𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞

Sky adjusted his shirt as he descended the stairs, the faint trace of Nani's perfume still clinging to him like a secret. He found the living room far from quiet-William was hunched over the table, eating sweets like a sweet-toothed gremlin while Dad Force cheered him on, and Prim sat on the sofa, watching with the air of someone silently judging all of humanity.

"Stop before you end up in a sugar coma," Sky said dryly.

William waved him off without even looking up. "Oh no, don't mind me. Go back to Nani and come later. I still haven't finished these."His cheeks were already puffed with syrupy pastry.

"Get up. We're leaving," Sky ordered flatly.

William snorted but shoved another bite in before reluctantly rising. "You're no fun."

As they were heading out, William suddenly paused and turned to Papa Book. "Uncle Book, can you pack some sweets? We have another person waiting outside. He didn't come in."

Papa Book's kind smile warmed the room as he nodded, wrapping up a neat box of sweets.

When they stepped outside, the night air was crisp, and Amol was standing silently near the car, posture rigid as always, hands tucked behind his back. William's face lit up like he'd been waiting for this. He walked over and held out the box."You didn't come inside, but I didn't want you to miss the delicious sweets," William said, grinning.

Amol's expression barely shifted, but Prim, sharp-eyed as ever, caught it-the faintest tug at the corner of his lips, a smile so subtle it could almost be missed.

William slipped into the car beside him, content. Sky said nothing, but his eyes flickered briefly to Amol before he slid in as well.

The Therapakyun estate smelled faintly of lavender polish and old wood, the kind of scent that wrapped the house in a sense of history. Sky and William stepped inside, having already dropped Prim at her apartment. Amol had gone to work, as quietly as ever.

In the living room, Mr. Vegas sat upright, arms crossed, while beside him Pete stretched out comfortably on the couch, his smile as bright as the lamps around them.

"Come here, boys," Pete said, standing up immediately. He pulled both Sky and William into a hug, holding on a little too long, as though trying to melt away the day's weariness. Sky leaned into it, William endured it with a sigh.

When they sat down, William stretched his legs and raised a brow. "Seems like we're going to have some kind of discussion," he muttered.

Mr. Vegas's expression hardened. "We are." His voice carried that clipped, disapproving tone Sky knew far too well.

"You don't listen to me at all, Sky," Vegas said, glaring at him. "You're being completely shameless-going to the Hirunkit mansion at this hour. What will they think?"

Sky leaned back in the armchair with that trademark grin that always got under his father's skin. "That I love their son a lot?"

Pete laughed softly, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Good answer."

William rolled his eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't stay stuck.

Meanwhile, Vegas dragged his hand down his face, muttering under his breath, "I'm so done with you, Sky..."

"Good," Sky shot back, sharp and unbothered."Now why don't we move to the real reason you've called us here instead of wasting time over my love life?"

Pete's smile faded into something more serious. He looked at his son carefully. "Your uncle Cornal has presented a proposal."

At the name, the entire mood in the room shifted. Sky's smirk faltered instantly, a flicker of cold steel replacing the playfulness in his eyes.

William, who had been lazily draped against the couch, suddenly sat up straight. His jaw clenched. The name alone was enough to dig into old scars.

Cornal Therapakyun-Mr. Vegas's younger brother. Once careless with money, he had nearly lost everything until marrying Ms. Selina, William's mother. With Vegas's help, he started an import-export business that saved him.

But William's childhood had ended at five, when Cornal fell for a female employee. He divorced Selina without hesitation, shattering her, choosing his mistress instead. That mistress bore him two daughters and a new household. Ms. Selina never remarried, never stopped loving him, even till her final breath only months ago.

And William never forgave.

"What kind of proposal, Papa Pete?" William asked, sitting forward, his voice already sharp with suspicion.

Pete took a slow breath, glancing at Vegas before finally answering. "He wants our Pooh... to marry his daughter Kiwi."

The room stilled, the air instantly turning heavy.

William froze. Sky's smirk collapsed into a flat, dangerous expression. Even Pete looked uncomfortable as he said it aloud.

Cornal's two daughters-Peach and Kiwi. The names alone carried weight like a curse.Peach had already tried and failed to ruin Sky and Nani, sinking as low as drugging him, an unforgivable act. Nani had been the one to end that madness, breaking Peach's hand when she dared cross a line too far. Sky had never been prouder of him.

Now, Cornal was pushing Kiwi into the line of fire.

"She's not like Peach," Pete said softly, "but-"

"Not like Peach?" Sky cut him off with a humorless laugh. "She's clingy.Overemotional. She couldn't last a day with Pooh." His jaw clenched. "There is no way those snakes slither in this family as anything more than occasional guests. Reject it."

Vegas rubbed his temples. "Sky-"

"No," Sky snapped, his voice colder than steel.

"Pooh is not a bargaining chip, and he is not a pity prize to bind us to Cornal. Pooh deserves someone who excites him, who matches him -someone he'll never be bored of. Not... Kiwi."

William exhaled slowly, his eyes glinting with a familiar bitterness. "Cornal doesn't want a marriage. He wants leverage. He wants a stake back in this family, and he'll use anyone -his daughters, even Kiwi-as his pawns."

Pete reached over, squeezing William's shoulder gently. "We know. That's why we're telling you both before answering. We won't decide without talking to you first."

Sky leaned back against the sofa, expression dark, his mind already spinning through scenarios. His protectiveness over Pooh was blazing through, but he also knew his uncle's persistence. Cornal wouldn't let it go so easily.

