As April dissolved into May, everything languished under the weight of the impending summer heat. The air hung heavy with humidity, suffocating the city in a relentless embrace. Each day dawned beneath a merciless sun, its rays scorching the earth below with unyielding intensity.

Amidst the sweltering heat, the bustling streets of Bangkok seemed to wilt, their vibrant energy dampened by the stifling atmosphere. People moved with a sluggishness born of exhaustion, seeking solace in the shade of towering buildings or the cool respite of air-conditioned interiors.

For Jay, the passing of time felt like a blur, the days merging seamlessly into one another as he buried himself in work. Finding Tay's studio unbearable in this weather, he moved permanently to the rented penthouse by the river to escape the heat. It was smaller than his apartment in London but just as void of any traces of his presence. Another place with no meaning to him. But the lack of an air conditioner wasn't the only reason Jay moved... he needed a change of scenery... a distance to get back on track.

Ever since that morning, he had this unsettling feeling that wouldn't go away... this sinking realisation that he had let himself get too close... a subtle tremor in his perfectly controlled and organised emotions. Jay resented the intrusion, seeing it as a disturbance to the status quo he maintained for so long.

Their arrangement was supposed to be simple. He had made that abundantly clear from the start to both himself and Sean. But along the way, something went wrong...

Being with Sean felt different, disconcerting in a way he couldn't fully understand. Sean's caring nature, affectionate gestures, and genuine interest in him were all foreign experiences. The small things - like Sean noticing his likes and dislikes, the ease with which Jay fell asleep in his arms or the way Sean pulled him closer in the morning, planting a soft kiss on his shoulder or temple, made Jay's carefully constructed walls tremble.

He tried to convince himself that it meant nothing, that his feelings - if they could even be called that - were nothing more than fleeting whims, easily dismissed and forgotten. But beneath the surface, something unfamiliar stirred within him - a longing he couldn't quite name, a desire he dared not acknowledge. It was a disturbing sensation, one that challenged his sense of control and self-assurance.

With each passing moment, Jay's grip on his emotions slipped ever so slightly, like grains of sand escaping through his fingers. But he couldn't afford to let himself be swayed by such trivialities and drag Sean down with him.

Deep down, Jay knew that getting involved with him was a risky game... one that would lead to pain and disappointment for those who dared to care for him. He was slowly growing to realise how selfish of him it was to indulge in something that wasn't meant to be. What if they took it too far, and he wouldn't be able to spare Sean from the inevitable heartache of loving someone like him?

Consequently, Jay fell back into his usual routine, finding comfort in work and any distractions he could muster. Despite knowing deep down that he should end it, a tiny part of him refused to let go. So he stayed, upholding their agreement while ignoring what it did to him. However, Jay became more adamant in keeping boundaries, pulling away at any sign of affection and creating more distance between them than ever before. Just take one day at a time... don't think and don't feel. After all, it was just fun, casual fun - nothing more, nothing less.

Sunlight filtered through the lush green leaves, dappling the soft grass below with shifting patterns of light and shadow. In the stillness of the midday heat, the area remained untouched by the hustle and bustle of campus life, offering a quiet retreat and respite from the sweltering sun.

As usual, Jay sat cross-legged on the grass with the laptop balanced on his knees as he worked on case files. His shirt and hair were dishevelled, betraying both his discomfort with the heat and the exhaustion etched on his features. Suddenly, a cold sensation on his neck startled him. Jay looked up from the screen to face Sean, leaning over him with a playful smile and gently waving a bottle of chilled water.

"Here," Sean said, passing him the bottle. "You look like you could use it."

"Thanks, this thing is fucking unbearable," Jay grumbled, looking at the sky.

Jay's manner of speaking was typically calm, composed, and somewhat detached. However, there were occasional subtle shifts, offering glimpses of the person behind the polished exterior, making Sean feel like the sole witness to this hidden facet of Jay's personality.

He chuckled lightly. "Not a fan, huh?"

Jay glared at him with the intensity of the blazing sun above them. "Who the fuck would enjoy this?"

"Me," Sean grinned shamelessly, then plopped on the grass beside him. He took a closer look at Jay, and his eyebrows furrowed worriedly. "Are you struggling to sleep again?"

"It's fine," Jay shrugged, siping the water. It was pleasantly cold and refreshing. "I'm just busy with work and assignments."

Sean heard this response a lot over the last two weeks, often as the reason why Jay wouldn't stay over after they had sex. Each time it was uttered, it felt like the wall between them grew taller. It hurt almost as much as knowing he couldn't do anything about it.

"How's your exam?" Jay asked, steering the conversation away from himself.

"I think it went well," Sean said proudly before launching into an unnecessary explanation of the legislation and policies related to labour laws. Despite his passion for the topic, he chose the most boring ones and kept his voice low and soothing.

It didn't take long for soft strands to brush over his ear as Jay's head dropped to his shoulder. Sean smiled gently, running his fingers through dark brown hair.

"You are really stubborn, you know?" he whispered, kissing the top of his head.

