Simple

4. Natural

"Hi! I'm Arthit Ronjapat; nice to meet you. And you are?"

Kongpob looked at the hand that was extended before him, and just as easy as the tension had built inside him, it turned into relief and pure happiness.

He had been isolated for so long that he saw that hand as a lifesaver and took it.

"Kongpob, Kongpob Suttiluck. Nice to meet you too."

And he started crying again, but somehow Arthit could tell that it was different from before.

They stayed that way for a while, in silence, not letting go, Arthit, rubbing the other's hand from time to time, and Kongpob crying his fears out and squeezing the elder's hand.

"So, what made you into design and engineering?"

Finally asked Arthit.

That cut Kongpob's cry, and he looked at Arthit, confused for a second.

"Oh! I was always curious about how things worked on the inside. I asked my mum too many questions as a child. One day, mum brought me to where some engineers were working on a new project, and even if I couldn't understand anything, the drawings were so pretty!"

"So you liked what you thought was pretty! Well, it's a way to find your passion as good as any other." Arthit laughed.

"What about you?"

"I didn't know until the last moment before applying to university. But I knew that I wanted to be useful for my dad's company; I was this close to doing a degree in International Business."

"So, you don't like Engineering?"

Kongpob looked shocked.

"It's not that. It's just that I haven't found my passion yet. I knew what my path was. But... I like it enough to recognise that you have talent and genius for this!"

Kongpob went slightly red and felt satisfied with himself.

"Okay, but... how did you end up doing Engineering instead of business?"

"My friends. I got to spend more time with them, and I was not bad at the different assignments that they made us do. But I also got my IMBA, don't underestimate me! I'm great at that too!"

Kongpob had never seen Arthit so talkative and full of himself, and he felt like he was truly giving him a chance at this whole friendship thing. It was like he was getting through the cold facade and getting a very special kind of warmth.

He was also surprised by Arthit's answer; he thought he had always wanted to be an engineer.

Arthit got up and got closer to the working table, but before he could continue talking, Kongpob got up too, whipping the residual tears off his face.

"Show me what you've been working on." Asked.

"Let's work together."

Arthit, perfectionist as he was, felt an initial push to negate but, in the end, sent the files to Kong's computer.

"We haven't settled on anything yet, but these are the ones that we liked the most." Explained while Konpob opened the files on his computer pensive, evaluating.

"I like this idea, but..."

They spent the rest of the day working together, ordered takeaway and coffee, and, for the first time, had a great time together. Nothing personal was discussed that day, but they felt closer than before. Arthit was even smiling and laughing comfortably.

.................

On Monday, Arthit was incredibly motivated; he felt like things were finally on the right track. He brought back to his team what Kongpob and he had talked about on the weekend. The demoralisation of the Friday before was long gone, and somehow they were more productive.

Around six, Arthit told them that he had to go to S&A to show Kongpob what they had advanced through the day. Later, when Arthit's colleagues and friends went to Bright's bar, the smirk on his face (Bright's) was big enough to annoy everyone. He couldn't stop talking about how Arthit must've followed his advice. He got some friendly smacks on the head for that, but it didn't stop him from being so proud of himself that he even got on the phone to talk about it.

On Arthit's side, he had rushed to Kongpob's floor, excited with a folder full of sketches. That was the longest elevator ride of his life.

He found Konpob in the same place as always and rushed without running to show him everything.

It was around eight when they realised that they hadn't stopped even for a second and were quite exhausted and hungry. Arthit had even got rid of his tie, suit jacket, and rolled up his shirt's sleeves. He felt great; it was his favourite thing when things got done correctly and according to his expectations.

He let himself fall on the sofa comfortably and thought about how somehow, in literally two days, he had gotten so comfortable with Kongpob. Also, his confession wasn't bothering him as it did when he first heard him. He even allowed himself to linger on the younger, either with glances, little touches or smiles.

It felt so natural their closeness. Maybe it was the initial euphoria and rush of thought about all the possibilities. Maybe.

He watched how Kongpob was still deep in thought working. He took the time to engrave on his mind everything about the younger.

Finally, in a daze, Kongpob stopped and went to the couch, lying on Arthit's body and resting there recharging. Arthit welcomed him and circled his arms around him, holding him.

Warm.

That's all Kongpob kept thinking at the moment. He snuggled closer with his eyes closed. They fell asleep.

Kongpob was the first to wake up, feeling famished. For a second he laced his fingers with Arthit's. Then, deciding something was amiss, turned himself around and brought his lips towards the elder ones. Yes! That was the warmth that he wanted!

Arthit woke up with the sudden ambush. He had never kissed a boy, didn't even consider it, but his lips were already corresponding to the soft ones. Arthit tightened the hug without stopping the light kisses. It felt natural, like they always had belonged there.

"I love you."

Said Kongpob at some point.

Arthit didn't say it back, he just stayed there, holding Kongpob and inhaling his scent, deciding that it could become his next favourite thing.

Kongpob didn't seem bothered by the lack of verbal response. He felt it all around him.