Two weeks was left until the wedding, and Kongpob could already feel the excitement and anticipation weaving through every part of his life. The days seemed to blur in a haze of preparations, traditional rituals, and quiet moments stolen between work and the bustle of wedding arrangements. His elder brother Varun and sister-in-law Maya had returned to the village to oversee the preparations, staying in their ancestral home to ensure every detail was perfect for the big day.Kongpob's thoughts constantly wandered to Arthit—his alpha, his soon-to-be husband. Arthit's family was to arrive in two days to prepare for the wedding. They had an ancestral home at the village too, which was being cleaned and decorated under KOngpob's father's guidance.

Although Arthit was not physically present, Arthit wouldn't be Arthit if he didn't fulfill Kongpob's bucket list and that too in the most hilarious way possible.

The morning after Kongpob's visit to the temple, he awoke to the sound of soft knocking at his door. He blinked sleepily, sitting up as the door creaked open to reveal Maya, her smile as bright as the morning sun, holding a small potted plant in her hands.

"A rose?" Kongpob asked, his voice still thick with sleep. He rubbed his eyes, confused but intrigued.

"There's a whole garden waiting outside for you," Maya teased, placing the pot on his bedside table. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she motioned to the bottom of the pot. "But this one is special. It was specially asked to be delivered straight to you.." 

Curious, Kongpob lifted the pot slightly, revealing a small sticky note beneath it. He carefully peeled it off and read the printed lines in Arthit's familiar scrawl:

किस किस को बताऊं हाल मेरा,सुबह उठते ही आ जाता है ख्याल तेरा।

(Who should I tell about my condition,

Your thought crosses my mind as soon as I wake up. )

The words made his heart skip a beat, and a soft blush crept up his cheeks. 

Completely forgetting that his sister in law was still there, he unlocked his mobile screen and quickly typed a text to his husband.

Good morning to you too alpha...

Maya grinned knowingly. "Looks like someone is smitten."

Kongpob's lips curved into a shy smile. "He's always doing things like this," he murmured, tracing the delicate petals of the rose.

"Aww, Kutti is getting frustrated! Should I tell your Anna to put a stop to it ?" Maya whispered in fake sympathy.

"I am not frustrated.." Kong hugged the pot to his chest "Its cute..I like it" He admitted shyly.

"Make sure to make him feel loved and appreciated too Kutti.." Maya advised before heading out, leaving him to his thoughts. 

The small rose plant seemed to glow in the soft morning light, much like the warmth blossoming in his chest.

When they were sitting at the breakfast table that day, Varun intentionally broached the subject of KOngpob's gift.

"Looks like Kutti got lot of pots...How about we place them at Kutti's balcony?" Varun asked his father, smirking at Kong " It will serve a great aim if Arthit ever annoys Kong!"

"Anna!" Kong whined.

"Leave my poor Kutti alone.." His Appa chided Varun " Though idea is not bad Kutti..." 

"Appaaaaaaaaaaa!"

...............

The flower attached to the pots were not the last of gift from Arthit the boyfriend edition. Two days later, after a long day of teaching, Kongpob returned to his desk at the school to find a small box wrapped in simple but elegant brown paper, tied neatly with a ribbon. His brow furrowed in confusion as he untied the ribbon and gently opened the box.Inside, nestled on a bed of soft tissue paper, was a silver keychain—an intricately engraved little sun and moon intertwined. He lifted it, letting the sunlight catch on the delicate design. It was perfect, so simple yet full of meaning. Beneath it, tucked carefully at the bottom of the box, was a folded note. He unfolded it, already knowing what he would find."So you never forget we're meant to be together, no matter how far apart we are. - A"

