Elias had never been great at goodbyes.

  Hell, he wasn’t great at conversations in general, but goodbyes—they were their own kind of mess.

  They were too final. Too uncertain. Too much like something was being lost, and Elias had had enough of that already.

  But this one had to happen.

  Danny deserved that much.

  Even if Elias had no idea what to say.

  —

  The café wasn’t crowded. It never was, not really. A few people sat at tables, lost in their own worlds, nursing cups of coffee that had long gone cold.

  Danny was at his usual spot near the window, phone in hand, fingers tapping against the screen with that restless energy he always had.

  Elias hesitated for half a second before walking over.

  Danny looked up immediately, his brows furrowing before Elias even had a chance to sit.

  “Well, well,” Danny said, leaning back. “You finally crawl out of whatever hole you disappeared into?”

  Elias smirked. “Thought I’d give the people what they want.”

  Danny snorted. “Please. No one was waiting for your grand return except me.”

  Elias didn’t answer that.

  Because it was true.

  Danny sighed, eyeing him. “You look like hell.”

  Elias smirked. “Thanks. Love the honesty.”

  Danny’s lips pressed together. “What’s going on, Elias?”

  And just like that, the mood shifted.

  Elias leaned back, exhaling slowly.

  Danny knew.

  He didn’t know everything, but he knew.

  He always had this annoying habit of seeing straight through the bullshit.

  Elias rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re still leaving, right?”

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  Danny’s brow furrowed. “Yeah.”

  Elias nodded, glancing at the table. “Good. You should.”

  Danny’s eyes narrowed. “Okay, that’s ominous.”

  Elias let out a half-hearted chuckle. “It’s fine, Danny. I just… I wanted to see you before you left.”

  Danny’s stare didn’t waver. “Elias.”

  Elias sighed.

  Here it was.

  The part where he had to lie.

  Or at least, bend the truth.

  Because how the hell was he supposed to tell Danny any of this?

  That the world wasn’t what they thought it was? That he wasn’t what he thought he was?

  That he was about to walk into something he probably wouldn’t come back from?

  Elias forced a grin. “Look, I just wanted to say goodbye. Make sure you didn’t think I ghosted you forever or something.”

  Danny exhaled. “You always ghost me forever.”

  Elias grinned wider. “Exactly. That’s why I’m being considerate this time.”

  Danny shook his head, eyes scanning Elias’ face. “Something’s off. You’re acting weird.”

  Elias scoffed. “I’m always weird.”

  Danny didn’t smile.

  Didn’t even blink.

  Elias shifted, suddenly uncomfortable under the weight of that stare.

  “Look, Danny,” Elias said, voice softer now. “You’re my only real friend. Hell, you’re practically my only anything at this point.” He exhaled. “So, I just… I want you to leave. Go do your thing. Be successful. And don’t worry about me.”

  Danny’s jaw tightened.

  For a second, just a second—Elias saw it.

  Doubt.

  Because, yeah. Danny had said he was leaving. Had talked about new opportunities, about getting out of this city and doing something with his life.

  But it wasn’t like he wanted to leave Elias behind.

  Not really.

  Danny exhaled, tapping his fingers against the table. “You could still come with me, you know.”

  Elias forced a laugh. “You’re still on that?”

  Danny shrugged. “Figured I’d ask one last time.”

  Elias shook his head, smiling. “Nah. This place would fall apart without me.”

  Danny snorted. “The city would be fine, Elias.”

  Elias smirked. “Well, you wouldn’t.”

  Danny rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.

  Because, in a way, it was true.

  They’d grown up together. Orphans, both of them. They’d scraped their way through the world side by side, pushing and pulling, fighting and laughing, making something out of nothing.

  Danny had always been the responsible one. The one who made plans. The one who got them through when things got bad.

  Elias had been the one who made things interesting.

  Kept things from getting too heavy.

  Danny had said he was leaving. Had told Elias he needed something more.

  But that didn’t mean it was easy.

  Elias could see it in his face.

  The hesitation.

  The silent, stubborn part of him that didn’t want to go without Elias.

  Elias sighed. “Danny.”

  Danny exhaled sharply, looking away. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”

  Elias smirked. “No, you don’t.”

  Danny scoffed. “Shut up.”

  Elias chuckled.

  For a second, things felt normal.

  Like nothing had changed. Like they weren’t standing on the edge of something neither of them could name.

  Then Danny exhaled, rubbing his temples. “You better not do anything stupid.”

  Elias smirked. “Define stupid.”

  Danny glared at him. “You know what I mean.”

  Elias grinned. “Then no. Definitely not.”

  Danny sighed, shaking his head. “You’re an idiot.”

  “And yet, you’re still my friend.”

  Danny huffed, standing up. “Unfortunately.”

  Elias stood too.

  They didn’t say anything for a moment.

  Then Danny ruffled Elias’ hair, quick and aggressive.

  Elias swatted his hand away. “Jesus, Danny, what are you, my dad?”

  Danny smirked. “You need someone to be.”

  Elias rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.

  Danny exhaled, watching him for another moment. “Alright. Fine. I’ll go.”

  Elias nodded, standing up. “Good.”

  Danny stood, too.

  But when Elias turned to leave, Danny grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

  Elias blinked, looking back.

  Danny’s expression was unreadable.

  Then, after a long pause—

  “Come back, okay?”

  Elias hesitated.

  Then he grinned. “Of course.”

  Danny nodded once.

  And just like that, he let go.

  Elias turned, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked out.

  And he didn’t look back.

  —

  The air outside was cool.

  Elias inhaled slowly, closing his eyes for a second before exhaling.

  That had been harder than he thought it would be.

  He didn’t want to lie to Danny.

  But it was better this way.

  It had to be.

  Elias opened his eyes, staring at the empty street ahead.

  His heart was still beating too fast.

  He could still feel the weight of Danny’s words pressing into his chest.

  "Come back."

  Elias clenched his fists.

  Yeah.

  He’d try.

  But he wasn’t making promises.

  —

  Sera was waiting for him.

  She stood by the alley, arms crossed, watching him with that same unreadable expression she always had.

  Elias let out a slow breath, walking toward her.

  She tilted her head slightly. “You ready?”

  Elias hesitated.

  Then, slowly, he nodded.

  Sera’s gaze lingered on him for a moment longer.

  Then, quietly—“Good.”

  Elias exhaled. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

  Sera turned, stepping further into the alley.

  Elias followed.

  And with each step, something in the air shifted.

  Like the world itself was changing around them.

  End of Chapter 13.