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written-in-knife · 2 months ago

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Plot: Read to find out :) Characters: Riddle Rosehearts, Leona Kingscholar, Azul Ashengrotto, Kalim Al' Asim, Vil Schoenheit, Idia Shroud, and Malleus Draconia + special platonic guest Warnings: Mentions of depressive themes and anxiety. Spoilers for TW main story. A/N: This is a doosy. I hope you like it. It might be one of my favorite works to date.

Difficult to notice, yet deadly if ignored. The smudge of black on Grim's magestone went unnoticed by many as the days at Night Raven College passed. Each as chaotic and entertaining to Grim as the last. Over time the spot grew. A dot turned into a speck, and the speck soon turned into a splotch. Which then became a streak, and finally a stain that screamed "Look at me! Notice Me! I am here!". It remained unseen, until an eerie sensation overtook our feline friend. One that sparked panic as his ability to cast magic dwindled - as if whatever was maintaining the stone was on the cusp of breaking.

By then it was too late.

Grim had no time to panic or think about what caused his magestone to sour. Neither did the Ramshackle prefect or any other student at Night Raven College.

Funny enough. The stress of yet another possible overblot occurring was enough for the last inch of purple to be overcome by darkness. Grim ran away from his friends in a panicked frenzy, afraid that they'll be hurt and scared for what pain he would feel. Arms yanked the school's magicless tactician out of harm's way - the prefect had solved many cases and would do so successfully again. They would save him.

Tension tight enough to suffocate hung in the air as students either prepared for battle or fled. All eyes watching Grim as he desperately tried to shake the blot out of his stone; yet, he never turned. No monster bleeding black ooze was in sight. Just a trembling cat.

Mass confusion overtook all as they looked between each other for answers.

"Looking for me?"

A monotone voice echoed from beyond the barricade of students. A voice many spoke to on a daily basis that normally sang with snarky quips and lovable anecdotes. Students barreled away from its direction as black ooze overtook the ground beneath them.

Screams fell to deaf ears as the the overblot manifestation crawled up their legs and encased those fleeing in a midnight chrysalis. Any who tried to fight received the same fate. It toyed with them mercilessly until they resigned themselves to their insignificance.

"Please stop running. It makes this much more difficult on me...but then again, when did that ever matter?"

Compared to other overblots, the prefect held no shadow. No presence. They stood idle - like a husk - as the blot wreaked havoc in their place. Lifeless eyes scoured a crowd of pleas and cries with no signs of feeling or mercy. Like they were a puppet.

Their eyes met his, and momentarily the darkness ceased its spread. As some students took the chance to run in the distance - they reach out a hand. His name stutters from their lips as a pitch-black tear fell to the floor.

"Riddle"

He gasps when you say his name. For a moment Riddle is caught off guard, and it's enough time for the ooze to begin crawling up his calf. His own magestone suffered greatly from trying to keep the dark magic at bay while aiding nearby students in their escape.

It's light flickers in his hand as he tries desperately to cast another warding spell. Alas, it was out of mana.

And Riddle is out of time.

He thought of his own overblot on occasion. Some parts were foggy, and others he could remember vividly enough to believe he was still there. Trapped in his own self-loathing. Scared. Angry. Vengeful.

Then there was you. Strong. Independent. Respected. You had merely been at his school for a few weeks and somehow managed to take charge of situations he could not begin to fathom. You saved him when he did not know he needed to be saved. Riddle envied it at the time. Wanted the ability to guide others and still be loved by them - like you.

At some point he no longer wanted to become you. He wanted to be with you. He was proud of your intelligence and always made sure you were aware that it was superior to many he knew.

He wonders what you are feeling. If you are aware like he was, or if you are in a slumber like the students you have captured. At least, he hopes that is what happened to them and you have not done any 'permanent' harm.

Riddle stops struggling when the ooze reaches his waist. He needs a new approach...your approach.

"MC...MC can you hear me?! You need to fight it! There is no logic in mass hysteria!," he screams above the chaos with clenched fists. Your eyes meet once again and Riddle sighs in relief. He may have a chance -

"I am not logical," you say calmly, and return to watching the chaos, "and I never want to be,"

The ooze stretches over his arms and in the distance he sees the remnants of his dorm succumb to the blot. His frustration overpowers his fleeting confusion at your words. Now red contrasts to black, as his face burns in anger.

"Clearly so! If you're going to behave so childishly!"

"Maybe. It will be over soon. Logic is unnecessary when there is nothing,"

"What's wrong with you?! Suddenly doing all this - what example are you setting for other students? You were a role-model to - "

"None. I was a role-model to none," the ooze halts abruptly at the top of Riddles neck and he strains his head away from it. You glare at him with clenched teeth, "I did not ask for their expectations. Since I cannot escape them or this place...I will be rid of them permanently,"

Your hands fly to fist at your head and your breaths become ragged. Riddle found the land mine he was looking for...and he greatly disliked the familiarity.

"Expectations are given to people worthy. You may not agree, but it is the truth. Every expectation you receive is determined by a bar that you have put into place. You are in control MC. You have always been in control," Riddle releases a breath as the ooze begins to recede to his shoulders.

You go quiet, and gaze down at the ink staining your hands in terror, "I failed everyone. I failed you," you cry, "I'm so so sorry,"

The ink recedes to Riddle's feet and he sprints to your side. He kneels and takes your hands in his. Around you, students escape as the blot begins to fade away.

"If anyone needs to apologize...it is I. Let it be known that I expect nothing of you other than your happiness. Even then, it is and always will be your choice..."

"Leona"

Leona tenses in place and his ears twitch. His guard is still on high alert, but his heart thrums in his chest at record breaking pace. For a brief moment, he heard your voice. Not the distorted mutilation coming from the blot...but your voice.

Weak. Fragile. Suffering.

His legs act alongside his head and Leona dodges the spike of ooze aimed for his wrist. His quick reflexes protect him from becoming trapped in whatever cocoon you were encasing other students in.

His first instinct is to use King's Roar...but doing so would hurt you in the process. There's no doubt in his mind that it's why you called for him. That...and one other reason. He knows you can handle it. You're strong. He's pointed out your admirable strength for a human on many occasions. From nearly fist-fighting a groom-seeking ghost, keeping up with his spell drive practices, lugging him across campus, to even outrunning the leech twins every other hour - your ability to take a hit was well known.

Even now. Leona did not predict that you could overblot, but your form does not surprise him in the slightest. If anyone was to reek with such raw power, it would be the one person on campus surviving through pure grit. Leona may have underestimated you in the beginning, but he knows better now.

"If you don't stop then I have no choice but to fight you! Is that what you want?! Because I don’t hold back. Not for you - not for anyone,” he threatens, yet it reaches no one. You don’t spare Leona a glace when he aims his wand at you, “Never thought you’d fall like this, prefect. Tsk. What a disappointment,”

Leona shoots a burst of magical energy your way, but it meets a wall of ooze. It molds around you in a protective barrier, blocking any attack and keeping others at a distance.

Brute force would not work. Yet it was all Leona could do in a situation with no tactical edge. No insult or snarky joke rewarded him with a response. You were merely toying with him - and it made him simmer in rage. As his mana quickly depletes, he begins to believe that ‘saving’ you is a lost cause.

“There was nowhere to ‘fall’ from. Gravity holds us in our place. You of all people should know this, Leona,” you lift an arm, and suddenly he’s pinned down and kneeling on the ground.

“The hell are you talking about?! You’ve gone insane - look at this place,”

“It’s not fun to live in denial Leona. Aren’t you tired of fighting a 'lost cause'? I know that I am…”

You approach and kneel down in front of him at eye level. A macabre underlaying in your movements as you sway in the sea of black - and it clicks.

Leona found his edge…and it burns. His stomach lurches knowing what he has to do. With all his strength he pulls his remaining mana to rip his arms from the ooze and grab your shoulders. Tightly. His claws dig into your skin and draw crimson.

“I will never give up,” he grits, “but I can reevaluate. I might not be first born but I’ll be damned if that stops me from getting what I want…and I was right to peg you an idiot if you're thinking otherwise,”

Your eyes narrow at his words, and suddenly every ounce of darkness in the area is pointed like sharp needles at Leona.

“Too bad you’ll die before-“

“Sure, like you have the gull to kill me? You haven’t given up either,” Leona speaks out confidently, “stronger than I am. You would never kill someone for personal gain…and you know it. Why else have you come this far, huh? To play mage? No, you’re doing it to live so quit throwing a fucking tantrum and grow up. Whatever it is that you want to do…,” he stands abruptly and you quickly pull the needles away - proving his point and he smirks.

“I’ll help you to do it, alright. So let everything go and only look my way,”

And you do. Leona catches you just as your consciousness gives out and all the miasma from the area slowly fades away. Not a scratch or sign of distress in sight….as if everything was a bad dream that NRC just awoke from. Leona picks you up and escapes the area quickly. Health now, theorizing after.

"Azul"

A shiver snakes down Azul's spine. Your voice hangs still in the air - clouding his mind and his eyes sting as he forgets to blink. He never pictured you begging. Not like the poor unfortunate souls he would ensnare with his contracts. Azul has heard you yell, he's seen you jump when startled and seen the color drain from your face when being scolded.

Yet, never desperate. Never terrified.

He doesn't know what to do. His magic is useless. Azul is useless...in the face of this. You.

Beautiful.

Even now. He finds you astonishing. The way you stand tall in a sea of black. He only sees you from behind yet even that feels like a forbidden pleasure. The miasma radiates from you like ocean waves on a calm evening. Your movements are fluid as you fall in sync with their flow and to Azul it's like you are dancing. Like an angelfish in the depths of the sea...you call to him.

Something cold and slimy wraps around his wrist in Azul's moment of weakness. It yanks him down and he's nearly dragged into a cocoon of black - almost. Luckily Professor Vargas is stronger. He grabs Azul by the shoulder and rips him out of the trap before demolishing it. Vargas' expression is steel as the blot retreats towards it's source...

You are reaching out in Azul's direction one moment, and in the next Vargas is standing protectively in front of him - blocking you from sight.

His professor yells, "Enough MC, fight me head on! I will protect these students with my-" and is blasted away before Azul can offer assistance. Just as he began to comprehend the situation...you overtook him once again.

A gust of air whips by and he squints. When his eyes open, you're a hairs length away from Azul's face - one move and your noses will touch.

Your hollow gaze bores into him, "Even in chaos, you won't look me in the eye. Your attention is always elsewhere," and his heart shudders.

He speaks without thinking, "My attention is never not on you," and he's completely forgotten about his likely injured teacher.

"Lies,"

"Truths," he breaths, "Even now. You are all I see," and he means it.

"You only look because I am now worthwhile," one of your hands slides up his shoulder and wraps around his bowtie, "I now have power to offer you. Would you like to make a contract?"

What was happening to him? Why...were the things he couldn't say days before slipping from his lips like butter.

His heart pounds at the offer. The power of an overblot at the reach of his fingertips...it's never been done before. If successful it would open doorways of new magical discoveries. Everyone would envy him-

and yet

'Azul,' your plea from earlier surfaces in his memory.

