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ashipiko · 4 months

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“A Hundred and More Memories with You”

SUMMARY: A story in which Ace reminisces upon the many memories of him and Ashi.

WORD COUNT: 5.8k

NOTES: <3 enjoy the rare Ashi writing

taglist: @taruruchi @deeva-arud @thelegendaryfluffypotato13 @midnightmah07 @cynthinesia

Ace would consider himself an Ashi expert. A lot of people would consider him one too, considering how often they hang out with each other.

And when he says it’s a lot, it’s a lot. Sure, of course, there’s Deuce and Grim too. They all go through their antics together, whether it be slaying in a singing and dancing competition or solving the latest issue Night Raven College has got to answer, which includes facing off against high school boys in life-risking duels, when they should really be in therapy. They all went through a lot together and somehow pulled through and survived all that nonsense too. Same class, same lunch table, same shenanigans for them all. And Ace would like to think of them as a dream quad, but here’s the thing.

Who got there just a little earlier than Juice did when Ashi was having trouble at Scarabia? Who did Ashi go to hug tightly when that happened? Who did Ashi stay behind with when VDC practice came by and everyone else left the room? Who turned out to feel so comfortable with him that she fell asleep on his shoulder? Who always bunks at Ramshackle and is always taken in by the prettiest girl at NRC?

That’s right. Not Grim, not Deuce, but Ace Trappola himself.

It might not be much, but Ace finds himself thinking that it’s those small things that no one else sees that places him a little higher than everyone else. With this, at least. He can confidently go up to anyone and go, “Hey! That’s my best friend you’re talking to, you know?” with a shit eating grin on his face, and no one would bat an eye. Because that’s just usual Ace behavior around Ashi.

Behind closed doors or not, he’s real committed to her.

…Maybe if you cut out their first meeting, actually. He thinks about it sometimes. How’d he fall for a goody two shoes like her?

Just some girl, straight out a coffin and fell onto the floor, during NRC’s opening ceremony. It was really funny! Doesn’t mean it made him think much about it. Like yeah, sure it's all-boys school, but it’s not anything crazy. What, none of you have seen a girl before? Do you guys not have moms?

Until Ace spots her again, her eyes crinkling in confusion at the sight of the Great Seven. Some dialogue is exchanged, and nothing is of note. She’s cute and pretty, sure, but it’s not like Ace came to NRC, an all-boy’s school might he reiterate, to get a girlfriend. After the last snooze fest he had? Pfft! Forget it! Not to mention she’s got no passion or fire within her. The little furball she’s got beside her is the one who carries that all for her, I guess.

“Maybe before you try gettin’ into the academy again, you should try a second crack at kindergarten? Hahaha!” That was the Ashi-Grim duo’s first taste of the iconic grin™.

“Grrrr… How dare you!”

“Anyway, I’ve gotta head to class~. Unlike these two janitor losers over here I’ve got places to be. I’ll leave you alone and let’cha get back to picking up some trash.”

Ace still remembers looking over at such a blank face. Just standing there like a statue, watching the situation play out. Nothing about this interaction would’ve hinted to what was in store for him.

“Hey, goody two shoes, maybe loosen up a little, how ‘bout it? You could benefit from some good old insults every once in a while. Take a page outta the weasel’s book here.” The redhead teases one last time before his departure, as he watches the brunette’s eyes lock with his.

“Hehe,” Ashi finally perks up, “I’ll think about it, Acey.” She chimes.

Ace is about to shoot something at her again, until a blaze of blue fire engulfs the area around them. All tension is lost and next thing he knows, he’s battling a literal animal and being sent to wash windows as punishment for the roughhousing. He didn’t sign up for this at all! But after some self reflection, the Ace now would roll his eyes and mutter, “Well, I GUESS it was kinda deserved.” But of course, that would only be because of Ashi. Despite how much of a “bad influence” he is on her, in her own way, his best friend had her own ways of helping Ace improve himself too. They balance eachother out well, and Ace smiles as he thinks this. To make himself feel better? Maybe.

Even still, in the beginning, Ace didn’t really think much about Ashi. He ditched the whole window cleaning ordeal for a reason, you know? And no matter how hard he tried, no amount of pushing her buttons resulted in any sort of snap back, no retorts at all. Bullying her more than Deuce didn’t work either— so he eventually gave up and changed targets. Which I guess was fine, since he had to focus on the stressful situation of the mines.

But at the end of the mage stone obtaining mission, when Ashi caught some time alone with him on the walk back as Deuce and Grim walked ahead, Ace figured that she just wanted a piece of him. He can’t blame her, honestly, so he decided to give her what she wanted and talked to her casually for a while. He thought one last time, adding some spice into the conversation, to joke around.

“You were reaaaally scared back in that dark and spooky house, weren’tcha?” Ace teases, giving Ashi that signature grin once again, “The cave too, to boot. What are you, actually scared of the dark or something?”

He catches Ashi’s attention, and she looks at him, offended, “Aaand? I totally did it still, you know! Give credit where credit’s due, Acey!”

“Still means you’re a baby.”

“Hmph.” Ashi huffs in response, pouting a little, “…At least I manned up and made a plan instead of arguing like an idiot with the others.”

An actual comeback? For real? Ace didn’t think she had it in her!

The ginger’s lips curl up into an even bigger grin as he pokes the bear a little more, “And who did the execution, huh? Without me, you wouldn’t have even gotten to go through with your plan!”

“I could say that about Deucey. He definitely deserves more credit than you do anyway.”

“Ha! As if. Juice over here barely did anything.”

“Either way, neither of you would’ve come out of this successfully without me,” Ashi sighs, fed up with Ace’s behavior, “What’s your brawn worth if you don’t think about how to use it?”

“Offense over defense, baby!”

“Exactly why you would’ve failed without me!” Ashi snaps at him, immediately realizing how much she’s allowed Ace to wind her up right after. She internally scolds herself for acting out, and before Ace can say anything else, she breaks eye contact and changes topics.

Noticing how her body stiffens and her words seem less… slangy than usual, Ace can’t help but ponder about this. This whole entire time, not a single complaint has come out of her lips. Her voice was constantly sing songy throughout the entire nerve-wracking situation, but the way that it climbed up and became more strict and stern at this moment was a complete curveball. A breaking point, perhaps? Not to mention, the sudden way her body closes up and acts like it resets? It’s like she’s being corrected. A light goes off in the instigator’s head.

Huh, Ace thinks. Maybe goody two shoes here isn’t exactly what she’s living up to be.

He barely knows how he got here himself. Something about Ace’s first taste of something outside of Ashi’s whole “peppy good girl” deal was enough of an incentive to pester her more, and more, and more and more and more, only in attempts to see more of that special side of her. And somehow, through some sort of divine intervention, he got closer than anyone could’ve imagined for the guy who’s known for pissing people off.

