Elliot stood in his small kitchen, the smell of cinnamon and sugar wafting through the air as he carefully pulled the muffins out of the oven. He had felt a twinge of guilt after the party, especially after Nate's reluctant foray into the chaos. It was clear that Nate had been dragged out of his comfort zone, and despite his gruff demeanor, Elliot sensed a softness beneath that tough exterior. To make amends—and maybe to bridge the gap between them—he decided to bake some muffins and bring them over as a peace offering.

He placed the warm muffins in a brightly colored box, decorated with cheerful patterns that matched his own personality. As he packed them carefully, Elliot couldn't help but smile at the thought of Nate's expression when he received them. Maybe it would lighten his mood, just a little. Once he was satisfied with his creation, he grabbed his keys and headed out of his apartment, the box of muffins tucked securely under his arm. The short walk to Nate's door felt exhilarating; he was excited yet anxious about how Nate would react.

Elliot knocked lightly, bouncing on his heels as he waited. He was rehearsing what to say in his mind when the door swung open, and he was met with a sight that made his heart skip a beat. Nate stood in the doorway, his bare chest on full display, glistening slightly as if he had just gotten out of the shower. He wore only his pajama pants, which hung low on his hips, emphasizing his toned physique. Elliot's cheeks immediately flushed a deep crimson, his mouth going dry as he took in the sight of the man before him.

"Uh, hey," Nate said, his expression hinting a bit of amusement just before it turned indifferent.

"Hi! I, um..." Elliot stumbled over his words, feeling suddenly shy under Nate's intense gaze. "I made some muffins! I wanted to, you know, say sorry for the noise yesterday." He thrust the box forward a bit too eagerly, hoping the gesture would distract from his burning face.

Nate raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Muffins, huh?"

"I wanted to make you something," Elliot insisted, feeling a bit defensive but also embarrassed. "It's just... I thought you might like some. They're cinnamon sugar! Fresh out of the oven."

Just as Nate was about to take the box and close the door, Alec appeared, clearly he'd been listening in. The younger brother moved quickly, motioning for Elliot to come in. "Well, come on in, then. We can't turn down free food."

As Elliot entered the apartment, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The space was decorated in dark colors with posters and various tech gadgets. It felt lived-in and comfortable, and he couldn't help but wonder who Nate was when he wasn't being the stoic figure he often portrayed.

"Thanks," Alec said, "but there really was no need! Mia and I had so much fun with you guys, and Nate is always grumpy. It's part of his personality." He set the box on the kitchen counter, opening it to inhale deeply, the scent wafting up. "Wow, these smell really good."

Elliot couldn't help but grin at Alec's reaction, but his eyes lingered on Nate, who was still standing half-naked in the hallway. Focus, Elliot, he reminded himself, forcing his gaze to the counter. "I hope they taste as good as they smell!" he mumbled, pulling his eyes off Nate as the tall dark man passed him on his way to grab one of the treats.

As Nate took a bite, Elliot's heart began to race. Why? Because for some reason, he really wanted Nate to like them. He watched as the older brother chewed thoughtfully. "So, are you always this generous with your baked goods, or am I just special?" His tone was teasing, but there was an underlying curiosity in his expression.

Elliot's face flashed red at the implication, and he found himself stammering. "I—I mean, I bake a lot, but usually just for my friends... and, um, I guess I just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was annoying or a noisy neighbor."

Nate chuckled, and for a moment, the atmosphere between them felt different, more relaxed. "Well, consider me less annoyed and more impressed."

"Woah," Alec chuckled, "that's rare, a compliment from Nate... that never happens."

Elliot laughed at Alec's comment, feeling the tension in his chest ease just a bit. "I guess I should feel honored, then," he said, flashing Nate a playful grin.

Nate rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips. "Don't get too excited, sweetheart. It's just muffins," he said, but there was a lightness in his tone that made Elliot's heart flutter... and sweetheart? The nickname stirred something within him. 

"Just muffins?" Alec feigned shock, glancing between the two. "These are gourmet level! I might have to take some for myself later."

Elliot laughed, his nerves dissipating as they settled into a comfortable banter. "I could always teach you how to bake if you want to impress your girlfriend," he suggested, glancing over at Nate. "Or maybe even Nate here, if he's feeling adventurous."

"I'll pass," Nate interjected, shaking his head. "I'm not exactly the domestic type."

"Oh, come on, it could be fun! You might discover a hidden talent," Alec teased, nudging Nate playfully.

"Or I could just burn the place down," Nate countered, taking another bite of a muffin and raising an eyebrow at Elliot. "You know, in case you weren't aware of my cooking skills."

Elliot grinned, loving the back-and-forth, and he couldn't help but feel a thrill at the idea of him and Nate baking together. "I'll bring a fire extinguisher."

Nate chuckled, the sound rich and warm. For a moment, the walls around him seemed to soften, and Elliot felt a sense of pride to have been the one accomplishing that. As the laughter faded, Elliot found himself stealing glances at Nate, trying to gauge his mood. The casual atmosphere was refreshing, and it was nice to see a more relaxed side of him. But he couldn't shake the feeling that there was still so much more to Nate than he let on.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Alec asked, grabbing a muffin and settling onto the couch, motioning for Elliot to join him. "Are you going to crash our party, or do you have somewhere to be?"

