“Saeran!!!!” Yoosung whined. The man was unrelenting.
“One more hour.” Saeran said rolling his eyes. “You asked for this, remember?”
“But…but…It’s so boooring!”
“The longer you complain and don’t study, the longer the hour gets.” Saeran said without mercy. How could he be so cruel? His puppy dog eyes usually worked on his boyfriend, but Saeran wasn’t having any of it. Maybe if he promised to make him something sweet, that would be much more fun than learning the circulatory system of animals.
“How about a break? I can make some sweets; I think I have some lemons and pie crust. Or, maybe some lemon bars? Maybe I can make…”
“That isn’t going to work. Besides, I anticipated you’d try something like that, so I’m all stocked up. Sure, they aren’t as tasty as the kind you make, but they’ll do.” He rummaged in his bag and pulled out a box. Opening it, he grabbed a sweet bread and stuffed it down. “Mmm.” He murmured and side eyed Yoosung.
“Ugh! Fine! I’ll keep studying.” He mumbled “Must be nice to remember everything you read. Must be nice to be a ‘Genius’!”
“It is.” Saeran smirked and motioned to the open book in front of Yoosung. The blond grumbled but lowered his head and began to read again.
After reading the last of the chapter Saeran quizzed him. He didn’t seem to retain much of the information, but Saeran was patient with him. He helped him think of mnemonic devices to remember key words and explained how to visualize diagrams, setting them into memory like a picture. While it didn’t come as easily to him as it did to the red head, it was a tool he could readily learn and use.
“Ok, I think you can stop now.” Saeran said.
“I think that was more than an hour.” Yoosung grumbled.
“It was, but you were on a roll there at the end. You did great.”
“I wish you could take the exam for me. I’m sure you’d ace it.”
“True, but I’m not the one trying to get a degree, am I?” Saeran laughed as he closed the books and set them on the coffee table.
“Things seem so easy for you.” Yoosung sighed.
“Some things, sure, but others…” he shrugged, a sadness crossing his face before looking away. Yoosung felt like an ass. Just because Saeran was smarter than anyone he’d ever known, except his brother Saeyoung, there was so much that he had endured, making him uncomfortable and awkward in certain settings. Things he’d never learned because of his difficult life.
“I’m sorry, that was stupid.” He said and wrapped his arms around Saeran.
“I know you didn’t mean anything by it.” Saeran returned the hug, warmth building between them. “Now, you said something about making some sweets?” he pulled back and looked eagerly at him.
“Haven’t you had enough?” Yoosung’s eyes bulged.
“No such thing.” Saeran shook his head and grinned.
“Fine, fine, tell you what. If I pass this exam, you have to make me something.” Yoosung said as he stood and walked towards his small kitchenett.
“Me? You want me in the kitchen?” Saeran asked horrified.
“Well, not mine, yours. And yes, I’ll help, but I expect you to do most of it.”
“You’re telling Saeyoung. I’m not going to tell him that you are putting his house in danger of getting burned down.”
Yoosung rolled his eyes, “You’re so dramatic! Anyone can cook.”
“Sure, tell that to my left hand.” Saeran rubbed his palm against his leg, remembering the last attempt he’d made to make something. He could still see the burn scar running across it.
“I’ll help you, just like you helped me today. We’re a team, right?” he turned towards the other man and wrapped his arms around his shoulders, pulling him in for a soft kiss.
[Don't know if I'll finish this, but here is day 1 at least, lol. I'm so rusty though, so hopefully it's an OK fic. And of course, since it's Yoosung, it HAS to be YOORAN!]
He stared at the photo. It was discolored from handling on the bottom right corner. Rika’s face looked up at him, smiling, just like he remembered her. This is how he wanted to remember her. His own eyes, full of vitality and happiness, stared at him as well. It was the last photo they had taken together, before his high school graduation, when his hair had still been brown. With a sigh Yoosung set the photo back in the drawer. The twins were coming over and the last thing he wanted was to have that reminder out.
He had yet to buy a new frame for it, the last one having been broken when he bumped into the table. But maybe he would hold off on that anyway. Saeran was making excellent progress after his rescue from Mint Eye. The man had been psychotic and terrifying. Yoosung hadn’t been sure he would survive the rescue. The amount of drugs the doctors found in his system were massive and withdrawal was torturous. He felt helpless and could only offer Saeyoung his support. It was still difficult to believe that his own cousin had been sucked into the cult as well. But she had always been too kind and trusting.