An offer has never disgusted him more. He cannot resist gagging at the thought..."Not on my life," he spits out in a haste.

You give no reaction to his distaste - or so he would think, if thick blot did not begin to curl between your bodies. Azul ignores the way it grips his clothes and steels himself.

"You do not need a contract to have me. You have always been - and will continue to be - my strength," he reaches to gently grab the hand around his neck, "this form is but a piece of you, yet I still cannot look away. You are everything,"

Insecurity. He doesn't know what could breed such a painful emotion in you - but from the way the world crumbles he must have assumed correctly.

You look away as the air begins to clear, and crystal tears prick the corners of your eyes.

Azul lifts his hands to your cheeks and brushes them away with his thumbs.

Beautiful.

"Kalim"

Quick on his feet, Kalim summons Oasis Maker to flush out some of the toxic mist spreading across the area. He falls into action like clockwork, guiding students out of the area and serving as a distraction until higher mages arrive. He is positive that the situation will be handled - except now you are not there to solve it.

Which isn't your fault. None of this is.

If anything, it's Kalim's fault. Which means he needs to work extra hard so that you don't blame yourself for anything. Which he knows you will do.

Because you're honest.

Which is something many people say about Kalim himself - they call it his fault. His 'defect'.

They're half-right. Kalim's honesty is not the same as yours. He chooses positivity and openness. You? It comes naturally. In ways that don't require a smile and energetic outlook on life. You are someone Kalim never has to second guess with - and that is a gift.

Your honesty is what Kalim loves the most about you. Your blunt nature and ability to stick with your gut. It is one of your biggest strengths...and he does not want you to lose it.

The way you called for him - knowing. You knew this overblot was coming yet said nothing. There was nothing that could have been done to stop it. Whatever you have buried beneath the surface - Kalim understands.

This image of you. This 'blemish'. It is your honesty. It’s your grimace every time someone comments on your “fortune” for getting free enrollment. It’s your relief when a harsh exam is over with, or when you lay in bed after a long day. Your excitement when Kalim takes you on a particularly adventurous ride on his flying carpet…your despair, when someone you care about is in trouble. It’s all of that wrapped in a bundle and put on display for everyone to see.

Kalim is scared. Not of you - but for you, because this emotionless monster wreaking havoc is what you perceive yourself as.

He feels guilty for not looking your way more than once. For leaving you to needlessly fight with the people you care about…but as the last student flees to safety he feels relief.

As he turns to face you with a grin - he feels happiness.

“Go on. Everyone’s gone now MC! Let it out!”

You turn away from fighting with your close friends. Ace and Deuce are weathered to dust and collapse on the floor. Rain still pours from Kalim’s signature spell and it mixes with the black miasma in puddles on the ground.

The two boys shout for Kalim to run - that you won’t see reason. He laughs and tells them not to worry before running towards you.

“Everyone’s safe now…you don’t have to worry anymore,” he says, and takes off his cardigan to lay over your shoulders. He adjusts it with a gentle smile and lifts his hand to wipe off a smear of ink from your cheek, “I hope you don’t catch a cold. I’ll take care of you, but I bet that wouldn’t be fun for you,”

“I was not worried,” you say, unblinking as he continues to fiddle with your garments, “the cold is irrelevant. As are you - flee you yellow pest,”

“Yes, you were,”

“No,”

“Yup!”

You slightly narrow your eyebrows at him, “and what makes you so certain?”

Your hand extends to the side at that moment, and ink lifts to encase the exhausted first years up to their necks, “would you like to join them?”

Kalim clutches the jacket tighter and ignores the panicked yapping of his friends.

“If that would make you happy, then sure! Take me! Just let them go…I don’t want you to be upset over this later,”

“And what makes you sure that there’s going to be a ‘later’?” You ask.

“Well…,” Kalim looks at his friends over your shoulder and then back to you, “because you know it too. Otherwise I’d be gone right now and so would everyone else. Deep down you’re getting ready to let go! And when you do we’ll all be ready to help you,”

Kalim pulls you into a tight hug. His arms wound over your shoulders and shield you from the rain above. A moment passes, and he feels your arms reach up around his back. Not once during the entire encounter did the ooze attack him. Even in a slumber of darkness you still held onto yourself. Just like Kalim knew you would.

“You really are a naïve idiot,” your voice - now full of sorrow - whispers in is ear, “I could have killed you,”

He hugs you tighter, “you could have, and I probably would have let you haha. Next time let’s talk - I’ll always be here for you,”

“I know. You always are,”

"Vil"

An explosion of grime blackens his uniform in a matter of seconds. It covers Vil from head to toe - soaking his hair, dampening his cape, and filling his boots. As students slip across the floor in an attempt to flee, Vil is halted in place by the sickening feeling of filth overtaking him.

Ever calm in the face of chaos, he pulls out a handkerchief to clean himself. The scene before him utterly dull and disinteresting.

"I expected more. Is this all that results from your spite?...honestly, prefect. At least put in some effort beyond this putrid slime,"

And he has you in his clutches. As he tosses the handkerchief over his shoulder, your head snaps robotically in his direction.

He eyes rake over you callously. Nit picking every little 'imperfection', from the bags underneath your eyes to the veins bulging out of your neck from strain. Vil's heels click against the ground as he approaches. Magic trickles from his fingertips and pushes away the barrier of blot that you've created. Effortlessly, he passes through it all.

At your feet kneels a new freshman from his dorm. A young man eyes him with a mix of fear and relief. Vil notes his shredded uniform and eyes bloodshot from crying - likely from begging for mercy.

He lifts his chin at the lad, "Run or fight. Pick now, Pomefiore students do not grovel," and the boy wastes no time escaping with a strained 'thank you'.

"He was not yours to free," your voice echoes. Airy and meaningless to Vil's ears and he watches as ooze captures the boy in a cocoon before he makes it ten paces away.

"It's hypocritical," Vil chuckles, "that you trap them like insects...or is it a metaphor? Do you feel caged, prefect?"

Vil raises a singular eyebrow, taunting you to respond. You do not, yet he expected such due to this 'artificial' state you've taken on.

"Of course you do. I certainly would...although I thought you more determined than resorting to an overblot's power to free yourself,"

Around Vil more people fall prey to your traps. Neither brute force or trickery allows them to leave the miasma's boarder, and he cannot help but feel a smidge of awe at the sight. To bottle the essence into a potion...it would be marvelous. The miracle of a magicless producing an overblot is astounding on it's own, yet the entire scenario is remarkable.

You are remarkable.

Arrows soar and he watches as Rook falls. The hunter turned prey - Rook becomes a bird locked away in a cage. Epel is not far behind him. A string of uncouth curses leaving the boy's lips when he looses his footing to the darkness.

Vil tuts, "If only I could make Epel submit so easily during mannerism lessons...perhaps I can learn from you yet MC,"

"Will you ever cease speaking?"

"First, rude," he sighs, "second, why not force me? People in an overblot state normally do not entertain chatter...what makes you special?"

You eye him, "I don't need to immobilize what's already broken," and he smirks. Of course you would say that of all things. Vil knows you better than you know yourself...he's observed up close and at a distance. Vil knows that you have doubts in him, in the school, in your friends, and in yourself the most.

but you cut no corners. Your dedication to being the 'perfect prefect' is something often admired...to where even your overblotted form is unconsciously maintaining it. Had you not kidnapped half the school in goo prison - none likely would notice an overblot walked the halls.

Until you spoke, at least. This gravelly undertone does not suit you...or does it?

"You may be correct," Vil raises a hand to his chin and pretends to think, "but you are not broken MC. Merely misguided. Your sheer determination has given you the strength to persevere, and I was convinced that it would be enough. I thought you and I to be similar,"

He reaches out and lays a steady hand on your shoulder. You look up at him through your eyelashes, and he takes it as a sign to reach down and hold your hand. His delicate fingers intertwine with yours.

"I was wrong. You are capable of more than brute force - so cage me. Otherwise you will have to hear my ramblings for all eternity. You won't, because you are more determined than I was to break through this spell...but go on and try. You have my cooperation,"

Your hand tightens around Vil's and for the first time since coming to your side - emotion is clear on your face.

Thick tears stream down your cheeks and Vil breaths out in relief.

"You're right...ugh, why are you always right ya pompous asshole," you say and bring his fingers to your forehead. A faint blush dusts Vil's cheeks and he smiles.

"I am the fairest, after all. My voice was bound to reach you eventually, my dear"

"Idia"

Oh no. Nononononon this can’t be happening. Not them. Anyone but them.

Great seven. He must have misheard amongst the screams or the reception in his dorm must have bugged out.

Whichever it is, Idia panics and yanks his earphones off of his head. Multiple monitors within his room show the catastrophe playing out from different angles. At the center is his main screen, which is black despite the video signal still being active. The moment his name left your lips a harpoon of blot shot at his tablet . Then there was nothing.

What the hell just happened? Idia thinks, a cold sweat dripping down his spine. His hair flares an anxious orange as he chews on his nails. The last thing he saw before dark was your face - void of expression yet morphed in pain. Then there was Ortho. His beloved little brother was trying to reach his tablet before everything snapped.

“Ah! What is this - the final boss?! Some kind of plot twist?! We think it’s all over just for a normie to blot? This is ridiculous-“

Despite the dark - Idia can hear. Muffled rustling echoes from the headset on the floor as he paces back and forth in his room. He knew there was a reason he felt so energized when you were around! Ortho said it was because he was …eugh…feeling things - but you were practically smothering him with your blot.

To energize Idia of all people…it must be strong. How the hell is he supposed to save you from that? No way!

"Big brother…please! We….need you!….MC….needs you!" Ortho's voice fades in and out but Idia can hear him clear enough. He halts in his tracks and clutches his head from stress. In one hand, he could stay in his room and let someone else handle you. In the other, he could leave the safety of his bedroom like an absolute idiot and try something. Anything - and pray it works.

He grabs a pillow and screams various curses into it. His hair flairs up into blood red from frustration and angry tears prick his eyes.

Curse him for being a total coward. Courage…bravery…they were your traits - not his. You stopped so many others and saved them - even him! A worthless wimp. You found a way and now he gets to live happily with his brother.

And despite it Idia can’t bring himself to return the favor. Who asked you to help him in the first place anyway!? Now he has a debt and … ugh, no. That’s not it. This isn’t about a debt and never was.

“Please! You’re the only one,” Ortho yells again and Idia can hear the sound of a battle. He looks at the security cameras to see blot covering the main building and slowly inching it’s way outwards. Not to long and it would reach him anyways…

He grabs his wand along with his uniform jacket, slips on his boots, and finds another one of his tablets. What’s he going to do? - Idia has a plan but it’s definitely something you’d take to a lvl 10 raid with friends and not a lvl 100 boss.

His heart pounds in his chest as he reaches the blot boarder. It flocks to him and he grimaces in disgust before barreling through - flickering through cctv feed on his tablet and making sure Ortho can stave you off until he arrives.

Ortho does, but the moment Idia enters the scene his brother falters. He’s swallowed up by blot right at the last second and Idia has no time to be frightened. The campus had become a sea of black cocoons by the time he arrived…and amidst them all you stood in silence. As if you were waiting for the chosen challenger…

“M-MC? What are y-you doing?! E-everyone’s d-d-dead?!”

