Lambency (Ingo x Reader)

34. A Game

You arrive at Gear Station and notice Emmet sulking and grumbling in a corner. How can you tell? He is frowning and sadly sighing despite his smile, that you find a little contrived.

"Hi, Emmet! How do you feel?", you greet with a hint of concern.

Drawn out of his thoughts, he jumps out of surprise.

"Hey. (Name)."

He looks down, as if he has something to say but does not dare to.

"What's going on? You look out of sorts..."

"Hmm... Well..."

He heaves a long sigh.

"I am Emmet, and I will be honest with you. I am sad."

"What's happened?"

"My brother... won't return..."

Your heart stops.

"W-what?! Is Ingo okay?!", you immediately cry out.

"Yes. He is. It is just that..."

"What? What?!"

"He won't return my console..."

His head sags, as if defeated.

"Ingo confiscated my DS this morning..."

"He did what?"

"You heard me. My console. Confiscated."

You keep silent for at least a couple of seconds before speaking up again:

"... Sorry, but what do you mean by confiscated? How old are you two, again?"

"Oh! Come on, (Name)!"

"I'm not judging, I'm a gamer, too! But confiscating is not a term I would have used in that occasion..."

"That is what it is! Ingo caught me playing and took it away from me!"

"Uh... Emmet..."

"That is not what it sounds like! I played during my break! I wasn't slacking off in the middle of my job or anything like that, therefore, he had no right to do that! That is verrrry unfair!"

"Hmm, and have you talked to him about your feelings?"

"Yes! And he just gave me a big fat NO! He said that video games are going to my head and that I should rest my eyes and stay hydrated instead of playing during my breaks! Who does he think he is?! He isn't the boss of mine! I am my own boss, Subway Boss Emmet!"

"To me, it sounds like he's worried about you..."

"I am grateful he is! But we aren't kids any more! I don't play video games all night just like when we were teenagers! I have self-control! More than he does, anyway!", he pouts.

"What are you playing?"

"Spirit Tracks."

You chortle.

"Of course you are. I'm not surprised."

"Have you played it before?"

"I have!"

"It is cool, right!? Alfonzo's been our source of inspiration for our 'All aboard!' shout! Yesterday, Ingo and I tidied up the cellar and sorted out our old stuff to give to charity. As a result, I found our old console and our games! I quickly charged it and played. Before bedtime, I had cleared the Blizzard Temple!"

"You're progressing fast!"

"Say, (Name)! Let's go and ask Ingo to give it back! If I tell him that you want to borrow it for a bit, he certainly won't refuse!"