Arthit hesitated for a brief moment as if he was about to speak, but in the end, he remained silent. Instead, he reached out and lightly pushed Daotok's head—a fleeting, almost playful gesture—before quickly pulling his hand away.
His gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, his brows furrowing slightly as he let out a faint sigh. After that, neither of them spoke for the remainder of the drive to the stationery shop.
Daotok discreetly glanced at him, puzzled. Normally, Arthit would at least say something, tease him, or make some offhand remark. But today, he was uncharacteristically quiet.
"I'll wait here. Got a lot of stuff?" Arthit finally asked once they arrived, his voice neutral.
"Not much. I'll be quick," Daotok replied.
"Alright."
Arthit sat down on a bench outside the shop while Daotok went inside, quickly picking out the supplies he needed. He placed them in a basket, paid at the register, and hurried back. When he stepped outside, he found Arthit still waiting, his attention momentarily fixed on his phone.
"That was quick," Arthit remarked as he looked up, slipping his phone into his pocket. He reached out and grabbed the bag from Daotok's hand without waiting for permission, then turned on his heel and led the way back to the car.
The drive back to the condo was as silent as before. Arthit maneuvered the vehicle smoothly through the city streets, his expression unreadable. Once they arrived, he carried all the items they had bought that day, following Daotok to his room since some of the things belonged to him.
As Daotok pushed the door open and reached for the light switch, he said over his shoulder, "Just put the stuff down—mmph."
Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of the bag dropping to the floor barely registered before he was gently but firmly pushed against the wall.
The force wasn't rough, but it caught him completely off guard. His breath hitched as Arthit's hand tilted his chin upward, and before he could protest, warm lips crashed against his own.
The kiss was nothing like before. It was raw, feral—an act of complete domination. Arthit's lips crashed against Daotok's with an urgency that stole the breath from his lungs.
His tongue pushed past the last remnants of space between them, hot and demanding, claiming every inch of Daotok's mouth with ruthless precision. There was no hesitation, no tenderness—only possession, only the sheer force of a man who refused to be denied.
Daotok let out a muffled sound, a mixture of protest and something dangerously close to surrender, but it was swallowed whole. His fingers curled against Arthit's chest, trembling as he attempted to push him away, but the effort was useless. Arthit's grip tightened, his hand threading into Daotok's hair, yanking just enough to draw a startled gasp from his lips.
The moment his mouth opened, Arthit deepened the kiss, his tongue delving deeper, sweeping over every inch, tasting him, devouring him.
The wet, obscene sounds of their mouths colliding filled the room, blending with the ragged, uneven breaths that neither of them could control. Heat coiled deep in Daotok's stomach, a foreign burn that made his legs feel weak, unsteady. His pulse pounded violently in his throat, drowning out reason, drowning out everything except the intensity of Arthit's hunger.
When he tried to turn his face away, a firm hand shot out, gripping his chin with an unrelenting force, dragging him back into submission. The rough pad of Arthit's thumb brushed over his cheek, a cruel contrast to the bruising, consuming kiss that left no room for escape.
His nails dug into Arthit's shoulders, but the man didn't even flinch. Instead, he growled—a low, dangerous sound that sent shivers down Daotok's spine.
His knees threatened to buckle, his body betraying him, melting under the weight of Arthit's touch. And just as he feared he might collapse, strong arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him flush against an unyielding body.
The heat of him, the sheer dominance in the way he held him, had Daotok's breath stuttering, had something dark and terrifying curling inside his chest.
Possessive. Unrelenting. Consuming.
Arthit wasn't just kissing him—he was marking him, making sure there would be no mistaking who he belonged to.
"Mm... mmph," Daotok whimpered, attempting once again to push him away, but his body refused to cooperate. His limbs felt heavy, useless. The longer the kiss went on, the more he lost himself in it. The heat coiling in his chest spread rapidly through his entire body, leaving him breathless and dazed.
Arthit didn't stop. His tongue plunged into Daotok's mouth, a hot, desperate invasion that sent a shudder down his spine. He licked, sucked, bit—leaving no part of him untouched, no inch unexplored. Their mouths moved in a fervent, punishing rhythm, wet and messy, the obscene sound of lips colliding and parting filling the charged air between them.
Daotok gasped, struggling to breathe, but Arthit gave him no reprieve. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss, his teeth catching Daotok's lower lip and tugging just hard enough to make him whimper. A sharp sting. A flash of pleasure mixed with pain. Daotok's fingers curled into Arthit's shirt, gripping the fabric like a lifeline.
