Work Text:
Jack was good at a lot of things.
Running, training, even waking up at dawn but he was discovering that confessing to Sebek Zigvolt was absolutely not one of them.
It confused the beast man to no end
Jack had faced plenty of intimidating things in his life
blizzards, upperclassmen, Leona on Mondays but none of that compared to the terror of standing outside the Diasomnia dorm with a bouquet in his shaking hands.
Ignoring the stares being thrown his way because of the flowers, instead choosing to continue moving, refusing to slow down.
They weren’t even flowers, technically. Jack had picked mountain thistles — strong, sturdy, good for tea and warmth.
He’d thought they made sense. Something Sebek would respect, would find functional and equally beneficial.
Now it felt stupid.
Standing outside Sebek’s dorm room awkwardly, trying to will himself to just knock.
He muttered to himself, ears twitching, “Okay. Just knock. It’s not hard. Jack. Just knock.”
His heart was pounding out of his chest.
He knocked.
Immediately regretted knocking.
Considered fleeing.
The door swung open.
“HOWL?” Sebek blinked at him, surprised, already loud. “WHY ARE YOU STANDING OUT HERE LIKE A KNIGHT AT ATTENTION? STATE YOUR PURPOSE!”
Jack’s ears fell at the sheer volume of the other's voice.
Jack’s tail curled tight. “I— I wanted to talk to you.”
The half-fae, clearly noticing the other's discomfort, attempted to lower his voice.
That only served to make the white-haired boy's heart melt
“Well then…talk”
Jack stared at him — at Sebek’s bright green hair, at the sharp eyes, at the way he somehow radiated thunder even while standing perfectly still.
His long eyelashes, casting a shadow on his cheeks. The shadow acting as a natural eyeliner.
Sebek’s lips, slightly plumped from biting them, turning them a cherry red colour.
Jack wanted nothing more than to kiss them
Jack had rehearsed what to say a hundred times, but now his brain had the consistency of pudding.
“I… uh… these are for you.” Jack shoved the thistles forward.
‘Wow really smooth’ he could practically hear Epel in his ear, mocking him.
Sebek paused. Slowly, his voice softened a fraction. “Mountain thistles?”
The boy refused to meet Jack's gaze, simply staring at the gift bestowed upon him.
If Jack didn't know better, he'd say Sebek was blushing but it was probably his eyes deceiving him.
Jack nodded furiously. “They’re practical, I thought you could use them for tea, since you train so much, and may—”
The beast man desperately trying to explain himself in case of a miscommunication.
Sevens did I offend him? great going Jack
But the other boy quickly cut him off from his explanation.
Sebek took them carefully, reverently. “I LIKE THEM.”
Jack relaxed. A little.
Palms still sweaty, heart still pounding but his doubts cleared.
“So,” Sebek continued, voice booming again, “WHAT DID YOU NEED TO SAY?” voice returning to its natural volume
Jack inhaled. This was it. The moment. “Would you—”
His breath hitched. Panic slammed into his chest. “WOULD YOU TRAIN WITH ME TOMORROW?!” he blurted.
Oh King Of Beasts please kill me now
Silence.
Sebek stared. Jack wished to be struck down by lightning.
The green-haired boy could only stare in confusion
“Of course I will train with you,” Sebek replied, tilting his head. “We train every Tuesday.”
Jack mentally died.
“Right.” He backed away. “Right, yeah, totally. Okay. Cool. Great. Bye.”
He left so fast he almost tripped over himself.
The next three attempts weren’t better.
The second time, he asked Sebek if he wanted extra protein bars.
The third time, he tried to call Sebek “handsome” but panicked and called him “thunder boy.”
By the next attempt, Jack was face-down on a Ramshackle couch groaning into a pillow.
Deuce patted his back awkwardly. “You could just keep it simple. Like, ‘I like you. Want to go out?’”
Jack was going to strangle Deuce if he didn't shut up right now
Instead Jack's reply was muffled. “I tried.”
Ace snorted. “You crashed and burned. Over and over. Honestly, it’s impressive.”
If he didn't already feel pathetic, Ace just had to rub salt into the wound
Grim stretched on the armrest. “Just give up already.”
But the beast man refused to believe that was the only choice left.
Jack growled. “No.”
He wasn’t giving up. Not on Sebek.
Nevermind maybe giving up was the better choice
Each attempt was met with failure, at this point it would be easier to just get rejected by Sebek and move on.
But the worst was the last attempt
The fourth time, he tried to nonchalantly hold Sebek’s hand and ended up saluting him instead.
Now Jack was sitting on a bench near Pomefiore’s courtyard, tail limp, ears drooping, head in his paws.
Epel sauntered up with a basket of fresh apples, took one look at Jack, and giggled.
“Well, you look like a kicked puppy.”
