Oliver and Noah stood in the middle of the café, still lost in the warmth of their embrace, until they were startled by the sound of a sudden clap. They turned their heads, and to their surprise, they saw Eli, followed by Oliver's parents and friends, all emerging from the back door. Eli was holding a cake, a big grin on his face, the sign on the cake reading "Welcome Back."
Overwhelmed by the sight of everyone, emotional Oliver broke away from Noah and ran to his parents, throwing his arms around them in a tight hug. "I missed you both so much," he whispered, his voice trembling.
After sharing a tearful hug with his parents, he turned to Eli, who had just placed the cake on the table. Without thinking, Oliver rushed over to him, wrapping him in a big hug. "Thank you, Eli. You have no idea how much I missed you," he said, his voice thick with gratitude.
Eli gave him a playful pat on the back, his usual goofy grin returning. "Yeah, yeah, don't get too emotional on me now," he joked, though his own eyes were a little misty.
With everyone gathered, the café turned into a lively celebration. There was music, dancing, eating, and plenty of singing—especially once the drinks started flowing. Laughter echoed through the café as Oliver's friends, parents, and Eli all took turns singing, with Eli dramatically belting out old tunes and making everyone laugh.
As the night wore on, and the party grew louder, a slightly tipsy Oliver found himself needing a break from the noise. He quietly slipped outside, stepping into the cool night air, the contrast to the vibrant chaos inside feeling refreshing. He leaned against the fence that bordered the café's small garden, taking a deep breath and letting the stillness wash over him.
Before long, he heard the door creak open behind him. Noah and Eli stepped out, joining him. "You can't leave the party without us," Noah teased, giving Oliver a playful nudge.
Eli, wobbling slightly from the drinks, joined them at the fence. "Man, it feels like so much time has passed," he said, glancing between the two of them. His voice softened, losing its usual playful edge. "It's crazy we're all back here again."
The trio shared a quiet moment, enjoying the peaceful ambiance, their heads still buzzing from the drinks and the excitement of being together again. Eli, ever curious, suddenly remembered something. He turned to Oliver with a mischievous grin. "Hey, what was in that gift Noah gave you before you left for Thailand? You never told me."
Oliver blinked in surprise, then reached up to his neck, fingers closing around the chain of the locket he'd worn every day since he had received it. He gently tugged the locket from under his shirt and opened it. Inside was a small photo of him and Noah—one they had taken years ago, full of smiles and youth. "It was this," Oliver said, his voice soft. "It's a reminder of Noah. I kept it with me the whole time in Thailand. Anytime I missed him, I'd just look at this."
Eli smiled, a little touched by the gesture. "Wow," he said, shaking his head. "I didn't think Noah had such a romantic side."
Noah chuckled, but before he could respond, they heard someone calling Eli from inside. "Looks like I'm needed for one more song," Eli groaned, pretending to be annoyed but clearly enjoying the attention. He wobbled back toward the door, leaving Oliver and Noah alone outside.
As soon as Eli disappeared inside, Oliver let out a long sigh, leaning his head back against the fence. Noah turned to him, concern flickering in his eyes. "What's on your mind?"
Oliver hesitated, the weight of everything he'd been holding in finally bubbling to the surface. "It's just… I loved my time in Thailand. I became successful, I made a name for myself… but it was hard. Really hard," he admitted, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Despite all the fame and recognition, I felt alone. I struggled with the language, the culture. And now, with my parents expecting me to take over the family company, I feel like I won't have any time left to do what I actually love."
Noah's brow furrowed as he listened, his heart aching for Oliver. He stepped closer, gently taking Oliver's hand in his. "Oliver," he began softly, "you don't have to do anything you don't want to. You've already accomplished so much, and no matter what happens next, I'll be here for you. Whether you continue painting or run your parents' company, I'll support you."
Oliver's eyes met Noah's, the warmth of his words filling him with comfort. "But what if I don't have time to paint anymore?" Oliver asked, his voice cracking. "What if I lose that part of myself?"
Noah squeezed his hand, a reassuring smile on his face. "You'll never lose that part of yourself. You're an artist, Oliver. That won't change, no matter what you do. And whatever you decide, I'm with you every step of the way. This café isn't just mine anymore—it's ours. We can build a life together, whatever that looks like."
Oliver's heart swelled at Noah's words. He leaned in, resting his head on Noah's shoulder, the tension slowly leaving his body. "Thank you," Oliver whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for always being here."
Noah kissed the top of his head gently. "I'll always be here, Oliver. Always."
In that quiet moment, standing together under the stars, they felt a sense of peace settle over them. The future was uncertain, but they knew one thing for sure—they would face it together.