Arthit stretched and yawned as the early morning light filtered softly through the curtains, painting the room in a warm, golden glow. He rubbed his eyes, blinking at the clock on the wall. It was time to wake Anurak for his early classes. Slowly, he rose from the sofa, careful not to disturb the quiet tranquility of the house, and padded upstairs to the room shared by Anurak and Kongpob.
As he reached their door, he paused, feeling a strange mix of contentment and apprehension. Pushing it open gently, he found the room bathed in the soft light of dawn. The sound of steady breathing filled the space, along with the faint rustle of sheets. Anurak was sprawled out on the bed, his blankets half-kicked off, while Kong slept peacefully on his side, his body curled slightly toward the middle of the bed.
It wasn't the first time Arthit had watched Kongpob sleep. But this was different. This was the first time he stood at Kong's bedside, the awareness that they were no longer just friends settling over him like a warm, weighty blanket. Kong's face was serene, his chest rising and falling steadily. As Arthit watched, a quiet peace filled him, but it was tinged with the faintest edge of fear. Fear of the unknown.
For so long, he had held back. But yesterday, after years of inner turmoil, he had finally allowed himself to admit the truth: his feelings for Kongpob had never been platonic. Kong had always been his mate in his mind—he just hadn't allowed himself to fully accept it. Now, with that truth out in the open, Arthit felt both relieved and vulnerable. What lay ahead for them? How would their relationship change now that they had crossed this line? The thought made his stomach flutter with a mix of excitement and anxiety. He feared making mistakes—there was no room for error this time. He was determined to do right by Kongpob.
Arthit turned his attention to Anurak, who was still snoring lightly. Walking over, he shook him gently. "Anu, time to get up. You've got early classes today."
Anurak groaned, rolling over to face him with a sleepy frown. "Already? Can I bunk... just today, please?" he mumbled, eyes still half-closed.
"Not at all," Arthit chuckled. "Come on, get moving. Don't you want to be a good student?"
Anurak let out a dramatic sigh, slowly sitting up and rubbing his face. "You're no fun," he grumbled, stretching lazily.
Arthit gave him a light pat on the back. "Guardians aren't supposed to be fun."
"Not true... look at Phi Kong," Anurak countered, glancing toward the other side of the room.
"Mmnh," came a soft mumble from Kongpob's side of the bed, his voice thick with sleep. "Let him sleep, Anu come here..."
"Phi Arthit isn't letting me!" Anurak complained, trying to burrow back under his blankets, but Arthit grabbed the corner and dragged them off, laughing.
"Anu has early classes...."
"Then you need to get ready bub" Kong mumbled "don't be lazy bum..."
Arthit smirked at Anurak who looked at Kong, shocked. "no messing with grades bub..."Arthit said in same tone "Kong never liked slackers..."
"Fine, fine," Anurak muttered, yawning as he trudged off toward the attached bathroom.Kong stirred, his sleepy eyes blinking open, a soft smile forming on his lips as he spotted Arthit.
"Good morning, Phi," he murmured, voice still hoarse from sleep. "Do you want me to drive Anu to class?"
Arthit shook his head, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to Kong's hair. His scent—a mixture of fresh linen and something distinctly Kong—flooded Arthit's senses, grounding him. "No, I'll drive him. You sleep a little longer," he whispered.
