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Sidney sat on the couch, fiddling with her switch, her concentration solely on a game she had been obsessing over for the last half hour. Her brow furrowed as she tried to figure out the next move, completely unaware of how much of a dork she looked at that moment. Mario, sitting across from her, watched with an amused smirk, leaning back in his chair.
"You know, Sid," Mario said, his tone teasing, "I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who’s so... uncool while being so good at everything else."
Sidney glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "What’s that supposed to mean?" she asked, clearly confused.
Mario chuckled, shaking his head. "You’ve got that 'serious athlete' thing down, but then you do stuff like this," he pointed at her phone, "and it’s like watching the world’s biggest nerd trying to win a math contest."
Sidney narrowed her eyes at him but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Just because you don’t appreciate a good challenge doesn’t mean I’m lame."
"Challenge?" Mario laughed, leaning forward with mock seriousness. "You’re playing a game where you move cartoon animals around a screen, Sid. I mean, come on. How many world-class athletes do you know who spend their free time doing that?"
Sidney huffed, crossing her arms. "It’s relaxing. Besides, it’s better than sitting around doing nothing."
"Oh, yeah, super relaxing," Mario teased, his grin widening. "You look like you’re plotting to take over the world with that serious look on your face."
Sidney rolled her eyes but couldn’t help laughing. "You’re just jealous because your village sucks."
Mario raised his hands in mock surrender. "You’re right, Sid. I’m just a boring old hockey legend who can’t compete with your impressive cartoon animal game skills."
"Shut up," she muttered, her cheeks flushing a little, but she was still smiling.
"Admit it," Mario pressed, his grin turning playful. "You’re kind of a nerd."
Sidney gave him a playful shove. "I am not!"
"You so are," Mario said, laughing as he leaned back again. "And that’s okay. It’s kind of endearing, you know? You being all serious about things no one else cares about."
Sidney gave him a faux-glare, but the smile on her face betrayed her. "Well, at least I’m not sitting here making fun of someone else’s hobbies."
"Because you’re too busy trying to save your cartoon kingdom or whatever," Mario shot back, his laughter filling the room.
Sidney groaned, rolling her eyes again, but she was clearly enjoying the banter. "You’re impossible."
"Hey, someone’s got to keep you humble," Mario said with a wink. "Can’t have you thinking you’re perfect at everything."
"Good thing I don’t need your approval," Sidney retorted, but her grin was wide now.
Mario shook his head, still chuckling. "Nope, you definitely don’t."