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Life isn't something to be taken lightly. That's a fact, kids. And, considering Idia's recent super-saiyan girlfail of an overblot, neither is death.
But, anyone can spout lofty MC-worthy one-liners that, without context, are as empty as they are profound. It's another tier entirely to have to follow through.
Since the aforementioned blot-whoopsie, he has, for better or worse, followed through. Sort of. Blot is a hell of a drug to make someone like Idia commit—in front of Ortho and everyone— to being better.
As if 'better' means anything.
Better, atp, has meant dragging himself to class IRL; at least for the rest of his third year; at least when he could bear it. This is to say, Idia went to class some of the time.
Not that it matters, he passed with high enough grades that Olympos Inc. was willing to overlook his mid-range stats in favor of his 'tech god' title. Idia never had any doubt. Idia was certain they were going to reject him. Two things can be true at once.
Some other stuff happened. Yada Yada. Malleus-shi hulks out (okay yes, not like literally like the actual Hulk but in his own, special way.), and somehow it's up to Idia to boyloser his way into saving everyone all while confined to his bedroom. As far as heroics go, it's probably as far as Idia is going to get. Etc Etc.
TLDR, Night Raven College releases a gaggle of mentally ill fourth year noobs onto the world of business and calls it an internship.
Flash forward! Fssssshshhhhhh! 'Better' has meant locking in at Olympos' head office.
He's sequestered away with one other intern from Royal Sword who Idia has found the restraint not to vaporize on sight. 'Better' has meant showing up to work every; single; day. Even if their desks are in an open concept office (barf). Even if randos approach them day in and day out. Even if he stutters, stammers, and chokes on his words. None of that matters because his work does the talking. 4 months in and he's already carrying this place on his back. Not an overstatement for those with a penchant for the megalomaniacal.
4 months in, and interns are dismissed for the winter break. Casuals will switch to their second semester internship while the real ones will return for the second block; when the real work will begin. But software engineering at the god-tier tech mogul megabusiness is babystuff compared to what Idia has coming.
Yes, 'better' has meant that despite wanting nothing more than to hibernate in an introvert paradise in the inaccessible S.T.Y.X., Idia, in a moment of what must have been true delusion, agreed to a free-time event elsewhere.
And now that there's no more work to do, now that he's packed up the essentials from his rental (change of clothes, gaming PC, tablet, chargers, 2 consoles, etc), there's nothing left but to pay the boatman and float into the hell of his own creation. Onward, brave adventurer.
On queue, his phone, tablet, and smartwatch all buzz at the same time.
From: Vil-shi 💜૮₍´｡˃ᵕ˂｡`₎ა✨: You must be done by now, Idia.
Scary. Like clockwork, and Vil-shi isn't even the android in the family. Idia's heart skips a beat or two.
Oh, right, 'better' has also meant getting the girl. Or, the guy. Or, whatever Vil-shi is on any particular day.
That in itself isn't enough to make Idia respond to a text message.
Rookie mistake. His phone rings, once. Voicemail. Twice. He answers, voice only. His tablet display projects in front of him as he loads his things into one of Olympos' Hermes v. II transports. Cushier than Charon-core detainment for sure, but where's the charm when there's no Stygian gondolier groaning disapprovingly for the ride?
Vil-shi's video feed populates in front of him. Jump scare. (Idia jumps). (He's scared.) Who has their settings set to auto-video? Unhinged.
Though, if Idia put nearly the same effort into his own character creation as Vil-shi, maybe he'd feel differently. As deranged as it is, it's a definite STR-up to see him.
It had taken some time to get used to seeing Vil-shi in black during his film internship. Something about working on crew and needing to be polished, but not attention-seeking. As if it would work with a face like Vil-shi's. Beautiful in the archetypical way. Far from the soft fragility of a Neige-shi. There's nothing soft about Vil-shi at all. His features, physique, and demeanor are cold and trained. Like pavement. Bzzt, try again. Like life. A finely honed and pointed spear with the charge to take down The Boss. He stares. Boss down.
"Hello?" Vil-shi frowns, barrelling the camera so hard, it's unbelievable that Idia's camera isn't secretly on. "You're supposed to say something when you answer."
