Peraya Delight - Chapter 81: Chapter 81
You are reading Peraya Delight, Chapter 81: Chapter 81. Read more chapters of Peraya Delight.
Arthit turned his attention to the door when he heard it open. He straighten as he watched Kongpob walk inside.
"Hi, Kong," Arthit casually waved at the other who tried to smile at him.
Kongpob stood in front of him, fidgeting with his fingers, "You wanted to see me?"
Arthit looked around, trying to gather himself first before talking to the other. They were at the indoor pool in the house. He was sure no one would get inside in the afternoon so he asked Kongpob to meet him there.
"Well, Kong," Arthit stared back into the black orbs that never failed to bring butterflies inside him."I have to talk to you about something important."
"Your Mae gave me a big responsibility," Arthit noticed how Kongpob's eyebrows furrowed.
"She approves of Ed."
Kongpob's eyes widened. He knew that his mother was very much interested in making Ed his partner but he hasn't been giving any signals from his side that he preferred the relationship to take a step forward. But he didn't think that Rin would talk about it to Arthit.
"She thinks I'm the only one who can talk to you about him, that I'm the only one who can convince you to marry him," Arthit chuckled, shaking his head at how silly all those sounded."So, what do you think, Kong?"
"Arthit, Stop it," Kongpob pleaded, he could see that the other was testing him. He can't take it.
Arthit snapped his gaze at the other, taking a step forward, "I'm not joking, Kong. I have to give your Mae an answer."
"So tell me, what should I tell her?"
Kongpob gulped, shaking his head. His hands curled around his waist, gripping the sides of his sweater.
"I can't say yes to marrying someone else."
"Why not? Arrange marriages aren't rare in this world. Our parents' marriages were arranged. They hadn't even met properly during their times but you know Ed and from what I see, you seem to like him."
"Arthit," Kongpob tried to warn the other, though his voice came out as a mere whisper. He knew the other was mocking him, the fake smile on the latter's lips and his attitude were making him feel sick.
"Of course, if you're in love with someone else, that's a different case," Arthit casually voiced out.
He turned to face Kongpob, faking a questioning look."Are you in love with someone else, Kong?"
Kongpob turned his face away, he can't hold the other's stare. He won't be able to stop himself from breaking down.
"Tell me, Kong, are you in love with someone else?"
Kongpob could only shake his head, a soft whimper leaving his lips. "Stop it, Arthit. Stop it, please."
"That's exactly what I've been wanting to tell you, Kong!" Kongpob gasped as he was violently turned to face Arthit as the other's hands clutched onto his shoulder."Stop this nonsense already, Kong! Stop it now!"
"Do you enjoy playing with people's hearts?"
Trying to control his tears, his eyes burning, as he stared into those warm hazel orbs, filled with pain and distress.
"First me, then Weir, then Ed and now your parents too!?"
Kongpob's jaw clenched as Arthit spat his words on him. He knew he deserves this. He was the only one responsible for everything.
"How many more hearts do you want to break, Kong!? How many more hearts do you want to play with?" Arthit couldn't help but let out the frustration inside him.
"What you call a play could be real," Kongpob mumbled, trying to gather his courage in front of the taller male.
Arthit scoffed, "Then, turn this lie into a truth, Kong! I dare you. Agree to marry Ed, I dare you."
Kongpob gasped, his eyes wide. Feeling as if someone was suffocating him. The thought of being someone else's other than Arthit's seemed like a nightmare.
"You will never agree to marry Ed. You love me too much, Kong."
Kongpob blinked, letting his tears slide. No longer finding the strength to hold them in. It was true. Arthit knew him well. He can't do that, being someone else's, the thought made him feel nauseous. He can't do that. He would never be able to give himself into that thought.
"Enough, Arthit. Enough, stop it now," Kongpob pleaded through gritted teeth.
Arthit smiled, "Not before you say yes to Ed. Then will I hold my silence."
"9 days from now, I and Weir are getting married."
Kongpob looked away, turning his back on Arthit. Wiping his tears roughly as he felt Arthit step closer to him. His breath fanned his neck, making the hairs on his nape rise. He shuddered when the other whispered.
"Now it's your turn to make the sacrifice, Kongpob. If by tomorrow you haven't said yes about Ed, I'll announce in front of everyone that I love you."
Kongpob turned around absurdly. Fear and shock in his eyes as he stared at the other. Arthit's face held no emotion, just staring blankly at him. But the veins that popped on his forehead signalled him how stressed the other was.
"Tomorrow, nobody will be able to stop me. Even you won't, Kong."
Arthit shut his eyes, his jaw clenched as he pushed Kongpob away from him."Now you can go."
Kongpob stumbled back, covering his mouth with his hand as he tried to stop his sobs and cries from escaping. He saw how Arthit's shoulders were shaking with anger and frustration. He could only cry as he walked away. Noticing the love of his life grip his hair his frustration.
I'm sorry, Arthit.
Arthit watched with a bitter smile on his face as Ed inserted the engagement ring on Kongpob's finger. His heart beating loud, the sound echoing in his ears.
He never thought that Kongpob would agree to this. He believed that the pressure he was giving on the latter would make him realise that what he was doing was wrong and that would eventually lead him to open up everything. To declare their true love for eachother.
But he was wrong. Kongpob was too strong, stronger than him. Unlike him who was still feeling like a shattered piece of glass. Maybe Kong felt it too, he could see how broken the other was but Kongpob had more strength and willpower in him than himself.
Two days back when Kongpob announced to everyone at breakfast that he will marry Ed the house had bustled with instant preparations for an engagement party. And Arthit finally got his answer.
Now within a few days, it's going to be their wedding too. He stood no chance.
"Mae."
Rin cranes her head to the side, smiling wide when she saw her son.
"You're here, come, have a seat, Kong. You didn't eat right?"
They were at the patio, having breakfast and Rin and Achara were serving everyone before they sat down to have theirs.
"I wanted to tell you something."
The tone of Kongpob's voice confused her as if he was going to tell something too important. But she shrugged the thought off.
"What is it, son?"
Kongpob glanced at everyone, who was busy with their own affairs on the patio. He took a deep breath. Giving one last look at Arthit who was reading the newspaper he turned to face Rin.
"I'm ready to marry Ed."
There was a momentary silence as everyone halted what they were doing. Kongpob bit his lips staring at everyone's stunned face.
"What?" Rin turned around, stepping towards her son.
"Are you really saying yes, Kong!?" Kerkkrai asked, surprised.
Kongpob nodded his head affirmatively. Trying to smile when everyone, except for one, started to get off their chairs, not being able to sit after the revelation of such great news.
"Let's have two weddings on the same day!" Achara exclaimed excitedly, hugging Rin with utmost happiness.
"This is fantastic!" David joined, smiling wide at them.
"Let me tell this happy news to Mrs Vicharat!" Achara rushed back inside to call Ed's mother. He was as excited as Rin for Kongpob.
"Now we're going to get married on the same day! I'm going to call Ed! He's gonna be soo happy!" Weir hugged Kongpob, almost making the other fall with the force before he followed inside.
Kongpob could only share smiles with everyone. But his breath hitched when Rin stepped towards Arthit to hug him. Her words made his lips quiver.
"Arthit, son, I know you convinced Kong to agree to get married. Thank you so much, son," Rin caressed the other's back, she couldn't explain how overwhelmed she is right now.
Arthit nodded his head, smiling at the elder woman. He watched as everyone make their way inside, Rin following with Kerkkrai. Once everyone was gone Arthit made his way towards Kongpob who stood at the same spot, hugging his arms around his waist.
"Congratulations, Kong, "Arthit tried to smile.
"Thank you."
Kongpob scolded himself at how weak his voice sounded, like a mere whisper.
"Aunty's right," Arthit chuckled."You're marrying because of me, right?"
He sighed, the small smile on his face lingering which made Kongpob feel the ache that the other was feeling, yet being so helpless.
"We're getting married on the same day to two different people," Arthit took a deep breath."What better news could there possibly be?"
Kongpob could feel the path the tears were forming on his cheeks. He didn't mind wiping them as he stared at Arthit with blurry eyes. He knew the other was trying his best to control his emotions, he can read it on the other's face. The fear, uncertainty and love. Everything danced in a pool of hazel orbs.
"Ed will make you very happy. You wouldn't find a nicer guy."
Smiling through his clenched jaw Arthit murmured, "No one could love you more than him."
Kongpob gasped, "Ar-"
"Kong!"
Kongpob quickly wiped his tears as Weir rushed towards him.
"Kong, let's go- huh?" Weir blinked, examining his best friend's face.
"Hey, Mr America," Weir turned accusingly towards his fiance, "Why are you making my best friend cry?!"
Arthit chuckled but Weir could only stand speechless as he noticed the teary eyes of the other.
"Oh!You too?" Weir blinked, trying to step forward to check if the latter was really crying but Arthit immediately wiped his whelmed-up tears.
"How come I never cry out of happiness? Not fair!" Weir's whining voice made the two chuckle. Staring at eachother behind Weir's back as they walked along with the other to step inside the house, Kongpob and Arthit felt the pull in their hearts, not wanting to let go of eachother. But they didn't have any option now.
"The first time the four of us were together in this hall, was during our engagement. And now it's for your engagement!" Weir clapped her hands excitedly making the other three chuckle.
"Who would have guessed so much would happen so fast?" Ed smiled, glancing at Kongpob who sat beside him.
Arthit nodded, "True."
The engagement party had ended, and every guest has left so the four decided to sit together and spend time. The day was indeed busy, they needed to relax a bit. Their parents had gone to clear up things so they decided to sit together.
"So much has happened so fast, hasn't it, Kong?" Arthit raised his eyes at the latter who sat opposite to him, his eyes falling on Kongpob's hand on the table. Catching the shining metal on his finger.
Kongpob immediately pulled his hand down to his lap, knowing what Arthit was looking at. Everyone stared at him, waiting for him to reply so Kongpob could only force a smile and nod his head.
"Hey! Let's play spin the bottle!" Weir quirked up the next second, taking the bottle which was on the table."Whoever the bottle points to has to answer the question truthfully."
Weir smiled wide, "I'll spin the bottle first!"
Waiting for the bottle to spin, once it finally stopped Weir smirked at the person opposite to him."Ed, you're first!"
"So, who's asking him the question?"
"I'll," Arthit volunteered, leaning forward, crossing his hands on the table.
"How much do you love Kong?" Arthit asks making Ed chuckle. He noticed how Kongpob's stiffened at the question.
