Rain still loved them. Years passed and it never stopped fucking raining.

By the time senior year hit everyone knew their names even if no one understood what the hell they were. Baek Cirrus still ruled the school socially. Smiles. Charisma. That effortless cool that made teachers forgive him and students orbit him. Skyler still sat near the windows with perfect grades and a permanent scowl daring anyone to try him.

They weren’t openly together. Not really. Too messy. Too many eyes. Skyler hated public affection and Cirrus hated not being in control so it was a constant low grade war of compromises and sharp words whispered too close.

Then Skyler turned eighteen.

It was raining like shit again obviously.

Someone decided to throw a party because it was their last year and everyone was scared of the future. Loud music. Cheap alcohol. Too many bodies packed into a house that smelled like wet jackets and bad decisions.

Skyler didn’t plan to drink. He really didn’t. Then someone shoved a cup into his hand. Then another. Then another. By the time he realized what was happening his cheeks were flushed his head was spinning and his mouth had lost its filter entirely.

Cirrus found him sitting on the kitchen counter rain dripping from his hair eyes sharp and unfocused. Drunk Skyler was dangerous. Less guarded. More honest. Mean in ways that cut deep.

“You look stupid,” Skyler said immediately squinting at him.

Cirrus snorted. “Happy birthday to you too.”

Skyler laughed loud and unrestrained then scowled just as fast. “Everyone’s staring. I hate it. They’re all fucking idiots.”

Cirrus stepped closer instinctively possessive hand landing on Skyler’s thigh. Skyler slapped it away hard.

“Don’t,” Skyler snapped. “Not here.”

Cirrus’s jaw tightened. Jealous irritation flaring when someone laughed too close to Skyler. “You’re drunk.”

“No shit,” Skyler slurred. “I’m eighteen. I’m allowed to be fucked up.”

Rain thundered outside. The windows rattled. Skyler slid off the counter unsteady and grabbed Cirrus’s collar dragging him close. His voice dropped raw and blunt.

“You ever think about how scared I am,” Skyler muttered. “About graduating. About people leaving. About you deciding I’m too much bullshit.”

Cirrus froze. The party noise blurred out.

“You’re mine,” Cirrus said automatically, then caught himself breath hitching. “I mean- I’m not going anywhere.”

Skyler laughed bitter. “That’s the controlling shit I hate.”