The streets pulsed with life, bathed in the warm glow of red lanterns swaying overhead. The aroma of grilled seafood, roasted chestnuts, and rich spices drifted from bustling food stalls, mingling with the faint bite of gunpowder from distant firecrackers. Laughter and hurried conversations wove through the steady hum of the crowd, adding to a vibrant excitement growing with each passing moment.

Jay leaned against the wooden column of the food stall, one foot crossed over the other, his posture effortlessly relaxed as he enjoyed tanghulu, its deep red coating catching the glow of the lanterns. Sean stood beside him, loosely holding his free hand as he waited for his snack to be ready – a skewer of mala-grilled pork with fiery Sichuan pepper oil and crushed chilli.

He bit into the next hawthorn slowly, teeth cracking through the sugar shell, while his lips parted just enough for the juice to glisten before his tongue flicked out to catch it. He hummed in appreciation, his gaze lazy and half-lidded as he pulled the skewer back with a slow, deliberate drag.

Sean exhaled, his fingers twitched before tightening around Jay's. "You keep eating like that, and I swear I'm dragging you back to bed."

Jay tilted his head, and without breaking eye contact, the tip of his tongue teased the edge of the next candied fruit. "Hmm? I'm just enjoying my snack. You're the one making it sound indecent."

"Right. And I suppose the way you're sucking that candy off the stick is just... coincidence?"

"Of course," he smiled innocently, then held out the tanghulu towards Sean. "Jealous? I can share."

Sean scoffed, both amused and exasperated. "Yeah... you actually made me jealous of a damn candy. Happy?"

Suddenly, his playful expression shifted into something much softer. "Yes, I am."

Just like before, Jay would swiftly shift the conversation away from something he found uncomfortable, now these moments seemed to settle in. Unguarded and disarmingly honest. It was only a few days, but they had already become Sean's favourite. He smiled faintly and leaned in, pressing a quick, barely noticeable kiss against Jay's lips.

"Sweet."

The stall owner placed the skewer onto a small paper tray and handed it to Sean, wafting a tingling aroma of Sichuan pepper and smouldering chilli oil. The pork was caramelised at the edges and dusted with crushed red pepper and toasted cumin. Wisps of heat curled upwards, announcing that slow-building, electric numbness that would creep across Sean's tongue before the fiery kick settled in.

Sean took a bite, looking incredibly satisfied. "I would share with you, but Phra Ajahn said you can't have anything spicy... even no alcohol on New Year's Eve while we meet friends to celebrate."

"It's still worth it."

Sean swallowed the food, his gaze flicking to Jay's covered forearms before meeting his eyes again. He could imagine that wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt, even made from light, breathable fabric, must have added to his discomfort in this heat. "How's it feeling? Does it bother you a lot?"

Jay shook his head. "Just a bit more than a regular tattoo. Not sure what's in this herbal balm Phra Ajahn gave us, but it's way better than usual aftercare stuff."

"It's probably some ancient trade secret, just like Phra Ajahn."

"Oh?" Jay chuckled teasingly, following him into the crowd. "Not afraid he will make you copy scriptures again?"

Sean glared at him. "Don't let his calm and peaceful expression trick you. He may look old and serene, but he could probably still kick my ass."

"I would love to see it."

"Of course you would," Sean rolled his eyes, taking another bite as they turned into a quieter side alley. "You know, I'm actually looking forward to seeing everyone."

"Even 'the other me'?" Jay asked lightly, making air quotes.

Sean rolled his eyes. "I stand corrected... almost everyone."

The noise of the main street faded behind them as they continued on a narrower pathway lined with old shopfronts and hanging wires. Finally, they reached a small restaurant tucked between two weathered buildings. The sign above the entrance was faded, the wooden door slightly warped from years of use, but the glow spilling from inside was warm and inviting.

The restaurant was modest but comfortable, the kind of place meant for lingering conversations and unhurried meals. A few booths lined one side while low tables with floor cushions took the centre. The air carried the rich aroma of slow-cooked broth, mingling with the faintest hint of lemongrass and charred meat from the open kitchen.

