Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft golden hue over the room. The warmth of it kissed the bare skin tangled in soft white sheets, and the faint scent of last night’s passion still lingered in the air - sweat, heat, and love.

Phayu lay on his side, one arm propped under his head as his other hand gently combed through Rain’s messy hair. The younger man was curled against him, cheek pressed to his chest, lips slightly parted in sleep. His breathing was slow, steady, peaceful.

He looked like a dream.

Phayu couldn’t help the small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. There was something about mornings like this - quiet, intimate, untouched by the world outside - that made everything feel… right. Last night had been intense, full of whispered words and tangled limbs. But this, this silence, was where he felt Rain’s love the most.

His fingers slid lazily through Rain’s hair again, brushing against the nape of his neck. Rain let out a small hum but didn’t stir.

“Sleepyhead,” Phayu murmured, his voice rough with sleep but tender. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Rain’s temple, breathing in the familiar scent of him. “How are you always this beautiful when you sleep?”

Rain gave a faint groan in protest, wriggling slightly before pressing closer into Phayu’s side.

“You’re staring at me again,” he mumbled, voice thick with sleep.

Phayu chuckled, brushing his thumb along Rain’s cheek. “Can you blame me?”

Rain peeked one eye open, squinting up at him. “It’s too early for compliments.”

“It’s never too early to worship you.”

Rain rolled his eyes, but the faint pink spreading across his cheeks betrayed him. “Corny old man,” he muttered.

Phayu laughed and leaned down, catching Rain’s lips in a lazy, unhurried kiss. “You love it.”

“I do,” Rain whispered, fingers curling around Phayu’s waist under the sheets. “I love you.”

Phayu stilled for a heartbeat, a flicker of something tight and fierce curling in his chest. He always knew Rain loved him. But hearing it like that - soft and honest, in the early morning haze - it still got him every time.

“I love you more,” he replied.

Rain closed his eyes again, content, and the room fell back into peaceful silence. Phayu stayed there, holding him close, his heart full.

Rain yawned and stretched like a cat, arms reaching up, back arching, completely unbothered by the sheets slipping lower down his torso. Phayu, still watching him from beside the bed, let out a quiet huff of amusement.

“You stretch like that one more time and you’re not making it to class,” he warned, voice low and teasing.

Rain cracked one eye open. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

Phayu chuckled, leaning down to press a kiss to Rain’s bare shoulder. “Both. But if we start again, neither of us is getting anything done today.”

Rain groaned and pulled the covers over his head. “Then what’s the problem?”

“The problem,” Phayu said, yanking the blanket back with a grin, “is that I like being a responsible adult. Sometimes.”

“Ugh,” Rain mumbled. “You’re no fun.”

“I made you moan my name three times last night. I think that qualifies as fun.”

Rain went red instantly, smacking a pillow at Phayu’s chest as he sat up. “Shut up!”

Phayu just laughed and ducked the attack, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and tugging them on. “Alright, alright. You win. But only if you get your cute ass out of bed and come eat something.”

Rain flopped dramatically back into the pillows. “Fine. But I want toast and bacon. And juice. And coffee.”

“High maintenance, aren’t you?” Phayu said, heading for the door.

“You knew what you signed up for,” Rain called after him, the smile in his voice obvious.

Phayu shook his head fondly as he walked into the kitchen. The house was still quiet, the world outside just beginning to stir. He started the coffee machine, humming softly as he pulled out ingredients from the fridge - eggs, bacon, bread. The kind of breakfast that said, I care about you even when you’re grumpy in the morning.

The pan sizzled, toast popped, and the kettle hissed. Everything felt easy. Normal. Like a rhythm they’d naturally fallen into.

He glanced toward the hallway, wondering if Rain would come out shirtless and sleepy-eyed like he always did. That thought alone was enough to make him smile as he plated the food.

Phayu didn’t know it yet - had no clue just how far from “normal” things were about to get.

But for now, in this quiet morning glow, all he cared about was Rain’s smile and whether he wanted orange juice or apple.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The campus courtyard buzzed with the usual post-class energy - groups of students chatting, the clatter of food containers being opened, someone strumming a guitar under the tree near the bench. Rain walked beside Sky, lazily swinging his bag from one shoulder and yawning.

“I’m officially brain-dead,” Rain groaned. “If the prof talks about one more historical weather pattern, I’m jumping out the window.”

Sky gave him a side glance. “You say that every week.”

“And yet every week, I come closer to actually doing it.”

“Dramatic.”

Rain opened his mouth to respond, but a buzz from his phone cut him off. He fished it out of his pocket absently - expecting some dumb meme from Prapai to annoy Sky with - but the second he saw the name on the screen, his breath caught.

Venice 💙
Just landed. I’m home, bunny.

For a split second, he just stared.

Then a grin slowly, uncontrollably, spread across his face.

“What’s with that look?” Sky asked, eyeing him.

But Rain didn’t answer. “I gotta go.”

“Huh?”

Rain was already turning around, practically jogging back the way they came.

“Rain?” Sky called out, confused. “Where are you-?”

“I’ll text you!” Rain shouted over his shoulder, but his voice was barely audible as he broke into a full-on sprint.

His heart pounded - not from the running, but from the rush of he’s really here flooding his chest.

Venice. After all this time. After all the FaceTimes, the "I miss yous," the updates about school and life and everything in between. He was here, in Thailand. Home.

Rain didn’t even realize he was smiling like an idiot as he dug out his car keys, slid into the driver’s seat, and slammed the door shut behind him. His hands shook slightly as he typed back a reply.

To Venice: WHERE?! Send me your location RIGHT NOW. I’m coming to you. DON’T MOVE.

He tossed his phone on the passenger seat, heart hammering with anticipation.

There was no room in his head for anything else - not class, not Sky, not even Phayu. Right now, the only thing that mattered was the reunion he’d been dreaming about for years.

He couldn’t wait to see his brother’s face again.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Rain’s heart was racing before he even stepped inside the terminal.

The arrivals area was full - families reuniting, couples hugging tightly, friends laughing as they waved signs. But Rain barely noticed any of it. His eyes were scanning, desperate, hungry for the one face he hadn’t seen in years.

And then-

There.

Venice stood just past the glass doors, leaning casually on his suitcase, phone in one hand, the other stuffed in his hoodie pocket. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and even in something as simple as jeans and sneakers, he stood out. His sharp features softened the moment he spotted Rain weaving through the crowd.

“Rain!” he called, his smile lighting up instantly.

Rain’s chest burst with warmth.

He didn’t hesitate. He ran.

Venice barely had time to drop his phone into his pocket before Rain crashed into him, arms wrapping tightly around his waist. Rain buried his face in Venice’s chest, clinging like a child who’d finally found home again.

“God, I missed you,” Rain whispered, voice catching slightly.

Venice wrapped his arms around him with just as much force, holding him close, warm and steady.

“I missed you more, bunny,” he murmured against Rain’s hair before pulling back just enough to get a look at him.

Then came the kisses.

Venice pressed one to Rain’s forehead, then another to his cheek. Then the other cheek. Then the tip of his nose.

Rain laughed, squirming a little. “Stop! People are staring-!”

“Let them stare,” Venice said, beaming. “I haven’t seen you in forever. I’m allowed to smother you.”

With no shame at all, Venice cupped Rain’s face and kissed both cheeks again, this time slower, more affectionate. Rain’s ears burned red as he mumbled a half-hearted protest that even he didn’t mean.

“You haven’t changed a bit,” Venice said, brushing a thumb under Rain’s eye. “Still soft. Still cute. Still my bunny.”

Rain pouted. “I’m not a kid anymore, you know.”

“You’ll always be my kid,” Venice said gently, bumping their foreheads together.

A few feet away, half-hidden behind a column and pretending to be on the phone, someone raised a smartphone.

They zoomed in, finger hovering over the shutter button.

Click.

Rain’s laughter.
Venice kissing his cheek.
The two of them holding each other like the world didn’t exist.

Click.

Another photo. Then another.

The man didn’t smile. Didn’t say a word. He just watched them a moment longer, lowered the phone, and walked away.

