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“Since when do you play video games, big guy?” Qrow questions, dropping down beside James on the sofa and regarding the screen, where James’ player character is sprinting across a bridge and jumping across rusted-out, destroyed cars. “I’m not complaining or anything, I’m just surprised. More my thing with the girls, I thought.”
“Mm, technically, it’s Penny’s game, but… well, I’ve gotten a little attached. And it’s apparently been good for my joints. At least… that’s what Pietro told me at the last tune-up.” He pauses his game and lets go of the controller with his right hand to wave it slightly. “Keeps them from getting too stiff in the sockets.”
“Ah, so it’s prescription fun.” Qrow reaches across James to steal one of his pretzels from the bowl on the coffee table, just as a high-pitched beeping grows louder on the screen, though James doesn’t seem to notice it. “Oh shit, is this Fallout?”
“Mhm.”
“Mistral or Vale?”
“Mistral, it’s the biggest entry in the series so far. Penny plays it mostly for the settlement building mechanics, but she has quite a bit of fun with the power armor. There’s no fall damage when you’re wearing it, and she’s fond of jumping off of high things in it.” James’ character turns around then, and James actually lets out a yell when he finds himself met by a large green creature holding a blinking red device, and only has time to do that before the screen explodes with fire and his character falls, dismembered, to the ground. “Damn it!”
“Aw, tough luck, Jimmy,” Qrow snickers, flopping against the back of the couch as the loading screen flashes up. “This is the one where you can romance companions right?”
“Yes. Penny’s done that, but she normally just keeps the dog around.”
“Ruby likes Dogmeat too,” Qrow nods. “She downloaded a mod so she could have her romanced companion and him at the same time. She goes for uh. Can’t remember name, she’s one of those robots first and then you turn her human.”
“Curie.”
“… yeah.” Qrow narrows his eyes as the game loads again. His scroll rings, though, and pulls it from his pocket to check the caller ID. “Oh, speakin’ of Ruby. Be right back.”
“Mhm.”
The call doesn’t last very long, just Ruby asking him about her bank card -- she’d forgotten her PIN. But he tells her how to get it settled, and tells her he’ll see her tomorrow. She chirps a “thanks” and a “g’night!” before she ends the call. Qrow wanders back into the room to see James’ player character speaking to a strange-looking man in a detective costume, one missing chunks of gray flesh and sporting glowing yellow eyes. “-- and ours alone. And even if that’s the only thing in this world I can ever claim as mine, not Nick’s, not the Institute’s, but mine, then I can die happy. And none of it would’ve ever happened if it weren’t for you. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to thank you for that .”
A dialogue tree pops up, and before Qrow can read the other choices, James has selected one, and his character says, “ I’m sure I can think of… something. You know, I was wondering if we could try… being more than just… friends? ”
“ Uh… wait, you’re serious? ” the character on the screen says. “ I can’t believe you’d feel like that. Glad to be wrong. It’s just, well… look at me. I’m an old synth. I mean, hell, I still don’t really know… if I’m the person I think I am. You sure that this is what you want? ”
Another dialogue tree, another quick choice. “ Nick, you’re just the way I like. Nothing would make me happier .”
“ Uh… hmm. Glad to hear it. I’ll be here as long as you’ll have me. Goodness. What can I say? Count myself real lucky, to have you. Come on, let’s see where the trail takes us .”
Qrow raises his eyebrows as he drops back down onto the couch. “Didn’t know he was an option.”
“Huh? Oh, uh… Penny downloaded a mod so it was possible. I’ve…” James glances up, then sheepishly back at the screen. “… already romanced the others that even remotely interested me.”
“Oh yeah? Which ones?”
“Uh.” James suddenly goes a little pink, maybe it’s at the smirk on Qrow’s face in general, or maybe Qrow’s knowledge of the game makes this so much worse. “… well, the uh. Ghoul, for one. And ah. Curie. And the cage fighter.”
“Well, at least you’re not sticking to one type,” Qrow snorts, pilfering another few pretzels from the bowl. “Quite the little harem you got there, Jimmy.”
“Well… it’s… easy to get to this point with some of them if you run around with them long enough, their affinity raises by proximity. And their perks are quite useful,” James defends, finally pausing the game and setting his controller down in order to turn his full attention to the man next to him. “You’re not jealous, are you? It’s just a game, Qrow.”
“No, I know. But it’s just funny to watch who you pick.” The grin is downright devious now, and Qrow sticks his tongue out. “I’m shocked you don’t pick the paladin too, honestly. He seems like your type.”
“Penny favors the paladin, actually.”
“Yeah, I don’t blame her, he’s hot. And his perk’s pretty good too.” Qrow reaches up to fluff James’ hair for him. “He kinda looks like you though, so I guess I get why you don’t pick him.”
“I… don’t really see it?”
“I did. That’s why I usually pick him.” Qrow snickers, bumping against James’ shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna start making you say ‘ad victoriam’ after sex or anything. Be hot if you did, though.”
“I’m not going to do that.”
“Sure, babe. Sure.” Qrow gives him a kiss on the cheek, picking up the controller and hitting “quit” on the pause menu. “You need a break though, gamer boy. Let’s watch a movie.”