WHYARU, Chapter 26: END
The deep blue sky contrasted with the vibrant sea. The weather in Krabi today was so perfect it reminded him of the person who bought him the ticket.
The person who didn’t come along this time.
“This place is insanely beautiful, man. The hotel’s awesome, right by the sea too. I bet the rooms here cost way more than a couple thousand baht,” Zon rambled on, clearly thrilled about the hotel. “If I came here on my own, no way I could afford a fancy place like this. I’d probably be at that budget resort over there.”
“You talk too much. Shouldn’t we check in first? Maybe Fai booked us the most basic room in this hotel,” Saifah said.
“Even if it’s basic, I still think it’s gotta cost more than a couple thousand.”
Tutor shook his head at his two friends before heading to check in with the hotel staff. It took less than ten minutes for them to get to their rooms.
“Saifah!!! This room is gorgeous, so luxurious! No way you and I could afford something like this!” Zon’s voice echoed into the room as Tutor opened the balcony door. He was clearly beyond excited about staying in such a fancy place. “Look at this, Saifah! Our room’s right by the sea. A short walk and we’re at the hotel pool. This place has to be crazy expensive. We’re damn lucky to know someone like Phii Fai.”
Tutor couldn’t stop laughing at his friend’s antics. He sat on the balcony chair, gazing out at the deserted beach. Maybe it was the scorching sun, but most people chose to stay in the shade of their rooms.
The scene before him stirred a flood of nostalgic thoughts. He saw overlapping images of himself and Phii Fai from their previous beach trip.
They flashed through his mind like an old projector on repeat.
The image of his senior walking with him along the shore.
The moment when his senior carried him on his back after he got scratched by a seashell.
And the memory of their first kiss, when they said “I love you” to each other for the first time.
Every thought made him miss it all.
Miss it so much.
“Hey, Tor!” Zon’s shout snapped him out of his reverie. He looked at the smaller figure on the beach and nodded back. “Wanna go swim?”
“It’s hot, Zon. The sun’s blazing.”
“I’m going to the hotel pool. There’s a shaded area. You coming?”
“Nah, I’ll pass. You go ahead.”
“Suit yourself,” Zon said, turning to someone trailing behind.
“Yo, Saifah, hurry up, man! Always so slow!”
“You’re the one rushing too much. Honestly, wouldn’t it be better to wait till evening? It’s so hot, it’s giving me a headache.”
“Hot? I’m going to the shaded pool.”
“It’s still hot, Zon.”
“Fine, if you don’t wanna swim, don’t come. I’ll go by myself,” Zon said, his tone serious.
“You mad?” Saifah hurried to catch up, trying to appease the smaller guy.
“Not mad, just saying,” Tutor watched the scene and let out a faint smile. He knew Zon wasn’t really angry, but Saifah was the type to panic at the thought of his boyfriend being upset, rushing to make amends. It was funny, really—Saifah, who never used to care about stuff like this, would do anything for Zon without questioning whether it made sense.
Tutor gave a faint smile at the sight before standing up and heading back into the room. The cool air from the AC easily washed away the heat from sitting outside.
He flopped onto the soft bed, letting gravity take over, his large eyes slowly closing.
He couldn’t deny that seeing Saifah and Zon so happy made him think of himself and Phii Fai. Did he envy them? Honestly, without hiding it—yes.
He envied the love between those two, unhindered by any obstacles.
He envied why, when it came to matters like this, he was the only one left hurting.
Why did it always have to be him?
Tutor raised one hand to cover his eyes, exhausted. All this time, he’d been fighting to endure the pain, but no matter how hard he tried, he was always the one who lost.
Tutor didn’t cry. He was too tired to let tears spill out for no reason anymore.
All he could do now was keep fighting, even knowing the outcome would be the same defeat.
“If everything really is like a novel, as Zon said, then why does the pain feel so real? Why… why does it have to be like this?”
8:54 PM
Tutor couldn’t remember how long he’d been asleep. When he woke, the once-bright sky had turned to night. He fumbled for his phone and turned on the bedside lamp to check messages from Zon, sent just a few hours ago.
Almost nine already? Slept that long again?
Zon: Yo, Tor, I was yelling for you forever.
You didn’t open the door, so I figured you were asleep.
Zon: Just letting you know we already ate. The kitchen here closes at 9.
If you wake up too late, grab the instant noodle cup I left at your door.
I hung it there for you. There’s hot water in the room already.
But if you sleep through, catch you in the morning, buddy.
