Unexpected

Special Chapter 3

As Nani’s pregnancy progressed, he found himself facing new and strange cravings. They were unpredictable, and sometimes they would hit him out of nowhere. One night, as Sky was reading a book on the couch, Nani suddenly sat up from his comfortable position, looking utterly bewildered.

“Sky,” Nani said, voice thick with need, “I want pickles and ice cream… right now.”

Sky glanced up from his book, barely suppressing a chuckle. He'd gotten used to Nani’s late-night cravings, but this one was a bit unexpected. “Pickles and ice cream? In the middle of the night?”

Nani crossed his arms, sulking as his belly pressed against his shirt. “I *need* it now. I can’t sleep without it.”

Sky, ever the loving husband, smiled at his wife’s adorable stubbornness. "Alright, alright," he said, getting up from the couch. "I’ll go get it. You stay here and relax."

Nani gave him a pout as Sky disappeared out the door, then plopped back down on the couch, his mood a mix of cute sulkiness and impatience. He let out a dramatic sigh, rubbing his belly. "Sky's too good to me," he muttered, though a smile tugged at his lips.

Sky returned twenty minutes later, carrying a bag of pickles and a tub of vanilla ice cream, both chilled and fresh from the 24-hour convenience store. Nani brightened at the sight, instantly sitting up and eagerly taking them from Sky. “You’re the best,” Nani cooed, pecking him on the cheek. He looked a little guilty for waking Sky up, but at the same time, his cravings felt so intense that he couldn't ignore them.

“You better be,” Sky teased, ruffling Nani’s hair before sitting beside him. “You’ve been a little moody lately. Cravings, mood swings… I’m learning to roll with it, though. But seriously, let me know if you need anything else.”

Nani smiled at him, taking a bite of the ice cream with the pickle, his face lighting up in approval. "Mmm. Perfect," he mumbled between bites.

Sky chuckled, watching his husband with a fondness he couldn’t quite put into words. "I'm happy to indulge you, baby. Just… try not to make me go out every night, okay?"

But even as Sky joked, Nani's sulking moods became a regular part of their life. As he hit six months pregnant, his emotions were in overdrive, and it was hard for him to feel comfortable. He would feel fine one minute, only to feel down the next, or suddenly lash out at Sky for reasons neither of them understood.

One night, Sky was preparing for a large party—an event for his CEO peers. He and a few friends like Off and Tay would be there, as well as their partners, Gun and New. Nani had been invited too, but when he heard Sky discussing the event, he felt a strange pang in his chest. He hadn’t been feeling great lately—his mood swings were starting to get to him—but the idea of Sky attending the party without him set off an unfamiliar feeling of jealousy that he couldn’t shake.

As the evening wore on, Nani found himself at home, scrolling through social media. He’d seen pictures from the party, and there was Sky, smiling brightly, laughing with Off and Tay, his arm around their partners. There were so many people, but it was Sky and the way he looked so happy with everyone else that caused Nani to feel left out.

Sky came home later that night, smelling faintly of cologne and perfume, a satisfied smile on his face. But when he saw Nani sitting on the couch, his arms crossed over his chest in a sulky manner, he immediately knew something was off.

"Nani?" Sky asked gently, his eyes soft with concern as he set his keys on the counter. "Are you okay?"

Nani didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he pouted, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced away. "You were having so much fun, huh? With Off, Tay, and their partners."