Dex entered the room for detention and immediately knew that something was wrong.

Keefe...

Keefe's hair was a mess, but not in the deliberate way that he usually styled it. His eyes that usually gleamed with excitement were dull, and unless Dex was imagining it, they looked a little red, as if he'd been crying.

Dex shot a look at Ro.

'I'll tell you later. He's doing better,' she mouthed.

If that was him doing better, how bad was he feeling before?

He looked back at Keefe. He was a lot less energetic. Keefe had a way of casually drawing attention to himself, whether it was the fact that he talked a lot, talked loud, or the way he made gestures when speaking. Even without talking though, he stood out, like a bright light in a dark room. This time though, it was as if he was trying to blend on with the shadows. It just wasn't right.

Dex needed to find a way to communicate with him, but the mentor supervising them was Lady Alexine, who was known for being intolerable of improper behaviour.

The good news was, she didn't give out any tasks for them to complete. Instead, she allowed them to study for their midterms.

"I'll allow you to work in pairs," she said. "However, if I hear anything more than a whisper, every single one of you will be sitting by yourselves, in silence."

This is perfect!

He picked up his belongings and sat down next to Keefe.

"Hey," he whispered. "You doing okay? Do you wanna talk, or need a distraction?"

Keefe looked at him, almost emotionlessly. "Distraction, I guess."

"Okay. You wanna help me study by quizzing me things?"

Personally, Dex would have preferred to talk things out, but it was probably for the best that they didn't do so just yet. For starters, they were in Foxfire. Secondly, Keefe looked like he was still trying to formulate his thoughts, so he would need more time in order to get his feelings across.

Midway through detention, the atmosphere began to lighten up a little. Keefe was smiling again, and while they weren't his usual large grins, it was an improvement from before. He even managed to crack a few jokes. By the end of the session, it almost looked like nothing had even happened, as if Keefe hadn't had a breakdown recently. Almost.

"Can I come over?" Keefe asked. "I think I'm ready to talk."

Dex took his hand and gave it a light squeeze. "Yeah, of course."

They leaped to Rimeshire, and immediately locked themselves in Dex's room, so nobody else could intrude.

"Is this about yesterday?"

Keefe shook his head. "It's ... something else. Can I start off with a question?"

"Go ahead."

"How do you deal with expectations?"

Oh. Did something happen between him and his father?

Dex thought about the answer to the question. "It's different for me. I had the whole world convinced that my family was destined to fail, to be unable to contribute to society. But we've learned to ignore a lot of it, and to make choices solely because that's what we want to do. We know that no matter how much good we do, there'll always be people waiting to see us fail, because that's what's expected of us. It's probably different for you."

Keefe tilted his head, seemig to consider that. "I don't think that they're too different. But... I've been thinking, I've always been super good at Foxfire."

"You skipped Level One, right?"

He nodded. "Yeah, contrary to popular belief, I actually do like learning. And if I continue to put in all my effort, I would be able to do really well. Like, I know things, and remembering isn't a problem either. It's just so draining though. Have you ever felt that way?"

"Only when I'm really tired, or if I've been in a bad mood."

He sighed. "Great."

"I think there's more to it than that though. I mean, you're expected to get perfect marks all the time. The only subjects I can get nineties in are alchemy and technopathy. It's encouraged for me to score high, yeah, but even if I don't score that high, my parents are fine with it. It's only a problem when I'm either close to failing, or if my mark dropped a lot in a short period of time. But you don't get that luxury, do you?"

Keefe made a noise that could best be described as a whine, then fell backwards on the bed. "Nope. And I'm tired of it. Even if I do study properly, there's gonna be something that I'll accidentally overlook, and that'll cost me a few marks. I'll get yelled at anyway."

Dex thought about that. He couldn't tell if he was lucky to have parents that were understanding, or if Keefe just managed to be unlucky with his parents. He didn't think that he would be able to handle coming home to an environment where he would constantly be insulted. No wonder why Keefe constantly ditched class, it was the only time that he had for himself, free from those expectations. (It hurt to think about the fact that the reason he had managed it this long was likely because he was used to it).

"It's why I ditch," Keefe said, confirming what Dex had just thought. "The work is exhausting, but then it gets to the point where everything starts to blur, and then nothing makes sense. So even if I try, it's not going to be easy."

"Is there anything that can be done about it?"

Keefe groaned, and then there was a pause, as if what he was about to say next was something huge. "Well, by not doing my work. Next year's Elite Levels, but they're not required, right? They're only for if you wanna get a Council affiliated job, and I think we've all had enough interactions with them. Besides, look at your dad."

