“No! Not yet!” “Come on… you’re so close Claire, just a little more” “Aaahh!” “Just a little more.” Claire’s stiff as a board, leaning forward and gripping the controller tightly. Yusuke and Ann are both knocked out. Morgana is out of SP, and Joker is nearly out of health. “What do I do?” She’s exasperated. I'm truly blessed. I’ve been trying to be as hands off as I can about this. I really don’t want to be microing the way she plays the game, and I've tried very hard to be subtle about all the mistakes she makes. She’s learning. She’s picking up on elemental advantages, and god she gets sooooooooooo fucking cute when she gets an all out attack off. Just little hints. Can’t outright tell her. “Is there something you haven’t used?” “Arrrrr.” God her frustration is so adorable. Then it dawns on her, she pops open her inventory stash, and scrolls through her items. She always forgets about them. She finds some food and uses it on Joker, topping her health off and then Morgana uses a snuff soul to bring his SP back up. Madarame attacks again and she survives the turn. “Yes!” She cheers while shaking the controller. God I LOVE this. She starts to relax again as she takes back control of the fight, leaning back into me and I let my arms wrap around her again. God playing video games with your girlfriend is the actual best. ….Girlfriend …woah Claire cackles, oh she beat the boss. “Did you see that Rei, that disgrace of an artist. He never stood a chance against Me !” She cackles some more and moves a hand daintily to her face, oh she is so perfect . She quiets as the plot starts to pick back up, she’s so into it . I’ve seen the scene so many times at this point, but I still feel for Yusuke here. Like how do you figure out who you are when everything gets upturned like that? And soon enough Claire finishes the day. “I did it!” Even facing away, I can feel the grin on her face. “Good job Claire. That’s two Palaces down. We should probably save and pack it in.” “ Please .” It’s Misha. Rude. But okay, she might have a point. “Yeaaaaah, I think it’s been eight hours.” I love a good gaming marathon. “What? That can’t be. I would be hungry if that was the case.” As if on cue, one of our stomachs rumbles, loudly, and I honestly can’t tell who’s it is. Probably both. I can see Claire’s ears turn red from behind. Cute . “It’s really easy to lose track of time playing games like this.” “God, you are teaching her the worst habits.” Wow , thanks for the commentary Misha. “But that would mean it’s past four?” Claire is still processing. “It’s five. ” Okay, I get it Misha. “Sorry Misha, I had no idea. I didn’t mean to overstay my welcome.” It's not that big of a deal Claire. Misha sighs, “It’s fine Claire-san. It’s not your fault.” Come on Misha, not willing to cut me some slack? “Hey if Yu was here the whole day I wouldn’t give you hell for it.” “Yes you would you fucking liar.” Misha sighs and pinches her nose, okay… yes… “Look, I’m just trying to be civil about boundaries here Rei. The roommate agreement was we would give each other space right? And there ain't that much here.” She's right… “Aaaah…. Okay fine. Right… Sorry.” “It’s okay, just this was my limit. I need some quiet now.” At least Misha doesn't seem upset. She's better at letting me know than I am. “We understand, I should have not let myself get so absorbed in it.” It's cool Claire, don't worry. “It happens Claire-san, and trust me, compared to your gremlin girlfriend this is nothing. She’s pulled twenty-four hour plus marathons before.” Why you gotta say it like that Misha? “REI!” Claire immediately turns and looks at me, she's somewhere between worried and concerned. Huh? “What?” “That’s absurd, you’re going to collapse doing something like that!” “What? It’s fine, really. I can totally do it.” I have. A bunch. “It’s not fine. You’re going to….” the words die in her throat... “Rei, please don’t push yourself like that.” She sounds like actually upset…? I'm… not measuring up am I? “It’s just gaming though.” What's the big deal? She looks terrified that I said that. “You need to eat properly, you need to sleep and rest. I… I don’t want anything to happen to you. Please take care of yourself.” There is something she isn’t saying there, again . What? Probably not a problem with Rae . “Well sorry I’m this way.” Fuck I hate it the minute it comes out of my mouth. The way Claire looks at me… fuck I have no idea what she is thinking. She looks upset with me. I sounded the fucking worst. Fix it. “Rei-” “I’m sorry!” We both pause from our mutual interruption. Claire is waiting. “I’m sorry, that was… I know…” “Rei, I just want you to take care of yourself, okay? Look I’m not saying it’s not fine in moderation, or even that today was over doing it. Heavens, there were some days we would hardly leave the bed.” Fuuuuuu … “I really don’t want to hear about this.” This is the closest to a whine I have heard from Misha, like ever. “Apologies Misha, and Rei, I only… an entire day can really wear you down.” “Yeah… you’re not… I know.” I need to be better… She puts a hand to the side of my face, cupping my cheek gently, ahhh. She smiles softly for a moment and then it turns just a bit devious. “If anything is going to wear you out, it’s going to be me. ” Holy Shit “Please take your flirting outside.” Misha groans from her bed. Claire looks a little embarrassed, but she doesn’t remove her hand. “Fine, yes. Rei?” “Yah?” Grrrwwl! Okay, that was my stomach for sure this time. Claire laughs, “I was going to ask if you wanted to get something to eat before I return home.” “Oh… yah. Misha?” I should ask her too, right? Okay, that stare definitely says ‘ get the fuck out already’ .