Phayu kept at it, trying to drop little hints and hoped that Rain would understand. But somehow, Rain was so cutely dense that Phayu decided that enough was enough. Once class was done, and everyone had left one by one, Phayu approached Rain's group again. "Rain? Would you like to have coffee with me?" he asked, now not even bothering to hide now. It was clear to him that Rain was not understanding his subtle signals. He could see the interest Rain had in him, but something was stopping him from understanding Phayu's intent, and so now it was time for more overt gestures. Rain nodded happily. "Of course Phi, see you soon. At the café near the Uni?" he asked. Phayu smiled. "Sure, at 5?" he asked. "Sure Phi, we will see you," Rain said, as he walked out with his friends, leaving a very confused Phayu behind. "We?" his wolf mumbled. "Who is we?" "Hell if I know!" Phayu said, wanting to bang his head against the wall.

Phayu waited expectantly at the café, wondering what Rain's 'we' meant, hoping he would turn up alone. But he was doomed to disappointment when he saw his sweet Omega walk in with his group. He could see the reluctance on the faces of his friends, and understood well that they had realised what Phayu had meant. He wondered what they would do. They all came forward and waiied, making Rain sit on the chair opposite Phayu. Thankfully, Phayu had taken a table for two, so Rain's friends couldn't possibly sit there. They nodded at him, and Phayu smiled gratefully. He got Rain to talk, asking him a lot of questions, and enjoying the company of the boy. Rain was a bit shy, but he was so sweet and cute, that Phayu was completely lost. It was a fatal combination for a man like Phayu, plus his Alpha was literally keening with joy.

About an hour later, Rain excused himself. "Phi, I need to get home. My parents worry," he said. "May I drop you home Rain?" Phayu asked, wanting some more time with his mate. "Sky will drop me," Rain said, turning around, and realised that all his friends had already left. He had been so engrossed in talking to the handsome Alpha that he had not even realised that they had gone. He looked at Phayu, sheepish and dismayed at the same time. "I may have to bother you Phi. I have no idea where they went," he said. Phayu's wolf came jumping back in excitement. "Omega is coming with us?" he asked, hopping around like he was on a bouncy. Phayu rolled his eyes.

Phayu could feel Rain's gentle scent assail his senses, but he kept calm. It would not do to scare Rain. Although he didn't feel any fear coming off the little Omega, he knew that it could change in the snap of a finger. So he maintained a respectful distance, trying to give Rain the space to relax in his company. Phayu knew that his wolf had connected with Rain's, making it subconsciously easier for Rain to accept Phayu, but he also knew that certain lines could not be crossed, whether as a human, or a wolf. The steady scent from Rain was a dead giveaway that he felt comfortable and protected when he was with Phayu, and the Alpha knew that for now, this would have to suffice.

Tharn watched as Phayu helped his son down. Even from this distance he could see the care with which the Alpha was handling his baby boy. He could see the smile light up his son's face even from this distance. He knew that Rain's mind would not let him accept Phayu right away, but he could see that Rain's wolf had accepted Phayu's as his Alpha. As a father, nothing made Tharn happier. At the same time, nothing made him more afraid. His wolf had spoken to his son's and felt the connection between Phayu and Rain's wolves. He watched as Phayu collected all of Rain's things and asked him something. Rain shook his head and took all his things, nearly dropping his architecture tube. Phayu just smiled and hung it properly around Rain's shoulder, bopping his nose. Tharn shook his head. His son was normally a little clumsy, but in front of Phayu, he managed to look cutely flustered.

"What's got you smiling like that?" Type's voice whispered in his ear, as his husband's hands banded around him. "Watching our son being clueless about being courted," he said, gesturing outwards with his head. Type peeked out from behind his shoulder and looked at the sight in front of him. "They look cute together," Type said, his own smile spreading. "Our little one is going to lead Phayu a merry chase, isn't he?" Tharn asked. 'Well, he is his Pa's son after all. What do you expect?" Type replied, smirking. "Then I can only hope that he can love our son the way I love you," Tharn said, turning around and kissing his Omega just as their beloved whirlwind burst into the house!

Phayu was back the next morning and every morning for almost a month, receiving the side-eye from Rain's friends, who couldn't decide whether to ask him to give up and sympathise at his mostly failed attempts, or be happy that their friend was pretty immune to a handsome face. Ple had also pretty much given up the idea of pranking Phayu, because she felt that Rain was pulling him down enough. He flitted around Rain's group, talking and doing what he could to engage with Rain. By this time, most people, except for Rain, were aware that Phayu was at the Uni for his Omega. It was a divided group. Most people were happy for Phayu and Rain, but as usual, there were some who had to make nasty comments. But Rain was either unaware or he couldn't care less.

After class, Phayu went up to Rain's table. "Rain, could you come after your remaining classes and help me with something?" he asked. Rain nodded happily and went off with his group. After classes, he hurried to pack his things. His friends were already aware, so they even helped him. Just then one of his classmates came up. "You are off in a hurry!" Natsu said, sounding a little envious. Ple immediately shifted and Por had to slip his hand around her waist so that she would not lay into the girl in front of them. Ple may have been an Omega wolf, but when it came to protecting her little gang, she was a fearsome Mama Bear, especially when it concerned Rain. "Yeah, P'Phayu needs my help with something," Rain said nonchalantly, not noticing the look he got. But his group did.

