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Chapter Text

Rain didn't have time to regret approaching the ill-tempered Payu, sure addressing the hothead might be a mistake but Rain knows he has to do this. And with no other option, the boy marches forward. There stood Payu and his menacing crew, Prapai, and the wonder twins Tho and Aek. They're called that because it's a wonder what they can't use their money to get out of. Payu and his bunch are what society would consider bullies. They fight, cause terror, and walk around as if they own the campus. They're practically untouchable and envied by everyone. Rain on the other hand wasn't phased by Payu and his band of misfits. He couldn't care less about what those boys do. All his focus belonged to none other than Saifah. 

For as long as he can remember Rain has been infatuated with Saifah. The senior is unlike any other guy he's ever met, with a commanding but calming presence, Saifah lit up any room he walked into. The senior had manners and he helped those in need. That's how Rain came to fall for him. It was a gloomy rainy night, Rain found himself trapped in the campus parking lot with a stalled car. Thanks to the amazing guy who came to his rescue and jump-started his car, Rain has never been the same since. Though Saifah is a private person everyone knew the senior was bisexual, so Rain knew he had a chance. But unfortunately for the boy, he was too apprehensive to approach Saifah and admit his feelings. So, the next best thing is to give a well-written letter to his brother in hopes it gets to him. 

Sadly for Rain, Saifah's twin brother just so happens to be Payu. And although he knows this is probably the worst idea he's ever had, Rain just sucks it up and approaches him anyway. Though he's too timid to approach his crush, Rain has no problem going up the intimidating group of bullies. 

Payu and his crew walk around campus instilling fear in others without even trying. Everyone begins averting their eyes as the group passes by, but Rain sees them and begins advancing towards them. To everyone's surprise, he marches towards them stopping Payu and his friends in their tracks. For the first time, everyone focuses on Payu and his friends as the shorter younger boy stands in front of him. Without fear Rain holds out an envelope in front of the other.

Standing tall staring at Rain domineeringly and with furrowed brows, Payu and his friends glare at the boy as everyone else just gawks. Rain gulps as he presents the envelope in front of Payu with both hands. Bowing his head Rain is about to speak before he's pulled away from the guys causing him to drop the letter. Sig and Sky continue pulling their friend away as he yells at them to stop. Turning around Rain watches Payu pick up the envelope as they disappear in the distance. 

"Are you crazy?!" Sky barks once they're far enough. "Why would you go up to them?" 

"Why did you guys do that? I told you I would talk to him about P'Saifah!" Rain yanks himself from their grasp

"We were also drunk when you said that, we thought you were joking. We all laughed remember?" Sig reminds him. "Your plan never made sense"

"I have to go back!" Rain turns walking away.

"Rain Stop!" Sky follows him. "Don't mess with P'Payu." 

"Why not? I'm not scared of him, I just need him to give his brother the letter."

"He'll never do that Rain."

"Yes, he will if I ask nicely." Rain insists as he returns to the spot where they left Payu and his letter. Now both are gone. "Fuck!" Rain sighs looking around for a sign of Payu but he's nowhere to be found. 

Rain wonders if Sig was right, what was he thinking? now Payu has his letter and without an explanation who knows what he'll think. Maybe he'll just think it's a big joke and trash the whole thing, or maybe it'll piss him off and he'll beat Rain up. He wouldn't find out until the next day. Now all Rain can do is spend his night worried about what the next school day will bring. 

Vigilantly the boy walks around campus afraid to be spotted. He's sure Payu has no idea who he is and his name wasn't on the letter, so he'd have a hard time finding Rain. Except that's not the case.

As he waits for his friends in the canteen during lunch, Rain is on his phone with his head down when something is loudly slammed on the table in front of him. Startled the boy jumps away yelping in the process. As he tries to settle his palpitating heart Rain realizes who scared him. Payu stands there staring at the surprised boy. Rain is perturbed by the way the other leers at him. He's sure he's about to get his ass handed to him. But Payu was alone, not a menacing sidekick in sight, and he was holding a bottle. 

Not saying a word Payu pulls the envelope from his pocket dropping it on the table, causing Rain to wince at the site. 

"You wrote this right?" He finally speaks 

"I can explain," Rain quickly picks up the letter. "I wanted to ask nicely yesterday but my friends—" Rain is immediately cut off by the bottled drink being thrusted at him. Taking the drink Rain pulls the post-it note stuck to it reading the one word written on it. 

'Yes'

Payu is a man of few words but he's sure his one-word response would get the point across, but the perplexed look all over Rain's face says otherwise. He wasn't sure what Payu was saying yes to. Is he agreeing to give his brother the letter? 

"Yes?" Rain questions

"When are you done with classes?" 

"at 3," He mindlessly answers. "But—"

"Meet me at the entrance when you're done." And he just walks away.

"Wait but—" Rain is left dumbfounded by that entire interaction. 

Rain goes on about his day still bemused by Payu, the senior doesn't interact with his juniors besides the ones he fights. Everyone in classes below Payu and his friends tends to avoid them, and now Rain is finally realizing why Payu is asking to meet him. 

"Oh my god, you're dead!" Sig panics as Rain tells them what happened before they showed up. "He's for sure going to beat you up and his friends are going to hold you down while he does it."

"You don't know that!" Sky defends Rain to Sig then turns to his friend, "but I definitely wouldn't meet up with him though."

"It's in front of the school in the middle of the day, what could he possibly do to me?" 

"The not knowing is what should scare you!"

"You're being dramatic, Sig. If this is my chance to get close to P'Saifah then I'm taking it. I don't care what P'Payu does to me." Anything was worth meeting Saifah. Rain was sure of his feelings for him and he just needed someone to give him a chance, and that someone unfortunately happens to be Saifah's short-tempered twin brother.  

Rain couldn't explain it but something in him believed Payu wouldn't hurt him, yes he's known for doing exactly that to whomever he wants. But Rain had a feeling he'd be ok. So, despite his friend's reservations, the boy leaves his final class to meet Payu. None of that means he can't be nervous though. He prays Payu is taking him to Saifah but there's really no way of knowing until it happens. 

Payu doesn't make him wait long, watching the shiny black G-wagon stop in front of him, Rain sees the older one getting out and walking towards him. "Are you ready?" Payu asks 

Confused Rain shakes his head, "what's going on?" Opening his passenger door Payu waits without a word. "You want me to get in?" Payu nods, "to go where?" 

"My house, are you in or not?" 

The grin flashing across his face says he's definitely in. Walking over he climbs the car and Payu waits until he's sat comfortably before shutting the door. 

Any sensible person would agree this is a bad idea, without much thought Rain just gets into a bully's car going with him to god knows where. Rain isn't sure he truly believes Payu is taking him to Saifah, the senior is just sitting there driving not saying a word. Rain sneaks a few glances at him as he drives and he remains stoic. What could he possibly be thinking? What if he's taking Rain somewhere to hurt him like Sig said? But after a 20-minute drive, Payu's car pulls into what Rain can only describe as a mansion. Has Payu and Saifah been secretly rich this entire time?

"This is where you live?" Rain gapes in awe as Payu drives around his estate to park next to perfectly aligned sports cars and motorcycles. "Are you rich?" 

"Are you impressed?" Payu asks as he exits the car walking over to Rain's side to open his door. Climbing out the boy continues to ogle at the house as they walk towards it. The closer they got the more Rain's nerves climbed at the thought of meeting Saifah. The letter is burning a hole in his pocket and he can't wait to give it to the person that was meant to read it. Rain continues to follow behind Payu as they enter the foyer to his home. His attention is quickly pulled from the beautiful architecture to the guy attentively bending down to place house slippers in front of him. 

Payu looks up as he grabs Rain's ankle waiting for the boy to lift his foot. A quiet shock in his eyes as he looks down at Payu waiting at his feet, no one's ever done this for him before Rain thinks. Allowing Payu to lift his leg and remove his shoes for him, Rain steps into the slippers. Standing back up he reaches for Rain's jacket taking it off the boy and taking his bag in the process. Rain couldn't understand what was happening, this wasn't the same guy who walked around with his friends reigning terror on everyone. This guy seems nice, and gentle, like he couldn't hurt anything even if he tried. 

When will it ever be the right time to speak? Rain involuntarily follows behind Payu, neither has spoken a word in minutes. Now in a living room, Payu turns to Rain looking at the boy with maybe the softest eyes Rain's ever seen him look at anyone. "You're probably hungry, you haven't eaten since noon. Make yourself comfortable, I'll get us snacks and drinks."

"Uh—" Rain watches Payu walk away, completely puzzled by this person he can hardly recognize. Where are his friends? Where's the impending beatdown? Was Sig actually right? Was the not knowing what to expect worse? 

As he slowly peruses the room Rain comes to a halt when he sees Saifah pass by, Rain's feet take action before he can. The boy goes after the older one just going about his business. Saifah is busy on his phone so he doesn't notice Rain standing there staring, but the senior is startled when he turns looking up from his phone to an unfamiliar smile staring at him. 

"Hey," Siafah greets with a smile, "how are you?" Rain is finding it difficult to answer. "Is everything ok?" 

Snapping out of it Rain starts, "I'm great! everything is great!"

"Okay," saifah nods." Are you a friend of my brother's?" 

"Kind of I'm his junior. But I'm here to meet you actually, I wrote you something." Rain reaches for the letter in his pants pocket, trying to stop himself from shaking as he hands it to Saifah. 

"This is for me?" Saifah looks down at the envelope and then back up at Rain. The boy nods and Saifah asks, "What is it?" 

"Um..." Rain gulps mustering the courage. "I've never been able to approach you like this before, and I'm just so thankful that I could finally get the chance to meet you today and give that to you. I've wanted to tell you how I felt—"

"How do you feel?" Rain is cut off by Payu standing behind him holding a tray of food. "What's going on?" Payu confusingly asks his brother

Shrugging Saifah answers, "Your junior just gave me this and said something about wanting to meet me?" He looks at Rain for confirmation 

"You used me to meet my brother?" Rain couldn't understand the tone of the question. "That letter was for him?" 

"Used you? I thought you were helping me meet him." 

"Wait why do you want to meet me?" Saifah couldn't understand what was happening, and it all dawns on Payu at once. Dropping the tray on the nearest table, Payu walks over grabbing the letter from his brother and Rain's arm dragging the boy away. 

Rain is practically shoved into Payu's car with his things. Now he's in for another awkward car ride riddled with fuming silence. This time things felt way off than before. As he sits there next to the senior quietly simmering with anger beside him Rain finally realizes what happened. There's no way Payu actually believes the letter was for him. The boy refuses to believe that someone like Payu would ever even think about others' feelings towards him, let alone entertain the idea. 

It also dawns on Rain that his Yes during lunch today wasn't a yes to bringing him home to meet Saifah, Payu was saying yes to—

"Get out." Rain is pulled out of his thoughts by Payu's harsh words. Realizing they've made it back to campus Rain turns to the senior not budging. 

"Did I do something wrong?" 

"Yes, now get out of my car." His tone doesn't change which is all the answer Rain needed. 

"Fine be an asshole." The boy collects his things. "It's not my fault you misunderstood." He exits the car. 

Rushing out of the driver's seat Payu asks loudly. "What was there to not understand? You hand me a letter why shouldn't I have thought it was meant for me?" 

"You read it, did you really think any of my words fit you? Why would you just assume any of it was about you? Who in their right mind would confess to you??" That last bit got away from him. 

"What'd you just say?" Payu's stare turns cold

"Nothing." Rain quickly denies remembering who he's talking to. "Can I have my letter back please?" He holds out his hand

"This?" Payu pulls it from his pocket. "This is what you want? So you can keep using your stupid fucking words on people?!" He angrily tears up the letter causing Rain to gasp 

Tossing the torn-up pieces on the ground Rain looks at him distraught. "Why would you do that?" Payu doesn't stay for another second to see the sadness on Rain's face, and the boy is just left there watching his well-thought-out words blow away in the wind.

Chapter Text

Rain's considered a royal fuck up in many aspects of his life. The boy does the bare minimum of schoolwork. Gets drunk with his friends and gets into easily avoidable trouble for shits and giggles. But from the moment he met Saifah, Rain knew he'd have to clean up his act to get a guy like that. 

Saifah was pretty revered on their campus. He's considered the student head of the engineering department. Known for his kindness and philanthropic work, Saifah was a model senior. So it was easy to fall for someone like him. But poor Rain was trapped with the angry at the world, despises everything brother as the student head of his department. Being Payu's junior wasn't what it's cracked up to be. The senior ignores his juniors and only addresses the ones who kisses his feet. Rain refused to kiss anyone's feet so he stayed far far away from Payu. 

But it isn't far enough because now he's done something he's sure will get him negative attention from Payu and his crew until he graduates. Deciding to steer clear until it all dies down, Rain sits with Sky in the canteen as they eat. Rain deemed his friends right after what happened with Payu. Without a second thought, the senior just tore up his letter, and Rain is still bewildered by why he reacted that way. He still refuses to believe that Payu thought the letter was for him.

"Why is it so hard to believe? You gave him an unmarked letter with no clue of who it's about, any half-brained person would have assumed. Also, can we talk about the fact that he said yes? Do you think that meant he was accepting your confession?" 

"How crazy would that be? I am definitely not that scary guy's type." Rain scoffs at the idea and the two continue to eat.

With a full spoon on its way to his mouth Rain's hand comes to a halt when they hear, "Nong Rain?" His name is uttered by none other than the love of his life. Smiling at the stunned look on the nong's face Saifah sits down next to Sky and they share a quick bow. "Remember me? You were dragged out of my house yesterday." Rain can only nod. "I was wondering if we could finish our conversation?" Saifah waits for an answer but poor Rain can only give a dumbfounded look as a response. Never in his wildest dreams would Saifah be talking to him so casually like this. And of course, the boy is trying to figure out how the senior could've learned his name. "Would that be ok?" 

Sky kicks his friend under the table finally breaking the boy's trance. Rain blinks replying, "Yes that'd be very ok."

"I'll leave you guys to it," Sky smiles grabbing his tray and quickly getting up. 

Cursing Sky's name for ditching him Rain tries not to panic at Saifah sitting in front of him. The boy looked around as if anyone would care that they were talking. "Why did Payu drag you away like that yesterday?" 

Gulping before he responds Rain starts, " I gave P'Payu a letter to give you, and then he invited me over to your house so I assumed it was to meet you. But I don't think that's why he brought me there." 

"Is it the same letter that you gave me yesterday before he took it away?" Rain nods. "It was meant for me, not him?" After another nod Saifah asks, "Is it ok if I read the letter?" 

Dropping his head, "P'Payu tore it up." The boy admits. 

Saifah huffs out a laugh. "Of course he did." 

"I didn't mean to make him upset I honestly don't even know why he is upset. I just didn't have any other way of approaching you about my feelings so I thought he'd be the next best thing, but that was a very big mistake." 

Of that whole spiel Saifah only registered— "Do you have feelings for me, Nong Rain?" The question causes a breath to get stuck in Rain's throat. Is this really happening? He wonders. Did Saifah really just ask him that? "It's ok if you do I'm not my brother I won't get angry." Giving his senior an approving nod the other smiles, "I'm flattered nong really but I should tell you I have a girlfriend." 

Rain's sure being struck by an 18-wheeler would hurt less than those four words. Four foul words were uttered by the only thing he's ever longed for. He always thought he would never have a chance because the senior was out of his league, but no one accounted for a girlfriend. 

"Who is she? Does she go to our school?" Is all he could ask 

"No, she doesn't. But listen I'm glad I was able to find you—"

"How did you find me?" Rain questions 

"You told me you were in my brother's department so I just went from there, it was pretty easy. But what I was going to say is to not let Payu get to you. I'm sorry he tore your letter but I'll make sure he doesn't bother you anymore, okay?"

Rain nods. "Thank you, Phi." 

Rain sat there for a while after Saifah left, stewing in devastation after the senior's cordial rejection. He knew everything about Saifah, how could he have missed such an important detail? But at least now Rain knows he can move on. And moving on was one thing the boy was great at, he's never one to dawdle on something for too long. 

With an onward and upward attitude Rain tries his best to get over his feelings. It helped that he wasn't rejected for any other reason than his possible suitor being taken. Now, with a new lease, the boy feels like a sort of weight has been lifted off his shoulders. 

"What's the plan then?" Rain joins his friends after class 

"We're thinking fried chicken and beer. You in?" Sig asks 

"I'm definitely in!" Rain, Sig, and Sky head for the parking lot. As they're heading for Rain's car the boy stops in his tracks, he notices in the distance that Payu is standing by his vehicle. "Oh, what the hell is this now?" 

Sky and Sig stop walking when they also see him. "What does he want?" Sky asks and Rain shrugs 

"Can't be good," Sig adds. "Welp Sky and I are gonna get a taxi and meet you there, right Sky?" Sig hints at him as he pulls Sky away 

"Yep, we're good with a taxi." 

"You guys are not ditching me again!" Rain barks as his friends back away from him, "punks!" They abandon their friend at the sight of the bully hoping to not be caught in his wrath. 

