"Ready bub?" Sky asked, as he set up the camera. "I am nervous Sky," Rain said, as he pushed his hair back. It was not the first time they were doing this, but Rain trembled with the biggest butterflies in his stomach every single time. "Bub, you are shooting a cooking video, not porn! Chill!" Sky laughed as Rain glared at him. "What?" Rain asked, pouting. "You do realise that how much ever you glare or start frowning, all that you look like is an angry bunny?" Sky continued to grin. Rain put his nose up in the air and turned around to go behind his kitchen counter. "So? Are you seriously ready to roll or not?" Sky asked, still smiling and shaking his head, but mentally, not wanting to anger Rain further. Rain nodded, smiling brightly as the camera was switched on.

"Swasdi Khap everyone! I am so excited to be here with another episode of Rain's Kitchen. Today we are going to make Tom Yum soup, but not your regular style. This is a recipe that has come down to me from my maternal grandmother's home, and is known as Tom Yam Kathi. It has lot of similarities to a regular Tom Yum, but let's see how it is different," Rain said, looking at the camera. Sky could see Rain's nerves settle as he got into his total chef's mode. But there was something that Sky hadn't told Rain. Usually, he would record videos of Rain cooking, and in such a way that Rain's face was not visible or edit it. But somehow, those recipes had found their way into the menu of a very popular restaurant and the chef there had taken credit for it. And Sky was done with that shit.

Although Rain had told him to forget about it, somehow, Sky couldn't bear it, annoyed at the whole thing. A friend from their Uni had suggested that he should, instead of recording the video and then editing it, he should put it on live camera. Sky had pondered long and hard at the lack of privacy that Rain could face and the loss of his anonymity, but when he weighed it with the sheer audacity of that stupid restaurant and its idiotic chef, he preferred facing Rain's wrath. Which is why, Rain was currently live, and had no clue. And Sky ensured that he focused on Rain's hands as well, knowing that people would have seen those in the recorded videos. Sky knew Rain would have his head, but for him, his friend's journey and success was something he had dreamed of. Sky knew that Rain didn't do it for the fame or something that would catapult him into the big league. He couldn't care less. He just did it for the sheer passion of his keeping his family's, especially his grandmother's, legacy alive.

"Let's set the ingredients out first. Tom Yam Kathi requires to be stirred often, and the contents must be added at the right intervals, that's why it is imperative that you keep everything ready. We are going to make enough for 2 servings, so that once it is ready, Sky and I can enjoy it together," Rain said, making Sky look up sharply, and in shock. This was the first time ever that Sky had taken his name in their session. But he didn't utter a word, not wanting to spoil Rain's flow. "We will require 2 cups of broth. You can use store bought, but I would recommend you make your own, so that you can flavour it according to your taste. You will also need around 170 grams of button mushrooms. If you are allergic, you can leave this ingredient out. 6 to 7 makrut lime leaves, best if slightly crushed using a pestle and mortar to release its flavour. 7 to 8 slices of lemongrass, around 1/8 of an inch in thickness, 7 to 8 peeled and very, very thinly sliced galangal, 2 tablespoons namprik pao, homemade would be the best, but store bought will be fine too. 500 grams of prawns, I would recommend the jumbo ones, they are the easiest to peel once cooked. Many of you may prefer those without head or tail, that's up to you, but it's totally your choice. ¼ cup fish sauce, we may need more later, 4 to 5 red bird's eye chillies; this of course can be adjusted to taste. 1 cup milk, preferably coconut milk, but you can use condensed milk too. ¼ cup fresh lime juice and finally, ¼ cup lightly packed cilantro leaves. I know what you guys are thinking. So many ingredients! But believe it or not, they are not that hard to find. Most are available in local markets, and you can especially check out Tien Market for some of them," Rain said.

As Sky watched Rain lay out everything he needed, he also looked at the comments that were pouring in. There were several that were simply enamoured with Rain's cute boy looks, several that praised at how precise his listing of ingredients was. As the viewer count started going up, Sky could also see several comments on how Rain's hands resembled the previous videos they had seen on this channel, and the best, according to Sky, were those that were questioning how the recipes ended up on the menu of Phirun's. At the same time, there was someone else watching the live as well. Two someones, to be precise. Pai and Saifah watched in growing alarm as the questions and debate became more and more heated and started throwing shade at Phirun's. They both knew very well that Phayu had not copied those recipes, but they were themselves beginning to question this belief as Pai had switched on the previously updated videos on his iPad. "This is bad," Pai said, staring at the screen, as Fah muttered expletives under his breath.

Suddenly, the door opened and the person they were most worried about, entered. Phayu was not surprised to see his twin and his best friend there, but it did surprise him to see the expression on their faces. "What happened guys? Why do you look like someone kicked your puppies?" he asked, nonchalantly placing his gym bag on the chair at the kitchen island and stepping up to wash his hands before he could make his post workout smoothie. "Yu, where did you get the recipes that you have been introducing at the restaurant recently?" Fah asked, his voice hesitant. "From some blog or something," Phayu asked, not even bothering to turn around, missing the look that passed between Pai and Fah. But he did turn around at the oppressive silence that followed his words. "What? What happened?" he asked.