By the time Arthit finally pulled away, Daotok's lips were swollen, glistening, his breaths coming in ragged, desperate gasps. Heat pooled low in his stomach, an ache that refused to be ignored. His body trembled, his pulse thundering so violently he swore it echoed in his ears.
Arthit licked his lips slowly, savoring the lingering taste of the kiss, his dark gaze never once wavering. Possessive. Ravenous. Daotok felt the weight of it pressing down on him, stripping him bare.
Daotok lowered his eyes, unable to hold that unrelenting stare. But Arthit wasn't finished. Not even close.
A firm hand gripped Daotok's chin, tilting his face back up, forcing him to look at him. "Don't look away," Arthit murmured, his voice low, rough with desire.
Daotok shuddered at the command, but he couldn't find his voice, couldn't even think past the overwhelming heat suffocating him. His lips still tingled from the bruising kiss, his chest rising and falling in uneven pants.
Arthit leaned in, brushing his lips against Daotok's jaw. A teasing whisper of a touch. Daotok flinched, the sensation too much, too little—just enough to make him crave more.
Then came the kisses. Slow. Purposeful. A trail of soft, warm lips mapping a path down his jaw, his throat. Each press lingered, branding him, claiming him. And then—
A sharp bite. Teeth sinking into the sensitive skin of his neck, right above his racing pulse.
Daotok choked on a gasp, his body jerking at the sting. It wasn't enough to break the skin, but it was enough to make his legs go weak, enough to send heat surging through his veins.
Arthit sucked at the mark, soothing the bite with his tongue before pulling back, his breath hot against Daotok's flushed skin.
Daotok's body betrayed him, a quiet, shaky moan slipping past his swollen lips. He was burning. Overwhelmed. And worst of all—he didn't want him to stop.
"Can you stand?" Arthit murmured, his voice softer now, laced with an emotion Daotok couldn't quite decipher.
Daotok, who had been gripping Arthit's shirt for support, slowly released his hold. It took him a few moments to steady himself, but eventually, he nodded. Arthit seemed satisfied, his lips curling into a small smile as he loosened his embrace.
"When you said you'd try for us... Do you know how happy that made me?" Arthit's voice was husky, deep, almost reverent as he lifted Daotok's hand and placed a gentle kiss on his knuckle. The simple gesture made Daotok's heart skip a beat. "At first, I wondered if I could hold back," Arthit continued, his gaze locked onto Daotok's. "But... Here's my answer." He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against Daotok's ear. "I can't. So, you'd better get ready quickly. Otherwise, I might not be able to stop myself."
Daotok swallowed hard, his mind going blank. He bit his lower lip, unable to form a response. Arthit's words sent a rush of heat straight through him, making it impossible to think straight.
Arthit smirked knowingly, the teasing glint in his eyes making Daotok even more flustered.
Summoning what little strength he had left, Daotok turned, shoved the door open, and pushed Arthit out with all the force he could muster. Arthit chuckled, stepping back willingly, looking far too pleased with himself.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Daotok slid down to the floor, his back pressed against it. He let out a long, shaky breath, his fingers brushing over his lips as he replayed what had just happened.
Burying his face against his knees, he tried to will away the heat flooding his face. But it was no use.
In the quiet of his room, his heart pounded relentlessly, echoing through the silence.
"Ah... This is bad. Really bad."
☆☆☆☆☆
Standing outside the room, Arthit ran his tongue over his lips, reliving the intoxicating memory of what had just transpired. The lingering sensation of Daotok's lips against his own sent a pleasant shiver down his spine.
How could someone taste so sweet? It was a flavor he felt he could never get enough of, an addiction in the making. That kiss was overwhelming—soft yet fervent, hesitant yet inviting.
And Daotok...everything about him was enticing. His breathless gasps, the way his fingers had clenched into Arthit's shirt, the way he had melted under his touch.
It had taken all of Arthit's willpower to stop himself. If he hadn't pulled away when he did, things would have escalated far beyond just a kiss. The thought made him chuckle to himself, a mixture of frustration and amusement. For now, he decided to let Daotok rest. The things he had left behind in his room could wait.
Stepping into his own room, Arthit took a deep breath, only to be greeted by a faint scent still clinging to his clothes—the scent of Daotok. His lips curled into a smirk. He was in a good mood, a rare feeling that had been hard to come by lately.
His little one had agreed to try, to give them a chance. That moment had nearly floored him, leaving him speechless, something that rarely happened to him. It was a miracle he hadn't died from,sheer excitement.
Maybe he should try to be more patient with Daotok, too. He had already been holding himself back for so long, but how much longer could he endure? If he was being honest, patience was never his strong suit. But if it meant earning Daotok's heart completely, then so be it.
