Meeting the Parents

The palace felt unusually quiet without Sky. It was his day off, and someone else had taken his place as Prince Nani’s bodyguard. While the substitute was professional and efficient, Nani couldn’t help but feel the absence of Sky’s easygoing nature and constant banter.

Over the past six months, Sky had become more than just a bodyguard to Nani—he was his confidant, his protector, and, though Nani would never admit it aloud, the person who made his days brighter.

By evening, Nani found himself lingering in the garden, pretending to read a book, though his thoughts kept drifting to Sky. **What was he doing on his day off?** Nani hoped he was having fun, though the thought made him feel strangely restless.

---

The next morning, as Sky resumed his duties, Nani struggled to mask his eagerness to see him. Sky, as usual, greeted him with a broad smile, his presence effortlessly commanding the room.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” Sky said, his tone teasing. “Did you survive without me?”

Nani rolled his eyes, feigning nonchalance. “It was fine. The palace didn’t collapse in your absence, if that’s what you mean.”

Sky chuckled, falling into step beside him as they walked. Nani couldn’t help himself. “What did you do yesterday?” he asked, his voice carefully casual.

Sky glanced at him, a spark of mischief in his eyes. “Why? Did you miss me?”

Nani’s face grew warm. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just curious.”

Sky smirked but decided to spare Nani further teasing. “I visited my parents and my older brother. We had a little family barbecue, and some of my childhood friends came over. It was a blast.”

Nani listened intently, picturing Sky surrounded by laughter and warmth. “That sounds nice,” he said quietly, a hint of wistfulness in his tone.

“You don’t do stuff like that?” Sky asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity.

Nani shook his head. “Not really. My only friends are neighboring princes, and those gatherings are...formal. Nothing like a barbecue.”

Sky frowned, his brow furrowing. “That doesn’t sound like fun at all.”

“It’s not,” Nani admitted, then hesitated. “You should invite your parents for dinner at the palace. I’d like to meet them.”

Sky blinked, surprised. “Really? You want to meet my parents?”

Nani nodded, suddenly feeling shy. “Yes. They sound wonderful, and...well, it’s not every day I get to meet the people who raised someone like you.”

Sky grinned, clearly touched. “It would be an honor for them. I’ll arrange it.”

---

When the day arrived, Nani found himself uncharacteristically nervous. He spent an inordinate amount of time selecting his outfit, finally settling on a finely tailored suit in deep blue—a color Sky once complimented him on.

As he adjusted his tie for the third time, he muttered to himself, **Why am I so nervous? They’re just Sky’s parents, not foreign diplomats.**

But deep down, Nani knew the truth. Meeting Sky’s family felt...intimate, almost like meeting a significant other’s parents. And while Sky remained blissfully unaware, Nani couldn’t deny the crush he harbored for his bodyguard.

When Sky came to escort him to the dining hall, he noticed Nani’s agitation immediately. “Relax, Your Highness,” Sky said with a chuckle. “It’s just my parents. They don’t bite.”

Nani laughed despite himself. “I know. I just...want to make a good impression.”

“You will,” Sky assured him, his voice warm. “They already love you. They think I have the coolest job in the world because I get to protect a prince.”

Nani smiled, his nerves settling slightly at Sky’s confidence.

---

The dinner was, in a word, wonderful.

Sky’s parents were as warm and kind as their son. His mother, a retired nurse, spoke fondly of her family and beamed with pride every time she mentioned Sky. His father, a jovial man with a booming laugh, regaled Nani with stories of Sky’s childhood mischief.

Nani found himself laughing more than he had in weeks. For a brief moment, he felt like an ordinary person sharing a meal with a loving family.

As the evening wound down, Sky’s parents stood to leave, bowing respectfully to Nani. “It has been such an honor to meet you, Your Highness,” Sky’s mother said, her voice sincere.

“The honor is mine,” Nani replied, his smile genuine. “You’ve raised a remarkable son.”

Sky’s father beamed. “We’re very proud of him. Though, truth be told, we’re hoping to find him a bride soon. He’s at that age, you know.”

The words were lighthearted, but they hit Nani like a punch to the gut. His smile faltered, though he recovered quickly enough that no one seemed to notice.

---

As Sky’s parents departed, Nani walked back to his chambers alone, their words replaying in his mind.

**A bride. Of course, they’re looking for a bride for him. Why wouldn’t they be? Sky’s everything anyone could want—kind, strong, loyal...perfect.**

Nani sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his reflection in the mirror. For the first time in months, the royal mask he wore so well felt heavy.

**What did you expect?** he scolded himself. **That he’d stay by your side forever? That he’d somehow notice how you feel?**

He laughed bitterly, though it held no humor. “I’m just his prince. Nothing more.”

As the night stretched on, Nani tried to push the thoughts away, but the ache in his chest remained, a silent reminder of feelings he couldn’t express.

---

The next morning, Sky greeted him as usual, his bright smile unwavering. “Good morning, Your Highness. Did you sleep well?”

Nani forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “As well as can be expected.”

Sky tilted his head, studying him closely. “Are you okay? You seem...off.”

“I’m fine,” Nani replied quickly, turning away before Sky could see the truth.

But as they went about their day, Sky couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. And Nani, despite his best efforts, couldn’t quite bring himself to meet Sky’s gaze.