The soft light of the dawn broke in through the curtains,  waking krist up..he stirred instantly, feeling the solid wall of warmth on his back..he was aware of the tan arm trapping him around his chest..he was spooned from top to toe..

Singto! he smiled at the discovery. His morning stubble tickling his neck as he breathed. Krist snuggled closer and felt something hard press against his bottom. It reminded him of last night, making him turn a pleasant shade of pink.. He pushed against the arm, which instinctively tightened around him..

"You'd better be awake.."Singto murmured his voice still gravelly with sleep.

"I am" Krist replied back..

A second later he turned around wanting to see his face, the tan skin,the plump lips, smooth nose and light eyebrows..their heads lay on the same pillow..

Krist had never looked so beautiful to Singto, all tousled, half sleepy, with no make up, just his natural beauty..seeing the face in its purest..the soft blush from earlier still adorning his cheeks. It was impossible to think of all the mornings he had lost, not waking up beside this man..

He wanted to tell Krist wat he felt,but he hesitated knowing his didn't have the finesse of people like Earth. All he had were feelings and he couldn't find the right words to express them..

"Good morning " Krist smiled, reaching up to run a finger along Singto's chin..

"Good morning " Singto replied back,catching Krist's fingers and pressing them to his lips, he then lowered it to his heart,letting him feel the solid beat of it.."Happy?"he asked and then felt the sudden sharp pang of fear. What if he wasn't? He'd never be able to bear seeing him look at him with the look of reproach, the way Neen had.

"Mmmmm I am somewhere between happy and delirious.."Krist said hiding his face in Singto's neck...

"Would you believe I have to be in court today?" Singto groaned. "All day"

"I guess that's means we should get up. "

"I guess, but we could have a bath together, if u want."he asked hesitantly..

"Let me put the coffee on so it ll be ready when u're dressed . You can get in the shower,I ll join u shortly. "Krist said kissing Singto's nose.

"Efficiency, I like that in my man.." Singto smiled as Krist got out of bed dragging the sheet along to wrap around his waist..not to hide his nakedness but to protect from the chilling cold in the room.

Singto walked into the bathroom and turned on the heater. He opened the shower knob,testing the water till it was the perfect amount of hot.

Krist walked in, naked again and joined him in the shower. As Singto pulled him under the jet of water,he felt his arousal stirring. They kissed and made out under the hot stream as they used the shampoo and soap on each other..exploring the parts they may have missed last night..reaching an intimate sync with their movements that even lifelong partners would be jealous of. .

*******
In a sash tied robe, Krist walked Singto to the door. Singto draped his raincoat on his arm and held Krist's shoulders.

"Don't worry about the jeep,I ll have Yod fill it with gas and bring it over. "

"Thanks "he said rubbing his hands along the front of Singto's shirt,feeling so much like husband's of a lifetime..liking the feeling of seeing his man off to work..

Singto bent his head and kissed Krist in a lip nuzzling fashion, then straightened and reached for the door knob,"I ll talk to you tonight".

"Tonight " Krist echoed the promise smiling,as he stood in the doorway to wave to him, when he drove out.

*********
Through a break in the clouds,the moon cast its pale light over Fah lahwy Farm house. The rain from last night had left puddles of muddy slush along the yard,which Singto jumped over to get to the wooden steps of his porch.

"Hi daddy, "Waan said,sitting in front if the TV,playing with a lock of her hair. Papa who had been dozing off in his rocker, jolted awake at her greeting.

"Hi honeybee, finished your homework I hope?"Singto asked dropping his coat in the stand.

"All done, "she said turning to him as a commercial came on."Did u win ur case?"

"In a way."he said pulling at his tie and looping it off his head,unbuttoning his shirt a bit,"the other side didn't like the testimony some of our witnesses gave. So they offered to settle. After some negotiations we took it"

"Is that why u're so late?" Papa asked getting up to loosen his stiff muscles..

Singto nodded, "I had to finalize the paperwork, it took sometime to get the proper wording which pleased both sides. But it means I won't have court tomorrow. "

Singto ran a hand through his hair,feeling exhausted from his long day in court. Then he smiled to himself, he wasn't tired from his day. If he was exhausted it was from the wonderful night activity of last night. He paused thinking of krist standing in the doorway in a robe, waving him off to work, his hair still damp from the shower they had shared. He had almost stopped at Silverwood on his way back, but he hadn't seem Waan this morning as she had left for school by the time he came back. Another hour and she would be in bed.

"Have u eaten daddy? I could heat up the chicken and potato salad if u want". Waan offered sounding remarkably like the woman of the house. 

"Thanks, sweetie pie but we sent out for sandwiches. "

"Aunt Nam called earlier."she told him.

" Did she say wat she wanted?"

"No,she said she'd talk to you tomorrow. "

"Ok," he said taking his cellphone to text..

