"Follow them," she ordered, her voice suddenly cool and sharp, slicing through the tension like a blade. "Keep a safe distance, treat them like VIPs. Nothing— nothing—can go wrong."

The male staff member nodded, already turning to carry out her instructions, but her voice stopped him mid-step.

"Wait."

He froze, glancing back at her, his posture stiff with attention. Her tone had changed—colder now, sharper, laced with an intensity that demanded absolute obedience. "If anyone—anyone—tries to cause trouble again to them, you know what to do," she said, her words deliberate and unyielding. "I don't care who they are. Handle it."

The man nodded firmly, his jaw set with determination. "Yes, Madam."

With that, the male staff turned and bolted down the hallway, already adjusting his course to follow Sky and Nani at a distance. The manager stood still for a moment, watching him go, her mind clearly racing. Her lips pressed into a thin line as the shadow of worry settled over her.

------Outside the restroom, at the mall:

"What took you so long?" Nani's voice was dry, tinged with impatience as he leaned against the wall outside the restroom. Sky had been inside forever—or at least it felt that way. "I didn't know you were such a clean freak." He tapped his fingers against the letter in his hand, trying to mask his annoyance.

From inside, Sky's voice echoed, slightly muffled but undeniably dramatic. "You wouldn't understand." The sound of running water punctuated his words. "I hate being touched by strangers. Especially someone like your cousin."

Nani raised an eyebrow, his expression caught between confusion and amusement. "You're seriously this worked up over that?" He shifted his weight to one foot, trying to look indifferent but curious all the same. "Then why don't you react like that when I touch you?"

There was a pause, long enough to make Nani glance at the door. Then came Sky's response, his voice teasing, with just enough softness to catch Nani off guard. "You're different."

Nani scoffed, rolling his eyes but failing to suppress the slight upward tug of his lips. "How so?"

The restroom door opened, and Sky finally stepped out, his grin wide and radiant, as if he'd been waiting for this moment. "Because you're my boyfriend, of course."

Nani shot him a glare, but his cheeks betrayed him, a faint blush rising as he turned his head slightly. "Stop saying that. No one's around to witness your little performance."

Sky pouted dramatically, leaning in just enough to invade Nani's space. "Aw, but it's true," he said, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "We are boyfriends, aren't we?"

Nani's confidence wavered the instant Sky closed the distance between them. Sky's tall frame cast a shadow over him, his playful smirk offset by the intense gaze in his dark eyes. His face was just inches away, and Nani felt his breath catch, the air between them suddenly too warm. His mind scrambled for something to say, but the proximity made it impossible to think clearly.

"What are... you doing?" Nani stammered, the words barely above a whisper as he instinctively took a step back.

Sky tilted his head, clearly enjoying the reaction he'd gotten. "Nothing," he replied innocently, though his smirk said otherwise.

The shift in Nani's posture didn't go unnoticed. Sky took a deliberate step back, his expression softening but not losing its playful edge. "Relax," he teased lightly, letting the tension ease. "I'm not going to bite."

Nani adjusted his sweater hastily, trying to regain his composure. His ears burned, but he kept his gaze steady, even if his heart was still racing. Sky's soft giggle broke the silence, making Nani glance up with a scowl he didn't entirely mean.

"I love your new style," Sky said with a grin, his tone light but sincere. "You look cute."

"Thanks," Nani muttered, his voice quieter than usual, his eyes darting away. A moment later, something clicked in his mind, and he straightened, turning to Sky with a sharp look. "Wait. I've been meaning to ask, but I never had the chance... When Air fell—was that your doing?"

Sky smiled and gave a small nod. "Yes," he admitted simply. "She was going to hit you. I couldn't let that happen."

Nani frowned, his worry overtaking his irritation. "I could've protected myself easily. You didn't need to interfere," he said, his tone softer but edged with concern. "Wasn't that risky for you? What if it brings you bad luck again?"

Sky had only just managed to free himself from a string of bad luck, and Nani hated the thought of him falling back into that mess because of something as trivial as Air. He watched Sky carefully, searching his face for any sign of regret or unease.

But Sky only smiled, his expression calm and reassuring. "Don't worry," he said, his voice carrying a soothing confidence. "She's a bad person with a mountain of negative karma. Bad things were bound to happen to her eventually—I just sped up the process."

His words were so matter-of-fact, so unshakably certain, that Nani couldn't help but feel a bit of the tension drain from his shoulders.

"You're sure?" Nani pressed, though his voice had softened even further now.

Sky's smile grew a touch brighter, his tone warm as he replied, "I'll be fine. Fate won't cause me any trouble over this. Trust me."

