Ren: This was supposed to be sex. Nolan: Technically, it still is. Ren: With grocery runs. Nolan: And holidays. Ren: And family interrogations. Nolan: And emotional accountability. Ren: But not a relationship. Nolan: No. Absolutely not. Ren: Just… a well-managed spiral. Nolan: With excellent communication. Ren: And orgasms. Nolan: Those too. Ren: Totally fine. Nolan: Completely functional. Both: Not in love. It begins with a one-night agreement that neither of them regrets. They like the rules. They like the structure. They like the sex. No one is confused. No one is falling. Everything stays where it should. Until it doesn’t. They spend more time together. They show up when it counts. They touch like it means something, then walk away like it doesn’t. They say it is still casual. They insist it is still fine. But when birthdays hit harder, holidays get awkward, and closeness starts to feel like something heavier, the only thing that stays consistent is the lie they keep telling. This is not a love story. Even if it looks like one. Even if it feels like one. Even if everyone else already knows how it ends. (psst...it's a romance)