As he reluctantly approaches his car, Rain skeptically scans around hoping others are near to at least witness if Payu does something to him. The moment Payu sets eyes on him panic starts to settle in. Now that it's too late to run the boy just walks up to the other waiting. 

"I could've sworn I told you to stay away from me and my brother." Payu starts sternly

"Really? I don't remember that." Rain tries to remain indifferent as he unlocks his car to throw his backpack in the back seat. "And for your information, your brother came to talk to me."

With his back turned as he shuts the car door Rain doesn't notice Payu approaching, but he surely is taken aback when the older one shoves him against his car balling up his collar in his fist. "Do you have a death wish? Seriously do you know who I am?" Payu questions menacingly 

"Yes, I'm aware." Rain remains calm despite his situation.

"Then you do have a death wish. No one fucks with me, you know that right?" 

"I haven't done anything to you P'Payu." 

"Then what do you call giving me that freaking letter?!" He barks holding Rain tighter 

"That was a mistake! Obviously!" Rain catches himself raising his voice making Payu scold him harder. He stares at the boy as if he wants to rip his head off, and Rain knows he'd have no problem doing it. "I'm sorry okay? I'm sorry I approached you and gave you my letter. I really wanted P'Saifah to notice me and a demon on my shoulder convinced me to approach you about it." Rain feels his grip loosen. Taking that as a sign that his apology might be working Rain continues.  "I know who you are and what you're capable of. The demon may have convinced me that you might not hurt me. But clearly, it was wrong." Rain looks down at the fist against his chest. "Look if you're going to beat me up in broad daylight, could you at least aim for below the neck? I also have a reputation, you know?" 

Payu stares at the boy as he tries his hardest not to be amused by his words. Finally letting go of Rain's shirt the boy lets out a breath. "This is all just a joke to you." 

"Humor is good for deflecting." Payu didn't seem angry anymore, how could his demeanor change so quickly? "I'm really good at getting myself into messes like this."

"I can tell." 

"Look, I learned my lesson alright? I knew who you were and—"

"You did what you did anyways?" He looks at Rain and it saddens Payu that Rain seems so unbothered. "Do you even know what you did?" That question is lost on Rain. "I also know what I am and I know that no one would approach me with a confession even if they had the balls. But you..." he looks at the boy with a faint smile. "What you had was beyond balls. And when I read your letter I thought you were someone finally worth it. That's why I accepted your confession." 

Huffing out a laugh of disbelief Rain responds. "But you're the great Payu God of our department. I can't imagine why this would bother you so much."

"You still don't get it?!" To his defense Rain can be a bit dense, the boy sometimes needed things spelled out for him to comprehend. "I said yes! I actually thought you wanted to try with me. But you were just fucking with me."

"I swear I wasn't P'Payu. You have to believe me." 

"Then why'd you give me the freaking letter?!" The senior asks once again hoping for a different answer

"Because I'm an idiot! I told you that already. Phi' if I could go back and take it all back I would." Rain stares at the senior averting his eyes, Payu almost seems defeated. Like he can't seem to make Rain understand where he's coming from. A part of Rain feels guilty, it was never his intention for this to happen and now he doesn't know how to fix it. "I'm gonna go," Rain tries to sneak away as Payu stands there contemplating. 

Reaching for the driver's door the boy is stopped when Payu asks, "What about me?" Letting go of the handle Rain turns confused by the question. "Would you ever write something like that about me?" 

"I don't feel that way about you, P'Payu." He admits. "I'm sorry." Payu nods 

"Because I'm not like my brother right? He's the good guy who helps everyone, and I'm just—"

"Scary." Rain cuts him off 

They share a look, "you think I'm scary?" 

"That's what you want P'Payu, for everyone to be scared of you." Rain says matter of factly because he's sure he's got Payu all figured out. Most people tend to think that about him. 

"No, I want to be respected." He corrects

"There's a difference between respect and fear." 

That statement may have stunned the senior. Not even his friends could admit something like that to him. 

"A senior has to command authority." Payu explains then adds, "It's your own fault if you fear me." 

"I don't fear you." Payu stares at the boy long enough to realize he means it, Rain isn't as afraid of him as others. He can't help but smile. "Doesn't mean I don't know what you can do to me though." 

"I wouldn't do anything to you." 

"And for some reason, I believe you." The demon on Rain's shoulder must still be alive and well. 

"Since everyone is scared of me I guess that means someone like you would never see me like you see my brother, right?" 

"I'm sure it'd be easy for someone to confess if you were more like your brother. But you're not and I honestly don't think you could ever be like him." 

Rain finally makes it to the bar to meet his friends. "WOAH HE'S ALIVE!" Sig jumps up, "We were writing your eulogy." He teases as Rain joins them at the table. 

Sky finally notices the stunned look on the boy's face as he's lost staring into space. "Rain?" Sky calls his name but Rain doesn't acknowledge him. "Rain!" He barks shaking him and Rain finally focuses on him. "What's wrong? Did something happen?" 

He nods. "I think P'Payu might actually have feelings for me."

Chapter Text

It hasn't been hard for the people around him to notice the slight differences in Payu lately. So distant and aloof he was always lost in thought, and no one knew of his turmoils. His friends noticed but no one dared ask. But his best friend Prapai whom Payu grew up with couldn't let it go on any longer. The two were so close that sometimes Prapai felt more like a brother to Payu than his own twin was. Taking matters into his own hands Prapai finally decides to find out what's wrong with his friend.

"What's up with you?" Prapai asks as they are conveniently working out together in Payu's home gym. He stands aside as Payu does his sets on the lat pulldown machine.

"Nothing." The other evades the question

"That's a lie you've been weird for weeks, it's not like you. And I know you're not brooding like this because of some chick so what's up? Talk to me." Payu and Prapai could talk to each other about anything. But this is brand new territory, they've never talked about things like this. At least Payu hasn't, and he didn't want to be ridiculed for his feelings.

"Me telling you what's bothering me won't change anything so forget it." Getting off the machine Payu moves aside so Prapai can have a turn

"Whatever. If you don't want to talk then I will." He reaches for the bar and starts pulling the weight. "My sister's been into taro cards lately and yesterday she said I'm going to meet the love of my life. Which is crazy because I've been dating Noona for Months." Prapai rambles

"You think she's the love of your life?"

"If you knew what she could do with her tongue she'd be the love of your life too," Prapai teases with a laugh

"You're gross." Payu walks away.

"Seriously dude the girl has talents! And she has a sister let me fix you up."

"No thanks, you should date them both if they're so good." This was always how it went for Payu, always denying others advances and never seeing anyone good enough to be with him. His friends used to question it but now they don't anymore, they just assume their friend would rather stay single.

After their workout, they make their way to the kitchen for a snack. "Are you really not going to tell me what's wrong?" Prapai reiterates as they stand at the kitchen island chugging electrolytes

"You want to know that badly?" Prapai nods and Payu stares around trying to find the right way to explain. "Someone confessed to me but meant it for my brother."

"They played with your emotions? Who the fuck would do that?! We should kick their ass!" Prapai threatens. "Unless it's a girl, I'm not hitting a girl."

"It's not a girl," Payu admits.

"Oh." Prapai nods understanding. "Did you have feelings for him?"

"No!" He quickly denies it. "I didn't even know he existed until he approached me with this stupid letter—"

"You're still on that?" Payu is cut off when Saifah walks in on him explaining the situation to Prapai. "Figured you'd be over that by now."

"Why because it's just another person treating me like crap because of you?"

"What?" Saifah ridicules his question with a laugh.

"This has always been our issue and you just act like I'm crazy. No one can amount to the great Saifah!" It's so easy for Saifah to rile his brother up.

"Oh my god Payu! Get over it! The kid liked me so what??"

"It's not just that!" The brothers argue and Prapai can only bear witness. "I'm always an afterthought to everyone."

"Payu, maybe if you weren't such a shitty person who does terrible things to others, you wouldn't be treated that way."

"Say that again I dare you." He steps to his brother and Prapai quickly pulls him away.

"See what I mean? And you wonder why everyone including mom and dad steers clear of you." Saifah shakes his head walking away.

"Fuck you!" Payu barks after him feeling his blood boil at his brother's words. Saifah never fails to tell Payu what he really thinks about him, and he truly believes there is no one else to blame for how Payu acts.

For as long as he can remember Payu has played second fiddle to his twin brother, no matter what he did Saifah was always better in comparison. So he stopped trying altogether. Some could say Payu turned out the way he did as a cry for attention. No one gives him the time of day at home, so he has to command it from everyone else in his life. Sometimes he misses his old self, the happy-go-lucky boy who just wanted to design houses and build cars like his father. But Saifah learned more from his father, so they deemed him to be worthy of becoming an engineer to one day take over the family business. There was no such faith in Payu. So, with his love for designing houses, he decided to study architecture and hopefully make something of himself. Even if his parents aren't proud.

It's a weekday afternoon, and as he sits on campus alone secluded from everyone Payu hears a familiar voice passing by. Looking up he sees the auburn-haired boy and his friends talking as they walk together.

"I seriously need bubble tea. Do you think I'll have time to get some before our exam later?"

"If you do get some for us to!" Sig adds

"Isn't this free period? Let's just go now." Sky suggests

"I can't I'm heading to the library to study," he frowns. The conversation dies down the further they get from Payu.

Getting a harebrained idea Payu stands grabbing his bag leaving the campus quad. Without much thought Payu heads to his car and as he's on his way there, "Hey Payu!" He hears Prapai calling his name walking in the distance with Toh and Aek.

"I have to go I'll catch you guys later!" He calls out

"Where are you going?" Prapai asks from his distance

"I'm getting bubble tea!" Payu continues to his car leaving Prapai and the others confused

"Doesn't he hate bubble tea?" One of the guys asks baffled by the idea.

There he is. Payu stands at the library door staring at Rain, as the boy sits at one of the large tables in the room silently studying with his friends. Though he wasn't shy, Payu found himself a bit nervous as he entered and walked towards the table.

Sig is the first to notice the senior approaching them. "Uh, guys?" He whispers to them, "Guys don't look but P'Payu is totally walking towards us right now."

"What?!" Rain's head shoots up and he immediately regrets the loud reaction. Scanning around he spots Payu and the panic begins to set in.

"What do we do?" Sky asks

"It's too late to run." Sig answers. And he was right because as the three friends sit there they can only ogle at the senior stopping at their table, and of course, all eyes are already on him.

The three friends watch him drop the bag in his hand on the table and start pulling cups from said bag. Three cups of what is obviously bubble tea. "I didn't know what you guys liked so I just went for milk tea." He quietly explains to the boys watching him with dumbfounded looks plastered all over their faces. No one gives him a response. "Well?" He waits again but they're all too frightened to move. "Do you want them or not?!" Payu asks with a slightly raised voice causing the boys to jump each grabbing a cup

"Shhh!" Someone from another table shushes him and Payu immediately glares at the person already throwing them daggers.

"Hey!" He barks startling everyone. "Did you just shush me?" He leaves Rain's table heading for the next one over. "Get up and do it again." Stopping next to the guy's chair that shushed him, Payu can already see the fear in his demeanor. "Come on do it!" Payu pushes his shoulder

"I'm sorry P'Payu I didn't know it was you." He quickly gets up bowing to Payu. "It won't happen again."

"Why not? You wanted to shush me so badly here I am." Payu scolds the boy practically shaking in front of him. Everyone keeps their heads down but Rain and his friends can't look away. "Do it again!" Payu shoves the boy and fearing for him Rain decides to step in.

"Hey stop it." Rain rushes over. "Leave him alone."

It isn't until he feels Rain's hand pull him away from the scared student, that Payu realizes what is happening. He was making a fool out of himself in front of Rain. That's the last thing he wanted to happen. But here he is being his worst self and Rain had to bear witness to all of it.

It didn't seem to matter that half the library was fixated on him. It only mattered how Rain was staring at him, and unlike the others with their fearful stares, Rain only showed disappointment. Upset at himself for losing his cool, Payu storms off leaving everyone a bit astounded. Once he's out of the library Payu begins mentally berating himself for doing that. Why can't he control himself at all? Every situation had the same outcome, one wrong stare would set him off and even Payu didn't understand why he was this way sometimes.

"P'Payu wait!!" Payu hears the boy's voice as he's walking. Turning he sees Rain leaving the library and coming after him. "What was that?" Rain questions

Sighing Payu answers distraughtly. "I don't know. I was trying to bring you guys bubble tea and—"

"Wait why did you—"

"I didn't mean for that to happen. Sometimes the smallest things make me so angry and I can't control myself." Rain has witnessed Payu's outbursts one too many times to not know this is very typical behavior for the senior. "I wasn't trying to be scary."

"I don't think you have to try P'Payu, your anger comes out of you whether you want it to or not. I just don't get why you were even there to begin with."

"I told you I wanted to bring you bubble tea."

"Why?" Why would he ever want to do something nice for me? Rain wonders.

"Because I'm more than Saifah's troubled brother and I wanted to show you that." Payu's never felt the need to prove himself to anyone before, not even to his own family. But Rain's perception of him seemed important and he needed the boy to see him differently. "Everyone thinks of me as this one thing but maybe I don't want to be that anymore."

"Then don't be P'Payu, if you try really hard I think you can be good." Rain believes that wholeheartedly

Payu looks at Rain a small smile flashing across his face. "You know when I read your letter I knew that it was probably not about me. I was nothing like the guy you described. But that night as I countlessly read it I found myself wanting to become him. Become the guy you saw so well and desperately wanted to see you back." Rain couldn't describe the look on Payu's face. The senior wasn't upset or sad, he seemed earnest. His calm words were changing Rain. "Is that possible? Because last time we spoke you said it'd be easy to confess if I were more like my brother." Rain also said that wasn't possible for him to do, but Payu is choosing to forget that part.

"And I meant it. You're an impressive senior besides the..."

"Misdirected anger?"

"Is that what it is?" The rhetorical question is asked as more of a realization to Rain. He was starting to figure Payu out. Of the time he's spent at this school being Payu's junior, Rain's only ever observed the senior from a distance. Now that Payu's letting him in, Rain understood him a little bit more. "Are you still angry with me?"

"No," an immediate and true answer. "And I promise to never get like that with you ever again. With you..." Payu's eyes trail off unable to help the smile across his face. "I only ever want to feel like I did when I first read your letter." Their eyes finally meet again, with saddened brows and a look almost like a plea Payu adds, "I'd do anything to feel like that again."

Rain is rendered speechless by his senior's words, but he finds himself somewhat delighted by the idea. Payu had many reputations on campus, most notably known for terrorizing his peers. Sometimes it's lost on people that Payu is also top of his department and the winner of almost all competitions held at school. Payu always tried his best to be just as impressive as Saifah, but he always lived in his brother's shadow. Payu couldn't endure it anymore, anger festered in him for too long and now it makes him a problem.

But maybe Rain can help change that. A simple confession could mean everything to someone quietly begging to be seen.

Chapter Text

"His name is Rain and he's a freshman in my department. I'm going to start pursuing him, so I don't want anything to happen to him or his friends. They're off limits, you guys got it?" Payu and his friends are hanging out at their secluded spot on campus only reserved for them. As he tells them about Rain, Payu takes it as the perfect time to possibly try and clean up his image. "Look I really don't care what you guys do, just don't do it in front of him."

"You're interested in this kid?" Tho asks

"Yeah is that a problem?"

"Nah bro!" He chuckles. "Just never seen you go after anyone before. We've all been friends since what freshman year? Figured you were just the hit it and quit it type."

"Well, I'm not. I just never found anyone worth it."

"And this Rain is worth it?" Aek questions

"Guys what's with all these questions?!" Prapai jumps up, "our hibernating wolf is ready to be awakened! We should be celebrating!" He gets his friends rilled up for Payu. "Here's my plan, if we want your boy to notice you and see you in a good light, we just have to make sure he catches you doing good shit."

"Good shit?" Payu asks interested

"Yeah like feeding a homeless person or helping someone old across the street. Something redeemable because who knows how many people he's seen you beat up."

Payu stares at his friend worried at that thought, he's never even thought about if Rain has even seen him be violent. More often than not Payu never cares who's around when he's angry, all he sees is red. Payu constantly doubts himself because of his family, they know him better than anyone and they use that against him as much as they can. If he's actually willing to change for someone like Rain, Payu couldn't live in doubt. He had to be as defiant as possible to make this work.

"Do you think I'm redeemable?" He asks Prapai

"Hell yeah, dude! Listen you're Payu you can do anything! Right guys?" Turning to the others they chime in singing Payu's praises.

"Remember a few weeks ago when I said I think P'Payu likes me, and you and Sig laughed at me then we got crazy drunk?" Rain asks Sky as they're walking to class and he reads a text on his phone. Turning his screen to Sky he says, "Well look at this."

Sky reads the text. 'Hey, it's Payu I got your number from the department group chat. What time are you done with class today? I want to take you somewhere.'

Stunned Sky grabs the phone re-reading the text. "Seriously? This is from P'Payu?" He looks at Rain

"Crazy right? I don't get what's happening here."

