Try Bending Me Again (Esports)

He Ye reined in his temper, joined the TSG team, and returned to the esports arena after a year away.

A year ago, their former captain, Wei Zhan, had been at loggerheads with him. Now, on their new team, he played along with He Ye to sell their CP and create buzz. They worked together well enough.

But still.

Selling their CP didn't mean they had to cuddle in bed!

Selling their CP didn't mean they had to bite each other's lips!

Selling their CP didn't mean they had to pinch each other's ears!

After testing his theory, He Ye concluded that Wei Zhan was up to no good with him. So he let loose, fought Wei Zhan, and cut off their connection. At last, he could go back to being straight.

But then he realized he was becoming more and more concerned about Wei Zhan.

Afraid he was turning gay, He Ye fought it hard. He warned Wei Zhan not to covet his body while playing games, yet got jealous, drank himself silly, pretended to have amnesia, and climbed into the captain's bed in the middle of the night.

He Ye comforted himself with the thought that Wei Zhan had helped him so much that he'd developed a "strange" dependency. Once the season ended and he went back to school, everything would return to normal.

But this new team, held together by money despite its members having no connection to each other, turned the tables in the Spring Split under the power of cash and stunned everyone. They swept through the playoffs and made it all the way to Worlds.

Before they set off for Worlds, Wei Zhan asked He Ye, "What will you do after Worlds?"

He Ye didn't want to leave, but could only answer, "Go back to school."

Wei Zhan said, "Okay. Don't leave yourself with regrets."

He Ye didn't leave himself with regrets. But when he thought that losing would mean never getting to play alongside Wei Zhan again, he tossed and turned all night and was too distracted to think straight.

Wei Zhan suddenly hugged him again, kissed him, and rubbed his ear. "Would you still be willing to sell our CP and act gay with me? Just to relieve some pre-match stress?"

He Ye gritted his teeth, looking thoroughly unwilling. "Get lost. I'm as straight as they come."

Wei Zhan tried to hide his grin. "Fine. Until you find a girl you like, I'll be your girlfriend. How about that?"

He Ye perked right up. His insomnia was cured, he had energy for the matches, and he could climb stairs without getting winded. He said he was repulsed by gay people, but in his heart he'd already turned every lamppost on the street into a golden ring of Buddhist protection.

Wei Zhan is the top, He Ye is the bottom.

No real-life inspiration. Please add to your collection. Happy New Year, 2023.

Theme: Youth never dies, and dreams never fade.