Snow fell soft and slow in Brooklyn, the kind that dusted rooftops but melted on skin. {{user}} hated the cold, but he waited on the corner of Washington and Myrtle anyway, scarf pulled high and hands jammed into his coat pockets.

Anthony said he’d come.

“He just gets busy,” {{user}} muttered to himself, trying to sound more convinced than he felt. The last time Anthony canceled, it was for an “emergency session” at the studio. Before that, it was family. Before that… no excuse at all.

But when Anthony texted “Tonight. Just us. Promise.” {{user}} couldn’t help but show up.

It had started in October—mutual friends, shared drinks, laughter too loud for the hour. Anthony’s eyes always found his across rooms. And his hand always lingered just long enough.

But it never turned into more.

At first, {{user}} convinced himself it was slow-burn. Then, that Anthony was scared. Then, that maybe {{user}} was asking too much. But the truth tugged at him tonight, colder than the wind.

He checked his phone again. 11:28 PM. No text.

“Yo,” a voice came behind him. Anthony. Finally.

His curls peeked from under a beanie, cheeks pink from the cold. He smiled like he hadn’t just made {{user}} wait nearly an hour.

“Sorry, man,” Anthony said. “Got caught up.”

“Of course,” {{user}} said, trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice. “You always do.”

Anthony shifted. “C’mon, don’t be like that. I wanted to see you.”

“You say that a lot.” Too quiet, but Anthony heard it.

He frowned. “You know I care about you.”

“No, I don’t know that,” {{user}} snapped, voice cracking. “You flirt, you call, you vanish. I’m just… what, the guy you text when you’re lonely?”

Anthony looked down. Didn’t argue.

And that was the answer, wasn’t it?

The silence between them stretched, full of everything {{user}} had been too hopeful to say. The crowd from a bar nearby spilled out, laughter echoing. A couple passed them, arms linked, drunk and happy.

{{user}} took a shaky breath, stepping back. “I can’t keep letting you treat me like an almost.”

“{{user}}—” Anthony reached for him.