While Chay does work this evening, he may have lied about why he needed to leave for his shift early.
“There is an event,” Chay says to Kim, which is true, “I am going in to help set up and make sure new bottles are at the bar. I’ll be back late.”
Kim buys it. None of it is a lie, but there is an omission of one, single truth. If the circumstances were different, Chay would have no issues with telling Kim he's meeting Ye Joon. But Kim is weird about him, and Chay isn't sure if it comes from a persistent insecurity, a past experience with another producer, or something more complex than either of those things. If Ye Joon wasn't a respected producer and shareholder at the label Chay is now working under, he feels like he would pull away since Kim has such an issue with him. But he is a respected producer and shareholder, one who is involved with big international stars and bands.
And for some reason, he has taken an interest in Chay and his talent. Kim’s as well, but Kim doesn't really need Ye Joon’s support. He's already made it. With the new album, Kim’s place in the music industry will only become more monumental. Chay is still new, and while being featured on Kim’s album is a big deal, it still might not establish him as a separate talent.
At least, that's what Ye Joon says. But Ye Joon has been a powerhouse in the industry for twenty years. He knows what he is talking about. If he thinks Chay is worth putting work into, then he is going to be grateful for that and not mess it up. Kim should understand that.
But Chay also feels like Kim would make a big deal about him going to Ye Joon’s apartment. It was there or the studio, and Ye Joon made a good point about how bad traffic gets downtown around this time. Ye Joon’s apartment is also close to Yok’s, so it made more sense to meet there.
Kim probably wouldn't see it that way, but it will be fine. Chay knows it.
“Right on time,” Ye Joon says, smiling as he lets Chay inside. It's a nice, luxury apartment, one that is only half unpacked. Despite that, Ye Joon has two wine glasses out filled halfway and candles lit.
…Maybe he just likes soft, warm lighting. Kim is the same way.
“Here,” Ye Joon says, putting his hand on the small of Chay’s back as he leads him over to the couch, “Sit.”
Chay does what he's told and runs his hands over his knees as Ye Joon sits down next to him, “You said you wanted to talk to me about an opportunity?”
Ye Joon nods and reaches over to grab a binder, “I heard Kim doesn't have much interest in acting, but I was wondering what your stance on it was.”
“Oh,” Chay says, then tries to think out what he wants to say before actually saying it. He can sing songs in English easily, but speaking in it is a little harder. It isn't as natural for him as it seems to be for Kim.
Maybe he can ask for English lessons next. Kim keeps telling him his English is completely understandable and fine, but the fact that he has to script out longer responses in his head probably means he needs to work on it more.
“I don't know. I haven't given it much thought. I always did school musicals growing up and got prominent roles in them. I did acting workshops at performing arts camps my brother saved up for and sent me to. I got good feedback. My main interest has always been music though.”
“So you would be open to an acting opportunity if it caught your interest and could further advance your music career?” Ye Joon asks, then hands over the binder, “Because I have a partnership with a production and artist management company here. We are developing a few projects to include international up and comers. While I did throw Kim’s name around for another project, Noel made it clear Kim had no current interest in such a venture. But you are your own person, and I see you as someone who is…more suitable for this particular project. It would be a Thai and Korean based project-”
“I only know a little Korean,” Chay cuts in.
Ye Joon shrugs his shoulders, “You don't need to know much. The character I would have in mind for you is Thai and primarily speaks it. His love interest is a tourist from Korea, so he would need to brush up on his Thai and English, but your language skills are where they would need to be for this role.”
“He,” Chay says, “So it's a BL?”
“They are very popular in this country,” Ye Joon says, “Korea is just starting to realize the potential in funding and marketing shows focused on same sex pairings, but they aren't as…daring with it. The shows here seem to be unafraid to cross that boundary. The actors go all out and aren't afraid of the more provocative scenes. Many of the actors have also entered the music industry, either while acting or they transition to the music industry after developing a fanbase. This show would feature a well-known actor from Korea. He's a bit older than you - mid 30s - but that's what the script calls for. I don't want to throw his name out there yet, but I guarantee you have likely seen his work. He's wanting to do something more…unexpected. Dark. He's normally cast as a leading man, but wants to make some waves. Sometimes, that includes some onscreen controversy. Seeing him cast with a younger man as his love interest would get a lot of people talking in Korea. But it's a great script, and he will need a costar around your age with great musical abilities. If you play the part just right, he won't be the only one everyone is talking about.”
“...Oh,” Chay says, then clears his throat, “Uh…I can take it back with me and read it, if you want. Maybe see how I feel-”
“A read-through would be more immersive, with you reading as the character I have in mind for you,” Ye Joon interjects, his voice gentle but commanding, “We don't have to read the whole thing, of course. I respect that you are still loyal to your other workplace for the time being, even if I don't fully understand it. But I do understand it is important to be punctual. I think we have time for half though. So why don't we get started?"
About 15k into Chapter 29 of Progression, so I figured I would share another scene as an apology for my tardiness. Definitely going to be a long chapter, unless I split it. Trying not to do that though.
