The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting warm rays across the living room where Nate and Elliot had been lounging. Nate was idly flipping through channels, the TV displaying a mix of colorful cartoons and random cooking shows, but his attention was split. The previous night had been unexpectedly enjoyable, and he couldn't shake the feeling of having Elliot around. They were just friends, right? But there was a warmth in their interactions that hinted at something more. Suddenly, Nate's phone buzzed, breaking him from his reverie. It was Alec. He swiped to answer, bracing himself for the usual teasing.

"Nate! Just wanted to let you know I'm still at Mia's," Alec announced, his voice bright and unmistakably teasing even over the phone.

"Great. That means I'll have the place to myself all night," Nate replied, keeping his tone deliberately casual, though relief crept into his voice.

Alec didn't miss a beat. "Wait a second... You got a date or something?"

"No," Nate said quickly, rolling his eyes. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Elliot stayed over last night. He locked himself out and needs a place to crash until Monday."

There was a beat of silence before Alec's triumphant voice rang through. "Perfect! You know what you need to do, right?"

Nate groaned, feeling his cheeks flush. "Don't start. It's not like that. He's just crashing here—nothing more."

"Uh-huh. 'Just crashing,'" Alec mimicked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Nate, cozying up with someone you like in your apartment? That's basically the universe handing you a romantic setup on a silver platter."

Nate rubbed the back of his neck, casting a glance toward the kitchen where Elliot was rummaging through his snack cabinet, humming softly to himself. A smile tugged at Nate's lips despite his best efforts. "It's really not a big deal, Alec. We're just... hanging out."

"Sure, sure," Alec said with mock seriousness. "Tell me, are you gonna keep 'just hanging out' until he finds someone else to cozy up with? Or are you finally gonna do something about it?"

"You're impossible," Nate muttered.

"Look, all I'm saying is you'll regret it if you don't try," Alec said, his voice softening just slightly. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to pretending you're not into him. Later!"

"Later," Nate said, ending the call with a sigh.

He looked back at Elliot, who was now grinning as he held up a bag of popcorn triumphantly, his curls bouncing as he moved. Nate's chest tightened at the sight, warmth spreading through him.

Maybe Alec wasn't completely wrong.After hanging up, Nate felt a mix of determination and anxiety, but his thought were interrupted as soon as Elliot appeared infront of him.

"Hey, um, do you mind if I use your shower before we watch that movie?" he asked, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"Why would I mind?" Nate replied, trying to sound casual and went to grab him a towel.

"Sweet! Thanks!" Elliot said, and with that, he disappeared into the bathroom.

Nate busied himself in the kitchen, trying to calm his racing heart. The sound of water running made him acutely aware of what he was doing in there—of water running down Elliots naked frame. As he opened a cabinet to grab a drink, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to cross that line and just show some interest.

A few minutes later, the sound of the shower stopped, and Nate's heart skipped a beat. He tried not to imagine it, but the image of Elliot stepping out with damp hair and water trailing down his skin crept unbidden into his mind, sending a spark of nervous energy through him.  When the bathroom door finally opened, it was even more breathtaking than Nate had anticipated. Elliot emerged wrapped in a towel, droplets of water glistening on his skin, catching the light like tiny jewels. His damp hair fell in soft, unruly waves, framing his face with an effortless perfection that made Nate's breath hitch. There was an air of vulnerability and ease about him that was utterly captivating, leaving Nate momentarily spellbound.

"Do you have anything I could wear? This towel isn't really ideal," he said, glancing down at himself.

Nate shook his head, trying to find his voice. "I'll get you something." He moved to his room, grabbing one of his smallest t-shirts and a pair of sweatpants, before returning to the living room and tossing them to Elliot. "These should fit you."

"Thanks! I appreciate it," Elliot said with a bright smile before retreating back to the bathroom to change.

Nate leaned against the wall, heart pounding in his chest. He felt like a teenager again, nervous and excited, his thoughts racing as he waited. When Elliot finally came back out, Nate's breath hitched once more. Elliot stood before him, wearing Nate's clothes that were far too big for him. The t-shirt hung loosely off his shoulders, while the sweatpants pooled at his ankles. The sight was nothing short of adorable, and Nate felt a rush of warmth flood his cheeks.

"They're a bit big," Elliot chuckled, a hint of shyness creeping into his voice as he tugged at the hem of the oversized shirt.

"You look cute," Nate said, the words slipping out before he could think better of them. He couldn't help but admire the way the clothes made Elliot look even more charming, the curls still damp and a faint blush on his cheeks from the hot water.

Elliot blinked, caught off guard, his lips parting slightly. Then a shy, almost teasing smile spread across his face, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Thanks," he said softly, a flicker of pink deepening on his cheeks. "Now, what's next?" Elliot asked, bouncing on his heels with that infectious energy. "Are we still watching a movie?"

