aromantic-twst-tune

[aromantic-twst-tune]

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[aromantic-twst-tune]

✎ᝰ. a tablespoon of love . twisted wonderland

you're eating dinner with him in his dorm, because he said that he cooked you a homemade food. but then he realizes that you're not touching your food at all. should he ask why? or should he just feed it to you without asking? a reasonable question.

featuring : housewardens + jade, jamil

cw : f!reader, can be read as platonic or romantic, might be ooc(esp vil), grammar mistakes(as english isn't my first language), it's LONG.... to make up for lost time..(again, if im even using that phrase correctly.)

a/n : hey!! thank u for the lovely request❤ i modified this a bit so it'd be easier for me to write, if that's okay? SO SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG!! i hope you'll enjoy this<3 (btw if u feel like you've read this, dw ur not insane, this is a repost LOL)

RIDDLE ROSEHEARTS

riddle would be anxious, thinking that you dislike his cooking. so i feel like he'd be the type of person to ask first...

"are you only going to stare at it?"

"hm?"

"your... food, i mean. are you not in the mood to eat? or do you not like it? we can order take out, if you want. though i think it won't be as healthy as eating a homemade food..." riddle hums, trying to think of why you could possibly dislike the food he made himself.

well, it's okay if you don't like it. but you could've at least tried it, right? he tried his best to cook it, you know? how is he going to show off his cooking skills to trey if you won't even eat it? you shook your head before you give him a small smile.

"no, sorry... it's just that i don't really have the energy to eat. i'm sorry. i'll definitely eat it, of course. but it'll probably take a while." riddle blinks at your statement. you don't have the energy to eat it yourself? oh, well, that explains. he understands because he sometimes feels the same.

but... now what? he can't just eat while you stare mindlessly at your food. it's disrespectful to you. besides, if you don't eat it quick, it'll get cold, and cold foods aren't exactly tasty. should he just say that, then? "um..."

"um?"

"i-i can... feed you, if you'd like. i am not forcing you, this is just if you really don't have the energy to eat, of course..." he pauses, shifting his gaze somewhere else. "besides, humans are social creatures. they need help from others so that they'll be able to thrive. also because cold foods aren't exactly tasty."

"..."

"...so?"

"sure. thank you, riddle. i owe you one."

safe to say, riddle won't stop thinking about this very moment for weeks.

LEONA KINGSCHOLAR

this man is offended and no further explanation needed. i feel like he'd insult you first(lovingly).

"oi, i made you something and you're just pokin' at it with your utensils? if you don't like it, just say so." leona clicked his tongue at you. or, more specifically, at the sound your fork and spoon are making when you scratched it against your plate.

"you made this? yourself?"

"yeah?"

pause. leona? cooking by himself? well, he may be able to boil water (or not...), but cooking a whole meal by himself? totally unbelievable. that's like waving a candy to a child then leading them into a white van. lying, i mean.

"...fine. i didn't cook it by 'myself.' i had ruggie helpin' out here and there." he stops talking to chew on his meal. "anyway, that can't be the reason you don't wanna eat this meal, right? don't you feel bad for little ol' ruggie? i made him do dirty work, and you're just throwing his cooking on the ground for dogs to eat?"

you narrow your eyes at him. "first of all, i did not do that. second of all, you don't even have dogs in your dorm..." he rolls his eyes at your statement. "ehem, no, that's not why i don't want to eat it. i just... don't have the energy to."

"what? so you want me to spoon-feed you like a baby?"

"wha—no! i never said that. ugh, whatever."

"..." he sighs, putting his utensils aside. "i was joking. sure, i guess i can give someone a lil' princess treatment just for today. not saying i've never done that before, though."

AZUL ASHENGROTTO

azul felt like he failed as a cook. what do you mean you don't want to eat his cookings?

"..."

"...i apologize if i sound like i am rushing you, but could you please not just stare at the meal i prepared with such care?"

"huh? oh... sorry. i didn't mean it like that. i just don't have the energy to eat right now. i'll eat it, of course. but maybe after i gained enough energy.." you look down at your plate before slowly poking the meal with your fork.

azul gasped in offense. you just. poked. the food. he made. with such care?!?!?! do you not appreciate art by any chance? he paid attention to all the details, you know? like the carefully cut vegetables, neatly placed rice, and the seasoning of the food. do you not—

"azul, you're gripping your spoon so hard, i feel like it's going to bend..." you point at his left hand worryingly. he does a fake cough(terribly) to compose himself.

"e-ehem. anyway, it's going to get cold and not fresh anymore if you eat it later, so i suggest you get started now. unless you want to reheat it later."

"can't you just spoon-feed me..?" silence. it was supposed to be a thought. a small, little thought, tucked at the farthest corner of your brain. but, for some reason, you accidentally blurted it out for him to hear.

"...what?" did he hear that right? him? spoon-feeding you? him? spoon-feeding.. you?? HIM??? "w-what? wait, are you serious? i can't be spoon-feeding... what..?"

"s-sorry, so sorry! i accidentally said that. i'm really sorry, i didn't mean—"

"e-ehem. well, it's not like... i refused your offer, prefect. i can do that maybe. just for today. but of course you have to pay me back later."

ah. but of course. classic azul, acting nonchalant even when you got him all red. (his hands are shaking when he's feeding you)

JADE LEECH

why you are not eating the food he cooked for you? well, it's self explanatory, is it not? even if he is a good cook, it's jade...

"prefect, are you perhaps not going to eat it?"

"...i'll eat it later..."

"are you sure? would you like me to spoon-feed you?"

"..."

"my, you're offending me with your incapability of answering my questions clearly... does my cooking look that bad to you, prefect?" he sighs in disappointment, though you know him well enough to know that it's fake.

"no, of course it's not... i'm sorry if it came off that way. i'm just not in the mood to eat.." you frown at him before poking the meal on your plate slowly. "oh? not in the mood? humans are such curious creature. how does the thought of 'not being in the mood' even occur to you, prefect?"

"just.. i don't know. i'm just so tired. i'll eat it later, okay? i'm sorry."

"there is no need to apologize. well, seeing as i am kind enough to still sit here even after finishing my meal, how about you just take up my offer from earlier?"

"hm? what offer?" you tilt your head slightly out of curiosity. sorry, jade, you weren't really paying attention to whatever he was saying earlier.

"to spoon-feed you."

"sure. wait, what?"

"you heard me perfectly the first time to say sure, prefect. i'm certain that i don't need to repeat myself for you to understand. or maybe i should?"

if you had a penny for every time you almost choked today, you'd only have one. but, weird that it even happened, right?

KALIM AL-ASIM

see, even if kalim only helped jamil by stirring the pot of soup a few times, he still helped jamil, okay? that has got to count as cooking. right? right?

"try this, try this! jamil said that this one's yummy, especially when you eat it warm!" kalim smiles widely, shoving yet another plate onto your side of the table. "oh, and this, too! i helped add the seasonings for this one!"

though, when you don't give him the same energy back—only smiling slightly every now and then—kalim stops, sitting back down on his chair in silent. "sorry, sorry. was i too much? you can eat slowly, of course! i'll wait for you to finish your plate!"

"no, sorry, i just don't really have the energy to eat right now... the food does smells great, though. great job on helping jamil." you smile weakly at him, making his face light up.

"ohh! you also experience that low-energy mode thing?! i do too! and jamil would feed me whenever that happens to me! but it was back in elementary, of course. i'm very much grown now!"

"really? that's great." you let out a small laugh when you see his smile widen at your words. "you should eat first, kalim. i'll follow after you."

"hmm, but wouldn't you feel sad if i ate first?"

"sad?"

"yeah! i always feel kinda sad when people left me out on something. how about i just feed you?!" he takes his spoon from the table and quickly stands up to sit next to you.

"woah, y-you don't have to."

"whenever i say that, jamil always replies with, 'quiet,' or something like that!" you laugh when kalim tries to mimic jamil's monotone voice. oh well, when he's already this excited, who are you to refuse?

JAMIL VIPER

jamil, being used to kalim's whims, naturally went into 'mom' mode and spoon-fed you without you even asking.

"..."

"..."

"...sorry, are you not curious why i won't eat my meal?"

"? should i be?" he raises an eyebrow at your question, which makes you slightly frown. the least he could do was acknowledge the fact that you're not eating!

"well, no.. but like, you could ask. what if i'm sick?" you retort before leaning your chin onto the palm of your hand. "fine. why are you not eating your meal that i so graciously spend hours to prepare?" you sigh at his monotonous tone. oh, well... that's the most you can get.

"i'm just too low energy to even pick up my spoon, you know..?" jamil hums at your answer, then looks straight into your face for a few minutes before he goes back to eating his own meal. "...that's it?"

"what? what else do you want me to do? congratulate you for telling me how you feel?" he thinks you're weird for asking these questions. but when he sees you going quiet, he lets out a sigh.

"sigh... open your mouth."

"what?"

"you should've just asked me to feed you if you want, no need for all the drama."

VIL SCHOENHEIT

you're not eating his cooking? that's okay. he's a little concerned at the expression you made anyway.

"..i understand if you're on a diet. but not eating lunch at all is unhealthy." he said while he looked straight at you. you noticed that vil haven't touched his meal at all. he's probably waiting for you to eat, too. but who knows?

vil tapped the table while impatiently waiting for you to answer. though his fingers immediately stopped once he saw the tired expression on your face. "is there something you'd like to share with me?"

"huh? oh, no.. sorry, it's nothing. i'm just very tired to eat anything right now, i'm sorry. i'll eat it later, though."

"are you certain you'll actually eat it instead of sharing it with grim or ace?" he raised an eyebrow.

"yes, of course!"

"...sigh. i'd be very sad if i was ace or grim," he paused, looking down at your plate before continuing his sentence. "you know? if my friend ever gave me a cold meal. it'd be very insulting."

"ah, you're right... sorry. i'll eat it slowly."

"no, no, i didn't force you to eat it yourself. i can help."

"huh?"

"seriously, have you never heard of spoon-feeding? i can help with that."

IDIA SHROUD

him cooking for you is a rare enough thing(considering he can't cook), and for you to NOT eat it?!?! idia is not going to leave his room ever again.

it was a practical magic assignment.

idia can't cook, and the only thing pushing him to go outside of his room into ignihyde's (deserted) kitchen, is your reaction when you eat it(and the thought of professor crewel yelling at him for not doing this assignment). would you potentially say something like, 'wow! idia-senpai, this is awesome!' with heart eyes, or would you just...

"h-h-hey, i know it looks bad, but could you NOT just stare at it? i made it with great effort..." he shrieks when you look up at him with those tired eyes. sigh... turns out, using magic for everything doesn't really help.

"i haven't said anything about it."

"well, you were about to..."

"sorry, i'm just too tired to eat it. i'll eat it when i gain enough energy. the food looks..." you look down at your plate for a few seconds before continuing. "...awesome, though." idia's face shatters. what's with that slight pause?!

actually, pause. you just told him that you have no energy to eat. like, at all. so... is this... one of those scenes in shojo mangas where the male lead has to spoon-feed the female lead?!? idia choked on air, making you panic.

"woah, idia, are you okay?"

"eek! y-yeah.. i'm okay. uh, by the way..." screw it, idia thinks. this is his moment as a main character to shine! "b-by the way.."

"by the way..?"

"d-d-do you maybe.. m-maybe.." he flinched when you leaned closer to hear him better.

"uh? maybe?"

"...doyoumaybewanttogetspoonfedbymelikeinoneofthoseclicheshojomangasyoutoldmeabout."

"...what?"

"n-nevermind! i-i don't care if you won't eat that crap! don't talk to me!" it was the last thing he said before he left the room, looking as red as a tomato.

MALLEUS DRACONIA

i feel like, while he feels sad that you didn't immediately gobble down the meal, he'd be more curious why you won't eat it.

"...child of man."

"yes?"

"does my cooking look that terrible to you? if it does, i'd be more than happy to throw it away and make another one for you." malleus smiles at you. although beneath that smile, his frown is as clear as day. he's sad that you think his cooking looks bad.

"ah, no, no... it doesn't look terrible. in fact, i think it looks very great!" you pause, fiddling with your fingers for a moment. "it's just that i'm not in the mood to eat.. but i'll eat it later, i promise!"

malleus hummed at your question and decided to not press further into the topic. you'd think that he'd ask why, but surprisingly, he just accepted your answer and went silent.

...eerily silent.

why is he actually not saying anything?! is he silently judging you?! or maybe he's actually sad that you won't eat his cooking? oh, now you feel bad.

but then, when he picked up his own spoon to take a little bit of your meal, your thoughts stopped occupying your mind. "malleus, what are you—"

"lilia used to do this to silver back then. i thought that it was really endearing, and that i would like to experience spoon-feeding someone, too. so this is the perfect opportunity. open wide, child of man."