A knock at the door brought him back to the present. Rika’s recovery was out of his hands anyway, she was where she needed to be. Walking towards the door he put on a smile and opened it. The twins, Saeyoung and Saeran, both red heads, and MC, Saeyoung’s wife stood just outside his apartment. He welcomed them in, Saeyoung crushed him with a hug and MC gave him a more gentle hug. Saeran acknowledged him with a nod and stepped inside, hands in his jean pockets, boots scuffing the floor.
“It smells heavenly in here!” MC exclaimed as she scooted into the small kitchenette to gaze at the wonders on the stove.
“Is that pineapple?” Saeran’s nose twitched at the sweet smell.
“Yes, I made pineapple upside down cake. But you’ll have to wait ‘till after dinner to have any.” Yoosung chuckled. It had come as a surprise that Saeran had an uncanny sweet tooth. It had come in handy when the blond tried making something new. Saeran didn’t hold back on his criticism either. They had created a nice little friendship in this way and it warmed Yoosung’s heart when he could get a smile out of the stoic man.
His amethyst eyes lingered on the red head a little too long, his heart skipping a beat. There it was again. That shift in him that had begun to happen whenever he was near Saeran. He shook his head and blinked his eyes, pushing intrusive thoughts away. Instead he focused on finishing up dinner. He asked his guests to set the table as he plated his new masterpiece. It was an Italian dish that sounded both delicious and intricately delicate. Stuffed chicken marsala. Sure, he could have pounded the chicken down and simply rolled it around the stuffing, but he much preferred delicately slitting the chicken breast, making a pocket, and stuffing it that way.
“That looks amazing.” Saeyoung drooled. “You’ll make someone a fantastic wife some day Yoosung.” He teased.
“Ha ha.” Yoosung rolled his eyes.
He served everyone and set a basket of fresh yeast rolls at the center of the table. “Dig in!” he said. He didn’t need to prompt any further. There was little conversation as they enjoyed the flavors of the chicken, sauce, and spaghetti noodles. The only sound was slurping and sighs of contentment. Yoosung felt pride and accomplishment. Once the plates were mostly empty, conversation finally began.
“I heard Jumin is keeping you pretty busy at C&R.” MC said as she sopped up some sauce with a roll.
“Mmhmm.” Yoosung answered with a mouthful of chicken. “He says it’s good for me, learning everything from the bottom up. I don’t know how Jaehee did it for so long! The man is a slave driver. And he expects perfection. I can’t stand the look of disappointment he gives me when I make a mistake.” His shoulders slumped at the memory. Too many memories of such events.
“Don’t worry about it. Jumin is tough, but if he didn’t think you were worth it, he wouldn’t be wasting his time.” Saeyoung shrugged between bites.
“Make the most of the opportunity. He can teach you a lot, things you didn’t even know you needed.” Saeran said. The table grew silent, as the red head usually didn’t make many comments. Only an occasional grunt of acknowledgment.
“Um, yeah, you’re both right. I appreciate having his attention. Most people would kill to get this experience.” Yoosung nodded, renewed in his desire to live up to Jumin’s expectations of him. Even if it killed him. His eyes once more lingered on the man across from him. The man he was growing more and more certain, he was in love with. The thought thudded in his head, and he broke out into a sweat. What was he going to do?
“Something wrong Yoosung?” MC asked, looking worriedly at him.
“Oh no! No! Nothing, I was just thinking about work that’s all.” He finished what was on his plate and stood to put it into the sink to soak.
“Dessert time?” Saeran asked, mint green eyes wide with desire. Yoosung’s heart did another flutter, wondering what it would feel like to have those eyes focused on him with that kind of desire. He swallowed and pulled his attention away from the man and nodded.
Slicing the cake with trembling hands he was able to plate them all without incident. There were more oohs and ahhs as they all dug in. Saeran especially boisterous about the sweet. The blond was thrilled by his reaction.
“You’ve outdone yourself with this dinner Yoosung.” MC said.
“Mmhmm.” Saeran and Saeyoung both nodded.
“Thank you. I’m glad you guys could come and enjoy it with me. It makes me happy.”
“This makes me happy.” Saeran waved a piece of cake in the air and actually smiled at the blond, green eyes crinkling around the edges. Yoosung wanted to live in this moment. In this warmth, friendship, family. Saeran made eye contact and held it, his face a bit flushed, then lowered his gaze back to his plate. Was that an invitation? He wondered.
The sun filtered into the window warming his face. His eyes opened begrudgingly as his nose was hit with something burning. The door to his bedroom flung open and little feet ran towards him, small body slamming into him.
“Daddy daddy, papa made the bad smell again.” Yoosung blinked, trying not to react to the knee squashing his groin. Gently he lifted his three-year-old daughter and snuggled her against him.