"As much as you love Weir, plus a little more," Ed winked making Weir giggle as he patted his best friend's arm teasingly.
Arthit nodded his head, processing the other's words. Chuckling next, "That's good."
"Now, next is-" Weir spun the bottle, waiting with curiosity.
"It's Kong!"
"I'm asking, I'm asking!" Ed raised his hand, not giving others a chance as he turned to face his now fiance.
"Why did you agree to marry me, Kong?"
Ed couldn't help but use the opportunity to ask the question that had been nagging his mind. The last time they met together Kongpob wasn't yet ready to start a relationship, let alone marriage. So he wants to know what changed the latter's mind.
"Well, my best friends are getting married and I needed a friend," Kongpob faced Ed, smiling softly."I heard you can be a good friend."
"That I'm," Ed looked proud as he wiggled his eyebrows. Though he knew there was a lot more to the answer than what Kongpob told. But he doesn't want to push it, especially when the other two are seated with them.
"I'll spin it now," Ed moved forward to spin the bottle.
"I'll ask him!" Weir immediately responded when the bottle turned towards Arthit. The latter could only chuckle at Weir's childish acts.
Weir grins as Arthit waits for his question.
"Tell me, if I and Kong would be going to get hit by a truck, who will you save?"
"What kind of rubbish question is that, Weir?" Kongpob glares at his best friend who shrugged his shoulders.
"What? I'm his fiance and you're his best friend, I just wanted to know who he'll choose," Weir winks at Kongpob. "Besides, it's just for fun."
"But Weir this is-" Kongpob turns his attention to Arthit who interrupted him.
"One of them is my love and the other is my friend, it's quite hard to choose," Arthit chuckles. Stealing glances at Kongpob who looked uncomfortable in front of him.
"Of the three of us, I would've saved the two of you and let myself run over by the truck. That's my answer."
Arthit smiles at his fiance.
"But, what if the choice was between love and friendship?"
"Weir!" Kongpob couldn't help but reprimand Weir. His questions were too much.
"I would save you course," Arthit gives a tight smile to Weir who giggles at his response but he shook his head the next second.
"No, you should save Kong. Choose friendship over love. Save my darling Kong!" Weir leaned over to hug Kongpob who tried to wiggle out of his grip.
"What rubbish are you both taking? Friendship, love! Nonsense."
Weir pouted at Kongpob, not knowing why the latter was getting mad at the question he asked Arthit.
"Come on, don't get mad. We'll move to the next round!"
Kongpob sighed, leaning back on the chair. He looked up at Ed when the other placed his hand on his shoulder, caressing it. Trying to calm him down and Kongpob could only smile in return.
Weir giggled when the bottle pointed at himself, turning towards Arthit he smirked at him.
"Hey Mr America, this is your chance. You can ask me whatever you want."
Arthit chuckled at how childish Weir looked at the moment, "What should I ask you?"
"If you have anything to confess to me, go ahead. Open up."
Arthit noticed how Weir's smile faltered for a second before the other masked it.
"I have nothing to confess," Weir gulped. He felt Kongpob reach out to him. Placing his hand on his knee in support.
Arthit shrugged his shoulders, "Then you're getting off easy."
"Wait," Weir took a deep breath, he doesn't want to hide it anymore."I do have something to tell you."
The table went silent as Weir mustered his courage to voice out what was in his mind.
"I didn't write those letters, Arthit."
Kongpob couldn't help but glance at Arthit, he cursed the latter in his mind for asking the question but he couldn't blame him either. Weir has to tell the truth one or the other day.
"We'll be married soon, I don't want our new life to begin with a lie. For 14 years what you believed to be true is a lie and I'm sorry for that Arthit."
"I didn't write those letters to you. I didn't want to lie to you and I can't keep lying to you." Weir reached out to take his finance's hand in his, "Please forgive me, Arthit. I'm sorry."
He knows that it's his fault, he hid the fact from Arthit before the engagement. He had been thinking about it for long but never did he gather the courage to do that. If he doesn't do it now he won't ever be able to and that would be bad, real bad when Arthit finds out one day.
Arthit smiled, placing his other hand over Weir's, "You only need to forgive those you don't love, Weir. The ones who love you never get angry with you. Forget the apology. It's fine."
Weir blinked, surprised. He wasn't expecting this. He thought Arthit would lash out or at least get angry with him.
"Arthit, you're really not angry with me?"
"I've promised you a lifetime, how can I get angry with you?" Arthit tilted his head, patting Weir's hand.
"This game has gotten far too serious."
Everyone turned their attention to Ed who sighed.
"Anyway, do you know who wrote those letters?" Ed asked curiously. He has heard from Arthit how he fell in love with Weir. The latter had told him bits about it so he has a picture of the whole situation.
"Kong did!" Weir replied innocently.
"Then I should be marrying, Kong. Don't you think so?"
Silence took over the table at Arthit's words. Weir glanced between Arthit and Kongpob, his best friend looked shocked, as if trying to mask his expression while Arthit looked nonchalant. But those hazel eyes said something else that he couldn't point out.
Weir laughed the next second, not wanting to create any misunderstanding with Ed as he knows Arthit might have just joked about it. "You're such a tease, Arthit! Always joking!"
Arthit chuckled, shaking his head he looked down on his lap as Weir and Ed laughed beside him.
"Yup, one big joke," he couldn't help but mumble, unaware of the pair of eyes that eyed him with confusion.
"Arthit."
The latter hummed as he glanced at Ed who was walking beside him.
They had gone out in the evening, just for a walk since the weather was so pleasant. The evening sky looked beautiful with the hue of orange and purple. Casting beautiful shadows over the city. Cold breeze and calmness washed over them.
"I'm marrying Kong tomorrow."
Ed's tensed voice made Arthit chuckle.
"Yes, you're marrying him tomorrow and I'm marrying Weir. Why? Scared?"
Ed shook his head with a chuckle, "No, but I think Kong is."
Arthit stopped in his tracks, turning to face the other.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know why but I think Kong is upset about something," Ed looked down at his feet, sighing before he looked up at the other in question.
"You're his friend, do you know what's bothering him?"
"I-I don't know," Arthit looked away.
"Arthit," the calmness and worry in the other's voice made Arthit face him. "I don't want Kong to just be my life partner, I want him to be a part of my heart. But I think his heart is somewhere else."
"Even though he's with me, he doesn't belong to me."
"It's nothing, Ed," Arthit tried to assure the latter even though he knows the truth is way different than that."Every person gets nervous before their wedding. It's a strange restlessness. Their life is going to change forever, we can never really understand what the other might be feeling exactly."
"But you understand him," Ed interrupted with a small smile, the corner of his lips lifted softly.
"You and Kong know eachother well, you're really good friends, right?"
Arthit nodded with a smile. But it soon faded at the words that followed.
"That friendship never became love?"
Ed shrugged his shoulders with a loud chuckle, "If I'd have been you, I would have fallen for Kong."
"Are you asking me or telling me?"
Ed faced the other, staring right into his eyes, "Both."
Arthit bit his inner cheek. He can see that Ed had figured things out and at the same time he can see that even though this was complicated Ed was willing to give it a try. Things have reached to this point and Arthit doesn't think there's any other way to bring things back to normal.
"Love doesn't just mean saying I love you to someone, Ed."
Ed blinked surprised at the other.
"Love is love even without saying anything. And love is sacrifice too. It means keeping quiet for each other's sakes," the image of Kongpob's teary face when he had taken the oath in the church rushed into his mind. They have both sacrificed a lot for the sake of others' happiness.
"Loving isn't merely possessing. Love is also giving up your own happiness for someone else's happiness," twinkling dark orbs of the honey-skinned man flashed in his mind. The carefree smile that he used to see when they were in London. He wanted to see it once again, one last time.
"Love had soo many faces, Ed."
With a pained lift of his lips, Arthit patted Ed's shoulder before he walked away. Leaving Ed behind.
Ed understood what the other meant. And he's happy that the other was somehow able to open up to another person about it. Arthit hadn't told him nor does he know what really transferred between him and Kongpob but he knows that the two had loved eachother too much. Too much that their eyes talked when they met, their body talked when the other was in close proximity. Ed wasn't blind to not notice everything.
"Love also means Arthit and Kongpob."
Ed couldn't help but whisper, a tight smile on his lips as he watched Arthit walk away.
Tomorrow might be his wedding but he knows Kongpob won't be truly his. Whatever the reason might be for why Kongpob decided to marry him he will let it be. He'll let Kongpob have him in his life till he wishes to, once everything is settled and Kongpob realises he doesn't need him anymore he'll leave. Maybe that will be the only help he can do for the two.
Kongpob bit his lips as he walked closer to the figure that stood behind the tree, looking over at the pond in their large backyard.
As he got closer to the latter he couldn't help but admire him. He could see the other's side profile from where he stood and the moonlight falling on the pale, milky skin made the other look divine. Like an angel out of heaven. The serene look on his face made him feel at ease, though his heart was beating fast, as if ready to jump out of its cage.
He stepped closer to the other, a few feet behind him. And before he could call for his attention the latter turned towards him.
The sight that welcomed him made a small smile stretch on his lips, even through the pain that etched in him at the presence of the other.
"Pinkmilk?"
Arthit innocently asked as he stretched the cup in front of Kongpob who shook his head with a small chuckle. Kongpob couldn't help but think how child-like the other looked when he turned to face him. With the transparent cup in his hand, sipping onto the straw, wide hazel eyes staring at him with the innocence that reminded him of their childhood.
"I made them myself for the first time with the powder and syrup you gave me last time. I know you're not a fan of sweet but won't you try it for once?" Arthit tilted his head, pouting a little. As if there wasn't anything going on between them.
"Then I should taste it," Kongpob smiled when the other's face lit up with a smile as he stepped forward.
He was about to take the bottle from the other but Arthit stepped closer to him, catching the straw steadily as he moved the bottle near. Butterflies danced under Kongpob's stomach, despite what all they had gone through as he leaned forward and took a long sip from the drink.
Kongpob's nose scrunched as he swallowed the drink. He looked up at the other with raised eyebrows, "A little too sweet, did you add extra syrup?"
"Well, I have a sweet tooth," Arthit flashed a sheepish grin.
Kongpob rolled his eyes, loving how casual they were right now.
"You'll get diabetes in your 30s if you drink like this."
Arthit laughed, the mere sound being a melody to Kongpob's ears. Only he knows how much he had yearned to hear that sound for once.
They soon settled into silence, a comfortable one at that. Despite everything. Wordlessly they moved towards the tree, leaning on it as they looked over at the pond. It was a chilly day and they didn't want to wet their clothes by sitting on the grass.
