Midterms arrived—their second major stress test as a couple.
Finals week had nearly broken them. The distance, the miscommunication, the way they'd each retreated into their own anxiety without considering how it affected the other.
But this time, they were prepared.
Sunday night before midterm week, Dante showed up at Adrian's dorm with his planner and a determined expression.
"We need to talk," Dante said, setting his bag down by the door.
Adrian's stomach immediately clenched. "That's never a good way to start a conversation."
"Not bad talk. Planning talk. Strategy talk."
"Oh." Relief flooded through Adrian. "Okay. Planning. I can do planning."
They sat cross-legged on Adrian's bed, facing each other, Dante's planner open between them.
"What do we need this week?" Adrian asked. "Like, actually need. Not what we think we should need or what sounds good in theory. What do we actually need to get through midterms without killing each other?"
