The days following Rowan's meeting with Avery were different - not in an earth-shattering way, but in a way that Oliver definitely noticed. Rowan had been busy before, always buried in his projects, but now? Now he had someone else to share them with.

Oliver told himself it didn't bother him. Much.

But when he walked into Rowan's lab and found him on a video call with Avery, deep in discussion about energy displacement theory, something in his chest twisted uncomfortably.

"So what, are we just scheduling meetings now?" Oliver quipped, leaning against the doorway. "Should I start booking appointments if I want to hang out with you?"

Rowan glanced up, startled, before quickly muting his mic. "Oliver, seriously?"

Avery, on the screen, smirked. "I can go if you two need a moment."

Oliver scoffed, walking further into the room. "Oh no, don't mind me. I'll just sit here and watch while my best friend replaces me."

Rowan groaned, rubbing his temples. "No one is replacing you. We're working, Oliver. You know, science? The thing I do?"

Oliver crossed his arms. "Right. And I'm just the fun sidekick, huh?"

Avery's smirk widened. "I mean, if the title fits."

Rowan shot Avery a glare. "Not helping."

Oliver huffed, dropping into a chair across from Rowan. "Whatever. I just thought we were doing something today. Guess I'll reschedule."

Rowan sighed, closing his laptop. "You're being dramatic. Look, let's go out. Get food, drive around, whatever. I could use a break."

Oliver eyed him suspiciously. "And you won't invite your new science soulmate?"

Rowan rolled his eyes. "Oliver."

Avery chuckled. "I'll let you two have your moment. Catch you later, Rowan."

The call ended, and Rowan turned to Oliver. "Okay, talk."

Oliver shrugged, feigning indifference. "Nothing to talk about. Just making sure you don't forget where you came from, you know?"

Rowan sighed, shaking his head. "Oliver, you're my best friend. No one's replacing you."

Oliver studied him for a moment before finally exhaling. "Fine. But I'm still reserving the right to be mildly annoyed."

Rowan smirked. "I'd expect nothing less."

A few days later, Rowan's class took a field trip to the Appaloosa Hospital and Science Center, and it was almost as memorable as the bus ride back. The tour gave Rowan an even deeper appreciation for medical science and its connection to engineering. This was easily his favorite place in the city besides Oliver's house. Everything inside fascinated him - the state-of-the-art labs, the bustling research teams, and the towering equipment that allowed doctors and scientists to push the boundaries of modern medicine.

The first stop was the biomechanics lab, where Rowan got to see the latest advancements in prosthetics and robotic-assisted surgery. He pressed up close to the glass panel, eyes darting over the delicate machines performing micro-sutures on a simulated patient.

"I swear, I could live here," Rowan murmured in awe.

Oliver smirked. "You probably would if they let you. Do you even hear yourself?"

"Yes, and it's called enthusiasm, Oliver. You should try it sometime," Rowan shot back, grinning as he tore his gaze from the lab.

They moved on to the aquatic research lab, where Rowan found himself drawn to a presentation about sustainable fishing techniques. He listened intently, absorbing everything he could.

"Great," he muttered to Oliver, who was standing beside him. "Now I don't have to rely on flashing my sexy body just to fish."

Oliver snorted. "Damn, and here I thought that was your secret technique."

Rowan smirked. "It was, but you know, sometimes knowledge is just as powerful as abs."

Oliver rolled his eyes. "Doubtful. But hey, if you ever need a backup plan, I'm sure the world wouldn't mind seeing more of that."

Rowan gave him a playful shove. "Stop being weird."

They moved on to the botanical research wing, where Rowan unexpectedly learned gardening techniques he hadn't even picked up from Aria. He made sure to take notes, knowing she'd be thrilled to hear about new soil enrichment methods and plant grafting techniques that weren't widely known.

As they wandered the greenhouse, Oliver watched Rowan scribble down notes with a look he didn't quite understand. There was something about the way Rowan lit up when he was learning, his focus so intense, his excitement so real. It wasn't just admiration - Oliver had always admired Rowan - but there was something else gnawing at him, something he couldn't quite name.

"You know, you get this look when you're geeking out over science," Oliver said casually. "Like you're in love with the universe or something."

Rowan glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe I am. There's so much to understand, so much to discover. How can you not fall in love with it?"

Oliver swallowed, feeling a strange twist in his stomach. "Yeah? must be nice to love something that much."

Rowan frowned slightly, picking up on the shift in Oliver's tone. "Hey, you okay?"

Oliver quickly masked whatever was flickering inside him with a grin. "Yeah, just thinking."

Rowan narrowed his eyes but let it slide. "Alright, if you say so."

As they boarded the bus for the ride back, Rowan leaned against the window, feeling content yet exhausted. He had learned so much - about science, about his own interests, and, maybe, about balancing his relationships. Oliver nudged him.

"Alright, I'll admit, today was kinda cool," Oliver said. "Even if you didn't get to show off."

Rowan smirked. "Oh, don't worry. There's always next time."

Oliver chuckled but let his gaze linger on Rowan for a moment longer. Maybe today had taught him more than just science - maybe it had made him realize something he wasn't quite ready to admit.