Nara laughed again, brushing her hand along the edge of a sculpture. Keigh leaned casually, but his eyes kept flicking toward the gallery windows, trained for movement, shadow, anything out of place.
He noticed it almost immediately, a figure crouched across the street, camera lens peeking from behind a delivery truck. The movements were deliberate but careful, too deliberate for a casual passerby.
Keigh's jaw tightened slightly. He didn't say anything, not yet. He couldn't ruin this moment, not for her.
"See anything interesting over there?" Nara asked, pointing to a painting she'd lingered on.
Keigh blinked, forcing his attention back to her. "Mmm that one's bold. Fierce. Striking."
Nara raised an eyebrow. "You're avoiding my question."
"I'm just appreciating the art," he said smoothly, letting a teasing tone slide into his words. "You know, focus is important."
Her lips quirked. "Sure, I'll buy that. Focus. On art."
Inside, Keigh's mind ran like clockwork. The figure outside was persistent. Probably tracking her movements. Curious. Dangerous, but for now harmless enough.
He subtly moved, stepping between her and the window, not too close, just enough to obscure the line of sight from outside.
"You know," he said lightly, "you really shouldn't hide behind art. Some things deserve attention in the open."
Nara tilted her head, studying him. "Are you talking about me or the painting?"
He smiled faintly. "Maybe a little of both."
Nara laughed softly, but Keigh's eyes flicked toward the window again. The shadow shifted, maybe adjusting the lens, maybe trying to remain unnoticed.
"Everything okay?" Nara asked, sensing a slight shift in his attention.
"Perfect," he said smoothly, voice soft, reassuring. "Just keeping an eye on the details."
Nara smiled, oblivious to the spy's presence. She trusted him without thinking about it, didn't need to.
Keigh let the moment linger a heartbeat longer before returning his full attention to her. But inside, a plan was already forming. Whoever was watching her, they wouldn't go unnoticed for long because Keigh Dynamite didn't let anything or anyone threaten Nara.
Keigh's thumb hovered over his phone as Nara wandered toward a sculpture. Calm, collected, playful Nara, the kind of Nara that made the world feel lighter, completely unaware of the shadow he'd noticed outside.
A single message later:
> "Handle the person outside the gallery. Keep them secure. Wait until I drop Nara home."
Keigh pocketed the phone, letting his expression relax. Nara had no clue, and that was exactly how he wanted it.
---
They exited the gallery, the city night wrapping around them like a soft cloak. Keigh steered them toward a small, quiet bistro, not crowded, not flashy. Just food and some stolen time.
They ordered simply, laughing quietly over shared bites.
"You really need to stop pretending like you don't notice everything," Nara teased, handing him a fry.
"I notice enough," he said, accepting it with a small smirk. "Some things I can't comment on, some things I can."
She leaned back, smirking. "Is that supposed to be a compliment or a threat?"
"Depends on the day," he replied lightly, eyes glinting. "And on the company."
They laughed together, soft and easy, the tension of earlier hours fading. Keigh watched her carefully, memorizing how her hair fell, the way her eyes sparkled in the dim light, the gentle curve of her smile when she laughed.
Finally, the night drew them toward her apartment. Keigh parked the car, engine off, and they sat in silence for a heartbeat.
"You've been… protecting me all evening," Nara said softly. "I… appreciate it."
Keigh's eyes softened. "Always. You don't even have to ask."
For a long pause, they just looked at each other. The hum of the city felt distant. Then, almost without warning, he leaned closer. Nara's breath hitched, eyes widening.
He kissed her. Soft. Tentative. Exploratory.
Nara responded before she could think, leaning in, letting the tension of the day, the chaos, and the secret moments melt into the warmth of it.
When they finally pulled back, their foreheads rested together, both smiling faintly, hearts racing.
"Guess some things don't need explanations," Keigh murmured.
Nara just laughed quietly. "Yeah, I guess not."
---
Meanwhile, somewhere in the city, the spy sat restrained in a safe, dimly lit room. Keigh entered, calm, imposing, exuding the kind of authority that allowed no room for lies.
"Start talking," Keigh said, voice low and steady.
The spy swallowed, eyes flicking nervously. "I… I don't know who she is, sir. I was told to follow her, take photos, nothing more."
Keigh's jaw tightened. "By whom?"
"I don't know! I swear! I just..."
"Swear all you want," Keigh interrupted, stepping closer, "but you're not going anywhere until I know you've told me everything. Names. Orders. Every detail."
The spy nodded frantically, realizing that messing with Nara or crossing Keigh was a mistake he would regret.