Nani stared at the thread, a strange warmth spreading through him where it touched. His heart raced—not from fear, but from a profound sense of familiarity, as though some forgotten part of him had been waiting for this moment.

"They call me Wu," Sky said quietly, his voice steady, resonating with an unshakable certainty. He paused, letting the words settle before continuing. "But I am also Sky, and fate has brought us together."

The glowing thread pulsed faintly before fading, leaving behind an air charged with unspoken possibilities

---------

Nani stepped onto the quiet street, the Melody doll tucked loosely under his waist. The faint buzz of the night fair grew distant, the golden glow of lanterns giving way to dim streetlights. His steps were steady but slow, his thoughts weighed down by the night's strange events.

The soft patter of footsteps behind him drew his attention. He glanced over his shoulder and, unsurprisingly, found Sky following a few paces behind. His relaxed posture and carefree gait made it seem like he belonged there, yet Nani couldn't shake the feeling that this boy was far from ordinary.

"Why are you following me?" Nani finally asked, his voice sharp but low. He didn't stop walking.

Sky shrugged, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm not following you. I'm just... heading in the same direction."

Nani rolled his eyes. "Sure you are."

"You didn't even tell me where you live," Sky said, quickening his pace to walk beside Nani now. "So how could I be following you?"

"Maybe because you're annoyingly persistent," Nani shot back, casting a sideways glance. He didn't want to admit it, but Sky's lighthearted demeanor was chipping away at his irritation.

Sky chuckled softly. "I think you're misunderstanding. I'm not following you because I want to bother you. I'm just making sure you're safe."

Nani stopped abruptly, turning to face him. The street was quiet now, the faint hum of crickets filling the air. "Safe? From what? I can handle myself. You're the one who should be worrying. That thug will come after you for revenge."

Sky tilted his head, his dark eyes wide and innocent, almost sparkling under the dim streetlight. "I don't need to worry about that. You'll protect me again." His tone was so casual, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Nani frowned, his chest tightening at the boy's unwavering faith in him. "What makes you so sure I'd do that? You don't even know me."

Sky pouted slightly, tilting his head like a curious puppy. "Because you're kind. Even if you pretend you're not. Besides, you have reasons to do that as well."

Nani groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. He glanced at Sky, intending to argue, but his words caught in his throat when he saw the necklace—a simple but unmistakable token from his mother—resting on the boy's neck.

His jaw clenched as he looked away, muttering under his breath, "If you're going to follow me around, at least make yourself useful."

Sky beamed, his face lighting up like he'd just won a prize. "Okay! I can do that."

Nani sighed, walking forward again. Sky skipped to keep up, a soft hum escaping his lips. "Don't worry," Sky said cheerfully. "I'll be helpful. You'll see!"

------

The narrow staircase creaked under their weight as Nani and Sky ascended to the second floor of the run-down apartment building. The peeling paint on the walls and the faint scent of mildew told stories of better days long past. The dim light from a single flickering bulb cast uneven shadows across the corridor.

Sky's curiosity was evident as his wide eyes scanned their surroundings. He trailed his fingers along the chipped railing and leaned over to peer down the stairwell. "This place feels... old," he murmured, his voice soft but tinged with wonder.

Nani snorted. "It's not exactly a tourist attraction."

Sky ignored the remark, smiling as he studied the cracks on the walls. "Every place has its charm. You just have to look for it."

Nani didn't respond, his focus narrowing as they approached his unit. His steps faltered when he saw a pile of belongings scattered haphazardly outside his door. Old clothes, a few books, and a  mattress lay in a messy heap, as if tossed out without care.

He exhaled a long, weary sigh, his shoulders sinking. "Perfect," he muttered under his breath, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Sky's gaze flicked from the mess to Nani. "Is this... your stuff?"

"Yeah," Nani replied flatly, stepping closer to the heap. "Looks like my landlord finally had enough of waiting for rent." 

Nani crouched by the heap of belongings, his fingers idly brushing against the worn fabric of a discarded shirt. A bitter chuckle escaped his lips as he thought about his recent streak of bad luck. Losing his job, the strange boy who now shadowed him, and now this—being evicted without warning. It was as though the universe had decided to pile everything on at once.

He glanced up, his eyes meeting Sky's. The boy stood a few steps away, his hands clasped behind his back, a radiant smile playing on his lips. It wasn't the kind of smile that mocked or pitied. It was warm, as if Sky truly believed everything would somehow work out.

That smile stirred something in Nani—annoyance, perhaps, or maybe hope. He wasn't sure. Either way, it nudged him toward an idea.

