#then deuce explodes

[qwakque]

kiss kiss fall in love

[egophiliac]

...okay, one more, because Epel's white rabbit outfit is SENDING me. everyone in this event looks like a decadent little pastry and I want to eat them all.

(credit: lace stock)

[special-mooon]

DEUCES CLUB WEAR UNIFORM

LOOK AT HIM 😭😭😭

[sumbier0]

Poly crew thoughts

[midnightcrustcat]

♥️♣️

a heem heem

[tartppola]

UR JUST LIKE ME FR </3

listennn it's for daily nourishment i need silly headcanons of these boys like one where you wake sleepy ace or one where you feed duckies with deuce or maybe adeuyuu domestic poly yk

[barbieb0y]

deuce thing infiltrating the d4dj tag

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Yuu can do it!

Part 26

First<Previous>Next

Masterlist

Enma jerked awake.

He was propped up against the stem of a rose bush so tall it should have been considered a tree, the sculpted leaves providing ample shade from the sun. The grass beneath him was soft and cushiony, it was probably between mowings. A ladybug buzzed by, and he lifted a lazy hand to wave at it. His vision was pleasantly dim, a strange side-effect of sleeping outside that he had never quite understood, but still found nice. He wanted nothing more than to be lulled back to sleep.

For just a moment, he wondered why he had woken up so suddenly. This was such a peaceful scene. He was still tired.

And then something, cold and wet, dripped onto his nose.

He looked up and found a bright red rose looking down at him, weeping red paint. He pushed himself up onto numb legs, hand out to inspect it, wondering why someone would paint such a beautiful thing such an atrociously bright shade of red.

“Hey!”

He whipped around, and his eyes widened they met those of a playing card, almost as tall as him. A four of diamonds, their hands on their hips, giving him a reproachful look. The four gave his chest a shove.

“Stop slacking! If we don’t finish this in time, we’ll all lose our heads!”

The card bent strangely to grab him by the hand, and started dragging him along.

He sighed internally. Man, he’d thought that he’d gotten away with it, too. He probably would have if he hadn’t drawn attention to himself by standing. Ugh. Now he had responsibilities. Oh, to be a working-age Card in the Queendom was truly a struggle.

The thought was shoved out of his mind with the paintbrush that was shoved into his hands.

“Help me paint the roses red!”

And, though he was somewhat opposed to ruining the brilliant white of the roses, he found himself going along with it. It wasn’t even all that hard, he had done this before, just boring. Hence why he had found a quiet place to sleep.

Well, he had also hoped that he would find a quiet place to abandon ship, because there was no way they were getting away with this.

Something that was proven when the Queen came strolling into the garden.

The other two cards went up to the Queen, trying to stall, doing nothing but prolonging their fates, but he was quick to drop the paintbrush and start looking for a place to hide.

There wasn’t any. The Guard Cards were streaming in, smelling blood in the water, ready for a show (as if they wouldn’t one day meet the same fate), and he couldn’t seem to see any way out. His throat felt remarkably tight as he turned his attention back to the Queen, who had realized their mistakes.

He threw himself to the ground, dipping into the lowest seiza that he could manage.

His fellow cards followed suit.

“Who is responsible for this?!” The Queen said, not roaring like she was known for, instead her tone was more of a hiss. A tea kettle about to go off.

“Card One is a slacker, your majesty!” Card Four said, which was true but hey.

Heeeeey, The Queen turned her gaze on him and he fought off the urge to squeak in his terror.

“Excuse me?! The Two was the dunce who got the order wrong!” he hissed, gesturing to the idiot in question.

The Queen’s gaze quickly left him. He sighed in relief as she turned to the offending card.

Two did not seem pleased with the callout either. “Well, it was the Four who suggested that we lie to you, your majesty!”

The Queen seemed to realize what was going on, because her face reddened in her anger, getting to that perfect shade of red that she had wanted the roses to be. “Fine, if no one is willing to take the blame, then I suppose it’ll be OFF WITH ALL OF YOUR HEADS!”

His eyes widened and he fell backward, scrambling away on his hands and knees, scuttling like a crab, but arms hooked under his armpits and hoisted him up, off his feet, and he started struggling in earnest. Yelling and thrashing and cursing and biting, but it was all no use.

The cards gleefully dragged him away kicking and screaming, the guards all chanting the rules at him as if they never broke any themselves. They were all rulebreakers, for the rules were all stupid. He had just been caught this time. They would meet their own ends soon enough.

He was shoved down onto the chopping block first, not given even the leeway to look up and see the person who was going to kill him nor the blade that was going to sever his neck. His eyes cast about frantically, searching for anything that he could concentrate on in his last moments.

He found two people, standing off to the side. There was a little girl, with blonde hair and a pale blue dress, tucked into the side of a much taller, much older boy in a suit. The boy pressed her face into himself, trying to block out the sight even if he couldn’t do anything about the joyous cries for blood or the red that would join the paint splattered over their otherwise pristine outfits.

For a moment, he met the boy’s eyes. Hazel, but so bright with terror that they almost seemed to burn a fiery orange.

“Help,” he pleaded, his voice shaking despite the fact that he refused to give the crowd the satisfaction of him crying. He begged, even though it was all useless and his fate had been sealed from the moment he’d been drafted into this terrible place. “Help me, please.”

He reached for him, and the boy mirrored his movements.

