Chapter Text
Los Angeles, seven months after Rain left Bangkok :
“This is all the information that we have Yu, and I have a feeling this will be enough,” Pai voice came clear through the phone, as Phayu stared out of the window of the hotel he was booked in. “It’s the last place Pai. If he is not here too..,” Phayu trailed off, not even wanting to finish the thought. Even the idea of ever losing Rain was like an arrow piercing his heart, leaving it shattered and bleeding. “You will find him P’Phayu. You have to! Please bring my best friend back Phi,” Sky said, his voice cracking at the end, making Phayu realise that Pai was probably on speaker phone. “Okay guys, I will leave now. I will let you know when I get there,” he said, saying goodbye to Pai and Sky.
Entering the lobby of the skyrise building where Rain purportedly worked shocked Phayu, and impressed the hell out of him. His Rain was working here? In this wonderful place? Phayu had never felt prouder of his boy. He was about to go to the reception to ask for Varain Lee, when the love of his life stepped out of the elevator, a girl on one side, and a guy on the other. That in itself was not surprising. But what shocked Phayu was the casual arm the other man had kept on Rain’s waist, and the laughter in Rain’s eyes and face as he threw back his head and laughed, looking at the man with merriment filled eyes. It was at the moment that Phayu realised that Rain was lost to him, to them, forever. He had found his place in this world, and he had found it without Phayu. The sooner he accepted that fact, the better it was for everyone. Phayu turned around and walked out and never saw Rain remove Alan’s hands and smack him!
Bangkok, one year after the events of Lost :
Phayu sighed, looking once more at the photo on his wallpaper. In the three years Rain had been gone, inspite of the conversation they had in Korat, that was the one constant of Phayu’s life that never changed. He continued to love Rain the exact same way he had loved him all that time ago. No matter what anyone said, Phayu was not ready to move on, continuing to harbour hope in his heart that Rain would come back one day. The day Rain had accepted Phayu, Pai and Sky’s friend request, around two months after their last meeting, that small spark had become a burning flame, and if refused to get doused.
After returning to Bangkok, Phayu had broken down in front of Pai and Sky, and Sky had done the same. Sky especially had been so ashamed for how bad a friend he had been, that he had been inconsolable for a long while. It had taken lot out of him, and he had cut himself off from Phayu, Pai and their college friends, especially Ple and Som. His shame was bigger than Phayu’s. He had turned away the one person who had been stood by him in the hardest of times. He had been broken for a while, until one day, he had seen Rain’s photo pop up on his feed. He had been ecstatic, and had finally talked to Pai and Phayu, telling how Rain had unblocked him. Phayu and Pai, and Saifah had found that Rain had done the same for them. But Sky soon understood that only the four of them were unblocked, so he refused to share any news or any pictures with anyone else. He held it close to his heart like the most well-kept secret, because it clearly meant that Rain was not willing to forgive anyone else.
The four of them wanted desperately to reach out to Rain, but were mortally afraid of taking the first step, because in no way did they want Rain to back-off from that first step. Then Saifah had been the first to receive a message, and slowly and steadily, one by one, they all began to talk to Rain. The initial conversations were awkward and stilted at best, but everyone persevered, and eventually, they started becoming closer and closer. Sky had almost completely cut contacts with his Uni friends.. first out of guilt, and then realising how much he had needed this validation that he had hurt the one person who didn’t deserve it. Although it took time, and a lot of effort and patience, Rain began reconnecting with all of them. And he, despite the harshness and meanness that had been dealt to him, convinced Sky to connect back with their former Uni friends. That took time too, but it led to several positive steps, and it got him Rain, so Sky could not complain.
For Phayu, reconnecting with Rain was a healing balm on a visceral level, and a new hope for the future. Many times he wondered if he should ask about the man he had seen Rain with, but his social media made it clear that Alan was just a friend. And Phayu had seen Rain’s interactions with him. It had not seemed like they were romantically involved, and Phayu didn’t want to spoil the way things were. But as they continued to talk, Phayu could see the difference in Rain, and he fell more and more in love every day. Despite the time difference, they never failed to find time for each other, and Phayu started thinking about what he wanted. He was scared of moving away from family, but he knew that living without Rain was not an option for him. His parents, brother, friends; they all actively encouraged him to think about where he wanted to go in his relationship with the boy who was his very heart and soul. He found surprising acceptance from Rain’s parents, who had probably gotten the memo that Rain had decided to give him another chance. He had had a long and deep discussion with them, and their renewed affection came as a benediction. They made him promise that this time there would be absolutely no f*ck ups, and that he would do everything in his power to make Rain happy. And this promise came all too easily to Phayu. The first time, Phayu had been stupid, and messed up his chances with his beautiful boy. But this time? This time, there would be no mistakes, no f*ck-ups. He would ensure that. It would take him a while, but he would ensure he travelled to the ends of the earth for his boy.
