Rain

Rain looked at the bag on his table. Inside were some masks from his favourite company. He used to buy one every 3 months, because that's all he could afford. But that bag contained at least 3 months' worth. He knew easily who had kept it there, and as much as he would have liked to distribute them away, this was something he could not do. But there was definitely a question on his mind. How did P'Phayu know this was his favourite brand? Had Sky given out the information? Rain was pretty sure Sky would not do that. Sky was very particular like that. Then how?

Rain put aside all thoughts as he continued to do his given tasks. He was helping P'Yihwa in a project that she was working on, and she had asked him to look for ideas they could incorporate, and yet give it their own twist. Despite the time-consuming work he was involved in, Rain couldn't help but glance every now and then at the bag. He would find himself smiling, and then would straighten his face, not wanting to be caught mooning over something like this. He had to be professional. And if he was squealing like a little school girl from inside, no one had to know, right?

Phayu

Phayu could not help himself from wanting to dance with joy at Rain's obvious acceptance of his gift. It was only the fact that he was in office that made him show restraint. He had been quietly observing Rain, and seeing the tiny glances and the soft smiles, Phayu was elated. This was it! He had started on a good note, and he hoped he could win Rain over. He was going to try his hardest, and although he had a long, rocky road ahead of him, he was willing to be very patient. But hours later, Phayu was stumped as he looked at the rows and rows of make-up. He was clueless as to how to begin, and a little too shy to ask what he needed to do. It was his first time in a cosmetic shop and he felt lost.

He opened Rain's vlog on choosing the correct products for the skin. A salesgirl bustled up. "Oh. My. God Khun! You watch his videos too? Isn't he amazing? Like, he gives the best tips!" the girl said enthusiastically. Phayu nodded hesitantly. "Umm, that's true, but I am not sure of how to start," he said. It seemed like that was all that was needed. The girl immediately set about helping him, and in short order, he was paying an exorbitant amount at the counter. The amount was actually nothing for Phayu, but he realised how hard Rain worked for even the cheaper versions of the products that he had bought. His heart broke at the thought. But he knew Rain would not appreciate being pitied. Rain was a strong boy, who had weathered the harshest storms, and all Phayu felt for him was immense respect. The small little things that he had seen on the vlog had endeared Rain to him even further, and the way he had stood up for himself? Phayu was beyond impressed. Winning over Rain would be the hardest thing he would have done as a Theerpanayakul; and no way in hell was he going to give up.

Rain

"Rainy! We need advice!" P'Tan said, as she swivelled in the chair that she had pulled up next to P'Praew, during a lull in their evening discussions. "Advice? Me? About what?" Rain asked, looking surprised. "It's the start of the Pride Month soon, and since our Government has kindly legalised the community, we want to do something different this time," Yihwa said. "What was it like in the previous years Phi?" Rain asked, looking at her. "Well, we did participate in the parade, and did a special dinner for all the couples in our company; the routine stuff," Yihwa said. "So why change that?" Rain asked, sounding puzzled.

"What we used to do was very common. Pretty sure any company that encourages inclusivity would probably do the same. But that's boring," Kiet said, as the others nodded. "Hmm.. how about a Pride month special movie marathon or book club; focusing on writers who are open or closeted, doesn't matter. Or we can do a weekend of all the places that have significance in this community? I can do a vlog from office too, if you all give me consent," Rain said. "Wow Rainy! All those ideas are brilliant! You are amazing! I will talk to P'Mhok right away and get things started," Tan said, jumping up.

"Talk to me about what?" Everyone turned around at Mhok's voice, as he walked in after a client visit with Phayu. About Pride month. Rainy boy here has some wonderful ideas!" Yihwa said happily. "And he wants to put us on his vlog!! Can you imagine?" Tan said, clapping happily. "You have to take me to that shop you go to Rainy! I loved those awesome costumes that you tried on for the vlog. I especially loved the red!" Pam said, looking super excited. "Wow! Cool Phi! P'Nat will be only too thrilled to cater to you all, whoever wants to come," Rain said, happy to be taking business to the person who had put him on his own path to self-discovery.

"I have a question though Rain," Praew spoke up. "Yes Phi?" Rain asked. "Why do you wear these boring clothes to work when you actually have some amazing stuff in your closet?" she asked, as Rain stared at her. "Well Phi..," he trailed off, not knowing what to say. "Rain, we told you, we are an inclusive company; and if you define as gender fluid, or non-binary, we are never going to call you out on that. On the contrary, you have our full support if that's how you want to dress up," Marine said, smiling. Rain looked around, and unconditional support was written on every face. His eyes landed on Phayu, whose gentle smile and encouraging nod was all it took for Rain's heart to once again tumble at his feet.

Rain knew that something was amiss. The way Phayu was behaving, Rain knew that his styling and make-up didn't come as a surprise to him. Why did he look so okay? So comfortable? As if knew exactly what Rain did in his free time? It was true he knew about the drag, but definitely not his other styling and stuff. Rain was more than 100% sure that it was not Sky. Then how did Phayu know? Did someone else from the family tell him? Rain wanted to ask him, but when he looked back at Phayu, the man seemed to be in deep discussion with Mhok and Praew, no doubt talking about the new client.

