Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Ew. Elvin History literally sucks.” Grady groaned as he leaned back on the willow tree in his backyard. This made Cassius chuckle, his eyes shining as he watched Grady. 

“I think you’ve made your opinion on Elvin History pretty clear, Grady,” Cassius pointed out. “That’s, like, the fifth time you’ve complained about this in the last twenty minutes.” 

“Because this class is made to torture students!” Grady huffed dramatically. 

“It’s pretty interesting, in my opinion. Especially the parts about humans...” 

Grady shrugged. “Honestly, yeah, the humans part is super cool. When I’m older I’m totally going to become a part  of the Human Assistance Program!” 

Cassius tilted his head. “Really? That... honestly sounds really cool. Working with humans, and stuff.” 

Grady smiled brightly. “Uh huh. Anyways, aren’t we supposed to be studying? We have midterms coming up soon.” 

“And since when did Grady Howell Ruewen care about school?” Cassius raised an eyebrow, making Grady scoff. 

“Just because I’m not obsessed with it like someone who’s name rhymes with Snassius Snencen doesn’t mean I don’t care.” 

“Hey!” Cassius poked Grady playfully. “Idiot.” 

Grady was about to send back a retort when there was a flash of blonde hair and tan skin tackling him over. 

“What the-” Grady shrieked as he was pinned down to the ground easily.  

Cassius was momentarily surprised, but when he saw who had attacked Grady, he just laughed. Of course it was Grady’s little menace of a sister, Estella Ruewen. 

Estella was sitting on top of Grady with a proud grin on her face. “Surprise attack!” 

“Get off me, you jerk!” Grady grumbled, shoving Estella off of his back and sitting up. 

“I’m not a jerk! You are!” Estella protested, sticking her tongue out at him.  

Cassius just laughed at the silly sibling antics. Grady and Estella were usually like this. Their squabbles would probably get worse when Estella entered Foxfire in two years time. “I think you’re the one interrupting your big brother’s important studying,” Cassius pointed out. 

“Grady never studies, you’re wrong!” Estella crossed her arms. 

“Hey! I do study, just not when you’re around, you distracting little gremlin.” Grady rolled his eyes. 

“I’m not a gremlin!” Estella tried to tackle Grady again, but Grady was prepared this time and caught her in his arms. 

“Proving my point, Stella,” His laugh turned into a shriek as Estella bit his shoulder. Biting was an unfortunate habit of hers. Cassius had been the receiver of said bites many times- how had her parents not trained her out of it yet? 

Estella used Grady’s momentary surprise to attempt to tackle him again, but Grady rolled out of the way and grabbed her again. He suddenly tossed her upwards, right into the tree. 

“Grady, what the hell!?” Cassius exclaimed in horror, until he saw Estella grab onto the branch, scowling.  

Grady smirked. “Come on, time to run.” He grabbed their stuff and Cassius’ arm and they sprinted towards the house together, using the time it took Estella to climb out of the tree to their advantage. Once they were inside, they made their way up the stairs and inside Grady’s bedroom, locking the doors behind them. 

“We’re safe from the menace,” Grady sighed in mock relief. 

Cassius settled down on Grady’s armchair. “Doesn’t mean that we’re done studying,” He reminded. 

Grady groaned. “I wish. Anyways, come help me with these questions?” 

Cassius nodded and stood up, stepping over to where Grady was sitting down at the desk. There were a few questions in the Elvin History textbook that Grady had copied down into his exercise book.  

Why did the Intelligent Species fight? 

What is so effective about the Human Assistance Program? 

In your opinion, apart from elves, which species is the most advanced? 

“Well, these questions are quite easy to answer...if you’ve read the damn textbook.” Cassius told Grady. 

“Nooo, you caught me.” Grady leaned back in his chair, like the drama queen he was. 

Cassius flipped back a page in the textbook. “Read these two paragraphs here, and you should get your answers. Although the third question is more opinion-based than the other two.” 

Grady nodded, sighing with an exaggerated flair. “Oh, yes yes, I will read...even if it might kill me to do so...” 

“Just do it, idiot.” 

“Anything for you, Cassius.” 

Cassius felt his cheeks grow warm. He knew that it was just a normal friend thing to say...but it made Cassius feel weirdly...loved? Cared for? Appreciated? He was probably overthinking it, but he couldn’t help imagine what it would be like if Grady thought of him the same way he thought of Grady... 

He shook himself out of his thoughts, sitting back down on the armchair and taking out his sketchbook while he waited for Grady to finish reading. He grabbed his pencil and began lightly sketching some items from around the room. Grady’s books (that probably hadn’t been touched in years), one of the many tunics abandoned on the floor, his schoolbag that was ripping at the edges, Grady himself... 

Cassius didn’t register that he was drawing Grady until he had already gotten the basic facial structure drawn out on the page. He probably should have asked before drawing the young boy, but...he was incredibly easy to draw. Not really, his beauty was far too difficult to capture perfectly, but Cassius just elt like he was...a really amazing subject to draw. His messy hair and uneven fringe drew attention in the drawing, and his bright eyes, which would most likely be coloured later on, would add a unique touch... 

Cassius was down so bad for Grady. 

He didn’t notice Grady standing up from his desk until his voice perked up beside me. 

“What are you drawing? Hey, is that me?” 

Cassius looked up, his face paling slightly as he watched Grady glance at his sketchbook. “I-um-uh...” He felt his cheeks heating up once again, and he already knew they would be a highly visible bright pink right now. 

Grady snatched the sketchbook away, smirking. “Drawing me again, huh? It looks...” His gaze softened. “...really nice. You’re an amazing drawer.” 

Cassius glanced up in mild surprise. “You think?” He always doubted his artistic skills, felt like he wasn’t good enough... 

Grady nodded enthusiastically. “Uh huh! You’re, like, the best artist I know. Well, I don’t know many, but if I knew more, I’m sure you’d still be the greatest!” He smiled brightly. 

Cassius found himself smiling back. “Thanks Grady.” 

Grady was about to respond when suddenly the previously locked door swung open, a tiny person standing there. 

“Estella!?” Grady’s eyes widened. “How’d you get inside!?” 

Estella giggled. “Learned how to pick the lock!” Then she lunged at Grady, tackling him to the ground. 

Grady screeches dramatically as he fell to the ground. “Nooo! Overpowered by a stupid nine year old!” 

Cassius just stayed in the armchair, smiling at Grady affectionately.  

Why is he so amazing?