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The ride home was… different then usual. The driver didn’t notice that Felix was missing but he had never been paid to keep track of the boys. The drive was always long and boring but especially today, like the end of a roller coaster.
The car eventually arrives at the driveway of the Huxley House and the driver opens the door and Theodore gives him a polite nod. Ted stands in front of the house, not quite ready to open the grand doors. He eventually pushes open the doors into the entrance of the house, his dress shoes hitting the stone floor with echoing taps.
He eventually makes it to the living room where his father was waiting.
Father sees him without Felix, “Theodore, where is your brother?”
“He missed the car,” he replies.
Father stares at him, “And why did he miss the car?”
He shrugs, “He lost the game.”
Father looks surprised and maybe… impressed, “I can’t say I expected you to win.”
“I could tell,” he deadpans, rubbing some fading bruises hidden by his sleeve.
“I suppose I can work with this,” Father muses.
Theodore tilts his head a bit, “May I be dismissed?”
Father snaps out of his thoughts, “Yeah, sure.”
Theodore gives a small bow before leaving for his room.
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The next day of school is… interesting, to say the least. The students were once again gathered in the school yard, Theodore is leaning against a wall, not feeling particularly social for once.
Kidd walked up to him, “Morning Teddy.”
He looks up, “It’s Theodore but good morning Kidd.”
Kidd playfully rolls his eyes, “I’m not going to stop calling you that.”
He rolls his eyes in return, “Then I’m never going to stop correcting you.”
Kidd shrugs, “Fair.”
“You do that a lot,” he states, not even sure why he’s voicing an observation.
“Shrug? I guess so,” Kidd looks off into the distance.
He glances at him, “Are you alright?”
“I didn’t realize that you still cared,” Kidd deflects.
“Why wouldn't I?” he asks.
Kidd looks at him, “You’ve been different ever since I told you about Felix’s plan.”
Theodore groans at the mention of his brother, “I might have snapped a bit, so what?”
Kidd rolls his eyes, “You completely changed.”
“I really haven’t, I just used to hold back,” he picks a fluffy dandelion and blows on it.
Kidd watches him, “You must have been holding back a lot for it to feel this drastic.”
“Yeah, it feels better now though,” he smiles to himself, still cold but a bit warmer.
Kidd is about to say something when the bell rings, Theodore drops the stem and heads inside.
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Theodore sits in the same spot as yesterday, Nugget next to him with a proper prosthetic and a pout on his face.
“Good morning Nugget,” he greets.
“Nugget have no good morning,” Nugget grumbles.
He holds back a snicker, “Still salty about the nugget factory?”
Nugget nods but says nothing else. He takes it as a sign to drop the topic.
He walks up to Buggs’ desk again, “Good morning Buggs.”
Buggs looks up from scratching something into the desk, “Hey Theo.”
“Do you mind if I take a seat?” he gestures at the empty chair.
Buggs glances at the seat, “Be my guest richboy.”
He slides into the seat, “Don’t mind if I do.”
“Are you here to talk business?” Buggs asks dryly.
He smirks, “Nope, I just want to talk to my favorite street rat.”
Buggs smiled a bit, “I don’t think anyone's called me their favorite anything, so thanks.”
“Same.” he smiles back.
“Really? I figured you’d be someone's favorite friend.”
He shakes his head, “I wasn’t allowed those, not ones that weren't pre-arranged at least.”
Buggs stares at him, “Your parents must suck, and that’s coming from someone with sucky parents.”
He coldly chuckles, “No kidding, Father would probably kill me if he knew I was hanging out with you.”
“I can’t tell if you're being serious or not,” Buggs looks… worried?
He looks away, “I’m being serious, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s done something… drastic.”
Buggs connects the dots, “Oh, you’re pops does it too?”
“Regretably, hopefully it will stop now that I won,” he looks back up, subconsciously grabbing Buggs’ hand.
Buggs doesn’t acknowledge it, “I’m not even going to ask what that means.”
He lets out a cold laugh, “That’s probably for the best.”
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Kidd sits next to him again at lunch as he picks at some mush that was apparently mashed potatoes.
“Oh, hey Kidd,” he says as Kidd sits down.
“Hey,” Kidd barely even looks at him.
He stares at Kidd, “I know I already asked, but are you okay?”
Kidd finally looks at him, “I’m fine enough, you wouldn’t understand anyways.”
He scrunches his nose, “I literally killed my twin yesterday, I’m pretty sure I could understand at least a bit.”
Kidd dryly laughs, “You’d be surprised what I’ve gone through Teddy.”
“It’s Theodore, but I suppose I’ll take your word for it.”
Kidd smiles a bit, “Thanks.”
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He’s hanging out by the water fountain with Buggs, playing catch with the wall.
Buggs breaks their silence, “Is there a way we could hang out without your father getting mad?”
He thinks for a moment, “I suppose I could tutor you, Father would think that looks good for the business.”
Buggs smirks a bit, “Only if I can teach you how to fight.”
“Teach me to fight… may I ask why?” he stops throwing the ball.
“You’re rich and you look like an essay target, muggers love your type,” Buggs shrugs.
He smirks to himself, “Teach me to use a knife and I’ll teach you to read, deal?”
Buggs nods, “Deal.”