"What?"

Usually, when people referred to Kesler in that kind of context, there would be something offensive that was to follow. It took a few moments to remind himself that this was Keefe, and that he wouldn't say something like that.

"I mean, look at him! He never went to the Elite Levels, but he has a job that he actually enjoys! Just look at the outside of Slurps and Burps."

Dex snorted. Why did I even worry? "Oh yeah, I love it. Dad looks proud every time he sees it."

"Exactly!" Keefe said. "I want something like that. So I don't really see a need for me to do the Elite Levels."

Dex turned towards him. "Is that what you want?"

Dex had no plans on working directly for the Council either. After what happened with the ability circlet, he didn't want to. Because to them, it didn't always matter if what you were doing was right, you had to think of the entire world. Your choices were limited, and you couldn't rely solely on your emotions. He couldn't handle that, and Keefe, who wore his heart on his sleeve, definitely wouldn't want to be held back like that.

However, there was another thing to consider. Elves had infinite lifespans, which meant that they had time to change their minds or get tired of their occupation. It was always good to have a backup plan before it was too late. Then again, it likely wasn't worth it to go through all of that stress, just for a potential situation.

"I think so? Like, I'm getting by because I know some of this stuff. But the elite levels are super strict and stuff, and we're alone for a lot longer too."

Oh, that's right. He didn't even consider that part. It was hard enough as it was, but without your friends by your side, it was even harder. Well, I'll still go through with it.

"So I can't even distract myself, my brain is just going to be fried. It just doesn't feel like it's worth it."

"Then I don't think you should," Dex told him. "It seems like you've already come to your decision."

"Yeah but..." Keefe sat up again. "Should I?"

And now Dex recognized the entire problem. "You're worried about what your father's going to say." Not a question, just a statement.

When Keefe winced, he knew he hit the mark. "Yeah. Like... this is big, y'know? Like, I've been told my entire life that I need to make sure that the Sencen name continues to maintain its good reputation. It's like, his entire reason for wanting me." And all that was said with a forced smile.

That's so, so depressing. I wouldn't be able to handle questioning if my own parents loved me or not. Keefe, how are you able to smile through it all?

He didn't realize that he'd been holding Keefe's hand until his own hand was given a squeeze. "I'm not overwhelming you or anything right? I know it's a lot to unpack, and I don't want you thinking that you're my therapist or anything. You're more than that to me."

To be honest, it was a lot to take in. But not overwhelmingly so.

"It's not too much," Dex told him. "If it is though, I'll tell you, okay?"

"Okay."

"So the pros of continuing Foxfire: more experience and a little more versatility for your future; and your father doesn't immediately blow up on you," Dex listed. "Cons: You're going through a lot of suffering; you don't get to see your friends as often. Except maybe Fitz, as he'll be there too. And well, if your marks aren't good, you're gonna get yelled at a ton."

"And pros of not going," Keefe continued. "Less of a mental strain. Get to see my friends. Cons: If I happen to change my mind- which I doubt; and very harsh yelling from my father. The bad side to not going doesn't seem as bad, actually."."

"What about this? Do as much as you're able to for the rest of this year. I mean, by the time you graduate, you're basically an adult."

"Except," Keefe cut in. "I'm a year younger than the others. I can't use the adult excuse."

Oh, that was true.

"But I see what you mean. I should just do my best for now, and that way, he might be a little less angry at me. And then I won't let him dictate the future. Thank you, Dex."

"I'm glad I could help." He really was, he'd do a lot to help Keefe through it all.

The door flew wide open.

"Ugh finally got this damn thing to open. Dex, stop hogging Keefe!" Bex shouted.

"You're on thin ice," Dex replied. "Also, he's my boyfriend, I'm allowed to hog him."

"Yeah, well he's basically our older brother now," Rex retorted. "That's not working on us."

"Besides, we noticed that he looked like crap earlier," Lex continued, ignoring the glare that Dex sent him. "We're here to cheer him up. So come on, hurry up, we're going outside."

The smile on Keefe's face was genuine as they grabbed their jackets and went out.

Woo, another quick update! 2020 may have been pretty garbage, but I managed to obtain whatever it is that's allowing me to write, and I have no plans on letting it go. (Sorry, not giving it to you, keeping it for myself).

Anyways next chapter(s) gonna be fluff, angst, than exams and some other stuff, and then it's gonna be some transition chapter(s) as we make our way to section 2!