The middle-aged lady behind the counter looked up from stacking bowls and smiled. "It has been a while, Sean. I heard from boys you moved abroad."

"Good evening, Auntie Malee," Sean responded with a cheerful smile. "Yes, I moved to London for further studies and him," he added, pulling Jay closer. "Is everyone here already?"

Jay greeted her politely, wondering just how many Aunties Sean had scattered across the city. Everywhere they went, there always seemed to be a familiar face – stall owners who treated him like a wayward nephew, restaurant aunties who scolded him for not visiting more often, uncles who slipped extra portions onto his plate. It was a kind of effortless belonging and easy familiarity he had never quite experienced before.

As soon as they stepped into the small, private room, there was a gasp, followed by a loud cheer before Win practically launched himself at Sean.

"I thought you no longer loved us!" he whined dramatically, letting go of his friend. "You didn't even tell us you were coming."

"Surprise," Izzy chuckled from his seat with the toddler nestled comfortably on his lap. "Look, Lizzy, Uncle Sean and Jay are here."

The little girl looked up, instantly recognising them from video calls. Her face lit up as she scrambled to her feet, taking a few wobbly steps past Sean – who had crouched, ready to catch her – before latching onto Jay's leg with cheerful "Jaja", much to his quiet horror.

Sean was ready to sulk, but one look at Jay's face had him in stitches. Izzy struggled to keep a straight face while Fort, Win, and Tay watched the scene with mild confusion. Sari sighed at her husband's childishness and gently shook a soft white plush bunny in front of Lizzy – the same one Jay had brought as a gift on his first visit at their house and her absolute favourite. After a moment's hesitation, Lizzy finally released Jay's leg and toddled over to her mum to reclaim her toy.

"Damn... first I lost to you, then to a plush bunny," Sean sighed, looking pitiful. "Not to mention I don't even get a nickname. Unbelievable..."

Jay gently patted his head. "There, there."

They settled onto the cushions, completing the group. It had been a while since they were all together, yet nothing seemed to have changed. Win was still the heart of the conversation, Tay looked slightly less angry – but only just, and Fort remained as steady as ever. They did their best to keep in touch, but between the time zone difference and their hectic schedules, it wasn't always easy. Tonight was the perfect chance to catch up.

Win leaned forward, practically bouncing on the cushion. "Man, the training course was intense. So much information crammed into six months that it made uni look like a playground! But we survived! And now," he made a dramatic pause. "Now we're working at the same firm! Together! It's awesome."

Tay sighed over his beer. "It's loud."

"Oh, come on, you love it," Win shot back, waving him off. "Anyway, everyone is so cool. We're dealing with contracts, negotiations, and sometimes even court filings! And we're studying for the bar exam at the same time, so it's, like, non-stop..."

"It's exhausting," Tay muttered, clearly not talking about workload.

"But worth it!" Win countered immediately, undeterred. "In just a few more months, we'll be fully licensed lawyers. Can you believe it?" he clapped his hands together. "Tay and I, real lawyers! Working side by side! Like a dream team!"

Tay arched an eyebrow. "That's one way to put it."

"Oh, c'mon! You love me," Win chirped. "I'm your bestest friend in the universe, way above all your girlfriends."

Fort laughed. "You mean nagging wife?"

"I see nothing changed here," Sean said, opening a beer bottle. "You two are still acting like an old married couple."

Tay shot him a glare, lips parting as if ready to fire back an insult, but then his gaze flicked to the person beside Sean. Seeing that calm, almost indifferent expression, he hesitated and shut his mouth. He didn't want to damage his relationship with Jay even further than he already did.

"How's London?" Fort asked to diffuse any possible tension between the two.

"Cold," Sean responded with a light chuckle. "But mostly busy running between classes, internship, and volunteering at a pro bono clinic."

"You still work at pro bono?"

Sean nodded. "It's in a pretty diverse community, so we mainly deal with housing disputes, employment issues, and immigration cases. It's much more challenging than our clinic at uni, but it's a great experience."

"Great experience? You are basically in love with it," Jay teased him, pouring himself a cup of tea. "If you could, you would skip classes to be there more often."