(i can't add more pics so consider this a border LOL)

naomi-nana. do NOT repost, do not use (with or without permission), do not recommend or talk about my works outside of tumblr.

[aromantic-twst-tune]

Lilia with a newspaper in his hands, rolled into a cylinder, shouted: Bad dragon! Very bad fairy dragon! Let go quickly (Y\N)!

Malleus in the form of a dragon: No! My treasure! I won't give it up!

Malleus hisses at Lilia.

Lilia: Don't you dare hiss at your father! I hatched you! I raised you, so don't you dare snarl at me!

P.S. I found this funny.

[aromantic-twst-tune]

Y’all know how the whole ‘scent’ thing is used in fics? Mainly Savanaclaw but also for the ones with keen senses - like Vil, for example. Also the octo-trio. Grim too.

Honestly anyone could fit this. Smell’s a keen sense. Like how we can catch a wif of something and get sent back to a memory stuck in the vault.

Yeah so…we’re in consensus that they’d hoard the prefect’s perfume like it’s a lifeline? After they go home? Saw an animation where Ace kept their phone so he could call it and hear their voicemail. Now we’re here.

-

Riddle - who couldn’t bring himself to pilfer from your abandoned dorm and dislikes that he seriously considered it. Too nervous to ask what scent you wore but forever associates it with evenings in the library. Catching it on your wrist whenever you’d hand him a book. Mixed with the smell of old books and burning wax.

Trey - who borrowed one of your ties and decided not to return it. Not unless you asked. You didn’t. The scent’s almost gone, but he can figure out the main components. Buy something similar.

Cater - who has a handful of scrunchies and hairpins. You’d carry them for him. Lined up on your wrist like cased sausages. They all smell like you now. One even with a bit of spilled nail polish on it. Navy blue. Not Cater’s.

Deuce - who doesn’t think about it at first. Until he’s helping clean up your room and drops a small bottle on the ground. It cracks and the scent of cheap perfume permeates into the wood floor. He digs through the shards for a label, ignoring the cuts on his hands.

Ace - who sleeps in your room under the pretense that it’s for Grim’s sake. It’s not dorm betrayal. This was his room as much as it was yours. He’d sneak out or take a collar as much as Riddle’s patience lasts. Since he can’t sleep anywhere else.

Leona - who’s been close enough to you to memorize the scent. He knows the brand. Knows the make and year. Some cheap body spray that barely lasts longer than a few hours. Like gum. He sprays some on his pillows before bed, burying his nose between them and pretends it’s you.

Ruggie - who couldn’t help himself. He swiped your half-empty bottle with practiced ease. Using it sparingly, down to the last drop, spritzing just enough on his collar to make it through the hard times. Doesn’t matter the price now. He tries to tell himself ‘when it’s out, i’m done’ but he said that when you left and look at him now.

Jack - who forgets entirely. Until weeks pass and he finds one of ‘your’ sweaters in his room. A little travel sized perfume in the pocket. He sprays some on the collar and presses it to his nose. For a moment, you’re there.

Azul - who’s paid for new couches in the VIP room. Scent permeates into leather and you’ve spent night after night curled on the originals. They’re moved to his bedroom, where he sleeps on them more than his own bed.

Floyd - who’s used to everything smelling too big. The surface world’s full of more pungent notes. He asks (demands) rather garishly for whatever you had. Soap, perfume, lotion - he doesn’t care. In a world where smells are too big, yours has become too small.

Jade - who brews the same blend of tea every night. Serves it in the same cup, pours out of the same pot, and doesn’t take a single sip. He lets the scent evaporate into the air because it smells faintly of someone who would dab some on their pulse points. Just for him.

Kalim - who supplied your entire wardrobe. Who wouldn’t budge on it, and made sure you had clean clothes besides your uniform. You looked so pretty, so happy, and your gratitude made him feel so loved. He didn’t stop there either. You complimented his bedroom once and that was enough to send more blankets than you’d ever need. Especially after seeing how cold Ramshackle could get. They were for you. So why are these the only blankets he can sleep in? If he closes his eyes, pulls them close, breathes - you’re hugging him, right? From wherever you are.

Jamil - who’s struggling to clean his room. There isn’t much time to dawdle. His sheets need to be washed. His uniform ironed. Then he has to finish his duties, shower, and ready for bed. He opens the top drawer for a new set of sheets and is hit with you. That’s right. You did the laundry last week…he closes the drawer and goes to borrow a set from Kalim. The urge to pull them out strong, but Jamil’s always been resistant to his needs.

Vil - who’s suddenly caught wearing a brand far beneath his normal standards. He rarely shows preference to one over the other. Yet this cheap, poorly balanced - honest to goodness mockery of a perfume has become his favorite. No one knows why.

Epel - who let you use his cardigan one time. More like you stole it during your stay at Harveston. Grandma said she’d make you one for when you came back. You still hogged his. The fibers picked your scent and he’s afraid to wash it. What was supposed to bring homely comfort, now fills him with yearning and nostalgia.

Rook - who seats himself in front of the fire. Barely lit, dim, and more for the mood. To light this abandoned room in a new emotion. He takes one last inhale from the most intoxicating scent known to Twisted Wonderland, and then tosses it to the flames.

Idia - who fingers a little glass bottle between thumb and index. It’s almost gone. He could buy more. Make some. The tags were peeled off, but Ortho could dissect the contents with just a drop. He’s clinging. Idia knows this as he pops the cap and presses his nose to it.

Ortho - who’s learning how to make friends. With new emotions and freedom. He’s studied the senses and how they influence emotions. When asked if there’s anything he’d like from Ramshackle, he thinks of what his brother might like. Idia won’t ask for himself. Yet Ortho’s own thoughts surprise him, because why does he want this little bottle of perfume so badly? It’s nothing special. He can locate 10 online listings with competitive prices and quantities. Yet he specifically wants this one.

Malleus - who slips into Ramshackle at the height of midnight. A ruin once again with relics upon relics of a beautiful soul now gone. He loiters and avoids your bedroom. Yet when he enters the bathroom, he looks at his reflection in the vanity. His eye catches the smallest glass bottle…and he takes it. He dares to spray it once on his cuff. The yearning causes him to stow it away for the next century. Until he craves to feel their warmth and searches.

Lilia - who smiles fondly, pressing the lapels of your blazer down and into a box. Taking it in before that sense begins to dull too. Committing it to memory. In a decade or two he’ll cross its path again, and remember .

Sebek - who chases. Who shamefully gives in to instinct and attachment. Who sprays the last of some generic, cheap, alcohol based scent that was an assault to him with bittersweet yearning. He traps it on your portrait and seals it in a glass frame. If temptation’s going to linger in him, then let it drive him forward.

Silver - whose eyes open easily for the first time. His heart stuttering, mind shifting, attention sharp … the call of your name on his lips, as a random student shakes him awake during class. He asks what perfume they wear and commits it to memory.

Grim - who sleeps curled on one of Heartslabyul’s chaises. He can’t go back to Ramshackle. Home. It’s not home without you there. He sleeps with the same striped throw that was hanging on that old, green lounge chair. The one you’d wrap him in while he waited for the fire to stoke. Each night he begs for Ace to do whatever it is he does to make it ‘smell right’. When he sleeps, he can almost pretend the armrest is your side and he’s right where he’s meant to be.

[aromantic-twst-tune]

"STAY WITH ME."

ft. overblot guys (except for idia)

synopsis: after a nightmare where you left them, they wake and reach for you, only to find the bed empty. but then they see you by the window, and relief floods in.

tags: angst-comfort, female reader, established relationship, fluff.

a/n: i can't believe that im getting sad over fictional, not real, characters,,

- RIDDLE ROSEHEARTS:

Riddle stood in the middle of a gray, endless garden. Wilted roses curled and bled red at his feet. The sky was an empty white, and the hedges loomed taller than they ever had in the Queen’s Maze. Silence pressed in like a vice.

Then—

"Riddle."

He flinched.

There she stood, his mother, tall, pristine, the same stern glint in her cold eyes. Her mouth curved downward into the familiar scowl he had once memorized as a child.

“You were always such a disappointment.”

Riddle's throat went dry. "Mother, please, I—"

SLAP.

It echoed in the void. He didn’t even feel the pain. Just the sting of her eyes.

“All that education, all that discipline, and still... so weak. You disobeyed the rules. You fell in love with someone entirely unfit for you.”

"No! She's—she's kind, and brilliant, and—"

"She left."

A new voice.

Soft.

Deadly.

Riddle turned. His heart stopped.

You were standing a few feet away, but it wasn’t you. Not the warmth in your eyes, not the way your voice ever trembled with love when you said his name.

No. You looked right through him. Cold. Expressionless.

"You’re suffocating, Riddle," you said flatly. "You're always so controlling and always get so unreasonbly angry. I can't even breathe when I’m with you."

He shook his head, breath catching. “Y/N, please—don’t say that—”

You kept walking backward, your silhouette swallowed in the white fog.

"You're just like her." You gestured to his mother. "Overbearing. Cruel. Unlovable."

His hands trembled.

“Stop—please, I’m trying—!”

You were already fading.

"No one will stay with someone like you."

"You're alone, Riddle."

He screamed your name—

GASP.

Riddle jolted upright in his bed, chest heaving, sweat slick on his skin. Moonlight poured through the crack in the curtains, casting silver streaks across the dorm room.

His hands clawed at the sheets—

You.

You were beside him, no, you weren’t,

The bed was empty.

His heart slammed against his ribs.

“No, no—”

He pushed the sheets off and stumbled to his feet, panic rising like bile. Was it real? Had you left?

Had he lost you?

But then—

“Riddle? What’s wrong?” you asked, voice gentle.

But he didn’t answer.

He just fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around your waist tightly, as if you'd vanish again the second he let go.

“I... I dreamt you left me,” he muttered into your abdomen, shaking slightly. “You said that I was like my mother. I was alone.”

Your eyes widened. "Oh Riddle..."

You gently sank to your knees with him, cupping his face with both hands. His cheeks were damp. You pressed your forehead to his, grounding him.

“I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere,” you murmured. “You’re not alone. Not anymore.”

He looked so small in that moment. So shattered.

“You’re nothing like her,” you said firmly. “You are not your mother. Do you hear me?”

He blinked, lower lip trembling.

“I would never leave you,” you added. “I love you, you, Riddle. Even on your worst days. Even when you doubt yourself.”

He closed his eyes and exhaled shakily, holding onto you like you were his only anchor to the waking world.

“...I don’t want to become like her...” he whispered. “I’m afraid I’ll be so consumed by rules and expectations that I’ll drive you away like she drove everyone away from me..."

You placed your hand over his heart.

“You’ve already changed that future, Riddle,” you said. “You chose kindness. Forgiveness. You chose to grow. You keep choosing it.”

“...Stay with me,” he whispered. “Just for a little longer.”

You nodded and guided him back to bed. You lay beside him, gently running your fingers through his hair as he buried himself into your warmth, breathing in the proof that you were still here. Still his.

- LEONA KINGSCHOLAR:

The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Savannaclaw dorm. All was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of the desert wind that slipped through the open windows, tugging gently at the curtains. In Leona’s room, the only sound was the steady, deep breathing of a sleeping beastman tangled in soft sheets and golden dreams.

Until the dream shifted.

“You’re a disappointment, Leona.”

His brother’s voice echoed first.

“Always second. Always lazy. You were never fit to rule. Not even worthy of the scraps I leave behind.”

Leona stood alone in the throne room of Sunset Savanna. Tall pillars surrounded him, but they loomed more like cages than support. His footsteps echoed on the cold marble floor as he turned around, only to find his mother now in the throne.

She sneered.

“I gave you everything. And you threw it all away.”

“Stop...” he growled, fists clenched.

“You had potential, but you chose bitterness. Chose to sulk in the shadows of greatness. And now?” Her voice hissed through clenched teeth. “You’ll die forgotten. Alone. Just like you deserve.”

He snarled, about to snap back, but then—

“Leona?”

Your voice cut through the air like a blade.

He turned to see you. You stood behind the throne, expression unreadable. Dressed in simple clothes, arms crossed, eyes cold.

Relief flooded him, until you spoke.

“I stayed because I thought you’d change. But I see now... I was wrong.”

“What...?”

“You’re cruel. You’re selfish. You act like the world owes you something just because you were born royal.”

His breath caught.

“I should’ve left a long time ago. You bring nothing but resentment and emptiness. I don’t want to waste my life waiting for someone who refuses to grow up.”

“Y/N, I—” he tried to reach for you.

You took a step back.

“Don’t touch me. I don’t love you anymore.”

That broke him. Everything cracked.

The sky darkened, the room shattered like glass, and he fell—

“Tch—!”

