As Sean stepped into Tay's flat for the first time, he was struck by its simplicity and order. The single room held a double bed with neatly arranged sheets, a modest wardrobe, a compact kitchenette, and a desk piled with textbooks and notes. Despite its size, the apartment exuded a sense of calm and functionality, with everything in its place and a distinct lack of clutter. Somehow, it didn't feel like Tay, from whom Sean would expect more live-in chaos. Something more akin to the victim of a tornado.

"I guess you have been staying here a lot," Sean commented, looking around.

"How did you know?"

"Dunno," he shrugged, plopping on the bed. "It's too neat."

Jay raised his eyebrow questioningly, encouraging him to elaborate. He managed a faint smile, though his mind was preoccupied with thoughts he dared not voice aloud. As Sean made himself comfortable on the bed, Jay couldn't help but notice how the loose, wide-cut t-shirt draped effortlessly over Sean's frame, accentuating his collarbone and physique in an undeniably distracting way. Not to mention the contrast between the white fabric and his tanned skin. Jay swallowed hard and tore his gaze away from Sean in a feeble attempt to keep himself occupied with groceries.

Inviting Sean here had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, one he now questioned. Why was he interested in someone who would disappear from his life in a couple of months? There was no denying that Sean was his type, and there was something irresistible about him. Despite his conflicting feelings, being around Sean made him feel at ease. Almost as if he could forget about all the pressure he put on himself and have fun. Still... he shouldn't even be here, so why bother? 'Why not?'

"I don't know," Sean continued with a slight shrug. "You appear so composed, borderline nonchalant, while Tay seems angry all the time. I would expect his place to reflect it."

"Does he?"

"Yeah...." Sean agreed as he watched him unpacking groceries. "Anyway, are you sure I won't die of food poisoning?"

"If you are so afraid, why not go ahead and swap places?" Jay offered teasingly, holding out a carton of chicken broth towards him.

Sean paled slightly and vehemently shook his head. "No, no. I'm good over here."

"Oh?"

"You are not going to turn this on me," he said with a light chuckle. "Unless you can't actually cook."

Jay rolled his eyes. "Have some faith, will you?"

"You are asking for a lot," Sean replied playfully, resting a hand behind him and slipping into a more relaxed position. "I barely know you. You could be a serial killer in disguise."

"Shouldn't you worry about it before you came here?"

"I guess the option of free dinner was too tempting to consider potential risks. Besides, I still don't believe you can do it," Sean insisted, hoping he was wrong. It was a long time since he had something nice, as he didn't want to impose on Sari and Izzy. It was also a perfect opportunity to get to know someone who wouldn't leave his mind recently. "So, what are we eating?"

"Tom Kha Gai. It's rather hard to make anything more challenging with this setup."

Sean nodded in approval. "Why do you stay here then?"

"I like this part of the city much more," Jay responded, swiftly slicing chillies. "Feels more genuine and alive, not to mention street food."

"I didn't expect someone like you to enjoy it here," he muttered, looking at Jay speechless.

Jay frowned slightly. "Someone like me?"

"Rich, belonging on the other side?" Sean explained, cringing. Each word felt like an insult to Jay, and as soon as they left his lips, he regretted every single one.

"Do you really believe throwing everyone in the same box is okay?" Jay asked, sounding somewhat disappointed. "Judging people based on their background rather than their character is a narrow-minded approach, don't you think? We're more than just the circumstances we're born into."

Jay's reasoning hit him hard. It felt like a punch to the guts. He couldn't argue with it, but his own experiences taught him otherwise. "When you live here, you are nothing more than circumstances you were born into. You learn your place very quickly. If you don't, this city will eat you alive. It will take everything you care about from you, just because they can..." he trailed off, shifting his gaze towards the window. "It's easier to be idealistic when you don't need to worry about surviving the next day."

"I understand where you're coming from," Jay replied, his voice softening. "But I didn't expect you to conform to what others think about you."

"I'm not... never mind," he waved him off, realising that if they continued like this, he would say something he shouldn't. Yet, his mind automatically drifted to that night with hot flames fanning over his skin. Sean shook it off, focusing on the person on the other side of the room. Any distraction would do. "What's with Peru?" he asked, suddenly remembering last night's meeting.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly at various emotions flickered over Sean's face, but he didn't say anything. It was clear there was more story behind his opinions, and part of him wanted to know it and understand him better. Still, he could wait until Sean was ready to talk about it. "I was planning a climbing trip to Peru when Art called me. Initially, this was supposed to be only a short stop on my way there, but somehow I'm still here. At least for the next two weeks."

"I thought you were staying till the end of the term."

"There is development in case I'm working on and need to go back to London for a few days, maybe longer."

"Shame," Sean muttered without thinking, then cleared his throat and asked, "Do you climb a lot? You made that hill look like a walk in the park."

"Yeah, I spent every free moment on Ben Nevis. Standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing that one wrong move could be the end of you - it's intoxicating. In that moment, you feel truly alive."

