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Sunlight, a melody of hope once again, streamed through the blinds, painting the living room in a warm glow. The remnants of last night's game night were scattered around - empty pizza boxes, a discarded deck of cards, and a lingering sense of camaraderie that battled the fatigue clinging to my eyelids. But unlike the previous morning's discord, a sense of peace, a counterpoint to the usual pre-battle tension, filled the air.

A glance at the couch confirmed my suspicions. Maggie and Curry, sprawled out in a tangle of limbs, were fast asleep. They'd evidently decided to spend the night, their exhaustion from yesterday's brainstorming session catching up to them. A playful smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

Standing up, I stretched, my muscles groaning in protest. Glancing towards the bedroom, I saw Maya's head peeking out from under the covers, her eyes still closed. A soft smile played on her lips, and a wave of warmth washed over me. The fragile truce we'd forged last night, the