Closer than anyone else she’s met in Twisted Wonderland has gotten, and based on how she words it, closer than anyone in her home world, even. The fact makes Ace feel bad, but at the same time he can’t help but feel kind of proud. Hell, he doesn’t even understand how people don’t like the real her. The whole good girl act is polite and sweet, sure, but compared to how dynamic and fun the hidden side of her is… Why would you ever think that the shallow 2D side is better than the in-depth 3D side in this scenario?!

If he ever gets there, Ace pledges to beat the hell out of every person who made Ashi think this in her home world. You can count on it.

From there on out, he had to keep his curiosity at a minimum. Though he wanted to keep pushing, he cared for her so much that he didn’t wanna cross her boundaries too far. So he kept it as teases and banters for the time being, because that’s how you keep it light and fun. Such as having sleepovers, just the two of them at Ramshackle.

To say the least, Ace got a little too comfy.

At some point, Ashi would offer him an old sweatshirt she never wears, too oversized for her but perfectly fitting for Ace during the cold nights he would want to visit. At some point, Ace had a secret knock he used at her window after the incident where he had only scared her instead of delightfully surprising her. At some point, Ashi and Ace giggling the night away became the norm for them.

Simple? Yeah, Ace had to admit, it’s just talking the night away with a friend till you both pass out, but it has its charm. Just as they showcase it in movies, the two best friends always hang out under the covers, tell scary stories and laugh excessively due to being way too sleep deprived, having a special bond that no one else would understand, just because they understood each other that well.

Something so simple, and yet something Ashi never got a taste of before.

She never got that close.

So, Ace, being the great friend he is and being the bearer of knowing Ashi’s history of, well, not being too involved in the usual teen activities, he would take it upon himself to go and make a dream come true. His mind begins to wander off way back when, before any of these bestie advancements were a thing. When Ace wouldn’t come out of nowhere, instead making his way through the door, like a normal person. And what better place to propose the idea of Ashi’s very first sleepover than the cafeteria?

“You’re telling me you’ve never had a sleepover. Seriously, Ash? The heck kinda life did you live?” Ace jokes, giving her the most bewildered look as they eat their lunch.

“Eh…” Ashi mumbles about, thinking about it as she takes a bite of her sandwich, “Kinda just the way the cards played out? Dunno, my mom didn’t really get the whole dealio.” Shrugging as if it’s nothing, she looks over at Grim chowing down his food to end the current topic.

Ace looks at her as she finishes talking, and he feels like her smile’s lacking more than it usually does.

“Then why don’t you experience it while you’ve got the right cards?” He shoots back, pulling Ashi back into the conversation, “You know who’s not here? Your mom.” He chuckles a little at his little joke, “Seriously though, take this whole away-from-your-family situation to your advantage!”

“Ace has a point, actually,” Deuce joins the conversation, “For once we agree on something. You’re already in a magic world, what’s one more abnormal thing to experience?”

Ashi blinks a couple times at the pair, before putting her finger to her chin and letting out a hum, “I guess so… Who do I invite, though? Plus, there’s Grimmy I gotta worry about too. This guy’s a drama queen…”

“I need my beauty sleep!” Grim scowls, before getting right back to his tuna. Ace rolls his eyes before he leans across the table, towards Ashi.

“Invite me, duh! Who else is your bestie, Ash?”

She smiles at his attitude, “Mr. Trappola, huuuh?” The brunette takes a comedic amount of time to think about it, “All his complaining miiight keep me up at night… Me and Grim are in the same boat when it comes to the sleep department too~.”

Deuce chuckles, “He really doesn’t shut up. Actually, a sleepover with all of us would be fun, but I have studying to do…”

Grim adds on, “Well I don’t wanna see an ugly face when I wake up!”

Tired of the bashing from the rest of the group, Ace loudly groans, “Then why don’t you take your ugly mug to me and Juice’s dorm while me and Ashi have a sleepover! Problem solved!”

It takes one glance from Deuce for Ace to get the message, “You know, you just sound like you just wanna get alone time with Ashi.”

The redhead glares back, “As if! I just wanna have a sleepover!”

…Only to add a solemn “Back me up, would you?” to it. Deuce gets it and helps him out.

“It would help me actually, Ashi. Take him away from me so I don’t have to worry about getting off track. And Grim can’t be that bad of a roommate, right? He’s just a cat. If he slept the whole time, I think it’d be relaxing if anything.” Deuce adds on, slowly egging on Ashi to decide.

“If you feed me enough tuna!”

The prefect ponders for a second, as her fingers tap once, twice on her chin, “I mean I guess… It’s not like it’s the first time Acey’s stayed over.” Ace pumps his fist in the air, and the other two think he’s being a little too obvious.

“Win! This time, it’ll totally be a proper sleepover. Call me the sleepover master, even! Get ready to not get a wink of sleep tonight, Ash!”

Ashi giggles in response before the bell rings and everyone scatters once again.

Later that night, Ace appears at the door of Ramshackle once he gets word that Grim has taken his place as Deuce’s roommate. He knows that Ashi’s scared of being alone in the dark, so of course he rushes over as fast as he can. Not because he wants to. It’s just what a decent person would do. It’s nothing to give him a weird look about. Right?

A few knocks and he’s let inside, and it’s not like anything has changed much. The dorm is the same old dusty and dainty place it’s always been, except this time he’ll be spending his time in an actual bed. No, it’s not because he’s asked all those previous times that Ashi finally caved in and let him get what he wants. It’s because now they’re just close enough that it’s chill. There’s no other reasoning further than that. Right?

Because he and Ashi are just best friends. He’s not here because he wants to have alone time with her! Ace just wants to see his best friend happy, able to experience all the things she hasn’t. Because that’s what good friends do.

…Right?

Okay, maybe Ace did get a little sidetracked from his main mission now that he thinks about it. The whole idea of being alone with Ashi planted a seed in his head, he admits it, but how could you blame him, honestly? None of that means that he didn’t get what he originally wanted, though. Two birds with one stone! He wins either way!

Still, it’s a night filled to the brim with snarky comments and blissful laughter, and while certain housewardens wouldn’t allow staying up this late, Ace decides that the lack of sleep is worth it. A sleepy Ashi is always cute, cuter than usual, and it’s an evening of rare sights. They’re both laying down all across the bed, staring at the blank ceilings and watching the cobwebs the prefect hates sway with the breeze of the bedroom. It’s calm, and neither of them are thinking about what they’re saying. The norm for one and an uncommon occurrence for the other.

“So how’d your first sleepover go?” Ace mutters, tiredness hitting them both. It’s dim within the room, and it’s thanks to Ashi’s nightlight that they can even take in this atmosphere at all.

“It was pretty hypesies.” Ashi replies back, and it’s a simple exchange. ‘Till she speaks up again after a while, and Ace is surprised at her different tone of voice.

