𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

The door creaked softly as Sky stepped inside.

And there he was.

His Regina.

The soft glow of the bedside lamp bathed Nani's figure in a warmth that no crown could rival. He sat before the dressing table, calm and unhurried, fingertips moving with delicate precision as he worked moisturizer into his flawless skin. The satin robe clung loosely to his frame, the pure white fabric pooling like spilled moonlight against his shoulders and thighs.

Nothing beneath - Sky knew it instantly, and the realization sent a sharp ache through his chest.

Every time he saw him like this, Sky felt the same ruthless truth crawl back into his bones Nani was both his salvation and his ruin.

The world outside could burn, empires could collapse, but as long as this man sat in front of him, untouched and unbothered, Sky would gladly be the one to fan the flames.

How could anyone bear beauty like this and not go mad? How could anyone look at Nani and not fall to their knees?

Sky's lips curved into a smirk, his voice a low murmur dripping with both awe and possession.

"How many times," he asked, "are you going to kill me with this beauty?"

Nani's eyes flicked up through the mirror, locking onto his with that practiced mix of defiance and allure. A faint smile ghosted across his lips, dangerous in its simplicity.

"As long as I want," he replied coolly.

Sky's smirk deepened at Nani's cool reply, but he didn't fire back another tease. Instead, he crossed the room in a few strides, his shadow falling over Nani's delicate frame. Without a word, he leaned down, pressing his lips to the curve of Nani's neck before breathing him in.

The scent was maddening. Clean, warm, uniquely him. Sky buried his face deeper, almost desperate, as if Nani's very existence was the only air he could breathe. His arms circled around him, pulling him up from the chair, leading them both toward the bed.

The satin robe shifted as Nani moved, the fabric whispering against his skin like temptation itself. Once they collapsed onto the bed, Nani settled against Sky with a languid grace, one leg sliding over his hips as though it belonged there. And it did every part of Nani belonged exactly where Sky held him.

Sky's hands roamed slowly, reverently, down the smooth expanse of his thighs, fingertips brushing against satin and skin alike. He never lifted his head from Nani's neck, never stopped inhaling him like a man starved. His breath was warm, shaky, almost pleading against the delicate skin.

"You'll kill me one day," Sky whispered against his pulse, voice muffl aw with need. "And I'll thank you for it."

Nani's fingers toyed with the back of his hair, calm and unhurried, as if he were used to being worshipped like this. His lips curved faintly, but he didn't push Sky away - he let him drown.

Their breathing had slowed, the fever of Sky's worship easing into something softer, more domestic. The satin sheets rustled as they lay tangled together, Sky still holding Nani close as though letting go wasn't an option.

Nani traced lazy circles on Sky's arm with his fingertip, then tilted his head slightly. "I heard what happened in that bar outside the city," he said quietly. "Insiders smuggling drugs, isn't that why you went?"

Sky hummed, his nose still pressed to the crook of Nani's neck.

"Mm. Handled it," he said simply, his tone final, like there was nothing more to worry about.

Nani's lips curved, a spark of mischief in his eyes as he asked, "Do you... do drugs, Sky?"

That finally made him lift his head, his dark gaze locking onto Nani's. A slow grin spread across his face.

"Yes," he said without hesitation, voice low and steady. "The drug's name is Nani Hirunkit."

Nani's cheeks warmed despite himself, and he shoved Sky lightly on the chest. "Idiot."

But the tension between them softened, the night folding around them in comfortable conversation. They talked about everything and nothing - business matters, trivial gossip, small stories from the day that wouldn't matter to anyone else but felt sacred in the space between them.

Then Nani's voice dipped, carrying a quiet edge."Gawin's been showing off his engagement ring everywhere," he said, glancing down at his own bare hand. His thumb brushed over his empty ring finger before he added, almost under his breath, "Meanwhile, mine is still... empty."

The air stilled for a moment. Sky's arm tightened around him, his eyes narrowing at the faint hurt in Nani's tone.

