**Nick's Return**
The bus touched down in Bangkok with a forceful jolt, the wheels skidding across the tarmac as Nick firmly grasped the armrests. It had been a year—twelve long months of separation and regret—but the thought of Arthur had never left his mind. Each day felt like an eternity, yet here he was, ready to confront everything head-on.
He hadn't anticipated coming back so soon, but the pressure had become too great to ignore. He had tried to convince himself that leaving was the right choice, that Arthur would be better off without the weight of his presence lingering over him. But all that did was eat away at him.
No more running. No more avoiding the one person who meant everything to him. It was time to face the music.
As the cab navigated through the bustling streets, Nick typed furiously on his phone, tracking Arthur's life from afar—on social media, through mutual friends. Each image of Arthur smiling alongside someone new, a tall and attractive man, struck deep. It hurt in ways he couldn't quite articulate. Captions like "New beginnings" and "Feeling lucky" gnawed at his heart, each one a stark reminder of what he had lost.
Initially, Nick had hoped it was a simple friendship. But deep down, he understood the truth. Arthur was moving on, and that realization was crushing.
**The Pain of Seeing Arthur Move On**
Standing in front of the building where Arthur now lived, Nick felt a rush of memories—the laughter, the shared moments, the bittersweet times that had defined their relationship. His heart raced as he looked up at the windows, wondering if Arthur was inside and if he had completely erased Nick from his life.
Regret crashed over him like a wave. How had he let it get this far? How could he have walked away without giving Arthur the chance to understand his decisions? It was a coward's move, and it sickened him.
However, he wasn't here to dwell on the past any longer. Opening Arthur's social media again, he spotted another photo. Arthur was beaming at a café, the genuine smile Nick used to inspire. Beside him sat the same man from before, their closeness unmistakable; fingers barely brushing across the table and a sparkle in Arthur's eyes made it clear that he was finding happiness again. Jealousy surged through Nick, a painful reminder of what he had let slip away.
That unbearable realization washed over him—the fear of being too late loomed large. He had made a huge mistake, one that felt insurmountable. Had Nick hurt Arthur too much for him to ever forgive?
His return was driven by a need he could no longer ignore—a need to see Arthur, to face the uncertainty head-on. He couldn't leave with lingering doubts or unanswered questions. He had to know whether a chance remained to make things right, even if it meant confronting the possibility that Arthur had moved on for good.
Taking a deep breath, he felt the weight of his phone in his hand. His fingers hovered over Arthur's contact, but confidence surged through him. Fear wouldn't hold him back any longer. What if Arthur didn't want to see him? What if he had truly moved on?
No matter the outcome, Nick wasn't going to walk away without knowing. Determined, he made up his mind to attend the current exhibition that Arthur was hosting. It was time to take control of his future.**Nick's Return**
The bus touched down in Bangkok with a forceful jolt, the wheels skidding across the tarmac as Nick firmly grasped the armrests. It had been a year—twelve long months of separation and regret—but the thought of Arthur had never left his mind. Each day felt like an eternity, yet here he was, ready to confront everything head-on.
He hadn't anticipated coming back so soon, but the pressure had become too great to ignore. He had tried to convince himself that leaving was the right choice, that Arthur would be better off without the weight of his presence lingering over him. But all that did was eat away at him.
No more running. No more avoiding the one person who meant everything to him. It was time to face the music.
As the cab navigated through the bustling streets, Nick typed furiously on his phone, tracking Arthur's life from afar—on social media, through mutual friends. Each image of Arthur smiling alongside someone new, a tall and attractive man, struck deep. It hurt in ways he couldn't quite articulate. Captions like "New beginnings" and "Feeling lucky" gnawed at his heart, each one a stark reminder of what he had lost.
Initially, Nick had hoped it was a simple friendship. But deep down, he understood the truth. Arthur was moving on, and that realization was crushing.
**The Pain of Seeing Arthur Move On**
Standing in front of the building where Arthur now lived, Nick felt a rush of memories—the laughter, the shared moments, the bittersweet times that had defined their relationship. His heart raced as he looked up at the windows, wondering if Arthur was inside, if he had completely erased Nick from his life.
Regret crashed over him like a wave. How had he let it get this far? How could he have walked away without giving Arthur the chance to understand his decisions? It was a coward's move, and it sickened him.
However, he wasn't here to dwell on the past any longer. Opening Arthur's social media again, he spotted another photo. Arthur was beaming at a café, the genuine smile Nick used to inspire. Beside him sat the same man from before, their closeness unmistakable; fingers barely brushing across the table and a sparkle in Arthur's eyes made it clear that he was finding happiness again. Jealousy surged through Nick, a painful reminder of what he had let slip away.
That unbearable realization washed over him—the fear of being too late loomed large. He had made a huge mistake, one that felt insurmountable. Had Nick hurt Arthur too much for him to ever forgive?
His return was driven by a need he could no longer ignore—a need to see Arthur, to face the uncertainty head-on. He couldn't leave with lingering doubts, unanswered questions. He had to know whether a chance remained to make things right, even if it meant confronting the possibility that Arthur had moved on for good.
Taking a deep breath, he felt the weight of his phone in his hand. His fingers hovered over Arthur's contact, but confidence surged through him. Fear wouldn't hold him back any longer. What if Arthur didn't want to see him? What if he had truly moved on?
No matter the outcome, Nick wasn't going to walk away without knowing. Determined, he made up his mind to attend the current exhibition that Arthur was hosting. It was time to take control of his future.