“…Thanks, Acey.”

“Eh? Sounded pretty serious there, Ash.”

“That’s ‘cause I am!”

Ace faintly laughs, “Yeah, yeah. No problem.”

“Really though. I’m pretty sure you’re not as dumb as you look, so you probably caught on already,” Ace’s eyebrows suddenly jump in surprise at the sudden change in character, and Ashi proceeds, “I’m not really used to being this buddy buddy with people, even chicks— And like, it just means a lot to me that you even volunteered to do this with me in the first place. It makes me real happies to call you my bestie, you know?

I like that you’re honest. It makes me feel comfies. I can kinda be more like myself, somethin’ like that? And…” her voice quiets down before she says anything else. Which is somehow both a good and bad thing for Ace.

They both soak in the moment, and Ace’s cheeks feel like they’re burning up just a little. This is probably the most genuine reaction he’s gotten out of her— But at the same time, it’s completely unfair how she’s simultaneously making this seem so casual and yet so impactful.

His train of thought quickly fades away as a small, weak laugh from Ashi breaks through, “Sorries, I got too serious there. You might as well call me Riddle or something at this point,” she murmurs, her voice not quite carrying the energy she intended, “Probs ‘cause it’s past my bedtime.”

Ace hears her sit up a little, and he still stares at the ceiling blankly as he hears the crinkles and turning of the blankets along the bed. His next words practically come out of thin air, cheeks still feeling warm.

“You really should talk more, Ashi.”

The noises he hears suddenly pause, and after a quaint moment of silence, he hears a relieved exhale from the other side of the bed.

“…Thanks, Acey.”

It’s then that Ace wonders if it’s not just his cheeks that are hotter than usual at that moment.

From there on out, Ace feels both better and worse about himself. Because, man, his chest begins to feel kinda weird when he sees her. He swears she’s gotten prettier somehow, but at the same time, he also feels proud that he’s Ashi’s special person— she basically said it herself, y’know? Part of him wonders if this is the farthest he’s gonna get. Both as a friend and, well, maybe more.

So he waits days on end, they have their sleepovers more and more often, and hell, they get to a point where they have sleepovers every day. Ah yeah, the VDC days, amirite?

In his head, Ace thinks that this “era” of “AshAce” (name made by him, proof is in his alchemy notebook) is an era in which their relationship deepened even further.

There’s multiple points and examples he could give, and he’d tell you about ‘em and brag all day if he could. But the most vivid memory for Ace, apart from the one he forcibly tried to forget out of embarrassment, has gotta be when he really saw Ashi speak her mind.

He remembers the rain pittering and pattering outside when he went to go and get a drink. It was a cool night, after everyone was done and exhausted from practice, so he figured the one who’s all “I need my beauty sleep!”, especially, was asleep. Well, until he saw a figure outside and flipped the freak out— Alas, it was just Ashi, but he found it to be pretty out of character for her. She’s notorious for being horrible at dressing herself for the cold, and he’s sure Vil would bark her head off if she got sick before their performance. Ace’s neck still aches in memory of all the times he’s been collared, and he knows that pain of being yelled at by a housewarden all too well. Knowing Ashi? She wouldn’t be able to handle that kind of discipline. So why’s she out there in the first place?

He makes his way outside to investigate, and knocks a couple times on the doorframe, same pattern as he would when stepping through her window. Ashi’s frame jumps in surprise, and she quickly turns around, body stiff and drops of rain across her skin.

“Oh, it’s just you, Acey.”

“You aren’t looking too hot. What’re you even doing out here?”

“Ah…” Her tone of voice trails off, and ends off with a sneeze. Not a good sign.

The boy lets out a somewhat disappointed sigh as he sits down next to her, aware of the sketchbook on the porch as she keeps to herself. Based on the way there’s endless scribbles and several notes floating around the halfway finished sketches, contrasting against the blissful, one-take doodles in class, Ace puts the pieces together and concludes that maybe he’ll stay quiet just this once, the best he can. To prevent himself from getting any more tuckered out, and to prevent Ashi clamming up again.

He doesn’t like oysters, and clams sure aren’t that different in this scenario.

Now that he’s got a better look at her though, Ashi doesn’t seem to be very warm. The rainy ambience gave everything a downer mood, and her lack of a dry jacket is concerning. Her cheeks are wet too; but Ace can’t tell if that’s a byproduct of the weather or her own emotions.

“You don’t wanna get sick, do you? Vil’s never gonna let you hear the end of it.” Ace mutters, as he takes his own NRC blazer and drapes it across Ashi’s shoulders. She gives a faint smile, one saying thanks, before it fades away once again.

“You know me~. Not good with cold weather.”

“You’re even worse with discipline.”

“Fairs.” Ashi sighs, her voice quavering a little. The vibes in the air aren’t it, as Ashi would usually say, and I guess that’s something to apologize for for her.

“Sorry,” she says. It’s a quick mutter, but Ace hears it. And he hears her act unravel further and further, feeling his own heart drop and drop.

Hesitant, she continues, “I’m— I think I’m too tired to keep anything up at this point. There’s been so many issues going on and with managing and performing in VDC and feeling homesick I can’t even look anyone in the face right now. I’m so worried that my smile doesn’t live up to what it usually does, and I’m worried that everyone’s gonna notice and it’s all gonna go to ruins and the whole process of learning the dance and song is gonna get so— so… I don’t know!

I wanna perform. I want to learn from the others, but I don’t want to show them an Ashi that they’ll be annoyed with or make them think she isn’t what she’s lived up to be. I just can’t muster up the courage to push the act, so I end up spiraling down and isolating myself which is so not it for a cooperative project like this. Even if I do show up, the heck are the odds that they’ll be satisfied with such a half-assed act. It’s so hard to keep up.”

And now I’m showing you all of this stuff that I don’t want you to see and it’s embarrassing. It’s… I’m sorry, Ace. I’m sorry.”

Her confession finally comes to an end, and Ashi falls into silence. Meanwhile, Ace’s response is said so quickly— It doesn’t even seem like he’s keeping up with his own words.

“Ashi, seriously, you know I really don’t care, right?”

“…Huh?”

“Actually. I don’t care at all. I can’t speak for everyone else, but I don’t give a care in the world if you’re crying on my shoulder or laughing and doodling on my paper in class,” a breathy laugh follows suit, “Great Seven, honestly, when are you gonna realize that?”

The way Ace’s words just fall out of his mouth make him feel like he’s being too honest and brash again, and he doesn’t want to hurt Ashi in any way. He stops himself for a second before looking at the brunette’s expression, delicate and yet invested. It’s not anything ordinary, and maybe someone would find it weird coming from her. But if anything, Ace is an honest man. Both of them know this.

