LITA stories

He was there

Sky smiled and swayed along to the music.

Clubs weren't his normal scene.

They were loud and crowded but he knew Pai loved them

Plus it wasn't often the four of them got to go out. Between Sky and Rain's study and their partners jobs

Plus Sky could have fun anywhere as long as he boyfr-fiance was there.

He tightened his grip on Pai's hand.

Pai gave his hand a small squeeze as he did, continuing his conversation with Payu.

Rain was off getting some much needed drinks

All was well

But then somewhere in the distance he heard it

The Click

His hand slipped from P'Pai's

Then there was another Click

Click

Click

Then it was echoing in his mind

Ricocheting off the walls of his brain and filling it until it was all he could think, all he could feel

No. No. No. No. No

First he skin tingled with the ghost burn of a cigarette butt

Then his nose stung, filled with the scent of burning flesh

The hands came last like an old friend, so familiar but so alien. They were everywhere but nowhere. They were what sent him tumbling over the edge of some long forgotten cliff; down through the dark abyss of his hellscape of a mind

He grappled for P'Pai's hand as he sunk down down down

He was going to fall but he was flying

His heart was going too fast. A heart shouldn't go this fast right?

Reality blurred until it was just him and them

–

Pai stopped talking as he felt something pulling on his arm.

He looked over to where his boyfriend should have been but instead he was met with empty space. He felt the pull on his arm again and looked down to his Sky curled up on the bar's floor.

Payu followed his gaze

"Pai?" he questioned but P"Pai wasn't listening. He'd dropped to his knees in front of Sky cursing softly.

It was unexpected but P'Pai knew Sky's past could come back and haunt him at anytime, with or without a trigger

"Sky baby, can you look at me? Sky?" P'Pai tried but Sky's eyes remained unfocused. Pai laid a gentle hand on Sky's cheek and tried again.

"Sky?"

He had avoided touching Sky at first, worried he would only make it worse but Sky had assured him that physical touch did help but only when it was him.

This time nothing seemed to help but P'Pai knew that he needed to get Sky somewhere quiet.

"Payu, I need to move him"

His friend nodded, "I'll get the car"

"I'll find somewhere quiet, calm him down, then bring him out"

Payu nodded then disappeared into the crowd, grabbing Rain on his way out the door

"Sky honey, I'm going to pick you up now, okay?"

Sky showed no sign that he heard Pai, but Pai scooped Sky carefully into his arms and pushed his way through the crowd, desperate to get Sky out.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around he was met with a young looking waitress, dressed in a short dress that didn't cover much.

"Is he ok?" she asked, jerking her head toward Sky who was now shaking in Pai's arms.

"No" P'Pai shook his head, "my fiancé is having a panic attack. Is there somewhere quiet I could take him?"

"I could take you out the back? It will be quiet"

P'Pai nodded and followed the waitress out into the alley.

He was met with a chilly wind but he ignored it, setting his shaking fiancé gently down on the ground

"Sky" P'Pai cooed, rubbing small circles on Sky's back trying to encourage him to uncurl.

Nothing was helping. Holding by a curse he seated himself on the ground and pulled Sky into his arms yet again. He muttered words of comfort in Sky's ear as he continued to rub Sky's back.

Very slowly Sky's body relaxed and with Pai's help he sat up with his back pressed against the wall.

"P-pai" he choked

"It's okay baby, I've got you. You are safe"

'Pai, they're everywhere"

"No there is no one baby, no one there. You're safe, it's just me. I'm right here honey"

Sky reached up and grabbed Pai hand in a grip so tight it turned his knuckles a snowy white.

"You're here" he repeated slowly, "you're here"

"I'm here and I'm not going anywhere, okay baby?" Pai said, squeezing Sky gently

Sky nodded and reached his hand up to dry his eyes

A few moments went by where the pair sat in a comfortable silence, Sky had turned to straddle Pai lap with his head buried in the crook of his fiancé's neck.

"i'm sorry Pi" he muttered

"Sorry for what baby?"

"Wrecking our night"

"Hey" Pai scolded "Don't say that, nothing is ruined"

"But-"

"No buts, do you need to talk about it?"

"I just thought I was over it. It's been years," Sky said, burying his face his Pai's shoulder

"You went through something traumatic Sky, no one expects you to be free of it anytime soon"

"I know"

"Did something trigger it?"

"I heard a lighter"

"Oh darling" Pai said, sitting up straighter so he could wrap Sky's whole body in a tight hug

"I'm sorry"

"No need to apologise. Are you ready to go, Payu went to get the car"

Sky's faced paled, "I didn't mean to interrupt their night"

"They are your friends baby, they don't mind"

"Still..."

"Still nothing lets go"

Pai helped a still shaky Sky to high feet and led him to the door with one arm wrapped around his shoulder.

They met the waitress who had helped them on their way out. With his free hand Pai fished some loose change out of his pocket. Her eyes widened in shock as she tried to hand back the small fortune but Pai brushed her off, his focus still on Sky.

Once they settled in the car, Sky muttered some quiet apologies to P'Payu and Rain. Both of whom brushed him off.

"Don't be stupid sky" rain sound, pouting. "You're my best friend, compared to what you do for me this is nothing"

Sky cheeks heated, he thought about brushing what Rain said off but he was too tired to argue.

Before long they were driving down the busy highway and Sky's eyes felt heavy.

So he leaned down and placed his head on his fiancé's shoulder

He was safe now

Pai always kept him safe

He was finally safe

And with that he fell into a peaceful slumber