Threads

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/43097274.

Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: M/M
Fandom: บรรยากาศรัก เดอะซีรส ี ์ | Love in the Air (TV 2022)
Relationship: Prapai/Sky (Love in the Air TV 2022)
Character: Prapai (Love in the Air TV 2022), Sky (Love in the Air TV 2022), Phayu
(Love in the Air TV 2022), Rain (Love in the Air TV 2022)
Additional Tags: Businessmen, Friends with benefits to rivals to lovers, Parental
Expectations, I'm really bad at tags, No Beta, Gun will be there but we
get rid of him fast, he's still an asshole, Angst, TW Parental emotional
abuse, tw low self esteem, Panic Attack, Office make out, These
snippets are getting longer than I anticipated, Mild Smut, well this
turned to full on fluff, there's a reason I don't write long form stories
anymore
Language: English
Collections: THE PrapaiSky CEO Business AU
Stats: Published: 2022-11-23 Completed: 2022-12-02 Chapters: 4/4 Words:
11788

Threads
by AkitBeast

Summary

Prompt created by fortpeat on Tumblr: https://at.tumblr.com/fortpeat/prapaisky-au-what-if-

sky-and-prapai-met-in/zrt2kj42sjlv
 The University Years [England]
Chapter Summary

Prapai and Sky meet while studying in London, England.

Please check updated tags.

They had met during the holidays. The Lunar New Year had come around and the local Thai
restaurant had thrown a big party, prompting many students to make the trek, looking for a taste of
home and a reminder of their roots.

Prapai wished he could say he'd first laid eyes on Sky across a room, in a scene taken from one of
his sister's romantic novels. Instead, he had been talking to one of his friends, when someone had
run into him and puked on his brand new shoes. A very apologetic dark-haired guy had come up
immediately, holding onto his drunk friend before he landed on his own mess.

"I am so sorry" he'd said "Rain has the alcohol tolerance of a gnat" he'd looked up at him and
Prapai had felt his world rock a bit.
"It's ok" Prapai said without sparing a glance at his shoes "They're old, I can just get a new pair".

They stared at each other for a moment, while Rain sleepily squinted back and forth between them.
"Hey Siiiiig" he called across the room, bringing over a taller guy.
"Again?" Sig hissed "we can't take you anywhere, come here you lightweight" he drapped one of
his friends' arms over his shoulder "Got him, Sky?"

Sky

"Yeah, I got him" the guy dropped Rain's other arm over his shoulder "Sorry again!" he offered
Prapai a quick wai, then the trio set off.

"Sky" Prapai smiled. Cute.

-0-

It was over a month until they crossed paths again, on a weekend. Prapai had been making his way
back to the dorms after a gym workout, hair still damp from his shower, when he spied a bundled
up Sky sitting on a bench, pad in hand, headphones in place.

He snook up to him and looked over his shoulder, to see his sketch of one of the Library buildings
in front of them. He tapped his shoulder, making him jump.

"Pretty" he pointed at the sketch.

Sky stared at him, clueless, then pulled the headphones off. "What?"
"Pretty" he pointed at the sketch again. Sky hummed in gratitude "you do realize it's cold, don't
you?"

"I needed some fresh air" he shrugged, but Prapai noted the sad tone of his voice.

"I see...have you had enough? I was going to grab something at the cafeteria if you want to come
along".

Sky eyed him curiously, trying to figure out why would he want to.

"I'm homesick" Prapai added, shivering in the cold for extra effect "I'd like to talk to someone from
back home...if that's ok". Sky sighed, picked up his things and followed him.

A bite became lunch, which became dinner, which became breakfast the next morning, when a
well-rested, disheveled Sky woke up in Prapai's bed, to fresh takeout.

Prapai was reluctant to put a name to it, but the sight of a shy morning-after Sky, compared with
the Sky who had ripped his clothes off the night before warmed him up in ways he didn't expect.

-0-

"You're a mess" Sky mumbled as he wrapped another bandaid around Prapai's finger.

"Hey" the man in question looked up in mock offense "it's not my fault your career requires tiny
swords".

Sky chuckled, finishing the patching up, and setting the first aid kit away.

"Why architecture?" Prapai mused, gathering his failed attempts at cutting building pieces.

"Why business?" Sky countered, digging around his desk.

Prapai shrugged. "Family trade? Dad is in business, both grandparents, and so on..."

"Mmmmm" Sky nodded "I like buildings" he offered him in weak explanation, handing him a tube
of glue "Can I trust you to glue the pieces I cut, and not your fingers?"

"You wound me" Prapai joked, and set to his task.

They worked together for about an hour, bantering on the project, and what they wanted to get for
dinner that night.
Prapai had wanted to date Sky since that first time many months before, but Sky seemed to have a
detailed plan of what he needed to accomplish during his university life, and dating didn't seem to
be included. There was something that Sky was trying to keep hidden, but Prapai was good at
reading people, and he imagined there was something painful in his past he didn't want to talk
about. Prapai hadn't wanted to push it, enjoying the smiles he did share freely. They had become
good friends. He would help Sky when he had a lot of projects to finish, he'd come and cheer
during his matches. Sky loved food, but had a tendency to neglect eating in favor of work, so
Prapai had been extra inventive in getting him out for meals with him. Once in a while, they
needed to let off steam, which usually ended up in tangled limbs, flushed bodies, bed sheets strewn
everywhere and trips to the fridge for sustenance.
Prapai had never dated anyone before, but he was pretty sure they were doing it, even if Sky didn't
want to label it as such. It would have to do for now.

They took a break to stretch, get a drink and order take-out. Prapai leafed through the planner that
Sky had left open on his desk, quietly drinking his water. The man was nothing if not meticulous.
Everything was carefully penciled in: classes, projects, clubs, volunteer events. Things were cross-
referenced. It was all a bit overwhelming and he wondered if he'd ever scheduled time for sex.

Sky refilled his cup, eyeing him with curiosity as he saw Prapai write something on a sticky note
and put it on his planner.
"Whaaaat are you doing?" he walked over to read it. Fun with Pai!, including a cheesy happy face.
"Come on a hike with me?" Prapai asked, in that puppy-eyed look he'd quickly gotten used to.
"I have three more projects, and one meet-"
"I will help you with them all" he promised.

He'd agreed by the time dinner arrived, and later on as Sky lounged in bed trying to convince
himself it was time to sleep and not review his notes yet again, he mused on what they were doing.

He liked Pai, he really did. They had fun in more ways than one, and he wasn't blind, he had seen
the looks he gave him. He had fallen for those looks.

Sky's parents had had a whirlwind romance that had ended up in a wedding when he'd come along,
and his childhood had consisted of being the token his parents shoved around when they fought.
He was glad they had separated, but the feeling of being a topic of argument rather than a family
member had never quite disappeared. His parents had worked hard to get their respective
businesses off the ground and had instilled in him the importance of doing the same without rest in
order to reach his goals. They were forever trying to outdo each other, and Sky had learned the
lesson well. He often felt like he wasn't really a person with free will, just a playing piece in
waiting for the next time one of them wanted something.

His heart might want something more when it came to Prapai. But it was going to have to live with
the disappointment.

