Word Count: ~4.9k

Au: Highschool AU

Around 3k of these words were written in a notes app during school. I would've written the entire thing in the app but I reached the character limit so I couldn't lmao

Most people realize after they graduate highschool that in the long run, the grades they get aren't important. Being top of the class consistently throughout your school life doesn't matter ten years later, in fact, some people forget.

Twelfth-grade student Doc was aware of this. He knew when he got older, there was a possibility he was going to regret spending so much time focused on his grades. But at the same time, he knows he'll regret not trying hard enough. It's just how he is.

So he works hard. Studies hard. He's the goat of the grade- always holding the first place spot. Always top of the class, always the best grades. Even when he knows he'll ace a test he'll do as much extra credit as possible.

Overachiever, try-hard, whatever you want to call him he doesn't care. Some if not most of his classmates find him weird that he genuinely enjoys doing much work. He likes being productive and prides himself on his excellent time management skills.

-

A new student came to his class. His name started with a 'B' and that's all Doc paid attention to. It took him a couple of seconds to assess the new classmate. Not tidy but not quite unkempt. He was conventionally pretty, something Doc didn't envy. Although he was containing it, the hybrid could tell he was a bomb of bright energy, and he didn't want to be in the area when he burst. Yeah, he definitely does not seem like a smart kid, He thought, internalizing a scoff.

Their teacher placed 'B' next to him in the front row, because of course. As class began, Doc felt more and more ticked off. He could feel a pair of brown and green eyes glued to him. Finally, when the teacher was at the back of the class helping another student, he snapped his head to look at him.

"Can I help you?" he asked. The other jumped, but the smile on his face didn't move.

"Sorry," he giggled. "I just don't think I've ever seen someone so focused in a history class before. I'm Bdubs by the way, but you already knew that."

Is he expecting me to tell him my name? He grew more annoyed at this random kid making fun of him. Choosing to ignore him, he turned back to his assignment.

"Doc can you pick up the homework copies from the printer in the teacher's lounge?" his teacher asked as they walked back up to the front of the room.

He just nodded. A part of him wondered if he should be annoyed Bdubs knew his name, but that just felt petty. If anything he was relieved he could get away from him for a moment.

Once he came back to class and passed out the papers, he slid back into his seat. "Please stop staring at me," he muttered, not looking up from his assignment.

"You have nice eyes," the freckled student pointed out. Doc searched for a sense of sarcasm when he glanced at him. He raised an eyebrow at the rather odd compliment.

Although maybe thanking him would be a polite option, he didn't care enough and turned back to his work.

-

Before class could end the teacher reminded them of their upcoming test. "Since you just moved here and it's tomorrow- Bdubs you don't have to take it," they explained.

Doc glanced over at him and watched him shrug. "I'll take it, I don't mind."

Mx.Gecko agreed but assured him if he did poorly they didn't have to count it.

-

Throughout the rest of the day, Doc grew more and more annoyed. Just ignore him, he told himself. Pretend you don't feel him staring at you.

He felt as though he couldn't breathe, the stare from Bdubs' heterochromatic eyes suffocating him. It wasn't until he stepped out of the school that his breath returned to normal.

Or so he thought.

As he unlocked his bike and walked with it towards the gate, he passed the skateboard rack. And of course, there was Bdubs, pulling out a scratched-up muted red board. "Oh, hi Doc!" he said with the same grin he wore all day.

He blinked at him, letting the disinterest show on his face before walking away. Once outside the gate he hopped on his bike and rode home.

-

"Are you kidding me?" he muttered, pulling down the shade to the window next to his bed. He happened to glance at the house behind his and spotted Bdubs in the window across from his. Don't think about it, he assured himself, sitting at his desk and pulling out his notes. You have a test tomorrow, and that's more important.

-

After the test was over, Doc wasn't surprised he got a perfect score. Curiosity pushed him to glance at Bdubs' desk, and he just stopped functioning.

He got a 98.

