——————
When Sky finally woke up, he did so with a smile.
Yes, he was still sick. Yes, he knew the nightmares didn't stop for long. Yes, he still had wings. But somehow, waking up with someone next to him made him feel so much better. Especially when that someone seemed to really care about you.
Sky looked at the clock, 11:36 it read. He gaped at it in horror. He never slept so late. Yes, it was the weekend, thankfully, but still. Then, thinking about it again, he dismissed the thoughts.
Instead Sky looked at Prapai's sleeping face, and couldn't help but stare at his handsome features. That man was -Sky hated to admit- absolutely gorgeous. Sky did not know what made Prapai take interest in him, but he was happy nevertheless.
Sky however, no matter what his emotions and heart said, did not fully trust Pai yet.
Yes, - he sadly admitted - he loved this moment. He wanted to stay here forever. In the arms of a man who cared -or pretended to. But Sky knew he couldn't.
So, Sky, not bothering to be careful, hurriedly stood up.
Unfortunately, he almost toppled over as his feet hit the floor.
Pai, somehow waking up at exactly the right time, caught Sky by the arm, not letting him fall.
"You're still weak.." Prapai mumbled, voice groggy from sleep.
Sky huffed, pulling on his annoyed face.
As Prapai himself jumped to his feet, he tried to help Sky walk, but the other just pushed him away.
"Don't." Sky said
"Uhh, meanie!" Prapai said with a whine "Pushing me away after I'm no longer useful, huh? Last night you clung to me like there was no tomorrow, and now?"
Sky blushed and smacked Pai on the arm, hard. With the help of medicine, some of his strength was returning.
"Let go." He said anyway, looking stern, like a father asking a kid where all the candy went.
Pai let go, but put on a sulky face.
Sky ignored it and left for the bathroom.
As Sky closed the door behind him, he took off his shirt. Sky turned to the mirror, examining himself. He was well build, not too much muscle but not weak either. Sky didn't notice that though. What stood out to him were the three giant scars going diagonally over his chest. These scars where not the only visible marks Gun had left on him that night three years ago, but they were the only thing people would notice without looking too closely. Sky also had bruised nipples, as well as a few scars over his wings, but Sky had been able to escape Gun before his wings got any further damage. Sky always made sure not to change in front of other people, wanting to escape any questions. Even when he did have to change in front of others though, -yesterday for instance- he usually wore an extra thin shirt under his regular clothes.
Sky carefully trailed two fingers over his scars.
"Appear..." he whispered and his back immediately felt under pressure with the extra weight of his wings.
Sky studied his scars and periwinkle feathers, and looked back in the mirror with disgust. He knew he shouldn't break down when someone was still in his condo, but sometimes, things like this were way too much. Usually when things became too much, Sky went flying. True, he did only when the sky was cloudy, to make sure nobody saw him, but he did enjoy it. He blamed it on the aches his wings had after long periods of not flying, but the truth was, it was actually really comforting.
He hoped the day would be over soon so he could just get in the air. He hated this feeling of being trapped, just like -ironically- a bird in a cage. He knew this was not even close to being over though, so he told himself to be strong, averting his eyes from the mirror.
Sky removed the rest of his clothes and walked into the shower, slamming the door behind him.
——————
Sky had slept through the rest of the day, with Prapai looking after him, bringing him food and medicine.
Sky didn't object anymore, since he knew if he let Pai do what he wanted, he would leave faster. At least, he hoped it to be true.
When the day was coming over however, Prapai insisted that he stay.
Sky almost groaned aloud.
How annoying this man is!
"You need me by your side na!" Prapai said in a whiny tone "I'll take good care of you, krup, please let me stay..."
"Pleaaaaaseeee...?"
"No." Sky answered curtly.
"But what about your nightmares? What if you have nightmares again?"
The other asked
"No."
"Sky naaaaaaa..."
"No."
Prapai shifted his position from the side of the bed to be right over Sky.