“Oh no. What is it this time? The toast? The eggs?”
“Toast! It’s black. Soooo black.” She giggled. “Papa said can still eat it.” She wrinkled her cute little button nose, dark eyes crinkling around the edges.
Yoosung laughed and rose out of bed, tugging her along with him. “OK, let me brush my teeth and I’ll be out there. What do you want for breakfast today?” he asked.
“Yay!” she hugged him briefly and let him go, running back out of the room screaming behind her, “Unkie Ju’s pancakes!”
Hah, ever since Jumin had made Ki strawberry and chocolate chip pancakes, they had become her favorite. He should have guessed. This was shy they kept fresh strawberries in the fridge. Hopefully Saeran hadn’t used them up in his attempt to make breakfast.
Washing up as quickly as he could he made his way to the disaster in the kitchen. Saeran was mumbling under his breath as he tried to scrape off the burnt bits on what looked like half a loaf of bread on the counter.
“Don’t look at me like that.” He said before Yoosung could even open his mouth. “There’s something wrong with the settings on the toaster.” He grumbled.
“Of course there is.” He chuckled, bringing the garbage can over and holding it in front of his husband. Saeran’s shoulders sagged, and he dumped the pile of burnt toast into the container.
“Fine, you do it.” He said.
“Why don’t you keep Ki busy. You know how she like to ‘help’ when I cook.” He said.
“Yeah yeah, you don’t have to act like I’m doing you a favor. I know you don’t like either of us ‘helping’ while you cook.” Saeran said. He was grumpy but quickly smiled and gave his husband a kiss of relief. The man was a genius on so many levels, but cooking was not one of them.
Yoosung quickly wiped up the counter and was happy to find that Saeran had not gotten to the main ingredients yet. He whipped up the pancake mix and got to work on the skillet. Before too long the burning smell was obscured by the scents of strawberries and vanilla. He made a new pot of coffee and scrambled up some eggs, adding spinach and tomatoes. He hummed as he cooked, relishing the act of domestic bliss.
He couldn’t think of anything that he could add to his life that would make him happier. He was married to a man he loved, and who loved him just as passionately. He had a daughter that was a delight, even though she was a challenge. If he could live in this moment forever, he would. Listening to the laughter of his daughter and the joy in his lover’s voice was more than he could have ever asked for. Well, maybe another baby? He chuckled to himself, imagining asking Saeran to adopt another child.
It had been difficult for the red head to imagine himself as a father, let alone actually do it. And all that fear had been for naught. Saeran was amazing with Ki. He was amazing with all children. If he wasn’t so invested in his architecture, Yoosung would have prompted him to become a teacher of some sort. He was so kind and patient.
As he flipped the last of the pancakes, he felt arms encircle his waist and a soft kiss on his neck.
“I love you.” Saeran whispered, the warmth of his breath making the tiny hairs on his body stand on end, electrified. “Thank you for everything you do.”
Yoosung turned in his arms and kissed him passionately. Ki giggled, her pudgy hands over her grin.
“What’s so funny?” Saeran said, letting go of Yoosung and picking up their daughter, high into the air.
“Ok ok, let’s sit down and eat. Ki, do you want orange juice or milk?”
“Choco milk!”
Yoosung set the food on the table as Saeran grabbed their drinks. The smells were delicious, the sun bright, the love palpable. What more could he ask for?
“You’re such a crybaby Yoosung.” MC said as she wiped Yoosung’s tears with her shirt. “He’s just a nasty ugly bully. If you stood up to him he’d leave you alone.”
“I…know…” Yoosung sobbed, trying his hardest to stop crying. His mother always said that words didn’t matter and to just ignore them. But Yoosung felt the sting of every syllable thrown at him. Elementary school had been great fun before HE showed up. He glared at the back of the dark haired boy who was laughing it up with his buddies.
“Want me to beat him up?” MC asked, her fierce brown eyes ready to cause as much damage as her small body was capable of.
Yoosung forced a smile and shook his head, brown waves cascading over his amethyst eyes. “No, I don’t want you to get in trouble.” He knew it wouldn’t do to tell her that Kai would have her on the ground in no time. Though he knew that she would be a wildcat nonetheless.
“Let’s just go somewhere else.” He said as he stood and brushed off the dirt on his pants. There was rip on the knee after Kai had shoved him so hard he’d fallen, bracing himself with his hands. There were scratches there too. Mom was going to have questions. He sighed, but what was he to do?
“Running away monkey?” Kai laughed, his buddies egging him on.