"During the past few days, I have hated you, Kong."
Kongpob raised his head, turning to face the taller man. He bit his lips when he saw the latter's gaze turned to him. Staring at him with those soft eyes. Tender and gentle. Completely different from the stares he had gotten in the past days. Before his engagement.
"Really-Really hated you," a ragged breath left Arthit's lips.
"I thought you were being stubborn, that you didn't know what you were doing."
"I realise now that you did. And that I was wrong," Arthit chuckled.
He noticed how Kongpob's eyes glistened under the moonlight, reflecting the whelmed-up tears. Arthit smiled at him, admiring the other up close.
Kongpob had lost weight, he knows it's because of him. There was shine in his eyes at the moment, which was gone after they broke things off at the church. He's glad to know that he still has the effect to bring the old Kongpob back.
"I'm proud to have loved you, Kong," Arthit reached to hold the other's hand. "And I'm happy for the love you gave me."
"Even if we couldn't be together, our love will always be there."
A soft sob escaped Kongpob's lips, not knowing what to feel with the other's words. The build-up emotions in him tripped out in the form of tears. He wanted to speak, tell a lot of things to Arthit. Open his heart but he knew the other wanted to speak more. And he wanted to listen to him.
Fear had gripped him, what if he won't be able to hear Arthit talk out to him like today, after this?
"I don't know the true meaning of love," Arthit could feel his own eyes set on fire with how he was trying to control his emotions.
"But I do know that whatever happens to us now is what love really means."
Kongpob closer his eyes, pressing his tears out as he sobbed. His body moved closer to the other's warmth. His hand gripped Arthit's sweater on the front.
Arthit smiled, wrapping his arms around the other. The bottle in his hand slipped out of his grip."We have to end one chapter in our lives and begin another, Kong."
"We started as friends and once again we'll have to be just friends."
Arthit softly made Kongpob look up at him. Round teary eyes staring back at him made his heartache.
"This time-" Arthit took a deep breath, "Forever."
"So, no tears." Arthit wiped Kongpob's tears with his thumb, cupping the other's face between his palms. "We're starting new."
Pulling away from eachother Kongpob sniffled. Wiping his blocked nose he looked down at the hand that was outstretched towards him.
"Friends?" Arthit smiled through the tears that rolled down his face.
Biting his lips Kongpob reached forward with a shaky hand. Holding the other's hand.
Both tried desperately to hold their smiles as their eyes met. Failing miserably the next second as they pulled eachother for a tight embrace.
Kongpob cried harder in Arthit's arms when a soft pair of lips pressed on the crown of his head. Running long fingers through his hair.
This night, the stars and the moon. Water, air and earth being the witness to their parting. The love that they have for eachother witnessed by nature.
They knew this was the last time they can hold eachother like this. From tomorrow morning, past 10, they'll be somewhere else, someone else's. They wanted to take in the last minutes with their true love, engraving the warmth of eachother in their hearts.
"Kong, here's your necklace! Why did you remove it? It looked beautiful on you!" Weir couldn't help but take the necklace in his hand, dangling it from his palm. He smiled wide looking at it.
He had seen the necklace on Kongpob's neck for a long time. It's only after the other's engagement that he found Kongpob wasn't wearing it anymore.
When he had asked where Kongpob had got the beautiful necklace from he said he had brought it from London when he came for the interview.
The dazzling circle of love diamond pendant, of two rings that connect. Weir loved it when Kongpob wore it, though he didn't understand why the latter always tried to hide it beneath his clothes. And Weir never questioned it.
"I-I don't want to."
Kongpob gulped, straightening his wedding suit.
"But you aren't wearing anything around your neck," Weir raised an eyebrow. He wanted Kongpob to wear it, it looked beautiful when he wears it.
"I said leave it, Weir. You should get ready fast. I'm done here."
Weir pouted, why was Kongpob getting soo worked up? He thinks it might be the wedding jitters. He still can't believe that they are going to get married today.
"But Kong-"
"There the is necklace! I have been looking for it since yesterday night!"
Weir and Kongpob turned their attention to Achara as she walked into the room with a deep sigh of relief.
Achara can finally breathe as she found the necklace in Weir's hand. She had been looking in her room for it but couldn't find it and the fact that maybe Arthit might have taken it hadn't crossed her mind since she was getting too busy with all the preparations.
"What's so special about this?" Weir raised an eyebrow.
"Arthit is always up to something," Achara chuckled as she took the necklace from Weir's hand, caressing it. "He had his eyes on this for long, since he was a kid."
Kongpob's lips trembled, he glanced at Achara, noticing the blooming smile on her lips.
"I-I'll be downstairs."
"Ok, dear. Arthit and Ed are down too, they're waiting for you two, to get blessings from the elders," Achara informed, smiling at Kongpob who returned it before hurrying outside. She couldn't help but chuckle seeing him nervous. They're at a hotel in London, where the wedding was taking place.
They had planned to conduct the wedding with a mixture of traditional and modern cultures. As a part of traditional custom, they wanted the grooms to get blessed by the elders before they would walk down the aisle.
"This is Arthit's?" Weir asked sceptically.
Achara turned towards the younger male, shaking her head."Oh, no, son. It isn't."
"This necklace had been in our family for years, it passes down to the in-laws. And every in-law wears them."
Weir's eyebrows furrowed. Something was not right.
"Arthit told me that when he finds his lover, the one who he'll be marrying, he'd get this necklace and make the person wear it and then he'd present them to me. So I'd know who my son's spouse is gonna be."
Achara couldn't help but laugh at the memory of a teenage Arthit. But even after all these years, Arthit had kept his word.
"Well, Arthit kept his word. He gave it to you before I could. Wear it and come down quickly, ok? Or else we'll be late. We have to take blessings too."
Weir forced a smile at Achara who patted his shoulder before she walked away, mumbling to herself how finding the necklace would have been such an easy job if her son had told her that he had given it to his fiance already.
Weir closed his eyes, gripping the necklace in his palm. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
Ed walked up to Arthit who stood by the large glass window. Looking over at the hotel's garden. A sigh left his lips, the sound signalled Arthit that there was someone beside him.
"Are you sure, Arthit?" Ed couldn't help but ask.
"Why? Scared?" Arthit chuckled, his gaze fixed out of the window.
Ed took a deep breath, "What are we doing, Arthit?"
The small smile that lingered on the other's lips vanished. Arthit gulped.
"We're fulfilling the wish of someone we both love."
Ed could feel the strength Arthit was putting up in himself and if possible he would be ready to give up what he's feeling to make two people happy, make the one he loves happy.
"Are we doing the right thing, Arthit?"
He has to ask if there was any possibility that Arthit rethinks his decision Ed wants that to happen.
Arthit looked up at him, smiling softly. But Ed could see the glistening orbs of the other. Arthit reached forward, patting Ed's shoulder before he walked away towards the elders who were busy at the front with all the preparations.
Ed sighed, bracing the future that was ahead of them, he followed Arthit towards the elders.
"Kong is here!"
Kerkkrai announced as he watched his son step out of the elevator. Soon everyone turned their attention towards the young man, squealing and exclaiming the next second how handsome the other looked.
Arthit had initially planned to not even give a glance at Kongpob but who was he kidding? He would take every little chance he gets to meet the other male. And that's what he did now.
A very wrong move.
Arthit couldn't take his eyes off Kongpob. With a buttoned-up white shirt and navy blue velvet suit that hugged the curves of the other, Kongpob looked handsome and beautiful in his eyes. But what he always thought that made Kongpob more beautiful was absent, his genuine smile.
The glow in the other's face wasn't present. He could sense the fake smiles he was giving everyone. He noticed it. And he thinks Ed sensed it too because he heard the other sigh beside him.
"One groom is here, where is the other one?" David called out, making the others chuckle.
"You know how Weir is, he takes a lot of time to dress up. Don't worry, he'll be here soon," Achara walked in, smiling brightly when she saw Kongpob who was in Rin's tight embrace.
Kongpob pulled away from his mother, he smiled softly at Rin who looked soo happy. Her son was finally getting married, how couldn't she be happy, right?
His gaze turned towards the two other men in suits. Surprisingly the two were looking at him and he pulled out a nervous smile. Ed smiled back at him softly while Arthit just blankly stared at him. But he could feel the distress Arthit was in.
Arthit stood out for him among everyone. His hair jelled back, hands in his pockets, wearing a black suit and white silk shirt underneath, the colour complimenting Arthit's features. The other looked stunning. Except for the fact that his hazel orbs didn't hold the light in them. And that only made him sigh.
Like many other times, he wished Arthit would be marrying him. He wanted this special moment in his life to be with Arthit but he cannot.
"Go Kong, stand beside Ed. Let us see you both together," Rin nudged her son, smiling at him.
Kongpob nodded his head, walking towards the two males. Taking his place beside Ed who smiled at him. The latter was wearing a navy blue suit with a white silk shirt, matching his outfit. Well, that's what grooms do. Isn't it?
"Are you ok, Kong?" Ed asked softly, though he knows the answer to the question very well.
"I'm fine, just wedding jitters," Kongpob let out a nervous chuckle.
Ed sighed, "Kong, if you don't want to mar-"
"Weir!"
The sudden outburst from Rin took their attention.
"Why are you here like this!? Where is your wedding suit?!" Achara exclaimed in horror.
Watching Weir step out of the elevator wearing a simple baggy shirt and jeans, his hair done casually and makeup removed, stunned everyone. Even the guests present there had their eyes wide open. Weir didn't look like a groom at all.
"I-I just wanted to talk," Weir gave a firm gaze at everyone, including his fiance who was too shocked to react.
"What are you saying? Weir what-"
"I want to talk to Arthit and Kong. Everyone else please be patient, I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
Weir turned towards the two, he was thankful when he noticed that Ed had stepped out from between the two. Walking toward his two friends, he smiled.
"You both act really well," Weir chuckled when he saw Kongpob's eyes turn wide.
"How long would you have hidden it from me, Kong? I thought I knew you inside out, but guess I was wrong. I'm a shitty friend who couldn't see the hurt my best friend was going through," Weir felt his insides clench at the sight of Kongpob's watery eyes. How could he not notice this?
"Weir, no, I-"
Weir shook his head, "It's ok, Kong. Don't deny that you were hurt."
Turning to face Arthit, Weir couldn't help but smile at the man.
"Do you remember when I asked you to choose between love and friendship?"