Elliot considered the question, glancing at Nate, who was now leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed casually over his chest. "I was just planning on heading back home, but... if you don't have plans, I wouldn't mind sticking around a little longer."

Nate's expression shifted slightly, and Elliot caught a glimmer of something in his eyes—something he couldn't really put his finger on. "Fine with me," Nate said, his tone surprisingly inviting.

"See? Nate is inviting you to stay! It's practically a date!" Alec exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear, ignoring the way Nate was shooting daggers at him. Alec leaned in closer to Elliot, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You know, I think Nate actually likes you. He's never this friendly with anyone."

Elliot's breath caught in his throat at the implication, his cheeks flushing again. "You think so?"

"I do," Alec said with a wink. "Just keep being your awesome self, and who knows? You might just win him over."

It was a joke, one of Alec's many jokes, Elliot convinced himself. But he couldn't help himself from watching Nate as he left to get dressed. Suddenly, he was drawn to Nate in a way he hadn't expected, and the thought of the smallest chance that Nate enjoyed spending time with him sent butterflies racing through his stomach.

Elliot fidgeted nervously with the edge of his sweater, the buzz of conversation filling the cozy living room as Alec continued to tease him lightly. The room, warm and dimly lit, carried a homey charm despite Nate's stoic taste. It struck Elliot as oddly fitting—layers of comfort hidden beneath an exterior of cold practicality.

Alec seemed to notice his momentary distraction and gave him a nudge. "So, Elliot, what do you do for fun when you're not playing peacekeeper with muffins or throwing parties?"

The question caught Elliot off guard, but he was thankful for the lighthearted distraction. "Oh, uh, the usual," he explained. "I spend a lot of time at home—probably too much, if I'm honest."

Alec chuckled, leaning back in his seat with an easy grin. "Nothing wrong with that. Everyone needs their downtime. But come on, there's gotta be more to you than just being a homebody. What's your thing?"

Elliot hesitated for a moment, glancing around the room as if searching for the right words. "Well, the dancing takes up most of my time," he said, his tone casual but a hint of pride slipped through.

Alec raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued. "What style do you prefer then? Salsa? Hip-hop? TikTok challenges?"

Elliot laughed, shaking his head. "Not quite. I'm studying contemporary dance. It's kind of intense, but it's what I've always wanted to do."

Alec nodded, impressed. "That's cool. So, you're like, legit serious about it. Is it all pirouettes and leaps, or is there more to it?"

"There's a lot more to it," Elliot replied, warming to the topic. "It's about telling a story with movement, connecting with the music, the audience... It's hard to explain, but when it all comes together, it's incredible."

Alec's grin widened. "Sounds like you're pretty passionate about it. I respect that. Not everyone gets to chase what they love."

"What about you?" Elliot asked, curious now. "What's your thing?"

Alec shrugged, his demeanor still relaxed but with a hint of self-awareness. "Honestly? Still figuring that out. Love reading though, mostly sci-fi and tech stuff."

Elliot tilted his head, sensing a touch of frustration beneath Alec's laid-back attitude. "So, ever thought of writing?"

"Yeah, but now I don't really have time for it," Alec admitted. 

As they continued their light conversation, Nate reappeared, now dressed in a fitted black t-shirt and jeans. His dark hair was still slightly damp, and Elliot caught a faint trace of his cologne—a subtle, woodsy scent that made him feel inexplicably lightheaded. Nate leaned casually against the counter, his presence instantly commanding attention.

"You're still here," Nate remarked, but there was no bite to his words.

"Alec insisted," Elliot replied with a small grin, lifting his hands in mock surrender. "And, well... I guess I wanted to stick around a little longer. If that's okay?"

Nate's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary before he shrugged. "Suit yourself. Just don't expect me to entertain you."

Elliot couldn't help but smile at the way Nate's gruffness didn't quite match the warmth in his eyes. There was something disarming about it—like a puzzle he was eager to solve. He settled onto the couch beside Alec, who had already claimed the box of muffins for himself.

As the conversation continued, Elliot found himself drawn into the rhythm of the brothers' dynamic. Alec was charming and quick-witted, constantly finding ways to needle Nate, who responded with dry humor and exasperated eye-rolls. It was clear they cared deeply for each other, and Elliot felt a pang of longing for that kind of bond.

The couch was big enough for the three of them, but as Nate decided to sit down in the middle of them, reaching for one of his controllers, Elliot couldn't help but feel small and nervous.

"You're awfully quiet over there," Nate said suddenly, breaking into his thoughts. His tone was neutral, but his eyes held a trace of curiosity. "Do I make you nervous?"

"Not at all," Elliot replied, his voice steady despite the way his heart raced from Nates close proximity. "What games do you play?"

"Anything really... you?"

"Ehm... Mario Cart is fun, also Animal crossing and—" his lips stopped moving as he noticed Nates amused expression. "... you don't have those," he concluded.

Nate raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching in what could have been the beginning of a smile. "Nope," he said, popping the p. "But I might have something you'll enjoy." Nate smirked, and Elliot's heart soared a little higher, riding the hope that perhaps he had a chance to unravel Nate's enigmatic persona and, just maybe, forge a deeper connection along the way.