"Daddy... Look I caught another one."

Arthit looked up from his Tablet and his eyes widened looking at the praying mantis that both his sons were bringing his way. It was a day off from work. But why did he think that he can spend it in peace.

He sighed, looking at the twins rushing his way. Running over the mowed green lawn, the trees swaying and the bright sunshine giving a beautiful view of their huge backyard.

"Wow." Arthit put his tablet away and smiled at his sons. "That's a great thing."

Adam and Danny giggled, presenting their gifts to their father. Who took them on his hand more than happily.

"Are you bothering insects again?" They jolted hearing a stern, soft voice just behind. "What did I tell you about bothering innocent living beings?"

Adam and Danny pouted, dropping their gaze. As they stood upright. "Sorry Dad."

"Let them be..." Arthit chuckled, putting the innocent living beings carefully over the table.

Their children perked up, knowing daddy got their backs. As they expectantly stared at Arthit.

"Besides they are just bringing presents... Not bothering anyone." Arthit hugged his boys to his chest and kissed their head. "Right kids?"

Both of them nodded instantly, ignoring the frustrated sigh besides.

"Now... Why not bring some presents for Mom?" Arthit encouraged.

Adam and Danny shared an excited glance and nodded enthusiastically. They didn't need to be told twice. As they rushed back towards their backyard garden. After kissing their father, tight on the cheeks.

"Thank you daddy... You are the best." They screamed on their way to exploration.

Arthit chuckled, watching his boys running around. His heart swelling. He loved both of them so much. So very much.

He felt the space besides him being filled on the couch. And he tilted his sideways, to meet the beautiful but disappointed face peering back at him. Neck length hairs parted sideways and tucked smartly. Wearing a beige trouser and loose white full sleeved tee. Looking adorable with the fuller cheeks like always.

"What?" Arthit cocked a brow at his husband.

"Stop spoiling them. "

Arthit smiled, popping his dimples. As he leaned down and kissed the soft lips.

"I am not spoiling them, Yo." Arthit crooned against the lips.

"Yes you are." Wayo rolled his eyes, albeit kissing his husband back.

"I am not." Arthit smiled kissing Wayo's nose. "I am just being a dad... Letting them do what they want. And please don't expect me to force my decisions on them... They can..."

"Yeah yeah... They can be what they want... They can do what they want... They can be with..." Wayo stared at Arthit's sideface. "Whoever they want... You always got their backs... To pick them up."

"That's right..." Arthit smiled fondly, staring blankly ahead at his kids.

While Wayo couldn't look away from his husband. He cleared his throat and decided to change the atmosphere.

"I really want to hate you... I really do..." Wayo muttured blankly. "But you are too handsome. And more frustratingly... I love you very much."

Arthit chuckled shaking his head. "Ofcourse that's the reason..."

Wayo stared blankly for a moment. Then leaned more closer to Arthit. "Do you love me?"

Arthit snapped his gaze at Wayo. Blinking and going blank for a moment. Then giving a warm, dimpled smile.

"What kind of question is that Yo?" Arthit pried his arm away from Wayo and wrapped it around his smaller frame. Pulling him close to his chest. "Ofcourse I love you... You gave me a family... And made me such a beautiful home to come back to... I respect you with my all..."

Wayo gulped a lump and nodded. Laying against Arthit's chest. He knows... That he is well respected and appreciated. That Arthit can do anything for him. He always made sure to get all kinds of comfort for Wayo and their boys. Protecting them with everything. Keeping them in a  safe bubble, providing the world.

Wayo also knows, the love he is getting... Isn't the love he craves from his husband. It is more like a token of appreciation from Arthit. Out of respect. And because Wayo made him a home and never left his side. Respected him... Just the way he is respected himself. Because Arthit is the kindest man Wayo ever met in life...

Infact they never even fought. They never had any misunderstanding. Unless they were teasing each other. Arthit always adjusted with Wayo's needs. And that made Wayo do the same, out of respect. They moved in a sync. Doing what will keep calm in the house.

Arthit never claimed his entitlement on Wayo... Neither as an omega... Nor a husband. Always keeping Wayo over himself, tending to everything. Almost like two best friends or old acquaintance. Instead of a married couple.

"Your mother called..."

Arthit went stiff and ofcourse didn't respond. Wayo knows his husband hates talking about his family or his hometown. But he has to.

He tilted his head and peered at the man he loves so much. "She invited ALL of us for Christmas... Again..."

"Yo." Arthit sighed, closing his eyes. "We talked about this."

"It's been eight years Arthit... Eight long years. You won't even talk to them on call. You barely see them or accept a world tour when they'd visit." Wayo murmured, caressing Arthit's chest.

Arthit clenched his jaws, without opening his eyes.

"Your parents miss you. You didn't even attend your older brother's wedding. They haven't seen you in years Baby..." Wayo whispered, staring at Arthit's upset face. "Your grandfather is devastated. He misses you dearly..."

Arthit scoffed, giving a dark chuckle. "More like his pride got hurt that I rejected his inheritance and didn't wag my tail after him... Like others."