The light bent strangely.

Enma jerked awake.

For just a moment, his veins were buzzing with the need to bolt. For just a moment, the axe was still poised over his neck and he didn’t want to die.

And then he relaxed.

Just a dream. Already, the details were slipping away from him.

The adrenaline wore off.

He realized that he had an actual, real-life problem.

His neck hurt. He groaned and rubbed at the knot, wondering just how bad he slept on it, because it hurt a lot.

Oh. They had all slept sitting up. Okay, yeah, that would do it.

So why did he feel so distinctly that he was wrong?

His alarm buzzed, telling him it was time to go running. He had opted for one that had a quieter setting, since it wasn’t fair to Ito and Kuroki if Enma woke them up every morning because of his tendency to go on an early morning jog. He lifted a lazy hand up onto the bedside table, quietly searching, until he found the off button.

He glanced out the window, at the dark skies that felt wrong for some reason. He looked at the two people pressed into his side and the purring monster in his lap, all of them sleeping peacefully. His gaze found its way to Ace and Deuce – Ace had thrown himself over Deuce’s stomach at some point in the night, and now they lay in a dumb cross formation that could not be good for either of their backs.

Enma smiled a little. He decided that he could sleep for just a few moments more.

~

They had school the next day. As should be expected when they are canonically on the third day of the school week.

It was about as interesting as any other school day – which is to say, it was not interesting at all.

Or maybe it was, and the Yuus were simply too concerned with the Unbirthday Party later to care about all of the routine things they could experience any other day. Lectures were boring (the subjects were interesting, but that didn’t make it easier to listen to professors drone on and on). Personal Magical Ability was still, sadly, entirely math-based, and Enma still pointedly avoided the gaze of the wolf yagujen he had accidentally stared at on day one. He remained the only person attending Magical Tech in person. Magical Analysis flew over his head as easily as the spells because the teacher expected a certain amount of knowledge that came with growing up in this world that Enma didn’t have, for obvious reasons. The kid that sat next to him in Art still didn’t show up.

And then the day was over. Simple as that.

Well, not quite as simple as that, because they all still had something to do. Namely, an Unbirthday Party to attend.

Enma changed into his classic black and white suit (yes, Cater had said he would make one, but Enma had scammed his way into getting this so he was going to use it, dang it!), and Ace and Deuce changed into their own Heartslabyul Dorm outfits, and Ace grabbed the tart from the counter, and then Cater was there –.

His head jerked to look at the boy in their living room. “Cater-senpai?!”

Cater waved, smiling the easy smile he always seemed to have. “Hi, Enma-chan! Did you enjoy the sleepover? Did you kids bond over card games and pillow fights?”

Kuroki smiled nervously. “Something like that.”

Ito’s eyes narrowed just slightly, and they stopped pouring Cater tea in favor of giving their dormmates a suspicious look. “You never did tell me what you guys did last night.”

Kuroki mumbled something that was either about how he had ‘hoped they wouldn’t remember’ or a prayer. Hard to tell. It was a mumble, after all.

Besides, Enma was currently too busy weighing the pros and cons of selling Deuce out (pros: not in trouble, cons: Deuce would be annoying about it) to pay too much attention to whatever Kuroki was doing.

“Oooooh, someone’s in trouble,” Cater said, utterly unhelpful. He sipped at his tea, which suddenly seemed far more apt for the situation.

Ace came to their rescue, surprisingly. He leaned over the back of Cater’s chair, grinning. “Hi, Cater-senpai. Yeah, we played a couple of card games, but only Old Maid, ‘cause that’s all that Grim knew.”

Deuce breathed a sigh of relief. He sent a tiny, grateful look toward Ace. “Grim-kun always ended up with the Old Maid. Bad luck.”

Grim huffed. “I still think you were all cheating.”

“Didn’t have to, Grim, your poker face is shit.”

“Says the one that absolutely was cheating,” Ito teased, apparently deciding to let things go if no one had any hard feelings and nothing was visibly wrong with the house.

Ace grinned cheekily. “Prove it.”

Cater set down his cup. “As much as I love to see you all having fun, we should probably get going soon, yeah?”

The three Yuus hesitated, but Ace was quick to perk up and rush out the door, and they could only spare a few seconds to send each other wary looks before they were ushered after by Cater and a very hungry Grim.

It wasn’t until they reached the Hall of Mirrors that the Yuus actually dug their heels in, not wanting to go any further.

“I have a bad feeling…” Kuroki mumbled, eyeing the mirror warily. Their three brain cell-less friends had already gone through, and they should probably follow before it registered them as not being part of the same group and sent them to another random place within the dorm, but none of them could seem to take that first step.

Cater raised an eyebrow at them. “You all okay?”

Ito sent a tentative smile his way. “Yeah, CayCay, we’re coming.”

But, it turns out that their hesitance was right, because they touched down in the middle of a group of Caters, all frantically painting every rose they saw.

“Ah, that’s why you were rushing us,” Ito said, sighing.

Cater didn’t even have the decency to pretend to be sheepish. He waved to another version of himself. “Looking good, me!”

“You too, me!”

“Welcome home, darlings!”

“Ohmygosh you are so late, I was worried sick!”

“Nice to see you all came!”

