Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Propaganda
Sidefall was a man with promising dreams, his passion to write articles was a flame burning untethered by the world. He wrote about anything and anyone, he couldnʼt care less if it was real or some mistake that wasnʼt even worth mentioning to anyone. All he ever cared about was making his big break in the campus. That said, even the mightiest storm could never attempt to extinguish that fire inside of Sidefall.
However, as things stand, anything he wrote about only ever caused people to not believe him or stir up some trouble that had students picking up fights against each other by some over-dramatized version of what actually happened. Well maybe because all he ever wrote was bullshit— but it was his dream, who could blame him?
Saps shares the same sentiments as other students in the campus “Donʼt fall for Sidefallʼs propaganda." Now, donʼt get him wrong, it is true that nothing from Sidefall can be trusted but he was one of Sapsʼ friends. They enjoy one anotherʼs company and he wants the best for him just as well as he wishes for his other friends. Thatʼs why he doesnʼt panic when he sees a probably not true thread post from Sidefallʼs very public Twitter account— claiming that Saps and Flux were dating.
Similar to what Sidefall wrote, it is probably not true that Saps had shrieked in the middle of his class, earning looks from everyone in the room, which he gave a half-assed apology to. He also doesnʼt almost drop his phone, scrambling on his feet when it ended. He doesnʼt bolt down the streets of their campus back to their shared dorm. He totally doesnʼt, allegedly.
TheSideFall @official_sidefall
Beloved Campus Nerd Saparata and Student Council Vice President Fluixon are DATING, allegedly. And this thread proves it! #FLUXARATA
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In the recent party held by the Westhelm Fraternity, Saps and Flux can be seen in the corner of the room mingling, with Saps holding Fluxʼs waist and Flux stands still, fixing Sapsʼ glasses for him.
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When they walk together, Saps always carries Fluxʼs bag and everyone knows architecture students always have big ass tools and materials. Who else to carry his stuff if not for his boyfriend?
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Last weekend they were in a local cinema, watching a romantic movie and Flux was seen leaning into Saparataʼs face!?!?!?
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This is an up and coming news thread. Make sure to follow me for more updates on our campus couple of the year!
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yYmiy @beachwaveve
omg i totes saw the thing in the cinema I WAS THERE IT WAS REAL
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cynnnikka @realCyn
sidefall not spreading propaganda for once lmao? i can actually vouch for the westhelm party. they were way TOO close.
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Snow @bird334
SO I WASNʼT SEEING THINGS WHEN HE HAD HIS ARMS AROUND FLUX??? YO???
It had been a Tuesday morning like any other, Saps had woken up to the shifting of weight in his bed with the culprit none other than Flux. The ravenette had been Sapsʼ closest friend in their university, they did everything together, shared everything to one another— even their living quarters, and most especially Sapsʼ their bed. “Ah, shit sorry Saps. Did I wake you?”
Flux didnʼt hear an actual answer but he did see a smug grin in Sapsʼ face, if thatʼs not an answer, Flux doesnʼt know what is. He could only roll his eyes and shift closer to Saps in their shared bed. Despite this, Saps himself knew there was no bite in it. Instead of feeding into Fluxʼs ‘morning’ attitude he coos at him. “Aww poor baby, did you finish your sketch? It's already 8:44AM and you're only heading to bed now.” He fishes for his phone in his nightstand and glances briefly at the time and back to Fluxʼs laying form in their bed, not yet falling asleep.
“Ugh. Iʼm taking back my apology, I hope I always wake you up way earlier than you should be.” Flux groans and covers his face with pillows within arms length and repeatedly jerks his legs towards the man in white, promptly kicking Saps off the bed. The man only laughs inwardly through the barrage of attacks in his way. “Then I guess that means you just have to live with me for the rest of your life with your projects that take late nights until early morning to finish.” He grabs the blanket that once embraced him last night and tucks— well, throwing it over Flux and letting him find his own comfortable position in bed. He turns around and hopes to any god out there that Flux doesnʼt catch the red tint in his cheeks. What was he saying?
