I wish I looked this cutesy irl tho. BUT I DID GET MY HAIR DYED WITH PURPLE IN THE FRONT THEN UNDERNEATH THE HAIR ON THE BACK OF MY HEAD IS PURPLE, TOO. Can yiu tell I'm excited? lol. ANYWAY-
jealousy, jealousy was the last song I listened to
@liv2draw
@shippingkiwiz
@vincentwhittman-vox
@zaeltheclone
@echoing-cloves (yes, im still tagging you anyway)
(Also KnickKnat, that’s kinda exactly how I imagined you’d look) (mine’s kinda inaccurate cuz I didn’t know how to represent the ombré red, and my hair is a bit longer)
@sillie-scallie-waggie @birthofcassiopeia @em0-alpaca @itsjuice-art and ah every other beloved mutual i have if you see this!! AND anyone who wants to join for sillies!!! Love you boyfie and mooties<333
Thank you for tagging me! It's the first time I've done something like this. And you're my only mutual, so I'm happy about that. The song would be "Only Skin" by Joanna Newsom.
Mom no one wants to know how Poe's masque of the red death is a continuation of Shakespeare's Tempest in which Caliban takes revenge on Prospero for his abuse and mistreatment
@sugaroto @chloeseyeliner THANK YOU MOOTS σας αγαπώ let me yap for a second 🙏🙏 I ONLY HOPE MY WORDS MAKE SENSE
There's a line in the Tempest in Act 1 Scene 2 in which Caliban curses Prospero and tells him "The red plague rid you". This was of course a great insult in Shakespeare's time because of the general fear of the plague but NOT THE POINT!!
The protagonist in both the Tempest and the Masque of the Red Death is called Prospero and they are both nobles who are indifferent to the population that's not "them" and use their power (supernatural or not) for their own benefit. Tempest-Prospero has magical powers that he uses to enslave Ariel, Caliban (both characters already lived in the island before Prospero and his daughter arrived, the island even belonged to him through his mother Sycorax) and Ferdinand. He doesn't care about the well being of any of them (save for Ferdinand because him being the son of a king will benefit Prospero), mistreats, abuses and calls them names (Caliban more than anyone).
Masque-Prospero holds a ball while the plague ravages his entire land (aka the population that's not noble) but as long as he and his alike are safe from the disease, everything is fine.
It's also interesting how both versions of Prospero hold positions of power who are taken from them at some point; Tempest-Prospero is a Duke but is exiled in the island when his brother usurps his throne while Masque-Prospero is a Prince but loses his position when the Red Death usurps him by killing him.
NOW HERE'S MY THEORY!!
At the end of the play Prospero, his daughter and the stranded crew leave the island and return to Italy and while Prospero does set Ariel free, he does not explicitly set Caliban free.
Caliban of course not only had his own island taken from him when Prospero tricked him as he set foot on the island, he was also abused, enslaved and treated as an inhuman being.
Caliban has to take revenge for the mistreatment Prospero put him through and he does so in the form of a plague (the curse he uttered in the beginning, 'the red plague rid you') that destroys Prospero's land, invades Prospero's safe haven and ultimately strips the title of "ruler" from Prospero - exactly what Prospero did to Caliban when he reached the island and, thus, Caliban finally set himself free from Prospero's spells and took his revenge.
GUYS!!! ANOTHER LINKING FACTOR DAWNED ON ME WHILE SLEEPING!!
The Masque!
According to No Sweat Shakespeare (and also my classroom notes that I'm actually too lazy to check right now), "A masque is a form of courtly entertainment containing music, dancing, singing and acting out a story".
In the Tempest, Prospero holds a masque during Miranda and Ferdinand's wedding (I think) in which spirits dressed like gods and goddesses act out a play. My copy doesn't mention at the stage directions if the actors are wearing masks - I'm guessing this depends on the production and the director
Poe's Prospero holds a masquerade ball in which everyone is dressed up, including the Red Death who's wearing a mask that will be removed from their face at the end of the story. Even the title "The Masque of the Red Death" has a double meaning:
1) The Masquerade Ball that belongs to the Red Death after their sudden appearance and after infecting the participants with the plague, making them the only living creature in the room. The masquerade is no longer Prospero's, but the Red Death's
2) A play on the homophones Masque and Mask: "The Mask of the Red Death", the mask that the Red Death is wearing in order to not be recognized in the court and spread the disease
If we assume that the spirits in the Tempest are wearing masks during the masque, we can see Caliban putting on a mask as he dresses up as the Red Death and enters Prospero's masquerade to take his revenge
“i don’t like writing about my day, but i want to keep a journal”:
quotes and copywork. when reading, if you find something you enjoy, just copy it into the notebook. you can copy a whole chapter if you wish, highlighting what caught your attention the most.
definitions. look up on a dictionary and copy it. you could write your own dictionary as well, making up definitions for words.
lists. a classic, write movies to watch, books to read, the playlist of the month or just the groceries you have to buy.
maps. when going somewhere, you could draw the route you took or just a map of the place itself. just look up the place on google maps and copy it. you can draw a little map of all the places you have lived or the schools you have attended as well.
photos
take “notes” as you watch movies / documentaries. write down phrases that caught your attention or doodle.
illustrations and clippings. if you see an image or piece of art that you liked, put it in your journal. if it’s from a book or from a magazine I would recommend scanning it, tho’. it will serve as a record of what kind of art you enjoy through the years.
newspaper clippings from the day.
tickets and pamphlets. from movies, museums, transportation.
postcards
records. you could record for a month what the temperature was when you woke up and when you went to sleep. if you do that for a year, it gives you a better notion of the passing of seasons. you could record rainfall and other seasonal changes as well. you could choose something (an animal, a plant, an item or object) and write down every time you see it.
rubbings of leaves, coins, landmarks.
count. there’s a scene in the movie Coraline (2009) where Coraline’s dad tells her to go count the windows. you could do the same type of counting game if you are bored and write down.
mindmaps/sketchnotes + timelines of books, movies, music albums.
collages
pressed leafs and flowers
your collections. if you collect anything you could write down an inventory or maybe try to draw the items.
recipes. write down recipes and give it a score every time you try it. you could do the same for drinks you try out.
stickers
comic strips. you can find a bunch of it online, glue your favorites in your notebook.
Reading journal - (also called a book journal) the perfect way for students and book lovers to keep a record of the insights, observations, and lessons they've learned from reading.
A reading journal can also double as a book log—including a list of books and relevant summaries—to help readers stay on top of their reading goals.
You don't need anything fancy to start a reading journal.
A simple lined, blank, or dotted journal will do just fine.
Just be sure you have the right number of pages to last you all year.
How to Keep a Reading Journal
Consider these reading journal ideas for keeping your own reading journal.
Use a small journal for easy transport. Instead of opting for a larger journal, opt for a small, pocket-size journal that you can easily stash in a pocket or handbag for on-the-go journaling.
Track the types of books you’ve read. Keeping a book tracker or reading log is helpful for keeping track of your reading habits, revealing whether you’re more into mysteries, thrillers, historical non-fiction, or novels.
Stay on top of reading goals. Keeping a reading tracker is all about being able to measure your progress and keep yourself accountable to a reading challenge. Keeping a list of the books you've read will help you gauge whether or not you're on track to beat last year's goals.
Keep notes to write book reviews. When you finish a new book, consider writing a review. Whether it be a short synopsis, star rating, or lengthy critique, writing down notes as you read the book is a helpful method for remembering how it struck you. This is especially helpful for members of a book club who may be pressed later to give their opinion of the book.
Keep a list of your favorite books. Avid readers could benefit from keeping a section of their reading journal devoted to listing their favorite books of the year. This way, at the end of the year, you'll have a convenient way to find more books that you’ll likely be interested in exploring.
Leave room for doodles. Sometimes inspiration is more easily captured by drawings than words. Leave some room in your reading journal for drawing doodles to help you process the reading in a new and unexpected way.
Personalize your journal. When starting a reading journal, add some personal touches to keep your journal interesting to you. Washi tape comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, and it won't damage your journal pages. Adorning the front of your journal with stickers is a great way to add a little color to your bookshelf.
How to Organize a Reading Bullet Journal
A bullet journal (BUJO) - a journal specifically formatted to suit your unique journaling goals.
As such, it will take some effort on your part to set up your bullet journal spread.
Purchase a blank page or dotted journal, and use markers or pens to organize it to your liking.
Consider organizing it by month and creating checkboxes for each book you wish to read in a particular week.
Create a section at the end of each week to jot down your impressions of the book, leave a review, or assign it a star rating.
Unlike planners, BUJOs are not dependent on the calendar year and can be started at any time.
I don't wanna see another story abt a teenage boy coming out to his parents and closed mouth kissing his boyfriend at prom where's my spy thriller action heist movie w a cast made entirely of dykes and femme gay men you know what I'm fucking talkinf about. I'm tired of The Queer Struggle I struggle every stupid day I know what that's all about and honestly none of the coming out stories are cathartic or whatever to me. I don't care. I wanna see a nonbinary person fight a dragon
they don't even know that in 2025 just one thai company will release tv shows on youtube for free where a depressed grocery store owner woman falls in love with her bubbly customer, where 6 women will be in a toxic love hexagon with each other, two gay vampires shows, a show where a cancelled male broadcast host gets back together with his journalist ex, where two men are investigating murders together while fighting sexual tension, where a bunch of high school boys are falling in love at first sight and nothing hurts, an enemies to lovers gay story about fashion majors, a dark horny love triangle between male coworkers, a messy show about a group of men sleeping with each other on a theatre play set, a convicted young man falling love with an amnesiac prince whom he found on a beach, a romantic comedy series about two brothers scamming two rich men into shotgun marrying them to get divorce benefits, horror gay romance where a young man loses memories of his suspicious criminologist ex, a story about two boyfriends who work as primary school teachers, an ensemble show that includes: a group of trans friends looking for love, high school enemies to lovers destined to be together and gang rivals falling for each other. then also cat cafe show where a man who can talk to cats has hots for the new cafe owner, a doctor and a man who can see the future having their love bloom while they are in hiding together, crack story about a guyfailure having a gig of searching for evidence that a flight attendant's captain boyfriend is cheating on him, show where a dramatic mafia heir raised on soap operas falls for the guy who gives him an earful about consent and manners, a magical fortune teller offering a failed athlete to be his assistant, a noble man romancing a translator commoner in 1920s Thailand, and a show where a pastor's young protege fights his feelings for the defiant new boy in their seminary. and only two of those 22 shows have the concept of homophobia exist in them
please for the love of god give us names I only recognize a couple of the shows in the pictures and none of us can know the company unless you tell us please
PLEASE! TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT DAISUKE AND A POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. I'm begging and crying, please
ship. daisuke x reader
content. sfw + romantic
an. i have not been reading any other content but I’ve seen the massive complaints of people babying him through the grapevine 💀 so well. hopefully my thoughts are good
We all know this but Daisuke is seriously such a cutie.
Just. He’s so outwardly kind and enthusiastic, so before you two are even dating he’s practically just glued to your hip.
I think before any romance is involved he makes a great friend. He’s inviting you to his house to play video games (his mom makes snacks which is lowkey embarrassing but also pretty cute).
Honestly I think his mom is trying to teach him to be an adult but also like. Cannot stop babying him. Like he’s such a good son could you resist spoiling him?
And it just spirals to you too bc like! You’re the guest! Going to his place is always nice bc it’s like yay! It’s like they practically adopted you. (It wears out tho his mom makes you start doing your own dishes or something and it’s like oh. You’re *really* apart of the family.)
ANYWAYS ENOUGH. but before you two get together. Daisuke’s crush on you is like. So obvious.
He tries so hard to keep it to himself bc he’s afraid to ruin whatever you have right now but. Geez.
He lights up when he sees you and is almost talking a mile a minute—he’s just so excited to be with you and be talking to you!! You’re his favorite person!!!
And he’s always trying to impress you…like, it’s always something so dumb too. Showing off his arcade skills or whatever. He’s silly.
I think he can’t resist blushing when you’re around too. Like. There’s always a nice mauve stain on his cheeks and it’s ADORABLE.
He doodles. He doodles you. The stereotypical initials in hearts. YEAH. When he’s in classes or taking notes he most definitely starts daydreaming and ends up with silly doodles and hearts and crap UGHHH
His sketchbook is where it really gets dumb and crappy and romantic. Which he tries SO HARD TO HIDE FROM YOU ITS CRAZY.
when he musters of the courage to tell you his feelings (there’s a lot of stuttering and crap) he’s fist pumping and going LETS GOOOOOOOOO (when you’re not around but you manage to catch it probably)
He’s such a good boyfriend oh my god. In my mind he really values family and stuff so you are EXTREMELY important to him (and by default his fam)
You have a good relationship w his mom off the bat she ADORES you for how happy you make her son oh my god
He does a lot of stupid romantic shit like…pulls a chair out for you at dates, gives you flowers, tries to write love notes 💞
DUMB THRIFTING DATES WHERE YOU PICK OUT OUTFITS FOR EACH OTHER. UGHHHH DONT TOUCH ME.
But dating you also makes him think more seriously about life. Because he gets waaaaay ahead of himself and is like “oh my goodness,,,I have to prepare and get a job so we can get married and have a giant wedding and buy a nice house and get a pet and” (he’s naming your kids in his mind btw.)
