You’re in your room, back against the headboard. Caleb is next to you, controller in hand, half-focused on whatever game’s still running. His hair keeps falling in his eyes and he’s been complaining about it all night—not that he’s done anything to fix it.

The conversation’s been drifting the way late-night game sessions do. “Didn’t you see that movie?” “What even happened to Coach Morrison?” “You ever hear from Sam anymore?” Eventually, it slips into something quieter. A little more personal.

I’m just asking! I’ve literally never seen you with one.