Chapter Text
"Come on, pip-squeak, you can always take that test some other time, grades aren't everything, you know?" Caleb said as he ruffled a girl's hair, a bright smile on his lips. His aloof demeanor was something that was attracting many other ladies around him, despite him being fed up with the attention. But he could never say it outloud, he wasn't as cruel as to tell them straight up that he wants nothing to do with them. Still. Every day it felt like another battle as he tried to navigate his oh so boring school life. Every day was the same, school, basketball training, home, study, study some more, probably cook for his beloved pip-squeak that will never truly know just how much he's just holding on, all for her, and then repeat with nothing and no one to make everything more bearable. Well, there was one person, sure... But she could never know the extent of him, travel through the entirety of his universe... Because that would mean disturbing her peace. And he couldn't have that. Not now. Not ever. So he just... carried on. As he softly laughed upon her resistance, he noticed a familiar face passing them by, his eyes darting towards the boy, and his eyes furrowed with a bit of bitterness within them.
Rafayel. The artist of the school, some girls would call him a dreamboat even, because of the way he dressed, talked like he was always daydreaming, and painted like no one anyone has ever seen in hundreds of years of art history. He was talented, no one was denying him that. But what bothered Caleb was his arrogance. How he looked down on others, just because their achievements had to be earned, and weren't won with natural, raw talent. He didn't like guys like that, guys who would always talk down on you and act as if they're the epitome of greatness, when in reality, he just had an unfair advantage over everyone else, people around him working twice as hard for the things they want in life. He scoffed softly as he passed by, their eyes meeting for just a split second, before he rolled them in annoyance. God, he was so conceited, he hated it.
And on the receiving end of this unwanted interaction, there was Rafayel: Too unbelievably bored, fed up with this shallow life to even care all that much for that look the star of the basketball team was giving him. Still, he couldn’t help but feel some sort of apathy towards the athlete. In his mind, he was as shallow as everyone else in this Gods forsaken school of idiots, if not even more. Keeping up appearances only to keep his social status, he could tell that this popular guy who was nothing but a pack of muscles with no substance dreaded being there between all these desperate, greedy teens just as much as he did, he just didn't have the guts to act accordingly. He passed by a few of his classmates, saying an occasional “Hello.”, the art supplies in his arms tightly held to his chest like a lifeline. His art was the one and only thing that kept him going when it came to this cruel joke that they call high school. And as he rolled his eyes slightly at the way many were gravitating towards him when he thought no one was looking, his shoulder bumped into Caleb’s as he passed him by. The both of of them stopped for one second. He scrunched up his nose at the smell he sensed from the athlete. Dior Sauvage. Of course. He let out a ‘tsk’ his back turned to the other boy, so he couldn’t see the amused smirk on his face. Of course he’d wear the fragrance that any macho man would wear if given the chance. Considering they were still in high school, and he’s heard here and there that their living conditions were more modest than what he’s used to, he could guess he had to save up to even afford that perfume. Tragic.
Caleb, on the other hand, felt his pulse rise just the slightest bit. Why? Because that soft, barely audible ‘tsk’ told him all he needed to know. He was being silently picked apart and torn to shreds in the artist’s mind, in real time, and he didn’t even have to say anything. That’s just how it is with guys like him, having it all handed to them on a silver platter. Rafayel was used to getting his way and he hated that. He hated guys (and people in general) who had it all, and looked down on people who don’t. He always had to work for everything he’s ever had, to earn, provide. And he hated people who had it handed to them: Money, talent, looks, the whole package handed to them. While others have to work their entire life for the things that they want.
All these judgy thoughts, all these assumptions, speculations happened in a matter of just a few seconds, the two of them just leaving to their respective classes. They didn’t have to spend any more in each other’s proximity than school already forces them to.
So as per any other day, they simply ignored each other, the unspoken apathy between them radiating in the air, but still not quite declared out there, for the peace of everyone else around them.
However, their little bubble of comfort created by their distance would soon be popped in an inevitable way during one class in particular.
Chemistry. A class like any other, Caleb silently exchanging notes with MC, the girl trying to suppress a giggle as her friend smiled, his attention stolen by her. He didn’t even need this class, considering that he was always ahead of everyone else, so his attention being completely monopolised by her wasn’t an issue in his mind. Rafayel was doodling in his own corner, completely uninterested in whatever the teacher had to say as he was so carefully drawing something on his notebook as if that was the class, itself. It was agonising for how long this man could talk without interruption, and for a second, out of sheer boredom, he stole a glance at the two “friends” on the other side of the class. He couldn’t help but roll his eyes, immediately clocking the fact that this so-called “macho man” was, in fact, a lost puppy when it came to her. But… that was still useful information to keep in mind just in case. He never let any detail slide, no matter how small and this…? This was so out in the open it was hard to miss out, and he was so pathetically oblivious about it, too.
