Archive of Our Own ^beta

--_--

Arthit's POV

I stepped into the dimly lit store and shuddered at the unnaturally cold air that greeted me. I could see no AC around so I didn't know where it was coming from, and that made me nervous all of a sudden. It was freaking Thailand, why was it chilly in here?!

I looked at the door where I came from but then I remembered my mother's unimpressed face when she inevitably found out about me being a coward for nothing, so I soldiered on. She'd definitely tell dad and he would mercilessly laugh at me and tease me about it. I didn't want to spend my break like that!

I went further into the shop and started browsing the stacked books all around. I groaned out in frustration when I saw that the books had no sense of organization in them. I looked around for someone, just anyone, to ask for the books I needed so that I could go away from here fast, but I found no one. I tried calling out again, silently of course, because, what if there was a murderer hiding in here? I wasn't dumb, you know.

There was still no one, not even a psychopath nor a ghost. I contemplated again to just leave, and just face my parents' teasings when I caught sight of the countertop jutting out at the back. I decided to go there and try my luck one last time. If there was still no one, I would leave. I wouldn't be able to pay my books anyway. I approached the back warily and called out again.

"Hello?" I said shakily, a little bit louder than the last.

There was a bell on the counter and I pressed it mindlessly. I jumped at the shrill sound it made. I looked around and still saw no one. Deciding to wait for a few more minutes, I leaned on the counter and observed the books behind it. Then I eyed the bell again and slowly poked at it, pressing on the button. It rang shrilly again. Like a cat that had found a red dot on the floor, I pressed my index finger on the button again and again, creating a rhythm of some unknown song after a while. The books forgotten, I kept on playing on a certain beat and bobbed my head into it.

"Will you please stop that?!" a disembodied voice said behind me. I yelled in surprise, turning around and swinging the very first thing that my hand had groped, which turned out to be a thick hardbound book. I watched in horror as a boy crumpled down on the ground after my weapon collided with his head.

Help! I think I just murdered somebody!

--_--

Kongpob's POV

I sighed in frustration as I stared at the stacks of books that I still need to sort out. I adjusted the black frames that sat atop my nose, irritated, as it kept sliding down. Seriously, what had P'Kamlai been thinking, not organizing things in her shop? When a delivery of books arrived, did she just leave them lying around or put them haphazardly in bookshelves? This was so chaotic!

I put on my wireless earphones and let the music blast through the tinny speakers as I returned on the task at hand. It was bound to be a long long day for me here.

--_--

Was that a ding? That was a ding, right? I pulled out one of the earphones and listened for any sound in the still shop. Having heard nothing, I put back my earphones. Then I heard it again, a series of dings. I pulled out again the earphones and this time, I heard it. Someone was in the shop! Oh dear, I totally forgot about the till.

I dusted myself off as I stood up from the corner where I decided to start my organizing, and went further back towards the counter. There was, indeed, someone by the counter and I was getting annoyed by them fast. Why was the guy playing around with the bell? Oh my god, did he play around my shop, too?! That's it! I hastened my pace and reached him in no time.

"Will you please stop that?!" I told him irritatedly. I watched him shriek like a girl and jump at least a foot into the air and whirling around. A retort was at the tip of my tongue but I forgot about it when I saw his face.

Beautiful, I thought. And that was the last thought I had before pain hit me and darkness enveloped me.

--_--

I heard someone muttering near me and I think that was what woke me up. I tried opening my eyes and groaned when pain flared through my skull.

"Oh god. You're awake!" exclaimed a masculine voice. Huh? Who was that? I didn't recognize the voice.

"Keep it down, will you?" I grumbled. I tried opening my eyes again, slowly this time and was thankful when the pain was just a dull throb. Then I came face to face with an otherworldly being and I felt my breath hitch.

"Am I in heaven?" my dumb brain supplied my tongue. Well, wouldn't you think that too when you feel so much pain and you see an angelic face peering down on you?

"Huh? What are you talking about?" he asked bewildered.

"Because what would an angel be doing here on earth if I'm not dead yet?" I asked. I swear to you, dear reader, I wasn't flirting or anything. I seriously thought I was dead and that I had a gone to heaven.

"Huh? What are you talking abou—are you flirting with me?" he asked. Or more like demanded. A scowl formed on his face, wrinkling up the space between his perfect eyebrows.

"I'm not flirting with you. I'm dead, aren't I?" I asked.

"Wha—how hard did I hit your head? Oh my god, I'm so sorry about that. I think I should take you to the hospital. I think you're delirious!" he said as he started to panic.

He stood up suddenly and then my head was colliding with the hard surface of the floor. I groaned out loud as the pain flared up again, from my temple towards the back of my head. Why was there pain on my temple?

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed. I felt my head being cradled and then there were soft hands caressing my temple. I jerked away from the hand when I felt pain from the area, and he apologized again. Okay, I was definitely not dead yet because of the pain. How stupid of me.

"What happened?" I asked him.

"Uhh... I'm really sorry, please don't be very mad!"

"What. Happened?" I asked again, firmly this time, as I stared at the guy.

"I-I—I struck you with an encyclopedia I'm sorry!"

I was left speechless.

"Why?! " I exclaimed.

I saw him flinch from the volume of my voice but I didn't feel any guilt at all. I sat up and felt a bout of dizziness, and then there were gentle hands supporting me again. I waved him off and started to stand slowly. I could feel him hovering near me, and even though I would've liked to stay away from him after he attacked me, I still felt grateful for his assistance.

"Uhm... because I thought you were a... murderer... or.... Something," murmured the last part but he was standing so close so I still managed to hear what he said. I remembered being annoyed a while ago due to this guy playing with the bell.

"Why would I make my presence known if I wanted to murder you?! Jeez! You've watched too many horror and thriller films!"

"Hey, you suddenly appeared out of the blue! There weren't people around and the shop is really gloomy! And creepy!"

"I'm tending to this shop! And it was open for business, so wouldn't it be common sense that there would be someone in here?"

"Well, I tried calling out a few times but nobody was answering!"

I had no comeback for that. I should've played my music through the Bluetooth speaker instead of my earphones.

"Uh... Yeah, I though no one would be coming inside since, as you can see, it's like this..." I said, gesturing at the chaotic mess of books.

"Well, my mom told me about this, and I really need to get reference materials here. Our textbooks are very pricey when you buy it firsthand."

"What's the title? I might've have come across it – urgh."

A sudden bout of dizziness came over me again.

"Uhh, I really think we should go to the hospital, yeah? For my peace of mind, too. I'm really sorry for this."

"Uhm, it's really okay," I told him again.

"Please?"

Alright, PUPPY DOG EYES WERE REAL! Oh, dear lord, give me strength!

"...Fine. Let me just close the shop."

"I'll help you."

--_--

It turned out that I had a mild concussion. The doctor advised me to rest for a week and that someone should be with me at all times.

The angel was Arthit, and he was older than me. He was a college student at a university in Bangkok and was back on town for semestral break.

He received a dressing down from his mother when he called her and confessed what happened. Then his mother approached me and apologized for his son's recklessness. I told her that it was an accident and that both of us were at fault. Still, she insisted, and paid the hospital bills and the meds I needed. She offered to take me home and, accompanied with P'Arthit's puppy dog eye look, I agreed.

In the car, his mother asked him about what happened, to which he answered in detail. Then she got angry again at his son. Apparently, she knew my family, which surprised me. In fact, she directed her son to the store because she knew that my sister owned it.

When we arrived at my sister's house, she again apologized to me and even to my sister when she went out to greet us. We invited them for dinner but they refused, telling us that she had to prepare something for her husband. They went home after instructing my sister of all the doctor's instructions and after another bout of apologies.

My sister and my brother-in-law fussed around me and I was getting kind of tired, so I excused myself and went to my room. For two whole days, my sister pampered me as I stayed at home all day and kept resting. By the second day, I was getting bored already, and by the third, I couldn't take it anymore.

The store was a ten-minute walk from my sister's house so I decided to go there. She had been the one tending to it with her two-year-old son, while her husband tended to his family's company. Oh yeah, the bookshop was just something of a past-time for my sister, and since we share the same passion for reading, she decided on a used-books bookshop.

I didn't inform my sister about my visit, and told the housekeeper that I would be out of the house for a walk. Aunty tried to stop me but I managed to persuade her, with the promise that I would only be out for a few minutes, and that I would use the umbrella that she insisted on me. I did use the umbrella since the sun's rays were no joke.

I managed to arrive without incident and was very surprised when I went inside. Instead of my sister at the till, there was the angel. I mean, P'Arthit was the one at the till.

"P'..." I managed to utter despite my shock.

"Oh, Kongpob! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting at home?" he asked getting frantic at my appearance. Just then, P'Kam came barreling from the storeroom behind the counter.

"Kong! What the hell?" she exclaimed.

"Hell!" exclaimed a tiny voice behind her.

I shot her a disapproving look as she looked at her son, shocked. I heard a snort and saw P'Arthit trying hard to control his laughter.

"What are you doing here, P'Arthit?" I asked him. He turned his head up to look at me, traces of mirth still evident on his face.

"Oh, me? Uhm, I felt bad for your sister. I went back again the other day and saw how she was juggling with tending to the shop and her son. So, I volunteered instead," he answered, rubbing his nape in embarrassment. "Also, because my mom made me do it. But! I really wanna help P'Kamlai."

"Just call me by my nickname, N'Arthit. No need to be formal about it. After all, I did look after you when you were young, so you're no stranger to me," P'Kam told him.

"Uhm, okay, P'..." he said shyly. It was such an endearing sight, his blushing cheeks making him look so harmless and cute. I want to pinch those cheeks!

"And you? What are you doing here, huh? Why aren't you home, resting? Are you Superman now, huh?" P'Kam asked me accusingly.

"I'm bored, P'! And I am itching to sort out your mess of a bookstore! Seriously, why couldn't you have taken the time to arrange the books before it piled up like this?" I whined. P'Kamlai and I might've shared the passion for reading and collecting books but that's the limit of how alike we were. She was a messy person, but not a slob, mind you, while I was neat and organized. So, the mess of books was giving me an itch I couldn't scratch.

