Elliot stared at the brightly colored invitation in his hand, the words Mia and Alec's Halloween Bash gleaming in the soft light of his apartment. Excitement flickered faintly beneath a wave of trepidation. A night of costumes, music, and fun sounded perfect—except for the part where he'd inevitably have to face Nate. Nate, who had been avoiding him since that fateful Sunday. He tossed the invitation onto the coffee table, a knot forming in his stomach. The memory of their almost-kiss haunted him, replaying like an old film reel in his mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had passed between them, and now Nate's cold distance only deepened the ache. That look Nate had given him—raw, vulnerable, and tinged with fear—lingered like a bittersweet aftertaste, impossible to forget.

But Alec was a friend, and skipping the party felt like letting him down. Elliot picked up the invitation again, running his fingers over the embossed design. It could be fun—if Nate weren't going to be there. The thought of seeing him, possibly brooding in some corner, made Elliot's stomach churn. Frustration bubbled up; he wanted to be angry at Nate, but all he felt was the gnawing desire to understand him.

He sighed and reached for his phone, his fingers hovering over Aaron's contact. Since Nate had started avoiding him, Aaron's playful flirtation had been a welcome reprieve. It was easy to lose himself in Aaron's attention, to laugh and forget the confusing whirlwind Nate had stirred. But even with Aaron's infectious energy, Nate's presence loomed in the back of Elliot's mind, shadowing his moments of fun.

He skipped passed Aaron and texted Alec instead: Got the invitation! Can't wait for the party. What's the plan?

Alec's reply came almost instantly: Yay! Dress up! We're going all out! Elliot couldn't help but smile at Alec's enthusiasm.

What are you guys dressing as? he typed back.

Alec responded with a series of emojis—a vampire, a broomstick, and a witch hat. You should totally join us!

Elliot chuckled and typed: Maybe I'll go as a ghost. That way I can haunt Nate.

Perfect! Alec replied, adding a ghost emoji for good measure.

Elliot set his phone down, the flicker of humor fading as his thoughts inevitably drifted back to Aaron—and, more frustratingly, to Nate. Should he talk to Aaron about it? About the confusing swirl of emotions that seemed impossible to untangle?  Flirting with Aaron was easy, almost effortless, a comfortable distraction that didn't ask too much of him. But was that all it was? A way to bury the unresolved feelings Nate had left behind? The feelings he couldn't quite name but also couldn't seem to shake?  He sighed, leaning back against the couch and running a hand through his curls. The memory of Nate's fleeting tenderness, the weight of unspoken words between them, still tugged at him, no matter how much he tried to push it away. Was it fair to keep leaning into Aaron if his heart wasn't entirely in it? The thought lingered, heavy and unrelenting, leaving Elliot with more questions than answers.

The doorbell rang, slicing through Elliot's spiraling thoughts. He jumped up, his heart racing—not from anticipation, but from the desperate need for a distraction. Pulling the door open, he was greeted by Aaron's wide grin.

"Delivery for the cutest guy on the block," Aaron announced, holding up a bag of takeout like a prize. The delicious aroma wafted into the apartment, a tempting contrast to the storm in Elliot's head.

Elliot managed a smile, the corners of his mouth twitching as he tried to push his conflicted feelings aside. "What's this?" he asked, stepping back to let Aaron in.

"Dinner. Thought you could use some company," Aaron replied, breezing past him and heading straight for the kitchen counter. "Besides, I was starving, and eating alone is boring."

Elliot closed the door, leaning against it for a moment as he watched Aaron unpack the food with his usual easy confidence. The distraction was welcome, but it didn't silence the nagging voice in the back of his mind. Still, he plastered on a brighter smile and joined Aaron, hoping the night would somehow bring him clarity.

"Halloween party, huh? Are you going?" Aaron asked, glancing over his shoulder as he set the takeout containers on the coffee table.

Elliot hesitated, leaning against the arm of the couch. "Yeah, I'm thinking about it," he said, keeping his tone casual even as a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. The idea of the party felt simultaneously exciting and daunting, especially considering who might be there.

The savory aroma of the food drifted through the room, and Elliot's stomach rumbled loudly, breaking the moment. Aaron grinned, pulling out plates from the bag. "Well, that's a yes if I've ever heard one," he teased, nodding toward Elliot's stomach.

Elliot rolled his eyes, a soft laugh escaping him as he slid onto the couch. "Okay, maybe I'm more excited about the food than the party," he quipped, hoping to steer the conversation away from any deeper implications.

