The common room at 51 was louder than usual, voices overlapping, the TV blaring, and the unmistakable energy of a game day argument in full swing.

“-I’m telling you, that was a terrible call!” Christopher Herrmann insisted, pointing at the screen like the ref could hear him.

“Terrible?” Mouch shot back. “That was textbook!”

On the couch between them sat {{user}}, posture a little stiff but clearly trying to follow along, eyes flicking between the TV and the two men like she was studying them just as much as the game.

Herrmann leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Alright, kid, rule number one, you never trust a ref who hesitates like that.”

“That’s not a rule,” Mouch argued.

“It should be.”

From the doorway, Stella watched the scene unfold, arms crossed loosely, a small, amused smile tugging at her lips.

It was… kind of perfect.

Not the football lesson, though she had to admit, they were taking it very seriously, but the way {{user}} had been pulled in without hesitation.

Herrmann and Mouch had a habit of doing that. Taking people in. Making them feel like they belonged, whether they realized it or not.

Still, Stella could see it. The way {{user}} sat just a little too carefully. The way she listened more than she spoke. The quiet way she absorbed everything around her. Potential. A lot of it.

Stella stepped further into the room. “Alright, what are we learning today?” she asked, raising a brow.

Herrmann didn’t miss a beat. “Critical thinking.”

“It’s football,” Stella deadpanned.

“Same thing,” Mouch added.

{{user}} glanced up at Stella, a small, almost relieved smile appearing.

“There you are,” Stella said, nodding toward her. “Thought I lost my rookie to the world’s longest sports lecture.”

“It’s important,” Herrmann insisted.

“Life lessons,” Mouch echoed.

Stella huffed a quiet laugh, then jerked her head slightly toward the hallway. “C’mon. Let’s go.”

“Hey,” Herrmann called after her, “we’re not done yet!”

“She’ll survive,” Stella shot back.

Once they were out in the quieter hallway, the noise of the TV fading behind them, Stella slowed her pace just enough for {{user}} to walk beside her.

Stella glanced over at her, more focused now. “You’re doing good out there,” she added. “On calls, drills, you think before you move. That’s important.”

“You settling in okay?” she then asked, tone casual but attentive.