Work Text:
Things had technically got better with Rain’s parents. As in, Type had become more present in Phayu’s life. Type worked at the hospital down the road from Phayu's firm, which meant on Rain’s day off he would force Phayu and Type to have lunch together. It became increasingly clear how much Type adored his son, even if the two of them bickered like crazy. Sometimes Sky would accompany them, which usually meant Pai was not far behind.
The only one missing was Rain’s Dad.
Rain never admitted that it stung when his dad declined to come to lunch even though he also worked close by. Often citing meetings or clients or looming deadlines. It was an ever present thing that nobody mentioned, even if everytime Rain looked sadder and Type looked angrier.
The day was overcast, a thick cloud bank had rolled in the night before that left everything washed out and leaving people in a gloomy mood. Phayu was waiting at the front of his firm for Rain to come pick him up, idly checking emails. His car had died the previous night, and with the threat of rain, his sunshine boy didn't want him driving his motorcycle. Regardless of the fact that Phayu had driven in the rain before, he couldn't say no to Rain’s pout and Rain had driven him to work. (The kiss he had gotten from Rain with a bunny smile had made it well worth it).
He ignored the other cars that rolled up waiting for Rain’s blue car (a new one since Phayu refused to allow his sweet boy in something that was clearly about to die). It was about ten minutes after Rain had agreed to pick him up, Phayu having watched Rain put a reminder in his phone, and no texts from Rain. It was exam season, so Phayu wasn’t too concerned yet. He’d give Rain another ten before calling him, he would be patient for his sunshine, (while thinking of some fun punishments he could dole out).
A horn beeping broke his concentration, making him look up from the email he had been reading. It was a white SUV that Phayu unfortunately recognized. Rolling down the window Phayu saw it was Rain’s Dad, Tharn.
Panic surged through him. He stuffed his phone into his bag as he rushed down the steps.
“Rain lost his keys.” Is what Tharn says to him in lieu of greeting. He nearly slumps against the side of the car with relief. Rain losing things was normal, and much easier to deal with.
“Type is trying to help him find them,” Tharn continues, “He asked if I could pick you up.”
Phayu nods, opening the car door with a small hint of reluctance. It's not that he thinks Tharn will do anything to him, lest he upset Rain and by proxy Type. But being around Tharn puts his nerves on edge, he isn't usually rattled, but Tharn is Rain's dad and his approval is important. Rain loves his parents, and Phayu doesn't want to be the thing that comes between them.
That is what Phayu is thinking about while Tharn drives them back to Rain’s childhood home. He doesn't fidget or fuss in his seat the way Rain might. Simply sits there, staring passively ahead. Luck would have it, was not on their side. Rush hour had hit hard, trapping Phayu in the car with his future father in law (because while Phayu would never admit it, but he wanted to marry Rain since their first meeting).
“Type,” Phayu startles at Tharn's words, “says you're looking for a new job?”
Phayu blinks at that, not prepared for the knowledge that Type talks about Phayu with his husband, having figured that he was considered an off limits conversation.
“Not quite. I'm looking to get a promotion. If I don't receive it, I'm considering going to another firm for a higher pay.”
“Do you need the money? I thought you worked two jobs already.”
Phayu nods, “I only work partially for the garage. And I want to be secure in the knowledge that I can provide for Rain.”
It may or may not be the right thing to say, Tharn’s face doesn't give anything away. The whole time he's been driving he has kept a close eye on the road, refusing to look at Phayu.
They drive on a little further, only the music filling the space.
“Do you think you can?”
Phayu turns to look at Tharn, “Can what?”
“Provide for Rain.”
“Yes.” Confidence right now feels more important than total honesty. Phayu thinks he can provide anything Rain could need or desire, but insecurities are not so easily squashed. The phantom of Stop still exists.
“Rain was a handful growing up.” Tharn starts, “He was always losing things, getting distracted which led him to getting hurt. When he was five he wandered away from us at the floating market. Type thought I was holding him, I thought Type was hiding him. Once we realised the mistake it had been less than two minutes. It took us thirty to find him. Throughout it all I had to remain calm because Type was freaking out. When Type gets upset he gets angry, and I knew what he was thinking about. My primary role in life is to provide for Type, something I take great pleasure in. Something I think you understand.” Tharn stared him down, in a way that Phayu knew he was being seen. Not just Rain and his dynamic, but the way that Phayu was. Down to his core he was a provider, would only feel satisfied in life if he had someone he could look after. That's why he wondered if soulmates did exist, because it feels like Rain was made for him. The way Rain bloomed when he was taken care of, the way he would melt under Phayu's care, and just enough brattiness that kept Phayu on the edge, ready to bite.
Tharn continues, “And I also need to provide for Rain. He's my son and I know what he's like.”
And the kind of boys he attracts, goes unsaid.
Phayu sucks in a breath, “I love Rain, Khun-Tharn, and I will do what I need to do to prove it to you.”
Tharn hums and they continue on.
***
Whatever Phayu was expecting when walking into Type and Tharn's house, it was not it looking like it had been ransacked.
