2013
(K19, A18)

"Arthit, why don't we stop by 7-Eleven?"

"Uh, okay. Sure." Arthit slowly follows behind Kongpob. Oh my God. Is this really happening? Calm down, Arthit. Calm down. It's going to be okay. Every couple has sex. It's normal. It's just a matter of sooner or later. Just take a deep breath. You'll be fine. Arthit tells himself.

"Oy...sorry," Arthit says. He's so busy pep-talking to himself that he didn't even realize Kongpob had stopped walking. He rammed right into Kongpob's shoulder.

"Arthit, are you okay? Why are you frowning?" Kongpob suddenly asks. Arthit has been uncharacteristically quiet. Kongpob suspects his stomach must be really uncomfortable. Arthit usually likes to talk a lot.

"Oh-um... I'm fine. Just keep walking," Arthit nervously says. He's so embarrassed for being such a klutz.

"Hey, if you're really not feeling well, then I can take you home," Kongpob says sincerely.

"No! I mean, I'm fine." Arthit stares back at a worry sounding boyfriend. He tries his best to smile. He really doesn't want to be a mood kill. He tells himself to act normal. He doesn't want to go home and miss out on their anniversary.

With a forced smile, Arthit walks ahead of Kongpob so that the latter will stop staring at him. Arthit sees the 7-Eleven from here so he quickly heads that way. Then Kongpob bumps his shoulder and smiles at him. His heart pounds quicker instantly. Kongpob is so handsome. He must be all prepared tonight. Arthit can't let Kongpob down. Maybe Kongpob knows what to do and he'll show him later. Yeah, that's probably right. He's so smart. He must know how it works.

As the two boys reach the front of the store, Arthit is not so sure anymore. He hesitantly turns to look at Kongpob. Only Kongpob didn't stop and went straight into the store. So Arthit follows behind him. He looks around the store and he sees two other people shopping inside. The cashier is a girl around their age. Arthit quickly looks away before he catches her attention. This is going to be kind of awkward. He looks back up and he doesn't see Kongpob. Where did he go? Arthit walks around the other side of the aisle and smacks dab in the middle of it are all the condoms on two whole shelves. Wow, there's so many! Where did Kongpob go? Shit! An old lady is coming down the aisle. Arthit quickly turns around and randomly grabs a box off a shelf and pretends to read the description. He hopes the lady didn't see him looking at the condoms. It's so embarrassing.

He waits for her to leave before slowly turning back around. That was close. Now that he's alone in the aisle again, he stares at the daunting wide selection of condoms. How do you even know which one to choose? Large, medium, and small. He doesn't know what size he is. Then he wonders what size is Kongpob? Do they both need to wear one? Should they get one of each size to try? Hey, some have flavors. That's strange. What's this? Hot and cold sensation? Ribbed? He curiously takes another step closer to see what other kinds are there.

Kongpob knows the store's layout very well. He has been to this store many times over the years. So he knew exactly where to find the antacids for Arthit's upset stomach. He can tell it's really bothering Arthit, but Arthit is too stubborn to go home and take a rest. So he must get something to help Arthit feel better soon.

Kongpob quickly locates the medicine and grabs a few bottles of water. He looks around the store, but he doesn't see Arthit. Seeing that there's no line at the checkout he went to pay first. After paying for his items, Kongpob peeks down the next aisle. He smiles when he finds his boyfriend. Arthit is so engrossed in looking at something on the shelf that he doesn't even notice Kongpob approaching him.

Kongpob leans in close to his boyfriend's face before saying, "Arthit!"

"Ahh!" Arthit jumps hearing Kongpob suddenly call him. Oh my God. Kongpob came out of nowhere. He thinks he almost had a heart attack with the way his heart is pounding so hard.

"Eh...what do you have there?" Kongpob asks Arthit pointing to the box he has in his hand. Arthit looks down at the box that he doesn't even realize he was still holding. Shit! It's a medication for hemorrhoids. How embarrassing!

"I...I was just checking this out for my dad. My dad has really bad  hemorrhoids." Arthit chides himself for the ill wishes on his dad. Sorry, dad. He embarrassingly places the medication back.

