It's the third weekend in a row that Kongpob and Arthit are spending their time at Sonya's to play with little Kamron. The child has warmed up quite a bit to everyone. He has even started to respond to Sonya when she returned the patched up Roary to him. Sonya has also hired a tutor to teach him basic reading and mathematics since wooden puzzles could no longer occupy him. The tutor told her that little Kamron is gifted based on his assessment results. His intelligence and logic are well beyond the third-grade level when he has yet to even start kindergarten. Kongpob playfully sulked when his mother said he was nowhere near as smart as little Kamron at that age. Arthit can only laugh along.

Although Arthit participates in all the little activities and engages when necessary, he's not quite sure where he fits into this equation. The situation is very peculiar to him. Kongpob is here caring for the child that he feels guilty over, Sonya is caring for the child as a favor to her own child, and he's just the boyfriend to the guilt-ridden boyfriend. Now, why is he here? Ah yes, he's here to support his boyfriend.

After having a serious talk with Kongpob about his self-blaming issue, Kongpob has agreed to help Kamron because he wants to and not because it's his fault. But of course, Arthit knows that it'll take more than a little talk to change his stubborn boyfriend's mindset. But at least, after their talk, he has convinced Kongpob to hire some people to do the job site inspections instead of doing everything on his own. This ends Kongpob's streak of physical self-torture and he's now eating breakfast again. M was so happy that he sent Arthit a whole basket of chocolate chip muffins to his office.

Arthit watches as Kongpob tries to teach Kamron how to play chess. They're inside Kamron's room in the sitting area where there's a couch and a coffee table. Arthit never would have imagined that Kongpob would have this much patience. Kongpob has always been a straight forward, no-nonsense, get to the point kind of a guy. Time waits for no one and it's not to be wasted. The only thing Kongpob has slowed down for in life is him. At least that's what Kongpob has told him. But it seems like he's not the only one anymore. And it's not that Arthit minds or anything but he's just...he doesn't even know what to feel.

"No, the Bishop can only move diagonally. Try another piece." Kongpob tells little Kamron who's hunched over the chessboard with a frown.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Kongpob, can I talk to you for a minute?" Sonya stands by the door.

"Yes, Mom. Arthit, can you play with Kamron?" Kongpob gives Arthit a peck on the cheek and walks away without waiting for a reply.

Arthit smiles and blushes a little. He still feels a little awkward to display affection in front of people and especially in front of a child. His upbringing was very conservative and homophobic. So despite never denying his own sexuality, a part of him always feels like people are judging him even when they're silent. Kongpob has helped him find confidence in himself and disregard those who don't matter and let his work and action speak for themselves, but a tiny part of him is still that Arthit Ronajpat that wants to avoid any unnecessary attention.

"Can I move the King? I really want to move the King." Kamron picks up his King chess piece.

"No, not yet. You see all the pieces surrounding the King are protecting it but at the same time, they're blocking it from moving. Your King should stay in his spot for as long as possible. He shouldn't flee his castle unless it's unsafe." Arthit explains pointing to the King's spot.

"Okay, but shouldn't the King be super powerful and can just fly across the board?" Kamron places the King piece back down.

"No, actually the King is the weakest piece aside from the pawns. He can only move one square at a time in any direction if none of his own men are blocking him. The one that can fly across the board in any direction is the Queen. She's the most powerful."

"Then why isn't she the King?" Kamron doesn't understand why the King is not the most powerful of all the pieces.

Arthit has to think for a second. How can he explain this? It's actually a very valid question. Why isn't the King the strongest piece? Hmm...why is that?

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Khun Arthit, dinner is ready. I'll take Kamron to go wash his hands." The maid waves for little Kamron to follow her.

"Have you told Kongpob and Sonya yet?" Arthit gets up from the couch. He's glad he was saved by the maid and he doesn't have to explain anything more about chess.

"Not yet, sir. I'll go right away." The maid drops Kamron's hand.

"No, I'll go tell them. You can help Kamron."

Arthit heads to Sonya's office downstairs across the hall. He doesn't mean to eavesdrop, but as he approaches, he can hear Sonya and Kongpob's discussion.

