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pinkskytwst · 1 year

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A Queen's Rose

Riddle/Reader (Not Yuu)

Childhood Friends!AU

I was totally inspired by @miss-hyoko with this post about childhood friends and the Housewardens. I have others already in mind for at least Azul and Malleus but I want to try and write the Yandere!First Years Part III first.

This one is all fluff though so I hope you like it! Let me know what you think. (It's unbeta'd though so please be kind lol)

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Riddle had known you since you were both children.

You were, in fact, the only friend he had consistently been able to be near with the permission of his mother since he was seven years old.

Your parents were nobles as well, after all, and your aptitude for magic was already showing signs of being very advanced for your age. It was the perfect set up for her to prepare a betrothal or simple family alliance. If it had been up to her, of course, it would have been a betrothal from the start, but your parents were more attentive to your wishes and refused to push the subject more than allowing you two to get to know each other and see how your friendship would grow.

The first time you had met Riddle you were both dressed in the same sort of frilly, miniature adult, nobility dress that most of your station paraded their children around in, and Riddle’s mother had set up a ‘tea party’ for you to enjoy.

With her there, of course.

It was awkward and tense and not very enjoyable but you never made fun of him even when his mother explained there were no sweets because they were unhealthy for you. You even gave him a small smile and wave before you left so he felt like, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

Maybe he could actually make a friend.

He fell in love with you the next time you visited, when you slipped him a strawberry tart hidden in the basket of books you had brought to share with a bright but mischievous smile.

“Tea parties should always have strawberry tartes.” You had whispered with a giggle.

It was the best thing he had ever tasted and your laugh was the most beautiful sound in the world to his ears.

That day he knew he was going to marry you, if you would have him.

He didn’t know what married people did besides live together and spend all their time together but he didn’t care if it meant being able to hear you laugh every day.

If his mother knew of his intent and determination she might have actually been proud for once, but he kept it held secret in his heart. Protected that little dream even as you both grew and his responsibilities and expectations mounted on his shoulders.

You were like a warm summer day to his life, a brilliant rose blooming in an otherwise barren garden.

Smiling at him as if seeing him made your day, speaking to him so openly when you were alone and going on about the exciting and fantastical books that you read or what interesting trip you had gone on with your parents.

You were a window into the world he never got to experience and you shared it freely as best you could. Bringing him pictures and books with their swashbuckling covers hidden behind those of scientific journals. You even covered for him when you could so that he could slip out and meet with Trey and Che’nya.

And every chance you had, you brought him strawberry tartes.

When Riddle was accepted into Night Raven College – the most illustrious and sought after school in all of Twisted Wonderland – he was disappointed to be separated from you. He knew you would, no doubt, be accepted the next year when you came of age, though, so he promised to write you every day and tried not to blush when you threw your arms around him in a tight embrace.

Being accepted into Heartslabyul was in no way a surprise, having planned on being sorted into their Queen’s dorm from the start, and he quickly set about placing himself as the top student and defeating the current Dorm Housewarden to gain his position.

He wanted to be able to greet you properly, after all, and make you proud. Create a dorm that you could excel in and dorm members that would – if not reach your level – at least not disgrace you in any way.

He wanted to prove to you that he could take care of Heartslabyul better than anyone – and in return hopefully prove he could take care of you the same way.

Unfortunately, despite your affect on Riddle, much of his mother still stubbornly clung on and it wasn’t long before he was being whispered about as a ‘tyrant’ despite Trey and Cater’s – the previous Housewarden that he had defeated – attempts to smooth things over. It was perhaps, not as bad as it could be, he didn’t always jump to his Unique Magic to handle trouble makers, but he also didn’t go easy on any of them.

It was fine, though, they would see why it would all be worth it eventually.

He didn’t realize that more whispers were shared among Heartslabyul that centered around the daily letters that Riddle would send and receive.

He always sent one first thing in the morning and he always received one around teatime in the afternoon. No one really understood why he was using physical letters like a grandma – though Trey knew it was because Riddle’s mother had access to his phone and laptop – but whatever was in them must have been important because those were the best times to ask the Housewarden for anything.

He would always be a bit distracted after sending the letter for about an hour, almost wistful, but then the rest of the afternoon when he received the reply he would be a bit more lenient. A bit more soft spoken with the edges of his tone smoothed over so he sounded less like a dictator and more like a strict older brother.

Everyone wanted to know just who Riddle was writing to and of course the guess was a girlfriend or boyfriend, but no one put much weight to that when they doubted anyone could put up with him.

Who would want to date the tyrant queen?

The next year when they arrived on the morning of the welcome ceremony, Riddle was the worst they had ever seen him.

He stormed around, ordering everyone into a whirlwind of cleaning and preparations for the new students. Painting the roses, bathing and brushing the hedgehogs, doing the same for the flamingos and ensuring every corner of the dorm was polished to a shine until the marble floors gleamed like mirrors.

It was clear that someone important was going to be showing up, especially when Riddle gave them a speech about what he expected from them regarding conduct during the ceremony and personally checked each of them to ensure their uniforms were perfect and their appearance well groomed.

Trey just followed close behind with a bemused, fond smile while Cater was near vibrating with excitement and whispering to his taller friend about Magicam videos and candid reactions.

The ceremony went as it had the years before and it was rather easy to see just who Riddle was focusing on when he recognized them instantly despite the robe hood hiding most of their features, and how the person smiled in his direction and gave a little wave. Riddle even smiled back at them, though it was careful and poised, and he gave a small nod in return as they waited for the person to be sorted.

To say that Riddle was disappointed that you were placed in Diasomnia rather than Heartslabyul was an understatement.

He didn’t throw a fit or behead anyone but his expression fell before he quickly plastered on a smile as the figure turned to beam at him. They couldn’t speak while more students were being sorted, Riddle did glance to his side where Lilia Vanrouge was taking stock of the new students being sent to his dorm.

“I hope,” he said softly, expression serious as he met gazes with the other’s wine-red eyes that instantly focused on him. “That Diasomnia treats their human members just as they treat their fae? I would hate to hear that your dorm doesn’t recognize when a worthy soul has joined their house.”

Amusement sparkled in the third year’s eyes and he flashed a too sharp grin.

“Why, Housewarden Rosehearts, surely you don’t think we would not care for all of our students no matter their heritage. There has never been a soul sorted into our noble house that hasn't been worthy. Perhaps you would care to visit sometime to see the truth of my words?”

There was definitely a teasing note in the other’s voice and Riddle had the feeling that the fae was able to see right through him, but he pushed the embarrassment aside, gaze traveling over the heads of the new students seated with their houses.

His rose was whispering excitedly to another Diasomnia student and quickly gave an eager wave to Riddle again when they noticed his gaze, barely hidden by the crowd so as not to draw attention.

It was impossible for Lilia to miss the softening of his expression and the teasing smirk on the fae's face made Riddle clear his throat quickly and look away.

“That sounds agreeable. And of course, Heartslabyul is open to visiting students from all houses as well.” He said before tacking on a quick “So long as they follow our rules.”

“Of course, Housewarden Rosehearts. I’ll be sure to pass the invitation along to our students.” He said bemused, clearly laughing at the situation and it took everything Riddle had not to huff and throw a fit.

But ensuring that you were at least allowed to visit as often as possible was more important.

Besides, he decided eventually, if you weren’t to be in Heartslabyul then he supposed Diasomnia was the best alternative. It was the house of Nobility, after all, and a queen needed a king to stand at their side.

He would just have to ensure that he proved he was the best suited as Queen in all of Night Raven College and that some interloper didn’t steal your attentions away before he could show you just how much he loved you and the life he hoped to provide for you.

The uproar that came from the odd, magicless student and the rampaging weasel monster nearly led Riddle to murder.

How dare they ruin his rose’s first night at NRC! This was not what he wanted their impression of his school to be!

He took care of the monster quickly – with the help of Ashengrotto, unfortunately, - to ensure that no one – especially his rose – came to harm.

It was a relief when he turned, though, and suddenly found his arms full of the one he loved.

He instantly returned the embrace, worried for an instant that they were hurt or frightened, but when they pulled back, hood fallen away to show their beautiful face, they were beaming excitedly, brilliant eyes flashing and the smile he missed so much warming his chest.

“That was wonderful, Riddle! You were so amazing!” you praised, not at all embarrassed or uncertain about saying such things in public.

You never were uncertain.

You always spoke what was in your heart and he both loved and envied you for that courage.

He cleared his throat a little, pulling back just a bit as he knew the other Housewardens could see them and he didn’t want you to grab any of their interests. He didn’t trust them and he certainly didn’t want to risk having to fight them for you.

Not that he would lose! But still, he knew how charming Vil was and Leona’s whole dorm just caused problems. He certainly didn’t want the likes of them hanging around you when they certainly weren’t good enough for your attention.

“It’s good to see you, my rose.” He said, holding your hands instead of continuing the embrace.

He would make up for it later in private where he wouldn’t have to worry about so many eyes on you.

You gave another of your beautiful laughs and squeezed his hands.

“It’s good to see you too.” They said playfully. “Even if it was just yesterday it felt like I’d never get here!”

Riddle hoped that the warmth he felt wasn’t traveling to his face.

“I’m sorry that your first night here has been ruined.” He said, expression falling into a frown as he glared towards where the Headmage was leading off the magicless student and the contained monster.

“Ruined? It was exciting!” you beamed, causing him to blink before a fond smile pulled on his lips as you began praising him again for his skills and bravery and ability to take charge until Vanrouge’s voice cut in from the large double doors, calling for all of the Diasomnia students.

“Oh, I’ve got to go, but I’ll see you soon, promise!” you said before giving him another quick embrace and then spinning on your heals to hurry off after your new, fellow dorm members.

Riddle watched you go and did his best to not make it so obvious that he wanted nothing more than to follow you.

Instead he turned to his own students that were milling around Trey and Cater and started them on the way back to Heartslabyul.

He pointedly ignored the calculating looks from Azul or the amused one that Lilia was shooting him while apparently chatting with you until they were out of sight.

Well, things didn’t turn out exactly like he wanted but it could have been worse, he supposed. You could have been placed somewhere like Octavinelle where he’d constantly fret about you being around Floyd or if Azul would trick you into some strange contract. Savanaclaw even more, not even imagining your bright and open personality being able to stand against the chaos of that house.

He sighed to himself when he was finally able to retire to his room, the rooms he had wanted to show you and offer as a study location along with the evening tea he had set aside to prepare. He had even made sure that your room would be right beside his, ignoring Trey’s knowing look, and hoped maybe he would be able to spend more time with you in private.

Hold your hand longer. Hug you without having to pull back because of what others might think.

Maybe even…kiss you on the cheek if you gave him permission.

The thought caused his cheeks to flare and he quickly shook it away as he changed into his pajamas.

He was just folding the dirty robes to set aside for cleaning later when he heard a strange scratch at the balcony doors.

Frowning confused and wondering if that red headed first year was already causing problems – he could spot a troublemaker a mile away – he went to open them.

He stared.

A bat was flapping and hovering before him…with a letter gripped in its tiny claws.

A letter on thick cream parchment with a vividly crimson wax seal with the imprint of a rose.

“Thank you.” He managed, unsure if the bat would understand him but not willing to risk being rude after it was obviously coming to deliver something for him.

He reached out and accepted the letter, watching as the small creature squeaked before fluttering off again into the night.

Well…he supposed he had seen stranger things happen at NRC, so with a shrug he stepped back into his room and closed the doors.

A smile bloomed on his face, however, when he saw his name written on the front in a familiar hand and he wasted no time in carefully breaking the seal off and opening it. Already you had written him a decently long letter telling him all about your new dorm and how you had settled in and how nice your dorm mates were. He could almost hear your voice as he read your words and the last of his disappointment eased away.

You might not have been placed in Heartslabyul but you were still there with him at NRC now and he could see you every day.

Could walk you to class and carry your books for you. Could eat lunch with you and teach you how to play croquette with the flamingos and cuddle the hedgehogs together when no one else was around. He could see you smile and hear your laugh any time he wanted without the expectant gaze of his mother weighing him down.

He could just be with you, and suddenly school seemed all the more bright with the thought, despite the moon hanging over head.

You were here, finally, and he couldn’t wait to spend every moment he could at your side.

It only took a week for the entirety of Heartslabyul to brand you as their ‘king’ – though they didn’t call you that to your face – and you were eagerly welcomed with open arms anytime you could join them.

You were warm and friendly, kind to everyone and didn’t hesitate to help someone if they needed it. You had become much like Kalim, an anomaly at NRC – even if you weren’t quite so energetic. Even more so because of your obvious closeness to their Housewarden.

That was the real reason they loved having you around.

Whenever you were in the vicinity, Riddle’s near entire focus would be on you instead of them. He still upheld the rules, still insisted on only the best from his students, but there were few times now that he truly lost his temper.

On the rare occasion you weren’t there already to lay a hand on his arm and give him a gentle smile that broke him out of his building rage, Cater only had to send you a quick text and soon you were bursting into Heartslabyul with a basket of pastries and books.

You would have part of your uniform out of place and completely interrupt whatever screaming lecture your friend had started into with pleas to help you with homework that you were stuck on that you insisted that only Riddle could assist you with.

The ranting would be cut off instantly, his angry flush still remaining but all real heat and sharpness melting away as he would fuss and right your uniform. He would chide you in a manner that was so gentle and removed from mere moments before that someone might suspect he was a different person all together, before sweeping you off to his rooms with a promise to help you with whatever you were struggling with.

The ‘beheadings’ were cut down to a mere fifth of what they had once been per week and the overall atmosphere of the dorm eased until even the more trouble-magnet students couldn’t complain too much over the elaborate rules.

Rules that Riddle would obviously bend as much as possible for your sake.

He would use every chance to help adjust your uniform because he wanted you to look nice and he liked being able to take care of you, but he never punished you for it. He allowed you to play with the hedgehogs and flamingos without requiring you to help keep their habitats clean – though you tended to help with that anyway – and if you happened to fall asleep during a study session and ended up staying until after curfew…well you weren’t part of their dorm so it wasn’t his place to set a punishment for you.

It would be unsafe and ungentlemanly to make you walk all the way back to Diasomnia in the dark, after all, so clearly the more responsible thing would be to let you spend the night while he slept on the sofa.

Completely ignoring the fact that he had handed out punishments to students from other dorms before without hesitation.

The most obvious rule bending, however, that the other students were able to witness first hand was during unbirthday parties and dorm tea.

There was always a special seat beside Riddle’s at the head of the table – claiming it was only following the proper etiquette and hospitality that they were required to show to guests - despite no others ever being offered the same – and while the first piece of cake was always meant for the Housewarden, Riddle would unfailingly accept it and then hold it out towards you.

After all, it was his slice of cake and it was his right to do with it what he wanted, so if he decided to give the first bite to you – his king – then it was breaking no rules.

Your mere presence would keep the parties festive and Riddle so distracted that even if he caught a minor infraction happening the most he did was send a warning glare for the person to stop.

Ace was your biggest fan, actually, when you had interrupted Riddle’s outrage at his apology marron pie with the sudden declaration that you loved marron pie – and wouldn’t Riddle accept it so they could share it later? If they didn’t eat it at the unbirthday party, then it wasn’t really breaking the rules, right? Besides, wasn’t it the thought behind the action that mattered more? Intentions should always be taken into account when handling such situations. Ace had probably chosen marron because you had mentioned you really liked it. That was nice of him, wasn’t it? To think of you?

Ace had his collar removed and Riddle had a relieved Trey hurry off with the pastry for them to enjoy later in private.

Needless to say, despite your Diasomnia uniform, you had been accepted by Heartslabyul as one of their own.

Not only were your own dorm members – who Riddle was disgruntled to realize were more fond of you than he liked – protective over you, but if someone tried to mess with you or be rude to you in any way, any and all Heartslabyul boys in range would be there in an instant to protect or back you up.

You were their Housewarden’s King after all.

Even if Riddle hadn't made the order to keep an eye on you, they would have done it. If only to ensure you were able to be around as much as possible.

While rumors of strange incidents and fights started showing up around campus, you were safe in Riddle’s room. Sitting close as he helped you study or falling asleep on his shoulder as you both read the adventure books you had brought to share with him.

And then, when Riddle finally worked up the courage to ask, you shared your first kiss with him.

Gentle and full of the love he had felt for you since you were both children, and soft as the petals of a rose.

Riddle’s Rose.

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Hope you guys liked it! I'm a sucker for fluffy cuteness lol and this was particularly tooth rotting. <3

@miss-hyoko hope this is what you imagined and that you like it!

#pinkskytwst #twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #disney twst #twst fanfic #twst riddle #riddle rosehearts #riddle/reader #riddle x reader #reader gender not specified #fluff #so much fluff

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

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A Pirate King's First Mate

Childhood Friend!Au

Leona/Reader (not Yuu)

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The first time Leona met you at five years old, you both got into a screaming match that quickly devolved into a physical scrap that ended with the two of you covered in mud, bruised, and him limping.

Your parents – a pair of female nobles that were friends with Leona’s mother – just groaned while Leona’s own cackled brightly and pulled the both of you under each of her arms to haul off to the healers.

Leona insisted loudly that he never wanted to see you again.

The queen invited you back the next day.

Leona threw a fit. He refused to come out of his room until his mother came personally and in a calm but firm voice instructed her son to unlock the door. He did, of course, but didn’t hide the glare that he sent you from where you stood just behind her. He puffed up even more when you stuck your tongue out at him, nose scrunched up and obviously as happy about being there as he was.

The queen proceeded to leave you both to ‘play together nicely’ in his room and absconded with your mothers for a private teatime.

Leona waited until he couldn’t hear the adults’ footsteps any longer before spinning around stalking out of his room in the opposite direction. His ears twitched when he heard you scrambling after him.

“Hey! You can’t just leave me! Your mom said you have to play with me!” you demanded, more angry at him abandoning you against his mother’s wishes than actually wanting to play together.

“Go away, I don’t play with herbivores.” He said, raising his chin like he saw Farena do when he was trying to act like their father.

“I’m not a herbivore!” you stomped your foot, “And your mom said-“

“Do you always do everything your moms tell you?” he snapped, glaring over his shoulder.

“Of course, I do!” your voice utterly offended.

Well…Leona hardly ever went against what his mother wanted either but still…you were a baby herbivore, and he didn’t want anything to do with you, so it wasn’t the same.

He scoffed and wound his way through the halls, ignoring the guards and any passing servants as you continued to chase after him stubbornly.

“Go away, I don’t play with babies.”

“I’m not a baby! I’m older than you!”

“You’re shorter, so you’re the baby.”

“That’s not fair! Your ears don’t count!”

“Of course, they do, they’re me, idiot!”

“You’re the idiot!”

The bickering continued as he couldn’t manage to lose you in the garden.

Your patience apparently ran out, though, as you threw yourself at him again and you both went down. He struck back, of course, sending you rolling but – the same as the time before – you ended up on top of him, victorious smile on your face.

“HA! Pinned ya!”

“Let me go!” he complained, trying to wiggle away. “I’m a prince you know! You can’t treat me like this!”

You just stuck your tongue out again but did eventually let him up, still smug smirk on your face despite his glower.

“You’re a very uncute herbivore!”

“Well, you're a rude prince!”

His face screwed up in a pout, ready to go at you again, but instead he just huffed and climbed to his feet, brushing off the grass stains and dirt smudges as best he could. He turned and continued on to his favorite tree to nap under and proceeded to climb it.

You scampered after him again but gaped as he made himself comfortable in the branches completely out of your reach.

“Hey! Hey, that’s not fair!” you stomped your foot, going to the large tree trunk and trying to follow after him.

Your climbing skills were nothing to his, though, despite his young age, and you barely got your feet off the ground before you toppled back and landed in the dirt. A grunt escaped you and you rubbed at your backside with a pout, eyes narrowing at the smug smirk from the boy above you.

“Looks like you really are an herbivore if you can’t even climb a tree.” His tiny fangs flashing in his grin.

“You…you-ugh!” you threw your hands into the air and stormed off, giving him some actual peace and quiet again, thankfully.

You returned a couple of minutes later, arms covered in mud and proceeded to throw a huge sludge ball right at his stupid, prince face.

To say your ‘friendship’ had a rough start was an understatement.

The ‘play dates’ continued like that for months, only ending when you were both either having to be dragged to the healers again or so filthy you had to be carted off by servants to be hosed down and given proper baths before being able to be seen by polite company again.

You were the bane of Leona’s existence, and he did not understand why his mother didn’t grasp the insurmountable trials she was putting him through. She would just smile fondly and brush her fingers through his hair and completely change the subject by telling weird stories about how she and his father would fight when they were children.

What did that matter!? He didn’t care about how stupid his dad was for not seeing how awesome his mom was as a kid! It just confirmed that he was an idiot! It had nothing to do with the trauma your very presence was inflicting on him! Why couldn’t she just order you to not come back! Clearly if she loved him she wouldn’t force him to suffer your bullying!

But no, she would just chuckle and kiss his forehead and promise that one day he would understand and forgive her.

No, he was certain this was the one thing that he wouldn’t be able to forgive his mom for even if he could never stay mad at her.

It was favoritism! Why couldn’t she torture Farena with an annoying herbivore and let him hang around Njeri instead? She deserved better than being betrothed to his jerk of a brother anyway! She definitely had better taste and wouldn’t actually agree to marry him when they were older! He might not want to marry her but it would still be better being around her than having to put up with the brat that kept shoving his face in mud!

Not that they could actually beat him or anything! He was going easy on them, that’s all!

More months passed, a couple of birthdays, and still he was stuck putting up with you at least three times a week. A common complaint that he brought up to his mother every chance he could.

He would detail out all the horrible things about you and how you always bullied him and never treated him like a prince the way you should and they should praise him for going easy on you because that’s the only reason they found him trapped under you again as you ruthlessly braided flowers into his hair so that he would look like a ‘real prince’.

Really! He was just being nice and letting you win!

He was a prince after all! He should be shown respect even if he wasn’t going to be king! You were anything but respectful! Clearly he deserved a better ‘friend’!

After the funeral, you were the first person to find him.

“Hey.” You said, voice cutting through his deafening thoughts that were dragging his soul down deeper into the tar of despair and self-hatred.

“Go away.” He muttered, burying his head deeper into his arms and claws digging into the black sleeves of his kanzu to the point that the luxurious fabric began to rip.

Not that he cared. Not that it mattered.

Nothing mattered anymore.

“No.”

He couldn’t even work up the energy to lash out as he felt you sit beside him under the tree. His tree he always hid away at.

Where you were always able to find him.

You sat there in silence for an undetermined amount of time that dragged on like hours.

It grated on his nerves. Raw and stinging as he couldn’t figure out if it would be better if you would say something or if he didn’t want to hear your voice.

He didn’t want to listen to anyone. The thought of being around others, feeling their stares heavy on his shoulders like accusing fists suffocating him, of hearing the hissed whispers that now followed his every step like poisonous snakes sinking their fangs into his heart. It all made him sick. It made him want to rip off his own ears, to claw his eyes out.

It made him wish he had died instead of his mother.

“You know…” you finally said, breaking him from his sludge tar thoughts again. “If you want, we can go be pirates.”

Leona looked up from his arms, staring at you.

You pointed to your own eye, the one that mirrored the scar that now slashed over his own, mostly healed but still an angry red.

The one he had gotten from the assassin before his mother had thrown herself at the female with a vicious roar that felt like it rocked the very ground beneath them.

“You look like a pirate now. You want to be a king right? We can go be pirates and you can be a pirate king. I’ll have to come too, of course, since you’re useless with out me but I guess if I have to follow a pirate king you’d be a good one.”

Leona just stared up at you.

You were ten now and he would be in a month, but you were still a little taller than him. He hated it. He complained to his mother all the time about you growing faster than him.

She always told him to be patient.

She’d never tell him that again.

He didn’t realize that he was crying until you reached out with your sleeve and started to scrub them away. You weren’t gentle but you were also not as rough as you normally were.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!”

No one should touch him! It wasn’t safe! He would kill you just like-

The breath left his lungs as you were suddenly right there and wrapping your arms around him.

He struggled, tried to pull away, did his best not to let his hands land on you.

The hands of a killer.

“Shut up! You’re being dumb!” you snapped, your voice wobbly in a way he’d never heard it before. “It’s not your fault! It was that bitch’s fault for attacking you and your mom! It was your guards’ faults for not stopping her!”

Leona froze, his mind still as his thoughts circled around one thing.

“Your moms will be mad that you cussed.”

He felt your breath shutter against his chest, the beat of your heart dragging him back down to reality.

“I’m practicing.” He muttered into his neck, the stubborn tone returning to what he was familiar with. “We’re going to be pirates, remember? I decided. We’re going to be pirates and you’re going to be the Pirate King and I’m going to be your right hand pirate because all Pirate Kings need a right hand pirate.”

“Idiot, they’re called ‘first mates’.”

“Well, I’ll be your first mate then, you jerk prince! But only I get to be so you can’t go off and be a pirate without me, you got it! It was my idea so it wouldn’t be fair! You can’t leave without me!”

Leona swallowed thickly, not understanding what was happening but also…maybe he didn’t mind listening to your voice as much as he thought.

It wasn’t a horrible voice after all. And he supposed you weren’t ugly even if you were still an annoying herbivore.

“I can’t touch you.” He finally whispered, keeping his hands hovering away from you.

The feeling of sand beneath his fingers still snapped him into a cold sweat and haunted his nightmares.

“Stop saying stupid things.” You refused to pull away from him and just tightened your grip. “Who cares if you can turn things to sand, hm? You think you’re so amazing, you idiot? You’re 9! I’m older and smarter and I’m telling you that your sand powers won’t hurt me! If you’re so scared we’ll get you gloves. Pirates wear cool gloves all the time anyway. An eyepatch too. Maybe covering up one of your eyes will make your aim better!”

Leona couldn’t breathe again.

He didn’t understand. He didn't understand, but he didn’t want you to leave.

His touch was feather light, terrified and ready to rip away in an instant.

You didn’t flinch. Your heart didn’t so much as speed up as you continued to hold him.

You gave a small, annoyed huff.

“Idiot.” You muttered. “Pirates cry too so it’s fine. It’s only me anyway.”

Suddenly he was clutching at you, broken sobs wracking through his body as everything he had been holding in, trying to hide, forcing back behind a mask to escape everyone in the palace that could no longer look at him without seeing a murderer, came flooding out.

He cried himself to sleep.

You carried him to the palace on your back and snarled at any servant or guard that looked at him wrong.

You pushed him into bed and kicked off your own sandals before climbing in to join him, curling around his smaller form.

It was the first night since he watched his mother die that he didn’t wake up screaming.

Lots of things changed over the years. Some bad, some good.

The constant in Leona’s life, though, remained you. It was you since the day when you were both five and it would be you until the day one of you died.

When you were both accepted to Night Raven College he wasn’t surprised. He was a genius after all and you were…passable at least. Not as good as him – though you’d never admit it no matter how many times he shoved it in your face – but definitely better than the plebians that filled the rest of the world.

He’d never admit to the relief he felt when you were placed in the same dorm.

With all the trouble you got into it was just easier to make sure you didn’t get in over your head if he was at your side.

School was boring but with you there at least it was at least bearable. It was better than being at ‘home’ where whispered still followed – though less when you were at his side – and he could escape the obnoxious cub of a nephew his brother had so generously gifted him.

