ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴅʀᴀɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏᴡɴ - ᴛᴡꜱᴛ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ
Where you have a strong moment of homesickness and some tears flow, and the boys (and dads) don't let you face it alone.
You are with them when everything happens: a flash among the jokes at the end of another day of lessons, and the banter is suddenly far, far away; an expression that reminds you of other days, other faces... and the afternoon takes on a bitter taste. Something pushes behind the eyes, while a cruel single thorn sinks into your mind and heart, envenoming your laugh. You already know what feeling is.
Both Ace and Deuce jolt and turn to stare at you, worried and puzzled, when you suddenly stand on your feet and force a smile, giving them the first excuse you can think about and hurrying away, within the protection of the walls of Ramshackle; at least, here, only the ghosts can hear you cry and sob if you have to - and by how the things are going, you seem to really need it.
But, jokes on you, it's easier to escape a flood than from the two troublemakers of Hearstlabyul, especially when their friends are involved. So, next you know after not even two hours of black melancholy, is the face of the boys, covered in sugar, cream and chocolate from head to toes, smiling proudly on the threshold of Ramshackle, and then pushing a bag into your astonished arms.
"Here, Y/N, this is for you! Trey-senpai recommended us to tell you to wait a few hours before eating it, it's still too hot... but we can assure you, it's delicious! After all, I made-"
The two of them immediately cease the bickering and soften their gazes when watching you, and Deuce smiles warmly. "... We hope this will make you feel better. We know it's hard for you to be so far away from home and not be able to come back, so... it's fine to feel down, sometimes. But we are here, by your side, so don't feel ashamed to cry, if you need to. And-"
"And tonight, sleepover at Ramshackle! We can stay, right? Please!"
"Hey, Ace, don't push me like this!-"
The duo stops when you cannot hold back anymore and a single sob escapes your mouth, followed by some other tears; but before they could say anything, you engulf them in a bear hug that seems more a suffocation attempt, and your lips are open in a wide smile. "Yes, the sleepover is gold. I don't think I would be able to eat the cake all by myself, plus, so I really need a hand with it..."
Yes, maybe this's not the home you know and see in your dreams; but it's still a home. A beautiful one.
"Hey, Y/N, what's going on here...? Are you not feeling well?"
You are not able to answer, sobbing and shaking like a leaf on his chair, almost buried under the jacket of his pajama. You are not that proud to have occupied his room in his absence, but you didn't know where to go since Ramshackle was too far away to reach in a short time... and you needed a place able to give you some sort of comfort, and this room is the only choice you would pick in any occasion.
"Shhh, darling, Cay-Cay got you. Here, let me..."
Gently, Cater makes you stand up and wraps himself with you into his own jacket, holding you tightly and wiping your tears away with a soft brush of the thumb, not without a waterfall of forehead kisses. He knows you cannot resist them, and he loves to spoil you like this. "My gem had a rough day, it seems..."
You shallow and nod, before cradling yourself against his chest. "A rough moment. I mean... it's not their fault. They started to talk about their birthdays and how lucky they are to spend them with their families... and then I thought I spent mine... without, well..."
"Without your beloved ones. You can say it freely, I'm not offended."
You look up at Cater, seeing how tranquil he is, and bite your lips. It's so unfair to react like this, since it's not that here you feel alone, or sad, or neglected; you found love, you are happy... but sometimes... "... I am ungrateful. I should walk on cloud nine knowing I have a boyfriend who loves and cherishes me, and instead I am here, in tears like an idiot, unable to see how lucky I am."
"Ooooh, but I know you feel blessed to have me as your boyfriend! And a bad day doesn't mean a bad life, right?" Cater strokes your back with tenderness and pokes your nose, winking at you. "So don't feel bad if you need to take some time for yourself, and don't apologize for it. We don't choose homesickness, and sometimes we cannot fight it... but we are not alone in this. And you know that, no matter the reason, Cay-Cay is always ready for the cuddles!"