"Well, I could leave him with the maids here but he won't speak to them. So I don't know if that will present a problem or not." Sonya says, sitting across from Kongpob.

"How long will you be gone for?"

"A little over two weeks, fifteen days to be exact. I'll be back by that following Tuesday."

"Okay, I guess he can stay with us then. I'll have to check with Arthit first, but I'm sure he'll be fine. If not, then I'll think of something."

"Any updates from Bie on Kamron's status?" Sonya sips from her cup of tea.

"Yes, Bie says that the only way for Kamron to legally stay is by adoption. He's too young to qualify for any of the other legal options."

"Then what are your plans?"

"I don't know yet. Mom, would you consider adopting him?" Kongpob asks hesitantly.

"No, I'm sorry. I've warned you before that this can only be temporary. Kamron needs a constant and a safe home. While I have the resources, I don't have the energy and the right mindset to raise a child at this stage of my life. I've already raised my child." Sonya smiles at her son.

Kongpob can only nod in understanding.

Arthit knocks on the ajar door. He feels awkward for eavesdropping for so long already. The two people inside the room turn their attention to him. "Hey, dinner is ready."

Kongpob gets up and walks towards Arthit with a smile. Then he places an arm around Arthit's shoulder and whispers, "Hey, do you think it'll be okay if Kamron stays with us for fifteen days?"

Arthit is so relieved it's this question and not the other topic. "Uh, sure. But we have to work. So who will watch him while we are working?"

"Sachi of course. She loves kids, and Kamron will still have his tutoring lessons. We will be back in the evening." Kongpob kisses Arthit's cheek.

"Okay. That should work." Arthit replies. It's not like he has any reason to say no.

Laying in bed, Arthit's mind keeps thinking about Kamron's immigration situation. He was just getting used to Kamron being at Sonya's but now this. He wonders when and if Kongpob will bring up the topic of adoption. Arthit hasn't actually even thought about whether or not Kongpob wants any children, an heir to his fortune, and surely a legacy. Arthit never thought about it because he's too afraid to think that far ahead or the possible answer to that question.

Sure Kongpob has said it didn't matter, but that's just what he says now. What if Kongpob wants children later? Is Kamron the answer? He's smart and they seem to like each other. Kongpob would definitely make a great father. Because Kongpob had a great father that raised him well. But Arthit can't say the same for himself. He hasn't known what a good father is like. So he most certainly wouldn't know how to be a good father himself. Arthit turns around and tucks his arm under his head, he stares at Kongpob's sleeping form. He promised himself that he wasn't going to give up and he would try everything he can to keep this man.

Kongpob turns to face Arthit with his eyes still closed and places his arm around Arthit's waist. "Whatever that's bothering you, we'll figure it out in the morning. Go to sleep," Kongpob mumbles just audible enough.

Arthit sighs. He loves this man too much to even consider giving up. So he closes his eyes and finally lets sleep take over. He'll worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.
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"So, do you want to tell me what was bothering you last night?" Kongpob takes his last spoonful of scrambled eggs. It's like he's making up for all those missed breakfasts. He's eating everything Arthit puts in front of him now, and he likes seeing how happy it makes Arthit watching him eat.

Arthit looks down at his half-eaten plate and pushes his spoon and fork around. He's not sure if he really wants to bring up the topic. What if Kongpob says he wants to adopt Kamron? Then what? Is he ready to be a father figure? Because that's kind of what he'll be since he's the boyfriend, right? Then again, what if Kongpob doesn't want to adopt Kamron? What will poor Kamron do? Arthit doesn't want Kamron to end up with just anybody. But then again, he still can't decide how he feels about Kamron yet.

"Hey, there's nothing we can't talk about, right? You told me the same. So, what is it?" Kongpob spins Arthit's bar stool towards him. Arthit's brows are so closely knit that they're about to become one line.

Arthit looks up at Kongpob. "I overheard you and your mom talking about Kamron's immigration situation. And the only way for him to stay here legally is through adoption. So what do you plan to do? Do you...think...I mean would you...like want to... maybe...just maybe... want to adopt Kamron?" Arthit looks down. There, it's out now.

