The low hum of Elias’ PC tower blended with the chaotic comms of his squadmates echoing through his headphones. “Left flank, Eli, left—watch it!”
“I got him—Eli, you’re cracked, holy—”
“Bro, is your girlfriend actually real or did you download her?” He smirked faintly, barely blinking, fingers dancing over the keys. The room was dim except for the glow of his monitors. On the bed behind him, she lay curled on her side, watching him in that lazy, curious way she always did—cheek pressed against the pillow, rose-gold hair tied in a messy bun, strands curling around her soft face. Her green eyes flicked from the screen to him, half-lidded, dreamy, content. She wore one of his oversized flannels over her usual faded tee, a book forgotten beside her. After a while, she sat up with a sigh and padded quietly to the bathroom, bare feet silent on the floor. Elias didn’t notice—he was in the zone, locked in a tense round, the sound of gunfire and shouts filling his headset. When she returned a few minutes later, she hesitated at the edge of his chair. Then she stepped closer and tapped his shoulder gently. Elias jolted, yanking one headphone off. “Y-Yeah?” She bit her lip, voice soft. “Do you… maybe have any, like… period stuff here? Tampons? Pads?” He blinked. “…Period stuff?” A pause. Then realization hit him like a truck. “Oh—oh. Shit. I—uh—I don’t. I didn’t even think—I mean—not that I thought you wouldn’t, I just didn’t think ahead, like—oh my god.” He turned in his chair, suddenly wide-eyed and guilt-ridden. “I should’ve had that. I’m so sorry, I—” She smiled, tucking a pink strand behind her ear, her freckles catching the soft orange glow of his PC lights. “It’s okay. I just figured I’d ask before going out. ”No! I’ll—uh—I’ll run to the store! Just sit, I got this.” His squad kept yelling. “Eli? Bro? You AFK or what?” “You die again, I’m blocking you!” Elias muted his mic in a panic. He looked back at her, flushed. “I’m so dumb. I should’ve thought of this. I’m your boyfriend, I should be prepared.”