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Seeing Daotok cry does something to Arthit that he's not sure he can handle.
"It's like… I want to hurt whoever causes those tears to fall. Like I— I want to protect him, wrap him in my arms and never let the world get close enough to make those dark eyes water. It's— What does that mean, Fah? Like honestly? I can't— I can't be right in where my head's going," Arthit is staring at where Daotok is browsing the bookstore, curiosity getting the best of him as he grabs two books with drastically different covers and starts reading the back of them.
"You're falling for him," replies Tonfah with an amused tone that makes Arthit wish he could punch his friend through the phone. "This isn't like you, Arthit. But it's good to see that your heart has decided it's ready to settle down and feel something real."
"No, Tonfah, this is not good," huffs Arthit seriously as he watches Daotok take his book choices to check-out. "I can't like him. He— He's been through too much. It wouldn't be right, especially for it to be me. I don't even know how to do this. The last serious relationship I was in ended horrifically ages before I met you assholes."
"Come on, Thit, you can't bar your heart forever," snorts Tonfah into the phone. But then he hums, and something more serious follows. "You could be good for him. Maybe not for anyone else, but he's opened you up in ways even we haven't managed to do in all the time we've known you. I don't think this would be a bad thing, for either of you. So, maybe stop thinking so negatively and try to take a serious approach? Talk to him, show your interest, and make him fully aware of it. He's going to be on edge, and you know why. So, prove it, not only to him but also to yourself that you mean this. Don't start something you won't finish, Arthit."
"I can't hurt him. If I ever make him cry again, I might actually throw myself off a bridge," mutters Arthit as Daotok starts heading towards him, through the door. "Look, I have to go, but you need to give me better advice dammit."
"Don't start something you can't finish," replies Tonfah before he hangs up.
Arthit glares at his phone, cursing Tonfah under his breath because he knows, without a single doubt in his mind, that he wouldn't be able to give Daotok up. But he wouldn't be good for Daotok, and he's not going to give the kid another reason to give up on love.
"Are we heading to the airport now?" asks Daotok as he tilts his head.
"Yeah, that's why we brought everything. You can rest during the drive," mutters Arthit with an eye roll as he turns towards the car.
He needs to get his head screwed on right, and he needs to do it now.