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.
