Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
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"Wow! Nông Rain, what is all this equipment? So much!"
A week had passed since Rain stubbornly insisted on coming to sit and do his homework at the garage. And since Phîi Payu had permitted him to come sit in the glass room, today the youth was even more motivated than before. So, he hauled all his belongings, equipment, and materials for the model project due this week, carrying a full load in both hands, and proceeded to pile them all over the table until someone came over to look.
"Can I sit and work in this room?" he asked to be sure, making the other person laugh.
"Of course, the boss won't mind. Oh, Nông Rain, want some snacks? You can eat everything here, you know." Rain turned to look and found a tray filled with snacks—potato chips, chocolate, wafers—that hadn't been there the week before.
"Are you opening the garage as a convenience store too?" he joked lightly, but the other smiled sweetly, covering her mouth with a giggle.
"Uh! I was wondering the same thing." Warain didn't immediately grasp what she meant, because he looked down at the equipment taking up space again, starting to doubt if he'd made the right decision. Later, as he worked on it, it would surely spread all over the table and clutter the floor without him realizing, so he asked again.
"I can definitely do my homework here, right?"
"Of course. Because a certain person can't bear to see us go sit in the sun, listening to engine sounds, inhaling the smell of motor oil." It wasn't the female Phîi who answered, but another person who walked into the room, making Rain turn to look.
"Hello, Phîi Sai-fah." The youth quickly raised his hand in a wâi, frantically trying to arrange the equipment to use the least amount of space possible, while the tall man walked up to the table and laughed loudly.
"No need to tidy up, just get on with your work. Seeing this reminds me of the time I helped Âi Payu. I'm a pure engineering student, but believe me, I make models just as beautifully as architecture students." Sai-fah said in a bright tone, which made the listener turn his head sharply, eyes wide, leaning on the sofa, wanting to hear more about that other person.
"Phîi Payu let you help him, Phîi?"
"Hahaha! Of course. Must have been around second year. That Âi Payu got too carried away upgrading those big bikes, couldn't finish his work. Me and another friend from engineering had to sit and help him cut models until morning, then rush to take exams in that condition... it was blood, sweat, and tears, I tell you. The gang that plays with cars, that's them." Sai-fah explained, feeling fond of the clear-eyed youth, so he offered.
"Anything I can help with? My skills might be a bit rusty, but I promise I won't be a hindrance." The speaker rolled up his sleeves, preparing to help, making Rain quickly shake his head.
"It's okay, Khrap. I don't want to trouble you. Besides... I want a certain someone to see that I can manage myself." The end of the sentence held a hint of sarcasm.
"Hahahaha! Hahaha! Haha!"
Suddenly, the tall man laughed uproariously, seeming extremely pleased with his answer, then slapped his shoulder with a loud thump! He could swear it hurt many times more than when Phîi Som slapped him. Then he stood up.
"Use the room to its fullest. I don't mind. Oh... let me ask first before I forget. What do you want to eat for lunch? I'll have someone buy it and bring it in for you."
Rain smiled widely, feeling grateful for the other's generosity and friendliness, but he reached into his bag, which contained one rice ball and a bottle of water he had bought just before coming in.
"It's okay, Phîi. I brought my lunch with me."
"Oh! Then those snacks are useless now." Sai-fah pointed to the snack tray the other employee had just mentioned, making Rain turn to look, frown, and soon part his lips. He turned back to look at the tall man's face for confirmation again.
"Is Phîi Sai-fah saying that's...?"
"Uh, this morning, that Âi Payu bought it and left it here for you before going to work."
Damn. I don't know if he really bought it for me or not, but my mouth here is choosing to break into a wide smile, damn it.
"Wow! The skilled mechanic Payu has a youth waiting for him too!"
"Aren't you here to pick up your bike? If you've got it, then go back, man."
"I'm your customer."
"I didn't ask you to be my customer."
Several hours later, Payu, who had stopped by his main job first, arrived at the garage, coincidentally as Phra Phai came to get his bike. As soon as they saw each other, the skilled racer, who worked at his Phô's electronics equipment company during the day, opened his mouth to tease, glancing towards the glass room where the tuft-headed youth was bowing and rising as he worked.
When Payu replied indifferently, Phra Phai made a comically pained expression.
"But anyway, so your type is like this, huh? Fair skin, big eyes." Seeing his friend wasn't playing along, he moved on to another topic. This made Payu shake his head.