Zon: Sweet dreams, man.
Tutor read the long string of messages from Zon and couldn’t help but smile faintly. He wondered if those two were already asleep, since the messages were sent around 5 or 6 PM. In the end, Tutor got up to open his room’s door to grab the noodle cup Zon left for him. But when he opened the door, the sight before him made his steady heartbeat falter again.
It wasn’t just Tutor who looked shocked. The person about to knock on the door was equally startled, clearly not expecting Tutor to open it right then.
Their eyes met, gazing at each other with feelings that went beyond mere longing. Tutor didn’t know how to describe the emotions surging in his chest—full of pent-up feelings, joy, and, deep down, a lingering worry.
“Hey,” came the simple greeting from the older man. That single word broke the dam holding back Tutor’s tears. The figure in front of him blurred as his vision clouded, and his trembling voice could barely manage to call out the name, beyond his control.
“Phii… Fai.”
“Yes,” Fighter barely had time to say more before the smaller figure threw himself into his arms. He hugged Fighter tightly, as if afraid this was just an afternoon dream, terrified that when he woke up, there’d be no one named Fighter there.
“Phii Fai.”
“It’s me,” Fighter replied. His large hand gently stroked Tutor’s head. The taller man held the other so close he sank into his chest. Neither spoke; only the long, lingering embrace conveyed the depth of their longing.
“Why’s your body so warm? Are you sick?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you stay out in the sun?”
“Yeah, but just for a bit. I was on the balcony for less than an hour.”
“You get sick so easily these days.”
“Probably from lack of rest. My body’s just more prone to it,” Tutor said.
“If you know that, no more staying up all night, got it?”
“…”
“Did you hear me?”
“I can’t promise that, Phii Fai,” the younger one mumbled, reaching for the cup of instant noodles by the door. He led Fighter into the room, placed the noodle cup on the table, and sat on the bed, his eyes following Fighter as he dragged a bag inside.
“Why can’t you promise?” Fighter asked again after setting the bag at the foot of the bed. He walked over to stand in front of Tutor, lifting a hand to gently caress his cheek in the way he liked.
“Because I don’t know when I’ll have to work or do homework late into the night. So I can’t promise.”
“Why so stubborn?”
“I’m not stubborn,” the younger one said, looking up at Fighter, who was leaning down toward him. Cool lips pressed a tender kiss against his.
“I missed you,” Fighter said first.
“Me too.”
“So much.”
“So much, same,” Tutor replied. With that, the older one gave a fiery kiss, their lips clashing passionately after weeks apart. Beyond the longing poured into it, there was something more, something deeper. “Mmph, stop for a sec.”
Tutor pushed against Fighter, who was trailing kisses along his pulse points, from his lips down to his neck. A sharp sting flared where Fighter lightly nipped the crook of his neck, but it didn’t stop him. He continued kissing across Tutor’s chest, up to his ear, a hoarse whisper echoing as if to emphasize he wanted more.
“Phii Fai, uh, stop for a sec.”
“Why?” Fighter asked, his lips still trailing messy kisses. His large hand, about to slip under the shirt, was rubbing gently as he pleased, but Tutor grabbed it first. He shot a stern look at the taller guy, as if to say, Enough already. Seeing this, Fighter could only pout cutely, like he was pleading. “I miss you.”
“Miss me? Can you wait a bit? I want to talk first.”
“Can’t we kiss first and talk later?”
“No.”
“So harsh.”
“Phii Fai,” Tutor’s tone turned serious, making Fighter playfully nip at the younger’s lower lip in mock frustration.
“Alright, fine, I give in,” Fighter said, running a hand through his dark hair and sitting up properly. He looked at the person in front of him, who also sat up.
As Tutor sat there, his features reflected in Fighter’s eyes. Fighter couldn’t deny how perfectly everything about Tutor suited him—those eyes, that nose, those red lips, even the stubborn expression glaring at him now. It was all like chains binding Fighter’s wrists, keeping him from ever breaking free.
“Do you have something to tell me, Phii?”
“You’re the one hiding something and not telling me, aren’t you?” Tutor, scolded, could only press his lips into a tight line. “Some things, you can’t just decide on your own, you know that, right, Tor?”
“…”
“One of those things is about my Dad.”
“I just didn’t want you to fight with him.”
“But by not telling me, it made things worse between me and him.”
“Sorry.” The remorseful tone softened Fighter’s heart instantly, but today he had to be firm, to make things clear. He wanted Tutor to understand that talking things out could solve problems better than deciding alone.
