In Every Lifetime

Chapter Fourteen

After receiving instructions for Kongpob's medication from the doctor, Arthit carried the protesting boy to the already prepared tub of hot water, hoping to warm up his body. He had refused to join him in the tub despite multiple whinings about how 'it would make him feel better' from the younger one. Once he was satisfied that his lover had been warmed up and was clean enough, he hustled him into clothes and picked him up once again.

Stuffing Kongpob under the covers, Arthit busied himself by bringing him the honey ginger tea and porridge that he had instructed the villa staff to prepare. He had refused to look the boy in the eye ever since they had returned and it was unnerving Kongpob by the minute. He knew that Arthit was probably blaming himself for what had happened and he yearned to set that record straight, that it wasn't anyone's fault.

Before Kongpob could grab a hold of Arthit, the older boy had once again excused himself from the room, mumbling that he had to check if Knott had given his father and Kongpob's parents a call. Kongpob sighed. His fiance was indeed overthinking things once again. At this rate he was not going to be let out of the house for at least a month. He groaned as he fed himself, knowing he needed to finish what Arthit had brought him if he wanted his lover to listen to anything he had to say.

The gang gathered around Arthit as he came down the stairs, each enquiring if Kongpob was alright. Knott patted him on the shoulders while Tootah gave him an encouraging squeeze on the arm. He looked around at his friends. Despite everything that had happened today, he was glad that they were here with him. He didn't think he would have known how to handle the situation if they weren't.

"I've called your father and he said he would inform Kongpob's parents. He also said he'd send the van over tomorrow. It'll probably reach around noon." Knott explained gently. "It's probably best if he goes back to recuperate. We can come back another time."

"I'm sorry guys, I-"

"Arthit," Prem interrupted. "It wasn't your fault. I was on shore with you and I didn't notice Kongpob going under either."

"But I-"

"No buts," Tootah shushed, spinning his clearly shaken friend around and ushering him back up the stairs. "Go wash up and spend some time with your boy. The two of you need to talk. And stop blaming yourself."

Arthit grumbled as he unwillingly stepped back upstairs obediently. Tootah was right. He needed to talk to Kongpob. He just wasn't sure he was ready to do it yet.

"Your parents have been informed," he announced with his head hanging when he stepped back into the room, unwilling to have any eye contact. "The van will be here by afternoon. We're going home."

"Oon.."

Kongpob didn't have the chance to complete his sentence when Arthit had marched himself right into the en-suite washroom, closing the door with a small click. He laid back upon the headboard and let out a deep sigh. This was not how he had planned the weekend to go. For the first time in his life, he resented the gods. He hated them for giving him such a weak and useless body. All he had ever wanted was to stay by Arthit's side, to protect him and care for him. And yet, here he was, being babied endlessly as Arthit worried over him.

So he prayed that in his next life, he would be able to spend all the time he was going to lose with Arthit in this together with him. The time that the gods owed them. He pleaded in his mind that they would take pity on them, and not to separate them again in their next. A tear slid down his cheeks at the thought of leaving Arthit alone. He wasn't going to hold any false hope. His chest had not stopped hurting since the afternoon and Kongpob's breaths were becoming increasingly shallow. His heart thudded furiously within his chest as he tried to take even breaths to slow it down. He knew his time was near but it would kill him if he were to leave while Arthit was still mad at him.