"You will believe me whatever I may say?" Rain asked, sounding a bit broken. They all nodded. "Tell us everything; good, bad, ugly. Don't keep anything hidden," Sky said. So it all came pouring out, as the others listened in horrified anger, what Phayu had done to Rain. Rain didn't even bother to gloss over the details, he just gave everything, from the attempt over the garage, to the incident in the Uni bathroom to what happened after the races. He also told them how Phayu had asked him not to go there anymore, which was the reason he was like this. By the time he was done, his friends were shaking in anger, and Sig was ready to storm to the garage right away.

"How is that going to help?" Rain asked, sounding broken. Sig sat back. "Rain, let's forget everything. Tell us what you want to do," Por asked. "I blocked him," Rain said simply. "What? Why?" Ple asked. "I realised that if he doesn't want me there, it's obvious he doesn't consider me worthy enough. He is the 'God' of this faculty, and I am a literal nobody. I don't want to be tempted into talking with him. I just want to do things my way, not because he wants me to do them. And why should I chase him? Doesn't everyone already do that? I don't want to become one of many. I want to be special for at least one person in my life. And I have understood well enough that he is not that person," Rain said. Ple drew him close and hugged him. "Oh Rainy! You are the most special to us, okay?" she said, voice laced with tears. Rain smiled, putting his head on her shoulder, which is why he missed the expression on her face. She looked around at the others, eyes full of fury. Phayu had done this! That stupid man had no idea what was coming for him. And Ple knew that the others were feeling the same. He may be some big shot in the Uni, loved by everyone, respected by everyone, but for the others, he was just an asshole who had hurt their friend. And vengeance was coming!

Almost a month later, they decided to go and celebrate the completion of their year-end project and final exams. It was super thrilling for them, having survived first year in one of the most difficult disciplines, one that was at par with Engineering and Medicine. Just as they were getting ready, there was a message in the Uni group that all first years were to attend a mandatory session from an alumni. It was scheduled for early evening, and casual clothes were allowed. So they agreed to do the session first, and then the party. But they were in for a shock when they entered the hall and saw that it was Phayu who was giving the speech for that day. They looked at Rain. "Will you be okay baby?" Ple asked. Rain nodded. "I have you guys. It should be fine," he said, smiling down at their princess.

Phayu looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of his cute boy. It had been nearly a month. He missed that foul mouth, the eternal pout, the short and cute auburn cut; everything actually. He was dying to meet him and talk to him, hoping that today at least he would get a chance to explain what had happened. But Rain was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, Phayu saw Sky, who he had heard was Rain's best friend. He was standing with his arm around someone's waist, the gesture screaming possessiveness. Phayu smiled to himself. Looked like Pai was in for a shock. He had been pretty much gone on Sky since the races himself, and it seemed pretty evident that Sky was taken.

Then they both turned around, and Phayu's jaw dropped open in shock. The boy was Rain! Gone was the brown hair, replaced by stunning black hair, short, with a slight undercut, that brought out his sharp cheekbones, his aquiline nose and his highlighted his gorgeous eyes. The pout was still there, but it was more beautiful, glossier. He was dressed casually, but it was crystal clear that the clothing had been chosen carefully. The boy threw back his head and laughed at something a girl with them said, and Phayu gulped. The long line of his neck was stunning. All in all, the boy was ethereal! But then Phayu noticed Sky's arm tighten around Rain's waist, tugging him closer. He also noticed how easily Rain leaned into the embrace. Phayu raised his head and saw Sky's eyes boring into his, the fury in them obvious. Phayu looked at the rest of the group. They had the same expressions, but for Rain, who didn't even bother to look at him.

Phayu's world came crashing down. This was not something he had anticipated. He had thought that by keeping Rain away from him, he was allowing the boy to grow. But now he had grown so much that he didn't need Phayu. He could hear the sound of his own heart shattering into a million pieces. He had lost Rain, and it was all his own fault. He had no one to blame but himself. He had been stupid and insensitive, pushing Rain away when the boy had needed him most, needed his comfort the most. He knew that even though he had called Rain stupid, he had lost the best thing that could ever happen to him because of his own stupidity. He staggered under the weight of his own guilt and then looked at his Ajarn. "Phayu! You look terrible! Are you okay?" Ajarn asked. "I need to go home Ajarn. Let's do this another day. I am sorry," he said, and ran out of the room without bothering to wait for any reply.