He returned to his precious doodling, seeing on his phone that the class was about to end, and the second he heard the bell, he jolted up, ready to take his leave to the studio within the campus, however, the teacher had one more thing to say as everyone was gathering their things.
“Oh, and before you go, you have the last project of the semester, you’ll be assigned in teams of two.”
Caleb immediately raised his hand, opening his mouth to speak, but the teacher immediately cut him off.
“No, you can’t be paired with MC again. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you do all the work for her, I can’t have her take credit for your work, she needs to be noted on her own efforts.”
Caleb froze, his hand slowly lowering as he was called out, and Rafayel rolled his eyes at this disappointed demeanor. If he had ears, they’d be stuck to his head right now like a scolded puppy, he thought. He shook his head, uninterested as the teacher listed all the pairs, until his head jolted up in surprise, being taken aback by the next words.
“Caleb, you’ll be working with Rafayel.”
The teacher said, and both Rafayel and Caleb were stunned to be learning this information, Caleb pleading with the teacher to change partners.
“Teach, you can’t be serious– There must be someone else I can work with for the project, right–???” Caleb said, but the teacher didn’t budge, shaking his head. “This is your assigned partner for the project and that’s final. Good luck.” he said before leaving the class, Rafayel and Caleb looking at each other with a mutual understanding: They don’t like each other. So the more they cooperate, the faster they’ll be done. And the faster they’ll be done, the sooner they can go back to ignoring each other altogether.
So Caleb simply walked casually towards Rafayel, his unwillingness written all over his face as he says “School’s library. 3 PM. Don’t be late.” and to that, Rafayel nodded softly, not feeling like arguing right now. It was stupid. Why was he forced to work with this idiot? But what could he really do? The teacher’s decision was final, and with the way he clocked Caleb so easily, he knew he’ll be able to tell if they refuse to work together. So he had no other choice but comply until the project was done and he can return to his own affairs without having to see that stupid pack of muscles with no depth to his character under those stumping hormones coming off of him every time he’s around that girl, what’s-her-name.
So here he was, 5 minutes early, to ensure he was on time so he can get this over with faster, and he could see Caleb waiting at a table in the library, reading, but he seemed completely lost in thought as he did so. As he approached, he could tell that he had his earbuds in, listening to something, and due to the noise cancelling feature, he couldn’t hear much of it. As he approached, his eyebrows furrowed in wonder. What had him so absorbed? He finally reached the table, and one of his eyebrows raised.
Being met with silence, he snapped his fingers in front of his eyes, in an attempt to catch his attention. “Earth to Caleb. The fuck were you listening to that had you so out of sorts?” He asked, a little more casually than initially intended. Caleb looked up, seeing his slender figure before he spoke up, taking out one earbud just as casually. “Pierce The Veil. ‘I don’t care if you’re contagious’.” Caleb replied shortly, setting his earbuds aside before his eyes turning back to his book. But a muscle in his face twisted when he heard Rafayel say in a mocking tone “That’s such emo shit, dude, what the fuck?” His voice hid a soft chuckle behind it, crossing his arms as he smirked in amusement. For someone who seemed to keep appearances of a happy-go-lucky pack of muscles, that was a stark contrast between his (apparent) personality and his music tastes.
“Well what the fuck do you listen to, then?” Caleb asked in annoyance, and Rafayel’s eyes widened in surprise at the question, his face reddening just the slightest and his gaze turned away before he mumbled “Marina and the Diamonds…” he blushed even further and the athlete raises an eyebrow. “What was that?” he says, a soft smirk creeping on his lips before the artist snapping back. “Marina and the Diamonds!” he yelled back, earning a quick ‘shh’ from the entire library, his embarrassment creeping in even further before he went silent, his shoulders slouching as he was reminded that he should keep his voice down due to the purpose of this establishment. Caleb chuckled before he spoke up yet again, a cocky tone in his voice as his eyes sparked with mischief. Here it was, the perfect opportunity to tease. “Primadonna music for a certified pillow princess. Expectable.” He said, and it took everything in Rafayel not to snap back, not to raise his voice, since they were in a library. So instead, he rolled his eyes before saying in a rather bitter and annoyed tone “Let’s just get this over with.” Rafayel spat out in a whisper as he threw his notebook on the table, rolling his eyes and Caleb nodded softly. “Agreed. I've got plans at 8 so let's get at least a part of the project ready by then, yeah?” he smirks, incapable of being annoyed or frustrated anymore with the way he successfully embarrassed Rafayel. Rafayel only offers a glare in response, before letting out a soft sigh, realising this will be the longest study session of his life. “Yeah… Me too, actually.”
