Rook Hunt could only be described as obsessive. Devoted in deluded ways, and utterly smitten with beautiful things. That's how he had seen the prefect from day one. Such a mysterious, mystifying creature had to be appreciated!
"No, they don't, you're just being weird," Vil had said.
Oh, how Vil's words wounded him! ...Except not really. In fact, his eccentricities and strange habits worked in his favor this time. The Prefect, for whatever reason, found it to be endearing and romantic. How fortunate for Rook! That he isn't in prison for stalking - Epel.
Rook and the Prefect began dating, and their whirlwind romance continued even after their graduations. Respective internships that took them away from each other did not deter them, stealing hidden moments together at every opportunity. Spontaneous (mostly on Rook's part) surprises kept the love alive and well until they could settle down.
They stayed at one of Rook's family villas while deciding where they wanted to go and do. Today, however, was just another day in paradise. The sunlight was beginning to dim over the ocean, and Rook came back from town to find his love in a lounge chair. So serene in the fading sun, the light kissing their skin with reverence, and the most delightfully peaceful expression.
"Oh, my love, how your very being enraptures me!" Rook couldn't help but profess as he approached.
His partner chuckled, a sound like the most beautiful opera to Rook, as they regard him. "Welcome back."
Rook hums playfully as he grows closer to his prey. "My beautiful poetry being brushed off?" His hands place themselves on their hips, practically curling around them. "Do I have to try harder?"
Leaning into his affection, the former Prefect smiles. "Hmm, maybe." They tease. "What else do you have for me?"
"Which of my journals dedicated to you would you like me to bring out?" Rook suggests, and no, he's not kidding.
His answer is a kiss, sweet and lovely like their sunset backdrop. "Perhaps you should show me inside."
Like a moth to the flame, Rook follows them. But that is their nature. To be so alluring that the appreciator of beauty himself cannot look away. Not that he wants to. The ring he has waiting in his bedside drawer should be proof enough, non?
anyways may i have pomefiore #12 hurt to comfort pls
I am, thanks for asking <3 enjoy!
epel felmier/reader
prompt #12 - "Could your crush be anymore obvious?"
Epel really thought he was being subtle. Hints here and there, showing off at opportune times, and quietly searching for any sign of reciprocation. Then one day, Ace had to ruin everything.
"Ugh, could your crush on the prefect be anymore obvious?"
The darned red-head had said. It was just some teasing among friends, but it made Epel's resolve crumble. Was he being obvious? Had it been so clear to everyone around him, and he didn't even realize? Did... did the prefect know? His boyish face falls further into sadness. Is that why he hadn't seen any returned affection? Because they noticed and didn't feel the same?
Epel felt silly, and had left the cafeteria before eating a single bite of food.
Avoiding them after that was difficult, to say the least. They shared many classes, and Epel had already dug his own grave in a way. Offering his partnership to them any time possible meant they were working on a number of assignments together. But he had to distance himself, it hurt too much otherwise. So he was curt. Efficient and not friendly. Fast to leave the room when done.
Unfortunately, Epel was never one to keep things bottled up. Not for long anyway, and things were bound to get explosive.
Their touch was too much, words too sweet, and that's when Epel couldn't take it anymore.
"Just stop!" Epel slapped the prefect's hand away that tried to rest on his shoulder.
The two were in the library, reading the book they had to do a joint paper on.
"W-what?" The Prefect reared back, face falling and eyes glistening.
"Stop being so touchy!"
"I-I'm sorry.. I just thought.."
"Thought what? That you could let me down easy? Be so nice that my feelings cannit' be said?" He was lapsing into his natural accent, but he didn't care. "Just stop, al'right? I know it don't really mean nothing!"
"Who said that?" They were wiping at their face. "And what feelings?"
Suddenly Epel was brought back into the real world, realizing what he'd just done. Seeing your tear stained face at his yelling, and how genuinely confused you looked... You... you really hadn't know? Was Ace just exaggerating? Now he begins to panic, waving his hands around you without knowing what to do with them. "I'm sorry! I didn't..."
