#bird-inacage pens a fic

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

This is another instalment from my ‘missing scenes’ series - fleshing out things we never got to see or adding more context to those we did. I had vowed an absolute AGE ago to write a version of when Sky has a fever, as it’s still one of my favourite Prapaisky moments in the series. Who knew it would have taken me this long to churn this one out? But before we all truly move onto Love Sea, I am trying (albeit wishfully) to finish as many of my drafts from the LITA era. 'Why do you stay?' was a sentiment I imagined both Sky and Prapai thinking at this particular point in their relationship.

Summary:

The reality is Sky had stretched himself so thin, he had literally collapsed from exhaustion. To Prapai this spoke of a concerning level of self-neglect that he couldn't stand by passively and just watch. He vividly envisions Sky's eyes filled with astonished relief, shiny with pained and fearful tears. Sky looked so vulnerable, so gut-wrenchingly helpless that his heart had suspended in his chest. He seemed to have been holding his own breath, praying for Sky's sake that he would shortly rouse from whatever was chasing him.

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

The premise for this story devolved from a snowballing prompt of epic proportions courtesy of the Prapaisky discord, which started simply as a discussion around all the many ways poor Prapai and Sky would be walked in on whilst attempting to have sex. I thoroughly enjoyed writing this one, the dialogue was a tonne of fun to write. This is just some wholesome, light-hearted, humorous goodness for you all to enjoy. (There was in fact a much more convoluted plot to this, but I can't for the life of me write sexy scenes very well so I'll spare you all). Enjoy my friends!

Summary:

Sky lets out a startled yelp, burying his face into Prapai’s chest, a palpable heat radiating from his cheeks. Their position is incredibly compromising, and he literally cannot move as it would mean exposing Sky completely. Sky’s cheeks are severely reddened with embarrassment, and he can’t tell if Sky is staring daggers at him with such intensity in an attempt to hold back from crying or from sheer undiluted anger. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I honestly didn’t think anyone was home-” Sky shakes his head once, indignant, before hissing under his voice, “Get out of me first!”

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted a new Prapaisky fic. This was inspired by the following post, courtesy of @apathetic-tortoise:

Prapai, drunk: HAS ANYONE SEEN MY HUSBAND?! Bartender: What does he look like? Prapai, bursting into tears: BEAUTIFUL!!!

So obviously I had to write a fic around this.

Summary:

Prapai sucks in a breath, thrown by the intense heat behind his eyes. Funnily enough, he didn't feel the threat of tears when they shared their vows, or when Sky’s father took him aside to hug him close, or even when Payu had given his speech with a few choice but heartfelt words. Now that he finds himself alone for the first time that day, he feels that telltale, distinctive wet lump begin to take form in his throat.

Desperate, he finds himself asking aloud to no one in particular, “Has anyone seen my husband?!”

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

Thank you to anyone who is still reading my writing or hoping I would post something new. I know it’s been a very long dry spell since I last published. This year has been insanely busy in my personal life, so I greatly appreciate anyone who continues to enjoy what I post. My aim is to try and get a load of WIPs and drafts finally finished. I hope you enjoy!

Summary:

A sudden pang of heartache hits him with startling intensity. It’s the first time since they moved into their own place that he truly feels Sky’s absence, a weight of which has traces in every inch and fibre of this place. Before Sky came along, Prapai had never struggled with loneliness. This time he could hear the emptiness calling. Like every room was quietly beckoning for Sky’s return. As was Prapai himself.

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

This fic came as a collaboration with Eli, @chocolatecakeandbl also known as @LoveAndAir (Lanwangjisnights), who came up with the outline for this story and was very generous in giving me free reign to flesh this out. It was somewhat cathartic after all this time to come back to the night Prapai and Sky first met and dissect what I thought may be going through his mind after that fateful first encounter.

