You Belong to Me

Chapter 25

Arthit didn't hear any news until the next day. May personally came to visit him in his room, which he hadn't left since the incident.

"You have to eat," she said gently and handed him a protein bar.

"Maybe later."

"Arthit..."

He didn't sleep the whole night, how could he? He was too scared to go to the hospital wing again, too anxious to check about Kong's state. What if my incompetence killed him? What if I killed him?

Threats about revenge and killing Kongpob have always been empty words. Even if Arthit meant what he said, he didn't really think about how to execute his plans. He was simply angry and couldn't handle the death of a loved one. The last loved one he had, since the rest of the family banished him.

But now, looking at how anxious and upset Kongpob's situation left him, it was safe to say that Arthit has been thinking more highly of Kong than he realized. He was always close, always helped Arthit, always protected him... kept Arthit's mind occupied.

May's visit could mean only two things, Kong's state got worse or better. Arthit was scared to ask, scared to find out the truth, and therefore hid under his blanket, unwilling to communicate further.

"Stop sulking, will you?" May demanded, she was getting fed up with those two. "Kongpob is fine and awake, looking for you." She finally stated the reason for her visit.

Arthit's body shot up upon hearing those words. The statement made him happier than he was ever willing to admit, it left a tingling sensation in his chest.

He's looking for me? Does that mean he's not angry?

"Don't cause more trouble than you have already and come with me," May instructed him but Arthit was reluctant to move.

"Maybe it's for the best if I don't," he said quietly. The last few encounters Arthit had with Kongpob ended terribly. Why push luck further? Kong was fine and that was all that mattered to Arthit.

"Don't be stubborn, I don't have the whole day for this," May was growing impatient, but who could blame her? Being caught up in a lovers' quarrel, as if she didn't have enough things to take care of.

"Tell him I don't want to see him," Arthit spat out and laid down again. He stretched the blanket over his head and started acting as if the conversation was over.

"Since when can you boss my people around, P'?"

Arthit's body shot up again upon hearing that voice. Kongpob was leaning against his doorframe with a wide smirk on his face. Nothing in his appearance indicated he was fighting for his life the day before.

"You should be in bed," May gifted him a hostile look and then sighed heavily. "Why do I bother with you two? Neither is willing to listen, both so stubborn. I'm leaving. If you die Kong, it's not on me." With that, she stormed out.

May's words seemed to affect Arthit because upon hearing them, he stood up with a worried expression.

"You should listen to her, I don't want to be responsible if something happens to you... again," Arthit muttered and made those few steps towards the door, planning to close them in Kong's face.

"It's not your fault," Kongpob said seriously. It made Arthit halt all movement and froze him on the spot – step away from Kong.

They shared intense eye contact during a long silence. Arthit searched for something, anything, to indicate that Kongpob was lying. That he blamed him for yesterday's recklessness.

He found nothing.

"You fool," Arthit breathed out, "you almost died because of me."

"That's not true," the same serious tone. "You're thinking too highly of yourself. If anything almost killed me, it was the bullet in my shoulder."

"Whatever you say," Arthit muttered and lowered his sight, "just leave." He was too tired to play this game now.

"I don't want to." Kong's stare got more intense.

"Kongpob!"

"Arthit."

Kong's said the other's name with such tenderness Arthit couldn't be more taken aback. His expression softened noticeably.

"Where's your respect," Arthit whispered. He couldn't bear this chaos anymore and turned around, showing Kong his back.

He was done, it was too much at once. Arthit wanted to cry from happiness long ago, as soon as May told him about Kongpob's situation. The relief he felt was so intense, but now? Seeing face to face the person who caused all these emotions was unbearable. Arthit started feeling the guilt he wished to forget.

Kongpob was pushing him beyond Arthit's thick boundaries and the worst part? Arthit let him. He wanted Kong to stay, he didn't mean it when he ordered Kongpob to leave. He wanted to stay and talk and make up and... and.

Arthit suddenly felt a light tap on his shoulder and flinched. He didn't hear Kongpob's footsteps at all over his loud breathing.

"P'..." Kong whispered gently, almost inaudibly, "don't cry."

Arthit wasn't crying before he said the last sentence. His eyes may have been suspiciously glassy and sparkly, his lips pressed tightly together, but that was it.

When a muffled sob escaped Arthit's mouth, he couldn't do anything but curse in his mind. Yes, he was definitely crying now, no turning back.

"Who's crying, stop with the nonsense," Arthit managed to say between sobs, one hand covering his face, the other squeezing the hem of his shirt tightly. Despite how ridiculous he sounded, Arthit needed to say those words to maintain some dignity.

"Can I hug you, P'?" Kongpob asked with the same gentle tone. Arthit didn't reply but there was the slightest nod as a response. Kong's sharp eyes were sure to catch it.

Although Kongpob was hurt and his shoulder hurt like hell, he wouldn't miss a chance to embrace Arthit even on his death bed. And Arthit, on the other hand, made sure to be careful when wrapping his arms around the hurt one's torso.

They remained in the embrace for a long time.

I should get a fixed updating schedule, what about every Saturday?
Hope you enjoyed the new chapter <3