Led by the Wind through the Sky

Earning your Forgiveness

"First of all, I want to say thank you for agreeing to meet with me today."

Sky glared across the table at Prapai. They were sitting in a private room of a fancy restaurant. If the racer had picked this place to impress him, it wasn't working, but Sky would reserve his judgement until after he had tasted the food.

"You should thank Rena. She's the only reason I'm here."

"And she's the one who made me realise that we have very different memories of the night we first met."

"What did she tell you?"

"That it wasn't one hundred per cent consensual, on your part. I never meant for you to feel like you had no choice. I didn't save you with any expectations. I was joking when I asked for something in return. I would've let you leave safely regardless. I'm very sorry that I made you think otherwise."

"And I should believe you? I can tell you right now that what happened that night will never happen again, no matter what charming words you tell me. So, if that was your goal for today then I'm afraid you're going to be very disappointed."

"I didn't invite you here with an agenda."

Sky raised an eyebrow and Prapai held his hands up in surrender.

"Okay, total honesty? I haven't stopped thinking about you since that night. I've been waiting, praying, for our paths to cross again so that I could have the chance to spend some time with you and get to know you. When Rena told me your impression of our night together, I felt sick. I really am sorry, Sky. I know I probably don't stand a chance with you anymore, but I still wanted to explain myself. After all our best friends are dating. It would be nice for them if we could get along at least. Do you think that's possible?"

Sky ate some more of his food as he thought over Prapai's words. The student had to admit that the racer seemed like a different person today. Gone was the smug cockiness that Sky had seen that first night, and in his place was a sincere gentleman. But he was not yet certain which of the two was the real Prapai.

Prapai could tell that Sky wasn't convinced.

"Perhaps, if I tell you a bit about myself, you'll believe that what I'm saying is the truth. I'm the oldest child. I have a younger brother and a younger sister. My parents were busy with work, and they travelled a lot, so I practically raised them. I got my bachelor's and master's degrees in the UK, before coming back home to work at my father's company. He wants me to take over once he retires. Phayu is my best friend, my only true friend."

"P'Phayu's your only friend?"

Prapai shrugged.

"When you're rich and handsome everyone's after something from you."

"Sounds lonely."

The racer looked at Sky in surprise. Lonely was the last word anyone would use to describe Prapai. He generally had plenty of people around him, he was never lacking company, and he was popular at the races. While living this way had satisfied him for a while, recently it had left him feeling empty. Ever since he had spent the night with Sky, he had been craving the connection he had felt between them. 

Sky was right. He was lonely.

They continued talking throughout dinner, which Sky thoroughly enjoyed. The food was delicious. When the time came to go home, Sky allowed Prapai to drive him, much to the racer's surprise and delight. They pulled up outside Sky's building.

"Thank you for driving me home."

"Thank you for trusting me enough to let me."

Sky moved to open the door, but before he could pull the handle Prapai spoke again.

"Sky? Did I do enough? Will you give me a chance?"

"We can be friends. After all, you could use another one."

"I'll be the bestest friend you've ever had."

"Please don't. I've already got Rain and Rena fighting over the title."

"You and Rena, you seem close?"

"We have a lot in common. There's only one thing we've disagreed on."

"Really? What's that?"

"You. She thinks very highly of you."

"Oh. What about now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you still disagree with her?"

"Hm, undecided. Goodnight, P'Prapai."

As Sky got out of the car, Prapai was grinning. He had made progress, however little, and he could work with that.