Summary:

This is bad, he thinks. Should he be worried? Once or twice is a fluke. Third time's a pattern. His mind inevitably lingers on the one night he can’t get out of his head. The night that keeps inadvertently popping back into his thoughts. Was that night really so incredible that he now had problems sleeping with anyone else? Was no one ever going to satisfy him again? The boy’s eyes flash across his mind again. Something so sad in them that made him feel bad. For just a moment.

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

I promised I would try to get a load of these out. So here’s another Prapaisky fic from me! Something fluffy, humorous and domestic with a touch of weighty undertones. This is my attempt to convey a 'soft conflict', where two people are still negotiating a middle ground. I hope you enjoy!

Summary:

“What would your Dad say if something happened to you on my watch? He would kill me.” Changing a light bulb was hardly perilous. He wasn't entirely sure if Prapai's concern was coloured by domestic ineptitude, an unsubstantiated belief that the home was a minefield of accidents waiting to happen. Sky’s about to protest when Prapai says, "You’re making an awful habit of scaring me... My nerves aren’t made of steel you know.”

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

This is another 'missing' scene I have attempted to flesh out from canon. I've always wondered how Prapai must have felt when he first discovered Sky's notebook and read it. The precursor to the notebook confrontation in Episode 12. I don't think I can even begin to scratch the surface of where Prapai's mind must have been, but this is an attempt to explore just that.

I hope you enjoy!

Summary:

He immediately stiffens and slaps the cover shut. This is a bad idea. Why on earth would Sky write this? What even is 'this'? Footnotes on him? A guide to Prapai 101? He takes a step back, hands on his hips as he tries to wrangle with the confused bundle of anger rattling him from the inside out. The things that Sky said to him over the phone had clearly shaken him more than he’d given credit for. As much as he vehemently refuses to believe that Sky would ever truly mean those things, it doesn’t stop the words from hurting. So this is all you have to say about me? This is all there is to Prapai?

A/N: This is the expression I was keeping in my mind whilst I wrote this.

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

Here’s another Prapaisky vignette instalment, in which Sky starts therapy. I hope you all enjoy!

Summary:

It had taken a while before Sky was able to consider the idea of speaking to someone. Someone professional that is. Even though Prapai fully understood that this was an incredibly important and necessary step in helping Sky heal, he was immensely conflicted by what came along with it. He had come to terms with the fact that there would be some things that Sky could never share with him or disclose the full extent of, because he didn’t want Prapai to know. All in a bid to spare him from any further heartache.

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

This is a sequel to 'An Acute Weakness', though you don't strictly need to have read that first. Something fluffy and light-hearted. Sky awakens after a night of drunken antics to finds himself wearing a ring. Cue poor, confused, hungover Sky who tries to make sense of it all.

I hope you enjoy!

Summary:

Sky feels like he’s been hit by a truck, or struck by lightning. He feels like he might throw up. He’s wearing a ring. A ring. Sky stares at that little silver band, something all too eagerly jumping in the pit of his stomach, fighting to break free. His whole body feels ready to run a million miles, and yet he doesn’t really understand why. Is it really this easy? You wake up one morning with a ring on your hand, and it’s a done deal? That’s not how it works, is it?

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

This is another entry in my 'missing' scenes series. I've spoken before on how I wish the aftermath of the condo incident had been addressed in more detail, particularly it's impact on Rain. One of the conversations I instantly pictured is a heart-to-heart between Rain and Prapai, shortly after the events in episode 13. Their dynamic is one I've always found super interesting to explore, because they don't always see eye-to-eye but are bound by their mutual love for Sky.

I hope you enjoy!

Summary:

If Prapai had come here with the purpose to chew him out, he would be completely deserving of such a reaction. It occurs to him that he and Prapai are both going through the same distressing sense of failure. They both feel like they’ve let Sky down. Rain wishes this wasn’t the circumstances in which they now share something in common, but recognises that if a united front was the only good thing to come out of this, then it was the most important calling they could have as one.

