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Silver had failed. He had studied hard, tried different methods, and even tried to catch up after falling asleep. Riddle had organized a study group, and he attended every single one. Sebek had even woken him up and stayed by his side to encourage him. He even imagined himself celebrating, having passed the exam, but it was the complete opposite. He failed his exam, and it devastated him. He felt so pathetic, so weak; he had tried so hard.
He saw Kalim standing beside him.
-You tried really hard, Silver, and that's what matters!
-But it wasn't enough.
Kalim tried to smile; he wanted to cheer up his friend. And then his eyes lit up.
-Silver, your birthday is in a few days! We're going to throw a big party to celebrate. You'll see, eating will cheer you up. Jamil will bake a delicious cake, and our friends Lilia and Malleus will be there. You can even dance with us!" Maybe you can dance with-
- I don't think I'm in the mood to celebrate my birthday...- Silver said, staring at the floor. How could he look at Riddle now? Or at Sebek, who stayed by his side... he wouldn't let him see him like this. And his father? Malleus? He didn't want to disappoint them when he already felt disappointed in himself. - I'm sorry, Kalim, but I don't want to celebrate. I don't deserve it.
Kalim was worried.
-Silver! Wait! Jamil can help us raise our grades!
Sebek had overheard everything while Epel and Jack watched curiously.
-Poor Silver, but at least he doesn't have Vil. When I failed alchemy, you don't want to know how Vil looked at me. I had to skip club time.
-Leona told me you deserved it. He said you should improve your studies first. - Jack then looked at Sebek, who was still watching Silver and Kalim leave. -Sebek, are you okay?
-Blaming yourself for everything again, Silver... and now you don't want to celebrate an important day like your birthday- he whispered a little louder.
-You're talking to yourself -Epel pointed out.
Sebek turned away.
-Silver is really sad. What are you planning to do? -Jack asked.
-Why should I care?
-Come on, Sebek, stop the theatrics. You were talking loudly. You don't know how to whisper -Epel said, now serious that his friend was denying his feelings.
Sebek made sure Silver walked away.
-His birthday is coming up soon, and you saw how he feels... I want, I want him to have a wonderful birthday and to know that I lov, ahem, that we love him.
"After everything that happened, he's still doubting himself? He needs to stop being so cruel to himself," Sebek thought to himself. He'd seen him like this before the darkness took hold; he didn't want it to happen again.
-You can count on first year!.
- I'll ask Ruggie; I'm sure he'll agree.
Sebek smiled. It was still hard for him to say, or put into words, that he had friends he could trust.
...
He got to his room and started putting together his plan for Silver's party. The idea was to have a small party. He wanted Silver to see that he was loved by many and that exam didn't matter. A moment where he was the center of attention and knew he was important to everyone.
And for him, he couldn't keep lying to himself. Silver was very important to him and... he was completely in love.
First, he called Kalim because Lilia had his number. Kalim happily agreed while Jamil begged him to stop yelling. He asked him to keep it a secret, which Jamil laughed at, assuring him he would keep an eye on him.
- It's a nice gesture you're making for Silver... he's still very sad, and Jamil and I tried to cheer him up.
- Kalim, I didn't try anything.
- Yes! You were by his side in class today and gave him your notes!
- DON'T GET DISTRACTED
- Sebek, what I'm trying to say is, I think you could cheer him up at this party, especially if you organize it. He always talks about you a lot.
Sebek remained silent and felt his cheeks getting hot.
Before hanging up, Jamil said:
- You're the only one who can cheer him up. And please, confess your feelings, I'm fed up with you guys.
- WHAT?
And then he hung up.
...
Silver barely had any time. All this time Sebek was organizing his birthday, he saw him very little, almost not at all.
He'd decided to take extra classes and was trying to recover after failing his exam. But Sebek could still see a hint of sadness in his eyes, and he was barely concentrating on his training. He hadn't pushed him too hard, and they weren't training together because he wanted to give him time, but he hoped he'd at least train a little. He'd also heard him cry. When he passed by his room to invite him to train, sometimes he could hear him crying, and it broke his heart. He knew he was carrying the weight of it all alone. And he remembered why he was organizing his birthday. He wanted him to remember that he was there for him.
Even though he was organizing the decorations with Lilia, he couldn't bear to see him like this. Lilia understood what Sebek was thinking.
-I tried talking to him, but he shut himself away. And I like your idea of throwing him a birthday party... why don't you go and bring him the food?
Sebek glanced over and had to stifle a scream to see what he'd cooked. But he grabbed it and left. He wanted to talk to him. Meanwhile, Lilia watched him go.
-I hope Silver opens up to him.
Sebek waited a while and went to buy something else for Silver to eat. He went to knock on his door. When there was no answer, he went in and saw him crying a little. When he noticed him, he tried to hide his tears.
-Hi Sebek, I wasn't expecting you.
He tried to hide, but Sebek didn't let him finish. He reached out and tried to wipe his tears while looking at him sadly. Silver felt even more guilty now.
-Please, leave.
-I'm not leaving until you eat something.
-I'm not hungry.
-I'll stay here until you eat your food.
Silver stood up and confronted him, tears welling in his eyes.
-Why can't you understand? I want to be alone, so go.
But Sebek ignored him, staring at his room. He was a bit disheveled, with his watches scattered everywhere. Then he glanced down at his desk, which was piled high with books, and fixed him gaze on the person in front of him. His eyes were slightly puffy, he was still in his pajamas, and his hair was a mess.
When Silver saw there was no response, he gave up, grabbed some food, and sat back down at his desk.
-Happy? I'm eating.
Sebek stood up and took a comb, approaching Silver's hair and starting to brush it while the other just froze.
-Let me at least comb your hair.
They remained silent until he spoke again.
-I missed... my training partner. I wanted to know how you were; I hardly ever see you.
Silver sighed.
-I don't see you that much either... I'm sorry. But I can't look you in the face.
Sebek stopped, and Silver began to cry.
-I'm such a disappointment. How can I fail and not even look the people who helped me in the face? Riddle made a study group just so I would fail. How can I face Malleus? He'll surely be disappointed in me. And Dad? I can't. And... -He turned to look at him. -How can I see you? You stayed by my side and took care of me, but I couldn't. I disappointed you. You stayed with me for so long, and I couldn't do it. I'm a burden...
Sebek lunged forward and hugged him. He hugged him until he felt the other's arms wrap around his waist. They stayed like that until he calmed down while Sebek stroked his hair.
-I've told you this before, and I'll say it again. You're very loved... and that's why I'm going to pick you up on your birthday. So wear something nice.
He pulled away to look at him, but the other refused.
-Never think I'm going to be disappointed. An exam won't change that. Nobody thinks that, and if you dare say again that you're a burden... - He distanced himself, leaving Silver confused. Sebek pointed at him. - I'll challenge you to a fight. And I'm sure I'll beat you, so you can save those tears for later.
Silver took a moment to react, but then he smiled. He hadn't done that in days. He wiped his tears and looked at him.
-Why should I get ready on my birthday? It's weird, Kalim also told me to be prepared, and Jamil told me to ignore it but to look presentable. Are we going out?
Now Sebek was speechless. He had been talking to Kalim, and they had agreed to celebrate Silver's birthday, but he hadn't expected him to say that. Well, he did too, now...
-Just... JUST BE PREPARED."
And he ran away. Silver watched him go and smiled.
-That's a shame. I was going to ask him to stay a little longer... but I could do that on my birthday.