About how you try to find solitude in the most unlikely of places, and those are the moments where he corners you. You don’t know how, but he always finds you when he wants to. Had this not been a medieval world, you would have suspected he placed a tracker on your phone. But of course, you had no phone and there were no such things as trackers.
Maybe he just knew you far better than you would have liked to admit.
It was hard enough getting Epel off your back, and that wasn’t even mentioning Rook. Vil was a different story. There was no shaking him off, not even an attempt to do so. He found you when he wanted to, had your company whenever he pleased, and often left you anxious with your mind a jumbled mess. You couldn’t tell if he even knew what he did, if perhaps he enjoyed the havoc he left in his wake.
You were starting to think that he took his sweet time, waiting to lure you in a false sense of security, and only then did he appear to take up all your attention. Or, maybe that was just the paranoia speaking again.
Like that one time you discovered what may have been the most secluded part of the castle. It was outside, on the grounds, but so well hidden that not even the guards appeared to know of it. Part of the solid support of stone and wall for the castle was covered in ivy, so no one would ever guess you could walk straight into a specific portion of the ivy wall and not hit a solid surface. You would just walk into a small corridor that led to the other end of the garden. There was even a bench there, which became your go to place to escape everything.
However, on the third time there, you heard the familiar rustling of the ivy and immediately you sat up and opened your eyes. From your spot on the bench, you could make out that unmistakable figure clad in purple robes and blinding jewels. They were partly concealed by the shadows, the light hitting his back and outlining his splendid figure. His voice seemed to echo in the dark corridor, reaching your ears like a caress that sent uncertain shivers down your spine. “All alone, my dear?”
– Summary: They depended on you. He depended on you, which is why he would do his utmost best to convince you to stay in this wonderful wonderland.
– Warning: Yes, this is a yandere thing (kinda). Gender-neutral reader. Crowley is meant to be seen as more platonic, Vil can be seen as platonic or romantic.
– Characters: Vil Schoenheit, Dire Crowley.
– Note: Yes, this is based off that wicked song. I listened to it non-stop for this small very random piece I wrote in one sitting.
– Pages: 5
This wasn’t home, and no one seemed to understand it.
It wasn’t something you could casually mention, as you had learned that most of your friends didn’t appear to appreciate the topic that brought up the mention of the possibility that one day you might leave Twisted Wonderland. So, it became something you bottled up. That was a bad choice on your end, because on a particularly bad day you just… snapped. The desire to go home slipped out into the open for all to hear.
Of course, that would attract unwanted attention. It was already a hassle trying to avoid all the attention of those who had become attached, but now that they knew you still longed to leave them, they would no doubt confront you.
“Oh, fledgling, where are you?” You winced at the familiar sing-song tune of the Headmage down the hallway and around the corner.
Seeing he hadn’t detected your presence, you quickly tried to open doors for an exit route but they were all locked. Cursing your luck, you tried the other doors as you ignored the curious gazes of the magical portraits which watched your every move. Eventually, one knob twisted, giving way to a small dark supply closet that smelt heavily of bleach. It was better than being discovered.
“Hmmm… I swore I heard them.” As you locked yourself in the dark enclosed space, your heart thumping anxiously in tune with the distant footsteps of polished shoes against the tiled floor. The footsteps grew ever closer, accompanied by humming, until they stopped just feet away. Pressing your ear against the wooden surface of the door, you could hear Dire Crowley pause and murmur thoughtfully, “Wherever could they be…? Ah! Good evening, Miss Rosaria, your golden frame is looking particularly brilliant today!”
He was addressing the magical portraits! There was no doubt in your mind that they would rat you out as they had watched you sneak about and hide in the closet. You pressed your ear closer to the door, trying to hear the painted Rosaria–– until the lock clicked and the door swung open so you went tumbling into open arms and suddenly you were blinking up at those golden eyes behind the signature mask.
“There you are!” Dire Crowley beamed, seemingly delighted to have found you as you were currently resisting the urge to curse at the magical portraits. You refrained, mostly because some of them did help you hide on the occasion you were trying to avoid spending time with your admirers. The Headmage did not acknowledge your annoyance, as he spun you back onto your own feet. “My dear, whatever were you doing in such a dreary place? You know I no longer have you performing janitorial duties.”
