Heyyy so I'm trash and accidentally fell in love with this ship? Anyway, it's late and I'm too lazy to get a betareader so please be patient with typos/errors. Shout out to .com for A) talking to me about this ship because it's a very lonely boat and B) giving me the idea to have Sep wear the admiral's jacket

~oOo~

It had been easy enough to ignore, really. In fact, it could hardly be called ignoring; can you really ignore something that remains, essentially, unknown?

O. Beetle Beetle answered the urgent knocking at his door with mild annoyance. It was late and raining heavily— which were the perfect conditions for unwinding with a cup of tea and some old spell books. Alone. So he was none too pleased to greet a guest. Likely an over anxious customer from the Manuscriptorium who had business so urgent it warranted tracking him down. All his exasperation, however, disappeared when he opened the door and found himself face to face with a soaking wet and miserable-looking Septimus Heap.

"Well, get in here," he urged at once, stepping aside to let his best friend in.

"Thanks, Beetle. Nightmare of a storm out there, didn't much fancy getting back to the Tower."

"I can see why," Beetle examined Septimus and shook his head. "What were you doing so far out this late, anyway?"

"Wizard business." Septimus said, which could mean he was out on official Wizard Tower business, or it could just mean he was meeting up with a girl at Gothik Grotto.

"I was just making some tea, I'll make a cup for you too. Go find something to change into; you're soaked to the bone."

"Thanks a million," Septimus grinned, heading for the stairs to Beetle's room. "But I'd rather have a FizzFroot, if you've got any."

"You know I do," Beetle called after him, "But you'll have tea first. Both your mums will have my head if you get rain sickness."

"Beetle, don't you start mothering me too!" Septimus's reply came from the bedroom.

"And grab a towel for your hair while you're up there!"

Beetle set the tea out at his small dining table and grabbed some biscuits for good measure. He settled down at the table with his spell book, figuring Septimus would take his time, as he usually did. He'd made a sizable dent in the book before Septimus reappeared.

"Bringing your work home with you?" Septimus teased, clunking back down the stairs. He'd found some plain black trousers, a white shirt, and, to Beetle's surprise, his old admiral's jacket. To top the strange ensemble off, he'd bulled his unruly hair into an unruly bun. "What're you staring at?" Septimus asked, though the humor in his voice suggested that he knew exactly how unusual he looked.

"I don't think I've ever seen you in casual clothes, Sep."

"Not sure I own casual clothes. Feels a little weird not being in robes."

"It's not a bad look for you," Beetle mused. He got a raised eyebrow in response. "Now drink your tea before it gets cold." Septimus obliged, sitting across from Beetle and sipping at his tea. Beetle put his book aside and gave his full attention to his own cup. As he drank he kept finding his eyes wondering to Septimus. To Septimus wearing his jacket.

"My clothes are dripping wet. I've dropped them in the bath for now. It's been ages since I got that soaked."

"You'd best stay here tonight. No point getting dry just to go back out there."

"You're the best Beetle," Septimus grinned. "Really, truly, the best."

"Sure, anytime," Beetle mumbled, feeling an all too familiar flush creep up his neck. He stood hastily and went to the kitchen to busy himself with FizzFroot making. As he mixed their drinks, again his eyes kept returning to Septimus. He couldn't name the sensation he felt when he saw Septimus sitting there, at his table, wearing his clothes, his favorite jacket, with his hair haphazardly pulled into a bun. All he knew was that it flustered him. Greatly.

He returned with drinks in hand, sliding a bright green and frothing glass in front of Septimus.

"Lime, mint, and seaweed." He listed the main ingredients for Septimus. "It's their newest flavor. I think it sounds repulsive, but it made me think of you so I had to get it."

"Repulsive? Me? Thanks," Septimus laughed and Beetle joined.

"You know what I mean. Your tastebuds are all screwy." Beetle took his own light blue drink to his seat and took a swig. Blueberry and raspberry, one of his favorites.

"You're not even going to try it?" Septimus asked, gesturing to the green monstrosity.

"Why would I?" Beetle grimaced as Septimus took a drink.

"C'mon, you might like. It's actually not bad."

"I don't trust you when it comes to food, Sep. Learned that lesson the hard way."

"Well this isn't food, so you can trust me."

"No, I can't," Beetle laughed, holding out his hand. "But I guess I'm dumb enough to try it anyway." Septimus passed him the mug, and Beetle was hyperaware of the way their fingers brushed during the exchange. He tentatively raised the glass to his lips and took the smallest sip he could manage. He still nearly spit it out. Septimus burst out laughing as Beetle shoved the offending drink back into his hands.

"Well I like it."

"I'm glad. That's why I got it."

"Thanks," Septimus said, sounding genuinely touched. Beetle's ears heated.

"Yeah, 'course." He tried to shrug off the embarrassment. It was abnormal for him to feel awkward around Sep. And tonight he'd been out of sorts. All because Septimus was wearing his jacket. It looked good on him, Beetle though idly. The whole look, strange as it was for Septimus to wear, looked good. From the casual pants to the loose shirt to the navy and gold jacket to the messy bun.

Oh.

It fell into place, then. He was attracted to Septimus Heap. He very much liked the idea— the reality— of Septimus in his clothes looking informal and haphazard. He had though he'd left his flustered embarrassment in the past, back when he was in love with Jenna. Apparently, Septimus had brought it back.

"You blasted Heaps," Beetle groaned.

"Watch it, you sound like Gringe," Septimus warned, amusement in his green eyes. "What'd we do this time?"

"Existed." Septimus laughed at that. Beetle considered his friend, wondering how long he'd been falling for him. Since he and Jenna broke up last Spring? Since before then? He wondered how he'd missed it. It was obvious, in retrospect. He'd attributed the jealousy he felt for Septimus's fleeting attractions as the residuals left over from his old inferiority complex and envy wrought days. He'd passed everything else off as friendship. Like how he'd rather spend time with Sep than anyone. How fighting with Septimus was always terrible. How he loved to make Septimus laugh, smile, and, on occasion, spit Fizzfroot out his nose.

As they cleared their cups to the sink, Beetle considered how to deal with his newly discovered feelings. He let out a sigh, "Sep, you take the bed. I don't reckon I'll get much sleep tonight anyway, so I might as well try the couch."