Chapter Text
“Closed,” Prapai groaned. “Great.”
“It’s fine, we’ll find somewhere else,” Payu told him, digging his phone out of his pocket. “There’s another cafe, like two minutes away.”
“Okay, that works,” Prapai agreed, and they started to head in that direction.
They made it to the cafe, which looked much homier than the chain coffee shop they normally went to. To be honest, it'd just happened to be the one that was closest to the racetrack, so that’s just where they ended up most of the time.
A bell rang when they opened the door, and the guy behind the counter’s head popped up. He was cute, Prapai observed, then shrugged it off without thinking much more of it. Payu, on the other hand, was gazing intensely at him.
“Pai?”
“Yeah?”
“We’re only coming here from now on.”
Prapai just laughed at that, well aware of how fixated Payu could get on something when he decided to go after it. He dragged him over to the counter, a little friendlier than normal with his greeting now that he knew Payu was interested.
“What can I get for you?” the boy behind the counter chirped. Prapai leaned in far enough to be able to read his nametag. Rain.
“Well, I’ll take a black tea, Nong Rain,” Prapai gave him a charming smile, leaning in a little more to make Payu fume. “And he’ll probably want something...sweet,” he nodded towards Payu, who was still staring at Rain like a serial killer. Payu didn’t go for sweet drinks, but Prapai thought he deserved some wingman points anyway.
“I’ll just have an Americano, nong,” Payu subtly nudged Pai out of the way, giving Rain the most normal smile he could apparently manage.
“Sure thing!” Rain said cheerily, punching in their order. He gave them their total, and Payu paid for their drinks before they seated themselves at a table right in front of a large window.
“What the hell, man?” Prapai teased him as soon as they sat down.
“He’s cute,” Payu defended. Which, yeah, but still.
“And you decided to frighten him because of that?”
“I did not frighten him,” Payu insisted, narrowing his eyes.
“Suuure,” Pai dragged the word out skeptically.
“It’s fine,” Payu asserted. “I’ll do better next time.”
“Whatever,” Pai shook his head. “I am not coming here every day just so you can flirt with the barista.”
They were swiftly interrupted by the arrival of their drinks. Prapai looked up at the boy who’d brought their drinks over, and his mind blanked out for a second.
“Thank you,” he blurted out, a full five seconds too late to be natural. “Nong Sky,” he added, reading his nametag.
“No problem,” Sky gave him a soft smile, and his mind went offline again. “Enjoy.”
Pai watched him go, but as soon as he was out of earshot, he whipped around to face Payu.
“We’re only coming here from now on.”
They came back the next day, and Rain greeted them with a wave and a big smile as soon as they walked through the door.
“Black tea and an Americano?” he asked, once they’d reached the counter.
“Very good,” Payu praised, leaning against the counter. “Not just a pretty face, then.”
Rain beamed at the compliment and put their orders in, worrying his lower lip in between his teeth as he did so. Payu’s eyes zeroed in on that, and Prapai took the opportunity to pinch him while he was distracted.
Payu kicked him in the shin without looking away from Rain, which was pretty good aim on his part. Rain gave them their total and Pai swiped his card, figuring he owed Payu from last time. Payu waited until Rain was looking to put money in the tip jar, and Prapai tried not to roll his eyes. They sat at the same table as last time, since it was the one with the best view. Prapai was looking out the window, but Payu was still staring at the boy behind the counter.
“Seriously,” Prapai snorted. “He’s gonna think you’re stalking him.”
“I can’t be interested?” Payu asked, without turning his head.
“You could tone it down,” Prapai advised, slowly leaning forward to slide Payu’s coffee away. Somehow, he noticed and grabbed the drink before Pai moved it more than an inch. Prapai slumped back in his chair, resigning himself to watching Payu watch Rain for the next thirty minutes or so.
