Work Text:
Beep Beep Beep.
The sound started him awake, jolting the sheets off his body. His muscles stiffened, limbs reacting to the sudden disturbance. He instinctively drew his knees up to his chest, almost as if trying to protect himself from the weight of the day that was beginning.
His eyes squinted into the harsh sunlight pouring into the bedroom.
His body still felt the remnants of sleep as his heart thudded painfully against his ribs. He hated how waking up always felt like a punch to the gut, his breath catching and his pulse racing too quickly like his body was always a step behind.
Beep Beep Beep.
For a moment, the room felt alien, as though the walls were closing in, and the colors of the space began to swirl around him. His head felt light, and his hands instinctively gripped the edge of the bed as the white drapes twisted into something darker, something that looked like fingers reaching out to tug at his hair. The world tilted, and panic gripped his chest, making his breathing shallow. He quickly yanked the sheets back up around his neck, clutching them like they were the only thing anchoring him to the world, his fingers tight around the fabric.
Beep Beep Beep. Ding!
The second noise sent a shudder through him, like his body was involuntarily reacting to the pressure in the air. His limbs tensed, but the feeling was brief, fading as quickly as it had arrived. His hand shot out, fumbling around the nightstand until his fingers closed around the cold, smooth surface of his phone. The screen blinked to life with the notification of a text. He exhaled deeply, feeling the tension ease slightly, his heart slowing its frantic beat.
It calmed it, seeing the name on the screen.
His best friend was still there. He was still texting him, and spamming him with those texts. It triggered a smile fleeting across his face as the curtains settled back against the walls. The kaleidoscope of colors settled down into the warm tones of the bedroom around him.
The next sound he heard was the shower turning off, followed by a moment of silence, and then around the corner stepped a very wet but very smiley Pai.
“You’re awake!”
A nod of his head, one that sent bangs of sleepy fluffed hair into his eyes.
A responding nod, one that sent droplets of water all over Sky’s face and caused a shriek to escape his lips.
Pai let out a noise that could only be described as a giggle, launching the attack onto the shared bed. The towel slipped away from his waist as his hands clung around Sky’s waist.
It was cold and wet and sticky. His skin prickled from the sudden chill, his body shivering, but his arms, almost out of habit, wrapped around Pai's body, pulling him close despite the discomfort. It was like Pai knew that he had awoken badly.
He always knew.
The beeping had stopped, the clock's alarm having been turned off by a sneaky arm that Pai had wiggled out to use. Sky knew what was coming and he didn’t want it to.
“Don’t go,” he felt a pout form and couldn’t bring himself to feel embarrassed. Instead, he let it grow until his eyes blinked and the flush on his cheeks blossomed even more.
He was rewarded with the very visible sight of Pai melting. The way the edges of Pai’s smile softened, the way his expression melted at the sight of him. It made his cheeks burn, a flush creeping up as he felt the vulnerable smile grow even more.
The victory was short-lived however Pai pulled back slightly, still grinning, and placed a quick, minty-soft kiss on Sky’s lips, the fleeting contact enough to leave him longing for more.
“I have to work.”
Sky’s pout deepened, his eyes widening with exaggerated sadness. “P’Paaaiiii.” His voice stretched the vowels, and he kicked his feet against the sheets in frustration. It was unfair, really, how easily Pai could make his heartache, how his mere presence could leave him feeling so soft and hopelessly in love.
There was a moment when Sky thought he had won. The puppy dog eyes had won over the other set of puppy dog eyes. But too soon Pai was pulling away and reaching to get the towel that had fallen to the floor.
He wrapped it around himself before Sky could even sneak a peek.
Rude.
So, instead, Sky shifted in the sheets and nodded his head. He could be a good boy and wait, he had things he also needed to do.
He was rewarded with Pai leaning over and ruffling his hair.
The morning progressed with Sky lying back in the sheets and trying to tempt a hurriedly dressed Pai to undress and come back to bed. Pai was the one who lost, but not by leaving to work. He lost because he didn’t join Sky to tousle in the sheets, naked and happy.
