The sun was already high, casting a warm, golden glow through the coffee shop's windows. It was a quiet morning, with the rainy season briefly holding back its usual downpour. The decor was simple – mismatched wooden tables, potted plants, and a chalkboard menu. The aroma of coffee hung in the air, creating a charming atmosphere. A few patrons lingered, their murmured conversations blending with the gentle hum of the ceiling fan.

Win was sitting in the corner with iced coffee and a half-eaten sandwich, engrossed in his phone. He used a coffee shop's wifi to update their social media accounts. It recently turned into a full-time job, but Win loved every minute.

He read countless messages from young people thrown out of their homes as their families could not accept who they were. Stories of couples who had spent years together but were denied basic rights because they were strangers in the eyes of the law. Workplace discrimination, lack of legal protection against hate crimes, and societal pressures to conform to heteronormative expectations were the fuel for a movement that was ready to tip the scale.

The protests, small but growing in number, became daily occurrences as people demanded change. It was clear that the LGBTQ community was tired – tired of waiting, tired of being told to be patient while they watched their rights debated like an abstract concept. As a result, the push for same-sex marriage had gained momentum, but the backlash was intense, with traditionalists and conservative groups fiercely opposing it.

At first, Win was surprised at how quickly things escalated, but he realised now that this unrest had always been simmering, just waiting for someone to light the fuse... still, he never expected the explosion and consequences that the single message which popped up on his screen would cause.

Chalita Anuman

Hi, I'm the president of the LGBTQ support group at Chulalongkorn University, and I would like to extend an invitation for cooperation. We are planning an awareness meetup near the university campus and were wondering if you could mention it here? Your account is very popular, and we hope you can help us get more attention.

Win recognised the name from the roster and results rankings. She was a trans woman majoring in finance, known for her activism and helping students who were bullied for their identity. She seemed like a good person, but Win had learned not to jump headfirst into things so quickly anymore.

Love-All-Love

Hi, thank you for reaching out.

Can you give me more details about it? What are your goals?

Chalita Anuman

Of course!

The goal is to raise awareness about the challenges the LGBTQ community continues to face, especially regarding legal recognition and social acceptance. We want to highlight the need for equal rights, including the fight for same-sex marriage, protection from workplace discrimination, and more comprehensive legal safeguards against hate crimes.

In a nutshell, it is about basic human rights and social injustice.

We want to keep it professional but also give people a platform to express themselves.

Love-All-Love

Sounds good.

I assume you sorted out everything with the university?

Chalita Anuman

Yes, we have a permit from the administration.

Love-All-Love

Perfect.

Send me the pamphlet, and I will post it to encourage everyone to attend.

Let's hope we can make a difference.

After exchanging more details about the event, Win posted an announcement. It became a trending topic within hours, with many followers wishing to join the meetup, especially since the university approved it. Still, the interest exceeded all their expectations, and they could only hope it would translate into attendance.

A light drizzle had begun to fall, tapping softly against the corrugated metal roof of the garage. The damp air brought with it the scent of wet concrete and engine oil, mingling with the lingering humidity of the day. Small puddles outside reflected the dim glow of streetlights that had just flickered on as the evening settled in.

Sean rushed inside, shielding his head from the rain with his shoulder bag. Suddenly, he paused and frowned slightly. "Where is Izzy?"

Fort briefly looked away from the phone screen, looking surprised. "He was just here."

"He popped out to get some beer," Win explained without interrupting his game. "Apparently, we ran out, and no one ever restokes the fridge. Assume Jay is working?"

"Yeah, his workload is insane," he replied, tossing his bag beside the sofa. "He's easily pulling sixteen-hour days. It sometimes makes me reconsider whether I want to be a lawyer."

"Jay is a workaholic," Fort started, dealing the final blow to the boss. "Normal people don't work nearly as much. Although I wonder how is this possible... like is he even a human?"

Sean laughed. "I wonder myself, but in all honesty? He is probably the only person who sees insomnia as an advantage."

