Twisted Wonderland x reader
CHARACTERS: Trey Clover, Ruggie Bucchi, Malleus Draconia
summary: the boys start catching feelings, at least they think so... (yes those are their favorite foods)
Arranging multiple teaparties in a week is no simple feat, especially when following all the queen's rules. He's been stuck in the Heartslabyul kitchen since the early Saturday morning seeped into his window, instructing his underclassmen on garden preparations, correcting them whenever they forget a rule or two, making sure Riddle doesn't blow a fuse, all while maintaining a time effecient schedule.
You were only hoping to return Deuce's notes, and Ace's playing cards, but curiousity and the smell of freshly baked pastry drew you to a green haired, too busy whipping merengue, glasses almost sliding off Trey. He didn't even notice you approaching as his eyes kept drifting from the recipe to the various ingredients on his island.
"Whatcha workin' on?" your voice breaking his focus finally acknowleging your presence making eye contact, although his hands kept working, piping the white cream to top the pies and tarts. "Sorry [---], I would get some tea for you, but I'm a little occupied..." his voice giving out a nervous and tired chuckle as he turns his back on you, pulling baked goods out the oven. "It's fine, I just came here to return Ace and Deuce's things that they left at Ramshackle" Looking over at his lists and instuctions that he'd been following as well as his supply of eggs, sugar, flour, and other necessities involved in baking, you decided not to bother him any further.
"Try not to tire yourself out!" You teased, head peeking outside the frame just enough to see your grin "I've handled worse, trust me I got this" he returned your grin with one of his own, confident in his capabilities. And after all his hard work, there was only one cake left to bake, and to his horror, he'd completely used up all his ingredients.
There wasn't exactly enough time to run to the store and get what he needed, besides getting the huge cake baked, it still needed to be cooled and decorated. Maybe he can subtitute using another dessert? something that doesn't take up as much time like the cake, even if Riddle demands a thorough explaination later it's the best course of action right no—
"Hey Trey-senpai, [---] said to give you these"
"Must be a lot of stuff ya gotta bake, or something really big"
Ace and Deuce hauled paper bags of exactly what he needed, bickering while exiting the kitchen after he thanked them both.
Placing all the batter filled tin and setting a timer while closing the oven door, he could at long last take a breather. Cleaning up his mess in the kitchen, he was about to fold the paper bags and dispose of them, however he still felt something inside. Pulling out a metal tin with a note "I know you're tired! >:( " He chuckled softly, lifting the lid open, to see an array of vegetable and protein neatly arranged as a cute face on his rice made with seaweed paper surprised him.
His eyes softened and heart slightly ached at the sight, grateful you noticed his supply lacking and got more, though he had no idea how you achieved such considering how stingy the headmage was regarding your allowance, not to mention that you had to constantly repair the dying state of your dorm, just the thought of the troubles made it all the more meaningful to him.
So used to taking care of others that he's caught off guard when others do the same to him, but honestly, he felt that only you would go out of your way and do so much for his sake, which only made his want to be closer to you deepen.
Taking a bite out of the carefully prepared meal, savouring the flavour, his smile growing wider, ears tinted a soft pink, finally noticing the candied violets you packed for him. His years of experience in baking and deduction skills led him to conclude that said sweets were homemade, no offense. But one thing's for sure, he owes you big time. Seriously prefect, just how much attention did you pay him when he said a way to a man's heart is through his stomach? And with the way his shoulders eased away from the prior stress of his duties he found you more troublesome than his underclassmen in the most unexpected way.
Running errands, applying for odd jobs, and making sure he can sustain himself everyday is a struggle that he's used to. After all he grew up fighting to see tomorrow's rising sun, so slipping past other waiters in the Monstro Lounge to serve his table while there's an overflow of customers is a walk in the park, working side by side with Azul to control the current workflow and constant sales of course.
It just do happened that you had decided to treat Grim for passing his history exam, to most it didn't sound like much but to you and Grim it was a milestone. So there you were, sitting at a booth while you watched your direbeast drool at sight of the menu as you warned him to stay within the budget.
"You ready to order?" you flinched at sudden sound, you didn't even notice him before he spoke. "Nyah! I can't decide! I want one of everything!" Grim lamented "One tall oder comin' right up!" he pretended to scribble away at his notepad, you click your tongue, shooting him a sharp glare as you hit his arm with no real force."Shyeheehee, I'm jus pullin' your leg, if you have that much trouble deciding they've got real soft beignets and donuts as this week's special" "OHHH, Human I want those!" Grim tugged on your shirt sleeve pleading as he was already imagining the sweet treats. "Alright, an 2 orders of assorted beignets, and can we take an order of those donuts to go?" "Gotcha, wait a few it'll be right out, and drinks?" "Cream soda—" "Water, I don't need him having a stomach ache later" you cut Grim off as he whined about your final verdict.
Ruggie gave a cheecky smile, dissapearing into a sea of servers and customers, pulling out your history notebook, you decided to rewrite and organize your notes while you wait, only breaking from your concentration once you heard Grim letting out a happy squeal and the scent of sweet warm sugar hit your nose. Having no time to spare Ruggie a glance as you try to get your share of the order before your gluttonous beast licks the plate clean.
After settling the bill, you ask a small favor of Jade, one that he wouldn't hold over your head. You wave goodbye to the dark blonde beastman, making your merry way back to Ramshackle.
As the sun begins to set, the customers start to die down in numbers making the atmosphere less hectic. Ruggie cashed out his hours, happily changed back to his dorm uniform, and mentally checked off one of his many responsibilities for the day. He was even able to make dinner with whatever ingredients left over in the kitchen that Azul allowed him to use! Rationing meals that he could just reheat for tomorrow, he felt more than satisfied in his haul, although he was a bit dissapointed seeing all the pastry items and sweet treats out of stock.
