This is not a game

It ges better: Moving in

"You've been living here for a month now," Eli says thoughtfully one morning.

Qi Yi nods cautiously, and Eli counts it as a huge victory that he doesn't immediately tense up or start gathering his things with a guilty look.

"I know it kind of just happened, and it wasn't for the best reasons either but... I like it. Do you want to move in officially? Not just temporarily?"

"I still don't have the money to contribute," Qi Yi says after a pause.

Eli shrugs; he completely understands why Qi Yi had to leave his paid job—the game is gaining traction, and they can't afford to lose momentum, even if the income is barely covering server costs. This isn't the kind of situation that would make Eli worry about someone leeching off him.

"It's not a problem. When your game takes off, I'll play the freeloader if it makes you feel better. But you're not exactly a burden right now."

Eli smiles and moves in for a hug. He smooths out the furrow between Qi Yi's brows with the tip of his finger and smiles again when, after a moment, Qi Yi hugs him back and pulls him in. Swinging his leg over to straddle him feels like the most natural thing in the world.

"Stay for good," Eli half-offers, half-pleads. "We're happy together, aren't we?"

"If you let me pay you back later," Qi Yi insists.

Eli thinks that, if anything, he's the one who owes Qi Yi. He hasn't felt this good in a long time. The last month was amazing for him. Even when Qi Yi is deeply absorbed in coding and barely responds to the outside world, his presence alone grounds Eli. Besides, even at his busiest, Qi Yi always finds moments for Eli—a grateful kiss for a glass of water, a quick check-in on how their days are going, a sleepy cuddle late at night, or even just an exchange of glances...

Eli can't stand being ignored, and Qi Yi makes a point of never ignoring him. It might seem like a low bar for a successful relationship, but it feels like a good foundation.

Eli doesn't feel like Qi Yi owes him anything, but for his peace of mind, he nods.

"Deal."

"Good," Qi Yi agrees. "Deal. When can I move in?"

Eli laughs, giddy with happiness. Qi Yi slips his hands under Eli's shirt and pulls it up before silencing his overjoyed laughter with a kiss.

"Take off your clothes. On your knees," Qi Yi commands when the laughter turns into a moan.

Eli reaches for another kiss and is met with a slap on the rear and a warning, "Eli." He clumsily slides off Qi Yi's lap and onto the floor, quickly pulling off his jeans and underwear, tossing them aside before dropping to his knees at Qi Yi's feet.

"I'm going to use your mouth," Qi Yi says, and Eli swallows, and then has to suppress an inappropriate giggle.

"Time to move in," he jokes, and Qi Yi rolls his eyes, but there's a flicker of a smile before he grips Eli's chin and forces his mouth open.

"Less talking, more doing, little fox," Qi Yi says. "If you want to come today."

Eli shuts up and waits obediently as Qi Yi unzips his jeans, pulling them down just enough to free himself, and starts jerking off. Eli instinctively reaches out, only to be stopped by a firm "No."

"I said I'm using your mouth," Qi Yi reminds him. "Don't move."

Eli lets out a plaintive whimper but stays still. When his lover finally pulls him close, filling his mouth and then his throat, it feels like a reward for his patience, and he sinks into a blissful haze. His hands instinctively wrap around Qi Yi's ankles, ready to tap out "red" on his skin if it becomes too much. Qi Yi's length rhythmically pushes against his lips and deep into his throat as he chases his own pleasure, tears welling in Eli's eyes, and... Eli notes his own arousal.

Once, he thought there was something wrong with him for wanting this. Silver may have driven him to a suicide attempt with his games, but he had also freed Eli from that misconception. Or rather, Eli had freed himself from it during his time with Silver. For that, at least, he was grateful.

At least now, he feels no shame in getting aroused when his lover uses him for his own pleasure. Now, he understands that what turns him on is the level of trust required from both of them for this.

"Eli."

He looks up and takes the offered hand. Qi Yi pulls him up and helps him straddle his lap again, but this time, of course, he enters him. Without preparation, Eli's body always resists a little, but it doesn't last long. Qi Yi has earned his place in Eli's heart, tamed him, and patiently taught his body to accept him too.

"Hands on my shoulders," Qi Yi breathes out, and Eli presses his palms to his shoulders, knowing what it means: he is still forbidden from touching himself.

His arousal has long passed the point of being painful by the time Qi Yi finally stops pinching and caressing his rear and nipples, taking his length into his hand. Eli comes within barely fifteen seconds, collapsing against his lover's chest as Qi Yi thrusts into him, chasing his own release.