He probably just studied. He told himself. Or he already learned this subject at his old school.

As if reading his mind, the kid on the other side of Bdubs said, "Look at you being so smart! Did you already go over this?"

The boy just shrugged as he slipped it into a folder. "Actually, my class was starting it the day I left. I just guessed based on what sounded right." Doc was fuming. There's no way he just guessed. It felt unfair and a lie.

And it didn't stop at the history test.

It was hard not to notice how well Bdubs was performing in all of his subjects. And yet not once did the hybrid see him take actual notes.

-

Doc stared at the class ranking in the hall. It hadn't even been two weeks since Bdubs arrived and yet there he was, a whisper away from taking Doc's number one spot.

"Wow! Look at us being at the top of the class!" Bdubs remarked, appearing next to him.

He glared at him, fires ablaze within his eyes. "I haven't figured out what game you're playing, but just know it isn't funny," he snapped.

The shorter tilted his head, pure confusion resting on his freckled face. "I'm just doing my school work? There's really nothing to it."

Nothing to it? Doc wanted to yell at him, but they were in the school hall, and he wasn't for getting in trouble.

A sly smirk spread across the lighter brunette's face. "Wait, are you jealous that I'm smart?" he teased.

He rolled his eyes and began walking back to class. "There's nothing to be jealous of," he scoffed. Bdubs just giggled, walking with him.

-

This was getting to be too much. Doc's life was perfect just the way it was, but now this kid has shown up and has ruined everything. And what's worse is that he's everywhere. Even on the weekends, when he'd rather spend the time quietly working in his room, he can hear his neighbor playing music whilst his window was open.

In just a few short weeks everything was different in what felt like the worst way possible. And he'd be lying if he said he hadn't grown to sort of hate Bdubs.

-

But then on Tuesday, as he biked to school one morning, he spotted Bdubs walking instead of using his skateboard. And as he got closer, he noticed something else.

Band-Aids and bruises.

The bandages weren't doing a good job covering his scrapes and despite looking like he was in pain, he had a content look on his face. Still smiling, still bright.

And that was infuriating.

"Are you okay?" he blurted out, stopping his bike. Bdubs looked over at him and his smile grew.

"Mornin' Doc!" he said, giving a little wave.

"Are you okay?" the hybrid repeated.

"Hm? Oh you mean- yeah I'm okay! Just got into some trouble at the skate park yesterday," he laughed, scratching the back of his head.

"You should visit the nurse when you get to school."

"Nah it's fine."

"Bdubs don't be stupid," he sternly shot back before continuing his bike to school. He couldn't help but feel weird. Seeing his classmate like... that didn't sit right with him. It was more than just concerning, it left an unsettling feeling in his stomach. Just the other day he thought he hated this boy, so why was this affecting him so much?

-

A part of the unsettling feeling pulled away when Bdubs appeared in class, now properly bandaged.

"Thanks for worrying about me," he whispered as he slid into his seat.

Doc just shrugged. "It's not a big deal, anyone would've told you the same thing."

"Maybe. But, even so, you still said something."

-

You still said something.

Those words haunted his mind for the rest of the day. Why did it matter so much to Bdubs? Literally anyone would've told him the same thing and it just so happened to be him. It was something so small and arguably insignificant. It seemed like Bdubs was over-analyzing it.

He kept thinking about it as he stepped into the bathroom. And of course, the freckled brunette was in there.

The shorter kept glancing at his reflection as he washed his hands, specifically the band-aid on his right cheek.

"What exactly happened?" the taller asked, letting curiosity make the best of him once again. Bdubs looked up at him, a little startled to see him there.

"Oh! Nothing too bad. Some kid ran into me and he thought it was my fault so his friends broke my board and stuff," he shrugged, turning back to the mirror.

"Did they hurt you?"

"A little, yeah. Plus I have to wait until Thursday until I get my board back from the shop."