"Aish, this brat! Go back home to mom and dad, for all I care!" she grumbled.

"Nooooo! Unca Kong stay!" my nephew, Gun, wailed. He was glaring at his mother, with tears threatening to fall, as he protested about having me here. P'Kam shot me a dirty look as shot her a smug smile, then she was placating him, promising a lot of things.

I took pity and took him from her, and told him that I was staying for the break. Until I had to really go back to continue my studies, I promised to play with him and be with him for the duration of my stay here.

"Seriously, Kong. The doctor said that you should res—"

"P', I already rested for two days, doing absolutely nothing aside from sleeping. Let me do this, hmm? I'm going stir crazy at home. I promise, I'm not feeling any dizziness nor headaches. I will tell you when I do, okay? And I promise, I will rest when I feel fatigued, does that sound okay to you?"

P'Kamlai heaved a deep sigh after she observed me for a while. I knew then that I already won.

"Fine, suit yourself. I'll just do inventory at the back. Arthit can keep an eye on you. Right, Arthit?"

"Of course, P'. Don't worry about it."

--_--

Arthit's POV

I nearly became a murderer, guys. A MURDERER! I was too young for prison and I still have a lot of hopes and dreams. Thinking about it still made me nervous and guilty. I couldn't sit still at home knowing that I had caused someone to be incapable even for just a few days. Wait, what if he really needed the money for school and everything? Or worse, what if he was working for his family and he needed the money to feed his numerous siblings who were starv—oh wait. Their house looked pretty decent. It was actually on the more upscale part around their area. But still, the guilt was eating at me. The very next day, I decided to go to the shop again to check on him.

Surprisingly, it was open. I thought for sure that it would be closed because I had assumed that he was the only attendant. Then I remembered that he was only a part-timer and it would make sense if somebody else took the till that day. I went further into the shop and met with the woman from yesterday. Kongpob's sister, I think. I politely greeted her and she smiled in return.

"Hey, Nong. How may I help you?" she asked good-naturedly. As if I didn't do something nefarious to his brother yesterday.

"Uh... I-I uhm..." I stuttered, blushing furiously and not being able to meet her eyes. She chuckled in response.

"C'mon, N'Arthit. It's okay. I don't really blame you for what happened yesterday, and neither does Kongpob, I think. You can relax around me. As for Kongpob, he's at home resting, don't worry. There hasn't been anything that happened to him since yesterday, aside from the headache and the occasional dizziness."

"O-oh... That's good to hear, P'. To be honest, I'm still feeling guilty about it. I had been so reckless yesterday. It was so dumb of me, honestly. I guess I was just too jumpy."

"Oh? Why were you jumpy?"

"Because this place looks suspicious and scary. I thought for sure that there are dead bodies hidden here and a psycho just waiting to pounce on their next victim, and I aaaaaam shutting up now!" I quickly slapped a hand on my mouth to stop the words that could further offend the shop owner. I found her laughing though, so I guess I was out of the woods.

"Oh, you have quite the active imagination!"

"... Sorry, P'. I-I didn't mean to offend you, or something."

"No offense taken. Honestly, Kong had been complaining about the same thing since he arrived a couple days ago. He's here to actually help me tend to the shop since I am also busy with my son. I haven't had the time to arrange the books for a long time now and they just piled up around. My brother had actually made quite a dent on his corner of the shop and I am very thankful about it," she answered sheepishly.

I again felt guilty. So Kongpob had been tidying the shop and because of me, it wouldn't be done. Oh no! They would lose customers at this rate! I looked around saw a corner that looked tidy, with proper labels and all. The space looked safe and enticing as compared to the other parts of the shop.

"Don't worry about it, Nong! Seriously. It's not a big deal."

"But you might lose customers! I mean, If Kongpob had been working to make the place look better, then his efforts might go in vain!" What was I even saying? I heard P'Kamlai sigh.

"You know what? I actually received a compliment from one of the older ladies when she saw that corner. She said she won't be afraid anymore of finding vermin if the shop was as tidy as that corner. I hate that bi—sorry, that lady."

My lips twitched at her near slip.

"But what can I do? I have to check the inventory and accounts, too. I nearly don't have the time to continue tidying up the place."

"I'll help P'. After all, it's my fault that your brother can't work."

"Oh no. You don't have to. I can't possibly burden you with my shop's problems. Why don't you enjoy your semestral break, hmm? I'm pretty sure you have your friends to hang out with and other places to visit other than my stuffy bookshop."

"P', I insist."

She studied me for quite a while before breaking out into a teasing smirk.

"Your mom made you do it, isn't it?" she asked rhetorically. I blushed and ducked my head, rubbing my nape as I rocked on my heels.

"Yeah... But! I also feel really guilty, P'."

"Okay fine. You can work here. I'll pay you for your services, then."

"Oh no, P'! You don't have to! I've already caused you too much inconvenience as it is!"

"Nonsense. Just accept the money, Nong."

"But P'—"

"That's my condition. Just treat this as a part-time job. I might also need to hire another one in the near future because I might need to go back to my husband's company."

Husband's company? What was she doing here managing a small shop? My thoughts must've been clear on face because she chuckled.

"Company life is boring. I love being surrounded by books more. Sadly, I couldn't find the time when I am working with my husband. The company just demanded all of my time. I was actually very glad when I had Gun. At least I had the time to read books again. This bookshop actually started when I decided to declutter the library at home. I had to sell some of my them to make room for the new ones. Then some people began to supply me with their books and that's how this shop was born." She completed with a wide smile. I could tell she loved the store even at its state.

"D'you get customers? No offense, P'."

"You'd be surprised."

I raised an eyebrow at her cheeky smile. Then I laughed, thinking that maybe, she was right.

"Fine. I'll believe you, P'. Anyway, I'll have this time to see if your claims are true. So when do I begin?"

--_--

On my first day of work, I sorted out the books according to their genre and field of studies while P'Kam busied herself at the back with the books. Sorry, with the inventories and sales. My doubts were cleared off when several customers did find their way to the store throughout the operating hours.

The second day I worked there, P'Kam brought her adorable son with her and they both disappeared at the back. The boy was well-behaved and very polite. Then I got shocked later on when I found myself face to face with my victim while I was behind the counter. I meant my boss's brother.

"P'..." he murmured.

"Oh, Kongpob! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting at home?" I asked, getting panicked over his state. Was he okay? It was so hot outside, what if he got sick because of the heat?

I heard footsteps from the back, then I heard P'Kamlai's voice.

"Kong! What the hell?" she exclaimed.

"Hell!" exclaimed a tiny voice behind her.

I turned around and my eyes widened at the sight of the giggling kid. I couldn't stop myself from giggling too, so I ducked my head to hide my smile.

"What are you doing here, P'Arthit?" I heard him ask me instead of answering his sister. I looked at him, trying to compose myself, before I explained my reason for being there. P'Kamlai told me to drop the formalities and I blushed, getting shy all of a sudden.

I was glad when P'Kam turned her attention to her brother. She chided him about being in the shop when he was supposed to be home, resting. The other retorted about being bored and having a lot of things to do at the shop since it was so untidy. I watched the siblings bicker, Gun joining in after a while when he threw a mini tantrum.

I was about to placate the child but Kongpob beat me to it. He was good with his nephew and I could see why the child liked him. Then P'Kam told him off again about resting, but Kongpob was stubborn. She finally gave up when Kongpob promised to tell them if he felt something wrong with himself.

"Fine, suit yourself. I'll just do inventory at the back. Arthit can keep an eye on you. Right, Arthit?" P'Kamlai said.

"Of course, P'. Don't worry about it."

--_--

I kept my eye on Kongpob for the duration of his stay at the shop. He was silently working on his corner of the shop and I was actually getting impressed by his organization skills and how he had breezed through his stacks of books. As for me, I wasn't really that great at tidying up but I do know how to sort things out by some sort of order.

I got absorbed with my work, trying so hard to keep up with him when a voice suddenly spoke near me. I nearly brained someone again, this time with a thick tome of Economics.

"P', do you have a grudge on me? Are you actually trying to kill me?" the culprit said. Kongpob was standing a little way from my radius of attack, thankfully. Phew!

"You're the one at fault! Why do you keep startling me?!" I exclaimed. I watched as a slow smile bloomed on his face. He was actually quite hadnsome with that beautiful smile of his... wait, beautiful?! What the hell, Arthit?!

"Sorry about that, P'. I didn't mean to startle you," he apologized sincerely. I huffed in return, still reeling at how my thoughts arrived at the compliment for the other guy.

"Can I help you with books? If you don't mind that is..."

"Uh, sure... I actually noticed how organized you are and how easily you arranged the books. So yeah... I really don't mind."

He launched on how I should sort out the books, and after his explanation, I had a better understanding of what I should do. I thanked him for his help with a grin and then I set off to work again.

--_--

Kongpob's POV

Ffffuuuu—that's so cute, I thought when he grinned at me. He has a dimple, a VERY CUTE DIMPLE. Whaaa—why was my heart beating so fast? What was this? I got hit on the head, so why was I having some sort of a heart attack?

I went back to my corner, rubbing a hand across my chest. I glanced back at him again and saw the tiny absent smile on his lips as he perused the titles of the books and giving them a wipe before he put them on different stacks beside him.

Ba-dump.

I turned around quickly and started to work again. But my heart wasn't cooperating and still beating like crazy. I stole a glance his way again and saw a pink tongue poking out of those cherry red lips.

Ba-dump, Ba-dump.

I want to bite those lips as I stared at those chocolate brown eyes.

Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.

He moved his head from side to side in a series of stretches, making that pale column of a long neck exposed to my hungry eyes. I want to mark that blemish-free porcelain skin, see if he would mewl wantonly—

Ba-dump.

I averted my eyes and busied myself on the books in front of me, trying to stop my spiraling thoughts, which were finding a residence at gutterville. I was a goddamn pervert, oh my god. A pervert who was fantasizing about the new employee of his sister. Wait, would it be abuse of power if a made a move on him, what with me being his boss's brother? Oh no!

