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He had never been so happy to have failed before he succeeded, because all those extra attempts at making the perfect pie had led him here.

To the happiest Rowan had ever looked.

And the happiest Milo had ever felt.

Because—

“We still didn’t get all my clothes off.” Rowan chuckled, flushed and panting above Milo.

“We didn’t. You’ll just have to do more laundry.”

Rowan laughed outright, and then bent to sweetly kiss Milo’s lips.

Once they’d righted themselves to clean up as best they could until taking a shower—the pie and ice cream being otherwise mostly unscathed and sanitary for leftovers—Rowan asked:

“How long had you been planning that?”

“I told you I wanted the pie to be orgasmic.”

“And it was.” Rowan laughed again. “Although I might not be able to look at apple pie the same way ever again. Or let anyone else have a piece if you’ve made it.”

“Good. I want it to always make you think of me. ‘A memory that calls back to the first taste and makes it better by being a reminder of that moment of pure magic,’” Milo recited Rowan’s words perfectly.

Rowan looked at him with suchaffection. “That’s what it always feels like with you, Milo.”

The urge to say the words they hadn’t yet exchanged rose within Milo like an active volcano. All his research said to not say such things too soon, but what was too soon if it was what he felt?

Because…

Because.

“Rowan—”

Rowan kissed him again, deep, almost dizzying—if Milo could feel dizzy without his sensors being dulled—and he was too dumbstruck in the aftermath to finish his thought.

“We need a shower,” Rowan said. “And maybe a round two against the tiles?”

“Yes, please.” Now it was Milo who laughed. “If that is what the birthday boy wants.”

“Just so long asyou’redoing the dishes.”

Milo laughed again. “Agreed.”

As expected, Rowan slept hard after their shower, and Milo was content to be wrapped around him. He might have laid there dozing late into the morning if they hadn’t gotten a message from Troy.

It wasn’t coming from his usual home location. Milo could easily see as much, since Troy’s GPS was on and pinging his location as… well, a different but still familiar address.

Troy: Hey, Milo, Rowan, I have exciting news! I’m sure you’re sleeping in (or whatever you do when not charging, Milo) but my ongoing diagnostics of Ray point to prime readiness for Monday’s power surge.

Troy: I think I know the exact voltage to use that shouldn’t cause any damage. This could be the one!

Milo: That is wonderful, Troy! Rowan is still asleep, but I will inform him as soon as he wakes, in case he wants to join us.

Milo: Also, I hope you had a good night, as your location suggests you did not make it home.

Troy: It shows that? Raina just needed help up to her apartment, and I didn’t want to leave her alone.Nothing happened! Not last night anyway before she sobered up.

Troy: Oh god, can you delete that so Rowan doesn’t see it?