The Updated and Still Complicated Family Group Chat
Khun: Arm and I are embarking for our trip tomorrow night! You know what that means!!!!!! 🪨🍃😈🥬🟫
Nalin: Weed brownie night?!?
Arm: Please tell me you didn't add my younger sisters to this group chat.
Khun: Well, I didn't add Preeda! She went to rehab! 😱 Mustn’t tempt her. But of course I added Nalin! If Macau and Chay can be in the group chat, then she can be too!
Nalin: Don't be sexist, Hia. 🙂
Vegas: Someone needs to watch my baby.
Pete: Why is she only your baby when you talk about her?
Vegas: Because she's mine.
Malai: Someone needs to watch my babies too. I want to join.
Hansa: I don't mind watching the girls.
Vegas: Is my baby included with these girls?
Hansa: Sure. 🙂
Vegas: I want six references, your resume, and a background check.
Hansa: By tonight?
Macau: Hia, she owns a flower arrangement and gardening shop. Chill.
Vegas: I am chill. And reasonable.
Pol: I can sit out and help with the girls too. 🙂
Vegas: You can also give me six references, a resume, and a background check. 🙂
Pete: It's literally Pol.
Vegas: I don't know him like you do.
Pete: Consider me his and Hansa’s first reference.
Khun: Consider me their second! 2️⃣🥈🕑
Porsche: I'm their fourth!
Chay: Hia, you skipped a number.
Porsche: He wouldn't have even noticed if you hadn't pointed it out, brat. 🙄
Chay: Sorry. I guess I will fill in the third spot, then.
Kim: I’ll fill the fifth.
Chay: Hia, switch spots with Kim so we can be next to each other.
Porsche: No. I went out of order and called fourth for a reason. It's mine. 😏
Macau: I’ll take the sixth spot so Chay can't grab it!
Porsche: Good thinking, Macau!
Kim: ?
Chay: 😤 🖕🏽
Vegas: Macau, just because you are close with Nalin doesn't mean you know her sister well enough to be her reference.
Arm: Define “close”.
0272781005: I’ll call second!
Kinn: Whose number is this?
Khun: I demand that you reveal yourself!!! Arm! Do a search and find out who this intruder is. 😡
Arm: It's a number provided from a text app.
Arm: The text came from the property.
Khun: PA?!?!?!?
0272781005: Nam. 🙂
Porsche: MA?!?!?!?
Chay: MA?!?!?!?
Khun: Everyone stop! It might be Pa playing a trick to test us! Play it cool!
Khun: Oh, silly Pa! You know Namphueng can't talk! She sits there and says and does nothing! Such a bore! 🥱
0272781005: If Korn enters chat, I will stab. 😌
Pol: 😳 That sounded like her.
0272781005: Hi, son!
Porsche: Ma?
Chay: Ma?
0272781005: I am adopting Pol soon. When I have answers. He's my future son. He already knows. I told him. Accept, thanks.
Porsche: Wow.
0272781005: He has no family! Sad for him! Sucky life. 😢
Pol: Wow.
Chay: Kim and I just got back from walking Koda and checked on Ma. Who gave her an ipad?
Arm: Not me.
Kinn: Not me.
Porsche: Not me.
Vegas: Not me.
Kim: Not me.
Chay: Kim, you told me you didn't in person. You didn't have to text it.
Kim: I just wanted to make sure Porsche knew.
Porsche: Aw, Kim. I feel so close to you recently. ❤️
Kinn: 🤨
Chay: 🤨
Pol: Not me!
Hansa: Not me.
Pete: Not me.
Malai: Not me, but Korn has infringed on her rights and she deserves communication with the outside world, despite the power he still holds over everyone.
0272781005: Friend. 🙂
Hansa: Malai, his sons are in this group.
Kim: We agree with her, it's fine.
Khun: I also agree that Namphueng should have all of the technology she wants! 😤
Khun: But I didn't give it to her either.
Arm: I am also in agreement that she should have a way to reach us, but also didn't give her the iPad.
Kinn: You sure? You have the most access to extra technology in the compound.
Khun: IF YOU ARE ACCUSING MY BOYFRIEND OF ANYTHING, I WILL RUIN YOU!!!!
Nalin: Fine. Preeda and I got it for her. She's our lesbian ma. 🥺
0272781005: Daughter!
Porsche: Ma, please. Nalin, while that was a nice gift, Chay and I should have been informed prior to her getting something like that. We have to be very careful around Korn.
Nalin: She promised to be careful with it! We downloaded some digital art apps! If Korn does happen to see her use it, Preeda plans on telling him that she downloaded the apps she uses for art so Nam can try new mediums!
Macau: They were being thoughtful. And they're right. Nam deserves to have a way to reach out to any of us, anytime she needs.
Nalin: 🥹 🩵
Macau: 🩵
Arm: 🤨
Chay: I think they're right, Hia. She deserves a way to reach out to us. She's gotten a lot better and she would be able to talk to Fern, Vegas, Pete, and Macau whenever she isn't at their house. It's time.