"If you can have everything, why risk your life to feel alive? You could get anywhere whenever you want."

His eyes dimmed slightly, and his cheeky smile disappeared. "I forgot to ask, you are not vegetarian, are you?"

"No, I'm not," Sean replied, surprised by a sudden change in conversation. 'I guess we both have things we don't want to discuss,' he thought, watching him thinly slice chicken breast.

For a while, they remained in comfortable silence. One was busy with their dinner, the other lost in his thoughts. Sean couldn't help but ponder Jay's words. It felt like there was so much more to him than Sean had initially assumed. At first glance, Jay was handsome, charming and nonchalant, but at the same time playful. But then there were moments when his gaze would turn incredibly distant... almost lonely. Sean couldn't help but wonder if he was reading too much into it. However, a rapidly growing in strength part of him wanted to know everything.

Suddenly, the enticing scent of Tom Kha Gai enveloped him, drawing him closer to the source. He couldn't help but feel a rush of anticipation as he leaned over Jay's shoulder to check the creamy soup simmering in the pot.

"I'm impressed," he remarked, his voice betraying genuine admiration.

Surprised by the unexpected compliment, Jay turned towards him, their faces mere inches apart. Time seemed to stand still for a brief moment as their eyes met, an unspoken tension crackling between them.

Before either of them could say another word, Sean stumbled back with an awkward smile, breaking the spell that had momentarily bound them. The moment passed, but the lingering tension remained, a subtle undercurrent that hinted at something neither of them wanted to admit.

"There is no table, or at least I didn't find it. Do you mind eating on the cushions?"

Sean shook his head. "I would eat this on the hardwood floor," he uttered, unable to look away from the steaming bowl.

"Are you sure? It may be your last meal," Jay teased him.

"Fine, fine," Sean groaned with mock annoyance. "I stand corrected."

"About what?"

Sean rolled his eyes, unable to fight off an amused smile. "God, you are a worse menace than your brother."

"I'm not sure if I should be flattered or offended. Or both."

Sean shrugged, settled on the firm cushion, and lifted a spoonful of the fragrant soup to his lips. His senses instantly flooded with a burst of rich and creamy flavour that surpassed his expectations. Though he tried to mask his delight, a subtle grin betrayed his newfound appreciation for Jay's culinary skills.

"Where did you learn to cook like this?"

"I have been living on my own for a long time," he started, setting two bottles of beer between them. "And combined with climbing training, learning how to cook became a necessity. Besides, I had no idea how much you can pick up from ladies on the market. I once asked a few questions about things we don't have in England, and ever since, they keep recommending me products and ideas on what to do with them."

"Oh yes, aunties will turn into mother hens as soon as given the opportunity," Sean laughed, finally understanding Jay's familiarity and politeness with stand owners. "But I must say, I didn't expect someone as skinny as you to be so strong," he commented, remembering how easily Jay pinned him against the wall.

"Climbing training is all about strength, flexibility and reflexes, not the size of your muscles. The lighter you are, the easier it is to carry your own weight and gear, especially when you scale almost even wall."

Sean nodded with understanding, sipping his beer. "Makes sense. It's more training with your own weight than a typical strength workout?"

"Yeah, if you're up for it, you can come next time I go to the gym. They've got a pretty decent climbing wall," Jay suggested casually.

Sean didn't need Sherlock Holmes to figure out where this gym was, but he wasn't sure if he could afford it. However, Jay quickly sensed his hesitation and offered to cover the fee since he was the one extending the invitation. At first, Sean hesitated, but there was something about Jay that made it hard to decline.

As they chatted, time slipped away unnoticed, the sky outside the window gradually darkening, casting long shadows that danced across the room. They delved into topics ranging from their hobbies to studies and jobs, the passage of time marked only by the gradual shift from beer to a bottle of Balvenie 21-Year-Old PortWood. Sean and Jay were still sitting on the floor by the bed, facing each other and much closer than during the dinner. They were undeniably tipsy.

"I never said, but...," Sean's voice faltered momentarily, an instinct to withdraw. Fortunately or unfortunately, a significant amount of whisky lowered his inhibitions, allowing him to continue. "Thank you for what you did at the mansion. If it wasn't for you, she would die... and for getting me out of there."

"You froze in the hallway when she screamed. Why?"

His shoulder leaned against the bed for support as his eyes closed. Sean took a deep breath, then gulped down the content of his glass. "You have good taste for whisky," he chuckled dryly. "Flashback."

"Do you mind me asking what happened?"

"When I was fifteen, my father died in an accident at Niran Chaiyawat's factory. There were complaints that management neglected safety checks and necessary repairs to increase profit. My mother begged him to quit, but there weren't any other options... so he stayed. That afternoon, we were supposed to meet to find a small gift for her birthday," Sean paused, his expression full of pain as if he was back there.

Silently, Jay handed him the bottle, disregarding formalities like glasses. Sean responded with a wry smile, taking the bottle and tipping it to his lips. His throat moved in a rapid, rhythmic motion as he took large swigs, each bringing a sense of ease and relaxation as the liquid flowed smoothly down his throat.