Kongpob's heart fluttered as he held the keychain close. Arthit's words, like every other gesture, were a quiet declaration of his love. There was no grand proclamation, no dramatic displays of affection. It was the little things—the notes, the gifts, the thoughtfulness—that spoke louder than anything else.But that wasn't the last gift too.In coming days, Kongpob found more surprises waiting for him. A handmade drawing of his favorite scene from a novel appeared on his desk one afternoon, the delicate strokes revealing the hours Arthit must have spent creating it. Another day, a book he had been wanting to read for months mysteriously showed up in his bag, a small note from Arthit reminding him to take time for himself amidst all the wedding chaos.One evening, as he was unwinding at home, a playlist arrived in his inbox—a collection of songs that Arthit had curated just for him. Each song was tied to a memory, a moment they had shared. As Kongpob listened to the soft melodies, a wave of emotions washed over him. Every note seemed to echo the unspoken love between them, every lyric another reminder of how deeply Arthit cared.The gifts were thoughtful, each one tailored to him in a way that made him feel truly seen. And with each new surprise, Kongpob felt his heart burst with warmth and affection. It was as if Arthit was wrapping him in love, even when they were apart, reminding him that he was never truly alone.Of course, the gossip mill at the school didn't miss a beat. Whispers floated around the halls, curious eyes watching as Kongpob's desk was adorned with yet another gift. His students began speculating that their professor had a secret admirer."He must have someone special," they would whisper, exchanging knowing looks.Kongpob smiled quietly to himself. If only they knew.The truth was, every gift, every note, every gesture was a piece of Arthit's heart. And as the days passed and their wedding drew closer, Kongpob found himself falling even deeper in love with the man he was about to marry. It wasn't just the romance or the grand gestures that swept him off his feet—it was the way Arthit understood him, the way he loved him in the small, everyday moments that meant everything.And with each new gift, Kongpob was reminded that he wasn't just marrying an alpha; he was marrying his best friend, his confidant, the person who knew him better than anyone else.Now, a week until the wedding. Seven days until they would stand before family and friends, united as one. But for Kongpob, the true gift wasn't the engagement ring or the elaborate ceremony. The true gift was Arthit—his love, his kindness, his unwavering support.And with every surprise that arrived, Kongpob knew that their journey was only just beginning.

...................................

A week from marriage day, Arthit's family had arrived at the village, adding even more excitement to the atmosphere as the wedding date drew nearer. 

Kongpob's house was full of life, laughter, and preparations, but amidst all the festivity, there was still a secret thrill that neither Arthit nor Kongpob could resist.

Arthit arrived five days before wedding, that evening, after the house had settled into its evening lull, there was a soft knock on Kongpob's window. He turned, slightly startled, to find Arthit standing on the balcony, flashing him a daring grin.

"You ready for some rule-breaking?" Arthit asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.Kongpob laughed nervously, already feeling the adrenaline rush through his veins. "Are we really doing this?"

Arthit nodded, his grin widening. He looked so confident, so sure of himself, that Kongpob couldn't help but get caught up in the excitement. His heart was pounding as he opened the window, watching in awe as Arthit crawled through it with surprising ease.

"You're crazy," Kongpob whispered, struggling to suppress a laugh.

"Crazy for you," Arthit whispered back, pulling him into a tight hug. The warmth of Arthit's embrace filled Kongpob with a sense of giddy excitement, the kind that comes with doing something forbidden yet undeniably thrilling. He held on tightly, the rush of adrenaline making everything feel electric—the shared laughter, the secret they were keeping. It was a moment neither of them would ever forget.

"What now?" Kongpob asked breathlessly, pulling back slightly to look into Arthit's eyes, his heart still racing from the sudden exhilaration, his body trembling " I don't know what to do"

"We can do anything," Arthit replied, his grin turning playful. "Let's play Ludo."

Kongpob blinked, surprised, then burst into laughter. "Ludo? Really?"

"Why not?" Arthit shrugged casually. "It's all about the fun, right?"So, they played Ludo.

They sprawled across Kongpob's floor, laughing and teasing each other as they rolled the dice, each trying to outwit the other with silly strategies. The sun set, and night fell around them, in the spirit of competetion, they didn't even realise what time it was.

