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For a wise and calculating woman, Violet Sorrengail was oddly prone to losing all her ability to think rationally when she got emotional. On most occasions, Xaden found it either amusing or attractive, only sometimes when she got mad, it was quite exhausting.
After three years of dating her, he knew one more thing.
It was quite easy to make Violet happy if she wasn’t already upset about anything else already. And for him, happy Violet meant a happy life.
And the keyword, the great secret to happy Violet’s greater happiness was ‘books’. Did he weaponize this magical word a bit? Maybe. But he wouldn’t say that he was manipulating his girlfriend, it wasn’t manipulation if he did it openly. And Violet didn’t mind.
“Violence,” he whispered into her ear after they started their romantic stroll home after leaving a restaurant they picked for the date night. “There is a sale in the huge bookstore by the station,” he kissed her ear gently. God, she smelled so good. Violet let out a beautiful sigh that confirmed that he was on the right track today. Her eyes sparkled with hope. “It’s 2+1 sale,” he continued in a low voice that he would usually use to tell her his most lewd ideas, “on all their stock.”
Violet actually fought back a moan at the last part.
He proudly pulled away with a radiant smile. He won this date night already. He was eagerly anticipating the moment they would get home and Violet would show him how much she appreciated all the books she’d get on discount but also, he felt pretty proud. He liked being good to her. Contrary to what everyone else expected from him.
He pulled away and met his girlfriend’s beautiful eyes.
“We’re stopping there on our way home,” she commanded as if it wasn’t obvious already.
“Aye, aye, love,” he smirked and put an arm around her waist, letting it slide a little lower on the way, not skipping on occasion to touch her.
Violet didn’t let him enjoy it for long because she picked up the pace. Damn, that woman walked fast when she wanted something. They had to resort to holding hands which was not bad in general but Xaden much preferred to hold Violet’s hand when they were flirting or being intimate, not when they were basically running to yet another bookstore and handholding felt more like a formality because they were a couple or even a security measure so he wouldn’t get lost on the way.
But whatever. He loved that girl so it didn’t matter.
When Violet finally entered the store and saw a huge sign confirming the sale Xaden told her about. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. She turned to him and gave him a passionate kiss, a prelude of what would come later.
“Have fun, Violence,” he said. “Take your time, I’ll wait for you in the kids’ section.”
“You don’t want to come with me?”
With all his love, absolutely he would not. He could follow when she was limited to that one title she wanted but not when it would take her god knows how long and he would just serve as her personal book holder.
“I have to do daily quest in a game still. And I would rather not waste time on it after we get home. I’ll wait.”
She gave him a dreamy smile at the innuendo and nodded.
“I’ll fetch you when I’m done,” she said.
After one more kiss, they parted and Xaden leisurely strolled toward the kids' section.
Not that he had something against books, quite the opposite actually. But he wasn’t as obsessed as Violet. He was content with the system they worked out during the last years – she filtered books for him. Of course, sometimes he picked up books on his own but he had no shame saying that about 80% of the books he read this year were handpicked out by his girlfriend. She had good taste and knew his preferences so he was quite happy with their system.
At this hour, the kids' section was almost empty. There was just one dude, tall, outrageously handsome, and well-built, dressed in all black. He was playing on his phone, sitting on a sofa next to a large panda plushie. Xaden instantly felt sympathy toward that guy, clearly, they were both dating bookworms, liked black and games, and were in for a long time here.
“Hey, can I move this?” Xaden asked grabbing the panda plushie so he could have a place to sit down.
The guy barely glanced at him, visibly hesitated but eventually nodded. Xaden smirked, feeling another wave of sympathy, he also wasn’t one to be enthusiastic about socializing when playing games. Or generally meeting strangers.
He put the panda on a chair meant for tiny humans and took a seat next to his possible soulmate. Not too close because he respected his personal space.
A quick, discrete look at the game on the other guy’s phone turned out to be yet another revelation. One look at the lonely figure sword fighting a huge reptile was enough for him to recognize it. That was the game he was about to play. And this dude was also doing dailies.