"This IS crazy!" Sky agrees. "I don't know how I'd feel if the guy known as the campus psycho was into me." Payu's many reputations preceded him. Sky hands the phone back and finally sees the uneasy look on Rain's face. "Look if you're scared just turn him down gently and maybe somewhere very public." The other boy suggests.

"I'm not scared though and I already turned him down so I really don't know what this is." Rain locks his phone ditching it in his pocket.

"You don't know what he wants?" Sky stares at his friend skeptically.

"I swear I don't!" Rain throws his hands up.

"Fine, I'll spell it out for you. He wants you, dummy. Obviously!"

"Don't say stuff like that!" Rain shutters at the thought. "He's probably just... confused." Poor Rain didn't understand that he was the clearest and only thought in Payu's mind. The boy didn't understand yet the gravity of his situation. The walking continues and as they're almost to class Rain says, "You said P'Payu was the campus psycho right? So why would I want to be caught dead with the campus psycho?" The words leave his mouth as the two turn the corner to their class

And there he was.

Payu leaning against the wall outside their classroom door. With arms crossed over his chest, his sharp piercing gaze locks onto Rain the moment they appear. Rain's stomach drops knowing Payu heard every word he just uttered. And Sky can only suppress his laugh to not further anger the senior. Clapping a hand on Rain's back Sky quickly says, "Good luck." Before darting into the classroom.

Now left alone Rain avoids eye contact trying to not let guilt overtake him. Taking slow steps towards the boy, "You think I'm a psycho?" Payu's voice is low but Rain hears it loud and clear

"What? No! I—" Rain fumbles for an excuse. "I only said that because it's what everyone calls you."

"Okay but do you think I'm a psycho?" Payu emphasizes the question

"What does it matter what I think P'Payu?" Rain chuckles nervously

"I know what everyone thinks about me Rain and I don't care about that. I don't want you to think I'm a psycho." Payu's admission throws Rain off a bit.

"You shouldn't care about what I think P'Payu, all my thoughts are stupid." Payu's lips curve into a faint smirk which Rain notices causing him to smile too. "I'm sorry for calling you that." He sincerely apologizes. "And no I don't think you're a psycho, I'm sure you're well aware of the things you do."

Payu nods. "I am." Being reminded of who he is by the one person he desperately wants to forget doesn't feel good, but Payu tries moving on. "Did you get my text? You never replied."

"I did," Rain nods. "I wasn't really sure what to think. Where do you want to take me?"

"It's a surprise."

"Well lucky for you I like surprises." Even when they're from scary unpredictable bullies. "This is my last class then I'm free."

"Will you meet me out front when you're done?"

"Sure." Rain agrees.

Why the heck did he agree to this so willingly?! Rain contemplates as he heads for the campus entrance after class. It was as if he didn't learn his lesson the first time, now here he was back in the same spot waiting for the same guy who barked at him to get out of his car just a few weeks ago. Waiting at the campus gate, Rain scoffs to himself when he realizes he's practically living the plot of a terrible teen movie. Here he is waiting to go spend time alone with the campus bully, who seems to treat him differently from everyone else because god knows why. If the universe is a true jokester then Rain will probably fall for Payu too. But he can't think that way! The universe doesn't control his thoughts and emotions, and he knows he feels nothing for Payu. Okay maybe a little pity, but that's it!

His train of thought is cut short when the familiar sleek black G-Wagon pulls up. Not giving Rain a chance to reach for the door like last time, Payu exits the car walking over and opening it himself. "Get in," he casually instructs. And Rain takes hesitant steps towards the car as he recites a quiet prayer. 'Please God don't let this be a trap!'

Payu drives and the car is quiet as usual, trying to seem casual Rain fiddles with the strings on his hoodie as he steals quick glances at Payu. His typical stoic demeanor was gone, now replaced with what rain can only describe as nerves. He's biting at his bottom lip and his grip on the wheel is unusually tight.

Payu doesn't say a word in what feels like forever. When they finally arrive, Rain looks around as Payu pulls into a garage with luxury cars everywhere. The boy stares in awe as Payu slowly drives by cars Rain's only ever seen on TV. Once they are deep in the garage Payu parks and they exit.

"Is this your parent's business?" Rain asks staring around the open area full of mechanics and people just walking around

"One of them." Payu answers, "come on." Rain follows behind Payu. Leading him to a corner of the garage where a motorcycle sat on a raised platform. Though it's unfinished Rain admires the uniqueness of the bike, it's unlike any he's seen. Rain tries to avoid the tools that are scattered around the area as he moves closer to the bike. He leans in admiring the small details. "I've been working on it for about a year." Payu starts with an explanation. "When things become too much I like to come here and work on it."

Rain blinked away from the bike turning to his senior. "Too much?"

Stepping away to avoid Rain's gaze Payu shrugs, "When I get too angry or stressed. Or everyone is just getting on my nerves I like to come here and shut everything out. I like using my hands to make something that's all mine."

"You built this all by yourself?" His tone and question filled with genuine awe

Payu nods meeting Rain's eyes. "Every piece."

"That's pretty cool," Rain smiles at Payu before turning back to the motorcycle. Payu's cheeks burn a little at that smile and he quickly tries to hide the one he's about to reciprocate.

"You think so?" His voice is full of uncertainty, it's like this guy already knew how to pull on Rain's strings.

"I do, I mean it's the coolest thing anyone I know has ever done." Rain finally notices the effects his compliments are having on Payu. His expression softens even more sending a warm feeling through Rain. For the first time, Rain is seeing Payu as more than just the campus bully. Getting to see this side of Payu made a feeling grow inside of Rain that he can't quite explain yet. "Thank you." Rain says softly

Payu tilts his head. "For what?"

"I know you want to be seen differently and I'm really glad I got to see this side of you. So thank you for showing me." Payu nods unsure how to respond. He's delighted by Rain's words but he's not sure how to respond to praise from the boy.

"Are you hungry?" Payu asks deflecting trying to calm his pounding heart. "Come on let's go order something to eat." Payu walks away leaving Rain to just watch him for a second. Rain couldn't ignore the confidence Payu exuded with his stride. This guy could be so much more and Rain wants to believe that he can change if he tries.

Now in the lobby Rain sits waiting as Payu is on the phone ordering food. Once he's done Payu turns back to Rain whose eyes are already on him. "Should be here soon," he says to Rain before pocketing his cell phone.

Rain nods. "So uh..." the boy begins awkwardly, "what's it like being rich?"

"Who says I'm rich?" Payu questions

Scoffing Rain answers. "Your mansion, your G-Wagon, this place." Rain lists examples, "I mean it's all very impressive."

"My parent's money isn't my money," Payu says.

And Rain can't help but laugh at that statement. "Gosh all you rich kids sound the same." Payu stares attentively at the laughing boy in front of him. Rain seems to be getting comfortable Payu thinks, he's already laughing that has to be a good sign.

Lost in the silent adoration of Rain's laughter, Payu and Rain are both startled when the glass door slides open. "Yo Payu!" Prapai, Tho, and Aek storm into the waiting area like they own the place. All three friends come in carrying alcohol, beers, and snacks. "Oh—" Tho stops in his tracks when he notices Rain, a devious grin appearing across his face. "Are we interrupting something?"

"Who's this?" Aek plops down on the couch too close to Rain

"Aek," Payu warns with a tone and the other gets up backing away with defeated hands raised. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We're bored man! Where have you been?" Prapai answers almost sounding distraught. Opening a bag of chips he leans back in the chair he's sat in and starts loudly chewing. Rain's stomach tightened as the group settled like they plan on staying the night. He looks over at Payu who's leering at his friends. Irritated with them Payu quietly fumes still standing a distance away as his friends take up the couches. And poor Rain is left in their midst wishing he was anywhere else.

"You’re Rain, right?" Tho asks leaning forward with a grin. Forcing a smile Rain nods at the one sitting across from him. "Well, Rain you're brave as hell you know that? People tend to avoid this guy like the plague."

"Shut it Tho," Payu mutters shooting his friend daggers.

Try as he might, Payu could not get his friends to leave. Already chugging and eating Aek gets everyone's attention when he starts. "Have you guys heard about that nerd from the science department? He apparently pissed himself in front of the class because the professor yelled at him?"

"No fucking way!" Prapai reacts

"Swear to God my friend told me!" Like clockwork, the three stooges begin laughing at the unknown boy.

"Yo! That reminds me of that little weirdo who used to throw up when he got scared, remember him??" Tho recalls as he laughs.

"I'll never forget that little loser, I had to throw away my favorite pair of jeans because of him." Aek laughs even harder.

Rain couldn't take it anymore. Standing abruptly he causes the room to fall silent, and without saying a word he just walks out. Throwing on his jacket once he gets outside, Rain doesn't care if he has to walk home, anything is better than being in there. Hearing footsteps rushing after him as he leaves Rain doesn't have to turn to know it's Payu.

"Rain," Payu calls his voice almost sounding like a plea, Rain stops but he doesn't turn around. "I didn't know they'd show up like that, I swear I wouldn't have brought you if I knew."

Turning around, "PETE WATTAPHONGSATI!" he yells at the senior

Confused Payu asks, "What?"

"That was his name! Pete Wattaphongsati..." Rain repeats glaring at Payu. "Pete and I have been going to the same school since we were 10! We weren't close but it doesn't matter. Pete always got picked on because of his condition, but he never let it get to him. Until you guys! It wasn't even a month into freshmen year when you guys figured out his condition, and tormented him for it." Tears crown Rain's eyes as he recalls the things they did to his classmate. Payu's face just falls, he opens his mouth wanting to say anything but no words come. "You'd make him scared until he threw up, then you guys would beat him up and tease him even more for throwing up. Pete was so humiliated that he dropped out after just one month! Now the year's almost over and no one's heard from him." He stops as the tears run down his cheeks, the hateful glare never leaving his eyes. "That's what you and your disgusting friends are remembering and laughing about in there!"

"I wasn't laughing, Rain." He tried to defend.

"So what? You're all the same! And for a second there I almost forgot what you were." Guilt rises inside him like boiling water, thank God he caught himself early. Was Rain actually about to fall for someone like that?

"Give me a chance, okay? I can be different." He continues pleading unsure what else to say. Payu sees his chances slipping out of his grasp and he's sure if Rain leaves now that'll be it.

"Sure, I give you a chance, and then what? I get to be like you, like those jerks in there?" Payu doesn't answer. "I hate your friends P'Payu! And I would never want to be around you or them." Rain turns storming off and Payu just lets him this time.

Riddled with anger and animosity towards his friends, Payu storms back into the room and they all turn to their fuming friend. "What happened?" Prapai asks

"YOU FUCKING ASSHOLES HAPPENED!" He screams walking to the coffee table. He starts kicking their legs off and shoving all their snacks and drinks to the floor. "I ASKED YOU GUYS THIS MORNING NOT TO DO ANY STUPID SHIT IN FRONT OF RAIN!"

"But we didn't." Tho replies confused.

"THAT INCLUDES TALKING ABOUT IT YOU FUCKING DICKHEADS!" Payu wants to ring their necks one by one. "YOU RUINED EVERYTHING! CLEAN THIS UP AND GET THE FUCK OUT!" Angrily walking out through the back Payu leaves his friends bewildered by his attitude.

Chapter Text

'I've never met anyone like you before Phi. You genuinely care about others, and you'd do anything for someone without expecting a thing in return. That's a prince in my opinion. Your selflessness is inspiring. You are deserving of everything, and if you give me the chance Phi, I'll show you every day how amazing you are.'

Payu lies wide awake in bed recalling those words from Rain's letter over and over again. The boy's words were etched into his memory, and Payu grew desperate wanting Rain to talk about him that way. He wanted to be a prince in Rain's eyes, but he probably only sees him as a monster, Payu thinks. Though he doesn't blame Rain for being angry and telling him off like that, Payu has spent most of his life acting brazen because he felt untouchable. But that wasn't the case, Rain has already proven he didn't need fists to expose Payu's true nature. And this wasn't it anymore.

Maybe Payu has lived most of his life the way he has because he didn't have much else to live for anyway. His family favored his twin, and honestly so did the rest of the world. What did that leave him with? Nothing. Payu created his own narrative by becoming a bully because there were no other expectations of him.

But things are beyond different now. He was going to join the real world soon, and the way he's lived thus far just wasn't going to work anymore. A real change needs to happen— Payu decides as he contemplates in bed. Not just one that would make Rain see him differently, but he needed a whole new lease on life and Payu knew just where to start.

It's a new day and after a night of no sleep, Payu got ready and headed to school. Making his way to his secluded hangout spot, he can already hear his friends being rowdy, and it's barely 8 am. When the friends notice Payu approaching they all stop staring at him getting closer and closer.

"Have you simmered down or are you here to do some more yelling?" Prapai asks first as his friend stops in front of them

"I'm cool," he speaks softly too tired to express anything more.

"Look, we obviously didn't know what you had going on last night." Prapai starts to explain.

"Yeah man, we wouldn't have fucked it up if we did," Tho adds.

"It doesn't matter." Payu's monotone voice almost makes him sound defeated. "I don't want to do this anymore." He decides. "We graduate in a few months and then what? Do we just go out there being like this?" He shakes his head. "I need more and I think you guys should want more too."

"Did you grow a conscience all of a sudden?" Aek asks with a scoff

"Maybe," Payu shrugs. "Rain has feelings for my brother," he admits to his friends. "And even though I hate his guts sometimes, it's no secret that Saifah is a better man than the four of us combined. And shit, I'll be damned if I let him continue to be a better man than me. This isn't me asking you guys to do anything. If you're happy with the way things are, then by all means I can't stop you. But I'm done. I want to be serious about my life, and even though I'll probably never get another chance to show Rain I can be better, maybe I can fix some of the things I've messed up in his life." All three guys just stare at Payu without much to say and having said everything he needed to say, Payu turns on his heels walking away. As he walks, Payu feels like this was some sort of metaphor for him leaving his old life behind to try and build a new one. But he couldn't start building that new life without cleaning up a few messes first.

After his morning classes, Payu makes his way to the student life office, going up to the help desk he's greeted with an eye roll. "What do you want?"

"Nice to see you too P'Shim," it's evident not a lot of people at this school like Payu. "I'm not here to bother you okay? I need your help."

"And why would I help you after the crap you and your friends always pull at the student lounge, the students don't even use it anymore because of you guys."

"I know and I'm sorry okay, I can't take any of it back but if you tell me how to fix it—"

"You can leave," the woman behind the counter suggests.

"No P'Shim I can't. I'm trying to fix some of the things I've done so please will you help me," the woman sees the plea and desperation behind his eyes and thinks maybe he might mean it.

"What do you want?"

"I'm looking for someone, his name is Pete Wattaphongsati, he dropped out at the beginning of the year."

"What do you want with him?" Shim questions

"I'm the reason he dropped out and I need to fix it. Can you please help me find him?"

"Why should I believe you Payu?"

"I don't know how to answer that. You have every reason not to trust me, but I'm trying to be better. It's too late to redeem myself at this school, but I just want to do one thing right before I graduate." Shim couldn't explain it but the woman believed him, and lucky for Payu she believed in redemption.

"Alright." She agrees and Payu lets out a relieved sigh. As she's typing on her computer the woman says, "I'm trusting you. But if I find out you and your friends did anything to that boy, I will personally make sure none of you graduate. You got that?" She threatens as she grabs a piece of paper and starts writing something down.

"I understand." Payu nods.

"His parents own a shop, here's the address. That's all I can give you." Shim hands Payu the piece of paper

"Thank you so much, Phi!"

"Yeah yeah leave before I change my mind," she shoos him away and Payu leaves the office with a pep in his step.

While on his way to the parking lot, Payu sees Rain and his friends walking together and laughing in the distance. He can't take his eyes off the boy, wanting so badly to go over and ask for another chance. But that would be useless because Rain was done with him, and it's his fault for thinking someone as good and pure-hearted would ever like him enough to confess to him. He's not the great Saifah, so waiting for a confession that would never come is pointless.

Making it to his car Payu puts the address into his GPS and then sits there for a second. How is he even supposed to go about this? Is he meant to ask the kid for forgiveness? What would Saifah do? He thinks. Probably beg for forgiveness on his knees like a little bitch.

"Stop it Payu!" he smacks his forehead. Being good was going to be harder said than done Payu realizes. But there was no turning back, so he puts the car in drive and pulls out of the lot.

Driving to Pete's parent's shop, Payu parks his car on the busy street. Getting out he walks up to the dingy convenience shop. A bell rings as he enters. "Welcome, please call out if you need any help!" A voice loudly greets from the back of the store

Payu follows the instruction and calls out, "I need help."

An older woman comes rushing out from the back, a smile grows on her face when she sees Payu. " Oh welcome, aren't you a handsome boy! How can I help you honey?" They meet at the counter

"Are you Pete Wattaphongsati's mom?"

"I am," she happily answers

"Is he around by any chance? I'm his senior— or was I should say."