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted another Prapaisky fic. Life hath gotten in the way (sadly!) Sky is drunk, which makes him exponentially more affectionate, clingy and seductive than usual. Cue poor Prapai coping with an abundance of messy adorable. Hope you all enjoy this fun, fluffy, sweet goodness in time for Valentine’s Day. May the Prapaisky reign remain long and strong.

Summary:

Prapai curses under his breath. He’s not sure how much more of this he can take. It’s like Sky is on a one track mission to completely unravel him with the least amount of effort possible. And the crazy part is he’s not even conscious of it. The word ‘Darling’ has the same impact as a tranquiliser to the brain. He can’t help but feel slightly light-headed. That could also be due in part to being aggressively kissed only moments before. Unfiltered, uninhibited Sky is a whole different threat to his life altogether. (You really have reached new depths of pathetic Pai, you honestly deserve an award).

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

So if you like pure fluffy fluff, then here is something short and sweet for you all. A combination of the following prompts as suggested by  @wedielike & @akitbeast & K.T. on the Prapaisky Discord Server. Sky stretches like a cat in the mornings and Pai loves it. All long and lanky, legs falling over his. Pai just falls in love with Sky all over again every time he does it, curls into him for warmth. Sky just laying on top of Pai purring. He loves having Pai stroke his hair. [AND] Sky asking Pai to hold him.

Summary:

Prapai feels exponentially pathetic and happy in equal measure. If anyone had told him a year ago that he'd be head over heels, mind overcome with reverence, heart brimming in sheer delight whenever he watches a boy wake up next to him - he would have rolled his eyes and scoffed. But this isn't any boy. It’s Sky.

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

My, my, did this fic throw me for a loop. The sheer amount of tweaking and fussing that took place. But anyways, this is a character study/backstory centric on Sky, particularly how his relationship with Gun continues to have a ripple effect in his ongoing journey of healing. Jumps back and forth in time.

Summary:

His eyes glance down at the mosaic of bruises lining along his upper arm and down to the crook of his elbow. Something beautiful to be found in the footprints of someone else’s hand, branded by their very touch. To Sky it was a sign that he belonged to someone. Wounds of passion. Scars of love. But slowly, they began to sting. Force is not the evidence of intensity. Stronger doesn’t have to mean harder. Doesn’t always mean more. Sky is only beginning to wrap his mind around that. Love can be the lightest of imprints, the faintest of touches, sought to keep you whole.

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

So I’ve finally completed my latest Sky/Prapai fic, which turned out to be a bit of a beast. I’ve been working on this for about 3 weeks, just before the finale of LITA aired. If you enjoy deep dive character study, then this one is for you. I wanted to continue exploring the after-effects of post Episode 13 on both Sky and Prapai as individuals, as well as a couple. This is very much a fic centred around healing, self-doubt and importance of communication. I hope you enjoy, and do let me know if it’s any good!

Summary:

In some ways, things have been better than they’ve ever been. And yet in other ways, something feels increasingly amiss. The phantom ache of a fissure somewhere that may have healed far too prematurely before the stitches were fully removed. A hasty triage made out of necessity but not for cure. “Promise me you’ll let me watch over you too. Don’t shut me out. Don’t try to hold me at arm’s length in order to protect me. Don’t leave me behind, please?”

[bird-inacage]

Hello All,

So I’ve started a new Sky x Prapai fic series, which will be a collection of imagined (canon-compliant) in-between moments. The scenes we essentially didn’t see in the TV Show. If anyone has any suggestions of potential moments they’ve been curious to see written or explored, do let me know. I’m pondering what to write next in this series.

SERIES: Part 1 of How We Brave this Storm

Summary:

This first fic fills in some of those gaps from when Sky and Prapai leave the condo, after Sky's ambush in Episode 13.

The mangled knot of emotions inside him pull in all different directions. Shock. Guilt. Fury. Pain. Grief. Disbelief. Worry. He feels he could combust or implode. He also feels like he could completely fold over, sink to the ground and stay there, dazed and useless. When people talk about heartbreak, it sounds physical. Which in theory makes no sense when the term is commonly used in reference to an emotional response. But Prapai realises now, that it is physical. Because it hurts like hell. It hurts more than anything Prapai thought imaginable.

