"Here lies, my little cupcake...
You'll always be remembered.

Daddy loves you.

In memory of My Little Princess."

Arthit stared at the small gravestone. Without any name. He never wanted anyone to think that his Leah, wasn't in this world anymore. For Arthit, Leah always lived. And will keep living, till the end of time.

He looked around. Leah loved the ocean. She was always fascinated with the blue crashing waves of unending expanse of water. So the graveyard, Arthit chose, was perfect for her. Calm. With the only sound of crashing waves and howling wind.

And also his reason to settle in Ohio. To be close to his daughter.

"Hey cupcake.... Sorry I don't visit often." Arthit's eyes pooled in tears. "But, I miss you so much... Everyday. Princess."

"I am so sorry, I wasn't the superhero you wanted me to be."

He sobbed, caressing over the grave. "I hope you watch the ocean. I hope you are happy baby.... I hope you are in a better place."

His heart was feeling a painful tug. Numbing till the tips of his limbs. As he stared at the small gravestone.

"But daddy, is going to let you go now, sweetheart." Arthit whispered. "I am sorry."

Arthit felt a soothing gush of wind, brush past him. As he closed his eyes, feeling strangely light. He always felt Leah's presence. But, never acknowledged. Acknowledging meant, making peace with the fact that Leah was not there anymore. But, now he did. He was acknowledging the fact that his beautiful daughter was no more. And he cried. Closing his eyes, hugging the mask closer to his chest.

"Whistle, Daddy."

Arthit choked and gasped, nodding. "Okay, sweetheart."

Arthit whistled the tune, Leah loved so much. But, for the first time, he didn't hear the raging beast growling inside him. Instead, he felt the calm he always felt. When Leah would listen to him very keenly. Everytime he whistled. He placed the mask, carefully over the grave.

"That's a beautiful sound." Atid whispered, smiling with closed eyes, facing the bright sun.

Kong didn't reply. As he walked, deeper into the water. With Atid besides. Holding the silver urn, close to himself.

"What's wrong?"

Atid faced Kong's sideface. While he kept staring blankly ahead. As the waves crashed against his stomach.

"Will you be okay?"

Atid smiled, leaning against Kong's shoulder. Wrapping his arms around Kong's torso.

"No one knows. No one is alive to tell us what lies beyond death. P'Kongpob."

"Are you here, with me, for real? Or is it just my imagination?" Kong asked, looking at Atid's face.

"You'll know soon."

"Don't go."

"Okay... Then, I'll stay. And everytime you make love with P'Arthit. I'll make notes on your performance."

"That's not funny Atid." Kong shook his head.

"It's a little bit funny.... In a dark kind of way."

Kongpob looked at Atid. Feeling burning trail of tears brim on his eyes. Atid rose on his toes, and kissed over Kong's eyes.

"I am so sorry, Atid." Kong mumbled, sobbing. Against the translucent nose tip. "I miss you so much."

"You'll be fine, P'Kong. I promise. And I am always watching over you."

"Will you be okay?" Kong brittled.

"Yes..." Atid smiled. "I'll be just fine. We. Will be fine. I promise."

Kong looked down, at the translucent tummy. And put a shaky hand over it. Feeling nothing but air. But a warmth. Kong shook in sobs. And Atid put his hand over Kong's.

"I am so sorry. I will forever be sorry."

"Don't feel sorry for us. Feel happy for the time we spent together, P'Kong."

"Will I ever see you again?"

"Maybe... And even if we don't... I will always live in your memories. As long as you live. I will live with you..." Atid caressed Kong's face, with his free hand. "So, live long. Live happy. And remember only the good times, P."

"Can I really let you go?"

"P'Kong... Maybe it was me. Who wasn't able to let YOU, go." Atid gave a soft smile.

"You can't cook. Your outlook towards life is reckless. You have a hero complex. And you invite trouble to yourself everyday... I still worry about you..."

"Then don't go..." Kong sobbed. "Please don't go."

"You've learned how to cook. Though it's like your basic survival skill. But you did.... And your hero complex makes you a cool hero... And now... There's someone who can actually put you in control." Atid smiled.

"You'll be fine. You'll be great."

Kongpob drew in a breath, rubbing away his tears. As he nodded. Facing Atid.

