asked Fadel.

"You love me that way."

"Bowling what?" Asked Anuel.

"It's a game, baby," said Kant. "You never played with him?"

"No," said Bison. "We were busy trying to build a life in a different country and avoiding going out too much in case people from Thailand were still looking for us."

"Fair enough," said Kant.

"Bowling fun, Anuel! Said Tyl. "Special shirts and shoes... good!"

"Throw ball and hit pins," said Del. "You like, Anuel!"

"Okay," said Anuel.

After dinner at the restaurant, all of them headed to the bowling alley. Anuel looked around him in awe. Kant took his hand and showed him the main floor, where people were bowling.

"That bowling, dada?"

"Yes, it is!"

"Ball roll... make pins fall... win if all fall?"

"Yes... that's a strike."

"Strike... okay. Me want play, dada!"

"Let's get you some shoes first : the floor is very special over there... you have to use special shoes in order not to damage it or to slip."

"Ball too big!"

"Don't worry, baby : those are adult balls. For you, Del and Tyl, there are baby balls. And you can even choose the color : what do you feel like, baby?"

"We blue team! Blue ball!"

"Roger that."

While Kant was registering at the desk, asking for the family special... aka, making sure there were barriers every time the children were playing in order for them not to throw the ball in the gutters... the rest of the adults helped the kids putting their shoes on. Anuel was cuddling his blue baby ball like it was the most precious thing in the world. And then, he looked up and froze. He raised his eyebrows and tilted his head.

"Man talk dada... touch dada too... dada friend?"

Everybody looked to the admit desk... where Kant was trying to get away from a very familiar guy acting like some sort of leech. Bison grunted and clenched his fists.

"Bad man back!" Said Del.

"Creepy man bother uncle Kant again!" said Tyl.

"Not for long!" Assured Bison. "Anuel... come with me, baby : we're gonna save dada."

Bison took Anuel in his arms and walked to the desk, looking daggers at the guy who was inappropriately touching Kant.

"Lover... Anuel wants you to teach him how to hold the ball properly. Why don't you show him while I remind this moron who he's dealing with?"

The smirk on Kant's face clashed with the utterly terrified face of James. Anuel reached forward, demanding to be in Kant's arms... which he eventually was. And when Kant and Anuel left, a very pissed off Bison faced a very scared James.

"I think I wasn't clear enough last time."

"But... you... you left."

"Yes... and now, I'm back. And not alone either. That was Anuel, by the way... our baby."

"Baby... you left because... fuck!"

"So... here's the deal, moron : I'm a peaceful, unarmed family man now, but if you don't stop bothering Kant, my old habits could come back and I might not be as merciful as last time. Are we clear?"

"Y-yeah... sorry... bye!"

And that's when James ran away in fear. Del and Tyl yelled and clapped loudly.

"Bad man run fast!" Said Del. "Uncle Bison scary!"

"Creepy man no back, papa?" Asked Tyl.

"I think we can safely say that uncle Bison made sure we'll never see him again," assured Style.

"Thank God for that," said Kant, nodding.

"Is that the ex you were afraid Bison killed back then?" Asked Fadel.

"Yeah. And these last years, I've started to regret not letting Bison deal with him at the time. He really got on my nerves. Now... Anuel... see those little holes in your ball?"

"Yes... for fingers?"

"That's right! Here... let me show you."

It took a few minutes for Anuel to understand how to hold his ball in order to throw it. Del and Tyl each took turn to show him how it was done... Del hitting four pins and Tyl hitting six. Anuel nodded and declared that he was ready and that he was going to try. The first ball was the charm : thrown perfectly, rolling perfectly and hitting all ten pins. Anuel jumped up and down, giggling and clapping, while everyone stared at him with wide eyes.

"Really?" Asked Style. "He's pulling a strike on his first take?"

"That's my boy!" Assured Kant.

That night, after they were back at the house and everybody fell asleep from exhaustion, Bison and Kant sneaked into the special room and started another kind of game. Kant was allowed one request and he asked for Bison to wear nothing but his bowling shirt. They were in the middle of it, Bison riding a moaning tied-up Kant when something really unexpected happened.

"Penguin!"

"WHAT?"

Bison was so shocked that he dropped the crop he was using. He stared at his lover like he had no idea who he was.

"Really?"

"I'm sorry."

"I can't believe you're stopping me when we haven't even come once!"

"Well... I could go on... that was great... but I want to ask you something and I didn't think it was appropriate to do so while you were whipping me."

"What?"

"I need at least one hand. Will you untie me, please?"

