I just feel like we always do everything you want.
You’re complaining?
BB, of course not.
I just –
We need a balance – I’m just sayin’.
Say less…
Really?!
Valhalla University – Year 3
“So then tell me what a perfect day looks like for you?” Eiden’s sharp gaze meets Arslan’s as he takes an electric shaver to his overgrown beard. This is his morning routine. Arslan actually shaves his beard down to a stubble every morning. Eiden peeks as he’s currently hosting him in his mansion apartment.
They had a sleepover.
It happens often.
Eiden has toiletries and special scented candles, soaps of lavender and strong manly perfumes. The kind Arslan likes.
Once a week or so Eiden helps keep the growth at bay with a special spa-day, both boys share. It’s an intimate experience. As long as V2 wasn’t keeping Eiden too busy or Arslan had some type of home away game, weekends, and most weekdays, let’s be honest, were spent at Eiden’s apartment, which seemed more like a mansion to Arslan.
Modern and sleek.
You know rich boy shit.
This accommodation was certainly much better than the one bedroom apartment he had to share with all the other jocks at V2. Arslan was not complaining – soft comfy warm bed he shared with his pillow partner. A nice bed sheet made of golden plumes. A bathroom and shower he didn’t have to share. A living room with a giant TV he didn’t have to share with anyone. A PlayStation 5 with some weird JRPG’s – but also a copy of FIFA, specially tucked in the corner just for Arslan, as Eiden didn’t care for sport games, but enjoyed watching Arslan play. Similarly Arslan thought those weird high graphic turned based games were a little weird and couldn’t wrap his head around them.
Despite Eiden being fully introverted – somehow he had a very active social life.
Eiden lowered his gaze while keeping eye contact. Demanding an answer with just his face.
Arslan stood frozen. Not believing Eiden actually asked him – actually wanted to know. Dark and broody, kinda moody – a little bit emo. Would be words Arslan might use to describe Eiden to someone else.
But there was a lot more to Eiden – parts of him that only Arslan knew and understood Eiden wasn’t going to share with anyone else. It had already been a year since they had started dating.
It had become the talk of the town, and Arslan is like a celebrity. Eiden is the camera man. That’s when it came to sports and V2. That was all Arslan lived for. Eiden had a life that revolved outside of V2. They were almost perfect for each other.
That gaze shook Arslan and brought him back to reality.
“Well – ” he finally started.
“It would start with me sleeping in just a little bit- instead of waking up too early. I would still work-out though!” He motioned like it was important.
“Okay – ” Eiden shrugged.
“And then I would go to the park with a book and just chill under a tree for a few hours. Maybe we have a picnic or something.” Arslan danced like a monkey, his smile brimming. Happy sunshine rays come out behind him.
“Then I’d spend the afternoon exploring the city, checking out art galleries, or trying out a new restaurant. After that, I’d head home and spend the evening with you, cuddling and watching a movie. That sounds pretty perfect to me!”
Eiden’s eyes softened, a smile, so sweet, it’s like a sugar overload.
“You’re including me in those plans?” Eiden leaned against the door frame. His body looking fragile, he looked small.
“Hmm?” Arslan’s head cocked.
“Of course I am – you’re my boyfriend.” Arslan looked dumbfounded.
“Why do I keep forgetting that?” Eiden spoke like in a dream.
“Don’t know – must be all that weed you’ve been smokin,” Arslan turned back to the mirror and started shaving again.
Eiden seemed like he wanted to cry.
“Of course – you’re right – that green makes me dory brain -”
“I’m just lucky I guess – “Eiden continued.
“It’s fate my love!” Arslan joked.
“You want anything for breakfast?” Eiden beckoned.
“Uh!-Oh! Can you make that french toast you saw on the gram, I checked the recipe you sent me and fits all my macros! Pretty please?” Arslan sort of begged.
It was weird seeing such a big man beg – but actually Arslan did that almost unconsciously – like a lot. Whenever he wanted someone to do something for him.
“You got it babe!” Eiden jumped to peck Arslan on the cheek.
Eiden rushed out of there – Arslan continued shaving.
“Don’t have to cook today!” he said in sing song.
Morning came and went in between fun conversation and working out together. Eiden usually pops out after 45 minutes. Arslan usually continues a while longer. There’s a home gym.
Arslan started on his cardio.
Eiden jumped in the shower.
25 minutes later he comes out looking fresh.
Eiden was off to meet some people to brunch before Arslan was done with his workout.
