The door opened.
Hugo had prepared himself for many things.
A mini version of Lily, with the sa fierce eyes and athletic build? Sure.
A tiny evil scientist, plotting world domination? Very possible.
A little gremlin who had already judged him and sentenced him to death before even eting him? Extrely likely.
But what he hadn't expected…
Was a boy in a wheelchair.
And at that mont, Hugo felt sothing inside him twist.
Oh…
Oh, damn…
Oh, I'm a terrible person.
His entire ntal image of Billy—the evil, scheming, gremlin-like nesis—completely shattered.
Because the boy in front of him wasn't so villain.
He was just a kid.
A cute kid, with ssy black hair, bright brown eyes, and a slightly oversized hoodie that made him look even smaller than he actually was.
And the wheelchair…
Hugo tried not to stare, but he couldn't help it.
Suddenly, all those wild, dramatic thoughts he'd had earlier about Billy being so final boss villain, a little demon trying to sabotage him felt so stupid.
'God, I'm an idiot. This whole ti, I thought he was just trying to ruin my life, but he was probably just…'
Calling for help. Calling for his sister. Calling because he needed her.
And Hugo had been cursing in his head every ti Billy interrupted his dates with Lily.
He felt like the worst person alive.
Billy's gaze landed on him, his small face unreadable.
Then, without breaking eye contact, Billy leaned back in his wheelchair slightly and crossed his arms.
"So," Billy said, voice flat, "you're Hugo."
Hugo snapped out of his thoughts and quickly put on his friendliest smile. "Yeah! And you must be Billy."
Billy's eyes narrowed. There was so much suspicion in that tiny little face that Hugo almost laughed.
Almost.
But no. He deserved this. This was his karma. He needed to redeem himself.
Lily bead as she stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Billy's shoulder. "I told you he's nice, right? Now, you two should get to know each other while I go get so snacks."
Hugo nodded imdiately, determined to fix his terrible first impression.
"Yeah! Sounds like a great idea."
Billy, however, looked less than thrilled.
He gave Lily a forced smile. "Sure. Have fun in the kitchen."
Lily gave Hugo a quick, reassuring glance before disappearing down the hall.
And the mont she was gone…
Billy dropped the act. His small, cute face completely transford.
He leaned forward in his wheelchair, his tiny hands gripping the wheels so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Then, in a voice so dark, so filled with venom, that it sent an actual chill down Hugo's spine, Billy spoke.
"You're trying to steal my sister away from ."
Hugo blinked.
Wait. What?
Billy's eyes darkened.
"It's not gonna happen," Billy hissed. "Not on my watch."
Hugo just stood there, completely frozen.
Because—
What. The. Hell. Where did the cute, shy little brother go?! Who was this tiny war general sitting before him?!
Why did it suddenly feel like he was in a mafia movie?!
Billy's hands tightened around the arms of his wheelchair.
"If you think I'm just gonna sit here and let so random guy take my sister away, you're wrong," Billy said coldly.
Hugo stared.
Then, he internally scread.
'WHAT IS THIS SITUATION?'
His brain completely short-circuited.
He had walked in here feeling guilty, remorseful, and ready to make a good impression.
But now?
Now, he was staring into the eyes of a tiny warlord who had just declared battle.
Billy's hands were still gripping the armrests of his wheelchair like a king sitting on a throne, his gaze filled with pure defiance.
And Hugo who had never lost an argunt in his life felt a sudden urge to win.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Listen here, Billy," Hugo said slowly, matching the boy's intensity. "Your sister is my girlfriend. So, technically, you're the one trying to steal her from ."
Billy scoffed. "I've had her longer."
Hugo blinked. "I—? What?"
"I've known her my whole life," Billy said smugly, crossing his arms. "I was here first."
Hugo internally cursed.
'Damn it. The kid had a point!'
But Hugo wasn't about to lose to a middle schooler.
"Well," Hugo said, crossing his arms too, "I kiss her. Do you?"
Billy's eye twitched. There was a brief silence. Then, Billy rolled forward aggressively, stopping just inches from Hugo's legs.
Hugo instinctively took a step back.
"Listen, you overgrown garden gno," Billy said in a low, threatening voice, "Lily and I have a bond you'll never understand. You think so cheap flirting and a few dates make you important?" He scoffed. "Pathetic."
Hugo's jaw dropped.
Did this ten-year-old just call him pathetic?!
He took a step forward, mirroring Billy's intensity.
"Well, listen here, you miniature Bond villain," Hugo shot back, leaning down slightly. "Lily is my girlfriend, and unless you have a marriage certificate hidden sowhere, you're just gonna have to deal with it."
Billy's eyes narrowed.
"Oh, I can deal with it," Billy said darkly. "In fact, I'm already planning how to get rid of you."
Hugo raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah?" Hugo smirked. "What are you gonna do? Cut the brakes on my bicycle?"
Billy's grin turned evil.
"No," Billy said sweetly. "I'm going to swap all your shampoo with hair remover."
Hugo froze.
…
…Wait.
That was actually kind of terrifying!
Billy leaned back, looking pleased with Hugo's split-second of panic.
"Oh, so you're scared now?" Billy said smugly. "Not so tough anymore, huh?"
Hugo quickly composed himself.
"You think that's scary?" Hugo scoffed. "Fine. If you wanna play dirty, then I'll make sure Lily calls 'her favorite man' every ti she sees you."
Billy gasped.
"You wouldn't."
"Oh, I would." Hugo grinned evilly. "I'll even have her say it in a baby voice. Just for you."
Billy's hands clenched the wheels of his chair. "You monster."
"And you're a gremlin," Hugo shot back. "We're even."
They glared at each other for a full five seconds.
Then, a voice ca from the hallway.
"Alright, I'm back!" Lily's voice rang out.
Both Hugo and Billy imdiately switched expressions.
Billy relaxed, smiled sweetly, and leaned back. Hugo straightened up, put on his most charming look, and nodded like a polite guest.
Lily walked in holding a tray of snacks. She paused, looking between them.
"…You two look suspicious," she said slowly. "What were you talking about?"
Billy giggled.
"Oh, nothing!" he said innocently. "Just getting to know my new best friend."
Hugo smiled smoothly.
"Yeah. Billy here is such a great little brother. We were just bonding."
Billy gave Hugo a sharp side glance.
Hugo sent him one right back.
This isn't over.
Oh, it's definitely not.
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