٠࣪⭑---

They made their way to the living room, Hu Tao practically collapsing onto the couch. Yoimiya sat beside her, stretching her arms.

“I’m never doing that again,” Hu Tao groaned.

“You say that every time,” Yoimiya replied.

“I thought you’d be home early?” you asked, your tone slightly firm.

“I know, I know,” Hu Tao said, waving you off. “I didn’t realize how late it got.”

“Or you just decided to knock yourself out,” Yoimiya added with a knowing smirk.

Hu Tao snapped her head toward her, shooting her a glare.

“Fucking snitch,” she muttered under her breath.

Yoimiya laughed.

You sighed.

“Stay here,” you said firmly.

٠࣪⭑---

You headed to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and pouring some into a glass.

When you returned, the two of them were already talking quietly.

You handed the glass to Hu Tao.

“Here. Drink,” you said, your tone firm—but laced with concern.

“I had a feeling you wouldn’t come home early,” you continued, crossing your arms.

“But not coming home at all? What were you thinking?” you added.

“I’m sorry, okayyy?” Hu Tao whined, sounding slightly annoyed. “Yoimiya was with me, so you didn’t really have to worry,” she added defensively, finishing the glass.

Yoimiya let out a small laugh, patting Hu Tao’s back. “Well, yeah… thankfully I didn’t drink that much last night,” Yoimiya said.

You hummed softly.

“How bad is that hangover of yours?” you asked, your tone softening despite yourself.

“Really bad,” Hu Tao whined.

“Alright, I’ll get you some ibuprofen,” you said, turning away.

When you returned, you handed her the medicine and sat down beside her.

The two of them started talking, filling you in on everything that happened at the party.

٠࣪⭑---

Ping—

A notification lit up your phone.

You ignored it.

Ping—

Another one.

٠࣪⭑---

Hu Tao squinted at you.

“Who’s texting you?” she asked.

You froze slightly.

“…no one,” you replied.

“You usually never get notifications unless it’s the group chat,” Yoimiya pointed out.

You shook your head quickly.

“It’s nothing,” you said.

“Mhm,” Hu Tao hummed.

You stood up.

“Where are you going?” Hu Tao asked.

“My room. I’ll be back,” you replied, already walking away.

“You’re acting weird,” Hu Tao muttered.

“Don’t disappear,” Yoimiya added.

٠࣪⭑---

You entered your room, closing the door behind you.

You reached for your phone.

٠࣪⭑---

A notification from Discord.

٠࣪⭑Previously || Masterlist || Next

a/n: I fear I might be posting a little bit late on upcoming parts (school ending season💔)

You dropped your phone onto your bed with a sigh, the notifications still flooding in.

Shaking your head, you turned on your computer, opening your favorite game.

As you were playing, you noticed this one player.

They were good.

Way too good.

They were practically carrying the game.

Despite your… less-than-helpful teammates, you somehow managed to win—thanks to them.

After the match, you hesitated.

It was rare to find someone this good—and someone you worked this well with.

So you decided—why not send them a friend request?

It took a few seconds before they accepted, and you invited them for a rematch.

They joined.

One game turned into another, and before you knew it, hours had passed.

After your last game, you glanced at the time.

8:33 PM.

I should eat…

Reluctantly, you opened the chat.

You: hey, sorry I have to go get dinner, that was a really great game though—you carried 😭

Them: don’t worry about that

Them: and thanks, you’re good too

You paused, fingers hovering over your keyboard.

Maybe this was weird.

…but still, why not try?

You: hey I know you might find this weird especially since we just met but do you have discord?

Read.

You stared at the screen, sighing.

I shouldn’t have asked…

Regret slowly crept in as you waited.

You placed your head on your desk, accepting the unsaid no.

You got up and left for the kitchen—

ping

You turned your head immediately.

Them: I mean sure, I don’t mind

You smiled in relief, thinking you finally made a friend you could play with.

You: here’s my discord @_.softstatic

Them: I’ll add you

You: okay, I’ll be waiting for your req

You opened Discord, waiting.

When the request popped up, you accepted immediately.

Them: you’re fast, you really sure is waiting

You: lol well I kind of have to go that’s why I’m rushing

Them: oh lol what if it isn’t me though

You: well it seems like you and god I hope not

Them: lmao

You: well bye

Them: bye

You stood up, leaving your room and heading toward the kitchen.

“Tao?” You called out your roommates name.

No answer.

You frowned slightly.

That's weird. She usually reminds me when it was time to eat.

٠࣪⭑Previously || Masterlist || Next

a/n: here you go guys, tysm for your supports mwas🫶🤍