“Las relaciones humanas son realmente difíciles” AMYGDALA - Agust d.
Todos tenemos en la cabeza dos almendras. Están metidas en algún rincón del cerebro más o menos a la altura de las orejas. Tanto por la forma como por el tamaño, son iguales a estos frutos secos, por eso se las llama «amígdala», que significa «almendra» en griego.
Cuando estas amígdalas reciben un estímulo exterior, se enciende una lamparita roja. Dependiendo del tipo de estímulo, se despiertan sentimientos como el miedo, el enfado, el agrado o el asco. Sin embargo, las almendras de mi cerebro parecen tener un desperfecto, ya que no se enciende del todo esa lamparita roja. Por esta razón, nunca sé por qué los demás se ríen o lloran y apenas puedo percibir de manera vaga lo que es la tristeza, el amor o el miedo. P.25
Almendra fue mi primer acercamiento a la literatura coreana; para ser sincera, leerlo me provocó una mezcla de emociones y un deseo por conocer toda la historia de nuestro protagonista. Ésta historia maneja temas comunes como son la juventud, el amor, la amistad, la búsqueda y la muerte. Won-pyung Sohn tiene una manera tan sutil pero a la vez directa en su narrativa y al mismo tiempo es ágil y preciso.
La obra nos narra la historia de Yunjae, un adolescente incapaz de reconocer y sentir emociones. Desde que era un bebé su madre notó que su hijo sería diferente porque él no sonreía.
El primer suceso ocurrió cuando él presenció la muerte de un joven y, a partir de ahí los hechos desafortunados surgieron. Cuando Yunjae pedía ayuda para aquel joven sus expresiones eran secas, secas como una almendra. Lo que ocasionó que el señor de la tienda a la cual fue a pedir ayuda lo ignorara, después de todo solo era un niño de primaria sin importancia. A partir de ese día la gente empezó a etiquetarlo como “raro” por no sentir dolor ni empatía por lo sucedido.
Desde pequeño los médicos le diagnosticaron que, las amígdalas de su cerebro no se había desarrollado por completo; las amígdalas de Yunjae eran incapaces de procesar ni almacenar reacciones emocionales. Por ello su madre le hacía comer tres veces al día almendras con la creencia que las que tenía en la cabeza crecieran.
Su madre le dejaba letreritos por todos los rincones de la casa, con las reacciones que debía tener en diferentes momentos de su vida como por ejemplo : El otro sonríe → sonríe del mismo modo. Sin embargo para Yunjae seguía siendo difícil.
Yunjae creció sin emociones ni sentimientos, pero su madre y abuela estuvieron en ese proceso para guiarlo en un mundo donde lo veían como un monstruo.
Pero eso cambió cuando en Nochebuena, el mismo día de su cumpleaños número dieciséis, su madre y su abuela fueron víctimas de un hombre; la única que sobrevivió al ataque fue su madre pero su cerebro se sumergió en un sueño profundo. Yunjae presencio todos los hechos pero no sintió nada, ni dolor, ni llanto, ya que no tenía la capacidad para hacerlo.
A partir de ese momento Yunjae tuvo que enfrentarse al mundo sin sentir emociones, sin la ayuda de su madre y su abuela. Alegría, enfado, tristeza, placer, amor, odio y vergüenza fueron las emociones que su madre escribió en aquellos letreros alrededor de su casa. A partir de ese momento, Yunjae se encontraba solo y esas emociones, según él, ya no tenia caso aprenderlas de memoria.
La casa estaba silenciosa; para Yunjae su madre y abuela constituían todo su universo, pero debía de aprender que existen más personas en el mundo y, durante su historia van a pareciendo nuevas personas así como nuevas emociones pero ninguna de esas nuevas emociones estaban escritos en sus letreros pegados a la pared. Fue entonces cuando su vida empezó a cambiar. El primero en acercarse a él fue el doctor Shim, uno de sus vecinos del piso de arriba. Quién le ayudó y alentó para continuar con la librería de su madre, figurando así como su “figura paterna”, ayudándole con sus emociones y su escuela pues Yunjae se enfrentaría de nuevo con la burla de sus compañeros por ser un chico “raro y diferente”. Aunque el principio Yunjae se negara a su ayuda, tiempo después accedió. Después de todo su madre le había pedido al doctor Shim que se ocupase de él si algo le llegara a pasar.
Un día mientras visitaba a su mamá en el hospital, conoció a la persona que le presentó al monstruo. Su nombre era Yoon Kwonho, un reconocido profesor. Hace algunos años, él y su esposa perdieron a su único hijo.
Así se encontró con el otro monstruo. Su nombre era Goni, un joven de su misma edad con las emociones desbordadas y por otro lado, Yunjae sin ninguna emoción; como dos polos opuestos. Cuando los dos monstruos se conocieron, lo único que Goni quería era molestar a Yunjae, porque como a todos le parecía “raro”; lo golpeaba e insultaba pero no conseguía ni una reacción de Yunjae. El día que le dio una golpiza tampoco paso nada. La lamparita roja de Yunjae no conseguía encenderse por completo, al igual que la vez que la tetera roja le quemó la mano, su cara no mostraba ningún tipo de expresión.
A medida que Yunjae crecía empezaban a presentarse sus nuevas emociones, y su madre no estaba ahí para ayudarlo a entenderlas. Y él por si solo no tenia los recursos suficientes para entender de que ser trataba.
Cada personaje tiene un papel importante en la obra y que marca la vida de Yunjae y así pasó con Dora, una chica de su mismo colegio. Él lo interpretó como fiebre pues no tenia de referencia de otra cosa. A veces para una persona que no tiene alexitimia es muy difícil expresar y entender el amor.
Goni refrecuentaba la librería y mientras pasaban los días Yunjae y Goni se volvieron más cercanos.
Los dos monstruos convivían frecuentemente, en la librería y en la escuela. Poco a poco desarrollarían una amistad. Nadie pensaría que estos dos polos opuestos se llevarían bien sin embargo encontraban cierta fascinación el uno al otro. Goni era un chico problemático, había crecido sin la guía de sus padres. Sus emociones eran exageradas. Todo lo contrario a Yunjae que había crecido con la guía de su madre y abuela, pero con la ausencia de sus emociones. Goni quería ser como Yunjae, no sentir nada. Y así llegó Goni a la vida de Yunjae desarrollando una amistad diferente, aunque Goni lo tachaba de robot por no sentir nada. Yunjae comprendía a Goni y, Goni trataba de entender a Yunjae.
La historia se consuma cuando aparecen las primeras lágrimas de Yunjae. La autora nos muestra varias facetas en la vida del protagonista mismas que nos hacen identificarnos con él. La obra es toda una mezcla emociones. Y mientras más avanzamos queremos conocer a detalle al protagonista y sentimos empatía hacia él. Esta es la historia del niño que comía almendras y como paradoja final, después que las dejó de comer empezó a “sentir” pero de eso se trata crecer y de crear relaciones humanas.
Dorm leaders react to finding reader/yuu crying and overhear them say "I want to go home"?
A/N: Ah. Angst. My specialty lol. I am assuming you want imagine format? Hope so because that's what I am going with. Thank you for the request :)
Note: Idia's is so long. I went so overboard omg. I am sorry. I just think that he's neat.
Riddle Rosehearts
Riddle has seen many people cry, and unfortunately been the instigator for no small number of occurrences. Prior to turning over a new leaf, he was heinously blunt with his criticisms. Everyone knows this.
At the time he thought those people to be sensitive and naïve to the cruel ways of the world. They needed to toughen up!
That opinion lies in the past now. He was a prick. Riddle won't verbally acknowledge it but he knows. There is no need to bring it up because he is trying to change his ways
Key word: trying
You can't uproot years of bad habits and trauma overnight. He has his moments. From freaking out over students not studying, dress coding half the school, lecturing his friends on their diet....nothing too harsh, and no permanent harm done.
"This is not your world MC; 70% is unacceptable for a prefect to score on an exam. Slacking will not be tolerated! What kind of example are you setting for the other students?! Your grades reflect on the school!"
Perhaps he could have taken a moment to think and not let his emotions overcome him. Riddle knew how hard you studied; after all, you came to him for help many times. Each occasion he happily obliged and saw you progress using his study guides
It is why he wanted you to succeed. To show up with a perfect 100 that would be celebrated over sweets
Instead you arrived apprehensive and hiding your test behind your back. Already fragile and he-...goodness.
He sent you off running
Likely to go cower in the library and beat yourself up for disappointing him. Just like he used to do. Great Sevens he is an asshole. Ace is definetly going to rip him to shreds or at least throw his tea collection into the pond
After a brief rest to wash his face in the restroom, Riddle goes to the library and his heart shatters at the sound of sniffles from behind a particularly large stack of books.
"I can't do this anymore...this is too hard...he's right...he's right...he's right...I want to go home"
Sweat pools at his chin and his hands clench into tight, clammy fists. After hearing that, Riddle can't bring himself to interrupt and stands on the other side of the books, silent, and with his head down
He always felt regret and frustration after having an outburst - but all pale in comparison to the absolute shame and heartbreak hurting you has wrought
Leona Kingscholar
"Go home. It's past curfew"
And...no response. You are very lucky that Leona tolerates you, because ignoring him so flat-out would get you two nights in the slammer back where he comes from.
A goody-two-shoes like you never bends the rules, which is why Leona is curious to see you roaming the botanical garden so late. Not going to answer him? Now it's personal and he is your problem.
At first he opts to follow you around. Not for any particular reason, and merely because he wanted to find out if you stashed any secrets in the area
His patience runs thin as you walk up to every plaque and study each plant. You can't seriously be out here at this hour for a botany lesson, can you? Why not do this during the day
Each time you study a plant your mood seems to sour further. For absolutely no reason, at least from Leona's perspective. Not unless you have beef with the flora and fauna - which is impossible. Maybe. He really doesn't know what to expect from you anymore.
Eventually curiosity grows to concern. He's kept himself entertained, following you and leaving commentary once in a while. Yet he can't help but be creeped out with how you move around like a zombie.
With one plant left, he observes as you once again ignore him to examine it...only to let it go and sit on the floor in disappointment.
"So...You're out of plants, what now?"
He doesn't expect an answer after an entire night of nothing.
"I guess I'll go 'home'...wherever that is"
"Finally talking to me, huh? The hell is wrong with you? Do you think it's safe to be out here this late?,"
"Safe? It's just as safe right now as it is during the day"
A part of him screams to shut up and end the conversation there. It's not his buisness and he can just pretend this night never happened.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He can't help it.
"It means that nothing here is like home. Not the buildings, or the people, or the food, not even the plants. You know, where I come from roses grow on bushes not trees. And I don't have to worry about the broom I sweep the kitchen with suddenly taking flight! I want to go home where shit is normal"
Okay. You got him. He definetly wasn't prepared for that level of a stress dump.
What's worse is that he can't comfort you. He wants to. Truth be told, watching you wander through the garden listlessly upset him more than he is willing to admit. Yet he can't do anything, because that level of homesickness is something no one can understand.
"...NRC doesn't store every kind of plant in this garden. We can check other areas tomorrow"
Azul Ashengrotto
"Ah! At last, my food critique is here," Azul glows, clapping his hands when you walk into the room, "The Headmaster has given the Monstro Lounge a great opportunity to market our buisness at the upcoming cultural fair. Our stall's menu must be perfect!"
Azul ushers you inside with a hand on the small of your back and leads you to a prepared table. Truth be told, he could easily taste the new menu items himself or have one of the tweels do it on his behalf. So long as it tastes good, it will sell, right?
Wrong. In exchange for a vendor's slot and location that will actually yield profits - Azul had to make this contract worth the Headmaster's time.
In short, he promised something "never seen before," that would fit the festival's theme. Naturally, he did not do this without a plan. He had one made long before approaching Crowley with the idea.
You. You are the plan. Azul was going to theme his stall off of your world. Neat, right? All he needs is for you to monitor his project for accuracy, which he has already half-succeeded in doing by luring you here to taste test a new menu
"Jade! Bring out the first item," Sweat drips from the side of Azul's head, his inner anxiousness getting the better of him. Perhaps he should have told you instead of making it a surprise? He only had a few dish ideas to build off of from the rare times you spoke of your childhood. Sourcing similar ingredients without any idea of how things should taste was a task in itself. What if he butchers it? Would you hate him?
Jade sets the first dish on the table, and you visibly straighten up in surprise. You eye him in confusion, as if to say 'where the heck did you learn to make this? How?' and he softly smiles, "Go on. Take a bite,"
And you do. You lift a piece of the dish to your face and smell the aroma before taking a bite. A moment of silence passes, and Azul thinks he may have just killed two birds with one stone. Literally. Death to any chance he had with you or with the festival.
"It...it's not quite the same," you stare at the dish in thought, suddenly solemn, "yet still similar. Nostalgic, even. Thank you for making this for me. Truly, thank you"
A mixture of emotions fill him as he signals for Jade to prepare the next plate. Should he take that as a good response? He failed in recreating the dish perfectly, yet you appear content. Sitting there, slowly finishing the meal bit by bit and cherishing every bite.
