Kongpob's POV -------
"Have you seen Arthit ?? I can’t find him any where"
Rose looks up from the vegetables she’s chopping, an innocent look on her face…too innocent.
"I haven’t seen him since breakfast"
She tells me with downcast eyes.
I am not buying it for a second, but I can tell from the mischievous gleam in Rose’s eyes I will get no answer from her.
A knock at the door interrupts the next question I was going to ask her.
"Do you mind getting the door, Kong ??"
Rose’s smile is barely contained. What in the world is going on??
"Sure"
I throw over my shoulder as I head from the kitchen.
"Coming....."
I say out loud when the knock sounds again.
When I swing the door open, I am shocked to see Arthit standing on the porch, a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
"Arthit, what...."
"These are for you, for our date. Prem said, One should always pick up their date, from the front door, and Wad suggested the flowers"
Arthit tells me, gesturing behind him. Sure enough, there stood Prem and Wad, Prem wearing a smirk and looking a bit smug, Wad smiling till his ears.
I am overwhelmed, he has put so much thought into this. We agreed today would be a good day for our date, and I will admit to being a bit nervous for what Arthit has planned. I know whatever we do I will be happy, but I can’t even begin to imagine what he has in mind.
"Thank you"
I say
"These are beautiful. Let me get them in som...."
Rose interrupts my words by taking the flowers from my hands
"I will put them into a vase for you Kong..... you go ahead and enjoy your date"
Her smile is wide and her eyes dancing when my startled gaze meets hers. She was in, on this from the beginning. Obviously, I think to myself, rolling my eyes.
Arthit takes my hand as soon as I shrug into my jacket, pulling me close to him and I swear I can feel the excitement radiating off him.
When we reach Prem’s car, I am surprised when Arthit opens the door for me and ushers me into the car. I catch a look of approval and a small nod from Prem and I make a mental note to thank him later.
Casual chatter fills the car as we drive. Wad tells me about the classes he and Prem are taking, and how I really need to join the college here in Viang.....
And I am really thinking about that, I wanted to put my Dad's mind at ease about my studies and degree.
"We need to call Aim and May, and all go out sometime "
Wad chirps excitedly from the front seat. I am sure he is envisioning all of us going clubbing or something.
Prem gives his leg a squeeze.
"Maybe a nice, quiet dinner at that little place on the corner"
I am very thankful to Prem in this moment, a quiet dinner is definitely more our speed.
The drive takes us winding along the cost, giving us glimpses of blue-gray water between the endless trees.
It’s an hour since we left the house when Prem slows and turns onto the road leading to the Salt Creek Recreation Area.
My curiosity is doubly piqued now. I look to Arthit with questioning eyes, and a stunning smile is the only answer I receive.
When the car finally stops, we are parked along an overlook, the crashing waves sounding on the rocks below.
Arthit hops from the car as soon as Prem cuts the engine, pulling me along with him.
"What do you think ??"
Arthit asks, motioning to the landscape around us.
The beauty around me is astounding, towering pines hug the edge of rocky cliffs that plunge down to the lapping water below.
"It’s beautiful, How did you know about this place ??"
"Prem told me about it. Do you want to look around ??"
I nod, eager to explore the stunning landscape.
Arthit turns to Prem.
"Thanks Prem, I will call You, when we are ready to leave"
"Take your time, man. We are just going for a drive around the area"
Just as we turn to walk away, Wad bounces up next to us, a large picnic basket in hand.
"Don’t forget your lunch"
I recognise the basket, Rose was packing it up in the morning.
Wad skips back to the car and shouts
"Have fun, kids!!"
Over his shoulder before he and Prem speed away.
Glancing sideways at Arthit, I find he is watching me. I wonder if he feels the same awkwardness as I do. Even though we have been alone hundreds of times before, this feels different.
Arthit reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine.
"Do you want to go down by the water ??"
My smile must be the only answer he needs as he begins leading me toward the edge of the cliffs. As Arthit nears the edge, I start feeling nervous. It’s a long way down, and I have enough trouble walking on flat ground, let alone slippery rocks.
