by take_a_chill_pill_shawty
It’s somewhat been a year since the initial outbreak. The headmage had put NRC under lock down until further notice, no one could leave or come in. Students that have been infected have been moved to a more secluded part of the school, away from students for their safety and away from prying eyes.
“ How long do we have to stay here?” Duece’s voice broke the silence in the Heartslabyul dorm lounge. Other students shift uncomfortably as he said what everyone was thinking, “I’m not sure…The headmage has requested Idia to contact the S.T.Y.X organization to help.” Riddle turned away from the large window he was facing, walking around the dorm lounge as if in thought. A student sitting on the lounge couch got up as he stood front and center in front of Riddle. “Why can’t they just send us home already? you saw what Ace did to that-” the student stopped himself as he saw the look on Riddle’s face that screamed to just shut up. The student knew that bringing up Ace was a touchy subject in the dorm, Riddle calmed down. Him getting angry won’t help with anything, it most certainly won't bring Ace back.
“This virus is unpredictable. The head mage nor Idia had found a cure for it yet.” Riddle sat down on his chair and picked up his scepter, “What I do know is that staying in the dorm is our safest option right now. We still have no updates on how this thing spreads and its characteristics, for all we know someone in here could be infected and we can’t tell. ” His tone was more harsh as he continued on “You are all to stay within the dorm until further notice or if given the authority to do so. Different rations will be given to each of the dorms on campus ensuring our food supply for the remainder of this quarantine. Is that clear?” Riddle looked up and scanned the room as everyone stayed quiet. “I said, is. That. Clear.” is teeth grit with irritation on the lack of response, the students within the vicinity let out a “Yes Housewarden!”
Riddle gave a nod, “Good. you are all free to carry on the rest of the day.” he tapped the hilt of his scepter on his arm chair, akin to that of a gavel being hit to adjourn a case. Some students filed out of the lounge while others stayed back talking to one another, Riddle let out an exasperated sigh as he relaxed more into his arm chair. He had to stay strong not for himself but for the sake of his fellow dormmates as well, Deuce would make his way to his stressed Housewarden. From where Riddle was sitting and Deuce was standing, they had the perfect view of the ground floor of the dorm. Some of the students were having a good time despite what was happening outside the safety of the dorm. Deuce smiled as he saw his fellow classmates finding fun and relaxation during these hard times, there was a silence between the two besides the background buzz of the other students chattering. Deuce initiated the conversation first, “Has….Has there been an update on Cater yet? It's been a few months now….Even Trey is starting to get worried.” Riddle slightly stiffened at Cater’s name being mentioned. “I…don’t know, from what I was told he hasn’t been infected from the bite….. yet. there’s still some other students in a similar predicament as him, we can only hope that Cater can pulls through.”
Deuce let out a bitter smile at Riddle’s words, hoping that Cater may be alright. a ringtone rangout coming from Riddle’s phone, he got up to excuse himself as he answered the call. Deuce could slightly hear the conversation on the phone, Leona’s voice as on the other line. He decided to stop his eavesdropping as Riddle returned, “Leona has notified me that the rations for the dorms had arrived in the hall of mirrors. I’m sending you and Trey along with some other students to retrieve them.” Deuce nodded as he could see Trey and the other students standing at the entrance of the lounge as they all left to retrieve the dorm’s ration. Despite the short walk Deuce decided to make conversation, “Hmm…How do you think Prefect is doing? I mean… since they’re back home now.” Trey thought for a moment thinking of an answer, “with it being Prefect and all...probably stressing someone else out right now.” He let out a slight chuckle releasing some tension as they continued their journey. They all arrived at the hall of mirrors with different dorm members collecting their share of the ration, “Hey. careful with those bags, anything falls on the floor none of you are getting your share for lunch.” He knew that voice anywhere, it was Leona. His dormmates were carrying back some of the rations back to their dorm, now getting a better look at the rations, it was huge! It was more than enough for each dorm. “T…that’s a lot of food, how could the headmage afford all this?! ” Deuce looked at Trey as he picked up a few bags, “It’s actually a donation from Kalim’s family. They were nice enough to provide us with some rations while we're under lockdown.” speaking of Kalim…
Deuce saw Kalim with some of his dormmates getting their share of the ration. Kalim looked tired, some dark circles were under his eyes. It looks like this whole situation even got Kalim stressed as well, but Deuce could see that he was trying to brighten the mood despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders right now.….but weirdly enough, Jamil wasn’t there with him. Deuce looked back at Trey, seeing him pick out what part of the ration they should take, Deuce took this opportunity to walk over to Kalim and strike up a conversation. “Ah, Kalim….it’s been a while…I just wanted to know if you’re feeling alright” Kalim would let out a slight yawn before he answered him, “Who? me? I…. can’t say I’ve been feelin’ a hundred percent' recently… the dorm got a lot bleeker with this whole virus. '' The smile Kamil had on his face faltered just a bit, but kept a strong front. “But overall everyone is having a blast! we're having a pool party later this evening if you wanna join." Before Deuce could give an answer Trey called him over to help carry some of the rations back to the dorm. He gave an apologetic look to Kalim giving him a wave goodbye as he returned back to Trey and the other students.
Deuce made it over to Trey as he was carrying a crate of supplies while other dorm mates were holding bags. “ Here, you can carry the last two bags. Let’s get a move on." Everyone gave a reply or nod as they all followed Trey’s lead. As everyone made their way back somewhere groaning and complaining about how heavy the supplies are but kept pressing on until they made it back to the dorm. “Alright, great work.” everyone let out a sigh of relief as they can finally rest their sore limbs, Trey would chuckle at the student’s overreaction. “Ah, I’m afraid we're not done yet.” he picked a bag and handed it over to two students, “You guys can restock the restrooms toiletries.”, Trey walked over to the other boys with another bag. “And you two can restock the pantries, once you’re all done you can help yourselves to a treat each.” the students groaned as they followed Trey’s order. It was now just Trey and Deuce standing there now. "And you can help me cook something for lunch," Trey gave Deuce a hearty pat on the back signaling him to follow him to the dorm's kitchen.