"Why are you being like this, Epel? So distant and mean..."
He exhales. Well, he had royally messed this up, hadn't he? Took what Ace said too seriously and assumed that you didn't return the feelings. "I... I got feelings for ya. Thought you ain't feel the same so I... tried to get away, I guess."
Taking his hand, you huff out a laugh of relief. "Thank goodness. Truth be told, I thought I was being kind of obvious."
"You for real?" He asks, looking at your entwined hands in awe.
"Yeah. For real."
Well the truth is both of you were being very obvious in your signs of infatuation. Everyone around you noticed, but neither of you did. Because? Well... you were both dense as hell. At least it turned out okay!
Not a day goes by in the Briar Valley without Sebek thinking of you. His wonderful, troublemaker former classmate who had helped him through so much. It had only been a year since the both of you graduated from NRC, but he missed you terribly. He didn't think he could grow so accustom to a human's constant presence, but he had.
Sebek was a talented, distinguished knight. His family was happy and thriving from his success, and he finally achieved his long dream to always serve Malleus. Last he heard from you, a month ago, you were in the Sunset Savannah. That lazy lion of a second prince had somehow gotten you to work for him, but you seemed quite content with the job. You'd traveled to a lot of places, exploring more of Twisted Wonderland in an attempt to better understand the world you dropped into, and still called home.
From what Sebek can tell, the both of you were achieving great things. So why did his heart feel incomplete?
He tries to shake those feelings off, even if just for today. Tonight was an important event, after all. A knighting ceremony followed by a banquet for the new recruits. It was a big affair, with all sorts of people coming. More of a celebration to show off Briar Valley's might, really.
As the ceremony came to a close, and the festivities were just getting started, Sebek grabs himself a drink. He was only on duty for the main event, after all. Now he was free to enjoy the night. He makes polite talk with other guests before settling next to his family. It was short lived however, when he spots something unexpected. Just now entering was Leona Kingscholar himself, and if he was here...
Through the entryway, you timidly step in. Your clothes were magnificent, perfectly suited to you while simultaneously looking stunning. Sebek's very breathe was taken away seeing you in person for the first time in so long. You looking like that was just an added bonus. Without a word to his family, he moves away and towards you. When your eyes catch his, you grin widely.
"Hi, Sebby!" You half-whisper, half yell in an excited manner with a cute little wave. "Surprised?"
Sebek doesn't even have words to properly greet you or answer your teasing question. All that comes out is: "Would you like to dance?"
Now he catches you by surprise. "Y-Yeah. I'd like that."
The rest of the night sees the two of you never parted. It doesn't matter where you went or what Leona asked you to do, Sebek stayed glued to your side. Dance after dance, drink after drink was spent in radiating happiness. That hole he had been feeling was completely filled, no doubt about it.
When you finally had to bid goodnight to return to the hotel you were staying in, Sebek was sure of one thing. He never wanted to be away from you again, and marrying you seemed like the best way to do that, right?
You and Cater were in an all-out war. There were no limits, the Geneva Code did not exist here, and you were both taking full advantage. Seeing a notification light up your phone, you snatch the device from the table and grit your teeth.
New Post from CayCay
It was a picture of the two of you that was taken about a month ago. Nothing special, just posing for the camera with squished faces. But the caption... THE CAPTION!
I'd like to take you to the movies, but they don't let you bring your own snacks in ;)
That one was good, it was definitely going to get too many likes! You browsed your phone to look for new retaliation ideas with gritted teeth. Grim was by your side and looked up when he noticed your shifted mood. Soon enough he was rolling his eyes at the cause.
"Still in that flirting war with Cater?" He groans. "Can't you just admit you have feelings for each other?"
Your face turns red, but you're determined not to let the cat be the first one you really talk about your feelings to. Yeah, maybe it was super obvious at this point, but being the first to confess was too much. Cater was a naturally friendly, flirty person. You could be reading the signals completely wrong!
