Picnic and late night movies

The morning sun was gentle, casting a warm glow over the castle gardens. Inside, Nani paced back and forth, his annoyance barely contained. His parents, insistent as ever, had arranged a "casual picnic" with a young princess of a neighboring kingdom. They had even taken great care to emphasize how "perfectly matched" she was for him in age, status, and grace.

Despite his protests, the picnic plans moved forward. The only silver lining for Nani was that Sky, his ever-present bodyguard, would be accompanying him.

As the two walked to the car where the princess awaited, Sky grumbled under his breath. “Why do I have to be the third wheel on this royal matchmaking picnic? This isn’t exactly in my job description.”

Nani couldn’t help but laugh, Sky’s dramatic groaning lifting some of his irritation. “It *is* your job, Captain. Protecting me includes enduring awkward picnics with potential matches.”

Sky rolled his eyes. “If I’m protecting you from anything today, it’s boredom.”

When they reached the car, the princess greeted Nani with a warm, graceful smile. She was undeniably beautiful and poised, speaking with a practiced elegance that made it clear she had been trained for moments like this.

As they conversed on the way to the picnic site, Sky, sitting in the backseat, began mimicking the princess’s refined tone and mannerisms behind her back. Every time Nani glanced at Sky, he was either mockingly adjusting an imaginary tiara or pretending to speak in overly elegant gestures.

It took everything in Nani not to burst out laughing. When he couldn’t contain a chuckle, the princess paused mid-sentence, looking confused. “Did I say something amusing, Your Highness?”

Nani quickly composed himself, offering an apologetic smile. “Not at all, Princess. Please, continue. I’m just...distracted by something else.”

Through their conversation, Nani sensed that she, too, was under similar pressure from her family. Though she maintained her composure, her carefully chosen words hinted at her disinterest in the whole ordeal.

---

On the way to the picnic spot, the princess, evidently tired, fell asleep in the car. Sky, grumbling, moved to the front passenger seat to give her more space in the back.

When they arrived, Nani waved the guards off. “Don’t wake her. Let her sleep. We’ll wait.”

Sky raised an eyebrow. “Very chivalrous, Your Highness.”

“She’s probably as exhausted by all this as I am,” Nani replied. “She deserves some peace.”

Leaving the princess to rest in the car, Nani and Sky wandered into the open field nearby. They sat on the soft grass, chatting about anything and everything, their laughter carrying through the still air.

Eventually, boredom got the better of Sky. “You know what this needs? A little action. Let me grab a ball.”

Sky fetched a soccer ball from the trunk, and the two started a playful match on the grassy field. Sky, with his superior strength and agility, had the upper hand, much to Nani’s frustration.

“You’re cheating!” Nani pouted, hands on his hips after Sky easily blocked yet another attempt to score.

Sky stuck his tongue out. “It’s not my fault you’re so easy to manhandle, Your Highness.”

“You’re impossible,” Nani muttered, sulking as Sky laughed and continued dominating the game.

Despite his complaints, Nani was having the time of his life. They chased each other across the field, their laughter echoing until Nani, in his determination to score, tripped over Sky’s outstretched leg.

Nani fell forward, landing squarely on Sky’s chest. For a moment, the world seemed to pause. Nani’s head rested against Sky’s chest, his hands clutching Sky’s shirt. Sky’s arms instinctively steadied him, one hand gripping Nani’s waist.

Their eyes met, and the usual playful banter faded, replaced by something deeper. The warmth of Sky’s chest beneath him, the intensity in Sky’s gaze—Nani’s heart raced in a way he didn’t quite understand.

Before either could say a word, the sound of the car door opening shattered the moment. The princess had woken up.

Nani scrambled off Sky, brushing himself off as they hurried back to the car.

---

By the time they returned to the castle, it was late evening. The princess apologized for falling asleep.

“There’s nothing to apologize for,” Nani assured her with a kind smile. “And don’t worry—I’ll tell our parents we had a great time. No need to mention anything else.”

The princess sighed in relief, thanking him sincerely before bidding him farewell.

---

Later that night, Nani sat in his room, trying to unwind. The day had been exhausting in more ways than one. Just as he was settling into bed, there was a knock at his door.

Sky entered without waiting for permission, holding a familiar-looking picnic basket.

“What are you doing here?” Nani asked with a sigh, though a smirk tugged at his lips. “Abusing your bodyguard privileges again, I see.”

Sky grinned. “I couldn’t let all this food go to waste. So, I figured we could eat it while watching something. Your choice of movie.”

Nani shook his head, laughing softly. “You do realize I could have anything I want made fresh for me, right?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Sky replied, waving him off. “But this is here now, so why not?”

With a resigned sigh and a smile, Nani gestured toward the couch. “Fine. Do as you wish.”

The two settled in, the picnic basket between them. Sky picked a random movie, and they ate as they watched, occasionally exchanging comments about the plot.

Halfway through the film, Nani, tired from the day’s events, leaned against Sky’s shoulder and fell asleep. Sky glanced down, a soft smile spreading across his face.

Carefully, he pulled out his phone and snapped a quick picture. “For blackmail later,” he whispered to himself with a chuckle.

Turning off the TV, Sky scooped Nani up in his arms, carrying him bridal style to the bed. He tucked him in gently, pausing to brush a stray strand of hair from Nani’s face.

“Goodnight, Your Highness,” he murmured before cleaning up the picnic remnants and heading back to his own room, his heart unexpectedly lighter than it had been in a long time.