Arthit

Arthit smiled submitting the answersheet to invigilator, only thing his mind could think of was he can finally spend some time with Kongpob.

Now that exam is finally over, he can finally move the folder of  all the formulas and theories and derivations far back in his mind and catch over his sleep but not before meeting his boyfriend.

These last three  weeks were legit hard on Arthit, first his boyfriend didn't let him touch his body anywhere down the waist ,like literally. Not that they had done much physical stuff, but they were comfortable with each other to put it decently.

All Arthit did was study , study and study, study with the gang and then take tests or recite some important formulae or derivations and such stuff that too without any reward ! Can you believe that ! 

Now it's true that he should not have forgotten to lock the door that day ,but in his defence he was shocked out of my mind seeing Kongpob literally drowned in layers of cloths , other had wore to prevent from being totally stripped to birthday suit.

He heaved a deep sigh thinking how brutally his friends has teased him about getting some. How far it was from  reality !
But now that he had time on his hand, he can give Kongpob some incentives to study.

He has three days before he will be again busy with planning and then organising beach trip for first years .

Seeing him standing at the gate of department with a faraway look, Bright tapped his shoulder
" Arthit, you coming or what ?" Bright asked.

Arthit shook his head " No, I have something to take care of first. I'll  come to the meeting directly." 

Bright grinned all knowingly "Something or someone Khrap?" he asked wiggling his eyebrows in suggestive manner.

"Shut up Ai Bright. You were hungry right? Go eat. " Arthit snapped

" Aren't you hungry ? " Bright asked.

Dragging Bright away from Arthit , Toota quipped 
" He is hungry for something else Ai Bright."  Toota's words were followed by instant catcalls from his friends.

Arthit glared at his friends. Effect was instant, everyone stopped teasing, their arch of smirks and grins on their lips fading into straight line.

" I will meet you all later in the meeting "

Prem nodded " Okay, don't be late "

Nodding in agreement Arthit turned back to the path leading to department of economics.

" Arthit - "

Arthit turned back on hearing Knot's voice. 
" Just don't get caught, punishment for that is three months suspension of both the involved parties "

Arthit threw his pen, aiming straight for Knot's head. " I am just going to eat. Get your mind out of gutter Ai Saat." Arthit roared.
____________________

Kongpob

As the program was concluded and crowd dispersed he was approached by Thaksirat himself
 "Kongpob....." Thaksirat called.

Kong looked around, the hall was almost empty. Two teachers were discussing something on stage. He and Thaksirat were standing on farther corner, near the exit Kong was about to dash out of before he was approached by Thaksirat.

With a storm of emotions churning inside but a face devoid of a single line of sentiment Kong watched the five feet eight inch figure his father trusted with blind eyes.

The deep set eyes of familiar stranger took him in, from head to toe. Thaksirat smiled a far away smile, his eyes slightly unfocused as if reminiscing old times. Blinking his eyes he focused his attention on Kongpob

" You are all grown up Kong, exact shadow of your father " Thaksirat commented.

Kong pursed his lip, the audacity of Thaksirat to make a small talk amused him to no end. He should feel enraged, blood-thirsty, murderous or may be exact opposite he should feel fear for his life, but he felt none of these. No conflicting emotions at all.

At this moment all he felt is amusement, all those years of emotional restraint was paying off in this moment, keeping his face devoid of any lines that would give out his weakness or intentions. A corner of lip tugged up in universal mocking gesture of smirk

" Yeah uncle Dave, unfortunately for you I am exact shadow of my father " Kong spat, voice low enough not to be heard by two other  occupants of the room.

Thaksirat nodded at him knowingly as if he was seeing his soul in this moment,
" I know you are angry at me Kong but believe me it took me time but I came for you, you were not there. I am searching for you since then. "

Mirthless chuckle of Suthiluck heir rang in the air
" Do you think I am a fool Uncle Dave ?" Kong sneered.

Thaksirat stretched his hand to put on Kong's shoulder, he heaved a deep sigh seeing Kong stepping back even before his fingertips could touch the last Suthiluck . Returning his hand in to his pocket the middle aged man fidgeted on his feet trying to arrange his words in to believable explanation

" Trust me ,I came for you Kong. It took me one year to settle my affairs but I came back. Your parents had -"

This was it. Kongpob kept his cool, as he had taught him self to do over all those years of living alone. But the mention of his parents broke his restraint , gritting his teeth in a show of aggressive stance, Kong snapped
" Enough. I don't want to listen anymore. Do you think I am that thirteen year old in the orphanage who believes in you unconditionally. I didn't even believe in you then Thaksirat. I needed to live to avenge my parents - " Thaksirat cut him off

" I understand Kong. Now that I have found you, I can help you Kongpob. Together we can avenge- "

" Together ? " Kong snorted  "Sure , why not Uncle Dave. I just have one question. You were the only person who knew about my parents Greece trip, it was impromptu wasn't it ? Greece was a last minute decision. Within one day of reaching Greece they got in a car accident and Suthilucks suddenly got bankrupted the same day. While you climbed in top 1% within one year. That's quite an achievement Uncle Dave. Congratulations " 

Dave hung his head," Kong what you say is true. I am guilty of this. But do you think I can kill my own best friend ? "

Kong cackled " No, you can just bury their bodies in first two feet land you found and leave their only son among the strangers to fend for himself, homeless and penniless ."

" Kong I didn't kill your parents. Trust me. "

Kong put both his hands in his pockets to restrain himself from lashing out physically. He just glowered at Thaksirat with all the fire he could muster in his eyes.

