Chapter 6

Sighing to himself to curb his anxious thoughts, Tiwa rummages in his bag for his tights as he runs over the plan for the day. He takes out one of his t-shirts and pushes it over his head when a thought strikes him. He brushes a thumb absentmindedly over the embossed 'The Prides of Music' in the front before giving a decisive nod. In no time at all, he hears knocking on the door.

"Tiwaaa? I'm here!" Decha practically sings as he energetically slams the door with all his full might, unable to contain his excitement for a few more minutes.

Tiwa opens the door and welcomes Decha in, though he's not thrilled with the other's arrival. However, since they are bandmates, he knows he has to adapt to the situation. He forces a fake smile and quickly embraces Decha before reaching for his glasses.

"I found the best diner," Decha says excitedly as he all but drags Tiwa out the door. "Aw, come on, Tiwa, you are taking too much time!"

Tiwa shoots an unbelievable look from the corner of his eye, but this only makes Decha's grin grow wider. Although Tiwa doesn't understand why Decha is so happy, he's relieved that he won't have to hang out with him alone. "Whatever," he reluctantly agrees, putting on his watch and making it quick work.

They decide to walk to the diner since it is closest to their hotel. As they approach a small building with a warm, inviting exterior with its charming signage and flickering lights, Tiwa lowers the volume of the music playing through his earbuds. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and home-cooked food fills his senses as he enters. The interior is adorned with vintage décor and comfortable booths, creating a nostalgic ambiance that instantly puts him at ease. He can't help but smile as he takes in the diner's appearance, feeling a sense of comfort and belonging wash over him.

"This place looks cozy," he comments, throwing his hands in the air.

Decha nods in agreement. "It sure is! I've been here a few times, and I love it." Happily, he greets each worker with a small smile.

Meanwhile, Tiwa scans the almost-fulfilled diner, feeling his nerves unsettle and his anxiety rise. However, not understanding the reason behind it, Decha grabs him and excitedly pulls him toward a nearby table. Tiwa removes his earbuds and looks around, searching for his brother, who is not yet present by his side. This is unusual, as Jaran has always been punctual.

"Why hasn't my brother arrived yet?" Tiwa asks anxiously while continuously scanning his surroundings and pulling out his phone to send a text.

"I don't know," Decha rumbles, turning to order their food and drinks. He elbows his head on the table and watches Tiwa's expression for a few minutes before saying, "Even though I'm an omega, I don't fear anything. But you're squirming like..."

Tiwa doesn't want to hear anything, so he pops his earbuds in and props his head on his hand with his usual stern expression to avoid anyone getting near him before looking out the window in search of his brother. For the most part, he doesn't pay any attention to his surroundings other than his particular things. He watches outside and thinks nothing of it.

After a brief pause, a smile forms on his lips as he shuts his eyes; a wave of familiarity washes over him with the commencement of a well-known melody from childhood. He quickly hums along, anticipating the arrival of the second verse in the ongoing song.

His food is brought to him and placed in front of him, along with a bag of something. With a confused expression written all over his face, he opens the plastic sack and peers inside to discover what it holds. "Who got me these?!" He exclaims, raising his voice as his hands retrieve the box of Nerds.

"I am!" An unmistakable, deep, raspy voice echoes through the diner, capturing his attention. He looks toward a nearby booth and locks eyes with someone whose gaze sends chills down his spine. In that moment, time seems to stand still, with the ambient sounds of the diner fading into a distant hum.

Tiwa looks down at the Nerds, then looks up at the man again, really looking at him for the first time, taking in the incredibly handsome, icy-cold face that competes with the ice block. What catches his breath in his chest and starts his heart galloping within his rib cage the most are the sparkling dark brown eyes that bore holes into his soul and the irresistible line that crosses his cheek so perfectly when one corner of the man's lips curves into a smirk.

He can only stare at the man, and for his part, he's not making it any easier to figure out anything to say. "I suspect the crafty, crazy shit enjoys watching me stand like a speechless twit." His mind curses everything he knows, feeling deeply uncomfortable.

The man walks over to Tiwa with a smirk playing on his lips and crowds him against the chair, staring at him. The overpowering alpha scent emanating from him tickles Tiwa's nose, causing a light sheen of sweat to form on his skin. Savoring the reaction he has evoked, the alpha flashes a grin. "What's wrong, kid? Aren't these to your liking? You're practically a nerd, so here are some Nerds just for you!"

Tiwa glances at Decha and hopes the other omega will assist, but instead, Decha observes them with an entertained twinkle in his eyes, anticipating something further. Tiwa regrets coming alone with him and vows to never do it again, even if his brother insists. He shakes his head, attempting to clear his mind, and clasps his hands together before placing them on the alpha's chest.

"I'm not a kid." He interrupts, glaring. His eyes widen as he realizes his own foolishness, but the man doesn't seem upset. In fact, the alpha appears quite amused.

"Okay, pretty boy." The man lets out a small laugh as his fingers brush over Tiwa's cheek.

"I'm not," Tiwa grits his teeth and shoves the man away because he's getting irritated by being called 'pretty'.

"You are!" The man reassures. That shuts up Tiwa pretty quickly.

Tiwa tucks a piece of hair behind his ear, feeling depressed, but manages to maintain steady eye contact with the man who is smirking and ogling at him too obviously. He scans the area for his brother, hoping to find an escape from the situation, until the man tugs at his hair to regain his attention.

"Look, baby deer!" Tiwa wants to protest the nickname the man has given him once again, but he can't because it clears up his doubts about who this man is. The realization settles in, catching his breath. Suddenly, he feels coldness running down his back. He swallows hard and shivers a little, thinking about their last moment together ten years ago.

"I'm sure you know what I'm after and how this will end." The man laughs wickedly, moving away with each step.

Tiwa senses that there is something important at stake, and although he may not fully understand the man's comment, he knows one thing for certain: Pravat will stop at nothing to achieve his goal without allowing distractions to cloud his mind. The purpose behind his reappearance remains unknown, whether to inflict harm or be harmed. But one thing is clear: Things are about to change drastically.