It's the middle of the night, teasing and laughter resonated in her apartment as they engaged in a friendly rivalry over a game of Mario Kart. The air was filled with warmth and simplicity. The empty popcorn bowl sat on the table in front of them. The glow of the television contrasted with the soft light of her living room. They felt young again, alive. Having fun just like old times.
Midway through the game, through the playful banter, Elliot took a long breath before asking a question that had been on his mind the last few rounds.
"Liv?"
"Hm?" she replied, her concentration still on the screen.
"Will my mistake of leaving always be between us?"
The room seemed to hold its breath for a moment. Olivia continued to drive Princess Peach around the court. Elliot waited patiently for her answer. He didn't make a sound as his Bowser rolled on a banana peel and fell at the back of the pack.
Olivia took the time to gather her thoughts before answering. She wanted to be honest with him. But his question had been on her mind too, in the last few months. Asking herself if she would ever be able to forgive him for leaving her for a decade, missing important events in her life, not being there when she needed him the most. She had talked about it with Lindstrom too. But, even with all the overthinking and the therapy, in the end, she was still left with the same answer.
"It might." She admitted, wanting to be honest.
They finished the race (Princess Peach finished 1st, again), but neither of them looked at the other, their gaze locked on the celebratory characters on the screen.
From the corner of his eyes, Elliot saw the reflection of the TV flickering on her pained expression.
"I get it." He apologized, sort of. It sounded more like acceptance.
Olivia didn't ask him if he wanted to go another round and just pressed A.
I'm having fun, I'm happy. I want to keep it up.
And Elliot still couldn't refuse it to her.