And the decision Tutor made was the wrong one.
That’s why Fighter was upset.
He was upset, but it never lasted long. One look at Tutor’s face, and his heart was already half-melted.
“I know, Tor, that when you promise something, you’ll do everything to keep it. And I’ve always known how important family is to you. But when it comes to things involving me, you have to talk to me first, no matter what. No deciding on your own, got it?”
“Got it,” Tutor nodded, guilt evident in his expression. “But how did you find out, Phii Fai?”
“Zon told me.”
“…”
“And don’t go getting mad at your friend either. If they hadn’t told me, I’d never have heard this from you,” Fighter said, his voice tinged with anger again. Tutor couldn’t help but reach out, grab his senior’s hand, and squeeze it tightly.
“Sorry.” It was a mix of wanting to apologize and wanting Fighter to know how guilty he felt.
“Forget it.”
“So… what did your dad say?”
“He didn’t say much. In the end, I’m the one who chooses. He can’t control who I am or how I feel, Tor. My happiness is my choice,” Fighter said, recalling the earlier conversation with his father.
Honestly, after finding out, Fighter had tried to talk to his dad repeatedly. But his father kept brushing him off, and with midterm exams happening at the same time, plus a pile of company work his dad dumped on him, he was too busy to have a proper, serious talk.
Fighter was always ready to tackle the work his father threw at him, but he also wanted to sort out personal matters with him.
He wanted to tell his dad that he couldn’t keep doing this. But it took a whole week before he could finally have that conversation.
“Dad!! Why did you have to do this to me and Tutor?”
“I just want what’s best for you, Fai.”
“Tutor is one of the best things in my life. He fills a void in me that no one else ever has.”
“But it’s not right, Fai.”
“Who decides what’s right or wrong, Dad? Society’s standards? Your opinions? Because what I know is that I love Tutor, and that’s what’s right for me.”
“Fai…”
“You know how much I’ve done for you. Like when I talked to Hwahwa, I saw you liked her. I tried to please you by bringing her around often, introducing her, even though I didn’t realize back then that doing so was indirectly hurting everyone—
Hwahwa, you, and me. Because in the end, even if I wasn’t sure about my feelings for Tutor, Hwahwa and I were never going to work out.”
“If not her, then someone else. What about Nong Fang, the one you met?”
“No one else, Dad. Just Tutor. I’ll give in to you on everything else, but not on this.”
“Fai…”
“I don’t expect you to understand me right now, Dad. But I believe one day you will—understand both of us.”
“Fai!!!”
“Tutor is a good person, Dad. If you got to know the real him, you’d love him like I do. I can wait, wait until you open your heart to us.”
Their love right now wasn’t the perfect ending his father would accept. It might just be the beginning, facing its first hurdle. But at least Fighter believed that if he and Tutor held on tightly to each other, no matter what obstacles or problems came their way, they could overcome them together.
And even if they couldn’t make it through, the fact that they held on so tightly would show they’d given it their all. They’d never regret it.
“Is this okay, Fai?” Tutor asked, his face full of worry.
“It’s the best, Tor. Trust me, in the end, Dad will love you like
I do. It just takes time.”
“…”
“Why so quiet? Embarrassed because I said I love you just now?”
“Not at all.”
“But your face is red.”
“That’s because I have a fever.”
“Is that so?” A teasing glint appeared in Fighter’s eyes, paired with an infuriating smirk. He raised his hand, placed it on Tutor’s head, and gently ruffled it. “Promise me, if something happens again, you’ll tell me. Don’t make decisions on your own like this.”
“…”
“Promise me, your Phii.”
“Okay, Tor promises.”
“Good boy,” Fighter said, pressing a kiss to Tutor’s eyelid as if sealing the promise there. “But now, this good boy’s about to get punished.”
“Phii Fai!”
“You’re only allowed to call me that when you’re moaning my name.”
“Phii, ugh… mmph.” A longing kiss slipped into Tutor’s mouth. He lost count of how many times they kissed, but each one felt like a connection that never faded.
It wasn’t the happiest moment, but Tutor believed they’d get through it in the end. For now, just the two of them was enough. Thud!
A loud crash jolted someone on the bed awake. Fighter looked toward the dark shadow at the foot of the bed, only to see another person turn to him with an apologetic expression.
“Sorry for waking you, Phii. I’m just hungry.”
“Haha!”
“Not funny, man. I’m starving, Phii Fai.”