"If u're gonna text or call aunt Nam don't bother, she's  out for dinner with some people." Waan said.

"I am texting Krist. I had Yod refuel his jeep and take it back today. I wanted to make sure he did."

"When did u see him?"

"Last night, he ran out of gas and I gave him a lift back home."he said absently texting..

"If the roads were good enough for u to reach Silverwood, how come u  couldn't come home?" Waan frowned.

Papa Boon snickered, " I would like to know the answer to that question myself."

"Hello, Krist?" Singto took the call as the man he texted called back instead of replying through line.

"How was ur day?mine was gorgeous. "

"Well, more or less."he said recalling the trouble he had concentrating on the trial back at court. Images of a certain pale body distracting his mind.

"It could be a gorgeous evening if u join me P'Sing..I have a tub of KFC chicken and yummy pepperoni pizza with a bottle of excellent brandy..care to come over?"

"I am not sure,did Yod get the jeep back to u ok?"he asked conscious of Waan loitering about nearby.

"Can't talk eh?" That purr in Krist's voice had an impish quality tat Singto knew so well. He braced himself for wat was to come..

"Did I mention that I have absolutely nothing on,under this robe. And I have dabbed perfume on the most unusual places. Plus I found a bottle of scented oil and a video on how to give a massage. All I need s a nude male to stretch out on my bed and let me practice. I was thinking of  pouring the oil out on to his stomach and spreading it all over his abs, thighs,shoulders,chest,and then glide..."

"Kit..."Singto said tightly through clenched teeth as he felt his body responding to the seductive honey voice and the description tat evoked sensual images in his mind..

"Am I bothering you P'Sing?" Krist asked laughing low and soft..

"And then some."

"And u accuse me of having a vivid imagination.." he mocked.."Ok I ll be good. Yes the jeep came back and it's fuel tank us full. If u can't come tonight,I ll satisfy myself with KFC and pizza.  I ll store the brandy for later when we can have it together. I ll console myself knowing I have caused u to suffer a bit.."

" How thoughtful of u Kit. "

"I can be cruel that way. So how did court go?"

Singto repeated the explanation of earlier,finishing with," since I don't have to be at court tomorrow, it means I ll have a light day."

"Light enough to slip away?"

"Maybe "

"I am gonna hold you to that definite 'Maybe'." He warned.

"Ok I think I'd better go now.."

"Ok, miss u P'Sing.  Fan dii na."

"Same here Kit,  bye. "

When he hung up,his eyes landed on his wedding band,not sure of the reason why he still wore it. It was not fair to Krist if he continued to keep it on. But yet there was that look in Neen's eyes.

He looked around the room. Waan by the TV, his dad in a rocker. The cool night breeze coming in through the curtains.  He could easily picture Krist in this setting.  He had called this house his anchor, his happy place. But he also loved laughter and fun. In that they were both alike, Krist and Neen. His life in Bangkok would only have reinforced tat love for laughter, so much tat this farm would not be enough to satisfy him. He knew that, just as he knew he would let Krist go, before he'd let Krist look at him the way Neen did.

It would hurt to let him go,hurt like hell,but it would kill him to see that reproach in Krist's eyes.

*********

The next morning, the sun shone brightly, making it a perfect day for fun. Singto let his horses out into the corral for some much needed exercise after two days if cloudy, rainy weather.

"Drake, Yod, give them an hour or two and then u can put them back in the stable. "He instructed his helpers and then turned back towards the house.

As he reached the porch he saw a skate board propped up against the wall near the door. He heard Krist's familiar laugh as he opened it and followed the sound into the kitchen, where he was.

He stood there in an amethyst and black hoodie and shorts, leaning on the counter and sipping a pink milk..

The mere sight of him warmed Singto's heart.

"Good morning P'Sing " Krist smiled seeing the elder. "I made some coffee for Papa and its still hot if u want some.."

"That's right Sing, help urself ..it tastes exactly the same. Strong and bitter.." Papa urged with a sly wink..

"I think i will," said Singto helping himself to a cup and pouring a generous measure of the brew."I saw the skate board and wondered who was here."

"Well, I thought it'd be a shame to waste such a beautiful day indoors and it's been a while since I used my board. Is ur skating ramp still functional?" He asked.

"Yeah I think it is. Waan has friends over so we keep it maintained."

"Want to come along with me?" Krist asked wiggling his brows..

"Well I dono..some calls came in  while I was at court yesterday and I have to return them..."

"Look at him,wanting his arm twisted. Had u been in court today,u won't be able to return them anyway would u?" Papa snorted..

"Maybe he's scared he'd make a fool of himself due to lack of practice Papa. " Krist mocked.

Recognizing a  challenge when he heard one, Singto said, "I am not out of practice. "

"Prove it.."

"Ur on.."

