Chapter Text
“Good evening, viewers. As was mentioned in the recent post regarding the livestream schedule changes, from this point onward, I will be hosting late-evening livestreams each Friday.”
Unlike his usual streams, Meursault was dressed in a more casual outfit consisting of a dark sweater and some baggy pants he only really wears at home, sitting at a simple desk with a simple chair and a simple view out the window as his background. The window was left partially open, the air was fresh. No sharp weaponry in sight. All that remained was him and a plate of dry steak with some potatoes at the bottom of the camera's view.
[I didn't expect the stream to be so cozy! Good evening]
[evening peak evening peak evening peak]
[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA HI MEURS👋👋]
It seems that the different cozier atmosphere made his viewers more lax in their collective behavior. Meursault took that as a success, despite him not necessarily being close with his audience, nor being able to understand most of their chaotic chat messages. The only reason he began livestreaming in the first place was to have an unbiased anonymous perspective on his fighting performance. However, it was obvious that not all of his viewers were interested in just his skill... It was odd. Meursault had a very limited understanding of "parasocial relationships", so he didn't capitalize on this oddity much, but it seems that it had only made his audience more eager to try and get him in some way.
[Is that a restaurant or your house?? So cool]
[RESTAURANT DATE]
[real]
“This is not a restaurant. I am currently staying at my apartment.”
[meur is so good at cookinggg]
[STAKE]
[STEAK]
[STEAK POTATO]
“The food I'm having right now has been bought at a convenience store. I heated it up. That is all.”
He's fine with cooking, just didn't have the time today since he wanted to spend it on his stream. Generally, he sees cooking things for himself as a waste of time — when he's alone, that is.
Meursault took a deep breath before speaking again. “...This livestream I will host a heavily requested "Ask Me Anything" session. Your questions must not include any personal information, request any personal information, or be otherwise suggestive. Your message must not exceed 500 characters. Questions sent through donations will naturally be prioritized.”
He wasn't sure what to do, so he decided that something that has been already requested often would do fine. He picked up his fork and knife, cutting up a piece of his store bought steak as he scanned through his chat's messages.
[what made you do the late time stream, meurs?]
...Ah, yes. There was a certain reason as to why he decided to turn his camera on at such a time...
“An acquaintance has requested that I try it.”
Gregor choked on his sandwich, almost going into a coughing fit as he desperately washed it down with water and got up from his lying position on the couch. The action had almost sent the laptop sitting on his lap flying to the floor.
...Oh, he didn't think Meursault would ever mention him on stream. It feels so surreal already.
Sitting in what remained of his Zwei uniform after he'd taken most of it off in a rush to not miss the beginning of his *gasp* boyfriend's stream as he returned home, Gregor finished his glass of water as he got whiplash at his embarrassingly sudden reaction at Meursault talking about his "acquaintance". Not only that, but it began to dawn on him just how ridiculous his own request for an evening livestream was... Sure, they're dating, and it's not like the other was opposed to his idea, but Gregor's heart throbbed like a teen's at the thought of the true reason for this particular stream that no one would ever find out about...
It appears that my work leave will be postponed until next month. I apologize.
15:05 --- Seen
Oh its ok,no need to apologize!
15:07 --- Seen
I didnt buy the WARP tickets yet,Ill wait😞
15:07 --- Seen
How are you? Are you already home, or are you still on the bus?
15:07 --- Seen
Still working😟
15:08 --- Seen
My work schedule got soooo bad.A colleague got sick so Im doing both proximity protection and territorial patrol.The place Im looking after works till 8
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You must be very exhausted. Don't forget to stay hydrated.
15:09 --- Seen
Im so sooooo tired
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Will be home at 20;30 and thats only if I get lucky with the late bus😞
15:10 --- Seen
How are you,Meursault?😞
15:10 --- Seen
Work is as usual. Not a livestreaming day. I'm sleeping well recently. I am as always worried about you, and I miss you.
15:10 --- Seen
That is all.
15:10 --- Seen
Meursault🥺
15:11 --- Seen
Honeyyyy
15:11 --- Seen
So you really are not streaming today?and here I thought Id see your face,no wonder I never saw any notifications from your channel after lunch
15:12 --- Seen
I can take a photo of myself, if you want. You can also rewatch archived recordings of my past livestreams or short clips and edits made by my viewers.
15:12 --- Seen
🙄
15:13 --- Seen
I don't understand what you're trying to imply using that emoticon.
15:14 --- Seen
Could you do a livestream in the evening at least?I wanna see you for real,you know
15:15 --- Seen
...Feels embarrassing just remembering that exchange... It's hard to read Meursault through his texts, Gregor has gotten pretty used to having to look at the details of his face through a magnifying glass, but he can't help but read him wrong whenever the two are miles apart. He's really bothering him, is he not? Ugh, there it goes again...