The sun cast longer shadows across the ground, indicating it was later in the afternoon. The sunlight filtered through the branches at a slightly different angle, painting the surroundings with a softer, golden hue.

Jay stirred slightly, his head resting on Sean's lap, using his shoulder bag as a pillow again. His senses slowly awakened to the gentle caress of Sean's fingers through his hair, a soothing rhythm against the backdrop of ambient chatter and rustling leaves. The scent of Sean's cologne wrapped around him like a blanket, offering comfort Jay desperately needed, but as the haze of sleep lifted, so did his walls.

"Sorry," he murmured quietly, his voice tinged with regret as he jolted upwards, distancing himself from Sean's touch.

"Did you just apologise for me boring you to death with labour laws?" Sean asked, setting his textbook aside.

Jay rolled his eyes at Sean's teasing tone of voice.

"Anyway, I'm starving, and I'm pretty sure you owe me a late lunch."

Sean noticed that Jay seemed more at ease when there was a clear exchange involved, so he tried to frame their interactions accordingly, all the while hoping to get closer to him and understand the reasons behind his behaviour.

"Me?"

"Yes, I'm deeply offended you dared to fall asleep during my passionate speech about labour laws," Sean explained with a playful grin.

Jay stared at him, speechless, for a moment as tension and discomfort morphed into amused disbelief. "So... you bored me to death, but I owe you a lunch?"

"Of course."

"What kind of logic is that?!"

"The one that saves me from starvation," Sean chirped, smiling at him shamelessly. "Come, I know a great place serving the best fried chicken."

As they walked towards the gate, Jay couldn't help but smile faintly. He had grown accustomed to their meals together and looked forward to them, even if he wasn't quite ready to admit it yet.

The small eatery they headed to was humble yet inviting, with colourful plastic chairs and tables set up under a makeshift canopy. The aroma of sizzling chicken wafted through the air, tempting passersby with its tantalising scent. Despite its modest appearance, it promised a delicious meal and a brief escape from the sweltering heat of Bangkok.

The Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand office building stood out with its sleek, modern façade, adorned with colourful banners with messages of equality and acceptance. Dressed in smart attire befitting occasion, Sean stood patiently just outside the entrance, his gaze scanning the passing crowd for Jay. Now and then, he adjusted his tie, showing how uncomfortable he was wearing one.

Sean couldn't ignore the pressure resting on his shoulders. Especially since the group had unanimously decided that he and Jay were best suited to represent them in this meeting. Unlike their usual endeavours, this was a tangible opportunity to effect real change and help those trapped in situations with no way out. He couldn't afford to mess it up, but suddenly, all his thoughts stopped.

Sean's breath hitched, and he struggled to swallow past the sudden dryness in his throat. Dressed in that sleek black Armani suit, with the crisp white shirt and slim tie, Jay was like a goddamn vision of temptation. Every line and contour of his slender, athletic frame was hugged by the fabric with such precision it should be considered a crime. Sean felt an undeniable surge of desire ignite within him, primal and urgent. At that moment, Jay wasn't just elegant. He was a walking, talking invitation to lose control. And Sean? Well, he was teetering right on the edge of giving in.

'Pure thoughts, pure thoughts, pure thoughts...' Sean chanted inwardly, attempting to regain some semblance of composure and resist the urge to pin him against the nearest wall. But then, it dawned on him that Jay must dress like this every single day for work... and that's when his brain decided to supply him with incredibly helpful ideas for sex in the office.

"Jesus Fucking Christ... I need an icy cold shower," he muttered, gripping Jay's tie and pulling him into an intense kiss.

"Not like I mind, but what was that for?"

"No reason, just discovered I have a thing for guys in suits... particularly you," Sean grinned, feeling slightly better. "Should we go in before I will do something very bad in front of many people?"

Jay gave him his usual one-sided smile, which only made things worse for Sean and held the door open for him.

The interior was modest yet welcoming. Simple décor with neutral colours and functional furniture filled the space. The floors were lined with practical linoleum, and the walls were adorned with motivational posters and photographs of past events. After a friendly greeting, the secretary led them down the hallway to the conference room.

As they settled into the conference room, Jay and Sean exchanged polite greetings with the representatives of RSAT and Tanwarin Sukkhapisit. Formal introductions followed, with each person briefly outlining their role and affiliation. Finally, they took their seats around the table, and Tanwarin looked at Jay, not hiding her excitement.

"It's such a pleasure to meet you, Jay," she said with a wide smile. "I used to attend your mother's guest lectures at Chulalongkorn University. You must be thrilled to follow in her footsteps. She is such an amazing role model."

Despite the sore topic, Jay maintained a courteous demeanour with a slight smile, yet his gaze remained distant and indifferent. "Yes, she is," he agreed politely. "However, I specialise in criminal law."

"Oh, I see, yes... It's important to broaden your horizon before focusing on the continuation of the immense legacy Mrs Anderson built. A wise choice, and I'm sure you will make her proud one day," she affirmed with approval.

"Thank you," Jay responded, then turned slightly towards Sean. "Unlike me, Sean has the necessary expertise in human rights and related legislation. Perhaps he could provide more insight into our findings?"

