Sunset X Vibes, Episode 8, immerses us in the intricate dynamics of Lin's photoshoot, where Sun's insistent presence—ostensibly to safeguard the jewelry—stirs up hidden emotions. Lin, mindful of concealing their bond, finds himself grappling with Sun's barely contained excitement.
As preparations ensue, Lin inquires about the jasmine flower props, and once on set, fleeting memories from his dream linger. Madame Amaraporn's approving nod echoes her vision perfectly realized. However, as the cameras click, Lin hesitates, seeking his footing amidst the spotlight.
During a fleeting respite, a slip of the hand sends the jasmine flower plummeting, and in that instant, Lin envisions a plea for assistance. His consciousness slips, landing him in a surreal underwater abyss, echoing the depths of his dreams.
On the university grounds, Prim's heart skips a beat at the sight of her boyfriend, her call unanswered as he remains oblivious. Her joy in having such a considerate partner turns sour as she witnesses him embracing another. Coldly, he discards Prim, blaming her for withholding intimacy after their prolonged courtship.
Back at the office, Pim's tender gaze catches Prim's tears, offering a compassionate shoulder to lean on. Meanwhile, Yo and Sam's chance encounter prompts Yo to flee, but Sam's gentle plea to reclaim their former camaraderie lingers. Before Yo can respond, a call about Lin's condition interrupts the moment.
At the hospital, Sun recounts Lin's sudden collapse, his tale fraught with the specter of a sea monster menacingly approaching in his dreamscape. In the hospital room, Prim ponders the enigmatic creature's identity, Naga whispers floating in the air. Sun reveals Lin's lifelong fascination with the dream, but Prim's memory stirs, recalling a different narrative—of a man, not a woman.
Outside, the team unites in prayer and the smoke of incense sticks, a desperate plea for Lin's well-being amidst medical uncertainty. Sam's selfless offer to attend a crucial meeting alleviates Sun's concern, allowing him to remain by Lin's side in this uncertain hour.
As Lin drifted in his slumber, his dreams transported him back to that fateful rock, reuniting him with Sidarin. She unveiled the truth, revealing that this realm within his dreams was but a mirror of his soul's depths, beseeching his aid.
Meanwhile, in the sterile confines of the hospital, Sun's eyes flickered open to find Lin still lost in his slumber, despite the doctor's assurance that his vital signs were inexplicably normal. Undeterred, Sun became Lin's vigilant guardian, as Lin's dreams wandered through the labyrinthine caves of Sidarin's memories.
Lin's father stormed into the hospital, fury etched on his face, demanding answers from Sun before storming to Lin's bedside, tears of frustration mingling with his anger. In his dreams, Lin bore witness to Sidarin's tale of betrayal, the shocking revelation of her sister's murder and the shattering loss of her beloved Lord Phraya Suriyen. He saw her trapped, a prisoner of her own guilt, within the shadowy recesses of the cave.
Sun's heart heavy, he retreated to his own abode, where a chance discovery awaited him—jewelry eerily reminiscent of the ones adorning Sidarin's neck in Lin's dreamscapes. With a newfound sense of purpose, he hastened back to the hospital, gently placing the beads upon Lin's wrist, tears streaming down his face as he pleaded for Lin's return.
As if by some divine intervention, Lin's eyes fluttered open, a sense of confinement lifting from his soul. Spotting the beads, Sun affirmed their significance as a protective amulet imbued with the power of the Naga, specifically Naga Suriyen, fueling Lin's belief that they were indeed a link to his dream-weaver.
News of Lin's awakening raced to his father, who hastened to his son's side, pleading for him to abandon his path and return home. But Lin, driven by his aspirations, artfully persuaded his father, promising a return once his internship was complete.
Elsewhere, in the bustle of a lively bar, Sun's encounter with his fiancée was punctuated by the demands of a selfie, drawing them into a fleeting moment of intimacy. Back at the hospital, whispers and speculations swirled among the interns, their curiosity piqued by Sun's absence and the rumors of his impending union. They shared a photograph, evidence of a life beyond Lin's hospital walls.
Upon Sun's return, he found Lin gone, the beads left behind as a testament to their shared journey. Frantic, he raced home, only to discover that Lin had vanished from there too, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a heartbroken Sun. And so, Lin sat, solitude his only companion, beneath the sheltering branches of a tree, lost in thought and the aftermath of his extraordinary dream.
