Why Us??

Love in the Air pt -1

[Payu and Rain's bedroom]

Payu didn't say a damn word the entire ride back.

Rain had cussed him out halfway down the driveway. Tried to climb out of the moving car at the gates. Even fake-cried once. But Payu just kept one hand clamped around his wrist like a man dealing with a storm he was too tired to fight.

By the time they got into their room, Rain was slurring curses and calling Payu names that would make a gangster blush.

Payu dropped him unceremoniously on the edge of the bed.

Rain - "Ow-watch it, you caveman!"

But the moment he shifted, his face paled.

Payu blinked once. Uh-oh.

Rain - "I'm gonna-"

Payu sighed.

Rain bolted to the bathroom and slammed the door.

The sound of retching echoed against the tile. Followed by a muffled "don't follow me!" and another round of curses.

Payu rolled up his sleeves, grabbed a glass of water, and waited.

Eventually, Rain stumbled out - hair a mess, shirt off one shoulder, eyes red.

Payu - "Here."

Rain - "Don't want your pity hydration."

Payu - "It's not pity. It's basic survival."

Rain glared and snatched the glass.

Rain - "God, you're so-stoic. Like, emotionally constipated. Ever heard of feelings? Try them sometime."

Payu - "Ever heard of moderation?"

Rain - "Ever heard of not being a smug asshole?"

Payu - "Only when you're not acting like a drunk idiot."

That did it.

Rain stood up - wobbled slightly - and jabbed a finger into Payu's chest.

Rain - "You think you're better than everyone. Walking around like you're too cool to care. Let me tell you something, Venice. You're not as untouchable as you think."

Payu - (stepping closer) "And you think being loud makes you brave?"

Rain - "Better than bottling everything up and pretending you don't feel shit!"

They were close now.

Too close.

Chest-to-chest, breath-to-breath, both of them breathing heavy like they'd just fought with more than words.

Rain's finger still pressed to Payu's chest.

Rain - "You make me want to scream."

Payu - (low, biting) "Then scream."

Rain - (taken aback, blinking rapidly) "I hate you."

Payu - "Yeah? Hate me harder."

The room went dangerously quiet.

The air crackled.

Rain's lips parted, whether to yell or to do something else - neither of them knew.

Payu's gaze dropped for a second.

To Rain's mouth.

To the stretch of flushed skin above his collar.

Back up.

And Rain saw it. That flicker.

That almost.