Work Text:
[Kind Tree is now divorced from Ashen Moon]
The world spins as Kind Tree sees the announcement flash, and he has to prop his hand against a nearby tree to keep himself steady. Divorced? He and Ashen Moon are divorced??
He thumbs over the rapidly fading ring on his left hand, watching his relationship status change from married to single. The world spins, and Kind Tree is overcome with a raw, hollow sensation. He can’t breathe. He can’t think. He closes his eyes, forcing himself to take slow, calming inhales.
Heartbreak isn’t the right word to express the feelings brewing in his chest— this isn’t like Vaccaria and Aweto’s divorce. He and Ashen Moon had never been in love, not really. He’d tried, though; Kind Tree had tried so hard to make their marriage work. He’d done his best to be a good husband, and he’d even made an effort to spend time with Ashen Moon after hours when their players were already asleep.
For gods’ sake, they’d gotten a house together. Well, really, their players had bought a place for them to share— a small, quaint treehouse on the outskirts of Congee Forest. Technically the place only belonged to Kind Tree since his player had funded the down payment. Ashen Moon’s player had contributed to some of the monthly expenses like the monster repellant fee, but in name, the place is Kind Tree’s alone. Despite this, though, Kind Tree has always thought of the treehouse as Ashen Moon’s too, and he knows the house is going to feel far too large without Ashen Moon there beside him.
Kind Tree’s legs feel weird and wobbly, and he allows himself to sink to the ground and lean his head back on the tree. He sets his broom across his lap and brings his hands up to massage his temples. Sure, their partnership hadn’t been perfect, but what partnership is? Even One Autumn Leaf and Dancing Rain have their problems— especially recently.
Realistically, Kind Tree knows the divorce was unavoidable. Even if he and Ashen Moon had had Glory’s best, most perfect marriage, their players could always have pulled the plug at any time. It's simply the way the world works; avatars are merely pawns in the eyes of their players. Some players have their avatars change partners every month in order to get the best stat boost for an upcoming match. Kind Tree’s player has never been like that, though, and Kind Tree has never been in another relationship aside from Ashen Moon. Even if... even if everyone says true love can’t exist between avatars, Kind Tree had really, truly believed they were in it for the long haul.
Kind Tree looks up at the sky as if it could give him an answer, thinking about his player on the other side of the screen.
✿✿✿
Ashen Moon is a pro avatar, just like Kind Tree and Vaccaria, but no one aside from Kind Tree really treats him as such. Ashen Moon doesn’t have as much currency as the other pro avatars, and he’s never been entered into an official match. Though Kind Tree had always done his best to make Ashen Moon feel welcome, constantly emphasizing that the treehouse was theirs , he knows that Ashen Moon had only seen the home— along with their marriage and his place among the Tiny Herb pro accounts— as temporary.
Kind Tree sits on the edge of his bed, watching Ashen Moon pack up the last of his things. There isn’t much he can do to help. Besides his knife collection and spare equipment, Ashen Moon hardly has any possessions, so it doesn’t take him very long to pack.
Kind Tree isn’t sure if they should hug, shake hands, or if they should even do anything at all when it’s time for Ashen Moon to leave. They are exes now, after all, and Ashen Moon has never been the touchy feely-type.
“I’ll see you around then,” Kind Tree says; he immediately regrets it when Ashen Moon shrugs and drops his gaze to the ground. Darn it, he’d accidentally hit his ex’s sore spot.
Ashen Moon’s player has been using Ashen Moon less and less, and there are rumors circulating that Ashen Moon might be dropped from the pro accounts. An avatar’s work is to fight battles for their player, and after the player has logged out of the game, the avatar gets to go on break and explore the world at their leisure. They get a small cut of the player’s currency to spend how they like, and there are entire underground cities inaccessible to the players for the avatars to hang out in.
However, if a player fails to log into their account for over one week, their avatar disappears until the next time they log in. Originally, it was intended to cut down on traffic, since many players pick up the game for a week or two before dropping it, leaving their low-level avatar to wander the world aimlessly. Avatars aren’t able to level up without their player’s presence, unfortunately; though it would be easier for everyone if they were able to grind a bit while the players are asleep.
Kind Tree had, honestly, momentarily forgotten about the one week rule. It normally wasn’t applicable for pro accounts, since their players had very rigid gaming schedules they needed to follow. Kind Tree knows Ashen Moon’s situation is different, though, and he wishes he could take back his words.
Ashen Moon gives a brief wave before leaving, and Kind Tree watches his figure slowly disappear out the door.
✿✿✿
It’s unheard of for a pro avatar, let alone a pro avatar from a powerhouse team, to remain single for more than a day, but Kind Tree’s player seems determined not to accept any marriage proposals. That doesn’t stop the other avatars from trying, though. Every day Kind Tree’s inbox is flooded with proposals from avatars of all classes and genders.
When it comes to marriage, proposing is the one area avatars have some autonomy over. Avatars can’t get married or divorced without their player’s consent, but if they are single, they are allowed to propose to their fellow avatars on their breaks. The game calls it a ‘randomly generated proposal,’ and the players always have the option to cancel when they log back into the game. Some players like the adventure and accept the random-seeming proposals for fun, but that type of thing doesn’t happen with pro players, so Kind Tree doesn’t bother. He doesn’t have anyone in mind to propose to anyway.
