Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
“We’re here, Nong Sky,” Phra Phai said.
Whoosh…
“Sighing a lot will make you age faster, you know,” Phra Phai teased.
“Whether it’s fast or slow, it’s not your business,” Sky replied.
“How can it not be? I told you I’d court you. I don’t want a romantic partner who’s older than me,” Phra Phai said.
Naphaton suppressed his desire to sigh again with all his might, taking a deep breath to stabilize his emotions. Then, he turned to look at the driver who had volunteered to bring him to his dorm. Although he wanted to refuse, after looking into those sharp eyes that reflected stubbornness and considering the behavior over the past few weeks, Sky thought it would be better to give in easily rather than let the other party escalate things further. And he truly couldn’t guess what else this man intended to do.
At the very least, he didn’t want this guy waiting for him in front of the faculty, becoming gossip fodder.
“I think you should find someone else to play with,” Sky suggested bluntly, but Phra Phai just grinned widely.
“If I wanted to play with someone else, I wouldn’t have run around looking for you like this,” Phra Phai said.
That was true.
Sky fell silent because the past several months should have made Phra Phai forget his face already, but...
“I don’t want to play with you,” Sky said.
Sky said this while opening the car door and getting out without hesitation, unconcerned that he was being courted by a man as handsome as Phîi Phai. Because this guy wasn’t about wanting to court him; he was about wanting to mess with him, no question.
“Don’t be so harsh. You never know until you try,” Phra Phai said, getting out too, his voice coaxing in a way that might make many girls swoon, but not Sky, who shrugged indifferently as he walked toward the door that required a key card.
“I tried it, so I know I don’t want it,” Sky replied.
Beep!
Ping!
Even though the door sounded to indicate it was unlocked the moment Sky tapped his bag against it, his slender figure didn’t even get a chance to push the door open before a large hand grabbed the door handle and pulled it shut with full force, followed by the sound of the door automatically locking again quickly.
Naturally, this caught the attention of Sky, who seemed to be trapped in an embrace quite effectively.
Sky turned around to face him and saw... a pleading look.
He admitted he was quite surprised, having initially thought he’d see anger at being rejected. But this Phîi Phai was looking at him with a pitiful expression, asking in a forlorn voice.
“You’re not tempted at all after trying?” Phra Phai asked.
“No,” Sky replied.
“Not even a little?” Phra Phai pressed.
“No,” Sky said.
“Just a tiny bit?” Phra Phai persisted.
“However tiny, little, or small, the answer is no,” Sky answered.
Ever since getting in the car at the university, Sky had thought the whole way that if he was pestered like on the phone, he’d be incredibly irritated and show it on his face. But who would have thought he’d be suppressing a twitching mouth like this? Not twitching from wanting to scold, but twitching from wanting to laugh, no question.
It was true what Phra Phai said... he really was handsome.
The man Sky had slept with was tall and large, furthermore packed with muscles that Sky had seen all over. Combined with his dark skin tone, he looked even bigger, towering over Sky significantly despite not being much taller. Not to mention the sharp facial features, light brown double-lidded eyes, a high-bridged nose that aligned perfectly with well-shaped lips, complemented by short-cropped hair shaved at the nape. Phra Phai should look intimidating and stern, but Sky found him incredibly charming.
Perhaps it was because of those beautiful, sweet-looking eyes when they were slightly narrowed, yet sparkling cheerfully, the lips that were always curved up at the corners, and the relaxed, approachable aura. It made Sky guess that when this man decided to be sweet, he could probably make many people’s hearts melt as he wished.
All in all, it confirmed that Phîi Phai was a charming man. And then, imagine a handsome man pouting pitifully, asking with a hopeful expression if Sky was tempted, but then his shoulders slumped in disappointment. It made Sky bite his own lip tightly.
“That’s not fair. Am I the only one who’s smitten with you?” Phra Phai said.
“How is it not fair? I didn’t ask you to be smitten with me,” Sky replied.
