*Episode 4: The Reckoning*
Being together is easy when it’s just you two.
Being together when everyone else knows is the hard part.
Day 61.
Milo officially moved his stuff from the dorm to Cass’s house. One suitcase, one duffel, Gertrude. That’s it.
Cass made space in his closet. Without asking. Just did it.
There’s now a toothbrush next to Cass’s in the bathroom. Blue. Milo’s.
There’s now a hoodie on the back of Cass’s chair. Milo’s.
It feels domestic and terrifying and right.
The first test comes on Tuesday.
Cass’s coworker, Lena, drops by to grab blueprints.
She sees Milo in the kitchen. In Cass’s t-shirt. Hair messy. Making pancakes.
“Oh,” Lena says. “Hi.”
“Hi,” Milo says, too cheerful. “I’m Milo.”
Lena looks at Cass. Then at Milo. Then back at Cass.
“Right,” she says slowly. “Didn’t know you had a roommate.”
Cass doesn’t flinch. “Milo lives here.”
Lena’s eyes widen a fraction. “Oh. Okay.”
After she leaves, Milo is quiet for a long time.
“You didn’t have to say it like that,” Milo says finally.
“Like what?” Cass asks.
“Like it was nothing.”
“It’s not nothing,” Cass says. “It’s you. And I’m not hiding you.”
Milo kisses him. Hard. "Okay. Good."
---
The second test comes on Thursday.
Jay’s birthday. Video call with the whole family.
Cass’s parents. Aunts. Cousins. 12 faces on one screen.
Milo sits next to Cass on the couch. Their knees touch.
"Milo! You’re at the house!" Jay’s mom says. "How’s it going, sweetie?"
"Good," Milo says. "Really good."
Someone asks why Milo’s wearing Cass’s shirt.
Cass answers before Milo can. "Because it’s his now."
Silence. For half a second.
Then Jay’s dad snorts. "About time one of you said something."
"What?" Cass says.
"We’ve known for years you two had tension," his mom says. "We just thought it was because Milo ate the last slice of pizza in 2019."
Milo chokes on air.
Cass goes red. "You knew?"
"Sweetheart," his mom says. "I raised you. I know when you like someone. You get quieter. And you cook more."
After the call, Milo stares at Cass.
"Your family is terrifying," Milo says.
"They’re supportive," Cass corrects. "There’s a difference."
"Still terrifying."
Cass pulls him in. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Milo says. "Yeah. I’m okay."
---
It should get easier.
It doesn’t.
Because now that the secret is out, the fear changes.
Before: _What if someone finds out?_
Now: _What if we’re not good enough?_
It starts with small things.
Milo stays out late with friends. Comes home at 1AM. Cass is asleep on the couch waiting.
"Didn’t know when you’d be back," Cass says, rubbing his eyes.
"I texted," Milo says.
"I didn’t see it."
"You’re smothering me."
"I’m not—" Cass stops. "Sorry."
Another night. Cass works late. Again. Milo eats dinner alone.
When Cass gets home, Milo is in bed. Back turned.
"You mad?" Cass asks.
"I’m not mad," Milo says. "I’m just tired of eating alone."
"I’m trying, Milo. Work is—"
"I know. It’s always work."
Silence.
The third test comes on Day 68.
The fight.
Milo has an art show. Small gallery. His first one.
He tells Cass 2 weeks in advance. "Please come. It matters to me."
"I will," Cass says.
The day of, Cass gets a call. Client emergency. Building inspection failed. He has to go.
"I’m sorry," Cass says, already grabbing his keys. "I’ll be there after. I promise."
Milo nods. He doesn’t cry. He just nods.
Cass shows up 2 hours late. The gallery is emptying out.
Milo is taking down his paintings alone.
"I’m sorry," Cass says again.
"You said you’d be here."
"I had to—"
"I know what you had to do," Milo snaps. "It’s always something, Cass. It’s always work."
"That’s not fair."
"Isn’t it? When do I get to matter as much as your job?"
Cass flinches. "That’s not what this is."
"Then what is it?" Milo’s voice breaks. "Because it feels like I’m an afterthought."
"I’m here now," Cass says.
"Yeah. After."
They don’t talk for two days.
Two days of cold coffee and separate bedrooms and silence that’s not peaceful. It’s loud.
On day 3, Cass comes home with takeout. Milo’s favorite.
He sets it on the table.
"I messed up," Cass says.
Milo looks up from the couch. "Yeah."
"I’m sorry. I should’ve been there. You matter more than work. You matter more than anything."
Milo stands. "Then show me."
"I will."
"I don’t want promises, Cass. I want you. Present."
"I know," Cass says. "I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."
Milo walks over. Lets Cass pull him into a hug.
"I’m scared," Milo admits into Cass’s shirt. "That this is too hard."
"It’s hard," Cass says. "But we’re harder."
They kiss. It’s messy and desperate and it tastes like apology.
---
That weekend, Cass takes a day off.
On purpose.
They go to the beach. No phones. No laptop.
Milo paints. Cass watches.
"Can I ask you something?" Milo says, lying in the sand.
"Anything."
"Do you regret it? Telling everyone?"
Cass thinks about it. "No. Do you?"
"No," Milo says. "Even the hard parts. I don’t regret you."
Cass reaches over and takes his hand. "Me neither."
The sun sets. They stay until it’s dark.
---
Back home, there’s a letter on the table.
From Jay.
_Hey idiots,_
_Mom told me about the fight. Don’t be dumb. Love each other loud. That’s the whole point._
_Also Cass, if you make him cry again I’m flying home._
_Love you both. Mean it._
_- J_
Milo reads it twice.
"I love him," Milo says.
"I do too," Cass says.
They put the letter on the fridge. Next to a grocery list and a doodle Milo drew of Cass looking grumpy.
It fits.
---
Later that night, Milo is asleep. Cass is awake. Again.
But this time he doesn’t make coffee. He just watches Milo breathe.
No rules. No fear. Just this.
He whispers it anyway, even though Milo can’t hear.
"I choose you."
*END OF EPISODE 4*
---
*AUTHOR'S NOTES* 💙
Okay wow. This one was hard to write 😭
*Episode 4* is where the honeymoon phase ends and real life starts. I didn’t want this story to pretend that dating is just kissing and banter. It’s also missed events and miscommunication and choosing each other on the bad days.
*Cass’s arc* here is learning that love isn’t about being perfect or providing. It’s about showing up. Even when it’s inconvenient.
*Milo’s arc* is learning that he’s allowed to be mad. And that being mad doesn’t mean it’s over.
The letter from Jay? I cried writing it. Siblings who support you like that are rare and I wanted that for them.
We have ONE chapter left.
*Episode 5: The New Rule* = the finale. Fluff, closure, and what "no more rules" actually looks like.
Questions for you:
1. *Did the fight feel real to you?* I was scared to write it.
2. *Team "They’re gonna be okay"??* Because same.
Thank you for sticking with me. 1 more to go 🫶
- [C.Faith ]