As expected, Kind Tree’s player rejects all of the proposals whenever he logs into the game. What isn’t expected, though, is the fact that Kind Tree’s player lets him remain single all the way through summer. Surely management must be getting on his back by now about partnering his avatar up for the stat boost? Though, even from this side of the screen, Kind Tree has gotten the feeling that his player has some very special privileges within the team.
Kind Tree is still single for the first few games of the new season. He’s mostly gotten over the awkwardness of going from being in a committed, long-term relationship to being perpetually single. The other avatars have stopped whispering about his relationship status on their breaks, and aside from the fact that his treehouse still feels too huge for just one person, everything is beginning to feel normal again.
Kind Tree is just starting to get in the groove of the single life when his player decides it’s time for him to propose again.
[Kind Tree has proposed marriage to One Inch Ash]
Kind Tree doesn’t recognize the name, One Inch Ash isn’t a pro account, and at first, he thinks it must be a guild alt. Maybe management has finally put their foot down and forced Kind Tree’s player to propose to someone . When he looks One Inch Ash up in the directory, however, he discovers the avatar is a member of guild Happy— a grassroots guild and one without a pro team attached to it. He can’t for the life of him figure out why his player would have him propose to someone like that.
Kind Tree’s relationship status changes from single to it’s complicated as he waits for One Inch Ash’s player to accept or reject his proposal. He waits, and he waits, but the proposal just continues to hang endlessly in limbo.
At least the change in relationship status means Kind Tree’s inbox isn’t being flooded with proposals anymore, but he can’t help but feel slightly embarrassed for his player. Every time someone scrolls over his stats, there’s that glaring red it’s complicated relationship status indicator. Kind Tree’s player, though, seems determined to have him propose to One Inch Ash.
It’s both puzzling and intriguing, and Kind Tree’s curiosity about One Inch Ash only grows as the weeks go by.
✿✿✿
A month or so after the proposal, Kind Tree decides to take matters into his own hands and seek out One Inch Ash for himself. During his break, he scrolls through the Heavenly Domain directory and pings One Inch Ash, asking if he wants to meet up at a nearby tavern for a drink.
One Inch Ash doesn’t respond right away— maybe he’s still working, Kind Tree thinks. Kind Tree drums his fingers on his thigh as the hours pass, slightly self-conscious that he may have come across as too eager or pushy. They’d never even met before, and here he was, a whole month after proposing, asking to get drinks.
Kind Tree quickly sends One Inch Ash another message to clarify things:
Kind Tree: I mean, only if you’re interested. I was just curious is all. No pressure. :)
One Inch Ash: I’m interested! Still at work rn, but I’ll message you after.
One Inch Ash: Curious about you too btw ;)
Blood rushes to Kind Tree’s cheeks as he reads One Inch Ash’s reply. He’s hanging too many feelings off of the winky face in One Inch Ash’s message, he knows he is, but no matter how hard he tries, he can’t make himself stop smiling.
✿✿✿
Flying Sword immediately notices something is off when Kind Tree meets up with him and Red Leaves later. The nice thing about being a pro account is that Kind Tree gets off work at the same time as his teammates every day, so they’ve developed a nice routine where they hang out together after work. A lot of other avatars don’t have close friends like that, and Kind Tree knows he’s really lucky, but it also means he doesn’t get very much privacy.
“Everything okay?” Flying Sword asks, concern written all over his face. “Low mana?” Flying Sword swipes a finger to check Kind Tree’s stats, his frown deepening when he sees Kind Tree is at 100%.
One Inch Ash, of course, chooses that exact moment to reply to Kind Tree’s message. The message is private, so Red Leaves and Flying Sword can’t read it, but it’s still pretty obvious what Kind Tree is doing when the letter appears in his hands.
Fingers trembling, Kind Tree tears open the letter, not even bothering to hide his blush or dopey smile. Flying Sword and Red Leaves know him too well for hiding to be of any use anyway.
One Inch Ash: Just got off work. I can be at Ruhmvoll Tavern in 10 if you’re ready.
Kind Tree: Sounds good! On my way over.
Red Leaves and Flying Sword are looking at Kind Tree expectantly after he sends One Inch Ash his reply.
“I’m meeting someone for drinks in a bit,” Kind Tree explains, rubbing the back of his neck. His cape and witch hat are suddenly very, very warm on his skin. “We were just hashing out the final details.”
“Oooh, a special someone?” Red Leaves giggles. Flying Sword leans in to playfully elbow him in the ribs, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
“I, uh, I should get going,” Kind Tree says, feeling his face grow redder by the second. His friends, though, despite their teasing looks, are truly good to him. They don’t push him to say anything more, just fix his crooked witch hat and messy bangs as they bite back their laughs.
✿✿✿
Generally, even on their breaks, pro accounts make a point of not fraternizing with non-pro accounts aside from the occasional guild leader coming to discuss matters with their team. Kind Tree has never cared much for the hierarchy, though, and despite the stares he gets from the other pro accounts, he strides right over to One Inch Ash’s table when he spots him in the tavern.
