The next couple of days were a whirlwind of unpacking and arranging. Elliot moved through the small apartment like a choreographer setting a stage, each box a piece of a larger vision. By the end of the second night, it finally started to feel like his own.

Posters from his favorite musicals hung on the freshly painted walls, vibrant bursts of color against the white backdrop. Chicago, Hamilton, West Side Story—they all had a place of honor, carefully arranged so the room reflected his passion for the performing arts. His bookshelf, though small, was packed tightly with everything from dog-eared dance theory manuals to well-loved novels that had traveled with him through years of late-night reading.

A row of framed photos sat on the windowsill—his parents, smiling proudly at his high school recital; his best friends, caught mid-laugh at some long-forgotten joke; and one of himself mid-leap, frozen in the air, taken during his first major performance. That picture always reminded him of why he danced. Elliot adjusted the small succulent plant he'd placed on the coffee table, a housewarming gift from his best friend, Lily. "You better survive this time," he muttered, narrowing his eyes at the little green leaves. His history with plants was dismal, but he liked the idea of having something alive in the apartment besides himself.

He stood back and surveyed the space, hands on his hips. It was still small, still unfamiliar, but it felt brighter now, filled with little pieces of home. The music from his phone played softly in the background as he finished folding a blanket over the back of the couch. He hummed along absentmindedly, losing himself in the rhythm.

A sharp knock at the door startled him. His heart jumped, and he nearly tripped over the box of miscellaneous cables he hadn't found a place for yet. "Coming!" he called, shuffling toward the door.

When he opened it, Alec was there, leaning casually against the doorframe with a grin that was quickly becoming familiar. "Thought I'd check in on the new guy," Alec said, holding up a brown paper bag. "And maybe bribe him with donuts to let me in and see how it's coming along."

Elliot blinked, surprised but pleased. "You brought donuts? You're dangerously close to becoming my favorite person in this building."

"Wait till you taste them," Alec said, stepping inside uninvited but welcome. "They're from the bakery around the corner. Best in town. And they're fresh, so you owe me."

Elliot laughed, shutting the door behind him. "Alright, fine. Come in, but if you're judging my decorating, be nice. It's still a work in progress."

Alec raised his hands, his grin widening. "Hey, I'm just here for the donuts and good company. Judging isn't my style."

Alec wandered into the apartment with the easy confidence of someone who'd been invited a hundred times before, though this was clearly his first visit. He set the bag of donuts on the counter, then immediately started taking in the space.

"Not bad," he said, his voice light and teasing as he walked past the kitchen into the living area. "Very you."

Elliot arched a brow, crossing his arms as he leaned against the counter. "You've known me for all of five minutes. How do you know what's 'very me'?"

Alec turned, shooting him a grin. "Lucky guess. Plus, the musical posters on the wall? Dead giveaway. Chicago is a classic, by the way. Respect."

Elliot chuckled despite himself, following Alec's gaze as he stepped closer to the framed photos on the windowsill. Alec crouched slightly, tilting his head to examine one of them—a younger Elliot mid-leap, his arms and legs stretched in perfect symmetry.

"That's you, isn't it?" Alec asked, glancing back with a knowing smile.

"Guilty," Elliot said, a little sheepishly. "First big performance. One of my friends snapped it, and I guess I liked it enough to keep it around."

"Liked it enough? Come on, this is baller," Alec said, straightening and giving Elliot an exaggerated slow clap. "How high are you in that jump? Did you have springs in your shoes?"

Elliot laughed, shaking his head. "Just practice. Lots and lots of practice."

Alec moved on, his eyes flicking to the bookshelf, where he plucked a well-worn dance theory manual from the middle of the stack. "This looks like it's been through a war," he teased, flipping it open and thumbing through the dog-eared pages. "Did you memorize this thing?"

"Pretty much," Elliot admitted. "It was my bible in college. If it didn't have coffee stains and worn-out pages, I wasn't studying hard enough."

Alec nodded approvingly, walking over to the kitchen. "Speaking of habits, this apartment looks good, but I don't see a coffee machine. How do you survive?"