-0-

"You're selfish" Sky's mother repeated. The young man sank to the floor by his bed, too exhausted
to be upset.
"Mother...." he attempted.
"I only ask one thing, and you can't even do that..." she huffed, and he could swear he heard her
mumble comparisons to his father.
Sky gripped his cellphone tighter, wondering if he could crush it and get out of the conversation.
"I can't just leave" he tried again.
"You've finished all your requirements, haven't you? All you have left to do is get your diploma
and that can be sent to you via mail" she scoffed "And all that cap and gown thing is just a waste of
time, when you could be doing something productive instead" she paused for breath, and went on,
going for extra digs "It's not as if I'm going to take all of your precious time, if that's what bothers
you. I just need your help with this one thing, and then you can go.......do whatever you want" she
ended it with a self-defeated tone. The one she used to make people sorry for her.
"Ok" he finally said.
"Oh?"
"Let me get my things in order" he sighed "I can leave by the end of the week"
"Oh, Sky, sweetie" her tone changed completely "You're such a good son, I'm so happy. Send me
your flight number as soon as you have it, ok? Love you...." and the line disconnected.

Sky flopped onto his bed, tossed his phone as far as he could and covered his eyes. "Whyyyyyy do
I always fall for it" he bemoaned. His first thought was that he had to talk to Prapai, which he
quickly backtracked from. Pai had finished his Masters and he had started dropping some hints in
the last few weeks about what he'd like to do afterwards. Plans that included Sky. He dragged
himself off his bed and padded to his desk, confirming with his calendar that Pai was gone on a trip
with friends.

Don't be a coward, Sky he admonished himself.

He made a quick survey of his dorm, noting what he would absolutely need to keep, planning to
give everything else away. There were always students in need of things around campus.

Don't be a coward, Sky.

He pulled up Rain's number on his cell and worried a rough spot on one of his fingernails while he
waited.

"Hello?" his friend's sleepy voice answered.

"Hey...I need your help"

It took them a day to pack. Rain didn't even have time to ask questions. Between him and Sig,
they'd gone and gotten rid of everything they could.

Sky stood in his empty dorm after his friends had said their goodbyes. All he had left was a
suitcase and a backpack. Prapai had sent him a picture from his trip, doing a superhero pose on top
of a hill, the morning sun framing him. 'Be back next weekend!' the message said. This would be
the last picture he'd have of him.

"You're a selfish coward, Sky" he told himself, and left.

-0-

Whistling and brimming with plans, Prapai knocked on Sky's door. It was a little late, but knowing
Sky, he would still be up.
"I brought snacks!" he chimed when the door opened, only to come face to face with a tall, blonde
man who looked like he'd just woken up.

"Dude....you know what time it is?"

"Sky?" Prapai walked past him and marched into the room, then froze for a moment wondering if
he'd knocked on the wrong door. Because the room was the opposite of Sky's. Sports paraphernalia
were there had been architectural models, a messy floor, where Sky's meticulous organization once
reigned.
"Dude what...." the blonde guy shuffled back inside, as confused as when he'd opened the door.
"Room 317?" Prapai tried to confirm.
"Yes?"
"Where's Sky? The guy who lives here!"
"Don't know what to tell ya man, I moved in two days ago".

Prapai stared at him in disbelief. He shoved the bag of snacks in the guy's hands and walked out,
cellphone in hand. He had to find him.

After several 'phone disconnected' voice recordings and unreceived messages, he finally made it to
Rain's dorm and banged on the door.

It took a moment of hearing the younger man cussing as he made his way to the door, finally
opening it only to full stop and stare at him.

"P-P'pai!"
"Where is Sky?!"
Rain frowned in thought. "He didn't call you? He said he was going to" he turned around and
walked back into his dorm with Prapai in tow. He dug around his desk, fished an envelope from a
stack of files and handed it to Prapai.
"Here" he smiled "He said he'd write you a note, then call you. I guess he didn't do the calling
part".

Prapai took the envelope, tore it open in desperation and unfolded the single sheet of paper. There
wasn't much, just Sky's very precise handwriting:

'Something came up with my family. I have to go. I am so sorry.

Thank you.

Please forgive me.

-Sky"

There was some ink smudging between the 'thank you' and the 'please forgive me'.

"Where did he go? What's wrong with his family?" he looked up at Rain.
"His family?" Rain seemed to be taking in the information as if it was the first time hearing it "He
didn't say something was wrong, just that he had to go see his mom".
"He's not answering" Prapai shook his phone "how can I contact him?"
"I'm sorry P'Pai, I don't know how to contact him either" Rain shrunk a bit in on himself under
Prapai's questions.

Prapai patted him on the shoulder, reassuring him that he wasn't upset with him.
"P'Pai?" the younger man asked after a moment, face full of worry "Is Sky ok?"
"I don't know, Rain, but I'll find out" he promised, marching out of the dorm.

It took weeks that felt like years. Prapai asked questions everywhere, attempted to bribe people.
Nothing. Sky had vanished. It was Rain that brought him news.
Sky had sent him a message to let him know that he was settled with his mother, and to thank him
for all his help. Rain had asked questions, only to have Sky say he really didn't want to bother
anyone.

Prapai had slumped in his apartment, surrounded by the mess he'd built over the previous weeks.
Old take-out containers, more beer cans than he cared to count, a few old textbooks that had given
up their life so he could purge his anger and frustration. He didn't think he had any clean clothes
left.
"....I don't want to bother anyone". Rain had relayed the message, which had cut through his heart.
Sky didn't want to bother anyone, which meant he didn't want to be contacted.

How did one deal with a breakup for a relationship that had never officially started? He loved Sky,
he had no doubt. And deep down, he knew Sky had felt something for him.
Did he push too much? Not enough? What did he do wrong?

He spent the night sitting on the living room floor, thinking about all the possible what ifs. By the
time the sunrise broke through his window, he could only think of one thing: the wish that
wherever he was, Sky was happy.
 Interim Years
Chapter Summary

Snippets of Sky and Prapai's life after university.

Gun shows his ugly face. He's dismissed.

Chapter Notes

Please check updated tags.

Also, please with bear with all the changes I throw around here, I'm learning AO3 as I
go.

His first panic attack had hit a month into working for his mother, landed him in an emergency
room, where someone had gently explained to him he needed to work on his anxiety. Sky had
found it poetic, laughing in the physician's face, then quickly apologizing. "You don't understand"
he said "I control everything. Why can't I control this?"
There had been many more in the years to come, the uncertainty of his life wherever it concerned
his parents, coupled with the certainty that wherever he was, Prapai had to hate him ate him up.
He'd just learned to push the thoughts aside until he could break down alone at home.

His mother had been true to her word. After a torturing half a year of being her personal assistant
for a mind-numbing project she was sure would have her set for life, she had pretty much patted
him on the cheek, called him a good boy and taken off to enjoy the world and her success.

His first thought after his mother had left had gone to education, since he had left university so
abruptly. He had wanted a Masters, and while his original dream was to follow his heart into
Architecture, in the end he'd gone into Business. Wether it was from a deep-seated knowledge that
his father would someday try the same his mother had, and he'd rather be prepared, or because he
missed Prapai...he wasn't sure. Probably a bit of both.

His education sorted out, he still felt something was missing from his life. Something that didn't
follow the norm. He didn't know what it was - or refused to accept what it really was -, but one day
he was approached at a cafe by someone who introduced himself as an agent for actors and
models. Gun, the suave man with the irritating voice had put him off, but the prospect of doing
something different pulled him in.
He was surprised he'd taken to modeling, and by the time he and his manager had parted due to
creative differences, he'd met enough people in the business to get further ahead.