“Kind Tree!” One Inch Ash jumps to his feet, extending a hand towards him. Electricity zips through Kind Tree’s arm as he shakes it, and his knees buckle as he fights the urge to swoon.
One Inch Ash is much better looking than he was expecting. Much much better looking. He doesn’t wear the same cookie-cutter face that most non-pro avatars do— his player had obviously put a lot of thought into his design, perhaps even using facial recognition software to get the features just so.
“H-hi, nice to meet you,” Kind Tree manages to squeak out, heat prickling his neck as he’s suddenly overcome with shyness. He swallows, unable to take his eyes off the way One Inch Ash’s horns are poking cutely out of his snow-white hair.
“Is it… alright for us to be meeting here?” One Inch Ash says, brows knitting together as he glances around. All eyes are on them, and the room is enveloped in a faint hush of whispers. Kind Tree realizes One Inch Ash has probably mistaken his expression as being uncomfortable at the attention they’re drawing. “Sorry, I didn’t… I didn’t think about your, um, status when I suggested this place. If you’d rather take this somewhere less public, I’ll understand–”
“No, no, this place is good. One of my favorites actually,” Kind Tree quickly says. “It’s just that… well, it’s been a long time since I’ve been out with someone new, and I guess I’m a little nervous.”
One Inch Ash’s lips form an ‘O’ in surprise, as if he can’t quite believe Kind Tree would be nervous about meeting him.
“They’ll all get bored staring at us before long anyway. Let me buy you a drink?”
✿✿✿
The tipsy status effect settles in after a few gulps of beer, and Kind Tree feels flush with its warmth— and with the way One Inch Ash is propping his head on his hand, his adorable gaze completely locked onto Kind Tree. Kind Tree has never been a great conversationalist, but One Inch Ash sure has a way of making him feel like he is one. He nods and laughs at all the right times and asks pertinent questions so Kind Tree knows he’s really been listening.
One Inch Ash buys their second round, despite Kind Tree insisting that tonight was his treat, and they end up chatting for a few more hours. Talking to One Inch Ash is as natural as breathing, and Kind Tree can’t seem to quiet the happy buzz in his brain that he’s almost certain is not from the beer.
Their conversation shifts to talking about One Inch Ash’s participation in the Challenger’s League. The ghostblade tells him about his team’s grueling practice schedule, about how the members of Happy spend their days grinding dungeons and chasing after wild bosses. Kind Tree doesn’t remember the last time his player pulled him into the game to do quests or dungeons — that type of thing was generally the guild’s job — and he’s in awe of One Inch Ash’s cheerful optimism despite his situation.
“Maybe by this time next year, we’ll both be pro accounts,” Kind Tree says, and, despite knowing the chances of a grassroots team winning the Challenger’s League, he finds himself really starting to believe it. “I know you’re going to blow those other teams out of the water!”
One Inch Ash blushes, his pale features making his pink cheeks that much more obvious and adorable. He asks Kind Tree if he can get him another drink, probably trying to redirect the conversation onto something else. Kind Tree shakes his head; he’s already almost at his limit, and his player isn’t going to be happy if he comes into work with a hangover status effect tomorrow.
“How about coming on a walk with me instead?” Kind Tree asks. “Could sober up while we look at the stars?”
Kind Tree wishes he could capture the smile that blooms on One Inch Ash’s face; he wishes he could bottle it up and stow it away in his pocket forever. “I’d love to,” One Inch Ash says, delicately touching his hand, and Kind Tree feels as if he might float away with happiness.
The crisp night air fills Kind Tree’s lungs as they make their way outside. The steps exiting the tavern are uneven — an unfortunate design choice for a place that leaves people unsteady on their feet — and a notorious spot for tripping. Though Kind Tree has been here so many times that he could walk the funny steps in his sleep, he’s grateful when One Inch Ash tucks a hand under his arm and guides him carefully down.
One Inch Ash doesn’t move his hand when they reach even ground, and sparks dance on Kind Tree’s skin in the spot where One Inch Ash’s fingers curl around his arm. They walk together, stars glittering above them, until Kind Tree finds that he’s led One Inch Ash to his favorite garden hide-a-way.
Lanterns bobble in the wind, illuminating pastel flora and whimsical trees spiraling into the night. Kind Tree revels in the gasp One Inch Ash emits, in the way One Inch Ash’s fingers tighten around his arm as he takes in the scenery around them.
“This place is gorgeous! How did I never realize this was here?” Happiness pours through One Inch Ash’s voice as he leads Kind Tree down the stony pathway. The garden truly is a magical experience at night— it feels as if they’re about to be swept up in a romantic cutscene.
Kind Tree knows cutscenes don’t happen without the players present, but his heart jumps to his throat anyway when One Inch Ash brings them to a stop beneath the arched trellis. Moonflowers and morning glories climb up its sides, their vines spilling over the edges, enclosing Kind Tree and One Inch Ash in their floral curtain.
