Chapter 14: Chapter 14: A promise in the dark

Nani hadn’t spoken much since they left Chief Sakda’s house.

The teasing, the warmth, the feeling of belonging—it had been too much.

Too unfamiliar.

Too dangerous.

Sky turned off the engine but didn’t move. Instead, he glanced at Nani, watching.

Waiting.

“…You’re thinking too much.” Sky finally said.

Nani exhaled. “I always think too much.”

Sky didn’t argue. He just watched him, silent.

After a beat, Nani finally spoke. “…I shouldn’t be here.”

Sky frowned. “What?”

Nani gripped his hands together, tense. “I shouldn’t have let myself get attached.”

Sky’s brows furrowed. “You’re not making sense.”

Nani inhaled sharply. “…If I let people in, I’ll just lose them.”

Sky’s chest tightened.

“You’re not going to lose anyone.” His voice was steady. Certain.

Nani laughed under his breath. “You don’t know that.”

His voice dropped lower. “I already lost too many.”

The words hung between them.

Sky stayed quiet.

Because now Nani was finally saying it.

The weight he carried.

The fear he couldn’t voice.

“I don’t even remember all of it.” Nani’s voice was barely above a whisper. “But I know enough.”

He swallowed hard. “The people I get close to—” His fingers curled into fists. “They don’t make it.”

Sky felt something shift in his chest.

Then—he reached out.

Slowly, deliberately.

And took Nani’s hand.

Warm. Grounding.

Nani’s breath hitched.

“That’s not going to happen.” Sky’s voice was low, firm. “Not this time.”

Nani hesitated. “How can you be sure?”

Sky’s grip tightened—just slightly.

“Because I won’t let it.”

Sky was always like this.

Unshaken.

Unmovable.

Like if he said something, then it was fact.

And for some reason—Nani wanted to believe him.

Even if he knew better.

“…You can’t promise that.”

Sky’s thumb brushed lightly over Nani’s knuckles.

A small, unconscious motion.

But it made Nani’s pulse spike.

Sky held his gaze.

“Watch me.”

Silence.

The night air was cool and still, but Nani felt too warm.

Maybe it was Sky’s hand in his.

Maybe it was the way Sky’s grip didn’t waver.

Maybe it was the way Sky was looking at him now—like he wasn’t just making a promise.

Like he was making a choice.

“I mean it, Nani.” Sky’s voice was quiet, steady. “You’re not losing anyone.”

Nani swallowed. “You can’t know that.”

Sky exhaled, shaking his head slightly.

“I know that I won’t leave you.”

Nani froze.

The words were so simple.

So certain.

So much more than just a promise.

Sky didn’t let go of his hand. Didn’t even try to hide what he meant.

And Nani?

Nani felt it.

Felt the weight of it settled in his chest.

Felt the shift in what they were.

Because this wasn’t just duty.

This wasn’t just protectiveness.

This was different.

Slowly, deliberately, Sky lifted Nani’s hand—thumb brushing over his knuckles.

Nani’s breath caught.

Sky exhaled, eyes still on him. “I care, Nani. More than i should.”

Nani’s heartbeat was too loud in his ears.

Because Sky didn’t hesitate.

Didn’t try to excuse it.

Didn’t try to pretend it was something else.

He just said it.

Nani should have pushed back.

Should have made a joke.

Should have done anything other than just sitting there, holding on.

But he didn’t.

He just let it be.

Let Sky be.

Because for once—just this once—it didn’t feel dangerous to believe in someone.

And right now, he wanted to believe in Sky.

He wanted to believe in this.

Even if he didn’t know what it was yet.

Even if he didn’t know where it would lead.

For now, he just let Sky hold his hand.

And that was enough.

----

By the time Sky and Nani stepped into HQ, the squad room was quiet.

Joong, as always, was alert. He glanced up as they walked in. “No issues?”

Sky shook his head. “None.”

Joong nodded, returning to his notes. “Good.”

Nani was about to head toward his desk, but

“Eat first.” Sky said.

He blinked, turning. “…What?”

Sky tilted his head toward the break room. “You haven’t eaten since dinner.”

Nani hesitated. “I’m fine.”

Sky’s expression didn’t change. “Eat anyway.”

Santa, without looking up from his tablet, muttered, “Damn, Sky. What’s with the sudden caring?”

Sky shot him a flat look. “Shut up.”

Dunk, still half-asleep, yawned. “No, but really. That’s kinda weird, even for you.”

Joong smirked. “He’s right, though. Eat something, Nani.”

