"Hope is a thing with feathers which perches in the soul."

"It is just the first week of school and I am already tired," Sig said, whining to his friends. Por and Sky nodded, agreeing completely. Rain feebly raised his hand from the floor of the dance room to indicate that he agreed, where he had collapsed after 4 hours of continuous practice. The programme was in two days, and Rain and his group, consisting of Sky, Sig, Por, Nut and Yihwa (the only girl), had been madly practicing their routine. Sky's forte was definitely music, so they had decided that he would take care of that. Rain and Yihwa, although both contemporary and hip-hop dancers, were trained in ballet right from childhood, a fact that they discovered as they started talking about what to do.

The six of them had really bonded over music and dancing, and had created their own group. They were all highly musically inclined and Rain and Yihwa were fabulous dancers as well. After a lengthy discussion, the group decided to do their own version of Swan Lake, a beautiful classic, but with a twist. At first the seniors had been very reluctant to allow ballet as a performance, thinking it might be too boring for the audience, but after they had seen the final presentation, they had been so excited to something so different and had given the group the green light. Which was why both Rain and Yihwa lay like two derailed engines after a collision. The practice was intense, because time was of essence. They had been given less than 10 days to plan and execute a show of this scale. They were not happy, but all of them knew that this was the platform that would help them create an indelible impression in the minds of the benefactors, teachers and management of the college.

Theerpanayakul Mansion –

"You are coming with us and that's final," Pete said, in his softest tone. Both Vegas and Phayu knew better than to argue when he used that tone. But today Phayu was just not in the mood. "I will not go," he said, addressing his father with uncharacteristic harshness. "Phayu!" Kinn growled. "You will not utter a word! We have given you enough leeway! You have spent the last 6 years of your life, with your head buried in the sand, and you need to get out of it! That day, you left without informing us, and we didn't say anything. We never do, so if we respect your wishes, kindly respect ours too," Kinn's voice was firm.

Phayu looked around the room. His dad seemed lost in thoughts and his Pa's eyes were filmed over with tears. 'What am I doing to them? They have never harmed me, hurt me. On the contrary both of them, and every member of this family has loved me and supported me unconditionally! Who am I to let them down again and again?' he thought, disappointed with himself for not realising how much his abrupt behaviour was causing a rift between his family and him. "Okay, I will go with all of you. I will not stay too long, but I promise to come. Phi Pakin has some work with me that day, so I have to leave to help him, but I will stay for a while," he said, much to the relief of his family, although they showed no outward reaction.

His phone buzzed almost as he finished speaking. "It is P'Pakin," he said. Vegas gestured a 'go-ahead' with his hand.

Phayu: "Khap Phi?.... Why Phi? What happened? .... Oh, okay, no problem. Then let's meet on Saturday instead. Khap Phi! Khopuna Khap," he said and disconnected the call.

"What happened?" Porche asked. "Is all okay? Is it to do with the liquor supply?" he continued. "No Papa P, P'Pakin is busy on Friday, so we will meet on Saturday instead. Looks like I can stay for the whole programme," he said, smiling at his fathers and uncles. "I will take your leave now. I will see you at 10 am on Friday," he said, waiing as he left. "Pai, he is your responsibility. Make sure he is there at the university. We want to ensure that he will be there and if we force him too much, he will back out," Vegas told his nephew. "Rest assured Papa V, Phayu will be there, come hell or high water!" Pai vowed, knowing that he was holding Phayu's happiness in his hands.

Kirigun House –

"We will be there no matter what, right Type?" Tharn said to his son. "Of course! You are the most important to us Rain, and no matter what happens, you will always be our first priority. We will definitely be there," Type assured his son, hugging him tight. "I am so glad to have such amazing fathers as you!" Rain said, his voice filled with unshed tears. His fathers had loved him, spoilt him and given him so much support that he could not even imagine doing a performance without them watching. Inspite of extremely crazy and hectic schedules, Tharn and Type had ensured that they had always been present for every single programme or competition Rain appeared in. And this time would not be any different.

Friday, Chula University –

The audience filled faster than expected. The management was extremely surprised at the fact that the Theerpanayakul family had decided to patronise the performance. And not just the family heads, Kinn and Vegas, but everyone, including the next generation, who were of course alumni. But no one dared to question this family. They were not just benefactors and members of the board of the college, they were a force in itself. And nothing and no one could say anything to them, or ask them any kind of questions. As the family moved forward, Kinn suddenly bumped into someone. His guards moved forward, just as the person looked up and said, "Oh, I am sorry." Kinn immediately stopped his guards. "It's not a problem. Such a crowded place, we are more than likely to bump into someone or the other," he said, smiling broadly. The other person smiled, waiied and walked away.