Doc was feeling a mix of pure confusion and annoyance. "Why are you so calm about it? You were hurt!" he pointed out. Bdubs' calm smile slipped and he turned his body to completely face the hybrid.

"Why do you care?" he shot back so loudly his words bounced off the walls around him. "You clearly don't see me as a friend so why does this bother you so much?"

"I-"

"You practically ignore me when I first get here, and you only talk to me more once you saw me as some sort of 'threat' to your dumb placement at the top of the class! I don't care because it doesn't matter. So what if I got hurt? Clearly, I'm okay! Y'know you're so wrapped up in your own head that I was surprised you even noticed."

Doc didn't know how to respond. He didn't know how to feel anymore. It wasn't until Bdubs walked around him to leave the bathroom was he able to say something. "I'm sorry, Bdubs."

The short brunette turned back around.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. "And you're right I am wrapped up in my own head and I shouldn't have been so rude to you. I don't know why it bothers me so much but it just does."

Bdubs thought for a moment. "Let's talk more about this later, okay? When we're not in the school bathroom."

-

They happened to wait until after school to properly talk again. Deciding to be polite, Doc walked beside his bike and next to Bdubs. "Listen," Bdubs said, staring straight ahead. "I'm not an idiot. I know you don't like me even though you know nothing about me."

The hybrid swallowed. "I... I know that, and I'm sorry. It was unfair of me to make judgments of you without knowing anything. I guess I was admittedly... Frustrated." he muttered.

"Listen it's not my fault I'm effortlessly a genius," the shorter teased, causing the other to roll his eyes and scoff.

"I still find that ridiculous," he grumbled.

"But in all seriousness," Doc glanced over at him. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but he could've sworn his cheeks had become brighter than before. "I'd like to be your friend."

He was startled by this. Typically his no-nonsense-all-work personality is what drove people away. "I wouldn't be against it, I suppose," he mumbled, glancing down at his bike.

Suddenly, Bdubs walked in front of his bike, stopping him from moving. He grinned and held out his hand. "How about we start over then? Hi, my name is Bdubs. I love the arts and some people consider me a genius."

Doc couldn't hold back a light laugh as he shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm Doc. I like school and studying. And, it's a proven fact that I am a genius."

The two looked up as rain began to attack them. "If we take my bike we can probably reach my house before it gets too bad," the hybrid reasoned.

He gave the lighter brunette room to sit behind him on the seat, backs pressed together.

-

As he wiped his soaked hair with a towel, Bdubs was staring out the backyard door towards his own house. "You are not going to hop the fence to get to your house," Doc told him as if he was someone's stern father.

He laughed at the comment and shook his head. "I just want to get out of your hair as quickly as possible," he reasoned, glancing up at his classmate.

"It's fine if you have to wait here for a little. What are friends for, right?"

Bdubs just nodded, looking down at nothing in particular. You just earned his friendship. Calm down buddy, if it took that long for it to happen it'll probably take twice as long for him to even consider if he has any romantic feelings towards you. He scolded himself.

It was his own fault, really. Since he first moved to town he immediately began crushing on the smart kid, but it seemed like a hopeless endeavor, as he was hated by him. He thought if he worked harder he'd be recognized by Doc for his skills, but that only made him angrier.

And despite all the silent hate, for some reason, he never stopped liking him. But, when Doc admitted in the bathroom that seeing him hurt 'bothered him', that just confused him. He was annoyed, sure, but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel somewhat hopeful. Speaking of which, they still haven't talked about that.

"So do you still not know?" he asked. He was met with confused eyes so he quickly clarified. "When you said that seeing me hurt bothered you but you didn't know why- is that still true?"

Doc closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "Maybe not, actually. I guess it bothered me so much because despite me telling myself I didn't like you, perhaps it was the respect for your skills that I might've hidden."

Bdubs had to repeat his explanation in his head to understand what he was saying. Feeling slightly disappointed, he just nodded. Yeah, he definitely doesn't like me in the same way. He confirmed.

