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Little Ash, get in here! BOSS is up!!
Yifan smiled as he accepted the party invite from Steamed Bun Invasion. He hadn't yet had a chance to try out the new event dungeon, and he was eager to meet up with his new friends.
Most of all, he was looking forward to seeing him again.
After witnessing Lord Grim's prowess firsthand, Yifan had pictured Battle God Ye Qiu as being formal and aloof, much like his own captain. But the man he'd come to follow - Ye Xiu as he was known in real life, with his cigarettes and almost unnaturally calm demeanor, intimidated him in an entirely different way.
He was too laid back for one, more than a pro had any right to be. It was easy to see why people called him "Shameless Ye." But the way he'd casually offered him his advice...like he was someone worth knowing, not just some no-account rookie...Yifan still couldn't get it out of his mind.
I see you're called One Inch Ash now.
Yes, Senior. I'm trying out a Ghostblade like you suggested. The day he'd sent the friend request to Lord Grim, Yifan half expected to be ignored, probably even scolded for his presumptuousness. Instead, Ye Qiu had accepted readily, even deigning to strike up a conversation.
That name...
? Did he not like it?
It's from Li Shangyin, right? 'One inch of love is an inch of ashes.' What happened? Did someone break your heart? Of course, given the way Ye Qiu named his own characters, Yifan supposed he shouldn't have been surprised at his ability to quote Tang poetry.
N..no, nothing like that.
Yifan felt a rush of heat over his cheeks. Why was he getting so flustered? Was it only because the man questioning him was probably the greatest Glory player of all time?
It's just...well, it seemed like a fitting name for a Ghostblade. Plus, my assassin was called Ashen Moon, so I thought would be cool to have a theme, you know?"
Ahaha, I see. It's a good name. I like it.
ONE INCH ASH HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO PARTY LEADER
Yifan balked as the update flashed on his screen. The four of them had just entered the dungeon, and he was expecting Lord Grim to take charge as usual.
“Why don't we have Yifan lead us for today?“
“Getting lazy, Brother Expert?” their brawler jibed. However, he and Gentle Mist had no objections to the suggestion and patiently fell back to await instructions.
Thankfully, Yifan was prepared. He'd read up on the fight beforehand and knew about this boss's special mechanics.
The "Gourd Gunner" as it was called, was more or less a palette swap of Blood Gunner Yagg. Instead of a normal head, the monster had a grinning carved pumpkin resting on its shoulders, a malevolent orange glow emitting from within. Intended as an encounter for max-geared players, it would usually be unthinkable for a party of their level to challenge him.
Yifan cleared his throat and spoke clearly into his mic.
“Okay - since Ghostblades have dark element resistance, it'll be best if I'm the one to grab its attention. I'll try to keep him away from you guys while you hit him from behind. Be careful, though. He does a lot of damage and can one-shot you if you're not careful. Everyone ready?”
His teammates answered in the affirmative, and Yifan charged in, excitement completely overtaking his nervousness.
Dodging the monster's attacks proved to be easier than expected. Using the skills he developed while playing an assassin, Yifan expertly weaved in and out of the creature's range while his friends struck mercilessly with their most damaging abilities. In the end, the Gourd Gunner was no match for their combined strength, especially with the almost constant damage buff given by the dual-linking sword boundaries he cast in tandem with Lord Grim. The boss went down without a single party death, and his teammates let out a hearty cheer as a shining reward chest appeared before them.
Since it was their first Halloween in Glory, Gentle Mist and Steamed Bun were thrilled by the novelty items they received with their loot - pumpkin masks, kitty-eared headbands, and stat-boosting candies.
Yifan felt a pang of guilt as he surveyed his own haul - he'd received a witch hat that reminded him of Vaccaria.
“Tell me, Qiao Yifan, does Big-Eyed Wang know how good you are as a Ghostblade?”
Yifan just barely avoided choking on his tea. He doubted he'd ever be able to get used to Wang Jiexi being called by his nickname in such a flippant manner.
“Er...no. We've never discussed it.”
Yifan fidgeted slightly in his chair. They were seated together at the night manager's desk, sharing a meal of instant noodles. It wasn't his first visit to Happy Internet Café, but he always felt out of his depth when he was alone with Ye Xiu. He'd been coming more and more often lately, despite being expected to put in his regular training hours each day. Yingjie always covered for him, like the good friend he was. Today he’d gotten so caught up in practicing new Ghostblade techniques that he hadn't realized he'd stayed until past 2:00 am. The place was deserted at this hour, and there was no one to object to their private chatter.
“Hm. That's good, actually. It will just be our secret. Speaking of which - I'd ask you to say hello for me, but I have a feeling he doesn't know you're here.”
"He doesn't," Yifan admitted, shamefaced. "But I don't think he'd mind that much. Back when we were chasing you every day, he told us that everything about your playstyle - even your trashtalk - is worth learning."
A hint of a smirk curled at the corner of Ye Xiu's lips.
"Even my trash talk, hm? He's a smart one, that Big-Eyed Wang." Yifan couldn’t help but smile with him this time. Glancing at the clock, he sensed he should be taking his leave by now, but Ye Xiu continued.
“So...what's your goal? Team captain? World championship?”
"No...I wouldn't say that."
“Sponsorships, then? Want to sell ice cream like Zhou Zekai? Your face is definitely cute enough." Yifan scoffed. Now he was just being teased.
Ye Xiu turned to look at him, face solemn.
"Then why do you play?"
