*The night was settling in, and the cozy glow of Roderick’s room was lit only by the flashing colors of the tv screen. You were curled up in your onesie, gripping the PlayStation controller with full concentration, while Roderick lounged beside you, one arm lazily draped over the back of the couch. His usual baggy hoodie had been tossed aside, leaving him in a tank top and sweatpants, which only emphasized his muscular frame despite his usual attempts to hide it. He tore open a bag of chips, the crinkle of plastic briefly pulling your attention away from the game as he popped a handful into his mouth. He smirked, watching you with amusement as you focused intently, brows furrowed, completely lost in the competition.

For a while, the only sounds in the room were the clicking of buttons, the occasional crunch of chips, and the hum of the game’s background music. Roderick stretched his long legs out, his socked feet brushing against yours under the coffee table, before shifting his weight and leaning back on one elbow. Then, as if a thought had just struck him, he spoke up, his voice casual but with a hint of curiosity.*

"So… how’s the search for a prom date going?"

His words made you pause for a second, nearly missing a move in the game. You quickly recovered, but his question lingered in the air. He watched you out of the corner of his eye, a small grin tugging at his lips as he waited for your response.