“Just ignore him.” MC said, taking Yoosung’s hand and pulling him with her.
“Letting your girlfriend take care of you?” Kai smirked. Even at 11 he was almost as tall as some of the teachers.
Something burned inside of Yoosung. Something unknown and terrifying. He knew if he let the flame heat up it would burst out of him uncontrollably. It was a simmering calmness, ready to be used and unleashed. While it rested within him it was a strength, and he yielded to that strength many times. Even at his tender age, he knew that he could not let it burn him up. So he shed his tears and endured. He continued to walk away but gripped MC’s hand tighter. She countered with her own tightening grip.
“What a wuss.” “Bet he wears panties.” “Couldn’t be me.” “Letting a girl rescue you.” The words bounced around him, hitting him hard, but he ignored them. Yet the simmering in his insides began to boil.
“Maybe we should play with MC instead.” Kai snickered, the inuendo hanging in the air. Yoosung felt MC stiffen, even at their age, they knew what that meant. However strong MC was, she would never be a match for Kai, especially with his friends in tow. The boiling essence within Yoosung exploded and he turned without thought, without reason and ran at the taller boy screeching.
He didn’t make a fist, instead, he used his nails and dragged them across the boy’s face and neck, jumping on him like the monkey he always called him, and pushed him to the ground. Sitting on his chest he finally fisted his hands and began to punch wherever he could reach. Kai was stunned, unable to react quickly. He was also scared at what he saw in Yoosung’s eyes.
It felt like an eternity before an adult rushed to the pair and yanked Yoosung off of Kai. The wounds were superficial, Yoosung’s nails being cut short and his punches not having much force behind them, but experience for both boys would be one neither forgot.
“Staring at yourself again?” MC asked as she walked up on Yoosung laying on the grass and staring into the still water of the pond. The blond splashed the water and bolted upwards. MC laughed at the caught look on his face.
“Wha…no…I…uh…” Yoosung blushed, ducking his head in embarrassment. MC softened her smile at the young god. He still had so much to learn. She glanced at the pool and noticed that he had been scrying on a pair of humans. Twins from the look of them, with shocking heads of red hair. What could the young god be interested in?
“I apologize Yoosung, I didn’t mean to interrupt what you were doing, I was merely teasing is all.” She said.
“No, no…it…it was my fault. I should be more aware of my surroundings.” His amethyst eyes blinked rapidly.
“May I ask what you are attempting to do? Perhaps I can help you.” She said as she knelt next to the pool. “Who are these humans? What is your interest in them?” she questioned as she stared into the water.
“Oh, well…” he fell silent as he settled next to her. There seemed to be tears welling in his eyes. She decided not to mention it. “Their names are Saeyoung and Saeran Choi. Their lives have not been kind, but they are so strong and gentle. I’m drawn to them, I’m not really sure why. Out of the many humans on earth, they…no…he…calls to me. Draws my heart to him.” His words became a whisper.
“Him?”
“Saeran.” He nodded towards the more diminutive of the pair. It appeared to MC that perhaps in his youth he had been denied adequate nourishment, while his brother appeared to have had no such inadequacy.
“I understand.” MC said.
“You do?” Yoosung asked, eyes all on her now.
“Yes, I have been in love with a mortal or two in my time.” She said whistfully.
“Oh, is that…allowed?” he asked earnestly.
“It isn’t quite allowed, but it isn’t quite not allowed.” She quipped. A small smile fell across Yoosung’s face before fading again as his focus was once more on the pool.
“But it never ends well does it?”
“No.” she didn’t hesitate to answer.
Yoosung reached his hand towards the gentle water, fingers hovering above the image of the red haired mortal that had captured his heart. MC gasped as the man looked up and seemed to have locked eyes with the young god. He quickly looked away again as the pair walked down a busy street. It must have been a coincidence.
“What happens if I want to be with him?”
“You can be with whoever you want Yoosung, but you have only been in the pantheon for a little under 200 years, there is still so much for you to learn. And much for you to do to benefit the people. As the god of entertainer’s and folly, you are much needed.”
“Entertainment and folly. Yes. Mortals need amusement, I see that. I take my role seriously and wish to learn all I can. And yet…what is this yearning? Am I being selfish?”
“Of course not. Even us gods need companionship, intimacy, love.” She rested her hand on his shoulder and squeezed.
“But his life is so fleeting, and mine so vast. Why do I punish myself so?” he looked away letting the tears flow finally.
