Work Text:
Rain knows something is up when he hears a key jiggling in the front door lock hours before anyone is supposed to be home. Sky had been reluctantly pulled away to Sig’s dorm to help with a last-minute project and Prapai and Phayu weren’t due home from work till later in the evening. Rain had elected to stay back in their house to catch up on assignments. He’s not a fan of being alone, but going to Sig’s dorm always ended up as more of a hangout than a work session.
The distant sound of the front door handle turning makes him wish he’d left with Sky instead.
Rain’s body briefly tenses at the thought of a stranger breaking in– a trauma response caused by the kidnapping fiasco he’d endured freshman year– but he manages to push through the initial panic by rationalizing that if somebody was breaking in, they probably wouldn’t be using the front door in broad daylight. Still, he stays alert, just in case, and listens closely to the door creaking open.
The sound of a heavy sigh and briefcase hitting the floor puts his mind at ease, but concern replaces the relief just as quickly. He knows that sigh. He’s heard it on long dark nights behind closed doors when Prapai thinks no one else is listening. It’s a sound he catches every so often when Prapai gets back in from an exhausting conference abroad, shoulders slumped and eyes heavy, right before putting that handsome smile back on his face and acting like nothing in the world could ever deter him. But they all know better. Rain knows better.
Rain has a pretty good inkling as to why Prapai is home early, but he’s willing it not to be true as he abandons his work on the table and makes his way to the front entrance. Prapai hadn’t been himself the last few days. Anyone outside their circle would never notice, but the four of them have been together long enough to pick up on the little things. Prapai had been quieter, a bit listless, but he’d waved away their concerns. Just a long day at work, he’d said. Long hours in bland meeting rooms with a bunch of old men talking about numbers and annual budgets and other equally boring things. Last night, he’d started clearing his throat into his fist, and they’d heard him sniffling just this morning before he’d left for work.
For all Prapai’s reassurances that they never have to hide anything from him, he’s just as guilty as the rest of them. Rain is hoping that it’s just a fluke and Prapai just got off work early.
When he hears a horrible wet cough being muffled into a suit sleeve, he knows his hopes have been dashed.
“P’Pai?” Rain says, voice soft. Prapai looks up from where he’d buried his head into his forearm, meeting Rain’s eyes, and Rain’s heart clenches with sympathy.
He looks awful, all bleary-eyed and exhausted. Rain can tell by the way he’s barely holding himself up, one hand on the doorframe for support. He’s pale aside from the blotchy red under his nose and the dusting of fever flush on his cheekbones. Still, despite probably feeling like garbage warmed over, he smiles at Rain like he always does. Big and kind and so full of love.
“Hi Raindrop,” he rasps, and Rain has to swallow down a squeak of distress at the sound of Prapai’s voice. He wastes no time in closing the gap between them and grasping Prapai’s hands in his own, frowning at the clamminess.
“You’re not feeling well,” Rain says. It’s not a question. Prapai releases a breath, and Rain’s chest aches at how shaky it sounds.
“It wasn’t so bad this morning. It really wasn’t, but then it just- it h-hh“ his breath hitches, and he yanks an arm away from Rain just in time to catch a fit of sneezes in his elbow. It’s not strange for Prapai to sneeze in multiples, but these sound so tired, weak and heavy with congestion. He stays poised in his elbow for a moment before dragging his head back up with a thick sniffle.
“Hit you like a train?” Rain finishes for him, and Prapai groans with a nod.
Rain keeps a tight hold on one of Prapai’s hands while he brings his other up to touch the inside of his wrist to his forehead, then the backs of his fingers to the side of his neck. Warm. Prapai’s eyes flutter closed and he leans into the touch, chasing the cool sensation. Rain brings both hands up to Prapai’s cheeks, holding him tenderly. He runs his thumbs delicately over the bruised skin beneath Prapai’s eyes.
“My poor P’Pai, “ Rain coos, brows knitting together at the heat against his palms, “you’re burning.”
