Chapter Text
Sebek was… unaccustomed to this sensation.
Friends.
The very word felt strange upon his tongue—far too casual, far too warm. Companionship had never been part of the rigorous path laid before him. There had been Silver, of course… but that had been different. They had trained under the same mentor; proximity had forged familiarity whether Sebek willed it or not. Even so, he held Silver in high regard—far higher than he would ever utter aloud. Though Silver was human, Sebek viewed him as a brother-in-arms, someone who shared the same dawn drills, the same lectures, the same bruises and triumphs. He respected Silver deeply… annoyingly deeply.
But family? That was not how he saw Lilia-sama or Malleus-sama. Those two he revered. He would gladly offer his life for them, as any loyal knight should. Yet he could never place himself beside them in the gentle, familial way he did Silver. He knew that was his failing—his hesitation, his uncertainty, the shadow of his past.
For as a child, neither the humans nor the fae had ever allowed him to forget what he was.
Half-fae. Half-human. Unwanted by both.
The fae children sneered at his diluted heritage; the human children mocked what they did not understand. Even his own grandfather spoke of Sebek’s father with disdain, dismissing his human half as a stain that could not be fully ignored—but could at least be disciplined. Trained. Corrected. Sebek had learned early that he belonged nowhere… and thus he would forge himself into someone worthy of Diasomnia, worthy of Malleus-sama, worthy of the fae legacy the world insisted he did not deserve.
Never—not even in the wildest fantasies of his younger self—would he have believed that the majority of his future companions would be humans. Past Sebek would have scoffed, yelled, and spit fire at the idea. Then again, past Sebek wouldn’t have believed he’d ever befriend fae his own age either. He had expected rejection from both sides; that was the only story he knew.
But Lilia-sama and Malleus-sama… they had welcomed him. They had cared for Silver, a full human child, without hesitation. They showed him—through quiet action rather than lecture—that worth was not determined by one’s blood alone. Silver had been fortunate to be raised by the two individuals Sebek himself admired most.
Lilia-sama had always encouraged him to “make some friends his age” upon arriving at NRC. And Sebek, in all his bluster and pride, had proclaimed that he could not possibly waste time socializing with humans when he had a sacred duty to uphold. Lilia-sama had merely smiled, sighed, and muttered something about Sebek’s grandfather leaving too deep an imprint on him.
And yet—here he was.
A member of what could only be described as the most chaotic band of first-years in the entire school.
He trained with Jack at dawn, their mutual discipline forming a sturdy bond. Occasionally Epel joined as well, when not being whisked away for whatever nonsense his Housewarden demanded. Ace, Deuce, Grim, and Yu—Sebek found himself guiding them more often than he cared to admit, dragging them out of trouble or forcing them to open their textbooks. Sometimes, if he was feeling charitable, he even studied with them. And Ortho appeared on occasion, usually after yet another attempt at coaxing his brother into socializing had gone… less than ideally.
That was where Sebek was heading now—Ramshackle Dorm, the den of mayhem, to assist with the first-year study session.
He already knew how it would go. He, Jack, and Ortho would shoulder the actual academic labor. Ace, Deuce, and Epel would surely get into another ridiculous argument over something trivial. Grim would whine about food from the moment he sat down. And Yu would watch the scene unfold, equal parts amused and exasperated, chiming in only when absolutely necessary—either to defuse a conflict or, at times, to gleefully fan its flames.
Sebek let out a long exhale, bracing himself.
Friends… truly, life had a twisted sense of humor.
And yet, despite himself, despite everything—
He did not mind it.
Not at all.
With that thought lingering, he stepped into the Diasomnia lounge.
Silver was already there, slumped forward with his head resting on his homework, breaths slow and even. Lilia-sama and Malleus-sama sat nearby, speaking quietly over steaming cups of tea, their presence warm and serene.
Lilia-sama looked up first, a gentle, knowing smile forming on his lips.
“Sebek,” he said, eyes glimmering with mirth, “and where might you be off to?”
Sebek straightened instinctively, spine rigid, voice clear:
“I am departing for a study session with the other first-years, Lilia-sama! It is my sworn duty to ensure they do not disgrace themselves academically. Without proper guidance, Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade are certain to fall into foolishness!”
Silver stirred slightly at the sound of Sebek’s voice, lifting his head with a sleepy blink.
“…Study session…?” he murmured. “Ah… that’s today…? I thought that was tomorrow…”
“It was today!” Sebek snapped—though the edge in his voice softened ever so slightly. “Silver, you must keep track of your tasks more diligently. If you oversleep, at least do so upon completing the work!”
Silver blinked slowly, unfazed. “But I did finish. I just… didn’t realize I fell asleep on it.”
Lilia chuckled into his hand, amused.
“My, my. You two really do balance each other out. Sebek helps Silver stay awake, and Silver helps Sebek remember to breathe.”
“I— I breathe perfectly fine on my own, Lilia-sama!” Sebek sputtered.
Malleus lifted his gaze from his teacup, serene and curious.
“A gathering of your peers does sound pleasant. Should I perhaps accompany you? It has been some time since I’ve visited Ramshackle.”
Sebek nearly dropped his books.
“W-WAKA-SAMA, NO—!” He clamped a hand over his own mouth, horrified at the volume. He inhaled sharply, then tried again, quieter. “Ahem. Forgive my outburst. But your presence would throw the study session into turmoil. The others would be far too overwhelmed to learn anything! I shall represent Diasomnia in your stead with utmost dignity!”
Malleus looked faintly disappointed, but fond.
