2013
(K19, A18)

It was into the afternoon, and the sun was hanging high in the cloudless sky. The heat beating down the back of those below. The soft sounds of the busy traffic from afar drifted into a quiet, and still bedroom. At some point earlier in the morning, one boy's eyelids finally got too heavy, and drifted off to a soundless sleep. And no one stirred until a loud truck honked it's horn passing by.

Still laying there, Arthit could feel a stiffness to his neck. His pillow was oddly hard. Not sure he is ready to wake up just yet, he kept his eyes closed to try to sleep more. Then suddenly he remembered. He is not at home. This is not the scent of his own bedroom. He could feel a faint steady breeze. Arthit slowly peeked open his eyes to see Kongpob's face about half an arm's length away from his. His heart was full, and pounded against his chest at their close proximity. He gently smiled, and pushed Kongpob's bangs back with his fingers. He wanted to see Kongpob's face better.

Kongpob looked so beautiful sleeping next to him. He traced his thumb along Kongpob's lips, and he leaned closer for a little kiss. Just a little one where he wouldn't wake him. Arthit can't believe where he's at, and how he had kissed Kongpob multiple times last night. Where did his courage come from? He blushed at the thought of how he threw himself at Kongpob. But at last, he can't bring himself to regret it. He would do it again if given another chance. Now, he will forever be Kongpob's first kiss, and no one can take that away from him. And Kongpob is his first as well. Even if they separated, and never saw each other again, they shared a moment that would last till the end.

Arthit's smile dropped a little when he remembered himself asking, "Give them all to me. I want to be with you. I want to be your boyfriend. Will you be mine?"

He remembered how Kongpob struggled to give him a straight answer. He remembered how he laid his heart on the line, holding his breath, waiting for the words he wanted to hear. And even though he finally got a 'yes' from Kongpob, he's afraid that Kongpob would take it back the moment he wakes up. Arthit doesn't know much about love, but he knows his feelings are true. He knows he won't regret it, and that's all that matters. He can't let Kongpob take his words back. He can't let Kongpob change his mind. There's not much time left. Arthit moved closer, and lifted Kongpob's arm to wrap around himself. Without Kongpob's arm between them, he buried his face in his chest, and pulled himself closer. He could feel Kongpob's heart beating, and it was beating quite fast.

Kongpob was actually awakened by soft lips that had touched his own. He wasn't ready to open his eyes yet. He wasn't ready to face the day yet. He wanted to stay this way longer. Stay this close longer. Everything else can wait, can't it? Kongpob wanted to hold Arthit tighter, but he didn't want the latter to know he was awake. He wasn't ready for more questions. He doesn't know what to say. All Kongpob knew was, they can't be together. Being together for thirty two days will only make leaving harder. Not only will it be harder for him, but it would be harder for Arthit too. He doesn't want to cause Arthit any pain. He should let him go before things get deeper, and too complicated.

Kongpob doesn't want to make promises that he can't keep. He is already trying to fulfill a promise that his grandpa made. A promise that left so many hearts broken. He can't do that to Arthit. Two years is a long time to be away from one another. Anything can happen. He would be a terrible boyfriend. He won't be around to cheer for Arthit when he is down, or take care of him when he is sick. He doesn't want Arthit to be sad waiting for him. Arthit is young, and should live to his fullest. He should be having fun being carefree.

Long distance relationships are hard for obvious reasons. The lack of companionship. The loneliness both parties would feel. It's not something a phone call can solve on a tough day. Their time zones are completely opposite, and their holidays don't align. Not that Kongpob can afford to come back and forth between the countries anyway. He had to work really hard for his scholarship, but his parents will still have to pay for his boarding. With what little savings he has, it's probably only enough until he finds a part-time job in New York. This is why it's really not a good reason to start a relationship right when he is about to leave.

"Hey, I know you're awake. I can hear your heart beating faster." Arthit said looking up from Kongpob's chest.

"Mmm." Kongpob answered, keeping his eyes closed.

"We are not breaking up." Arthit stated matter of factly. He didn't want to give Kongpob any chance to back out of it. There's no time to waste.

"Arthit, it's not a good idea. You are going to regret it later." Kongpob said as he dipped his nose into the top of Arthit's head, and nuzzled into his hair. Why is it so hard to say no to him?

"No, it's the best idea. Now, stop thinking about breaking up with me. I'm hungry." Arthit pulled himself closer tugging on the hem of Kongpob's shirt.

"Why are you making this so difficult? Hmm? Let's get some food. I think my arm fell asleep. Help me."

