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“You Treytorrrr! You never told me you had a boyfriend! Lilia knows but not your #bestie Cay-Cay???”
Trey sighed, watching as his best friend plopped onto his bed with a large pout on his face, holding up his phone with his screen settled on a Magicam post that Lilia had posted yesterday.
The Diasomnia Vice Housewarden had posted an image of Trey, Lilia’s black and pink hair just slightly in the front of the frame as Trey held a small gift in his hand, wrapped delicately in a baby blue color—it looked to be a small container of macarons. Trey’s expression was just slightly bewildered and just somewhat sheepish, and he wore a nervous smile with one eyebrow raised, as always. The caption for the post read, ‘He’s off to give something to his boyfriend. Wish him luck 🦇'
Cater, of course, had dropped his phone, slack-jawed as soon as he’d seen the post. He hadn’t known that Trey was dating anyone, much less that he had a boyfriend in the school. But now that he did know, surely he could get an inside scoop on who it was and how they’d done the impossible—catching Trey’s eye when the Vice Housewarden was usually so nonchalant about everything.
“So?” Cater asked, pocketing his phone, his previous ‘tantrum’ fading into nothing as a grin split open on his face. “Who is it? What’s he like? How’s he treating you? How did it happen??”
Trey shrugged, an amused smirk on his face. “Guess.”
“ WHAT? I came all the way here and you don’t even want to tell me?”
“Come on, now, isn’t that all a part of the fun? We could bet on it, too.”
“Ughhh, whoever it is must be pretty good at dealing with all your attempts at ‘fun…’”
Trey chuckled. “He most certainly is.”
There was a slight smile on his face this time, instead of his grin, as he stared at his blankets, a small glint in his eyes as he let out another sigh. Cater scrunched up his face. Whoever it was, he was definitely something. To leave Trey sighing like a dazed schoolkid with a crush…
“Alright fine. I’ll bite. 20 thaumarks if I guess correctly, yeah? But can I at least ask a few questions about him?”
“Sure, why not?”
“#Great! So in reference to your height, he must be shorter than you, right? You’re one of the tallest guys at school, so I’d say—”
“Nope, you’re wrong.”
“…Ehhhh?”
Trey shrugged, another one of those genuinely happy smiles tugging past the corner of his lips. “He’s actually taller than me.”
“SRSLY?? Well DAMn, all this time I thought you were into shorter guys like Riddle—”
“Stop, please.” Trey waved his hand dismissively. “You know Riddle and I are like brothers.”
“Yeah, and I was just saying like Riddle—actually, you’re right, that just makes it sound weirder. Anyway! Next question—”
“The next question is that there is no next question. The height clue already narrowed things down significantly, so I’m not gonna give you anything else to go off of.”
“WHAT???” Cater put his hands to his head, groaning. “BRO. I got like ZERO lead on personality now. Thanks a bunch, man.”
“Haha, you’re welcome.”
“That’s called sarcasm, Trey.”
“Oh really?” Trey feigned ignorance. “I didn’t know that.”
“Ugh, whatever. Can’t I at least ask about what he’s like? Like why do you like him in the first place? Like what it is about him that’s got you swooning like a good old-fashioned lover boy?”
“Well, that’s a tough question. What I like about him, huh…?”
“Yeah!”
“Hmmm. Well, what I like about him is… everything, actually.”
“Dude, way to be #cliché.”
“I know, I know,” Trey said, laughing. “But it’s true! He’s just… so fucking amazing in every way possible… Like his appearance, how he acts, and how he’s so passionate with the things he likes…”
Now, Cater didn’t know what Trey meant by appearance or acting, but if he rubbed his two last brain cells together like they were the goddamned last things in the world that he could use, all of it sounded remarkably similar to…
…Vil Schoenheit.
Cater gulped. His friend, dating Vil Schoenheit—a famed actor, an incredibly hard-working student, and a man with such amazing charisma. His friend , Trey Clover, who always acted like he was just some dude in this sea of monstrously talented mages, was dating a guy like that?
What. The. Fuck.
The face he must’ve made at that moment must’ve been an interesting one, as Trey choked out a nice big laugh, expression somewhat intrigued.
“I take it you’ve gotten some ideas?”
“Yup~! So all I gotta do is guess and then you’ll tell me, right?”
