A/N : Inspired by a story of the same name by BlindBunny/GothyPeach, this one was rewritten in my own way with permission from the author. This was one of my 1st stories that I read on AO3, and I fell in love with it like nothing else.

Also, while the premise is completely the author's, I have tried to put my own spin on it! I really hope you all will enjoy this one!
I had to post this story today.. After all, it my bunbun Noeul's 25th bithday!!

Phayu sat on a stone bench outside his faculty, with his eyes closed, facing skywards, as he leaned back on his elbows on the stone table behind him. Pai and Sky's voices were a soft thrum in the background, but for the life of him, Phayu couldn't concentrate. All week, he had been feeling weird, irritable and for some reason, angry. It felt like there were small charges being set off under his skin and it made him feel prickly and annoyed. He had largely been able to deflect the worry that he felt emanating from both his best friends, but he knew he wouldn't last too long. He knew that he owed them an explanation for literally being out of commission. He had never felt this lost. "..yu? Phayu? Phayuuuuu?" He was jolted out of reverie by Sky's voice. "Dude, are you alright? You have been out of sorts since the past one week now. What the hell is happening?" Pai sounded clearly worried.

Phayu knew he could not put this off any longer. He had done that for long enough. He shook his head, trying to clear the cobwebs within. They were his best friends, and there was nothing they didn't know about him. "I don't know! I don't know, okay? It's like I have got this annoying itch inside my head, inside my skin. I don't know what is happening, okay? I just feel so irritated," he said, closing his eyes and resting back. He felt more than saw that Pai and Sky were looking at each other. "Don't look at me as if I have lost it," he said, snarling. "Phayu, we are worried, okay? You haven't been yourself. If there is something we can do, tell us," Sky said, looking worried. "We have that presentation in 2 weeks and we still haven't found a 4th partner. You look like you have swallowed sour lemons, and Sky and I are frustrated. Can you blame us?" Pai asked. Phayu knew he was being unreasonable, but he couldn't help it. "Let's go to class," he said, standing abruptly and walking off. Sky and Pai looked at each other, shook their heads, and followed him.

They took their usual places and waited for the Ajarn. Phayu kept looking down, and Pai and Sky kept looking at him. He could feel their gazes and it irritated him more. The Ajarn entered the class greeting everyone. Suddenly, Phayu could feel something soothing run over his skin. "Class, let's meet Rain," the Ajarn said. Phayu looked up and was spell bound. The boy in front of him was stunning. Even beyond that. He was not short, but altogether looked so slight and fragile. He had deep-set grey eyes, shaped like the almonds Phayu adored. His hair was an ashy blond, that he had piled in a small bun at the back, just like Phayu's. His nose was small and upturned, his lips pouty, and when he smiled and waiied, he looked a little bunny had escaped. "You can sit next to Sky, Rain," Ajarn said, and Phayu's heart sang. The boy came towards them and Pai and Sky smiled at him. "Hi, I am Sky. This is Prapai, my boyfriend and this is Phayu, my best friend," Sky introduced his gang. "I am Rain," he said, taking everyone in. His gaze stopped at Phayu, and he blushed slightly at the intense scrutiny by the handsome guy.

"Phayu? Buddy? Gotta close your mouth na?" Pai suggested in a low tone. Phayu shook himself out of a stupor as the Ajarn turned around and started to teach. "Rain." The boy in question turned around when Phayu called him. "We are looking for a 4th partner for a project. Will you join us?" Phayu asked. Rain smiled. He was in no fucking way gonna lose this opportunity to work with Rain. Pai and Sky looked weirdly at Phayu. Rain noticed and his smile fell. "It's okay if you don't want to wo..," he trailed off as Sky raised his hand. "No, no, nothing like that. This big guy here doesn't usually like adding anyone to our group. But he asked you. So, you are very special," Sky grinned. Rain looked happier and he turned around and mouthed a 'thank you' to Phayu. Phayu couldn't take his eyes off the back of Rain's head. "Dude, stop it. You will make him uncomfortable," Pai whispered, nudging him in the arm. Phayu knew he was being weird, but there was just something about this boy. Phayu had always dreamed of a relationship like Pai and Sky had. He knew that they never minded when he hung around with them, and he never begrudged them their happiness, but he had never found anyone. Until now. Until Rain.

The moment class was over, the three of them invited Rain for lunch with them and then the library so that they could discuss the project. Rain was thrilled to accept and they quickly made their way to the canteen. The International Faculty at Mahidol was one of the best in the country, and the canteen and its varied menu reflected that. "So what do you want to eat?" Phayu asked Rain. "Umm.. anything I guess?" he said, looking around, not sure of his options. "How about a shrimp fried rice?" Pai asked. "Sounds good," Rain said, smiling. "Why don't you and Sky find a seat? Phayu and I will get the meal," Pai said. "Pai, why don't you and Sky find a seat? I would like to go with Phayu," Rain said, his bunny smile popping out. Phayu was elated. This was way better than he expected. Pai and Sky looked at each other and then at Rain and Phayu. They nodded and went to look for a place to sit. "You may have to answer a lot of questions when we sit back with them," Phayu said, grinning at Rain. "Really? What questions?" Rain asked, cocking a brow. "Well, stuff like, why this college? Why now? Where were you before? Etc. etc." Phayu said. "Oh! Should I answer them now?" Rain asked, puffing his cheeks. "Nope. You will have to just repeat the answers. For now you can answer one question," Phayu said. "Which is?" Rain asked. "Do you have a boyfriend?" Phayu asked. Rain looked startled.