You have a tough time holding back a laugh, even if a weak one, then sigh deeply. The black cloud is still upon you, but less dark than before. "... I love you. More than myself."
"Then we have to work on this, sweetie... step by step. Now, let's put a smile on this beautiful face!"
"... Not the Magicam, please..."
Cater has his own ways, yes, but don't say he doesn't manage to banish the melancholy from your mind; and his love, your love, does the rest.
Jack notices how your face darkens during one of the science lessons, but doesn't immediately understands why; especially because his nose is suddenly caught by the strange, dizzying scent emanating from one of the potions you are preparing - and hearing how Crewel's voice suddenly changes in tone, that's not the result you should obtain.
Only when he notices a tear shimmering in your eyes, the boy starts to worry and, following your gaze, to put two and two together and get a clue on what's happening for you to not talk anymore.
He has to wait for the end of the lesson and be free to breathe without feeling overwhelmed by the smell permeating all the room, then reaches you with an excuse, waiting for you to be away from prying ears before speaking. "... It seems the scent of that potion was too much to handle even for you."
You silently thank him for the discretion in his tone, then nod. Even a blind person would notice you are not in your usual mood. "Yes, it was too powerful. The smell... it reminded me of some flowers of my world. I was used to sniffing them everyday. Anyway..."
Jack doesn't immediately reply, then averts his gaze and narrows his eyes. "On my morning runnings I happened to smell flowers that have the same scent..." you manage to hear, but maybe it's only your imagination, since the beastman basically whispers these words; then, as you go with him to the track field, the moment of homesickness slowly fades away, thanks to his presence.
Evening falls and night follows without too much happening, and only with a weak trace of the melancholy you felt; then, when morning comes and you join your favorite freshman for another day of lessons and assignments, the scent you smelled the day before hits your nose again and freezes you on the spot.
On your desk, flowers of the deepest hue of red and purple, a thousand petals and a scent so strong you should have to open the windows... yes, you should. But you don't, too enchanted by the aroma to let it flee away; and smile, turning towards Jack, sit next to you and with a grumpier expression than usual, avoiding your gaze with all his willpower.
"... Where did you find them?"
"I've told you, I happen to smell them during my running, they are everywhere... and today some of them remained stuck to my clothes. Now put them away, please, they are driving my nose crazy..."
You never heard an excuse as improbable as this, but you don't really care; you put the flowers in your bag and sit, sliding closer to Jack. "Thank you for having thought about me. I really appreciate this."
A soft shade of red covers the boy's cheeks, and just the phantom of a smile. "... It's nothing."
"For me it's everything though! Note to myself, giving you a proper kiss, after the lessons."
Definitely, today you are your usual self. With a plus of mischief.
Often, when someone feels down, Jamil leaves the matter to Kalim, the one who could make smile and laugh even the rocks; but in this case you are the one suffering, so everything is different.
The vice housewarden hears your soft sobs from meters away, and hurries with his duties to be able to reach for you as fast as he can. He doesn't even wander where you are, he knows all your favorite places to hang around, so you don't spend too much time alone with your dark moment: a rustle of silk, the sudden scent of myrrh, and Jamil is here by your side, watching you in silence.
The boy doesn't force you to speak, he knows better than to worsen the situation, and instead gently strokes the back of your hand in slow circles, holding your fingers and wrapping his arms around you when you close the distance to hug him. He knows you deeply love when he sinks the hands into your hair and strokes the strands, and you melt into a paddle for gentle nape scraping; so it's what you receive, just to put a smile on your face.
"You know, Y/N" you hear at some point, Jamil's voice soothing and calming, "tonight is going to be clear and moonless. We could resume our stargazing, I still have a lot of constellations to show you. What do you think? Would you like to spend some hours with me and the stars?"
"You and the stars? I'm into it. Thank you, Jamil, I'm starting to get scared by how much you know me, to the point you don't even struggle to make me feel better in no time."
