The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving a soft afterglow in its wake, painting the sky in muted hues. Shades of amber and rose lingered, casting a warm glow over the imposing concrete structures. The garage stood in front of them, its timeworn exterior absorbing the gentle light of dusk. Win stopped the bike in front of the gate and smirked at a resigned sigh behind him.

"I have a massive stack of case files to deal with, and this feels like a waste of time."

"It's called taking a well-deserved break," Win grinned at him, then skipped towards the door. "I never met someone so dedicated to their job, you know? But I can understand now why you are so good at it. You basically live and breathe it."

"I guess you could say that," he chuckled, reluctantly following him to the garage. "I have somewhere I want to be in a few years, and this is the only way to get there much faster than it usually takes."

Win stopped with his hand inches away from the handle. "What about having a life in the meantime?"

"It depends on what you define as 'having a life'," Jay shrugged, unbothered by his questions but also unwilling to continue.

"Fair enough," he replied, reading the room.

Sometimes, he kept forgetting they had just met, and Jay's life was none of his business. Win was convinced it was because of the comforting sense of familiarity his face gave him. After all, Jay looked almost the same as his best friend. At times, it made him feel like Tay was still safe here, not stuck in a hospital in a coma.

A heaviness settled in his chest as Win pushed open the creaky door to the garage. The sense of helplessness weighed on him, the frustration of being unable to do anything for Tay or even visit him gnawing at his core. In moments like these, the pressing reality of his friend's condition left him feeling powerless, a silent ache that lingered beneath his upbeat exterior.

The garage welcomed them with a well-lit interior, the hum of fluorescent lights overhead casting a clinical brightness that contrasted with the gritty, industrial surroundings. Win habitually moved towards the back and sank into his preferred spot on the larger sofa with a sigh. As worried as he was about Tay, Fort needed him at his best.

Meanwhile, Jay lingered by the door, his eyes instinctively drawn to the scene unfolding before him. Sean, dressed in overalls with one strap nonchalantly hanging on the side, worked on his motorbike. His white sleeveless t-shirt emphasised the play of muscles beneath his skin with each movement. Jay couldn't help but appreciate the casual allure of Sean's work attire, the way it accentuated the contours of his physique. He was definitely in trouble. 'Fuck.'

"Sorry, didn't hear you coming," Sean said suddenly, looking up from his bike.

Win was about to answer when he noticed where Sean's gaze was directed. He leaned back with a packet of crisps, ready to enjoy the show. 'Interesting,' he thought to himself with a sly smile.

"No worries, I was just enjoying the view," Jay stated with a cheeky grin, his tone straddling the line between playfulness and flirtation.

Sean knew he should get annoyed, pissed to the point he would want to throw something at him, but nothing like that happened. He wasn't sure what he felt, but it wasn't bad.

His eyebrow shot up questioningly. "Do I look like one of your girlfriends?" he quipped back at him, fighting off amusement creeping into his voice.

"Definitely not."

He rolled his eyes and shook his head in mock exasperation. "If you are done admiring my handsome self, can you pass me the engine oil?"

Jay glanced towards the shelf, but figuring out which bottle could contain the engine oil was impossible. Not having any other options, he folded his arms across his chest and looked down at crouching by the bike man. "Do I look like your maid?"

"No offence, but you don't have what it takes to pull off an adorable frilly outfit with lace, a pinafore apron and stockings."

"That's oddly specific," Jay hummed, looking borderline intrigued.

"If the two of you are done flirting, just toss him this stupid blue bottle and come help me with my assignment," Win called from the back of the room, absolutely unashamed he was eavesdropping on them.

Instantly, two pairs of eyes glared at him with such cold ferocity Win felt chills running down his spine. Unwittingly, he wondered how many years of his life he had just lost. Still, seeing their baffled expressions was worth it.

"Do you know a good spot to hide a body?" Jay asked, side glancing at Sean.

An impish grin spread over his face as he nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on now miserable-looking Win. "No one will ever find him."