“Hey I promised Lizzy and Brenda to meet for Starbucks and go over the group project!” Eiden shouted over the noise of the elliptical and Arslan running cardio.
“That’s – fine – I’ll – text – you – later -” Arslan was sweating a lot, huffing and puffing.
“Perfect! Miss you already.” Eiden said as he walked out the front door. Arslan turned down the speed on the thread mill.
A wry smile turned on him.
He went off for a shower.
Arslan promised to meet Rex for lunch. And gush about how they both have twink boyfriends.
After lunch Rex and Arslan went into campus to talk to some press and have a photo-shoot.
Eiden finished with the group project and headed towards Library City – a place outside V2 City Campus that holds a lot of info about the lore and legends surrounding V2. Eiden has been studying the anomaly behind Valhalla U and why people like Arslan are attracted to attending such school.
They call it inspiration – but it has other names. It lives in the center core of the school. Buried deep underground watching over everyone. It’s not imprisoned or anything and in fact there are rare sightings of it walking around Campus City U. There’s even an Instagram dedicated to sightings. It’s like seeing a UFO!
However, inspiration knows every move the student’s take, and actually has great care about the Elite 7. Student’s going outside need to wear special cloth somewhere on their body that is enchanted by inspiration and serves as cool school merch. It also act’s a homing device. Inspiration can’t really ‘see’ outside of campus. And as such needs a sort of resonator that bounces back. Almost like a submarine pinging in the sea. School regulations demand inspiration be at your side at all times when representing the school outside of campus.
On Eiden’s first day – during the entrance ceremony, which inspiration is meant to hold presence and show face. Decided not show up. And sent a note to Thorfin – the principal, which he opened moment’s just before inspiration was supposed to appear.
“Eiden – Eiden Summers?!” Thorfin shouted over the microphone. The assembly came to a screeching hault. Eiden was surprised to hear his name.
Eiden – shy – raised his hand as the crowd turned to look at him.
“Please escort him off the assembly-” the principal motioned to security. Without a second of a doubt security signaled him and started forcing him to leave.
Eiden retaliated of course. But soon security got violent and started dragging him. Eiden submitted anyway. His feet dragging across the floor. Weighing around 52 kilos, it wasn’t hard to move him.
“Sorry!” The principal shouted.
“Inspiration doesn’t want you here,” Thorfin said, security dragged him to the front of the assembly. The doors closed in front of Eiden. And within seconds the crowd pushed great uproar, and started screaming with joy.
“But – I go here too.” Eiden said in a hush.
Ever since that day, Eiden has taken a great interest in finding inspirations secrets.
Inspiration does exactly what it’s named after. It inspires it’s students.
Most describe him as a he, but actually it doesn’t have a gender. Beneath the school lies a tower, where inspiration takes home.
Later Arslan and Eiden met up with Rexford and Emmet to go shopping, Eiden and Arslan walked shoulder to shoulder as the warm spring night breeze hit their faces. Arslan couldn’t help but put his arm around Eiden. It was awkward.
Emmet and Rexford who were walking behind them saw this. Emmet thought it was cute – Rexford thought what a bother. As Rexford held tightly to Emmet’s hand.
We literally go to a school that defends for gay culture and sports. Rexford would think.
Rexford was no more natural than Arslan but their way’s of thinking were different. Rexford wouldn’t mind protecting Emmet from a homophobic heckler and standing in their way until they leave. While Arslan might take it personally and get all defensive, even starting a fight.
Thankfully V2 City was a well known friendly space for LGBTQ+ people. Some jelous glances because of the muscular bodys. But Eiden and Emmet just ignored them. Or would leer back at them.
Try me bitch and see what my massive muscle boyfriend does to your face! – They might think.
As night came over – they took a break in some park benches, Arslan was being cozy with Eiden as he always is. Emmet snapped a pic as Arslan smiled and pushes his fingers down Eiden’s shirt. signaling – this one’s mine.
Later Arlsan published that same pic on social media.
-Hey guys, guess who?!?!! *drumroolllllll* My Boyfriend ladies and gents!
He wrote in the caption. This was a monthly thing. He just kept finding creative and corny ways of telling the world about them being together.
They spent the rest of the day window shopping and eating night ice cream.
A day filled with activities and things to do. Spending time together with good friends and a perfect boyfriend. It’s everything Eiden wanted.
EXTRA!
Hope you enjoy that story!
I made this video with the illustration above.
It’s in Spanish though – sorry! 😛
Anamnesis 