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Itaru hears the soft click of the dorm room door opening over the various noises of medieval combat pouring out of the TV speakers and mutters out a “welcome back, senpai”, trying to ignore the way his chest feels when he hears a belated “I’m home” in response.
“KniRoun again?”
Itaru feels his heart almost leap out of his chest at those words being said right next to his ear; he’s unsure how the sensation of the older man’s lips almost ghosting across the shell of his ear doesn’t immediately send him to the afterlife. He doesn’t think he’ll ever get used to how inhumanly silent Chikage is when he moves .
“Jeez, you put way too many points in your stealth stat, senpai,” he wheezes out, glancing out of the corner of his eyes to confirm that, yes, Chikage is leaning over the back of the couch, his stupid handsome face just mere inches from his own, those stupid dress shirt sleeves rolled up at his stupid elbows that are also somehow handsome, and–worst of all–that stupid sexy smirk present on those lips that were just tickling his ear a few seconds ago. Too many points in stealth AND looks , Itaru finds himself thinking.
Chikage just lets out a chuckle and rolls his eyes before getting up to continue changing out of his work clothes. Itaru tries to busy himself with his game, wishing that he could deal with his clammy hands and racing heartbeat (like seriously, that can’t be good right? Maybe he should go to a doctor) as easily as he can deal with wave after wave of enemies in literally any game he has ever played.
As Itaru watches Lancelot run across the fields of Britannia on the screen, sword in hand and Gwen following behind him, he catches himself once again wishing he could be him. Oh, to live in a world where the hardest battle is defeating some deranged wizard and not trying not to K.O. over the mere sound of your roommate’s tie getting loosened…
A few minutes pass–or really maybe a lot of minutes passed, it’s hard for Itaru to judge how much time has passed when he’s immersed in a game–before Itaru feels the couch dip under the weight of Chikage beside him. “Want me to switch so we can do PvP?” Itaru asks, hopeful.
“I’m quite alright, taruchi ,” Chikage replies, not looking up from the game he’s playing on his own phone.
“Tch, unromantic as always, senpai.”
“I have a reputation to keep up, after all.”
With that, Itaru decides it’s easier to lose himself to the world of KniRoun for the umpteenth time than try to dwell on the sharp pang he feels whenever he thinks about how painfully obvious it is that Chikage doesn’t feel the same way about him, and the two carry on in silence. At some point in the night Chikage leaves the couch and retires to his bed, but Itaru games on, and he’s not entirely sure if he’ll make it back to his own bed that night.
– – –
The stiffness in his neck that greets him when he wakes up pulls a groan out of him; he must’ve fallen asleep while playing KniRoun.
“Ugh…I’m getting a little too old to sleep on the couch…” he trails off because, after rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he realizes he’s not on the couch. Or in their dorm room, for that matter. He did make it back to a bed, but this bed is not his own Twin XL top bunk he’s used to, and he can spot an alarmingly familiar-looking tuft of green hair peeking up from underneath the fluffy duvet on the pillow next to him. Itaru feels his whole body seize up in surprise, trying to scramble backwards only to find that a pair of strong arms wrapped around his torso are keeping him firmly in place.
Itaru’s mind is running a mile a minute. No way am I actually living my prized good end with senpai right now. What flag did I trigger to land this route? Did we go to a hotel? Did I drink? Why don’t I remember anything? Oh wait, is this one of those amnesia plots? I hate those–
Itaru’s eyes widen when his gaze lands on a familiar battle axe propped up in the corner of the room; he’d recognize that family crest anywhere. No way…
Carefully, he lifts the covers, eyes scanning the face of the man who is currently snoring away into Itaru’s chest. Yup, that sure looks like senpai’s cheatingly handsome face . He glances down further, to the man’s left arm, and finds himself getting giddy when he sees the long scar running along the outside of his forearm. A scar he got after getting seriously injured in battle, which is why he has a habit of protecting his left side more in combat.
There’s no doubt about it, this is Gawain.
Itaru sits up as much as Gawain’s arms will allow him to so he can get a better look at the bedroom–it’s not every day he gets isekaied into his favorite video game series, after all. He takes in the worn animal skin rugs on the floor, the old but sturdy wood studs framing the stone walls, the various weaponry and armor placed neatly on and against the walls. He turns back to look at Gawain, sleeping far more soundly than Itaru’s normal roommate would ever allow himself to, and suddenly it hits him.
This isn’t just the world of KniRoun.
