25

The days that follow are quieter, gentler.

Sky barely leaves Nani's side, only stepping away when Joong insist he needs accompany for business.

Even then, his eyes keep drifting to the time, counting down the minutes until he can return.

Nani is still in recovery.

The doctors say his body is healing well, but the head injury needs careful monitoring. It hasn't fully healed post-surgery.

The once-feared mafia boss now lies in bed with healing wounds and a slowly cure heart.

Still pale. Still tired. But no longer lost.

Sky sits at his bedside with a bowl of warm congee, carefully blowing on each spoonful before lifting it to Nani's lips.

"I can feed myself, you know," Nani mutters, his voice hoarse but edged with amusement.

"You said that yesterday," Sky replies flatly, raising an eyebrow, "and then spilled broth all over the sheets. So no, you can't."

"Maybe I did it on purpose."

Sky chuckles under his breath. "Right. Says the guy who passed out after two steps trying to get to the bathroom."

Nani huffs but obediently opens his mouth, letting Sky feed him like a stubborn prince too proud to admit he needs help.

After a while, he leans back against the pillows, his eyes half-lidded. "My head still hurts."

"It'll take time," Sky says softly, running his fingers through Nani's hair.

It's freshly washed, though still patchy beneath the bandages. "You had a severe brain injury. Your body's still recovering."

Nani frowns. "Is it that bad?" he asks between bites.

Sky hums. "It was bad enough to need surgery. Honestly, I'm surprised, you always struck me as someone with a skull made of steel, considering how stubborn you are."

Nani rolls his eyes, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

This is what Sky missed. Nani's attitude.

He pretends to be annoyed, but he secretly loves every second of it.

"I didn't break any bones? That's a surprise," Nani mutters, glancing at himself.

Sky scoffs.

"What do you expect? You're a mafia boss," he says, gently wiping Nani's mouth with his thumb.

Nani catches his hand before it moves away and holds it to his chest, meeting Sky's gaze.

"Thanks for taking care of me," he says sincerely.

Sky softens. "Always."

He smiles and lifts another spoonful of congee to Nani's lips.

Sky keeps a close eye on him, watching as Nani chews slowly. A small cough escapes him, and Sky instinctively pats his chest.

Without hesitation, he offers a glass of water. Nani takes it gratefully, sipping as Sky supports it.

"W-What happened to Fai?" Nani asks suddenly, voice trembling.

Fear flash in his eyes, but fades as Sky reaches for his hand and holds it firmly.

"He's gone," Sky says, his grip steady. "For good."

"I went to the funeral. Stayed from start to end. Just to be sure."

Relief washes over Nani's face. He gives a small nod, eyes dropping to their intertwined fingers.

"You're really like a miracle in my life," he whispers, overwhelmed. "He's gone because of you."

A tear slides down his cheek. Sky squeezes his hand gently.

"I know the scars he left won't vanish," Sky says quietly. "But I'll be here to hold you through every one."

And that's enough to make Nani smile, even with his pale face and tired eyes.

Still glowing. Still beautiful in Sky's eyes.

"You don't expect me to say I love you so fucking much, do you?" Nani teases, slipping into his usual tone.

Sky snorts. "Please don't. Your romantic side is painfully cringe."

"You're terrible," Nani mutters with a pout.

And then they both smile.

"But for real. I missed this side of you. I missed you, Nani," Sky says suddenly, voice low and honest.

Nani pauses, caught off guard. He lets the words sink in.

"Twenty-three days without your voice, without your commands, it felt like my whole world stopped. And that's when I realized, I love you even more. I want to stay by your side. Always."

Nani glances at him with a faint smirk. "Is that why you looked like a total wreck yesterday?"

Sky chuckles, nodding sheepishly. "I finally shaved, fixed my hair, started eating properly. I wanted to look my best when you woke up. I wanted to be the most handsome man in your eyes."

A warm flush creeps onto Nani's cheeks. "Wow, you really are head over heels for me. Should I be proud of that?"

Sky laughs, leaning in to tap Nani's nose. "You can feel however you want. Just don't let the love you have for me fade. That's all I ask."

He sets the empty bowl aside and pulls Nani into a soft, protective hug, one that says everything his words can't.

Nani leans into his shoulder, eyes fluttering closed.

Not from exhaustion.

But peace.

Because real love is right here.

***

Soft morning light filters in through the large window of the villa room, casting warmth across the sheets.

Nani now sits up, propped against pillows, with Sky curled beside him, an arm protectively draped around his waist.

A soft knock sounds at the door.

"Come in," Sky calls, voice lighter than it's been in weeks.

