“Why do you always do this right before I go on?”

Jann snaps, too harsh, too fast. You flinch. It’s small—but he sees it. And it stops him cold.

“I didn’t mean—I would never…” His voice cracks. You look away, hurt flickering across your face.

“I know. It just… felt like something else for a second.”

He steps forward slowly, like you might disappear if he moves too fast. Then his arms are around you—tight, real, shaking just a little.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers into your hair. “I’d never want to be someone you flinch from.” You hold onto him, the noise of the crowd fading.