Shadows of Identity

Chapter 19: Through The Rain

As he turned the hallway corner, a dark shape slumped near his door made him stop cold.

“Nani…?”

The bags dropped.

His legs moved before his brain did, umbrella forgotten. He reached the soaked figure, heart hammering against his ribs.

“Nani! What the—what are you doing here?!” Sky’s voice cracked as he knelt.

Nani looked up slowly, eyes red, teeth chattering. “I came… I came to talk… I called you—”

Sky didn’t let him finish. He threw his arms around him, pressing Nani’s freezing body into his chest. “You idiot. You stupid, stubborn idiot—why would you—”

But his voice cracked again.

He held Nani tighter instead.

“I thought you hated me,” Nani whimpered.

Sky pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. “Hate you? Nani, I was scared because I care. Because I can’t lose you again.”

Nani’s lip trembled.

Sky kissed his forehead, then dragged him inside.

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Sky’s Apartment – Moments Later

Sky dried Nani’s hair gently, wrapped him in a towel, gave him dry clothes, and sat him on the couch with a blanket and warm tea. The air between them was fragile, but softer now. Like something delicate that had cracked but not shattered.

“You didn’t answer my calls,” Nani said quietly.

“I left my phone,” Sky replied, guilt heavy in his voice. “I didn’t think… I didn’t think you’d come after me.”

“I didn’t want to wait. I couldn’t.”

Sky knelt in front of him. “I’m sorry for yelling. I should’ve listened instead of snapping.”

Nani reached out, touching his cheek. “I should’ve told you I was going. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You did. But… I hurt you too.” Sky closed his eyes, leaning into the touch. “I was angry because I was scared that something might happen to you, and I thought I’d lose you again.”

Nani whispered, “You won’t.”

Sky opened his eyes. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

And finally, they smiled—through wet lashes, raw hearts, and held hands.

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Sky’s Apartment – Later That Night

The tea had gone lukewarm in Nani’s hands, but neither of them moved to do anything about it. They just sat there—shoulder to shoulder—wrapped in the same blanket, the silence between them no longer sharp, but full of understanding.

Sky broke it first. “You’re still shaking.”

Nani looked down at his hands. “I think my soul’s cold.”

Sky reached over and gently took the mug from him, setting it on the table. Then he pulled Nani fully into his arms. “Then stay here. As long as it takes.”

Nani leaned into him, resting his head against Sky’s chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat. “I really messed up.”

“We both did,” Sky whispered, his lips brushing Nani’s hair. “But we’re here now. That counts.”

A beat passed.

Then another.

And then Nani murmured, “Can I ask you something stupid?”

Sky smiled into his hair. “Always.”

“Why do you care so much?”

Sky didn’t answer immediately. He held him tighter, fingers tracing soft circles on Nani’s back. “Because when I thought I’d lost you… it felt like the ground had disappeared beneath me. Like nothing made sense anymore.”

Nani’s throat tightened. “I never wanted to be a burden—”

“You’re not,” Sky cut in, fierce now. “You’re not a burden, Nani. You’re... you’re the reason I wake up and actually want to be better. You drive me crazy, but it’s the kind of crazy I want forever.”

Nani pulled back slightly, enough to look into Sky’s eyes. “Even when I go sneaking into danger like an idiot?”

Sky chuckled, eyes glinting with affection. “Especially then. Because I get to yell at you and then patch you up after.”

That earned a small laugh from Nani—wet and tired but real. He blinked up at Sky, something soft and trembling in his gaze.

“You’re so annoying sometimes,” he whispered.

“Right back at you.”

And slowly, in the warmth of that tiny apartment, wrapped in each other, they finally slept.

Not haunted.

Not broken.

Just… healing.

Together.

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