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The room was quiet in the way it always was before sleep—dim lights, soft sheets, the faint hum of the city outside.
Rain should’ve been loud.
He usually was.
Too talkative, too dramatic, always bouncing from one thought to another. But today, he’d been… calmer. Quieter. His laughter came late, softer, like he was forcing it to show up.
Phayu noticed.
Of course he did.
“So,” Phayu said lazily, fingers tracing slow circles on Rain’s waist, “did the world finally run out of things to annoy you today?”
Rain huffed, face buried against Phayu’s chest. “P’Phayu, I’m not annoying.”
Phayu smirked. “That wasn’t a no.”
Rain pinched him weakly, no real force behind it. “You’re mean.”
But he was smiling. A small one. Tired.
Phayu didn’t tease more than that.
Didn’t poke, didn’t pry.
Whatever had happened today—whatever dulled Rain’s usual chaos—Phayu could feel it sitting quietly between them. Heavy, but unspoken.
I’ll wait, Phayu thought.
When you’re ready.
Rain shifted closer, his arm draped over Phayu’s torso like it belonged there. His breathing slowly evened out, warmth seeping into Phayu’s skin.
Within minutes, Rain was asleep.
Right there.
On Phayu’s chest.
Like it was the safest place in the world.
Phayu smiled faintly, pressing a kiss into Rain’s hair. He adjusted his hold carefully, afraid even a small movement might break this fragile peace.
Soon, both of them drifted off—
just another night, just another normal sleep.
Until it wasn’t.
“—leave me—”
Phayu stirred.
Rain’s body tensed suddenly, fingers curling into Phayu’s shirt.
“Leave me alone,” Rain whispered hoarsely, breath uneven. “I’m sorry—please—I won’t do it again.”
Phayu’s eyes snapped open.
Rain was shaking now. His face twisted in pain, brows drawn together like he was fighting something invisible.
“No—no—stop—” Rain gasped, voice breaking. “Please—”
His arms moved erratically, like he was being held down by hands only he could feel.
Phayu sat up instantly, heart pounding.
“Rain,” he said firmly, one hand gripping Rain’s shoulder, the other cupping his face. “Rain, wake up. Hey. Look at me.”
Rain cried out once more before jolting awake.
His eyes were wide, unfocused, chest heaving as if he’d run for miles. He looked around wildly—room, bed, Phayu—until reality finally settled in.
“P’Phayu…?” His voice cracked.
Phayu pulled him in without hesitation, wrapping both arms around him, anchoring him there.
“It’s okay,” Phayu murmured, steady and warm. “You’re safe. I’ve got you. It was just a dream.”
Rain clutched him back, fingers digging in like he was afraid Phayu might disappear. His face pressed hard against Phayu’s neck, hot tears soaking into skin.
“I—I thought—” Rain swallowed. “I thought I couldn’t get away.”
Phayu didn’t ask from what.
He just rocked them gently, one hand running through Rain’s hair over and over again, slow and grounding.
“I’m here,” Phayu whispered. “No one’s touching you. No one’s hurting you. I won’t let them.”
Rain’s breathing slowly calmed, though his grip didn’t loosen.
Phayu held him the rest of the night, wide awake, memorizing every breath—every tremor—waiting for morning to come.