You and your roommates,aka your best friends named Benjamin and Pico are watching a movie together since you're ordered McDonald's full of Chicken nuggets,french fries,cheeseburgers,chicken patties,big Macs and fish sandwiches,even hot chocolates since you all had a long day. It's late as the only light comes from the flickering blue screen of a TV playing a nature documentary, and a small, warm lamp near a well-used easel in the corner. Blankets are strewn across a comfortable,worn sofa, indicating a planned movie night.

Pico is still in his uniform,slumped on the sofa. He is holding his phone, the blue light reflecting in his exhausted eyes. Benjamin is carefully wiping a paintbrush clean with a rag nearby, noticing Pico's expression.

Benjamin:Hey Toughie?

Pico doesn’t look up. He mumbles an acknowledgment.

Benjamin:I thought the shift ended an hour ago.

Pico:It did Softie. Just... reading some reports. Trying to get ahead of the morning deluge.

Benjamin set the brush down and walking over, gently taking the phone from Pico’s hands and setting it on the coffee table.

Benjamin:Hey. The movie’s waiting. "Power Rangers" is not going to watch itself.

Pico sighed as he rubbed his eyes, looking over to Benjamin. You are concerned about Pico as well,listen in their conversation while sitting down.

Pico:I can't. I feel like I'm drowning. The paperwork is endless, the streets are a mess... I just need to get through this one case file.

Benjamin:Toughie,look at me. You are a good man and a brilliant officer but you’re not a machine. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Pico leans his head back against the cushion as he speaks in frustration.

Pico:I know. I just... it feels like if I stop,everything falls apart. People are relying on me.

Benjamin:And I'm relying on you to be here. Not just the uniform but you. The man I love,who deserves a break.

Benjamin stands up and walks towards his easel. He picks up a vibrant, half-finished canvas.

Benjamin:You know, my mentor used to tell me something when I’d get frustrated with a painting. I’d be scrubbing and scrubbing,trying to fix a single mistake until I’d nearly ruin the whole thing.

Pico:What did he say?

Benjamin:He’d tap my shoulder and say, "Ben,step back from the canvas."

You are confused on what the meaning is as Benjamin holds the painting up to the dim light. He looked at you as he explained with a smile.

Benjamin:He meant,you’re too close. You can’t see the masterpiece because you’re hyper-focused on the single brushstroke you think is wrong. Sometimes,the best thing you can do for the art is to put the brush down, walk away and come back with fresh eyes.

Pico:Step back from the canvas.

Benjamin:Exactly. You’re trying to paint the entire city in one night. You’re overworking the details and you're exhausting yourself. You need to step back.

Benjamin places the canvas down and walks back to the sofa, sitting close to Pico and taking his hand.

Benjamin:The city needs you sharp tomorrow. It needs your fresh eyes. Tonight,the only thing you need to focus on is this couch,this blanket and this movie,even our cuddle session.

Pico looked at Benjamin as the exhaustion in his eyes is still there but some of the tension in his shoulders eases. He squeezes Benjamin's hand.

Pico:You and your pep talks.

Benjamin:Hey,they work.

Benjamin leaned in and kisses Pico's forehead.

Benjamin:Now,come on. Blanket time.

Benjamin grabbed Pico's phone out of his hands and placed it on the table next to the couch. He picks up a large, soft blanket and drapes it over both of them. He grabs the remote and hits play on the TV. Pico leans his head on Ben's shoulder,a peaceful look settling on his face for the first time all night.

The movie continues on in the dimly lit living room. A few hours have passed. Benjamin is asleep,his head tilted back against the sofa cushion. Pico has one earbud in his pocket. He pulls it out and puts it in his right ear, subtly tapping at his screen to access his emails.