[bird-inacage]

LOVE IN THE AIR | Sky x Prapai Fanfiction

An Admission of Surrender

Summary: Here it is. I’m giving you all the power to hurt me. But you won’t hurt me, will you? Maybe that’s partially the reason he held onto those words for so long, because they are the final vestiges of safety he has remaining, before he’s completely given himself over, before he’s whole-heartedly and willingly surrendered himself up to be hurt all over again.

Details: Canon, based on TV series knowledge up to Ep11. No novel influence.

A/N: *NOW AVAILABLE ON MY AO3 ACCOUNT HERE* I will be continuing the post fics there. (I’d like to dedicate this to @shipsaremylifesource, @prapaiwife, @fortpeat and @moonchildridden, who have been the absolute most darling supporters, and just overall awesome, hysterical mutuals to be sharing the delirium of this pairing with. To my fellow members of the Insane & Deranged Prapaisky Victim Support Group/Comrade- in-Arms/Family).

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“Aren’t you going to say it back to me?”

Sky startles, notices the slight quirk in Prapai’s brow which is laced more with bemusement rather than any serious concern, before it dawns on him that he’s been silent for more than a few minutes. His heart feels skittish in his chest, so he dodges Prapai’s eyeline in an attempt to calm the tightening sensation in the pit of his stomach.

Prapai’s fingers are lightly massaging Sky’s hand. He waits a beat before nudging, “Did you hear what I said?”

He knows Sky heard what he said. He’s teasing. As per usual.

The first time Prapai said it, had been nearly a fortnight ago. Sky had proposed to bake a cake for his family dinner that week. He never liked to show up empty-handed, and though it was never anything fancy, Plerng and Phan had been all too keen (if not overly, slightly suspiciously so) on receipt of everything he had brought with him so far. He still hadn’t decided if the siblings were simply humouring him or there was some other joke at play that he was not privy to. Prapai had insisted on helping once Sky had made the suggestion. And as a matter of fact, he had been attempting to teach Prapai how to cook as of late.

As a responsible boyfriend, Sky felt it was only right to equip Prapai with a basic means of survival, which meant venturing beyond simply frying an egg or boiling a bowl of ramen without assistance. Prapai would just cheekily retort that he had Sky didn’t he? Sky was fully aware that Prapai was unlikely to ever be in a position where he would go hungry, with significant wealth to rest on eating out for the rest of his life, but still... It had been to Sky’s immense surprise, that the request had come from the man himself.

The downside unfortunately was that the kitchen always became a war zone when collaborative cuisine was attempted, despite Sky’s futile efforts to maintain order. He blamed Prapai, obviously, as his namesake came with a tornado-like aftermath as far as cooking was concerned. Whilst Sky had dubiously handed Prapai over the task of piping cream, a healthy smattering had somehow ended up on his face. Smiling, Sky had taken a kitchen towel to Prapai’s cheek, wishing he had seen for himself how cute Prapai must have been as a kid. All lop-sided, impish grins most probably. He could only entertain his imagination, based on the baby pictures Prapai’s mother had all too enthusiastically presented to Sky on his first visit.

It was only after a minute or two that Sky realised Prapai had been uncharacteristically quiet, and was about to chide him for not listening, when he turned to find Prapai watching him in a bit of a daze, clearly having done so for quite a while.

Sky felt that now familiar and sudden rush of heat to his chest whenever Prapai caught him off guard like that. Sky immediately swiped a hand across his cheek, “Do I have something on my face?”

Prapai had continued looking at him, eyes all soft and wandering and noticeably vacant as his gaze did an excruciatingly slow once-over across Sky’s face before finding his eyes.

Sky had shifted restlessly in his seat and instead turned towards the ingredients spread across the table, deflecting in an attempt to save himself from possible humiliation. “I can’t decide whether we should go for a berry jam or maybe something less sweet like a lemon curd? What do you think? Your Mom has less of a sweet tooth, so perhaps we could even do a bit of each?”