"I don’t know if this is a great idea, there’s no path down the way"
Arthit continues on like I didn’t say a word. To my surprise, there are in fact steps hidden among the rocks that I hadn’t noticed, I was so busy worrying about the destination I didn’t see what was right in front of me.
"How did you know about the steps ??"
I ask, paying special attention to each step, last thing I want is a fall, to ruin our day.
"Prem brought me out here a couple days ago. I wanted to see it before I brought you here"
I am so touched and surprised by all he has put into this, though I shouldn’t be. Arthit always surprises me.
Once we are down the stairs I breathe a sigh of relief.
"You were frightened ??"
Arthit asks.
"A little bit, I didn’t want to fall"
I admit.
Arthit pulls me close until his lips are inches from mine.
"I would never let you fall"
Before I have time to recover from the effects of his sweet words his lips are tugging softly at mine.
I return his kiss eagerly…perhaps too eagerly as I hear Arthit groan quietly. I feel the excitement in his kiss and how he pressed against me. As much as I would love to keep going, I know I need to be the one to slow this down. I pull from him gently, just enough to separate our lips. His breath is still warm and heavy against my own.
"You taste good"
His simple statement makes me melt.
"You are so good and you don’t even realise it, do you Arthit ??"
Arthit gazes at me with innocent eyes, proving the truth of my statement.
I hug him tightly, enjoying the sound of his heart against my chest and the weight of his head against my shoulder.
"Am I doing this right ??The date!!"
I look up to his face to see genuine concern looking back at me.
"Of course. This is perfect"
"Do you want to see more ??"
He asks, the enthusiastic gleam returning to his eyes.
"Please, Lead the way"
There are hardly words to describe the beauty around us. It’s nothing short of breathtaking. Glistening beach stretches out before us, dotted here and there with tide pools and rock outcroppings.
Arthit leads us to the edge of one of the pools, dropping the basket next to the shallow water.
Life is abounding in the clear water, muscles, limpets, sea urchins, and a brilliant red starfish cling to the rocks. I watch each tiny creature in fascination, all of them determined to live in this miniature ecosystem. It sets my mind to wondering once again how Arthit survived all those years.
"Are you hungry Kong ??"
Arthit asks.
I am not particularly hungry, but I know he is, He always is...
"Yeah, let’s eat"
Inside the basket is a worn quilt. Arthit and I walk a short distance and spread it on a dry patch of sand. The food Rose packed is delicious and once I start eating, I find myself feeling hungrier than I realized.
We don’t talk during lunch, rather we watch, our faces intent on each other.
After we have eaten our fill and packed the leftovers away, Arthit stretches out on the quilt, one arm tucked under his head, the other toying with my fingers.
"You look like you are thinking, what are you thinking about ??"
I have been caught, and I feel myself squirming under his gaze.
"I was thinking about you, actually"
Arthit’s smile is dazzling and his eyes dance.
"Tell me. I want to know what you are thinking about me ??"
Arthit pulls me down until I am leaning against his chest.
I am curious about the time he was missing, but I am not sure how to ask. Perhaps the 'Arthit approach' is the best way, simple and direct.
"How did you do it all those years…when you were missing ??"
I ask quietly.
Arthit’s eyes are confused as he looks at me.
"Do what ??"
"Survive, In the forest"
I respond in a whisper.
His face clouds for a moment and I fear I shouldn’t have asked.
"It…it was hard"
He appears to be thinking, maybe trying to find the right words.
My heart aches looking at his face, his eyes are so haunted.
"Sometimes I ate Fruits, sometimes bugs......I have even ate snakes.... in the forest"
"How did you know what to do ??"
Arthit lies back down, pulling me with him.
"Dad. We went camping a lot. He always talked about the things you could eat in the wild"
"Weren’t you scared ??"
"At first. I was afraid that, She would find me. Being hungry made me leave the cave, for the first time"
"Why did you stay there ?? Why didn’t you try and find help ??"
I question.
His fingers trail up my arm, making their way to the back of my neck. His fingers work into my hair, stroking them in repeated motion.
"Dad always told me to stay put if you are lost…it makes you easier to find, so I did"
"Weren’t you terribly lonely ??"