But Sky still spoke calmly, looking at Phra Phai, who was using his large body to block Sky’s escape route, wanting to push the broad chest to move away a bit.
Now, Sky’s back was against the door held tightly by Phra Phai, and in front was this tall, large figure. Plus, they were standing right at the dorm entrance. It was probably only a matter of time before someone saw them. So, while this supremely handsome, unlucky damned nuisance was thinking, Sky said in a flat tone.
“Can you step back a little?” Sky asked.
Sky didn’t think Phra Phai would comply easily, but those honey-colored eyes met his gaze. After just a moment...
Whoosh!
“Stop looking at me like I’m a pig or a dog,” Phra Phai said.
Phra Phai raised both hands to shoulder level, speaking in such a forlorn voice that Sky almost raised a hand to rub his face.
Sky didn’t realize what kind of look he had been giving Phra Phai, almost opening his mouth to apologize, but...
“If you keep that up, I won’t be able to resist and will just pounce on you,” Phra Phai said.
Damned shit-lizard!
This time, Sky was sure his expression conveyed his words perfectly, as his slender figure turned, intending to go through the door again, prompting Phra Phai to quickly grab his arm first.
“Wait a second, hey now, I’ll stop joking, okay?” Phra Phai said.
I believe you’re serious, Sky thought.
But Sky turned back again, looking at him to say he could state his business now.
This demeanor elicited a wide smile from Phra Phai.
“Nong Sky looks really cute when you make that face,” Phra Phai said.
Snap!
“Okay, okay! Getting to the point now!” Phra Phai exclaimed.
Sky sighed but turned to look at him again. He didn’t feel like he held the upper hand at all, even though Phîi Phai was always the one holding him back. Sky couldn’t help but feel that he was the one being teased. This time, it was slightly better, as Phra Phai finally got to the point.
“I know we didn’t start off on the right foot. So, let’s start over. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Phra Phai. See? I told you I’m the handsome wind,” Phra Phai said.
What kind of man is this egotistical? Sky thought.
Sky looked at Phra Phai, who flashed a handsome smile, looking so confident it was irritating, until the words slipped out.
“Phra Phai? I thought your name was Wirunjambang,” Sky said.
Sky wasn’t surprised that Phra Phai was visibly stunned, probably not understanding what he meant. Which was just fine. He opened his mouth, intending to change the subject, but...
“Whoa! Do I look like that? But yeah, you’re right,” Phra Phai said.
This time, it was Sky who was caught off guard, but another part of him thought this flirtatious man was just going with the flow and didn’t really understand what he had said. But when Phra Phai lowered his gaze to look at his own crotch, Sky began to feel uncertain.
“I am big like a giant, and my skin is dark, that’s true,” Phra Phai said.
Clear enough! He understood the insult! Sky thought.
Since Wirunjambang is a giant who appears in the Ramakien, whose standout feature Sky remembered vividly wasn’t the ability to become invisible like the name suggests, but the skin... which is black.
Yes, I was insulting Phra Phai for being as big as a giant and also dark-skinned. But who would have thought he’d connect it to his penis like that? Sky was now unsure whether this was an insult or a compliment. And look at that satisfied expression, pleased with himself for being as big as a giant.
I insult him once, and the entire literary classic is ruined! Sky thought.
“My baby gets praised for being like a giant, huh, little Phai,” Phra Phai said.
Such an annoying damned nuisance, Sky thought.
“Should’ve just insulted Rahu instead,” Sky said.
I give up, Sky thought.
“Wasn’t Phra Rahu also a giant in form, Nong Sky?” Phra Phai asked. Even though he was muttering to himself, at this close distance, how could Sky not hear? Moreover, Phîi Phai retorted, causing Sky to press his lips together. Not long after, he sighed.
“Are we done here?” Sky asked.
“Not yet, because Nong Sky still hasn’t told me your name,” Phra Phai said.
Is this man just being an annoying damned nuisance! Sky thought.
Sky asked himself, and just by looking into Phra Phai’s eyes, he knew the answer was... yes.
Since he already knew Sky’s name, why ask for more details?