Shaking your head, you get back to the task at hand. You find a picture of the two of you playing cards, with his other dorm members in the background. Pulled the King of Hearts my first time playing cards <3 and... posted. With a triumphant smirk, you put the phone back down and resume getting ready for bed.
The next morning, you had woken up early. Probably the stirring of your heart... You stretch, ready to head out the front to check on your plants. What you weren't expecting to see was Cater, shuffling on the porch, looking conflicted. Until he sees you of course, and now you're both wearing the same deer-in-headlights expression.
"Uh..." Your hand is still on the door knob, so you let your arms drop awkwardly. "Hi."
"Wait just a minute!" You snatch him by the collar, and he guiltily turns back around like a kitten being picked up by its mother. "What the heck are you doing here so early? And just... standing here?"
"Just..." You can literally see the light bulb going off in his head. "Looking at these lovely flowers you've been growing! Wow, they look great! Haha, you put so much work into them!"
Your first thought to seeing him here was that he was snooping to get another Magicam post, but something inside you was telling you it was something else. Releasing your grip, you tilt your head and soften your expression. "Cater? Really, are you okay?"
He freezes again, staring into your eyes. When no excuse seems to make sense in his mind, his shoulders slump and eyes droop. "You're not making this easy, looking all cute and worried like that..."
"Huh? Not making what easy?"
"Uhh..." He scratches his cheek. "..Confessing?"
Your mind goes blank at his admission. He likes you back? This wasn't all just for show?
Cater obviously takes your stunned silence poorly. "I-It doesn't have to be weird or anything!!" He shakes his hands. "Just didn't want to bottle this up anymore, but I totally understand if you don't-"
You cut him off by placing a light kiss on his cheek, standing on your tippy toes to reach it. A wide smile spreads across your face as he simply stands there with the most adorable 'o' expression.
"I like you too. A lot." He's still just frozen, and you feel like you've broken him. "So... how about that movie you were talking about?"
Cater needs a complete system reboot. Please do not turn your Cater off until it is complete. He likes you, probably loves you, and just needs a moment. Thank you.
Hello! I recently discovered your blog and wow how I love your writing! May I please request:
Octavinelle, #1, suggestive
Have a nice day!
thank you so much!
jade leech/reader
prompt #1 - marriage
Waking up to Jade staring intently at you was not a new experience, but it never failed to make your stomach churn. In a good way. Before you started dating, it was probably in the bad way. Thankfully you found endearment in it now.
"Good morning, my love." His mismatched eyes twinkle happily now that you're awake.
"Morning." You mumble, failing to stop the yawn that comes up.
He moves a strand of hair that fell in front of your face. Then a little grin grows on his face the most he examines you.
"What...?" You ask warily. His fingers trace the marks that he made last night, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Oh, hush." Rolling your eyes, you turn to pull the blankets up higher.
"Why, I didn't say anything, my dear."
"Didn't have to," you respond.
Jade hums noncommittally as he rises from the bed. It gives you a sneak peak at his own body, scratches along his toned back and red circles littering his torso. You humph quietly. At least you paid him back in full.
"How would you like to spend our day off?" He asks while pulling on a simple shirt, the eye candy disappearing under it.
"Sleeping." You answer, putting your plan into action by burrowing back into the glamorous sheets.
You hear him laugh, and the bed dips at your side once again. "Perhaps I could choose?"
"Go for it," you humor him.
"How about we get married?"
The blankets are immediately thrown off as you stare at him with wide eyes. You try to gauge where the hell that came from through his expression, but it was well hidden, just like always.
"D-Don't joke about that," you lay back down, a pout and red flush on your face. "It's not nice."
"Why would I joke about spending the rest of my life with my soulmate?"
"To tease me."
"While that is quite fun," his sneaky arms rest on your shoulder and hip. "I am not teasing you."
You look up at him, trying to find any clue in those eyes of his. He... doesn't seem to be lying. But why now? Why did he have to say something like that so dang early? Yeah, that's right... You were probably both still tired.