0272781005: I already made an email so I can make a YouTube account to subscribe to other lesbians. 🙂
Malai: As you should.
Porsche: Fine, Ma. You can keep the iPad. Just keep it hidden. And be RESPONSIBLE with it.
0272781005: I MADE AN EMAIL.
0272781005: BY MYSELF.
0272781005: 🖕🏻
Porsche: You found the middle finger emoji. Great.
0272781005:🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
0272781005: Glad it's settled. I will bring ipad to weed night. So I can watch YouTube while I'm high.
Porsche: Ma, I don't know if that's a good idea.
0272781005: That's because it's not just good. It's great. Bye. I will get ready now. Meet you in ArmKhun suite.
0272781005: 💃🏻
Khun: How did she add herself to the chat?
Nalin: Preeda probably snuck into your phone and added her. She is the one who programmed everyone’s numbers into the text app.
Hansa: Sounds like Preeda.
Preeda: Sure does. 🙂
Khun: PREEDA! I REMOVED YOU SO WE COULD TALK ABOUT WEED WITHOUT TEMPTING YOU!
Preeda: I never stopped weed.
Malai: Which we don't condone.
Arm: ⬆️ What she said.
Preeda: You hypocrites are literally all gathering at Vegas’s to get high tonight. 🖕🏻
Preeda: I'm joining.
Khun: But you're so young…
Preeda: If I am not invited, then I will go hang out with Korn. Willingly. All night. Just for fun.
Khun: Ew!
Preeda: Your choice. 🤷♀️ Bye. 💃
Vegas: Just invite her.
Macau: Yeah, I would prefer her giggling because of a weed brownie than having a self-inflicted all-nighter with Uncle Korn. 😳
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Chapter Summary: Chay accepts a meeting from a prominent person in the entertainment industry, only for it to not go as planned. Kim plans an elaborate crime and vacation, all in the course of an evening. Khun talks to his brothers about their current deepest thoughts during Weed Brownie Night™️.
And as Namphueng gets a second wave from her edible high, she has a huge breakthrough, which is followed by a huge breakdown.
Apologies for the delay in chapter 29. I am cutting down on caffeine, trying to consume a very healthy diet, and I feel like my body is adjusting to that, which can make it hard to find the energy for writing binged. But this decision is hopefully going to be better for my personal health and future! 😂 Also, work has been hectic recently. To give you and idea, I was attacked by a teenage student and this happened:
Luckily, I was wearing underclothes. If not, I would have been flashing underboob to my students 🙃
Anyway, I have 12k written. It should be at least a 20k update and I hope it is worth waiting for!
Hello how are you? I love your Progression fic so much and I can't wait for another chapter. Do you plan to post some voting pool and preview, like usual? I don't want to pressure you at all. It's just my way of checking up on you to make sure you are doing okay. You are very punctual with your updates so not seeing new update made me worry if everything is okay.
Hello! I fell a little behind of schedule due to stressors and distractions IRL and was waiting until some of those passed before starting Chapter 29. Chapter 29, 30, and 31 are all pretty important chapters, so I didn't want to write it until I had the time to properly dedicate to it. I do plan on trying to write tonight, so I hopefully I will get a good chunk of it done and the chapter out by sometime this weekend. I haven't posted a poll because I didn't get as far along in the story in Chapter 28 as I planned, so a few of the plot points in the last poll will apply to this chapter. 😃 Some of the definite plot points will be:
- Chay dealing with the music producer being inappropriate with him and confiding in his brother because he is embarrassed that Kim was right.
- Kim's therapy session, expressing confusion about how he experiences attraction. "Asexual" and "Demisexual" are thrown around and gives him something to think about.
- Arm's sisters moving in, despite Arm being nervous about it conflicting with his trip with Khun.
- Weed night heart to hearts:
Kim, Khun, and Kinn: Khun talking about his upcoming trip with Arm and letting something huge slip, Kim talking about his planned trip with Chay and maybe what his therapist said, and Kinn asking if it might be okay if he schedules a session with Lane for himself since he doesn't want to go through the screening process to hire a different therapist.
Porsche, Chay, and Arm bonding over being Theerapanyakul SOs.
Vegas and Pete being in their own world for a while before Namphueng and Fern crash it.
Others are present as well and the groups do intermingle.
- Chay hearing back from college and giving Kim the news, along with admitting to the texts and interactions he has had with the producer - possibly with Porsche's encouragement (since Porsche is likely seconds away from intervening if something isn't done, but is also trying to respect Chay as an adult).
- Kim's reaction to that. A tense, but productive conversation following where they get some feelings out, but Kim also develops a plan that Chay can tentatively accept.
- Planning and embarking on their trip shortly after Arm and Khun embark on theirs.
Hopefully I can work on it today! But I will say that answering this post helped me organize my thoughts a little! I'm glad you like the story so much and hope you are doing well too! 🩵