"It's not just that. And you, why aren't you gone yet?" Payu had no intention of sitting and explaining that it wasn't just fair skin and big eyes—you can find that anywhere—but that he had to be stubborn, competitive, never giving up, and also extremely cute when teased.
Why should he tell Âi Phai that?
"I was waiting to ask for permission."
"Ask for permission?" Payu frowned deeply, looking at his friend with sharp eyes, making Phra Phai quickly raise his hands in surrender.
"No, no! I don't want to die yet for stealing a friend's kid. But I have a small question for your kid. At first I was going to go find him directly, but then the kid might turn and scold me, 'Who is this old guy?'" The speaker said jokingly, thinking of another kid who wasn't as cute, but who had captured his heart the most. Even now, no matter who he played with, he couldn't forget that intensely hot night.
Sigh! Thinking about it, it's a pity. Should have secretly stolen his number when he was showering.
Phra Phai sighed again, but then flinched when he turned and met Payu's gaze.
"Can't you see the kid is concentrating on his work? A thoughtful adult should know not to disturb."
"Okay, okay, no need to scold me that much... Just two minutes." Phra Phai still tried to negotiate, making Payu smile coldly, cross his arms, and say flatly,
"You know, sometimes race cars have problems with the brakes just failing for no reason."
"Okay, I'm going back. I'd better come back another time when your kid is free. Looks like we'll see each other again for a long time." Someone whose life revolved around a love for speed knew well not to anger the mechanic who took care of his high-speed vehicle. Otherwise, the hellish speed he loved might take him on a tour of hell without him knowing. So Phra Phai grinned widely, changed his words, and headed straight for the big bike he bought for fun riding, not real racing, then started the engine and rode away.
Better not make Âi Payu angry. What's certain is... he's damn possessive.
As Payu turned to look into the glass room where a certain youth was diligently working, his previously cold eyes softened, and his lips curved into a handsome smile.
"Like this, he's endearing in another way."
When he's not being stubborn, confrontational, or obstinate, he's quite cute. Or maybe, no matter when, he just always finds him cute.
The time of four in the afternoon, as the sun was moving lower, made the bright orange light splash everywhere, and it shone into the glass room where someone was leaning back on the sofa, tired, hoping to rest his eyes for a bit, but instead fell asleep without even realizing how.
The tall man smiled at the corner of his mouth, stepped over to pull the blinds down to block the light hitting the face of the soundly sleeping person.
Then Payu moved to lean on the arm of the long sofa where the youth was curled up sleeping. His eyes caught on the model Rain had struggled with all day. He looked at it appraisingly, then picked up some papers that had fallen on the floor nearby and wrote something on them, placed it under the base, then turned his attention back to the owner of the work.
The youth who seemed to be trying to merge with the sofa trembled slightly, as if cold from the air conditioning, so Payu moved to sit beside him.
The sharp eyes looked at the slender face, tracing from the eyebrows, the eyelashes resting on the white cheeks, the small nose that liked to turn up stubbornly, and ending at the lips that often argued back in a small voice but hadn't been heard for a whole week. He couldn't help but send a finger to stroke them very gently, smiling when even pressing the corner of his mouth didn't wake him.
"You've been trying very hard, you capable person." Payu leaned over to whisper by his ear, and then couldn't resist gently rubbing the tip of his nose against the earlobe, catching the faint scent of shampoo that wafted over, which was extremely tantalizing.
At first, he had only intended to come close the blinds to block the light, but it seemed... he'd take a little compensation for the time they'd been apart.
Before, when teasing and messing with him, he had the chance to stroke and feel him too. But since Payu was playing the tough role, disciplining the youth, he had to abstain accordingly. So, now that an undefended sweet treat was lying still in front of him, he had to have a taste, so no one could say he was incompetent.
Not just fragrant, but soft too.
The body of a youth who never did heavy exercise was soft all over. Not to mention the smooth, fair skin that indicated Chinese ancestry. Once you touched and stroked, it was smooth all over. Until his large hand slid under the t-shirt of the unsuspecting person. The sharp eyes glanced slightly at the glass room door.
Should have locked it first.
Even though he thought that, the warm mouth didn't think to stop at the earlobe, instead moving down to the white cheek, pleased with the natural fragrance, without any powdery scent to irritate the nose. He chuckled lightly when the body in his embrace moved as if annoyed, so he lifted the hem of the t-shirt higher and higher.
