The peace didn't last.
It never does.
I should've expected that.
The moment something starts to feel steady, something else shows up to test it.
This time—
it came back smiling.
I saw him before he spoke.
At the end of the corridor, leaning like he belonged there, like the entire place was just something he had stepped out of temporarily.
Silver hair. Calm eyes. That same unreadable smile.
Like nothing had changed.
Like everything still belonged to him.
"You keep appearing uninvited," I said.
He tilted his head slightly. "And yet, I'm still allowed in."
"That's not the same thing."
"It usually is."
I stopped a few steps away from him.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Just enough to not feel like I was backing down.
Silence stretched between us.
But this silence wasn't calm.
It was sharp.
Measured.
"You're not what I expected," he said finally.
I frowned slightly. "That sounds like a compliment I shouldn't trust."
"It's not a compliment."
"Great. I feel better already."
He smiled faintly.
Not warm.
Not kind.
Just… amused.
"You're still here," he added.
"That tends to happen when you live somewhere."
"Temporary things can still leave."
I narrowed my eyes. "Are you trying to provoke me?"
"No."
"Because it sounds like it."
"I'm observing."
"That's worse."
Silence again.
Then he stepped closer.
Not enough to invade.
Just enough to test.
"You thought I was your replacement," he said.
I didn't flinch.
Didn't look away.
"I thought you were his," I corrected.
That made his smile sharpen slightly.
"Interesting distinction."
"It's an accurate one."
Another pause.
Then—
"And now?"
I held his gaze.
"Now I know you're neither."
Something flickered in his eyes.
Gone too fast to read.
But it was there.
"You adjusted quickly," he said.
"I don't like being wrong for long."
"Most people do."
"I'm not most people."
"I noticed."
Silence stretched again.
But this time—
it didn't feel like I was losing ground.
It felt like I was holding it.
"You don't seem threatened anymore," he said.
"I'm not."
"That's unfortunate."
I raised an eyebrow. "For you?"
"For the situation."
I let out a small breath.
"You're really committed to being cryptic."
"And you're really committed to pretending you understand everything."
"I don't pretend," I said. "I just adapt."
"That's the same thing."
"No, it's not."
He smiled again.
That same unreadable expression.
"You think he chose you," he said.
I didn't hesitate.
"He did."
"And that's enough for you?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Then something shifted.
Subtle.
But real.
"You're confident," he said.
"I'm certain."
That felt new.
Saying it out loud.
But it didn't feel wrong.
It felt… right.
"You weren't before," he added.
"I learned."
"From him?"
"…Partly."
"Dangerous."
I frowned slightly. "What is?"
"Believing in something that can be taken away."
The words landed heavier than I expected.
But this time—
I didn't react.
Didn't panic.
Didn't spiral.
I just looked at him.
"It won't be."
That answer came too easily.
Too naturally.
And I realized—
I believed it.
For real.
He studied me for a long moment.
Then—
"You changed," he said.
"I've been told."
"You're not as easy to unsettle now."
"I was never easy," I corrected.
"You were."
"…Okay, I was a little easy."
That almost made him laugh.
Almost.
Then—
"Do you know why I'm still here?" he asked.
I tilted my head slightly. "Because you enjoy being inconvenient?"
"That's part of it."
"Good to know."
"But mostly," he continued, "because things left unfinished tend to return."
Silence.
Then I said calmly,
"There's nothing unfinished."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"That's bold."
"That's accurate."
Another pause.
Then—
"We'll see."
And just like that—
Kairo's presence filled the space behind me.
Not loud.
Not sudden.
Just… there.
The shift was immediate.
The air changed.
The tension changed.
Everything changed.
"You shouldn't be here," Kairo said.
His voice wasn't raised.
But it didn't need to be.
The omega turned slightly.
Still smiling.
"Still protective."
"Leave."
"No."
The word was light.
Easy.
Dangerous.
I didn't move.
Didn't step back.
Didn't interrupt.
Because something told me—
this wasn't mine to handle anymore.
Kairo stepped closer.
And this time—
there was no space left between us.
Not physically.
Not mentally.
Nothing.
"He stays," Kairo said.
The words were quiet.
But absolute.
The omega's gaze flicked to me.
Then back to him.
"That sounds like a decision."
"It is."
Silence stretched.
Tight.
Sharp.
Then—
"…Interesting," the omega murmured.
Not angry.
Not upset.
Just… thoughtful.
Then he stepped back.
Finally.
"I'll leave," he said.
A pause.
Then, looking at me—
"But I don't think this is over."
I held his gaze.
"It already is."
Something flickered again.
Then he smiled.
And walked away.
Just like that.
Gone.
The corridor felt too quiet after.
Too still.
I exhaled slowly.
"…He's really annoying."
"Yes."
I glanced at Kairo.
"You could've banned him permanently."
"I will if needed."
"That's not reassuring."
"It should be."
I shook my head slightly.
Then paused.
"…You said 'he stays.'"
"Yes."
I looked at him.
Really looked this time.
"…That wasn't for him."
"No."
Silence.
Then I let out a quiet breath.
"…Okay."
That was all I said.
But it felt like enough.
Because for the first time—
someone else tried to shake this.
And it didn't move.
Not even a little.