The late afternoon sun brushed against the office windows, its light dimmed by the heavy clouds hinting at rain. Soft voices wove through the room, a rhythm that felt natural but carried an edge of finality. The vibrant posters lining the walls, bold declarations of resilience, seemed to fade into the gentle shadows, their presence quieter now, as if in step with the mood of departure.

Sean's gaze rested on the empty desk as if unable to believe it was his last day. Months at RSAT had reshaped his understanding of many things. He had learned to see progress in small victories – the drafting of petitions, the steady push for marriage equality, and the growing support for LGBTQ rights in a country where change was slow but undeniable. The faces and stories he had encountered and those who fought for recognition and dignity would stay with him for a long time.

It was difficult to say goodbye, and he would miss it a lot, but not nearly as much as he missed him.

The tension between his principles and choice lingered, but he learned to balance those conflicting feelings better. Sean wasn't sure when exactly he would come to terms with it, but for now, he had found a compromise that didn't feel like a betrayal. Besides, the weeks he spent anxiously waiting for that conditional acceptance letter from the University of Law had only reinforced one thing: nothing about this choice would be easy. But maybe that was what made it worth it.

"I'm going to miss you," Praew whined, jumping on him from behind.

Sean staggered but quickly regained his balance, twisting slightly to look at the trans woman who had been his supervisor throughout his internship. "Me or the person who helps you dodge paperwork?"

"I would never!" she gasped, clutching her chest dramatically.

Krit looked up from his laptop and laughed. "No worries, we will find you a new prey."

Praew shot him a glare. "You make me sound like the worst boss," she hissed before turning back to Sean with an expectant look. "Tell him I'm amazing."

"It's your last day, Sean. There is no need to sugarcoat it."

Sean rolled his eyes at his several years older colleague. "P'Krit, I may still need references in the future."

"I'm too old to deal with the two of you," she complained, then leaned on the desk with a wide smile. "But moving across the world for love... I had no idea you were such a romantic, Sean. Your boyfriend is a one lucky guy."

"Do you still have any lingering reservations about moving to London with financial backing from Anderson, Chambers and Partners?" Kirt asked with concern, remembering Sean's hesitation when he first came to ask for their advice. "Or have you finally accepted that you are more than qualified to get an offer like this?"

"I'm getting there."

Praew sighed and patted his shoulder. "Stubborn as ever," she teased. "Think about it. How many job offers have you gotten already? Plenty, right? And you didn't question any of them because you knew you earned them. This one's no different, just bigger. Miss Anderson may have noticed you through Jay, but her offer is based entirely on your qualifications. And as your boss, I'm officially forbidding you from doubting it."

Sean glanced at her with appreciation. Praew was fifteen years his senior – cheerful, playful, and with incredible experience. She was someone who lived what she preached, never hesitating to stand up for what was right. Working with her had been a privilege, and Sean respected her opinion more than he cared to admit.

"You know it's not that simple."

"I know," Praew said softly. "But finding someone who truly gets you, who's willing to stand by you no matter what? That's rare, Sean. Don't let something as fleeting as money or status keep you from being happy. Those things come and go, but love like that? It's worth everything."

Krit raised his eyebrow questioningly. "Oh? And who is a hopeless romantic now?"

"You look too happy over there," Praew said, swiftly picking up the stack of documents and smacking them on his desk. "Deal with this instead."

His face paled as he looked horrified at the paperwork before him. "Sean, don't leave me here alone with her... The boss will work me to death."

Sean laughed at him. "Sorry, my ticket is nonrefundable."

"Fine, fine, I will suffer by all my lonesome self," Krit chuckled before returning to work. "I know you don't need this, but good luck."

Leaving the building felt like closing a long chapter of his life, an important one. The kind that shaped him into the person he was. It brought an incredible sense of accomplishment. It was difficult at times, and Sean had moments when he felt like he wouldn't make it, but he got there in the end.

The small temple stood at the neighbourhood's edge, its weathered eaves catching the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. Shadows stretched across the stone courtyard, with the trees framing the space in reverence. The scent of incense mingled with the earthy aroma of sun-warmed stone and the subtle sweetness of fresh flowers left by visitors, creating a serene tranquillity that seemed to hold time itself at bay.

Sean knelt before the modest stupa that bore his parents' names, the inscriptions still sharp despite the passing years, standing as a silent reminder of their presence. He lit three incense sticks, watching the thin trails of smoke rise and drift into the stillness around him. With his hands pressed together, he lowered his head, letting the moment settle.

This wasn't just an ordinary visit – it was a goodbye. In a few days, he would leave Bangkok, the city that, despite its imperfections, was his home for the longest time. Sean lowered the incense, bowing deeply as if the gesture alone could express everything he wanted to say.

Quietly, he told them he had graduated, the words carrying both pride and a sense of fulfilment, as if achieving this milestone was not just for himself but for them, too. A gratitude for everything they had sacrificed for him and their constant encouragement to reach for the impossible.

