Fun fact: When Cater has to stay up studying, Renée borrows his cardigan and wears it while pretending it’s him. But there are rare moments, like the one above, where she ends up falling asleep on his bed...
Now, the important question is; should I draw part two of this? 🤭
And now, for a probably weird one: AU where Penny is a split personality developed by Ruby?
Ruby tightened another screw on her arm and winced as the pain receptors turned on. Her hand clutched the desk she sat in front of and dented the metal. A smile came across her lips once she finished. “There, all better.”
“You know you did that wrong, right?”
Ruby rolled her eyes at the voice that ran through her mind. “Penny, I already told you I had to do maintenance-”
“And all I am suggesting is that you have tightened that screw to tightly,” Penny explained. Within seconds, she quickly took control of Ruby to loosen the screw a bit. Her eyes flashed green and her smile quickly faded. “I only want to keep us safe.”
“And I told you it was fine before. It wasnt going to hurt either of us.”
“And you were already showing signs of anxiety when you were maintaining our arm.” Penny sat the screwdriver down and relaxed in the desk chair. “So until you calm down, I will drive our body.”
“I’m fine,” Ruby lied. “*Its only my nerves picking up with orientation tomorrow.*”
“And not an anxiety attack forming because you’ll be running into people who used to bully you?”
Ruby went silent. She knew Penny was right, of course she didnt want to be near the people who tormented her over her mechanical parts, but it wasnt something she could ignore either. She watched as Penny pulled up the design program on the computer and started working on a new weapon. “What are you doing?”
“If we are going to Beacon, then I need my own weapon.”
“What’s wrong with using Crescent Rose?”
“Crescent Rose is yours, not mine.” Penny smiled as she started designing a small backpack to house a few swords she could control with dust and wires. “And I dont fight like you do.”
“Look, Penny, we need to talk-” Ruby was quickly interrupted as the door opened. “-after we’re alone.”
Penny looked up and smiled at Yang. “Salutations sister.”
Yang paused for a moment. “You’re… Penny right now, right?”
Penny nodded and went back to work. “Ruby was starting to panic about Beacon.”
“Actually, that’s something we need to talk about.”
Penny paused and slowly closed the lid to the computer. “What do you mean?”
Yang sighed and closed the door. She sat down on the bed next to Penny. “Dad… isnt sure he’s going to allow you to go to Beacon.”
“Why not?”
“Well, because of your… problem.” Yang twiddled her fingers and looked down to the ground. “He’s… not sure you should go to Beacon when you’re… not quite all there mentally.”
“But we are here mentally,” Penny said as she stood up. “Ruby still hears and sees everything when I am out-”
“And dad thinks you should get a bit of treatment before you go.” Yang sighed and leaned back against the wall. “Uncle Qrow and I are doing everything we can to convince him to let you go. We know you’re recovering from the accident, but he doesnt quite understand… you. He thinks this split between you two is going to cause you problems at school.”
“We’ll be fine.” Ruby’s eyes flashed silver as she took control once more after a few minutes of trying to push Penny back. Her flesh and blood arm shook as she picked up her scroll. “Just… tell him we’ll come up with a few ground rules to follow, but we’ll… I’ll be fine. I’m going to figure things out with Penny so that way we can both run me through Beacon without any issue. And it’ll give me a chance to fix a few things.”
“And if he doesnt go for it?”
“Then… he can talk to me about it.”
Yang nodded and stood up, pulling her sister into a hug. “Alright, I’ll let him know. You and Penny need to make sure you eat too. You’ve been cooped up for a few days.”
“Dont worry, we will.” Ruby smiled and pulled away from Yang. She waited until her door shut before she fell back onto her bed and sighed. “...we need a better game plan for Beacon.”
“I think we will be fine,” Penny replied.
“We’ll figure things out when we get there. Just… for now, anytime you take over, you have to answer to my name. I’ll let you use whatever weapon you want but I do want this to be a normal school year for me.”
“May I at least have my own friends?”
“We’ll figure that out after the team assignments.” Ruby sat up and pulled her computer to her and reopened a few files she had saved. Her eyes moved along the strings of code and diagrams for the A.I. she had initially created, along with a few schematics for another body. “And maybe we’ll finally make the connections we need to make you your own person.”
✧ Summary: In which Renée gets jealous because of a fellow dorm member in the party...
A/N: CATER DIAMOND WHY DONT YOU SHOW UP TO ME ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?!? 💢 💢 /lh
But on a serious note, I have almost all the Cater cards and. his Bonboniere card is making my heart do the cartwheels in my chest bUT HE REFUSES TO COME HOME!! (┛✧Д✧))┛彡┻━┻
Earlier that evening, the Unbirthday party had been exactly what it always was, bright, loud, overflowing with voices, laughter, and clinking teacups. Music drifted through the Heartslabyul lounge, mixing with the scent of freshly baked tarts and sweet cream. Students crowded around long tables, phones raised, chatting excitedly and snapping pictures. Renée sat where she usually did; near Cater. Close enough to feel his presence. Close enough to feel safe.
At least... she had at first.
She rested her chin in her hand, watching as Ace and Deuce argued animatedly across the table, Trey calmly trying to keep things from escalating into another rule-breaking incident. Riddle sat upright at the head, pretending not to notice the chaos while secretly listening in for once. Everything felt familiar. Comforting, normal, and yet...
She glanced to her side. The seat beside Cater wasn’t empty. Yulia sat there instead, smiling softly, laughing quietly. Her hands folded neatly in her lap as she leaned in just enough to hear him better.
Renée told herself not to stare, so she looked down at her plate. The strawberry tart in front of her was untouched. She picked up her fork, but then paused and put it back down. Her appetite had vanished, and she slowly lowered her gaze.
“…Renée? Do you want some of this?” Trey asked kindly, sliding a small plate toward her.
“Oh, um... I’m okay.” She replied quickly, forcing a small smile. “Thank you though.”
He studied her for a moment, concerned, but didn’t press. She appreciated that.
Across from her, Cater was talking. His voice was warm, easy, and familiar.
“--and then he seriously tried to blame it on Grim, like bro, that was NOT subtle--”
Yulia giggled. A soft, airy sound escaped her lips.
“That’s awful...” She said gently. “But kind of funny...”
“Right??” Cater laughed.
Renée’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the table.
It wasn’t wrong.
He wasn’t flirting.
He wasn’t doing anything inappropriate.
He was just being himself. Kind, friendly, approachable...
And that somehow made it worse.
Yulia leaned closer—not dramatically or obviously—but just enough that their shoulders nearly brushed.
“Oh, by the way...” Yulia murmured, lightly touching his sleeve. “Could you help me later with my homework? I’m really struggling...”
Cater blinked, then smiled politely.
“Ah—yeah, sure. If you want.”
“Thank you... You’re so nice...” She said softly.
Renée felt something twist in her chest. She lowered her gaze.
‘Stop it..!’ She told herself. ‘You’re overthinking.’
Someone across the table snickered.
“Man, Cater, you’re like everyone’s hero lately.”
“Yeah,” another student added. “Especially Yulia’s.”
A few people laughed, Yulia flushed shyly.
“O-oh, no, it’s not like that...” She whispered.
Cater chuckled awkwardly.
“Haha... I just help when I can.”
Renée’s grip on her fork tightened. Her thoughts started spiraling.
‘She fits here so easily...’
‘Everyone loves her...’
‘She doesn’t even have to try...’
She glanced at Cater again, noticed he hadn’t looked at her in a while. Not because he didn’t care, but because he was distracted. And suddenly, she felt very small, very quiet, very invisible. She felt horrible for feeling this way, but she couldn’t help but look down at her lap.
“…Renée, you can sit closer if you want.” Trey offered gently, noticing her silence. “There’s space on this side.”
“Oh... I’m fine here.” She replied automatically. Always fine, always okay, always manageable.
She took a slow breath, noticing how her chest felt tight. Her magic stirred faintly beneath her skin, hair going straighter and reacting to her emotions. She didn’t want that. Not here. Not now.
“I... I’m gonna get some air.” She murmured.
Her words vanished into the din. She rose to her feet without a word and drifted away from the table, like a ghost departing unnoticed. With every step, the hallway swallowed more of the party’s noise, until laughter became murmurs, and murmurs became nothing at all. Her shoulders curved inward as if bearing invisible weight. The courtyard door yielded to her palm, and the night embraced her with its chill. Her breath caught—once, twice—as she lowered herself to the stone bench. There, beyond witnessing eyes, she finally surrendered to the tide she'd been fighting all evening.