Enma looked at all of the Caters. They were all wearing different outfits, probably just to make it easier for people to distinguish them all from each other, but he couldn’t help but think about the app that the boy was so obsessed with. Magicam seemed to be an off-brand Instagram, and he thought that suited Cater well. Because Instagram had a reputation for always being fake, full of people posting a heavily censored part of their lives to make it seem like they were better off than they really were. Even the pictures that were posted of themselves were known for being put through several photoshop sessions and filters.

Filters. That was what the boy’s copies reminded him of. Each one looked like Cater through a different filter. A different lie he told. Two-faced, in the most literal sense of the word.

Hadn’t Cater himself said that Unique Magics tended to reflect the personalities of the users?

His eyes flicked to the Cater that he assumed was the ‘original’ one. But were they? This, too, felt like he was looking at a Cater with a ‘filter’. Perhaps a more realistic one, but one that had been airbrushed of all visible flaws, nonetheless. Did anyone know who he actually was? Or did they all just get a different lie?

Surely, that must have been a lonely way to live.

Or maybe Enma was overthinking it. He had met the boy, like, a day ago. He was just trying to occupy his mind while he painted roses, because it was remarkably dull.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true, it wasn’t that Enma’s mind wasn’t occupied, because it certainly was, it was that… well, it was confusing. Something nagged at him. A feeling he couldn’t quite explain, a wrongness settling beneath his skin and screaming for his attention. But no matter how much attention he paid it, the answer eluded him.

And there was nothing he hated more than an answer he couldn’t get, so he just… ignored it.

But that was harder to do when Kuroki started humming a tune under his breath. A tune that Enma was sure that he had never heard before, and yet he also had.

Ace frowned and looked over. “Are you part of the Queendom?”

Kuroki shook his head. “Nope.”

“Then how do you know…?”

“Heard it somewhere. Once upon a dream, or whatever,” Kuroki said, giving Enma a conspiratorial grin.

Enma could only nod, however numbly. That… wasn’t much of an explanation, but it sounded right. He was pretty sure he had heard that song before, and the ‘dream’ explanation struck a chord with him.

But weren’t dreams supposed to be based on things that you already know? Something your imagination came up with, based on real-life events and media you have consumed? Why would Kuroki have also had a similar dream?

And why did the way that Kuroki said it feel like a joke? Why did a joke mess with him so?

Ace frowned. “You know, you guys really don’t make sense –.”

There was a yelp from nearby and everyone jolted to look at Cater. All of the Caters shot back to the ‘original’ and, in the blink of an eye and a flash of light, they were all gone, leaving a single, very tired-looking Cater.

“Sevens,” said Cater, wiping some sweat off of his brow. He turned to look at the Yuus. “Just one more spell for your clothes to make sure you’re all complying with the rules and then I’ll enjoy the hell out of this party.”

Ito frowned and, after apparently weighing the pros and cons for quite a while, offered Cater some of their coke.

Cater looked touched.

He took a couple of sips of their drink, before raising his wand again. Enma noted that the normally ruby-red tip of his wand was now murky in color. He fought the urge to lean closer to the weapon, especially when it appeared that Cater was charging it up.

“Okaaaay, Enma-chan, I’m going to skip you with the magic, since your outfit is fine…” Cater explained, and then, with a lazy wave of his wand, Kuroki was suddenly wearing a black suit with red accents.

Kuroki shifted a little, seeming happy with the fact that his suit jacket was still several sizes too large. He tugged it tighter around himself. “Should I ask how you got our measurements or not?”

“Magic. I guesstimated, opting for something a little on the large side, and then shrunk it down once it was on you. Everything fit well? Snug? Outside of your jacket, of course.”

Kuroki nodded slowly, looking a little bit overwhelmed.

“I figured giving you darker colors was best because of how much fur you usually get on yourself. If you want a different color, though, I can change it.”

Kuroki looked like his opinion of Cater had greatly improved over the past few seconds. His face flushed, and he mumbled something that might have been an “it’s fine, thanks”.

“Don’t mention it. Now, skirt or pants, Ito-chan?” Cater asked.

Ito shrugged, unconcerned. “Pants, I guess.”

Cater hummed a little and, with another little burst of magic, Ito’s clothes changed. They now wore a simple red suit and tie over a white undershirt. Unlike the non-suit jacket parts of Kuroki’s suit, which fit him perfectly, theirs gave a little bit of leeway, making it hard to make out much of anything about their body shape.

“Everything to your liking?”

They messed with their white, silk gloves, looking mildly surprised. They smiled. “Yeah, thanks, CayCay.”

“Last but not least…” Cater said, turning to Grim.

Grim bared his teeth. “I’m not wearing a suit, and I’m not taking off this ribbon.”

“Don’t worry, Grim-chan, it’s just a more on-theme ribbon,” Cater said, smiling, unsurprised by the monster’s uncooperativeness.

Enma watched as, however hesitantly, Grim nodded. Not because Enma was particularly interested in the ribbon (though it was nice, a mix of red and black and white that blended well, and Kuroki immediately started cooing over it), but because of Cater. The boy acted like an airhead, but he had taken note of several things that Enma wouldn’t have really thought about. Not that he hadn’t noticed that Kuroki liked to hide in his jacket, or that Ito had practically scrambled for the gloves on the first day, or that Grim didn’t even take off the collar to sleep… but he wasn’t sure that, if he had assigned himself the same job that Cater had, he would have thought to keep those details.