Okay, calm down, calm down... He's streaming already, so might as well rest easy and enjoy what he asked for.
[ooooohhh who is that acquaintance he talking about]
[is she pretty]
[wtf do you mean 'is she pretty' i thought we all only have the hots for meurs here]
...He probably shouldn't look at Meursault's chat right now.
[meurs has acquaintances, we won]
“As far as I'm aware, having acquaintances is generally considered normal.” The way Meursault's eyes widened just slightly made Gregor let out a light scoff. “Please refrain from making any unnecessary comments about them.”
[👍👍👍]
[MESSAGE_HAS_BEEN_AUTOMATICALLY_REMOVED]
Maybe he should say hi...? Does Meursault know he's watching? Definitely not. Of course not.
...
...........
He doesn't have an account!!
He never thought about sending messages into his chat before, since he was usually at work himself or was just keeping himself entertained with the streamer teaching his audience fighting stances and then kicking some major ass, but here...
Whatever, he should just enjoy having dinner with Meursault! Does he not cook for himself? Weird, Gregor thought his cooking was great whenever the two ate together over at his place... Does he always have dinner like this when he's alone? He... hopes not.
Several questions came in through livestream donations. Gregor wondered just how much money Meursault must be making for these in total — he only mentioned it in passing, but the monthly total is usually more than enough to buy his lover a ticket back home with some spare change left to get on a bus at the District he's in once he's back. Guess the man should thank his boyfriend's viewers for technically funding half of his visits to Meursault.
×500 LNC🌹
[How didst thou climb the ranks up to Section 3 of Cinq?! I hast been stuck down at Section 5 (of Southern branch!) for the longest time!! I wish to know thy technique of presenting thyne power to the masses!]
Despite the weird wording of the donation message (which Meursault had read out in its entirety, Gregor nearly lost it), the man on the screen nodded thoughtfully, putting down his eating utensils for a moment. “Livestreaming has helped me significantly in that regard. Moving past Section 4, it is important to raise your public image proportionally to your skill — that is the case with higher Fixer Grades as well. Either taking on official requests held up by the Hana Association themselves or by means of traveling further out in the City and applying for jobs there.”
Ohhh, that brings back memories...
———
It was a normal day at his job. An hour long patrol session around some streets in the morning, then some contracted proximity protection.
“Oh, so it's your first time down 'ere at the South?”
The tall man dressed in blue with a white cavalier hat casting a shadow over his face nodded with a low hum. He was busy setting up his phone on a small stick of some kind, one that then became way longer as he grabbed and pulled it up... Is that a weapon of some kind?
“The Zwei Association proximity protection contract did not prohibit any live recording. However, I require your additional consent.”
“Consent...?” Gregor raised a brow before taking and holding his cigarette between his teeth. “...For what?”
“For recording.”
“Err... Sure? You, uh... suuuure, sure.”
Little did he know, that man was apparently known as a popular up and coming "streamer". To say that Gregor was very unfamiliar with that part of the virtual world would be to waste air. All of that air has already been taken away by the man of Cinq actively talking to his phone held up above him.
Gregor couldn't help but approach closer and to take a peek at his screen. “Who are you talking to?”
“Ah—” The man paused, noticing another's presence on the screen mirroring himself. “I apologize, we will move toward our destination site in a moment.”
“Wanna... introduce these people to me, bud?” A nervous laugh escaped the Zwei, fixing his sunglasses. “Thought you were recording some stuff for your family or somethin'...”
“...500 people are currently watching us live.”
“The way you say that makes it seem even scarier—!”
After some explanations, the man introduced himself as Meursault of Cinq Association, Section 4 at the time, West. And in turn, Gregor had to introduce himself to his... audience.
He was met with some less than kind comments at first, mostly regarding his appearance, but as the two moved on to where they needed to go and he began to tell various stories of the Southern Zwei and some of his relatives, Gregor was cemented as the center of the flow of Meursault's livestream. The streamer himself didn't mind, furthering the other's image as his kind guide to Nest □ telling fun stories as they went along.
Gregor, surprisingly enough, had his self-esteem skyrocket by the time the two got to their destination, even showing off his prosthetic arm he'd spend quite the cash on. Getting to know Meursault was also nice — his looks, cold face and tall stature made him seem completely unapproachable, at the start of the contract Gregor was afraid he'd be one of those clients that stay quiet all the time and act all serious no matter what, not to mention those long legs of his, he wanted to sigh in exhaustion just thinking about all the running he'll have to do so stay on pace, but Meursault was surprisingly polite! It's like Gregor should be the one paying to be accompanied by him, though he did also treat the kind man to some favorite donuts of his on the way. All he said to the camera was "the stream is not sponsored by any products you see on screen", but he could see the way his expression softened just a bit after eating them!
