Their Beautiful Secret

24. They're Fine

Arthit woke to little fingers fumbling his cheeks, a smile carved in his face at the baby smell of whoever was trying to wake him up. "I see you've taken a bath already."

"Yep!" Wayo yipped happily. He gave his mother a peck on the tip of his nose as he climbed up the couch Arthit was laying at. "Daddy gave me a bath while you sleeping Papa. You tired?"

The omega's cheeks turned red as he recalled the hour or maybe two that passed. He didn't know what time it was but given his son was still awake, it must not be later than eight thirty at night. He suddenly bolted out of his lying position with Wayo bouncing on his lap.

"Careful." Kongpob was quick to assist his lover and son before the latter fell out of balance. There was something behind his smile as he stared back at his fiance. "I'll heat up our food so we can together. Let me just put Yo to bed."

Wayo pouted as he turned to his father, his eyes giving him the puppy look. It made Arthit chuckle.

"What time is it?" Arthit asked.

"It's past his bed time," Kongpob answered. "I let him stay a little longer because Mom said he took a long nap after you guys got home form the zoo. He had a hearty dinner, too." Turning to his son, Kongpob extended his arms for him to climb on. "Bed time, buddy."

"Wokay." Wayo can never defy his parents; he's never learned how to even after having been spoiled rotten by his three grandparents. "Goodnight, Papa." He gave his mother kiss and was returned by a couple more.

"Goodnight," Arthit as he let Kongpob take their son to their bedroom.

When Kongpob came back, the two had dinner while Arthur was still watching his favorite shows on TV. The older omega was smiling, shaking his head as he listened to the comfortable silence between the couple. "They're fine. Little brats."

***

"Please come cheer for me," Kongpob asked his omega the morning he was leaving for the university. Classes were cancelled for the whole afternoon. Arthit was leaving too but not until later to finish his lab works.

"There's lots of engineering students cheering for you," Arthit answered. He helped his alpha pack all his belongings for the day, some of which were his guitar and his outfit for the talent show.

"Babe, you know what I mean," Kongpob said. His eyes were expectant as he studied his omega's defiant yet soft gaze on him. He could never get enough of Arthit's conflicting demeanor. He learned to read them.

Arthit would say one thing and then do another. His eyes would betray him, his body language. Kongpob could not always read accurately hence he would ask or confirm something more than once.

"So you're going, right?" Kongpob asked again when they were at the door and Wayo was giving his father a "good day" kiss. The boy was holding his mother's hand, his eyes directed at his father.

"Yeah. Yeah. I'll go," Arthit finally said. The alpha grinned in delight and bent down pick up his son and pull his family onto his chest. He received the best wish of luck and knew he was on for the best start. "I love you," he whispered to Arthit. "And you too, buddy." Kongpob ruffled his son's hair with affection.

***

The students at the university were highly anticipating the day they crown the next moon and star. It will be one of the hardest battles of beauty and brain; all the contestants were nervous but ready. Each participant prepared their best outfits, rehearsed thoroughly for their production and talent shows, and practiced for their speech and interviews.

"You better won, Kongpob," Aim told his best friend after helping bring his stuff to the preparation room. "We're dead if you don't," he teased.

Kongpob smiled as he nodded, the kind of smile he wears when he thinks of his lover. His lips were pressed and curved lightly; his eyes held a sparkle.

"Geez." Aim elbowed his friend. "Just yesterday you were so far gone. Like you lost someone and your soul is dead, too. Make up sex?"

The alpha chuckle and ignored his friend.

"Come on," Aim persisted. "I need some tips just in case may and I get into a serious couple fight."

"I don't have any."

"Maybe we should put that on the interview later," Aim suggested.

"Crazy," Kongpob mumbled.

"Kongpob Sutthilak!" three voices called for the alpha as they entered the backstage room. "All ready?" Bright asked as he rounded an arm on Kongpob. Toota and Prem were behind them. Knott followed with Tew tagging along.

Kongpob waiid his seniors and said "yes" to Bright's question. "Um, where's P'Arthit?"

"Uh, him. He's busy with last minute changes for his lab report," Knott answered.

"He'll be here soon," Toota added.

While Kongpob was getting interrogated by seniors about his readiness for the competition, Arthit was on a phone call with his mother, He just got done with with his lab report. "Mom, so what's your plan?— What time?—Alright, I'll meet you there?—Why?— Okay, Okay. I'll meet you in the backstage after then we'll all go home together.— Alright, mom. I'll see you later."

***

The auditorium was getting packed before the event even began. The supporters of all the faculties were ready to cheer their representatives; almost everyone was rowdy. Kongpob's classmates from engineering fought their way with the management to the front row.

"What you gonna do?" Maprang taunted. The leaders of the freshman management students could only give her a stink eye. Engineering learned to fight their way and don't back down. They know Kongpob will do the same. They're all rooting for him.

"I'm sure Kongpob and Prae will make the other contestants cry by the end of all this," Maprang said to May. They were seated together. Aim was there with them as well as their class leader, Tew.

"Let's hope so," May replied. "We don't want them doing a hundred push-ups if they lose."

"The hazers will really do that?" Aim ask Tew. The latter smiled awkwardly and shrugged. "Oh, come on. That's harsh. But knowing P'Arthit, he might actually do it," Aim added.

"Yeah, for sure." May chuckled. She's known the couple and even before, she  used to be nervous around Arthit even before the he was her senior in college.

"Gosh, he can be ruthless!" Maprang said aloud as the crowd got louder. The emcee has stepped onto the center stage.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," the emcee of the competition opened the event with a greeting. "Welcome to the 86th annual Star And Moon Competition!"
_______________tbc

Oops. Sorry to leave it there. 🤭
Anyway, what do you think will happen next?
I'm excited to write it for some reason. 🥰
Okay, see you!

Love,
Zia