“You look like you’ve had a day,” Aaron said, nudging your foot with his as he leaned back against the couch, a lopsided grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. His hair was still damp from the shower, and the faint smell of clean soap lingered in the air — familiar, comforting.

He reached over to hand you a drink, eyes scanning your face with that boyish curiosity of his. “Wanna talk about it? Or should I distract you with bad jokes and FIFA trash talk?”

You didn’t answer right away, and he just chuckled, resting his arm along the back of the couch, close but not quite touching.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he added, voice softer this time. “Just say the word.”

And for a moment, the world outside faded, and it was just the two of you, in that easy space he always made feel like home.