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When Silver had accepted the task of guarding the young master Malleus at school, he hadn’t expected to make any lasting connections with anyone; in his first year, he was practically glued to the side of his father, or staying vigilant as he silently trailed behind Malleus whenever he went on walks- be it to around the campus grounds at night, or to and from his classes. It was a good thing, too, in his opinion, that Malleus was from a prominent lineage, and his magic was so powerful that no student has even dared look at him.
It saved Silver time to chase anyone off if they got too close to Malleus-sama.
It didn’t help anyone, though, that Silver was more concerned about his charge than his own classes, that his father forbade him from skipping anymore of his own classes in favour of sitting in the far corners of Malleus’ class and lecture halls.
In his first year attending Night Raven College alongside Malleus-sama and his father, he was stubborn, and refused to associate himself with anyone not from his dorm; it was ridiculous. He was a terrible student, he’ll admit, and didn’t even acknowledge his peers.
Kalim Al-Asim was one of the first (of the few) that were persistent in getting him to talk, and he was… alright, he supposed. He was a great guy, and he had a charming personality that pulled people into his orbit regardless of dorm, or if they found him rather overzealous. Silver was one of those people, come their last term of their first year.
His father had told him to “take the day off” so he could go “mingle with kids his age” or whatever he’d said, and was then told that he wasn’t allowed to go back to the dorm until later that evening for supper. Of course, he knew he could find another way in, but he’d rather not challenge his father- - he wasn’t a decorated soldier for nothing.
And so he allowed Kalim to drag him to the cafeteria, and led him to a table where a full-course spread was being set up by another student whose back was turned to them.
“Hey, Jamil! I brought a friend- he’ll be having lunch with us, okay? Set an extra plate for him, please!”
He’d known that Kalim was born into wealth, and had had a retainer attend school with him – just like Malleus-sama and Silver and his father. When he learnt this bit of trivia, he found himself looking forward to meeting this guy. Maybe he can give Silver some tips, or anything, really, he hasn’t exactly met anyone else like him- - just a little boy, trained and raised to serve his master.
When the retainer turned to greet his charge, he was shocked to find a scowl on his face instead of a neutral expression just like Silver had been taught.
“Couldn’t you have told me beforehand? How many times do I have to tell you, Kalim, to not just bring anyone with you?” The guy asked, all so casually with no hint of reservation- - it was as if they were friends, and not master and servant at all.
And Silver was envious.
Of course, he respected the young master Malleus, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to have an affable relationship between them, too. Although he wished for it, he really did, he won’t act on it as it is improper; he must have to earn Malleus-sama’s approval first, of course. And that’s why he’s working hard to get his master to have a high opinion of him, even if it's at the cost of his social life.
Even if this was his true goal in the beginning, he found himself joining his fellow second years in jaunts – up to the present, he was still able to get discounts at Mostro Lounge because apparently, Riddle was just that good at convincing Azul, and Jamil was tired of keeping Kalim in check in case he overpaid – or just studying together. After that lunch with Kalim – and Jamil, he’s learnt the retainer’s name was – Silver had finally come out of his shell; He started talking with Riddle even during club hours, and discovered that they both found horses are the best, and most dignified animals, and that equestrianism was an honourable, and underrated sport that deserved just as much popularity as Magift did; He joined Jade, whenever he went foraging in the forest for mushrooms, and learnt more about the flora and produce than he'd ever thought to study; He bonded with Ruggie and Jamil best because they too, like him, were retainers.
They would meet up under one of the golden apple trees on campus, and just complain about their charges to one another. It was cathartic, and Silver was more than glad to be part of their social circle.
— — —
He was brushing down his horse's – Briar's – mane when he'd heard of what happened to the Vice Housewarden of Scarabia.
It was chilling, Silver told himself, and feared for his father, and Malleus-sama; he did not dare think of himself first, as he was but an outsider, a human infant taken in by the magnanimous general war hero from the great fae war; he was but a child in the eyes of the benevolent Malleus-sama, and he was just lucky enough to be allowed to be around them despite his… shortcomings. Regardless of his own background, he soldiered on, and kept his head high, just as his father had taught him.
