4:07 AM. The glowing numbers on the bottom right part of the TV screen mocked Paulo as he tried to focus on the scene playing before his eyes. They decided to watch Mulan since both of them could not sleep; however, Stell seemed to be more interested in the turbulence outside as his sight has been nailed toward the windows.
"When will the rain stop?"
Paulo 's gaze shifted from the TV screen to Stell, who was sitting a few inches away from him on the 2-seater sofa.
"There's no news of a typhoon coming so I think it's just a monsoon." Paulo stated matter-of-factly while sipping on his 2nd cup of hot chocolate.
Suddenly, a sharp howling sound of heavy wind broke through the steady sound of the rain falling outside. Paulo could hear Stell's sudden sharp intake of breath and saw him sit straighter, his eyes seemed more alert even under those eyebags.
"Are you okay?" Paulo reached out to pat Stell's thigh.
"Huh?" Stell started, seemingly realizing there's someone beside him "W-that's nothing. I was just surprised."
Paulo placed his mug down on the glass center table before turning his attention to Stell fully. "Are you afraid of strong winds and rain?"
"Hala, hindi ah!" Stell averted his eyes but he could still feel Paulo's curious gaze on him, probably with a matching raised brow.
"Oh? Why have you been so restless lately?"
"I'm just worried that you might not be able to come home later." Stell dropped his head, still trying to avoid Paulo's eyes.
Paulo scooched closer and leaned down trying to capture the other guy's line of sight. "Does that look worried?", he teased.
"Ang gago mo-" Stell squirmed and tried to move away but Paulo captured both of his wrists and jumped on top of the younger guy. His lithe limbs landed beside Stell's thighs, effectively pinning him against the couch.
Stell gulped at the sight of Paulo leaning over him, his small and pretty face just a few inches close.
"Do you know that the fear of rain is called Pluviophobia?" Paulo whispered with his raspy voice, making Stell shudder.
"Hnnng."
Paulo blinked. Stell also blinked.
Stell's eyes widened like saucers upon realizing that the sound came from himself. He felt his face getting hotter and probably turning into a shade of red.
Paulo seemed surprised as well and his grip on the younger guy loosened so Stell took this opportunity to jump away from him, cramming to the far end of the 2-seater sofa.
"I-I don't have a phobia. I just don't like rain. I'm sad..." Stell stated while hugging a throwpillow to himself.
When he didn't hear a response from the other guy, he couldn't help but turn to him.
Paulo was looking at him intently, his big doe eyes unblinking.
"W-why are you looking at me like that?" Stell asked nervously.
"Have you tried playing in the rain?" Paulo asked with a straight face.
"Not yet. I wasn't allowed to do that when I was a kid because, well, it would hurt me."
"Tara."
Stell gaped at him, "You know how weird you really are."
"Let's just go to the rooftop of this condo. Then there will be no more thunder and lightning." Paulo stood and offered his hand to the younger man who was still glued to the sofa. "If you really don't have a phobia, you can come with me."
"You're really stupid." Stell rolled his eyes but still took the other man's hand. "Wait, I'll get our jacket."
Stell wants to tell himself that this is a very bad idea but the sound of Paulo's excited giggle made him smile internally. "I'll just go with him. Then maybe I just need to air it out so I can sleep." he assured himself.
They bundled themselves in Stell's waterproof windbreakers and thick beanies before going to the rooftop. Stell is mentally cringing at the thought of possibly ruining his clothes but he endured it in favor of witnessing a child-like version of their group's leader. Paulo is a very random person and the type to suddenly do weird stuff but after they've gotten busy due to numerous invites and guestings, Paulo has since become more stoic- especially to himself.
Stell frowned upon opening the rooftop's heavy door. He closed his eyes as soon as his face was hit by a cold gust of wind and rain.
Paulo laughed and pulled Stell by the hand toward the middle part of rooftop. As the younger man opened his eyes, he realized that it isn't raining that hard anymore.
Stell watched as Paulo turned his face toward the sky, droplets of rain falling on his pretty face softly.
"How can a man be so beautiful?" Stell thought to himself. Even after all these years of training and performing together, Stell still can't help but be entranced by Paulo's beauty, especially when he looks unguarded.
"Do you know what they call someone who loves rain?" Paulo's question broke Stell free from his thoughts.
"What?"
"Pluviophile." Paulo laughed. "Just a moment, Stell. Philia is the opposite of phobia."
"HAHA. I hope everyone is smart." Stell rolled his eyes.
Paulo turned to wink at him. "You've impressed me again."
If not for the surprise wink, Stell would have said something witty as a rebuttal but he could only settle for a fake frown.
"Couldn't we get sick here?"
"Don't worry, I'll take care of you if you get sick." Paulo smiled softly.
"No, thanks." Stell pocketed his hands inside his windbreaker. "Maybe you could feed me some hotdog stew."
Paulo laughed heartily and before Stell could react, he proceeded to jump on a puddle beside the younger man.
"Pablo!" Stell felt the splash of rain water reach his face. He wiped his face immediately with his clothed arm. "Buang ka."
