Chapter Text
Trey sighed in relief as the final bell rang for class to end. Alchemy had been particularly rough today, but at least he could relish in the fact that he didn’t have the worst potion for the day’s assignment. Trey lowered his goggles and replaced his glasses, gathering the equipment to clean and put away.
“Hello, Trey,”
Trey jumped as a labcoat-wearing Lilia appeared upside-down in his vision. “Lilia, not while I’m carrying stuff!” Trey exclaimed as he stepped around him.
Lilia chuckled, “Sorry, couldn’t resist,” He righted himself and trotted after Trey, “After such a difficult class, you could use a little livening up.”
Trey huffed out a laugh, “Well, thanks for your consideration,” He said as he reached the cabinets and put his supplies away.
“Speaking of lively,” Lilia leaned on the counter. “Isn’t your birthday in a few days?”
Trey smiled sheepishly as he shut the cabinets, “Let me guess, Cater told you?”
“Naturally,” Lilia chuckled. “He sounded quite excited about it, especially about what he was planning to give you.”
“Don’t spoil the surprise!” Trey exclaimed.
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing,” Lilia reassured. “But let’s just say I’ll be certain to drop by and see you open it.”
“Guess I’ll see you there, then,” Trey said as he exited the classroom, bidding farewell to Lilia. Now to meet Cater and head back-wait. Trey stopped; it was Tuesday, he had Science Club. Well, at least he was already in his lab uniform. He stepped to the side, took out his phone and quickly sent a text to Cater telling him he couldn’t walk with him today. He had been blowing Cater off a lot this past week; not on purpose, but hopefully, he wasn’t too put out by it. Trey smiled as he received a positive reply. He’d make it up to him, once the birthday chaos was over. Just as Trey sent a message back…
“Treeeey…”
Trey perked up and looked around. The hallway had quickly emptied around him while he had been texting. He was alone. “Hello?” He called.
“Treeeeey…” It sounded like someone was whispering in his ear.
“Lilia? Is that you?” Trey called, irritation creeping into his voice. Slowly he turned, and against his better judgment, started walking further into the West Hall. He stopped about halfway down, deciding to not tempt fate and turn back, when the voice turned into soft singing. Trey felt his feet move of their own accord, his mind slowly going blank, as he continued down the all, turned the corner, and vanished.
At about 10pm, a tall figure wearing a school uniform returned to Heartslabyul. He crept through the darkened lounge, as all the students had long since gone to bed. The figure quietly climbed the stairs and ventured down the hall.
Suddenly, a door opened, letting light spill into the hallway as Riddle poked his head out. “Trey?” The figure stopped and looked at him from the darkness. “What are you doing out of your room so late? It’s long past curfew.”
“Ah, sorry Riddle,” Trey said sheepishly, “I got held up at the Science Club; it won’t happen again.”
Riddle hummed, “Very well; see that it doesn’t. Goodnight, Trey.”
“Goodnight, Riddle.” Riddle closed his door, and Trey slipped into his bedroom, a grin stretching across his face.
(Two days until Trey’s birthday)
Cater stretched and yawned as his alarm went off. He fumbled around for his phone and turned it off before forcing himself to sit up. These next few days were going to be hectic, so Cater couldn’t risk Riddle’s wrath by sleeping in. Then again, he’d never slack off when it came to Trey’s birthday. Plus this was a special one; the last one he’d have at good ol’ NRC before their senior-year internships whisked them away. This birthday has to be special, and all of Heartslabyul knew it.
Speaking of special… Cater moved to his desk and took out a small box that contained his present for Trey. He had been working tirelessly on it the past week, enlisting help from Idia and Ortho to make it happen, and it was just about done. All that was left was to wrap it and give it to Trey. He had never really put this much effort into a gift before, but the fact that it was Trey made the grind feel worth it. Sure, he didn’t bother making deep connections due to always moving, and yeah, after this year he’d probably never see any of his schoolmates again, but Trey…Trey was the exception. He had been so good to him the past three years, so…Cater wanted to remember him.
Would he regret it later? Probably. But was it worth it to enjoy this moment in the present? Absolutely. Plus, seeing Mr. I-Only-Want-Hats-Or-Kitchen-Appliances’ face when he got such a different gift would be priceless.
Cater got dressed and jumped a bit as he was running a bit behind. He and Trey always walked to their first period together, so he hid the box, gathered his school things and left the room. Trey had been busy for the past week, leaving them not much time to hang out, but honestly, just walking to class was enough. Cater headed down the stairs towards the lounge, where Riddle, Ace, and Deuce were waiting, and he also spotted Trey’s shoes.
