16

Nani walks through the hallway of the funeral hall, searching for the restroom, when a sharp turn around a corner causes him to bump into someone.

"I'm sorry," he says, glancing up only to freeze when he sees who it is.

Fai.

"We meet again," Fai says, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Nani moves to step away, but Fai is faster, shoving him hard against the wall.

"I see Joong's been taking good care of you. You've gotten bold, ignoring me every time we cross paths," the mafia leader sneers.

Nani shoves him back with force, adjusting his suit with a glare. "I'm not the weak one in this game anymore, Fai. Whatever power you had over me? It's gone."

Fai lets out a dry chuckle, clearly taken aback by Nani's sharp, unflinching reaction so unlike the last time they met.

"Did you sleep with the bodyguard?" he asks, voice dropping dangerously low. "Found a new man who makes you submissive now?"

Nani rolls his eyes, visibly unimpressed.

"Even if I did sleep with him," he says, voice calm and firm, "why do you care?"

Fai stares at him in silence, clearly not expecting this composure. This isn't the same Nani he once controlled.

And that realization stings.

"You've changed," he mutters coldly.

Nani meets his gaze, unflinching. "No. I just remembered who I was before you ruined me."

Fai steps closer again, but this time Nani doesn't back down. Their faces are inches apart, the tension crackling between them.

"You think Joong and your little bodyguard can protect you forever?" Fai asks, tilting his head. "You'll come back to me eventually. Whether you want to or not."

Nani lets out a low, mocking chuckle. His arms fold over his chest as he locks eyes with him.

"Are you going to use Dunk again? Or the Aydin Gang against me?" he says, voice sharp.

Fai falters for a second.

"You lost the gold. Dunk isn't with you. You screwed up," Nani continues, his tone cold.

And then he feels it.

Fai's hand grabs his chin roughly, shoving him hard against the wall.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with," Fai growls, their faces so close their lips almost brush.

"Oh, I know exactly who you are," Nani replies, his voice dark. "And I know you only act like this when you're losing."

Fai's eyes flash and then he does it.

He forces his lips onto Nani's, rough and violent.

Panic surges through Nani.

"Get the hell off me, you fucker!" he shouts, shoving Fai back with all his strength only for the man to lunge again, slamming him into the wall.

"You belong to me," Fai snarls. "And I'll make you remember that."

Nani's heart pounds until suddenly, Sky appears behind them.

Without a word, Sky lands a brutal punch straight to Fai's jaw, sending him stumbling.

Nani doesn't hesitate. He throws a punch of his own, standing firmly beside Sky.

Breathing hard, Nani wipes the back of his hand across his mouth, eyes blazing.

Fai stumbles back, wiping blood from the corner of his lip, his eyes murderous.

Sky steps protectively in front of Nani, posture sharp, ready to strike again if Fai so much as twitches.

"You lay another finger on him, and I'll break more than your pride," Sky warns, his voice low and dangerous.

Fai straightens his suit, chuckling bitterly. But his clenched jaw betrays the bruised ego.

"You've gotten braver, Nani. Hiding behind bodyguards now? Is this the new you?"

"I'm not hiding," Nani snaps. "I'm choosing who's worth standing beside."

Sky doesn't look away from him. "You've got five seconds to walk away before I make this funeral yours."

Fai's smirk turns into something colder.

But he's not stupid. A public fight at a mafia funeral? That's a line no one dares cross.

"I'll be seeing you," Fai mutters, voice venomous, then turns and vanishes down the hall.

As soon as he's gone, Nani exhales the breath he didn't realize he was holding. His shoulders sag, tension finally cracking.

Sky turns to him. "Are you alright?"

Nani nods slowly, still staring at where Fai disappeared. "He's desperate," he mutters. "That's what makes him dangerous."

Sky says nothing, just follows quietly as Nani finally walks into the restroom.

Once inside, Sky gives him space, waiting outside with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall.

The moment he hears the cubicle door unlock, he perks up.

Stepping inside, he finds Nani at the sink, washing his hands, adjusting his suit in the mirror.

Without a word, Sky reaches for Nani's wrist, guiding him backward into the nearest cubicle and locking the door behind them.

Nani stares at him, confused. "What are you—?"

"Where did he touch you?" Sky asks, voice low, turning Nani's face toward the light.

He narrows his eyes at the red mark on Nani's chin. The faint bruise on his lip.

His jaw tightens.

"Did he touch your lips again?" Sky asks, his breath warm against Nani's cheek.

Nani turns his head away. "It's nothing," he mutters, trying to push Sky back.

"Did he?" Sky presses, voice firmer now.

Nani exhales, defeated. He nods. "I shoved him away—" he begins, but the words cut off.

Sky leans in.

And Nani feels it.

The gentle press of Sky's lips on his own.

It isn't rushed. It isn't demanding.

It's careful. Tender. Protective.

Nani freezes, his eyes wide.

Because this isn't about claiming.

It's about replacing the memory.

Sky doesn't pull back. His hand cups Nani's cheek, thumb brushing lightly beneath the bruise.

His lips stay soft, moving slightly. A silent promise, this is how it should feel.

When he finally pulls away, it's only by inches. Their foreheads rest together, breath mingling in the tight space.

"That's what it should feel like," Sky whispers. "Not pain. Not fear."

Nani blinks, chest rising unevenly. His eyes are clouded with too many emotions. Confusion, shock, and something dangerously close to wanting.

