Arsen didn’t bother denying it. What was he going to say? He didn’t have a crush on Ever? That would be a lie. And Arsen was many things but he wasn’t a liar.
“Itold you he picked him over me,” Levi sulked.
Arsen rolled his eyes. “You scared him and tried to take his pizza.”
“See!” Levi said.
Arsen was grateful Ever couldn’t hear the back and forth over the headphones like the audience could. But he could see that he and Arsen were on camera, something that he only noticed about five minutes after he sat down.
He turned, caught sight of them both, then leaned in, squinting at the tinier version of themselves before looking at Arsen in confusion.
“We’re on camera. People can see you,” Arsen said. “Say hi.”
“People?” he whispered.
Arsen nodded. “They come on and watch me play my game with friends. They’re all nice. They think you’re very cute.”
Ever’s eyes went wide and he looked back at the screen, leaning in to look at the chat once more, this time reading the comments. Arsen didn’t know how much Ever could read but he knew he did. And there was no missing the stir his appearance was creating among the audience, especially the girls.
Ever flushed to the tips of his ears. Before Arsen could even guess his intention, he grabbed the bottom of Arsen’s hoodie and pulled it over his head, hiding his face from the camera.
Arsen found himself staring down at cat ears popping out from his collar, shocked.
“You two seem…cozy,” Felix teased.
“I’ve heard of someone trying to get into your pants but never your hoodie,” Seven crowed.
Arsen did his best to smile and play along, but inside he was dying. Ever hiding in Arsen’s shirt was adorable, and clearly the audience loved it. The sound of people tipping him filled his headphones again and again, but now, Ever’s cheek was pressed to Arsen’s bare chest, his breath puffing against his nipple.
Chyort.
Arsen grabbed his zipper, slowly pulling it down until Ever’s face popped into view. “What are you doing,besenok? Are you shy?”
Ever slapped his hand away from the zipper, pulling it back up once more. Arsen gave a small laugh. What was he supposed to do with that?
He’s so cute
You two are so cute together
What’s his name?
We want to see his face
Is he your boyfriend?
Is he
Is he
Answer us
“His name is Ever and he’s shy so he’s going to stay where he is,” Arsen said.
The chat continued to fire off thousands of comments, but he ignored it all, pulling Ever’s headphones off and adjusting him so Arsen could get his hands back to the keyboard. He continued to play that way, Ever’s body half-turned, his cheek resting against his chest, his fingers dancing along Arsen’s ribcage, then lower to the waistband of his sweatpants, then back up again.
It was like trying to play a game with a kitten in his jacket, adorable but painfully distracting, especially with his friends making fun of him.
“Your new boyfriend is popular,” Seven teased.
