“I saw you. With her. Don’t you dare lie to me anymore, Jordan.” Travis's voice trembled as he spoke.

Jordan's expression was twisted by a battle between guilt and terror in his eyes. He gulped. It was as if the truth itself was suffocating him, as seen by his rising and falling chest.

“Do you want to know who that was?” He asked, his voice faltering. "It wasn't what you think. I wasn't seeing that girl. I wasn't cheating on you, even though were not… That was—" He paused, his fists closing… “ That was my brother."

"What?" asked Travis with confusion mixed with rage while his tears are falling.

"Evey isn't a girl. He's my younger brother, Steven. He—he enjoys dressing that way. It's who he is. And it's his secret. That's why I didn't tell you. Because it wasn't mine to tell," Jordan said, his breath shaking as he made himself continue.

Anger and confusion mixed in Travis's chest, and his heart was still hurting. "So all this time you let me think..."

"I know," Jordan said, his voice breaking. "I should have explained. I only wanted to safeguard him. He confided in me with that aspect of himself, and I couldn't betray him. But in my attempt to protect him, I ended up harming you instead. And it hurts me."

He could no longer suppress the tears, which ran down his face. Jordan brought his hands over his face, shattering in front of him.

"Yes, there was a game. Yes, it was a stupid bet. But Travis, I never thought of you as a joke." He moved closer, pleading and vulnerable. "I liked you before the bet. Long before. I saw you when everyone else just saw you as quiet, invisible, trying to get by. You weren't fake. You weren't trying to get anything out of me. You were simply... you."

“You’re the one who shone to me,” Jordan said, his voice softening and shaking with sincerity. “You stood out even in your silence. That’s why when they picked your name as the bet… it wasn’t punishment. It was the first time I felt lucky. Because it gave me a reason to be close to you. And I was so damn happy.”

Tears clouded Travis's eyes. His hands shook by his sides. He longed to yell, curse him, and flee, but every word hurt his heart.

"I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted you to doubt how real this is. I swear, Travis… I wasn’t lying when I said I like you," Jordan said in a low voice, his lips trembling.

The echo of their erratic breathing was the only sound in the chamber for a long, delicate period.

Travis struggled to maintain his composure as he leaned back against the wall, but his tears gave him away. "You ruined me, Jordan," he rasped, "but God, I still want to believe you."

Jordan stood close enough for Travis to feel his shivering presence, but he didn't touch him. His palm was trembling close to Travis's face. "Then let me show it. Please. Don't just walk away."

And for once, Travis let him stay. Jordan's broken honesty had somehow managed to break his walls open just enough for the light to get through, despite the fact that they were still standing.