Leona woke with a choked snarl, his breath ragged, chest heaving. Sweat clung to his skin, and his fists had twisted his sheets into knots. The moonlight streamed into the room, silver and soft, but he felt cold.

“Damn it...”

He sat up sharply, hand reaching instinctively to the side where you always slept.

Empty.

“Y/N?” he said, voice low and rough, panic suddenly curling like smoke in his lungs.

The bed was cold where you should be. The space beside him, too quiet. His heart began to race as he stood, almost stumbling over the edge of the mattress.

And then—

A breeze.

Soft fabric fluttered.

He turned.

You were standing by the open window, arms loosely folded, your hair swaying gently in the night wind. The moonlight bathed you in pale glow, and your eyes, calm, warm, turned to meet his.

“Leona?” you whispered. “Did I wake you?”

He stared for a long moment, like you were still part of that dream.

You tilted your head, worried. “You okay?”

He walked over, not answering. His steps were slow at first, then more urgent. Without a word, he pulled you into a tight embrace, burying his face into your shoulder.

You froze in surprise, but your arms came up around him instinctively.

“...It was just a dream,” he muttered into your neck. “But it felt real.”

You stroked his hair gently, the tension in his muscles melting slowly under your touch.

“What happened?” you whispered.

He was quiet for a long moment. Then:

“You left me.”

Your heart clenched.

“And you said things... cruel things. Like you hated me. Like I was just... too much trouble.”

You held him tighter.

“I don’t hate you, Leona,” you murmured. “I love you. I choose to be with you.”

He let out a slow breath. “Even when I’m... difficult?”

“Especially then.”

His arms stayed wrapped around you, tighter than usual. As if anchoring himself to reality, to you.

You pulled back just enough to place a kiss on his forehead. “Whatever your mind told you in that dream... it wasn’t me. I’m not going anywhere.”

He finally looked at you, eyes tired, still flickering with the remnants of the nightmare. “Stay tonight. Right here.”

You smiled softly. “Of course.”

As you both returned to bed, Leona pulled you close, his head resting against your chest as if listening to the steady beat of your heart. His hand stayed tangled in yours, as if afraid to let go.

You ran your fingers through his hair again and whispered against his ear,

“I’ll always stay, Leona. You’re not alone.”

- AZUL ASHENGROTTO:

The water was cold. Too cold.

Azul floated in the dark depths of the Coral Sea, surrounded by echoing laughter.

Cruel, sharp laughter.

He was small again, awkward limbs, wide, tear-filled eyes, and those same eight tentacles he’d always tried to hide. They curled and writhed in panic as shadows swam around him, circling like sharks.

“Gross. What even are you?”

“You think anyone would ever love a freak like you?”

“You can’t even swim properly! What kind of merman are you?”

“You’ll always be alone, Azul.”

Their words sliced sharper than any blade, even after all these years.

Azul clutched at his arms, shrinking further into himself, the weight of shame and saltwater pressing down on his chest. He tried to speak, but nothing came out. Just bubbles. Just silence.

Then, he saw you, standing on the edge of the reef. In human form, wearing that soft smile he adored.

Relief. Hope.

He reached out. “Y/N... please—”

But your face twisted into something cruel.

“I should’ve known,” you said coldly, arms crossed. “You’ve always been hiding behind fake smiles and deals. Manipulating everyone.”

His heart cracked.

“No... I never meant to—Y/N, I never lied to you...”

“You disgust me, Azul. You're pathetic. So desperate to be loved that you became a monster.”

You turned away.

“I never loved you. No one ever will.”

He screamed underwater, soundless, voiceless, helpless.

Azul jolted awake with a strangled gasp, chest heaving. His breath was caught somewhere between a sob and a wheeze as he sat up, drenched in cold sweat. His dorm room spun around him like a whirlpool, the nightmare still clawing at his chest.

Frantically, he reached to his right side, only to find it empty.

“Y/N?” His voice broke as his hand met cold sheets. “No, no...”

He shot out of bed, panic overtaking his normally composed mind. His feet thudded against the floor, searching, desperate, as if the dream was bleeding into reality.

Then, he saw you.

Standing by the open window, your silhouette outlined by moonlight. You turned your head slightly, soft eyes finding his.

Azul’s breath caught.

Still trembling, he whispered, “Y/N...”

You looked surprised. “Azul?”

He nearly collapsed right there, staggering toward you, arms wrapping around your waist as he buried his face into your shoulder. “You’re here... you’re really here...”

You turned fully to him now, holding him tightly, feeling the way he trembled against you.

“Of course I’m here,” you said softly, your fingers weaving through his damp hair. “What happened?”

“I.... had a dream,” he rasped. “A nightmare. You left me. Said... things. Terrible things. You looked at me like I was...” He couldn’t finish. His voice cracked.

You cupped his face gently, guiding him to meet your gaze.

“I would never say anything anything bad to you,” you whispered firmly. “Never. Azul, whatever you saw, it wasn’t me. Not the real me.”

His eyes shimmered with tears, but he nodded shakily.

“I know... I just—sometimes I feel like that insecure child again. Like I’m still waiting for the world to laugh at me... or walk away.”

You leaned in, resting your forehead against his. “Then let me be the one who never walks away.”

He let out a choked laugh, pulling you impossibly closer. “You already are.”

The window breeze cooled his fevered skin, the nightmare retreating with every steady beat of your heart beside his.

And for the first time that night, Azul Ashengrotto truly exhaled.

- JAMIL VIPER:

Jamil's greatest fear isn’t monsters or betrayal, it’s becoming invisible again. Especially to the one person who made him feel seen, you.

The dream starts softly, too softly. The scent of spice lingers in the air as he stands in the kitchen, plating your favorite dish. You're sitting at the table, humming.

Jamil smiles.

He rarely does when no one's looking, but for you, always.

Just as he's about to set the plate down—

"Jamil, that's enough."

Your voice cuts the warmth in half.

"You don’t have to follow me around like a servant."

He blinks. "I was just cooking dinner—"

"Exactly. Always doing things for others."

Your eyes are suddenly cold.

"Is that all you are? Someone who lives in other people’s shadows? You can’t even trust people without assuming they’ll control you."

The room dims.

He's no longer in the kitchen but the palace, gilded halls and suffocating silence. Kalim stands beside you, bright and golden. He places a hand on your shoulder. You smile up at him with warmth Jamil used to know.

"Why would I stay with someone like you?" you ask, tilting your head.

"You manipulate people. You're always bitter. You only know how to be second place. That's pathetic."

His knees weaken.

"No," he whispers. "You don’t mean that. You’d never say that—"

"Of course I would," you snap.

"You’re not even a real person, Jamil. You’re just a shadow. A cheap trickster hiding behind others."

He stumbles backward, the palace halls crumbling into sand. The walls melt like mirages. You turn and walk away, toward Kalim, who takes his hands in yours.

He tries to chase after you, but his body won’t move. Chains, thick and silver, clamp around his wrists, then his neck.

The last thing he hears before everything goes black is your voice saying—

"You were never enough. And you never will be."

He jolts awake, gasping.

For a few seconds, all he could hear was the sound of his heart pounding in his chest, thundering like a drum. He sucked in a breath, sitting up sharply.

His hand immediately reached for your side of the bed—

Empty. Cold.

“Y/N?”

His voice was hoarse. Panic flooded him. He pushed off the blankets and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, already grabbing his hoodie. His chest tightened. Did he say something wrong before sleeping? Did you... leave?

But just as he was about to rush out the door—

He saw you.

You were standing by the open window, bathed in moonlight, arms gently wrapped around yourself as you looked up at the stars. The cool night air made the curtains sway behind you.

“...Y/N?” His voice trembled, softer now. “You’re still here?”

You turned around, blinking in surprise. “Hm?” You tilted your head, your voice laced with concern. “Oh! Sorry, did I wake you up?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took a step toward you, and then another. He looked so pale, like he’d seen a ghost. You immediately moved closer.

“What’s wrong?”

“...You were gone,” he muttered, eyes searching your face as if making sure you were real. “I thought—” His voice cracked slightly, barely above a whisper. “I had a nightmare.”

You raised your hand, gently cupping his cheek. He leaned into your touch without hesitation.

“Do you want to tell me about it?”

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a shaky breath. “You left me. Said awful things. Things you'd never say.” His grip on your wrist tightened slightly, not enough to hurt, just grounding himself. “It felt so real.”

You brought his forehead to yours, letting your thumb stroke gently under his eye.

“I would never say those things to you, Jamil. Never.”

“I know…” he whispered. “But hearing it... seeing it—it hurt more than I thought it would.”

You wrapped your arms around him then, pulling him close. He buried his face in your shoulder, arms tightening around your waist like he was afraid you might vanish if he let go.

“You’re not alone anymore,” you murmured. “Not in the spotlight. Not in the shadows. I’m with you.”

"....You’re way too good to me,” he muttered, voice muffled.

You smirked, brushing your fingers through his hair. “I must be crazy about you.”

That got the smallest breath of laughter out of him, just enough to loosen the tension in his chest.

He eventually pulled back, just slightly, eyes still tired but softer now.

“Can we... go back to bed?”

You nodded, taking his hand. “Of course.”

And this time, when he laid back down beside you, he curled closer, fingers tangled with yours. You stayed facing him, letting your forehead rest against his, your thumb tracing gentle circles over his knuckles.

“...Thank you, Y/N,” he whispered. “For staying.”

“Always."

- VIL SCHOENHEIT:

The mirror gleamed with cruel clarity.

Vil stood center stage under a blinding spotlight, lips parted, breath caught, unable to speak.

The crowd was silent. But not empty.

There he was, Neige Leblanche, standing in front of them all, radiating that effortless charm that made everyone adore him. The way they clapped, the way they smiled at him. And then, the way they looked at Vil.

Pity.

"You're past your prime, Vil," Neige said softly, his voice ringing louder than any applause. "They don't need you anymore."

Vil reached out, trembling, to stop him, but his hands caught only air. His reflection warped in the glass around them. Fine lines that hadn't been there before. A dullness in his violet eyes. A voice in the crowd muttered, “He’s nothing like he used to be...” His perfect skin was cracking. Like porcelain. Flaking away. Lines forming. Blemishes blooming across his cheeks like bruises. His heart pounded, too loud, too fast. Whispers echoed in his ears.

“Washed up.”

“Not like he used to be.”

“She left him, too.”

“Nothing left to admire.”

And then—

“Vil... I’m sorry,” came a voice behind him.

He turned.

You stood there, but your expression was unreadable. Cold.

“I can’t stay with someone who’s always chasing a perfection that doesn’t exist.”

“No—wait—!” he gasped, heart twisting as she turned her back on him.

The lights dimmed. The mirror shattered.

And Vil was left alone in the dark.

He jolted upright with a sharp inhale, chest heaving. Sweat clung to his skin as his violet eyes darted around, adjusting to the real shadows of his dorm room. His heart was still racing.

“Y/N,” he breathed, looking to his side.

The bed was empty.

No.

He threw the blanket off and stood quickly, bare feet brushing the cold floor, panic clawing its way up his spine. “Y/N?” His voice was hoarse with sleep and dread. “Where—?”

He turned toward the sound of a soft breeze.

The curtains fluttered, the window cracked open, and there she stood.

Y/N. Calm. Silent. Bathed in moonlight.

Vil froze for a heartbeat, then exhaled so sharply it hurt. His shoulders sagged with relief as he walked over to her, quietly, like she might disappear if he made too much noise.

“Darling...” he whispered, his voice nearly trembling as he reached out to touch her arm. “You’re here...”

You glanced up at him, noticing his pale face and shaken expression.

“Vil?” you asked softly, brows furrowing in concern.

He pulled you into his arms without answering, holding you tightly against him, burying his face into the curve of your neck.

“I had a nightmare,” he murmured. “You were gone. And Neige was... everywhere.”

You blinked, surprised. “Neige?”

“He took everything. The spotlight. The admiration. You.” His voice cracked slightly. “And I couldn’t do anything about it.”

You wrapped your arms around him, grounding him with your warmth. “But I’m not gone. I’m right here, Vil. And I’m not leaving.”

He closed his eyes, breathing in your scent. Your presence silenced the cruel echoes of the dream. You weren't walking away. You hadn’t chosen someone else. You stayed.

“...Thank you,” he whispered.

You stood there by the window, wrapped in moonlight and each other, until the shaking stopped.

Until Vil was sure it was just a dream.

- MALLEUS DRACONIA:

The world was silent.

Too silent.

Malleus stood in the middle of Diasomnia’s courtyard, bathed in an eerie green fog that swallowed all light. The sky above was pitch black, not a single star to guide him. Not a soul in sight.

“Lilia?” he called softly, stepping forward. His voice echoed back at him, distorted.