"I didn't know I was such a good friend of yours, Arthit," Weir forced out a giggle, the sight made Arthit clench his fist to control his emotions."I didn't know that you would sacrifice your love for the sake of my friendship."
"How could I not notice that Kong was there in every heartbeat of yours?"
Arthit's lips trembled, he could see how much it broke Weir. He doesn't know how Weir got to know this but he's glad that the other took this decision.
"How could I not see that you loved Kong, not me?" Weir smiled when he heard gasps around him, he didn't care, the only thing he cared about was to let the two men who parted be one once again.
"Your friendship has triumphed over my love."
"Sometimes even true love eludes us "
Weir stepped closer towards Kongpob, the sight of the other sobbing made him chuckle as he wiped his tears away."Why did you think I would be alone, Kong?"
"You don't know how important your friendship is in my life, Kong," taking Kongpob's hand in his, he caressed it. Taking strength for himself through it. "Everything I have comes in twos. You and Arthit, my two good friends, two mothers and two fathers. How can I be alone when there are so many people around me?"
"I'm not alone, Kong," a sob finally left Weir's lips. "I'm not alone."
"Weir," Kongpob pulled him into his embrace, sobbing along with the other.
Soon another pair of arms wrapped around them. Kongpob looked up from Weir's shoulder to meet the teary hazel eyes. The sight made him sob hard as he wrapped his arms around both of them, pulling them closer.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Kongpob cried, burying his face into his best friend's shoulder making Weir chuckle.
"Are you saying sorry to me for loving Arthit?" Weir pulled away, wiping Kongpob's tears while the other tried to hold in his cries. "Don't do that, Kong."
"You both found your happiness but you were ready to sacrifice it for me. I'm grateful to have you and Arthit in my life as my close friends."
Weir turned towards Arthit, he looked back between his two friends smiling.
"Arthit, I-" Weir gulped when Arthit shook his head, indicating him to stop.
"You talk too much, Weir," Arthit's comment made Weir chuckle, tears rolling down his cheek.
Arthit doesn't know how what to say to the man in front of him. He was thankful to Weir for giving him back the future he had expected for him and Kongpob but at the same time, he felt guilty that Weir had to find it out today, when it was going to be their wedding day. But he is also glad that it happened so that Weir won't regret this decision.
Seeing Weir in front of him at the moment, he can see a different personality of his. Something he had never seen at all. Weir was indeed selfless, just like Kong. Ready to sacrifice each other's happiness for the other. The two best friends are really something else. But what's right had been done, and he's thankful to Weir for that.
"Can I ask you something?"
Weir raised his eyebrows at the other's question.
"Friends?"
Arthit stretched out his hand, his eyes glistening with tears as he gave his dimple smile to the other.
Weir playfully kept his finger on his chin, trying to light up the atmosphere.
"I'll see about that. I'll let you know in a day or two."
Arthit and Kongpob chuckled at the other's response, Arthit soon found Weir losing his cool. Weir's lips pressed together as he tried to control himself but that wasn't the case, he found himself breaking down. All kinds of emotions running through him.
Arthit pulled Weir into his arms, hugging the latter tight. No matter what, even though he had hated Weir during the first months after Kongpob decided to break what was there between them, with the thought that it was because of him that he lost Kongpob, Weir was still his very good friend. A friend who means a lot to him.
Arthit patted Weir's shoulder as the other sobbed into his shoulder, he gazed up at Kongpob whose red-rimmed eyes greeted him, looking tried with all the crying, tears were flowing endlessly from those charcoal orbs.
Kongpob's eyes widened a little as Arthit opened one of his hands, asking him to come forward. Biting his lips he stepped forward, into the warm embrace of the taller male.
Arthit smiled softly, pulling the two males together. He had feared if a day comes when Weir knows the truth, it will affect the friendship between Weir and Kongpob. But Weir surprised him, he was much more than what he had thought.
He looked up at their parents and guests, trying to catch anger or disappointment from them, but he was surprised when he found them shedding tears, especially their parents. What surprised him was to see guilt in the eyes of their eyes, they smiled at him when they found him looking at them.
Pulling away from the tight embrace, they wiped their tears as they chuckled. Kongpob turned toward Ed the very next second, he wants to apologise to the man.
He bit his lips when Ed smiled widely at him as he stepped forward. A ragged breath left his lips.
"Ed, I'm sor-"
"No, Kong. Don't," Ed shook his head, smiling ever soo wide. He was finally happy to see that things turned out the way they should.
"I haven't lost the one I love, Kong," Ed turned towards the other two, batting his eyebrows at the."I've made three new friends and that's a treasure."
The three couldn't help but laugh at the way Ed voiced it out.
"You're a great friend, Ed." Kongpob smiled softly.
Ed smirked, proudly crossing his arms against his chest, "That I'm."
The four young men fell into a peal of laughter. Everyone present there had a smile bloom on their lips as they watched the interaction between the four. Whatever might have happened between the four, they don't know the full story but what transpired in front of them drew an outline of what had happened and they're glad the right ones are finally able to join hands now.
Weir stepped forward towards Kongpob after everyone had calmed down. He pulled out something from his jeans pocket, making Kongpob raise his eyebrows until his eyes widened realising what it was.
"I think this is yours, right Kong?" Weir wiggled his eyebrows playfully making Kongpob look down shyly.
Weir giggled as he looked at Arthit, signalling to come forward and he did. Weir didn't miss a chance to tease him.
"You're a sly man, Arthit."
Arthit chuckled, shaking his head at the other's teasing. The next second he was surprised when Weir passed the necklace to him.
"What are you looking at? Claim your man, Arthit!"
Weir's exciting voice made everyone cheer for the couple.
Arthit clutched onto the necklace in his hand, smiling widely, dimples on display. Hazel orbs glistened as his heart beat faster. He met Kongpob's shy stare, the sight of the male made him sigh in contentment.
After the final hope in him had died down he had finally taught his mind that Kongpob will never be his. He never thought things would turn out the way they did and fate will bring them back together.
Kongpob closed his eyes, lips parted softly as he breathed heavily. Arthit had stepped closer to him, his hands locking the necklace around him. When he removed the necklace from his neck forever, that Arthit had put on him, it was the last piece of his possession of Arthit's. He never thought he'll be able to wear it once again, that too being put on by the same man.
Tears slid down Kongpob's cheeks as he wide, a trembling smile graced his lips when Arthit cupped his cheeks gently. A tight kiss pressed onto his forehead. Loud cheers ringed around them.
"Come on, everyone! We have a wedding to attend!"
Weir cheered out loud, high giving with Ed who stood beside him. Both content with seeing the couple reunite in front of them.
Arthit smiled softly, staring at the love of his life, his husband, sleeping beside him, naked under the white covers that lay till his chest. A few rose petals on his hair and shoulder from where it lay all over their king-size bed.
The sunlight through the white curtains falling on the latter's honey skin, making him look ethereal in his eyes. His long lashes caressing the skin under his eyes, hair ruffled messily.
Arthit reached forward, laying his hand on the side of the other's neck. His thumb caressed the reddish spot on the base of the neck. Signs of their passionate wedding night.
After their auspicious wedding, officially being husbands, after lunch they were sent to the changing room to prepare for the evening reception.
Having some time for themselves, in the privacy of the four walls Arthit cradled Kongpob in his arms as the latter cried his heart out in his arms. Arthit found himself shedding tears.
Tears of relief and happiness. They shed shared tears and talked their hearts out. The fear, disappointment and uncertainty that lay before them until Weir made everything right. All of it took a major part of their energy and they found themselves taking a short nap after setting an alarm on Arthit's phone.
They had settled down on the couch inside the room, Kongpob's hands clutched onto Arthit's shirt in the front, his head laying on his shoulder as Arthit had his arms wrapped around him.
Arthit found himself being truly happy, seeing the man now laying on his bed, in their bedroom. Something he thought he'll never be able to experience again.
He smiled wider, dimples popping on his cheeks as he watched Kongpob stir in his sleep, beneath his touch. The latter soon moved closer to him, snuggling into his chest. Arthit closed his eyes in contentment as Kongpob's hand laid on his bare chest, lips brushing his skin.
"Good morning," Arthit whispered, laying a soft kiss on the crown of the other's head. His hand reached up to caress his fluffy hair.
"Good morning," Kongpob lazily mumbled against his chest, making the other chuckle.
"I love you."
Arthit blinked, surprised at the sudden confession from the man in his arms. He guessed the other might be still in his sleep-dazed mind but when he looked down he was met with round charcoal orbs, staring back at him with a small smile on his lips.
"I love you too."
Arthit nudged their noses. Kongpob giggled. He reached forward, placing his hand on Arthit's cheek. Caressing the skin beneath him, poking on the dimple making them both giggle.
"I never thought I will be able to wake up one day and see you beside me, in my arms, like this." Arthit pulled the other closer to him by his waist, their naked bodies flushed together under the covers.
Kongpob's eyes softened, his smile fell for a second before it came back to its place.
"I'm sorry, Arthit. I-"
"Shh..." Arthit shook his head, leaning forward he captured the other's lips in his. Kongpob closed his eyes, melting into the soothing kiss of the other. Nibbling onto each other's soft fleshes, slow and steady. Just assuring eachother that they're here, at this point of their life.
Pulling away Arthit took Kongpob's hand in his, pulling it up to his lips. Kissing his knuckles. The couple looked down at their intertwined fingers, smiling as they saw the matching rings, glistening on their fingers.
"Leave the past where it belongs, love. We have started a new life, all that we need to think about is the present and the future."
Kongpob smiled, nodding his head. A comfortable silence soon filled between them. Just staring into each other's eyes, smiling and caressing each other's faces. Cuddled up together.
When the digital clock on the bedside table beeped, they checked the time to notice that they had slept in. And late for breakfast too.
"Ready for the endless teasing, dear husband?" Arthit smirked when Kongpob turned back to look at his husband.
They're surely going to be the subjects of their family's teasing, especially Weir. It's the first time they are being late for breakfast and most probably not the last.
"Do we have a choice?"
Arthit laughed. Rolling off the bed, he wore his boxer that laid on the floor. "I guess, we don't."
Kongpob chuckled, sitting up on the bed. Clutching on the blanket. A small yelp left his lips when he was suddenly lifted from the bed by a pair of strong arms.
He immediately wounded his arms around Arthit's neck, smiling back when the latter winked at him.
"What better way to start your morning with a shower together with your husband?"
Kongpob laughed, landing a kiss on Arthit's cheek before he laid his head on his shoulder. Enjoying Arthit carrying him around.