"Eeeek!" He eeks. "I mean h-hi, Vil-shi. I'll be over soon." That's right. This week's 'maybe you're wondering how I got into this situation' moment is agreeing to join Vil-shi for the the winter break. New map. Just one of the many downsides to your home being an essential secret base. Not exactly easy to bring the missus home to meet the parents absent another O.B. incident. Although Idia had asked, Vil-shi wasn't inclined to oblige.
Vil-shi's face relaxes after a moment of clearly evaluating whether Idia's response was passible enough to let slide. Mercifully, it is, here. Checkpoint cleared. GG. EZ.
"You're also supposed to answer the first time I call. But, good." Vil-shi smirks. "Everything's ready for you. Are you sure Ortho doesn't want to come?"
Cut out. Split screen to Idia asking Ortho a month back about coming with him. Now, can you imagine the sound of an AI imitating gagging? That. It was that.
Something along the lines of "Nii-san, I love you and Vil-shi both very much, but not enough to spend winter break alone with you."
Close cut out. Back to scene. Best to let Vil-shi down easy. "He said he'd rather self-destruct." Not true. Not what he said; but close enough in summary.
Vil-shi huffs. "That's too bad. He's much more pleasant than you." A smirk, one that Idia would call shit-eating on any other person. "I'll just have to send his gift to Night Raven along with Epel's."
There's something wrong with Idia that the barb is what gets his cold, dead blood pumping; what gets a soupcon of color in his corpse-like cheeks. He agrees absolutely. Leave it to an absolute prick with well-demonstrated bias towards Idia's FP to win best girl.
Idia grins. So this is love. "Sorry you're stuck with me."
"It's not so bad." Vil-shi smiles. He's a good enough actor that Idia believes it. "I'll see you soon. Send me a picture."
Once Vil-shi hangs up, Idia sends a picture of his bag. Like an asshole. His devices x3 buzz again a second later.
Vil-shi 💜૮₍´｡˃ᵕ˂｡`₎ა✨ disliked a message.
Maquillaville is a movie set. No, literally. Probably more streamlined just to keep it in film-ready condition rather than shed the celebrity veneer only to paint it on again for the next flick. Even in the dark, the streets here glisten like they're in a romance movie (or, at the beginning of an apocalypse one). Suffice it to say, Idia does not stop on his way to Vil-shi's place. But, he does hand some madol over to a sidewalk vendor selling bright floral bouquets and teddy bears with lopsided eyes. He's learned by now that turning up empty handed is a total instakill. And he's starting to like living. Don't tell his haters.
Rouge Drive. 14th floor. Penthouse. A doorman recognizes Idia before he finds the place for himself. This is the mega nerf of having blue hair that is also fire.
Now that Idia's in the man's FOV, nothing can stop him from yoinking his bags and guiding Idia to a big gilded box. This leaves Idia then, to ascend the glass elevator as high as it will go. As the doors shut in front of him, Idia exhales. He can do this. It's just him, and it's just Vil-shi.
He can't do this. Back to reality, scrub.
'Just' Vil-shi is the understatement of the century. There's nothing 'just' about the famed child actor, model, and potionologist who is every bit worth his chops as the socmed suggests. More so, because underneath his calculated image is someone with the ambition of a demigod, who won't take 'no' for an answer even when it's good for him.
Despite the mind boggling truth that Idia cleared Vil-shi's romance flag, that fact remains the same. Zero and hero. A 'better' zero is still at best a zero with a new hat. They're in completely different elos.
Vil-shi has her own expectations for Idia that far exceed Idia's own. For the sake of unlocking the good end, he can't fuck this up. Fates be damned.
The doors open on the fourteenth floor and directly into Vil-shi's place. Idia says "gulp" aloud. While it helps the narration, it does nothing to assuaged his 'panicked' status condition.
Idia knows the general map of this apartment from video calls while Vil-shi has visited. High ceilings. Marble. White, grey, gold, and glass. Brighter than any place has any business being. But that's Vil-shi for you. Eat your weird gamer heart out.
Speak of the devil, Vil-shi shuts his book and sets it on a side table in the apartment's living room entrance. The scene reminds Idia of a sitcom. The whelp of a partner comes home to a waiting and raging spouse, reading calmly (but she isn't calm at all!) So, basically Vil-shi has his typical aura.