Jack groaned into his hands. “I called him ‘thunder boy,’ Epel. I was trying to compliment him and that’s what came out.”
He refused to even think about the salute, he would have to take that to his grave.
Epel blinked. “Okay, yeah, that’s pretty awful.”
Jack's head flopped backwards dramatically.
“He just stared at me like I’d spoken another language. And then he said, ‘WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?’, and I panicked and ran away.”
Even he didn't really understand why he said that
Epel snorted into his hand. “How’s that wolf instinct workin’ out for ya?”
The embarrassed boy only groaned, remembering the exact conversation the other was referring to.
‘Don't worry Epel, my wolf instinct will tell me what to do’
‘I don't think that's how that wor–
‘Are you the beast man or am I?’
He had really overestimated his ability to handle his feelings
“It’s not,” Jack confessed.
Epel nudged his knee. “You sure he doesn’t already know you like him? You ain’t subtle.”
Jack groaned again. “Of course he doesn’t know. If he did, he wouldn’t be acting completely normal.”
“Maybe his normal is likin’ ya,” Epel offered. “He smiles when you’re around.”
Jack sat up sharply. “He does not.”
“He does,” Epel said firmly. “Like yesterday, training field? He yelled ‘HOWL, KEEP UP,’ but he was smilin’ the whole time.”
Jack’s heart warmed instantly. “…he was?”
Epel rolled his eyes. “Boy, just ask him out already.”
“I’ve tried four times.”
“Then try five.”
Jack was going to murder Epel as well as Deuce after this whole thing was over.
Maybe Ace too
Jack rubbed his face, tail thumping the bench. “I just…” taking a second to collect his thoughts.
“When I’m around him, everything gets scrambled. My brain stops working and my lungs start to feel heavy then I start sweating. It’s ridiculous.”
The shorter boy's eyes softened.
Epel kicked his foot encouragingly. “That just means it matters.”
Jack looked up at the sky, heart pulsing with determination. “Okay. One more try.”
Attempt five happened at lunch.
Sebek was sitting alone with his textbook open, posture perfectly straight.
He's so gorgeous
Jack walked over, palms sweaty, ears stiff, tail refusing to behave.
“Sebek,” Jack said, voice steadier than he felt.
Sebek looked up, sharp-eyed and attentive. “HOWL!” he exclaimed.
The half breed seemed to calm himself down "Sit, I haven't seen you in a good while almost as if you are avoiding me”
Jack sat across from him. “Yeah, I guess I have.
That seemed to only darken the other's eyes.
Sebek snapped his textbook shut. “If you require assistance, I will listen”
Jack swallowed. It was now or never. “I wanted to say—”
“You admire my strength,” Sebek supplied simply.
“Well, yeah,” Jack rubbed the back of his neck, “but that’s not what—”
This was harder than Jack ever imagined it being.
Jack’s ears twitched in frustration. “Sebek, no, I—”
But Sebek leaned forward, eyes bright, smile confident. “HOWL, YOU NEEDN’T BE NERVOUS”
his voice softened, “you may speak freely.”
He could feel Sebek's eyes on him, attentive as ever.
Causing Jack’s heart to stutter.
He opened his mouth to try again
And then Floyd interrupted by stealing parts of Jack’s lunch and poking Sebek in the head with a breadstick.
Engaging the green-haired boy, leading to him screaming his head off about manners and honour
The moment was gone.
Jack abandoned attempt five and retreated with his tail between his legs.
That evening, Jack found himself back at Pomefiore, sitting on Epel’s bed this time, holding a pillow like it was a life raft.
It certainly felt like that
Epel sympathetically stared at him, “Attempt five?” he questioned softly.
Jack buried his face in the pillow. “Breadstick.”
Epel’s expression went flat “Fuckin’ Floyd”, his accent seeping through.
Jack made a noise best described as emotional static. “I can’t do this.”
Epel tossed a pen at him. “Yes, ya can. If Sebek scares you that much, clearly you already fell hard.”
And boy was he right
Jack hugged the pillow tighter. “I don’t just like him. I really like him. He’s so focused, and loyal, and passionate.”
He was rambling now but the other didn't seem to mind leading him to continue.
“He trains like every second counts. He cares so deeply about everything. He—” Jack’s voice cracked, “He makes me want to be better.”
“…Jack.” Epel said, ready to sooth the other.
“And every time he yells, or lectures me, or gets all dramatic” Jack hid his burning face. “—it’s cute.”
Epel blinked. “You think Sebek Zigvolt is cute?”
The Pomefiore student couldn't believe his ears.
“He’s so cute,” Jack whispered miserably.
Epel grinned. “Okay, firstly that’s adorable.” Raising his hand.
“Listen. It’s simple. Stop thinkin’ about the perfect moment and just say how ya feel next time you see him. Straight up.”