"You’re welcome. If it suits your taste, we can add this to our permanent VIP menu," he hovers near your side before laying a gloved hand on your shoulder, "just for you"
You reach to lay your hand on top of his, "I'd like that. Sometimes I want to go home, but this? It helps,"
At that, Azul steels himself. Not only would this dish be added to his menu, but he will personally learn how to make anything you every mention from your home. He would make you talk more, and hopefully find a way to carve a place for you in Twisted Wonderland where you will never have to want for somewhere else.
Kalim Al' Asim
"Is that really necessary?"
Kalim pauses - well, to be fair, everything pauses with a flick of his wrist. Dust rags mid-air, sponges amidst cleaning dishes, the broom sweeping the floor, and so the books that were rearranging themselves in alphabetical order.
He hadn't expected you home for hours. Did Ruggie lie to him about you watching spelldrive practice?
Kalim rubs the back of his neck bashfully, and flicks his wrist for everything else to resume motion.
"Oh, prefect! You're home early. I wanted to help you fix up this dorm in return for everything you have done for me! Do you like it?"
A wet mop flies over your head, " I..uhm..yes? Yes, it's very sweet of you to offer but do we really need magic for this? I could have helped," and nearly drenches you in dirty mop water, earning a grimace of disgust.
Kalim chuckles, waving you off and out of the kitchen. He felt bad for sneaking in to your home while you were away, but he wanted o surprise you! Which...also did not happen, but you said he was sweet for it and that is exactly when he decided to stop listening.
A mantra of 'they think I'm sweet!' plays in his head as he sends more tools to clean the house as you both talk.
He makes a joke about how cleaning is easy with magic, and that you can call on him whenever you need help around the dorms. He will happily do it on your behalf
Which...may not have been the best thing to say to a magicless prefect that has been busting their ass trying to survive and be independent in a world where they do not fit in.
Just a little bit insensitive.
Miniscule enough for Kalim not to understand why you're suddenly frustrated with him.
His brow furrows when you plop on the couch an bury your face in your hands with a frustrated sigh.
"Ugh...you just- you don't get it. I swear, all you magic folk wouldn't last a day where I come from...ugh, I want to go home already"
You say the last bit under your breath but he still heard it. Kalim is aware that sometimes he does get ahead of himself, and that he has clearly overstepped a boundary. Normally he is not so hasty, but with you? All he wanted was to do something nice, and his mind was clouded.
He knows better than to flaunt what he has in front of other people. Not everyone has magic or the free will himself and many other students here are lucky enough to have. You've been working hard to be seen for your efforts, and that's something he admires greatly.
One by one the tools fly back to storage for safe keeping. All aside from the broom, which flies into Kalim's open hand. He steps in front of you, and holds the other out to help you up.
"Sorry, hehe. That was rude of me. I still want to help, so can we try again? Your way this time?"
Vil Schoenheit
"What is that thing?"
He had not intended to sound so repulsed. Disgusted? Yes. Just a tad, but there is a fine line.
You quirk an eyebrow at his comment, and follow his line of vision to the make-shift bracelet on your wrist. It was nothing fancy. Just your old shoe-laces put into an adjustable braid.
You tell him as such, and Vil cannot fathom what compelled you to make such an eyesore. He catches himself this time and doesn't voice it as bluntly
But my dear, it completely throws off your uniform. Goodness it's worse than Ruggie's oversized vest that he refuses to tailor.
"They're sentimental and from the sneakers I had on before someone put me in the ceremonial coffin. I still don't know who changed my clothes; and frankly? Don't want to, but at least they left my stuff in there,"
Okay, he understands. A piece from your past is hard to let go of but do you seriously need to wear it around campus? It completely throws off your charm.
Vil has always had a nasty habit of imposing his standards onto others, and so for the rest of the week you find him constantly eying your bracelet whenever he is nearby.
He merely wants to snip it with some scissors, he thinks, ever so tempted one evening when painting your nails.
You are his soon to be lover. Well, once you ask him to be so. Then he will turn you down and ask you himself because (1) he is not one who seeks, but is one who is sought after and (2) he must always have the upper hand despite this mindset
Anyway. You cannot walk around with those dirty laces on your wrist. He cannot accept it despite trying to on multiple occasions.
His compulsion overtakes reasoning, and as your nails are drying he "accidentally" cuts the thin cord holding the laces together with cuticle scissors
Needless to say that you are upset. Much more so than Vil ever could have predicted, and he watches in guilt as you try to salvage the laces with various knots
"I am sorry, my potato. Allow me to get you a new bracelet - "
"There is no new bracelet, Vil. This is from my home. I...I want to go home. This is all I have left and I need to fix it!"
It is not every day that Vil feels regret for his actions. He convinced himself that he was doing you a favor by getting rid of the old thing, but really? He was being selfish and ignored your feelings for what he wanted
He pushes that down, choosing not to acknowledge his fault and silently takes the broken bracelet. With a few strategic knots he has it stable, but it'll take some extra loving to fix properly.
"We can go out tomorrow to get some supplies. With a few beads, I am certain that these pieces could bind a lovely necklace together!"
He will have to be honest about breaking it on purpose, but for now Vil is happy that you have calmed down and are satisfied with his solution. Part of him wants to decipher what you said; however, he'll set that aside and take heed from his previous mistake. Something is keeping you tied to your home, and if he wants you to stay then he'll have to create a stronger bond for himself and this world first.
Idia Shroud
What does he always tell you?
No, not that there is always a catch with 'f2p' games. Well - yes, he does say that but right now we are talking about the other thing
Y'know
That the outside world sucks??? Hello??? He is essentially a broken record, repeating this every time Ortho or yourself try to get him to leave his room
Everything you need for survival can be acquired from one space. Need money? Work remote. Food? Delivery. Entertainment? Does he need to even -
Look. The point is made. Back on topic, Idia has enforced this time and time again. Yet you always insist on dragging him somewhere or going out on your own if he refuses. More often the latter, because you need to find him in a very special mood for him to go out anywhere physically. When you weren't as close, he would let you go off easily. It isn't his job to babysit you? Now though? He is a bit more 'tricky' on the topic.
Idia thrives on your attention. Absolutely adores it. When the CCTV picks you up as you bypass the Ignihyde security, his heart throbs because he knows that you have no other buisness here other than coming to see him or Ortho. Yet...he has issues being honest about this. Normally he'll be freaking out like a normie in his room until you knock, and then he speedily throws on his headset and pretends that he was in the middle of programming something important
Then you do your thing and "annoy," him with your "normie" talk. Tell him all about your day, joke around, play some games, maybe sneak out and get him stuff from the vending machine so he doesn't have to
And then it ends. Either it's late and you have to go home, or you have other plans to attend. Either way, you always extend an invitation for him to join. Just to get some fresh night air or go have some quality people time
As stated prior, at first he did not care. He'd let you go without a peep. Now? He has...ugh, emotional attachments *barf*. He hates knowing that you're leaving him to go have fun with other people, and he also is extremely uncomfortable with you walking alone at night. Did you not learn from what happened to him? Are you asking for a ghost to kidnap and take you as their bride/groom? He won't save you, y'know. He won't!
Needless to say, he is hella paranoid. More so about the second scenario than the first, because at least with other people you're just doing boring things like shopping.
So, Idia does what any sane person in his situation would do...and stalks you by hacking into NRC's security cameras. Just until you're in you’re home, safe, and he can relax. His intentions are pure and you haven't noticed yet. Why stop?
It's odd that on the night Idia begins to think his protective tendencies are unnecessary, that his anxiousness is justified
"What the f*ck?" He nearly growls, seeing three figures lurking outside his dorm, just beyond the entrance. Obviously not any of his students and seemingly waiting for someone.
His suspicions are proven right when you walk out the front door and one of them steps in your way. Idia thanks his past self for investing in high resolution cameras for his dorm, because he's easily able to get a clear picture of their face.
Unfortunately, audio recording is unethical (curse you Crowley) and he can't hear a word that they're saying - but it doesn't look good. Not from how you shrink backwards towards the front door, looking frantically for a way out. Sweat dribbles down Idia's neck as he debates what to do. He's not built for confrontation? But he's dorm leader, so isn't stopping this kind of stuff his job? Okay, but you're not a student of Ignihyde. Shit, you're his "friend" though. If he leaves you alone then why did he bother with all this in the first -
One of the figures grabs you by the collar, and Idia is out the door faster than Grimm when there's a can of tuna on the line. His desk chair left spinning in his wake as he bolts down the halls of his dorm
"Now listen here you little shit-"
"How about you listen ya filthy noob. I will give you three seconds,"
Idia throws open the front door an immediately pries the newly noted Savanaclaw student off you. His hair blazing double it's normal height and dark red, fueled by rage akin to what only Kingdom Hearts can evict from people. His eye begins to twitch just from looking at their false confidence fall apart. Of course, normies are all talk and no act when shit gets rough. What else did he expect?
"We have no buisness with you, shut-in. Butt out,"
"Three seconds. Leave or I will activate our military grade security systems,"
"Wha-"
"Two"
"Dude, you think we care?"
"One"
"Fine! Whatever! Don't think you're off the hook, prefect"
The title is spit out like a curse, and Idia nearly calls his newest project to chase after them ('Cerberus' Robotic doggos meant to deliver mail, but have an attack function. Why not?)
By the time they’re gone, Idia's thoughts begin to settle and his sense of self returns. He's outside, in his casual clothes with no shoes, there's a slight chill, and he's gripping something - or rather someone - tightly.
"Ah! I'msorryIdidn'tmeantotouchyou," he jumps back, his hair turning bright pink and hands shaking from what he did
You cough into your fist, "No prob. You didn't have to do that...I know you hate confrontation," your voice comes out shaky, and Idia's brain halts, "You're crying," he whispers in disbelief.
"What? No. Pssh. You seriously think that could shake me up? Have you seen the stuff I deal with daily?"
He is not convinced. If it were anyone else, he would have left. He can't handle this kind of stressful situation...then again, he normally can't handle confrontation either, but he just did so…
He sighs, inching closer "What...what did they say to you?" he can try. He might regret it, but he hasn't been rational all night.
Your eyes glaze over, likely reliving whatever conversation just took place before your eyes well up, "I know it's not true. I know. I know I can fit in somehow but I just want to go home. It would be so much easier if I could just go home,"
The last of your words are muffled by your hands as you frantically try to compose yourself. Idia doesn't need to hear more. He's intuitive. From what you've said and the way that student spoke your title...he gets it. Which is why he leads you back inside, lets you sleep in his bed, and prepares a special little surprise for those students with the camera footage from earlier. He was planning to stay awake playing video games, why not use his time more ‘productively’?
Idia stands by his words - the outside world sucks. Yet you know what sucks more? Pissing him off, and making one of the only people he has *barf* emotional attachments to, feel the need to leave him and go to another world to feel safe. There is a reason he was placed in Ignihyde, and it wasn't his smarts or reclusiveness.
No. It was his temper.
Malleus Draconia
“Prefect. Does this belong to you?”
Malleus holds out a phone unlike any sold in Twisted Wonderland. At first he thought his technological illiteracy was why he couldn’t pin point the design, so he brought the phone to Ignihyde’s dorm leader. Not even Idia recognized the brand, but with a bit of tinkering he was able to get the phone charged and working (through methods Malleus could not begin to fathom).
The home screen brightened up and soon they found your name in the settings. Malleus was surprised, to say the least. He did not expect you to be the owner of such foreign technology, or for Idia to throw the phone as if it burned him. Something about being a ‘red flag’ and invading your privacy? Eh. Surely there is nothing too concerning inside an old phone.
To be safe, he withholds his curiosity in favor of returning the phone to you. He could not navigate it even if he wanted to, honestly.
He made the right call. The way your eyes sparkle with recognition at the device and take it gingerly from his hands. You twirl it around a few times in disbelief, earning a bemused chuckle from him.
“I found it near the ceremonial hall. Be careful with your belongings or else they may one day end up in the wrong hands,”
You smile brightly at him when the screen lights up, and throw your arms over his shoulders in a hug, “Thankyouthankyouthankyou! I can’t believe you found this for me! I was so worried I lost all my pictures and data,”
You startle him with the physical contact. He definitely did not picture your first hug to go this way. Although he quickly composes himself, returning the gesture albeit with less strength.
He grows curious, “Pictures? Data?” wondering if there really was something worth while in the phone. You pull him at arms length and giddily start tapping away at the screen, “yeah! Having this means I can should you all what my world looks like! Food, people, scenery - oh, I think I have some memes saved too,”
He refrains from asking what a ‘meme’ is, too caught up in trying to understand you. Sure, he expected you to be happy that he found your phone but to see this level of cuteness? Are you missing anything else that he can find?
You hastily show him your phone and begin to swipe through the “camera roll,” as you call it. Once in a while you stop to laugh, explain who a person is or what’s going in in a picture. He soaks it all in like a sponge, committing each face to memory since they’re important to you.
Time passes, and you begin to slow down. Occasionally you’ll stare at a photo longingly, or revisit others to zoom in on faces or pieces of the scenery.
“I wonder if they miss me,” you whisper, and he understands where your heart is. Painfully so.
He stares at your reflection in the phone, wondering how such joy can be turned to sorrow so quickly, “They would be fools not to. You are…unforgettable…to say the least,”
You nod, wiping away a stray tear, “I hope so. I want to go home, but the thought of them forgetting me? Or the people here doing the same…I wish that I didn’t have to choose,”
You will never be forgotten. Malleus can assure you that much. The nickname “Tsunotaro,” will forever haunt him (affectionately) for the rest of his life - and you? He will always care for you, no matter where you go.
