Chapter 36

Dew arrived shortly after Nani's call, leading Chimon by the hand. As they stood in front of Sky's locked door, Nani paused for a moment, his hand hovering over the doorknob.

But something in his gut told him it might be better to give Sky a little more time. The tension between them was thick, and Nani feared that confronting Sky too soon would only make things worse.

Inside the room, Sky lay on his bed, his mind a swirling mess of thoughts. The silence in the restaurant, with no one knocking on his door, only intensified his fears. Was Nani really with someone else? Had Nani been lying to him all this time? He couldn't shake the image of Chimon in Nani's condo. That sudden surge of doubt twisted like a knife in his chest.

Tears silently soaked the pillow as Sky cried, unable to process the overwhelming pain. He couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, everything he believed in was a lie. His heart ached as he questioned whether Nani truly loved him or if he had been fooling him all along. Eventually, exhaustion overcame him, and Sky drifted into a deep, troubled sleep.

The afternoon passed in a blur, and Sky didn't stir until the darkness of evening crept in. He opened his eyes, groggy and disoriented, his room still silent. When he finally stood and opened the door, he was met with the sounds of laughter and conversation coming from the dining area. His family was gathered around the table, and there, at the center of it all, was Nani, sitting across from Chimon, sharing a meal.

Seeing Chimon sitting so comfortably next to Nani hit Sky like a punch to the gut. His heart sank as he remembered seeing Chimon earlier at Nani's condo.

Before Sky could process any more, Nani was already walking toward him, concern written all over his face. "Sky," he called softly, his voice gentle but firm.

Sky instinctively took a step back, feeling a mix of anger and hurt. He wasn't sure if he was ready to hear what Nani had to say. But Nani wouldn't let him retreat. He grabbed Sky's arm, pulling him toward the door.

"Let go of me" Sky muttered, trying to pull away, but Nani was firm. The tension in the room was palpable as everyone watched, unsure of what was happening.

Sky's mind was still racing as Nani led him outside. The night air was cool against his skin, but it did little to calm the storm inside him. He yanked his arm free once they were outside, turning away from Nani.

"I'm not hiding anything. I never have." Nani said softly, his voice filled with frustration and worry.

Sky didn't answer, his hands clenched at his sides. The doubt was eating him alive.

"Then why was someone half-naked in your condo? Why bring him here?" Sky's voice trembled with anger, his tears falling faster. "Did you think it wouldn't hurt me enough, so you had to bring him here too? To make me suffer even more?"

His words were sharp, raw with emotion. He couldn't understand why Nani would do this to him. Every tear that fell only made him feel weaker, but he couldn't stop himself.

Nani stood still, his heart sinking with each word Sky spoke. He had never wanted to hurt him like this. Finally, he spoke "Chimon is my cousin."

A heavy silence fell between them. Sky's sobs were the only sound that filled the space, his chest rising and falling with each shaky breath.

"What do you mean?" Sky's voice wavered, his emotions raw.

"I mean exactly what I said," Nani replied, his tone firm but not unkind. "The guy you think I'm cheating with, he's my cousin."

Sky blinked, his breath hitching. "Your cousin?" he repeated, as if the words were foreign to him.

"Yes, my cousin" Nani confirmed. "Do you want proof? Will that help you believe me?"

Sky remained silent, his chest rising and falling unevenly as he tried to calm himself. The weight of his own belief crushed down on him.

Nani let out a deep breath, his patience wearing thin, but his heart ached more at the sight of Sky crying than at the false accusation.

"This kid really has a wild imagination" Nani thought as he reached out and pulled Sky into his arms, patting his shoulder gently.

"Next time, listen to me first so you don't have to cry until you're out of breath like this" Nani murmured.

Sky hesitated before pulling back just enough to look into Nani's eyes, his own still filled with lingering doubt. "Is he really your cousin?" he whispered, his voice fragile.

Nani sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Sky, don't make me repeat myself. I've already been patient enough running after you all day."

Sky lowered his gaze, guilt creeping in. "I'm sorry..."

Nani reached up, wiping the tears from Sky's cheeks with his thumb. His touch was warm, reassuring. "Never doubt my love for you," he said gently. "Because that's the one thing I'm absolutely sure of in my life." Sky nodded, biting his lip to hold back more tears.

"I'm not someone who changes my mind easily, Once my heart is set on something, it stays."

Sky's hands trembling as he gripped the front of Nani's shirt, holding onto him like he was afraid to let go. His heart still ached, the fear of losing Nani lingering like a shadow.

"You mean it?" Sky whispered, his voice barely audible.

Nani cupped Sky's face, his thumb tracing slow, gentle circles against his damp cheek. "I mean every word," he murmured. "Sky, you're everything to me. I don't want anyone else. I've never even thought about it."

Sky let out a shaky breath, but the tears wouldn't stop. He felt foolish so foolish for letting his insecurities get the best of him, for letting his mind spiral into worst-case scenarios. But deep down, it wasn't just his imagination running wild. It was fear. The fear of not being enough. The fear that someone else could come along and take Nani away from him.

Nani must have sensed it because he pulled Sky close again, wrapping his arms around him tightly, like he was shielding him from his own thoughts. "I hate seeing you like this," Nani whispered against Sky's hair. "It hurts."

"I just... I was so scared. The moment I saw him in your condo, I—I felt like I was losing you, and it hurt so much, Nani."

Nani closed his eyes, pressing a soft kiss to Sky's forehead. "You're not losing me" he promised. "You never were. And you never will."

Sky buried his face in Nani's shoulder, his body trembling as he let himself cry freely. He wasn't just crying because of today, he was crying because of everything. The doubt, the fear, the overwhelming love he had for Nani that sometimes felt too big for his heart to hold.

Nani didn't rush him. He just held him, running his fingers through Sky's hair, letting him take his time.

After what felt like forever, Sky finally pulled away, his eyes red and puffy, his breath still uneven. "I was so stupid..." he muttered, wiping at his face.

Nani chuckled softly. "A little" he teased, brushing Sky's bangs away from his forehead. "But you're my idiot. And I love you."

Sky sniffled, his lips quivering into a small, teary smile. "You better."

Nani grinned, cupping Sky's face once more. "My idiot" he repeated before leaning in, pressing a lingering kiss to Sky's lips. It wasn't rushed or desperate, it was gentle, filled with every unspoken reassurance Sky needed.

When they pulled apart, Sky exhaled softly, his heart still fragile but now safe in Nani's hands.

"Next time, just talk to me, okay?" Nani said, Sky just nodded as he tried to calm himself down.

"You really cried so much today, huh?

Sky groaned "Don't remind me... I was being dramatic, wasn't I?" Nani doesn't reply and let out a small laugh instead.

Sky continued "Thank you... for not letting me go, even when I was being stubborn." And just like that, Nani felt his heart melt at those words.