Bison stared at him with raised eyebrows before he freed his right hand. Kant reached under the pillow and pulled out a little box, which he presented to Bison... who gasped and opened it, his hands shaking slightly : inside the box, there was matching rings.

"Marry me, baby?"

"You could have waited until we were done with our play : how do you expect me to continue now?"

"You don't want to continue? Like... me proposing is such a turn-off that you're losing your kinky spirit? I feel offended."

"No... I'm still horny... but I'm also emotionally overwhelmed and I don't think I'll have the heart to hit you more tonight."

"Bummer!"

"Well... since you've turned this whole thing into a romantic moment, how about you do the work for a change? Show me how much you love me!"

"Yes, baby. What about those rings?"

"After you make love to me : we both need to come first."

"Roger that."

Romantic slow love making was not really their thing but at that moment, Bison and Kant were in absolute bliss. And when they were done, they put their engagement rings on and sealed the deal with a kiss.

Six months later, everybody was at the burger house, getting ready for Kant and Bison's wedding. A simple ceremony at the courthouse, a few pictures at the park and a family buffet at the dinner. Nobody was overdressed, Bison having said that it should stay simple and not too formal. But of course, Del didn't agree and she insisted on wearing a very flashy dress : Fadel said it was Style's genes fault. Babe was there too, coming all the way from England just for the week-end in order to see his brother's wedding. An hour after the agreed meeting time, Keen walked in.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Keen!" Said Bison. "You're late! Did you decide to piss me off one last time on my most important day?"

"No. I'm sorry : the trip wasn't as smooth as planned."

"I told you to take the plane," said Fadel. "Driving all the way from Singapore... what a stupid thing to do!"

"Yeah well... we would have taken the plane... if it was just the two of us... but we didn't think she would enjoy flying that soon."

"Huh?" Said Bison."

At that moment, Keen's partner, Thanon, walked in, holding a little baby in his arms. Everybody gasped and rushed forward. The kids watched the baby in awe, asking if they could pat it like it was some kind of pet.

"Later, please," said Thanon. "She's just fallen asleep and, if we're lucky, she could sleep through the ceremony without bothering anyone."

"Really?" Asked Fadel.

"Keen!" Said Bison. "You sly dog! Why didn't you tell us?"

"Well... I wanted to surprise my brothers. Thanon made me all mellow these last years : I'm becoming a softy... that's a bit shameful."

"Baby... girl?" Asked Anuel.

"Yes," assured Thanon.

"What baby name?" Asked Tyl.

"Nalin."

"How old?" Asked Del.

"She's almost two months old," said Keen. "Thank you, Bison... for getting married so soon after my daughter was born."

"You could have called and told us," said Bison. "We would have rescheduled."

"Baby... I've waited years to marry you," said Kant. "I'm not delaying this wedding any further."

"Anything planned for the honeymoon?" Asked Thanon.

"Kant's taking me to Iceland!" Said Bison, grinning. "So awesome! I hope we can see polar lights for real."

"Thanon... dude... you look exhausted," said Style. "Not really surprising with a two month old baby. How about a little drink? And give that little girl to my father! He has a soothing effect on babies : if she's in his arms, she won't wake until the afternoon."

"Is he willing to move to Singapore?" Asked Keen, almost supplicantly.

"No," said Jay, taking the baby. "Come here, little one. What's that you're driving, boy?"

"Nissan Almera."

"Good choice."

"Uncle Babe!" Said Anuel. "We wait wedding... draw pictures!"

"Alright," said Babe. "Let's get everyone over there so we can make drawings for the grooms."

Babe sat with the children to make drawings. Jay, holding Nalin, talked to Fadel and Keen about cars and investment. Style and Thanon had a beer, sharing baby stories. Kant grabbed Bison's waist and cuddled him.

"A perfect family life, baby."

"Everything I ever wished for. Did you notice?"

"Of course."

"Should we do something?"

"No need. I think the little scene on display is finally gonna make him see the light. Just keep smiling, baby : he can't touch us."

"Let's taunt him one last time! Kiss me!"

Kant smirked and attacked his fiancé's mouth like a voracious beast. Outside the dinner, Captain Chris was watching the family gathering in shock : it wasn't hard to see how much love there was in that restaurant. He sighed and turned around, remembering the words he told Kant years ago and realizing how stupid they sounded now.

"Do you think they'd let you live? Why don't you try telling him the truth? See if he wouldn't shoot you dead immediately! Hitmen are hitmen! They can't love!"

In the end, the hitmen found love and they each made a family. They were radiating happiness. So much for cold-blooded murderers! If only he hadn't sent Kant to spy on those killers... yeah... if only!

The end.