"Hey, you two are ready to go." an officer said as he pulled open the cell door.

Arthit looked up from staring at his knuckles to see eyes pierce right into him. He has never seen the guy before. Luke got up, and walked forward, so Arthit followed.

"Good evening gentlemen. Luke." The man said to Luke.

"Yes. Good evening attorney Bie." Luke stepped out of the jail cell with Arthit following him.

***Bie Thassapak***

Arthit looked at the impeccably dressed man standing there. So, he is their attorney.

"I'm Bie Thassapak. Mr. Suthilak sent me." Bie gave Arthit a once over.

Arthit straightened his posture under the scrutiny, and nodded. "I'm Arthit Ronajpat, but I'm sure you already know that."

"I do." Bie said as he led the way out of the police station.

The three men started talking once they were a little away from the front entrance of the police station.

"I can give you two a ride home. I will connect with Mr. Suthilak in the morning. He is on his way back from Shanghai. I will try to get them to drop all charges, and I will let you know if there are any issues. The other party was intoxicated. Therefore, his words hold very little weight. It's only the witness that's of concern, but she did not see how the fight started." Bie exclaimed.

Luke showed no reaction. As far as he is concerned, it was protocol. He could have killed Nawin, and it would have only been his duty to protect his client.

Arthit on the other hand didn't register anything other than Kongpob is on his way back. Shit! He looks like a mess, and he still hasn't come up with a good explanation to how this all happened. And when Kongpob hears about all of it, he will know he lied the whole time.

"So, where should I drop you guys off." Bie asked.

"At Mr. Suthilak's resident is fine." Luke answered since Arthit didn't seem like he was paying much attention.

"I can drop you guys home. It's perfectly fine. Mr. Suthilak won't be back until at least 2 in the morning. You guys probably shouldn't wait around." Bie offered again.

"Mr. Ronajpat lives at Mr. Suthilak's resident." Luke supplied.

Bie looked at Arthit through the rear view mirror, and then towards the passenger side where Luke sat. He has known Kongpob since college, and he knew Kongpob didn't even like to have guests over. So, why all the sudden a roommate?

Luke gave nothing away with his straight stoic face looking forward. He did not supply any further information.

Bie shifted his jacket in his seat, and started his car. He was definitely curious about this Arthit. What kind of people is Kongpob mixing with these days? How did Kongpob meet someone that would get into a fight with his own drunken father in such a rundown part of town?

Bie dropped Luke and Arthit off in front of Kongpob's house. After the two men gave a courtesy farewell, they headed towards the house. Bie watched as the two stepped inside the house before leaving. A part of him still didn't believe Arthit lives with Kongpob.

When Arthit got back home, he texted Krystal to let her know that he couldn't stop by tonight. Arthit just told them he had too much work to catch up. He didn't want Krystal or his mother to worry since they had no clue what happened.

It was already past midnight, and according to Bie, Kongpob should be back around 2 in the morning.

Arthit quickly went to take a shower, and change into clean clothes. He sat on the sofa with Popeye in his lap waiting for Kongpob. Every minute passing by was torturous. One moment he really wants Kongpob to step through the door, and the next he dreaded the inevitable.

Arthit looked at his raw knuckles that were now free of crusty blood after his shower, but they were still red and sore.
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"I said I will talk to you tomorrow morning. I don't have to tell you everything. No. I don't know. I'm done for now. Goodnight." Kongpob hung up with a loud sigh. He was in no mood to deal with Bie and his interrogation.

Holding his jacket, Kongpob kicked off his shoes, and yanked off his loose tie. He was exhausted after such a long day. He had already had to deal with his mother over the phone about Arthit's situation while he was flying back. He doesn't want to hear anybody else talk to him about Arthit. Damn it! Why can't Arthit talk to him? Kongpob took two more steps further into the foyer leading to the living room, and Popeye comes running to him.

Arthit looked towards the entrance with bated breath. He heard Kongpob come through the door. Kongpob was on the phone with someone, and he didn't sound too happy. That's just great, more fuel to the fire.

His traitorous pup once again abandoned him, and jumped out of his reach. He was kind of hoping to hold Popeye for support, or use Popeye as a distraction. So much for that.

Kongpob walked in with Popeye in his arms. He took one glance, and he saw Arthit sitting on the sofa looking at him. Kongpob put Popeye back down on the ground, and headed straight to the bedroom without giving Arthit another glance.

Kongpob was beyond upset, but he needed to keep calm. If he spoke right now, he might just explode.

"Kongpob! Wait!" Arthit quickly got off the sofa heading to the bedroom. Shit! Kongpob is really pissed.

"Kongpob!" Arthit walked into the bedroom, and saw Kongpob glare at him while he was unbuttoning his shirt.

Arthit's eyes automatically drew to Kongpob's tan chest that was now exposed after the fourth button was undone. Then suddenly the chest disappeared, and was replaced with Kongpob's back.

Kongpob is so irritated. Here he is, thinking Arthit is ready to talk, but instead he isn't even focusing on the issue. Kongpob took off his shirt. He felt suffocated in it. He walked into his closet, and grabbed some clothes.

"You can stay here. I'll go to a guest room." Kongpob came out of the closet saying.

Arthit quickly caught Kongpob before he can leave the room. He wrapped his arms around Kongpob's waist tightly from behind, laying his cheek flush against Kongpob's back shoulder. He had missed him so much, and he felt so lonely with all that had happened this week.

