Fateful Encounter (Completed)

Chapter 20

*A/N - Who else noticed how much Krist and Singto change, when they are with each other as oppose to when they are with others?

Recap

'I don't want to go back to being just your senior. I want you to be mine. So, will you be my boyfriend?' Kongpob asked.

Cont:

Kongpob watched with a nervously beating heart as a multitude of emotions run through Arthit's face. Kongpob could see that what he'd done was unexpected. Maybe he should give Arthit some time to think. But the primal side of him simply wanted to claim the person in front of him, to shout from the rooftop that Arthit belonged to him. No matter how many ships those stupid fangirls came up with, Arthit belonged to him.

He watched Arthit look away, and then look down at the table. Picking up the chopsticks beside him, he picked a piece of meat.

'Can I at least finish this?' He asked. Without waiting for Kongpob's approval, he took a bite. Kongpob watched in dissatisfaction as Arthit's eyes widen in surprise.

'Did your mother make this P'?' He asked excitedly. Kongpob felt bitter, somehow.

'No. I made it.' Arthit looked up in apparent surprise.

'You made this? Wow! This is really tasty.' He said in awe and proceeded to enjoy his "snack". 

Kongpob watched Arthit eat the food he made. He was baffled that Arthit would chose food instead of answering his question. But then as he watched Arthit enjoying the food that he made, a strange warmth in his heart made him feel.... content. It even made him smile as he watched Arthit close his eyes and savor the flavors in his mouth. All of Arthit, face and body, expressed how happy he was to eat what Kongpob had made. And the warmth that only lit a corner of his heart spread through out making him feel warm and fuzzy. He felt happiness and wonder. He had never thought he can enjoy seeing another person simply eat what he'd made. not that he'd cooked anything for anyone before. Not even his family. With Arthit, however, he could well imagine a life time with such experiences coloring his normally mundane life. 

And just like that, getting an answer to his previous question took a backseat as he got up to pour a glass of water for Arthit.

'Would you like something else Arthit?' He asked, watching Arthit drink the water. A small indulgent smile coloring his usually strict face making him look soft and approachable.  

Arthit pretended to think. He didn't want anything, he simply liked the way Kongpob was looking at him. He felt loath to let Kongpob go just yet. But at the same time he didn't want to answer the "boyfriend" question either. Not because he wasn't interested. Far from that. He was very much interested. He didn't feel even slightly hesitant about only knowing Kongpob for a few days. But, he knew, or at least could make a pretty good guess, as to why Konpob had suddenly popped the question. It's because of those fan girls and those damned videos. Simply, for Kongpob, the dominant reason for asking Arthit to be his boyfriend, is jealousy. 

Young, Arthit maybe, but he wasn't ignorant. He knew, for certain, that with a foundation as shaky as jealousy, any relationship they try to build, will be like a house of cards. Which can easily turn unhealthy and toxic. And Arthit didn't want that. Not with someone like Kongpob. He wanted to spend an eternity with him. For that to happen, like in any relationship, there were certain things that they needed to accept about each other. Not only did he want Kongpob to think about Arthit, he wanted Kongpob to think about himself. 

Kongpob had so much potential for a great future. Even as a final year student, Kongpob was pioneering, bringing about a future that is sustainable and thus benefit the country and world at large. He carries hopes and dreams of thousands of people. A great responsibility that will have to be shared with whoever decided to stand by him. Arthit felt that they needed to be doubly, if not triply, sure about what they want from each other.