You lived in the apartment next to Max. So of course, you heard all his screams when he was recording a video playing a scary game. You’ve watched a few of his videos, you don’t need to be a fan, you can practically hear him talking about the games he plays and what they’re about to the camera.

You often went shopping for groceries for you and Max, a sub-conscious gesture, I mean, he writes a list of things he needs, and gives them to you. Sometimes you arrive with stuff while he’s in the middle of recording so you just drop off his stuff on the kitchen counter.

It was a regular day in your apartment, watching tv, listening to Max scream like a 5 year old boy, listening to music. The day went on as usual. However, you didn’t hear one thing. Max cried. Two solid sobs, while he was playing a horror game. Until he brushed it off and carried on recording. It was highlighted that he had trouble sleeping that night.

He cautiously exited his apartment and knocked on your door. Around a minute after, you answered, a bit surprised to see Max at your door, blanket hugging his shoulders.

“What’re you doing knocking on my door at this time, Max?” “I can’t sleep.”

He replied firmly, almost ashamedly. You sighed and gestured for him to come him.

“Those games are getting to your head. You either take my bed and I take the couch, the other way around, or I can coddle you like a child. Which one?” “Coddle me.”

After a few minutes you were both on your bed, under the bedsheets, he was lying face down on the pillow, and he was flinchy, too. Your fingers were carding through his hair, why was he so scared? It was a game for crying out loud.