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There was a thump from the call, followed by Dean sighing. “Sloane, you won’t make The Pile any smaller if you start throwing things around.”

“Now, that’s just far too logical,” Marco chided playfully as he waited at an intersection for the crosswalk light to change.

“From the growling and swearing I’m hearing, I think he agrees. Well, or he stubbed his toe...again.”

“I’m sure if anyone can get inanimate objects to cooperate through sheer intimidation, Sloane can,” Marco said, thinking of the big, burly, grumpy-looking man who was probably currently buried under boxes.

“He’s certainly making a good attempt,” Dean said, voice muffled as though glancing over his shoulder.

Marco glanced both ways before crossing the road. “So, what can I do for you, Dean?”

Dean hummed. “How are your weekends looking over the next couple of weeks?”

Marco shrugged even though the gesture went unseen. “Got them off unless some disaster strikes the company servers. I’m pretty much free unless I want overtime.”

“You say that as if it’s never happened before.”

“Okay, that was one time in all the years you’ve known me,” Marco protested. “Oh God, is this you asking me to do something…something special? Because if it is, and you’re bringing up the network crash from two years ago, I’m still sorry about missing your birthday party.”

Dean laughed. “And you know damn well I’m not serious when I give you shit about that. I just want to make sure you’re free, is all.”

“Well, barring another disaster, I’m free and clear. Why, what’s going on?”

“Well, I’m hoping that one weekend, I’ll be able to have a real housewarming.”

Marco chuckled. “You know it’s already the weekend, right?”

“It’s Friday.”

“And I just got off work, so it’s the weekend.”

Dean grunted. “Well, I was thinking next weekend, hopefully. If not, the one after that. I never realized how much work it would be to settle into a new place.”

“And you’d love to unwind from all that stressful packing, moving, and unpacking by organizing a party,” Marco said.

Laughter. “Well, when you put it like that, I sound like a glutton for punishment.”

There was a distinct but indecipherable murmuring, which Marco recognized as Sloane talking.

Dean huffed. “Don’t you have a bunch of stuff to go curse at?”

There was another rumble, followed by a deep, quiet laugh.

“Oh God,” Dean muttered. “Go away. Troublemaker.”

“Do I want to know?” Marco asked.

“Probably not, apparentlysomeone,” the last word was said loudly. “Thinks they’re so funny.”

Marco chuckled. “So, housewarming party? Is this a grand affair, or are you keeping it small?”

“I mean, I’m not throwing a rager. Figured we could invite you. I still have to ask Troy, but I’m sure he’ll show up, dragging Oscar along,” Dean said, laughing.

Troy was Dean’s other friend. They both still worked at Fort Dale’s clinic, though Dean had been placed in charge the year before. The two had been friends before Marco had met Dean, and the friendship had endured. At some point, after Dean and Sloane had got together, Troy found himself in a relationship of his own. Marco wasn’t sure what the story was, though he knew Troy and Oscar had a history long before Dean had known Troy.

Marco didn’t know much about Oscar. Oscar and Sloane had a vague similarity: tall, dark, and strong. Oscar could scowl with the best of them, but for the most part, his was an aura of quiet thought, giving off none of the air of intimidation that clung to Sloane. He had also lost part of an arm serving on the frontline.Still, his other hand never seemed too far from where Troy was, as if afraid he might disappear when he wasn’t looking.

“Well, it wouldn’t be a party without your partner in crime,” Marco teased.