Unseen.

Unheard.

Uninvited.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The office was quiet except for the soft rustling of paper and the occasional tap of keys. Phayu sat at his desk, a lamp casting warm light over the architectural sketches spread before him. His blazer hung off the back of his chair, sleeves rolled up, collar loosened. It was one of those late evenings where he lost track of time, caught up in floor plans and elevation drafts.

He liked it that way - controlled lines, precise measurements, the quiet hum of design.

But his concentration cracked when his phone buzzed beside his laptop.

At first, he ignored it. Probably Rain, or someone from the firm’s group chat. He added another note to the draft, then reached for his coffee - cold now - and took a distracted sip.

Another buzz.
Then a third.

He sighed, finally glancing at the screen.

Unknown Number
3 attachments

No message. No name. Just images.

Phayu frowned, brows knitting slightly. He tapped the first one open.

And froze.

It was Rain.

In someone else’s arms.

The image wasn’t grainy. It was clear - too clear. Rain’s head was resting on the shoulder of a guy Phayu didn’t recognize. The guy was taller, sharp-featured, with his hoodie slightly pulled up. His arm was around Rain’s waist.

The second photo loaded.

The same guy, pressing a kiss to Rain’s cheek.

Rain was laughing.

His smile was bright, familiar. The one Phayu knew so well - the kind that usually appeared after Phayu kissed the corner of his mouth, or when they tangled together in the morning.

But in this photo, it was meant for someone else.

Phayu’s chest tightened.

He opened the third image, hoping – praying - for context. A clue. Anything.

But it was just them again. Rain holding the guy tightly, the guy's hand cradling Rain’s jaw. His thumb was brushing just under Rain’s eye like he was used to touching him like that.

Phayu stared at the screen, heart beginning to thump heavier.

Who was he?

Rain had never mentioned another guy. Never said anything about meeting someone. Especially not someone he looked so close to.

And Phayu knew most of Rain’s friends. He had never seen this guy before.

He locked his phone and set it face down on the desk like it burned him.

His office suddenly felt too quiet. The lines on his sketchpad blurred in front of his eyes.

He trusted Rain. He loved him.

But now… something in his chest had shifted. Just slightly.

Enough to make him doubt.

The office was still, but Phayu’s mind wasn’t.

The lamp hummed faintly, illuminating the sketches he was no longer looking at. His pen had long stopped moving. His coffee sat untouched, cooling to something bitter.

His phone lay face down, but his thoughts kept replaying the images burned into his memory - Rain smiling, Rain wrapped in someone else’s arms, someone else's kiss pressed to his cheek.

He didn’t even know the guy’s face. Didn’t recognize the clothes. Didn’t have a name to attach to the ache creeping under his ribs.

Who is he?
Why didn’t Rain tell me?
When did he start hiding things from me?

The silence around him twisted into something heavy. And Phayu, who prided himself on logic, on structure, on calm - found himself spiraling.

He had always trusted Rain, even when Rain was impulsive, reckless, a little storm of chaos wrapped in sunshine. That was just who he was - blunt, passionate, soft in all the ways that made Phayu melt. But Rain wasn’t a liar.

Or at least… he hadn’t been.

Phayu didn’t realize he was clenching his fist until the sharp edges of his pen bit into his palm.

His eyes flicked to the phone again.

No new messages.

He considered texting. “Who was that?” Or even just “Where are you?”

But the words tasted sour before they could even form. Because what was he supposed to say?

He wasn’t even sure if he had the right to ask.

He tried to go back to work - flipping a sketch, redrawing a line - but his hand shook just slightly. It wasn’t anger. Not really.

It was fear.

Am I not enough for him? Did he find someone who understands him better? Is that why he looked so happy?

He pushed away from the desk and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his face with both hands.

It was just a photo. No context. He knew better than to jump to conclusions. But the way Rain smiled in it - that easy, glowing smile - his smile… It didn’t feel like something shared between strangers.

Phayu dropped his hands and stared up at the ceiling, lips pressed into a tight line.

He wasn’t the type to act on impulse. He didn’t do jealous tantrums or half-formed accusations.

But tonight, for the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel like Rain’s whole world.

And that hurt more than he was ready to admit.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Phayu sat on the couch, the house dark except for the soft glow of the floor lamp beside him. His phone rested on the table in front of him - face up this time - those same photos staring back at him like ghosts.

Rain was late.

Later than usual.

It was almost 9 PM now, and Phayu had already gone through every emotion: worry, doubt, frustration, and the deep, aching kind of hurt that settled in your chest like something was crumbling quietly inside you.

The sound of the door unlocking made his heart jump - and then clench.

“Phi~!” Rain’s voice was light and cheerful as he stepped inside, tossing his bag to the floor and kicking off his shoes. He was glowing from the night air, cheeks pink, hair wind-tousled. He looked happy. Unbothered.

He didn’t notice the tension yet.

Rain bounded toward the couch and leaned down, pressing a kiss to Phayu’s temple, then another to his cheek, and then a soft one near the corner of his mouth. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic sucked. I missed you,” he said in a sing-song tone, nuzzling lightly.

Phayu didn’t move.

He didn’t lean in. He didn’t even blink.

Rain pulled back slowly, brows pinching. “What’s wrong?”

Phayu’s jaw was tight. “Where have you been?”

Rain blinked. “Huh?”

“I asked where you were,” Phayu repeated, voice lower, strained.

Rain furrowed his brows. “I told you this morning - I had classes. Then I hung out a bit before coming home. Why?”

“You hung out,” Phayu said, standing now, a laughless smile pulling at his lips. “With who?”

Rain was confused. “Just… around. Why are you asking me like that?”

Phayu’s voice rose slightly. “Because you’re lying to me.”

Rain reeled back, shocked. “What? P’Phayu, I’m not-”

“You didn’t say anything about being with someone. You didn’t say anything about this.” Phayu snatched his phone off the table and held it up, thumb tapping quickly.

He turned the screen toward Rain.

The photos.

Rain’s arms around Venice. Venice’s kiss on his cheek. The warmth. The closeness.

Rain stared at them.

Silent.

Not blinking.

Phayu watched his expression, and the longer Rain stayed quiet, the more that pressure in Phayu’s chest grew claws.

“Are you cheating on me?” he asked - raw, unfiltered.

Rain’s head snapped up. “What?”

“You heard me,” Phayu said, voice cracking slightly, pain threading through the frustration now. “Are you - are you seeing someone else behind my back?”

Rain’s mouth opened. Then closed. His eyes flicked back to the phone screen.

And then-

A sound.

A quiet, breathy snort.

Phayu’s heart dropped, anger flaring to life like a fire fed gasoline.

He turned sharply. “Is this funny to you?!”

Rain had a hand over his mouth, shoulders shaking.

He was trying not to laugh.

“Are you serious right now?” Phayu snapped.

Rain lowered his hand and looked at him, eyes wide with disbelief and a small, crooked grin pulling at his lips. “Phi…” he said, almost pitying, “that’s my older brother.”

Silence.

Phayu’s expression cracked, like the floor just gave out beneath him.

“…What?”

Rain walked over, taking the phone gently from his hands and zooming in on one of the photos. “That’s Venice. My brother. He flew in from the UK today. I didn’t tell you ‘cause I wanted to surprise you with him later this week. He spoils me rotten and still treats me like I’m ten.” Rain glanced up, smirking. “Guess you saw the result.”

Phayu felt like the world tilted a little under his feet. “Your… brother.”

Rain gave him a dry look. “Yes. My brother. Venice. You really thought I’d cheat on you?”

Phayu sat down heavily on the couch, rubbing a hand over his face.

Rain dropped beside him. “You didn’t even ask, P’Phayu. You just assumed.”

“I did ask,” Phayu said quietly. “You said you were at class.”

“I was at class. I didn’t lie. I left after and went to meet him.”

Phayu didn’t say anything for a long moment. His shoulders were tight, guilt and embarrassment simmering under the fading fire of his emotions.

Rain nudged him. “You jealous of my brother?”

