Secrets Kept

How?? Why??

The dining room was still silent as the house keeper bought out two plates of rice and placed them in front of Kongpob and Arthit.

Kong watched his dad's expression closely, as he really didn't know what he was going to make of this new development. He had been a little tentative about telling them when he had found out he liked this man, as he knew they wanted grandchildren to carry on their last name. After he had found out about Fiat and the whole situation, he had been a little less anxious about it all, but still, he hadn't wanted to disappoint his parents.

"That's an unusual story. So little Fiat is biologically your son as well as Kongpob's." Kerkkai finally spoke, nodding a little as he began to understand.

"So how long have you two been together?" Hom asked after a moment of silence.

"Almost 3 years now." Arthit said, looking over at Kongpob. Nodding in apparent understanding of the silent message, Kong reached over to pluck their little boy up to take him back over to his high chair. Fiat hadn't eaten yet so as soon as he was sat down again, he began shoving food into his mouth. He seemed happy to eat as he watched his parents.

"So.. how did you two meet?" Hom asked, picking up her utensils again.

"We met at Siam mall. Neither of us were paying attention as we walked, both on our phones. P'Arthit bumped into my arm, making me drop my phone. Remember when I asked to get a new phone because my old one was broken?" Kongpob asked, looking at his mom. She nodded with a laugh. Arthit shook his head, remembering the moment well.

"Well, P'Arthit offered at the time to pay to have it fixed, but I said that it was fine as I hadn't been paying attention either. I asked for his number instead when he kept trying to insist on paying for the repair. After that I kept messaging him and calling him until we started dating. The rest is history." Kongpob finished.

With a smile and a shake of his head, Arthit reached over to pick up some food from a plate in the middle of the table. Kongpob joined him in eating as they waited for the tension in the room to abate. Kong kept sneaking glances at Arthit from the corner of his eye, trying to make sure he was alright. Arthit caught him doing this just as Hom spoke up again.

"So from what I am understanding, you have kept all of this.. situation to your selves. Not even.. well, at least Kong's friends don't know about this. Em sure looked confused when he saw Fiat." She said.

"Yes. We were going to tell our friends when Kongpob got into university. But since he is in Engineering with me as the head hazer, we didn't want anyone to think I would treat him differently because of our relationship. We will be telling them after hazing, but until then, we just need to be careful." Arthit answered, a small smile appearing on his face.

Hom reached over to pick up some food that Fiat had thrown into the table to put it back onto his plate. Smiling at her grandson, she spoke again.

"Well, this was definitely not what we were expecting, what with you being... A man, but as Fiat is here and keeping us company, I think.." she was interrupted.

"Kongpob, how long have you known?" Kerkkai asked without clarifying. When he didn't continue, Kong asked.

"Known what exactly?"

"How long have you known that you were gay and didn't tell us? I thought you could tell us anything, but it seems this is something that you couldn't for some reason." Kerkkai looked upset as he said this and he had put down his spoon and fork. Kongpob glanced at Arthit, who was avoiding his eyes.

"Well, dad, I never thought of myself as gay before and I still don't. I don't like men, I just love P'Arthit. I know, that's confusing, but it is how I feel. I don't care what gender he is. I mean, do you love mom because she is a woman or because she is herself?" Kongpob asked, looking at his father. He watched as realization came over his father's face.

"Alright. Now. That's settled. N'Arthit, welcome to the family. If there is anything we can do for you, just let one of us know." Hom leaned over to clean up a little mess Fiat had made, but then went back to eating her own food.

There was another few minutes of silence in the room as they all processed different things.

"So, N'Arthit, you are in your 3rd year, correct?" Arthit's nodded at Hom's question. "Do your parents know about this... Your..." Arthit shook his head.

"No. I haven't told them anything yet, but I... We are set to go see them and explain things tomorrow. We thought it was better to get this out of the way so we don't have to keep this from anyone we love anymore. We will take Fiat with us so we can spend the weekend with him. Would you like us to bring him back here or should we leave him with my parents? Or you two can get together to set up a care schedule between you, if you would prefer." Arthit finished, waiting for a nod before lowering his head a little.

To anyone who didn't know the man, they would think he was just trying to pick what food to eat next, but Kongpob could tell he was in worry mode. He watched as Arthit bit his lip before he reached over to place his hand on Arthit's leg. The older man jumped a little then looked over at his boyfriend, with a surprised expression on his face.

"Don't worry. No matter what happens, I will be here with you. I love you too much to just walk away because someone doesn't approve." Kong said quietly so his parents couldn't hear his words. Arthit stared at him for a moment then a smile appeared. He nodded, then continued eating. Kongpob went to move his hand, but Arthit placed his own on top to keep it in place. Kong smiled and resumed eating with his other hand.

The visit after that was more relaxed as Hom and Kerkkai asked Arthit and Kongpob more questions about Arthit's life and how things were going at school for both young men. It was after they finished eating that Kongpob suddenly remembered something that he had forgotten to mention to his parents.

"Oh. By the way, I was nominated to compete in the star and moon contest in the freshy games." Kongpob glanced over at Arthit with a smile, knowing that it was because of his recommendation that they chose him.

"That's great, honey." Hom said, obviously excited. "You know, your father was his facility's moon at our university for his year. The nominee for my facilty of his year won Campus Moon. Good luck." Kerkkai just shook his head at his wife before looking at Kongpob.

"I am happy to hear that. I don't think you need luck, son. You are very handsome so you should win with no problem. What do you think, N'Arthit?" Kerkkai asked with a smirk. Arthit noticed that it resembled Kongpob's smirk so much.

"Well, to be honest, I was the one who nominated him to begin with. Looks wise, he could win. Attitude wise is another thing altogether. As for talents, what are you going to do?" Arthit asked, turning to look at Kong, who just quirked an eyebrow at him.

"I guess you are just going to have to wait and find out, now won't you?"

At this, Hom laughed. This caused Fiat to begin giggling, even though they knew he didn't understand what was funny. Arthit shook his head at their little boy as well as at his boyfriend.

The rest of the visit went by with normal conversation and Arthit cuddling a sleeping Fiat on the sofa in the living room. Arthit looked ready to fell asleep, so Kongpob nudged him.

"Arthit, let's get Fiat to bed and then head to bed ourselves." He said when Arthit looked in his direction. With a sleepy nod, Arthit stood up to wait for Kongpob to lead him to Fiat's room. He bowed his head in respect to Kong's parents as they went to leave the room. Kongpob kissed his mom on the cheek and said good night to both of them before following Arthit out of the room.