Chapter 45
Months went by, and their home began to feel more like a true reflection of them.
The house, once sleek and sterile, started to take on a cozy, lived-in quality.
There were piles of books scattered across the coffee table, a mismatched collection of pillows on the couch, and framed photos of their wedding day on the walls.
The scent of fresh coffee and Sky's favorite lavender candles lingered in the air, mixing with the faint hum of the outside world, a quiet, comforting reminder that they had built something here, together.
There were little things that spoke volumes, like the way Nani would absentmindedly fold Sky's shirts and place them in neat stacks, only for Sky to scatter them again the next morning with his usual carefree attitude. Or the way Sky would leave tiny notes in Nani's briefcase, simple messages that said things like I hope today is a little easier for you or Lunch at 12? I'll bring your favorite.
Or the way Sky would sneak up behind Nani when he was working, wrapping his arms around him just to press a quick kiss to the side of his neck before going off to do something else, always leaving a trail of warmth behind.
Today, Nani arrived home a little earlier than usual, having delegated the remaining tasks to Dew. And as usual, Win, the self-proclaimed lazy genius, decided to tag along, trailing behind Nani with his signature laid-back attitude.
Sky was busy in the kitchen, not noticing Nani and Win until, without warning, Nani threw himself into Sky's arms. Sky quickly caught him, laughing softly.
Nani let out a soft, contented sigh as Sky caught him effortlessly, lifting him into his arms with that familiar ease that made Nani feel like he was home no matter where they were.
As Sky carried him to the couch, Nani buried his face in Sky's shoulder, breathing in the comforting scent of lavender mixed with the smell of dinner cooking.
Sky chuckled, his voice warm and teasing as he lowered Nani onto the couch. "You can't just throw yourself at me every time you get tired."
Nani gave a lazy grin, his eyes half-closed in contentment. "What can I say? You make it look so easy." He adjusted himself, curling up against Sky's side.
"Besides, I need my rest before I get back to handling the storm of the world out there. You're my calm." He raised his head slightly, meeting Sky's eyes with an earnestness that made Sky's heart skip. "I'm not tired of you, though. Never tired of you."
Sky's expression softened, a quiet smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He pulled Nani closer, wrapping an arm around him protectively. "I know you aren't" he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of Nani's head.
Win, lounging lazily on the couch, suddenly sat up with a smirk. "You two are so obsessed with each other, but where's my nephew? I mean, seriously, what's taking you so long? At this point, I thought you'd have at least one little one running around by now!" He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying teasing them.
Nani suddenly rose from Sky's hold and threw a pillow straight at Win's face. "Shut up, Win. I've heard enough from you today." He said, frustration evident in his voice as he stormed off toward his room to shower.
Win blinked, surprised by Nani's reaction. Normally, he'd tease him a lot harder, but today... this felt different. Nani was cold, yes, but now he was genuinely angry. Win couldn't quite place it.
Sky just chuckled at Win's expression, his laughter light and easy. "They've already arrived, Win. We just don't know yet whether it's going to be your niece or your nephew ,first."
Win's eyes went wide in disbelief. "F*ck, why didn't you tell me sooner?! Oh my god, my nephew's on the way!" He immediately grabbed his phone and dialed Dew, his excitement spilling over. "I have to tell Dew! This is huge!"
Sky couldn't help but laugh at Win's reaction, shaking his head as he turned back to the stove.
Lately, Nani had been clingier than usual, his moods unpredictable. And sometimes, at the most random hours, he'd crave strange food.
But Sky never complained, whatever Nani wanted, he was always ready to get it for him.
--
The next day, Sky was on his way to meet Client when his phone buzzed. It was Win.
"Sky, where are you?Can you come to the company? Nani's really upset about some company stuff, and I'm seriously worried it might affect the baby." Win's voice crackled with urgency. " You know how he gets when he's this angry."
Sky could hear the concern in Win's voice, and it immediately triggered his protective instincts. "I'm on my way" Sky responded. He turned his car around and rushed straight to Nani's office.
When he arrived, the atmosphere in Nani's office was tense. Piles of documents were scattered across the floor, evidence of Nani's frustration.
Dew and Win were sitting quietly on the couch, their faces serious as they waited for the storm to pass.
Sky gave them a quiet signal to leave the room. They nodded silently and slipped out, leaving Sky alone with Nani.
Nani was standing by the large window, his back to Sky as he tried to collect himself, staring out at the sprawling city below. His anger was palpable, the weight of the betrayal by one of his staff selling company information to a rival, still burning inside him.
Sky stepped closer, his voice gentle as he called out, "Nani..."
Nani turned, his expression hard, but softened when he saw Sky standing there. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone laced with frustration. "You don't have to come. You've got work to do."
Sky smiled softly and walked toward him, reaching out to take Nani's hand. Gently, he guided Nani to the couch, sitting down beside him and pulling him close to rest his head on his shoulder.
"Don't get too angry, Nani." Sky whispered, his hand resting on Nani's back. "It's not good for our child."
