#25 OBSTACLES

33C

Payu rolls over and rubs the sleep from his eyes. He reaches blindly for his phone, shutting off the annoyingly loud alarm. He instinctively turns back over to put his arm around Rain, but comes up empty. Maybe he's in the bathroom. Payu sits up and twists his back one way then the other, stretching his muscles before he gets out of bed. He heads for the bathroom, thinking maybe Rain is in there. The door is open and the lights are off. No Rain. It's strange that Rain is up before him but not unheard of. So he goes about his morning routine getting ready for work. It's Friday and he's eager to get to Sunday. He plans on taking the whole day off and spending it with Rain. He's been looking forward to it all week. He even called Sky to make sure he didn't have any plans with Rain.

As Payu lets the hot water ease his end of the week tension his mind begins to wander. In just a few short weeks Rain starts his internship at Home Cycle Design. The closer the day gets the more anxious Payu feels. If he's being completely honest with himself B.E.D is a great company and Rain would do well there. He knows his boy really enjoyed his time there after he started working with P' Mai. There is nothing inherently wrong with Rain working there. Payu just wants his boy with him. Plain and simple. They have already discussed the negatives of him taking the job, and no it's not Kit. It's a big company and he's certain Kit would keep in his own lane and stay far away from Rain. It's that he would most definitely have to travel, and quite extensively at that. He would have to fly to different countries around the world. It's already been well established that they do not do well apart. Plus, after Rain's panic attack on the way to Bali, Payu would worry endlessly if Rain were ever on a plane alone.

Payu squeezes the body wash on the loofah and scrubs himself clean. He has a feeling Rain is going to be offered the job, he's just not sure when. He doesn't want to pressure him and in the end, it should be all Rain's decision. But it certainly can't hurt to show Rain all the benefits to not only working on local, residential homes but being with his hubby all day. Right?

With his shower finished he had hoped Rain would be there when he got out. Still no Rain.

He shaves and runs some gel through his hair. He's still not quite used to the new style. Once he's dressed he heads downstairs. He stops halfway down when he notices his boy rolling a suitcase toward the glass doors. Payu's brain goes from 0-panic in less than five seconds.

Rain waking up before him; a little odd. Rain not waking him up or even hanging out with him while he readies for work; a bit suspicious. Add those to Rain putting a suitcase by the door; Downright worrisome.

"RAIN," Payu nearly yells as he descends the rest of the stairs in a hurry.

"Oh, P', you're already up?"

Payu Isn't sure what to make of this reaction. Did he catch Rain off guard, was he trying to leave before Payu came down? His heart starts to race. He looks from the suitcase to Rain and back.

"Rain...what's going on?"

Rain watches as Payu's mind works in overdrive. Realizing what this must look like, he goes to his hubby to quickly quell any fears. "Good morning, hubby." Rain smiles and lifts up on his toes to plant a kiss on Payu's worried lips.

Payu's heart settles a bit seeing Rain's genuine smile. "What's with the suitcase....and why are you up so early, are you going somewhere?"

Rain nods his head, "I am...and so are you P' Payu."

"What, I have to go to work Rain, what are you talking about?"

"Nope." Rain shakes his head. "You are coming with me for the next couple of days."