“No,” Phayu said immediately, then groaned. “Okay, maybe a little. I didn’t know. And those photos - Rain, they looked bad.”

Rain chuckled softly, leaning in and pressing a kiss to his jaw. “I’ll take it as a compliment that you care that much. But next time, maybe talk to me before accusing me of having an affair.”

Phayu exhaled a long, tired breath. “Yeah. I… I’m sorry.”

Rain smiled and wrapped his arms around Phayu’s waist, curling close. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I really thought I lost you,” Phayu muttered against his hair.

“You’re stuck with me,” Rain murmured, then pulled back with a teasing grin. “Though honestly, I should be the one mad. You really thought I’d cheat and be dumb enough to let someone take pictures of it?”

Phayu gave him a look. “It’s not funny.”

Rain grinned. “It’s a little funny.”

Phayu groaned as Rain laughed and leaned against him.

The tension lingered in the room like smoke, but it was starting to clear.

And all that was left was two hearts - one hurting, one healing - wrapped in the quiet truth of who they belonged to.

Each other.

The house had gone quiet again - but this time, it wasn’t the heavy silence of suspicion. It was the kind of quiet that came after a storm, when the thunder had passed and the rain was just beginning to calm.

Phayu leaned back against the couch, shoulders finally relaxing. Rain was curled up in his lap now, head resting against his chest, fingers playing idly with the hem of Phayu’s shirt. The tension between them had melted, softened by warmth and apology.

Phayu rested his chin gently on Rain’s head. “I really am sorry, Rain.”

Rain didn’t respond right away, just exhaled slowly, like he’d been holding it all in. Then, with a small smile, he looked up at him. “You really were that jealous, huh?”

Phayu looked away, mildly embarrassed. “It wasn’t just jealousy. It was… fear, I guess. You looked happy in those photos. Comfortable. Like I wasn’t even in the picture.”

Rain tilted his head, eyes softening. “Phi… I’m always happiest with you. Always.”

That hit Phayu like a warm hand on a cold day.

Rain reached up, touching his face lightly. “Hia Venice is… He’s my big brother, but he’s more than that. He raised me, really. When things were rough back home - he was the one who protected me, spoiled me, kept me grounded. Even when he moved away, he never stopped checking in. Every week, like clockwork.”

Phayu listened, watching the emotion flicker through Rain’s expression - fondness, warmth, the kind of love that ran deep.

“He’s always called me Bunny,” Rain added with a shy laugh. “Because I used to follow him around everywhere. Even when I was little, I’d sneak into his room and sleep beside him.”

Phayu smiled softly. “That explains the kisses.”

“He’s clingy,” Rain said, snorting. “You think I’m bad? Hia Venice is worse. He babies me like I’m five.”

“Well, now I feel slightly less offended.”

Rain laughed and curled closer, wrapping his arms around Phayu’s waist. “You know what the dumbest part of all this is?”

“What?”

“I was literally about to tell you tonight. I had it all planned out. I was gonna be like, ‘Guess who’s back in Thailand?’ and you were gonna get all possessive and grumbly, and I’d be like, ‘Relax, he’s my brother!’ But then…” He poked Phayu’s chest. “You beat me to it with a whole dramatic episode.”

Phayu groaned, pulling Rain tighter. “I’m never going to live this down, am I?”

Rain kissed his collarbone and mumbled against his skin, “Not a chance.”

They sat like that for a while, legs tangled, hearts syncing again. The air was no longer heavy. Just warm. Safe.

“Next time you get suspicious,” Rain said, voice soft, “talk to me, okay? I’m yours, P’Phayu. No one else.”

Phayu lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to Rain’s forehead. “I know. I trust you. I’ll be better.”

“You better be,” Rain muttered, half-asleep already in his arms.

Phayu held him close, letting the moment wrap around them like a blanket.

In the quiet, he realized something important: love wasn't about not making mistakes.

It was about choosing to stay anyway.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Phayu adjusted the sleeves of his shirt as he stood outside the quiet café Rain had picked. It was a cozy, private spot tucked in a side street - definitely intentional, considering the nature of today’s introduction.

Rain had insisted it be “low-key.” That alone told Phayu everything he needed to know.

Then the bell above the café door jingled, and Rain’s voice rang out.
“Phi! We’re here~”

Phayu turned, and that’s when he saw him.

Tall, sharp-featured, and dressed in clean black with sunglasses perched on his head, Venice looked nothing like the clingy older brother from the photos. His expression was calm, unreadable. Controlled. There was a kind of elegance to him - measured, almost calculating - and Phayu instantly understood why Rain had said nothing until now.

This man didn’t just give off older brother energy. He radiated mafia prince.

Rain trotted ahead, eyes sparkling. “Phi, this is my brother - Hia Venice. Hia, this is Phayu.”

Venice’s eyes flicked to Phayu with quiet precision. He didn’t smile.

Phayu stepped forward and extended a hand. “Nice to finally meet you.”

There was a beat of silence.

Then Venice took the handshake—firm, steady, expression never changing. “So,” he said, voice smooth and deep, “you’re the one.”

Phayu didn’t flinch. “I am.”

Another pause. The air was heavy for a second.

Rain looked between them, lips twitching nervously. “Okay, don’t make this weird,” he muttered. “Hia, stop trying to intimidate him.”

Venice ignored him. His gaze stayed on Phayu. “Do you love my brother?”

“Yes.”

“Are you serious about him?”

“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”

Venice’s eyes narrowed just slightly. “Will you hurt him?”

Phayu didn’t blink. “Never.”

Venice watched him for another moment, then finally – finally - his expression shifted. The hard lines of his face softened, and he looked down at Rain, who had come to stand beside him. Without a word, Venice placed his hand on Rain’s head, ruffling his hair gently.

“You sure know how to pick the dramatic ones,” he said, tone lighter now.

Rain huffed. “Don’t act like you weren’t dramatic too. You still are.”

Venice let out the smallest smile as he pulled Rain into his side. “Still my Bunny.”

Rain groaned, cheeks flushing. “Hiaaa, not in front of him.”

Phayu raised an amused brow. “No complaints here.”

Venice gave him a sideways look. “You’re not easily rattled, are you?”

Phayu smiled slightly. “Not really. Besides, I’ve been dating Rain long enough to know nothing about his life is normal.”

Rain puffed his cheeks. “That’s rude.”

“It’s true,” Phayu and Venice said at the same time, and Rain just threw his hands up in defeat.

Venice glanced at Phayu one more time. His smile was faint, but genuine now. “You’ve got guts. I respect that.”

Phayu nodded once. “I respect you too. Thank you for taking care of Rain all these years.”

Venice turned back to Rain, who was now sipping on an iced drink and leaning against his shoulder. He smoothed Rain’s hair back gently.

“I’ll still be watching,” he said, almost teasing, but with an unmistakable undertone.

“I’d expect nothing less,” Phayu replied easily.

Rain rolled his eyes. “Can you two stop acting like this is a mafia movie?”

They didn’t answer - but both men smirked.

And just like that, the unspoken truce was made.

The awkward tension had simmered down after Venice and Phayu’s stand-off. Now, the three of them were seated inside the café in a private booth tucked near the back, where Venice had a clear view of the entrance - something Phayu casually noticed.

Their drinks had arrived. Small plates of snacks followed. Rain was chatting away, his usual bubbly self, while both men flanked him - Venice on the left, calm and unreadable; Phayu on the right, silently observant.

“I’m telling you,” Rain said between bites of cake, “when we were kids, Hia used to sneak into the school to pull me out of class if I so much as texted him I had a stomachache.”

“You were dramatic,” Venice said flatly.

“I was dying,” Rain countered.

“You had a cramp.”

Rain made a face and leaned dramatically into Phayu. “See? This is emotional abuse.”

Phayu chuckled softly, “Sounds like he spoiled you.”

Venice didn’t respond - he just sipped his coffee with an air of practiced calm.

Rain grinned and kept going. “There was even one time I got into trouble with some seniors, and Hia stormed onto campus with like, five guys behind him. Everyone scattered like ants.”

Phayu blinked. “Wait. Five guys?”

