Hello everyone! I'm back! :D GOD I'm so excited for this fan fiction and everything that is going to be involved- I would just keep constantly writing if it wasn't for the fact that I have to work almost every night DX Sigh. Anyways, here we go!

I do not own MM.

I was curled up on my bed, flipping listlessly through the pages of the book I was reading- It was a Stephen King novel, one author I found very intriguing indeed. Just as I was about to turn the page, my phone went off. I turned to it slowly, blinking at it as thought it were an alien, before sighing. It had to be Saeyoung, nobody else ever messaged or called me.

I picked it up, feeling a chill run over me as I saw Yoosung's face on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before answering the call, holding the receiver to my ear.

"...Hello..?"

"SAERAN!"

I jumped as he yelled into the phone, a noise of discomfort escaping my lips, and I heard him gasp over the receiver.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I was too loud. I got excited, I didn't think you'd pick up!"

I scratched my head, unsure of what to say.

"Well.. I'm here. What do you want."

I cursed myself internally, having hoped to be a bit more gentle- it seemed I was cursed to be cynical forever.

"Oh, well I was just wondering if you maybe... wanted to hang out with me?"

I blinked slowly, replaying the question in my head. Hang out? With Yoosung?

"...Why?"

Yoosung giggled into the phone, and that strange feeling in my abdomen surfaced once again. I shoved it back down- I didn't understand it, I didn't want to.

"You ask why a lot, Saeran."

I picked at my nails, trying to quell my anxiety.

"Well... Why?"

He laughed again.

"Well, at the party you asked what I do for fun, and I told you about LOLOL, and you seemed interested! I thought it might be nice to show you the game!"

I blinked as I recalled the memory of after I had walked from the hall, Yoosung in close pursuit, myself standing awkwardly against the wall, unsure of what to say or do, so I asked about his hobbies and what he did for fun, to which the response was him excitedly going on about the game LOLOL for almost two hours. I almost felt myself laugh at some points during his explanation just because of how excited he was.

I glanced at the book next to me, unsure whether I should continue immersing myself alone in fictional stories, or go immerse myself in a fictional world with another person.

With another person.

I swallowed, feeling anxiety building up all over again. I wasn't sure if I was ready for this. What if I break down? What if I lose control?

"Are you sure you want to hang out with me? There are probably better people for you to talk to."

"But I want to be your friend."

I sucked in a breath slowly.

Friend.

I don't think I've ever heard that word. At least, not towards me. I don't think I've ever had anyone I considered a friend, or who considered me one. I closed my eyes tightly, repressing the urge to hang up and curl into myself, ignoring all existence.

"...When?"

"Oh, well, I don't have classes today! You could come whenever you want!"

I looked at the clock, which flashed the numbers 1:00 P.M. at me and I sighed, picking at my nails again.

"... I don't know how to get there."

"Oh, well um... Saeyoung knows. You could ask him, or Jade. They'll tell you! Maybe he could give you a ride!"

I squeezed my hands, still loathing the idea of relying on him- though I allowed myself to do so, and was trying to accept it, it was still a difficult thing for me. I took a deep breath, running my hand through my hair, pulling at it gently.

"I.. Could come at like.. 4 P.M.. I guess."

Yoosung squeaked in excitement, and I felt my lips twitch again. This boy made me feel strange, and I wasn't sure what it meant.

"Oh, great! Awesome! I can't wait! I'll see you then! Bye Saeran!"

He hung up the phone, and I lowered it from my ear, staring down at it contemplatively. I couldn't decide if I had made the right choice, agreeing to this. I was still afraid of trying to connect with other humans. The only healthy relationship I had ever had was my past with Saeyoung, and although I was trying again to rebuild that, every other interaction had been less than ideal.

It almost seemed unfair to Yoosung to allow him to get his hopes up that I would be a good person.

I swung my legs off the side of the bed, standing up and walking to the door. I went into the kitchen and saw Jade's back turned to me, washing the dishes. I stayed silent for a moment, unsure of how to ask this favour, or whether it was worth it.

"... Wasn't it his turn to do dishes?"

She practically jumped out of her skin, turning around quickly before letting out a breath, her hand on her chest.

"Saeran! God, you scared me! Your footsteps are so quiet!"

I looked at the ground, rubbing my arm.

".. Sorry."

She shook her head, laughing.

"No, no, it just surprised me. Anyways, yes, it was his turn, but I may have eaten a lot of his Honey Buddha chips, so I was hoping this would be good enough for him to forgive me." She laughed sheepishly, putting the last plate on the rack, drying her hands on the dishtowel.