“Hey! But I still don’t know your real name, surname, age, birthday, blood type, what you like to eat, whether you like watching movies, and...” Phra Phai paused, then leaned in until their eyes were level.
“Do you have a romantic partner yet?” Phra Phai asked.
Sky remained silent as Phra Phai rapidly fired questions, but he stalled at the last one. He could only look into Phra Phai’s eyes and find that Phîi Phai didn’t look like he was joking at all. This elicited a cold smile on Sky’s face.
“Do you want to know?” Sky asked.
“If I didn’t want to know, would I ask?” Phra Phai replied.
Sky ignored the annoying question because he was the one stepping forward until there was almost no space between them. Then, he stared into those beautiful eyes, raised his hand, and placed it on the broad chest, feeling Phra Phai take a deep, long breath, as if sensing the change in atmosphere.
No, he was anticipating something from Sky.
“Whether I have a romantic partner or not, you don’t need to know. Because my answer...” Sky deliberately lingered, letting the tips of their noses almost brush past each other. He felt Phra Phai holding his breath in anticipation. But those eyes were filled with confidence that he would get what he wanted, until Sky let his nose tip brush past Phra Phai’s cheek, dragging towards his ear, so close he could almost hear the beating of a heart, along with the scent of heated excitement radiating from him.
Phîi Phai had placed his hands on Sky’s waist by the time Sky said...
“...is never going to happen!!!” Sky shouted.
Sky shouted directly into Phra Phai’s ear at full volume, causing even the supremely confident man to startle and jump back, barely in time. This was the moment Sky seized to tap his bag with the card again, quickly pushing the door open and passing through, not forgetting to turn and push the door shut swiftly. He heard a soft click as Phra Phai was still covering his ears, caught off guard.
“Is that clear enough, Phîi Rahu?” Sky asked.
Sky gave a heart-stoppingly sweet smile one more time, then quickly turned and walked up the stairs, ignoring the strong voice shouting after him.
“It’s not that Nong Sky can ignore me forever, right?” Phra Phai shouted.
Go ahead and be delusional! I wouldn’t take you even if you paid me, wow! Sky thought.
The thought of Sky walking up to his room, feeling much more at ease.
If Phra Phai wanted to court, pester, or want to get Sky into bed, go ahead, as long as he didn’t get anything.
“But tomorrow... Âi Rain is dead!” Sky declared.
Sky growled, the kind that would make even Warain startle a bit.
At the same time, Phra Phai was still poking his ear, which was ringing from the shouting. He shook his head vigorously to regain his composure, even though his lips couldn’t suppress a smile, and his sharp eyes shone with satisfaction, even though he had clearly failed today.
“So cute,” Phra Phai said.
He might really be a damned shit-lizard, just as Nong Sky’s eyes had cursed him. But whenever he saw those cold eyes looking directly at him, he couldn’t help but find them attractive and endearing. Or maybe it was because he already knew that beneath that calm, still demeanor of Sky lay hidden intensity. So, just managing to make Sky, who had maintained a straight face the entire car ride together, crack a smile for a moment could be considered a success.
Yes, he might have failed tonight, but as he said, he liked fun things. Even if he didn’t get it tonight, it didn’t mean he wasn’t having fun.
Phra Phai admitted that ever since meeting Nong Sky several months ago, he had become inexplicably infatuated. The more he got the number and called, hearing the irritated voice trying to speak politely, he could just imagine how much Sky wanted to kill him. And today, meeting in person, this bored man found that he... was having a bloody fucking fun time.
No, if it’s Nong Sky, I should say it’s fun like a cold-blooded animal, right? Phra Phai thought.
“Good thing I’m smart,” Phra Phai chuckled to himself, reminding himself in his heart that he must go thank his younger sister later.
Someone like him, reading Thai literature? Let’s just say he remembered it because he took a relative to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and his younger sister listed the names of all the giants there. She even turned to him and said that if he were a giant, he’d have to be Wirunjambang because he was the darkest in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. That’s why he remembered it so well. Otherwise, no matter how smart he was, he wouldn’t have understood Nong Sky’s insult.
