Sky wongravee
"I love you."
I froze.
For a moment, I thought I'd misheard him. But then he said it again, his voice steady and certain, as if he needed me to hear it. As if he wanted me to feel it.
And I did.
Without hesitation, I caught his lips with mine, pulling him closer, grounding myself in the reality of him standing right here. His lips were warm, soft, and when he kissed me back, it wasnât just a kissâit was a promise.
Do I deserve him?
The thought clawed at the edges of my mind, but I pushed it aside. I pulled him into my arms, holding him as tightly as I could, as if my grip alone could shield him from the world.
"You need to rest," I murmured against his hair. "Itâs been a long day."
He nodded, and I guided him toward my room, away from the chaos waiting on the other side of the hallway.
But just as we stepped out, I saw Dew and Win
The look on their faces told me everything I needed to know: something had happened.
"Not now," I said firmly, cutting them off before they could speak. My tone left no room for argument. "Whatever it is, weâll deal with it tomorrow."
Win opened his mouth as if to argue, but Dew placed a hand on his shoulder, pulling him back.
They both stood frozen, watching as I turned and led Nani down the hall, closing the door to my room behind us.
---
Back in the bedroom
The soft click of the door shutting felt like a barrier, locking out the noise and tension of the outside world.
I helped Nani out of his clothes, his movements slow, almost languid. He didnât say much, and neither did I. The quiet wasnât awkwardâit was necessary.
Once we were in bed, he curled up against me, his head resting on my chest, his fingers lightly tracing patterns across my skin. I held him close, feeling his warmth seeping into me, grounding me, anchoring me to this moment.
But my mind wouldnât stop.
"I love you."
The words echoed in my head, over and over. How could he love me, after everything Iâd done? After everything Iâd dragged him into?
He deserves better.
But when his arm tightened around my waist, when he shifted closer, I couldnât let him go. Not now. Not ever.
"Iâll keep you safe," I whispered into the dark, my lips brushing against his hair. "No matter what it takes."
And I meant it.
---
Dew jirawat
I watched Sky guide Nani to his room, his hand resting protectively on the doctorâs back.
The way he looked at himâlike he was the only thing holding him togetherâit was unsettling. Sky was the kind of man who could stare death in the face without flinching, but with Nani, he wasnât just a leader. He was vulnerable. Human.
And for someone like him, that kind of vulnerability was dangerous.
Beside me, Win shifted, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. "Do you think this is the right call?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"What do you mean?" I asked, even though I already knew.
"Letting him rest," Win said, nodding toward Skyâs door. "You know how he gets when heâs too close to something. The longer he stews on it, the worse itâll get."
I considered his words, keeping my expression neutral. "Sky knows what heâs doing," I said, though I wasnât sure if I was trying to convince him or myself. "You saw him. Heâs holding it together for Naniâs sake. If we pull him away now, that control could snap."
Win exhaled sharply, his gaze flicking to mine. "And if he spends all night in his head, thinking about what Hongâs planning? You really think thatâs better?"
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "You think I donât know that? You think I donât hate that Hongâs still out there, making moves while weâre stuck playing defense? But this isnât about strategy. This is about Sky. And right now, he needs Nani more than he needs a plan."
Win didnât respond immediately. His sharp eyes studied me, scanning my face like he was trying to read between the lines.
Finally, his shoulders relaxed, and his voice softened. "Youâre right. He always the one holding everything together. Maybe itâs time someone else gave him that."
I nodded, grateful for the small moment of understanding. But even as we fell into step, heading toward the security room, unease gnawed at the back of my mind.
Win was rightâSky didnât have the luxury of rest. None of us did.
---
Win metawin
I watched Dew move with precision, his focus locked on the monitors in front of him. His voice was calm and measured as he barked orders into his radio.
"No one gets in or out without clearance. Double the patrols on the north perimeter. And get someone to sweep the east camerasâthereâs a blind spot near the gate."
When he noticed me staring at him longernthan i should.
"Something wrong?" he asked, his voice steady but his gaze sharp.
I leaned against the console, folding my arms. "Other than Hong being two steps ahead of us? No."
He smirked faintly, though it didnât reach his eyes. "Then why are you standing there like youâve got something to say?"
I hesitated for a second, then stepped closer. "Do you still think about letting Boss stew on this all night is the best idea? Heâs barely holding it together."
Dew didnât flinch, his attention still fixed on the monitors. "Skyâs doing what he needs to do," he said. "The doctorâs the only thing keeping him grounded right now. Let him have that."
"And what about you?" I asked, my tone quieter now.
Dew paused, his fingers tightening slightly on the edge of the console. "What about me?"
"Youâre carrying the rest of it," I said, gesturing to the room around us.
For a moment, he didnât respond. Then he exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "Itâs my job. Someone has to do it."
"Doesnât mean you need to shoulder everything alone," I said before I could stop myself.
That got his attention. He turned to me, his sharp eyes softening ever so slightly.
For a moment, the air between us felt heavier, charged with something unspoken.
Then Dew smirked faintly, his tone shifting back to its usual edge. "Coming from you, Iâll take that as a compliment."
"It was," I said, my voice quieter now.
The tension eased, but the moment lingered.
"Sky needs an update by morning," Dew said finally, his tone shifting back to business. "Letâs make sure he gets one."
"Right," I said, forcing myself to focus. "Letâs get to work."