"Did you need something?"

I looked away, crossing my arms.

"...I guess."

She smiled patiently, stepping towards the cabinet.

"Want some tea?"

I looked at her, nodding slowly. She knew that tea was very calming for me when my anxiety was flaring. I don't know how she did it, but she was always good at keeping me calm, and stable. I watched as she began to heat up the tea pot, preparing the mugs with the tea bags. Soon enough she handed me a piping hot cup of jasmine, my favourite.

I stared into it, wondering why she was so kind to me, and before I could ask, she answered, seeming to have read my mind.

"You deserve to be treated kindly, you know. You aren't a terrible person, Saeran." She placed her hand gently on my forearm, and I didn't flinch away- she had a gentle touch. It was welcoming, the kind you'd expect from a mother or a sister.

I frowned at the thought of mothers. Jade was more like how a true mother should be. She tapped my arm, bringing me back to the present, and I sighed shakily, bracing myself.

"...Yoosung asked me to hang out."

She beamed at my words, clasping her hands together.

"Oh my gosh, that's great!"

I raised an eyebrow, staring back down to my tea.

"Is it?"

She nodded fervently, blowing on her own cup of raspberry-flavoured tea.

"Yes! I really think you and Yoosung could be close friends! He's such a kind soul, and he also tends to be a bit of a hermit, since he's so obsessed with games. I think you'll be good for each other."

I took in her words, running over every one in my mind. I could see why she would find him to be good for me, but I couldn't see a single way that I would be good for him. I looked at her, and as I stared at her excited brown eyes, I allowed my doubts to wash away, leaving behind the natural emptiness I felt.

"If you say so.. But the problem is, I don't know how to get there, or have a way to get there."

She waved her hand, smiling.

"Don't worry about it! I can take you. Saeyoung gave me the keys to one of his cars."

I raised my eyebrows, genuinely surprised.

"What? Isn't he obsessed with those things?"

Jade smiled mischievously.

"Okay, maybe he didn't give me the keys, maybe I found them... After meticulous searching. But I'm a good driver, so it's okay."

I let out a small laugh- I always found Jade's antics against my brother hilarious, they were always pranking each other and getting back at each other, but she always seemed to be one step ahead.

"You're quite a handful for him."

She grinned, shaking some hair off her shoulder.

"Good."

We laughed together, and I squeezed the glass of tea in my hands, lifting it to my lips and taking a sip, the warmth flowing throughout. This was a strange feeling, but I kind of enjoyed it.

I stared up at the building outside, which was apparently to be Yoosung's apartment. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat, trying to stop the panicked breaths that were about to rise. I felt a hand rest on my shoulder, and I turned, coming face to face with Jade, who smiled at me comfortingly.

"It'll be okay. I promise."

I nodded slowly, picking at my nails still. I couldn't help but feel scared, nervous, concerned. No matter how many times she insisted that it would be fine, I was terrified that I would do something, anything to mess it up- whether it be my dark, empty personality, or the demons that resided inside me, it could be either.

She rubbed my back, urging me to go, and I unbuckled my seatbelt, opening the door. I put my feet on the sidewalk, giving one last glance over my shoulder, to which she gave me a thumbs up. I sighed, reaching into my pocket for my phone, dialling Yoosung's number, astonished when he picked up almost immediately.

"Saeran! Are you here?"

"...Yeah. Outside."

"Okay! Be right there!"

He hung up, and I waited awkwardly, playing with the strings of my sweater. Suddenly the front door swung open, and I was greeted with Yoosung waving wildly at me. I gave a quick wave to Jade, signalling it was fine for her to leave, before making my way up the pathway. I stopped a foot or two before Yoosung, looking at the ground, glaring down at it, that familiar uncertainty brewing within me.

"How are you?"

I looked up, his face bright and smiling as it always seemed to be. I shrugged, rubbing my neck. He continued to smile, holding the door wider.

"Well, follow me! I'll show you to my place. It's not super big, but it's home."

I walked behind him, following him up the stairs, listening as he explained that the elevator had been broken for nearly 5 months, and the landlords just refused to fix it. We stopped in front of his door as he fumbled with his keys, blushing shyly as he dropped them. I fought back a laugh as he finally got the right one, opening the door.

He let me go in first, and I took off my shoes, looking around the place. The walls were painted yellow, and it was basically a hall with a bathroom, and kitchen off to the side, and the bedroom at the end. I turned back to him questioningly, wondering where I was supposed to go. He smiled, pointing at the door at the end of the hall.