“Not dead. Sleeping. Soon I will join them…as will you, Idia,” you say, and one of the cocoons opens to reveal his broken tablet. Idia’s hands shake when he realizes that there is no one else left.

It was up to him to save you. To save everyone and himself.

You begin to walk towards him and Idia takes steps back as you approach.

“Are you afraid of me, Idia? Oh - who am I kidding…you always have been. Worry not. There is nothing to be scared of here,”

The words you speak would normally comfort him - perhaps even leave Idia flustered and feeling protected.

But they’re cold. They might come from your lips but they lack meaning behind them and he can’t hear your voice. The way you say Idia’s name makes him shriek and hold his wand defensively.

He lets out a shaky breath, “I might be too dysfunctional for many things - but I’ve never been bested by a normie. Give back my brother!”

Idia quickly casts a spell -- and it hits! He fully expected you to dodge or for something to deflect it - but you’re struck in the chest. He jumps when you're sent flying backwards and into a wall. A sickening crunch accompanies the impact

He hurt you, and the realization costs him to shake harder. The thought of you resenting him for it makes bile rise to his throat -

"Shit- are you okay?? What kinda villain doesn't dodge an attack?" he yells but keeps his distance.

You pick yourself up effortlessly, and he's almost relieved - if not for the blood dripping from your forehead.

You lift two fingers to the cut, "That was an unexpected development," and bring them down to admire black ichor, "yet not unwelcome"

"Tell me, does it feel good? All this blot must be an endless source of mana...why not fight me? You know you want to,"

Idia always believed you were crazy, but this? What the hell were you feeling to become so creepy? He takes a step back and eyes you warily.

Idia grits his teeth, "The hell is wrong with you? I can't believe that I'm saying this but we're not in a game, idiot! I almost killed you!"

"Isn't it though?," you chuckle dryly, "it must be, considering how dangerous this world is. You agree, don't you? That hiding away is what's best when this," you gesture to yourself, "is what you find outside"

You've backed Idia into a corner with his own outlook on life as the ammo. He's lost for words. Unable to disagree since you are right - life outside is difficult.

"I-if I meant that then I wouldn't be here, now would I?" he smirks.

Yet you know better, "Truly? Then where were you before? I recall a young boy calling for his brother -for a 'savior' - long before you arrived"

You smile at the word 'savior,' yet it does not reach your eyes. In an instant you're in front of him, and Idia drop his wand in shock.

"Tell me - do you believe that you can 'save' me?," your lips point to frown, "do I even want to be saved?"

He goes quiet. That was definitely a villain monologue if he ever heard one...and if you currently weren't skirting death then he would cringe.

"Likely not," he whispers, "you have never needed to be saved. Out of everyone here MC, you are definitely the most meta character in this 'game,'"

You look down at him disinterested. Neither in his words or in how -for once- he is staving off your insults before they throw him into self-deprecation mode.

Idia gestures to the scene surrounding you, "I mean - just look at this! You've decimated half the school! I'd be crazy to think that sappy words and playing half-baked hero could stop this..." he places down the tablet in surrender and reaches out a shaking hand to grab your ankle. Blot curls from your body to his arm and he bites into his cheek to avoid shirking away, "...but I had to try. Normally when something bad happens - I wait for Ortho to step in. You too, you're so fearless that it's laughable,"

He glares up at you, his hair singing the floor surrounding him, "but this version of you took him away - and I know the real you is scared shitless. I may be spineless, but I'm not blind. You're freaking out more than I am at this mess, and I'm going to drag you back to fix it. I do not have the capacity to handle the social aftermath of being in the 'last survivor' trope, so let me save you, "

He pulls you down on top of him and secures his arms tightly around you. Idia doesn't let go through your squirming and the blot trying to worm it's way through his hold.

He can't save you alone, but he can make you save yourself. The crappy he speech was embarrassing enough so just give in already! Stop struggling and quit being so self-sacrificial. Be selfish for once and let him do something.

He longer he holds you, the less you struggle. The blot coating the area begins to clear as your body begins to tremble just as much as Idia's. Students begin to free themselves and he keeps you in a tight hold - for safe measure! Until someone comes to take you to the nurse! Definitely not because he can sense that you're crying, and is now conscious of the people staring at you both. He definitely is not trying to hide beneath you.

"Malleus"

All was silent. Malleus sat on the loveseat in his bedroom while reading a book to pass the time until nightfall. Then he would head over to Ramshackle dorm for his evening walk with his beloved. You would talk, and he would listen. The fireflies would light a path for you both to follow in the Forrest as he leads you by the hand. It is his favorite part of the day - these routine walks. Merely seeing your face brightens his mood, and having your attention solely on him is a kindness he does not deserve. He thanks whatever power that summoned you here every night before falling asleep.

The way you make idle chatter by asking about his day and take genuine interest in the mundane things he shares. Malleus' heart holds nothing but adoration for his caring sweetheart. He is attuned to every little movement, every mannerism and tick that sums you up.

Which is why his heart plummets and breath halts when your voice thrums in his ears. It was distant, but he would hear your call no matter how far.

What startles him most is the fear in your tone. You know well that he would allow no harm to befall you - ever. He has come to your aid countless times. During each you remain calm and ever the pacifist. Only asking him to support you in solving a problem.

This fear was new. He hadn't pondered it longer than a moment before Lilia burst into his bedroom.

"We have a problem. A big one," he says, with no trace of humor or playfulness in his voice.

Malleus all but throws the book at his bed and dashes out the door. With a poof, he vanishes.

Thunder and lightning echo across Night Raven College in his wake.

Malleus feels unsettled at the sight before him. He prepared for the worst - monsters, explosions, a psychopathic twink named after candy. He was ready to shield you from all evil and banish whatever made you to say his name in any tone other than bliss.

What was he to do, when faced with you? A corrupt, stomach-churning, inconceivably warped version of you...but still the person he cares for deeply? He cannot use force. That is for certain.

Then there is the matter of the students. In one corner a defenseless few cower together, as those braver stand guard to fight off figments of blot. He hears familiar voices in the distance - some cursing you and others pleading. They notice him and cry out in relief. That is a first - very few find his presence comforting.

"Malleus? How curious, that you'd join me before nightfall," you appear in front of him. Waves of miasma fly off you but it does not bother him in the slightest. As if he was infectious, the blot filters around him in waves to find its next victim.

His eyes visibly soften at what you've become, "MC...what should I do? How can I help you?"

"Help me? I am fine," you say, and he notes your dazed appearance. As if he was a figment of your imagination and you can see beyond him.

"No, you are not," he reaches out, "you are hurting. You would never dream of harming others. You are overcome by negative emotions,"

"I do not feel 'overcome' by anything. They are the ones who chose to run. I merely stopped them. If everyone would comply then I wouldn't have to hurt them," you slap his hand away and Malleus glowers, "they asked for this. You are as well, if you decide to oppose me,"

Retreating a few paces back, Malleus rethinks his approach. He cannot help you if you can't tell him what is wrong, but he cannot deduce what's wrong if you think he is 'opposing' you.

Malleus knows that he can end this with the snap of his fingers. It would save all of NRC's students, but in the process you could be hurt - and in his humble opinion, you have suffered enough. The mere memory of this incident will leave you in emotional pieces that he is more than willing to help collect. He cannot do the same for physical parts.

"I will not fight you," he says definitively, "but I will not leave you either. I promised to protect you and I do not go back on my word. Until the day you are willing to listen, I will wait for you,"

"and what if that day never comes to pass?"

"Then I will wait beyond forever. Until you give me a chance to repay the kindness you have shown me, and ensure nothing causes you pain ever again,"

Malleus is genuine despite the cries of his school mates and teachers. He has no doubts that you will see reason, be it within the next hour or in the next millennia. You will never be too far gone because he will be there to keep you within reach. He is willing to wait.

You clutch your hands at your sides, "Kindness? I have never been kind. Only desperate,"

Malleus steps forward and removes one of his gloves. He remains at a safe distance despite wanting to hold you in his arms. Instead, he repeats his earlier actions and holds out a hand.

"Desperation can take many forms. Anger, anxiety, impulsiveness, - but you have always acted in the interest of others. Even now, in this state, you believe your harmful actions are necessary to 'stop' people and admit not desiring to hurt them. You may not see it, but you are kind,"

You stare at his ungloved hand before laying your own on top of it. Normally your skin would be a welcome warmth against his reptilian temperature, but your touch is like ice. He lightly wraps his hand around yours, and steps forward to rest his chin on your head.

"I'm cruel,"

"No, you are caring,"

"I hate this place. I only help because I have to,"

"You dislike being trapped, yet cannot help but care for the people here,"

He lifts his hand behind your head, and pushes your face into the nape of his neck. The air begins to clear, and he smiles in relief.

"I might hurt you," you say softly, and clutch his sleeves.

"And I will forgive you,"

"Grim!"

In your last sane moments, you call for your friend. The little cat that's been by your side since the very beginning. He was scared to become a monster...but Grim knew deep down that you would save him. You're his best friend! You always bail him out of trouble.

So what should he do? Tell him MC...what can Grim do to help you?

He's scared. You both may make up a team, but he's always been the troublemaker while you are the intelligent one! He might brag about a test or two - but he can't make a plan! That's your job!

The floor shakes under his paws, and he loses his footing. The black magestone slips from his claws and is lost to the crowd. There is no strength in this little body. He normally runs into your arms when it's time to run.

Hands grab him by the scruff of his neck and Grim's hoisted in the air. He struggles against your grip, but is forced to look at your face.

Do you know how many suitors he has had to scare off because of that face? You're beautiful - which pisses Grim off because people keep trying to sway his henchman away from him.

Do you know how tiring that is? Protecting you from jerks and wannabe's. You don't have any family here to help. He owes them that much since you are HALF of the reason that Grim gets to be a student.

You've always been naïve when it came to other people...too honest. Which Grim took advantage of from time to time - but only he can do so! You are his meal ticket after all!

Your grip on his neck is tight enough to prevent him from escaping, but it doesn't hurt. As you look on at the people trying to fight - some to escape like wimps and others to 'save' you - Grim gives up. If you're determined to destroy the school...well, he can't stop you. No one can. You always find a way to make things work in your favor and Grim secretly thanked the Great Seven that you were not his enemy. Until now, that is. Now he's cursing them out heavily in his head.

The students fighting. Ace, Deuce, Jack, Epel, - anyone and everyone who's become your friend. Some yell for you to let Grim go and others focus on trying to make you see reason all together. They can't get close.

If you weren't 'busy,' Grim knows that you'd be there with them. Being bossy as hell and taking charge. He wishes that he had that courage.

You finally move when everyone has fallen. With Grim still in your grasp, you walk across the sea of blot to admire your work. It's then that a glimmer catches Grim's eye, and your foot kicks the dropped magestone from before.

You reach down to pick it up - cautiously.

"Is this yours?" you say, and hold it up to him. Grim's eyes widen and he quickly snatches it in his paws.

Upon close inspection, he sees that he was mistaken before. In the far corner a sliver of purple stands out against the black stone. You could be saved.

