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English
Series:
Part 3 of Chasing Rain
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Published:
2023-03-04
Words:
2,307
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
29
Kudos:
545
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43
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7,083

Pay Me With Your Smile

Summary:

Rain just wants to discuss the repair fees for his car.

Payu thinks Rain has another kind of payment in mind.

(Episode 1: Payu tries to take Rain to bed.)

Notes:

First, thank you so much to everyone who has enjoyed this series, thank you for the kudos and comments, and for following it so far!

I have no excuse for taking so long to post this, it's been completed and gathering dust for over a month. Blame my ADHD, but rest assured that I still have oneshots for this series planned, and completely different works too, and that I don't intend to abandon any of it. It just might take me longer than I first assumed!

My whole idea for this began with my brain going “how can I fix Rain getting super offended at Payu’s Accusations of Thottery, while also admitting he thinks Payu is hot?”, which birthed this.

I’ve come to realise this whole series is me wanting them both to (gently) suffer. I make Payu suffer by having Rain react in unexpected ways, leading to Payu being the one to actively do the chasing. I make Rain suffer by making Payu entirely too smooth when he’s doing the chasing, leading to Rain nearly fucking dying screaming. Writing is so satisfying.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

Rain plucks absently at his borrowed t-shirt as he steps out of the bathroom, eyes wide in interest as he looks around. He slowly shuffles further into the room, spotting Payu lounging on the edge of the bed, effortlessly handsome in a simple black tank and grey fucking sweatpants.

‘How is it possible to be so unlucky, and so lucky, both at the same time?’

On the one hand, Rain’s luck lately has been pretty bad. He’s been alternately more spacey and more chaotic than usual, more prone to putting his foot in his mouth, and generally more disorganised. No amount of effort has made Ple interested in him as more than a friend, Sig and Por have been teasing him more lately, and even Sky seems to have a little less patience with him than usual. Adding car trouble to all of that, twice, in fact? Rain can’t help but feel dejected.

On the other hand, he knows he has a lot of reasons to feel lucky. He has his wonderful mother. Sky, although prickly, is still an amazing friend, and would be there for him in a heartbeat. Even Sig and Por’s teasing is friendly, and never malicious. He’s able to study architecture, and follow what makes him passionate. He has a car, which already makes him luckier than a lot of students.

And Payu has helped him twice now. Both times in the pouring rain, both times in a situation where Rain didn’t know what to do, or who he could call for help, and Payu has come to his rescue. Okay, Payu might not remember that he’s helped more than once, but Rain remembers, so it counts!

“Thank you for letting me use your bathroom.” Payu looks up from his phone, and Rain can’t ignore the way his heart skips a beat as those eyes settle on him, strangely intense despite Payu’s seemingly relaxed expression. Rain looks away, taking in the room again as an excuse to avoid Payu’s gaze, eyes tripping over the parts of the garage visible through the windows. “You should’ve told me your place was an auto shop, Phi. I wouldn’t have been reluctant to come with you, if you’d told me.”

“You didn’t ask.” Payu shrugs, raising his eyebrows. He relaxes further into his sprawl, and Rain can’t help the way his eyes catch on his thighs, his biceps, the cut of his jaw. Rain clears his throat, scrubbing the towel harder at his hair.

“So, didn’t you say we had to discuss the repair fees?”

Payu smiles, patting the mattress next to him invitingly. “Come here and sit first.”

Rain gives a tiny, involuntary twitch, the insane urge to sit directly in Payu’s lap washing over him. He gives a mental shake, and sits down on the mattress, like a normal person.

And nearly jumps out of his skin as Payu sidles closer, arm smoothly sliding around his back. He plucks at the towel. “Let Phi dry your hair.”

Rain nods hesitantly, letting him take the towel. Payu moves even closer, and starts gently drying Rain’s hair. Rain’s fingers twitch, his eyes fluttering shut as Payu leans in a little, speaking low and soft. “Tell me if I’m too rough.”

Rain nods wordlessly, relaxing into his touch. His head tips back, a pleased smile crossing his face. “Feels nice.”

He hears Payu give an amused little huff, his hands going still. “Want me to keep going?”

Rain turns his head, giving him a smile. “Will you, Phi?”

Payu nods, his nose scrunching a little as he smiles, and Rain has to stomp on the urge to boop him like one of the cats that hang out near his house. He turns away, letting Payu resume his drying.

