Ren returned to the office with the comparison files tucked under his arm, his breath steadier but his mind not quite as calm as he wanted it to be. He'd talked himself down the hallway, reminding himself over and over again that there was nothing to be jealous about. Jun was just a new intern. Young. Eager. Impressed by everyone.
But when he stepped back into Kai's office, he found Jun leaning in again—too close, too comfortable—and Kai sitting there, relaxed, answering questions like he didn't even notice the proximity.
Ren stopped in the doorway before Jun noticed him. The tightness returned to his chest instantly.
He cleared his throat lightly.
Kai glanced up, expression softening the moment he saw him. "Oh—perfect timing. Did you find the file?"
"Yeah." Ren set it on the desk a bit more firmly than intended. Kai didn't notice. Jun did. Jun blinked, eyebrows lifting slightly.
Ren schooled his face back into neutrality.
Kai skimmed the pages with casual focus. "This is exactly what we needed. Thanks, Ren."
Jun leaned back in his chair, legs crossed far too comfortably for someone in an executive office. "Ren always comes through, doesn't he?"
Ren forced out a small laugh. "I try."
Kai didn't pick up on the strain behind it. Jun did. Again.
Ren couldn't stay in that room another second. "If that's everything, I'll—uh—go organize the scheduling sheets."
Kai gave him a small smile. "Thanks. You've been running around all day. Make sure you take a break."
Ren nodded, but the moment he stepped out, his pace quickened.
He didn't know why this bothered him.He didn't know why it was suddenly hard to breathe.He didn't know why he kept thinking about Jun leaning in, or laughing too loudly, or looking at Kai like he hung the moon.
No—he did know why.
But he didn't want to admit it.
By afternoon, Kai finally left his office, stretching his arms as he stepped into the hallway.
"There you are," he said with a faint smile when he spotted Ren hunched over his desk. "You okay?"
Ren didn't look up. "Fine."
Kai frowned at the clipped tone. He walked over, placing a hand on Ren's shoulder. "You look exhausted."
Ren stiffened under the touch, which made Kai's frown deepen instantly.
"You've been overworked lately," Kai said, voice gentle, almost coaxing. "You didn't sleep well last night, did you? And you've been walking back and forth for hours. You should've told me you were burnt out."
Ren's fingers curled around his pen. Burnt out.
That's what Kai thought.
Not jealous.Not bothered.Not hurt.
Just… tired.
Ren forced himself to relax, leaning back a little to avoid seeming tense. "Yeah. Just a long day."
Kai gave him a soft smile, full of concern. "You need a break. I can handle Jun for now."
Ren's jaw tightened.
Handle Jun for now.
Wonderful.
He stared at the scheduling sheet, trying to focus on the dates, the names, anything—but all he could see was Jun leaning forward, Kai not pulling away, Kai smiling that gentle smile at Ren earlier—the same smile Jun now kept trying to earn.
Kai knelt beside him, lowering his voice. "Hey… you can talk to me, you know. If something's wrong."
Ren shook his head quickly. "Nothing's wrong."
Kai nodded slowly, accepting the answer without a single shred of suspicion. "Okay. But try not to take everything on yourself."
He squeezed Ren's shoulder gently before standing and walking back to his office.
Ren watched him go.
He wasn't angry at Kai.He wasn't even angry at Jun.
He was angry at himself.
Because Kai wasn't noticing.
Not the tension in his jaw.Not the silence.Not the way Ren kept avoiding looking toward the office door.Not the way his chest kept tightening every time Jun's laugh carried down the hall.
Kai thought Ren was stressed.Kai thought Ren was tired.
Kai had no idea.
Ren swallowed, stared down at the paper that had begun to blur at the edges, and pressed his lips together until the feeling settled again.
He could handle this.
He could handle anything.
But the moment Jun walked past, humming softly, giving Ren too-innocent of a smile, Ren felt that jealousy simmer again—quiet, contained, but undeniably there.
He exhaled slowly, grounding himself.
He'd get through the day.
But by the time the office lights dimmed and Kai called Ren's name softly from the doorway, Ren still felt that same uneasy flutter inside him.
The kind he didn't want to admit was actually fear.Fear of losing something he never truly had to fight for—until now.
Kai smiled at him, soft and oblivious. "Ready to go home?"
Ren nodded, slipping on his jacket, forcing his voice not to waver. "Yeah. Let's go."
And as they walked out together, Ren caught sight of Jun packing his bag across the hallway.
Jun lifted a hand in a small wave.
Ren didn't wave back.
Kai didn't notice.
But Ren did.
And he knew exactly what that feeling inside him was.Even if he pretended he didn't.
It was jealousy.Pure and quiet and terrifying.
He swallowed thickly as the elevator doors closed.
He knew it wasn't right, but he couldn't deny that fire building up inside him. Was this where he lashed out? Was this where his jealousy went too far? He didn't know for sure, but he did know that he had let that jealousy burn out for a long time like a match.
If you play with matches, you get burned.