The hybrid had suggested they go sit down, and they ended up in his room. "So do you really only like to study?" he teased as they sat on the floor, backs to Doc's bed.

"For the most part, yes. Although sometimes I indulge in a little light reading." He gestured to the wall across from them, where a spruce bookshelf sat.

"Okay but what about when we're out of school? Like, I know you're going to some high-end college, but what about after that?" Bdubs rested his elbow on the bed and leaned on his arm.

"Hopefully become a scientist," Doc shrugged, still looking at his bookshelf. Well, his eyes were facing the books, but he didn't seem to be focusing on them. Finally, he looked away from them and at the lighter brunette. "And you? What's your plan?"

Sighing, he hugged his knees but kept his head leaning on the bed. "Become an interior designer or a demolitionist. Find a good guy to start a family with." He met Doc's eyes and suppressed a laugh. The taller was confused to see him mention relationships. Is that something he's just not thinking about? Damn, there goes my shot.

"Well, I'm sure that won't be hard for you. You're smart and handsome," the dark brunette pointed out, treating his words like those he'd use to describe a historical figure.

Heat rushed to his face and Bdubs furrowed his eyebrows out of frustration. "Wh- huh? You think I'm handsome?"

Doc shrugged, leaning his head back as well. "Well, yes. It'd be stupid to try and claim otherwise." Bdubs looked away, picking at his fingernails.

"You can't just say that to someone," he muttered.

"But it's the truth?" Doc sounded confused as to why he was suddenly acting like he was.

"Doc." The exasperation in his voice felt more strained than he intended. As a flash of lightning startled him, it was quickly followed by the lights turning off. Bdubs clicked his tongue in disapproval as darkness consumed the room. The only thing he could see was the soft red glow from the hybrid's red eye.

Not a minute of silence goes by before thunder rumbles overhead. He ever so subtly scooched closer to the hybrid as his nails dug into his arm. "I think you're handsome too," he murmured, unsure if his words were heard.

Thankfully, they were. "Oh," he heard Doc whisper. "I can't say I agree with that, but thank you."

He scooched closer in hopes of getting a better look at his expression. "Doc." This time when he said his name, it was much softer with a layer of concern. Hesitantly, he reached forward and touched his arm. The taller jumped but didn't pull away.

-

So close, too close. Doc thought over and over. But he didn't move, didn't lean back, get up or pull away. He let Bdubs lean forward, hand on his forearm as he invaded his bubble. It certainly didn't help that his chest was feeling weird because he was called 'handsome' by someone with a far prettier face than his.

"You are handsome." Bdubs quietly repeats. "And you're a dumbass if you don't believe me."

He had to swallow the abnormal lump in his throat. The feeling in his chest only twisted and squeezed his heart more. Unsure how to properly respond, he just slowly nodded. The shorter retreated, going back to hugging his knees and leaning against the bed.

And he wished he didn't.

-

For the first time in his life, Doc didn't spend all day Saturday studying. Instead, he sat at his desk and stared at the window belonging to the neighbor's house. He felt stupid, having to search online; 'weird feeling in chest when close to someone'.

After some scrolling and contemplating what the hell he was doing, he found something. So he looked that up too. 'What does it mean to like someone' and 'do I like my friend'.

"Stupid internet quiz," he muttered, immediately closing the tab and shutting off his monitor as the result 'you're crushing' popped up.

This made zero sense to him. He didn't like Bdubs, right? Doc knew the hatred he felt was short-lived. The only reason he agreed to be friends with him was the hope of understanding why he had felt so weird that day. But now, he was more confused than ever. A part of him wondered if he could invent something when he's older that can shut off or at least reduce emotions. Life would be so much easier for him.

Maybe it'll be best to just sit on these weird feelings. Hopefully they'll just go away.

-

So they didn't go away.

On Monday Bdubs was back to using his skateboard and his injuries were practically gone. During first period, he was speaking with the person sitting next to him - who Doc finally learned was Stress - and suddenly began giggling like mad.