"Perfect," he responded, cracking his fingers.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Win threw himself at the newcomer as if he was his lifeline. "Save me!"

Fort looked confused between a clinging to him friend and the other two. Something felt odd, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Did they drag you into their usual petty squabble?"

"No, this is so much worse!" Win exclaimed dramatically. "They suddenly got along and teamed up against poor, innocent little me! If I ever disappear, they are the ones to blame!" he added, spinning with a flourish and pointing at the utterly amused pair.

"Huh?" Fort gawked, convinced he must have heard him wrong. "Did you hit your head? I'm sure the hell will freeze over before they get along."

"I swear! They were planning to bury me somewhere!"

"I have no idea what he is talking about," Jay shrugged, then casually pointed at Sean. "I still want to punch him so hard... but not too much... just enough to break his jaw."

"The feeling is mutual," Sean added, surprised at how easily he picked up on almost unnoticeable playful notes in Tay's voice.

Fort rolled his eyes and sighed. "I genuinely can't see them agree on something long enough to dig a grave, not to mention burying a body."

"They literally just agreed on something," Win deadpanned.

"I'm sorry for breaking it to you, Win, but this is the only thing they always agreed on, so it doesn't count," Fort explained, pealing him off his arm and moving towards the sofas. "And if by some miracle they were to agree on burying you, I'm pretty sure it would be well deserved. Imagine putting aside years of animosity and insults to give you a proper burial. You should be honoured."

"Unbelievable," Win muttered, heartbroken. "Stabbed in the back multiple times in spawn of minutes... What did I ever do to deserve it?!"

When Izzy entered the garage on time for the meeting, he found it disturbingly peaceful. Win and Fort, in their customary fashion, occupied the larger sofa, engrossed in a mobile game and strategising their moves in hushed tones. Perched on a two-seater, Sean indulged in his usual dinner – a steaming cup of spicy noodles. However, Izzy blinked twice, momentarily questioning his own vision. Sean's gaze was fixed on Tay, who sat cross-legged on a cushion across from him on the other side of the table. He was engrossed in a textbook, twirling a pencil between his fingers, seemingly oblivious to the dark eyes observing his every move. What startled Izzy the most was the absence of the usual animosity. Had he missed something?

"Wow, it was never this quiet here with all of you."

"Last boss, can't talk," Win uttered, barely glancing away from the screen, then pointed his head between Sean and Jay. "They are quietly plotting to kill me."

Sean rolled his eyes, setting an empty cup on the low table. "Please, there is barely a need for plotting. We could do it in our sleep, right?"

"That's given," Jay replied without looking away from the book.

"Oh, moving from maid outfit to sleeping together? Wow, that escalated quickly."

Sean stopped halfway to the fridge with beer and glared at him, the way Win shrunk into himself, but his gaze softened as he caught sight of an amused, one-sided smile. 'Well, he is not wrong,' Sean thought, considering how rapidly things changed between them. From constant fights and insults to whatever this was. He wasn't sure what it was, but it was borderline intriguing, and Sean didn't mind finding out why.

Fort sighed, still focused on the game. "And this is exactly what will get you killed, idiot."

Izzy stared at them, speechless. "What the fuck did I miss?!"

Win pumped his fist in the air in victory cheer and finally looked away from the phone. "Seems like they decided to bury hatchet... conveniently in my back."

"You brought it upon yourself," Jay shrugged with a shameless grin.

Win gasped, utterly offended, theatrically pressing his hand against his chest. "The betrayal... after everything we had been through... it breaks my heart."

"You will live," Fort laughed, more focused on the loot from the boss than his friend's 'misery'.

Yet, he couldn't shake this odd feeling at the back of his mind and glanced towards Tay. He hadn't seen him much outside of university recently as they were busy, but Tay seemed different, and it wasn't just a new haircut... it was as if his entire demeanour had shifted. It made him wonder if something had happened while he was missing. Fort felt bad he wasn't there for him as much as he should have, but his sister's issues brought back old memories, pulling him away from others. He didn't want to lose her as well. Suddenly, he realised that Win was peering into his face with a worried expression.