“Whatever, donʼt you have a 10AM? Come bring me back coffee after your class. I still have some things that Pres wants me to finish. Ugh. We got another meeting for some reason” He curls on himself and shuts his eyes, turning his back on Saps. “More council work? Damn, Zero is really working you guys to the bone. Sheesh. Good thing I never bothered with joining orgs or clubs or something.” He pulls a white shirt over his head then holds up a red flannel button shirt and a brown sweater.
“Uh Flux?”
“Mmh.”
“Which overshirt should I wear? Red flannel or brown sw—”
“Red.”
“You didnʼt even see it! You have your back turned away from me.” Flux could just hear the way Sapsʼ lips took the form of a pout. He chuckles internally to himself, engraving the image of Saps holding on two shirts with his eyebrow raised and nose scrunched. Cute. And by the sound of clothes rustling, he could tell he was already tugging on the red flannel button shirt.
“I donʼt have to see it to know you're holding that brown sweater with 67 embroidered on it. Anything looks infinitely better than that mess of a shirt, you chud.”
Flux promptly gets up and lets the white blanket fall from his frame. “Saps, c’mere.” He obliges unbeknownst to himself, and Fluxʼs fingers find their way to button up the flannel. Saps stares at Fluxʼs face and studies the eyebags that adorn his undereyes, his pale lips that probably havenʼt had a sip of water all night, his moles sitting on his face forming a constellation of their own, and his absolute favorite, Fluxʼs deep purple eyes that he could just get lost in. Said eyes flick their gaze right back at his and Saps settles to look at the window of their dorm and says,
“Well whatever, dʼya want your usual spanish latte or should I get you something new?”
“If your idea of something new is getting me black coffee with nothing else in it but the souls of our predecessors in this uni— count me out.”
“Spanish latte it is.” He slings his backpack to his shoulders and opens the door to step out. He didnʼt need to say goodbye, after all, Flux would be waiting for him. He closes the door and walks to the elevator when he realizes, he doesnʼt have his—
“Glasses.” Flux in all his glory, still wrapped in the white heavy blanket that belongs in Sapsʼ bed, is holding out his glasses for him. He does a little awkward jog to where Flux is standing, the door to their dorm. And braces the smaller man in a quick hug and he shoots an apologetic smile. Flux only leans into it and pushes the frame on Sapsʼ face, past his nose, fingers brushing on delicate white hair, their eyes locking together and Flux tilts the frame of Sapsʼ glasses and it sits on his twin moles right at his plump cheeks. Perfect.
“Now grab breakfast from the Hogwarts banquet and get to class, yeah?”
“Pfft, yeah.” He titters and returns to his path to get out of their dorm building.
Saps wouldʼve been your textbook definition of what a ‘nerd’ is. He ' s got thick rimmed glasses and the signature black boring frames. He plays DnD, dabbles in computers, obsessed with studying, expert in videogames, he watches anime— He wouldʼve been if not for his very existent social life. Contrary to popular belief, Saps enjoys crowds, he loves conversing and talking to people. It isnʼt weird that he waves his hand to students that pass by him, they know him as much as he knows them, probably.
Saps drags his feet on the pavement, one hand holding a bagel— coated with butter, thin slices of turkey, swiss cheese, and topped with sesame seeds. It’s good, Sapsʼ thinks. But this is Fluxʼs favorite bagel combination. The white haired man would’ve felt bad he canʼt eat it, if that was the case. Good thing Saps took another bagel and stashed it in his bag. It would pair well with his coffee order too. The corners of his lips tilt upwards subconsciously as he chews.
His eyes fix themselves on the leaves falling from the trees. “Itʼs already fall?” Saps cranes his neck towards the voice, “Fall, huh?”
“Sidefall?”
“Speak of the devil and he shall appear, huh?”
“Bro stop saying huh.”
“Uh huh.
“So what happened to your daily news?” His hand slides into the brunetteʼs shoulder, giving it a quick pat, in recognition of the man before him. The man, Sidefall, lunges his arms and gives a quick wrap around Sapsʼ shoulders, giving him a firm one or two pats on the back. “Saps, dude. You look like you're running for congressman every time I see you. With all the waving you do to everyone you pass by, seriously I wouldnʼt be surprised to see your name in the ballots."
