"You did well…" Artit said quietly, his gaze lingering in the direction May and Bua had gone, though he could no longer see them.
The words Artit said made Toffee's eyes fill with tears—not because his heart was breaking, but because of a happiness he had once denied. He was seeing it, feeling it, and sharing it…
He was not alone. Artit was there for him. And Artit was not alone.
Even without saying anything, everyone around them—those who loved them—could feel it.
Toffee leaned closer against Artit's chest. Without exchanging a glance, their bond deepened.
"Hia… let's go."
Toffee glanced back. Artit tilted his head. "Let's go."
Artit held out his hand. It was cold, not soft. Toffee took it, his warm fingers wrapping around Artit's, sharing both cold and warmth.
Night fell. The festival brimmed with old promises, regrets, and fulfillment.
Artit drove—not to Toffee's dorm, but somewhere else.
The sun had set, but light still remained.
A green field shimmered with fireflies, overlooking the city lights.
Artit drove there.
Toffee had already fallen asleep, exhausted.
Artit turned off the car and looked at him.
He brushed over Toffee's closed eyes— his messy hair now back to its original color, his lips slightly swollen.
A smile curved on Artit's face. He leaned closer, gently brushing his lips against Toffee's.
Slowly, he cupped his face. Warmed by Artit, Toffee opened his eyes.
The moment he woke, Artit pressed his lips to his. Both of them sought each other's warmth, and Artit tasted the sweetness of Toffee.
After a moment, they pulled back, calming themselves.
"Where are we?" Toffee looked around.
Golden light reflected in his eyes.
A smile spread across his face as he turned to Artit.
"Hia, this is."
Artit stepped out of the car without a word and opened the door for Toffee.
As Toffee stepped out, the cold grass brushed against his legs. Artit guided him as they walked.
The moon was almost hidden behind clouds, yet it still shone clearly.
"It's beautiful." Toffee closed his eyes, feeling the cool air and quiet sounds.
"Do you like it?"
Toffee turned around. "I like it, Hia… I love you."
Artit pulled him closer by the waist and placed a lingering kiss on his forehead.
"I love you, Toffee… Let's be happy and live together."
They both laughed softly, sharing warmth as they spent time together.
Like a storm passing, time moved on...
A Saturday morning—very early.
Toffee's room was unusually quiet.
Lamon was sleeping peacefully, a blanket covering him. Toffee gently adjusted it before preparing to leave. Mok was also asleep on the other side.
Toffee looked out the window. It was still dark, as the sun had not yet risen.
Then he glanced at them both before stepping out.
"It's better not to wake them," he thought. Without making a sound, he walked out.
In front of the dorm, Artit was already waiting, wearing a pale white shirt. Toffee wore the same.
They were going to the temple—the place where everything had begun.
Artit walked up to Toffee and helped him put on a jacket to keep him warm.
On the way…
"Hia, when will we get there?" Toffee asked while peeling an orange. Juice splashed as he did.
"Ouch… it stings…" He wiped his face with his sleeve.
"What's wrong?" Artit asked, glancing at him.
"Hia, just focus on driving. I've got this."
"Oh? Is this some kind of competition, baby?"
Artit teased him, but Toffee didn't back down. He kept peeling.
"Look, you're a mess now."
"Hia, you don't like me anymore because I'm messy now?"
He gave Artit puppy eyes.
"No, I like it—"
Toffee covered his face. Orange juice was all over it. "Hia, this is so cringe."
"Where did you learn these lines?"
"I didn't…" Artit avoided his gaze. "That bastard Kevin…" he thought.
At the same time, in Win's condo—
"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!"
Kevin kept sneezing.
"Hey, Kevin, did you steal food or something? It smells…"
"You jerk, Win! How can you say that?" Kevin kicked him off the bed. "You're not allowed to sleep here anymore!"
Win groaned. "Why can't I keep my mouth shut."
Another couple's fight started before the day even began.
Back in the car…
Artit handed him a handkerchief. "Baby, use this. Clean your face."
Toffee took it and wiped his face. Then he looked at it.
"Hia, this is…"
"I embroidered it. Do you like it?"
"How could I not? It's beautiful."
Toffee's fingers traced the design.
Two red threads intertwined—messy yet beautiful, imperfect yet still perfect together… as if they held many untold stories.
The car slowed as it entered 'Wat Nirand' Temple.
As they arrived, a slight fear rose in Toffee's chest.
"Don't be scared. I'm here."
Artit held his hand, calming him.
The first light of morning appeared as the sun slowly rose.
They stepped inside carefully, hand in hand. The smell of incense filled the air. The temple felt different. Even the cold, rough floor carried weight.
Toffee's gaze lingered on the floor, then moved to the walls that held many secrets.
From behind them—
"It's good to see both of you."
They turned and immediately pressed their hands together, bowing deeply.
"Sawasdee khrap."
The temple master smiled.
"Did you pray? After that, we can go inside."
"Khrap." They bowed again.
They knelt, hands together, heads lowered. Their feet grew numb from the cold, yet they remained still.
Artit opened his eyes and looked at Toffee, who was still praying. Seeing Toffee's reddened feet, Artit gently covered them with his hands.
Feeling the warmth, Toffee slowly opened his eyes. They looked at each other quietly.
After praying, they went inside.
Toffee looked around in awe.