So much for avoiding an instakill. Panic condition overidden with stun as Vil-shi's OP AOE dominates the field. Idia stares, in the elevator still as Vil-shi approaches. He only belatedly remembers to step inside when the elevator doors threaten to close on him.
He finds himself; takes two steps forward. "I'm here." He chokes. It's all he can force to come out of his dumb baka throat. But no matter, because he can bind attack Vil-shi and greet him that way. Eyes shut. For a moment, Idia can only feel glee. This is better.
"You're here. " Vil-shi hums into his ear, holding him with equal force for a moment before turning to more important things. "And you brought me something."
The flowers, though somewhat rustled from being smooshed seconds ago are still intact. Idia relinquishes them with a mutter. "You would kill me if I hadn't."
Vil-shi turns them over in his hands, squeezes the monstrosity of a bear in an iron fist, and nods, satisfied. "Don't be dramatic." He replies. "I'd let you get away with a mild maiming." With the threat of light violence, Vil-shi leans over and pecks Idia on the cheek, sending his narc of a hairstyle into an instant pink flare. 100% he does this to Idia on purpose.
The bellman produces Idia's bags shortly thereafter.
Idia endures a mild, and anticipated disapproval of the electronics to clothing ratio, but ultimately, he's free to set up his PC and consoles without punishment. 3 points Shroud, 600 Schoenheit.
"Are you hungry?" Vil-shi asks from a white sofa while Idia rewires the apartment's entire TV set up.
Idia stares at him. While it's true that one of several components of 'better' has involved Idia sitting through Vil-shi's lectures on basic nutrition, maintenance calories, and functional exercise, Idia still doesn't particularly enjoy eating. Most foods are messy, complicated to eat, or have flavors or textures Idia doesn't like. Better to get nutrients through powders and vitamins than suffer through an actual meal.
Of course, being a wifeguy has its pitfalls, and over the remainder of their third year, and continuing now, Idia has had to sit through more than a few lunches where Vil-shi has practically forced a balanced meal down his weird and underused gullet. That doesn't mean he wants to eat. A polite no will do. "A warrior does not feel hunger." Idia grumbles. A line from a C-list anime that he's watched on repeat for the past week.
"Let me rephrase." Vil-shi scowls. "You're going to eat." Make that 601.
So endgame, Idia has no choice in the matter. Most things with Vil-shi are this way, and humiliatingly, Idia likes it.
Despite a genuine want to become someone more than who he was before he went darkmode, when the going gets tough, Idia quits. Or tries to , rather. Not so easy when there's a maniac demon waiting for you at each turn. Vil-shi said 'follow through' even when Idia couldn't. Or, thought he couldn't. All of this was hellish, and only worsened as the ill-fated crush Idia had developed post-overblot only grew. Who knew letting the guy drag him through Tartarus would lead to these Elysium fields. When Idia confessed and Vil-shi accepted. The hero gets the girl. Guy. Whatever.
'Better', here isn't much . Just a fruit smoothie that Vil-shi had allegedly made earlier and allegedly does not involve spinach or kale. Yeah right. This kind of thing is tolerable. He was already buying nutritional smoothies before Vil-shi entangled herself with him. Now, they taste a bit better, kale be damned.
He leans over the marbled kitchen counter as he shlormps an amount so small you would wonder if he had any. "It's not bad." He acknowledges. It's better than not bad. "It's goated." Wait. "It's good."
"I should hope so." Vil-shi scoffs. "Most would die to have a taste of anything I make."
"I hope it kills me then." Idia retorts, instantly. His reflexive death wish is a hard habit to kick. But at least now, he doesn't mean it as much.
Vil-shi kicks him in the shin.
Next scene. Interruption of the happy couple. Conflict. Intrigue. A plot driver. The elevator opens once again, this time, with another person in it.
Idia shrieks and ducks behind Vil-shi's legs, holding onto the type of calves that could save him with desperation. Despite knowing this was coming, he isn't ready!
Using a tank as cover only works if that tank is willing to block . Here, Vil-shi abandons Idia instantly and completely, tearing Idia's cover away and trotting to the elevator to greet the new arrival.