“Alright, alright, not funny then,” Fighter said, getting up to put on his shirt and walking over to Tutor. “Wanna go grab something to eat outside? We could borrow the hotel’s motorbike. It’s probably not too far.”
“It’s two in the morning, Phii Fai. I’m too lazy to walk or ride. Let’s just eat the cup noodles for now. Want some? I’ll heat up another one for you.”
“Nah.”
“Don’t steal mine, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I won’t,” Fighter said, placing his heavy hand on Tutor’s head and giving it a light push. He turned on the room’s lights before sitting on the couch to watch TV. Tutor, after pouring hot water into the cup noodles, came over and sat beside him.
Neither of them spoke. They just watched a movie in silence while Tutor finished his noodles.
“Headache gone yet?”
“It’s gone,” Tutor said, setting the empty noodle cup on the table in front of them.
“Let me check.” Fighter turned to face Tutor, reaching out to feel his forehead as if checking for a fever. “Still a bit warm.”
“Not warm anymore.”
“Arguing again?”
“It’s true, though.”
“No playing in the water tomorrow, Tor.”
“…”
“Don’t give me that look. I said rest, so you rest. Got it?”
“You should rest too, Phii.”
“Rest from what?” Fighter’s brows furrowed when Tutor told him to rest.
“You know what I mean. Take a break, man. It’s been two days already. No more of ‘that’ tomorrow, okay?”
“No way.”
“Yes way. I’m not feeling well.”
“Now you’re quick to use that excuse, huh, you stubborn brat,” Fighter said, playfully shoving Tutor’s head.
“I’m not stubborn. And that promise you made about letting me be the top—remember that?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“When do I get to be the top?”
“How confident are you that you even know how?”
“You sure?”
Wait till I teach you so well you can’t forget. Then I’ll let you have your way,” Tutor smirked, looking amused. Honestly, Fighter didn’t mind if the kid wanted to take charge—after all, it was still love. No matter the form, as long as love came first, that was enough.
But somehow, Fighter was over a hundred percent sure that when the time came, the kid wouldn’t stand a chance. Not when he had him so enchanted by every touch.
“Tor.”
“What?” The kid turned from the TV to look at him.
“I’m so damn happy.”
“Me too.”
“A lot?”
“A lot… the most.” Fighter smiled, resting his chin on Tutor’s shoulder.
“Tutor.”
“What now?” Tutor glanced at the big puppy clinging to him, reaching out to ruffle his hair roughly in mock annoyance.
“I love you, Tor.”
“I love you too.”
“Damn, Phii Fai!” The smallest in the group, Zon, let out a shocked exclamation, eyes wide before he turned to shake
Saifah’s arm vigorously. “Look, Phii Fai’s here!”
“Yeah, I see him.”
“So Zol’s novel was bullshit, huh?”
“Why don’t you get Zol’s stories out of your head for once, Zon? You’re giving me a damn headache,” Saifah shook his head lightly at his boyfriend before looking up at Tutor and Fighter walking toward them.
“Hey, Phii Fai,” both Saifah and Zon raised their hands to greet the oldest.
“Yo.”
“You showed up without telling us, Phii,” Zon said.
“Got here in a rush, didn’t have time to say,” Fighter replied to
Zon. “Thanks a lot for that thing, Zon.”
“No need to thank me, Phii Fai. I’d been thinking for a while that I should tell you, even though Tor told me not to.”
“Yeah, next time something like this happens, let me know right away, Zon. I don’t know if the stubborn kid around here will keep his own promises.”
“I’ll keep them,” Tutor muttered.
“Hope you mean it,” Fighter teased, playfully tweaking Tutor’s nose, making Saifah and Zon, who were sitting nearby, blush on their behalf.
“We’re gonna grab some food. You guys want anything else, Zon?”
Nah, we’re almost full,” Tutor nodded lightly, nudging Fighter to go get breakfast together.
“Were you just blushing?”
“What? Shut up, Phii Fai.”
“Wanna make you blush more often.”
“Quiet, Fai. I’m hungry,” Tutor shook his head and went to scoop up the food he wanted. Fighter didn’t tease further and went off to get his own breakfast.
They ate together for a while before heading back to the room. Soon after, Zon came to drag them out for an island trip. It was a happiness that was reigniting after months.
Laughter, smiles—everything filled a once-withered heart to the brim.
This was true happiness.
The joy of reconnecting with friendship, love, and Fighter.
LOVE NEVER ENDS
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