Then she wondered briefly if Cater had noticed she was gone. Then she told herself it didn’t matter. He was busy after all. Busy being the life of the party, being the Diamond everyone ‘knew’ and loved. Who in the world would notice someone as ordinary as her?
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰
The lamps lining the Heartslabyul courtyard flickered softly in the night breeze, their warm light reflecting off the stone paths like scattered stars. By the time she pulled her ashy brown hood over her head and sat down, most students had already gone back to their dorms. Laughter and chatter had faded into the distance, leaving behind only the quiet rustle of leaves and the faint hum of magic lamps. She sat alone on one of the benches near the entrance. Her coat wrapped tightly around her, the fabric warm against her skin, but she still felt cold. Not because of the weather. Because of the thoughts circling endlessly in her mind. Her hands rested in her lap, fingers twisted together, nails pressing lightly into her skin.
Her mind drifted back to earlier that evening...
That girl from her dorm, Yulia, had come along with her to Heartslabyul for today’s unbirthday party. She knew all too well that she would be the topic of every conversation as soon as she stepped in the area. After all, she was the one everyone had been crushing on, the one who took most of the students’ hearts by storm... At first, she didn’t mind it. She even helped her out when it was necessary, but it soon became a pattern she noticed in time and gradually started distancing herself from her despite the older girl whining all the time.
It was ridiculous in a way, to her at least. The way she was timid, clumsy, always helpless, always so.. fragile. Just earlier the same day, she had sprained her ankle and at least five students had carried her off to the infirmary on their shoulders. Sure, she’d seen them receiving punishment by Coach Vargas later when they joined the class with a thousand pushups, but it didn’t change the fact that she had everyone wrapped around her finger. Then, in the art class, she had spilled paint on Renée’s work, and when she opened her mouth to speak and apologize, some of the guys shushed her so the blonde could let her tears out.
And now; this. During the Unbirthday party where she usually sat next to Cater, the blonde had already taken her spot. Although Trey told her she could sit on the other side of the table, which Renée did, she felt almost invisible with how many times the other students fawned on her. And the thing happening next to her was.. too much for her to handle. She had stood so close to Cater. Too close even. She laughed at everything he said, touched his arm when she spoke, leaned in like she belonged there... Like she had a right to be in his space. But luckily, Cater hadn’t encouraged it. He’d stayed polite and hadn’t crossed any lines.
Renée knew that like she knew her name. She trusted him completely, but that trust didn’t stop the ache in her chest.
‘She’s so confident… So pretty… Fits in so easily…’ Renée stared down at her hands. ‘Why would he choose me… when he could have someone like her..?’
“...Rennie?”
Her shoulders jumped slightly, and she looked up almost immediately. Cater was standing in front of her, his phone already tucked away, his usual bright smile softer than normal.
“There you are...” He said lightly. “I turn around for two seconds and you vanish. I was about to file a missing person report...”
She tried to smile, hiding the ache behind practiced ease to not let him realize how truly afraid she’d been feeling of losing him, to not show the way her chest ached every time she remembered the way the blonde girl was being too close to her boyfriend. But alas, who could fool a person who has already mastered the art of masks and walls?
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, mon cher...”
The word came out too fast. Too practiced, like she knew what to exactly say. Cater froze for half a second, because he knew that voice. It was the same one she used when she didn’t want to worry anyone. When she didn’t want to be “difficult”. When she was quietly hurting...
“…Yeaaaahhh,” He murmured. “Nope. That’s not a fine.”
He walked over and sat beside her. Not too close, but not too far either. Just enough that their shoulders brushed.
“Soooo...” He said gently. “Wanna tell me what’s eating at my favorite rose?”
She hesitated. Her gaze drifted away.
“…It’s nothing.”
“Mmm...” He hummed. “That’s strike two.”
She let out a small sigh. Then, with a voice barely above a whisper she said, “…Was she fun to talk to?”
He owlishly blinked in surprise, then his eyes widened.
“…Huh?!”
“You know, her!” Renée continued, still not looking at him. “She was... really nice to you.”
The pieces clicked together instantly.
Oh.
That’s what this was.
Cater’s expression softened completely, the worry on his face slowly fading into something else.
“…Rennie.” He said quietly. Then he shifted, turning his body toward her. “Hey. Look at me.”
She didn’t, her lashes trembled slightly, tears threatening to fall. So he gently reached out and lifted her chin with two fingers carefully, patiently, and their eyes met. Hers were unsure. His were warm and sincere.
“You’re talking about Yuli, right?” He asked.
She nodded slowly.
“...I know you didn’t do anything wrong..!” She said quickly. “I know you wouldn’t. I just...”
Her voice faltered.
“I just thought maybe.. you looked happy talking to her. If I was.. in the way..?”
Cater’s heart squeezed.
“…I was being polite.” He admitted. “That’s all.”
Then he leaned in closer until their foreheads touched.
“Rennie... I wasn’t thinking about her at all, I swear.”
“...You weren’t?”
“Nope.”
“Not even a little?”
“Not even a pinch.”
She let out a tiny, shaky laugh.
“...Then... What were you thinking about?”
He smiled.
“I was wondering if you’d get mad at me for stealing your fries later when we meet in Crisp&Dips for our hangout tomorrow.”
“…You did steal them before.”
“And I’d do it again.” He said proudly, “They were yummy~♪”
She smiled weakly, then her expression softened again.
“...But she was really pretty.”
Cater pulled back slightly so he could see her face.
“Hey.”
He reached for her hands, carefully untangling her fingers and holding them.
“Don’t say that like it makes you less.”
She blinked. Once. Twice. Maybe three times. Then she looked down in her hands.
“I’m serious.” He continued. “You always do this. You look at other people and decide you’re somehow in second place.”
“...I don’t mean to...”
“I know...” He said gently. “But it hurts to see you think that way about yourself.”
He squeezed her hands.
“You’re the person I wait for every day, babe...”
He brushed his thumb over her knuckles.
“You’re the one I wanna show stupid videos to. The one I wanna walk home with. The one I think about when things get overwhelming.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“...You do?”
“All the time.” Then he continued, voice now quieter, “When I’m tired. When I’m stressed. When I feel like I have to be ‘on’ all the time.. I think about you. Because you make me feel safe.”
Her breath caught and she held back her sobs.
“I don’t need anyone else,” He said. “I don’t want anyone else.”
“...You promise?” She whispered.
He leaned down and pressed a slow, gentle kiss to her forehead.
“Promise. No filters.”
She laughed softly.
“That’s.. a very Cater promise.”
“It’s the highest level.” He grinned.
Her shoulders finally relaxed. She leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder. Her hand found his and she grabbed it with both hands to warm it up.
“…I’m sorry.” She murmured. “I got too scared that you would... leave me...”
He wrapped his arm around her immediately, pulling her closer.
“It’s okay.” He whispered. “You’re allowed to get scared.”
He rested his cheek against her hair.
“Just.. don’t shoulder it alone, ‘kay?”
“...Okay.”
Her hair twitched slightly, curling around his wrist like a snake. He noticed and smiled.
“…Your hair agrees with me too...” He murmured and leaned down to whisper, “...y’know that~?”
“…It doesn’t!” She sputtered nervously before gently headbutting his shoulder.
“Yes, it totally does. It’s clinging to me~♪”
She hid her face against his jacket.
“…Good.”
He chuckled quietly and tightened his hold.
“Good!” He echoed.
Because she was his, and he was hers. No one else mattered.
╳°»｡ ∾･⁙･ ღ ➵ ⁘ ➵ ღ ･⁙･∾ ｡«°╳
“Cayyyy~!”
A high-pitched voice rang out through the Heartslabyul courtyard, sweet and syrupy, carrying far more than it needed to.
“Cateeeerrr~! Y-you told me you were going to show me the newest Magicam filters~!”
Yulia stood near the entrance, hands clasped dramatically in front of her chest as she turned her head left and right, scanning the area with exaggerated concern. Her heels clicked softly against the stone path as she took a few slow steps forward, peering behind a rosebush and then toward the benches.
