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It's been 5 years since the first time they've been here. Each year, during Sky and Rain's break, the two best friends, along with their boyfriends, have been coming to the same beach resort.
This year is their second time coming here since Sky and Rain graduated university, with Sky at the top of his class, admired by the younger students and practically becoming a second legend after Phayu.
Rain was currently working alongside Phayu in his company whereas Sky had gotten a position in an ecological architectural company and had gone back to studying part time for a teaching degree. As much as Sky enjoyed creating buildings and helping nature, he had come to the decision that it wasn't something he wanted to pursue all his life, and with the help from Prapai and his old university professors, he had decided to instead become a teacher, already securing a position in his university. All he had to do was finish his teaching degree which he was set to do in the next 2 years.
Today was their third day of the week-long trip to Rayong.
Sky and Rain had stayed at the resort drinking colourful cocktails at the balcony of one of their rooms while Phayu and Prapai opted to take a trip to the town to stock up on more snacks and drinks.
Over the last few years Prapai and Phayu have grown closer, influenced by the friendship of their boyfriends, the two went from good friends, to one of the closest people they knew. The 4 of them considered themselves as family, depending on each other, helping when needed. They started spending more time together outside the racetrack, going on double dates or just hanging out in one of their houses.
Sky and Rain have also become closer than ever. Sky eventually opened up to Rain about his past, and just like predicted, Rain didn't judge him but instead hugged him tightly and promised to never leave Sky's side. Both of them had cried that night, Phayu and Prapai arriving an hour later to the two of them cuddled together on the couch.
Ever since the first time Sky and Rain came here, the two couples made it a tradition to come to the Rayong beach each year.
Phayu stopped at the gate to the resort, nearly making Prapai bump into him.
"Yu?" Prapai frowned looking at his friend.
Phayu didn't say anything and instead tilted his head up where the resort's balconies could be seen, and there on the top floor were Sky and Rain, laughing about something and nearly spilling their glasses in the process. Rain seemed to be trying to say something but every time he opened his mouth the pair went into a giggle fit again.
"Phayu," Prapai said again, his eyes drifting from their lovers to his best friend.
"Yeah yeah sorry I'm going," but as he was about to regain his step towards the entrance, Prapai's next words made him pause again.
"I want to propose to Sky. Tomorrow."
A second of silence passed between the two before Phayu smiled and turned to face Pai, "I knew it."
"Hah? What do you mean you knew?"
"You're a romantic sap Pai," he ignored Prapai's dramatically shocked expression as if the information was anything new, "I suspected that when you were to propose it would be one of two places. Either the place you first met, the racing circuit, or the same place you made that promise you told me about to him, at this beach."
"Do you think Sky knows?" Prapai frowned, suddenly feeling anxious. He knew that Sky could be expecting the proposal, he knew the prospect of going to the beach may heighten the chances of it happening in Sky's mind. But he was also hoping for this to be a surprise, to catch Sky off guard.
"He's not stupid, I think he may suspect it, but I don't think he knows. I doubt Sky is vividly awaiting your proposal every day. It's probably somewhere at the back of his head, but I don't think he lets it occupy his thoughts too much. He wants you to do it when both of you are ready, not just him. So, are you ready for that Pai?"
Prapai hummed, fond of the fact that Phayu always knew exactly what to say, "I spoke to his father about this two weeks ago when we were in Lopburi."
Sky and Prapai have come down to Lopburi for a couple of days to visit Sky's father, something they tried to do as much as their hectic schedules allowed them. With the ease of taking a car instead of a train and bus, Sky found himself seeing his father more often than he used to.
His father loved Prapai, and the older man was thrilled each time the pair paid him a visit, both expected and surprised ones.
Sky was currently in the shower as Prapai finished cleaning the kitchen after their dinner.
"Pa," Prapai started. After one of their first visits, Sky's father reprimanded Prapai for being so formal with him and insisted on Pai calling him dad, as after all the two would sooner or later become family.
"Hm?" The older man hummed and looked up from the letters he was looking over at the kitchen table.
Prapai paused, hearing out the sound of running water upstairs before he sat down opposite the man and continued.
"There's something I wanted to ask you."
From the smile, and twinkle in his eyes, Prapai suspected that the man knew what question was awaiting.
"Go ahead," Sky's father encouraged him.
"I want to ask your son if I can marry him."
Sky's father's smile grew as he watched Prapai. "Took you long enough, I'm surprised you managed to restrain yourself for 5 years instead of kidnapping Sky away and eloping as soon as possible."
Prapai chuckled, matching the man's smile with his own one, "I won't lie that the thought hasn't crossed my mind but no, Sky deserves only the best. 5 years ago I promised him I'll wait for when he's ready, for when his studies were finished and he knew what he wanted from life. He might not be fully where he's planning yet but I think the time is right. We're going on a trip with N'Rain and Phayu at the end of the month, it's the same place that I swore to him that one day I'll marry him if he will allow me to. I think that will be a good place to seal the old promise with a ring."
