After the chaotic and wildly successful celebration stream, Rowan's blog had reached new heights of popularity. More invitations, more opportunities, and more eyes on him. It was thrilling, but also a little overwhelming.

Sitting in his lab the next evening, Rowan scrolled through emails, sipping on an energy drink. A particular subject line caught his attention.

Invitation: Exclusive Science Panel in Bridgeport

His heart skipped. Bridgeport. The biggest city in the region. This was huge.

Before he could overthink it, his phone buzzed. Oliver.

"Hey, you busy?" Oliver's voice was casual but familiar.

"Kind of. Got an invite to some big-deal science panel in Bridgeport."

There was a pause. "Oh."

Rowan frowned. "What's with the 'oh'?"

Oliver hesitated, then sighed. "Nothing. Just? you're blowing up, man. It's kinda weird."

Rowan smirked. "You jealous again?"

Oliver scoffed. "Pfft. No. I just - whatever, we should celebrate. Let's go do something."

"Like what?"

Oliver thought for a moment. "I dunno. Let's go somewhere cool. Somewhere we can talk."

Earlier that day, Rowan had received another bit of good news - he had made the honor roll at school. It wasn't exactly shocking given his academic performance, but it was still a great achievement. His parents had been beyond proud, and even Oliver had grudgingly admitted, "Alright, genius, that's actually impressive."

"I think this deserves a real celebration," Oliver had added at lunch, tossing a fry at Rowan. "Like, you did school too well. You gotta balance that out with some dumb decision-making."

"Like what?" Rowan had asked, dodging the fry with a smirk.

"Something not science-related," Oliver insisted. "Come on, let's just drive somewhere, hang out, be normal people for once."

A few hours later, they found themselves on the rooftop of an old factory, looking out over the quiet town. The stars above seemed brighter than ever, stretching over them like an endless expanse of possibilities. The cool breeze carried the scent of pine and distant bonfires, wrapping them in a cocoon of quiet intimacy.

Oliver sat on the edge, kicking his feet. "So, Bridgeport. You thinking about going?"

Rowan sighed, the words heavy on his tongue. "I don't know. It's a big deal, but? I'd have to leave. Even just for a little while."

Oliver nodded slowly, his jaw tightening slightly. "Yeah."

A long silence stretched between them, filled with the sound of the wind and distant traffic.

"Would you miss me?" Rowan finally asked, his voice teasing but softer than usual.

Oliver huffed a laugh, but it lacked his usual bravado. "Shut up."

Rowan smiled, nudging Oliver's shoulder. "I'll take that as a yes."

Oliver rolled his eyes but didn't move away. "You should go, Rowan. It's what you love. Just? don't forget where you came from."

Rowan nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. "I won't."

Oliver leaned back on his hands, gazing at the sky. "It's weird, you know? Watching you take off like this."

"You make it sound like I'm moving to another planet. It's just Bridgeport," Rowan said, amused.

Oliver shrugged. "Yeah, but it's a step. And every step takes you a little further."

Rowan looked at Oliver carefully. "You know, just because I go doesn't mean I disappear."

Oliver scoffed. "Says you. Next thing I know, you'll be building spaceships and forgetting the little people."

Rowan laughed. "Not a chance. You'd probably hack the broadcast and remind the world you exist."

Oliver smirked. "Damn right. Someone's gotta keep you humble."

The wind shifted, cool air rushing between them, but neither of them moved. Something was different in the air now. Heavy. Electric.

Rowan's breath hitched as he noticed the way Oliver was looking at him - like he was memorizing every inch of his face, like he was fighting something he didn't want to fight anymore.

"Rowan," Oliver murmured, barely above a whisper.

Rowan swallowed. "Yeah?"

Oliver hesitated, his usual bravado flickering - just for a second - before he closed the space between them, his hands gripping Rowan's jacket. Rowan barely had time to process it before Oliver kissed him.

The world crashed around them. The rooftop, the stars, the wind - it all blurred, fading into nothing. All that existed was the heat between them, the way Oliver's fingers curled into Rowan's jacket, the urgent, desperate pull of lips that had been waiting for too long.

Rowan's heart pounded, his hands instinctively reaching up, threading through Oliver's hair, pulling him in closer. He could taste the hint of soda Oliver had been drinking earlier, feel the heat rolling off his skin even in the cool night air. Oliver's hands, usually restless and teasing, held him like he was something important.

They broke apart just slightly, breathing ragged. Oliver's forehead rested against Rowan's, his eyes half-lidded, searching.

"Tell me you felt that," Oliver whispered, his voice raw.

Rowan exhaled sharply, his grip still firm on Oliver's arms. "How could I not?"

Oliver let out a breathy laugh, his fingers tightening on Rowan's jacket. "Good. 'Cause I've been losing my mind over you."

Rowan smiled, completely breathless, completely undone. "Took you long enough."

Oliver laughed softly, shaking his head before kissing him again - slower this time, deeper, like he was grounding himself in this moment.

The stars above them pulsed like they were part of the moment too, flickering with the intensity of a universe shifting.

Rowan knew, then and there, that he wasn't going anywhere. Bridgeport could wait. The future could wait.

Right now, this was everything.