Kim/Wren AU

[meanmugging]

Kim didn't know much about the kitchen or how to cook very much, but he was trying. Somedays it was okay, others not so much. Today was a not so much as he stood in the kitchen of their small apartment the window over the sink open as far as he could get it using a cutting board to try and wave the smoke that was building out the window.

There was some kind of white powder every where, either baking soda or flour most focused on a frying pan that was on the stove top still smoking slightly. He was covered in various mess from whatever he had manged to catch on fire. He was trying to avoid the dreaded smoke detector going off, but as the thing started sounding he cursed and hurried over waving the cutting board at the smoke detector trying to fan smoke away from it. This was not the Sunday morning eggs and pancakes he was going for.

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[whrrenah]

She'd been horrendously tired and crabby lately and she chalked it up to the new job she had. Of course, she more than likely didn't need to have a job, considering where Kim came from but she wasn't going to be one of those women who preferred to be kept. She wasn't a pet, and she wasn't helpless. The housekeeping and money earning was not going to be saddled on just one person or another. However, the breaking-in phase of her job was demanding and in order to not make herself sick, she tried to get as much rest as possible.

Which was duly interrupted by the scent of something dying a horrible death in the kitchen. Was that... fire? The alarm said so.


Wren didn't even bother putting on a robe, she just donned Kim's shirt and hurried out, her eyes widening at the disaster that was present. Without saying anything, she rushed over to him, grabbing a chair to climb up and pop the battery out of the detector before her ears started bleeding. Once the alarm was muted, she scanned the area for any active fire, then turned to look at Kim. Even though she was dressed in just his shirt that barely skimmed her thighs, she wasn't any push over and finally crossed her arms in front of her chest, hiking that shirt up a fraction more.

"Any explanation as to why you were trying to burn the place down?"

[meanmugging]

He was still standing there with the cutting board waving in the air, it smelt bad in there and Wren was particularly annoyed. He lowered his hands with the cutting board. " Breakfast is done?" he said sheepishly.

He turned and picked up his phone to order some food, it was so much easier than the stupid kitchen bullshit anyway. " I simply can't cook. I know it you don't need to yell at me."

[whrrenah]

She watched him a moment more and then sighed, relaxing her posture. She was annoyed but also concerned. "What were you trying to make?" Wren asked in a calmer voice as she turned towards the stove. It needed to be cleaned up and the stench needed to be removed. In her mind, she supplied the answer herself of nothing edible as her stomach lurched. Badly.

Wren froze, her eyes wide as she looked at the stove. Nope. She couldn't do it. She couldn't even look to Kim as she held up one finger in askance to wait as she half walked/half ran to the bathroom to puke bile into the toilet. They hadn't been drinking last night, so what the hell? And it wasn't like Wren drank enough to produce a hangover, anyway.

[meanmugging]

" It doesn't matter, it's ruined anyway." he said tossing his phone on to the coffee table. " I'll clean ---" he started before she took off down the hall. Alright, that wasn't good. He frowned and grabbed a wash cloth wetting it in the kitchen sink before going into the bathroom. He gathered up her hair holding it back and gently wiping off the back of her neck with the damp cloth.

" I think you've been working too much lately, your body is telling you that too." he was concerned very concerned. She was tough as nails and a little smoke and burned food surely wouldn't cause this from her, would it? Once she had finished he let her hair down and rubbed her shoulder gently before turning on the sink to get her water to rinse her mouth out and have a sip. " Here." as he handed the water and the wet cloth to her.

[whrrenah]

She felt... well.  Her stomach was still rolling but there wasn't the usual fever for an illness.  Fatigue? Sure.  But she's been tired more often than not.  Still couldn't claim illness with that.  And Kim was making sense, which she didn't like because she couldn't refute it.  Gratefully, she took the glass and swished her mouth out before spitting into the sink, her nose wrinkling at the smell of vomit that was stuck there.
"Thank you," she said quietly, not knowing what else to do.  She still felt sick, but was it because of the workload she took on?  Wren was wracking her brain on what type of illness she could have.  "Maybe, you're right," she admitted.  "But I'm not Thai, and they want results.  I'm just trying to get established and hopefully convince them that I'm up for the task.  They don't trust me," the conclusion was given a shrug from her. 

Then her stomach lurched again and she was shoving Kim to the side to dry heave once more.    

[meanmugging]

Kimm rolled his eyes. " I have told you a thousand times that you don't have to bust your ass like we are struggling to survive, we aren't." and never would given the money he made as WiK in addition to his family funds.

He had enough time to get out of the way and grab the length of her hair to keep it out of the line of fire. Taking a hair tie from the sink he tied her hair back for her into a loose bun. " I am not saying you shouldn't work at all because I know you wouldn't want that. I am saying.. you're my lady and don't have to prove yourself to anyone for any reason."

