Calvin jumped back as the game over screen cut in.
“Son of a bitch, man! Really thought I’d figured out the dodge strat that time. Tak, you want a go?”
“I’m going to jump across the country when that jumpscare hits, but I’ll give it a shot.” Calvin and Takeo swapped spots on the couch, while Toby stayed on his side.
Takeo dropped onto the couch, starting Toby on a slide down the fabric. He gently settled onto Takeo’s shoulder.
“Damn, wouldn’t get to take you out if you’re across the country… that’d be a real tragedy.”
Toby giggled slightly, and Takeo felt a blush come to his face.
“Shit, you wouldn’t be able to use terrible pick-up lines on me? Maybe I’ll bring Toby along when I fly. He’s cuter, too.”
“Yeah, but I’m way hotter. Actually, a real combo would be me and Toby.” Takeo snorted briefly at the concept. “Toby? You want to go get dinner sometime?”
Toby gave another chuckle, and looked up from Takeo’s shoulder. “Sorry, I’m a bit busy with someone that has a hint of class.” Calvin put on his most offended expression, and offered up a rebuttal.
“Gosh, both of you piling on top of me! I’d expected it to be the other way around with either of you!”
Toby groaned, and Takeo conveyed his pain verbally. “Case in point on those terrible pickup lines. You’re hot and can put together a hell of a date, but you’re too used to those engineering department girls that lose it when a guy flirts with them.”
“Oh yeah? That’s… uh… mostly fair, actually. It’s good fun though, don’t deny it. And it does at least convey the idea that I’m into you.”
“Also conveys your distasteful aspects. You’re up against Toby here, and cheesy lines aren’t the way to get me.”
“Ooh, competition! Well, not really. I could NOT pull off that man’s fit if I tried, and also trying to lean on someone a foot shorter than me seems like a speed run to neck pain.
Toby chimed in again. “I’d be happy to try and make you look cute. Would be super fun, actually… you should come shopping with me sometime, I want to put you in a dress. You might actually look pretty good in it.” He paused a moment, then came back. “That would hurt my chances with Takeo though, so I dunno…”
“Dude, next time you go out, bring me along. I’d totally be down for that-“
Takeo broke in again. “Ooh, you two would go great together!” He was quickly counter-interrupted by the simultaneous flicks from Toby and Calvin.
“You imply that any of us could ever actually work together-“ countered Toby.
Calvin pushed back a bit. “I think it’d work with me and Tak. Not you, we’re on way opposite ends of the spectrum, and I don’t follow laws, much less the ones of physics-“
He was interrupted by a hard clack as Takeo slammed the buttons on his controller. Toby and Calvin both flicked their gaze over to the TV, as Takeo’s fingers raced around the controller, twitching almost imperceptibly.
Toby felt each click of the controller on his cheek, Takeo’s breathing slowing.
“Oh shit, oh shit, go go go right flick, hook, yesyesyes niiiiice okay you got this man,” Calvin streamed out, as Takeo flew around the game, monsters approaching from all angles.
Toby steadied his breathing, pressing his head closer to Takeo’s, holding him with a free hand-
“AHHHH FUCK SHIT FUCK GOD DAMNIT AGHHHH FUCKING FUCK-“ shouted an extremely startled Takeo, now hiding behind the couch. Calvin and Toby both near-sprinted over to Takeo. Calvin wrapped his arm around Takeo, Toby gripping his lower chest in a tight hug, murmuring nothings into his abdomen.
Calvin kept his stream of words going, but changed tone sharply. “Hey, you alright? It’s fine man, just a game, we’re here, you’re here, at your house, Friday night. It’s okay, you’re fine, take as long as you need-“
Takeo took a deep breath in, then out, then shakily returned to a normal rhythm again. “Alright, alright alright alright alright, okay,” he quietly repeated to himself as he glanced over the couch at the TV, showing the Load Save screen, with a Game Over banner shamefully displayed at the top. “Alright, I’m fine, I’m here, it’s safe, okay. Fucking hell, are you two alright? I almost nailed you in the face when I jumped over the couch, I’m really sorry-“ he apologized until Calvin said he was fine and showed Takeo his uninjured face with a flashlight. Takeo immediately got to apologizing to Toby, who had a slight scratch from a button on Takeo’s shirt scraping his face.
“No, no no no it’s okay, you were scared, there was nothing to do, it’s alright.”
Calvin went and turned the lights on, and the three of them walked out of the basement to the door.
“Hell of a night, huh?” Takeo replied, mostly cheerfully but still with a noticeable shake to his voice.
“Yeah man… hey, I’m just mad we didn’t manage to beat that goddamned boss. We’ll get him some time. And I’ll make sure to hang onto you, hey?” Calvin replied, excited yet gentle.
“Pff, whatever you say… goodnight man, ride safe.” Takeo waved Calvin goodbye as he walked down to his bicycle, and then grabbed Toby by the arm as he went to get his own bike.
“You’re pretty scraped up. C’mon, we’ll get you cleaned up first and then I’ll let you leave.”