No distractions, just his raw, pure feelings for the half-fae
Jack looked up, eyes glowing with new resolve. “Yeah. Okay. I can do that.”
Spoiler: he could not do that.
Jack marched confidently to Diasomnia, heading directly to Sebek’s dorm once again.
He knocked and the door opened.
The first thing he saw was Sebek.
The next thing he felt was panic
And instead of confessing, he blurted:
“SEBEK, YOU HAVE REALLY NICE ELBOWS.”
Everything went impossiblely quiet between the two
Sebek stared. “…MY ELBOWS?”
Jack ran away in shame, he could see Lilia chucking to himself in the corner.
Attempt six: failed.
Night fell and the lively campus quieted.
Jack wandered outside beneath the stars, trying to breathe past his embarrassment.
Then he saw him.
Sebek stood by the gate to the school, posture rigid, thistle bouquet tucked into one arm like treasured cargo.
Jack froze.
Sebek walked forward, boots crunching on gravel.
“Howl” he greeted, shoes shuffling
Jack swallowed hard. “Sebek.”
Sebek stopped in front of him, expression serious, eyes deep with something steady and strong. “You have been acting strangely for days. Flustered, Nervous but also Avoidant.”
Jack flinched, suddenly feeling very called out.
Sebek continued, voice careful: “I may not understand subtlety, but I understand you.”
Those words went straight to the beast man's heart.
Jack’s breath caught.
Sebek stepped closer. “If you are attempting to ask me on a date, which I am assuming you are doing?”
Jack could only nod, not believing this is real life.
“Well I would prefer you to be more straightforward so I shall be the one to ask.”
Jack’s heart slowed, then pounded. “…wait. You want to go on a date?”
Sebek held out his hand. Hopeful and Warm.
“Yes. Howl. Will you go on a date with me?”
Jack’s tail burst into rapid, unstoppable wagging. “Yeah! Yes! Of course I will!”
If this was a dream, Jack never wanted to wake up.
Sebek smiled — truly smiled — bright as lightning, soft as moonlight.
Anything he did seemed to cause the white-haired boy heart failure.
“GOOD,” he said, a little breathless.
“THEN SATURDAY, WE WILL GO TO THE CAFÉ IN TOWN. AND—” he hesitated, cheeks pink,
“—you may continue to admire my elbows if you wish.”
The last thing he wanted was to be reminded of his pathetic past attempts.
Jack laughed, full and bright, chest glowing. “I like everything about you. Not just your elbows.”
Sebek’s eyes widened. “oh!”
Jack gently took Sebek’s hand, warm fingers threading together.
Sebek inhaled sharply. Not with alarm, but wonder
“HOWL.”
Jack’s voice softened. “Jack.”
Sebek blinked, heart racing. “…Jack.”
The words felt right coming off Sebek’s tongue, as if they always belonged there.
The world around them quieted.
fireflies still drifting, night breeze continuing to curl, stars pulsing overhead.
Jack leaned in, forehead resting lightly against Sebek’s. “I really like you,” he whispered like a secret. “So, so much.”
Sebek’s voice trembled, full of emotion he could no longer contain. “And I you.”
The beast man’s thumb brushed over the back of Sebek’s hand, gentle and reassuring.
“Sebek?” Jack murmured.
“Yes?”
“Can I…?”
Sebek didn’t let him finish.
He leaned forward — strong but careful — and kissed Jack, grabbing him by the cheek.
One hand just barely touching his hair and the other burying itself in Jack’s jacket.
It started soft: a brief press of lips, impossibly warm, almost shy. Jack inhaled sharply, tail sweeping in a slow arc, heart thundering in his chest.
Sebek let out the faintest sound and tilted his head to kiss him again, deeper this time.
Jack’s free hand came up to cradle Sebek’s cheek, feeling the heat beneath his skin, the slight tremble in the jaw of a boy who always seemed unreachable.
He wanted nothing more than to stay here forever.
Sebek’s fingers curled into Jack’s hair and jacket, pulling him closer, closer, closer as though he’d wanted this for just as long.
When they finally parted, both breathless and pink-cheeked, Sebek was left speechless.
Finally he whispered “not bad”
Jack laughed, forehead touching Sebek’s once more, joy blooming wide in his chest.
“You too.” and he meant it, he always meant his words with Sebek.
Sebek squeezed his hand. “JACK HOWL,” he declared, eyes shining, “THAT WAS—” his voice cracked.
Words dropping to a heartfelt whisper “—wonderful.”
Jack kissed him again — quick, sweet, certain.
until Jack realized something important:
Maybe he hadn’t failed at all.
Maybe every awkward attempt had brought him here.
Exactly where he wanted to be.
Jack laughed — and kissed his cheek.
Sebek glowed.
The night glowed.
Everything glowed.
Because sometimes love wasn’t perfect.
Sometimes love was clumsy, and loud, and surprising — and exactly right.