[whrrenah]

"It's the principle," she countered, clearly feeling under the weather enough to not have any bite to her reasoning. "I'm a foreigner and they already look at me like I'm some trophy for you. But you're WiK there and I'm not saying that you're Kim. So ... You know, you'd think they'd be treating me like gold because of who I'm dating." Well, wasn't that an insult! Usually people would be treating the significant others like gold. Maybe they had an inkling that he was a Theerapanyakul.

Sighing and putting the thoughts to the side, she stepped forward to lean against Kim to gather some more comfort. Her forehead rested on his shoulder as she closed her eyes. "I don't know. I have a degree that I can't even get a job in. I thought the states would find it as the most useless degree ever but it seems as if it's pretty much useless anywhere. What did you decide to order?"

3 weeks later

[whrrenah]

Wren was in the little office area they shared, speaking animately on some face speaking app with her parents, auntie and uncle, playing catch up with everything that was happening in Thailand and then in the United States. She tried keeping everything even keeled until Kim could show up for the conversation: they had agreed to reveal the news together. And since she didn't want to really tell Kim's family, she definitely wanted to tell hers.

"So... do you need money? A lawyer? The US embassy?" her mother started as everyone else was crowded around the monitor on the other side of the world.

"Mom, as I said, we wanted to tell you about this together and Kim isn't here yet. I don't know what he's doing. Kim? My family's online, it's time!"

Re: 3 weeks later

[meanmugging]

Kim was just as calm and collected as ever. The way he seen things was they were both consenting adults and their life was their life. He understood that Wren had a much closer bond with her family than he did with his and that this was a big fucking deal for her.

He dipped his head into the office, he was armed with two seltzer waters with a squeeze of lemon. " Thought you might want a drink." he said coming over and giving a wave to the screen once he had set the drinks on the table. He had been really good at matching her diet, the changes that needed to be made and all.

He sat beside her and took her free hand into his, giving her knuckles and quick kiss.

[whrrenah]

Her whole face lit up when Kim arrived as she happily took the water. "Thank you." And when his chivalry showed, she couldn't help but blush when her uncle Drake squealed.

"Oh My Gods, just look at them! And Wren, you're glowing! Did he propose to you? Is this the big news? Ari and BigDragon are going to get another son? A rich son?"

Wren's mother turned her eyes to Drake. Her hair was blond and eyes were a stormy grey, so Wren obviously got her dark hair and silver eyes more from her father, who held black hair and blue eyes. Kohl sat beside Ari, closing his eyes and sighing softly at his brother's antics. "Drake..."

"No, that's not it." Wren rolled her eyes as she kept Kim's hand in hers. "But it is an equally important announcement."

Ari carried on a soft smile as if she already knew the big secret. It wouldn't surprise Wren in the least if she did, either. "Well, with that expression, you're not breaking up and moving back home. Are you two going to at least visit?"

[meanmugging]

Well...he had but that wasn't the news they were wanting to share with the family right in this moment. There was a soft chuckle as her uncle spoke about having a rich son. He'd be a liar if he said money didn't matter, because he'd never really been with out it. However, he was more than willing to share all he could with his new family.

" Yes, Ma`am" Kim said looking to the camera at Ari's question. " I thought we could visit for Christmas and American New year if that is okay with you." he still held Wren's hand with in his. They were operating in perfect sync and really he loved that so much.

" I was also going to ask Wren if she would mind taking over being my manager, I think things will be easier that way and she won't have to ask me every other day what my tours are." he said with a grin and a wink to Wren.

[whrrenah]

So that bit was a little surprise. But they were also talking about (before the video call) what would be better options for work so that the baby wouldn't be without a parent for hours and hours at a time. "Really? You want me to be your manager?" The question was sincere and soft as her eyes turned to her new fiance. "You're not sick of me yet?" That question was met with a smirk of her own, letting her family have a glimpse of what life had been like in Thailand.

But! Back to the announcement at hand. "I think Christmas--Yule-I haven't managed to add that one in yet, and New Years would be lovely. But you'll have to make certain the tree is big enough."

"Big enough? Why?"

Wren bit her lips for a moment longer before answering. "Because you'll need to have enough space for three sets of presents for us."

She swore she could hear crickets. And then the comprehension kicked in as Kohl, the normally stoic faced father, broke into a smile. "Are you kidding? You're pregnant?"

Wren glanced back over to Kim. "Well, we didn't get a puppy, did we?"

It was five minutes before the screaming and shouting and celebrations were settled down to a dull roar.

[meanmugging]

He looked to her with affection, as if they weren't being watched at all. " Yes, I do. You're qualified and who better than to look out for the interests of WiK than the love of his life? How could I ever be sick of you." he said lifting her hand up to kiss her knuckle.