“You… Man. You know how I said you should talk more? That still holds up. You should think less, if anything. You overthink all these things, and you’re so people pleaser about it. Like— C’mon! You know I’ve got your back. You don’t have to be so cautious and scared of things.”

Ashi can barely process his words.

“Just know that I…”

Ace pauses.

“I… care for you. A lot.”

The silence that follows after is awkward, sure. Two frozen figures under the thin overhead of Ramshackle dorm, and Ace feels like he’s fumbled his words. The one time he hesitates.

Yet, one more raindrop falls to the floor, breaking the silence. And after that, one, two, three follow pursuit.

She doesn’t say anything, and yet Ace hears so much. Offering her his shoulder, they spend just a while longer together, soaking in the moment. Ace doesn’t mind the tears soaking into his clothing. Because if it results in Ashi’s true, sunny smile shining his way, he doesn’t mind. He doesn’t mind at all.

Of course, not without some lighthearted teasing.

It’s a bittersweet memory, Ace notes as he reminisces. A memory of many, but definitely one of the highlights, he thinks. Like he said, a pretty core point in their relationship, and an eye opener as to how Ashi works.

…He could even say it helped soothe his own insecurities too.

Ace would consider himself brash, assertive, and I guess in some cases, insensitive of other’s feelings. Other people think that too. It’s part of who he is, the troublemaking prankster he is. It’s a double edged sword. Sometimes people complain about your attitude and think you’re a dick, or sometimes people actually think you’re doing something good on a rare occasion.

While this kind of attitude could totally get you out of sticky scenarios, sometimes Ace’s heart hurts at the way people climb up before him. He did it to himself, really— I mean, he’s gained a reputation and at an expense, he just so happened to lose the chance of hearing some praise. The troublemaker gets something done? At least he’s actually done something. The good guy does it? Everyone’s cheering him on.

It stings a little.

It’s just the way he is, he knows it. He tells himself this again and again. He’s proud of it, but it’s hard to feel like he’s really accomplished something when people treat him the way they do. When he feels like he’s falling behind, all he can do is give snarky remarks to the people above him. He doesn’t do anything. He doesn’t gain anything.

But the rainy clouds fade away when Ashi’s near him, able to put all her trust in his care and see him as something better than a guy who’ll mess things up. She sees him as her knight in shining armor, and Ace’s heart heals.

To be someone people want to be around, and to have people see you for your true self without berating you because of it.

It’s something they both want. Something they both have, now that they’re together. Ace doesn’t wanna let that go. Not for one second.

These memories and thoughts with the girl he really loves are what Ace has to repeat in his mind, over and over and over again in this moment. Because when he’s standing in their little Heartslabyul hideout, the mood perfect and warm just like those paintings Ashi gushes about, voice clear and his back straight, he needs all the evidence he has.

He’s ready to take a shot at making this last forever.

Though, despite how determined he is, it’s not like he’s acting like his palms aren’t insanely sweaty right now. It’s lowkey embarrassing at how riled up he is about this.

Even in his basketball matches, he isn’t this nervous. But maybe it’s ‘cause Ashi isn’t cheering him on now that he’s really feeling the pressure? His thoughts wander and wander… couldn’t she get here sooner?

Jeez, how do you talk to girls again?

Ace has had a girlfriend before. He knows how to treat girls, but this opportunity is so much more stressful. Ashi’s not just a shot at a possible girlfriend for fun. He’s surprised himself if he’s being real about it, that he’s even this serious about them.

He didn’t intend for it to end up this way. To be friends, to best friends, to falling for one another and now, risking it all away in attempts to, what, kiss her? I guess it would be worth it. Wait— maybe he shouldn’t get too cocky about it. But doesn’t Ashi love him because he’s cocky? Wait a minute! Who said she even liked him like that in the first place?!

The redhead groans a little as he throws his head back. His last get-a-girl operation compared to this is insane. From boring stupid love to serious I-love-you-for-real love? Did Ashi really impact him this badly? Did her hopeless romantic disease spread to him too?! At this point, Ace doesn’t know if the break they spent apart while Ashi was off fighting Idia helped him calm down his feelings or make them more prominent.

He wallows in his thoughts a little longer, the doubt slowly consuming him, before a small noise of footsteps make their way towards him, causing him to straighten up. A patch of leaves open up, and Ashi waves through, catching Ace with somewhat of a goofy smile on his face.

Gosh, she really is pretty.

The nervous boy stands and waits for her to make her way towards him, and Ashi looks around the garden. Someone spruced it up, for sure. Starting out as just a simple hideout for Ace when he tried stalling from getting collared by Riddle, and turning into a hangout space for the two of them, Ashi never would’ve thought she’d see it in its full glory like this. Some cute fairy lights, treats on the small table, and even considering her fear of the dark, something about the atmosphere here still makes her feel delighted. It’s nice, but it obviously gives the suspicion that something’s gonna happen.

While she’s stuck enjoying the scenery, Ace can’t help but feel his smile getting even goofier as he watches her. The smile that shines through as she looks over at him tells Ace that he’s gotten successful with the first part.

“Ahaha. Acey, everything’s so bedazzled. What’s happening?” Ashi jokes, her voice chiming through the nighttime breeze. The redhead chuckles a little, before stepping another step closer.

“Just got something to tell you. It’s not a bad joke this time, I swear,” Ace comments, trying to keep the mood light, “So I tried getting the vibes to translate through this and that. Artsy, right? You proud?” He gives a snarky smile, gaining a laugh from the brunette.

“Yeah yeah~. So what is it?” Ashi tilts her head, awaiting for the big reveal. Ace gulps, before going on ahead. Just like he planned.

“Listen, I know that we haven’t really gotten time to spend with eachother since the end of VDC, but the whole break while you were gone… It got me to think about some stuff.” He starts off, focusing on the way Ashi’s expression changes along the way, “It made me really think of all the stuff we’ve been through, together, and I couldn’t help but keep thinking about how close we’ve gotten since you got here.

And NRC is filled to the brim with guys. Heck, some of them even have crushes on you. But…” Ace exhales, his heartbeat quickening as he starts to forget his lines. But in proper Trappola fashion, he bounces back and decides to go with his gut.

Brows furrowed as he clasps Ashi’s hands in his and pulls it to his chest, he spills his heart out to her.

“But none of those guys, and I mean none of them deserve you! You deserve someone you can laugh and cry with. Someone who won’t hate on you for showing something a little weaker than a big grin. Like me.

No matter what, even if we ever butt heads, you know I’ll always set it straight. Heck— I don’t even know how much time you have left in Twisted Wonderland— and I don’t know how much time we have left together. But none of that matters.

Because, Ashi— I love you.

I love you and I want to spend every single second with you. As something more than friends. Something where I can give you all the love you deserve, and you don’t have to be scared.

So please, just answer me.

