𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

𝐺𝑒𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟!

Sky stirred awake, his sharp senses catching on first to the movement in the room, then to the soft sound of laughter—Nani’s laughter. Blinking against the sunlight, he propped himself up on one elbow and leaned lazily against the headboard.

What he saw made his lips twitch.

Nani was glowing. Absolutely buzzing with happiness, twirling around the room barefoot, his silk robe fluttering behind him like wings. His gaze never once left his hand—no, not his hand, the ring—the massive diamond that caught every glint of morning light and scattered it across the walls.

Sky watched in silence, something warm tugging in his chest. He could handle empires, control nations in shadows, but this—this soft joy spilling out of Nani so freely—was his undoing.

Nani finally spun back toward him, his smile brighter than the diamond itself. Without hesitation, he climbed onto the bed, straddling Sky’s lap with all the confidence of someone who knew he was adored. He pressed his hand flat against Sky’s chest, positioning it just so, then tilted his head critically.

“Perfect,” he murmured, already snapping pictures with his phone. “Aesthetic. Strong chest, flawless diamond, and me—obviously completing the picture.”

Sky huffed a quiet laugh, watching him work like an artist satisfied with his masterpiece. “You’re ridiculous,” he said, voice still husky with sleep.

Nani didn’t even glance up, too busy admiring how the diamond looked against Sky’s skin. “No, I’m aesthetic,” he corrected, snapping another shot. Then he finally looked at Sky, eyes sparkling. “And don’t pretend you don’t like seeing me this happy.”

Sky’s gaze softened despite himself. “I don’t just like it,” he admitted, his hand sliding to Nani’s waist. “I live for it.”

Nani’s grin widened, triumphant and sweet, before he leaned down to steal a kiss—his laughter still caught between their lips.

Sky let him twirl, let him gush over the diamond until finally, when Nani climbed back onto the bed with that smile plastered across his face, Sky caught his hand-fingers brushing over the heavy ring. His voice was low, still rough with sleep.

"Are you happy now?"

Nani's lips curved into something softer, quieter than his usual sass. "I'm over the moon."

Sky studied him for a long beat, thumb rubbing over his knuckles. "Thank you," he said suddenly, sincerity weighing down his tone. "For always staying by my side. For going along with whatever I wanted... even when I never explained myself. For loving my family like they're your own. You've made your place with them without ever forcing it." His eyes lingered on Nani's, steady, "For never questioning my decisions, even the ones that should've scared you away."

Nani's smile brightened again, that irrepressible glow returning as he leaned down to press a kiss against Sky's mouth, lingering before pulling back. "Then you don't have to thank me," he murmured. "This is where I belong."

He flopped back down beside Sky, still admiring the diamond like it was a trophy, utterly glowing with happiness.

Sky's grip on his hand tightened just slightly, the softness in his voice hardening for a fraction of a second. "Whoever tried to touch you like that-whoever spread that filth-" his jaw flexed, "they don't know the hell they've brought onto themselves. I'll make sure they never forget it."

Nani, sprawled lazily against him with a diamond flashing proudly on his finger, only tilted his head, giving Sky the sweetest spoiled smile. He didn't ask questions, didn't prod into threats or consequences-he never did.

Instead, he hummed, kissing the corner of Sky's mouth like a pampered prince assured of his protection.

Inside, though, his thoughts flickered sharp and smug. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 favor... 𝘨𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, my 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮, 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘐𝘧 𝘚𝘬𝘺'𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 for them? 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥-𝘐 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥.

Sky exhaled slowly, the fury in his eyes dimming as he let Nani's warmth ground him. And Nani, glowing in his lover's shadow, thought only of the sparkle on his hand and how beautiful it looked resting against Sky's chest.

Nani was practically flying down the stairs, bare feet barely touching the polished steps, his silk shirt billowing as he twirled like a dancer.

"Love, slow down before you break your ankle," Sky's calm warning followed, but Nani didn't even glance back-his hand gleamed with the twenty-five carat diamond, and nothing else mattered.

He spotted Est first. "Look! Look, Est!" Nani all but shoved his hand under his brother's nose, eyes sparkling.

Est chuckled, leaning back with crossed arms. "So it finally happened, huh? You're unbearable already." His gaze flicked toward Sky, amused. "William didn't come, right?"

Sky shook his head. "No."

But Nani was already gone, darting toward the living room where Papa Book and Dad sat. He slowed only enough to present his hand with exaggerated flair. "Papa, Dad-look at this."

Papa Book's face softened instantly, a radiant smile breaking out as he took Nani's hand. "My baby... finally." His eyes glistened, pride and relief mixing in his voice.

Dad, meanwhile, let out a small laugh-forced, restrained, as though the weight of trust was heavier than joy. He looked at Sky firmly. "Protect him. Love him. Make sure my son is in good hands. I'm trusting you with everything."

Sky's reply came cofidant, unwavering. "Always."

Nani sniffled dramatically, waving his hand in the air. "Oh my God, it's not even the wedding yet and everyone is already making me emotional. What will I do when the real thing happens?"

Papa Book chuckled, pulling him into a hug, while Sky only watched-his expression unreadable, his claim already glittering on Nani's finger for the world to see.

After Papa Book finally let him go, Nani plopped himself dramatically onto the couch, hugging a cushion like he'd just won the lottery. His eyes never left the way the diamond caught the light.

Sky came to stand behind him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Happy now?"

Nani tilted his chin up, lips curling. "Hmm... maybe. You could've at least gotten down on one knee, Sky. My romance standards are very high, you know."

Sky's lips quirked, calm as always. "You didn't even give me the chance. You were too busy running around twirling like a child."

"I wasn't twirling," Nani argued, though he absolutely was. "I was... celebrating. And don't try to distract me. You just slipped it on my finger while I was sleeping. That's illegal in some countries."

Sky leaned down, brushing a kiss against his temple. "But you woke up smiling like I'd handed you the world. I think you'll let me off the hook."

Nani pursed his lips, pretending to sulk. "Fine. But next time, I want flowers. And violins. And maybe fireworks."

Sky hummed in amusement. "Noted, Mia Regina."

𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙚

Ohm straightened his uniform before knocking on the heavy office door. A quiet "come in" followed, and he stepped inside to find his senior officer-gray-haired, sharp-eyed, yet softer these days with the weight of retirement looming-sitting behind the desk.

"Ohm," the older man greeted, gesturing for him to sit. "I wanted to speak with you before I hand over my badge. You've always been reliable. The kind of man who doesn't flinch when things turn ugly. That's why I want you to take over something... off the record."

The words settled heavy in the air. Ohm frowned but nodded. "If it's your request, sir, I won't refuse. But... what exactly am I taking over?"

His senior leaned back, studying him carefully, as if weighing whether he was ready for the truth. Then, in a low voice, he said,

"We've recovered two containers filled with a rare genre of drug-something our doctors can't even begin to understand."