Kongpob smiles, so this is what kept his kitten up all night. "Hey, look at me."

Arthit looks up at Kongpob while biting his upper lip. He would bite his nails if Kongpob hadn't grabbed a hold of his hands.

"Do you want me to adopt him? I'm not sure I'll have time for him and it's definitely not a job I want to do alone. What do you think?"

Arthit immediately perks up. He was almost certain that Kongpob would say yes to adopting Kamron. "I just don't want Kamron to end up being alone. But I'm not sure I'm ready for the responsibility either. But if you do choose to adopt him, you won't have to do it alone. I'll be here."

"Thank you for being here. I'll think about it, but you're all I need right now. And no matter what happens, we'll figure it out together."

Arthit lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He pulls his hands out of Kongpob's hold and wraps them around Kongpob's neck to pull him in for a hug. He's so relieved to hear this from Kongpob. And he knows it's true, no matter what happens, they'll figure it out together.

"Hello! Do you guys have all your clothes on? Is it safe? An innocent child is about to enter on a count of three. 1! 2! 3! Here we come." Sachi announces at the top of her lungs.

Arthit blushes and immediately pulls away from his boyfriend while Kongpob rolls his eyes so hard that they might get stuck.

Sachi enters the kitchen with a great big grin on her face seeing Arthit blush. She lets go of Kamron's little hand and the child politely wai to both men in the kitchen before he rushes over to pick up Popeye who excitedly licks Kamron's face. Arthit is completely shocked to see Popeye show so much affection to a stranger he's meeting for the first time. Is this even his Popeye? Who is this imposter?
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Days go by fast and smoothly. Kongpob and Arthit try to make a point to go home earlier to have dinner with Kamron every night. And on the days they didn't make it back in time, Kamron ate dinner with Sachi instead. Tonight, Arthit is home earlier by himself to make dinner ahead of time. He has started teaching Kamron basic piano so Kamron practices while he cooks. Arthit can't help but find it cute every time he watches Kamron play the piano while Popeye howls the whole time. He chuckles and quickly snaps a few pictures of the duo.

Arthit finds living with little Kamron a lot easier than he has imagined. Not once has little Kamron made a fuss or thrown a tantrum in the last ten days he has been staying with them. Even Sachi says the same. It makes Arthit wonder if Kamron is simply like this or is it because he's intellectually advanced and therefore more mature beyond his age. Arthit remembers being a little brat when he was a kid. His brother Kohl would probably call him something worse than a brat though.

"Hey, why didn't you pick up the phone?" Kongpob comes rushing into the kitchen to kiss Arthit.

"Hey, you're back! Did you call? I didn't hear my phone ring." Arthit checks his phone and then he remembers he had put the phone on silent because Kamron is practicing the piano.

"Arthit, I have to leave right now. I need to go to Chiang Mai. There are some issues with the rice fields and the factory. My grandpa wants to go himself, but the smog is too heavy for him right now. So I don't want him to go. I'll be back by Monday at the latest. Will you be okay with Kamron?" Kongpob takes a fork and starts eating the dishes that are already plated. He still needs to pack a couple of shirts and essentials before he can leave. So he's trying to eat something as fast as he can.

"Yeah, we'll be fine. Don't worry about us. Please do be careful. It's burning season, so make sure to wear a mask." Arthit quickly scoops a plate of rice for Kongpob.

Arthit and Kamron wave goodbye to Kongpob. And just like that, Kongpob was in and out of the house.

"I guess it's just you, me, and Popeye this weekend."

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AN: Sweets, this is my second update of the week for this story. I hope you enjoyed it. I feel it's kind of important to show where Kongpob and Arthit stand regarding Kamron's situation. I've done some research, and it's a fact that in Kamron's situation, the only option is adoption. Thailand doesn't have a refugee or asylum framework. Refugees remain as illegal immigrants.

Also, I love visiting rice fields. They're so beautiful. I've been to China's Yunnan rice fields, Vietnam's Sapa rice fields, and Indonesia's Bali rice fields. My goal is to go see Chiang Mai's rice fields after this pandemic. 🤞🏼

Curtsy,
Lana ❤️