And then, he spoke of someone who had come into his life, someone who had shown him that life could be more than just surviving, more than chasing ideals. Sean smiled faintly, imagining him here one day.

For now, it was just him, quietly promising his parents he wouldn't forget where he came from – and that he would return one day with the person who had become his future.

The soft rustle of robes preceded the quiet voice behind him. "It has been some time, Sean."

Sean turned to see an elder monk, his serene face creased with a kind smile. "Greetings, Phra Ajahn."

"I almost didn't recognise you without the bruises," the monk said, looking at him closely. "You appear rather well."

"I sorted myself out, I believe," he responded, shifting to a cross-legged position and lightly bowed his head. "Thank you for looking after them, Phra Ajahn."

"Of course," the monk hummed, looking at the darkening sky. "It has been three years, hasn't it? What brings you here today?"

Sean glanced at the stupa and smiled. "I wanted to let them know... I graduated from university and will be moving to London soon."

"They would be proud."

"I hope so," Sean chuckled humourlessly. "Because last time I was here, I had the impression mother would scold me into oblivion and smack me a few times for good measure, and father would let her. They must have been so disappointed."

The monk leaned over and gently patted his shoulder. "Sometimes, we make choices that seem wrong only because we cannot yet see another path," he said softly. "It does not make you a bad person, Sean. To stumble is natural, for it is how we learn to stand more firmly. What matters is not the fall but the steps you take after."

Sean smiled unwittingly. "You're still as wise as ever, Phra Ajahn."

"And you're still as stubborn as ever."

"Fair enough."

The monk looked at him with a slight amusement, but his expression remained as always gentle and understanding. "Your mother often prayed for your happiness above all else. Walk your path with a light heart, Sean. No matter where it will take you, as long as you are happy, they will be at peace."

His gaze lingered on the stupa, a faint smile softening his expression as he bowed his head one last time. After exchanging goodbye with the monk, Sean turned and made his way across the courtyard. The weight on his shoulders felt lighter as he left the temple grounds and stepped into the fading light of evening.

The sky deepened into a moody indigo, with distant rolls of thunder hinting at an approaching storm. The air hung heavy and humid, clinging to the remnants of the day's sweltering heat. Faint wisps of smoke curled upward beneath the corrugated roof, mixing with the scent of oil and grease. Beneath the bright light, the space held a quiet heaviness, the kind that lingers when something is coming to an end.

"I never thought we would have a farewell party for Sean," Win mumbled, looking like an abandoned puppy.

Tay rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Yeah, who knew he would get himself a rich boyfriend and move away for a cushy life."

"It's your brother you are talking about," Izzy scolded him, smacking his head. "Besides, Sean was already into him when he still thought it was you."

"Gross..." Tay shuddered.

Win grinned with satisfaction. "I think it all started when Jay pinned him against the wall as if it was nothing... I guess some people click instantly. It just took them a while to act on it."

"Agreed. Not long after, Sean ended up spending most of the evening just watching him study," Fort hummed, nudging the charcoal. "I can only imagine how conflicted he must have felt, being suddenly drawn to someone he technically hated."

"Oh? I thought you were above petty gossip," Win teased, helping him arrange skewers on the grill. "Anyway, where is he?"

Izzy set several bottles of beer at the table, his eyes sweeping over the dishes Sari prepared. Plates of green papaya salad and grilled pork skewers sat beside bowls of jasmine rice and tom yum soup, their sharp, citrusy notes mingling with the richer scent of sizzling meat. A platter of Chinese-style dumplings glistened with sesame oil, while a bowl of mapo tofu with its vibrant red sauce flecked with chilli and Sichuan pepper added a fiery contrast.

"Visiting his parents," Izzy responded, looking away from the table. "But he should be here soon."

As if on cue, the door slid open, and Sean stepped in, halting just inside the threshold as if busy scene, the sizzling of the grill and the aroma of barbecue and spices seemed to catch him off guard.

"You are finally here!" Win rushed and jumped at him. "We organised a feast for you... to show how much we will miss you."

Tay rolled his eyes. "Speak for yourself."

Sean just glanced at him and said nothing, as there was no reason to fight with him. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Fort chuckled and flipped beef skewers on the grill with one hand, the other loosely cradling a beer bottle. "And congratulations on your acceptance letter."

As the evening unfolded, the atmosphere became even more relaxed, with occasional laughter at old stories. It felt like old times when they were hanging around, working on their plans and fooling around. None of them expected back then they would go this far. Chaiyawat was gone for good, Thanarak was forced to declare bankruptcy, and the people who took over were wiser. The government was finalising the marriage equality bill, aiming to present it in the coming months. Things looked promising, which made leaving all of this behind slightly easier.