Cheka loved you, of course, and you doted on him like he was your own and it was the most annoyingly sickening sweet thing he ever saw that he tended to just snag the brat by the back of his shirt and throw him out of the room whenever you were around.

No one wanted to see that!

He didn’t really care about doing too well, though he would allow you to drag him to class every now and then. It wasn’t like grades were going to change anything about his future and he knew all the information already anyway. School was just to enjoy and despite the lectures you might give him every now and then you gave in enough that he knew you didn’t mind it all that much.

It also helped that he was now much taller than you and he took every chance he could to use it against you by dragging you down for a nap or just throwing you over his shoulder to cart off to the botanical gardens.

Of course, when he noticed that others didn’t always treat you like you deserved – he was the only one that could tease or call you names – he quickly took action and when your Housewarden had shrugged off his words with: “Maybe if they were stronger they wouldn’t be a target.”

Well, needless to say he was the new pack leader of Savanaclaw and the old was in the infirmary for three weeks before he was allowed out of bed.

After that no one in the dorm dared to try anything with you and the rare time that you couldn’t take care of yourself against someone from another dorm he dealt with it for you.

“It’s my job to take care of my first mate.” He’d shrug before ruffling your hair and then throw his arm around your neck to drag you back to his room for a nap.

That changed in your third year during the first break back home.

The two of you had enjoyed a day out, a rare occasion for Farena to not keep him swarmed by guards the entire time and just allowed for a ‘chaperone’ – who was definitely a guard in disguise – and you had dragged him to the ‘Watering Hole’.

It was a centralized tourist spot with a large lake and surrounded by expansive shopping and restaurant districts. Entertainment avenues of theater and movies and clubs, and all absolutely swarmed with people.

He hated it.

You thought it was great.

You might not have been royalty, after all, but you were still a noble and your parents were pretty protective as well so you rarely got to just go out and explore places so public.

You couldn’t keep the beaming smile off your face and he guessed he could put up with it for one day.

You were a trouble magnet, though, so he had to keep a firm hold on your hand the entire time.

No doubt you’d go and get tricked into some unmarked van with promises of free candy and kittens otherwise, so he was only being responsible like his brother always nagged him about.

The worst thing was…it didn’t even have to happen.

If he had been paying attention.

If he hadn’t been so focused on watching the way your eyes sparkled with excitement over something as simple as samosas from a street vendor…

The next thing he knew your treat was on the ground and you had thrown yourself at him, shoving him as hard as your strength could manage.

Energy sizzled through the air, electric shocks brushing over his skin and sending his nerves on end.

He snapped into defense mode, pen out and already throwing up a shield while holding you close.

They were nothing - street thugs that only one of them even had magic at all. It was barely a flick of his pen before they were all thrown into a nearby store’s wall and knocked unconscious. The police and guards would handle them.

The smell of charred flesh reached his nose.

His heart stopped as he looked down at your unmoving form in his arms, back smoking as your clothes had been burned away by the blast that you had taken.

The blast meant for him.

He tasted sand on his tongue.

The black, jagged streaks traveled along your spine and painted your skin where the outright, open wound weeped crimson.

You weren’t breathing.

Leona didn’t remember much after that. Sirens, maybe, people trying to pull you from his grasp, definitely, but the next time he was really aware he was sitting at your bedside in the palace’s private hospital wing. Your hand clasped between his white knuckles and his eyes locked on your face and his ears focused solely on listening for every beep to confirm that your heart was still beating.

The healers said it was a miracle you had survived. Your mothers had sobbed in relief and then horror at the knowledge that you may very well never walk again.

The thought didn’t make sense in his mind.

You were…you were so small. Why did you look so small?

How could someone like you, someone who could do so much, was meant for so much – meant so much to him – look so tiny and weak.

It wasn’t right.

And it was his fault.

It was always his fault.

You would be safe if it wasn’t for him.

If he had never been brought into your life.

Leona took a deep breath, swallowing back the taste of sand and lightning before he delicately laid your hand down on the stark white, hospital sheets.

He had to fight but eventually he released your fingers and stood from the plastic chair. He forced himself not to pause at the door, forced himself not to look back at your unconscious form.

He didn’t deserve to.

He left.

Leona didn’t leave his room for weeks, though he ordered his guard to notify him of any change to your status. He barely left his bed and ignored all cries from Cheka outside his door.

He didn’t have the energy to deal with him.

He didn’t have the energy for anything.

It felt like his heart finally started beating again when he heard you had woken up for the first time.

He wanted to rip it out when he had to growl to his brother that he wasn’t coming even though you were asking for him.

Every day you asked for him.

Every day he wished he could just die instead of having to deny you.

But he couldn’t see you. He couldn’t let you be a part of his life anymore when everyone he ever lo-ever cared about would be a target. Would be eventually ripped from his arms and leave him alone.

It was only when you refused to eat until he came to speak with you face to face that he managed to force himself out of bed.

“You look like shit.”

Those were the first words you said to him, sitting propped up in the hospital bed’s many pillows and connected to more wires and tubes than he had seen on anyone before.

“Speak for yourself.” He said before he even had a chance to bite the words back, hating himself instantly.

You only smirked at him, though it was exhausted as if merely being awake was more than you could handle at the moment.

“Stop being an idiot and eat. You-“

“Shut up, jerk, you don’t get to give me orders when you left. You left.”

Your expression fell, twisting into something more pained and hurt than he could ever remember coming from you.

You were in a hospital bed from an attack that you took for him and instead of being angry at him not protecting you as he should, you were angry that he wasn’t there when you woke up.

“I-“

“WE MADE A DEAL! I’M YOUR FIRST MATE! YOU DON’T GET TO LEAVE ME BEHIND!”

You were crying.

You were crying and it was like someone was clawing his heart out all over again.

Without thinking, without even pausing to contemplate any kind of consequence or fall out, Leona was at your side, leaning over you and cupping your face as you struggled to breathe through the sobs and the pain shooting through your body that came with them.

“Y-you’re my Pirate K-king.” You whimpered, hands pressing his against your cheeks and eyes looking up at him desperately. “You can’t leave me b-behind.”

He was helpless. He realized there was never anything he could ever refuse you. He would do anything to take your pain away, make the tears stop.

“If I’m your King then you have to follow my orders.” He said lowly, voice raw. “You can’t leave me either. What am I supposed to do without a first mate?”

You gave a wobbly sort of chuckle, still trembling from the tears.

“You’d be useless.”

“Yeah.”

A small smile pulled on your lips and suddenly he was leaning in desperately, claiming them with his own.

You let out a small sound of surprise but his heart leaped when you instantly returned the kiss without hesitation, meeting his tongue with your own eagerly.

First mate indeed…

Farena didn’t bother asking why he failed that year, or the year after.

You were still recovering, still learning to walk again and regain what you had lost from the attack.

It took two years and while he kept his dorm running and in line, he made no effort to progress with school.

There was no point without you there after all.

It was hard to get up the energy to get out of bed most days, anyway, so he just didn’t bother. Most of the time he was awake he was texting or calling you.

Ruggie was really a life saver at that point, keeping things mostly orderly and him from just growing moss in his sheets.

But when you were finally recovered enough to return to school – and he made absolutely sure that Crowley understood that you would be welcomed back to school no matter how long it had been – he attended the first opening ceremony since he had become Housewarden.

Technically since it had been so long, the Headmage insisted you had to be resorted.

Not that Leona understood why.

You belonged at his side, no where else.

Of course, you were sent to Savanaclaw once more, and he was proud to be able to watch you join your fellow dorm members under your own power after all the hard work you had put into relearning to walk.

You might have been a little more clumsy than before, a little quicker to tire, but to him it only showed just how strong you were.

If he was protective before, it was nothing compared to now.

He still hated class but more often than not he would go if for no other reason than to insure that you got there safely and had someone to help if you were struggling.

Days that the taste of sand and lightning suffocated him, you would crawl into bed with him and wrap your arms around him so he could listen to your heartbeat.

When the pain overpowered the potions you took, he would carry you back to his room, fill a hot bath, and hold you as you cried and tried to let the heat soothe the pain in your legs.

The one time someone tried to say something about you being a ‘burden’ to him, he nearly ripped their throat out and it was only a passing Crewel that managed to prevent him from succeeding.

Needless to say no one ever said anything negative about you again.

You lectured him, loudly, in the Savanaclaw lounge while you cleaned his busted knuckles and wrapped them. Not holding back as you told him just how stupid he was and how you didn’t know why you put up with his idiocy.

The other Savanaclaw students just stared in both awe and a little bit of terror at how you so fearlessly told off the prince that had almost just committed murder.

Leona propped his cheek up with one bandaged fist and flashed a sharp, fanged grin that sent everyone scampering away.

Any insult to you, after all, was an insult to him.

When he dragged you to his rooms and locked the door, you didn’t even bother doing more than rolling your eyes before letting him press you into the pillows and show just how sorry he was for upsetting you.

In the end…he supposed he could forgive his mother for forcing him to be friends with a weak little herbivore.

He could be strong for the both of you.

When you finally got fed up with his teasing and shoved him over to climb on top of him and take exactly what you wanted, he supposed you weren’t really all that weak to begin with.

=====================

Hope you all like it! <3 A little angstier than Riddle's but let's be real, no matter what childhood Leona had it would be filled with angst.

@miss-hyoko

#pinkskytwst #twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #twst prefect #disney twst #twst fanfic #leona kingscholar #leona x reader #angst #violence #assassination attempts #blood and injury #depression

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

Text

MAKING A STAND - PART II

Yandere First Years/Prefect Romantic Poly, GrimxPrefect Platonic

=====

The first ‘incident’ sent a ripple of suspicion and unease through the Housewardens.

They were all powerful, all skilled and talented in their own ways and none of them could ever claim to be ‘harmless’, but on the list of physically dangerous, Jamil was listed high. He had been trained since a child to be able to fight off adult assassins and excelled at it despite the few times he had been forced to show it.

When you took in Snake Whisper he pretty much jumped to the top.

Being able to control anyone just by meeting their gaze and having the mental ability to utilize it properly, well, despite how intimidating the twins and Malleus could be, no one dared to let their guard down around the Scarabia Vice-Housewarden.

So, when the news of the retainer/bodyguard being sent to the hospital wing because of a potions class ‘gone wrong’ – a class he was highly capable in – and then for that news to explode with the knowledge that Jamil’s face had been injured and his eyes mostly destroyed…

They all began watching each other’s houses even more closely.

The Prefect visited Kalim, who remained steadfast at his best friend’s bedside, and brought him food that he could at least know was safe to eat while he waited for Jamil to recover.

The heir was heartbroken when they learned that Jamil would never be able to see again even with all the magical healing they were using that had saved his life, but he promised the Prefect that the other would never have to worry. Kalim would take care of him, make sure he never wanted for anything.

He was alive and that was what mattered to Kalim.

The Prefect shared an embrace with the usually bright young man and promised that they would help any way they could.

Kalim had just chuckled weakly and gave them a light pat on the back, his gaze sliding past them to Epel, who had come with them to visit and was standing at the door. He quickly shifted his gaze away and back to the Prefect with a blinding smile.

“Don’t worry, I can take care of Jamil. My father is sending another trusted aide to cook and take care of me while Najma finishes up her training. With the both of us Jamil will be okay. You shouldn’t worry. You have a lot on your plate and I wouldn’t want you to overwork yourself.” He assured them.

The Prefect wasn’t fully pacified by this, of course, but realized that Jamil probably wouldn’t want them hovering and seeing him so weakened, so they promised to visit once the other boy woke up and wanted to see them.

Kalim agreed of course, but his expression somehow said he doubted that would actually happen.

The Prefect didn’t push but gave Kalim one last embrace before stepping out of the hospital wing with Epel at their side.

“You okay?” the lavender haired boy asked, his fingers finding theirs comfortingly to give them a gentle squeeze.

They looked up to their friend, unable to hold back the fond smile as they heard the twinge of country accent in his words that always slipped a little when he was concerned.

“I…think so.” They admitted, somewhat unsure, “It’s just…Jamil was so skilled at potions. I’m worried that if even he can get hurt so badly that others could too.”

They chewed on their bottom lip absently.

“Epel, would you mind tutoring us all more in potions?” they asked hopefully. “You’re so smart in that subject and you know how clumsy Deuce and Grim can be sometimes, and Ace doesn’t aways pay attention to details like he should. What if something like this happens again and they get hurt?”

The Pomefiore boy quickly released their hand to wrap around their shoulders and pull them closer to his side.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you all study. I’m sure it was just a mix up. It’s really easy to get ingredients wrong if you’re not paying attention and he had to keep a watch on Kalim too.” He assured him. “Fairy wing powder and Pyroxene dragonfly wing powder looks basically the same unless you’re really familiar with them.” He pointed out. “I’ll make sure the guys will know how to tell the difference.”

The Prefect nodded, leaning into the comfort.

“Thanks, Epel.” They smiled softly, leaning their head against his.

“Don’t worry, you can count on me.” He promised gently, voice soft and with the warm drawl of his accent that never failed to make them smile.

“I know.”

The second ‘incident’ nearly caused an international scandal.

Rook Hunt, the Vice Housewarden and bane of existence for multiple students that were the focus of his obsessions, was attacked while Trein-sensei had taken the third years on a field trip of sorts to the Coral Sea.

The trip had gone well, in the beginning, despite some of the antics from the NCR students. There had even been a visit to the same museum that Azul had conned the Prefect into stealing from and one of the older siblings to Prince Rielle had hosted them for a meal.

No one was surprised, however, that the blonde huntsman had slipped away at some point in hopes of trying to track sea creatures he would otherwise not have access to.

Many in Pomefiore, in fact, were betting one what exactly he would end up coming back with.

What they hadn't expected was him not returning and a search having to be made for the Sunset Savana citizen only to find him barely alive from what appeared to be a shark attack.

His right arm had been completely torn off at the shoulder.

Vil had been livid, instantly setting out with all the backing of his fame and famous father to place blame on the school for allowing such a thing to occur and at the Coral Sea royal family for not ensuring that the visiting students were safe.

What he didn't say was how he suspected the Octavinelle Housewarden and his pet eels to have been behind it somehow. They made no attempt to hide how they despised the blonde for his stalking habits or his attempts to target them during events like the Bean Fest or Magift matches, and the twins had been visiting their parents on short notice during the trip.

He didn’t say it but he made his displeasure felt on campus and the Mostro Lounge lost all Pomefiore business in one fell swoop.

Magift matches between the two dorms became little more than blood baths that even Savanaclaw were impressed by, and fights breaking out between the students of said dorms became an almost common occurrence.

It was only under Vil’s pressure that Crowley assured the blonde that he would be allowed to return to school once he had healed up enough and would work beside the Housewarden to complete his coursework so that he wouldn’t be held back or hindered by his missing limb.

A magical prosthesis would be created for him, of course, but it would take a while to special create for him and it was doubtful that the tracker’s aim would ever be what it had once been.

“And you’ll thank Lilia-senpai again for me, right? For finding Rook-senpai and bringing him back?” The Prefect asked, looking up at Sebek from where their fingers were snagged onto his sleeve. “I know he wasn’t exactly pleased with Rook-senpai’s…hobbies.”

The half-fae’s expression flickered with discontent and the human knew he was probably just annoyed that his superior had been forced to do the teachers’ job for them.

Or maybe how they had realized that the blonde huntsman had been taking more pictures of them recently than usual.

“OF COURSE!” he declared seriously, not comfortable with instigating contact out in the open but he didn’t attempt to shake them off like he might once have done either. “LILIA-SAMA WAS ONLY DOING AS HE FELT WAS HIS RESPONSIBILITY BUT I WILL REITERATE YOUR GRATITUDE!”

The Prefect smiled brightly up at the knight, forcing Sebek to glance away quickly or succumb to the heat rising in his cheeks.

“Thank you, Sebek. I really like Lilia-sama but I don’t want to bother him when I know you all have so much to do, protecting Tsunotarou.” They admitted.

“IT IS NOTHING! LILIA-SAMA COUNTS YOU AS A TRUSTED COMPANION AND HAS SAID MANY TIMES YOU ARE WELCOME AT DIASOMNIA WHENEVER YOU WISH!” He assured them instantly. “YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE OUR SUPPORT!”

The soft look of wonder and fondness on the Prefect’s face had Sebek looking away again.

“I know, Sebek. I’m really honored to have such skilled and amazing knights think so highly of me.” They said gently, breaking the other’s desperate attempt to not flush under the praise.

They couldn’t help but chuckle at how cute and flustered the tall warrior could get at the smallest things despite his initial prickly attitude.

“Why don’t we go pick up Ace and Grim from detention and call the others? I’ll make dinner for everyone tonight to try and get our minds off of all this.” They offered.

Sebek’s shoulders shifted somewhat at the change of topic, and he nodded sharply again. A moment later he reached out to tug them out of the way of a Savanaclaw student that had almost stumbled into them.

He sent the boar therianthrope a sharp glare and moved them on his other side purposefully so that he could remain between them and rest of the students milling around.

“OF COURSE, PREFECT! I WILL KEEP WATCH WHILE YOU NOTIFY THE OTHERS!” he said seriously, his posture still at the ready as he always was when they were in public.

The Prefect pulled out their phone and began texting in the group chat for the rest of the First Years, reaching up again to lightly snag the edge of Sebek’s blazer, knowing the half-fae preferred having his arms free when he was in ‘guard mode’.

“How does Salmon Carpaccio sound?” they asked fondly, sneaking a look up at the taller male and hiding a chuckle at how he perked up.

“A VERY GOOD CHOICE, PREFECT!” he exclaimed eagerly.

“I’ll make extra so that you can take some back for Lilia-sama and the others.”

“YOU ARE VERY GENEROUS! LILIA-SAMA WILL BE PLEASED!”

The third and fourth ‘incidents’ happened so quickly after each other that it left the school reeling.

Ace had chosen to challenge the Heartslabyul Housewarden again.

The Prefect had only heard about the battle after the fact and had been frantic, worried that Rosehearts-senpai wouldn’t go easy on Ace for challenging him again, only to find out that their red haired friend had won.

Deuce’s explanations weren’t very clear, but apparently Ace had made a deal with Azul to borrow Floyd’s Bind the Heart for the duel, which insured that Riddle’s own Off With Your Head couldn’t land and seal Ace’s magic.

Apparently the surprise of the move had been enough for Ace to have an advantage against the older student and had sent Riddle flying into the hedge maze much to the shock of the other dorm members.

“Not that I don’t think you are good enough to defeat Rosehearts-senpai,” The Prefect said with a furrowed brow as they cleaned and bandaged a cut on their friend’s cheek. “But won’t he just challenge you again? You can’t keep making deals with Ashengrotto-senpai. What did you bargain for with him, anyway?” they fretted.

Ace just flashed a playful grin, leaning into their touch and giving one of his customary, flirty winks.

“Aa-ah, can’t tell ya that.” He teased, “NDA and all.”

He laughed at the pout that instantly pulled on their lips.

“Don’t worry, creampuff, it’s nothing I’ll be missing.” He smirked. “And besides, apparently the tyrant’s mom’s been on his ass so he’s going to focus more on studies instead of trying to be a Housewarden again. It’s all good.” He waved off the whole situation like it wasn’t completely unbelievable.

“What!?” they gaped, looking to Deuce for confirmation and boggling when the blue haired boy shrugged and nodded.

“Heard him arguing with Trey-senpai about it.” He admitted. “Something about her finding out that he’s not as focused on grades as he used to be, or who he’s making friends with or something.”

The Prefect’s concerned look returned instantly.

“Is he going to be okay? What if-“

“Hey, don’t worry about it. The guy’s old enough to take care of his own shit. You’ve already kicked his ass before, so he knows what he’s about. He’s only got a couple more years of school anyway and then she can’t force him to do fucking anything.” Ace argued, poking their forehead.

“I guess…” they muttered, lightly rubbing the spot and sticking out their tongue when the red head just smirked again.

“Still, maybe I should-“ but before the Prefect could try to convince the two to let them at least bring the second year a bag of sweets to help lift his spirits when the front door to Ramshackle was thrown open.

The slam of the wood bouncing against the wall had the three jumping slightly and they looked up to see Jack and Sebek rushing in – Grim hanging off the wolf’s shoulder – and Epel followed close behind.

“Guys! You’ll never believe this!” Epel gasped, throwing himself in between Ace and the Prefect on the couch and shifting to hold the phone so they could all see as they gathered around.

The Prefect watched him click on the video that was already pulled up on the screen, moving a little to see better over his shoulder while Deuce pressed against their back and the two tallest leaned over the back of the sofa behind them.

The video blinked and then began playing, showing an odd angle that was clearly taken on a phone from behind a corner.

It was Vil.

A very drunk Vil who was ranting and raving in a barely comprehensible stream of rage that made him look near Overblotting again.

His hair was falling around his face and he was making wild hand gestures that were no where close to the elegance he was known for as a clearly uncomfortable Epel stood close by and tried to soothe and pacify him.

The Prefect winced, realizing the celebrity was going to have a hard time trying to smooth over getting inebriated on camera.

But then it got worse.

Vil wasn’t just complaining about Rook being hurt – which was understandable even to most internet gremlins – but he then he started in on throwing accusations about Azul being behind it and that turned into him complaining about other NCR students – namely the ‘deviant bastard of a second-prince, Leona’ – who he rambled about being no better than an animal in heat.

Then he turned on Neige LeBlanche.

“Holy shit.” Ace whistled lowly as the Prefect could only cover their mouth aghast.

Epel nodded rapidly, looking more than frazzled and harried.

“It just dropped, everyone’s going crazy.” He admitted. “Vil-senpai’s been really stressed since Rook got hurt and I just figured he needed a chance to vent or that maybe he had gone a little overboard with his potions, or something.”

“This…how are his agents and PR team going to be able to fix this?” the Prefect gaped, wincing as they could already see the rapid list of comments nearly flying up the screen with endless broken heart emojis.

“I don’t know if it’s something that can be fixed.” Jack admitted lowly. “Ignoring how highly thought of LeBlanche-san is, Vil just insulted a royal heir to Sunset Savana.”

Sebek gave a serious nod, eyes calculating as he continued to listen and watch the video.

“King Farena is amenable from what Waka-sama has said, but he is fiercely protective of his family. He will not take kindly to such words being thrown so publicly, especially by someone of Schoenheit-senpai’s fame.” He admitted, his voice lower and tense in a way that they seldom heard it.

There was a long moment of silence between them with nothing but the looping video audio filling the air.

“Welp!” Grim said suddenly, dropping down on the couch and into the Prefect’s lap. “It’s not our problem!”

“Grim!” They protested. “Vil-senpai is…well, he’s not nice, perse, but-“

“No ‘buts’ henchman!” Grim said defiantly, throwing his paw into their face. “The puppy is right! You can’t fix everything! This is something the guy got himself into and he’s got to get himself out of! What are you supposed to do against rabid fans anyway?”

The Prefect chewed on their lip worried, gaze flickering back to the screen and expression dropping at the storm that was clearly building into a hurricane against the actor before their eyes.

Deuce slipped his arms around their waist and nodded against their shoulder.

“Grim’s right, this time.” He said softly. “There’s nothing any of us can do to stop it now.”

The Prefect snuggled Grim under their chin as they were bracketed by all sides by the comfort of their friends.

“I thought…I thought me being here was supposed to help.” They admitted in a small voice. “I thought that was the reason I was brought…that I had a purpose…but how am I supposed to help them like Crowley wants when things like this keep happening?”

A tension shivered through the air and something in Ace’s chest snapped as he suddenly jerked from the couch and moved to lean over their Prefect, reaching out to cup their face in his hands, expression sharp and angry.

But not at them.

Never at them.

“None of this is your fault or responsibility.” He nearly snarled. “That crow bastard can go fuck himself if he tries to push this on you. If he tries to kick you out of Ramshackle you’ll stay in Heartslabyul. If he tries to kick you out of school, you’ll stay with one of our families. Mine and Deuce’s moms have been bugging us to bring you home for break anyway.”

“Yeah! And Grandpa says he wants to teach you how to bake his apple pies.” Epel added instantly.

“You would be more than welcome at my home.” Jack said firmly, large warm hand settling on their head.

“WAKA-SAMA AND LILIA-SAMA HAVE ALREADY MADE STEPS TO REGISTER YOU AND GRIM AS BRIAR VALLEY CITIZENS!” Sebek boomed, horrified at the idea of the small, stranded human being worried for their place in the world.

The Prefect’s breath was stolen as they looked up into Ace’s scarlet gaze and heard the words of assurance around them.

“You don’t have to worry, idiot.” The red head said, leaning in to press his forehead against theirs as Deuce’s breath was in their ear and Epel’s nose pressed into their neck.

Jack and Sebek were a warm, steady presence behind them and Grim’s claws tangled in their shirt.

It made their thoughts dizzy and their heart skip a beat in their chest.

“We’re going to take care of you.”

Oh.

They loved them.

=======================

Hi guys! Sorry I'm posting kind of sporadically, my new job makes it hard to post during the week.

Anyway, hope you like the second part of this. I'm not super pleased with it but I have rewritten parts so many times I figured it would be better just to get it out and move on.

Tell me what you think. <3

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

Text

MAKING A STAND: Part III

Yandere!First Years/Prefect Romantic Poly, Grim/Prefect Platonic

Alright, everyone, I hope you all like this and that it's decent enough for the end of this little trilogy. Tell me what you think! XD I had fun imagining some of their older looks.

==================

“Deuce, wait a moment.” The prefect giggled, tugging on their lover’s sleeve until the Heartslabyul Vice-Housewarden stopped from his frantic search of his Astrology textbook.

They maneuvered him better so they could reach his hair. The long, midnight blue locks had started to fall from the haphazard ponytail he had tugged it into.

“Really, why do you keep it so long when you barely do anything with it?” they teased playfully as they ran their fingers through the silky locks that nearly reached the middle of the other’s back now and began pulling it up into a neater tail to keep it out of the way.

Deuce couldn’t help but smile back just as playfully as he reveled in the feeling.

“I like when you run your fingers through it.” He admitted, managing not to blush this time.

He had gotten a little better at that over the three years at NRC, though his eyes still sparkled just as bright when the Prefect laughed in returned and gave him a light kiss on the corner of his mouth.

“Well, you’re going to have to learn how to keep it tidy without me during your internship.” They warned fondly. “I doubt the Queendom’s guardsmen will allow me to just show up every morning to do it for you.”

Deuce pouted at little at that, looping his arms around their waist to pull them closer and rest his forehead against theirs.

“I wish you could come with me.” He admitted.

“Oi what about me!?” Ace’s voice interrupted as he entered the Ramshackle kitchen.

Deuce rolled is eyes. “Internship will be a vacation away from you.” He shot back to his Housewarden. “I might actually get some real sleep.”

The red head’s grin shifted to a devious smirk as draped himself over his shoulders.

“Oh? I thought you rather liked me keeping you awake.” He teased, causing the Prefect to giggle into Deuce’s chest when the blue haired young man instantly flustered and tried to elbow their lover.

“YOU SNORE!” he insisted, glaring when the red head just danced away with a laugh and sauntered over to the breakfast table where the food was already set out.

He dropped down into one of the chairs and began filling a plate for himself, making sure to put some on the plate beside him so that the Prefect wouldn’t get distracted and skip eating.

“So where are the others?” he asked, looking over his shoulder at the still blushing top ranked student and the giggling Prefect that was trying to soothe him and usher him into a chair to eat as well.