Twenty mins later Papa Boon stood watching out the door as the two walked hand in hand, all laughter and giggles. Their eyes exchanging thoughts the way a people in love did..

"Now,tat s a sight I thought these tired old eyes of mine would never see.."he thought turning back with the biggest smile, mirroring the joy he felt, in his son finding his happiness at last..

**********

Namtarn got out of her Mercedes, as she looked at the silent house and yard. She looked at her watch knowing that her timing was perfect. Waan wouldn't be home for another hour.  Papa Boon maybe a problem, but he usually made himself scarce when she was around,so it shouldn't be a bother..

Not bothering to knock, Namtarn walked into the house,"Hello, anyone home?"

A chair creaked as Papa was roused from his slumber,"Namtarn? I didn't hear u knock.?"he said as he stood to relax his stiff legs.

"I am sorry if I disturbed u Papa,  I came to see P'Sing.."

"He's not here."

"His jeep s here..is he with the horses?"she asked as she turned to go out and find him.. "It's important I talk to him.."

"Nope, he and Krist went skate boarding."

She went still,the flare of her nostrils the only hint of the rage that seared within her. "Krist Perawat?"her voice dripped ice as she turned back to face him..

"Yup, it's about time those two got back together again."he hooked his thumbs in his waist band in such glee that if he had been wearing suspenders he would have snapped them..so blatant was his delight in telling Namtarn tat.

Krist and Singto together? No it can't be. The old man was lying. He hated her,he had always hated her. He'd say anything to hurt her. Two could play that game.

"You said u wanted to talk to Singto. Wat about ?"

"Yes ,he's been  talking to me about selling the farm."she said  smoothly, and nearly smiled seeing his face mottling over.

"Tats a lie."

"Why? cause he hasn't told u?"she mocked.

"Singto would never sell the farm.  He loves it as much as I do." He stated emphatically..

"Maybe not when u're alive. He won't."she said with absolute conviction. "U are the only thing stopping him Boon,u with ur stupid suffocating talk about the land. You have bound and gagged him with ur views until he's sick of it "

"That's not true, Singto loves the land as much as I do.."

"You don't believe that do u? You stupid old man,he hates this place,he hates this house."she said the sight of his face getting redder and redder spurring her on." He wants to practice law, not chase a bunch of horses in the mud. He can't wait till ur dead and gone so he could live his dreams.."

"You scheming, two faced little"he sputtered coughing and sounding a bit breathless.."out.....out of my house "he screamed using his every ounce of energy.

"Yes you'd like that won't u?you'd like it better if I walked out of Singto's life. You kept poisoning his mind against me,hoping he'd leave me, but it never happened did it?it never will,cause it's u he hates."

"Out......out of my house. "He gasped purpling, taking a step towards her his arm outstretched..but he staggered and fell clutching a hand to his chest.

She saw the pain in his eyes, "can't ur heart take the truth anymore Boon?are u finally going to die so that we can sell this place?"

He staggered away from her,she realised he was getting to the phone and pushed it out of his reach. His legs buckled and he fell over.

She stood watching him, waiting for it to end..

The door burst open, she thought it was Singto but no, it was Drake. He looked at her and then at Papa..

She immediately put on a panicked expression.."he was on the floor when I came in,"she said faking an anxious voice..

"Call an ambulance "Drake said as he went to the door and called out "Yod go bring Singto back..it's his dad."

Drake ran back in and started a cpr while they waited for the ambulance to arrive..

Namtarn stood watching apprehensively..he looked dead..she hoped he was dead..she couldn't have him waking up and telling Singto everything she had said..it would be disastrous..

********

Singto knew something was wrong when Yod screeched the jeep to a halt in front of the ramp. "It's dad." Was all he heard as he jumped in with Krist and drove off as fast as he could towards the house.

He saw the ambulance as he pulled up near the house. Drake stopped him going in,"Namtarn found him on the floor. They're bringing him out now P'Sing.  He's a strong man. He ll definitely make it. "

Singto could only nod,he felt so detached,not knowing wat to feel. He saw his father's unconscious body strapped to a stretcher being wheeled out. He walked with it to the ambulance unable to accept wat was before him...

An arm snaked through his." Let's go in my car P'Sing.  We ll arrive before the ambulance does." Namtarn said..

He shook his head, "I ll go with dad. U go pick up Waan. She needs u more now."

"I ll pick her up and bring her to the hospital. "She said.

"No! I don't want to put her through that. Take her home and stay with her Namtarn. Please."he pleaded.

She nodded,not liking the idea that she wouldn't be there with him.

As he made to climb the ambulance, the attendant said looking over his back, "there's only room for one. "

He thought it was Namtarn, but turned to see Krist,"I ll bring the jeep. "he said, squeezing Singto's hand as the doors closed and the vehicle sped away..

********************************

Another chapter to go and it's a wrap...

❤