He quieted to allow her to talk to her family. He wore a light smile and shook his head " No puppies here, I am more of a cat guy myself honestly anyway." he said with a wink.

When her family exploded into the happy hooting and hollering started he gave a small chuckle. It was nice to have family happy about their little bundle. He couldn't say how his family would be once they got around to telling them.

BORN IN THE US of A!

[whrrenah]

She didn't consider herself 'home' until they made it to Columbus International. It was the closest place to Kaitown and thusly her parents' property. After a full day of traveling from airport to airport, Wren was beyond exhausted even though she was only in her second trimester and barely showing. It was a blessing and a curse when some people even questioned why she should take a first class seat even though she wasn't drinking any alcohol as if that was the only reason why someone should be in first class. Ah, the world was never short in Karens, no matter where one was. It made her want to buy out all of first class just to one up the entitled jerks.

With crisp, cool air and a light dusting of snow, she was thrilled to be on the ground before the storm hit. And Wren made doubly certain that Kim had extra warm layers on for his 'thin blood.' And a electric heated vest. Wren was also bundled up, but not as extensively as he was. "My blood's thicker than water, after all," she teased pleasantly, poking his nose playfully. And while they were in the United States, she was still in Thai mode with her words. "Let's go get our luggage and then find them."

Re: BORN IN THE US of A!

[meanmugging]

Kim was annoyed by the whole air port experience, usually with his security group he didn't have to deal with much of this. If he would have known there would be so many annoying people around Wren would have gotten her commercial flight vote vetoed. He would have rathered his private jet and special butt cushion for long flights.

He did make a spectacle of the comments about Wren and first class twitching a bit before buying 12 shots in the bottles and setting them on Wrens tray. " There she has alcohol now shut the fuck up and mind your own business." cranky tiger was cranky. And fucking cold already.

By the time their trip ended he was less moody, but still moody and grunted at the joking and nose poke. The snow was too close to him for his liking. " I'll get the bags, you find your parents and I will meet you guys up by the exit. They have carts so I will be fine, you don't carry anything heavy anyway." he said winking and leaning over to rub her tummy affectionately before kissing her cheek.

[whrrenah]

"Like you would have let me carry heavy things anyway," she retorted, allowing the kiss and belly rub before she went in search of her family. It was a few minutes but she did find them, the reunion happy and tearful from everyone around. Her parents had come for them, ready with an SUV to bring them home.

"And how will we find your other half?" Ari asked as they were nearing the exits.

"One of two ways. One: we simply look for the Michelin man or two: follow the string of offended people. He's in a mood."

"I thought you were supposed to be in a mood?"

"No, we switch off. Ah! There he is! Kim!"

Kohl turned his eyes towards his Promised who shrugged. Kim, outfitted with many layers and standing beside a stack of luggage was at the exit, waiting for them. Wren was the one who caught up to him first, taking his hand into hers before doing the formal introductions. "Mom, Dad, this is Kim Theerapanyakul. Kim, these are my parents, Arista and Kohl."

[meanmugging]

Was it bad his puffer coat was also white? He would have preferred a Stay Puft man reference. He carted the bags and even made a fast stop at a kiosk on the way to the exits.

Once he spotted Wren he smiled, just happy to see her even though they'd not been apart for very long. Once she took his hand in hers he lifted it kissing the back of her hand. He turned his eyes to the parents and gave a bow, before handing a white carnation to Arista, and giving a bow of respect to Kohl. " Pleased to meet you."

He held up his hand before digging in his pocket. " I got something for you too." and there it was one of those crunchy pickles in a bag, handing it to Wren.

[whrrenah]

Arista watched how Kim treated their daughter, offering a happy sigh as one hand took the flower and the other took Kohl's hand. "Young love. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it, Dragon?" She looked over to Kohl. "You might want to consider doing that more often."

Kohl's eyes slid over to her, almost predatory in nature. "If I did that, then we would be escorted out of here and into a cruiser for indecent exposure," he rumbled dryly. While everyone else was in winter gear, Kohl was in slacks and a denim jacket, his shirt looking more like a muscle tee than anything substantial.

"Pickle!" Wren breathed reverently, taking it. "How did you know this was my favorite?" It had been her favorite since the cravings kicked in. Also, being a pickle, it had other connotations.

While everyone else got settled into conversation, Kohl went to haul up some of the suitcases, carefully arranging them to the point where he knew they wouldn't fall off the cart so they could head to the car. "I parked in the loading zone so we don't have much time."

[meanmugging]

" I knew because it's a pickle." he said, his mood lifting just seeing how she lit up with just a simple thing. Though he could hear the future in laws talking and....well...at least it was good to know they were still active. Kinda gross because...older people sex.