Will you let me?”

The stars shine in Ashi’s eyes as she processes Ace’s words, and he feels his heart beating out of his chest. The tension is insane, and he can’t do anything but watch her for any sign of a reaction.

Stars, dancing in her eyes as they tear up and shine, her cheeks being painted a rosy red, and her shining smile falling into a soft one.

“Ace…”

“I love you, Ash.”

She laughs as her face faces downwards, hair falling over her eyes, “You idiot…” she mutters, before looking Ace in the eyes once again.

“I love you too. A lot.” Ashi confesses back, voice choking up a little as she laughs again. Again and again. It’s music to Ace’s ears, and he can't help but find himself laughing along as he picks her up and hugs her like it was her last. The two simmer in their emotions for a while, tears and jolly laughter transforming the atmosphere into a lovely and bright scene.

This is another memory to mark down, Ace subconsciously thinks as he holds Ashi in his arms, one to look back on again and again.

And he can’t wait to make even more memories from here on out.

#THIS WAS SO FUN TO WRITE THO #and a big thank you to the tenkaku server for helping me out <3 #welcome to my ace characterization!!!!!!#hope it gives better insight on ashi’s chara too #ashace #ace trappola #twstshi #ashi tamadai #twst oc #twst oc x canon #twisted wonderland #twst #THAT SHOULD BE IT I THINK……#mini spoilers but <3 fun fact I referenced Ace’s ghost marriage proposal/speech in his confession #teehee

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kalims · 2 years

Text

‎˃ ᵕ ˂ . . "if we ever break up I'd go back to my ex because I love them too much—you're my ex stupid."

"if I broke up with you, I'd go back to my ex."

premise. let's all pretend that in a state of emergency at the word of "breaking up" some are gonna lose all logic and not register the ex part.

parts. one , two

characters. cater, idia, riddle, epel, jamil, kalim, jade, and floyd.

cw. established relationship, fluff, teensy tiny angst, crack, tweels being highkey red flags, nothing too triggering so this is safe to proceed with.

🏷 : for @cynthinesia

note. also, I already have the characters for the second part planned, courtesy of @/vyndiesel since they did get 2nd when i asked for it.

cater diamond

"if I broke up with you, I'd go back to my ex."

"haha. what."

the only way that you'll actually get him is if that he isn't directly looking at you. cater is scarily perspective and I don't lie when I tell you he'd figure it out immediately the second he takes a look at your face but whose to say he can't tell from your voice alone? I do.

anyways! if you do actually get him and he has no idea on what's happening cater will awkwardly laugh at first and think you're joking. you are but at the same time you're not? you'll have to know what your sentence means before understanding that.

cue staring contest with cater wearing a bright look while you're trying your best to keep a straight face and not burst into laughter at the look he gives you alone. it looks quite normal, there's still the cheery look he has but the thinly veil of irritation in his eyes honestly says otherwise.

that's fine... but like rather than why your 'past lover' WHO THE FUCK IS YOUR EX?? you need to tell him their social media username so he can judge the fuck out of them and analyze if they are good enough. (spoiler: no one is better than him atleast)

finally you concede and end up telling him that HE'S the ex if you end up breaking up. his face just breaks and he starts laughing with you, proceeds to playfully threaten you because um.. don't break up with him 🔫 .... please? ^^

cater on his way to make sure he's gonna get you back, he will but I reccomend for you to watch your back. it's fairly easy to spot when he'd try prank you back cause he posts in the exact same day, containing a lot of questionable stuff and "get ready for havoc" insert long ass tags

for someone you'd consider smart cater's actually pretty dumb (in a good way♡)

idia shroud

"if I broke up with you, I'd go back to my ex."

"..😨 I knew it.."

literally stop before you make him even more depressed. lets think of a scenario where you're chilling together in the empty room of his club, surrounded by board games, generally something he knows he can manage and win.

see this is why he doesn't go outside.. 😞 he would've gone back to the dorm since classes were over but you were insistent on talking to him alone so he helplessly let you drag him around the school until you pull him inside the room. not that he'd ever have the courage to deny. (you out of all people as well.)

you struggle to stifle a laugh when he looks like he's ascended and not in the good way you'd think. to put it simply, he looks horrified and most definitely not having processed all your words yet. I will be using this pic once again because it's too big of an opportunity to ignore.

starts stammering a sentence but too horrified to actually finish one so he just shuts up and lowers his head in a way that makes you feel bad, just as you're seconds away from comforting him—

ortho from somewhere in the room? how did he get there, was he always there? simple. we will never know. anyways ortho casually says that if you broke up with idia your past lover would be idia in a happy-go-lucky super smart tone. /j

oh... now he gets it! but that wasn't a very nice thing to do prefect. you had him questioning his life existence and choices because if he didn't go with you would this have still happened?? full of regret.

no he will not let you inside his room... temporarily *hides in the dark while gloomily playing games*

riddle rosehearts

"if I broke up with you, I'd go back to my ex."

"🙁😡"

how dare you say this atrocious thing right at his face?! are you stupid because now you have the short end of the stick. you honestly would've been punished to the fact that you'd wish you never told him but since he loves you he just.. teensy weensy gets a bit harder on the rule breakers :).

ace is highkey spamming you because he does not want to get collared once again and him and a bunch of other people are walking on eggshells around riddle because he's suddenly more sensitive to stuff so = more easier to anger.

ngl that kinda made him sad cause :( ur gonna break up with him? </3 even if there was an 'if' please stop ir cause ur putting ideas, doubts, and a bunch of things that aren't good in his head.

so he just reacts in a way he knows best. ✨anger✨, maybe it's not healthy but it's a response that had grown into a habit soooo he just starts getting red in the face while frantically excusing himself cause he will never let you see him actually crumble.

so when you see him actually struggling to keep it up, he looks upset so you just blurt out that HE'D be your ex if you broke up with him.

riddle turns incredibly stiff, like you can see the invisible jolts that climbs up his whole body (for comedic purposes) and his red face is no longer an indication of an upset, or angry emotion. it's more of embarrassment and maybe shyness.

awkwardly clears his throat and mumbles a; "I see, that's.. a relief." also he surpassed the 6 bulleted per character i set for everyone so next..

epel felmier

"if I broke up with you, I'd go back to my ex."

