Leo/Luna

Chapter 10: Late-Night Confessions

The night was quiet, the only sounds in the kitchen the soft clinking of ice in glasses and the muted hum of the refrigerator. Leo and Kyle sat across from each other at the table, their laptops glowing in the dim light as they worked on their English paper. Books and notes were scattered around them, evidence of their late-night brainstorming session.

Leo stared at his screen, trying to focus on the draft in front of him, but his mind kept drifting. The events of the past few days—the shopping trip, the changes to his body, the growing bond with Kyle—swirled together in his thoughts, creating a confusing mix of emotions. He glanced up at Kyle, who was typing away with a furrowed brow, looking completely absorbed in their project.

Taking a deep breath, Leo decided he couldn't keep his secret any longer. The weight of it was pressing down on him, and the bond he was forming with Kyle made him yearn for honesty. He cleared his throat, trying to gather his courage.

"Kyle," Leo said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kyle looked up, his expression shifting from focused to curious. "Yeah? What's up?"

Leo hesitated, feeling a surge of anxiety. "There's something I need to tell you. Something... important."

Kyle closed his laptop, giving Leo his full attention. "Okay. What is it?"

Leo's hands trembled slightly as he pushed his laptop aside, folding them on the table. "You remember when you saw those videos on my phone? The ones of that anime VTuber?"

Kyle nodded, his expression cautious. "Yeah, I remember. You seemed pretty upset about it."

Leo swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. "Well, the thing is... that's me. I'm the anime girl in those videos. I'm a streamer, and I use voice modification software to pitch up my voice."

Kyle's eyes widened in surprise, his gaze locking onto Leo's. "Wait, you're serious? You're... her?"

Leo nodded, feeling a mix of relief and fear. "Yeah. I've been streaming for a while now, and I've always felt more comfortable as her. Being me—being Leo—has never really felt right."

Kyle was silent for a moment, his expression a mix of shock and understanding. "Wow. That's... a lot to take in. But it makes sense, I guess. You always seemed different lately."

Leo nodded, his voice trembling slightly. "It's been hard, trying to balance everything. Streaming as her—Luna—feels like the only time I can be myself. I've been so scared of what people would think if they found out."

Kyle leaned back in his chair, his eyes still fixed on Leo. "Thanks for telling me. I mean it. That takes a lot of guts."

Leo felt a small smile tug at his lips, a wave of relief washing over him. "Thanks for listening. I just couldn't keep it to myself anymore."

Kyle nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I get it. I really do. You're not alone in feeling out of place."

Leo's curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

Kyle sighed, running a hand through his hair. "My home life... it's not great. My dad's a drunk. He's mean, and he's always picking fights. I figured out a long time ago that if I piss him off enough, he focuses on me and leaves my younger brothers alone. I'd rather take the hits than let them get hurt."

Leo felt a pang of sympathy and understanding. "Kyle, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."

Kyle shrugged, his expression resigned. "It's not something I talk about much. But I get what it's like to feel like you're playing a part, to protect yourself or someone else."

Leo nodded, feeling a deeper connection with Kyle. "Thanks for sharing that. It helps, knowing I'm not the only one dealing with stuff."

Kyle smiled softly, his eyes warm. "We all have our battles. But you're brave for being honest about who you are. And for what it's worth, I think Luna's pretty cool."

Leo laughed softly, feeling a blush rise to his cheeks. "Thanks. That means a lot."

They sat in silence for a moment, the air between them filled with a newfound sense of understanding and solidarity. The kitchen felt warmer, the shadows less daunting, as they shared their stories and their struggles.

Kyle broke the silence, his voice gentle. "So, what's next for you? For Luna?"

Leo took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "I don't know. I guess I need to figure out how to balance it all, how to be Luna and still live my life. It's scary, but... I think I can do it."

Kyle nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "You can. And I'll be here to help, whatever you need."

Leo felt a surge of gratitude and affection for Kyle, his heart swelling with the warmth of their growing friendship. "Thanks, Kyle. That means more than you know."

Kyle reached across the table, squeezing Leo's hand gently. "We're in this together, okay? No matter what."

Leo squeezed back, a smile spreading across his face. "Okay. Together."

The night wore on, and as they returned to their English paper. They worked late into the night, and when they finally wrapped up their work, Leo felt a new sense of clarity and hope.

As they packed up their things and prepared to head to bed, Kyle gave Leo a reassuring smile. "Goodnight, Leo. For what it's worth, I really like Leo, you know. You don't have to be anyone else for me."

Leo chuckled, feeling a warm glow inside. "Goodnight, Kyle. See you tomorrow."

As he lay in bed, the events of the night played over in his mind, the weight of his confession lifting as he drifted into a peaceful sleep. 

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