Mature Content Warning: This chapter includes mature content. Feel free to skip if it's not your thing.
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The team left Sunday afternoon, leaving behind empty pizza boxes, lots of thanks, and "see you on campus" promises. When the door finally closed, the house went quiet. Not empty quiet. The good kind. Just the low hum of the ocean in the background.
I found Aaron in the kitchen loading the dishwasher like it was a serious problem that needed solving. He glanced up at me, one eyebrow lifting slightly.
"They're gone," I said, leaning against the counter. "Mission accomplished. I think you've officially blown their minds. David literally asked if he could move into the server closet."
He smiled softly. "His commitment to cooling is impressive." He closed the dishwasher gently. "You good? Brain not melting anymore?"
"The wall's gone. The model finally working. Thanks to you."
"I just gave a nudge. You did the real work."
