As the first light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains, the bungalow seemed to hold its breath, suspended in anticipation. Despite the hum of the air conditioning, the room felt suffused with warmth, the air heavy with the lingering scent of desire. Outside, the distant sounds of crashing waves and chirping birds provided a tranquil backdrop to the intensity brewing within. It was a moment poised on the precipice of possibility, where the boundaries between anticipation and fulfilment blurred into an electrifying tension.

"Fuck...," Sean gasped out, looking straight into the dark with desire brown eyes. "How you are so good at this?"

With a satisfied smirk, Jay leaned back, playfully wiping the corner of his mouth with his thumb. "You have no idea what you can learn in fancy boarding school."

"Oh? Now, I'm curious to find out," Sean murmured, pulling himself up and kissing him.

It was deep and languid, each movement slow and deliberate. Sean could taste himself mixed with the subtle smokiness of whisky still lingering on Jay's lips. It was a sensory overload, every brush of Jay's tongue against his own sending shivers of pleasure coursing through his body. It left him intoxicated and craving more.

His hand trailed down Jay's torso, his fingertips dancing lightly over his muscles, tracing each ridge and contour with a feather-light touch. Jay's skin was warm and inviting beneath his touch. Sean deftly unbuttoned his trousers, and his hand slipped inside. His fingers grazed the smooth skin of his lower abdomen, moving further down.

Jay moaned softly into their kiss, a wordless plea for more as he surrendered himself to the pleasure of Sean's touch. It felt unsettling... usually, in a moment like this, his mind would drift away, fully embracing distraction. But with Sean, it was like being anchored to the present, grounded in a reality where nothing else mattered but the sensation of Sean's lips against his and the sensual strokes of his hand.

His instincts screamed at him to follow his usual pattern – to withdraw, to disappear into the safety of solitude. But there was something different about Sean, something that tugged at his resolve with an almost magnetic pull. Despite the apprehension that coiled in the pit of his stomach, Jay couldn't deny the undeniable truth: Sean made him feel alive in a way he had never experienced before.

Any remnants of his restraint snapped when Sean gripped his hair with his free hand and, with a gentle yet commanding tug, exposed his neck. A simple gesture, followed by the trial of scorching kisses from his jaw to collarbone, drove him to the edge. He wanted Sean so badly he couldn't stand it...

"Do you have preferences?" Jay asked, his teeth brushing over Sean's earlobe, nibbling playfully at its edges.

"Don't laugh, okay?" he started, feeling a bit apprehensive. "But I never did with a guy... I wasn't even considering it until you showed up... so I have no idea..."

Jay paused momentarily, his expression softening into a charming and alluring smile. This wasn't something he would ever laugh about.

"I'm fine with either way," Jay replied, his voice low and tempting. "The choice is yours."

His words were followed by a gentle kiss. It seemed to convey a silent message: to relax and let go, reassuring Sean that he wouldn't push him into anything he wasn't comfortable with.

This was uncharted territory, where his usual casual approach didn't seem to apply. He found himself caring about how Sean felt, a departure from his typical give-and-take encounters meant solely to pass the time. It was a dangerous shift in perspective, one that challenged his beliefs and rattled his carefully constructed barriers. But despite this, he couldn't bring himself to retreat. There was a part of him, however small, that yearned to explore what it would feel like to be with someone who wasn't just a fleeting presence in his life, someone he wouldn't forget by the following day.

As they fell back on the mattress with playful giggles, Jay hovered above Sean, his weight balanced on one arm beside Sean's head while the other rested just below his jawline. With a soft sigh, Jay leaned in, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. Sean's hand instinctively tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. Then a surge of anticipation rushed through him as Sean's hand settled on the small of his back, urging them closer together in a silent invitation.

"Do you want it?"

"Yes," Sean replied without hesitation.

"Are you sure?" Jay teased, reaching for a pack of condoms and a bottle of lube from the nightstand. "Because last time I asked, you said something about rather 'fucking dying'."

