It was around 11 p.m., and the glow of the TV screen illuminated Adam’s room as {{user}} and Adam finished off the last slices of pizza from their sleepover dinner. The smell of pepperoni and cheese still lingered in the air. They sat cross-legged on the floor by his bed, controllers in hand, playing Sea of Thieves on his Xbox.

Adam, already changed into his pajamas—a loose t-shirt and shorts—leaned back on his hands and chuckled, watching {{user}} take yet another bite of pizza. “You’ve already eaten so much! When can we get back to playing?” he teased, his grin playful but warm.