Secrets Kept

Study Break

Both groups had exams coming up, so studying became a frequent past time for the them. That mostly meant their time was spend in the library, reviewing notes and helping each other go over anything they didn't understand. Kongpob and Arthit usually sat side by side on one side of a study booth with Prem and Wad joining them on the other side.

So far, Kongpob didn't think they had told anyone else about them or about expecting their own baby. Arthit had mentioned that Tutah had been watching Wad closely anytime he was around, so they suspected he knew. They hadn't had a chance to talk to Prem or Wad about it but Tutah wouldn't say anything so it could wait until after exams.

After a week of studying, Arthit was so tired by the time they got home after 8pm that Kongpob really didn't know how he got through it all. He did what he could including carrying his bag and, only in their rooms, messaging Arthit's feet or back to relieve the pressure and tension that usually settled there.

The couple had set an appointment for after the exams with the dean to let him know where things stand with them.

Studying almost constantly meant spending a lot of time with both groups. Arthit had to go back to hiding his baby belly. Luckily, his nausea had gone away, but his dizziness hadn't.

By the second week, just before the exams, his belly was sticking out far enough that he had to wear extra loose clothes and sit farther away from the table to accommodate it. This meant he couldn't wear his hazer jacket and it made it hard for him to bend over the table during the study sessions. Doing the best he could, he always ended up needing to sit up and catch his breath.

He really didn't know how Kongpob kept the babies from his friends, but so far the group hadn't asked about what was going on with him.

He didn't think they would be able to keep this from them much longer.

********

Walking out of his last exam, Arthit stretched his arms above his head, trying to get the tension to leave his lower back. He was so happy to be done with this latest set of tests. He just wanted to go sleep in his dorm for the next several days.
He had finished his test faster than his friends, so it would probably be a while before they got done.

He was supposed to meet Kongpob in the cafeteria as soon as he was done, so he headed in that direction.

Walking into the cafeteria, he spotted Kongpob sitting among his friends and stopped a few feet away to watch them as M seemed to be telling the others about something that happened in their last class.

Smiling, Arthit stood there to watch his boyfriend enjoy relaxing time with his friends.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness and nausea hit him causing him to sway. He leaned on the column and put his head in his hands. Breathing slowly, he concentrated on not passing out. But nothing he did helped.

He could feel himself sliding down the column, but strong arms stopped him from hitting the floor. He was picked up bridal style and carried to a table and set down on the bench.

Even disoriented, he thought, 'Why did he have to pick me up like that?'

"...Arthit? What's wrong? Arthit?!"

He heard his boyfriend calling his name from in front of him. He raised his head for a moment just to try and smile at him in reassurance before resuming his attempt at making this sick feeling go away, laying his head on his boyfriend's shoulder.

********

Kongpob was sitting, laughing at M's retelling of the events in Mech today, when he saw Tew look up and go silent for a moment.