The glow of the monitor lit up the room, but tonight, something felt different. ＥＭＰＥＲＯＲㅤIV's fingers hovered over the keyboard, distracted. He had logged in for their usual game session, but Elina had been quieter than usual, her messages shorter, slower.
"You've been quiet tonight," he typed.
"Just… thinking," she replied after a pause.
He frowned. Thinking about me? Or something else?
As the game began, Elina's avatar moved strategically but kept close to another player—a new recruit who had joined their team. He noticed the way they laughed together in chat, the easy banter that had once been theirs alone. A pang of jealousy tightened in his chest.
During a mission, a risky move by Elina almost cost them the match. Normally, he would have laughed it off. Tonight, frustration got the better of him.
"Why did you do that?" he typed sharply.
Her reply was immediate and defensive: "I thought it was the best move! You always say I overthink!"
The tension in the chat was thick. Their once flawless teamwork faltered for the first time, leaving them both feeling unsettled.
After the game ended, they didn't log off immediately. Silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable. Then he typed:
"I didn't mean to snap… I just… care. And I don't like feeling like I'm losing you—even in a game."
Her response came slowly, almost hesitant:
"You're not losing me. But sometimes… it feels like you expect too much. Like I have to be perfect all the time."
He paused, realizing she was right. Their connection was strong, but trust, patience, and understanding mattered even more than skill or strategy.
"I get it," he typed finally. "I'll try to be better. And… I trust you. Always."
Her reply appeared almost immediately: "I trust you too."
They spent the next hour chatting—not about missions or victories, but about life, expectations, and what they meant to each other. Laughing, apologizing, and sharing their fears. The tension melted, replaced with deeper understanding and a strengthened bond.
Before logging off, she typed one last message:
"No matter what, we're a team. In the game, and in life."
He smiled, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with pixels or strategy.
"Always," he replied.
And in that moment, they both understood: love and trust weren't just about victories or flawless teamwork. They were about honesty, patience, and choosing each other—every time.