IMMORTALLY PROBLEMATIC

Chapter 66: Big Differences

" Rain, will you go to the restaurant with me?"
" No, I'm really tired today, maybe tomorrow."
"Sky let's go to work."
"No, I just want to cuddle with you."
" Rain, let's go out to eat."
" No, I prefer staying indoors."
" Sky, do you want to watch your best anime? I heard there's a new season."
" No, I'm really not into anime anymore."
Rain and Sky were unrecognizable, they hated everything they used to love. It was strange. Pai had to cover up for Sky's lapses at work. It was getting unbearable but he avoided confronting him about it. He was too precious to him and there was just too much to deal with at once. With his absence, Pai had to shoulder a lot of responsibilities, attending functions that Sky knew he hated , ate foods that he hated because Sky was having cravings.
Pai was fed up. This was not how he envisioned his return to Earth like. When he wanted to leave to handle business in Carityl, Sky would beg him not to go. It was so bad that he would complain how he's uncomfortable with Payu and said for the time being Pai shouldn't visit Payu.
Payu on the other hand was also having it tough. Rain was all lovey around him and didn't even give him breathing space. He was always around him urging him, at some point he was exhausted. Payu and Pai needed some space, lots of space.

Rain woke up well prepped. He was given a king's treatment at Arityl Sublime. A doctor was at his beck and call taking incredible care of him. It was really nice. The owner of the house would sneak in once in a while just to see how he was doing before he left anywhere. His affection and care was really evident when he told everyone in his household that Rain is an egg and should be treated as such. His instruction was given to everyone and when Rain got to find out, he didn't even know how to feel about it. He was both delighted and skeptical but liked everything. When he was finally fine, he wanted to show his gratitude to the master of the house so he requested for somethings. He wanted to cook him a meal. He got to the kitchen and as if it was muscle memory, Rain made pasta. He served it to the owner of the house as he sat beside him. As he put the first spoon into his mouth, he lost his mind. The food was so good that he licked off his plate. Rain initially wanted to ask how it tasted, but from his reaction there was no need. They both smiled at each other. Rain retreated back to his room and the man came inside. He sat beside him. Rain moved a bit. No matter how long he had been here, he was still uncomfortable. It was not him, but he just felt something was not right about himself right now. This place wasn't his place and everything didn't belong to him. It was a feeling of being lost and you have no idea what home is.
" Can I talk to you?" The handsome man asked Rain, who was just staring at him.
" Sure. Anything you want to know."
" What's your name?"
" I know for a fact that it is Rain. But every other thing is a blur, but I'm sure I know someone named Payu... I don't know what he looks like, but the fact I constantly hear the name in my mind, I know he exists."
" Do you remember how you got here?"
" No I don't, do you mind sharing?" The man began to tell Rain how he came this far and how they got to meet. Then he mentioned his name Nuea. He was an Immortal but was never a Protector. His dad died at war, protecting Arityl. So he was left with everything in his possession, which was a lot.
" Rain, anything you want, I can give to you just don't leave this place. Stay here with me." Rain smiled then asked " do you know who Payu is?"
" Are you thinking of going back to your terrible life?"
" No,but I need to know..."
" NO, Rain you were being sold at the market, I don't know how many more dangers you would encounter but I wouldn't let you risk it again. I need you to be safe, not dead."
" But sir, don't you think...
" Please call me Nuea, sir makes me unapproachable."
" Fine, I ..."
There was a loud noise outside a lot of people were gathering. Nuea told Rain to stay inside but Rain insisted that he wanted to see what was going on. Nuea gave him a face mask so he wouldn't be suspicious and they came out. It had been close to a week or two he had been shut out from the outside world as they got out, they asked a man who was passing what was happening. He said the Lord Protector of Arityl wanted to speak to everyone. Then he went on to mention how handsome he was and unique and friendly as they walked to the meeting point. On getting there, Payu was on a podium addressing everyone to be safe. Payu looked down at the people and continued talking, when he was done, he turned to go back but the whole place became rowdy as there were some people who wanted to touch him, others who wanted to go home, so there was a lot of pushing and shoving. Rain lost Nuea in this process and was frantically looking for him. Payu saw the absolute chaos going on and went inside to try to make sure everyone was safe, he passed Rain and moved in, when everything was over,the place was now calmer. Payu came back and met the man in a mask who looked clearly lost, he tapped him by the shoulder and Rain turned to look at him. Payu staggered back a bit then regained composure and asked.
" You look so familiar, do I know you?"
" No you don't, I'm lost and I'm looking for someone." Payu recognized the voice instantly, it was Rain's voice he heard, he went closer. He placed his hand on his face and was about to pull the mask down but Nuea intervened by holding Payu's" I'm sorry, he is quite aloof with things that are happening here, forgive his manners." Facing Rain he said
" Where were you, I told you not to let go of my hand, why did you?"
"I'm sorry, I was just a bit..."
" It's fine let's go." Nuea bowed to the Lord Protector and held Rain by the shoulder as he was leaving. Rain turned back looked at Payu and said" thank you so much." He was sure he was hearing Rain, he was a hundred percent sure. He needed to confront someone first. He wanted to go back to meet with him, but for the fact he didn't recognize him, said a lot. He knew who Nuea was so there was no bone of contention there.