"You hate them so much." Wayo whispered. "I can see it in your eyes... The hatred you hold for them. You didn't even look back at your previous life... Or hometown. You didn't even bring any belongings with you... Like you left behind an identity there..."

Arthit didn't reply. Gritting his teeth.

Wayo's eyes moistened. "Is it because of me?"

Arthit instantly hugged his husband close. Shaking his head. "No... No babe... None of it is your fault... I am sorry your husband is so pathetic.... But trust me... None of it is your fault."

"My husband is handsome and holds a rank in Forbes top 20." Wayo sniffled. "He is anything but pathetic. Mind your tongue Mr. Rojnapat."

"Top 15 now Babe." Arthit smirked. "Widen your general knowledge."

Wayo snapped his wide eyes at Arthit. Who leaned down and pecked Wayo's lips.

"Am a producer now. Remember? And my fashion label is at it's peak." Arthit whispered. Staring into Wayo's slowly moistening brown eyes.

Wayo raised a little and hugged around Arthit's shoulders, resting his face against Arthit's shoulder. Without a word.

"Aww." Arthit smiled, hugging Wayo tight. "Are you proud of your husband?"

Wayo nodded, sniffling and hiding his face. He never bothered about whatever Arthit earned. Never cared. Because Arthit never made him feel unloved or unwanted. Infact he knows that Arthit gives him money in his account every month without fail. He is always well kept. So he never had to think.

Arthit treats him, just the way his father treated him back when he was unmarried. Respected, prioritised and loved.... Though he knows, its not the love he craves... But love.

But he still feels so lucky and proud of Arthit. Of his every achievement.

"Don't cry..." Arthit caressed his cheek, dabbing away his tears. "It's a happy news."

Wayo's eyes fell on the vibrant mark wrapped around his husband's veiny, pale wrist. A dark blue lilac branch that wrapped snuggly around Arthit's wrist.

When Wayo asked about it... Arthit simply said with a small smile.

"Let's pretend its a tattoo."

Arthit neither denied or agree with the mark being something more than a tattoo.

Wayo just smiled nodding and without prying. Because Arthit never pried about his previous life. And Wayo knows, Arthit didn't want him to feel like he came between something. Like he ruined something.

Because Arthit never made him feel like that. He kept Wayo with all the comfort in the world. And how can you not fall in love with this gentleman.

So Wayo didn't comment, when he saw Arthit's whole left torso dark with tattoos, till his left wrist. Heavy duty tribal tattoos. He wasn't being a toxic masculinist.

But the other tattoos and his husband's whole of personality, didn't match the single delicate lilac branch. On the right wrist.

With it's promise of dedication and purity. It's symbol of pure love. And the way it smells... Yes... He can smell the fragrance of the tattoo linger about from the wrist. It's not overbearing, but soft and sweet. It doesn't make it's presence known... But Wayo knows it's there...

It lingers with the deep woods essence of his husband's... Blending like a perfect perfume. Like they were meant to be...

The way soulmates does.

That is the reason, he wants to visit Arthit's hometown this year. No... He didn't want to pry or come as desperate... But he just wanted a glimpse. Just a flash... For his own closure and peace.

Because he is deeply, madly and blindly in love with Arthit... And he holds know expectations back... He didn't want to force Arthit. Like he was never forced.

"I want you to come to your hometown with all of us this year, P'Arthit..." Wayo whispered, staring blankly at the tattoo.

Arthit went still gaping at Wayo. "Yo..."

"I never asked anything of you..." Wayo cut him and stared blankly. "This is the first time I am."

Arthit's jaws dropped and he sighed, feeling at a loss of words. Wayo was right... But...

He heard a sweet laughter ring through his gridlocked parts of memories... A soft voice and beautiful face...

A yearning he ignores everyday.

P'Arthit...

Arthit closed his eyes with clenched jaws. Infuriated with the crashing memories. As he gritted his teeth.

Wayo gaped, feeling Arthit's rage as he straightened and gulped a lump. "Dont be mad, P'Arthit... I am sorry... We don't have to..."

"I will think about it..." Arthit uttered blankly. Pulling his hand away, watching their kids rushing towards them. "There's still four months left..."

Wayo gulped a lump and nodded. Feeling the invisible distance between them instantly. Watching Arthit hold their children.

Did he push too far? Wayo regretted everything instantly...

A/n: Hah! You really assumed I will make Wayo someone you can easily hate? Well you are up for surprises...

I am here to make everyone bawl their eyes out.

Why?

Ummm... I don't know, maybe because I am hurt... The way I got BLAMED in the last update of Stand By Me, that I was intending to hurt the boys...

While I WAS JUST THINKING OF GIVING A SWEET DISTRACTION WITH A LOVELY KONGPOB AND SCARY ARTHIT... AND A LITTLE DRAMA... BUT I GOT BLAMED INSTEAD.

Ahemmm 😊 so... Like I always do... I take all the REQUESTS to heart... And intend to do just that...

You want to see me hurting the boys with my dark plots? Wish granted...

Do leave your feedback...

Love,
Bamboo_shoot. 😊