“They are on their way.” The Prefect smiled brightly, bustling around to get some drinks for everyone. “Epel is getting ready for morning practice and Howl should be back soon from his rounds.” They explained. “Sebek had to return to Diasomnia to check on things and Tsunotarou said he would be mirror calling to see how he was doing. It was a while ago, though, since he had to leave before even Jack because of the time difference. He should-“

“MY LOVES I HAVE RETURNED! I HAVE NEWS FROM WAKA-SAMA THAT I KNOW YOU WILL ALL BE EXCITED TO HEAR!” came the bellow from the entrance as the door to Ramshackle was thrown open.

“-be arriving soon.” They chuckled.

Ace snorted and Deuce couldn’t help but smile fondly as their tallest lover came bounding into the kitchen with all the energy of an eager puppy despite his size.

“Welcome back, Sebek.” The prefect greeted him with a smile, leaning up on their toes to place a kiss on his cheek that he eagerly returned with one of his own.

It was swiftly followed by him bending down to press one against Ace’s temple and then meeting Deuce for a quick one on the lips.

“WHERE ARE EPEL AND JACK!?” he asked. “I HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM WAKA-SAMA TO IMPART!”

“What, did he tell you about a new cloak he bought?” Ace teased.

“NAY! WELL, YES, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THIS INSTANCE! OF COURSE, ALL OF WAKA-SAMA’S NEWS IS IMPORTANT BUT THIS IS DOUBLY SO!”

“Oi! Lizard, you can stop yelling.” Grim yawned as he was draped over Epel’s shoulder as the Pomefiore Housewarden was making his way down the stairs.

“I AM NOT A LIZARD!”

The Prefect covered their giggles and moved to pick up their partner from his perch. It was impossible to continue to hide them, however, when Epel slipped his arm around their waist and tugged them into a hungry kiss. He always got a little more excited when he was going to have a chance to play Magift, even if it was only practice.

“FUNGYA! Stop doing that when they’re holding me! Gross!” Grim complained, pushing against Epel’s jersey.

“Then walk on your own.” Epel said pointedly, sticking out his tongue and causing the violet stud there to glint a little.

It matched the others that he had, his left ear almost completely taken up now by elegant rings and studs that his lovers had given him at different occasions during their time together.

“A boss never walks when they have a henchman to carry them!” Grim shot back.

Epel snorted and stole another kiss from the Prefect before doing the same to the others.

“How do you think the team’s shaping up?” Ace asked from a muffled, full mouth.

Epel dropped down on his other side and began filling his own plate.

“Pretty good. The dorm teams are all looking decent and the school team is much better than last year. Asim I & II are much better on a broom than most of the other first years. I think they’ll train up into a couple of good chargers.”

“Have they still not told you which of them is which?” Ace chuckled, the twins that had been put in Savanaclaw were pretty hilarious in his opinion.

“Oh they have, but they keep switching on me, I’m pretty sure.” Epel shrugged as he added a few more of the odd sausages from Briar Valley that Sebek always brought back from home onto his plate. “So I just call them one and two and whoever answers is that one for the day.

Sebek frowned. “THAT IS NOT A PROPER WAY TO GO ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF A TEAM! ONE MUST BE HONEST WITH THEIR LEADER!”

“Not everyone can tell their Commander with a straight face that they request a reschedule because you plan on fucking your boyfriend silly for his birthday.” Epel drawled, his accent warming his words.

The half-fae stammered, flushing darkly. “IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO KNOW I WAS NOT SIMPLY SHIRKING MY DUTIES! LILIA-SAMA EVEN GAVE HIS BEST WISHES FOR MY ENDEAVOR!”

Ace was cackling into his eggs at the memory of that conversation while Deuce flushed to his roots – having been the aforementioned boyfriend they was going to ‘fuck silly’.

“I will never be able to face Vanrouge-senpai again.” He lamented, running a hand down his face.

“THERE IS NO REASON TO BE EMBARRASSED! THE NIGHT WAS A SUCCESS AND VERY ENJOYABLE! YOU SAID SO YOURSELF THAT WE PROVIDED A PLEASUREABLE CELEBRATION!”

Deuce hid his face as Ace continued cackling to the point that he almost choked.

Grim scrunched his nose and filled his plate with a bit of help from the Prefect until it was a mountain of food.

“You are the worst roommates.” He complained. “I had to go to Heartslabyul just to get away from all your screaming.”

“WE ARE NOT THAT LOUD!”

The monster just gave the half-fae a look and didn’t bother answering.

The Prefect patted Deuce’s back comfortingly and offered Sebek a fond but rather embarrassed smile of their own.

“Why don’t you start eating until Jack returns and then you can tell us of your important news?” they suggested trying to change the subject to less blush-inducing topics.

“VERY GOOD SUGGESTION MY LOVE!” he declared, moving to take one of the free chairs and started gathering his own food.

The Prefect smiled warmly and passed the half-fae a large glass of juice before sliding some milk to Epel.

“Aa, we might need to trim a little and freshen the design a bit before the next match.” They said absently, lightly running their fingers over the short undercut that the lavender haired boy had started sporting. “Would you like to keep the apple blossom motif or go with something different?”

Epel tilted his head into the touch slightly, thinking for a moment. “I think I’ll keep it a little longer. Grandpa really liked it when he watched my match on the television.”

“What did granny think about the tattoo?” Ace teased, nodding to the colorful and rather beautiful work of art that covered Epel’s shoulder and wound down his arm in the form of watercolor apple blossoms with the branches resembling brushstrokes.

“She’s getting used to it.” Epel admitted sheepishly. “She doesn’t really mind them, she just wishes I only got them where I could hide them if I need to.”

The Prefect chuckled, kissing him on the temple again.

“I think it’s very dashing.” They said.

“Hey! I could get another!” Ace protested at the smug grin Epel shot him.

“After you nearly cried when we got our group one? I doubt it.” He teased back, his wavy hair parted over the side and falling a little into his eyes.

He’d need to pin it back for practice.

“Oi! They said rib ones are the worst!” the red head protested, absently nudging the Prefect’s chair out for them with his foot so they could sit.

“Not really an excuse when you cry before they even get the needle out.”

The other four ignored the two’s bickering.

“What do you have planned today?” Deuce asked the Prefect and Grim.

“We have a self-study for potions lab.” They said thoughtfully, taking a bite and then tapping the fork against their lip. “We’ll be trying to perfect the end of term project that Crewel has us all doing.”

“It’s fine, we figured out the step that was causing the reaction between the magora roots and crushed opals.” Grim waved off any concern about the project. “We just had to adjust the temperature and make sure that the magora has dissolved and bonded with the weird whatever-you-call-it syrup before we add the opal.”

“Falarian Honey.” The Prefect reminded him.

“Yeah, that.”

“Afterwards Crowley wanted to discuss some of the plans for next year and get a start on organizing what we have planned for the RSA joint festival.” They continued.

Ace heaved a sigh as he broke away from the argument with Epel.

“I still don’t know why you agreed to intern here.” He said. “Mal-“ “WAKA-SAMA!” “Ugh, King Draconia, offered to let you intern as his personal assistant.”

The Prefect offered a small, fond smile at the thought of their dragon-fae friend.

Things had been a bit…awkward there for a little while when they realized that Malleus had grown romantic feelings towards them.

Especially in light of their own for Sebek.

The Briar King was nothing if not loyal to those he cared for, though, and after a little time to come to terms with it, he and the rest of Diasomnia were happy to support their relationship with their half-fae brother.

They knew that Malleus still loved them, but they hoped one day he would find someone that could love him with their whole heart as he did them. They were so thankful that the fae king didn’t allow his feelings to turn sour and ruin their friendship.

He had explained it to them once, during one of their nightly walks once they had reconnected. Malleus’s dragon instincts wanted them close, wanted to protect them and keep them part of his family. While it wasn’t what he had hoped originally, he was happy for their and Sebek’s happiness and with them as Sebek’s lover that meant they would still remain part of his family. It settled something inside him that prevented the loss wounding him beyond repair.

Lilia had jumped at the chance to ask when they were going to make him a grandpa, much to the Prefect's embarrassment.

Especially when Sebek insisted, without hesitation, that the responsible thing would be to wait until they graduated.

“I know, but I didn’t want to take advantage of Tsunotarou’s kindness.” They said. “And…well…I’m not quite ready to leave NRC just yet.” They admitted softly, glancing around at them with a soft smile.

“Why would you be leaving?” Jack asked as he slipped silently into the kitchen, causing the others except Sebek and Grim to jump slightly.

“Oi, stop doing that, dog-boy or I swear I’ll get one of those bells.” Ace shot over his shoulder as the wolf therianthrope pushed the longer, fluffy bangs out of his face and leaned down to give kisses to the Prefect, Deuce, and Epel.

He purposefully passed over Ace, who responded with flipping him off.

“We were just talking about internship this next year.” The Prefect smiled. “Tsunotarou offered that position as his assistant but I was saying that I kind of want to stay at NRC a little longer.” They explained.

“Still not sure how you can put up with the idiot bird man.” Ace rolled his eyes.

The Prefect giggled at that. “He’s gotten better since first year.” They defended the crow-fae.

Which, yes, he had magically seemed to change his tune after he lost most of his most well known and high ranking students.

No one still knew what happened to Azul and the eel twins, and Leona had graduated suddenly – skipping the internship year somehow – and returned to the Sunset Savanna at his brother's insistence.

Vil had been forced to retire from the public all together after the PR backlash and Rook had gone with him. Idia managed to avoid the whole thing, though that wasn’t too difficult since he hardly left his room.

Still, he had stayed far away from them until he graduated and disappeared off to the Island of Lamentations again with Ortho.

They were pretty sure Ruggie had actually worked out something with Kalim and moved his family to the Scorching Sands, but they weren’t sure about that.

Riddle had apparently wanted to get out of school as fast as possible and did what he had to to skip a year to join Trey and Cater, the three going off on internship together before coming back to graduate and then disappearing again to do something or other in the Queendom.

Ace didn’t really care to figure out what.

All in all, the first years went through their sophomore and junior years as the only ones left from their original friend group (i.e. Overblot gang) on campus.

Crowley became a much more attentive Headmage around that time and while they decided to keep the exterior of Ramshackle…well Ramshackle for aesthetic purposes, he had spared no expense to refurbish the whole dorm with the most up to date amenities.

Insisting that he could certainly never let a student of his live in such conditions, with Crewel brandishing his crop the whole way.

Funny that.

“Besides…” they said with a soft, loving smile as they looked around at the young men they loved more than anything and their partner. “This is where I met all of you…where I’ve been the happiest of my life. I just wanted to enjoy it for one more year.”

The expressions on the others told them that their feelings were understood, and they just laughed when Ace threw his arms around them and tried to pull them into his lap, kissing along their neck.

“How are you so damn cute!? It should be illegal to be this cute! We can’t just leave you here by yourself! Someone will trick you into an unmarked van with candy and kittens!”

The Prefect laughed, struggling against the kisses and tickling, bumping the table a bit and causing Deuce to try and come to their rescue until finally Sebek simply stood and went over to pick the Prefect up under the arms and pull them from between the two and proceeded to carry them back to his seat to place them on his lap.

“YOU ARE NOT ALLOWING THEM TO EAT! HUMANS NEED A HEALTHY DIET TO LIVE A LONG LIFE!” he insisted, earning a kiss on the cheek for his efforts and the Prefect just settled down more comfortably on his lap as Jack pulled their plate over and passed it to the half-fae.

Ace huffed but didn’t argue and just turned back to finish his breakfast.

“So what were you trying to tell us earlier?” Deuce asked, looking to the knight.

“AH! YES! I HAVE WONDERFUL NEWS!” He exclaimed happily, eyes shining with pride. “WAKA-SAMA HAS PREPARED EVERYTHING FOR OUR LOVELY PREFECT AND GRIM TO BE OFFICIAL BRIAR VALLEY CITIZENS!” he said, causing a brilliant smile to bloom on the Prefect’s face.

“That’s great!” Epel said with his own excited smile.

After all, their lover didn’t technically exist legally in their world with no history or records of their life. It had taken Malleus a while to prepare a completely air tight background for their friend that would allow them all the benefits afforded to the rest of those in their world.

As king he could just keep them safe in his kingdom, after all, but with this they could travel anywhere, do anything just as the rest of them. It also gave Grim a measure of protection as a sentient being instead of simply being labeled a ‘monster’ that ran the risk of being captured and carted off somewhere.

The Prefect threw their arms around Sebek’s neck and gave him a tight embrace.

“Thank you so much, Sebek. I know Malleus would have done it anyway but you did so much to help set up the history for us. It really means the world to me.”

Sebek readily wrapped his arms around the smaller human, burying his nose into their neck and just soaking in the feeling of their heart beat and warmth of their body.

“Of course, I would do anything for those I love.” He mumbled into their shoulder.

The Prefect cupped the back of his head, threading their fingers through the longer hair that the half-fae was letting grow out a bit.

They felt Jack’s warm hand against their back and knew Ace, Deuce, and Epel were just as excited for them. It was a protection that they had wanted to give their lover since they arrived and it had finally managed work.

The Prefect was a citizen of Twisted Wonderland.

This was their home.

They were home.

“We will always do anything for you.” Jack whispered, leaning in to nuzzle the side of their head lovingly, tail sweeping back and forth.

The Prefect didn’t even try to hold back their tears. More hands, more warmth surrounded them and it only made them cry harder.

They were so happy.

They were so happy to have been brought here.

So thankful to have earned the love of such wonderful people.

No matter what the future would bring for them, they knew they could handle it together.

Because it had always been and always would be them against the world.

And there was no one else the Prefect would want to face the world with.

=================

Hope you guys like it. I know it's mostly fluff with just like, the barest hints of background Yandere but well...my brain naturally turns towards fluff. Hope you're not too disappointed and that this was an okay conclusion. <3

#pinkskytwst #twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #twst prefect #disney twst #twst fanfic #twst ace #ace trappola #deuce spade #epel felmier #jack howl #twst sebek #sebek zigvolt #first years/prefect #polyamory #twst grim

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

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LION'S PRIDE, HYENA'S CACKLE - Part I

Savanaclaw - Leona/Prefect/Ruggie eventual romantic poly.

It was almost embarrassing to admit to themself when the Prefect fell for Leona Kingscholar, second prince of the Sunset Savana.

He was incredibly attractive, absurdly intelligent, highly skilled at magift or any sport he attempted really, a Housewarden, and a literal prince.

It was like admitting you fell for Vil. People would roll their eyes and laugh at the audacity that someone would have to think that someone so amazing would like them. A nobody with no magic, no status, and no real skills or talents to speak of.

It was why they stayed silent.

Or at least they tried to.

The Savanaclaw dorm had become something of a second home along side Ramshackle and more often than not their evenings – and nights when it was particularly cold – would be spent in the loud and active dorm. It was a nice change from the isolated and empty mansion that Crowley had put them in and even Grim was starting to become friends with some of the therianthrope students there along with Jack.

They had grown a lot closer to Ruggie too, even if the hyena boy thought that their friendship had originally been trying to get something out of him. Ruggie was friendly, smart and talented, and so it was nice to spend time with him and helping with his chores so that they could have some time to study together.

Jack would join them a lot too but with his early night routine often it was them left alone with Ruggie and a sleeping Grim.

It was actually the hyena who taught them more about therianthropes and the different cultures and norms to expect from the various species of students. How to avoid fights, how to read different body language and what to look for when a therianthrope was unintentionally misunderstanding how to interact with humans and just how to generally make being around them easier. Jack knew as well but he wasn’t as good at being able to articulate these social differences as Ruggie.

It led to the Prefect actually picking up some habits that their other human friends didn’t always catch or understand but were completely at home in Savanaclaw.

It also meant that even though therianthropes didn’t always catch onto subtle human expression and interactions, Ruggie was able to quickly notice the way their feelings started to shift towards his Housewarden.

They knew they were about to be roasted when, one evening after watching a rare magift practice where Leona had actually shown up, Ruggie was suddenly beside them with glinting eyes and a devious smirk.

“Sooo....” he teased, breaking them from their thoughts as they had finished passing out water bottles to everyone and handing a towel to Leona – who grabbed it and walked off without a word. “Going to be joining our leader’s fanclub?”

They felt their cheeks flare up and nudged Ruggie in retaliation, though the other just threw his arm around their shoulders and started dragging them back to the dorm as he hissed his laughs.

“Like I would have time for any kind of club.” They said, side stepping the question.

Ruggie just snorted, ears flicking in amusement and his tail swishing back and forth the same way Jack’s did when he was excited.

“That wasn’t a ‘no’, kitten.”

“Oi! Just because Leona-senpai calls me that sometimes doesn’t mean you can!” they pouted, sticking their tongue out at him. “Should I start calling you ‘puppy’?”

“I wouldn’t mind. I’ve been called worse. It would fit better for Jack, though, since hyenas are closer to felines.” He said with a shrug.

“Yeah, well then I’ll start calling you kitten back.” They said defiantly, earning another laugh.

“Now that would be funny. But I bet you would prefer calling a certain prince that instead.”

“Why are you the worst?”

“Aw, that breaks my little heart.”

“That would be more believable if you had one.”

“So cruel, Prefect, really, you are picking up some nasty habits around here.” He wiped a fake tear from his eye. “I’m so proud.”

The Prefect couldn’t completely hide the amused smile tugging on their lips, and glanced around to make sure that everyone was already far ahead and Grim was hanging off of Jack as he chattered his ears off. Seeing that no one would over hear them even with sensitive ears, they heaved a sigh.

“I know, I know. It’s kind of the most embarrassing thing ever.” They said defeated, dropping their head against his shoulder.

“Shishishi, yeah, pretty much.” Ruggie agreed gleefully, earning another groan and finger digging into his side, under his ribs where he was ticklish.

The hyena-boy yelped a laugh and danced away a step before returning and throwing his arm back around their shoulders, only this time to put more weight on them and pull them into a headlock.

“Watch it there kitten, I might just let it slip to Leona about your little crush.” He giggled.

“Uuuuugh Ruggie!” The Prefect complained, trying to wiggle away as he began to roughly mess up their hair. “I thought you were my friend! I want a refund!”

“Shishishi, not likely! I was on discount!” he cackled.

After a minute of squabbling – Ruggie won as he always did – the Prefect gave up again and just wrapped their arm around his waist as the hyena let up on the headlock and just continued as they were before.

They didn’t bother trying to fix their hair. No one in Savanaclaw cared after all and they were going to be getting ready for bed anyway soon and need to take a shower.

“I can’t believe I like Leona, I have the worst taste.” They complained under their breath after a moment, head leaning against Ruggie’s shoulder again. “He has the worst personality in existence and will literally fall asleep in the middle of me trying to talk to him! I don't think he even remembers my name! He just calls me herbivore to cover it up.”

They threw their hand up in the air exasperatedly before wilting just as quickly.

“It’d be easier if he was an actual asshole and not just a jerk sometimes.” They said. “I mean, he’s an asshole but not…ugh, you know what I mean.”

Ruggie chuckled and shrugged.

“Yeah, I get it. As much of an insensitive bastard as he is, he’s also a good guy.” He agreed. “And hot.”

“Exactly!” they exclaimed, throwing their hands into the air again. “He’s so annoying and rude but then he’ll do something like hold me down to take a nap with him when I get too stressed about everything. And he gave me money to get new shoes since my sneakers were tearing apart and he lets me ask him suggestions about homework sometimes! Why can’t he just commit to being an asshole so I don’t have to have a crush on him!”

Ruggie hissed another laugh but they both quieted down as they reached the dorm and began heading upstairs to his room. They typically roomed with the hyena since Jack woke up at like four am and the Prefect was never going to let him try and talk them into a morning run ever again. They refuse.

“Well, ya got two choices then, Prefect.” He said, leading them past the students that were still milling around in the main rooms and kitchen and up to his bedroom. “You can either forget about him and wait for it to pass, or you can try to win him over.”

The human gave a startled squawk at his words, almost falling down the stone stairs in shock and having to have the hyena pull them up the last few to prevent from breaking their face.

“I can’t do that!” he hissed flustered, elbowing Ruggie when the other rolled his eyes. “He’s-…I just can't. Why would he even want someone like me anyway? I’m still on like a third-grade level of understanding this world, I have absolutely no magic, and I don’t even have dazzling looks like the Pomefiore guys do as a backup!”

“Oi.” Ruggie said as they entered his room, shoving them over to his bed and shutting the door behind him. “I don’t wanna hear that shit from you. Leona would be lucky to have someone like you even put up with him let alone want to date him.” He said firmly, reaching out to poke their forehead harshly.

“I’ve listened to assholes talk about 'not worthy’ this, and 'not good enough’ that my whole life. I’m definitely not going to let you talk about yourself like that when you have literally saved lives and are braver and more badass than most mages in this school.”

The Prefect rubbed lightly at their forehead but wilted under the hyena’s harsh look and gave a nod.

“Sorry, Ruggie. You know I don’t think of you like that.” They promised softly. “It’s just…I mean Leona could have anyone. He’s been around royalty his whole life and probably has met people like Vil all the time. There’s probably a reason he’s never gotten with anyone and I doubt he would make an exception for me. He doesn’t even seem to care about that sort of thing and I don’t…I don’t want to be someone that forces their presence on him like that, you know?”

Ruggie watched them for a moment, hands on his hips and ears tilted slightly with an expression that they couldn’t quite decipher before he heaved a sigh and reached out to ruffle their hair again, pushing their head down.

“Yeah, yeah, alright.” He said. “I won’t say anything if you don’t want me to.” He promised. “But I still say you’re selling yourself short.”

They couldn’t help but smile warmly when they were able to lift their head again, leaning forward to wrap their arms around Ruggie’s waist and rub their face into his chest playfully.

“Thanks, Ruggie. You’re pretty amazing too.” They said before making a face and pulling back. “And you also stink like a warthog so go get a shower.”

They yelped as the hyena shoved them over on the bed and proceeded to tug his sweaty t-shirt off and toss it over their face with a cackle as they made a disgusted noise and flung it back at him.

“Stinky puppy!” the called after him as he grabbed his things and skipped out the door, cackling all the while.

Once he was gone they gave an amused huff and fell back on the bed to stare up at the ceiling.

Crushes really were stupid. They should just ignore it like Ruggie said and wait for it to go away.

A memory of Leona catching them around the waist earlier that day to keep them from tripping over their own feet and face planting into the wall flickered through their mind. How easily he lifted them and how warm he was as he set them back on their feet.

“Watch it, herbivore, or you’re going to embarrass yourself more than you usually do by being sent to the infirmary because you don’t know how to walk.” He said with a teasing smirk, ruffling their hair just as Ruggie always did before waking off to skip whatever class he was trying to avoid.

They had called a ‘thanks, Leona-senpai!’ after him but the prince didn’t answer.

UUUUUUUUGH.

They dropped their arms over their eyes as they tried to force the memory and dozens of other small things that made their heart stutter in their chest when they were with the lion.

They really should just ignore it.

“Oi, Leona.” Ruggie said as he entered the lion’s bedroom while the Prefect was currently showering, shutting the door behind him and crossing his arms over his chest. “We gotta talk.”

One of the prince’s ears flicked his way but the royal didn’t move from where he was clearly trying to sleep after cleaning up from magift practice.

“Fuck off, Ruggie, I went to practice like you asked.” He grumbled.

“This ain’t about that.” The hyena glared, ears tilted back. “Stop fuckin’ around with the Prefect.”

Leona’s shoulders tensed and he turned his head just enough to glare at the one person he could consider calling a ‘friend.’

“Watch it.” He growled lowly, making Ruggie tense a little more, ears flattening against his head but he didn’t back down.

“Don’t give me that, Leona!” he snapped, “I can see what you’re doing and I know you don’t got any plans on actually giving them a chance so stop being a prick and trying to get their attention when you’re not going to actually give it.”

“Back off, Ruggie.” The prince growled, sitting up now and leveling an dangerous look on the other. “You don’t know what you’re fucking talking about.”

“Like the Seven, I don’t!” Ruggie shot back, his shoulders tensing and yanking his hands down into fists at his side, claws digging into his palms. “Everyone can see that you’re soft on them but you fucked up and now they like you!”

That cut the prince off short, his eyes widened as he froze on the bed.

Ruggie gave a low, bitter laugh. It was nothing like his nice or happy ones.

“Yeah. They like you, asshole, and I know better than anyone what happens after that. You and I both know they don’t deserve the fucked up shit you’d put them through.” He glared. “So this is me telling you. Leave. Them. Alone.”

Leona’s expression closed off, his claws gripping the sheets so tightly Ruggie could hear the way they were beginning to rip.

Neither of them moved for what felt like forever before Leona turned away and dropped himself back down on his pillow.

“Get out of here, Ruggie.” He said simply.

Ruggie continued glaring at the lion for a moment before flashing a bitter, sharp grin as he turned to leave.

“Funny thing is, they actually think you’re too good for them.” He said softly, his words stabbing deeper than a dagger ever could. “Ironic, isn’t it?”

The sharp click of the door shutting behind him almost seemed to echo in the silent room.

====================

Look! I broke my Octavinelle streak! lol

I PROMISE THIS WILL HAVE A HAPPY ENDING! This is the first time that I've seriously written any of the Savanaclaw boys though so be patient with me as I try to feel out how best to write them.

Hope you like it though <3

#pinkskytwst #twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #twst prefect #twst fanfic #disney twst #leona kingscholar #ruggie bucchi #leona x prefect x ruggie #savanaclaw #angst with a happy ending

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

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Of Princesses and Queens

Epel/Reader (not Prefect) Riddle/Reader (not Prefect)(End Pairing)

Reader gender is not specified but the term 'princess' is used the same way Riddle and Vil are called 'Queens'. It's not meant to be a term tied to their gender.

Warning: ANGST, near death experience with ice.

(I shamelessly stole Jack's death scene from Rise of the Guardians)

===================

It was inevitable that you and Epel would be friends.

You were literally the only two people under the age of forty in your entire village and for the sake of both your sanities, you clung to each other like lifelines.

Growing up in the country in a community centered around the prosperous but ultimately uninteresting apple orchard meant that the two of you had to create your own entertainment. Learning to climb trees together was one of your first clear memories – along with the subsequent fall that left you with a broken leg and Epel with a sprained shoulder from where he had tried to grab you.

The moment you healed up you were both at it again until playing tag among the branches was your go-to game.

With your mom’s and Epel’s grandfather’s help you were able to create what you both decided was the best tree house to ever exist. It had winding steps, a second story, a ‘look out’ post that was accessible by a hanging bridge, a trap door with a climbing rope, a swing big enough for two, enough pillows and blankets to create a nest more than big enough for the both of you, and best of all a sign that read in large letters ‘no old people aloud’.

Princes would be jealous of your treehouse.

Your dad nearly laughed himself sick when he saw the sign and Epel’s nana just sighed and insisted that you at least add a protective railing around the ledges.

Epel tried to argue that you weren’t babies but no one said ‘no’ to his nana and your mom was nice enough to help add what was needed for the woman’s approval.

The both of you practically lived in that treehouse.

When you weren’t in lessons or helping around the orchard, the two of you were having grand adventures high off the ground in imaginary worlds you created.

“Nah, pirates are lame.” You rolled your eyes as Epel gasped in utter offense. “We should be knights! They’re super cool and tha’ book I got from pop has all these neat facts about fighting dragons and saving princesses!”

“But we don’t have any dragons to fight!” Epel insisted in a huff, crossing his arms over his chest, wooden pirate sword clutched in his smaller fist.

