-22 years ago-

"Come on, bro, it'll be fun," Pat beamed, grabbing his twin brother's hand and pulling him along. The boys were at an arcade, like any other 14 year old would be.

Cass stayed silent, not fighting back. He wasn't at all fazed by his brother's peppy attitude, despite his attire. For some odd reason, Pat's clothing style had developed into something that could be considered "emo" or "goth". Always wearing dark clothes, and a black choker, every day, all the time. Yet, still he was one of the most popular kids in school. Cass on the other hand, was practically unknown. He always wore various shades of grey, his hair covered one of his eyes. It was a surprise to people to learn that Pat Dudlev has a twin brother. He was the very definition of a social butterfly. He was in multiple clubs and seemed to always be talking. As far as anyone, including his family knew, Cass hadn't spoken a single word since he was born. Instead of speaking, Cass would write what he wanted to say on a small notebook, then show it to his brother. This had become the norm between the two, and neither of them thought it was unusual. And as much as they were opposites, Patryck and Castiel Dudlev were nearly about as inseparable as siblings could get. For the most part, that is...

"C'mon, look!" Pat pointed to some newly installed shooting game, grinning in excitement. Another game had caught Cass' eye before, but before he could tell his brother about it, another boy stepped up to stand near the game.

He seemed to not notice Cass, turning to Pat," Hey, you gonna play?"

"Oh... uh... yeah.." Pat replied, his enthusiasm and attention towards his brother being thrown off balance by the arrival of the newcomer. He looked to see a boy about his age, with fluffy brown hair and and the bushiest eyebrows he had ever seen, staring at him intently. The boy smiled at his response, then held up two fingers to ask if he wanted to play co-op. Pat nodded, taking his place in front of the game's console. He glanced back at his brother only to find that Cass was nowhere to be seen.

Cass stared silently at the boy next to his brother. It was him. The boy that tried to...

The boy that he...

Maybe he should just go play that game he saw earlier. He approached the thing, near the back of the entire place. It was huge, some kind of rhythm based dance game. Though bright lights and colors flashed from its screen, it was amazing how hidden it was back here. Though the game's language was in something foreign, he was able to read it easily. Maybe that's why no one played it. The entire game was in Japanese. But for him, it was just as if he was reading English.

"It's been a while since we last spoke, huh?" the boy said after a few rounds.

"Huh?" Pat glanced at the kid, confused. He didn't exactly recognize him.

"Don't you remember? In kindergarten? I was that kid that almost kissed your brother," the boy chuckled softly," My name's Pau, by the way."

Oh.

OH.

That kid.

"Wait, that was you?"

"Mhm."

He did remember now. Pau had been in their kindergarten class, and there had been a day where a group of his friends had dared him to kiss "the silent kid in the back of the room". Pat had intervened, and the kids had left him alone from then on. 

"I've been too scared to talk to you, since then, you know. Considering you almost punched me in the face that day, probably for good reason." Pau said quietly, laughing softly again," But you both... you're so interesting. You're so outgoing and friendly. And he's... well... not. Speaking of which...-"

A sudden flash of colors from the dark corner of the arcade interrupted both of them. Then, almost in an eerily calm way, Cass walked around the corner from behind a row of pinball machines. He waved slightly at his brother, avoiding eye contact with... him.

"Cass? Did you do something?" Pat asked, staring questioningly at his brother.

Cass nodded, then walked back over to the game, standing there proudly. On the screen were a list of high scores from several different songs. Pat stared at them for a moment before realizing what his brother was trying to tell him.

"Are these your scores?" Cass nodded, smiling at his brother and glancing at Pau. It seemed as if the Dutch boy had finally noticed he existed.

"I've hardly ever seen anyone play this game, y'know. No one can understand what it says. So that's pretty awesome." Pau grinned, and Cass felt his cheeks warm at the comment. He wasn't quite sure if he was feeling what he thought he was, but it felt nice.

- 1 month later-

He was too shy to ask. Not like he ever spoke anyway.

The dance was in a week. He could do it. He could. But as he walked through the gates into the school, that feeling of courage vanished, or maybe it was more like when someone drops a vase.

Shattered.

It was probably just a friendly gesture, but the sight of his brother walking up to Pau and hugging him somehow managed to break Cass' entire aura of confidence. He simply stood there, his head down, until finally his brother walked away to say hello to some other friends. But before Pau could move, Cass made his choice.

"Pau!" the Dutch boy froze, slightly startled by the sudden outburst. He looked around, confused as to who called his name. Then his eyes landed on Cass. 

That voice... It was like Pat, but softer, more timid. Like the voice of a shyer twin...

"Cass?" 

The Polish boy ran up to where the taller boy stood, his confidence clearly draining. He spoke far quieter now, almost as if he had never shouted.

"I... I was wondering... if you.. wanted to........" he trailed off, dropping his gaze. Yet even still, Pau knew what he meant.

"The dance?"

"Mhm..."

Pau hesitated for a second, but replied," Well.. um.. I'm not sure... Dances aren't really my thing.... But maybe... and if I do go, I'll see you there, okay?"

He decided not to tell Cass why he was avoiding the answer.