2013
(K19, A18)

The stairs creaked, and the apple green paint peeled here and there. Auspicious feng shui chimes by the windows could be heard throughout the little old house. There was one wall decorated with pictures of the past and present King. And another wall covered with portraits and photographs of a beautiful young woman standing next to an equally handsome young man. Photos showing the couple in their early twenties gradually aging into their fifties. The house is kept tidy, but filled with things of too many.

"Granny Suay, is this all of it?" Arthit asked, and arranged the last two boxes he saw. Granny Suay was donating old things and furniture. He checked his watch, and he has less than an hour before he has to leave. He needs to make it home before his sister and his mom gets home.

"Yes! That's all. Thank you for all your help. You boys are wonderful. Here's a little money for some treats." Granny Suay tries to give the money to Kongpob.

Kongpob pushes the money back. "Granny Suay, I'm always happy to help, and you know I won't accept this. Just save it to buy something for yourself."

"Yeah, Granny Suay, we don't need any money. Kongpob and I are happy to help you." Arthit said to the old granny.

"I know you boys don't care about this little bit of money, but I really want to treat you two to something. I used to be able to give Kongpob a fruit everyday when he helped me push my fruit cart. But now that I'm retired, I don't have any fruits to offer."

"Oh, did you have a fruit cart on Thonglor road where Kongpob's family restaurant is?" Arthit asked. That's a bit far from here. It took them over forty minutes from Thonglor to get here.

"No. Granny Suay's fruit cart used to be near my high school Suankularb Wittayalai School. Well, it was actually closer to the primary school at the foot of the hill."

"Do you mean Bharat Vidayalaya School?" Arthit asked. Could it really be him? Was the boy he helped pick up mangosteens off the street Kongpob?

"Yeah, I've been selling fruits by Bharat for over forty years. Now, I'm too old for that. I miss those days. Anyways, take the money and go get some dessert. I insist. There's a new ice place around the corner. I heard my neighbor's child say all the young kids go there." Granny Suay takes the money, and stuffs it into Kongpob's pocket. She pulls Kongpob in for a hug. She doesn't have any children or grandchildren, and Kongpob has been the closest to one she has had for the past seven years. Living alone wasn't a problem until her age caught up with her. After she retired, Kongpob still came to visit her every week or whenever she needed him. She felt her husband has blessed her from the heavens for sending sweet Kongpob to her.

"Fine. You take care Granny Suay. I'll try to stop by before I leave one more time before leaving. But if I can't make it, then please take care of yourself. Don't eat all those expired cookies. They will give you trouble. You can call my mother if you have any problems. I gave her your number just in case." Kongpob makes to leave, putting his shoes back on.

"Okay. I will take care. You sound older than me with all the nagging. No girl is going to want a man that nags more than their mother." Granny Suay jokes as she wiped away a stray tear.

Arthit smiled, looking at Kongpob for a reaction that didn't come. He is now positive that the boy he helped years ago was his boyfriend. He went to put on his shoes as well.

They finally left Granny Suay's after she promised Kongpob to call his mom sometimes. Kongpob said that he would try to call her too if possible.

Walking outside just a bit away from Granny Suay's house, Arthit discreetly checked his watch again. He had about forty minutes left before he absolutely, positively, unquestionably needed to leave. He needs to take a bus, a train, and then another bus to get home. So, it's a long way home.

Kongpob stopped walking, "Arthit, are you in a hurry? Do you need to go back now?" Kongpob asked. He saw Arthit checking his watch several times already, and he looked a bit nervous.

"Uhm, I told Krystal I will be home by two. That's all. But we still have a little bit of time." Arthit smiled, staring at Kongpob who quickly looked away, and started scratching the back of his neck, feeling kind of shy.

Arthit found Kongpob's shyness so adorable. He took a step forward, and Kongpob took a step back.

"Eh, do you want to go to that ice place Granny Suay mentioned? I think I saw it on our way here. At least it's nice and cool inside." Kongpob automatically took another step back because Arthit took another step towards him. And just before he takes another step back, Arthit reaches for his arm, and pulls him forward, slamming their chest together. "Huh?"

"Kongpob, you were about to step on dog poop. Hahaha. I just saved you." Arthit laughed.

"Thanks." Kongpob chuckled awkwardly.

"You should reward me. Let's go get that ice. Do you think it's ice cream, or shaved ice?" Arthit turned to start walking again.

Kongpob smiled, and grabbed Arthit's wrist, stopping the latter from moving further. He quickly looked around, and no one was paying attention to them.

Chup.

Arthit did not expect Kongpob to kiss him on the cheek like that. He was surprised, and he quickly looked around until his eyes landed back on his boyfriend who was smiling at him. Arthit could barely keep his smile from splitting his face. "Kongpob, I meant something like extra toppings on my ice cream."

"Oh. Okay then, I take it back. Let me wipe it off." Kongpob raises his hand to Arthit's face.

"No! Too late. You can't take it back." Arthit laughs, and takes off running down the street to the new ice place.

"No you don't! Come back here!" Kongpob runs after Arthit.

Apparently, the new ice place was a trendy new Korean bingsu shop called Han Bingo. The two boys shared a big mango bingsu. Arthit really wanted the durian special, but he didn't know how Kongpob felt about durian yet. Also, he didn't want to risk the chance of his mother finding out by the smell of durian on him.

Granny Suay was right. The place was very popular with young people. There were many young couples and groups of friends hanging out at Han Bingo. Arthit spotted another pair of boys sharing a bingsu, and he smiled seeing them feed each other. He thought about trying to feed Kongpob too, but then he chickened out.

