Chapter - 33
For the first time in a very long time, Sky woke up without checking his phone for threats.
No calls from Niran.
No mysterious messages.
No emergency meetings.
No bloodshed.
Nothing.
Just sunlight.
And Nani.
Sky opened his eyes.
Nani was sleeping sideways across the bed, somehow occupying approximately ninety percent of the mattress.
One arm was wrapped around a pillow.
One leg had stolen Sky's blanket.
Sky stared at him.
"...Thief."
Nani didn't move.
Sky carefully pulled the blanket back.
Nani immediately grabbed it again.
Sky tried once more.
Nani frowned in his sleep.
"Mine."
Sky stopped.
Then laughed quietly.
"Fine."
He reached for his phone.
Seven missed calls.
Sky frowned.
Then saw the name.
Tee.
He called back.
"What?"
Tee's voice came immediately.
"Boss, you have a meeting at-"
"No."
Silence.
"...No?"
"No meetings today."
"Are you sick?"
"No."
"Possessed?"
"No."
"Did Nani threaten you?"
Sky glanced at the sleeping figure.
"...Not yet."
Tee sighed.
"Then what's happening?"
Sky leaned back against the headboard.
"I'm taking Nani out."
Another silence.
Then-
"YOU'RE WHAT?"
Sky pulled the phone away from his ear.
"Lower your voice."
"You're taking Nani on a date?"
"Yes."
"Oh my God."
"Tee."
"I'm sorry, Boss. It's just-"
He took a breath.
"Our emotionally constipated mob boss is going on a date."
Sky hung up.
---
Two hours later
Nani walked downstairs wearing a simple outfit, his hair still slightly messy.
He stopped.
Sky was standing near the entrance in a black shirt and dark trousers.
No suit.
No tie.
No intimidating business coat.
Just Sky.
Nani stared.
"...Where are you going?"
Sky looked at him.
"With you."
"Where?"
"Out."
"Why?"
Sky raised an eyebrow.
"Because I'm taking you on a date."
Nani blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then pointed at himself.
"Me?"
Sky looked around.
"Do you see another Nani?"
Nani's face immediately brightened.
"Wait."
He walked closer.
"You planned an actual date?"
"Yes."
"Like normal people?"
"Yes."
"Without guns?"
Sky paused.
"...Probably."
"SKY."
"I'm joking."
Nani narrowed his eyes.
"You've ruined my ability to trust simple sentences."
Sky smiled.
"Come on."
---
The car stopped outside a quiet private restaurant overlooking the river.
Nani stepped out.
His eyes widened.
"Oh."
Sky walked beside him.
"I thought you'd like it."
Nani looked around.
"It's beautiful."
Sky watched his expression instead of the scenery.
Nani noticed.
"Why are you staring?"
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm looking."
"At me."
"Yes."
Nani's ears turned pink.
"Stop."
Sky leaned slightly closer.
"Why?"
"Because you're making me nervous."
"Good."
Nani gave him a look.
"You're impossible."
"And you're cute when you're annoyed."
Nani immediately looked away.
"Shut up."
Sky smiled.
---
Dinner was surprisingly peaceful.
No guards hovering.
No business calls.
No chaos.
Just them.
Nani stole food from Sky's plate.
Sky let him.
Nani stole his drink.
Sky ordered another.
Nani looked suspicious.
"You've become too easy."
Sky rested his chin against his hand.
"You can have whatever you want."
Nani stopped chewing.
"...Anything?"
Sky's gaze held his.
"Within reason."
Nani grinned.
"Then I want dessert."
"I already ordered it."
Nani stared.
"You knew?"
"I know you."
That sentence made Nani quiet.
Not because it was dramatic.
Because it was simple.
And somehow-
that meant more.
---
After dinner, they walked along the river.
The city lights reflected against the water.
Nani walked slightly ahead.
Sky suddenly caught his hand.
Nani looked down.
Their fingers were intertwined.
"You know," Nani said, "this is weird."
"What?"
"Us."
Sky smiled faintly.
"Very."
"You were once the terrifying man I thought was going to ruin my life."
"And now?"
Nani looked at their joined hands.
"Now you're the annoying man who keeps stealing my blanket."
Sky nodded.
"Progress."
Nani laughed.
Then he leaned against Sky's shoulder while they walked.
For once, neither of them needed to run.
Neither needed to fight.
Neither needed to look over their shoulder.
Sky glanced down at him.
"Nani."
"Hm?"
"I want more days like this."
Nani smiled.
"Then we'll have them."
Sky squeezed his hand.
"Promise?"
Nani looked up.
"Promise."
Then he smiled mischievously.
"But tomorrow I'm choosing where we go."
Sky nodded.
"Fine."
"And I'm choosing the food."
"Fine."
"And you aren't allowed to complain."
Sky looked at him.
"That's unreasonable."
Nani burst out laughing.
"There he is."
Sky smiled.
The terrifying mob boss was gone for the evening.