So, the door shut, because ‘I’m already late,’ and Sky was left alone to his own devices and thoughts.
DING DING DING DING DING
… and Rain blowing up his phone.
Rain: omg omg omg
Rain: i kno i kno i shouldn’t tell you but i can’t keep it in anymore!!!
Rain: i lve him
Rain: guess what hapened??!!??!!?!
Rain: it’s a secreet tho, like you cannot tell anyone!!
Rain: i’m soo ooo excited!!!
Rain: this is the best day or my lifee evr!!
Rain: you won’t evn believe it!!
Rain: eeeeeeeee
Imagine Attached
Sky felt his stomach drop.
It was a ring. A smooth, platinum band, polished and very blurry due to the fact the phone was clearly shaking. The diamond in the middle was classic, well-cut, and centered perfectly. Nestled in a bed of other jewels.
There was something so effortlessly elegant, as far as Sky could tell. He didn’t know much about these things. Like it was made for someone who didn’t need to flaunt their wealth because they knew they had it, and it knew how to speak for itself. It wasn’t an in-your-face luxury. No, this ring was the kind of luxury that whispered, "I’m worth more than you’ll ever know."
And Rain was, he was worth more than any diamond perched on the band of metal.
Phayu had just proposed.
That meant there would be a wedding.
The phone dropped from his hand, landing with a loud clunk against the floor. The room was once again transformed and Sky was alone in a darker room with the scent of cigarettes and body odor. The TV was on some random show in the background as the jeering around him drowned out his own thoughts.
Noises of hate and fear of their own identity. Ones that reminded him of the fact no one would ever want to marry him. Because he was broken, and no one would marry someone like that. “Besides, how would you get married, in a white dress huh? Would you like to get married?”
…..yes
It shocked him, it had been a while since such memories had surfaced and Sky knew exactly why they did. His therapist had helped him with this and he knew what to do.
Sitting down, cross-legged, he deeply breathed.
In and out
He could smell the blue sky, swirling around him in the fresh air.
In and out.
There was a hint of breakfast, somehow even though he was “running late” Pai had found time to cook eggs for him. That was probably why he was late.
Sky felt a smile tug on his lips.
In and out.
The perfume lingered in the room, grounding him just as the other scenes did. Slowly the scene faded away and Sky returned to his safe haven.
DING DING DING DING
And promptly wanted to leave it again because Rain would not stop spamming him. So instead he turned the phone off and tried to go about his day. But still, the thought lingered. Did he even want to attend?
A few days passed, then a few weeks and Sky had done nothing to prepare. He lied through his teeth and said that he was almost ready. Smiling at Pai who was asking to match suits and rolled his eyes at Rain who would not stop sending him photos of wedding inspiration.
He tried to be okay, and for the most part he was. But he knew he was running away from it all, following the idea that if he just ignored it then it would go away.
But it didn’t go away and suddenly it was only two days before the wedding.
Two days and he didn’t know what he was going to wear, what he was going to say. Was he meant to bring a gift? Was he meant to help out with the cooking? Did he actually have to do anything?
Would Rain want him to speak?
If he did, Sky didn’t know what he would do. Talking about something that would never happen to him? The pain would be too much, that much he knew.
But there was no getting out of it and still there he sat. Unmoving.
He had told his therapist. She had tried to help him and in a way she had. He now wasn’t panicking every time he thought about it. Now it was just a deep unsettled feeling in his stomach that wouldn’t go away.
Stupidly he had drunk texted some friends about it. Embarrassingly they weren't even really friends. But they knew about him and they knew what had happened between them. And they didn’t judge, in fact, they had been the ones to make sure that Sky would never see him again.
So when they didn’t reply, it didn’t bother him.
Until those fateful two days before the big “event,” Sky was seated by himself, in his shared penthouse and looking at the phone as picture after picture was sent from Pinterest. Some he had to admit were beautiful. The hair, makeup, and how it intertwined with the white suits and background they had prepared.
