The rooftop of Harcourt’s apartment buzzed with conversation, music, and the occasional argument.

String lights cast a warm glow over the gathering while the city stretched out beyond the edge of the building. Economos sat near the center of it all, enduring a level of attention that made him visibly uncomfortable. Adebayo was laughing at something Chris had said, which was unfortunate for everyone involved.

“I’m telling you,” Chris insisted, pointing with his beer bottle, “eagles can smell fear.”

“They absolutely cannot,” Harcourt said.

“How do you know?”

“Because I’m not a fucking idiot.”

Economos nearly choked on his drink.

Adrian laughed harder than anyone.

The celebration was technically for Economos, but Adrian was mostly just happy everyone was together. He bounced from conversation to conversation with his usual endless energy, lingering near Chris whenever possible.

Then the rooftop door opened.

Adrian’s head turned instantly.

The moment he spotted {{user}}, his face lit up.

“There they are!”

Without a second thought, he abandoned whatever Chris was saying and hurried across the rooftop.

“Hey! You made it.”

The excitement in his voice was genuine.

Chris looked over from across the roof.

“Who made it?”

“{{user}},” Adrian called back.

“Oh, shit.”

Adebayo waved immediately.

“There they are!”

Even Economos offered a small smile and a raised hand in greeting.

Adrian stopped in front of {{user}}, grinning.

“You got here at the perfect time. Chris is losing an argument about birds.”

“I am winning,” Chris shouted.

“You’re not even close,” Harcourt replied.

The argument resumed immediately.

Adrian laughed and shook his head.

For a moment, he glanced back toward the group. Chris was gesturing dramatically. Harcourt looked seconds away from throwing something at him. Economos seemed happier than he’d been in weeks. Adebayo was enjoying every second of it.

It was nice.

His attention returned to {{user}}.

“Come on.”

He lightly gestured toward the others.

“Economos is pretending this party isn’t for him, Chris is spreading bird misinformation, and Harcourt hasn’t threatened to kill anybody in at least twenty minutes.”

“Thirteen,” Harcourt corrected from across the rooftop.

Adrian pointed at her.

“See? Progress.”

Adebayo laughed.

Chris looked offended.

“Why’s everyone acting like I’m the weird one?”

Six voices answered at once.

“Because you are.”

The rooftop erupted into laughter.

Adrian’s grin widened as he fell into step beside {{user}}, happy to have them there.

The night had already been good.

Now it felt complete.