“Well, we could go fight Silas’s turkey!” you argued back stubbornly, using your taller status to try and bully your friend into playing your game instead.

You had been playing pirates for weeks, you wanted to play something else! Besides, that turkey was a bloodthirsty monster!

“But pirates are cool!” Epel shot back, just as determined, his pout and scrunched up nose the same expression that your dad always cooed over whenever he saw it.

You inwardly scoffed, Epel wasn’t that cute.

Just a little.

“Oh, fine.” You huffed, throwing your hands into the air. “Then let’s at least go look for treasure.”

Instantly Epel lit up, nearly sparkling with his wide, beaming smile and gapped tooth.

Maybe a little more than a little.

“Yeah! Come on!” he said, snagging your hand and pulling you towards the trap door.

When the sun had finally set and his grandpa came out to call you in, you were both curled up in your nest and surrounded by your ‘loot’ of strangely shaped apples, a dried snakeskin, pile of acorns sorted into ones with and without ‘hats’, a stick in the shape of a corkscrew, and a particularly sparkly rock that you thought looked cool.

Epel grumbled as you trudged after the old man that was basically your grandpa, the smaller boy limp on your back and face smooshed into your hair.

Being country kids, you and Epel were no strangers to injuries. Scrapes and bruises were common, and you had lost two teeth after a particularly stupid stunt involving a prank gone wrong with a neighbor's stubborn mule. Thankfully one was still a baby tooth and was replaced naturally anyway, but the other had to be magically regrown and you STILL remembered the lecture your pop had given you about that.

The point was, that the both of you had a very skewed view regarding safety and were far too used to situations that would have caused city parents to grasp their pearls and balk.

That was why, during a normal winter day when you were thirteen and Epel had just turned fourteen, neither of you hesitated when you went out to your favorite hill to sled and caught sight of the creek frozen over.

Well, it was called ‘the creek’ but it was actually a small river that wound around the edges of the northern part of the forest, past his family’s orchard. It was a decently calm one and ice skating was normal when it froze over, so you both jumped on the idea.

Typically, an adult would check to make sure the ice was thick enough, but you weren’t babies anymore and Epel loved to ice skate. He was way too impatient to wait long enough for you to text your dad to come and check for you.

It was getting harder and harder to deny him anything, and so when he begged to be pushed around on the ice with the sleds you agreed.

Everything was fine at first, walking on the ice wasn’t exactly easy so you didn’t get very far from the edge as you tried to push him. As you re-adjusted to the skill, though, you were able to push him farther.

Epel was laughing and climbing off his sled to switch places with you when he slipped.

The sled glided away from him and he hit the ice hard.

A crack of ice spiderwebbed out from under where your friend was on his hands and knees and your laugh died in your throat.

The world stilled to a terrifying silence as your gazes met, his filled with sudden panic and yours with something so sharp and grasping you couldn’t begin to name it.

“It’s okay…” you whispered, somehow afraid if you spoke too loudly everything would fall apart.

Epel swallowed thickly, tears beading at the corner of his eyes as he tried to control his breathing, tried not to move as each tiny shift drew more snaps and tiny breaks to shoot across the ice.

“It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

The words were tumbling out of your lips desperately like a mantra, not sure if you were trying to calm Epel, yourself, or beg whatever deity was watching to not let your friend fall.

“I’m going to save you. I’m the hero this time, remember? Heroes save the princesses. You’re pretty like a princess, so it’ll be fine. You’re safe.”

You honestly weren’t even sure what you were saying at this point as you tried desperately to figure out a way to get to the lavender haired boy without putting more weight on the ice and causing it to break.

“I’m not a princess.” Epel managed weakly, voice warbling unevenly.

“Sure, you are. You’re a princess and I’m the manly hero.” You said firmly, spying a fallen branch that looked just long enough. “And manly heroes always save the princesses, right? That’s how the stories always go. Princesses never get hurt.”

You darted over and snatched up the branch before hurrying back to the ice and carefully stepping out as close as you could. You needed to be able to reach him.

The ice began to creak ominously under your boots, but it didn’t crack so you continued to slide yourself over until you could hold out the branch close enough for Epel to reach it.

Your heart was pounding in your ears.

“Hold onto it, ya got it? See, see it’s going to be okay.”

Epel wrapped his mitten covered fingers around the branch and clung to its rough surface desperately as he eased up on his knees.

“Come on, I’ll pull you. It’s okay. I’ll save you-“

You felt it more than heard it. A shutter through the ice below your boots.

You swung as hard as you could manage, putting all your weight against slinging Epel to the riverbank.

You felt the world drop out from beneath you, felt the freezing water engulf you to your very bones, stealing your breath.

You thought you heard your name being screamed but then you were being dragged down and only knew darkness.

It was sheer luck that one of your neighbors had been out hunting and heard Epel’s screams.

It was sheer luck she was able to use her weak water magic to drag you from the depths of the river and onto the snow-covered shore while also holding back the small boy from simply leaping in after you. It was luck that you hadn’t been under more than a minute or two.

It was luck that she was able to get you breathing again.

Your stay at the hospital lasted only a couple of days but Epel refused to leave your side for weeks.

He clung to you, large blue eyes swimming with guilt and tears he refused to let fall.

All he could think of was the determination and terror that had washed over your face when you yanked him towards the safety of the snow.

Of that instant of relief, he had seen in your eyes even as the ice gave way beneath you.

You were the bravest person he knew and neither of you had ever shied away from adventure or danger. He had walked proudly at your side knowing that you were best friends, and you could trust him to have your back. You never looked at him any different for being shorter or ‘cute’ as some of the other residents cooed. You never doubted that he could handle himself just as well as you could. He never doubted he could protect you if you needed it.

You were both wrong.

If he had been better, if he had been more like you – fearless and determined and strong – you wouldn’t have had to save him.

He wouldn’t have had to watch your still body with too-blue lips be dragged from the ice.

Wouldn’t have felt his world disappear beneath him with the earth-shattering terror that had sent him to his knees.

Wouldn’t have realized what it felt like for his heart to shatter while it still beat in his chest and know that the only possible way it would heal was if your own started beating again as well.

Wouldn’t have suffered the agonizing moments that dragged on like an eternity that clawed at his lungs and prevented him from breathing until you gave a sputtering gasp and clung to him as you coughed up lungful’s of water and mucus.

He wouldn’t have realized how weak and useless he was.

“Don’t ever do that again.” He whispered one night while you were both bundled up in your bed, fireplace crackling and more blankets than normal layered over you.

You couldn’t handle the cold as well as you used to.

He made sure never to go anywhere – no matter the weather – without a thick sweater tied around his waist or tucked in a bag. Just in case.

You gave a small snort and pinched his cheek.

“What are you talking about, of course a hero saves the-“

“I’M NOT A PRINCESS!” he snapped, voice hissed and full of disgust.

His chest heaved, arms trembling, but his eyes were dry.

He had sworn on the day in the hospital – when your first words were asking about his safety – that he was never going to cry again.

He would never make you worry about him again.

“I’m not a princess, ya got that!? I don’t need you protecting me! I don’t need you saving me! I’m not weak! Call me that again and I’ll punch ya!”

You blinked up at your best friend and could only manage a small nod.

“Okay.” you agreed with a whisper.

Epel glared at you like he was expecting you to say more, argue, or something, but when he saw that you didn’t plan on it, he relaxed somewhat. The tension easing from his shoulders as he flopped down and tugged the blankets over your heads again. He created a cocoon to trap in the warmth and fight off the small shivers he could feel starting to work down your spine again.

He tugged you against him so that your head was tucked under his chin, despite you still being taller.

“Good. I’m the hero from now on so don’t you forget it.” He snapped, burying his face into your hair, and tightening his hold around you, determined to fight off any chill you might get.

Determined to not let you wake up cold or alone.

“I won’t. Promise.” You whispered softly against his neck, arms wrapping around his waist and holding him back just as tightly.

You never doubted him. Even after he failed you, you never doubted him.

He was going to become a man that could live up to your trust.

The kind of man you deserved to have protecting you instead of the other way around.

He failed you once.

He’d never fail you again.

It was a relief to Epel that he had magic. Oh, he knew he had some, you both wouldn’t be able to fly brooms without a little bit of magic at least. But to have enough to be accepted into Night Raven College was something he had silently worried over.

If he wasn’t powerful enough to go with you – because, of course, you would be amazing enough to be accepted – how could he get strong enough to protect you?

Your matching letters on thick, ebony parchment and written in silver ink appeared at your houses on the same morning.

Epel hadn’t even bothered to put on shoes as he raced out the back door and sprinted across the fields and the orchards to the treehouse. He scampered up the rope, through the trap door and hurled himself inside but he was the first one there.

Nearly vibrating he scrambled up to the lookout and paced around the small balcony until he saw your figure sprinting through the knee length grass. He let out a whoop of excitement as he could see something dark in your hand and began wave his arms around wildly to show off his own.

He could hear your delighted laughter and wasted no time darting back down to the main ‘base’ room. By the time you had pulled yourself up the rope he was helping to yank you up through the trap door and causing the both of you to go tumbling into the nest together.

“Wediditwediditwedidit!” you babbled, throwing your arms around him.

“Night Raven here we come! Whoooo!” Epel crowed, kicking his feet in the air as he felt you laughing into his shoulder. “We’re gonna be the most powerful mages Twisted Wonderland has ever seen!”

When you had both tired yourself from the flood of excitement and adrenaline, you were both sprawled out on the blankets with your still messy bedhead resting on his stomach as you both stared up at the ceiling of your sanctuary. You knew every board and knot of wood, had watched it darken with age but not weaken over the years. Had worked together to repair the shingles that had been blown off by a particularly bad storm.

He began running his fingers through your hair, easing the tangles out absently as a warm sort of quiet settled around you both.

“…Pel?” your voice drew him from his thoughts.

“Yeah?”

“Are you nervous?”

“’Course not! I’m not afraid of anything!” he replied habitually.

There was a small pause.

“I am.” You whispered, so soft he almost missed it completely.

He blinked widely, propping himself up on his hands and looking down at you as you flushed darkly and looked away.

Epel opened his mouth to insist there was nothing for you to be worried over but something about the look in your eyes made him hesitate. He watched you for a moment before laying back down again and returning to untangling your hair.

“Why are ya nervous?” he finally asked.

You didn’t answer at first, shifting better so it was easier for him to continue running his fingers through your hair.

“…What if I’m not good enough?”

Epel didn’t understand. The thought was ludicrous to him and the mere idea that you would actually believe something like that just didn’t compute in his mind.

You were amazing. You were…you were…you. He didn’t have words to explain how wrong it was for those words to leave your lips.

“I’ll beat the shit out of anyone who tries to say you aren’t.” he all but growled, his hackles raising at the mere thought of someone saying something like that to you.

You gave a small laugh, and it warmed his chest knowing you weren’t doubting him in the slightest.

“Try not to get us expelled on the first day.” You teased.

“Oi! You say that like I’d get caught!”

“You always get us caught! What about when we tried to hide in Carroway’s truck to-“

“Hey! We agreed not to talk about that again!”

Your laughter sounded better than the pensive tone from before, so he didn’t protest too much. He did tug on a piece of your hair though, playfully.

“Seriously, if someone messes with you just tell me and I’ll take care of it.” He said.

You tilted your head faintly to smile up at him.

“I know you will.”

Because you trusted him.

And he wasn’t going to let you down.

When you were placed into Heartslabyul while Epel was sent to Pomefiore you were disappointed.

When Epel stormed over to you the next morning at the breakfast table you were saving a seat for him at, you could only stare.

You friend was…he looked…

“I’m joining your house.” He snarled as he dropped down beside you, painted lips pulled back and narrowed eyes lined in indigo.

You blinked, unable to form words for a moment before clearing your throat and managing a weak sort of smile.

“I-I don’t know if that’s a good-“

“I am not staying there! I can't!” he ranted, slamming his fists – nails painted the same shade as his eyeshadow – on the table.

“Our Housewarden is really strict and I don’t think you can just-“

“Epel! What did I tell you about running!” a smooth, cultured voice said sharply, making you turn to look up at one of the most beautiful people you’ve ever seen.

“I’m not staying in Pomefiore!” Epel spat back stubbornly, spine straight as he glared daggers at the tall blonde looming over the two of you.

The blonde heaved a sigh like he was suffering the start of a migraine, lightly rubbing at his temple before his gaze flickered down to you.

You in your vibrant – garish - Heartslabyul uniform and the crooked heart you had painted on the corner of your mouth with uncertain hands. His expression shifted minutely and the tilt of his lips with the rise of a perfectly sculpted eyebrow spoke volumes of just what he thought of you.

Or rather how little he thought of you.

As in not at all.

You swallowed and quickly stood, offering what you hoped was a polite smile and bow of your head.

“Hello, I’m-“

“I do not care.”

Your words died as his attention returned to Epel and he wrote you off completely, forgetting your very existence as unnecessary and unsightly.

“I certainly won’t be allowing you to leave for a house with such low standards.” He replied coolly. “Now come, you’re better off making friends with your fellow-“

But Epel snarled and was suddenly in front of you, glaring up at who you could only assume was his Housewarden.

“Don't talk about them like that.” He growled, hands clenched, and you could smell the flowery shampoo from his soft curls.

His eyes sparked and even though you could see over his head – he never did quite catch up to your height – you were absolutely certain he was ready to throw himself at the guy.

The blonde eyed him carefully and must have seen something in his expression or determination because he simply gave another tired sigh.

“Oh, very well, I will allow you to remain friends but you won’t get out of the skin care routine and if you’re going to be seen around this…potato then you should at least bring them with you. Perhaps I can make something of them so they won’t be a complete embarrassment to your reputation and our dorm.” He said, waving his hand slightly before spinning on his heels and sauntering off.

You could only blink, too stunned to really respond, and watched your best friend turn to face you.

“We’re going to the headmaster and I don’t care what I have to do but I’m not staying there.”

Epel was staying in Pomefiore.

The headmaster said that he had to have at least two weeks where the mirror had placed him before he was given the chance to go through the time consuming process of switching dorms.

Every time you were able to see each other he complained non-stop about his Housewarden and his overbearing nagging while you shared your laments about the red headed tyrant that ran yours.

“Maybe we can move to Scarabia…” you muttered with a weak smile during one of the evenings you were allowed to spend with Epel in his dorm room – with the caveat that you went through his skin care routine and makeup practice along with him. “Their Housewarden seems nice.”

Epel readily nodded, reaching out for the liner he had chosen specifically for you, to match the color of the heart you painted on the corner of your mouth every day.

“And they have cool uniforms, I’ll look way more manly in those than these.” He glared, reaching out to your face.

You had been close since you could learn to walk and touch was nothing new to you, but somehow, suddenly, sitting there with your -maybe too pretty – friend holding your chin felt different. The way his large eyes focused on you, leaned in a little closer than normal and began sketching out the shape of the heart on your skin and over your lips. The way his thumb brushed over them absently to fix a mistake. The way he smirked proudly when he was done and looked up to you to throw in your face how much better he was at this than you-

You both froze.

It wasn’t that you thought your friend was any more beautiful with the makeup than he had always been, or that the luxurious uniform accentuated it more than the work clothes when you would both swing around branches to harvest apples.

It was that shadow that had been there since the ice broke beneath your feet was pushed back. His chin held a little higher. His gaze fiery and more determined than you had ever seen him except for that night where he refused to be a Princess.

A bit of the confidence that you had always loved about Epel was starting to bloom again, despite his rantings about his annoying Housewarden. Vil Schoenheit had the highest standards for his students and especially the one that he was grooming as his protégé. Self-assuredness was a requirement and he certainly wasn’t about to let Epel have a weakness so easily exploited.

It stole your breath away and suddenly you had a very strong suspicion about why your heart fluttered every time he touched you now.

“I-I should go.” You stammered, scrambling to your feet and snagging your backpack from where you had dropped it by his bed. “Housewarden Rosehearts will be calling curfew soon and I don’t want to be collared.”

You fled before Epel could answer.

Epel did not end up leaving Pomefiore.

You didn’t end up leaving Heartslabyul.

Or rather, you weren’t allowed.

Vil had firmly declared Epel as his successor for Housewarden and with everything that happened in Heartslabyul…well you didn’t exactly get a chance to try. And then, you really didn’t want to anymore.

After the strange magicless student and their monster ‘saved’ your Housewarden somehow, it was like your dorm changed overnight. The rules remained but they were more flexible, your fellow students more quick to laugh, and the overall atmosphere lighter.

You liked your dorm mates and Housewarden now.

You enjoyed the movie nights in the lounge and the tea parties in the afternoon. You liked taking care of the hedgehogs and flamingos. You liked doing homework with your dormmates and helping Trey-senpai bake and doing makeup tutorials with Cater-senpai. Spending an afternoon painting the roses with the other first years and trying to keep Ace and Deuce from wreaking havoc in the gardens.

It was so different than your life back home but it wasn’t bad.

The etiquette was strange at first but it was also kind of fun, like rules to a game, and you really looked up to Riddle-senpai after he had apologized to you and the rest of the dorm. He was so confident and always knew what to do and what to say. He didn’t let anyone speak down to him because of what he looked like.

He reminded you of Epel, but lately you had been doing your best not to think about your best friend and so focusing on being the best Heartslabyul student you could be was easier.

You had even started experimenting with adding a little more makeup to your ‘look’ the way Cater-senpai suggested.

Not a whole lot but he made sure to point out that your eyes were ‘way viral’ – whatever that meant – so he showed you how to use liners and eyeshadow along with the heart that you had perfected on the corner of your lips.

You even worked up the courage to ask Vil-senpai for his suggestion on colors and he had sat you down for more than an hour and walked you through color matching and seasonal shades while Rook-senpai waxed poetic in the background.

He was strict and straight to the point about what he suggested you work on, but it wasn’t the cruelness that you had felt from Riddle-senpai before and so it was easy to brush off any hurt that might have come from it. Epel had always been blunt too so you were hardly a stranger to such words. You knew how to listen to what was behind them.

You knew he never meant to hurt your feelings and you were beginning to think that Vil-senpai was the same way. Or maybe, at least, that he didn’t always mean the acerbic insults he could come up with at a moment’s notice.

You could ignore it.

What wasn't easy to brush off was the look Epel shot you when he found you in his Housewarden’s room. Chin in his hand and eyeshadow being carefully applied.

“Epel! Look, we-“ you started excitedly when you noticed the lavender haired boy in the doorway.

You were having a particularly good day so far, had done well in class, gotten a head pat from Trey-senpai, and Vil-senpai had given you some good tips that you wanted to share with your friend. You thought, maybe, you could work up the courage to do HIS makeup this time. And maybe if you asked Rook-senpai he could give you help on how to tell Epel how you felt about him.

It was a terrifying thought but also electrifying.

How would it feel to hold his hand, not just as a friend? How would it feel to kiss him? Would he blush like he did when he was flustered, or would he smile at you? Would he let you wear his extra jersey to the Magift games? Would he let you take him on a date to Mostro Lounge?

“Would you just STOP, Vil!?” your friend cut you off, glaring daggers at the taller blonde and grabbing your wrist to pull you away from the vanity you had been sitting at. “No one likes your stupid makeup! They look ridiculous!”

You froze, the warm bubble in your chest disappearing as if it was never there.

“Epel, lower your voice and watch your manners.” The blonde glared, looking actually, honestly angry for the first time as his violet eyes flickered to you and then back to your best friend.

“No! You don’t get to force what you want on them! They don’t need your girly makeup or the stupid outfits!”

You liked the outfits that Vil had made him.

“Epel stop.”

“Monsieur pomme sauvage, perhaps you should-“

“Not everyone’s like you Vil.” He spat, derision dripping from his lips. “And you’re not going to drag them into all this useless shit you keep pushing on me! I’m not going to let you turn them into some kind of pathetic princess for one of your stupid shows! They’re not weak like that! I’M not weak like that! So FUCK OFF!”

Epel spun to face you, to drag you out of the room away from his now eerily silent Housewarden.

He froze when saw your expression.

You don’t know what he saw but you suspected it had something to do with the hollow feeling in your chest.

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

You saw something in his eyes that you were too hurt to understand at the moment.

You silently pulled your wrist from his hold and without a word, left the room. Left the dorm.

He didn’t come after you.

You had known Epel as long as you could remember.

You knew he hadn’t meant what he said.

You knew he didn’t think you were weak or silly or ridiculous.

But things had started to change while you were at NRC. You had started to change, grow and experience things you never had before. Cultures and habits so different from your small country home. A home you still loved, still wanted to return to, but one that you could now see wasn’t the whole world as you had once thought it to be.

You didn’t like everything here. You didn’t like how certain foods were restricted to certain days in Heartslabyul – that did seem silly to you – and you could agree that Vil-senpai was a little too strict on what he expected of his housemates’ presentation to be at all hours of the day.

But there was so much that you did like.

You liked being creative with makeup and trying clothes that had certainly never been available in the stores near your town. You liked learning dances and practicing with the other first years and Riddle-senpai. He was stern but kind, now, and never degraded you for not knowing the different waltzes and ballroom dancing that were so common in his Queendom. You liked how pretty things could be with lace tablecloths and polished tea sets.

It was new and interesting and lovely.

But Epel hated it.

Epel hated all of it and while he had regained a lot of his stubborn determination that he once held, he didn’t see what you saw. He didn’t want to be anything like Pomefiore or Heartslabyul. He wanted to be in Savanaclaw where he could prove how strong he was.

You didn’t think he needed to prove anything.

But he still hated it.

You realized there had never been a chance to see him where he hadn't complained about something he didn’t like about Pomefiore or his Housewarden.

Complained about his love of makeup.

Complained that he was vapid and shallow, only caring about looks.

Complained that Vil was hardly a man at all with how he dressed.

So many things that he hated.

So many things that you were starting to like.

But then…did that mean he wouldn’t like you anymore?

If you admitted to liking the makeup and enjoying tea parties where you laughed with friends over pastries…

Would he hate you too?

“Sometimes,” Cater-senpai had said as he patted your head. “People change. Sometimes that change brings people together…sometimes it pushes them apart.” He glanced over to where Trey-senpai was helping their housewarden with the hedgehog pens. “There’s not much you can do about that but stay true to yourself.”

“But I…I don’t know who I am without Epel.”

“Then maybe you should find out.”

Epel didn’t text you.

For a week neither of you called or texted or interacted with each other at all.

It was…it hurt.

You hated it.

The other Heartslabyul boys didn’t miss your dispirited mood and did their best to spend time with you. Ace, Deuce, Jaq, Kai, Hachi, and Sei dragged you into every ‘first years only’ get together they had. Trey always seemed to need an extra pair of hands in the kitchen whenever he saw you. Cater would insist that you were the only one that could help him with his Magicam videos.

And Riddle-senpai decided that you needed extra tutoring and so would spend evenings going over homework with you – sometimes with the other first years or Trey and sometimes just the two of you.

It left you with little chance to miss Epel except when you were alone in bed, shivering as you couldn’t quite warm up despite the heavy velvet blankets.

But…you started to have fun again.

It was nice having friends, so many friends that were there to tease and support you. To urge you into what you liked and to try new things but also didn’t hold back from playfully insisting that you were the ‘Heartslabyul Princess’ now.

The one time Riddle-senpai heard that he blushed such a dark shade of crimson that you were afraid he would pass out.

You wished you could share it with Epel. You wished he could see all the great things you saw.

“Then you should show him.”

You glanced up to see Riddle watching you from across the table, expression serious and thoughtful.

“Tell him how you feel and what makes you happy. If he does not accept that…then he is not good enough for you.”

Those words didn’t make sense at all to you. Epel was the best. He was amazing in so many ways, he was…he was Epel.

If anything, you weren’t good enough for him.

“If he cannot see you as you are and respect that, love you for it, then he is a fool.”

“Ah, there you are little potato.”

You looked up from where you had been wandering down the halls in the direction of the library. Vil and Rook stood before you, perfect as always. You thought you saw a flash of something in the Housewarden’s eyes, but it was gone too quickly to understand.

“Vil-senpai, Rook-senpai, it’s nice to see you. Did you need my help with something?” you asked, uncertain why they would approach you when you hadn’t been around their little ‘apple’ for weeks.

“Nothing of consequence.” Vil assured as he pulled a liner from his pocket.

It was the exact shade of crimson that he had decided was best for your complexion before Epel had interrupted you.

You blinked as he held it out and then placed it in your hand.

“I simply noticed that your lines are not as smooth. Your old one must have started to dry out so you this one instead and be sure to put the cap back on securely after each use.”

Your eyes widened as you looked up at the gorgeous upper-classman and stammered what you hoped was a ‘thank you’. It must have at least been passable since the Housewarden’s glossy lips pulled into a bemused smile before he moved to continue on past you.

“W-wait!” you said suddenly, not really sure why you were doing this.

You could just text.

You could call.

But you were terrified.

Vil paused to glance back at you, an elegant eyebrow arched in question.

“Vil-senpai, is….I-I mean…” you swallowed thickly, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. “H-how is…”

When it was obvious you couldn’t manage to finish what you were trying to say, he simply gave a soft huff of a sigh.

“Seeing as how you are not nearly as troublesome as your fellow dormmates, I suppose I will allow you to continue to visit Pomefiore. So long as you act accordingly, of course.”

Your heart leaped in year chest and Rook flashed a cheeky smile your way.

“Oui, we have quite missed your lovely visits, petit coeur.” He winked. “Our talented magift team will be practicing this afternoon but I’m sure a treat of the apple pie you baked last time would be greatly enjoyed.”

A bright smile bloomed on your face and you quickly nodded.

“Y-yes! Yes, I’ll be there!” you said quickly before spinning on your heels and darting back the way you came.

You had some baking to do after all and not very long to make it perfect.

Maybe you could talk to Epel and figure this all out.

It would be okay.

Epel didn’t know if he hated Vil more…or himself.

He tried so many times. Opened your text thread so often and typed out so many different apologies he had stopped keeping count.

And each time he had frozen.

Each time his thumb had hovered over the ‘send’ but been unable to gather the courage to press it.

The expression on your face would flash through his memory and he would desperately erase whatever he had been trying to say, knowing none of it would be good enough.

Growing up together you had squabbled before, of course. It was what kids did.

With it just being the two of you, though, there had been no other choice but to make up if you didn’t want to be friendless for the rest of your lives.

And none of the fights had been like…this.

Nothing he had ever said or did had caused you to look…had hurt you so deeply.

Like he had grabbed one of Rook’s hunting knives and stabbed it into your chest with his own two hands.

What could he say, what could he do to make up for that?

He didn’t even really get it.

He didn’t understand why you were warming up to Vil or Rook. He didn’t get why you were so willing to eat lunch with the other Heartslabyul boys when he was right there. Why you let Cater paint you up and then plaster your picture all over his Magicam page with tags like #Heastlabyulprincess or #twocuteiestoocute for everyone to see. Why you didn’t mind when your Housewarden would stand so close to you while fixing your uniform.

Why did he have to fight everyone else off just to enjoy some time alone with you now?

You were his best friend!

He was your best friend!

Wasn't he?

Why did you care about these other guys now over him?

Couldn’t you see how much he loved you? How much he wanted to be the perfect guy for you? Wanted to make you proud to be with him and hang on his arm. Wanted you to know that he would protect you like you had protected him?

Did you not think he could?

Did you not think he was good enough?

