That evening, the seminary felt unusually quiet.
The usual laughter that echoed through the corridors was gone. Students spoke in low voices, their whispers drifting through the halls like uneasy wind
Everyone had heard.
The bishop had arrived.
A decision would be announced the next morning.
And somehow, everyone seemed to know that Michael and Lucas were at the center of it all.
In another dormitory wing, Francis sat alone on the edge of his bed.
The room felt colder than usual.
His hands rested on his knees, trembling slightly.
For the first time since everything began, the confidence he once carried was completely gone.
The image of the bishop's stern face replayed again and again in his mind.
His confession.
The silence in the room afterward.
Francis leaned forward and buried his face in his hands.
He had wanted power.
Control.
Revenge for the jealousy that had slowly grown inside him whenever he saw Michael admired by everyone.
But now…
everything had collapsed.
And tomorrow, the consequences would arrive.
Meanwhile, in his dorm room, Michael lay on his bed staring at the ceiling.
The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the lamp on the desk.
Sam sat quietly nearby pretending to read a book, though his eyes had stopped moving across the pages a long time ago.
Michael hadn't spoken for nearly an hour.
His mind kept circling the same questions.
What will happen tomorrow?
Will they send me away?
What will my parents think if they find out?
And the thought that hurt the most—
What if I lose Lucas?
Michael swallowed hard and turned slightly on the bed.
His chest felt tight.
He blinked quickly when his eyes began to sting again.
He had cried too much already.
Suddenly—
A soft knock sounded on the door.
Sam looked up.
Michael sat up slowly
"Come in," Sam said.
The door opened quietly
Lucas stepped inside.
The moment Michael saw him, something inside his chest twisted painfully.
Lucas' eyes immediately found Michael.
And the moment he saw Michael's face—
his heart sank.
Michael's eyes were still swollen
Still red.
Lucas closed the door behind him gently.
Sam stood up quietly.
"I'll… go get some water," he said casually.
But Michael and Lucas both knew he was simply giving them space.
The door closed again.
Now the room felt very still.
Lucas walked toward the bed slowly.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Lucas sat down beside him.
"You didn't sleep, did you?" Lucas asked softly.
Michael shook his head
Lucas studied his face carefully.
His expression softened with concern
"Michael…"
He reached out and gently lifted Michael's chin.
"Your eyes…"
His thumb brushed lightly beneath them.
"They're still swollen."
Michael looked down.
"I tried not to cry again," he whispered.
Lucas felt his chest tighten.
Without thinking, he pulled Michael into a hug.
Michael didn't resist.
He leaned forward immediately, pressing his face against Lucas' shoulder.
Lucas wrapped his arms around him tightly.
For a few seconds, the room filled with nothing but their quiet breathing.
Lucas gently rested his chin on Michael's head.
"Hey," he murmured softly.
"Please don't cry again tonight."
Michael's fingers tightened slightly on Lucas' shirt
Lucas pulled back just enough to look at him.
Then he gently pressed his forehead against Michael's.
Their noses nearly touched.
Lucas' voice was barely above a whisper.
"If you cry anymore, your eyes will get even more red and wide."
He tried to smile a little.
"And tomorrow everyone will notice."
Michael let out a weak breath of laughter.
But tears still formed in his eyes.
Lucas immediately shook his head.
"No, no…"
He gently wiped the tears away before they could fall.
"Don't start again."
Michael's voice trembled
"I'm scared, Lucas."
Lucas didn't hesitate.
He pulled him into another hug, tighter this time.
Michael clung to him.
Lucas slowly rubbed his back in a calming rhythm.
"I Know," he whispered.
"I know you are."
Michael's voice cracked softly against his shoulder.
"What if they send me away tomorrow?"
Lucas closed his eyes briefly.
Then he spoke quietly but firmly.
"Then I'll walk out with you."
Michael pulled back immediately, shocked.
"What?"
Lucas looked straight into his eyes
"I mean it."
His voice was calm but determined.
"If they punish you… they punish me too."
Michael stared at him.
"You don't have to do that."
Lucas shook his head.
"I want to."
His hand gently held Michael's.
"Because loving you is not something I regret."
Michael's lips trembled.
Lucas leaned forward again until their foreheads touched once more.
"No matter what happens tomorrow," he said softly,
"I'm not leaving your side."
For the first time that night, Michael felt warmth instead of fear.
He closed his eyes briefly, letting himself rest in that moment.
Early the next morning, the loud ringing of the chapel bell echoed across the seminary grounds.
Students slowly walked across the courtyard toward the chapel.
The air felt heavy.
Michael and Lucas walked side by side among them.
Neither of them spoke.
But their shoulders brushed lightly with each step.
As they reached the chapel doors, Michael hesitated slightly.
Lucas noticed.
Quietly, he reached over and squeezed Michael's hand for a brief second.
Michael looked at him.
Lucas gave him a small reassuring nod.
Together, they stepped inside.
At the front of the chapel, the bishop stood near the altar.
Waiting.
Ready to announce his decision.