"Villy!" Cheers the megaboss. "Happy holidays, it's so good to see you."
Idia presses himself further against the cabinets, like that scene from Jurassic park only much more deadly. 'Villy' could not care less.
"Dad" Idia can hear the affection in Vil-shi's voice, the type reserved for when the cameras aren't rolling. "It's hardly been long. You're getting soft." So Vil-shi is a tsundere with his own father too.
"Maybe I am." Venue-dono's voice is lilted. Unbothered by Vil-shi's sharpness. "Has Idia arrived?"
Busted. This is what he was afraid of: that Vil-shi's father who Idia knew would be here would want to meet and/or talk to him. The worst case scenario. He can't do this. Idia holds his breath, willing the cabinet to absorb him. The door creaks with the movement. No absorption occurs. F.
"—He has!" Vil-shi's enthuses, conveniently covering the suspicious clonk. "He's excited to meet you, he's just…"
"Think of a lie, think of a lie, think of a lie" Idia chants under his breath as he contorts back onto his heels; stumbles backwards. It's somehow the loudest sound to ever happen. There's no chance anymore to pretend he didn't just hard fail stealth mode in the kitchen.
"I'm h-here!" The picture of a sane and normal boyfriend, Idia shoots upwards from behind the counter, standing so tense you would think he was Riddle-shi if not for the staggering height difference. "I was just—" Just what? He can't think of a lie. Game over. You do not pass 'Go', you do not collect 200 Thaumarks. He winces.
"Just?" Venue-dono prompts, floating closer with one of those big celebrity grins, his hand outstretched.
The look Vil-shi gives him is one for the books. Definitely not the worst he's seen, but one that assures him he's going to get the resetti treatment later. But, +1 that Vil-shi is in his camp for this first impression. Their objectives are aligned, which means that Idia can bet on the assist. "He was just taking a look at the garburator. I mentioned that Idia is very handy" The lie. There it is. Vil-shi mouths a 'Duh' Idia's way. In retrospect, it would have been the obvious pull for anyone not preoccupied by being paralyzed in fear.
"Yes!" Nice save. Idia forces the biggest smile he can muster: awkward, twitchy, more forced than an endgame couple. Believe it or not, it's a major upgrade from what he was working with a year ago. "Looks like a spoon got in there, but it's handled. . . They're clean, by the way. My hands . . ." Babbling. Stupid. He bites the inside of his cheek to avoid visibly flinching.
It's a kindness that Venue-dono takes his hand all the same, squeezing it in some freak combo of warmth and threat. "Thanks for the help. This place gets neglected when Villy and I are out of town. Good thing I now know who to call!"
"Any time. . ." Idia mumbles. "I-It's so nice to finally meet you." Does he mean it? No. Definitely not right now when he's so nervous he could pass out instantly. But every otome game will tell you that this is what you say to a father. Rank up?
It's only now that they're standing eye to eye that Idia gets a good look at Vil-shi's father. He's seen him before, of course; movies, advertisements, you name it. But meeting a moot-in-law IRL is always a shock. Naturally, he's handsome, I mean, look at his kid? Taller than Vil-shi is without heels, and broader. Between the two of them , they could reduce Idia to an unrecognizable pulp before he could say 'uncle', and neither would break a sweat. 'This is the skin of a killer, Idia.'— Normal thing to think about when you're meeting your partner's old man, BTW He's dizzy. His stomach lurches; the recent smoothie, a mistake.
By some saving grace, the elevator doors open once again to reveal the doorman (audience fave reoccurring bit), alongside Venue-dono's equipment. And Idia, at last has a moment to friggin breathe as the boss' aggro is drawn by the NPC save.
While Venue-dono settles his bags into the primary bedroom, Idia crumples back into his more comfortable slouch.
Vil-shi joins him again in the kitchen; rooting through the drawers until he finds a dessert spoon. "-10 for the entrance." She says, bluntly. Vil-shi drops the spoon and stomps on it several times with his heel before dumping it in the trash. "+20 for the recovery. You're getting better at this."
He never should have taught Vil-shi twitch scoring.
