Breaking Point

Eight months. That’s how long Sky had served as Prince Nani’s personal bodyguard. In those months, Sky had seen the prince in every possible light—when he was commanding and regal, when he was playful and teasing, when he was vulnerable and soft. And in all those moments, Sky had to remind himself that he was there to protect the prince, not fall in love with him.

But Nani didn’t make it easy.

The prince was a walking contradiction—adorable yet commanding, innocent yet teasingly aware of his charm. He had a knack for making Sky’s heart race with a single glance, whether it was when Nani pouted over a minor inconvenience or when he wore something as simple as an oversized hoodie that swallowed his petite frame.

Sky often found himself distracted, his gaze lingering too long on the curve of Nani’s smile or the way his eyes sparkled when he was excited. It didn’t help that Nani had a habit of unwittingly saying things that left Sky flustered.

“You’re staring again, Sky,” Nani had teased one morning during breakfast, his tone light and playful.

Sky, caught off guard, had quickly recovered with a smirk. “Can you blame me? You’re hard to miss, Your Highness.”

Nani had rolled his eyes, but the faint blush on his cheeks hadn’t gone unnoticed by Sky.

---

Sky prided himself on his control. His teasing, goofy demeanor masked the storm of emotions he carefully kept buried. He had to—falling for the prince was out of the question, a line he could never cross. So he channeled his feelings into playful banter, keeping things light even when his heart ached to say more.

Like the time Nani had tried on a new suit for a gala and asked for Sky’s opinion.

“You look fine,” Sky had said with a nonchalant shrug, though inside he was screaming about how breathtakingly beautiful Nani looked.

“Just fine?” Nani had pouted, turning to check himself in the mirror.

Sky had stepped closer, adjusting Nani’s tie with practiced ease. “Fine as in ‘everyone at that gala is going to lose their minds when they see you.’”

Nani had laughed, the sound light and musical, and Sky had forced himself to step back before his thoughts betrayed him.

---

But no matter how well Sky controlled himself, there were moments when Nani tested his limits. Like today.

The grand hall of the palace was bustling with reporters, journalists, and dignitaries, all vying for the prince’s attention. Nani, seated on an ornate chair, answered their questions with grace and poise, his every word laced with the charm that made him beloved by the people.

Sky stood a few feet behind him, his sharp eyes scanning the room for any sign of danger. His hand rested lightly on the holster of his gun, but his thoughts weren’t entirely on security.

It was the reporter sitting directly in front of Nani that caught his attention. A young woman with a confident smile and a sharp wit, she was clearly enamored with the prince. Her questions were subtle, laced with flirty undertones that made Sky’s jaw tighten.

Nani, ever polite, seemed completely oblivious to her intentions. He smiled and answered her questions, his soft laughter only making her bolder.

Sky’s fists clenched at his sides. He told himself it was nothing, that it wasn’t his place to interfere. But the way the woman leaned forward, her eyes lingering on Nani a little too long, made his blood boil.

Before he knew what he was doing, Sky stepped forward.

“Excuse me,” he said, his voice firm and cutting through the chatter in the room.

Nani turned to look at him, surprised. “Sky?”

Sky didn’t give him a chance to say more. He placed a hand on Nani’s arm—gentle but insistent—and pulled him to his feet.

“Apologies, everyone. The prince needs a moment,” Sky said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The room fell silent as Sky led a bewildered Nani out of the hall, his grip firm but not forceful. The doors closed behind them with a resounding thud, cutting off the murmurs of the reporters.

---

“What are you doing?” Nani demanded, pulling his arm free as they stood in an empty corridor. His usually calm demeanor was replaced with confusion and a hint of irritation. “Sky, what’s going on?”

Sky ran a hand through his hair, pacing like a caged animal. He couldn’t meet Nani’s eyes, couldn’t explain what had just come over him.

“I… I don’t know,” he finally said, his voice strained. “I don’t know why I did that.”

Nani frowned, stepping closer. “Sky, you just pulled me out in the middle of an interview. You can’t just do that without a reason.”

Sky stopped pacing and turned to face him, his eyes dark with frustration and something else—something deeper, more vulnerable.

“She was flirting with you,” he said bluntly.

Nani blinked, taken aback. “What? No, she wasn’t.”

Sky let out a humorless laugh, his hands resting on his hips as he shook his head. “You really don’t see it, do you? The way people look at you, the way they hang on your every word. She wasn’t just asking questions, Nani. She was practically undressing you with her eyes.”

Nani’s cheeks flushed, but he crossed his arms, his voice defensive. “Even if she was, so what? It’s not a crime to flirt.”

Sky took a step closer, his voice lowering. “It’s not about the flirting. It’s about… I don’t know. I just didn’t like it, alright?”

Nani’s eyes softened, his irritation giving way to curiosity. “Why?”

Sky opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. How could he explain the knot in his chest, the possessive fire that burned whenever someone got too close to Nani? How could he tell the prince that it wasn’t just his duty to protect him—it was his deepest desire?

“I don’t know,” Sky finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know why I did it. I just… I couldn’t stand it.”

Nani stared at him, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn’t naive. He could see the conflict in Sky’s eyes, the way his usual bravado had crumbled into raw vulnerability.

“Sky…” Nani’s voice was soft, hesitant.

Sky shook his head, taking a step back. “You should go back to the interview. They’re waiting for you.”

Nani hesitated, his hand reaching out as if to stop him. But Sky was already turning away, his shoulders tense as he walked back toward the doors.

---

For the rest of the day, Sky was quieter than usual. He performed his duties with precision, but the easygoing banter and teasing remarks that usually filled the air were conspicuously absent.

Nani couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened. The intensity in Sky’s eyes, the way his voice had trembled—it was so unlike him.

That night, as he lay in bed, Nani found himself staring at the ceiling, his thoughts racing. He replayed the moment in the corridor over and over, trying to make sense of it.

Deep down, he knew the answer. He had known it for a while now, but admitting it—both to himself and to Sky—felt impossible.

Sky wasn’t just his bodyguard.

And Nani wasn’t just his prince.

They were something more, something neither of them was ready to face.

---

In the days that followed, they both tried to pretend nothing had changed. Sky went back to his usual teasing, and Nani responded with his usual exasperated fondness. But the memory of that day lingered, a silent reminder of the line they both refused to cross.

For now, they would keep their feelings hidden, burying them beneath duty and decorum. But deep down, they both knew that moment in the corridor had changed everything.