He cannot make that choice for you or take away your suffering. Neither does he regret retuning the phone and digging up these old memories. It pains him to see you so heartbroken, but he knows you love that world just as much as this one.
You won’t have to choose. He will find a way to bridge both worlds if it means that you can be happy. Then you can take him to all the places in those pictures, introduce him to the people and things you love - and then? He isn’t quite sure, but it’s a start to a long road of ensuring that you never leave his side.
Those take place near the beginning of your relationship and there will be part two with making up with them!
Content warning: Arguments, Azul and Idia being little shits, ANGST
𝑅𝒾𝒹𝒹𝓁𝑒
~It was bound to happen sooner or later.
~After his overblot accident, he kept visibly improving, but it doesn’t mean that all of his flaws suddenly went flying outta the window.
~As your lover, he was truly nothing but courteous towards you ever since you started dating, but, he, he constantly kept watching over you. At first, his care was enamouring, but it soon started bothering you how close of a watch he kept over your grades and that for some reason, the first person who hears about a failed test of yours is not you, but him.
~You were aware of his good intentions, so you tried to just ignore it. Despite his busy schedule and duties he always found time to help you with your studies at least for two hours a week, so you should be able to shrug off a bit of discomfort?
~But then he started poking his nose in your school work more and more, constantly reminding you to do your homework and asking about your results. More than 50% of the times when he texted you were connected with your studies. It began bothering you even more, but it wasn’t like you could just tell your caring boyfriend to fuck off.
~You did not feel happy at all when Crewel announced your high score on the latest test, but instead of praising you for it, he said that ‘The Roseheart’s work has paid off’.
~Soon, you found yourself barely reading most of his messages and simply ignoring them. When you were questioned about your lack of responses, you just said that you simply weren’t looking at your phone that often or you were busy.
~It was a solution temporary at best, and soon you found yourself snapping at Riddle, during one of your dates.
“I thought it was supposed to be a normal date,” you attempted to hide your disappointment with a bored, slightly irritated tone that met confusion on your boyfriend’s side.
“I believe it is normal, why wouldn’t it be?” You didn’t know whether to feel bothered or simply hurt by his obliviousness.
“Well, you know,” you tried your best to hide the anger growing inside of you. “On normal dates, people usually talk about lots of different stuff. They ask each other, ‘how was your day’, ‘did you do anything fun lately’, ‘how did you sleep’, even something as trivial as ‘what did you have for breakfast today’ is better than bringing my goddamn grades and schoolwork into every goddamn conversation!”
Your voice’s volume unexpectedly went significantly higher, surprising both of you.
From there on, everything became a blur of raised voices and hurtful words. You only remembered torn-out pieces of your argument, but those were enough to prevent you from apologising which led to your eventual leave and separation.
“I am only doing this because you cannot take care of it on your own!”
“If my bad grades disturb you so much, why don’t you find someone who actually can live up to your high expectations!”
Your back slid down the wall of your room as you sat, hiding your face in your arms.
The only thing good about this whole situation was that your “date” was located deep in the Rose maze and it was very unlikely that anybody heard you. Last thing you wanted were rumours going all around the school about the two of you.
𝙻𝚎𝚘𝚗𝚊
~Bound to happen sooner or later pt.2
~It really felt heavenly to finally be able to date the person you have been pining for a long time. You could shower him with the love you have been stuffing inside of yourself and not be pushed away, but even welcomed to do so!
~You couldn’t sometimes stop yourself from wondering, though. Does he really feel the same as you? Every time you heard a half-joking remark that your relationship appeared lowkey one-sided to others, you simply laughed it off, but sometimes, when you were left alone in your room, lying on the bed, you couldn’t help it. You tossed around in sheets as your thoughts swirled around in your head. Your relationship wasn’t one-sided, right?
~Next days, you’d subconsciously seek confirmation from Leona himself. You’d fall asleep cuddled into each other in the botanical gardens; your worries temporarily soothed.
~But the doubts would always come back. Sooner or later.
~Consumed by your thoughts, you didn’t even notice yourself drifting apart from your boyfriend who was somewhat alarmed by your distant behaviour. Usually, you were more… chatty. But now you were spending all the time together so quietly, he almost had an impression that you were not even there.
Why do I feel like something’s missing all the time?
We’re happy together, right?
Does he really love me?
Or am I more like a toy meant to make time pass faster?
What if he wasn’t even interested in me from the beginning?
What if the feeling he mistook for love was something completely different?
What if the only reason why he wanted to date me-
“Herbivore,” you almost jumped at the sudden interruption to your thoughts. Your eyes hesitantly climbed up his silhouette sprawled under one of the trees to finally meet his questioning gaze.
It was different from the lazy look he usually gave you when you were chilling together. This time it was, well, more present. He observed every move you made, calculating, analysing.
But you were too absent to notice.
“Do you really want us together, Leona?” You blurted out without thinking. It was a warm afternoon, but you couldn’t help getting goosebumps. As if the temperature has suddenly dropped a few degrees.
“Obviously,” came the answer. It was clear and precise, but for some reason, you couldn’t believe it. Not completely. The words were here, but they lacked action to back them up. In your boyfriend’s eyes flashed the briefest shadow of concern.
Since you already started it, might as well finish.
“No, Leona. I mean it,” you clenched your hands into fists, “are you really certain that you are not mistaking your feelings for something else?”
This time, the answer came after a few long seconds.
“What do you mean by that?” His tone was now sharper, cautious, yet somehow provocative.
You couldn’t handle the sudden tension.
“I mean, maybe we should take a break to rethink our relationship.”
Leona quickly shook off the shock that overtook him for a second when he registered you standing up to leave.
“Our relationship is fine!” He stood up as well, attempting to resonate with you while feeling irritation slowly building up in the back of his head.
“No, it’s not!” you gritted your teeth. The sun rays that were brushing your skin so soothingly now were like sharp claws penetrating your eyes. You suddenly felt dizzy. You heard Leona growl.
“The hell’s your problem?”
“My problem is that we are both in a relationship, but the only one acting like we are is me! Can you look me in the eyes and sincerely assure me that this is not just a fling to pass the time, but you actually love me?”
Just when he was about to answer, his eyes met yours. He saw how tears were threatening to fall down every second now and how your hands shook. It was not the anger he expected. It was pain.
That was when he made the greatest mistake. He turned around and left, leaving you hurt and convinced that you were really no one for the person you dedicated your heart to.
Ⓐⓩⓤⓛ
~…No one saw this coming.
~You two were like two lovebirds in the honeymoon phase – completely enamoured with each other (and severely bullied by two certain eels).
~You could spend hours and hours together, separating with pain so you could come back to each other with a newfound passion.
~It was wonderful, but you soon noticed something about him – his possessiveness – his insecurities – his jealousy
~He was at the moment, one of the most important people in your life and you never denied that, but that didn’t mean you had no other friends at all.
~A hug feels completely different when it’s the other person latching onto you while you want to break free.
~You tried to just endure it, after all, there’s never too much affection?
~Still, you did not like all those questions he asked about your relationships with other students. At first he was discreet – so discreet you didn’t even notice at first.
~But sending one of the tweels to accompany you wherever you went was like a bucket of cold water that opened your eyes to how his behaviour was crossing some of your boundaries.
~And it wasn’t even the twins that you disliked – the opposite. Jade was so elegant and pleasant to spend time with, and Floyd was so energetic and fun, you were never bored with them.
~But the downside was, most people avoided Jade and Floyd – by having them around you all the time, it just happened that you also became avoided. Even Ace and Deuce didn’t approach you as often as they used to. Even Grim was wary.
~It started to bother you. Everything was supposed to be so beautiful now, you had good friends you could rely on, a lovely boyfriend you could never get enough of… But of course, something had to go wrong.
“So you are simply acquaintances, am I correct?” You ran your fingers through your hair, feeling increasing discomfort under your boyfriend’s polite, yet so crushing gaze. “Therefore surely, minimising your contact would not be a problem?” You stood up. Your tired body almost protested against your brain, unwilling to leave such a comfortable armchair.
“I think I’m done explaining how I am not in love and cheating on you with my friends, Azul.”
You could swear that from the corner of your eye, you could see him flinch as panic flashed through his face before being replaced by a gentle smile. It felt as if you just imagined it.
“You know that is not what I meant, Angelfish,” he stood up as well and slowly made his way towards you.
“The problem here is that I never know what you mean, Azul. You say some things, but I never know how much is really true,” you spoke with exasperation, “one second you say that you care about me the most in the world, the other one I look around and suddenly all of my friends avoid me. Is that what you call caring, Azul? Do you really trust me so little?”
Drops of sweat started appearing on your boyfriend’s forehead. It was getting harder and harder to keep up his composure, especially when now he found himself lacking words.
“That-, That is not-! Angelfish, please sit down. Surely, we can talk this through,” a pleading note appeared in his voice and you almost gave up the whole argument.
But then again, you found yourself too deep in your grudge to back down now.
“People get lonely, you know? Do you know how I felt when my own friends-”
“Do you know how I feel watching you spending time, smiling and laughing with them? Constantly dreading the moment, when you decide that they suit you better and leave me?!”
“So you thought, if you cut all the people out of my life, I’d run into your arms just like that?!”
You didn’t even remember the rest of the argument. What stayed drilled into your memory though, was the sudden hostility of his room. Even now you could hear his distant shouting echoing through your head.
You turned up the volume of the movie, and hugged Grim more tightly, while Deuce put a comforting hand on your arm, and Ace tried to cheer you up, by making more terrible jokes, that almost made you cackle at their weirdness.
𝓥𝓲𝓵
~Bound to happen pt.3
~Needless to say, you were insecure already. You were dating a famous model and actor who emanated perfection. While your self-esteem might not have been tragically low, of course, you had thoughts.
~No matter how much he doted on you… Sometimes, sometimes, the message he wanted to send would differ from the message you received. “I’m taking care of your looks, because I want you to look your best and see your worth, like a sapphire that needs to be polished”, becomes “Without me taking care of your looks, you’re worthless and ugly.”
~You really enjoyed your self-care time. It was fun, and it was relaxing, but somehow, you could never let your hair down fully.
~Let’s set things straight, Vil’s presence was overwhelming. You loved Vil with your whole heart – you really did, but you were constantly stressed out that you’d do something wrong. That a single mistake could lead to that gentle love becoming an acidic poison of disdain, once he finally realises that you were not worthy of his time from the very beginning.
~The bitterly-sweet mixture of joy and fear whenever you saw your boyfriend was eating you alive. It was so toxic, yet you had no idea how to get rid of it.
~And that nickname. It was the worst. Whenever he called you that- no matter how affectionately, with a tone reserved only for you, you couldn’t help feeling like just one of the many. A fish in the sea. Every time you heard it, it reminded you how there’s not much difference between you and the other potatoes – except you got lucky. One lucky potato is really not any better than the rest, is it?
“I don’t like it.”
“Pardon?” Vil shot you a quick glance. He could see, today you looked somewhat nervous, but he didn’t pay that any mind. His thoughts were already in the important photoshoot four days ahead. His first mistake.
“I don’t want you to call me a potato,” you crossed your arms, finding comfort in the coolness of the wall barely brushing your back.
“What do you want to be called then?” The man in front of you didn’t even look at you this time, too busy going through his eyeshadow palette. He barely listened, which might have been the reason why he didn’t sense it coming. He didn’t take your words seriously. For some reason, he decided it was just a teasing game.
“I don’t know,” came your answer which served as an excuse of some sort. An excuse for him to avert his attention from you completely. And he almost did. But then came your next question, “What am I to you?”
“You’re my potato.”
When Vil recalled that conversation a while later, he came to a painfully obvious conclusion, that he should have bit his tongue, rather than answered like that.
You bit your lip and just stood there quietly, letting your boyfriend dress you up like a pretty doll.
Days passed, and stuff did not get any better.
You became more reserved. It felt as if you were surrounded by walls in a small, claustrophobic room.
For Vil, he gave you loving advice, but all you heard were orders. Did you date a guy or a superior? Why did you constantly need to hear about everything you do wrong? Do you not have enough on your head already?
The pain was like a seed planted in doubt, that soon grew and bloomed into frustration, annoyance and anger. Soon, it came to the situation, where you started simply avoiding him.
That didn’t help.
If anything, it created an even bigger rift between the two of you.
(un)Luckily, there was a very observant person who figured everything out quickly, by the Pomefiore dorm leader’s side.
Rook approached you often and encouraged you to speak about your feelings in his twisted language. He hinted a few things to his dorm leader also, and it would have even worked, if he didn’t change his mind and refrained from interfering out of sheer curiosity.
“What do you like about me, Vil?” Came the unexpected question after he finally managed to catch you and drag you over to his dorm.
“Everything.” He answered nonchalantly, tilting your chin a bit to the left so he could apply the eyeliner correctly. You shifted in the velvet chair.
“…Would you still like me if I were ugly?”
That made his hand stop for a brief second.
“What’s with those questions?”
“Answer me,” your tone got sharper and a bit louder this time, which earned you a sigh.
“There’s no such thing as ugly. You would always be beautiful in your own way, and I would help you enhance it, so you could be your best self.”
Maybe in other circumstances, you would have even believed it.
