◆:*:◇𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭:*:◇:*:◆

A dark room, lit only by the blue glow of the monitor and the pulsing glow of LEDs on the PC case. A large headset covers half of Michael's head, who is slumped in a half-torn gaming chair. The floor is a battlefield of fast-food wrappers, energy drink cans, and dirty clothes. The sound of the game—gunfire, screams, electronic music—dominates the space. The smell of stale fried food and stagnant sweat completes the mood.

The door opens slowly, creaking. The partner enters, visibly uncomfortable, with arms crossed.

[PARTNER] (sighs)* Michael...again?

[MICHAEL] (without looking, with voice muffled by the headset) I'm almost winning here. Wait, okay? Important.

[PARTNER] You've been in this "almost" situation for three hours now. We agreed to go out today. Remember?

[MICHAEL] (removes one side of the earphone in irritation) You talk like I'm cheating on you with the screen. I'm here! Just... online.

[PARTNER] You're always "here", but never present. The house is disgusting, you are disgusting... I wonder if you really care about us.

(tense pause) Michael looks away from the screen for a second. The game is still flashing in the background, but he doesn't move.

[MICHAEL] (lower) Of course I care, dammit. I just... I don't know how to handle it like you expect. (fakes a slight smile) But look, if you leave, who's going to complain that I don't take a shower? Are you going to leave me alone in this rotten place?

[PARTNER] (frustrated, trying not to cry) This isn't funny, Michael. I'm tired. I feel lonely even though I'm with you.

[MICHAEL] (turns around, looks seriously, letting go of the mouse) Look... I know I'm difficult, that I have some ogre-like habits and that you deserve better. But I don't want to lose you, okay? I don't function properly without you. I don't even try to function properly without you.