In Every Lifetime

Chapter Thirty Three

"So this is my study, where I work most of the time. I haven't had time to check out the areas around my apartment much, but if you're going to be with me, I guess we could!" Kongpob chirped happily, as he pushed Arthit in front of him from room to room, showing him the place he lived in.

Arthit was still in confusion, as he allowed himself to be manhandled. None of this was making any sense. How was this going to be now? Was he never going to be able to reincarnate? Would he stay here forever? Was he going to have sex with Kongpob every day? Was he going to disappear if he didn't? How was he going to go back to the other realm if he needed to? Would other people be able to see him?

There were a million and one questions swimming around his head and his husband could apparently care less about the future. Kongpob lived too much in the moment. But the joy that he revelled in that Arthit was here with him was contagious, so Arthit couldn't keep up his worrying and eventually gave up.

What was the worst that could happen right? He was already dead anyway.

"Look!" Kongpob said excitedly, waving a small photo frame in front of him. "This has been my motivation to work every day."

Arthit had to hold his hand to stop him shaking the frame so he could finally get a better look at the picture inside. Then he regretted doing so because the face that stared back at him was none other than his own. How the hell did Kongpob even get a picture of him?

Rounding on his husband, who by the way looked like a lovestruck fool, he yelped, "where did you get this!"

"Your mum. She decided that I needed to at least have a picture of my husband. It's a pretty good one, don't you think?" Kongpob beamed, holding up his photo frame next to Arthit's face.

"You're crazy." Arthit mumbled, looking away.

"Just for you." Kongpob answered almost immediately, snuggling up to Arthit and trying to steal some kisses.

"Don't you have to work?" Arthit whined, trying to push Kongpob's face away with his hand but ended up with kisses to his palms instead.

"I was thinking of going out to work today." Kongpob mused, "It isn't every day I get to explore my neighbourhood with my husband."

"Well, then what are you waiting for? Get your butt moving!" Arthit groused, stepping away to explore the house on his own. Knowing his husband, Kongpob would come up with more excuses to stay in if he didn't drag him out. It would be nice too, to see the human world again.

~***~

"Kongpob, you really need to stop making it so obvious when you're talking to me!" Arthit hissed as he smacked his husband's hand away for the umpteenth time since they had stepped out onto the streets. They had just passed the third person who had given Kongpob 'the look' for having what looked to be a conversation with himself.

They had quickly realised that while Arthit was unlike ghosts they had seen in shows and had a perfect ability to touch and pick up anything at will, the only human he could have physical contact with was Kongpob. It made sense really, when Kongpob thought about it. If his theory was right, Arthit practically shared his essence now, they were essentially one. It sent little shivers of happiness down his spine when he thought about it like that. Arthit was his in all ways.

"Kongpob, when I said to make it not obvious, I didn't mean to keep quiet and grin like an idiot." Arthit deadpanned from his side, pulling him out of his little daydream.

Kongpob pouted. He couldn't talk to Arthit as freely now that they were out. Why the hell did he have that bright idea of going on a date outside? He should have just stayed home with Arthit and he would have been able to talk and cuddle as much as he had wanted.

"Then what am I supposed to do? I brought you out so we could have a date, not for me to act as if I'm all by myself. What's the point of that?" He grumbled softly, looking down so that no one could see him mumbling to himself.

Arthit giggled a little at the sight of his petulant husband before slowly slipping his fingers in between Kongpob's, interlacing them tightly. "We'll figure out how to make you look a little less insane slowly. But for now, stop whining! We're supposed to be getting you a nice spot to write, not go for a date."

Kongpob stared in wonder at their linked hands for a moment before lifting them to stare googly eyed at Arthit. This! He felt like he'd just won the world. 'Take that past life Kongpob!' he thought smugly to himself before happily tugging Arthit towards a small quaint bakery he had heard the other tenants in their building talk about.

Ordering up a couple of pastries and drinks, Kongpob settled himself into a corner, where Arthit sat waiting for him. Looking at the items that his husband placed down onto the table, he cocked an eyebrow at him.

"You do realise you have to finish all these by yourself right? I'm of no use here." He said, eyeing the many items that Kongpob had just placed onto the table, including a cup of pink milk.

"I know," Kongpob quipped, "I'll just pack 'em to go later."

"People are going to think you're either a glutton or you got stood up." Arthit teased, spotting a couple of the staff giggling and whispering while eyeing Kongpob.

Kongpob shrugged, "I'm here with you, nothing is going to put a damper on my mood," He hummed, bouncing a little as though he was singing a song as he pulled out his writing materials.

Arthit rolled his eyes as he tried to peek at what Kongpob was writing but the latter quickly covered his writing with his hands. "It's a secret" Kongpob whispered cheekily, throwing a small wink his way.

"Fine. Be that way." Arthit groused, turning his head away defiantly.

He watched through the window as people walked along the small alleyways, going on with their lives. It was unbelievable that he was back here. Did this happen to other souls, he wondered. Or were they the one in a million? Turning back to his husband who was now engrossed in his writing, scrolling away furiously, occasionally scratching out a word or two.

"Kong," he called out. "Why did you become a writer?"

"Hmm," Kongpob hummed again, "at first it started out as a hobby. I wrote small stories or articles and submitted them to school papers, the newspapers, magazines and eventually, I decided to do it as a full time job. It worked out to my advantage really, since well, you know the dreams often made me really tired in the day and I needed flexibility in my schedule. Just in case I needed to take a nap in between. P'Yong was a senior of mine from school and he was nice enough to give me my first big break." He explained as quietly as possible, making it seem as if he was mumbling to himself as he wrote.

"Ah.. I'm sorry Kong." Arthit whispered guiltily. He didn't understand what it was like to live with the memories of his past life haunting him. But he imagined he might not have been as strong as Kongpob had been. In fact, he was pretty sure of it.

"Don't be silly, it isn't your fault you don't remember. Who are we to fight the gods?" Kongpob smiled, setting his pen down to look at Arthit properly. Rearranging their drinks so that they kept their hands out of sight, he reached out for Arthit's and caressed it gently. "I told you this, I will never regret remembering because it is what led me to you. And I wouldn't have it any other way. So don't ever say you're sorry again."

Sensing that Arthit was still bothered, Kongpob took his chances.

"Well, you could say I love you instead, that would make me feel tooooons better."

"Kongpob!"

If the staff decided to bar Kongpob from entry the next time as he laughed like a madman to himself in his little corner while his husband flushed furiously, he was going to pin all the blame on Arthit and demand compensation for the loss of reputation.

Please oh please, bar me from entry. Kongpob thought cheekily as he watched his husband mumble incoherently under his breath across him.

~***~

Work has been a pain, sorry for being away for so long ):