“Very well. I will trust you, Sebek. Do your best.”
“Yes, Waka-sama!”
Silver rubbed his eyes, now slightly more awake.
“If you’re going to Ramshackle… tell them I said hello. And maybe… bring Grim a snack. He gets louder when he’s hungry.”
Sebek exhaled through his nose.
“He is always loud. But I shall… consider it.”
Lilia leaned back in his chair, a teasing lilt in his voice.
“Now, now, Sebek. Don’t forget: studying is more effective when done with patience and kindness. Not just strictness.”
“Of course, Lilia-sama! I—I am perfectly capable of gentle instruction!” Sebek declared, even though his voice cracked midway.
Lilia and Malleus exchanged a knowing glance.
Silver, eyes half-lidded, nodded in agreement. “He can be gentle. Sometimes.”
“SILVER!”
Lilia laughed openly now. “Go on, Sebek. Your companions are surely waiting. And do try not to terrify them the moment you walk through the door.”
Sebek squared his shoulders, clutching his books with renewed determination.
“I shall strive to uphold Diasomnia’s honor,” he said, bowing deeply. “And ensure those imbec— ah— those students complete their assignments!”
As he turned toward the door, Malleus offered him a small, warm smile.
“Enjoy your time with your friends, Sebek.”
Sebek froze for half a second—just long enough for warmth to flicker in his chest—before bowing again, more quietly this time.
“Y… Yes, Malleus-sama.”
He walked out with purpose, heart beating just a little faster.
The moment Sebek stepped onto the creaking porch, he could already hear it.
Raised voices.
Thuds.
A distant, furious “GYAHAHA—TAKE THAT!”
Sebek inhaled sharply through his nose, bracing himself as he pushed open the door.
Ramshackle’s main room was—
—incomplete mayhem.
Ace and Deuce were locked in what appeared to be a heated argument about something on their worksheet, faces nearly pressed together as they yelled.
Epel had one leg propped on a chair like he was about to break into a full-on Vargas-style brawl, shouting about how Ace was “bein’ real uppity for someone who failed last week’s quiz.”
Grim was rolling around on the floor dramatically, wailing,
“WHY ARE WE STUDYING WHEN I’M STARVING?! YUU! I’M. STAAAARVING!”
Yu sat at the table sipping tea with the patience of a saint—or a parent who’d given up hours ago—watching the chaos unfold with a faintly amused expression.
And Ortho was hovering above all of it, scanning through textbooks with a high-speed whir.
“I have attempted to assist them in maintaining order,” he reported the moment he noticed Sebek, “but they kept shouting over my explanations.”
“They’re fighting because Ace erased Deuce’s notes,” Yu added, sipping again. “Accidentally. Maybe. Hard to tell with those two.”
Ace whirled around at the sound of the door.
“Oh great—perfect. The noise machine is here.”
“ACE TRAPPOLA!” Sebek bellowed—
—and Ortho instinctively lowered his own volume settings.
Deuce slapped a hand over his ears.
“Dude—Sebek—volume!”
Then—
BANG.
The front door swung open again.
Jack Howl stepped in, arms crossed, tail flicking in irritation.
“Seriously? I could hear you guys yelling from outside.”
Ace groaned. “Oh great, the hall monitor is here too.”
Jack’s ears pinned back. “Someone has to be responsible around here. You’re welcome.”
Epel snorted. “Big talk for someone who threatened to throw Ace in a hedge last week.”
“I didn’t threaten him,” Jack corrected, ears twitching, “I promised.”
Sebek seized the moment, planting himself firmly at the front.
“JACK HOWL! Excellent timing! These fools require discipline!”
Jack huffed. “I figured. You usually get here before total chaos breaks loose, but I guess I was too late today.”
Sebek bristled. “THIS IS NOT MY FAULT—!”
Jack shot him a firm look.
“Sebek. Breathe.”
Sebek froze.
Then inhaled sharply through his nose.
“…Very well.”
Jack nodded approvingly. “Good. Now let’s get this under control.”
Ace pointed accusingly. “Why do you listen to him but not us?!”
“Because,” Jack said flatly, “at least Sebek tries to act like he has a brain.”
“HEY—!”
“HE IS CORRECT!” Sebek declared.
Lilia’s voice drifted in Sebek’s mind. ‘Gentle guidance…’
Right. Yes. Gentle.
He cleared his throat.
“Ace Trappola. Deuce Spade. Sit. Down.”
Surprisingly, both obeyed.
Jack grabbed the stack of worksheets and set them on the table. “Let’s split up the problems. I’ll handle the math explanation.”
“AND I WILL OVERSEE THE HISTORY SECTION,” Sebek proclaimed.
Ortho brightened. “I can assist with science-related questions!”
Epel dropped into a seat. “Ah’ll make sure Ace actually writes something.”
“HEY—!”
Yu sipped their tea. “This is the most organized I’ve seen you all in a month.”
Grim climbed onto a chair. “If I do this, someone better feed me after!”
Jack gave him a side-eye.
“If you behave, maybe.”
Grim gasped. “Jack… you’re so strict but so FAIR.”
Sebek watched as, somehow, miraculously, the group settled into actual study positions.
Jack took a seat beside him, already flipping through the math textbook.
“Good job getting here quickly,” Jack said under his breath, not looking up. “They calm down when you shout, weirdly enough.”
Sebek puffed his chest with pride. “OF COURSE. They respect strength and discipline!”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”
Despite himself, Sebek felt a warmth blooming in his chest.