Huffing, you bury your face in the pillow as your cheeks continue to heat up. "Ask me again when you have a ring, big man."
for ur event!!! Ignihyde, #15, fluff and maybe a tiny bit suggestive??? It’s obvious who I want 😔
I gotchu boo
idia shroud/reader
prompt #15 - "I hate you so much right now." "I love you, too."
You were feeling so needy for your boyfriend right now, but he was more dense than an obsidian boulder. You'd been sitting on his bed for hours now, wanting cuddles and kisses, but he was "busy." You get it, you really did, when a new game comes out it can consume you. You've both done that before, that similar passion is probably what made you so compatible!
But while you've been sitting on his bed since school ended at 3, and now it was 10?? Looking like a whole snack? Something had to be done.
So with a secret smile on your face, you crept behind him and finessed your way onto his lap. Idia tensed, you could feel it under your hands, but otherwise did not stop his game. "Innocently" you caressed his pale skin while he continued, pretending like you were just settling closer.
Slowly over time, your touches became more frequent and noticeable. He was beginning to sweat, face and hair turning red, and would ask over and over what you were doing.
"Nothing." You would reply each time. "Just want to sit with you."
Soon enough, the game was quite difficult to focus on. It was all coming together... He was making mistakes here and there at each delicate tap of your fingers. A squeak would escape him when you squeezed just a little too hard. And shifting around "to get more comfortable" was most certainly having an effect.
A final move with your hips, and Idia was a goner. His in-game character died to the monster, and his real self had died of embarrassment. "It was almost defeated..." He knew what you'd been doing by now, as you hung from his shoulders. No point in keeping up the facade.
You pout, in just the way you know gets him the most. "And how many more would you have gone after if I hadn't done this?"
"I-I dunno."
"Mmhm. And how many hours has it been now that you've ignored me?"
"...A few."
"Nearly eight, Idia." You scold, staring into his eyes, all the meanwhile he could not maintain eye contact. "So how about you and I hang out in bed, or I will kill your character myself."
"I hate you so much right now." He says that, but his arms are wrapping around your back and face pressing into your shoulder. The heat coming off of him was like a volcano ready to erupt.
lilia vanrouge/reader
prompt #9 - "It's freezing outside, but I feel so warm with you."
Your friendship with the Diasomnia boys came with certain perks. One being that they allowed you and Grim to stay in their dorm when a snow storm hits Ramshackle. Genuinely afraid of falling ill to the freezing temperatures, you weren't sure what to do with your barely functioning heater. Then, as if just waiting for this chance, Malleus appeared behind you.
"Are you in need of assistance?" He had asked, staring curiously while you tried to shove snow away from the front door.
"I think I might freeze to death tonight."
It was said entirely as a joke, you could get through this somehow, but Malleus' gaze turned steely. And that's how you end up in their common room with Grim and an overnight bag. Your kind, good friend was not going to take no for an answer.
Silver and Sebek acknowledge you professionally, and it felt like you were some kind of honored guest in their eyes. Malleus had personally invited you, and should be treated as royalty! ...Or you hope not. You hope that you can just wait out the storm in peace. Truthfully you would have preferred any other dorm, because there was a certain resident here-
"Hello, dearie." Aaand there he is, popping up from nowhere like always.
You glared at him as you placed your bag down on the spare bed. Ah, Lilia Vanrouge. Diasomnia's vice-housewarden who seems to have made it his personal mission to get any sort of reaction from you. From scaring you to flirting. Being suspiciously helpful to winking at you when no one else is looking. And everything else you could possibly think of.
"Hi," you respond carefully, regarding him with caution. "Thank you for letting me stay in Diasomnia."
"We couldn't let our adorable prefect freeze, could we?" He practically purrs at you. At least you know what mood he's in, the flirty kind. Now you don't need to worry about him pulling a fake snake from his jacket and throwing it at you. ...It's happened before.
