A New Safe Space

From Where We Stand

Akk's heart ached as he looked into Ray's determined eyes. "Ray... I don't know if I can accept that. It doesn't feel right."

Ray pulled Akk into a tight embrace, burying his face in Akk's shoulder. "Please, just let me do this. I need to know I can protect the one thing that matters most to me. I can't lose you."

Akk's arms slowly came up to wrap around Ray, his resolve wavering. "But this... this scares me. What if it all falls apart?"

Ray pulled back just enough to look Akk in the eyes, his expression soft but resolute. "Then we'll figure it out. I just need you to trust me on this. If it falls apart, we'll pick up the pieces-together."

A few days later, Akk sat at a table in a quiet café with Khan, Wat, and Ayan. The aroma of fresh coffee wafted around them, but Akk barely noticed. His plate sat untouched, and his coffee was long cold, as he stared absently at the surface of the table. His friends exchanged worried glances, noting the dark circles under Akk's eyes and the way his fingers fidgeted with the edge of his napkin.

"Akk," Ayan began gently, his voice cutting through the silence. "Are you okay? You look... exhausted."

Akk glanced up, forcing a weak smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I'm fine," he replied automatically, though the unconvincing tone betrayed him.

Wat leaned forward, his brows furrowing in concern. "You're not fine. Come on, Akk, what's going on?"

Akk hesitated, the words caught in his throat. Finally, he let out a deep sigh, his voice low and heavy with guilt. "Ray resigned. He left his dad's company... because of me."

The table fell silent, the weight of his confession hanging in the air.

"And now you're blaming yourself," Khan said softly, his tone understanding.

Akk nodded slowly. "I didn't ask him to do it. I never would've wanted him to, but he still did. And now... I don't know if I made the right decision by letting him."

Ayan reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on Akk's arm. "Ray made that choice because he loves you, Akk. But love isn't about giving up everything. It's about balance, about compromise. Have you told him how this is making you feel?"

"I don't want to add to his burden," Akk admitted, his voice barely audible.

"You're his partner, Akk," Wat said firmly. "You're supposed to lean on each other. That's what a relationship is. Carrying all of this alone isn't fair to either of you."

Their words lingered in Akk's mind as he walked home that evening. He didn't want to make Ray feel like his efforts were unappreciated, but the weight of Ray's sacrifice was crushing him. He wasn't sure how much longer he could hold it together.

A few evenings later, Ray came home to Akk's apartment after a grueling day. He looked worn out, his tie loosened, and his shoulders slumped as he stepped inside. He barely managed to kick off his shoes before Akk pulled him into a fierce hug.

"You look exhausted," Akk murmured, his voice laced with worry.

"I am," Ray admitted, his head resting against Akk's. "But it's worth it, just to come home to you."

They stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other's arms, before Akk finally spoke, his voice hesitant.

"Ray... I don't want you to keep sacrificing like this. It's not fair."

Ray pulled back slightly, his hands cupping Akk's face. His eyes softened, but his exhaustion was evident. "Akk, this isn't a sacrifice. This is me fighting for us. And I'll keep fighting as long as it means I get to be with you."

Akk shook his head, his chest tight with emotion. "But I don't think this is right, Ray. I know you're doing this for me, for us, but... I can't help feeling like it's too much. You're running yourself into the ground. When was the last time you slept properly? You're suffering because of me, and I..." His voice broke, his words trailing off.

Ray's face tightened, his exhaustion giving way to frustration. "Akk, do you even hear yourself? I'm doing this because I want to. I'm tired, yes, but it's worth it because you're worth it. Why can't you just accept that?"

"Because it doesn't feel right!" Akk shot back, his voice trembling. "You shouldn't have to throw everything away for me, Ray. I didn't ask for that."

Ray stepped back, running a hand through his hair, his irritation bubbling over. "Maybe you didn't ask, but I chose it, Akk. Isn't that enough? Or do you think I'm just being reckless?"

"I think you're hurting yourself," Akk said quietly, his voice thick with emotion.

Ray let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You know what, Akk? I'm done having this conversation tonight. I'm too tired for this." He grabbed his coat and headed for the door, his voice clipped. "I'll call you tomorrow."

The sound of the door closing behind him echoed through the apartment, leaving Akk standing in the silence, his heart aching. Ray kicked the tire of his car before getting in. For a brief moment, he let himself lean on the wheel, trying to calm the anger and the panic gripping him. This whole situation makes him feel like things are only going downhill from here.

A few days later, Akk sat in his manager's office, listening as he was offered a temporary assignment at their sister company in Phuket. The vacancy was urgent, and the two-month reassignment would give him a chance to escape the storm of judgment at the main office.

After a moment of thought, Akk accepted the assignment. He needed time to think-about himself, about Ray, about everything. More importantly, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was also a test from Ray's father, a way to see just how far Akk could endure before breaking.

That evening over a late dinner they shared, he told Ray about the reassignment.

"You're leaving?" Ray asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

"It's only for two months," Akk said carefully. "I think some time apart will be good for us, Ray. Time to think things through. This is hard on both of us and maybe some distance will help us figure it out."

Ray's jaw tightened, his hurt evident. "You're running away. From me. From us."

"I'm not running away," Akk said firmly. "I'm trying to give us both the space we need. I'm not telling you I am breaking up with you, Ray."

"Aren't you?" Ray questioned, feeling like his world was crumbling.

"I'm not, babe," Akk assured him, grasping his hand tightly.

"Then I'll go and tell my dad he can't do this to you!" Ray's voice was rising with all the conflicting emotions and hurt he felt.

"Please don't go to your dad about this. Please, Ray. If you do, I-" Akk's voice faltered before he finished, "I'll really end things." Knowing what he was saying was hurting Ray but he has no other way to stop Ray from going to his father.

Ray stared at him, his expression a mix of anger and heartbreak. "You're asking me to just stand by and do nothing while you put yourself through hell for my family?"

"I'm asking you to trust me," Akk said softly. "This is something I have to do. If you can do what you did for me, I can do this much too."

The day of Akk's departure came far too soon. As he approached the boarding gate, he paused and turned to glance back. Ray stood there, his eyes red and glistening with unshed tears, his expression a fragile mix of heartbreak and longing. Akk's heart ached as he forced himself to keep walking, his every step heavier than the last. Though he wasn't running away this time, the thought lingered in his mind like a shadow-what if Ray wasn't waiting for him when he returned?

Ray stood rooted in place, watching Akk until he disappeared from view. The tears he'd held back finally fell, slipping silently down his cheeks as he whispered, "Please, Akk... come back to me."

Author's Note:

Hey All, there are only a couple of chapters left for this story. My, how time flies.I hope you have enjoyed Ray and Akk's emotional journey as I have enjoyed writing them.Leave me a comment... what do you think will happen to our babies?If you know me, you already know how it will end.🤭😉