No answer.

“Silver? Sebek?”

Still no answer.

Then came the sound, footsteps. But they weren’t familiar. They were heavy, distant, circling him like a predator. Malleus turned, his clawed fingers twitching at his sides. The fog thickened.

Then he saw it.

A gravestone.

One. Then two. Then three.

Each one with names carved in a cruel, twisted script.

LILIA VANROUGE.

SILVER.

SEBEK ZIGVOLT.

And beneath them...

Y/N.

His heart seized. “No...”

Suddenly, voices, thousands of them, whispered from the shadows. Hissing, accusing, fearful.

“Monster.”

“He caused it.”

“He destroyed everything.”

“It was his power.”

“Stay away from him.”

He looked down at his hands. His claws dripped with... ink? No, blood.

“No! I would never hurt them!” he shouted, his voice trembling. “I protected them—!”

A mirror cracked behind him. He turned and saw his own reflection, his eyes glowing unnaturally bright, mouth twisted into a monstrous grin, horns longer, more jagged.

“You are feared. That is all you’ll ever be.” the reflection hissed.

He lashed out, breaking the glass, but hundreds more mirrors appeared in its place. All of them showed him as a lonely, terrifying being. A curse. A weapon.

“You will always be alone.”

“They will always fear you.”

“You were never loved. Only tolerated.”

He fell to his knees, wings trembling. “Stop...”

The wind howled now, and from it, a single voice, soft, mournful, rose above the others.

“Malleus....”

Your voice.

He turned, desperate.

There you stood, bathed in a faint silver glow—but you slowly stepped back.

“Did you... killed them?”

"No! I didn't! You have to believe me!"

Your image shattered like glass.

And just as his scream left his throat,

He jolted awake.

Malleus shot upright in his bed, breath uneven. His chest rose and fell like a panicked drum. The room was dark, lit only by the faint glow of the moonlight spilling through the curtains. His eyes darted immediately to the side—

Empty.

The spot where you always slept. Cold. Untouched.

His heart dropped.

“No...” he whispered, voice raw with fear. “Y/N?”

Without thinking, he pushed off the covers and stood up abruptly, claws digging into his palms, heart racing as though the nightmare hadn’t ended.

But then—

A quiet rustle of fabric by the window.

He turned, quickly.

And there you were.

You are standing by the open window, wearing one of his long robes over your nightclothes, eyes lifted to the night sky in calm thought. The wind toyed gently with your hair.

Malleus froze. His breath hitched in his throat as all the panic and fear ebbed in an instant.

“...You’re here,” he breathed out, more to himself than you.

You turned, surprised. “Malleus? Why are you awake?”

He crossed the room quickly, not even teleporting, just walking, like a man desperate to hold something real. He gently grabbed your hand, pressing it to his chest.

“You were gone,” he whispered, eyes glassy. “In my dream, you had left me. The castle was empty. There was no one... nothing. Just silence.”

Your expression softened, and you reached up to cup his face with both hands. “But I’m right here,” you murmured, leaning your forehead to his. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

He closed his eyes, exhaling shakily.

“I know it was just a dream,” he said quietly, “but the fear... it lingered. It always does. I.. I don’t want to lose you, Y/N. Not you.”

You wrapped your arms around his waist, pulling him close as you whispered, “You won’t. Even if the world ends, I’ll find my way back to you.”

He held you tighter than ever before, wings trembling slightly behind him.

And as the wind passed through the window, for the first time in what felt like ages, Malleus let himself believe that this warmth, this peace, was real.

[aromantic-twst-tune]

COURTING YOU? SINCE WHEN?! Featuring Savanaclaw!

requested ask from here!!!!

While courting, wolves will stay close to their potential mate and typically will not leave their side if possible. They are also very affectionate and will nuzzle, lick each other, and will even walk side by side.

Jack Howl! Who’d recently begun acting… strange, to you, recently - face avoiding yours entirely when you sat or walked next to him, ears perked up and tail wagging when you’d offered him a hug that one time.(though he swatted your affection away. Huh.) Shoulders brushing against yours a little too purposefully during movie night, forever complaining about how your uniform was never neat, always helping you readjust your tie, dusting off imaginary dirt off your clothes whenever you meet, bashfully looking away when you asked him why he was being so nice(“Well, we’re… in the court - no, nevermind.”) Things went downhill(or uphill, maybe?)when he started to return your affections, nuzzling his nose against yours or your neck, almost whining when you tried to pull away, pawing at you to stay with him, for just a little while longer… earning sniggers and off-handed comments from both Leona and Ruggie, teasing Jack on how he was really piling it on ‘em, huh, getting one too many complaints from Leona, about how you smelt just like him… wait, what? Jack Howl, who was certain you’d agree to meet his family over the school holidays - you started to court him first, after all, and he was certain they'd absolutely adore you :)))

While courting, male hyenas will often shadow their potential mate to foster a relationship, approach a female and repeatedly take a few steps toward her and then a few steps away, even if the female doesn't react to his approach, and bow low to the ground to show submission to the potential mate, as female hyenas tend to be more aggressive than their male counterparts.

Ruggie Buuchi! Who was acting shifty again - walking behind you but scuttling a few steps back if you ever noticed him, face a mix of fear and hesitance, before returning to tailing you - but he was Ruggie, so you quickly dismissed his behaviour as Ruggie just being Ruggie again.(Which worked wonders for the poor hyena’s heart, now fully sure you weren’t going to bite his head off if he got too close.) Following you around school like a shadow - a skittish, blushy one, sure, but still a shadow nonetheless - attempting to mask them as chance encounters, though after a while, he was fairly sure you knew he was just making up excuses to hang around you at this point(not that he minded much.) Walking you to essentially anywhere you went, copying your actions to a tee - if you ate, he would eat(not without stealing bites off your plate, though), if you took a nap, he would take a nap.(on your lap, preferably, but only if you let him) Being more affectionate to you in general, wrapping his arms around you from behind, resting his chin on your shoulder, though he was quick to bend down and apologise if he ever felt like he was overstepping. Pupils practically turning into hearts when you let him nuzzle his nose against your neck from behind, hiding his burning face into the crook of your neck for nearly ten minutes before he pulled away.(A successful mount - Grandma would be so happy, shyehehehe!) Inviting you over to his home in the Savannah over the school holidays, grinning despite your confused expression. “What? Granny’s been dying to meet my dear mate, it’s only expected, shyeheehee.” :))))

While courting, lions typically approach their potential mate and engage in actions like nuzzling, head rubbing and licking, followed by ‘tended courtship’ where the male follows their potential mate, shadowing them and engaging in behaviours such as rubbing, pawing and gentle biting.

Leona Kingscholar! Who had started to cling to you like a particularly annoying leech, dragging you to his favourite napping spots and holding you hostage in his arms, head slotted perfectly into the crook of your neck ignoring his usual schedule of skipping school in favour of following you around instead - walking you to all of your classes with a glare venomous enough to scare off anyone trying to talk to you, so ‘conveniently’ standing outside them when they happened to end.(not slick, Leona, not slick at all.) Rubbing his head against yours on one such kidnapping occasion, smile a tad bit too smug when you repeated the same motion to him, before you tried to get up and was met with a scowl and his hands pawing at you back to the grass, his arms firmly wrapped around your middle to prevent further escape attempts(sucks for you, I guess) Things escalating when he bit you, square on your neck after a nap, expression strangely nervous, before brightening up considerably when you decided to be petty and promptly nipped him back on his collarbone, for ‘payback’ (nevermind how your face felt like it was burning, how he grinned and pulled you in for a celebratory nap, once again locking you in his embrace) Knocking on your door the day before the school holidays, flopping on your bed, seemingly done with life before he spoke - “Falena keeps on bugging me to meet my mate. How about it? Can’t say Sunset Savanna’s the nicest place to visit, but you oughta get used to it - visiting in-laws, and all that. …What? D’ya think you could court a prince and get away scot-free? ;))

hey, if you liked this… check out Octavinelle’s or Diasomnia’s versions?

alternatively; check out the Savannaclaw masterlist?

[aromantic-twst-tune]

After anesthesia

✦characters: Leona, Jamil, Jade, Malleus, Azul

✦gn!reader

✦post surgery / fluff / fun /

Leona Kingscholar

Leona was not a fan of hospitals. Too loud, and filled with people who never shut up. But when it came to you, he made an exception.

When the doctor came out and said you were in recovery, still a bit loopy from the anesthesia, he was allowed in to see you first.

He was expecting you to be groggy, sleepy… maybe even a little cranky.

He was not expecting you to look up at him, eyes wide as the moon, and gasp like you just saw Kalim bank account.

“…Whoa…” you whispered in awe, blinking up at him.

Leona raised an eyebrow. “What?”

You reached up, poking his cheek with a finger. “You’re so hot. Wait! Are you my boyfriend?” Your voice dropped into a stage whisper. “Holy crap. I scored a 10. A real one. Like, look at that jawline. And the ears. I love those stupid ears…”

Leona blinked, then smirked slowly. “Stupid ears, huh?”

“Oh my Seven, he talks!!” you mumbled dramatically. “And he sounds sexy! What the heck. Why would he date me? Is this a dream?”

He chuckled now, pulling a chair up beside the bed and resting his chin in his palm. “You done losing your mind over me, herbivore? Or should I flex for dramatic effect?”

Your eyes widened again. “Oh Seven, please do. I won’t remember this anyway, right? Gimme a peek…”

Leona snorted and leaned forward, tucking a loose strand of your hair behind your ear. “Nah. I’ll let you suffer later when you remember all the embarrassing stuff you said.”

“I bet even your muscles have abs,” you murmured, dead serious.

He gave you a lopsided grin, the rare kind that didn’t carry smugness just affection.

“You’re a mess,” he said, voice lower, softer. “But you’re my mess. And yeah. I’m your boyfriend, dumbass. Even after you wake up.”

You sighed dreamily. “Lucky me…”

Leona stayed there until you fell asleep again, stroking your hair gently and muttering to himself “…Yeah. Lucky me, too.”

Jamil Viper

Jamil wasn’t visibly panicked, but inside, his nerves were twisting.

He’d made sure every detail of your surgery was vetted, that the doctor the best, and that your bed had a warmed blanket ready. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to you, not on his watch.

So when they finally let him into the recovery, he walked in calmly, mask of control in place. You were still lying in the hospital bed, IV in your arm, looking dazed but awake. He approached silently, gently brushing the back of his fingers along your temple.

“Hey,” he murmured. “You awake?”

You blinked up at him. “...Jamil?”

A warm smile softened his usually composed face. “Yeah. I’m here.”

He gently tucked a blanket around you and sat beside your bed, petting your head with slow, soothing strokes.

“You were amazing,” he added, voice as smooth as silk. “You got through it, just like I knew you would.”

There was a pause. And then…

“…Why are you so nice to me?” you whimpered suddenly, your bottom lip wobbling. “You always take care of me and fix things and remember all the small stuff. And I’m just a mess. A disaster. I don’t even know where my socks go half the time…”

Jamil blinked. “Wait! wait, are you crying?”

Your face crumpled more, tears spilling freely as you sniffled. “You’re so perfect and calm and hot and smart, and then you’re here being all gentle and rubbing my head and…and… your hands are so warm and you smell good and I love you so much it makes me wanna explode!”

You hiccupped.

“Don’t explode,” Jamil said flatly, but his ears were so red.

You sniffled again and tried to wipe your tears, only to flail a little. Jamil immediately grabbed a tissue and dabbed your cheeks himself, completely composed, though his eyes had gone soft with something unbearably tender.

“You’re drugged up,” he murmured, his voice affectionate. “But I’m glad you said all that.”

You blinked at him, dazed. “Do you think I’m gonna remember this?”

“Oh,” he smirked, leaning closer, “I plan to remind you every time.”

“…You’re mean,” you pouted.

“Mm. Only when you’re cute about it.”

He brushed his thumb over your cheek, his heart just as soft as yours, even if he’d never admit it while you were awake.

Jade Leech

The sterile white lights of the recovery room buzzed softly as Jade stepped inside, he’d been waiting for hours. His expression was as serene as alway composed, but the second he saw you stirring in bed, a flicker of worry passed through his eyes.

You blinked hazily, groggy from the anesthesia, your face twisted in sleepy confusion. As Jade stepped closer, gently placing a hand on your shoulder, your brows furrowed.

“Mmnh…” you mumbled, trying to focus. Then you caught sight of him and immediately stiffened.

“H-Hey!” you cried, sluggishly trying to push his hand off you. “Don’t touch me!”

Jade froze, tilting his head ever so slightly. “My, what’s this reaction?”

“I have a boyfriend!” you slurred, brows scrunching adorably. “He’s tall and mysterious and handsome and… and…kinda creepy but in a hot way! He’ll feed you to the sharks if you mess with me!”

