Morning sunlight spilled softly through the curtains, painting the apartment in gentle gold. Karan stirred first, half-awake, and instinctively reached for Arthit. The other boy's warmth pressed against him, steady and comforting. For a moment, Karan simply breathed him in, feeling the rise and fall of his chest, the rhythm of his heartbeat syncing with his own.
Arthit stirred, eyes fluttering open, and immediately found Karan's gaze. A sleepy smile spread across his face, the kind that made Karan's chest tighten and his heart ache with affection. "Good morning," Arthit whispered, voice rough with sleep.
"Morning," Karan murmured back, brushing a stray strand of hair from his forehead. "Sleep well?"
Arthit yawned and snuggled closer. "Better… now that I'm awake next to you."
Karan's fingers traced circles on Arthit's back, careful, slow, savoring the sensation of closeness. "I could stay like this forever," he murmured.
Arthit tilted his head up, lips brushing Karan's softly. "Then don't move," he said, voice teasing yet tender. "Let's stay like this… just us, for a while."
Hours passed in a slow, blissful haze. They talked quietly about everything and nothing—childhood memories, silly dreams, small hopes for the future. Laughter filled the apartment, warm and easy, a sound Karan had missed more than he realized. Every glance, every touch, every shared secret deepened the bond that had survived years of distance and longing.
Later, Karan pulled Arthit close on the couch, wrapping a blanket around them both. "I never want to leave your side," he whispered. "I don't care about the world outside. I just want this… I want you."
Arthit rested his head on Karan's chest, hands brushing over his torso. "You have me," he murmured. "All of me. And I'll never let you go either."
The day slipped on in quiet intimacy. They cooked together in the kitchen, laughing as Karan accidentally spilled flour across the counter. Arthit teased him relentlessly, but the warmth in his eyes never left, and Karan found himself leaning into every touch, every brush of hands, every shared smile.
Lunch became a shared affair of stolen kisses and lingering touches. Karan fed Arthit bites of food with a playful grin, and Arthit retaliated with gentle nibbles on Karan's fingers. Every action, every glance, was charged with a quiet desire, a gentle yearning.
In the afternoon, they lay together on the floor by the window, sunlight bathing them. Karan's hand rested over Arthit's heart, feeling the rapid beat beneath his palm. "Do you feel that?" Karan asked softly.
Arthit nodded, eyes closed. "I feel it," he whispered. "I feel you… and it's everything."
They kissed slowly, tenderly, letting each brush of lips and fingertips speak the words they couldn't fully say. "I love you," Karan murmured against Arthit's lips.
"I love you too," Arthit breathed back. "More than anything. Always."
As evening approached, they sat together on the balcony, watching the city lights flicker on one by one. Karan draped an arm around Arthit, holding him close, and for a long while, neither spoke. Words were unnecessary—their closeness, their hands entwined, their foreheads resting together said everything.
When the night fell, they moved back inside, curling up under the blanket on the couch again. Karan pressed gentle kisses along Arthit's jaw and neck, letting his hands explore softly, reverently. "You're mine," Karan whispered.
"I'm yours," Arthit replied without hesitation. "Always."
Hours later, they finally drifted to sleep, wrapped around each other, hearts beating in sync, a quiet intimacy settling over them like a protective shield. It was a day of love, of closeness, of a bond reaffirmed in every kiss, every caress, every whispered word.
For Karan and Arthit, the world outside could wait. Here, in each other's arms, they had found everything they had ever wanted.
And as they slept, intertwined and peaceful, one truth became undeniable:
Love, in its quiet, tender way, was stronger than anything.
---
End OF chapter 36