Rain was going to look beautiful, and he deserved every happy thing that would come his way.
Sky however might have to attend in jeans and a shirt, because he didn’t own a suit. If Pai knew that, he would have received at least six by now, so Pai didn’t know.
Funny how that was one of the things he didn’t notice. It was one of the most obvious things, they shared a closet. It was probably due to the fact Pai owned so many.
Maybe he could wear one of those?
He didn’t know, could that even happen? Pai said they were all personally tailored so that choice was crossed off as instantly as he thought about it.
DING…(oh god, another wave of photos)...DONG
Huh? That wasn’t a sound his phone made. It was the sound his door made, someone was at his door.
He padded to the front, standing up a little to peek through the little hole that would tell him who was there. It could be a food delivery person, Pai had a habit of sending him meals throughout the day to make sure he actually did eat.
It was sweet until their fridge was overflowing.
What he saw there, was in fact, not a food delivery. Instead, in all his (their?) glory stood a man Sky had only heard about in legend.
Next to him stood someone he knew, warped as he was through the glass peephole. He was holding a phone and the soft chimes coming from Sky’s hand told him that the texts he was receiving came from said acquaintance.
Because he wasn’t a friend, they had only spoken a few times before.
Once being the time when he drunkenly texted him the dilemma about what to dress in for the wedding and if he should even go.
Fuck.
Tay had snitched.
So why was he standing at the front of his door along with the now, who could only be called, the infamous Tankhun Theerapanyakun. Sky felt his heart rate shoot up, pounding in his temples as his mind struggled to think of why he would be standing outside his door.
And he was surrounded by guards.
Well, two of them. One with a tablet and one with glasses.
They were infamous as well. But for other reasons, mainly getting caught in a few dark hallways doing things that guards should not be doing on duty.
That was beside the point, Sky had also gotten caught doing things a CEO and his boyfriend should definitely be doing some work. The question was, why were they here, and was it related to the wedding?
It probably was the wedding.
It definitely was the wedding.
Sky drew in a deep breath and unlocked the door, slowly opening it until he could see the four people standing there.
Two in suits, the other in a soft button-down white shirt and what looked to be leather pants, the third….Brown cowboy boots, tan colored combat pants, a pastel blue shirt with a bolo tie, blue-tinted glasses that were worn on the end of his nose and….was that a blue riding crop?
Sky decided to not ever question or think about it again and instead swung the door fully open, bowing very politely. The response was his body being gently placed to the side and the son of a mafia family sweeping into his penthouse and instantly judging everything.
Little muttered remarks flew by him but Sky detected no signs of malice or hate. Even though he called the cute lamps resting on the table “outdated”
Tay on the other hand, stood close to Sky. Not too close but enough that Sky could watch the micro expressions that crossed his face at the antics of the other.
“He saw my phone, I’m sorry.”
Oh, so that is how it happened. Sky forced out a little smile and nodded his head. Acting like he didn’t mind even though the both of them knew that he minded very much.
“Once he has an idea in his head, it's impossible to get it out until he does something about it.”
Sky once again nodded, he had heard the stories.
So the reason his entire room was now getting rearranged was in fact for the wedding. Sky felt a headache coming on at the fact he might just end up getting forced to wear neon sparkles to his best friend's wedding. What was he going to do, say no to a mafia son?
The best he could do was grit his teeth and bear it. He was good at that, maybe he would use the excuse that he fell into the pool and that was why he couldn’t wear the things Tankhun had picked out for him.
“Now to business!”
All four looked up and winced at the fact the table had been scooted to the corner of the room, the TV was at a skewed angle and the rugs on the ground were all gone. Sky couldn’t see where they had been placed, but the slightly ajar door to the patio told him everything he needed to know.
He hoped that they had not fallen on top of an unsuspecting pedestrian and were just lying out on the tiled floor.