Grim could stop this.

So he does what he does best, and clings to your side. His claws dig in to your waist and no matter how hard you pull he does not let go.

"It's my fault you're like this, right? I annoy ya and demand things all the time. I'll stop getting ya into trouble - I promise! I won't mess with your lovelife or steal your snacks anymore. I'll start studying for tests and help clean around the house! I'll even quit stealing your phone! Please just give me my friend back - "

Somewhere amidst his garbled sniveling - you stop pulling at him and instead begin to stroke his fur. His last resort resonated with the ounce of kindness that still remained. As you held Grim safely in your arms, the world shifted back to normal.

#twst #save #this is almost three years old but it was posted on my birthday and it made me cry so im saving it to reread a thousand times #GRIMS PART?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? a masterpiece. ive never been more in love

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written-in-knife · 2 months ago

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Thank you for your support! I didn't expect this to attract so many people. You wrote me so many nice words, I will live on this energy, rereading all this, for a few more years ahahaha

Thank you for watching my mermaids these 25 days (well, 24, I missed one day ><)

#these are so amazing i really recommend going to their page and scrolling through them individually they're so damn pretty #twst #save

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written-in-knife · 2 months ago

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hey so how do you think Lilia would deal with having a s/o where he pulls teasingly on her and she says stuff back. He does his usual, “cheeky one aren’t you? Be careful or I might have to bite”. And his s/o is quiet for a moment and then says, “Is that a promise?” Or he talks about how her voice entices him and his s/o’s just like “Yours is very attractive too”?

Sweet Words

Lilia Vanrouge x gn!reader, established relationship

Fluff, humor

I feel like Lilia could only ever be with someone who matches his freak. I hit a writing wall for a while, and you know how with anything you have to warm up before getting into what you actually wanna work on? I keep warming up on a throw away Ace fic and keep getting carried away on it. It's got 14k words on it now. So anyway.

Lilia adores the constant push and pull of your banter together. He's always been impressed by how quick you are to fire back at his quips

It started before the two of you had even gotten together, Lilia wasn't picky about who he teased and you seemed like the perfect target. And he was right, just not in the way he'd been expecting.

He'd popped up behind you after an assembly, startling you enough to get you tripping over your own feet. He caught you with a "Well I didn't expect you to be falling for me so soon!"

And you looked up at him without missing a beat and said "Only because I knew you'd be here to catch me."

"Oh? Cheeky~ Careful, I may bite." "Promise?"

And, just like that, he was done for

It was the start of a beautiful relationship, the banter only getting better with time. It's one of his favorite parts of the day

It always felt like a particularly good game of pong (do the kids still play pong?) how effortlessly you were able to knock lines back and forth, flirting as easily as breathing

You did actually manage to catch him off-guard fairly often, dropping lines that had him fanning the blush on his face like he was still in his early two hundreds

More often than not, your banter was said while barely glancing up from whatever either of you were doing, smirks on either of your faces, while onlookers gag from how overwhelmingly corny the two of you are

"I almost wonder if you're really a siren in disguise with how drawn I am to your voice, dearest." "If only it were half as sweet as yours, maybe then I could actually lure sailors to their doom."

"I can't believe I've finally found someone who could actually measure up to my cuteness." "Measure up, maybe, but never surpass. I'm fairly certain you're the epitome of cuteness." "Oh? And how would could you be so certain?" "You just said yourself that I'm the only one who can even measure up, and I always put full faith in your judgement."

Lilia wouldn't trade you or an ounce of your wit for the world

I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO USE MY WORKS TO TRAIN AI

MASTERLIST

#twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #lilia vanrouge #lilia vanrouge x reader #mine #anybody else been getting an influx of x reader hate on their dash or is that just me #cause i get that some people dont like x reader stuff especially outside of otome and otome adjacent games like twst #but like;;;; idk if its just hitting harder now that im writing more but :(#like damn alright. guess i'll take my three hundred friends and get outta here then.#also thank you for over three hundred followers that's wild and i love you

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written-in-knife · 2 months ago

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I was on the twst wiki looking at the maps to figure out how to write a scene and i feel like we dont talk about heartslabyul's blatant mcdonald's sponsorship enough

#i saw that and out loud and very dejectedly did the mcdonalds jingle #what the fuck IS THAT?? it's ENORMOUS.#yuu walking behind the heartslabyul dorm for the first time and no one knows why they're suddenly fuckin LOSING IT #twisted wonderland #twst #hilarious. anyways i swear to god im working on requests please refer to my header image #ALSO. why did no one tell me my vil x reader tag has been spelled wrong this entire time???#his personal tag is fine but the x reader tag is missing a c :(

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written-in-knife · 2 months ago

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Hi! Do you write for Sebek? Could I maybe ask a fic where he slowly starts liking the reader/yuu but can only show it in his own harsh and loud way...the reader likes him too but eventually just gets mad at him and ignores him because he keeps blabbering about and comparing them to Malleus and keeps calling them 'human' instead of their name. He then realizes his feelings and tries to fix it, and like accidentally blurts out that he even imagined them getting married or some other crazy thing lol. Something along those lines....(he would absolutely pass out the first time he gets kissed and I am 100% convinced that he is the type of husband, later on in life, that would pass out when you're giving birth to your child)

Thanks!

Book Club

Sebek Zigvolt x gn!reader, pre-relationship

they/them pronouns, fluff, hurt/comfort but in a very light way, mutual pining,

WC: 4806 can a bitch not get carried away? holy shit.

I totally agree, he's a fainter but like also the biggest supporter? I feel like during the birth of his child he would INSIST on seeing it happen, that he'd be fine, then fuckin hit the deck the second he actually looked. I changed the prompt just a little bit because i'm a big fan of two idiots mutually pining for each other until it gets stupid :)

When Malleus asked you to reach out to his retainer, worried he wasn't getting along with his fellow first years, you were a bit hesitant. You'd heard of Sebek, mostly from others complaining about how loud he was. But you weren't one to turn down requests from dear friends, so you went with him to Diasomnia to invite Sebek over to Ramshackle with the rest of your first year friends to participate in a movie night.

When Sebek got your invitation to watch movies at Ramshackle, he almost immediately shot it down. He had better things to do than waste time goofing off with you and your gaggle of troublesome friends. But the second he said that out loud to you, Lilia appeared behind you, glaring him down and shaking his head in disappointment. He was reluctant, but revised his answer, agreeing to ONE movie night. Surely he could suffer through one evening.

You had to talk the others into it, damn near threatening Ace to be nice when you told them you'd invited Sebek. They had similar complaints that you'd already heard, he was loud, rude, bossy, but you weren't having any of their lip. You jabbed your finger at Ace when the final knock came on Ramshackle's front door, reminding him to behave as you went to answer it. You opened the door to Sebek waiting on the front porch, standing as militarily poised as ever, a basket in his hands.

"HUMAN." He shouted in greeting, thrusting the basket forwards. "Lilia sent me with various snacks to partake of during the film."

You took the basket slowly, wincing slightly as you looked over it. "He didn't... cook any of this himself, did he?"

"Ah, no. Silver insisted he just pick things up from the school store," he explained as you felt the tension in your shoulders release, "something about different tastes. I wasn't listening."

"Well, thanks." You gave him a smile, stepping aside to let him into the dorm. "C'mon, we're still setting up."

You closed the door behind him before leading him to the lounge where Grim and Ace had picked up their argument about which movie to watch, Ortho rattling off ratings for either of the movies that he pulled up from his spot on the couch. You watched Jack roll his eyes at them for what seemed like the hundredth time as you set the snack basket down on the coffee table next to the tray of baked goods Trey had sent with Ace and Deuce. Sebek was still hovering by the doorway, looking extraordinarily out of place, fingers flexing at his sides anxiously. You wandered back over to him, catching his awkward gaze.

"You can grab a seat anywhere," you offered, gesturing to the couch and chairs around the TV, "Epel's heating up some cider his parents sent over, and Deuce is off gathering blankets to make the floor more comfortable for him and Ace."

"You're making your guests sit on the floor?" He asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow at you.

"More like seating constraints are." You sighed heavily. "Grim usually sits in my lap so he doesn't have to strain his neck on the floor and everything else is just first come first serve. Deuce offered to take the floor so you don't have to for your first time here."

"I see. Very well, I will sit on the couch." He announced before marching over to sit on the far end, opposite Ortho.

You shrugged as Jack gave you a look before moving over to Ace and Grim, snatching the movie Ace was holding and bringing it over to the TV, ignoring Grim's protesting as you went. It was some horror flick his brother had sent him, which explained why Grim was so hung up about it. You popped it into the player and grabbed the remote as Deuce came in behind you, dumping an armful of blankets and pillows on the floor in front of the TV. He and Ace started spreading them out as Epel came out with a tray of mismatched mugs, setting it on the coffee table before grabbing one and going to sit in the armchair opposite Jack. Which left the spot between Ortho and Sebek for you. When Grim noticed this, he grumbled something under his breath and went to join the Heartslabyul boys on the floor, making you roll your eyes. You went to sit down, noting how completely stiff Sebek was in his spot, back completely straight, hands resting firmly on his thighs, sort of glancing around at the lounge's decor. You tried not to smirk, grabbing a mug for yourself and one for him, holding it out for him to take.

"Thank you." He nodded slightly as you settled into the couch, pulling your legs up to get more comfortable as he stared into the mug. "What... is this?"

"It's apples, man." Epel said simply, giving him a confused look.

"It's good, don't worry." You nudged him lightly with your elbow before starting the movie, Ortho flipping off the lamp next to the couch.

The movie was your typical slasher horror, it seemed the genre overlapped the two worlds. Ace and Deuce kept quietly poking fun at Grim whenever he got scared, leading him to eventually move over to sit with Epel. You stole a few glances at Sebek, trying to keep your laughter to yourself when you realized how intensely he was watching. He never flinched at the jumpscares, didn't seem to react much at all, but he was giving it his undivided attention. He didn't even glance over at you when you tried to pass him some of the snacks, having to reach around him to pass them down to Epel. When the credits rolled, Ortho turned the lamp back on and Sebek finally tore his eyes away from the screen.

"That seemed wholly unrealistic!" He complained, setting his half drank mug on the coffee table to cross his arms. "Why would they run upstairs when the exit was right behind them?"

"I wanna know how stupid you'd have to be to go investigate the spooky noises when you know someone's out to murder you." You scoffed, standing up to swap out the movie to Grim's pick.

Ace groaned, rolling onto his back to look up at you. "It's a movie. It doesn't have to be realistic."

"I just feel like the characters being morons kinda takes me out of it a little." You shrugged at him, stepping over his legs to get to the TV. "Doesn't mean it isn't a good movie."

You pulled out the horror movie, putting it back in its box as Epel stood and plopped Grim into his spot. "I gotta head out, Vil's got some facial thing he wants me to go to in the morning." He grumbled as he stretched. "I left the rest of that cider in the fridge for ya."

"Aw, alright. See you next time?"

"For sure. Night y'all."

Sebek perked up as everyone said good night to Epel, waiting for him to leave the lounge before standing up himself. "I must also leave."