"Since we can't really use the cafeteria on campus, the kitchen would have to do. " Trey emptied the supplies he needed for today's lunch. "So, what do you think we should make? Soup? Stew? Or something else?" Deuce didn't mind anything really, but he could go for a nice stew right now, "yeah, a stew sounds good. What are we going to have it with?" Trey decided for a bit."Rice sounds good, how about you?" Deuce also pondered but agreed in the end, with that Trey went on his way to prep the chicken as Deuce went to wash the rice. Some dorm mates stopped by to check in, some even lent a hand to make the cooking process quicker, as 12 reached the food was already done. The scent of fresh hot stew hit throughout the dorm for all to smell, it didn't take long for everyone to line up for a taste. By 12:30 everyone had sat down and started to eat, Deuce missed this… Everyone eating and talking to each other with Riddle occasionally telling everyone to not chew with their mouth open, or to sit down. Maybe he should grab a plate for….Prefect and Ace….oh, yeah…that. Deuce could feel a dark pit in his stomach form, Prefect is back home now, safe from the hell going on here. As with Ace, Deuce can only hope that he makes a recovery.
Trey would notice Deuce not touching his food, as he watched everyone enjoy themselves. Feeling his big brother senses kick in he went to check on the boy, "Hey, Deuce. Are you feeling ok? The chicken isn't too salty now is it? " Deuce wanted to say everything was alright…But was it? He hasn't seen his mom in almost a year, two of his best friends are gone, one of them is infected by this hell virus, how can anything be fine? "I….I just need some fresh air…" Deuce got up from the table and walked out the lounge. Everyone went silent as the sound of a door being closed was heard, Riddle was about to get up until Trey raised a hand and signaled him to sit down. "I'll go after him, you guys just finish up", Riddle reluctantly agreed as he sat back down with Trey tailing Deuce. Sitting down in the garden Deuce made a call to his mom, "Mom? Are you there? I know I said last week I might be coming home…but they extended the quarantine ....I don't know how long but I'm sure it won't be too long…" he could hear how worried she was, how much she wanted her baby home.
"Just take care of yourself for me, please? Promise me the minute your school gives the 'ok'…please come home to me…please." Duece's heart broke as he heard how much his mother was trying not to cry, he didn't want his mom to stress over his well-being, if he could he'd just run home to her…but he can't risk everyone's safety, including his mom. "Of course I will mom, I'll see you later…" he was about to end the call until he choked up a bit, "and…and I love you, please take care of yourself too." His mother also wishes the same as she hangs up. Deuce looked up at the sky for a bit as he took a deep breath to calm down, he didn't know why he was crying. He was going to see her again, no matter what. Deuce heard the soft crunch of grass alerting him that someone is arriving, he quickly used the sleeves of his blazer to dry his face from tears. "Deuce, there you are. You got me worried, are you alright?" It was Trey, "ah. No, no, I'm good it's....allergies…" Deuce would cringe at his lie, as Trey raised an eyebrow. "Really?…..last I checked you weren't allergic to roses." He would chuckle as he turned his head to Deuce, "Can I?" Trey motioned to the bench Deuce was sitting on asking to have a seat next to him. "Uh, yeah…sure, go ahead." Trey nodded as he sat next to Deuce.
"You can tell me what's going on, you know. I could see that you were crying, feeling home sick? " Deuce nodded, "You wanna talk about it?" Deuce shook his head, "You wanna hug?" Deuce paused but ended up agreeing as he started to tear up. Trey opened his arms up as Deuce gave Trey a hug crying in his chest letting everything he felt for the past year out, Trey would embrace Deuce in return as he rubbed his back. "it's ok…let it out…" this caused Deuce to cry harder, hold Trey closer, slowly but surely Deuce's breathing regulated back to normal as he calmed down. "T..thank you Trey…" Deuce would sniff as he wiped his face, "No problem. I like washing boogers off my blazer." Deuce gave an apologetic look to him as he noticed an obvious stain of tears and snot on Trey's blazer from his crying. "It's ok, it's ok. I was joking, laundry day is tomorrow anyway. I'm not really worried about it." Deuce relaxed more, feeling drained after that little crying session. "You don't have to be alone in this, you know, everyone is on edge about this…even me, but at the end of the day we have each other don't we?" Deuce couldn't help but agree with Trey's words, he was right. At the end of the day they have each other to look after, "You know…. I overheard you and Kalim talking earlier, he's throwing a pool party, huh? "
"yeah, he was inviting me over… but Riddle wouldn't-", "Go." Deuce paused, "What? But Riddle…he's Housewarden-", "and I'm Vice Housewarden, I have just as much authority in this dorm as Riddle. A pool party isn't going to kill you, besides….it looks like you need it. " Deuce was grateful for Trey giving him this pass, but he's also worried that Trey will be in trouble because of him. "I don't want Riddle to be mad… he'd flip if he knew I was over in another dorm without permission-", "Ah~…you have my permission." Trey would give a little smirk as he pat Deuce on the shoulder. "Not saying you have to go, but if you decide to go…you have my permission. Just come back before curfew, by then…Can't really save you from Riddle. " with that Trey left Deuce with his thoughts.
A/N: Still working on the art...
By take_a_chill_pill_shawty
Deuce contemplated the offer. These past few months had been stressful with this whole virus going down. A po
