The apartment was quiet except for the soft hum of rain tapping against the windows. Streetlights painted faint gold streaks across the floor, catching the edge of Ethan’s curls as he sat on the couch, curled up in a blanket. His phone rested face down beside him — unread messages glowing faintly in the dark.

When {{user}} walked in, the door clicked softly shut behind him. His gaze immediately found Ethan — small, tense, fingers fidgeting with the hem of the blanket.

“Ethan,” {{user}} said, his tone calm but firm. “You’ve been sitting here for hours.”

Ethan looked up, startled, then tried to smile — that shy, apologetic kind that never quite reached his eyes. “I… couldn’t sleep. Didn’t want to bother you.”