Night had settled fully over the apartment.
The hallway clock downstairs ticked steadily. Its hands went closer to twelve.
The faint glow of the bulb above the staircase cast long shadows that stretched across the walls.
Henry moved first, holding a pillow under his arm like a machine gun.
Roland followed behind him, clutching another pillow, his movements were far less confident but equally quiet.
The wooden stairs creaked faintly beneath their weight.
Roland leaned closer, whispering just enough to be heard. "Your characteristics are… confusing."
Henry did not look back. "Nice detail."
"You behave like an introvert." Roland continued thoughtfully. "But then you do things like this. Planning an ambush with pillows at midnight."
He paused slightly. "It feels… twisted. Uhh, don't get me wrong."
Henry stopped mid-step and turned his head slightly.
"I am a washing machine." he said flatly.
Roland blinked. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Henry replied in the same deadpan tone, "I rotate between modes depending on the dirt."
Roland stared at him for a moment, unsure whether to laugh or remain serious. Henry turned forward again.
"Also," he added quietly, "shut up."
Roland nodded silently. The final steps creaked beneath their feet despite Henry's careful placement. He froze midway, lifting one hand behind him in a silent signal.
Roland stopped instantly, clutching the pillow tighter against his chest.
Henry leaned closer to the door at the end of the hallway. A faint line of darkness rested beneath it.
Everything's perfect. He turned slightly and gestured with his fingers.
Three.
Roland swallowed quietly and nodded.
Two.
Henry tightened his grip on the pillow, lowering his stance like a hunter about to spring.
One.
He twisted the handle slowly and pushed the door open—
WHAM!!
Two pillows exploded straight into their faces from inside the darkness.
Henry staggered backward, nearly losing his balance on the hallway floor. Roland stumbled beside him. The force of the impact knocked the pillow from his hands.
Feathers puffed faintly into the air, drifting like white ash under the dim light.
Then the room light clicked on.
Avery stood near the wall, calm as ever, holding another pillow at her side like a prepared weapon.
Her pink nightwear moved slightly as she shifted her pose, not smug, just quietly certain.
"I heard the washing machine rotating ten minutes ago." she said gently.
Henry slowly lowered the pillow from his face, blinking once.
"…Traitorous stairs," he muttered.
Roland stood frozen, staring at her.
She had not panicked. She had not reacted late.
Roland's thoughts turned inward immediately.
She knew the entire time.
Avery stepped forward slightly, her smile was warm but knowing. "You both are terrible at being quiet." she added softly. "Next time, try whispering less like conspirators planning a rebellion."
Henry narrowed his eyes, but there was no irritation behind it. Only reluctant acceptance.
Roland picked up his fallen pillow slowly. Still watching her with quiet awe.
The hallway tension dissolved into laughter and soft groans as the three of them settled inside Avery's room.
The pillows lay scattered across the floor like the aftermath of a harmless battle. Avery sat comfortably on the edge of her bed, while Henry leaned against the wall with his usual guarded posture.
Roland sat carefully on a chair nearby, hands resting on his knees, still slightly unsure how to place himself in the moment.
Avery crossed her arms lightly, her smile turned mischievous.
"You failed again. Just like last year." she said, looking directly at Henry.
Henry let out a slow breath. "Last year was sabotage."
"It was not sabotage." Avery replied immediately. "It was just you being dumber."
Roland listened quietly, watching the exchange unfold like an old routine that had been repeated many times before.
Avery sighed theatrically. "Honestly, both of you should focus on chores instead of midnight warfare. Henry still forgets dishes whenever it is his turn."
"I do not forget. I postpone. I never said I will not do it."
"That is being lazy with confidence, dumb." Avery replied.
Roland almost smiled.
Henry reached into his cloak again. Pulling out a carefully wrapped package. He extended it toward her without ceremony.
"Here."
Avery blinked, surprised for a moment before her expression softened. "You actually remembered!"
"I said I would. Tch, you think I am that dumb!" He said quietly gritting his teeth.
She took the package with both hands. Her excitement grew visibly as she unwrapped it. Paper crinkled softly as she peeled it back. Her eyes widened.
"A chessboard?"
The polished wooden board gleamed under the light..the pieces rested neatly inside.
"I always wanted one." Avery whispered quietly.
Henry shrugged slightly. "This is an expensive board, so keep it carefully."
Avery looked up at him, smiling warmly. "Thank you, Henry."