Had watching Vil paint him and dress him up like a doll make you think that he wouldn’t be able to keep you safe? That he would leave you to go with Vil into some celebrity fantasy that his annoying Housewarden kept blabbering on about? As if he could possibly be happy with all this frilly shit instead of a small cottage with you near the orchard that he would inherit, and you would both care for together?

Clearly, he had to prove to you that you were what he wanted. That no matter what stupid house he had been put into or the stifling rules that the tyrant was strangling you with, he would be the same. He wouldn’t let it change who he was. He would always be the boy you had grown up with and held against nightmares and picked leaves out of your hair when you would both jump into piles of them during the fall.

He would be the anchor for you in this ridiculous school that obviously didn’t see how amazing you were just as you always had been.

He would prove it to you.

He just needed to make himself better first. He needed to learn what he could from the strong students at NRC and prove to them all that he wasn’t the delicate little flower that Vil was trying to turn him into.

He tried talking with Rook first, of course, since he was the most easily accessible – and really the guy was rather terrifying despite that ridiculous haircut and personality – but he could only understand about a third of the weirdness he spouted off so Epel gave up on that avenue quickly.

Leona was the second person he tried attaching himself to. The prince was everything he wished he could be. Tall, strong, fearsome. No one would dare try to say he was weak and even if they did they would regret it.

Unfortunately, the Savanaclaw Housewarden wasn’t the mentoring type and even though he was the magift captain all of his ‘training’ and help revolved around the game and that was it. He barely gave Epel the time of day outside of the field. He even tried bugging Ruggie for hints of what the lion might suggest but the hyena just rolled his eyes and brushed him off like all the rest.

It was only when he stubbornly attached himself to Jack’s side and refused to let go of the wolf’s track jersey until he agreed to give him pointers, that he was able to make progress.

“I don’t get what you’re trying to do.” The therianthrope admitted as he ran his hand through his hair exasperated. “I’m not trying to be ‘manly’ or whatever. I’m just being me. If you’re trying to get stronger, though, I guess working out more and doing weights might help.” He shrugged. “I jog with Vil-senpai in the mornings. You’re welcome to joi-“

“No!” Epel snapped angrily, not wanting to have to spend even more time around the older teen than he already did.

Jack rolled his eyes.

“Fine, whatever, I weight lift every other day and there’s a gym in Savanaclaw. If you want to join me it shouldn’t be a problem as long as you don’t keep trying to pick fights with my housemates. Leona-senpai is getting annoyed at all the noise.”

Epel beamed up at his new friend, nearly bouncing on his toes.

“Great! I’ll be there!”

You might not be talking with him at the moment but just wait, he’ll be super manly when you did and he’ll sweep you off your feet!

“So who is it that you’re trying to impress? Not that I care or anything.” Jack said after one of their now regular workouts together, running a towel over his face.

Epel sputtered, face flaming as he quickly hid it in his own towel with the excuse of wiping off the sweat that had gathered.

“N-no one! Why would you think I’m trying to impress anyone!? I just want to get stronger!” he said, though the unusual pitch of his voice gave his lie away easily even if Jack couldn’t practically smell it on him already.

The wolf raised an eyebrow down at the shorter boy and Epel stubbornly looked away, draping the towel around his neck and busying himself with fixing the short ponytail he had pulled his hair into.

“Sure.” The wolf snorted under his breath. “Then who are you not trying to impress? Your Housewarden? That Heartslabyul friend of yours?”

“Why would I want to impress Vil!?” he hissed instantly, ruffling at the very idea.

It only made him look like an angry little kitten.

“So it’s the little heart princess?”

“Princess!? Don’t call them that!” he snapped back. “They’re not like Vil, okay! They’re strong and brave! They wouldn’t be a princess.”

Jack just wrinkled his nose at him.

“What are you talking about? Vil isn’t weak and what in the Seven’s kind of fairytales have you been reading?” he asked dryly. “More than half of our school’s founders were fierce Queens that no one could stand up against.”

He gave a derisive snort.

“That’s different, Jack. Besides, it’s not going to matter because I’m going to get stronger and then join Savanaclaw with you. Then I won’t have to worry about Vil or whatever stupid play or modeling practice he comes up with.”

“I thought you said the Headmage said you couldn’t change houses.” The wolf asked as they exited the Savanaclaw mirror and started towards Pomefiore.

He usually followed him to at least give a hello to Vil before he started on his afternoon run.

“Yeah, well I’ll change his mind.” Epel said firmly, tilting his chin up stubbornly as they stepped through the mirror and started up the perfectly manicured walk to the elegant castle.

“Right, well, when you join Savanaclaw you’d better be ready for initiation. They’re not going to go easy on someone with a face like yours.” He warned.

“Oh yeah, well they’ll just find out what I can do!” Epel grinned viciously, already imagining himself in the leather and yellow uniform.

How cool he would look and how he could impress you by taking down all the therianthrope and taller humans that wanted to bully him for his face. The same ones that he knew would try to tease you for the Heartslabyul tea parties and makeup. He’d show them how cool you were too and then you could come with him! You’d look great in leather!

He just had to figure out the best way to words things so that you’d know how sorry he was for not being able to make Vil leave you alone.

Epel’s day dreams were cut off, though, when he started towards the grand staircase up to the dorm room floors and heard your voice call out to him. He froze, not having expected to see you so suddenly and definitely not at his dorm around the other Pomefiore students.

He looked over to see you coming from one of the side parlours. Your smile was small and unsure but warm as always. Clearly awkward but at least not with that hollow look in your eyes anymore.

“Hi, Pel.” You said, your gaze flicking over to Jack for a moment before back to him. “I…uh, Vil-senpai said you would be out of practice but then Stefan said you had gone to Savanaclaw to meet a friend. I’m not…interrupting, right?”

“N-no, not at all! This is Jack, Jack meet my best friend.” He said quickly, telling him your name before focusing on you again. “I just wasn’t expecting you. It’s…nice to see you.” He admitted, something in his chest settling as he hadn’t seen you in so long and it felt like a breath of fresh air having you beside him again.

Warmth flooded your eyes and he watched the little heart on the corner of your mouth dimple that made him wonder why people thought he was cute when you were right there.

Still, he saw the clear signs that his Housewarden had gotten his hands on you. Your eyes were lined even more elaborately than usual with a mix of crimson and gold. Your heart was shimmery as if an extra layer had been added to your normal design. Your hair was even up in a style that he had seen Cater post on his Magicam.

Epel had watched the video of the older teen’s hands brush through and fix your hair while narrating what exactly he was doing and what kinds of hair types the style would go with until he had it memorized. The only reason he hadn’t watched it on mute was every now and then you’d make a comment or laugh at one of Cater’s jokes and he had missed the sound of your laugh so much it physically hurt.

He remembered how Cater’s fingers had lingered along your neck or tucked accessories into place so gently and he couldn’t help but scrunch his nose.

“Come on, you can come up to my room and get all that mess off you.”

He saw Jack wince out of the corner of his eye and quickly make an exit, but he was focused on you. He reached for your hand but you wouldn’t let him pull you up the stairs.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, glancing into the parlour where he could see his Housewarden and Rook chatting quietly around an overly decorated table with tea and what he thought was apple pie.

He was surprised that Vil actually allowed such an unhealthy food in his dorm.

“Epel…I wanted to talk with you.” You finally said, pulling his gaze back, though your smile was a little more uncertain before.

“Sure, come on, you can spend the night. Nan sent me some of our normal soap so you wash off that flowery shit.” He said, hoping to entice you to stay with him.

It’d be like back home. He could hold you close and keep you warm like a real boyfriend would.

He could ask you to let him be your boyfriend.

He didn’t understand why your smile kept fading.

“Epel…I know you don’t like Pomefiore. I know you don’t agree with what Vil-senpai is trying to teach-“

“Force.” He interceded.

“…force you to do. I talked with him. He said maybe we can try different things. You don’t have to do everything exactly like him. We can find our own styles together and-“

“I have a style!” he pointed out, feeling a bit defensive now.

Why had you been talking with Vil and not him?

Why did you seem to want to be around everyone else except him?

“I know you do, Epel, and I like you the way you are. That doesn’t mean we can’t try things though, right? It’s like the lemon crisps Trey-senpai made. Riddle-senpai said it’s best to try it so you can find out what you like and don’t like. I didn’t like it but I’m glad I tried it at least. I tried the treacletarts even though I didn’t think they looked good and I ended up really liking them. Maybe if you tried different things you could find some things you do like. Things that we can do together and-“

“Is Vil forcing you into this? Hm?” he finally snapped, gripping onto your hand tighter. “You shouldn’t listen to him, you know. He wants to turn you into one of his little dolls. He wants to use you as an accessory and then throw you away. You don’t need any of that stuff! You don’t need to stay in Heartslabyul. We can go to Savanaclaw together and-“

“But I like it!”

He blinked.

“What?”

Your fingers trembled in his.

“I like learning about makeup, Epel.” You said softly, eyes hurt and unsure but also not backing down. “I like baking with Trey-senpai and trying different hairstyles. I like seeing the different kinds of clothes that Vil-senpai designs even if I don’t want to wear them all. I like dancing and reading and tea parties. I like magift and flying. I like climbing trees. I like playing croquet with the flamingos and hedgehogs. I like it and I don’t want to stop or leave.”

Epel’s chest was tightening, and he didn’t understand why you were saying this.

“But you look better without it.” He said desperately, trying to make you understand.

Wishing you would see what he saw. How people were changing you.

He just wanted his best friend back.

He wanted things how they used to be.

“Then why are you trying to change?” you finally ask in a small voice. “You keep saying how you’re going to get ‘stronger’ and ‘manlier’. What if I like you the way you are too?”

Epel’s nose wrinkled again in disgust.

“Stop teasing me. Don’t you think I know what others say about me? How even people from our town still call me ‘cute’ when I’m already sixteen!? I’m not a kid! I’m not some pretty princess that’s going to dress up and smile for a camera! I’m not going to let them talk about me like-“

“THEN STOP CARING ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK!” your voice broke, wobbling as Epel just didn’t understand.

“I never thought you were weak or less ‘manly’ than anyone else!” you added, neither of you noticing that the other Pomefiore students had been quickly ushered out of the foyer by their Housewarden and Vice-Housewarden. “You're the one that thinks that! You are the one that’s trying to force me to do what you want, not Vil-senpai!”

Epel’s eyes widened as you pulled your hand away again.

He felt your fingers slipping from his grasp and his breath went with it.

You were shivering.

“I don’t want you to change into something you don’t want to be…I don’t want you to force yourself to be something you’re not.” You whispered, lip trembling. “But I’m not going to let you force me to be something you want, either.”

“I…wait, stop, it’s okay. I don’t mind you liking that stuff! Really!” he said desperately, grabbing at your shoulders to prevent you from leaving. “I think you’re cute with or without makeup! It’s fine! And if you want to stay at Heartslabyul that’s okay too! You-…you could spend the night over in Savanaclaw with me sometimes! And you can try all the stuff you want before we go home! I don’t mind! Really! We can tell nana and your pop and I bet they’ll all laugh about it! It’ll be great and it’s okay if you’re a princess, right? You’d make a much better princess than me anyway and-“

“So…it’s okay to be a princess?”

“Yes! Yes definitely!” Epel said, trying to figure out what the right thing to say was.

What he needed to say to make you stay.

To not lose his best friend.

“But it’s only okay if I’m the princess.” Your tone was…he wasn’t sure.

Something was wrong and he could tell but he didn’t know why he was suddenly so terrified. Why it felt like you were already out of his reach.

“I-…”

“Because you don’t want to be a princess because they’re weak. They’re silly and shallow. It’s okay if I’m one though. It’s okay if I’m silly and shallow and weak.”

“That’s not…that’s not what I meant.” He swallowed thickly, realizing that maybe…maybe he should have listened more to Rook and watched how he said things…

“I know what you meant.”

No. No you didn’t understand. You didn’t understand how much he needed you to be with him. How he just wanted you back. How he wished neither of you had come to NRC at all.

You could have stayed at his orchard for your entire lives. You could have gotten married and grown old together and maybe even had kids someday or adopted. He would have made you so happy. You would have been so much happier than the hurt and resigned state you were now.

He wouldn’t have had to feel you letting go.

“Wait…” he whispered as you took a step back and out of his grasp. “You can’t leave…please, you can’t…”

“You don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do, Epel.” You said sadly. “Besides, I’m sure you’ll forget about me soon…it’s not like you seem to like who I am anymore, anyway.”

Epel couldn’t move. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t breathe.

Just like he had been on the riverbank years ago, he could only watch as you disappeared from view.

But this time there was no one there to drag you back to him.

Because he was the one who pushed you away.

That winter break he slipped wordlessly out the back door, ducking his head away from the worried looks his grandparents sent him.

The trudge to the treehouse was unusually silent with a fresh blanket of snow heavy on the ground with only the crunch of it under his boots breaking it.

He climbed up the rope and pushed open the trapdoor, hearing it creak in protest after being unused for so long.

He would need to oil the hinges.

Things were exactly as they had been left. The blankets still rumpled in the corner, a couple of books you had been reading stacked on the small end table, the sparkly rock that you had found while treasure hunting still decorating the shelf above the window.

But you weren’t there.

After the argument you had had, the other Heartslabyul boys had apparently named him enemy of the state and done everything they could to keep him from being able to talk to you. To apologize. To do something to make you see just how sorry he was and how much he missed you.

He even tried talking to Rook about how to get you to understand how much he needed you.

The hunter just gave him a sad, almost disappointed look.

“Aa, but that is the thing, pomme sauvage.” He said gently, patting his shoulder. “Have you asked them what they need?”

He hadn’t been able to answer.

He put in the request to move to Savanaclaw again, and this time Vil did not refuse it.

He was glad about that. It made it easier. And Savanaclaw was great! Really! He loved how free it was and hanging out with the others and he could focus on training for magift and working out with Jack. The uniform was way more comfortable and so cool!

It didn’t seem to matter anymore when he watched the Heartslabyul Housewarden slide off his uniform jacket to drape around your shoulders.

He suddenly didn’t care that no one forced him to fix his hair in the mornings before class when he watched the red head escort you with all the chivalry of a knight.

It was all pointless as he watched you smile and laugh, bringing a softness to your Housewarden’s face that only you seemed to be able to cause. Listen to you chatter about random things the way you used to with him, only for it to be directed at Riddle now instead.

Watched as he treated you so kindly but with so much respect, like an actual princess.

Watched as you leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

You had gotten permission from your parents to stay with some of the other Heartslabyul boys over the break.

He only learned about this because they had told his grandparents.

Epel crawled over to the blankets and didn’t even bother shaking them out before wrapping them around himself and trying to block out the world.

You should have just let him fall through the ice.

It would have been less painful.

==================

Whelp I did not mean for this to become so long and rambly but it just kept going and getting angstier. (Blame Ciel, they supported the angst brainrot) This really was supposed to be a cute fluffy Childhoodfriend! AU but turned into kind of a character analysis-ish on Epel's views on masculinity and such. I don't hate Epel but he's a dumb teenage boy with a complex and he doesn't always know how to see past his own views. Hopefully he'll grow!

Tell me what you think <3

#pinkskytwst #twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #disney twst #twst fanfic #twst vil #twst rook #rook hunt #vil schoenheit #twst epel #epel felmier #epel x reader #twst riddle #riddle/reader #epel/reader #riddle rosehearts

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

Text

Making a Stand - Part I

First Years/Prefect - Romantic Poly

Hi guys! I know there were quite a few of you that wanted the First years to win the Valentine's Day poll and I actually had a bit of an idea for them so I decided to go with it. This one is a little darker than normal with very obvious negative outlook on the upper classmen.

Hope you enjoy! <3

=================

“So, who’s up for a little murder and mayhem?” Ace grinned, his eyes glinting coldly.

He was leaning against Deuce, arm on his shoulder and gaze leveled on the Prefect who was currently surrounded by the Housewardens of Pomefiore, Savanaclaw, and Octavinelle.

They had just gotten out of class and were heading to the cafeteria for lunch when their Prefect had been called for by the pale haired octomer. Of course, being as nice as they were – too nice – they didn’t hesitate to promise the group that they would be right back before jogging over to Azul to see what he needed.

Whatever Azul had been planning on speaking with their Prefect about had been derailed when Leona had sauntered over and injected himself into the conversation without hesitation or care to the icy glare the octomer was shooting him.

It was only compounded a few moments later when the beautiful Queen joined them, charming smile and thinly veiled acid being flashed at the other two while he offered a private lunch and tutoring session on potions. Which, of course, was argued against by the lion, and Azul pointed out that he had a whole restaurant for the Prefect to eat and study at.

It left their Prefect standing there confused and trying to mediate an argument that they could tell was going on but didn’t understand in the slightest beyond the fact that three of their most powerful friends looked about ready to claw each other’s eyes out.

A situation that, regrettably, had become more common as their Prefect saved and won over the various princes, celebrities, and rich heirs that ran their school.

A situation that Ace had finally decided they needed to snuff out before anyone else got any bright ideas about the Prefect.

Their Prefect.

“Lilia-sama would be most displeased if I was expelled for being caught exterminating troublesome students.” Sebek admitted begrudgingly, though his expression very clearly stating that he was almost willing to risk it.

“Then we just won’t get caught.” Epel grinned nastily, pounding his fist into his palm, sharing Ace’s blood lust eagerly and more than willing to make his Housewarden disappear.

“It’ll be a long list.” Deuce pointed out, his own brow furrowed, arms crossed, and he had the same look in his eyes that he got when he slipped into his old delinquent ways. “We’ll need an alibi and a way to hide the bodies.”

Jack heaved a sigh, his ears remained pointed in the direction of their Prefect and the three Housewardens.

“We’re not killing anyone, guys.” He said, though his tone indicated that he was saying this more because it was against the rules rather than a lack of desire to go through with it.

“Haaah,” Ace glared as he leaned around Deuce to turn his focus on the wolf. “And what do you suggest then? Keep letting these assholes throw themselves at the Prefect until one of them manages to trick them into something?” he demanded.

“They wouldn’t-“ but Jack cut off when all four boys turned their own looks of disbelief on him.

“The only one that didn’t hurt or try to kill them was Kalim and he only gets a pass because he was brainwashed at the time.” Epel said firmly, fists clenched tightly.

“Yeah, and I’m still pissed that he stood up for the asshole when Jamil literally BRAINWASHED the Prefect.” Deuce glared, shoulders tense at the memory.

“They don’t get to just apologize and then act like nothing happened and try to get into their pants.” Ace said darkly.

Jack glared at the red head but couldn’t help looking back to how Leona was now leaning on the Prefect, fingers tucking a strand of hair behind their ear and smirking at the confused blush on the human’s face.

Those same fingers had almost turned their friend to dust.

He didn’t even think Leona had even properly apologized about it either, just took the beating they got during Magift and acted like that made them even.

The wolf looked to Sebek.

“You’re okay with this? Malleus wouldn’t exactly be happy if you interfered with him trying to win the Prefect over.” He pointed out, which was absolutely true, and something that the half-fae had almost had a mental breakdown over when they found out that the Prefect’s ‘friend’ Tsunotarou was, in fact, his beloved Waka-sama.

The green haired male shifted, his expression torn as he clearly struggled between his loyalty to his liege and…his feelings for the Prefect.

Feelings that the others of their group shared but had never dared to voice. Not when their Prefect needed their unwavering support and the possibility of a romantic relationship with them wasn’t worth the possible awkwardness or ripping away the safety the magic-less human felt with them.

“While I believe Waka-sama would be only the best of partners, I…I am not convinced that it is what the Prefect wishes for.” He finally admitted, swallowing harshly and clearly feeling like he was betraying Malleus with such words somehow. “And if the Prefect does not wish for the relationship then it would only harm Waka-sama should it continue.”

And the Prefect really hadn't ever spoken of their fae-prince friend as anything more than a friend.

In fact, they seemed completely oblivious to the attentions from everyone around them, or at least oblivious to the type of feelings they were inspiring.

Maybe their world expressed such emotions differently, or maybe it was just their dumb little Prefect being their normal dumb little self too willing to see all the great things about others but never their own.

The Prefect didn’t notice the eyes that followed them. Didn’t see the want and desire on clear display. Didn’t catch just how willing they all were to play dirty if it meant winning them for their own.

Like a prize from a game.

Well Ace was a master at games and he was also very willing to cheat.

They had all been accepted to NRC for a reason, after all.

“The point, Jack, is that we can’t trust any of them.” Ace said darkly, gaze flicking back over to where their Prefect had still not managed to extricate themself from the posturing and focused attentions of the three Housewardens.

“Or do you want to risk what they could do to the Prefect if they manage to force them into a relationship? How much do you trust that prince of yours, because I can tell ya, I’ll ‘off’ Riddle’s head myself before I let that tyrant bastard force his perfectionist bullshit on them more than he already does. You know he actually uses every rule he can to touch them? Adjusting their clothes and hair even when nothing’s wrong? Even Trey has been pushing it. He just had to show the Prefect the right way to mix batter so he could practically molest them!”

Deuce nodded in confirmation.

“The Prefect was very uncomfortable and we managed to drag them away from the kitchen but Trey-senpai and Cater-senpai are sneakier than you’d expect.”

The pale haired therianthrope shifted, tail swaying tensely behind him in clear agitation as he watched the way his own leader was getting into their Prefect’s personal space despite the smaller human clearly being uncomfortable about it.

Come to think of it, their Prefect had become less tactile recently when around others. Only reaching out to their fellow first years when their small group was in Ramshackle or away from prying eyes.

Jack didn’t remember the other students – especially the Housewardens – being so eager to touch others until the Prefect was there, and then suddenly they all stood a little too close and touched just a little too long for it to be comfortable or casual.

If it was happening and the Prefect just didn’t feel like they could say anything about it…if they felt afraid to say something about it to the very influential, very powerful upperclassmen…

The last bit of hesitation was swept away as he watched Leona continued to hang off the Prefect as their human gave awkward apologies and tried to leave, only finally giving in and letting go when they promised to come by to visit later. A clear attempt to escape the current situation and not a real desire to spend more time with the lion.

He watched the Prefect’s shoulders remain tense and expression strained until their gaze fell on the group. Instantly it was all wiped away. Their eyes lit up and a smile bloomed on their face as they picked up their pace to jog over to them. He watched the three Housewardens’s gazes remain on the Prefect, following their steps.

“Alright, I’m in.” he said softly, earning sharp nods from Sebek and Deuce while Ace and Epel flashed vicious grins.

“Hey guys! You didn’t have to wait for us!” the Prefect beamed as they reached them, Grim grumpily moving from their arms to their shoulders where he couldn’t sit before because of Leona.

“Yeah right, Ace and Deuce would eat everything before you got back if we didn’t.” Epel laughed, his viciousness from before no where in sight as he hooked his arm with the Prefect’s and started tugging them towards the cafeteria.

They all settled around them as they walked, falling into a comfortable pattern that Jack hadn’t even realized they had taken up. One that kept the Prefect safely in the middle where they were protected from any of the students that got it in their heads that they could try to still bully their friend…but he realized that maybe the others had started to do it to keep others away as well.

As Ace slung his arm around the Prefect’s shoulders – dislodging Grim and making the feline tumble into his partner’s arms with a curse – and how they were relaxed and their laughter bright instead of forced…Jack allowed his own doubts to disappear and he shared a glance with Sebek. The half-fae’s gaze told him that even though he had his duties and loyalty to his prince…he was willing to do what he had to, to protect their friend.

If the fanatic knight thought the situation serious enough to risk his position or prince’s favor…well Jack didn’t think there was any greater indicator that it was the right choice.

And he knew there were no others that he trusted more than Grim, Ace, Deuce, Epel, and Sebek to have the Prefect’s best interest at heart.

The next couple of days went by normally, though the first years did more to stay at the Prefect’s side and try to hinder any of the other students – especially the upper classmen – from having time alone with them. Ace, Deuce, and Sebek were surprisingly the best at this, easily playing ignorant to what the older ones were wanting and coming up with excuses to drag the Prefect away or remain stubbornly at their side.

They also planned and began taking steps to ensure that the unwanted attention and focus would stop, doing their best to keep it secret. Especially from the Prefect.

Some of the other upper classmen might have noticed, though, as a few were getting more and more brazen about their attempts. The eel twins were a couple of them, along with Jamil.

Thankfully, the one time Floyd and Jade had managed to corner the Prefect, Jack was with them and while the two eelmers weren’t afraid of Jack in the slightest, he stood a better chance of acting as a barrier to them than the humans of their group.

Jade’s smile had been as placid as ever – though his eyes sparked daggers – but Floyd made no attempt to hide the urge he was feeling to rip Jack’s throat out with his teeth.

The Prefect had promised they would see the twins at work before snagging Jack’s wrist and dragging him away as fast as they could.

“Man…Floyd’s really in a bad mood today.” They muttered wiping the nervous sweat from their brow when they finally turned enough corners that it didn’t feel like the two’s mirrored heterochrome eyes were following them.

“Thanks for staying with me, Jack. I know those two can be a bit intense.” They admitted sheepishly, turning an open and grateful expression up at him that made the wolf’s heart skip a beat as it always did.

“It’s fine. I’m not afraid of them.” He answered, feeling his chest warm when the Prefect let their hold shift to his hand to intertwine their fingers and began swinging it between them absently.

“Well you’re definitely braver than me.” They chuckled. “I mean, I know they wouldn’t do anything really bad but man, Floyd really doesn’t know his own strength sometimes.”

Jack’s expression hardened. “Has he hurt you before?”

“Hm? Oh, no, not really.” They said quickly. “I mean, not on purpose at least. He’s just really strong and I don’t think he realizes that humans are a lot squishier than merfolk.” They chuckled. “Sometimes he can get a little rough when he picks me up and stuff be he always apologizes and carries me around to make up for it.”

“I see.” Jack muttered, tail flicking back and forth in agitation.

The Prefect watched him for a moment, their expression turning concerned.

“Are you okay, Jack? Is something wrong?” they asked worried, their hand squeezing his lightly in reassurance. “You know you can tell me if something’s bothering you, right? I know I don’t have magic like you guys but I’ll help any way I can.”

The wolf’s ears twitched slightly before he stopped and promptly hauled the Prefect up to sit on his forearm, his other hand steadying against their waist.

“If you ever need someone to carry you just ask me or Sebek. We won’t mind.” He said simply as the Prefect blinked owlishly at him, a light blush dusting their cheeks.

“O-oh…okay.” They said, clearing their throat a little and looking away quickly.

“About time!” Ace called, causing them to look up to where Ace, Epel, and Sebek were waiting for them at the breakoff walkway that lead up to Ramshackle. “We’ve been waiting so long Deuce and Grim just decided to go and grab the snacks without us and meet us there.” He grinned.

“Hi, guys.” The Prefect smiled, giving a little wave.

“HUMAN! WHY IS JACK CARRYING YOU!? ARE YOU HURT!?” Sebek demanded, stepping over to them quickly and ignoring how they tried to ease his concern.

“I’m alright, really, Seb,” they chuckled as the half-fae began moving their limbs around a turning their head to make sure they didn’t have any obvious injuries. “Jack just offered to carry me since Floyd has kind of been in a bad mood.”

Ace rolled his eyes in disgust. “I swear, that psycho probably has bodies stashed somewhere to chew on when he gets hungry.” He snorted before grinning up at the Prefect as they turned and started making their way towards the more secluded dorm. “But don’t worry about him! We’ve got a movie night ahead of us!” he said pleased with himself as he pulled his bag off his shoulder and around the front so he could dig inside.

