Chapter Text
Nani and Sky were the "perfect duo"—the kind of pair everyone on campus whispered about. Their inseparable bond had started with a comedy of errors back in freshman year when they accidentally swapped phones, and they hadn't spent a single day apart since.
Because of their undeniable chemistry, they were constantly dogged by rumors of being secret boyfriends.
Officially, they had spent years debunking the theories, claiming they only wanted a peaceful university life free from groundless gossip.
However, while they presented a united front to the public, the conviction wasn't entirely mutual. While Nani laughed the rumors off as a funny misunderstanding, Sky found himself less and less inclined to correct people. Deep down, he didn't mind the whispers at all; in fact, he secretly preferred the world thinking Nani belonged to him, even if it's just rumors.
They were peacefully eating at their favorite restaurant just 5 minutes walk from their university. They have been eating in this restaurant because of its affordable and delicious menus.
“Sky, where are you going after this?” Nani asked, Sky set his chopsticks down against the bowl.
“I’ll probably go to the library to finish my review for tomorrow. What about you?” Sky replied. This has been their routine since freshman year. Go to school > review > eat > rest > repeat.
“Okay, I’ll join you.” Nani mumbled and continued to eat his lunch.
After lunch, they quickly go for a coffee run before going to the library. After hours, just when Sky thought that they’re locking in for the review, Nani decided to ask Sky a question.
“Sky, what do you think about dating?” Nani asked suddenly, breaking the silence of their study session.
Sky looked up, his eyes narrowing in confusion. “What? That’s the most random thing you’ve asked me today.”
“It’s not random! I’m curious,” Nani countered in a teasing tone. “We’ve been together constantly since freshman year. For all I know, you’ve been dating someone behind my back.”
Sky stared at him blankly for a moment. “I haven’t, and I won’t. I don’t do short-term things,” he said firmly. He paused, then added, “Do you have someone in mind?”
“Well,” Nani replied with a shy giggle, “I found this guy on a dating app. We’ve been talking for a while, and he’s planning a date for next week. He’s from the university from another city.”
Sky’s grip on his highlighter tightened. He didn’t understand why the thought of Nani meeting a stranger made his chest feel like it was being squeezed by a heavy textbook. “A date? Isn’t it too early? Especially knowing that you’ve just met this guy.” His voice was flatter than intended.
“I don’t think so, we’ve been chatting since last week, and I do think he really is a good guy. He seems harmless,” Nani briefly replied. “But Sky, that’s not the point, help me out cause I’m panicking,” Nani said, leaning in. His teasing energy shifted into genuine nerves. “I’ve spent three years studying with you, my social skills are basically just ‘citing sources.’ What if things happen? I haven’t kissed anyone since forever. I’ll be terrible. I’ll probably headbutt him.”
Sky gasped, “Kiss? It’s just a date, Nani. Don’t overthink. You’re overdoing it, that’s not good.” Sky mumbled.
“Goodness, Sky. That's just hypothetical? I really want to find a boyfriend before graduation.” Nani said while shoving his head on the table.
Sky let out a dry, breathy laugh. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. You’ll find that guy eventually. Also if you’re worried about the kiss, don’t overthink, it’s just a kiss, you could just go with the flow,”
“No, Sky, I need to be good. I want him to actually want a second date,” Nani groaned, burying his face in his hands.
He peeked through his fingers, a mischievous but desperate light in his eyes. “You said you don’t do short-term things, right? That means you’re a pro at the meaningful stuff.”
Sky raised an eyebrow. “Where is this going?”
“Practice with me. Just once! Like a workshop,” Nani whispered, his face flushing. “Better to embarrass myself in front of my best friend than a stranger, right? Please, Sky. For the sake of my love life?”
“You’re unbelievable,” Sky replied. “You want me to teach
you to kiss when I haven’t even been in a relationship myself.”
“Please,” Nani pleaded, reaching for Sky’s hand and giving him his best puppy-dog eyes. “For me? Your most handsome, cute, pretty best friend?”
Sky wanted to say no. He should have said no. But the thought of Nani practicing with anyone else felt significantly worse. He set his pen down slowly.
“Fine,” he murmured, his voice dropping an octave. “But if we’re doing this, you have to actually pay attention.”
“Omg, thank you, Sky!” Nani started, but he was cut short by the librarian’s bell chiming for closing time. He squeezed Sky’s hand excitedly. “You’re the best. I promise I’ll listen and won’t waste your time.”
The walk back to the dorm was uncharacteristically quiet. The cool night air usually sparked their typical banter, but tonight, Nani was silent, casting nervous glances at Sky.
Once the door to their room clicked shut, the playful atmosphere evaporated, replaced by a thick, heavy tension.
"So..." Nani started, dropping his backpack. "Do we start now? Is there a syllabus?"
Sky didn’t laugh. He shed his jacket and stepped into the narrow space in their living room "Stop joking around, Nani."