“Hmm…” Trey didn’t answer, only pondering for a moment, glancing at Cater’s confident eyes. Then a shit-eating smirk fell on his face and he shook his head. “Actually, we organized a date this Saturday at Heartslabyul. Maybe if you were the one that got the door for him…”
Cater’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets. “ WHAT? A date with him and you’re only telling me now?? You’re kidding!”
“I’m not.”
“I know you’re not. You mad lad, springing all of this on me like this… Okay fine, I’m out to do some #field work! Gathering data is my specialty. Or, well. IDK. Just. Cya then.” Cater sprang off of Trey’s bed and walked to the door, shooting his friend a peace sign with the hand that held his phone.
“And who are you gonna talk to…?” Trey called out, just as he was exiting.
Cater paused. Then he turned around with a sly smile. “Oh, nobody. Just one of your friends.”
“It’s Rook, isn’t it?”
“Dammit! How are you so good at this?”
Trey snickered. “Well, have fun, I guess?”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
The first place Cater checked was the botanical gardens. It was where Trey always seemed to be, and where some of the Science Club meetings took place, so there was a high chance Rook was also there, although maybe not at this time of day.
“ROOOOOK,” he called out, throat starting to ache from how long he’d been searching for the hunter. “WHERE ARE YOUUUU? COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU AREEEEEEEE!”
He heard a shuffle by the corner between a few taller plants. Was that Rook? Cater went to check, eyes brightening significantly at the prospect of having found the man after all this time.
However, when he rounded the corner, the person he saw wasn’t Rook Hunt. Teal-colored hair, heterochromatic eyes, and teeth as sharp as blades—it was Jade Leech, one of Trey’s many strange acquaintances (and he called himself a normal guy??), but the one that Cater was looking for.
“Cater? What are you doing here?” the mer asked, looking at him curiously.
“'Sup, 'sup, Jade! I was just looking for Rook; have you seen him?”
“Rook…” Jade pondered for a moment before shaking his head. “No, I do not think I’ve seen him around here today.”
“Bumner. Thanks for telling me, tho! I’ll get going now—”
“May I ask what you need the Pomefiore Vice Housewarden for? I may be able to help with whatever it is you want to ask him, or whatever it is you want from him.”
Now, Cater knew how dangerous Jade was, even more so if he was the one offering to help. Though he appeared gentlemanly, based on the stories Trey sometimes told him, and all the rumors going around, the student was nothing at all as pleasant as he seemed. Manipulating, gaslighting, and blackmailing others was nothing but a form of pleasure for the eel, and he did NOT want to get roped into one of the second-year’s schemes just to figure out Trey’s dating life. Cater shivered, wondering who would have the terrible luck of dating this man. He pitied the poor person.
“Thanks, Jade, but I’m afraid it was particular to Rook himself. It’s not related to his Vice Housewarden duties or anything, but related to him being friends with Trey.”
“Aren’t you and Trey already close, though? Why would you need to consult Rook about something you already know?”
“Well, that’s just the thing…” Cater wondered if it was a good idea, to chat with a Leech twin like this. Sooner or later, he’d be gushing out information he hadn’t meant to tell, and then it was game over.
Jade’s expression was innocent, seemingly innocent of Cater’s reservations as he went on to ask another question. “Is it because Trey didn’t tell you something important?”
“Woah, how’d you know?”
“Just a guess.”
“Mhm…” As if. He was probably reading Cater like an open book. Talk about scary.
“So what was it that he didn’t tell you?”
“Uhh, that’s more of Trey’s personal business. I dunno if I should be telling you any of this.”
Jade chuckled. “Trey’s also my friend too, you know? Perhaps he told me what he didn’t tell you.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“Oya? A challenge? Whatever do you intend to say?”
Fuck it, I’m just gonna tell him. “Did he tell you that he had a boyfriend?”
“A… boyfriend?” Jade’s eyebrows rose ever so slightly, but the rest of his face remained calm. “Well, he did say something about—ah, I suppose I shouldn’t be saying his name in front of you if Trey didn’t tell you about who he was dating.”
Cater couldn’t hide how aghast he was, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. He snapped out of it quickly, grabbing the eel’s arm with a pleading expression. “Please, Jade! Who is it?”
Jade’s eyes widened at the action, but they slowly narrowed, forming into mischievous crescents, complimented with an entertained smirk. “You wish to know? You’ll have to pay the price.”
