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Sebek has been acting awfully weird.
Lately, whenever he came across Trey in the hallways, he’d immediately run away from him. No greeting, no polite bow–he’d just up and go as if the Heartslabyul vice-leader had a contagious disease of some sort. If it couldn’t be helped and they just had to walk past each other somehow, Sebek would turn his head away indignantly, like Trey didn’t deserve to be given even a meager glance.
One time, they met each other in front of the faculty’s office. Trey said hi, just like any good upperclassman would, and in response to that…Sebek walked into the faculty room and asked if he could rearrange the new library books in the librarian's stead. Using the Dewey Decimal Classification, and there were like a thousand new books there.
Yes, he hated Trey that much.
But what was strange, most of all, was how Sebek also sought to help Trey whenever he could–even when Trey didn’t ask for any help.
Heartslabyul ran out of ingredients and needed to buy some more? Sebek would be there to help Deuce with grocery buying, regardless of the day or weather.
The Science Club needed manure for their plants? Sebek would be the first to offer the “goods” from the Equestrian Club, even before he received an approval from Riddle.
And the same goes for their situation right now. Trey had baked too many a cake, and he was wandering about in school trying to have someone partake of them. Sebek coincidentally happened to be around, so…
“Thanks for agreeing to eat this together with me, Sebek,” the hazel-eyed third-year said as he served some cake to his visitor. He also prepared himself a slice. “I was honestly considering to ask Vil to eat this with me. I’m glad I didn’t, or else he’d scold me for ruining his diet.”
The freshman raised an eyebrow. “Why would he be on a diet when he’s already in such good shape?”
“I didn’t get it, either. But I figured I shouldn’t ask him because…” Trey fixed his glasses, making them reflect against the kitchen lights. “…I don’t wanna die yet, you know?”
A silence fell between the two students. The Heartslabyul vice-leader smiled as he wished for the ground to swallow him whole. Why the heck did he make that pun?
Sebek grimaced as he turned away, still stealing some bites from the cake despite so. He muttered underneath his breath, “…God, you sound just like him…”
“Hm?”
“No, nothing. Your jokes are terrible, is all,” the Diasomnian said as he rose from his seat. Trey widened his eyes. He’s done eating already? “…But the cake tasted delicious, I admit. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before.”
Hearing that compliment brought a smile to Trey’s face. It suddenly meant a lot more, considering how it came from Sebek, someone who probably disliked him. As a baker, his heart swelled with joy.
The vice-leader thought that Sebek was going to leave right then and there, but to his surprise, the first-year went to grab a glass of tapwater instead.
Sebek turned to him and asked, “Would it be alright if I brushed my teeth here? I’m not comfortable with eating sweet things and not brushing after.”
“Oh, sure! Go ahead!” Trey nodded vigorously. “Dental healthcare is important. Speaking of which, your dad is a denti–”
The half-fae glared at him as he placed some paste on the toothbrush he brought along. Twas enough to make the older boy shut up.
I just wanted to bond over dental healthcare… the Heartslabyul vice-leader thought. He sighed. Why does Sebek always get mad when his father is…
But his thoughts were suddenly put to a halt. Was it just him, or did Sebek’s toothbrush seem a bit…worn out?
“Ah, Sebek,” the third-year said, gently grasping Sebek’s hand to stop him from brushing his teeth. The Diasomnian flinched. “I have an extra toothbrush in my room, maybe we should replace–”
“Sh-shut up, Dad! I know how to brush my teeth on my own!”
“…Huh?”
For the second time that day, a silence ensued between them. No words were said, all that could be heard was Sebek brushing his teeth awkwardly while Trey looked on, a shocked Pikachu expression on his face (as Yuu was quite fond of saying).
The Diasomnian afterwards placed his used cup on the kitchen sink, muttered a meek “Thanks for the cake” before he up and went, leaving behind the upperclassman he just referred to as “dad”.
It was only when the kitchen door slammed shut that Trey broke free from his trance.
“So the reason why he kept avoiding me, but also kept helping me…” he muttered to himself, placing a hand on his chin. “…and the reason why he never wanted to bring up his dad…was because I reminded him of his father?”
A few beats passed. Once the incident had finally sunk in to him, Trey found himself chuckling. Heh. He didn’t realize he had a “son” now.
A very cute one at that.