In Every Lifetime

Chapter Thirty Eight

"Kong.." Aim said for the umpteenth time while they were in the cab.

"I know I know, you've said it a million times Aim. I shouldn't bring up Oon to the rest or they'll be calling the mental hospital on me."

"No, I was going to ask you to scoot a little. My butt's going numb."

Kongpob rolled his eyes but adhered to the other's request, pressing yet just a little closer to his husband. Not that he actually minded.

"I did ask you to take the front." He shrugged in response.

"Well I thought P'Arthit would enjoy the space! How was I to know you were going to insist that you wanted to sit with him and slide yourself right in next to me!" Aim hissed, trying to keep his voice as discreet as possible.

To Kongpob's right, Arthit nodded furiously, agreeing with his husband's best friend.

"I wanted to sit next to Oon, I wasn't gonna let you sit next to him."

Aim groaned and lightly thumped his head against the car window, causing the already perplexed driver to shoot him a concerned look via the rear view mirror. It wasn't every day he saw two grown men choosing to squeeze together at the back of the car after all.

"Why am I even best friends with you?" Aim whined as he prayed for the driver to hurry so that he could rid himself of this misery.

~***~

"Congratulations!" The pair chorused as they reached the venue, greeting the groom enthusiastically.

"I thought you were just kidding when you said you would come!" Tum exclaimed gleefully, welcoming them with open arms and giving an extra large pat to Aim's back.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world Phi," Aim beamed, now vigorously shaking his senior's hand. "It's just a pity May couldn't come as well. You know, children."

Tum chuckled, nodding in agreement. It had gotten tougher over the years to meet up with friends, everyone leading their own lives, let alone his juniors. "The rest of your gang are seated over there, I'll catch up later." Yatch and Prae waved enthusiastically at them as Tum pointed in their direction, making it impossible for the pair to miss them.

Kongpob allowed Aim to walk on ahead of him slightly before he looked around and leaned slightly to Arthit's direction to whisper to him inconspicuously. "Aim and Yatch are probably going to talk non-stop about their game boy games."

Arthit nodded knowingly. "Bright and Prem are the same. It'll be nice to hear some familiar topics."

"Well, you might learn about a new level of gamers today. These two have been playing games since we were in school." Kongpob smiled, gently linking their pinkies together and led the other to the table where his friends had all stood up to welcome himself and Aim.

His best friend had already shared his greetings with the other two and was now shoulder to shoulder with Yatch. Prae was the first to reach him, socking him hard in the arm before she pulled him in for a hug.

"How could you not tell me you were back in Bangkok as well? I'm so disappointed in you!" Prae chided, landing a couple more punches on him. Kongpob flinched, rubbing his arm sheepishly. He did kind of deserve that. He had been so caught up with his ghost marriage that he had kind of neglected anything or anyone that wasn't involved in his family or work. Truth be told, he wasn't even sure he would have remained in contact with Aim if it wasn't for the fact that they actually worked together.

"I'm sorry, it was a lot you know, the move and everything." He apologised as sincerely as he could while Prae took to draping an arm over his shoulder, something that didn't go unnoticed by his husband who had quietly taken an empty seat at the table to watch everything unfold. Aim rolled his eyes knowingly and let go of Yatch just long enough for the other man to greet Kongpob before dragging him back to the other side of the table to talk shop.