Chapter 37

The Katseye house was buzzing with energy. The living room had been transformed into a makeshift gaming arena: pillows scattered across the floor, snacks piled high on the coffee table, and the glow of the TV illuminating the room. Controllers were already tangled in a mess of wires, and the sound of Mario Kart’s cheerful theme music filled the air.

Dani flopped onto the couch beside you, dressed in loose sweatpants and a cropped tee, her hair tied back into a messy ponytail. She looked far too confident for someone who already admitted she wasn’t great at the game.

You smirked, adjusting your hoodie and shorts as you picked up a controller. “You sure you wanna be on my team? I actually want to win.”

Dani nudged you playfully. “Excuse me? I’m the secret weapon. You’ll see.”

Across the room, Manon was already setting up teams. “Okay, so here’s the lineup. Me and Sophia, Lara and Megan, and then… Dani and Y/N.” She shot Dani a knowing look, “Good luck, Y/N.”

Sophia laughed, tossing a pillow at Dani. “You’re going to drag her down.”

“Hey!” Dani protested, catching the pillow. “I’m not that bad.”

Yoonchae, perched on the arm of the couch with a bowl of popcorn, grinned. “You’re terrible. Remember last time? You drove off Rainbow Road like five times in a row.”

Dani groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “That was a warm up!”

You leaned closer, whispering with a grin, “Don’t worry. I’ll carry us.”

Dani peeked at you, lips curving into a mischievous smile. “And what do I get if we win?”

You raised an eyebrow. “Bragging rights?”

“Hmm, not good enough,” Dani teased, brushing her knee against yours under the blanket. “I want a kiss. Every time I finish a race without falling off the track.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “You’re going to milk this, aren’t you?”

“Obviously,” Dani said, eyes sparkling.

The first race began, controllers clicking furiously as the girls shouted over one another. Sophia immediately took the lead, her character zooming ahead with practised ease. Manon cheered Sophia on, while Lara and Megan bickered over who had stolen who’s item box.

Meanwhile, Dani’s kart swerved wildly across the track, bumping into walls and spinning out after hitting a banana peel. “Why is this so hard?” she groaned.

You bit back a laugh, steering smoothly past her. “Because you’re driving like you’ve never seen a road before.”

“Rude!” Dani exclaimed, though she was laughing too. “I’m trying!”

Another jump scare of sorts – Dani’s kart flew off the edge of the track. She gasped, clutching her controller. “No! I was doing so well!”

You leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “There, consolation prize.”

Dani’s pout melted into a grin. “Okay, maybe this isn’t so bad.”

The room erupted with laughter as Sophia crossed the finish line first, Manon cheering loudly. Lara and Megan were close behind, still arguing over stolen shells. Dani finished dead last, her kart spinning in circles as the game announced her defeat.

“Wow,” Sophia teased. “That was… impressive.”

“Shut up,” Dani muttered, though she was laughing. She turned to you, eyes gleaming. “Next race. I’ll redeem myself.”

You smirked. “Sure you will.”

*

The second race began, chaos unfolding immediately. Red shells flew across the screen, players shouted accusations, and Yoonchae nearly spilled her popcorn from laughing too hard. Dani clung to her controller like it was life or heath, tongue poking out in concentration.

You leaned closer, whispering, “You’re so bad at this, it’s adorable.”

Dani shot you a look, feigning offence. “Excuse me? I’m a professional.”

“Professional disaster,” you teased, dodging another shell with ease.

Dani gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “You wound me.”

You grinned, leaning in just enough to brush your lips against Dani’s ear. “I’ll make it up to you if you actually finish this race.”

Dani’s cheeks flushed, her focus faltering just enough for her kart to crash into a wall. “You’re evil,” she whispered, laughing.

The race ended with you in second place, Dani in last once again. She threw her controller onto the couch, groaning. “I swear this game hates me.”

You kissed her quickly, smiling. “Or maybe you just need more practice.”

*

The night stretched on, race after race, each one filled with laughter, teasing, and playful chaos. Sophia and Manon proved to be a formidable team, their coordination flawless. Lara and Megan were competitive but hilarious, their constant bickering making everyone laugh. Yoonchae cheered on from the sidelines, occasionally jumping into play and immediately dominating.

But the highlight was always Dani and you – Dani’s dramatic reactions, her constant crashes, and her relentless flirting. Every time she managed to finish a race without falling off the track, she demanded her kiss, leaning in with a triumphant grin.

By the final race, the room was buzzing with energy. “Okay,” Manon announced. “Last one. Winner takes all.”

Dani turned to you, eyes gleaming. “This is it. Our moment.”

You smirked. “You mean my moment.”

“Rude,” Dani muttered, though she was laughing.

The race began, chaos unfolding immediately. Dani’s kart swerved dangerously, but she managed to stay on track. You carried your team, dodging shells and weaving through obstacles with ease. Dani cheered every time she survived a turn, demanding another kiss mid-race.

“Focus!” you laughed, dodging a banana peel.

“I am focused,” Dani insisted, leaning in for another kiss. “On you.”

You rolled your eyes, though the smile betrayed you. “You’re impossible.”

“And you love it,” Dani whispered, stealing another kiss as her kart spun out.

The final lap was tense, everyone shouting, controllers clicking furiously. Sophia and Manon were neck and neck with Lara and Megan, while you pushed your team into third place. Dani clung to her controller, cheering loudly every time she avoided a disaster.

When the race ended, Sophia crossed the finish line first, Manon cheering triumphantly. You finished third, Dani in sixth. The room erupted with laughter, everyone teasing Dani for her dramatic game-play.

Dani turned to you, pouting. “We didn’t win.”

You just kissed her softly, smiling. “We won in our own way.”

Dani’s pout melted into a grin. “True. I got all my kisses.”

*

The night ended with the girls sprawled across the living room, laughing, teasing, and recounting some of the funniest moments of the game. Dani curled against you, whispering, “Next time, I’ll practice. And then we’ll win for real.”

You laughed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Sure you will.”

Dani smirked, pressing another kiss to your lips. “You’ll see.”

———-

Can’t stop playing mario kart these days so decided to write a chapter on it 🙂

WHOS YOUR PLAYER OF CHOICE??? Personally mine’s Yoshi <3