"WHAT--ahem.. what??"

was two seconds away from bursting a nerve, and slipping into his accent but it was gonna be used on a more aggressive-flabbergasted reason. you know he's gonna start bothering you to subtly ask who exactly your ex is.

that's just one of his questions by the way, he's also gonna ask what you saw in your ex and why you were gonna break up with him. I honestly think epel wouldn't be able to tell that it's a joke cause if he sees something bigger(break up with you part); which conceals the small loop hole. (i'd go back to my ex part)

so he doesn't really register it just like any of the boys listed here. epel is both mad but also curious since you never mentioned an ex so he wants to see if your ex did you justice. either you laugh because you don't have an ex, or just at epel's unconscious cute behavior.

if you don't tell him the joke, he's gonna end up spilling to either vil or rook, one way or another. and the two would decipher it quite easily since their minds aren't erratic like epel's was when you first spoke of it.

so how to know if epel now knows the joke? he's stomping his way over to you but also awkwardly slowing down, and calming his steps because he remembers pomefiore residents that might report his 'ungraceful' behavior to vil.

anyways he doesn't know whether to feel more mad or happy, but hey! atleast epel's back to being himself. maybe more talkative and affectionate... hehe.

jamil viper

"if I broke up with you, I'd go back to my ex."

"😐"

oh, what was that? what did you say prefect? oh you'll go back to your ex? hmm.. okay thanks for telling him /s goodluck on your new relationship cause he does not give a fuck because he knows you won't actually break up with him.

jamil poker face on. atleast he's 98% sure you won't, but he knows 2% still means it's possible.

also he has a huge radiar of the bullshit detector. given that he's dealt with a hefty amount of dumbasses the people trying to take advantage of kalim so you're not fooling him any time soon.

anyways since you have a lot of free time to prank him why don't you go and help him around with the chores huh? passive agressively dumps work on you because he's secretly salty about the fact that you told him that.

^ now he's in a certain mood which makes him more quiet and dismissive of people who try to talk to him, if someone that he doesn't know came up to him right know he's too absorbed to put up the polite act so he says some random excuse.

pretends he wasn't getting worked up over it after he randomly realizes that he would be the ex if you broke up with him. also secretly relieved cause that means you love him still, regardless whethee you're together or not..

kalim al asim

"if I broke up with you, I'd go back to my ex."

":(.... that's good for you.. :(("

our pure boy still sees the best in every situation even if it doesn't please him in the slightest and instead, makes him sad & gloomy. kalim really does wish you happiness if he loves you so much, even if it isn't with him.

takes this 100% seriously so you feel like absolute shit garbage for pulling such a prank on him when he looks so... SAD?? this depends on how intent you are on finishing this, or you just want to torture yourself by prolonging the truth by him.

OKAY this can go in two ways. if you end up breaking face at the sight of kalim quite literally near tears while wishing you all the best cause he thinks this is an implication of the future and that you're really gonna break up with him </3

—and tell him that it's a prank and he'll be the ex if you break up with him. his sad face just immediately goes away as he tearily leaps straight at your body and doesn't think about the landing for a moment since he's so relieved. "MC!😢💛"

but, if you were intent to keep it up until the end of the day atleast. you're gonna get a jamil knocking at your homeroom with an exhausted look on his face as he stares at you as if to say. 'what did you do.' because he's receiving the end of kalim's mood.

he's gonna 100% drag you over to go to kalim because no way you're gonna get away with the hell hole you just put him in. if you won't spill what you did he WILL make you spill it trust me.

jade leech

"if I broke up with you, I'd go back to my ex."

"fufu, what makes you think I'd let you leave me?"

high key went yandere for the span of two seconds. but I think we can all agree that jade is a sadist and he really wants to test how deep in depth your love is so he starts taking your sentence seriously and watching you fumble around with an easy smile.

maybe he means harm, maybe he doesn't but his intention is more pure than you'd think, not actually pure pure but y'know. just to test how much you love him hehehe 🚩and cause he thinks your joke is so, funny.

out of all the 8 characters here. jade would be easily the first one to discern the certain trick in your joke and he's pleasantly suprised when he comes to the realization that if you indeed, did break up with him. he will be your ex and that means you'll go back to him.

guess your love does really run deep, so sweet. 🚩😃

nothing really ever changes but jade will convince you that he doesn't know the catch of the joke by pretending he's upset, with his stupidly decent theatre skills. basically you won't know that he knows about it.

overall it provided very good entertainment for him. even if you ended up being centered around it instead of the other way around. jade somehow twisted it to his advantage and it's his joke now, not yours. 🙄

floyd leech

"if I broke up with you, I'd go back to my ex."

"noooo shrimpy! don't leave me or else I'll beat up the guy that you go back to 😡"

in all honesty you can't tell if you should consider his statement cute or a whole ass red flag cause he's basically acting so cute yet so malicious at the same time. so *crosses out last part* there now it looks normal.

floyd doesn't give you any time to react as he walks away with a big frown and everyone immediately starts scattering. you come to know that he's attempting to threaten everyone to check if you've dated any of these... buffoons....

if you won't tell him then he'd just get everyone else to tell it to him instead, he'd never force his shrimpy to say something they don't want to! 😇 *starts forcing everyone else* congrats you're an exception to his shenanigans.

since he's already gone and terrorizing the students, jade will find him one way or another to ask about his foul mood so floyd being floyd who can't keep something to himself, especially if it's jade asking spills everything vaguely.

but jade is used to that so he easily gets it and tells floyd. his mood immediately goes up and his scary aura disappears and is now replaced with a sparkly one. he's touched ♡♡

floyd: :0

floyd: :D

jade: :)

he's happy again and most probably running away to crush you with a hug. floyd is now more clingy and highkey possessive, using every single reason to keep you away from everyone, pouting when your attention drifts from him to somewhere else.

ask mc on how to make a tall, big, scary eel man happy.

anyways since ur here have song reccomendations:

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queen-shiba · 4 months

Text

The Dark Room

An Ifeatu short story (reblogs appreciated)

@killersweetie @ameleii @sakka-kyuu @loser-jpg @duskymrel @h3apm3ch4n151m @maythearo @feliciadraws @seraphni @starplatnium029 @cynthinesia @blackopals-world

It was dark...

Everything hurt.. The princess refused to open her eyes or turn on a single light.

Not a window would be opened, and no curtain would shed the sun or the moon's beams.

Her body ached. Her stomach, most certainly.

The servants had brought food, but she didn't want it. Ifeatu knew none of them wanted to feed a white lion. No one wanted to care for an unstable princess..

Who wouldn't try to poison the palace ghost?

There were voices... None that she knew.. She dared not open her eyes, to see the horrors lying in wait to devour her if she did open them.

Why had she been locked in her own room again? Ife couldn't remember.

All she knew was at times she heard muttering outside her room door.

"Surely we don't have to feed her today? We have more important matters to handle."

"I agree, but... The king and queen desire she remain alive. To avoid a riot.."

Who would riot over her...?

Why would anyone care about Ife?

Slowly, Ife moved to her door, her feet moving over papers with drawings of all the scary things she saw. Paragraphs of the horrible thoughts she had... Or what she thought might be happening.

Evidence of how deluded she'd become overtime, untreated.

She pressed her ear against the door, listening out for anyone who might come. Maybe to open the door and let her out?