"Sky? Please? I won't do anything..."
Sky looked at him, disbelieving.
"Okay," Pai admitted "Only if I have to wake you up from another nightmare."
There was a glint in Prapai's eyes as he recalled what happened last time.
Sky sat up and glared at Prapai.
"At no cost are you kissing me again." He said shortly and then added, as an afterthought "Fine. You stay. I guess I kind of owe you for the food and medicine you brought me."
Prapai's face lit up in a smile, and he went to hug Sky.
Sky smacked his hands away, and then added with a smirk "Go sleep on the floor."
"What?" Prapai looked at Sky incredulous.
"What's your relationship with me to sleep on the same bed, huh?" Sky asked, smirk widening.
Prapai grunted, but understood that his fight was lost.
He got up and said
"Fine. Do you have any spare blankets and pillows?"
Sky looked Prapai over, and then hesitated.
"Wait here." He instructed
Pai nodded and sat down on Sky's desk.
Sky quickly but unsteadily walked out of the room, the medicine was working, but his limbs were weak.
Sky made his way through the apartment, and glancing over his shoulder, slipped into a room who's door was barely visible near the kitchen counter.
This was his room. Sky had two, but no one knew about this one. The other one, the one he and Prapai slept in for the last two days was a backup in case anyone came over. It worked as a backup because, speaking truthfully, anyone would find this room odd, and might start suspecting something.
Sky surveyed the space in front of
him. A large nest-like structure was build out of pillows and blankets on the floor, and there were a few periwinkle, blue, and purple feathers here and there. Even though Sky didn't like to admit it, he found sleeping in a nest way more comfortable than sleeping in a normal bed.
In addition to that, Sky used this room as his art and work studio, so there were multiple drawings and sketches of wings as well as buildings and houses.
Sky sighed at the mess, and grabbed a few sheets and cushions of the floor. Then stealing another glance at his nest, quietly returned to the kitchen.
Unfortunately for him, Prapai was there. He stood, eyebrows raised and stretched his hand out to Sky.
Internal panic seized Sky, thinking about all the questions Pai might ask if he went into Sky's room, or even simply knew it existed. His panic resided however, when Prapai said
"Give me those." Pointing to the pillows
"By the way, I didn't know that room existed, what's inside?"
There, panic was back again.
"Uh- nothing. It's just a closet. Do not go there." Sky said quickly, masking his worried voice with a annoyed one.
Prapai's raised eyebrows went even further, but he took all the stuff from Sky's hands and walked back to the second bedroom.
He settled everything on the floor next to the main bed, and then said
"So, want another lullaby?"
"In your dreams!"
"The only thing in my dreams is you, baby boy" Said Prapai in a flirtatious voice.
Sky smacked him and then jumped onto the bed.
"Aren't you gonna change?" Pai asked
Sky carefully considered how to answer. He knew that if he didn't go flying tonight, he was going to break in front of Prapai, and he definitely did not want that. However, he also knew the early spring air was chill at night, so he needed to be properly dressed. Sky usually went flying in a special sweater with holes he cut for his wings, but, if Pai saw him in a sweater he might suspect something. Either way, Sky really wanted to go fly, so he just answered
"Good idea, I can be cold at night, so I'll go wear something warmer."
Pai narrowed his eyes, and Sky worried he might be onto something, but then the other just waved his hand in dismissal and lay down on his makeshift place on the floor.
Sky reconsidered letting Prapai use the bed, since Sky would only pretend to sleep and then be away for the rest of the night, but that might be even more suspicious.
Sky went to change, and when he walked back into the room he made sure to face Prapai so he wouldn't see the cuts in the sweater.
"What a silly situation you got yourself into, Sky!" Sky thought as he got under the covers and Prapai hit the light switch on the wall.
"Goodnight Sky, tell me if you feel worse during the night, okay? Know the black giant is always there for you, na.."
"'Night" Sky mumbled, but couldn't help but smile.