"You okay, mate?"

"Yeah, yeah," he waved him off.

"You completely blanked out," Win pushed, not letting him escape. "Is it about your sister? Did something else happen?"

Fort shook his head. "She's holding up as well as anyone could in this situation. I had a conversation with her yesterday just to reassure her that I'm here to support her. I believe Aya found some comfort in it, so I appreciate the advice," he said, offering a nod of gratitude in Tay's direction.

"What's going on with Araya?" Sean asked, passing him a beer.

"Actually, this is the reason we are all here," Win pipped in, seeing Fort's troubled expression. He knew his friend was always reluctant to ask for help despite always being there for everyone else.

Izzy plopped onto the worn-off armchair and gestured towards Fort to continue.

Fort hesitated for a moment, his expression reflecting the internal struggle he was facing. "Well, it's about Aya's work," he began cautiously, then explained everything. "I want to help, but I'm unsure if involving all of you is the right move. It's complicated, and I'm worried we might make things more difficult for her."

"Fucking hell," Sean muttered under his breath, his thoughts straying to the transsexual teenager he had encountered not long ago. He had intervened at the time, but what about the days that followed? Did his actions truly help him, or did he inadvertently make things worse? Perhaps he should have given him his number to reach out if needed? This issue lingered on his mind since the exam, its complexity making it difficult to find the right direction. But at least he could understand Fort's concerns better now. It wasn't a lack of trust in their abilities but a recognition of the delicacy of the situation and the potential harm that hasty actions could inflict.

"Objectively speaking, it's easier to make things worse than improve anything for her," Jay sighed, closing the textbook. His demeanour shifted into a more focused and analytical expression, something Win began to recognise as his professional face – and the reason for his sleepless nights and worry about Jay's cover. "Charging in is out of the question as it would put her into an even more vulnerable position. Reporting it would most likely have the same effect. The easiest way would be to draw attention to the issue, but public exposure can be a double-edged sword. Not to mention, the backlash she would suffer at work would make whatever is happening now a child's play. I hate to say it, but we are way over our heads with this one," he added, knowing how many years his mother, with a massive team of people and organisations, had spent on legal battles and legwork prior to the Equality Act 2010.

The rest of the group stared at him in stunned silence. Win began mentally calculating the effort and energy required to salvage Jay's cover this time. Fort couldn't recall a moment when Tay spoke so eloquently and on point without an underlying intention to break the law. Sean found himself admiring the unexpected sense Tay made when he actually listened to him, which alone was uncharted territory to Sean. Izzy could not help but wonder what had happened to Tay and where this reserved rationalism had come from. This wasn't the guy who was always ready to jump head first at any problem he encountered.

"So, there is nothing we can do?" Fort's shaky voice quivered as he spoke, the desperation in his tone echoing through the garage. His words, unintendedly loud in the quietness, betrayed the helplessness that gripped him. The fear of losing his older sister to prejudice and discrimination, reminiscent of the powerlessness he felt when his younger sister succumbed to cancer due to their inability to afford treatment, haunted him. The memories and present helplessness bore down on him, amplifying his desperate desire to do something, anything, to protect his sister from further pain. "Aya did nothing wrong...."

The vulnerability behind his words was hard to watch, and in a split moment, Win decided. Disguise be damned. He was more than aware that Jay had the skills and knowledge to help them find a solution, a different take from their usual actions. More subtle and legal. "There must be something we can do, right?" he asked, giving him a knowing look.

"Yeah, but it's more of a marathon involving many people and organisations. Sorry to say it, but five of us wouldn't even make a dent."

"Oh."

Sean's dark eyes widened slightly with sudden realisation. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you suggest we pass this to one of these big movements advocating equal rights? I guess it would make sense since they have some level of influence even in government."

