Odyssey

“Fuck, fuck, fuck! Why can’t I get to the damn moon!”

Elliot glanced over at his girlfriend, Rina, who was hunched over on the bed, glaring at the Nintendo Switch in her hands. Her black hair was tied up in a loose bun at the nape of her neck, a few strands escaping to curl around her shoulders. She’d been playing Super Mario Odyssey for the past four hours since she had come over to his place. 

Sighing softly, Elliot carefully set his coffee mug down on the coaster and stood up from his desk chair. He took a moment to stretch his arms and twist his neck, preparing to be in the same uncomfortable, back burning position Rina was in for the next few hours. “Alright,” he said, plopping onto the bed and tucking his chin over Rina’s shoulder. “Which level are you on?”

“I’m in the Sand Kingdom, and there’s this power moon at the end of this path, but I have to ride the damn Jaxi and turn all these corners without falling off the edge. And the stupid cat is so hard to maneuver! This is like the tenth time I’ve tried it and I just keep falling off the fucking corner.” Scrunching her nose up in frustration, Rina tossed the Switch to the side and nudged Elliot off her shoulder. “I give up, this game sucks.”

“Hey, come on now, don’t give up! I’ll help you.” Elliot sat up from where he’d been dislodged and picked up the Switch. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap, holding the Switch in front of them so they could both see the screen. Rina stiffened for a second but relaxed when he un-paused the game and reset the level. “Okay, so here’s what you have to do. Braking is key. You wanna brake just before you start the turn and then go forward right as you get out of it. Otherwise you slide all over the place and fall off.”

Rina stared at the game, studying his every move. “Okay, that makes sense. Lemme try now.” She got up onto her knees and broke through his arms, grabbing for the Switch.

Elliot frowned slightly, but let her have the console. He sat back and watched her hunch over, trying the Jaxi puzzle again. She licked her lips but left her tongue between her teeth, just the tip peeking out from her mouth. Elliot stared at it, at how plush and pink it was, how moist. It slipped out of his view and back inside when she let out a triumphant cheer. 

“Yessss, finally! I got the damn moon!” 

“Congratulations!” Elliot smiled and leaned towards her. He rested his chin on her shoulder again, letting the loose hairs tickle his nose. She smelled clean, like the nutmeg soap she used religiously. Elliot breathed in the scent for a few moments before Rina shook him off again. 

She was back to the game, hunting for the next power moon. Elliot shifted to the edge of the bed and looked out the sliding doors. It was sunny, which was unusual for November. Maybe a walk would be good. He glanced over at Rina, who was still engrossed in Mario. Elliot closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Yes, a walk would be good.