Home, this felt home.
This was what they searched for, that they needed. This is what's right.
"Hi, Kong," Arthit casually waved at the other who tried to smile at him.
Kongpob stood in front of him, fidgeting with his fingers, "You wanted to see me?"
Arthit looked around, trying to gather himself first before talking to the other. They were at the indoor pool in the house. He was sure no one would get inside in the afternoon so he asked Kongpob to meet him there.
"Well, Kong," Arthit stared back into the black orbs that never failed to bring butterflies inside him."I have to talk to you about something important."
"Your Mae gave me a big responsibility," Arthit noticed how Kongpob's eyebrows furrowed.
"She approves of Ed."
Kongpob's eyes widened. He knew that his mother was very much interested in making Ed his partner but he hasn't been giving any signals from his side that he preferred the relationship to take a step forward. But he didn't think that Rin would talk about it to Arthit.
"She thinks I'm the only one who can talk to you about him, that I'm the only one who can convince you to marry him," Arthit chuckled, shaking his head at how silly all those sounded."So, what do you think, Kong?"
"Arthit, Stop it," Kongpob pleaded, he could see that the other was testing him. He can't take it.
Arthit snapped his gaze at the other, taking a step forward, "I'm not joking, Kong. I have to give your Mae an answer."
"So tell me, what should I tell her?"
Kongpob gulped, shaking his head. His hands curled around his waist, gripping the sides of his sweater.
"I can't say yes to marrying someone else."
"Why not? Arrange marriages aren't rare in this world. Our parents' marriages were arranged. They hadn't even met properly during their times but you know Ed and from what I see, you seem to like him."
"Arthit," Kongpob tried to warn the other, though his voice came out as a mere whisper. He knew the other was mocking him, the fake smile on the latter's lips and his attitude were making him feel sick.
"Of course, if you're in love with someone else, that's a different case," Arthit casually voiced out.
He turned to face Kongpob, faking a questioning look."Are you in love with someone else, Kong?"
Kongpob turned his face away, he can't hold the other's stare. He won't be able to stop himself from breaking down.
"Tell me, Kong, are you in love with someone else?"
Kongpob could only shake his head, a soft whimper leaving his lips. "Stop it, Arthit. Stop it, please."
"That's exactly what I've been wanting to tell you, Kong!" Kongpob gasped as he was violently turned to face Arthit as the other's hands clutched onto his shoulder."Stop this nonsense already, Kong! Stop it now!"
"Do you enjoy playing with people's hearts?"
Trying to control his tears, his eyes burning, as he stared into those warm hazel orbs, filled with pain and distress.
"First me, then Weir, then Ed and now your parents too!?"
Kongpob's jaw clenched as Arthit spat his words on him. He knew he deserves this. He was the only one responsible for everything.
"How many more hearts do you want to break, Kong!? How many more hearts do you want to play with?" Arthit couldn't help but let out the frustration inside him.
"What you call a play could be real," Kongpob mumbled, trying to gather his courage in front of the taller male.
Arthit scoffed, "Then, turn this lie into a truth, Kong! I dare you. Agree to marry Ed, I dare you."
Kongpob gasped, his eyes wide. Feeling as if someone was suffocating him. The thought of being someone else's other than Arthit's seemed like a nightmare.
"You will never agree to marry Ed. You love me too much, Kong."
Kongpob blinked, letting his tears slide. No longer finding the strength to hold them in. It was true. Arthit knew him well. He can't do that, being someone else's, the thought made him feel nauseous. He can't do that. He would never be able to give himself into that thought.
"Enough, Arthit. Enough, stop it now," Kongpob pleaded through gritted teeth.
Arthit smiled, "Not before you say yes to Ed. Then will I hold my silence."
"9 days from now, I and Weir are getting married."
Kongpob looked away, turning his back on Arthit. Wiping his tears roughly as he felt Arthit step closer to him. His breath fanned his neck, making the hairs on his nape rise. He shuddered when the other whispered.
"Now it's your turn to make the sacrifice, Kongpob. If by tomorrow you haven't said yes about Ed, I'll announce in front of everyone that I love you."
Kongpob turned around absurdly. Fear and shock in his eyes as he stared at the other. Arthit's face held no emotion, just staring blankly at him. But the veins that popped on his forehead signalled him how stressed the other was.
"Tomorrow, nobody will be able to stop me. Even you won't, Kong."
Arthit shut his eyes, his jaw clenched as he pushed Kongpob away from him."Now you can go."
Kongpob stumbled back, covering his mouth with his hand as he tried to stop his sobs and cries from escaping. He saw how Arthit's shoulders were shaking with anger and frustration. He could only cry as he walked away. Noticing the love of his life grip his hair his frustration.
I'm sorry, Arthit.
Arthit watched with a bitter smile on his face as Ed inserted the engagement ring on Kongpob's finger. His heart beating loud, the sound echoing in his ears.
He never thought that Kongpob would agree to this. He believed that the pressure he was giving on the latter would make him realise that what he was doing was wrong and that would eventually lead him to open up everything. To declare their true love for eachother.
But he was wrong. Kongpob was too strong, stronger than him. Unlike him who was still feeling like a shattered piece of glass. Maybe Kong felt it too, he could see how broken the other was but Kongpob had more strength and willpower in him than himself.
Two days back when Kongpob announced to everyone at breakfast that he will marry Ed the house had bustled with instant preparations for an engagement party. And Arthit finally got his answer.
Now within a few days, it's going to be their wedding too. He stood no chance.
"Mae."
Rin cranes her head to the side, smiling wide when she saw her son.
"You're here, come, have a seat, Kong. You didn't eat right?"
They were at the patio, having breakfast and Rin and Achara were serving everyone before they sat down to have theirs.
"I wanted to tell you something."
The tone of Kongpob's voice confused her as if he was going to tell something too important. But she shrugged the thought off.
"What is it, son?"
Kongpob glanced at everyone, who was busy with their own affairs on the patio. He took a deep breath. Giving one last look at Arthit who was reading the newspaper he turned to face Rin.
"I'm ready to marry Ed."
There was a momentary silence as everyone halted what they were doing. Kongpob bit his lips staring at everyone's stunned face.
"What?" Rin turned around, stepping towards her son.
"Are you really saying yes, Kong!?" Kerkkrai asked, surprised.
Kongpob nodded his head affirmatively. Trying to smile when everyone, except for one, started to get off their chairs, not being able to sit after the revelation of such great news.
"Let's have two weddings on the same day!" Achara exclaimed excitedly, hugging Rin with utmost happiness.
"This is fantastic!" David joined, smiling wide at them.
"Let me tell this happy news to Mrs Vicharat!" Achara rushed back inside to call Ed's mother. He was as excited as Rin for Kongpob.
"Now we're going to get married on the same day! I'm going to call Ed! He's gonna be soo happy!" Weir hugged Kongpob, almost making the other fall with the force before he followed inside.
Kongpob could only share smiles with everyone. But his breath hitched when Rin stepped towards Arthit to hug him. Her words made his lips quiver.
"Arthit, son, I know you convinced Kong to agree to get married. Thank you so much, son," Rin caressed the other's back, she couldn't explain how overwhelmed she is right now.
Arthit nodded his head, smiling at the elder woman. He watched as everyone make their way inside, Rin following with Kerkkrai. Once everyone was gone Arthit made his way towards Kongpob who stood at the same spot, hugging his arms around his waist.
"Congratulations, Kong, "Arthit tried to smile.
"Thank you."
Kongpob scolded himself at how weak his voice sounded, like a mere whisper.
"Aunty's right," Arthit chuckled."You're marrying because of me, right?"
He sighed, the small smile on his face lingering which made Kongpob feel the ache that the other was feeling, yet being so helpless.
"We're getting married on the same day to two different people," Arthit took a deep breath."What better news could there possibly be?"
Kongpob could feel the path the tears were forming on his cheeks. He didn't mind wiping them as he stared at Arthit with blurry eyes. He knew the other was trying his best to control his emotions, he can read it on the other's face. The fear, uncertainty and love. Everything danced in a pool of hazel orbs.
"Ed will make you very happy. You wouldn't find a nicer guy."
Smiling through his clenched jaw Arthit murmured, "No one could love you more than him."
Kongpob gasped, "Ar-"
"Kong!"
Kongpob quickly wiped his tears as Weir rushed towards him.
"Kong, let's go- huh?" Weir blinked, examining his best friend's face.
"Hey, Mr America," Weir turned accusingly towards his fiance, "Why are you making my best friend cry?!"
Arthit chuckled but Weir could only stand speechless as he noticed the teary eyes of the other.
"Oh!You too?" Weir blinked, trying to step forward to check if the latter was really crying but Arthit immediately wiped his whelmed-up tears.
"How come I never cry out of happiness? Not fair!" Weir's whining voice made the two chuckle. Staring at eachother behind Weir's back as they walked along with the other to step inside the house, Kongpob and Arthit felt the pull in their hearts, not wanting to let go of eachother. But they didn't have any option now.
"The first time the four of us were together in this hall, was during our engagement. And now it's for your engagement!" Weir clapped her hands excitedly making the other three chuckle.
"Who would have guessed so much would happen so fast?" Ed smiled, glancing at Kongpob who sat beside him.
Arthit nodded, "True."
The engagement party had ended, and every guest has left so the four decided to sit together and spend time. The day was indeed busy, they needed to relax a bit. Their parents had gone to clear up things so they decided to sit together.
"So much has happened so fast, hasn't it, Kong?" Arthit raised his eyes at the latter who sat opposite to him, his eyes falling on Kongpob's hand on the table. Catching the shining metal on his finger.
Kongpob immediately pulled his hand down to his lap, knowing what Arthit was looking at. Everyone stared at him, waiting for him to reply so Kongpob could only force a smile and nod his head.
"Hey! Let's play spin the bottle!" Weir quirked up the next second, taking the bottle which was on the table."Whoever the bottle points to has to answer the question truthfully."
Weir smiled wide, "I'll spin the bottle first!"
Waiting for the bottle to spin, once it finally stopped Weir smirked at the person opposite to him."Ed, you're first!"
"So, who's asking him the question?"
"I'll," Arthit volunteered, leaning forward, crossing his hands on the table.
"How much do you love Kong?" Arthit asks making Ed chuckle. He noticed how Kongpob's stiffened at the question.
"As much as you love Weir, plus a little more," Ed winked making Weir giggle as he patted his best friend's arm teasingly.
Arthit nodded his head, processing the other's words. Chuckling next, "That's good."
"Now, next is-" Weir spun the bottle, waiting with curiosity.
