Like most students Deuce assumed Epel was a girl when seeing him for the first time in Book 1. He also makes assumptions about Epel coming from “a real rich family” in Book 5.
In a PE vignette he assumes that Epel would like flowers embroidered on his clothes. (Epel: “I actually don’t like floral patterns.”)
When they discuss customizing their PE uniforms with dragons and tigers Deuce is surprised, saying, “I had no idea our tastes were so similar. I’m glad we got to talking today” and “I never imagined you had a hot-blooded streak too!”
Deuce and Epel both reflect on how they have similar tastes, with Epel wondering if he could fit any of Deuce’s old clothes with some tailoring.
Deuce and Epel also share an interest in blastcycles. Epel says that he wants to “get (his) own blastcycle and go wild modding it” one day, but after describing his desired alterations Ortho points out, “The mods you have in mind seem practically designed to tank performance.”
Epel backtracks (Yeah…guess it’s silly…”) but Deuce agrees with his ideas (“Sounds super cool to me,”) encouraging him to a dd flame designs and “sweet decals.” Grim observers, “They’re in their own little world…”
When Epel visits the school store during Deuce’s shift during New Year’s, he and Ace accuses Deuce of inflating the numbers on a campaign he designed to increase candy sales.
Deuce teaches Epel the secret to prove he wasn’t lying and, impressed by Deuce’s marketing talents, Epel invites Deuce to visit his hometown to give the locals some advice on how to sell more apples.
For White Rabbit Fes, Deuce invites Epel to his hometown as well.
Deuce and Epel overlap for the first time at the end of Book 4 when they physically run into each other, but don’t introduce themselves to one another until Book 5.
Book 5 begins with Deuce deciding not to participate in the VDC as he doesn’t “think it’s appropriate to audition on a lark when you’re not serious about gunning for the top spot. For another thing, you guys will need a shoulder to cry on when you completely bomb it.”
Deuce and Epel then meet for the first time when Epel is struggling with his singing for the competition, with Deuce deducing that Epel is not taking part because he wants to: “As an honors student, I can’t ignore someone being forced to do something against their will.” (Ace: “Y’know, a real honors student wouldn’t refer to themselves as one.”)
When Vil assigns Epel to doing a ballet-based training regime separate from the rest of the group Deuce volunteers to join him.
Twisted Wonderland Reference Note 