May i request platonic!Crewel Divius&Ace Trappola, like father figure and child situation. Where Crewel comforts Ace after the others dog-piled on him about his academic reputation, dispite him actually being able to be a greater student if he was more motivated and actually put in the effort?
Hmmm.... I'm not really good with character and character anything, but I actually wanna try this!! I HOPE IT'S GOOD!!
โขThe friend group/"others" I'm talking about its the freshman friend group with Ace, Deuce, Epel, Jack, Sebek, and Ortho
โขThis is all completely platonic
โขSlightly rushed at the end (I've been at this for 3 days I think and I don't wanna keep them waiting even longer AGGGHHH)
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"Really Ace? A 58? How are you failing a test on the easiest topic Chemistry has?!" Yuukan begins, genuinely in shock.
"Geez, I feel better about my grade now." Grim says, not seeming very as tense to share his own score now.
Per usual, this caused Yuukan, Grim, and Deuce, to begin to converse there own scores and how insane it is that Ace got such a low grade. Ace tuned them out in sheer habit. This was a usual occurrence. They would talk about his low score, and he would just stand here and act unfazed and as if he was even listening as he waited for the topic of his recent failure would die down.
He couldn't blame them. He wasn't school smart in the slightest and his laid back attitude regarding school only affirmed that fact. But, that was just typical Ace, right? Ace, the studen from the prestigous dorm 'Heartslabyul', thats known for its strict structure and academic success, failing half his classes. It truly was a humiliating reputation. It truly did paint him as a jester, a source of conversation for the more successful. That was his only purpose when it came to academics.
His thouhts were suddenly interrupted by Deuce lightly nudging his shoulder. As he turns to look at Deuce, he sees that worried and yet determined look in his eyes. Ace knew what would come next. Deuce would try and offer help out of sheer pity for him. Thats the last thing Ace wanted.
"You okay?" Deuce begins, tilting his head slightly in genuine worry before speaking again before Ace could open his mouth.
"If its about the test grade, we could easily host a study session with the others and-"
"Nah, you can count me out of that. I think I'd rather paint each feather of the flamingos then have a long, drawn out, boring studying session. I'll be fine, I'll ace the next one with no issue." Ace said, putting a hand on the back of his neck with his typical sly smile.
"You said that exact thing last time and got a lower grade this time compared to the last test." Grim says, crossing his arms.
"Well, this time, I mean it! And its not like- WHY am I explaining myself to a weasel who doesn't even opposable thumbs?! Talk to me about my grade when you can pick up a pencil with your hands!" Ace immediately says defensively, leading to Grim and Ace to bicker as they begin walking out the class.
This even always happened after a test or project It always ended in the same way. Ace would get dog-piled, someone would offer help, then Ace rejects. Crewel could almost predict every word before they even say it. Though, Crewel didn't miss that Ace's body language told a different story everytime. Just as they were leaving, Crewel spoke.
"Ace!" He announces, causing the whole group to jump a bit. As Ace turns his head, he's met with Crewels eyes burning into his skull.
"Meet me after school. I have something I'd like to discuss with you." He says, practically causing Ace's soul to leave his body. He simply just said 'yes sir' and walked out with the others.
The group sat down at there usual spot and ate, other than Sebek who went to sit with Lillia and Silver. As they conversed, Ace came up in the conversation.
"Dude, you really need to get your grades together. Exams are only a month away, you know. You can pass Crewels class." Jack says, scratching the back of his neck.
"Dude, I already am passing. I have a 65 overall." Ace says, eating the pasta they dished out.
"Thats barely passing. You're two more failed assignments away from a 50." Jack says with furrow eyebrows
"Thats IF I'll get anymore failed assignments." Ace says, his sly smile coming to his face.
"You're truly unbelievable." Jack says with a disappointed sigh before dropping the conversation.
Ace did appreciate the attempt in helping him, but he didn't want anyone to worry over his academics. The last thing he wanted was to exhaust anyone else with it, especially because everyone is at least a bit exhausted with it. So, he kept his normal laid back attitude up.
Sadly, the inevitable came. Dealing with whatever Crewel called him for to talk about. He had a feeling that it wasn't a punishment of any sort, since he probably would've made him scrub the lab clean already.
Ace gets to the lab, Crewel seeming to predict that it was him and called for him to come in. Ace creaked the door open and walked in, trying to keep calm.