Jay looked back at him, quite impressed and nodded. "Yes, our best bet would be to collect as many similar cases as Araya's and catch their attention. Things like this usually happen behind closed doors with little trace of evidence, but if you could get this without implying her, one day things may get better."

Izzy grinned at them. "I like this! You finally start thinking past your personal grudges and see the bigger picture."

"If we can find more cases, then Aya will be just one of many, staying as safe and anonymous as possible," Fort said, looking somewhat hopeful. Even if things didn't change immediately, the fact that something was happening should give his sister the energy to fight and survive a bit longer.

"Perfect, we have a working theory everyone seems to agree on," Win clasped his hands and caught their attention. "Now, how are we going to do this?"

"Aya said that she and others created a small support group. I could try asking her to bring this to their attention, and maybe they could help us collect evidence?" Fort suggested, carefully considering all the options. "I could mention you," he added, looking at Sean. "Bit of white lie that one of your professors is involved in the movement that could help, and we would pass everything to them."

"Sounds good," Izzy responded, sipping his beer. "It will allow us to go through everything and ensure that none of the evidence implies them."

Jay frowned. "Wouldn't the fact that everything comes from one place imply them instantly? Who else would expose it if not them?"

"Fuck," Sean swore, agreeing with his point. "Wait, what if they collect it for us, and once we have everything, we will stage a break-in and take the fall for them? No one can blame them if it's officially on us, right?"

"Are you saying we should start leaving a signature?" Win asked, shooting an unnoticeable but worried glance at Jay. He was more than aware that this would draw more attention to them. Attention that could lead them to a hospital bed. Jay didn't sign up for it when he agreed to stay, and Win wouldn't risk his safety for their cause.

"If we can focus attention on us, there won't be any left to direct to at people we try to protect."

"I get your point, Sean," Win responded, growing even more worried. Maybe it was better to tell them what happened to Tay? Before someone else will get hurt or worse. It was clear that neither of the tycoons was playing around. "But what if things go sideways, and they come after us?"

"There is no safe way for us to do what we have to, Win," Sean argued, old resentment swirling in his chest. He couldn't back down now when they had a real opportunity to pin them down. "Sometimes you need to risk everything to achieve something."

Fort's gaze swept over them, worry etched into his face. He couldn't shake the fear that breaking into Aya's workplace, entangled with Thanarak, might invite danger and consequences he wasn't ready to face. What if they were ambushed again, and this time, someone got hurt? "Are you sure about this?" he finally asked. His concerns about events from the factory remained unsaid, but from their faces, Fort could say they understood.

"Yes, but we will need to plan it thoroughly," Izzy started, knowing Sean wouldn't let go. He could only hope they would be careful. Their unusual unity in the approach to the issue was promising. Especially the shift between Tay and Sean. If those two could work together, they all would be much safer. "First, we need to learn more about the situation at her company. Talk to her, Fort and see if she would be on board with getting help through Sean's professor," he added, making air quotes. "Once we have the green light from Araya. The biggest challenge would be to find a meaningful way to contact the movement that could help us."

Jay listened to them silently, considering the level of his involvement. How much he was willing to risk for someone else's cause? It was an important issue, but he had no illusions that they could actively change something. Things like this took years, decades even, of intense work from multiple angles while ensuring society was behind set goals. Although Jay admired their spirit and willingness to stand for what was right in their eyes, it wasn't his fight. The same fight that once robbed him of everything that mattered and forced him into isolation that never left him.

"When did you start letting life pass you by?" He wouldn't answer her then, although Jay was sure he didn't have to. Tina knew that he had grown accustomed to the emptiness that followed every connection. For him, life was a series of transient moments, each person a passing figure in a landscape of detachment. The numbness that enveloped him became both shield and refuge, protecting him from the ache of inevitable departures. His involvement with SWIFT, especially Sean, threatened a cultivated over the years balance. Something he couldn't afford. Jay was becoming more aware he should leave before he did something he would regret.

But...

How much longer did he intend to remain in this state – numb to everything and merely observing life pass him by?