Rain froze. His smile faltered for half a second.

Venice turned his head slowly, giving Rain a look like: really?

“…I-I mean,” Rain stammered quickly, waving a hand. “Just, like… you know… bodyguards? I guess? I dunno.”

Phayu tilted his head, smile faltering slightly. “Bodyguards? What kind of trouble were you in that needed five grown men?”

“Just… rich kid drama,” Rain said quickly, then turned to Venice with a strained grin. “Right, Hia?”

Venice didn’t blink. “He’s very dramatic.”

Rain laughed too loudly. “Exactly! I exaggerate all the time. Hahaha…”

Phayu didn’t laugh.

He looked between the two brothers - Venice’s posture too composed, Rain’s reaction too fast.

There was a weird tension there. Something unspoken, like a line had been crossed.

Phayu sat back a little. “You always have bodyguards?”

Venice answered this time, smooth as ever. “We grew up in a family with a lot of… expectations. Protection comes with the territory.”

Rain's smile was still plastered on, but now it looked like a sticker that was starting to peel.

Phayu didn’t push. Not yet.

But something about the way Venice had said it made something click in the back of his mind.
The cold aura. The watchful eyes.
The way he scanned the room without ever seeming like he was.
The expensive car Rain had once casually mentioned as just something from home.
The vague details about his family.
The way Rain never really answered when Phayu asked what his parents did.

Phayu’s gaze lingered on Rain - who was now nibbling on a biscuit like it could distract from the awkward silence.

And suddenly, the picture started coming together.

Rain wasn’t just a rich kid.

Rain was something else.

Something protected. Something hidden.

Phayu looked away, pretending to focus on his drink. He wasn’t angry - just… processing.

And Rain, out of the corner of his eye, saw that subtle shift.

He swallowed hard.

“…Phi?” he asked quietly, bumping his knee against Phayu’s under the table. “You okay?”

Phayu glanced at him and smiled gently. “Yeah. Just thinking.”

Rain smiled back, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Venice said nothing.

But he noticed too.

Something had changed.

And now, the truth was starting to breathe between them.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The apartment was quiet. Not the kind of soft, content quiet they shared after long days or lazy evenings - but the stiff, uncertain silence that grew when something was being avoided.

Rain sat on the couch, curled up with a pillow against his chest, pretending to watch a show. Phayu stood near the kitchen counter, arms folded, eyes not really seeing the mug he held.

He’d been thinking all night.

About Venice. About today.
About that moment at the café when Rain said too much.
About the strange edge in Venice’s posture.
About the guards. The way Rain brushed it off - too quickly, too nervously.

Finally, he set the mug down with a soft but final clink.

“Rain,” he said, voice even.

Rain flinched slightly before looking up, trying to smile. “Yeah?”

Phayu didn’t walk over. He stayed where he was, like distance could protect the honesty they were about to confront.

“Who is your family?”

Rain blinked, smile faltering. “What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean.” Phayu’s eyes were calm, but direct. “The truth this time.”

Rain hesitated.

And then, after a long breath, he whispered, “…Theerapanyakun.”

Phayu went still.

The name slammed into him like a wave. His jaw tightened.

Theerapanyakun.

He knew that name. Everyone knew that name.

Theerapanyakun.

It all clicked. The car. The silence about his past. The brothers. The guards. The danger Rain never seemed afraid of.

Phayu looked up at him, shaken.

“You’re… a Theerapanyakun?” His voice was quiet, but it trembled.

Rain stood slowly, guilty eyes avoiding his. “Yeah.”

Phayu stared. “And you didn’t think to tell me that?”

“I was scared,” Rain admitted. “I thought you’d leave if you knew.”

Phayu looked up at him. “Rain… do you realize how dangerous your world is?”

“Yes.” Rain's voice was steady now, more honest than before. “But Hia Venice made sure I never had to live in it. He gave me freedom. I didn’t want to ruin it by dragging someone else in.”

Phayu was silent for a moment, then rubbed a hand down his face. “I’m not scared of you, Rain. But this? It’s a lot.”

“I know.”

“I’m not leaving,” Phayu said softly, almost to himself. “But damn, Rain. You could’ve told me.”

Rain finally reached him, kneeling between his legs, arms wrapping tightly around Phayu’s waist.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I wanted to be yours without the weight of all that behind me.”

Phayu looked down at the boy in his arms. So bright. So chaotic. So his.

He sighed and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Rain’s forehead.

“You’re still mine,” he said quietly. “But now I know I’ve been dating a mafia bunny.”

Rain laughed wetly. “That makes you the mafia’s favorite boyfriend.”

Phayu raised an eyebrow. “God help me.”

They stayed curled up on the couch like that for a while. Rain nestled into Phayu’s chest, arms snug around his waist, as if he thought letting go might make Phayu disappear. Phayu held him just as tightly, still processing everything, but grounding himself in Rain’s presence.

“You okay?” Rain mumbled, voice muffled against Phayu’s shirt.

Phayu ran a hand through Rain’s hair slowly. “I’m still catching up. But I’m here. And I want to understand.”

Rain pulled back just enough to look up at him. His eyes were softer now, but there was something distant in them too - like a memory that still stung.

“…You wanna know what it was like?” he asked.

Phayu nodded. “I want to know everything.”

Rain exhaled, curling his fingers around the hem of Phayu’s shirt like a nervous tic.

“Being born into that family…” He hesitated. “It’s like being handed a crown that’s too heavy for your head. Everyone expects you to wear it, but no one teaches you how.”

Phayu stayed quiet, letting him talk.

“Dad – Vegas - he’s... intense. Cold to most people. But with me and Hia, he’s different. Still strict, but soft sometimes. Pete, my papa, is the heart of the family. He’s the one who taught me how to feel safe, even when everything else felt… sharp.”

Rain smiled a little, lost in the memory. “Hia Venice was my shield. Always has been. He’d stand in front of me when people looked at me wrong. Walked me to school until I was fifteen. Took the blame when I got caught sneaking out. And when things got bad - like, really bad - he made me leave.”

Phayu gently brushed his thumb across Rain’s cheek. “What do you mean, bad?”

Rain’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Someone tried to kidnap me.”

Phayu stiffened.

“I was fourteen. Just a regular school day. Got in the car with our usual driver. Didn’t realize until we were halfway across the city that the guy wasn’t one of ours. I was lucky - I fought, got away, called Hia. He found me before the police even could.”

Rain looked down. “After that, I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere alone. Guards, curfews, lockdowns. For a while, it felt like I wasn’t living. Just surviving.”

“Rain…” Phayu whispered, pulling him close again.

“That’s why I wanted out,” Rain said against his chest. “Why I begged to study abroad. Hia Venice convinced Dad to let me. Said I needed freedom, or I’d lose myself.”

Phayu pressed a kiss into Rain’s hair, his heart aching.

“I never wanted to lie to you,” Rain added, voice small. “I just wanted to keep what we have separate from all that. I wanted this to be mine. Ours.”

Phayu tilted his head so Rain would look at him. “Rain, I don’t care about the name. Or the family. I care about you. The one who gets toothpaste all over the sink. The one who gets pouty when I don’t kiss him goodbye. The one who climbs into my lap like a cat when he wants cuddles.”

Rain sniffled and laughed. “That’s the bunny experience.”

Phayu smiled. “And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But if I’m gonna be yours, I want to be all in. That means knowing where you come from, and what you carry.”

Rain reached up and cupped Phayu’s cheek with both hands. “Then you better hold on, Phi. Because it’s not an easy road.”

“I build cities, Rain,” Phayu said softly. “I don’t mind rebuilding a world for you.”

Rain kissed him then - slow, deep, grateful.

And for the first time since the picture, since the storm of secrets, Phayu felt peace settle between them again.

Only now, it was layered with truth.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

“You ready?” Rain asked, voice unusually quiet as he stood beside Phayu at the towering black gates.

Phayu looked up at the sprawling Theerapanyakun estate. It wasn’t just a house - it was a fortress wrapped in elegance. Thick stone walls, looming gates with ornate gold trim, and security cameras hidden beneath trees that looked too carefully manicured to be natural. The kind of place where silence carried weight, and secrets were built into the architecture.