There was a long pause.

Jade blinked once. Then he smiled amused “My dear… I am your boyfriend.”

You stopped moving. “…Wha—?”

“It’s me,” he said gently, brushing your hair away from your face. “Jade. The boyfriend you just described rather accurately, I must say.”

You stared at him, eyes wide. A beat passed. Then another.

And then your jaw dropped.

“…Oh my Seven,” you whispered in awe, pupils dilating. “You’re hot.”

Jade let out a soft chuckle, eyes crinkling.

“You didn’t recognize me a moment ago,” he teased, amused at your starry eyed look. “Should I take offense?”

You reached out to touch his face clumsily, cupping his cheek with both hands. “Nooo… you’re just too pretty. Like an aquarium prince. You’re so… sharp…”

He laughed under his breath, letting you poke his cheeks and admire his jawline while your foggy brain caught up.

“I’m so lucky,” you mumbled, lips pouting.

“No,” Jade murmured with an affectionate smirk, leaning in to kiss your forehead. “I’m the lucky one.”

Malleus Draconia

The soft rustle of Malleus’s clothes echoed as he stepped into the recovery room, his eyes scanning your unconscious form with quiet intensity. He had waited through the entire procedure, hands folded, patiently sitting with Sebek pacing beside him and Lilia humming something. Now, with the doctors gone and the room still, he finally approached your bedside.

You stirred slowly, blinking against the harsh ceiling lights. “Nnn…?” Your head lolled toward the tall shadow standing beside you.

Your eyes went wide. “…Whoa.”

Malleus tilted his head. “You’re awake,” he said gently. “How do you feel, my love?”

You squinted, struggling to focus but all you seen was… height.

“So… tall…” you whispered like it was the greatest discovery in the world.

He blinked. “I… suppose I am?”

You reached up to touch his sleeve clumsily, hands still weak. “You’re like… impossibly tall. Are you a tree?”

Malleus’s lips twitched into a small smile. “Not quite.”

“Wait, no…” You stared harder, eyes slowly lighting up. “You look like a prince. Like one from a book. Pointy ears, dark vibes, mysterious aura… sharp jawline...”

He chuckled softly. “That’s because I am a prince.”

You froze. “...Excuse me?”

“I am the crown prince of Briar Valley,” he said matter of factly, gently brushing hair away from your face. “And your very devoted partner.”

You gaped at him in silence. Then you whispered, almost breathless, “I bagged a prince?”

“Yes,” he answered, amused by your bewildered stare. “You did.”

A slow, victorious smile stretched across your face. “I bagged a prince.”

You looked up at him proudly, pointing at yourself. “Me. I did that. A real prince! Gosh… I’m so good.”

“I suppose you are,” he said warmly.

You reached out with both arms like you were going to hug him, but instead you just poked his chest with a single finger. “This is mine,” you declared proudly. “My royal tall emo dragon boyfriend.”

Malleus laughed, a rich, deep sound he rarely let others hear. He leaned down and kissed your forehead, eyes shining.

“I’m yours,” he said gently, “in title and heart.”

Azul Ashengrotto

Azul had been sitting stiffly in the recovery room chair for the last two hours, legs crossed, hands clasped, he anxiously waited. Jade and Floyd had offered to sit with him, but Azul insisted he do this part alone. You were his partner. His responsibility. And deep down, though he would never admit it, his greatest fear was seeing you in pain and not knowing how to help.

So when he heard the nurse say you were waking up, he was on his feet instantly, straightening his clothes, adjusting his glasses.

He entered quietly.

You blinked against the light, still woozy. When your eyes landed on Azul.

Your eyebrows knit together. “…Wait… I know you…”

Azul stepped forward, concerned. “It’s alright, my pearl. You’re just groggy from the medication. I’m—”

“You’re… that hot dorm leader,” you said. “You run the lounge… with that two really scary looking guys…”

Azul paused. “Pardon?”

You squinted, then nodded slowly. “Yeah… yeah. You’re Azul Ashengrotto. Smart. Rich. Always wears nice clothes. Business shark. Also… super handsome. Too handsome. Suspiciously handsome...”

Azul blinked hard behind his glasses. “You… don’t recognize me?”

“I do!” you said quickly, pointing at him like it just clicked. “You’re the one who always makes shady contracts.’ I saw you in the school.”

He raised an elegant brow. “Yes… and I’m also your boyfriend.”

You stared at him, stunned silent. “...What?”

“We’ve been dating for a while now. You’re always with me in the vip room. You keep stealing my glasses for fun.” he added calmly, adjusting his glasses.

You looked completely frozen. Then… tears welled up in your eyes.

Azul panicked. “Wha!? My pearl?! What’s wrong?! Is it pain? Should I get a nurse—?”

“No!” you cried, sniffling as your lip wobbled. “It’s not that! It’s just…”

You pointed at him again. “You’re my boyfriend?! You?! The hot, successful, strategic Azul Ashengrotto?! You chose me?!”

Azul flushed redder than Riddle hair. “I… well… yes!”

You sobbed harder. “Oh Great Seven, I pulled a CEO?!”

He stepped closer, gently brushing your cheek. “You’re being ridiculous…”

“You’re rich and hot and evil coded and wear cufflinks! Cufflinks!” You hiccuped. “And I’m just a sleepy gremlin with a snack drawer in my nightstand!”

Azul’s lips twitched, equal parts overwhelmed and trying not to burst out laughing. He leaned down, kissing the corner of your wet cheek.

“I love you,” he whispered, fingers brushing your temple. “Even in this state.”

You sniffled and blinked up at him, face crumpling all over again. “Oh no… you’re nice, too?!”

He finally laughed and pulled you gently into his arms.

“I’ll remind you every day if I have to,” he murmured into your hair. “You’re mine. I chose you. And I’d do it a thousand times over.”

..............................................................................................................................

[aromantic-twst-tune]

A letter to you before you leave. (With Leona, Azul, and Jamil)

Images are not mine

♡♡♡ ✉️ ♡♡♡

I had Ruggie write this. Heh, did you really think that's what I did? Anyway, you'd probably need this once you're back in your world, but who knows? I know you can take good care of yourself without me anyway.

You understand that I'm grateful to you for accepting all I have, right? Right, that's one point down then. I guess I never really had to care about my standing with you, it's a competition that I knew I already won. I don't feel like napping away to pass the time when I'm spending those seconds with you cause' suddenly, reality is nicer than a cradle some crafted lie.

I understand that your world can bring you much more joy than staying here, so don't sweat about me and just focus on looking after yourself. But it's not that I'm not telling you shouldn't worry about not coming back, you can't leave me, you don't have my permission.

I hope you know that this isn't a goodbye letter. After all, you said you'd come back. And you better. I'll wait for you, you menace. And I had to because you left me behind, I hope you remember that. So come back. It doesn't matter if it's not me you're coming back for, just come back. And if you finally do, let's nap together in the shades of Sunset Savannah. I'm holding you to that. Till then, you're my herbivore. I'm waiting.

You know I love you. So let me wake up to sunrise and see you first.

From,

Leona Kingscholar

♡♡♡ ✉️ ♡♡♡

♡♡♡ ✉️ ♡♡♡

My heart aches to watch you go, my eyes long to see you, and my soul yearns to be entwined with yours again. I know you told me, that even apart we go, we could never be closer to each other than before. Still, without you here, I cannot help feeling the same cold I felt back when I used to hide in an octopot as a child. I've grown to adore if not obsessed with your presence.

Ever since you came into my life, I've been noticing change. Change in ways that I've looked forward to eating. And recently? Recently, I'm no longer bothered by my image when I look at my reflection. I've been following my diet just because I want to. These days, it's like I could breathe normally, live more than I've ever intended to, and experience life at a slower pace. I found strength from you.

Don't worry, I felt how deeply you meant when you told me you love me. The way your gaze landed on me is my favorite recollection. When you hold me, I am content.

I want to introduce you to my mother. It's a shame that you met Mrs Leech and haven't met mine before you went away. I wish I could keep you, I'll miss you, I'm missing you, I miss you, please. Please come back. Losing you is losing everything, losing you is losing hope. So, please. Please remember me. I love you with everything I have. I love you and more.

Until then, stay safe and take care of yourself.

With a whole heart,

Azul Ashengrotto.

♡♡♡ ✉️ ♡♡♡

♡♡♡ ✉️ ♡♡♡

If you've opened this letter, I want to ask how you've been handling things? Scratch that. You won't be able to answer it anyway. But that's probably what I'm asking as you're reading right now.

You know.. Taking care of you feels oddly energizing, how weird. What should be a chore doesn't feel like one. It came over me that, I do for you the same way I was ordered to do for Kalim yet instead of getting sick of it, I know that somewhere deep down, I'll still give more than what I'm called to give. You never asked me to, you never have to, that's something I'll do with no command.

Thanks for helping me out with anything while you're here. You helped more than you thought you did. It was because of those things you call 'little aid for the needy' that made my duties more delightful than demanding.

You'll make me miss the feel of your fingers through my hair. But you know what I'll miss the most? I'll miss being looked at by you as an equal. I'll miss being just myself around you. I won't miss you, I'm not missing you, at least not in that sense since you're right here. Always. And if you're looking back? I'm looking back at you, know that there's always someone you can come home to, here, in my arms. I love you. I love you so much that even if you aren't present, it still is.

You'd better find a way back here before I find a way there.

Only yours,

Jamil Viper

♡♡♡ ✉️ ♡♡♡

●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○

So I actually wanted to include Vil and Idia here, but I wasn't satisfied with how I portrayed the characters, I still don't think I know them that well yet. Oh well. Anyway, I can still try again. Just drop a request if you want more of these with other characters that I specifically stated in my writer's introduction! It's pinned on my posts.

[aromantic-twst-tune]

[aromantic-twst-tune]

Leona: Its sundress season men. Stay vigilant out here or you are going to end up with one of these.

(Holds up toddler)

Nuru: æaahh! Ba!

Leona: They got me and I do not regret it. Stay safe out there.

[aromantic-twst-tune]

Want You Back with: Vice-Housewardens + Ruggie

Where they're still in love with you

Other parts: Housewardens

Trey Clover

Trey insisted that he was doing just fine after the breakup. He said it with a firm, reasonable tone which made people afraid to challenge him. But there was a sudden spike in sweet production that should've triggered an intervention.

The first sign that something was deeply wrong was the dessert box you received. Deuce was the delivery method–nervous, sweating slightly, and holding it like it might explode.

"Trey asked me to give you this," Deuce said. "He made too much again. I didn't ask questions. Please don't ask me questions."

Inside was your favorite dessert. Made exactly the way you liked it, portioned perfectly, with a note about storage instructions.

The next week it happened again. Deuce looked more tired this time.

"I don't even think he's making any for us anymore," he said. "There were twelve of these and they all had your name on them."

The week after that, he just left the box outside your door and sprinted away.

Meanwhile, Trey had developed a new habit of dropping half-memories into conversations and then staring into the distance. He'd start a sentence with something like, "Remember when we went to—" and then just stop speaking altogether. Sometimes he'd blink slowly. No one ever asked him to continue.

The real problem happened during a meeting, when Riddle asked Trey to pass the sugar.

"Sure thing, babe," Trey said, without thinking.

Silence. Absolute, dead air silence.

Trey apologized immediately, said he'd been distracted, maybe overtired, clearly mixed something up. Riddle stared at him for a full ten seconds before continuing like the moment had been stricken from existence through sheer force of will.

But for the rest of the day, he referred to Trey exclusively as "Mr. Clover."

Even Cater started noticing. During a tea party planning session, Trey was explaining seasonal pastry pairings and said, "They always liked the these in spring—" and then stopped. And just stared into space with a haunted look, eyes unfocused like he was watching a flashback play out on the wall.

Cater, in a rare moment of self-preservation, slowly slid his chair backward and excused himself from the room.

Trey never addressed any of it. The desserts kept coming. The flashbacks kept happening. He went about his day as if this was all very reasonable.

He never asked you to come back and you never said anything either.

But when the next dessert came with a note that read "Let me know if you want to bake something together again," you kept the note.

You'll answer him soon enough.

Ruggie Bucchi

Ruggie took the breakup well. Or at least, that was the impression he worked very hard to give. He laughed a little too loudly at everything, kept his tone light and breezy, and absolutely would not stop making jokes. About anything. Including your name, the concept of heartbreak, and on one occasion, a broom that somehw reminded him of you for reasons he refused to explain.

He also always seemed to know where you were. He could recite your schedule better than most professors, which was concerning considering he never wrote anything down and clearly wasn't trying to remember it for academic purposes.

That was around the time the snacks started appearing.