The door opens to reveal Joong, Dunk, Kay, Tew, and First. All carrying bags, containers, and a bouquet of flowers.

The sight makes Nani blink in surprise.

"We come bearing food, tea, and emotional support," Joong announces with a grin.

Dunk raises the paper bags. "Also, healthy food."

"You all look like I just came back from the dead," Nani jokes weakly.

"You did," Joong says flatly, walking over to adjust Nani's blanket like a doting brother.

Sky chuckles lowly and presses a kiss to the side of Nani's head. "They've been waiting almost as badly as I have."

Tew steps forward and places a small box on the table. "It's a new set of bracelets. Yours got lost during the crash."

Nani's eyes soften. He glances at the box but doesn't open it yet. "You guys really went all out."

Dunk pulls up a chair. "You keep throwing yourself into danger. This is the least we can do."

Joong perches on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle Nani. "We've already decided. No more volunteering for reckless shit. Got it?"

Nani's eyes gloss over, blinking quickly. "Got it," he murmurs. "I'm not used to this, the softness. The care."

Sky squeezes his hand. "You better get used to it."

For a few minutes, the room fills with laughter, light teasing, and the clinking of dishes.

The kind of moment Nani never thought he'd have.

Not in this life. Not in this world.

Until they start moving away from his bed and feast on fried chicken.

He stares at them, wearing a grumpy kitten expression.

"You guys are having a party in front of a sick person," he protests, arms crossed.

Sky is about to bite into a chicken leg when he catches Nani's glare and pauses, guilt drawing across his face.

"I swear I'll order you a truckload of fried chicken once you're better," he says, then tries to focus on his food, avoiding Nani's betrayed expression.

Nani turns to the tray on his nightstand.

Another bowl of congee.

He sighs dramatically. If he has to look at another spoonful, he might just raise a gun.

Dunk notices and glances over, half-chewing. "That one's from your favorite shop, you know the one near the old cinema."

Nani rolls his eyes. "Wow. What a luxury," he mutters, watching them tear into the chicken like wild animals.

He stares at the crispy skin, the spicy aroma teasing him, and mutters again, "Traitors."

He keeps watching, face the perfect picture of betrayal. Pouty lips, narrowed eyes, arms crossed tighter than a mafia vault.

Sky finally sighs. "You're not going to stop glaring, are you?"

"I could," Nani offers, "if someone had an ounce of mercy and let me taste just one bite. One. Bite."

"You're literally on strict recovery food. The doctor said no oil, no spice, no fun."

"And the doctor also said stress slows healing," Nani counters. "Right now, I am stressed."

Sky groans, glancing at Joong and Dunk who are silently losing it with laughter.

"Fine," Sky mutters, tearing a tiny piece of crispy skin off his chicken. "But if your stomach acts up, I'm blaming Dunk."

"What?!"

Sky walks over to the bed, holding the sacred offering like a peace treaty.

Nani lights up, leans forward, and takes the bite with exaggerated delight, moaning softly like it's the finest thing he's ever eaten.

"You're so dramatic," Sky mutters.

"I am dramatic," Nani replies smugly. "And you love it."

"I do," Sky admits, brushing his hair gently. "But no more bribes. Congee or nothing tomorrow."

"We'll see," Nani says, smug.

From the couch, Joong calls out, "This is why you're the most spoiled mafia in history."

Nani grins. "It's not spoiled if you've earned it."

The room fills with soft chatter again as Nani picks up his spoon and finally feeds himself.

Sky watches him quietly. Congee and all as that pouty, reluctant expression returns.

And somehow, even in thin clothes, with bandages and IVs.

Nani is still Nani.

His.

His to protect. His to care for. His to love completely.

"Stop looking at him like he's your whole world," Joong teases mid-bite.

Sky turns, smiling. "He is."

"I still can't believe I've got the most stubborn mafia wrapped around my little finger."

First and Tew blink at each other, then lean close to Sky, whispering.

"Wait, don't tell me you're the dominant one in this relationship?" Tew asks in a hushed voice.

Sky doesn't hesitate. "Obviously."

Both of them gawk.

"You? The calm, obedient bodyguard has cold, dramatic boss Nani bottoming for you?" First blurts.

He would've shrieked if Kay didn't yank him back down by the collar.

"Do you want him to hear you and throw a pillow at us?" Kay hisses.

Tew and First immediately shake their heads.

"I knew Nani had a soft side," Dunk murmurs, sipping his drink calmly. "But this? This is gold."

Sky smiles innocently.

And Nani, blissfully unaware, keeps eating his congee.

Fully focused on the great war between bland food and curse.