The Association representative nodded eagerly. "Yes, please. The initial photos you sent us were alarming, and we would like to hear more about the situation at Urban Solutions, where your friend still works, as I understand correctly."

Sean leaned forward as he began to outline the evidence they gathered, smoothly engaging others in the discussion. His words painted a vivid picture of the risks Araya and her colleagues face - from discriminatory practices to harassment and threats of violence. Soon, their conversation expanded on the unsafe working conditions, the lack of proper legal protections and exploitation.

"It saddens me to say that we weren't aware of how dire the situation became," Tanwarin Sukkhapisit admitted, looking somewhat ashamed. "What your friend did is incredibly admirable and dangerous, but I believe her action will help us give voice to those who suffer in silence."

"Yes," one of the representatives agreed. "Our current focus is on marriage equality, employability and access to health care, but I firmly believe we should evaluate our future events and start raising awareness of hate crimes and harassment at workplaces."

"Absolutely," the person responsible for media relations chimed in. "We can select the most impactful videos and pictures, then slowly release them but draw public opinion and build on future events and demonstrations."

"Of course, we are going to treat all evidence as given to us anonymously to protect their identities, but we should have enough to trigger investigation even under current labour laws."

"Is there anything else you can do to ensure that Araya and her colleagues won't suffer retaliation?" Jay asked, pointing out that some parts of evidence allowed to identify victims.

Tanwarin sighed, her eyebrows furrowed in worry. "Let's focus for now on building public awareness and bringing the issue to the parliament's attention using safe evidence. Once ready, we can launch simultaneous investigations in multiple companies to avoid further suspicions."

"What about organising demonstrations with speakers touching on the most pressing issues?"

The meeting turned into a brainstorming session with various ideas on how to proceed in the following months, as well as legal support and advice for Aya. Clearly, as excited as everyone was about concrete evidence, the safety of those who took risks gathering it was their main priority.

Sean took a moment to gather his thoughts. Things looked promising, even though they knew it was a long game. "What about schools? Is there anything you can do to support teenagers who struggle with discrimination and bullying?"

The Association representative exchanged a meaningful glance with Tanwarin Sukkhapisit before responding. "Addressing discrimination and bullying in schools is a sensitive issue. While public awareness campaigns can help, we also need to consider more subtle approaches to support."

Tanwarin nodded in agreement. "Discreet support groups could provide a safe space for LGBTQ students to share their experiences and seek guidance without fear of further discrimination or backlash."

As the meeting drew to a close, Tanwarin Sukkhapisit and RSAT representatives expressed their gratitude for the productive discussion. They reiterated their commitment to addressing the issues raised and finding the best way forward.

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the bustling streets as the city shimmered under the intense heat. As soon as they stepped outside the air-conditioned building, they were immediately enveloped in the oppressive humidity. Jay groaned, wishing to be either dead or back in London, while Sean chuckled at his reaction.

"Do you want a ride?" he asked, fishing out keys to his motorbike. "Taxi will take forever in this traffic."

Jay shook his head. "I moved to the apartment in the opposite direction."

He figured that Tay's place must have become too hot for him, and Jay most likely couldn't focus on work or sleep. "I don't mind detour."

"Sure?"

"Yeah, this is the least I can do as thank you for helping us with this," Sean replied, gesturing towards the Asociation office. "We would never manage to do this much while they seem to know what they are doing."

After a short ride, they arrived at the luxury apartment complex perched elegantly on the riverbank, a sight Sean had never imagined getting close to - a realm of opulence and privilege that seemed worlds away from his own reality... and yet, it was Jay's reality, accentuating the gap between them.

But it also reminded him about another aspect...

"Does it happen often?" Sean asked as they walked through the mini park towards the entrance.

"Hm?"

"People assuming you will follow your mother's footsteps as if your aspirations didn't matter," Sean explained, sounding rather angry.

Jay shrugged. "All the time, but it's fine."

"No, it's not," he insisted. "You shouldn't have to sit there and take all this crap as if it was nothing. It bothers you, doesn't it?"

"It doesn't matter what bothers me or what I want, Sean," Jay responded, frustration evident in his voice. "I'm not allowed to do anything that could tarnish the family image, legacy and whatnot... it's just another obligation, like going to law school. There's no point in fighting it, so just leave it, okay?"

Sean fell silent, his brows furrowing with concern. He had always admired Jay's composed demeanour and strength, but seeing him express such frustration and resignation was unsettling.

"I'm sorry... it's not a valid excuse, but this heat is wearing me off thin."

Sean shook his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "I shouldn't have talked about things I have no idea and telling you what to do with it. But if you try to tell me it's fine, I might just strangle you."

"I was actually going to suggest dinner."

"Smooth," Sean chuckled, following him to the lift.

Seconds later, he was immediately struck by modern elegance and panoramic views of the river below. Every corner exuded luxury, from the sleek furnishings to the expansive windows that bathed the space in natural light, creating an ambience of refined comfort that spoke volumes about Jay's affluent lifestyle.