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Silver was busy in the stable when Sebek came to him, with a face as grey as the clouds promising a furious thunderstorm.
Silence reigned over them, interrupted only by Silver softly brushing his horse’s mane after an intense training. And that odd silence would’ve lasted even longer, if only Silver wasn’t willing to wait anymore.
“So-“
“I need your help” Sebek gritted his teeth like a defeated puppy, and his eyes wouldn’t dare to meet Silver’s. It was at that moment Silver decided to fully focus on Sebek. He gave him a look.
Sebek didn’t seem that well. He was gritting his teeth with such a strength his entire body was a trembling mess, and muffled words came out of his mouth as if Sebek really wished to devour them and never let those sounds see the light of the day.
“To?” Silver prompted him to keep going.
However, Sebek was still mumbling to himself some incomprehensible words as if his loud mouth was on the verge of catching fire. Silver lost count on how many times he asked Sebek to repeat himself, until the younger one started screaming.
“TO STUDY!” Sebek shouted in his ears. Silver quickly massaged them a bit, even though those clear words were a blessing for sure, after interminable moments of Sebek talking to himself only.
“I thought you were getting good grades” with perplexity drawn all over his face, Silver got back to brush his horse, now a bit annoyed by Sebek’ strong voice. Silver calmed him down with gentle caresses and kind words, carefully whispered in the ears of the animal. He then started brushing the horse again, and Silver began singing a little melody the animal seemed to appreciate a lot.
“Of course I’m getting good grades! What were you thinking in that sleepy head of yours?” Sebek got a bit too close to Silver that the horse started fuming. However, Sebek wasn’t insensible to the animals. As part fae, the young guard manifested, from an early age, a special connection to every creature different than human. Hence, he moved away a bit.
“Even though my grades are great” and Sebek spelled that last word slowly, for Silver to fully grasp it “They’re still not enough for a member of our esteemed Lord Malleus’ guard! I must succeed in every challenge that crosses my path! Because of my insatiable ambition, I’ve decided to seek your help, and you must consider yourself lucky! A mere human, helping me in potionology!”
Silver frowned.
It wasn’t because of Sebek’s request, not at all. Sure, Silver remembered pretty well that potionology during the first year was a tough course, as it mainly consisted of notions about herbs and other ingredients that needed years to memorize them in order to fully succeed in the subject. Plus, professor Crewel was pretty demanding with his students. However, it was only normal, given the prestige of the academy. No, what really shocked Silver was the fact Sebek asked him for help, instead of looking for someone else.
Silver was aware Sebek lacked the courage to ask Lilia, even though Father would’ve loved to help his underclassman. Asking Malleus…it wasn’t even an option to begin with.
Still, there wasn’t a clear explanation on why Sebek chose him among hundreds of students.
“Riddle has the highest grades among us sophomores,” Silver tried to explain, and the more he talked, the more Sebek’s face became redder and redder.
“And Pomefiore’s students excel in potionology. Why not ask Epel? I believe he’s a freshman like you.”
“Are you” Sebek used a lot of strength to contain his irate voice “Are you sick in the head?!”
Yet, all the animals in the stable perceived his nervousness. Yet, Silver wasn’t able to get his reaction at all. Why was Sebek getting mad at him?
“I can’t turn to our enemies! Who knows what kind of perverse thoughts their little minds would create about Lord Malleus…I must not taint our Lord’s name!”
“Then go and ask Lilia” Silver told him, because there was no way at all he was Sebek’s first choice in that matter!
“ARE YOU SICK IN THE HEAD?!” Sebek finally let his shouts go wild, and Silver’s horse cried so strongly the fae tried again to control his voice.
“Are you sick in the head, Silver?!” Sebek repeated again, whispering to Silver as the other boy was busy calming his horse with caresses and baby-talks. There was no danger at all. It was just Sebek.
“I can’t ask others, let alone our Lord and Lilia! It must be you.”
“Do I have to remind you? You hate studying with me” and Silver put a particular emphasis on studying, in order for Sebek’s memories to resurface. Once they had tried to study together, when Sebek was still in middle school and asked him for help over a botanical essay. Silver had fallen asleep after five minutes only, and Sebek spent the entire afternoon in the impossible task of waking him up. Needless to say, the following day, Sebek’s botanical essay gained more success than shaking Silver’s sleep off of him.