He glanced down at Rain, who was fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

“You nervous?” Phayu asked gently.

Rain huffed. “Nervous? No. Terrified? Absolutely.”

Phayu gave a crooked smile and slipped his hand into Rain’s. “Then let’s be terrified together.”

The gates creaked open slowly, and the two walked up the long driveway, passing black SUVs and guards in dark suits stationed like statues. One of them nodded at Rain, who gave him a little finger wave in return. Phayu noticed how the guard’s cold stare flicked briefly to him.

“They’re checking if you’re armed,” Rain whispered with a side-smirk. “They always do.”

“They should be more worried if you’re armed,” Phayu muttered.

Rain snorted.

Inside, the estate was even grander - polished marble floors, high ceilings, soft lighting, and portraits lining the walls. At the far end of the hall stood a tall man in a charcoal suit, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

Venice.

He didn’t move, didn’t blink, until Rain let go of Phayu’s hand and sprinted into his arms.

“Hiaaaa!” Rain squeaked.

Venice sighed, as if he were exhausted by the chaos - but his arms wrapped around Rain tightly nonetheless. “You're late.”

“Fashionably!” Rain chirped, peppering Venice’s cheek with dramatic kisses. “Did you miss me?”

“You were gone for two days.”

“That’s a long time in bunny years.”

Venice hummed and looked up - his eyes finally landing on Phayu.

And just like that, the softness vanished.

Phayu straightened his shoulders, meeting Venice’s piercing gaze without flinching.

Venice studied him with that same quiet intensity he had the first time they met. His expression said I’ve already figured you out - but his eyes were looking for cracks.

Rain, oblivious to the tension, stayed glued to his brother’s side like a child who didn’t know the room was full of knives.

“So,” Venice finally said, tone cool and even. “You brought him here.”

“I told you I would,” Rain said proudly.

Venice’s eyes never left Phayu. “And you… you’re not afraid to walk into my house?”

“I’ve walked onto construction sites with unstable beams and pissed-off investors,” Phayu replied calmly. “This isn’t all that different.”

A muscle in Venice’s jaw ticked. Rain, watching the silent standoff, blinked and waved his hands.

“Okay! Enough glaring. This isn’t a showdown.” He grabbed both of their hands - Phayu’s in one, Venice’s in the other. “Hia, stop being scary. Phi, stop being smug. Be nice.”

Phayu chuckled under his breath. Venice didn’t laugh, but he didn’t pull away either.

“…I hope you know what you’re doing,” Venice said to Rain without looking at him.

“I do,” Rain replied confidently.

Venice finally let go and gestured for them to follow. “Come on. Papa’s waiting.”

Phayu blinked. “He’s here?”

Rain smiled. “Yup. He insisted on cooking. Said if I was gonna bring someone important home, he needed to be properly fed.”

Venice sighed but didn’t argue.

And as they walked deeper into the estate - with Phayu trying not to look too impressed, Rain bouncing beside him like this wasn’t a mafia castle, and Venice trailing silently like a loyal shadow - Phayu realized something:

He wasn’t just dating Rain anymore.

He was stepping into the world Rain had always tried to protect him from.

And he didn’t plan on leaving anytime soon.

The moment they stepped into the dining hall, the smell of something rich and home-cooked immediately wrapped around them. Warm spices, slow-braised something - comfort in food form.

Phayu barely had time to take it in before he noticed them.

Pete was already setting the table, wearing an apron over his crisp shirt, sleeves rolled up, eyes bright with that kind of soft domesticity that made him look more like a regular dad than someone tied to a mafia empire.

Vegas stood just a little behind him, dressed in black, hands in his pockets, watching everything with that quiet, unreadable calm that carried the weight of his name.

The moment Rain entered, Pete lit up like the sun.

“There you are, sweetheart!” he beamed, wiping his hands on a towel before opening his arms.

Rain grinned wide and practically launched himself across the room. “Papa!”

Pete caught him in a hug, laughing softly. “You’re always late when it matters.”

“I wasn’t! Hia made me stop for coffee!”

“I did not,” Venice muttered behind them.

Vegas stepped forward, and Phayu braced himself - but then Rain turned, bounced over, and threw his arms around his father without a second thought.

“Hi, Dada!”

And to Phayu’s absolute shock, the feared Vegas Theerapanyakun didn’t hesitate.

He didn’t just accept the hug - he melted into it.

His hand came up to gently ruffle Rain’s hair, his face softening in a way that didn’t seem possible on a man like him. “You’ve lost weight again,” he murmured. “Are you eating properly?”

Rain pouted. “I eat! It’s not my fault my metabolism is a beast.”

“You’re still too thin,” Vegas muttered, but he didn’t let go. If anything, he hugged Rain tighter for a second before finally pulling back.

Phayu stood awkwardly near the doorway, feeling like a very well-dressed intruder.

And then four pairs of eyes turned toward him.

Rain brightened. “Oh! Right. Um. Everyone - this is P’Phayu.” He walked over, took Phayu’s hand, and squeezed it reassuringly. “My P’Phayu.”

Pete tilted his head and offered a kind, almost deceptively gentle smile. “We know.”

Phayu blinked. “You… do?”

Vegas’s voice was low and calm. “We’ve been keeping tabs on Rain. Always have.”

Rain groaned again. “Stalkers. All of you.”

“It’s called parenting,” Pete said sweetly. “Also, when you’re dating someone as quiet and well-behaved as Phayu, it’s very easy to dig up everything about him.”

“I feel so loved,” Phayu muttered under his breath.

Pete stepped forward and extended a hand. “We’ve read your work. Pakin speaks highly of you.”

Phayu took it, his grip firm. “I didn’t realize P’Pakin was related until yesterday.”

“Consider it a good thing,” Vegas said. “You’ve made a solid impression - before we even knew you were ours.”

“Ours?” Phayu asked carefully.

Pete smiled like it was the most natural thing in the world. “You’re dating our son. That makes you family, whether you like it or not.”

Rain’s ears turned red instantly. “Papa!”

“What? I’m just saying!”

Vegas gave Phayu a longer look, assessing. “You’re not scared.”

“I’m not reckless either,” Phayu replied calmly. “But no. I’m not scared.”

That seemed to earn him something - a flicker of respect in Vegas’s unreadable eyes.

Dinner was surprisingly warm. Pete chatted freely, asking about Phayu’s work, teasing Rain for being such a picky eater, and fussing when he saw a bruise on Rain’s wrist from bumping into a cabinet. Vegas didn’t talk much, but his eyes never left Rain for long. He would subtly refill his glass, push a plate closer, or murmur something only Rain seemed to catch.

Phayu realized something in that moment - Rain wasn’t spoiled. He was protected. Treasured. Loved in a way that most people wouldn’t expect from a family with such a brutal reputation.

And now, he was part of that story too.

After dinner, Rain was already blinking slow and heavy, curled into Phayu’s side on the massive leather couch. The low lighting, full belly, and warm drink had him teetering on the edge of sleep - and everyone in the room knew exactly what came next.

“Five minutes,” Rain mumbled, his words barely forming as he rubbed his cheek against Phayu’s shoulder like a sleepy cat. “Just five…”

Pete reappeared from the kitchen with a plate of cut fruit and warm milk, looking like he’d seen this movie a hundred times before.

“He’s going out,” Pete announced with a fond sigh. “Just like a light switch.”

Rain lifted his hand half-heartedly, making grabby motions toward the milk. “Papa…”

Pete didn’t even hesitate - he walked over, set the glass down, and pinched Rain’s cheek lightly. “Can’t even lift a glass when you're sleepy, hmm?”

“‘M conserving energy,” Rain mumbled.

Just then, Vegas stood from his armchair and made his way over, kneeling down in front of the couch. Rain’s tired eyes lit up just a little when he saw him.

“Daddy…” he mumbled.

Without a word, Vegas leaned in and gently scooped Rain into his arms like he weighed absolutely nothing. Rain immediately melted into his father’s chest, face squished against it, arms draped lazily over his shoulders.