“…What price do you mean, exactly?”
“Go on a hike with me to find some fungi—”
“Nope! Absolutely not. Camp Vargas was the first and last time for me—”
“Then I will not tell you.”
“WHAT?”
“Pay the price and you earn the knowledge. Don’t pay the price and I’ll have to withhold the information.”
“Can’t I pay with something else??”
Jade’s smirk rose even further than it already was. “Since Trey didn’t want to tell you in the first place… I’m inclined to withhold the information regardless of how willing you are to pay a worthy price.”
“…You’re no fun, Jade. Guess I won’t be winning that bet, then.”
“You made a bet with Trey?”
“Yup.”
Jade’s eyes began to sparkle. “Then you should’ve started with that in the first place.”
“… Ehh? So you’re gonna tell me?”
“Why of course, Cater.”
“Then? Who is it?”
“The man that Trey is dating…”
Cater sucked in a breath, preparing himself for the answer. Vil Schoenheit, Vil Schoenheit, Vil Schoenheit—
“…is me.”
Cater paused. He looked straight into the eel’s face, seeing how pleased the man was with himself, realizing that Jade really wasn’t lying.
“You… Trey… dating… ? ” Cater could only sputter.
Jade smiled. “That is correct.”
“ …WHAT?”
Ding-dong.
It was Saturday, the day of Trey’s date, and Cater opened the door, just like he said he would, for his best friend’s boyfriend.
Turquoise hair, heterochromatic eyes, and teeth as sharp as blades…
…It really was Jade Leech.
“Hello, Cater.”
“Hi, Jade! Um… nice suit!”
Jade was wearing a solid blue suit to match his hair color, which was combed back slightly with his black lock tucked neatly behind his ear. In his hand, he held a bouquet of violet flowers, wrapped in green the color of Trey’s hair, and finished with a gold ribbon, the color of Trey’s eyes.
He really went all-in, didn’t he?
“Do you have any idea where Trey is?”
“Ah.” Cater snapped out of his daze, the eel’s soft-spoken voice doing the trick. “He’s gonna be out in just a moment—”
“Jade! You’re here!”
Cater whipped his head toward the voice behind him, a small laugh coming out of his mouth when he saw it was Trey, wearing clothes that were slightly more casual. A green sweater with slacks, and a small basket in his right hand. If he looked closely, Cater could see that it was holding a variety of mushrooms. What a fitting gift for Jade.
“Trey!” Jade’s eyes lit up when he saw Trey, and his smile widened as he stepped forward, bringing the man into a kiss right in front of Cater. “I was waiting for you.”
“Were you really? Sorry, I was running a bit late.”
“No need, it wasn’t for very long. I’m just glad to be here with you.”
“How sweet of you.”
Cater coughed, turning away rather sheepishly. “Uhh, I’ll be going then. Enjoy your date!”
“Wait, Cater.” Trey handed him a crisp 20 thaumark bill. “Here.”
“Ehh? What’s this for?”
“Our bet, remember? I lost.”
“Ahhh, right, right.” Cater took a small glance toward Jade, who only smiled politely in response. “Thanks, Trey! I’ll see you two lovebirds later~”
Trey gave him a wave. Jade, a small nod. Then Cater was off, pocketing the bill with a sigh, frowning just a bit.
What an odd duo. At least they were happy.
“Did you think you could get away with it? Telling Cater the answer like that.”
Jade smiled. “Whatever do you mean, Trey? I was only answering his question when he asked. I had no knowledge whatsoever about your little bet—”
“As if. You know I’m not an idiot.”
A chuckle. “I know.”
“20 thaumarks down the drain and you’re not sorry at all.”
“It was for your friend, though?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m never baking you anything ever again.”
Jade was quick to repent, bowing his head with a solemn expression. “I deeply apologize for my utterly foolish actions and will do anything to make it up to you—”
“Hey, calm down,” Trey said with a laugh. “It was a joke. You know I can’t stay mad at you for long.”
Jade breathed out a sigh of relief. “Goodness, I was about to shed a tear at the loss of your sweets.”
“A fake tear.”
“My, you really don’t think too kindly of me.”
Trey ruffled the eel’s hair, a large smile on his face. “You wish. I wouldn’t spoil you rotten if I didn’t like you.”
“Fufufu.”