“I love you.”

Just like that.

It took Sky a moment - a few moments before he fully registered what Prapai had said. But to his astonishment, he hadn’t felt the cold fever of panic seize him in its grasp like it used to. Something had fluttered in his stomach, a nervousness of an altogether different kind.

As much as his mind had been going into overdrive, he would never doubt Prapai’s honesty. The man was a notoriously bad liar anyway. The reason Sky was dumbstruck was not the fact that Prapai was in love with him. He'd known that for a while now. But why Prapai had chosen to say it then, when Sky was certain he was powdered in billows of flour, hair still a bit mussed from their lie-in this morning, and fashioned in an old t-shirt and apron he’d thrown on as it had been laundry day.

Sky’s apparent flustering only made the grin on Prapai’s face even wider. But to the other man’s credit, he had not dwelled on the sudden declaration, which made Sky wonder if he had heard it at all. As if to test that theory, Prapai had proceeded to say it a few more times since, each delivered at an exceptionally mundane moment where Sky had not been anticipating it at all, and every time had without fail proceeded to send Sky into a small meltdown. Sky was beginning to suspect that Prapai was purposely trying to get that reaction from him, for it seemed to delight him no end.

“You’re ignoring me again.”

Prapai tugs the hand he has hostage up to his lips and presses against the raised line where Sky cut himself with a scalpel last week. The knot in Sky’s chest soothes a fraction.

Sky’s gaze quickly sweeps across the far end of the room, to the clock sitting on the dresser. “Don’t you have a meeting this morning?”

The attempt to change topic doesn’t elude Prapai, who now knows him far too well for comfort. Prapai rolls his eyes, which Sky immediately catches. He’s definitely rubbing off on the other man, and he doesn’t like it one bit when that attitude is directed at himself. Undeterred and still punchably smug, Prapai closes the distance between them by another inch or two. His eyes are bright, an ever present hint of mischief there, “I said I love you.”

And the confession bellies Sky once again. The utter sincerity of it. How Prapai manages to say this so easily, as if he were commenting on the weather or what he ate for dinner the night before, baffles Sky. It isn’t that Sky doubts his conviction. Not in the slightest. But mostly Sky’s brain is still stuck at The Why? The Why that has been festering in his gut ever since it dawned on him that Prapai wasn’t going anywhere. The Why every time Prapai stares into his eyes like there’s nothing else that exists on this earth but him alone. The Why when Sky considers that Prapai has the means to pick anyone he wants and for some demented reason (possibly due to some serious cognitive defect), has chosen him.

He doesn’t realise he’s said it out loud until he notices Prapai’s nose scrunch up slightly in that annoyingly endearing way.

“You’re asking me why I love you?” There’s an edge of admonishment in Prapai’s tone, like he’s genuinely a bit upset by the implication but quickly returns to his usual lilt of amusement, which grates because it usually means Prapai is about to make fun at his expense. “You want me to list all the reasons? Because I can if you want.”

Sky rolls onto his back and huffs.

Prapai simply follows, looming over him and takes a moment to search his face, before a smile tugs at the sides of his mouth, “I love how easily you get wound up and the way you tell me off. Because you’re usually right and I usually deserve it.” Sky shoots him a ‘oh you don’t say?’ face. “I love the really focused expression you get when you’re concentrating really hard. You’re always so engrossed in what you’re doing, you forget everything around you.” Prapai stares pointedly at Sky’s injured finger. “Sometimes even me,” which is delivered with an added pout.

“I love it when you get that ‘deer caught in highlights’ look in your eyes. Like you’re suddenly a kid again, lost and helpless and desperately searching for something - or someone”, which earns a small scoff. “It always reminds me of the night I first met you. I love the way you sneak glances at me when you think I’m not looking. It’s very sweet. It’s incredibly adorable actually. Haven’t I told you that you’re more than welcome to openly gawk at your stud of a boyfriend all you want? Why be so shy about it?”

