Callum slumped into the passenger seat of Ryan's car, pressing his temple against the cool window. The city outside blurred past—neon signs flickering in the early morning haze, streetlights washing the sidewalks in pale gold. Everything looked the same, but inside, he felt like his world had tilted on its axis.
He had fucked up. Badly.
The adrenaline from the fight had long since drained, leaving only the sharp-edged aftermath. His job was on the line. His father was sharpening the guillotine. And worst of all— he'd dragged Micah into the public eye in the worst way possible.
He'd wanted to protect Micah. That had been the point, hadn't it? But instead, he'd done the one thing he swore he never would— he'd let his temper take over.
That old, familiar anger.
Therapy had helped. He wasn't the same kid who used to lash out at anything that made him feel small. But graduating from an angry child to a slightly less angry adult wasn't exactly a success story.
He sighed, running a hand down his face. "My car's still at the club."
Ryan, one hand on the wheel, simply held out his other one. "Keys."
Callum blinked.
Ryan wiggled his fingers impatiently. "Hand them over. I'll sort it out."
"You don't have to do that."
Ryan snorted. "You think I'm gonna let your dumb ass drive after spending a night in jail? I'm reckless, Cal, not suicidal."
Callum huffed a tired laugh but handed over the keys. He let his head fall back against the seat, exhaustion weighing down on him. It had been a long night, so much so that it felt like five nights rolled into one.
"…Did my father put you up to this?"
Ryan barked out a laugh. "Howard Pierce? Ask me to do anything for you?"
Callum scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah. He'd never do that. Might look like he actually cares about me."
Ryan glanced at him before turning his attention back to the road. "Come on, man. You know your dad—he's just a hardass."
Callum thought, 'Yeah, he's a hardass to everyone else. He hates me.'
But he didn't say that.
Instead, he let out a slow breath. "Be honest with me, dude. How bad is it?"
Ryan hesitated before answering. "Not good. You were already in the red because of that whole Level Up incident, but this…" He whistled low. "Not great, man."
"I know…" Callum groaned, rubbing at his face.
Ryan shook his head. "Boxing our partner? Really, Callum?"
"I know."
Ryan gave him a pointed look.
Callum groaned again. "I know."
Ryan sighed, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. "I'm worried about you, Cal. Tell me what this is really about."
Callum turned his head, watching the city roll by in streaks of blue and orange light. He didn't answer right away. Not because he wanted to be cagey but because there was no real answer to Ryan's question. 'Oh, I just happen to be in the most confusing, convoluted situationship involving two men I didn't know existed four months ago and now realise I was close to in my past life. Nothing unusual.'
Yeah… no real answer,
Instead, he said, "Tell me how the company's doing first."
Ryan frowned. "You'd know if you actually came into work more often."
Callum sighed. Work was the farthest thing from his mind nowadays.
Ryan continued, "But since you asked—everything's running smoothly. Talks about adding another DLC to Pantheon have already started, and that mobile game you weren't sure about? Over a million downloads now."
Callum hummed. "That's… good."
Ryan glanced at him. "Why ask?"
Callum hesitated, then finally admitted, "My father wants me out."
Ryan's brows shot up. "What?"
"He wants the company sold," Callum said, voice flat. "And me gone before that happens. The board is meeting soon to decide."
Ryan exhaled sharply. "Okay, first of all, fuck that. Second, you know everyone who hasn't voted on the sale yet is going to keep it that way. We believe in Catalyst. Your dad is waiting for something that'll never happen."
"But, my job…"
"No one's voting you out," Ryan said, strongly. "Even with the bad press, you're the only one fit to run the company and everyone knows it. Besides, this whole mess is actually drawing attention to our latest game. Sales are up, not down."
Callum let that sit for a moment, absorbing it.
Then Ryan nudged him with his elbow. "Now spill. Seriously, dude. What's going on? Does this have something to do with that intern?"
Callum faltered.
His grip tightened around his jeans. "I don't want Micah involved in this shitstorm."
Ryan's gaze flickered with understanding. "So it is about him."
Callum didn't answer.
Ryan nodded, more serious now. "I'll do my best to keep him out of it, but you know how these media vultures are." Then, after a pause, "I can't help if you don't talk to me."
Callum inhaled deeply.
Then, finally—quietly—he admitted, "I love him, Ryan."
Ryan's head snapped toward him.
Callum swallowed. His chest ached, like saying it out loud made it more real. "I always have." He exhaled, voice softer. "I always will."
Ryan didn't say anything right away.
Then, slowly, he grinned. "That's great! So why do you sound like you're planning a funeral?"
Callum let out a hollow chuckle. "Because it's complicated."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Cal, I've seen you pining over this dude for when we're at work and he still hangs out with you after you almost got him blown up—"
"Watch it," Callum growled.
Ryan ignored the anger in his tone. "What's one more complication?"
Callum didn't answer.
Because right now, the complication was that he didn't feel like Micah would choose him so easily.
He sighed, shaking his head. "I don't even want to think about anything right now. I just want to go home and sleep."
---
But when Callum got home, he couldn't sleep.
He lay in bed for what felt like hours, staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment.
The way Micah had kissed him.
The way Micah had hugged him before leaving the station.
The way Micah had looked at him like he was about to disappear.
'What are we even doing here, Callum? Two different lifetimes, and I still don't know what I can do to keep you.'
Micah always had him. Callum's heart belonged to him, his all belonged to him. He should have been content being his protector, his knight. But he'd gotten selfish. Too used to having Micah around him, laughing in his ear, teasing him.
'Play Pantheon with me again. Tomorrow. If you think—if you want to—just… come online. We could talk.'
Callum had been tongue tied then, his heart beating too fast for his mind to form the words he wanted to say. But if Micah showed up, then he would know.
If Micah showed up, then maybe—maybe—they could work toward something.
Not just being friends.
Something more.
Callum sat up, rubbing a hand down his face before reaching for his VR headset.
He booted up Pantheon, logging into his avatar.
His hands were restless on the sensor sticks as he moved through the world. He wasn't really playing, this was a waiting game.
He noted some minor bugs.
He ran a few raids, plowed through a dungeon.
He pet the Sun Cows.
Waited.
Kept waiting.
He didn't specify a time, but— surely Micah knew he was here? Surely Micah knew what his invite meant.
He kept checking the friend list.
Kept checking for that notification.
Kept waiting.
But Micah Liu never showed up.