Without another word, Xaden took out his phone and turned on the game himself.
For the next fifteen minutes, they were both stealing glances at each other’s screens, quietly judging each other’s skills. They were both good at this game, ridiculously good. God, how skillfully his neighbor used heavy attacks just at the right time. And those efficient dodge rolls! Xaden has never seen someone matching his level in this game in real life until now. Sure, Bodhi and Imogen tried but the gap was visible.
Xaden took a deep breath.
He had to speak up. He couldn’t let this opportunity go to waste.
“Hey,” he said slowly. “Do you want to do the weekly boss together?”
He was met with a cold glare.
“If this is an attempt to hit on me,” the guy said harshly. “Fuck off.”
Xaden snorted because he was expecting many things but not this.
“Dude, I have no idea what traumatized you but I solemnly swear I’m straight and I came here with a very violent woman who would kill me if I as much as looked at someone else. So purely platonic weekly boss fight. Or the event boss,” he tempted. “I saw that you haven’t completed it yet and I heard it’s almost undoable solo.”
“I probably could do it,” the guy replied. He tapped on his screen and teleported to the location of the challenge.
Oh, Xaden liked him so much. And he also enjoyed watching how despite perfect gaming skills the guy died there just because the boss had too much HP that regenerated over time and the only way to beat him was to hit his two weak points at the same time.
Xaden’s new colleague gritted his teeth. “Fine,” he said. “Let’s do it together.”
They exchanged their game IDs (Regressor1864 and ShadowWielder, respectively) and started co-op mode. It still took them a while to beat the boss since Xaden’s neighbor chose the highest level possible but in ten minutes, they managed to win. They exchanged a long look afterward. Xaden knew what they meant by it. This was a perfect co-op. Quick and efficient communication, perfectly coordinated attacks, huge damage every passing second, the way they were playing together for the first time but they knew exactly what to do, how to create openings for one another, how to fight together.
Xaden cleared his throat.
“I have to upgrade my sword and I need materials,” he said.
“Fine,” his new friend replied. “And after, we go get the spell scrolls.”
“Deal.”
For the next god knows how long, they played in perfect harmony, exchanging the bare minimum of instructions and comments but working through the map and game to-do list with astounding efficiency. The introverted side in Xaden was in love with this situation, elated that there was a space to embrace this side of his nature when his management job forced him to be more extravert most days. It was extremely satisfying. Maybe he could coordinate bookstore dates with this guy? Violet would get her bookstore time and he could play with his new friend in silence. It would be so wonderful.
Xaden didn’t make friends easily, he preferred to keep people at arm’s length and allow only a selected few to get closer. But something about this guy didn’t trigger his walls at all, it was just so comfortable to hang out together. And they told each other quite private things such as how they kept their in-game houses.
Suddenly, their quiet paradise was disrupted by another person in a white coat approaching them, holding a dozen books. He had dark hair as well but he was much more plain-looking than Xaden’s new friend, although for some reason he seemed quite familiar. But maybe he just had one of these faces.
Xaden assumed he was one more boyfriend of a bookworm who came here to rest but suddenly, his new buddy paused the game. The newcomer, instead of sitting down on a pillow or something, approached their sofa.
“Jonghyuk-ah~” he sing-song sitting down on the armrest next to Regressor1864. “Can you guard my books? They’re heavy.”
“They are not yours if you haven’t paid for them yet,” Xaden’s friend corrected him.
“All the more reasons that I need them to be guarded by the strongest man I know,” the bookworm said winking at Xaden’s friend. “Pretty please.”
“Fine. Whatever. How much longer do we have to be here?”
Suddenly, it clicked in Xaden’s head. This voice, this tone, that face. He heard it millions of times when Violet was watching bookstagram, booktok, booktube, or wherever she was finding those videos. Because she was obsessed both with those snarky and funny commentaries but also with the books this person recommended.