He perked up instantly when Sky arrived at the cafe, hurrying to the counter and tying on an apron. He spoke to Rain for a bit, looking apologetic, and Prapai stared at him until he looked their way, then immediately pretended to be looking somewhere else. Payu, on the other hand, continued to stare unabashedly at Rain regardless of whether or not he looked over.
“Are you gonna do this every day?” Prapai asked, exasperated.
“Yes,” Payu stated emphatically.
Prapai rolled his eyes again, but then spotted Sky looking their way and gave him a soft smile. It was probably for the best if he kept coming here with Payu. Just to make sure he didn’t embarrass himself too badly.
They came back every day for the next week and a half, and Rain seemed continually delighted by their presence. He greeted them with a sunny smile when they came in, always remembered their orders, and giggled sweetly whenever Payu hit on him.
Normally, Payu moved extremely quickly, but he was hesitant to ask Rain out directly. When Prapai had asked about it, he’d brought up that Rain was at work, and might not feel comfortable rejecting a customer. It was a good point, but more importantly, it was also hilarious, since he got to watch his best friend be forced to take things slow for once. Payu was getting more and more forward with Rain, encouraged by how positively he was reacting. If Payu was trying to get asked out, though, Prapai didn’t really see that happening. Rain usually only said a few things to them before moving on to the next people in line, to Payu’s disappointment.
“He could put his number on my drink or something,” Payu complained after one interaction that lasted under a minute. Of course, the cafe was packed that day, but Payu seemed unable to notice that.
“It’s a mug,” Prapai reminded him. “If you wanted his number, you should’ve gotten a to-go cup.”
“That’s true, ” Payu perked up at the idea. “I’ll do that next time.”
“Fine by me,” Prapai shrugged. It wasn’t fine by him, but he knew it wasn’t going to happen. “Of course, then you won’t be able to sit here and stare at him for half an hour…”
“Nevermind.”
“You guys are here so often,” Rain said one day. “You must really like the coffee.”
“And the view,” Payu confirmed, giving Rain a once-over.
“It is a nice view,” Rain agreed cheerfully, glancing out the window.
Prapai bit his cheek to keep from laughing.
“Ever since we started coming here, this is my favorite part of the day.”
“That makes sense,” Rain smiled back. “I’m always excited to take my break, too.”
Prapai caught sight of Sky, and they both rolled their eyes.
“What do you order, Nong?”
“Mmm,” Rain tilted his head as he thought. “Usually a frappuccino.”
“Sweet,” Payu observed, “just like you.”
Prapai was so done with all of this.
Rain was arranging flower-shaped cookies on a decorative platter when they came in one day.
“Very cute,” Payu said, his eyes on Rain’s smile.
“I know! They’re so pretty,” Rain agreed happily, holding up a cookie. He gave them two for free, and Payu tipped him more than double what they would’ve cost.
“Can I get you guys anything else?”
“Your number would be nice,” Payu was smooth with his delivery, and Prapai was almost impressed.
“Your order number’s thirty-three,” Rain told him, looking slightly confused, “but Sky will just bring it over like always.”
“Thank you,” Prapai jumped in with a smile, and then dragged Payu away before he could embarrass himself again.
The cafe was virtually empty one day, and they ended up staying there longer, almost an hour. Without anyone in line, Rain was cleaning tables and talking to customers. Payu’s eyes were tracking him every time he moved, and Prapai had to resist the urge to start narrating a wildlife documentary.
“Hi, P’Payu, P’Pai,” Rain greeted them once he made his way over to their table. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s great,” Payu answered before Pai could. “You’re so sweet to ask.” Rain blushed a little at that, and Prapai bit his tongue rather than point out that he must be asking the same question to everyone. Since he worked here. At his job. “I wanted to get a pastry today,” Payu added. “What’s your favorite?”
“Chocolate croissant,” Rain answered excitedly before remembering himself. “But everything’s very good,” he added, in a much more professional tone.
Payu gave him a little smile at that, and Prapai just knew he had some sort of list somewhere. A very creepy list. Payu ordered two chocolate croissants, and Pai was briefly touched before he told Rain the second one was for him. Rain told him he didn’t need to do that, and Payu told him he wanted to. Honestly.