If you weren’t sitting there, in a chair in his room being dressed up like a doll. You always looked so amazing afterwards. But no matter how pretty, you could never bring yourself to really like it for a long time now. You couldn’t shake off the sensation that it was not for you, but for him – even if common sense told you otherwise.
And so, you kept persisting.
“What if you couldn’t ‘enhance my beauty’? What if you were forced to accept me as I am?”
Vil straightened his back. The left corner of his beautiful, violet-painted lips went downwards.
“What is that supposed to mean, potato?”
Even now, he was standing, domineering over your now smaller form, judging you from behind his ridiculously long eyelashes.
Why couldn’t you be equals for once?
“Nothing. You should just consider that constant critique and loads of makeup may not be boosting my confidence?” You stood up as well. He scoffed.
“Everything I have ever said and done was meant for your improvement.”
“What if I feel fine the way I am and you’re the one who keeps making me tired and insecure?
“Are you suggesting that I don’t know what I’m doing?”
“Well, perhaps even the Great Vil Schoenheit makes mistakes and is not above everyone else after all?”
You were suddenly pulled by the urge to insult him – to show him how imperfect he really was. You tried to hold back – and in a sense, you did, but the words that managed to get out were like a few drops of gasoline poured into the freshly started fire of insults none of you meant.
But arguments with the Pomefiore leader were not angry yells. They were like a snake slowly nearing its prey.
He was not only the master of sharp critique but also the hidden ones, serving as slow-acting poison. And so, during your first bigger argument, you came to see the side of Vil, you never have.
Although the real pain you went through was a few hours later, sitting in your bedroom, replaying the whole thing in your head, when all the hurtful things he said to you, finally settled in.
Ｉｄｉａ
~Here, it’s tough to tell if this was to be expected because the answer is both yes and no.
~You took it easy with him from the very beginning. You loved him a lot, but you didn’t expect much from him at the same time.
~Unlike Ortho, who was simply ecstatic when the two of you finally got together. Since Idia attempted to hide his state from you, his younger brother was the one constantly chirping about how in love his older brother is with you.
~Dating Idia felt like eating chemical blue jelly late at night and drinking black bubble tea with extra ice. He was fun, he was ironic, he was creative and unexpectedly gentle. You lived for your gaming nights when along with Ortho, you could spend whole nights in their room, stuffing yourself with quick, filling foods and gaming snacks while either competing, cooperating or just holding him from behind and watching him play (he’s so flustered and determined to impress you he almost dies several times).
~And then, when you’re finally too exhausted from the games, with your backs aching terribly and your eyes stinging, you find yourselves laying on the floor next to each other and discussing the gameplay, soundtracks, character designs and the plots of the games you played. And it was the best feeling in the whole world.
~Even in school, you could usually find his floating tablet somewhere around, but only approaching when you were alone.
~Yet even so, he still had his flaws. Several years of seclusion took their toll not only on his mental health and social skills, but also on his general worldview.
~Up until now, he rarely had to watch his mouth, because the people he talked to were either insignificant to him, or fictional. He could always go back. Try different options. Reset and reload. Ortho was the only exception. He mattered, but he was still, more or less programmed to understand and support him.
~Which led to him often running his mouth carelessly around you and hurting you in the process.
~Obviously, even if you disliked that, his behaviour was still justified, so you didn’t dwell on it for too long. Your boyfriend seemed to be living in his own world, that only seemed to accept you partially. As if it was almost, heistant? As if you were just another variable in the never ending equation that could change any minute now.
Idia + Y/n = x
/-Y/n
Idia = x - Y/n
Data Error
Try again?
“Huh? Uh, sorry. Now what was I? Right, so about that character…”
~Money could not buy everything. Idia never cared about the costs, when it came to buying you gifts. Mostly merch and random stuff you saw advertised online and impulsively decided to buy it.
~He had a huge tendency to drown you in stuff whenever he noticed you were still irritated with him.
~Your boyfriend simply dumped some presents on you and just assumed that now you’re too amazed by the gifts to be mad at him. Still, not his fault.
~But what bothered you the most was how self-centred he was. Constantly demanding attention. Constantly demanding praise. Wanting to have your eyes on himself all the time. That was one thing. But he also rarely noticed you. Too blinded by himself, he rarely paid any attention to your successes.
“You passed that tough magical history exam? Oh! I remember when I was in the same unit. I nailed it.”
…
“You still angry about that? Why? I didn’t even mean it.”
…
“Look, I completed that level on the first try on hard mode. Amazing, huh?”
“Yes, you’re amazing, Idia.”
Your boyfriend shot you a sideways glance, minimally turning his face from the screen. ”Something wrong? You’re not holding me today.”
“I think I should go back to my dorm.”
“What?!” This time, you gained his full attention – at least for a few seconds. “No way! There’s still so much for us to do! We were supposed to play that new game- and-!”
“I’m tired, Idia.”
“T-That’s fine too! You can lay on my bed- you- you- know you can! Or, or if you want, we can lay down together and-!”
“Nah, I’m leaving.”
You rose up from your sitting position with your back leaning on his bed frame.
You barely made a few steps towards the door, before he bolted up and clung to you.
“Wait-wait! Was, was this something I said? Or done? Did I do anything? You know I didn’t mean it!” His voice was starting to vibrate with a hysteric note, but there was no one to calm him down. In the dim, blue light coming from various devices, there was only the two of you. Ortho was deep in his sleep-charging mode.
The cool air gave you goosebumps. Has his room always been this cold?
“Let me go, Idia,” you warned, tired and annoyed.
“NO! I-I mean, I want to know, I just want to know, did I make you upset-”
“You are making me upset right now, Idia.”
Your tone almost made him shiver, but his grip only became more frantic.
“Idia!”
You clenched your fists. You were hurt, yet now you were the one hurting him! This was not supposed to-
Goddamnit! You had to get out of here as soon as possible!”
You yanked your arm away and only managed to be calmed down by the soothing chill of the fresh, night air.
That night, you spent a lot of time, having a walk in the darkness, before turning your steps towards your dorm.
Plot: Read to find out :)
Characters: Riddle Rosehearts, Leona Kingscholar, Azul Ashengrotto, Kalim Al' Asim, Vil Schoenheit, Idia Shroud, and Malleus Draconia + special platonic guest
Warnings: Mentions of depressive themes and anxiety. Spoilers for TW main story.
A/N: This is a doosy. I hope you like it. It might be one of my favorite works to date.
Difficult to notice, yet deadly if ignored. The smudge of black on Grim's magestone went unnoticed by many as the days at Night Raven College passed. Each as chaotic and entertaining to Grim as the last. Over time the spot grew. A dot turned into a speck, and the speck soon turned into a splotch. Which then became a streak, and finally a stain that screamed "Look at me! Notice Me! I am here!". It remained unseen, until an eerie sensation overtook our feline friend. One that sparked panic as his ability to cast magic dwindled - as if whatever was maintaining the stone was on the cusp of breaking.
By then it was too late.
Grim had no time to panic or think about what caused his magestone to sour. Neither did the Ramshackle prefect or any other student at Night Raven College.
Funny enough. The stress of yet another possible overblot occurring was enough for the last inch of purple to be overcome by darkness. Grim ran away from his friends in a panicked frenzy, afraid that they'll be hurt and scared for what pain he would feel. Arms yanked the school's magicless tactician out of harm's way - the prefect had solved many cases and would do so successfully again. They would save him.
Tension tight enough to suffocate hung in the air as students either prepared for battle or fled. All eyes watching Grim as he desperately tried to shake the blot out of his stone; yet, he never turned. No monster bleeding black ooze was in sight. Just a trembling cat.
Mass confusion overtook all as they looked between each other for answers.
"Looking for me?"
A monotone voice echoed from beyond the barricade of students. A voice many spoke to on a daily basis that normally sang with snarky quips and lovable anecdotes. Students barreled away from its direction as black ooze overtook the ground beneath them.
Screams fell to deaf ears as the the overblot manifestation crawled up their legs and encased those fleeing in a midnight chrysalis. Any who tried to fight received the same fate. It toyed with them mercilessly until they resigned themselves to their insignificance.
"Please stop running. It makes this much more difficult on me...but then again, when did that ever matter?"
Compared to other overblots, the prefect held no shadow. No presence. They stood idle - like a husk - as the blot wreaked havoc in their place. Lifeless eyes scoured a crowd of pleas and cries with no signs of feeling or mercy. Like they were a puppet.
Their eyes met his, and momentarily the darkness ceased its spread. As some students took the chance to run in the distance - they reach out a hand. His name stutters from their lips as a pitch-black tear fell to the floor.
"Riddle"
He gasps when you say his name. For a moment Riddle is caught off guard, and it's enough time for the ooze to begin crawling up his calf. His own magestone suffered greatly from trying to keep the dark magic at bay while aiding nearby students in their escape.
It's light flickers in his hand as he tries desperately to cast another warding spell. Alas, it was out of mana.
And Riddle is out of time.
He thought of his own overblot on occasion. Some parts were foggy, and others he could remember vividly enough to believe he was still there. Trapped in his own self-loathing. Scared. Angry. Vengeful.
Then there was you. Strong. Independent. Respected. You had merely been at his school for a few weeks and somehow managed to take charge of situations he could not begin to fathom. You saved him when he did not know he needed to be saved. Riddle envied it at the time. Wanted the ability to guide others and still be loved by them - like you.
At some point he no longer wanted to become you. He wanted to be with you. He was proud of your intelligence and always made sure you were aware that it was superior to many he knew.
He wonders what you are feeling. If you are aware like he was, or if you are in a slumber like the students you have captured. At least, he hopes that is what happened to them and you have not done any 'permanent' harm.
Riddle stops struggling when the ooze reaches his waist. He needs a new approach...your approach.
"MC...MC can you hear me?! You need to fight it! There is no logic in mass hysteria!," he screams above the chaos with clenched fists. Your eyes meet once again and Riddle sighs in relief. He may have a chance -
"I am not logical," you say calmly, and return to watching the chaos, "and I never want to be,"
The ooze stretches over his arms and in the distance he sees the remnants of his dorm succumb to the blot. His frustration overpowers his fleeting confusion at your words. Now red contrasts to black, as his face burns in anger.
"Clearly so! If you're going to behave so childishly!"
"Maybe. It will be over soon. Logic is unnecessary when there is nothing,"
"What's wrong with you?! Suddenly doing all this - what example are you setting for other students? You were a role-model to - "
"None. I was a role-model to none," the ooze halts abruptly at the top of Riddles neck and he strains his head away from it. You glare at him with clenched teeth, "I did not ask for their expectations. Since I cannot escape them or this place...I will be rid of them permanently,"
Your hands fly to fist at your head and your breaths become ragged. Riddle found the land mine he was looking for...and he greatly disliked the familiarity.
"Expectations are given to people worthy. You may not agree, but it is the truth. Every expectation you receive is determined by a bar that you have put into place. You are in control MC. You have always been in control," Riddle releases a breath as the ooze begins to recede to his shoulders.
You go quiet, and gaze down at the ink staining your hands in terror, "I failed everyone. I failed you," you cry, "I'm so so sorry,"
The ink recedes to Riddle's feet and he sprints to your side. He kneels and takes your hands in his. Around you, students escape as the blot begins to fade away.
"If anyone needs to apologize...it is I. Let it be known that I expect nothing of you other than your happiness. Even then, it is and always will be your choice..."
"Leona"
Leona tenses in place and his ears twitch. His guard is still on high alert, but his heart thrums in his chest at record breaking pace. For a brief moment, he heard your voice. Not the distorted mutilation coming from the blot...but your voice.
Weak. Fragile. Suffering.
His legs act alongside his head and Leona dodges the spike of ooze aimed for his wrist. His quick reflexes protect him from becoming trapped in whatever cocoon you were encasing other students in.
His first instinct is to use King's Roar...but doing so would hurt you in the process. There's no doubt in his mind that it's why you called for him. That...and one other reason. He knows you can handle it. You're strong. He's pointed out your admirable strength for a human on many occasions. From nearly fist-fighting a groom-seeking ghost, keeping up with his spell drive practices, lugging him across campus, to even outrunning the leech twins every other hour - your ability to take a hit was well known.
Even now. Leona did not predict that you could overblot, but your form does not surprise him in the slightest. If anyone was to reek with such raw power, it would be the one person on campus surviving through pure grit. Leona may have underestimated you in the beginning, but he knows better now.
"If you don't stop then I have no choice but to fight you! Is that what you want?! Because I don’t hold back. Not for you - not for anyone,” he threatens, yet it reaches no one. You don’t spare Leona a glace when he aims his wand at you, “Never thought you’d fall like this, prefect. Tsk. What a disappointment,”
Leona shoots a burst of magical energy your way, but it meets a wall of ooze. It molds around you in a protective barrier, blocking any attack and keeping others at a distance.
Brute force would not work. Yet it was all Leona could do in a situation with no tactical edge. No insult or snarky joke rewarded him with a response. You were merely toying with him - and it made him simmer in rage. As his mana quickly depletes, he begins to believe that ‘saving’ you is a lost cause.
“There was nowhere to ‘fall’ from. Gravity holds us in our place. You of all people should know this, Leona,” you lift an arm, and suddenly he’s pinned down and kneeling on the ground.