He stood abruptly, slinging his tattered backpack over one shoulder. He left most of his belongings in the pile, taking only a few essentials and his parents' photo. The rest would have to wait. He could come back for it later—if it was still there.

"Come on," Nani said, his tone brisk as he stepped past Sky and headed toward the stairs.

Sky tilted his head curiously but followed without question. "Where are we going?" he asked, his voice lilting with intrigue.

Nani didn't look back. "I know a place we can stay tonight," he replied, his steps steady, his grip on the backpack firm. His voice carried a hint of weariness, but his tone was decisive. "It's not much, but it's better than sleeping out here. Or perhaps you should go back to your home and stop following me."

Sky quickened his pace, easily matching Nani's stride. His smile was as radiant as ever, unshaken by the remark. "Nah," he said, his voice light and cheerful, "I'd rather stay with you."

------- 

As they turned into the narrow, dimly lit alley, the atmosphere shifted. The faint hum of distant traffic faded, replaced by the occasional murmur of voices, soft laughter, and the low pulse of music spilling from hidden doorways. Neon signs flickered in reds and purples, casting an otherworldly glow over the cracked pavement. This was a place with a reputation—a shadowy haven where gay men sought fleeting connections, a world Nani had walked through countless times before.

Nani strode forward with practiced indifference, his gaze fixed straight ahead, as if the murky surroundings didn't exist. His posture was casual, but his movements were purposeful, his familiarity with the area evident in his confident steps. He ignored the low whistles, the subtle glances, and the quiet propositions murmured in passing.

Sky, however, was far from indifferent. His wide eyes darted from one figure to the next, taking in the alley's dimly lit corners and the languid silhouettes leaning against walls. There was no judgment in his gaze—just unfiltered curiosity, like a child stepping into a world they'd only heard of in whispers.

And then, the inevitable happened.

Sky's striking presence—his tall, lean figure, his chiseled features, and his effortlessly charming smile—drew attention like a moth to a flame. A few men broke from their spots, sauntering over with unmistakable interest.

"Hey there, handsome," one of them drawled, his tone smooth and inviting. Another offered a warm smile, leaning in slightly as if to catch Sky's scent. "New around here? You've got a face too gorgeous to forget."

Sky blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the attention. He tilted his head, his expression an intriguing mix of innocence and amusement. "Oh, uh... thanks?" His polite but unsure tone only seemed to encourage them.

Nani glanced over his shoulder, his sharp gaze cutting through the low light like a blade. He sighed audibly, muttering under his breath. Of course this would happen. How could he forget that he was walking with a handsome boy—someone who looked even better than the actors on those series plastered across TV screens.

Without breaking stride, Nani reached back and grabbed Sky's wrist, tugging him forward with just enough force to break the encircling crowd. "He's not interested," Nani said flatly, his voice carrying a sharp, warning edge.

The men exchanged glances before one of them stepped closer, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh? And how would you know? You don't speak for him, do you?" The others chuckled, their laughter low and mocking. "Maybe he's into it. He doesn't seem to be complaining."

Nani turned, his jaw tightening as his eyes swept over the group with icy disdain. "I don't need to ask," he said confidently, his tone razor-sharp. "He's my boyfriend."

Sky's eyes widened slightly at the statement, his head tilting in confusion. "Wait, what—" he began, but Nani shot him a look that stopped him mid-sentence. Sky hesitated for a moment, his innocent expression shifting into something resembling understanding, he started to understand what was going on.

One of the men raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Boyfriend, huh? He doesn't look too sure about that."

Sky blinked, realizing all eyes were on him. Confidently, he nodded, a tentative smile forming on his lips as he slid closer to Nani. "Yeah," he said softly, glancing up at Nani. "That's right. I'm with him."

The smirk on the lead man's face faltered slightly, but he pressed on. "Sure you are. Doesn't seem like he's your type."

Nani stepped forward, his expression hardening as he locked eyes with the man. "You want to test that theory?" His voice was low, cold, and filled with an unmistakable threat. "Because I don't think you'd like how it ends."

The bluntness of the threat hung in the air, silencing the group. Sky slid his hand into Nani's."Let's just go," he murmured, glancing at him.

The men exchanged glances, their amusement fading as the tension grew thicker. One of them finally raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. No need to get all worked up. We're done here."

With a few muttered curses and dismissive shrugs, they backed off, the danger passing as quickly as it had come. Nani let out a sharp exhale, releasing Sky's wrist and starting down the alley again without a word.

