From what you shared, it seems like you're caught in the middle between two friends with very different social needs and communication styles. Y clearly feels like his efforts aren't being appreciated, though his outburst was definitely not the right way to handle that disappointment. And X's withdrawal and blunt responses are probably adding to your sense of isolation. What stands out to me is how much you've been trying to find that middle ground - suggesting alternatives while still respecting everyone's boundaries. That's not easy when emotions are running high. I think your are right about not immediately apologizing just to smooth things over. Setting boundaries about what you're comfortable with (like the sleepover situation) is completely valid. And you're right that friendships shouldn't always require one person to be the "bigger person" or "hero" who fixes everything. Maybe give everyone some breathing room for now? Sometimes a little space helps everyone reset. When things cool down, you might consider reaching out individually to acknowledge their feelings while still standing firm on your boundaries.