Unexpected

Chapter 7

When Nani heard that his cousins would be joining the family trip, he’d initially felt a wave of relief. It meant he wasn’t the only young couple there anymore, which provided some distraction from the constant pretense he’d had to maintain with Sky. But as soon as Gemini, Fourth, Phuwin, and Pond arrived—followed by Sky’s cousin Joong and his husband Dunk—Nani felt an unexpected pang of anxiety.

His cousins didn’t know anything about the state of his relationship with Sky, the quiet battles they waged behind closed doors. To everyone else, they were newlyweds, and expectations were high. But with his cousins around—each in relationships that seemed to glow with genuine warmth and affection—Nani realized how hard it would be to keep up the facade.

It didn’t help that the couples all seemed to exude their unique vibe. Dunk and Joong held themselves with regal poise, like royalty in love. Phuwin and Pond, with their sharp suits and decisive personalities, gave off that powerful CEO energy. And then there was Gemini and Fourth, effortlessly cute and constantly lost in each other’s eyes. The love between each pair was undeniable, filling the room with an almost infectious charm.

As they settled in for dinner that night, the topic turned to relationships, each couple sharing stories of their romantic gestures, thoughtful surprises, and funny mishaps.

“So,” Dunk said, looking at Nani with a curious smile. “How’s married life treating you, Nani? Sky must be spoiling you, hmm?”

Nani paused, his heart racing. He hadn’t expected to be put on the spot like this, but with all eyes on him, he didn’t have much choice. Glancing at Sky, who was smiling at him with that usual puppy-like warmth, Nani forced himself to smile back. “Well, Sky… he’s quite the catch, isn’t he?”

Sky’s face lit up at the unexpected compliment, though he stayed quiet, letting Nani do the talking.

“Sky treats me… very well,” Nani continued, keeping his tone even but soft enough to sound convincing. He let himself lean slightly closer to Sky, as if to reinforce the act. “He’s thoughtful, always trying to make me happy. And, well… he’s pretty handsome too.” His cheeks flushed a little as he admitted this, surprising himself at how easily the words came out.

Nani knew his cousins could see through any forced sweetness, so he stuck to facts. He really did think Sky was attractive, maybe even more than he’d care to admit out loud. And yes, Sky did have a way of making things easier for him, even if Nani resisted it more often than not.

“You’re lucky, Nani,” Phuwin said, leaning his head against Pond’s shoulder. “A husband who treats you like that is hard to find. I mean, look at this one.” He nudged Pond, who chuckled and shook his head, clearly enjoying the praise.

“Absolutely,” Fourth chimed in, snuggling closer to Gemini. “Gemini’s the best, but I’m sure Sky’s right up there with him. We’re all so lucky to have partners who are not only good-looking but genuinely kind.”

Sky, hearing all this, kept his gaze fixed on Nani, his eyes full of a mixture of happiness and gratitude. Nani could feel it, too—the silent thank-you for speaking kindly about him, for playing the part of the loving husband even if, behind the scenes, their reality wasn’t quite as polished.

Encouraged by the positive reception from his cousins, Nani found himself loosening up, leaning a little closer to Sky as he shared more. “I mean, yes, I might’ve been lucky to end up with him. He’s got this way about him… always trying to make everyone’s day brighter. Sometimes, he’ll come back from work looking exhausted, but the moment he sees me, he’s all smiles, like he’s been waiting to see me all day.”

Sky's expression softened, almost as if he was hearing these thoughts for the first time himself. He leaned slightly towards Nani, as if wanting to bridge the gap between them but still respecting the space Nani always demanded.

Joong chuckled, clinking glasses with Dunk. “Well, it sounds like we have a room full of incredible husbands here tonight, doesn’t it?”

The others laughed, and Nani couldn’t help but smile, even if it was just for the sake of appearances. But deep down, he felt the weight of his own words, the bits of truth mixed with the act. Sky *did* make an effort, and his kindness was genuine. He wasn’t just playing a role; he was trying, every day, to be a good partner, even if he didn’t realize how much resistance he faced.

As the night wore on, Nani watched his cousins interact with their husbands, feeling both comforted and unsettled. Each couple shared glances, soft touches, inside jokes—all those subtle indicators of love. And as he glanced over at Sky, who was laughing with Joong and Dunk, he wondered if his own relationship could ever hold even a fraction of that warmth.

Then, as if sensing his gaze, Sky turned back to him, his eyes lighting up as they locked with Nani’s. “You doing okay?” he asked quietly, his voice low enough that only Nani could hear.

Nani nodded, feeling a strange sense of contentment as he held Sky’s gaze. “Yeah. I… I am.”

And for a moment, as they sat together, pretending to be the perfect couple, Nani felt a flicker of something he didn’t quite understand. It was faint, fleeting, and yet, there was a part of him that wondered if maybe, just maybe, this act didn’t have to be entirely fake.