Sky trailed after him, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Boyfriend, huh?" he said, his tone light and teasing. "I kind of like the sound of that."

Nani groaned, dragging a hand through his hair in exasperation. "Don't get any ideas," he muttered. "It was just the fastest way to get rid of them."

Sky's smile only widened as he quickened his pace to walk beside Nani. "Still," he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "it's not a bad plan. Maybe you should stick with it."

Nani shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. "You're impossible."

Sky chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "And you're stuck with me. Fate has brought us together."

-----

Nani led Sky through a maze of quiet streets until they reached a small, weathered house tucked behind a line of overgrown shrubs. The paint on the wooden exterior was peeling, and the front porch sagged slightly, but the warm light spilling through the windows hinted at a welcoming refuge.

He knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the still night. Moments later, the door creaked open to reveal a woman with a soft, pretty face framed by loose waves of dark hair. She wore an oversized sweater and jeans, her expression shifting from surprise to understanding in an instant.

"P' Milk," Nani greeted, his voice low and tired.

Milk's gaze flicked to him, taking in his worn-out posture and the sparse belongings he carried. Her lips curved into a wry smile. "Let me guess," she said, crossing her arms. "The landlord finally threw you out?"

Nani nodded, his shoulders slumping. "Yeah. Didn't even give me a warning."

Milk sighed, shaking her head. "He's always been a jerk. You know you can stay here as long as you need to."

"Thanks," Nani said, his voice filled with quiet gratitude. He stepped inside, motioning for Sky to follow.

Milk's eyes immediately landed on the boy trailing behind Nani. Her brows lifted slightly, her expression shifting to one of mild curiosity. She glanced at Nani with a silent question in her eyes: Who's this?

Before Nani could respond, Sky grinned confidently and took a small step forward. "I'm Nani's boyfriend," he said, his tone cheerful and self-assured, as if that explained everything.

Milk's eyes widened in surprise, and then she broke into a laugh, the sound light and musical. "Is that so?" she said, giving Nani a teasing look. "You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend now."

Nani groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "He's not my—" He stopped mid-sentence, his words faltering under the weight of exhaustion and exasperation. After a beat, he let out a resigned sigh, shaking his head in defeat. "You know what? Forget it. It's been a long night. Why do I even bother?"

-----

Milk showed them to a small, modest room at the back of the house. The walls were lined with faded wallpaper, and the only furniture was a twin-sized bed, a wooden chair, and a rickety nightstand. The single window was cracked open, letting in a faint breeze that carried the scent of damp earth.

"It's not much, but it's yours for as long as you need it," Milk said, smiling gently. "Let me know if you need anything."

Nani nodded. "Thanks, P' Milk."

Milk glanced at Sky with a curious smile before stepping out and closing the door behind her.

Nani dropped his backpack by the chair and slumped onto the bed with a long sigh, the weight of the day pressing down on him. Sky perched on the edge before lying down beside Nani, resting on his side. He propped his head on one hand, studying Nani with an unshakable curiosity.

Nani turned his head slightly, catching Sky's gaze. "What?" he muttered, his voice tinged with fatigue.

Sky grinned, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Is there a casino nearby?"

Nani blinked, frowning in confusion. "A casino? Why?"

"To fix your finances," Sky said matter-of-factly, as if it were the most obvious solution in the world.

Nani let out a sharp laugh, laced with disbelief and mockery. "By gambling? That's your big plan?"

"Yes," Sky replied, entirely unbothered by Nani's sarcasm. "I can win enough to get you back on your feet. It's my speciaty."

Nani groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Unbelievable."

Sky's grin didn't fade, but there was something inexplicably mysterious in his tone as he spoke. His voice carried a quiet confidence that seemed to cut through the air. "You shouldn't underestimate me. But after we take care of this, there's something else we need to do."

"Oh yeah?" Nani said dryly. "What's that?"

Sky's gaze softened, though his tone remained resolute. "We need to go back to your parents' house."

The room seemed to freeze at those words. Nani's expression hardened instantly, his lips pressing into a thin line. He turned away, pulling the blanket over himself. "That's not happening," he said flatly, his tone carrying a finality that left no room for argument.

Sky didn't push further. Instead, he simply lay down, still smiling faintly, as if he knew something Nani didn't. There was a subtle shift in his gaze, something almost otherworldly in his calm, unreadable expression. "We'll see," he said softly, laced with an underlying certainty. "We always end up where we're supposed to be."

Nani didn't respond, his back firmly turned to Sky. But as he stared into the darkness, his mind raced with thoughts he'd long buried, memories of a place he'd sworn never to return to.