⸻

Their engagement had been arranged before they were even born.

Two families, once allies. Two fathers, once the best of friends.

But then everything fell apart. The promise made long ago was buried under the rubble of betrayal, lost in the chaos that scattered them across opposite ends of the world.

Joss once believed he would never live long enough to fulfill that promise.

And yet today, the vow made before birth is finally coming true.

⸻

That day, it rained in Bangkok.

Not a violent storm like the one that brought them back together.

Not the cold, distant rain of Gawin's pheromones from long ago.

Just a gentle spring shower—like the entire city was quietly blessing them.

Gawin stood in the waiting room, facing a full-length mirror. He wore a white suit, cufflinks glinting at his wrist—the silver pair Joss had picked out just for him.

On his chest: a small bloom of forget-me-not.

A reminder. A promise. A whisper that neither of them had ever truly forgotten.

The door creaked open.

Joss stepped in.

He wore a sharp black suit, tie perfectly in place—but his eyes gave him away. The second he saw Gawin, he forgot how to breathe.

Gawin tilted his head, smiling.

"Staring like you've never seen me before?"

Joss didn't answer. He crossed the room and adjusted Gawin's tie, his fingers precise, reverent—as if blinking might make the moment disappear.

Gawin let out a quiet sigh.

"Nervous?"

Joss's hands clenched slightly.

He was a CEO feared across boardrooms. A man who never flinched in the face of danger.

Yet now, standing before this boy—this man—he looked as tense as ever.

He said nothing.

Gawin smiled faintly, pressing his fingers to the spot over Joss's heart.

"Relax. I'm not going anywhere."

Joss's voice was rough.

"You left once."

A silence fell between them.

And then, Gawin simply reached out, threading their fingers together.

"I'm not going anywhere this time, Joss."

From this day forward, I'm staying.

Joss's gaze darkened—but not with lust, or obsession.

This time, it was pure softness.

⸻

The Ceremony

The hall glowed with golden light.

Friends, partners, former rivals—those who had seen them at their most broken—now bore witness to their most whole.

Gawin walked forward, steps steady.

Joss stood waiting, just like he had for all those years.

When Gawin reached him, he extended his hand.

Gawin placed his hand in his.

No grand declarations. No flowery vows.

Just a gaze between them. And that was more than enough.

Gawin chuckled softly.

"So... I guess we're finally fulfilling that childhood engagement?"

Joss tightened his grip.

"No," he said, voice low. "This isn't about that vow."

"It's my choice."

I choose you.

Not for duty. Not for legacy.

But because you are the only one I want to walk this life with.

Gawin didn't say another word.

He only smiled—truly, freely smiled.

Joss leaned down and kissed him.

The room erupted in applause.

Outside, the rain had stopped.

Joss whispered against Gawin's lips, his voice trembling, fragile.

"Gawin, I love you."

Gawin brushed his hand gently along Joss's cheek.

And for the first time in Gawin's life—

He saw Joss cry.

Not broken, not ashamed. But wide open.

Eyes like a storm that had finally found a place to rest.

Like a tide that had finally reached the shore it had always longed for.

"I love you too, Joss."

Their pheromones melted into one another—no longer a clash, no longer a battlefield.

Amber wrapped around winter rain, warming it into something gentle.

And at last, they belonged to each other.

⸻