Druig is annoyed. Basically everyone decided that he should go to school. He isn't on board with that plan. He doesn't need school. That's Sprites thing not his.
It's late at night, all of them are in the living room. Sprites still away at school, she won't be back for another few months. Druig was squished in between Ikaris and Phastos. Ikaris had his arm draped around him, pulling him close. Since the deviant incident Ikaris has been even more overbearing. Actually they all have.
Druig placed his head on Ikaris shoulder yawning. He was struggling to stay awake. The tv was on and they were all watching some movie. Druig forgot the name of it. Once Ikaris started to card his fingers through his hair Druig lost the battle with sleep.
Sersi grabbed the remote and turned the tv down. They all lapsed into a comfortable silence.
"So are we sending him to school"? Kingo asked.
There was a pause before anyone answered. The decision wasn't set yet but Druig seemed really annoyed about it. It's probably for the best that they don't.
"I don't think so, not yet anyway". Thena said, looking at Druig.
"I think he should but we shouldn't force it on him". Phastos announced, reaching out and moving one of Druigs bangs away from his face.
The conversation ended at that, everyone seemingly happy with the decision. Later when everybody was going to bed, Ikaris carried Druig up to their room. Placing a quick kiss to his forehead before drifting off to sleep himself.
Druig yawned as he woke up. He shouldn't be tired but this is how it is every morning until he gets his coffee.
Rolling over he got out of the bed and made his way downstairs to where Gilgamesh was.
"Morning Druig". The older said happily. Druig grunted a morning in reply. He noticed that the older man was writing a list, shopping bags lying at his feet.
"Are you going shopping"? He asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
"I am, do you want to come"? Gilgamesh asked, looking up from his list.
Druig nodded, finishing off the rest of his coffee before leaving with Gilgamesh ti the shops.
They walked around, putting different foods in the trolley. This is the third shop they've been too. It's also their last shop. Gilgamesh looked tired. Druig has been asking him things none stop.
"Oh! What about this"? Druig asked showing Gilgamesh a huge bar of chocolate in his hands. "No Druig". He said.
"Ok but what about this"? Druig asked holding up a jar of coffee.
Thankfully for Gilgamesh they didn't last too long in the shop. They were driving home in silence when a sign for Starbuck popped up.
"Oh can I get one? Pleaseee"? Druig asked, doing his best puppy eyes and pout.
Gilgamesh took one glance and cursed. "Fine". He said.
When they reached home Ikaris watched with a raised eyebrow as Druig came in with an iced coffee. Gilgamesh glared at him, taking the shopping into the kitchen to put away.
"Druigs never allowed to go grocery shopping". He grumbled.
Druig looked confused but shrugged, continuing to drink his coffee completely unfazed.
He left soon after upstairs to his room. His leg was getting sore again, that was to be expected though since it wasn't fully healed yet.
"He has the mentality of a 17 year old. He really should be at school". Gilgamesh said, as he sat down in the living room with Ikaris.
"I'm aware. We can't force him though".
"How else are we going to get him to go"?
The next few days the topic of school kept coming up. Druig didn't want to go, mainly because that meant he would have to leave his family for months at a time. He didn't want that. He felt as if they were trying to get rid of him. He didn't understand why.
He's with Makkari and Kingo on a walk. They had all gotten bored. It was a decent enough day for a walk as well. They were messing with each other earlier but how they had lapsed into a comfortable silence. The only sounds coming from the birds.
They all stopped to sit in this log that was stretched out in the forest.
'This place is nice'. Makkari signed, looking around at the flowers that were littered about.
"Yeah it is, it would be a great setting for a movie". Kingo said, seeming to ponder that last one. "I'll have to bring it up to my assistant".
"Don't tell me you didn't promote Karun after what you put him through"'. Druig aid.
The silence gave him his answer. They sat there just basking in each other's company. A twig snapped nearby which put then all in edge.
Druig stood up and walked toward the noise. "Druig are you crazy get back here"! Kingo whisper yelled.
'That could be a deviant'. Makkari signed, her expression filled with worry.
Druig ignored then and ventured further out. He was reaching the edge of the clearing they were in when a small puppy tumbled out. The puppy barked up at him wagging it's tail. Druig bent down and picked it up. That earned him a lick to his cheek.
"Relax guys, it's just a puppy". He said, carrying it over to them smiling. "I'm taking it home". He announces walking off. Neither Kingo or Makkari argue with him, leaving this argument for Ikaris.
Ikaris didn't know what to say. Druig showed up with a puppy, determined in keeping it. Ikaris was stunned. How did he deal with this?
Druig looked so happy, a rare thing. The puppy is cute and it seems to like Druig. Thena stood beside him smirking. It didn't look like she would be if any help to him.
"Druig"- he began but was cut off.
"Can I keep it"? He asked. Before Ikaris could even get an answer out he was hit with Druigs puppy eyes. The puppy was doing its puppy eyes as well. Ikaris hates Druigs puppy eyes. The only person that could ever really say no to them was Ajak.