--_--

A week passed by with me trying to rein in my perverted thoughts of the angelic Phi that I had as a co-worker. Well, not all the time was I thinking about those thoughts, but I also thought about how pure and innocent he looked whenever he smiled. He was really beautiful and I had accepted to myself that I had a small crush on him. I didn't know that I could like boys this way. Did this make me gay? Eh, I'll find out about it later. For now, I had a job to do.

The both of us had turned the shop into a much less gloomy place. The books weren't tripping hazards anymore and the shelves were dusted out. We still have the other half of the shop to sort out but looking at the clean half, it made me feel proud of the accomplishment.

The customers who came in praised the place as well, and it helped in boosting my ego a bit. Yeah, we did that, I wanted to say.

I had also completely recovered from the concussion and I was back working full time at the shop. My sister went back to occasionally visiting instead of staying with us with the duration of that week. Between P'Arthit and I—I think we could manage the store pretty easily.

"Hey, Kong. Can I talk to you? I need to tell you something," P'Arthit said as he approached me. I turned to look at him and tried so hard to stop myself from zoning out and stare creepily at him. I succeeded, more or less.

"What is it, P'?"

"Uhm, I need to take a day off, or probably two days next week. Yeah, let's go with two days. P'Kam isn't here so can you please tell her that?"

"Oh... Sure P'," I said with a fake smile. I was actually feeling a little down. I wouldn't be able to see him for two days. How sad was that?

"Thanks, Nong. I need to go back to Bangkok for some university stuff. I'd probably be spending a night there depending on how long the meeting would take. That's why I asked for a two-day off," he explained.

"Oh, I see. Have a safe trip, P'. I'll be sure to relay this to my sister," I promised him.

He's going to be a third year, soon. Of course, he'd be busy, I chided myself.

--_--

My parents called my sister that day. She told me about the call before I even had the chance to tell her about P'Arthit's plan of taking a day off the following week. They told her to make me meet them at Bangkok next week. It coincided with the day that P'Arthit was supposed to be gone and I told as much to my sister. She decided to close the shop for the day so that she could focus on Gun and some of the company works.

"Mom said that someone will come fetch you. She didn't say who. She'll probably text me about it later. And Kong?"

I turned to look at her from where I was sat on the living room couch.

"Please, make up with mom and dad. This cold war between you guys is getting ridiculous. Stop being a stubborn ass for once, please?"

I scoffed at her.

"It's not like I want to be an ass to them, P'. But I really want to go to the Faculty of Economics instead of Engineering! How will I survive studying something that I don't like? I might just end up disappointing them."

"Okay first, you're a smart kid. I know that you can manage Engineering just fine. Second, why don't you hear out what they've got to tell instead of sulking all the way here?"

"But they won't hear my reasoning! With me going to Economics, I could actually learn how to handle the company better in the future!"

"Hmmm. Did you tell them that calmly or did that come out when you were arguing with them?"

"I-I—"

P'Kam heaved a deep sigh before she softly chided me.

"Kong, I think you need to sit down and have a talk with mom and dad properly. There's no point in running away from this because you have to choose soon. You only have a limited time to decide. Go meet with them next week. Talk this out with them."

I stared at a point on the coffee table, my arms stubbornly crossed against my chest. I also didn't want to fight with my parents. This was the very first time that I fought with them like this. But it was my future in the line, and I didn't know if their choice for me would benefit me or not. I knew in my heart what I wanted to study, but their insistence of another college path had shaken my resolve of pursuing what I chose. I was truly conflicted.

"Fine, P'. I'll go meet with them."

"Thank you. That's all I ask."

--_--

"Kongpob! Your car ride is here!" I heard my sister call out. I yelled back to wait for a few minutes as I packed some last-minute stuff in my small backpack.

I assumed that my parents would send me a car and a chauffeur under their employment but to my surprise, it wasn't. I thought at first that my eyes were playing tricks on me but the one waving at me from the shotgun seat was really P'Arthit's mother. I greeted them politely when I approached them, noticing a kind looking man at the driver's seat.

"Hop in, Kongpob," Madee, P'Arthit's mom, said.

I opened the backseat door behind Khun Madee and was surprised to see a sleeping P'Arthit inside. He was wearing a black shirt and it made his creamy white skin all the more enticing.

"Don't mind my sleepyhead son. You won't disturb him even if you bounce next to him," P'Arthit's father said. "I'm Aroon by the way."

"Sawasdee krap Khun Aroon. I'm Kongpob Suthiluck."

I shut the door of the vehicle after the short introduction and then we were on our way. They talked at a normal decibel and I was amazed that P'Arthit didn't even wake up, even when a loud horn blared past us. His parents and I talked about anything and that was when I found out that they were actually really close to my parents. They were college buddies, best friends, but they couldn't meet as frequently as they used to because of work. They still kept in touch though and knew about each other's lives. They said that they were actually going to Bangkok to meet up with them.

I thought to myself on how the heck could I talk to my parents when they would be spending their time with their friends. But they did ask me to meet them so I just shrugged it off. I didn't notice that I had fallen asleep. I only woke up when a heavy weight landed on my lap, startling me back to wakefulness. I glanced down only to find an adorable college student nuzzling against my stomach. It tickled but it actually felt nice. I draped an arm across his midriff and drifted back to dreamland, an absent smile making its way to my face.

--_--

"Honey, honey. Look at the back," Aroon whispered furiously to his wife.

"What?" Madee asked as he looked at his smirking husband, getting more confused. She turned towards the back and gasped. She quickly took out her phone and snapped several pictures before turning back to survey the images. She debated whether to send them to their friends or not, deciding on the former of course, then choosing the cutest one that she took.

Minutes later, a barrage of messages made her phone ding, to which she gleefully responded. She typed on her phone like a madwoman, occasionally showing her husband about it whenever they stopped for a red light. Aroon would snicker with her, enjoying chatting with their two best friends. The two young men at the back slept peacefully, unaware of the nefarious plans being cooked up.

--_--

Arthit's POV

I woke up with a jolt to the blaring of several horns around me, and looked at my surroundings incomprehensively. My mind was still sleep-adled and I was comfortable on where I was lying. I snuffled curiously before I shrugged mentally, burrowing my head against something soft and moving... moving?

My eyes shot open and I stared at the dark blue fabric in front of me that was moving rhythmically. I slowly traced the fabric upwards and saw a handsome and peaceful face of the person I had recently victimized. I scrambled to sit upright, making him startle awake.

"What?" he asked in confusion.

I hastened to sit properly, not wanting him to know that I had been using his lap as a pillow.

"It's okay, P'. You can still sleep longer. I don't mind," he said, looking at me with half-lidded eyes. I flushed at being caught. I was so tempted to take him up on his offer because I was still sleepy and he was so comfortable.

"Actuallly, were near Siam Mall. I need to drop you off to your parents first then we'd be going to Arthit's university. I believe you need some time to talk to them?" Khun Madee said, interrupting my plans of laying down again. I whined childishly, slamming my back against the backseat, as I stared outside the window mulishly.

"Aish, this kid. Will you act according to your age? You're already in your third year of college! Just two more years and you're already a graduate and a full-fledged adult! Start acting like one now, jeez," Mae scolded me.

"Yes Mae," I grumbled.

We drove in silence for a few more minutes and then we were stopping at the porte cochere of the familiar mall.

"Here you go, Kongpob. Call them where they are exactly," Por told Kongpob with a smile. He thanked my parents and smiled at me. I offered a small smile in return and a soft 'take care', and then he was gone.

My parents drove me off to the university and that took a good thirty minutes. I wanted them to just drop me off at the nearest bus stop because I felt bad for Por, who had been driving for a while now, but they refused. They said that the Suthiluck's needed the time to sort things out between them, and I asked my mother about it. Of course, she chided me to not be nosy about other people's business, which made me pout at them. Then finally, we arrived on campus, with me directing them to my dorm for me to grab my crimson workshop jacket. I bid them goodbye and then they were off. As for me, I went to my dorm and got what I needed then I was walking my way to the campus, checking my watch and found I had fifteen minutes to spare. When I arrived there, all of my friends were already present and were talking amongst themselves. I went to greet them and happily talked to them about what each of us had been up to. The door to the meeting room squeaked open and a booming voice called all of our attention.

"Alright guys! Gather up so that we could begin!"

All of us stood at attention before the group of newcomers, as the leader surveyed us one by one.

"Are you ready to become Hazers?" P'Tum's voice rang around the small room.

"Yes!"

--_--

Kongpob's POV

I sat gingerly at the vacant seat in front of the seated couple inside the quaint café after greeting them politely. I didn't dare meet their eyes because I wasn't ready yet to see the disappointment in them.

"Kongpob, dear?" my mom softly called out to me.

"Kongpob. Look at us, please," dad followed.

Slowly, I raised my eyes towards them as my fingers fidgeted at the strap of my backpack beneath the table. I saw pained eyes looking at me, their faces also looking tired.

"Let's stop this fight now, hmm?" mom pleaded. I felt my lips tremble and my eyes begin to water at the pure heartbreaking tone of voice she said those words to me.

"I'm sorry," I told them brokenly.

My mother stood up from her chair and went to my side of the table and hugged me as my tears began to slip free. I felt hands rubbing against my back and heard my father's soothing voice as he calmed me down. After a while, I managed to control my tears and then we sat down to begin our talk.

"You're still undecided," my father stated more than he asked. I shook my head no.

"Can you please listen to me?" I asked of them. He and mom both nodded their heads.

"I want to take up Economics so that I could help out in the company in the future. I want to learn how to interpret trends and social phenomena so that I could better run the company."

I added more points to convince them and I could see that they saw my enthusiasm regarding the subject. I went on with my explanation with a pleading edge to my voice, and they listened aptly. When I was done, they looked contemplative and I waited for their opinion.

"That's good, son. I will consider it okay? But for now, can you listen to our side?" Dad asked me. I nodded my head and listened to what they have to say as I sipped on my coffee.

He explained to me that he wanted me to learn about production, too, and not just about the administrative side of the business. He said he didn't want me to flounder when it came to the technical side of the business and I could see his point. He also pointed out that I could always take up economics as my post-graduate studies, while I couldn't do that with Industrial Engineering. I felt myself beginning to waver.

