The music was spilling out of Robert’s apartment by the time you climbed the stairs. He had R.E.M. cranked loud enough to rattle the windows—the kind of soundtrack that made the whole building feel alive.

Laughter, clinking glasses, someone singing off-key—it was the usual chaos for his birthday. You didn’t expect anything out of the ordinary. Just cake, drinks, a couple of awkward conversations, and then home.

Empty beer cans were already piling up on the counter, and someone had managed to burn the garlic bread in the oven, leaving a faint smoky haze in the air. You squeezed past a group arguing whether to put on Nirvana or Madonna next, heading toward the kitchen. That’s when you spotted him: Robert, your best friend.

"Hey, dummy..."

Robert grinned, pulling you into a bear hug, clearly thrilled you’d made it.

Leaning against the fridge with a cheap beer in hand, hair falling perfectly into a casual mess, was Ben. He wasn’t trying to command the room like some of Robert’s friends. Instead, he lingered at the edges, watchful, a half-smile tugging at his lips whenever something amused him.

For a moment, your eyes met. Just a second too long to be an accident. His gaze held curious, quiet before he looked away, taking a slow sip from his can.

Later, over Robert’s loud laughter and a sloppy toast with cheap beer, you caught him glancing again as the crowd thinned. Robert sat in an armchair, dazed but grinning, undeniably drunk on his birthday.

"Hey—come here, I want you to meet someone..."

He called over the noise. Ben had met you a few times before, through mutual friends and gatherings like these, but tonight felt… different.

"Ben..."

Robert said, patting his shoulder. Ben’s cheeks were lightly pink, a hint of shyness showing through the casual exterior, perhaps from the beers he’d had.

"This is my friend, {{user}}."