"Right... no need to waste time on sleep," Win chuckled, but his expression turned serious. "Do you think they will reconnect?"

"I'm not sure," Sean said sadly. "As far as I know, they had a pretty civil conversation and cleared up some things, but it's probably too late, and with Jay leaving next week, I don't see it going anywhere."

Fort looked at him with concern. "How are you dealing with it?"

"I don't know," he replied with a heavy sigh. "Do you believe in long-distance relationships with time zones and schedules making sustainable contact impossible?"

"Ouch," Izzy chimed in, setting a bag with several bottles of beer on the table. "I assume you talked with him about it?"

"Yeah."

Izzy frowned, hearing his little brother so deflated. "I guess it didn't go anywhere?"

"We are either busy, working, studying or asleep," Sean explained. "With all the commitments, finding more than a few minutes here or there is hard. Visits are just as impossible since the flight is too long or expensive depending on perspective."

"Damn, how are you going to do this then?"

"We will work out something," Sean waved them off, shifting attention to the purpose of their meeting. "You said something about the meetup at the uni?"

Win nodded and explained everything about his exchange with Chalita Anuman about the event. He was excited about the interest people showed in it and the potential scale of the meetup, supported by the list of speakers related to the university. Despite being hastily put together to avoid organised opposition, it felt incredibly solid, showing how long and hard the support group at the university worked for it.

"Do you want me to ask Aom if she could make graffiti for the stage? Something driving message and eye-catching like her usual work."

"It would be great, especially since Chalita did ask if we could reach out to some artists behind the art on our account to help with posters to highlight the purpose of the meetup."

Fort nodded and sent a quick message with an explanation. The response was equally fast, promising to get the rest of her group involved as well, plus spread the news to her friends.

"I have a feeling this will be massive... and you know? Being part of this feels much better than sneaking around and risking our lives."

They looked at Win and couldn't help but agree. Once, they were convinced that only underhanded tactics and moving in a grey area were their only choices, but now? Now, things were bigger than them... bigger than their personal reasons.

"By the way, did you hear the news today?" Izzy asked, then continued when others shook their heads. "Chaiyawat's assets have been frozen while he is pending investigation, and the list of charges against him is growing. The best part? He decided to drag Thanarak down with him."

"Kidding?!" Sean asked, surprised, opening the beer. "But damn, the results when you get professionals involved."

Fort nodded with a solemn expression. "It makes me realise how silly we were thinking that creating minuscule problems for these assholes would get us anywhere."

Izzy drank his beer, his eyes sweeping over the group. "Actually, it did work. Maybe not how you wanted, but all the mess you created brought Jay here and this black ops security company that follows him around and did the job for you. And if I'm to be honest... I'm glad they did, and neither of you died in the process."

Win grinned mischievously. "Is it true that Sari gave you hell for the warehouse?"

Sean shuddered. "Please, don't remind me... First, she cried, then she yelled at me, then laughed like a maniac, and threw half the kitchen at me while she was at it. Did I mention the threats? It's a miracle I didn't end up back in the hospital."

"Oh, it wasn't that bad... imagine what she would do if Jay wasn't there, and she wanted to make a good first impression."

"Wow... Sari is truly something else," Fort muttered, looking at Izzy with utter admiration. "How do you coexist with her?"

"Normally," Izzy shrugged. "She is sweet and caring."

"There is something seriously wrong with you," Sean laughed, despite mostly agreeing with him. "But enough chit-chat, we need to focus. As Win said, this will be big, and we must ensure it goes right."

"Are you saying that opposition will show up?"

Sean nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised if it turns into a full-on riot... still, it will be good to organise multiple meetups around the city to gather more attention."

"Makes sense," Fort agreed, also suspecting conflict between both sides would escalate soon. "Are we going to attend the one at uni? As students, we will have a valid reason to be there."

Win frowned worriedly. "Do you think Chaiyawat is still after us?"

"I wouldn't be surprised," Sean sighed. "We were the only ones to openly challenge him, and then he is being featured in media nationwide, even reaching international platforms. I'm sure he holds a grudge."

