—About us? —Saval repeated, as if processing Semiel's question took effort.
The room stayed quiet except for the fan's soft whir. The laptop remained on, streaming software open and waiting.
Semiel watched him with calm and something like hope. Saval looked down, swirling his water glass in circles.
—Not... not yet, —he finally said, voice low.
Semiel blinked. Tilted his head without breaking eye contact.
—Why not?
—Not because I don't like being with you, —he hurried to add—. I love it, really. Just... feel like if we say it now, everyone will have opinions. They'll change how they see our streams, our conversations. Don't want us shoved in some box. Want to keep this just for us a little longer.
Semiel pressed his lips together. Leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
—Thought you didn't want to hide anymore.
—Not hiding, —Saval said softer—. Just asking... for time without pressure. If we say it now, it becomes everyone's business. And we're just starting.
Can't he see this matters? That it's real precisely because it still feels like ours alone...
—Semiel, —he met his eyes after a beat—. Please.
That please wasn't surrender. It was an honest plea.
Semiel sighed, closing his eyes briefly.
—Fine. But only because you asked like that.
Saval smiled, relieved.
—Thanks. In a few months, if all's good, we'll tell everyone together.
Semiel nodded but didn't reply. Got up to check mic cables silently. Saval approached, seeking his gaze.
—You okay?
—Yeah. Just... wanted to share it already.
—And we will. When it's our moment.
Semiel looked at him again. That awkward Saval smile, those earnest eyes—they disarmed him even when he wanted to stay upset. He nodded once more.
—C'mon, need to set up the overlay before it's late.
...
Meanwhile across town, Mia sat at her desk on the phone with David, bare feet propped on a chair, iced tea in hand.
—It's obvious now, right? —she said—. Like, they're not even trying to hide it.
—Yeah. But remember what you said about Xavier? What if he interferes?
—Exactly why we should circle them. Let them know they've got people who won't let them fall if someone messes with them.
Because I know how hard they fought to get here... and if something breaks them now, I don't think they'd recover the same.
—What're you thinking? —David asked.
—Group hangout. Just the four of us. Nothing big. Give them space to tell us properly if they want.
—And if they don't?
—Then we don't push. Just make sure they're not alone.
David paused. Then:
—Saturday?
—Yeah. New burger place downtown. I'll book it.
—Cool. I'll text Saval to feel it out.
Mia smiled. Hope they don't panic. Hope they see this for what it is—support, company, friendship.
—Thanks, David.
—For what?
—Helping me help, —she said before hanging up.
Closing her planner, Mia thought of how Semiel looked at him. How Saval protected him without even realizing. There was something beautiful there—something rare.
And she wouldn't let anyone take that from them.