After hours of research and studying together, all in silence mostly, only exchanging the necessary words they had to agree on what worked for the project and what didn't, they both rushed out the library, seemingly parting ways, Rafayel heading towards his car and Caleb towards his own. However… They weren't very pleased to find out that they’re frequenting the same karaoke bar, and that somehow, someway, their friend groups planned a get together for all of them. So now, here they were, looking at each other (or more like glaring for lack of a better term), arms crossed, across from each other as their friends made lighthearted conversation, the silence between them speaking volumes. Rafayel, of course, just had to have the first word, his eyebrows furrowing in annoyance. “So… where’s your little girlfriend?” the painter asked, and through slightly gritted teeth, Caleb spoke up, his irritation evident on his face, not just because of the unpleasant company, but because of the intrusive question. “She’s not my girlfriend… We’re… Friends…” His gaze shifted away, almost bothered that he had to say that word, a smirk appearing on Rafayel’s lips as he put two and two together. “Oh, I get it. You’re her faithful dog who follows her everywhere and she’s completely oblivious to your feelings, is that right?” he said, his smirk growing, Caleb’s first clenching at his way too accurate guess. “You–!” He said, but immediately looked away, taking his statement to heart more than he should’ve because… Well… It was true, after all… So he had no clap back, no retort, only an annoyed grunt as he crossed his arms yet again, leaning back against the back rest like a scolded kid. But then, his gaze shifted once again towards the painter, his voice less confrontational than before, but still having a certain bite to it. “What about you? Don’t you usually just sit in your studio and paint? How do you have friends?” he spoke, his question more like an accusation, but Rafayel didn’t feel offended at all, since he didn’t consider any human being a friend of his, so he mimicked Caleb’s position, crossing his arms to his chest and leaning against the back rest, but his legs crossed as he spoke, as if he couldn’t care less about this trivial conversation. “I don’t have friends, I have people I tolerate as a survival tactic. No one can survive high school while simultaneously being completely isolated. It’s a social exchange. They need me because I’m rather popular amongst the ladies, I need them to be part of a group and not end up being the target of unnecessary unpleasant encounters.” Caleb listened intently, shifting in his seat as he leaned forward, his hands now clasped together as his elbows rested on his thighs, letting out a soft, humorless scoff as he spoke, his voice somewhat… sympathetic… towards him…? In a way, he understood… After all, he was doing the exact same thing… But he’d never recognise it. And so, instead, his gaze fell upon Rafayel once more before he said, his tone softer than intended initially “That’s one lonely way to live…” and that had the painter’s eyes immediately look back at into Caleb’s, a gasp escaping his lips. He simply stared in shock at that guy in front of him, telling him how lonely he is, and he knew he should’ve felt offended, but… He knew it was true, he’s just… not used to anyone telling it to his face. He parted his lips to speak, but soon enough, one of their friends shouted that they were about to start karaoke, so they both jolted up, starting the night off already.
The two of them dreaded the idea of having to even breathe the same air as each other, having fought over the microphone at first, but it only took a few drinks before they realised… They were actually having fun… It all took an unexpected turn when the two of them both sprinted to the cue booth, and once the lady there asked what song they want to sing, they both immediately answered “‘My All’ by Mariah Carey”, and when they did, they looked at each other in surprise. “That’s my song.” Rafayel said, pointing into Caleb’s chest, just the slightest bit tipsy, before Caleb pushed him slightly, retorting back “No, that’s my song.” and before they knew it, there was incoherent fighting in front of the booth, both of them refusing to drop this one song and let the other one have it. “Alright I’ll set it for a duet, then.” The woman sighed deeply, so done with dealing with their fighting, and they looked at each other, shaking their heads in unison before Caleb said “There’s no way, I can’t be-” the woman placed her hand in front of his face, signaling him to shut up before she spoke. “It’s already on cue. Good luck both of you.” she handed them two microphones, and they were left no choice.
“You better not fuck this up.” Caleb said, and Rafayel felt personally offended, snapping back, shoving him lightly before he bit back “Me?? You don’t fuck this up.” He said, walking up the stage, hearing the music starting, and the two of them looked at each other for just a second, no true hostility towards each other in that moment, just a soft nod to say ‘we got this’ before they looked back at the crowd in front of them. And so the song began, and so their voices resounded from the speakers as well, clear, melodic, completing each other in a way they didn’t expect. Somehow, the passion and longing they both put into that song gaze both of them energy to carry it further, not in a competitive way, but in a way that they were completing each other. Rafayel stole one glance at Caleb as he sang with so much passion, and in that moment he knew exactly why he was so set on this song. It’s because he means every word of it. This girl he seems to always be around… Must be very special to have brought him to the point where he’d sing his heart out like that. He understood that very well. He longed and yearned for someone just as much… even if it’s been 800 years and he can’t even remember how they look like… Just trusted that their lemurian bond will bring them back together someday… But until then, he’s left with, as the song goes, ‘a memory of a song’… But he had to give credit where it’s due, because he had to admit that there was, in fact, much more that laid beneath the surface when it came to his project partner… And maybe… Just maybe… Working with him won’t be as terrible as he thought, after all…