Rain went home that day, intending to vlog. It had been a while, and being busy between work and Uni, as well as facing the fallout of Som and his cronies' expulsion, along with handling Phayu's recent extra sweetness, Rain had pretty much been buried under a mountain of emotions. Maybe doing a vlog might clear out his thoughts. He logged in as usual, all the precautions in place. He started off by telling everyone how he had already started on the new job, and how everyone was really wonderful there. He spoke about their policy of inclusion and also about their plans for the pride month, asking for advice and ideas. He also added that he might vlog from work if his colleagues consented.

He quickly began with questions; myriad ones, demanding a new make-up tutorial, to asking about how to dress to impress a boyfriend. He answered all with equanimity and doled out advice on how to keep the make-up and the styling simple, and some other ideas for the pride month as well. However, there was one question that caught his eye all of a sudden. "Okay guys, interesting question here by @StormRider: How do I impress a cute boy, who doesn't give me the time of the day? I can't blame him though, coz it's totally my..," Rain trailed off, his mouth going 'o' in shock. Was that Phayu? What was he doing on Rain's vlog? "Well @StormRider, do you know what mistake you have made?" Rain asked, wondering if his Phi would reply. He knew that several members of Phayu's family; as well as Sky were watching it.

"Okay @StormRider says that he fucked up and hurt his boy's feelings," Rain said. "What advice should I give this person? I mean, I am no Agony Aunt, but I am sure one of you will know what to say?" Rain watched the messages scrolling up. "@StormRider, @PaP and @DaV say that getting your head out of your ass was a great first step, and an apology to follow would go a long way. @ThebestT says that no matter what you do, the boy should not listen to you, coz he surely is too fabulous for you." Rain was laughing inside at what the Theerpanayakul members were doing. The kind of support he got from them was so amazing that he felt blessed. "Ah yes, @WindySkies says that you deserve a kick on your butt, but since you are trying, you can be given a chance. @BigC says that he would like to request this wonderful boy to take pity on them and to please say yes, because living with @StormRider is becoming impossible." Rain frowned at that. What was P'Chan saying? What had P'Phayu done now? Rain shook his head. This man was impossible. Rain would have been surprised to know that the same thought ran through the minds of Vegas and Pete at that very moment.

Pete

Pete looked towards Vegas and saw that his husband was staring back at him. "What exactly is he up to now?" Vegas asked. Pete shrugged. "Why do I get the feeling that he is up to no good?" he said, sighing. "We have to let him do his thing love. If he is trying to win Rain over, then let him try," Vegas said. "I don't want to see that boy hurt. Enough has happened to him in his young life, and I refuse to let anything more hurt him; even if it is my own son," Pete said, worried about both Venice and Rain. "Venice is not a child anymore babe. And he knows very well that he will face the wrath of too many people if he steps even a toe out of line. Let's give him time. He will not hurt Rain, I am sure of it," Vegas said. Pete looked thoughtfully at his husband and nodded. While he was not sure of what Rain's response will be, he knew that Venice would not deliberately hurt him.

Som

"This is the boy; and this is the address. Just make sure he gets out of our way as soon as possible," Som said, as he looked at the man Jack had found, to get rid of Rain. He was going to ensure that Rain's very existence was wiped out of the world. He had no idea why he hated that stupid boy so much, but he did, and that meant Rain was not allowed to live. Plus he was friendly with P'Pai and P'Phayu's family. Although no one knew who their family was, everyone knew P'Pai and P'Phayu were cousins, and very revered ones at that, along with P'Phayu's twin Saifah. They were an amazing set of people, and people like Rain in their vicinity would only bring down their prestige.

Sky was at least halfway decent, but Som wanted to make sure that Pai knew that Sky and Rain had been more than friends before. "We need to release that vlog publicly," Jack's voice cut through Som's reverie. "I agree. And we need to find proof of his stripteases as well. Only that will get him expelled, and us reinstated. That asshole has done enough," Som said, spitting out the words. "Why do you hate him so much?" Bank asked. "Why shouldn't I? How is it that a nobody can just walk in and take my place? He made me a laughing stock; and he then helped my sister get to the Dean's List. Even I couldn't get there. After P'Phayu, they are the first to get there, and I will make sure they are all dragged down, whatever is the price I have to pay!" Som said. "Well, that's good, because we charge a lot," a new voice said.

"Ah, Gun! There you are! These Nongs want someone out of the way!" the man Som had given the photo of Rain to, said. "That can be done Nong. Ah! Yok's Bar! Nice! We have been meaning to go there for a while! Seems like we can have some fun while at it! The boy looks good enough to eat Stop!" Gun laughed, the menacing tone sending a shiver skittering up Som's spine. But he was so gone in the head that he felt that if anything happened to Rain, why would he be implicated? "This is half the money, the remaining after the task. We want proof," Som said. "This is quite a lot of money Nong! Looks like you are desperate," Gun said, stroking his fingers down Som's cheek. He tried not to look or feel revulsed at that touch. For a moment, he was scared. Was he doing the right thing to Rain? Then he hardened his heart. Rain deserved everything that was coming his way.