“Caaater~? Where did you gooo~?” She called again, her voice rising at the end like she was performing for an audience.
When she still didn’t get a response, she let out a small, theatrical gasp.
“Oh no... Don’t tell me he disappeared..!”
Almost immediately, she began approaching nearby Heartslabyul students, tapping their shoulders one by one and speaking in hushed, worried tones. Two students became ten, then ten became thirty, and before they knew it, half of Heartslabyul was searching for the Magicammer.
“Have you seen Cater?”
“He was just here a minute ago...”
“I think something happened to him...”
Within minutes, whispers started spreading through the courtyard. A few students glanced around curiously, some pulling out their phones, others craning their necks to see what was going on.
“Cater’s missing?”
“Didn’t he say he was meeting someone?”
“Oh, wasn’t he with Renée in the courtyard?”
As they unknowingly approached the couple, their voices grew louder. The moment Renée heard her name, she froze.
“...A-ah, well...”
Several students turned toward her at once.
“Yeah.” One of them said. “Pretty sure he went off with you earlier.”
Renée’s cheeks immediately warmed.
Before anyone could say anything else, the ginger put a hand on her shoulder and smiled while sitting next to her, phone in hand and looking mildly guilty. He had clearly been trying to stay out of their sight, watching the situation unfold with wide eyes.
“…Uh--”
“Cater!”
His name left her lips firmly, and he straightened instantly.
“H-hey, Yuli! How’s it--”
But the brunette didn’t let him finish. Marching over, she grabbed the front of his jacket and pulled him down to her height without hesitation. His surprised yelp barely had time to escape before she pressed her lips to his.
It was quick, soft, but very, very clear. The courtyard went dead silent. Phones froze mid-record. A few students gasped. Someone dropped a notebook. Cater’s mind went completely blank.
“?!?!?!??!”
When she finally pulled away, his cheeks were bright pink, eyes wide and unfocused like he’d just been hit by a spell. Renée, realizing what she’d just done in front of everyone, let out a tiny, embarrassed sound and immediately buried her face into his jacket, clutching it tightly.
“I-I’m sorry..!” She mumbled. “I just--!”
Cater blinked once. Twice. Then his lips slowly curled into the biggest, most smug smile imaginable.
“W-wow...” He breathed. “Public affection? Bold move, Rennie~♪”
He gently wrapped his arms around her, one hand resting protectively on her back.
“Guess that answers where I was.” He added cheerfully, glancing at the stunned onlookers. Around them, the whispers started up again, this time much louder.
“They kissed?!”
“So they’re really dating...”
“That was so cute~”
“Cater’s never looked that flustered before...”
Meanwhile, Yulia stood frozen in place, her smile twitching slightly as she stared at the scene.
“...Oh.”
Cater tilted his head and waved casually.
“Haha~! Sorry, was kinda busy with my girlfriend.”
Renée groaned softly into his jacket and gently headbutted his chest.
In honor of Cater NOT coming home yet again, I’ll be writing a hurt-comfort Split Rose fic!! (His birthday cards are the ONLY ones I don’t have because he tends to be stubborn on his birthday apparently.) Well, aside from his Broomquet card,, 😔
Now I’m making a taglist to see who wants to get tagged because.... well, I wanna see who wants to be tagged when I post it. Just leave a like or a comment on this post, and I’ll add you! ^^
11. Do they have nicknames for each other? Do they say them around other people or only in private? Where did the nicknames originate? What do they mean?
Fooorrrrrr Idia & Fawn and also Cater & Renee :3c
A/N: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA--
[OC x Canon Ship Questions]
◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤
💀 Nicknames Idia uses:
“OP char”
▶ He jokingly calls her that strictly in private, because she’s a powerful mage. He calls her that in private all the time, even when she chuckles it off.
“Pearl”
▶ Basically, he said “If she calls me a gem name, then so can I!” and gave her the nickname. He starts calling her that after they start dating.
She giggles every time he calls her pearl~ 🤭
“Fawnie”
▶ Same case as pearl, but he mainly uses it to tease her back after he gets more comfortable with the fact that he’s dating her!
She either blushes or snickers in response 🤭
“Your Highness”
▶ Now, he doesn’t call her that often because he knows she dislikes being addressed as royalty even if the person knows who she really is... Still, he uses it whenever he teases her even before they start to date!
At first she was pouting, but now she simply rolls her eyes and proceeds to think of a way to fluster her poor boyfriend /hj
“Player Two”
▶ He likes playing with her, that’s why she’s his player two! Though, he’d never admit this but he’s called her that in his mind before they started dating, but actually calls her that after they start dating!
He gets a quick peck on the cheek every time he calls her that, and thus gets flustered and partially unable to focus :>
🦪 Nicknames Fawn uses:
“Idy”
◉ She calls him that ever since they were little, and to this day it’s kinda stuck in her head.. QwQ" She calls him that mostly in private, and also when they’re sitting next to each other in public. (Yes, I know Idia’s mom also calls him that, she picked it up from her in the first place!) (Idia’s usual reaction to being called that is his heart going miles /hj)
At first, when they were kids, he liked hearing her call him Idy, but now he’s pretty neutral about it unless she does it in public.. then he gets flustered. 😔
Him, internally:
“My blue topaz”
◉ She calls him that after they start dating, because the gemstone itself looks like a vast ocean, and ocean feels comforting to Fawn. (She literally listens to the sounds of waves if she can’t fall asleep.)
At first he was shocked to hear her call him blue topaz, protesting that he isn’t like any valuable gemstone, but after learning about what it really meant to her, he doesn’t protest as much as before.. though he gets flustered whenever she calls him that in a whisper.
How he looks on the outside v.s how he feels inside:
“Gloomurai”
◉ His game handle! She calls him that solely to tease the heck out of him, and accidentally makes the poor otaku malfunction.... 🫢
“H-hey, that’s my game handle! You can’t call me that in public, you know? Th-th-that’s cringe..!” —Him, probably
“Blueberry”
◉ Simple, she calls him that because he’s blue! His hair, around his eyes, and also lips! Also because she sometimes thinks his hair looks like blueberry soda-- She calls him that right before they start to date, and mainly uses it in public whenever she teases him! >:D
Live Idia reaction when he finds out the real reasons she calls him blueberry: (/hj)
◉ Fawn is a BIG sucker for pet names, so of course she uses them on him! (He gets flustered whenever she calls him ANY of these...)
Live He Reaction™ (again)
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
♦️ Nicknames Cater uses:
“Rennie”
❖ Ah yes, the OG ‘Rennie’ nicknamer!! He’s been calling her that often ever since they first met, and it’s now spread out to her close friends as well-- Renée doesn’t mind being called that either!! She even likes it more when he calls her Rennie--
“Cutiepie”, “Babe”, “Sweet cheeks”
❖ He starts calling her these after they start dating, because he finds her so cute, so adorable, he just wants to show how much he loves her!!
“My spicy nuggie”
❖ ...Because she’s short and can get red faced when angry or flustered too much--
He calls her that after a few days of dating 🤭
“Sunshine”
❖ This is because of her Unique Magic that makes her hair glow, and because she’s become brighter than when she first came. He starts calling her that at the beginning of their relationship!!
🕊️ Nicknames Renée uses:
“Magicam carrot”
❥ She started using it when she first met him, because she was a bit annoyed by the way he was always cheerful, especially around her. But gradually, that annoyance became affection and she started to be a bit more.. pouty? If that’s what I can call?? The tone gradually shifted from “that damn Magicam carrot 💢💢” to “that Magicam carrot... 🫣” in a few months--
At first, he was baffled because being called a carrot was.. unusual. But now? He’s thriving and also teasing her~
“Pumpkin”
❥ She uses that because, like Magicam carrot, his hair is orange. But in this case, it’s also because he’s as sweet as one!
“Wildcard”
❥ This one, she starts using it after a few days of dating him. Because, well, he’s a wildcard! He can be sweet and kind, but he can also be cool and serious at times, and that’s one of the things she loves about him...
“Beau salaud” (Handsome bastard)
❥ She called him that a couple of times in her head, never out loud, when she was completely in denial that she loved him. She stopped doing it after she finally stopped denying her feelings... 🤭
Cater if he were to find that out about her: (/hj)
“Cater-pie”/“Cater-tot”
❥ This is when she wants to call him cute, but also doesn’t want to. Also finds him sweet as pie! Starts calling him that after a few weeks of dating. While it baffled him the first time, he got used to it eventually.