“Sorry for the wait, Trey, you ready to-” Cater cut himself off, his smile instantly fading as he stared at Trey.
“You okay, Cater?” Ace asked.
Cater simply pointed a finger at Trey, “Who the hell are you?” …Everyone certainly wasn’t expecting that question.
Trey blinked and smiled in confusion, “What are you talking about, Cater?”
Cater paused and then chuckled, “Okay, who’s been playing around with the transformation potions?” He asked goodnaturedly. “Is the real Trey-Trey gonna pop out behind me or something?”
“What are you talking about?” Deuce asked, frowning in pure confusion.
“Wait, no, don’t tell me Trey has a secret twin he didn’t tell anyone about!” Cater exclaimed.
“Cater, stop being ridiculous,” Riddle said. “If you have a point, please make it.”
“A point?” Cater asked. “What point? I’m just wondering who this is.”
“Cater, did you hit your head or something?” Deuce asked in concern. “You do remember who Trey is, right?”
“Of course I do, but that’s not-GAH!” Cater jumped as Trey appeared next to him, his arm around him.
“I think someone stayed up too late last night,” Trey said. “C’mon, we’re gonna be late.”
Nope nope nope, wrong wrong wrong- “Uh, you know what?” Cater quickly ducked out from under his arm like he had been burned. “I’m just gonna head to class myself, I’ll see you guys later!” Hugging his things to his chest, Cater sped out of the dorm, leaving everyone else to look on in confusion.
“...You have a fight or something, Trey?” Ace asked.
“Not that I can remember,” Trey answered, staring at Cater’s back. “I’m sure he’ll come around.”
“He better,” Riddle huffed. “We have party planning to do; which reminds me, all of you are to report back here to discuss the final party preparations once classes are over.” Ace and Deuce and a few other freshmen groaned.
“You don’t have to go that far, Riddle,” Trey reassured. “I know, but you can never be too careful,” Riddle said. “A Heartslabyul birthday party is just as important as an Unbirthday party.”
“Can’t argue with you there,” Trey sighed.
As Cater speed walked to class, his mind was reeling. Who was that? It looked like Trey, but…it wasn’t! And no one else seemed bothered by it! And that feeling he got when Trey had touched him…it was like alarm bells going off in his head! …Oh Seven, he wasn’t going crazy, was he?
Cater shook his head; no, no that couldn’t be right. If that was the case then everyone would seem off and wrong. Maybe he had just stayed up too late working on Trey’s present…yeah, that was it. Too much time in Idia’s deep, dark, lab was making Cay-Cay see things. Nothing a little light dozing in history and some sneaky looks at Magicam during Alchemy couldn’t fix.
First and second period went by without a hitch. Cater felt himself returning to normal, his mind now off his morning freak-out. He felt normal, and everyone around him was normal. But everything was ruined with gym class started. Cater caught a glimpse of Trey with a few other Heartslabyul third years as he was flying on his broom, and started to wave, only to stop. That…still wasn’t Trey. Cater couldn’t put his finger on it, but now-
“DIAMOND! EYES UP!” Vargas’ voice rang through the air, making Cater jump. He had currently been standing on his broom like usual, and the sudden start threw him off balance. He flailed and yelped as he began teetering backwards…when something caught him.
Cater opened his eyes to see Trey behind him. “You okay?” He asked, sounding like Trey. But now…oh now it was official. This wasn’t Cater’s first slip on a broom, and Trey had caught or rebalanced him quite a few times before. And now that Trey was actually nearly holding him…it was the exact same feeling as earlier that morning. His body was screaming to get away. This wasn’t Trey.
Trey pushed and lifted him up so that Cater was standing again, regaining his balance and catching his breath. “Fine…” He eventually replied as they slowly began to float toward the ground.
“Trey, that was so fast!” One of their classmates said as they ran up to them while they landed. “I didn’t even realize Cater was falling!”
Trey chuckled, “Well when you know Cater like I do, you start to recognize these things.”
“You don’t know me,” Cater grumbled softly.
“Still, you’re a great flier Trey,” Another student said.
“Shh, not so loud, Vargas might hear,” Trey whispered jokingly, making a few students snicker.
Cater took the opportunity to get back on his broom and zoom off before Trey could talk to him again. His instincts were yelling to get away from this stranger. Cater had no idea who that was or what kind of weird, unhinged prank they were pulling, but if it didn’t stop soon, Cater would stop it himself.