He Is Not the Ideal Prince Charming [Riddle/Deuce]
Summary: Riddle contemplates his new relationship with Deuce, and wonders what his mother might think when the day finally comes for him to tell her about it.
Wordcount: 1,726
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Riddle’s boyfriend is nothing like he ever imagined.
Well, perhaps that was not a hard feat to achieve, actually. Riddle did not often take time to sit and fantasize about what his future partner might be like. He generally had more practical and productive things to think about, after all. A fleeting thought here and there were all he allowed himself regarding the very idea of someone he might have to share his life with, someday.
Even so, that did not stop Riddle from being surprised at just how hard he fell for Deuce Spade, of all people. He was even more surprised when Deuce himself was the one to confess his own feelings to Riddle, leading them to start their relationship together — a major first for them both.
What would Riddle’s mother think, he wondered? He had not exactly rushed to call and tell her the good news once he and Deuce became official – unlike Deuce, who had done just that with his own mother mere days after he and Riddle had their first date.
In fact, Riddle hadn’t told his mother at all. Not yet. She was a busy woman, of course, so it was best not to take up her time unless absolutely necessary. Riddle would find the time to tell her later, once he and Deuce were a bit further along in their relationship and were absolutely sure this was going to work out long term. He would let her know when the time was right.
Eventually.
Someday.
When Riddle was young, his mother always told him to accept nothing less than the absolute best in every regard to life, relationships included. Choose your partner carefully, lest you come to regret your foolish choices in your later years. Riddle was to focus on his studies during his youth, of course, so it was not like a topic such as this came up often in his household, but Riddle always retained even the briefest of lessons given by his mother. An ideal partner was meant to be refined and proper. Well educated. Confident. Loyal. Someone who had a good future ahead of them, and would not dare drag Riddle down to anything beneath the perfect legacy she had set him on track for.
And, Deuce?
There was so much that Riddle could say about Deuce Spade.
He absolutely did NOT check all of the boxes laid out by Riddle’s mother, that was for sure. Deuce Spade, the ex-delinquent. A boy who was constantly getting in trouble alongside his rowdy peers. He struggled with basic academic concepts, as a result of the foundational days where he didn’t take school seriously. He stayed up too late playing games with his friends. He was honest to a fault, often blurting out things he shouldn’t without any awareness of the situation or the consequences his words might bring. He shouted too loud when he got excited. He hardly ever remembered any of the Queen of Hearts’ rules.
He was not even close to a picture-perfect partner, and there was no question that Riddle’s mother’s scrutinizing eye would catch on very fast to each and every one of Deuce’s flaws. Perhaps she would uncover ones that even Riddle himself had managed to miss. It was anyone’s guess what she would say, exactly, but the likelihood of full approval was rather slim.
…And, even so…
Riddle had thought himself to have high standards, until Deuce entered his life.
Deuce, whose face lit up every time he and Riddle crossed paths. Who shouted his excited greetings at top volume, regardless of the setting, because he just couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. Picked fights with other students that he caught disrespecting his beloved housewarden.
It was often rowdy behavior that one might find unbecoming on the surface — behavior that Riddle often had to remind Deuce to correct when out of line. But, if there was one trait that Riddle’s mother would approve of that Deuce Spade had, it was definitely his loyalty.
“Of course, Housewarden Rosehearts!”
“Hey, you all heard the boss. Let’s get going!”
“Yes, sir! Anything for you!”
Riddle blushed at the memories flashing through his mind as he walked through the dorm hallways, having only just realized the direction his feet subconsciously took him. He stood in front of Deuce’s doorway and knocked quietly, yet firmly, as to not disturb the other Heartslabyul residents.
“Coming!” Deuce called from inside, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps stomping towards the door. Moments later, Deuce’s face - as always - lit up with delight upon seeing who decided to pay him a visit. “O-Oh! Housewarden!” he beamed, stepping aside to usher Riddle inside. “I was just finishing up the workbook pages you marked for me, if you, um, wanted to check them over…?”
Riddle smiled, warmth blooming in his chest just looking at Deuce’s eager, hopeful face. “Alright, let me take a look.”
Now, efficiency wasn’t exactly Deuce’s strong suit. Riddle had given him that workbook early in the morning, and it appeared to have taken him until nearly sundown to get through it. Riddle had offered to help him, but Deuce insisted that this time, he wanted to see how much he could get through on his own.