"Mama..." Her claws ran down the wood, subconsciously, begging for an escape, "Mama....!"

She kept calling for the woman who suggested she be left in that room. The woman who looked at her own firstborn in horror when she saw her.

Her silver eyes opened, white lashes wet with tears.

"Please, Mama...! I.. won't do it again..!" She couldn't remember what she did, but it had been days...

With her eyes open, she saw monsters and apparitions, all aiming to eat her alive. Tear her apart limb from limb for sins she couldn't remember.

She was only nine... Why would they want her..?

The pills... The pills that the doctor gave her would make them go away! One for each monster! They'd be all gone!

Quickly, Ife ran by them, opening hr cupboard.

A disheveled woman with a head... No, an antelope skull for a head, ran after her..

Her pale skin, wrinkly, the eyes seeping out of the skull like blood...

In a hurry, Ife downed every last pill... All her medication...

She felt odd....

Her body... It...

Something was coming up... The world was so blurry... The monsters were gone...

Why were her hands shaking..?

She leaned over on her vanity, her mouth falling open.

She vomited, collapsing into the mess. Her white dress was tarnished. Her mother and father would be angry. Her nanny would be angry.

Even worse... She'd broken her vanity...

It was fragile, her nanny had said. Don't break it, her mother had said.

All her worries and thoughts faded in and out. Why couldn't she move?

Her muscles hurt... Her eyes rolled back, she swore there were more monsters in her own skull.

What had she done wrong!? She was frothing at the mouth...

Faint sounds rang in her ear.

The door...

"--- in the world did this---"

"--- overdosed---"

"-- infirmary immediately!"

Everything blacked out after those words...

When she woke up, she was in the infirmary.

Her clothes had been changed...

What a bad child she was.. She'd inconvenienced everyone around her. Why had she done that? Maybe she should have let the monsters get her.

She shouldn't have called for her mama.

How foolish, Ife was...

Quickly, she left the infirmary, nearly falling over. She ran right to the garden, hiding amongst the white spider lilies. The only flowers she was allowed near.

Ife was shaking... She felt cold... Hungry, still... Even more so, thirsty..

"Ife!!" A familiar voice called to her.

She didn't look away from the flowers, flinching lightly when familiar arms wrapped around her.

Leona...

The prince who had befriended her. Treated her like am equal...

"Why are you out here!? You should be in the infirmary!"

"Monsters... Monsters everywhere..." She mumbled, still shaking, "They wanna eat me.."

At those words, Leona understood, now wasn't the time to talk. He hugged her tighter, trying to let her know he was there, hoping she'd notice his presence.

Sometimes she didn't and it worried him... She'd become detatched... He wanted to help his friend.

"I'm right here, Ife. No monster is gonna eat you.." He soothed, rubbing her hand with his thumb.

He hated her family... how they treated her... How they had stripped her of her birthright the moment they saw her, and gave life to a replacement.

Leona wanted to bring her home with him, but alas, they were only nine. He couldn't help... and her family wouldn't let her leave these palace walls without a fight..

The End!

#twst #twisted wonderland #savanaclaw #twst mc #twisted wonderland mc #leona kingscholar #twst oc #twisted wonderland oc #ifeatu ekezie #twst angst #twisted wonderland angst #leona kingscholar x oc

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mobagehelllocal · 1 year

Note

Please take your eel Ms. Ai 🥺

OMG ITS HIM 😭😭😭💕💕💕 WAAAAA THANK UUUU ILL JUST TAKE HIM AWAY NOW HEEEHOOO

#lalaanswers #cynthinesia

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mysteryshoptls · 1 year

Text

SSR Cater Diamond Bloom Birthday Voice Lines

When Summoned: Today's your favorite Cay-kun's birthday anniversary! Let's all have a smashing good time!

Summon Line: Ta-da～! Wearing this makes me feel like a big-time mage, don'tcha think? Maybe I'll spend today pretending I'm some hot-shot.

Groooovy!!: I'm gonna dedicate this awesome flight to all those who came to celebrate me. Make sure you take a ton of photos ♪

Home: I'm gonna rock this chic look ♪

Home Idle 1: I got a birthday message from my sisters. Next time we see each other, they're gonna take me to a café― that they want me to recommend... Well, guess I'll try to look forward to it anyway.

Home Idle 2: I just gotta have the time of my life at a loud and fun party like this, with no regrets ☆ It's also fun to think about how I'll repay everyone for everything～

Home Idle 3: I asked Idia-kun if there's any exciting anime he could recommend me. 'Cause usually I'm just watching all the popular stuff.

Home Idle - Login: Yo, I'm getting so many birthday wishes on magicam! I'm stoked, but it might be hard to keep up with replying to them all.

Home Idle - Groovy: I got super into the conversation me and Floyd had about fashion. It'd be great if we could chat about it again sometime.

Home Tap 1: Decorating brooms like this seems like such an unconventional idea. But that poppy color is such a good look ♪

Home Tap 2: Just a little while ago, Ace-chan bought me a drink from the vending machine. I kinda like these kinds of casual gifts sometimes, too.

Home Tap 3: This outfit looks good on me, don't you think? I really like the cute way the toes of the boot curl up, too ♪

Home Tap 4: This crazy hot sauce Deuce-chan gave me is so delish! His lips were a bit swollen, I guess he must have tried it to pick it out for me.

Home Tap 5: I got a ton of gifts today! Eh, you're gonna give me one too? Thanks～ I'll throw it up on Magicam later!

Home Tap - Groovy: Oh, you wanna take a selfie with me? Sure～ Let's go hop on my decked out broom and find some super amazing scenery to grab the shot!

Duo: [CATER]: Floyd-kun, let's take a selfie together! [FLOYD]: Hanadai-kun, you're so hyped!

Birthday Login Message: Heyo, [Yuu]-chan! Ooh... Did you come to wish me a happy birthday? Oho, then maybe I'll use my Unique Magic and ask for a gift for each one of me～ Eh, you're still cool with that? I was just kidding, though. Well, Cay-kun here is just tickled to death that you'd go that far to celebrate my birthday! Thanks ♪

Requested by @cynthinesia and @azurus-world.

#twisted wonderland #twst #cater diamond #floyd leech #twst cater #twst floyd #twst birthday #twst translation #mention: idia #mention: ace #mention: floyd #mention: deuce

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wolken-himmel · 2 years

Text

In which Cater plans a small candlelight dinner at Heartslabyul for his and (Y/n)'s one-year anniversary.

Much to his horror, everything that could go wrong goes wrong.

Request by @cynthinesia.

"What are you dressing up for, henchhuman?"

Grim shot you a curious look as you stood in front of the mirror above the fireplace in your shared bedroom. Although the surface was full of dust and grime, it was good enough for you to properly adjust and style your hair.