Sky’s skin bristles with embarrassment, the telltale heat of a blush rising up his neck, and he flings a hand in Prapai’s general direction to try and halt the onslaught, “Stop.”

He hates how lovely it is when Prapai says things like this, and without any degree of hesitation. Hates how much it makes him squirm because it’s cheesy and sappy, and so bloody sentimental. But mostly he hates how much he likes it.

“I love how wickedly smart and quick you are. I love the dynamic you have with your friends, and watching you bicker with Rain. It’s welcome entertainment for both me and Payu actually. I love it when you take control, it’s extremely sexy. I love everything you cook...”

Sky’s eyes begin frantically searching around him, desperately wishing he had a dictionary or something substantially heavy within arm’s reach that he could use right now to knock his boyfriend out.

“I especially love the way you moan my name when you c—”

Sky’s eyes widen and he uses both hands to give Prapai a firm shove in the chest, “You have no shame!”

Prapai buries his face into Sky’s neck, hair fluffing in disarray as he laughs heartily into Sky’s collarbone, “Joke’s on you, you’re the one who fell for this shameless asshole”. The sound goes straight to Sky’s heart and he feels momentarily dazed, like he’s the one whose been clubbed on the back of the skull. Prapai re-emerges, rising only the few inches necessary to allow him to talk unheeded, but his weight atop Sky’s has them both breathing a little heavier than usual.

“I don’t know how else to explain it to you. I just love you. I love you fiercely, madly.” Prapai’s face is surprisingly earnest all of a sudden as he lightly combs Sky’s bangs away from his face, “You have absolutely no idea just how much.”

Sky feels himself go loose and pliant like he always does when Prapai stares at him like that, like he’s delving into the depths of Sky’s very soul and seeing him laid completely bare. His eyes dart between Prapai’s eyes and lips, lulled by the comforting thud thud of Prapai’s heartbeat. His hand is drawn to sit there, right in the centre of Prapai’s chest, where he can feel the steady thrum beneath his fingers. Warm, comforting and so very alive. Something in Prapai’s eyes turn molten, the thinly veiled desire behind them drawing Sky further and further away.

A shrill ring cuts through the fog like a knife, dousing them both alert, and Prapai let’s out a low groan. No doubt his secretary calling to chase. They both eye each other for another moment longingly before it is eventually Prapai who makes a move, swiftly planting a kiss on Sky’s forehead before plucking himself out of their shared embrace.

Sky registers the pang he feels at the loss of contact, the empty space that Prapai vacates in the very air around him. He sits up, perching his chin on his knees to watch Prapai fish for a clean shirt. Sky unconsciously dips his nose against the sleeves of the top he’s currently wearing - one of Prapai’s long-sleeved whites - and lightly inhales. It smells of Prapai of course, which eases the ache in Sky’s chest slightly. It’s why he began wearing Prapai’s clothes in the first place, because it’s comforting to feel close to him in this small way. But also he just likes how Prapai’s eyes twinkle when he notices Sky wearing his clothes, and how that makes him tingle all over.

He continues to follow Prapai’s movements, making no attempt to avert his eyes as he watches the rippled muscles along his boyfriend’s back disappear beneath cotton.

“You have a workshop this evening don’t you? I’ll drive by and pick you up afterwards. We can grab something to eat together—” Prapai stills when he meets Sky’s gaze, and his eyes go instantly soft. He offers a warning tut, “don’t do that.”

Sky is aware that he’s becoming increasingly reliant on Prapai, and that growing realisation is starting to seriously hurt his pride. So accustomed he was to being independent, he now feels handicapped by that fact. He distinctly remembers the first business trip Prapai had taken once they’d started dating, and the uneasiness that prospect had stirred within him at the thought of being left behind. Prapai’s eyes had been immediately apologetic when he told him the news, hand smoothing across Sky’s cheek in an attempt to soothe, “The shortest I could bargain for was three days.”