“Everyone ready?” Ito said, shoving their hands in their pockets.

“Not quite,” said Ace.

Everyone turned to look at him. Like Deuce and Cater, Ace was already in his Heartslabyul outfit. He looked ready, so why was he –?

The boy flicked his wrist and a card deck appeared in his hands. He pulled out the queen of hearts and stuck it in Enma’s breast pocket, where his handkerchief would be if Deuce hadn’t bloodied it the day prior.

“There, now you’re on theme, too.”

Enma snickered, even as a tiny smile wormed its way across his face. “Great. Thanks, Ace.”

~

“All hail our leader, the red sovereign himself… Housewarden Riddle!”

On cue, Riddle stepped out onto the grass. He, too, wore the checkered red, white, and black outfit that seemed to be a dorm-specific uniform, but he also had a tiny crown nestled in his bright red hair and a long, trailing cape.

Enma wondered, absently, whether the cape was supposed to be that long, or if Riddle was just too short.

“All hail Housewarden Riddle,” everyone chorused.

“Hm…” Riddle said, looking over the party with a critical eye. “The roses are red, the tablecloths are white, this is a proper Unbirthday indeed.”

The entire dorm breathed a sigh of relief.

Relief that was short-lived:

“I trust there is a dormouse asleep in the teapot?”

Everyone looked at each other, trying to figure out who, exactly, was supposed to do that. In case they hadn’t, and they needed someone to point fingers at.

“Of course,” said Trey, resident lifesaver. “And, should he wake up, we’ve also prepared the jam to spread on his nose.”

“Very good. Then let the very merry Unbirthday, begin.”

“Here here!”

They all toasted and, finally, they were allowed to actually enjoy themselves a little. Tuck into the food and start chatting (though, of course, not at the same time, as talking with your mouthful is gross).

“I’m back to thinking this place feels like a cult,” Kuroki muttered.

“Those are some fancy duds,” said Grim, pointing at Riddle’s new outfit.

“Ace, stop teaching Grim fake slang,” Ito chided a snickering redhead.

“Grim, stop pointing at people,” Enma said at the same time, smacking down the monster’s paw.

There was a second as Enma and Ito gave each other weird looks, not at all liking the accidental split custody they’d had over the brain cell at that moment.

“Awww, Ramshackle has a mom and dad,” Cater teased.

Enma groaned. “I’m choosing to believe that I’m the dad in this scenario.”

“Definitely not,” said Deuce, grinning behind his hand.

Kuroki laughed at their misfortune, which just could not do.

“If Enma and I are the parents, then does that mean that Kuroki is the baby?” Ito joked.

“Hey! Fuck you!” Kuroki said. “I’m the dorm leader, so that makes me the… dad…”

Kuroki seemed to realize, now that the words had been spoken aloud, that he did not in fact like the idea of being the dad. His expression soured.

It was too late, though, because everyone had heard.

Ace rested his arm over Kuroki’s shoulders, pulling him into his side even as the boy fruitlessly shoved at his face, trying to get away from the hug. “Awwwww, the baby wants to be a grown-up, too. Don’t worry, I’ll be the cool uncle that slips you alcohol.”

“Fuckyoufuckyoufuckyou –.”

~

“Now,” said Riddle, standing from his special table at the edge of the clearing that only allowed him and Trey. “Before our croquet match, it is customary that we do another toast.”

Everyone lifted their drinks once again, though the chatter didn’t quite end, it only died down a little. It was safe to say that everyone was in a good mood. Even Riddle had a hint of a smile on his face, satisfied with a job well done.

“On this most significantly unauspicious of days, I bid all in attendance… a very merry Unbirthday!”

“To a very merry Unbirthday!”

There was a collective cheer, and then people started dispersing. A majority headed past Riddle’s table for the croquet matches that, if rumors were true, somehow involved hedgehogs and flamingos. A few headed back towards the dorm proper, wanting to rest after the stressful preparations of that morning. Some lingered at the tables, chatting away or finishing up cooled food.

“Ace-chan, this is your best chance,” Cater said, nudging the boy. “He’s in a good mood, go give him the tart.”

Ace pushed himself to his feet. “Right, anyone want to come with?”

“Yes,” said Kuroki, immediately jumping to his feet.

Enma nodded, quick to follow.

Ace raised an eyebrow at them.

“I’m very excited about you getting your magic back,” Enma said. Kuroki nodded along dutifully.

“You want to see the croquet matches, huh?”

“I can be excited about two things,” Kuroki sniffed.

Ito smiled. “I’ll go with you to help you apologize, but I’m going to have to bail after that.” They brushed imaginary dirt from their clothes, and then turned to their dormmates. “Take a shower when you’re done with the croquet, ‘cause I’m not in the mood to asphyxiate today.”

“You guys can use the shower in our dorm,” Ace said, picking up the tart, grinning confidently. “As thanks for helping me out and all.”

That all decided, Ace lead his little entourage to Riddle’s table. The boy seemed mildly surprised when their group didn’t walk past to get to the croquet, and even more surprised when Ace stepped forward, looking apologetic.

“Housewarden, sir…”

“Tart thief,” Riddle said, though he didn’t look quite mad.

“About that,” said Ace, rubbing the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly. If Enma didn’t know better, he would have fallen for the act himself. “I want to apologize for eating your tart. We made you a new one to replace it.”