Aaron chuckled, handing him a plate. "Fair enough. But you should totally go. Parties are more fun with you around."

Elliot smiled, his heart warming at the compliment, even as his thoughts wandered to whether Nate would be there—and how much he wanted him to notice. "It's just... I don't know. Nate will be there."

Aaron paused, his hand hovering over a container. His gaze shifted to Elliot, a flicker of annoyance in his expression. "Does it matter? You're with me now. He can go—" Aaron stopped himself, softening his tone. "He's irrelevant, Elliot."

Elliot frowned slightly, a warmth creeping up his neck. Something about Aaron's choice of words unsettled him—the harshness directed at Nate, a person Aaron didn't even know, and the assumption that they were already a thing. He pushed those thoughts aside. "He's Alec's brother. You'll need to behave when you meet him."

Aaron raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the table with a playful grin. "Does that mean I'm your plus-one?"

Elliot shrugged as he moved to sit down. "Do you want to go?"

"Of course! I'd never turn down a party, especially if I can spend it with you."

"Great," Elliot said, managing a small smile. "I could use a good distraction."

Aaron grinned, opening the first container to reveal a colorful array of sushi rolls. "Exactly! Now, let's eat."

As they settled in, the tension melted away with each bite. Aaron's easy humor lightened the mood, and soon they were chatting about costumes and party plans. Despite Aaron's charm, though, Elliot couldn't shake the shadow of Nate from his thoughts.

"What about dressing as someone from your favorite musicals?" Aaron asked, breaking into Elliot's reverie. "You should go for something bold. Like Cats! You'd kill it."

Elliot laughed, shaking his head. "Too sexy."

"Exactly my point!" Aaron winked, his tone teasing. "Come on, you'd look great."

"I'll think of something," Elliot said, his smile returning.

As they finished the meal and the conversation drifted into lighter territory, Elliot felt the flicker of excitement grow stronger. Maybe the Halloween party would be a chance to reclaim some joy, a moment to let go of the confusion and tension. No matter what, he was determined to make the most of it.

After they finished eating, Aaron leaned back on the couch with a satisfied sigh, patting his stomach. "I think I just ate my body weight in sushi. Totally worth it."

Elliot chuckled, stacking the empty containers neatly on the coffee table. "You're the one who brought enough for a small army. Planning to hibernate for the winter?"

"Maybe," Aaron said with a playful smirk. "Or maybe I just wanted to impress you with my generosity."

Elliot rolled his eyes but smiled. "Consider me impressed. Now, what do we do with the rest of the night?"

Aaron perked up, reaching for the TV remote. "We watch horror movies, obviously. It's Halloween season! Got any favorites?"

Elliot tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hmm, depends. Are we talking classic scares, gory slashers, or creepy paranormal vibes?"

Aaron grinned mischievously. "All of the above. But let's start with something that's not too scary. Don't want you hiding under the blanket... unless that's your plan to get closer to me."

Elliot laughed, grabbing a blanket from the armrest. "I think I'll manage. Let's see what you've got." He sank into the couch as Aaron browsed through the streaming service, his energy infectious.

Aaron settled on a cult classic—Scream. "Perfect mix of scary and funny," he declared, pressing play. As the opening scene unfolded, Aaron slid closer, draping the blanket over both of them. "For warmth," he said with a wink.

Elliot arched an eyebrow but didn't protest, the shared warmth of the blanket oddly comforting. The movie's suspenseful opening drew his focus, but he couldn't ignore the subtle way Aaron's arm brushed against his. It felt deliberate, yet casual enough to pass as accidental.

Halfway through the film, a particularly tense scene made Elliot jump slightly, and Aaron seized the opportunity, leaning closer. "Scared already?"

Elliot shot him a mock glare. "Please. I've seen this a million times."

"Sure, you have," Aaron teased, resting his arm along the back of the couch, his fingers brushing lightly against Elliot's shoulder. The touch sent a flicker of warmth down Elliot's spine, but he couldn't tell if it was comforting or suffocating.

As the movie progressed, Elliot found himself laughing at Aaron's running commentary on the characters' bad decisions. "Why would anyone go upstairs when the killer is in the house?" Aaron exclaimed, throwing his hands up dramatically. "It's like they want to die!"

Elliot snorted. "Maybe they're hoping the killer will get tired halfway up the stairs."

Aaron grinned. "Now that's a strategy. I knew you were clever."