"Cater invited me over to the Heartslabyul dorm and told me to dress up," you explained in excitement. "I think it's to celebrate our one-year anniversary."

Previously having lain on the bed, the cat jolted upright and shot you a surprised look. "It's been that long already? Feels like yesterday when he dragged you to that hipster cafe for a date." A scowl appeared on his face, and he feigned to gag as he complained, "And the cafe wasn't even that good... Their tuna latte was atrocious."

His comment simply earned him a shrug from you. "I rather liked the mirror-glaze cake I got back then..." you trailed off, though the grandfather clock striking loudly in the living room below made you jump to your feet. With a hastened swing to your pace, you stormed out of the room. "But anyway, I gotta go now. Don't destroy anything while I'm gone."

Grim followed you out to the front door, where he innocently sat down and grinned up at you. "No promises. I might have to destroy the lock on the tuna cupboard if you don't want me to starve."

"You know that the lock is claw-safe and fireproof, so good luck."

Meanwhile at Heartslabyul, everything seemed to be upside down. Outside in the vast garden, Deuce and Ace were busy setting up a table and two accompanying chairs. Inside, Riddle, Trey, and a few other Heartslabyul students worked in the kitchen. The people cooking and baking were in full motion — the ovens were bursting with heat, and the sound of things being diced and chopped echoed through the room. Orders and questions were being thrown around. Smells — good and bad — clashed with one another.

Cater was caught in the middle of it when he entered the lively kitchen.

His eyes gazed around the counter tops as he rubbed his hands together nervously. Simultaneously, his feet carried him over to the dorm and vice dorm leader by the oven in the corner. "Riddle, Trey— How is the food going?" he asked loudly, just to be heard over all the other noises.

The inquiry made Riddle briefly stop with whatever he was doing to raise his gaze and look at Cater. The dormleader's face possessed a strange emotionless look, steely — as if he was done with life. Riddle merely said, "...adequately," before returning to work.

That was when Cater gazed down at the bowl next to Riddle and found the source of the aforementioned disastrous smell. A shrill gasp escaped his lips. "Wait, why are the potatoes black— they look like coal!" Cater cried out, looking like he was about to faint.

"Well, Rule 71 says, 'On the third Friday of the year, the potatoes must be baked thrice as long,'" Riddle explained quickly before going back to whisk the strange shiny, dark blue substance in another bowl.

Trey shot his panicked friend an apologetic look. "Sorry, Cater—"

"Forget the potatoes," Cater said after having regained his composure. "What's important is the mirror-glaze cake."

An aggressive hum escaped Riddle's lips as he poured the liquid into a smaller bowl and added food colouring. "And I'm on it." He gritted his teeth together and let out a heart-stopping sigh after a while, then admitting, "Or I have been for the last two hours! I can't get the glaze to stick correctly to the outside of the cake!"

"Riddle, it's really hard to get right," Trey comforted, and he was right.

Still, Riddle shook his head and went back to work to whisk again. "I need to get it right," he said through pursed lips. "For Cater."

For a moment, the sight of such determination and passion comforted Cater — it assured him that perhaps, tonight wouldn't be an utter catastrophe as he had feared. A grateful smile growing on his lips, he put a hand on his dormleader's shoulder. "I appreciate your determination, Riddle." Yet, Cater tensed again when he realised there was another issue at hand — the table outside. His composure slipping, he anxiously asked, "But actually, where are my two waiters—"

"Right here!" two voices simultaneously shouted from the entrance of the kitchen as they waddled inside.

The sound of Ace and Deuce having arrived initially caused a wave of relief in him, but all of that went down the drain when he turned around properly and noticed how their clothing was dirty: brown mud stains decorated their white shirts.

Cater looked like he was about to faint — again. "Why do you look like someone's dragged you through the mud!"

The first-years shot each other embarrassed glances before Deuce admitted, "...We managed to put up everything— but at a price. The instruction manual bested us."

Cater's eyes looked like they were about to fall out as he grumbled, "What—" But, a few seconds of glaring later, he realised that he was just wasting his time. Taking a deep breath and exhaling quickly afterwards, he rubbed his temples and pointed at the door. "Anyway, it doesn't matter... Just get dressed."

"Cater, sir," another Heartslabyul student announced. "The prefect has arrived."

"Oh no— but we're not ready yet!" Cater cried out and threw his hands into the air. Everyone in the kitchen shot him a pitiful glance before they went back to work, his stress wearing off on them, too. "I-I'll just distract (Y/n) while you guys make the cake and you guys dress up properly." Cater waved them off and zoomed out of the kitchen.

"Yes, sir!" everyone replied at once.

Just as Cater had exited the kitchen, he was immediately greeted with the sight of you wandering up towards him through the corridor. Once your eyes met, a nervous shiver ran down his back as he hurried over to your side. A large smile on his face, he guided you outside to the table. "Hello, (Y/n)! Nice to have you here," he said in his usual chipper tone, albeit too chipper than usually. "Come right in, this way. You know how confusing Heartslabyul can be sometimes, eh?"

However, you saw right through him.

"Cater, you're shaking," you remarked and put a hand on his shoulder when he pushed you down into your chair. "Calm down. You look like you're about to have a heart attack."

The carefree smile he had put up as a facade slipped of his face at once, now replaced by a frown of frustration and distress. Now feeling how tired he truly was, he threw himself into his chair across from you. "That's because nothing has been going right for our one-year anniversary!" he cried out and buried his face in his hands. "Our food will never be ready anyway, and the waiters I hired aren't even dressed yet."

"It's alright," you assured and smiled at him. "I'm just really flattered that you put so much effort into this."

"Of course! Our first anniversary— it has to be picture perfect!"

"Just being here with you alone is good enough for me," you replied, and indeed, the table out in the darkness of the evening with a candle to light the area — there was nothing that could have been more romantic.

And indeed, your words seemed to have reached your boyfriend. A smile on his face, he gazed into your eyes gratefully, silently thanking you for your kindness. At the same time, he extended his hand and put it over yours that openly lay on the table. For a moment, the two of you just stared into each other's eyes silently, no word needing to be said to understand one another.

That was until the mood was interrupted by none other than Ace and Deuce appearing from the darkness. "I'm sorry to say you're not alone," Deuce said awkwardly, looking like he wanted nothing more than to leave. "Can we take your orders?"

Cater furrowed his eyebrows in disbelief. "Wrong timing, Adeuce!"

"But you said we should come ASAP to be your waiters!" Ace cried out in protest.

Cater exhaled playfully. "You're fired..."

#twisted wonderland #twst #twst x you #twst x reader #twisted wonderland x reader #disney twst #disney twisted wonderland #reader insert #y/n #cater diamond #cater diamond x reader #twst cater #twst cater diamond #twst cater x reader #twisted wonderland cater #gender neutral reader

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