"Fair enough."

No one was surprised that Sean was juggling so many things at once – it was just who he was. But Tay found himself glancing at him with newfound respect. Sean had every opportunity to take an easier path, yet he still chose to spend his time helping those who couldn't afford legal aid. It made him regret all these insulting remarks he had thrown at Sean before.

"How about you?" Sean asked him. "Enjoying your Master's so far?"

"Yeah, I'm loving it. The workload is brutal, but it's worth it," Fort said, knowing he still had a long way to go. "Feels good to work towards something that might actually help people in the future."

Jay took a sip of tea, satisfied with its quality. "You chose Cancer Biology, right?"

Fort nodded. "Yes, I want to work on medicine that actually helps people. Something that doesn't cost a damn fortune."

Suddenly, the door opened, and Auntie Malee walked in with a large, steaming pot, carefully setting it onto the built-in induction burner at the centre of the table. The broth was split into two sections – a fiery red, rich with chillies and Sichuan peppercorns, and a clear, fragrant broth infused with ginger and goji berries.

Soon, the table was filled with an irresistible array of toppings. Thinly sliced, succulent marbled beef and pork were arranged on wooden trays. Beside them, plump shrimp and juicy, springy fish balls rested on crushed ice, glistening under the light. A colourful assortment of vegetables followed: crisp, vibrant bok choy, delicate enoki mushrooms, and thick slices of sweet, earthy daikon radish. There was also tofu in all forms – silky-smooth cubes, golden fried puffs, and firm slices ready to absorb every bit of the fragrant, simmering broth. To finish, she placed a plate of fresh noodles alongside dipping sauces: rich sesame, tangy ponzu, and a simple but perfect mix of soy sauce, garlic, and chopped chillies.

It was a feast, one worthy of a New Year's celebration.

"Enjoy yourself, and let me know if you need anything else."

Win blinked in disbelief. "Auntie... how can we possibly eat all of this? I will turn into a chubby teddy bear!"

Auntie Malee threw a dish clothed at his face and huffed. "This logic of yours is why you're all nothing but skin and bones," she scolded, then pointed at Jay next. "And him, too! He looks like he hasn't had a proper meal in years."

"Oh no, he is naturally this skinny," Sean waved her off, catching a dishcloth before it hit his face. "Really, Auntie. Just on the way here, he had peanut and sesame mochi, crispy roti filled with coconut ice cream, tanghulu... what was the thing you got at the beginning?"

"Osmanthus jelly cake."

"See?"

Auntie Malee sighed with resignation as if they missed the point and left, while Aom and Sari looked at Jay with sudden envy. Soon, the room settled into a cheerful hum of conversation as they broke into quiet, overlapping discussions.

"So? How many times did he burn the kitchen?"

If looks could kill, Izzy would drop dead on the spot while Jay chuckled lightly. "Twice, and I'm not counting pots we had to replace."

"Sean, dear," Sari started, feeding Lizzy a piece of tender pork. "Did you consider staying out of the kitchen?"

"Sis... how could you..."

Sari gave him a warm, caring smile, which looked a lot like an insult to his attempts at cooking. "Well... I saw what you can do to induction..."

"That was a one-time accident."

Jay's eyebrow quirked slightly. "I might have believed it if you hadn't unleashed absolute destruction every time you set foot in the kitchen."

"Hey, I'm perfectly capable of making breakfast," Sean argued, but his voice was soft, showing how much he enjoyed doing this little thing for him. "And your tea."

"Mhm," Jay hummed. "You got pretty decent at it."

Steam curled lazily from the simmering pot, carrying the rich, savoury aroma of broth. Conversations drifted between teasing jabs and casual chatter, punctuated by the subtle clink of chopsticks against bowls. Everyone lounged comfortably as earlier excitement mellowed into a slow, content rhythm. It was the kind of evening that stretched unhurried, where no one was in a rush to leave, wrapped in the simple comfort of good food and company.