"Call it a talent" Jamil answers in a chuckle, giving you a strong squeeze before loosening the grip and staring into your eyes, "and don't thank me, your smile will be my reward. So... better get ready for our trip. We have a starry party to attend to."
You nod, before giving him a caress on the cheek. "... Even if my favorite star is you."
The boy doesn't wait a second to give you a smirk, and his expression takes a note of mischief. "Now, now, is it not too early to be so romantic? Wait at least until we are alone, I don't want everyone to know how much you are weak for me."
"You... what a snake you are, Jamil. For real." Silence. "And I even like it."
"It sounds like the most embarrassing admission I've ever heard of" he comments, before taking your hand and leading you away, "but I will take it anyway."
And once again, Jamil is the winner here. Especially on your homesickness.
"My gracious... pray tell, Y/N, why are you crying like this? I can hear you from my room..."
Vil approaches you slowly, with his usual detached expression; still, the closer he comes, the more his frigid aura starts melting and a flash of concern crosses his face at seeing you curled up on yourself on an armchair in Pomefiore lounge. It's not like you not hearing him coming or not answering immediately to his questions, even when you feel upset or down, so it means you are too taken by your own sobs to ignore everything and everyone around you. And for once, to Vil it sounds more like an emergency than a personal attack.
"Come, follow me. You will end up ruining your face and clothes this way. I won't permit it."
With elegance, and a grip of steel, Vil takes you under the armpits and gives you a push, forcing you to stand up without being able to fight, then leads you into his room, his eyes not leaving you for even a second. And he takes action not even a second after the door closes behind your back.
"Change your clothes into something practical, now I'll teach you something you better not forget."
It sounds as ominous as a promise of hell, even your tears stop by the sting of fear you feel... but the next you know is, you are practising some Yoga positions, Vil teaching - more commanding than teaching - the right movements to not hurt yourself, adjusting arms and legs and wiping your tears with a silk cloth in between a position and the other.
You wouldn't tell, but through them and the breath exercises Vil shows you and makes you repeat, you actually come to calm your sobs and ease your mind at least to be able to talk and tell the housewarden why you were crying so desperately.
The boy doesn't comment, but his eyes are not icy, and he doesn't have the smile he uses with everyone; you can tell he's not pleased to hear your troubles, and by how you reacted.
So, the next thing is putting you in front of the mirror and redoing your make up by zero, while giving you suggestions to not fall prey to the tears like before. "And come to me when you feel like this; don't wait to waste your precious eyes away, but reach for me and I will give you more than a reason to forget your homesickness."
"Precious eyes... was that a compliment, Vil-sama?"
"It could be" it's the laconic response you got, before a hair pin with superb flowery patterns on it comes to grab some of your locks. "Here, now you are at least presentable. You better be grateful for all the effort I've put on you, so no more hopeless scenes from now on. Did you hear me?"
You nod, then touch the royal worthy hair pin. "It's stunning... and has your scent on it."
"Of course it has, it's a favorite of mine. You can keep it for now, I know where to find you in case I need it."
You are speechless. The beautiful, divine, untouchable Vil, giving you something of him so casually? For real? "... I don't know how to thank you properly..."
"You know how: by not making a mess of yourself. I want to see you at your best, so, when you feel like falling, remember I won't allow it. Don't turn me into your worst enemy, it wouldn't be pleasurable for you."
And even in the middle of these threats, you cannot help smiling. "Thank you... I mean it."
Vil stares at you, then nods. "Hmmm. Then show it. You are dismissed, troublemaker - and stand straight, Y/N! Oh, Sevens, give me the strength and the patience to enlighten the path of such a lost soul..."
"... I thought I heard a puppy whining and I came to check. Turns out there is actually a pup in need of my guidance. Enter, now, don't stay abandoned on the floor like this."