“I’ll make you proud, Housewarden!”
Riddle quickly picked up Deuce’s workbook and examined it closely, hoping also to use it to obscure any more growing flush across his cheeks. He focused his attention on marking the work, pulling a pen out and taking a seat on the edge of Deuce’s bed. There were, unsurprisingly, many corrections to be made. As hard as Deuce tried, it was clear he still had a long way to go to reach the coveted honor student status… But, even so, he’d shown significant improvement from where he started. Riddle found himself marking less corrections to go over than last time, and a warm feeling of pride ballooned in his chest at just how hardworking his dear dorm member was.
His dorm member… And his boyfriend. The term still felt new and foreign to Riddle.
He looked up at Deuce, who had been standing anxiously and staring down at Riddle the entire time he scribbled away at the workbook. Riddle let out a small sigh, scooting over and patting the space on the bed beside him. “Sit next to me. I’m going to go over the questions you missed, and we’ll work through them together until you understand.”
“Y-Yes, sir!” Deuce shouted, obediently taking a seat next to Riddle as instructed. “Thank you for your time, as always!”
Riddle couldn’t help the tiny smile that crept onto his face. “I can see you worked hard, today, just as you promised. You’ve improved since last time. I’m proud of you.”
Deuce’s eyes grew wide and his cheeks flushed a bright shade of pink. “Really…?!” He couldn’t hold his composure, giving into the feeling of elation and leaning forward to envelop Riddle into his arms. “Thank you, Housewarden! I couldn’t have improved this much without your patient guidance, sir!”
Riddle felt his own body practically melt against Deuce. His hug was firm, warm, loving… The familiar smell of rose scented cologne did not get lost on Riddle either. It was the exact scent from a bottle he had gifted Deuce on their first official date, and Deuce had enthusiastically worn it every day since. He hadn’t quite found the right amount to apply just yet, but at least now he wasn’t fully doused like the first few days he tried it out. Ace and their other roommates had complained about the lingering smell it left in their room for several days.
Riddle took a deep breath and closed his eyes, allowing himself just a few more seconds to get lost in his boyfriend’s embrace.
“…Deuce…” Riddle mumbled against his chest, voice sounding more like a wistful sigh than he intended. He cleared his throat, attempting to regain his composure, and gently, reluctantly, pulled back from Deuce. “W-we should really stay focused.”
“Ah!” Deuce quickly sat up and pulled his shoulders back. “R-right, of course, sir!”
“You… I’ve told you that you needn’t call me sir and Housewarden so much,” Riddle mumbled. “At the very least, not when we’re… Alone…” He absolutely paid no mind to the increasing temperature across his face as he spoke such vulnerable words out loud. “While it is important to continue addressing me properly in context, I, ah… I believe addressing one’s partner comes with its own set of rules.”
“Oh! You’re right. Sorry, Housewa— I mean, um… Riddle…” Deuce looked just as flustered as Riddle felt, if not more. Still, even in his attempt to keep to a focused mood, Deuce kept smiling. “I’m just… so happy. I used to think I’d never be the type of guy to even think of settling down in a relationship, and now I’m dating someone as amazing as you!”
And Riddle never dreamed of being with someone like Deuce Spade.
“I…” He looked up into Deuce’s big, bright, blue eyes that stared back at him. “I can’t say I ever expected something like this, either, but…”
Riddle’s mind flashed back to another time he remembered Deuce looking at him like that. When they first had the conversation where they decided to become a couple, Deuce took Riddle by the hands and stared into his eyes ever so earnestly.
“I promise I’ll try not to— No, I mean… I promise I won’t hold you back! I’ll be someone you can feel proud to call your boyfriend!”
Riddle smiled at the memory, but his cheeks grew warmer by the second. He cleared his throat and shook his head. “I, um… I am quite satisfied with our relationship progress, as well.”
Thankfully, this seemed to be enough to satisfy Deuce, who beamed in response, and then quickly focused his attention back on the workbook in Riddle’s hands.
Riddle could wait a little longer to tell his mother about Deuce. Not forever, of course. She would have to know about him one day. She’d have to meet him one day…
Riddle took a deep breath and returned to reviewing the marked questions with Deuce. If he himself could see Deuce's shining qualities — no matter how hidden they may be, at first — then surely, some day, his mother would be able to see them, too.