And in his place stood a man who had finally discovered something much more dangerous than enemies-
a peaceful life he desperately wanted to keep.
....
The next morning, Nani woke up with exactly one thought.
He was choosing the date.
He practically bounced downstairs.
Dew was already sitting at the breakfast table, stealing food from Tee's plate.
Tee slapped his hand away.
"That's mine."
Dew smiled.
"Everything tastes better when it's stolen."
"That's not how food works."
"It is now."
Nani dropped into the chair beside them.
"Good morning, criminals."
Dew looked up.
"How was your date?"
Nani's grin appeared instantly.
"Perfect."
Tee smiled.
"Sky survived?"
"Barely."
Dew laughed.
"What's today's plan?"
Nani proudly announced,
"I'm taking Sky shopping."
The entire table went silent.
Tee slowly lowered his spoon.
"Shopping?"
"Yep."
Dew looked toward the hallway.
"Boss knows?"
"Nope."
Tee whispered,
"May God protect him."
---
Two hours later
Sky stood outside a luxury shopping district with his hands in his pockets.
He looked deeply unimpressed.
Nani stood beside him, smiling.
"You said you'd let me choose."
"I did."
"Then stop looking like you're attending a funeral."
"I'm not."
"You look like someone insulted your ancestors."
Sky sighed.
"Where are we going?"
"Everywhere."
Sky stared.
"...Everywhere?"
"Yes."
Nani grabbed his hand.
"Come on."
Sky's expression softened instantly.
Unfortunately, Nani didn't notice.
---
They entered the first store.
Nani disappeared between the racks.
Sky waited.
Then a sales assistant approached.
"Sir, can I help you?"
"I'm fine."
She smiled.
"If you're shopping for your boyfriend, we have-"
Sky glanced toward Nani.
"My boyfriend."
The words sounded strangely satisfying.
The assistant smiled.
"He's very cute."
Sky's eyes narrowed.
"I know."
Nani returned carrying three shirts.
"Sky! Which one?"
Sky looked at them.
"The black one."
Nani held it against himself.
"This?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because it'll look good on you."
Nani smiled.
"Okay."
The sales assistant looked between them.
"You two are adorable."
Sky nodded.
"I know."
Nani's ears went red.
"Stop agreeing!"
---
They moved to another store.
Then another.
Then another.
At the fourth store, Nani stopped to look at watches.
A handsome employee approached.
"That one would suit you."
Nani looked at the watch.
"Oh, really?"
"Definitely."
The employee smiled.
"You have good taste."
Nani smiled back politely.
"Thanks."
Sky stood several feet away.
Silent.
Too silent.
Tee, who had accompanied them, noticed immediately.
He whispered to Dew,
"Uh-oh."
Dew looked at Sky.
"He's jealous."
"Very."
Sky walked over.
"Ready?"
Nani looked at him.
"Not yet."
The employee continued explaining the watch.
Sky's jaw tightened.
Nani glanced at him.
Then at the employee.
Then back at Sky.
A tiny smile appeared.
Oh.
He understood.
Nani deliberately asked,
"What do you think?"
The employee answered,
"I think it'd look great on you."
Sky stepped closer.
"I agree."
The employee smiled.
"Your boyfriend has good taste."
Sky wrapped an arm around Nani's shoulders.
"Very good taste."
Nani's cheeks warmed.
The employee nodded awkwardly.
"Right..."
Dew covered his mouth.
Tee whispered,
"He's marking territory without saying anything."
Dew grinned.
"Nature documentary."
---
Outside the store, Nani finally burst out laughing.
Sky looked annoyed.
"What?"
"You were jealous."
"I wasn't."
"You absolutely were."
"No."
"Sky."
"What?"
"You nearly glared that poor man into another dimension."
"He was flirting with you."
"He was doing his job."
"He was enjoying his job."
Nani laughed harder.
"You are unbelievable."
Sky stopped walking.
Nani turned.
Sky looked down at him.
"Maybe I was jealous."
Nani's smile softened.
"Why?"
Sky stepped closer.
"Because I don't like people looking at you the way I do."
Nani's cheeks turned pink.
"How do you look at me?"
Sky leaned closer.
"Like I found something I don't want to lose."
Nani forgot how to respond.
Dew whispered from behind them,
"Fatality."
Tee nodded.
"Direct hit."
Nani immediately turned around.
"Can you two stop listening?!"
Dew grinned.
"No."
Sky laughed.
Nani grabbed his hand.
"Come on."
"Where?"
"Next store."
Sky sighed.
"Again?"
"Yes."
Nani looked over his shoulder.
"And this time..."
He grinned.
"...I'm picking your clothes."
Sky immediately stopped.
"No."
Nani pulled him forward.
"Too late."
And for the next three hours, the most feared man in the city was forced to try on sweaters while Nani judged every single one.
By the end of the day, Sky had bought twelve things.
He hated seven.
Nani loved all twelve.
And somehow-
Sky was smiling.