Why Us??

"The Morning After the Mess" 🔞

[Rain & Payu's Room ]

The storm outside was loud,rain hammering down in sheets, soft rumbles of thunder vibrating through the glass. The sky lit up in silver flashes every few minutes, casting shadows over the room where Payu stepped in, still drying his hair with a towel.

He carried two unopened boxes of leftover decorations under his arm.

He paused.

Rain was awake.

Not just awake-but sitting on the floor near the printer with his legs tucked to one side, wearing one of Payu's old black t-shirts that nearly reached his knees. His hair was still a little damp. His back was curved, soft and small under the weight of whatever he was doing.

He didn't even flinch when the door opened.

Payu's brows pulled together.

He checked the clock.

2:13 AM.

Payu - (softly)
"Rain?"

Nothing.

The sound of the printer humming continued. Another page slid out onto the pile beside Rain. Payu walked closer, setting the boxes on the bed, and leaned over slightly to see what he was doing.

And then he saw it.

A photo album.

Black leather-bound, soft pages. Newly printed photos laid out across the bed in neat rows. Carefully labeled with stickers. Some captioned. Some circled in glitter pen.

Rain's handwriting was unmistakable.

- "Pa & Pa. Still in love 💘"

- "Sky's fairy tale moment 💍✨"

- "I got P'Pai and Sky to KISS! 🎯 Mission accomplished."

- "Star, me, and Sky = The Holy Trinity™"

Payu stared.

There were dozens of pictures. Photos taken throughout the day-some blurry, some perfectly timed.

Vegas kissing Pete's cheek while handing out ice cream.

Kim feeding Hazel while Chay braided Ella's hair beside him.

Macau stuffing flowers into Black's shirt as she tried to strangle him with a ribbon.

Sky, with stars in his eyes.

Pai, looking at Sky like he was the only thing he believed in.

And one-

Just one-

Of Rain and Payu.

They were standing on the garden steps. Mingyu had handed Rain a cone of ice cream and Rain was laughing..his mouth open, his head thrown back. Payu was beside him, mid-turn, staring at him.

Caught off guard.

It looked like a candid.

But something about it...

Made Payu's chest ache.

Rain - (quietly)
"These are for me. So I can remember this day."

Payu turned his head sharply.

Rain hadn't looked up. He was still focused on sliding a page protector over another image. He was speaking like he was alone. Or like Payu was a ghost there but untouched.

Rain -
"I know it sounds silly but... I haven't seen Sky that happy in a long time. I didn't want to forget what he looked like when he smiled like that. Just in case..."