Yifan met his eyes, fighting to make himself sound more confident.
"I...just want to be the best -, I mean, the best player that I can be. I don't want to do it alone, though. I want to contribute to something bigger than myself...help the team in any way I can."
Ye Xiu smiled and leaned towards him.
"Your team, hm?" He reached out his arm, and Yifan relaxed, expecting a pat on the back.
"Think you could do something just for me?"
Yifan’s heartbeat instantly quickened as Ye Xiu's strong, slender fingers wrapped gently around the back of his neck. Their lips came together in the slightest of touches, and he realized how desperately he'd wanted this. At least now he could admit to himself that his attraction went far deeper than simple admiration. He let out a whimper as he opened himself up the kiss, fully receptive now that the shock had worn off.
Ye Xiu pulled him onto his lap, and Yifan pressed himself against him, wanting more. They stayed like that for a time, the kiss becoming wetter and more heated with every passing moment.
"We should go upstairs." Yifan simply nodded and clumsily got to his feet, dazedly stumbling behind Ye Xiu as he took him by the wrist and led him up the stairs to his room.
Once they got past the door, Ye Xiu wasted no time in pressing him down onto the bed. The lights were off, but Yifan was able to make out the rows of dusty monitors and cardboard boxes that lined walls in lieu of actual furniture. He was more than a little alarmed that the Battle God of Glory slept in what appeared to be a storage closet, but the thought disappeared from his mind when he felt a hand slide beneath his shirt.
"Tell me if you want to stop." Ye Xiu nipped at the tender flesh of his neck, and Yifan couldn't stifle a moan as his body jerked upward in response, the back of his hand thumping against what he was pretty sure was a box of old keyboards.
"I'm okay with anything as long as it's with you." His partner chuckled at this as he finally pulled the shirt over Yifan's head and reached to remove his own.
"You have a gentle look, but on the inside you're quite shameless, aren't you?" Indignant, Yifan opened his mouth to object, but before he could say a word, Ye Xiu's lips were on him again. For the rest of the night, he lost himself so completely to skilled fingers and tongue that the accusation went unanswered.
Good job out there. Lord Grim's message broke Yifan out of his reverie. Weeks had passed since their encounter, and Ye Xiu hadn't said a word to him about it since. Even though the pain of rejection was like a knife in his stomach, Yifan had willed himself to let it go. What good would come from pursuing someone so far out of his league? He'd be in for nothing but heartbreak, just like his name.
Soon you won't be needing me anymore, haha
Not true! Yifan replied immediately.
J/k, j/k. I suppose there are still a few things I have to teach you guys. And by the way...
Yes?
Can you come to the café this weekend? There's something we should talk about.
Yifan let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He'd been waiting for this.
Yes. Of course. I'll be there.
It was a brisk day in late October when they finally met again.
Yifan braced himself as they exchanged greetings. "Don't get the wrong idea. It was just a one-time thing," is what he expected to hear.
Instead, Ye Xiu asked if it would be okay to go for a drive out of the city.
"I want to take you to meet an old friend of mine. It's his birthday." Yifan cautiously agreed, not knowing what to expect. He didn’t question the bunch of white lilies that Ye Xiu brought with them.
As they pulled up at Nanshan Cemetery, Yifan's head buzzed with a thousand questions, but he was too awed to say a word as they entered the grounds. Ye Xiu found his way easily - it was apparent that he'd been here many times before.
They came to a small headstone with a single name engraved on the plaque. Fresh bird of paradise stems rested in a holder at its base.
"Ah, Mucheng must have come earlier." It was then that Yifan recognized the family name of "Su" on the inscription. They paid their respects in silence, placing the lilies alongside the vibrant green stalks. Ye Xiu looked more grieved than Yifan had ever seen him. He stepped back for several moments, giving him time alone with his thoughts.
As they slowly made their way back to the parking lot, he told him the story - about his best friend who'd poured his heart and soul in Glory, only for his life to be snuffed out before he could see his dreams realized. He kept his tone light, but by now Yifan knew him too well not to sense his bitterness.
"They sound like an amazing person." He felt his heart clench thinking about Ye Xiu's loss, the companion he should have had beside him as he made his mark in Glory.
“He was the most generous guy I’ve ever known. Almost too kind. Like you.” Yifan didn’t know how to respond to that, and their conversation fell into a lull.
To his surprise, Ye Xiu used the moment to lace his fingers with his, and they walked the rest of the way hand in hand.
The silence remained unbroken until they arrived back at the café. Yifan moved to get out of the car, but stopped when he noticed his companion hadn’t budged. Oh. Right. They were supposed to talk, weren’t they?
Ye Xiu waited for him to settle back into his seat before he spoke.
“Mucheng always tells me I have a bad habit of shutting people out. I should have talked to you earlier." He paused before turning to give him a remorseful look. "Forgive me?” The Battle God looked almost sheepish.
Yifan’s eyes widened as his heart hammered in his chest. Was Ye Xiu saying what he thought he was?
Instead of answering, Yifan simply covered his hand with his own. As if he needed to ask.
Ye Xiu smiled – truly smiled – with a gentleness he’d never seen before.
“Stay by my side, Yifan,” he whispered, his face moving towards him in a familiar motion. This time, Yifan was ready for the kiss.
He met him eagerly, arms reaching out to pull him close. Ye Xiu sighed in contentment, like a man who had finally found his peace. Both lost all sense of time as the autumn sky grew dark. And even as the evening chill crept into the air, Yifan's only thought was that he had never felt so warm.