Chapter Text
It was a Saturday afternoon and Trystan was spending it as he always did: playing video games.
'Take that!’ he yelled at the screen. His fingers flitted across the controller with lightning reflexes as his character fired at hordes of enemy soldiers. He was just about to clear the level when…
'Fuck! Fuck!’ He jabbed at the buttons in a panic. 'Fuck! I’ve run out of ammo! Shit!’
GAME OVER
'FUCK!’
He slumped down onto the couch, dejected, and picked up his can of Coke, taking a sip.
As he silently fumed about his loss, Stacey entered the room, looking concerned.
'Is something wrong?’ she asked, raising an eyebrow. 'I heard yelling.’
She looked over to the TV screen and, putting two and two together, she frowned.
'Oh, it’s that video game again.’ She tutted. 'You really need to get other hobbies. Maybe ones that don’t involve screaming at a screen.’
Trystan rolled his eyes. This wasn’t the first time he’d heard this lecture from his girlfriend. 'Yeah, yeah, I know…’ He tilted his head back, draining the last of his soft drink. ’Bellch!’
Stacey scrunched her nose. 'Excuse you,’ she said. 'And maybe think about cutting back on those sugary drinks. Your metabolism won’t keep up with it forever.’
He crunched the can in his fist and dropped it onto the couch. 'OK,’ he said, hoping she’d stop bugging him so he could get back to his gaming in peace.
But Stacey wasn’t finished. 'Aren’t you going to throw that in the recycling?’
'I will,’ he said, eyes glued to the TV again as he navigated the game’s menu. 'In a minute.’
She crossed her arms. 'Listen, Trystan…’ She paused, trying to put her words in order. 'I don’t want to be a pain… but we’ve been together since high school and I don’t think you’ve had a steady job the entire time.’
'I keep telling you, the job market’s shit right now.’ He flicked between two weapon options, weighing up which was better. 'I’ll find one eventually.’
'You keep saying that, about everything, that you’ll just “get around to it later”.“ She moved in front of the TV, blocking Trystan’s view. 'But "later” never seems to come. You’re still living like a teenager at the age of 23. It’s time you grew up, took responsibility, came up with a plan for your future.’
Trystan groaned. 'You’re sounding like my mum,’ he said, putting down his controller. 'Can’t I just live my life how I want to?’
Stacie breathed in, preparing herself for a rebuttal, but then let it out as a sigh. 'You know what? Let’s save this conversation for when you’re in a better headspace. I’m going out to do the shopping for dinner.’ She began to walk out the door. ’Someone around here needs to be the adult.’
Trystan sighed He knew when Stacey was trying to make him feel guilty and he didn’t want this turning into a grudge. 'Hey,’ he called after her. 'You stay. I’ll go buy the groceries.’
Stacey smiled at this olive branch. 'Thank you. I’ll give you the shopping list.’
As Trystan walked back to his car, arms laden with shopping bags, he passed the video game store.
I’m sure Stacey won’t mind if I’m a little late. I’ll just take a quick peak…
As he browsed the aisles, looking over the latest releases, he saw the new edition of Warblaster Ultimate. There was only one copy left and as he reached out his hand for it, it was plucked off the shelf by someone else.
'Oh, sorry! Did you want this?’
Trystan looked up to see a young man, probably about his age, holding the case out to him. For a moment, his mind drifted off as he took in the guy’s features: a messy mop of brown hair; dark, friendly eyes and a similarly lanky figure as his own.
Realising he hadn’t said anything in reply, he stuttered before replying with a mumbled 'Yeah.’
'You take it then,’ the guy said. 'You were here before me, I just ran up when I saw it and didn’t even notice you.’ He smiled bashfully, combing his fingers through his hair.
'Nah, it’s all good,’ Trystan replied, taking the game.
'Have you played the original version?’ the guy asked.
'You bet! It’s awesome!’ Trystan looked down at the game in his hand. 'I missed out on the Definitive Edition, but I’ve heard the Definitive Edition Plus is even better than that, especially the graphics.’
'And there’s that exclusive DLC!’ the guy shook his head. 'Ah! I want to play it so bad, but it’s been sold out everywhere. I guess I’ll just have to order it online…’
Trystan offered the game back to him. 'Here, you can keep it.’
'Really?’
'Yeah. I was just having a look at it. My girlfriend would have a fit if she knew I was spending money on another version of a game I already own.’
The guy smiled. 'You’re awesome bro!’ He pulled Trystan in for a bear hug, thumping him on the shoulder. 'Tell you what,’ he said. 'You can come over to my place and we can play it together.’ He put his hand out. 'I’m Jared, by the way.’
'Trystan.’
The two shook hands.
