Hypnagogia

COMING HOME

Starting that week with confronting the stalker was a definite mistake- because for a whole two weeks he was forced to endure complete and absolute torture. Coming to school wasn't just a measly task that could be avoided more freely anymore. It was more pressuring instead, with choices and decisions taunting him with every step he took. There was a certain daunting element added on when the students around him would start sneering and scowling, whispering among themselves of all the horrible rumours. He tried to reassure himself that this would end up being normal soon and he would end up being used to it. Because no one wanted to be near him, everyone was too terrified that they'd be immediately treated like an outcast if they even dared to look at him for too long. Even the things that used to make being ignored became bland and empty. He no longer was the one vandalizing peoples things, instead Donghyuck was surely getting used to having insults scrawled over everything he owned. He had to lock himself up in random places so those crazy over the top students wouldn't find him and trash his stuff, or himself for that matter. He couldn't go anywhere without some student pointing him out and laughing or a group of them deciding to have fun picking on him some more. People were making bets on the yearbooks comment on him and gambling over which weirdo he would attract next. In the end he got what he deserved. After years of teasing, insulting, and vandalizing other peoples things less than anonymously- the whole world decided to turn against him.
Except some few. Throughout those days, when he would be walking down the halls, he would pass by the pink haired boy. And Jaemin would still give those kind glances at him. He would be in gym, trying his best to do something that made him be able to hide among the class, and Jeno could sneak in a smile when no one was watching. Jisung still messaged him, still hung out at his house and still walked around the town at those ungodly hours. And Mark.. Donghyuck cringed slightly. Mark was still unaware of everything that happened through the whole month.
A realization hit him. A realization he had told so many lies to his childhood friend.The college student thought that he was still friends with Renjun. He thought the honey haired boy still was obnoxious and teasing- like when he was still there. He was sure his younger friend was still able to fight every battle without being affected by it. He never knew how much Donghyuck relied on a VR to help him ignore everything that was going on. Mark never knew how much he wanted to end all these problems with a simple snap of his fingers and return back to the old schedule. Maybe. Maybe this long weekend would finally reveal all that had been hiding under the texts and calls.
The rapping on the door had Donghyuck literally tripping over himself to answer. Finally a break from this ongoing repetition of anguish. Hands fiddling with the locks, he turned the doorknob and grinned brightly. Mark was smiling softly, contrasting with the sharp features of his face. He shook his head, readjusting his jet black hair from the wind. It was parted in the middle, making him look more mature than his usual bangs but once the breeze hit it the regular youth returned. Despite being away for a long time he still looked the same.
"Welcome back home Mark!!"Donghyuck nearly yelled out, bouncing up and down in excitement. He tackled him with a large, meaningful embrace. He took in the familiar, nostalgic smell of good memories, ones that held no toxicity. He stayed there for a moments time to hold the moment before pulling back. "Are you happy to be taking a break from that boring school?"
His friend's smile, that was most likely there for the whole one minutes hug, grew a bit. Eyes bright with reminiscence. "Actually I was helping out in a kindergarten class for most of my time!"
The younger boy smacked his arm slightly as Mark let himself into the house. "Even worse! Why would you want to go back to school?" There was a tone of disgust in his voice.
"We've already talked about this Hyuck." Mark rolled his eyes. "Plus, kindergarten isn't that bad."
Donghyuck snorted skeptically but none the less, nodded in agreement. They both made their way upstairs to his large bedroom. Only now it was a bit more cramped with an air mattress set up on the other side of the room.
"Nothing much has changed huh," the dark haired boy commented, rolling his dark cameo suitcase in to unpack a bit.
He beamed happily, "Nope." His eyes glinted teasingly, "I needed you to feel comfortable with your surroundings or you may have felt homesick and returned to that stinky college."
"Haha, very funny."
But no one was really joking in regards to Donghyuck's room. The walls were completely covered with band, anime, and video game posters of all kinds. They had duck tape randomly placed around, along with sticky notes with words scrawled all over. Sometimes the words would run off the pages and onto the walls themselves, some of which were not a good idea to show children. The roof was patterned with more pictures, some of memes, others of art, most of his own. Along the edges of the room were drawers, desks and shelves that had been littered with random figurines, bags of junk food and random stones and plants. The room was a combination of messy and clean. Since most of his clothes were in their rightful spot, yet there were the few stray shirts or sweaters that were lying over the furniture and the floor. Than there was his bed, which was unbelievably clean. Besides the clean blankets there was a single puppy plushie, and the large headset that pushed all his other consoles into the closet. And the middle ground, which had been the other items placed in a corner that had something to do with other hobbies he had taken up, along with other practices. But the rest of that was for another day.
Once he finished unpacking his best friend took a nostalgic glance around the room. But with one glance at the VR set he scoffed, the illusion gone instantly. Sitting on the bed, he took the large helmet in his hands and examined it judgementally. He turned it around to observe every single part of it from every single angle possible. He lifted it up and down a few times, nearly throwing it upward to test its weight. He brought it extremely close to his eyes to glare at it, squinting to find the littlest details that could be seen by the naked eye. He even took a whiff of the inside to smell the machinery?
Donghyuck sat beside his friend, staring in confusion. In reality there was no confusion, because his face displayed how betrayed he was about Mark acting so stigmatized about the device.
After a few more minutes the college student stopped and handed the helmet to his friend. "You need to get rid of this, its rotting your brain."
"Wow! Look how motherly you're being right now!" The honey haired boy alleged, snatching the VR away and holding it close to his chest. "Just because you aren't with the trends these days doesn't mean you have to be so against it."
His friend did nothing to argue against it, as if he heard it a million times before. He seemed so unbothered, there must have been some sort of set goal to never be convinced to like the game. Donghyuck was immediately compelled to try anyways. So he stood up to find his secret weapon hidden somewhere in the room.
While doing this, the older boy continued to talk. "It just seems really lazy, like why can't you go out and do things instead? At least you'll actually being experiencing it." Mark shrugged, leaning back on one of the pillows. He raised an eyebrow when Donghyuck came out with another device in his other hand. "Can't we just go outside to the cafe or the park?"
Shaking his head, the honey haired boy shoved the other large helmet to him. "You probably are too tired to walk around right now, that long drive must have exhausted you. And I had gotten this extra one along with the first, so I already thought of using it for multiplayer anyways." Despite Mark's clear dissatisfaction, Donghyuck still insisted on making him wear it. "Now the first time is a bit disorienting but think of it like when you are dreaming and you move around." He set up his own helmet and got into a resting position.
"I don't usually dream that much..." The dark haired boy's voice shifted to nervousness, but was matched equally with skepticism.
"Then just follow me...." Donghyuck grinned. "I can't wait till I introduce you to Jaemin!!"
"Wait-"