And although what Silver knew about the Scarabia dorm incident was only from hearsay- - or well, what he heard Riddle mutter under his breath as they brushed their horses side by side.
Overblot.
The word itself sent shivers down his spine, even despite knowing at least two – and now three – people who had gone into Overblot.
It was a terrible feeling, Riddle had told him one day, a week after his own… experience, and not to mention dangerous to one’s self, and those around them. Actually, Silver hadn’t thought much about it, even after hearing about it from Riddle himself, since he knew that the guy was, erm, quick to anger, so initially he thought that it was probably just a fancier word for throwing a tantrum. That was what he thought to be true, until their little group of friends met up at Mostro Lounge for their “weekly freebies” and Azul looked like he was half-dead on his feet.
He was aware that both Riddle and Azul no longer felt animosity toward each other – the vitriol they held for the other in their first year until the first term of their second year was suffocating, to say the least, – and yet seeing the two sit side by side, resting their head against each other’s shoulder, both looking miserable after such an experience, was enough proof for Silver.
That’s why when he heard about Jamil, one of the guys the Silver saw himself in, how Jamil had gone into Overblot, the reality of how much he cared for the guy came to light.
Okay, this might come off as a bit of a stretch, and he may not have been vocal, or expressive about his feelings for the guy, he was sure that it was more than the friendliness that he felt for his other friends. Or, at least that’s what Ruggie told him one afternoon when they were looking for both their charges.
“You’re always lookin’ at him.” – was one of the things Ruggie had pointed out. “You’re always looking for him whenever there’s large crowds gathering somewhere.”
“I’ve noticed that you’re quick to come to his aid whenever he makes a sound of distress.” – was what Azul told him when he passed by him when their classes had to share the gym for PE, and Jamil had tripped on his shoelaces as he was about to get on his broom.
“That look on your face says that you wanna bone him.” – was what Floyd commented, although Silver much rather believed in his twin more than him.
“He’s right, though. You do have that look on your face.” – was what that traitor Jade replied.
Riddle opted not to comment on the matter – and that’s why Silver always thought of him as his closest friend of all of them – and Kalim only gave him encouraging pats on the back, wished him ‘good luck’, and had given him a rather tame “shovel talk” since he was – or so he claimed to be – Jamil’s best friend.
Silver just covered his face behind his strawberry parfait that was just as red as his face felt.
— — —
"Can't say I blame them."
The casual dismissal of the event filled Silver with dread. He felt for the guy, yes, but he also wanted to comfort him no matter the fact that he lacked in that department of social cues. He wanted to hug him just as his father used to do when he was still a child, and tell him "I'm here, I won't let them get to you," exactly how his father would console him from his nightmares.
"I do not know the specifics of what happened last month, but I truly do believe that you only had your best intentions at heart." Was what he said instead, and reached for his hands.
He was glad that Jamil allowed him, and hadn't pulled away, even as Silver started rubbing his thumbs in a circular motion on the back of his hands. They were warm, rough, and calloused from all his hard work, which took Silver for a ride since Jamil's face was beautiful and sincere.
His own face wasn't doing any better though, and started burning just as deep as the crimson in Jamil's clothes.
— — —
They've been together for one full term now, and it's only getting better everyday- Jamil was feeling better everyday.
It was a slow process, but Silver found himself willing to stand by Jamil's side on the road to healing. He wanted to be there for him, and he was grateful that Jamil had yet to turn him away.
(How Silver even managed to croak out a confession and an invitation to go to the fair back in his hometown over the weekend was still beyond him, but he seemed to enjoy that day, and that's all Silver ever wanted.)
Although Overblotting was a horrible experience for anyone hurting, their feelings were still valid and real- - convincing Jamil of this was probably the only obstacle that's blocking his boyfriend – !! – from opening up to him, from letting him in- he hoped they never had to encounter it themselves again.
There will be nightmares, and bullies who would try to take him down, but Silver knew in himself that he would always be there for him- - like a knight in shining armour, ready to vanquish the foes of his dear heart.