"Oh! You surely wouldn't know what to do. Let me go instead," Natsu said. Ple bristled, but before she could say anything, Rain spoke up. "Sure. Thanks! That means I can get home earlier!" he said, walking out, leaving a rather dumbfounded group behind. "Are you nuts?" his wolf ground out from behind clenched teeth. "What? I want to go home. Helping P'Phayu would have delayed me. Natsu seemed like she wanted to do it," Rain said. He could see his wolf facepalming. "What? What is wrong with you now?" he asked. "Are you actually dumb? Or are you pretending to be dumb?" his wolf asked. "What is that even supposed to mean?" Rain bristled. "Exactly that! You are an idiot if you still haven't figured out what is happening!" his wolf ranted.

Before Rain could reply, someone called out his name. He turned around to see Phayu nearly run towards him. He vibrated in fear at the acrid scent that seemed to emanate from Phayu. It was almost as if he was thrown back into the past, when he had been kidnapped as a child. Luckily for him, he had been found very quickly, thanks to Sky's parents having top-notch connections, but the memory refused to leave him. Phayu stopped a distance from Rain. "Rain, are you leaving?" he asked, sounding a bit breathless. Rain stared at the Alpha and was surprised at the fear and pain swirling in his eyes.

"Phi?" he asked, concerned about the man. "Rain, why didn't you come to help me?" Phayu asked. "Phi, most of my classmates know I am no good, a bit airheaded. I might mess up your works. Better someone else helps you," Rain said calmly. Phayu looked so heartbroken that Rain was completely taken aback. "Phi? Are you alright?" he asked, going up to the Alpha and putting his hand on Phayu's. "Rain, I tried..," Phayu trailed off. "Can we go somewhere more private and talk?" he asked, looking sad. Rain immediately nodded, slipping his hand into Phayu's and pulling him towards the place his friends and he used to sit and study. It was a quiet place, and Rain knew well no one would disturb them.

They both sat on the bench. Rain's hand stayed in Phayu's and he didn't he even realise it, but Phayu did, keeping a hold on it as if it was his lifeline. "Phi, what did you want to tell me?" Rain said. "Rain, I tried showing you in small ways. But I think you never understood me. So maybe I should make myself absolutely clear. Rain, I am trying to court you," Phayu said, being as straightforward as he could. Rain's jaw dropped open in surprise. "So all those notes, small gifts and stuff; they were from you?" he asked. Phayu nodded. Rain looked away, much to Phayu's dismay. His heart broke at the thought of being rejected by his own mate, one he had waited for literally his entire life. He got up, planning to leave but he forgot Rain holding him. He was tugged back.

"Rain?" he said. "Are you my mate Phi?" Rain asked, distress eking through. Phayu nodded sadly. Rain could feel the scent of sorrow in the air, and something stirred in his heart and mind; a heart and mind that he had closed off for so long that he had even forgotten it existed. "Were you not able to feel me Rain?" Phayu asked. "I would like to tell you a story Phi. Would you like to listen to it?" Rain asked. Phayu nodded again. "I was six years old when we visited my Pa's father's resort in Ko Phangan. My grandfather is not an easy man to get along with in normal circumstances, and until then, Pa used to go alone to visit him. He hates my Dad, because he feels that Dad turned his son from an Alpha to an Omega. And that is as far from the truth as possible."

"As you know, we normally start presenting our secondary gender around the time we hit puberty. When my grandmother realised that Pa was an Omega, she did everything in her power to hide that fact from my grandfather, knowing that all hell would break loose if the truth came out. This included sending her only son away to her best friend's house in the city for better education, who turned out to be my Dad's mom. Just after Dad and Pa got married, my Dad's elder brother, his wife, and my aunt Thanya, my Dad's little sister, were all killed in a horrendous accident. My parents went abroad, working in the States until I was around 5. So my Pa's parents had never met me. In fact, my grandfather didn't even know that my Pa had given birth to a child. My grandmother desperately wanted to meet me, so we went to their family resort."

"My grandfather didn't talk to any of us, and just a little to Pa, but it was like Dad and I didn't exist. Dad and Pa were constantly taking care of work and home, and me, so they never took a break. When grandmother insisted that they catch up on a short break, maybe a walk on the beach or something, and she would take care of me, my parents jumped at the chance. My grandmother kept me with her, teaching me stuff. Just then my grandfather came there, saying he was going out. She specifically told him to lock the main gate before he left. I was wandering around the garden when I saw a kitten across the road. I didn't even hesitate, and walked out."

"Suddenly I felt my face being covered with something and then, I was being taken away somewhere. I was rescued thankfully, but the whole incident left a huge impact on my psyche because it was my..," Rain finally trailed off, wiping the tears pouring from Phayu's eyes quietly. "Because it was your grandfather who orchestrated it?" Phayu asked. Rain nodded, the horror of that day's incident fresh in his head. "My body rejects kindness and love Phi. It's almost like paranoia. If I accept opening the door and looking for a little kitten, it's like I am in a full blown panic attack. I don't know if that makes sense. I don't think I am explaining this well," Rain said.