“Do you like wearing suits? Do you have a suit? No, never mind Tay darling told me you didn’t. Would you like to wear a skirt? We could put you in a dress but it can’t be white, what will your “P’Pai” say when he sees you like that.”
The torrent of words washed over Sky and left him breathless. Tay’s response was to step forward and lay a gentle hand on Tankhun’s shoulder. Which resulted in both of them staring at each other for a rather uncomfortable length of time.
Was everyone in that family sleeping with each other?
Sky was beginning to believe the stories.
“Okay fine, let's start from the very beginning, do you know it's the very best place to start?”
Tankhun drew out a pad from one of his trouser pockets and snapped it open, pulling a pen from another pocket. He looked up, an expectant expression on his face.
Sky looked back.
The silence drew on until it was broken by a dramatic sigh.
“Tell me why you don’t want to go, and it better not be because of that good-for-nothing thing that we tossed into the ocean.”
Oh, so that is what happened to Gun. He wondered for a moment if he was alive or dead when it happened and found he didn’t care either way.
“Because if it is because of him, that is silly because he is dead and he can’t hurt you anymore and I know that because I watched it happen.”
Sky shifted on his feet, glancing down at them, finding himself unable to answer. He didn’t have to because Tankhun drew in another deep breath and began to talk again.
“Power is everything, my family runs with it. But it's a fickle thing, it comes and it goes and it only holds you when you let it. Why let something dead and rotting hold you from dressing up. It’s stupid, well it's not stupid, I’m still like that. Arm had to tell me to not just video call you to get you dressed up. Something about measurements. But it’s true, I don’t go anywhere and now I am here and so now you have to go somewhere. Fair is fair.”
Even though the speech was broken up by dramatic expressions and flaps of the arms, Sky heard the actual meaning and wondered for a moment if the stories about how insane Tankhun was were true.
It was beginning to be hard to keep track of which stories were true or not from that place.
Tankhun was pacing now, muttering to himself about floral arrangements and "that tacky monstrosity of a centerpiece idea Rain had." Tay remained at Sky’s side, a stabilizing presence amidst the storm.
Sky shifted uncomfortably, his fingers nervously tugging at the hem of his sleeve as he listened. His brow furrowed in confusion, his gaze flickering between Tankhun and the floor, unsure how to respond. Finally, his voice came out small and uncertain. "Uh… I… appreciate your concern? But I don’t think this is really necessary."
He hated how frail he sounded. How weak, it was a tone that would have Pai by his side in an instant. Hands hoving to make sure his boyfriend wasn’t thinking of something he shouldn’t be.
The thing is, he was spiraling deeper and deeper into the idea that he could never really attend. He didn’t actually belong at a wedding. Okay fine, maybe standing at the back, or working in the kitchen for the food after. But not seated in the front row and never never standing next to his groom.
Tankhun spun on his heel, his blue riding crop pointing dramatically at Sky. Sky instinctively took a small step back, eyes wide at the sharpness of Tankhun’s sudden movement.
"Not necessary? Not necessary?" Tankhun's voice climbed an octave, and Sky swore he saw the guards flinch. “Darling, it is absolutely necessary. You are going to the wedding of your best friend. You cannot, will not, show up in jeans and a t-shirt, and you will not hide in some corner wallowing in self-pity. You will sparkle. You will shine. You will thank me later.”
Sky opened his mouth to protest, but Tankhun cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand. Sky flinched slightly, his mouth snapping shut as the force of the gesture hit him. "No. No arguments. Tay, take his measurements. Arm, Pol, get my sketchbook."
“Wait—” Sky sputtered, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment, his face turning a deep shade of red as he instinctively stepped back as if he could hide from Tankhun's forceful energy. “Sketchbook?”
Tankhun’s grin was feral, and Sky felt a knot of tension tighten in his stomach. “You don’t think I’d leave your wedding look to chance, do you? I’ll have you know I designed every outfit my brothers wore to their first high-profile business gala. And they slayed.”
