Chapter Text
Rain heard the ice clink against the glass as he took another sip of his bright orange cocktail. He’s long since lost track of their unique names or even his own glass. His crop top had ridden up, exposing the toned panes of his stomach as he lounged back, tipsy but not yet drunk.
The club was relatively new in the scene, everything polished and ridiculously overpriced. Still, given that it was a Friday night, it was overflowing with people spilling onto the dance floor, the bar, and the corner booths. Scattered private booths looked down onto the throngs of sweaty bodies grinding together to the loud bass.
Rain took another sip as the bright flashes illuminated the booths through the glass panes. He clicked his tongue as the girl beside him let out a low moan, making out with his friend who had booked the VIP area, and dragged him along. An actor he had met while shooting an advertisement. The man’s on-screen partner had already had too much to drink, his slurred words and deep laughter filling the room as he shared pointless conversation with his longtime boyfriend.
The enthusiastic noises made him instinctively scan the crowd below, a sudden emptiness sweeping over him. As usual, no one caught his attention. Most of them were attractive, but the itch under his skin made them look plain.
With a margarita glass in hand, Rain stood and took his friends with him, feeling the bass of the music reverberate through his body. One of them, already drunk, was swaying and stumbling around him like a newborn fawn. Rain giggled at her and walked closer to the glass pane.
The loud song changed into an even louder, grittier one and Rain just let the music flow through him. It was too late in the night for people to care about themselves, let alone Rain. So, he threw caution to the wind and swayed his hips, tilting his head back.
In the dimly lit room opposite him, a pair of alluring eyes were keenly watching him.
The job he signed up for meant he was quite used to feeling eyes on him. It never took him too long to realize that he was being watched. He had honed his skill of being able to sense from where he was being watched, with the same level of mastery as his dancing.
Rain almost tripped when their eyes met, and the spotlight seemed to linger just long enough to illuminate the man. He stood there, frozen, overwhelmed by the feeling that he was no longer in control, of being seen. Rain wanted to run off, but his feet stayed planted as he noticed something akin to approval was shining in the man’s eyes.
Rain started moving again, adding a bit more sway to his hips. Another bright flash showed the man leaning forward, his tongue peeking out, lapping up the alcohol on his lips. His eyes, though, lingered on Rain’s half-open lips. Hunger, Rain realized, he looked hungry. Rain slowly dragged his hand up his stomach, his crop top riding up, baiting the fox out for the hunt.
The man shifted, lending his ear to someone leaning in and Rain felt his body relax with the release of the breath he was holding.
“Fuck,” He softly exclaimed and drowned the rest of the fruity cocktail.
He knows it was impossible, but the man’s face seemed to twitch in response, as if he had heard him. His face was etched with a slight frown as he leaned back on the couch, the fabric of his shirt stretched around his body. Rain half expected the buttons to pop. And perhaps he could lick up the tanned skin.
“Fucking hell.” Rain slammed his glass on the table. “There’s no reason for you to be this horny over a random guy.”
He has always been choosy, almost to a default. Rain expected everything to meet the standards he grew up with. This meant he rarely goes past a date or two. His fans like that fact, of course, they do. But, his group mates have called him out on it. They were all in a stable relationship, after all. Rain never felt compelled to be with someone just for the sake of it. The enigmatic person, who filled him with more intrigue in a few seconds than he had ever felt in his life, struck him. He stood out from the crowd in a way that had Rain's whole body sing.
“I’m going to the restroom,” Rain said to no one in particular, and as expected, there were just a few grunts and moans in reply. He quickly rechecked his entire disguise package. Jacket, mask, cap, a fake thick glass, sprayed black hair hiding his otherwise pastel pink dye, no makeup, everything costing less than what Rain makes in a minute. His brand deals would probably give up on him if they saw him look so shabby.
Rain was making his way down the dimly lit staircase when he felt a hand grab his wrist. His first instinct was to punch their ribs, but he forced himself to suppress it and spun around with his well-known smile.
“Oh, it’s you.” Rain let out a sigh of relief at seeing the man from the window. At least it wasn’t some paparazzi or a crazed fan. The man in front of him didn’t appear to match either definition.
“It’s me.” He smirked, moving closer to Rain, forcing him to walk back till the wooden frame of a poster was digging into Rain’s shoulder. “I wanted to thank you for the show.”