"Phayu, what did you do?" Pai asked, his tone almost despairing. "What did I do?" Phayu asked, looking between the two of them. Fah turned the live to face him, and Pai turned the iPad with the videos. Phayu stared at the screen, completely ignoring everything except the face that took up most of the screen, taking in every detail; the strawberry blond hair pulled back in a pony tail, tendrils framing the face, shimmering grey eyes, and pouty lips that stretched into the cutest, sweetest bunny style. He was so mesmerised that he again missed the look on Pai and Fah's face. "Yu?" Fah asked. "Found you my Rainbow bunny!" Phayu said softly, as the two people in front of him stared at him as if he had lost his mind.

"What are we going to do Yu?" Pai asked. "We find this little chef and ask him to work for us," Phayu said, turning away, as if this was the easiest solution. "Yu, you don't let grown chefs works with you easily. You scare them all away with you maniacal ego. How is this little cutie ever going to survive you?" Fah asked, staring at Phayu in shock. "Let me take care of that. Your job is to get him there. Can you?" Phayu asked. Pai sighed, as did Fah, knowing that nothing would budge Phayu when he was in this mood. The two of them slipped out as Phayu turned away with finality.

Phayu looked up at the sound of the closing door, immediately placed a hand on his heart and drew in a deep breath. He went to his study and opened the first drawer of his table and pulled out a photo that was clicked many, many years ago, when he was just 7 years old. He remembered that day clearly. His whole family had been on vacation to his mother's house in Korat. The Yayi in his neighbourhood had fallen, and her 3 year old grandson had coming running out into the street, crying bitterly. No one had been able to understand the babbling of the baby amidst all his sobbing. But somehow, he had quieted enough in Phayu's arms to be able to tell them that she had fallen in his baby language. Yayi had been rushed to the hospital. Luckily it was nothing serious, just a bit of hypoglycaemia, which had been easily countered. She had been grateful to Phayu and his family for their help.

After that day, that little boy became Phayu's tail. He would follow the older boy around and Phayu never minded. The boy, Varain, had been living with his grandmother since he had been around an year old. His parents had found work in the city and they had left the boy with her. With a stuffed bunny under one arm and a thumb in his mouth, he became a permanent fixture in Phayu's otherwise very mundane holiday. Since Saifah was a more outgoing personality, he made friends easily, but Phayu was slow in that way. He was not gregarious, preferring his solitude over everything. But he didn't mind his little rainbow bunny, as he began calling Rain in his head. Then Phayu had to leave as the vacations drew to a close. Rain's tear filled eyes and quiet sobs made him feel as if his heart was breaking, but there had been no choice. Phayu never forgot that summer and itched to go back to Korat. Somehow, the year after, since his grandparents came to Bangkok, he missed his opportunity. When he finally did go back, almost 4 years later, he came to know that Yayi had passed away and his rainbow bunny had been taken away by his parents.

While he never showed it, the lament of losing him was a thorn in his heart, and he vowed that he would do anything to find him. He had remembered the days he had spent with Rain, sitting in the courtyard of his Yayi's house, as both their grandmothers discussed recipes and cooked delicious meals. That had become a core memory for him and he had decided, especially after Rain had, when asked what he wanted to do when he grew up, casually replied in his sweetest lisp that, 'cook like vyayi.' Everyone had laughed but Phayu, who had soothed the boy and joined pinkies with him and vowed to be chef too. But he had never been able to find him, until that fateful day when he found a video making a dish that had been something that Rain's Yayi had showed them.

At first, Phayu decided to seek Rain out directly. But then he decided against it. He had changed over the years and he was sure Rain had too. So he wanted to see if Rain could put up with the Phayu that he was or if he was still the boy who hid behind his Phi at the slightest sound. So Phayu had taken this route. He had waited week after week for Rain to come to him, but to no avail. Finally, today's live had proven that his bunny, or at least someone beside him, had some bite. Now all he had to do was wait for his Rainbow to enter his kitchens before he would trap him for life. And he would, having no doubt about that!

Sky sat in the fancy office, facing the fancy man who had invited him over, with a scowl on his face. "Are you fucking serious right now? First, you steal my friend's recipes. Then you make them a part of your 'very famous' restaurant's menu, where no one will question it because no one can see Rainy's face. And now, to escape from public taunting and a possible lawsuit, you want Rain to work for a thief?" he asked, his voice and face clearly betraying what he was feeling in that moment. "This is an excellent opportunity Nong..," Pai trailed off when Sky raised his hand. "You can take your opportunity and shove it up your fucking ass!" he said, annoyance pulsing out of him in waves. Pai could understand the boy's frustration. He was only looking out for his best friend, and Pai felt that in his soul, because he was trying to do the same.

"Sky, I understand exactly what you are feeling right now. You are trying to do the best for Rain, and it is obvious that I am trying to do the best for my friend. And that is going to put us at odds. Things will go from bad to worse. Please do not think I am threatening you in any manner, but the truth is, Phirun's has the means to ensure the patents on those recipes. If Rain joins us, I will personally ensure that Rain's name is the one on those, and that he is credited with them," Pai said. "And if we don't agree?" Sky asked belligerently. "Areyou really sure you don't want to do that?" Pai asked. "What do you mean?" Sky asked. "Sky, think carefully about what I just said about the patent rights. Do you seriously think you guys can afford to register it all? With your resources? Do you have a good enough legal team, let alone a single lawyer?"Pai asked. "Are you threatening me?" Sky asked. "Absolutely not! I just want you to consider all your options before you take any kind of call," Pai said. Sky looked pensive. "Can I talk to Rain and get back to you? This cannot be my decision alone," he said, still not fully convinced, but worried about the things that Pai had said, and wanting to discuss everything first with his best friend.