"Are you sure this is the right moment to remind me of that bastard?" Sean grinned, his fingers playing on Jay's nape before pulling him down into a sensual kiss.

Their kisses grew naturally deeper and hungrier, their touches more demanding and needy as they reached the point of no return. It was a seamless mutual understanding. There was no need to make it into something that wasn't... no labels, no attachments... just pure, unadulterated fun while it lasted.

His touch was a languid caress, each brush of his fingertips against Sean's heated skin leaving a trail of sensation in its wake. A soft sigh escaped Sean's lips, his body arching slightly in response to the tender exploration. They were suspended in a delicate balance between urgency and restraint as Jay took his time ensuring Sean's comfort. This was another new thing for him... this gentleness Jay wasn't aware he was capable of.

His lips grazed Sean's ear, his warm breath sending shivers down his spine. "Just relax," Jay murmured, intertwining his left fingers with Sean's.

As Jay finally entered him, Sean's breath hitched, and his body tensed, sending a surge of pleasure through them and leaving Jay breathless. Instinctively, he tightened his grip on Sean's hands, trying to regain control over his senses.

The space between them seemed to vanish, consumed by pulsing between them desire. With a deep inhale, he leaned in, his lips meeting Sean's in a kiss much deeper and more passionate than any before... then he slowly started to move.

Pure ecstasy mingled with something deeper, something Jay couldn't quite name. It was raw and intoxicating... but it felt incredibly right... like he belonged in this moment.

"I don't think I could ever get enough of you," Jay breathed out, kissing his jawline.

Sean sunk into the pillow, tilting his head back to give him better access. "The feeling is mutual."

With Sean's legs wrapped around him, they were entwined in a dance of intimacy and desire. As Jay thrust slowly into him, his free hand traced a path from Sean's knee up his thigh, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. Each movement expressed the irresistible attraction between them, a shared desire for pleasure in its purest form.

It wasn't even noon when Jay stirred awake, his eyes blinking slowly, still heavy with exhaustion. It was clear that his sleep schedule flew out the window, but it was worth it. As he shifted slightly, Sean instinctively drew him closer, enveloping him in a comforting embrace.

"I know it's hard, but try to get more sleep," he muttered, his voice soft and calming as he pressed a tender kiss to Jay's temple.

This simple gesture of care caught Jay off guard. In his world of fleeting encounters and one-night stands, waking up with someone who cared, who wanted him to stay, was a foreign concept. Ironically, he was the one who never cared and always left without looking back. But now... surrounded by Sean's unique spicy, smoky scent with sweet notes, Jay didn't mind staying. It stirred something unfamiliar within him... He didn't know what to do with it, but he didn't dislike it.

Before long, he found himself drifting back to sleep... something that had never happened before.

The soft glow of the late afternoon created a serene atmosphere in the bedroom. The aftermath of their night together was evident in the scattered remnants of passion strewn across the floor – discarded clothes mingled with crumpled wrappers and empty condom packets.

Amidst the chaos, Jay and Sean slept intertwined beneath a light blanket. Jay nestled his head comfortably on Sean's shoulder, his arm draped lazily across his chest. Meanwhile, Sean held him close, one arm wrapped securely around his waist, their bodies pressed together in a comforting embrace, neither intended to happen.

Sean awoke to the sensation of soft hair brushing against his cheek. With a lazy smile, he shifted slightly and pressed a light kiss on the top of Jay's head. It wasn't the first time Jay had used him as a pillow, but this time, it felt different, better somehow... unrestrained.

Enjoying the blissfulness of the moment, Sean realised they hadn't talked about what all of this meant, and frankly, he didn't care to. Labels and commitments were the last things on his mind right now. All he wanted was to enjoy this without overthinking it. Whether they were just two people enjoying each other's company or something more, it didn't matter. What mattered was the here and now.

Last night – or rather morning – had been incredible, no doubt about it. Sean couldn't deny the undeniable truth: being with Jay was an unforgettable experience unlike anything he had ever known.