"Could I really do it, though, Dad? I have been preparing myself to go into Economics all this time, and not Engineering..."

"You're a brilliant boy, dear. I know you can," Mom replied. Dad nodded his agreement and I was so grateful I had parents who believed in me.

"Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad. Please give me a few days to think this through?" I asked of them.

"Of course," Dad agreed.

"Does this mean you're going home?" Mom said hopefully. I hate to crush that hope in her eyes but...

"Mom, I ... can't. I'm sorry. I'm really bothered by P'Kam's store. It's my personal project now," I told them apologetically.

Dad laughed a little as my mom heaved a heavy sigh.

"Who is the girl between you again? I swear to god, that child of mine..." she huffed out loud.

After our talk, I accompanied my parents as they roamed around the mall. Dad and I just followed around Mom in bemusement as she entered shops after shops. I little while later on, we were joined by P'Arthit's parents. Dad and Khun Aroon bro-hugged, I looked at them with a rasied eyebrow, while my mother and Khun Madee hugged each other tightly. The adults decided that we should have lunch and that's what we did next. After that, they were dragging me to roam around again. That was how my afternoon went, getting dragged around by excitable adults.

--_--

P'Arthit joined us around mid-afternoon and told us that he wouldn't have to stay at Bangkok as he had expected. Their meeting had been dismissed early and he was thankful for that.

"Oh my, what a nice young man your son had grown into," my mother complimented him when he was introduced by his parents.

"Oh hush, Nika. He's not nice all the time. He's spoiled and still very much childish," Khun Madee told us with a scoff. "Your son on the other hand is so polite and seemed mature for his age. He's really grown into a fine young man."

I felt myself blushing at the compliment.

"My son? Oh ho, not at all! He just yelled at us, his parents, just a couple weeks ago and ran away from home! I was relieved when Kamlai informed us about him staying with her! Tell me, is that something a matured man would do?" my mom denied.

I groaned in frustration and leaned my head against my father's back, the fatigue from all the walking and from carrying all the shopping bags catching up on me. A few minutes later, a cool hand caressed my nape gently.

"Hey, are you okay? Are you feeling dizzy?" P'Arthit's voice sounded near, making me flinch in shock. I raised my head to look at him and I saw the worry in his eyes. He was also biting his lip and I wanted to tell him to not torture that cherry lip but I refrained myself.

"Yes, P'. Don't worry about me. I'm just tired from all the walking and my arms are about to fall off because of these bags," I reassured him with a smile, shaking said bags for emphasis.

What I said was not far from the truth because my arms were really aching. Just the small gesture of raising an arm to adjust my glasses took a lot of effort. Then he did something quite out of the blue. He pulled the bags dangling from my left hand and held them, making me speechless.

"I'll help you carry them, then. I don't think it's a good idea for you to be overly tired yet," he simply said.

"U-uhm, t-thanks P'." Why the hell was I stuttering?!

Both of us turned towards the elders and were taken aback when we saw them. They formed a line in front of us, our mothers at the center and clutching at each other as they gazed at us with a strange glint in their eyes, while our fathers stood beside their wives, judging looks on their faces.

"Should we leave you two alone? Are we on the way of your date?" Khun Aroon said after a while.

I immediately flushed at the insinuation. P'Arthit looked worse since he had such fair skin.

"Wh-what are you talking about, Por! Date? Who's on a d-date?! I was just worried that his condition was worsening, okay?!" he stuttered out.

Silence from the adults met us. Then—

"Oh yeah. Kannika, Kerkklai. My stupid son struck poor Kongpob with a hardbound encyclopedia and caused him to have a mild concussion. Just because of his stupid cowardly ass and overly active imagination. I'm sorry about that," Khun Madee casually informed my parents.

"Mae!"

--_--

Arthit's POV

I was so glad that Kong's parents understood that what happened between him and me was totally an accident. After I apologized to them and to Kong again, we went on out merry way around the mall. Well, the adults went on their merry way, while Kong and I followed around like lost ducklings. Lost, tired ducklings.

The two of us slumped on one of the benches outside another shop that they wnet to, leaning against the backrest with a groan.

"I'm so tired," he murmured.

"Hmm," was my only answer as I closed my eyes.

My hazer training was quite rigorous, P'Tum pushing us to our limits. I wanted to so badly lie in bed and I was actually regretting my decision of joining my parents now. I should've lied and went to my dorm instead of thinking of going back home with them tonight.

"Do you want something to drink, P'Arthit? I'm gonna go and get some for me," Kong asked after a while.

"Pink miiiiilk," I whined out, taking a peek at him and pouting my lips for effect. I didn't care at that time if he found out about me loving that sissy drink. He chuckled and I found myself mesmerized by his smile. Then he stood up, breaking me from the trance he put me in. I wondered what was wrong with myself. Maybe I was more tired than I thought.

"Arthit!" yelled a voice and I let out a groan. Not the whole gang, please...

"Oi! You said you're gonna meet up with your parents since you're going home tonight? What the hell are you doing here, huh? Did you lie? Did you ditch us? Are you on a date? Huh? Huh? Who's the lucky girl? Is Namtan finally free—OW!" Bright's annoying voice got cut off when I kicked him in the balls.

He crumpled down as he clutched at his crotch.

"Annoying," I grumbled.

"Why'd you do that?! These are precious! They bring pleasure to women, Arthit!" Bright whined out, his voice unnaturally high. Did I hit him that hard? Oops.

My other friends laughed at his misery, while Knot looked at me disapprovingly. I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly back at him.

"I'm with my parents, just so you know. They're inside, shopping. I'm just resting because I'm so tired," I grumbled out loud.

"Oon!" just in time, I heard my Mae call out to me. All of my friends straightened up, well except for Knot since he knew my Mae longer, and turned to greet her.

"Aw, I didn't know your friends are here, too! How have you been, my dears?" she asked with a wide smile as she surveyed my friends one by one.

"We're okay Khun Mae! You're looking more beautiful than the last time I saw you!" Bright, the shameless bastard, told my mother. I glared at his back. I so badly wanted to kick him in the nuts again.

"Oh-ho! You're still the smooth talker, I see!" Mae answered delighted.

"I like your haircut, Khun Mae. You are rocking that bob," Tutah complimented. Him, I could tell that he was telling the truth. My Mae did look good with her bob haircut.

"Thank you dear. Would you like to join us for dinner?" Mae offered.

"Oh! We—" Bright began, only to be cut off by Prem.

"Actually, Khun Mae, we will be meeting some people today. I'm afraid we'd have to decline. Thank you for the offer though," he said. I looked at Knot for confirmation and he nodded his head subtly.

"Maybe next time then," Mae said.

"We'd better get going then, Khun Mae. It was nice seeing you again," Tutah said, ushering a protesting Bright away from us, while Mae went back to the store after telling me to wait a few more minutes. Knot stayed behind and then turned to look at me, a frown on his face.

"I think... Bright set us up," he told me.

"Hmm? Set you up?"

"Yeah. I think he set us up for a group blind date..." I guffawed at his revelation and was thanking my lucky stars that I didn't agree to join them. After all, roaming around the mall with your parents and their friends, and another teenager was better than to sit awkwardly with strangers and struggle to make small talk.

"Laugh it off. You're supposed to be suffering along with us," he grumbled.

"Knot!" yelled Tutah, gesturing at him frantically. Just then, Kongpob came back with our drinks and I accepted the drinks gratefully. Then I remembered Knot and found him curiously looking at the younger, while the latter smiled politely back at him.

"Oh, yeah. This is Kongpob. He's the son of Mae and Por's best friends. He came along with them today. He's also new in our home town. Kong, this is Knot. He's my best friend from back home," I introduced them. They greeted each other politely.

"I need to go now. See you on the next meeting, Arthit," Knot bid his goodbye then jogged towards our other friends. I pulled Kong to sit next to me, enjoying the silence between us.

"Hey, may I ask you a personal question?" I asked him when I was halfway through my drink. I felt his eyes on me for a few seconds before he spoke.

"Sure, P'."

"Uhm, a while ago. Mae said that you needed to talk to your parents. Uh, is everything okay?" I asked, side-eyeing him.

"Yes, P'. Everything's fine now."

"Hmm..."

We stayed in silence again. I was actually itching to ask him what happened but I didn't want to come off a nosy. He might've sensed my burning curiosity because he supplied the answer himself.

"What my mom said a while ago... it was true. My parents and I had a falling out weeks ago and I ran away from home after the shouting match that we had. I sought refuge at my sister's house and I had been staying there until now. But we managed to talk it out."

"What... did you fight about?"

"College career choices. I wanted to go to Economics, they wanted me to go to Engineering."

"Really? I'm in Engineering too. Which department?"

"Industrial Engineering, P'."

"Oi, that's my course! Wait, so you don't like Industrial Engineering?"

"It's not that I don't like it P'. It's more along the lines that I really want to study Economics more. I've been preparing for the course since Senior High. And now that college is looming ahead, my parents want me to take up IE instead. I'm quite afraid that I wouldn't make it, though because I had been studying a different field."

I nodded my head in understanding and contemplated about what he said.

"How about you, P'?"

"Hmm?"

"How did you know that IE was for you? Why did you choose that course?"

"Hmmm... Because I passed the entrance exam," I told him simply. I turned to look at him to see an unimpressed look on his face and I had to laugh.

"What, it's true! I passed the exam, so I took up IE."

"Have you ever regretted choosing it?"

"Honestly, no. I mean, when I was a first year, I experienced culture shock. I didn't expect that the course would be so hard. I was always tired a lot, studying and completing assignments and projects. But eventually, I got used to it. And the atmosphere helped me a lot. I also think that every course is hard, and we're not the only suffering students."

"Atmosphere?"

"Ah yes. The atmosphere. You see, there is a sense of camaraderie that's present in our faculty. Maybe because of all the training we received when we were freshmen. The IE faculty is a close-knit family and I am proud to belong there."

"I see... Do you think... it would be good if I chose IE instead?" he asked haltingly. I studied his profile as he fiddled with the straw of his drink cup.