"Prapai," the man Pai grew to love like his own father started, "you have no idea how happy I am that my boy got so lucky to have you by his side. As a parent all I want for Sky is to be safe and happy, to love and to be loved, and you give him all that. I will be honoured to officially call you my son-in-law."
Phayu fixed him with a raised eyebrow accompanied with an amused smile. "You're so down bad for him."
Prapai huffed, "as if you're any better with Rain."
He was answered with a hum as Phayu clearly knew the truth of the statement and his friend's features softened into a look rarely shown by Phayu to people other than Rain.
"I'm really happy for you Pai, you know that right? I've known you for a long time and maybe we weren't as close before these two," he started, tilting his head towards the resort where their boyfriends were seen, "but I know that you changed after meeting Sky. You became a better version of yourself. And as much as you enjoyed your previous lifestyle, I can tell that you're much more free and happy with Sky. I know everyone always talks about how Sky's been through a lot and he deserves to have someone like you, and I definitely agree with that, but Pai, you too deserve happiness and someone as wonderful as him. You two complete each other in the best ways. And as your best friend, I can see that N'Sky is the perfect person for you. Mainly because he doesn't put up with your bullshit," Phayu couldn't help himself from teasing Prapai. "My point is; I'm happy to see the both of you happy, I'm glad you can have that with Sky."
Prapai was touched. Deeper conversations weren't a taboo subject between the two friends, but it wasn't a frequent occurrence. However Phayu's speech meant a lot to Prapai.
Pai smiled, knowing that an answer wasn't needed, Phayu knew how much Prapai appreciated every word, however that didn't stop him from pulling Phayu into a brief hug. When he pulled back, his eyes averted back to Sky, who by now has spotted the pair. Prapai's smile grew and he blew a kiss towards his boyfriend, who in return rolled his eyes and turned back to Rain, but Prapai could see the small hint of a smile breaking through on Sky's face.
"God I can't wait to marry him."
Phayu hummed, waving back to Rain who jumped up upon seeing his boyfriend, "me too."
The late afternoon sun cast an orange hue on the beach, making the ocean water twinkle from its light.
The beach was filled with people as today, the village the resort was set in, held their annual festival - like many places did, having a smaller reenactment of the famous Yi Peng Lantern Festival, held on the other side of the country.
The usually calm place was now occupied by lovers and families coming from all around Rayong. There were kids playing in the water and vendors selling food and drinks. Music was blasting from speakers of all the different groups of friends, and couples were watching the sunset.
Phayu, Rain, Prapai and Sky however decided to stick to the private part of the beach owned by the villa, content to enjoy the celebration in their own bubble, joined by only a few of the other residents.
The sun was gradually going down and people were getting ready to officially begin the festival once the sky would turn dark, so Phayu had left the group to go and buy them a couple of the eco-friendly lanterns from one of the nearby sellers.
Sky on the other hand had left not long after upon seeing a stall selling one of his favourite snacks, deciding that he'll go buy more food for their mini picnic.
Prapai was laying down on the blanket, propped up on his hands, letting the last of the sun rays warm his skin, his eyes closed as he listened to the sound of the ocean, along with all the people and music.
"P'Pai," he opened his eyes to see Rain standing above him, towel in hand.
The younger boy sat down, grabbing the coke bottle and taking a sip before continuing, upon receiving a questioning hum from Prapai.
"We usually don't stay for the festival," he stated as Prapai leaned up.
"We don't, no," Pai answered carefully, sensing where the conversation was going.
"Mhm but this time is different," Rain grinned, "and I have a feeling there is a reason for that Phi. And that that reason involves you and Sky."
"Did Yu tell you?" Pai knew the answer to that question but asked the younger boy nonetheless.
"No, if you told P'Phayu then he wouldn't tell me, but I can sense it. You're planning on proposing to Sky, aren't you?" Rain jumped up slightly where he was sitting.
"Is it really that obvious? Both you and Phayu figured it out, Sky probably knows by now too."
"I don't think so, normally maybe yeah he'd know, but you know how busy he's been lately, with the Green Life Hotel project and his degree."
That was true, Sky was one of the leaders to a big project which was completed just recently thanks to the hard work put by him and all the other employees, while at the same time he was having exams, the last one finishing just 2 days before their trip to Lopburi. The last few weeks were spent with Prapai making sure Sky ate and rested in-between all his workload
"I think he's just glad to finally have the time off right now," Rain looked behind Prapai's shoulder to ensure that Sky wouldn't hear his next words, hopeful to see the ring beforehand, however luck was not on his side as that was the moment Sky, along with Phayu, made their way back to the two.
Sky was munching on fried bananas while carrying bags of various other snacks, as Phayu held a couple of lanterns for them to light up later.