"I'm not trying to replace anything," Sky adds, brushing a lock of hair from Nani's face. "But I need you to stop letting him live rent-free in your head."

"He'll come after me again," Nani murmurs. "He always does."

"Let him," Sky says, without hesitation. "But this time, he won't be touching you. Not while I'm around."

Nani looks at him.

And for once, he lets himself rest in that moment.

No act. No walls. Just quiet. And Sky.

"What are you?" Nani asks, voice low, almost curious.

Sky chuckles. "Anything you want me to be."

Nani lets out a laugh. "You're insufferable."

Sky hums. "Then just take me as someone who showed up out of nowhere to pull you out of your nightmare."

This time, Nani closes the distance.

He wraps his arms around Sky's neck and pulls him down into another kiss.

Sky meets him halfway. Their mouths move in sync. Gentle at first, then deeper. Both of them lost in it.

Sky deepens the kiss just enough to make Nani let out a soft whimper before pulling away.

"Is this a new item on the list of 'Nani slowly accepting Sky into his life'?" Sky teases, lips slightly swollen.

Nani snorts, gently pushing him. "Don't get cocky."

"I just want to make sure," Sky grins, and Nani flicks his forehead.

Nani steps out of the cubicle first, adjusting his tie in the mirror, cheeks tinged pink. Not just from the kiss, but from the rush of emotions crashing through him.

Sky follows, giving him space, but never taking his eyes off him.

"We should get back," Nani murmurs, straightening himself.

Sky nods. "I've got your back. Always."

They exit the restroom together and Sky's words ringing in Nani's chest like a promise.

***

Sky is towel-drying his hair when he hears someone enter the room. He turns and sees Nani.

Rain pours heavily outside, thunder rumbling not long after they return to the villa.

"I sleep better when you're next to me," Nani admits quietly.

He's already showered and changed into his sleepwear. Sky glances at him, a small smile forming on his lips.

"That just means you trust me at least in bed," the bodyguard teases.

Nani rolls his eyes in response.

He starts rummaging through his shorts for a pack of cigarettes, but Sky steps over and stops him.

"Can you not? I feel bad for your lungs," Sky says, frowning.

"Just because I'm starting to open up to you doesn't mean you get to control me," Nani protests. "I haven't even smoked today."

Ignoring the complaint, Sky snatches the pack away and tosses it into the trash bin beside the bed.

"I'm not controlling you, I'm protecting your lungs," he says stubbornly. "My uncle had lung cancer from smoking all the time, and—"

But Nani is already sprawled on the bed, clearly tuning out the lecture.

"—and I had to watch him suffer for months," Sky continues. "So yeah, forgive me if I don't want to see someone else I care about go through the same thing."

Nani lets out a long sigh from the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"I didn't ask you to care," he mutters.

Sky pauses, then walks over and sits at the edge of the bed. "Too bad," he says softly. "I do."

There's a long stretch of silence between them, broken only by the rain tapping against the windows. Nani turns his head slightly, meeting Sky's eyes.

"I've never had someone care like that," he admits, voice barely above a whisper.

Sky reaches out, gently brushing damp strands of hair away from Nani's forehead.

"Then get used to it," he says quietly. "Because I'm not going anywhere."

Nani studies him for a moment, then turns onto his side, back facing Sky.

"Fine," he murmurs. "Whatever makes you happy."

Sky chuckles, grabs a blanket, and drapes it over Nani before sliding in next to him. "I'm happy enough when you open up to me."

Nani shakes his head, amused by how persistent Sky is.

"Do you only have your uncle?" he asks suddenly.

Sky raises an eyebrow and glances at Nani's back before letting out a soft hum.

"He's been taking care of me since I was born. After my parents divorced, neither of them wanted me, so I ended up with him. That's what he told me."

Nani turns to face him, surprised. "It was that bad?"

Sky chuckles. "He's not even my real uncle. Just someone close to my parents."

He casually scrolls through his phone, watching random clips.

Nani mumbles under his breath, barely audible but clear enough for Sky to hear, "How could your parents ditch someone as good-looking as you..."

Sky turns his head with a smirk. "Did you just call me good-looking?"

Nani rolls his eyes and turns back around. "Must've been the thunder messing with my brain."

Sky grins to himself, satisfied.

He inches a little closer under the blanket. "I'll take that as a compliment. Thunder or not."

Nani doesn't respond, but the slight twitch at the corner of his lips gives him away. Silence settles between them, the soft hum of rain filling the space.

Sky tilts his head, voice quieter now. "Why'd you ask about my uncle?"

Nani hesitates before answering. "Just curious. You don't talk much about yourself."

Another silence passes, this one more comfortable than the last.

"I guess I wanted to know if someone ever stayed with you. You know, for real," Nani adds, voice barely above a whisper.

Sky's eyes soften. "He stayed. Still does. It wasn't perfect, but he never gave up on me."

Nani nods slowly, absorbing the words. "Must've been nice."

Sky reaches out again, this time gently ruffling Nani's hair.

"You're allowed to have someone stay too, Nani. Doesn't have to be perfect. Just real."

Nani doesn't say anything, but he doesn't pull away either. His fingers curl slightly around the blanket.

As the thunder rumbles once more, the room grows quiet again. This time, it isn't just silence. It's peace.

Nani's breathing evens out, his body slowly relaxing.

And beside him, Sky stays awake a little longer.

Watching. Guarding.

Because this isn't just a job anymore.

It never really is.