"I can't answer that. You might end up liking it, but you may also end up disliking it. We really don't know what the future has in store for us. But if I were given a chance to pick which course to study again? I would still pick IE. Because I really like it there."

He met my gaze and he studied my face for a while. Then his lips were stretching into that wide gorgeous smile again.

"Thanks P'. I think I'll give this a shot," he murmured. I smiled back at him, happy that I managed to help him out. There was a strange feeling in my heart; strange but not unpleasant. Huh, what might it be?

--_--

We returned back home early in the evening and I was quite surprised when Kongpob returned with us. When I asked, he explained that he couldn't leave his sister's shop like that. He said that he wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing the state of her shop. I laughed at the absurdity of it but sobered up when I found he was serious about it. Did he have OCD? Would it be rude of me to ask?

"You might think that I have OCD but no. I don't. My mom had me checked years ago. I'm just a neat person and I wanted to help out my sister in any way I could. That's why I couldn't just leave the shop like that. Afterall, I don't have anything better to do back at home," he said as if he read what was on my mind. I laughed awkwardly and I saw my Por shot me look through the rearview mirror.

My parents talked to him while I stared outside the window of the car, watching the lights pass by in a blur. My eyes felt heavy and I rested my head against the headrest, adjusting myself on my seat before drifting off to dreamland. I was more tired than I thought.

--_--

Two adults were snickering again as one of them snapped pictures after pictures of the pair at the backseat.

"You're really enjoying this, huh?" Aroon stated.

"Of course. Kannika also liked it. We've decided to marry them together if they announced they were dating," Madee said excitedly.

"Hey, let them both graduate first!"

"I know that, silly. We've just promised them to each other, that's all."

Aroon just shook his head at the craziness that his wife and best friend were hatching. He took a peek at the rearview mirror again and took in the sight of his son, sleeping peacefully leaning on the other boy, who had his head perched against the former's, also sleeping soundly. Both boys must've been really tired.

"Just don't meddle with their lives, okay?" he asked his wife.

"Of course! I would let their relationship grow naturally. That way, they know that what they have is real."

--_--

Kongpob's POV

I contemplated my parents' and P'Arthit's words over the past few days, and the more I thought it, the more I was convinced of giving Engineering a shot. I was also curious about the atmosphere that P'Arthit talked about. Would it be different from the faculty of Economics? Or any other faculty in that regard? If so, then how were they different? College was a mysterious place and I was excited to find out how different it was from high school.

My relationship with P'Arthit... kind of grew. I mean, we were merely acquaintances before the trip to Bangkok but as the days passed by, we got to learn more about each other. I could call him a close friend now, although I wanted to call him something more. We found out that we were polar opposites in some aspects of our habits but shared some striking similarities in others.

For example, he wasn't an early riser as opposed to me who always loved to watch the sunrise while jogging. There was also the fact that I was a neat freak while his mother attested to the fact that his son was a slob. He defended himself that his room was always in the state that he called 'organized chaos'. His mother scoffed at him and shouted at him to just clean his room when he got home then stormed out of the store after bidding me goodbye.

For our similarities, we didn't spend much time on online games as other boys our age was wont to do. We both prefer to sit in a quiet corner and read books, comics, whatever literature we get our hands onto. Well, he preferred his Western comics and mangas of course, while I loved to read almost anything and everything. But I shared the same passion with him with regards to western superhero movies and some mangas and animes. After all, both of us were young adult boys. Both of us also have mischievous streaks in our blood and I could tell that he got surprised when I pranked my sister one time. After that, we would occasionally conspire against my sister then suck it up to her afterwards, acting all sweet and caring to her. My sister took this in stride, of course, although she had to act tough and strict.

Oh! And both of us were adventurous. There was this one time that he invited me to go hiking with him and I readily agreed. We both set out early in the morning, with me going to their house and letting his mom wake him up. I received a glare and some grumbling as he couldn't do that to his mother, and then we were off. He led me to a trail not far away from their house and then we were moving deep into a forested area. After two hours of hiking, we arrived at a spot with a magnificent view of a waterfall. The basin the water fell into was so clear, reflecting the canopy of trees above. That day, I learned how much of a graceful swimmer he was, cutting through the serene waters smoothly like a siren.

After that, we would go around town, roaming and discovering secret nooks and hanging out with each other. Everytime, I watched how his face would look so peaceful and how his face lit up. Every single time, my heart would beat faster and I would feel butterflies wrecking havoc in my stomach. Everytime, I started to doubt the truth behind the mantra that I kept telling myself that I only like him as a friend and I had misunderstood myself at the beginning. Everytime, it was getting harder and harder to lie to myself. Until that one fateful day when I couldn't take it anymore...

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And everything went to hell.

--_--

Nearly a month after we got to know each other, we were already quite comfortable with each other. We would bicker and tease each other while we were working and we were kinda... uhm, clingy with each other. I secretly loved everytime he would grab my hand and pout just so I would run out to the nearest drinks stall and grab him his nomyen. You already know what I would do each time. I was whipped, I admit to that.

One such day, I did go out to grab ourselves cold drinks to somewhat alleviate the stuffy feeling that the summer heat was torturing us with. People seemed to share similar thoughts with me as the queue for the drink stall was quite long. I waited patiently under the umbrella, sweating like crazy, the brilliant smile of my sun the only thing that kept me in line. Luck was on my side that time when I got the last of the nomyen and I happily walked my way back to the store with the two iced coffees and one nomyen cup held securely in my hands.

I looked at the mess of boxes and books as I entered the shop and looked questioningly at my sister and P'Arthit, who were busy opening up the rest of the boxes.

"Oh hey, you're back. Thank god, I was sure to die in this heat," my sister dramatically said as she made grabby hands for the cup of cold ambrosia in my hand. I handed both of them their drinks then surveyed the chaos.

"You ordered books again?" I asked my sister incredulously. Did they even have enough space for all of these?

"Yep."

"Why?"

"Just because. And before you nag at me, classes are near and more customers had been inquiring. So, I ordered more books."

I could see the logic behind it but it still didn't explain the sheer number of books in here. I asked her just as much.

"Most of these are mangas and comics," she revealed with a smirk. P'Arthit and I snapped our heads towards her in poorly concealed excitement. Then we looked at each other and simultaneously asked, "Where should we put them?"

"They should have a proper place of honor," P'Arthit said seriously.

"I agree."

Then we were surveying the shop and before coming to a decision on the best spot.

"There," both of us pointed at the same direction.

"Great minds think alike," he said with a smug look on his face.

"I'll leave you to your weird mating dance then," I heard P'Kam said. I shot her a glare but she was already striding towards the back of the shop.

"Kong, come on. Let's move the books from that shelf. I think we need at least two layers for them."

We set to work removing the books from our chosen shelf, and piling them neatly at one corner. As I was reaching out for a couple of books at the upper shelf, I didn't notice that the adjacent books were also getting pulled out, distracted as I was with handing the books on my other hand to P'Arthit. His warning came a bit too late as I watched in horror as books started to rain down on me.

A pale arm shot around me, protecting my head. Unconsciously, my arm also wrapped around the other's to protect his head, bringing us impossibly close. We were practically in an intimate embrace and waited until there wasn't any sound of books hitting the floor anymore.

Slowly, I peeked an eye open only to be met with warm brown ones. My eyes traveled all over his face to check for any sign of injuries but my traitorous eyes settled on his moist pink lips. I wondered how they'd taste like. And as if I was a sailor and he was a siren, I found myself leaning closer to him.

The first touch was like heaven. His lips were indeed moist and they felt as soft as they looked. I let my curious tongue dart out to have a taste to satify my curiosity. His lips tasted sweet. It was probably due to the nomyen he had been drinking. I didn't know what I was doing since this was my first kiss and all, so I just let my instincts guide me. I captured his bottom lip between my teeth and sucked on it like how I have seen in the movies. He let out a whimper, cluing me that I was doing something right. So, I moved to his upper lip, doing the same thing with it, and it earned me a gasp. Growing bolder, I darted my tongue inside his warm cavern and felt it collide with another soft wriggly muscle. Then that soft wriggly mass decided to play with mine and I was the one moaning. Out tongues tangled for a while then we started to explore each other's caverns, licking at each other's palates and just generally trading spit. I retracted my tongue and started nibbling on his lips again. I sucked his upper lip to mine while he did that to my lower lip next. We were gasping on each other's mouths, our breaths mingling, as we pulled at each other to get impossibly closer.

Then I made a mistake that burst the bubble that we were in. I got overly enthusiastic and bit his lower lip harsher than normal, making him bleed. He yelped in surprise and pushed me off him. I was profusely apologizing for the injury I've caused as he looked at me with wide eyes, a hand covering his bleeding mouth.

"P'Arthit, I'm so sorr—"

"What the fuck did we just do?!" he muttered out, his eyes displaying confusion and fear.

"I..." I tried to explain but he moved further away from me when I moved closer to him, fear becoming more apparent in his eyes. The way he looked at me was like a hard slap of reality. I stood rooted on the spot as I stared at him helplessly, his clear rejection twisting a knife deep within my heart.

"I—I can't do this. This is a mistake," he said as he rushed around me and out of the store.

The pink milk was laid forgotten on top of one of the hardbound books that we had just removed from the shelf. I watched the condensation drip down the smooth suface of the plastic cup, wetting the cover of the book below it. What an irresponsible thing to do. My vision blurred and I couldn't focus on anything anymore, and would you look at that? Just like the fucking drink, my eyes were condensing. Just like the fucking pink milk, I was abandoned.

It hurt. It hurt so much. I must be losing my mind, too, because why the hell would I be comparing myself to a fucking drink?

--_--

Arthit's POV

I ran like the coward that I was. I ran and didn't dare look back. I took refuge at home right after the incident, locking myself inside my room. I thought about the kiss and blushed so hard. I could still feel my lips tingling from when he had nibbled at it. It felt... good actually. To be kissed like that. But that wasn't the point! He was a man, for god's sake! All my life I considered myself as straight. I am straight. That kiss was just a one time thing. Yes, that was it. And it wasn't me who kissed him first! He kissed me. He kissed me and I responded. Oh god.

