The night air in the industrial area was thick with humidity, clinging to every surface like an unwelcome second skin. The oppressive heat of the day had barely dissipated, leaving a heavy blanket of warmth that seemed to muffle the sounds of the city. The narrow alleys and hidden passages twisted through the district like a labyrinth, their dimly lit paths revealing the grit and grime of a poorer district. The streets were littered with debris, the occasional flicker of a neon sign casting eerie, fleeting glows onto the cracked pavements.

Win and Fort moved silently through these darkened corridors, their steps purposeful as they blended seamlessly into the shadows. Masks covered most of their faces, obscuring their identities and shielding them from the heavy scent of diesel and pollution. They passed by crumbling buildings with faded facades that whispered tales of better days long gone. The occasional distant shout or the clatter of metal echoed through the night, a reminder that danger was never far in this part of the city.

Their destination was an abandoned warehouse, its once-sturdy structure now a skeleton of rusted beams and broken windows. The building loomed ahead, a dark silhouette against the smoggy sky. Its rooftop offered a vantage point they needed, a clear view of one of Chaiyawat's factories that should be closed for the night.

"This way," Fort said in a hushed voice, beckoning him to follow through a narrow gap in the fence. "Mind your head."

Win rolled his eyes. "You do remember that I'm the leader, right?"

He shook his head with amusement. "Who made you a leader, huh?"

"I chose this spot, so it's a natural consequence, and if we get anything, the credit goes to me," Win added with a cheeky smile. "No worries, I will let you bask in my greatness."

"I'm honoured, your leadership."

"I hate you so much sometimes," Win huffed, setting his backpack on the other side and squeezing through the fence. "How do you know about this place?"

"A few guys from my year do political graffiti to express their displeasure with the current system. They know all sorts of abandoned buildings around here."

Win looked at him, surprised. "Aren't they afraid?"

"Probably not less than us," Fort shrugged. "But it's their way to fight. Their Instagram has a decent following, and it is slowly building up. I thought maybe we could work with them at some point, but what we do is too risky."

Win nodded with understanding, cautiously looking around. Even if their mission was about finding clues and evidence, their safety was the main priority. They were no longer eager to dive headfirst into danger... the consequences were too tangible. As always, recently, his thoughts lingered on Tay. It has been months since he was admitted to the hospital and weeks from the last update on his condition. Sometimes, he was worried Tay would never wake up... on better days, Win was concerned if he would still be the same person. It was unbelievable but Win even missed his constant fights with Sean.

"Third window from left," Fort whispered, crouching behind him. "The panel is loose. You can push it far enough to get in."

Win shook off his thoughts and nodded, slowly making his way to the entry point. The air was thick with tension, every sound amplified in the stillness of the night. Suddenly, the barking of dogs echoed through the area. They both paused behind a pile of debris, holding their breath as the barking grew louder and gradually faded into the distance.

Win took another cautious step forward, the rubber soles of his shoes barely making a sound against the cracked pavement. His heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't stop while Fort stayed behind, scanning their surroundings for any sign of danger.

The nearby lights cast long, eerie shadows across the ground, adding to the sense of foreboding. Win reached the base of the building, his fingers brushing against the rough, weathered surface. He glanced back at Fort, who gave a curt nod of encouragement, then pulled himself up on the ledge and pressed against the panel, taking a peek inside.

The interior was dark and silent, starkly contrasting the oppressive atmosphere outside. Win gently dropped his backpack through the gap and slipped to the other side with practised ease. Using the walls for support, he navigated the shadows, relying on the minimal light seeping through cracks. On the first floor, Win found an unboarded window and crouched low, scanning the area for signs of life. Once he was confident it was clear, he signalled to Fort with a quick flash of his torch, the beam barely noticeable against the murky backdrop.

They settled on the rooftop, finding a vantage point that offered a clear view of the factory and its lone gate. From their perch, they would be able to observe any deliveries or movements throughout the night. Despite the underlying tension, they sat on the edge with their legs dangling down, their postures deceptively relaxed.

"This reminds me of a camping trip in Mattayom 4. It was shortly after you started hanging out with us, remember?" Win asked, watching the factory through binoculars. "Tay got into another fight with his father and was grumpy all the time. It's funny we never knew he had an identical twin. It makes me wonder what else we didn't know about him."

Fort looked over his shoulder at the makeshift setup with sleeping bags and survival kit -nothing more than Win's snacks. It was hardly a camping trip, but he understood it wasn't old memories from school Win wanted to talk about.

"I don't think he deliberately hid it from us," he said, gazing at the horizon. "Jay barely remembered him. Maybe it was the same for Tay?"

Win sighed. "By the time I met him, Jay had been gone for half his life. I wonder how that felt. People always talk about the special connection identical twins have, but they're nothing but strangers. It must have been excruciating. And I think that's why Tay always hated his father... I don't believe he ever forgot about Jay."