"Oh, I see. That's so thoughtful of you." Kongpob then turns to look at what Arthit was looking at so intensely. Then he instantly blushes upon realizing they are condoms. His eyes go wide, and he gulps nervously. Then he slowly turns to look at Arthit and then back at the condoms again. Oh my God!

"Kongpob, I..."

Da Thump. Da Thump. Da Thump.

"I uhm...found what I needed. I'll wait for you outside." Kongpob immediately walks away. He needs to get out of there before he makes a fool out of himself. He can't believe Arthit is really so bold.

Why is Arthit looking at condoms? Does he want to have sex? Isn't it too soon? Oh my God. He's not ready for sex. They're not ready for sex. It's such a huge step. They've only been dating for a month. No matter what Arthit says about them spending every day together is equivalent to others dating for eight months, it's simply not the same. He really didn't think Arthit took that logic so seriously. What should he do? Will Arthit be disappointed if he says no? He really doesn't want to ruin their anniversary. But he really can't go through with it. He doesn't even know how sex between two boys works. Aim and Tew have only shown him straight porn. Although, he can guess for the most part. But the main problem is that he's not ready. What if Arthit buys some condoms? Then what should he do?

Arthit comes out with a plastic bag in his hand and searches for his boyfriend.

"Kongpob."

Kongpob turns around not quite meeting Arthit's eyes. Instead, he notices the bag in Arthit's hand. "Uh, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah. Let's go." Arthit walks beside Kongpob silently. Judging by Kongpob's reaction to looking at condoms, maybe he doesn't want sex with him at all. Maybe he got it all wrong this whole time. Maybe Kongpob doesn't ever want to have sex with him. Is it because they are both boys? Maybe Kongpob only wants to have sex with a girl. Then what should he do? He doesn't want Kongpob to have sex with anyone else. Then they will have to break up but Arthit doesn't want to break up.

Both boys silently walk while both are deep in thoughts. They finally arrive at Kongpob's grandpa's house. Kongpob switches the lights on. "Uhm, do you want to sit down for a while? I bought some indigestion medicine. Maybe you can take some to see if you'll feel better. We don't have to do anything else if you're not feeling well."

Arthit walks over to sit on the couch and drops the pack of batteries he bought from the store on the coffee table. He felt obligated to buy something from that aisle when he was in there for so long. At least these batteries will be useful at some point. "Kongpob, I don't have a tummy ache. I'm feeling fine. But I want to ask you something."

"Oh, okay. It's good that you're feeling fine. You were just so quiet I thought you weren't feeling well after eating." Kongpob sits down next to Arthit. He places his bag on top of the coffee table as well. Then he glances at the bag in Arthit's hand. Are there condoms inside?

Arthit doesn't know how to talk about this without being direct. "Kongpob, do you ever want to have sex with me?" There! It's out. Arthit squeezes his eyes shut and braces himself for Kongpob's answer. He can feel his whole body flushing.

Kongpob looks away and tries to gather his thoughts on the subject. After thinking for a few minutes, Kongpob finally breaks the silence. "Arthit, it honestly hasn't crossed my mind until we were at the store." Kongpob can feel himself blushing as he speaks. "But it doesn't mean I wouldn't want to...like maybe in the future. Someday...with you."

Arthit smiles and turns to look at a very flushed Kongpob. "So, does that mean you want to, with me?"

"Uh, yeah... I mean...only if you want to... cause you know I would never force you...and I'm okay if you don't want to...and..."

"I want to!" Arthit cuts off Kongpob from rambling on. Then he immediately blushes from his shameless outburst. "Just not now. I don't think I'm ready yet. But you are leaving soon and today is our anniversary. I just thought you probably wanted to do it. Then your reaction at the store made me think that maybe you don't want to have sex with me at all. And maybe you think this is all just a mistake." Arthit looks back down at his hands.

Kongpob reaches over to caress Arthit's cheek and then pulls him closer by his nape. Arthit's eyes meet Kongpob for a second before Kongpob plants his lips on his. They share their first kiss of the night. Kongpob gently molds their soft lips together. A languid play of soft kisses before his tongue licks Arthit's bottom lip and nibbles on it softly. Their tongues touch back and forth, again and again before slipping into each other's deep caverns. Soft moans and hands slowly roam each other's bodies.

