The cabin felt like a memory already.
Pete and Mek were back home—back to city noise, tight schedules, and the masks they wore for the world.
They hadn't even unpacked yet when Pete's phone rang.
It was his father.
"Come home. Now."
---
The mansion was cold. Not temperature-wise. Soul-wise.
Pete entered first, Mek close behind. His mother was seated on the white couch like a queen waiting for judgment.
His father stood, arms folded.
Then his mother spoke.
"You've embarrassed us."
Pete blinked. "Good evening to you too."
His father tossed a printed photo onto the table.
A picture of Pete and Mek at the lake. Holding hands. Laughing. Foreheads touching.
"We have investors," his father said coldly. "We have status. And this is what you parade around?"
Pete's jaw clenched. "It's not a parade. It's love."
His mother scoffed. "You don't love a boy, Pete. You can play your little game, but you're not ruining this family for some phase."
Mek stiffened.
Pete turned to him, reached out—and his mother flinched at the sight.
"This isn't a phase," Pete said, voice shaking with rage. "Mek isn't some fling I'll forget. He's my partner."
"Partner?" His father laughed bitterly. "And you think you can build a life with a boy? Have a family?"
"Yes!" Pete snapped. "A better one than the one standing in front of me right now!"
Mek grabbed his arm. "Pete—"
"No," Pete said. "They need to hear this."
His voice cracked.
"You taught me how to run an empire, but never how to feel. And now that I finally do—now that I've found someone who makes me want to live instead of just exist—you're ashamed?"
His father stepped closer. "If you walk out that door with him, you walk out without our name. Our money. Everything."
Pete didn't even hesitate.
He looked back at Mek.
Then turned to his parents.
"Then I guess you never really gave me anything worth keeping."
And he walked.
---
Back at Pete's apartment, it was quiet.
Too quiet.
Pete was breathing hard, pacing.
Mek just stood by the wall, frozen.
Then he whispered, "I didn't want this."
Pete turned. "What?"
"I didn't want you to lose everything."
Pete walked over, cupped his face.
"I didn't lose everything. I have you."
"But I'm not enough, Pete," Mek said, voice breaking. "You gave up your family, your legacy—"
"You're everything," Pete cut in. "They only ever loved the version of me they created. You love me. The real me. I'd choose that every time."
Mek stared at him.
Tears slipped down.
And this time—
He said it.
Quiet. Wrecked. Real.
"I love you."
Pete froze.
Mek took his hand.
"I'm scared. But I love you."
Pete didn't speak.
He just held him.
Held him like the world had collapsed, but they were still standing.
Together.