“My Diamond”
❥ She began calling him that after they were dating for a couple of months... It’s a pun of his last name, but also the gemstone itself. She thinks he’s shining brightly under a beautiful light whenever he smiles.
Just imagine this; her hugging him tight as they cuddle together, and just as she’s about to go to sleep, she says, “Good night, my Diamond~”
Needless to say, he was frozen in place at first and didn’t know how to respond, so he just quietly held her in his arms while she slept. Doesn’t mean he dislikes the nickname though! On the contrary, he absolutely loves it and even gives her kisses whenever she does that!!
Meet Payton and Quinn, the Split Rose future gen >:3 (although the picrew doesn’t really show it-)
[🔗]
Payton is 20, a street artist who loves to draw and listen to rock songs in his spare time. In other times, he either works as a waiter in a restaurant or looks for new inspirations online. He’s usually chill, doesn’t fuss about anything and can be a menace to his sister sometimes.
Quinn is 17, a Heartslabyul second year student with a knack for photography and endless love for her family. In every chance she gets, she takes a photo and shares it on Magicam. She’s upbeat, very cheery and can be the beacon of light to everyone she meets.
I actually did mention them here, but I feel like it’s time to get them out of the box :3c
A/N: The Split Rose confession fic some of you have been waiting for is finally here..! How are we feeling? :) (Also... *checks the word count* 8K WORDS... UMMM I THINK I OVERDID IT A BIT... 😳)
Character(s) In Fic: Riddle, Trey, Cater, Ace, Lilith, Renée, Dorothea, Matthew + Digit, Yuusuke, Manar (cameo), Cater’s sisters
It all started beautifully while the Ramshackle prefects came to another Unbirthday party. The sweet scent of cookies mixed with the relaxing tea enveloped the air as the students laughed and chatted with each other.
“Might I have one more cup of tea, Trey?” The dorm leader politely asked while chatting with Renée, one of the prefects that he was closer with.
“Of course, Riddle. Here you go.” The vice head replied with a smile as he poured the tea for him.
“Thank you.” He smiled and turned to her. “So, as I was saying…”
Little did anyone know, this was also the day that Cater had planned to confess his love for Renée. He had spent months carefully planning every detail of how he would tell her how he felt. But just as he was about to make his move, he received a phone call from his sisters.
“Caycay~! We miss you so much every day! Why aren’t you answering our calls?!” His oldest sister exclaimed in a worried tone.
Cater groaned inwardly and placed a hand over his head in frustration. He knew this would be a long conversation about how much they missed him and how worried they were. He gritted his teeth and waited for it to end, trying not to snap at his sisters. But then, his oldest sister dropped a bombshell.
“We’ll come visit you tomorrow so we can catch up with you! Who knows, maybe you have some juicy secrets about your school or class?” She said teasingly.
Cater’s eyes widened in panic. He couldn’t let his sisters visit him at school, especially not now when he was planning to confess to Renée. Before he could object, he heard the beeping sound indicating that his sister had hung up. He clenched his fists in frustration and walked out of the party, needing some space to think. As Renée noticed Riddle’s tense posture and figured that it would be off with Cater’s head, she gently tapped on his shoulder a few times. Her light touch caused him to flinch and turn towards her with a guarded expression.
“Riddle, may I use the restroom?” She whispered in a hushed tone, trying not to disturb the atmosphere of the party.
“Of course you may.” He replied, his voice strained and distant.
Without another word, she hurried off towards the dorms. But then she turned away to run after Cater, determined to catch up to her closest friend. As she approached him, she could see that he was sitting behind a bush far from the festivities, hugging his knees close to his chest.
“Caycay... Are you alright?” She asked, her voice gentle as she knelt down in front of him. She held her basket close to her chest and brushed a strand of hair from his face, gazing at him with concern in her kind eyes.
“LEAVE ME ALONE!” The ginger suddenly snapped, causing the girl to startle and take a step back. Her heart sank as she watched him tear up and continue to push her away. “I don’t wanna see anyone or anything, okay?!”
Renée took a deep breath and sighed, trying to remain calm despite his outburst. She knew all too well how he tended to isolate himself when he was upset.
“But if there is something bothering you, maybe you should try sharing it…” She suggested with a soft smile, reaching out to cup his cheeks in her hands and meet his gaze. “That’s what best friends do, non?”
“I... I need some time alone, Rennie... I’ll be fine, I promise.” He forced a smile onto his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes which were still filled with tears.
“Please, tell me! Maybe I can help!” Renée insisted with genuine curiosity shining in her eyes.
“You can’t this time.” Cater’s voice cracked as he spoke, his tears now falling freely. “Sometimes you can’t just make someone feel better.”
“But at least it would lift some weight off of your shoulders…” She pleaded, placing her hands on top of his in a comforting gesture.
“WHATEVER! LEAVE ME THE HECK ALONE!” He shouted in frustration, finally snapping under the weight of his emotions. “YOU CAN’T HELP ME! NO ONE CAN! I’LL BE FINE ON MY OWN, OKAY?!”
“I... understand.” Renée’s voice trembled slightly as she clenched her fists at her sides. “I think I’ll come back another time…”
As Cater watched her walk away with tears in her eyes, he felt a pang of regret and guilt wash over him. He couldn’t even find the words to apologize or chase after her, feeling numb from hurting the last person he ever wanted to hurt. Slowly, he sank down onto the ground and buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. It wasn’t until she was long gone that he realized it was none other than Renée herself - the kind and caring prefect who occupied his thoughts - who he had just yelled and pushed away. He felt like someone had slapped him in the face as the enormity of his actions sunk in.
He had messed up, big time.
“Renée!” He heard Trey go after her, concerned as always.
Feeling a wave of guilt wash over him, he frantically searched for her in the crowd, hoping against hope that she was still waiting for him like she always did. But his gaze fell upon an empty space where she had been standing, and he knew she was gone. A shaky sigh escaped his lips as he raised trembling hands to cover his tear-stained face and muffled sobs.
Collapsing to his knees, he whispered in anguish.
“What have I done?”
Slowly, he managed to compose himself and stumbled away from the party, heading towards his room. With a slam of the door and a firm lock, he shut out the noise and chaos outside. His phone lay on the bedside table, and as he scrolled through his contacts, his eyes fell upon a familiar name: ‘Rennie 🤍’. Without hesitation, he dialed the number and waited anxiously for her.
The shrill ring of Renée’s cell phone cut through the air, breaking her from her tearful thoughts. Lilith sat by her side, offering comfort while she cried.
“If he does, I’ll personally go to Heartslabyul and give him a piece of my mind,” Lilith declared, brushing her hair back. “No one makes my bestie cry.”
“Who could be calling now..?” Renée sighed, grabbed her phone away with her trembling hands. She saw the name ‘Caycay 🧡♦️’ flashing on the screen and hesitated before answering.
“Do you think I should pick up, Lily? He might just scold me again…”
Renée managed a small smile at her friend’s fierce loyalty. “You always say you’d do anything for me.”
“And I mean it, darling,” Lilith replied, braiding Renée’s hair with practiced ease. “Anyone who hurts you will have to answer to me.”
Renée pressed the answer button and put the call on speaker, with Lilith still by her side.
“Are you okay, Rennie?” Cater’s voice came through hesitantly. “I’m so sorry for snapping at you earlier. I was just stressed about my sisters coming to visit tomorrow and, well, I didn’t want them to embarrass me.”
“I’m fine,” Renée sniffled as Lilith rubbed her shoulder soothingly.
Cater let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “I’m glad you’re okay,” he said sincerely. “And I’m sorry for taking my stress out on you. It wasn’t right.”
Cater's heart swelled at her forgiveness and concern.
There was a moment of silence before Renée spoke up again.
“It’s okay,” She said softly. “I know you didn’t mean it. You’ve been under a lot of pressure with your studies and the chaos of Heartslabyul, and I understand that. But please remember, you don’t have to face it all alone. You have people who care about you, like me.”
“Thank you, Renée,” He said gratefully. “I care about you too. More than you know.”
“I’m glad,” Renée replied, a small smile forming on her lips as her hair curled into little hearts. Lilith smirked at the interaction from her spot next to Renée.