This is specifically the world of KniRoun from the Spring Troupe’s fifth play. Which is why Gawain is the spitting image of Chikage.
And given Itaru’s current place in Gawain’s arms, in Gawain’s bed…yeah, he’s played enough games to know what’s going on. I’ve finally become Lancelot for real! Nice!
“Good morning Lancelot,” Gawain mumbles, still half asleep. He takes a look at Itaru and sits up as well, a look of utter confusion settling onto his face. “My love, what are you wearing?”
Itaru looks down to see he’s in his usual gaming fit of sweats, some ratty t-shirt, and his signature bomber jacket and realizes he was a little bit off in his deduction. He hasn’t become Lancelot, he’s switched places with Lancelot. Which means–
– – –
“What.”
“What do you mean by that, Gawain? Why are you acting so strange? And why are we here in this unfamiliar world?”
Chikage can feel his left eye twitch and he wills himself to remain calm. Right, let’s go over this situation again. One: he wakes up after Chigasaki suspiciously stops snoring. Two: Chigasaki, instead of wearing his usual gamer getup, is now in clothing that makes him look like he’s cosplaying some medieval peasant at a sleepover. Three: Chigasaki is only referring to him as Gawain and is talking weirdly.
“Is this some sort of method acting deal? Do we have a KniRoun rerun I’m not aware of?” Chikage asks with a sigh, knowing the answer to those questions is “no” but still hoping it’s “yes” because he simply doesn’t have the patience to deal with anything else this early in the morning.
“Nigh round? What is that? Gawain, what is going on? Where is Gwen?” Not-Chigasaki asks, eyes wide with fear and curiosity. To make matters worse, Not-Chigasaki has completely invaded Chikage’s personal space, clinging to his arm and leaning into his side. Chikage grits his teeth. You’ve got to be joking. The first time I get Chigasaki to do skinship with me and it’s not even him.
“First off, I’m sorry to say that I’m not Gawain. Secondly, tell me what you last remember happening.”
Not-Chigasaki steps back, a bit startled, and Chikage gives a sigh of relief at the return of his personal space.
“If you're not Gawain then…Apologies. You look just like him, I mistook you for my beloved,” Not-Chigasaki apologizes. Chikage’s eyebrow quirks up slightly in piqued interest at the mention of the other man’s beloved. “My name is Lancelot! I am but a humble knight of the great King Arthur of Britannia. I know not what this world is nor how I have come here, but I must return soon. I am sure Gawain and Gwen are looking for me.”
Chikage glances quickly at the TV to see that KniRoun is still running, albeit on the pause screen. Leave it to a pro gamer to subconsciously pause the game right before falling asleep with the controller still in hand . Chikage lets out another heavy sigh, weighing his options. He figures he might as well explain the situation to Lancelot and try to get as much info as possible out of him in hopes that something will help him bring Chigasaki back. Back to me .
“It seems you and my uncute kouhai have switched places for some reason. Do you have any idea why this might've happened?”
Lancelot takes a moment to think before he opens his mouth and says, “Perhaps I was placed under a spell while I slumbered? I do not recall having angered anyone recently, though.” Chikage can feel Lancelot’s eyes studying him as he runs through all the possibilities of what could've happened on their end of things.
“Do not worry, Sir, er–”
“Chikage.”
“Do not worry Chikage! Your kouhai is in the best hands possible! Gawain is an honest, talented knight.”
Oh, I know full well what kind of man Gawain is…I was him for a bit . Given the fact that the Lancelot before him looks exactly like Chigasaki, Chikage figured he came from the KniRoun playverse rather than any of the video games. Which means Chigasaki is currently living his dream of being a knight of Britannia with a man that looks exactly like Chikage but isn't, and that doesn't sit well with him.
“I’m sure anyone would have a positive image of their beloved,” Chikage mentions offhandedly, hoping Lancelot would take the bait and open up more about his and Gawain’s relationship, because unless Chikage’s memory is failing him–which it isn't, he's sure of that–Gawain and Lancelot were not a romantic item at the end of their play.
Lancelot blushes a little bit, in the exact same way Chigasaki does, starting at the tips of his ears and spreading down his cheeks until the lightest shade of it dusts across his nose. Chikage almost lets a shiver run down his spine at the sight of it.
“Ah, yes, well I suppose that is true. But Gawain and I were comrades before we were lovers, he is a man whose blade I trusted my life with. I promise you no harm will befall your kouhai.”
Chikage gives Lancelot a coy smile. “Oh, I’m not worried about how he’s doing. I’m sure he's having the time of his life.”