"I'd probably prefer that..." You mutter to yourself as you pull out a couple of books you needed to look over before tomorrow's test. You know he hears you when he lets out a chuckle. "Do you know where Grim went? We need to study."
"I can help you." Lilia offers, to which you immediately shake your head.
"I can start without him."
As you sit at the desk, you can feel Lilia still very close behind you. "Would you like something to drink? Perhaps I could bring you some Briar Valley chocolate. It's quite good, though not nearly as sweet as you."
"No thanks." You decline quickly again.
He hums, obviously not deterred, and props himself on the desk. Right next to your books and in clear line of sight... Ugh. What's he going to do or say now?
"You know it's quite cold outside," lord, here it comes. "But I feel so warm here with you."
You can't help it, the smile that rises on your face and the snort that escapes you. "Really?" You laugh while holding a hand to your mouth. His eyes are twinkling with a happy victory, but it just came out! It was so cheesy! "That's the best line you can come up with?"
"If it got that pretty smile on your face, dear, then it was worth it~"
You were so nervous, but it had to be done. Today, you would confess to Jamil! You were going to be straightforward and honest, and hope that he would see and appreciate your feelings. If he didn't then... you'd just have to respect that.
Pulling out your phone, you compose a simple message to send.
Hi, would you mind coming over for just a bit? I have something to talk to you about
Yes, this would be fine. He would come over to Ramshackle, and you will tell him in person! With one final determined nod, you sent the message off.
Meanwhile in the Scarabia dorm, Jamil and Kalim were studying as dusk continued to dim the common room. Well, more like Jamil was having to force Kalim to actually read something. It seemed like Kalim was about to whine about not getting something, again, when his phone dinged on the table.
"Oh, it's from the prefect!" Kalim announces happily, which immediately shatters Jamil's demeanor. Why would you be texting Kalim at this hour? "They want me to come over to talk about something!"
"Let me see," Jamil quickly takes the phone, hoping that it wasn't how it seemed. He reads the message multiple times, his stomach falling further and further each time. This text... were you going to confess to Kalim? Is that why you'd been at Scarabia more often lately? Jamil was happy about that for his own selfish reasons, that he didn't consider you were there to see someone else...
He feels like a fool, but he still has to attend to his duties. "Let's go over there, then."
As they walked to Ramshackle, Jamil would be lying if he said he was coming just to look after Kalim. He had this sinking feeling that you were going to confess your love, but he still had to hear it from you. Would he be able to handle that? Watching the prefect, the person he's fallen in love with, be together with Kalim? He wasn't sure. Maybe it was time to just run away...
When Kalim knocked on the large door to your home, and you opened it looking so nervous and anticipatory, Jamil knew that his suspicions were true. But as suddenly as he saw you looking like that, it disappeared, and was replaced with genuine confusion.
"Huh? Kalim? What are you doing here?" You ask sincerely, like you really didn't know.
Kalim remained chirpy. "You texted me!" He shows his phone. "What did you want to talk about?"
A realization dawns on your face, and now you looked mortified. "This was a misunderstanding! I didn't mean to text you, I'm so sorry, I meant to text-" Then your eyes finally land on Jamil's, just now realizing his presence, and as the red blooms on your face, things start to clear up.
Jamil wants to run and hide, embarrassed by the mishaps that have obviously plagued this situation, but it was also... like a dream come true. So he pushes himself inside the doorway, and tries to ignore the proximity to you as he addresses Kalim. "Could you wait outside, Kalim?"
"Sure, I'll just play with Grim!" Kalim grabs at the beast, who had been lazily watching the interaction.
"Hey, wait, I ain't no play toy-!!"
The door is shut before Grim's pleas could be fully heard. Jamil and his perfect eyes were now laser focused on you. "You meant to text me?"
Swallowing, you nod. "I- uh, yes. I'm sorry, your names are just so close together on my phone and I was nervous-"
"Nervous about what?"
Realizing your misstep, you freeze and look up at him. He has a small smile of amusement, and now it makes sense. He knew. "Are you going to make me say it?"