-0-

"I'm running a bit late" he heard Phayu grumble through the phone. One of his engines must've
been giving him issues.
"No problem" Prapai mused "the mall's pretty empty today, I can take my time looking around for
presents".

They hung up and he explored around the stores, waiting for something to catch his eye. An easy
task, since this was his first time in Thailand in over a year, his work at the the family's subsidiary
offices in New York keeping him too busy for a visit.
After the situation with Sky, Prapai had gone on something of a daring, self-destructive mood,
which had culminated in drag racing, and a shoulder injury. That's where he'd met Phayu and
Saifah, the mechanic twins in charge of all the bikes for one of the most powerful men in the Thai
circuit. He and Phayu had become best friends immediately, and Saifah felt like another brother to
him.
Once Prapai had refocused his need for near-death experiences into his need for competition, he'd
become unbeatable on the track, and they'd become a known trio in underground racing. Their
adventures had been interrupted by his need to travel to the US and start working, but he was
aching to race again.

Phayu also being an architect often made him think of Sky, and he had worked hard to avoid
asking his friend to dig around for an architect of that name. If Sky had wanted to find him, he
could've done so easily.

"Does she need another handbag?" he grabbed two expensive looking ones, trying to asses which
his mother would prefer, then set them down. He should ask his secretary, Namtan, who was wise
on all subjects. She probably had a running list of all the things his mom had casually mentioned
since her previous birthday.
Chuckling, he walked out of the store, only to freeze when he stepped into the next one, a high-end
fragrance shop. Images of Sky, all over one of the main selections. Sky, in a perfectly tailored suit,
looking like some movie star, staring back at him, as gorgeous as he remembered him. He felt the
blood thrum in his veins at the sight.

"P'Pai?" a voice broke the spell and he turned to find a very smiling Rain. He couldn't help smiling
back. The kid always reminded him of a happy chipmunk.
"Nong Rain, it's been a long time"

The younger man nodded animatedly and pointed at the fragrance display. "Amazing, isn't it?" he
said "He falls off the face of the Earth, and shows up a supermodel"

"Is Sky in Thailand?" he asked as calmly as he could, heart hammering a mile a minute.
"I saw him...las month?" Rain pondered "Just briefly, he's always busy, so no time to hang out"
"Hey, Rain. I'm meeting a friend for lunch, want to join us?"
"That would be cool!" the young man bounced. Yup, Rain would never change. Hopefully he
could get some answers out of him.

Half an hour and some appetizers later, he hadn't gotten a lot of information, but he felt lighter.
Being this close to someone who had been in Sky's vicinity recently was uplifting.

"Pai" Phayu ambled in, and sat down without noticing at first there was someone else at the table,
then turned to see that poor Rain had frozen in awe, basking in his presence.
"Hello?" Phayu arched his eyebrow at him.
"You're p-P-P'Phayu!" Rain blurted out "I loved your work on the Floating District resort! It's one
of my favorite designs ever!"
"Architect, huh?" the mechanic nodded "I put a lot of effort on that project, thank you". Rain
blushed many shades or red, trying to dismiss it by turning to Prapai.
"You didn't tell me you knew P'Phayu, P'Pai!"
"I've just met you for the first time in years, Rain".
"Oh, that's right".

They spent about ten more minutes exchanging pleasantries, and Prapai quickly realized he was
becoming a third wheel.
"You know what?" he said, pulling up his phone and pretending he'd received a message "I forgot I
had to get some information on....a project" he nodded, and smiled as Phayu smirked at the white
lie. "I trust you guys can keep each other company?"

A beet red Rain nodded enthusiastically, Prapai gave Phayu an encouraging shoulder pat and went
on his way. He had some investigating to do.

-0-

Sky enjoyed the artistic aspects of modeling. The lights, colors, lines, textures. He could easily
think of ways architecture and fashion could meld.
What he hated, however, were social events. He made it a point to avoid as many as possible, but
the launch of a new fragrance line at one of the main malls in Bangkok had made it unavoidable.
He'd smiled and nodded, nodded and smiled, exchanged small talk, nursed a flute of champagne
for about an hour and was taking a much needed break, when he saw Prapai walk in. Fuck, but he
was still gorgeous. Had he ever seen him in a suit before? He hid a little further behind the plants
they'd set up as decor and watched.
Prapai seemed to be determined, he was looking for something...someone. SHIT. Was he looking
for him? Was he finally about to pay for running away?
He felt the uncomfortable coil of anxiety start to burn in his stomach.

He pulled out his phone and hastily typed a message to her agent, letting her know something in
the food had set his stomach off and he was leaving. He peeked out across the room, and saw her
face when she received it. The roll of her eyes, the hasty short reply, then she went back to talking.
He knew she hadn't bought the excuse, but would make excuses for him if needed.
"You owe me" her words dinged in his phone, and he chuckled.

Shoving his phone back in his pocket, he looked up to see Prapai's face recognize someone who
had walked up to him. If the guy could just turn around......Gun. Prapai knew Gun.

The men shook hands and smiled, they didn't look close, but did look to be on friendly terms. Fuck.

Sky waited a moment, until he knew for sure he could sneak out and vanished.

His phone rang as he made it to the ground lobby and started hailing a cab. Khun Joy, his father's
secretary sounded scared when he answered. Your father....hospital.

-0-

Prapai did his best to keep smiling. He'd dug around until he found where Sky's next social
appearance was going to be. He'd told himself he was not going to force it, but seeing his picture
had spurred his mind and there he was. Sky, on the other hand, seemed to be missing.

"Prapai" someone called him, and he turned to see Gun, a former classmate from his Master's days.
They hadn't ran in the same circles, but he remembered him well. He didn't like him, but he
plastered on his social smile nonetheless.

"Gun" he nodded.
"Didn't expect to see you at one of these events. Branching out your business?"
"Supporting an old friend, you?"
"I manage a couple of these models" he waved casually around the crowd, while pulling out a
business card and handing it over "And I'm always looking for new talent, have you considered the
catwalk?" he took a step away and appraised him. He really didn't like him.
"Too busy" he shrugged.
"Hold onto my card if you ever change your mind" Gun joked, but didn't walk away, he just stood
there and sipped from a glass tumbler. "He was one of mine, you know?" he nodded at one of Sky's
pictures on the wall. "The one that got away".
"I...what?"
"Sky. Sinfully beautiful. I discovered him in Paris. Got him his big break, but he was very
ungrateful...."

Prapai wondered if Gun's voice really was that sleazy, or if he did it on purpose, but the way he
said Sky's name irked him. He made an effort to loosen his grip on his wine glass, afraid he was
going to shatter it. "You....don't say"
"Look man, in this business you have to make sacrifices" Gun went on in a tone indicating he had
given this answer many times "And sometimes, you have to take jobs you don't like, ok? He didn't
appreciate my efforts to find him those opportunities" he added, absentmindedly rubbing the bridge
of his nose, which Prapai could tell from a lifetime of adventure, had been broken at least once. If
Sky had done that, he was proud of him "I broke no laws" Gun was quick to add "just gave him a
chance, and he threw it in my face. Pity, we could've gone places, not sure how he landed a job like
this".
"Impressive what hard work will get you" Prapai downed the rest of his drink in a gulp, set his
glass down on the tray of a passing waiter and walked away, knowing if he stayed any longer he
might loose his tempter further.

