Over the next few days, Nate withdrew into himself more than ever. He made a habit of leaving early for work, his routine so rigid it felt like an intentional effort to avoid everyone—especially Elliot. Passing by Elliot's apartment was the hardest. Hearing his familiar laugh, the hum of music, or the distinct murmur of voices behind the door sent a pang through Nate's chest. Jealousy and regret coiled tightly inside him, a constant ache he couldn't shake.

At work, he buried himself in projects and paperwork, staying late into the evenings to escape the endless loop of memories and what-ifs playing in his mind. But no matter how busy he kept himself, images of Elliot lingered, sneaking in when his guard was down. 

On one particularly long evening, Nate left the office later than usual, exhaustion clinging to him like a second skin. As he approached the elevator, he passed the newly repaired doors, the fresh paint still gleaming under the fluorescent lights. He hesitated before stepping inside, pressing the button for his floor with a sigh.

Just as the doors began to slide shut, movement caught his eye. Nate glanced up, his breath hitching as he saw Elliot and Aaron approaching hand in hand. Their smiles were radiant, carefree in a way that made Nate's heart clench painfully.

"See you later!" Elliot called, his voice light and playful, carrying an ease that felt like a stab to Nate's chest.

Nate stood frozen, rooted in the corner of the elevator as the doors stayed open for a moment longer. He watched, helpless, as Aaron leaned closer, brushing a soft kiss against Elliot's cheek.  The world seemed to stop. The warmth and tenderness in that simple gesture was a cruel reminder of everything Nate had been too afraid to claim.

As the elevator doors finally closed, the last thing he saw was Elliot's shy smile as he turned away, the echoes of their laughter filtering through the barrier. Nate felt like the air had been sucked from his lungs, leaving him hollow and aching. He leaned back against the elevator wall, eyes closed, as the weight of his emotions crashed over him. Jealousy, regret, and a profound sense of loss swirled in his chest, tightening his throat until he could barely breathe.

When the elevator dinged and the doors opened to his floor, Nate stepped out, each step heavy with conflicting emotions. The laughter and joy he'd witnessed followed him like ghosts, a reminder of what he'd yearned for but felt too unworthy to claim.  He stopped outside his apartment, his hand hovering over the doorknob. His brother's voice echoed faintly in his mind: "You'll regret it if you don't try."

But tonight, he couldn't face that truth. Nate walked inside, closing the door behind him, and let the silence envelop him like a punishment he knew he deserved. Images of Elliot and Aaron flooded his mind, their joyful expressions sharp against the dullness of his own reality. The longing twisted in his chest, gnawing at him like a persistent ache. Why couldn't he just let himself feel?

The aroma of garlic and herbs wafted through the apartment as Alec and Mia busily prepared dinner, their laughter suddenly filling the space. The warmth of their playful banter created a comforting atmosphere, one that had always been a refuge for Nate. But today the familiar scent felt foreign, heavy with unspoken tension.

Nate's brow furrowed as he trudged into the kitchen, his mood darker than ever. The smiles that greeted him faltered slightly, and Alec's eyes narrowed in concern. "Hey, man, you okay?" he asked, his voice light but laced with genuine worry.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Nate replied tersely, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it onto a nearby chair. He poured himself a glass of water, deliberately avoiding their gazes as he leaned against the counter, arms crossed tightly over his chest.

Mia exchanged a glance with Alec, her playful spirit dimmed by Nate's brooding presence. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. We made your favorite—pasta primavera. You should join us at the table."

"I'm not hungry," Nate snapped, his frustration bubbling just below the surface. He could feel Alec's concerned stare boring into him, and it only intensified his irritation. Why couldn't they just drop it? Alec opened his mouth to say something, but Nate cut him off. "I just want some time alone, okay?" He pushed off the counter and headed towards his room, not bothering to look back as he slammed the door behind him.