“You’re warm,” Rain mumbled into Vegas’s shirt, voice muffled.

Vegas kissed the top of Rain’s head with quiet reverence. “You’re always this floppy after dinner.”

“I’m not floppy,” Rain pouted. “I’m… relaxed.”

“You’re a noodle,” Pete chimed in helpfully.

Phayu just watched, stunned, as Vegas sat back on the couch with Rain tucked in his lap, Rain burying his face even deeper into his chest. And just when Phayu thought the bunny couldn’t get any clingier, Rain peeked over at the hallway and softly called, “Hiaaa…”

Venice appeared a moment later, still holding a tea cup, as if summoned by instinct. “What is it now?” he asked, though his tone was fond.

“Come sit,” Rain said, reaching out sleepily with both arms. “C’mere.”

With a quiet sigh (but no resistance), Venice sat beside Vegas and leaned in - and Rain immediately flopped sideways, half on Venice’s chest, half on his dad’s lap, face happily mashed between the two of them like it was the most natural place in the world.

Phayu just blinked. He didn’t even know it was possible to be this coddled.

Venice ran his fingers through Rain’s hair as if Rain was made of porcelain. “You haven’t been getting enough rest. Look at these dark circles.”

“I’m fine,” Rain mumbled. “It’s the lighting.”

Vegas kissed his temple. “You’ll stay the night here.”

Rain just made a pleased little hum and wriggled in closer, nudging his cheek against Venice’s chest, then Vegas’s, like he couldn’t decide which one he wanted more.

“Comfiest family in the world,” he sighed.

Pete just chuckled and turned to Phayu. “So… you still want him?”

Phayu couldn’t help but laugh softly, watching Rain nuzzle into his brother’s shirt with his eyes closed.

“Yeah,” he said. “I really do.”

“Good,” Pete said, crossing his arms. “Because you’ve got competition. We’ve been spoiling him since birth. You’ll have to earn your cuddles.”

Phayu smirked. “Challenge accepted.”

Rain, still buried between his dad and brother, mumbled sleepily, “You guys are so embarrassing…”

Then he yawned, grabbed onto Vegas’s tie like a security blanket, and promptly fell asleep.

Phayu had never seen anything like it.

And maybe, just maybe… he understood now why Rain turned out the way he did.

Because when you're this adored - this protected - it’s only natural to shine like he does.

Vegas stood up carefully, making sure not to jostle Rain too much, who was still curled up in a half-sleepy daze against his chest. Rain’s hand clung to his father’s shirt with a softness that made Phayu’s heart twist.

“Come on, little bunny,” Vegas murmured, standing with ease despite holding Rain’s entire weight in his arms. Rain snuggled closer, his face nuzzling into Vegas’s shoulder.

Phayu watched as Vegas carried Rain toward the hall, the soft sound of Rain’s sleepy murmurs filling the silence. Pete, who had been quietly observing the scene, looked up at Phayu with a soft smile.

“Rain’s a bit of a handful when he’s this tired,” Pete said, watching as Vegas disappeared down the hallway. “But we’ve learned to enjoy it. It’s rare to see him so relaxed.”

Phayu nodded, still processing the whole ‘Rain getting babied’ experience. He’d never seen a side of his boyfriend quite like that. It was endearing, in a way that made him feel both protective and amused.

Pete watched Phayu with a knowing look. “You should stay tonight. It’s better if you’re here. Rain’s going to want cuddles.”

Phayu blinked. “Cuddles?”

“Absolutely,” Pete said, leaning back against the couch. “It’s like a family tradition. Rain can’t sleep without them. You’ll be his next target.”

Phayu chuckled nervously, trying to imagine Rain being that clingy with him. The way he acted around his family was different, but Phayu was already becoming accustomed to his more affectionate side. But cuddles? He wasn’t sure if he was ready for the full cuddle experience.

“But…” Phayu hesitated, glancing toward the hallway where Vegas had just taken Rain. “I… haven’t been invited to the ‘sleepover’ yet.”

Pete’s lips curled into a smirk. “Don’t worry, kid. You’ve already been invited. Just wait until Rain comes back to collect you. He’s very determined when he wants something.”

Before Phayu could say anything else, the bedroom door down the hall creaked open, and a muffled voice called out.

“Phi!” Rain’s voice, soft and full of sleepy demand, floated from the other room. “You coming to bed or not?”

Phayu sighed and stood up. He couldn’t help but smile at how spoiled Rain had become by his family. It made him feel oddly proud.

“Guess I don’t have much of a choice now, do I?” Phayu muttered to Pete, who just winked and gave him a thumbs-up.

As Phayu made his way down the hallway, the soft glow of nightlights illuminated the way to Rain’s room. The door was ajar, and Phayu could see Vegas sitting on the edge of the bed, gently laying Rain down. The sight of Rain all sleepy and cuddled up in his father’s lap made something tighten in Phayu’s chest.

But it wasn’t long before Vegas stood up and gestured for Phayu to come in.

“You’re here. Good,” Vegas said quietly, his deep voice carrying warmth. “Rain’s been waiting.”

Phayu hesitated for just a second before stepping in and closing the door behind him.

Rain, lying half-formed on the bed with tousled hair, immediately opened his eyes when he saw Phayu enter.

“Phi, come here,” Rain said, his voice all tired and needy. He patted the empty space beside him, still looking like he had zero intention of letting Phayu go. “Cuddle with me.”

Phayu chuckled. “I thought your dad was going to give you enough cuddles for the night.”

Rain’s eyes twinkled, even in his sleepy state. “Nope. You’re my favorite cuddle buddy.” He reached out, his hand already patting the pillow beside him. “I need you to keep me warm. Please?”

Phayu glanced at Vegas, who merely gave a small nod and stepped away, as if he’d already seen this play out a thousand times. Vegas even smiled softly and whispered, “He’s persistent when he wants something.”

That was enough of a push for Phayu to finally slide onto the bed beside Rain. As soon as Phayu lay down, Rain scooted over and immediately curled into his side, resting his head on Phayu’s chest. His arm slipped around Phayu’s waist, pulling him closer.

“Comfy…” Rain mumbled, eyes already half-lidded in contentment.

Phayu chuckled and adjusted his position, wrapping an arm around Rain’s back, trying to make sure he was comfortable. The intimacy of the moment hit Phayu all at once - Rain, wrapped in his arms, his warm body tucked so naturally against him.

“Goodnight, Phi,” Rain whispered, voice muffled by Phayu’s chest.

Phayu smiled softly, brushing a lock of hair away from Rain’s forehead. “Goodnight, bunny.”

And as Rain sighed contentedly in his arms, Phayu realized that despite everything - the mafia family, the secrets, the pressure - there was one thing he knew for sure.

He was exactly where he was supposed to be.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The morning sun slipped gently through the sheer curtains, casting a golden warmth across the large bedroom. Phayu was already awake, lying on his side as he watched Rain breathe softly, still bundled up in the blankets like a cocooned bun. One of Rain’s arms was loosely thrown across Phayu’s chest, and his cheek was smushed against his shoulder, lips parted in the kind of deep sleep only truly spoiled people could manage.

Phayu had never seen anyone sleep so peacefully.

There was a soft knock at the door, followed by a quiet creak as it eased open. Venice stepped inside, already dressed in a sharp navy shirt and slacks, looking like he’d walked out of a luxury magazine spread.

His voice, however, was gentle - nearly whispering.

“Bunny,” Venice said as he approached the bed. “Time to wake up.”

Rain mumbled something unintelligible, nuzzled deeper into Phayu, and flopped one leg across his lap.

Venice smiled fondly, crouching down beside the bed and brushing Rain’s hair out of his face.

“Come on, I made you your favorite - pancakes with strawberry syrup.”

Rain cracked one eye open. “…With whipped cream?”

“Yes,” Venice said. “A mountain of it.”

Rain gave the tiniest, slowest smile before lazily dragging himself up. Still half-asleep, he rubbed his face on Phayu’s shoulder like a cat before sitting up and promptly leaning against Venice instead, cheek landing on his big brother’s shoulder with a quiet huff.

