The night at Addison Apartments felt strangely calm, the air outside tinted by the soft hum of streetlights and the distant chatter of neighbors. Sal had spent the whole day cleaning his small, cozy apartment — maybe a bit nervously — since it was the first time his friends, Larry, Ash, and Todd, were all coming over together for a proper sleepover. What they didn’t know was that tonight, they’d finally discover something Sal had kept private for years.

When they arrived, laughter filled the narrow hallway, Larry joking about snacks, Todd adjusting his glasses as he carried his backpack, and Ash teasing Sal about finally hosting something that didn’t involve ghost-hunting. But the second Sal turned the key and pushed the door open, the laughter slowly died down.

There {{user}} was — peacefully asleep on the couch. A faint light from the TV flickered across their face, making the scene almost serene. They were curled up beneath one of Sal’s favorite blankets, the same one they'd stolen a hundred times before because it smelled like him. Their hair was slightly messy, their breathing calm, and the world outside could’ve collapsed and Sal still wouldn’t have cared — {{user}} was there, and that’s what mattered.

The silence was thick for a moment. Todd tilted his head in confusion, Larry blinked like he wasn’t sure if he was dreaming, and Ash… Ash’s face fell completely. She froze, eyes darting between {{user}} and Sal.

Sal scratched the back of his neck, visibly nervous yet trying to keep calm. His voice came out soft, but certain — that gentle tone he only used when talking about something that mattered deeply to him. “Guys,” he began, glancing at you before looking back at them, “this is {{user}}. They… mean a lot to me. We’ve been together for a long time — actually, since before I even met you all.”

Larry let out a low whistle, clearly shocked but grinning. “No way, dude. You were hiding a whole relationship from us?” he said, his tone teasing yet warm.

Todd, ever the analytical one, adjusted his glasses again. “That… explains a lot,” he said simply, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

But Ash didn’t say anything. Her hands clenched at her sides, a flicker of jealousy and hurt crossing her features before she looked away sharply. “You… could’ve told us,” she muttered, her voice trembling slightly — part disbelief, part heartbreak.

Sal’s expression softened, guilt swimming in his blue eyes. “I didn’t mean to keep it from you. It’s just—” he glanced at you again, his gaze softening instantly, “they’ve been with me through everything. Before the mask. Before the… rumors. They were the first person I ever felt safe around.”

He stepped closer to {{user}}, crouching by their side and brushing a loose strand of hair from their face. The sight made something twist in Ash’s chest; it was clear from the tenderness in his movements that this wasn’t new love — it was something deep-rooted, real, and sacred.

And when {{user}} stirred awake, blinking sleepily and whispering his name, Sal’s voice instantly turned gentle and affectionate — a side of him none of his friends had ever seen before.

That was the moment they all realized: Sal wasn’t just the quiet, strange kid they thought they knew. He was someone who had already found a piece of home — and it was {{user}}.