The day after the party was nothing like Elliot had expected. Aaron had wanted to stay the night, but Elliot insisted he needed space, that he wanted to be alone. The truth was, he was grappling with the weight of his feelings for Nate, and the last thing he wanted was to complicate things further with Aaron.

But ever since that decision, Aaron had bombarded him with texts all night, keeping Elliot wide awake. Each message felt like a reminder of the tension between them, a reminder of the relationship Elliot was trying to distance himself from.

Elliot tossed and turned in his bed, staring at the ceiling as he read through Aaron's messages. They were a mix of playful banter and subtle hints of jealousy. "Hey, you up? Call me so we can talk each other to sleep," one read. Another one followed quickly: "Sure you don't want me to come over? Are you mad at me?" Elliot sighed, his heart heavy with guilt. He didn't want to hurt Aaron, but it was becoming clearer that he had to make a choice. The way he felt about Nate was undeniable; it was stronger than any connection he had with Aaron. Yet, Aaron seemed to view their relationship as something serious, and that made Elliot feel trapped.

He finally responded, trying to keep his tone light but knowing it was a delicate balance. "Not mad, just tired. Lots to think about."

A few seconds passed before Aaron replied, the message coming through with an urgency that made Elliot's stomach twist. "You sure? I thought we had fun at the party. I thought we were good."

Elliot rubbed his eyes, frustration bubbling up inside him. Were they good? Things felt different now. He couldn't shake the image of him and Nate dancing, their moment together lingering in his mind.

"Yeah, it was fun. Just need some space."

A few seconds after he'd sent that message his phone rang. "Space? Or time to think about that guy?" Aaron shot back, the jealousy creeping into his words.

Elliot felt his heart race. This was the moment he had been dreading, the confrontation he hadn't prepared for. "I'm not sure what you mean," he replied, trying to play it cool but knowing it was futile.

"C'mon, Elliot. I saw the way you looked at Nate all night. I'm not stupid. Are you still hung up on him?"

Elliot's heart sank. The truth hung heavily in the air, and he felt exposed. "Aaron, it's complicated..." he began, but the words felt inadequate.

"It's either me or him, right? Just tell me. Are we a thing, or not?"

That question made Elliot's stomach drop. He wanted to tell Aaron the truth, to lay everything out, but it felt too raw, too vulnerable. "I need time to figure things out. I'm sorry."

There was a pause on the other end, and when Aaron finally replied, his tone was cold. "I'm not going to let you slip away because of some flirt you two had. Elliot, you are mine."

Elliot's heart stopped at the finality in Aaron's words. "I'm not trying to..." he started, but he couldn't finish. The line went dead, and Elliot was left staring at his phone, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He tossed the phone aside, feeling a sense of dread and regret battling within him. Aaron had a right to feel hurt, but why was he so aggressive?

He got a few hours of sleep after that. His mind still racing but his body too exhausted to stay awake.
As he woke up Elliot dragged himself to the kitchen, the weight of the night pressing down on him like a heavy blanket. He turned on the coffee maker, watching as the machine began its rhythmic gurgle, the familiar sound offering a small sense of comfort amid the turmoil in his mind. His body felt heavy and tired, each movement feeling like a chore. As he waited for the coffee to brew, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest. Aaron's possessiveness had taken him by surprise, and it scared him. They had shared moments of closeness, but Aaron's jealousy was a new development that made Elliot question everything.

The coffee dripped slowly, filling the air with its rich aroma. Elliot leaned against the counter, his mind racing. Why had Aaron reacted like that? It wasn't like they were in a serious relationship—at least, not in the way Aaron seemed to believe. To Elliot, it had felt like a possible beginning of something. But now, Aaron's intensity was overwhelming, and Elliot wondered if he had unintentionally led him on to believing they were boyfriends already.

With a sigh, Elliot poured himself a mug of coffee, the warmth of the cup grounding him. He took a moment to breathe deeply, trying to sort through his tangled thoughts. He had to confront his feelings, not only for Nate but for Aaron too. He couldn't ignore the spark he felt with Nate, the connection that had grown stronger with each passing day. But how could he explain that to Aaron? The thought of hurting him weighed heavily on Elliot's conscience. He didn't want to be the bad guy, but he also couldn't continue pretending that everything was okay when it wasn't.