For as long as he could remember, Sean had considered himself straight. But being with Jay had opened his eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. It wasn't just about physical attraction – although that was undeniably a massive part of it – but also about how right it felt.

In Jay's arms, Sean felt more alive than ever. It was as if everything that had come before was just a pale imitation of what real passion and desire felt like. And now that he had experienced it, he knew there was no turning back. He may not have had all the answers, but Sean knew one thing for sure: being with Jay was what he wanted, needed, and craved.

A soft groan beside him made Sean realise he had been absentmindedly playing with Jay's hair.

"I'm sorry," Sean whispered, withdrawing his hand. "Did I wake you up?"

As Jay slowly stirred awake, his usual charismatic and distant demeanour softened into a gentle expression. His eyelids fluttered open, revealing drowsy yet captivating eyes. With a slight frown, he mumbled incoherently before sitting on the bed and running his fingers through his messy hair, further disheveling it.

Sean watched him utterly speechless, as if he didn't believe his own eyes, but at this moment, Jay was unbearably cute... so adorable he could fall in love with him.

Jay looked outside the window on the darkening sky, then shifted his gaze to Sean. "I don't remember the last time I slept so long," he muttered, gently rubbing his left eye. "Thanks."

'So cute!' Sean thought, unable to look away from him. "I don't mind doubling as your pillow," he said without thinking.

Jay froze for a brief moment, his expression slipping back to normal. "Be careful," he said with a cheeky one-sided smile. "I may take you on this offer."

"I'm counting on it," Sean quipped back at him.

With a playful grin, he swiftly pushed Jay down, restraining him against the mattress. Their lips met in a heated kiss, each swirl of their tongues sending a surge of desire coursing through their bodies. Sean's lips trailed down Jay's jawline, igniting a trail of fire along his skin.

"Has anyone ever told you how much of a turn-on you are?" Sean asked, his breath caressing sensitive skin on Jay's neck.

"It may have happened," he replied shamelessly. "The question is, what are you going to do about this?"

His eyebrow arched suggestively. "That would depend on whether you're up for it."

"I'm definitely up for it," Jay replied, relaxing underneath him in a clear invitation.

That afternoon, Sean realised something: whether it was him or Jay taking the lead, the pleasure was off the charts. It didn't matter who did what – they simply followed the flow, soaking up every moment of fun and satisfaction together.

The soft glow of the setting sun cast long, golden shadows across the living room. The air was infused with the lingering warmth of the day, mingling with the faint scent of coconut from their shared shower. The soft hum of the ceiling fan added to the languid atmosphere, its rhythmic whirring lulling them into a state of relaxation.

"I don't feel like going out for dinner," Sean sighed contedly, sinking deeper into the sofa.

Jay stretched beside him, looking like he could not be bothered to move another muscle. "Me neither."

Sean scrolled through the screen with available restaurants and takeaway places with delivery. "Which cuisine do you want?"

"Vietnamese."

"Is it your favourite?" Sean asked, seemingly offhandedly.

Jay nodded, leaning closer to look at his phone. "Yeah, I would choose Pho over anything."

Despite his preference for spicier food, Sean found a small Vietnamese restaurant recommended for their noodle soups. Within minutes, their order was placed, including secretly added sweet mung bean paste doughnuts.

A sudden crack of thunder echoed through the bungalow, followed by the ominous rumble of the storm breaking out in full force, sending torrents of rain cascading outside. It suddenly felt like they made the right decision to stay in.

Once their food arrived, they settled on the cushions by the low table in the living room, engrossed in conversation about everything and nothing. The aroma of the steaming pho filled the room, its rich and fragrant scent mingling with the sound of rain drumming against the windows.

"How did you get into climbing?" Sean asked, glancing at Jay's tattoo.

"Summer camp," he replied, adding a bit of hoisin sauce to his soup. "I got bored of the usual options, and five weeks in Scotland sounded fun."

"I assume it was fun."

