#progression 26

[ae-azile]

Having Kinn walk in on Kim and Chay in bed together in chapter 26 of Progression. Covered, but admittedly naked. Boy should have learned to knock eighteen chapters ago and is now regretting it. As for Kim and Chay, they are probably glad they took the time to put away the vibrating anal beads prior to falling asleep. 🤷‍♀️

[ae-azile]

Honestly, might need another week before I release Progression. I have barely started it, and I just haven't had the time to sit down and work on it. Sorry to anyone who is still following the story. I'm surprised I kept up with each update being 7-10 days for as long as I have.

[ae-azile]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Progression is now up!

Chapter Summary: Tankhun makes some necessary changes in order to gain his father's respect and defend his relationship. Kinn discovers how important knocking before entering a room is. The Theerapanyakul family grows a little larger in multiple ways.

[ae-azile]

While Korn plans to calmly and rationally rip Arm and Tankhun apart due to his perception of his oldest son, Tankhun is being proactive by throwing his father off with fashion. While one might think he would wear a bold statement piece, he goes a more unexpected route by wearing this:

On top of that, the clothes help him channel the person he was initially raised to be as he calmly loosens Korn's control over the situation.

Kinn and even Kim are impressed (and slightly intimidated) by this strange metamorphosis. Arm is turned on and slightly concerned about a possible personality disorder. Chay is thoroughly entertained. Porsche is enthralled.

As for Namphueng, she is inspired.

Hope to get chapter 26 out soon!

[ae-azile]

Progression: Chapter 26 Preview

“Try not to talk unless you absolutely have to,” Tankhun tells Arm as he straightens Arm's shirt collar, “If you do, just stick to the basics of the truth: You bonded with me after we were both traumatized by the attack he spurred on, and we fell in love.”

“So imply that this never would have happened if it weren't for him,” Arm says.

“Exactly!” Tankhun says agreeably, then rolls his eyes and decides to be more serious, “No, but it's sort of the truth. I might resort to using it if needed. Just keep it honest but vague. I have only improved and become more productive while in this relationship, and you took on Chan’s responsibilities, all while continuing your previous duties. He should be grateful, if anything.”

Arm breathes out and nods, then puts his arms around Tankhun’s shoulders, “Malai got to Hansa’s house okay. She says she is willing to talk about how present you have been with the girls and that you are one of the few people she would trust to leave them with.”

“That's sweet of her to say,” Tankhun murmurs.

“It's sweet, and also true. She means it,” Arm tells him, “She also mentioned something else to me.”

“And what was that?”

“Something about you studying for the last two trainings and certifications you would need to get your law license?”

Tankhun shrugs at that, “Hm. She's a paralegal. She has been thinking about taking that step too. I figured if we got certified as lawyers together, it may convince her to move to back to Bangkok. Maybe we’ll open a practice together.”

Arm smiles a little at that and pulls him closer, “And that's something you want? You aren't pushing yourself into a career to…I don't know, prove a point.”

Tankhun shrugs, “Maybe a little. But…I actually did enjoy it when I was enrolled in college. I graduated at the top of my class despite only going to campus when it was absolutely necessary. Even before that, Pa had me take care of Ma’s estate. While things were tense between our families by the time Auntie Milan died, I reached out to Uncle Gun to see if he wanted me to help with anything in that regard too! I was even willing to leave the compound in order to help!”

“Did he let you?”

Tankhun lets out a huff, “No. He yelled at me and said Pa was putting me up to some sneaky agenda. That wasn't true at all, but I understood why he may think that way and just let the matter go. But I have been known to walk some of the guards through their wills and estate paperwork we give them. I helped Pol, Porsche, Ken, Big, Pete, First, Sand, and even Chan when he came into some money and wanted to make some adjustments!”

“Why didn't I know about this? You never offered to walk me through that paperwork,” Arm says, narrowing his eyes a little.

“Because you're the smartest one here, Arm! You don't need my help with such things!”

“It was complicated!” Arm says, “I kept putting it off and your father annoyed me about it.”

“Well, you should have said something!” Tankhun says to him, “I figured if you could understand complex technology, you could figure out paper.”

“I could have, but it was repetitive, monotonous, and annoying.”

“How dare you!” Tankhun says with a gasp, “That was a huge improvement compared to the system we had before! I set it up myself!”

“Malai was impressed with it too. She said she has seen more complicated paperwork after I gave it to her to handle.”

“She's smart!” Tankhun agrees, “That's why we are going to open a practice together! I'm thinking we will focus on real estate law, financial law, and estate law. Contracts, wills, investments, contracts, and securing business loans are simple. Neither of us want to go to stupid court rooms if we can avoid it.”

“I figured you would love the drama that a courtroom could bring,” Arm says.

Tankhun rolls his eyes, “The drama, sure. But the stupidity and self-importance? Please. Do you know how grating it is to argue with people who are completely wrong or flat out lying and act like they're not? So annoying! I can spend my time doing better things. Like you.”