Prapai hums, eyes still closed, and leans down to press his too-warm forehead against Rain’s.
“I know,” he mutters, words catching in his throat. He stifles a cough, lips pressed together in a thin line so he doesn’t cough right in Rain’s face. Rain can tell it hurts by the way Prapai winces. “It really was manageable this morning. I mean, I didn’t feel great, but I’ve worked through a runny nose and a cough before. I thought it would be fine, but I started feeling worse a few hours in. Cold. Sore.”
“Probably from the fever you’re running,”Rain says, brushing the sweaty fringe back from Prapai’s eyes. He notices a distinct lack of product that’s usually present on work days, and wonders if Prapai was actually feeling worse this morning than he’s letting on. It’s not like him to break routine.
Prapai pulls away just long enough to cough into his fist. Rain hates the sound of it. “I tried to stick it out, but Namtan convinced me to come home early.”
Rain huffs. “Aish, I’m glad she did. Remind me to call and thank her. And you say Sky is stubborn.” He smacks a hand against Prapai’s upper arm, and Prapai rasps out a laugh that jags sideways into coughing.
“I came home early, didn’t I? So I’m not nearly as bad as Sky.” He grabs Rain around his waist and pulls him in close, pressing his chapped lips softly against Rain’s forehead. “You know, it’s sweet that my little Rain is so worried about me. I’m touched.”
Rain slaps his arm again, but there’s no venom behind it. “Of course I’m worried! I thought a reanimated corpse was walking through the front door before realizing it was you.”
“An abundantly handsome corpse?”
“Oh my God, Sky was right, you are shameless.”
“That wasn’t a no.”
Rain huffs again before wrapping his arms around Prapai, returning his embrace. “You’re always handsome. Don’t tell P’Phayu or Sky I said that though. They’ll scold me for feeding your ego.”
Prapai laughs, rough but genuine. Rain lets himself fall into the sound. “I wouldn’t dream of it Raindrop, but don’t let them fool you. They’re just as enamored by my good looks as you are.” He pulls Rain impossibly closer as he says it, cradling his thin hips against his own broad ones.
Rain plays annoyed, but he’s really endeared, and he knows Prapai knows it too. He rests in Prapai’s hold for a moment, relishing in the too-hot warmth of his body. Even if Prapai keeps sniffling quietly in his ear, and even if Rain can feel the fever sweat seeping through Prapai’s undershirt, there’s nowhere else he’d rather be right now.
Until Prapai gasps, rocks forward, and sneezes right into Rain’s shoulder.
Nothing like being sneezed on to ruin the moment.
Prapai at least has the decency to shove Rain away before sneezing four more times in succession. He must really be exhausted, Rain thinks, because he doesn’t even bring up his elbow this time– just turns away from Rain the best he can and tries to aim it into his own shoulder. Rain can hear how much the fit grates against his throat and tries not to grimace.
He curses himself for letting Prapai flirt him into submission instead of immediately getting him lying down. Now that he’s pulled away, he can see Prapai’s energy waning, and quickly. He really does need to get him not vertical anymore before he falls over. He can see his arms trembling.
Prapai finishes his fit with a few empty hitches and a pathetic moan.
“C’mon, P’Pai, sit.” He guides him down onto the couch, and Prapai all but collapses like a rag doll, limbs all splayed out and chest heaving with wheezy, stuffy breaths.
“Sorry I sneezed on you,” Prapai croaks. Rain shakes his head and works on getting him more comfortable, starting with his shoes and socks, then moving up to gingerly remove his most-definitely overpriced suit jacket.
“Don’t be. Your sneezes are cute, like a little kitten. P’Phayu says I sneeze too loud. He calls me a germ spreader.” He pouts while he loosens Prapai’s tie, then starts in on his dress shirt buttons.
“You are loud-”
“Hey!”
“But I still think you’re cute. So does Phayu. Scolding you is just his way of showing affection” Rain can hear the smile in his voice. It makes something flutter in his stomach.