Los Angeles, two years after the events of Lost :
“So, what do you think?” Keya asked, as she sat down for dinner with her boys. Rain quirked a brow. “I have several thoughts. Which one do you want to be privy to?” he asked, sarcasm on point. Keya rolled her eyes. She loved the Rain that had come back from Bangkok. He was steadier, sassier, and most importantly, so much at peace, that it was unbelievable. Alan just shook his head. He was pretty much used to the incessant bickering of these two people in his life and had given up, not even bothering to intervene. Why it was true that he had been initially attracted to Rain, he had clearly understood that Rain would never be his. They became friends, and then, because a physical relationship had not been part of their equation, not even a kiss, they very easily became brothers. Alan and Keya became his family in every way that counted, and Rain could not be happier.
“About the offer Jamie has given to you dumbo!” Keya said, sounding serious, even though she had just bopped his head. Rain looked thoughtful. “I want to accept it, but I am not sure,” he said. “Rain, I know what you are thinking, and you couldn’t be more wrong. You are not the Rain that left Bangkok four years ago. You are a different person. And not just different physically; but also mentally and emotionally. You are stronger, and most importantly? You don’t need them. Actually, you never did, but that is something that has been driven home with a vengeance already,” Alan said. “He is right. You are the bigger person, and you always have been, and you will continue to be. Also, as far as your P’Phayu’s company is concerned? If the day comes and you decide to go back, it will definitely be on your terms,” Keya said.
“Rain, no matter what happens, we are a package deal; whether you want to continue in this company, whether you want to join Phayu’s.. or actually, yours, or you want to start something on your own, we are here, no questions asked,” Alan said. Rain leaned back. “I know; and I am grateful. Truth is, I am seriously considering it, and I know I am qualified enough. I have the two of you, and I feel on top of the world. And also, I want to go back. So it’s pretty much win-win,” he said. “Then?” Keya asked, hearing a ‘but’ in his tone. Rain took out his phone and showed Keya the message he had received from Sky the week before. P’Pai and he were getting married, and Sky was insisting that Rain join them for the ceremony; even if it was for a short while.
“So? Do you want to?” Alan asked, exchanging a look with Keya. Rain hummed, non-comital, but Alan and Keya knew him, knew his heart. He was a simple person, and the amount of love he had in his heart, even for the people who had hurt him, was tremendous. “Rain, you should go,” Keya said, as Rain looked up at her. “Look, we all know that you had started forgiving them the moment you unblocked them. In these past 4 years, lots of things have changed, including you yourself. And honestly, you always remain worried about your mum and dad. Take this job up; and go back to Thailand. It’s your home in the end.”
“I can’t force you to leave the US, and you know I can’t do without you guys,” Rain said, pouting. “Rain, I told you, we are a package deal. We have already spoken to our parents. And they are more than willing to move with us. My mom is tired of the weather in Wisconsin, and so are Keya’s parents, as far as New York in concerned, because of her dad’s arthritis. Thailand’s weather will be great for us,” Alan said. “If you ask me, Mom and Dad are more thrilled than I am about the move,” Keya said, laughing. “Are you guys sure?” Rain asked, gratitude colouring his tone. “Absolutely babe! We got your back, whether you want it or not!” Alan said, hugging his best friend from the side.
“And do you plan to rekindle things with your P’Phayu?” Keya asked. “Of course he is going to. He can’t wait to jump on the man!” Alan laughed uproariously despite Rain elbow in his gut. “Don’t be dumb! I am pretty sure P’Phayu has moved on. I have been gone nearly four years. Just because I was celibate, doesn’t mean he was,” Rain said, getting up from the table to put his stuff in the sink. Keya and Alan exchanged a look again and shook their heads. What the hell was Rain saying? “Do you even listen to yourself? We have seen those chats love. The man is just as smitten as he was 8 years ago. You guys may have drifted apart, but there is no way he stopped loving you,” Alan said. “But yes, I would still say that he deserves to grovel a bit. He needs to tell you what happened 4 years ago. Both him and Sky. Why did they move away from you? And please,” Keya raised her hand when Rain was about to speak. “Don’t say that it was because of you; because they found you lacking. It was their fault. They drifted away from you, even though you tried your best. They lost you, you didn’t lose them!” Keya was as good as a lioness protecting her cub.
Two months later, the three friends landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Alan and Keya’s family would move in once they settled in. Sky’s wedding was soon, and while Rain had not RSVP’d, he knew very well that Sky would not turn him away. To say that he was nervous would be an understatement, and what was worse was the fact that Alan and Keya refused to come with him. They had told him clearly that Sky had invited him, not them. And they would not be wedding crashers in any form or manner.