"Really?!" She asks excitedly, "That's so great Pete's old classmates never visit him! You stay right here honey I'll go grab him." She rushes disappearing to the back of the store leaving Payu at the counter. After a few minutes the woman returns, "he'll be down in a second. Three in the afternoon and the boy is deep asleep," she laughs. "But I told him a friend is visiting so he'll be down soon."

"Thank you so much ma'am," Payu bows.

"You're welcome! I'm just glad you're here, Pete swore he didn't have any friends, and yet he had such a cool-looking one all along!" The woman continues to sing Payu's praises not knowing who he really is. Sadly that perception will soon change.

Stopping in his tracks when he steps out from the back, Pete's eyes grow in shock when he sees Payu. Panic already settling behind his eyes as the boy turns to his mother, "Mom he's not my friend!" Pete corrects the woman. Pulling his mom closer to him and away from the counter Pete asks sternly, "What are you doing here? How do you know where I live?"

"I'm not here to cause trouble I swear. Please just stay calm and hear me out for a minute." Payu gently explains remembering what happens when the boy panics.

"No! Get out!" Pete barks, though he's deathly afraid of Payu, Pete would still stand up for himself and do anything to protect his mom if he had to.

"Pete, what's wrong?" His mom asks confused by his reaction

"I know I've messed up okay, I'm here to fix it please just give me a chance to explain." Pete is surprised by the senior's plea, he's never seen this look in the bully's eyes before. Payu was great at showing remorse, his face was riddled with guilt. So Pete agrees to talk to him outside. Reluctantly he steps out hoping this isn't some elaborate prank Payu and his friends are luring him too.

Once they get outside Pete puts some space between them before he says, "You have one minute." With his arms crossed against his chest, the boy waits.

Payu nods. "Look I know I can't take back any of the shit I did to you. And I don't have a good enough excuse to justify any of it besides being a complete asshole just for the hell of it. I ruined your chances at school and I'm truly sorry for that Pete. I'm not here to ask for your forgiveness because I don't deserve that." Pete's arms loosen surprised by the apology he's receiving. One he never thought he'd get in this lifetime. "I'm here to ask you to come back to school. It isn't too late to try again and I'll do everything in my power to help you."

"How am I supposed to believe that you and your friends wouldn't just go back to tormenting me again?"

"By taking a leap of faith. If you come back Pete I swear to you nothing will happen to you. I will protect you, and soon my friends and I will be gone and you'll never have to see us again. I know I can't force you but I took something from you, please give me a chance to give it back."

Pete hears Payu's supplication loud and clear, a naïve part of him wants to believe the senior's words. But this was the same senior that picked on him and stood by as Aek and Tho hit him. Can he really get past that?

"Even if I wanted to come back I can't. I lost my scholarship after dropping out, and my parents can't afford to send me to school. So working here is my life now." The last sentence is full of despair and sadness.

"No, it's not. I'll get you back to school, okay? Just give me some time I'll make sure you come back."

"How?" Pete asks skeptically

Shrugging. "I don't know yet, but I'll figure it out and I'll come back just give me at least a day."

"Well I have nothing better going on and zero faith in you, so let's see what you come back with."

"Okay," Payu lets out a breath clasping his hands thankful for the chance, however small it is. "Thank you Pete I promise I'll be back."

"Sure, whatever." The boy walks away first going back inside the shop.

That night Payu sits at the kitchen counter anxiously waiting for his twin to get home. With no other option, Payu's best chance at getting Pete back in school was the only person anyone in this family took seriously.

Leisurely making his way inside his home, Saifah heads to the kitchen for a snack. There he finds Payu sitting at the counter. They share a look as Saifah makes it to the fridge. Even with his back to his brother, Saifah could feel Payu's eyes burning two holes into his back. "Are you looking for a reason to start with me right now?" Saifah asks calmly eyes still wandering around the fridge.

"No," Payu replies softly. With a loud gulp and shutting off his sense of pride, Payu starts. "I need your help with something."

"Is this about Dad's lambo again? He already said you couldn't have it, and I'm not going to help you get it." Still, his eyes remain on the opened fridge.

"No saifah it's not about the freaking Lamborghini!" Payu stops for a moment trying to swallow his irritation. With a sigh he continues, "I'm being serious."

Reacting to the calm tone Saifah finally turns to look at his brother. "You've never asked for my help with anything before, so how was I supposed to know you were being serious?" Payu waits without a response. "What do you need help with?"

"I need help getting a kid's tuition paid for. He lost his scholarship because of me and I don't know how else to help him come back to school."

"I thought you said you were being serious." Saifah chuckles

"I am!"

"You want me to believe you're helping someone. You only ruin lives Payu you don't mend them." That sentence stings and Payu wants to go off but he knows his brother is right. He's never tried to fix his mistake before, it's no wonder Saifah isn't taking him seriously.

"That's fair, but I am being serious Saifah I have to help at least one person I've ruined. So, please will you help me." The plea takes Saifah aback. He isn't sure who he's looking at because that's certainly not his brother. The same guy who screams at him when he even breathes too loudly. Payu is really asking for his help, this was almost unbelievable.

"How am I supposed to help you?"

"Our parents. You know they'll have no problem agreeing to set up the funding for his tuition if you ask them. You can even tell them the truth, say I ruined Pete's life and you want to fix it. Pete deserves to be at school Saifah, and I have to get him back there so please just do this one thing for me and I'll never ask for anything else ever I swear—"

"Alright alright," Saifah agrees so Payu can stop rambling. "I make no promises but I'll do it, but if they say no then I'm done."

"Thank you Saifah! Seriously thank you so much!"

"Jesus who the hell are you and what'd you do with my brother?" Saifah has also never heard Payu thank anyone for anything before. His sense of entitlement allowed him to just take whatever he wanted.

"You do this for me and I'll tell you what I did with him." Saifah tilts his head watching his brother leave the kitchen, obvious excitement written all over him.

TWO WEEKS LATER...

As they're walking to class Sig looks over at the student life office and gasps, "Guys isn't that Pete?!"

"Where?" Rain looks over, lo and behold Pete is walking out of the office accompanied by his parents. The boys take off running towards their classmate.

"PETE!" They call his name in unison and Pete turns seeing them coming and waving.

"Hey guys," he smiles at the boys crowding him.

"Pete!" Sky grabs him, "What are you doing here??"

"You disappeared for months!" Rain adds

"Yeah, I guess I kinda did after dropping out huh?" He chuckles. "But I'm back now, my parents came to help me sign up for summer classes and I'll be back full time next year." He explains pointing to the couple standing a distance away allowing the classmates to talk.

"How?" Sky asks confused. "Didn't you lose your scholarship?"

Nodding, "I did, and then two weeks ago P'Payu showed up and said he could get me back into school if I wanted to come back. And now here we are." He smiles.

"P'PAYU??" Sky and Sig ask simultaneously shocked

"Yeah I don't know why, but he apologized for everything and said nothing would happen to me if I chose to come back. I don't know how true that second part is but I'm willing to try."

Still staggered by the explanation the two friends can only turn to Rain, who had been left dumbfounded the moment Pete uttered Payu's name.

Chapter Text

Rain was not to blame for Payu's new lease on life. The boy refuses to believe this change of heart could be happening because of a stupid mistake he made. How is that possible?

"Rain, what the hell was in that letter?" Sky asks as he and Rain sit on Rain's bedroom floor. Days later and the boy was still perplexed by the events that transpired. Payu actually went out of his way to get Pete back into school. Could it have been because of what Rain said?

"I just wrote about my feelings for P'Saifah. I don't understand why P'Payu is doing all of this." As if the senior didn't tell Rain that he wanted the boy to see him like the guy Rain had written about, even though that guy was his twin brother.

"And that's not even it. Did you know he stopped hanging out with those other guys? And the only time anyone's seen him on campus the last few days was for class." Sky can't help but laugh. "I don't know what you did but this is beyond amazing. You reformed a bully, not too many people can say that." Sky pats his back.

"Except no I didn't." Rain remembers their last interaction and it wasn't a good one. "If anything I thought I was going to make him worse."

"Well for whatever reason he is doing it let's just be grateful. Maybe this change will stick and people will be able to go to class in peace."

It's later and Rain is now alone, still on the floor at the foot of his bed, the boy sat there staring into space with one thing on his mind. Payu. The senior has sent Rain into a tailspin, though he believes people like Payu couldn't truly change. He can't ignore Payu going out of his way to get Pete to come back. That was the last thing Rain was expecting the bully to do, but he did it. And Rain will never know how or why.

Was Payu really trying to get redemption? And if Rain did bring this on, then could Payu actually become someone Rain could maybe possibly... like? Immediately shaking his head at the idea Rain runs a hand through his hair. He is not thinking straight. No way could he like Payu, one good deed doesn't change who he is. Rain doesn't want to be fooled. He's been called naive a lot in his life, but no way is he going to let a bully fool him. Even if that bully was a tall, handsome as hell, sharp-jawed, academically inclined, motorcycle building, muscular, nice shiny jet black hair having— "STOP IT RAIN!" The boy yells at himself cutting off his train of thought. Giving himself small rapid slaps on both cheeks Rain tries to snap himself out of whatever trance that was.

Nope! No way, he is not falling for Payu. "You will not fall for P'Payu." He says out loud in a serious tone. Maybe hearing it will help him mean it.

Spending the next few days in a confused daze, Rain couldn't get Payu out of his head even if he tried. Rumor around campus is that Payu single-handedly cleaned up the student lounge he and his friends used to trash. Once he put it back to how it used to be, the kids weren't afraid to hang out there again. Wanting to see it for himself, Rain walks on campus heading to the student life building. Stopping behind the closed doors, he looks through the door windows to see that the rumors were in fact true. All the chairs and tables are back to where they used to be, and all the graffiti is gone. Did Payu paint this entire place by himself? It's been a long time since anyone could be comfortable in this place. Everyone used to go in on eggshells dreading the moment the bullies would eventually show up. But it's been day 3 of the repaired lounge and there hasn't been a bully in sight.

Rain can't help the smile growing on his face, all of this feels like a dream and the boy is having a hard time waking up. His good feeling is immediately cut short when Rain turns around to find Prapai, Tho, and Aek standing right behind him. Startled his entire body tightens up at the sight of the bullies. The guys stared past Rain beyond confused by what they were seeing. They couldn't believe the rumors either.

Shaking his head in disbelief Aek asks with a scoff, "What the fuck did you do?"

Now at their secluded spot, the boy stands there hand tightly wrapped around his satchel strap. He stands without fear waiting for one of them to say something since they asked him to come here.

"What did you do to our friend?" Aek takes initiative

"I didn't do anything to him." Rain answers

"Bullshit he hasn't spoken to us in weeks! And now he's fucking Bob the builder and shit!" Tho gets irritated and Prapai places a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.

"Rain, we're just trying to understand what's happening," Prapai says calmly. "None of this makes any sense."

"Well join the club because I don't understand it either."

"He's obviously doing this for you Rain, so you have to have some idea of what's going on."

"No, he's not." Rain shakes his head correcting. "I might have had something to do with it in the beginning. But I made it clear that I had no expectations of him changing. He's doing this all on his own."

"That's also bullshit Payu would never just stop talking to us," Tho says.

"Okay, then I don't know." Rain is ready to leave but he has more to say, and there will never be a good time for hard truths, so this will have to do. "Maybe he isn't talking to any of you because he's trying to change and none of you are."

"The fuck do we have to change for?" Aek's brows furrow

"I don't know maybe because your friend who's always been loyal to you is clearly reaching out for something different. Why not try it out with him instead of thinking he's the problem?" It's quiet for a second, the sound of birds chirping fills the awkward silence.

"How are we supposed to do that?" Prapai finally asks

"Dude! You're not actually entertaining this bs, are you?" Tho turns to Prapai

"Why not? Rain's right, Payu has always been loyal to us. We've depended on him for a lot, and now I think he needs us. If he can do it then why can't we?" Prapai ends with a question

"I'm not waking up as some ass-kissing goody two shoes tomorrow. Fuck that!" Tho shakes his head

"Is that what you think P'Payu did?" Tho just glares at Rain instead of answering. "What would happen if you guys didn't bother anyone?" Rain questions. "No one is asking any of you to become saints, but it wouldn't be that hard to just leave people alone."

"Alright, that's enough. You can go." Tho dismisses the boy.

Before he leaves Rain says, "I may not understand why P'Payu is doing what he's doing, but I support it. It sucks that his best friends can't do the same." Rain turns leaving the demented trio to just watch him walk away.

Relieved to be far from those guys Rain makes his way across campus heading to the canteen for lunch. He hasn't seen Payu since that night at the garage. Payu was always everywhere, you couldn't enter a room on the campus without someone mentioning his name. Now, he's almost nowhere to be found.

And maybe after a while Rain starts looking for him.

He doesn't even know why or what he'd say to Payu, but for some reason Rain just needed to see him. Maybe all this confusion could subside if Payu could just explain what he's thinking. Who was all of this really for? And maybe he wanted to tell the senior he was wrong. Talking to Payu's friends made Rain realize that this guy was probably serious, it isn't easy to just cut off friends and Payu's doing it with no remorse.

As he's sitting there uninterestedly staring at the food on his tray, Sky and Sig join him at the table. "Guess who we saw?" Sig starts as they sit across from Rain

"Who?" He drops his spoon looking up at his friends

"P'Payu, we saw him entering the architecture building while we were leaving—" Rain quickly stands up cutting Sky off "...This morning," the boy finishes his sentence after being startled by Rain.

"Wait this morning?" Rain's hopes deplete as he drops back down on the bench with a huff.

Sky and Sig share a look trying not to smile. "Rain, what's going on?" Sky asks. Both he and Sig lean forward waiting for an answer.

"Nothing." Rain quickly gives as he picks up his spoon, "it's nothing." He repeats unconvincingly and the friends stare until he gives in. Dropping his spoon. "Okay, I haven't spoken to P'Payu since the night at his family's garage. I said some awful things to him that night. Practically told him I hated him. And if I'm being honest he's probably doing all of this to prove me wrong. I guess I just need to know if that's the case, or if it's something else..." He finishes the last bit quieter

"Something else?" Sig tilts his head asking

Taking it upon himself Sky answers. "P'Payu likes Rain."

"What?" Sig asks with a surprised smile, "he does?" The boy looks between his friends and Sky nods. "Wait so that day at the cafe when you came in and said you think P'Payu likes you, and we laughed about it then got drunk. That wasn't a joke?"

"No, it wasn't." Rain confirms. "At first I thought he wanted to change for me, because of what I wrote in my letter. But I said some harsh words to him that night at the garage. So I figured he'd just stop and go back to his old self, but he didn't. He's changing for the better now, and if it's because of my letter then I have to know."

"Wait the same letter you wrote for P'Saifah that P'Payu accidentally read. That's what's causing all of this?" Rain nods thinking maybe it might be. "Well shit then good, it just means everyone on this campus has you to thank."

As they all begin eating their lunch Sky still sees sadness across his friend's face. "Why don't you call or text him, Rain?"

"What if he doesn't want to talk to me? He had no issues reaching out and finding me wherever I was before. The fact that he isn't doing that anymore means he doesn't want to talk to me."

"Didn't you tell him you didn't want to be near him? Maybe he's just following your wishes." Well, Rain wishes he would stop.

Another day passed and Rain grew desperate, he spent the entire day in the architecture building hoping to run into the senior, but nothing. Payu didn't come in once! It's like he was going out of his way to avoid Rain, and the boy couldn't take it anymore. Something like a storm was brewing inside of him, and every minute he spent without seeing or talking to Payu only made the storm grow bigger. But Rain only has himself to blame so he ignores the feeling. Payu's on his redemption tour now, why would he have time for the boy?

Staying as late as possible, Rain finally takes the hint to leave when all the lights in the building begin shutting off. And as if things couldn't get any worse, of course, it's raining. Rain always takes rain as a silly metaphor for his life. More often than not it only rains when he's at his gloomiest, so the boy started associating his name with being sad. And he was very sad right now. Soaking wet by the time he makes it to his car, Rain turns on the heat and sits there for a moment before pulling out of the lot. The roads are slippery but Rain is determined to make it home.

He only gets so far before his car starts clunking, "Oh please no." The boy frowns as the noise gets louder. Quickly pulling to the side of the road, the car gets slower and slower until it stops completely. "Don't do this to me right now." He turns the key and the engine makes a whirring sound a few times before stopping, every attempt is the same. Frustrated Rain hits the steering wheel wanting to cry.

He steps out of the car and is immediately hit by pouring rain. He walks over to the hood propping it open. Smoke exhales from the engine, and once it clears out Rain looks down at the contraption unsure of what he's even looking at. Why'd he even open this stupid thing? He knows less than nothing about cars. But he leans in looking further hoping the issue will just show itself. After a few minutes of pretending to know what's happening, Rain begins taking out his phone which is also getting completely wet. He's not sure who he can call this late but he has to try. His dad! The boy thinks and as he's about to dial his father's number Rain hears

"Everything okay?" The voice whips Rain around and both guys are taken aback when they realize who the other is. Payu stands there as the water glistens off his porcelain cheeks, his hair still pretty as it's being soaked in rainwater.