He glanced at his phone, his fingers instinctively brushing over the key card in his pocket. A smug grin spread across his face.
"Who else could be as special to him as I am?" he mused aloud. "Who could possibly be more important to him than me?"
Just then, a voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Did something good happen to you?"
Arthit turned to see Hill watching him, brow raised in mild curiosity. His friend had finally noticed his unusually bright mood.
"Finally, you ask!" Arthit beamed, practically bouncing on his feet. He had been waiting all morning for someone to bring it up. His happiness from the night before was too much to keep bottled up.
"What's it about?" Hill asked, flipping a page in his book, only half-paying attention.
"Do you really want to know? Wow, you're such a great friend."
Hill sighed. "Just say it already. If you're that eager to share, don't keep me in suspense."
"I was waiting for you to be curious!" Arthit teased.
"Alright, I'm curious now. Spill it."
Arthit grinned before launching into a summary of what had happened the night before, conveniently leaving out the details of the kiss. Some things were worth keeping to himself, but oh, how he wished Direk were around.
The only person within reach to listen to his gloating was Hill, and even though the man was more focused on his book than on Arthit's words, it didn't deter him one bit.
"Ah... I see. Good for you." Hill nodded, still reading.
Arthit scoffed. "Hill, man... you must be so proud of me, huh? Really proud." He shot him a smug grin.
Hill finally looked up, unimpressed. "Even while eating, you're still talking?"
"And you're still reading while eating?"
"I'm reading while waiting for you to finish rambling. Now hurry up and eat instead of messing with your phone."
Arthit huffed before shoveling food into his mouth, but his mind remained on Daotok. The little one still hadn't replied to his messages since last night—not even read them. Embarrassment, no doubt. He was probably avoiding him.
Last night had been restless. His bed felt too big, too empty without Daotok there. The warmth he had grown used to was missing, and for a fleeting moment, he had been tempted to use the key card, to sneak into Daotok's room and see him. But he had held himself back, knowing full well that Daotok wouldn't dare face him yet.
As he finished his meal, his phone vibrated. His heart leapt in anticipation as he quickly unlocked it, only for his excitement to crash when he read the message:
[DAOTOK]: I have an appointment with Khun Kim this afternoon.
Arthit scowled.
[ARTHIT]: What?! Why? Why meet with him?
[DAOTOK]: You said you wanted me to hurry, didn't you? Khun Kim said he's available.
[ARTHIT]: No. You can only go when I'm there. Absolutely no meeting him
one-on-one!
[DAOTOK]: Aren't you busy this afternoon?
Arthit gritted his teeth, fingers clenching around his phone. The thought of Daotok alone with Kim sent a surge of possessiveness through him. It wasn't just about the meeting—it was about the fact that Kim was interested in Daotok. He had seen it in the way the man looked at him, had felt the unspoken competition hanging in the air.
No way. Not happening.
"I'm skipping rounds this afternoon," he announced suddenly.
Hill raised an eyebrow. "You can't."
"This is serious! I can't let him be alone with Kim!"
"Who's Kim?"
"A client who hired Shorty for a project—and he likes him."
"Are you sure?" Hill asked, ever the calm and rational one.
"Absolutely. I could tell just by looking at him," Arthit said with certainty.
Hill remained unimpressed, flipping another page in his book.
"Didn't your little one say he wouldn't open his heart to anyone else? Don't worry too much."
"It's different!" Arthit huffed. "It's like when you're protective of your boyfriend and don't want anyone else looking at him."
Hill glanced at him with an amused smirk. "Yeah, it's different. I can be protective of my boyfriend, but you... can you be protective of your younger sibling?"
Arthit froze. His eye twitched as he glared at Hill, who continued reading as if he hadn't just struck a nerve.
"Damn it. I'll pinch the hell out of you."
Hill only chuckled. "He's a client. Be patient. Wait until after the work is done."
Arthit groaned, but deep down, he knew Hill was right. Still, that didn't make the situation any less infuriating. He would deal with Kim later. But first, he needed to figure out how to stop himself from barging into that meeting uninvited.
"You're right. I'll try to think of it that way," he muttered, though the irritation in his voice was clear.
Hill smirked knowingly. "What's Kim like, anyway?"
Arthit scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "Nothing special. I'm way better looking. Even my crow's feet look better than his."
"And his personality?"
"Polite. Basically, imagine a version of Tonfah who's trying to steal my boyfriend."
Hill snorted. "Really? So, between Fah and you, who do you think a normal person would choose?"
