Never in a million years Kong thought that Arthit would ask for a break. Much less a break up.

Arthit would nag him about not being able to spend more than 48 hours apart - Yes. Arthit would grumbled about Richie rich wasting money- yes. Arthit jumping his bones, being extremely happy — yes.

In all the scenarios he planned, it never even came in his nightmares that Arthit would demand a break up.

He didn't know what happened in the span of three days that broke his marriage of seven years. What did he do ?

And that's exactly what he asked.

" What did I do , Mee Noi? "

" Nothing." Arthit said, eyes glued at the floor. " It's me. " he said.

Last thing Kong remembered about them was Arthit grumbling about not being able to spend his birthday with him. And not being able to have the three days sexcation he planned.

He could brag, nag, yell and talk his ears out but averting eyes, wasn't like Arthit at all.

" Oon, whatever it is bothering you, we can make it right . " He tried.

" We can't okay. " Arthit yelled, tears prickling his vision. " No one can make it right."

"Thit—"

" I want a divorce. I can't bear it a second more. "

" Fine. But I refuse to have this discussion in another man's house, husband mine " Kong bit out. " Whatever happened, happened. If it is my fault , I will do whatever it takes to right it.
If it is your fault, you will do the same
If you need a break , you will have it. If you need to talk it out, you will have that too .  . But I refuse to leave you in this foreign land or foreign home. You will come with me and we will talk in our home. "

" I can't okay. " Arthit broke down. " I won't step a feet in to that home. "

" Our home. "

" Its not mine anymore" a sob escaped his lips " I want break up okay.  I can't be with you."

Kong was helpless in the face of Arthit's tears. It was first in seven years of his marriage that his husband had tears in his eyes and his arms weren't providing his husband the safe space to break down. Not for the lack of effort on Kongpob's part, he did stepped forward to wrap Arthit in his arms, but Arthit stepped back as if his touch burnt him.

Arthit stood, crying a river, Kong stood stone still,not knowing what to do, unable to endure the pain and frustrated of not knowing the reason.

" Thit..." he tried. The man, his husband tried to rip out their wedding ring in retaliation.

"Don't. " Kong snatched Arthit's hand and put the ring back. "I have never denied you anything " Kong said " I will not deny you this if you truly want it. But you are coming back to Thailand with me and we are doing this properly . "

Kong didn't know why Arthit collapsed hearing this, but he did and Kong felt his world collapsing right there in that moment.

The reason to earn, to be at top, to come back home every night , to thrive in life was dying a silent death right infront of his eyes and he couldn't do a single thing.

...........

Arthit never thought, his eyes would open in a private jet with a team of medics right by his side  and his husband nowhere to be seen. Seven years living with this man, yet he wasn't attuned to his status yet. Speaking of the man, Arthit tried to get up, he was immediately assisted by a nurse.
" Where is my husband" the word came at the tip of his tongue but he swallowedit down. He looked until the end of the length where his eyes could take him.
Kongpob was nowhere in sight and he didn't have courage to ask for him.

Arthit lied back, defeated, a constant stream leaking from his eyes and with that flowed the regret, the dreams, the hopes for their future.

Never in a million years, he could imagine, he could cheat on Kongpob. But he couldn't deny waking up naked beside a very much naked James. Drpos of cum dried on Arthit's thighs were proof enough, still he checked for James.  Although they were in separate blankets, they were very much naked underneath. And Arthit had no explanation to even justify his actions to himself other than the obviously explaination that he and James indeed did the unthinkable.

So much for saying he was Kongpob sexual. Being under influence of alcohol was no excuse.
No matter what the circumstances, Kongpob didn't deserve a cheater.

He wasn't a coward, he could confess right then and there, even if it meant Kongpob would ruin him, he could take the punishment. The slurs, the hate , all he could take. But the truth would ruin Kongpob. Especially when it was his best friend he committed the mistake with.

After the yelling that ensued in the morning , James was nowhere to be seen. Even though James was equally horrified and ashamed, Arthit couldn't sympathize either with himself or James.  Arthit had no desire to know his whereabouts.

" How is he ? " he heard Kongpob asking to a professional and his heart broke for his husband. Kongpob deserved much better. He couldn't even bear being in vicinity of Kongpob without thinking to slap himself or worse.

The medic assured Kong about his vitals, saying it was just low blood sugar and dehydration.
Arthit's mind was at war . A side of him wanted to see Kongpob, feel safe in his arm, get comforted. Another side of him wanted to just vanish from the face of earth. But he must live, for Kongpob. Or he would hold himself responsible.

He must get away before he falls weak in face of Kongpob's love.

......

It was hard. Hardest thing he had ever done. Letting Arthit go from the airport. The man promised to talk to him soon but he had read Arthit's eyes, he knew Arthit was running away. Running as far as he could get.