It’s that special hour where the sun is just beginning to rise, and the moon is still barely visible against the pale pink sky. The moonflowers and morning glories are both flowering now— one beginning its bloom cycle just as the other’s is ending. It’s a beautiful, fleeting moment that Kind Tree vows to treasure.
Kind Tree knows it’s foolish, but he can’t help but envision how picturesque it would be if One Inch Ash were to accept his proposal here.
One Inch Ash slips his hand out from under Kind Tree’s arm, reaching up to pluck a white moonflower from overhead. “Beautiful,” he breathes, offering the flower to Kind Tree. Kind Tree accepts it, a hopeless grin playing on his lips as he tucks the flower safely in the pocket of his robes.
Caught up in the magic of the moment, Kind Tree picks a purple morning glory in return, leaning in to tuck the stem just under One Inch Ash’s headband. The flower’s dark purple petals contrast nicely with One Inch Ash’s hair, and Kind Tree indulgently runs his fingers through the soft strands as he admires his handiwork. The tipsy status effect from the beer hasn’t quite worn off, and Kind Tree knows he’s being far too handsy. The way One Inch Ash is looking at him, though, beaming as he arches into his touch, tells Kind Tree that his new friend doesn’t mind in the slightest.
One Inch Ash draws closer, so close his face goes out of focus. Warmth blazes through Kind Tree’s chest as he lets his hand drop to One Inch Ash’s shoulder and closes his eyes.
And then One Inch Ash is suddenly wrenching away, saying, “Shit, sorry, my player’s trying to log in. I have to go.”
Kind Tree startles back to reality, opening his eyes to see One Inch Ash wincing apologetically before him. “My player really has the worst timing,” One Inch Ash mutters.
“You’d best be getting to your spawn point then.” Kind Tree forces a smile, hoping One Inch Ash isn’t able to discern the disappointment in his voice.
They say their goodbyes, and Kind Tree watches One Inch Ash dash off into the night.
Kind Tree silently berates himself on his way home for getting his hopes up that One Inch Ash was about to kiss him.
Kind Tree takes the moonflower out of his pocket once he is back at his treehouse, not wanting to leave it in his inventory in case his player finds it and decides to sell it. The flower’s petals are already starting to wilt, and in an effort to preserve its brilliance — in an effort to preserve the memory of this magical night — Kind Tree places the flower between the pages of one of the skill books on his shelf. He sets the skill book flat on the kitchen table and places his cast-iron cauldron on top to weigh it down.
Sunlight filters in through the window, its rays sparkling in mottled stripes on the table. Kind Tree moves towards the light, his eyes tracking to the morning glories flowering on his balcony. He pauses at the window, standing in happy silence as he watches the blooms lean up to greet the warmth of a new day.
✿✿✿
The next time Kind Tree sees One Inch Ash is, unexpectedly, during work hours. Their players’ teams have decided to run a dungeon together, and Kind Tree’s player immediately has him fly over to One Inch Ash’s side when they arrive. The smile that lights up One Inch Ash’s face when he sees him takes Kind Tree’s breath away, leaving him a wobbly, red-faced mess.
Seeing that One Inch Ash still has the purple morning glory tucked under his headband makes Kind Tree’s heart leap with joy. He can’t stop the dorky smile that spreads on his face as he thinks about their magical time at the garden— as he thinks about how that night must have meant something to One Inch Ash, too, if he’s still wearing the flower now.
A quick swipe over One Inch Ash’s profile shows that the ghostblade has the flower equipped as an accessory. It makes sense then why the flower hasn’t wilted, but Kind Tree is more than a little confused about why One Inch Ash’s player hasn’t replaced the flower with an actual piece of equipment. The flower is purely aesthetic, providing zero stat benefits, and yet this player is letting it take the place of what could be an actual accessory.
Kind Tree and One Inch Ash make small talk as they wait for the rest of the group to gather outside of the dungeon. One Inch Ash tells him his team has been running a lot of dungeons recently in order to gather materials for the Myriad Manifestation Umbrella.
“It’s been non-stop. I’ve hardly had any breaks,” One Inch Ash says. “I’ve been meaning to return the favor and ask you out again, but time’s gotten away from me.”
Kind Tree blushes a furious shade of red at One Inch Ash’s mention of asking him out. “I-I’d like that, going out again I mean. What are you doing after this?”
“Probably running another dungeon.” One Inch Ash sighs and shakes his head.
Their group enters the dungeon, and Kind Tree’s player continues to have him stick close by One Inch Ash’s side. Kind Tree is glad, very glad, that his player’s practiced hands are in control now and preventing him from doing something embarrassing like trip over his own feet and fall flat on his face.
Kind Tree greedily sneaks glances at One Inch Ash as they brandish their weapons and ready themselves for battle, admiring One Inch Ash’s nicely toned arms and tattoo. The monsters spawn, and the battle starts, but Kind Tree finds himself unable to look away from One Inch Ash. Literally. His player has the camera zoomed all the way in on One Inch Ash, probably admiring the way the ghostblade is effortlessly throwing down boundaries and exterminating the goblins in their path.
One Inch Ash catches Kind Tree staring and flashes him a toothy grin before turning his focus back to the goblins. That seems to snap Kind Tree and his player back to reality, and they dash towards the sword boundary One Inch Ash has set down and throw a broom tornado at the mob of goblins.