"What really?" You asked, glancing at the time on your phone. "I'm sure Malleus wouldn't mind if you stuck around for one more."

"Do not presume to know Malleus's mind, human!" He snapped before clearing his throat. "Thank you for inviting me, enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Sure..." You hesitated, glancing to Ace and Deuce who immediately shook their heads. "Open invite for next time, by the way. We do this every other weekend." You ignored the boys on the floor as they dramatically rolled their eyes, Ace even going as far as to bury his face in a pillow to grumble into it.

"I... will think about it."

When Sebek returned to Diasomnia, Lilia and Malleus were waiting for him in the lounge, Lilia immediately perking up as he walked into the room.

"So? How'd it go?" Lilia asked, folding his arms on the back of the couch and propping his chin on them, practically kicking his feet in anticipation.

Sebek hesitated for a moment as they stared at him. "It was enjoyable." He landed on with a nod. "There was hot apple juice, and your snacks seemed to be appreciated."

"Did you enjoy the film?" Malleus asked, pleased his plan of "get Sebek to make friends" seemed to be working.

"Not particularly, but everyone else seemed to. I also utilized your advice, Lilia."

"Oh?" Lilia hesitated for a moment as he thought, turning to Malleus slightly. "...Did I give him advice?"

Malleus shrugged, shaking his head slightly as Sebek continued. "To not talk during any show or film. You explained it to me when I rudely interrupted one of your drama shows."

"Ah yes! Well, good! I'm glad you had fun!"

"I believe the Ramshackle dorm hosts these events on a regular basis," Malleus mused, "perhaps you should attend them again, when you have the time."

Sebek wanted to say it was only because Malleus encouraged him to that he returned for movie night, but he'd be lying if he said that were the only reason. The movies were never good, but he enjoyed the camaraderie of watching and disliking them as a group. It took a couple times of him going to actually stay for the second movie, and one time the third, which usually only Ace and Deuce would stay for since they had sleepover permissions. After that, you started waving him down in the cafeteria at meal times, Silver and Lilia having to shove him your way the first few times you did. Sebek noticed after awhile that you were the only one to ever sit next to him, and you knew it was because the others didn't want him yelling in their ear. You didn't bother telling him that, however. But he grew to appreciate your presence at his side, handing him snacks, muttering to him during particularly terrible parts of movies-- which is how he found out that talking was allowed during movies and shows, but you had to keep it to a whisper-- propping your arm on his shoulder to accentuate your point when you were getting really into a story, explaining things in a very casual manner when he didn't quite understand. It was nice. You were nice, he liked you. Perhaps... as a bit more than a friend. He nearly screamed into his pillow when he made that connection before falling asleep one night. He desperately tried not to make his affections towards you obvious after that realization, trying to keep up the casual, friendly atmosphere that had been set. But he thought about you far more often than he'd like to admit.

Which was why he was hesitating by the door to Ramshackle. It was movie night, he did still have a standing invitation, but he was finding it harder and harder to focus on the movies when you were always right there. He eventually did knock, confused and a bit concerned when he had to wait longer than usual for you to come to the door. He saw your face pop up through the window, giving him a confused look before a realization hit. He heard you curse to yourself before pulling the door open, giving him an apologetic look.

"Shit, Sebek, I'm so sorry," you said quickly, pulling out your phone as he looked you over, finding you in your pajamas, "I forgot we never added you to the group chat. I'll do that right now..."

"Has something happened?"

"Yeah, everybody else cancelled on me." You huffed as his phone dinged in his pocket. "Ace and Deuce are on lockdown cause they broke something at Heartslabyul, Epel's on lockdown because Vil found his snack stash, Jack sprained his ankle, and Idia is having some sort of mental breakdown about a girl group I think? Ortho's handling the fallout."

"Is Grim not present?"

You scoffed, rolling your eyes as you stuffed your phone back in your pocket. "He just got back from detention with Crewel for blowing up our potion in lab today. So he's here somewhere pouting that I locked away the good tuna."

"I see..." Sebek muttered, shuffling his feet for a second. "Can we not watch the movie without them?"

You gave him a fond smile. "I don't actually own any movies. Everybody else has just been bringing the ones they want to watch. I'm really sorry, Sebek." He nodded slowly, adjusting the ends of his sleeves awkwardly. There was a long pause and he was about to announce his leave before you spoke up. "But... if you still wanna hang out, we could do a little one session book club. There's plenty of books in here." You jabbed your thumb behind you, giving him a look that almost seemed hopeful.

He hummed in thought for a moment. "I suppose I could peruse your collection."

You smiled wide at him, stepping aside for him to come in like you always did. The two of you ended up on the couch in front of the TV, like usual, books in either of your hands. You'd curled up on one side of the couch, your legs tucked up by the arm while you propped your torso up with a pillow in the middle, and he'd taken his usual spot on the other side, as perfectly postured as ever. The two of you were silent, other than huffs of quiet laughter or small gasps in reaction to your stories. Sebek had been expecting it to be far more awkward, but it was just... nice. Nice to enjoy your company away from the rest of the group, nice to share an interest, nice to have a quiet moment. He had gotten engrossed in his book, barely glancing up when you readjusted yourself to a more upright position in the middle of the couch. It was only a few minutes later that he was startled out of his reading by your head landing on his shoulder. He was about to reprimand you before he turned to see that you'd completely fallen asleep, book caught loosely from falling by just your thumb and your knee, shoulders completely slumped as you relaxed against him, and he froze. Not sure what to do other than not move to avoid disturbing you, he tried to go back to his book, tried to ignore your warmth pressed against his arm, but he couldn't. It wasn't like you'd never touched him before, but those were casual, friendly gestures, not practically cuddling. His face was burning as his thoughts raced, completely betraying him by picturing what a life with you might be like. Would you understand fae courting customs? He was desperate to go back to reading. He reread the same page maybe twenty times by the time you woke up again, groaning lightly as you sat up, allowing him to nearly fling himself to the other side of the couch.

"YOU MUST GET PROPER SLEEP, HUMAN." He shouted, face still burning as you winced slightly at his volume so soon after you'd woken up. "IT IS COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE TO FALL ASLEEP WHEN YOU HAVE COMPANY!"

"I'm sorry, Sebek, it's been a long day..." You apologized through a yawn from behind your hand before placing your book face down on the coffee table. "Feel free to take that book with you, lemme know what you think..." You were actively falling asleep again as you spoke, leaning to your other side to lay your head against the arm of the couch.

"Do you not have a PERFECTLY good bed UPSTAIRS?" He shouted incredulously, startling you awake again.

"That's all the way up there..." You groaned, burying your face in the throw pillow.

Sebek scoffed, shoving the piece of scrap paper you'd given him for a bookmark between the pages before setting the book on the coffee table and standing. "There is no way to get a good night's rest sleeping on this terrible lumpy couch!" He declared with his hands on his hips.

"It'll be fine, Sebek..." You grumbled again, lazily waving your hand at him.

He sighed heavily before deciding this was now a task that had been placed upon his shoulders. You squeaked out a yelp as he scooped you off the couch and into his arms, flinging your arms around his neck to keep from falling, as if he would ever drop you. He'd been to your room once before after volunteering to carry Grim to bed when he fell asleep during a movie and you had to clean up, so he at least knew where he was going. You didn't look at him as he carried you up the stairs, your face had to be as red as his now. Neither of you said anything until he brought you into your room, sitting you down surprisingly gently on the bed before straightening out like a soldier standing at attention.

"There." He huffed, not looking directly at you. "Ensure you get proper amounts and quality of sleep in the future, human."

"Will do... Good night, Sebek."

"Good night, human."

He marched out of the room, shutting the door behind him as you laid back in your bed, climbing under the covers. You were wide awake now, no hope of going back to sleep any time soon. You'd initially invited Sebek over because Malleus had asked you to, but you thought he was actually really nice to be around. You understood why people complained that he was loud and rude, but it was mostly just that he was blunt. He was loud, though. Past that, he was actually very kind and fun to talk to. You liked his little competitive streak, though he definitely needed to work on losing with grace, and you liked how animated he got when he was talking about something he was passionate about, but he should really find other interests past Malleus. Overall, you did really like being around him. You tried not to acknowledge the crush on him that had grown a little too quickly for your liking, knowing it was obvious when Ace started to tease you about it. It's not like you could help it, he was sweet and it was easy to fall for him. Before your little book club accident, you'd even gotten him to start calling him by your name, but you guessed that the sudden contact had shocked him out of that pretty hard. He went back to calling you human all the time, much to your distaste.

You did, however, offer to continue that little book club, meeting up on opposite weeks from movie nights to talk about the books you'd read and recommending new ones for each other. It was at one of these that your irritation with his... less desirable traits got the better of you. He'd compared you to Malleus in the past, usually sidetracking himself into another Malleus anecdote you'd already heard three times, but you could usually brush it off just fine. But you'd be lying if you said it wasn't grating on you. You were telling him about how you'd scared off the birds that were hanging out around Silver when you'd stumbled on him napping in one of the courtyards and how you felt kind of bad about it. He went off on a tangent about how most animals were afraid of Malleus, how the birds wouldn't even dare come around when Silver was attending to his duties, and all the reasons they shouldn't be afraid of his magnificence. You sighed quietly as he continued to rant about Malleus, something inside you just deciding that you couldn't put up with it anymore.

"Hey Sebek?" You called out to him softly, cutting off his ramblings. "I'm so sorry, I just realized how exhausted I am. Maybe we could go over our books next time? I don't wanna make you carry me upstairs again."

Sebek huffed out an annoyed sigh, giving you a disappointed look. "I thought we had discussed the importance of proper sleep, human!"

Human. You tried not to show your annoyance on your face, tried not to let it seep into your tone. Would he even notice if you did? You were fairly certain he didn't notice you at all. "We did, which is why I'm gonna send you home now so I can get proper sleep for tomorrow."

"Very well, we will pick this up next time." He sighed, closing his book and tucking it under his arm as he stood. "I expect a thorough breakdown of your thoughts on that book when we reconvene."

"Sure. Night Sebek."

"Good night, human."

You prayed he didn't notice the way your eye twitched as he turned to leave, barely resisting the urge to grumble that your name wasn't human by biting your tongue near to bleeding. He'd noticed your clipped tone, but just attributed it to your exhaustion. He didn't think anything was really wrong until the next movie night. Deuce let him into the dorm, and you had already made yourself comfortable with Grim in one of the armchairs, only just sparing him a greeting before going back to your conversation with Ortho. Sebek took the armchair opposite you that night, confusion and worry keeping him from focusing on the movies. He stayed for the third that night but you still barely spoke to him, past the courtesy hello and good night, all your answers were as clipped as ever. That night was the first sign anything was off. He still joined the group for meal times, but there was no longer the friendly, casual air between the two of you. It had grown tense, and you were both sure everyone else had noticed it. You were at least sure Ace had, he'd tried to get you to tell him what was up a few times and you kept shooting him down.

Sebek's last straw was a text from you on Saturday, hours before your book club was supposed to start. "I'm not feeling great, gotta cancel. Sorry!" If he'd gotten that text with no other warning signs, he would've brushed it off as truth, but now he was just sure you were avoiding him. And it hurt, not knowing what was wrong and not knowing how to fix it. Two weeks and he was realizing just how bad he missed you. He wasn't sure what to do.