He doesn’t answer right away. His chest rises and falls steadily beneath my ear and I begin to wonder if he has fallen asleep. When I raise my face to check, I met his open eyes.
"Very much....."
He whispers.
Years of isolation and hurt is evident in his eyes.
"How did you cope with it ??"
"Stopped thinking…stopped hoping"
His words pierce my heart and I can’t stop the tears that run down my cheeks.
Arthit’s fingers move from my hair to wipe the tears from my face.
“"Don’t cry, Kong"
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I attempt to speak.
"Thinking of you alone like that…I just…just…"
Arthit presses his lips softly to mine, hushing my cries between kisses.
"It’s alright, Kong. Everything is fine. Don’t cry…don’t cry"
He cradles my face gently in his hands, his thumbs brushing lightly against my skin.
"I love you. Please...Be happy"
His words bring a smile to my face.
"I am very happy, I am just sad for everything you have been through"
I tell him.
"I am happy now…here with you"
"I love you, Arthit"
The words barely escape my lips before he is kissing me again, light at first but with increasing intensity, until I am forced to break our contact, worrying that I will do something, he is not ready for....Yet.
The rest of the afternoon passes quickly. We walk on the beach hand in hand, comfortable with silence, watching the waves lap the rocky shore.
When we get back home, my heart was buzzing with happiness.
**********************
Arthit's POV------
"What is 'morning wood' ??"
Roger stops chopping wood and turns to look at me, his face is surprised.
"Where did you hear that term ??"
"Wad"
Roger shakes his head and I think he says
'Why am I not surprised ??'
His voice is too quiet to be sure.
I keep watching Roger, waiting for an answer.
Roger swings the axe hard into a log, leaving it where it sticks.
He wipes the sweat from his face and motions for me to follow him as he walks away from the house.
We are almost to the stone cottage when Roger speaks again.
"It’s a slang term for an erection in the morning"
Turning to look at me, a smile crosses Roger’s face.
"You don’t know what I am talking about, do you ??"
I shake my head and Roger chuckles softly.
"I assume you know all your body parts ??"
he asks.
I nod, I remember it, from when I was in school.
"An erection is when your penis gets hard. 'Morning wood' is simply an erection when you wake up in the morning. Not even doctors know why this happens, but it’s a normal, healthy thing that happens to all men. Have you had that before, Arthit ??"
I nod. I have..... lots of times.
Roger clears his throat and looks me in the eye.
"Are there other times when this happens besides in the morning ??"
"Yes. With Kong, when I kiss him. I feel warm and dizzy, and then it happens"
"That’s very normal, Arthit"
He is got a strange smile on his face…I don’t understand why.
"Why does it happens ??"
I ask.
"It happens when you are sexually attracted to someone in preparation for intercourse"
I have no idea what he means.
"I have lost you, haven’t I ??"
I nod again.
Roger Thinks about something, then he looks at me
"I think this needs a more in-depth discussion. Let’s go talk, at the hospital. I have some things there.... that will make all this easier"
Roger and I walk quickly back to the house.
Mom is on the porch when we reach the house. Roger gives her a hug and whispers something in her ear.
I don’t know what he says, but Mom looks back and forth from Roger to me with an odd look on her face.
I can’t figure out what the look means.
Kong comes out the door as Roger and I are getting in the car.
Mom leans over to him and tells him something.
Kong blushes darker than I have ever seen and went inside the house.
I have that feeling again…
like something is going on that everyone knows but me.
I don’t like it at all.
**********************
Now that we are at the hospital sitting in Roger’s office he begins bringing in posters and small plastic models, tacking posters to the wall and setting the various models across his desk.
"Okay, I think this will give us a good start"
Roger picks up one of the models. It looks like a person cut in half…
I don’t like it.
"This is a model of the our anatomy, there are some internal parts you should be familiar with as well"
Roger explains about testicles and semen and sperm and how when sperm meets the egg from a woman it makes a baby.
Something about this seems weird. I look at Roger and ask
"Like a chicken egg ??"
He shakes his head, coughing like he is trying not to laugh, and he explains how they are similar to chicken eggs, but very different. Another question is rolling around in my head. If the sperm is in the man, then…
"But how does the sperm get to the egg ??"