Sky reached out, his hands settling firmly on Nani’s waist. The contact made Nani jump, his eyes widening.
"Rule one," Sky murmured. "Don't overthink it. If you're stiff, it's just a collision, not a kiss."
"Easy for you to say," Nani whispered, his hands tentatively finding purchase on Sky’s shoulders.
Sky stepped closer, until Nani could feel the heat radiating from his chest. "A kiss isn't a performance, Nani. It's a response." He reached up, his fingers grazing Nani’s jawline before cupping his cheek. His thumb traced the corner of Nani's mouth with agonizing slowness. "Close your eyes."
Nani obeyed. He expected a clinical, quick peck—something they could laugh about tomorrow. But what he got was a tidal wave.
When Sky leaned in, the contact wasn't "practice." It was firm, possessive, and sure. Sky claimed his lips, tilting his head to deepen the pressure. Nani let out a soft, surprised hum, his fingers instinctively tangling into the hair at the nape of Sky’s neck. The "practice" logic shattered instantly, replaced by a desperate, hungry energy that had been building for three years.
When Sky finally pulled back just an inch, their foreheads remained pressed together. Both were breathing as if they’d run a marathon.
"Sky..." Nani whispered, dazed. "I think... I'm a fast learner."
"Yeah,” Sky breathed, his voice rough. “I noticed.”
Sky began to turn away, his heart hammering against his ribs, but Nani quickly reached out and hugged him from behind, burying his face in Sky's back.
“T-thank you, Sky. Really. Thank you for saying yes to my weird favor,” Nani murmured.
Sky turned back with the faintest, most bittersweet smile. “Anything for you, Nani. But,” he added, trying to regain his footing with a tease, “you have to practice more. You were a little stiff at the start.”
Nani gave him a playful punch on the arm, pouting. “Stop teasing! It was my first time,”
Sky just stared at Nani, wanting to lean back in and give Nani a real peck—one that wasn't for "practice." But he held back, the old boundaries of their friendship feeling like a ghost between them. Bros don't kiss, Sky thought, even as his lips still burned from the touch of his best friend.
“I’m kidding, now go change, while I prepare for our dinner,” Sky said. Nani on the other hand just nodded his head and went to his room.
Sky leaned his forehead against the cool surface of the refrigerator, his breath still hitching. Just what the hell did I put myself into? he whispered to the empty room. He looked at his hands—the ones that had just been on Nani's waist—and they were still shaking.
This was a dangerous game.
One wrong move, one kiss that felt too real, and he could lose Nani forever. It was going to either make them or break them, and Sky wasn't sure he was ready to find out which.
They sat through dinner together, and on the surface, there was no awkwardness to be found. Or, at least, that’s what they let themselves believe.
“I’ll clean the dishes, go change your clothes,” Nani muttered. Sky just nodded and went to his room.
Inside the quiet room, Sky didn’t turn on the lights. He sat on the edge of his bed, the scent of Nani’s laundry detergent lingering in the shared air of the dorm.
Sky reached up, tracing his lower lip with his thumb. The pressure of Nani’s mouth was still there—warm, soft, and terrifyingly right. He had spent three years convinced that his role in Nani's life was the anchor: the one who kept him grounded, the one who helped him study, the one who walked him home. But in the span of five minutes, he had shifted from an anchor to a storm.
He knew Nani saw it as a "workshop," a favor between friends to bridge the gap toward someone else. But Sky knew the truth. That kiss hadn't been a lesson; it was a confession he wasn't allowed to put into words.
"One date," Sky whispered to the darkness, his voice cracking. "He’s going on one date with a stranger, and I’m already falling apart."
–
As Nani quietly washes the dishes, he can’t help but remember the kiss that he and his best friend shared just moments ago.
What the heck, is kissing a guy supposed to be that fun? Will I feel the same when I do it with other people? He mentally thought. What they did was a spur of a moment, well not really, because he literally asked his friend for this favor.
I shouldn't have brought that up!! How am I supposed to greet him tomorrow? Dinner was already awkward enough, ARGHHH!! Nani sighed with the thought.
“But I kinda liked it...” Nani breathed. He froze, instantly covering his mouth as his eyes darted to Sky's closed door. He held his breath, fearing the walls were thin enough for his secret to slip through.
Maybe I'm only feeling this way because I’ve never been in a romantic relationship before. Nani thought as he finish washing the dishes.
Nani lingered in the hallway, his feet coming to a halt just outside Sky’s door. It was time for their usual routine—the quiet ritual they’d maintained since freshman year. Every night, without fail, they would exchange "goodnights," wish each other "sleep well," or simply offer a soft "you did well today" to cap off a long day of classes.
But tonight, his knuckles refused to meet the wood. As much as he craved the comfort of their routine, he found himself paralyzed. The memory of the kiss, and the heavy, unreadable silence that followed—played on a loop in his mind. He didn't want to push his luck, nor did he want to bother Sky further after dragging him into the disaster he started.