Sky had been mortified by just how humiliatingly needy he must seem for making Prapai feel bad for doing his job. He hated the idea of being the classic, desperate, clingy boyfriend, and so he’d plastered on the best carefree smile he could manage, “Seriously, three days is nothing. As if I haven’t spent a short lifetime living alone before I met you. You should be prioritising your work or your Dad will have a go at you again. Go for as long as you need to.”

Prapai had looked at him in a way that meant Sky had not convinced him in the slightest. “I’ll call every day okay? Multiple times a day. I promise.” He had then proceeded to kiss Sky all over, and nuzzle sulkily into his neck like a small, dejected animal. The irony was not lost on Sky that Prapai appeared to have taken it much worse than he did. Though he had to eventually admit that those three days had proved to be much, much harder than Sky had initially anticipated, and as soon as Prapai had returned, he didn’t detach himself from Sky’s side for a solid week.

That little knot of worry which persistently forms in his gut every time Prapai has to leave him (even briefly), is something he recognises akin to abandonment, which he knows is silly, ridiculous even, —paranoid definitely. He’ll be back Sky.

“Sweetheart?”

“Hmm?”

“You stop that, now.”

Sky blinks from his spiralling reverie, “Stop what?”

“That.”

Sky nibbles into his bottom lip, “What?”

Prapai leans down and levels his gaze, something disapproving flickering across his face, “That thing you do with your eyes. I can read each and every thought in your head.” Prapai’s hand reaches out to stroke the back of Sky’s head gently as he lowers his voice. “I’m not going anywhere, remember?”

Somehow Prapai knows. He always knows.

His phone rings again, incessant and demanding, and Sky can only imagine the exasperation on his poor secretary’s face. The same expression she’d made when she had walked in on them kissing across Prapai’s desk, which Sky can safely say was wholly Prapai’s fault. It had been his idea to drag Sky along to his office, and Sky should have known better that he was not going to behave, even when in a professional setting.

Prapai hisses audibly, eyebrows raised in displeasure, which Sky responds with a wry smile, “Go.”

Prapai never expects anything from Sky. He may tease, but he'll never truly push which Sky is endlessly grateful for. He’s all too happy to offer up his heart and serve it on a platter even if Sky doesn’t ask for it. The fact that Sky has not said it back to him yet has not appeared to phase him in the slightest. And that’s the part that makes Sky feel increasingly guilty. Prapai soothes and coaxes all his jagged concerns away without expecting anything in return, and is surprisingly patient even when Sky is unable to match his pace. Worse yet, the man seems perfectly content with that, and Sky knows he has ample reason not to be.

He wants to be able to do more. Give more. But Sky is self-aware enough to recognise that he’s still a bit broken, and though he may want to, his anxieties haven’t allowed it.

It’s whilst Prapai is collecting up his scattered belongings from around the bedroom, that an urge bubbles up inside Sky like a shapeless thing that begs to be released. It’s not like he hasn’t thought about those words. Thanks to Prapai, they’ve rolled around in his head an awful lot recently, but he hasn’t been able to find a means to command their influence.

Something twisted in Sky’s gut says; what if he walks out that door and something were to happen to him and you regret not saying it? What if something were to happen to you, and you regret that he never heard it? He’s not sure exactly what type of unhealthy scenarios his mind is conjuring up to terrorise him, but the fear is all too real. Sky is no stranger to the creeping suspicion that this is all far too good to be true, and he’ll wake up soon or Prapai will come to his senses. After everything Prapai has done for him, he deserves more. Sky wants Prapai to know that he cares about him and appreciates him just as much.

As Prapai locates his jacket and car keys, he shoots Sky another one of his reluctant-to-leave-you smiles as he finally retreats towards the door, clearly dragging his heels. “Get some more sleep okay? I’ll call you later.”

Sky knows he’s exceptionally partial to sentimentality whenever Prapai has to leave, and his anxieties converge on him to act without thinking. Sky stares at that handsome, warm, loving face and feels himself overcome with affection.