Riddle’s eyes lit up and he leaned forward, almost snatching the box out of Ace’s hands, and opened it up.

Only for several emotions to flicker across his face in rapid succession. None of them lingered long enough for Enma to get a proper read on any of it, but he did gather one thing: that none of Riddle’s current emotions were good.

“Is this some kind of taunt?”

Ace jolted backward, his eyes widening. “Sorry?!”

“A chestnut tart?”

“Are you allergic to nuts?” said Enma, bewildered.

“The Queen of Hearts’ Rule 562: One must never bring a chestnut tart to an Unbirthday tea party.”

Everyone went deathly quiet.

“This is an utterly flagrant rule violation! Do you understand what you’ve done?! You’ve ruined an otherwise perfect Unbirthday party!”

“How many rules are there?!” Enma whispered, somewhere between in awe and utterly horrified.

“810,” Riddle said without hesitation.

Cater leaned closer to Trey. “This is bad. Did you know about any of this?”

Trey was chewing his fingernails with so much intensity that it looked like he wouldn’t notice if he ran out of nails and started tearing into his actual fingers. “Of course not. I only know up to, like, 350 or so! No one knows all the rules!”

“I can recite each and every one of them,” Riddle said, shooting his Vice Housewarden a severe look. “As any good Heartslabyul representative should be able to do.”

Kuroki smiled nervously. “We can just take it home and bring it back later, no harm no foul, right? ‘Cause the tart isn’t the problem, right, it’s that it’s here? You can always eat it later.”

“Yes, the tart itself is not the problem. The rule is about bringing the tart, and it’s already been broken!” Riddle slammed his hands down on the table, pushing himself up to his full height. “As Housewarden, I cannot ignore this insult to the Queen’s honor. Trey! Dispose of the offending tart immediately. Cater! Get these wrongdoers out of my sight immediately.”

“Are you kidding me?” said Ace. “All of this because of a stupid rule?”

“That stupid rule is part of the very foundations of this dorm!”

“Yeah, that doesn’t mean it’s not dumb,” Ace snapped. “And you’re dumb for following it.”

Cater laughed nervously. “Hey, Ace-chan, you’re already in the hole, stop digging before it becomes your own grave, yeah?”

“And, Riddle, these are new students, they can’t be expected to know all of the rules already,” Trey jumped in, smiling in a way that was clearly supposed to seem placating, but just seemed scared.

Kuroki tugged on Ace’s sleeve, trying to get him to back down. “I know wasting food sucks, but how about we all just calm down?”

“Nope. I am not being the irrational one right now, do not tell me to calm down. Throwing away a perfectly good tart is about as foolish as it gets.”

“I think it’s more foolish to call the person that controls your entire dorm ‘foolish’,” Enma hissed warningly.

“I agree with Ace,” said Deuce, much to Kuroki and Enma’s chagrin. “I understand that rules need to be followed, obviously, but… this is way too far.”

Riddle scoffed. “Are you trying to debate me? Really? Okay, bold move, but I’ll bite. By breaking even one small, ‘dumb’ rule, you’re opening up the gates for more anarchy to slip through.”

“Okay, the slippery slope fallacy isn’t a great look,” Ace said.

Privately, Enma might have agreed, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t think Ace was much better. It was a small thing, they could remake the tart and bring it back tomorrow. Or ask Trey to use his illusion magic while throwing the tart away, so they didn’t even have to go through all the effort required to make the tart again. If it mattered that much, then they could follow the rules. It sucked, but angering the Housewarden known for being touchy about rules was also sucky.

Ace turned to the crowd of people that were still there, and steadily creeping closer to eavesdrop. “I know you’re all scared of getting your heads chopped off, but you  have to admit that this is ridiculous, right?”

“Uh…” said someone, looking less than thrilled that they were so close to the drama.

“Well, do you agree?” asked Riddle.

The people cowered.

“Um…” The boy cleared his throat. “No way, Housewarden Riddle, sir!”

One of the delinquents from earlier, the leader of the two, went so far as to give Riddle a thumbs up. “We trust in your judgment!”

Grim shook his paw at the boy.

“Cowards,” Ace hissed disdainfully.

Riddle scowled. “My methods work. In the year since I became Housewarden, not a single student has dropped out or been held back. No other house can boast the same feat.”

If that was true, then Enma could honestly respect that. Especially having seen how a lot of the students at this school, and even in this dorm, behaved. It couldn’t have been easy.

“Furthermore, out of everyone in this dorm, I have the best academic standing.”

Okay, impressive, but… Enma thought, holding back a wince. Where are you going with this?

“Therefore, I am the most correct!”

There aren’t enough words in the dictionary to accurately describe the emotions Enma felt. ‘Exhausted’ was close enough, though.

“If you would simply obey me without question, we wouldn’t need to argue like this.”

Kuroki tipped his head from side to side as if kind of agreeing. If you took the words literally, Riddle had a point. You can’t argue and also obey without question, those were diametrically opposed.

But… man was it hard to take Riddle’s side in a situation like this.

“I don’t want to take your heads!” Riddle snapped. “I do it because rules must never be broken! So, if you could just listen, that would be better for both of us!”

Oh, right, that was why Enma was more hesitant to say Riddle was entirely in the wrong. He didn’t even make the rules and, from the looks of things, went to extreme lengths to try and follow them himself. He had gone looking for sugar cubes during lunch when they ran out, simply because the rules said you must have two sugar cubes when drinking tea after a meal. The dedication was real, even if it was strange.

