The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy of palm trees, casting dappled shadows on the winding path. The air was thick with the heat of Bangkok's summer, making the leaves glisten with a sheen of humidity. The stillness was almost palpable, broken only by the distant hum of city life, creating a serene yet subtly oppressive atmosphere. Despite the vibrant green around, an underlying sense of quiet loneliness lingered, as if the park itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to break the silence.

Jay didn't even remember the last time someone said that they loved him... or if anyone ever did. As a result, Sean's words hit him like a tidal wave, washing over his carefully constructed walls. Disbelief was followed by a surge of internal panic, accompanied by a deeply ingrained reminder that it was impossible for anyone to love someone like him.

The confession felt like both a lifeline and a burden, pulling Jay in two directions at once. His mind screamed to run, to protect himself and Sean from inevitable pain. Yet, buried deep within, a fierce longing fought to break free, urging him to stay.

Despite the storm inside, Jay's expression remained stoic. Keeping his emotions in check had always been his strength, but now that control was slipping away. The walls he had built so meticulously trembled under the force of his repressed feelings. It was as if the very foundations of his self-control were crumbling. Every fibre of his being urged to retreat behind the barriers that had kept him safe for so long. But the more he tried to cling to his old defences, the more futile it seemed.

Suddenly, everything vanished, replaced by the softest pressure on his lips - a slow and sensual kiss that gently pulled him away from the edge. It was an anchor, grounding him in the present moment... a patient and tender reminder that he was no longer alone.

"There you are," Sean said softly, still holding his jaw and looking into much clearer eyes now. "I won't apologise for saying it because no matter what you think, loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done. I just want you to be more selfish... say it when something bothers you or you want something."

The idea of voicing his own needs and desires was alien to him for well over a decade, as experience taught him that doing so only led to disappointment. Being self-sufficient and never needing anything from anyone became his norm - a norm very hard to break from. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he searched for the right response to deflect the conversation away from this uncomfortable territory. But then his thoughts suddenly paused. Sean deserved better than this, even if each word about to leave his lips felt like a small rebellion against the walls he had built.

"I don't really know how to do that, Sean," he admitted, his tone carefully controlled to mask the turmoil beneath. "I've always just... managed on my own."

It wasn't hard to figure this out on his own, but hearing Jay say it felt like massive progress, even if it was just a tiny step forward. Sean didn't need to know all the reasons why Jay was like this, seeing him trying was enough. All he had to do was be patient without pushing too hard and show Jay that he didn't have to manage everything alone anymore.

"Maybe start with something small. Would you rather stay here or visit a teahouse nearby? They are known for high-quality teas and Japanese-style desserts."

"We can stay here."

"Why?" Sean asked instantly, his eyes never leaving Jay's face.

Brown eyes flickered with confusion. "You are not big on tea or sweets and I like it here."

Sean took a slow, deep breath and smiled at him. "For someone who doesn't do relationships, you're probably the most thoughtful and considerate person to be with," he said, lacing their fingers together. "You always help me with everything and make things easy for me. I really appreciate it, but it bothers me that you don't think I want to do the same for you."

"It's not like I don't think you would. It's just...," Jay trailed off, unable to explain it without bringing up things buried behind too many walls.

For Sean, this was enough to understand that it wasn't about Jay not wanting him to be part of his life. Rather, it was the fact that he was so unaccustomed to affection that it likely never occurred to him to expect his wants and needs to be fulfilled by someone else. But they would get there just as they had reached the point where Jay was no longer confused by small affectionate gestures.

"So, if you know I would, let's go to the teahouse. It has AC," Sean added with a cheeky smile, pulling him towards the northern exit.

Jay smiled and didn't protest. It has been an incredibly long time since someone had asked what he wanted, intending to fulfil it just for him. He wasn't quite sure how to handle it, but like many things related to Sean that felt unsettling, Jay didn't dislike it.

With its floor-to-ceiling windows, the teahouse offered a serene view of the lush greenery outside, creating a tranquil escape from the summer heat. The afternoon light gently filtered through the glass, casting soft shadows across the polished wooden furniture. The atmosphere was calm and unhurried, with only a few patrons scattered around the spacious room.

They settled at a long table facing the window, enjoying the relaxing view outside, paired with snow matcha and the only coffee option on the menu. And, of course, Jay's dessert. The presentation was almost too beautiful to eat: house-made coconut ice cream, creamy and delicate, nestled atop a high-firing koicha. The rich, deep green matcha offered a striking contrast to the white ice cream and the aroma of mocheezu - candied coconut intermingled with the umami of aged cheese - served on a small wooden board beside the main dessert.

He couldn't help but notice that Sean had chosen the perfect place, exactly the type Jay liked. Knowing it wasn't Sean's usual preference, it was evident that he had put in considerable effort just to make him happy. This sudden realisation rattled the cage even further, creating cracks in the outer wall of his emotional defences. But Jay ignored it, choosing to simply enjoy the moment.