Saps just rolls his eyes and continues dredging on his way. “Stop batting your eyelashes at me, dude.”
“Uh huh.”
And exactly then, Sidefallʼs face is painted by realization, “Oh shit dude, guess what!? I just got an inside scoop from one of the Westhelm dudes. This dude Arcturus said thereʼs something going on between Schpood and— get this, Saps, this is serious.” The man in question does not respond verbally but he leans his head towards Sidefall and widens his eyes, signaling the other to continue.
“Schpood and Jophiel. Jophiel!” Sidefall locks his eyes on Sapsʼ own and firmly grips his shoulders, stopping them both from walking momentarily. To which, Saps doesnʼt even flinch.
“Sidefall, come on, Jophiel tutors Schpood, you know this. Besides, even if they are dating, it’s kinda way too predictable even coming from you.”
“Yeah, I know but Iʼm desperate to write something. See? Iʼm whining right now.” And as if it was a show of hands, he does. He slumps his back and drags onto Sapsʼ arm, whining in a high pitched nasally voice.
“Alright dude, quit it.”
“I mean honestly? Donʼt you think theyʼre way too close for comfort? I mean why would a girl let a guy get close like that without any meaning to it? It’s like you and Flux, no offense but you guys are kinda worse.” And Sapsʼ just shoulders drop.
“Like that?”
“That.”
“Y’know what? I totally agree, you didnʼt hear it from me but Jophiel definitely makes goo-goo eyes when looking at Schp—”
“What!?” Sidefall stills. A grin creeping up to his face, and Saps just knows he shouldnʼt have opened his mouth. “Oh my dear friend, Saps Saparata Saparata Saps Saps. You wonʼt regret this.” And as if on cue, he bolts out of Sapsʼ company and runs to god knows where. Oh so, people notice theyʼre really close, huh? Itʼs honestly whatever, anything Sidefall says is pretty far from the truth. Whoʼs gonna believe him anyways?
Class was always boring, borderline torture to poor students that have to wake up early and attend, but Saps always enjoyed it. The early routine was refreshing despite spending a lot of the dark hours tinkering with random things. He really needs to study if he wants to keep up with class, falling behind is a horrible study practice. So he straightens his back the best he could and listens to his professor talk about the stock market, as if there is nothing else in the world of finance.
His laptop is decorated with stickers of his favorite character, Suzaku. And random game logos that he has played at least once. His hands find a small flap peeling off on one of the stickers and he subconsciously picks at it. Come to think of it, Suzaku looks lonely without Lelouch, he should probably buy some stickers to go along with him. It reminds him of himself, sure heʼs hella talkative but nothing beats Fluxʼs company, does that mean they're kinda like Lelouch and Suzaku? Flux definitely has the look down already. Now that heʼs thinking about it, he remembers Flux saying it himself.
“Donʼt you think weʼre kinda like Suzaku and Lelouch, Saps?”
“Hm? How so?” Saps doesnʼt take his gaze off of the makeshift TV screen that is his laptop prompted on their nightstand. He doesnʼt attempt to move lest he risks Flux shifting away and stop leaning into his shoulder as they continue watching one of the Code Geass movies, Saps hadnʼt bothered enough to know which one it was. Not when theyʼre this close in proximity.
“Do I really have to explain? I mean just look at us. Our personalities say everythin—”
“Saps!” A hushed voice rings in his ear, careful not to disturb anyone else. He blinks once, then twice. Oh, it was just Snowbird.
“Man, we're in class. Can it wait?”
“Look at my phone real quick—”
“No.” And Snowbird has the gall to look exasperated.
Just as soon as Saps got busy with the idea of Flux he gets snapped out of it when Snowbird, his cousin, suddenly nudges his rib and tells him to check his phone. Ugh, just great. Saps has a strict no phone rule when in class, but he is convinced otherwise when Snowbird says it's about Flux, so he fishes for his phone. And gets direct instructions from the man sitting beside him on how to open his Twitter to check Sidefallʼs account as if he wasnʼt an adult that can fully operate his own phone.
Then he sees it.