✿✿✿
After their party powers through the rest of the dungeon, Kind Tree’s player starts making the motions to log off. Kind Tree is about to ask One Inch Ash if he wants to grab a drink, when One Inch Ash turns to him and apologetically says his team is about to capture a wild boss.
“It looks like I won’t be off until late again. Sorry, Kind Tree.”
“It’s okay,” Kind Tree replies, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.
One Inch Ash and the rest of Happy dash off in the other direction, and Kind Tree’s shoulders sag as he watches their figures fade to a blur.
✿✿✿
“He was totally flirting with you,” Red Leaves says at Ruhmvoll later. There’s always this domineering air about her when she’s convinced she’s right about something, and Kind Tree is finding it hard to fully dissuade himself from believing her.
Flying Sword passes him a lager, the teasing smile on his lips indicating that he agrees with what Red Leaves is saying. Kind Tree accepts the beer, grateful to have something to do with his hands.
“I… he’s just a nice guy,” Kind Tree says to his beer. “He probably feels bad that his player hasn’t accepted my player’s proposal and is making an effort to be kind to me–”
“No way,” Red Leaves cuts him off, waving her hand dismissively. She’s not doing it to be rude— she just has a hard time holding back when she has something to say. Some find it off-putting, but Kind Tree always appreciates her brutal honesty. “ No way he was acting like that just to be nice. Trust me, I know that look.”
“Agreed,” Flying Sword says. He eyes Kind Tree’s beer with a smirk, and Kind Tree belatedly realizes he’s been tracing the pattern of One Inch Ash’s tattoo in the condensation. Embarrassing. “But the real question here is how do you feel about him ?”
“He’s a nice guy,” Kind Tree says again. “And I think I wouldn’t mind being married to him if his player accepts my player’s proposal.”
“That wasn’t– Kind Tree, for once can you forget about our players and prioritize yourself?” Red Leaves says with an exasperated sigh. “You’re always so good and conscientious, and I admire that, really I do, but you know how fickle the players are about marriage. If you wait around for their blessing before doing anything, you’ll never be truly happy.”
Flying Sword hums in agreement. “Be selfish and think about what you want for a change, Kind Tree. Player politics be damned.”
✿✿✿
Their teams continue to dungeon together every other week or so, but One Inch Ash’s player always stays logged on after they’re finished, giving Kind Tree no chance to ask One Inch Ash to hang out. One Inch Ash is busy during the week, too— sometimes his player hasn’t even logged out by the time Kind Tree’s player logs on in the mornings.
Aside from occasionally grabbing a quick drink together at Ruhmvoll after work, Kind Tree and One Inch Ash hardly see each other outside of these dungeon runs. That lack of time together, that lack of exposure to One Inch Ash’s radiance, only serves to intensify every smile, every laugh, every brush of One Inch Ash’s fingers on Kind Tree’s skin.
Kind Tree’s body runs hot at the end of every boss fight, and he knows it’s not just from constantly racing around and casting spells. He has a thing for One Inch Ash. A big thing. Kind Tree wants him, and more than that, he wants One Inch Ash to want him back — to really want him back and not just because of player politics or the proposal.
After work one day, just as Kind Tree is getting ready to retreat to the cozy comforts of his treehouse, his inbox pings with a message from One Inch Ash. Kind Tree tears open the envelope as soon as it appears in his hands and begins reading One Inch Ash’s message with great interest.
Last minute, but do you have time to grab a quick drink? The offline competition is starting soon, and I think we’re finally settling into some semblance of a normal routine. -- Yours, One Inch Ash.
Kind Tree stops himself from reading too much into One Inch Ash’s yours and scribbles out his reply.
Yes, of course! Kind Tree writes, and then, because he’s feeling brave, because he’s nearly home and not feeling keen on going out again, adds, would you like to come over to my house? No beer, but I can make tea and show you my plants.
I can make tea and show you my plants? Kind Tree nearly discards the note and starts over because it sounds so lame, but he manages to talk himself down and hit send.
The reply comes almost instantly. I’d love to! One Inch Ash writes back. Ping me the address.
✿✿✿
“This place is amazing!” One Inch Ash says as they walk up the spiral staircase leading to Kind Tree’s front door. Kind Tree looks back over his shoulder to find One Inch Ash has paused mid-step, enamored with the bright green vines and heart-shaped leaves twining down the banister. It’s not the right time of day for the vines to be flowering, but Kind Tree blushes still, wondering if One Inch Ash recognizes the shape of the moonflower and morning glory vines from their garden walk.
Once they reach the top of the staircase, they toe their shoes off and leave them just inside the door.
“You can put your outer equipment layer on the coat rack,” Kind Tree says, setting his witch hat on one of the top hooks. He starts to unfasten the cloak around his shoulders, when it occurs to him, with great alarm, what it would mean for One Inch Ash to remove his outer layer.