Embracing him she felt his body shutter in her arms. The pain was deep, the desire strong. Before too long she knew he would heed the call and journey to the mortal realm to be with the man he loved. He could do nothing else. The pantheon would lose him, if only for the brief breath of a human life. Yoosung would return, grief stricken, but stronger than ever. It was inevitable. An unfortunate side effect of longevity of the powerful. But for those brief years, Yoosung would be the happiest he had ever been in his young immortal life. She would not dissuade him from that.
“This looks like a good spot.” Saeran said. The leaves above their heads were full and singing in the cool breeze. The grass was soft and the smell of the garden maze a few feet away wafted around them.
“I agree.” Yoosung said. He waited for Saeran to lay the blanket down and set the picnic basket on one of the corners. The laughter of families enjoying the day at the park echoed around them. The sights, the smells, the sounds were calming and warm.
He began to set out their lunch while Saeran unpacked their drinks from his backpack.
“The breeze is nice.” Saeran said, his red hair moving lazily as the wind surged for an instant. Yoosung smiled, wanted to reach out and push the errant strands from his face. But he resisted.
They settled quickly, sitting and enjoying the atmosphere before digging in. “Do you ever think about that?” Yoosung asked, jutting his chin towards a family where the father was playing with his kids.
“Kids?” Asked Saeran, turning to see what the blond was looking at.
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know. Not really. It was never in the cards for me.” Saeran shrugged reaching for a bread roll. He tore it open and filled it with meat, cheese, and vegetables spreading the inside with a garlic aioli spread Yoosung had made.
“I think you’d make a great father.” Yoosung said, making his own sandwich. Saeran did a spit take and coughed to clear his throat.
“Is that supposed to be a joke?”
“Of course not, I’m serious.” Yoosung’s amethyst eyes twinkled as he took in his lover. The man was all hard shell and angles, but once you broke through, he was nothing but a soft gooey center. There was nothing he thought Saeran was incapable of once he set his mind to it, though he understood how he had felt there was no future for him. Especially in Mint Eye. He had been nothing but a tool to be used, and used he was. The thought darkened his mood before he noticed Saeran’s amber eyes on the family once more. A look of longing he didn’t think the other man even realized he had.
“No.” Saeran shook his head and focused on his eating. “I wouldn’t even know how to be a father. I never had one, remember. I barely even had a mother.” Darkness clouded his eyes for a brief second before they cleared.
Giving in to temptation Yoosung leaned over and ran his fingers through Saeran’s hair, stealing a kiss in the process. “You never know.” He said, smiling teasingly. The future was open for them both and he was more than willing to see where it would lead.
[Cheating on this one since I don't have time to write something new. I wrote this for Yooran Week 2017. I'm sure many of you haven't read it yet, lol. It's a long one so putting a "read more".]
Saeran let himself into Yoosung’s apartment. He had not wanted to use his key, but after several doorbell rings and knocks, Yoosung had not responded. He was sure he was home, they’d been texting while Saeran had been on his way over. He was worried now, and the silence didn’t help with his anxiety.
“Yoosung?” he called out. The light over the small kitchenette was on, he walked over and set the ice cream in the freezer. He called out again. Down the hall a light was flickering, Saeran let out a sigh of relief, he must be playing LOLOL and his headphones were on. He laughed at his fear. Yoosung knew Saeran had a key, no wonder he had not been listening for the knock. He walked into the bedroom, ready to surprise Yoosung, maybe lay a kiss on his neck. But the room was empty as well. The laptop was on, LOLOL clearly logged in, but Yoosung was nowhere in the small room.
“Yoosung?” he scanned the room, there was nowhere Yoosung could hide from Saeran. He was about to walk out and check the bathroom when he heard his name being called. He turned around quickly, “Yoosung?” he questioned again, looking around, confused.
“Saeran! Saeran over here! The laptop! HEY!!” the sound was low but Saeran could clearly make out Yoosung’s words. The laptop? He walked towards it and he stopped when he saw a very terrified Yoosung slamming his fists against the monitor, on the inside. He was in the game!
“Oh my god! Yoosung!” Saeran pulled back the chair and sat heavily.
“Saeran! Thank god! You have to help me!”
“How? How did this happen? Yoosung, are you really in there?” Saeran pressed his fingers into the monitor but they hit the hard surface. He tried to pry at the edges, but it didn’t do anything.
“I don’t know! One second I was playing, waiting for you to get here, and the next thing I know, I’m standing on hard cracked earth, dressed like my avatar! I’ve been fighting off monsters, and walking, but, I haven’t found a safe place to rest! You have to help me!”
