Chapter Text
Norman frowned at the breakfast table. He’d been quietly observing Ray all morning, paying close attention at his attempts to hide his fatigue.
Not that said attempts were bad. Most could only be noticed if one payed close attention to the boy, hence Norman naturally and quickly picked up on them.
He watched as Ray swallowed another yawn with a sip of orange juice. That was the third time in only 10 minutes.
Additionally, the usual bags under Ray’s eyes were more prominent today, and he seemed more sluggish in his movements and reactions. So much so that it took him a full ten seconds to reply to Emma’s regular request to play tag after lunch.
And as usual, he declined.
“Whaaaaat?!” Emma whined as if this didn’t happen every day. “Come on, you can’t read for the whole of our free time, that’s just boring!”
“Besides, you should join us this time. You always say you will, and then never live up to your word!” Norman added gently.
Ray gave Norman a glare that only said:
“You jerk. You’re meant to be the one that leaves me alone in peace, not encourages her.”
Norman just gave him a closed-eyed smile that said:
“I’m only saying it because I want to spend time with you, you can’t blame me if you never accept the offer.”
The lack of eye contact also helped hide the butterflies rushing in his stomach after that look right into his soul.
Emma took a bite of her bread, pouting, most likely out of jealousy that the two were able to have their own conversation without even speaking.
When Ray looked back in her direction, she tried again, putting on her best puppy eyes.
“Come on! Pleeeeeease? I’ll give you the rest of my juice!”
“I don’t want your stupid juice.”
Emma’s smile dropped and changed to a look of mock annoyance. It was clear she wasn’t going to give up.
Norman just watched as she resumed her endless cries of persuasion, eventually jabbing Ray in the ribs with her elbow and ruffling up his hair quite hard.
His hair was indeed a mess. Enough to make Norman chuckle, until he realised Ray looked genuinely shocked, probably a bit overwhelmed and even more so due to his tiredness.
He fixed his hair, looking both annoyed and still slightly shaken up as he said,
“fine, but just one round.”
That was enough to make Emma cheer and grin in success. Norman breathed a sigh of relief before finishing eating.
***
Next was the daily test. The children put on their headphones and waited for the screen to change.
“Age 10, type one. Answer each question within ten seconds.”
The buzzer sounded and the first section of the test began. Most kids, even Emma, took most of the time working each question out and eliminating wrong answers. Ray answered most questions from memorising equations or answers that he’d seen previously.
Norman was different.
Having genius level smarts, he answered each question almost instantly, knowing he was correct just by looking. He finished long before anyone else.
At the time, he was oblivious to the luck of his gifted nature. And its importance for survival in this world.
Soon enough, everyone was finished and Mama read out the results.
“Norman and Emma, you both got perfect scores! Well done!”
Of course, this statement set off the other children, the room filling with sounds of awe and excitement for their older siblings.
As Norman looked around the room, thanking everyone for their praise, he noticed something from the corner of his eye.
It only lasted for a split second, but he swore he saw Mama give Ray a stern look. He told himself it must be one of sympathy that he didn’t achieve a full score, or a form nonverbal communication encouraging him to try harder next time.
But the unmissable glint in her eyes made Norman feel uneasy. She never looks at anyone with anything but love and care, so why would she do that? Was she angry at him? Disappointed? But why, Ray almost always got perfect scores…
Oh.
Norman brushed it off. It must be due to his fatigue. However, it still wasn’t like Ray to mess up his test just because he was sleepy, or for Mama to seem genuinely upset with her children. Plus, Ray didn’t even seem to register the look himself. Norman made a mental note to ask him later.
***
Laundry was after. Norman crouched on the grass, rubbing a soapy shirt against a washboard over a tub of warm water. Ray was across from him at the other side, doing the same thing.
A sudden clatter made Norman look up.
Ray scoffed in annoyance, picking up the now soaked washboard that he’d accidentally dropped into the tub. Norman frowned.
“I can finish if you want. There’s only a few things left-“
“It’s fine.” Ray cut him off. “It’ll be quicker if we do it together.”
Norman wasn’t convinced. Ray had only washed two shirts in the time that it took him to wash five, but he didn’t protest.
“Okay then.”
When they’d finished washing, they shook the clothes and hung them on the washing line at the side of the house. Norman finished his pile and waited for Ray to finish, but out of tiredness he kept dropping the pegs.
“Here.”
Norman bent down to pick one up and passed it to Ray. Their fingers brushed as he did.
“Thanks.” Ray muttered under his breath.
***
It was steak and rice for lunch. Norman waited a whole ten minutes, but Ray didn’t turn up. His plate of food sat untouched on the opposite side of the table, steam still coming off it.
“I don’t think he’s coming, Norman,” Emma said. “You should start eating.”
Norman’s gaze lingered at the entrance to the dining hall. He sighed. “Okay.”
It didn’t make sense. First the tiredness, and now not even wanting to eat. Norman had already worked out that the tiredness must have been from a lack of sleep, but Ray had always been an insomniac. Had something specific happened last night to make him lose sleep and his appetite?
