So I Don't Forget You

He's A "Friend"

After that hiccup with Mork, things seemed to even out and run smoothly. The end of the school year had come and passed and Kongpob and Arthit were still going strong. Mork had blended into the background, now pursuing another young man. He and Arthit acknowledged each other, but that was it.

Yet, there was still certain lines Arthit wouldn't cross. He'd come out to Mork about dating Kongpob, but wouldn't tell anyone else. He hadn't even told his own parents! Kongpob was terribly confused about why Arthit felt free to tell Mork and not the people they actually knew.

He kept it to himself.

Kongpob jerked, startled, when Arthit laid a hand on his while on a date at the movies. Before Arthit could retract his hand, Kongpob threaded their fingers together and ignored the fact that Arthit had only done it because the theater was dark and no one could see them properly. It didn't matter. Arthit was initiating contact without prompting from Kongpob! That was all the younger man could focus on, would allow himself to focus on.

Afterwards, Kongpob tried not to let Arthit detaching their hands bother him too much. It stung anyway. He wished Arthit wasn't so scared to be himself in public. Not everyone was against a relationship like theirs. Besides, those who mattered supported them, and those who didn't matter they could ignore.

"My parents are inviting you for the weekend," Kongpob spoke up.

Arthit smiled slightly. "I'm free, if you want me there."

Kongpob chuckled. "P'Arthit, what kind of thing is that to say? Of course I want you there."

Arthit reached out, hesitated, then patted Kongpob on the arm. "Okay. I'll be there."

It was such a small touch, barely anything at all, and yet...to Kongpob, it meant the world. Could Arthit possibly be opening up more??

Then Kongpob spotted some guys he'd known in high school. They'd played on the same basketball team, though all split up to go to different universities.

"Hey, Kong!" one called. Kongpob remembered he was called White.

"White! Long time no see!" Kongpob called back. They did a one-armed hug. "What are you all doing at the mall?"

White shrugged. "Eh, my sister's birthday is coming up and I don't have anything for her yet."

"Sister? Oh, you mean Mimi?"

"Yeah."

"Didn't she like bunnies back in the day?"

White groaned at his own stupidity and smacked his forehead. "Damn, how could I forget that?? She still loves bunnies. Thanks, Kong. Hey, you should come to her party." He smirked. "I remember you running from my house countless times because of her huge crush on you."

Kong made a face, missing the frown from his boyfriend. "Shut up, that's not funny. She's six years younger than I am. It was weird, being followed around by a kid."

White cackled at him. "She was hoping I would be able to get in contact with you and invite you. Wants to show off how much she's grown up."

Kongpob sighed, shoving his hands in his pants pockets. "Seriously?? I haven't seen her in over a year!"

"Yeah, well, she's still carrying a torch for you."

"I've...got my eye on someone else," Kongpob said vaguely, rubbing the back of his neck.

White whistled lowly. "No shit, really?? Someone's finally captured your interest??"

"You make it sound like I rejected people left and right!"