Cater’s worries melted away at her words, replaced by a newfound hope and a warm feeling in his chest. And then, an idea struck him.
“Actually Renée,” he began, twirling a strand of his hair nervously. “Can you come back to Heartslabyul? There’s something really important I need to tell you.”
Lilith gasped and grabbed Renée’s shoulders, shaking her excitedly while whispering “Say yes! Say yes!!” in her other ear. Renée’s smile grew even wider, oblivious to the fact that the boy on the other side of the call was smiling too.
“I.. I can!” She exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. “I mean, of course I can. Why wouldn’t I be able to? Ahahaha…”
The red-headed boy chuckled at her adorable excitement, unable to deny how infectious it was. “Okay then, I’ll be waiting for you~♪” He said while propping himself up on his bed. But before he could say anything else, a knock on his door interrupted them. He recognized the voice as the vice leader of the dorm, Trey.
“Cater, it’s me. Are you alright?” His concerned voice came from the other side of the door.
“Goodbye for now…” Cater said after a few seconds to Renée before hanging up the phone. He quickly fixed his disheveled hair and made his way to the door, not wanting Trey to see him in such a vulnerable state.
Opening the door, he was met with Trey’s worried expression. Cater forced a smile onto his face, not wanting to worry his friend.
“I’m alright Trey,” he replied nonchalantly. “Just a little overwhelmed with everything that's been going on lately.”
Trey raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced by Cater’s response. After all, they had been dormmates for two years and Trey knew Cater better than anyone else (or so he thought).
“You know you can always talk to me, right?” Trey said softly, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. “I’m here for you if you need anything.”
Cater waved off Trey’s concern with a dismissive hand. “Of course I know that Trey! But for now, I gotta get ready for something~”
“The unbirthday party is still going on. Riddle will be upset if you leave.” Trey reminded him.
Cater’s smirk grew wider. “Who said anything about leaving the party? She’s coming back here!”
“That’s good.” Trey replied before making his way towards the door. “I should probably head back to the party too. Riddle must be looking for me.”
“Bye-bye☆!” Cater called after him with a playful wave as the door closed behind Trey. He quickly fixed his clothes and makeup, which had smudged from his earlier tears, and then headed out to meet Renée at the gate outside.
After the call ended, Lilith’s face was lit up with excitement and a mischievous glint in her eyes as she turned to Renée.
“Why were you so nervous, Rennie? Did the cat get your tongue or something?”
Renée’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she nervously played with a strand of her hair. The rest of her hair took on a life of its own, forming heart shapes that showed her true emotions.
“Come on, just admit it... You really like him~” Lilith teased while trying to brush out the tangles in Renée’s now unruly hair.
In response, Renée covered her face and let out an audible squeal, causing Dorothea, who was passing by their room, to stop and check on them.
“What’s going on, girls?” She asked, concerned for their wellbeing.
“This girl just made up with her crush,” Lilith announced proudly, pointing at Renée while hugging her from behind, “And now they’re going to meet at the Heartslabyul again!”
“Aha! That’s wonderful news!" Dorothea exclaimed. “But if you’re going to meet Cater right now, you’ll have to wear something that will stun him!”
“I-I’m perfectly fine with what I’m wearing,” Renée protested, avoiding eye contact.
Dorothea sat down next to Renée and inspected her outfit closely. “This dress looks extremely uncomfortable. The fabric feels rough like sandpaper and the laces and frills are poorly made. And what’s with the chains around the waist? They look completely out of place. Not to mention the little skulls on the ends of the skirt... Please tell me where you bought this so we can avoid any similar disasters in the future."
Lilith nodded in agreement and turned to Dorothea, who was now standing in front of them.
“Is there anything you could lend us, Dorothea? Maybe some clothes we could borrow?” Lilith asked while quickly putting Renée’s hair into a ponytail.
“You two are in luck! I just finished sewing some new outfits and I’ve been dying for someone to try them on.” Dorothea beamed with excitement as she knelt down next to Renée, who was still in shock. “...I’m sure it would feel much better if we took off that dress. Is it uncomfortable?”
Renée merely nodded and pointed to the zipper on her back.
“Lilith, could you please unzip it for me?” She asked, her voice soft and timid.
The girl simply sighed and shook her head, then did as she was told. Dorothea then carefully took off the tight dress with a bit of help and looked at her again.
“This dress wasn’t the best choice for you.” She pouted, examining the red welts on Renée’s back. “But don’t worry, I have some cream in my bag to soothe the rashes.”
She disappeared into her room and reappeared with a cream-colored sweater, a bright red skirt, black pantyhose, and a pair of heels. Carefully, she rubbed the cream onto Renée’s irritated skin and handed her a loose shirt to wear.
“Feeling better now?” Dorothea asked as she sat down next to the duo.
Renée rolled her eyes and replied meekly, “I.. really don’t have a say in this, do I?”
Lilith laughed and hugged Renée from behind. “Don’t worry, save your energy for when you see yourself in the final outfit~”
“Lilith, I swear…” Dorothea shook her head and lifted Renée’s chin to examine her face. “At least your skin looks good, thanks to the skincare products I got for you. No pimples or acne in sight.”
Renée looked away and sighed.
“I think I’ll just go back to the Unbirthday party,” She said while hugging her knees. “I don’t really need to make a statement by ‘stunning’ him.”
The other girls giggled at her response.
“Oh Rennie, you have so much to learn…” Lilith smirked and let go of her.
After they finished getting ready, Renée couldn’t help but stare at herself in the mirror for a moment, contemplating their choice of outfit for her.
“So… do you like it?” Dorothea asked with a smile.
“I have no idea what to say,” Renée replied awkwardly, rubbing her shoulder. “Thank you… I think?”
“You’re welcome~!” Dorothea hugged her tightly before Lilith interrupted.
“Come on, girls, let’s not dawdle,” she sighed. “We don’t want Renée to be late for the Unbirthday party.”
“Way to kill the mood, Lily,” Dorothea pouted, but then smiled again as she hugged Renée carefully.
As they left the room to head to Heartslabyul, Renée couldn’t help feeling a bit embarrassed about leaving the party without telling anyone. She didn’t want Cater, her best friend that became a possible romantic crush, to get in trouble for her sudden departure. She had always hated the idea of him facing consequences because of her.
Renée made her way downstairs, where Grim was chowing down on yet another can of tuna. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t resist picking him up and giving him a kiss on his furry head.
“What are you doing, henchwoman?!” Grim grumbled.
“Just showing you some love,” Renée grinned before setting him back down and heading out.
“What’s going on with Renée today?” Yuusuke asked, his fluffy tails covering Manar like a blanket as she slept on his lap. “Her aura feels different...brighter than usual.”
“I noticed that too,” Sakae chimed in while filing her nails. “I guess this is what being in love does to you?”
“Says the one dating a certain hyena,” Lilith teased with a smirk. “But speaking of love lives, how are things going with Ruggie?”
“They’re good,” Sakae replied with a grin. “But what about you? How are things with Rookie~?”
“As perfect as they could be.” Lilith replied, twirling a strand of black hair between her fingers.
The sudden blaring of the robot's alarm startled Renée, as it announced in a robotic voice: “BEEP-BEEP! ABNORMAL HEART RATE DETECTED! COMMENCING PROTOCOL: SAFEUP!” The little robot, named Digit, hurried over to Renée and began scanning her with precision and speed.
Startled and concerned, Matthew rushed over and shouted for Digit to stop. But before he could reach them, the scan was complete and Digit’s screen face displayed the results.
With a stunned expression, Renée knelt down to pick up Digit and allow him to finish his analysis. As the robot completed its scan, it announced in a cheerful tone: “Beep-beep! Scan complete!” And on its small screen, the results were displayed:
Body temperature: 36.5 °C
Heart rate: 78 BPM
Possible Diagnosis: Feeling high levels of happiness, being surrounded by loved ones, being in love.
A warm blush spread across Renée’s cheeks as she picked up her bag and left the room. The diagnosis from Digit only confirmed what she already knew - being with those she loved brought her joy and contentment. As she stepped outside, she couldn’t help but smile at the warmth in her chest that seemed to radiate outwards. She was grateful for this moment of pure happiness.