You were sitting on the front steps of Ramshackle, staring at the unfamiliar stars and trying to pull the unfamiliar constellations to distract yourself. You knew it was wrong, you knew you should just tell him why you were mad, but you were honestly a bit worried. He adored Malleus, you can't imagine telling him that you can't stand being compared to his idol anymore would elicit a good reaction. Not that this was any better. Your gaze was pulled by a firefly, then another, and you rolled your eyes slightly as you recognized the flashing just before Malleus appeared just down the walkway.

"Child of man."

"Hornton."

He smiled at you fondly as he walked over to stand in front of you, expression turning to concern as you didn't return it. "What troubles you?"

You sighed, shaking your head as he moved to sit on the step next to you. "Nothing. Personal stuff."

He hummed in understanding as he nodded, a smirk playing at his lips. "Is it something to do with Sebek, perhaps?"

"...Perhaps."

He nodded again. "I see. He came to me earlier today to see if I, as your friend, had any insight into your behavior recently. He's under the impression he's done something to upset you."

Your tongue clicked in annoyance before you could stop it as you rolled your eyes and averted your gaze, opting to look out at the darkened sidewalk. You heard him sigh next to you as you crossed your arms, leaning them forward onto your knees.

"Judging on your reaction, I feel it's safe to assume he was correct." His tone was flat, like he had to have this conversation often. "May I ask what happened?"

"Actually, it's kinda all your fault." You joked, turning to smirk at him to make sure he didn't take it seriously.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you're too damn perfect or whatever," you scoffed, tone dripping with vitriol, "and god forbid the human tells a story for thirty seconds without it being about Malleus." You turned back to the sidewalk, glaring at the cobble. You felt bad, it wasn't Malleus's fault, he wasn't even the one you should be saying this to, he didn't deserve your hostility. "I'm just getting so sick of being compared to you. Really makes me feel inadequate."

You watched him pinch the bridge of his nose out of the corner of your eye as he let out a deep sigh. "Fear not, my friend," he said as he stood, putting a comforting hand on your shoulder, "you are not inadequate, and this shall be resolved soon."

Before you could think to respond, he was gone in a puff of fireflies. You didn't move from the front step for awhile, opting to just watch the stars again.

The next morning, you woke to faint-- but frantic-- knocking, far too early for a Sunday. You dragged yourself out of bed, not bothering to get changed before going downstairs to the entry hall. You were too busy rubbing the sleep from your eyes to check who was banging on the door before opening it, only seeing Sebek's face for a brief second before he dropped. Your eyes shot open wide as you tracked him down to where he'd fallen hard to a knee in front of you, head bowed.

"I've come to beg your forgiveness." He announced, keeping his head down as he wrapped an arm around to place a fist on his chest.

"Sebek--"

"Please." He said, voice uncharacteristically quiet as he cut you off. "I never should have made undue comparisons. I often find it difficult to draw from other topics, being Lord Malleus's retainer is my entire life. However, that is no excuse." You could hear the slightest tremble in his voice as he spoke. "I am so incredibly sorry, Yuu. I will do anything to make it right, and if I cannot, know that I will carry this regret to my grave." It was getting dramatic, and you could tell he was rambling now, but you didn't have the heart to stop him. "Your presence in my life has become an absolute joy, a highlight of each day. As often as I tell you about Lord Malleus, I tell Lilia about you. The book club and the movies and the conversations, and he laughed at me when I told him I imagined a future with you and when I asked if you would understand fae courting--" His voice fizzled off and you heard his teeth clack together as he squeezed his jaw shut.

You were certain he was bright red, despite the fact that he was now completely statue still. To be fair, you could feel your own cheeks turning red as you smirked at the top of his head. "He laughed when you told him what?"

"NOTHING. I TOLD HIM NOTHING." He shouted frantically. "PLEASE FORGIVE MY RUDENESS, IT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION TO TREAT YOU SO POORLY."

You laughed, sitting on your knees in front of him and putting a hand on his shoulder. "I forgive you. And... I'm sorry too. It wasn't fair of me to just ignore you like that, I was just... worried."

"Worried?" He asked, quickly looking up to meet your eye. And oh boy were you right, he was red.

You nodded. "I was worried if I told you that you comparing me to Malleus all the time was making me upset that you would get upset about it and... well, I was worried you would hate me for it."

"I would never hate you for speaking your mind." He said plainly. "I know you and my Lord are close friends, I know I don't have to worry about you disparaging his name."

You sighed heavily before giving him a fond smile. "So what are the fae courting rituals, anyways?"

The blush that had died down slightly was now back in full force as he stammered incoherently. You laughed at the reaction, leaning forward to kiss his cheek. He completely froze again, and for a second, you were worried he might pass out until he ducked his head again, mumbling about Briar Valley's courting customs. None of it was entirely clear, but you hoped he would follow through on them for you.

I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO USE MY WORK TO TRAIN AI

MASTERLIST

#twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #sebek zigvolt #sebek zigvolt x reader #twisted wonderland fic #mine #usually to catch the muse for characters i dont write for that often i go and listen to their voice lines #and holy shit yall i get why you love this dude now #his summoning line for the new years card ALONE is fucking everything he's so good #i think his and ace's voice actors are my favorites #if sebek seems a little autistic that's because i figured out that he's just like me fr and IM autistic #so i just modeled him on an exaggerated version of me. anyways im super in love with sebek now if you couldnt tell by the word count #also soft sebek supremacy all the way he deserves to be soft with his LOVE

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written-in-knife · 3 months ago

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Could I request platonic Ace, Sebek, Deuce, Leona, Epel and Crewel (idk if you write for side characters but if you do could we squeeze Baul in?) with half-fae reader who has disproportionate strength? Like strikes that could off a man with full strength or punch through brick.

Strong

Ace, Deuce, Leona, Epel, Sebek, Crewel

gn!fae!reader, no other notes

I love this, but I haven't read enough of Baul to be able to write for him so I am going to leave him out. Also, here's some of the new banners, I like that most of them are more dynamic. Some are staying the same just because they're my favorite but I swapped almost everyones out

Ace Trappola

He and Deuce were arguing about something stupid and it was getting heated

To the point that, when Ace tried to run, Deuce summoned a cauldron to try to stop him

You had just been standing there, minding your damn business while they did their thing, not noticing Ace behind you until Deuce shouted for you to look out

He'd summoned the cauldron above your head on accident, too focused on trying to nail Ace

You caught it with one hand, like nothing, and just tossed it aside

Ace was thrilled about this new information

Constantly asks you to lift things now. Never anything important, never that it needed to be lifted, just to see if you could

That couch? What about that boulder? Can you lift me?

You pick him up and toss him into the air like a stuffed animal. He doesn't ask again despite how fun it was

Deuce Spade

He was so worried when he almost hit you with the cauldron that was meant for Ace, he would've felt so bad

But when you caught it and tossed it aside like a mild inconvenience, he was SO impressed

He would also want to experiment about it, mostly summoning a bunch of cauldrons in a stack for you to lift

You caught him off guard when you folded one of them shut

He's incredibly impressed every time you show off your strength, he thinks it's so cool

Leona Kingscholar

You offered to help him haul the Spelldrive equipment to the stadium for practice

He didn't really think you'd be much help, but knock yourself out ig

Doesn't show it outright other than maybe an impressed "huh," but mans is stunned when he watches you hoist a full bag of discs over one shoulder and a full bag of pads over the other

He knows from experience those bags aren't light

You're gonna come haul equipment for them next time, right?

Epel Felmier

The jealousy coursing though his veins

He was also there when you offered to help Leona with the Spelldrive equipment

Expects you to carry some brooms or maybe a water cooler

Openly gawks when he watches you toss the disc bag over your shoulder like a pillow

They usually have to use a cart to get it to the stadium, what do you mean you can just pick it up???

You have to explain to him that your strength is from being half fae and you don't think he could just strength train his way up to your level

Sebek Zigvolt

He talks you into sparring with him one time, and he can tell you're pulling punches

Straight up yells at you about it "if you're going to hold back, you may as well not have even shown up!"

Refuses to admit that, even while you're pulling punches, it still hurts pretty significantly

Refuses to believe that you could easily kill him if you didn't hold back

After way too much back and forth about it, you end up punching one of Diasomnia's stone walls to prove your point, your fist going through it easier than drywall

Well, of course you're strong, you have fae blood in your veins!

On a totally unrelated note, what's your training regimen like?

Divus Crewel

Your lab partner dropped a closed vial of an essential ingredient into the grate under your cauldron during cold mix lesson

Crewel was mildly annoyed but went to get you a new batch, he'd have to fish the dropped one out once the cauldron was emptied after class

But when he turned back to hand bring you the vial, he saw you with the full cauldron lifted into the air and your lab partner crouching underneath to grab the dropped vial

He just about had a heart attack

Lectures you for the rest of class about how it doesn't matter if you can lift the full cauldron, what if it were to spill on someone? Or what if your hand slipped and you dropped it on your lab partner?

Despite his disappointment in your obvious lack of lab safety, he was impressed

Might see if you can help set labs up on occasion, save him the spell usage

I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO USE MY WORK TO TRAIN AI

MASTERLIST

#twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #ace trappola #deuce spade #leona kingscholar #epel felmier #sebek zigvolt #divus crewel #professor crewel #mine #i pushed myself too hard yesterday painting a fence and now im having a flare up yay #im gonna see how many of my drafts i can get done today cause there's eleven here on tumblr and four more in libreoffice #not like i can do much else rn lmaoo #also once i get all my pending requests out im probably gonna rework my masterlist just as a heads up

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written-in-knife · 3 months ago

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Hello! Love your Floyd fic and may I ask a request about Reader/Yuu having a crush on Floyd, but Floyd is not ready to commit yet/doesnt see the point of it so reader keeps getting lead on and reader realizes that it would go to nowhere so they stopped pursuing. Floyd was supposed to be happy that the courting stopped but found out that he can't stop looking at reader interacting with someone else other than him.

Basically like the Flipped movie, just wholesome/hurt/comfort with the main theme of figuring out ones feelings. Reader and Floyd don't require to be together in the end just like in the Flipped movie but Im fine if they get together too! Im torn between the two. Please disregard this if you don't feel comfy creating it ^^

Disappointed

Floyd Leech x gn!reader one-sided both ways, background Ace Trappola x gn!reader, not explicit, could easily be read as platonic and/or fake dating

they/them pronouns, is THIS angst? I think this is angst, background hurt/comfort for reader but not Floyd :)

Word Count: 1098

I've never seen Flipped, but I love this premise and I'm going to make it Worse :) pretty short but this is what we call a tasty little morsel lmaoo

Floyd knew you were interested in him, how could he not? You made it so obvious. He thought it was funny at first, how you kept handing him little trinkets and rushing away, eventually getting brave enough to hang around him. But you kept coming, even on his bad days. For months, you kept stopping by the Mostro Lounge or catching him in the hallways or showing up to basketball games. It stopped being so fun after awhile. He'd thrown most of the trinkets that you'd given him away, not really interested in your courting attempts in the first place. It was just fun for him to watch you flit around like the little shrimp you were. He never stopped you, even if he knew this would never go further than your silly little attempts.

