Lance froze.
The room felt suddenly too quiet, the weight of Ansel's words pressing down on his chest.
"I—" He swallowed, fingers tightening around the phone. "I didn't mean it like that. I just… Mum was panicking, and I didn't know what else to say. Saying 'boyfriend' felt easier than explaining whatever this is."
Ansel studied him, expression unreadable. "And what is this, Lance?"
Lance's throat worked. "I don't know," he admitted softly. "But I know you didn't deny it."
Ansel's eyes narrowed slightly. "That doesn't mean I agreed to it."
"I know.." Lance said quickly, panic flickering across his face. "I'm not trying to trap you or anything. I just—" His voice cracked.
Silence stretched between them.
Ansel looked away first, jaw tightening as if annoyed at himself more than anything else. "You're reckless," he said flatly. "Using my name like that."
"I said please don't kill me," Lance muttered weakly.