A variety of edible items were now being left on your windowsill with increasing regularity. One day it was a crumpled bag of crackers. The next, something that looked like it had been stolen from the cafeteria. The quality varied, but the intent was consistent: he was absolutely not going to speak to you, but he was going to feed you like you're a raccoon whose trust he's trying to earn.

Eventually he started doing things "just because." Favors you didn't ask for, tasks you hadn't gotten around to, errands you never mentioned. You'd open your bag and find things you lost last month. Your laundry got done at suspiciously convenient times. When your dorm got mysteriously dusted while you were in class, you caught a faint trace of a very familiar scent and found a magift disc that definitely wasn't yours under the bed.

You stepped outside your dorm one afternoon to find him lying on the ground in the grass, dramatically clutching his ankle and squinting at the sun like it had personally wronged him.

When you asked what happened, he made a vague gesture and said he "might have twisted something," although there was no visible injury and his shoes were off for some reason he refused to explain. He stayed there, groaning softly, waiting for you to help him, and occasionally adjusting his pose whenever you looked away—presumably to appear more pitiful.

When you finally helped him stand, he immediately stopped limping, dusted himself off, and suggested that maybe you could "hang out or whatever, since we're already here."

And how could you say no?

Jade Leech

Jade didn't make a scene. That wasn't his style. After the breakup, he went about his life with the same calm demeanor he always had. There was no change in his expression or his routine but there was a slightly unsettling increase in how often he happened to be standing somewhere near you, doing absolutely nothing.

It wasn't stalking. That would be unrefined. But it also clearly wasn't coincidence. He never approached you directly, he just loitered with purpose, nearby, always pretending to be on his way somewhere else.

The mask only cracked once, when Floyd casually brought you up in conversation and Jade's smile froze so precisely mid-expression it looked like it was carved onto his face. He just stopped blinking for a moment, like he'd mentally stepped out of his own body to scream into a bucket somewhere. Floyd stared at him, then slowly reached across the table and took his drink without asking.

He never brought you up directly. Instead, he asked theoretical questions that weren't quite as subtle as he believed.

"If one were to mend a broken relationship," he asked Azul one afternoon while reorganizing in the lounge, "would it be wiser to reintroduce emotional intimacy gradually, or would a surprise approach prove more... efficient?"

Azul didn't respond. He just walked out of the room.

Every time he ended up beside you, always by coincidence, of course, he acted surprised.

Jade didn't sit next to you on purpose. That would imply intent. He simply appeared, occasionally, in the seat beside yours with a faint expression of interest and a stack of papers that had no relevance to the current activity. He never made conversation. He'd just sit there, glancing sideways every so often, not enough to be obvious but enough to be very clear that he was waiting for something.

Eventually, during one of these "well-timed encounters," you shifted slightly toward him.

He didn't say anything and he didn't look at you. But his posture straightened, and he put the papers away.

They had been blank the entire time.

Jamil Viper

Jamil tried to maintain the illusion that everything was fine but it was convincing nobody. It was the kind of performance that might have fooled a distant acquaintance or a houseplant, but not anyone who had seen him operate at full power.

He still showed up where he was supposed to be, still got things done, but he looked like he hadn't been sleeping, hadn't been resting, and had possibly stopped eating.

The worst part was the silence. He didn't correct anyone, didn't complain, didn't throw out any of his usual quietly exasperated commentary. The version of Jamil who rolled his eyes at other people's nonsense had vanished. In his place was a pale imitation who sat in the corner during group work and didn't even make a face when someone proposed an obviously bad plan.

People stopped bothering him with small talk. It was like he had been quietly reclassified as an emotional hazard zone—calm on the surface, but likely to combust without warning. Even Kalim gave him space, which was saying something.

Eventually, something gave out. He cornered you after class and he looked like he had rehearsed being casual and then immediately forgot how to be human. He asked, very quietly, why you were still being nice to him if you were done.

His voice cracked on the last word in the most inconvenient, humiliating way possible. You didn't even have a chance to respond. He just blinked like he wanted to walk into a wall and left before he could hear whatever answer might make it worse.

You caught him pacing behind the library one day, clearly in the middle of talking to himself.

"Just say you want them back. Just say it. Just—"

He noticed you and immediately fell into silence. He tood perfectly still like he thought if he didn't move, you might forget he existed. The silence stretched for so long it started to feel like you were intruding on a wildlife documentary.

And when you stepped closer and reached for his hand, he didn't pull away. If anything, he looked offended it had taken you this long.

Rook Hunt

Rook didn't take the breakup well, but in typical fashion, he made it everyone else's problem long before it became obvious to you.

Every animal in the woods now had an opinion about your relationship with Rook. Squirrels paused on branches when you walked by. Birds gave you judgmental side-eye. There were rabbits that watched you like they knew something.

Rook took the breakup in stride, if your definition of "stride" included extended lurking behind trees and several suspiciously well-tended patches of flora outside your dorm.

He didn't approach you or speak to you but somehow, your favorite flowers were always in bloom, even out of season, even when they shouldn't have survived.

When this failed to produce results, Rook made a tactical shift that alarmed everyone more than the silent stalking ever did. He became "normal."

It had people watching him out of the corners of their eyes, waiting for him to snap. He spoke plainly. He answered questions without dramatic pauses or poetic tangents. He didn't climb anything. He didn't even add French into his sentences.

It was so unnatural that Epel asked him, in all seriousness, if he had been replaced with a government clone. Vil asked if he'd taken a blow to the head. Trey nearly dropped a tray when Rook said "thank you" without calling him "chevalier."

And through it all, he stayed out of your way.

If you went to the greenhouse, he was suddenly busy elsewhere. If you entered the courtyard, he exited as though he'd simply remembered an urgent appointment on the other side of campus. It was like he was trying to give you something you hadn't asked for: peace or space.

Then one afternoon, you saw him outside your dorm, kneeling beside the flowers with a small trowel while performing an act of unspoken devotion.

You didn't say anything and just knelt beside him in the dirt.

And when he shifted slightly closer, you stayed exactly where you were.

Lilia Vanrouge

Lilia claimed to be doing fine. He laughed about it and told everyone he was at peace. He tossed out a few remarks about how heartbreak was good for the bones, and then promptly vanished for three days.

When he returned, he looked like he'd been emotionally dry-cleaned and hung out to air. The sparkle was gone from his eyes. His posture was slightly hunched, like he'd lost a duel with gravity.

No one mentioned it. He brought it up before they could.

"Refreshing trip," he said, standing perfectly still in the doorway. "Cleared my head. Found myself. Spoke to a bird."

From that moment on, the descent was slow and profoundly unserious.

He started texting you again, always in the middle of the night, always with images no one could trace to a known source. Memes of screaming frogs, unidentifiable creatures holding signs that said things like "miss u" and blurry screenshots from ancient anime with captions he had clearly written himself.

The culinary sabotage began shortly after. Each dish felt like a personal challenge to every culinary rule known to man. There was something that resembled soup but smelled like pickled beans.

One meal arrived in a jar, bubbling slightly. Silver tapped it with a spoon and backed away slowly. Sebek refused to eat altogether and Malleus did not comment—but the haunted look in his eyes said enough. If he ever got down on one knee, it would be to beg you to fix this.

Lilia, of course, pretended to remain blissfully unbothered. He'd hum quietly to himself while pouring powdered sugar into things that weren't desserts and casually mention how lovely it would be to "have someone to experim—I mean, cook for—again."

One evening, as you were winding down, you heard a strange tapping at your window. It wasn't the usual rhythm of branches or wind so you pulled the curtain aside.

And there he was.

Lilia, suspended upside down from your roof. He was perfectly still while grinnimg. Hanging there as if this was the most natural way to say hello. You screamed. He screamed back. It was as though he'd forgotten that normal people didn't expect unsolicited nocturnal bat-visits from their ex.

The silence afterward stretched far too long. He remained dangling. You stood frozen. It became a standoff of mutual embarrassment and stubbornness.

And then, with a sigh, you opened the window.

Not because it was a good idea or because you'd forgiven him. Not even because he'd apologized.

Because, in some twisted way, you had missed him too (and honestly, it was starting to rain.)

Masterlist

[aromantic-twst-tune]

Y...You're still alive?

riddle, leona, malleus x gn!yuu

yuu casually returns after mysteriously disappearing for a few months (everyone lowk started fearing the worst)

(oh and also yall have an established relationship)

A/N: first fic! idk how well i did so i apologise if the characters are ooc (lowk hate this but spent too long writing it to scrap it)

riddle rosehearts ⋅˚₊‧

"boo!" you gripped onto riddle's shoulders from behind, smiling mischeviously as he sat behind his desk, head in the copious amount of study materials he has.

he flinched, and the hand holding his pen stilled. but he said nothing.

"awww, i thought you'd give me a little 'aaah!', at least." you let go of his shoulders, putting on a little disappointed pout. it's been months since you last pranked him, or even saw him, for that matter. you can't believe he still has immunity from all of your poking and prodding.

"this... is not amusing in the slightest. if you do not quit this now, i will have your... h-head." the words came out strained, like it physically hurt him to say that out loud.

"you never said anything when i did this before, though?" you smiled widely even though he couldn't see it.

"YOU DISRESPECTFUL LITTLE...! HAVE YOU NO RESPECT FOR THE-" riddle swiftly whiped his head around but immediately stopped his tirade once his gaze landed on your coy smile. the very same one he fell in love with all that time ago.

he stared at you like a deer in headlights. he totally thought some asshole from his dorm was trying to pull a frankly deplorable prank on him by drinking a potion to make them sound like you.

(which, in all fairness, was a ridiculous notion since riddle has been as ruthless and unforgiving as ever when enforcing rules and authority ever since you went missing. nobody would dare to prank him unless they didn't value their life.)

"hi, riddle." you waved casually, like you didn't just nearly cause him to blow up in your face.

"hi?" he got up abruptly, the chair nearly falling over as he did. "that's all you have to say to me?"

all you did in reply was shrug, acting like you didn't just up and leave on him a few months ago. like he didn't spend nights agonizing over his school subjects because he couldn't focus in class anymore. like he didn't spend every night clutching the tie of your school uniform and wishing upon all the stars that you'd return by some miracle. like he didn't completely give up and slip back into his old ways, just to occupy his mind with anything that isn't you.

he even got mad at one of his students for happening to hum a song you would often sing to yourself, finding it too painful to have to listen to it even a second longer.

he started to think that you were gone for good.

"this is your problem! you refuse to take anything seriously! do you even know how much i-" he sputtered in shock when you suddenly hugged him.

"i missed you, too." you said, squeezing him in your hold.

he hugged you back awkwardly, still in disbelief that you're real and in front of him and hugging him and... oh, his cheeks feel wet again. They seem to feel wet all too often these days.

"do not leave again, or it will be off with your head." he said, properly squeezing you now as it hit him that you really are back. You mumbled a quick "yeah, yeah" in response. but you really are glad to be back, all things considered. indescribably so. you too missed painting riddle red instead of the roses (in a figurative sense).

"oh, and also, we are having a serious talk about this later." he added on, intending to scold you for not handling the reunion better.

"ugh..." you groaned, knowing you brought this upon yourself.

leona kingscholar ⋅˚₊‧

"heya leona, did you miss me?" you greeted him with cheer in your voice, like you're just joking around after being gone for five minutes.

leona's eyes slowly cracked open, eyebrows furrowed like he couldn't believe what he was hearing, or rather, who he was hearing. once his gaze landed on you, his eyes blew wide. the two of you spent about 10 seconds just staring at each other.

"awww, come on. aren't you at least a little happy to see me?" you opened up your arms, pouting at your boyfriend who lay in the grass.

"it's been, what, 8 months since we last saw eachother and i still have to walk up to you and hug you myself, talk about prince treatm-" you let out a surprised yelp as you were suddenly enveloped in a warm embrace. well, warm embrace is a bit of a nice way to word it. it was more of a tackle to the ground.

your head hit the soft grass below and you involuntarily let out a little groan. "leona, that's not very n-"

"you're one to talk." he hissed out, nuzzling his face into your neck and deeply inhaling your scent. "where the hell did you go off to, huh?"

"it's a long story..." you laughed nervously, wrapping an arm around him as if it were second nature. it practically is, at this point.

"wouldn't be you if you weren't bein' cryptic all the time, huh." leona grumbled. he closed his eyes, reveling in the feeling of having you in his arms once more.

when you were gone, so was any semblance of leona's good mood. ruggie went from annoyed at being unable to """borrow""" leona's money to being genuinely concerned, that's just how bad it got. he even lost the will to show up to spelldrive practice for a while and only started showing up again after lots of pestering from epel and the other members. and even then he only put in the bare minimum of effort.

hell, he even lost the ability to sleep well. he couldn't even run into his dreams to forget about you.

life just... stopped being invigorating after you were gone. leona hadn't even realised how much light you brought into his world until you were gone. and he'd be damned if he ever let you get away again.