“You’re Demon King of Salvation,” Xaden said loudly, standing up, fully aware of how stupid he would sound if he was wrong. But he was sure he wasn’t wrong.
“Yes?” the newcomer answered hesitantly.
Regressor1864 or Jonghyuk-ah~ whatever his real name was moved protectively, ready to cover the Demon King of Salvation with his own body.
Xaden frowned. This was a small betrayal after they bonded so intensively while gaming but well, he would do the same if it was about Violet.
Oh fuck. He spent enough time with Brennan and Naolin to recognize this vibe with 100% certainty. In front of him, there was a gay couple.
He actually became friends with Demon King of Salvation’s boyfriend, Violet will be over the moon when she finds out.
“In the name of our newly founded gaming broship,” he looked at his new friend and called upon their sacred bond. “I beg you please keep your partner here for 5 minutes. My girlfriend loves your channel, she will be so happy if she meets the Demon King of Salvation in person. ”
The influencer chuckled.
“Sunfish, you made a friend? You? Really?”
“Shut up, Kim Dokja.”
“I’m not making fun of you, I’m genuinely proud!” Demon King of Salvation laughed again and waved at Xaden to go.
He didn’t have to be told twice. He walked out of the kids’ section and started looking around. When he didn’t see Violet anywhere without hesitation he pulled out his phone and texted Violet.
Xaden
Violence, where are you now?
Violet
I’m not done.
No.
If you want to go home, go alone.
Xaden
That’s not what I meant, just a quick break, you won’t regret it
It’s a surprise
Violet
Xaden, you know how I feel about you and secrets
Xaden
God why are you so difficult
Just tell me where you are I’m absolutely certain you’ll like what I will tell you
Violet
Romantasy section
Xaden
More romantasy?
Not that I’m complaining, especially when you want to test out smutty scenes
Violet
We’ll see if you can keep up with the one I’m buying
Xaden
I like a good challenge and you know it <3
And you’re my favorite judge
Violet didn’t have a chance to write back because Xaden found her and wrapped her in his arms. It didn’t skip his attention that she had a basket full of books. He just hoped they still had space left for them on the bookshelves because one of his nightmares was Violet's books infesting all their living place, no matter if it was a kitchen or bathroom cabinet. This was how Violet’s place looked like before they moved in together to a bigger apartment so Xaden knew he needed to keep her in check because she was prone to evolve from a cute bookworm into an uncontrollable bookdragon collecting all the books she could find and guarding them like her treasure.
“Violence. I just found you an unexpected attraction, something that will make your evening even better,” he announced with a smirk.
“What?” she asked. “Because if you’re talking about a limited edition of the dragon book, I already…”
“How happy would you be if you could meet Demon King of Salvation in person?” he smirked.
“What?!” Violet gasped. “How?”
“I just made friends with his boyfriend and we played games together,” Xaden explained proudly. “I have his boyfriend added as a friend in the game, I can visit his in-game house, Violet. It’s huge.”
“Oh my god,” she said, slowly starting to believe him.
“We have to go to the kids’ section now. Come.”
There was a sudden vibration in his phone, Xaden glanced at it and froze. It was friend request from the game he and Jonghyuk played, from SchemingSquid. Squid. Sunfish. God, this couple had weird pet names but whatever, for Violence’s sake he accepted the invite without hesitation.
“I think he just added me as a friend in the game,” he said.
Violet grabbed his shirt and pulled him hard.
“You will work to keep this friendship if you care about me, Xaden Riorson.”
Xaden chuckled.
“As you wish, my Violence,” he said stealing a quick kiss from her lips.
“Thank you, Xaden,” Violet whispered. “Also for running to get me.”
“What can I say, I’m a fantastic boyfriend, I’m going to ruin you for all your future relationships.”
“You already did,” she smiled.
He smirked with satisfaction and grabbed her books. That was the only thing left to do to let Violet walk to the kids’ section with spring in her footsteps.