That’s when he realised.
The nightmares.
Ray’s childhood had been plagued by nightmares, sometimes they affected him so much that he could barely function. Although he was always vague about their content, Norman remembered him mentioning scary monsters and graphic violence.
The nightmares mostly occurred when the boy was between 3 and 6 years old, but they occasionally came back to haunt him. Sometimes he spoke of them containing heavy gore and blood.
Norman’s eyebrows creased in worry. No wonder Ray didn’t feel like eating.
“You’re worried about him, aren’t you?”
Emma’s voice cut through his thoughts, reading his mind.
“Yeah...” Norman admitted.
“Try not to, okay? I’m sure he’ll feel better after a game of tag. If not, he knows we’re always there for him, right? So don’t worry!”
Norman still felt unsure. But he still hummed in response and began eating.
***
It was a crisp autumn day. The trees were painted brilliant shades of red and orange. The falling leaves made the scene before him look like a painting.
As he expected, Ray was already sat in his usual spot under the large oak tree in the middle of the field. Norman walked over, holding a small bowl of rice with an egg and a fork in his hands. Ray noticed him, dog-eared his book and placed it down.
“Here, in case you were hungry.”
Ray just stared at Norman for a few seconds and looked around. Everyone else was still eating, so they were the only ones outside, as Mama had allowed him to go out early to check on Ray.
He took the bowl slowly.
“Thanks.”
Norman sat down beside him. After confirming they were alone, Ray ate slowly at first, but soon started gobbling. It wasn’t even five minutes before he finished.
Guess the meat was the problem, then.
He placed the bowl down on the grass beside his book and leaned back against the tree.
“You don’t have to play tag, you know.”
Ray turned to look at Norman as he spoke.
“I can make an excuse and tell Emma we can’t play, and then we could go to the library or something.”
Ray gave him a small smile, appreciating how much he cared but still feeling slightly embarrassed at the attention.
“Nah, it’s fine. I’ll play, but just one round. Plus, I don’t want Emma to get all whiny again. It’s annoying.”
Norman chuckled. “Alright then, if you say so.”
Suddenly, the doors opened and the other children ran onto the field, giggling and chatting excitedly.
Emma gathered them all together and beckoned over Ray and Norman.
“Alright then, let’s have a vote on who will be it for a game of tag between me, Ray and Norman!”
The other children muttered to each other in surprise. It wasn’t often that Ray played with them outside. They talked a bit more between themselves until they all had decided on their vote.
“All done?” Emma asked. “Okay then, raise your hand if you choose me!”
Emma counted 12 people that raised their hand. She grinned excitedly.
“Okay everyone, who wants me to be it?” Norman smiled.
He counted 8 people. He gave everyone a mock frown, knowing it was because he always found everyone too quickly for their liking.
Ray stared at the ground awkwardly. Emma spoke for him.
“And who votes for Ray?”
An outstanding total of 20 people raised their hand. Ray just scoffed.
“You can’t be mad, you never play!” Emma grinned.
Ray just stared at Emma. “Do you want me to play or not?”
Emma was quick to take back her words. “Of course I do!” She turned back to the other children. “Run and hide everyone, let’s beat Ray!”
Everyone cheered and ran off, Norman and Emma going last and waving back to Ray. He sighed in defeat and counted.
“Eight… nine… ten.” He smirked, speeding off into the forest.
It’s cute that they think they can beat me.
Individual tag matches rarely had a strict time limit. If the older children were it, everyone was usually found within around 20 minutes anyway, even faster if Norman was it, hence he was rarely voted for. If one of the slower children was it, most would come out of their hiding places when they got bored of waiting to be found.
But that didn’t happen with Ray. If anyone could beat him at tag with pure strategy, since Ray had the upper hand with simple physical ability, it was Norman. Although Ray was a much faster runner and more of a strategist, Norman managed to surpass him with strategy alone.
But, Ray still surpassed Emma at tag even though she could run even faster. He enjoyed bragging to her about that.
Ray suddenly stopped when he reached the forest. He listened for any noise and searched for footprints. A rustle in the bushes behind him made him whip around fast.
It hadn’t even been 15 minutes before he caught everyone, except Norman.
Emma whined in frustration when he tapped her on the shoulder. She had previously jumped down from her hiding spot in a tree, thinking the coast was clear, before Ray jumped out from a bush and caught her.
“Ugh! So unfair!” She groaned, walking back to the field in shame.
“Is this everyone?” She said when she returned. Everyone was sat on the grass, some still catching their breath from running back.
“Nope, Norman’s still going!” Don replied.
Norman had watched Ray and Emma’s exchange from behind a nearby tree. He smiled, watching Ray think, probably about where to run next.
Ray looked around, turning around sharply and tripping on a tree root. He fell so fast that he didn’t put his hands out to protect himself, hitting his head quite hard on a rock.
Norman gasped. He waited for a moment, in case this was a trick. But when Ray didn’t get up, didn’t even move, Norman rushed over in concern.
“Are you okay?!” He asked, panicked, tapping Ray repeatedly on the back.