"leona?" you asked, but got no reply.

"...leona?" you asked again, feeling uncomfortable by being crushed under him while laying on grass. but even when you poked him, he didn't budge.

then you heard a slight snore, and your facial features softened. you missed this. "missed you... don't leave... again, got it?" he mumbled sleepily.

"i'll try, but no promises." you whispered.

this is the first time in months he's fallen asleep within 3 seconds.

malleus draconia ⋅˚₊‧

"wooow, it sure is stormy." you commented upon entering the diasomnia dorm. every student you passed by stared at you wide-eyed but you simply ignored them, humming to yourself as you made your way to your boyfriend's room.

"is anyone home?" you asked in a singsong voice, knocking on the door rhythmically.

for a few seconds, all you could hear was silence.

after that, the door was swiftly swung open and you found yourself staring at a pair of crazed green eyes. a very very familiar pair of crazed green eyes.

"beloved," malleus sighed out. he couldn't believe his eyes.

"hiya, malleus." you gave him a quick hug and then just walked right on by him. "oooh, you've framed my photo." you say, looking up at the selfie you took with malleus that's hanging on his wall in a slightly misfitting luxurious frame gilded in silver.

you felt a pair of hands wrap themselves around you from behind.

"...you have returned. you really have returned." he let his chin rest in the crook of your neck, his horn awkwardly bumping against the side of your head in the process.

"yeah! but did you really have to pick that picture to frame?" you thought of that photo as slightly embarrassing since you had ice cream smeared all over your face in it.

"it was one of the happiest moments of my li... must we speak of such trivialities now?" he slid a hand up your side. he felt joyful for the first time in forever (a little dramatic considering his lifespan), and talking about the picture he had framed didn't sit right with him.

he needed to bask in the happiness of you being at arm's reach again. he felt like crying.

while you were gone, he would spend upwards of hours just staring at that photo longingly. you were the first person in this school to invite him, well, anywhere. to your birthday, to hang out, into your heart...

and losing you... it hit hard. no matter how many times lilia or any of the others tried to cheer him up, he was seemingly inconsolable. sam made bank selling umbrellas because it was raining practically ALL THE TIME.

he couldn't bring himself to visit your dorm anymore, even if he should've been overjoyed that it's abandoned again. even staring at your joyful smile in the picture made him want to strike something with lightning, angry at the unfairness of you being taken away from him.

"look at me, dear." he nearly begged. he needed to look you in the eyes again.

you turned around, smiling up at him. you missed that face.

for the next hour or so, he made you look into his eyes and would get very fussy if you dared to look away. that was the first time in months that the weather was sunny at NRC.

.

(there is a reason this yuu is like this btw, they aren't just being an ass for no reason lawl)

[aromantic-twst-tune]

The mood is gone pt1

✦part2 part3 part4

✦gn!reader

✦ characters: Trey, Leona, Floyd, Jamil, Idia, Lilia

✦slightly smut

✦how the boys would react when things are just about to get heated with their beloved… and then bam! someone barges in, killing the mood.

Trey Clover

Everything was perfect. The kitchen was quiet, the air thick with sugar and tension, and Trey had you backed against the counter, voice low and teasing as his lips brushed your ear.

“You taste sweeter than anything I’ve ever baked…”

His hands slid around your waist, lips ghosting along your jawline when—


CRASH.

“YO TREY! Did you put those tarts in the oven—”

Ace burst through the door, freezing when he spotted the two of you tangled together like frosting on warm cake.

Trey jolted back with an awkward chuckle, eyes wide.

“Ace—!”

“Oh. Ohhh. My bad. Real bad. Continue. Or not. I’ll just—bye!” slams door

You sighed, untangling from Trey’s arms.

“Yeah… the mood’s gone, thanks Ace…”

you muttered and left, cheeks flushed in irritation.

Trey stood there, stunned for a second. Then, quietly:

“Ace is never eating anything I bake again.”

Later that night, he showed up at your dorm with a slice of your favorite pie and the softest apology kisses you’ve ever tasted.

Leona Kingscholar

The sun was setting over the sands of Savannaclaw’s yard, but inside Leona’s dorm room? The heat was from something entirely different.

You were pinned beneath him, his voice low and growly as he nipped at your throat, smirking when you shivered.

“Told ya I could make you purr, herbivore…”

But then—


BANG

“Oi, Leona! You left your stupid practice schedule out and now Vargas is—”


Ruggie’s voice froze mid-sentence.

Leona slowly lifted his head from your neck, and Ruggie turned a delightful shade of oh no.

“...My bad, boss.”

You wriggled free, cheeks hot and mood completely dead.

“Well, that’s ruined. The mood’s gone. Good bye Leona.”

You left with a sigh. Leona blinked once.

Then:

“Ruggie.”

“...Yeah?”

“You’re cleaning the training yard alone for a month...”

“Yeah… I know that’s coming… shit…”

Later that night, Leona tracked you down and wordlessly pulled you into his lap, whispering against your collarbone:

“Let me fix the mood. Right now.”

Floyd Leech

You were breathless, half-laughing and squirming beneath Floyd on his bed. His fingers grazed your thigh, teeth just barely nipping your earlobe as he growled:

“Shrimpy looks so biteable tonight…”

Your fingers tangled in his shirt. His knee nudged yours apart—

Knock knock. Door opens anyway.

“Floyd, Azul wanted to remind you to—”


Jade blinked. Stared. Blinked again.

“Ah. You’re... busy. My bad.”

Floyd turned his head slowly.

“Jade...”

“Just passing through.” click Door closes.

You groaned, shoving your face into Floyd’s chest.

“Mood’s gone,” you muttered. “Completely gone.”

You stood and left. Floyd looked betrayed.

“But shrimpy...! We were at the good part… nooo…!”

Later that night, he pouted on your bed, peppering you with annoyed kisses like a sad eel.

“Stupid Jade. Mood killer. I’ll get you back in the mood, Shrimpy... even if I gotta start from scratch~”

Jamil Viper

The music was slow, the lights low, and Jamil had you caged against his room wall, voice husky with restraint as his thumb traced your bottom lip.

“Do you have any idea what you do to me…?”

He kissed you, hot and firm. Your hands slid under his shirt—

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—BANG.

“Jamil!! Are you in here?! I learned a new trick with the flying carpet and—OH!”

Kalim stood in the doorway, eyes wide with genuine innocence.

You gasped, pushing Jamil back.

“Kalim!” You both screamed.

“Oh! I’m so sorry! You two looked busy!” door slams shut

You straightened your clothes, flustered and groaning.

“thanks to Kalim…Mood’s gone. Se you later Jamil.”

You left. Jamil stood frozen for three seconds.

“...I’m going to hex that carpet.”

Later, he cornered you in the hallway, muttering

“Im sorry for what happened, I’ll triple-lock the door next time.”

Idia Shroud

You were in his room… yes, the room. The glowing screens, and Idia looking like he might combust from how hard he was trying to be smooth.

“Uhh... so... if you wanted to, like, maybe... take this to, um, level 18?”

Your lips were already on his. His hair flickered neon pink as his hands trembled on your waist—

DING DING!


Ortho's voice chirped from behind the closed door

“Big Brother! You said you’d test my new program pack today! Should I come in—?”

“NOOOOOOO—!!”

Idia dove off you so fast he might’ve phased into the digital plane.

You blinked.

“Yeah. That killed it. Mood’s gone. I think it would be better if I go now.”

And you walked out. He groaned into a pillow, hair now a dull blue.

“I’m gonna fake my own death. Then I’ll haunt the server room and live in eternal shame.”

Later, he shyly tapped on your door with snacks and a very nervous

“I promise… it’s never gonna happen again…”

Lilia Vanrouge

Lilia had you right where he wanted you—against his chest, your breath shallow, his lips brushing the shell of your ear.

“Careful, my love. Keep looking at me like that, and I’ll have to bite…”

You squeaked. He smirked.

“So delicious when you tremble.”

His hands wandered lower when—


SLAM.

“LILIA-SAMA!? I HEARD STRANGE SOUNDS—!”

Sebek burst in, wild-eyed and shouting.

“Sebek!” you both yelled at once.

You scrambled away from Lilia, flushed and fuming.

“Mood’s gone. I’m done! Bye.”

You stormed out while Lilia slowly turned to Sebek, a twitch in his brow.

“...boy… we gonna have a really fun training tomorrow… I hope you’re ready.”

Later, Lilia showed up at your window, upside-down, charming as ever.

“Now... where were we, my dear~?”

..............................................................................................................................

[aromantic-twst-tune]

First years find out you're dating their dorm leader

(dramatic gasps, chaos, and a lot of “NO WAY! YOU?!”)

✦fem!reader

Ace Trappola

When Ace finds out you’re dating Riddle, he physically malfunctions. He catches the two of you in a rare soft moment. Riddle brushing your hair out of your face in the rose garden, murmuring something sweet… and Ace just… stops functioning.

“WAIT. HOLD UP. HOLD… ARE YOU DATING RIDDLE?! OUR RIDDLE?!”

You nod slowly. Riddle stiffens. “Yes. We have been for some time.”

Ace just throws his hands up.

“You mean to tell me you've been willingly dating a walking rulebook this entire time?!”

Then it clicks.

“Wait… THAT’S why you keep surviving his tantrums. And why he let you off with warnings. I knew something was sus!!”

Cue Ace groaning dramatically while muttering about how

“first the overbolts, now you, what’s next?… Cater adopting a child?!”

Deep down, he’s genuinely happy for you. But he’ll never stop teasing.

Deuce Spade

Deuce finds out about your relationship with Riddle by overhearing you call him “love” behind the dorm kitchen, and he nearly drops a whole tray of tea.

“Wait. Waitwaitwait! Did you just call Riddle love?! LIKE IN A ROMANTIC WAY?!”

You blink at him, guilty. Riddle clears his throat.

“Yes, Deuce. She’s my girlfriend. I’d prefer if you didn’t drop the teacups.”

Deuce looks like he’s about to have a full blown meltdown.

“Wha—I—Is that allowed?! Wait, no… of course it is! I’m just… YOU?! And RIDDLE?!”

He’s trying to process everything like it's a pop quiz he wasn’t ready for. He salutes you both out of sheer panic.

“I promise to uphold your secret honorably! WAIT!! Do I need to call you ma’am now?!”

Riddle: “…No.” You: laughing too hard to answer.

Jack Howl

Jack walks in on you and Leona napping under a tree in each other’s arms and nearly flips.

“…You’re kidding.”

When you’re alone he will catch you, staring you down like a judgmental big brother.

“You’re really dating Leona-senpai? Like, our dorm leader? The one who skips meetings and naps through drills?”

You nod cautiously. “Yes. We’ve been together for a while.”

Jack exhales through his nose.

“…Huh. Can’t say I expected that. But I guess if anyone could handle him, it’s you.”

Still, he’s lowkey worried. Leona’s not exactly emotionally available. But when he catches Leona actually smiling at you, Jack gives a small approving nod.

“Fine. Just don’t let him get lazy about treating you right. I’ll be watching.”

Jack becomes your unspoken protector after that. Big loyal wolf energy.

Epel Felmier

You mention “Vil” a little too affectionately during lunch and Epel spits out his juice.

“YOU’RE DATING VIL-SENPAI?!”

Everyone in the room turns to look. You cringe. “Epel, shhh—”

“LIKE… LIKE ACTUALLY DATING?! HIM?!”

You nod. “We’ve been keeping it quiet, but yeah…”

Epel’s jaw drops.

“He lets you TOUCH him?! Without a ten-step cleansing ritual first?!”

He’s genuinely floored. There’s a mix of shock, admiration, and disbelief in his eyes.

“Okay but… good for you, I guess? You must have magic-level of patience.”

He’ll never stop side eyeing you during self-care nights now, whispering:

“Blink twice if you’ve been force fed.”

Secretly though, he respects you immensely. Anyone who can tame Vil’s perfectionist side is a legend.

Sebek Zigvolt

You and Malleus try to be discreet, but Sebek’s too sharp. The second he catches you smiling at each other a little too long during dinner…

“…What is the meaning of this strange atmosphere?!”

You try to brush it off, but Malleus just calmly states:

“She is mine, Sebek. We are courting.”

Sebek’s brain breaks.

“YOU’RE WHAT?!?!”

Cue thunder and dramatic music playing in his head as he drops to one knee in despair.

“MALLEUS-SAMA HAS FOUND LOVE?! AND I DIDN’T KNOW?!”

He’s in full crisis mode. Rambles for ten minutes about how “he should’ve been notified by royal decree,” and how “no ordinary human could ever be worthy!!”