Rain stared intently into the man’s eyes as he moved his gaze down the side of his face and looped his finger under the mask strings. He raised an eyebrow at Rain with a little tug on it. Rain nodded just once, ignoring the warning bells that sounded strangely like Sky.
He made an audible gulp as the man removed Rain’s mask and stuffed it into his jeans pocket. His warm hand felt almost scorching on Rain’s thighs, heart pounding harder than the thumping beat coming from the speakers. Rain’s hands moved up the man’s arms, feeling the strength of the muscles beneath his touch. He held onto the man’s neck and felt the warmth of his breath, his lips a whisper away. His face lit up with a slight smirk as he ran his fingers lightly over Rain’s lip.
Rain stood there, unmoving, as the man leisurely ran his thumb over Rain’s lips, “What should you say, pretty boy?”
I should go , is what he wanted to say. No matter how alluring this man is, the visibility is too much for Rain. As he opened his mouth, the man pushed his thumb in and Rain’s lips naturally closed around it, savoring the salty taste of his skin.
Losing the last bit of sanity, he pulled himself up to close the distance between their lips. Rain could feel the man’s smile against his lips as he pulled away his finger and cradled Rain’s face in his hands, tilting his head just a little as he kissed back.
His lips were soft and pillowy, a stark contrast to the roughness with which he captured Rain’s lips. He moved closer until Rain could feel the cold buttons on his suit, leaving their mark on his bare stomach.
Rain moaned as he felt the bitter alcohol the man drank burning his throat as his tongue swiped against his. He reeled him in further till they were breathing as one, ignoring the way the frame on the wall was painfully digging into his back.
The man pulled him off the wall onto the opposite one, the wooden planes almost too cold against the heat coursing through his entire body. He could feel the man’s hand moving agonizingly slow down his back. He hiked up Rain’s thigh, letting it lazily drape by his hips. Rain’s lips fell open in a quiet moan, eyes fluttering shut as he felt the man’s wet tongue trace his jaw, drifting down, sucking, licking, biting. Rain bit down on his fist when the man pulled up his shirt and licked his nipple, right there in the middle of a stairwell.
“Boss, we found him.” A firm voice came from their side, dragging Rain out of their bubble. He let out a yelp and shoved the man away. He hastily straightened his clothes before sprinting to the restroom.
When he entered the room, the smell was so pungent it made his eyes water, and the wet floor caused his feet to slide. Still, moans were coming in from one of the closed stalls. Rain shivered, wishing them good luck, and washed his face with the cold tap water.
In the water-stained mirror, he could already see a few red bruises blooming on his neck. Rain wet his lips, completely at a loss on what to feel about the marks, and put on the mask. While buttoning up the jacket, he pulled up the collar for good measure, doing his best to hide them all away.
The restroom was to the back, in a hall that went straight to the backdoor, which made it feel quieter. At least quiet enough for Rain not to want to go back inside just yet. Rain patted his jacket pockets, debating his own wants.
A huge part of him wanted to find the man again and revel in his heady kisses. But something in the way his eyes turned cold at the interruption scared Rain a little. He wanted to gather a little courage before going back.
He fished through his pockets and rejoiced as he pulled out a pack of cigarettes, just two cigarettes in it and a lighter. His manager doesn’t let him have more than that a week. He doesn’t crave it much either, at least not much as he did back when they were still rookies, trying their damnedest to climb up the charts yet not succeeding. He glanced around the empty hallway, making sure he wasn’t being followed before he slipped out.
Rain had to exert some force to open the thick metal door leading out into an alley. The music abruptly cut off as the door shut behind him with a quiet bang. He stretched, taking in the tiny alley; dumpsters lining the wall leading out into the road and a huge brick wall to the other closing off the alley, all in the stillness of midnight. A bright white street light shone ahead, closer to the alley’s entrance than Rain. He sighed in relief and pulled off his mask, letting it hang by his ear.
He lit a cigarette, eyes darting around the alley and the surrounding windows for flashes. His group mate was just crucified for smoking in an alley. If people see Rain doing the same, it will surely fuck up their comeback. He took in a long drag. The lightheadedness, coupled with the alcohol, almost made him lose his footing. He leaned on the damp wall for stability, which also hid him behind one of the big green dumpsters.