"Kongpob, please don't be mad. I'm sorry." Arthit said while he tried to hold back tears.

Kongpob couldn't move. Arthit was holding him in place. His body missed Arthit's warm embrace, and Arthit's scent. He tipped his head back with his eyes closed, allowing himself this moment.

After a minute or two, Kongpob finally broke the silence. "I waited patiently day after day for the truth. Arthit, what do you take me for? What am I to you? Am I someone that doesn't deserve the truth?"

Arthit's tear broke free. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep it from you. I....I just didn't know how to tell you. My family is so messed up. I'm afraid."

Kongpob can feel his back getting wet, and he can hear Arthit's slight sniffles.

"What are you afraid of? Were you afraid that I can't handle the truth?" Kongpob asked.

"No. That's not it. The truth is my family is too messed up. I grew up in that ugly mess. I don't want you to see that, and then run for the hills. I don't want to lose you."

Arthit's soft sniffles became louder, and his tears soaked the skin between Kongpob's back shoulder and his cheek.

"You think I would run when you need me the most? Is my love a joke? Do you have any faith in me, or in us at all?" Kongpob can feel Arthit's tears that are soaking the back of his shoulder. He is torn between wanting to leave the room, and wanting to turn around to comfort Arthit.

Kongpob tries to understand Arthit's logic, but he is too hurt at the moment. The fact that Arthit has so little trust and faith in him is something that he cannot just get over.

"No. I love you, and I know you love me too. I'm sorry. I just thought I could handle everything on my own." Arthit tightened his hold sensing that Kongpob wanted to leave.

"Arthit, that's the point. You don't have to handle everything by yourself. You have me. And even if you wanted to handle it by yourself, you shouldn't have lied to me. How do you expect me to trust you again? Are we going to build our relationship on lies?" Kongpob exhaled loudly, and looked down at the arms that we're still tightly wrapped around him. He noticed Arthit's raw knuckles, and his heart ached.

"Kongpob, please forgive me. I promise I won't do it again." Arthit pleaded. Then he felt Kongpob's hand on top of his. He knew Kongpob must be looking at his knuckles. Shit! Now Kongpob is going to be mad about how stupid he was to get into a fight with his dad.

Kongpob pried Arthit's arms off him. All this time he forgot one thing about his lover. And that is the fact that his lover is also a man. A man full of pride. A man that can be too proud to ask for help sometimes.

Arthit couldn't hold on any longer as Kongpob pulled his arms apart. Is Kongpob leaving? Kongpob stepped forward, and Arthit lost the shoulder he was leaning on. His heartbeat quickened as he turned his face to watch Kongpob spin around to face him.

Their eyes truly meet for the first time tonight. Arthit's eyes are teary and red staring at Kongpob, and Kongpob's eyes are tired and pained with a slight frown staring back.

Kongpob cupped Arthit's battered face, smoothing his thumb over the big bruise on his left cheekbone. Now that he can take a better look, he sees multiple bruises on Arthit's face. Arthit watched nervously as Kongpob's eyes took in all his injuries. He wanted to look down to hide his face, but he was too afraid to move. At least at this moment, Kongpob is still standing in front of him.

Kongpob's eyes returned to Arthit's. They stared at each other silently. Arthit's heart started pounding loudly in his chest. Still cupping Arthit's cheek, Kongpob took a step forward to close the distance, and placed a gentle kiss on Arthit's lips.

Arthit kissed back immediately. He closed his eyes, and wrapped his hands around Kongpob's neck to pull him closer. He craved for Kongpob's lips, his taste, and his touches.

"Ouu....ssss." Arthit pulled away from their kiss.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" Kongpob asked with concern.

It wasn't until this moment that Kongpob noticed the little cut at the right corner of Arthit's mouth.

"I'm fine. Don't worry." Arthit said as he tried to kiss Kongpob again.

However, Kongpob placed his hand on Arthit's chest to keep him from getting closer. He grabbed Arthit's hand, and sat him on the bed.

Arthit frowned watching Kongpob walk away. Kongpob disappeared into the bathroom. He didn't know if he should follow Kongpob into the bathroom. Was he going to to shower? Maybe he can join Kongpob.

But before Arthit can give that idea any further thoughts, Kongpob emerged with a first aid kit in his hand. Kongpob came, and sat next to Arthit. He cleaned Arthit's knuckles, and then put a coat of ointment on before bandaging his hand. He took a cotton swab to apply ointment to the corner of Arthit's mouth.

Arthit watched Kongpob gently attend to all his injuries. Kongpob took his t-shirt off, and sucked in a breath when he saw all the bruises he got from those kicks his father gave him. Bruise cream was spread all over him.

If Arthit could love Kongpob any more than he already did, then this is it. Arthit slowly raised his hand to cup Kongpob's face. He didn't like the frown that Kongpob had on while focusing on his bruised ribs. Kongpob's eyes look so tired. He ran his thumb over Kongpob's dark eyecircles. He knows he is the cause of Kongpob's frown and tiredness, but a little part of him is happy that someone cares this much about him.

Arthit leaned forward, and placed a kiss on Kongpob's cheek. "Thank you for loving me."

~~~~~~
AN: Here's an update before Christmas ends in my part of the world. I had to wait till everyone left my house before publishing. I didn't have time to edit. So, please excuse any errors.

Twelve more hours before my flight. Let's see if I will be able to update one more chapter before I get on the plane. Wish me luck! ❤️

Merry Christmas 2019!

Love ya lots. 😘