You'd brought him a tiny blown glass eel you'd found in town after a basketball game, catching him before he went into the locker room. You handed it to him with that same hopeful smile you always had on your face, and he took it from you with the same minimal acknowledgement that he always did. The second the door closed behind him in the locker room, he tossed the little eel into the trash with as much acknowledgement as he'd given you before moving to change out of his uniform.

"What was that?" Ace scoffed as he pulled off his jersey, tossing it into his locker haphazardly.

"Shrimpy keeps givin' me crap I don't want." Floyd shrugged, moving over to his locker as Ace gave him a confused look. "I've just been throwin' it away."

He didn't pay any attention as Ace moved over to the garbage, pulling the little glass figure out of the bin with a loud huff.

"You could just tell 'em you don't want it, you know." Ace snapped at him, taking the figure back to his locker. "They spent money on this crap trying to get you to notice them! Quit leading 'em on!"

Floyd rolled his eyes dramatically as he turned to Ace, glaring him down. "And hafta see 'em cry or somethin'? Hard pass."

You knew you were being blatantly obvious about your attraction to Floyd, you thought he might've been flirting back whenever he teased you about it. What you perceived as flirting was the only thing keeping you from getting discouraged after so long trying to court him. You didn't realize exactly how wrong you were until Ace came to find you when he was done in the locker room, the glass blown figure you'd given Floyd in his hands. Your heart sank as he apologized, telling you that he'd watched Floyd throw it away the second you wouldn't see, that apparently that's where all your gifts had gone. In the trash. You were embarrassed and disappointed, a lot of Floyd's actions making much more sense to you now. You took the figure back with trembling fingers, trying to put on a brave face for your friend, but you were devastated. You'd tried really hard to pick out things you thought Floyd would like, you thought you might've been getting somewhere. It hurt to find out where all that effort was really going.

Floyd noticed before the end of the week that you hadn't come by. You'd become a regular presence in his life, not necessarily daily, but often enough that your absence was notable. At first, he really didn't care much, it was one less thing he had to deal with. But something nagged at the back of his head about it. He tried to ignore it, but it was making his mood significantly worse. He didn't even know what it was, he was supposed to be happy that you weren't hanging around him all the time... wasn't he?

He didn't start to realize what the feeling was until he saw you weeks later. Basketball practice had just let out and he spotted you in the hall outside the locker room. Before he could go over and ask where you'd been, Ace pushed past him to you, throwing an arm around your shoulders and poking at your cheek. He watched you laugh at whatever Ace had said as the two of you turned away from him to leave. The nagging feeling in the back of his head returned tenfold, surprising him as he watched you disappear around a corner. Why was he jealous of Ace? He hadn't been interested before, why would he be jealous of something he didn't want? It wasn't even on purpose, it felt more like karma that Floyd kept seeing you in the halls every day now. Always with Ace. He saw the delighted smiles on your face, the way you would blush and smack his chest when he whispered in your ear, the damn arm that was always around your shoulders. You'd sure moved on quick, if you could call multiple weeks quick. And why wouldn't you? Ace had likely told you what Floyd had been doing after he found out, he was probably there to comfort you in the aftermath, he was one of your best friends after all. Rationalizing it in his head didn't help, he still had an awful pit in his gut whenever he saw the two of you. You leaving him alone was what he wanted anyways, wasn't it?

Floyd let it go on for a few more weeks, even Jade tried to figure out what had him so upset. But how could Jade help when Floyd couldn't figure out his own feelings about it? It came to a head after another basketball practice, back in the locker room. Floyd was slow to get changed, waiting until Ace had gotten dressed and was about to leave.

"So you and Shrimpy, huh?" He asked as Ace walked past, trying to keep his tone casual.

"You snooze you lose?" Ace offered with a shrug, shooting him a smirk before walking out of the locker room.

"Yeah..." Floyd muttered to himself.

He sat in the feeling for a moment, finally able to see it for what it was. He was disappointed. Disappointed he hadn't realized sooner, disappointed he hadn't just turned you down so he could maybe try himself later. Disappointed it wasn't him. You had become such a regular presence in his life, he hadn't realized he was taking it for granted. Hadn't realized that when he stopped finding your courting fun, it wasn't because he didn't like it, it had just stopped being surprising. And he had no one to blame but himself.

I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO USE MY WORK TO TRAIN AI

MASTERLIST

#twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #floyd leech #ace trappola #floyd leech x reader #ace trappola x reader #twisted wonderland fic #mine #HAVE YALL S E E N. DEUCE'S PJS???#as if i couldn't adore him more they had to go and put him in the pink cheetah print they keep talking about?? thats his JAMMIES????#i could SCREAM its so good. i love not giving a shit about spoilers from the jp servers #and apparently they're getting equestrian club wear in june?? im so jealous

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written-in-knife · 3 months ago

Note

Love love love you Floyd jump ring fic- the leech boys deserve more love 🧜‍♂️

Would you be able to do a pre relationship of similar epic misunderstandings with Jade, maybe with Yuu not understanding merculture and/or Jade GREATLY misunderstanding human courting culture in his attempts to learn about land culture, I die thinking about how merpeople might misinterpret sayings like “the way to the heart is through the stomach” or “gotta get that ring” when enthusiastically trying to court

Rocks and Flowers

Jade Leech x gn!reader, pre-relationship

they/them pronouns, fluff, miscommunications/misunderstandings, a single use of my dear, poorly translated french damn you Rook

Word Count: 3616

I'M HERE I'M ALIVE. I'm getting ~*Diagnosed*~ finally. Lots of appointments this past week im so tired lmaoo Also I'm changing out all the character banners, so lemme know what yall think as stuff comes out

Jade had a baseline knowledge of land culture, of course. Before they came to land to go to Night Raven, he, Floyd, and Azul had all gone to land camp. It taught them how to avoid social faux pas with the people they'd meet on land, various human traditions, even how to walk. What it did not teach them was just how many turns of phrases the common language had. Some made sense, some even overlapped, but some were... notably harder to understand. And why were so many of them about ways to kill animals? He never bothered to ask questions, he knew they were just phrases that land dwellers often used to get their point across, and most of the time the meaning could be derived through context clues. Most of the time.

When Jade realized his own attraction towards you, he was hesitant to act on it. Land camp had explained a few things about human courting, but mostly in the context of how to avoid making acquaintances feel uncomfortable. He wasn't sure how exactly to go about it. He spent a lot of time trying to look things up online-- a mistake-- and in books, trying to figure out how humans even started their courting rituals let alone what the entire process entailed. He wasn't about to go around asking, knowing anyone who would be willing to give him an answer in the first place would also be the most likely to give him false information. So he was stuck looking through various books trying to find answers for you.

And he had no idea you were doing the same for him.

It was easy to fall for Jade once you got past the subtle menacing aura that was always surrounding him, and you fell hard. You didn't fully realize it yourself until you found that you'd listened to him talk about the mushrooms he'd found on his hike to fill out his most recent terrarium for two hours. You learned more about mushrooms in those two hours than most people would want to know in their entire lives, and you were excited to hear more. When you got back to your room that night, you started researching merfolk romance online-- A MISTAKE-- trying to make sure you wouldn't do anything to insult him. The only people you could ask about the topic were Azul and Floyd. Azul would almost certainly make you sign away something in return for the information, and Floyd... yeah, no. That's a nonstarter. So you ended up in the library, sneaking back to your dorm with books about merfolk courting rituals, both ancient and modern, praying no one would catch you on the way back.

Jade had read through the few informational manuals he could find on human courting-- one written by a merperson decades ago, and another that seemed to be angled towards preteen girls and had some truly terrible advice-- and had to move on to... more unconventional methods. Which lead to him reading romance novels in a far corner of the library. There were a surprising amount of them, many with musclebound men with long hair and a petite woman in his arms on the front. Jade opted for the other plentiful options that wouldn't blow his cover immediately. He was engrossed in his book, one hand propping his head up on the table and the other flipping pages, fingers lightly drumming on the cover as he read. It wasn't a terrible read, but it seemed wholly unrealistic. How would owning a dog get you a romantic partner? He was too deep into the book to notice someone lurking, barely keeping his composure as someone gasped loudly beside him.

"Monsieur Prémédité!" Not many people could sneak up on Jade, but Rook was definitely one of them. "I was not aware of your exquisite taste in literature! Comme c'est merveilleux!"

"This is actually quite far from my usual choice, I'm afraid." Jade corrected as Rook beamed down at him. He carefully flipped the book closed, back cover up, as two others approached from behind him. "Are you familiar with this one?"

"Oui! I find it most interesting how the dog is a pivotal part in the budding romance!"

Of course he does.

Vil leaned forward to skim through the description on the back, confusion growing on his expression at each word. "If this is so out of the norm for you, why are you reading it?" He asked.

"For research purposes." He admits, flashing the Pomefiore students a sharp smile.

"Un étudiant en l'amour?" Rook gasped excitedly as he quickly sat down across the table, lacing his fingers under his chin in intense interest as Vil rolled his eyes and straightened back up. "Monsieur Prémédité, je n'aurais jamais deviné! For what are you researching? Please, tell me everything!"

"Now you've done it..." Epel muttered from behind Vil, sounding exhausted.

Jade hesitated for a moment. The Pomefiore students would certainly be the ones to ask when it came to these sorts of things. They at least would be the least likely to lie to him about the particular subject. "I'm researching human courting rituals. There is little in the way of instructional manuals in our library, so I have turned to these." He gestured to the book in front of him before turning back to Rook, who practically had stars in his eyes. "Unfortunately, there isn't much to be gained from these, as it turns out."

"Are you trying to find information so you can court someone?" Epel asked, looking mildly concerned before Vil swatted him lightly upside the head with a mutter of "too blunt."

"Land boot camp never covered the topic, and I must admit, I've been dreadfully curious ever since I first heard the story of the mermaid princess." It was as easy for Jade to lie through his teeth as it was to breathe, piling on the pitiful tone and expression to try to play at least one of them for a sucker. "The stories never went into detail on how the land prince courted her, I thought I would find more information here, but alas..."

It was unsurprising that Rook took the bait, hand resting on his chest as he nodded along sympathetically. Vil rolled his eyes again and Epel muttered something about courting rituals to himself, neither nearly as invested in the lie.

"On land, courting must be bold!" Rook began without prompting as he stood from his chair, Vil only just keeping him from propping a foot dramatically on the table by grabbing his arm and pulling him back. "Loud proclamations of love! Flowers! Doves! Music!"

"And some people don't enjoy that at all." Vil sighed, shooing Rook down from his soapbox. "You just have to play to your audience. But it does often involve flowers."

"My Meemaw says the quickest way to anybody's heart is through their stomach." Epel chimed in, getting a quick glare from Vil at the accent slip.

"Your grandmother is correct on that front."

Jade stared for a moment at the phrase. Another he didn't recognize and wasn't exactly provided context clues for. The way to win your affections lies... in your stomach?