“Up you go, sleepyhead,” Venice murmured, placing a soft kiss on Rain’s hair. Then he turned his gaze toward Phayu. “You can come have breakfast downstairs. Dad and Papa are already at the table.”

Phayu nodded and sat up, running a hand through his hair. “Alright. I’ll be down in a minute.”

Venice stood, gently guiding Rain up with him - but Rain clung to his hand, then reached out to the back of his brother’s shirt and grabbed the hem with sleepy fingers, latching onto it like a toddler to their favorite blanket.

“Hiaaa…” he whined, voice muffled and still hoarse from sleep.

“I’m not going far,” Venice chuckled, amused but entirely used to it. He started walking slowly toward the door, and sure enough, Rain shuffled after him on unsteady feet, still clinging to his shirt like it was his lifeline.

Phayu stood, watching them leave, his lips tugging into a smile.

Rain’s hair was a wild mess, his oversized sleep shirt hanging off one shoulder, and his expression was pure grumpy bun - but he followed Venice with unwavering clinginess, as if letting go would mean immediate disaster.

“You’re really something else in the mornings,” Phayu murmured to himself, shaking his head fondly.

From the hallway, Rain’s voice echoed back sleepily. “Hiaaa… carry me…”

“No,” Venice answered with zero hesitation. “You’re not five.”

“But I feel five…”

Phayu laughed quietly to himself as he stretched and headed toward the door. Somehow, despite the mafia family drama and the secrets still settling between them, this – this - felt like home.

And Rain? He was the heart of it.

By the time Phayu made it downstairs, the long dining table was already alive with the soft clinks of cutlery and low conversation. Pete sat near the head of the table, sipping coffee, while Vegas quietly read through some documents on a tablet beside him.

Rain was curled into a chair between them - still sleepy, a pancake half-cut on his plate, his fork limp in his hand as he stared blankly at the food.

Venice, seated on his other side, was cutting Rain’s pancakes for him with all the patience in the world, stacking them neatly before smothering them in whipped cream.

“He didn’t want to let go of my shirt,” Venice said with a smirk as Phayu sat down. “He tailgated me to the bathroom too.”

Rain let out a tired whine and let his forehead hit the table.

“I’m tired…”

Pete chuckled, reaching over to gently rub circles into Rain’s back. “You didn’t even do anything yesterday except eat, cuddle, and sleep.”

“Exactly,” Rain mumbled into the table. “It was exhausting.”

Phayu laughed under his breath and reached out to nudge a strawberry onto Rain’s plate. “Eat something before you pass out mid-sulk.”

Before Rain could dramatically protest again, the front doors opened - and two more voices rang out down the hallway.

“We brought pastries!” Porsche’s cheerful voice called out.

“And your favorite mochi, Rain,” Kinn added in a cooler tone.

Rain instantly perked up like a sunflower toward the sun.

“Uncle Porsche! Uncle Kinn!”

Both men entered the dining room looking sharp and relaxed. Kinn carried a neatly wrapped box, while Porsche held a paper bag brimming with fresh pastries.

As soon as Rain stood up and ran to them, Porsche swept him into a hug that lifted him slightly off the ground.

“There’s our spoiled bunny,” Porsche cooed, peppering Rain’s temple with exaggerated kisses. “Look at you! Still soft and sleepy?”

Rain grinned, clinging to Porsche’s neck. “I was sleepy until you brought food!”

“Wow,” Phayu muttered. “That works better than coffee.”

Kinn leaned down, ruffling Rain’s hair before slipping the mochi box into his hands. “Eat this after breakfast. Not before.”

Rain beamed. “Yes, sir.”

Pete sighed dramatically. “It’s like a parade of people just lining up to spoil him.”

Porsche looked at Phayu, eyebrows raised. “So you’re the boyfriend, huh?”

Phayu stood a little straighter. “Yes.”

“Brave,” Porsche said, nodding as if saluting him. “Very brave. You’re dating The Rain. He’s basically royalty around here.”

“More like a small dictator,” Venice muttered without looking up as he poured Rain some milk.

Rain flopped back into his chair and dramatically leaned into Kinn’s side as the mafia boss took the seat next to him. “You’re all mean. P’Phayu loves me the most.”

Phayu smirked, resting his chin on his palm as he watched Rain get passed around like everyone’s emotional support bunny.

“Do I?” he teased.

Rain pouted. “You said it last night.”

Pete choked on his coffee. Venice arched an eyebrow. Porsche wiggled his eyebrows way too much.

Phayu blinked. “…I meant the cuddles.”

“Sure,” Venice said flatly, handing Rain a napkin to wipe the whipped cream off his lips. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“Rain helps him sleep at night,” Porsche added, bursting into laughter.

Rain, utterly unbothered, turned to Phayu and gave him a sleepy, sugar-smudged smile. “You do love me the most, right?”

Phayu rolled his eyes fondly, reached out, and gently wiped a bit of syrup off Rain’s cheek with his thumb.

“I really do,” he said quietly.

The teasing paused for half a second, replaced with warmth.

And just like that, Rain was back to smiling like sunshine, climbing onto Phayu’s lap like he weighed nothing and resting his head against his shoulder with a sigh.

“Good,” he said, eyes fluttering shut again. “Because I plan to keep you.”

Rain was still comfortably curled up in Phayu’s lap, mochi box clutched in one hand, while he let the other lazily rest over Phayu’s chest. His legs dangled off the side of the chair, and despite being fully grown, he somehow managed to fold himself into his boyfriend like he belonged there more than anywhere else.

Phayu hadn’t really planned on becoming a human pillow this morning, but he couldn’t bring himself to complain. Not when Rain looked so content, lips curved in a soft smile, cheek smushed against his shoulder like it was the most peaceful place in the world.

“Look at him,” Porsche cooed dramatically from across the table. “You can’t tell me that isn’t the most babied mafia heir to ever exist.”

“Not an heir,” Rain mumbled sleepily.

“You’re literally the mafia prince,” Kinn said, unimpressed, sipping his coffee. “You’re the baby everyone would die for.”

“Don’t make it weird,” Rain whined, nose wrinkling.

“You are spoiled,” Venice added, passing over a warm towel so Phayu could clean the syrup off Rain’s fingers. “And now your boyfriend’s getting pulled into the orbit.”

Phayu smirked, taking the towel and gently wiping Rain’s hand.

“Gotta keep you clean, bunny,” he said under his breath.

Rain blinked up at him, cheeks flushing slightly. “You’re joining them now?”

Phayu leaned in and kissed Rain’s sticky knuckles, eyes soft. “If they’re gonna baby you, might as well make it official.”

Porsche fake gasped and clutched his chest. “He’s one of us now.”

“Welcome to the Rain Protection Squad,” Pete said with a chuckle, sipping his tea.

Rain, clearly pleased, turned and nuzzled into Phayu’s chest with a happy hum.

“You’re all dramatic.”

“You love it,” Venice said flatly.

“I really do,” Rain mumbled.

Phayu slid his hand into Rain’s hair, gently combing through the messy strands as Rain closed his eyes again. With his thumb, he brushed a few strands off Rain’s forehead, fingers moving with care like he’d been doing this forever.

“You want more pancakes?” he asked softly.

Rain didn’t even open his eyes. “Feed me.”

A pause.

Phayu blinked.

“…Seriously?”

Rain cracked one eye open and grinned. “C’mon, join the dark side. You already wiped my hands.”

With a sigh that was more fond than exasperated, Phayu grabbed a fork, stabbed a fluffy bite of pancake, and held it up.

“Open up, Your Highness.”

Rain giggled, opened his mouth obediently, and let Phayu feed him like he was the luckiest man alive.

“You’re going to regret this,” Venice muttered, sipping his coffee. “He’s never going to let you go now.”

Phayu smirked, leaning down to press a kiss to Rain’s temple as he chewed happily.

“I’m counting on it.”

Rain snuggled in even closer, obviously satisfied, while the rest of the room gave a round of fake swoons and dramatic applause.