Sky’s head spun his pulse quickening as the reality of Tankhun’s involvement finally sank in. His breathing grew shallow, and his hands went cold, a nervous tremor running through his fingers as he tried to process it all. He glanced at Tay, his eyes wide with panic, but Tay only offered a small, apologetic shrug before pulling out a tape measure. This was happening.
Sky let out a slow exhale, his shoulders slumping slightly in resignation, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. “Fine,” he muttered, his voice small and defeated as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "But no sparkles."
Tankhun gasped, clutching his chest as if mortally wounded. “No sparkles? Darling, are you trying to kill me?”
Sky winced slightly, the dramatic flair of Tankhun’s reaction catching him off guard. It felt a little too much, and the pressure to perform perfectly made his shoulders tense. He shifted uncomfortably, his fingers instinctively fiddling with the sleeve of his jacket, trying to distract himself from the feeling of being under a microscope.
“Let’s compromise,” Tay interjected smoothly, offering a calm buffer to Tankhun’s theatrics. “Maybe something understated but elegant? Sky doesn’t strike me as a sequins kind of guy.”
Sky gave a small, relieved smile toward Tay, grateful for the calmer suggestion. His chest loosened a little as he focused on the more grounded voice in the room. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a tug of unease—why did everything always feel like a production? Why couldn’t things just be simple?
Tankhun huffed, but after a moment, he nodded reluctantly. “Fine. Understated. But he still has to look like he belongs in a fairy tale. Non-negotiable.”
Sky groaned inwardly but stayed silent, shoulders slumping just slightly in resignation. He could feel the familiar weight of Tankhun’s insistence pressing down on him, and for once, he didn’t have the energy to fight it. It’s happening, whether I like it or not, he thought. Instead of pushing back, he focused on taking slow, steady breaths.
As Tankhun began barking orders at his guards, Sky caught Tay’s eye. He gave him a tired, but grateful, look, silently thanking him for being his steady presence through the chaos.
“Are you really okay with all this?” Tay asked softly, his voice just for Sky. Sky glanced at him, the question pulling him out of his own head.
He shrugged.
Tankhun yelled something across the room.
I’ll survive, he thought, but saying that out loud felt like tempting fate.
The two guards were definitely holding hands as they stood close by.
Tay was kind enough to act as a buffer between Sky and the more outlandish suggestions. Every time Tankhun proposed something extreme, like pairing the suit with feathers or adding rhinestones to his shoes, Tay would step in with a soft, “Let’s keep it classic for Sky.” Sky couldn’t help but feel a small wave of gratitude every time Tay subtly steered the conversation in a calmer direction.
In some ways, it reminded him of how Pai would protect him from things he didn’t want to deal with, how Pai, despite his laid-back demeanor, would always find a way to make him feel safe and cared for.
Maybe who Pai was for him, Tay was the same for Tankhun.
Sky caught himself smiling briefly, the warmth in his chest a gentle contrast to the stress of the situation. Pai... He wasn’t sure how he’d gotten so lucky to have someone like him. Pai had saved him, literally and figuratively, when everything seemed too dark to bear. And despite the doubts he sometimes carried, Pai never wavered. He loved Sky, and Sky felt it. Every touch, every word, every little gesture was a reminder that maybe he wasn’t as broken as he’d been led to believe.
If he ever married someone. If he ever was found worthy enough. He hoped it would be Pai.
Finally, after what felt like hours of fabric debates, Tankhun snapped his fingers. “Perfect! I’ve got it. A tailored midnight blue suit, velvet lapels, and a crisp white shirt. No tie, it’s too stuffy for you. Instead, we’ll go with an open collar and maybe…” He paused dramatically. “Cufflinks. Subtle, yet devastating.”
“Devastating?” Sky echoed, unsure whether to laugh or cry at the ridiculousness of it all. He could already feel a familiar knot tightening in his stomach, but he buried it quickly. He didn’t want to think about the spotlight. He didn’t want to think about all the attention he’d be drawing, or the expectations weighing on him. I just want to blend in, not be... looked at like that.