Arthit smiled when Kongpob didn't argue back. He got up quickly, and pulled Kongpob up with him.

"Ou...ou...ou...my arm really is asleep." Kongpob whined at the uncomfortable feeling of pins and needles in his arm, while Arthit unapologetically beamed a great big smile like a child.

"What am I going to do with you?" Kongpob asked, climbing out of bed while shaking his arm out.

"Well, if you brush your teeth, maybe you can kiss me again. It would be our fifth kiss." Arthit said. He could feel his face flushing, but he was determined to make Kongpob accept him. Kongpob looks so stunned, and adorable at the moment.

Kongpob shyly looked away blushing. How can Arthit mention their kisses, and tease him about it with a straight face like that? He has never been a shy person until this very moment. But that's probably also because he has never had romantic feelings for anyone before Arthit. This feels so strange and embarrassing. He needs to say something to break this awkwardness. "Kiss my ass. Let's brush, and get some food. My parents should have gone to work already. It's past one in the afternoon already."

"Okay, then we can have our first date." Arthit hopped on to his feet.

"I already have plans for today." Kongpob said, walking out of the room with Arthit right behind him.

"What are your plans? I can wait for you." Arthit doesn't like the sound of this. He wants to spend as much time as possible with Kongpob. Today is officially their first day together. That is according to him at least.

"I'm supposed to go to the orphanage today. We are going to the park for a barbeque outing this evening with the kids. It may be the last time I see them before I leave. I promised to see them today."

"That sounds fun. Can I come too?" Arthit followed Kongpob into the bathroom. He could play with kids too, and he loves barbeque he reasoned with himself.

"Uhm, can I use the bathroom first, or do you need to use the bathroom first?" Kongpob turned to see a cute pouting Arthit with sad doe eyes looking back at him. What is he to do?

"Oh. You can go first. I will wait outside." Arthit stepped out of the bathroom, and the door closed behind him. He looked down the hall, and the other bedroom doors were all open. There was no sound coming from downstairs, so it really does seem like they were alone in the house.

Arthit suddenly remembered that he needed to let his mom know where he went. He ran back into the Kongpob's bedroom, and fished his phone out from his pants. He saw seven missed calls, and a few texts from his mom and his sister Krystal. He ignored them, and texted his mom to let her know that he's at a friend's house, and he won't be back until late tonight. At times like these, he is glad that his mom is such a softie, and his dad is whipped. All he had to do was let his mother know he was safe. Then he heard the bathroom door click, and he quickly stuffed his phone back.

Kongpob opened the door, and Arthit wasn't there. Where did he go? He looked up and down the hallway. "Arthit?"

"Coming." Arthit came out of the room, and walked into the bathroom to join Kongpob.

"Do you need to use the toilet?" Kongpob asked, not really knowing what to do. Should he step out, or stay?

"Not yet, but do you have an extra toothbrush?"

"Yeah, wait a second." Kongpob opened a drawer, and pulled out a new yellow toothbrush from a package. He smiled a little thinking the color suits Arthit, and handed it over. "Here you go." He squeezed a bit of toothpaste on his own toothbrush, and some for Arthit's too. They brushed side by side sharing the small space in front of the sink. They occasionally stole glances at each other through the mirror.

Arthit smiled with foam all around his mouth, and playfully bumped his hip to the side of Kongpob. Kongpob laughed and choked a little bit. He quickly spat his foam into the skin before tossing his brush aside to tickle Arthit for revenge. Arthit was laughing uncontrollably, he too tossed his brush, and spat his foam into the sink as well. He wiped the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand. Kongpob anticipated Arthit's retaliation, but instead of tickling back, Arthit threw his arms around Kongpob's neck, and smashed their lips together.

Kongpob was caught by surprise, but he closed his eyes and kissed Arthit back. He held Arthit by his hips, and softly nibbled and sucked Arthit's lips between his. Their minty breaths mingled, and their tongues tangled. There's no hope in just staying friends when Arthit keeps kissing him like this.

Stopping to catch their breath, with the tips of their nose still touching, Arthit paused and softly asked, "boyfriends?"

"Boyfriends."

~~~~~~
AN: Hello Sweets, let's have some fun and sweet moments. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. ❤️

Fun Facts: I don't know if there are MewGulf fans here or not, but here's some fun facts. Mew is Singto's senior from Kasetsart University, but that was before Krist joined Kasetsart University. Singto is also Gulf's senior from high school. What a coincidence. The world is so small. 🌏

Thank you to a few readers that helped me with the Singto and Gulf part. 😘