-0-

Sky walked into his father's office, and set down his backpack on the desk. No. His office now.
As a kid, he'd enjoyed exploring the building, then as his love for architecture grew, he'd learned to
appreciate the lines and the space. Now all he could see was a prison.

He had dreamt of building great things.

His father had worked himself into a heart attack while trying to salvage his company from a failed
deal that almost left him bankrupt. When Sky had visited him in hospital, his father had spoken of
duty. He had pushed all the right buttons, just as his mom had in the past.

He had dreamt of building things that would withstand the test of time.

Khun Joy walked in, bringing along coffee and a stack of files. She'd always been a friendly Auntie
to him - even if she was nosy at times -, and he was glad that if he had no other choice, at least he
had a friend there. "I thought you should start with these" she said, as she spread the files about his
desk "they will bring you up to date on the situation".

Sky nodded, hesitating a moment before sitting down on the chair his father had occupied for so
many years.

'I like buildings' he'd told Prapai years before. He had dreamt of more than that. He had dreamt of
building a home.

"Maybe this is all I get to have" he told the emptiness of his office, and set to work.
 Present Days - We meet again
Chapter Summary

Sky and Prapai meet again.

Chapter Notes

1. I couldn't find if Sky and Prapai have last names in the novel, so I just used the
actors' last names. If anyone knows what they are in the novel, let me know.
2. Also, I have no clue about the business world. When you most definitely see
something that makes no sense, my apologies.
3. I finally gave the fanfic a name, yay!
4. Tags updated!

Prapai hadn’t expected to become CEO of his family’s companies at 26, but his grandfather had
passed away and his father had had a moment of foresight. He decided to pass the reins on to
Prapai, and take the time to enjoy the fruits of his labor before he was too old to do so. Prapai had
been ready to step in, going through most of a year of adjustment, as his father’s business contacts
sized him up as his replacement. Some of his choices had bristled the older generations, others had
won them over, but overall after some expected setbacks, his trainsition into CEO status had gone
better than expected.

It was months before he’d even had time to stop and think of Sky and his renewed determination to
find him. The things that Gun had said had rubbed him the wrong way, and the worry about what
had caused Sky to leave in England in the first place had risen again. Something had gone wrong,
and he needed to have answers before he drove himself mad.

He wasn’t prepared for the fact that the next time he heard of Sky, it would be from within his own
world.

Namtan had brought him daily files to review and sign, waiting patiently as he went through them.
Then they spent time going over his calendar for the day, when his brother Plerng had walked in,
holding a stack of files, and unceremoniously ploped himself on one of the chairs across his desk.

Prapai and Namtan eyed him, without breaking in their review.

“And….that should cover things until lunch time” Namtan eventually said “Your afternoon is
pretty open”.

“Thank you” Prapai nodded, handing her the stack of signed files. He leaned back in his chair after
she’d left and waited for whatever woe had dragged his brother in.

It took an extra minute for his over-dramatic younger sibling to peek up, let out a sigh and
straighten up. “I’m angry” he said.
“I gathered as much, want to fill me in?”

“Can we buy out a company?” Plerng spread out the files he’d brought along.

“One or twenty, what is all this?” Prapai attempted to grab a file, just for Plerng to start messing
with them.

“Remember these?” his brother flipped the thickest of the files on top of the rest.

“Fabric samples?” Prapai ran his fingers over the textiles “I do, you showed them to me months
ago. They’re beautiful”.

“I want to buy the company that produces these”

“And….why?”

Plerng made frantic waving motions over the fabric samples. “Look at them! They’re gorgeous!
And the company managing them sucks. I can’t let craftsmanship like this go down the drain”.

Prapai couldn’t help smiling. His brother was an artist at heart, who had taken up a jewelry
apprenticeship in high school and had never looked back, eventually branching out into textiles and
decor. Prapai had even commissioned a few lapel pins from him for his extensive collection.

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but some parts of the craft industry are known for less than
stellar management. Why this company in particular?”

Plerng leveled a glare at him. “You’re a heathen” he took a deep breath and spent the better part of
an hour giving him a lecture on traditional textiles, styles, dyes, and provinces. He went through all
the files he’d brought along, sending papers flying everywhere.

“Ok ok ok” Prapai finally raised his hands in defeat, attempting to corral the growing piles. “I will
look into it”

Plerng gave him a disbelieving look and huffed. “The thing is…..”

Oh no….

“I already sent a proposal” his brother sat primly back down “I’m awaiting a response”.

Prapai sighed. “And you thought of telling me all this after the fact, because?”

“If they turn me down, I’d like to meet them, they might be swayed by your angry face”.

“Riiight” he chuckled, gathering the files “Leave these with me, I’ll read them so I’m ready”.

“I knew I could count on you, P’Pai” his brother smiled “Sky Chajinda will never know what hit
him”.

Prapai had been in the process of moving the files onto the coffee table when he heard the name
and dropped them, paper flying everywhere.

“Hey!” Plerng yelled, diving to pick them up “It took time to put these together”.

“What was the name you said?” Prapai ignored him.

“Sky Chajinda” Plerng shrugged “That’s the owner of the company”.

“Have you met with him?”

“No” Plerng got up off the floor, files in hand and set them on the coffee table “Not looking
forward to really, no one who mistreats their workers deserves the attention” he took a step back at
Prapai’s expression “Whoa, P’Pai, you have your angry face on already, I like that. I’ll keep you
posted!”.

Prapai stood frozen for a moment after Plerng had waltzed out of the office. Then he dove into the
pile of files, pulling up the one with the company information.

Sky Chajida, CEO

Based on publicly-available records, there was a heap of work violations in the last three years,
then things seemed to improve earlier that year, and now, a recent rise in violations again.

“There is no way Sky would allow this” Prapai leafed through the file over and over again “The
man I loved would never mistreat people this way”. What the fuck had happened to Sky?

Sky was ready to start pulling his hair out. It had taken countless sleepless nights for his family’s
textile business to start making a profit again after all the damage his father had caused.

He thought he’d finally managed to turn a corner and maybe, just maybe, he was going to be able
to take a break. And then the trouble had started anew. Unfulfilled orders, accidents, worker
complaints. His floor manager was refusing to talk to him and now there was a kid trying to buy the
company.

He’d turned the offer down, which had turned into another, which had turned into a meeting
request. He’d accepted just so he could look at the kid, tell him to fuck off and put an end to it so he
could concentrate on finding a solution.

“I’ve left your afternoon open” Khun Joy was filling him in while he sat in the conference room
awaiting the aforementioned kid and his people “and here’s the updated information on the meet,
sorry for the last minute, they’ve only just faxed it over”. She excused herself and left him to his
thoughts.

Sky picked up the paper and skimmed over it, it seemed more people had been added to this
already convoluted joke. He stopped as he re-read the names under the company heading. ”Plerng
Sengngai” he sounded it out. Had he read the kid’s proper full name before today, or had he
allowed his bad mood to ignore it? “Sengngai” he repeated, scanning the participant list in a panic
until he found it. “Prapai Sengngai, CEO”

No, no, no, no, no….

Prapai owned the kid’s company. Brothers, he imagined. He was coming to try and buy his
company. He felt his heart start to race and he stood up, pacing around the room, trying to calm
down. When that didn’t help, he loosened his tie and tossed it on the sideboard, opened the
window and attempted to take a deep breath.