Kind Tree’s face burns, and he focuses on hanging up his cloak, trying hard not to stare as One Inch Ash shirks off his jacket. He can’t help but sneak a quick peek— the tattoo is still there, of course it is, the inking swirling beautifully on One Inch Ash’s arm. Kind Tree longs to touch; he’s wanted to ever since the first time he’d seen One Inch Ash’s tattoo. He fights the urge to reach out and trace the design with the tip of his finger, instead clasping his hands in front of him as he turns abruptly and says, “The kitchen’s this way.”
He takes One Inch Ash through his sitting area — which functions more like a greenhouse than a living room — to the kitchen on the other side of the house. One Inch Ash makes a few remarks about how luscious and green everything is, pausing to admire the wall of fresh herbs growing adjacent to the kitchen.
Under normal circumstances, Kind Tree would have been elated at the opportunity to talk about his plant babies. Every pot, every herb, every flower has a story and — much to Flying Sword and Red Leaves’ chagrin — Kind Tree can easily get caught up in talking about them for hours.
Now, though, Kind Tree is zeroed in on his mission: brewing tea and not getting caught drooling over One Inch Ash’s hot tattoo. He forgoes a proper tour of his place, instead pushing past his indoor garden sanctuary towards the kitchen, making a beeline for the cabinets at the back of the room. With trembling hands, Kind Tree rummages through his inventory, pulling out every possible flavor of tea imaginable until the entire counter is covered in tea tins.
“What flavor of tea would you like?” Kind Tree asks, making the mistake of looking back over his shoulder. One Inch Ash, of course, is standing right behind him, his tattoo — and the rest of him — looking as lovely as ever. Kind Tree swallows and snaps his head back towards the mess of tea tins on the counter.
“Um… something relaxing?” One Inch Ash answers, and Kind Tree colors, suddenly painfully aware of how frazzled he must seem.
“It’s been a long week for me,” One Inch Ash supplies and, although he’s sure it’s a bluff to make him feel better, Kind Tree is grateful.
Kind Tree leaves out one of his favorite calming homemade tea blends — a mixture of skullcap, lemon balm, and chamomile — and puts everything else back in the cabinet. He next moves to grab his cauldron, which is still resting on top of the skill book in the middle of the table. He walks towards the cauldron, leaning over just as One Inch Ash reaches for the handle and says, “Here, I can get this.”
It’s too late to stop his momentum, and instead of grabbing the cauldron’s handle like he’d meant to, Kind Tree latches onto One Inch Ash’s hand. It takes a moment for Kind Tree to come to his senses, but when he does, his heart leaps to his throat, and he quickly drops his hold on the cauldron— and One Inch Ash.
“Ah, thank you,” Kind Tree manages to say despite the wildfire blazing in his chest. “You can put the cauldron on the stove.”
While One Inch Ash helps move his cauldron, Kind Tree grabs a pitcher of fresh spring water from his fridge. He empties its contents into the cauldron before lighting a fire under the stove with a snap of his fingers.
A notification pops up on the fridge when Kind Tree moves to put the pitcher back.
[Your water resource has been depleted. Purchase more for 100g?]
[Yes] [No]
It’s expensive, but Kind Tree has gotten in the habit of having the game replenish his supplies for him instead of foraging or buying from the market. He presses yes, slightly embarrassed about throwing away money so casually on water of all things, especially in front of One Inch Ash, who doesn’t even have a full set of silver equipment.
Once the pitcher of water refills itself, Kind Tree places it back in the fridge, wincing as he turns to gauge One Inch Ash’s reaction. He really is living up to that stereotype that pro avatars are all disconnected from reality and practically made of money...
One Inch Ash, however, isn’t even looking at him— he’s got his attention focused on the skill book lying on the table. A question hangs off his lips as he runs a finger down the book’s spine. He’s probably curious as to why Kind Tree was keeping a skill book under his cauldron...
One Inch Ash’s gaze flicks up towards Kind Tree, who has been staring awkwardly with the fridge door wide open for a good minute. Kind Tree swiftly shuts the fridge door, blushing as he remembers the moonflower he’s got pressed between the pages of the skill book. He mentally grasps at straws, trying to think of a way to divert One Inch Ash’s attention onto something else.
And then, his eyes land on the purple morning glory sticking out of One Inch Ash’s headband. One Inch Ash’s player never ended up swapping it out for an actual piece of equipment, and the dark purple petals against soft white hair have become a distinct part of One Inch Ash’s look. Kind Tree is so used to seeing the flower in One Inch Ash’s hair that he’s nearly forgotten its origins. He’s nearly forgotten that it was him who had first tucked the morning glory there.
Perhaps, it’s not just him who’s been desperate to hold on to that wonderful night, Kind Tree thinks. Perhaps, if he shows One Inch Ash the moonflower, the ghostblade would understand why he’d taken the time and care to preserve it.
Instead of directing One Inch Ash’s attention away from the skill book, Kind Tree silently moves to One Inch Ash’s side and gingerly flips open to the page with the moonflower. The delicate, white petals are now pressed flat against the page, and warmth prickles on his skin as he hears One Inch Ash gasp beside him.
“Is that…?” One Inch Ash says, his voice filled with a mixture of surprise and awe.
One Inch Ash’s eyes have softened into crescents when Kind Tree looks up, and there’s a smile tugging at his lips. His warmth is infectious, and a happy buzz courses through Kind Tree’s arm as One Inch Ash nudges their shoulders together.