"Good," Sky muttered. "Then the answer is no. And if Cornal doesn't like it, he can come hear it from me directly."

Pete gave a small, almost exasperated smile at his son's fiery determination, while Vegas sighed like he was regretting every life choice that led to this conversation.

William, however, was eerily calm. "He'll come back with something else. He always does. Cornal doesn't stop until he's humiliated." His voice turned flat. "And I'd be happy to humiliate him."

"Wait," Pete said firmly. His calm voice carried more authority than anger ever could. "This isn't about what we want. It's about Pooh. It's his life. His choice."

Sky frowned, restless, but didn't argue-yet. Vegas nodded slowly, as if agreeing with Pete's reasoning.

Pete turned toward the servant at the door. "Call for Krittin."

Within minutes, light footsteps echoed down the grand staircase. Krittin Therapakyun-nicknamed Pooh-appeared, dressed in loose house clothes, his dark hair slightly messy from preparing for bed. He blinked at the group gathered in the lounge, clearly puzzled, but came down with protest.

Pooh was the quiet one among them. Not shy, exactly, but deeply absorbed in his own world, his thoughts often lightyears away from the politics that consumed his family. After graduating at the top of his class in Al Robotics, he'd built his own laboratory, his life revolving around circuits, algorithms, and designs only he could fully understand.

To everyone else, Pooh was simply brilliant. He had been since he was a boy-the same boy who had stunned the world by winning a gold medal in the Math Olympiad at just nine years old.

Now, he stood calmly before them, his sharp eyes scanning each face with patient curiosity."You called me?" His voice was soft, even, almost too serene compared to the tense atmosphere weighing on the room.

Pete gestured for him to sit. "Yes, son. We... have something important to discuss with you."

Sky shifted uncomfortably, his jaw tightening. William crossed his arms, still glaring at nothing in particular. Pete took a breath, choosing his words carefully.

"Cornal has made a proposal," Pete said. "He wants you to marry his younger daughter. Kiwi."

The silence that followed was heavy, all eyes shifting to Pooh.

He blinked once. Then, very slowly, nis lips curved in the faintest, most polite smile.

"I see," Pooh said simply.

His calmness unnerved even Sky, who was ready to explode.

Pete leaned forward gently. "We haven't answered him. Because it should be your decision, Pooh. Whatever you say, we'll stand behind you."

All eyes were still on him. Sky's expression burned with protective fire. William's with icy disdain. Pete's with concern. Vegas with careful neutrality.

But Pooh... Pooh simply looked thoughtful, as though they'd asked him whether he preferred tea or coffee rather th a life-altering proposal.

Pooh didn't rush his answer. He leaned back slightly in the chair, his calm gaze resting on Pete.

"Papa Pete," he said gently, "I'm grateful you asked me first. But please send my regards back to Cornal-I have no interest in marrying Kiwi, or anyone else he offers."

His tone was polite, steady, and absolute. No cruelty, no hesitation, just quiet certainty.

Sky smirked, satisfied, while William's mouth curved into a rare approving smile. Sky was the first to move-he clapped Pooh hard on the back, making him cough.

"I knew you had good taste," Sky declared with a grin. "You're my brother after all."

William snorted. "Taste? Don't flatter yourself, Sky. His rejection proves he doesn't take after you."

"Excuse me?" Sky shot back, narrowing his eyes playfully.

Pooh chuckled quietly at their bickering, shaking his head. "Both of you should go to bed. You're loud."

That only made Sky sling an arm around Pooh's shoulders as they walked toward the stairs. "Loud? Please. You should thank me for saving you from a lifetime of Kiwi's whining."

William followed behind them, his voice dry. "And pooh if Sky ever starts matchmaking for you, just reject him too."

Pooh gave a rare, small smile. "That's the plan."

Sky laughed while William smirked, and the three brothers disappeared up the staircase, their banter trailing into the quiet of the house.

Pete leaned back, finally exhaling, relief softening his face. At least on this night, their unity was enough.

As they reached the upstairs landing, Pooh slowed, hands tucked into his pockets.

"What is it?" Sky asked, glancing over.

Pooh took a quiet breath before saying, "When is Nani coming here again?"

William perked up immediately, smirking. "What's this? Our little genius missing someone?"

Pooh didn't flinch at the tease. He simply said, "He makes the house brighter. I like that."

Sky's chest tightened at those words. He knew Pooh wasn't the type to say things lightly-if he felt that way about Nani, it was genuine.

"He'll be here soon," Sky promised, his voice softer now. "And when he does, he's not leaving-because he's going to be my husband."

Pooh gave a small, satisfied nod, as though that answer alone set everything in order. "Good. This house feels more complete with him in it."

William chuckled, reaching over to slap Pooh's shoulder. "Look at you, Pooh. Already treating him like a brother-in-law."

"Everyone already has," Pooh replied simply, lips curving faintly.

Sky laughed, warmth spreading through him as he wrapped an arm around both of them.

"Then it's settled. Nani ours. No one else gets him." Pooh said.

They all laughed softly, the sound echoing down the quiet hall. For Sky, it meant everything-that his brothers adored Nani as much as he did. He didn't have to fight for acceptance or explain his choice. They already knew Nani belonged with them, with him.

And as they parted ways for the night, Sky carried that thought like a steady flame in his chest-this family wasn't just waiting for Nani to visit. They were waiting for him to come home.