Prapai was going to come through that door in - he checked - five minutes. The man he had walked
out on without an explanation years before, was the CEO of the company trying to take over his.
Was he doing it out of hatred for him? Was this revenge?

Don’t be stupid, no one would care about you enough to destroy your business, he berated himself.

He stood by the window, imagining all possible scenarios, all more dramatic than the last, until he
heard voices coming down the hall. He took a last deep breath, closed the window and attempted
to look as professional as he could.

Khun Joy opened the door and the first person in was, he supposed, the annoying kid who’d started
the whole drama. He steeled himself, watching Prapai walk in, resplendent in a dark red suit. Their
eyes locked and he had to tamp down the urge to go to him, because his body remembered him
well. He saw the recognition in his eyes, as he looked back at him.

I remember what you taste like. Sky's mind attempted to sabotage him with memories of England.
Are you here to destroy everything I’ve worked for? Must I destroy you instead?

“Khun Sky” his secretary broke into his thoughts as she moved to introduce everybody “Khun
Prapai and Khun Plerng Sengngai, and his secretary, Khun Namtan”.

“Well, you don’t look like a dried-out old prune of a bastard” Plerng smirked as he offered him a
wai.

"Good to know” Sky smirked back. Maybe if they hadn’t been at opposite ends of a business deal
they might’ve gotten along.

“Khun Sky” Prapai held out his hand and Sky hesitated for a second, worried what would happen
if they touched. Would he combust?

“Khun Prapai” he offered him a wai instead, followed by a quick acknowledgment of their
secretary.

They took their seats and as Khun Joy spread out their printouts for their meet, all he could think
was that Prapai was as devastatingly handsome as ever. Handsome….and angry.

The meeting was not going as expected, Prapai mused as he watched Sky go through the papers
they’d presented.

Sky and his secretary had been very pleasant so far, and it was clear to him that the purpose of the
meeting was originally going to be a final 'No, leave us alone' from the textile company. He’d
come along in part to support his brother in whatever the deal ended up turning into, in part to see
Sky again, in part to find out what the heck was going on.

The research he’d done had filled him in on the fact that Sky’s father had owned the company until
around a year before, very much around the time he himself had become CEO. The original work
violations in his brother’s research had occurred before Sky had taken over, and the improvements
seemed to have happened under his tenure. Why had it reverted?

“Where did you get these?” Sky asked looking at a stack of invoices his younger brother had dug
up.
“I have my ways” Plerng smiled, smugly.

Sky side-eyed him and went back to perusing. “Your ways sound a little less than legal, Khun
Plerng, I don’t think w——” he stopped, frozen and it was Prapai’s memory of his expressions that
told him whatever he’d found was worse than he’d expected. He composed himself as quickly as
he could, and looked up at them. “Are these copies? May I keep them?”

“Sure, Phi” Plerng shrugged, and Sky chuckled.

“Gentlemen, I cannot give you an answer now” Sky went on, grabbing his cellphone off the table
and shoving it in his pocket “Something has come up and I need to address it as soon as possible,
Khun Joy can help you arrange any further meetings, and give you my contact information” he
nodded once at them and was gone from the room before anyone had a chance to speak up.

“Well that was odd” Plerng whistled, turning Khun Joy “Is he always such a rain of sunshine?”

The secretary laughed nervously. “Khun Sky is wonderful, much better than his father” she added,
catching their attention.

“Oh, really, what was he like?” Prapai leaned forward.

“Oh, it’s not my place to say” Khun Joy mused, eyes dancing “But he was always very rude to
everyone” she went on, happy to gossip “specially Khun Sky” she seemed to catch herself, and
stood up, leading them out of the room.

Prapai made sure he pocketed Sky’s business card from the pile of papers they’d gathered and as
soon as they made it back to their car, he asked Plerng to drive. He spent the entire way back to
their offices pondering what he’d seen. There was something wrong with Sky that he couldn’t quite
place, and he intended to find out. “We need to talk” he sent a one line message to Sky’s email.

Sky thundered into his father’s home, doing his best not to start screaming.

“Father!” he called from the door, waiting for his reply.

“Kitchen!”

Sky marched in and slammed the papers he’d taken from the meeting onto the counter without so
much as a hello. “What did you do?”

“Is that the way to address your father?” the man said, pulling on his glassed and looking at the
papers. He had aged considerably since his heart attack, but regardless of how grayer he looked, he
could still make him feel invisible. “Hmmmm….I had hoped you wouldn't notice"

"Wouldn't notice?!" Sky exhaled in shock "You're making deals behind my back, and THIS. That's
not my handwriting. You signed my name. MY NAME! Do you have any idea of the trouble both
the company and I could be in?”

Sky’s father sighed, took his glasses off and went to pour himself some water. “I had hopes when I
gave you the company” he said “I hoped you would bring it about. But you’re not aggressive
enough, you will continue to be a small business unless you make deals that—”
“Our suppliers have barely recovered from the deals you made that got you into this whole mess”
Sky countered “I can’t afford to overload the line with demands. It’s already causing accidents as it
is, and Khun——” he stopped to bury his face in his hands, as he remembered the manager “Khun
Patcha is dealing for you, isn’t he? that’s why he’s avoiding me”.

“Patcha knows the way the business should go” his father insisted “I hadn’t realized you’d be this
weak as a leader, I wouldn’t have given you the task otherwise”.

Sky sat on a barstool by the counter, too tired to fight. His phone dinged with a notification.

We need to talk from Prapai.

He typed a quick reply and sent it, then looked up at his father, who was regarding him with that
air of disappointment he always had.

“I will fix this mess” Sky said “I will fix it, then I’m out” he threatened and walked away.

Prapai was sitting in the dark of his family's living room, nursing a drink when Plerng flipped the
light on and flopped on the couch next to him.

"I did something" he said.

"Oh no...."

"Look, I got curious" Plerng smiled "That Sky dude didn't seem like such a monster, and his
secretary seemed to be interested in talking".

"Plerng........what did you do?" Prapai threatened.

"I ran into her at a cafe. Mere coincidence, I assure you" his brother gave him a look that meant
he'd probably stalked Sky's building until he found his chance "Very nice lady, loves to talk".

Prapai rubbed a hand over his face. "And?"

"It seems to be a family problem" Plerng went on, happy to relay what he'd learned.

If Sky had been nervous about seeing Prapai during the board meeting, it was nothing compared
with the knowledge that he’d be walking into his office in less than a minute. Alone. There was a
ringing in his ears as he stared at the door, waiting for the knock, waiting for the turn of the knob,
waiting for the second he would see him. He could feel the tell-tale signs of his anxiety rising, and
took a few deep breaths hoping he could push them away.

He must’ve missed the knock, because the door opened, snapping him out of his thoughts and
Khun Joy walked in, followed by Prapai.

Their eyes locked. “Khun Joy, hold all my calls, please” he asked, and didn't bother listening for a
reply.

Prapai stayed at the door after it closed, leaning against it for a moment, then walked up to his desk
and sat across from him.

The silence was deafening, neither one of them knowing how to break it. A simple “it’s been a
while” didn’t feel like it would do it justice, so they sat there for what felt like an eternity.
Eventually, Prapai shifted in his seat and sighed.

