Hidden Within 🤍 Bright/Win

Chapter 16 ~ fallout ~

It had been several day's since Sikheiyo's passing and even though everything seemed back to normal it was far from it. Paitoon and Chit's budding romance had been overshadowed by all the event's. 

There had been a small funeral for Sikheiyo but he had no family so several Officer's including Chit had attended including the cadet who had liked him. Paitoon wasn't ready to forgive just yet and he couldn't understand why P'Chit was feeling sorry for him.

He cast his mind back to the the disagreement they'd had regarding him attending the funeral.

"it's not that I feel sorry for him Paitoon, I was responsible for him as I am all of you cadets and if something is wrong it is my duty to try and help, I wish I could make you understand"

"but what about me, what about everything I went through because of his letters, the crippling fear of not knowing who it was or if he was watching me or if he was going to try and abduct me or worse"

"I know baby and I do understand, believe me I do but ..."

"but you're still going to go to his funeral after what he did"

"it's something I have to do baby"

"I'm tired, P' I have to be up early tomorrow" Paitoon had said before walking to his hut.

Kiri Junphanatat had been in touch with his acquaintances in the military and had managed to secure an extended leave for Paitoon starting next week. He was flying to England for two months with Kiri's husband Kan to stay in the village where his parent's ran a modest bed and breakfast.

Kiri and Kan had their own house in the village so the boys would be staying there and Kiri would join them later. He was also trying to secure leave for Chit too as he knew they needed time together away from everything, he could tell they loved one another but everything that had happened had taken it's toll.

Chit's superiors hadn't reprimanded him over his relationship with a cadet, on the contrary they had said as long as it didn't interfere with his job and the military training, what they did in their spare time was up to them, they had become more tolerant of same sex relationships in the military over the past several years.

The night before Paitoon was due to fly P'Chit was able to take them out for a nice meal but it was difficult to be romantic when their heads were full of everything that had happened. 

"I'm going to miss you so much baby" Chit said.

"I'll miss you too P' but I just need to get away from here for a while, I can't stand seeing hut 10 or even the infirmary any more, everywhere I turn there is a reminder"

"for me too ... I hope you have a good time with Kan, he seems like a pleasant young man. I won't be able to go to the airport with you but text me when you land" he said.

"I will P'" Paitoon replied.

They enjoyed their meal and Chit drove them back to base before dropping Paitoon at his hut.

"can I get a hug?" Chit asked.

"of course" Paitoon replied leaning over to embrace his boyfriend.

Chit took hold of his chin and lifted his face up before capturing his lips in a tender kiss, short and sweet.

"don't forget about me baby" he said.

"as if I could" Paitoon replied before pulling away and climbing out of the car.

Chit watched Paitoon through his rearview mirror, he felt as if he was slipping away and he was powerless to do anything. He knew Paitoon needed time, they both did. Chit needed to forgive himself and Paitoon needed time to try and put the pain and hurt behind him and move forward.