Rain brought the pastries over a minute later, actually sitting down with them to take his break. Prapai wasn’t sure which step this was on Payu’s twelve-point plan that he definitely had, but he knew his best friend. He could see the mental cartwheels he was doing.
“Are you in school?” Payu asked casually, as though he wasn’t going to put this on his list.
Rain nodded. “I’m just working here during my summer break,” he explained.
“Which faculty are you in?” Payu questioned.
“Architecture.” Payu lit up like a Christmas tree at that, and Prapai said a quick prayer that Rain actually liked Payu back. God help him otherwise.
Rain seemed surprised and impressed that Payu had graduated from the architecture faculty, even more so when he found out Payu had gone to the same university that he currently attended.
“So you’re an architect?” Rain was totally focused on Payu now, eyes wide.
“He’s a mechanic,” Prapai interjected, giving Payu his most charming smile when his friend’s eyes narrowed.
Rain tilted his head in confusion, and Payu explained, “My family owns a garage, so I already knew how to fix cars. I still wanted to get a degree, and I was interested in architecture, so that’s what I chose. Pai and I work at the racetrack down the road, but I still consult in architecture.”
“You’re a mechanic too, P’Pai?” Rain turned his attention to Pai, much to Payu’s dismay.
“No,” Prapai grinned. “He fixes the motorcycles. I ride them.” It was his favorite way of explaining their jobs, and Payu usually didn’t mind it at all. This time, however, he kicked Pai underneath the table while giving him a forced smile above it.
“That’s so cool!” Rain enthused. He peppered both of them with questions about racing and motorcycles until his break was over. As he got up to leave, Payu told him he was always happy to help with any architecture issues, and Rain glowed and said, “Thank you, phi!”
Payu was absolutely insufferable for the rest of the day, and at one point, Prapai had to remind him that he still didn’t have Rain’s number, just to bring him down a few notches. It worked.
Payu was insufferable at work for the next couple of days, going back and forth on whether it was appropriate for him to ask Rain out while he was at work.
“Oh my god,” Prapai eventually exploded at him. “Just make sure he knows you’re not gonna be a dick about it. And if he says no, you just never go back there again.”
“We never go back there again,” Payu corrected him.
“I won’t be the one embarrassing myself,” Pai pointed out. “Besides, I still have to get Sky’s number.”
“You barely talk to him.”
“He’s never up front! If Rain didn’t work the cash register, you wouldn’t get to talk to him, either,” Prapai replied, indignant. Sky made all the drinks and brought them out, unless Rain didn’t have a line. He also occasionally cleaned tables or came by to check on them, but it still didn’t give Pai the best chance to talk to him. Especially compared to how often Payu had an excuse to talk to Rain.
Payu eventually decided he’d be a little more forward, and see how Rain reacted. If he was still laughing at Payu’s jokes and smiling whenever they made eye contact, he’d ask him out. If not, he’d let it drop and hope he hadn’t made things too awkward. Prapai made fun of him for this plan nonstop as soon as he’d decided on it.
The next day, they walked in, both equally eager. Payu, to finally find out if Rain was actually interested, and Prapai, to watch Payu fall on his face and try to recover. Behind the counter, however, was Sky. Prapai made a beeline for him at once, trying to look smooth as he leaned on the counter.
“Hello, beautiful,” he greeted Sky. “How’s your day going? Mine’s better now.”
Sky raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed, and asked what he’d like to order. He was trying to come up with a clever response when Payu walked up behind him.
“Where’s Rain?” he asked, doing his best to sound casual and failing completely.
“He’s sick,” Sky replied, tone suspicious. He looked Payu up and down. “Why do you care?” Payu shrugged, and Prapai tried not to laugh at how put out he looked.
“What can I get for you?” Sky asked again.
“Your number,” Prapai grinned cheekily, blatantly stealing Payu’s line and feeling absolutely no qualms about it. Besides, it hadn’t even paid off for him, so he really shouldn’t get too worked up about it.