"It's Kong!"
"I'm asking, I'm asking!" Ed raised his hand, not giving others a chance as he turned to face his now fiance.
"Why did you agree to marry me, Kong?"
Ed couldn't help but use the opportunity to ask the question that had been nagging his mind. The last time they met together Kongpob wasn't yet ready to start a relationship, let alone marriage. So he wants to know what changed the latter's mind.
"Well, my best friends are getting married and I needed a friend," Kongpob faced Ed, smiling softly."I heard you can be a good friend."
"That I'm," Ed looked proud as he wiggled his eyebrows. Though he knew there was a lot more to the answer than what Kongpob told. But he doesn't want to push it, especially when the other two are seated with them.
"I'll spin it now," Ed moved forward to spin the bottle.
"I'll ask him!" Weir immediately responded when the bottle turned towards Arthit. The latter could only chuckle at Weir's childish acts.
Weir grins as Arthit waits for his question.
"Tell me, if I and Kong would be going to get hit by a truck, who will you save?"
"What kind of rubbish question is that, Weir?" Kongpob glares at his best friend who shrugged his shoulders.
"What? I'm his fiance and you're his best friend, I just wanted to know who he'll choose," Weir winks at Kongpob. "Besides, it's just for fun."
"But Weir this is-" Kongpob turns his attention to Arthit who interrupted him.
"One of them is my love and the other is my friend, it's quite hard to choose," Arthit chuckles. Stealing glances at Kongpob who looked uncomfortable in front of him.
"Of the three of us, I would've saved the two of you and let myself run over by the truck. That's my answer."
Arthit smiles at his fiance.
"But, what if the choice was between love and friendship?"
"Weir!" Kongpob couldn't help but reprimand Weir. His questions were too much.
"I would save you course," Arthit gives a tight smile to Weir who giggles at his response but he shook his head the next second.
"No, you should save Kong. Choose friendship over love. Save my darling Kong!" Weir leaned over to hug Kongpob who tried to wiggle out of his grip.
"What rubbish are you both taking? Friendship, love! Nonsense."
Weir pouted at Kongpob, not knowing why the latter was getting mad at the question he asked Arthit.
"Come on, don't get mad. We'll move to the next round!"
Kongpob sighed, leaning back on the chair. He looked up at Ed when the other placed his hand on his shoulder, caressing it. Trying to calm him down and Kongpob could only smile in return.
Weir giggled when the bottle pointed at himself, turning towards Arthit he smirked at him.
"Hey Mr America, this is your chance. You can ask me whatever you want."
Arthit chuckled at how childish Weir looked at the moment, "What should I ask you?"
"If you have anything to confess to me, go ahead. Open up."
Arthit noticed how Weir's smile faltered for a second before the other masked it.
"I have nothing to confess," Weir gulped. He felt Kongpob reach out to him. Placing his hand on his knee in support.
Arthit shrugged his shoulders, "Then you're getting off easy."
"Wait," Weir took a deep breath, he doesn't want to hide it anymore."I do have something to tell you."
The table went silent as Weir mustered his courage to voice out what was in his mind.
"I didn't write those letters, Arthit."
Kongpob couldn't help but glance at Arthit, he cursed the latter in his mind for asking the question but he couldn't blame him either. Weir has to tell the truth one or the other day.
"We'll be married soon, I don't want our new life to begin with a lie. For 14 years what you believed to be true is a lie and I'm sorry for that Arthit."
"I didn't write those letters to you. I didn't want to lie to you and I can't keep lying to you." Weir reached out to take his finance's hand in his, "Please forgive me, Arthit. I'm sorry."
He knows that it's his fault, he hid the fact from Arthit before the engagement. He had been thinking about it for long but never did he gather the courage to do that. If he doesn't do it now he won't ever be able to and that would be bad, real bad when Arthit finds out one day.
Arthit smiled, placing his other hand over Weir's, "You only need to forgive those you don't love, Weir. The ones who love you never get angry with you. Forget the apology. It's fine."
Weir blinked, surprised. He wasn't expecting this. He thought Arthit would lash out or at least get angry with him.
"Arthit, you're really not angry with me?"
"I've promised you a lifetime, how can I get angry with you?" Arthit tilted his head, patting Weir's hand.
"This game has gotten far too serious."
Everyone turned their attention to Ed who sighed.
"Anyway, do you know who wrote those letters?" Ed asked curiously. He has heard from Arthit how he fell in love with Weir. The latter had told him bits about it so he has a picture of the whole situation.
"Kong did!" Weir replied innocently.
"Then I should be marrying, Kong. Don't you think so?"
Silence took over the table at Arthit's words. Weir glanced between Arthit and Kongpob, his best friend looked shocked, as if trying to mask his expression while Arthit looked nonchalant. But those hazel eyes said something else that he couldn't point out.
Weir laughed the next second, not wanting to create any misunderstanding with Ed as he knows Arthit might have just joked about it. "You're such a tease, Arthit! Always joking!"
Arthit chuckled, shaking his head he looked down on his lap as Weir and Ed laughed beside him.
"Yup, one big joke," he couldn't help but mumble, unaware of the pair of eyes that eyed him with confusion.
"Arthit."
The latter hummed as he glanced at Ed who was walking beside him.
They had gone out in the evening, just for a walk since the weather was so pleasant. The evening sky looked beautiful with the hue of orange and purple. Casting beautiful shadows over the city. Cold breeze and calmness washed over them.
"I'm marrying Kong tomorrow."
Ed's tensed voice made Arthit chuckle.
"Yes, you're marrying him tomorrow and I'm marrying Weir. Why? Scared?"
Ed shook his head with a chuckle, "No, but I think Kong is."
Arthit stopped in his tracks, turning to face the other.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know why but I think Kong is upset about something," Ed looked down at his feet, sighing before he looked up at the other in question.
"You're his friend, do you know what's bothering him?"
"I-I don't know," Arthit looked away.
"Arthit," the calmness and worry in the other's voice made Arthit face him. "I don't want Kong to just be my life partner, I want him to be a part of my heart. But I think his heart is somewhere else."
"Even though he's with me, he doesn't belong to me."
"It's nothing, Ed," Arthit tried to assure the latter even though he knows the truth is way different than that."Every person gets nervous before their wedding. It's a strange restlessness. Their life is going to change forever, we can never really understand what the other might be feeling exactly."
"But you understand him," Ed interrupted with a small smile, the corner of his lips lifted softly.
"You and Kong know eachother well, you're really good friends, right?"
Arthit nodded with a smile. But it soon faded at the words that followed.
"That friendship never became love?"
Ed shrugged his shoulders with a loud chuckle, "If I'd have been you, I would have fallen for Kong."
"Are you asking me or telling me?"
Ed faced the other, staring right into his eyes, "Both."
Arthit bit his inner cheek. He can see that Ed had figured things out and at the same time he can see that even though this was complicated Ed was willing to give it a try. Things have reached to this point and Arthit doesn't think there's any other way to bring things back to normal.
"Love doesn't just mean saying I love you to someone, Ed."
Ed blinked surprised at the other.
"Love is love even without saying anything. And love is sacrifice too. It means keeping quiet for each other's sakes," the image of Kongpob's teary face when he had taken the oath in the church rushed into his mind. They have both sacrificed a lot for the sake of others' happiness.
"Loving isn't merely possessing. Love is also giving up your own happiness for someone else's happiness," twinkling dark orbs of the honey-skinned man flashed in his mind. The carefree smile that he used to see when they were in London. He wanted to see it once again, one last time.
"Love had soo many faces, Ed."
With a pained lift of his lips, Arthit patted Ed's shoulder before he walked away. Leaving Ed behind.
Ed understood what the other meant. And he's happy that the other was somehow able to open up to another person about it. Arthit hadn't told him nor does he know what really transferred between him and Kongpob but he knows that the two had loved eachother too much. Too much that their eyes talked when they met, their body talked when the other was in close proximity. Ed wasn't blind to not notice everything.
"Love also means Arthit and Kongpob."
Ed couldn't help but whisper, a tight smile on his lips as he watched Arthit walk away.
Tomorrow might be his wedding but he knows Kongpob won't be truly his. Whatever the reason might be for why Kongpob decided to marry him he will let it be. He'll let Kongpob have him in his life till he wishes to, once everything is settled and Kongpob realises he doesn't need him anymore he'll leave. Maybe that will be the only help he can do for the two.
Kongpob bit his lips as he walked closer to the figure that stood behind the tree, looking over at the pond in their large backyard.
As he got closer to the latter he couldn't help but admire him. He could see the other's side profile from where he stood and the moonlight falling on the pale, milky skin made the other look divine. Like an angel out of heaven. The serene look on his face made him feel at ease, though his heart was beating fast, as if ready to jump out of its cage.
He stepped closer to the other, a few feet behind him. And before he could call for his attention the latter turned towards him.
The sight that welcomed him made a small smile stretch on his lips, even through the pain that etched in him at the presence of the other.
"Pinkmilk?"
Arthit innocently asked as he stretched the cup in front of Kongpob who shook his head with a small chuckle. Kongpob couldn't help but think how child-like the other looked when he turned to face him. With the transparent cup in his hand, sipping onto the straw, wide hazel eyes staring at him with the innocence that reminded him of their childhood.
"I made them myself for the first time with the powder and syrup you gave me last time. I know you're not a fan of sweet but won't you try it for once?" Arthit tilted his head, pouting a little. As if there wasn't anything going on between them.
"Then I should taste it," Kongpob smiled when the other's face lit up with a smile as he stepped forward.
He was about to take the bottle from the other but Arthit stepped closer to him, catching the straw steadily as he moved the bottle near. Butterflies danced under Kongpob's stomach, despite what all they had gone through as he leaned forward and took a long sip from the drink.
Kongpob's nose scrunched as he swallowed the drink. He looked up at the other with raised eyebrows, "A little too sweet, did you add extra syrup?"
"Well, I have a sweet tooth," Arthit flashed a sheepish grin.
Kongpob rolled his eyes, loving how casual they were right now.
"You'll get diabetes in your 30s if you drink like this."
Arthit laughed, the mere sound being a melody to Kongpob's ears. Only he knows how much he had yearned to hear that sound for once.
They soon settled into silence, a comfortable one at that. Despite everything. Wordlessly they moved towards the tree, leaning on it as they looked over at the pond. It was a chilly day and they didn't want to wet their clothes by sitting on the grass.
"During the past few days, I have hated you, Kong."