He couldn't say, he didn't expect Arthit to visit their home when he would be in the office, all his stuff was absent. The house was still there , but it had lost its appeal and soul without the owner of Kongpob's heart.

Kongpob had a person tailing Arthit. Well , a team exactly. With a medic, a bodyguard, a detective, an advocate and few more professionals Kong could think off the bat.
He could afford that now. No matter the expense, Arthit must be safe and be safe to recuperate.

Another of his tension was, James was off the radar. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't reach James. This was third time in six years that James had gone off radar.

"My marriage is on the verge of breaking. If you don't show up within three days, I am not responsible for the thing I will do to pull you out of the burrow you slipped in." Kong sent the message and laid back in his chair. He had no desire to go to their house. His home was wherever Arthit was.

He talked to Arthit's parents, even they didn't know a thing. They only informed that Arthit's boss visited him at home and tried to create a scene and Arthit mailed a complain to the HR and then resigned right at the moment while giving his tyrannical boss , a piece of his mind along with a few choice words.

Atleast something good came out of it.

Arthit finally got rid of his narcissist and gaslighting boss.
...........

It has been two whole days that he had not seen Arthit's hair or hide.
It was midnight but Kong hadn't left the office.

" Happy Birthady Love. " Kongpob whispered to the frame sitting on his office desk. " May  you have all that you wish for—" remembering what Arthit wished for, Kong just laid back on his chair, eyes closed, taking deep breaths.

He desperately wished he would wake up from this nightmare or perhaps someone will yell out " April fool ".

Normally he would have woken up and placed Arthit's gift at night stand before sleeping back in.
There was nothing normal right now. He just laid back and closed his eyes , all the memories played like a reel..

He didn't know when sleep claimed him in his recliner.

........

It was Arthit's actual b-day today. Kong had called Arthit's parents and asked them to make sure Arthit didn't waste away this special day in booze. 

In the morning around 11, Arthit's father visited Kong at his office. He insisted on having brunch with Kong. Told him to take care of himself. Told him, even if they decide to quit their journey together, Kong will always be their second son, he will always have a home with them. Kong's mom called him more than usual, kept reminding him to take meals. It wasn't much of a guess that Arthit was behind it.

What Kong didn't understand was, if they still loved one another, what was the obstacle big enough to hinder them from living happily together?

He took comfort in the knowledge that even though Arthit had not left his room in two days, he was sober and being fed and taken care of.

It was around 5 pm that Knot and Bright called him that they were  dragging Arthit out of the house to celebrate his birthday.
.......

" Kongpob, Arthit is drunk out of his mind, you need to come to Bright's bar. " Knot's urgent voice fueled him to get the hell out of his chair but he bit his lips.

" If you haven't deduced yet, Arthit doesn't want be anywhere near me. " he replied, fingers clutched at the arm rest, his knuckles white.

" And why is he chanting your name like a sacred mantra then? " Knot retorted.

" Because he is drunk, he doesn't know what he is doing." 

" Exactly. He is drunk and unable to lie to himself or you or to any damn person. It's not that he doesn't want you near him, Kongpob. He doesn't want himself near you. There's a difference Kong and you are smart enough to catch it. "

" Ai Knot, ..."

" If for nothing else than come to get him because it's his birthday. Didn't you plan to — " Knot stopped abruptly.

Yeah, he planned to marry Arthit again, with all the grandness that his husband deserved. He never thought seven year curse would hit them.
.......

It took an hour to reach Bright's bar. The moment he entered, Arthit's beaming face  took his breath away.

His eyes were swollen, lips looked dry but his eyes were lit with something Kong couldn't place his finger on.

Arthit smiled seeing Kong. " Kongpob. " he sighed. " You are so handsome. " morose, Kong nodded.

" Why sad ? " Arthit poked Kong's cheek. " You look dashing when you smile. Smile for me. " when Kong didn't,  Arthit tickled him, a little laugh escaped Kong and Arthit smiled " Better. "

" Let's go. " Kong said.

" Go. Where ? "

" Home. "

" I don't have home. " Arthit hung his head
" I broke my home. Still you are so nice to me. "
" I am your husband , why would you expect me to be not nice to you ? "

" I know I  don't deserve you ..." Arthit replied in a small voice. " but I am selfish... I can be a little selfish atleast  in my dreams. " Arthit huffed a sigh and rested his head against Kongpob's  stomach.

His friends stood around him, grave silence shrouded them.

"Would you really divorce him Kong ? " Bright asked.

Kong looked at Arthit, who was drawing circles on his suit clad abdomen, trying to wriggle his finger under Kong's shirt. Tickling, Kongpob's torso, he kept giggling to himself.

" I don't even know why I am divorcing him. But if it is what Arthit wants, if it keeps him healthy and safe and heals him from whatever suffering he is silently enduring...I won't deny him. " Kong replied.

" You knkw what I miss you. " Arthit said at the exact moment , his big doe eyes trained at Kong " But now, I can only meet you in my dreams."

