Bells ringing and tinsel slinging twas the season for chillin and freezin. Snow fell in gentle flurries and the group of three took a silent moment’s pause to admire a spiral of snowfall illuminated under the yellow lamplight. Cold wind brew and flew towards’em and blew through’em. They rushed ahead leaving behind footprints in the snow.

The trio rushed into the coffee shop, and were hugged by a wave of warm heating, the queue was long and the seats all but sat on by equally trepid non-explorers of the wintery outdoors a week before Christmas.

“In Mass Effect which Romance Option is best do you think?” Cheryl asked out of the blue.

“Romance option? Err…” Robbie pondered.

Natasha sighed, “We’re just through to door, Cher. Give us sec. Let me breathe and ponder what sweet or bitter beverage will I get a loan to pay for. ”

Natasha and Cheryl - the first a small, dark cat-like human and the other a big labrador on two legs - parted their hand-in-hand clasping and sent their male friend Robbie (who may or may not resemble a parrot) to go order their coffee while they secured seats.

“Movin on Up Now” by Primal Scream played in the background animating the chatter of folks from an elderly couple, to a loner with thick rimmed glasses bathed in the blue light of her laptop and the cast of other customers included a family of three with their noisy toddler.

Natasha and Cheryl sat their cold asses on their hard seats as Robbie stood fidgeting in the queue. The couple moaned about the weather and how skint they were this month. Christmas season meant a break from work, but it also meant all their hard earned labour went towards presents. Natasha already practised the look of disdain she would act at the sock her mother would no doubt gift her.

Natasha glanced over at the third wheel in their group. Robbie endured the wait to the top of the queue and echoed their usual order and in general struggled to make eye contact with the handsome server and his chiselled jaw. She got sadistic satisfaction for making him do the work.

Natasha played with her engagement ring still new enough that she was hyper aware of it on her finger. It felt right, but strangely light for something that weighed so heavy in her heart and meant the world to her. Cheryl had really said ‘yes’.

Out of mind and back in the present, she watched Robbie pocket the cookies, held a trio of coffees in two hands and then joined them at their table.

“Bit of a wait.” He said passing around their cups and cookies.

“Aye, we could see.” Cheryl replied, taking her cup from his hand.

Coffee down her gullet, Cheryl sipping on so very sweet Chai Latte. Natasha watched her and asked,

“What were you saying before?”

“In Mass Effect, who do you think the best Romance option is?”

“Liara is best her arc is unmatched and she’s fucking hot.”

Cheryl shook her head, “No, it's Tali.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“You can’t even see her face!”

Her cheeks puffed out, “Romance isn’t all about looks and who is hot.”

Natasha rolled her eyes, “I know otherwise we’d be picking Ashley out of the trash can. Save Kaidan always.”

“Save Kaidan.” Robbie parroted.

Jess, an acquaintance, walked past. A perpetual recluse who wore a distinctive pair of thick rimmed glasses. A friend of a friend (Aki) though how Jess the anti-social, eye bag drooping “artist” had friends was beyond Natasha. She felt a grimace forming across her lips by sheer reaction to the prick from the past.

Natasha watched Jess sloop past by their table without any hint of recognising her. I bet no one will ever love her. She thought. It’s one thing to be introverted, but that girl walked to beat of her drum and apart from people.

A flood of pleasure warmed her heart, though it could have been the bitter coffee. She wouldn’t die alone and miserable like Jess. She had a wonderful soon-to-be wife and many friends. A job that paid the bills and opportunities at new places if she ever stagnated. Her life was great, and she didn’t have to think. She just lived in the moment and did her job.

All she wanted was countless more moments with her beloved…and Robbie too; he was nice enough. She rested her eyes on sweetheart.

Cheryl drummed a perfect finger on her chin, “We should buy the remasters and play from the first game.”

Nastha smiled, thought about and her smile crumpled flat, she rubbed the bridge of her nose, “I don’t have time to replay. I’ve got the wedding to plan, work and I am at the food bank on Saturday evenings.”

“I don’t have time either. Long hours in the ambulance.” Robbie agreed as always with Nathasha.

Cheryl pouted, puffing out her plump lips, the very ones that had first seduced Natasha, “Come on, we can do it over Christmas. At least play the first one again.”

“So long as it isn’t Andromeda.” Natasha conceded.

“It’s not that bad. You gave up before you finished.”

Natasha shrugged, “And I was right to do so.”

“She’s right.” Robbie agreed following her opinion as sure as an echo.

Cheryl rolled her eyes. Natasha saw her working out she was outnumbered this time.

“We’ll start from one which is best anyway. Saren is top villain in the series.”

Natsha shrugged and Robbie nodded in agreement.

“That final cutscene with him is top tier. Such a satisfying ending.” Natasha commented.

Robbie nodded vigorously.

“Much better than 3.”

“Much much better.” Natsha agreed.

“Much better,” Robbie echoed.

“So we can agree on the best ending, but not on best romance?” Cheryl summarised.

“Garrus.” Robbie argued out of the blue.

“What?” Natasha asked.

“Garrus is best.” Robbie affirmed.

The two lovers shared a glance and nodded. They spoke to one another the way only the closest can those who have touched boundaries of their beings and pulled together closer still.

“Garrus is good.” Cheryl conceded.

“He’s my boi.” Natsha admitted.

“But…” They said as one.

“...Liara...”

“...Tali...”

“...is best.” They argued.

The trio descended into an argument akin to a no holds bar cage match. Metaphorical blood was spilled, wounds ripped open and scars carved into the fragile minds of mere mortals. The Reapers would have laughed that biologicals were tearing themselves apart, that is if The Reapers were real and showed signs of emotions.

“We can agree that the game developers, writer and artists created an amazing game with wonderful characters.” Natasha stated.

“Aye,” Robbie nodded.

“Without question.” Cheryl answered.

“But we all have a different selection of who we think is the best romance. We all spent time with the different companions until a single one crystallised into our romance option.”

Cheryl took her hand, “Well I am happy with my choice in love.”

“Come on, you know I just broke up with Bobbie.” Robbie whined.

Natsha stroked his hair in a familial fashion, “There there. At least no one will be calling you Bobbie’s Robbie, anymore.”

He scowled, “Only you call me that.”

Natasha laughed with undue sadism, “I suppose I did.” She said with a wink.

Cheryl rolled her eyes at the mean-spirited, but not quite cruel comment.

“So long as you're happy with your choice, I guess that is what is important.” Cheryl concluded.

“Not the friends we made along the way.” Natsha mocked cheekily.

“You!” Cheryl exploded and then deflated. She got the joke and felt no personal slight. She smiled radiating warmth, “You.”