But when you squeeze his hand and call him “family,” he turns red and shouts:

“I SUPPOSE I SHALL… TOLERATE THIS!”

From that point on, he guards you like you’re also royalty

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Hope you guys liked it ʚ(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )ɞ

[aromantic-twst-tune]

TWST boys drunk around their girlfriend pt1

✦Characters: dorm leaders

✦part2 part3

Riddle Rosehearts

Drunk Riddle is hilariously dramatic and clingy. The moment the alcohol kicks in, all of his strict rules fly out the window. He’ll blush like a tomato and demand affection in the most formal but ridiculous ways:

“Dearest… my precious rose… I insist you allow me to hold your hand for exactly ten minutes—no, fifteen!”

Expect declarations of love shouted across the room and drunken scoldings of others for not treating their partners with as much devotion as he treats you.

Leona Kingscholar

Drunk Leona gets lazy-affectionate and jealous. He’ll pull you into his lap, bury his face in your neck, and refuse to let go.

“You smell good… don’t move. There where I wanna be.”

He mumbles sleepy praises and suddenly becomes very territorial, glaring at anyone who comes too close. He won’t admit it, but alcohol makes him more vulnerable. If you catch him in that state, you might hear soft confessions like:

“…Thought about you all damn week. You don’t leave my head… So annoying”

Azul Ashengrotto

Drunk Azul is embarrassingly flirty and self-deprecating. Alcohol melts his insecurities and leaves him rambling about how he doesn’t deserve you.

“I must’ve made a deal with fate to have you, my pearl of the sea…”

If you reassure him, he might cling to you, murmuring:

“I don’t get why you chose me… but I’m not letting you go. Ever.”

Also expect him to try and impress you by reciting business figures.

Kalim Al-Asim

Drunk Kalim is like a puppy on sugar. He’s all sunshine and dizzy, twirling you around, hugging everyone (especially you), and loudly telling the room how much he adores his girlfriend.

“Isn’t she the cutest thing you’ve EVER SEEN?! I’m so lucky!! Let’s get married! Right now! Jamil, you can officiate!!”

He’ll try to climb on a table to sing a love song to you, and Jamil will be suffering in the background, silently begging you to rein him in.

Vil Schoenheit

Drunk Vil is honest. His inhibitions drop, and so do the carefully maintained walls around his feelings. You’ll hear real, raw vulnerability, how tired he is of perfection, how afraid he is of losing you.

“You love me even when I’m not… beautiful, right?”

He’ll rest his head on your shoulder and let you take care of him for once. If you compliment him genuinely, he’ll tear up (and immediately scold himself for ruining his makeup).

Idia Shroud

Drunk Idia is chaotic. He suddenly wants to karaoke, take selfies with you. And he won’t shut up.

“BABE! did you know that you’re like, statistically, 1000% cuter than any anime waifu in existence? I ran the math. It’s SCIENCE!”

He’ll cling to you like a lifeline and keep rambling nonsense, but it’s adorable. If you kiss him, he might short circuit and pass out.

Malleus Draconia

Drunk Malleus is dangerously charming and deeply sentimental. His speech gets more poetic, and he becomes incredibly soft and gentle with you.

“You, my starlight… have illuminated centuries of solitude. Touch me… remind me that this warmth is not a dream.”

He’ll stare at you like you hung the moon, and may confess feelings he hasn’t yet voiced sober, like wanting a future together. You’re his tether to humanity in that moment. If you call him cute, expect a very confused but pleased Draconia:

“…Cute? But I’m a terrifying dragon… Am I not?”

..............................................................................................................................

thank you for reading <3

[aromantic-twst-tune]

Late Leona Birthday

Savannaclaw was chaos.

Ruggie had pulled every string he could for Leona’s birthday—there was food stacked high enough to feed half the dorm, music loud enough to rattle the windows, and rowdy laughter echoing down the halls. Somewhere in the distance, Jack was barking (not actually barking) at two upperclassmen who’d decided to turn a table into an arm-wrestling arena.

And the birthday king?

Missing.

“Unbelievable,” Ruggie groaned, balancing a tray of food. “I plan the whole thing, and His Royal Napness disappears the second I look away!”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “He’s probably in the botanical gardens. You know he’d rather nap than socialize.”

“Figures,” Ruggie muttered, exasperated but not surprised. Then his eyes lit up. “Tell you what—why don’t you go get him? You’re the only one he doesn’t sass when he’s cranky.”

“Not true,” you argued.

“Uh-huh. Go on, Yuu. Bring him something to smile about.”

You rolled your eyes but didn’t fight him on it. If nothing else, it was an excuse to escape the noise for a while.

Sure enough, you found Leona stretched out in his favorite sunlit spot, half-asleep. One arm was tucked under his head, his tail lazily curling and uncurling against the grass.

Without opening his eyes, he spoke. “You’re not Ruggie. You don’t stomp around enough.”

“Wow,” you said, sitting down beside him. “Impressive deduction for someone pretending to be asleep.”

A lazy smirk tugged at his lips. “Didn’t feel like putting up with that party.”

“Ruggie figured,” you replied. “He sent me to ‘drag you back,’ but… I’d rather not get mauled by a lion today, so I’m just here to keep you company.”

Leona cracked an eye open, amusement glinting in his sharp green gaze. “Hn. Smart herbivore.”

You placed a small, carefully wrapped package between you. “Also… happy birthday. This is for you.”

Leona raised a brow, but curiosity won out. He tore the wrapping slowly—deliberately—until the little hand-sewn golden lion charm came into view.

“…You made this?” His voice was low, unreadable.

“Yeah. I thought you’d have enough expensive things. This is something only you get.”

For a long moment, he simply stared at it. His thumb brushed over the stitching, and his ears twitched back just slightly—a subtle sign of thoughtfulness you’d learned to read.

Then, to your surprise, he laughed. Not mocking, but low and warm. “You really are somethin’ else, herbivore.”

You smiled faintly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Leona shifted, moving closer until his shadow fell over you. His hand rose, lazy but sure, fingers brushing against your chin as he tilted your face toward his.

“...What are you doing?” you asked, pulse jumping.

“Claiming my birthday present,” he murmured, voice deep and low.

Before you could react, he leaned in and kissed you—slow and unhurried, like he had all the time in the world. It wasn’t a demand. It wasn’t a question. It was simply his.

When he finally pulled back, there was a faint smirk tugging at his mouth. “Hn. Not bad.”

You gaped at him. “Did you just—”

“Shut up and stay,” he interrupted, tail curling around your ankle possessively. “Best gift I’m getting all day.”

You didn’t argue.

And back in the Savannaclaw lounge, Ruggie was already muttering, “Called it,” while pocketing his winnings from the betting pool.

[aromantic-twst-tune]

Leona Kingscholar: In the Lap of Luxury

Leona’s vignettes were structured a little differently than the others since he just kinda sleeps and wakes whenever he feels like it. I decided to do something a little different in his birthday one-shot too, so I can match his… unique habits.

dvsjwhkww I had to stop and restart where I left off writing on this over 10 times 🙂‍↕️ which is very unusual, I typically can knock these birthday one-shots out in 1-2 writing sessions. I guess I got a little embarrassed with the direction I took🧍‍♂️

Rise and Shine!

“We need to fix your sleep schedule.”

That declaration had been the domino to set off a chain of reactions, ultimately ending in Leona’s begrudging acceptance and a dare: “I’d like to see you try.” (Ruggie had glanced your way with a sympathetic look, mouthing a “good luck” before shuffling off to leave you to your fate. What a big help he was.)

Leona now reclined in his bed amid a cluster of pillows, a book in hand. He has just come out of the shower, so he had changed into a loose V-neck tunic—its laces crossing his cleavage—and fluffy pajama bottoms. His braids were undone, hair falling in chocolate curls around his handsome face, which crinkled slightly in concentration.

It’s unfair, you lamented, that Leona looks like a model with so little effort.

He yawned, tears beading in the corners of his eyes and fangs flashing. Then Leona returned his attention to his current page. His long lashes were moist and heavy from the tears. So casual, so smooth—acting as if you weren’t hovering by his bedside, monitoring.

Leona toyed with the corner of a page as he took in the dregs of the final passage. He seemed to savor it, letting his gaze slowly trail across each word. Like a hungry cat lapping up every last drop of milk, like a man stroking his lover.

The page flew, fluttering.

So did your heart. Flutter, flutter.

You nearly lunged at him. “That’s it, you’re done! Put the book down and go to sleep.”

He regarded you with languid annoyance. “Just one more chapter.”

“That’s what you said LAST chapter!” you shot back with a huff. I bet he was planning on using that excuse until he’s stayed up all night powering through another book. “You promised you’d hit the hay at a reasonable time today.“

Leona inclined his head to one side. His mouth pulls back into a(n irritating) smirk. “Did I? Can’t seem to remember. Silly me.”

“Don’t play innocent!! You know very well what the deal was!” You frowned, folding your arms. “Or am I supposed to take this to mean the Savanaclaw dorm leader goes back on his word? Not a very good look for you.”

The lion beastman fell silent—not for a lack of rebuttal, but weighing the worth of it. Would it prolong the argument? Was the expended effort and time disposable? You could practically see the chess pieces sliding around in his mine, seeking the best option to proceed with.

At last, he snapped his book shut.

“… Hah!” His laughter is like a bark, terse and dry. “You’ve got some nerve for an herbivore, baring your teeth at me.”

Thank the Seven.

Your victory, but you could hardly bask in it for long. He made his move, swift as lightning.

“Alright, I’ll sleep—but only on one condition.”

His eyes sparkled with mirth, immediately setting you on edge. You mentally suited up and braced yourself for another battle.

“Fine. Name your price, Kingscholar.”

… This is a ridiculous condition.

You found yourself climbing onto the mattress (with explicit permission from Leona, of course; he would kill you if you didn’t have it). Kneeling, you squished your thighs together and patted them—an awkward invitation for him to rest his head there. He smugly took you up on the offer, making himself comfortable in your lap.

Leona’s heavy, as expected, from his size and all that muscle packed onto it. His thick mane, splayed out on you, was surprisingly silky. You ran your fingers through it, and which baited a snarky comment from him. (“Oi, I’m not a house pet.”) “J-Just adjusting it,” you had mumbled. “It was tickling me.”

You became distinctly aware of the fact that Leona Kingscholar is lying on you. Looking up at you. His book in your possession. Alone, in his room, at night.

Your brain cells were for sure cooked.

“… Oi. You gonna read to me or what?” Leona demanded, bringing you down to earth. “I can’t sleep without a good bedtime story.”

“I-I’m getting to it!” You hurriedly opened to the chapter he had left off on. Strings of long, foreign words hit you in the face, sending your head spinning. “Wh-What…”

H-He purposefully set me up! There’s no way I can read this…!

“I’m waiting,” he reminded you. His tone, a challenge.

Wh-Whatever, I’ll just have to make something up!

“Th-There once was a… lion. A scarred lion, who was rough and tough and thought he was better than everyone else.”

A snort.

He’s mocking me!!

“Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons is coincidental,” you blurted out.

“Sure it is. Never doubted you for a second.” He didn’t sound like he believed you, but vaguely waved a hand, as if you dismiss the infraction. “Continue.”

“… The scarred lion ruled over the other animals, and the other animals all admired him. But when he looked into his reflection in the drinking pool, the scarred lion didn’t see anything there.”

“Yeah? And why’s that?”

“Why? Because a tin man has no heart, a scarecrow has no brain, and… the lion had no hope.”

“Hope, huh…”

The word was distant and forlorn, a whisper in the dark.

“Don’t worry. This story had a happy ending.” You cleared your throat. “The scarred lion didn’t believe in himself, but he had the support of the animals that followed him. With their help, he was as able to build a new kingdom—one stronger than any before it. And they all lived happily ever after… The end.”

“…”

“… Leona?”

No response.

You peeled the book away from yourself. Tried again. “Leona?”

“Zzzzzz…”

Your jaw dropped. He was completely conked out.

“You’re impossible! It only took you like three whole seconds to fall asleep. You didn’t need me to do any of this performative crap.”

You were certain that he didn’t properly process any of your complaints. All his ears did was twitch in response to the familiar sound of your voice. (He hated that it was cute.)

Well, guess I’m stuck here for a while. You sighed, absentmindedly wrapping a lock of his hair around one finger.

He felt like a warm weighted blanket draped over you—protection from the cool savanna evening, and the harsh glare of sunlight to come in the morning. The moon and the stars softened the shadows on his sleeping face, drew them longer where his lashes cast. It was like gazing at a painting rendered by the hand of a revenant artist, wanting to paint him in the sky so that all could witness this beauty.

Yet it is only you who witnesses it.

This isn’t so bad, actually.

You smiled. “… Hehe. Good night, sweet prince.”