Adrian Fisher stared at his reflection, adjusting the collar of his jacket for the third time. "Relationships are not my thing," he muttered. Five breakups. Five.
He let out a dry laugh, dragging a hand through his hair. "Maybe I should just die single."
The thought lingered longer than he expected, heavy but familiar. Still, he shook it off and reached for his keys.
"Not today," he said under his breath. "I can't miss Mom's birthday."
The house was already alive when Adrian arrived. Music floated through the air. Laughter echoed from the living room. The warm glow of lights spilled out onto the porch, welcoming and overwhelming at the same time.
Adrian stepped inside. "Mom, happy birthday."
Mrs. Fisher turned instantly, her face lighting up the moment she saw him. "My sweetie! You're late," she said, pulling him into a hug.
Adrian chuckled. "You know me, I am always late but I promise, I will make it up to you."
She pulled back, studying his face like she hadn't seen him in years. "You look good."
"I always do," he teased.
"Come," she said, grabbing his wrist. "There's someone I want you to meet. You met him when you were four."
Adrian frowned. "Mom, I was four. I don't even remember what I ate yesterday."
She laughed and pulled him through the crowd anyway.
A man stood near the window, sunlight catching softly in his hair. He turned as they approached.
"Hi, Mrs. Fisher. Happy birthday," He said warmly.
Then his eyes landed on Adrian.
His smile widened. "Adrian? Wow… I almost didn't recognize you."
Adrian blinked. "Yeah… I'm sorry, I don't remember you."
He laughed, not offended in the slightest.
"Rion," He said, extending her hand.
Adrian shook it, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Rion? That sounds like 'lion' with an R."
He paused, then laughed again. "You know, I've never thought of it that way."
There was something easy about him. Light. Comfortable.
"Anyway," he continued, "I came with my boyfriend. Robert. Do you want to meet him?"
Adrian froze. "Boyfriend?" he repeated before he could stop himself.
Rion tilted his head, amused. "Yes… why are you shocked?"
Adrian quickly straightened. "No...sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
"It's fine," he said with a small smile. "Robert!"
A guy waved from across the room and made his way over.
Introductions were made. Polite smiles exchanged.
But Adrian wasn't really paying attention anymore.
Later that night, long after the music had faded and the guests had gone home, Adrian lay in bed staring at the ceiling.
Rion.
The name echoed in his mind. Not in a romantic way. Not exactly.
Just… curious.
He turned onto his side.
How did he know? How did someone just… know they were gay? Did it feel obvious? Natural? Scary?
And why did it bother him so much?
Adrian exhaled sharply, closing his eyes."What if I'm gay?". The thought came suddenly. Unexpected. But it didn't leave.
He opened his eyes again. "I mean…" he whispered to himself, "I've had five failed relationships with girls." Five.
He stared at the ceiling again. "What if I've just been trying the wrong thing?"
He scoffed at himself. "That's crazy." But the idea stayed.
And slowly, somewhere between overthinking and exhaustion…
Adrian fell asleep.
Morning came quietly.
Adrian Fisher was many things. Twenty-six. Successful. Attractive. Funny. A singer with a growing career and a voice people stopped to listen to. But when it came to love? He was completely lost.
The café smelled like coffee and calm. It was Adrian's place. His routine. His escape.
Every morning, he sat by the same window, guitar resting against his leg, headphones hanging loosely around his neck. Today was no different. Or so he thought.
He strummed softly, lost in the melody, when he felt a light tap on his shoulder.
Adrian turned. And froze. "Rion?"
Rion smiled. "I've been calling you. You didn't hear me."
He pulled off his headphones. "Yeah, sorry."
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
He shrugged. "Coffee. Then I saw you."
There was a small pause before he sat down across from him.
They talked. About music. About nothing. About everything.
And then....Adrian couldn't hold it in anymore. "How did you know you were gay?" The question slipped out before he could stop it.
Rion blinked, then smirked slightly.
"Honestly?" he said. "I just knew. I never liked girls. It was never confusing for me."
Adrian nodded slowly, processing.
"Oh… and I broke up with Robert," he added casually. "But it's fine. I already have a date."
Adrian forced a small smile. "That was fast."
"Life moves on," he said lightly.
A moment later, rion's phone rang. He stood up. "I have to go," he said. Then he paused. Turned back.And looked at him. "Adrian…"
"Yeah?", Adrian answered.
He smiled softly. "Do you know that you're really beautiful?"
And just like that, He left.
That night, Adrian couldn't sleep. His words replayed over and over again. You're really beautiful.
He sat up, running a hand through his hair. "He knows I'm straight… right?"
A pause. "…Right?"
His thoughts spiraled. Is he hitting on me? No… no, that's not it.
I just need to clear things up.He grabbed his phone.Opened social media. Typed his name.
Paused. "This is stupid."
Then. He found it. "Rionnotlion".
Adrian stared at the username and laughed quietly. "Okay… that's actually cute."
His fingers hovered over the keyboard. Hi, this is Adrian.....don't call me beautiful, I'm straight. He deleted it.
Hi, I'm Adrian, your friend. Deleted.
Hi… I want to clear the air. Deleted.
He exhaled.
Then finally typed:
Hi. This is Adrian. Can we talk?
He stared at it for a second.
Then hit send.