“What? How?” Saeran screamed at the image. Yoosung turned away from the monitor as a large ratlike creature screeched as it dashed towards Yoosung. He pulled out his weapon and smashed the creature over and over, it never got near him. Saeran’s heart raced as he watched his boyfriend almost get eaten by a fictional monster.
“Yoosung!” he banged on the laptop, his hands curling into fists.
“I’m, I’m ok.” Yoosung exhaled. “Listen, I think if I can finish the current quest I was on, I can get out of here.”
“Ok, um, how can I help?” Saeran was out of his element, he scanned the keyboard and mouse, not sure if he should touch any of it.
“Well, I’m going to need you to help me use my special abilities, I can’t seem to do them on my own. And I think I need you to select items from my inventory, because my bags are empty. Try to select a healing potion.”
“Are you hurt?” Saeran asked, worried.
“No, no, just, just do it Saeran. The button is on the lower right-hand side, see the bag icon? Remember me showing it to you that one time?”
“Uh, yeah. Ok, yeah, I found it, ok, what do I do?”
“Click it and it will open up, the healing potion is green, hover over it and you should be able to just take one.”
“Oh, yeah, I see it, there, did you get it?” Saeran eyed Yoosung.
He watched as he reached into the bag at his hip and came away with a small green glass vial. Yoosung broke into a smile and held it up. “Got it! You did great Saeran! Thank you.” Saeran sighed in relief, at least he was able to help Yoosung.
“Ok, I need you to practice some special moves. You’ll need the mouse and your fingers on the W, A, S, and D keys, got that?”
Saeran kept his hand on the mouse and made sure his other hand was over the specified letters. “Ok.”
“Alright.” Yoosung turned his back to the monitor and took out his two-handed hammer. “I’m going to swing over my head, I need you to hold down the left mouse button and alternate the W and D buttons until I tell you to stop, ok?”
“Uh, I guess! Sure, ready.”
“Ok, NOW!” Yoosung swung his hammer and Saeran pressed the left mouse button and alternated the W and D buttons as fast as he could. On the screen, he saw Yoosung’s hammer spin him around, lifting him into the air and landing safely on the other side of the would-be target. Yoosung screamed in exhilaration and told Saeran to stop. He did. Saeran’s heart was racing a mile a minute and all he’d done was press a couple of buttons.
He watched as Yoosung did a dancing jig and laughed at his nerd boyfriend. Suddenly a large creature appeared behind Yoosung.
“Yoosung! Look out! Behind you!” Yoosung turned and was bowled over by the massive flying crow. It appeared to have no legs and mostly slithered around the ground, but flapped its wings to get some lift off the ground. He saw Yoosung on the ground as the crow lifted and turned for another assault.
“Get up!” Yoosung remained on the ground, he tried to push himself up but the crow’s body hid him from Saeran. Saeran slammed his hands on the mouse and keyboard, hitting buttons and clicking everywhere. The crow dove towards what Saeran assumed was Yoosung. His eyes went wide, tears streaking down his face. “YOOSUNG!”
A loud whoosh sounded from the speakers and a hole appeared on the crow’s back, a flash of light breaking through. Yoosung slid out from under the crow and back to his feet. He was panting and holding his side.
Saeran was so relieved, he almost fell off the chair. He placed his fingers over Yoosung’s bedraggled figure. He watched as Yoosung took out the healing potion again and drank. The crow disappeared and Yoosung once again looked clean and pristine.
“That was a close one!” Yoosung grinned and gave Saeran a thumbs up.
Saeran shook his head, he felt queasy! “Yoosung, I don’t know if I can do this!”
Yoosung took a few steps towards the monitor and appeared to look right into Saeran’s eyes. “Yes you can! I need you Saeran!”
“Because if it’s a quest you need to finish, he will be able to protect you better than I can.”
“You’re right! Good thinking Saeran, ok, I’ll keep walking towards the dungeon then.” Yoosung turned and started walking, the camera followed him. Saeran kept an eye on the blonde as he contacted Saeyoung.
“Hey ho! What’s up bro?!” Saeyoung answered on the second ring.
“Saeyoung! Uh, well, I…I need you to log into LOLOL! NOW!”
“What? Is there a raid? Who’s the big boss? The loot? Is it good? Wait, you don’t play LOLOL, what gives?”
“Just, do it ok? I’ll stay on the line.”
“Ok, ok, hold on…babe, Saeran needs me to log onto LOLOL.” Saeran heard Saeyoung talking to MC. MC’s response was to scoff, “If you want to game with Yoosung, you don’t have to lie.”
“I’m not lying! Tell her Saeran!” he heard some movement and crackling coming through the line.
“Saeran?” MC’s voice cut through.