He tries to focus on mentally listing the reasons why he shouldn’t curl up in Payu’s lap, demanding to be petted and fussed over, which is why he barely registers the towel falling to his shoulders, and Payu’s fingers gently petting the back of his neck, his hand gently coming to rest there in the most gentle hold. Rain’s head tilts agreeably, his mind drifting lazily as he relaxes even further.

He nearly takes a nosedive off the bed when Payu presses a kiss behind his jaw.

Rain startles back, his hand flying to cover the spot Payu kissed. “Phi! What the-”

Payu puts him on his back so smoothly and effortlessly that Rain only registers it happened when Payu is hovering over him, knees settled either side of his hips.

“Wait, what are you going to do, Phi?” He finds himself clutching Payu’s shoulders, staring up into his handsome face, heat creeping across his cheeks as he fights not to look away.

Payu raises his eyebrows, his lips twitching as if he’s fighting a smile. “We’re in the process of discussing the repair fee.”

He tries to lean in again, and Rain braces against him, keeping him from moving closer. “You’re gay, P’Payu?”

Payu really does smile at that. “Actually, I’m bi. Either way…” He leans down further, a teasing lilt to his voice. “You were the one who approached me, Rain.”

Rain gives a sulky little shove at Payu’s shoulders, unable to hold back a pout. “I didn’t!”

He gets in return a playful, almost chiding look, and he gives a little squirm. Payu tilts his head, teasing. “Suddenly, your radiator was leaking, and your car wouldn’t start. You wouldn’t let go of my hand. You also stared at me the whole night.”

Rain stills, fingers flexing against Payu’s warm skin, realising all of those things were true, but not the whole truth. “It’s true I looked at you, Phi… but it’s not like that!”

“Oh?” Payu smiles innocently, trying to lean in again. Rain digs his fingers in, keeping him from getting closer.

“You’re misunderstanding me, Phi!” He gives another little shove. “Get off.”

----

Payu sighs. He’d been beyond pleased when he realised how compatible he and Rain are, but either he was being more impatient than usual, or Rain was taking their little game a bit too far.

‘Or Rain doesn’t realise he’s been playing this entire time.’

Payu shakes his head. There’s no way Rain is that clueless, or they wouldn’t have even got this far in the first place.

“Stop playing hard to get. You’re the one who followed me here.”

Rain lets out a huff, lips set in an irritated pout. “My car really wouldn’t start! I didn’t want to let go of you, because I didn’t know what to do, and I was hoping you would, but you were going to leave!”

Payu stares in surprise, watching Rain’s eyes go wide and wet, his heart dropping into his stomach as Rain winds himself up, but doesn’t let any tears fall.

“It’s true that I stared at you, because I think you’re really handsome and cool, and you’ve already helped me once, even if you don’t remember, but I only came here with you because I needed your help!”

Hearing Rain actually admit that he’s interested hits Payu like a punch to the gut.

And then he does get hit. By a pillow.

Rain smacks him with it repeatedly, and Payu rolls off, half in surprise. Rain lunges up from the bed, throwing the pillow back down with a huff. Payu can’t help but stare up at him with what must be an uncharacteristically smitten look, watching him pout and huff, pointing rudely as he gets himself all worked up, this time in anger.

“Asshole! I wasn’t seducing you! Why are you like this? You’re so handsome, and seem to be so nice and helpful, and then you act like this!”

Rain turns from him, starting to stomp away.

“Where are you going?” Payu stands, equal parts worried and simply not wanting Rain to leave.

“Home! Why the hell should I want to stay with you?” Rain stops, turning to give him an angry look. Payu has to hold in a smile, because he looks like a disgruntled kitten, ruffled and indignant. Payu steps closer, barely managing to keep his hands to himself, and not ruffle Rain’s still damp hair.

“Rain, let me start by saying that I’m sorry I misunderstood your intentions.” Rain blinks at him, lips parting in surprise. Payu lets himself smile, cautiously stepping closer again. “I know you really needed my help, and I never would have just left you there, honestly.”

Payu was fully aware that Rain’s car really wouldn’t start, because he’d made sure of it. Only now, seeing Rain upset, hearing he’d been hoping Payu would help him again, but then being scared that Payu would leave him there… he felt guilty. What would have happened if he’d somehow missed Rain leaving? He’d seemed quite upset when Payu had come along. He’d thought it was an act, especially since Rain ended up clutching onto him, batting his eyelashes, pleading for Payu’s help before he could even offer it as he intended to in the first place.