Kongpob raised his head, turning to face the taller man. He bit his lips when he saw the latter's gaze turned to him. Staring at him with those soft eyes. Tender and gentle. Completely different from the stares he had gotten in the past days. Before his engagement.
"Really-Really hated you," a ragged breath left Arthit's lips.
"I thought you were being stubborn, that you didn't know what you were doing."
"I realise now that you did. And that I was wrong," Arthit chuckled.
He noticed how Kongpob's eyes glistened under the moonlight, reflecting the whelmed-up tears. Arthit smiled at him, admiring the other up close.
Kongpob had lost weight, he knows it's because of him. There was shine in his eyes at the moment, which was gone after they broke things off at the church. He's glad to know that he still has the effect to bring the old Kongpob back.
"I'm proud to have loved you, Kong," Arthit reached to hold the other's hand. "And I'm happy for the love you gave me."
"Even if we couldn't be together, our love will always be there."
A soft sob escaped Kongpob's lips, not knowing what to feel with the other's words. The build-up emotions in him tripped out in the form of tears. He wanted to speak, tell a lot of things to Arthit. Open his heart but he knew the other wanted to speak more. And he wanted to listen to him.
Fear had gripped him, what if he won't be able to hear Arthit talk out to him like today, after this?
"I don't know the true meaning of love," Arthit could feel his own eyes set on fire with how he was trying to control his emotions.
"But I do know that whatever happens to us now is what love really means."
Kongpob closer his eyes, pressing his tears out as he sobbed. His body moved closer to the other's warmth. His hand gripped Arthit's sweater on the front.
Arthit smiled, wrapping his arms around the other. The bottle in his hand slipped out of his grip."We have to end one chapter in our lives and begin another, Kong."
"We started as friends and once again we'll have to be just friends."
Arthit softly made Kongpob look up at him. Round teary eyes staring back at him made his heartache.
"This time-" Arthit took a deep breath, "Forever."
"So, no tears." Arthit wiped Kongpob's tears with his thumb, cupping the other's face between his palms. "We're starting new."
Pulling away from eachother Kongpob sniffled. Wiping his blocked nose he looked down at the hand that was outstretched towards him.
"Friends?" Arthit smiled through the tears that rolled down his face.
Biting his lips Kongpob reached forward with a shaky hand. Holding the other's hand.
Both tried desperately to hold their smiles as their eyes met. Failing miserably the next second as they pulled eachother for a tight embrace.
Kongpob cried harder in Arthit's arms when a soft pair of lips pressed on the crown of his head. Running long fingers through his hair.
This night, the stars and the moon. Water, air and earth being the witness to their parting. The love that they have for eachother witnessed by nature.
They knew this was the last time they can hold eachother like this. From tomorrow morning, past 10, they'll be somewhere else, someone else's. They wanted to take in the last minutes with their true love, engraving the warmth of eachother in their hearts.
"Kong, here's your necklace! Why did you remove it? It looked beautiful on you!" Weir couldn't help but take the necklace in his hand, dangling it from his palm. He smiled wide looking at it.
He had seen the necklace on Kongpob's neck for a long time. It's only after the other's engagement that he found Kongpob wasn't wearing it anymore.
When he had asked where Kongpob had got the beautiful necklace from he said he had brought it from London when he came for the interview.
The dazzling circle of love diamond pendant, of two rings that connect. Weir loved it when Kongpob wore it, though he didn't understand why the latter always tried to hide it beneath his clothes. And Weir never questioned it.
"I-I don't want to."
Kongpob gulped, straightening his wedding suit.
"But you aren't wearing anything around your neck," Weir raised an eyebrow. He wanted Kongpob to wear it, it looked beautiful when he wears it.
"I said leave it, Weir. You should get ready fast. I'm done here."
Weir pouted, why was Kongpob getting soo worked up? He thinks it might be the wedding jitters. He still can't believe that they are going to get married today.
"But Kong-"
"There the is necklace! I have been looking for it since yesterday night!"
Weir and Kongpob turned their attention to Achara as she walked into the room with a deep sigh of relief.
Achara can finally breathe as she found the necklace in Weir's hand. She had been looking in her room for it but couldn't find it and the fact that maybe Arthit might have taken it hadn't crossed her mind since she was getting too busy with all the preparations.
"What's so special about this?" Weir raised an eyebrow.
"Arthit is always up to something," Achara chuckled as she took the necklace from Weir's hand, caressing it. "He had his eyes on this for long, since he was a kid."
Kongpob's lips trembled, he glanced at Achara, noticing the blooming smile on her lips.
"I-I'll be downstairs."
"Ok, dear. Arthit and Ed are down too, they're waiting for you two, to get blessings from the elders," Achara informed, smiling at Kongpob who returned it before hurrying outside. She couldn't help but chuckle seeing him nervous. They're at a hotel in London, where the wedding was taking place.
They had planned to conduct the wedding with a mixture of traditional and modern cultures. As a part of traditional custom, they wanted the grooms to get blessed by the elders before they would walk down the aisle.
"This is Arthit's?" Weir asked sceptically.
Achara turned towards the younger male, shaking her head."Oh, no, son. It isn't."
"This necklace had been in our family for years, it passes down to the in-laws. And every in-law wears them."
Weir's eyebrows furrowed. Something was not right.
"Arthit told me that when he finds his lover, the one who he'll be marrying, he'd get this necklace and make the person wear it and then he'd present them to me. So I'd know who my son's spouse is gonna be."
Achara couldn't help but laugh at the memory of a teenage Arthit. But even after all these years, Arthit had kept his word.
"Well, Arthit kept his word. He gave it to you before I could. Wear it and come down quickly, ok? Or else we'll be late. We have to take blessings too."
Weir forced a smile at Achara who patted his shoulder before she walked away, mumbling to herself how finding the necklace would have been such an easy job if her son had told her that he had given it to his fiance already.
Weir closed his eyes, gripping the necklace in his palm. A single tear rolled down his cheek.
Ed walked up to Arthit who stood by the large glass window. Looking over at the hotel's garden. A sigh left his lips, the sound signalled Arthit that there was someone beside him.
"Are you sure, Arthit?" Ed couldn't help but ask.
"Why? Scared?" Arthit chuckled, his gaze fixed out of the window.
Ed took a deep breath, "What are we doing, Arthit?"
The small smile that lingered on the other's lips vanished. Arthit gulped.
"We're fulfilling the wish of someone we both love."
Ed could feel the strength Arthit was putting up in himself and if possible he would be ready to give up what he's feeling to make two people happy, make the one he loves happy.
"Are we doing the right thing, Arthit?"
He has to ask if there was any possibility that Arthit rethinks his decision Ed wants that to happen.
Arthit looked up at him, smiling softly. But Ed could see the glistening orbs of the other. Arthit reached forward, patting Ed's shoulder before he walked away towards the elders who were busy at the front with all the preparations.
Ed sighed, bracing the future that was ahead of them, he followed Arthit towards the elders.
"Kong is here!"
Kerkkrai announced as he watched his son step out of the elevator. Soon everyone turned their attention towards the young man, squealing and exclaiming the next second how handsome the other looked.
Arthit had initially planned to not even give a glance at Kongpob but who was he kidding? He would take every little chance he gets to meet the other male. And that's what he did now.
A very wrong move.
Arthit couldn't take his eyes off Kongpob. With a buttoned-up white shirt and navy blue velvet suit that hugged the curves of the other, Kongpob looked handsome and beautiful in his eyes. But what he always thought that made Kongpob more beautiful was absent, his genuine smile.
The glow in the other's face wasn't present. He could sense the fake smiles he was giving everyone. He noticed it. And he thinks Ed sensed it too because he heard the other sigh beside him.
"One groom is here, where is the other one?" David called out, making the others chuckle.
"You know how Weir is, he takes a lot of time to dress up. Don't worry, he'll be here soon," Achara walked in, smiling brightly when she saw Kongpob who was in Rin's tight embrace.
Kongpob pulled away from his mother, he smiled softly at Rin who looked soo happy. Her son was finally getting married, how couldn't she be happy, right?
His gaze turned towards the two other men in suits. Surprisingly the two were looking at him and he pulled out a nervous smile. Ed smiled back at him softly while Arthit just blankly stared at him. But he could feel the distress Arthit was in.
Arthit stood out for him among everyone. His hair jelled back, hands in his pockets, wearing a black suit and white silk shirt underneath, the colour complimenting Arthit's features. The other looked stunning. Except for the fact that his hazel orbs didn't hold the light in them. And that only made him sigh.
Like many other times, he wished Arthit would be marrying him. He wanted this special moment in his life to be with Arthit but he cannot.
"Go Kong, stand beside Ed. Let us see you both together," Rin nudged her son, smiling at him.
Kongpob nodded his head, walking towards the two males. Taking his place beside Ed who smiled at him. The latter was wearing a navy blue suit with a white silk shirt, matching his outfit. Well, that's what grooms do. Isn't it?
"Are you ok, Kong?" Ed asked softly, though he knows the answer to the question very well.
"I'm fine, just wedding jitters," Kongpob let out a nervous chuckle.
Ed sighed, "Kong, if you don't want to mar-"
"Weir!"
The sudden outburst from Rin took their attention.
"Why are you here like this!? Where is your wedding suit?!" Achara exclaimed in horror.
Watching Weir step out of the elevator wearing a simple baggy shirt and jeans, his hair done casually and makeup removed, stunned everyone. Even the guests present there had their eyes wide open. Weir didn't look like a groom at all.
"I-I just wanted to talk," Weir gave a firm gaze at everyone, including his fiance who was too shocked to react.
"What are you saying? Weir what-"
"I want to talk to Arthit and Kong. Everyone else please be patient, I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
Weir turned towards the two, he was thankful when he noticed that Ed had stepped out from between the two. Walking toward his two friends, he smiled.
"You both act really well," Weir chuckled when he saw Kongpob's eyes turn wide.
"How long would you have hidden it from me, Kong? I thought I knew you inside out, but guess I was wrong. I'm a shitty friend who couldn't see the hurt my best friend was going through," Weir felt his insides clench at the sight of Kongpob's watery eyes. How could he not notice this?
"Weir, no, I-"
Weir shook his head, "It's ok, Kong. Don't deny that you were hurt."
Turning to face Arthit, Weir couldn't help but smile at the man.
"Do you remember when I asked you to choose between love and friendship?"
"I didn't know I was such a good friend of yours, Arthit," Weir forced out a giggle, the sight made Arthit clench his fist to control his emotions."I didn't know that you would sacrifice your love for the sake of my friendship."