– – –
“This. Is. Epic.” Itaru could hardly believe his eyes. The scenery of Britannia rushes by him in a blur and the sweet spring breeze blows his hair into a tangled mess, but he's still having the time of his life. Never in a million years would he have ever imagined being able to be here, sitting on the horse of one of his favorite video game characters, behind aforementioned video game character, as he takes him on a tour of the world of his favorite video game. Lucky~
The horse slows down once they reach the beginning of a forest, and Itaru loosens his grip on Gawain’s waist. Which he was holding onto extra tightly just because they were going so fast and not because he's projecting a certain senpai onto the other man. Totally not.
“This is the forest where you and Lancelot first met, right? The vibes here are insane,” Itaru mentions, half an attempt at small talk and half genuine admiration for seeing such a legendary CG come to life before his very eyes. Gawain nods, and Itaru takes note of the subtle way the other man chews at the inside of his cheek, a habit that Itaru knows Chikage also has. “Hey, Lancelot is fine, trust me. My senpai is god tier in literally everything so I’m sure he’ll figure out a way to un-isekai me and you’ll be back together in no time. EZ clap.”
“Right. Ee-zee clap,” Gawain repeats, nodding in agreement, despite not knowing half of the words that just came out of Itaru’s mouth.
“How long have you two been an item anyways?”
Gawain looks back at Itaru quizzically and Itaru just gives a shrug in response. “We realized our feelings for each other ran deeper than that of knightly comradery a few months after we defeated the evil sorcerer Merlin.”
“Lucky~ Must be nice to know the guy you like likes you back,” Itaru says, the hint of longing not lost on Gawain, apparently, because he lets out a boisterous laugh before giving Itaru a sympathetic smile.
“I did not know, actually. I did not have the slightest clue; I was sure he felt we were simply brothers in knighthood, bound by our oath to the King.” Gawain returns his focus to guiding his horse through the forest.
Okay, so this is totally the part of the story where I listen to an NPC's ramblings that prove to be exactly what I needed to hear, right?
“You seem to know a lot about our world and our past, so you may already be privy to this information, but there was a time when I almost killed Lancelot with my own hands.” Gawain pauses, his grip on the reins tightening as he recalls the past. “I thought he was betraying the kingdom, I thought he was betraying me , and when I ended up losing my brother in the battle he inadvertently caused, I felt absolutely enraged. I wondered how the man I had trusted as a steadfast friend and had protected in battle with my own life could do something to hurt me in this way.”
Gawain takes Itaru’s silence as a sign to continue. “But that was all that I felt inside my own head. I did not understand what Lancelot’s logic was, and that is where the problem stemmed from. In Lancelot’s eyes, I was willing to lay down my life to try to take his own life simply because he felt that there was something off about the King and because he wanted to free his family from imprisonment. Humorous, isn't it? We both thought of each other as betrayers, and I was ready to murder the man I hold dearest over a misunderstanding.”
“No offense, big guy, but I’m the type that spams B till I get to the info I need, so can you get to the point?” Itaru has run through the script of this play so many times he can act it out in his sleep; he really doesn't need a recap of everything that transpired in the plot.
“Apologies. My point is that we did not know what the other was thinking. It is very easy to assume what another person’s actions mean based on our own interpretations, but it is highly possible that our interpretations are wrong. I realized this after our battle with Merlin, and thus when I acknowledged my feelings for Lancelot and started suspecting his own feelings, I decided to ask him how he felt rather than lament over him not liking me beyond comradery when that very well could not have been the case–and as is obvious by the fact that we are now lovers, it was not the case.”
“K, so I’ve just gotta…trigger a confession scene or something, right?”
“I do think it would be wise of you to let him know how you feel about him.”
“Just like that?”
Gawain glances back at Itaru. “Are you afraid?” Itaru feels himself blushing, feels the scarlet hue spread burn at the tips of his ears and the tip of his nose. “It is a scary thing to do. But I feel it is far scarier to go through this world without your beloved simply because you were scared of rejection. Be bold, Itaru!”
Ah yup, there it is. This IS the part where an NPC’s ramblings prove to be exactly what I need to hear.
Now if only Itaru could get back to the real world and apply this info to his own life.
“Ah, we have arrived,” Gawain announces as his horse comes to a stop. He swings himself off the horse before promptly reaching up to help Itaru off as well.