At one point, the smell would’ve been unbearable, but now he’s used to the decaying air of such hideaways. He took another long drag, five more and he’ll throw away the cigarette. By the time he reached his fourth puff, the backdoor swung open. Rain quickly wore his mask and plastered himself against the wall.
The alley suddenly filled with the sound of hurried steps. Rain heard the noise of fists clashing, accompanied by cries of distress. No one spoke a single word. He tightly held onto his jacket and leaned over, just a little, just to peek at what was going on.
A tall man wearing an immaculate suit loomed over someone who was lying on the ground. The man on the floor was trying to protect his head against the kicks of at least five heavy-set men. He clung to the tall man’s feet, begging desperately. Someone tried to pull the poor man away and Rain could finally see his face. Blood was pouring out of his mouth and the sides of his face. His expensive suit and velvety shirt were almost in tatters, covered in blood and grime. The men surrounding him were smiling as they kicked the man.
The tall man hunched a bit before kicking away the man’s hand and without even seeing the man’s face, Rain felt terrified. Or perhaps it was the beaten man’s visceral fear surging through his own thoughts. A goon pulled the man to his knees by his hair. Rain looked through his pockets to grasp at his phone, wanting to call the cops.
The man’s eyes were wide open, even though blood slowly dripped down his forehead and into them. His tears and snot were pouring down faster than the blood.
The battered man kneeled down, prostrating in front of the taller guy, hitting his forehead on the dirty pavement. “I’m sorry, I’ll stay away. Better yet, I’ll stop all my operations and disappear from this country. Please spare me.”
Rain heard the tall man scoff and hold out his hands. Someone standing to his right passed a loaded gun to the man.
“Please, no,” The cries got louder and desperate. Rain felt his own eyes tear up and his hands tightened around his phone.
Rain bit down the curse as the forgotten cigarette almost burned his fingertips and huddled in on himself. The thought of calling the cops was completely wiped away by his fear of the gun, leaving him frozen. The tall man stalked ahead, moving out of the shadows and stood beside a wall lamp illuminating his face.
Rain’s eyes widened as he took in the tall man, still in a pristine suit and shiny shoes that didn’t have a drop of mud on them. He couldn’t look away from the scene at the very terrifying realization that the same hand that was holding a gun to a man’s head was exploring Rain’s body just a few minutes back. Rain suddenly felt the urge to tear off his skin.
The battered man didn’t bother pleading anymore, just loud, pained sobs tore out from his chest as he remained kneeling on the floor. And then a shot, the sound echoing through the alley even with a silencer. Rain let out a gasp before he could stop himself. He quickly brought his hands to his mouth and crouched down, but they were already on high alert.
“Find who that was!” the man barked out. His voice was low, yet the anger in his tone was palpable. Rain felt a strange mix of guilt and attraction as he saw the man tower over the lifeless body. Rain took a note of his surroundings once again. He didn’t even have anywhere to hide. He wouldn’t be able to outrun bullets. As the footsteps got closer to him, Rain made a split-second decision.
“Please don’t kill me.” He squeaked and held out his hands. If he had a white flag, he would’ve waved that too. Anything to get out of there alive.
Rain inhaled deeply, then left the cover of the dumpster, squeezing his eyes shut, not wanting to see his demise. He kept still, hands outstretched in front of him, jumping slightly when he heard approaching footsteps.
“Remove your mask.” Rain heard the same voice speak right before him, low and demanding. The man’s warm, alcohol-scented breath seemed too close to Rain. His hand ripped off the mask swiftly, and sweat forming on his brow as he waited. His skin bristled with goosebumps as icy fingers ran down his jaw. “Open your eyes.”
Rain felt like a fish out of water, his mouth opening and closing in surprise as he stared at the man. In the harsh fluorescent light, his eyes felt almost hypnotic.
A single thought kept spinning in Rain’s mind like a broken record. “You’re very handsome.”
And just like that, the furrowed brow and the anger in his eyes suddenly relaxed into an amused smile. A slight upturn of lips that showed a faint bruise from when Rain bit down on them.
A scraping noise echoed from the back of the tall man. Rain peeked out to see the limp body being carelessly shoved into a big black plastic bag. Someone else walked out of the backdoor, a power wash in his hands, ready to wash away the blood.
