Jim stared blankly at his ceiling. He didn't know how much sleep he had gotten, but it was not nearly enough. Sy hadn't come back last night. Hadn't even sent a good night message. Just went to go see Zephyr and after that, nothing.
It wasn't like Jim was worried, he knew Sy was fine. He probably fell asleep talking to Zephyr, or wondered back to his own room at curfew and didn't want to risk being caught in the halls after hours. Still, Jim'd missed him last night. He'd gotten used to sleeping beside Sy, and it was hard to adjust to not having someone there next to him.
The alarm went off.
Jim rolled over and shut it off, then got up. Sy wasn't there to insist on more sleep. And Jim had no reason to just continue laying in bed doing nothing. He might as well get up and start his day.
Morph floated up from his place on Jim's pillow and trilled softly. Jim reached over to rub the small shapeshifter.
"I know, boy. I miss him too. Don't worry, Sy will be back tonight."
Morph spun in a circle. "Back tonight, back tonight!"
Jim laughed. "That's right! I'll tell him you miss him."
"Miss him."
Jim smiled and got out Morph's breakfast. While his pet ate, he set about getting his things ready for the day. A quick scan of the room ensured him that everything was as it should be. Morph's water cup was filled up, he'd gotten fed, Sy's pillow was still hidden safely in the empty dresser drawer, Jim'd grabbed his boots from outside his door, and he had his things ready to hit the showers.
All that was missing was having said good morning to his boyfriend. Soon though. Real soon.
The showers were just beginning to fill up when he arrived. Hazzam was singing something in Greek. Someone else was doing a ditty of their own. Otherwise the young men in the bathroom were conversational over musical. Jim cleaned up quickly, not wanting to waste time and miss a moment with Sy.
Jim swung past his room quickly to snag his tablet and drop off his shower caddy. Morph was napping again, curled up in the exact middle of his bed. Jim slipped out quietly, not wanting to wake the sleeping blob.
He was the third person to arrive at the breakfast table. Hogarth and Varian were already in place, breakfast trays before them. Jim set his tablet down and took a seat next to them. "Hey."
"Hi!" Hogarth flashed him a bright smile.
"Good morning," Varian answered.
"Did either of you see Sy yet this morning?"
Both of them shook their heads. "Sorry," Varian was the one to verbalize their response, "We haven't seen anyone but you yet."
"Everyone should be arriving soon, though," Hogarth supplied.
Jim scanned his hand on his tablet and opened up his messaging app anyway.
Jim 07:03
Missed you last night. Can't wait to see you!
"What's for breakfast?" Jim let his tablet return to sleep. "Anything good?"
"The breakfast potatoes are fantastic," Varian answered immediately. "I don't know what they put on them, but it is amazing."
"I'm fairly certain it's just rosemary and paprika." Hogarth responded with a shrug. "You know, aside from the usual salt and pepper. Maybe there's some garlic in there? Yeah, I think it's garlic."
Jim glanced over at the potatoes. "They're pretty yellow, though, so maybe some turmeric?"
Varian just shook his head. "As always, I am in awe of the luxury they serve us. These things have to cost them a fortune, and they're just using it on us? I just…I can't get over it."
Hogarth and Jim exchanged a smile. Hogarth was the one to offer to listen to Varian's amazed rant this time. "Is there anything on your plate you haven't tried before?"
Varian's enthusiastic reply was cut short by a ding from all their tablets.
Jim scanned his palm again. He knew it wasn't Sy replying to him, as Hogarth and Varian had received the message as well.
Braxton 07:04
U seen my watchdog?
The three boys at the table exchanged a glance. It wasn't like Zephyr to be late in the morning. He'd proven to be quite prompt, arriving at Braxton's room between ten and fifteen minutes before seven.
Jim 07:04
Sy never messaged me last night. Maybe he and Zephyr were up late talking?
Braxton 07:05
Ok but I'm hungry
Hogarth 07:05
Give it another ten minutes, then message the head of student affairs?
Braxton 07:05
Save me bacon
Jim frowned. Something about this didn't seem right. He opened his message with Sy again, shooting off one more quick message.
Jim 07:06
Is everything okay? You've been quiet.
"You might want to go get some food now, Jim," Hogarth suggested. "Varian and I will watch the table. I'm sure Sy, Matt, and 628 will be here soon."
"Sure. Can you keep an eye on my tablet for me? Actually….I'll just carry it with me. Never mind." He didn't want to miss it if Sy responded.
His two companions nodded before returning to their meals. Hogarth scraped his portion of the potatoes onto Varian's tray.
Jim's tablet was completely silent his whole way through the line. The meal looked good today; potatoes, outerwildabeast bacon or znab boar ham, one egg omelets, oat cakes, and a weird small green fruit he didn't recognize. Still, it was hard to be enthusiastic about eating when he was starting to worry more and more about Sy.
Why hadn't he gotten a reply?
Just as Jim was setting his tray on the table, the three tablets alerted again.
Braxton 07:15
still not here. I'm sending matt and 628 to get something to eat. jim, tell your softspot to get in contact with zephyr
Jim 07:15
Sy isn't here either
Matt 07:15
Hes not?
Jim 07:15
No, I haven't heard from him since he left last night
Braxton 07:16
something is not right
Varian 07:16
We'll save you some of our breakfasts and come get you in time for class. Maybe they were up late talking and overslept?
Hogarth 07:16
We should tell someone. Braxton could get in trouble for being out without Zephyr.
Jim 07:16
No
I don't want to get Sy or Zephyr in trouble
Braxton 07:17
I'll just stay here free skip day
Matt 07:17
I'll tell Sargent Wilskin that you are sick
Jim 07:17
I'll go knock on Sy's door now
Braxton 07:17
k
Jim stood up. "Watch my things a moment. I'm going to grab a couple of coffee cups and take it to go."
Hogarth nodded. "Bring me and Varian one each as well. We'll save something for Braxton, just in case."
AN: Hey friends! As always, thank you so much for reading. I've noticed in my stats that every time I post a chapter, someone reads this fic from start to finish. I don't know if you're a new person every time, or if you're a repeat reader that loves to refresh your memory from the beginning, but I want to say thank you either way.
When I started this fic, I honestly didn't think that it would get much attention. Treasure Planet is two decades old now, and I was just writing this for fun. Seeing the followers and favorites, and watching my stats spike after every chapter, it's been an absolute delight. I truly appreciate each and every one of you, new friends and long time fans. Thank you so much for your support.
See you next week! 3