"P'Payu," Rain stares at his senior, and Payu can only smile at the surprised look on his face.

Chapter Text

"You're helping people by the side of the road now?" Rain questions as Payu is busy under the hood of his car doing God knows what.

"I told you to go wait in the car Rain, I don't want you to get sick." Payu instructs but the boy doesn't move. Standing from the hood of the car Payu looks at Rain, his fierce stare now mixed with something soft Rain couldn't quietly explain. It's like he was pleading with his eyes, and Rain quickly gives in going back to the car and getting in. However, he can't take his eyes off Payu. Something seems different about him, lighter maybe. His permanent scowl was gone, and Rain felt his cheeks rising at the thought of how Payu looked at him.

It is as if the universe heard his plea and sent the senior right to him. He only wanted to stay out there because he was sure if he walked away, Payu would disappear again. But nope, he's still there. And after a while, he walks over knocking on Rain's window. Lowering it as Payu bends to be at eye level, Rain gulps at how casually he just leans in to speak to him.

"Your spark plugs are shot," Payu explains to the layman. "You'll need new ones to get it started again."

"Cool," Rain nods trying to remain nonchalant. "Is there a spark plug store I could go to and get new ones?"

Payu chuckles at the question. "Sure, only if you know how to install them yourself."

"I know the most about cars P'Payu, can't you tell?" The boy jokes making the senior laugh. "What are my options?"

"Well, you could ditch the car and take a taxi home, have it towed in the morning." Solid advice. But then Payu adds, "Or you could come with me and get cleaned up. I can have one of the mechanics at the garage pick it up and tow it back, get everything fixed for free." He suggests.

"You want me to go with you?" Rain reiterates to make sure he understood

"It's an option," Payu nods. "Not one you're obligated to take though—"

"Sure I'll come with you." Rain quickly agrees before his mind can think for him.

Smiling Payu steps back opening the car door for him. After rolling up his window, Rain grabs his things leaving the car then locking it. Following behind Payu, Rain casually climbs through the already opened passenger door. Payu shuts it going around to the driver's side.

For the first time since he'd agree to go somewhere with Payu, Rain felt calm, almost comfortable. It didn't seem to matter who Payu was, this guy was someone completely different. And for some reason, Rain felt safe with him. A drastic contrast to the panic he'd feel whenever he sat beside Payu as the senior drove.

When they get to the luxury garage, Payu leads Rain up some stairs to a secluded room above the waiting area. Walking in Rain looks around at the nicely decorated space, with posters on the walls and beautiful leather couches in the far corner. "Do you live here?" Rain asks

Amused by the questioning look on Rain's face Payu answers, "not really. I do spend a lot of time here but I technically live at home."

"Is this like your getaway?"

"Kind of," Payu nods. "Saifah and I used to share it when we were younger, but he likes it more at home. It can get pretty noisy here so I didn't blame him."

"And you also wanted this place all to yourself," Rain adds.

"Exactly." Walking away Payu heads for a dresser opening a few drawers. "There's a bathroom right back there," he begins explaining. "You can take a shower and get out of those wet clothes." Walking back to Rain holding folded clothes and a towel Payu adds, "Warm water to wash all the cold water out of your hair." Rain can only nod as he opens his hands for Payu to drop everything. Why was he being so attentive?? "I'm going to head downstairs for a bit and put in a request for your car, then we'll figure out dinner."

"Okay," is all he can get out, then just stands there watching Payu leave the room. Now alone Rain lets out a breath, he looks down at the clothes in his hands then back up around the room. Payu sure knew how to throw this boy off his axis.

Shaking his head Rain heads for the bathroom and does as he's told. After a warm shower, he changes into Payu's clothes which are slightly bigger on him, but still very comfortable. Staring at himself in the foggy mirror Rain lets out a long breath. Payu seems okay, he thinks. And he surely doesn't seem mad at Rain. This is a good thing, the boy nods to himself in the mirror. Spending longer than he needs to in the bathroom, by the time Rain gets out Payu is already back and changed out of his wet clothes. The boy walks over as he dries his hair.

Looking up from his phone Payu greets with a smile. "I've got the best mechanic here on the case. He's heading over now to get the car."

"Sounds great!" Rain responds excitedly. Absentmindedly he walks over to Payu's bed sitting down, the towel still making its way around his head. Payu just watches delighted to have the boy here. He doesn't want to mess up again, so Payu is trying hard to do everything right this time.

"Any idea of what you want for dinner?" Payu asks walking over

"Hmm." Rain thinks then answers, "I really want panang with fried eggs. And sticky rice!"

"Okay," Payu nods with a smile. "Anything else?"

"Yes, boba! Chocolate tea, because I deserve it." The boy decides.

Chuckling with a nod. "You got it." He steps away putting in the order for delivery. "Should be about 30 minutes." He comes back after a while informing Rain. The boy responds with a nods before going back to drying his hair.

Without a second thought Payu walks over sitting down next to Rain, Rain freezes as Payu takes the towel from him and starts massaging it into the boy's scalp instead. "You're being too rough, it's hard to watch." Payu says as he gently dries Rain's hair.

"Oh," Rain chuckles just sitting there letting it happen.

The night goes on and Rain doesn't know if he wants to ruin it by bringing up the obvious. So, he decides if Payu isn't going to say anything then neither is he. They can just have a nice night and tomorrow... he'll worry about that then. After Payu dries his hair Rain takes it upon himself to look around the senior's room, never mind Payu's eyes are on his every move. Rain makes it to Payu's workstation and sees what the senior is currently working on.

Staring closer at the structure Payu is drawing on his drafting paper, Rain admires the senior's ideas realizing he's never seen them in real life before. Payu is top of all of his classes and this drawing proves why. "This is really good P'Payu." Rain compliments. Payu walks over as the boy continues to study his drawing. "What are these patterns on the exterior walls?" Rain points

When Payu sees what he's pointing at he answers, "It's glass, I don't know what I'm going to use for the model yet. But I plan on having the entire first-floor walls made of glass."

"Plexiglass!" Rain practically yells the idea

Thinking for a moment Payu responds. "You're right, I don't know why I didn't think of that. I've been trying to figure it out for days." He runs a hand through his hair still staring at the sketches.

"It's okay. I've been stuck on my project for weeks. I'm supposed to put skylights on the first floor of a three-story house. I don't know how the hell I'm going to do that." Rain sighs trying not to think of the project he's been avoiding.

"Do you have the drawings with you?" Payu asks. Rain nods walking over to his things, he gets the blueprint tube he's glad he grabbed before ditching his car. Walking back as he takes it out, Rain lays the large sheet atop Payu's drawing.

"I drew the entire structure and then I broke it down by floors. The assignment was for it to include an attic bedroom, at least 2 skylights on the first floor, and a water system that can support an in-ground hot tub. I don't even know how I'm going to do the last part, I'm not a freaking engineer." Rain wants to start crying again as he stares at his failure of a sketch, which is a sad distinction to Payu's great sketch sitting right under his shitty one. "I'm going to fail." Rain decides as he practically gives up.

"No you won't," Payu disagrees. "Here, you mind if I give it a try?"

"Be my guest," Rain steps aside. "Anything is better than what I've got going on." Pulling up his chair Payu grabs his materials and immediately starts fixing the boy's project.

Dinner comes as Payu is at his desk working on Rain's drawings. Rain doesn't wait for him, the boy sets everything up on the coffee table. Sitting down on the floor with his legs crossed he digs in. Payu is in deep focus and Rain is none the wiser as he enjoys his meal. This all felt a little too natural, the air between them felt at ease as if they've done this before. Rain hasn't felt so content in a long time, shouldn't he be on pins and needles around the senior? There is still so much unsaid between them, and yet they're just having a nice night in as if nothing else is wrong.

It's almost an hour later when Payu turns in his chair announcing, "Alright I think I did something."

"Really?" Rain looks up from his phone where he's been playing a racing game to pass the time. Getting up the boy rushes over to Payu's desk. When he sees the drawing Rain gasps. "This is amazing P'Payu." He closely studies the changes Payu has made. "An atrium in the foyer! That's so smart!" He exclaims looking at Payu.

"Right? It's technically still the first floor so perfect for skylights, and it sets up a great corner over this area for the attic room." The senior explains.

Rain shakes his head in disbelief, "I see why you're the student head of our department. This is unbelievable. But wait-" Rain stops and his smile drops, "is this considered cheating?"

"Not unless you tell your professor." Payu shrugs.

"I don't plan on doing that." The boy stares at the sketches some more. "Seriously P'Payu thank you so much for this, you just got me an A."

"Well, I haven't been much help to any of my juniors so I'm glad I could help you," Payu smiles but his words are filled with gloom.  Dropping his pencil he gets up walking over to the coffee table where his food is still waiting. Rain sits down studying every change Payu made to his drawing in awe. Rain found himself gobsmacked at why someone so smart, with the perfect eye for architecture would choose to be a bully. Payu could've been great on campus, he was popular for all the wrong reasons when his talents should've been what made him shine.

Rain packs up his drawing after a while as Payu finishes his food and cleans up. The awkward shuffle begins when it's time for bed. The good old stuck in a storm with a one-bed trope is alive and well, as Rain just stares at the bed unsure what to do.

"Don't worry I'll take the couch," Payu says trying to bring the boy at ease.

"It's not a comfortable couch P'Payu." Rain deduced after having sat there for a while.

"It's only one night I won't die." Payu throws a blanket on the chair

"No Phi let's just share the bed," Rain's mouth suggests before his brain can think twice about it. Too late to take it back Rain waits as Payu just blinks unsure how to respond. "It's a pretty big bed there's no reason we can't share."

"Are you sure?" No, he's not.

"You're not going to jump me in my sleep, are you?" Rain fakes a serious tone

"Didn't plan on it."

"Then I don't see why not." Rain shrugs with a smile as he climbs in. Once Payu joins him they settle into the bed keeping a careful distance between them. As they're laying in the quiet dimly-lit room, Rain turns his head slightly and with his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you P'Payu I don't know how long I would've been stuck in the rain if it weren't for you. So, I owe you one."

Turning to meet Rain's gaze, with a gentle look in his eyes he quietly asks, "Do you mean that? That you owe me one?"

"Sure," Rain nods smiling. "I mean it."

"Then can I ask for what you owe me now?"

Rain tries to mask anything that question makes him feel as he reluctantly answers. "Sure, you can."

Looking at the ceiling Payu starts, "I want to do something for all my architecture juniors before I graduate. I don't really know where to start, but I want to throw some kind of event as an apology or something." Rain continues to stare at Payu whose eyes stay on the surface above him. "I was supposed to be an example for my juniors... for you. But I wasn't, or I wasn't a good one at least. I need to do something before I leave to at least let them know that I can still be of help even as an alumni."

"I think that's a great idea P'Payu."

"Yeah?" He looks back at the boy

Rain nods. "I think everyone would appreciate the effort you're making, and my best friend Sky is on the freshman event planning committee. I'm sure he'd be happy to help."

"Would you find out for me?"

"Yeah, I'll ask him."

"Thank you, Rain." The boy nods and they share a smile. Seconds later Rain yawns as Payu is staring at him, huffing out a laugh Payu turns his head shutting his eyes. "Good night, Rain."

"Good night, P'Payu." They fall asleep soon after.

The morning sunlight filters through the room as Payu wakes up to the sound of loud persistent knocking at his door. His mind was too groggy to register what was happening. He opens his eyes then quickly shuts them to avoid the sunlit room. Rubbing his face Payu tries again.

Trying to move was a none starter when Payu felt a weight on his left arm. Turning his head Payu found Rain fast asleep, his head resting on the senior's arm. His face looks so soft as he slept there comfortably and Payu's heart gives a traitorous flutter at the sight.

The knocking happens again louder this time and Payu winces at the sound, hoping it doesn't wake up Rain. Carefully he eases his arm out from under the sleeping boy. Rain doesn't budge and Payu quickly stands up tiptoeing to the door. Freezing when he sees the three shapes standing behind his door, Payu's jaw clenches taking a quiet breath to ground him for whatever is about to happen.

Opening the door Payu slips out and the guys back up not expecting him to shut the door behind him. Payu crosses his arms, voice low and sharp. "What do you guys want?"

"Well good morning to you too, sunshine." Tho responds to the glare his friend is giving them

"Calm down Payu we're not here to cause trouble," Prapai defends. "You're avoiding us and we needed to tell you something, so here we are."

"You want to tell me what?" Payu waits arms still crossed, his glare getting stronger by the second.

"Will you relax, huh?" Aek asks. "We're the ones who should have the bitchy attitude, you ditched us."

"You suck for that by the way!" Tho adds.

"Will you guys stop?" Prapai turns to them. "We agreed I'd do the talking."

"Fine, go." Aek gestures for him to continue.

Turning back to Payu, Prapai continues. "We've been friends for years Payu, went through some tough shit together, shit that bonded us for real. And yeah we've done some really fucked up things together too, but that doesn't mean you should just ditch us without even giving us a chance."

"A chance for what?" Payu questions. "None of you are willing to change."

"That!" Tho exclaims. "You just assumed we wouldn't and that's the problem."

"Dude you were the one that took the most convincing." Prapai turns to Tho confused

"Shut up man! He doesn't need to know that."

"Whatever. Look we don't get what's going on with you, but if you're serious about all this then... we'll follow your lead." Prapai assures.

Payu couldn't help the smirk on his face, of course, he's skeptical of these guys they're not really known for their convictions. "I'm supposed to believe you guys will just stop, cold turkey?"

"Nobody said anything about cold turkey!" Tho corrects him.

"Yeah man, we're still figuring it out," Aek adds.

Payu is still surprised by his friends, that they'd even take the initiative to try. "I don't get it, why now? It's been weeks."

The three friends exchange glances before Prapai answers, "it was Rain."

Payu's stomach flips at the sound of the boy's name. "What?" He stares at them stunned

"We may or may not have tried to confront him for you ditching us..." Prapai admits. "He made it clear that none of this was happening because of him, and kind of made us realize how much we sucked for not supporting you."

"So just know that we have your back. Even if you're a weird Saifah wannabe now." Tho teases

"Don't fucking call me that!" Payu scolds his friend and they laugh. "Thanks for trying guys, really."

"Of course dude," Prapai claps a hand to his shoulder. "Next time though just tell us before you do a whole 360 on our entire shit."

"Alright," Payu nods agreeing.

"Cool. Well, we'll get out of your hair. See you at school?" Prapai asks

"Yeah, I'll see you guys." The four friends wave and Payu watches them run down the stairs.

Standing there for a second Payu lets out a breath before heading back inside. He finds Rain still soundly asleep in his bed oblivious to the world. Payu stands there for a moment, watching him. His chest tightens at the thought of Rain being brave and standing up to his friends for him.

Payu was now sure that he is beyond gone for this boy.

Chapter Text

Like most evenings, Sky was always last to leave the architecture building. It's another end of day, the long hallways bathe in golden light as the sun sets. After locking up the committee room, the boy makes his way to the exit letting out a relieved sigh at the thought of finally going home.

However, that thought is quickly cut short when Sky hears, "Nong?" The second he steps out of the building. Startled by the calm and deliberate voice, Sky whips around to find Payu standing there. How tired is he? Sky thinks. He walked right past the senior without noticing him. "You're Sky right?" Payu ascertained. Sky can only nod as he tries to bury his nerves and sport a steely demeanor. "I know it's probably weird me approaching you like this, but I desperately needed to talk to you and didn't know where else to find you."

"What do you need to talk to me about?" Sky finally speaks.

"Are you heading home?" Payu asks. "Can I give you a ride, and we talk about it in the car?"

Taking a step back Sky politely declines, "No thanks I'd rather walk." He's not Rain the boy thinks, it's going to take more than convincing words for him to be comfortable around the senior. "You can talk to me now." Sky decides.

Nodding Payu doesn't push further. "I needed to talk to you about helping me plan an event for my architecture juniors before I graduate."

"Confused by the idea Sky asks, "Why?"

"Well you're on the freshmen event planning committee, and Rain said you wouldn't mind helping."

"No," Sky shakes his head. "Why do you want to throw an event at all?" He asks a clearer question.

"Oh um, I want to apologize to everyone, sincerely. As the student head of this department, I literally did nothing to help anyone, I need to rectify that somehow."

"It's too late P'Payu. You graduate in a few months, there's nothing you can do for us now."

"That's not technically true. I have plenty of resources I can provide even outside of school, and I can always be of help as an alumni. You can invite me back for anything. I'd do it."

Standing there Sky ponders for a second, no matter how he thinks about it, he still doesn't think it would work. "No offense P'Payu but no one would show up to an event with your name attached to it." Payu can't blame them he probably wouldn't show up either if he were in their shoes. The senior nods and Sky watches as hope depletes from his eyes. Mentally kicking himself for falling for that look Sky forces out, "We can throw the event without having your name attached at all. I could say it's an event giving out incentives to juniors in need. And maybe while it's happening, you just so happen to be there with a speech. They'll already be there so they'll have no choice but to stay and listen."

