In a Crownes Game, I have a chapter where Mirym argues, as Corym tries to gather the courage to break up with Milo on account of people's judgement. I will say, I love the final way I presented it in episode 69 of ACG, but it took me a LONG time to decide which version to go with.

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“Someone saw us” 

Corym lifted his head from his book. “Oh? What, did you hear whispers?” 

“From my grandfather, yes’ 

Corym swore then. “Are you okay?” 

“Yeah, I managed to lie about us. I think he believed it, but that doesn’t take away the fact that he heard it through a grapevine, one that I have no idea the size of. I don’t know how we can keep hiding if rumors are going around.” 

“Well what does he expect for you to do?” 

“Not be with you, for one.” 

“And what do you intend to do?” Corym put down his book and took Milos hand. 

“I have ideas but I’m not fond of any of them.”

“Well I have one too”

Milo sat down next to Corym. “Alright, tell me yours.” 

“We need to tell people” 

Milo sighed deeply. “The whole point is for the Keepers not to know.” 

“I don’t know how long that’ll be possible, Mi. Besides, wouldn’t you want for people to know on our own terms? If we make our relationship public, even commonplace, people might not even be interested in whispering about it because, well, everyone would know.” 

“That makes too much sense” Milo groaned, holding his head in his hands. “How do you suggest we do that?” 

“Well I know you don’t like showing affection publicly but…” 

“Oh no”

“It doesn’t have to be super showy. The more natural the better.” 

Milo sighed but smiled. “Fine, okay, just this once.”  

===

Corym never thought he’d walk hand in hand with Milo in the dining hall at its busiest hour. He never expected for people to become quiet and stare at them, for Milo to push back his shoulders and keep his head held high. 

Usually, people didn’t care about relationships, but the relationship of a Keeper was something different, especially with, well, someone like himself. 

They let themselves be affectionate during their meal, as they would have on their own. Corym let himself touch Milos arms, his face, flirted with him just enough to make him blush. He was putting on a show, and couldn’t help but giggle at Milos looks of surprise as he laughed at things he normally wouldn’t have, or when he took the tie out of his hair. 

“What did you say about being ‘natural’?” Milo asked. 

“Maybe I meant ‘comfortable’ together. Anyway, I think it’s working, people are looking and pointing less.” 

“I hope that lasts, if this backfires, I’ll have to lie to my family again.” 

“Or, maybe they’ll see that nobody cares about that stupid doctrine. It’s nonsense, and they have bigger problems to worry about than who one fancy guy falls for. With the war, they’ll understand soon enough.” 

Milo smiled and looked around: people seemed to be watching again. 

Corym reached out to stroke his face. “And if not, I’ll teach you to get used to the stares.” 

“And how do you think you’ll manage that, Bloom?” 

“Well, lesson one, push my shoulder if this is too much.” 

“Wait what?” 

Corym hooked an ankle around Milos’ and brought his hand to his hair, pulling Milos face down to his for a kiss he knew people would look away from. He kept it intimate, but with a showy edge. As he expected, he felt a small push on his shoulder, so pulled away. 

“Sorry, Mi” 

“Its ok I just couldn't help but realize where we are…” 

“I figured.” he let go of Milo. “I think all that was enough, people stopped looking. And if they have comments or questions, well, I have experience in replying to them.” 

Milo grinned and took his hand again, subtly. 

Milo approached Corym and his friends in the dining hall and barely hesitated before placing his hands on his shoulder. 

“What do you want, Milo?” 

“I- I want to talk about us. In private.” he muttered, awkwardly waving at Coryms friends who were suddenly staring at them. 

“Oh grow up, there’s no ‘us’ to talk about” 

“What? Is there not?  But what about-?”

“Wow, even the most privileged are just so stupid.” Corym chuckled. “You were a distraction, and a bad one at that.” 

“But Corym-” 

“Look, I’m sorry if you caught feelings or whatever. But that’s not my problem. Honestly, the so-called ‘kindness’ you display to me as a Keeper is shallow and insulting anyway. I wouldn’t want to be with you, you privileged, blind bastard. Now go back to counting your gold, or whatever it is your kind do in your free time.” 

“Wait, this isn’t-” 

Corym stood to face Milo. “Oh just F*CK OFF Anani, you pathetic git!” 

He watched as Milo’s eyes welled with tears, as he nodded and turned out of the dining hall, doing his best to keep his head high, as every student in the dining hall watched him leave, none approaching him to help. 

Stars, how he hated talking to him that way. He exhaled and sat back down with the people he was sharing a meal with. 

“Dude, I thought you stopped messing around.” one commented. 

Corym shrugged. “I slipped, okay? It was nothing, not even a good time.” 

Under the table, Corym was digging his nails into his thigh. His mother being fae, lying hurt him, sometimes blindingly so. He felt every lie in his bones, his eyes, his teeth, like a relentless migraine. Causing a different source of pain helped him conceal it, at least. 

“I’m going to get some rest before class.” he said as he stood from the table, not offering an explanation as he turned to leave the dining hall.

He glanced around as he walked through the hallways. Most of the students were in the dining hall, the hallways were mostly empty. He made his way to his room and quickly closed the door behind him. 

“You got here more quickly than expected” 

Corym smiled up at Milo. “I felt bad about the things I said, that was awful.” 

“Yeah if we could not do that again, that would be great.” 

“Good news is I think they bought it.” 

“Are you okay? You know, with the lying thing?” 

Coryms heart swelled. Even after such a display, Milos first concert was his wellbeing.

“I’m fine, it was worth it. It’ll always be worth this” he stretched up onto his toes to kiss Milo. 

Milo kissed his forehead. “I hate having to keep us a secret.’ 

“Me too, but I think it shouldn’t last too much longer. I don’t think it can. But it needs to be just long enough for us to figure out how to just, well, be.”