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"This week on Introducing My Normie Boyfriend to Video Games - today we're gonna be playing Pokemon Sun!"
Phone in his left hand, gestures with his right, Idia commentates as he pretends he's a hybrid of an underpaid reality TV show narrator and an annoying gaming YouTuber who brings their partner into their videos sometimes because they're running out of content and ideas. Leona is to his right, holding a 3DS and eyes focused on its screen, almost too feline-like. Though when he rolls his eyes, it's definitely more human-like.
"First of all, why the hell did you say that? Second of all, don't call me a normie."
The normie speaks as his gaze moves to flash an unamused expression at Idia's faux video recording. Though he'll admit, Idia looks adorable with that teethy smirk of his. It vanishes, replaced by an equally adorable pout. Leona fights the urge to cup his cheek and pull him into a kiss.
"You are one though. But yeah I'll admit, that was kinda cringy."
Idia admits as he lowers the phone in defeat and offers Leona a small smile. Leona struggles to describe if what he's feeling is the skipping of heartbeats or the increasing speed of them. Leona responds with a fond sigh and a smile mirroring his boyfriend's.
Leona gets to playing while Idia guides him not-so-helpfully and comments on his progress - though mostly he quips to laugh over some of Leona's choices ("Of course you'd go for Litten LOL.") and overall inexperience with the game. After some more bickering, Leona asks.
"Isn't there another game I have to play after this?"
He recalls how Idia informed him of the mainline games usually coming in pairs with some sort of theme. Well, it was more that Idia subconsciously rambling and Leona willingly entertaining the whims of his autistic boyfriend.
"Yup! Three games, to be exact."
Leona stops in the middle of a battle to look at Idia. His Litten sustains its determined stance against a wild Grubbin ("This is, like, the 7th one in a row, what the hell?").
"??? I thought there's only this and Pokemon Moon?"
Leona applies his apparently limited knowledge, an eyebrow arched in confusion. Idia chuckles at this, as if to say See, you are a normie. Everyone knows that's not technically true.
"There's also Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon, which are, like the improved version of Sun and Moon. And I will make you play them btw. You need to see and compare the improvements with me! I'll also make you watch the Sun and Moon anime, mwehehe!"
His sharp teeth make their comeback, in the form of a scheming grin this time. This usually would be Leona's cue to roll his eyes and decline but he has more pressing questions than refuse to indulge his boyfriend and at least attempt to understand why he loves what he loves.
"But why Sun and Moon specifically? You could've made me play the newer games. They're bound to cater to new players and fans more, right?"
The screen of the 3DS plays several shots of the abandoned battlefield from different angles. Idia's grin makes its transition to that tender smile of his once again, tearing his eyes away from Leona and to the small screen. He's silent for a few beats. Leona basks in how cute Idia's deep affection for this game is.
"Not necessarily. You kinda can start at any point really. At least when it comes to the video games. Because y'know, Pokemon's for everyone and all that. Video games are for everyone. Even for people like us."
Idia exhales, as if he's been holding his breath the entire time. Only music from the game and the buzzing of Idia's air conditioner fill the room. After what seems like hours, Idia clears his throat.
"A-And also that the easier to get into the franchise, the more money they get. Obviously."
Leona scoffs but that's the end of that. He doesn't think too much of that answer. Finally, he resumes the battle he long neglected, though he's not fully focused on it or even the game for that matter - Idia's comment of video games being for everyone leeches all the memory and attention space in his brain.
"A-anyway, I want you to play Sun and Moon because they're just... my favorite installments, is all."
Idia continues after a minute. He has a bashful smile on now and he's looking down at his bed where they both sit. His jabs and sarcastic remarks lessen throughout the playthrough.
If simply playing a few games and watching anime with his boyfriend is what it takes to see that smile almost all the time...
Leona laughs softly.
"...Alright then."