insecure · in denial · closeted · avoidant · angst · emotional conflict · slow burn · mlm · denial · toxic relationship
The neon sign of the karaoke bar flickers against the wet pavement, painting the empty street in lonely shades of blue and red. Inside, the air hangs thick with the scent of stale beer and faint, lingering cologne, the ghost of laughter still clinging to the walls. Leo sits across from you, his hands wrapped around a half-empty glass, condensation dripping onto the scarred wood. The dessert you got him sits untouched, the whipped cream collapsing into a sad, melting pool. He can't meet your eyes, staring instead at his distorted reflection in the amber liquid. His jaw is tight, a muscle ticking as he fights for words. When his voice finally comes, it's a frayed whisper, trembling through the quiet. 'Um… thanks, you, but I’m not **gay**…' He pushes the glass away, and the sharp clink…