“I won’t ask for a full explanation” he said “That is yours to give if and when you feel safe and
ready for it. I just want to know…….if you’re ok”.

Sky felt something within him break, thoroughly unprepared for care instead of recrimination.
”I’m….I-I’m fine” he managed to babble before he had to stand up and walk away from the desk,
feeling his panic attack going for full boil. He couldn’t fall apart, not now.

Prapai wasn’t sure what he’d expected when he asked him if he was ok, but watching him stalk off
to a filing tower, yank a drawer open, and pretend to be distracted by its contents while he was very
visibly shaking, was not at the top of his list.

“Sky!” he ran up to him, but maintaining a safe enough distance to avoid startling him. “Sky, how
can I help?”

“You don’t have to” Sky muttered through gritted teeth, refusing to look at him.

“I WANT TO” Prapai said firmly.

“You don’t want to…” Sky had started and Prapai had just hugged him.

Sky was tense in his arms, but soon he could feel the familiar rub of his face against his chest as he
sought comfort, something he’d often unconsciously done. “You’re safe” he said, gently “You’re
safe”.

“I can’t” Sky whimpered.

“Shhhhh” Prapai petted his hair “I locked the door”.

Sky stilled and looked up at him. “What?”

“I thought we’d need to have a talk” Prapai smiled “So I locked the door. No one can bother you,
you’re saf—” he didn’t get to finish, as Sky launched himself deeper into his embrace and held
tight.

It was a cliché, Sky thought, that the only way he could describe the sensation of being embraced
by Prapai again, was that it felt like all the pieces of his life fell into place. But damn, if there was
any other way to put it. He had missed the comfort of his hugs, and his smell. He didn’t know how
long they stood like that, but eventually he maneuvered them to the couch in his office where he
continued to hold him. Prapai remained silent, giving him time, rubbing circles with his thumb on
his back, and he might’ve fallen asleep for a moment.

“I thought you would hate me” he said, at last. “I needed you to hate me”.

“Why would you want something thing like that?” Prapai chuckled.

Sky straightened up reluctantly, it was better to have this conversation face to face. “I disappeared,
I left everyone and everything without a word, I was a coward” he said “I hated myself for it, so it
was only right that you would all hate me too. Why wouldn’t you hate me?”.

Prapai pulled his arm around his shoulders and drew him close. “I will be honest with you, I was
angry for a while, made some stupid choices. But I eventually realized you plan everything in your
life, so whatever happened to make you run had to have been terrible. Then all I felt was
worry….and disappointed that you hadn’t trusted in me”

Sky pulled away, looking guilty. “I couldn’t”

“Why not?”

“Because it was my problem, my family, my responsibility” Sky answered.

“I could’ve tried”

“It was my responsibility” Sky insisted, giving him that exasperated look he used to when Prapai
was being obnoxious. Damn, but he’d missed it.

Prapai grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him a little. “I know you’re capable of solving your
problems” he said “That’s not the point. I could’ve supported you at least. Helped the problems be
less of a burden, what kind of a boyfriend would I be if I didn’t at least try?”

Sky glared at him, full of that sass Prapai had fallen for. “We were not boyfriends” he huffed.

Prapai laughed and leaned forward, until they were nose to nose. “Can you honestly tell me you
didn’t realize we were dating back then?”

Sky’s breath caught at the closeness, as memories he’d pushed aside for years worked their way
back to the surface. “Silly” he said, cupped Prapai’s face in his hands and kissed him.

Prapai’s shock lasted all but half a second, before he’d wrapped Sky back in his arms and deepened
the kiss. Within a few minutes they were lying, tangled on the too-small couch, hands exploring
everywhere.

“This is a bad idea” Sky said between kisses, but not really making an effort at stopping. His hands
were certainly in disagreement, the way they were digging into Prapai’s hips.

“Probably” Prapai agreed, busy, undoing the buttons of his shirt, while laving kisses on his neck.

“Khun Joy is wonderful, but she’s a gossip, even with a locked door” Sky went on, tossing Prapai’s
tie aside “We probably should stop”

“Good idea” Prapai nodded, finally getting enough buttons undone, that he could part his shirt,
then locked his lips onto Sky’s nipple. The moan it elicited from him was so loud, they both
stopped and unanimously looked at the door, acting like two horny teenagers afraid of being
caught in the act.

“Dammit” Sky exhaled, while Prapai rested his face on his chest, snorting in laughter “I hate being
a responsible adult”.

They remained on the couch, holding each other as they let their heartbeat, and other body parts
calm down. Then they helped each other straighten their clothes back on, and unsuccessfully
attempted to make their hair look like they hadn’t been rolling around.
“We still have to talk” Prapai said as Sky redid the knot on his tie “Not just about the deal”.

“I know” Sky nodded. He grabbed a sticky note from his desk and scribbled on his address,
handing it back to him.

Prapai held the folded piece of paper between his fingers for a moment, tapping it against his lips,
then sliding it into his top pocket. “I’ll bring food” he said, both knowing that while talking and
maybe even sharing a meal would happen when he showed up, their mind would really be on
something else.

“Mmmm” Sky nodded, absentmindedly.

Prapai leaned forward, touching his forehead to his. “Next time I hold you, I will enjoy my time
slowly taking you apart” he whispered. The promise in his voice made Sky whimper a little, but
instead of answering with words, he ran his fingers through his hair and drew him down for a deep
kiss that almost landed them on the couch again. This time, the beep of the intercom on Sky’s desk
made them jump apart, and he really wouldn’t put it past his secretary to have done it on purpose.

After a hasty fixing of themselves, and a last stolen kiss, they managed to end their meeting.
 To infinity and beyond....
Chapter Summary

Our guys tell their secrets and start their lives together.

Chapter Notes

Thank you for the nice comments.

I wish I could make this story longer, but my brain has limitations these days and it's
been many years since I went full novel.
I hope you enjoy the last chapter of this snippet collection, it was a fun experience.

With their busy workload, they didn’t find the time to meet until the weekend. Prapai showed up
bearing food, and Sky found it endearing that he’d remembered his favorites.

Prapai found that the neatness he'd enjoyed in Sky’s university dorm had expanded into a larger
studio apartment. There were architectural prints on the walls, comfortable furniture. Everything
seemed to have a place, and he chuckled at the large dry erase board that took over most of a wall,
and which he used as a calendar. It was dotted with color coded magnets and Sky’s very precise
handwriting.

He was very tempted to grab a dry erase marker and start leaving notes, and was in fact in the
process of doing so, when Sky appeared next to him, eyes narrowed. “You didn’t change much, did
you?” the younger man mumbled.

“Can’t help myself” Prapai drew a smiley face on the spot for that day, set the marker down and
attempted to look innocent. “Hey, it’s Rain’s birthday coming up” he pointed at a date little over a
week away “He’s dating my best friend”.

“Didn’t know you guys stayed in touch”

“Not really” Prapai shrugged “Ran into him sometime last year, around the time I came back to
Thailand. Phayu happened to be there. Which reminds me….that’s the same day I found out you
were a model”.

“Ah yes, my wild days” Sky made a comedic eye-roll “I needed to do something out of the
ordinary, and it just happened”.

“You looked pretty hot doing it”

“Mmmmm…..” Sky gazed at him deep in thought, while he brought silverware to his coffee table
“Gun” he said, pointing a spoon at him “You know Gun. I saw you at the gala”.