"Mmph, cold," the youth murmured in his sleep, simultaneously swatting his hand away.
Since the sleeper resisted, he couldn't help teasing. This time, he went right above the chest. But that was a monumental mistake.
Payu lowered his gaze from the undefended neck down to the pile of clothing that had been pushed up. But what was lower than that... made the adult with a devilish heart, who had played a bit too much, inadvertently feel troubled. The white chest with those small, light-colored beads adorning both sides was so enticing he wanted to taste it many times, but hadn't had the chance. Not to mention the small waist that could be encircled with one hand. And today, Rain was wearing low-waisted pants, the edge of his underwear visible flashing intermittently. He was starting to feel unsettled.
Restraining myself from crushing him is harder than playing the tough role.
"Teasing me, hmm?" the deep voice said greedily, stroking an index finger along the navel groove, making the stomach tense visibly.
After stroking playfully, he couldn't resist stroking again, so the tip of his index finger reached the edge of the pants, then crept back up to the center of the chest, watching the youth whose fine body hair stood on end all over, twisting his body slightly with satisfaction.
The sharp face leaned down, intending to press a kiss onto the smoothness once or twice, but...
"Mmph, Phîi Payu, what are you doing?" The drowsy one instead raised a hand to rub his eyes, whining, causing the handsome face to freeze mid-air. His eyes darted to the person who had no idea danger was only a hand's breadth away. Even after waking up, he didn't think to open his eyes and see what he had almost done.
Rain didn't even seem fully awake.
This demeanor made Payu smile wickedly.
Thump!
"Phîi Payu!!!" This time, even if he wasn't awake, he had to wake up, because Rain made a loud noise, sitting up abruptly, using both hands to cover his chest, looking over with wide eyes.
"Why did you pinch my nipple!"
Yes, Payu had twisted the nipple of the sleepy youth with full force.
"And why were you lying here with your stomach exposed, teasing Phîi?" Payu said with a straight face.
"I wasn't teasing!"
The tall man lowered his gaze instead of answering, making Rain quickly look down, and then found the hem of his shirt pulled up into a pile above his chest, so he hurriedly pulled it back down to its original position. He wanted to yell out loudly, but Rain could only manage to flush, his heart beating hard, his mouth pursed.
"Taking advantage while I was asleep."
"How do you know Phîi took advantage? I came in and you were already lying there with your stomach exposed."
"Not true! You're the one who molested me!"
"So you were awake."
"...No." The end of his voice grew weaker and weaker.
Meanwhile, Payu couldn't help but smile, feeling relieved to see the flushed face and the expression of biting his lip in frustration but not daring to argue back. The two hands hugging his chest tightly, like a chaste maiden, were so tempting to tease that he wanted to grab his legs and pull him down to lie on his back again. But there was unfinished work in the room, which managed to calm his mind a little.
He knew he shouldn't disturb work time, but he couldn't resist continuing the conversation.
"When did you become aware?"
Rain was silent, but turned his face to stare at the wall, which indicated he was.
"Hey, not answering? That means you want Phîi to reenact the situation, right?"
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you grabbing my legs for? Let go! Let go now!" The one who had scooted to the other end of the sofa cried out loudly, trying to pull his legs back when Payu grabbed him by the ankles, his eyes wide open. He understood perfectly well what 'reenact the situation' meant... Phîi Payu was going to do it again!
"I told you! When you were pulling my shirt!"
Rain knew that someone like Phîi Payu could really do it. When he wouldn't talk properly, he had dragged him into the bathroom, grabbing, kissing, and stropping so much. If he didn't confess, wouldn't everyone in the garage see what was happening...
"Hey!"
Thinking about the people in the garage, he inadvertently turned sharply to look at the clear glass pane that showed the area next to it.
"Even if Phîi pins Rain down, no one will see."
The brief moment of distraction was enough for Payu to swiftly crawl over his body. The sharp face leaned back next to his earlobe, whispering in a low voice that made Rain's body go rigid. He wanted to lift his leg and kick the other, but was afraid of hurting Phîi Payu. He could only squirm and wriggle, making protesting sounds with no way to escape.
"I already answered when I woke up! Let go! Let go now, man!"
He didn't know why, but Rain had never once managed to push Payu away in situations like this. He was starting to wonder if it was because he couldn't match his strength, or because he himself lost to the intensely sharp gaze that stared at him until he had no strength to resist!
