While You Were Sleeping (Completed)

The Accident

Chapter 2: The accident

Chapter Text
It's been a terrible day for Arthit.

Firstly, his gas bottle ran out earlier than expected and he'd had to pay for a new one when he hadn't budgeted for it. Which means he needs to make double his takings tonight if possible and that means working at least two hours later.

Then his favourite supplier had run out of the noodles he liked and he'd had to hunt down some more before he could open his stall, putting him behind schedule.

Finally, his favourite customer hasn't shown up - and he always comes by on a Thursday. It's making Arthit anxious. He's concerned that maybe something has happened to Khun M, an accident or something terrible at work.

And now.. Arthit's so invested in his imaginary partner's life, that he's burnt the batch of noodles he's cooking.

He grimaces apologetically at his customer and then twists away to scrape the burned food into the bin.

It's as he turns that he spots someone familiar. But tonight, instead of a suit, Khun M is in jeans and a polo shirt and he has a red cap on his head. It's the first time Arthit's ever seen him look so casual and he can't help but gaze at him in wonder..

..which is why he sees the motorbike mount the pavement and speed towards his crush.

Arthit can do nothing, only watch in shock as Khun M is thrown into the air, hitting the pavement with an ominous Crack!

Arthit doesn't hesitate. He's by the older man's side in a second, cradling his face with shaking palms. Around him there is chaos. People calling for an ambulance, the motorbike driver screaming about his scratched up bike, a child hysterical at the sight of Khun M lying on the ground.

"Come on my love," Arthit whispers, "Open your eyes, open your eyes? You're going to be okay, come on darling, please. Please M!"

As he says his name, the man on the ground makes a weak noise in the back of his throat and then warm brown eyes lock onto Arthit's.

"Noodles?" The man says before his head lolls back and he's silent again.

Arthit starts to cry, arms still holding the man beneath him, heart shattering as M fights for his life.

They let him ride in the ambulance. No one seems to care that he's not a relative. They just scooped Arthit up along with Khun M and whisked him to the hospital, barking questions at him as Arthit clutches M's well-manicured hand with his own damp and dirty one.

"I don't know if he has allergies. No I don't know his blood type. I don't know who his next of kin is..." Arthit feels helpless.. worse than helpless as a machine breathes for the man he loves.

At the hospital, doctors whisk Khun M away and a kind lady, the receptionist, brings Arthit a cup of sweet Thai tea and a form to fill in. But really, Arthit can write nothing beyond the man's nickname.

"It's okay love, you've had a shock," Prae comforts him, her arm wrapped over his shoulder. "I'm sure your friend is going to be fine, he's with Doctor Knott and he's genuinely amazing.."

"I was going to marry him.." Arthit breathes, still in shock.

"He's your fiance?" Prae jumps to her feet, "Why didn't you say? Come on, I'll find a way to get you to him. Let's go!"

Arthit doesn't respond, still lost in his thoughts, but Prae drags him enthusiastically down the corridor to a private room where Khun M is lying, white bandage wrapped around his pale head.

The bandage is the only sign that M is hurt and it looks out of place on the high-powered businessman that Arthit assumes the man is.

"M.." he whispers as Prae leads him over and pushes him into a chair.

"Talk to him," She says, "I've heard it helps with coma patients. I'll leave you two alone."

As she leaves, Arthit drops his head on the snowy bedspread and grips his fingers into his hair. What on earth is he doing?