Unable to bear anymore, Kong picked Arthit up by sliding a hand under his knee and another under his nape. Arthit clung to Kong like a koala, reminding him of so many memories whee they ended up in same position.

Once Kong had pulled all the favors he could to celebrate new year with Arthit and unexpectedly seeing Kong at door, Arthit and jumped on to him and latched just like right now, like a koala to the tree.

" You know , out of all the dream Kongpob, this dream you is so real. In the morning it felt realistic but right now, it's like I am really in your arms. " Arthit said, his voice like a bittersweet trickle down Kongpob's ears. Kong tightened hus hands around Arthit.

" Are you happy ? " he asked.

" Right now? Very much. " Arthit replied and Kong shut his mouth for good but that knife twisting in to his heart, eased a little. " I am always happy when I am with you."

He didn't know what was going on, why Arthit was behaving like this, but he would be strong — for both of them and get to the root of the reason.

...........
Arthit's shrill voice woke Kong up before the morning rayd had a chance to do its job.

" Kong... " Arthit shook him,on the verge of nervous breakdown "did I ? Did we ? Did we do it ?"

"Did we do what love ? " Kong asked rubbing his eyes.

" Did we have sex Kongpob? "

" Did we make love ? Yeah, we did. "

" why? How? "

" Because you wanted me last night and I could never deny. You are irresistible. As to how... would you like a hands on demonstration or a detail description would suffice, love ? "

Arthit tore at his hairs, his voice uncharacteristically high. " I am serious Kongpob. "

" As am I." Kongpob matched his voice.

Arthit's attention wasn't on Kongpob.

Oh God! What the fuck did I do? What to now? What to do ? He kept mumbling to himself. After a near little meltdown, he lifted his lashes while wiping his eye with the back of his hand .

" You come with me. " Arthit grabbed his wrist and started dragging him down the bed. " Get dressed, we must go right now. "

Baffled, Kong slipped his hands in the shirt, Arthit had thrown his way
" Where ? " he asked.

" To the hospital. " Arthit replied handing him the khaki.

" If that's what had you troubled. I am clean love. " Kong replied. " Let's sleep in a little. "

Arthit shouted. " I was drunk last night but you were not, you could have stopped me."

" Yeah. It took you getting pissed drunk to bear the touch of your husband. Yeah, I should have stopped You. " Kong replied, unable to bear the hurt anymore.

" Its not that Kongpob. You know how much I — " Arthit stopped " You know, desiring you could never be a problem. "

" Do I really know Arthit ? My Arthit is a man who married me at 18, he was sure of himself,of me and our future when I wasn't. And here are you, asking for divorce without giving me a single reason.
I told you I am clean. We got the test together didn't we? Still here you are..."  Do I know you anymore ? I don't feel like it. "

" I know you are clean damn it. It's me that's the fucking problem. " Arthit yelled.

" Are you experiencing any strange symptoms Thit. Is this what it is about ? We can get the check up done right. "

"  No. Kongpob. I've got no strange symptoms. " For the first time Arthit met his gaze " I can't tell you, don't make me. Please. "

" Babe... did you face any kind of assault . Is that why you drank that night ? "

" No. " Arthit averted his gaze.

" Thit, it's not your fault Kay. Babe , look at me ... did something happened in Greece ? Even if it did...its not your fault. We are in this together, Mee Noi (little bear). We will find out him and her...we will file complaint.."

Arthut kept his lips tightly shut.

" Thit ...please...talk to me. I'd you don't want a complaint to be filed... I can take him or her out without it too...  "

"I didn't face an assault.  I will kill you if you ever tried any illegal means Kongpob. A lot of families depend on you...you can't fuck them over..."

" Thit .... I can't see you like this, please yell me what is the problem ? Why are you adamant on leaving me ? " Kong kept urging but Arthit was silent only sentence he spoke was " Let get the check up done."

And so they did. Together. But without any secret glances or flirtful winking.

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

It was on Kongpob's insistence that they were having breakfast at their favorite Cafe.

All the while,Arthit was tapping his legs, staring at his plate, playing with his food. Unable to meet Kongpob's eyes.

Kongpob's screen lit with the word 'James'

" Yeah..." Kong replied picking up.

" Kong... No matter what Arthit says, don't believe him. It was all my fault okay. Don't let Arthit do anything stupid like divorce, alright. I will be there in three- four hours. Stall whatever stupidity he is doing till then. " and James hung up the call.

Kong took a deep breath, gathered his strength and spoke " Oon. I will give you divorce..." That had Arthit's rapt attention.

" Let's have date night today. " Kong put his foot strong before Arthit could deny. " If after the date, you still want the divorce, I will sign the papers without a second thought."

Arthit gave him a small nod.
Kongpob closed his eyes and prayed to the God to save their relationship from the seven year curse.
.......