Work Text:
Idia was no stranger to online friends. It was so much easier to play casually when they didn't have to see each other in person, or know each other's stories or flaws. But he also knew that meant he had no clue who exactly he was talking to.
This thought crossed his mind a few times after meeting Muscle Red. He claimed to still be in school, but he sounded way too old for that. Maybe he was just an adult going to Uni?
He would denounce the accuracy when they played historical games, giving very detailed explanations on what he claimed was the truth. Maybe he was a history major or something?
Idia didn't know anything about his gaming buddy, and he didn't really care to find out. He didn't need to know whether he worked an office job or was still a student to have fun playing games together.
That is, until the day he realized that he REALLY didn't know anything about his gaming buddy. They were playing some FPS this time, and while waiting to queue up with a team, Muscle Red thought this would be the best time to drop the 'son' bomb on him
"Ah that's right. Gloomurai, as it turns out, I won't be able to play tomorrow. I must attend my son's birthday!"
"N-nani?!" Idia exclaimed, his jaw slack and eyes wide as he stared at Muscle Red's PFP on the other side of the line. Was he being serious? A kid???
He seemed so full of joy that it really didn't feel like a joke. Muscle Red had mentioned having to take care of kids when he was younger, but Idia assumed it was some babysitting thing. Never in his LIFE did he think he was playing with a whole ass father.
"Yes! It will be quite the event! His school's event space will be rented out for the night, and I have a wonderful gift prepared for him!" Muscle Red continued to blab on about his son's party, giving Idia knowledge he really didn't need to know.
As his partner continued talking, Idia checked his own calendar, wondering if he had anything to do tomorrow. All he saw were a bunch of green hearts scribbled over the date and 'KNIGHT'S B-DAY' written in blue ink.
Right. It was Silver's birthday too, that day.
"Yeah, I have to go to someone's party tomorrow, too," Idia spoke offhandedly, too busy scavenging through his mess of a bedroom to find the gift he so painstakingly picked out for the boy of his dreams.
Finally, his hand felt something cold and rough in a pile of clothes, and he pulled it out carefully. A sword shaped, alarm clock pin he had fashioned himself. It took him a long time to find someone to build the case for it, since he didnt know how to work with jewelry, but he put all of the actual alarm parts together.
It may have been a little stalker-ish, but he watched for a long time, and took note of everything that usually woke Silver up on the first try. Even if it was a little creepy, being able to program the most affective alarm for his particular case seemed worth it.
From the corner of his eye, Idia noticed the computer screen glow red, signaling the start of a match. After that, they didn't have much time to talk about kids or birthdays.
—
Idia arrived at mostro lounge 15 minutes after the party started. He said it was because he was finishing a super important project. In reality, he was fussing over his smile in the mirror, trying to make it look normal and not totally freaky.
Idia left his gift in the pile of other presents, feeling very anxious. Silver already has dozens of other gifts, what if his is super underwhelming? He definitely has enough alarm clocks, he didn't need another one! Seven, did you really have to go for the most obvious thing ever? Stupid Idia, idiot!
As he was losing himself in his thoughts, a hand on his shoulder violently jolted him back to reality. Seeing Idia flinch like if he had been slapped, Silver took his hand back, worried he did something wrong.
Realizing how severe his reaction was, Idia burst into awkward laughter. "HAHAHAHA! Hahaha. Hah...H-hey, Silver! Uh, happy birthday. Your present is...uh...there..." His laughter dying down along with his confidence.
Silver took a small step closer to his upperclassman, who slunk back in turn. "Are you alright, Idia? I'm sorry, did I frighten you?"
Seven. Why did his eyelashes have to be silver, too. They reflected light against his periwinkle eyes, making them sparkle like diamonds. But no, that wasn't the right colour. They looked like clouds right before the sun dips below the horizon. His eyebrows knit together in worry, showing off a little wrinkle between them that Idia wanted to smooth out with his thumb. It looked like he was wearing some kind of makeup, because his lips were shinier than when he wore his usual chapstick. Which is something that Idia definately learned from talking to him in person, and not from watching him through the window as he attended PE.
Fuck. No one was allowed to be this pretty.
"If you were a legendary, event only SSR+ I'd whale so hard for you" Idia blurted suddenly. His hands flew to his mouth so quickly that he accidentally bit his tongue.
Silver was taken back by the sudden statement, his eyes with those fluttery eyelashes widening as he straightened out.
Idia felt so awkward. He was about to leave the party and ask someone to bury him outside, until he heard a light laughter that sounded like sunshine itself.
"From what I know, that's a complement, right?" Silver asked, his perfectly shiny lips curling into a smile as the corners of his eyes pinched together.
The upperclassman was expecting...well he wasn't exactly sure, but definitely not for him to understand what Idia was talking about. "Uh...yeah.." Idia mumbled, the hair that he tried so hard to tame earlier curling into a pink mess.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something more, that annoying little bat, Lilia, fluttered up behind Silver. Idia couldn't hide his displeasure, and looked away from the pair.
"Ah, fa- Lilia. Idia has arrived. I was about to ask him to dance. Is there something you needed?" Silver said to the bug on his shoulder. The last comment wasn't lost on Idia, and he couldn't help internally cursing Lilia with lice for ruining this chance.