Nate decided to go against his better judgment and took a step forward. He watched as Elliot looked up, surprise flickering across his face, the bright sunlight streaming in from the window catching the hint of color in his cheeks. Nate brushed a string of damp hair from Elliot's forehead, feeling the softness of his skin against his fingertips, and he couldn't help but linger for a moment, savoring the warmth radiating from him.

His brother's words echoed in his mind: "Go for it." And so he did. Nate leaned in, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure Elliot could hear it. The world around them blurred, the only thing sharp and clear was Elliot—his damp curls, the faint blush on his cheeks, the soft rise and fall of his breath.

Their faces were just inches apart, the air between them charged with a palpable tension. Nate's gaze locked onto Elliot's, searching for a flicker of encouragement, a sign that this moment wasn't one-sided. Elliot's wide eyes sparkled, curiosity and something deeper reflected in them, but it was enough to encourage him.  But he hesitated, the weight of his own fears pressing against him. I shouldn't. The words thundered in his mind, the thought of rejection louder than the desire coursing through him. His pulse quickened as he hovered there, his breath shallow, torn between stepping forward and pulling back.

"Elliot," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, laced with uncertainty and longing.

"Yeah?" Elliot's voice was soft, almost breathless, and the way his gaze searched Nate's face made his heart twist. There was a vulnerability there, a glimmer of hope Nate didn't want to ruin.

The moment stretched endlessly, every second filled with possibility. But then doubt struck like a lightning bolt, sharp and unrelenting. "I think you need to spend the night somewhere else," Nate said suddenly, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

The light in Elliot's eyes dimmed almost instantly, his expression shifting to one of confusion, then disappointment. "Oh... sure," he said quietly, stepping back as if putting distance between them might dull the sting.

Nate's chest ached as he watched Elliot retreat, every fiber of his being screaming that he'd made the wrong choice. But the words hung in the air like a barrier neither of them dared to cross, and Nate could only hope he hadn't just shattered something irreplaceable. Nate's heart sank. The spark that had ignited between them felt like a flame doused by a sudden downpour. He cursed himself internally, grappling with the overwhelming urge to pull Elliot closer instead of pushing him away.

"Elliot..." Nate began, but the words felt heavy in his throat. He could see the way Elliot's shoulders slumped slightly, his vibrant energy dimming as he processed the abrupt shift in their moment.

"Right, of course," Elliot said, his voice steadier than Nate felt. He forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Nate sensed the hurt lurking just beneath the surface. "I didn't mean to overstep or anything."

Nate clenched his jaw, frustration boiling within him—not at Elliot, but at himself. The weight of his own fears pressed down on him like a stone, making it hard to breathe. He wanted nothing more than to reassure Elliot, to tell him how much he wanted him to stay, but the walls he'd built around his heart loomed larger than ever, threatening to swallow him whole.

"I just thought it might be better..." Nate stumbled over his words, the explanation feeling flimsy. "Do you have someplace else to go?" He cut himself off, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I mean, you have a lot of new friends."

Elliot shifted, his vibrant presence feeling dimmer somehow, like the light in the room had flickered. "Yeah... I guess."

Nate hesitated, searching for the right words, but all he found was the tightening knot in his stomach. He couldn't tell Elliot that the thought of letting someone in terrified him—that he had spent years building walls so high that even he felt trapped behind them. "I just... I have a lot of things I need to do."

Elliot bit his lower lip, taking a small step back, creating a distance that felt more profound than the physical space between them. "That's fine... I'll be quiet. I just wanted to—"

"Have somewhere to crash until your friend is back in town," Nate interrupted, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

The vulnerability in Elliot's expression sent a pang of regret through him. "I mean... yeah."

Nate could feel the walls pressing in around him. "Fine, you can take Alec's room. He won't be back until Monday anyway."

Elliot's expression shifted, a flicker of confusion crossing his face, but he quickly regained his cheerful demeanor. "That would be great. Thanks!"

Nate nodded, trying to suppress the feeling of loss that lingered in the air. As Elliot turned to gather his things, Nate felt the weight of what had just happened settle heavily in his chest. The moment had slipped through his fingers, and he was left with the echoes of what could have been.

"Elliot," he called softly before the door could close behind him. Elliot paused, looking back, his eyes full of hope and uncertainty. "I'll order Chinese later, if you want."

Elliot's expression softened, and he took a step back towards Nate. "Sounds great."

Nate swallowed hard, nodding, but the words he wanted to say hung unspoken on his lips. As Elliot walked away, he felt a mix of relief and longing, realizing that the space he had created was both a shield and a barrier, leaving him alone with his thoughts about what he truly wanted.