The temple master guided them.
At the center, monks sat in a circle, chanting around a light that never went out.
Toffee's gaze lingered on the flame.
He felt a strange pressure from it.
"Don't worry," the temple master said softly. "It protects souls… it guides them."
"Go. You can pray."
They knelt again. As they settled, the monks stopped chanting, stood up, and surrounded them.
Artit held Toffee's hand. "Don't be afraid."
One of the monks tied a white thread around their fingers, and a dried lotus was placed on Toffee's head.
"Close your eyes. No matter what you hear, don't open them."
They obeyed.
The chants echoed through the temple. The air grew colder.
Artit held Toffee's hands, as if to make sure everything would be okay.
The chants grew heavier. Both of them began to sweat, their breathing turning uneven.
From the light, a black petal fell—but only the temple master could see it.
Gradually, the chanting faded. It was over. The lotus on Toffee's head was gone, and the thread tied to their fingers was removed.
A heaviness settled in Toffee's head; Artit felt the same. They both let out a breath.
Artit's hand rested at Toffee's waist as Toffee gently leaned into him.
A forgotten promise… a broken thread… now woven together again.
Afterward, Toffee explored the temple. They had breakfast there.
"Thank you, Master, for having us." Toffee bowed.
The temple master smiled. Artit bowed as well.
"Before you get married, make sure you come here."
Toffee flushed. "Khrap…" He hurried toward the car.
"Toffee, careful," Artit called.
Left alone, silence filled the space.
"About the grieving soul that tried to kill you… Phraya has already captured it."
"You don't need to say who it is—I already know. But can I ask about Thanat's soul? How was it hidden for so long?" Artit asked.
The temple master remained silent. As if Artit already knew, he said nothing.
"And Daeng… he's completely gone. Not even his soul remains."
Artit clenched his hands.
"Go. You deserve to live happily." The master looked toward Toffee. "Only you deserve him. Don't waste time."
Artit bowed. "Thank you, Master."
He walked back to Toffee. They held hands, leaving everything behind.
The temple master let out a breath of relief.
But suddenly, a heavy presence rose behind him.
He turned and immediately knelt.
"Master Hao, you're finally here. After leaving me for thirty years, you've finally returned. Do you know how much I suffered?"
Hao looked at him with contempt.
"Get up. I've dealt with enough demons—not you as well. Stand."
The voice was calm yet sharp. His hands were rough, his build strong and firm, radiating an intense aura.
He wore traditional clothing, and his long hair fell across his face, making it impossible to guess his age.
With trembling hands, the temple master rose to his feet.
"Are they the ones you mentioned in the letter?"
"Yes, Master Hao."
Hao faced forward. "Interesting… fate is playing with them."
His gaze settled on Toffee and Artit.
"Do you think they've lived only one life?"
"He abandoned me, and now he's talking nonsense…" the temple master muttered.
"Did you say something, my dear disciple?"
"No…"
The temple master hesitated. "Master… what are you saying?"
"Don't tell me you forgot to use your spiritual eyes. Are you really my disciple?" Hao let out a sigh.
"They've lived more than four lives. All of them ended in tragedy. In our rules, we call it the cruelty of fate.
People believe the same soul is reborn again and again—what nonsense. It's not like that. Even if someone lives many lives, the souls are different, but the memories remain.
They have lived and died before… and recalling those memories goes against our rules."
The temple master fell silent, troubled by the truth.
"But in this life, their broken threads are woven again. Not red but white," Hao said.
"But, Master… How can fate be changed?"
Hao gave a faint grin. "I'm wondering the same. Sometimes fate is only a watcher, while someone chooses their own path. But it needs a bond that never breaks—just like theirs."
Relief crossed the temple master's face.
"You are truly wise, Master. I learned something new today… I'm honored to learn from you." He bowed his head.
"I feel bad for him, handling everything alone… yet he still seems weak. Did he skip training?" Hao thought.
"You… Come with me. It's time for a duel."
The temple master's expression darkened. "Master, I'm already old, did you forget?" he wondered.
"What are you waiting for?"
"Go prepare," Hao said.
As the temple master left, his steps were unsteady with fear, while Hao watched the couple in the distance.
"This world is full of surprises. They are meant to be together... Yet how many have I failed to protect? There's no time. If this world is to remain intact, I need to become stronger… and more ruthless."
A faint smile touched his lips before he disappeared.
Near the car—
Toffee cast one last glance at the temple.
"Hia… I still can't believe it. How many secrets does this place hold?"
"Let it remain a secret. It's enough that someone is watching over us," Artit said, his expression reassuring.
They exchanged a gentle smile.
"Are we going back?" Toffee asked.
"We're going to see my grandfather."
Toffee froze, a hint of unease crossing his face.
"Hia, why didn't you tell me?"
"If I did, you would have asked to go another time. So I made it a surprise."
"Don't sulk, Toffee. It won't help…"
Artit brushed a kiss against his nose. "Don't sulk, my baby."
"Hia… we're at a temple."
"So? If we stay longer, I might kiss you again."
"Hia, don't be stubborn."
"Don't complain. We're going."
"Hia…" Toffee called softly.
"Don't call me like that!"
Artit kept his gaze ahead, trying to stay calm. "Don't fall for it… it's a trap… don't fall…"
"Hia..."