“Looks like I need to broaden my general knowledge. If I’m slow, I might not keep up,” Phra Phai thought.
Phra Phai chuckled while memorizing the route to Sky’s dorm until it was ingrained. Then he turned back to his car, just as the phone in his pocket rang, forcing him to pull it out and answer.
“What’s up, friend?” Phra Phai asked.
[You drove all the way to the university just to deliver this piece of paper to me?] Payu asked.
Phra Phai laughed loudly, thinking of the paper he had asked Rain to deliver to his close friend, a kindred spirit.
Âi Payu likes modifying cars, and Phra Phai likes racing cars, so they get along.
“Yeah, it’s a matter of utmost importance,” Phra Phai said.
[You could have just called me], Payu said.
“Then it wouldn’t be exciting, Âi Payu,” Phra Phai chuckled, thinking of the crumpled paper he had retrieved from his car before going to find Warain.
The message on it was short, concise, and to the point: ...Thanks for the excuse.
Of utmost importance, to the point that if he hadn’t asked his friend, Phra Phai might have died from longing.
[Since you found an excuse, you don’t need to show your face at my house so often these days, right?] Payu asked.
“Not during this period, then which period is good?” Phra Phai replied.
The other end of the line fell silent for a moment.
[In case you forgot, the person who tunes your car’s engine is me], Payu said.
“I think I’d better hang up now. Rest assured, I’m not free to go to your house these days either. That’s all for now,” Phra Phai said cheerfully, hanging up on his friend. He knew well that he was becoming a target for that skilled mechanic who probably wanted to cut his brake lines. Because over the past few weeks, he had shown up at Payu’s house several days a week, frequently interrupting the new couple, Âi Payu and Rain.
What could he do? To catch the prey, you have to gather good information about the prey.
“Even if I haven’t gotten much yet...” Phra Phai thought.
Warain might look innocent and seem gullible, but when it comes to his friends, he keeps his mouth shut tight. It only slipped out when Âi Payu was thinking about kicking Phra Phai out of the house. But he was stubborn, sitting firmly in place, refusing to go anywhere until he got an answer. That’s when the good information flowed from Payu’s mouth.
Now, Phra Phai knew that besides being Rain’s friend, Nong Sky was also his friend in the same faculty, same year, same major. Therefore, if Rain’s semester started, Sky’s semester started. If Rain studied somewhere, Sky studied there. Besides the faculty, age, and year, he also got Sky’s address firmly in his grasp.
Since courting over the phone didn’t work, then showing up in person frequently should do the trick.
Damn it! Why do I feel so much joy doing this! Phra Phai thought.
Phra Phai didn’t understand the reason either. He only knew that once he got something, he wanted more!
No one ever told Sky, right? That Phra Phai’s house never lets go of the prey they’ve set their sights on. Therefore, the eldest of three siblings, Âi Phra Phai, must not tarnish the reputation!
This matter, he’ll see it through to the end.
The thought of Phra Phai, who turned to look at the dorm and licked his lips with intent.
***
“Got anything to explain to me?” Sky asked.
“Nope,” Rain replied.
“Don’t try to sound cute, you Rain. How much did you sell me for?” Sky demanded.
The next morning, Sky didn’t hesitate to lie in wait for his close friend, who arrived later for class. And even though Âi Rain deliberately arrived just in time, barely before the teacher entered, did he think he could escape Sky after class was dismissed? So, as soon as the teacher said class was over, without waiting for Rain to dart off anywhere, Sky grabbed his collar, causing Rain to turn around with a dry smile, lowering his head to avoid eye contact for dear life.
“I didn’t sell you out! Phîi Phai told me you and he know each other,” Rain said.
“Since when do acquaintances need to ask you for my number?” Sky retorted.