Nani's tense muscles relaxed slightly as he closed his eyes, leaning into Sky's warmth. "I just... can't believe one of them would do that to us." His voice was low, the anger still simmering beneath the surface, but Sky's presence had a soothing effect.
Sky didn't say anything more. He simply stayed there with Nani, letting him take the time he needed to calm down.
Nani's fingers curled into the fabric of Sky's shirt, a silent attempt to steady himself. His breath came slow and uneven, as if each word he'd spoken had drained him more than he realized.
"I put my trust in them... all of them." Nani said, his voice thick with disbelief. "But look at what that bastard did to me."
Sky shifted closer, his hand moving in soft, calming circles along Nani's back. He didn't try to offer words or fix things. Nani didn't need that right now. He just needed someone who understood the weight of his frustration, someone who could simply be there without rushing him through the storm.
Sky's presence was steady, unwavering, exactly what Nani needed in that moment of quiet chaos.
After a few minutes, Nani's shoulders relaxed just a little more, and he finally spoke again, quieter this time. "I should've seen it coming, shouldn't I? I should've trusted my gut."
Sky's hand stopped for a moment, but only for a heartbeat, before it resumed its gentle motion. "You can't blame yourself for other people's mistakes. You gave them trust, and they took advantage of it. That's on them, not you."
Nani closed his eyes, nodding slowly as he leaned further into Sky's embrace. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall apart like this."
Sky smiled softly, pressing a kiss to Nani's temple. "There's nothing to apologize for. You don't have to be strong all the time. Not with me."
After a while, Nani finally drifted into a deep sleep, his body and mind allowing the emotional weight to ease. Sky gently adjusted Nani, making sure he was comfortable on the couch, carefully placing a pillow under his head.
Sky stepped outside, his eyes finding Dew, Win, and Liza waiting quietly by the door. Win was the first to speak, his voice laced with concern. "How is Nani?" he asked, his usual teasing tone absent, replaced with a rare seriousness.
Sky gave a small sigh, his gaze softening as he thought of Nani. "He's calmed down now. But don't go in yet. He's asleep."
Win nodded, understanding the need for space. Liza, who had been waiting quietly, stepped forward with a gentle smile. "Do you need anything for him?" she asked.
Sky hesitated for a moment before replying, "Could you bring a blanket? I'll keep an eye on him." He gave her a reassuring smile before turning back into the office room.
Nani slept through the entire afternoon. As evening approached, Sky gently ran his fingers through Nani's hair before leaning down slightly to wake him.
"Nani" Sky whispered softly, his voice filled with warmth.
Nani stirred, his brows furrowing slightly before his eyes fluttered open. The first thing he noticed was the steady rise and fall of Sky's breathing beneath him, his head was resting on Sky's lap. He blinked, still groggy, before looking up at Sky's face.
"You're awake" Sky said with a small smile, brushing a few strands of hair from Nani's face. "Feeling better?"
Nani nodded but kept his eyes closed for a few more moments, savoring the warmth and comfort of Sky's presence. Just as he was about to drift off again, a loud grumble echoed from his stomach.
Sky couldn't hold back his laughter. "Well, someone's hungry." he teased, his eyes full of amusement.
Nani's face turned red in embarrassment, and he quickly muttered. "It's not me! It's the baby who's hungry, not me."
Sky chuckled, gently tapping Nani's nose. "Uh-huh, sure. Well, let's get you and the baby ,something to eat then."
--
They arrived at Sky's family restaurant, which was now fully managed by his older brother since their parents had decided it was time to retire.
As soon as they stepped inside, Sky's sister-in-law greeted them warmly, her usual bright smile in place.
Sky made his way straight to the kitchen. He knew exactly what Nani could and couldn't eat, so he preferred to prepare the meal himself.
Sky's sister-in-law sat beside Nani, studying him with gentle concern. "How are you? And how's the baby doing?" she asked, noticing the tiredness on his face.
Nani offered a small, warm smile. "We're fine. Just a long day at work."
She chuckled, glancing toward the kitchen where Sky was busy cooking. "You know, ever since you got pregnant, Sky's been acting way more mature. It's like he suddenly leveled up in responsibility."
Nani huffed a laugh, shaking his head. "He still teases me like a kid."
She grinned. "That just means he loves you."
Even though Nani said that, deep down, he knew Sky had grown a lot since they first got married. He was more responsible, more attentive, and always put Nani and the baby first.
But no matter how much Sky matured, in Nani's eyes, he was still that stubborn kid, the one who could be reckless, pout when things didn't go his way, and, if pushed enough, even cry easily.
A small smile played on Nani's lips as he watched Sky moving around the kitchen, focused on preparing his meal.
No matter how much time passed, no matter how many changes life brought their way, there was a part of Sky that remained unchanged, his tenderness, his thoughtfulness, the way he always made Nani feel cared for without needing to say a word. And deep down, Nani knew he wouldn't trade this for anything in the world.