Jay sat cross-legged, leaning back on his hands as he watched Sean play with Lizzy. It was long past her bedtime, yet she was still full of energy, babbling a mix of real words and cheerful nonsense between fits of giggles. Sean easily matched her energy, enjoying himself as much as she did. He liked seeing Sean like this, with this carefree smile that brightened everything around him. But as the moment stretched, Jay couldn't help but wonder if Sean would ever miss having something like this for himself.

Suddenly, there was a movement beside him, followed by an awkward greeting. He shifted his gaze to a face that mirrored his own – just much more tanned.

"Um... it's... nice to see you again," Tay said, cradling a beer bottle. "Are you staying for long?"

Jay shook his head. "We are going back the day after tomorrow. Sean's classes resume next week, and I need to work on a final dissertation."

Tay looked at him with confusion. "I thought you graduated from uni a few years ago."

"It's for my master's in Criminology."

"Oh, I see," Tay muttered, sipping his beer while trying to find anything to keep the conversation going. "Do you have any other degrees besides LLB from Cambridge?"

"Diploma in Case Litigation and LLM in Criminal Litigation."

Tay was momentarily speechless, the bottle pausing halfway to his mouth. They were the same age, yet Jay was already finishing his second master's degree while he had only just completed university. He would have liked to chalk it up to privilege, but even without knowing Jay well, he could tell that wasn't the case. His brother simply had an unstoppable drive – one that pushed him forward, no matter the cost. Still, it was some consolation that the British education system gave Jay a head start, time-wise.

"Why do you still study so much?" Tay asked, then hesitating before continuing. "Is our... is she pushing you for it?"

"No, she stopped getting involved in my choices after I got into a law school."

"Then why?"

Jay instinctively rolled back a soft ball Sean and Lizzy were playing with, then looked at his brother. "I want to move to Crown Prosecution by the end of next year."

"You really don't plan to stay at her firm?" Tay asked, unable to hide his shock.

"I never did," Jay responded flatly. "It's a perfect stepping stone with excellent resources. I would have to be an idiot to not take advantage of it."

"Right, you were always the rational one," he chuckled humourlessly. "What made her let go?"

Jay shrugged, and the silence between them stretched a moment too long, emphasising how difficult it was for them to have a conversation. Tay was about to withdraw, resigned that some things couldn't be fixed no matter how hard he tried when a sudden question stopped him.

"How about you? What are you planning to do after the bar exam?"

"I'm not entirely sure yet," Tay started, recovering from this surprise question. "It will be good to spend some time building experience, skills and connections, I guess. But down the line, applying for the National Judicial Examination and transitioning into the judiciary doesn't sound like a bad idea."

"Playing a long game?"

Tay chuckled. "Yeah, you could say that..."

"What?!" Win exclaimed, scooting closer. "You... are planning to abandon me?!"

Fort facepalmed while Izzy slowly shook his head. They all knew how much Tay had been looking forward to a chance to talk with Jay, and now, just when it finally happened, Win had to barge in. Sometimes, they truly couldn't tell what was going on inside his head.

"You know, even married couples work in different places," Fort teased him.

Izzy nodded. "It's healthier for the relationship."

Win pouted, pointing at Sean and Jay. "They work at the same place and are perfectly fine."

Sean hesitated for a split second as perfectly fine weren't the words he would use. The aftermath of their breakup wouldn't fade overnight, but in many ways, they were better than before. Not that anyone else needed to know. Especially since there was no way to explain it without context, he wasn't willing to give.

"I don't even have access to the executive floor he works at," he waved him off, keeping up his playful smile. "We hardly see each other at the firm."

"Really?"

"Yes, missing your boyfriend isn't a valid reason to get a temporary key card."

Win looked at him wide-eyed, completely forgetting about Tay. "That's so strict... but at least you can commute together."

Sean shook his head. "I have classes in the morning, interns cannot work overtime, and Jay doesn't even know the closing time, so he never leaves on time."

"Right," Win sighed. "I forgot he is a workaholic. Anyway, how's living together going..."

Win's voice faded into the background as Tay shot Fort a grateful glance as he returned to the conversation about their plans and motivations. He didn't know when he would get another chance to talk to Jay, and there was still so much he wanted to understand about him. And maybe one day, he would be able to bridge the gap... even if it was just a little bit.