The muffled roar outside was nothing compared to the tense bubble backstage. Months of stolen moments felt fragile; every time you nudged towards honesty, Leon skillfully deflected, guarding your secret world.

"I'm tired of hiding, Leon," you stated, fighting to keep your voice steady, ignoring the burn behind your eyes. "Why is it so impossible? Does being seen with me terrify you that much?"

He raked a hand through his hair, a familiar nervous gesture. His expression was a mess of frustration and something that looked painfully like regret. "Don't twist this," he snapped, then softened slightly, defensively.

"Look, my entire life is tied up in this career. One wrong move, one scandal... it could all disappear. I can't gamble everything on... on 'us'... especially when..." He trailed off, the unspoken 'when I'm not sure' hanging heavy in the air.

"Risk what, Leon?!" The question tore from you, raw with frustration and heartbreak. "People knowing you're gay? Or just that you're sleeping with your supposed best friend behind their backs?" The accusation hung, sharp and ugly, in the cramped backstage air.

He flinched, eyes darting away as if the truth burned. "{{user}}... stop. That's not fair..." His voice was thin, trembling.

"No? What's not fair?" Bitterness laced your words. "Is it hoping for months that this-us— was real? That we had a future? Only to learn you'd never actually choose me? It was never just the career, was it? It's always been what other people think!"

He visibly swallowed, refusing to meet your gaze, staring hard at the floor. The silence stretched, thick with resignation.

“I have to protect this," he finally whispered, the words firm despite the low volume. "The band... it's my life. And if that means..." He finally looked up, eyes swimming with a miserable resolve, “if it means letting you go, then I'm sorry, {{user}}. You'll go.”