Elliot couldn't help but smile, the tension of the day gradually easing as they bantered. By the time the credits rolled, he was leaning against Aaron's shoulder, the blanket wrapped snugly around them both.

Aaron glanced down at him, his voice softer now. "See? Horror movies aren't so bad when you've got someone to watch them with."

Elliot looked up at him, their faces close in the dim glow of the TV. "I wasn't scared," he said, though his voice wavered slightly.

"Right," Aaron murmured, his eyes lingering on Elliot. The playful energy between them shifted, growing quieter, more charged. Aaron's hand brushed against Elliot's, a touch that felt heavier than it should have. "You know," Aaron said softly, "you're really something, Elliot."

Elliot's heart skipped a beat. He didn't pull away, but he didn't lean in either. The weight of Aaron's words hung in the air, mingling with the unspoken thoughts he wasn't sure how to voice.

"Thanks for tonight," Elliot said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aaron smiled, his usual confidence softening into something more genuine. "Anytime. You know I'm here for you, right?"

Elliot nodded, his chest tightening with a mix of gratitude and guilt. He wasn't sure if he was ready for what Aaron was offering—or if he even wanted it. Being involved with his dance partner was risky. What if it wouldn't work out. He'd still have to see him every day at school. But for now, he let himself lean into the comfort of the moment, hoping the clarity he craved would come in time.

The next movie queued up, the opening credits flickering on the screen, but neither of them seemed to notice. Aaron's gaze lingered on Elliot, his usual playful smirk softening into something more intent. He shifted slightly, his arm brushing against Elliot's shoulder as he leaned in closer.

Elliot's breath hitched, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the shift in the air between them, the weight of Aaron's attention pressing against the quiet hum of the television. "Aaron," he murmured, though his voice was barely audible over the low soundtrack.

Aaron's lips tilted into a small, almost nervous smile as he closed the space between them. "You're impossible to ignore, you know that?" he whispered, his voice low and warm.

Before Elliot could respond, Aaron's lips brushed softly against his. It was hesitant at first, a question more than a demand, giving Elliot the chance to pull away if he wanted to. But he didn't. Instead, Elliot found himself leaning into the kiss, his eyes fluttering shut as he let the moment wash over him.

The warmth of Aaron's hand settled on his jaw, tilting his face up slightly, deepening the kiss with an ease that felt practiced yet tender. Elliot's mind raced, a whirlwind of emotions—flashes of Nate's guarded eyes, the tension in their last encounter, and now, this.

When they finally pulled apart, Elliot opened his eyes to find Aaron watching him, his expression searching. "Moving too fast?" Aaron asked, his voice tinged with both confidence and vulnerability.

Elliot hesitated, his fingers gripping the edge of the blanket as he tried to steady himself. "No," he said softly, though the word felt heavier than he intended. "It's just... we're partners at school. I don't want to complicate things."

Aaron's smile returned, effortlessly confident. "Don't you worry about that," he said, his tone light and reassuring. "We're good at what we do, Elliot. This doesn't have to change anything unless we want it to."

Elliot bit his lip, glancing down at his hands as they fidgeted with the fabric of the blanket. He appreciated Aaron's ease with the situation, the way he seemed so sure of himself. But Elliot wasn't sure if he could match that confidence, not when his own feelings were such a tangled mess. He thought of their routines, the way their movements had always synced so seamlessly, and wondered if this would throw off the balance they'd built.

"Maybe..." Elliot began, his voice tentative, "but what if it does? I don't want to ruin what we've got."

Aaron shifted closer, his hand lightly resting on Elliot's knee, grounding but not overbearing. "Listen," he said, his voice dropping to a softer, more serious tone. "You don't have to overthink this. We're just two people enjoying each other's company. No pressure."

Elliot met his gaze, finding warmth and understanding in Aaron's eyes. For a moment, the tension in his chest loosened. "Okay," he said, nodding slowly. "No pressure."

Aaron grinned, leaning back into the couch with an air of triumph. "Good. Now let's make some popcorn and finish this movie."

Elliot couldn't help but laugh, the sound breaking through some of his uncertainty. "You're impossible," he said, shaking his head as he left for the kitchen.

Aaron smirked. "And you like it."

As the movie played on, Elliot tried to relax, leaning into the comfortable rhythm of their banter. But even as he smiled and laughed at Aaron's jokes, a small part of him remained guarded, the unresolved questions about his feelings—and Nate—lingering just beneath the surface.