Because of you

Chapter 13

After two or three hours, Arthit stirred, feeling a dull ache radiating from his lower body. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked down, realizing the source of his discomfort—his erection still nestled deep within Kongpob's warmth. A rush of longing surged through him, and he felt himself hardening again.

He lifted his gaze to Kongpob, who was lay unconscious, looking peaceful yet fragile. Driven by a deep need, Arthit tightened his hold around him and began to move once more. Kongpob remained unconscious, though a faint flicker of discomfort crossed his face. Observing this, Arthit quickened his pace, his desire igniting and swiftly reaching its peak.

Afterwards, he gently withdrew, turning Kongpob onto his side and gathering him close. He wrapped his arms protectively around him, fingers tracing through his hair with a tenderness that surprised even him. In this quiet moment, a profound affection washed over him, blending with a whisper of regret.

As he lay there holding Kongpob, the weight of exhaustion finally pulled at him. Arthit closed his eyes, surrendering to sleep.

When he awoke hours later, dim evening light filtered softly through the curtains, casting long shadows across the room. His heart beat faster as the events of the night came rushing back. Shifting slightly, he felt the warm weight of Kongpob’s body beside him.

Arthit then gently shook Kongpob’s shoulder, softly calling his name, hoping he would wake. “Kongpob… wake up,” he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. He tried again, his heart pounding harder as he waited, but Kongpob remained unresponsive, his breathing shallow but steady. Arthit’s worry grew, yet he found himself helpless, knowing he could only wait.

Kongpob lay unconscious, his skin marked with bruises and faint traces of Arthit’s actions. The sight struck Arthit, flooding him with conflicting emotions—fear, protectiveness, and an ache of guilt that sat heavily in his chest. Despite everything, he felt a powerful urge to care for Kongpob to shield him from any harm, even if it came from himself.

Arthit reached out with a shaking hand, brushing his fingers against Kongpob’s forehead. He felt the warmth of a lingering fever, his skin still flushed. Swallowing hard, he examined the bruises along Kongpob’s arms and legs, each mark a reminder of his actions. He forced down his guilt, replacing it with resolve; there was only one thing he could do now—ensure Kongpob’s well-being.

Sliding out of bed as quietly as possible, Arthit headed to the bathroom. He filled a bowl with warm water, grabbed a soft cloth, and found some basic first-aid supplies. Returning to the bed, he sat beside Kongpob and gently lifted his arm. “This might hurt,” he whispered, knowing that Kongpob wouldn’t hear him but feeling the need to say it all the same.

He dabbed the warm cloth over the bruises, letting the heat ease into the skin. Each touch was soft, a small attempt at atonement. Kongpob stirred at the touch, a faint wince flickering across his face. Arthit’s heart skipped, freezing in place until he realized Kongpob was still deeply asleep.

With measured care, he continued, his movements gentle, each dab of the cloth an apology. Moving down to Kongpob’s legs, he treated each bruise as if it might shatter under his touch, whispering words of comfort as he went.

Finally, Arthit reached the most painful reminder of his actions—the raw, reddened skin that hinted at a pain he could scarcely comprehend. He set his jaw, his determination outweighing his shame. Grabbing an antiseptic wipe, he softly cleaned the area, hoping it would bring some relief. “You’ll be okay,” he murmured, his voice a bare whisper.

Once he’d applied a soothing ointment, he covered Kongpob with the blanket, his heart pounding as he sat beside him. Stroking his hair gently, he watched over him, feeling a fierce protectiveness swelling within. In this moment, he made a silent vow: no one would see Kongpob in this state; no one would ever know. He’d keep this night hidden, just as he’d hide the chaos tearing through his heart.