Three's Company

The air in Liam’s apartment, usually buzzing with the familiar comfort of their friendship, now felt charged with a different kind of electricity. It was a low hum, a vibration that seemed to emanate from the very walls, amplifying Noah’s already thrumming nerves. He paced the living room, the plush carpet doing little to cushion the frantic beat of his heart. Liam watched him, a quiet amusement playing on his lips, though his eyes held a steady reassurance.

“You’re going to wear a hole in the rug, man,” Liam said, his voice a low, steady rumble. He gestured to the couch. “Sit. Breathe. We talked about this. It’s just us, and Mark. No pressure, remember?”

Noah shot him a wild-eyed glance. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’s about to… to do this. For the first time. With someone who isn’t you.” He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “What if I freeze up? What if I’m terrible? What if he… hates it?”