"Here, you seem to like mochi a lot." Kongpob held a spoonful of mini mochi smothered in mango sauce in front of Arthit. He had noticed Arthit digging around the ice on his side looking for more. Mochi is also one of his favorites. That's why he likes to enjoy them slowly, but he doesn't mind giving them to Arthit.

Arthit bit his bottom lip to prevent himself from grinning like an idiot. He tried not to look too eager or excited when he's internally doing flips. He moved slowly forward to capture the delicious treat into his mouth without breaking eye contact with Kongpob. Only when the spoon was in his mouth did he close his eyes, and smiled appreciating the icy sweet and chewy treat. He really did love mochi, and he had already finished all the mochi on his side of the bingsu.

Arthit was happily eating when he felt his phone vibrate. He quickly pulled it out to check for messages.

Messages

Krystal: We are making our last stop at the fresh market. You better be home by the time we get back.
1:13 pm

Shit! He needs to leave right now. Actually he needs to already be on the bus.

Kongpob noticed Arthit creasing his brows at the phone. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Uh, I think I should get going." Arthit immediately stood up.

Kongpob dropped his spoon, and immediately followed Arthit out of the ice shop. Arthit ran down the two blocks towards the bus stop with Kongpob right behind him.

Slightly out of breath, Kongpob turned to Arthit. "I'm sorry I lost track of time. Is Krystal rushing you home?"

"Kind of. I'm sorry I have to cut our date short today, and I'm sorry for smushing the pancake earlier too. That was still really good though."

"It's okay. I don't even know what to do on dates anyway. I feel like I keep dragging you along to do hard labor. You should come up with something for us to do tomorrow." Kongpob said as he tucked a piece of Arthit's hair back behind his ear. All that running made his hair fall out of place.

Shit! What is he going to do tomorrow? Arthit doesn't even have an idea how he can leave the house tomorrow. Should he tell Kongpob the truth? Maybe that would be better, and just as he was about to confess about his current predicament at home, the bus arrives.

By the time they sat down on the bus, Arthit had changed his mind. Staying home for six whole days is too much, and too cruel. If he told Kongpob, he's sure Kongpob will refuse to meet him for all six days. So, he decided to keep it to himself. He will figure something out later. There's no way he was going to give up six out of the thirty days left. Who knows? Kongpob might not even be able to meet everyday for the remaining thirty days.

So Arthit told Kongpob he will think of something for them to do tomorrow, and he will text or call him later with the details. Kongpob offered to take Arthit all the way home. He too wanted to spend a little more time with Arthit, but the latter refused him. Arthit insisted on taking the last bus ride on his own. He knew he was going to have to run home the second he gets off the bus, and that would be hard to explain to Kongpob. So, he only allowed Kongpob to wait with him at the bus stop.

At the bus stop, there was another young couple sitting on the bench besides them making out. Arthit tried not to pay them any attention. It's not nice to stare, but it was also really impossible to ignore. The sounds of their lips smacking and soft moaning was right next to him. Arthit would never put on such a show for public display like that. But then again, today, Kongpob and him have not shared a kiss yet. In matter of fact, they haven't even held hands today. Now, it's too late. The bus will come any moment now, and there's too many people around. Arthit wished he had thought about this earlier.

Soon the bus came, and Arthit was practically ready to jump inside it. He really needed to get going. There's a good chance that he is already too late. He had text Krystal telling her to try to stall as long as possible, but who knows how long she can manage. Arthit was behind a few people, and Kongpob stood next to him. Arthit was about to move forward when he felt his hand being tugged. He turned to look at Kongpob, and Kongpob pulled him back to let others get on the bus first.

Arthit didn't know what was going on. He really needed to get on the bus. Arthit looked at the bus anxiously, and then turned to look at Kongpob. He wanted to protest, but instead he was met with Kongpob's lips on his. The kiss was soft, gentle, and all too brief. Before Arthit can even respond to the kiss, it has already ended. Kongpob spun Arthit around, and nudged him to get on the bus before it left without him. Arthit reluctantly got on the bus, and quickly sat by the window waving to his boyfriend as the bus drove off. At that moment, he didn't know if he wanted the bus to move faster or slower. Arthit sat back in a dreamy state touching his lips, and smiled to himself. Maybe Kongpob can read minds. Maybe Kongpob felt the same way. Or maybe Kongpob is just perfect.
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Shit! Shit! Shit! Arthit cursed as he read Krystal's message stating there's about ten minutes till they will reach home. Arthit hasn't even reached his stop yet. It's the next stop, but it's still a few blocks from home. He is really going to have to run like a madman. He looked up, and the bus was currently stopped at a red light. Arthit turned his head back looking out the window. Shit with fudge on top! His mother's car was right next to the bus. He quickly ducked his head so his mother wouldn't see him. People looked at him strangely. As the last stop arrived, Arthit jumped off immediately.

Arthit looked around, and he didn't see his mother's car. He had no time to ponder any further. He ran like a madman as he intended. Luckily, all the street lights were cooperating, and he didn't have to stop or risk dying. Arthit's legs ached, but he took no breaks. He was so out of breath, he thought his lungs might collapse. When his house came to view, his mother's car hadn't reached yet. He took out his keys with his shaky hands. He couldn't get the key into the hole, and it dropped to his feet. Shit! Pull yourself together, Arthit. He quickly tried again, and this time he got inside the house. He kicked off his shoes, and ran to his room where he immediately collapsed on the floor heaving.

"Arthit!"

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AN: Hello Sweets! I'm sorry for the late update. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

I have written another one-shot called My Sotus (III) - Chocolaty Lips. It's based on the special scene in Sotus S. Please check that out if you haven't already. ☺️

Love you lots,
Lana ❤️