"You wasted to talk to me, right sir?" Ace asks, cringing at his attempt of sounding professional. Crewel looked up at him, his gaze being softer. That was odd. Crewel always had a relatively hard gaze no matter what.
"Sit down, pup." Crewel then gestures and the chair beside him as he looks back down and grades papers.
As Ace hesitantly sits down and leans back in the chair. He then opened his mouth to speak, but Crewel beat him to speaking.
"A 58. You scored lower than usual, Ace." Crewel began, earning an annoyed sigh from Ace, causing Crewel to look up. "I've noticed your participation has improved, though. You're trying, but not as hard as I know you could. This is a relatively simple unit and is something you would perfect with ease. Whats going on, pup?" Crewel asks as he turns his chair to face Ace, giving him his full attention.
Ace shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Ace was praying a confrontation wouldn't happen. He actually wished Crewel would just make him wash every single beaker until they shimmered. Ace avoided eye contact for the most part before shrugging it off a bit. "Nothing. You don't need to be worrying about me, I'll be fine. I'm flattered that you asked me, but I should get going before Riddle takes my head for not painting the flamingos-" As he spoke, he began to slowly stand, but Crewel immediately halted him by putting a hand on his shoulder, forcing Ace to sit back down.
"I get how you're feeling, Ace. I was in that same spot my freshman year. I know what its like to be the role model of what not to do academically." Crewel says, crossing his legs. Typically Ace wouldn't bother listening to this type of speech, but something about it coming from Crewel took him aback.
"I'm not going to just dismiss you by just saying you need to do better, or telling you to study. Right now, I want to understand you. Why do you do this?" Crewel asks, leaving the floor to be Ace's.
Ace's eyes flicker, a light scoff coming from his lips before speaking "I mean... There's nothing much to tell. I know that even if I try, I'm probably gonna fail anyways, so why waste my time? Plus, it's easier to keep people's expectations low. It's avoids disappointment and extra tasks in the long run." Ace says, trying to remain is casual front.
He immediately expected a negative reaction from Crewel, but he saw that his soft gaze didn't waver. He was genuinely listening. This encouraged Ace to speak more. "That's just how it's always been. I do good, but it's not enough, compared to the people around me. There's no point in trying when there's no one who'll recognize that you tried. It's just a waste of time."
Crewel nodded, sitting up before putting a hand over Ace's. Ace didn't realize that he was so tense at the point he was shaking a bit. He never really gets transparent with people whenever it came to his own emotions. This was... Refreshing for Ace.
"I know what it's like it be the odd pup in the pound. It may seem easier to stick to the stigma people constantly put you in, but is that truly you? Is that all you want to be?" Crewel asks. Ace didn't reply. He couldn't find an answer, since he didn't truly know, himself. Crewel speaks again, "The Magic Mirror puts students in dorms based on what there soul aligns with. Just by you being in Heartslabyul, I know you have that potential inside you. You just need to let yourself unlock it."
As corny as it may sound, this spoke to Ace deeply. He felt heard and seen. He nods not trusting himself to speak in fear that his voice may crack from his emotions. Crewel then handed him a list of topics to study, just in case Ace would want to study in the future. "If you have anything else you wish to say, you may. But if not, you are dismissed, pup."
Ace stands up and walks awkwardly to the door. He places his hand on the door, hesitating for a moment before speaking up again. "Thank you, Crewel." He then leaves the room and heads to his dorm.
Deuce wasn't there, meaning he was probably off studying with the group or with Riddle. Ace sighs and plops down onto his bed. He couldn't get Crewels words out of his head. He looked at the paper for a moment. With a sigh, he got up, got a notebook from his back and went to a desk in the corner of the room. He stared at it blankly for a bit. This wasn't a usual thing he would do, he wasn't even sure he studied a day in his life before. But, soon enough, he picks his pen up and begins to write.
"Holy shit Ace, a 82?! Did you strike a deal with Azul again??!?!!" Yuukan starts, seemingly in genuine shock.
"Geez, now I'm embarrassed to share mine..." Grim finishes, also being relatively surprised.
Grim, Yuukan, and Deuce then begin converse there scores, being astonished that Ace's grade turned out to be so high. This time, Ace didn't tune them out. This was a refreshing scenario for Ace. Though, this couldn't of happened without him and Crewels conversation. He'll forever be grateful for his help.
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I AM FINALLY FINISHED!! I tried my best and I hope you like it!! This is my first fanfiction, so be a little bit easy on mee!! Thank you so much for the request and support, I had fun writing this and I hope you have fun reading this!!
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