"So, it's a nature and quiet teahouses with Japanese-style desserts," Sean commented, but then his gaze shifted from Jay's face to the view outside. "But mostly nature."

"It is."

Sean looked at him, surprised, as if not expecting the answer. "Why?"

Jay hesitated for a moment, absently poking at his ice cream with a teaspoon. "We used to sneak out to St. James's Park at night, pretending we could be whoever we wanted. Just naïve kids dreaming about the impossible, but... we didn't have to deal with constant pressure or expectations there. For a moment, we could just be. Now, it's a bit like muscle memory."

"How do you deal with it now?" Sean asked carefully.

He shrugged slightly. "I don't care about it anymore. I guess at some point, you just grow numb to it. Besides, I was lucky."

His eyes widened in shock as he failed to see anything positive about it. "Lucky? How?"

"At least I could choose something I liked within the given parameters," Jay explained with a sad smile. "Not everyone had this opportunity."

"Did you ever want to do anything else than go to law school?"

Jay shook his head. "It would be a waste of time."

Sean felt like he had finally gained a better understanding of Jay's resigned acceptance and pragmatic approach to life. He realised how unfair he had been to him at the beginning. Jay was so much more than the circumstances he was born into. But it wasn't the only realisation that struck him. This one hurt quite a bit.

He had been looking at their relationship through the prism of his preconceived notions of what a relationship should be instead of finding their own way to make it work. Additionally, Jay's distance and avoidance made him anxious, creating a constant need for reassurance that they had some kind of future together. This pushed him even further to chase after the perfect and stable idea of a relationship, which was hurtful to both of them.

Sean smiled faintly. It seemed like they were finally on the same page.

"So, instead of fighting the inevitable, you chose to focus on things that matter to you, like climbing or working for prosecution?" he asked, brushing off a strand of hair from Jay's forehead.

He instinctively leaned into Sean's touch, another small gesture that had become a habit. Initially unsettling, it now carried immense comfort. Perhaps talking to him like this could become natural, too? Jay wasn't sure, but seeing how happy it made Sean, he was willing to try.

"Yeah, seemed like a much better idea."

"You really are incredible, you know?" Sean whispered, giving him a quick kiss. He could still taste the lingering sweetness of coconut ice cream on Jay's lips. "Sweet."

Jay chuckled lightly at his complaint. "Why you don't like sweet things so much?"

"Promise me you are not going to laugh," Sean said with utmost seriousness, then continued after Jay nodded in confirmation. "It was shortly after I started staying more at Izzy's parents, and that cunning bastard declared himself my older brother. He dared me to eat a whole tray of khanom chan - you know, those sickly sweet, multi-layered jellies. I was six or maybe seven and so determined to prove myself that I did it... and ended up sick for days."

Despite his promise, Jay burst out laughing, nearly choking on his iced tea. "No way!"

"I was traumatised for life..." Sean deadpanned, glaring at him. "Like seriously, I could never touch anything sweet afterwards."

"Sorry," he uttered, still laughing. "But you need to admit, it was very self-inflicted."

Sean rolled his eyes. "Now you are just rubbing salt into my wounds."

"You should be grateful it's not sugar."

Ignoring the reproachful glance from the middle-aged woman at the next table, Sean pulled him closer and kissed Jay's teasing smile away. Equally unbothered by the audience, Jay kissed him back, keeping it acceptable for public settings.

Jay had never imagined being with anyone like this. To be honest, he still couldn't... because Sean wasn't just anyone. Even if he wasn't nearly ready to admit it out loud, in this brief time together, Sean became incredibly important... the only person Jay was willing to bend his own rules for... someone he chose to focus on.

The rhythmic hum of the oscillating fan echoed softly through the garage, mingling with the gentle patter of rain on the corrugated metal roof. The fluorescent lights cast a steady glow over the concrete floor, creating a languid, serene atmosphere. The air, cooled by the evening rain, felt refreshing as it drifted through the open door, offering a welcome reprieve from the day's heat.

Unlike their usual habit of sitting on opposite sides of the table, they were on the sofa together. Jay sat cross-legged, his back comfortably supported by the worn cushions, while Sean perched sideways with one foot on the floor and the other casually crossed over his knee. They were engrossed in a conversation about the case with the hospital. The law firm had already made significant progress by securing an emergency hearing, leading the court to suspend repayment obligations until the matter could be resolved.

Unfortunately, their conversation was cut short.

"Did you miss me?!" Win called out from the entrance, his cheerful voice echoing through the garage. "It has been sooooo incredibly looooooooooong."

Fort rolled his eyes so hard it looked painful. "It was only three days since you insisted on having a drink at Wong's."

"Yeah, a whole three days to forget how dramatic you are," Sean teased, earning an amused chuckle from Jay. "I don't know how we all survived it."

As soon as Win's eyes landed on the sofa, his entire face lit up. It had been a couple of weeks since he last saw Jay, and he dashed forward, intending to jump on him. However, Fort quickly grabbed his collar, stopping him in his tracks. A few minutes later, he was pacified in his usual spot with a bottle of cold beer... sulking visibly.

