The Youngest's Privileges

Bullies

No powers AU and the septuplets are 14 y/o here. Enjoy!

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Bullying

The first time it happened, Cahaya wasn't even aware that it was actually happening. He didn't think he would become a victim of the cliché "nerd gets bullied" situation that only happens in a movie.

But surprisingly, he was wrong.

It had started when he was babbling to Air who was listening to him half-heartedly about this cool new science project he was doing, when he heard a snicker and a hushed tone spoke up.

"Nerd."

He stiffened and turned to look at the person who spoke. A couple of boys by the other side of the room looked surprised and amused at the reaction before quickly turning away from him, laughing at each other.

He felt the usual annoyance he felt when Api would call him that but unlike the situation with his brother, he finds himself feeling utterly embarrassed at being made fun by strangers.

"Hey? Cahaya?" He turned to Air who was looking at him with a raised eyebrow, "You suddenly stopped ranting about Quantum Physics."

He finds himself huffing in slight amusement, "You were actually listening?"

"Of course." His brother side-eyed the boys and spoke loudly, "Because unlike some people who can't even submit their homework on time, I think it's pretty cool that you're capable of doing your own research over complex topics like 'biological compasses' and still top the class."

The boys whose backs were still turned, visibly went stiff before hastily rushing out the room with heads bowed. Their other classmates who got the gist of the indirect insult, chuckled at them.

Cahaya smiled at his brother wryly, "And what was that for?"

Air grabbed one of his juice boxes from under his desk and stabbed it with a straw and handed it to him, "Big brothers are supposed to look out for their youngest."

"We're the same age." He deadpanned accepting the drink while the other took out another one for himself, "And you didn't need to do that. They were obviously being insecure."

His brother's eyes then landed on him as he slurped his juice, "Probably. But it was still uncalled for. Calling you a 'nerd'."

"Api calls me that all the time."

"Yeah, but it's Api." Air shrugged, "He attracts trouble and calls us names all the time, but he'll never say things to demean you or us. It's his love language."

Cahaya couldn't help but snort, "Hearing 'Api' and 'love' in one narrative sounds weird."

"Well, it's true. And anyway, those idiots didn't have brother privileges to call you that. So, I'm pretty sure they've stepped out of the line." Air's eyes narrowed dangerously as he kept looking at where their classmates had left, "And I hope that would be the last of that."

Cahaya shook his head in amusement, "Cut the protective brother act. That's Tanah's job. Also- I assure you, after calling them out like that, I doubt they'd try to insult me again. And besides- it's natural for someone to feel jealous over a talented guy like me.

And just like that, the glare disappeared as Air rolled his eyes at this. Cahaya quickly took that as his cue to continue where he left off and started spouting random procedures on how he thought about using lizards and insects as part of his project.