“The hell are you talking about?! You’ve gone insane - look at this place,”
“It’s not fun to live in denial Leona. Aren’t you tired of fighting a 'lost cause'? I know that I am…”
You approach and kneel down in front of him at eye level. A macabre underlaying in your movements as you sway in the sea of black - and it clicks.
Leona found his edge…and it burns. His stomach lurches knowing what he has to do. With all his strength he pulls his remaining mana to rip his arms from the ooze and grab your shoulders. Tightly. His claws dig into your skin and draw crimson.
“I will never give up,” he grits, “but I can reevaluate. I might not be first born but I’ll be damned if that stops me from getting what I want…and I was right to peg you an idiot if you're thinking otherwise,”
Your eyes narrow at his words, and suddenly every ounce of darkness in the area is pointed like sharp needles at Leona.
“Too bad you’ll die before-“
“Sure, like you have the gull to kill me? You haven’t given up either,” Leona speaks out confidently, “stronger than I am. You would never kill someone for personal gain…and you know it. Why else have you come this far, huh? To play mage? No, you’re doing it to live so quit throwing a fucking tantrum and grow up. Whatever it is that you want to do…,” he stands abruptly and you quickly pull the needles away - proving his point and he smirks.
“I’ll help you to do it, alright. So let everything go and only look my way,”
And you do. Leona catches you just as your consciousness gives out and all the miasma from the area slowly fades away. Not a scratch or sign of distress in sight….as if everything was a bad dream that NRC just awoke from. Leona picks you up and escapes the area quickly. Health now, theorizing after.
"Azul"
A shiver snakes down Azul's spine. Your voice hangs still in the air - clouding his mind and his eyes sting as he forgets to blink. He never pictured you begging. Not like the poor unfortunate souls he would ensnare with his contracts. Azul has heard you yell, he's seen you jump when startled and seen the color drain from your face when being scolded.
Yet, never desperate. Never terrified.
He doesn't know what to do. His magic is useless. Azul is useless...in the face of this. You.
Beautiful.
Even now. He finds you astonishing. The way you stand tall in a sea of black. He only sees you from behind yet even that feels like a forbidden pleasure. The miasma radiates from you like ocean waves on a calm evening. Your movements are fluid as you fall in sync with their flow and to Azul it's like you are dancing. Like an angelfish in the depths of the sea...you call to him.
Something cold and slimy wraps around his wrist in Azul's moment of weakness. It yanks him down and he's nearly dragged into a cocoon of black - almost. Luckily Professor Vargas is stronger. He grabs Azul by the shoulder and rips him out of the trap before demolishing it. Vargas' expression is steel as the blot retreats towards it's source...
You are reaching out in Azul's direction one moment, and in the next Vargas is standing protectively in front of him - blocking you from sight.
His professor yells, "Enough MC, fight me head on! I will protect these students with my-" and is blasted away before Azul can offer assistance. Just as he began to comprehend the situation...you overtook him once again.
A gust of air whips by and he squints. When his eyes open, you're a hairs length away from Azul's face - one move and your noses will touch.
Your hollow gaze bores into him, "Even in chaos, you won't look me in the eye. Your attention is always elsewhere," and his heart shudders.
He speaks without thinking, "My attention is never not on you," and he's completely forgotten about his likely injured teacher.
"Lies,"
"Truths," he breaths, "Even now. You are all I see," and he means it.
"You only look because I am now worthwhile," one of your hands slides up his shoulder and wraps around his bowtie, "I now have power to offer you. Would you like to make a contract?"
What was happening to him? Why...were the things he couldn't say days before slipping from his lips like butter.
His heart pounds at the offer. The power of an overblot at the reach of his fingertips...it's never been done before. If successful it would open doorways of new magical discoveries. Everyone would envy him-
and yet
'Azul,' your plea from earlier surfaces in his memory.
An offer has never disgusted him more. He cannot resist gagging at the thought..."Not on my life," he spits out in a haste.
You give no reaction to his distaste - or so he would think, if thick blot did not begin to curl between your bodies. Azul ignores the way it grips his clothes and steels himself.
"You do not need a contract to have me. You have always been - and will continue to be - my strength," he reaches to gently grab the hand around his neck, "this form is but a piece of you, yet I still cannot look away. You are everything,"
Insecurity. He doesn't know what could breed such a painful emotion in you - but from the way the world crumbles he must have assumed correctly.
You look away as the air begins to clear, and crystal tears prick the corners of your eyes.
Azul lifts his hands to your cheeks and brushes them away with his thumbs.
Beautiful.
"Kalim"
Quick on his feet, Kalim summons Oasis Maker to flush out some of the toxic mist spreading across the area. He falls into action like clockwork, guiding students out of the area and serving as a distraction until higher mages arrive. He is positive that the situation will be handled - except now you are not there to solve it.
Which isn't your fault. None of this is.
If anything, it's Kalim's fault. Which means he needs to work extra hard so that you don't blame yourself for anything. Which he knows you will do.
Because you're honest.
Which is something many people say about Kalim himself - they call it his fault. His 'defect'.
They're half-right. Kalim's honesty is not the same as yours. He chooses positivity and openness. You? It comes naturally. In ways that don't require a smile and energetic outlook on life. You are someone Kalim never has to second guess with - and that is a gift.
Your honesty is what Kalim loves the most about you. Your blunt nature and ability to stick with your gut. It is one of your biggest strengths...and he does not want you to lose it.
The way you called for him - knowing. You knew this overblot was coming yet said nothing. There was nothing that could have been done to stop it. Whatever you have buried beneath the surface - Kalim understands.
This image of you. This 'blemish'. It is your honesty. It’s your grimace every time someone comments on your “fortune” for getting free enrollment. It’s your relief when a harsh exam is over with, or when you lay in bed after a long day. Your excitement when Kalim takes you on a particularly adventurous ride on his flying carpet…your despair, when someone you care about is in trouble. It’s all of that wrapped in a bundle and put on display for everyone to see.
Kalim is scared. Not of you - but for you, because this emotionless monster wreaking havoc is what you perceive yourself as.
He feels guilty for not looking your way more than once. For leaving you to needlessly fight with the people you care about…but as the last student flees to safety he feels relief.
As he turns to face you with a grin - he feels happiness.
“Go on. Everyone’s gone now MC! Let it out!”
You turn away from fighting with your close friends. Ace and Deuce are weathered to dust and collapse on the floor. Rain still pours from Kalim’s signature spell and it mixes with the black miasma in puddles on the ground.
The two boys shout for Kalim to run - that you won’t see reason. He laughs and tells them not to worry before running towards you.
“Everyone’s safe now…you don’t have to worry anymore,” he says, and takes off his cardigan to lay over your shoulders. He adjusts it with a gentle smile and lifts his hand to wipe off a smear of ink from your cheek, “I hope you don’t catch a cold. I’ll take care of you, but I bet that wouldn’t be fun for you,”
“I was not worried,” you say, unblinking as he continues to fiddle with your garments, “the cold is irrelevant. As are you - flee you yellow pest,”
“Yes, you were,”
“No,”
“Yup!”
You slightly narrow your eyebrows at him, “and what makes you so certain?”
Your hand extends to the side at that moment, and ink lifts to encase the exhausted first years up to their necks, “would you like to join them?”
Kalim clutches the jacket tighter and ignores the panicked yapping of his friends.
“If that would make you happy, then sure! Take me! Just let them go…I don’t want you to be upset over this later,”
“And what makes you sure that there’s going to be a ‘later’?” You ask.
“Well…,” Kalim looks at his friends over your shoulder and then back to you, “because you know it too. Otherwise I’d be gone right now and so would everyone else. Deep down you’re getting ready to let go! And when you do we’ll all be ready to help you,”
Kalim pulls you into a tight hug. His arms wound over your shoulders and shield you from the rain above. A moment passes, and he feels your arms reach up around his back. Not once during the entire encounter did the ooze attack him. Even in a slumber of darkness you still held onto yourself. Just like Kalim knew you would.
“You really are a naïve idiot,” your voice - now full of sorrow - whispers in is ear, “I could have killed you,”
He hugs you tighter, “you could have, and I probably would have let you haha. Next time let’s talk - I’ll always be here for you,”
“I know. You always are,”
"Vil"
An explosion of grime blackens his uniform in a matter of seconds. It covers Vil from head to toe - soaking his hair, dampening his cape, and filling his boots. As students slip across the floor in an attempt to flee, Vil is halted in place by the sickening feeling of filth overtaking him.
Ever calm in the face of chaos, he pulls out a handkerchief to clean himself. The scene before him utterly dull and disinteresting.
"I expected more. Is this all that results from your spite?...honestly, prefect. At least put in some effort beyond this putrid slime,"
And he has you in his clutches. As he tosses the handkerchief over his shoulder, your head snaps robotically in his direction.
He eyes rake over you callously. Nit picking every little 'imperfection', from the bags underneath your eyes to the veins bulging out of your neck from strain. Vil's heels click against the ground as he approaches. Magic trickles from his fingertips and pushes away the barrier of blot that you've created. Effortlessly, he passes through it all.
At your feet kneels a new freshman from his dorm. A young man eyes him with a mix of fear and relief. Vil notes his shredded uniform and eyes bloodshot from crying - likely from begging for mercy.
He lifts his chin at the lad, "Run or fight. Pick now, Pomefiore students do not grovel," and the boy wastes no time escaping with a strained 'thank you'.
"He was not yours to free," your voice echoes. Airy and meaningless to Vil's ears and he watches as ooze captures the boy in a cocoon before he makes it ten paces away.
"It's hypocritical," Vil chuckles, "that you trap them like insects...or is it a metaphor? Do you feel caged, prefect?"
Vil raises a singular eyebrow, taunting you to respond. You do not, yet he expected such due to this 'artificial' state you've taken on.
"Of course you do. I certainly would...although I thought you more determined than resorting to an overblot's power to free yourself,"
Around Vil more people fall prey to your traps. Neither brute force or trickery allows them to leave the miasma's boarder, and he cannot help but feel a smidge of awe at the sight. To bottle the essence into a potion...it would be marvelous. The miracle of a magicless producing an overblot is astounding on it's own, yet the entire scenario is remarkable.
You are remarkable.
Arrows soar and he watches as Rook falls. The hunter turned prey - Rook becomes a bird locked away in a cage. Epel is not far behind him. A string of uncouth curses leaving the boy's lips when he looses his footing to the darkness.
Vil tuts, "If only I could make Epel submit so easily during mannerism lessons...perhaps I can learn from you yet MC,"
"Will you ever cease speaking?"
"First, rude," he sighs, "second, why not force me? People in an overblot state normally do not entertain chatter...what makes you special?"
You eye him, "I don't need to immobilize what's already broken," and he smirks. Of course you would say that of all things. Vil knows you better than you know yourself...he's observed up close and at a distance. Vil knows that you have doubts in him, in the school, in your friends, and in yourself the most.
but you cut no corners. Your dedication to being the 'perfect prefect' is something often admired...to where even your overblotted form is unconsciously maintaining it. Had you not kidnapped half the school in goo prison - none likely would notice an overblot walked the halls.
Until you spoke, at least. This gravelly undertone does not suit you...or does it?
"You may be correct," Vil raises a hand to his chin and pretends to think, "but you are not broken MC. Merely misguided. Your sheer determination has given you the strength to persevere, and I was convinced that it would be enough. I thought you and I to be similar,"
He reaches out and lays a steady hand on your shoulder. You look up at him through your eyelashes, and he takes it as a sign to reach down and hold your hand. His delicate fingers intertwine with yours.
"I was wrong. You are capable of more than brute force - so cage me. Otherwise you will have to hear my ramblings for all eternity. You won't, because you are more determined than I was to break through this spell...but go on and try. You have my cooperation,"
Your hand tightens around Vil's and for the first time since coming to your side - emotion is clear on your face.
Thick tears stream down your cheeks and Vil breaths out in relief.
"You're right...ugh, why are you always right ya pompous asshole," you say and bring his fingers to your forehead. A faint blush dusts Vil's cheeks and he smiles.
"I am the fairest, after all. My voice was bound to reach you eventually, my dear"
"Idia"
Oh no. Nononononon this can’t be happening. Not them. Anyone but them.
Great seven. He must have misheard amongst the screams or the reception in his dorm must have bugged out.
Whichever it is, Idia panics and yanks his earphones off of his head. Multiple monitors within his room show the catastrophe playing out from different angles. At the center is his main screen, which is black despite the video signal still being active. The moment his name left your lips a harpoon of blot shot at his tablet . Then there was nothing.
What the hell just happened? Idia thinks, a cold sweat dripping down his spine. His hair flares an anxious orange as he chews on his nails. The last thing he saw before dark was your face - void of expression yet morphed in pain. Then there was Ortho. His beloved little brother was trying to reach his tablet before everything snapped.
“Ah! What is this - the final boss?! Some kind of plot twist?! We think it’s all over just for a normie to blot? This is ridiculous-“
Despite the dark - Idia can hear. Muffled rustling echoes from the headset on the floor as he paces back and forth in his room. He knew there was a reason he felt so energized when you were around! Ortho said it was because he was …eugh…feeling things - but you were practically smothering him with your blot.
To energize Idia of all people…it must be strong. How the hell is he supposed to save you from that? No way!
