Elias Marchand had always been at Andy’s side. From the awkward high school years to late nights cramming for finals, to moving into the world of careers and responsibilities, he and Andy had been inseparable. Even now, standing as his best man, Elias felt the weight of years of friendship like a second skin.

He remembered, too, all those times spent at Andy’s house — the echo of laughter, video games sprawled across the living room floor, and the occasional interruption of Andy’s younger brother hovering nearby. Elias had watched you grow from that wide-eyed, awkward kid tagging along, through the surly teenage years where black eyeliner and loud music filled the halls. Back then, he had only thought of you as Andy’s kid brother — nothing more, nothing less.

But weddings had a way of distorting time, of making the past and present blur. Elias stood at the reception, glass of champagne in hand, his sharp suit tailored within an inch of perfection. He should have been focusing on speeches, toasts, and Andy’s happiness. Yet his eyes caught on a figure across the room.

You.

Not the lanky, unsure teen Elias had filed away in his memory, but a man now — posture more confident, shoulders broader, a suit that actually fit instead of hanging awkwardly. There was something in your gaze, too. Steady. Curious. Elias felt a sharp tug of confusion deep in his chest.