The silence stretched after Nani's words, broken only by the faint rustle of the curtains against the night breeze. Sky's jaw tensed.

"So you're comparing me to Joss now?" he asked, his voice low but sharp, like a blade hidden under velvet. "You think a ring is what makes us stronger?"

Nani didn't flinch. His gaze was steady, his tone calm but pointed. "I didn't say that. But you can't deny it either. He shows off his commitment while mine is-" he lifted his bare hand with a bitter little smile, "invisible."

Sky pushed himself up on one elbow, his shadow falling over Nani. His eyes burned with that unyielding intensity Nani had fallen for and feared all at once.

"Commitment?" Sky almost scoffed. "Nani, If I wanted to, I'd have every damn jeweler in Thailand begging to put diamonds on your finger. But tell me..." His hand slid up Nani's thigh, deliberate, claiming.

"...what's worth more? Their polished ring-or the fact that every breath I take, every step I make, is for you alone?"

Nani's lips parted, caught between pride and the warmth Sky's words lit inside him. His instinct was to tease, but Sky wasn't finished.

"I don't need the world to see a ring," Sky whispered, leaning closer, brushing his lips over Nani's ear. "I need you to know-here, now-that you're mine. And when I decide to put something on that finger, it won't be for show. It'll be because you'll never take it off again."

Nani inhaled sharply, heart thrumming. He wanted to argue, to push back at Sky's arrogance, but the possessive promise in his words-raw and unpolished-rooted him in place.

The air between them was heavy, charged with words unspoken. Sky pressed one last kiss to the corner of Nani's mouth before drawing back, reluctantly peeling himself away from the warmth of the bed.

Nani frowned immediately, tugging at Sky's wrist. "Where are you going?"

"Home," Sky said simply, sliding off the mattress to retrieve his shirt. "Papa Pete hasn't seen me all day. If I don't show up tonight, he'll think something's wrong."

Nani sat up, the satin robe slipping slightly off his shoulder, his pout deepening. "So let him miss you one more night. Stay." His voice softened, but the stubborn gleam in his eyes remained. "I want you here."

Sky paused, looking back at him-his Regina, spoiled and beautiful, sulking like the world owed him every second of Sky's time. The sight made something dangerous flicker in Sky's chest.

He returned to the bedside, bending down until their foreheads touched. His hand cupped Nani's cheek, thumb stroking the soft skin there. "You really are a brat," Sky murmured with a smirk that held only tenderness. "But a brat I'd destroy the world for."

Nani's lips parted to argue again, but Sky silenced him with a slow, deep kiss. When he finally pulled away, Nani's breath was unsteady, his eyes hazy."I'll meet you later," Sky promised against his lips. "Don't pout too much-I like you better when you smile for me."

And before Nani could drag him back down into the sheets, Sky straightened, giving one last lingering look-like he was tearing himself away from his favorite addiction-before stepping out into the night.

The door clicked shut, the echo of Sky's departure settling too heavily in the quiet room.

Nani sat still for a long moment, robe slipping from his shoulder, lips still tingling from the kiss Sky had pressed there as if it were a seal, a promise.

He should've been used to it by now-Sky always tearing himself away for duty, for family, for something beyond their little world -but it never hurt any less.

His spoiled heart clawed at the empty sheets beside him, hating the cold space Sky left behind.With a frustrated sigh, Nani flopped back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. "I hate him," he muttered, though the corners of his lips betrayed him, curling softly. Because he didn't hate him at all.

His hand drifted to his bare ring finger, the absence biting louder tonight. He thought of Sky's words-I'll meet you later. He always did. No matter what, Sky always came back.

Still... Nani rolled onto his side, pulling the sheets around himself like a fortress. One day, he thought, eyes fluttering closed. One day, he won't leave me at all.

And with that stubborn little wish tucked against his chest, Nani let himself drift to sleep, the faintest trace of Sky's scent lingering on the pillow reside him.