"You dosen't have to know that now, but for your curiosity, I am getting to that"
Roger picks up a different model, this one looks very different, on the inside and out.
"This is the female anatomy. Here in the ovaries is where the eggs are kept"
Roger points to a small oval on the model.
He explains how the egg travels to the uterus where it waits for sperm, and then he tells me about women having periods and how they bleed for several days.
"They bleed for days ?? Does it hurt ?? They don’t die ??"
I really don’t understand this, and it makes me panicky for my mom, until Roger tells me more about it.
I am happy that my kong is a boy.
My brain feels packed with all this information.
One thing still confuses me.
"I still don’t understand how the sperm gets to the egg"
Roger sits on the edge of his desk, facing me.
"Arthit, I know I am not your father, but because I love your mother I feel that I should infuse some morality into this discussion. The sperm and egg meet by ejaculation during intercourse"
"What is intercourse ??"
"Inserting the erect penis into your partner's genetical part, vaginal canal in women and anus in men, That is sexual intercourse, or sex. These are just the basic facts, though, there is much more to sex than that, or at least there should be more than that"
This seems like so much already, how could there be more ??
"What more should there be ??"
I ask.
Roger moves from his desk and sits in the chair beside me.
"There should be love. Entering into a sexual relationship with someone isn’t something that should be taken lightly. It should be with someone you trust and, most importantly.... love. Things don’t always go that way, though"
"Why not ??"
Roger smiles and tries to hide a laugh.
"Well, sex feels really good, and sometimes people don’t want to wait or don’t care if they love the person they have sex with"
"You love my mom. Is this something you do together…?? Sex ??"
Roger blushes and shifts in his chair.
"Umm, yes…we do"
He doesn’t say any more and the silence feels…strange.
"Is that what people do when they date ??"
Roger sighs loudly.
"Typically, yes. Arthit, I am sure our discussion has you thinking of Kong a lot, is there anything you want to ask ??
"How do I…sex…I don’t know…"
I feel confused and a bit upset.
"Don’t look so worried, there really is no right or wrong. It’s a learning process. You are going to want to explore yourself and Kong too before you are ready for that next step. May I offer you my opinion ??"
I nod, glad to hear any advice he has.
"I think you and Kong should consider sleeping in separate rooms"
I start shaking my head immediately.
"Now, hear me out, Arthit, before you object. You and Kong are sharing a more intimate relationship already, and with the urges you are having as you told me, you have it might be best, if you at least sleep apart. The body is ready for sex long before the mind. I know you love Kong and he loves you too, but both of you should be sure in your mind and heart that you are ready for a sexual relationship......
Does all that make sense ??"
I nod once again.
His words make sense, but I am not sure how I feel about it.
I like sleeping beside Kong…I don’t want to give him up.
"You ready to head back to the house, or do you have more questions ??"
I just nod. I am ready to leave, but I still have hundreds of questions.....
My brain feels too full and my heart too sad to ask any more questions.
Roger touches my shoulder.
"I know this was a lot to get at once. Here are some pamphlets that might help with any other questions you have"
I take the papers from his hand, but I don’t look at them.
The drive back is quiet. I don’t feel like talking.
All the things Roger told me are swirling in my head.
When we are back at the house. Roger heads inside.
I make it as far as the front steps before sitting down on the steps.
I feel tired all of a sudden.
It’s not long before I hear soft footsteps behind me…
I know it’s Kong.
He sits down next to me and leans his head on my shoulder.
"Are you okay ??"
I shrug.
I don’t know what I am feeling right now.
"A lot to take, huh ??"
I nod.
Kong always understands.
"You want to talk about any of it ??"
He asks.
"Roger thinks we should think about sleeping in separate rooms…he said my body is ready for sex but not my mind"
Kong lifts his head off my shoulder and turns so he can see me.
"He has a good point"
"You don’t want to sleep with me anymore ??"
Kong holds my face in his hands.
"Of course I do Arthit"
"If we have sex will you keep sleeping with me ??"
"Arthit, it doesn’t work like that"
"You don’t want to have sex with me ??"