“As for the rest? I already knew you think I’m handsome, because you told me before. When I changed your tyre.” Payu closes the remaining distance between them, standing practically toe-to-toe with Rain.

Rain blinks, his brows furrowing. “You… remember?” All the anger has drained from his expression, leaving him once again all doe eyes and pouting lips. Payu smiles.

“Of course.” He can’t help but slowly reach out a hand, giving Rain’s nose a tiny boop. “A cute boy, with the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen, offers to shield me from the rain, even if it means getting himself half soaked in the process? How could I forget?”

He watches Rain blush, unable to meet his eyes, and can’t hold back his fond smile. Rain fidgets, before giving him a nod. “Okay. I forgive you. And I’m sorry I hit you with a pillow.”

Payu laughs, nose scrunching happily. “It’s okay. I probably deserved that.” He knows damn well he deserves it, considering his sabotage of Rain’s car. And he’ll come clean about it, eventually, and let Rain pummel him with another pillow, if he wants to.

He reaches out, giving Rain’s arm the barest brush with his fingertips, the cute boy stuck staring at him again. “Please don’t leave now, the rain’s still coming down hard. I promise, I won’t do anything. Stay the night?”

Rain hesitates, eyeing him closely, but gives a slow nod. “Okay. But no funny business!”

Payu watches fondly as Rain clambers into his bed, curling up under the covers with a shiver, and a muttered complaint about being cold. He watches Rain’s face relax as he drifts off to sleep, thankful he hadn’t miscalculated badly enough to mess things up between them beyond repair.

He likes Rain far too much already, he doesn’t want to miss out on what could be, all because he assumed. As his own eyes get heavier, he wonders with amusement if Rain snores, or talks in his sleep. He hopes he gets plenty of chances to find out.

----

Rain wakes, cosy and comfortable. He feels a little weighed down in places, but pleasantly so, and he’s curled around something warm. He snuggles in further, arms tightening, and nose pressing in a little more firmly, breathing in deeply. All these things gift him with a delicious scent, a returning squeeze, and a low, husky chuckle.

He lets his eyes flutter open, realising he’s got his face pressed against Payu’s neck, huffing his scent and clinging to him, like a cross between a sniffer dog and a particularly determined sloth. Payu’s hand strokes gently up and down his back, and Rain practically purrs. He can’t find it in himself to be embarrassed, not after the rollercoaster of emotions the night before, and especially not after Payu was so sweet to him.

Payu thinks he’s cute.

Payu said he has a beautiful smile.

Rain resists the urge to squeal, barely, and instead sheepishly pulls his face away, so he’s no longer attempting to unconsciously merge with Payu. He looks up to meet Payu’s gaze.

Payu smiles, watching Rain with an entirely too warm look in his eyes. “Good morning, Rain.”

Rain squirms a little, having to fight not to look away. “Morning, Phi.”

Payu gives another little chuckle, smile widening. “Y’know, I wondered last night if you’d snore or talk in your sleep. It never occurred to me to wonder if you’d cuddle in your sleep, but I’m really glad you apparently do.”

Rain lets out a whine, giving a mortified little flail, and Payu laughs, arms tightening around him.

“Hey, don’t be embarrassed. Waking up to find you in my arms was a gift.”

Rain can’t help a quiet shriek, flailing more in the face of Payu flirting, of all things. Payu laughs, and tips Rain onto his back, hovering over him almost exactly like he did the night before. Rain stares up with wide eyes, as Payu smiles down at him, all ruffled hair and soft eyes.

“Rain. If you’ll let me, I’d like to treat you to breakfast. To apologise again for last night.”

Rain bites his lip, honestly pleased to have an excuse to stick around Payu longer. He gives a little nod, and blinks in surprise as Payu’s face settles into a mischievous smirk.

“Going back to our conversation last night, about the repair fee for your car...” Payu leans down, their noses nearly brushing, and Rain’s heart skips a beat. “If you hang around while I fix it, I’ll take some of those beautiful smiles of yours as payment.”

Rain completely fails at fighting a wide smile, even as his cheeks heat with a blush, but he can’t bring himself to care when Payu brushes their noses together gently, smiling right back at him.

Notes:

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