Fort looked at him, surprised, but didn't say anything, letting him continue.

"Jay moved to an entirely new place. It's natural he forgot about his early childhood, but Tay was different. He stayed in the same house, surrounded by places he used to play with his brother. It kept him reminding him about Jay all the time."

"It makes sense," Fort agreed. "It's horrifying that their parents didn't let them stay in touch. Who does that?"

"It's sick," he muttered. "Not to mention, one is very Chinese with a mix of Thai, and the other is purely British."

Fort snorted a chuckle despite his sombre mood. "If it wasn't for the face, I would never guess they are remotely related."

"Tayang Chen," Win said, as if wishing Tay would appear in front of them. "I wonder what Jay's full name is. He once told me this was just a shortened version, and I heard the concierge at the hotel greeting him as Mr Anderson. I guess it must be British, right?"

"Maybe Sean knows?"

Win's face suddenly lit up, his mood shifting into his usual upbeat mode. "Sean and Jay... my biggest success," he chirped proudly. "Do you think they got together during the Full Moon Party?"

While Fort understood why Win had been feeling low recently, he didn't want him to dwell on it too much. He didn't want worries or intrusive thoughts to affect his friendship with Tay. Since they had met, Win and Tay had been inseparable, like brothers. Fort wanted to help Win protect that bond, but he genuinely hoped Tay would wake up soon and things would return to how they used to be - the fun they had, like on that camping trip.

"Probably, but I don't think you can take credit for it, mate."

"Why not?"

Fort rolled his eyes and ruffled his hair. "Because they were into it long before you noticed."

"But I'm the one who constantly made them 'bump' into each other," he complained, making air quotes. "I'm sure it contributed immensely."

"Of course."

Win glared at him, but Fort only laughed harder. Soon, what started as a tense stakeout transformed into a fun night filled with reminiscing about Tay. In many ways, talking about him helped them cope with his absence, almost as if he were still with them.

"I wonder how Tay will feel about Jay being here," Win said quietly. "Part of me worries he will be hurt, thinking we replaced him with a fancier version of him."

"I'm sure he won't see it like this," Fort protested. "Jay helped us a lot, and we owe him for that, but he always stayed outside the group. He doesn't play games with us or hang out outside uni like Tay did. No one can ever replace him, and I hope he knows it."

"It would be much easier if he hurried up and woke up already."

Fort smiled at him. "Yeah, I don't know how much longer he plans to laze around, leaving us to do everything."

After a week of surveillance without any findings, they decided to relocate to the next location - chosen by Fort.

The factory loomed large against the night sky, its towering silhouette outlined by security lights, slicing through the darkness. Barbed wire topped the perimeter fence, casting ominous shadows that danced with the gentle sway of overgrown weeds. Despite its supposed closure for the night, muted lights flickered sporadically within, casting eerie glows through grimy windows.

Win and Fort crouched behind a partially broken window in the abandoned apartment building, both feeling the tension. The air was thick with the humidity of the upcoming rainy season and the faint stench of chemicals.

"I'm sure glad this one comes with a roof and more coverage," Win whispered, zipping up his hoodie. "Sooner or later, we would get soaked at my spot."

Fort looked at him with his eyebrow raised teasingly. "See? I'm such a considerate leader."

"Yeah, sure... especially with choosing the building marked for demolition as our hideout. What if they will blow it with us inside?"

"No one is carrying demolitions at night."

"Damn you and your reasonable thinking," Win huffed, leaning on the wall and stretching his legs in front of him. "Tay would love it... though."

Fort gave him a sympathetic smile and took a peek outside.

"Doesn't feel closed," he muttered, adjusting his binoculars. He scanned the perimeter, noting the occasional shadow darting across illuminated windows. "Look at that. Lights on in the offices."

Win frowned, squinting at the distant glow, then pointed towards the far east side. "Two guards."

"Another two arrived at the gate and a few more behind the truck."

He took the binoculars from Fort and zoomed at two guards sheltering from the rain near the loading zone. "They don't look armed, but security is much higher here."

"A bit overkill for household appliances..."

Win nodded. "Do you think this is what we are looking for?"

"It's possible."

"Oh no, I can't believe it," he whined. "You won... now we will have to be called Fort and Win. This sucks..."

Fort appreciated this tension relief as suddenly the danger level skyrocketed. One wrong move and a guard like this could end their lives in an instant... just like they did to Tay.

"You will live," Fort laughed, moving away from the window. "We will come back every night for a few hours and see what more we can learn. I really don't want any of us walking into another ambush."

"Sounds like a good plan."

"We should check other places as well," Fort proposed, sitting on the floor across from the window. "It will give us some comparisons about the security level."

"Right, appliances are more expensive than soda. This could be standard for the goods they produce, especially when they don't even look armed. Kinda expected more."