Kong takes a deep breath, his hands stroking my face.
"More than I can tell you, I want to, but it has to be right for both of us, and the way you are talking now, tells me you are not ready, Not yet Arthit. We are just talking about another room. I am not moving away, we will still see each other just as much. Maybe I can move down to the cottage…that could be fun. We can have dinner together and then we can watch movies…just the two of us"
When I didn't say anything, Kong kisses me softly, his lips barely touching mine.
"Don’t look so worried, Arthit, everything will be fine. We will take things slow and learn and explore and go from there…okay ??"
"Okay...."
I tell him. I trust Kong, and if he says it’s going to be alright then I believe him.
"You want to come inside ?? We can talk to your mom about the cottage"
Kong pulls on my hand as I get up, making me drop the papers in my hand, I forgot I had them.
Kong grabs the pamphlets before I do, blushing very red when he hands them back to me.
'It’s Okay to Masturbate' in bright red type across the paper.
I am not sure why Kong is blushing…
I will ask him later.
"You…you should put that paper in your pocket, I doubt your mom wants to think about that"
After folding the papers and shoving them in my pocket, I follow Kong inside.
Mom and Roger are setting the table when we walk in.
Dinner starts quietly.
Kong is the first to talk.
"I am wondering what you would think if I moved down to the cottage…by myself"
He asked from mom.
Mom looks at me for a moment, then at Kong, giving him a small smile.
"If that’s what you would like to do. Then it's perfectly fine with me"
Mom and Kong continue talking, but I don’t really pay attention to what they say.
After dinner Kong goes to our room, my room now...... to pack his clothes.
It doesn’t take him long.
He steps between my knees where I sit on the bed and brushes his fingers through my hair.
I like it when he does that, it feels good.
"Please don’t look so sad, love…I am just right across the yard"
I pull him closer and press my face to his chest. I can feel the thump of his heart against my forehead. I know he will be close, but I won’t be able to feel him in my arms or smell his hair when he sleeps beside me. I pull him even closer, moving my face so I can kiss his neck and then his lips. I feel his fingers move up my neck and into my hair again, pulling me closer and sliding his tongue in my mouth. I take him in again, enjoying the way he brushes his tongue against mine and the sweet taste of him in my mouth.
When he pulls away from me, a big smile is on his face.
"You want to walk me down ??"
It only takes us two trips to get Kong’s things to the cottage and by the time he unpacks his stuff it’s dark.
"Hey, let’s set a date for tomorrow. I can make dinner for us and we can watch a movie or play a game…... Does that sound good to you ??"
Kong asks.
I pull him close to me again until I can rest my face on his shoulder
"That sounds great"
I know I need to go, but I don’t want to…I don’t want to sleep in the bed alone, without my Kong.
"You know I am going to miss you, too"
Kong whispers against me.
I feel his head tilt up against mine and feel his lips against my jaw. My lips seek his and I find them waiting, eagerly sucking at mine.
I finally pull away, but still hold him close to me.
"Will you be alright here all alone ?? You could bring Tyson here with you, if you want, so you aren’t alone at night"
Kong touches my face lightly.
"It’ll be fine, Arthit, really. You should get some sleep, it’s been a long day"
Kong kisses me on the cheek and takes a step back.
"Goodnight, Arthit. I love you"
"I love you, Kong"
It feels strange to be walking alone into the house and even stranger walking into the bedroom, and it’s quiet except for Tyson breathing in his basket.
I move to the window and I can see the light from the cottage, and I wonder if Kong is thinking of me like I am thinking of him.
After I climb in bed, I stare up at the ceiling for a long time.
I miss Kong’s warm body beside me.
I miss the sound of his breathing.
"Tyson…Tyson…up here boy"
Tyson jumps up happily on the bed and curls himself beside me.
It’s not the company I want, but at least I am not alone now.
I listen to Tyson’s even breathing and soon feel my eyes getting tired.
Kong and Roger’s discussions are the last things on my mind.
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A/N: Thank you so much for reading and voting for the story. I hope I have written down the curiosity of Arthit's mind in right way.... Tell me your thoughts about that in comments section 💖💖