"Is Izzy coming?"

Sean shook his head. "Sari texted me that he had fallen asleep with Lizzy, and we decided to leave him be. Not to mention, he has worked crazy hours recently."

"Talking about crazy hours," Fort started, looking at him worriedly. "How are you still standing is beyond me."

Sean was about to brush it off when Jay unceremoniously sold him out.

"Sheer will and audacity to pretend he is not half conscious right now."

Win nodded, squinting at Sean. "Makes sense... he is one stubborn bastard," he said with satisfaction. "Let's get to the point and sort out everything so Jay can drag him to bed."

Fort rolled out the map with clearly marked factories and warehouses belonging to Chaiyawat. Some were crossed out, but the remaining few had sticky notes detailing their observations. It was clear they put a lot of effort into it.

"These two are our best bet," he said, pointing to two factories and one warehouse marked in blue. "The security is higher and more vigilant."

"Yeah," Win agreed, then tapped one spot. "We almost got caught here. The guards walk in pairs, even when checking neighbouring sites. I don't want to think what would happen if the next building was further away and we couldn't jump across from the roof."

"What happened?"

"We were hiding in an abandoned apartment complex with a decent view of everything. It was our fourth night there. Out of nowhere, they blocked all the exits to sweep the building. I was sure we were done for, but then Win had this idea to hide on the roof and block the door, but instead, we found an escape route," Fort explained, sinking back into the sofa. "It was so fucking scary."

"Should we pass on it then?" Sean asked.

Win shook his head. "They have two deliveries each night, but there was a third unmarked lorry one night. It headed for the loading dock on the far end with armed guards lurking nearby. It will be good to see whether it's a fixed pattern or a coincidence."

"Are you sure it's worth it? What is next time you won't manage to escape?"

"There is no other way," Win argued. "Besides, I'm sure that spying on dealers isn't any less dangerous than sneaking around abandoned buildings."

"Just be extra careful, okay?"

"We will be fine," Fort reassured him. "How's progress on your side?"

"Guess who works for Chaiyawat and clearly struggles to keep his mouth shut?"

For and Win looked at each other, then at Sean, as only one person came to their mind. At least now they knew where he disappeared after his visit to Tay's apartment.

"How is this possible?"

"It's actually quite common," Jay answered. "People like Art often end in kind of indentured servitude with no rights or breaks. Given the typical interest rates they charge, it's practically a job for life. Honestly, Art can consider himself lucky if he just works as a dealer, because it could be much worse. But either way, he is not getting away from them."

"Fucking hell," Win muttered, rubbing his face.

"That's not all," Sean added, playing the non-admissible recording. "He sold out Tay because he wouldn't ask his father for money to pay off his debts."

Fort's expression darkened. "What the fuck is wrong with him?! Tay hadn't even spoken to his father for over seven years. There was no way he could even get any money out of him."

"Jesus Fucking Christ," Win mumbled in shock. "He literally blames everyone but himself. What an asshole... Tay nearly died because he doesn't know when to stop spending money he doesn't have. I'm sorry, but whatever Chaiyawat does to Art, he deserves it and so much more."

Fort sighed, his expression sombre. It was rare to see Win this angry, even less wishing bad on someone, but he could only agree with him. Art went too far, willing to sacrifice someone else to save himself.

"I don't remember seeing any of this at Wong's last year, but also, I wasn't looking," Sean said, placing printed photos on the table. "This guy is regular, while others keep changing. Some were back a couple times, others not."

"We know him!" Win exclaimed, looking at the photos with a runner.

His face was partially obscured and blended with the crowd, but having multiple shots from various days gave them a pretty clear image.

"We saw him every night at this warehouse," Fort said, pointing at a blue marker on the map. "He would come before ten and leave shortly after. What time does he show up at Wong's."

Sean showed them his notes with timeliness, which were perfectly aligned with the visit to the warehouse.

"Did you see the same lorry at the warehouse?" Jay asked curiously.

Fort shook his head. "No, it leaves the factory in the opposite direction. Why?"

"I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to manufacture drugs in the city," Jay responded. "It's more likely that the production happens at a remote site. They probably bring it to the factory and repackage it for distribution in much smaller shipments. If they hide it well, they can transport it during the day without raising any suspicions. At least, that's how it worked in most drug cartel cases I've read about in my spare time."

Win looked at him in disbelief. "Why am I not even surprised that your pastime activity relates to your job?"

"This actually makes lots of sense," Fort said, looking at their notes. "The factory manufactures mainly air conditioning units, including various sizes of fans. It would be easy to transport something inside them."

"Okay, we'll switch to watching the warehouse during the day," Win suggested. "Plus, it will be safer since it's a busy area, so we'll blend in much better than at night. What are you going to do with Wong's? I imagine the old man is not pleased about drugs in his bar."

Just as Sean was about to respond, Jay's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and frowned slightly before answering. After a brief exchange, he ended the call and turned to the group.

"Tay just woke up."