"Exactly. If they deal with drugs here, the security would look more serious and fully armed."

Win looked at him thoughtfully. "I just realised... If I was smuggling drugs, I would keep my base of operation active enough for odd deliveries to not catch attention but also not too busy for others to notice what's going on."

Over the next few weeks, Win and Fort conducted stakeouts at various factories, both suspicious and ordinary. Some locations yielded more clues than others, but none provided the definitive evidence they sought. Somehow, they maintained their unofficial game for their party's leadership, the competition so fierce it seemed like it could be arrested for assault. Their rivalry kept them sharp, pushing each other to notice the most minor details and stay vigilant despite the gruelling hours.

The late-night rain hammered down on the metal roof, each drop amplifying its intensity. The loft was cloaked in darkness, save for the occasional flash of lightning illuminating the room briefly. The air was thick and heavy with humidity, and though a table fan offered slight relief, it could never entirely cool the stifling atmosphere.

The sound of the storm outside was a constant presence, creating a cocoon of noise that drowned out everything else. The room felt almost oppressive, the heat pressing down on them, making the sheets cling uncomfortably to their skin. The scent of rain and the distant rumble of thunder added to the sensory overload.

"Can't sleep?" Sean asked, kissing his shoulder. "Is it too loud or too hot? Or both?"

Since Sean started his internship and job at Wong's a couple of weeks ago, they often crashed at the garage, which was much closer to the dive bar than the penthouse. In the morning, Sean would drop Jay off on his way to RSAT. It was a new experience with a lot to learn, but he loved every minute of it, even though it left him with only a few free hours here and there. At least it was enough time for them to have dinner and hang out between his internship and job at the bar. But Sean wasn't sure how long they could sustain it before one of them would get tired of jumping between places.

"No, it's fine."

Sean smiled sadly, his gaze fixed on Jay's slender back. He had lost count of how many times he had heard this response. He couldn't help but notice how Jay never complained or asked for anything, always making things easier for him. It puzzled him. Why would someone as self-sufficient and easy-going as Jay assume he was difficult to be with? It didn't make sense. But sometimes, it felt like Jay's presence was just teetering on the edge of his life, trying not to impact it in any way. It was scary, making him feel like Jay would disappear one day, leaving no trace of his existence behind.

Following a sudden urge to keep him close, Sean shifted, closing the gap between them and pressing his chest against Jay's back, drawing him into a tight embrace. Holding him like this was reassuring as if it anchored Jay in place with him. Comfort and safety. It was also a reason why Sean liked spending nights at the penthouse, as his loft was too hot to stay like this. And he missed this closeness... this fragile lifeline to a person he was only beginning to understand.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's you who has a hard time sleeping at this temperature."

Jay shook his head, knowing that sleeping here made the most sense with Sean's new schedule. "It's not that bad... if you stay at least five inches away."

Sean sighed slightly and decided to try a different approach, wondering if Jay would agree more easily if he thought it was for his benefit rather than Jay's own. "Now, I'm starting to think it would be worth making the longer drive back to your place at night just so I can fall asleep like this."

Despite feeling way too hot, Jay leaned back into his embrace. "You are impossible, but we can do that."

"Perfect. I will see you tomorrow in much cooler conditions," he said, his concerned expression hidden in the darkness ruling over the room.

Sean couldn't help but wonder if Jay understood how much he meant to him. He wanted nothing more than to make Jay happy, to see him smile like he did before his trip to London... or admit how much he loved him, but that would probably scare the hell out of him. Still, Jay always did so much for him without ever asking for anything in return. How could he change it? How could he prove to him that it was perfectly fine to ask for things from him or complain?

"Jay?"

"Hm?"

He pulled him even closer. "Are you... free this weekend?" Sean uttered, unable to ask his initial question... 'Are you happy? Because sometimes it feels like you are not, and I don't know how to change it.'

Jay turned around, looking at him worriedly. "Something on your mind?"

"What... no, no..." he backtracked, realising Jay was much more observant than he thought. "I was just thinking we didn't have a chance to go on a proper date... but if you are busy or dislike stuff like this, it's fine."

"I never did it, but there is always a first time for everything," he said, kissing him softly.

"No? Then what are you usually doing when you are in a relationship?" he asked without thinking.

Jay laughed lightly. "Did you forget the part where I don't do relationships?"

There was something behind Jay's laugh that made Sean pause for a second, something important but elusive, like a hidden message he couldn't quite grasp.

"What about before you became an insomniac workaholic?"

"I still wasn't interested."

Sean squinted at him, barely able to make out the features of Jay's face in the dark. "Why not?"

"It just wasn't my thing, or maybe I never met anyone interesting enough to compete with my studies or work," Jay added, his voice softening as he pulled Sean into a slow, sensual kiss, effectively ending their conversation.

Soon, the sound of rain blended with their soft moans as they forfeited sleep and lost themselves in each other.