"Even so, we need to join in. After all, every extra person matters if we want to make a difference, but let's be extra careful," Win said confidently. "But while we are at it... I never expected that bastard Art to get off this easy."

"I'm pretty sure he has a hard time in prison, and Chaiyawat's men most likely will want to prevent him from talking," Fort explained, glancing at him with concern. "You want him to pay for what he did to Tay?"

"Of course, fucking asshole sold him out without hesitation, and we all know that Tay only survived and is doing so well because Jay paid for the best care possible. Otherwise, Tay... he... would be gone."

Fort patted his shoulder comfortingly. "I know, but we need to focus on the fact that he is still here. And the best part? With our help, he should be able to attend classes in October."

Win cheered up a bit. "He will probably still be at the hospital?"

"Most likely, yes," Sean answered. "Jay mentioned that if everything goes according to plan, he will be discharged at the end of November with daily physio follow-up appointments."

"That's a relief."

After sharing a few beers and ironing out the final details for the meetup, they called it a night. The mood was light, tinged with a sense of accomplishment. Things they always fought for were slowly coming to light... some even taking the city by storm.

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows over the square near the university's main gates. The meetup was beginning to take shape, with rainbow flags fluttering gently in a breeze and a banner with a core message draped across a makeshift stage. Organisators set up a couple of tables decorated with colourful streamers for informational pamphlets, promoting posters with a QR code to sign the petition to the government in favour of same-sex marriage. Everyone seemed in high spirits as volunteers and first attendees began to arrive.

Fort stood nearby, his face partially obscured by a mask, watching as Aom and her friends put the finishing touches on graffiti and additional banners. The vibrant artwork was incredibly inspirational – a silent confirmation that things were moving in the right direction.

"I can't believe you hid your girlfriend from me for so long," Win muttered, joining him underneath the tree. "Or even more amazed you had time to get one."

Fort shrugged, his eyes showing pure amusement. "Sometimes it simply happens."

"Do you think everyone will show up as promised?"

"I'm sure of it," he reassured him. "You saw how many people jumped at the opportunity to organise more meetups and spread the same message."

Win looked around and smiled underneath his mask. "Even now, it already seems busy, and we still have quite some time before it starts."

Slowly but steadily, the square began to fill with people, holding flags and banners, each one a colourful declaration of identity and solidarity. Many attendees wore outfits that matched their personal styles, reflecting the diverse spectrum of the LGBTQ community. The atmosphere was uplifting, with chatter and laughter blending seamlessly with music from the speakers.

By the time Sean finished his internship and arrived, the square was overflowing with people, spilling out into the surrounding streets and alleys. A passionate voice boomed through a megaphone, outlining the most pressing issues and demanding changes. The crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers and chants, echoing through the square.

"There you are!" Win yelled as he finally joined them not far from the stage. "The whole city is in the uproar with meetups and people spreading everywhere."

"What are the odds things will get out of hand?"

"Massive," Fort responded. "There are already a few minor clashes with opposition, nothing serious, but it won't take long before police get involved."

"We will worry about this later!" Win shouted over the noise around them. "What's most important is that this is trending everywhere, and even national news has picked up the topic."

Suddenly, Fort froze, his eyes widening as he slowly turned to Sean. "You expect things to escalate into city-wide riots... this is why you wanted simultaneous meetups... to provoke the other side..."

Sean only shrugged and smiled. "It doesn't take much to set things in motion."

"That's so devious and brilliant... I'm speechless and utterly terrified."

"Terrified of what?" Win asked, unable to follow their rather hushed conversation.

Fort pointed at Sean, wondering how much trouble they would get into this time. Yet, deep down, he sympathised with the approach. Something this drastic was the only way to bring real change – not more empty promises.

"Make sure you keep recording everything, Win," Fort told him, hoping it would be helpful once things inevitably escalated.