When they finally pull apart, they rest their heads together. "Arthit, I'm not ready for sex either. But there's nobody I want but you. To be honest, I don't know what will happen to us in the future, but I want you to know that...at this very moment...this very minute...you are the most special person to me. You are the only person that I love."

"Kongpob, I also want you to know that at this very moment...you are the only person I love."

Kongpob reaches inside his right pocket to produce the two matching rings. "I was actually thinking about giving you this for our anniversary. It's a promise ring. I promised you I will return to you, so I got these. It's nothing fancy but I hope you still like it."

"I love you. I love you. I love you." Arthit peppers kisses all over Kongpob's face while the latter chuckles. "Kongpob, I love it." Arthit takes one of the rings from Kongpob's hand and places it on his ring finger.

Kongpob is happy that Arthit is so excited about the rings. Then he reaches inside his left pocket to produce two silver chains. "Here. I bought two silver chains so we can wear them on our necks too."

"That's perfect! Then we don't have to answer annoying questions." Arthit takes the ring off his finger and loops the chain through it. "Help me put it on, Kongpob." Arthit twists his body around.

"Sure." Kongpob clasps the chain around Arthit's neck.

Arthit touches the ring against his chest. He is so happy that Kongpob took their promise seriously. Now, he will share something meaningful with Kongpob. Two years is still a long time but it's worth a try if it's with Kongpob.

"Can you help me with mine?"

"Of course!" Arthit turns back around to help his boyfriend. When he finishes clasping the chain together, Arthit wraps his arms around Kongpob's waist, back hugging the latter. "Thank you."

"I'm just glad you're happy."

"We can save our first time for when you come back but we can still make out," Arthit says as he kisses the back of Kongpob's neck.

"Mmm...wait! I actually have something else I want to do with you."

"There's more?" Arthit looks at his boyfriend with a big smile. Kongpob dressed up today, took him out for dinner, gave him a ring, and there's still more?

"Just come with me." Kongpob extends his hand out to Arthit. Arthit quickly grabs a hold of it and follows him out to the back of the house. They walk through the same path where they have been before by the river to see the sunset. But this time the sun has already set. The sky is full of stars without even one cloud in sight. They walk towards the long log in front of the river again.

"What's that?" Arthit points to a box next to the log.

"It's the surprise." Kongpob let's go of Arthit's hand and squats down next to the box. He takes out a folded rice paper lantern and a marker.

"Kongpob, where did you get this? They don't sell them yet."

"Oh, I know an auntie at the market that sells them during the holidays. So, I asked her if she can make me one since I won't be here for Loy Krathong this year."

"Do you think we'll get in trouble?" Arthit asks, looking around the area. It's wide open with no trees or other hindrance. It should be safe.

"Mmm...I think we should be fine. I made sure it's a biodegradable lantern, and the space is open enough that it shouldn't get caught on anything." Kongpob smiles.

Arthit squats down next to Kongpob and helps carefully take the lantern out of the box.

"Do you want to write a wish on it?" Kongpob asks, holding up a marker.

"Sure!" Arthit takes the marker and pulls the cap off. He writes "KONGPOB & ARTHIT 4EVER" in big letters and then replaces the cap.

"Here, let me add something." Kongpob takes the marker from Arthit and draws a big heart around the words.

"It's perfect!" Arthit smiles looking at their lantern.

They get up steadily while holding the top of the lantern.

"Do you want to light it or should I light it?" Kongpob asks.

"I'll hold it while you light it, Kongpob."

Kongpob nods and ducks down a little to light the lantern. As the pressure rises inside the lantern all the sides slowly puff up. Arthit and Kongpob slowly raise it above their heads while holding onto the edges of the lantern.

The soft glow of the light flickering over Arthit's wide smile is the most beautiful sight to Kongpob. Arthit looks down and stares in awe of his boyfriend. He is too perfect.

"Happy Anniversary, Arthit."

"Happy Anniversary, Kongpob."

"I love you." They say in unison. Then they let go of the lantern and hug each other while looking up in the sky as the lantern floats away gracefully. A promise and a wish were made tonight.

~~~~~~
AN: I would like to wish my Suzy (suzanneca ) a very happy birthday. She is one of my best friends on Wattpad and an awesome writer. I hope this sweet chapter made you smile, Suzy. 😘

🎈🎉Happy Birthday Suzy!!! 🎂🎁

Curtsy,
Lana ❤️