He wasn't sure if he heard him laugh like this before, but it didn't matter. His giggles floated to the butterflies in his stomach, chasing them around and making them flutter everywhere.

On Tuesday, Bdubs found where he ate lunch. "Are you telling me you've been eating alone in the library this entire time?" he asked, sliding into the seat across from him.

Doc shrugged. "It's quiet and I get to read, so yeah." He knew if he admitted to not having any other friends, it would make him seem pitiful. And although he was hungry mere seconds ago, he lost his appetite at the sight of Bdubs just looking around the library. His eyes were sparkling like gems, and he couldn't help but stare. The feeling in his chest sunk into his stomach and once Bdubs glanced back at him he quickly looked down at his book.

But then on Wednesday, they took a chemistry test. Doc got a 105, as the extra credit came from the trivia question at the end of the worksheet. He still got annoyed when he found out Bdubs also got the trivia question right, bringing up his 95 to a 100. But seeing how proud of himself Bdubs was, it twisted his chest around.

-

Friday afternoon, the two were making their way home from school. Both moving slowly on their respective vehicle. "How can you be sure you like someone?" Doc suddenly asked.

Bdubs almost slipped off his board. He immediately jumped to conclusions as his heart began to race. An uncertain smile formed on his face as he tried to act like everything was fine. "What, the kid genius Doc can't figure out emotions?" he teased.

"Not really," he admitted, glancing over at him. He couldn't help but feel bad for teasing him, so he cleared his throat.

"Well uh, sometimes it depends on the person. For some people, they become super aware of everything both they and the person they like do. Your heart can go crazy, you feel butterflies in your stomach," he listed off, realizing everything he said was what he experienced on a daily basis. God, I'm so gay for him.

He looked over to Doc who seemed to be deep in thought over what he had said. You gotta slow down Bdubs. What makes you think the person he likes would be-

"Okay so I was right- I do have a crush on you," Doc realized out loud.

This time Bdubs did fall off his board. The hybrid stopped pedaling and looked down at him worriedly. The shorter brunette just stared up at him and blinked, heat quickly rushing to his face.  The taller threw one leg over the seat and leaned over. "Hey, are you-"

"Did you just admit to having a crush on me?!" he interrupted in disbelief. Hitting the kickstand so he could leave the bike, the darker brunette knelt beside him.

"Are your hands okay?" he asked, completely ignoring his question. "You landed on them so I doubt there isn't some form of scrape."

"Wh- yeah I'm fine," he mumbled, holding up his hands. Turns out they weren't fine, as he was bleeding on both palms. Doc rolled his eyes as he checked his bag and pulled out some tissues.

"Clearly not. Now hold this until we get to my house so I can help you," he instructed.

"Wait so we're not going to talk about what you just admitted? Also, I literally skate so I can bandage myself."

"Really?" Raising an eyebrow, the taller stood up and helped him to his feet. "Because last time you got hurt you didn't do it properly and it'll make me feel more at ease if I can just help. Plus, I don't get what's there to talk about; I was confused and now I'm not."

Bdubs made a plethora of random noises as his face burned, but he just listened and followed Doc home.

-

"There, you're all good," the hybrid murmured, Bdubs' bandaged hands resting in his own. The freckled boy just stared at him, watching as he backed up so he could hop off the bathroom sink. "Do you want something to eat before you leave?"

"I- uh- sure?" Bdubs was still beyond confused as they left the bathroom and he sat down in the living room. Does he not realize that he just confessed to me?

He bounced his knee, unsure what to do. On one hand, he could admit he feels the same way, but what if Doc just brushes it off? What if he says 'oh okay' and just moves on? His head snapped towards the other as he appeared with a bowl of chips and sat down beside Bdubs.

"Listen, Doc, I don't think you understand. You told me that you liked me. Normally when that happens the person confessing wants a response of some kind. Do you not want a response?"

