Christmas Morning (A KongArt Christmas Special)

Christmas Morning

Arthit never really celebrated Christmas until Kongpob came into his life. For him, it was simply a holiday about presents, a day to give and receive, visit family, and have a well-deserved rest day. But for Kongpob, his fiancee, it was more than that.

Kongpob told him, "It's the most wonderful time of the year" as if it wasn't the most overused phrase during its season.

He always told him about stories from his childhood, which Arthit would slightly wince at after hearing most of the grand celebrations his family did, seeing as it was both wealthy and big.

He would sit there and listen to his lover gush about believing in a white-bearded old man who drops presents in most of Thailand's non-existent chimneys.

Of course, Arthit, the ever-doting partner of Kongpob would carefully listen to his stories. After all the years they've been together, he has derived a strategy for every Christmas: it was to divulge the best Christmas gift for him.

Usually, it would be big clues when Kongpob would suddenly exclaim at the department store, "P'Arthit, look at that shirt, I like its design so much!" Or more subtle hints like his eyes would flit over that simple embroidered handkerchief he had an odd fascination to.

Arthit always made sure he got the right gifts. Kongpob was not really a materialistic person, most of the things he liked were rarely on the expensive side, albeit his usual everyday clothes were branded.

They had already adapted to this lifestyle of being in the higher middle class of society due to their company's success.

Sometimes, his lover wanted silly things such as a cute pink mug he found at the antique shop or the soft penguin stuffed toy he glanced at the toy store. Arthit loved him nonetheless if not, more.

"P'Arthit," Kongpob began, really, the honorifics were more like a term of endearment now. They have already progressed to a stage where it was normal to omit the honorifics, "what are you thinking about?"

"Huh?" Arthit stopped combing his hair through Kongpob's dark locks, glancing down on his lap where his eyes met his lover's, "I wasn't thinking about anything."

"It's Christmas eve, love," Kongpob took the hand in his hair and kissed the palm of it, still managing to make the older blush, even after all these years.

Arthit smiled at him, and leaned down to kiss his forehead, Kongpob hummed with pleasure, "I know. What do you want to do?"

"Well, we just bought groceries today, and you promised to cook with me for but Christmas eve dinner," the younger grinned at him, slowly getting up from his fiancee's lap, outstretching his hand.

The other took it, rubbing his hand over Kongpob's knuckles, "I'm not sure you'll be of much help though, Kong. You always make a mess in my kitchen."

"Our kitchen, Arthit."

"I'll call it that when you manage to make through a dish without burning at least one component."

Kongpob huffed, but never let go of Arthit as he gently pulled his fiancee into the kitchen. They began to cook, a peaceful air between them, the faint music of Christmas carols from the living room speakers permeated in the open kitchen.

Of course, it didn't go without a handful of sneaky kisses shared between the couple, Arthit felt extra affectionate today and Kongpob indulged him.

After a particularly delicious dinner, with the courtesy of Google, Youtube, Arthit's skills, and Kongpob's attempts at being a sous chef, they found themselves in a spacious bathtub, white clumps of suds all around them as Kongpob became Arthit's little spoon.