The moment lingered before Roland shifted slightly in his seat.
"I… also brought something." he said quietly.
He placed a smaller case in front of her.
Avery turned toward it, curious. She opened it carefully. Inside lay a delicate make-up case, polished and elegant.
She blinked, genuinely surprised. "Roland… this is very expensive."
Roland lowered his gaze slightly. "It is alright. Money comes and goes."
Avery shook her head gently, her voice warm. "It was not necessary."
Roland met her eyes briefly. "It is okay."
Avery closed the case softly, holding it with care. Her smile deepening. Not because of the gifts themselves but because of the meaning behind them.
The room did not stay calm for long.
Avery placed the chessboard carefully beside her bed.
While Henry leaned against the wall with that usual quiet confidence that always looked slightly too composed.
"You still forgot your turn to sweep the floor yesterday." Avery said suddenly, her tone sharpening just enough to provoke.
Henry sighed. "I did not forget. I prioritized other responsibilities."
"Such as arguing with walls?" Avery asked sweetly.
Henry narrowed his eyes slightly. "That wall had poor time management."
Roland blinked once, unsure whether to respond.
Avery reached beside her without warning.
"Then consider this disciplinary management."
A pillow flew.
It struck Henry square in the chest.
He stared at her for exactly one second. Then retaliated.
The second pillow hit Avery's shoulder, sending a puff of feathers into the air. She laughed, grabbing another one immediately and launching it back.
Within seconds, the room erupted into chaos.
Roland stepped backward, trying to avoid the growing battlefield. He held up his hands slightly. "I believe I should remain neutral."
"No neutrality is allowed in my room." Avery declared.
Henry grabbed a pillow and tossed it straight at Roland.
It hit his arm. Roland couldn't understand what to do.
Both of them looked at him expectantly.
"Join," Henry said flatly.
Roland hesitated… then slowly picked up the fallen pillow. Avery grinned widely.
Moments later, the room filled with laughter, scattered feathers and careless joy.
The night stretched on without anyone noticing when the hours passed. They moved from one thing to another as if time had loosened its grip.
They played different mini games.
Later, the games gave way to chores. Dishes were washed together, floors swept in shared effort.
Avery moved between tasks naturally, reminding, guiding and helping without making it feel like an obligation.
She checked if Roland had eaten enough, adjusted the placement of things so no one stumbled and quietly carried the burden of responsibility without making it understandable.
Laughter, small arguments, then laughter again.
They stayed awake through the night, the world outside slowly faded from darkness into pale blue. By the time the sky began to brighten, the apartment fell into a gentle breeze.
Roland stepped onto the balcony alone.
The early dawn light spread across the horizon, calm and distant. He rested his hands against the railing.
His thoughts drifted backward.
To this place. To the laughter. To the presence.
Had he made a mistake leaving his family?
Or had he finally stepped into a life that belonged to him? However, there's no benefit questioning it right now.
The balcony door slid open quietly behind him.
Henry stepped out, stretching his arms slightly as the pale light of dawn washed over the rooftops.
He leaned against the railing beside Roland.
The silence between them was not uncomfortable anymore.
Roland kept his gaze forward, he hesitated thrice. Then spoke,
"Do you… like Avery?"
The question came out carefully, almost frightened of its own existence.
Henry blinked once, then let out a short breath through his nose. "No."
Roland turned slightly, surprised by the immediate answer. Henry continued, tone steady.
"Not in the way you are thinking."
Roland stood there silently looking at him.
Henry glanced toward the horizon. "She is… important. That is all. I am no romance guy you see?"
He paused, searching for words that fit his own thoughts. "Some people are not meant to be loved in a possessive way. They are meant to be protected."
Roland listened quietly.
Henry shifted the topic suddenly. "Why did you not buy another pair of shoes?"
Roland looked down at his bare feet.
"Did you not have money?" Henry asked.
Roland shook his head faintly. "I could have taken money with me when I left. There was plenty. But it would not have been mine. It would have been theirs. Wealth without effort feels like… something like a borrowed identity."
Henry studied him briefly, then looked away again.
"Fine." he said simply. "I will buy you a new pair."
Roland reacted instantly. "That is not necessary."
"It is." Henry replied calmly. "Consider it a practical investment."
Roland almost smiled. They stood there as the sun finally began to rise.
Above these two young faces, somewhere very high, a broken star shone.