The instant their feet reached the soft sand of Phuket's beaches, Arthur felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The last few months had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and with their final examinations looming, the prospect of fleeing the stresses of university—even for a weekend—felt like a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Nick stretched next him, tipping his head back to let the sun kiss his skin. "This was a good idea," he mumbled.
Arthur glanced sideways at him, smiling. "Of course, it was my idea."
Mia and Pim were already ahead of them, hauling their baggage toward the beachside property they had hired.
"Come on, slowpokes! " Pim called over her shoulder. "We only have three days to relax before we have to go back to suffering! "
Mia chuckled, adjusting her sunglasses. "I don't know about you, but I plan to make the most of every second." She gave Pim a sharp look, and Pim flushed slightly before rolling her eyes.
Arthur smirked. "Looks like someone's got plans."
Nick chuckled, seizing Arthur's hand and intertwining their fingers as they followed their buddies toward the villa.
The villa was breathtaking—white walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a vast deck that led straight to the ocean. The instant they went inside, Arthur felt like they had entered a dream. The seaside wind poured through the open doors, bearing the aroma of salt and jasmine.
Mia whistled, turning in a leisurely circle. "Damn. We should just live here forever."
Pim laughed. "Are you paying? "
Arthur set his bag down and fell onto the large sofa. "I'm not even unpacking. I just want to soak everything all in."
Nick, however, was already investigating, retreating down the hall before coming back. "The rooms have bathtubs with ocean views. And—holy shit—there's an infinity pool outside."
Pim gasped. "We're swimming tonight."
"No arguments here," Mia agreed, setting her luggage aside.
Arthur grinned, feeling a familiar warmth in his chest. For the first time in a long time, everything seemed light—no tension, no melancholy, just the joy of being among the people he loved.
Nick reappeared, a malicious twinkle in his eyes. "Or… we could swim right now."
Arthur hardly had time to respond when Nick pounced at him, dragging him off the couch and into his arms.
"Nick—wait—" Arthur shouted, laughing as Nick effortlessly picked him and carried him toward the water.
Mia and Pim screamed in support. "Do it, Nick! "
Nick smirked before dumping Arthur into the ocean.
Arthur surfaced, sputtering, his damp hair hanging to his forehead. "You're dead, Nick."
Nick chuckled, but before he could leave, Arthur grabbed his wrist and tugged him in.
As they resurfaced, exhausted and laughing, Arthur found himself staring into Nick's eyes, the golden sunset shimmering in them.
Nick leaned down, stroking a wet strand of hair from Arthur's face. "I love seeing you like this," he muttered. "Happy."
Arthur's heart surged. "I am happy."
And as the evening dissolved into darkness, they let themselves forget everything else—just for a little while.
After a long evening of swimming, eating seafood by the beach, and sipping cocktails on the deck, the four of them gathered around a fire pit, letting the warmth absorb into their bones.
Mia rested her head on Pim's shoulder. "I don't want to leave."
Pim hummed in agreement. "I was thinking… Maybe after graduation, we should take a longer trip. Just us."
Arthur perked up. "That's actually not a bad idea."
Nick nodded, stroking patterns on Arthur's thigh absentmindedly. "A real vacation. No deadlines. No stress."
Mia grinned. "No parents breathing down our necks about our futures."
Pim smirked. "Speaking of which… Arthur, Nick, what's the plan after graduation? "
Arthur and Nick exchanged a glance.
Arthur exhaled. "Honestly? I'm still finding things out."
Nick nodded. "Same. But whatever happens, I know one thing—I want to remain with Arthur."
Arthur's heart tightened. It wasn't just words; he could feel the sincerity in them.
Mia and Pim aww'd, but Arthur ignored them, squeezing Nick's hand under the firelight.
"I feel the same way," Arthur answered softly.
For a long time, they all just sat there, letting the waves crash on the shore in the background.
Eventually, Mia stretched. "Alright, lovebirds. I suppose it's time we all get to bed before we get too sappy."
Arthur laughed. "Agreed."
Nick smirked, tugging Arthur up. "Come on, baby. Let's go."
And with that, they retired to their rooms.
The villa was peaceful; the only sound was the delicate rustling of the ocean air. Arthur sat on the edge of the bed, watching as Nick strolled out of the bathroom, a towel hanging loosely about his waist.
Arthur gulped.
Nick spotted the gleam in his eyes and smirked. "Something on your mind? "
Arthur lunged for him, dragging him down onto the bed. "Just you."
Nick's lips met his in a gentle, teasing kiss. Arthur moaned into it, leaning his head to enhance the connection.
Nick's hands strayed, tracing the contour of Arthur's spine, creeping beneath his shirt. Arthur shivered, arching into the contact.
"You drive me crazy," Nick muttered against his lips.
Arthur chuckled, biting at Nick's lower lip. "Good."
Nick didn't hesitate. He pushed Arthur onto his back, squeezing their bodies close. The heat between them was unmistakable, and Arthur could feel the hard press of Nick's arousal against his thigh.
Arthur gasped as Nick's hands explored him, his touch unhurried and careful. His shirt was gone in seconds, and then Nick's tongue was on his skin, following wet kisses down his neck, across his chest, lower…
Arthur entwined his fingers in Nick's hair, his breathing unsteady. "Nick—"
Nick silenced him, his eyes black with need. "Let me take care of you."
And he did.
The night was a haze of heat and whispered confessions. Of flesh against skin, of urgent kisses, and of the sound of their bodies moving together. Nick worshiped him, kissing every inch of him, as if attempting to erase all the anguish they had ever felt.
Arthur had never felt so captivated, so fully lost in someone.
And while Nick held him later, their bodies intertwined in the blankets, Arthur realized—they weren't just healing.
They were finally whole again.
The next morning, Arthur woke up to the gentle glow of sunlight seeping through the drapes. Nick was still asleep beside him, his arm slung across Arthur's waist, his breath steady and even.
Arthur reached out, brushing his fingertips along Nick's jawline.
Nick stirred, looking up at him. "Morning," he whispered, his voice hoarse from sleep.
Arthur smiled. "Morning."
Nick tightened his hands around Arthur's waist, pushing him closer. "Can we stay like this forever? "
Arthur laughed softly, pressing a kiss to Nick's temple. "I wish."
Nick exhaled. "We'll figure it out, won't we? "
Arthur nodded. "Yeah. We will."
And while they lay there, caught up in each other, Arthur knew—whatever occurred next, they would face it together. Because this wasn't simply a weekend escape.
This was the beginning of everything.