And also there was the obstacle of meeting him everyday at school, having him as his dance partner. Maybe he could ask for a switch? Elliot leaned against the counter, cradling the warm mug in his hands.
As he stared out the window, watching the world come to life outside, he felt the pull of a decision he knew he had to make. He could no longer dance around his feelings or let Aaron's jealousy dictate his choices. He took a sip of coffee, feeling the bitterness linger on his tongue, a reminder that sometimes the truth was hard to swallow.

His morning routine was suddenly interrupted by a loud banging on the front door. "Elliot! Open up!" Aaron's voice echoed through the hallway outside, urgent and demanding. The sound sent a jolt of anxiety through Elliot, and he felt his heart race.

He set his coffee mug down on the counter, the warmth of the ceramic suddenly feeling cold against his skin. Elliot took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as he moved toward the door. He knew he had to face Aaron, but part of him wanted to hide away until the storm passed. He hesitated. Aaron sounded angry, and for the first time with him he didn't feel safe.

He peeked through the door-the security-chain still holding the door in place. Aaron stood there, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "Open the door Elliot, we need to talk."

"I was... I just needed some time alone," he said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the turmoil swirling inside him.

"Alone?" Aaron's tone was harsh, his brow furrowing as he grabbed the door to pull it open, but the chain stopped him which seemed to make him even more upset. "You don't get to just shut me out like that, especially after last night."

"I wasn't trying to shut you out," Elliot replied, frustration creeping into his voice. "I just needed to think."

"About what? Us?" Aaron crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "What did Nate and you talk about on the balcony?"

Elliot felt the heat rise in his cheeks at the mention of Nate. "It's not about him," he insisted, though the words felt weak even to him. "It's about figuring out what I really want."

Aaron stepped closer, his intensity palpable. "What you really want? Or what you think you want? I thought we were building something. Something real."

Elliot's heart sank. "I didn't mean for things to get complicated," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't pretend this isn't happening. I'm just... confused."

"Confused?" Aaron echoed, his frustration evident. "So you think pushing me away is the answer? Because I can't just stand by and watch you pull away, especially when I care about you."

Elliot's stomach twisted at the weight of Aaron's words. He felt a surge of guilt but also a deep-rooted need for clarity. "I care about you too, but I don't want to lead you on. I don't want to hurt you."

"Then stop doing this!" Aaron raised his hands in exasperation, his frustration palpable. "We can figure it out together. Just let me inside, for fuck's sake!"

Elliot stared into Aaron's eyes through the gap, searching for the right words. The anger etched on Aaron's face was undeniable, but beneath it lurked something deeper and it scared him. Elliot hesitated, his hand lingering on the doorknob as Aaron's sharp words bit into him. "We can talk another time," he said, voice wavering but firm. "When you've calmed down."

"Like hell we are!" Aaron hissed, stepping closer. "Let me in, Elliot!"

Before Elliot could respond, the faint sound of a door creaking open echoed down the hallway, followed by measured, deliberate footsteps. Elliot's heart sank, recognition dawning even before the deep voice cut through the tension. 

"You heard him," Nate said, his tone low but unyielding. He stood just behind Aaron, his broad frame casting a shadow that seemed to dwarf Aaron's indignation. "He wants you to leave." 

Elliot swallowed hard, his heart racing as he caught Nate's expression in the dim hallway light—determined, protective, and laced with an edge of worry that made Elliot's chest tighten. 

"This has nothing to do with you," Aaron hissed, glaring at Nate.

"Actually, it does," Nate replied, his voice steady but tense. "You're scaring him."

Aaron stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "And who the hell are you to tell me what to do? This is between me and Elliot."

Nate's jaw clenched. "You need to back off. He's not some possession you can just claim."

Elliot's anxiety spiked, the tension in the air thickening as the two men squared off. He could feel the electricity crackling between them, and for a moment, he was frozen in place, unsure of what to do.

"Both of you, just stop!" Elliot finally shouted, but it fell on deaf ears as Aaron shoved Nate's shoulder.