Ahem- uh... Moving on, things didn't go as nicely after that.
Apparently Meursault was on a mission to take down a recently formed Distortion in a more urban area closer to the Backstreets. Gregor was only there to look after his surroundings in case someone wanted to challenge him to an unnecessary duel as he was on his way, but he didn't want to stand back there idly. The Distortion — some sort of electric slime moving through the sewer systems — was quite a bother. The thing was pretty much a coward that cemented its power through killing the weak by dragging them down its makeshift sewer hatches and only attacking one to two people at a time — it is exactly why the Cinq Association was contacted to deal with it. But Gregor could still help out! The two made for a surprisingly competent duo: a quick rapier taking on sweet spots and a shield coming in just in time to take all the hits for himself. The presence of a camera on him felt a bit distracting at first, but once Gregor got into the flow of battle, he's sure he looked just as cool from the side as Meursault did landing all those straight blows.
In the end, standing among rivers of sticky slime coating the busted and ruined walls of a couple nearby buildings, the duo came out victorious. Meursault was busy explaining all of his moves to the camera once the actual living breathing people surrounding them had calmed down from the small scale havoc, and Gregor even sneaked in closer to listen as well... and only then did he realize that his prosthetic arm got absolutely ruined after that Distortion's attacks.
“I apologize for the damage caused.” Turning off his phone and putting his long phone-stick away, Meursault gave Gregor a genuine apologetic bow.
“No, no! Don't worry 'bout it, not like I broke a leg or anything.” The other shrugged with a tired grin, sitting down on the ground. He let out a long huff before diving down for a pack of cigarettes in his coat with his remaining arm. “...Should be covered by the Zwei's insurance anyways. I hope. I dunno... At least dealing with that uh... Distortion thingy should bring in some extra cash, I bet~”
“Your involvement in Distortion suppression was not part of the contract, however.”
Gregor whined in defeat, collapsing on the ground completely. “Aahh, you're such a party pooper, client bud...”
“...We can split the earnings as you have provided significant help with—”
“Don't make me feel bad for you now, come on!”
Chewing an unlit cigarette between his teeth, Gregor picked up his zweihander off the ground and stood back up. He gave Meursault a couple friendly pats on the back with a sly grin. “The best you can do is give me a good review for the higher-ups. Won't cost ya any money either~”
Gregor assumed the two were relatively the same Grade, so he felt bad taking money from a younger Fixer over his own mess up. Sometimes, his urge for extra pay leaves him with even less by the end of the day — even Rodya's love for money doesn't lessen her wit like that. It isn't the first time this has happened, and it certainly won't be the last, so Gregor learned to deal with it in the end.
However, it seems that the next day Meursault had gotten his phone number from the proximity protection documents. At first thought, this was... well, not something a normal person would do, at least Gregor would never, but it's not illegal or anything... Meursault was still concerned about his involvement with the Distortion — there were some side-effects of its influence Gregor had already felt on himself, like a nagging headache and a turning stomach from the electrical shocks, so while the man of Cinq was staying at the South, he had visited him on multiple occasions to repay him using his stream revenue. Not only that, but some time later he even climbed up the ranks to Section 3 of his Association! Now it was extra embarrassing to have this objectively handsome man tail him around...
Too shy too accept any more money after his arm got fixed (mostly with insurance money!), Gregor suggested that Meursault takes him out to eat instead. You... see how things go from here, don't you?
Meursault asked for some recommendations in Nest □, slowly the cafes turned into restaurants, those then became fancier, Gregor's heart couldn't take it no more so the two began splitting the bills... And all the while the two got to know each other better. From favorite foods to their worst fears — Meursault once commented that his fear of bugs was "cute". Somehow, it didn't feel insulting when he said it. It felt oddly endearing.
With that, even though Meursault had returned to the West, the two continued to talk through text messages. It was only after he'd return yet again some time later that they would label it a distance relationship — but not before Meursault could attempt to pay for the Valentine's Day chocolates Gregor had bought for him as an obvious gift. This guy seems terrible at picking gifts and only really gifts others money.
———
Phew, what a rush of memories that was. And yet, not much has changed, Meursault is technically still spending all of his revenue from livestreams on his lover. He feels kind of bad for his overly passionate fans...~
×300 LNC🌹
[Are you dating anyone? :3]
Wh- What did he miss!?
Meursault didn't look too pleased at the question. The way he looked at the camera made his resting glare seem judgmental. “...Whether I have a relationship or not is not something that is related to my occupation as a Fixer.”
