Kai's office door clicked shut behind him, the muffled hum of the office fading into silence. He leaned against the edge of his desk, rubbing his temples.
Ren's knock was quiet but deliberate. "Kai, can I come in?"
Kai looked up immediately. His chest tightened. "Yeah… come in."
Ren stepped inside, folders clutched to his chest. He didn't smile. He didn't look around the room. His gaze was steady, cold, professional.
Kai ran a hand through his hair, standing straighter. "You wanted to talk?"
Ren set the folders down on the corner of the desk. "I told you before. I'm leaving. That hasn't changed."
Kai's stomach lurched. "I… I don't want you to."
Ren tilted his head slightly, almost mocking. "You don't get a say in it. I've made my decision."
Kai's voice caught. "I know. I just… can't help hoping you'd reconsider."
Ren's eyes softened just for a second before the usual chill returned. "Kai, you can't manipulate people with… hope. Not me."
"I'm not manipulating you," Kai said quickly. "I just… I don't want to lose the person I… the person who actually matters."
Ren's lips twitched, barely noticeable, like he wanted to smile and stop himself. "That's flattering. But I can't stay for you. I have my own path."
Kai stepped closer. "We've been through a lot together. You and I. I'm not ready to just… let that end."
Ren shook his head, crossing his arms. "Kai, it isn't ending. It's… changing. That's all."
Kai swallowed. "Changing… doesn't feel like enough. Not when it's you."
Ren's sigh was quiet, almost tired. "Kai, you've got to understand. I'm not saying this to hurt you. I just… I need to do my own thing. You can't tether me to your office, your schedule, your expectations."
Kai's throat tightened. "I'm not trying to tether you. I just—"
"You're scared," Ren interrupted. His tone was low, firm. "That's what this is. You're scared I'll leave, that you'll lose me. And maybe… maybe that's true. But it's not fair to me to stay just to make your heart feel safe."
Kai's chest ached. He wanted to argue. He wanted to tell Ren that he wasn't just scared, that he genuinely wanted him here, not because he needed someone to cling to—but because he wanted Ren. But the words stuck in his throat.
Ren's gaze softened, though still distant. "Kai… we can't do this. Not like this. Not anymore."
Kai's hand twitched at his side. "Then… what are we doing?"
Ren leaned against the desk, carefully keeping his distance. "We… stay… friends."
Kai blinked. "Friends?"
"Yes," Ren said, steady now. "Not lovers. Not… anything that hurts either of us."
Kai's lips pressed into a thin line. "Just… friends?"
Ren nodded. "Friends who care. Friends who respect each other. Friends who… don't complicate their lives with impossible expectations."
Kai looked down, breathing unevenly. Then he nodded slowly. "Okay. Friends."
Ren's gaze softened almost imperceptibly. "I want us to move forward without guilt. Without pretending. Just… just being ourselves."
Kai forced a small laugh. "Being ourselves. That doesn't sound so bad."
Ren's lips curved, just slightly. "It doesn't. I've been… scared to let go of this tension for so long. But maybe it's time. Time to stop holding onto something that doesn't fit the way we imagined."
Kai nodded. "Yeah… time to stop imagining."
Ren straightened, adjusting his blazer. "We can still care about each other. We can still look out for each other. I'm not… gone, Kai. Just… not the same as before."
Kai met his gaze, chest still tight, and smiled faintly. "That's… fine. Really. I think I can manage that. I think we'll be okay."
Ren hesitated a moment, then nodded. "We will. Eventually. We just… need to be honest. About ourselves, about what we want. That's all I'm asking."
Kai took a deep breath, leaning back against his desk. "Honest. Got it."
They stood there for a long moment, neither moving, the tension that had hung between them finally easing. Not gone, but softened.
Ren finally picked up his folders again. "I'll send my notice to HR today. You'll see me around, but… just in a different role, that's all."
Kai nodded. "That's fine. I… I'll manage. We'll manage."
Ren gave a small smile—light, almost real. "Yeah. We'll manage."
Kai wanted to say more. He wanted to tell Ren that even if this ended as friends, he'd still be grateful for everything. But he didn't. Instead, he let the moment hang quietly between them.
"Good," Ren said, checking his watch. "I should get back. Lots of work waiting."
Kai nodded, voice steady now. "Go on, then. I'll be here."
Ren hesitated at the door, looking back. "You'll be okay, Kai. Don't… don't worry too much about me."
Kai smiled faintly. "I know. You'll be okay too."
Ren finally stepped out, closing the door softly behind him. The office felt emptier, quieter—but lighter too, somehow.
Kai leaned back, exhaling slowly. The weight he hadn't realized he'd been carrying was gone. Not gone gone, but lifted just enough to breathe easier.
A small, genuine smile formed on his lips. "Yeah… we'll be okay."
Across the office, Ren walked down the hall, holding his folders a little looser now, a little lighter. His lips curved again, faint, quiet. He allowed himself a small exhale, relief threading through him. "Yeah… we'll be okay."
It wasn't the same as before. It wasn't a romance. But it was honest. It was steady. It was… hopeful.
And for both of them, that was enough for now.
We'll be okay… right?