"Nope, no boyfriend," he answered easily, despite his initial surprise. "Are you offering?" he added. "I would love to, but let's do a couple of dates first?" Phayu asked. He knew he was moving too quickly, but he could already see the looks Rain was getting, and he was not going to lose him because he was too tongue-tied or freaked out to do this. "I am in. Pick me up Saturday, 8 pm?" Rain asked. Phayu nodded. Rain had no idea what he was feeling. And he was wondering why a guy like Phayu didn't already have someone in his life. But he was not going to question his good fortune. Phayu looked like he had a lot of admirers already and Rain was not willing to let go of this man. What he had felt from the moment he had seen Phayu, had seeped into his mind and soul like a soothing balm that had spread all over and made him catch his breath. It didn't hurt that he was this good looking either. So Rain was taking this chance with both hands and diving in. Whether it was sink or swim, he would decide later.

As they slid into their seats and kept the plates in front of Pai and Sky as well, Sky smiled. "So, where are you from? When did you arrive in Thailand? And how come you transferred here in the middle of the semester?" he asked. Rain and Phayu burst into laughter. Pai and Sky at each other, puzzled. "What? What is so funny?" Pai asked, looking disgruntled on Sky's behalf. "Phayu told me that you would be asking me these questions," Rain said, still giggling. Sky cocked a brow at Phayu. "What? Wasn't I right?" Phayu asked. "Weren't you the one who was feeling irritated not less than an hour ago?" Pai asked. "You were feeling irritated? About what?" Rain asked. "Nothing. It was just something dumb," Phayu said. "So, Rain, before these two buffoons spoil the mood, would you like to tell us about yourself?" Sky asked, just rolling his eyes at the antics of his friends. "Well, my name is Varain, nickname Rain. I am from Seoul. I moved to Thailand just about a week ago, to be close to my grandparents, who live not too far from here," Rain said, smiling softly. "And your parents?" Pai asked curiously. "Umm..," Rain trailed off. "It's okay Rain, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to," Phayu said. "No, it's okay. I lost them a while ago. I continued to stay back in Seoul with my uncle, but my grandparents are becoming old. So, I came back," Rain said.

"Well, now you have us too!" Sky said, grinning widely. "Can I ask a question now?" Rain asked. The three of them nodded. "How do you guys know each other? From college?" Rain asked. "Oh no! From way before that. We actually grew up together around here," Pai said. "Wow! That's amazing!" Rain said, his eyes sparkling. Phayu was lost. Pai and Sky noticed that and smiled at each other. "Well, it is great most of the time, except that I have had to put up with these two buffoons most of my life," Sky said. "Oii!" "Aow! Phayu and Pai said at the same time. Rain laughed again. Phayu looked at him. Just this morning, Phayu had been feeling the worst he had ever felt. But suddenly Rain walked into his life. All that prickling under his skin seemed to have become a distant memory and he was feeling wonderful. "So? Why were you irritated in the morning?" Rain asked Phayu. "How about I tell you on Saturday?" Phayu asked. "What's on Saturday?" Pai asked immediately. "Phayu is taking me on a date," Rain said calmly. Pai and Sky looked at Phayu and Rain in shock. "So soon? He just came today?" Sky asked Phayu. "So what? Already sighted the vultures. I am not losing my chance," Phayu said nonchalantly. "Me neither," Rain shrugged. The other two just shook their heads in disbelief. They had never quite seen a pair like this.

Later that day, after classes ended, Phayu offered to drop Rain home so that he would know where to go to pick him up on Saturday. Rain waved him off and went inside. "Did everything go well Rain?" a voice asked. An old lady walked forward. Rain waiied to her. "Of course Yayi. It was great," Rain replied, without batting an eyelid. "Your uncle called," his Yayi said. "Really? What did he say?" Rain asked, a tinge of fear entering his voice. But his Yayi did not notice it. "He just said that he hoped everything was going well and that you were focussing on what you are supposed to," his Yayi said. Rain shuddered, but answered his Yayi with equanimity. "I will do everything he says Yayi. You and Pu are always going to be safe and happy. I will make sure of it," he said, hugging his grandmother. Rain walked up to his room. He knew that his reason for coming here was very different from what he had told Phayu and the others, but it was close enough to be the truth. Phayu, his mind sighed. Now that was someone he had not expected to meet when he had accepted this job. Somehow, he knew that there were going to be changes to his life. But before that, he had to fulfil his responsibilities.

As soon as Rain opened the door to his room, the beautiful freshness and freedom he had felt in his heart and soul dissipated away, only to be replaced by a sense of depression. He walked up to his wardrobe and opened the door and moved his clothes to one side. The images there were etched in his brain, but he still took a good look. It was almost time to begin. But he had decided, no matter what happens, no matter what his sacrifices he would have to make, he would make sure that no innocent souls were hurt, including the three new friends he had made. He had seen enough innocents gone. His so-called uncle was a tyrant. He had run everything with an iron fist. But Rain would make changes. He would go to any length to make those changes, even if that meant going against the very dictates of nature!