Gay(?)mers

Chapter 2

It was a few hours later, with me now cooped up in my room, hunched over my phone- that I finally tracked down that guys' channel. Luckily enough for me, the recorded version of his stream was up, so I could now re-watch everything through his eyes. Or, well- screen.

It started off as I remembered, only I now knew that he was actually friends with the creator- hense the custom skin, which turns out to have been a carbon copy of his, admittedly handsome, face. I sit in silent interest, surprisingly intrigued with his witty remarks and almost angry playstyle.

The chat replay was relatively neutral, seemingly used to his curses, save for the outlier "Kim Namwoon", who would take any opportunity given to cuss him out. I was surprised that he hadn't gotten himself banned yet.

A grin eventually splits my cheeks as a familiar scene began to take place, Yoo Joonghyuk suddenly riling himself up as the squid tossed his character like a wet rag. "HAN SOOYOUNG, YOU #####, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ####!? I SWEAR TO GOD, IF I LOSE ALL OF MY PROGRESS NOW-!"

I start to get the feeling that the boss had been added mainly for him.

The chat went up into complete chaos, with Namwoon loving every moment of the carnage.

"THIS UGLY ####### SQUID-"

There's a familiar blue flash, and suddenly, there I am- my avatar dramatically brandishing his staff, cloaks fluttering with the intensity of the magic pulsing through his veins.

<Salvation>

Yoo Joonghyuk trailed off into silence, and I can't help but admit that I looked really goddamn cool from his perspective.

The sparks of mana flutter across the screen, and the elegant arc of my wings only adds to the whole scene- a fierce expression remaining illuminated by the skill notification as I cast into [Sacrifices' will].

I now recognise his absence of a reply to have been a stunned silence, his eyes slightly wide and an odd expression on his face.

{ "Hey, are you alright?" }

He stammered, now reaching for his keyboard- the chat practically cackling in response.

{ "That was a pretty close call." }

He jabbed the 'enter' button more violently than required, resulting in his familiar "Yes. Thanks." which I had received.

My grin softens into something more genuine. Who would've known he was secretly this adorable~?

Upon my request soon after, however, I was then surprised with the words he'd left unsaid(,or untyped?) with a sighed "Literally just crush my head in your thighs, please?"

So- excuse me,   w h a t ?

The chat had a similar reaction, flooding with a variety of "SIR??"s, and "SIMP!"s, shredding into him with no mercy. I instinctively cover my cheeks, feeling a little embarrassed with the sudden development- watching as he shamelessly submitted the request for companionship. Soon after I left, his face fell to his desk, ears now flushed a bright red despite the deadpan expression on his face.

"Everyone, shut the #### up," he groaned, although there was no true malice in his tone. He was now sitting up, saving his progress- "it was nothing.."

Yeah, right.

I watch in disbelief as he ends the stream, staring blankly at the end screen for a little longer than needed. Did that really just happen?

I shift, awkwardly rearranging my hair as I turn off my phone.

.  .  .

It's only when one of the neighbour's kids screams my name that I jolt out of my thoughts. I finally get up, swinging my window open and looking out. Lee Gilyoung jumps up and down, waving something as I watch, "AHJUSSI, LOOK! I LOST A TOOTH!!"

I smother an exasperated sigh, leaning against the ledge, "and why are you telling me this!?

"BECAUSE YOU'RE MEANT TO BUY IT!"

"THAT'S THE TOOTH FAIRY'S JOB!!"

"BUT- I THOUGHT THAT WAS YOU!?"

This kid-

"AND WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT!? FAIRIES ARE MEANT TO BE PRETTY, YOU KNOW?" I then gesture to the bags under my eyes, and the bruises littering my neck. This kid must be misinformed, I swear-

"BUT YOU ARE PRETTY!"

I pause, mouth agape as I try to process his words. Me...? Pretty? Yoo Joonghyuk's... request ...suddenly floats through my mind, and I freeze.  Is this some kind of recurring theme now!?

Lee Gilyoung shoots me a wide, knowing grin. "See!? Even you know it!"

I sigh, hitting the side of my head against the window sill. I decide to leave it be for now. "Fiine, I'll be down in a minute.."

I sneak down the stairs, glad to hear the pounding of my fathers' heavy rock music erupting from under the basement doors.

He'll leave me alone for now, I decide- grabbing a few dollars from my savings and walking out.

. . . .

I end up staying out for a few hours, wandering into the park once Lee Gilyoung goes back inside, not quite ready to go home. I instead sit on a bench under my favorite tree, familiarizing myself with a few of Joonghyuk's older streams. His style remains relatively consistent, although I couldn't find any other examples of him, well... simping.  That in itself wasn't horrible, I suppose- but the clip taken from this afternoon now wiggling its way into my recommended isn't exactly something I was too pleased to see.

"Why me..?"

I sigh for what feels like the hundredth time today, refusing to click on it as I pocket my phone. Ignorance is bliss, afterall~

I sit in silence for a few more minutes, gazing pointlessly at the sky. It's darker now, a mix of oranges and blues bleeding together like blood in the ocean. A chill runs through the air, and I start to rub at my arms as I rearrange my coat.

I should probably head back now, I decide.

It doesn't take long to reach home, but I do need a while to build the courage to actually walk in. The dining room light is on, and I can't hear the music anymore.

I suck in a breath, and twist the door open.

Gently kicking off my shoes, and hanging the door key by the coat racks, I silently make my way in. I find him sitting at the table, eating an overcooked steak and downing large gulps of beer between each bite. I say nothing, silently creeping past and opening the fridge. I take out some cold leftovers, and turn to sink into my room, out of sight.

"Dokja."

I flinch, fingers digging into the corners of my bowl, "Yes, father?"

"When are you planning to move out? You're twenty now. Can't expect me to help you forever."

I manage to dish out a small, fake smile- barely daring to slip into my online persona. "I'll be gone as soon as I can be, father. Don't worry."

He shorts, stabbing his fork through another piece of his leathery meal like a threat. "You better."