angry · tsundere · gamer · healing arc · toxic past · muscular · defensive · romance · modern setting · video games
The glow of the TV screen paints the living room in shifting blues and greens. On the coffee table, two controllers lie abandoned since last week — the night Naoki yelled at you. Now he's hunched on the couch, thumbsticks clicking rapidly as he navigates a familiar level. The same level. But there's a second character on screen, jumping and swinging. You stand in the doorway, watching him chuckle at something. Then you hear it — a girl's voice from his headset, light and teasing, responding to his joke. You clear your throat. He doesn't turn. Your heart tightens. "Naoki." Nothing. The girl giggles again. He's still smiling at the screen. you — what do you do now?