Gay(?)mers

Chapter 11

!! Warning for some mild ((mostly verbal)) abuse this chapter !! You can skip this one if you're uncomfortable

. . . . .

Kim Dokja Pov:

By the time I got back, my father was waiting for me at the door.

He eyed me up and down almost immediately, gaze drawn to the phone and coffee in my hands. "Where have you been?"

"At my job," I reply, keeping it curt. I sidle past him, now kicking my shoes off by the door, "I'm saving up so that I can move out, like you're oh so desperate for me to do."

He scowls, glaring at the little keychain hanging from my phone case, "Or were you with that man you've been talking to lately?"

I freeze, peering over my shoulder at the disgusted look on his face. "What-?"

"That man," he snaps, now growing close, "the one you've been talking to everyday. Don't think I can't hear you, and that sickly sweet tone that you use. Who is he? Your sugar daddy?"

I scowl, now backing away. I've always just ignored him, but picking on my sunfish is a step too far. Something buried deep, deep within me suddenly explodes. "Does it even matter?" I practically hiss, ignoring the shocked look I get as I argue back for the first time since I was five, "I'm a legal adult now, so it's not like I'm obligated to tell you! And why do you even care!? It's not like my relationships should affect you in any way- if anything I'm doing you a favour, by staying out of the house! I'm moving out soon, so I don't even see a problem with my behaviour!? Unless you're just jealous that I can actually uphold a steady relationship, unlike you and my mother?"

I'd been expecting the slap. It was sharp, and stung a lot- but I couldn't find it in myself to care. I simply spared the man one last glare, then turned on my heel, storming up the stairs like a little kid throwing a tantrum. Perhaps, in a way, I was. But I didn't mind. Childish as it may be, it's his fault for insulting Yoo Joonghyuk. I slam the door, and throw myself onto the bed.

Now opening my phone, I look down to see multiple notifications. Yoo Joonghyuk is still online, asking if we can talk again soon, and I manage a weak smile at the sight. Come to think of it, I think I now know why I'd been so drawn to him in the first place. It's because he actually cared.

He simply has the love that I've needed so desperately, ever since I was young. If a parental figure didn't work, then surely a lover would? The more obsessed and faithful, the better.

Honestly speaking, even if Yoo Joonghyuk was the stalker that he feared appearing as, I wouldn't mind. I'd still bend over to pick up something I didn't need, fully aware that I was silently driving him insane; because I already wanted him that much. He, who showed me kindness.

Perhaps there was something wrong with that. Maybe it was creepy, or I was being a little greedy- but I'd just have to live with that guilt, I decide, now opening the game- because by now, I was in too far to back out.

. . .

"Joongyuk-ah! I'm glad to see that you're back on~" I muse, my voice thick like honey to spite the man in the other room, most likely listening in.

{"Yeah . It's good to see you."}

"So, what are we doing today? Fighting in another dungeon, or progressing with the story?"

{"A dungeon sounds fine to me."}

"Alrighty-oh!"

I end up leading the way, shamelessly flaunting my now-favourite skin. We're in an area with little to no other players, as usual- but there seem to be a few more around than I was used to.

Hmm. Wanting something akin to privacy, we walk a little deeper, soon reaching one of the more dangerous levels. I spy the large form of a Demon King, hunched over a little further down. I'd be stronger against them, I realise- due to my matching class.

"You wanna give this a try?"

{"Sure."}

It's not long until we charge in, now triggering the boss. His large, scaly wings unfurl like a shadow cast under a dying tree, jagged and torn. The texture of his skull-like face twists under a cruel expression, and the cave is soon lit with an arrangement of coloured flames- but I simply return the gesture, claws engulfed in a neon energy.

I waste no time in activating my strongest skills, feathered wings unfurling from the small of my back as they fluttered under the pressure, glistening like ink and spreading to their fullest length. It looks oddly majestic, and I watch as a familiar pair of ivory horns twist from my avatars' skull.

[Activating electrification, lvl.3!]

A blast of energy tears open the demon kings' defence, and Yoo Joongyuk immediately barrels in. I watch as he ducks under a wall of flame, his sword meeting the underside of the demons' throat. He drags the steel down its throat and across the belly, leaving a large tear as he continues to attack, the health bar stuttering under his barrage of attacks.

I cast another spell, bringing the creature's defence into the negatives as I add another buff onto Joonghyuk, and a moment after he uses a special skill, the demon king falls, dead.

It's crown shatters, and the skull dramatically splits in two. The membranes of the wings turn to a thick, shadowy mush; now a collectable item, which I'm quick to begin bottling.

I open my mouth, ready to sing a praise, "great job, Joonghy-"

SLAM.

I jump, quickly turning just in time to see the fuming figure of my father, who harshly kicks the back of my chair. I jolt in place, loosing balance for a brief moment as my elbow slams into the desk. "Huh!?"

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" the man screams, "YOU AND YOUR GAME, WITH THAT STUPID FUCKING VOICE. JOONGHYUK-AH THIS, JOONGHYUK-AH THAT, JUST SHUT THE HELL UP ALREADY! I WANT YOU OUT OF MY HOUSE, NOW."

"Dad!?"

"YOU SAID IT YOURSELF, DOKJA! YOU'RE AN ADULT NOW, SO START ACTING LIKE ONE!"

The door slams, and as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. I don't realise that I'm crying until a tear falls onto the shaking form of my hands, and it's a moment later that I remember I'm still on call. Thank god Yoo Joonghyuk isn't streaming today..

"Ah.." I try to wipe away the tears, but they just keep coming- "I'm sorry I- I might need to go for a second. I need to message my friends for a place to stay, real quick-"

{"You can stay with me."}

I freeze, a little surprised with the offer. What? "R-really?"

He doesn't even hesitate, now unmuting to speak the words himself,

"Yeah... you should."

I find myself hurriedly packing my bags a moment later.

. A/N:  god, re-reading this now feels so strange. I'm a lot better at writing now I swear 😭