"Fine". Ikaris sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Yay, thanks Ik''! Druig said, placing the ooo didn and hugging Ikaris.
Ikaris was so taken aback it took him a minute to hug Druig back, he smiled happily when he got over the shock. He placed a small kiss on the top of Druigs hair.
Over the next week everyone became fond of the puppy. They called him Apollo. Apollo became fond of all of them too, his favourite is Druig.
Sprite is visiting from school for the weekend. Her and Druig have been inseparable since. They were up in Druig and Ikaris' room with Apollo talking.
"There's this lake I was at a while back, it has this cliff that would be good for cliff jumping. We should go". Druig suggests.
"Ohh yeahh we should!! Let's go now"! Sprite says happily getting off the bed.
They both were able to sneak out of the house with their bags. Druig led the way and they soon found themselves at the cliffs edge.
The cliff wasn't too high, it was a good height to jump off of. They both quickly changed into their swimsuits.
"So I heard about the others trying to get you to go to school". Sprite said, breaking the silence that had overcome them.
Druig nodded as he stuffed his jumper into his bag. "Yeah, I don't want to go though".
"Oh Druig you should! It's so fun, maybe not the homework side to it but it's fun"!
Druig nodded. "I dunno". He says.
He smirked as Sprite turned her back to him. He ran up to her and threw her over the edge.
"DRUIG"! She shrieked before she hit the water with a splash. Druig was quick to jump off after her.
They spent their day in the water, catching up with each other and having fun. After a few hours they changed into their dry clothes and made their trek back home.
"Druig"! Sersi exclaimed, running up and pulling him into a tight embrace as he stepped through the door.
Sprite watched on amusedly. Druig whined and pushed Sersi off gently.
"Druig''. Ikaris called sternly. Druiy could hear his footsteps getting closer.
"Oh shit". He whispered.
Ikaris stepped out from the living room and stared at Druig. "I thought we told you to tell us when you were leaving"?
Druig winced having forgotten it. "Sorry I forgot". He said, casting his eyes downwards.
Sprite watched on amazed. She clearly missed a lot this last while. Ikaris softened at Druigs apology nodding, bringing a hand up to his hair and ruffeling it.
"Why is your hair wet"?!
"Because it was in water"?
"Druig". Ikaris warned.
"Cliff jumping"?
"You two were what"?!?!
The topic of school kept coming up to the point that Druig was feeling self conscious. Did they really want him gone that badly? Everyone was out except for Ikaris and himself. Spirte had left 2 days ago.
Druig was lying in his bed, tears threatening to spill at the thought of them all trying to get rid of him. He didn't want that. He wanted to stay with them.
He was so far in his own head that he didn't bear the door open. Didn't hear footsteps approaching the bed.
"Hey Druig are you ok". Ikaris asked as he sat beside Druig, taking the younger into his arms.
"Mmhm".
"Why don't you try that again? What's on your mind kiddo"? Ikaris asked softly, stroking Druigs hair.
Ikaris thought maybe Druig hadn't heard him and he was going to ask again but Druig began to speak.
"Why do you want to get rid of me"? He asked so quietly that Ikaris nearly didn't hear him.
"Get rid of you? We don't want to get rid of you! Why would you think that baba"?
Druig looked up at him, eyes glazed over with tears. "Why else do you want to send me to school"?
Ikaris cursed himself. He should have been a bit more clear when he brought up school. Druig was probably thinking of being shipped off to the boarding school Sprites at. When they actually were all thinking of sending him to the local high school.
"Oh Druig. We were going send you ti the local high school, you would be at home every evening. I'm sorry, I should have been more clear".
Druig looked at him and wiped his tears on his jumper sleeve. "Its my fault too, I wasn't overly clear about it. I just assumed".
Ikaris nodded and pressed a small kiss to Druigs forehead to which the younger scrunched his nose up adorably at.
"Well do you think it might be something you would maybe want to do"?
"I dunno". Druig shrugged, cuddling further into Ikaris. Druig could feel sleep pull at him, like a week earlier he lost the battle.
Over the next few weeks, Druig started school. His weekdays started at 7 in the morning, that's when he got up. They then ended at whatever time he decided to sleep at. Which is usually 12 in the morning or so because of Ikaris.
His mornings aren't rushed, well not for him, for the others it's all go go go. The others being Gilgamesh, Ikaris and Sersi. Makkari, Thena and Kingk being smart and staying in bed. Druig offered to drive himself but everyone quickly shut that idea down.
On school morning he gets up, gets changed, brushes his teeth, goes downstairs, has a slice of toast and has a coffee. Then Ikaris and Sersi are pushing him out the door. Sersi comes on school runs because, well Druig doesn't actually know.
