Friday - Tokyo

Arthit's POV

I woke up, and turned to see Kongpob sleeping on his stomach facing me with his hands tucked under the pillow. My heart pounded against my chest, and butterflies have gone wild at the thought that Kongpob is in my bed. It's surreal that Kongpob is lying here next to me like this. I still can't believe that he came all the way here to see me.

We are a good arm's length apart in this king size bed. I turned to face him, propping myself up with my elbow resting on my pillow. I traced his every curve and every edge on his face with my finger close, but not close enough to touch him. He looks so handsome and young. His bareback was showing, with the sheets only covering his lower half. I looked at his perfectly tanned and smooth skin that dipped in the middle down his spin, and then rising back up leading to the covered mound.

Thinking back, I don't remember him taking his shirt off to sleep last night. I remember him saying that he likes to sleep in the nude, and suddenly I feel really curious. Is he naked under the sheets? I immediately tried to stop where my thoughts were heading to.

I leaned back down on my pillow, and covered myself with the bedsheet, but then that was worse. I would look like I was looking under the covers, so I quickly uncovered myself.

"Did you see anything you like?" Kongpob chuckles.

"No, it's not what you think." I quickly said.

"So, you weren't checking me out?" Kongpob said as he turned around exposing his sculpted chest and abs.

He propped himself up with his elbow mirroring my position from before. The way his sinewy arms are flexed are making me imagine things that I shouldn't be imagining. The sheet had fallen to cover even less than before, and I think I got the answer to my question.

"Weren't you wearing clothes last night?" I asked anyway.

"It got too hot, but I kept my underwear on."

"Oh."

Why do I feel disappointed? I'm such a pervert.

"Hey, what time is it? How long have we been sleeping?" Kongpob asked while he ran his hand through his sexy messy hair. Can a man be sexy and adorable at the same time?

I've been so focused on looking at him that I didn't even pay attention to the time. I turned around to look at the clock on the nightstand. Fuck! I immediately got up scrambling.

"Fuck! It's 10:30am, and my flight is at 11:15am. I forgot to set my alarm last night."

I panicked, and started to shove all my stuff into my suitcase. Suddenly, I was grabbed by the waist, and then I was sitting on Kongpob's lap on the bed. His hands were around my waist. I instantly froze, and I think I stopped breathing.

"Arthit, calm down. You are not going to make the flight. Just stay here with me for the weekend."

Kongpob leaned his forehead against my back. How is he so comfortable? Does everything just come so easy and natural for him? Am I the only one with the whole damn zoo on the loose inside?

I took a deep breath, and turned to look at him. He looked at me with that perfect smile of his.

"How are you not nervous or embarrassed?" I can feel my face blushing as the question left my mouth.

thump thump..thump thump..thump thump

Kongpob took my right hand, and placed it over his heart. It was pounding just as fast as mine.

"Arthit, I'm not shy, but I'm just as affected. I'm only human. Look, we haven't committed to anything. You haven't answered to date me yet. So, why don't we try it for this weekend?"

"A trial period? What would we do?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"We do what all lovers do. We have fun." Kongpob smiled looking at me, waiting for my answer.

I leaned down to kiss his soft inviting lips, and he kisses back. I think I've found something I like more than ice cream.

"I take that as a yes." Kongpob says in between kisses.

"Yes." Chup

How do I even say no to something I've been wanting since the moment I laid eyes on him? The only thing I'm worried about is how to stay in one piece when all this comes to an end. Because fairy tales aren't real. He may be Prince Charming, but I'm not Cinderella.
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We laid next to each other on the bed with our legs hanging off the edge, trying to recover and make sense of what is going on here.

"So, what do we do first?" I asked curiously.

"Let's go to Kobe. I want to take you to try the champion wagyu."

I smiled at the thought of my wish coming true. I guess my fairy godmother is granting me one wish.

"Oh, how far is that from Tokyo?"

"It's a little over an hour jet time."

I looked to him in surprise.

"You have a jet?"

"No. That's too wasteful. I'm just a member of an elite jet club. I can get a private jet anywhere anytime I need one. I came in one last night. I couldn't wait for a commercial flight."

"Wow. If you're trying to impress me, it's working." That certainly beats a pumpkin carriage.

Kongpob chuckled, and turned to face me smiling softly. He reached for my hand that was laying next to him, and he laced our fingers over and over again. Playing with my hand like we've been doing this all our lives or something.

"No, I'm just properly courting you."

I pulled my hand away, and sat up.

"Eh... I'm going to go freshen up."

I tried to casually walk to the bathroom. Once I got in, I quickly shut the door, and leaned against it. I put a hand over my treacherous heart that's threatening to jump out any moment.

Oh my God. Someone pray for me. Maybe this is a bad idea. My heart is pounding too loud. So loud that I was afraid he was going to hear it. My palms are starting to sweat. I can't breathe. I need to calm down. This is a good time for that ice bucket challenge, but I'll have to settle for a cold shower.

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Kongpob's POV

Arthit practically ran to the bathroom like the Flash. Was it something I said? Maybe I shouldn't have said 'courting'. Is there another word for that? I've never dated a man before, is it any different? Are hearts and flowers applicable here? Are fist bumps preferable over hugs and kisses? No, right? Someone help me, please. I am completely clueless.

Up until last night, I was still contemplating if I was being too impulsive to come all the way to Tokyo for a person I've known for less than a month. That person also being a man nonetheless. The constant internal battle drove me to the brink of insanity.

I am nothing if not a man of actions. I needed answers, and I needed them fast. If I let this drag on, everything around me will suffer. I came looking for Arthit, not really sure what to expect. I didn't know if he would flat out reject me, or just run further away. I think I even emotionally prepared myself for his rejection because none of this makes sense.

However, when I actually saw him in person, I was lost for words. I was suddenly ready to launch every possible reason I can think of to make him come home with me. Yet, before I can even start, I saw a man with his pants off in Arthit's room. I didn't know what to say other than to quickly leave. I felt a tightness in my chest that I've never felt before.

Before that very moment, I still wasn't convinced that I have romantic feelings for Arthit. I thought this was just a sudden infatuation that maybe a slap in the face by Arthit would set me straight. I certainly didn't think that I would be over 4,000 km away from home, gripping the handrails in front of the Meguro River trying to hold myself back from screaming.

And when I saw him standing in front of me again, it was clear to me that whatever this is, I needed it. I wanted it. I wanted him.

Our kiss last night has now been deeply imprinted on my mind and soul where it will forever be untouchable. I've never felt this way before. It consumed all my senses and rationality. In real life, if there's ever that cinematic, romantic, earth shattering, life altering moment where time stops, and the spotlight shines on the main characters while the rest of the world fades away, that kiss was it. Someone just needed to cue the music. And if Arthit felt even half of what that kiss felt like to me, then isn't it worth taking a chance?

For the first time in a very long time, I am laying my heart on the line. I would be lying if I said that I'm not scared. I've kept my heart locked away for so long that I almost threw away the key. Sachi was right, time was never the issue. I just choose to never let anyone in. I never want to fall into pieces again. I can't afford to. But I'm an all, or nothing kind of person. So, here I am. The fate of my heart in another man's hand. Fingers crossed, that I won't break this time.

I can tell Arthit is hesitant, but I'm not giving up without trying. As long as he is not running, I take it as a good sign. I just want him to give us a fair chance.