The image of his crestfallen face flashed in my mind and I felt guilty. Should I have listened to his apology? I should have, right? God, I hurt him again.

The idea of me hurting him sent a mysterious jolt of pain through my heart. I chalked it up to guilt because I wasn't ready for the other meaning of that pain.

My lips tingled again and I brought my fingers to them, caressing them lightly. Why did it feel so right when it was so wrong? Why did it feel good when I shouldn't even be thinking about kissing boys at all?! This was confusing me so much.

I didn't know what to think about anymore!

The very next day, I asked P'Kamlai for a week-long break. My cousin had the most perfect timing ever because she visited us that same day and said that they needed help at the farm. I volunteered to go since I loved going there and I missed my grandparents too, who lived at the farm. It was located at another district, but adjacent to where I lived, and a good one-hour ride away.

...and I ran away.

--_--

Kongpob's POV

P'Arthit didn't show up the next day. I was expecting it but I still held hope that he would come to work. My heart felt heavy and it took me all of my willpower to stop myself from crying. My eyes still hurt from all the crying I did yesterday night.

'Congratulations Kongpob. You've officially ruined a good friendship just because you couldn't keep it in your pants,' I mocked myself. Well, technically, it was only a kiss, to which he was a willing participant, but it wouldn't have happened if I didn't lust after him right? Kissing like that was pretty intimate, and it was also special for me because that was my first.

I sighed dejectedly as I stared at the comics and mangas that I had to arrange. I felt like crying again when I saw some of the issues that P'Arthit had said he hadn't read yet, and some new series that he was raving about and planning to buy. I contemplated if I wanted to keep them for him and decided to set them aside for the time being. I didn't know if he would be coming back but still, I kept hoping.

I want to laugh hysterically when I read a passage from one of the books about hope being a fragile thing. Because it was so true. Everyday that he didn't show, I could feel my hope cracking. It didn't help that the time for me to go back home was nearing. Was this it? Would my love for him be unrequited?

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It was.

--_--

Arthit's POV

My stay at my grandparents had been pretty hectic. The farm really needed all-hands-on-deck. Everyday was all back-breaking work but at the end of the day, I felt a sense of satisfaction. It had lent me some respite from thinking about a certain someone, but my heart still felt heavy at the end of each day, when all the works were done.

At day three, I already resigned myself that I missed the younger, all his cheeky smiles and even his teasings. I was still very much in denial, even though I knew what the feeling in my chest meant. That was when Namtan decided to show up.

Namtan and Jay lived in the same town as my grandparents. We grew up together there and even attended the same high school. I met Knot during high school, when he transferred from another school in the neighboring town, but we weren't especially close back then. But he had been my best friend since college started.

So Namtan heard that I was in town and decided to visit me on my fifth stay there. I was excused from the work earlier than the norm by grandpa. Actually, I was shooed away by the old man and said that I should spend my time with my friends, too. He whispered to Namtan conspiratorially that I had been moping around and that I was making everyone sad. I spluttered at my grandpa and the challenging look he leveled at me made me shut up.

So Namtan dragged me around town before we settled at the café. Then she dropped a bomb as soon as we told the server our orders.

"Jay and I broke up. Wanna date me?" she said, straight to the point. It rendered me speechless.

But what I felt with her proposition, or rather the lack of feelings after her proposition, made me halt in my thought processes. I wasn't feeling any joy that my long-time crush had just asked me out. I should be elated, right? But nothing. I just felt kind of awkward.

"Oon?"

"I-I'm sorry, uhm..."

"I know about your feelings for me, Oon," she dropped, again, another bomb. How did she know?!

"You aren't really subtle about it. Even Jay noticed it but he didn't want to ruin our friendship so he didn't say anything about it."

"Oh..."

"So how about it, Oon? What's your answer?"

I studied her face as I thought about what I wanted to do. Did I want to try dating her? But I couldn't feel anything for her anymore. If she asked me out a few months before, then I would've been jumping in joy, even though it would mean that I was just a rebound. And that was another thing. Was I just a rebound? I have heard Namtan bemoaning about her frequent fights with Jay, so I knew that they were in another break up and make up cycle. I was just something in between. So, I asked as much.

At least she looked embarrassed about it. She apologized for her callousness and for the way she had been insensitive to my feelings. That was how I realized that my crush on her had ended, replaced by stronger feelings for a certain younger boy. But that didn't mean that I wasn't still hesitant about having a relationship with him. I was still afraid to be judged by other people. I was also afraid that they would judge him and be subjected to bullying or something. And what would our parents, our loved ones, say? What if they disapproved? What would happen then? Would we break up, or would we stay strong together?

There was so much more at stake if I ever decide to pursue a relationship with Kongpob. But my heart was already beating for him, as cliché as that sounded. I heaved a heavy sigh at the reminder that I was very much at a crossroads and that my choice would affect my future very much.

"Hey, I thought grandpa was just joking around when he said you were moping. What's the matter, Oon?" Namtan asked.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it," I evaded.

The server came over to give us our orders and we thanked her before she left. We drank and ate in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts. Or so I thought. It was only me who got lost into my confusing thoughts. Namtan was just observing me.

"You don't like me anymore, do you?" she said out of the blue. I snapped my attention back at her.

"I like yo—"

"I mean, you're not harboring romantic feelings for me anymore."

I sat silently, not able to deny her statement. She smiled widely.

"I am honestly relieved, Arthit. You know, ever since I learned of your crush on me, I had felt guilty, especially whenever I bugged you about my fights with Jay. I didn't have anyone else to confide to, though. So, I would like to say sorry for all those times that I hurt you. I'm really sorry that I was such an insensitive jerk to you," she said earnestly.

"Nam..."

"I'm really glad that you've finally moved on from me, Arthit. You deserve to have someone who is willing to love you wholeheartedly, because you are an awesome human being. I'm sorry that I couldn't be that. Now, how about you tell me what's really bothering you, hmm? This time, I will listen to your problems. I am still, in fact, your friend. So, tell me about it?"

I hesitated. Should I really reveal everything to her? Would she judge me? But she wasn't homophobic, that I was sure of. She got along just fine with her cousin, who was gay. I bit my lip and took a leap of faith.

"I fell in love with another boy," I blurted out.

--_--

I went home feeling a bit lighter. Even though I embarrassed myself at the café when I couldn't stop the waterworks, at least I managed to tell someone else about what happened. I even felt greater when Nam only smiled at me then smacked me in the head for being dumb. She said that I shouldn't have left Kong behind like that, not before he had the chance to explain.

I told her that I was a coward, that she was even a victim of my cowardice when I chose to stay mum on my feelings for her. She retorted that she "liked Jay better, no offense Oon." Then she told me what she thought and advised me what to do. I listened aptly, compiling each word in my brain so that I could plan what I would do. I only had two more days to plan before I was going back, and was that enough time? Would I ever be ready? Guess there was only one way to find out.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Those two days turned to nine more days! I couldn't have been more frustrated. Argh! I missed that cheeky brat already!

--_--

Kongpob's POV

On my last day of stay in town, I was still working at my sister's bookshop. I was arranging books on the shelf when two familiar titles popped out. I slid the two books out of the shelf and brought them to the counter. These were indeed the books that P'Arthit needed for college. I rung them up without thinking and then smacked myself when I remembered that I needed to pay. So, I took money from my savings from working here and paid for the books. I sighed as my wallet felt lighter, but then smiled when I remembered that it will be worth it since it would be of use to P'Arthit. My eyes caught sight of the neon pink post it. On impulse, I decided to write something to P'Arthit. Satisfied after using up four sheets, I stuck the notes on the first page of one of the books, just behind the cover. It would be hard to miss, right? Right.

After closing time, I decided to walk around our daily haunts, reminiscing of our happy times together. I felt a pang on my chest at the possibility of never meeting again. We might meet, because of our parents, and I hoped when that time comes, I have gotten over my first love.

I continued to walk until I reached their house. There, I rang the bell and aunty greeted me.

"Kong! What are you doing here? Oon's not here, you know. Come in, come in!" she said, surprised at my presence.

"Uhm, he's not here, aunty?" I asked as I followed her inside the house. Maybe he went out to hang out with his friends. That wasn't him. Because he was barely a friend right now.

"No. Didn't he tell you?"

I shook my head, unsure.

"Huh. Well, he went to his grandparents to help out at the farm. He's been there since last, last week. He should have come home by now but there was still so much to do, so he ended up staying longer. He'll be back by the day after tomorrow," aunty explained while peering at me curiously.

"Oh. Okay then. Uhm, can I just leave this to you then, aunty? It's the books that he had been looking for the first time we met," I asked her politely, handing the two books to her.

She accepted her and asked how much did she owe. I told her that it was okay, it was on me, an apology and a gift to him. She observed for a while and then thanked me for it. I bid my goodbyes then, telling her that I was going back home tomorrow already. She gave me tight hug and told me that she will miss me, and to always take care of myself. I smiled at her and thanked her for everything and then I was off. I still had to pack my belongings after all.

--_--

Arthit's POV

I arrived home late in the afternoon. Mae was already there, preparing dinner for everyone. My cousin, Rae, would be spending the night with us since it would be quite late after dinner already and it was dangerous to drive back home even though it was only an hour away.

I went to my room after showing P'Rae to her room. I noticed something on my desk and I went to investigate. The two references that I needed for college was sitting on my desk. I furrowed my brows. Did Mae buy this for him? But I wanted to buy them myself!

I noticed something peeking from the book on top, something pink. Curious, I flipped open the cover and found four square sheets of sticky notes there. I lifted the book up to take a closer look and was taken aback when it was addressed to me. With heart pounding, I decided to removed them from the page and started reading.

Hey P'Arthit. I'm sorry but please accept these books as my apology gift to you. You know... for what happened at the store. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I'm also sorry for the next words I will write but I want to say this now. I don't regret kissing you. I think I may have liked you since day one even tho you sent me to the hospital that day. What I regret is not asking for your permission. I shouldn't have done it like that. I'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better, you might not be seeing me after this. I have to go back home now, and I need to prepare for college. This should also be my parting gift to you. Thank you for being a wonderful friend, P'Arthit. You've made my summer stay here worthwhile. I'll cherish these memories of us.