With that, Nani let out a relieved sigh, the knot of worry in his chest loosening. "That's good to hear," he said softly, his lips curving into a faint smile.

Sky's eyes then drifted to the letter in Nani's hand, immediately catching his attention. The letter. It brought back the unease simmering in the back of his mind. His uncle never sent anything good—never—but this was about his parents, and that made it different. A war waged inside him: one side desperate to open it, the other filled with hesitation.

Sky raised an eyebrow, waiting for Nani to say something. Finally, with a sharp exhale, Nani shoved the letter into Sky's hands.

"You read it," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Sky blinked, momentarily surprised. "But it's meant for you," he replied, glancing down at the envelope. "Am I even allowed to?"

"Didn't you just say you're my boyfriend?" Nani shot back, his voice tinged with annoyance, though his eyes betrayed his nervousness. "Read it and tell me what's inside."

Sky's grin widened, clearly delighted by Nani's words. He settled onto the couch near the walkway of the mall and carefully opened the envelope, taking his time with the delicate paper. The silence stretched on, Sky's eyes scanning the contents of the letter while his expression turned unreadable.

Nani, unable to take the suspense, tapped his foot impatiently. "Well?" he asked. "What does it say?"

Sky looked up, handed Nani the letter, and said, "It's an invitation."

An invitation? Nani's brow knit in confusion as he grabbed the letter, his eyes quickly darting over the few carefully written words. It was indeed an invitation—a formal one from his uncle. He was hosting a party to celebrate his promotion to CEO of Fortune Venture, and the venue was none other than Evergreen mansion. The very house Nani had once called home, where he had lived happily with his parents.

Nani let out a sharp, mocking smirk. "Guess he wants me there to witness his 'triumph.' What a sick person. But then again, he's always been sick."

Sky leaned in a little closer, his curiosity piqued. "What's the real bad blood between you and your uncle? Is it tied to Fortune Venture? I know it was founded by your father."

Nani raised an eyebrow. "You know that too?" His tone carried a hint of surprise, but it quickly faded as his expression shifted. Of course he knew. Sky always seemed to know things—especially when it came to his parents. This boy was full of mysteries, after all.

He sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile. "So, when are you going to tell me about your connection to my late parents?"

Sky just gave him a cute, wide-eyed look as an answer, silently hinting that he wasn't about to say a thing. Nani sighed again, his shoulders dropping as he reluctantly started explaining.

Nani's voice faltered slightly as he began to speak, the words coming slower than he intended. He took a deep breath first, his gaze dropping to the floor as memories he'd buried deep within him started to resurface.

"After my parents passed away..." His words came out quiet, almost trembling, like he was trying to keep the cracks in his armor from showing. "I was just a kid back then."

He shifted in place, tension coiling in his shoulders, and Sky noticed immediately. Without a word, he reached out, his fingers brushing softly against Nani's hand. The touch was light, grounding—a silent promise that he wasn't alone.

"My uncle, my grandfather..." Nani's lips twisted into a bitter smirk, an edge of mockery laced in his voice. "They decided I wasn't part of the family anymore. Too busy drooling over my parents' wealth to see anything else."

"And their excuse?" Nani's voice dipped, sharp and full of anger. "They told me I wasn't even my parents' son. Just some... bastard. No right to their name, their house, their business—nothing."

"It wasn't just about the money or the house," he continued, his voice trembling with a fierce, bitter conviction. "It was about them—my parents. Everything they built, everything they meant to me." His hand tightened into a fist, nails digging into his palm as his words grew heavier. "And they took it all away, like it didn't matter. Like I didn't matter."

Sky's expression softened, his eyes softening with unspoken empathy. But he said nothing, as though waiting for Nani to continue on his own terms.

"They made it clear I had no place there," Nani said, his tone flat, as if the words themselves didn't matter anymore. He shrugged it off almost casually, hiding the emotion behind a practiced mask. That's what he was best at, after all. "No home. No family. So... I left. Didn't have a choice. Had to face the world on my own."

He let out a bitter laugh, then glanced at Sky. "But I made it," he said, trying to sound proud, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I survived. Do you think that's great? I managed to be on my own when I was fourteen. I bet my parents would be proud, don't you think?"

Before Nani could add anything else, Sky closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around Nani in a firm, yet gentle hold. For a moment, Nani stiffened, surprised by the sudden closeness, but then he felt the warmth of Sky's embrace, a comfort he hadn't realized he was missing. He let himself lean into it, the years of tension and pain breaking loose in a way he couldn't stop.

A few tears slipped from his eyes, despite his best efforts to hold them back. He was so tired. So damn tired of carrying the weight of everything alone.