"I don't want to not give them a choice."

"Okay then we'll have the doors wide open, anyone who wants to walk out upon seeing you will be free to do so." Payu nods liking that idea better. Then something dawns on Sky. "Wait is this why Rain texted me earlier saying he desperately needs to ask me for a favor?" Sky wonders

"Probably, I brought up the idea to him first but I wanted to find you before he did."

Sky's eyebrows furrowed with curiosity. "Why?"

Payu answers with a shrug. "I realized after I asked him to help me that I didn't want him cleaning up my mess. He didn't help me make them so... I just want to show him that I'm capable of doing it myself."

A smirk grows on the junior's face but he quickly tries to hide it. "Just so we're clear I'm also doing this for Rain, not you."

Nodding. "I understand."

"Good. I'll reach out after I meet with the committee in the morning."

"Okay, thank you."

Adjusting the strap of his portfolio case on his shoulder Sky grins. "This is going to be interesting," the boy says to himself as he walks away.

It's been a very confusing couple of days for young Rain, which is saying a lot because the last few weeks have been beyond confusing for the boy. But this time his confusion stems from the fact that he's finally admitted to himself that he likes Payu. Rain is sure he likes the senior a lot, and that worries the hell out of him. Mainly because—

"You okay, Rain?" Pete asks as they're walking to the canteen together. "You seem very spaced out."

"Oh," the boy chuckles nervously. "Yeah." He nods lying to his friend.

Stopping in his tracks Pete stares at his friend, "We may not be that close Rain but I've known you long enough to know what your silences mean. Something is bothering you."

"Okay fine!" Rain sighs pulling Pete along so they can continue walking. "But if I tell you, you can't get mad at me."

Pete chuckles. "Okay."

"I have feelings for P'Payu!" He blurts out in one breath shutting his eyes as tight as possible waiting for Pete's reaction.

But after hearing the boy's nonchalant, "Okay." He opens his eyes turning to Pete

"That's it? You're not mad?"

"Why would I be?"

"I like your bully Pete, if I were you I'd be mad."

"I mean he's not that anymore, is he? And his parents are paying for me to go to school so I can't stay mad at him." Pete says before adding, "Also if it makes you feel any better P'Payu never actually hit me, that was mostly P'Tho and P'Aek. He kind of just stood by and watched."

Rain groans at the thought. "That's somehow worse!" Rain's always hated people who just stood by as someone was getting hurt, he found them to be just as bad as the person causing the hurt. "I can't like a bully," Rain shakes his head.

"Does he still feel like a bully to you?" Pete questions making the boy think. He doesn't get a chance to answer because they reach the canteen where Sky and Sig are already waiting.

"Rain! Pete!" Sig waves them over.

Rain rapidly makes his way to Sky's side with a wide very assuming smile. "Sky my best friend, my better half, my confidant—"

Sky rolls his eyes. "What do you want?"

"Why didn't you reply to my text yesterday?"

"Because the reason you texted me came to see me already."

"He did?" Rain asks surprised

"Yes, and he asked for the favor himself so I didn't see a reason to text you back." Rain's shocked eyes wander as he tries to figure out why Payu would reach out to Sky himself. "Hey, don't wrack your little brain, he said he came to me himself because he didn't want you cleaning up his messes," Sky says knowing his friend too well.

And of course, that still doesn't help because it just becomes another thing the boy will feel conflicted about. Payu has got to stop going on this crusade in Rain's name. The junior doesn't think he'll survive another good deed without wanting to throw himself at Payu.

"So you guys gonna do it?" Sig asks after Sky and Rain explain what Payu wants to do.

Sky nods, "I made it the committee's decision and they agreed. We can lie to everyone else about what the event is really for, but I didn't want to lie to my team. If they are going to help they at least deserve to know who they're helping."

"I'm glad they agreed to help him," Rain says.

"Yeah, there was some apprehension at first, but we all came to the conclusion that seniors don't typically ask their juniors for help with anything. It's usually the other way around. Like it or not P'Payu is our senior so it's our duty to help him." Rain nods with a smile feeling proud of his best friend for being so mature about this decision. It feels like others are starting to see what he's been noticing for weeks.

Payu leisurely walks across campus, the afternoon sunlight beaming down on everyone and everything, another 86-degree day for the win. He was on his way to meet his friends, who as promised have been doing their best lately to not bother anyone. But he knows change didn't come easily, especially to them. Which is why he isn't surprised when he turns the corner near the library to find his friend Tho, currently gripping another student's collar as he has him pinned against the wall.

Scared and practically trembling the student stammers. "I- I swear I didn't know it was your parking spot Phi, I thought—"

"You thought?!" Tho growls as his grip on the boy's collar tightens. "Can you not read?! It clearly says RESERVED! Do you know what that means??" Tho barks and the boy frantically nods

Payu strides forward. "Tho."

Tho glances over his shoulder, his scowl softening slightly when he sees Payu. "What?"

"Let him go."

Tho frowns loosening his grip. "But—"

"Whatever he did, I'm sure it was by mistake," Payu says firmly. Walking closer he repeats, "Let him go, Tho." Tho finally let's go and the student stumbles backward. Looking at the student with a gentler voice Payu says, "Go. Be more careful next time." The boy nods before picking up his backpack and bolting.

Tho crosses his arms, his posture defiant. "You can't just let people get away with stuff like that, Payu. If you do the whole campus will just walk all over us."

"Stuff like what Tho?" Payu challenges raising an eyebrow. "Someone parking in your parking spot isn't the end of the world."

"It's not just that!" Tho gets irritated. Gesturing towards the bench where Prapai and Aek are sprawled, waiting for them. "Prapai didn't say a word when a freshman tripped and spilled soda all over his jacket this morning. And Aek just let some kid skip him in line at the canteen earlier without glaring at him once!"

Prapai who's lounging with his arms behind his head snorts. "I'm still pissed about the jacket, it's all sticky now and I don't know how to clean leather."

"And that little imp didn't even apologize for skipping me," Aek adds.

Payu shakes his head suppressing a laugh. "Welcome to the joys of being decent human beings. Sometimes people make mistakes and you just have to let it go."

Tho groans. "We're trying man but none of us are gonna wake up Gandhis tomorrow."

"Good, Gandhi wasn't all that great," Payu responds. With a calm voice he explains, "No one is asking you guys to be perfect. You get to make mistakes too. Just keep trying to be better." They nod.

The group falls into step together heading towards their usual hangout spot. He could tell it wasn't going to be as easy for his friends, but Payu felt his chest swell with a sense of pride in them. They were clearly upset but they were holding back and that's what counts.

After a few days of planning, Sky and his committee decorate the student lounge for the event getting ready to start. Unbeknownst to all the students showing up, Payu stands hidden away trying to subdue his nerves about the speech he's ready to give. He hopes they'll hear him and his sincerity.

"Hey," the senior hears behind him and turns to Rain walking towards him with a smile to greet. They haven't seen each other in a few days. Which has been hard on both of them. But they wouldn't admit that out loud.

"You came." Payu's lips curl slightly

"Of course I did, I'd like to think this applies to me too, right? I am one of your juniors."

"Right." Payu nods remembering.

"Are you nervous?" Rain questions seeing past the senior's hardened demeanor

"No, I don't get nervous." Payu quickly denies making Rain chuckle.

"Alright well everyone's here and Sky has them doing different activities. I guess the plan is to announce you after a few filler speeches."

"Okay," Payu nods taking a deep breath.

"Don't be not nervous." Rain says trying to encourage Payu.

Huffing out a laugh Payu reacts. "That doesn't make any sense."

"You know what I meant!" Going back to the lounge after checking on Payu. Rain joins his classmates in doing the activities Sky and the committee planned. The minutes climbed and now the lounge wasn't just filled with freshmen. Other students from other departments join and even a few professors. Soon enough Sky steps in front of the crowd garnering their attention.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight, we've been having so much fun!" Sky starts getting a cheer from the crowd as he continues. "It always makes me feel great as committee chairman when our events turn out like this. The support this department has for each other is astounding, and I will always be our number one supporter. Now, with that being said I hope you all can forgive me because I have deceived you a bit." Everyone begins to murmur to each other after Sky says that. Looking around at each other confused by what he means the crowd waits for further explanation. "Tonight isn't just about celebrating our department and our achievements. There's also someone here who actually wanted this event to happen because he has something to say to us. And I hope you all listen attentively and with the benefit of the doubt." Sky looks around the room at all the puzzled faces. "Please help me give a round of applause for the student head of our department, P'Payu!" No one besides Sky, his committee, and Rain clap after Sky announces.

Payu walks out his shoulder and head held straight. The crowd begins a slow awkward clap as the senior stands in front of them. The murmuring begins to die down as he clears his throat. His usually confident demeanor is tinged with nervousness.

"Thank you all for coming," Payu begins. His voice is steady but soft. "Like Nong Sky said I wanted this event to happen because I desperately wanted to speak to all of you. I have spent four years at this school only worried about one thing, myself. I was once someone's junior who taught me everything I know, I worked hard and became the student head of this department. And then I did nothing with that title. I selfishly just wanted it to be known I was above everyone."

Payu pauses letting his eyes scan the crowd. "I haven't been the senior I should have been. Instead of being someone you could look up to, someone who supported and encouraged you. I let my insecurities and arrogance turn me into someone I'm not proud of. I know that I've hurt people, I know that I've let a lot of you down."

The room is silent, the weight of Payu's words hanging in the air. Looking around Payu's eyes finally find Rain. The boy is watching him with wide eyes not blinking once, Rain couldn't look away even if he wanted to.

Taking a deep breath he continues. "I used to think that being feared was the only way to garner real respect. But someone made me realize that being feared and having respect are not synonymous. I should've used my abilities and my knowledge to gain your respect, but I dropped the ball on that. To my juniors and anyone I've hurt, I am truly very sorry. I know sorry will never be enough for the things I've done, and I'm not here asking for forgiveness. Though my time here is short I truly believe it's not too late to be different, and to be a senior you can count on. I'm committed to being better, and being the kind of senior this department deserves. I have set up a program that will provide materials and funds for my juniors, especially those who can't afford the computer programs for their classes. Though it's not much it's a start. I hope we all can use this event as a new beginning. I look forward to helping you all with any and everything you need, if you allow it. Thank you so much for listening."

When he's done Payu steps back taking a bow, then comes back up to a smattering of applause. Surprised by the response Payu feels his chest swell. They're actually standing up and excitedly clapping for the senior. With a smile on his face, Payu scans the audience for the only praise that matters the most, but Rain is nowhere to be found. Payu's smile drops when he realizes that Rain has left the lounge.

Chapter Text

It's late when Payu returns to his room above the garage. Though he had a great night getting along with and getting to know his juniors, Rain leaving was very puzzling, he hopes the boy is okay. Stripping off his jacket and throwing it on the couch, Payu grabs a fresh towel making his way to the bathroom. Taking a hot shower to wash off his day, Payu changes into more comfortable clothes. Leaving the bathroom as he combs his wet hair Payu's stomach growls and he chuckles softly. Heading to his desk the senior looks around for a menu, but as he approaches his drafting table something else catches his eye. There's a cream-colored envelope lying neatly in the center of his workspace.

Payu freezes his heart skipping a beat, then it starts pounding erratically. Gulping he steps closer picking up the object. The front reads—

For P'Payu only

Payu sits down heavily in his desk chair trying to calm his palpitating heart. He doesn't want to believe that this is what he thinks it is. Payu doesn't think he has any more hope left in him. But none of those uncertainties stops him from sliding a thumb under the seal carefully tearing it open. Taking out the folded paper inside, Payu lets out a deep breath preparing himself. He unfolds it and immediately starts to read.

Dear P'Payu,

In America they have this saying called Deja vu— (Payu really can't help the chuckle he lets out at that. Rain was funny without even trying. To assume obvious French words as American is absolutely something the boy would do.) After maybe three days of Sky drilling into my head what the saying actually meant, I finally understood it. I'm pretty sure that's what this is, right? Me writing another one of these. The only difference this time though is this letter isn't for anyone else, just you.

I don't know where to start, but I guess the most important thing I should tell you is how proud of you I am. Getting to be a part of your growth these past few weeks, and seeing the effort you've put into making things right. Not for show, not for attention, but because you genuinely want to be better. And I don't know if you can tell but you've done it, P'Payu. I know it hasn't been easy but your resilience is inspiring.

When you started this journey I admittedly doubted you. You were already so set in your ways. I angrily told you that you couldn't change and that you'd always be a bully, I didn't think you would prove me wrong. But you did. You're not the same person you were back then. You figured out that you were way more than just your anger. If you're not proud of anything else you've done so far, then you should be proud of at least that. The journey to your perseverance is a long one. And If you'll allow me, I would love to be a part of that. A real part of it.

If you haven't figured it out already P'Payu, this is a confession. I know, shocking, right? But it's true. I think somewhere along the way, between your redemption tour, you giving me this sort of importance I've never gotten from anyone, and that striking smile of yours, I started to feel something. Maybe it's because I see the person you're becoming. Or maybe it's because you found me in the rain and gave me a place to stay when I needed it— that somehow always does it for me it seems. Or maybe I've just always been a little stupid when it comes to you.

I really like you P'Payu. Though it took me a while to admit that out loud, I'm sure of it now. There are no more apprehensions, only the feeling I get when you look at me. I hope you accept my confession. If you do please come find me. I'll be at home— (Payu's eyes linger over Rain's neatly written address). If you don't feel the same, and all of this was really just about you using my letter as a focal point to being good, then that's okay too. Just promise me you'll keep going on this journey.

Sincerely,
Rain.

Payu slowly lowers the letter, his chest simultaneously tight and heavy. For a moment he doesn't move, he just stares at the paper in his hand. Rereading the words as if they might change. It's a confession, a confession just for him. Payu's lips part slightly letting out a staggered breath. The senior sits there in disbelief for maybe too long.

Leaning back in his seat he runs a hand over his face and then his hair. A laugh filled with disbelief escapes Payu, Rain— the same Rain who approached him about his brother was now confessing to him. Rain said he was proud of him. That meant more than anything. Payu spent so long thinking about Rain's words to Saifah, how sad they made him feel inside because no one saw him that way. But here it was, he glanced back at the letter. Rain confessed and he'd be a fool not to accept.

Payu's gaze locks on Rain's address and he stands abruptly. Folding up the letter Payu puts it back in the envelope. Quickly changing and grabbing his jacket from where he threw it, the senior heads for the door with a stride. He's so sure of what he wants now, nothing could hold him back anymore.

Stuck with dish duty after dinner, Rain tries not to brood as he does his chores. Today's been a great day, and though he expected to be drowning in his nerves Rain felt content, no matter how things go from here he won't react like he did the first time.

The boy knows he could've easily told Payu how he felt, but writing a letter was more fitting for them. And if Rain knows Payu, he knows the senior will appreciate it.

Relieved to be on his last dish, Rain rinses the plate then grabs the dish towel to dry it, before the plate joins the others on the rack. Once he's done Rain makes his way to his room but the boy doesn't get far. A soft knock pulls his attention to the front door.

An overwhelming rush of relief washes over him as Rain crosses to the door. Should he be nervous? Rain stops behind the door asking himself. Did he anticipate this moment so much he basically expected it? Payu wouldn't have come if he didn't accept his confession. So Rain swallows any self-doubt as he grabs the knob.

Rain couldn't help the smile on his face the second he laid eyes on his senior. Payu looks magnificent on his doorstep under the night's natural light.

Neither of them says anything at first, maybe they're both at a loss for words. Or maybe they just want to take each other in for a moment. Payu's eyes scan Rain's face. He's looking for something, maybe a slight apprehension, reassurance? Or an answer to the question he didn't know how to ask. Payu decides he isn't ready to hear Rain say it out loud just yet, so he deflects. Stepping forward Payu crosses the threshold into Rain's house. Turning to him Rain looks up at the senior as they stand in his doorway.

"I think you dropped this," Payu speaks first voice calm and sure as he pulls the envelope from his back pocket.

Clapping a hand to his chest Rain reacts as a relieved breath leaves his lips. "Thank God! I thought I lost it." He stares at the rectangular object in Payu's hand. "You didn't read it, did you?"

Shrugging. "I may have peeked. I couldn't help it."

"What'd you think?"

Payu stares into the boy's eyes, his big doe eyes are causing the senior's hardened demeanor to waver. He looks past the windows to Rain's soul, down to the curve above his nose, and finally his plump lips. Payu meets his gaze again and admits, "I think whoever you wrote this for might have a hard time believing it's for them."

"Really?" Rain asks surprised. "But I made sure to add names and everything this time, so there'd be no confusion."

"I wasn't confused, everything about it was perfect. And on my way here I was so sure about everything, how I'd react when I finally saw you. I'd say yes to your confession, and then I'd say yes a few more times, just so you're sure what I'm saying yes to. But then I got here, my eyes landed on you and now I'm second-guessing."

Rain frowns upon hearing that. "Why are you second-guessing?"