-  Kongpob

"NO!" I yelled. He was leaving already? But there was still time left for summer break! This won't do...

I ran downstairs to find my mother, who was still busy at the stove.

"Mae! Where's Kongpob?!" I demanded. She looked at me and was taken aback. I must've painted an interesting picture. I knew that my face was scrunched up and the fingers of one hand were pulling at my hair, while the other clutched at the pink papers. I was on the verge of tears, too, and I must've looked manic to her.

"Oon? Dear, why don't you sit down—"

"No! Mae, I need to know. Where is Kongpob?"

"Didn't he text you?" I shook my head no.

"Oh dear, what is happening between you two? You also didn't inform him of your departure for your grandparents!"

"I-I'm sorry."

"He went back home yesterday morning—"

"No! That idiot! Mae, please tell me their address? Please, please!" I begged her desperately. I had this feeling that if I don't chase after him now, I might not have the chance to, ever again.

"I'm not really sure of their address. Wait, I'll call Kannika."

I watched my mother anxiously as she held the phone to her ear. Her brows furrowed as she tapped on her phone again.

"They're not answering. Maybe they're in a meeting or something..."

"I'll just go to the shop and ask P'Kam," I declared. I hurried towards the front door and put on my shoes. I checked the time on phone and found that it was sixteen minutes to five. I still have time and if I sprinted, I would make it to the shop. Probably.

So, I ran.

I arrived just in the nick of time as I P'Kam was about to ride her car. I braced my hands on my knees as I took quick gulps of air.

"P'Kam!" I yelled out loud. She snapped her head towards my direction.

"Oh, N'Arthit. What brings you here?" she asked, surprised.

"I... hah.. P'Kam, I need your home address."

"What? But you know where I live."

"No! I meant your parents' house!"

"Uh... It's in another province, you know?"

"I don't care, just please..."

"Why? What's going on?"

"I need to see Kongpob. I heard he went back home?"

"Yes. He did. Didn't he tell you?"

"No... we had a, uhm, fight or something. So... yeah."

"So, you want to make amends? Why are you going to such lengths just to say sorry to my brother?"

Why indeed? Hmm... because asking for his forgiveness through text and simultaneously confessing would be so crass and so insincere.

"Because it would sound so insincere," I replied. If I was only asking for his forgiveness, maybe I could do it via text. But I was also confessing my true feelings and I didn't think a simple call or text would suffice.

"Fine whatever. You won't find him there though."

"What? Why? Where would he be?!" I asked getting frustrated.

"At Bangkok. He had a surgery scheduled."

"Surgery...?" I asked faintly. For what?

"You see, he has aneurysm and he needs to get operated before it ruptures. He is a walking time bomb as it is."

"So, after this procedure, he'd be fine?"

"Well... yeah, he won't be in danger of dying at anytime anymore..."

"But?"

"But he might lose his vision because of the complication. I don't know, I can't explain it but I think it's something about optic nerves getting fused with the nerve that's causing aneurysm? Something like that."

"...no"

I felt my world shatter. He could be blind? Would he be okay if that happened? On a positive note, he won't die any moment. But this news strengthened my resolve to see him again.

"When is the operation P'?" I asked her

"Tomorrow in the afternoon."

"I've got to see him now," I muttered to myself. I turned to run all the way home again when a hand stopped me.

"I'll drop you off. I need to talk with aunty, too."

"Thanks P'."

We drove off, with me feeling anxious by the second. P'Kam was silent beside me. She was probably also worried about his brother's operation. When we arrived, I rushed towards Mae.

"Oh, Oon. Kannika called and she said that they are in Bangkok—"

"I know Mae. P'Kam told me. Listen, please let me go to Bangkok tonight, huh? Please? I really need to go see him before it's all too late!"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"P'Kam just told me that Kong has aneurysm and he needed to have this operation as soon as possible! Please Mae. I need to see him before the operation," I pleaded. I was clutching at the sleeves of her clothes and my desperation must've been palpable because she nodded her head. She also seemed shocked by the news that Kongpob had been unwell all this time.

"Thanks Mae! I'll catch the evening train from here!"

Then I was off to my bedroom to gather my belongings. I stuffed them carelessly in my backpack and then I was good to go. I ran back downstairs and P'Kam offered to drop me off again at the train station. Luck was on my side as I was able to board the six o'clock train bound for Bangkok. I released a sigh of relief when I was sat inside. Then I was off.

--_--

"N'Kamlai, is it true...?"

"Nope."

"What?!"

"Technically, Kong is scheduled for a surgery tomorrow. But not for aneurysm."

"Then what?"

Kamlai whispered something to Madee, before the older woman turned to glare at the younger.

"You mischievous brat! My son is very frantic—"

"Sorry aunty but they needed the push. The reason why they've been avoiding each other was because of their feelings! I caught them kissing at the shop before N'Arthit asked for a time off. I bet they didn't even text each other just to clear things up because Kong would always stare at his phone."

"But do you have to give your brother an imaginary terminal illness?"

"Ehehe, I love dramas aunty, especially K-dramas."

Madee could only shake her head. This one definitely took after Kannika.

--_--

Kongpob's POV

I walked late at night at the Rama VIII bridge, just staring at the beautiful reflections of lights on the water. The traffic was scarce already, the rush hours long gone. I leaned against the railing and admired the beauty of it. Tomorrow, I'll be able to appreciate these all without any aid.

'Ah, how I wish that his angelic face would be the first one I'd see tomorrow. It would beat all beautiful views and sceneries, that's for sure,' I thought. I smiled, bittersweet. That would never happen but that didn't mean I couldn't keep dreaming.

My phone vibrated and I took it out, thinking it must be my mother asking me to go back to the hotel. I was shocked when I saw the name, though. Then it vibrated again with an incoming call from him. I stared dumbly at the screen until the call dropped.

"No!" I yelled out loud, startling the couple who was passing by. They hastened their pace, probably thinking of getting away fast from the crazy person. The phone rang again and I didn't hesitate this time to answer it.

"Hello?" I answered unsurely.

"Hey, where are you?" he asked.

"Bangkok. Why?"

"Where exactly in Bangkok?"

"Uhh, at the Rama VIII bridge."

"What the hell are you do—Fuck! Don't you dare move, Kongpob! Don't you dare! I know that life is probably fucked right now but that doesn't mean that you have to take that way out! The surgery will go well, you hear me? You'll be fine, okay? Wait there. Don't do anything stupid, please?"

"I don't understa—Hello? P'Arthit?"

I pulled the phone away from my ear and saw that the call had been cut. What did he mean by those? And how did he know that I have surgery scheduled tomorrow?

Even though I was confused as hell, I decided to stay put. I didn't know what he was planning to do, though. He also didn't make any sense at all. Wait, was he in Bangkok, too? Did this mean that he would come see me?

For twenty minutes, my thoughts were filled with a certain older guy and the possibilities of him coming to me right now. I even begged my mother to let me stay out for a little bit longer when she called. She gave me thirty more minutes and I was grateful.

I texted P'Arthit and told him about what my mother said. I received no reply. I decided to call him but the first one went on unanswered. Same went with the second time. The third, which I decided would be the last then I would go back, finally got answered.

"Hello, P'Arthit?"

I was greeted by heavy breathing. Was it a butt dial?

"P'Arthit?" I called out again, just to make sure.

"Turn around," he said cryptically. I turned around, from left to my right, and then I caught sight of the most beautiful view in my eyes.

I watched him, still unbelieving, as he stalked towards me, chest heaving and sweat making his shirt cling to him like a second skin. I gulped at the picture he painted and had to berate myself for thinking lewd thoughts. He was finally talking to me and here I was, acting like a creep.

He stood at an arm's length from me and we had some staring contest. I was so surprised by his sudden appearance that no words had managed to escape my mouth. In my mind, words were rushing about, overtaking one another, making it a jumbled mess that I didn't even know which ones to utter. I guess he was more composed than I was because he was the one to break the silence.

"Kong... Found you," he said breathlessly. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"I wasn't the one hiding, P'Arthit," I told him bitterly.

"I-I... Y-yeah. You're right. Sorry. I'm really sorry about that."

We both became silent again as both of us turned and leaned against the guardrails, staring out into the water.

"How did you know I have surgery scheduled, P'?" I asked him after a while.

"Hmm? P'Kam told me. Kong, you will get through it, okay? You'll be okay. Nothing bad will happen. Trust on the doctor," he said again seriously.

"O—kay? But I'm not scared of the procedure though. After tomorrow, I will be good as new. So, stop worrying, okay?" I assured him, seeing as he was the one nervous. He had certain tells for certain emotions he was feeling, and I had catalogued them over the past weeks.

"Then what the hell are you doing here at this time? Shouldn't you be resting? And where are you staying by the way?"

"Uh, I'm staying with my parents at a hotel near the hospital."

"Which hospital will the procedure be done in?"

"Bumrungrad Hospital, P'."

I watched him as he nodded his head absentmindedly and I could see that he was already lost in his own thoughts. I still couldn't comprehend what he was doing or what he was thinking but I was too afraid to ask. Did I still have the right to ask him things about himself? I stayed silent.

"Listen, Kong. Uhm..." he fidgeted with his hands before he visibly fortified himself with a deep breath. He faced me and stared me straight in the eye.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for leaving like that. I'm sorry for running away instead of talking it out with you. I've really regretted that stupid decision of mine, especially when I learned that you had left town. I'm sorry I didn't even contact you. That's the least I should've done." He stopped and heaved a deep sigh. "Will you forgive this stupid Phi of yours?"

I watched in awe and barely concealed happiness as he asked for my forgiveness. I've never thought that I would see him this soon again and for him to apologize didn't even cross my mind. After all, I was the one at the wrong.

"There's nothing to forgive P'Arthit. Your reaction had only been natural and—"

"Yes, there is! I acted like a jerk when I should have talked to you. I denied having feelings for you instead of just accepting them because of my cowardice and foolishness! When I found out that I could lose you anytime and how fragile our current relationship was, I swear, my heart stopped! So here I am, asking for your forgiveness before I proceed to the next step. So Kongpob Suthiluck, do you accept my apology?"