"You were there when it happened."

"I was waiting at the gate," he began, his voice tinged with anguish. "Suddenly, the air filled with screams, and the sky turned black with smoke. It was chaos... absolute chaos." His grip tightened around the bottle, seeking solace in its familiarity. "I can still hear the deafening sound of the explosion and feel the heat of the flames licking at my skin. People running, shouting, and scrambling for safety. My father's friends grabbed me and pushed me to the ground... yelling that there was nothing I could do. We could just watch the whole building crumbling to the ground... It was a nightmare," he added and, with a shaky breath, raised the bottle to his lips, the amber liquid offering a fleeting reprieve from the onslaught of emotions.

"I can't even imagine," Jay muttered with an understanding smile, acknowledging Sean's pain without overstepping boundaries. "How do you cope with it?"

"Mostly by pretending I have it all together," he replied, trying to lighten the mood and shift his attention away from painful memories. "And by doing my best to bring that bastard down," Sean added, then explained what happened afterwards and how Chaiyawat came out unscathed.

Jay leaned back with a shocked expression. "The fuck... how is it even possible?"

"That's Bangkok for you," Sean shrugged with resignation. "Ones with money dictate the facts. People either turn a blind eye or are too afraid to speak up."

After staying in the city for the last few weeks, Jay had a pretty clear picture of social divisions and inequality dominating every aspect of people's lives. But hearing Sean's side of the story made him realise how deeply rooted the problems SWIFT fought against were. Could this small group change the status quo? It felt like an impossible task, but the group definitely didn't lack the determination. Suddenly, Sean pulled him out of his thoughts, passing him the almost empty bottle.

"No one ever asked me about this shit. It's weird to talk about it... so fuck you, and thanks for asking," Sean added, closing the topic.

"Anytime."

Jay reached for another bottle of whisky, silently acknowledging Sean's need for a distraction. They spent the rest of the night chatting, exchanging jokes and teasing each other lightly. The weight of the earlier conversation lifted, replaced with the subtle promise of something more lingering in the air.

As Jay stumbled into the auditorium, the afternoon sun filtered weakly through the dusty windows, casting long shadows across the rows of tables. The air felt heavy and stifling, exacerbating the dull ache in his head from the previous night. The room was filled with the low murmur of students chatting amongst themselves, punctuated by the occasional rustle of papers as they settled in for the lecture. Jay slumped into his seat with a heavy sigh, longing for the solace of darkness and silence. Win cast him an intrigued look, but before he could comment on Jay's obvious hangover, the professor cleared his throat to gather everyone's attention.

The lecture was boring, and Jay found himself drifting off to sleep when his phone buzzed with an upcoming message. He opened their group chat and smiled despite his miserable state.

J.B.

Vivi and I are coming back in a couple of weeks. Drinks are on us!

Vic

Perfect! I'm free till the second half of April.

Are we crashing at Jay's as always?

Christina Charlotte Emilia

I'm afraid it's impossible.

Vic

Why?

Christina Charlotte Emilia

Brace yourself, guys! Our Insomniac Workaholic is out of the country on what, in his case, we can call holidays.

Vivian

Impossible... Sooner the hell would freeze over!

Jay? Are you okay? Did Tina abduct you? The rescue squad is on the way!

Christina Charlotte Emilia

Hey! He left on his own volition!

J.B.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Vic

Your sense of humour never fails to amuse me, Tina. 🤣

What did you do to him?

Did you ship him somewhere without an internet to stop him from working?

Christina Charlotte Emilia

Do you really think this would stop him?

So naïve 😏

J.B.

So, you do know something...

Interesting...

Vivian

So cruel, Tina.

He must be suffering so much...

Jay struggled to contain his laughter as Vivi hit the nail on the head - this hangover was nothing short of agony. By midnight, they had finished the second bottle of whisky, leaving them feeling in the morning as though they had been flattened by a freight train. Yet, despite the pounding headache and churning stomach, he would do it again in a heartbeat.

Me

You have no idea...

J.B.

Good to know you are alive, mate!

Me

I wouldn't call this alive, but yeah 😅

J.B.

Hangover?

Vic

Are you seriously having fun without us? 🥺

Me

The mother of all hangovers...

Oh, that reminds me, Vic!

You still owe me a bottle of 18-year-old Macallan.

I shall collect it in London 😉

Vic

Damn, and here I was, hoping you forgot about it!

Christina Charlotte Emilia

Let me rephrase it: so naïve 🤣🤣🤣

Vivian

I still can't believe you are not in London or on Ben Nevis.

Where did you go?

Me

Bangkok

J.B.

And that explains the hangover 😂

As the banter in the group chat continued, plans for the upcoming weekend started to take shape. Ever since their days at Westminster School, these reunions had become a regular fixture in their hectic lives. It was a chance to carve out a few precious moments of pure fun amidst the relentless grind of their growing responsibilities. Time to unwind and blow off the steam.