For the first time that evening, Kind Tree’s anxious brain settles down, and he’s finally able to let himself relax. He’s certain now that he doesn’t need to feel embarrassed about the moonflower. Even if One Inch Ash’s feelings aren’t quite the same flavor as his, he’s confident that the ghostblade would never judge him for this.
There’s nothing embarrassing about wanting to hold on to something special.
“I had such a wonderful time with you that night, and I wanted to preserve the memory the best I could,” Kind Tree says, allowing himself to lean into the warm weight of One Inch Ash’s body.
One Inch Ash lets out a chuckle, scratching the back of his head as he says, “You’re so clever! I’ve just been taking advantage of my player’s kindness and wearing mine. I should really take it off before we start the offline phase of the Challenger League.”
There’s a beat of silence before One Inch Ash’s face lights up, and he suddenly says, “Hey, do you think you could press mine too?”
“Of course,” Kind Tree replies, “I’d love that.”
✿✿✿
Kind Tree splays the pages of the skill book open as One Inch Ash sets his purple morning glory next to Kind Tree’s moonflower. Once the flowers are set in their places, Kind Tree closes the book, smiling like a fool as he thinks about how, maybe when the flowers are ready, they could frame them and display them somewhere.
There’s a wisp of hair poking up from One Inch Ash’s headband in the spot the morning glory had been, and Kind Tree instinctively reaches up to smooth it down. One Inch Ash’s hair is like silk under his fingers, and he lets his hand linger there a bit too long, indulging in the warm softness.
It’s the sound of the cauldron bubbling that finally causes them to break apart. Cheeks flushed, Kind Tree moves to fetch his tea set from the cabinet. One Inch Ash is right behind him, bringing over Kind Tree’s special relaxing tea blend and tea scoop without being asked. Brewing tea is a one-person job, but it feels natural to have One Inch Ash helping him along. They move with the same grace and coordination as a god-level avatar and their equipment: One Inch Ash scooping the dried tea blend into the top of the teapot and Kind Tree ladling hot water over the leaves when he’s done.
As they wait for their tea to steep, Kind Tree’s eyes are drawn to the kitchen window that overlooks his balcony. The sun has started its descent, and the steam billowing from the hot stove shrouds the now blooming moonflowers in a fantastical fog. It’s as breathtaking as a cutscene, and Kind Tree sighs in contentment as he takes in the view.
“Beautiful, yeah?” Kind Tree says, slowly turning to look at One Inch Ash. He finds that One Inch Ash’s cheeks are dusted pink, and dares to hope it’s from something other than the steam of the cauldron.
“Very, very beautiful,” One Inch Ash agrees. He swallows and opens his mouth as if he’s about to say something more, but no words come out. Kind Tree automatically seeks out One Inch Ash’s hand and gives it a gentle squeeze, encouraging him to continue.
“You know, if it were up to me, the answer would be yes, right?” One Inch Ash finally says, his voice barely above a whisper. “About the proposal, I mean.”
The confession catches Kind Tree off guard, and he’s speechless for a moment before coming back to his senses. “Really? You really want to marry me?”
“Yes, yes, a thousand times over. You’re wonderful, Kind Tree, and I’d be a lucky avatar to get to call you mine.”
“I want to marry you too,” Kind Tree blurts out before One Inch Ash has a chance to come to any other conclusions. He remembers Red Leaves and Flying Sword’s advice about being selfish and doing what he wants for a change. He thinks about how this, this right here, is something he wants desperately and unapologetically for himself. Player politics be damned.
“But for the record,” Kind Tree continues, “I’m already yours if you want me. Always will be, regardless of whether or not our players consent to it.”
“Yeah?” One Inch Ash says, and Kind Tree’s heart flutters at the smile that unfurls on One Inch Ash’s face, at the way that he shifts closer, hand snaking up to thumb over Kind Tree’s cheek star. “I’ve been thinking, actually, that if you’re okay with it, I’d like to make a suggestion to my player and request that they have me accept your proposal. I know the chances of it working are slim, but if there’s a chance, even a small one, that we can make this work legally, I don’t want to give that up.”
“I’d love that,” Kind Tree says, hopelessly starry-eyed. “I’d love that so much.”
One Inch Ash’s hand slides down to cup Kind Tree’s chin, gently guiding him closer. Kind Tree takes the cue, leaning in to greet One Inch Ash’s lips with his own. The kiss is like fire in Kind Tree’s mouth, warming him to the bone like a hot drink on a cold winter’s day. One Inch Ash’s lips are soft and deliberate, yet vibrant and addictive. Kind Tree lets himself fall into the easy sway of One Inch Ash’s warmth, intent on soaking up the magic of the moment for as long as he can.
They kiss until their tea has gone cold; until the morning glories are in full bloom, and the sky is imbued with the lovely coral hue of a new day.
✿✿✿
[One Inch Ash would like to accept Kind Tree’s proposal. Do you agree?]
[Yes] [No]
Qiao Yifan’s heart thunders as he looks at his screen. He shouldn’t be surprised. He knew RNG was going to make him confront the question he’s been avoiding sooner or later.
