#25 OBSTACLES

COMFORTABLE SILENCE

Sunday morning while Rain sleeps Payu gets up early. He quickly showers and gets dressed. He smiles as he puts on the outfit Rain must have bought special just for this trip, since he's never seen it before. He checks himself out in the full length mirror. Not bad. He's donning an all white linen outfit with loose wide legged pants and a flowy button up short sleeved shirt. As Rain continues to sleep he heads out into the hallway and quietly orders breakfast. He asks if it can be delivered in to-go boxes then he calls the front desk and requests an extra comforter to be brought to the room. When his boy finally wakes up he quickly ushers him into the shower.

"Why P', I just woke up? What about you?" Rain says sleepily.

"I'm already showered, just go, trust me."

Rain shuffles off mumbling something under his breath as he closes the bathroom door.

Just minutes later there's a knock at the door. Payu runs to open it. Two men are waiting outside his door, one is carrying 3 large paper bags filled with their breakfast. The man next to him is holding a huge navy blue comforter. He takes the blanket, thanking the man and whispers to the other to please leave the food on the table. As they leave he hands them a tip and quietly shuts the door behind them.

"What's all this?" Rain asks as he comes out of the bathroom wearing a towel. He opens the dresser drawer taking out the last clean outfit that he'd packed for himself. Khaki shorts and a yellow tank top.

"I'm taking you somewhere, we're gonna do one last thing before we have to drive home."

Rain is carrying the blanket while Payu carries the bags of food. They walk far, far away from the hotel down the beach where they can be alone. They spread the blanket over the sand just far enough away from the tide that the blanket doesn't get wet and Payu sets up their breakfast. Huge portions of pancakes, bacon and fried eggs. Two big bowls of congee and a variety of Pa Thong Ko, which are Rain's favorite, he loves donuts.

They sit in comfortable silence eating and enjoying the beautiful view. They watch seagulls dive for food over the water and just take in the sounds of the ocean. It's a perfect way to end their last day.

Payu sets his food down, he's unable to eat another bite. "Thank you, Rainy,"

Rain turns to him, "For what, hubby?"

"Mmm, for so many things, but specifically for knowing I needed this, time with you, away from everything." He smiles as his boy looks down shy from his praise.

Rain sets his food down and crawls into Payu's lap. He sits between his legs so they are both facing the water and takes his hubby's arms and warps them around his body. He leans his head back against his shoulder and says, "You know how you tell me that you will always take care of me, that you'll always give me what I need?"

Payu hums, shaking his head yes against the side of Rain's face.

"Well I want you to feel that way too. I've always got your back P'."

Payu tightens his embrace around Rain and kisses the side of his neck. "Love you," he whispers.

Around noon after the short boat ride from the island they make it back to their vehicle. Payu hauls the suitcase into the back of the SUV as Rain gets comfy in the passenger seat. Payu insisted on driving, wanting Rain to just relax.

"You've done enough for me, I just want you to sit and take it easy." Payu pats Rain on his head.

Rain pulls his feet up, twisting his legs to the side and tucking his feet up next to his butt. As Payu pulls away and begins the long trip home, Rain clicks on his photo app, bringing up all the pictures he took over the weekend. The first one is of Payu sitting on the beach eating pancakes. Adorable. He continues to scroll, thumbing past picture after picture of his hubby smiling and making goofy faces at him. Pictures of little crabs in the sand that Rain had found on their first day there, pictures of the incredible view from their balcony. A ton of selfies with their faces way too close to the camera, so many of Payu kissing Rain on the cheek and many more. He can't wait to show all his friends what a wonderful time they had. The next scroll of his thumb brings up a video.

OH

Oh

OH

He sees himself taking his shorts off. Rain quickly turns down the volume. He's unsure how much Payu remembers of the other night. He hasn't really said much about it, giving Rain the impression that he either doesn't want to talk about it OR, he doesn't remember most of it. He skips ahead a little, well damn, he's definitely never seen his own body from this angle. The camera's five feet above Rain looking down on him, with his hand wrapped around his dick. Now all he can think about is how much he wants a video of Payu in this position. He watches the entire twenty five minute long video till the screen goes black. Payu must have dropped the phone but didn't turn it off, because he can hear them talking in the background but the camera is face down. He holds the phone up to his ear and he can hear himself yell, "WASHCLOTH!" He tries not to giggle with the memory of that moment. Rain vaguely remembers at some point in the evening shutting the recording off and plugging his phone in.

Well, he's going to hold this little gem close to his chest for another time. Maybe he'll bring it out for them to watch together one day, or Rain can send it to Payu during his lunch break at work, bet that'll liven up his day. Rain laughs to himself. He continues to scroll through the pictures from earlier that day when a notification pops up on screen. It's an email from Blue Elephant Design. He glances over at Payu before he opens it. Payu isn't paying him any attention with his eyes trained on the road ahead.

The letter starts off by thanking him for completing the internship and goes on to offer him a permanent position as an entry level junior designer after he graduates. It lists the jobs responsibilities and explains what benefits they offer.

Rain reads the email from beginning to end two more times. He's so excited, he did it. He did it all on his own. They like him, they really like him and they want Rain in their company. Rain smiles and does a little shimmy in his seat, feeling very proud of himself. He is supposed to start his internship at Home Cycle Design one week from now. He bites down on the corner of his bottom lip as he peeks over at his hubby again.

He adjusts himself in his seat, sitting up and criss crossing his legs. Rain clicks on reply and begins to write.

Dear Blue Elephant Design...........