Zero sat on the boulder where he and Grim would usually meet. He was swinging his character’s legs, deeply thinking about something. The outfit from yesterday rested on his bedroom chair as he kept deciding whether to put it on. 

“Hey.” Grim greeted him as he arrived. He moved his character to sit by Zero. Zero waved his character’s hand in response instead of verbally saying something. His mind is occupied. 

“What’s wrong?” Grim asked, noticing how quiet Zero seemed. 

“I got something for you, but I am too nervous about it not being good enough.” Zero admitted. 

“What did I say before: anything from you, I will enjoy. Whatever you have for me, as long as it is from you, I want it.” Grim reassured. He wasn’t lying. Everything about him (L) attracted him. 

Leo flustered, touching his ear as his finger rubbed against the N before he focused back on the game. “Okay.” He made up his mind. 

“Can I know what the gift is?” Grim asked, fishing for any hints. 

Zero mischievously smiled, “Hmm, if you want to know what the gift is, you have to fight for it.” 

“What do you have in mind, baby?” 

“In the corrupted forest, there are mutated ogres. If you can defeat thirty of them without your summons, then I will present you with the gift.” Even though he had made up his mind, Zero couldn’t stop himself from wanting to challenge Grim. 

Grim moved his character closer to Zero, turning his mic on, “Anything you want, baby. Challenge accepted.” 

They fast-traveled to the corrupted forest and entered. When they spotted a group of ogres, Zero jumped onto a nearby tree, sitting on a high branch. He rested there, watching Grim take out his scythe, charging into battle. 

Even though the mutated ogres were stronger than regular ones, they were nothing to Grim, who was a higher level than they were. He swiftly moved through the group of ogres, dodging their wide swings as he sliced through their legs like butter with his scythe. He could have quickly killed them, but Grim wanted to play around as his character’s smile turned bloodthirsty. 

Once their bodies hit the ground with a thud, their arms still swinging, trying to hit Grim, who laughed, slicing off their arms. He twirled around his scythe, the character’s dress covered in blood, while flowing with the wind. He turned on his mic, “Baby, should I continue to play? I wonder what else I can cut off before they die.” 

Vicious. 

That is the only thing running through Leo’s mind. People talked about Niko being ruthless, but ever since they started talking, Leo never thought about it because Niko was kind to him. He honestly forgot why people called him Mad Dog. 

But Leo wouldn’t lie that his behavior does something to him. 

“Do you whatever you want, you still have to make thirty if you want your gift.” Zero answered, trying to keep himself calm. He wondered what Grim looks like when he is fighting in real life. He bet he is equally vicious, minus the monsters and weapons. 

“Ah, you are right.” Grim kicked away the few ogres that tried crawling towards him using their bodies and heads. He quickly cut their heads, “That is 6.” He moved through the forest, looking for more. Zero followed, moving through the trees and watching Grim from a high point. 

It is fun and exciting watching him fight; Zero really wanted to see him fight in real life. 

Thinking about Niko’s body, he honestly wanted to see how his real body moved, covered in sweat. He imagined Niko shirtless, his rippling abs moving with each punch and kick as his sweaty body glistened with the lights. Fuck, he is gone. 

“Zero,” Grim called, turning on his mic as he noticed Zero wasn’t moving with him or paying attention. “Are you still there?” 

“Yeah.” Zero shook his head, clearing his thoughts. “What number are you at now?” 

“25.” Grim excitedly stated. All the fighting, even though it is in the game, caused his adrenaline to spike. He needed to see what gift Zero prepared for him. 

“Almost there. Eager?” Zero teased. 

“I am always eager for anything involving you.” 

Zero blushed, finally moving, “Keep going.” 

When Grim finally killed the thirtieth ogre, he stepped on the body, looking up at Zero in the tree. He reached out his character’s hand, “My gift.” 

Zero jumped down, joining Grim in stepping on the dead monster's body, “Are you sure you want it?” 

“Yes.” 

“I will give you a hint, but you will have to wait for the actual gift.” Zero crossed his arms behind his back, rocking on his character’s toes. “Are you fine with waiting?” 

“Asking me to wait before telling me what the gift is. Is my baby learning how to be sneaky?” Grim smirked. 

Zero blushed once more, but didn’t let Grim’s teasing distract him. “Yes or no?” 