"Big brother…please! We….need you!….MC….needs you!" Ortho's voice fades in and out but Idia can hear him clear enough. He halts in his tracks and clutches his head from stress. In one hand, he could stay in his room and let someone else handle you. In the other, he could leave the safety of his bedroom like an absolute idiot and try something. Anything - and pray it works.
He grabs a pillow and screams various curses into it. His hair flairs up into blood red from frustration and angry tears prick his eyes.
Curse him for being a total coward. Courage…bravery…they were your traits - not his. You stopped so many others and saved them - even him! A worthless wimp. You found a way and now he gets to live happily with his brother.
And despite it Idia can’t bring himself to return the favor. Who asked you to help him in the first place anyway!? Now he has a debt and … ugh, no. That’s not it. This isn’t about a debt and never was.
“Please! You’re the only one,” Ortho yells again and Idia can hear the sound of a battle. He looks at the security cameras to see blot covering the main building and slowly inching it’s way outwards. Not to long and it would reach him anyways…
He grabs his wand along with his uniform jacket, slips on his boots, and finds another one of his tablets. What’s he going to do? - Idia has a plan but it’s definitely something you’d take to a lvl 10 raid with friends and not a lvl 100 boss.
His heart pounds in his chest as he reaches the blot boarder. It flocks to him and he grimaces in disgust before barreling through - flickering through cctv feed on his tablet and making sure Ortho can stave you off until he arrives.
Ortho does, but the moment Idia enters the scene his brother falters. He’s swallowed up by blot right at the last second and Idia has no time to be frightened. The campus had become a sea of black cocoons by the time he arrived…and amidst them all you stood in silence. As if you were waiting for the chosen challenger…
“M-MC? What are y-you doing?! E-everyone’s d-d-dead?!”
“Not dead. Sleeping. Soon I will join them…as will you, Idia,” you say, and one of the cocoons opens to reveal his broken tablet. Idia’s hands shake when he realizes that there is no one else left.
It was up to him to save you. To save everyone and himself.
You begin to walk towards him and Idia takes steps back as you approach.
“Are you afraid of me, Idia? Oh - who am I kidding…you always have been. Worry not. There is nothing to be scared of here,”
The words you speak would normally comfort him - perhaps even leave Idia flustered and feeling protected.
But they’re cold. They might come from your lips but they lack meaning behind them and he can’t hear your voice. The way you say Idia’s name makes him shriek and hold his wand defensively.
He lets out a shaky breath, “I might be too dysfunctional for many things - but I’ve never been bested by a normie. Give back my brother!”
Idia quickly casts a spell -- and it hits! He fully expected you to dodge or for something to deflect it - but you’re struck in the chest. He jumps when you're sent flying backwards and into a wall. A sickening crunch accompanies the impact
He hurt you, and the realization costs him to shake harder. The thought of you resenting him for it makes bile rise to his throat -
"Shit- are you okay?? What kinda villain doesn't dodge an attack?" he yells but keeps his distance.
You pick yourself up effortlessly, and he's almost relieved - if not for the blood dripping from your forehead.
You lift two fingers to the cut, "That was an unexpected development," and bring them down to admire black ichor, "yet not unwelcome"
"Tell me, does it feel good? All this blot must be an endless source of mana...why not fight me? You know you want to,"
Idia always believed you were crazy, but this? What the hell were you feeling to become so creepy? He takes a step back and eyes you warily.
Idia grits his teeth, "The hell is wrong with you? I can't believe that I'm saying this but we're not in a game, idiot! I almost killed you!"
"Isn't it though?," you chuckle dryly, "it must be, considering how dangerous this world is. You agree, don't you? That hiding away is what's best when this," you gesture to yourself, "is what you find outside"
You've backed Idia into a corner with his own outlook on life as the ammo. He's lost for words. Unable to disagree since you are right - life outside is difficult.
"I-if I meant that then I wouldn't be here, now would I?" he smirks.
Yet you know better, "Truly? Then where were you before? I recall a young boy calling for his brother -for a 'savior' - long before you arrived"
You smile at the word 'savior,' yet it does not reach your eyes. In an instant you're in front of him, and Idia drop his wand in shock.
"Tell me - do you believe that you can 'save' me?," your lips point to frown, "do I even want to be saved?"
He goes quiet. That was definitely a villain monologue if he ever heard one...and if you currently weren't skirting death then he would cringe.
"Likely not," he whispers, "you have never needed to be saved. Out of everyone here MC, you are definitely the most meta character in this 'game,'"
You look down at him disinterested. Neither in his words or in how -for once- he is staving off your insults before they throw him into self-deprecation mode.
Idia gestures to the scene surrounding you, "I mean - just look at this! You've decimated half the school! I'd be crazy to think that sappy words and playing half-baked hero could stop this..." he places down the tablet in surrender and reaches out a shaking hand to grab your ankle. Blot curls from your body to his arm and he bites into his cheek to avoid shirking away, "...but I had to try. Normally when something bad happens - I wait for Ortho to step in. You too, you're so fearless that it's laughable,"
He glares up at you, his hair singing the floor surrounding him, "but this version of you took him away - and I know the real you is scared shitless. I may be spineless, but I'm not blind. You're freaking out more than I am at this mess, and I'm going to drag you back to fix it. I do not have the capacity to handle the social aftermath of being in the 'last survivor' trope, so let me save you, "
He pulls you down on top of him and secures his arms tightly around you. Idia doesn't let go through your squirming and the blot trying to worm it's way through his hold.
He can't save you alone, but he can make you save yourself. The crappy he speech was embarrassing enough so just give in already! Stop struggling and quit being so self-sacrificial. Be selfish for once and let him do something.
He longer he holds you, the less you struggle. The blot coating the area begins to clear as your body begins to tremble just as much as Idia's. Students begin to free themselves and he keeps you in a tight hold - for safe measure! Until someone comes to take you to the nurse! Definitely not because he can sense that you're crying, and is now conscious of the people staring at you both. He definitely is not trying to hide beneath you.
"Malleus"
All was silent. Malleus sat on the loveseat in his bedroom while reading a book to pass the time until nightfall. Then he would head over to Ramshackle dorm for his evening walk with his beloved. You would talk, and he would listen. The fireflies would light a path for you both to follow in the Forrest as he leads you by the hand. It is his favorite part of the day - these routine walks. Merely seeing your face brightens his mood, and having your attention solely on him is a kindness he does not deserve. He thanks whatever power that summoned you here every night before falling asleep.
The way you make idle chatter by asking about his day and take genuine interest in the mundane things he shares. Malleus' heart holds nothing but adoration for his caring sweetheart. He is attuned to every little movement, every mannerism and tick that sums you up.
Which is why his heart plummets and breath halts when your voice thrums in his ears. It was distant, but he would hear your call no matter how far.
What startles him most is the fear in your tone. You know well that he would allow no harm to befall you - ever. He has come to your aid countless times. During each you remain calm and ever the pacifist. Only asking him to support you in solving a problem.
This fear was new. He hadn't pondered it longer than a moment before Lilia burst into his bedroom.
"We have a problem. A big one," he says, with no trace of humor or playfulness in his voice.
Malleus all but throws the book at his bed and dashes out the door. With a poof, he vanishes.
Thunder and lightning echo across Night Raven College in his wake.
Malleus feels unsettled at the sight before him. He prepared for the worst - monsters, explosions, a psychopathic twink named after candy. He was ready to shield you from all evil and banish whatever made you to say his name in any tone other than bliss.
What was he to do, when faced with you? A corrupt, stomach-churning, inconceivably warped version of you...but still the person he cares for deeply? He cannot use force. That is for certain.
Then there is the matter of the students. In one corner a defenseless few cower together, as those braver stand guard to fight off figments of blot. He hears familiar voices in the distance - some cursing you and others pleading. They notice him and cry out in relief. That is a first - very few find his presence comforting.
"Malleus? How curious, that you'd join me before nightfall," you appear in front of him. Waves of miasma fly off you but it does not bother him in the slightest. As if he was infectious, the blot filters around him in waves to find its next victim.
His eyes visibly soften at what you've become, "MC...what should I do? How can I help you?"
"Help me? I am fine," you say, and he notes your dazed appearance. As if he was a figment of your imagination and you can see beyond him.
"No, you are not," he reaches out, "you are hurting. You would never dream of harming others. You are overcome by negative emotions,"
"I do not feel 'overcome' by anything. They are the ones who chose to run. I merely stopped them. If everyone would comply then I wouldn't have to hurt them," you slap his hand away and Malleus glowers, "they asked for this. You are as well, if you decide to oppose me,"
Retreating a few paces back, Malleus rethinks his approach. He cannot help you if you can't tell him what is wrong, but he cannot deduce what's wrong if you think he is 'opposing' you.
Malleus knows that he can end this with the snap of his fingers. It would save all of NRC's students, but in the process you could be hurt - and in his humble opinion, you have suffered enough. The mere memory of this incident will leave you in emotional pieces that he is more than willing to help collect. He cannot do the same for physical parts.
"I will not fight you," he says definitively, "but I will not leave you either. I promised to protect you and I do not go back on my word. Until the day you are willing to listen, I will wait for you,"
"and what if that day never comes to pass?"
"Then I will wait beyond forever. Until you give me a chance to repay the kindness you have shown me, and ensure nothing causes you pain ever again,"
Malleus is genuine despite the cries of his school mates and teachers. He has no doubts that you will see reason, be it within the next hour or in the next millennia. You will never be too far gone because he will be there to keep you within reach. He is willing to wait.
You clutch your hands at your sides, "Kindness? I have never been kind. Only desperate,"
Malleus steps forward and removes one of his gloves. He remains at a safe distance despite wanting to hold you in his arms. Instead, he repeats his earlier actions and holds out a hand.
"Desperation can take many forms. Anger, anxiety, impulsiveness, - but you have always acted in the interest of others. Even now, in this state, you believe your harmful actions are necessary to 'stop' people and admit not desiring to hurt them. You may not see it, but you are kind,"
You stare at his ungloved hand before laying your own on top of it. Normally your skin would be a welcome warmth against his reptilian temperature, but your touch is like ice. He lightly wraps his hand around yours, and steps forward to rest his chin on your head.
"I'm cruel,"
"No, you are caring,"
"I hate this place. I only help because I have to,"
"You dislike being trapped, yet cannot help but care for the people here,"
He lifts his hand behind your head, and pushes your face into the nape of his neck. The air begins to clear, and he smiles in relief.
"I might hurt you," you say softly, and clutch his sleeves.
"And I will forgive you,"
"Grim!"
In your last sane moments, you call for your friend. The little cat that's been by your side since the very beginning. He was scared to become a monster...but Grim knew deep down that you would save him. You're his best friend! You always bail him out of trouble.
So what should he do? Tell him MC...what can Grim do to help you?
He's scared. You both may make up a team, but he's always been the troublemaker while you are the intelligent one! He might brag about a test or two - but he can't make a plan! That's your job!
The floor shakes under his paws, and he loses his footing. The black magestone slips from his claws and is lost to the crowd. There is no strength in this little body. He normally runs into your arms when it's time to run.
Hands grab him by the scruff of his neck and Grim's hoisted in the air. He struggles against your grip, but is forced to look at your face.
Do you know how many suitors he has had to scare off because of that face? You're beautiful - which pisses Grim off because people keep trying to sway his henchman away from him.
Do you know how tiring that is? Protecting you from jerks and wannabe's. You don't have any family here to help. He owes them that much since you are HALF of the reason that Grim gets to be a student.
You've always been naïve when it came to other people...too honest. Which Grim took advantage of from time to time - but only he can do so! You are his meal ticket after all!
Your grip on his neck is tight enough to prevent him from escaping, but it doesn't hurt. As you look on at the people trying to fight - some to escape like wimps and others to 'save' you - Grim gives up. If you're determined to destroy the school...well, he can't stop you. No one can. You always find a way to make things work in your favor and Grim secretly thanked the Great Seven that you were not his enemy. Until now, that is. Now he's cursing them out heavily in his head.
The students fighting. Ace, Deuce, Jack, Epel, - anyone and everyone who's become your friend. Some yell for you to let Grim go and others focus on trying to make you see reason all together. They can't get close.
If you weren't 'busy,' Grim knows that you'd be there with them. Being bossy as hell and taking charge. He wishes that he had that courage.
You finally move when everyone has fallen. With Grim still in your grasp, you walk across the sea of blot to admire your work. It's then that a glimmer catches Grim's eye, and your foot kicks the dropped magestone from before.
You reach down to pick it up - cautiously.
"Is this yours?" you say, and hold it up to him. Grim's eyes widen and he quickly snatches it in his paws.
Upon close inspection, he sees that he was mistaken before. In the far corner a sliver of purple stands out against the black stone. You could be saved.
Grim could stop this.
So he does what he does best, and clings to your side. His claws dig in to your waist and no matter how hard you pull he does not let go.
"It's my fault you're like this, right? I annoy ya and demand things all the time. I'll stop getting ya into trouble - I promise! I won't mess with your lovelife or steal your snacks anymore. I'll start studying for tests and help clean around the house! I'll even quit stealing your phone! Please just give me my friend back - "
Somewhere amidst his garbled sniveling - you stop pulling at him and instead begin to stroke his fur. His last resort resonated with the ounce of kindness that still remained. As you held Grim safely in your arms, the world shifted back to normal.