“My brother sent me some of our movies from home so I’ve got a great selection to choose from now.” He said pleased with himself as he pulled out a handful of cases to flash at them.

“Oh, cool! What did he send?” the Prefect asked, reaching down to accept the ones Ace passed up to them, not bothered by Jack still carrying them and just shifting their weight a little more against his shoulder so they could look through the movies without losing balance.

There were actually a good range of genres and the red head had even more still in his bag so they were all pretty excited to get to watch them. Sebek hadn’t seen any of them – stage theater being more common in Briar Valley - and there were some even Epel hadn’t gotten to watch yet. Jack had seen all but one, but insisted he didn’t have any problem with watching some over. Especially if the others would like them.

Once they reached Ramshackle, the Prefect let them in and they all began working together to rearrange the front room how they always did when they had sleep overs.

Mattresses from unused bedrooms upstairs had been brought down and kept in one of the side closets, ready to be pulled out and pushed together in front of the fireplace. They moved the couches out of the way and shoved the coffee table to the side but close enough to put their snacks on and situate the laptop that Ace always brought to watch the movies on.

Epel and Ace helped the Prefect bring down the many blankets and pillows that they kept clean just in case any of them wanted to stay the night outside of weekends while Sebek got the fire sorted and put the grate up around it.

Grim and Ace were active sleepers and after they had almost rolled over into the flames more than once – despite there being plenty of room between them – and the group had quickly learned to not forget it.

By the time Deuce and Grim returned, the room was all set and they were all changing into their pajamas, the Prefect running upstairs to grab theirs.

“Did you get what we needed?” Epel asked the blue haired boy while Ace and Grim pulled out the snacks to set out and get the popcorn started.

Deuce nodded, a sharp, pleased grin pulling on his lips as he flashed his phone.

“You’d be surprised what people say around you when they think you’re an idiot.” He shrugged.

There were certain societal things that Deuce didn’t understand or catch onto. It was something he shared with Sebek. But he hadn’t been a delinquent for years, broke the law without getting caught, and then get accepted into the most prestigious school for magic users without his own skills and acumen.

Many forgot about that though, and saw him not getting jokes or struggling with dyslexia and assumed he was an idiot.

The lavender haired boy quickly took the phone and began copying all the information, pictures, and videos over to his own and then making another copy to keep on a memory card for backup.

“I really wouldn’t.” he snorted with derision. “People underestimate me all the time because of how I look.” He pointed out, earning a comforting pat on the shoulder from Jack.

The Pomefiore boy flashed the wolf a smile before returning to his work. “Besides, it works in our favor. I was able to get what I needed too. Ace already got me his.” He explained, earning a nod from them.

Jack crossed his arms over his chest, purposefully listening for the sound of the Prefect’s footsteps heading downstairs again. They didn’t want to worry the stressed dimension traveler more than they already were. He might not have really liked having to take sneaky measures to keep their human safe, but he certainly didn’t want to do it in a way that would just add to the Prefect’s problems.

His tail swished tensely as he went over his own part of the plan.

“I did what you said. I think I made it sound natural, but Ruggie might be on to me.” He admitted.

Ace snorted as he returned to the room with Grim on his shoulder while he and Sebek carried large bowls of popcorn.

“Don’t worry about Bucchi.” He waved off the concern. “He might dance to Leona’s tune but he won’t put himself in a position of risk. Not after how close it all went to shit the last time he put faith in someone.” Ace understood Ruggie better than most, after all, seeing the same sharp selfishness and willingness to drop anyone at a moment’s notice should it benefit him.

He also saw the same greed and desire in his eyes but the difference was that Ace was willing to do something about it where Ruggie stayed to the shadows and only made moves when it couldn’t fall back on him.

He was smart, but a coward.

Ace knew he wasn’t a threat no matter how much Ruggie might want the Prefect for himself, or be willing to help Leona if it meant he would share them.

“Worry about the hyena?” Grim asked, brow furrowing from where he dropped down onto the mattress pallet beside Epel. “Why would we care about what that dog is up to?”

“Hyenas are actually closer to fel-“ “Jack, no one cares.” Ace rolled his eyes, though his tone didn’t hold the acid it did when he insulted anyone outside their group.

Jack shot him a glare but didn’t bother arguing back and just accepted when the red head pushed the large bowl into his hands.

“We’re setting up a plan to get everyone off of your henchman’s back.” Ace explained to the monster, who’s ears perked up instantly.

“Oh, yeah? Count me in!” he said instantly, actually pausing from where he had started to root around in the candy bag. “Those guys are getting way too close to my human! They all act like I’m a stupid cat that doesn’t see what they’re trying to get away with!” he snapped, electric blue eyes narrowing as his forked tail sliced through the air.

“Exactly.” Ace nodded, his grin widening and gaining a dangerous sharpness that Jack only ever saw on predators stalking their prey. “We’re going to fix that.”

“Uh huh.” Grim said dryly, leveling a knowing look on the red head. “I’m all for it but why should I trust you guys when you want the same thing as them?”

Epel actually threw his head back at that and laughed while Deuce and Sebek looked thoroughly shocked and Ace seemed somewhat impressed.

“Because, Grim,” Jack said seriously as the others recovered.

He had suspected that Grim realized more than he was letting on.

“We love the Prefect and you know we would do anything for them.” His tone even despite the somewhat embarrassing admittance. “We were willing to wait and let the Prefect decide what they wanted for themselves, but the others…they aren’t going to be patient forever and some are already trying to use underhanded means to force them into something they don’t want.”

“JACK IS CORRECT! IT IS UNACCEPTABLE!” Sebek declared angrily, taking a moment to settle his voice down a little when Deuce tapped him lightly on the wrist to let him know his volume was louder than he intended. “If the Prefect liked any of them in a romantic way it would be different.” He added, spine straight and eyes narrowed dangerously. “But they do not, as is obvious in their actions, and yet the filth proceed to force themselves on our friend! We will stand for it no longer!”

“The point is, Grim,” Ace said with a nod to Sebek’s words. “Is that you know we would never force the Prefect to do anything they didn’t want to do. As long as they are here, though, they are going to be a target. They attract people even when they don’t mean to. It’s just the kind of person they are. Especially in this place. You can’t protect them on your own, so you’ve got to make a choice. Help us keep them safe, or risk any or all of the others managing to hurt them again.”

“Do you trust them or us?” Epel asked, finally finished with the phone and handing it back to Deuce.

“Who does the Prefect trust?” the blue haired boy added as a final point.

The monster took a long moment as he eyed each of them in turn, clearly debating seriously over what they were saying and what might come from this. He wasn’t human, wasn’t any of the humanoid races that were even similar to his henchman. There was quite a bit of human-humanlike society that he didn’t understand and didn’t want to understand.

But if there was one thing that monsters did know it was greed and gluttony. Always wanting more. Always wanting what they didn’t have.

He saw that same look in the students of NRC and it was all leveled at his partner.

His henchman.

“I’ll agree to this with the condition that you understand that the Prefect belongs to me. You do whatever you’re planning, have whatever weird human relationship with them that you want, but they are mine and you are not going to be trying to replace me.” He said lowly, a growl in the back of his throat and sharp teeth glinting in the low light.

For an instant, the image of raging blue fire and screams of agony and fear flashed through Jack’s brain but was gone as fast as it came.

Sometimes he forgot just how little they knew of Grim and what he could ultimately be capable of.

Ace didn’t seem to care, though, and just met the dangerous smile with his own.

“You stop trying to cockblock us and you’ve got yourself a deal.” He chuckled lowly, causing Jack to sputter and Sebek to let out an awkward squawk and began babbling denials in a language that none of them understood.

Grim’s nose wrinkled but he finally snorted and looked away. “Gross, but fine.” He said before leveling that heavy gaze on the red head once more. “But if any of you try something my henchman doesn’t want or like I’ll roast you myself.”

Jack absolutely believed him.

Ace’s grin didn’t waver and Epel flashed one of his brilliant, completely fake smiles that Vil forced him to practice in the mirror.

“Wonderful, then we’re all in agreement!” he said cheerfully.

“Agreement for what?” the Prefect’s voice interrupted them and Jack couldn’t help but tense, the fur on his tail puffing up as he had been so distracted by Grim’s words that he hadn’t continued to listen for their return.

“Sorry I took so long, I wanted to clean up a bit before changing.” They admitted sheepishly.

“Oh! We think we should start with the scifi trilogy.” Ace said without skipping a beat, any of the earlier emotions wiped clean from his smile. “The superhero series is like, insanely long so we should probably start that last.”

The Prefect hopped down the last few steps eagerly with their own smile as they threw themself into the mass of blankets and pillows with a laugh.

“That sounds great! That’s the one with the cool light up swords, right?” they beamed, gathering Grim in their arms and settling themself down between Jack and Epel.

“Yup! They’re super cool and manly!” Epel met their excitement as they all settled into their cuddle pile to start the movie.

When they were finally situated, Jack was leaning back against the couch with his legs draped over Deuce’s hip – who preferred laying down while watching movies together – with the Prefect laying back against his shoulder while snuggled into Epel’s lap.

Ace was draped over the lavender haired boy’s shoulders comfortably with his chin resting near his neck, while Sebek – who’s knight training made it difficult to feel at east unless he was able to react in a moment’s notice – was on Jack’s other side where he could lean against him but was also not held down and was positioned between them and the doors and windows.

The Prefect absently ran their fingers through Deuce’s hair where his pillow was laying on Epel’s outstretched legs at their hip, while their other hand idly brushed up and down Grim’s back where he was curled up contently in their lap and munching on the popcorn.

The movies were good, but they didn’t really matter in the end as the group just basked in the feeling of comfort and warmth that only ever felt complete when they were all together.

It was a feeling that hung heavy around them even when most of them had fallen asleep during the third film.

Sebek had to help Ace cover the others up from where they had all migrated into laying positions on the mattresses, tangled together so that it was difficult to tell where one ended and another began.

The red head took the time for one last chance to take in how cute the Prefect looked curled into Jack’s chest with Epel plastered to their back and his nose buried into their neck while Deuce’s arm was thrown haphazardly over them. With Grim sprawled out near the Prefect’s head and Sebek sleeping with his back pressed against Jack’s and facing the door and windows as always – his sheathed sword in easy reach – he couldn’t help but admit that it made his heart flutter with feelings he didn’t even think himself capable of.

Yes, he decided.

This was how things were meant to be.

And they were going to make sure it stayed that way.

Grabbing his shoes, he silently slipped them back on and tucked his phone into his pocket before tiptoeing towards the door. He nodded at Sebek – who’s near glowing eyes tracked his movements before returned it in silent understanding – and then slipped out into the darkness.

The upperclassmen were going to find out exactly what happened to anyone that threatened what they had. Threatened their Prefect. Threatened any of them.

Ace knew better than to risk what he cared about, and he didn’t play fair.

None of them did.

And he was willing to do more than just draw blood.

=========================

Hope you guys like it! I might be continuing this but I can't promise, it'll depend on if I can come up with the next part and make it work how I want or not.

@love-thanatopsis

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

Text

REPLACEABLE

One-sided Kalim/Jamil. Hints of Kalim/Jamil/Prefect

================

Since he was old enough to comprehend what the words meant, Kalim knew he was replaceable.

He was the eldest of his siblings but he had more than thirty to take his place should something ever happen to him. The Scalding Sands’ prince might have been his cousin – and therefore technically placed him in the line of succession – but Yasmeen had eleven siblings of his own and even if the worst happened, one of his little brothers or sisters would have easily been able to take the throne with little fuss.

Kalim knew he was replaceable, and he was okay with that.

His parents loved him and his father was always smiling even when he rarely got to spend much time with him outside of training to take over the family business and name. His siblings cared for him – or at least he hoped they did – and he had decided long ago that he didn’t want to live his life in constant fear and suspicion of those around him.

If he got sick often while at home when he wasn’t able to eat Jamil’s food, well he simply had a delicate constitution.

If the times that he was successfully kidnapped happened on the watch of the guards he trusted and grew up with, well no one could be aware and perfect at all times. It was simply a coincidence that one of the guards, Rishid, happened to have been the one watching him that day and Rishid had recently been spending more time around his father’s fifth wife, Muneera, who’s daughter was the eldest of his siblings. Rishid, had known him since he was a boy and had taught him how to swim. Rishid would never hurt him.

Kalim was replaceable and that was okay…but the thought of just who might want to harm him hurt.

So, he didn’t think about it.

If he didn’t think about it and continued to trust and do his best for the family and business then even when someone succeeded at killing him, it might not hurt as much.

Because Kalim was alright with being replaceable.

What Kalim was not alright with, was others thinking JAMIL was replaceable.

Kalim had never known a world where Jamil wasn’t at his side. Where the dark haired boy wouldn’t be there to hold his hand when he felt alone in large crowds, or catch him when he would stumble over awkward feet. He was the singular anchor in the sandstorm that sometimes felt like his life.

When studies that were too far above his level made him want to cry – because would even his parents see him as replaceable if he didn’t measure up? – Jamil would help him through it. He would sit at his side with more patience than even his highly paid tutors and used explanations that actually made sense to him. Jamil would read to him aloud so he wouldn’t be forced to read more of the endless legal texts and tiny print that made his head hurt after long hours pouring over them. Jamil would give him soft words of encouragement when it felt like too much.

Jamil was trained to fight men three times their size but Kalim was more in awe in the way he moved when he danced. So fluid and confident, free and with an energy that filled Kalim’s chest and made his heart ache with the need to express just how much he admired his best friend. How he could so easily learn subjects after a single explanation. How he could see hidden threads in the world around them, knew how to skillfully walk them like a tightrope as he balanced the precarious position he lived in.

And it was precarious.

Kalim might not have understood when they were little. Didn’t know that Jamil wasn’t always at his side because he chose to be but because he was chosen to be.

He learned.

He learned the first time Jamil’s newly appointed task of ‘taste tester’ had sent his friend to the floor in convulsions, lips blue and eyes clouded over in pain and fear.

He learned that ‘taste tester’ didn’t mean that he was checking for the quality of the dish.

‘Taste tester’ meant Jamil was a last defense. A sacrifice to take the dangers against Kalim for himself.

Because, to the rest of the world, Jamil was an acceptable loss if it meant keeping Kalim alive.

If Kalim was replaceable, Jamil was even more so.

It wouldn’t even be that drastic of a change, after all, since Jamil had a little sister Najma. Surely Kalim could enjoy her company as much. She was a Viper too. She had promise and could be trained like Jamil.

No one would care if the change had to be made. It wouldn’t even register as more than an annoying change in schedule.

But Jamil wasn't replaceable.

Not to Kalim.

He didn’t understand how anyone could look at Jamil, look at how talented and amazing he was, at all he could do and all he could become with his own abilities alone and not because of his family, and not understand the tragedy that would be his death.

Kalim didn’t want to live in a world where Jamil wasn’t there.

Kalim’s world would end if Jamil wasn’t there.

Because Jamil wasn't replaceable.

Not like Kalim.

But Kalim was powerless.

For those two weeks as he refused to move from Jamil’s bedside and cling to his still hand, he had never realized just how powerless he truly was.

He could have anything he wanted but what he wanted more than anything was for Jamil to be safe and happy.

But he had no control over that. Not yet at least. Not until he was the head of the family. Not until he took over for his father and was able to make changes.

He had to wait because, unlike Jamil, everything impressive about him came from his name. His station.

He swore to the Seven, that if they would help save Jamil, help him wake up from a coma that had been meant for HIM, that he would use every ounce of that power to change things. He would use it all to free Jamil, to ensure he would never have to be forced into anything he didn’t want to be, ever again. He would give Jamil everything he had if he would just wake up.

When Jamil’s eyes finally, weakly, fluttered open, Kalim sobbed so hard in relief he almost threw up and it was only Jamil letting him curl up in the bed beside him that soothed him enough to calm down.

From then on Kalim did everything he could to show Jamil how much he appreciated him. How much he loved him.

He complimented him anytime that Jamil did something that amazed him – which was always – and he made sure that told his parents as often as possible just how good Jamil was at protecting him, at making food, at everything that could possibly want him to do. He never wanted them to question if Jamil was good enough, if he could be thrown away or replaced. If he made sure his parents knew that Jamil was the best then maybe they would do what they could to keep him safe too.

If they knew how happy Jamil made Kalim, they wouldn’t risk losing him.

It was just a coincidence that Muneera admitted suddenly to having used the poison that had nearly killed Jamil, leading to her being jailed and divorced. It was a coincidence that Rishid came clean about his affair with the woman and was fired. Kalim’s sister and brothers by the fifth wife weren’t blamed, but they made sure to avoid them anytime Jamil was with him.

It was a coincidence that, only a couple months before, Jamil had secretly learned his Unique Magic Snake Whisper, having murmured the fact to Kalim one night in a moment of rare eagerness and pride.

It was a coincidence and even if it wasn’t Kalim would never blame Jamil for anything.

There wasn’t anything that Jamil could do that Kalim wouldn’t forgive him for.

Because Kalim was replaceable, but Jamil wasn’t.

When Jamil was accepted into Night Raven College, Kalim was relieved and excited for his friend.

It would mean that the other teen wouldn’t be constantly in danger. Wouldn’t have to hold himself back like Kalim knew he did. Kalim knew Jamil better than anyone, it was impossible to miss what all his dearest person did to keep himself in the shadows. To be as innocuous as possible and ignored.

All he did to survive.

Maybe at Night Raven College he would be safe.

Kalim was sad, of course, to be away from the other. It was like a hole had been carved into his heart. Like he was missing a part of him, and for the first two weeks it was near impossible to sleep.

He texted his friend daily and he tried to ignore the hurt that came when they were never even read let alone returned.

It was alright, Jamil was safe and probably busy. Kalim was happy for him. He hoped that Jamil enjoyed school. Hoped he would tell him all about it when he came home for holidays. What it was like to be around other kids their age that weren’t warned by their parents to be nice to them. To not live in a home where ‘taste testers’ were needed.

It was almost a month and a half after Jamil had gone off to school that an assassin got past Kalim’s guards.

Kalim managed to be healed without a scar, but it was the closest anyone had gotten in years, and his father decided he had to try and do something about them.

In the meantime Kalim would be sent to Night Raven College to be with Jamil.

The news made the attack and injuries absolutely worth it in Kalim’s eyes, and his eagerness left him in a flurry of energy while he planned and helped his father set up the funding for a rebuild of the Scarabia dorm that he would be joining.

It was Jamil’s dorm, after all, where else would he go?

When he finally saw Jamil again when they arrived at the school he didn’t even attempt to hold himself back as he all but flew at the taller teen, throwing his arms around him and feeling the poisonous anxiety in his lungs finally start to seep away.

He was with Jamil again, where he belonged, and things would be okay.

If Jamil was perhaps just the slightest bit colder than he used to be, Kalim chocked it up to the separation and having settled in with new friends. Friends that Kalim was excited to meet! Anyone that could appreciate Jamil was a good person in his book!

He didn’t really get why he was placed as Housewarden, but if it meant one less thing for Jamil to have to worry about he would do his best. He wasn’t as good at organization as his father but he tried. He wanted Jamil and his new friends to be happy. To be able to enjoy their school life.

The dorm was not really what he would have chosen for himself – they were all very focused and diligent and more serious than what he though was good for them – but he did his best to get along with everyone. He threw parties to help them destress from studying, tried to make sure that everyone was cared for or if they needed anything.

He knew Jamil liked cooking – even though the teen didn’t really like to admit to liking anything – so when Jamil started making all the food for the parties he thought it was just what the other boy wanted. If Jamil was cooking, then there wasn’t a risk of him being poisoned, after all. He would hardly blame him for not wanting to risk it.

It wasn’t like Jamil couldn’t have just made food for the two of them, though, and have others make the rest. Ghosts took care of a lot of the running of the school after all, and he knew they must help out the other dorms in similar ways too, so it never occurred to him that Jamil would take on all the responsibilities himself.

He just assumed that Jamil would delegate like Kalim’s father always taught him to.

He also didn’t understand why Jamil was holding back his grades.

If anyone knew how intelligent Jamil was, it was Kalim, but any time he brought it up Jamil would shrug it off or make an excuse.

Kalim praised him more, wanting to make sure his friend understood just how highly he thought about him. How much Jamil meant to him. How much he wanted to make a happy future for them. He would make sure Jamil never had to worry about anything ever again.

Jamil didn’t stop hiding his grades, but Kalim tried his best not to push him, just made to assure everyone that Jamil really was the smartest. He was the best and he didn’t want them to misunderstand his friend with how he was having to present himself.

As the second year began, however, Kalim was distracted by the appearance of the new Ramshackle Prefect.

Jamil seemed wary of them, but Kalim thought they were nice. Friendly and kind in a way that few people he knew were. They were like a balm and Kalim was grateful to become friends with them.

They didn’t know anything about his family after all, didn’t know anything about Jamil’s ‘position’ and therefore wouldn’t misjudge him. They seemed to like the both of them too! Which was nice!

Jamil, of course, didn’t show anything but a polite mask, but Kalim could tell that his friend didn’t mind the Prefect being around as much as some of the others.

It was great! Kalim could have more parties and invite the Prefect and Grim to join them and Jamil might even smile more. His real smiles, not the fake ones. He tried making sure Jamil knew that he liked the Prefect too and wanted them to be around more. He wanted Jamil to feel comfortable inviting them over himself if he wanted. He wanted Jamil to know he approved and liked the Prefect.

Coincidentally Kalim started losing track of time.

He would be somewhere, or doing something, usually talking or trying to find Jamil, and then he would be somewhere else. He didn’t understand and thought, perhaps he was studying too much.

The other Scarabia students started trying to stay away from him.

Kalim tried not to let it hurt, he had thought they were friends after all, but he was used to people playing nice because they had to and he wasn’t going to make them if they didn’t want to be around him.

Instead he hung around Jamil as much as possible and the Prefect whenever he could manage to pull them away from whatever the Headmage had them doing.

It wasn’t so bad, after all. He used to only have Jamil as his friend and now he had two. The Prefect never treated Jamil like he was less than Kalim.

Never saw him as replaceable.

For that alone Kalim would have done anything for the Prefect.

He began to lose more time, though.

A strange haze over his mind made it all feel a bit off but he couldn’t quite figure why and any time he tried to voice his thoughts it was as if his tongue had glued itself to the roof of his mouth.

Jamil stopped smiling at him.

Something in Kalim’s chest was hurting and he didn’t know why. His heart was aching for something to do something but he didn’t know what. His thoughts slipped away from him and many times there was a hint of a memory, of Jamil holding his chin.

Of glowing red eyes.

Kalim would forgive Jamil anything.

Kalim would give Jamil anything.

It never occurred to him that Jamil didn’t want anything from him.

That to Jamil, Kalim was no better than the rest of his family, than the rest of the world that saw him as nothing but a breathing shield.

Kalim didn’t understand how Jamil could possibly not see just how much Kalim loved him. How much he was willing to give for him.

Maybe he did.

Maybe Jamil didn’t care.

Kalim was replaceable, after all.

It only made sense that he would be replaceable to Jamil, too.

But Kalim would do anything for Jamil and even though Jamil didn’t want to admit it, Jamil cared for the Prefect. He wouldn’t want the Prefect to be hurt. Kalim didn’t want the Prefect hurt.

So, when Jamil, in the blinding rage of Overblot, turned on the one person that couldn’t be replaced in his heart, Kalim threw himself between them.

Kalim didn’t mind the pain. It was worth it if he could protect the Prefect. Protect who Jamil cared for.

He wondered if the fire in his veins was the same feeling that Jamil had suffered through for him in their youth. He hoped not.

It would be fitting if it was, though.

Kalim didn’t mind the poison if it would make up for how he had hurt Jamil.

He didn’t even notice when he had collapsed or when Jamil and the Prefect were at his side. He should have noticed, though, as being held so close and so gently by Jamil was the only thing he had ever truly wanted. He didn’t notice what had happened in between, though something obviously had.

Jamil was roughed up and bruised but no longer insane with blot and the Prefect was thankfully uninjured.

He was glad, he had finally done something right.

Jamil’s voice sounded wrong, though. He couldn’t understand it. Couldn’t understand any of the voices or yelling going on around him.

But Jamil’s voice sounded wrong in a way that tore at his heart and the expression on his face was one that Kalim had never seen before. He couldn’t comprehend what it meant for such a desperate and horrified expression to be worn by Jamil.

Had he failed? Had he managed to screw up again and cause Jamil even more pain after trying so hard to prevent it?

That’s not what Kalim had wanted!

Things really would have been better for Jamil if he never existed.

At least now, whatever it was that had upset Jamil, could be solved by the Prefect. The Prefect could take care of Jamil and make him happy. Could do what Kalim couldn’t.

Because in the end, Kalim had only ever been replaceable.

=====================

I wanted to do an introspective on Kalim and this happened. :( I love my little sunshine. I want to give him all the cuddles. It's kind of an open ending? You can decide what happens on if Kalim survives or not and if anything develops between him, Jamil, and the Prefect.

Hope you like it! Tell me what you think. <3

#pinkskytwst #twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #scarabia #disney twst #kalim twst #kalim al asim #jamil viper #jamil twst #kalim x jamil #one sided love #maybe?#hints at possible poly

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

Text

School Unity: Octavinelle

Octatrio/Prefect (Yuu,MC,OC) Romantic Poly

SCHOOL UNITY: Octavinelle

“Wow, Jade, you’ve really outdone yourself with this one.” The Prefect said as they trailed their fingers over the shimmery, lavender fabric of the ‘uniform’ that he had created for them.

“Why thank you, darling, I am rather proud of it.” He chuckled, leaning down a little and smiling at their lover with an expectant gaze.

Rolling their eyes fondly, the human leaned up to place a kiss on the corner of his mouth as a reward, causing the eelmer’s smile to widen. He reached out and tucked a strand of their hair behind their ear lovingly.

“I had to ensure that we were able to show off the magnificence of Octavinelle properly. It would be remis of me to do anything less.” He said, pulling away again and going to retrieve the shoes and accessories that would finish off the outfit. “Now why don’t you change and I can help you with the details, yes?”

“Hey! I wanna help Koebi-chan change!” Floyd pouted, rocking himself to his feet from where he was sitting on one of the couches in Azul’s office.

“Floyd the last time you ‘helped’ me I had bite marks on my shoulders for days.” They said dryly but couldn’t hide the small smile from their lips when the other twin draped himself over their shoulders.

It was a good thing they were used to the action and getting better at being able to hold up against the full weight of the eelmer when he decided that smooshing them was the most effective way to show his affection.

“Yeah, but it’s the best way to show all those little anemones that you’re ours!” he complained.

“And what about those that they definitely can’t see?” the Prefect pointed out with an amused huff.

“Oh, those are just for fun.”

They chuckled at Floyd’s…everything and just shook their head.

“I guess you can help-as long as you don't leave any marks.” They said firmly, reaching back to poke Floyd in the cheek as he was already trying to nibble on their neck lightly.

“Of course, Koebi-chan!” he said happily, very enthusiastic about helping them strip.

The Prefect smiled at his antics but didn’t argue as he assisted them – even if he did leave a couple of bite marks. They would be covered by the outfit, so they let it slide.

Floyd did, actually, do a good job in helping them dress as it was fancier than they were used to, and once they had everything but their shoes on Jade led them over to the little station they had set up just for instances like this. Azul was really getting into this promotion idea, after all, and while he promised a private dressing room for their lover it would take a little while before the adjustments and renovation could be made. Until then he didn’t want them to change and get ready in the general staff locker room where anyone could possibly walk in or take advantage.