The one staring into his eyes, glancing at his lips, then came so close he could smell the motor oil.
"So that means Rain didn't wake up in time, right?" Payu whispered by his ear, making the youth squint his eyes shut.
If he really counted, he hadn't heard Phîi Payu's voice this close in over two weeks. Last week, he only heard scolding and sighing. Hearing it again, his heart worked so hard he was afraid the other would hear it. His hands trembled until he realized it. As for his mouth, no need to mention, because he had already pressed it tightly shut.
He didn't really think Phîi Payu would kiss him, right?
The thought of the person who slightly opened his eyes to take a peek, then quickly closed them again, because.... Phîi Payu's smile was so damn handsome.
"Want to hear what Phîi said while Rain was asleep?"
Rain wanted the other to move back a bit first, because right now his head was filled only with the buzzing sound of his heart, his blood pumping so hard he was afraid he might faint. But the tuft-headed one pressed down two inches in an endearing way, making Payu smile even wider.
"Phîi said..."
Bang!
"Âi Payu, are you here...."
The sweet, soft, tender atmosphere was utterly destroyed by the handiwork of... Sai-fah.
The younger twin was standing stunned in front of the door, looking at his twin brother who was straddling the body of the eighteen-year-old, their faces only a span apart, their lips about to touch. No need for much explanation to know he had come at the wrong time. So, Sai-fah took one full step back.
"Sorry," Sai-fah said only that, and closed the door immediately.
"Then let's continue."
"Âi Phîi Payu, you psycho! Get back, now!"
Payu acted as if nothing had happened, moving even closer until Rain, whose face was so hot you could fry an egg on it, pushed against his shoulder, yelling in extreme embarrassment. But before he could resist more...
Click!
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, lock the door next time."
Creek... Bang!
Sai-fah opened the door again, offered the advice with good intentions, and even pressed the lock from the inside, then closed the door firmly shut, the kind that made the youth, tickled nearly to disintegration, almost disappear into the air.
The image of the youth sitting rigid, face intensely red, with invisible steam coming out of his head, looked so endearing that Payu laughed out loud. Then he didn't let the embarrassed one protest further, because the warm mouth touched down on his forehead gently and he was the one to pull away first.
Rain could only be stunned, and then even more stunned when Payu continued.
"Phîi said you've been trying very hard, you capable person."
Rain hadn't thought he would receive praise from this person, but now Phîi Payu was really praising him, making his heart swell with pride. He looked up, gazing, his hand gently stroking his forehead.
"Keep trying. Phîi won't disturb you anymore." The one who had been bothering the youth for many minutes finally stepped out of the room, leaving behind only a red stone statue posing with hands on his forehead, eyes wide, mouth agape.
It took several more minutes for Rain to move, in order to... use both hands to cover his face.
"Damn shit-lizard! I'm so embarrassed!"
This time, it's unclear who he was cursing, only that he was extremely embarrassed.
But Payu probably thought he hadn't made the youth's heart beat hard enough, because when Rain regained his composure and was about to return to work, he saw the note paper with written recommendations on several points about the strengths, weaknesses, and necessary corrections for his model. He hugged that piece of paper to his chest without realizing it, his heart swelling so much he was afraid he might float away.
He wasn't misinterpreting, was he, that Phîi Payu's actions meant... he cared?
"Fight to the death, Âi Rain!!!"
This time, the fire was lit! His eyes shone clearly with determination, his physical strength returned even more than an overdose of Red Bull.
Right now, Rain didn't realize that Phîi Payu was increasingly influencing his heart.
The end of the semester was hellish enough already, and when it was the end of the second semester, the hellishness multiplied several levels. The population of the nearly dead and hordes of zombies sprawled all over the faculty. Not showering was normal. Talking incoherently was even more normal. And even though the exams were over, the anxiety over scores for some subjects wasn't finished yet.
At this time, many first-year students were sitting anxiously waiting for the professor who had gone in to check their work, their hearts pounding.
"What do you think it'll be like?"
"I don't know, man. I did my best." Rain answered Sky's question and let out a long sigh.
Two weeks had passed since the time Phîi Payu encouraged him, a period during which Rain made up his mind not to show his face. It wasn't because he had given up on successfully pursuing Phîi Payu, but he was doing what the other had told him... to take responsibility for his own duties properly.
