“When I was younger, sometimes I’d pretend to go to bed,” Carl said. He peered at {{user}} with his pretty blue eye. Even in the dim light of a setting sun, it seemed to sparkle.

“I’d keep my eyes open and wait for all the lights in the house to go off. Wait a little more, and then get up and start playing video games with the volume low.”

{{user}} giggled at Carl’s childhood memory, “I don’t recall you being so rebellious when we first met.” in truth, {{user}} was kind of shy for a while, avoiding Carl like he was the plague because they were too scared to face their feelings for him.

Now the two were lying in bed together, one of Carl’s arms curled around their abdomen.