In Every Lifetime

Chapter Eleven

"Kong, have you seen my reference book for Thermodynamics of Materials?" Arthit called out as he was making his way into Kongpob's room. He had no idea how this had happened over the past few weeks. It seemed like his belongings had somehow snuck themselves out of his room into Kongpob's and he highly suspected his fiance had something to do with it.

"Kong?" He called out again as he entered the bedroom, only to find the younger boy keeled over the ground, breathing heavily as he clutched his heart. "Kong!" Arthit yelled again as he ran to Kongpob's side.

Arthit held on tightly to his lover's hand, whispering "inhale, exhale" gently as he willed himself not to cry. Kongpob struggled to follow his every word, gripping tightly still at his chest and the hand that held him. Steadily, his ragged breathing subsided, his breaths finally normalising.

Kongpob closed his eyes as he leaned his head upon Arthit's shoulder. "I'm sorry Oon, I didn't mean to scare you like that." He mumbled, his heart still pounding rapidly but thankfully now without the pain. Arthit trembled as he pulled Kongpob securely into his embrace sideways. The adrenaline rush had finally died down and all his emotions overwhelmed him at one go.

It never got any better for Arthit. Year after year, day after day. Despite having seen Kongpob suffering his attacks more times than he can count, it didn't make it any easier for Arthit to watch from the sidelines. Every time the attacks happened, he felt as if he was the one with the heart problem as his heart always felt as though it was being ripped apart with panic and pain from watching Kongpob's suffering. He sobbed as quietly as he could without alerting the younger who was resting in his arms.

His tears however, could hardly escape the observant eyes of Kongpob who had spotted the little droplets of water appearing on his lap. "Oon, don't cry, please." He pleaded as he wiped the tears from Arthit's cheeks. "It hurts the worst when you cry."

"I'm scared, Kong," Arthit admitted, "I can't lose you."

"I won't leave you behind Oon, I promise. Even if that means haunting you in my afterlife."

"Kongpob!" Arthit wailed as he pinched his cheeky lover in the arm. Trust the boy to still be pulling jokes in such a situation.

"I mean it Oon, I don't know how to let you go. I'm going to follow you wherever you go, even if it is into the next lifetime." Kongpob grumbled, rubbing the sore spot.

"You are such a handful," Arthit groaned back in reply. Only Kongpob had the ability to cheer him up from being upset over him. It was definitely a talent he swore, and he was unfortunately destined to lose to Kongpob, over and over again.

"But you still love me right?" Kongpob asked cheekily, nuzzling his cheek on Arthit's shoulder.

Arthit flushed red as usual and mumbled something incoherent as he played with Kongpob's hand.

"I couldn't hear that Oon, could you say it again?" Kongpob pleaded with a couple of light kisses dropped on his fiance's jawline.

"I said I do and you can't leave me to be on my own. Or I'm going to be so mad at you and I'll make sure to forget all about you." Arthit huffed as he pressed a hard kiss to Kongpob's forehead, helping the latter get up.

"Aw, Oon, that's not fair."

"I don't care. You're not allowed."

Pulling Arthit back to him in a back hug, Kongpob quietly promised, "I'll love you in death, I swear. So don't forget about me. I'll cry."

"So stay alive, for me." Arthit sniffled.

"I'm trying, Oon, I'll try my damnedest."

"Promise?"