Rain quickly came to the horrifying realisation that they would not leave any tangible evidence behind. Rain being ample walking and talking evidence.
“See.” Rain quickly put his hands up again, the face mask dangling off his thumb. He made himself hide behind the perfected public persona — looking bright-eyed and naïve, a cute little prince. “I won’t tell anyone about this. I don’t want any trouble, and I’m sure you don’t want to deal with my disappearance.”
The man was clearly finding amusement in Rain’s words, and it took him a lot of effort to stop himself before he launched into a nervous ramble.
“I genuinely don’t care about the man you killed. I don’t even want to deal with talking about this. Just let me go.” Rain stated and moved back carefully, taking small steps to show his wish to not alert the man with the gun.
Not a single syllable was uttered by the man, he simply faced his suited goons and nodded his head towards Rain. Suddenly, he felt a few people grab him, the cold metal cuff pinching his arms, and a cloth pushed into his mouth, muffling any cries for help.
“No injuries.” He walked away. The man was midway through the alley when Rain’s loud groans, muffled by the gag, made him pause and whisper to the person beside him.
Rain tried his hardest to get away from the men’s firm grip. It just resulted in him being whisked onto someone’s shoulder and thrown into the back of a car.
“Sit upright.” The man was sitting with his legs crossed, his hands methodically cleaning the gun with a spotless white cloth. Rain grumbled as he climbed onto the cream-colored leather seats. He was expecting to be shoved into a small trunk with the dead man.
He felt his body break out in a cold sweat as the car sped up, the buildings outside growing farther and farther away.
Rain persisted in trying to communicate, making incomprehensible noises through the thick cloth. The car pulled away further from the city, and the suburbs into the farmlands and abrupt forests that lie beyond. Rain was dreading what was in store for him when the ride finished. He cursed loudly through the fabric that was sucking out the moisture from his mouth.
“Rain, right?” The man asked, drumming his fingers to an invisible beat. “Good boys like you shouldn’t be at clubs like that.”
Rain shook his head in an effort to remove the cloth. He was well aware of the reputation the club already garnered in its brief life span, a place for degenerates and bored rich assholes. Drugs, girls, boys, assassins, cities — there is nothing money can’t buy in there. It is also the only place people will think twice about seeing Rain.
“What were you doing there, kid?” The man leaned in and pulled down the cloth from Rain’s mouth. It happened within a split second. The damp cloth on his neck was the only thing that alerted Rain to the fact that he had moved.
“What the fuck are you planning to do?!” Rain shouted as soon as he could, ignoring the dryness of his mouth, “and how the hell do you know me?!”
Rain felt his stomach drop when a cold, sharp tip of a knife touched the side of his neck. The pressure is strong enough to be felt, but it's still gentle enough to not break through the skin.
“Why would I not know my brand’s ambassador?” He grinned, pulling away the small knife so quickly that Rain couldn't even see it properly.
It took Rain a few seconds to comprehend his words. “Fuck you. What kind of criminal has brand ambassadors? Hire to kill? Or drugs to sell? Just say you are a fan. Guys like you tend to find me attractive. Is it just because I’m tiny? Or perhaps I seem gentle? Soft? Creepy asshole.”
The man rested on the seat, still sitting up tall, his wide shoulders making him seem twice as large as Rain. He tutted, toying with Rain’s phone.
“Are you a common pickpocket?” Rain pouted as the man threw it on the ground, worried that it would get broken. He tried reaching for it, but the man pulled him back.
“Kiddo, I don’t think you know me.”
“I don’t go around becoming familiar with murderers.” Rain muttered under his breath. It seemed the man had realized what he said, and he let out a hearty laugh. “Also, stop calling me a child. I’m in my twenties.”
The man lifted his eyebrows and smiled slyly in response to what Rain said.
“Well, let me introduce myself. My name is Phayu. I own Storm Ltd.”
“Motherfucker.” Rain looked out the window at the ghostly sight of the empty roads they were travelling through. This man’s empire filled up half of Rain’s bank balance. So, why was he walking around killing people in alleys?
“I hired you because I thought you had the characteristics of a cultured young man.” He clicked his tongue, a sharp sound that clearly conveyed his disappointment. “what should I do now?”