"My room is just down there! That's where the computer is."

He moved by me, his arm brushing my side, and I flinched a bit, trying to escape the foreign contact. I hated that I reacted this way, but I couldn't help it, and didn't know how to make it stop. He paused at his door, looking back towards me, concern on his face.

"Saeran? Are you okay?"

I swallowed, nodding, following after him. He opened his bedroom door, stepping inside, myself on his heels. I looked at the bed against the wall by the door, a small dresser next to it. A shelf sat just below the window, and a computer was set up on the desk against the wall opposite the bed. Yoosung blushed as I observed the room, hastily picking up the mess he had left behind, which really was only some clothes that didn't quite make the hamper.

"Sorry about the mess, I don't usually have people over," He paused, laughing at himself as he dropped the clothes in the hamper, "well, ever, actually."

I bit my lip, staring at him.

"...Why?"

Yoosung laughed, pointing at the computer.

"Most of my friends are online, I don't talk to many people outside the RFA."

I nodded slowly, not really able to accept that answer. I think he sensed my uncertainty, as he tilted his head questioningly. I felt warmth prickle my cheeks as I looked away.

"...You just seem.. Very friendly, and.. Well, nice I guess. So it seems weird that you don't talk to a lot of people." I looked at him again, and his eyes were sparkling with happiness at the compliment. I cleared my throat, looking away again. "...Or something."

"Thank you! I'm glad you think that way, hehe." He rubbed his neck again, his own cheeks a dazzling pink, before turning to the computer. "So, this is my setup! Should I show you the game?"

I shrugged again, and his smile grew wider, urging me towards his gaming chair. I glanced at the stool by its side, pointing at it.

"Shouldn't I sit there?"

He shook his head.

"Nope! I always use the comfy chair, it's fine if I don't use it for once. Besides, I'm not the one playing!"

I blushed a bit, shaking it away as I sat down, awkwardly looking at the keyboard before me. He sat on the stool, scooting it closer as he reached across me ever so slightly to begin opening the game. I watched his hands typing for a moment before I trailed my eyes over his features. He was shorter than me, only by a bit. I could see a glimpse of his brown roots peeking out underneath his blonde hair dye. His purple eyes reflected the screen before him, and I watched as they looked focused, yet excited. He turned to me suddenly, and I jumped, tearing my gaze away.

"What is it?"

I shook my head slowly, picking at my hands.

"Nothing. Sorry. Spaced out, again."

He smiled, turning back to the computer.

"That's okay! Here, take the mouse and I'll explain the basics of the game."

He moved over so I could centre my chair with the computer, reaching for the mouse. I looked at the loading screen, where it suddenly changed to a log in or sign up option. I clicked 'sign up' and he helped direct me through the motions. A new screen came up, one with a pixelated character before me.

"Okay, here's where you build your character! You can choose your race, gender, and looks/base armour, so pick whatever you like!"

I stayed silent, clicking around the screen. I kept my gender as my own, and Human as my race. I tried to make the character look as similar to myself as possible- I didn't like the idea of playing something that didn't look like me. I gave it bright minty eyes, and red hair that was slightly longer than my own, adorning some simple black light armour.

I looked over to Yoosung, not sure of what to do next, and saw him smiling at me, and I felt my cheeks heat up a bit as I realized he was very close to me. I leaned back a bit, coughing.

"...What?"

"I was just thinking how i'm not surprised you chose to make your character look a lot like you."

"How so?"

Yoosung laughed, shaking his head.

"No reason, I just had a feeling."

I frowned, turning back to the computer.

"Is there a problem with making it look like me?"

"No, you look nice."

I squeezed the mouse, the warmth in my cheeks rising.

"Um.."

Yoosung suddenly sat up straight, blushing bright pink.

"Oh, um, I mean- that- Well, I just-"

"Thanks."

He froze, looking at me, and I looked over to him, my eyes meeting his for a brief second. He blinked, much like a baby deer, and I began fidgeting with my nails again.

"...For the compliment. Thanks."

Yoosung nodded happily- he looked so excited that I thought he would sprout dog ears and a tail. I really could see why everyone compared him to a puppy. I allowed the corner of my lip to curve ever so slightly as he rattled on detailed explanations about the game, listening intently.

Maybe Jade was right.

That's it for chapter 2!

Gahhh I feel i could have been more detailed about the game, but I've never even played LOL so... ;0; oh whale.

I hope you guys liked it!

:3

Stay Rad!

~Pixil-8