“Well, Phîi Phai said that on the night of the race, he was the one who got you out, and you forgot something with him, right?” Rain said. After being pressed hard, Rain couldn’t stay quiet for long and started arguing back, insisting on his innocence, that he wasn’t wrong. Until Sky himself narrowed his eyes, unable to figure out what he had forgotten with that guy.
Everything I took off, I put back on. How could I have forgotten anything?
“You got tricked,” Sky concluded, but Warain immediately retorted.
“Then why would Phîi Phai trick me into asking about you?” Rain asked.
Even Sky himself paused, looking into the wide, round eyes staring back at him intently.
“How should I know?” Sky replied.
“Huh! If you don’t know, then I definitely don’t know! So, what did you forget with Phîi Phai? Why couldn’t he have me return it to you, why does he have to give it to you himself? These days, Phîi Phai shows up at Phîi Payu’s house super often. Besides having to watch out for Phîi Payu’s twin brother who pops in and out unexpectedly, I also have to worry about when someone will ring the doorbell...” Rain said.
“Worry about what? Are you and Phîi Payu together all the time or something?” Sky asked.
“Sky, stooop!” Rain exclaimed.
Suddenly, Rain’s cheeks flushed red, calling out in a scolding tone, making Sky shrug.
Looks like questioning him is pointless, Sky thought.
“You don’t have to worry. The semester has started, you’ll be busy with your boring work, no time to go fool around with Phîi Payu,” Sky said.
“Why are you talking so loud!” Rain exclaimed.
“What’s there to worry about? The whole faculty knows you bagged the former typhoon god as your romantic partner,” Sky said.
During the last semester break, Phîi Payu, the famous former senior of their faculty, came to display his might, loudly declaring his ownership of Âi Rain in front of juniors from all years. Now that the semester started, everyone knew that Sky’s little friend was taken. No matter how loud Sky spoke, probably no one would be surprised anymore.
If there were, it would be those who had their eyes on Phîi Payu, now heartbroken in rows.
“What’s this ‘Payu, Payu’? Is it about Nong Rain bagging the former god as his romantic partner?” Chik asked.
“Finally got it,” Sky said.
Just then, the handsome young man of their year, Âi Chik, popped in, asking in an amused tone, as Warain had already covered his face. But it seemed he wasn’t having enough fun, so the volume of the conversation increased steadily.
“Did you know besides Ple being so heartbroken even a doctor couldn’t stitch her up, Phîi Som here is as forlorn as an abandoned dog! Seriously, this weirdo! I saw him failing to hit on girls left and right, and then he pops up with a romantic partner, clear as day! Hey, even though I announce myself as gay, I haven’t found one as fast as you! Got any secrets to tell me?” Chik said.
Pear is the beautiful young woman in their year who grabbed her stuff and walked out of the room immediately upon hearing Phîi Payu’s name. Moreover, she’s someone Rain used to chase after. As for Phîi Som, he’s Pear’s Phîi and a senior in the faculty who respects Phîi Payu more than worshipping a god. When the two siblings found out that Âi Rain was the one who bagged Phîi Payu... the glares were intense.
Now, Âi Rain, Nong, or that damned troublemaker, which are the various names Chik used to call him, looked at Sky as if begging for help. But this time...
“Don’t hope for it. You sold me out,” Sky said.
Sky said this while gathering his things, then swung his bag onto his shoulder.
“Going to eat with us, Chik? In case you want to interrogate Rain further,” Sky said.
“I’m in! I’m having fun!” Chik replied.
“Oh, Sky...” Rain whined.
Naphaton didn’t care how much his close friend protested in a forlorn voice or sent him pleading looks. This time, it was clear he was more annoyed that Rain hid dating Phîi Payu, only revealing it when he sold Sky out to Payu’s friend.
***
“Sky, perfect timing. Someone left something for you,” Joy said.
Sky was about to walk back up to his room when Phîi Joy, the dorm owner’s daughter, quickly popped her head out from the glass-walled room on the other side of the building and called out to him. He had to change direction from the dorm entrance door to the front of the office, waiting for Joy, who ducked back inside. Not long after, she returned with...