Jade let them sit on the velvet bench seat and took his place in front of them as he began organizing the different tools and make up he would be using for that night’s ‘look’.

“You know I don’t mind doing this on my own, right?” They said fondly, using a cloth headband to pull their head back from their face and accept the towel that Floyd handed them to drape around their front so nothing got onto the clothes.

The more reserved twin just chuckled.

“I am aware, angelfish, but I enjoy taking care of you.” He said, pulling out a cleansing wipe to start gently moving it over their cheeks. “And I do so love having you so obedient and docile to me, after all.” He purred lower, leaning in to steal another quick kiss before finishing up the first step.

The Prefect peeked an eye open.

“I suppose I can allow it. If it’s you.” They replied with a playful grin.

“Very magnanimous of you, my dear, thank you.” He chuckled before starting on the make up routine that had been decided for the night.

He was just blending the shades of lavender and violet along their eyelids, his free hand gently holding their chin, when a knock came at the door.

“Come in!” The Prefect called but remained still as Azul stepped into the office and closed the door behind him.

“How are you feeling, my pearl?” the young man smiled, going to their side and pressing a light kiss on their ear so as not to mess up any of Jade’s work. “Nervous? Would you like anything before you go out?”

“I think I’m good.” They said, holding their hand up so Azul could take it and giving it a small squeeze. “And you’re sure that only three is enough? I can probably handle another.”

“Of course, it is, darling. We’ve been having the Pomefiore student that I conn-made an agreement with playing the piano for tonight so three songs are more than plenty as a special treat to share some of our wonderful Octavinelle culture with the customers.” He assured them.

“I don’t know if I’m that much of an example of Octavinelle’s ‘culture’.” They pointed out dryly.

“Nonsense, Octavinelle is not only for merfolk. We house humans as well and there are even a couple of fae and therianthropes.” The octomer pointed out with a small wave of his hand. “It is quite common for our students to have a talent for music, however, and as the Sea Witch was well known for her voice as much as she was her benevolence and power, it is only right that we utilize this for the promotion.”

“Uh huh, and this has nothing to do with what happened during the Savanaclaw night.”

“Not at all, my pearl, while I admit that the night dedicated to the Savanaclaw dorm was more…rambunctious than I had expected I know you are fully capable of handling yourself.”

“Mm hm, and the fact that the students involved in the fight just so happened to show up in the infirmary with multiple broken bones the day after is a coincidence.”

“I don’t know what you mean, dearest of my heart.” He said, kissing their fingers gently. “But really, it’s hardly surprising that young men who are so wild as to not be able to keep their brawling from harming those around them would end up getting into more trouble than they can handle.”

The Prefect sighed a little.

“Leona-senpai, Kalim-senpai, and Riddle-senpai have already apologized for their house members. I’m sure it won’t be happening again.” The reminded him gently.

“Which is why those students only suffered broken bones.” Jade said simply, moving on to their lips and adding lip moisturizer before applying the lipstick in the same shade as the eyeshadow.

“Please don’t kill anyone just because they fell into me.”

“Oi, they did more than that, Koebi-chan!” Floyd said from the couch again, absently flipping through his phone, a frown marring his expression. “They didn’t even try to help you or check if you were alright and Jade had to pick those pieces of broken glasses out of your arm before we could heal it. They’re lucky I didn’t turn them into fish food!” he growled.

“We certainly would never allow you to be put in a difficult situation by being caught harming another student in retaliation for something they did to you.” Azul ‘assured’ them smoothly.

They sent the octomer a knowing look, telling him silently that they didn’t miss his choice of wording before just accepting what had happened and moving on. Too much happened there in NRC for them to get hung up over every little incident. They would have gray hair by the end of the week.

Even if those incidents involved students their lovers maimed for looking at them wrong.

“There, you are finished, my dear.” Jade smiled, finally pulling back.

“Wonderful!” Azul clapped his hands together, glad to change the subject. “And just in time for you to take the stage.”

The Prefect smiled, removing the towel and accepting Azul’s hand to stand from the bench.

“Aa, one last thing, however, my pearl.” The housewarden smiled, pulling a box from his coat pocket.

He opened it and passed the box off to Jade as he took out and showed their lover the beautiful and obviously VERY expensive hair comb that was inside. It was decorated with small branches of coral, seashells, and even a small starfish along with the largest and most luxurious pearl that they could imagine.

Their eyes widened as they took in the shimmering colors and elegance of the piece of jewelry.

“Azul! This is- this is beautiful but you shouldn’t spend so much on something like this for me.” They flushed darkly.

It was still hard sometimes to even accept the clothes the trio would buy them because they knew the Prefect couldn’t waste money on such things.

“Now, now, angelfish,” he chuckled, stepping closer and lovingly maneuvering the other’s hair into place so they could secure the comb just above their ear.

He trailed his gloved fingertips down the curve of said ear before also turning to pull a necklace from the same box and leaning in to secure it around their neck.

“We have an agreement.” He purred lowly, using a single finger to lift their chin to meet his gaze. “I don’t bribe the headmaster into moving you out of that sorry excuse for a dorm and into Octavinelle where you belong, and you allow me to help ensure your standard of living is up to my discretion. Ensuring you are properly showered with the gifts you deserve is part of that.”

The Prefect pouted slightly but was really too flustered and charmed to fight him as they reached up to lightly finger the elegant, golden shell pendant that set exactly on their collar bone. It was obviously just as expensive as the comb and clearly modeled after the pendant of the sea witch that their dorm was named after.

“Does this mean I’m supposed to be your queen for tonight?” they teased weakly, earning a chuckle from the two and it was only Jade holding Floyd back that kept him from throwing himself at them and wrapping them in his arms.

“I would say it would be rather fitting. You do have us under your spell, after all.” Azul replied easily and leaned in to place another kiss against their ear.

“Now, my dearest, I am quite excited to experience your performance.” He said, placing a hand on the small of their back and leading them out of the office and through the back corridor that lead to the little stage in the lounge that was usually left empty with the piano but was now set up for them as well.

They huffed lightly. “You’ve seen me practice.”

“Yes, but now we get to watch and see everyone else’s expressions as they marvel at the treasured jewel that you are.” Azul smiled.

The Prefect lightly elbowed him in the side.

“Don’t fluster me before I have to go on.” They chided, but their tone held no actual annoyance and so the octomer just chuckled.

They reached the backstage area and Azul placed one final kiss on their crown before pulling back.

“We will be watching and if anything happens or you change your mind just walk off stage and back here. We will take care of it.” He said, comfortingly.

As much as he had planned for this promotion night he still knew that they had never properly performed in front of an audience before and if it was too much or they felt overwhelmed he would certainly prefer they step away than to force themself through an uncomfortable experience.

The obvious and ready offer melted the Prefect’s heart and the felt their shoulders relax a little and a warm smile to bloom on their face.

“Thank you, Azul. I promise I’ll enchant them.” They chuckled, leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek before waving him off. “Now shoo. I’ll see you after.”

It was impossible to miss the absolute adoration and love that filled Azul’s gaze and it warmed their chest pleasantly.

“I have no doubt you will.” He whispered before giving a charming bow and turning on his heels to join the tweels out in the lounge where they could have a good seat for the advertised performance that had filled their restaurant even more than the previous nights.

Their table was at the back of the lounge where they could watch the whole room, but still positioned so they could see the stage clearly. Azul took his seat in between Jade and Floyd, accepting the tea that his vice-housewarden passed him. He watched as the Pomefiore student playing the piano finished his song and then nodded at one of the other workers.

Instantly the lights lowered, and a spotlight was placed on the stage as the Prefect stepped out.

“This time I get to be the one who gets to peel their clothes off.” Floyd said in a half whisper to them, arms behind his head but eyes focused intently on their lover.

It really was a very flattering outfit. Styled with the Octavinelle’s uniforms in mind, the top was designed as blazer of sorts that cinched in at the waist with a belt in their signature lavender silk. Shimmering shells and jewels decorated the shoulders and faded down the front collar. It was designed to reveal a strip of skin traveling all the way down to their stomach but covered enough to still be elegant and not over the edge of too risqué. The sleeves were open and hung down behind them as violet lace elbow gloves in swirling wave patterns covered their hands and arms. Underneath the blazer was a couple of layers of lavender, gossamer chiffon that were cut and twisted in a way that gave the illusion of jellyfish tentacles. The ‘pants’ of the outfit were form-fitting and made of the same violet lace as the gloves but the pattern became denser up their thighs until no skin was visible. The shoes were heels in black with violet detailing and were shaped like tentacles that were crawling up the Prefect’s ankles.

With the addition to the jewelry, beautiful hair, and enhancing makeup, their lover was entrancing to say the least.

The Prefect’s entrance earned claps, cheers, and a few cat-calls (Azul took note of those students) and the Prefect smiled, giving a playful, little curtsy before reaching for the microphone set up in front of them.

“Good evening, everyone and welcome to the Mostro Lounge’s celebration in honor of Octavinelle and the great Sea Witch Ursula. We hope you have enjoyed the menu created with this in mind and as a special homage to our inspiring patroness we have prepared a small performance for you. We hope you enjoy.”

The crowd clapped loudly before settling down as the Pomefiore retreated from the stage to start up the recorded music for the Prefect’s song.

A jazzy saxophone started up a swinging tempo and a moment later the Prefect’s voice joined.

Time seems to be evolvin' here on out.

My dreary days have turned to playgrounds,

In oh so many ways.

Right now I get to be my own boss,

Work my own hours and I get to hang with this lot.

Plenty of space to invigorate, my soul and finally breathe.

Their voice was smooth and clear, certainly talented enough for performing despite their hesitance.

Azul meant to watch the audience, revel in their longing for the amazing and breathtaking Prefect that had chosen them – chose HIM – over the many admirers that would give anything to the chance. He HAD heard them sing before, after all, while they practiced, so he wouldn’t be missing out.

When the Prefect started to sing, however, he found himself unable to drag his gaze away, struck by their brilliance as he always seemed to be at the most random of times.

The smallest things would just grab his attention and enrapture him out of no where and without warning, filling his chest with a bubbling warmth that pressed in and melded with the space in his heart where once only Jade and Floyd existed. The way their nose would scrunch up when reading over a magical text that they were struggling to comprehend. The way they lit up any time they got to see magic in action, no matter how small the use. The way they always tried Jade’s mushroom creations at least once – even if they knew they wouldn’t like the other ingredients – just because it made Jade happy. The way they stood up for Floyd when others would make comments about his chaotic personality and somewhat destructive tendencies, insisting that he was perfect exactly how he was. How they would visit him in the dead of night when they knew he was still up working just to bring him a snack and drinks all the way from Ramshackle because they knew he had already forced Jade to go to bed.

All of it, everything they did, just made Azul so indescribably thankful that they had the chance to meet and the Prefect had been willing to not only accept the trio as they were but love them each with a seemingly endless ferocity.

And for that he would create an empire that would ensure the the safety and comfort for the rest of their life just as they deserved. He would give them no reason to ever regret not choosing one of the multiple royals, celebrities, and rich heirs that would gladly accept them at any time.

No. The Prefect was theirs and it was his privilege to do what he had to in order to be able to place all of Twisted Wonderland in their hands should they ask for it.

As their lover’s song ended and transitioned into the next, Azul allowed himself to simply bask in the moment and engrave the sight into his memories.

Such a rare and valuable pearl deserved to be treasured after all.

=========================

Hope you guys liked part 2! I actually wanted to use this song I found on youtube that someone did an amazing animated-ish vid for the Octavinelle chapter of the game so here's a link to the vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgNsw5sCzVM

#pinkskytwst #twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #twst prefect #twst fanfic #azul ashengrotto #octavinelle #twst #disney twst #octatrio #jade leech #twst floyd #azul x jade x floyd x prefect #twst jade #twst azul #twst yuu #song fic #video link #gn reader

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

Text

Octavinelle

Octatrio/Prefect (Yuu,MC,OC) Romantic Poly

One-sided Riddle/Prefect

SCHOOL UNITY: Heartslabyul

“This is workplace harassment, you know.”

Azul let out one of his dramatic gasps, gloved hand placed over his heart as if the Prefect had landed a mortal blow.

“How could you say such a thing, my pearl?” he asked with a liberal tone of offense that he had to internally fight to keep when their beloved human’s expression remained a very unimpressed and very dry glare. “I am a merfolk of my word and I would certainly never break a term of contract, especially for my dearest employee!”

“I never agreed to this.” They said pointedly, crossing their arms over their chest and refusing to cooperate with how Jade was attempting to take their measurements.

“Aa, but you also didn’t NOT agree to it.” Azul said smoothly, flashing a charming smile. “You see, angelfish, your work contract includes the requirement for the approved uniform to be worn each shift that you are to be paid for.”

“This isn’t the uniform! I already HAVE my uniform and it’s not…THIS!” they threw their hands up into the air in frustration.

“You do have a set of our common uniform, yes, but I have come up with a brilliant idea that will help us improve attendance and sales. For these special promotions the uniforms will be…unique.” He said cheerfully, clapping his hands together and ignoring the snickering from Floyd behind them.

“Koebi-chan is going to be even more adorable than usual!” he cackled from his place on the couch where he was flicking through various catalogues and fabric books. “I’ll have to squeeze you even more than normal to handle it!”

“Jade!?” they complained, tugging their arm away from the calmer tweel as he tried to measure their wrist and fingers. “Why are you okay with this? Isn’t it going to be a lot of work for you to make these things?”

“Perhaps,” he replied smoothly, though his eyes couldn’t hide the dark glee he was enjoying from seeing the prefect so flustered and defiant. “But I have found that sewing, while not my favorite hobby, does have it’s own sort of charm. Especially when I will have such a cute model.”

Azul couldn’t hide his chuckle when their lover groaned, dropping their head into their hands and trying to hide the faint blush on their cheeks. They had gotten somewhat used to the tweel’s form of flirting, but thankfully not completely. Thankful for the Octavinelle trio at least. Their blush really was lovely.

“Do not fret, my pearl, you will be compensated handsomely for your part in my sche-plans. If my projections are correct, you will be receiving a ten percent increase for the promotional shifts you work and if the outcome is greater then I will raise it accordingly.” He promised, knowing instantly that he had won them over.

Oh the stubborn human refused outright to let him take care of their living expenses – spouting some nonsense about not wanting the three to think they were with them for financial gain, as if Azul wasn’t willing to do it even if they were – but they wouldn’t argue against pay raises that were fair for work done.

The prefect’s shoulders sagged and they let their hands fall away to turn a pouting but resigned look up at him.

“Thirty percent.” They shot back.

“Fifteen.”

“Twenty-five and not a madol lower. I can see some of the sketches from here and if I’m going to be wearing that in front of the whole school then I’m going to get what I deserve.” They said stubbornly, not realizing that Azul had actually planned for at least forty percent going to the Prefect if he had to.

“Then it’s a deal, my dear.” He nearly purred, almost being able to feel the stacks of madols in his hands that he would be earning with this idea.

He shook their hand before leaning down to place a teasing kiss on the back and then spinning to all but skip to his desk.

“Be sure to run the designs by Vil, won’t you, Jade? He has quite an eye for these things you know and I’m sure he’ll simply ADORE what we have cooked up.”

“And that stalker of his will get the word out quicker than anything!” Floyd cackled.

“Arms out, angelfish.” Jade grinned.

The prefect groaned but gave in.

“Cater, really, there’s no need to pull.” Riddle frowned in consternation, tugging his wrist away from the overexcited ginger who couldn’t stop babbling about this ‘special promotion’ thing that Mostro Lounge had started advertising.

“Ya don’t understand! If we’re not early we won’t be able to find a seat! I can’t miss this kind of photo op! My likes are gonna be through the roof! I wonder if the Prefect will let me get a picture with them.” He rambled with a wide smile as he typed away on his phone at a speed that made Riddle’s mind boggle.

“You’re going to have to have to get behind us!” Ace cackled. “We’re their besties, ya know!”

“We should definitely take pictures since Sebek and Jack couldn’t come.” Deuce agreed with a nod, Grim hanging off his shoulder.

“Well I’m gonna order the biggest tuna dish ever!” the monster said happily, dreaming of the delicious food that was waiting for him.

“I wonder what the theme is going to be.” Epel said thoughtfully from between the two card soldiers. “Vill-senpai has really gotten into the planning once Jade stopped by a few weeks ago. He won’t tell me anything about it though and Rook just giggles and starts spouting poetry no one can understand.”

“Well, we won’t be staying long.” Riddle said firmly. “Midterms are in a few days and all of you need to stay focused on not falling behind.” He ignored the groans from the first years and Cater.

Trey just laughed as they passed through the mirror into Octavinelle dorm grounds and patted his friend on the shoulder.

“I’m sure they will do fine. This will be a good stress relief for everyone.” He said, trying to ease some of the housewarden’s annoyance at being dragged along.

Of course, he gave the excuse of needing to ensure that the others didn’t go overboard, but it was impossible to miss how he caved once he heard it involved their Ramshackle Prefect.

“Perhaps but-“

The group paused when they saw the entrance to the restaurant was decorated with roses and various displays that definitely gave off a ‘Heartslabyul’ vibe but with a distinct elegance that spoke of Azul’s influence.

“What is this ‘theme’ supposed to be?” Riddle questioned as Cater gasped and rushed forward through the other students in line to enter and began taking pictures both of the entrance and himself as well with them in the background.

Epel blinked and looked around in confusion as they entered, the Queendom of Hearts décor continuing on farther.

“I don’t know, Vil just said something about ‘school spirit’ and ‘loyalty’.” He shrugged.

“Yeah, the fliers the twins were passing out just said Heartslabyul gets a ten percent discount tonight on top of the ticket promotion.” Ace said, grinning as he looked around at the rather packed lounge – mostly by familiar red, white, and black uniforms.

“Oh hey! Jade-senpai!” Deuce said suddenly, waving his arm at the tall vice-housewarden.

The eelmer’s calm smile widened just a bit as he walked in their direction, giving a polite bow.

“Welcome to Mostro Lounge, Housewarden Riddle. We were hoping you would be joining us this evening. Azul was quite positive that you would enjoy yourself. Might I show you all to a table?” He said, looking quite different in the black suit, black striped shirt, and blood red tie and gloves. There was a single white rose in his lapel pocket.

Riddle gave the tall – TOO TALL! – eelmer a distrusting glare but gave in finally at Cater’s very insistent begging.

“Very well.” He sighed, shooting a harsher glare at Ace when the boy gave a little cheer and pumped his fist.

“So what’s all this about!?” Cater asked excitedly, holding up his phone to record Jade’s answer.

Jade chuckled smoothly as he led the group through the crowd of students towards a large table near the center of the room that had obviously been reserved for the Heartslabyul housewarden. The décor was a bit more elaborate without being gaudy and everything was set up to the Heartslabyul rules.

“Why, Azul wishes to give back to the school, of course.” He said, even pulling the chair at the end out for Riddle. “After so much has happened he’s wanted to strengthen our bonds as NCR students and help to share the diverse cultures of our dorms with all on campus. It really is quite a shame, after all, that there is so many interesting traditions and styles that the other houses only barely get a peek at.”

Riddle glared again but did take the seat offered, looking around the room and noticing that while there WERE many Heartslabyul students there were quite a lot from the other dorms as well, even a couple from Ignihyde who were congregating in a corner. While it wasn’t like the houses completely segregated themselves from each other, friendships across dorms were less common than among dormmates and clubs. Now, though, there were more students intermingling, particularly with the Heartslabyul students than normal. Azul’s plan was obviously working.

“I suppose…if it means that more students will be able to experience a piece of our traditions…then it is fine.” He finally conceded. “But I will have none of our Queen’s etiquette broken! They may not be under my purview but-“

“Fret not, Housewarden Riddle.” Jade assured him before the red head could work himself up into a lecture. “Azul has scoured your exhaustive collection of rules and made adjustments to both cutlery and the menu accordingly.”

Riddle glared, still not trusting the octomer in the slightest but had to give in when it really did seem like everything was being handled well and with respect.

“Very well.” He finally agreed, making Jade’s grin widen to show the sharp, shark-like teeth.

“Then please, enjoy yourselves and I will send your server right over.”

Trey sent Riddle a comforting smile as the other boys all began looking through the menus and chattered away at the options available. All had a Heartslabyul flare but were different enough to be a special treat for even those of the dorm.

“You shouldn’t worry so much, Riddle. It’s just dinner. It’s not like Azul is tricking us into a contract. We’ll even get to see…the…oh, my.”

Riddle blinked when Trey’s gaze moved past and settled on something behind him.

Expecting a trap of some king, Riddle snapped his head around.

Instantly his face burst into a brilliant crimson.

“Welcome to Mostro Lounge, everyone! I’ll be your server today so please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.” The Prefect chirped.

Riddle wasn’t even capable of forming thoughts let alone respond.

“Whoa! What do they got you dressed up in?” Ace cackled, leaning around Deuce to take in their friend’s ‘uniform’.

“Whatever do you mean, Ace? This is the Queendom of Hearts, after all. Isn’t it only proper for the Queen to be served by his most loyal servant?” They smiled sweetly, one of the fluffy white rabbit ears peaking out of their hair flicking slightly.

Riddle almost swallowed his tongue.

“You’re the Queen’s right hand rabbit!” Cater cried in delight, jumping from his chair and zooming to their friend’s side to start taking pictures.

The Prefect only smiled and even did a few poses in the detailed uniform. Red and black puffed shorts that would have been utterly indecent in Riddle’s eyes if it wasn’t for the cream-colored tights pattered with dark red, lace detail along the thighs and card suit symbols trailing down the length of their legs to the black and gold heels. A cream, black and gold corset vest sat over a red silk shirt with a large cream bow around their neck. The tails of the shirt were cut specifically to frame the white bunny tail set at the base of their spine and twitched every now and then as the ears did – showing they were either magical or electronic.

And sitting in the middle of their bow was a rose that was brighter red than the rest of the outfit.

A red matching the exact shade of Riddle’s hair.

Riddle felt like his heart was going to break out of his chest when the Prefect turned their sparkling gaze and smile on him. WERE THEY WEARING LIPSTICK!?

“Since you are a VIP customer, Riddle-sama-“ Oh my sweet seven. “-I’ll be seeing to your every need. Please don’t hesitate to call on me whenever you like. I’m at your beck and call. Now, what would everyone like to start with for drinks?”

Riddle wasn’t going to survive this.

“You are an evil man, Azul.” The Prefect said when they dropped onto the couch in his office at the end of the night, throwing their legs into Jade’s lap with a groan. “And I want thirty-five percent.”

The octomer chuckled from his place at his desk, counting the stacks of madol that had flooded in that night with glee.

“Of course, my pearl. I should reward your acting skills, after all. You far exceeded my expectations.” He said, looking over to their lover as Jade gently removed the heels from their feet to set aside and began massaging their aching limbs.

The Prefect let out a soft moan that was far more distracting than they intended, and closed their eyes to relax and be pampered after their hard work. Jade’s fingers really were something else.

“Yeah, yeah, well don’t expect that level of schmoozing all the time.” They warned. “You’re just lucky that it’s fun to make Riddle-senpai blush so much.”

“Isn’t it!?” Floyd cackled as he skipped into the room, draping himself over the back of the couch and tugging their human up into an awkward but enthusiastic kiss before dropping them back on the pillows. “And don’t worry! I taught the catfish from Savanaclaw to keep his hands to himself.”

“Yes, I do apologize for that, my dear.” Jade said. “I knew that table was going to be difficult and I shouldn’t have sent you to them. It won’t happen again.”

The Prefect hoped that the guy still HAD hands.

“It’s fine.” They waved it off, repositioning themself better on the pillows. “I was expecting that to happen eventually.” They admitted.

There was a beat before Jade gave a low chuckle.

“Fufufu…I see, so that is why you requested the heals to be reinforced.”

“They are called ‘stiletto’ heels for a reason. No one enjoys having a shoe puncture through their foot.” They answered with a yawn.

Hearing the guy’s squeal had been pretty satisfying.

Jade must have thought so too with how his hands were wandering.

“Be that as it may, we will take steps for such incidents to be prevented in the future.” Azul assured them, his brow furrowing at the one memory of the night that was less than pleasing.

The Prefect just nodded with their eyes closed, knowing that their lovers would handle it even if they were perfectly capable of doing it themself.

“Just don’t forget my bonus.”

Azul couldn’t help but chuckle, watching as their human allowed Jade to maneuver them and divest them of the different pieces of the costume until they were only left in the silk shirt. He let his gaze trace over the lines and curves of their legs that still draped across Jade’s lap as the eelmer calmly folded each piece and set them aside.

Remembering how vicious their smile had been when they broke that brute’s foot.

Sometimes it was impossible for him not to imagine what their little angelfish would be like as a merfolk. How beautiful their fins would be…or tentacles. He loved them exactly as they were but it was such a shame that the chance for such a devastatingly being to be trapped on land.

But they wouldn’t be trapped forever.

Azul had plans for that as well.

Glancing down at the madol stacked around him and the piles of paperwork that he still needed to do, he allowed himself a chance to celebrate their success and swiftly gathered and locked everything in his vault before making his way over to the sofa and bending down to gather the Prefect in his arms.

They obligingly wrapped their arms around his neck, knowing that their weight was nothing to the octomer, and laid their head against his shoulder.

“If you’re scheming something, you’d better be ready to do all the work because I deserve a pillow princess night.” They said blandly, causing Floyd to cackle and jump to his feet.

“Koebi-chan is so cute when they get demanding.” He teased, grinning when the Prefect stuck their tongue out at him over Azul’s shoulder.

“Of course, dearest, anything you wish.” Azul smiled, not even bothering to act like they had to make deals anymore to get anything they wanted from him.

After all, there was only one contract that he was working to convince them to accepting in the future and there was still an empire he needed to build first.

Only the best for their angelfish.

------------------------------------------

Did Azul place Riddle's table in the middle of the Lounge so that it would maximize everyone's view of the Prefect?

Yes.

Is he jealous that practically the whole school has a crush on their Angelfish?

Also yes.

Will that stop him from taking advantage of that fact while also rubbing in how the Prefect was with them?

Not at all.

Hope you guys like it! Dedicated to my sis who thinks our octotrio works best with a little prefect right in the middle.

Once I get my AO3 page set up I'll cross post these so that they'll be easier to find.

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pinkskytwst · 11 months

Text

A Witch's Siren

Azul/Siren!Reader (Romantic) Octatrio/Siren!Reader (Platonic Poly)

=============

Despite what many land dwelling races believed, there was more to merfolk culture and biology than what was written about in tourist brochures and grade school textbooks.

The Coral Sea, for instance, was only one of many diverse districts that had been built by their people. The tropical Emerald Coasts that bordered the Land of Pyroxene and had a vibrant culture that was closely tied to the nearby port city;The Great Chasm that was home to the deep sea merfolk who’s mysterious nature brought all kinds of unique trade and art with them; the Glittering Fjords where merfolk who preferred colder climates created trailing pockets of close knit villages that were a hub of textile traditions sought after even by land royals; and the Crystal Caverns where all kinds of rare flora and fauna that could be used for potions and alchemy were nurtured by the glowing, magic infused caves were only some of the most populous.

Another preconceived notion was that merfolk biology was a direct one-to-one with other sea life, while the truth was that while many merfolk forms did have recognizable similarities to, say, an octopus or a dolphin, they were not actually related to fish at all. In fact, they had more biological similarities to fae than any other living creature in the oceans and some ancient tales spoke of fae being merfolk who decided to leave their watery homes and take on legs to walk the forests.