“Yeah, it’s me, he’s not lying, I…I just need him to log on, hopefully not for long. I’ll explain when he gets on, ok?”
“Uh, sure, I guess, is everything alright Saeran? You don’t sound so good.”
“No, it’s not, but, I’ll explain…”
“When he’s logged on. Alright, here’s Saeyoung again….put it on speaker Saeyoung.”
“I’m in bro, what am I looking for?” There was an echo to Saeyoung’s voice now that he was on speaker.
“Uh, I’ll put you on speaker too.” Saeran hit the button and set his phone by the laptop.
“Yoosung, Saeyoung’s in the game, he’s on speaker.”
“Saeyoung? Where is your character right now?” he asked.
“In Festoon, I was crafting the last time I was logged in. Why?”
“Can you make your way to the Xynthian Dungeon? Make sure to pick up that quest when you pass through Lothen, or you won’t be able to go in.”
“I know that Yoosung, but, why do I want to do that dungeon quest? It’s way below my skill level!” he laughed.
“Just, do it Saeyoung, please, I’ll meet you at the entrance.
“Ok, ok, I’m going. What is this about anyway?”
“Uh, well,” Saeran sighed, he was not going to believe him, but, “Yoosung somehow got stuck in the game. He’s there in his physical body, and he thinks if he can finish this quest, he might be able to get back out.” Saeran rattled quickly.
After a few seconds, he could hear Saeyoung and MC both laughing.
“Jesus guys! Are you trying to prank me? It isn’t a very good one!”
“Just, keep going Saeyoung, you’ll see when you get there.” Saeran was exasperated. He watched Yoosung fearfully, his hands on the mouse and keyboard, waiting for any instructions from Yoosung should he need him. So far, he had not been attacked.
“Oh, I have to get in on this!” he heard MC. After a few minutes, she heard MC excitedly exclaim that she already had the quest and would take her less than a minute to get to the dungeon because she could travel faster on her mount.
After five more minutes, Yoosung could finally see the entrance to the dungeon. There were some avatars waiting outside, as there often were, people waiting to be invited, or waiting for their party before entering.
He saw MC’s avatar and his heart began to race, maybe he would be able to get out of this in one piece.
“MC!” Yoosung waved and hugged her avatar, but of course, it could not react to him like a real person.
“FUCK! Saeyoung! Look!” MC screamed.
“Oh my god! Yoosung! You’re really in there!” Saeyoung was astonished.
“Of course I am, I told you! It was strange, his voice was coming out of the speakers on both their computers and from the phone between them.
“Shit!” Saeyoung sat back down and began in earnest to head towards the dungeon.
Once they met up they made a plan for MC to keep Yoosung alive, at the expense of her and Saeyoung. Saeyoung would take all the aggro, he had plenty of spells to keep the mobs on him and only him. Yoosung would hit and run, not focusing on any one mob, so that he would not accidentally steal Saeyoung’s aggro. MC would stay back and cast from afar, keeping an eye on Yoosung’s health meter. Once they reached the big boss, Saeyoung would be the only one to enter the area, keeping MC and Yoosung out of area of effect range. Yoosung had wards he could use on Saeyoung, and debuffs he could cast on the boss. He would concentrate on that, while MC would concentrate on healing and damage over time spells on the boss.
“We ready?” Saeyoung asked. MC and Yoosung both said yes.
Saeyoung clicked on the swirling door in front of him and they were sucked into the dungeon. The mobs that came at them in the beginning were small and took little effort to kill them and sweep them aside. As they progressed into the labyrinth of the dungeon, the mobs became bigger and more difficult, however, for Saeyoung, they were nothing. His armor and weapons were the best in the game.
Saeran watched, terrified as each new swarm of enemies descended on them. Yoosung had asked him to fill his bag with some potions, but otherwise, he had been no help really. Saeyoung seemed to be invincible, his health was still at 100%, even though he was taking a beating.
“Saeran?” Yoosung’s voice came through the speakers.
“Yes, I’m here Yoosung.” Yoosung smiled towards the monitor and held up his hand.
“Thank you for being here.”
“I’m not doing anything Yoosung! You should be thanking Saeyoung and MC.”
“I do, I mean, yes, I’m thankful for them, but, I don’t think I could be so calm through this if it wasn’t for you. Don’t worry ok? I’ll be fine, and, we can have that ice cream when I get back?”
“Ok, but, I don’t think I’ll be able to let you go when I have you back in my arms.”
Saeyoung snickered and Saeran heard what was probably MC punching him.
“In that case, why don’t you just move in with me?” Yoosung said, his voice low and hesitant.