“If you will not obey me, then I will have all of your heads!”

Every time Enma almost agreed with him, he had to do something like this.

“I’m not going to bow to a self-important tyrant,” said Ace, smiling in a way that was meant to be aggravating, and absolutely succeeded in its goals.

And every time Enma is almost swayed to Ace’s side, he had to do something stupid, too!

“I can’t,” Deuce said.

Grim stomped his foot. While floating in midair. It was a strange sight. “We’re not going to let you destroy good food just ‘cause you’re throwing a tantrum!”

“Guys, we really don’t need to escalate this,” groaned Kuroki.

“Off! With! Your! Heads!”

With a wave of his wand, Riddle had collared Deuce and Grim as well.

Enma was almost offended that no collars were spared for him, Ito, or Kuroki.

Almost.

The collars didn’t seem comfortable.

“Aw, not again.”

“Nf,” groaned Deuce, trying to tug it up over his head. “It’s not…”

“Literally how did you not expect this?” Kuroki groaned. “He just said he would do that.”

“Trey! Cater! Eject them from the premises!”

“... yes Housewarden,” Trey said.

“Seriously?! You’re supposed to be our mentors, or whatever you said!” Deuce said, eyes wide in shock and horror.

Cater sighed. “It’s nothing personal.”

They both looked apologetic, but they both advanced on the group of first years regardless.

Ito finally piped up: “Don’t bother escorting us out. Let’s go, everyone.”

Ace looked like he was about to argue, but Ito grabbed him by the hand and started dragging him along.

The remaining people looked at each other, then at Cater and Trey who were readying their wands. Cater looked a little relieved that Ito was dragging away the most confrontational of the bunch, and a glance down showed his wand was still that murky color that Enma had noticed earlier. If Enma’s assumptions about how magic worked were correct, that would mean that he’d be pretty easy to take down, but… Trey was still there, and none of them had magic.

And it wasn’t like he was entirely on Ace’s side, anyways.

He lifted his hands in blatant surrender and turned to go.

Kuroki, visibly pleased that this was an option, snatched up Grim and booked it after Ito and Ace.

Deuce, either realizing he was outnumbered or remembering his goal of being a model student, followed.

Enma chanced a look back, but was surprised to see Riddle looking…

Well, Riddle looked sad.

[fukashiin]

YOURHT TURN

ROOOARGGGGGGGG IM LITERALLY BAWLING MY EYES OUT RN HES SO FUCKIGN ETHEREAL?????? LIKe IT FEELS SO WIERD AND OUT OF PLACE SEEING HIM IN PASTEL COLOURS BUT HES ABSOLUTELY DEVOURING IT RIGHT FUCKIGN UP MWAH MWAH IM GOING DEHYDRATED HAVING A MIGRAINE EXPERIENCING MULTIPLE CRAMPS AND SORE MUSCLES IN MY BODY THE DISHES IN THE DISHWASHER ARE CLATTERING THE WINDOWS ARE SHATTERING AS I SEE THE QUEENDOM OF ROSES EVENT STOMP AND ROAR MY WAY

[demonkinguwu]

I AM ABSOLUTELY SCREAMING

ALL THREE OF MY SIMPABLE FAVES ARE THE SSRS OF THE NEW EVENT ARE YOU KIDDING ME RN TWST DJEJDKDJDK

also frollo's there that's nice I guess

BUT SSR MALLEUS, SHORT HAIR IDIA, AZUL'S GLASSES

HOLY SHIT AM CRYING RN

[twstowo]

They get a body pillow of you [Twst]

♡︎Mimimi...

♡︎ Includes: NRC, RSA and Rollo

♡︎Warning: I wish they were real

⋆⋅☆Riddle: This man exploded—literally couldn’t bear to look at the pillow and had to hide it in his closet. Sometimes, he hosts tea parties with it, using it to practice conversations for when he wants to talk to you about something.

⋆⋅☆Trey: Tells you about it, doesn’t feel good knowing that someone is giving away those with you on it. (Slept with it once.)

⋆⋅☆Cater: Takes pictures with it and proudly posts them on Magicam. No shame.

⋆⋅☆Ace: Probably treats it like any regular head pillow, completely ignoring the fact that you are in it.

⋆⋅☆Deuce: Similar to Trey, he confessed about it but didn’t give it a second glance—he was too embarrassed.

⋆⋅☆Leona: Sleeps with it, but only within the inside of his room—can't risk being seen with it.

⋆⋅☆Ruggie: Sold it. He'd rather be with you after all.

⋆⋅☆Jack: Also told you about it.

⋆⋅☆Azul: Experiences the seven phases of grief over it, contemplating making more to sell. Eventually, he can't bring himself to do it and prefers being the only owner.

⋆⋅☆Jade: Takes it camping, pretending for once to have company on his mushroom hunts.

⋆⋅☆Floyd: Walks around Night Raven College with it—if anyone mentions the pillow, he will practically annihilate them. He got bored of it really fast.

⋆⋅☆Kalim: This man owns far too many pillows, he would love it so much and sleeps with it every night.

⋆⋅☆Jamil: Also overwhelmed like Riddle. He doesn’t know what to do with it. Considered telling you but prefers keeping it for himself. When he's incredibly stressed, he talks with it, imagining it’s you.

