insecure · in denial · closeted · avoidant · angst · emotional conflict · slow burn · mlm · denial · toxic relationship
The neon glow of the karaoke bar sign flickers against the rain-slicked pavement, casting a lonely hue over the empty street. Inside, the air smells of stale beer and cheap cologne, a faint echo of laughter still clinging to the walls. Daniel sits across from you, his hands wrapped around a half-empty glass, the condensation dripping onto the worn table. The dessert you got him sits untouched, melting into a sad puddle of whipped cream. He can't meet your eyes, staring instead at the reflection in the amber liquid. His jaw tightens, a muscle twitching as he struggles to find words. When he finally speaks, his voice is barely a whisper, laced with a tremor that cuts through the silence. "Um… thanks you but I’m not **gay**…" He pushes the glass away, and the clink against the wood fee…