How were you supposed to explain it? Yeah, I was trying to hide from you so please leave me alone? No, that wouldn't work. You tried that once before. Whenever he heard things he didn’t like, it just seemed to go in through one ear and out the other, “Um, I was––”
“Coming to see me? Why, I’m honored! You know I will always welcome a visit from my little fledgling, no matter the time nor the day. Aren’t I a shining pillar of generosity?” You decided not to waste your breath with a reply as he draped part of his coat over you. He begins to walk only once his arm is linked with yours, and he appears positively jubilant now that you are by his side. “We have much to discuss, you and I. Much to discuss, so come along now!”
It didn’t take a genius to figure out what Crowley wanted to discuss. If all your admirers heard of your earlier slip-up, then the news must have reached the Headmage as well. What you did not expect was to be dragged into the Headmage’s office and find he had another visitor there.
“Housewarden Schoenheit!” The Headmage blinked, taken aback by the unforeseen visitor. At least the familiar beautiful face had been a willing visitor if he came here by his own volition unlike you. You did not get a choice in this.
Housewarden Schoenheit immediately honed in on you, and you felt a chill go down your spine. Vil definitely heard what happened too, he must have. Hell, everyone who has ever expressed even the slightest dislike of your intention to return home must have heard. It was only a matter of time before the others confronted you. The Housewarden of Pomefiore kept a stern gaze on you, and he parted his lips, as if to scold you–– when the Headmage interrupted him.
“This is unexpected. I don’t believe I had any meetings scheduled with the Housewardens today.” You were stuck by Dire Crowley as he continued. Somehow, you got the vague sense that the Headmage did not wish to deal with any issue brought to his attention by a Housewarden, but really, that was hardly new. “It appears you’ve caught me at a bad time. You see, I’m currently occupied with having a serious talk with my dear fledgling.”
You had to bite your tongue when Crowley reached out a talon, careful not to scratch you as he affectionately pinched your cheek. What you couldn’t resist was the urge to roll your eyes. The Headmage always did this, fawning over you, even when you clearly were not receptive to the attention.
“What a coincidence, I was planning to have a meaningful conversation with them as well.” With each step forward, you heard the clack of his heels until Vil was standing close to you, the side opposite to Crowley. You were stuck between them.
The Housewarden frowned in disapproval, waving his hand dismissively so the Headmage let go of your face. Vil never liked people touching your face because he claimed it damaged your complexion by causing breakouts, but Schoenheit certainly wasn’t against it when he was the one to have the privilege of touching you. Just like how Vil was not against it when he was the one to place an arm around your shoulders.
The fact that he was speaking to the Headmage did not deter him, in fact, he kept his calm and regal composure. “I’m certain that whatever you have to say to my dearest can either wait or be said now. I believe I know what this is about.”
Dire Crowley considered it. He must have thought of something, as he straightened up ever so slightly and brightened up. Eventually, he reluctantly stepped away despite the disapproval in his eye at how closely Vil Schoenheit was standing to you. “Very well. I suppose this is a conversation you can listen in on. Aren’t I kind?” There wasn’t even an inch of space between you and the Housewarden. As soon as the Headmage turned away, you felt Vil’s grip tighten ever so slightly as he pressed his cheek against the top of your head for a moment.
You weren’t sure which was worse, Vil or Crowley. The two were different, in the sense that Vil was still keeping his eyes on you and he would not forget to bring up the topic you were dreading. Sometimes, you could not tell heads or tail if Vil was about to reprimand you harshly for something or if he was going to cave to your whims. Right now, you were dearly hoping for the latter but you knew deep down that for this situation he would likely choose the former.
“My dear darling fledgling…” Dire Crowley pivoted on his heel, facing you, his gaze unwavering. Sometimes, when Crowley wasn’t gushing exaggeratively over you, the Headmage actually frightened you. In a way, he was like a switch. Most of the time he was carefree as he spoke animatedly while keeping you under his wing and beaming with pride all the while, but other times on the rare occasion when you did something he truly did not approve of, he would switch. Those glowing eyes would never leave your form and his voice would go quiet as his fond smile was nowhere to be seen. This was one of those instances where he switched his demeanor, and it made you stiffen up. “Why do you wish to leave us so desperately?”
Even Vil Schoenheit noticed the switch up, because he too was taken aback. However, he didn’t move or reply. The Housewarden of Pomefiore remained quiet, processing the question that had been directed at you.
They were giving you an opportunity to respond. “I… I’m not supposed to be here.”
