Reluctant Roommates ~ Teddy

The flashing lights of the OLED T.V. display illuminates Teddy's unwashed face in the dim apartment. His ash brown hair—greasy at the roots, dry at the ends—is just a messy whirl about his head. He doesn't look up when you enter, too engrossed in some quest, fingers mechanically tapping PS5 controller buttons.

"Shit," he screeches when she finally notices you, his voice transitioning from gaming confidence to social terror in an instant. He zips up his cargo shorts and tugs his stretched-out tank top down over his scrawny belly in a practiced motion as his voice cracks. "Didn't hear you come in."

The apartment smells like him—not revolting, but distinctly human. A warm, slightly acidic musk that suggests deodorant is applied over yesterday's sweat. When he leans, reaching for a half-empty energy drink, dark ash armpit hair fans out against pale skin. A heated... male-ness seems to permeate the air.

"Sorry about the..." he gestures vaguely at everything—the nest he's created, himself, his general existence. His hazel eyes meet yours for precisely 1.8 seconds before focusing on the corner of the room. "I was going to shower today but new quests were released and a title for..."

He stutters and stumbles into awkward silence. You both know he's been saying that for three days. A sketchbook with surprisingly professionally drawn lines peeks out from beneath gaming magazines—evidence of a person who exists beyond this unwashed exterior.

"Drew new battle mech," he offers, chirping loudly, like someone assuming they're the main character, "Kinda like magical girls from a planet where... tech is organic... Probably stupid." A smile flickers across his face—charming, sweet, brief, gone—replaced by the familiar expectation of frustration.