“How come he scolds me more than you and Sky combined? As if you’re not just as naughty as me sometimes.” He mutters the last part under his breath. Prapai laughs.
“It’s because you’re way more fun to scold than I am. You feed into it, and he loves that. I’m actually a bit jealous.” He tangles a hand in Rain’s hair when he leans down to unbutton Prapai’s slacks. “You got him wrapped around your finger so quickly, it’s impressive. I’ve known him longer, but you were able to do things to him that took me years to figure out. You should be proud.”
Rain beams. He can’t help it. He loves being praised by his boys. He’s about to make a comment on how he’s practically a Phayu expert at this point, but then Prapai’s hand jerks in his hair as he lets out a string of painful sounding coughs that bend him at the waist and leave him breathless. Rain jumps to his feet and runs a hand up and down his back until the coughs taper off.
“You’re okay, P’Pai. Just breathe.”
Prapai takes a tentative breath in, then out. It’s shaky, and Rain can hear the phlegm catch in his throat, but he makes it through a few breaths without nearly coughing out a lung again. Rain keeps up the steady motion of his hand against Prapai’s back. He can feel him shivering, minute trembles making his spine shake under Rain’s palm. Rain pulls some tissues from the box sitting on the coffee table and dabs at the liquid streaming from Prapai’s nose and eyes.
“Do you want a bath?” Rain asks, wadding up the tissues and tossing them on the table. He can throw them away later. He’s sure there will be plenty more where that came from. Prapai sniffles miserably and shakes his head.
“I know I should, but…”
Rain nods in understanding and brushes Prapai’s bangs back from his head again. “It’s okay. You’re tired. We can do it later after you’ve had a nap, or P’Phayu can bathe you.”
Prapai pouts. “Can’t all three of you bathe me?”
Rain chuckles as he finishes peeling off Prapai’s dress shirt. “It might get too crowded.” Prapai shivers viciously as the cool air of the house hits his exposed skin.
“No such thing. I’ll always make room for you all.”
It takes every ounce of restraint Rain has in that moment not to grab Prapai’s face and mash their lips together. He’s been with his boys for awhile now, and Prapai for over a year, but sometimes Prapai says things that still rock him– knock him off his feet with how unabashedly love struck he sounds. And Rain knows he means every word. That’s the thing about Prapai, he’s always sincere, when talking to his partners especially. Even when he’s being a shameless flirt with them. Even when he’s had a bad day at work and comes home frustrated and touchy. Even when he’s dead sick, a feverish mucus-filled mess half dressed and sprawled out on the couch, there’s still an undercurrent in his tone of such pure adoration and love for them.
Rain wills his rapidly beating heart to calm back to a normal pace before giving Prapai a peck on his hot cheek instead of his undoubtedly germ infested mouth.
Doesn’t mean the urge still isn’t strongly present.
“I know you will, P’Pai. P’Phayu’s bathtub is probably big enough, but that can wait till everyone’s home.” He snickers at Prapai’s answering whine. “I’ll go get you some clothes, okay?”
“Hurry back,” Prapai says, smiling, and Rain thinks he has no right being so charming while looking and sounding so gross.
Rain makes quick work of gathering some fresh clothes, deciding on a t-shirt and pair of sweatpants from Phayu’s dresser. It’s a staple for them all to share clothes, especially when one of them isn’t feeling their best, but as much as Rain loves seeing Sky’s or his own clothes pulled taut over the defined muscles of Prapai’s chest and arms, he knows something loose will be a lot more comfortable. He nuzzles his face into Phayu’s shirt and takes a deep breath, burying himself in the familiar scent of detergent and cedar wood cologne.
Holding Phayu’s clothes reminds him he should probably let Phayu and Sky know what’s going on. He shoots a quick text and gets two replies almost immediately.
Rain: p’pai is sick 🥺🥺🥺 but im taking care of him. 💕💗💖🌧️
Sky: i knew he was coming down with something. i’m almost done convincing sig not to drop out, so i’ll be home soon.
