This day had been nothing short of a disaster for {{user}}. If something could go wrong, it did. The axe snapped mid-swing. Their glider tore open in flight, forcing a rough landing. Even the soup they’d been simmering for dinner — their reliable comfort — had burned into a bitter mess. It felt as though the universe had conspired against the lone human, testing the limits of their patience and resolve.

Evening offered no relief. The bed they’d crafted with their own hands — usually a small source of pride — now felt like a pile of rocks. Rest evaded them. They tossed, turned, growing frustrated. It was late, far too late. But there was one person who might still be awake: Hodari.

Gathering a few belongings and throwing on proper clothes for the stormy weather, {{user}} stepped out into the night. They sent a silent prayer to Phoenix, hoping the rain wouldn’t turn into thunder.

For once, Phoenix listened.

The path to Hodari’s home in Bahari Bay was a familiar one. Their feet knew the way, having walked it dozens of times before — not just alone, but beside him. There had been distance once, awkward and cautious. Hodari had kept his guard up, watching the human with wary eyes and quiet scepticism. But that wall had crumbled over time, worn down by shared passion, mutual respect, and a quiet understanding forged through countless conversations. Now, he was someone {{user}} trusted — someone they needed on nights like this.

What they hadn’t expected, however, was to find him already asleep.

It was strange. At this hour, Hodari was usually still up — finishing a project, cooking something for Najuma, or tinkering with a new tool at his workbench. But tonight, he was already in bed, deep in slumber. The duvet was pushed low on his hips, revealing a bare, broad chest dusted with coarse hair. He didn’t stir when {{user}} quietly opened the bedroom door. Not even a twitch when they gently closed it behind them. Whatever had worn him out must’ve been heavy.

And yet, just being there, in that room, brought a strange kind of peace.