"Let it all out," Sky murmured softly, his hand rubbing soothing circles on Nani's back. "You're safe with me."

And in that moment, Nani's walls crumbled. The calm he had worn for so long evaporated. Strange—he'd learned to act tough in the face of hardships, but one simple gesture from the person he loved, and everything fell apart. Nani cried, unashamed, letting it all pour out, not caring if anyone saw them in the crowded mall.

"I'm sorry," Sky whispered gently in his ear, his voice tender and calming, like a balm to the raw wound that Nani had hidden for so long. "You didn't deserve any of that."

Nani let out a humorless laugh, his voice muffled against Sky's shoulder. "You don't need to apologize," he muttered, his words barely audible. "You had nothing to do with it."

Sky paused for a moment, then pulled back just enough to look Nani in the eyes. His usual mischievous glint was back, though it was softened by the tenderness of the moment. "Well," Sky began, his voice a little lighter, "I may not have caused your family drama, but I am pretty good at fixing bad moods."

Nani raised an eyebrow, still trying to wipe away the remnants of his tears, but the corner of his lips twitched up in spite of himself. "Oh really?" he said, a trace of sarcasm in his tone. "And what exactly is your method of fixing moods?"

Sky grinned, eyes glinting with mischief. "Well," he said, drawing out the moment for dramatic effect, "first, I hug you until you feel like you're drowning in affection."

He immediately did so, wrapping Nani up in a tight embrace once again. Despite Sky's imposing size, his affection came across like that of an overly eager puppy, and Nani couldn't help but melt into it, even if his face remained grumpy.

Nani rolled his eyes but didn't pull away. Instead, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "And what's step two, Mr. Mood Expert?" he asked, his voice a little softer now.

Sky lifted his head, meeting Nani's gaze with a grin that was nothing short of contagious. "Step two? Easy. I make terrible jokes until you can't stop laughing. Like this one: Why don't skeletons fight each other?"

Nani blinked, caught off guard by the randomness of it. "What?"

"Because they don't have the guts!" Sky said, his voice full of exaggerated enthusiasm.

Nani blinked again, then let out a small, genuine chuckle. "That indeed was terrible," he muttered, but the sound of it, that chuckle, felt good—like the first breath after a storm.

Sky's smile softened, and he gave Nani a reassuring squeeze. "There. See? All better now."

Nani scoffed, but the warmth in his chest, the crack of a smile on his lips, made it clear Sky had done exactly what he set out to do. "You're such an idiot," Nani muttered, but there was no real bite to his words.

"Yeah," Sky said, his grin still lingering. "But I'm your idiot."

Sky kept cracking bad jokes, and Nani's mood lightened again. Sky truly had a knack for lifting spirits, effortlessly easing the tension with his humor. As they continued shopping, everything seemed to go smoothly, but something felt off to Nani.

He couldn't help but notice how the staff treated them—almost too well. Their overly attentive service and constant compliments struck him as strange. When he mentioned it to Sky, the puppy boy brushed it off with a shrug, suggesting they were probably just compensating for Air's earlier antics causing them trouble. Though the explanation didn't fully sit right with Nani, he decided not to dwell on it and let the thought fade away. 

After a successful shopping trip, they made their way to the food aisles to pick up ingredients for dinner. Sky was brimming with excitement—this was the first time he'd get to try Nani's cooking. The past few days had been a blur of unpacking and settling in, leaving them no choice but to rely on takeout. Tonight, however, promised something special: a homemade meal crafted by Nani himself.

-----Nani's new condo, later that day

As the door clicked shut behind them, Nani strode confidently to the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves with the kind of determination that left Sky momentarily awestruck. The condo's cozy interior seemed to shrink, the warm glow of the lights focusing entirely on Nani as if he were the star of a cooking show.

Sky shuffled over to the counter and perched himself on a stool, chin resting in his hands, his wide, expectant eyes glued to Nani like a puppy waiting for its treat. The earlier havoc he'd wreaked in the name of "helping" had been conveniently erased from his mind. However, the broken dishes and the pitifully misshapen vegetables scattered across the counter stood as undeniable evidence of his mischief, silent witnesses to his well-meaning but disastrous attempts at assistance.

Nani, however, was in his element. Each movement was deliberate, each chop of the knife precise, as though he were orchestrating a symphony of culinary magic. Sky watched, spellbound. The way Nani poured his heart into each step—the tenderness with which he handled the ingredients—was hypnotizing. It wasn't just cooking, it was an art form.

And then it happened. The aroma.