Arm lets out a snort, only for Tankhun to cut it off with a kiss. While Tankhun has some conflicting feelings about finishing up the trainings he will need to officially become a lawyer, it mainly stems from anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. But Tankhun knows that some of those feelings stem from Pa. Then again, Pa pushed him to get a college education. It was important to maintain appearances, but it also gave Tankhun something to do and something to stimulate his mind. Even though the major was strongly suggested to him by Pa and his advisors, he had known the reason behind it. He excelled in finding loopholes and suspicious wording in contract agreements. He also excels at keeping track of finances, growing wealth, and making good investment decisions. So it was either law, or it was business and finance. Law felt like it was more widespread. Tankhun had felt like he could maybe help people more as a lawyer, both rich and poor, rather than just advising Pa’s rich friends on what to do with their money.

Besides, as annoying as the thought of being in a courtroom is, it would be more annoying to solely help Pa and his associates get richer while Tankhun’s money gets stored away in an account he only has limited access to.

Of course, Tankhun has other ways to make money. He has built upon his finances through investing in stocks, bonds, and promising start-ups for quite some time, before Arm even started working here. But Tankhun plans on keeping that private for now. He had pondered revealing his long-term side hustles to Kim if his little brother's restrictions went on much longer, but maybe Tankhun can be an inspiration this way. He can become independent. He can pursue a career that may end up being a passion if he is on that track with someone he trusts. But most of all, he can be strong and stand up to his father for the man he loves.

He just needs to present himself differently than he has for the past twelve years. Tankhun knows he has changed a lot. Untreated trauma, long-term defiance, and being controlled, belittled, and gaslighted by a parent does that to a person.

Despite all of that, Tankhun still loves Pa. He hates that he still loves him, especially when he remembers everything Namphueng was put through. She only partially came back to her former self recently, or some version of it. Tankhun needs to do the same. He needs to revive his former self.

His former self feels like such a stranger. He had been calmer and more collected back then, trained to push aside his tendency to become distracted or his feelings of restlessness in favor of becoming someone simultaneously approachable and intimidating. He was taught to be intelligent, but easy to understand. He was trained to be powerful, all while exuding a sense of calm. But most importantly, he had to prove himself by being equally sharp with his wit, tongue, and aim.

He had been so fucking sharp.

“You alright?” Arm asks gently, taking Tankhun's face into his hands.

Does he want to be that person again? Part of him wants anything but that. He feels a sense of pride at being Pa’s source of shame, although the occasional yet genuine concern and pity are negative side effects.

But he also yearns for it. Not necessarily for his birthright as the head, but for the opportunity to be who he had been before.

“...I’m okay,” Tankhun says hesitantly, then takes his boyfriend's hands, “But…If I change a bit going forward, will you still love me?”

Arm tilts his head at that, “What do you mean?”

Tankhun breathes in, “I was…very different prior to my kidnapping. The person who you have gotten to know is…mostly genuine. But I…There are probably aspects of myself I have hidden or amplified I may adjust now that I am to be more transparent with Pa. I think this is the best way to go about this. It will take him off guard, but it may…please him or confuse him enough to back off. I don't know what I'm saying-”

“As long as any changes or adjustments make you happy, I am fine with it,” Arm cuts in gently, “But only if you are doing it for you. Not for your father, not for your brothers, and not even for me. You. As long as I can still recognize you, I will still be in love with you.”

Tankhun feels his eyes get wet, only to sniffle when Arm quickly wipes the moisture away, “...I was so different, Arm.”

“I’ve heard stories.”

“I was supposed to be great.”

“You are,” Arm says, cupping his face, “You always have been. I never thought otherwise, even on your worst days. Your trauma may have changed you, but it didn't take away your greatness, Khun.”

Tankhun would like to believe that. He isn't sure that he does, but Arm’s optimism is encouraging.

“...I will become a hybrid version of me, then,” Tankhun decides, “I will keep your favorite parts of me-”

“That's pretty much every part.”

“But let the favorite parts of who I used to be come back out,” Tankhun continues, “Parts I hope you will like too.”

“As long as you aren't trying to pretend to be someone you're not, then I'm fine with it,” Arm tells him. He sounds sincere, so Tankhun feels at peace with his decision. In fact, he already feels a shift occurring, as if Arm's blessing was all he needed.

Now, he just needs his father's blessing. This is his best shot at getting it. The only other option Tankhun could think of as he was mulling this over in his head was a move so defiant and bold that it would leave Pa completely clueless about what to do, at least in the moment.

However, Tankhun would prefer to not propose to Arm in front of Pa, despite it being slightly tempting. His boyfriend deserves something more private, romantic, and authentic. The ring Tankhun carefully picked out eight months ago will continue to stay hidden in his desk drawer.

At least for now.