It felt nice to have someone there for him.
"Thank you..." he whispered quietly with a smile, so that Prapai couldn't hear.
He apparently did though, because he immediately jumped up and literally fell on Sky in an attempt on an embrace.
"Why are you so adorable...naaaa!?" He said, and wrapped his arms around Sky.
Sky stiffened at first, but let Prapai hug him. After a while, he smiled. Hopefully Pai wouldn't see him in the dark.
"Okay, you talk facts. Now go." He said after a while, gently pushing Prapai off him.
Prapai nuzzled his face into Sky's neck, and no matter how much he didn't want to, Sky laughed.
"Adorable!" Prapai whined, gave Sky one last hug and let go.
Sky told himself not to miss the touch. No, he didn't. Did not.
Aaaaaaa!
Sky almost groaned aloud from the mix of emotions.
He, unfortunately, now was only half sure Prapai was playing games. If he was, Sky was sure his attitude would have been enough to get Prapai to go. He didn't leave though. He stayed no matter how much Sky said no. Why?
Sky knew he was not someone special or attractive. He had his wings, sure, but Prapai did not know about them, and they were only a burden to Sky. Sky was smart, as well, but that was the only thing he could think of that would interest someone like Prapai. Though, with his money, Sky was sure the other would have no trouble finding someone smarter than himself.
Sky already admitted to himself that he considered Prapai amazing. He was so caring, gentle, handsome, and smart too. Sky didn't want his heart to fall, but he was in the verge of doing it.
He needed to get in the air. Needed to. As fast as possible, because in the air, everything was better, and thinking was easier.
His trail of thoughts was interrupted by Prapai.
"Sky, who or what do you dream of?"
Sky stayed silent.
"Are you asleep?" Prapai asked
He carefully pushed off the floor and looked at Sky.
The other closed his eyes shut and pretended to be asleep, his breathing slowing instantly, and his movements stilling.
"Oh, you are, sorry." Prapai whispered, and Sky felt a pair of fingers moving a small lock of hair out of his eyes.
"I know you would not let me do this if you were awake, so hopefully, you're actually asleep."
Prapai's breath was so close to Sky's face, and his aura was so overwhelming Sky struggled with himself not to lean in.
"Why do you seem so special, huh, little Sky?" Prapai continued, and Sky was shocked with the thing Pai said.
"There is something about you that is different, little Sky, but I can't figure out what it is. You know, huh? It so strange, I haven't had this feeling, ever. I can't even call it love, little Sky. I know what love feels like, so what is it, huh? Why are you so different? There is something about you that is just - so...I can't find a right word for it, babe. It's attraction I've never felt before, and you just keep pushing me away. Why, little Sky? What happened to you? I really care, you know. No matter what you think about me, I genuinely care about you. I know I barely know you, and I was a jerk in the past, you are right, you know. I didn't think about people's hearts. But you, you seem to change me. Once again, I barely know you, and I actually don't know how you changed me so much in so little time, little Sky. But you did. Thank you. I get it if you don't want me. I get it if you want me out, but let me at least spend another night with you. Let me care for you a little more. Please? Little Sky?"
Prapai sighed, and pressed a light kiss to Sky's forehead before laying back down on his makeshift bed.
Prapai went to sleep, leaving Sky confused and shocked, from both the kiss and his words. His words seemed so genuine. They seemed so true. Sky really needed to think this through.
He lay there for another half an hour, and then stood up from the bed, making sure Pai was really asleep. When he was satisfied with the soft snores from the other, Sky went to his balcony.
Sky looked around for people that might see him. Spotting none, he made his wings appear and stretched them out. Standing on the railing of the balcony, he looked back, and then threw himself into the air, in one, powerful push.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 12!
I'm sorry to inform that chapter 13 might take more time to come out (3-5 days) because I have school and need to work a lot. Hopefully you understand. Thank you for all support. Prapai and Sky would be really happy. ❤️
Word count: 2415