The echo of the door closing felt like a finality, and the silence that followed was thick with tension. Nate sank onto his bed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. The memories of their almost-kiss replayed in his mind, a reminder of the opportunity he had let slip away. The thought of it made him angry at himself; he was pushing away the very person who had sparked something in him that he thought was lost.

After a few moments of brooding silence, Nate's phone buzzed on his nightstand, pulling him from his thoughts. It was a text from Alec. "You okay? Wanna talk?"

Nate hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen. He could feel the urge to respond, to share his feelings and frustrations, but the fear of vulnerability loomed larger than ever. Instead, he let the message linger without a reply, seeking a distraction. Scrolling through his Instagram feed, he hesitated before searching for Simon, his ex-boyfriend. The familiar pang of nostalgia hit him as he tapped on Simon's profile, his heart a mix of reluctance and curiosity.

The photos began to load, each one a snapshot of a past life—memories that felt both comforting and painful. There were pictures of Simon at the beach, sun-kissed and smiling, and others of them together, arms wrapped around each other, laughter frozen in time. They had looked so happy then, so carefree, yet Nate felt the weight of the memories pressing down on him now.

He swiped through images of Simon's adventures, a life that continued to flourish even after their breakup. There was a picture of Simon hiking with friends, another of him at a music festival, dancing under colorful lights, a carefree expression on his face. Each image stirred a mix of regret and longing in Nate.

He remembered the late-night talks, the shared dreams, the way Simon had once made him feel alive. But with those memories came the echoes of their arguments, the way their love had soured into something complicated and painful. As he swiped through the photos, a sense of loss washed over him. Could he ever feel that way again? The thought of opening his heart to someone new felt like a monumental task, especially now that he was seeing Elliot blossom with someone else.

Nate's thumb hovered over the screen as he paused on a photo of Simon with a new boyfriend, both of them smiling, their hands intertwined. The sight twisted his stomach, a sharp reminder of the love that had slipped through his fingers. He closed the app, frustration bubbling to the surface. Why was he torturing himself like this? He didn't want to dwell on the past, but the comfort of it was tempting, a familiar pain that felt safer than the unknown he faced with Elliot.

He decided to continue to torture himself. As he scrolled through Elliot's feed, vibrant colors and lively moments sprang to life. Each post was a snapshot of the energy that seemed to radiate from him. Then, he stumbled upon a video clip that caught his attention. It was a short of Aaron and Elliot dancing together, the music pulsing in the background. Nate hit play, his heart pounding as he watched.

Elliot moved effortlessly alongside Aaron, their bodies in sync, the chemistry between them palpable. Aaron's hands rested on Elliot's waist, guiding him through the routine with a familiarity that made Nate's stomach twist with a mix of envy and longing. Their movements were fluid and expressive, a beautiful dance that told a story Nate felt he could never be part of. He leaned closer to the screen, unable to look away. Elliot's face was alive with joy, his vibrant spirit shining through every step. The infectious laughter that accompanied the clip echoed in Nate's mind, a reminder of the moments they had shared—moments that now felt distant and out of reach.

Suddenly, the clip shifted to a close-up of Aaron leaning in, whispering something to Elliot that made him giggle, and the sight of that happiness hit Nate like a punch to the gut. It was the same light that had drawn him in, the same laughter that had captivated him from the very beginning. But now it felt like a cruel reminder of everything he had wanted but felt too afraid to reach for.

As he watched Elliot's bright smile fade into a twinkling gaze at Aaron, Nate's heart sank. The memory of their interactions in the elevator flooded back, sharp and bittersweet. The realization of what he had lost—and what he could have had—hit him with full force. He felt trapped between regret and desire, caught in a moment that reminded him just how much he missed the connection they had shared.

Taking a deep breath, he put the phone down, feeling the weight of his emotions pressing down on him. It was time to confront what was brewing inside him, but first, he needed to gather the courage to face the reality he had been avoiding.