College AU - Savannahclaw
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The high and mighty not future king was insisted upon to attend college
And honestly?
Whatever got him away from that future brat and his brother for a while was fine with him
Now, what is our beloved Leona studying...?
...
...
... Uh.
Yeah, he doesn't remember. Mostly because he doesn't go. Sure, there's an attendance mark but if you submit all your assignments on time and do good enough most teachers will just pass you so they don't have to deal with you again
Yes, really
Fine, fine. If you must know, ask Ruggie, it's not his problem.
It's environmental science, something you're halfway shocked to read because ... Isn't that hard? But no, when you're able to turn things to dust it's actually quite interesting how most things do become dust or soil at the end.
Not that he cares. It's just something easier for him that his magic actually plays a role in
Leona truly doesn't look that different, his hairs a little longer but still just as well maintained with now a few beads in it (closer to playful land style but with long hair), though he's known for his compression shirts and loose sweatpants.
Outside of "classes" that Ruggie will occasionally force him to, Leona does take pride in his spelldrive play. Though he was never scouted, just kind of showed up and joined the team, he's one of their best players.
Living on his own was ideal, but, bringing Ruggie along was that little bit easier ... So he didn't have to cook and clean and do all that annoying shit.
Though the hyena is fairly compensated with free room in board in an apartment far too big for just one man.
On occasion, when Leona can't sleep, he might just take a drive (or a fly) around the city, sometimes stopping at the top of any peak he can find and watching the sky. It's hard to say what he does up there. Though he has been known to fall asleep out there
If You're His Romantic Interest: Leona isn't quite sure what to do with you. You've been together all this time, that's good n' all but you're gonna start wanting more than little shopping sprees and expensive dinners at good quality steak houses. He could easily give it to you, after all, you're only minorly annoying and there's been more benefit to having you around then tossing you away lately.
But then there's you meeting the family, integrating with the brat, his life, bringing you home, all this stupid red tape - you'd have so many customs to learn and sometimes your stupid mouth gets you in trouble as is, let alone there.
He's debating keeping you. Even if it's tiring...
But what if you wanna leave? What if that opportunity arises? Would you take it? Sure, he'd be cool with it on the surface, whatever you do is your choice and he can't stop you.
He's not quite ready for that reality. Avoiding the topic entirely suits him just fine on all fronts.
Being the first in your family to make it this far is an achievement that Ruggie does not take for granted even a little
Ruggie does all his homework, attends every class, cooks, cleans, handles 1 job on campus and takes up holiday seasonal work when that's out. Usually keeping him away for most holidays as it's quite expensive to go back home anyways - he'd much rather send that kind of money to grams.
Ruggie is a second year in business, you can often just find him around campus or in general - it seems he never stops running around to get things done. Even though he has such nice accommodations, he can't really seem to enjoy it...
Because he doesn't let himself. That's not the kind of life he can afford and he's not going to pretend it is or will be, being there makes him uncomfortable some of the time.
The only way he even managed to get in was by student grants that pertained to beastmen and with his good work ethic managed to apply to enough to fund at least half his tuition which is pretty good
Schmoozing with the businessmen is a bit annoying, there's a few worms in there that you expect but half of them just spend the nights partying and while he doesn't mind on occasion - it's too often for Ruggie's time
It doesn't matter, he will succeed and knowing these guys now, building a bond of whatever type will come in handy later even if they're obnoxious
Though working in the kitchen at school has been a total life saver in terms of groceries! They don't even notice when a few items go missing so long as you take em in moderation. A tomato here, a potato there and you're golden~
Plus they just GIVE you stuff that's gonna expire soon anyways!
If you come when he's on cash, maaaaybe he'll help a homie out and employee discount you, as a treat
I considered making ruggie dress like in book 7, but no, his hairs probably a little messier and his eye bags are fuller but he's not that different aside from how cheap his clothes are but he has some extra patches to spruce them up a bit. After all, all you needs a hot iron and you can do that with just magic
If You're His Romantic Interest: Dating Ruggie has never been harder and he knows that. He really doesn't have time for you as much as he used to - but even then it wasn't much. He doesn't fault you for any annoyance you might have but he's not going to apologize much either. You knew what you were getting into and he tried to have that conversation with you before this all started.
Ruggie is a good boy who actually had the conversation of you leaving before this, while he doesn't exactly love talking about it, he'd rather have a game plan than not
You've said you're undecided but to him that reads as "if I get the opportunity, I'll go" which he begrudgingly understands. Perhaps that's why there's some distance between you and why he's not putting in his extra effort.
He tries to keep things transactional in his life but it's hard when it's your partner. Letting you go after this long seems absurd ... But keeping you also feels absurd...
Jack Howl, taking mostly basic courses in lue of his spelldrive scholarship, it's his first year and balancing sports + school is hard. It's his main focus
Though he does not envy those who have to work through all of this, he's not sure how he would be able to handle that much on top of everything elsee
Most of the time he can be found in the gym when he's not attending to his main classes or hanging out with the other first years he already knows
Especially considering he's living in the dorm for the first year.
He's not rooming with anyone you would know, but he and his roommate get along fine - they all keep to their own rules and nobody complains about the extra shedding.
Jack has a chore chart, so long as they both stick to it, it'll be grand. It's much better than before with 3 other roommates, yikes.
Jack still makes efforts to see his friends, though he's not much in the way of partying, he's down for a drink or two at the school pub and making sure that you get home safely
Yes, every time Jack walks you to your room or close by like the gentleman he pretends not to be.
He's not exceptionally close with any of the other athletes, perhaps aside from Epel, they often call him intense or too much which he really doesn't care about because he gets results. Always. Gets. Results.
He's honest when he gets behind in work and will tell the Prof directly, but extensions are usually given to him pretty freely as he's so honest about it most profs don't see the point in penalizing him
Jack mostly dresses the same as before and his hair is no different, short sleeves, sleeveless, tank tops, shorts, any time of year no matter the situation - it's almost impressive if it wasn't concerning
Though you're still concerned about him wearing shorts in the winter ... At least the school gym isn't that far
He goes home for more holidays that he can except for like long weekends, usually just thankful for the break and the time he can spend getting some extra training in if he can
If You're His Romantic Interest: Jack has been very forward and forthcoming with you throughout these years - practically a model boyfriend. Any hard conversation is given time and levity that it deserves, even talking about going to different colleges was brought up before this success came around.
While his new life is difficult in terms of time, he will always find a way to spend some with you. Even if it's just sitting beside you while you scroll on your phone needlessly
He's still very cute, blushing at giving you things for any milestones and getting embarrassed when you point out his wagging tail - Jack's never been happier with your relationship. You two have such an easy flow it's so much more comfortable than ever before
Marriage isn't a variable for him yet, he's a very honorable man and while he wants that, that's just not a discussion until after you two can move in together and see how you gel that way first as he thinks that's important
You've had the discussion on moving back home if the opportunity arose and while you're at a crossroads about that thought, he's been nothing short of understanding. While he selfishly wishes you to stay, he'd never fault you in leaving. This isn't your world and he's just happy to be a segment of your time