“Gun?…..Oh, that guy” Prapai made a face.

Sky shook the spoon at him, urging him to go into details. “There isn’t much to tell, he was in one
of my Master’s classes back in England, you just never met him. He’s an asshole…….” it was his
turn to look at Sky in thought. “Gun…….what did he do?”

Sky set the spoon down and sat back against the couch. “He tried to convince me to exchange
sexual favors for high paying jobs” he put his hand up when he saw the anger flare in Prapai’s eyes
“I always turned him down. One day he actually brought someone to the office, thinking I’d
change my mind in the face of it and things didn't end well”.

“Please tell me you broke his nose”.

“Of course I broke his nose” Sky smirked, flexing his hand, which Prapai took in his “I also
reported him, and exposed him to all my industry contacts. I don’t know how much of a difference
I made, but I know he lost clients”.

“I’ll be more than glad to spread more rumors if it can help take him down for good” Prapai
offered, already making plans of his own.

“I never stopped” Sky smiled wolfishly.

“Cold blooded, I love that” Prapai gently tugged on Sky’s hand, until they were sitting so close,
any more would land them in each other’s lap. Prapai lifted Sky’s hand and kissed it, then nipped
at it, turning it so he could mouth at the pulse on his wrist, never breaking eye contact with him.
He saw Sky’s eyes turn darker, deeper, as the younger man moved to straddle him.

“Mmmmm” Sky hummed cupping Prapai’s face and kissing him. Unlike the frantic kiss in their
office, this one was slow, measured, Prapai’s hands roamed his back, while Sky’s threaded through
his hair, gently tugging. Their memories ebbed back, as they rediscovered how they’d enjoyed
touching each other, exploring to see what had changed since then.

Their dinner forgotten for the time being, Prapai got up from the couch, hauling Sky along with
him. A studio apartment meant there were few steps to take before they were tumbling in bed,
shirts were discarded and Prapai was at last able to give all his attention to Sky’s nipples, eliciting
the filthiest moans from him. He’d never claim to be a saint where it had involved one-night
stands, but no one had ever responded to him the way this man did, and it kept his blood at a
constant simmer.

He looked up at him smugly, letting the tip of his tongue draw a circle over one of the nubs,
enjoying the way Sky’s eyes seemed to go even darker.

“Hurry” Sky whispered in a haze and he had to chuckle, because that hadn’t changed either.

“We’re not following a schedule today” Prapai nipped at his chin.

Sky retaliated by rolling them over and grinding against him, both moaning as the hard ridge of
their cocks met and demanded attention.

“I believe I promised to take my time” Prapai teased with a heated smile, as he rolled him again.

“Challenge accepted” Sky smiled back, hooking his arms around his neck and bringing him down
for another kiss.

Sky lounged in bed, feeling pleasantly sore in all the good places, utterly boneless and for the first
time in his life as if the dark cloud over his head had decided to take a break and let the Sun
through. Next to him, a softly snoring Prapai held onto his hand, refusing to loose contact even in
sleep. He loosened his grasp so he could turn and cuddle up to him, enjoying the warmth. Prapai
mumbled in his sleep and wrapped his arm around him, pulling him closer.

They remained like that for another hour until Sky’s stomach chose to remind him they’d skipped
dinner.

Prapai chuckled. “I heard that”.

“Mmm, comfy” Sky nuzzled closer, only to be interrupted by another growl “Dammit”

Prapai laughed and disengaged from their embrace so he could stretch and find his pants. Sky
followed suit, pulling his shirt back on, which made Prapai pout like a sad puppy.

“You’re obsessed” Sky joked, padding to the kitchen, grabbing the bags of food along the way.

“Can you blame me?” Prapai followed, kissing his shoulder as he helped empty food bags into
bowls. “Also, bold of you to assume a shirt could stop me”.

Sky spent a few minutes arguing with his microwave in order to reheat their food, then noticed
Prapai looking a bit sheepish. “Is everything ok?”

“Full disclosure” Prapai smiled “My brother ran into your secretary”

Sky narrowed his eyes at him. “Why do I feel this is another of his ‘ways’?”

“I love him, but he’s an evil mastermind” Prapai shrugged “And….your secretary-”

“Is a hopeless gossip” Sky completed. They carried their bowls to the coffee table and sat down on
the carpet. “So. I guess you know some of it”.

“Bits and pieces, but I’d rather hear it from you”.

“Mmmm…..” Sky nodded, and they ate in silence while he gathered his thoughts. “My parents
loved each other very much. I was their one failure” he eventually said “I came along, split them
up, and as punishment, I have to do whatever they say to atone”.

Prapai leaned back against the couch and studied him. “You don’t believe that”.

“Not my choice wether I do or not” Sky plopped a dumpling in his mouth, and shrugged, not
meeting his eyes “They do, and make sure to remind me whenever they have a chance. That’s why
we didn’t date, back then. It was just a matter of time before I had to drop everything and comply,
and you didn’t deserve that”.

“I would’ve liked the choice”

“I couldn’t do that to someone I lo…..cared about” Sky insisted, pretending to be deeply interested
in his bowl of rice.

Prapai watched him eat for a couple minutes, trying to decide his next move while keeping his
heart from leaping out of his chest at the fact that Sky had almost told him he loved him.

Fuck it, fortune favors the bold.

“Well, I’m here now” he started “I might not have known all the details before, and I’m sure there
are things I’m missing, but I’ll be damned if I let the man I love suffer if I can help him avoid it”.
Sky choked on the sip of water he’d just taken and it was almost a full minute of coughing before
he managed to look at him in shock.

“You can’t just say that!”

“Why not? I want you to know where I stand” Prapai crossed his arms and stared him down.

Sky merely stared back at him, unsure of what to say. He tried in vain to articulate words while his
hands flailed around. ”Look” Prapai held onto his hands “I love you, and I know deep down you
feel something for me too, you’re just not there yet. And I’m not going to rush you”.

“What if I’m never ready?” Sky asked with a playful defiant look.

“I’ll keep loving you nonetheless” Prapai promised, kissing one of his hands, then the other.

Sky looked at him fondly, rubbing his thumb over his hand, then pulled away to start gathering
empty dishes.

“Now…..about the deal” Prapai changed the conversation, helping him carry dishes to the kitchen
“What do you want to do?”

“I have no idea” Sky dumped the dishes in the sink and slumped in defeat “I love the company, but
not all the…..drama that has come along with it”.

“Do you want to keep it?” Prapai offered “I could take it off your hands if you wanted, or you
could dump it back on your father and just walk away to do something else. You wanted to build
things at some point, you could try that, you could model again if you wanted to”

Sky laughed in a self-deprecating manner. “I don’t think my father would agree with any of those
choices”.

“Not his choice, it’s your company” Prapai insisted “If you need someone to tell him to fuck off, I
can do it”

“He’s my father, I have a duty to him”

“He used you, babe” Prapai threw the endearment in there and was rewarded with a slight smile
from Sky “As far as I’m concerned, he has no right to make any demands of you”.

Sky looked away, not quite convinced. Prapai held him by the shoulders and forced him to turn in
his direction.

“I know I won’t be able to convince you with words that you deserve a happy life built on your
own choices, so I’m going to show you with actions. And one of those will be making sure neither
of your parents can hurt you again” he insisted “As for the company, it is yours to do what you
wish, I will help as much as I can until you decide what you want to do with it”.