Of course, for fae, the fables were the other way around, but whatever the truth, merfolk were incredibly diverse and more than simply ‘a part human fish’.

Sirens, for instance, were a group of merfolk who, historically, had the most interaction with humans. It was said that the princess that betrayed the Great Sea Witch was a spoiled, selfish siren who gave her voice to try and win over a human prince but when her attempt failed she tricked the witch and cruelly turned on the one that had helped her in order to regain her voice and put the prince under her spell.

In the end the Great Sea Witch had sacrificed herself to undo what the siren had done to the poor man. With her own siren powers she saved the human kingdom from being ruled under the princess’s demanding thumb. Incredibly inspiring. So inspiring, in fact, that it had been written and then refilmed so often almost every generation of merfolk had their own edition they had grown up with.

The films were so popular that they were even well received in land kingdoms and few children grew up without seeing it at least once. For the music if nothing else. Which also, unintentionally led to some common assumptions that fae, humans, and therianthropes had about merfolk.

It was widely known that music played a big part in merfolk culture. What those on land asusmed was that all merfolk could influence others with song, when in reality sirens were the only type that held actual magic in their voices.

They were also, unsurprisingly, the group of merfolk that interacted with land cultures regularly through trade, living in cities and towns nearer coasts and the ones most frequent to taking lovers or partners outside of their own kind. Mer-blood was potent, however, and nine times out of ten a child born of a merfolk would have all mer features or a combination where their genetic makeup still heavily leaned towards mer instead of human, fae, or therianthrope.

Sirens, unfortunately, had the hardest time conceiving but without fail, their children would be born with their hypnotic power of song.

This meant they were greeted by other cultures as well as their own with a confusing mix of reverence and distrust. Of praising them for their talents and captivating appearances while also whispering of unearned success and magically influenced business deals. A push and pull of opinions that would change as quickly as the tides but still could never quite overpower the fairytale of the alluring appearances and their enthralling voices that sang of happily-ever-afters.

Sirens were uncommon in the Coral Sea, however, far more comfortable in the warmer waters of the Emerald Coasts. It was quite a stir, therefore, when a family of famous sirens made the move to the capital. A trio and their child that was the same age as the youngest of the royal family.

At the time, Azul hadn’t cared much about the news. His mother was excited about the chance to host a dinner for them and possibly set up a deal of some kind for performances at her restaurant but he didn’t pay much attention. It wasn’t like it involved him and he already had to deal with horrible kids at school. He definitely didn’t want anything to do with a pampered siren that was used to having people fawn over their every move.

He got enough of that being in the same class as Rielle.

When the family accepted the special dinner invite his mother sent out, Azul prepared to hide for the night in her private lounge. It was where she held large business dinners and since she had closed the restaurant to all other guests for the night he knew she wouldn’t need it. He could slink away into there and work on his talismans or read.

What he normally spent his time doing alone since he had no friends.

He was used to it by now, though, and he was just grateful that his mother never forced him past what he was comfortable with. Because of that he was able to get away with a quick greeting where he did his best to hide behind her and couldn’t even lift his gaze, before he fled.

He only caught a small glimpse of the other kid and he was grateful to be able to avoid them.

With how breathtaking they were already, even at their age, he didn’t want to imagine what they thought of him or how willing they were to share their thoughts to his face.

To say that he was dismayed when he found out that they would be in his class as well was an understatement. He wasn’t surprised, however, when he barely caught sight of them before they were swarmed by the other kids in class and he did his best to try and block out everything going on around him. Instead he focused on trying to come up with a solution to why his newest talisman wouldn’t anchor the way it was supposed to.

Maybe - he thought hopefully - they will forget that I’m even here.

He should have known better.

His peace only lasted until lunch. As soon as the teacher left them alone for their ‘recess’ the more aggressive of his classmates turned on him. Maybe they were trying to show off, maybe they were just angry that they weren’t getting the attention they wanted. Whatever the reason, Azul only barely managed to press himself into the safety of his octopot before one of them managed to grab him.

Blood pounded in his ears. An unsteady stutter of three hearts racing against his ribcage. The familiar grip of panic and anxiety wrapping its claws around his lungs. Twisting and folding himself up as tightly as possible, he covered his ears and tried his best to hold in the tears.

It only ever seemed to make the bullies laugh and jeer louder.

One of the boys, though, had a growth spurt and his longer arms were able to reach deeper into his hiding place than before. Azul let out a cry as rough hands managed to catch hold of his hair and a tentacle. He felt the fingers digging in, the pain sharp as he thrashed uselessly to escape.

A whimper escaped his lips as he tried to cling to the worn surface of his ceramic pot but his panic and the growing number of hands yanking on him simply had his skin and flesh scraping along it uselessly. He hit hard packed sand as he was finally heaved out of his sanctuary. Coiling his tentacles around himself in a bid to protect against attacks, he prepared himself for the pain he knew was coming.

“I bet you’re the reason they don’t want to be here.” one snarled.

“Yeah, they probably don’t want to be in the same class as a stupid fat octopus.”

“Why would they want to let us hear their voice when something like you is here?”

Azul couldn’t stop the tears that bubbled from his eyes, biting his tongue to hold in cries and still trying to twist away from the grasping, bruising fingers.

He didn’t care what the siren did or didn’t do! He didn’t want anything to do with any of them! He just wanted them to go away! He just wanted them to lea-”

“Leave him alone.”

A ripple of magic washed over Azul’s senses, causing an odd shiver to trail down his spine as the most beautiful sound he had ever heard met his ears.

It was like the entire ocean itself stilled for a moment to listen.

Or maybe it was just him.

He looked up to see the new student not too far away. They almost looked like they were trembling harder than him, their beautiful eyes wide and panicked but glowing in the way he had heard their kind did when using their magic. It was clear they were as terrified as he was, but his addled mind couldn’t grasp why.

All it knew was that he wanted to hear that voice again.

The four students let their grasps fall away from him, all staring in awe at the mesmerizing siren.

“That was amazing!” one breathed, her eyes locked on the figure that was starting to curl into themself.

“Could you sing again? It was beautiful!” another begged, his hands reaching out to take theirs hopefully, his focus intense and near obsessed.

Azul watched the siren flinch, shrinking away from the touch and how the four that had previously been leaving bruises on him now looked like they wanted to embrace the terrified figure. They all started talking at once, trying to convince them to sing again. Not noticing or ignoring the very obvious trepidation and quickly building panic, they surrounded them, pushing closer and closer until he could barely see them at all.

“Go away!”

Azul’s breath was stolen again.

The song was just as lovely, just as enchanting as before, but the tone of fear was unmistakable to his ears. The call tugged on his mind this time, however, and he found himself slinking into his octopot again without thought.

There was a beat as the other students fell silent before they murmured goodbyes and left as well.

A heavy tension clung to his shoulders as he waited.

He could tell the siren hadn’t left and he was unsure why.

He also couldn’t forget how fearful they had looked, or how they had actually…helped him. Were they going to tease him themself? That didn’t make sense though, why wouldn’t they want the others there to watch if that was what they wanted? Why had they helped him?

After a minute and he felt the last of the influencing magic easing from his mind, he cautiously pulled himself towards the lid of his octopot and peeked out.

His gaze instantly met a pair of large, brilliant eyes.

The siren was right there, almost nose to nose with him.

A heavy, purple blush exploded on his face but his flustered panic was cut off by the startled sound the other made as they scrambled back, falling over themself. Their voluminous, silky fins rippled around them in a mesmerizing, iridescent show of color and shimmery scales. They flailed and darted behind a large outcrop of coral, leaving only the ends of their caudal fins and the tips of their hair swaying in the current.

Azul stared.

Were they…were they afraid of him? Him?

He watched as their fingers - not yet developed enough for the elaborate claws adults tended to sport - curled over the edge of the coral before they cautiously peeked out at him. Their face was just as flushed as his, eyes still bright, still as beautiful even if they were no longer glowing. Their expression was wary and nervous. It didn’t seem right for such a pretty face to look like that.

Azul continued to stare for a moment, confused and trying to figure out just what might be going on. Eventually, though, he opened the lid of his octopot just a bit wider so that he could lean his head out more.

“H-hello?” he managed a weak stammer.

The siren hesitated, still flushing darkly before they gave a small, shy wave from behind their hiding spot, pulling back a little embarrassed. As if they thought he would yell at them for responding.

The fact that they hadn’t lashed out or even seemed like they wanted to get near him helped at least settle some of his more immediate fears.

“Um…thank you, for…for making them leave.” he managed.

The other’s blush darkened even further but they didn’t reply. Their gaze skittered away shyly. He had expected an enthusiastic boast of their talent. Rielle certainly would have.

But they didn’t say anything.

“I…uh…my name is Azul.” he tried softly, uncertain why he thought this was a good idea or what exactly he thought would come of it. “What’s…what’s yours? S-sorry, I don’t remember.” he muttered, not wanting to admit that he hadn’t even bothered to try and register it in the first place.

He watched them shift, clearly uncomfortable and unsure as they chewed on their bottom lip. His spirits sank when they didn’t seem to want to tell him, or talk to him. The boy’s hopeful expression seeped away and he pulled back into his octopot, closing the lid.

Clearly they didn’t want anything to do with him, just like the rest. He shouldn’t be surprised. They were probably scared that he was an octomer. Most didn’t leave The Great Chasm, after all, and his bioluminescence wasn’t exactly common in the Coral Sea. It only made sense.

He was about to curl up in the back of his sanctuary, again, when a light tap came against the dark ceramic.

Azul blinked and warily moved to push the lid open again.

The siren was there, hanging back a little from the pot but at least no longer hiding. They were wringing their hands nervously, though, the finlets along their arms fluttering a bit in agitation. Their blush didn’t fade but they reached up to tap their chest lightly before pointing at the sea floor in front of the pot.

Azul looked down and blinked when he saw a name drawn in the sand.

“Oh…that’s your name?” he said, eyes widening a little as he looked back up to them.

They curled their shoulders in a little like they were trying to make themself smaller, but they gave a slight nod.

The small crest of hope bubbled again and he offered a timid smile.

“It’s a very p-pretty name.” he said before shifting and cautiously sliding his way out of the octopot, watching their reaction closely.

They didn’t look disgusted, in fact they edged a little closer and reached their hand out. They stopped before they got near one of his tentacles, though, and turned a questioning look on him silently. It took him a moment but he realized they were asking permission to touch him.

He didn’t remember anyone ever doing that before.

His flush returned but he managed a small nod, reaching up with the closest tentacle to brush against their soft fingers. They were gentle and their expression was filled with a sort of curiosity that was so far removed from the fear or disgust from others that he didn’t even mind when they prodded one of his suckers, letting out a quiet giggle that sent bubbles drifting from their lips.

Azul tilted his head a little as he watched them.

“Do you not like to talk?” he asked carefully, inwardly wincing when he saw them freeze. “I-I don’t mind! Really!” he said quickly, waving his hands. “I just…uh, I was going to ask if maybe…if maybe you wanted to…play…with me. B-but I can get something for you to write on!”

The siren stared at him, eyes going wide before a small, fragile smile bloomed on their face.

They nodded.

Azul was grateful for whatever luck or destiny had brought his siren to him. That allowed such a bright and warm friend to become a part of his life. To break through the bleak darkness that he had existed in before.

It felt like his whole world changed overnight.

School was still filled with awful people but with them at his side no one was willing to do anything. The first few times they tried his best friend would unfailingly send them off in a daze, no matter how frightened they were themself or how they always hid against him afterwards. They never abandoned him.

It was only a few months later when a pair of twin eelmers would wiggle their way into their sphere and suddenly life…life wasn’t so bad.

His Pearl taught them all the hand language at his behest and he didn’t stop practicing until they could share silent conversations for hours without the use of a notepad or tablet.

The tight hug they gave him and the kiss on his cheek had sent Azul fleeing into his octopot, but they just waited patiently for him to feel comfortable enough to come out again. Not once did they tease him about it or even act like it was odd.

Most of his free time was spent with them now.

They would listen and offer up suggestions about his talismans, finding the whole idea fascinating. Their own interests became a focus for Azul as well and that was how he found out that they were terrified of performing for others. They loved music but they preferred quieter hobbies, solitary ones until they met Azul.

Attention focused on them was overwhelming and when they were scared it was like their ability to speak was stolen and the words would get caught in their throat.

It was how he realized just how much they had pushed past to help him that first day.

He vowed to get strong enough and powerful enough to ensure they never felt scared again. They never had to share their voice if they didn’t want to but he wasn’t going to let others steal it from them against their will. He would show them that they were wonderful, no matter what their parents wanted them to become, and if others didn’t see it then he would make them see it.

They were his Pearl, after all. His Angelfish, his Siren.

His everything.

And he would do anything to protect them.

Octavinelle was the house of the Great Sea Witch and was founded around her benevolent nature.

Azul was the pinnacle of everything Octavinelle stood for. Handsome, talented, a genius. Unfailingly humble. Able to convince the Headmage to allow him permission to build a lounge on campus. He had taken over the position of Housewarden before midterms of his first year and no one dared to question his ability to do so.

He was also terrifying.

Not only did he hold his housemates to the highest standards, he insisted that each one become fluent in sign language within the first semester of being there. He held exacting requirements and lots of fine print in the contracts that he made with students and was ruthless in their payment. That wasn’t even mentioning Jade and Floyd who easily took care of any…troublesome clients.

Their sharp smiles could be even more intimidating than the Heartslabyul Queen’s rage.

The only exception was the Octavinelle Siren.

It was said they turned down not only a placement at RSA but also an engagement with the youngest Atlantean prince. They were breathtakingly beautiful despite their attempts to blend in, and everyone had expected them to be placed in Pomefiore the moment they stepped up to the mirror.

Instead they were sent to Octavinelle and the blinding smile they turned on Azul before hurrying to his side had caused more than one student to fall in love instantly.

They were quiet to the point of being near silent most of the time, communicating through their hands and a tablet much like the Ignihyde Housewarden. Shy and timid, they only seemed to open up around their three protective friends, hardly ever being seen from the side of at least one of them.

It didn’t stop them from gaining a fanclub within days of arriving.

When Rook Hunt threw himself at them out of nowhere with loud, flowery prose that sent them into a panic attack, Floyd sent the Vice-Housewarden through a wall.

A long, very tense meeting with Housewarden Schoenheit behind closed doors ended with a golden contract that assured Rook wouldn’t be caught within fifty meters of the siren unless required specifically for classwork.

In return, the blonde human wouldn’t become a missing persons case.

The fact that Rook continued to stalk Leona Kingscholar but refrained from doing more than tip his hat politely at the silent mer in greeting from across a room spoke for itself.

After that only very very stupid students tried anything with the siren. Considering more than one mysteriously dropped out of NRC after badgering them too much or saying anything about them refusing to talk or sing…well they were idiots and the school was better off without them.

They had a special, reserved table, at Mostro Lounge where they could watch when Azul would hire a special musician. They helped Floyd cook in the kitchen sometimes, as long as they didn't have to work as the waitstaff. Most of the time, however, they spent in Azul’s office. School work and helping him come up with ideas and plans for the lounge were all done behind the privacy of silencing wards. It was one of the rare few places that they felt secure enough to speak, trusting Azul and the twins after years at their side.

They never pushed their Angelfish, never tried to force or coerce them into singing for the lounge despite the undeniable truth that it would bring more money in a single night than they made in a whole month. They would never force their Pearl into a situation that made them uncomfortable or that upset them.

They knew this. It was why they never feared Floyd, always holding their arms open in invitation for his notorious ‘squeezes’ and bringing him snacks and drinks during club. It was why they always tried Jade’s mushroom dishes and braved the more tame hikes with him despite being terrified of insects. It was why they looked at Azul like he hung the moon whenever the Housewarden would skillfully step into any conversation or moment where they felt overwhelmed and instantly force the attention away from them and onto himself.

Why they helped whenever he would have too much work, shuffling the octomer off to sleep to recover. Why they left notes on his desk, in his room, tucked into his uniform pockets, slipped into his textbooks, always with words of praise and compliments. Why they helped temper his more ruthless plans to something that wouldn’t taint his reputation.

Why they were willing to be disowned by their family just for the chance of remaining at Azul’s side just a little longer.

Because they knew that even without their voice, Azul and the twins loved them. They never had to fear that love being taken away because they didn’t sing. Didn’t enthrall audiences and build an empire on fake adoration for the hope of a shred of affection. They knew that even if they never sang again they would never be abandoned.

It was why, every once in a while - long after the lounge had closed and the rest of the house was meant to be in bed - the enchanting song of the Octavinelle Siren filled the VIP office as they sang for the ones they loved.

The only ones they trusted their voice to.

It was why they threw themself into Azul’s arms on their graduation day when he presented them with a very special contract.

One that came with matching pearl rings.

==================

Hope you all enjoy! I kind of panicked when I realized I almost missed MerMay again! lol Hopefully this is good enough. <3

Part of @rose-tea-and-strawberries childhood friend! AU

#twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #pinkskytwst #disney twst #twst fanfic #azul ashengrotto #octavinelle #twst azul #twst jade #jade leech #twst floyd #floyd leech #platonic poly #sign language #situational mutism

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pinkskytwst · 1 year

Text

SYMBIOTES

Octavinelle - (Octatrio/Prefect Romantic Poly)

As often as the Prefect worked at Mostro Lounge, they spent just as much time in Octavinelle just hanging out or studying. They might have had one of the smartest and clever lovers in NRC at their beck and call, but that didn’t mean they could have Azul take their tests for them. That meant that when they weren’t spending time with the other first years in Ramshackle or various clubs, they could typically be found in Azul’s office – whether that be bent over the coffee table with stacks of text books or sprawled out on one of the couches together with Floyd and Grim enjoying a movie on their phone.

That night was study night, however, as a unit test was going to be given on not just Alchemy but also Potions and Astrology within the next couple of days. Alchemy and Potions were the easier of the two – even though they weren’t actually all that easy when they had to learn at least fifteen years of basic background knowledge that the other students all absorbed during grade school – but Astrology was the bane of their existence. It was vague and dependent on so many different variables that they had to understand at least ten different aspects of what they were trying to figure out before they could even begin to decode the answer.

What kind of subject made you figure out the QUESTIONS as well as the ANSWERS!?

It’s only saving grace was that they didn’t have to actually be able to use magic to do it and so their grade would be counted on it’s own merit instead of lumped in together with Grim like some of the other subjects.

It didn’t make it any easier to remember how this or that constellation could mean this or that influence on this or that kind of event but ONLY if these certain criteria were met and if the criteria wasn’t met it meant something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. Not to mention you had to take the ‘star signs’, ‘sun signs’, and ‘moon signs’ of not only the person you’re seeing for but also YOUR OWN because of COURSE your celestial markers effect how the ‘messages’ could be read.

“Ugggggh.” They groaned, dropping their head onto their arms. “I feel like my brain melted and is going to leak out my ears.”

Jade glanced up from where he was seated across from them on the other sofa, legs crossed and poised as ever while the human felt like a withered gremlin that hadn’t seen the sun in years. His lips spread into an amused grin, but his eyes were rather soft as he set aside the books to reach out and pour the other a fresh cup of tea.

“Aw, does Koebi-chan need a cuddle brake?” Floyd teased from beside them on the floor where he was also using the coffee table for writing and the sofa behind them for a backrest.

Grim had long ago fallen asleep on his own book, stretched out and snoring softly. He was so cute and he had honestly been attempting to focus on studying for a while so the Prefect didn’t have the heart to wake him.

“I need a new brain.” They grumbled, allowing themself to be tugged closer and into Floyd’s lap, going limp and not even caring as their tactile lover had fun curling around their docile form. “Think Azul could make a deal with me for one? I don’t even need a luxury one, a discount brain would be better than what I’m working with now.”

Jade couldn’t help chuckling and slid the cup and saucer closer to the two for them to take.

“I apologize, angelfish, but our dear Azul isn’t in the business of human organ trafficking.” He said with ‘regret’ in his tone.

The Prefect peeked one eye open at him from where they were smooshed against Floyd’s shoulder.

“He’s in the business of NON-human organ trafficking?” they asked dryly, feeling Floyd cackle against the back of their neck.

Jade’s smile didn’t change but he didn’t answer the question either.

“Is there something that might help you besides tea?” he asked instead. “I wouldn’t mind making a snack. Azul should be getting back soon from club with Idia. Something to eat may be of benefit to your energy levels.” He said, checking his watch.

The Prefect just groaned again and nudged Floyd until they could move enough to reach out and take the drink and start sipping at the lightly steaming liquid.

“No, don’t think I can handle eating anything right now.” They admitted with a soft sigh, letting their head fall against Floyd’s shoulder once more. “I’ve been dealing with a headache since yesterday and it’s kind of making the thought of food the absolute worst right now.”

Jade’s brow furrowed at that and he stood to make his way around the coffee table and kneel beside them on the floor.

“You took medicine when you first arrived, though, yes?” he asked, though it was more confirming since he specifically remembered them asking for a soda to make the pills go down easier. “It has been at least two hours since then. It should certainly have worked to reduce your pain by now if not get rid of it completely.”

He reached out to brush some of their lover’s hair from their face and gently check their temperature with his wrist. Merfolk might have had lower body temperatures than humans but he was familiar enough with the Prefect’s normal vitals to know that if they had a fever it was a very small one.

“It’s alright, I’m pretty prone to headaches and migraines.” They admitted, leaning into his touch before draining the rest of the tea and letting Floyd set it back down on the table. “Stress can cause them, bright lights too. I’ll be alright after some sleep.” They assured the brothers.

“It is hardly alright if you’re in pain.” Jade pointed out firmly. “I know human bodies are not the same as merfolk but I doubt prolonged periods of pain are healthy.”

The Prefect shrugged a little. “There’s nothing really I can do about it. It probably won’t go away until after I’ve had a chance to chill and recover from the tests and I can’t exactly stop studying when I’m trying to keep my grades at an acceptable level.”

“Azul can make a potion for you.” Floyd said, his expression and tone missing the humor from before. “He’s like, the best at those besides maybe the seastar.”

Their lover shrugged slightly. “Yeah but I’ve had a few of those already and I don’t think I can take any more today.”

“What?” Jade said sharply, eyes narrowing. “You mean to tell me that you have consumed so many potions for pain that you can safely take no more and you DID NOT TELL US and proceeded to spend multiple hours here doing precisely what could make it WORSE?”

The Prefect blinked at the sudden vitriol in the eelmer’s voice along with the tension that had shot through Floyd’s hold on them.

“I mean, it’s really not that big of a deal. I have them all the time.” They insisted, nudging Floyd until the taller male reluctantly allowed them to stand, quickly following. “It’ll go away eventually and then-“

Jade’s hands snapped out to grab their arms just in time to catch them when they stumbled. The color drained from their face and the two instantly guided them to sit on the couch.

“Koebi-chan!” Floyd fretted, his hands worryingly gentle as he was always afraid he was going to accidentally harm their human when they were hurt or sick.

“Floyd, go get some water and a cold compress.” Jade said seriously, ignoring when the Prefect tried to wave their hands at them.

“Guys, stop, I’m fine!”

Of course, their words were undercut by the sudden, warm crimson that began trickling from their nose and over their lips.

Floyd made a strangled noise and vaulted over the back of the couch to hurry out towards the kitchen.

Jade’s eyes narrowed and he kept a supportive hand on their back while tugging a handkerchief from his pocket pressing it to their nose.

The Prefect blinked up at him a bit sheepishly.

“Okay, so maybe I over did it a little.” They said weakly, trying to joke off the intensity of the Vice-Housewarden but Jade’s gaze only hardened.

“I believe the word you were attempting to find is actually: ‘foolishly’ or perhaps ‘carelessly’.” He answered in a cold tone that made them flinch a little, a clear indicator that he was not going to be letting them off easily.

Thankfully, Floyd returned a moment later with a glass of water, a cold compress, and tissues that he quickly shoved onto his brother as he took their lover’s other side once more.

“Koebi-chan is in a lot of trouble.” He said darkly, though his hands unendingly gentle. “Koebi-chan should have told us they were feeling like shit.”

The Prefect gave a small, muffled sigh behind the handkerchief. “Sorry.”

A frustrated look flickered over Floyd’s face, however, and he made sure to support them as Jade began pulling out tissues to replace the silk that was already starting to bleed through. They repeated the apology again when they saw the expensive accessory now a red stained wad in their hand.

“It is a bit of fabric, dearest, nothing more. What is important is ensuring that you rest and recover.” He said firmly.

“Don’t apologize when WE should have noticed. We’re your symbiotes after all.” Floyd muttered angrily to himself.

“It’s really not your fault, guys.” They said softly.

“Floyd, if you don’t mind, please text Azul and notify him that we will be having a sleep over tonight and to return if he hasn’t already left the board games club.” Jade said, ignoring their words as they continued to help hold the tissues to their nose and then pass them the glass of water to sip at for a moment.

“Got it.” Floyd said, pulling out his phone with one hand and sending a quick message to their other lover while Jade gathered the Prefect into his arms.

“Please bring Grim as well once you’ve notified him. Angelfish will likely need something to eat that is easy on their stomach also if you would see to that while I settle them in our room.”

Floyd nodded, bustling around to do what his brother suggested as Jade carried the Prefect from the Lounge into the Octavinelle dorm proper and to the room that the twins shared.

“Aa…I’m kind of in trouble, aren’t I?” they muttered as Jade used his magic to open their door and carry them inside towards the large bed that had replaced the two twin ones that had originally been there.

“Dearest, you are our partner, not a child.” He said with a small sigh. “But, yes, you are indeed in trouble.”

The Prefect gave a small snort as he set them gently down on the bed and made sure they were steady enough to sit on their own before turning and starting to gather the extra sleep clothes for them that had ‘conveniently appeared’ for their first time staying the night. He helped them change out of the uniform, tossing them into the laundry basket to take care of later.

Jade was adept at removing blood from clothes now, after all.

“Be prepared for Azul to fuss and this time I will not be rescuing you.” He said mercilessly, earning a groan from them as he helped them move onto the bed better and sink into the plush pillows.

“Cruel, cruel fishie you are.” They lamented, still a bit muffled as Jade exchanged the tissue for a fresh one and checking the amount of blood before throwing it away.

“If I must be cruel to ensure that you learn to share with us when you are feeling poorly, then cruel I will be.” He gave a sharp smile, picking the compress he had brought along and placing it over their forehead. “Now, why don’t you tell me what exactly you’ve been experiencing and what you have taken before Azul arrives, hm? I would hate to interrupt his worried hysterics.”

They couldn’t help the small, smile that mirrored the warmth in their chest from just how much care and concern the three were showing. It grew even more when Floyd entered the room not long after with a groggy Grim hanging limply over his shoulder and a tray of food items. They didn’t even have time to properly get Grim settled beside them on the pillow before they heard swift footsteps and then the Prefect was being checked over by a fretful octomer.

Deciding that it was safer to indulge them, the Prefect just smiled fondly and let themself be taken care of.

They could worry about studying later.

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Written for Aviagax! Hope this helps with your study stress! <3

Hope you guys like it. <3

#pinkskytwst #twisted wonderland #twst wonderland #twst prefect #twst fanfic #azul ashengrotto #disney twst #octavinelle #twst azul #azul x jade x floyd x prefect #jade leech #floyd leech #twst jade #twst floyd #@aviagax

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