This is not a game

Eli is witty, talkative and one of the best swordsmen in Battlescape - the online MMORPG he made his profession. He is also suffering, hurt by a string of betrayals that sometimes make it impossible to cling to any sense of normalcy or hopes for happiness, or at least connection.
But he is trying.
Enter Silver, a dashing pro player who can appreciate Eli's wit, match his game skills and quiet his anxiety. Silver looks like a perfect solution to all his troubles. But is he, though?
All will be well in the end, but it's the journey that matters.

Please mind the tags for trigger warnings, and be safe.

The story is somewhat completed (as in, I have further plot development planned, but it will be more of a "sequel" vibe). I am now translating it into English, having originally written it in Russian (also available in my profile).