It takes some time for you to hear these words, and you lift your head in surprise; your sobs stop the exact moment you see Crewel staring at you in displease, the pointer ready to fall on your head. Caught in the middle of your breakdown, you didn't notice you were sitting exactly next to the door of the professor's office, nor the fact he was still there.
The least person you wanted to find you like this, just to lose all the little esteem he has for you.
"Didn't you hear me? Stand up and enter. Last call."
You slowly obey, shame and embarrassment added to the already bad mood, and let yourself go on the chair opposite of his desk. Crewel sits as well and grimaces at your lack of grace, but doesn't point it out. For now. "So, why cry like this? Did you fight with one of the other pups and got your tail bruised? Or do I have to punish someone for improper behaviour towards you?"
"Nothing like that, Professor..." you manage to answer, without being able to look at him, "just... nothing. It's only a moment."
"A moment you can talk about?"
Maybe it's the tone of Crewel's voice, calmer than usual; maybe it's the silence that follows, allowing you to choose, to decide by yourself what do you want to do; maybe it's the actual need to talk with an adult you admire, but as soon as you open your mouth, it's a river of words: you reveal him all that troubles you and even more, and there is no even time to feel ashamed of what you say, because it's already gone with the flow.
For once, Crewel doesn't comment for a long time, listening to everything you have to say; the pulse of scolding you for something, maybe for the fact you didn't tell him before of what you were feeling, is noticeable, but he keeps it at bay. Then and only then, the professor sighs and shakes his head, defeated. "What a troublesome pup you are... I don't even know why I keep telling it, since you are impossible to train. But this, this is not bringing you any good."
His eyes then soften just slightly, and he relaxes a bit. "I appreciate you managed to share your burden, pup, even if you should have done it sooner. And I understand you feel homesick, but whining till losing your voice won't help you. Something, however, could be done... starting from cleaning all the mess on your face."
Like Vil, Crewel doesn't leave you in peace till you are tidy and in order, and then he writes down a "training" list for you: books to read, things to do, based on what you like or you are interested about.
He checks on your progress personally, debating with you about what you read and following you in the duties and assignments he gave you, and teaching you ways to face another breakdown, if it will come to strike again. He shows it in his way, but Crewel really hopes and wants for you to feel better, and while a part of him knows he will miss you, like he does with all his students, the other half wishes for you to be able to come back to your world, one day.
And if it won't happen... just know that the professor is already thinking about filling in some adoption papers and solving the problem at its roots. Just in case.
Like with Crewel, you don't notice where you are going, you only feel the pulse to hide and stay alone for some time; so you burst into tears near his office, not holding back even one of them.
It's only minutes later that you become aware of something fluffy and warm rubbing against your legs and scratching your knees, and wipe your tears to see Lucius staring at you with his golden eyes and his usual bored expression. The cat refuses to let you go, slowly waving his tail and hitting your calves with the head, before Professor Trein comes at the door and stares at you with a severe expression, that immediately wavers seeing your tears.
Next you know, you are sitting in his office, Lucius still wandering near your legs, while the man listens to you talking and letting go of the last sobs before the exhaustion and a brief silence.
Even if appears always so strict and severe, Trein knows better than anyone what it means to not be with the one you love the most, and not know where you will see them again; better than anyone he can understand what you feel, so he lets you vent out without interrupting, because you need it: to cry, to free yourself, to not know what to say. It's a step you need to take, even if it doesn't mean you have to live it alone.
So, when you are on the verge of shutting down, you hear Trein starting to talk with an unusually soft tone: his voice captures you, as much as what he has to say, and you find yourself feeling lighter and lighter the more you listen to him. Since he walked through melancholy a lot of times, he knows what to say to ease your mind, be them memories or sensations, or advises; hours pass quickly, because the professor allows you to leave only when it's sure you are feeling better; and in the next days he keeps an eye on you, to see how you are doing and be there in case you need him, but without pushing you.
He's one of the strongest allies you have against homesickness, so don't be afraid to ask for his help, because you will have it. Utterly.