Sky looked up at him, and while worry was still etched on his face, it didn’t seem to be as heavy.
“Alright” he nodded “I will accept the help. For now, I need a manager I can rely on”.

Prapai brightened. “I know just the right person for the job” he smiled broadly “And Sky, I want to
make another thing very clear, since we overlooked it back then. We ARE dating” he narrowed his
eyes at him, daring him to contradict him and Sky fell in love with the eager puppy look all over
again.
“I guess we are”.

Firing and replacing his father’s old manager turned out to be easier than he expected. Plerng had
said yes to the position before he’d even finished offering it, and while he often seemed like the
type of rich guy who’d rather lounge and be attended to, the young man had started turning things
around almost immediately. Sky had been right, they did get along, not to mention Plerng and
Khun Joy were the perfect gossip team.

It had taken less than a month before Sky’s father had started causing trouble, attempting to get the
company back trough the law. But by then, Sky and Prapai had already started working on a
merger that had put a stop to his father’s plans. He had not been happy. The man had stormed into
the office on more than one occasion, leveling insults at Sky and anyone helping him. Plerng had
informed Prapai of what had happened, and Prapai had gone to see him. Sky had no idea what they
spoke about, but his father had stopped his attacks, and while he’d been tempted to ask, he had a
feeling that it was better for his mental health if he didn’t know.

His father had shown up on the day the final merger paperwork was signed, saying that since he’d
started the company, he might as well see the end of it. Sky had allowed it in the name of closure,
and the old man had remained morose throughout the meeting, glaring at both him and Prapai from
time to time. Seated next to Sky, Prapai was a coiled nerve, ready to attack at the slightest
provocation, and Sky could’ve sworn he’d heard him growl once. He’d reached for his hand under
the table and they’d held on tightly, giving and receiving support.

They’d gone back to Sky’s apartment afterward, and they’d spent part of the evening holding each
other. Sky hadn’t realized how much he’d needed touch in his life, how much he’d needed his
touch in particular, and Prapai - possessive fool that he was - was elated that it was him that could
make Sky feel safe. Sky didn’t know how long he’d have to wait before his mother tried
something, but it somehow felt less of an ominous thought now.

Sky had been shocked by how fast Prapai’s family seemed to have adopted him. If he thought
Plerng was overly effusive in his affection, it was nothing compared to what both Pha - their
youngest sister - and their mother were like. He didn’t know how much Prapai had told his family
about his story, but they’d welcomed him with open arms, and he’d forever deny the fact that he’d
wept when he went back home at the end of the day. Prapai had been there to hold him. So that’s
what family was supposed to be?

It had taken some insistence, but Sky had accepted to move in with Prapai, who had promised he’d
bring along the giant wall board calendar.

Sky had taken his time setting it up in their new home, much to Prapai’s amusement.

“What is that?” he’d asked after Sky had drawn some squiggly lines on a specific section of the
board with permanent marker.

“Wind, code for you” Sky had said “I figured the man I love should have his own section in my
plans”.

Prapai wasn’t sure what the sound that came through his lips was, but the smug smile on Sky was
like a magnet for him. No one heard from them for the rest of the day, except for Plerng, who
received a text message with a picture of the wind symbol and a request for a lapel pin in that
shape.

As for Gun, Prapai had plotted many things, then when he found out Plerng had added his own
ideas to the pot. Pha had listened to it all and scoffed. “You guys are not blood thirsty enough”
she’d censured, and walked away her phone already to her ear.

No one understood social media like Pha, and by the time she was done with him, Gun had lost all
his clientele, his business had been audited and he’d been brought up on charges.

One of the most unexpected aspects of becoming a part of Prapai’s life again, was the rekindling of
his friendship with Rain. The couple had had lunch with Rain and Phayu more than once, and the
old friends had caught up as if the years hadn’t passed. They often ended up hanging together
when Phayu and Prapai had racing nights.

Sky had had A Moment the first time he’d seen Prapai in a racing outfit, and his boyfriend in turn
had enjoyed every single heated stare he’d sent his way.

Rain had patted Sky on the shoulder after their significant others had walked back to their bikes and
given him an understanding smile.

“Yep” Rain had nodded “That racing suit is something else, isn’t it? I remember the first time
Phayu wore one around me” he added with a faraway dreamy look.

“It’s…..” Sky started, then trailed off, watching Prapai swing his leg over the bike and grab his
helmet.

“I know” Rain sighed, gazing adoringly at Phayu.

Prapai had felt the heat off of Sky’s body through his clothes during the bike ride back home, felt
the way his arms clung tightly around him, the way they were just daring enough to incense him
without causing an accident. By the time they’d made it home, they were both on fire, and they’d
barely closed the door when Sky had pushed him against it and claimed him with a kiss. They
littered their clothes as they made their way through the house, landing on the couch, where Prapai
had decided he needed to taste Sky as soon as possible.

Sky was grateful for the thicker walls in their new apartment, as his boyfriend drew a litany of
moans out of him. He returned the favor in the shower, enjoying how the hot water and steam
made his boyfriend glisten. Prapai sat him down in bed afterwards, drying his hair with a fluffy
towel, and Sky felt the kind of warmth that had nothing to do with the heat between them. He’d
never imagined he would find someone who showed him the depth of care and devotion that
Prapai did, and while a part of him feared that it was all a dream, he was going to do his best to
push the fear out and embrace this life.

“What?” Prapai asked softly when he noticed Sky looking at him.

“I love you” Sky smiled.

Prapai smiled as if he’d been given the greatest gift, then tumbled both of them in bed.

Gentle cuddling gave way to a heavier make-out, growing into passion as they conveyed
everything they felt without words. Prapai sighed deeply once he’d slid into him, feeling the
overwhelming emotion of being home.

“P’Pai” Sky moaned underneath him “please…..I need…”.

“Mmmmm” Prapai hummed, kissing him deeply “I know” he kissed him again.
They let their bodies take over the conversation, skin against skin, speeding up, slowing down,
teasing each other out of their mind.

“Mine” Prapai growled in his ear amidst hard thrusts as they got closer to the end, one hand
holding himself steady, while the other jerked him off.

“Yes!” Sky’s fingers threaded in his hair, tugging almost painfully, but Prapai certainly wasn’t
complaining.

They came one after the other, then held close as they tried to let their breath and heartbeats relax.

“Yours” Prapai purred in between soft kisses.

“Yes” Sky exhaled happily.

There would be ups and downs in the future, new business ventures as Sky rediscovered his
passion for architecture, lows when his parents would again try to meddle with his life, only for his
new family to stand as a wall to protect him. Prapai experienced exhilarating moments as Sky
gained confidence in himself, and they started experimenting sharing the reins of their relationship
more and more.

A year later found them strolling through London hand in hand during a holiday. They’d visited
their old university, their favorite restaurants from their student years and done a whole slew of
touristy things more.

“We could get married here” Prapai suggested, when they’d seen a couple taking wedding shots in
a park. He’d been talking about marriage more and more, which amused Sky, who had already
picked a ring to propose to him.

“Perhaps” Sky smiled slyly as he sauntered off in the direction of an ice cream seller, leaving a
confused boyfriend behind.

“Perhaps?” Prapai called after him “Perh—wait, is that a yes? Sky? Babe? Skyyyy?” He jogged
after his boyfriend, eager for a reply.

THE END

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