"Yeah, it was different from the STEM or language camps I was typically sent to," Jay explained, swirling his spoon in the fragrant broth. "Imagine finally being out of the city, surrounded by towering mountains... away from textbooks and classrooms. When you reach the edge of the cliff and realise that standing on the precipice of death is exhilarating, not scary, it's the moment you feel truly alive...," he trailed off with a self-deprecating chuckle. "I know, dramatic for thirteen years old."

Despite his limited information about Jay, Sean didn't see it as mere teenage melodrama. Instead, he saw it as a reflection of Jay's fundamental outlook on life – a need for some semblance of freedom and escape from the constant pressure he faced. Sean suspected Jay must have felt trapped, perhaps coerced into following centuries-old family traditions. For someone this young and already aware that his choices about the most important aspects of life were predetermined, standing on that edge offered one scary choice no one could take away from him.

Sean instinctively reached out, his hand resting on Jay's nape, pulling him into a soft kiss. "No, it's not," he whispered against his lips.

He sensed a subtle tension in Jay's muscles, indicating that he might have crossed a line he shouldn't have. But this reaction also prompted Sean to reflect on a pattern he had noticed throughout the weekend – Jay was clearly unaccustomed to even the smallest gestures of affection. It raised questions in his mind, but for now, he focused on preventing Jay from slipping away again.

Sean leaned back with a carefree smile. "I mean, I can definitely understand the appeal," he said, picking up his chopsticks. "One would assume that standing on the edge with nothing between you and a massive drop down should be scary, but I can imagine the view is amazing... probably even liberating. It's a shame the area in Bangkok is so flat... except the hill, we should stay away from."

Jay laughed lightly, appreciating the shift in the conversation. "Oh yes, I'm definitely not going back there. I never asked, but how did this whole idea of arson come to life?"

"Tay always has radical ideas like this," Sean replied, his voice betraying his dislike for Jay's twin. "Sometimes it feels like he has a personal vendetta against rich people, but we all agreed with him this time. Thanarak went too far."

"Win mentioned something about a temple, but as you can imagine, I wasn't in position to ask for more details at the time."

"I feel like I owe you an apology for nearly punching this handsome face of yours."

Jay flashed him a playful grin. "Don't mind. I very much enjoyed having you pinned against the wall."

"I'd let you pin me against just about anything," Sean replied, his voice charming and tempting with cheeky undertones. "Sorry, I got sidetracked... So... It was an ancient Buddhist temple, a spiritual and cultural heritage. The grounds were a hub of activity, with festivals, rituals, and quiet meditation sessions... when you grew up in our district, visits to the temple were unforgettable. I'm sure most people forgot there for a moment how little they could afford and how difficult their lives were."

Sean remained quiet for a while, absentmindedly playing with a piece of beef. But to Jay, his silence spoke volumes of how important that temple was to him... he must have had countless memories there, and now it was gone because of someone's greed. He still didn't agree with their methods, but their cause was something Jay could stand behind.

"Did you go there with your parents a lot?"

His lips formed a nostalgic smile. "Every festival and celebration. No matter how busy they were, they would always find time to take me there. My favourite was the Loy Krathong festival, you know, the one where people release small floats made of banana leaves and flowers onto the water to symbolise letting go of negativity and starting anew. It's silly now... but back then, watching them float away seemed magical, like all your wishes could come true..."

The way Sean's voice trailed off, trembling slightly, stirred something unfamiliar in Jay. It was a sensation he couldn't quite grasp, unsettling in its intensity. His usual defence mechanisms kicked in, urging him to push the feeling away, but then a new instinct took over.

Against his better judgment, Jay found himself pulling Sean close and resting his chin on the messy black hair. "You still miss them, don't you?"

Sean nodded slowly as the comforting scent of cedarwood and cypress washed over him. Always trying to keep his head above the surface, he had never allowed himself the chance to confront his grief and properly process his loss. As a result, he had never truly moved on, always putting on a façade... but deep inside, Sean missed them terribly.

It was astonishing that the guy he was supposed to just have casual sex was the one to notice it...