Fragments of Us

Chapter Forty-One: Nook

The days flew quickly for both Milo and Atlas. Maybe it was true—time moves faster when you're happy. Five years apart had felt like eternity. But now that they were back together, a week felt like an hour.

Atlas lay in bed with Milo, his head buried in the crook of Milo’s neck, his arms wrapped around his waist, their fingers intertwined. The silence in the room was warm, comfortable. It felt like home.

   "Why can't you just stay?" Atlas whispered, voice laced with quiet desperation.

Milo felt the grip around him tighten, the weight of those words pressing into his chest. He sighed, running his fingers through Atlas's hair.

   "I gotta go back, Atlas," Milo said softly, breaking the silence.

Atlas lifted his head, his gaze searching Milo’s face. Then, after a moment of hesitation, he asked, “Can I come with you instead?”

Milo chuckled, assuming it was a joke. But when Atlas didn’t laugh, his smile faded. "Oh, you're serious?"

   "Yeah," Atlas said firmly. "It’s just California. It's one bus or train away. And I can hire more people to help manage my shop."

Milo studied Atlas's face, searching for any hint of doubt. If he was being honest, he’d love that. As much as he wanted to pretend he was okay leaving Atlas behind, the thought of being apart again made his stomach twist.

   “Well, I leave tomorrow,” Milo said, attempting to be logical. “You won’t have enough time to hire anyone.”

   "I can close the shop for a little while and do virtual hiring," Atlas insisted. "I only need two or three people, and my shop isn’t that big. Once I have a team, I’ll go back for a bit to train them, then after that—I can visit you anytime I want. I can check on the shop twice or three times a month."

Milo just stared at him. Atlas stared back.

   "I'm being too pushy, aren’t I?" Atlas sighed, dropping his head onto the pillow.

Silence stretched between them.

Milo turned his head to look at Atlas. He reached out, caressing Atlas's cheek before leaning in, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

   "Come with me," Milo whispered.

Atlas's heart stuttered. "Are you serious?"

Milo nodded.

Relief flooded Atlas, followed by overwhelming joy. He tackled Milo onto the bed, pressing a dozen small kisses to his face, laughter spilling from his lips. He couldn’t contain it—this happiness, this certainty that he was exactly where he was meant to be.

   "Thank you," Atlas whispered between kisses, his heart pounding. He never thought he’d get this second chance, but now that he had it, he wasn’t going to waste a second of it.

Then the door suddenly swung open.

   "Lunch is ready, disgusting people." Lila’s voice broke through the moment. "And Atlas, your parents are here."

Atlas froze. "What?"

   "Don't you knock?" Milo groaned, throwing a pillow at her.

   "Don't you lock?" Lila shot back, dodging it effortlessly as she walked away.

Milo and Atlas exchanged glances before getting up, chuckling as they made their way downstairs.

Sally and Ali sat at the kitchen table, sipping on drinks while Richard leaned against the counter.

Milo grinned, walking over to hug them. “What are you guys doing here?”

   “I mean, you’re leaving tomorrow,” Sally said. “No way we’d miss an opportunity to see you one last time.”