Cater’s footsteps echoed against the polished floors as he made his way to the grand entrance of the party. But he abruptly halted in his tracks when his eyes fell upon Riddle walking towards him with determined strides. Anticipating conflict, Cater took a deep breath and steeled his nerves for whatever was about to come.
“Yo, Riddle!” He greeted with his usual charming smile, though there was a hint of nervousness in his voice. “How’s it going?”
“I’ve been looking for you, Cater.” Riddle replied calmly, his gaze piercing and unwavering. “Do you happen to know why Renée left the party early? It’s unlike her to leave this early. She would usually stay until the very end and help us with cleaning up.”
Cater’s smile faltered a bit as he shifted on his feet, avoiding eye contact. “Uh, well... I’m not sure. Maybe she heard something upsetting…”
“I highly doubt that,” Riddle interjected sharply, his tone laced with frustration. “If something had bothered her, she would have told me directly. And if anyone from Heartslabyul dorm is responsible, it will be off with their head…”
Cater couldn’t help but think that Riddle’s protective nature over Renée stemmed from their close relationship. He nervously played with the collar of his shirt as he mentally scolded himself for causing trouble within the dorm.
“I’ll go check on her,” Riddle declared, snapping Cater out of his thoughts and causing him to widen his eyes in surprise.
“N-No need for that.” Cater stuttered out, offering a weak smile. “I-I mean, Renée and I usually have heart-to-hearts when she’s feeling down and I could talk to her about it later... I think she’ll let us know what’s wrong once she feels better.”
Riddle pondered this for a moment before nodding in agreement. “That would be ideal, Cater,” He replied in satisfaction before turning to walk away. “And she seems more comfortable enough with you to open up.”
Cater let out a sigh of relief once Riddle was out of sight, his smile slowly fading into a blank expression as he made his way back to the entrance. Pulling out his phone, he absentmindedly scrolled through social media feeds on the Magicam app, trying to distract himself from the tense encounter with Riddle.
His fingers tapped on the phone screen, his eyes scanning the posts without really registering them. He caught glimpses of vibrant images and cheerful captions, but it all felt distant and unimportant compared to his concern for Renée. With a sigh, he pocketed his phone and made his way towards the Heartslabyul gate. The sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow across the dorm. As he walked, memories of his interactions with Renée flooded his mind.
As he first laid eyes on her, she was perched in the garden, her body curled in on itself as she cried. His ears caught the faint sound of quiet sobs coming from the bushes, and his instinct to check on whoever was in distress brought him closer to her. As she lifted her head, streaked with tears, she quickly covered her face.
“Don’t look, I’m hideous!” She yelled at him.
In that moment, she seemed scared, confused, and utterly horrified. As he knelt down in front of her and gently wiped away her tears, he finally got a good look at her - a cute girl he had never seen before. His eyes widened as he realized that she was a student at Night Raven College, an all-boys school for elite mages for decades. ‘She’s not only cute but also brave,’ he thought to himself, impressed by her willingness to open up to him even in such a vulnerable state.
He remembered how they had sat next to each other and talked until she felt better back then. And then there were the moments during and after the Halloween party where she had shown even more vulnerable sides of herself. Each time, he couldn’t help but feel drawn to her, wanting to protect and comfort her.
It wasn’t long before she started calling him her friend - something that wasn’t new for someone like him who had left behind many friends throughout his life. However, this friendship felt different. The thought of leaving her alone when she would eventually have to return to her own world hurt him more than any other goodbye. Her smiling face, calling him her friend without any hesitation or reservations, touched him deeply.
But as much as being around her made him feel at ease and happy, it also made him tense. She could easily see through his smiles and put on masks to hide his true self - something that no one else had been able to do before. He had never shown the real “Cater” to anyone, and the fact that she could see through his facade made him feel both vulnerable and apprehensive.
Yet, when he heard her genuine laughter and saw her actual smile, it was like a beautiful, magical scenery that took his breath away. And yet, he still wasn’t sure if she would accept him for who he truly was underneath all the masks and walls he had built around himself.
On the annual Beans Day festival, when he was teamed up with Jade, Grim, and of course Renée, Cater couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy at the thought of spending more time with her. Despite the chaos and messiness of the bean-shooting festival, he found himself grateful for the opportunity to bond with her.
As they ran through the fields, dodging beans and laughing together, Renée mustered up the courage to ask him something she had been wanting to for a while.
“After Beans Day ends... Please teach me how to use Magicam!” She blurted out, her heart racing with nervousness.
The way Renée’s eyes lit up with a bright smile made him smile back without even realizing it. He remembered instinctively pulling her closer by the waist as a bean flew towards them, causing her to yelp and jump back into his chest. In that moment, he felt an overwhelming desire to protect her.
“You’re quick on your feet.” He teased, grinning at her.
She turned away for a brief moment to shoot a student from Monster Team before turning back to face him.
“I want you to be the one to teach me because I trust you.” She said earnestly, her smile mirroring the one she had given him once before.
Cater couldn’t resist returning her embrace, holding her tightly as he promised, “Okay, Caycay’s got you!”
Her happy giggle echoed through the field as she hugged him back tightly. In that moment, surrounded by flying beans and playful laughter, Cater couldn’t imagine anything better than being in Renée’s arms.
As he reminisced about the past, he remembered the time when he first taught her how to use Magicam. She had eagerly shared pictures of her and Grim with him, along with other members of their Ramshackle group. However, he couldn’t help but notice that she rarely showed her face in these photos. When she did, it was either partially covered with her hands or only her mouth or eyes were visible. Despite this, he always knew it was her behind the camera lens. As time went on, her account evolved into a music page where she shared weekly song covers and her own original pieces. He kept this secret to himself, but secretly felt exhilarated every time he heard her singing. Even though she often wore a goat mask in her videos, those who knew her well could still recognize her unique voice and style.
One day, as he was scrolling through his feed, a new video from her music page caught his attention. The thumbnail displayed the corner of a mask, titled “Imperfect Perfection”, but something about it seemed different this time. Intrigued, he clicked on the video and watched as it began to play.
The screen faded in to reveal a dimly lit room, adorned with shelves filled with dusty books and mysterious trinkets. There she stood, clad in a long flowing cloak that billowed around her. But what struck him the most was the absence of her usual mask. Her face was exposed for the first time, revealing delicate features that had been hidden all this time. She smiled and bowed to the camera, then spoke.
“Hello everyone, this is Ghostie… with my real face. I wanted to show it, because I felt like there was no need to hide my face anymore… The song I’ll sing today is a bit more different than the kind of songs I usually sing. Thanks for listening to it in advance.”
With that, she started to sing. Her ethereal voice filled the room as she started singing an enchanting melody, accompanied by gentle strums of her guitar. It was as if her voice held a spellbinding power, captivating him and whisking him away to another world.
The lyrics spoke of longing for love and self-discovery, carrying a vulnerable yet empowering tone. As he listened, he realized that her music was more than just entertainment; it was a reflection of her innermost thoughts and feelings.
As he went to his phone’s gallery, his eyes caught his favorite selfie from Al’ab Nariya; the selfie of just the two of them holding hands while the fireworks were going off. They were making a heart with their hands in the picture, and the pure joy on her face was priceless. Ah yes—she did mention that she hadn’t seen any fireworks in her life before, right? When she saw them for the first time, she gasped in awe. Then she calmed down and sat down next to him. He remembered how her eyes sparkled with excitement when he noticed her face brightening up. She looked like a little girl seeing them for the first time. He clicked on the picture and remembered her comment from when he posted it. As always, she was the first to like and comment on his posts.
@ghostdanceeeer: We do look pretty cute here, don’t we? ❤️
Recalling these made him smile as well because only in these moments did she ever show that beautiful smile of hers, which he liked. Then he looked at his left wrist which had a friendship bracelet that she gave him. It had orange and yellow beads that resembled a sunset, and a diamond shaped charm in the middle. Although it hung a little loose, he wore it almost every day.
Despite not being in the Light Music Club before, she dropped by to give them snacks and hung out with them almost every day. Her head was usually on his shoulder when she felt tired from all the talking. He could see that she could only keep up with Lilia and Kalim’s energy for so long. He remembered that she told him she knew how to play classic guitar and that she used to have one back in her home. This was the exact reason why Lilia gave her a guitar that she chose, so that she could play it in here too. She had also said she wrote songs before and would be happy to write some for their club. The first song she wrote, however, was their duet; a bittersweet song named “Listen To Me”. He leaned on the wall for a moment and mumbled his part of the bridge.