“Yes, devastating!” Tankhun crowed. “You’ll look so good that Pai won’t be able to keep his hands off you. Not that he can now, from what Tay tells me.”
Sky’s face went scarlet, and he felt a warm rush of embarrassment flood through him. His mind immediately flashed to Pai’s soft, adoring looks, to the way his fingers would curl around Sky’s hand like he was afraid to let go. That was the kind of attention Sky wanted, gentle, reassuring, steady. Not the kind that came with a “devastating” outfit that made him feel like he was supposed to be something he wasn’t.
Tay coughed, clearly trying to hide his smile. “Tankhun…”
“What? It’s true,” Tankhun said with a shrug, unbothered by the awkwardness in the air. Then he turned back to Sky, a smirk still playing at the corner of his mouth. “Anyway, you’ll thank me when the wedding photos come out.”
Before Sky could respond, his phone buzzed on the counter. He picked it up, seeing a string of new texts from Rain.
Rain: Did u pick a suit yet??
Rain: I NEED TO KNOW.
Did everyone know?
Was this just an intervention?
Sky: What song would you want played at your funeral?
He kept glancing at his phone, waiting for Rain’s inevitable reply. It didn’t take long before it buzzed again.
Rain: “Love on Top.”
Sky blinked, rereading the text.
Sky: Beyoncé?
Rain: Duh. Full choir. Everyone clapping. Key changes for DAYS.
Rain: You’d be crying by the second verse.
Sky rolled his eyes, though a reluctant grin crept onto his face.
The morning of the wedding dawned with a golden hue spilling across the skyline, a quiet warmth that contrasted sharply with the storm of nerves in Sky’s chest.
The venue was breathtaking, a sprawling garden nestled in the hills, with rows of white chairs adorned in cascading flowers that lined the path to an elegant archway. Rain had gone all out, every detail flawless, from the delicate draping of wisteria on the pergola to the soft, jasmine-scented air.
Sky stood near the dressing rooms, absently adjusting the cuffs of his suit. Navy blue, sleek and fitted. The watch around his wrist felt heavy, Pai’s choice, of course. He had protested at first, but when Pai had leaned in, resting his chin on Sky’s shoulder and whispering, “Trust me, you’ll look sexy,” there hadn’t been much left to argue about. Pai had been right, damn him.
He had caught a glimpse of himself in a nearby mirror and had to admit it: he looked good. But more than that, the thought that someone like Pai wanted him to look good, that someone cared, left his chest tight in a way he wasn’t ready to unpack.
The sound of laughter and footsteps pulled him from his thoughts as guests began to arrive, their chatter mingling with the soft hum of the string quartet tuning up. Sky instinctively retreated into the shade of a magnolia tree, trying to settle his nerves.
Could he ever be here, in Rain’s shoes? Standing at the altar, hand in hand with someone who looked at him like he hung the stars? The thought was fleeting, almost laughable. Yet, when he thought of Pai, his patience, his steady warmth, and the way he seemed to understand Sky in a way no one else did, it didn’t feel entirely impossible.
“Stop lurking,” came a familiar, teasing voice.
Sky turned to see Rain approaching, resplendent in a soft suit that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. His grin was wide, his eyes sparkling with uncontainable joy.
“Rain, you’re supposed to be hiding,” Sky said, trying for stern but failing to keep the fondness out of his tone.
The groom? Bride? Menace waved a hand dismissively. “Please, it’s my wedding day. I can do whatever I want.” He tilted his head, studying Sky. “You look good, by the way. Like... really good.”
Sky shrugged, a faint blush creeping up his neck. “Thanks. You look... okay.”
Rain barked a laugh, clapping Sky on the shoulder. “Nice try. I know I look amazing.” His grin softened then, sincerity creeping into his voice. “In all my dreams of this, you were always there. Watching on.”
Sky’s chest tightened at Rain’s words, a lump forming in his throat. He swallowed hard, caught off guard by the sudden wave of emotion. Of course, I’d be here. You’re the one who never gave up on me. Even when I didn’t think I deserved anyone’s love...