Payu doesn't know how to say this without sounding like a cringe-filled cliche. "I'm not a good person, Rain." He goes for it anyway. "Though I asked the universe for something like this, I didn't think I'd actually get it. I don't think I deserve someone like you just yet."

"Someone like me," Rain repeats scoffing out a laugh. "I'm nothing special P'Payu. And I've done my fair share of bad things too, so whatever pedestal you're putting me on I don't deserve to be there."

Payu understands where Rain is coming from, those who are truly humble tend to keep themselves more grounded. But Payu has only recently become familiar with the concept of humility, so if Rain couldn't see his importance, then the senior would just have to show him. With the letter back in his pocket Payu looks down at the boy's hands resting at his sides. Reaching with his own he takes both hands in his, Rain can only watch too taken by the feel of Payu's hands against his to say anything.

Staring down at the boy's hands in his Payu caresses them. "These hands have changed my life twice now." He meets Rain's eyes and with a faint smile he continues. "They just so happen to be attached to you, so to me that makes you pretty damn special." Bringing Rain's hands up to his face Payu plants a gentle kiss on each. "I still have such a long way to go." Payu's low tone is filled with uncertainty, a feeling he didn't have after reading the letter. But now that he's here, he isn't sure he can just accept Rain's confession without working harder than he has been.

Moving one of his hands from the older one's palm, Rain reaches up to his senior's face gently running his fingers against Payu's cheek. Payu can only shut his eyes leaning into the touch as Rain caresses his cheek. "Did you read the part of my confession where I asked to join you? To be a real part of your journey?" Payu nods remembering. "I meant that P'Payu. I know you have a long way to go. But I also know you've already come so far, I can't keep holding your past against you."

"You could," the words are practically whispered

"I don't want to. I want this more." Taking the initiative with a hitched breath, Rain glances at Payu's lips. His resolve forms before he can second-guess himself. Ignoring the nerves creeping up Rain rests his hand against Payu's neck shutting his eyes and reaching up to meet his lips.

Payu's body stiffens as if he didn't watch the boy lean in. But his hesitation only lasts a heartbeat. Softening his lips against Rain's, he responds with a desperation that slightly catches the boy off guard. Taken by his junior's sweet lips Payu deepens the kiss his hands hesitantly finding Rain's waist. His touch light, almost unsure. But he doesn't stop, Payu pulls Rain closer until there isn't an inch of space left between them. Rain's fingers grip Payu's biceps for an anchor, his knees getting weaker every time Payu pulls at his lips.

This intoxicating kiss didn't leave a single thought in either of their heads. The only thing they can think about is how good this feels, and how impossible it'll be to pull away. Payu was captivating in every sense of the word, his soft lips moving around Rain's like butter. No one person should know how to kiss like this, but here he is Practically lifting Rain off his feet with this tender yet fierce kiss Payu hopes never ends . And would you believe they were still standing in front of Rain's opened door.

Rain parts for a breath their heads still linger close as Payu qsteals quick kisses, never mind oxygen the senior didn't need it. Rain is practically heaving as he pulls back, his eyes open and he sees Payu continue leaning in his face flushed and lips slightly parted. Rain smiles at the sight. Payu finally opens his eyes his hands tightening at Rain's waist when their eyes meet again.

Payu's voice is low and hoarse when he finally speaks. "Are you sure?" Slight worry in his eyebrows hoping that world-shattering kiss meant Rain knew what he was doing.

Nodding with a grin. "I've never been more sure about anything else P'Payu." Rain answers confidently his voice unwavering, the answer warrants him another kiss he happily welcomes.

That evening at Rain's house brought about another drastic change in both Payu's and Rain's lives. They begin to date after that night. Taking things slow both Payu and Rain agree the senior's redemption should be the main focus for now. It's no secret but they had all the time in the world to tell everyone about their relationship. Since graduation was fast approaching, Payu grew busier between final exams, projects, and being a helping hand in the department. And with Rain's support he's been excelling.

Today Payu is spearheading a study session for any architecture juniors struggling with a project, or needs help studying for an exam. Getting some of the other seniors in his department to join in and help, Payu filled the architecture studio and made it a mission to help everyone who showed up. He's never taken the opportunity to show his abilities, and it was actually working. Currently leaning over a desk where a group of freshmen surrounds him completely immersed as they watch his every move. Payu is sketching something basic as an example for the group stuck on their project. Once finished he steps back gesturing at all the adjustments he's made, hoping the group understands enough to incorporate them into their drawing. Their eyes lightens up with understanding and after thanking the senior they got back to work.

Payu made his way around the room like that, his presence at each table commanded attention. Not like before when he had to use fear, now his knowledge and patience garnered him all the attention. Back at the whiteboard, Payu continues to explain different structural concepts. Writing out key points the students will need to remember when building their models.

For the first time in a long time, the senior finally felt like he was in his element. And no one was more amazed than Rain. From the window in the studio doors, Rain stands watching. His lips curl into a smile taking in the sight. Payu teaching and helping students who once feared and resented him. It was almost mesmerizing to watch his senior move about so confidently in himself and his abilities. He showed true patience for those who couldn't comprehend. Rain shakes his head recalling all the times he's seen that same senior blow a fuse over the most minuscule mishap.

It isn't long before Rain is caught. As he walks around Payu's eyes wander until they land on the boy standing behind the shut doors. A grin instantly appears on his face as the senior excuses himself from the room. Heading for the doors Payu steps out to the elated boy waiting for him.

"You're a natural." Rain complements. Stepping in front of him Payu gingerly backs the boy to the nearest wall. "How's it going?"

With a hand already caressing Rain's hair down to his cheek Payu answers, "so far so good, I think I might actually be helping them."

"I know you are." Rain says firmly. He had no doubts about what Payu could do, he got to see it first hand so he knew how smart the senior actually is. Standing in the empty hallway Payu leans in until his lips touches Rain's. Gently Payu pulls at the boy's soft lips captivated by Rain's sweet taste. It was too good and Payu was teetering past deepening the kiss, so he begrudgingly pulls away instead.

"One more hour okay? Then it's me and you." Payu assures.

Nodding with a smile. "Take your time, there's no rush." Rain reaches up stroking a few strands of hair away from his senior's face. Payu plants a kiss on his cheek before reluctantly pulling away and going back into the studio.

Blissed out Rain just stands there unable to move a muscle. But his moment is short-lived when the boy is startled by the sound of slow deliberate claps. Turning with a hand to his chest, Rain sees Sig standing there clapping, and beside him is Sky shaking his head with a smile on his face.

"You guys saw that?" Rain asks sheepishly.

"Hey Sig do your eyes work?" Sky turns asking his friend

"20/20 vision baby." The boy balls his hands around his eyes mimicking binoculars. "How about you?" He turns to Sky who scoffs pushing his hands away from his face.

"So it's official then huh?" Sky questions as the three approach each other

Nodding. "One week and three days." Rain answers proudly

"Wow, when's the wedding?" Sig teases

"Shut up. What are you guys even doing here?"

"It's free tutoring. Why aren't you in there?" Sky questions

"Because I can get free tutoring whenever I want now." Rain grins making Sky roll his eyes.

"Well, we don't all have that luxury." Sig heads for the studio doors. "One of those seniors has to know how to build a spiral staircase." He disappears inside.

Once they're alone Rain and Sky turn to each other. "Just tell me I don't have to worry about you." Sky request

"You always have to worry about me Sky you know that!" Rain answers making his friend laugh. "But not about this, you don't have to worry about this." He assures him. "Are you getting help too?"

"Well someone won't shut up about the quote-unquote architecture God of our department. So, I'm just going to see for myself." Sky walks away with his portfolio case under his arm. "He better blow me away."

"He will!" Rain yells after his friend before Sky goes inside the studio.

Chapter Text

Rain sits comfortably behind Payu, his arms wrapped tightly around the older one's torso. The wind blows through him causing his cheeks to glow red. The boy was thrilled to be on his first motorcycle ride, and he was even more elated to have a boyfriend who could build and ride motorcycles. Rain wasn't sure what to expect when they started dating, but it's been a month and so far, being with Payu is everything it's cracked up to be. His senior has been nothing but a gentleman so far. He takes Rain on dates, they're practically inseparable on campus, and it's nice that both of their friend groups have been supportive for the most part. Payu gets teased here and there for being such a doting boyfriend. The guys have never seen this side of him, so of course they have to make fun of him about it. He happily welcomes the teasing, because they're getting to see a real side of Payu they never saw before, for the first time ever.

Another date was coming to an end, as Payu eased his motorcycle to stop outside the garage. The same motorcycle he spent a year and a half painstakingly building piece by piece. After the initial inspection and test rides, Payu knew he wanted Rain to be the first to join him on it. A decision Rain's more than happy with after the great date they had. The senior drove Rain all over the city, stopping for food and random recreations. Now back at the garage, the humming of the engine fades when they come to a complete stop. With adrenaline still coursing through his veins, Rain wasn't ready to let go of Payu just yet.

Payu glances down at Rain's arms around him and then over his shoulder, a smirk growing on his face. "You okay back there?" Rain can only nod his cheeks are still flushed from the whole ordeal. Slowly letting go, Rain starts climbing off and Payu sticks out an arm for Rain to grab onto for purchase.

Laughter bubbles up as Rain trips feeling his legs wobble. "That was insane!" He manages to catch himself from falling. Pulling off his helmet, Payu smoothly climbs off sitting the protective gear atop his seat. Reaching for Rain he steadies the giddy boy before snapping the strap of Rain's helmet apart, then pulling it off his head. There was a glint of satisfaction in the senior's eyes as he took in Rain's exhilarated expression. He might never get used to seeing Rain like this, so full of joy and completely at ease in his presence. Such a huge contrast to when Rain once yelled that he didn't want to be near the senior. Payu worked hard for this so he wanted to cherish it.

Leaning the motorcycle against its stand, Payu glances up at the stairs leading to his room. "Hungry?" He turns to the patient boy happily observing him.

Shaking his head, "Not really, still kind of full from earlier." Rain responds with a smile.  Payu takes it as a polite rejection to going up to his room.

"Okay," He nods. "Then I should probably take you home now." Payu suggests turning to place Rain's helmet on his bike.

Grabbing the senior's hand Rain pulls him to turn back. "Aren't you going to ask if I'm thirsty?" He hopes Payu hears the innuendo that came with that question. Not bothering with a response, Payu just takes his hand and they make their way to the stairs. Rain happily follows as he's being led up to the room. When they reach Payu fishes for his keys with his back turned to Rain as he unlocks the door. An involuntary reaction happens to his back muscles when he feels Rain's hand gently caressing him. The boy really couldn't wait until they got inside. Ditching the key in the hole Payu turns to the grinning boy whose hand travels to his bicep, then his chest. Goosebumps form each spot Rain touches.

Stepping closer Rain presses against Payu until his senior is leaning against the door. Even Rain didn't know he could be this bold, but being with Payu gives him this sense of confidence the boy's never had before. Knowing Payu was all his, Rain didn't see a reason to subdue his urges any longer. Payu's arms make their way around his middle as Rain continues to stroke his biceps and neck, then resting comfortably against his chest. Rain meets Payu's gaze and he smiles at the softness in the other one's sharp eyes. Neither say a word but the want between them is loud and palpable.

"Thank you," Payu says softly before leaning up and planting a gentle kiss on Rain's forehead.

"For what?" Rain questions his tone just as soft.

Meeting Rain's forehead with his own Payu takes a deep breath. "For taking a chance on me, seeing something I couldn't. I've never been so happy and it's all thanks to you." Rain caresses the back of his head, his fingers getting lost in Payu's hair. "I promise to always work hard to show you how much you mean to me." Not allowing for a response Payu takes Rain's lips into a consuming kiss.

Heat rises inside of Rain as Payu's all-consuming kiss engulfs him, the boy is practically off his toes feeling like he's floating, because all of the gravity around them was too busy keeping their lips together. Payu manages to unlock the door keeping an arm firmly around Rain as they kiss their way into his room. The sound of the keys hitting the floor rings in the room, then followed by Payu's jacket after Rain takes it off him.

Lips never parting until they make it to Payu's bed, he drops first sitting at the edge, then pulling Rain down to straddle him. His lips latch onto Rain's neck as soon as they can. The boy's breathing gets heavier as Payu massages his neck with his skilled lips. Rain pulls off his button up leaving him in his t-shirt. As his hands tangle themselves in the fabric of Payu's shirt desperate for an anchor, their lips meet again moving together in a slow heated rhythm. They kiss each other deeply and unhurried, dripping in tension that's been building up between them for weeks.

Payu's hands rest on Rain's waist, firmly yet gently he hoists the boy closer, their bodies pressing together sends electricity through Rain. No one has ever touched him like this, and he's definitely never touched anyone like this, he thinks running his hands against his senior's chest feeling his pecks. But what really catches Rain's attention is Payu's heartbeat, it's steady. Maybe beating slightly faster than normal, but not beating as fast as his. The senior was so sure of what he wants, there was no reason to feel anything other than content.

Feeling strong hands slide up beneath the hem of his shirt, Rain moans at the heat curling low in his stomach. Arching into the touch ready to throw himself into the point of no return, the demon that sits on his shoulder sends the boy a gnawing reminder he's all but forgotten. "Wait," Rain whispers against Payu's lips. His voice is breathless as he pulls back just enough to break the kiss, Rain rests his forehead against Payu's trying to catch his breath.

Payu stilled beneath him immediately, his hands retreating from under the boy's shirt now back on his waist. His dark eyes search Rain's, concern softening his usual intensity. "Are you okay?"

Nodding Rain finds it difficult to hold the senior's gaze as he admits. "I've never..." Rain's quiet voice waivers feeling almost embarrassed to utter his admission. His fingers still gripping at Payu's shirt for comfort he continues, "I've never done anything—" Rain is cut off by Payu's lips giving him a soft and sweet kiss.

Meeting Rain's eyes again Payu asks, "Do you trust me Rain?" The boy nods. Shaking his head Payu reaches up bringing a thumb to stroke Rain's bottom lip. "Please use your words, use your pretty lips to say you trust me." The senior instructs

And Rain willingly obliges, "I trust you, P'Payu."

"Thank you," Payu pecks his lips. "I promise as long as you trust me, I will do anything to always make you feel safe." When they kiss again, it is slower and sweeter. With that reassurance, Rain and Payu spend their first night together creating a memory that wouldn't be soon forgotten.

Climbing into bed after cleaning both he and Rain off, Payu joins Rain under the covers. Rain makes his way over laying against his senior's naked chest. Now blissed out from a perfect night, the couple cuddles. Their fingers intertwined doing little dances around each other. With his eyes locked on the fingers playing with his, Payu takes the initiative to say something.

"I have to tell you something," he begins softly. Rain doesn't budge but he listens attentively. "A senior I had when I was a freshman started his own architect firm a few years ago..." Payu wasn't sure why he was nervous to tell Rain this, he hadn't told anyone and he wanted the boy to be the first to know. "I guess he's been keeping tabs on me and he offered me a job."

"What?!" Rain picks up his head turning to Payu. He looks at the older one awestruck, "really?"

Payu nods. "For junior partner, I start a few weeks after graduation."

"You accepted it?" Rain sits up next to Payu who's still lying comfortably on his back. Rain throws himself against the senior after he nods. "Congratulations P'Payu that's amazing!"

"Thank you," Payu wraps his arms around the boy on top of him hugging him. Rain's excitement for him feels better than any reaction he'd get from anyone else.

"You've worked so hard, you deserve this." Rain pulls away bringing his lips to Payu's face. Peppering kisses all over his boyfriend's face Payu laughs just letting it happen. "I'm so proud of you!"

"That means a lot," Payu's response drips with sincerity. He couldn't have asked for anything better. Rain finally stops and meets his eyes, with the boy's head hovering over his Payu says. "I know it's no Roscosmos but I'm beyond happy for the opportunity."

"Roscosmos?" Rain tilts his head confused. "What is that?"

"Russian space program," Payu answers. "The great Saifah got recruited by them."

Rain can only react with a jaw drop. That's the most unbelievable thing he's ever heard, he knew Saifah was smart, but he didn't know the senior was scientist smart. "That's incredible," the words fall out in quiet amazement before he can think about them. He sees Payu looking at him, not sad or upset he's just staring at the stunned boy. "I'm sorry I didn't mean—"

"No, you're right it is incredible. Even better you'll never guess what our parents are already calling him."

"P'Saifah the scientist?" Rain guesses anyway

"More like Saifah their little astronaut."

"Oh right because space," he nods understanding.

Gently pulling Rain off Payu climbs out of bed, Rain assumes maybe it's to hide his self-consciousness about his news in contrast to his brother's. "He told everyone during dinner last week, and I knew my news wouldn't have meant much in comparison so..."

"You didn't tell them." Rain finishes for him watching as Payu walks to his mini fridge in the far corner. Now on his way back holding two bottles he joins Rain back in bed. "Your news is just as important, P'Payu."