Every piece of furniture has been moved, all the cushions taken off the couch and chairs, and the doors of the closets were wide open. Tharn just sighed, putting his shoes on the shoe rack (after putting the shoe rack back in place).
“Type!” He called, “I'm home. And I brought-”
“P’Phayu!”
Between one moment and the next Phayu’s arms were filled with his sunshine. Rain wrapped himself around Phayu, ducking his face into Phayu’s neck. He didn't sound like he had been crying, but there was an edge to his voice that had Phayu on high alert.
“What happened, sweet boy?” He tried to tug Rain so he could see his face but Rain refused to budge.
Out of the corner of his eye Phayu could see the worry on Tharn’s face. This was not just misplaced keys. Tharn faltered for a second before moving towards Rain, placing his hand on his son’s back.
“Rain, what happened?” Phayu had not spent a lot of time with Tharn, but he could recognise the tone of voice. Soft, but demanding, one Rain (and probably Type) responded well too.
“Oh good you’re home.” Type came around the corner, looking exhausted. It must have been his day off as he wasn’t wearing his scrubs, instead an oversized t-shirt and relaxed shorts. His hair didn’t seem to have been brushed and there were lines under his eyes.
Tharn, seeing his distressed partner, gave Rain another pat before engulfing Type with a hug. It was instantaneous, the way Type melted into Tharn’s hold. A mirror to Phayu and Rain.
“Baby, what happened?” Tharn asked, “I thought Rain was coming over for a visit. How did all this happen?”
Rain seemed to shrink into Phayu’s hold. With the weakest sounding voice he responded to Tharn, “It’s my fault Dad.” Rain pulled slightly back from Phayu, but not far enough because Phayu was not letting go, “I was running late and I couldn't find my keys and then I couldn't find my phone to text Phayu and then-”
Type moved away from Tharn to quickly engulf Rain in a hug, “Rain, shhh, you're panicking again.”
Phayu intimately knew that Rain had probably already worked himself into a near panic, and would be bordering one for a while. It didn't actually surprise Phayu, Rain’s finals always stressed his sweet boy out. He would sleep less, socialise less with his friends outside of study sessions, and had less time for Phayu. Something like this was bound to happen, it was good it had happened at his parents house.
Rain deflated against Phayu, a pained noise making Phayu wince. Despite his parents being right there, Phayu wrapped Rain back into his arms, softly shushing his boy.
“Why don't the two of you head up to Rain's room, we'll clean up down here?” Suggested Type. Phayu was grateful, easily guiding Rain up the stairs so that his parents could clean up (and Tharn could deal with a frazzled Type).
Safely tucked into Rain’s bed, Phayu drew random lines onto Rain's back as he allowed his sweet boy to relax. It was as if a switch had been flipped, Rain nearly falling asleep as the panic left him.
“I'm sorry.” Rain mumbled after a while.
“What for?”
“I promised to get you from work, I was looking forward to it. And then I messed up and Dad had to get you. I know you don't like being around him.”
Phayu sucked in a sharp breath. He hated that Rain felt stressed because Phayu and Tharn didn't get along, something that was out of Rain’s control. It probably didn't help that Phayu's parents loved Rain, a stark contrast.
He pressed a kiss to the crown of Rain’s head. “Don't worry about that-”
Rain sat straight up, his eyes shining, “I can't help it P’Phayu. I want Dad to get along with you, I want to be able to enjoy time with all of us together. I don't want to feel like I have to pick between my parents and you.”
“Oh my sweet boy,” Phayu pressed another kiss, “I will never allow that to happen. Don't worry about me, okay?”
***
Tharn had never felt like a worse person in his life than in that moment. After calming Type down he had started straightening up the house. Despite the first glance, it wasn't all that bad. He had sent Type to the kitchen to make dinner when, while moving the couch back into position he found both his son's keys and phone. He didn't know how both his son and husband had missed them, but had been around them long enough to not bother questioning it.
He had simply wanted to give Rain his stuff, the door had been open a crack and he had been about to knock when he had heard their hushed voices. His son had sounded so desperate, tears evident in his tone, and it was Tharn’s fault.
He was glad that Type hadn’t come up because he was sure his husband would kill him. When they had gotten Rain the one thing, the only thing, Type had been terrified was he would turn into his father. Type had never had to be scared of that, because it had been Tharn.
Sitting down heavily on the top of the steps, he hung his head. Type and him had been together for almost three decades, and not once had Type’s dad ever acknowledged it. Tharn had seen the way it had etched into Type’s being. The ignored calls, the missed holidays, the evasive conversations. And now Tharn was doing the exact same thing to his own son.
“Tharn?”
He looked up to see Type at the bottom of the stairs. His brows were knit together, one foot on the step. And wasn’t this his fault too? Making Type have to evade him for Rain’s sake. He knew Type liked Phayu enough to include him in family settings, knew that Type was happy their son had found someone who loved him the way he deserved. And yet, Tharn was being a stubborn ass.
He swallowed down everything, getting up from his perch. “I’m fine.”
Type clearly didn’t believe him, but Tharn knew he wouldn’t push until he felt necessary. Right now Tharn needed to do some serious self-reflection. He refused to become the thing that haunted his own relationship for his son.