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"SHOOT IT!"
Michael nearly dropped his controller in frustration.
"I'M TRYING!"
"THEN JUST SHOOT IT!"
"WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M DOING HERE??"
The zombie on the screen lunged toward them and its twisted limbs scraped across the ruined concrete floor as Michael frantically spammed the button, virtually mashing it to bits.
Jeremy was nearly off the couch in his endevour to get Michael to kill the damn thing.
"MICHAEL IT'S LITERALLY RIGHT THERE!"
"SHUSH I KNOW"
"THEN WHY ARE YOU RUNNING AWAY FROM IT INSTEAD OF KILLING IT?"
"BECAUSE IT'S SCARY"
Jeremy gaped at his friend.
"We've been playing this game for hours on end."
"That doesn't mean I'm emotionally prepared for it!!"
The zombie shrieked.
Michael screamed.
Jeremy burst in fits of laughter.
"BAHAHAHAHAHAHAH"
"SHUT UP!"
"Dude you just screamed louder than the monster!"
"Well it came out of nowhere!!"
"It's literally on the screen!"
Michael elbowed Jeremy's arm. "You're not being helpful."
Jeremy was still laughing as Michael tried to regain control of his character. They were playing Apocalypse of the Damned and as usual, they were struggling to get past Level 9: The Cafetorium. They had made it farther than either of them expected this time though, mostly because Jeremy knew what he was doing and Michael was apparently willing to sacrifice himself to every monster in the game, despite being Player 1.
"Okay," Jeremy said, trying to calm down from his hysteria. "We're good. We're good."
Michael narrowed his eyes and snorted sceptically. "You say that every time, and we always die."
"Because YOU panic. Everytime."
"I do NOT. Not everytime."
Jeremy gave him a look, one eyebrow raised.
Michael sighed. "Fine. I panic a little."
"A little? We're never getting past level 9 at this point."
"Shut up."
The game loaded the next area of the cafetorium, revealing a dark, abandoned corner. The emergency lights flicked as footsteps echoed through the hall.
Michael immediately leaned closer to the screen.
"Okay. This is creepy."
Jeremy grinned. "You're scared again."
"I'm not scared."
"You are literally gripping the controller like your life depends on it."
"It does."
"It's a fricking video game."
"Not to me it isn't."
Jeremy laughed under his breath.
They moved through slowly, checking every doorway and corner. Michael took the lead this time.
"See?" he said proudly. "I'm getting better."
"Sure buddy."
"I am."
"Absolutely."
"Stop saying it like that."
"Like what?"
"Like "aaaaabsoluuutely". Like you don't believe in me."
Jeremy smirked. "I believe in you."
Michael smiled despite himself.
"Aww thanks."
They continued in the same spirit. For the next couple of hours, the two of them barely noticed the time. They shouted at the screen , celebrated every boss they defeated, and blamed each other whenever something went wrong.
Eventually though, Michael's energy was beginning to fade. Jeremy noticed the first yawn.
"You tired?"
Michael shook his head.
"No."
"You just yawned."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
Michael kept his eyes on the screen.
"I'm fine."
"Okay."
"I'm serious."
"Sure."
A couple more minutes passed and Michael's movements began to slow down.
Jeremy glanced over, concerned.
"You want to stop?"
"No."
"You've barely said anything for the last ten minutes."
"I'm concentrating."
"On what?"
"Surviving."
Jeremy laughed softly.
Michael didn't respond.
Another minute passed and Michael's head tipped slowly sideways. Jeremy barely had time to react before it landed softly against his shoulder. He blinked.
"...Michael?"
No response.
Jeremy looked down and gently shook him.
"Hey, Micha."
Michael was completely asleep.
His controller was still resting in his lap, one hand loosely curled around it. his fluffy hair flopping messily over his forehead. Compared to the panicked expression he had had in the past 3 hours, his face was peaceful and almost impossibly soft.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Michael only drowsily nestled further into Jeremy's shoulder.