Rain felt his blood boil at the very dismissive way the man addressed him. His supposedly attractive smile felt cold and belittling. “Well, I’m sorry for not respecting the man who has me tied up in his car right after he murdered someone in cold blood.”
Before either of them could say anything more, a tall wooden gate opened. The car slowly rolled up the lengthy driveway, lined by perfectly trimmed trees and shrubs rustling in the wind. The two men standing at the gate bowed their heads in respect as till the car moved ahead. At least Phayu wasn’t taking him into some dingy corner of the country.
A majestic mansion, painted white and accented with wooden beams, loomed over them as they drove up. The car halted beneath the porch with its ornately carved pillars. Rain heard the car door being opened and felt the rush of air as someone from the car behind them quickly opened it. An older man waiting by already pushed open the large, heavy wooden door in front of the house.
“P’Aon, bring Rain to the guest bedroom upstairs.”
Rain was trying his best to take the phone in his hands when a random suited-up guy dragged him out of the car and pulled him towards the house. In the man’s haste, Rain almost stumbled on the stairs leading to the door. He was taken aback by how much more remarkable the house was on the inside.
Rain enjoyed a lavish lifestyle over the past few years. He assumed he had interacted with almost all the elites of his home country. It was of no consequence whether the money was old or new, earned or inherited; most of them were willing to pay handsomely to have a celebrity at their exclusive events.
The house he was in impressed him more than any blinding opulence he had seen. It felt lived in. Every piece of furniture, painting, and even the potted plants deliberately chosen to make you feel warm. The bright lights shining off the marble floors, fluttering curtains, and exquisite furniture screamed of wealth. But in a way that made Rain feel more settled in. Usually, he just gets the urge to fling objects around the room to awaken the otherwise dull atmosphere.
He was taken to a room on the second floor, decorated with warm, earthy tones, reminiscent of the apartment he rents in Korea to maintain his nice guy persona. As soon as someone took the cuffs off, Rain felt a wave of relief wash over him and immediately stretched his hands. He was taken aback when he heard the door close behind him, and his gaze fell on the bed in the middle of the room.
“Well, fuck.” He thought he had whispered to an empty room. His heart nearly leapt out of his chest when he spotted someone walking towards the couch in the bay window. With a soft squeak, Rain asked, “what are you here?”
“It’s my house, Rain.” Phayu gestured broadly around the room, and an amber liquid that seemed like whiskey sloshed in his glass.
“I’m not sleeping with you.” Rain shouted and crossed his arms. The silence stretched between them as he awaited the man's response. The silence in the room was broken only by the gentle sound of clinking ice cubes in his glass.
“If I wanted to fuck you.” The man finally spoke up. His smile was saccharine in a way that made Rain’s throat feel bitter. “You would already be under me.”
“That’s harassment. I’m your employee.” He quipped, trying to ignore the images his mind was conjuring up at an alarming speed.
“Technically, you are my captive now.” He stood up from the couch, leaving the glass on the coffee table. With each step Phayu took closer to him, Rain felt as though he was being hunted, his hair standing on end as if he had nowhere to escape. Rain suddenly thought back to his high school biology teacher talking about fight or flight. He felt like neither, completely frozen where he stood. “Now, we need to discuss your punishment.”
Rain gulped, his dry mouth making it painful. He cleared his throat and deliberately changed the topic, just to take back the reigns, “Get me some water. You’re the reason my throat feels like a desert. You should know that my vocal cords feed me.”
“I thought your pretty face did.”
“What an asshole?!” Rain glared at the man. “Give me some water.”
“Rain.” He stated. And just like that, Rain went quiet, a chill going down his back. "Do you know what I can’t stand?”
“How the fuck should I know?” His voice had long since lost its edge under Phayu’s narrowed eyes.
“Kids who don’t respect their elders,” the man opened the door and leaned out. A few moments later, he was handed a water bottle. Phayu held it just out of Rain’s reach. “Ask me nicely.”
“What?”
“Speak like a polite, well-disciplined boy and ask for water.” Phayu walked close. "Phi will give you what you want.”
Rain felt his heart thundering as the words piercing deep into his brain. He stared at the man, who simply looked amused. The anger Rain had felt earlier came back with force, warmth rising to his cheeks and ears. “Are you mad?! Who are you to tell me that?!”
“I own you, kiddo.”
