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Sky wasn’t used to this with Pai.
The yelling. The sharp words. The tension that made the air between them feel thick and heavy.
He thought maybe he’d imagined it at first. That maybe he’d misheard Pai. That maybe Pai’s tone hadn’t been so clipped, so… cold.
But no.
They’d had their first fight.
And now the apartment felt different.
Sky sat on the edge of the bed, hands twisting in the hem of his shirt, heart pounding so hard it hurt.
He hated conflict. Hated it.
Fights meant endings. That’s how it always went in his world. People fought, people left.
And now he was terrified Pai would do the same.
It had started over something small.
Dinner plans.
Pai had canceled again.
Sky had snapped.
“I get it, okay? Your work is more important than me!” he’d yelled.
Pai’s eyes had flickered. Hurt. Then annoyance. “That’s not what I—”
“You don’t even care!”
“Sky, stop!”
And suddenly it was a war. Words sharper than knives, cutting into skin, into hearts.
“You never make time!” Sky had accused.
“I’m trying!” Pai had shouted back.
Sky’s chest ached as he remembered the exact moment he realized this wasn’t just a tiff. Pai’s jaw had tightened. His eyes darkened in that way Sky knew meant Pai was hurt and angry and… pulling away.
“I need some air,” Pai said finally, voice quieter, but with an edge that made Sky’s stomach drop.
He left.
The sound of the door closing had slammed like a hammer against Sky’s chest.
Now Sky sat there, panic clawing at his throat.
What if this was it?
What if Pai realized he was too much? Too needy? Too difficult?
What if Pai didn’t come back?
Sky’s chest tightened. He couldn’t breathe. He thought about packing, about leaving first just to save face.
But every fiber of him screamed not to.
He hated that he was crying. Hated that he felt so small.
The apartment felt empty, even though Pai’s things were everywhere. His tie, his jacket, his half-drunk cup of coffee on the counter. All reminders that Pai existed, but wasn’t here.
Sky curled into himself, rocking slightly. His tears dropped onto the sheets.
He thought about calling Pai. He thought about texting. But what could he say?
“I’m sorry, please don’t leave me?”
Ridiculous. Pathetic.
He couldn’t.
Minutes stretched into an hour.
Sky’s mind raced. Every worst-case scenario flashed. Pai coming home and leaving. Pai realizing he deserved someone easier, less emotional.
And then the guilt hit.
This fight wasn’t just about dinner plans. It was about everything. Sky’s insecurity, Pai’s stress, the unspoken pressures they both carried.
He’d let it explode. And now…
He couldn’t fix it.
Sky’s phone buzzed. He jumped, almost dropping it.
A message. From Pai.
“Sky.”
Just that. One word.
Sky’s hands shook as he typed back:
“What do you want?”
Then:
“You’re probably done with me.”
Nothing.
Sky stared at the screen, heart hammering. Maybe Pai had left the building. Maybe he was gone forever.
A knock at the door made him flinch.
Then the door opened.
Pai stepped inside. Shirt wrinkled. Tie loosened. Hair mussed from running fingers through it. Eyes sharp, dark, and piercing.
“Sky.”
Sky’s throat closed. “…I’ll go,” he whispered.
Pai frowned. “What?”
“I know… you’re done. You’re angry. You realized this isn’t worth it. I’m… I’m not easy to love.”
The silence was heavy.
Pai came closer, deliberately. He didn’t rush. He didn’t yell. He just reached out and touched Sky’s arm. The contact sent shivers down Sky’s spine.
“You think I’m leaving?” Pai asked quietly.
Sky shook his head, words caught in his throat.
“Sky,” Pai said, voice steady, low. “Listen to me. I didn’t walk out to leave. I walked out to breathe. To think. Not to abandon you.”
Sky’s hands flew to his face. “But I—”
“You’re panicking,” Pai interrupted gently. “I get it. I know why. But I am not leaving you. Not now. Not ever.”
Sky’s chest heaved. “…Really?”
Pai nodded, firm. “Really. One fight doesn’t erase everything. It doesn’t erase us.”
Sky’s fingers dug into Pai’s shirt. “I thought—”
“I know,” Pai murmured. “I know what you were thinking. That I’d leave. That’s why I stepped out. To calm down. Not to escape.”
Sky’s knees felt weak. “…I can’t… I can’t stop thinking that maybe you’ll—”
“You mean leave?” Pai asked softly. “Sky, listen to me. You’re mine. Always. Even when we fight. Especially then.”
Sky’s vision blurred with tears. “I’m so scared.”
“I know, baby. I know,” Pai whispered. “But that’s why I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Not for a stupid fight. Not for your fear. You don’t get rid of me that easily.”
Sky laughed shakily. “…You sound threatening.”
Pai smiled softly.
Sky shook his head, laughing through his tears. “I hate that you’re right.”
“Get used to it,” Pai teased, pulling him into a hug. Tight. Protective. Grounding.
Sky buried his face in Pai’s chest, shivering. He felt Pai’s heartbeat, steady and slow against his ear. Felt Pai’s hands on his back, rubbing circles, smoothing out the tension.
“I don’t want to fight again,” Sky whispered.
“You will. We all fight,” Pai said, voice low. “But we’ll fight together. Not against each other.”
Sky clutched him tighter. “Promise?”
“I promise,” Pai murmured, kissing the top of Sky’s head. “I’m not going anywhere, Sky. You hear me? No matter what.”
Sky’s tears slowed, replaced by a soft, exhausted relief. “…I believe you.”
“Good,” Pai whispered, nuzzling his hair. “Now, let’s forget this fight. You and me, okay?”
Sky nodded, heart finally slowing. “Okay.”
Pai smiled faintly, brushing a thumb over Sky’s cheek. “You’re my person, Sky. Always. Even when we yell, even when we’re terrified. I’m not going anywhere.”
Sky felt warmth spread through him, chest lightening. He could breathe again. Could feel the weight lift.
“Love you,” he whispered, voice muffled against Pai’s chest.
“I love you too,” Pai replied, tight around him, grounding him in the moment. “Always.”
Sky closed his eyes, letting himself be held, letting himself trust that this fight wasn’t the end. That they were strong enough to survive the first crack.
Because Pai was there. And he wasn’t leaving.
Ever.