KongArt Week Stories

The Emperor's Secret - Part Eleven

Kongpob ran as quickly as he could, sprinting straight for his bedroom chambers. He had just finished the last of the preparations of the biggest hoax he was going to pull off in his life when Aim had come running, announcing that Arthit was now in labour. Yelling the last of his orders to Aim, he made a mad dash for the door, where he was stopped immediately by Oak and Knot.

"Maprang said we had to stop you from going in," Oak said, wincing a little with the look Kongpob shot at him. "Men are not supposed to enter the delivery room."

Another pained cry was emitted from within the room and Kongpob's last nerve snapped.

*DON'T ANYONE DARE TELL ME I SHOULDN'T GO IN THERE!" Kongpob roared, glaring at his closest friends who were frantically trying to stop him from entering. To hell with customs. "THAT IS MY HUSBAND, MY ARTHIT AND MY CHILD IN THERE!"

Slamming the doors open, he rushed inwards, kneeling beside the floor by Arthit's side. "Hey, hey, it's okay I'm here." He cooed, stroking Arthit's air and gently wiping away the little droplets of sweat.

Arthit opened his eyes, his face still contorted with agony. He heaved a few breaths before he managed to utter out, "Kong." The next wave of contractions soon hit him and he was soon writhing in pain again as he cried. Kongpob allowed him to grip his hand tight, feeling the pain with him as Arthit practically tried to yank his arm off.

"How much more to go?" He asked Maprang.

"We're almost there Arthit, just hang in there!" She called out to the man who was now slowly slipping away due to the pain. "Your Majesty, you must keep him conscious, just keep talking to him, if he faints, we're likely to lose them both!" She whispered urgently to Kongpob who immediately began stroking his husband's face.

"Arthit, look at me, please. We're almost there, we can see our child soon." He said, trying to smile despite his anxiousness. He couldn't lose Arthit, not like that, not now, not ever. "Stay with me okay? I love you, you're doing so well."

Arthit shook his head drowsily before suddenly screaming, his body slightly trembling in pain.

"Arthit! That's it, don't fight the feeling! Just push! I've got you Arthit!" Maprang encouraged, now pulling blood soaked towels away, alarming Kongpob. He stared in horror but she shook her head and jerked her chin in Arthit's direction, her message clear.

"Arthit, please, one more push," Kongpob coaxed, kissing Arthit's cheek. "Just a little more and you can rest."

Sleep, sleep sounded pretty great to Arthit at the moment but no, he was given no chance at it as another wave of pain wrecked through his body, this time much worse than all the other times. He clawed at the bed sheets with one hand, squeezing Kongpob's hand with his other using all his might as he let his body dictate what he needed to do and pushed as hard as he could.

Not too long later, a small cry could be heard from the other end of the bed and that was the last thing Arthit remembered before he blacked out.

~***~

Arthit winced as he slowly gained consciousness, feeling the pain down below. He was surprised by the sight in front of him, which turned out to be Maprang. It was also then he realised that the warmth that he had gotten so used to was behind him as always and he smiled to himself, bringing a hand up to stroke Kongpob's knuckles.

"Maprang," he whispered, trying to not wake Kongpob. "Could I have some water please?"

The attendant woke up almost immediately at the sound of his voice and tears began to pool in her eyes. Nodding furiously, she hurried to pour Arthit a glass of water before scuttling back, holding it close to his mouth so he could sip on it slowly.