[VIRTUAL ROOM//HYPNAGOGIA]
[ENTERING]
[LOGGING IN= SUN_FLARE]
[CONFIRM]
{YES NO}
[NEW PLAYER LOGGING IN...]
[ACCEPT <<LEO>> REQUEST TO JOIN?]
[CONFIRM]
{YES NO}
[<<LEO>> ENTERING....]
..........
[THEME PROCESSING....]
[PASTEL DREAM]

~Hyuckie!
The familiar voice chirped, peppy and energized. The first thing Donghyuck saw when he entered the game were those bright eyes. They dimmed just as fast as they had lightened up when he had entered. The voice losing colour.
~ ah.....
There was a pause.
~Hyuckie?
~Who is this?

Jaemin had increasingly tensed up as the form of Mark manifested beside the honey haired boy. His body was frozen up in the position of near approach. He probably was going to go in for a huge hug before he saw that they weren't going to be alone, like usual. Like the past few days.
Mark had a similar reaction. However, the college student was merely staring at the programmed boyfriend in awe. His eyes were nearly popping out of his head as he stared at the programmed athlete. Brown eyes trailed every inch whilst his mind processed how in the world any game could create such a life like being. He took a while to understand what was happening then turned to Donghyuck in shock.
_You....?

The younger boy grinned proudly, pretty much reading his mind. He slung an arm over his friends shoulder comfortably.
-Yep. This is Na Jaemin.
He waved the pink haired boy over who still seemed rather out of it.
-Jaemin, meet my childhood friend, Mark.

His boyfriend snapped out of his daze, swiftly recovering to give a kind smile. He moved closer, holding his hand out and giving a curt handshake, eyes hovering at the kinship that the two were sharing.
~It really is such a pleasure to meet you, quite ironic though considering Hyuckie usually doesn't talk much about you in the first place

_Wouldn't put it past him. He likes to talk about whatever comes up
Mark chuckled, a bit more comfortable. But his body swayed, making it clear he was still getting used to the game.
_But I bet if you had brought it up, he could talk about me for days.

Donghyuck gasped once he got outed and pinched his friends ear playfully. He got a quick smack in the chest and stifled a laugh. He shot a playful glare at him then softened the gaze. He turned to Jaemin.
-You see, this guy has a tendency to lie. I actually have no interest in him at all.

The two exchanged a glance, everything silent before they burst out into laughter. The third boy, on the other hand, was simply watching them carefully. He decided to saddle to Donghyuck's other side. Sliding an arm around his waist and resting his hand on the older ones hip- Jaemin snuggled his head on Donghyuck's shoulder.
~We should make some snacks for him. Let him get used to the game right?

The other didn't even think twice and only nodded eagerly, too distracted by the challenge to change Mark's mind to even notice how hooded Jaemin's gaze had become.
-That's a great idea Jaemin!
He slid away from his boyfriends grip to stand in front of his friend, gripping his shoulders.
-Do you think you could handle yourself while we're gone?
He acted as if this was some sort of life threatening mission and Mark snorted.

_Yeah, I think so..
Mark's eyes flickered from Jaemin to Donghyuck and he smirked.
_If I can handle a bunch of kindergarteners, I can handle this.

And with that the star student double rapidly whisked his significant other away to the kitchen. Looking back to watch the dark haired boy get used to everything.