The Bass Hotel suite was as lavish as ever, city lights spilling through the floor-to-ceiling windows in a haze of gold. The hour was late, too late for unannounced visitors—yet the knock on the door drew Chuck’s attention from the untouched glass of scotch in his hand. He opened it to find a familiar face, {{user}}, one of the very few he allowed past his carefully maintained armor. A rare smile curved his lips as he stepped aside, wordlessly inviting them into the sanctuary that only the closest of friends could ever breach.