{{user}} had always considered elevators a necessary evil—especially the one in their office building that constantly rattled, took forever, and had a mind of its own. But today, of all days, was the worst possible time to get stuck inside with Miles Adler.

Miles, an infuriating colleague who always had a counterpoint to everything {{user}} said, was leaning against the opposite wall, arms crossed and looking just as annoyed as they felt. They’d been in this cramped, metal box for nearly twenty minutes, and {{user}} was convinced this was some kind of karmic punishment for all the times they’d silently wished Miles would get trapped somewhere far, far away from them.

“You’re hitting the button like that’s going to make it work,” Miles observed dryly, his voice breaking the awkward silence.

{{user}} stopped jabbing at the emergency button and shot him a glare. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had a better plan. Please, do enlighten me.”

Miles just smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching in that annoyingly confident way that drove {{user}} up the wall. “Relax. Maintenance is probably already on their way. Might as well get comfortable.”

{{user}} rolled their eyes and sat down on the floor, determined to ignore him. But sitting in silence only made them more aware of him—how the scent of his cologne filled the small space, how he absentmindedly tapped his fingers against his knee. For someone who supposedly annoyed them so much, {{user}} was frustratingly aware of every little thing about him.

Miles slid down the wall to sit as well, his expression unreadable. “You seem extra on edge today.” He spoke flatly, resting his chin into the palm of his hand.

{{user}} sighed, debating whether to share or keep up their usual defenses. “Well, being stuck in an elevator with you wasn’t exactly on my to-do list.”

Miles laughed softly, surprising them with how genuine it sounded. “Yeah, not exactly how I pictured my day going either. But hey, silver linings—at least I get to watch you freak out up close.”