[relationships are a bother]
[Not really, I'm fine with it]
[A friend of mine is a Fixer of Liu Association, relationships there are really common but losing someone close made multiple of her coworkers quit]
[Cinq are, like, the complete opposite of Liu, aren't they]
[you mean they're all loners?]
“I suppose support from a loved one can be of help during especially stressful work.”
...Oh?
“However, if I— ...were to have a significant other while still working as a Fixer, it would certainly make me reconsider taking on more dangerous missions.”
Ooooohhhh.
“I do have a Fixer acquaintance who is currently in a relationship, though.”
Oh—
“Working for the Zwei Association, he oftentimes worries about his lover working outside of his Association, while also putting himself up in front of danger for his clients on the daily, which deeply worries his lover as well.”
“A part of the problem could also potentially be their jealousy of the clients he works with. But that—”
...Isn't he oversharing a bit?!?
“It is solely a person's choice between living alone or risking deep mental trauma through death of a close relative. Depending on one's psychological factors, having close friends can also be considered a significant risk, in that case.” Meursault picked up a glass of water just out of frame. It was poured in a wine glass, adding to the weird semi-fancy vibe of the stream. “I do not have a lover, for that matter.”
[Would Meursault want to have a lover or no?]
“...That would commonly be preferable. I hold that opinion as well.”
[:0]
[MESSAGE_HAS_BEEN_AUTOMATICALLY_REMOVED]
[Where is meursault who is this]
Not even taking a sip, the man put his fancy wine glass of water back on the table. He looked down at his food, concentrating on it to not show any unnecessary emotion on his face. “From this point on, any questions regarding interpersonal relationships and their details will be banned from discussion. Please be aware of that when sending in messages through donations.”
Daaaaaamn... And Gregor thought he was bad at keeping his mouth shut about the other. The two had agreed that neither should discuss their relationship with their colleagues (in Meursault's case, viewers as well). Surprisingly enough, Gregor quickly got into the flow of dodging questions as to how he affords his WARP tickets and why he even bothers to move to the West so often — mostly thanks to Rodya and Heathcliff stealing half of his donuts each day to keep their mouths shut.
Though, obviously, seeing Meursault's viewers so all over him does make him feel a tiny bit jealous. Maybe if Gregor would actually bother to move up a Section or improve his Fixer Grade...
Feeling a bit cheeky as he finally finished his lackluster dinner on the couch, Gregor picked up his phone.
You want a second lover or are you lying to your audience,bud?
21:44 --- Sent
😇
21:44 --- Sent
Hearing a notification sound come from his phone, Meursault immediately turned his attention to it with a small jump of his shoulders like a curious cat intrigued by the inorganic noise, awkwardly cutting off a question he was answering with a quiet "apologies". He could notice the way his brow twitched once he realized that the message was from none other than Gregor.
I assumed our relationship was strictly monogamous.
21:45 --- Seen
Joking joking😄😄
21:45 --- Seen
You having fun?
21:45 --- Seen
Not really.
21:45 --- Seen
Oh
21:45 --- Seen
Uh
21:45 --- Seen
Um
21:45 --- Seen
Im really sorry about this,then.You know I say some weird stuff when Im tired,you didnt have to take it too seriously
21:46 --- Seen
Me wanting a late time stream,I mean
21:46 --- Seen
Are you enjoying the livestream?
21:46 --- Seen
Not if youre not enjoying it!
21:46 --- Seen
You dont have to continue it if you dont want to😤
21:47 --- Seen
I think having occasional video calls will be enough for us later on.
21:47 --- Seen
I dont have a good camera or anything,you know that...
21:47 --- Seen
I will be content with watching you even in 144p.
21:47 --- Seen
In what?🤨😳
21:48 --- Seen
On that note, I can save money to buy you a decent webcam and a microphone if needed.
21:48 --- Seen
*lowest video quality commonly available
21:48 --- Seen
Aaaa I see
21:49 --- Seen
Wait,are you making me into a streamer?😱
21:50 --- Seen
The additional equipment is to enhance my viewing experience, if you would prefer that. Your laptop will also require a set of programs for recording. I will send a list of necessary programs and drivers you will have to install after the end of my stream.
21:50 --- Seen
Oh yeahhhh,you look kinda awkward there
21:51 --- Seen
Meursault awkwardly looked up from his phone and toward the camera. Gregor couldn't help but laugh at his chat immediately being spammed with countless messages of concern. The comedic timing of him staring at his audience like they had just walked in on him and his lover actually being there in the room was brilliant, but Meursault didn't share that sentiment and Friday evening livestreams were temporarily cancelled until further notice. Gregor was not spared — the additional quality equipment for recording himself became mandatory.