“Yet, here you are.” Finally, he interjected. Vil took a step back, just so he could see all of you. Admire all of you, every inch from head to toe. There was no scolding, at least not right now, not with how he was taking in the sight of you. Relief, he looked relieved that you were still here with them. “You may not be from this world, but you arrived here for a reason. Perhaps, you are from that other world but you’re meant for this one.”
There was the gentle tap of the staff against the ground as Crowley stood before you and nodded in agreement, switching again so he was back to smiling. “It is precisely as Headwarden Schoenheit says! You are here for a purpose. Is this not a wonderful place to be, the prestigious Night Raven College? You’ve integrated yourself here and become vital. You have gained the respect of my fellow staff and the attention of your fellow peers, what more can one ask for? Here, you live and thrive among the most skilled in all the land under my careful tutelage! And you, you will continue to be the novice under my wing. We will be like a family, you and I!”
“Oh, wonderful…” You reply semi-sarcastically. The argument he made was a decent one, that is, until he brought up himself and the family bit. You could never trust him fully.
“Wonderful, indeed!”
“So wonderful…” The blonde beside you appeared unimpressed, evening scrunching his nose slightly. Maybe Vil sensed your uncertainty, or he just had good timing, and unfortunately he may have presented a better argument. Unlike the eccentric Headmage who spoke powerfully, the Headwarden of Pomefiore took a different approach. “There’s no need to fret.” Vil placed a delicate finger against your jaw, angling your face so you were gazing up at him and he was smiling sweetly at you. Even his voice was soft, as he began, “Dearest, think of what we can do, the two of us, together.”
Your eyes widened. With Vil looking at you so adoringly with a pleading gaze, you nearly fell into their trap. The two, Headmage and Headwarden realizing their goals aligned, were now working together to change your mind and force you to stay.
How do you think Ratio would feel if someone else at the college in a position of power yelled at student reader and made them cry? Like when he scolds you, it's tough love and he means well, but when other people do it they're bullies?
Ohhhhohohoboooooooohhh...
Okay, if we're talking about veritas normally as a professor, he's not having it. I mean, he won't regardless of his station, but still.
He views his own scolding as simply relaying the absolute truth to his students – he believes no one else can lay the bare truth to his students more than himself, and it's his duty to do so as your educator. His scolding is harsh but never cruel – it always pinpoints your weaknesses, and when you actually listen and do as he says, you realise just how right he was. He's not the type to use his students as a punching bag for his own ego.
He's also a bit understanding of other educators scolding their students – truthfully, they see you most often as a student than anyone else, and are the only ones who can possibly help you with your weaknesses. However, he can't help but feel like it's brutish whenever another educator scolds their students as harshly as he does.
He already has semi-strong opinions on other professors or authorities scolding their students normally. So when he sees you being yelled at and used as a punching bag for an authority who wants to tend to their bruised ego? Oh please.
He doesn't fear immediately stepping in and teaching them their own lesson. He asks them what their problem is in a monotone, unimpressed voice, but if looks could kill the person would be mauled. His eyebrows are nastily furrowed as he glares them down. Veritas is not fearful of positions of power nor authority. He seeks for the truth and practicality, and from his perspective, they lost all credibility and any ounce of respect he had for them the moment they decided yelling at a student was logical in order to convey their grievances.
He gives them a good dressing down with their own words. You're probably standing behind him while he deals with them. It's not too soon before some or the other disciplinary action is taken about them. As for you.. Veritas isn't exactly sure, but he's compassionate when you really need it. Pulls you along to somewhere more secluded and hands you his handkerchief, advising you to take your time but to also collect yourself soon and head home if it's the end of the day.
Even if he's also just a professor, he won't be sitting back and staying idle about such behavior. Especially if it's his students they seem to have a problem with. He hopes you'll be fine until tomorrow for the lecture. Pats your head and assures you it will be taken care of and that you may further relay any other issues you have about them to him.
Until then.. he makes sure to clean up every nook and cranny of that authority figure. Anonymously collects any other complaints about them from other students who might have faced the same experience as you did, and practically drops the bomb when there's a feedback meeting of some sort. Makes sure they're fired or some or the other disciplinary action is taken regarding their behavior.
happy pride, this is your reminder that hannigram isn’t queerbait or even subtext. it is overtly queer and they are canon even if we didn’t see them kiss!
[REALLY NORMAL AND WELL-ADJUSTED VOICE] well you never know maybe it COULD have saved me. if i ever actually achieved perfection. it could have happened then. if i was actually ever enough. Which i was not