“Between the mirrors and I,
Remains a person who often lies.
Listen to me and my heart,
Because I don’t wanna fall apart.”
Now that he thought about these thoroughly, she had always been there for him, lending a listening ear and a comforting presence whenever he needed it. Her gentle smile could brighten even the darkest of his days. He cherished their friendship more than anything. But lately, as their bond grew stronger, Cater found himself questioning if there was something more between them. The stolen glances, the lingering touches—it all hinted at a deeper connection. Yet fear held him back from confessing his feelings. What if he ruins their friendship? What if she doesn’t feel the same way?
Lost in his thoughts, Cater didn’t hear the approach of a familiar figure—the prefect who always radiated with energy. Dorothea’s borrowed outfit accentuated her graceful movements as she closed the distance between them.
“Have you been waiting long?” She asked politely, her voice like a soft summer breeze.
He walked towards her, stopping just inches away. They stood in silence for a moment, neither daring to speak. He took a step closer and embraced her tightly. In response, she hugged him back, stroking his head gently.
“Caycay, what's wrong?” She asked, looking at him with concern.
He didn’t say anything, holding onto her even tighter, earning a sigh from her lips.
“I’m here.” She turned around and kissed his cheek lovingly.
“I’m sorry.” He spoke slowly and quietly. “I’m so sorry, Renée.”
“I forgive you.” She replied, kissing his cheek again before rubbing his back to soothe him as he silently cried. A sense of déjà vu washed over him - usually it was him comforting her and listening to her worries. As he let go of her for a moment and looked into her eyes with tear-stained cheeks, he finally mustered up the courage to speak.
“Renée.” His voice shook with emotion.
“I’m listening,” She said softly, caressing his cheek as she always did, causing his heart to skip a beat.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you this, but I didn’t know how or when... I was scared of rejection... You always say you value honesty above all else but... Argh!” His frustration was evident as he struggled to find the right words.
Perplexed, she tilted her head and listened intently.
“How do I say this... You’ve always listened to me, supported me with open arms. You never let me down and... Since you came into my life, everything feels more vibrant. I find myself smiling at the thought of you. You’ve become a constant in my thoughts and I can’t even find the right words... I love you, okay?! I love you so much!” He blurted out, finally unable to contain his feelings any longer.
“Cater…”
By the time he finished speaking, he was breathless and his face flushed with embarrassment.
“Do you feel the same way?”
Her hair began to form heart shapes once again as she stood there in shock.
“...”
Suddenly, Renée pulled him closer and kissed him gently. Pulling away for just a moment, she cupped his cheeks in her hands.
“You showed me a new way of seeing things... Made me feel emotions I never knew existed... You never pushed me away or insulted me. With you, time seems to slow down. My heart races whenever I see you. Talking to you brings me true happiness. Even now, I can’t stop smiling... You are the first person who has ever made me feel this way... Is that your answer, chér?” She spoke softly, her eyes shining with emotion.
A warm smile spread across Cater’s face as he brushed her hair out of the way.
“It is.”
He hugged her tightly.
“I’m so glad…”
She returned his embrace with a gentle smile.
“And one more thing, Cater.” She began before pulling away slightly.
“Yes?”
Leaning in close once again, she whispered.
“I’m in love with you - whether you’re the serious Cater or the cheerful and vibrant Cater... I love you nonetheless.”
Cater’s breath caught in his throat but he remained calm on the surface.
“Ahahaha... Thank you~” He held her close until they were interrupted by a familiar first-year student’s sudden exclamation.
“Eww! Get a room, you two!” The prefect jumped away in surprise while Cater simply held onto her with a fond smile.
Renée’s face flushed with embarrassment as she yelled out “Ace!” in a huff. Her words were accompanied by the sound of her stamping foot, the frustration evident in her voice. “Don’t you know not to interrupt when two people are talking?!”
“Eh?!” Ace responded incredulously, his own cheeks turning pink with annoyance. “Since when is this my fault?! You two are the ones openly flirting in public!”
Cater intervened, trying to diffuse the tension between the two friends.
“Now now, let’s not fight.” He said calmly, before leaning over to plant a loud kiss on Renée’s cheek. He gave Ace a smug look and made a loud smooching sound, causing the first year to gag and walk away in defeat.
As the sun rose on the following day, Cater found himself preoccupied with his sisters’ company. They walked side by side, their steps falling into a rhythm as they made their way through the bustling garden.
“Sooooo… How’s life going?” His elder sister inquired, breaking the comfortable silence between them.
“It's going great, sis..” He replied flatly, gazing off into the distance.
His older sister pouted and nudged him playfully.
“Oh come on, don’t be such a downer!” She exclaimed. “We worry about our little brother, you know?!”
Cater let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
“Of course I do.” He reassured them. “But you two didn’t have to come all this way just to check up on me.”
“Wait...” His elder sister paused, her eyes trained on a figure with long brown hair who stood at a nearby window, watching the people passing by. “Isn’t that the super cute girl I see from your Magicam posts?!” Her excitement was palpable.
Cater’s gaze followed hers and he felt his heart skip a beat when he recognized the familiar prefect - the one he had been in love with for what seemed like forever. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her.
“Yes, she’s my girlfriend.” He announced proudly, unable to contain his joy as his cheeks turned pink.
His sisters stared at him in disbelief, their jaws dropping open in shock.
“YOUR GIRLFRIEND?!” They both shouted simultaneously.
“OH. EM. GEE. Cater, you little sneak!” His older sister exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. “You really snagged yourself a cutie pie!”
Cater blushed even more at their enthusiastic reactions and nervously rubbed the back of his neck.
“Oh, she’s totes a cutie!” His sister continued with an excited gleam in her eye. “She’s, like, TOTALLY a Libra I tell you!”
“Actually, I think she may be a Taurus… Giving off some serious Sagittarius vibes, honestly.” The elder sister chimed in, pulling out her phone. “Hold on, let me see if you two are a match.”
As they chattered on about Renée’s zodiac sign and compatibility with Cater, their attention was suddenly drawn back to the window where the prefect had been standing just moments before. But now, she was gone.
“Awwh, she’s gone...” His elder sister's shoulders slumped in disappointment.
“See? I told you she doesn’t like strangers,” Cater remarked nonchalantly, twirling a lock of hair around his finger. “You guys, honestly…”
But then…
“For the record, I’m a Gemini, and my birthday is May 26th.” Came a voice from behind them.
The sisters jumped back in surprise and turned to face the source of the voice - Renée herself. She smiled warmly at them before continuing, “By the way, my name is Renée. And I must say, the attractiveness clearly runs in your family. How else would I have immediately known you two were Cater’s sisters?”
The sisters couldn’t help but blush in response to Renée’s charms.
“Oh, you’re such a little charmer~” The older sister chimed in, giggling.
“Yeah, you totally look like a cute little bunny!” The elder sister beamed.
“Thanks for the compliments, but I already have my heart set on your brother.” Renée playfully smiled as she hugged Cater's arm and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Aww, come on babe…” He elbowed her lightly, his eyebrows furrowed as he blushed even deeper.
“What? Can’t I compliment your gorgeous sisters?” She grinned mischievously, her hair forming heart shapes as she showered Cater’s face with kisses.
“Babe~!” He grumbled, resting his head on hers.
“I hope you know you’re the one I love the most, my darling~” She replied sweetly, snuggling against his chest.
“Oooooh! Look at these lovebirds, being all cute!” The elder sister teased them while giggling with her sibling.
“I may look cute, but I bite too~” Renée turned back to them with a playful glint in her eye.
“No doubt about that.” Cater rolled his eyes and held her by the waist.
“Soooo…” His older sibling interrupted them, a mischievous glint in their eye. “Sorry to butt in, but I just remembered that a prefect was supposed to give us a small tour around the campus… I don’t see anyone coming though. Do you think I could, like, ask someone?”
“I-I’m sorry, I forgot to mention that I’m the prefect who was supposed to give you the tour…” She sheepishly admitted, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
Suddenly, both siblings let out a loud squeal of excitement as Cater’s shoulders slumped.
“Well well well, it looks like we have ourselves an adorable school guide now.” The elder sister teased playfully.
A shy smile tugged at Renée’s lips as she blushed under their praise.