But as he was about to leave the Lounge's doors Jade had stopped him, handing him a box that had been sitting in a food warmer, he accepted the box despite his skepticism and the merman's continuous polite defense of his innocence.
At last he finally made it back to savanaclaw and to his room where he inspected the box for any foul play, that was when a note had caught his attention, tucked near the cardboard handles. "Can't do well on an empty stomach :) -Prefect" his eyes go wide as his former suspicions vanish. He had smelled the scent of dough and sugar since earlier, but he thought that Jade was messing with him, the cunning smile didn't exactly make his claims all that believeable, but it was hard to tell with that guy.
He already knew what was inside before he opened it and nearly ate one of the donuts whole with one big bite. You were truly too nice for your own good, seriously, you had your plate full, problems appearing on your corner left, right and center like you were a magnet of disaster.
And yet you still do things like get a bunch of donuts for other people, with the way you are people are going to take advantage of you. Every bite he took from the donuts a frustrating, gentle burn in his chest forced itself to his face, ears pinning backwards as he stares at your note with eyebrows furrowed.
You're a weird, one he'll never understand, where he's from, sharing spoils is understable, if plentiful, you on the other hand barely had a thaumark to your name, but he doesn't owe you anything at all! He thought, but that gnawing want to give you something back is strong.
Cold was the late night breeze that hit his skin, walking with you, he appreciated the beauty of the full moon as it lit the sky and the world below, gracing your features with a soft ethereal glow. This routine had become one of his favorites, your warm company and honesty made it difficult for him to stray away from you. He never had to worry about scaring you which made him ease up to you all the more.
Today's walk was no different from the usual, talking about how each other's day went, interests, weird questions that you were itching to ask someone who wouldn't immediately recoil at it's absurdity. Anything that came to mind really, as you were going on and on you had picked up on his unresponsive behaviour.
"Are you sick?" you stared at him blankly, "What?" "I told you that we could meet up some other time! The weather's getting colder this time around", you murmured the last part in a concerned tone to which he only laughed at leaving you in a state of confusion. "I appreciate the sentiment however I am not as weak as to catch a cold from something small like cold winds" "Oh what, so I'm weak?" "I said no such thing, your words child of man" you let out an amused scoff, he's come a long way since you first met him, now he can participate in playful banter without dark clouds rumbling lightning. "But seriously, are you ok? You've been quieter than you normally are" "Hmm worry not, it's just that I'm rather dissapointed, I received news from that I have been excluded from yet another Housewarden meeting"
he sighed out, taking it quite hard as his posture slumped slightly. "Did they discuss anything important?" "They notified each other on upcoming events for the different school clubs" "Oh so no big deal then" he stopped dead in his tracks as he stared at you arms crossed frowning, "Sorry let me rephrase" you snapped your fingers repeatedly trying to find the right words, the gears in your brain turning, trying to put together a sentence that captures your concept."What I meant to say was, at least you didn't miss out on anything big, like uhhh... Implementing a new school policy or something, and honestly them not inviting you is their loss not yours", your walk resuming "Ah, thank you for clarifying, though I'm still..." "Bummed out?" "Yes"
You decided to not press on the matter further, it's not exactly the first time he's told you about being excluded, but seeing as this recurring problem refuses to accept any and all solutions. You found it best to just empathize with him and find other ways to help cheer him up.
"Let's get ice cream next time" you suggested, climbing back up the stairs outside your dorm, his eyes practically lighting up in shock, "Is that an invitation?" "Mhmm" you hummed, leaning your shoulder against the entrance of your humble abode. "As happy as I am to receive another invitation from you, I'm afraid this is one I'll have to miss out on" "What?!" your face fell fast, it was the first time he'd ever turn you down, though he seemed more hurt than you were on the decision. "My deepest apologies [---], I have duties as the heir of Briar Valley, duties in which I cannot disclose and leave unattended" letting out his nth sigh of dissapointment. "When will you be back from Briar Valley?" He ached seeing your saddened expression, gray clouds suddenly covered the bright moon.
"Oh, I'm not going to Briar Valley, I'll be residing in Diasomnia while I complete my tasks" you stayed silent for a while as realization hits you, "Oh so you're not leaving NRC just gonna be holed up in Diasomnia for a while?" "Correct, though I see why you were mislead".
It had been days since you last stroll. Sure you see him in the halls in between classes, but being able to see him isn't exactly the same as seeing him. And with exams coming up you didn't have any time to spare for him.
He wasn't enjoying his princely duties either, all he could think about was how he could make it up to you. After all what kind of friend was he to leave you in such sadness? While lost in thought, Lilia entered his room holding a wrapped box? A gift!
"The prefect was quite insistent on leaving you a present, how very thoughtful! Be sure to send your dear friend a proper thank you"
After thanking Lilia for delivering your present, he was delighted to find a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream with a note that reads "I'm hoping this helps in making you finish your work faster ^-^ " He felt a smile slowly etching on his face, how kind of you to send him the comfort he so desperately longed for since he parted from you. Even remembering his preference for cold mint flavored treats, considerate through and through once he found a wooden spoon attached to the side.
He reveled in this new found feeling of joy, a certain kind of happiness he only gets from you. Though unfamilliar with the heat that spread across his cheeks upon indulging his late night dessert, he knew you were special to him. With your carefree attitude and endless patience, he felt appreciated, you care not for his title but for himself. It was a foreign feeling to be so warmly accepted and not blatantly feared, hated, or avoided, so this rare act of genuine compassion you give so naturally was greatly treasured. And as your friend he will make sure to send you groceries as a gratitude gift so that your plate of responsibilities would be somewhat more manageable.