“Where are we?” Itaru takes a look around at the small clearing they've arrived at. A ring of weeping willows frame the clearing and cast a green shadow across everything, giving it a solemn feeling. There is a small, impossibly blue pond in the center of the clearing. Fireflies hop and skip across the surface of the water.
“You wish to return, correct? After all, it seems as though you have something important to say to the man you left behind when you came to this world,” Gawain says with a smirk that looks almost as devious as Chikage’s. “And while I most enjoyed being your host in Britannia, I do want to have my Lancelot back as well.”
“KK. I get it. How exactly do I return?”
“Oh, not to worry, I can help you out with that! This pond is rumored to be a portal to other worlds. Simply think of where you wish to return to, jump in and it should all work out! Though, if you get out before you arrive in your world I cannot guarantee a successful trip.”
Itaru stares at Gawain like he’s grown a second head. “It should work out? Like, you aren't sure ?” He knows Gawain is a complex character whose bold, spontaneous side clashes with his noble, honest side, and he knows that's the appeal of Gawain, but Itaru finds it significantly less appealing when it's the reason why the man is suggesting he just attempt to drown himself.
“Come now, Itaru, where is your boldness? You’ll need more guts than this to tell your beloved how you feel!”
“Literally it won’t??? In what world would confessing require more boldness than literally drowning myself?!”
“In your world! Good luck!” And that’s the only warning Itaru gets before he feels Gawain’s strong hands shove him into the pool. Itaru sinks for what feels like an eternity, and as he fades into unconsciousness he’s left with one thought.
If you die in a video game do you die in real life? I guess I’m about to find out .
– – –
Chikage blinks. Once. Twice. A third time for good measure, just to make sure that what just happened actually happened. “What just happened” being Lancelot getting lifted up into the air as he faded into a bunch of sparkles and a soaking wet Chigasaki appearing from those sparkles, plopping down onto the ground with a soggy thud.
“Chigasaki?” Chikage calls out hesitantly, trying not to let the concern seep too far into his voice. I mean, my roommate just returned from a fictional world and he’s unconscious. I should be allowed a certain level of concern without it being too much, right?
Chigasaki lets out a groan, slowly regaining consciousness. “That freaking NPC…” he mutters, pushing himself up to a seated position. He shakes his head and then awkwardly makes eye contact with Chikage. “Oh, uh…I’m back?”
And Chikage can’t stop the smile that spreads across his face. Despite popular belief, he is only human. “Welcome back. It seems you had quite the adventure, huh?” Chikage almost doesn’t catch the “Yeah, and apparently I’m about to have another one” that the other man mumbles, but he does, and it sends his mind spiraling down a hundred different rabbit holes to figure out what he means.
“Senpai, you just gonna watch or are you gonna help me?”
“I think I’ll watch,” Chikage responds, amusement dancing in his eyes. He loves to tease Chigasaki, almost as much as he loves– now, hold on. None of that. Chikage had already decided long ago to keep his feelings appropriately distanced for coworkers.
Chigasaki rolls his eyes. “Unromantic as ever, senpai. God, sometimes I wonder why I even like you.”
Chikage’s eyes widen with surprise more than he’d ever like to admit, but he quickly composes himself and studies Chigasaki’s face. That absurdly adorable blush–absurd because he really shouldn’t find it as cute as he does–is painted across the other man’s face, but Chigasaki is maintaining eye contact with a boldness Chikage rarely sees from him. So he meant to say that .
“Was that a confession, Itaru? So uncute.” An uncharacteristically genuine and sweet smile rests on Chikage’s lips. He extends a hand towards the man on the floor and helps him back up, pleased to see an added spark of confidence in Itaru’s eyes. He goes for a calculated risk and leaves his hand where it rests in Itaru’s, intertwining their fingers together.
“Was that your way of replying with a ‘yes’? So un–”
“Unromantic, yes, I know. Now will you let me kiss you?”
Itaru makes an overly exaggerated gesture to show that he’s contemplating his answer before he shrugs. “I guess,” he says playfully, and Chikage briefly considers kissing that smug look right off the other man’s face. So he does.
It’s nothing spectacular, as Itaru has exactly as much kissing experience as you’d expect, but for some reason Chikage feels like the entire reason he was born was to kiss those chapped lips. Man, I’ve gotten soft.
When Itaru pulls away he studies Chikage’s face carefully, and Chikage stares back with interest. “What now?”
“I can officially say you’re the best SSR I’ve ever pulled.”
“Jesus Christ, Chigasaki,” Chikage groans. “Sometimes I wonder why I even like you.”