SOTUS: Make The Best Of It (The Graduation Series)

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Arthit would like to think that they made it through just fine. That their love was strong enough that they managed to withstand the distance without any obstacles threatening to rip them apart. 

But...that would be a lie.

The week-long he gets to spend with Kongpob makes saying goodbye so much more difficult. He borders on the edge of being selfish for once, feels the words at the tip of his tongue: Kongpob, can you stay? The urge swells and mounts until Arthit feels like he can no longer take it, but he swallows those words back until it feels like bile in the back of his throat. At times, it feels as if Kongpob is waiting for him to say those words, but it never comes.

Every single touch fills Arthit with an overwhelming sense of dread, knowing that it would be a long time until he gets the luxury of having his boyfriend with me once more. He thinks he's being dramatic, but Arthit recognizes that it's normal to feel such a way. 

''I...I don't think I'll see you off at the airport tomorrow.''

It feels like deja vu; Arthit sitting cross-legged on the bed while Kongpob packs his luggage.

''It's not that I don't want to, but-'' Arthit hugs his knees against his chest, hoping that Kongpob would understand. ''-I don't think I can manage it.'' Because then he might do or say something reckless and Arthit can never forgive himself for it.

As miserable as he is without Kongpob, he doesn't think he can live with the lifelong regret of hindering Kongpob from achieving greater things.

''I understand, P'Arthit.'' The disappointment in Kongpob's tone is palpable and the guilt makes Arthit want to throw up.

Slowly, he gets off the bed and joins Kongpob on the floor, taking the crumpled shirt from Kongpob's hands. ''You're still so bad at folding clothes.''

''Got too used to having you do it for me.'' 

He feels Kongpob's hand over his, the younger male idly playing with Arthit's fingers.

''I don't want to go, P'.''

''Please don't say that.'' Arthit doesn't want both their efforts to go down the drain. ''It's just for another year. You'll be graduating before you know it.''

He's not sure who he's trying to convince; himself or Kongpob. Still, it hurts Arthit to see his boyfriend looking so despondent when he's usually the more emotionally stable one between them. The time apart has made both of them so much more vulnerable.

''A year plus from now, I'll be at the airport waiting for you. Just think about that.'' Arthit strokes his thumb against Kongpob's cheek, hoping that his comforting smile would give Kongpob some motivation. ''I'll probably be promoted by then, so we can afford a bigger place. But this time round, I'm going to make sure we call actual movers than get Bright and the others to help.''

Kongpob laughs at the memory of how chaotic moving in had been with the help of their Arthit's friends.

''Remember that time when P'Bright clogged up the toilet during our housewarming party?''

''Ugh, don't remind me about that.'' Arthit makes a disgusted face at the memory because that had been foul. ''Still...thank you for coming back for my birthday, Kongpob. I love that you did that for me.''

Both of them silently embrace each other in the hopes that it would be enough to sustain them for the remaining time ahead. As much as Arthit doesn't want tomorrow afternoon to come, he takes comfort in the fact that they're still so very much in love with each other despite the time apart.

As much as Arthit wants to force himself to stay awake to cherish the last couple of hours he has with Kongpob, it's not that easy when he's exhausted from work. He's been heading to the office extra early so that he could leave earlier, leaving his evenings freed up for Kongpob. The extra early mornings were clearly taking a toll on him since he can barely wake up at his usual timing as it is.