"What was with the polite tone?" Vegas hissed. "That's not you at all." "That was Type Kirigun, Rain's father. Did you want me to be rude? Even before a relationship is struck up?" he hissed back. Vegas immediately shook his head and Porche and Pete just rolled their eyes heavenwards at the stupidity of their husbands. At 10 sharp, the lights in the hall dimmed, leaving just a spotlight on the stage, where the emcees for the evening walked up and the programme began in earnest. Several shows went by, and Pai was starting to get bored. Phayu didn't even bother to show interest right from the beginning, keeping his head down as he was busy scrolling through his phone.

"Now for the last performance of the evening, a beautiful rendition of the 'Swan Lake', with a twist, performed by the freshmen of Performing Arts, please welcome with a thunderous applause, Varain Kirigun, Yihwa Chiravee, Thupfah Suansri, Sig Jakorn, Por Wong and Nut Makok. The lights on the stage were also switched off as the audience waited with bated breath. And then the performance started. Just as the black haired boy made a beautiful entry twisting with grace and style, Phayu looked up. And was completely mesmerised. Rain wore a sheer black net top that left nothing to the imagination, with body hugging black leggings. Make-up on his face, applied for the show, accentuated his fabulous skin and sparkling eyes. His lips were lush and a pouty red, that made Phayu lick his in response. And his lips were not the only thing that felt desire. His hands itched to feel the soft skin on the younger boy's face and body and he could feel his cock spring to life. He had never had this kind of fierce reaction to anyone, not even Amy. Phayu was flabbergasted at his body's response and did not know what to do.

He kept his face visibly schooled, but his family had seen the widening of his eyes and the flaring of his nose, reactions that he got when he was surprised and angry. They understood that a lot of things were churning inside Phayu at this point, and they held back their smiles, knowing that any reaction from them would make Phayu withdraw. They had to let him take charge of everything, because that was his nature. Any decision they would take, it would backfire. But they also knew that a slight push would not be amiss, because they too had been enchanted by this beautiful boy and wanted him in their family.

Once the show was over, they all made their way out to the lobby. Their eyes fell on Rain, who was talking animatedly to his parents, and who looked like Sky's parents. Sky was also there. All of them smiled indulgently at the boy, which made it clear that he was loved. For a moment Pete worried, 'Would he be a selfish and spoilt brat?', but decided to wait and watch. Kinn gestured to someone at the back, and two bouquets were brought forward. One was made of blue orchids and white roses, the other with pink orchids and pink roses. The fragrance was phenomenal. The man was asked to give to Phayu and Pai. Both of them were surprised. "What is this dad?" Phayu asked. "You have to give this to Varain, and Pai, you to Thupfah. We will come with you," Kinn said. "What he said," Vegas reiterated. "But dad," Pai started, but one look from Pete and Porche, the two boys were silenced and walked straight to the others, their family following.

"Congratulations on the wonderful performance of your children," Kinn said, as he first waiied formally and then held out his hand to Leo, just as Vegas did the same with Tharn. "Same goes," he said courteously. Meanwhile, Pete quickly waiied to Type and took his hands into his. "What a beautiful and talented son you have Mr....?" "Kirigun, Thiwat Kirigun. My husband, Thara Kirigun," he said smiling. "It's so wonderful to meet the parents of such talented children," Porche said, shaking hands all around as well. "I am Vegas Theerpanayakul, my husband Pete, brother Kinn, brother-in-law Porche, son Phayu and nephew Pai," Vegas said, as he introduced everyone. "Our son Rain, our friends Leo and Fiat Suansri and their son Sky," Type said, introducing his family. Everyone waiied polietly to each other. 

"Phayu, Pai, give the bouquets to Rain and Sky," Pete said, his tone clear, 'or else!'. Both the older boys stepped forward, and handed the bouquets to the younger. Phayu's fingers brushed Rain's hands as he was withdrawing, and it set off a riot of feelings in him. Electricity jolted through his system and he had no idea what he would do now. He wanted to just run from there like a coward, but somehow, his feet were frozen on the spot, making movement impossible. "Thank you Phi," a soft and sweet voice cut through his panic, as he saw Rain smile at him. Plop! And that was it! He could actually feel his heart fall at the younger boy's feet, shocking him with the intensity and depth of emotions swirling in his heart, and igniting something, he had long thought dead.

A/N : Sorry for the delay. Busy at a wedding, will post more as soon as possible! :)

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