“Do you get it, Silver? I have no other choice! I swear I would prefer covering the school’s perimeter on my knees than having you as my studying tutor!”
“And I would love to see you do it” Silver provoked him with a little smile “Honestly, I believe you would stop after ten minutes and then give up.”
“Don-t” Sebek pointed a finger against his chest, and quickly bit his lips to not curse.
“That wasn’t the point at all, you devious human! Do you want to help me, yes or no?”
If Silver learnt a thing or two about Sebek, it was that no didn’t exist as an answer when Sebek wanted to do something requiring his presence.
In the past, Silver had many occasions to visit Sebek’s room. However, it was the first time since Sebek enrolled that his corner seemed…more chaotic than ever.
Sebek’s roommates were now elsewhere, yet Silver felt like he was suffocating from the quantities of figurines, paintings and everything else Sebek put in his zone. Where did all of the Malleus merch come from? Silver was sure some of the gadgets were handmade, too, as he was able to spot some imperfections even while sitting at the desk. Was it perhaps a prank set by Lilia? Silver couldn’t get to the bottom of it, but he was sure of something: Silver felt too many eyes on him. It didn’t matter if Malleus’ eyes were made of paint, paper, or precious stones found in some cave; Silver had them on him the exact moment he had stepped in Sebek’s room.
Sebek kept questioning him about potionology, and Silver answered him absently. He was being judged by Malleus’ omnipresence, his Lord looking at him from every angle. Right, left, up…how could Sebek’s roommates tolerate it? No, Silver was definitely sure that, if they had tried to complain, Sebek would’ve thrown them down the castle’s cliff with no hesitation.
“SO?!” Sebek caught his attention by slapping his notebook with a pen. Silver was too focused on a Malleus’ painting hung on the wall to notice Sebek losing his patience.
“Are you there?! OH!” Sebek’s eyes lit up realizing what Silver was looking at. Yet, the other boy wasn’t following him at all. Yes, he was zoning out a bit too much, but why was Sebek showing his full teeth smile right now?
Silver gave him a puzzled look.
“I’ve noticed you’re admiring my precious Lord Malleus collection” Sebek started explaining. He sat straight now, with his chin up and a prideful grin all over his face.
“But let me tell you more about those valuable treasures of mine. Is there any chance a piece caught your curiosity?”
“I thought we were supposed to study,” Silver frowned. He tried stopping Sebek, but it was impossible now telling him to shut up and focus again.
“After all, a mere human like you has eyes, Silver! Surrounded by noble fairies like our Lord and Lilia, you’re not blind to greatness!”
“Sebek…”
They were getting out of track. Sebek called him to study, not to talk about Malleus’ merch from Briar Valley. Sebek took one figurine in his hands, and it didn't matter if Silver was exasperated! Sebek wasn’t thinking about studying at all.
“See, this little piece” Sebek told him, full of admiration.
“It was commissioned for a midsummer festival a long time ago. You won’t believe this, Silver! I’ve found it in my Grandpa’s attic! Ah, I wonder why he threw this beautiful sculpture away…such a fine and detailed creation!”
Sebek talked, and talked, and Silver couldn’t help but yawn, with the younger one not even noticing it. Sebek was now fully enchanted by the tales found in his Grandpa’s house or in some little market in the capital, that it was only natural for Silver to feel sleepy. Sebek’s voice was so soft Silver fell asleep in the span of five minutes only.
It was useless to say that, some hours later, Silver was now laying on Sebek’s bed, with his thunderous eyes on him.
“Not a word,” Sebek warned him. He was soon to throw some tantrums, therefore Silver decided to stand up and pack his books and notes in order to leave.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!”
“I thought you said not to-“ Silver tried, but was soon cut off by Sebek’s screams.
“FALLING ASLEEP LIKE THIS WHILE I WAS SHOWING YOU MY LORD COLLECTION! WE WILL NEVER STUDY TOGETHER, EVER AGAIN! YOU FOOLISH HUMAN!”