Then Saps hears a screech, voice echoing through the entire room. So loud other people had to cover their ears. He sees his classmates all staring at him in horror, from below him— not eye level. And he feels heat crept up from his core all the way to his head, not sparing his ears, cheeks, and the whole span of his face.
I mean, put yourself in his position. Even you would be humiliated if you suddenly stood up in class, screaming. Add in the fact that the reason heʼs currently in shambles is because his friend had tweeted about his relationship with his best friend, whom he had been pining over for a year now. Completely calling out his ‘boyfriend’ material actions towards the man. Oh, what a day to be Saparata.
He can only hope everyone buys the excuse that he just saw a spider that crawled onto his arm to save himself from further embarrassment.
His stuff is packed back into his backpack, and everything is already set. All he needs to do is wait for the professor to dismiss them. If only his cousin, Snowbird, didn't make waiting difficult with all the questions and unnecessary statements.
“Flux is my friend, I knew you had a thing for him.”
“But youʼre my cousin so it's weird.
“Do not break up I beg of you.”
“Since when have you guys been dating?”
“Are you treating him right?”
“Is he treating you right?”
“Shut up. We are in class. I donʼt wanna be here any longer than I have to.” He mentally groans and slumps his figure on his desk, trying to listen to the professor best he could.
“Why? So you could get back sooner to your boyfriend?” He can hear that vague teasing lilt on Snowbirdʼs voice that he could just get up and strangle the man right then and there.
“What are you talking about, even?” Saps looks like he has just about given up on life with the sole exception of his face still lit aflame. His pale complexion doesn't help his case at all.
“Class dismissed.” Saps had never ran so fast in his life.
“Hey wait!” He could hear Snowbird start scrambling to get his shit together to follow after Saps. But he really doesn't have the time for it. He has to make sure that Flux hasn't seen the tweet yet. He doesnʼt know what he's supposed to do or say but he knows, he needs to make sure Flux doesn't get a hint of what he truly feels.
He runs past the corridors of the building, and he sees people looking at him. He probably would've waved towards them under any normal circumstances but these people are smiling, as if enjoying his current predicament. He continues running across buildings after buildings all the way back to his dorm.
And just as he was by the door of their own dorm building, he locks eyes with Thomas, getting out of the door.
“Thomas?”
“Saps?”
Which means, Flux already knows. He has definitely seen the tweet, courtesy of Thomas. Saps is fucked. He has already thought of a million ways to explain to Flux that everything he did was just him being friendly, being a good bro, and just very clingy which means he definitely has no feelings for Flux. That all went down the drain because now, Flux had probably concluded he has feelings and is waiting at their dorm thinking of how to turn him down.
But instead he plays it cool, for now.
“Were you just with Flux?”
“Yeah, he’s still in your dorm. But he’s probably getting ready to head to his class.”
“Mm, are you going to your next class too?”
“I’m actually about to meet up with Rotation and Gotoga, I would invite you to come with us but Flux isn’t going and I think you have something important to take care of. Specifically something in your dorm, waiting for you. Probably.”
Thomas shoots Saps a sly smile and walks past him, not waiting for the white haired man to reply. The man himself looks horrified. He brushes it off and drags his legs that felt like they were made of steel, all the way to the elevator. Each second feeling like an hour, and each moment scraping away at his lifespan.
He listens to the elevator’s soft hum and whirr, which is overshadowed by his own heartbeat, clamoring and begging to get out of his chest.
ding!
Fuck. He’s here. His feet touch the padded ground as he looks at their door. The room number staring back at him. He braces himself and shifts the doorknob.
“Flux?”
Amethyst pales in comparison to Fluxʼs eyes. No gem could ever be on the same level of importance as them. And Saps, is staring right at them for free, and he could just feel the air getting knocked out of his lungs. He is devastatingly beautiful.
“Youʼre back, did you get me my spanish latte?”
Saps’ mind is gearing for any possibility that could happen once he opened the door. Rejection? Acceptance? A secret third thing where they suddenly don't know each other? But not this. He has completely forgotten about the drink. Flux is gonna grill him alive.
And somehow, he feels better that Flux hadn’t acknowledged anything. Yet, he feels oddly weird that Flux hadn't acknowledged anything.