 It was simple, innocent, and filled with joy—the kind of moment that required nothing more than each other's company. As the game stretched into the evening, they forgot about time, lost in their own little world. But eventually, the distant call of Kongpob's name echoed through the house, pulling him back to reality. It was time for dinner.

"You better go," Kongpob said reluctantly, glancing at the door.

Arthit nodded, sighing dramatically. "I guess the fun has to end sometime."

He got up, stretching his arms before heading back to the window. With one last wink, he stole a peck, then climbed out the same way he had entered, though this time, his landing wasn't quite as graceful. A loud thud echoed in the quiet garden as he stumbled, drawing a giggle from Kongpob who peeked out after him.

But just as Arthit was sneaking away, something unexpected happened. One of the househelps, walking through the garden, spotted him out of the corner of their eye. They squinted, not recognizing the figure crouching near the bushes."Thief!" he yelled, pointing at Arthit.

Kongpob's eyes widened in horror as his family sparng in to action. Every one yelling ' Catch the thief'. People came rushing from every direction, ready to chase down the "intruder."

The commotion grew louder, villagers calling out to each other, trying to catch the "thief" who had apparently dared to sneak into the house. 

Kongpob panicked , he called Arhan and told him about the situation. Kong too ran towards the crowd and saw a panting Arthit explained why he was in Suthiluck family's garden.

Arthit was saying he was observing flowers.

'In the night?' a confused old woman asked.

 Kong doubled over in silent laughter, watching as his future husband  stutter...

......................................................

Three days before the actual wedding, as preparations buzzed around them and excitement filled the air, Kongpob received an unexpected text from Arthit: Pack a bag.

Kongpob stared at the message, a mix of curiosity and confusion settling over him. What could Arthit be planning now? Without asking any questions, he did as he was told, stuffing a few essentials into a small bag. 

When he slipped out of the house in the cover of the night, he found Arthit waiting for him, leaning casually against his motorbike, a devilish grin lighting up his face.

"We're running away," Arthit declared, his eyes glinting with mischief.

Kongpob's heart skipped a beat. He raised a brow, half-expecting Arthit to be joking, but the playful seriousness in Arthit's gaze told him otherwise. Without a word, Kongpob climbed onto the back of the bike, wrapping his arms around Arthit's waist as the engine roared to life. They sped through the quiet village streets, passing the familiar roads until the bustling cityscape faded into the distance. 

Arthit drove them farther than Kongpob expected, into the night, until they reached a secluded beach—quiet, serene, and far from the noise and lights of the world they'd momentarily left behind.

When they arrived, Kongpob was greeted by the sight of a small private setup right on the shore. Lanterns softly glowed, casting a warm, ethereal light across the sand. A small table with dinner for two sat in the middle, with the gentle sound of the ocean waves adding to the magic in the air."Not quite a runaway wedding," Arthit said, his voice low and intimate, "but close enough."Kongpob laughed, the sound carried away by the breeze. His heart swelled with love and excitement. This was so quintessentially Arthit—a spontaneous adventure that broke the rules in the most endearing way. The ocean breeze tugged at his hair as they sat down to share a quiet meal, speaking in soft voices about their future, about what life would be like after the wedding.They talked about the house they'd live in, the travels they wanted to take, and the dreams they hoped to chase together. Every word, every laugh they shared felt like another thread binding them closer together, sealing their fate.As the stars twinkled overhead, Arthit reached for Kongpob's hand. "Hold on," he said softly, guiding him to his feet.

Kongpob blinked, confused. "What are you—?"Arthit held his hands tightly, looking into his eyes with a seriousness that sent shivers down Kongpob's spine. "Let's take our vows," Arthit said. "Right here, just the two of us. Before all the rituals and ceremonies that everyone else will see... this is for us."

