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Like a train wreck in slow motion, all Bound Boat can do is watch. Out of respect for Blue River's position as server leader, he bites down the urge to criticize or to prophecy the doom and gloom this decision will no doubt bring. He doesn't say it, though he’s pretty sure his eyes give him away. And he won't say it, not while the other guild members are crowded around the monitor, their high fives and excited chatter filling the room.
Blue Brook Guild is celebrating their impending dungeon record but all Bound Boat can think of, over and over in his head, is one simple fact.
Blue River is smarter than this.
Blue River is so clever, and a great Glory player. Bound Boat knows this not just as his boyfriend but as his best friend and longtime gaming partner. They’re both senior guild members, experienced at fighting by each other’s side and making quick judgment calls. Blue River is sharp and he’s observant and he’s very sexy when he’s making calls and leading their group through a dungeon.
Except right now, he’s glancing at Bound Boat with a guilty puppy dog expression that’s nothing like the leader Bound Boat knows him to be. Before Bound Boat can give one last warning, Blue River clicks “accept” and transfers over a massive stock of expensive materials.
Bound Boat drops his forehead into his hands. Maybe he groans a little, he’s not above it. “Not yet,” he says, the words already far too late.
Blue River shrugs and mouths a quiet oops. He looks like a puppy who peed on the rug and knows he’s done wrong. Bound Boat has never thought of a less sexy metaphor in his life.
Which is when it hits him. He’s seen this behavior before, he just didn’t recognize it pointed at someone else. Someone who’s not himself. Back when they first met, before they even started dating, Blue River was an absolute mess whenever Bound Boat was in the room. The realization unwinds the ball of dread in his stomach. It makes sense now. He sits back in his chair, pleased to have figured it out. A flap of his hand and a quick glare sends his guildmates back to their chairs. They can oogle Lord Grim from their own monitors.
The moment he’s sufficiently alone with Blue River, he pounces. “You have a crush.” Blue River sputters and protests but the flush sweeping over his cheeks gives him away. “You do. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. You have a crush on Lord Grim.”
Blue River shifts in his seat, and Bound Boat knows that movement too. Impatient and eager, and yeah it’s a raging crush. He pouts, as if that’s going to deter Bound Boat. “Maybe a little? You’re not mad are you.”
“I don’t mind as long as you remember whose bed you come home to.”
Blue River’s nod is so enthusiastic it makes his hair bounce.
Seeing him passionate is one of Bound Boat’s favorite sights. Blue River’s occasional crushes spark into existence like fireworks, blazing brilliant across the sky before fading into quiet darkness. He still remembers that time a few years ago when a new recruit came to the guild. He was a star in the arena, teeming with new ideas and new strategies. Blue River was taken by him immediately. Eventually, he brought Zhang Feng into their bed. Bound Boat didn’t partake—he isn’t interested in being with anyone who isn’t Blue River—but watching the two of them was a night to remember.
Blue River was devastated when he turned out to be a spy for Void Walk and left shortly after, but they parted on amicable terms and occasionally the three of them go out to dinner together.
He wonders if Blue River will be as successful with Lord Grim. And how much damage Blue Brook’s storerooms will take in the interim.
On the screen, Lord Grim is no more than a tiny silhouette against the blinding frost forest, leaving their group behind so he can…what, solo the dungeon? Is he out of his mind? Maybe not, considering the laundry list of accomplishments the entire Tenth Server is buzzing about. No wonder Blue River is smitten. He’s always been attracted to competence.
“Are you going after him?” Bound Boat asks.
A cute little crease appears between Blue River’s eyebrows. “Do you mean now, in the game? He told us to stay put.”
And with that, any doubt that Blue River was completely gone for this Lord Grim guy is squashed. Blue River never does what he’s told unless he’s crushing. Or unless he’s overtired or knows he’s right, and none of those apply here.
Bound Boat straightens the collar of Blue River’s striped jacket. “You know what I mean.”
Blue River squints at his monitor, like if he looks hard enough he can see all the way into the dungeon and watch Lord Grim fight. “I don’t know if he’s interested. All we talk about is Glory and rare materials and setting records. I’m not sure he’s into anything else.”
“Well…” Bound Boat walks his fingers down Blue River’s wrist to trace the creases of his fingers where they’re still gripping the mouse. He leans in close. “We can figure something out. How about later you tell me all the things you’d do if he let you.”
Whatever response Blue River is about to give is cut short by a message from Lord Grim appearing on the monitor. Blue River’s entire face lights up, and Bound Boat stifles a sigh that’s half exasperation and half fondness.
He has a feeling he’s going to be doing that a lot.