1. When Your Eyes Found Mine

Chapter 34

rooms

Nut and Hong’s Room – Ocean Suite, Far End

The door swings open with a soft click, revealing a sprawling suite bathed in warm light. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the ocean, the curtains fluttering gently in the sea breeze. The king-sized bed sits in the center like a cloud, surrounded by soft textures and minimalist elegance.

Nut walks in like he owns the place. He drops his bag with a thud and immediately launches himself face-first onto the bed.

“Oh my god,” he groans, muffled by pillows. “This bed is sent from heaven.”

Hong closes the door behind them, glancing around with amusement. “You didn’t even take your shoes off.”

“Shoes are temporary,” Nut mumbles. “This bed is forever.”

Hong slips off his sneakers and moves toward the window, drawing the sheer curtain aside. The ocean glows blue and endless beyond the glass. He exhales, slow and content.

“You okay?” Nut asks from the bed, lifting his head.

Hong turns, smiling just a little. “Yeah. Just... feels good to be away.”

Nut rolls onto his back and holds out a hand. “Come here then.”

Hong takes it, climbing onto the bed beside him. Their fingers interlace. The city, the noise, the expectations—they’re all a world away now. Here, it’s just them, wrapped in sunlight and soft linens.

William and Est’s Room – Middle Suite

William opens the door and gestures for Est to go in first. Est steps inside, scanning the sleek, modern space. The room is darker than the others, more private, with charcoal-toned walls and amber lighting that softens the sharp edges.

There’s a calm quiet between them.

Est sets his bag down by the closet. “Nice.”

William nods. “You like it?”

Est shrugs lightly, but he’s already walking over to the window. “Yeah. Better than I expected.”

William watches him for a beat, then moves to the mini-fridge. “Want a drink?”

“Water’s fine.”

He tosses Est a bottle and collapses onto the bed, arms behind his head. For a moment, they don’t speak. The tension from the hallway lingers, thick but unspoken.

Lego and Diamond’s Room – Corner Suite with Balcony

The door swings open, and Lego immediately gasps. “WE HAVE A BALCONY.”

Diamond dashes inside past him. “Check the bathroom!” he calls, already running toward the en-suite like he’s in a game show.

“Double sinks,” he shouts a second later. “We’re so married right now.”

Lego flops onto the bed and rolls over dramatically. “This is the gayest vacation we’ve ever had.”

Diamond returns and dives onto the bed beside him. “Also the richest.”

They both dissolve into laughter, tangled in beach towels and throw pillows. Lego sits up and grabs Diamond’s face gently between his hands.

“We don’t even need a beach. I just want to stay here with you forever.”

Diamond grins. “Same. But also I wanna swim.”

Lego gasps. “You dare want something without me?”

Diamond pushes him off the bed. “Race you to the pool.”

Lego hits the floor with a soft thump, laughing. “Worth it.”

Their door slams behind them, leaving only sun and joy in their wake.

Tui’s Room – Garden View Suite

The door closes with a soft snick. Tui stands in the entryway, suitcase in one hand, room key in the other.

The suite is beautiful. High ceilings, plush bedding, a view of swaying palm trees. There’s nothing wrong with it. Nothing at all.

But it’s quiet. Too quiet.

He walks slowly to the edge of the bed and sits, bag still at his feet. The silence feels heavy now — like it's watching him.

He exhales through his nose and leans forward, elbows on knees, staring at the floor.

It’s not just about being alone. It’s that everyone else isn’t.

He picks up the hotel welcome card from the side table and flips it over, staring at the blank side. He doesn’t know what he’s looking for.

Maybe a message. Maybe a reason.

Outside, the laughter of his friends echoes down the hallway — muffled by walls, but unmistakably distant.

Tui doesn’t move.

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