Sky on the other hand was living his best life. He was being worshipped. He couldn't recognize anyone but it was good. He saw it as his opportunity to have a clean slate. He had so much freedom. Sky was like trophy to the owner of the house. The man confirmed that he was prettier than any man he ever saw. He absolutely adored him. It was so bad that he didn't even let him go out in the sun. Sky got used to this life pretty easily. He felt nothing was missing, until he had terrible experiences at night. He kept dreaming of Pai. It was not as frequent initially but in no time he started seeing him with his double and it was so unexpected. It got so bad than he would wake up and fantasize about Pai. When the announcement came, he was sleeping so he didn't hear a thing. Something was wrong but he couldn't place his hand on it. The master of the house started asking him to date him. Kissing his hand and begged him for just a chance to taste him. Sky was firm but could not deny that he was handsome but the man in his fantasies were much more so he didn't take it as anything.

Pai's suspicions were beginning to rise, it was obvious that in two weeks Sky couldn't even change that drastically. He avoided touching him or even kissing him. He didn't know why but when they are together Pai always said it felt wrong. He never felt this way in time past but now he does with this stranger that was laying beside him. Pai was beginning to prefer work than hang out with his lover, which was never an option. He accepted all his changes and saw them as new. The next day, they both had a function. The CEO of Fragile was in attendance, and for some reason Sky noticed his advances and went along with them, playing and laughing. Pai moved Sky away from everyone and asked "what are you doing?"
"I'm talking, what does it look like I'm doing?"
" To the CEO of FRAGILE like that, Sky have you forgotten what he did?"
" It doesn't matter anymore does it, it's in the past and besides..."
" Sky would never say that ."
" It is just... What?"
"My Sky would never say it didn't matter, we nearly broke up because of this guy.
" P'Pai, stop talking like that, since we got back from Carityl, you've been acting differently, you don't touch me anymore, just the first day and that was it, why?"
" Maybe because you don't remind me of the man I fell in love with."
" I'm sorry, that things are this way but I do love you though."
" Who are you?"
" What?"
" I know you're not Sky and I had to play around for a while so who are you? And where is Sky."
" P'Pai, I'm right here."
Pai scoffed held Sky and vanished with him back to their compound.
" Now let's talk, if you don't tell me who the fuck you are, I'll sever your head from your neck, so tell me who are you."
Fake Sky wanted to fight back but the look in Pai's eyes were so serious he had to confess

Payu returned from Arityl, with his sword, he was fully clothed ( with his war outfit). He hit the flood with his sword and called out " Rain my love, come out."
" Payu I'm coming."
Payu heard the shoes and changed again. When he came down and hugged him, Payu nodded. They went to sit down. Payu stared at Rain then communicated that
" I saw someone who looked exactly like you on Arityl today."
" Really?"
" Is that person you?"
" Not possible I killed him already."