Once the speech ended, slow and poignant music filled the air, and a group of dancers walked on the stage. They were dressed in simple yet expressive outfits. The performance started gently, the group moving in unison, reaching out as if grasping for something just out of reach. Each movement was deliberate, symbolising the struggle for acceptance and the invisible walls many in the LGBTQ community faced.

The crowd fell silent, captivated by the dancers as they transitioned into sharper, more intense movements, depicting moments of rejection, isolation, and defiance. Every twist and turn seemed to tell a story, echoing the challenges shared on countless forums. The performance conveyed the message more effectively than any words, earning thundering applause.

Unfortunately, problems began to brew.

At first, it was just a simmering unease at the edge of the square. Win saw them first: a group of men emerging from the shadows. Their expressions were sharp with disdain as they held black-and-white banners scrawled with slurs and vicious denials of the rights being fought for.

"Here we go," Sean sighed, somewhat disappointed that his plan worked.

The air felt heavier now, tension seeping through the gathering like poison. The music faded into the background as the first hateful shout sliced through the space, turning heads and silencing laughter.

"Get out of here!" a voice snarled from the crowd, quickly followed by a wave of slurs.

The response was immediate. People turned, banners still raised, but their faces darkened. A ripple of anger spread, small at first but quickly gaining momentum as "Equality now!" chants grew louder, defiant voices trying to drown out the hate. But it was futile as more opposition members surged forward, pushing and shoving their way through the crowd.

It happened so fast. A bottle smashed on the pavement, just missing a young woman. Screams erupted as chaos swept through the crowd. The banners that had once symbolised hope were torn and trampled as people scattered in all directions.

Win's heart pounded as he scrambled backwards, recording as the gathering morphed into a battleground. He saw Fort shove someone out of the way, protecting Aom, as more bottles and rocks flew overhead. One hit a protester in the head, sending him to the ground, blood spilling from his forehead, paralysing his friends. In an instant, Sean knelt beside him, making a makeshift dressing from the bandana while yelling at someone to call an ambulance.

Chaos spiralled out of control. Slurs flew, fists followed, hitting anyone nearby. Several supporters tried to push back, but the opposition was ruthless, their numbers swelling as more joined the fray from the surrounding streets.

The square, once a space of solidarity, was now a storm of violence. A young man fell to the ground, kicked repeatedly by someone shouting obscenities. A woman screamed as her rainbow flag was torn from her grasp and set alight. People were crying, pleading, but the brutality only grew, fuelled by years of pent-up hatred now unleashed without restraint.

The police sirens screamed in the distance, but they were too slow. The damage was already done. As the opposition gained ground, the peaceful demonstration disintegrated into bloodstained chaos, leaving a devastating realisation in its wake: this wasn't a debate anymore. It was war.

Suddenly, Fort noticed a group of men trying to separate two women, dragging them into a side alley. The image of his sister instantly flashed in his mind, and he fully understood why Sean counted on something like this to happen. It was one swift, brutal scene that exposed an ugly truth – a country often praised as free and tolerant was anything but, especially for the LGBTQ community.

Without a second thought, Fort dashed forward, grabbing Sean by the arm and yanking him along. Catching on what was happening, Win pulled Aom closer for protection and followed them with a camera at a safe distance.

Sean and Fort quickly intervened, pulling the assailants away from the lesbian couple and shielding them from further harm. The struggle was intense, but their swift actions managed to protect the women from immediate danger.

Unfortunately, the scene took a grim turn when the police arrived. Instead of taking action against the perpetrators, the officers proceeded to arrest Sean and Fort. Women's desperate attempts to explain the situation were met with cold indifference, and their aggressors were allowed to go free.

Win and Aom stood watching the scene horrified while the camera continued recording the entire confrontation, including the police's blatant disregard for the truth. His instinct was to rush in and fight for his friends, but Aom stopped him, slightly shaking her head. Then it sunk... if he were to show the video to policemen, it would most likely be destroyed. His trembling hand gripped Aom's wrist as they slipped between buildings and disappeared into the night.