Paulo fell silent upon hearing his nickname. "Sorry... Are you angry?"
Stell eyed him and sighed. "Hindi po." When the older man smiled with relief, Stell smirked and kicked the puddle of water toward him.
Paulo's shocked face made Stell guffaw. He clutched his stomach while laughing. "Your face Pau! Ahahaha!"
"Ah ganun?" Paulo narrowed his eyes and moved toward the younger man. He followed Stell's earlier gesture and kicked the same puddle of water.
"Huyy..." Stell ran away, still laughing unabatedly.
Paulo ran after him, kicking any puddle he sees toward the younger man.
"When I really catch up with you, Stell-" Paulo's eyes widened when he saw Stell almost slip while running. "Hey Stell, be careful!"
But Stell seemed not to care and still kept running while laughing. He couldn't really see the ground clearly since it's still dark outside and he isn't wearing his glasses. "Anong gagawin mo pag naabutan mo ako, Pau?"
"Come here, Stell. You might slip." Paulo worriedly called out to him.
"Oh, you can't put me through that." Stell stuck his tongue out.
Paulo sighed and started walking toward him. "Let's go back inside Stell."
Stell backed away out of impulse and was supposed to run again but in a split second, he realized he stepped on the part of the rooftop that is covered with moss. His left foot slipped and he closed his eyes sharply as he waited for his body to hit the ground.
However, he only felt arms encircling his waist and realized he was being pulled toward someone else's body.
When Stell opened his eyes, he was met with Paulo's slender neck and felt the older man's hot breath on his right ear.
"Pau?" Stell whispered, his arms falling on his sides, not knowing how to react.
He could hear Paulo's ragged breathing and felt the older man's arms move from his waist to his back.
They've always hugged each other so this isn't really new to Stell but he could feel that Paulo is hugging him tighter and his hot breathing near his ear is making Stell's insides squirm.
After what seems like eternity to Stell, he felt the older man loosen the hug slowly. Stell raised his head and was met with Paulo's dark and intense eyes boring into him. He gulped nervously as he felt Paulo's right hand cup his left cheek and his face inch closer to him. As intimidating as Paulo's stare can be, Stell just couldn't seem to look away, his eyes falling on Paulo's mouth.
"Have you heard about the phantom rain?" Paulo's breath softly hit Stell's cheek as his face moved closer and closer.
"P-phantom rain?"
"It's when the rain evaporates before it hits the ground, therefore, not making the ground wet. Like torture."
"T-torture?" Stell subconsciously licked his lips wet.
"Yes. The living things on the ground wait for the rain to drench them not knowing that the rain will never hit the ground. They wither and die waiting for nothing. That's torture." Paulo angled his face, now just a few inches away from Stell's. His thumb swiping at the droplets of rain falling on the younger man's cheek.
Stell couldn't wait anymore. He crossed the distance and crashed his lips against the older man. Paulo was caught off guard for a second before opening his mouth and darting his tongue out to taste Stell's soft lips.
He felt as the younger man whimpered against him. His left arm instinctively encircled around Stell's waist while his right hand manuevered the younger man's jaw so he could get better access on his mouth.
Stell opened his mouth brazenly and welcomed Paulo's prying tongue. He could only close his eyes and hold onto the older man's shoulders as their tongues fight for dominance.
The kiss tasted like hot chocolate and rain and Stell couldn't get enough of it. He wildly moved his tongue against Paulo's, wanting to taste more of his mouth. He could feel the older man's braces digging into his tongue but he couldn't care less.
The sound of their mouths clashing against each other and their ragged breathing can be heard over the sound of the rain hitting the paved rooftop but Stell can only hear his heart beating loudly againts his chest. He smiled into the kiss and let the rain fall into his face while Paulo explored every crevice there is inside his mouth.
___________________________________________________________
8:00 AM.
Stell awoke to the sound of his phone's alarm going off. He sat up and stretched after dismissing the alarm, his sight moving toward his balcony. He smiled as he sees sunlight peeking into his room with his blacked out curtains drawn aside.
Stell's eyes widened upon remembering what happened a few hours earlier. Did he and Paulo really kiss on the rooftop or was it just a dream? He touched his lips and felt that it was really swollen.
"You might need vaseline for that."
Stell jumped violently upon hearing Paulo's voice. The other guy is standing on the doorway, a smirk plastered on his pretty face. "Good morning."
"G-good morning..."
"Put some vaseline on your lips so they don't peel." Paulo approached the younger man and kissed the top of his head. "I cooked breakfast."
Stell felt his face getting hot again, "T-thanks..."
"Just hotdogs and eggs... unless you want other hotdogs-" Paulo laughed after Stell threw a pillow toward him. "The eggs are also delicious but if you want hard," Paulo wiggled his brows suggestively.
"Ahhhhhh!" Stell covered his ears with hands. "There you go! I'll follow!" He shooed the older man away.
Stell could only clutch at his heart as he hears Paulo's hearty laughter slowly dissipating after he exited the bedroom.
He looked outside through the balcony's glass doors, his eye catching sight of a small puddle glistening as the sunlight hits it.
Well, the rain isn't bad at all.