The sound of the doorbell pulled Nate out of his thoughts, and Alec gave him a final pat on the shoulder before heading to answer it. Nate took another sip of his drink, straightened his vampire cape, and braced himself for the influx of guests. The idea of a crowded apartment buzzing with conversation didn't thrill him, but at least he knew everyone coming—no surprises, no awkward introductions. That alone eased some of the tension that had been gripping him all day.

The first to arrive were a couple of Alec and Mias friends from university, dressed as a cowboy and a skeleton. They came bearing bottles of wine and a tray of cookies shaped like bats. Mia swept in from the kitchen, her flowing witch costume fluttering dramatically, to greet them with hugs and compliments on their outfits. Her energy was contagious, and for the first time that day, Nate felt a flicker of genuine amusement.

More guests trickled in over the next half hour, filling the apartment with laughter and music. A group of Mia's friends from her book club arrived dressed as characters from a popular fantasy series, their elaborate costumes drawing admiring comments. Nate found himself smiling despite himself as he made small talk, his initial irritation at the whole event fading into the background.

He stayed near the edge of the room, sipping his drink and observing as Alec worked the crowd effortlessly. His brother's vampire costume—a sharp suit paired with a dramatic cape—was drawing plenty of compliments, and he seemed to thrive in the spotlight. Mia, too, was in her element, flitting between groups with a radiant smile, her witch's hat bobbing with every animated gesture.

As Nate leaned against the counter, the familiar faces and easy camaraderie gradually lightened his mood. These were his people—friends who knew him, who wouldn't press him about things he wasn't ready to talk about. The comfortable familiarity of it all reminded him why he'd agreed to the party in the first place.

Alec appeared at his side, holding a plate piled high with snacks. "Feeling better?" he asked, his voice low enough not to carry over the chatter around them.

Nate shrugged but allowed a small smile. "Yeah. This isn't so bad."

"I told you," Alec said with a grin, shoving the plate toward him. "Now eat something before you turn into a real grump."

Nate rolled his eyes but took a handful of chips, the salty crunch grounding him. He watched as Alec was pulled away by another friend, leaving him momentarily alone. A third wave of guests arrived, filling the apartment with the lively hum of conversation and bursts of laughter. Nate's shoulders, which had been tense as a coiled spring, began to loosen as he recognized familiar faces. Mia flitted between the groups with an easy grace, a perpetual smile on her face as she welcomed each guest.

He lingered in the kitchen, half-heartedly rearranging the snack table, as the sounds of the party swirled around him. Every time the doorbell rang, his chest tightened just a little more, anticipation and dread tangling together in a way he couldn't quite untangle.

And then it came—the knock that wasn't like the others. Firm, deliberate, a sound that seemed to echo louder in his mind than it should have. Nate didn't have to look to know who it was. That's when the doorbell rang again. Nate froze, his grip tightening on his drink. He knew who it would be before Alec even reached the door. Elliot. And if Elliot was here... so was Aaron.

Elliot's entrance turned heads immediately. Dressed in a sleek, glittering black dress with fringe details, he looked like he had stepped right off the stage of Chicago. Aaron followed closely behind, wearing a sharp suit with a red pocket square, his arm resting casually on Elliot's lower back as they laughed together. The pair exuded effortless charm, their coordinated outfits drawing admiring glances from the other guests.

Nate froze the moment they crossed the threshold. His eyes locked on Elliot as if the entire room had vanished. The dress hugged Elliot in all the right places, his confidence radiating as he greeted Mia with a kiss on the cheek and exchanged a joke with Alec. The sight stirred something in Nate—admiration, jealousy, regret, all tangled together in a way that made it hard to breathe. Before he could retreat deeper into the kitchen, Elliot's gaze swept across the room and landed on him. Their eyes met, and Nate's pulse quickened. To his surprise, Elliot's expression softened, a small, genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Nate barely had time to process it before Elliot began weaving through the crowd, a small box in hand.

Elliot's presence filled the kitchen like a burst of sunlight cutting through the shadows. "Hi, Nate," he said brightly, extending the box toward him. "I brought these for you. Well, for everyone—but mostly for you."

Nate blinked, staring at the cupcakes adorned with delicate chocolate bats. The gesture caught him off guard. "Thanks," he said gruffly, taking the box. He couldn't meet Elliot's eyes, instead focusing on the intricate details of the decorations.

"You're welcome." Elliot's voice held a warmth that contrasted sharply with Nate's guarded tone. "I figured you'd need something sweet to survive the night."

The corner of Nate's mouth twitched, almost forming a smile, but he stopped himself. "You didn't have to."

"I wanted to," Elliot said simply, leaning against the counter with an ease that made Nate feel even more out of place in his own home. "Besides, it's Halloween. Cupcakes are mandatory."

Nate glanced at him then, unable to resist. Elliot was stunning up close, the confidence he wore masking a vulnerability Nate could see if he looked hard enough. But before Nate could find the words to respond, Aaron appeared at Elliot's side, resting a hand on his waist.

"There you are," Aaron said smoothly, his presence cutting through the moment like a knife. "I thought I'd lost you to the cupcake brigade."

Elliot chuckled, his focus shifting to Aaron. "Just spreading the sugar love."

Aaron turned to Nate with a polite but detached smile. "Thanks for having us, man. Nice party."

Nate nodded stiffly, his grip tightening on the box of cupcakes. "Yeah. Enjoy yourselves."

