More Than Words II: Say It If You Do

chapter 29

a/n: Not proof-read and will get to all your comments soon! 

Arthit knew Kongphob was going through a difficult phase in life. Losing a parent wasn't easy and he was ready to give his boyfriend all the time and all the love, space and understanding he needed (but only if he had asked instead of just giving what he thought Kongphob had needed) so, he tried to understand why Kongphob left his messages on Read on days end and rarely returned his calls. He had been the younger boy's standard practice everytime he went back home so, Arthit told himself to not read too much into it and eagerly waited for his boyfriend to return so that he could shower him with care and affection he deserved to help ease his pain.

Kongphob returned only in the second week of January, with colours returned to his cheeks and seemingly increased weight. At least, he hadn't ignored his health. Kongphob had walked towards him when they met in the dining area and gave him a hug. It was the tightest hug the younger boy had ever held him in but before Arthit could wrap his own arms around the latter, those warm, long arms were pulled away.

"How are you, P'Arthit?"

"I am fine. You?"

"Same."

His smile didn't quite reach his eyes. Kongphob greeted Arthit's friends and then excused himself for his class even though Oak and Tew were still there, looking clueless. Em was frowning and glanced once at Arthit before he sat down next to Bright and the two started bickering. Arthit wrote it off as his anxiousness for Kongphob when he felt something off and maybe a teensy bit hurt that Kongphob after an entire month's holiday and not seeing each other so easily walked away from him.

Now that it was his final semester, he had done away with his internship and had finished the major part of his project, he concentrated on making the robot he had promised to make for Kongphob. Well, no one had promised anything but Kongphob had asked him for a Wall-E like robot so, Arthit was going to make one for him. It would be Kongphob's birthday gift.  Arthit spent his days in building that robot, studying, going out for dinner and dates with his friends and watching Kongphob from far.

Days passby quickly. It was already February and Arthit once walked into Bright and Toota cornering Em asking him what Kongphob would like for a Valentine's Day gift. Arthit had raised any eyebrow at Bright who had grinned at him and then ignored him.

"I- I dunno."

"What do you mean by you don't know n'Em?"

"Ai'Kong isn't a fan of these kinds of customs and doesn't really expect from the person he is in a relationship with, I think."

"What?"   "Seriously?! Impossible!"

"His ex and he got into fights because of that. Ai'Kong doesn't care for such things. You could say he dislikes them."