The spices mingled with the savory undertones of simmering broth, wrapping around them like a warm embrace. The scent was intoxicating, a blend so perfect it seemed almost otherworldly. Sky inhaled deeply, closing his eyes as his senses were flooded with the promise of something extraordinary. His stomach betrayed him with a loud growl, but he barely noticed. He was too busy marveling at Nani's brilliance.

"Sky," Nani called over his shoulder, his voice soft yet commanding, "pass me the plates, will you?"

Sky sprang into action, fumbling with the dishes. He hurried to set the small table in the middle of the kitchen, its surface bathed in the golden light from the overhead fixture. Together, they plated the food—Nani with his practiced grace, Sky with an enthusiasm that made up for his lack of finesse.

Finally, the table was set, the dishes steaming and inviting. Nani gestured for Sky to sit, his smile brimming with pride. "This," he said, placing the final dish in the center, "is my mother's signature curry dish recipe. Go on, give it a try."

Sky didn't need to be told twice. He picked up his fork, eyes wide with anticipation, and took a bite. The moment the flavors hit his tongue, his entire world seemed to shift. He stared at Nani, his expression a mix of wonder and disbelief.

"Nani..." he began, his voice almost a whisper, "this is incredible. Like, I'd sell my soul for another bite kind of incredible."

Nani chuckled softly, his eyes dancing with amusement as Sky practically moaned in delight after taking another bite. "I didn't know I was feeding a soul-seller tonight," he teased, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin.

Sky's puppy eyes widened even more, a dramatic gasp escaping his lips. "I'm serious, Nani! This is so good, I can't even—" He trailed off mid-sentence, his expression shifting into one of sudden determination. Without warning, he grabbed a spoonful of the dish and extended it toward Nani. "Here, you try it!"

Nani blinked, leaning back in his chair. "What are you doing?" he asked, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "I'm not a child anymore, Sky."

"Aw, come on!" Sky pressed, undeterred, his puppy face on full display. He leaned forward, bottom lip trembling for added effect. "Please, just try it. I worked so hard to watch you make this." He shot Nani an exaggerated, pleading look, as if he were asking for the most difficult favor in the world.

Nani narrowed his eyes, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "What do you mean by 'I worked so hard to watch you make this'?" he asked, his tone rising to a playful, mock-yell. "I cooked the dish! I'm the one working hard here!"

Sky, ever the persistent little troublemaker, continued to pout, his expression a perfect blend of innocence and charm. His eyes, impossibly wide, looked like the pleading gaze of a lost puppy. 

Nani let out an exasperated sigh, his resistance starting to crumble. "Fine, fine. You're impossible." He leaned forward, his movements slow and deliberate as he let Sky spoon-feed him a bite, his eyes catching the playful glint in Sky's gaze.

The moment the bite hit his tongue, Nani chewed thoughtfully, his face unreadable for a beat. Then, he swallowed and shook his head, a small chuckle escaping his lips. 

Sky's grin spread wider, his chest puffing out like a victorious little lion who had just conquered a kingdom. "It's great, isn't it?" he teased, leaning back with a playful swagger, as if he'd just won the hardest-fought battle of the century.

Nani rolled his eyes. "Of course it's great. My cooking never fails. Never," he said, the pride evident in his posture. 

Sky raised an eyebrow, his mischievous smirk turning even more playful as he leaned in closer, narrowing his eyes like a man on a mission. "But doesn't it taste better?" he whispered, his breath warm against Nani's skin, sending a little shiver down his spine.

Nani blinked, caught off guard for a moment, his heart skipping a beat. "What...?" he began, but Sky was already smirking, so close that Nani could feel the teasing warmth radiating off of him.

"You know," Sky continued, his voice soft but laden with something playful, almost flirtatious. "Because a hot, handsome boy just spoon-fed it to you?"

The words sent a sudden wave of warmth through Nani, his cheeks flushing ever so slightly as Sky's breath tickled his ear. His heart fluttered, and for a brief moment, he found himself completely caught off guard. But then—

Ouch!

A sharp cry broke the moment as Sky yelped, his hands instinctively flying to his head where Nani's playful smack had landed. Nani smirked. "That's for whispering into my ear while I'm trying to eat," he said. "Now, continue eating and do the cleaning, will you?"

Sky rubbed the spot on his head, the shock of the light smack fading into a playful grumble. "Krub..." he muttered as he gave Nani a pouty look, still nursing his "wound."

Nani chuckled, his gaze never leaving Sky as he took his seat again, dramatically rubbing his head. The playful energy between them lingered, light and easy. But then, Nani's eyes shifted, catching the corner of a letter on the table. His smile faded just a little.

Whether he accepted his uncle's invitation or not was a difficult decision.

----Vote and give me comment na----