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Squirmy things disgusted Klug.
From a young age, snails made him shudder, worms made him queasy, and flying insects made him all-out scream.
So how unlucky he was to have been paired up with the only bug-loving boy in his class – the one who couldn't read a room, definitely couldn't read body language, and most certainly couldn't read facial expressions.
The worst part? It wasn't just a school assignment they were being paired for. Oh, no. This was the most unlucky of pairings: the seating chart type.
Klug was going to be forced to sit with the one person who was failing the class.
The one person who didn't take notes.
The one person who he hated the absolute most.
Sig.
“Good morning, Klug,” grinned Ms. Accord.
Klug just pouted, still upset about the seating chart.
“Are mew feeling okay, meow?” asked Popoi, tilting his head. His whiskers brushed Klug as he leaned in, causing the brunet to make a face.
“I'm fine,” he grouched, stamping to his desk.
“Students just don't know how to act towards their superiors nowadays. I wonder what's wrong? You don't suppose it's the seating chart now, do you, Popoi…?” The lilac-haired teacher stifled a snicker.
The cat (?) purred. “Of course not, sensei. Meow why would a student be upset by something as turrrrivial as that, meow?”
Accord laughed, a ridiculous smile gracing her face. “You are indeed correct, Popoi. I see no reason.”
Klug glared at them, before his gaze darted towards the open door – it wasn't who he anticipated; Amitie flounced into the room, greeting Accord and giving Popoi a little kiss on the head. He appeared happy with this, and nuzzled into her face before both retreated and Amitie ran to her desk. She fidgeted – as usual for her, her fingers tapping against the wood. Klug groaned.
As much as he liked school (not at all) – okay, as much as he said he liked school, he was not ready to go back to this. This place was a breeding ground of chaos and crazy – even the teacher was mentally unstable, and Klug was sure he was the only sane person who went to this school.
And finally, the moment he'd been afraid of arrived. In stepped the bug boy, ladybird in hand. He stopped beside Ms. Accord, breathing out a soft “hi,” and stepping to his desk – coincidentally, also Klug's desk. He sat down, leaning his face onto the cold wood, his hair-tennae twitching softly.
Klug turned away, scoffing. How disrespectful, to lean onto the desk in a way akin to sleep. People were teaching here, —
“Hey, Glasses.”
A muffled voice – Klug's head snapped to Sig. “Y– ugh! I've told you my name so many times, and you still can't remember!”
Sig stayed silent, breathing quietly. Klug softened, sitting back in his chair. “Please take time to learn my name…”
Sig paused, his breath catching – he sat up, looking into Klug's green eyes – his own were different colors, something Klug could never really understand. The brunet shook his head. Sig tilted his.
“What is it again?”
A pause. “Klug.”
And then, softly, “ok.”
Silence, then–
“You look good today. Um. Klug.”
Klug fidgeted with a pencil. “You look ok, I guess.”
Sig started to open his mouth, but Ms. Accord clapped her hands. “Class!”
Klug sat at attention, like a dog told to stay – Sig just leaned on his desk tiredly.
“Today is the first day of the semester!! That means new seats, as most of you noticed. Raffina, new seats also include you. You can't sit alone forever… eheheh…”
Raffina got up, groaning, to go sit with Amitie, who whispered a soft “hi” at her. The pink-haired menace just scoffed, before going silent.
Accord continued. “So today, since we have new seats, I'll let you get to know your partner!”
“So it's a free day?” Questioned Amitie, interrupting like usual.
“No, Ami. If you let me continue, you'll know in just a second what we are doing.” Accord flicked her staff at Amitie accusingly. Sheepishly, the blonde looked down at her desk.
“Our class,” the teacher pushed up her glasses, “naturally, will be doing icebreaker questions.”
Klug could hear Sig shifting beside him, before the bugboy sat up. The brunet looked over at him, concerned at his sudden movement.
Accord spoke up again. “However, there's a catch– you must think of questions to ask your partner. And if you don't, well… ah, Popoi will figure out a punishment.” She shrugged, Popoi purring on her shoulder.
The teacher’s grin turned feral. “Alright class~! Let's start… Now!”
Klug panicked, blubbering out a, “h-hi,”
Sig tilted his head to the right. “You're real nervous. Just… let loose a little.”
Klug tilted his head along with Sig.
The bug-catcher continued. “Talking’s not easy, yeah. But if you pretend you're not being forced to, ‘s easier.”
The brunet rolled his eyes, opening his mouth as if to speak, but–
“Shh. Just imagine it real quick.”
“Imagine… imagine what?”
“Imagine it's just you ‘n’ me, and you're talking just to talk.”
Klug closed his eyes, breathing in and out softly. “Ok…?”
Sig nodded, though Klug couldn't see.
“Um… I guess…” Klug started. “What's your favorite color?”
Sig de-tilted his head. “Blue's good. How about you?”
“...I like purple.”
Klug went silent after responding, his green eyes darting towards the floor.
Sig leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes.
Ms. Accord glanced at the two happily, Popoi rubbing up against her cheek. “Good kitty. You did well picking seats…”
It wasn't a long time before the bell rang, and the entire class scrambled up from their seats. Klug paused before exiting, blinking at Sig, who was still putting his backpack on.
“Do you maybe want to… come over to my house?” It was the first time he'd ever invited anyone over. Sure, he'd been invited to people's houses before, but he was never the invitee. Sig blinked at him.
“I mean,” Klug continued, “my parents aren't home to nag us, so now would be a good time. If you wanted to, that is.”
Sig just nodded, his claws twitching as he walked over to Klug, who blushed a terrible red.
The two trotted out of the door together, walking awkwardly. Neither made conversation on the way to the house – of course, it's not like Sig enjoyed talking much anyway.
There was something so calming about this. Walking alone, with someone who didn't speak much…
Maybe Sig wasn't so bad, after all.