With a delicate touch, Jamil holds your chin with two fingers so you can't look away. "I want you to say it."
"I like you, Jamil. Maybe even... love you."
He presses a soft kiss to your forehead, relief flooding from him like a tidal wave. Jamil pulls you into him, hugging you close and tight. "I love you, too."
And that's the story of how your confession went. There were certainly some mistakes along the way, but if this is how it turned out? You'd do it over and over again.
hiya can i request malleus x dragon fae!reader, possibly engaged or reader being considered as a candidate for the crown princess title by the senate. this ask was inspired by otome isekai manhwas😭
(writing this made me feel like Malleus was cheating on Yuu lmao)
malleus draconia/dragonfae!reader
It was nerve wracking to be sure, waiting to be called upon by the leaders of Briar Valley. Any minute now, they'd ask for your presence, and your whole future would be decided. Considering the topic however, you were sure Malleus would only accept one outcome.
You and Malleus had been in love since you were children. Of course you didn't know it back then, but it was still true. You kept in touch throughout your educations, and now it was finally time. Time for Malleus to take on more responsibilities, and a partner to call his own. A partner that would rule beside him through millennia. As possible candidates and options were being considered, you knew that you'd settle for nothing less than being that partner.
Knowing how Malleus could be, you didn't want him to threaten the leaders if something went wrong. So you threw yourself into being the best, most obvious choice. Performing your duties admirably, creating relations with influential families, and showing off a good work ethic around the senate. You were lucky to have such a well-respected father, and gain an assistant position within the Briar Valley government. It gave you unique opportunities to show yourself off. It also didn't hurt that, much like Malleus, you were a fae of draconic descent. Keep the royal bloodline pure, as it were.
Malleus would love you even if you were the poorest human commoner from another kingdom, but luckily your love had not been that harshly scrutinized. His grandmother already knew and adored you, and had already promised her full support when the time came. It meant the world to you, but you would not rest until you were properly chosen.
"My love..." Malleus whispers into your ear, hands caressing your shoulders as you stare out his window. "Your appointment is not for another hour. Stay a little longer?"
You cup his cheek with your hand, an adoring smile on your face. "The Crown Princess can not simply show up on time, but must arrive promptly and with grace."
Malleus chuckles, deep and rich. "You could slip and fall on the palace steps, and I'd still think you the most beautiful, graceful creature in the world."
You laugh in response. "Somehow I don't think the senate would feel the same."
He smiles wryly. You both know how big a toll this whole ordeal had caused. The pressure that he might be given some other bride was nerve-wracking for you both. While you faced it with new determination and hard work, Malleus was thinking of different ways to silence the senate if they made the wrong decision. He had considered... extreme options.
"You will return to me in the evening?" He finally asks.
"Of course," you grin. "Tomorrow is the big day, after all. I don't want to be without you for a moment of it."
Malleus places a feather-light kiss on a scale on your face. "After tomorrow, you will never be without me again."
Yuu gives Floyd a rubix cube as a gift and floyd hyper focuses on it until he solves it. Then it becomes his baby. No one is messing it up after the work it took to get it solved. Yuu gets a free pass to handle it since they gave it to him.
he would totally do this
floyd leech/prefect
Being from a different world was an interesting experience, for unique reasons. One of the biggest things you enjoy is seeing the similarities between this world and your previous one. Architecture, raising children, cultures, inventions, etc. It was fascinating!
While on break with Ace and Deuce, you were able to shop in the Queendom of Roses. While passing a game shop, you saw something in the window you just couldn't pass up. A rubix cube! Well, here they called it a "color shift puzzle," but it looked identical. You bought it, and returned to school a few days later.
You were never any good at these things, but you didn't want it to go to waste. Someone might enjoy this as a gift, but who? Perhaps Idia or Azul, since they're in the board game club, but they've probably seen these plenty of times. What about... A thought popped into your head. Floyd! He liked little things like this, and being from the Coral Sea, probably hasn't seen this particular toy before.