"Out of the water naughty boy?" Phayu smirked, ruffling up Rain's damp hair.
"P'Pai, there's so much more people further down the beach than we can see from here! I wasn't expecting it to be so crowded." Sky exclaimed, plopping down between Prapai's legs on the blanket. Over the last couple of years Sky has grown to feel more comfortable with PDA. Although he was still more reserved, he began allowing Prapai more and more to do as he wished and even started initiating certain things first.
He wasn't as shameless as Rain, who was currently half on Phayu's lap, but he had still changed his attitude to public affection overtime.
"Do you want to go to the actual festival baby?" Prapai asked, watching as Rain stole a banana piece from Sky's bag.
"No," he shook his head, "I like that we get to enjoy the festival from here, the food, the music, soon the lights, yet still have our privacy."
Phayu nodded his head in agreement, "I think so too, the amount of people there is crazy."
By now the sun was barely visible on the horizon and the sky had started to darken, illuminated only by the last sunshine rays, as well as the moon, shining brightly above them.
Not a single cloud was visible in the distance, highlighting the twinkles of stars that started to litter the night.
Prapai turned on their speaker and music filled the air as the group poured drinks and took out food, talking and laughing while the sky got darker and darker, welcoming the nighttime.
The 4 friends spent the next half an hour like this, surrounded by their bubble, sharing stories they have not heard yet and catching up on anything new.
Sky proudly announced the success of his work project as Phayu joined him in on the good news that's been going on in his own company.
Rain had filled the other couple in on the shenanigans his and Phayu's cat had gotten in lately while Prapai told funny stories from his latest business events.
As time went on, the dark sky started to be slowly filled by small flames, more and more people sending lanterns out into the unknown.
And so the four too stood up and dusted off the sand from their clothes, preparing to send their own lanterns out and away, to watch them float with all the other ones.
Phayu and Rain had just sent their lantern while Prapai held one side of his and Sky's one, as Sky lit it up, before they carefully let the beacon of light join the hundreds of other ones now occupying the sky.
Sky was watching the lantern fly away before noticing the sudden lack of Prapai's presence by his side, but as he turned around, confusion morphed into shock mixed with immersive love for the man in front of him.
"Sky, my Sky, my love, my world, 5 years ago I stood at this beach and promised you a future, a future that we are in today, a future that I now would wish to fulfil, to give you a new promise. An addition to what I have already said. A promise to love you above anything, something that has been true the day you allowed me into your heart. A promise to ensure your happiness, to bring a smile to your face. A future of us together. A future where I am blessed to be your husband.
My Sky, meeting you has been the best thing that's happened in my life. Having you by my side is like a dream, and every day I feel lucky to be allowed to love an angel like you.
We have been together for over 5 years now, but my love for you has only grown stronger with each minute spent in your presence. I have once promised you to take care of you for the rest of my life and that hasn't changed nor will it ever change, my life is dedicated to you and each day with you feels like the best one. You make my days and my life brighter.
Before meeting you, I thought relationships weren't for me, that marriage was not something I would ever want, however, like many things did, that thought changed when you stepped into my life.
I never would've imagined that I could love a person like I love you, because Sky, my feelings for you are of the strongest scale, unbreakable, a love I've never had nor will I ever have for another. A love reserved for you and you only, forever and always.
So that leaves only one question for me to ask;
Sky, will you do me the honours, and will you marry me?"
Fireworks sounded in the distance, the beach illuminated with the fire burning in the lanterns creating a magical moment for the couple.
Before Prapai even finished his last sentence, Sky was already nodding his head, tears filling his eyes as he rasped out the answer, "Yes, yes P'Pai."
Prapai took hold of Sky's hand and carefully slid the ring on his finger, made from black gold, a lotus flower decorating the top with an emerald nestled in the middle.
When the ring was safely in its place, Sky pulled Pai up and into a kiss before borrowing his face in Prapai's shoulder, letting his tears fall down.
"I love you P'Pai," he whispered, his breath shaky.
"I love you too my Sky, and I will always love you," Prapai smiled, pressing a kiss to Sky's temple and holding the boy closely.
Rain leaned against his boyfriend, watching the pair as Phayu put his phone away, previously recording their two best friends, keeping a memorabilia of their special moment. He wrapped an arm around Rain and watched the scenery around them, the lanterns and fireworks decorating the night sky, the ocean waves crashing against the shore, and the newly engaged couple embracing each other.
He knew that in a few minutes Rain would excitedly pull Sky aside to congratulate his best friend and admire the ring. They would spend some more time on the beach watching the twinkles of lights and celebrating Prapai and Sky with the champagne Phayu had previously bought, before they'd make their way back to the rooms.
But for now he enjoyed the happiness and love radiating from the couple in front of him, and the presence of the boy by his side he too one day hoped to marry.