School isn't as bad as he thought it would be. He quickly made his way up to the popular kid and not through mind control. He found things he was good at like football(soccer) and basketball. He's on both teams and is team captain. He made friends with a few kids and school is generally fun. The teachers aren't bad or mean, well some are and they are strict, Druig hates geography and English because of it. He never really liked the subjects anyway.
The only thing about school that absolutely sucked was the tests he had nearly every two weeks and the homework. So far he has managed to have his homework in. He usually is rushing it in the morning in the canteen before classes start. Olivia gives him hers. Olivia is a good friend of his now. These two are the most fun people to be around. There will nearly always be something happening around them.
Druig was only halfway through the day and the classes are dragging on. He is bored out of his mind. He is in maths and he gave up. This shit is too hard and it doesn't make sense. Why does there have to be numbers in math?
"Psst". He heard from his right. He looked over and found Olivia quickly handing him a piece of paper.
He read it. Before looking over at her and nodding. She smiled and gave him a thumbs up, continuing to write down her notes.
The bell rang and Druig, Olivia and Jj were the first three out of the classroom. They had a free period now. They all left their bags in their lockers before walking towards the locker rooms.
Olivia had asked both of them if they wanted to take Kyle and Sam's clothes when they are in the shower from practice. Both Kyle and Sam are in the year below, they want to be on the basketball team and play with both Druig and Jj. Messing with them is fun. The two younger boys are cool with everything and are fun.
"Hey Sam, did you see my clothes"?
"I was going to ask you the same thing".
Olivia, Jj and Druig laughed and walked to the door of the locker room. Druig and Sam held up the pile of clothes smirking.
"You mean these"?
Both younger boys whipped their heads to look at them. They ran at the two older as they ran away from them, chasing them around the school.
Druig and Jj met back up with Olivia laughing. Sam and Kyle got their clothes back laughing as well. That seemed to make the day go a lot quicker. They got away with it too.
The school day is finally over and Druig can go home. He walks out of the school and hops into the passenger seat of the car. Ikaris begins to drive off.
"So how was school"?
"Eh boring". Druig shrugged.
Ikaris looked at him nodding. "From what I heard it didn't sound boring". He said, making a right turn.
Druig eyed him carefully, eyes narrowing. "And what was it that you heard exactly"? He asked cautiously.
Ikaris gave him a side glance before averting his eyes back to the road. He didn't answer for a while, making Druig nervous. What did Ikaris know?
"Well, I heard that you stole 2 boys' clothes and had them chase after you and your friend for them". The side glance was back accompanied by a raised eyebrow.
"Where the fuck did you hear that"? Druig asked. How did Ikaris know?
"Language. And your principal rang me, letting me know what happend". Ikaris explained.
Druig groaned at that. He thought that they got away with it. Damn it. "Well they thought it was funny. We get along well with them". Dryig shrugged.
Ikaris didn't say anything else just nodding his head. The rest of the car ride was spent in silence. Druig is happy that it's a Friday.
That night Druig was in the living room with Makkari and Kingo. They were watching Criminal Minds.
"No, you're wrong, it's him". Kingo said, pointing to the man who he thought it was when he came on the screen.
'Hmm I think it's that guy'. Makkari signed, pointing to someone else.
Druig rolled his eyes. "Your both wrong, its her". He said pointing to the woman.
The episode finished and it ended up being Druig who was right. He smirked at both Kingo and Makkarri. "Told you".
Thena came in, taking a seat beside Druig. "What are we watching"? She asked as Kingo started the next episode.
"Criminal minds".
That evening Druig was rummaging through Ikaris' drawers for a jumper to keep him warm. He found one and pulled it on.
"What are you doing"?
Druig turned around to face Ikaris. He froze for a moment. "Uh I'm cold"?
Ikaris smirked and came over to him. "You have your own jumpers".
Druig nodded. "Yes but they aren't big and as warm as yours are".
Ikaris rolled his eyes smiling, seeming to accept the answer. He picked Druig up and flung him over his shoulder, carrying him over to the bed. Druig yelped at that. Apollo hopped up on the bed beside Druig on his left and Ikaris got in on his right.
Apollo licked Druig on his face, wagging his tail happily before curling up into a little ball on Druigs chest. Druig was right up against Ikaris' side, head on his chest. Ikaris wrapped an arm around Druigs waist, his other hand coming up to card through his hair.
"Oh I forgot to tell you, a deviant was on school grounds yesterday". Druig yawned.
"What?!?! What happened"?!?!
"It didn't try anything. Stayed hidden. Was weird".
"We are talking about this tomorrow". Ikaris said, pulling Druig a bit closer and kissing him on the forehead.
"Night baba". Ikaris said softly.
"M'not a baby but night".
This time it was Gilgamesh who found them. Druig curled up beside Ikaris, Apollo on his chest. Ikaris having a protective embrace around Druig.
Gilgamesh smiled softly at the two and took a picture, being sure to be extra careful. Like Kingo he too took a picture and stuck it on the fridge.
If Druig happened to blame Kingo again well Gilgamesh wasn't going to intervene.