Elliot snorted. "I was going to get one tomorrow. You caught me mid-transition. But now I'm thinking I might just bribe you and Nate to let me use yours."

Alec grinned, leaning back against the counter and crossing his arms. "See? I knew I liked you. Smart guy." 

 Elliot rolled his eyes, but the warmth in Alec's smile made it impossible not to return it. Watching Alec move through the apartment, so at ease in a space that wasn't even his, Elliot felt a strange sense of comfort. Maybe having neighbors like Alec wasn't just a lucky break—it was a sign that this new chapter might actually work out.

As Alec opened the brown paper bag, the rich aroma of freshly baked donuts wafted through the air, pulling Elliot's attention away from the decor. He leaned closer, his mouth watering at the sight of the assortment: glazed, chocolate-covered, and even one with sprinkles.

"Okay, this is a serious upgrade from the frozen burritos I've been living on," Elliot admitted, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "I feel bad, though. I don't even have a coffee to go with these."

Alec waved a hand dismissively, his grin infectious as he pulled out a glazed donut, holding it up like a trophy. "Who needs coffee? Sugar energize you, right?—at least, that's my excuse." He took a big bite, nodding appreciatively. "Mmm. Worth every calorie."

Elliot chuckled, shaking his head as he grabbed a chocolate-covered one. "You're right about that. I may need to find out where this bakery is."

As they settled back onto the couch, the atmosphere grew comfortable, punctuated by Alec's easy laughter and the occasional munching sound. "So, what do you do when you're not busy decorating your apartment or getting to know your new neighbors?" Alec asked between bites.

"Honestly? It's mostly been dance," Elliot replied, feeling a flutter of excitement at the thought of sharing more about himself. "I'm here for TMI, so I'm just trying to get settled before classes start."

"Nice! I hope I get to see you perform. I bet you're incredible," Alec said, his eyes bright with genuine interest.

"Thanks, but it's been a while since I've been on stage. I'm a little rusty," Elliot admitted, shrugging modestly.

"Hey, everyone has to start somewhere," Alec said, waving his half-eaten donut in the air. "Besides, I'm sure you'll be amazing. As for me, I'm just trying to survive university."

Elliot raised an eyebrow, curious. "What's your major?"

"Economics," Alec replied with a hint of pride. "I'm in my second year. It's a lot of numbers and theories, but I find it fascinating. I guess I like understanding how things work, you know?"

"That sounds intense. What do you want to do with that?"

Alec leaned back, considering. "I'm not sure yet, honestly. Something in finance, maybe? My brother, Nate, he's two years older than me and is already interning at a tech company. He's doing coding and all that."

"Ah, the responsible one, huh?" Elliot teased, taking a sip of water from a glass he'd left on the counter.

"Something like that," Alec laughed, rolling his eyes. "Nate's always been the smart one. He just gets things. I mean, I struggle with basic math half the time. But I like to think we balance each other out."

Elliot smiled, appreciating the way Alec spoke about his brother. "It sounds like you guys have a good dynamic. It's nice to have someone you can rely on."

"Definitely," Alec agreed, his tone sincere. "Family's important."

As he moved towards the door, Elliot felt a twinge of disappointment at the thought of their conversation coming to an end. Alec paused, hand on the doorknob, and turned back with a warm smile. "I should get back to mine, but I'll definitely be around. You know where to find me."

"Thanks for stopping by, and for the donuts," Elliot replied, unable to keep the smile off his face. "Seriously, you saved me from a very bland dinner."

Alec laughed, stepping back into the hallway. "Just think of it as a housewarming gift. And hey, once you get your coffee machine, I expect to be invited over for a caffeine fix."

"Deal," Elliot said, feeling a sense of friendship building.

"Alright, then! See you around, Elliot," Alec called over his shoulder as he turned to leave.

After closing the door, he leaned against it for a moment, letting out a soft sigh. The encounter had been unexpectedly refreshing, a reminder that sometimes new beginnings came with new friendships. With a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, he glanced around his apartment, the walls already feeling a little less empty and a little more like home.