FALLIN' ALL IN YOU (Completed)

Chapter 115

It's the third weekend in a row that Kongpob and Arthit are spending their time at Sonya's to play with little Kamron. The child has warmed up quite a bit to everyone. He has even started to respond to Sonya when she returned the patched up Roary to him. Sonya has also hired a tutor to teach him basic reading and mathematics since wooden puzzles could no longer occupy him. The tutor told her that little Kamron is gifted based on his assessment results. His intelligence and logic are well beyond the third-grade level when he has yet to even start kindergarten. Kongpob playfully sulked when his mother said he was nowhere near as smart as little Kamron at that age. Arthit can only laugh along.

Although Arthit participates in all the little activities and engages when necessary, he's not quite sure where he fits into this equation. The situation is very peculiar to him. Kongpob is here caring for the child that he feels guilty over, Sonya is caring for the child as a favor to her own child, and he's just the boyfriend to the guilt-ridden boyfriend. Now, why is he here? Ah yes, he's here to support his boyfriend.

After having a serious talk with Kongpob about his self-blaming issue, Kongpob has agreed to help Kamron because he wants to and not because it's his fault. But of course, Arthit knows that it'll take more than a little talk to change his stubborn boyfriend's mindset. But at least, after their talk, he has convinced Kongpob to hire some people to do the job site inspections instead of doing everything on his own. This ends Kongpob's streak of physical self-torture and he's now eating breakfast again. M was so happy that he sent Arthit a whole basket of chocolate chip muffins to his office.

Arthit watches as Kongpob tries to teach Kamron how to play chess. They're inside Kamron's room in the sitting area where there's a couch and a coffee table. Arthit never would have imagined that Kongpob would have this much patience. Kongpob has always been a straight forward, no-nonsense, get to the point kind of a guy. Time waits for no one and it's not to be wasted. The only thing Kongpob has slowed down for in life is him. At least that's what Kongpob has told him. But it seems like he's not the only one anymore. And it's not that Arthit minds or anything but he's just...he doesn't even know what to feel.

"No, the Bishop can only move diagonally. Try another piece." Kongpob tells little Kamron who's hunched over the chessboard with a frown.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Kongpob, can I talk to you for a minute?" Sonya stands by the door.

"Yes, Mom. Arthit, can you play with Kamron?" Kongpob gives Arthit a peck on the cheek and walks away without waiting for a reply.

Arthit smiles and blushes a little. He still feels a little awkward to display affection in front of people and especially in front of a child. His upbringing was very conservative and homophobic. So despite never denying his own sexuality, a part of him always feels like people are judging him even when they're silent. Kongpob has helped him find confidence in himself and disregard those who don't matter and let his work and action speak for themselves, but a tiny part of him is still that Arthit Ronajpat that wants to avoid any unnecessary attention.

"Can I move the King? I really want to move the King." Kamron picks up his King chess piece.

"No, not yet. You see all the pieces surrounding the King are protecting it but at the same time, they're blocking it from moving. Your King should stay in his spot for as long as possible. He shouldn't flee his castle unless it's unsafe." Arthit explains pointing to the King's spot.

"Okay, but shouldn't the King be super powerful and can just fly across the board?" Kamron places the King piece back down.

"No, actually the King is the weakest piece aside from the pawns. He can only move one square at a time in any direction if none of his own men are blocking him. The one that can fly across the board in any direction is the Queen. She's the most powerful."