“That’s right~” The older sister chimed in with a wink. “Such an adorable cutie pie~ Our brother is really lucky to have you!”
Renée couldn’t help but cover her face briefly and let out a soft sigh.
“I-I prefer to be addressed as ‘Prefect’, if that’s okay…” She protested meekly.
“Oh come on Rennie, loosen up a bit!” The older sister giggled and affectionately patted her head.
“Ahem! …Shall we begin the tour then?” Renée asked with a slight blush still lingering on her cheeks as she took Cater’s hand in hers.
“Yes please!” They both replied eagerly.
“Then please follow me, I’ll share with you what I know about the history of our school. At least from my own experiences and learnings.” She beamed with excitement and gave them a playful wink.
As they walked along, Cater leaned in close to her ear and whispered teasingly.
“So you like being praised too, huh? I'll definitely remember that~” He said with a playful grin and lightly kissed her head as they walked.
“S-shut up!” She replied with a light push, causing him to laugh and intertwine their fingers as they continued on with the tour.
“Our first destination is Main Street and over there is the Queen of Hearts statue. It’s said that the dorm, Heartslabyul, was inspired by her strictness.” She explained proudly as they reached their first stop on the tour.
With a gentle smile, Renée led the Diamond sisters through the halls of the dorms, pointing out each one and sharing stories of the students who resided in them. She spoke with admiration and pride, highlighting their talents and achievements.
As the day came to a close and the sisters prepared to leave, Renée hugged them goodbye before making her way to Cater’s waiting arms. She leaned into him, seeking comfort and warmth.
“Cater…” She murmured, her head still throbbing from the busy day. “I just want to rest.”
“I understand how you feel...” He replied softly, wrapping his arms around her.
She sighed in defeat. “You did warn me about your sisters’ enthusiasm.”
Cater chuckled. “Why don’t we have a sleepover at Heartslabyul tonight? It might help you relax.”
Renée hesitated, but his playful wink convinced her. “If you’re comfortable with it…”
“We can watch movies, maybe some funny videos too.” He suggested. “Just let loose for a night.”
“That does sound enticing.” She admitted, leaning more heavily against him. “And I could maybe bring some snacks to share?”
Cater beamed. “It’s settled then. Sleepover at Heartslabyul!”
The thought of spending the night surrounded by their friends and laughter brought a small smile to Renée’s face as they made their way to the dorm. This would be a much-needed break from her stressful responsibilities as one of the prefects.
Snuggled up close to each other, the couple was now laying on a comfortable bed while watching a romantic comedy movie. The room was dark and quiet except for the sound of their hushed whispers and the gentle crunching of popcorn in their mouths. They were careful to keep the volume low and use earphones so as not to disturb anyone else in the house. It was late at night, and they knew that there would be consequences if they were caught sneaking this intimate moment.
Cater wrapped an arm around Renée’s waist, pulling her closer as they both laughed at the funny scenes playing out on the screen. She rested her head against his shoulder, finding comfort in his warm embrace.
As the movie came to an end, Cater paused it and set his phone aside. He then wrapped them both in a cozy blanket before holding her in his arms. A content smile spread across his face as he looked down at her.
“Are you getting sleepy?” He asked, brushing her messy bangs away from her face and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
Renée nodded, snuggling deeper into his chest.
“Just a little bit.” She murmured.
“Then let’s sleep, my spicy nuggie.” He said playfully, using one of their silly nicknames for each other.
With a happy sigh, Renée closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax in his arms. This was their first time spending the night together, and she couldn’t help but feel grateful for this special moment they were sharing.
“It was such a fun night.” Cater whispered, breaking the peaceful silence between them. “I’m glad we got to do this~”
Renée smiled behind the diamond-shaped plush she had been hiding her face with. She turned to look at him and nodded. “It was unforgettable... And it’s also my first time staying over at someone’s place.”
Her boyfriend’s eyes lit up with excitement as he spoke. “Well, we can definitely do this again. And next time, let’s go to that cafe I’ve been wanting to take you to. It’s full of cats, and I know how much you love them.”
“A cat cafe?!” Renée’s face lit up with delight. “I would really love to! ...B-but for now, let’s get some sleep.” She said with a yawn, snuggling back into his chest.
Cater smiled and held her closer, knowing that they would have many more adventures and cozy moments like this in the future. For now, he was content just being with her in the peaceful embrace of sleep.
..
….
……
Cater checked his phone, the bright screen illuminating the dark room. It was almost two a.m, yet he found himself scrolling through Magicam for a few minutes before setting his phone down on the counter. He turned to look at his girlfriend who had already fallen asleep. Her soft breathing and peaceful expression made him smile.
“You sure fall asleep fast, Rennie…” He whispered, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
He closed his eyes for a moment, taking in the silence of the room. His thoughts drifted back to earlier that day when they had spent time with his sisters. He knew how exhausting it must have been for Renée to deal with them, but they seemed to like her.
He let out a sigh, his smile slowly fading as his mind wandered to deeper thoughts.
“Hey, Renée... You might not hear this but, being the youngest of three is tough. You're always dragged around, expected to be cute and perfect all the time. You bear all the pressure and get nothing in return…”
A lone tear escaped from the corner of his eye and landed on the pillow.
“And you never have any real friends… Always leaving someone behind. Even saying goodbye feels like a farewell… When you think you’ve finally found true friends, your dad tells you that you’re moving somewhere else. You feel empty inside, but you can’t show it or else people will worry about you. So you smile and laugh, but it’s not genuine. You make friends, but they don’t last long..”
He sniffled and wiped away another tear.
“But ever since I met you, it feels different. I feel genuinely appreciated. Even when I try to hide my true self with jokes and laughs, you somehow see through me… I can see it in your eyes when I let even the slightest bit of vulnerability show. I’m afraid of losing you, you know?! I know you’ll have to go back to your own world someday, but I don’t want to lose you... I love you so much and I don’t want you to leave..!” His voice cracked as he spoke.
He bit his lip, more tears falling freely now.
“But I know that your world is your home... I can’t hold you back from going back there…”
Suddenly, a hand touched his cheek. He flinched in surprise, not expecting her to be awake. But she just smiled at him.
“I’m not planning on leaving this world though…” She replied softly, “I want to stay here, in Twisted Wonderland.”
His eyes widened in shock and horror. He had let his guard down, thinking she was asleep. The girl simply smiled at him.
“What?!” He exclaimed, “But it’s your home..!”
She shook her head.
“I can’t go back even if I wanted to… Have you forgotten about the mark on my throat?” She lifted her chin and brushed away her hair, revealing an olive branch-shaped mark. It was a little long but distinct, like a slash.
His heart sank as he realized what it meant.
“N-no way..! This means you’re already...” He couldn't even finish his sentence.
They both fell silent for a moment, the weight of the realization heavy between them.
“Yes…” Renée finally spoke, giving him a bittersweet smile, “You’re right...”
He bit his lips, conflicted emotions swirling inside him. She was staying with him in this world, but she was also unable to return to her own. He looked down, unsure of what to say or do next.
But he heard the bed rustle, a soft sound that stirred him from his thoughts. He turned to see Renée sitting up, her hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. She looked at him with such tenderness in her eyes, a sparkle that he hadn’t seen before. Her gaze was gentle, accepting even, as if she knew exactly what was going through his mind.
“...Who cares if you aren’t as cheerful as you seem to be?” She said softly, her voice like a gentle caress. “Cheerful or not, you are still the same Cater Diamond I know and love. I don’t mind it at all. Also... I think I personally like your cool side a bit more.” A faint smile graced her lips as she gazed at him.
“You…” His voice trailed off as she leaned in to kiss him. It was a gentle kiss, filled with all the love and understanding that words could never convey. She made sure she poured all her emotions and feelings in it.
“I love all of your sides.” She murmured against his lips, “...even if you don’t always show your true self.”
Though it may have seemed like nothing had changed, something had shifted inside of Cater. A weight he didn’t even realize he was carrying had been lifted. And now, with Renée’s arms around him and her head pressed against his chest, he felt more comfortable than he ever had before.
“I love you.” He whispered into her hair, tears streaming silently down his cheeks.
“I love you too, mon très chér Cater.” She replied, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
With that, they fell asleep in each other’s arms, wrapped in a cocoon of love without any borders.