He brought his arm around Wren's shoulder kissing her cheek before going to help with loading the bags on the cart. " we'd better get going before the Segway brigade has kittens and tows the car." he said putting his arm back around Wren to walk her out. Once they were to the car he would of course help her into the car before moving to the back to load bags into the car. damn skippy one fo those bags held at least 10 of the air plane shots he had bought on the flight. Fucking mouth breathers. He'd need to come out with their engagement sooner rather than later. People couldn't be treating her like that, she didn't deserve it and frankly it pissed him off to no end.

First night everyone is home

[whrrenah]

Wren wanted to turn in early. It had been a happy, chaotic occasion with most of her family present and there were already so many new people for Kim to meet. His comfort was extremely important to her and when everyone started to snuggle really close to each other and a certain purr began, vibrating her bones, she called it a night and told everyone to have fun while she tugged Kim away into her room.

And once in there, she kissed him soundly, letting her hands roam over his body before pulling back far enough to start undressing him. "Been a big day today. Expect chaos here on out." She said it with a fond smile, of course, her eyes looking up to his. "I love you, Kim." It was also another important thing to do- reaffirming her love and affection and devotion. "We both do," she amended, moving his hands to rest on her belly.

Re: First night everyone is home

[meanmugging]

He imagined that vibrating purr could be something that was useful in the bedroom. He blinked and shook his head, he must be getting tired for his brain to wonder right on over to that corner. A polite smile and a bidding of a good night as he went along with Wren to her room.

He returned the kiss and let his hands slide down her sides. He shifted to allow her access to pulling off his clothes, looking to her. " It has, and I figured as much." he said smiling to her " I love you too." his hands rubbing her stomach softly before lifting her shirt to kiss the baby bump. " I should be helping you get your clothes off not the other way around." he said drawing her shirt up and over her head.

[whrrenah]

She offered him a smile, pausing so that he could help undress her before continuing. "Don't worry. When I'm bloated beyond belief can can't even get up from the couch, your services will be more than appreciated."

Not even bothering with pajamas (and most nights she didn't anyway,) Wren slipped into bed, bringing Kim with her. "I am so grateful for you. I mean, you may have thought the mafia background was going to be a lot--my family is a lot. Magic, mythical creatures, alternate worlds. I think that would be a lot more to take in than just... 'My family wealth is based on extortion and smuggling and gambling."

[meanmugging]

He gave her a soft chuckle. " as if I need a reason like that to get you out of your clothes." he said kissing her nose and bringing his hand up to brush some hair from her face.

He lived in a hot climate; pj's were more often than not left sticking to ones body, so he was a free sleeper too. Unless he was sick then he looked like he was going to traverse Antarctica.

Laying into the bed with her he thought about what she said for a moment. " Hnn I think that depends on who you are asking. I really am glad that it turned out well for us. Both can be hard pills to swallow, but we are still here. Together."

[whrrenah]

She curled around him, happy to tuck her belly into the dip of his waist and curl her legs around one of his thighs-a favorite sleeping position for her. "Me too. We're still here, together. I guess having crazy, off-the-wall histories helped with that." Wren smiled softly as she nuzzled his shoulder. "And you bought me a house you sneaky thing, you! Are you planning to take my last name too?"

She wasn't expecting him to do so. Theerapanyakul had power in it: power and risk. And yet the deed was solely in her name. She understood why: to keep other fingers out of their pie. It wasn't too unlike the relationship her parents had. Kohl took Arista's family name because he didn't have one. The land and property were also in her mother's name. She couldn't help but see the correlations.

"Guess I'll have to hit up the police station and start the application process of being a naturalized citizen." That was a thought! Wren did have leanings towards becoming a citizen of her husband's country but with the whirlwind of events, she hadn't gotten around to it. "You'll have to help me make certain I get the anthem just right."

It seemed a little silly that she needed to sing the anthem as part of the test, but she would do it. After all, she had the best singing coach in Thailand, anyway!

[meanmugging]

He brought an arm around her lazily running his finger tips along her shoulder. He didn't mind having one of his legs clung to like a koala clinging to a tree. It was nice, and it probably helps let pressure off her hips to sleep that way.

" Well, you're giving me a child, least I could do is to give you a home. I still think I have the easier part of that deal." he said looking to her. " I will be keeping my name." he said tickling her lightly " Already trying to take all my man cards away." he was grinning as it was a clear joke.

" The hardest part will be waiting, but pending if you will be taking my name or keeping yours after we are married, there may be a way to speed things up a little." he looked to the ceiling. " The song is not that long, I don't think you will have an issue learning it. You probably already know a bit of it from it being played twice a day in public places and on TV." he said turning to look to her and kiss her nose. " You'll do great, and even if you mess up a few words being nervous they will be swooning so much from your voice they will give you a pass."