Chapter 13

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The café was quiet except for the soft clinking of cups and the murmur of distant conversations. Nani sat across from Dew, his hands clasped on the table as he prepared himself for the inevitable confrontation. Dew’s eyes were sharp, filled with a mix of confusion and hurt.

“Why, Nani?” Dew demanded, leaning forward. “Why aren’t you in love with me anymore? What changed?”

Nani took a deep breath, steadying himself. “Dew… I’ve thought about this a lot. When we first got together, it wasn’t because we were in love. It was because we were lonely.”

Dew frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“We were desperate to fit in,” Nani continued. “Everyone around us had someone, and we… we just clicked. It felt right at the time, but we weren’t truly in love. We were playing roles—pretending to be the perfect couple, convincing ourselves it was real.”

“That’s not true,” Dew protested. “We cared for each other!”

“We did,” Nani agreed, his voice gentle. “But it wasn’t love. What we had was comfortable, but it wasn’t genuine. It was a facade. We were trying to convince ourselves that what we had was enough, but deep down, we both knew something was missing.”

Dew leaned back in his chair, the hurt evident in his eyes. “So, you found what was missing with Sky?”

Nani nodded, a soft smile gracing his lips. “With Sky, I feel… free. I can be myself. I don’t have to pretend to be perfect or always have my act together. I can pout, sulk, get angry, or even be silly, and he just… accepts me. With you, I always felt like I had to live up to this image—be the perfect, cool boyfriend. But with Sky, I can breathe. I can be imperfect, and he loves me for it.”

Dew looked away, his jaw tightening. “So, what we had was nothing to you?”

“It wasn’t nothing,” Nani said softly. “It was what we needed at the time, but it wasn’t love. We were two people who didn’t understand what love was, trying to find it in each other. And that’s okay. But I’ve found it now, Dew. And I hope one day, you’ll find it too—with someone who makes you feel the way Sky makes me feel.”

Dew’s expression shifted, the hurt still present but mingled with a quiet understanding. Nani stood, placing a hand on Dew’s shoulder. “I’ve freed us both from something that wasn’t healthy. I truly hope you’ll find happiness, Dew.”

Without waiting for a response, Nani turned and left the café.

---

Back home, Nani found Sky lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone with his usual carefree smile. As Nani walked in, Sky looked up, his face lighting up instantly.

“Hey, love,” Sky greeted, patting the seat next to him. “How was your day?”

Nani hesitated, expecting Sky to ask about his meeting with Dew. But instead, Sky started joking about a meme he’d seen, completely oblivious to Nani’s inner turmoil.

After a few minutes, Nani couldn’t take it anymore. He sat down and faced Sky directly. “Sky… why aren’t you asking about what happened with Dew?”

Sky raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Why would I?”

“Because…” Nani faltered. “Because most people would! Aren’t you even a little worried about what we talked about? Don’t you doubt me?”

Sky’s expression softened as he set his phone down and turned to Nani. “Nani, I love you. I trust you with all my heart. I don’t need to know what you talked about because I know you would never do anything to hurt me. You’re mine, and I’m yours. That’s all that matters to me.”

Nani felt his heart swell as Sky’s words sank in. He stared at his husband, the goofy smile returning to Sky’s face as he ruffled Nani’s hair. “Now, stop overthinking, okay? Come here—”

Before Sky could finish, Nani launched himself into his arms, cutting off his words with a deep, passionate kiss. Sky froze for a second, then melted into the kiss, his arms wrapping tightly around Nani.

When they broke apart, Nani whispered breathlessly, “I love you, Sky. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”

Sky smiled, his eyes shining with pure happiness. “I love you too, Nani. Always.”

Nani kissed him again, this time with even more intensity. Sky responded eagerly, lifting Nani off the couch effortlessly. Nani wrapped his arms around Sky’s neck and his legs around Sky’s waist, their kisses growing more heated.

Sky pulled back just enough to grin at him. “You’re not letting me go, huh?”

“Never,” Nani murmured, pulling him back in for another kiss.

Sky carried him to their bedroom, both of them laughing and kissing as they celebrated the love that had finally brought them together.

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