And Phayu? He just smiled, holding his spoiled mafia prince tighter.

Later that day, the estate buzzed with noise. As evening approached, the staff were setting the long formal dining table, a literal feast being assembled across it like a five-star banquet. Phayu had seen family dinners before - but this was on another level.

There were at least six dishes per person, name cards for seating, and a gold centerpiece that looked suspiciously like a weapon if used wrong. Rain, of course, had his own specially reserved seat between Pete and Venice, complete with extra napkins, a cushioned backrest, and his own tray of desserts before the main course.

“You’d think he was a king,” Phayu muttered under his breath as he sat beside Rain.

“He basically is,” Pete said dryly, cutting into a steak.

“I’m right here,” Rain huffed, cheeks puffing out.

“You love it,” Venice added, reaching over to refill Rain’s juice without being asked.

Rain smiled. “...Maybe.”

Just as the appetizers were being cleared, the dining room doors burst open with dramatic flair.

“I told you not to let Macau near the chili oil again!” a voice barked.

In came Porsche, dragging a sheepish-looking Macau by the collar while Kinn trailed behind them with a glass of wine and the air of someone used to this.

“I was experimenting!” Macau protested. “You can’t grow as a chef if you don’t explore flavor profiles!”

“You lit the entire kitchen on fire.”

“Just the corner!”

Rain whispered to Phayu, “This is like... every other night.”

Macau plopped down at the far end of the table with a pout while Porsche flopped dramatically next to Kinn, sighing like the world had wronged him personally.

“Someone give me a drink before I murder your cousin.”

“I’m sitting right here!” Macau yelled back.

Meanwhile, Tankhun arrived last, dressed in something glittery and flowing, carrying a tiny dog in a pearl harness.

“Did I miss the drama?” he asked cheerfully as he slid into his seat. “Oh - new face!”

Phayu straightened instinctively.

Tankhun zeroed in on him like a glittering missile. “You must be the boyfriend.”

“I’m Phayu,” he said, nodding respectfully.

“He’s the one dating Rain,” Venice offered.

Tankhun gasped and stood. “We need to talk later. I need to know everything.”

Rain reached for a dumpling. “No, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do,” Tankhun said, still standing dramatically with his dog cradled like a baby. “Don’t gatekeep the tea!”

Before Rain could throw a dumpling at him, Phayu gently put his hand on Rain’s and leaned in.

“You okay?” he asked with a quiet smile.

Rain looked around the table - his ridiculous, loud, chaotic family all arguing, joking, stealing food from each other’s plates - and then looked back at Phayu.

“I’m home,” he said simply.

Phayu didn’t say anything at first. He just nodded, eyes soft, and reached over to wipe a grain of rice off Rain’s cheek with his thumb.

And then Venice leaned over and popped a cherry into Rain’s mouth like it was completely normal.

Rain chewed contentedly, unbothered.

Phayu looked around, sighed in mock defeat, and muttered, “God, you really are the most babied mafia prince alive.”

Rain grinned, leaning against him. “Jealous?”

Phayu snorted. “A little.”

Rain kissed his cheek and whispered, “Don’t worry. You’re my favorite person to cling to.”

Phayu smiled - wide and helplessly soft.

He might be surrounded by chaos, but Rain? Rain made it feel like peace.

After dinner, the estate slowly quieted. Laughter and clinking glasses faded into the warm hum of cicadas and the occasional bark of one of Tankhun’s tiny dogs echoing in the distance.

Phayu found Rain out in the garden, standing barefoot on the stone path beneath the soft glow of the moon. The air smelled faintly of night-blooming jasmine, and Rain’s hair caught the silver light like something out of a dream.

Phayu approached slowly, hands in his pockets. “Hey. You disappeared.”

Rain turned, offering a small smile. “Too loud inside.”

“Understandable.” Phayu stepped beside him, eyes flicking over the trimmed hedges, the koi pond glimmering under moonlight. “This place feels like something out of a movie.”

“It didn’t always.”

Rain’s voice was quiet. He looked up at the stars, the smile on his lips turning softer. “When I was a kid… this place used to feel scary. Cold. Like everything was too big, and I didn’t know where I fit in.”

Phayu watched him closely. Rain rarely opened up like this.

Rain continued, “I used to hide under the piano. I thought no one would notice me missing, but Papa always found me.” He laughed softly. “He’d crawl under with me and just sit there. No words. Just being there.”

Phayu’s chest ached a little.

Rain toed at the stone with a bare foot. “Dad wasn’t around much back then. He was always off doing things - business stuff. Dangerous things. But when he was home, he’d pick me up like I weighed nothing and carry me around like I was treasure.” His eyes shimmered. “He always made sure I felt wanted.”

“And Venice?” Phayu asked gently.

Rain’s smile grew. “Hia Venice was my protector. My shadow. My built-in Hia. He spoiled me rotten and still does. I think he came back not just because of his degree - but because he wanted to make sure I wasn’t lonely.”

Phayu reached out and took Rain’s hand, thumb brushing over the knuckles. “Were you lonely?”

Rain hesitated.

“Sometimes,” he admitted. “The world they live in is heavy. Dangerous. I was sheltered from most of it, but I could always feel the weight.” He glanced at Phayu, eyes a little glassy. “That’s why I wanted something normal. School. Friends. You.”

Phayu stepped closer, cupping Rain’s cheek. “And you got it.”

Rain leaned into the touch, his hand curling into Phayu’s shirt. “Yeah. I got you.”

They stood like that for a long moment, silent under the moonlight, the night warm around them.

Phayu finally spoke, voice low, “You’ve been through a lot for someone so sweet.”

Rain blinked up at him. “You make me feel safe.”

Phayu smiled, pulling him into a gentle embrace. “You are safe. With me.”

Rain melted into him, arms wrapping around Phayu’s waist like he never wanted to let go.

And in that moment - between the hush of night and the heartbeats shared - Phayu understood something deeper:

Rain wasn’t just soft.

He was strong in the way wildflowers were - growing even when the world wasn’t gentle.

The breeze stirred the trees above them, leaves whispering secrets neither of them tried to catch.

Rain stayed tucked against Phayu’s chest, quiet and still, like the moment itself was something sacred. Phayu ran his fingers slowly through Rain’s hair, feeling the way his breathing settled into an even rhythm.

“I used to think,” Rain murmured, “that I had to keep parts of myself hidden. That if people saw the family, saw what came with the name, they’d treat me differently. Or they’d leave.”

Phayu’s arms tightened just a little. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know that now,” Rain whispered. “But when we first met… I was scared. You didn’t know about any of this. I thought - if you found out, maybe you’d look at me like I was some… mafia heir cliché.”

“I mean, you kind of are,” Phayu teased gently, a smile tugging at his lips. “But you’re also the boy who falls asleep with his face in my neck and makes grabby hands in the middle of the night.”

Rain laughed softly, eyes crinkling as he tilted his face up. “Don’t expose me like that.”

“Just keeping you humble.”

They stood in silence again, the warmth between them stronger than the cooling night air.

Phayu pulled back enough to look at him. “You ever want to leave all this behind?”

Rain’s smile turned wistful. “Sometimes. But it’s not something I can really leave. It’s in my blood. My name. Even if I run, it follows.” He paused. “But now, it feels less like a chain and more like… a legacy. One I can choose how to carry.”

Phayu nodded, brushing his thumb along Rain’s cheekbone. “Then carry it your way. I’ll be beside you.”

Rain’s eyes shimmered again, but this time, it wasn’t sadness.

It was love.

Simple. Strong. Undeniable.

“Come on,” Phayu said, voice softer now. “Let’s go back in. You’ll get cold out here.”

“Will you carry me?” Rain asked, eyes wide and teasing.

Phayu laughed. “What do you think this is, a drama?”

Rain just held out his arms like a child. “Pretty please?”

Phayu rolled his eyes - but scooped him up anyway, bridal style, as Rain giggled into his neck.

“Hopeless,” Phayu muttered.

“Hopelessly in love with you,” Rain whispered.

And Phayu, heart full, didn’t even try to deny it.