A New Safe Space

The hardest part for Akk wasn't the way people at work had started looking at him differently. The whispers, the sideways glances, and the barely-veiled smirks followed him down the halls. It wasn't even the way his workload seemed to have doubled overnight as if the entire office was waiting for him to crack under the pressure of proving himself. No, the hardest part wasn't the judgment or the exhausting effort to reclaim his confidence.

The hardest part was no longer seeing Ray.

He missed the fleeting smiles Ray would send his way when their eyes met across the office. He missed their secret coffee breaks, the spontaneous make-out sessions tucked away in the fire exit, and the cheeky, teasing messages that popped up on the company app. Now, his days were sterile, hollow, and the absence of Ray was like a void he couldn't escape.

The day he found out Ray had resigned, the news hit him like a cold slap to the face. Akk paced his apartment restlessly, his mind racing with questions and worry. Resigned? Why hadn't Ray told him? What was he thinking? When the familiar sound of a key turning in the lock broke through his thoughts, Akk immediately ran to the door.

"Ray!" Akk's voice was laced with agitation and concern. "Where have you been? Why didn't you answer my calls? And why did you resign?"

Ray stepped inside, looking thoroughly exhausted. But as soon as his eyes landed on Akk's worried face, a small smile tugged at his lips. "From work," he murmured, setting his bag down. "I'm sorry, babe. I couldn't call all day-I've been so swamped."

"Swamped with what?" Akk pressed, crossing his arms. "You resigned, Ray! You just... quit? Without telling me?"

Ray sighed and tiptoed up to press a kiss on Akk's cheek. "I know, and I'm sorry. I just... I needed to do it. I didn't want to tell you before because I knew you'd try to stop me."

Akk pulled back slightly, his expression a mixture of hurt and anger. "Of course, I would've stopped you! Don't I deserve to know when you're making life-changing decisions? Especially when they're because of me?"

Ray cupped Akk's face in his hands, his thumbs brushing gently along Akk's jawline. "You deserve everything, Akk. That's why I did it."

Akk shook his head, stepping away from Ray's touch. "Where are you working now? What's this plan you've cooked up, Ray?"

Ray gave a small, sheepish smile. "I'm interning with Boston in his dad's company. He needed someone for a project, and I thought it was a good fit."

"Boston?!" Akk exclaimed, exasperated. "You're working with your best friend now? You think that's any less of a parachute than working for your dad?"

Ray chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "I know it sounds bad, but I'm actually working my ass off there. Boston's been tougher on me than anyone at my dad's company ever was. He's even making me write reports!"

"Ray," Akk said, his voice quieter but no less firm. "You shouldn't have to give up your position, your future, for me."

Ray's face grew serious, and he stepped closer, taking Akk's hands in his. "Listen to me, Akk. I didn't give up anything for you. I gave it up for us. You don't understand-my position at my father's company? It's not earned. It's handed to me. I can go back anytime I want and climb the ladder without even trying. But you..." Ray's voice cracked slightly, his emotions threatening to spill over. "You worked so hard to get where you are. I couldn't let you lose it because of me. I won't."

Akk's chest tightened, conflicted. "But, Ray, your family, your legacy-it's all tied to that company. You're throwing away something so important."

Ray shook his head, his grip on Akk's hands tightening. "Akk, don't you get it? That company isn't what's important to me. You are. For the first time in my life, I have something I'm willing to fight for. Someone I'm willing to sacrifice for. And if standing up to my dad means I get to be with you, then it's worth it."