“I can wait.” 

“The gift is an outfit that I will wear for you.” 

“What kind of outfit?” 

“The kind that is for your eyes only.” 

“Oh, baby,” Grim sighed, “you really know how to make someone thirst. And when will I receive the gift?” 

“The trip. Even though you said you barely use the villa, wouldn’t it still be nice to see me wearing it in your bed?” Zero responded.

Grim took a few moments to collect himself, already picturing it even though he didn’t know what kind of outfit it was. “Ah, if only time could move faster.” 

“I promise it will be worth the wait.” Zero hoped it would be worth the wait. 

“I believe you.” 

After, they played for three more hours before logging off and finishing their conversation offline. 

When the day came for Leo to return to his in-person class, he decided to talk to his professor about being away for a few days next week. He sent his emails off as he went to join Ruben and Jo. When he reached them, Cecil was sitting with them, looking tired. 

“Hey.” Leo greeted Ruben and Jo before asking Cecil, “Are you okay with showing up today?” He couldn’t smell anything from Cecil, thankfully, showing that he used some scent blockers. But Cecil did not look good; he looked fatigued. 

Cecil ran his hand through his hair; he still felt mad with Leo, but pushed it back. Ruben already lectured him about his attitude and how Leo is not doing anything wrong by withholding certain things. He still felt iffy and didn’t have time to let it go when his heat hit. Now that it is over, Cecil is trying to push it away. 

“It is fine, plus we will be missing classes next week, I don’t want to have too many absences.” He is only tired because his heat ended last night. 

“Okay.” 

Ruben watched them, feeling relieved that Cecil listened to him, until Cecil noticed something new on Leo. He glanced at his ears, squinting in disbelief as he saw the shape of an N on the helix of one ear. “Y-Your ears.” He stuttered out. 

Ruben and Jo peered at Leo’s ears. Ruben noticed Leo wearing new earrings over the weekend, but did not mention them or take a closer look. Now, he also saw the letter N. He sighed, rubbing his temples, knowing that Cecil was going to make a big deal. 

“Oh, those are beautiful. They look expensive, though. How much were the earrings?” Jo commented. 

Leo softly touched his earrings, shrugging, “I don’t know. They were a gift.” 

“A gift.” Cecil scoffed, “More like a declaration.” 

“Is there something wrong?” Leo questioned. 

“Yes.” “No.” 

Cecil and Ruben simultaneously spoke. Cecil looked at Ruben, and Ruben glanced back, trying to communicate that he should stop ahead. But Cecil wasn’t going to listen as he returned to Leo. 

“What is wrong with me? You said before you aren’t looking for anything because of your disorder and didn’t care about being alone, but it looks to me like you found someone. So what is wrong with me?” Cecil complained. 

“Cecil, I am going to say this as nicely as I can, but I am not attracted to you. Even without my disorder, I wouldn’t be. There is nothing wrong with you. You are attractive, but not my type. I want you to get rid of this delusion that my parents and your parents fed you when you were young. We are not right for each other, I am sorry, but it would never happen.” Leo explained. 

Cecil quieted down, glancing away, watching other people walk past, “What do they have that I don’t?” He whispered his words. 

Leo did not answer, not wanting to hurt Cecil’s feelings. 

Ruben cleared his throat, cutting in to get their attention, “Why don’t we get to class before we are late, okay?” 

Cecil quickly stood up, wanting to walk ahead, but when he felt his legs almost giving out, he stopped and walked towards Leo, grabbing his sleeve, “Help me walk.” 

“I can help.” Ruben cut in once more, grabbing Cecil’s wrist. But Cecil pulled his wrist away. Leo shook his head at Ruben and let Cecil lean on him as they walked to class. 

“You want someone else and not me—okay. You will never have me in mind—I get. But know that I am not going to walk away. This time, I will genuinely try to let go, which is not easy, but I will not leave.” Cecil declared. 

“I am not asking you to leave, but to let go of your delusions for me. I don’t even think you have true feelings for me, but you are far into a fantasy from long ago. I want you to stay my friend, I enjoy you as a friend, so don’t leave, but let go.” 

Cecil tightened his grip on Leo for a second before loosening the hold. “Hmm.” He hummed in response, not saying anything else. 

At least the rest of the day went without any problems.