It takes him a moment before he realises the three words have slipped out without prompt. Quiet. Tentative, and quite frankly a bit fumbled. As if he had only been planning to test drive the words on his tongue. Not at all as assured in tone as the same three words Prapai said to him only moments ago. Something in Sky panics, feels frantic all of a sudden. He tries to reassure himself that this is the least that Prapai deserves, to hear Sky say it back and more importantly, Sky wants to. But as much as Sky hates to admit it, it’s not so much an admission as much as a plea.

Here it is. I’m giving you all the power to hurt me. But you won’t hurt me, will you? Sky already knows the answer to that question, but it still crosses his mind like a bad omen. Maybe that’s partially the reason he held onto those words for so long, because they are the final vestiges of safety he has remaining before he’s completely given himself over, before he’s whole-heartedly and willingly surrendered himself up to be hurt all over again (despite everything he’s been through and suffered, despite his deepest, darkest fears)... After this, Prapai will well and truly have everything he possibly has to give.

He just wishes he had sounded more confident when he did eventually say it. Now he’s worrying himself stupid that it may have come across uncertain or questioning, and the last thing he wants is for Prapai to think he’s doubtful about his feelings.

Sky spots Prapai’s hand clenched round the door frame, where he had swiftly stopped himself mid-exit. Sky immediately flushes, diving back into the duvet, suddenly acutely aware of what he’s possibly done, and the havoc he may have just caused.

“You should go now, you’re already late—”

The keys in Prapai’s pocket jingle as he takes three long strides back towards the bed. Prapai’s breath is hot against his face as he presses Sky bodily back into the sheets, but not before he gathers him absolutely flush against him, and kisses him desperately on the mouth. Sky’s coherence spreads paper thin as Prapai’s hand skirts beneath the fabric of his top and along his spine to pin him closer, whilst the other tilts his jaw up to meet his eagerly. Sky’s hands curl into the fabric of Prapai’s shirt, fingers occasionally wandering into the hair on the back of Prapai’s neck, as he allows the man to completely engulf him.

When Prapai releases him momentarily, his freshly laundered shirt is a crumpled mess beyond salvation. His smile is positively beaming - everything will be alright - that boyish charm creeping in which always makes Prapai look instantly younger and sweeter than usual.

“You really—”, and it irks Sky that it takes another attempt before he’s able to find his voice again, “You really have to go now—”

“Nnn mmn, one more,” before Prapai angles in to kiss him again, and the jackass takes his sweet time. Languid and probing, it sets Sky alight. They break apart briefly to breathe before Prapai impatiently leans into him again because he’s full of shit, and once is never just once.

Sky feels scattered and light-headed when Prapai draws back just enough to allow himself access to Sky’s throat, voice slightly husky against his pulse. “Say it again. Please.”

“I jsst—”

Sky vaguely considers if Prapai may be attempting murder if he doesn’t comply, because he’s struggling to draw air or even formulate one complete thought whilst Prapai continues to assault his lips. If they don’t stop soon, there’s not a chance in hell that Prapai’s going to make that meeting or work at all.

“Again,” Prapai demands but his eyes are achingly tender.

Sky is once again winded by the sheer elation in that gaze, that he cannot possibly bring himself to deny him. So he musters his courage, takes Prapai’s face in both hands, and despite the blush he can feel colouring his cheeks, he meets those eyes evenly and steels against the sheer pounding of his own heart.

“I love you.”

There. Better.

Something in Sky seems to fall into place then. Because all the fear and worry falls away and all that’s left is him.

Prapai’s eyes are brimming with reverence, pride and adoration.

“My Sky.”

The endearment would usually make him inwardly wince with embarrassment, because if there’s something Prapai has an innate talent for, is saying the most corny, toe-curling declarations of love without so much as batting an eyelid. But right now, Sky can’t resist that all encompassing love wring him utterly boneless, weightless, senseless...

You’re mine, it says, and Sky couldn’t be happier at the declaration.

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I hope whoever has the patience to read this, does enjoy!