Chapter Text
He was here again.
Sky lifted his eyes heavenward and prayed for patience. It did not seem to be forthcoming.
Alright, last-ditch effort. Spreading both hands, he did his best to summon a fuck to give. Come, come, come…
Still nothing.
Damn.
The fact Prapai was now tracking him down on campus was just ridiculous. Didn’t this man understand the words not interested?
“Sky, there you are.”
Sky levelled a look at Prapai that promised future pain, possibly mayhem. “Do not act like this is such a surprise. You damn stalker.”
Prapai did not look ashamed at his behavior. Instead he grinned at Sky like he was the best entertainment he’d had all day. That expression did nothing to warm Sky’s (admittedly black) heart.
“I wouldn’t have to show up like this if you’d, I don’t know, answer the phone?”
“By answering the phone I would give you the mistaken impression that I want to talk to you. I’m doing you a service by ignoring the call.”
“Ouch. Sky, I felt that to the bone.”
“And yet you’re still here.”
Prapai leaned in and murmured, “I just want to take you to dinner. Is that such a crime?”
Too close, too close, the man was too damn close. Sky put a hand on his chest and shoved Prapai back a foot so he wasn’t right in Sky’s shadow.
“Prapai. Let me be honest here since you don’t like to take hints.”
“I love honesty. Hit me.” Prapai had this expression like he was still amused but there was a light in his eyes that spoke of calculation. He was willing to hear Sky out but he wasn’t willing to back off.
Damn playboy. Sky still couldn’t dredge up either fucks or patience but he gave reasoning a go.
“Look. I don’t trust anyone plugged into the racing circuit.”
A frown twitched on Prapai’s face. “Why?”
“Because I’ve been burned very badly with you people. I like to think I’m smart enough to learn from my mistakes.” Just the memory of his ex made him nauseous, but he swallowed that back. Now wasn’t the time.
Prapai’s smile dropped off, replaced with a dark frown. He looked honestly pissed. “Who?”
“What do you mean, who?” What did that expression mean, exactly?
“Who hurt you? I want a name.”
The hell? Sky was bewildered now, not expecting this kind of response. “You say ‘name’ like you want an address and an estimate of his defenses.”
“I’ll take those too but let’s start with a name.”
Sky honestly had no idea what he was playing at. What, was he an Avenger? Did he think it was his job to go and defend Sky’s tarnished honor or something? Whatever he was up to, it didn’t matter. Sky wasn’t playing along.
Shaking his head, he waved this off. “Forget it. Just understand I don’t like race people, I don’t trust you, and I’m not taking another one for a boyfriend.”
“So you dated this human trash can and he hurt you,” Prapai murmured. “Alright. When you trust me a little more, I’ll get his name then. And handle him.”
The word ‘handle’ carried the intonation of whips, chains, and lye mixed into the blood. Maybe an iron maiden or two. It honestly sent a chill up Sky’s spine because he’d never, not once, seen this look in a man’s eyes. Not on his behalf. Prapai was absolutely willing to throw hands just then if Sky handed him a target.
What the hell. No, seriously, what the ever loving hell? Wasn’t Prapai just hoping for a repeat of their one night stand? That would make sense. The sex had been great, even Sky could admit that, but…what was this?
“You’re not sure if you can trust me, which is fair, we don’t know each other very well. But,” Prapai cocked a brow in challenge, “You trust Payu, don’t you?”
“Payu is the exception to the rule.” Sky stabbed a finger against his chest. “You’re part of the rule.”
“Can’t you let Payu vouch for me?” Prapai smiled charmingly. “We’re best friends, that should tell you something.”
“Yes, it tells me that even Payu can have lapses in judgement.”
“Ouch. You’re just brutal with me today.” Prapai tried stepping in again, moving in that way a man does when approaching someone he wants.
Sky put a hand flat on his chest and kept him at a distance. “No.”
“A chance. It’s all I’m asking for.”
This man did not understand the word no. Sky tried reasoning once more. “You have the looks and background you could choose anyone as a lover so why the hell are you fixated on me?”
“You’re smart enough to know the answer to that.” Prapai shrugged, that damn smile back on his face. “You’re the only one I want.”
It was Sky’s turn to lean in with a smile. His was saccharine sweet. “Bullshit.”
That hardness was back in Prapai’s eyes and he really did look like he was contemplating murder and mayhem on some level. “He really hurt you bad. At least, before you go, give me his name.”
“I don’t have to give you a damn thing. Now, I have three projects, too much homework, and not enough hours in the day. Bye, Prapai. Let’s stop meeting like this, shall we?”
Sky blew past him and speed walked away. He didn’t hear footsteps following him for once, which was a blessing, but did he think Prapai would give up?
No. Because his luck never ran that good.
Prapai watched Sky go, walking quickly across campus, and blew out a breath. That hadn’t gone as well as he’d hoped but about what he’d expected. At least Sky had finally told him why he was so resistant about dating him. He’d sensed there was something, some firm reason for the resolve, and it was good to hear why. All intel was to his benefit just then.