"Not to them," he shakes his head. "But it doesn't matter honestly, even if I did everything Saifah did and got into freaking Russian NASA too, it still wouldn't have mattered. I realized it was never about me not being good enough, it's just me. They just don't like me." Rain nods, and though he can't empathize with his senior, his heart still hurts knowing Payu knew this and couldn't do anything but live with it.

"P'Payu," Rain moves closer taking the drinks from Payu's hands, discarding them somewhere on the bed. Turning Payu's face to look at him Rain asks, "Are you happy with the decisions you've made that led you here?"

Payu thinks about the question, not because he doesn't know the answer, but because he finds it to be poetic justice that the source of his happiness is asking if he's happy. "Very," he answers truthfully.

"Then that's all that matters, if you wanted to go to cosmoscos then you would have." Though they were having a serious conversation, Payu couldn't help but chuckle. "What?" Rain questions amused by his boyfriend's laughter

"It's Roscosmos baby," Payu pulls Rain to him lying down with the boy perched on top of him. "You're right," Payu strokes his hair. "I've got everything I want, I'm more than happy."

"Good, now please call me baby again."

Payu smirks at the request. "Oh yeah, you liked that?" Flipping them over now with him on top, it was his turn to shower Rain in kisses. Though his are slower and more deliberate. Rain sees the senior's eyes darkening as he leans in to plant a kiss against his neck. "Baby," he starts with a low sultry tone. "Baby," Rain feels his lips against his cheek. Payu continued that way until Rain couldn't take it any longer, crashing their lips together initiating a deep kiss.

Making peace with who he's been meant Payu had to make peace with the reasons that led him to being the way he was. After almost a decade full of resentment and bitterness for those close to him, Payu was truly ready for anew. The senior knows making external peace wouldn't be enough. True peace was accepting every truth, even the truths that are against you. For whatever reason his parents decided he just wasn't worthy of their affection. They treated him as if he were any random human from the street, Payu yearned to be treated like a son, to be told his successes were enough and that his tribulations wouldn't last forever.

He also knew he had to stop hating his twin for their parent's actions. Saifah never asked to be favored, at least not to Payu's recollection. He's just the luckier one of the two.

There's a sense of freedom that comes with making amends. For the first time, Payu understood what forgiving others for yourself meant. The peace he exudes gave him a newfound confidence, not derived from misguided anger or fear. He feels the confidence of a real man who's secure in himself.

Rain rushed out of his car grabbing his completed model, his tube, and the apology coffees he brought for his friends. Heading right for the architecture building, Rain entered the busy studio to find it in its usual mess. Half-finished models and sketches are scattered everywhere, and the strong smell of coffee that permanently lingered. Rain has his dark hoodie pulled up as he makes his way to his friends already there working. Hunched over their shared workspace, Sky and Sig sport matching exhausted expressions.

Making it to the table Rain drops his things. "Sorry sorry, I'm late I overslept." He immediately starts apologizing. Both boys glanced up at their slightly frantic friend, and for a second, everything was normal.

Sky's eyes narrowed getting a better look at Rain, "Oh my god!"

"What?" Rain blinked

Sky taps Sig hinting at what he's reacting to. Sig goes over to Rain reaching out tugging the boy's hoodie down. "Dude..." Sig reacts to the reddish marks blooming along his neck and collarbone. Sky scoffs fighting a grin as Rain hits Sig's hand away. Sig turns to Sky, "Three guesses go."

"Umm," Sky thinks. "He still doesn't understand how the suction part of a vacuum works."

"Nah look at him," they turn to Rain who's avoiding eye contact as he sits down. "He's never used a vacuum in his life."

Sky laughs, "Okay, do you remember that bed-breaking scene from Twilight?"

Sig's eyes grow, "Edward and Bella!" He turns to Rain. "Was this an Edward and Bella situation? Were you doing the devil's tango with a vampire?" Sig asks teasing his friend.

"Alright stop it you guys!" Rain groans his face burning as he tries to end his friends' mockery. "It was P'Payu." He admits.

"Sig did you know that the sky was blue?"

"Oh yeah, and I don't know if you've heard but grass is green."

Rain stares at them confused. "Are we done stating the obvious?" He asks Rain.

"You're both being dramatic." Rain rolls his eyes feigning annoyance, but the smile tugging at his lips betray him. "My boyfriend's insatiable, what can I say?"

"Ugh," Sky groans faking a gag

"You ruined it." Sig goes back to his work.

Rain laughs, "You guys started it!"

"Yeah yeah. Start investing in some scarves or something and you'll be fine."

"Got it. Now can we please work on these deadlines?"

"Excuse you while you were busy losing a fight to a vampire we've been working." Sig says adding, "Did you even do your part?”

"I don't know, you tell me." Rain pushes his model to the center of the table.

Both boys stare at the completed model which is arguably better than the ideas they originally had. "Dating a capable senior has its perks huh?" Sig asks impressed

"Is this going to be a recurring thing now? P'Payu doing all your work for you?"

"He didn't do all of it!" Rain argues, "he just fixed my mistakes and added a few ideas of his own."

"This is like the third project he's fixed for you," Sky puts air quotes around fixed.

"You jealous?" Rain squints at his friend

Sky shrugs, "Maybe I am." Knowing it's all lighthearted Rain smiles. "Can you at least show us what he helped with so I can incorporate it into our paper?"

"Sure can," Rain stands, and the three students get to work.

The end of the year is only a week away, and after three months of life-changing milestones, Payu has been taking the time to prepare for after graduation. Rain still had three years to go, but Payu's time was up. Entering the real world meant he had to start making real-world decisions. Now though, those decisions included someone else. Payu was ecstatic about the prospect of building his life outside of college to include Rain. He'll get to make a name for himself and make money to take care of Rain. He wants to work hard so that Rain will always be proud of him, not just as the capable architecture senior who's head of his department. But as a man and a real architect who will design and build things Rain will get to see and fawn over.

It's another work-filled day in the studio, The pressure of deadlines fills the air as everyone is working. At their table, Sig is busy drafting as Sky measures pieces to be glued together, and Rain is typing away. The boys are lost in their work when the studio doors creak open, followed by a sudden shift in the room's energy. Several freshmen looked up, their heads turning towards the entrance before a chorus of cheerful greetings broke the calm.

"P'Payu!"
"Hey, Phi!"
"Good to see you, P'Payu!"

Rain, Sky, and Sig whip around and sure enough there was the senior walking in. Dressed in his usual dark jeans and fitted shirt looking effortlessly put together. He offers casual smiles and waves to all the students looking and grinning in his direction. Then his eyes locked on Rain and in seconds he was making his way towards their table.

"Here comes trouble," Sky mutters to Sig who snorts.

"Hey," Payu softly greets the boy stopping at his side.

"Hey yourself." Rain smiles trying not to let the flutter in his chest distract him. "What are you doing here?"

"Need some design tips from your capable juniors?" Sig asks amusingly

"Not exactly," Payu directs his smirk toward Sig. "I was hoping to borrow Rain for an hour or two."

"Borrow me?"

Payu nods at Rain then glances back at Sky and Sig, "I have a surprise for Rain, I promise not to keep him long I know you guys are busy."

"Is your surprise more important than our deadlines, P'Payu?" Sky crosses his arms questioning, which warrants him a hit from Sig.

"A surprise sounds way better than stressing over finals," Sig tries to recover with a grin. "Relax a little," he mutters the last part towards Sky.

"I don't mean to be rude Phi but we're kind of stuck at the moment, nothing is working, and—"

"Okay, then how about a break?" Payu cuts Sky off suggesting. "Step away for an hour, my surprise is for Rain but maybe it can help you guys too."

"You want to show us Rain's surprise?" Sky questions

Shrugging with a nod, "Sure I don't mind." Taking the boy's hands off the laptop keyboard, Payu saves Rain's work before shutting the computer.

"Fine, but for only an hour." Sky agrees. "We can't all manifest top grades like you."

"Deal," Payu chuckles.

"Oh, I'm definitely coming with," Sig drops his ruler and pencil. Sky reluctantly packs his things as Payu picks up Rain's bag.

Taking the boy's hand Payu pulls him up and they head for the doors, followed by Sig and Sky.

After a pleasant ride in the senior's G-wagon, Payu slows down in front of a big glass house peaking over tall black gates. Then the gate slowly opens allowing him to drive in. Getting a better view of the tall modern glass house the car gets quiet.

"Woah" Sig presses his face against the window. "Is this where you're taking us?"

All three boys gawked at the massive house, its sharp lines and floor-to-ceiling windows made the house look like something straight out of a magazine. Rain feels his heart racing as Payu kills the engine. They all climb out.

Payu gestures for them to follow as he leads them to the front door, letting them in the boys continue with their awe-filled reactions. The interior was just as breathtaking with its polished flooring and open spaces. The area was filled with natural light, and for four architecture students, this house was a dream. Sky and Sig can't help but wander leaving Rain alone with Payu.

Rain finally speaks. "P'Payu what is this place?"

"It's mine," Payu answers calm and certain. "Well it will be once I graduate."

Rain turns to him finally meeting the senior's eyes, "how?" He asks confused

"My parents gave it to me. They originally planned for Saifah to live here, but he's moving to Russia in a few weeks so they gave it to me instead." After he's done explaining he walks over to where Rain is standing. "Old me would've probably threatened to burn this place down knowing they meant it for Saifah instead, but I have to be smart about things. With a place to live all I'll have to worry about is making a name for myself."

"It's beautiful, I'm glad you accepted it."

"Me too, though it's probably the last thing I'll ever accept from them." After a moment he reaches pulling Rain to him by the waist. "And even though your parents have accepted us being together, I don't want to put any pressure on you or them by asking you to move in with me just yet." Fishing in his pocket he pulls out a set of keys. "But I want this place to be your home too."

"Really?" Rain stares at the keys before taking them. "Thank you Phi," he hugs his boyfriend tightly.

"I should be thanking you, Rain. None of this would've been possible without you." Their hug loosens and Payu meets the boy's eyes. "I owe you everything, so what's mine will always be yours." Rain can only kiss the amazing guy holding onto him. Pulling Payu's lips into a joyful kiss the senior happily reciprocates.

"There's a freaking pool!" Sig comes back practically yelling, both he and Sky stopping in their tracks when they catch Payu and Rain kissing.

"What do you guys think?" Payu pulls away leaving an arm around Rain as they turn to the others.

"It's a beautiful home," Sky complements. "Are you going to live here?" Payu nods

"You should throw a housewarming party!" Sig suggests. "No, a graduation party!" He gets a better idea, "a pool party!"

"Why not all three?" Payu shrugs smirking. "My parents have their plan for Saifah so I can do whatever I want."

"Then we'll throw a party," Rain agrees

"We have to pass our exams first before we start talking about Parties." Sky reminds everyone.

"Hey P'Payu how many bathrooms does this house have? Because this party pooper needs one," he points to Sky making Payu laugh.

"No Sky is right. Come on let's get some lunch then I'll take you guys back to campus." They all leave and Payu locks the door. Rain feels elated for the senior and himself sort of, the keys Payu gave him are burning a hole in his pocket. He couldn't wait for the day he got to use them.

The day's finally here! Graduation day.

Since the moment Payu became a senior he dreaded the thought of graduating for many reasons. Mostly because he was scared of going into the world so full of resentment, that people were going to resent him as much as his campus had. Deciding to be better was the best thing the senior had ever done for himself, now he feared nothing. He's been looking forward to this day for weeks, the moment he gets to become a real man and go out on his own. To stand in front of an audience proud of himself and his accomplishments. But there was one thing the soon-to-be graduate needed to do before solidifying his future.

Stepping out of his room Saifah is immediately greeted by his brother standing there waiting. Startled as he shuts the door behind him, Saifah and Payu turn to each other. Both suited and ready to go. "Here to say your final fuck yous or something?" Saifah assumes

"No," Payu shakes his head. "I'm here to say I'm sorry and finally make amends."

"Amends huh?" Saifah asks intrigued

Nodding. "Remember when we were kids and our parents would ship us off to our grandparents every summer? I remember all the fun we used to have back on that island, playing games and climbing trees together all day. I think about those times often."

"Me too."

"I know we've lost our way since those days, and I know I played a big part in that. I hated you for a long time for something you couldn't even control, I blamed you for all my shortcomings because it was easier than admitting the truth. I didn't want to believe that we were being pitted against each other. But that divide was never truly any of our faults." And accepting that made this conversation easy for Payu. "Maybe we can't go back to those times when we were little, but I'd really like to have a brother again."

"You wait until I'm leaving to tell me this?" Saifah searches his face in disbelief

"Better late than never I guess,"

"Payu I know you probably don't believe this, but I tried so hard for so long to make them see what they were doing to you. But then you started hating me too so..."

"You gave up." Payu always knew as much. "I don't hate you anymore Saifah, I'm sorry for all those years of resentment."

"I'm sorry too," the brothers apologize to each other.

"I know you're going to crush it out there in Russia, just know that whenever you do decide to come back, you'll have a brother waiting for you."

Saifah smiles at the thought. "Thank you, brother." They hug each other for the first time in almost a decade. "Didn't know my ball-busting brother was a sap," Saifah jokes trying to stop himself from tearing up.

They let go. "Yeah the new me's not so bad, maybe we should hang out or something before you leave."

"I'd like that," Saifah nods.

Patiently waiting outside standing next to his car, Rain looks up from the graduation itinerary when he hears, "Nong Rain!" Saifah calls his name.

"P'Saifah!" The boy bows as the senior approaches him. "Congratulations on your big day."

"Thank you Rain," Saifah stops in front of him. "My brother will be out in a second." Rain nods. "So, things are great huh?"

"They are," Rain assures him. "How about you?"

"Oh couldn't be better for me," Saifah grins

"Good. Congrats on going to Russian NASA."

Saifah bursts out laughing, "Russian NASA? Is that what you're calling it?"

"Yeah, I kind of forgot its actual name."

"Roscosmos," Saifah reminds him and Rain nods remembering. "But thank you Nong I'm really excited for the opportunity."

"As you should be this was no easy feat."

"Thanks, Rain. I'm glad things worked out for you and Payu." Saifah adds

"Yeah me too."

"Who'd believe it all started with a letter to me," the senior smiles. "I still can't."

"It still surprises me when I think about it." No one could've predicted this outcome, that just three months after writing a letter to his crush, he'd be here dating his crush's brother instead. "No offense Phi but I'm kind of glad you never got to read that letter," Saifah reacts with a tilted head. "I just mean that the person who truly needed it got to read it, even though I never intended for it to happen that way."

"Do you know what they call that Rain?" The boy shakes his head, "it's called serendipity."

"Serendipity?" Rain repeats unfamiliar with the word

"Yeah, happy accidents. I'm happy for you and my brother, you did something no one could do. So I'm glad it was him and not me too." Saifah has Rain to thank for getting his brother back, so of course he's glad he never read that letter. "Take care of him okay? Payu may be tough but he's never had anyone like you before, it'll be good for him to get to know his softer side again. The little boy who used to cry for road kill is still in there somewhere." Saifah adds the last bit remembering how sensitive his twin was when they were kids.

"I'll try my best."

Rain drives his boyfriend to his graduation and after the whole ordeal, he waits outside with all the families, as the graduates begin to file out of the auditorium. Rain waits behind Payu's parents with a big bouquet of blue carnations, giddy to see his magna cum laude after the ceremony.

Payu exits before his brother and is met with a casual pat on the back and a hug from his mother. "Good job son, you did your best." The man forces out.

"Thank you," he bows to them before walking away.

Running up to Rain who opens his arms as Payu engulfs him in a big hug that lifts him off the ground. "You did it P'Payu I'm so proud of you!!" His arms tighten around his boyfriend.

"I couldn't have done it without you," Payu meets his eyes still holding him up. "Thank you so much, Rain."

"You're so welcome Phi." The boy kisses him as Payu slowly puts him down. When he pulls away he presents Payu with the large bouquet.

"Where were you hiding those?" Payu smiles taking the flowers from Rain, his heart doing all kinds of dances feeling beyond happy.

"In the—"

Not getting a chance to answer Rain is cut off when they hear loud cheering. Looking over they see his parents excitedly waving and jumping for Saifah as he approaches. Rain quickly takes Payu's hand intertwining their fingers as they watch the spectacle.

"My little astronaut!" The woman throws herself on her son hugging him with all her might

"No one here is a summa cum laude! You did it, son!" His father joins the hug. They outwardly praise their favorite as their other son watches.

This sight in comparison to Payu's earlier breaks Rain's heart, they didn't even care that they were so blatant about it. Rain is pulled out of his thoughts when he feels Payu's hand squeezing his.

Looking up at his boyfriend who remains stoic as he watches. Rain says, "Hey," he gets Payu's attention back on him. "Do you know what magna cum laudes deserve on their graduation day?"

"What's that?" Payu asks with a smile already forgetting what was happening in front of them, now that his focus is on the only thing that matters

"A big juicy steak! One of those big ones with the bone sticking out," Payu laughs. "Come on I'm buying." Still holding his hand Rain pulls him and they turn walking away.

At that moment, Rain promised himself he'll always help Payu walk away from anything that makes him feel like less than he truly is.