⋆⋅☆Vil: Fascinated by how uncannily similar it looks to you, he proceeds to apply makeup on it.

⋆⋅☆Rook: Holds onto it but would much rather have you around.

⋆⋅☆Epel: Sends it back—clearly not his cup of tea.

⋆⋅☆Idia: Not the first one he got of you. He sleeps with all of them in his bed.

⋆⋅☆Ortho: Hands it over to Idia without much thought.

⋆⋅☆Malleus: Ah yes, me, my boyfriend and his body pillow of me.

⋆⋅☆Lilia: Enjoys watching doramas with it, finding comfort in its presence.

⋆⋅☆Silver: Also confessed about it and apologized, feeling bad for looking at it.

⋆⋅☆Sebek: Passed away. Spends hours conversing with it about how amazing you are. Lilia had to take the pillow away as he’d stay up all night chatting with it.

⋆⋅☆Che’nya: Turns invisible while grabbing the pillow. Over time, people started suspecting that there were haunted pillows adorned with your image haunting the college grounds.

⋆⋅☆Neige: Confessed about it and felt it wouldn’t be right to keep it.

⋆⋅☆Rollo: Deemed it too sinful and decided to burn it.

[z3rinn]

# #. DOING THEIR MAKEUP !!

featuring: nrc 1st years !! You're usually bored in Ramshackle, even while having sleepovers with the other first year boys. But then, you suddenly have an epiphany!! To do their makeup!! But how do they react?

srry I haven't posted in a while >.< I've been working on some projects that I hope you guys will enjoy! Plus winter break is always so hectic for me lol. I hope all of ur holidays went well and i hope you have a happy new year!

# #. ACE TRAPPOLA

Ace is initially sceptical at first. Why would you offer to do his makeup? It was such a random request, he couldn't help but be nervous. Were you about to prank him? Or draw a dick on his face??? Was this payback for all the times he's drawn them on you and Deuce?

It doesnt take much convincing to let you though- drawing that heart day after day gets annoying. Especially because Riddle makes sure it's perfect every morning. It'd be nice to have someone do it for him.

Ace sits in front of you, legs spread for you to sit in between. He's leaning against the couch, slouching and complaining about how long this would take. Yet, the sudden feeling of your hands on his face shuts him up. Huh. When did the two of you get so close?

Your hands brush against his face, a sort of tension in the air as you do so. The soft sensation of the makeup brush, the powder on his face, the chill of the air. It was all calming and cold. Yet he couldn't help but feel warm.

You were too close to him. That had to be it! So close he could feel your breath on his lips. Once he felt your fingertips press against the plush of lips, he flushed brightly. He hoped you didn’t notice his stare.

Once you finish he smirks. That stupid, snarky, voice leaving his lips. He teases you for being so close to him, saying you must've done it on purpose. Luckily, you couldn't notice his pink cheeks under the blush you placed on him. He hums lightly, a cheeky grin forming on his face. He’d have to let you do this again.

# #. DEUCE SPADE

Deuce had makeup on his face before, seeing things like foundation and concealer were common to find on him. His mom would put them on him, it was due to their matching complexions, she would say, giggling.

He stopped during his delinquent era, using it occasionally to draw scars and bruises to seem “cool.” Makeup reminded him of his mom. Of his time as a delinquent. Of both his bad and good decisions. Perhaps that’s why he was afraid to agree.

Nonetheless, he accepts, albeit a bit nervously. Deuce sits on his knees, body tense as he glances around the room. You sit before him, laughing at his flushed face. You probably wouldnt even need to blush him with how red he was. Deuce was panicking, you were way too close to his face.

He's nervous and tense when your hands come to caress his cheeks. At first not even registering your touch. The feeling of his skin on yours is too much at first. It’s like he’s about to explode with how fast his heart.

However, he soon relaxes, face still flushed and heart still pounding. But he had a dazed look in is in his eyes, so close to falling asleep. The feeling of your hands on his face, gently putting product on him. He could fall asleep to this. It was comforting.

He flushes bright red when you wake him up, stuttering apologies like he had accidentally pushed you or something. You laughed at him, ruffling his hair (that you did while he was asleep) before pressing a teasing kiss to his cheek. Now he was burning.

# #. JACK HOWL

Jack's also confused, why would you want to put makeup on him of all people? Wouldn't you prefer someone prettier? But then you comment on how pretty he looked during the fairy gala, leaving him with a wagging tail and twitching ears.

Jack still looms over you, even while sitting. So it's better to have his head in your lap, or have him sit in a chair while you do it. You chose the former option (obviously). So he lays his head in your lap, albeit awkwardly.

Your hands travel to the back of his head, slightly massaging the hair behind his ears. His eyes are closed, body tense, like any sudden movements would disrupt you. You just giggle, petting him more and telling him to loosen up.

Soon, he relaxes, melting into your touch. His heightened senses usually make things uncomfortable, especially with things on his face. Yet your touch was calming and nice. Plus the scratches did help.

It reminded him of his siblings, and how they would make him play dress up and put makeup on him for fun. All those tea parties he had to attend, and those scrutinizing hours of just sitting there seemed to be useful once in a while. His eyes open to meet your own, golden eyes gazing up at you.