When Kind Tree and Ashen Moon had been married, he and Gao Yingjie had never really talked about whether it meant something more— about whether they’d wanted it to mean something more. Qiao Yifan always had wanted it to, of course he’d had, but he’d never been sure about Gao Yingjie’s feelings, and he’d never been able to muster the courage to bring it up.
Once he left Tiny Herb and Ashen Moon and Kind Tree got divorced, Gao Yingjie had promised him in earnest that they could still be married in-game. “Management doesn’t care as long as Kind Tree gets the stat boost,” he’d said.
In turn, Qiao Yifan had promised himself that he wouldn’t accept another proposal without being honest about his feelings first. It wasn’t fair to Gao Yingjie otherwise. It wasn’t fair to himself either.
When Kind Tree’s proposal had come, however, Qiao Yifan had gotten cold feet. He’d kept telling himself that he wasn’t ready, that he needed more time, but the months had marched onwards and, before he’d known it, half a year had passed since Kind Tree’s proposal.
During that time, he hadn’t forgotten about Gao Yingjie nor the proposal. In fact, he saw things that reminded him of Gao Yingjie constantly— like the time he’d logged in to discover RNG had given One Inch Ash a flower hair accessory. A purple morning glory the same color as Kind Tree’s robes and Gao Yingjie’s favorite flower.
If he had been back at Tiny Herb he’d have been forced to discard the flower. At Happy, though, just like no one had forced him to marry off his avatar before he was ready, no one had forced Qiao Yifan to remove the flower hair accessory. As long as he kept winning matches, it didn’t matter what type of accessory One Inch Ash wore.
The accessory had made him happy, and he’d found meaning in it, so he’d kept it equipped.
Now RNG has taken the flower away and replaced it with a request from his avatar. Qiao Yifan knows better than to think One Inch Ash is actually trying to talk to him — he’s a video game character for goodness sake — but Qiao Yifan can’t help but take his avatar’s request as some type of sign.
“Schedule the wedding the day before the finals.” The familiar voice of Happy’s captain shakes Qiao Yifan out of his stupor, and he looks up to see Ye Xiu smiling down at him. “Big-eyed Wang is going to push Little Jie to wait until the play-offs, but we need that honeymoon stat boost more than them, so push back. I’m counting on you, Yifan.” Ye Xiu heartily claps him on the back before stalking off to his normal seat in the training room.
Ye Xiu is always good at giving him subtle pieces of advice, and Qiao Yifan is even better at reading between the lines and understanding what his senior is trying to say. The team has been incredibly patient with him, letting him take his time to respond to Gao Yingjie’s proposal despite the fact that it meant they were losing the marriage stat boost.
This is about more than the stat boost, though; he needs to tell Gao Yingjie how he feels for himself, for his own peace of mind. He can’t put his heart fully into the upcoming matches if part of it is still lingering in Tiny Herb, wondering what could have been. It’s high time that he took the plunge and spoke to Gao Yingjie about things candidly. They both deserve that much, even if things don’t go the way Qiao Yifan hopes they will.
He has to have faith that, even if Gao Yingjie doesn’t feel the same way, their friendship is strong enough to push through this.
Qiao Yifan puts his computer to sleep, grabs his phone and slips out of the training room— practice isn’t due to start for another half hour anyway, so he has some time. He pads down the hall to the terrace house balcony, sliding on his shoes before exiting out the door.
The potted morning glories Qiao Yifan had planted when he’d moved in twine around the railing. It’s the wrong season for them to flower, but Qiao Yifan is still thrown back to those cool autumn mornings where he and Gao Yingjie would sneak off to Tiny Herb’s rooftop garden to watch the morning glories bloom. Gao Yingjie had always looked especially radiant then, surrounded by bright blooms and a myriad of flora. It had made Qiao Yifan’s heart ache. It had made him long to be just as tenacious and brave as the morning glories: climbing endlessly towards the warmth of their desires.
He’d never been able to find his voice, not then, but the seasons have shifted now. He’s not the same timid boy who had left Tiny Herb all of those months ago.
Qiao Yifan thumbs over the heart-shaped leaves of the morning glory vines, warmth spreading in his chest as he thinks about how much he wants to show Gao Yingjie this sight right here. He wants to show him the way the vines climb and climb, reaching for the sunrise. He wants to reach out and hold Gao Yingjie’s hand, too; he wants to feel the race of their pulses together as they watch the flowers bloom.
He takes a breath and dials Gao Yingjie’s number.
Gao Yingjie greets him with his normal cheerfulness— a hint of early morning grogginess tugging at the edge of his voice. Qiao Yifan smiles at the sound of it, imagining Gao Yingjie’s cute sleepy face and mess of bedhead on the other end of the line.
His heart pulses with adrenaline and excitement. A strong, steady beat so different from the nerves that used to stunt him before.
It’s time. He’s ready for this. He has been ready for this.
Qiao Yifan looks from the morning glories curled around the railing to the sunrise and lets the feelings in his heart spring forth.
“Hey, Yingjie, do you have time to talk? There’s something I want you to know.”