The ease with which Aaron pulled Elliot back into the crowd left Nate feeling hollow, the warmth of Elliot's presence dissipating as quickly as it had come. Nate stood there for a moment, staring down at the cupcakes, a swirl of emotions churning in his chest. From the living room, he heard Aaron laugh, followed by the sound of Elliot's melodic giggle. The sound grated on him, not because it wasn't beautiful, but because it wasn't for him. He set the box down on the counter, grabbed his drink, and leaned against the wall, watching the party unfold from the sidelines. The thought crossed his mind, unbidden but insistent: What if I've already lost him?

Nate's swirling thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. "Hey, stranger. Long time no see."

He looked up to see Martin standing before him, holding a drink and wearing a rugged pirate costume that somehow managed to look both adventurous and stylish. The white linen shirt was partially open, revealing a hint of his toned chest, and the black vest clung to him in all the right places. A battered tricorn hat rested jauntily on his head, and a faux cutlass hung from his belt, completing the look.

"Martin." Nate managed a small smile, grateful for the distraction. "You look great."

Martin chuckled, adjusting the scarf tied around his neck. "What can I say? Halloween's my one excuse to dress like I'm ready for the high seas. And you?" His gaze swept over Nate's costume—a classic vampire ensemble complete with a black cape and fangs. "Not exactly bringing your A-game, huh?"

Nate rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his drink. "Alec strong-armed me into wearing this. Said I'd ruin the party if I didn't show up in costume."

"Well, he wasn't wrong," Martin teased, leaning casually against the counter. "But you do make a convincing grumpy vampire."

"Thanks. That's exactly the vibe I was going for," Nate deadpanned.

Martin laughed, then tilted his head as he studied Nate more closely. "You seem... off tonight. Everything okay?"

Nate hesitated, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. He wasn't used to people noticing his moods, let alone calling him out on them. "Just tired," he said finally, avoiding Martin's gaze.

"Uh-huh." Martin's tone was skeptical, but he didn't push. Instead, he changed the subject, gesturing toward the living room. "So, who's the glittering star in the dress? Friend of Alec's?"

Nate's grip tightened on his glass. He didn't need to look to know Martin was talking about Elliot. "Neighbor," he muttered, trying to sound indifferent.

"Ah." Martin raised an eyebrow, picking up on the tension in Nate's voice. "And the guy glued to his side?"

Nate took a long sip of his drink before replying. "Aaron. His... partner." The word felt foreign on his tongue, sour and heavy.

Martin nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Interesting. Didn't peg you for the jealous type, but here we are."

"I'm not jealous," Nate snapped, a bit too quickly. The sharpness in his tone surprised even himself. "It's complicated."

"It always is," Martin said, his voice gentler now. He placed a hand on Nate's shoulder, grounding him. "But if you ever feel like untangling it, you know where to find me. We're still friends, remember?"

Nate nodded, the tightness in his chest easing slightly. Martin's presence was steadying, a reminder that not everyone in his life came with emotional landmines. "Thanks."

"Anytime." Martin offered a warm smile, then glanced at the counter. "But first, I'm stealing one of those cupcakes before they're gone."

As Martin left with a wink and a chocolate bat-topped treat, Nate allowed himself a small exhale. The interruption had shaken him out of his spiral, at least temporarily. But as his gaze drifted back to the living room, where Elliot and Aaron were laughing and twirling to the beat of the music, the knot in his chest tightened once more. That's when he spotted Martin again, looking sharp in his pirate costume, a confident grin on his face. Nate seized the moment. He emptied his drink in one swift motion, the alcohol fueling his determination.

With a quick stride, Nate crossed the room and grabbed Martin's arm, pulling him close. "You wanna have some fun?" Nate asked suggestively, a smirk playing on his lips.

Martin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of fun are we talking about?"

Nate leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough for only Martin to hear. "Let's give the party something to talk about. Show them a good time."

Martin chuckled, clearly entertained. "You wanna make him jealous, don't you?"

"Not really," Nate admitted, the weight of the truth hanging between them. "Just help me think of something else, will ya?"

Martin gave him a smug smile before placing his hands on Nate's hips, his confidence radiating. "I thought you wanted to just be friends?"

"I'm not talking about dates and romance, Tin. Just a night to remember."

Martin shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "Sounds good to me."

With that, Nate felt a rush of adrenaline. The atmosphere of the party buzzed around them, filled with laughter and music. He leaned into the moment, letting the music guide him as he and Martin slowly began to dance. Martin's hands were firm on his hips, and Nate couldn't help but match his rhythm, allowing himself to get lost in the fun. As they danced, Nate stole glances around the room, searching for Elliot. He spotted him across the way, laughing with Aaron, his vibrant costume glowing under the party lights. The sight struck a chord deep within him, a mix of longing and frustration.

"Having fun?" Martin asked, breaking Nate's thoughts.

Nate nodded, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, just... enjoying the night."

Martin leaned closer, his voice teasing. "You sure it's not because of someone over there?" He nodded towards Elliot and Aaron.

"Maybe," Nate admitted, a frown briefly flickering across his face. "But I'm not about to let that ruin my night."

Martin smirked and pulled Nate closer, his lips moving towards Nates. "Then let's give them something to talk about. Show them how much fun we can have."

Nate laughed, feeling the tension in his chest ease. It was a sloppy kiss but it was enough to make him think of nothing else but Martin for a while. He looked hot in his costume. He was funny and smart. For the first time that night, he felt free, like he could breathe without the weight of his thoughts dragging him down.

As the music pulsed and laughter echoed through the apartment, Nate realized that maybe this was exactly what he needed—a distraction to help him navigate the confusing feelings swirling inside him. And in that moment, as his lips left Martins and locking eyes with his amused brother watching from the sidelines, he could almost forget the ache of what could have been with Elliot.