Ray slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes and muttering something under his breath that sounded like “not again”. He looked up, his tired gaze met with a shocked expression.
“What?”
Norman held out his hand and Ray took it, standing up slowly. His trousers were dirty on the knees, so was the front of his shirt. He had a small gash on his forehead which was already bleeding.
Norman squeezed Ray’s hand, his eyebrows creased in worry.
“Your forehead’s bleeding, Ray.”
Ray groaned, his body finally catching up. His head stung, and he could hear his heartbeat in his ears.
He put his hand to his head, wincing in pain.
“I’ll go get Mama, okay? Just stay right here!”
Norman let go of Ray’s hand and rushed off towards the field. By this point, Mama had come out to watch the children who were waiting for the round to end.
Norman ran towards her, panting.
“Ray cut his head, in the forest,” he breathed. “He needs help!”
Mama nodded, checking her pocket watch and running into the forest.
Emma walked over to Norman, concern on her face. “What happened?”
Norman explained. Emma gasped.
“That idiot! He was too tired to play to begin with, why was I so adamant…” she sighed.
“It’s not your fault.” Norman patted her shoulder.
Soon enough, Mama returned carrying Ray in her arms. The other children crowded around her, asking questions and looking worried.
Norman and Emma watched in shock.
Ray hated being carried.
Mama walked past them, looking concerned herself.
“I’m taking him to the infirmary to treat his wound. I won’t be long.”
And with that, she disappeared back into the house.
Tag was put on hold. Norman sat under the oak tree, waiting. Emma was talking with Don and Gilda nearby.
A few minutes later, Mama and Ray came back outside. Before they reached everyone, Mama bent down and said something to him, to which he nodded in response. Mama walked over to the other kids while Ray headed towards Norman.
As he came closer, Norman noticed the white bandage on his head, and that he had changed into clean clothes.
Ray sat down beside him, hugging his knees.
“She was able to stop the bleeding.” He turned to Norman with a nervous smile. “She also gave me painkillers, so I’m okay.”
“Ray…” Norman’s concerned expression remained.
“Don’t worry, it’s not like I’m playing another round. I’ll be fine.”
Norman wasn’t convinced. Before he could reply, Emma rushed over and also asked if Ray was okay, to which she got the same response before he picked up his book again.
“Hang in there, okay?”
She ran back to the other children, shouting.
“Since I got the second highest amount of votes, I’m it next! Run and hide!”
She looked over at Norman, mouthing “are you playing?”
He shook his head. She smiled, counted to ten, and ran off.
Norman stared at the house, debating what to say. He knew if he checked on Ray again, he’d probably get annoyed, so he decided to change the topic.
“What are you reading?”
He waited but Ray didn’t respond. Perhaps he didn’t want to talk.
Norman tried again, gently. “Another fantasy book? I know you like-“
He was cut off when Ray’s head hit his shoulder. His spiky black hair tickled his neck.
Norman’s eyes widened, feeling his face turning red. He smiled bashfully, suddenly feeling shy but also glad that his friend was getting some much-needed sleep. He tried to stay as still as he could.
A few moments passed and Norman felt Ray shiver against him. He looked over, his face scrunched up in discomfort.
Slowly, Norman removed his cardigan, gently placing it around Ray’s shoulders. He was cold now, but that peaceful look on Ray’s face made him feel warmer.
Ray mumbled in his sleep, his arm moving closer and wrapping around Norman. His fingers grabbed at his shirt near his waist, and Norman’s genius brain suddenly forgot how to function.
After composing himself, he looked at Ray again. His hand wavered for a moment before he slowly tucked the boy’s dark fringe behind his ear, his hand lingering on his face.
In that moment, he looked so peaceful, so beautiful that Norman thought he might die. He wrapped his arm around Ray’s back and gently rubbed his shoulder in small circles with his thumb. He wanted this moment to last forever.
“I love you…” he whispered.
But eventually, the children returned one by one from the forest, their loud voices turning to whispers as they observed the two under the oak tree.
Emma arrived last, a smug look on her face from winning. When she finally turned her head and noticed, her eyes sparkled and she smirked at Gilda, who gave her a knowing smirk back.
Ray groaned softly, murmuring Norman’s name. Norman’s heart skipped a beat, his arm tightening around him slightly.
Suddenly, Ray’s eyes fluttered open. He looked, still a little dazed, at the other children playing nearby.
Suddenly, he froze, realising the situation.
Oh my god. Out of everyone, I had to fall asleep on Norman?!
Norman noticed he was awake, smiling as he brushed Ray’s fringe away from his face again.
“Hey, sleepyhead…”
The close proximity and Norman’s caring voice made Ray turn beet red, but he was still too dazed to move too much. He buried his face in Norman’s neck, his nose brushing against his skin.
Norman smiled at the sight.
“Awh, don’t get all shy on me now…”
He heard a muffled “shut up”, Ray’s breath tickling his neck.
Norman chuckled, reaching up and running his hand through Ray’s hair.
Ray shifted a little and Norman froze at what he heard next.
“And I love you too, you idiot.”