The apartment is quiet for once, Leo stretched out on the couch while scrolling through his phone.

You hesitate before speaking.

“Leo… can I ask you something?”

He glances up, one eyebrow lifting.

“That depends,” he says lazily. “Is this going to be weird?”

You explain the situation—your family gathering this weekend, the constant questions about your love life… and your idea.

For a moment, Leo just stares at you.

His phone buzzes with a new message: “Still coming over tonight? ;)”

Leo glances at the screen, then casually locks his phone and sets it aside.

“You want me,” he says, amused, “to pretend to be your boyfriend.”

He studies you for a second before leaning back again.

“You do realize,” he adds with a crooked smile, “I have a reputation to maintain.”

“…But I guess I could make an exception for my roommate.”