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“I’m not jealous,” Kongpob insists as Em nudges him to look at his Phi who is in the far corner chatting with a group of his juniors. His female juniors.
“I know. You don’t get jealous do you? Unlike me.. Look at her!” He indicates May who is chatting with P’Bright. Their senior is leaning into her and looks like he’s trying to persuade her to try the shot in his hand.
“Maybe you should go rescue her?” Kongpob asks and Em gives him a look. But then P’Bright moves in closer and Em gives a little startled gasp and vanishes from Kong’s side.
He laughs at his retreating friend and then turns his eyes back on P’Arthit who is still talking to a group of three young ladies, all of whom are giving him heart eyes.
It’s amazing to Kongpob that his boyfriend had never been in a relationship before theirs, the way that half the population of their Uni seem fascinated by him. But Arthit still seems oblivious to the attention he attracts, or is just too damn naive about the nature of it.
Watching a little longer, and not liking the way his Phi now looks uncomfortable as one of the women places a hand on his arm, Kongpob eases himself from the wall and over to the group.
“Kongpob!” Arthit sounds excited to see him and moves away from the girl to make space for him in the circle.
Kong wai’s politely to the group as they greet him, then subtly shifts so that his arm is resting against his Phi’s. “I thought you were getting us another drink?”
Arthit shifts against him so their arms are pressed more firmly, “I was. But then Elia, Mara and Cadie asked me some questions about fourth year and I got a little bit caught up in my descriptions.. sorry, are you very thirsty?”
His expression is sweet and remorseful and Kongpob feels his heart turn over in his chest as he stores away the memory of his boyfriend’s face, it’s so cute. “It’s okay. I can wait a little longer. In fact, I can go get them if you’d like?”
“Oh, I will go and buy my Phi’s a drink,” one of the first years says, eyeing them both like they are tasty treats.
Kongpob feels himself bristle as the woman turns heart eyes on his boyfriend and he’s torn between letting her go so that she’s away from his man or refusing her offer because he doesn’t want her to buy something for him. It’s a hard decision.
But Arthit makes it for him, “No need, Nong. I owe Kongpob a drink, I’ll get them. Same again?”
Kongpob nods as Arthit covertly lets their hands brush but then finds himself frowning as one of the girl’s says she wants drinks too and follows Arthit to the bar.
The two other women giggle as they watch Arthit leave and then one of them (Cadie?) leans into Kongpob’s personal space and says, “Can I tell you a secret, Phi?”
Kongpob is pretty certain he knows what the secret is, but he still finds himself nodding.
“Elia is totally into your Phi. I think she’s even going to ask him out!”
Kongpob feels a tightness in his stomach and his heart thuds painfully against his ribs.The thought of someone else asking out his Phi is terrifying.
They’ve been together for almost a year, true, but even though he often feels secure in their relationship, Kongpob doesn’t feel like it’s been truly tested by others around them. They had been lucky to be accepted by all of their friends easily and haven’t suffered much conflict since they announced their relationship.
But not everyone knows about them, clearly, and Arthit prefers it that way as he doesn’t want people sticking their noses into their business or bothering them all the time. He’s happy that their closest friends are aware, whereas Kongpob would shout it from the rooftops if he could.
“Did you hear me Phi? About Elia?” Cadie looks like she’s expecting him to be excited too, but that’s definitely not the reaction Kongpob is going to give her.
“He’s your close friend, isn’t he P’Kongpob?” Mara asks, “Maybe you can give us some tips about him to help Elia ask him out?”
“I don’t think she’ll need any help,” Cadie interrupts and then points at the bar where Elia has a hand on Arthit’s arm again as she leans in.
Arthit looks uncomfortable to Kongpob’s knowledgeable eyes, but he’s still being polite, moving to make space at the bar beside him for his nong.
As she slots in beside him, her hand lingers on his arm.
“Look at her go! She’s so confident,” Cadie says, and as he watches, something in Kongpob snaps.
“P’Arthit’s already taken.”
The girls stare at him in surprise, “He is?” Mara asks, staring at the pair at the bar, “Are you sure, Phi? He’s not moving her arm.”
Kong growls angrily, surprising the two girls, and then he stalks away, straight over to the bar.
When he reaches it, he leans forward to whisper in Arthit’s ear, “Move her hand or I’ll move it for her.”
Arthit reacts, head snapping to lock his eyes on Kongpob. “Kong?”
“I’m serious Phi, now!”
A complicated series of expressions crosses Arthit’s face and Kongpob feels pressure build in his chest and tears threaten to fall.
He stares at Arthit and Arthit stares back.
“Your turn, Phi!” Elia interrupts, “Oh Phi Kongpob, maybe you can help carry my drinks?”
“I’m sure P’Arthit will help you.” Kongpob says through gritted teeth and then turns and stalks away.
Once he’s safely in the alley by the bar, he lets himself break down. His knees collapse and he ends up with his back to stone, head in his hands.
For a moment he indulges his feelings, tears falling freely. But then he accepts that maybe he overreacted and swipes at his wet face, ready to go and apologise.
A hand lands on his shoulder and a pair of knees touches his.
“Kongpob, I’m sorry.”
He lifts his head to find Arthit staring at him with a soft expression on his face.
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” Arthit continues, reaching out to cup Kongpob’s cheek and stroking gently at the tears that are staining his cheeks. “I just didn’t realise.”
“You’re so obtuse, Phi,” Kongpob grunts.
“I know I am. I am so sorry. Please can you forgive me?”
Kongpob nods slowly as Arthit continues to gently stroke his skin.
“I didn’t realise what I was doing. I just thought they were being friendly Nong’s.”
“You always think that Phi,” Kongpob says gently and motions for them to stand. When they are both on their feet, Arthit opens his arms and Kongpob sags into them.
“I love you Kongpob.”
“I know, Phi. I didn’t mean to be jealous. But who can blame me.. you’re so..”
Arthit pulls back and points a finger in his face, “Don’t finish that sentence, Kongpob.”
“Yes Phi,” Kong gives him a weak smile.
“Friends?” Arthit asks.
“Boyfriends.” Kongpob replies. “Can I kiss you?”
“No!”
“Phi? Please?”
Arthit taps his cheek and Kongpob leans in. Just as his lips are about to make contact, Arthit twists his head and their lips meet softly.
When they pull back, Arthit links their hands, “Shall I introduce my boyfriend to those Nong’s?”
“Are you sure?”
“With you I’m always sure, Kong.”