Guardian (RamKing)

Chapter Ten

 When King arrived at university the next day, his friends greeted him excitedly, immediately asking where he had been the day before.

"I was hungover, so I decided to stay home," King answered, not telling them about going on a date with Ram as only Bohn knew about them being in a relationship.

"Well, Boss and I were hungover and still managed to come," Bohn huffed, but the teasing smirk on his face showed he wasn't truly annoyed.

"Only 'cause Mek made me," Boss groaned.

King smiled as his friends' supposed study group descended into playful ribbing. It was fun to be with his friends again. He knew it had only a day since he had seen them, but King felt like he hadn't really spent time with them for the past few weeks. King may have physically been with them but, mentally, he had been focused on Ram who had been avoiding him at that time. Now, everything was fine with Ram, more than fine, it was actually amazing, but they were moving quickly. It was probably because they had been friends for a few months, so they already knew a lot about each other and were already comfortable in each other's presence. Though King enjoyed how close he and Ram were already, it was nice that his friends remained the same since it felt like a great deal was changing now that he was actually in a relationship.

After a few days Ram and King started to get into a routine. They would not really see each other at university, only texting a few times during the day to check up on the other. The one who finished with their lectures would let the other know and then wait for him so they could go home together. Ever since Ram had slept over at King's the first time, they would sleep together, only sleeping, sometimes at King's and sometimes at Ram's. They had a few more dates when they were both free, going to the cinema and some restaurants. The two were relishing their sort-of-secret relationship.

On their two-week anniversary, Ram broke their routine and came to find King on campus. He wanted to give King his gift as soon as he could after he bought it that morning. It didn't matter to Ram if King remembered what the day was, Ram knew it was their anniversary and he wanted to make King as happy as King made him. As soon as he saw King's face Ram felt like his heart would burst out his chest. It was beating so fast with a satisfying sort of pressure in the middle. This feeling had been happening more and more often lately. Ram had not felt this way before, but from what he could tell, it was love. He was in love with King and he desperately wanted to tell him. Unfortunately, the few times Ram had tried the words would get caught in his throat. He would start to worry that it was too soon, or that it would scare King. Today, Ram was going about it a different way.

"Oh, Ram!" Boss noticed him first, shouting.

King glanced up immediately, surprised. He had no idea why Ram was here. His boyfriend was quiet, only nodding in greeting to King's friends before placing a bag in front of him.

"Hey, Ram. What's up?" King asked, giving Ram a curious look.

When Ram pulled out his phone, King promptly did the same, knowing that Ram was going to text him.

Ram: "I brought you a present for our two-week anniversary."

King's eyes grew wide as he read the message. It was their anniversary?! He had completely forgotten.

King: "I'm so sorry! I didn't realise that was today!"

King gave Ram a guilty look to go along with his apologetic message. He promised himself he would make it up to Ram when they were alone later. Then, he inspected the bag, intrigued. What could Ram have gotten him? He knew his friends were probably going crazy wanting to know what was going on, but he ignored their stares and opened the gift.

King gasped, holding his breath as he pulled out the flowerpot. He recognised the flower; it was an aster. A pink aster.

Forgetting everyone except Ram, King stared at him and asked, his voice wavering, "Ram, do you know what this symbolises?"

With a small smile on his face, Ram nodded in response. Heartbeat racing and head swimming, King leapt out of his seat and wrapped Ram in a tight hug. King couldn't believe what just happened. A pink aster. The aster is a wildflower related to the daisy. It is associated with the meanings of wisdom and faith. A pink aster, though, symbolises love and sensitivity. In Roman mythology, the aster is even an emblem of the goddess of love. Ram just told him that he loves him in the best way possible. It was like a mix of him and Ram. Ram did not say the words out loud and instead used a plant to say it.

Bohn cleared his throat, warning the young men lost in their happiness that they were not alone. With a slight blush, King sat down again, pulling Ram with him and intertwining their hands under the table.

"What does it mean?" Boss blurted out, not being able hold in the question any longer.

"Ah, it's King, he loves plants," Bohn dismissed it and changed the subject, "I can't get this question. King, do you get it?"

"Yes, here, I can help you," King replied, giving Bohn a grateful smile for the help avoiding Boss' question.

The group seemed to accept Bohn's explanation that King's exuberant reaction was because of his love for plants and began to focus on their assignments again.

After a few minutes, King leaned over and whispered into Ram's ear, "I love you too."