“A handsome young man left this for Sky,” Joy said.
“Huh!?” Sky exclaimed.
Sky lowered his gaze to look at the bouquet of... sunflowers.
He asked to make sure; it wasn’t just one flower, but a huge, massive bouquet with a significant number of bright yellow sunflowers in brown paper wrapping, tied with a white bow, so magnificent that Sky almost didn’t dare reach out to take it.
“Are you sure it’s for me?” Sky asked.
“There’s no one else named Sky in this dorm besides you,” Joy replied.
“Uh, maybe a friend of a friend who lives in this dorm?” Sky still hesitated to accept it, even though deep in his heart, he could picture who gave it.
His demeanor, trying so hard to refuse, made Joy smile.
“Isn’t Sky, a second-year architecture student, just you? Don’t tell me there’s someone with the same name,” Joy said.
“Uh, there is a name ‘Guy’,” Sky said.
“The man who left it said the name was Sky. I didn’t mishear,” Joy replied.
This time, Sky was cornered because in his faculty, besides this Sky, there was another Guy in a different major. But this Sky, which means ‘sky’, he was the only one. He had no choice but to accept the bouquet, cautiously and fearfully, as if it contained a snake ready to strike at any moment.
“The giver is quite handsome. Your Phîi?” Joy asked.
“Uh, maybe,” Sky replied.
Sky didn’t wait around for further questions, immediately turning and taking long strides toward the dorm entrance. Then, he pulled out his phone, which had been on silent all day. And it was clear...
...Hope you like it...
The message that popped up on his phone screen was a clear answer as to who this bouquet came from.
This time, he could only hesitate for a long moment before making a decision.
Fine, Sky thought.
*I thought Nong Sky had blocked my number. I’m so pleased.] Phra Phai said.
The moment Sky called the number of “that damned shit-lizard,” he immediately wanted to hang up upon hearing the laughter-laced voice of Phra Phai, who answered before the first ringtone even finished. But because of the heavy bouquet in his hand, Sky asked back in a calm voice.
“Were you the one who sent me the flowers?” Sky asked.
[Yes, sir, it was me. Do you like them?] Phra Phai replied.
“Why did you send them?” Sky asked.
[Do I need a reason to send flowers to someone I like?] Phra Phai said.
I’d be crazy to believe that! Sky thought.
Sky frowned deeply but still asked calmly.
“Can you come take them back?” Sky asked.
[No. I don’t have time. I’m very busy with work lately. I barely managed to find time to deliver the flowers.] Phra Phai replied.
Then why send them? I never said a word about wanting them, Sky thought.
[Don’t you want to ask why they’re sunflowers?] Phra Phai asked.
Phîi Phai was the one who brought it up first. Naturally, Sky...
“No...” Sky said.
[It’s because the sky pairs with the sun, and even though I can’t be the sun for you, whenever Nong Sky sees sunflowers, I want you to know that this Phra Phai really wants to be paired with Nong Sky.] Phra Phai said.
Silence.
Sky could swear he had just heard the corniest line of his life, leaving him speechless, unable to say anything, only hearing the soft laughter of Phra Phai, who had spoken so unabashedly.
[Oh! I have another meeting now. I have to hang up. Oh, and anyway, don’t forget to put the sunflowers by your bedside. Looking at them back and forth, you’ll feel like I’m sleeping with you, just like that night.] Phra Phai said.
Phra Phai said this cheerfully and hung up, seemingly with a pity.
Meanwhile, Sky remained standing still, staring intently at the bouquet of sunflowers. And then, completely crazy...
“Heh heh, Ha ha ha! Crazy, clearly crazy! Ha ha ha!” Sky laughed.
Sky laughed heartily.
Who would have thought a man with that kind of appearance would do something like this? Telling Sky to put the flowers by his bedside and imagine they’re sleeping together?
“No way!” Sky exclaimed.
The sky doesn’t want a pair. So, the sunflowers can go play in the trash bin! Sky thought.
The thought of Sky, who turned and went back downstairs again with an amused smile.
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