Idia feels his face get hot. A telltale twinge in his gut. Oh to be a spoon. "I love it when you fabricate evidence." Idia teases. He wants to kiss him. "What did that spoon do to you?" He wants to kiss him. There's probably time, right? While Venue-dono is settling in. Idia closes in, cornering Vil-shi against the counter. "And, Villy?"
"You made it a necessity." Vil-shi winks, prodding Idia in the skeletal chest. "And yes, 'Villy'. Much better than the atrocity of a nickname you have for me." He lifts himself up onto the countertop because Seven know Idia can't hoist him up there. "My father isn't stupid. He'd catch on if I didn't follow though on your lie."
It's that kind of self-serving, bold-faced behavior that Idia fell for in the first place. Call him sick and he'd say you're stating the obvious. He wants to kiss him.
He glides his fingers over Vil-shi's cheekbones, along his jaw. Pavement. Life. Spear. Who cares. "My lie?" Idia laughs. "Bold for the schmuck who started it."
"Tick tock." The villain whispers, curling his arms around Idia's neck. Vil-shi absolutely knows what he's doing, and that Idia is trying to find the stones to seal the deal.
Idia glares at him.
Vil-shi snarks something between a snort and a giggle. The type of laugh that bypasses his usual curated facade when he doesn't have to keep it up. Idia hates him enough right now to describe this smrik as shit-eating. "Sudden death, Idia."
Amazing that someone can be the worst person on the planet and completely irresistible at the same time. Leave it to Idia to fall in love with someone who snaps every nerve like the threads of fate. He groans behind his teeth. But he does it. He kisses him.
That thing about hardness and pavement? It doesn't apply to kissing Vil-shi. No matter how many times Idia kisses Vil-shi, or Vil-shi kisses him, or Vil-shi makes Idia kiss him, or Vil-shi insists on kissing Idia (etc), each is heavier than the last. Breathtaking. Idia is pretty sure that this is what being smothered would feel like. Soft, warm, and more than all things; demanding. Vil-shi goes in for the kill expertly, quickly, nibbling on Idia's lower lip; daring him to raise the stage.
Like a real hero, of course he does. With an acknowledging grunt Idia unleashes the worm! Vil-shi sighs, satisfied, and parts his lips to welcome Idia's tongue; to encourage in kind.
Two worms.
French kissing is bizarre. `And their tongues battled for dominance' Isn't that what they're doing? Idia tries and fails to hold it together. His lips curve, growing dangerously toothy. Watch out, worms.
Just as soon, Vil-shi stops; pulls away. "You're thinking something weird." He murmurs against Idia's lips. She's smiling too. Not beating the 'liking it' allegations this time.
Idia can't restrain his delight any longer. Guilty. He bubbles into his own snicker. The kind reserved for safe spaces or delusions of godhood.
But its too late. Event spawn over. The bedroom door opens and Vil-shi slides off the counter and shoves Idia a respectful distance away. Like it never happened. Idia purges the thoughts of fighting worms from his rat maze of a brain.
As Venue-dono sees the bellman off, Vil-shi drags Idia towards the sitting room.
He sits. Well trained.
"Idia was saying he'd like to take us to dinner." Lies the liar, lying.
If this is part of 'better', Idia's calling it off. There's no way he can do this for the entire week. His pitiable social battery is already frayed, and no amount of comfort zone stretching, ignoring, or training could have prepared him for this virtual endless-mode.
"Right, Idia?" Vil-shi glares his way as if Idia wasn't just up in his business like, a second ago. He tilts his head urgingly. Take the shot, Shroud.
As if Idia isn't already at his limit. As if he hasn't already crossed over a caldera and back just to be here, IRL, to make nice with some rando Venue-dono. As if that would be enough for Vil-shi. As if Vil-shi would be satisfied. Better. Better. Better. Ill-equipment or not, this is the final boss he's been training for since Vil-shi femme-fataled him into CO-OP.
"R-right. My treat." If one of them is a liar, they might as well both be. If he can't nope out of this then he'll just have to focus on the small fry—his endless 1V1 against his partner. Maybe if he works up his RAM over that, he can preserve his hard-drive for the marathon.
Idia grins at Vil-shi so saccharine, he could win a damned Oscar. "Vil-shi has already picked a place out."
It's bound to be a long week.