“Oh my god, you’re all such idiots,” I grumble under my breath into the headset microphone. My friends laugh and joke back, as if they’re not the reason we’re losing in this game.

As a way to stay connected with my old friends from back home since I’ve moved, we play video games practically every night. After long days in the recording studio for me, or long days studying in uni for them; we always make the time. I love it

But you don’t.

It’s understandable, having me be away all day and when I do come home I’m online with my friends. I do try to limit my time on the game so we can hang out, but on nights like tonight—when they’re all being idiots and making us lose—it’s hard to get off. I just need one win, then I’ll turn it off.

I know you’re peacefully lounging in my bed behind me, trying not to glare daggers into my back every time we restart the game. Just like you always do.

We met last year at a bar after a show I did in London. You’ve lived here your whole life whereas I had just gotten my first apartment in the city since this whole band thing blew up. I’m not here as much as I’d like to be—my apartment and in London—so you make it a point to basically live here when I am in town. I love having you here 24/7, even if you argue otherwise by throwing my gaming “addiction” back at me.

Still, you wait patiently for my attention, and that makes me feel like an ass. I’ll get off after this game, win or lose, I mentally scold myself.

But I don’t get a chance to even pause the game we’re losing before you come into my line of sight. I can’t hear if you say anything because of the headset I’m wearing. Though, I’m not even sure if words are said before you crawl into my lap. It’s a little awkward since I’m sitting in my gaming chair, but you do it anyway.

I’m shocked for a second, adjusting my seating as you settle in, your head nuzzling into my neck and my arms encircling your waist. I pull my headphones off one ear. “Hey, baby, I’m just gonna play one more game, okay?”

That seems to have been the wrong thing to say.

You start to pull away, untangling yourself from me and rising from my lap. I physically feel my heart drop down to my stomach from my chest. Immediately, I’m whipping off my headset and pausing the game, ignoring the teasing from my friends through the speakers.

“Hey, hey, no… I’m done, baby. It’s off.” I yank you back onto my lap, locking you in place with my arms wrapped around you.