“Stop that,” Sky said severely. “Black tea and an Americano?”
“You remembered,” Prapai was practically swooning at this point, despite Sky’s facial expression. He took the fact that he knew Prapai’s order by heart, and he ran with it. Nevermind that he knew Payu’s, too, or that they’d been in every day for the last few weeks. Clearly, there was something between them. Sky rolled his eyes and punched their order in. It was Payu’s turn to pay, but Prapai got his card out first, handing it over to Sky with a smile. He tipped extra well, which Sky didn’t appear to notice in the slightest. Prapai started to walk over to their usual table, but Payu was still lingering at the counter.
“How sick is he?” Payu asked Sky. “Rain,” he added, clarifying.
Sky narrowed his eyes at Payu, reevaluating him. “Aren’t you that guy that’s always hitting on him?” he asked mildly, raising an eyebrow. Payu was dumbstruck for a second, not reacting at first, before he eventually nodded. Sky let out a long sigh before informing him, "Yeah, he has no clue.”
“What?” That seemed to bring him back to reality, and he turned fully back to the counter, facing Sky.
“That you like him,” Sky clarified, shaking his head. “He just thinks you’re really friendly.”
“I’m not friendly,” Payu protested, before backtracking. “No, I mean I am, but–”
“I already know this,” Sky told him, mock patiently. “Rain is the one who hasn’t figured it out.”
“But I asked for his number,” Payu argued. “I told him he was the best part of my day.”
“Okayyy,” Sky dragged the word out judgmentally. “I didn’t actually hear that one. But regardless, I already told him. Several times. He did not listen.” Payu nodded several times at that, hesitating before he spoke.
“So, is he not into me, or…?”
Sky stared Payu down and gave him the most withering look Prapai had ever seen. Payu made the smart decision and beat a hasty retreat, and Prapai followed him to the safety of their table. After he winked at Sky.
Rain was back the next day, looking no worse for wear. Payu nudged him in the side when they made it to the counter, and Prapai got the message. He wandered over to the pastry case, pretending he was trying to decide on one. It was an ideal spot for two reasons. One, he was still close enough to eavesdrop on Payu’s conversation with Rain. Two, it put him a foot away from Sky, who also looked to be listening in. Prapai winked conspiratorially at him, and he raised an eyebrow without further reaction, which just confirmed Prapai’s suspicions.
“I hope you’re feeling better?” Payu was saying to Rain. Prapai shifted slightly so he could see them out of the corner of his eye. He wasn’t nosy, he was just being supportive.
“Much better, thanks,” Rain replied cheerfully. “How are you, phi?”
“I’m good,” Payu’s tone would probably have sounded normal to most people, but Prapai had known him long enough to pick up on the underlying nerves. “But…since you’re feeling better, I was wondering if you’d want to go out sometime?”
“Out?”
“On a date,” Payu clarified. “With me.”
“Oh.” Rain’s eyes were wide with shock. Prapai had no clue how he could have missed all the flirting, but it looked like Sky was right when he said Rain was oblivious.
“Of course, if you’re not interested–” Payu started, once Rain had been quiet for a few moments.
“I’m just…surprised,” Rain explained, interrupting. “But, um, I’d like that? To go on a date. With you.”
Payu’s face broke out in a wide grin, and Prapai couldn’t help the rush of fondness he felt at that. Sure, it was nice making fun of him for chasing after Rain so wholeheartedly, but it really was sweet to see him finally succeed. Payu stepped in a little closer to the counter, talking to Rain in a voice low enough that Prapai couldn’t hear it. Judging from the expression on Sky’s face, he was in the same boat, and he was slightly miffed about it.
“Look at that,” Prapai smiled as he nodded towards Rain and Payu. “I guess that’s the key.”
Sky raised an eyebrow, prompting him to continue. “What’s the key?”
“Just keep showing up until he agrees to go out with you.”