When you saw him next, you gave him the cube, and his reaction was... unexpectedly enthusiastic. He was immediately intent on solving it, even slacking in class to play with it. Maybe you should have given it to him after school... Well, at least he liked it. Probably too much, if the grievances Azul rose with you were anything to go by.
It was just a couple days later when Floyd suddenly showed up in the library where you were studying with Epel and Ace. He slams down the completed puzzle with a wide grin on his face. "Wow," you pick up the cube in awe, turning it and seeing that it truly had been done. "This is impressive, Floyd!"
"What's so cool about a-"
Before Ace could take it from your hands or finish his sentence, Floyd smacked the poor boy's hand harshly. "Only Shrimpy can touch it!"
"The hell?!" Ace shelters his wounded hand with a pout.
Floyd takes the item back, and tugs at your arms. The strong as anything eel pulls at you with ease towards the exit. "Come on, let's go find something to carry it with!"
"Wh- But I-" You sputtered helplessly, trying to drag yourself back to the books you were apparently leaving behind.
"We have to take good care of it!"
Epel and Ace could only look on, feeling incredibly sorry that you were the eel's current fixation. It was not a great experience, and it happened to you a lot. Ace is still rubbing at his hand. "What, is it like their baby or somethin'?"
Epel makes a face in response. "Do not even joke about the prefect having a baby with Floyd."
Deuce knocking on Ramshackle in the early hours of the morning to take Yuu on a morning jog. Figure they meet up with Jack and join in but they have a big breakfast afterwards.
So wholesome :,) hope you don't mind that I implied some crushes going on wink
deuce/prefect
You knew that agreeing to a morning jog would be a mistake, but not this bad. When Deuce finally came to the door, you felt like your brain was already fried. It was too early for this shit. But when he asked, he had just looked so cute and hopeful! You couldn't say no! Ace laughed at you afterwards. Little jerk.
"Are you ready?" Deuce asks, pulling at his sneakers while you looked half-dead.
"Yep," is the only response you can give. Technically you were ready, having pulled on the only clothes you had that could be considered "exercise worthy." Some shorts and a sweat shirt, with an old pair of running shoes you had just happened to find in the attic.
The two of you began a light jog, and you knew he was slowing himself down to stay with you. It wasn't terrible, though. An easy flowing conversation, crisp morning air, and the sweet, sweet feeling of not having to do this for much longer.
You crossed paths with Jack, who you happily invited to finish with you guys. Deuce however looked... a little disappointed? Had they had a fight of some kind? You made a note to ask him later, and brushed it off. When your circuit was finally complete, you ended up at the cafeteria, where other early-bird students had filtered in. You saw Azul and Jamil, Riddle with Trey, as well as the Pomefiore trio. All of whom greeted you with kindness.
Jack had run off to Ruggie, so it was just you and Deuce once again to eat a delicious breakfast. By the time you sat down with your plates stacked high, it felt like your stomach was ready to rebel. The conversation was strangely stagnant, so you decided to speak up.
"Sorry you had to slow down for me," you begin, thinking that's the most likely explanation for Deuce's quietness. "I had a good time, though."
"Huh?" He had been so spaced out, he had barely registered your words. "Oh, it's not that."
"So it is something?"
He froze, having been caught. His face contorts in discomfort, then thinking, and finally resignation. "You're pretty popular."
Squinting, you're not sure what to say. "I guess?"
"Everyone greeting you... Jack joining in..." Deuce swallows. "I just thought this would be a good chance for it to be just the two of us."
At his admission, both of your cheeks go slightly red. He's refusing to look you in the eye, and you're sort of tensed up. "Oh," you say lamely. He... wanted to spend time with just you? What should you say to that...? You pause for a long time before nodding with determination. "So, tomorrow, we could do this again? ...Maybe take a quieter route?"
Deuce's head snaps up to meet your gaze, and a small smile grows on his face. "Yeah. Okay!"
