STOLEN GLANCES

EPISODE TWELVE

SILENT DISTANCE

Noah had complied. After the company stepped in and made it clear how much his behavior was affecting both his career and the brand, he had made an effort to tone things down. The headlines were less frequent, the rumors had died down a bit, and the parties seemed to have faded into the background. For the first time in a week, there was a semblance of peace in Noah’s life, at least on the surface.

But the peace didn’t extend to his relationship with Ethan.

Noah still kept his distance, and every time Ethan caught a glimpse of him—whether it was in meetings, on set, or in passing—he was met with a coldness that felt too final. The banter, the ease they once shared, was gone. Noah would nod in his direction, but the smiles they used to exchange felt like a distant memory, locked away in a place neither of them was ready to revisit.

Ethan had no illusions. He understood what was happening. Noah had built this wall, and as much as Ethan wanted to break it down, he couldn’t do it alone. So, he did what he always did—he silently supported Noah, just like he always had, even if Noah didn’t seem to need him anymore.

---

In the office, Ethan worked tirelessly, just as he always had. He stayed on top of Noah’s schedule, making sure he was prepared for every meeting, every photoshoot, every public appearance. He handled the logistics, negotiated with sponsors, and mediated with reporters. All the while, Noah went about his business, his quiet detachment hanging like a fog between them.

It was during one of these days that Ethan noticed a subtle change. Noah’s career was beginning to thrive again. The numbers were up, his brand was improving, and his image—while still somewhat bruised—was recovering. His social media engagements were higher, and his sponsorship deals were beginning to roll back in. It was clear that Noah had toned down his flirtations and was taking his work more seriously, but it was more than just that. The shift in his attitude had caught the attention of the industry.

But none of this seemed to matter to Ethan. As Noah’s career soared, he felt a growing emptiness within himself, like he was fading into the background. He watched Noah from a distance, silently cheering him on, but also mourning the connection they had lost. The bond they once shared, the one that had been so easy and natural, seemed to slip further away with each passing day.

---

Later that evening, as Noah sat in his office, reviewing scripts and emails, Ethan approached him. He hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether to disturb Noah’s concentration, but he’d been feeling this pull—this nagging need to check in on him, even if Noah didn’t seem to care anymore.

Noah looked up, catching Ethan’s gaze for a brief second before his eyes moved back to the papers in front of him. “Is something wrong?” he asked flatly, his voice devoid of the warmth it used to hold.

Ethan forced a smile. “No, just making sure everything’s in order for tomorrow’s meeting.”

Noah gave a short nod, but the conversation didn’t continue. Ethan stood there, feeling like a stranger in the very place he’d once felt so at home. He had given up on trying to get through to Noah emotionally, but it didn’t stop the pain that twisted in his chest.

---

As days passed, Noah’s career continued to rebound. It was almost like watching a phoenix rise from the ashes, but Ethan couldn’t help but feel like he was watching it from the other side of a glass wall. No matter how much he worked, no matter how much effort he put into making sure Noah was taken care of, it felt like he was invisible.

It was hard, but Ethan kept going. He kept his head down and did his job. After all, that’s what he was there for, right? To be the one Noah could rely on, even if it wasn’t the way it used to be.

---

One evening, as Ethan was leaving the office late, he caught sight of Noah in the hallway. He was standing by the window, looking out at the city lights with his back turned to Ethan. It was a rare moment of vulnerability, and for a fleeting moment, Ethan considered walking over to him, offering the comfort he so desperately wanted to give.

But before he could move, Noah spoke, his voice low and almost thoughtful.

“You know, things are going well again,” Noah said without turning around. “The sponsors are back, the media’s finally stopped calling me out. I guess... I guess I did the right thing.”

Ethan’s heart gave a small, painful tug. He didn’t know how to respond, so he stayed quiet.

After a long pause, Noah continued, his tone softer, though still distant. “Thanks for sticking around. Even if... even if it feels like I’ve been pushing you away.”

Ethan swallowed the lump in his throat. He wanted to say something, to tell Noah how much he still cared, how much he still wanted to be there. But the words caught in his chest, and all he could manage was a simple, “I’ll always be here.”

Noah finally turned around, his expression unreadable. “I know you will.”

---

As Ethan walked out of the office that night, the weight of those words hung over him. Noah was recovering. His career was soaring again, and he had achieved what he set out to do. But no matter how many achievements Noah accumulated, Ethan couldn’t help but wonder if he would ever matter again in the way he used to. Would Noah ever let him back in?

For now, all Ethan could do was continue being there, quietly supporting from the sidelines, even if it meant sacrificing the closeness they once shared. Because as much as Noah had changed, Ethan hadn’t. And perhaps that was the hardest part of all.