“Ohumph.” Saeyoung was cut off abruptly, again, Saeran was sure it was because of MC, had she punched him in the stomach? He was speechless, had Yoosung just asked him to move in with him through LOLOL?
“I…I’d…um, yes, I’d like that, I’d like that very much.” He was blushing, brushing his fingertips over Yoosung’s image again, tears in his eyes. Everything was going to be alright, he told himself. Yoosung was going to escape, and they would live together. He could go to bed with Yoosung, he could wake up with Yoosung, he could see Yoosung every day!
He could see that Yoosung was also beet red, but soon enough his attention was taken by another wave of monsters. He swung his hammer as Saeyoung flashed his swords in a dual wield stance. They circled and slashed as his body turned and stepped through the mobs with an easy stride. MC cast her spells, rending the mobs apart with lightning spears from above. Yoosung’s hammer carved pieces from the clay figures and smashed them into the ground. He looked tired and haggard. While the mobs were rather easy to dispose of, his body was working harder than it had ever worked before.
MC cast a spell and it settled over Yoosung, giving him strength and renewed health. He nodded to her in thanks, and they moved on.
They rested outside the arena of the big boss, Yoosung cast all his wards on all of them, and MC cast some healing shields on them as well. Saeyoung used some of his trinkets to gain added speed and agility, he would need it for this boss. He was fast, and there was little time to escape his area of effect spells when you noticed he was casting.
“Ok, here we go!”
Saeran was biting his nails, his eyes wide and terrified. What happened if Yoosung died in there? Would he die for real? What would happen to his body? Would it stay there? Or would it materialize here. He slammed his palms against his head, dislodging those negative thoughts, but he held his breath as they entered the final boss area.
It was a mammoth human shaped mob with hands ending in hammers bigger than all three of them combined. Its head was piglike, its belly giant rolls of fat. Its legs were massive and powerful looking, it’s feet more like hooves.
Yoosung began to hyperventilate.
“Take deep breathes Yoosung, remember, you just need to stay outside of its ring ok?” Mc tried to comfort him, but she couldn’t imagine how she would feel if she had to look up into that thing and know you had to fight it.
“You can do this Yoosung, I’m waiting for you!” Yoosung heard Saeran’s voice and he straightened up and clenched his jaw. He had to do this. He only hoped that he was right and he would again be able to see Saeran. If he did, he was done with LOLOL, and was never going to let go of Saeran, never, never, ever again!
He waited for Saeyoung to begin the battle, once he had entered into the aggro area and the behemoth started attacking him, Yoosung hit him with all of the debuff spells he had. He asked Saeran to drop some poison potions into his bag and he dipped the tips of his arrows into it, using his rarely used bow on the boss. MC kept an eye on Saeyoung’s health meter and kept him well above the halfway point. If he died they would be close behind.
Saeyoung dodged and darted, this way and that. His swords scissoring across the boss’s body almost continuously. He did not try to stay safe, trusting in MC to keep him alive. He ran through the boss’s legs and slashed its shins. He turned quickly and ran his blades across the ankles. The boss buckled, but did not fall. Saeyoung ran to safety when he noticed the boss starting his area of effect spell, he barely made it outside of its range, that was close. But he sent his avatar back in, slashing away with its blades. The boss was riddled with arrows and lighting bolts were hitting it from above. It seemed to take forever, but Saeran was pretty sure it had lasted less than five minutes. Soon enough, the boss was down and Yoosung was cheering.
Saeran’s heart stopped, he was still there. Soon enough, Yoosung stopped celebrating and stared down at himself. He sighed, tears springing to his eyes, he looked up, “I’m sorry Saeran!” he cried.
Saeran was shaking his head, no, it couldn’t end this way! There had to be something else they could try.
Yoosung bowed his head and buried his face into his hands. MC and Saeyoung were silent, reaching out to each other.
MC suddenly gasped. Yoosung was disappearing from the bottom up. Saeran leaned in, watching as Yoosung’s form vanished from the screen, the last thing he saw was Yoosung’s large lavender eyes, wide and frightened.
“Saeran?” Saeran fell from the chair he had been precariously perched on and turned around, scrambling to his feet. Yoosung stood behind him, a bewildered look on his face.
“Did I, was that…ahh…” he fell, his body unable to hold him up. Saeran was there, catching him before he hit the ground.
“I got you! I’ll always catch you!”
Yoosung smiled and reached his hand up to caress Saeran’s cheek. In the background, they could hear MC and Saeyoung cheering. But in the bedroom, there was only Yoosung and Saeran, and the world was right again.