Rain watched as Phayu paled and rushed away, his heart going out to the agony he saw on Phayu's face. He wondered what had happened, but there was no time to dwell on that. The session had been cancelled, and they were free to leave. They took a table at the bar, where they were thoroughly enjoying themselves when some people walked up to them. Rain recognised one of them. "P'Fah!" he said happily, waiing politely. "How are you Rainy? And how come you are here?" Saifah asked. "I am good Phi! Came to chill with my friends now that exams are over," Rain said. "Rainy, let me introduce you to some important people. This is P'Chai, my boyfriend. These are my fathers Vegas and Pete. Dad, Pa, this is Rain, Ven's code line junior," Saifah said. Rain waiied, and then introduced his friends.

"Ven?" he asked, after greetings had been passed around. "You know him as Phayu. His real name is Venice, just like mine is Rome," Saifah said, as Vegas and Pete smiled. "We have heard a lot about you Rain," Pete said, smiling sweetly. "About me? Really?" Rain was surprised. "Rain, is it possible for us to talk to you for a few minutes? Alone?" Vegas asked. Although it was phrased as a request, Rain heard the plea in it. He nodded immediately. "Of course Sir. We can sit there, if you want," he said, gesturing to a table nearby. They were about to move when Saifah's phone rang. "What!? We are coming back right away!" he shouted into the phone, clearly rattled by whatever message he had gotten. "Rain, I will call you tomorrow. We need to go now!" he said, before the family rushed away, en masse!

"What the hell just happened? Why did they want to talk to you?" Por asked, looking at the older people. "I don't know?" Rain asked, still a little stupefied by everything that had just happened. "Never mind, let's just enjoy. Que sera, sera, and that will be a worry for the future us!" Sky said, as they ordered more drinks. The next morning, they all woke up later than usual, and Rain was shocked to see multiple missed calls from Saifah. So he immediately called back. "Hi Rainy," Saifah said, sounding exhausted, as if he had been up all night. "Hi Phi. Are you okay?" Rain asked, feeling something in the pit of his stomach that he couldn't quite put his finger on. "Rainy, I am going to send you a location. Can you come here? Alone please?" Saifah asked. Rain agreed, and his phone pinged immediately. He got dressed and left, giving an excuse to his friends. Something told him that it would be better to see what was happening, before incurring the wrath of his friends.

The location was a palatial mansion, with guards milling around, clearly a well-protected area, but still there was something very warm, friendly and welcoming about it. Even though it was a large grand house, it was clearly a home, a place where love was rampant and given freely. Saifah waited at the door. "Hi Rainy! Come on in," he said, ushering Rain inside. "Oooooo, you are such a cutie! No wonder my nephew is so gaga over you," a voice spoke up from one side, and Rain looked up to see one of the most atrociously dressed men he had ever seen. But even his red leather body-con suit could not detract from the fact that the man was utterly gorgeous, with ashy blond hair, pale skin, and pout that could rival Rain's. "Our Uncle Thankhun, we call him Uncle Khun," Saifah said. Rain was enveloped in a rather gracious hug, and he flinched a bit.

"Stop monopolising the boy Khun Nu," another voice spoke up and Rain stepped back. The couple who stood there were clearly a power couple. The older man had a wide forehead, a dramatic widow's peak, and broad shoulders. Although his hair had strands of artfully placed silver, it was clear that he could command a room with just one look. His partner was nearly as tall as him, but more lithe, like a panther ready to pounce. He had darker skin than the other man, but he was even more stunning, standing in royal contrast with him. "My Uncle Kinn and his husband, Uncle Porche," Saifah introduced, and Rain waiied, feeling a little overwhelmed.

"Ro, take him to Vegas and Pete. They are waiting," Porche said, seeing the terror creep into Rain's eyes. Right now, only Vegas and Pete needed to talk to him. Afterwards, when things became a little less chaotic, they would all take the time to get to know Rain, who was clearly more beautiful than his description. In fact, the photos they had of him had not done him any justice at all. Saifah led Rain further down the corridor, opening the door to a spacious office space. It was evident to Rain, even without the presence of the two men in the room, one sitting at the table, the other looking out the bay windows, that this was their room. The photos littering the wall were a dead giveaway, the central photo was them, with their two sons, and the partner of one of their son's. It was a beautiful family photo, and Rain's heart wrenched in desire to be a part of something this wonderful.

"Dad, Pa, Rain is here," Saifah said, and the two men looked at him. He was a little unnerved at the scrutiny but bore down. He waiied politely, and the two men smiled back. "Rain, welcome. Please have a seat," Pete said. Rain obediently complied. He could see why his son was enamoured with this boy. Venice was a lot like Vegas. He had the same desires and needs, the same penchant for violence and similar 'Dom' tendencies. Over that, he had very exacting standards, not just for others, but for himself too. That was the reason he did not have too many lovers, because he was very nearly picky about them. He hated giving up control, and therefore his partners hated that about him. But right now, it was time to talk about more important things.