Some of things that P'Arthit didn't make sense and sounded ridiculous at best, but that didn't really register in my brain. Instead, the stupid organ clung to the part when P'Arthit said that he had feelings for me. I was ecstatic! But wait, there's more, right?

"I accept your apology P'Arthit. As long as you accept mine? I'm really sorry for disrespecting your boundaries like that, P'. It was rude of me to suddenly kiss you without your perm—mmmff?!"

Suddenly, lips were smashed against mine, rendering me speechless. Our second kiss lacked the finesse that the first one possessed, but that wasn't to say that it lacked that certain spark. Because I could feel it tingling on my lips. I brought my hand unconsciously to frame the senior's face and tried to gain control over the kiss. P'Arthit moved with me and then it wasn't an awkward kiss anymore. Teeth captured plump lips, which were promptly sucked on, and tongues twirled in a languid dance.

We separated after a while, panting against each other's mouth. Reluctant to part, we stayed in each other's embrace, our foreheads touching as we stared intensely at each other.

"If you're rude because of that, did this make me rude too? Because I would gladly be called rude again. I want to do that again and again, Kongpob. It feels too good to give up on and I am addicted already."

"What do you mean by that, P'Arthit?" I asked, my heart pounding wildly against my chest.

"You've learned by now that I am an idiot and a coward, and a rude guy, too, stealing kisses from unsuspecting victims like you. I love to drink that sissy drink, I have a sweet tooth and I am a grump in the mornings. Do you still want to date someone like me? Hmm?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did P'Arthit just ask if I wanted to date him? He really did?

"Yes! Definitely yes, P'Arthit!" I said after I had processed what he just said. I would be such a fool if I didn't accept my love's proposal.

Both of us beamed at each other and simultaneously closed the gap between us. Our third kiss was sweeter than our first, but sloppier since we both couldn't stop from smiling like a loon. We both gave up kissing each other when a laugh bubbled up from my lips. He followed suit and then we were chuckling as we held onto each other. We stayed in each other's embrace for a while, enjoying the evening breeze and the sparkling lights in the distance. Our moment got interrupted by my phone ringing. My eyes widened when I saw who was calling and the time, which already read ten minutes past eleven. I immediately answered the call, murmuring "Mom" to P'Arthit.

"Hello Mom! Yes, yes. I'm sorry... I'm fine mom... Yes... Yes... Sorry for making you and Dad worry... yes... Don't worry... Okay, I'm coming back—" I halted when P'Arthit touched my hand and gestured for the phone. I handed him the device uncertainly, then he was greeting my mom.

"Hello Aunty. This is Arthit... Yes... Uhm, I came to see Kong, Aunty... Yeah, I heard from P'Kam... Yes... Actually, can I ask for your permission to let Kong spend time with me? We'll be sleeping at my dorm aunty, which is only thirty minutes away from Bumrungrad Hospital. I promise to take him to the hospital tomorrow... Yes...Yes... Thank you aunty! Bye, and take care."

I was speechless and I resembled a fish out of water with how I was gaping unattractively at him. He just told mom he wanted to spend the night with me... Wait, that could lead to misunderstandings. He wouldn't do anything since what we have was still new. Right?

--_--

We stopped by for some late dinner since he hadn't had one yet. He told me that he took the earliest train he could take and didn't even have his dinner. During dinner, he told me about how his cousin had arrived on that same day and how he had toiled away at his grandparents' farm. I could see that he was a bit tanner than usual. I would've expected him to get sunburnt so badly because he had such fair skin. I told him as much and he said that he did get sunburnt but he had to help out.

Afterwards, we walked the rest of the way towards his dorm and he apologized if the room wasn't as neat. I expected that because I knew how he was. The room was not as untidy as he painted it, though, and I could live with its current state. He lent me some clothes to change into and that's when a dilemma presented itself.

"P'... I don't have anything to wear for tomorrow."

"Just use some of mine. My jeans should still fit you although it might be a little loose on you. But what's the use of a belt, right?" he said nonchalantly.

One day in and I was already wearing his clothes. Wait, were we already boyfriends?

"P'Arthit. Are we boyfriends now?" I blurted out.

The glare he shot at me was tempered by the high flush on his cheeks. Aw, I wanted to pinch those blushing cheeks so much!

"O-of course! Why, you don't want to?"

"I want to! I just want to be clear about it."

"Idiot Kongpob," he said as he slammed the door to the bathroom, leaving a smirking me staring at the closed door like a lovesick puppy. I have a boyfriend, yay!

--_--

As promised, P'Arthit accompanied me to the hospital the following day. He looked so nervous when we arrived, even more nervous than I was. I chalked it up to him being scared of meeting my parents after he made me his boyfriend. I tried to calm him down with subtle brushes of our hands as we walked along the corridors of the hospital, and I was grateful that he didn't shy away from them. I messaged my mom beforehand and she informed that they were already waiting outside my doctor's office. I led P'Arthit further into the hospital until we reached where my parents were.

We greeted them politely and I saw the pleasant surprise on their faces at the sight of P'Arthit accompanying me. I saw him smile nervously at them as they welcomed him with open arms. I checked the time on my phone.

"I still have fifteen minutes before my check-up, Mom," I informed them.

"Yes dear. Dr. Grayson is currently entertaining a patient of him. Let's wait for a bit, okay?" she gestured at the chairs on the waiting area and we all took our seats. Mom and Dad were talking to themselves, probably about business or something so I turned towards my boyfriend. I saw him sit stiffly as he looked down on his fidgeting hands. I grabbed one gently to get his attention.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked when he turned to look at me. He stared at me for a long while before he nodded. He visibly relaxed a bit after that. He didn't remove the hand of his arm though, so I started to rub small circles against the porcelain skin.

"N'Arthit. Will you be staying until the end of Kong's surgery? It might take a while though because of the recovery period," my Mom asked politely. I saw her eyes dart to where I was touching him but I didn't dare let go.

"Yes, aunty. Uhm, there is something I would like to tell you both..." he turned to look at me and the nervousness was back in his eyes. He tried to communicate something to me but I couldn't guess what it was. He looked pointedly at our hands and then tilted his head towards my parents' direction. Then it clicked. Was he seriously gonna...? I nodded my head uncertainly after an inordinate amount of time, but I was still feeling apprehensive about it.

"What is it?" Mom asked after our little wordless conversation.

"I-I-I am dating your son, aunty."

Silence met his declaration. I turned to look at my parents and there were unreadable looks on their faces. They looked between the two of us and I brought out my puppy dog eyes just to be sure.

"Look, I know we're both boys, and that society can be unforgiving to the both of us. But I don't want to live in regret, aunty, uncle. This probably wasn't what you expected but I don't want to live a lie anymore especially at this crucial moment in his life. So, before everything is too late, I decided to come out of my shell and asked him to be my boyfriend. to which he agreed, by the way. I just wanted you to know that," he said in a trembling voice.

I was melting, you guys! He came clean to my parents about the change in our relationship and he did it bravely. Aww. But wait, what crucial moment? What was going on?

"Thank you for telling us about it, dear. How long has this been going on?" Mom asked.

"Uhm... I just asked him last night, aunty," P'Arthit replied while rubbing his nape in shyness.

"Oh, I see. Still fairly new then. My best wishes for the both of you then. I only have one request for you, dear. Please take good care of our darling boy, okay? The same goes to you, Kongpob. Take care of each other, please."

Both of us promised to my mom that we would do everything to take care of each other.

"Crucial moment? Kongpob is just going to have a simple procedure, son," Dad interrupted, looking at Arthit confusedly. Mom slapped dad's arm lightly and reprimanded him for being insensitive.

"How can a brain surgery be a simple procedure, uncle?" P'Arthit asked. The three of us looked at him in shock.

"Brain surgery? What brain surgery?" I asked him after I got out of my stupor.

"The one where you cure aneurysm?" he answered as he looked at each of us uncertainly.

"Aneurysm!"

"Why are you trying to kill me off?! Do you really like me?" I asked him a bit hysterically.

"I'm in love with you, doofus! How dare you ask me that?! And besides, if I didn't like you one bit, would I sit through the duration of your surgery?" he answered irritatedly. "And I'm not trying to kill you off! I was just stating facts."

"But I don't have aneurysm! Where did you even get that?!" I exclaimed, earning the attention of a few passersby.

"You... don't?" he asked, confused.

"I don't!"

"Then what the hell are you doing here?"

"For my surgery? I thought you knew I had surgery scheduled today?!"

"Yeah, isn't that for aneurysm?!"

"What? No!"

"Then what for?!"

"LASIK, P'Arthit. I'm getting LASIK. It's for my eyes since I am considered legally blind with my current eyesight."

"It's not for aneurysm?"

"No."

"You're nor dying?"

"No."

"You're not gonna lose your eyesight forever?"

"I'm getting it corrected."

Then he burst out to tears before he enveloped me in a bone crushing hug. He kept muttering a mantra of thanking the deities as he buried his face on the crook of my neck. After a while, he managed to stop crying hysterically, only occasionally sniffling.

"Oh god, I thought your life was in danger," he said as he wiped his tears away. I offered him my handkerchief and he dabbed his face with it.

"No. Who planted that in your pretty head?" I asked.

"P'Kamlai. She told me that you have aneurysm. That's why I rushed yesterday to get to Bangkok."

"So, if she didn't tell you that...?"

"I'd still would go and find you but in your house."

"Oh. So, still boyfriends?"

He shot me a glare.

"Do you wanna break up?" he asked sarcastically.

"No," I answered, grinning widely.

"I will have a talk with your sister regarding this," Mom stated, interrupting our moment. She looked affronted that her middle child was killing off her youngest.

"It's okay, aunty—"

"No dear, it's not. She made you unnecessarily worried. And call me Khun Mae or mom. We're family now."

"Dear, you've already planned their wedding with Madee, didn't you?" Dad muttered which I heard.

"Mom!"

--_--