Lilia looked Idia up and down, seemingly just as a glance, but Idia knew it held disapproving connotations. "I wanted to ask about the tables, but...really? I'm sure Kalim or...anyone else is a better dancer."
Ouch.
"I'm sure, father. Now, what did you need?" Silver asked, looking exasperated like he's had this conversation over a million times before. Idia felt a little flattered
Lilia was quick to drag Silver away in a random direction, who turned back to offer an apologetic smile and a wave. While this would typically give someone time to mingle with the rest of the guests, this was Idia we were talking about.
He was hoping to spend his time with, or at least around, the birthday boy, but his hopes were dashed by that e-boy wannabe.
Just before he was about to curl up in some corner with his headphones, he felt a buzz in his pocket —a message notification from Muscle Red
-"I told you about my son earlier, right? Well, he has this little blue friend, and he's the most infuriatingly subpar person he could possibly choose to hang around.,,
Idia snickered, sitting down on a nearby couch. Some of his peers said hello, but he mostly just nodded back, or gave a small wave. Ace was chasing Deuce with one of the decorative swords on display, Cater was snapping photos of the decorations for his Magicam, Vil was sitting at a table to fix his shoes, and through the crowd, Idia saw Silver greeting guests, looking rather tired.
He wanted so badly to tug him over to take a nap on the couch, but Silver had things to do, so Idia turned back to his phone.
''What's he like?,,
''Antisocial, boring, rude...just no good for my son,,
''lmao what a chud. Sounds like ur kid needs better standards,,
In that moment, Silver's eyes caught sight of Idia on his phone with his headphones on, curled up on a couch, and he lit up instantly. He pushed through the crowd, before plopping down on the couch beside him. Idia put down his phone to give Silver his full attention.
"What's up?" Idia asked, feeling a little warm at their proximity. Silver looked at him for a long moment, before his eyes began to flutter shut as he leaned in.
Oh my god, was Silver going in for a kiss?!! Idia panicked, looking around wildly. Was his breath okay? What was he supposed to do with his hands? Was he even ready for this?!!!
Ultimately composing himself, he shut his eyes tight and pursed his lips awkwardly.
A light bump on his shoulder made Idia crack his eyes open a peak. Silver was softly dozing on him. Idia's face burst into an embarrassed blush, feeling stupid now. Of course Silver wasn't going to kiss him just like that! Silver was a gentleman, he would ask first. And he'd definitely make it more romantic than just diving in headfirst.
He covered his head with his hood, and pulled out his phone to think about anything else but how poorly he misread the situation.
Idia got more comfortable with Silver as the minutes passed, the pair molding together perfectly. He was for once glad for Silver's sleeping spells, since Idia wouldn't wake him up with how hard his heart was thumping in his chest.
Just as the party was getting louder, Silver began to wake up, yawning with his arm sliding around Idia's back, sending a shiver down the senior's spine.
Silver opened his eyes, the first sight he sees being Idia's constipated expression. He quickly rose to sit up straight, fixing his hair. "I'm sorry, I was feeling awfully tired. You could have pushed me off..." The junior mumbled, his ears turning a light pink.
Idia shook his head, his mouth feeling very dry all of a sudden. "N-no! It's all good! You can snooze on me," he blurted, offering a half-toothed smile.
The purple eyed boy looked up at his upper classman, a small grin growing on his lips. He looked back down at his hands, and noticed the glowing screen on Idia's lap. He wasn't a nosy person, and he didn't mean to snoop, but he couldn't miss seeing a strangely familiar name on the screen.
His gaze shifted back up, expression a mix of confusion and a surprised happiness. "I didn't know you and Lilia got along." Idia's face turned into extreme discomfort.
"Uh, no. I don't get along with that guy at all. No hate, cuz I know you two are besties or whatever...but a little bit of hate."
Silver tilted his head, pointing to the screen. "You have his number, though." Idia's eyes followed his finger, hoving above the name 'Muscle Red'
Bursting into laughter, Idia had to catch himself on the table in front of them. What a crazy joke! Lilia was a high school student. Unless he had a kid when he was 13, it wasn't possible that they were the same person. Idia looked back at Silver when he had caught his breath, but his companion was entirely serious.
Idia paused, before his eyes spotted Lilia sitting at a table not too far away from over Silver's shoulder.
Needing to test this hypothesis, Idia quickly sent 'Muscle Red' a gif, and his eyes snapped back to Lilia.
Who pulled out his phone, squinted at the screen, and let out a light chuckle, before moving to type a swift response.
''🤣🤣,,
That was such an old person thing to send. Idia felt a sense of dread dawning over him. But Muscle Red said he was going to be at his son's birthday today...which could only mean...
Silver jumped back when Idia suddenly folded in two, hugging his knees while muttering to himself. He put a hand on his partner's back, full of concern. "Idia? Are you okay? What's wrong?"
...
"...my whole life is a lie...him being his dad was the worst outcome...how will we ever play games together...can I just reset this playthrough..."
Silver looked between his father and the subject of his affections, before lifting a hand to his mouth.
"Oh, did you not know..?"