When they got there, the Demon King of Salvation was sitting in Xaden’s old spot and was in the middle of describing all the books he selected to Regressor1864. His partner looked less interested in the books than he was in Kim Dokja talking. It was kind of adorable, in Xaden’s opinion. One look and he was sure that this cold man who slayed monsters with him for a good hour actually had a soft spot, related to the person he loved. Yet another thing he could relate to.
“Oh my god, that’s really him,” Violet whispered, her hands tightening on his arm.
“Yeah,” Xaden said. “Come on, let me introduce you.”
They walked up to the other couple.
“Thanks for waiting,” Xaden said. “This is Violet, my girlfriend. As I said before, she’s a huge fan.”
“Hi,” Demon King of Salvation smiled charmingly and Violet looked as if she was about to faint. “Jonghyuk-ah, smile too, it’s polite.”
“Absolutely not,” Regressor 1864 replied stiffly.
“Sorry about him,” Demon King of Salvation replied. “Nice to meet you, Violet. I’m Kim Dokja, you can call me that, Demon King of Salvation is a mouthful.”
“Nice to meet you,” Violet finally managed to speak and it was as if a dam broke. “Thank you so much for your videos! Your recommendations are always on the spot and oh my god, when you do character analysis… when I get a notification, I drop whatever I’m doing to watch it.”
“Unless we’re in bed, we don’t stop then, that would be weird,” Xaden added which earned him a nudge in the ribs from his girlfriend.
“Please pretend you didn’t hear that,” Violet asked, her ears burning red. “Anyway. Your work is great. Way better than all those pretty girls who just recommend books with pretty covers you recommend the books that are actually good. Thank you for that.”
Demon King of Salvation beamed.
“Hey, there are still forty minutes until the bookstore closes, do you want to look around together?” he asked.
For Violet, it was like a dream come true. “I would absolutely love to!”
“Am I the best boyfriend ever?” Xaden whispered in her ear before letting her go.
“You are,” she whispered back and squeezed his arm.
A moment later, she disappeared between the bookshelves, chatting excitedly with the Demon King of Salvation about her latest read. Regressor1864 let out a long, exasperated sigh, and Xaden sat down next to him.
“Are you upset about the forty minutes?” he asked. “I knew she would stay until closing that’s why I came here after the dinner. You can’t really fight their nature, they will want to stay near to books as much as they can.”
“No,” Jonghyuk sighed again. “That’s not it. It’s just that it was the face Dokja makes when he’s deciding to adopt another human being.”
“Excuse me, what?”
“He will probably invite your girlfriend for dinner next week. One that I will have to cook and he knows it.”
“If I tag along, we could game the whole evening,” Xaden suggested.
“Dokja is telling me to be more open about my feelings,” another exasperated gasp. “It was fun to play with you today, ShadowWielder,” he confessed. “We should do this again.”
“Xaden,” he provided. “It was fun to play with you for me too. I would love to keep on gaming with you sometimes. You’re way better at it than my friends and family.”
“Of course I am, I’m a professional. But whatever. Anyway, we can also coordinate the bookstore dates. So it’s more bearable.”
“Yes,” Xaden agreed promptly. “Let’s do it together, they will be happy, we will be happy. It’s perfect. I have a calendar with a lot of bookstore discounts marked, I can share.”
“Dokja has a spreadsheet with all book release dates important to him and the discounts, it’s ridiculously huge. I’ll get him to share it with you. If your girlfriend is anything like he is, it will be very, very useful for you. In exchange, now, let’s get the gems for the next quest. And you’ll be the healer.”
“Fine, let’s do that,” Xaden complied even if he was to be a healer.
They pulled out their phones and connected to the game once again. As they sat there in the quiet bookstore at night, bonding over the game while their lovers enjoyed their shared hobby, Xaden thought that this would be really great if this could become a regular occurrence.
Definitely, it beat lonely hours he spent here waiting for Violet to satisfy her craving for books, that he was certain of.