Rain admitted he was almost dying of loneliness. He had only just realized that in the nearly two months they had known each other, he had seen Phîi Payu more often than the cleaning auntie who came to clean twice a week. So, it had become normal to see each other frequently. Not seeing each other for these two weeks, he wilted like a plant without water.
He didn't know why, but right now he desperately wanted to see his face.
Yeah, but I haven't proven myself yet.
He didn't know if the praise 'you've been trying very hard' was permission to show his face at the garage as he pleased, because in his heart he really wanted Phîi Payu to see more solid proof than this. But what could he do? He was about to finish his first year. He still didn't know how to prove himself.
The thoughts swirling in his head continued until the professor finished checking the work and critiqued the students' work thoroughly. Those with good work were relieved, but most had tears leaking, feeling hurt in rows. Until it was Warain's turn, who clenched his fists tightly, waiting to hear the final critique of the semester with not much hope.
He had done his best, but he didn't know if it would be good enough in the professor's eyes.
But all the fatigue, sadness, and discouragement vanished in an instant just because the professor told him:
"You've done a good job."
Even though the professor went on to mention many shortcomings, weak points, and areas for improvement, compared to his other friends' work, his was at a level that could be called okay. The person who had poured his effort into it could barely hold back a smile, his hands trembling. The first person he wanted to tell was none other... than the one who had written a critique of his work for him before.
This time, Rain would be an ungrateful child and think of someone else before his parents, just this once.
He wanted to tell this good news to Phîi Payu first.
***
"Khun Payu isn't coming to the garage today. He'll probably go straight home."
When Rain showed up at the garage to find the person he wanted to tell about today's events, he received an answer that disappointed him. However, the person in question had no intention of turning his car back, but drove to the large house he had only been to once before.
Right now, the entire house was dark and completely silent, so the young man took out his phone to call the homeowner.
[The number you have dialed cannot be reached at this time.]
Rain was surprised that he couldn't contact Payu. When he walked down to ring the doorbell, he received silence as an answer. Moreover, the sky began to rumble, and soon after released a drizzling rain, making the youth quickly run to get an umbrella and open it. He didn't think to go sit in the car, because he wanted to tell Phîi Payu even one second sooner.
I did it, Phîi Payu.
He didn't know if the mentioned "did it" meant doing the work assigned by the professor well, or proving that he too was responsible for his own duties.
Come back soon, Phîi Payu. I want to tell you first, you know.
Payu's phone had been broken since the afternoon. The owner hadn't been able to contact anyone all day. On top of that, there were troublesome matters—a headache with a demanding customer, a boss with too many issues, and not seeing the youth's face for over two weeks—so the young man thought about stopping for a drink before going home. But the rain starting to drizzle from the sky made him change his mind.
I can just go home and drink alone.
It was a Friday with no race, so that Âi Sai-fah was probably staying over with his romantic partner.
The young man thought this as he turned his car into the alley of his house, and then his thick eyebrows knotted together.
"Rain! Why are you standing in the rain in front of my house!"
Payu almost braked so hard his car nosedived when he saw the youth standing holding an umbrella waiting at the front fence. The small umbrella couldn't protect against the rain combined with the wind, leaving his hair soaked around his face, his shirt more than half wet. But the drenched person smiled widely, ran straight over, and clung to his car door.
"Phîi Payu! Phîi Payu! You're here!"
"What are you doing here? And why didn't you wait in the car?" he said in a stern voice, but Rain wasn't cowed, smiling widely and speaking excitedly.
"Phîi Payu said that I have to prove to you that I can take responsibility for my own duties, right? I did it! Today the professor praised me, said my work was good. I wanted to tell Phîi Payu first." Rain said happily, not thinking at all that these few words were making the tall, building-like man freeze in stunned silence.
"Tell Phîi... first."
"Yeah. After I left the university, I went to find you at the garage, but the people at the garage said you weren't coming. So Rain came to wait for you here, because I wanted to tell you first. Phîi Payu, praise me a little. Rain is capable, right?" The youth smiled innocently, just wanting to tell the other the good news. But all of that made the listener's heart beat so hard it almost exploded!!!!
Payu's patience snapped that very second.
"Come here, you good one."
"Hey! Phîi Payu!"
Payu turned off the engine, got out of the car without caring that the rain was soaking him, and grabbed the small figure's arm, dragging him into the house without wasting time parking the car properly.
He wanted to deal with this youth who could disturb his heart to this extent immediately!
If he didn't get Rain as his Mia today, don't call him Âi Payu!
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