Jeremy couldn't help but smile.
"Aww."
He immediately glanced at the screen.
Michael's character was standing completely still, abandoned by his sleeping gamer.
A zombie shuffled into view.
"Oh, crap."
Jeremy quickly grabbed Michael's controller and moved his character out of the way.
"There. Saved your life."
Michael mumbled something against his shoulder.
"What?"
"...didn't need saving."
Jeremy snorted.
"You're asleep."
"I know."
"You can't be asleep and know you're asleep at the same time."
"...can too."
Jeremy smiled.
"You're ridiculous."
Michael shifted slightly, his head slipping lower against Jeremy's shoulder. Jeremy carefully adjusted himself so he wouldn't slide off.
"There," he said, patting his head gently.
Michael made a tiny, content noise.
Jeremy's heart practically exploded.
"...Did you just purr?"
"No."
"You absolutely did."
"No."
"You sound like a cat."
Michael opened one sleepy (and mildy annoyed) eye.
"You're annoying."
"And yet you're using me as a pillow."
Michael's eye slowly closed again.
"You're a comfortable pillow."
Jeremy went quiet and hischeeks warmed.
"...Thanks."
Michael shifted closer and sleepily found the sleeve of Jeremy's blue cardigan, clinging onto it. Jeremy stared at Michael's hand curled around his sleeve and for a moment, he forgot all about the game. The television bathed the room in shades of blue and grey and the game's eerie soundtrack played quietly in the background, but Jeremy barely noticed it anymore.
Michael was asleep. On him. And apparently very comfortable.
Jeremy swallowed, trying not to move too much.
"You're going to ruin my cardigan," he whispered.
Michael didn't respond. Instead, his fingers tightened slightly around the fabric. Jeremy's cheeks grew even warmer.
"Okay," he murmured. "Guess I'm stuck here."
Jeremy's expression softened.
"Do you want me to stay here?"
A tiny nod.
"Okay."
Jeremy reached for the blanket and carefully pulled it over them both. Michael immediately snuggled underneath it, somehow getting even closer. Jeremy laughed under his breath.
"You're clingy when you're tired."
"Not clingy."
"You are literally gripping onto me."
Michael tightened his grip.
"...Don't care."
Jeremy's smile grew.
"Alright."
A quiet moment passed. Then Michael mumbled,
"Jeremy?"
"Yeah?"
"You're warm."
Jeremy looked down at him.
"So are you."
Michael smiled sleepily.
"That's good."
Jeremy hesitated before gently brushing Michael's hair away from his eyes. Michael leaned into the touch without even thinking about it. Jeremy's heart skipped a beat.
"You're really cute when you're sleepy."
Michael's eyes widened.
"You think I'm cute?"
Jeremy froze.
"...I-"
Michael stared at him with the sleepiest, softest expression imaginable. Jeremy's face turned bright red. He was exactly like a kitten.
"Go back to sleep."
Michael chuckled quietly.
"That's not an answer."
"Michael."
"You think I'm cute."
"Yes!"
The answer came out far louder than Jeremy intended. Michael blinked. Jeremy covered his face with both hands.
"Oh my god."
Michael started laughing.
"You do!"
"Stop laughing!"
"You think I'm cute!"
"You're never hearing that again."
Michael smiled and rested his forehead against Jeremy's shoulder.
"Well I think you're cute too."
Jeremy slowly lowered his hands.
"...Really?"
"Mhm."
Michael's fingers tightened around his sleeve.
"Very cute."
Jeremy couldn't stop himself from smiling.
"You're gonna make me blush."
"Already did."
"Shut up."
Michael laughed again before resettling against him. A few seconds later, his breathing evened out. Jeremy looked down at him and carefully rested his cheek against Michael's hair.
"Goodnight, Micha"
Michael barely stirred.
"Night, Jere."
Jeremy smiled. The game remained paused on Level 9. The zombies could wait.
Neither of them was going anywhere.