'All right!’ Jared grinned. 'Let me give you my phone number and you can text me the dates you’re free.’
'Oh? Where are you going?’ Stacey asked, putting down the book she was reading.
Trystan pulled on his jacket and picked up his keys. 'To visit a friend.’
Stacey pouted. 'I thought you and I could spend some time together…’
'Sorry.’ Trystan shrugged. 'I made plans. I can’t cancel on him now.’
'It’s OK,’ Stacey said with a sigh and picking her book up again. 'At least you’re doing something other than playing video games.’
Trystan chose not to correct her about that. 'See ya later!’ he said, heading out the door.
'Have fun!’
'This should be the right place…’ Trystan said to himself, looking at the apartment complex’s intercom buzzer. 'Let’s see… where’s the button…’
He double-checked the number on his phone and then pressed it. A tinny voice came from the speaker.
'That you Trystan?’
'Yeah, it’s me.’
'Come on up.’
A buzz sounded and the door clicked open, allowing Trystan inside. Before long, he had made his way to Jared’s apartment.
'Hey! Welcome bro!’ Jared ushered him in. 'Come in, come in.’
Trystan looked around. The place was decently-sized, although the rooms were pretty sparse. Most of the free surfaces were cluttered with the odd piece of trash or laundry.
Jared picked up a T-shirt that had been left on the sofa. 'Sorry about the mess. I tried to do a quick tidy up before you arrived, but I’d let things build up and yeah… I didn’t have enough time.’
'Nah, bro, no stress,’ Trystan said, dusting some crumbs off the cushion before he sat down. 'I can’t criticise anyway: my girlfriend’s always telling me off for being a slob myself.’
Jared laughed. 'Women, right? If it weren’t for the fact I have to keep the place clean for when I invite chicks over, I’d probably live in a pigsty.’
He turned on the console and tossed Trystan a controller.
'You ready to play?’
'You bet!’
It was an engrossing game, especially because Jared was a worthy challenger for Trystan, and they were deep in the world of the video game, completely ignorant to the passage of time. They would probably have forgotten about dinner entirely if it weren’t for a loud growl that came from Trystan’s stomach.
'You sound like you’re starving,’ Jared said. 'Let’s see what I’ve got to eat.’
They paused the game and went into the kitchen. Jared opened the fridge door and they were greeted with two six-packs of Monster energy drink, a bottle of beer and a half-eaten ham sandwich that wasn’t looking pretty fresh (to put it mildly).
'Uh, sorry?’ Jared gave an embarrassed and apologetic smile. 'I guess I was so excited about toight I kinda forgot to buy food.’ He pulled out his phone and flicked through his home screen. 'Don’t worry, I’ll just order some pizza. There’s a shop right around the corner, it’ll be here in like two seconds. What topping do you want?’
'Hawaiian, for sure’ Trystan said.
Jared looked from his phone with a grin. 'Dude. No way! That’s what I was gonna get! It’s my fave.’
'Mine too,’ Trystan said. 'I don’t care what people say about it not being traditional. They just haven’t experienced the perfect combo of pineapple and ham.’
Jared chuckled as he submitted the order. 'We agree on video games and pizza toppings: the two most important things, am I right?’
'Yeah!’ Trystan replied with a smirk.
Jared wasn’t wrong about the speedy the delivery: after about ten minutes of placing the order they had their pizzas, freshly cooked, sitting on their laps.
'Mmm!’ Trystan moaned. 'This is so good!’
Jared cracked open a can of soft drink and picked up a slice of pizza with his other hand. 'It’s the best when it’s so fresh!’ He scarfed down the pizza and chased it down with a gulp of his drink. ’BEEELLLLLCCHHH! Phew!’
'Awesome bro!’ Trystan said, holding out his hand for a high-five.
'Thank you!’ Jared said, slapping the outstretched hand. 'Let’s see what you can do.’
Trystan sculled his own drink and crushed the empty can on his forehead. He opened his mouth and let the gas out, contorting his jaw and lips to modulate the sound and tone.
’BWA-uuuuurrrrr-rrup!’
'Nice one!’ Jared smiled.
Trystan let the crumpled can drop to the floor and continued to hoe into his food. It felt so nice hanging out with Jared, being able to just relax and be himself with no one to tell him to mind his manners or to keep his greasy fingers off the couch. It was so good that when the time came to head home, he wished he didn’t have to leave.
'We need to hang out again sometime,’ he said, standing in the doorway.
'Totally.’ Jared nodded vigorously. 'We should make it a weekly thing.’
'Sounds cool!’ Trystan gave Jordan a fist bump. 'Looking forward to it.’
On the ride back home, Trystan couldn’t stop smiling. Finally, he’d found someone who he clicked with. It looked like this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.