"The most common way to begin a human courtship is by bringing flowers, admitting your intentions, and inviting them out with you on a date." Vil explained further, Rook quietly waxing poetic about each point next to him. "Which is why it's more commonly referred to as dating, rather than courting."

"I see... This has been enlightening, I thank you all for your input." Jade nodded to them.

"Do let us know how it goes, Jade." Vil gave him a knowing smirk as he spoke.

Jade flashed back his own sharp smile, narrowing his eyes just slightly at the housewarden. "I've no idea what you mean, Vil."

Meanwhile, you'd found some fairly decent information on merfolk courting rituals, turns out their methods were significantly better documented than humans' were. Unfortunately for you, however, a lot of the courting rituals varied between the different species of merfolk and there wasn't a lot of overlap as far as you could tell. The biggest overlap you could find had to do with small gifts; pebbling, as some species of merfolk called it. It seemed to be finding something cool or pretty on the ocean floor and bringing it to the person you were courting, which sounded easy enough. You were already a fan of picking up cool rocks, it wouldn't be any trouble to just bring them to Jade instead of putting them on your windowsill.

Another common overlap you found was the importance of jewelry across all species of merfolk, but it seemed to be... maybe a little too important for just trying to date him. From what you could tell, giving a merperson jewelry was their closest equivalent to proposing, or maybe a promise ring? You weren't entirely sure, but it seemed like too much. Specifically to eel merfolk, the book you found talked a significant amount about a dance that you couldn't quite understand. It was definitely an underwater activity, as far as you could tell, but maybe dancing in general would be good enough on land? The way the book talked about it made it seem like it was common enough knowledge that no one would even bother writing down the details. You were too engrossed in the notes you were taking-- yes, you were taking notes on this-- to notice the floorboards on the other side of your door creaking.

"Hey Yuu, I got yer--" You scrambled to cover up your notes, the book, to be nonchalant about it as Epel walked into your room, holding your potionology notebook in his hands. He looked surprised at your panic as you blocked your desk with your body, definitely not looking completely suspicious. "--notes. What, uh... Whatcha doin'?"

"Nothing. Studying." You spat out, not moving from the uncomfortable position you found yourself in. "Thank you for bringing those back, you can leave them on the armchair."

"Or... I could just hand 'em to ya." He smirked, inching towards you and watching as you leaned backwards over your desk to keep hiding the evidence.

"Or you could just hand them to me!" You agreed in a tone too upbeat to be believable, snatching the notebook out of his hand as soon as he was close enough. "Thank you, Epel, but I really have to study so I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure, sure..." He nodded slowly, just managing to peek past one of your arms, smirk growing devious. "Ya writin' an essay 'bout merfolk courtin' rituals?"

"OUT. GET OUT." You shouted as your face began to burn, leaping up from your awkward position to shove him out the door while he cackled.

"Aw, c'mon, I ain't gonna tell nobody!" He protested. "In fact, I got some interesting information myself in the library today--!"

"DON'T CARE, GET OUT. TELL NO ONE." You shoved him out into the hallway, slamming the door shut behind him.

Out in the hall, Epel simply shrugged, smirking to himself as he walked away. "They'll figure it out eventually." It was nice to be the one in the know.

You were mortified but at least you were fairly sure he wouldn't run to tell anyone about it, you don't think you'd ever be able to live it down if Ace caught wind of this. You twisted the lock on the door into place before going back to your desk to continue your research, face still burning red as you flipped everything back to where it had been.

Vil had given Jade a decent jumping off point, but he found himself going back to the phrase Epel had used. The way to the heart is through the stomach. Of course that had to be a way to win your affection, but through your stomach? He hadn't read anything about the abdomen being involved in any courtship rituals, at least not the initial stages. Perhaps he had missed something? Maybe it was something lesser known that older generations did? It couldn't possibly be as simple as food, could it? The common language turns of phrases were never so simple, even the ones he understood. He turned the phrase over in his head for a few days, too busy analyzing it as he walked into his Ancient Magic class to catch who had put a rock on his desk. Why was there a rock on his desk? He stopped to stare at it for a second before glancing around at his fellow sophomores, none of whom seemed to be taking even a passing interest in his confusion. It had definitely been placed with purpose, squarely in front of his chair so there was no way of him missing it or mistaking it as being for someone else. He picked it up as he sat down, turning it over to examine in his hand as Floyd flopped down in the seat next to him.

"I don't suppose you saw who left this, did you?" Jade asked, presenting the rock for Floyd to see.

"Nah, couldn't give a shit less." Floyd grumbled, barely glancing at the rock before draping himself forward over the desk.

Jade hummed lightly, glancing around one more time before depositing the rock in his bag. He could maybe make use of it for a terrarium, if nothing else. He didn't think much of it the first time, but as the week went on, there continued to be rocks on his desks. Not ever in the same class either, so he could confirm that it was not an accident the first time. They were just small rocks that could fit in the palm of his hand, some of them having interesting patterns or colorations, some having interesting shapes, but they were still rocks. He kept the nicest few to put in his terrariums, the rest were left in his bag to bring with him on his next trip to the mountain.

By the end of the week, you were out of your coolest rocks that you were willing to give away. You were almost certain you were doing this wrong, leaving them for him to find instead of just handing them to him, but you were so afraid that maybe pebbling didn't apply to eel merfolk, or that the rocks weren't good enough. You didn't find them outside in the grass or still in the classrooms, so you considered that a win at least. And Epel was the only one smirking at you whenever Jade walked into the cafeteria or down the hall, so he hadn't told anyone what he'd seen. Another win!

You planned to spend your weekend figuring out how to go about dancing with Jade. The books weren't clear enough on what the dance entailed besides that it was done with tail fins while underwater, but it was very clear that it was done while courting. You were on the couch in the Ramshackle lounge on Saturday evening, rereading the courting book for any sort of clues you'd missed when there was a knock on the door. You quickly shoved the book between the couch cushions, making sure it was completely hidden as you got up and headed for the door, immediately glad you'd hidden the book as you opened the door to Jade standing on the front porch. He was dressed in the outfit he usually wore to go up the mountain, mud still on his boots from his hike and gloves dangling out of his pockets.

"Hello, Yuu." He said pleasantly, looking over your obviously startled demeanor. "I do hope I'm not interrupting."

"No, not at all." You waved him off quickly, trying desperately not to somehow give yourself away. "Just, uh... reading. What's up?"

You froze as he stepped forward, into your personal space, and placed a hand on your stomach, just above your navel. Even through your shirt, his hand was cool, sending a shiver up your spine. You stared wide eyed as he smiled down at you before reaching into his bag and pulling out a bundle of small flowers, presenting them to you. They were a little squashed from being in his bag, and it looked like he had picked them off the mountain himself. You felt the heat rising on your cheeks as you took them from him, the fact he’d taken the time to gather them himself was flattering by itself.

“I was given advice on how to go about this, and was told to just be straightforward with my intentions.” He began plainly. “I’ve found myself drawn to you recently, and would like to begin courting you. I was told it was called “dating” and that I should invite you out with me, if you’re interested?”

You could feel how hot your face was getting as he spoke, not believing your luck. Maybe you wouldn’t have to figure out that dance? Maybe you still should? Would it be rude not to? He, on the other hand, was getting nervous in the drawn out silence that your internal reeling was creating, worried he’d done something wrong. He wouldn’t show it on his face, of course, but he was getting uncomfortable.

“Oh, uh, yeah!” You spat out quickly, chuckling nervously as you realized just how long you’d let that moment drag out. “Definitely. When? And where?”

He paused for a few confused blinks, smile slipping as you watched a light dusting of pink grow on his cheeks. If he weren’t so close, you might’ve not even noticed. “I was... unaware that was something I had to plan ahead of time.” He admitted slowly, internally cursing himself for not asking more details when he had the chance.

“That’s alright!” You were quick to assure him, fiddling with the little bouquet he’d given you. “We can figure that out together, if you want?”

His smile returned at the offer, warmer this time, fonder. “I’d enjoy that.”

“Great!”

There was another pause as you looked down at the small blooms in your hands, then at his hand, which was still rested on your belly. You glanced up at his face, then his hand, then his face again.

“Hey Jade?”

“Hm?”

“What... What is this?” You tried your best not to sound like you disapproved as you glanced down at his hand again. What if it was something the books didn’t cover? Other than the dance-- and the inadvisable internet searches-- there was no mention of physical contact. There was dancing, there was biting which was less for courting and more for established couples, but not... this.

He pulled his hand away as if he’d been burned, the blush on his cheeks growing slightly. “Ah. That wasn’t correct then?”

“I don’t know? What was it?”

He groaned slightly, pinching at the bridge of his nose as he spoke. “Epel had said a phrase that I didn’t quite understand, about the stomach being the key to affections. Even Vil agreed that it was correct, I thought it must be a common courting method.”

You muttered the words to yourself, trying to piece the phrase together, biting your lip hard to keep from laughing when you realized what he was talking about. “The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach?”

“Yes, that’s the one. I’m not familiar with many common language phrases.”

“Food. The way to someone’s heart is good food.”

It really was that simple. Damn it. He let out an awkward chuckle, trying to hide his embarrassed expression from you by rubbing at his eyes. “I suppose I should’ve just looked it up, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay!” You laughed, wanting to reassure him. This was going way too well for him to back out due to embarrassment now! “It’s hard to find information on what’s allegedly common knowledge! I mean, I can’t figure out that courting dance for the life of me--!”

You slapped your hand over your mouth as you realized what you were saying, watching as Jade slowly looked up at you in confusion. You wanted to cringe all the way back up to your room as you watched him mouth the word “dance,” gears turning in his head as he looked you over, before a smile grew on his face. You broke eye contact as you realized he’d clicked everything into place.

“Yuu, have you been pebbling me?” He asked, tone equal parts teasing and astonished.

Well, this was going too well for either of you to back out due to embarrassment now, you supposed. You lowered your hand, narrowing your eyes at him with a smirk. “That depends, has it been working?”

He laughed, hiding it behind his fist as his eyes scrunched closed, and your heart absolutely fluttered. You really did fall hard. And so did he. He was flattered that you’d also done research on courting, relieved that you hadn’t gotten it quite right either, glad it hadn’t deterred either of you.

“It would’ve worked better if I’d know it was you, my dear.” He responded through his laughter, giving you a look of pure adoration. “Typically, you hand the items to people, not leave things for them to find themselves.”

“I wasn’t sure I was doing it right!” You defended lightheartedly.

“Well then,” he started as he held a hand out for you to take, which you did, of course, “how does dinner sound? Since food is the way to the heart.” He pulled you a little closer, tone dropping a bit as his smile grew. “Then, perhaps, I can teach you that dance.”

I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO USE MY WORK TO TRAIN AI

MASTERLIST

#twisted wonderland #twst #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #jade leech #jade leech x reader #twisted wonderland fic #mine #rossignol throw back to epel being the one who Knows #i hc epel as someone who likes to hear gossip but not spread it around #he just likes to know things #the end of this is so dialogue heavy but i didnt know how to end it for like a straight week #idk if jade is super out of character for this but i really liked making him a little awkward it was fun lol

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