They were only midway through the main gameplay arc, and he was in no particular hurry to finish the game and defeat the enemy. Arsen had playedPaladinalone and with friends hundreds of times, but this was the sequel so there was a whole brand new shiny world and Arsen wanted to savor every new land and storyline.
He likedPaladinfor its hyperrealistic world-building. The makers of the game had recreated King Arthur’s court with painstaking detail and it was easy to get immersed in the game, even when just doing walk-throughs. So immersed he literally jumped when Ever touched his shoulder.
When he glanced up, he noted Ever wasn’t looking at him but the screen, eyes wide as he leaned in closer to get a better look, his fingers tracing the figure before him in armor. Arsen’s player.
“You want to watch,besenok?”
Ever nodded. Arsen patted the ottoman between his legs. Ever dropped onto the surface, looking back at Arsen, uncertain. Arsen gripped the ottoman and tugged it back so that Ever was tucked against him, his head just under Arsen’s chin so he could still have full range of motion. Ever was actually the perfect size.
The moment Ever’s face appeared on camera, the chat went crazy.
Who’s that?
Is that your boyfriend?
Oh, my God. He’s so hot.
He’s so cute.
Look at his cat ear headphones.
OMG.
Are you gay, bro?
I didn’t know you liked dudes.
Gross
Sick
That’s hot
WTF?
Are you all gay?
Is that your boyfriend?
He’s cute.
You’re so cute together.
“Is that him?” Felix asked, amused.“Is that the stray who bit Levi?”
“Don’t call him that,” Arsen muttered.
Aw, he’s so protective.
I would be, too.
I’d never let him out of the house again. He’s so fine.
I can’t believe he’s gay
Maybe that’s why he left Russia
“Oh, someone’s already got a crush,” Seven said. “Not even twenty-four hours in. Damn. I always knew he’d fall fast and hard.”
