CHAPTER 455: CHAPTER 455: AWAKENING

Trevor touched two fingers to the side of Sebastian’s neck to check his pulse. A warm flush pulsed beneath the skin, steady but too fast for simple exhaustion. Trevor’s expression softened, something between recognition and reluctant amusement passing over his features.

He exhaled once, controlled and slow, before speaking.

"Well," he said quietly, "it seems like you’re manifesting earlier than I did."

Sebastian blinked. "Manifest?"

Trevor hummed in acknowledgment. "Mhm. The first shift. Your secondary gender is waking up."

Sebastian stared at him, confused but trying to piece the words together. "Now? But I’m only sixteen."

Trevor gave a small shrug. "Your papa started earlier. So did most of Lucas’s side of the family. You’re right on schedule."

Sebastian opened his mouth to respond, but another tight wave of heat curled through his chest, cutting his breath in half. His hand clenched around the armrest. Trevor steadied him with a palm against his shoulder.

"Easy," Trevor murmured. "It’s alright."

Sebastian swallowed. "It feels... strange."

"It’s supposed to." Trevor squeezed his shoulder gently. "Which is why we’re not doing this alone."

He reached for his phone with his free hand. "Let’s call your other father and Marin to check you out."

Sebastian tensed again. "Do we need the physician already?"

"Yes," Trevor said simply. "We do."

Before Sebastian could question it further, Trevor dialed with the familiar efficiency of a man who never waited for a situation to escalate. The call rang once.

"Trevor?" Lucas’s voice answered immediately, warm but alert.

"Come to my office," Trevor said, eyes still on Sebastian. "Now."

There was no hesitation. "On my way."

Trevor ended the call and immediately dialed the next number. Marin picked up almost instantly.

"Lord Fitzgeralt?"

"Marin," Trevor said, "he’s showing early signs. Strong ones. I need you at the manor."

"Understood," Marin replied. "Ten minutes."

Trevor slipped the phone into his pocket and knelt beside his son.

"Sebastian," he said softly, "you’re safe. This is normal. It’s just happening a little faster than expected."

Sebastian nodded but pressed a hand against his chest, the pressure building like a slow, rising tide. His breath stuttered once, and Trevor shifted closer, grounding him with a steady, quiet presence.

"Breathe with me," Trevor murmured.

Sebastian tried. The inhale came uneven, but Trevor’s calm anchored him.

The door opened then, and Lucas stepped inside, his expression sharpened with concern that softened the second he saw Sebastian.

He moved straight to them, kneeling beside Trevor. "What happened?"

Trevor answered without looking away from their son. "Early manifestation."

Lucas placed a hand on Sebastian’s cheek, warmth wrapping around him like a soft blanket. "Hey," he whispered. "Look at me."

Sebastian raised his eyes. Lucas brushed his thumb across his temple with quiet reassurance. "It’s alright," he said. "You’re just growing."

Sebastian tried to breathe steadily, guided by both of them.

A slow inhale. A trembling exhale.

Trevor rested his hand at the back of his neck again. "We’ll handle it."

Sebastian nodded once, shoulders loosening just slightly under their hands.

Lucas kept his hand on Sebastian’s cheek for another breath, grounding him with the steady warmth of his scent. Trevor watched the rise and fall of their son’s chest, measuring each movement with careful attention. When the next inhale came shallow again, Trevor touched Lucas’s shoulder lightly.

"We should move him," Trevor said. "The medical room is quieter."

Lucas nodded. "Alright. Sebastian, can you stand?"

Sebastian hesitated. The pressure in his chest felt heavier now, spreading through his ribs like a slow burn. He braced one hand on the armrest and tried to push himself upright. His legs answered, but not cleanly, more like they were responding to two different commands at once.

Trevor was already beside him. Lucas moved to his other side, placing one steady hand at the back of his arm.

"Don’t rush," Trevor murmured.

Sebastian exhaled shakily. "I’m fine. Just... dizzy."

"That’s part of it," Lucas said softly. "Lean on us if you need to."

Sebastian didn’t argue. He let them guide him up, his weight shifting instinctively toward Trevor as another wave of heat rolled through him. Lucas tightened his grip slightly, ensuring he didn’t sway too far.

They took the first steps slowly. The hall outside Trevor’s office was dimmer than the main rooms, lit by soft sconces that cast warm shadows along the walls. The quiet helped. The air felt cooler. Sebastian focused on breathing and walking, one step at a time, flanked by both parents.

"You’re doing well," Lucas murmured.

Sebastian managed a weak smile. "You’re obligated to say that."

Trevor’s hand squeezed his shoulder once. "No, we’re not."

They reached the staircase landing. The corridor stretched ahead toward the private wing, where the medical room sat tucked away behind ornate paneling. Lucas angled closer as Sebastian’s pace faltered for a heartbeat.

"Careful," Lucas said. "I’ve got you."

Sebastian nodded, jaw tight. "It’s like my legs forgot what they’re doing."

"That’s adrenaline," Trevor explained. "Your instincts are waking up faster than your body can keep up."

They turned the final corner.

The medical room door stood open, soft lights already glowing inside. Windstone’s doing, no doubt.

And speaking of Windstone... He appeared silently from the far end of the corridor, bowing briefly as he approached.

"Master Sebastian’s room has been prepared," he said quietly. "And young master Dean is asleep."

Trevor raised a brow. "Asleep? This early?"

Windstone folded his hands behind his back in dignified triumph. "I implemented a firm but gentle strategy."

Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. "Did you bribe him with hot chocolate?"

Windstone cleared his throat. "Effective strategy."

Trevor huffed a soft breath, almost a laugh. "Thank you."

Windstone’s gaze slid toward Sebastian for a moment, assessing him with the care of someone who had been here since the beginning.

"Shall I bring water or cool packs?" he asked.

"Both," Trevor said. "And dim the lights."

"Of course, my lord." Windstone vanished down the hall with the silent efficiency of a man who had been through too many Fitzgeralt emergencies to be rattled.

Sebastian’s breath hitched again. Lucas reacted first, shifting his arm to support more of his weight.

"Almost there," Lucas murmured.

Trevor pushed the door to the medical room open fully and guided Sebastian inside. The space was soft-lit and quiet, the walls lined with warm wood, medical cabinets, and the wide examination bed that doubled as a recovery cot.

Lucas eased Sebastian onto the bed with practiced gentleness. Trevor stayed close, his hand never leaving the back of Sebastian’s neck until the boy was settled against the pillows.

Sebastian exhaled, the tension in his chest easing slightly now that he wasn’t standing.

"Better?" Lucas asked.

"A little," Sebastian whispered.

Trevor brushed his thumb over Sebastian’s shoulder. "Good. Marin will be here soon."

Sebastian nodded weakly, his gaze darting toward the doorway as if wanting to reassure himself that no one else would walk in.

Lucas followed the glance. "Dean is asleep," he said gently. "Windstone made sure of it."

Sebastian’s shoulders eased a fraction. "Good... I don’t want him to worry."

Trevor exchanged a quiet look with Lucas. Their son, overwhelmed and flushed, continued to think first about his brother.

They both placed a hand on him then, one on either shoulder.

"You did well," Lucas said softly.

"You’re safe," Trevor added.

Sebastian closed his eyes, letting their presence settle around him like a shield.

The awakening wasn’t going to be easy.

But he wouldn’t face any part of it alone.