Kongpob's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't expected this, but as he stood there, holding Arthit's hands, it felt right—like the most intimate and meaningful moment they'd ever shared. They didn't need anyone else's approval, didn't need the grand gestures or traditions to affirm what they already knew in their hearts."I vow," Arthit began, his voice barely above a whisper, "to always stand by you. To fight with you, and for you. To never run away from us, no matter how hard it gets."

Kongpob felt tears prickling at the corners of his eyes, his heart aching with how full it felt. "And I vow," he said softly, "to love you, to trust you, and to walk beside you, wherever life takes us. I'm yours, ennavar. Always."

They sealed their vows with a kiss, standing under the moonlit sky, the ocean as their witness.

"I want to do something...will you let me?" Kong asked.

"What?" Arthit asked.

Kong bent at his waist and touched Arthit's feet...

"Hey, what are you doing?" Arthit made him stand  up. KOng hugged Arthit, locking his arms at Arthit's neck, he sobbed like a baby " Thank you.."

"For what?" Arthit asked, confused.

"For being the best man, for loving me like this...."

" Is that even a thing to thank me for? its my dharma (righteous action)..."

" Bless me.." Kong said stubbornly.

"Husband and wife are equal baby.." Arthit argued.

"Yes, but aren't you elder than me ? Bless me, ennavar! (its an ancient term to be used to call husband)"

"Arthit cleared his throat, imitating a deep voice, making Kong laugh through tears...

दीर्घायुष्मान् भव, प्रेमेण सह, सर्वेषु कर्मसु सफलो भूयाः।

त्वं नित्यं सुखं, शान्तिं, स्नेहं च लभस्व। अहम् सदा त्वया सह भवामि।"

Meaning:
"May you live a long life, filled with love, and find success in all your endeavors.
May you always experience happiness, peace, and affection. And may I always be by your side."

KOng touched Arthit's feet again and demanded " Properly bless me.."

Arthit placed his palm on Kongpob's forehead and again repeated his blessing.

 In that moment, they felt married—bound not by tradition or ceremony, but by the simple act of choosing each other, over and over again.

When they returned at dawn, the beach far behind them, they thought they'd been subtle enough. But subtlety, as it turned out, wasn't their strong suit.

As soon as they stepped through the gate, they were greeted by the sight of Kongpob's open window, a clear indication of his sneaky departure. Maya had already discovered it earlier, and her sharp eyes had narrowed in suspicion. She'd been waiting.

Arhan, on the other hand, wasn't the least bit surprised. He had already guessed where Arthit had gone the moment he saw him leave the house the night before. "You think you're so slick," Arhan teased later, flashing them a knowing grin.

But the real surprise came when Kongpob and Arthit spotted their fathers on their usual morning walk. Their dads stopped in their tracks, taking in the sight of their sons returning at the crack of dawn, clearly up to no good. For a brief moment, there was silence before they both shook their heads in unison, amusement twinkling in their eyes.

As Arthit tried to sneak back into their rooms, Arthit's mother caught him red-handed, mid-step, as he attempted to tiptoe down the hallway."And where do you think you're coming from, hmm?" she asked, her hands on her hips, a knowing look on her face.Arthit froze, stammering out some half-baked excuse, but it was no use. His mother's sharp gaze had already pieced together the whole story. She smiled, shaking her head, but didn't scold him. There was a softness in her eyes, one that told him she understood far more than she let on.

As for Varun, he simply turned a blind eye to the whole thing, pretending not to notice the two sneaky grooms-to-be slipping back into the house.

And in the midst of it all, Kongpob and Arthit exchanged a secretive glance, a smile tugging at both their lips. They'd been caught, but somehow, the night felt worth every risk they had taken.Their hearts still raced with the memory of their vows, of the stolen moment by the sea. It didn't matter if they had to face the world now—because in their hearts, they were already married.

.....................................................

A/N : Some people may feel weird when Kong touched Arthit's feet . But taking a blessing is a norm in Indian culture. Since, Arthit is six years elder than Kong and showing so much maturity, Kong felt compelled in his heart to show reverence and respect to Arthit.