Arthit narrowed his eyes. "Hill, why are you messing with me? Aren't you supposed to be on my side?"
"Hmm? Nah, just curious." Hill's smirk widened into a small, victorious smile.
Arthit huffed, knowing full well Hill was enjoying this far too much. He must have been saving up every moment Arthit had ever teased him, waiting for the perfect opportunity to get back at him. But it didn't matter.
Arthit was sure of one thing—Daotok would always pick him over anyone else. Where would he find someone like Arthit again?
Determined, he pulled out his phone and opened Instagram. Earlier, he had seen Min's story showing her at Coffee-Mate, a small café tucked away near the back of campus where she worked. An idea struck him.
[ARTHIT]: Go to Coffee-Mate near the back of campus.
[ARTHIT]: This place. (Attached location pin)
[DAOTOK]: Why?
[ARTHIT]: Just do it. If you don't, I'll skip rounds and head straight to you right now!
The message remained unread, but that didn't stop Arthit from immediately dialing Min.
The call connected within seconds. "Yeah? What's up?" Min answered casually.
"You're at work, right? The coffee shop?"
"Yeah, I'm here. It's quiet. No customers at the moment. Why?"
"Listen, Shorty's heading to your shop. He's got a meeting with some client named Kim. Keep an eye—scratch that, keep a very close eye on them. Don't let that Kim guy pull anything on Shorty. If he so much as stares too hard, throw hot coffee on him."
There was a beat of silence before Min burst out laughing. "What the hell? Are you crazy? You want me to assault a customer with scalding coffee? Also, who's Shorty, and why are you calling me out of nowhere about this?"
"Shorty is Daotok."
"Oh, you mean Dao." Min's tone shifted to one of understanding. "Alright, so why do I have to babysit him? What's the deal?"
"That client likes him."
"Ah, so you're outsourcing your paranoia to me now, huh?" Min chuckled. "Fine. You want me to keep an eye on this Kim guy?"
"Exactly. You're catching on fast."
"You really are something, you know? Sure, sure, I'll keep watch. Want me to report back too?"
"Of course."
"Got it, boss."
The call ended, and Arthit let out a breath, feeling slightly more at ease knowing Min would be watching. Still, time dragged painfully as he went through his afternoon rounds, unable to check his phone. Finally, at nearly 4 P.M, he rushed to the café the moment he was free.
The bell jingled as he stepped inside, his eyes immediately scanning for Daotok. Before he could spot him, Min appeared by his side, tapping his shoulder.
"Over here."
She led him to a table in a corner where they could remain unseen. There, sitting in his student uniform, was Daotok, across from Kim, a pile of papers spread between them.
Min leaned in, whispering, "He's been talking since early afternoon, up until now. What on earth are they discussing?"
Arthit furrowed his brows. "I want to know too," he grumbled, irritation creeping back in.
"I messaged you, but you didn't even read it," Min said smugly. "So, I eavesdropped."
"You're so nosy." He rolled his eyes. "What did you hear?"
"That guy, Kim, invited Dao to visit Korea."
Arthit's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Shhh!" Min hushed him, pressing a finger to her lips. "From what I've seen, Kim's been giving him these... lovestruck eyes the whole time."
Arthit's stomach twisted. Lovestruck eyes? His jaw clenched.
"But to be fair," Min continued, "he's pretty good-looking. Makes me wish I had a Korean boyfriend."
"Go ahead, then!" Arthit snapped.
Min blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
"You should go for him! That way, you'd get a boyfriend, and I'd get to protect my boyfriend. It's a win-win."
Min stared at him like he had lost his mind. "You're insane."
Ignoring her, Arthit continued watching the interaction. Kim was awkwardly trying to help Daotok pack up, but Daotok refused his help.
Hah! Weakling. I've helped him pack up countless times. Give up already!
Determined, Arthit got up and strode over. The moment Daotok noticed him, he startled slightly. Without a word, Arthit reached down and helped him gather his things, his movements deliberate, his presence unmistakable.
Kim watched, his brows furrowing in confusion.
Once everything was packed, Arthit casually draped an arm over Daotok's shoulders, letting his fingers linger just a little too long against the soft fabric of his uniform. Then, he turned to Kim, flashing a victorious smirk.
Kim frowned, clearly irritated.
Daotok hesitated, then murmured a polite goodbye before willingly walking away with Arthit. As soon as they stepped outside, Arthit tightened his grip just slightly.
"Why were you talking to him for so long?" he asked, voice low.
Daotok didn't answer. When Arthit turned to look, he noticed the faint pink dusting the tips of Daotok's ears.
His heart swelled with smug satisfaction.