Nani sighed, defeated. “…Fine.”

Sky watched him go.

Perth, glancing up from his monitors, raised an eyebrow. “…That was new.”

Sky ignored him.

For a while, things felt normal.

Santa and Dunk bickered over an old case file.

Perth pulled up background checks on the unknown surveillance group.

Joong went over reports with Sky, discussing the next move.

And Nani, despite his initial protest, actually ate something.

It was quiet.

For the first time in what felt like days, there was no immediate threat.

No chase.

No gunfire.

No watching over his shoulder.

It almost felt safe.

Until Perth let out a low whistle.

And just like that—the moment of calm was over..

-----

The room snapped to attention.

Sky stood immediately. “What?”

Perth’s eyes flicked toward him, sharp. “They moved.”

Joong straightened. “Who?”

Perth enlarged the screen, pulling up security footage.

“The second group,” he said. “The ones who were watching, not attacking.”

Santa leaned forward. “Where?”

Perth clicked the footage. “They’ve been circling our locations, but now? They’ve stopped watching.”

Dunk frowned. “Why?”

Perth’s expression darkened. “…Because now, they’re waiting.”

Sky’s jaw tightened. “For what?”

Perth turned to him.

And his next words sent a chill down the room.

“For Nani.”

Silence.

Then Sky exhaled slowly, and the voice was dangerously calm.

“…Get me everything on them. Now.”

------

Breaking Down the Leads

The whiteboard was covered in scribbled names, locations, and red strings connecting different crime syndicates.

The squad gathered around, tension thick in the air.

Sky tapped his pen against the board, thinking. Calculating.

"We’re splitting up," he finally said. "Three leads, three teams. We move now."

Joong leaned forward, arms crossed. "What are we looking at?"

Sky pointed at the first section of the board.

-----

Joong & Dunk – The Informant Meet-Up

Target: A mid-level informant named Thanet, rumored to have connections to the unknown surveillance group.

Location: A small, run-down coffee shop in a quiet district.

Risk Level: Low. Should be a simple information exchange.

Joong rolled his shoulders, checking his gun. "Thanet’s been helpful before, but I don’t trust him completely."

Dunk, stuffing a granola bar in his mouth, muttered, "We’ve dealt with worse."

Joong gave him a look. "You’re way too relaxed for an interrogation."

Dunk smirked, finishing his snack. "That’s why I have you, P’Joong. You scare people, I make them laugh. Balance."

Joong sighed. "Just don’t get shot."

Dunk grinned. "No promises."

---

Santa & Perth – Tracking the Financial Trail

Target: A suspicious transaction linked to Thupa’s old money-laundering routes.

Location: A private financial firm known for handling gray-area transactions.

Risk Level: Moderate. No immediate danger, but shady business attracts shady people.

Santa adjusted his watch, sighing. "Let me guess, I get to be the ‘charming investor’ while you hack their system?"

Perth, typing without looking up, deadpanned, "You’re not charming. You’re annoying."

Santa smirked. "Annoying and effective."

Perth finally glanced up. "Just don’t flirt with the wrong person this time."

Santa grinned. "Come on, I’m professional."

Perth raised an eyebrow. "You hit on a suspect last time."

Santa shrugged. "He had nice eyes."

Perth sighed. "I’m not bailing you out if this goes sideways."

Santa clapped him on the shoulder. "You say that every time."

Perth muttered, "Yeah, because it happens every time."

---

Sky & Nani

Target: A location tied to Nani’s old undercover identity.

Location: An abandoned warehouse once used for international smuggling.

Risk Level: Unknown. No active threats, but old secrets have a way of resurfacing.

Nani tilted his head. "You’re letting me investigate my own past now?"

Sky glanced at him. "You’re the only one who might recognize something."

Nani crossed his arms. "And if I don’t?"

Sky’s expression remained unreadable. "Then we keep looking."

Nani watched him carefully.

Sky wasn’t saying it, but Nani knew.

This wasn’t just a lead.

Sky wanted answers, too.

Not just about the case.

About him.

---

Sky glanced at the team. "Check your comms. Stay sharp. No one moves alone."

Joong nodded, already strapping on his holster. "If Thanet plays games, we push harder."

Santa smirked, tossing his keys in the air. "If anyone messes with our deal, they’ll regret it."

Nani grabbed his jacket, glancing at Sky. "And if this turns into nothing?"

Sky locked eyes with him.

"Then we find something else."

There was no hesitation.

Because this time, walking away wasn’t an option.