"You back off!"

"Says the guy who's clearly not respecting Elliot's boundaries!" Nate shot back, his voice sharp as he closed the distance between them.

Aaron's eyes narrowed, and in an instant, Nate shoved him back, the sudden movement startling Elliot. The air between them crackled with unspoken anger, jealousy, and frustration as the two men squared off, now chest-to-chest.

Alec rushed into the hallway, his steps hurried as he emerged from the living room. His brows knit in concern as his gaze darted between Nate and Aaron. "What the hell is going on?" he demanded, his voice cutting through the heated silence like a blade. 

Nate barely acknowledged him, his jaw tight as his focus remained locked on Aaron. "Get out of my way, Alec," he snapped, his voice sharp and unwavering. 

Alec stepped forward, placing himself squarely between them, his posture firm and unyielding. "No! You two need to chill out!" he retorted, his voice rising just enough to grab their attention. His hand shot out, pressing against Nate's chest to hold him back. "This isn't helping anyone, least of all Elliot." 

Aaron scoffed, his chest still heaving as he crossed his arms defensively. "Oh, give me a break," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "He's just trying to play the hero. This isn't about you, Nate—this is about Elliot!" 

"Exactly," Alec cut in, turning his sharp gaze on Aaron. "And you're making it worse for him." He glanced back at Nate, his expression softening slightly. "Both of you are." 

Nate's fists clenched at his sides, his body taut with restrained energy. His blue eyes flickered to Alec's hand on his chest, then back to Aaron. "I'm not the one who can't take no for an answer," he said, his voice low and dangerous. 

Aaron took a step forward, his anger flaring. "You think you're any better? You've been stringing him along, avoiding him when it matters—" 

"Enough!" Alec barked, his voice echoing down the hallway. The sheer force of his tone made both men flinch, their heated standoff momentarily broken. "If either of you cares about Elliot, you'll back off and let him decide what he needs right now." 

Elliot felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes as he stood frozen, a wave of helplessness crashing over him. His voice was shaky but earnest as he finally spoke. "Can we all just take a step back?" he pleaded, his eyes darting between the three men. "This isn't what I wanted."

The raw emotion in his voice made the hallway fall silent for a brief moment. 

Alec exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair as he glanced between Nate and Aaron, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "Listen," he began, his voice steady but firm. "You both need to calm down. Fighting isn't going to solve anything, and it's definitely not helping Elliot." 

Aaron scoffed but said nothing, the fight in his stance still palpable. Alec stepped closer, addressing him directly now. "Look, you need to go home and cool off. Nate, give him some space too. This doesn't need to escalate any further."

Aaron's jaw tightened, his arms still crossed defensively. "I'm not leaving," he said, but the defiance in his voice had started to waver. 

"Yes, you are," Alec shot back, his tone firmer this time, brooking no argument. 

For a moment, Aaron seemed as if he might push back again, but the weight of Alec's authority—and the silent tension in the air—seemed to finally get through to him. With one last frustrated glance at Nate, his shoulders slumped, and he took a reluctant step back. "Fine," he muttered bitterly. His eyes landed on Elliot, softening only slightly. "But I'm not giving up on us, Elliot." 

The words hung in the air as Aaron turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway until they faded completely. 

The tension lingered, though it was no longer suffocating. Nate exhaled deeply, as if releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His blue eyes flickered to Elliot, worry etched into his features. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his voice softer now, almost hesitant. 

Elliot swallowed hard, the knot in his chest loosening just enough for him to speak. He unlocked the safety chain on the door and opened it slightly, peeking out to meet Nate's gaze. His voice was barely above a whisper. "Can you stay for a bit?" 

Nate blinked in surprise, but the hardness in his expression melted almost instantly. "Of course," he said, his tone gentle. 

Alec, still standing in the middle of the hallway, let out a long sigh and shook his head. "You two figure things out," he muttered, his exasperation giving way to a hint of a smile. "I'm going back to bed."

Elliot managed a faint, grateful smile before stepping aside to let Nate in. For the first time that morning, the heaviness in his chest seemed to lighten, just a little.