Phayu: I’ll try to get out of my meeting early. Our client was pleased with the layout prints, so it shouldn’t run too long. I’ll pick up ingredients for porridge on the way home. Keep an eye on him for us until then, Sweet Boy. ❤️
After assuring his other boys that Prapai is in good hands, he stops by the kitchen for some water, acetaminophen, and a cool gel patch before carrying it all back to the shivering lump nodding off against the couch armrest. Rain nudges Prapai’s shoulder until he blinks himself awake, gazing up at him with fever-glassed eyes.
“My sleepy P’Pai, let’s get you changed, then medicine and sleep. Sound good?”
“It depends, will you be joining me?” It’s meant to be suave, but Rain can hear the longing hidden beneath the flirt. Luckily, he’s happy to provide what his Prapai needs. He smiles big and bright and carefully pulls Phayu’s shirt over Prapai’s head.
“Of course! Everyone knows my cuddles are the best medicine. Oh, but just in case- “he fumbles with the bottle of fever reducer, “I brought this too. Take some while I change your pants.”
It’s a true testament to how lousy Prapai is feeling that he doesn’t make a single quip about getting into Phayu’s pants. He takes the pills Rain offers out to him with a shaking hand and swallows them down with half the water, wincing with every gulp. Rain finishes dressing him then sits by his side on the couch, tenderly brushing back his damp bangs so he can smooth the gel patch over his forehead.
Prapai tugs the collar of Phayu’s shirt up to his nose and attempts to take a deep breath, but his swollen sinuses make a pathetic whistling noise in protest. He groans and flops back against the couch.
“I can’t smell anything,” he whines. Rain gives him a pitying pat on his head,
“P’Phayu’s scent will still be there when you’re feeling better.”
“Then I need to get better fast. Can I have my real medicine now?” Rain rolls his eyes but feels nothing but fond. He throws his arms around Prapai’s upper body and nuzzles into his neck.
“Is this the medicine you were talking about?”
Prapai plants a kiss in Rain’s hair and nudges his temple with his nose. “Mhm. My favorite flavor”
Rain’s heart swells and he cups Prapai’s face in his hands. He takes a moment to surreptitiously feel his fever again, stroking his thumb over the too-hot apple of Prapai’s cheek.
Prapai leans into the touch with a content hum, but is pulled out of the comfort by another body-racking chill. Rain frowns and rubs his hands up and down Prapai’s arms, hoping the friction will bring him a bit of warmth.
“Hold on, I’ll get you some blankets,” Rain says, and darts to the master bedroom to grab a quilt and Phayu’s big fluffy comforter off the bed. When he returns, he hastily but carefully cocoons Prapai in the blankets till he resembles a tightly wrapped burrito with nothing more than his head peeking out the top.
Prapai sticks his bottom lip out, all puffy faced and teary eyed– tacking on a weak little sniffle for good measure– and Rain forgets for a minute that he’s the oldest of the four of them.
“What’s that face for?”
Prapai wordlessly opens up the blankets and beckons Rain in, fluttering those long dark eyelashes with a pout that could rival Rain’s own. And damn, how can Rain say no to that?
It takes a bit of shifting and readjusting of the blankets, but eventually Rain gets Prapai settled back against his chest with the blankets draped over the both of them and the box of lotion-infused tissues resting in Prapai’s lap. He rakes his nails over Prapai’s scalp, brushing back his wet bangs from his eyes, then touches his fingers to the sides of his head to massage his temples. Prapai moans and nestles into Rain’s chest. The blankets coupled with Prapai’s body heat are a little stifling, but Rain doesn’t really mind. He relishes in the warmth, wrapping his arms around Prapai’s chest and pulling him closer.
“Thank you for taking care of me, baby,” Prapai murmurs, eyes drifting shut as he teeters on the edge of sleep. Rain leans down and kisses the tip of his nose, laughing when he scrunches with a sniffle.
“I love you P’Pai. Get good sleep. Have good dreams.”