"Smile for me. Come on... Give me that dazzling smile."

Kong smiled. With red rimmed tearful eyes. While Atid chuckled. Stepping away. Kong blinked and gasped. Watching Atid go.

"Let me go, P." Atid whispered. "Please."

Kong's lips trembled, as he opened the urn with shaky fingers.

"You are looking very sexy, today." Atid winked.

Kong cried. He was wearing a washed denim with white shirt. Just the way Atid liked.

"I love you, P."

"I love you too Atid." Kong whispered, choking on his sobs.

"Tell P'Arthit... Leah is happy. And she is proud of her Daddy."

Kongpob nodded, turning the urn. As he watched the remains disperse in water, and the wind. Until there wasn't anything left. Not even Atid.

"Atid." Kong looked around.

There wasn't anything. Not even a whisper. He looked over, dropping the urn in the water. To find Arthit waiting on the shore. In a washed denim and black shirt.

Kong choked on his breath. As he rushed towards the shore. Rushing out of the strong, dragging waves.

Watching Arthit wait for him. Kongpob felt his existence to be flying away. And he needed to grip on something to anchor him down.

Arthit opened his arms, the moment Kongpob half dragged and half ran himself out of the water. Waiting to embrace him.

Kongpob threw his arms around Arthit's shoulders, once he reached him. Hiding his face in the crook of Arthit's neck. Holding tight around him.

"I can't see him anymore, P." Kong cried. "I can't see Atid anymore."

Arthit didn't reply. As he continued caressing Kong's back. Letting him cry.

Arthit stared blankly at the vast open waters. He can see a little girl run towards the horizon. Her brunette hairs flapping against the wind. Wearing a pink dress, she loved so much. Laughing. Until she wasn't there anymore.

Arthit smiled through his tears. As he caressed Kong's hairs and dabbed his thumb over Kong's back.

"Ssshh." Arthit kissed Kong's shoulder. "It's all okay, now."

Two years later...

"Seriously?" Kong narrowed his gaze. Looking at the sign, hanging over a brand new cafe.

"What?" Arthit gaped. "I like the name. It's catchy."

"It's disgusting."

"I'll punch you." Arthit glared.

"People are going to punch us soon. Just looking at the name." Kong frowned, incredulously.

"It's a cafe... Cafe's are supposed to have catchy names."

"Whistles and Gun?" Kong gaped.

"Yes." Arthit blinked. "It's a crappy, catchy name."

"It's crap... I agree."

"We are going to have lots of customers. And it's not crap."

"Sure it's not." Kong and Arthit heard a new voice behind.

"Crap." Arthit felt a shiver run down him. As he gulped a lump. And looked over slowly.

To face a raging, fuming Bright. Along with Marilyn and a pair of twins. Arthit gulped a lump. Bright was practically breathing fire.

"Bright... How are you man?" Arthit was slowly stepping away.

Looking at Bright, pulling open his shoes, glaring. While a Marilyn laughed besides. Holding twins in both her hands. One boy and one girl.

"I can explain." Arthit bolted away.

"I'll kick your ass. GET BACK HERE."

"KONGPOB SUTTHILUK I'LL KILL YOU SOON."

"I'LL KILL YOU FIRST. YOU DARE BREAK YOUR CONTACT WITH ME?"

"I CAN EXPLAIN."

"FUCK YOU ARTHIT. COME BACK."

"HELP ME..."

Kong chuckled, as he watched Bright and Arthit chase each other. While Marilyn came and stood besides him.

"Thank you for having us."

"You are welcome." Kongpob looked at the shy siblings.

"This is Adam." Marilyn introduced the boy. "And this is Leah." Then the girl. "They turned five this year."

Kong spread his arms towards the kids. They hesitated first. But gradually held his hands. After a little coaxing from their mother.

"What'd I miss?"

Kongpob looked up to find Knott and Wad staring at the chasing men. Amused.

"Nothing special, trust me." Kong shrugged. "Come on in."

Kongpob walked in giving one last look at Arthit. Who was laughing and trying to save his ass. Their gazes met for a brief moment. And that was enough for them.

They were gifted as Anchors to each other. By the two people, who were their only lifeline. As an assurance that their lives weren't over yet.