Prompt: "Will You Marry Me?" - Proposal Headcannons
Characters: Everyone :)
Part(s): Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw(Here!), Octavinelle, Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde, Diasomnia(Pt.1)(Pt.2)
Fandom: Twisted Wonderland
Warning(s): None. I mean, unless you don't want to marry any of them. Just don't read if that's the case.
Note: These are all if he is the one proposing btw. I've been thinking about maybe programming a small fan-made mini-otome using these ideas. Just for some practice for school while also being self indulgent hehe
Leona Kingscholar
Let’s just rip the bandaid off. Leona dates to marry. He’s not someone to invest his time in something troublesome, and frankly? Not many people catch his interest. Sure. He might think someone is physically attractive, but there’s a difference. He doesn’t follow the traditional path either. The ‘dating’ stage doesn’t last long because he’s already made up his mind prior to it.
Dating is pretty much just formality. The moment you agree to it, you’re essentially agreeing to marry him. He’s not going to put in effort for just anyone. Bonus points if he’s the one to confess his feelings first. That is basically concrete confirmation that he intends to marry you.
Leona proposing is inevitable. Only two things stand in his way: time and pride. Time, because he is no idiot. Your ways are unlike his people, and unlike him. He’s patient. He knows how to play the game. He can wait, but not forever. He’ll observe you over time and slip in questions here and there about your goals in life. Then he’ll find a good time frame. Please remember that Leona is not just an ambitious hot-head. He’s a smart one.
Then there is his pride. He will not put himself in a position that has a chance to fail. No. He will play dirty, and wait until you are tinkering with the idea of marriage. He’ll steer conversations towards talks of the future, and make it so you’re the one who starts them. All to get you warmed up to the idea of spending your life with him, and to a stage where he can clearly tell where you lie emotionally. He might appear neutral on the outside; however, it’s all according to plan. While you are just beginning to imagine your lives together, Leona’s already had the thought process long prior. You don’t need to know that though.
The icing on the cake is when you visit his home. Checka is Leona’s secret wingman. Your soft spot for the boy is something he takes advantage of, and lets Checka consume your attention during a tour of the palace. You meet his elder brother, who irritatingly pries for details about your relationship. Leona lets it go. Just this once, because he knows you feeling at home is more important in the long run. You share a room with him during your stay, and he made arrangements for small changes according to your tastes. You’re also gifted with a new wardrobe of traditional clothes for your stay, and given free reign of the area. Naturally you are guarded in secret, as per the King’s orders. His brother knows as well as Leona does that it is imperative that your stay goes well.
You will be touring landmarks and tourist spots within the continent as well. While Leona would much rather laze his free time away in his room (away from his family), he goes. Word spread that he was bringing home his partner. Thank the gossiping maids for that. Walking with you makes the rumors official, and is safer than having you walk alone with Checka and some royal guards. That would have arisen suspicion, and been troublesome. More troublesome than walking around and confirming to the public that you are not to be touched.
Ignoring the many remarks about how Leona is unusually active during his visit (thanks to you), his pride is high. You’ve thoroughly been slotted into his life, and are accepted. Any apprehensions about you denying him were snuffed out. The way you took to living with him so easily proves it. If you weren’t welcomed by his family? Well, it wouldn’t change anything. This scenario just makes what he’s about to do easier.
The first night you arrived, Farlan presented Leona with a Kingscholar family heirloom. A ring that has been in their family for generations. Not meant to be worn permanently, and only for proposals. Farlan used it to propose to his wife, and at the ceremony presented her with the ring he picked out. Now Leona will use it to propose to you.
One look at it and Leona declined. He’s spent his whole life chasing things that he couldn’t have because of his birth status. He would not yield this moment to tradition. Farlan was shocked, but rescinded the offer with a supportive smile. His brother had found himself, and the King was proud.
On the evening of your final night at the palace - Leona finds you alone on the balcony of your shared room. If he was going to do anything, it would be now. Initially he was 100% confident in getting your acceptance, but the longer he watches the less sure he becomes. Deep down there is rooted fear that he will once again become second choice, and that you’ll choose to return to your world over him. His hands are in his pockets, and one of them fists around the ring he prepared long ago.
Right when he moved to back out, you turned to come back inside. Your serene stature brightened at the sight of him, and he gained back some confidence. If you could only look at him that way forever…well, here goes nothing.
What are you doing out there without a coat? It gets extremely cold in the Savannah during the night. Do you want to get sick? I won’t be the one taking care of you….,” he sighs, pushing the door open, “Stubborn mule. Make some room, I’m coming out there….I’m near-certain that you figured it out, but this isn’t just a normal vacation. I brought you here to ask for your hand. What?? Stop playing dumb. Not your ‘hand’ hand - oh, for crying out- marriage! I am asking you to marry me!….I am taking the laughter as a yes, now give me your finger”
{ 'Everything the light touches...is our kingdom' - A golden sunrise. Befitting. He used to hate them. Hate that phrase too. Yet you are the sun that Leona has been searching for. He continues to fight against fate in hopes that his efforts will bare fruit, and you are living proof that there is a chance. Maybe not easily. His life might not be what he originally dreamed. He may not get to sit on a throne of light . Yet there is a light in his life, and he likes to think that fate did not bring it to him. No, he found you all on his own.}
Ruggie Bucchi
'I don't see why you haven't proposed to that young darling yet. Keep waiting and you'll miss your chance, boy'
Well, of all the things Ruggie expected to hear during his visit home, that wasn't one. Normally he'd be nagged over being away too long, or not writing home enough. This? It caught him off guard. Grandma was always sticking her nose where it didn't belong...but, maybe she had a point this time.
Your relationship. It's not something Ruggie has given much thought. It's uncharacteristic of him to get comfortable enough not to look a few steps ahead, but he's gone soft. A fact that he begrudgingly accepts with a grain of salt.
Naturally, he doesn't admit this out loud and instead changes the topic. On the outside, he acts normal and helps out around the house. However, internally he is thinking over his grandmother's prying.
Marriage. It's not necessarily 'beneficial,' to say the least. With only a few months left until graduation, he'll finally be entering the rat-race to secure himself a comfortable position for life. He's worked hard and developed connections to make it happen. The finish line is right there.
Where does that leave you? He can't necessarily be as flexible if he has a partner to worry about. It's a weak link, and might cause problems in his plans. The smart thing to do would be to break things off. After all, how many school romances get a happy ending? It's so unrealistic. He'll be busy with work, you'll have your own responsibilities, and eventually it will be like you are strangers with a title tying both of you together.
This reasoning alone is enough to settle the problem. It's just - he doesn't like it. It's the most realistic path and he hates it. If it was about finding a companion, then he could do it later in life.
But when he tries to picture that lifestyle with anyone other than you, it doesn't sit right. It's physically upsetting, and makes him nauseated.
Sleep evades him that night. Ruggie finds himself sitting in the kitchen doing homework, burning the midnight oil until he can think with a clear head. Naturally, his all-knowing grandmother finds him there and makes him spill his thoughts.
She's direct with her advice. It's rare for Ruggie to be stumped considering his quick-wit, and understanding emotions is a wisdom you gain with experience.
For someone like Ruggie, who's always maximized every outcome and thought ahead - you're a weakness. Something that he can't control, and yet exactly what he needs in life. We don't get to choose who we love in life. Love is unpredictable, and Ruggie's found it at a young age. Career opportunities come and go, but he will never get back the time spent at your side...so why not maximize that instead? Hm?
He leaves for NRC the following day. For the last time, considering it is his final year. On the way he stops at multiple markets and dips into his savings. With nothing but a ring and an idea, he ditches his stuff in his dorm and heads to Ramshackle.
He's not nervous. That left his system the night prior. His grandmother's tough advice hardened that up quick.
He knocks on the door, half expecting one of the resident ghosts to answer. Instead it's you, and he's down on one knee before you can speak. With one hand, he holds out the ring. The other itches his nose in attempt to hide his wobbly grin.
"Shishishishi~ I don't have to explain what's going on, right? I'm sure you can put two-and-two together quickly. Are you really so surprised that you have nothing to say? Hmm, I guess that I can take the lead. Pretty soon I'll be leaving. You still have another year here, and I can't promise that I will be around much. Until now, I had no plan for us. Likely because being with you is the most natural thing I have experienced. I've always aimed for a life of comfort, but now I want you in that picture too, y'know? So...when you graduate next year, will you marry me? I'll be patiently waiting, shishi~”
{Rose Quartz. The symbol of unconditional love and family. Something Ruggie hasn't experienced much in his life, and is grateful for. Ruggie did not want to choose a generic gem. Not for this. He may be known for cutting corners, but this is too important. He has done his fair share of trading, and knows exactly what to look for when shopping. No salesperson alive could convince him otherwise. You may not understand the meaning behind the gem, but that's alright. He doesn't mind, because this is the ring he'll see on your finger until you're both old and grey}
Jack Howl
Jack takes the longest out of all in his dorm. In result, his proposal is the most natural. Not to say that he does not put thought into it! Oh no, this poor lad hella overthinks the event. It's just getting him to the proposing stage is - well, anticlimactic?
All Jack requires is time. Once you've both settled in to your lives on an individual standpoint, with time comes thoughts of taking your relationship to the next level. As adults who have been together for years, it's only natural? At least for Jack. He has never been for or against getting married. So, there really is no internal battle for him to fight. He just? Lets himself be happy with the idea? I know, I know. It sounds too easy - but think about it. Jack is responsible, kind, and a bit like a golden retriever (or should I just say wolf?). He doesn't ignore his feelings. So if he feels that he want's to marry you, then why not? The worst that can happen is you say no.
There was no epiphany. No spark or overwhelming feeling of affection that made him want to marry you. No impending doom, nervousness, or special moment that he can pinpoint as 'the moment'. Nothing. You weren't even around.
He was merely finishing up morning jog and heading home. The thought casually entered his head, and he let it stay. Over time it reappeared over and over, until he felt that he'd heard it enough to act on it.
Jack is high-key observant and knows your likes and dislikes by heart. He feels that such an important moment is something he needs to think through deeply, and on his own. Many have been at the receiving end of his determination, and that doesn't exclude you. Once he's set his mind to something, there is no holding back. Over the course of weeks he proceeds to undergo self-reflection, and craft a proposal that he feels is perfect.
One question he spends time thinking about is 'where,' because Jack would prefer to do an intimate act like proposing somewhere private. The last thing he wants you to feel is pressure to accept, so he chooses to propose on a late night walk. This might arise suspicion since he isn't in workout gear, which is rare. Yet it's a price Jack is willing to pay. He's never been great with surprises anyways.
He tries to uphold some element of mystery though. Do not laugh, but he put the in a plastic bag and hid it inside the container for his protein powder. When times get tough, you have to get a little creative.
Right before your evening stroll, he says that he wants to make a shake (under the pretense that afterwards he'll work-out). In actuality, he takes an empty bottle and slips the ring inside.
While you're both walking, he shakes it around and 'complains' that nothing is coming out. With you completely unknowing, he opens the cap and feigns surprise. It makes you curious, and he hands over the bottle a bit too eagerly
It's light, you note instantly. A glance inside reveals the ring, and when you pull it out Jack stops walking. His face sets with determination despite the red hue overtaking his neck and ears.
Will you marry me?? -- oh wait, that was too blunt, wasn't it? Hang on!, " he takes a breath, and coughs into his fist, "So. I've been doing some thinking. We've been together for years now, and to me you've become irreplaceable. I don't know how else to describe how I feel, other than to say that you are the person I want to spend my life with. I can only hope that you feel this way too,"
{He isn't a man of the arts. Jack has no eye for fancy jewels, or what's an appropriate design. He originally thought to have the shop keeper help him decide. Yet, that felt impersonal. So he perused many stores, and did his best to imagine your reaction to seeing each ring. Nothing caught his eye until this peridot. A simple cut with an eye-catching color. Sure, it's not what others would recommend but he liked it. Who would Jack be to deny his gut instinct?}
Please not that this is a wip! I wanted to show the prolouge for my huge upcomming post(s)!!
It all takes place after the scarabia chapter. Ever since the scarabia overblot incident and Ace and deuce trying to be your heores and save you from the dorm, you realised just how much you care about them. They are your first and best friends in this world! You just had to get something to remember them forever (and your wonderful times and adventures with them!)
Ace and Deuce are of course confused why you're suddenly so happily greeting them. Have you gotten a boyfriend? (No you couldn't! They made sure no one could be able to confess to you!-) Have you come to confess to one of them? Well they sure hope it's that more than the other option!
You can't hide your wide grin as you show the healed tattoo! You're so happy over it, liking the sleek design that just easily shows off your bestest of friends!
Ace and Deuce feels the world stop. You, you have them.. tattooed... on your beautiful body....
They can't believe it, they have truly won th lottery. They will make sure to smash this in EVERYONES faces, they are yours! And you are theirs! They just gotta get rid of the other so they can propose to you and get their happily ever after with you!
.. of course though.. The others just HAD to hear about the tattoo as well, and they sure ain't happy bout it. They want THEM on your skin, not the dumb Adeuce duo!!
... gahhhh.. I feel like a 14yo writing on watttpad for the first time... but here is the prolouge for the tattoo! It is taking way longer than I imagined.. so I hope yall can be patient, otherwise send me spme silly easy to do requests i can do in the meantime cuz holy hell this taks sm timeeee
origamiaround
tangentwithtanner
prguitarman
dededos
dailybridgerton
kianamaiart
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