"How could I not notice that Kong was there in every heartbeat of yours?"
Arthit's lips trembled, he could see how much it broke Weir. He doesn't know how Weir got to know this but he's glad that the other took this decision.
"How could I not see that you loved Kong, not me?" Weir smiled when he heard gasps around him, he didn't care, the only thing he cared about was to let the two men who parted be one once again.
"Your friendship has triumphed over my love."
"Sometimes even true love eludes us "
Weir stepped closer towards Kongpob, the sight of the other sobbing made him chuckle as he wiped his tears away."Why did you think I would be alone, Kong?"
"You don't know how important your friendship is in my life, Kong," taking Kongpob's hand in his, he caressed it. Taking strength for himself through it. "Everything I have comes in twos. You and Arthit, my two good friends, two mothers and two fathers. How can I be alone when there are so many people around me?"
"I'm not alone, Kong," a sob finally left Weir's lips. "I'm not alone."
"Weir," Kongpob pulled him into his embrace, sobbing along with the other.
Soon another pair of arms wrapped around them. Kongpob looked up from Weir's shoulder to meet the teary hazel eyes. The sight made him sob hard as he wrapped his arms around both of them, pulling them closer.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Kongpob cried, burying his face into his best friend's shoulder making Weir chuckle.
"Are you saying sorry to me for loving Arthit?" Weir pulled away, wiping Kongpob's tears while the other tried to hold in his cries. "Don't do that, Kong."
"You both found your happiness but you were ready to sacrifice it for me. I'm grateful to have you and Arthit in my life as my close friends."
Weir turned towards Arthit, he looked back between his two friends smiling.
"Arthit, I-" Weir gulped when Arthit shook his head, indicating him to stop.
"You talk too much, Weir," Arthit's comment made Weir chuckle, tears rolling down his cheek.
Arthit doesn't know how what to say to the man in front of him. He was thankful to Weir for giving him back the future he had expected for him and Kongpob but at the same time, he felt guilty that Weir had to find it out today, when it was going to be their wedding day. But he is also glad that it happened so that Weir won't regret this decision.
Seeing Weir in front of him at the moment, he can see a different personality of his. Something he had never seen at all. Weir was indeed selfless, just like Kong. Ready to sacrifice each other's happiness for the other. The two best friends are really something else. But what's right had been done, and he's thankful to Weir for that.
"Can I ask you something?"
Weir raised his eyebrows at the other's question.
"Friends?"
Arthit stretched out his hand, his eyes glistening with tears as he gave his dimple smile to the other.
Weir playfully kept his finger on his chin, trying to light up the atmosphere.
"I'll see about that. I'll let you know in a day or two."
Arthit and Kongpob chuckled at the other's response, Arthit soon found Weir losing his cool. Weir's lips pressed together as he tried to control himself but that wasn't the case, he found himself breaking down. All kinds of emotions running through him.
Arthit pulled Weir into his arms, hugging the latter tight. No matter what, even though he had hated Weir during the first months after Kongpob decided to break what was there between them, with the thought that it was because of him that he lost Kongpob, Weir was still his very good friend. A friend who means a lot to him.
Arthit patted Weir's shoulder as the other sobbed into his shoulder, he gazed up at Kongpob whose red-rimmed eyes greeted him, looking tried with all the crying, tears were flowing endlessly from those charcoal orbs.
Kongpob's eyes widened a little as Arthit opened one of his hands, asking him to come forward. Biting his lips he stepped forward, into the warm embrace of the taller male.
Arthit smiled softly, pulling the two males together. He had feared if a day comes when Weir knows the truth, it will affect the friendship between Weir and Kongpob. But Weir surprised him, he was much more than what he had thought.
He looked up at their parents and guests, trying to catch anger or disappointment from them, but he was surprised when he found them shedding tears, especially their parents. What surprised him was to see guilt in the eyes of their eyes, they smiled at him when they found him looking at them.
Pulling away from the tight embrace, they wiped their tears as they chuckled. Kongpob turned toward Ed the very next second, he wants to apologise to the man.
He bit his lips when Ed smiled widely at him as he stepped forward. A ragged breath left his lips.
"Ed, I'm sor-"
"No, Kong. Don't," Ed shook his head, smiling ever soo wide. He was finally happy to see that things turned out the way they should.
"I haven't lost the one I love, Kong," Ed turned towards the other two, batting his eyebrows at the."I've made three new friends and that's a treasure."
The three couldn't help but laugh at the way Ed voiced it out.
"You're a great friend, Ed." Kongpob smiled softly.
Ed smirked, proudly crossing his arms against his chest, "That I'm."
The four young men fell into a peal of laughter. Everyone present there had a smile bloom on their lips as they watched the interaction between the four. Whatever might have happened between the four, they don't know the full story but what transpired in front of them drew an outline of what had happened and they're glad the right ones are finally able to join hands now.
Weir stepped forward towards Kongpob after everyone had calmed down. He pulled out something from his jeans pocket, making Kongpob raise his eyebrows until his eyes widened realising what it was.
"I think this is yours, right Kong?" Weir wiggled his eyebrows playfully making Kongpob look down shyly.
Weir giggled as he looked at Arthit, signalling to come forward and he did. Weir didn't miss a chance to tease him.
"You're a sly man, Arthit."
Arthit chuckled, shaking his head at the other's teasing. The next second he was surprised when Weir passed the necklace to him.
"What are you looking at? Claim your man, Arthit!"
Weir's exciting voice made everyone cheer for the couple.
Arthit clutched onto the necklace in his hand, smiling widely, dimples on display. Hazel orbs glistened as his heart beat faster. He met Kongpob's shy stare, the sight of the male made him sigh in contentment.
After the final hope in him had died down he had finally taught his mind that Kongpob will never be his. He never thought things would turn out the way they did and fate will bring them back together.
Kongpob closed his eyes, lips parted softly as he breathed heavily. Arthit had stepped closer to him, his hands locking the necklace around him. When he removed the necklace from his neck forever, that Arthit had put on him, it was the last piece of his possession of Arthit's. He never thought he'll be able to wear it once again, that too being put on by the same man.
Tears slid down Kongpob's cheeks as he wide, a trembling smile graced his lips when Arthit cupped his cheeks gently. A tight kiss pressed onto his forehead. Loud cheers ringed around them.
"Come on, everyone! We have a wedding to attend!"
Weir cheered out loud, high giving with Ed who stood beside him. Both content with seeing the couple reunite in front of them.
Arthit smiled softly, staring at the love of his life, his husband, sleeping beside him, naked under the white covers that lay till his chest. A few rose petals on his hair and shoulder from where it lay all over their king-size bed.
The sunlight through the white curtains falling on the latter's honey skin, making him look ethereal in his eyes. His long lashes caressing the skin under his eyes, hair ruffled messily.
Arthit reached forward, laying his hand on the side of the other's neck. His thumb caressed the reddish spot on the base of the neck. Signs of their passionate wedding night.
After their auspicious wedding, officially being husbands, after lunch they were sent to the changing room to prepare for the evening reception.
Having some time for themselves, in the privacy of the four walls Arthit cradled Kongpob in his arms as the latter cried his heart out in his arms. Arthit found himself shedding tears.
Tears of relief and happiness. They shed shared tears and talked their hearts out. The fear, disappointment and uncertainty that lay before them until Weir made everything right. All of it took a major part of their energy and they found themselves taking a short nap after setting an alarm on Arthit's phone.
They had settled down on the couch inside the room, Kongpob's hands clutched onto Arthit's shirt in the front, his head laying on his shoulder as Arthit had his arms wrapped around him.
Arthit found himself being truly happy, seeing the man now laying on his bed, in their bedroom. Something he thought he'll never be able to experience again.
He smiled wider, dimples popping on his cheeks as he watched Kongpob stir in his sleep, beneath his touch. The latter soon moved closer to him, snuggling into his chest. Arthit closed his eyes in contentment as Kongpob's hand laid on his bare chest, lips brushing his skin.
"Good morning," Arthit whispered, laying a soft kiss on the crown of the other's head. His hand reached up to caress his fluffy hair.
"Good morning," Kongpob lazily mumbled against his chest, making the other chuckle.
"I love you."
Arthit blinked, surprised at the sudden confession from the man in his arms. He guessed the other might be still in his sleep-dazed mind but when he looked down he was met with round charcoal orbs, staring back at him with a small smile on his lips.
"I love you too."
Arthit nudged their noses. Kongpob giggled. He reached forward, placing his hand on Arthit's cheek. Caressing the skin beneath him, poking on the dimple making them both giggle.
"I never thought I will be able to wake up one day and see you beside me, in my arms, like this." Arthit pulled the other closer to him by his waist, their naked bodies flushed together under the covers.
Kongpob's eyes softened, his smile fell for a second before it came back to its place.
"I'm sorry, Arthit. I-"
"Shh..." Arthit shook his head, leaning forward he captured the other's lips in his. Kongpob closed his eyes, melting into the soothing kiss of the other. Nibbling onto each other's soft fleshes, slow and steady. Just assuring eachother that they're here, at this point of their life.
Pulling away Arthit took Kongpob's hand in his, pulling it up to his lips. Kissing his knuckles. The couple looked down at their intertwined fingers, smiling as they saw the matching rings, glistening on their fingers.
"Leave the past where it belongs, love. We have started a new life, all that we need to think about is the present and the future."
Kongpob smiled, nodding his head. A comfortable silence soon filled between them. Just staring into each other's eyes, smiling and caressing each other's faces. Cuddled up together.
When the digital clock on the bedside table beeped, they checked the time to notice that they had slept in. And late for breakfast too.
"Ready for the endless teasing, dear husband?" Arthit smirked when Kongpob turned back to look at his husband.
They're surely going to be the subjects of their family's teasing, especially Weir. It's the first time they are being late for breakfast and most probably not the last.
"Do we have a choice?"
Arthit laughed. Rolling off the bed, he wore his boxer that laid on the floor. "I guess, we don't."
Kongpob chuckled, sitting up on the bed. Clutching on the blanket. A small yelp left his lips when he was suddenly lifted from the bed by a pair of strong arms.
He immediately wounded his arms around Arthit's neck, smiling back when the latter winked at him.
"What better way to start your morning with a shower together with your husband?"
Kongpob laughed, landing a kiss on Arthit's cheek before he laid his head on his shoulder. Enjoying Arthit carrying him around.
Home, this felt home.
This was what they searched for, that they needed. This is what's right.
End of Peraya Delight Chapter 81. Continue reading Chapter 82 or return to Peraya Delight book page.