He gripped Rain's arm and tugged him close. Rain fell on Phayu, nose hitting his shoulder bone, hips awkwardly tilted. He pulled Rain upright, his strong hands guiding the boy's limbs until he was firmly in his grasp, the water bottle digging into Rain’s back.
"Now," he whispered. A chill ran through Rain as his icy fingers gently grazed his lower lip. “Show me the best of your training.”
Rain's entire brain seemed to shut off, leaving him without a single thought. No matter how hard he tried, no words left his mouth either, not when Phayu’s eyes roamed Rain's face, his hands tracing its outline.
“Phi…” Rain gasped out when he felt Phayu lean down, his warm whiskey soaked breath falling on his lips. The phantom feeling of the man’s lips moving with his just a while ago almost fried his brain.
“Yes?” Phayu spoke. His face dipped lower and lower, tracing a path of soft kisses along Rain's neck, sending a wave of warmth through his body, making his knees week.
Rain felt his eyelids grow heavy, his arms tightening on Phayu’s shirt. He somehow choked out the words, “P’Phayu, please, may I have a sip of water?”
“Good boy.”
Phayu released his tight hold on Rain, causing him to sink onto the fluffy carpet. Rain felt the bottle thud against his legs when the guy put it down next to him and settled back on the couch. Not a single strand of hair was out of place, while Rain felt like he just ran a marathon.
Rain drowned the entire bottle in one go, making him feel unnaturally bloated, almost nauseous. He stayed put on the rug, gazing up at the man asking, “what are you going to do with me?”
“I should be killing you.” Phayu heaved a sigh and took a long sip before putting the glass down on the coffee table. He crouched in front of Rain and took out a gun. Rain shuffled till his back hit the bed frame. “I’m not going to. Yet.”
“Then?” His voice jumped up an octave as the gun was pointed right at him.
“If I wanted you dead, right now you’ll be getting chopped up and thrown into the ocean.”
“Very romantic.” Rain quipped, staring at the wall, completely missing Phayu’s wide smile. By the time Rain looked at him, Phayu's lips were back to their usual slight upturn. “Really P’Phayu, why am I here? You can understand the chaos that will happen when the management finds out I'm missing.
“Of course I do. Everyone’s favorite maknae. When are you supposed to fly back to Korea?”
“And why should I tell you that?” Rain stood up and sank into the cloud like bed.
“Rain…” Phayu warned. All hints of amusement vanished from his voice. “When is your flight?”
“Day after tomorrow, Tuesday evening, P’Phayu.”
“Call your manager and tell him to cancel the flight.” Phayu handed over Rain’s phone. He hadn’t even noticed Phayu receiving it.
“I will not do that.” Rain frowned. He wasn’t that stupid.
“I’m not asking Rain.”
“Well, I’m not listening, asshole.”
Phayu turned away from Rain and promptly left the room, taking Rain's phone with him. Just before the door shut, he leaned in and said, “I’ll come back when you’re willing to listen.”
Rain heard the click of the lock, and fell back onto the bed, feeling the comforting embrace of the mattress. He lay sprawled, limbs stretched wide, as he tried to bring his racing heart to a halt. He bit down on his lips to keep from grinning or crying, whatever came first and embraced a pillow.
“Fuck, he’s hot.” Sky’s frown flashed in his mind, “shut up. I know. I’ll get out.”
Rain was just about to drift off to sleep when the door opened. It was quiet enough that he had the choice to ignore it. He wouldn't have paid attention to it if he wasn't at a murderer's house. A murderer he made out with. Rain’s mostly likely going to hell just for this.
“Hello,” the older, short man from earlier smiled at Rain. He gently set a bundle of clothes and a towel on the bed, the fabric rustling softly. “Here you go. I’m sure you want to change.”
“Thank you, Phi….”
“Call me P’Aon.” He smiled. “Khun Phayu asked me to take care of you. Do you want me to get you anything else before I go?”
“Do you know what your boss wants with me?”
Aon laughed loudly, shaking his head at Rain, “well, if there’s nothing else, then I’m leaving.”
“P’Aon! You didn’t-” Rain shouted after him. The lock on the door fell before he could finish his question. He gave a deep sigh before entering the en suite, face lighting up as he saw the bathtub and a selection of bath bombs.