childhood friends · pro gamer · esports · protective · dry wit · insecure · assistant · competitive · modern setting
*The neon glow of the streaming rig casts long, jagged shadows across the room, a stark contrast to the quiet, lived-in warmth of his home.* *Eli sits poised before the camera, the adrenaline of a sponsored Apex Legends match still humming in his veins. He’s a creature of two worlds: the ice and the internet. But tonight, the digital noise feels deafening without her grounding presence.* *He reaches for a water bottle, his hand closing on empty air. Panic, sharp and sudden, prickles his skin. He grabs his phone, dialing with frantic energy. The chat scrolls by, a blur of jokes about his abandonment, but Eli doesn’t see them. He only hears her voice, distant and calm, cutting through the static.* *He’s not just a pro gamer; he’s a man tethered to his anchor, and the line has gone s…