He'd done what he could for now and there were other things that needed to be taken care of. Prapai turned and walked back to the parking lot, heading for his car. He’d drop by the garage, check Payu’s progress on his bike, maybe see if Rain was anywhere nearby. With the right questions, Rain might be able to tell him what he needed to know.
He got into the sports car, revving it up once before taking to the road. He drove without really seeing the streets, still thinking hard. Anyone looking in on this situation would question why he was so doggedly fixated on Sky. Even he couldn’t quite explain it to himself. It was a gestalt of things, really. Sky was smart, and he liked intelligent men. He was loyal to a fault—despite being wary of the street racing crowd, he’d still taken Rain there and tried to safeguard him. His chemistry with Sky was off the charts. Prapai couldn’t forget their night together and honestly didn’t even want to try.
The idea of anyone deliberately hurting that man made Prapai murderous. Sky would never have deserved that kind of abuse. Just what had that bastard done, to make Sky so adamant to never date another racer again?
How to reach this man’s heart? How to convince him that Prapai could be trusted. He’d never hurt Sky. He’d never want to.
This called for research.
He reached the garage in short order and pulled up in front of one of the bays. Luck was with him, as Rain was in the waiting area of the office, laptop in front of him. Doing schoolwork, likely, but doing it here so he could catch a little time with his boyfriend. The lengths Rain went to in order to have time with Payu was frankly adorable.
Prapai was only a little envious.
Stepping inside, he gave Rain a smile. “Hard at work, I see.”
“Damn assignments pile up so much I can’t get ahead. Hi, P’ Prapai.” Rain waved a little. “P’Payu’s working on your bike, he said.”
“I hope so, I need it this weekend. You got a second?”
“Sure! What’s up?”
Rain was so artlessly innocent. Prapai felt a little bad about going to him but he needed answers and Sky wasn’t about to be forthcoming.
Dropping onto the couch next to him, Prapai started with a direct question. “I just saw Sky. He’s wary of the whole street racing crowd. He said his ex was the reason?”
Rain made a face. “Yeah. I don’t have details, he just won’t talk about it, but from what I gather his ex was a real bastard. He was sweet right up until he had Sky locked in and then he started being abusive. Sky got out of there but…damage was kind of done.”
Prapai’s hands twitched. He needed a weapon and a target right about now. The anger surging through his veins demanded it. “What’s his name?”
“Sky never would say. This all happened before I met Sky. I just saw the aftermath.”
Shit. So Rain didn’t know either.
Rain scooted an inch closer, eyes locked on Prapai’s face. “You really do like my friend, don’t you?”
“I do.” Prapai had no problem answering this forthrightly.
“Good. Sky, you know, he’s good at taking care of other people. He takes care of everyone. But no one takes care of him. That’s kinda lonely, I think.”
For all that Rain was an airhead most of the time he did have moments where he hit the nail square on the head. “I’d love to take care of him. I just don’t know how to convince him to relax his guard around me. Any ideas?”
“I’ll try talking to him. Um, other than that, I have no idea. Sky’s stubborn, he doesn’t shift stance easy.”
“Trust me, that I know.” Unfortunately all too well.
“Ooh, but if you want ideas of how to help him, I can do that.” Rain perked up, animated all over again. “So, first off, everyone hangs out at Sky’s dorm because he’s closest out of the group. It’s easier to do work there. But all that means is we wipe out his snacks and everyone’s bad about bringing more over. He’s a really lazy cook, too. Actually…have I ever seen him cook…?”
Prapai nodded encouragement. “So food is a good idea. What are his favorites? What’s his address?”
“Anything veggie heavy is what he usually orders. He doesn’t like spicy. Nothing super sweet either, like no pink milk.”
Prapai pulled his phone out and started taking notes. “Anything else?”
“Well…” Rain started rattling things off, pausing only long enough for Prapai to type it all in.
He assiduously wrote down every word. Rain really knew Sky well, even down to his favorite snacks. Prapai got Sky’s address too while he was at it. While this wasn’t precisely the information he’d been gunning for it was still helpful. Or he hoped it would be.
Payu entered, wiping off his hands as he came, taking them in with a quirked brow. “You two look cozy.”
Rain was up in a hot second, coming around the low coffee table to lean up against Payu’s side.
“I’m greasy,” Payu pointed out.
“Don’t care,” Rain riposted immediately.
Look at them. The adoration in their eyes was both mutual and jealousy-inducing. It made Prapai itch to lay hands on Sky and he couldn’t even do that yet. Dammit.
Payu dropped a kiss on the top of his head before turning his attention to Prapai. “What, you’re checking up on your bike? Or getting intel on your boy?”
“I can’t do both?”
“Figures. Well, your bike is fine. I’ll be done with tuning her up tomorrow. Your time with my boy is done. I’m taking him to dinner.”
Prapai waved them on. “I got what I needed. Thank you, Rain.”
“Good luck,” Rain offered with a bright smile.
“Thanks. At this rate, I’m going to need it.”
Alright. Let’s see if bringing food with him would at least get him past Sky’s door.