16. BBQ
The night sky was sprinkled with stars. The garden lights glowed softly, hanging from tree branches like artificial fireflies.
The villa's backyard had been transformed into a spontaneous barbeque party. A long table stood proudly, neatly arranged with various ingredients: marinated beef, seasoned chicken, fresh shrimp, corn, mushrooms, bell peppers, and an assortment of sauces.
The atmosphere was lively but warm. Oblivion's members laughed under the light's glow, some staff sitting by the edges while helping out.
The bodyguards remained alert, yet even they allowed themselves to enjoy the laid-back moment—including Robin, who stood near the grill, arms crossed, his gaze fixed in one direction.
Right at Hanu.
---
Hanu stood in front of the charcoal grill, wearing a beige apron that said "BBQ King (or Queen?)"—a joke gift from Leo earlier that afternoon.
His hair fell neatly, and his hands moved swiftly as he flipped meat and brushed on sauces, humming quietly to himself.
Zio approached with a glass of soda. "Oh my god, Han. Where'd you learn to cook like this?"
"Back home. I used to help Mom in the kitchen whenever I felt stressed," Hanu answered with a small smile.
Rey joined in. "Okay, I've changed my mind. Hanu should totally be a chef idol. Forget singing."
Leo chimed in with a mouthful of corn, "Or… a dream wife for a bodyguard."
"LEO!" Hanu shouted in panic, immediately throwing a napkin at him.
Robin—who had clearly heard that—let out a faint smile.
---
A few minutes later, the delicious scent of grilled meat began to spread. Plates were starting to fill up.
Robin slowly stepped closer to the grill. "Can I try?" he asked, eyes on the small plate Hanu had just filled.
"Oh! Sure! This one's... honey soy marinated beef. Just finished grilling. Be careful—it's hot," Hanu said as he carefully handed over the skewer.
Robin took it, bit into it... then gave a subtle nod.
"Good," he said briefly, but his tone was sincere.
Hanu nearly melted. "R-really?"
Robin held his gaze longer than usual. "You're good at this. Didn't expect that."
Hanu scratched the back of his neck. "Hehe... it's just a hobby, really. I'm not that good…"
"If you ever made me breakfast someday, I'd wake up without an alarm," Robin said softly, his eyes still locked on Hanu.
Hanu quickly turned away, fighting a smile while his heart pounded wildly.
"Robin...!" he whispered in protest, but his grin couldn't be hidden.
Robin didn't reply. He simply grabbed a piece of corn and sat on a wooden chair near the grill. A few seconds later, he looked up again.
"You're not gonna sit? Take a break?"
"I... still got these chicken skewers to finish," Hanu replied.
Robin spun the corn skewer in his hand. "If you're tired... I can switch with you."
Hanu paused, then gave a small smile. "If you cook, everyone might get food poisoning."
Robin chuckled. "Fair enough."
---
The barbeque party got even livelier. Rey and Axel were busy playing charades. Leo went live for a moment to show off the food. Zio pestered everyone to join a game.
But Robin? He was still on the chair by the grill—sometimes watching Hanu, sometimes just sitting silently.
Hanu noticed. Then, quietly and without telling anyone, he took a small plate of grilled shrimp and a piece of honey chicken—arranged perfectly.
Carefully, he walked over to Robin and held it out.
"This... is for you. This one's special," Hanu said softly.
Robin looked at the plate, then at Hanu. "Special?"
"Because you're the one guarding us... always the most tired, the calmest, and... secretly the kindest," Hanu mumbled, too shy to meet his eyes.
Robin accepted the plate and smiled sweetly—a smile he reserved only for Hanu.
"Thank you, Hanu," he said sincerely.
And for the first time, Robin called him by name—without a "hey" or "you."
Hanu was silent for a moment.
Then... he sat next to Robin.
They didn't say a word for a while. Just the night breeze, the distant sound of the ocean, and the quiet sizzling of meat still grilling.
And when their hands accidentally touched on the wooden table, Robin didn't pull away.
And Hanu... didn't either.
That night, under a starlit sky, no love was spoken aloud. But it was clearly felt.
---
Villa Backyard – Late Night
The night breeze was calm. The villa's backyard had quieted down, with only the sound of insects and the distant waves filling the silence. The garden lights still glowed softly, casting a warm, tranquil mood.
Robin and Hanu sat side by side on a wooden bench near the now-dead grill. The remaining embers glowed faintly, just enough to warm the air. Hanu hugged his knees to his chest, while Robin leaned back, one arm resting on the bench.
Silence surrounded them until Robin glanced at Hanu with a playful squint.
"You grilled the meat earlier, right?"
Hanu nodded, eyes on the sky. "Yeah. Why?"
Robin suppressed a grin. "I think you spilled some sauce on yourself."
Hanu turned quickly. "Huh?! Where?!" He checked his shirt in a panic.
Robin pointed at his own chest. "Here. On my heart."
Hanu froze.
Then…
"ROBIN!!" he shouted, half-laughing, half-shocked. "OH MY GOD, THAT WAS SO LAME!!"
Robin burst out laughing, pleased with Hanu's reaction—watching his panic turn into shy giggles. Hanu lightly hit Robin's chest, cheeks red but laughing too.
"Seriously, jeez... I thought there was actual sauce," Hanu muttered while grinning.
Robin kept laughing, but then his gaze shifted—calmer, deeper. He looked at Hanu, who was still smiling quietly.
That face, bathed in the soft glow of garden lights, eyes sparkling and cheeks still warm from laughter.
Robin went silent for a moment. His gaze lingered.
Something stirred in his chest.
Hanu noticed the change in mood. He turned his head, and as their eyes met, the smile slowly faded—not from discomfort, but because his heart was fluttering too.
Robin let out a quiet breath.
"Hanu…"
"Hmm?" Hanu replied softly, his voice lowering to match the shift in tone.
Robin leaned a little closer. "If I said... I wanted to kiss you tonight, would you be mad?"
Hanu didn't answer. His eyes widened slowly, heart pounding like war drums. But he didn't pull away.
He didn't respond either. He just... lowered his head, and slowly—holding his breath—nodded.