Thaksirat seemed desperate to make him believe he wasn't involved " Kong, I can give you proof that I didn't kill your parents. I am guilty of all your misery, all the problems you have faced were because of me. I am not all innocent Kongpob but trust me when I say I didn't kill your parents, I could never do that. "

" You are delusional if you think I will believe your words even for a second Thaksirat. "

" But you can't deny evidences Kongpob. Meet me at my home in two days time and I can give you evidences that I am not the one who responsible for what happened to your parents." Thaksirat whispered.

Seeing Kong still distrustful of him, Thaksirat took a step forward " Kongpob, I could have killed you then and there if I wanted to. I am not innocent, I won't say I am not guilty. But I came for you, it took me a year to take care of the mess I made but I came back. I did a grave mistake Kongpob and for covering it I took help of a man I should never have. I couldn't have saved you from him, so I did what I could do to save you. Don't you remember Kongpob, I was the one opposing the idea to go to Greece. Meet me at my house Kongpob and I will give you a the answers. Ball is in your court now, you choose you want a strike or you back off....... It's your decision. I will send you my address in two days time. It's your decision if you want to see evidences or not ..."  Thaksirat left him in the middle of the hallway with these words.

With clenched fists Kongpob watched the back of Thaksirat until he left the room. Seven years he had though of destroying this man but when the same traitor was standing before him he could do nothing. Kongpob felt his nails digging in soft of his palm, he increased the pressure, pain was a welcome distraction .

Kongpob didn't know how long he stood there, controlling his raging emotions that demanded Thaksirat's head. The nerve of that man to claim being an innocent !

Kongpob didn't know he was shaking until two sets of arms wrapping around him from behind, caging him in familiar warmth and comfort.

" Kong .." he heard Arthit's worry laced voice calling his attention. Kong didn't speak, he didn't trust his voice nor his mind not to lash out. He stayed there in Arthit's embrace taking deep breaths to calm himself.

" Kongpob" Arthit called again, Kong unclasped Arthit's hand locked on his chest and turned him, making h stand before himself.

" Are you okay ? " Arthit asked.

" I am now " Kong answered in small voice.

" Do you want to talk about it ? " Arthit asked.

Kong shook his head in denial " I am fine now. How was your exam ? "

" It was good. " Arthit answered, still observing Kongpob as if his face would tell what was wrong.

" Arthit ,I am really okay. " Kong assured.

" Okay, let's grab lunch. I am really hungry. " Arthit held Kong's wrist dragging him towards canteen.

Kongpob pulled back his hand from Arthit's grip, enough to slow him down " Not canteen, I'll take you somewhere else.

____________________

Evening

Arthit hadn't returned from his meeting. Kongpob pulled out his bag from under the bed and took out the small box he keeps the necklace P'Nat had left for him. P'Sam always insisted to keep it with him, saying it was important. Kong looked at the one inch piece of square pendent , it doesn't look important at all. But he always keeps it with him because it was only piece of P'Nat he had left with.

He sat on his bed, playing with the pendent of the necklace, moving it between his fingers. Any type of distraction would be welcomed right now.

Since Thaksirat's visit Kongpob's mind is in constant turmoil. Now that he had somewhat cooled down, he is thinking about how Thaksirat kept insisting that he had evidence of his innocence. He didn't know if he should trust him or not, he didn't know Thaksirat enough to catch whether he was speaking truth or lying through his teeth.

If Thaksirat's words proves even 50% true, that means Kong was living a lie till now. One thing he knows is , Thaksirat isn't an innocent man. He can kill people in broad daylight and hide all the evidences. He had killed , P'Nat's sister - his own wife and made it seem like accident. No one raised a finger at him, instead Nat was jailed for two months for physical assault on him. Trusting such criminals words would be like placing his head under guillotine.

He kept thinking from all angles but he couldn't reach a conclusion. In times like these he misses P'Nat alot, he always helped him in organising his thoughts. Sighing in frustration Kongpob kept the pendent on his bedside table and went to shower.

Arthit

Arthit entered the room exhausted and hungry after a four hour long meeting with his seniors. As every year , they were having trouble in getting the permission for trip from authorities. All four hours of meeting was spent in brainstorming the the theme for trip that would be agreeable to both students and authorities and showcase their sincere efforts towards bonding with their juniors.

Arthit headed straight to the bathroom to take a shower , only to find it locked from inside.

" Arthit, is that you ? "  Kong asked from inside.

" Khrap, let me join you "

" I'm almost finished, just five more minutes."

" I'm counting. If you take even a second more than five minutes - " rest of the words remain stuck in his throat as Kong came out fully dressed.
Arthit sighed " You really don't want to shower with me do you ? "

" You know it's nothing like that. "
" Really ? "

" Hmm..."  Nodded Kongpob.

Arthit pulled him in, under the shower stall " prove it then. "

" Arthit, stop kidding around "
Arthit turned the knob, drenching both of them under cold jets of water.
" I'm not kidding "

Kongpob heaved a deep sigh seeing Arthit adamant on his words, covering the distance between him and Arthit in two steps, he kissed the paler man's forehead
" Later." With one word, he stepped out from under the shower stall and left the bathroom , leaving  a worried Arthit to watch his back long after he left the bathroom.

After coming out if shower, Arthit found Kongpob laying on his bed with his arms over his eyes,covering it to protect from light. Kongpob removed his arm and turned his head to look at Arthit, for few moments both stood silent.

" Sorry " Kong mumbled.

In few strides Arthit reached near Kongpob's bed " No need to apologize ." He said sitting beside him on his bed "  I can see something is clearly troubling you. I am here whenever you feel like talking about it . "

" I know . " Kongpob kept his head in Arthit's lap, who threaded his fingers through his hair, kept mumbling something about having his back always in any situation.

Holding Nat's necklace tightly in his hand, Kongpob drifted in sleep,casting his worries away. In this moment he realised that he could face anything as long as Arthit remained by his side.

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤💜Lots of Love - lonetraveller13 💜