“Mm. Will… with you here…. Love you, my Rain…” he trails off until his breaths even out. They’re wheezy and congested, but steady.
Rain smiles down at him, pressing his cheek against his hair. He dozes off to the sound of quiet snores and a grounding warmth wrapped up in his arms.
🌧️🍃🌧️🍃🌧️🍃🌧️🍃🌧️🍃🌧️🍃🌧️🍃🌧️🍃🌧️🍃
Prapai registers four things when he crawls back into consciousness: One, his head is pounding like someone is using his brain as a drumset. Two, he can’t breathe through his nose. Three and much more pleasant, a soothing cold running under his arm, then dabbing at his neck. Four, his Rain’s tiny body still holding him from behind, chest rising and falling while he peacefully slumbers.
He forces his sticky eyelids open and is met with the pretty pretty face of his Sky as he gently wipes him down with a cool washcloth. Prapai smiles, big and dopey and maybe a little delusional, but it’s not something he can help. He has Rain at his back and Sky at his front. He feels like microwaved trash but couldn’t be happier. Or maybe he could, if Phayu was here too. He hears movement in the kitchen and knows Phayu isn’t far away. Warmth swells in his chest. All his boys are here for him.
Sky notices him staring and laughs, that light airy kind that Prapai loves so much. “Hey sicky, how are you feeling?”
“I feel amazing. My beautiful Sky is home.” The words come out in a broken whisper scraping painfully along the walls of his throat, but he doesn’t regret saying them. He’ll take every chance he gets to remind Sky how beautiful he is. Sky rolls his eyes into his hairline, but Prapai can see the hint of a smile on his lips.
“I highly doubt you’re feeling amazing. You sound like someone took a cheese grater to your throat.” He sets the backs of his fingers to Prapai’s forehead. “And you need more meds. Your fever is back up.”
Prapai catches Sky’s hand in his own before he can pull away and kisses his knuckles. “I just need you. All of you. Let me drag Phayu in here, then I’ll be 100 percent.”
Phayu pops out from the kitchen entrance with a warning ladle pointed in Prapai’s direction. “Don’t you dare. The last thing we need is you spreading your germs all over my kitchen. Stay put, and I’ll come see you when your porridge is done.”
Prapai whines in mock hurt and sniffles. “But I thought you liked when I spread myself all over.”
Phayu ducks back into the kitchen without another word, but not fast enough for Prapai to miss the blush creeping up his neck and the start of a smitten smile on his face. Checkmate.
Sky sighs, exasperated, and swipes some of the sweat off Prapai’s forehead with the cool cloth. They must have removed the gel patch when it warmed up at some point while he was napping.
“Don’t bully P’Phayu,” Sky scolds, “he came home early for you.”
Prapai shivers when Sky dips the cloth beneath the collar of his (Phayu’s) shirt and over his chest. “I’m just teasing. I wasn’t really going to get up just to contaminate his kitchen. Besides, I don’t want to disturb our sleeping beauty.” He gives Rain’s hand a little pat.
Prapai knows it’s a weak excuse. A plane could crash through their roof and Rain would sleep right through it without budging. In truth, he enjoys the feeling of being in Rain’s embrace– enjoys being taken care of like this. It’s a rare perspective for him, as someone who always plays the caretaker role. He doesn’t mind having that role. Nothing satisfies him more than serving the ones he loves. But it’s nice, every once and awhile, to submit to someone else’s care, especially when he knows he probably needs it.
Sky gives him a knowing look, then smiles, subtle and soft like he always does. He folds the cloth over the bowl of cold water sitting on the table.
“It seems like he took good care of you.”
Prapai rubs his thumbs over the soft skin of Rain’s knuckles. “He did. He does. You all do.” He sniffs, feeling oddly emotional. If Sky notices, he doesn’t say anything.
“I’m going to go get you more medicine. Do you want anything else while I’m up?”
Prapai gives Rain’s hands a light squeeze, lulled into placidity by the sound of his heartbeat.
“No, I have everything I need right here.”