"So...," Win started carefully, picking up a juicy beef skewer. "Have you finally decided to move in with Jay without reservations?"

Sean nodded with a slight smile. "We talked it over a lot and went through all the options. In the end, it just made sense. If I lived on my own, we would be nearly an hour apart, and that kind of commute would make it hard to spend time together."

"Make sense," Fort agreed, then amusedly shook his head. "With how much Jay works the only way to actually see him is to live in the same place."

Izzy sighed, then gestured at Sean with the beer bottle. "As if he is any better."

"Right," Win laughed. "The only difference between them is that one has insomnia. But maybe this is why they work..."

Tay silently listened to their chatter, his focus seemingly absorbed in a small bowl of tom yum. It made it easier to bite back the snarky comments hovering on the edge of his tongue. If he let anything slip, it would likely send his relationship with Jay spiralling from distant civility to an icy abyss.

He would never admit it aloud, but watching Sean dominate the university rankings for years had stirred an occasional pang of jealousy. It felt like an old echo reminding him he wasn't good enough. Then there was Sean's effortless composure, unruffled by anything; even a year of absence during his associate degree didn't slow him down. It was infuriating – and worse, it made him respect Sean, which only deepened his animosity. As a result, Sean had become someone between his rival and frenemy, who gave him the drive to keep pushing forward.

Most of all, Tay couldn't ignore how naturally Sean fit into Jay's life, the ease with which they understood each other. He wasn't sure if it was envy, but there was something disconcerting about watching someone else slip so effortlessly into that closeness he wished to have. It hurt to know he would never have a place in Jay's life, and as much as he wanted to shift his anger and blame on Sean, it was his own fault.

"You okay?"

Tay looked up, startled by Win's sudden question. "Yeah..."

"So? Do you want to go with us to get more beer?" Win asked, looking at him worriedly.

Only then did he realise that Izzy had disappeared somewhere while Win and Fort were ready to leave for the store. Sean, meanwhile, was smiling at his phone, clearly texting Jay and taking full advantage of the intermission in their gathering.

Tay shook his head and gestured at his bottle. "I'm good."

Win arched an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between Tay and Sean as if debating whether it was wise to leave them alone. Before he could voice anything that might make things worse, Fort grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the door.

"I never expected you to simply leave everything you fought for because of a cushy offer."

Sean looked at him from his phone and shrugged. "Me neither, but then I met him, and my priorities shifted."

"Are you really going to give up everything for such a silly reason?" Tay questioned him, for the first time genuinely trying to understand his reasoning.

Surprised by the lack of usual hostility, Sean watched him for a while before answering his question. "I don't believe that trying to make him happy is a silly thing, Tay," he said with a faint smile. "Moving doesn't mean I'm giving up on what I always wanted to do. It just means I get to have both – a life with him and the work I care about. I'm not choosing one over the other."

"He is not happy, is he?" Tay asked quietly as if afraid of the answer.

Sean shook his head with a complicated expression. "It's not like Jay is unhappy, but he isn't happy either... it's like a perfectly balanced state of just being fine."

Tay opened his mouth, ready to curse their mother at least ten generations back, but suddenly, his lips pressed into a thin line. He might not like Sean that much, but even he knew Sean would never agree to an offer from his mother's law firm if he knew what Jay's childhood looked like. And this wasn't something he was at liberty to share, especially barely knowing much himself.

"Why not try reaching out to him more?" Sean suggested.

Tay let out a dry laugh, shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile. "He doesn't want anything to do with me, not that I blame him. Besides, it's not like I want to talk about this with you, asshole."

"And there you are," Sean chuckled. "Anyway, I find it difficult to believe... but I kinda get it. It's easy to misunderstand his silence for lack of interest."

Someone who understood such nuanced things about another person couldn't be with them for ulterior motives. Tay knew that. "You really don't care about his status as... our mother's heir."

Sean shook his head. "No, that never mattered to me. When I look at him, I don't see titles or expectations. I see someone who hides so much of himself that sometimes I feel like I'm trying to reach a shadow. But then there are those rare and fleeting moments when he lets me in – just enough to see the person he really is. And that person? He's worth everything. Not because of who the world thinks he is, but because of who he is when he thinks no one's looking."

Tay swallowed a lump in his throat as he realised Sean was precisely the person Jay needed in his life... stubborn enough to chase after someone he might never fully reach.

"I still hate you to the bone," Tay grumbled, forcing his voice to sound as arrogant as ever, "but I'm going to trust you on this."

Sean grinned shamelessly. "Well, thank you."

Their conversation naturally faded away as others returned with beer and snacks, instantly shifting the atmosphere into a more cheerful and relaxed one. Yet, the unspoken farewell lingered in the air, present in the way everyone stayed just a little longer, making more of an effort to chat as if trying to hold onto the moment. No one acknowledged directly that this could be their last time together like this, but even lighthearted banter felt heavier than usual.