The hybrid scoffed. "I'm not an idiot, I know how confessions work. I also know that I've given you no reason to have any sort of feelings for me so what's the point?"

"You are an idiot!" he desperately exclaimed.

"Excuse me? I'm-"

"I've been in love with you since I first met you!" The hybrid just stared at him, a dark red color slowly consuming his face. He slowly turned so his whole body was facing Bdubs.

"A-Are you sure?" His eyes were frantically searching Bdubs' as if checking for a hint that he may be lying. Annoyed and frustrated, he swiftly swung a leg over Doc's lap and stood on his knees so he was a little taller than the hybrid. Without giving either of them a second to think he held the back of his head and pulled him into a kiss, his other hand clutching his white button-up.

His heart exploded with euphoria as he felt the other kiss him in return. Hands ran up his thighs and gripped, causing Bdubs to tighten his own grip on Doc's shirt.

-

Whatever this feeling was, Doc never felt anything even remotely close to it. He held onto Bdubs as if letting go meant him disappearing. When he felt the shorter begin to pull away he chased after him, capturing his lips in another kiss. The hand in his hair tightened its grip and although it hurt it wasn't that bad.

Finally, when he felt like he was drowning in his euphoria, he pulled away but didn't let go of him. The two sat there, staring at each other with the only sound being their labored breaths. Bdubs slowly moved his arms so they were hanging loosely over his shoulders.

"Maybe I'm a little bit of an idiot," Doc murmured. The boy on top of him burst into a fit of giggles, disturbing the butterflies in his stomach yet again.

"Just a little," he teased. The hybrid's heart was still pounding, even as Bdubs brought a freckled hand to his face and held his jaw. His thumb grazed over his lips, causing him to smile and lean into the touch. He blinked, finally processing what happened. His smile faltered, which immediately worried the other. "Is everything okay?" he asked, leaning down as he moved his hand back over his shoulder.

"I'm not very good with emotions, let alone being in a relationship. A-Are you sure that I'm someone you want to date?"

Furrowing his brow, Bdubs gently kissed him. Once again, Doc melted into the kiss but just when he began to close his eyes the shorter pulled away. "Absolutely positive," he whispered with a grin. "Listen, I can be patient when I want to be. So I'll be patient with you. Just don't forget that I love you."

"I.." he'd never said it before, and he'd be lying if he said it wasn't scary. Bdubs could say it a hundred times and he'd probably still hesitate. "I love you too," he murmured, rubbing his thumb on the shorter brunette's thigh as he squeezed it again. He kissed him once more, but this time he let go of his legs, moving his left to his waist and bracing himself on his right forearm as he pushed Bdubs down on the couch. The lighter brunette was surprised but followed with a grin. Hands returned to dark brunette hair, weaving in with the hybrid's locks as lips pressed together once more.

The hybrid wanted nothing more than to stay like this, but then it occurred to him what time it was.

-

When Doc pulled away what felt like far too soon, Bdubs was both confused and disappointed. Still hovering over him with half-lidded eyes, the taller brushed hair out of his face. "I still have studying to get done," he murmured, sitting up. The freckled brunette burst out laughing and brought his hands back to his own face.

He scooched out from underneath the other and sat up. "I should get going anyway." Pressing one last kiss to his cheek, he got up and said goodbye. Just as he picked up his bag, Doc got up and called out to him.

"Tomorrow we should go on a date," he suggested. His lips were pressed into a thin line but his eyes were sparkling with determination.

Bdubs thought for a moment until he got an idea. "I'll take you to the skatepark!" The hybrid nodded in agreement before saying bye.

He managed to make it all the way back to his house before having to sit down on the sidewalk. He clutched his shirt over his pounding heart and let out a shaky breath. It was only just now occurring to him that he made out multiple times with Doc, of all people. His face was burning and he ever so carefully touched his lips. And now I have a date with him. 

Would y'all be interested in a sequel? It'd be the date/Doc trying to figure out how relationships work.