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he said quietly.
The warmth of Rain’s friendship had been a lifeline, too, even if it came with its fair share of ridiculousness. Rain was an idiot, but he was my idiot. Their bond had always been something Sky treasured, even if Rain’s over-the-top antics sometimes made Sky want to bury his face in his hands. No one else had ever stuck around like this, no one else had been there for him, not like Rain. And for that, Sky would always be grateful.
Before Rain could respond, a booming voice interrupted them. “Rain, you’re needed at the arch! Now!”
They both turned to see Phayu waving impatiently from across the garden. Rain rolled his eyes but shot Sky one last grin. “Wish me luck!”
Sky nodded, his throat tight. “Good luck, idiot.” He then watched Rain jog off, the train of his jacket catching the sunlight like a comet tail, a trail of brilliant white against the soft green of the garden. His laughter echoed faintly in the distance, and Sky found himself smiling, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Rain was always such a force of nature, and though Sky wasn’t sure he’d ever fully understand his best friend’s chaotic energy, he couldn’t imagine life without it.
As the first strains of music filled the air, signaling the start of the ceremony, Sky made his way toward the seats. His heart fluttered, his steps uncertain, as he passed row after row of guests. The wedding had been Rain’s dream for as long as Sky could remember, and watching it unfold felt like a surreal moment he was only just beginning to process. He slipped into the row reserved for close friends, and his eyes instantly found Pai, already there, waiting for him.
Pai had saved him. More than anyone ever had. And now, as Pai smiled softly at him, his hand patting the seat beside him, Sky’s chest tightened with a mix of warmth and trepidation.
“You’re perfect,” Pai whispered as Sky sat down, his hand brushing against Sky’s in a way that felt deliberate, though it was subtle, almost shy.
Sky glanced at him, heart skipping. His breath caught as Pai’s fingers lingered just a moment longer than necessary. For a brief, stolen second, Sky let himself wonder. Could Pai be the one standing beside me someday? He imagined them—Sky in a suit like this one, Pai beside him in something equally sharp, a day of sunlight, laughter, and promises of forever. Could they have that? Could they build a life where these moments of quiet intimacy weren’t rare but the norm?
The thought scared him, deep down in a place he wasn’t quite ready to name. It was a strange, terrifying thing, wanting a future, wanting it with someone who saw him, really saw him, and still loved him. But for once, the thought didn’t feel as impossible as it once had. In the past, the idea of being loved had seemed like a dream so far out of reach, something he could never be worthy of. But now? With Pai, with the way Pai looked at him, it didn’t feel quite so unreachable.
Sky couldn’t help but glance at the couple at the altar, his eyes softening as he took in their faces. Rain’s found it, Sky thought. He’s found someone who’ll stand beside him forever.
And maybe, just maybe, he could, too.
As the ceremony unfolded, Sky let the music and the love radiating from the couple at the altar wash over him. The vows exchanged, the tender looks shared, the simple joy that seemed to fill the air around them, it was overwhelming, in the best way. For now, he could set his fears aside. He didn’t have to think about the overwhelming weight of his past, the scars that still lingered beneath the surface. He didn’t have to worry about the future, about whether he could be the man Pai deserved. For a few moments, he could just be. He could be present—for Rain, for Pai, and maybe, just maybe, for a version of himself he was starting to believe might actually be possible.
Sky let out a quiet breath, his hand still resting next to Pai’s. Their fingers brushed again, and this time Sky didn’t pull away. His heart beat just a little faster, not out of fear, but out of something he wasn’t ready to call hope, not yet. But it was there, a seed planted deep inside him, beginning to grow.
And as the vows began, Sky found himself thinking, Maybe this love, this quiet, steady, beautiful promise, could be mine too.
For now, he could set aside his doubts and be present. He could be here, for Rain, for Payu for Pai, and maybe, just maybe, for a future, he hadn’t dared to imagine until now.