You were concentrating, biting your lips slightly as you blush his cheeks. He can't help but smile at your face. Once noticing Jack's stare you smile, complementing how still he was, compared to everyone else. Would he let you do this again? Yeah. If you asked.

# #. EPEL FELMIER

Epel sighs, dramatically falling to the floor. Of course you'd want to do his makeup. Ever since coming to NRC he's had to deal with people (Vil) wanting to put products on him like he was some sorta mannequin.

But you're not Vil, and you weren't forcing it onto him. And Epel could admit the teeny tiny crush he had on you. ( Having your hands on him was like a fever dream- ) Plus you were one of his closest friends! So with the sweetest smile ever, he agrees.

He sits crossed legged, with you on your knees above him. You look down at him, lifting his head up slightly. You cup his cheek, gently running your finger down the soft flesh, they were so smooth that not even a single blackhead was there. Vil's products really worked!

Meanwhile Epel was trying so hard to not scream at the top of his lungs. He could feel your warm, minty, breath, your skin softly caressing his own. He wanted to shove his face into one of the couch pillows and scream for an eternity.

Luckily, he's able to keep his composure, and soon gets lost in the familiar feeling of makeup on his face. It was oddly comforting, or satisfying at least. But he just can't seem to let go of the butterflies in his stomach.

Seven forbid he opens his eyes again ( they've been closed this whole time ) cause as soon as he sees your focused stare he's gonna retire to the countryside. The smile you give when finishing melts his heart. When he gets back to pomefiore he's gonna scream into that pillow like there's no tomorrow.

# #. SEBEK ZIGVOLT

Sebek is yapping and refusing, saying how it's unbecoming to wear makeup as a knight. He would get messy and dirtied during his training anyway, so what was the point? You remind him that Lilia's a knight, and that he wears makeup. He shuts up...Before yelling once more.

You sigh, groaning into a couch pillow at his annoying voice. Looks like you'll have to bring out the ultimate weapon for this. You stand up, batting your lashes as you place an arm on his shoulder. "But Sebek, don't you want to look your best for Malleus?"

That gets him to shut up. He sits on the sofa, posture still perfect as he grumbles to himself, arms crossed. Yet you can see the nervous excitement on his face. It was both cute yet annoying how dedicated he was.

You stand above him, a cheeky grin on your lips as you hold the brushes to his face. He's rolling his eyes at you, telling you to hurry it up. And that you do. He doesn't care much for the feeling, finding it somewhat pleasant- in a weird way.

He's far more focused on the way your standing above him. Your eyes gaze at him, and it feels like your staring deeply into his soul. He notices how your lips pucker slightly, carefully placing lipstick on his own. Your lips look oddly nice....

GAH- you're just a dumb human!! Why was he thinking about you like this?? He's suddenly flushing a bright red. Sputtering curses and nonsense- something about you bewitching him?? You just roll your eyes, quickly finishing the job before kicking him out. At least he looks good for Waka-Sama.

[cursedcola]

Prompt: "Will You Marry Me?"- Proposal Headcannons Characters: Everyone :) Part(s): Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw, Octavinelle, Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde, Diasomnia (Pt.1 !) (Pt.2 Here!) Fandom: Twisted Wonderland Warning(s): None. I mean, unless you don't want to marry any of them. Just don't read if that's the case. ALSO SLIGHT SPOILER FOR CHAPTER 7 IN SILVER Note: These are all if he is the one proposing btw. Also, I went overboard. I had to break Diasomnia into 2 parts because I exceeded tumblr's character limit. I have favorites I guess :/

This man is a child masquerading as an adult. As in to say that he resists any illogical emotions until they bottle up and explode. The traditional pathway for finding a life partner typically follows: stranger -> acquaintance -> friend -> crush -> lover ->partner. You know, as it normally goes when bonds form.

Sebek....is not a textbook case in this regard. His path is a bit more customizable

stranger -> person he is forced to interact with -> acquaintance of Lord Malleus -> Acquaintance of Lord Malleus that Sebek approves of -> Friend that Lord Malleus approves of -> Repressed Crush -> Acquaintance that Sebek avoids at all costs -> Acknowledged crush -> Acknowledged crush that Lord Malleus approves of -> Respected individual with mitigated interactions -> Courting -> awkward situationship -> lover -> awkward situationship (with better communication) -> spouse

Enough said.

This process isn’t as complicated as it may seem on paper. While there are many steps, Sebek is fortunate enough to have people in his life willing to force commitments onto him. It also helps that he has blind trust in a select few. This makes him a bit naive and easily influenced. A boon in the right hands, and a bane in others.

In short, Sebek is emotionally constipated and only acts when there’s a driving force. Otherwise he just gets frustrated. This is extremely apparent at two stages: ‘repressed crush’ and ‘awkward situationship’. Scratch that. Three stages.

Beginning at ‘repressed crush’ - Sebek realizes that he likes you when you ask about how his training is going. He happened by your dorm during his morning jog, and was more than happy to go off on a tangent of the strict regimen developed to forge a perfect knight.

Except that’s not what you wanted to hear. You were more interested in his health and how he was enjoying himself rather than how his work was benefitting Malleus.

His heart fluttered, as if a shock of electricity thrummed through his body. Having never felt this before, Sebek mistakes it for a lapse in his strength and runs off at a much faster speed than before. Forget a light jog, he had enough energy to run 500 laps around the school track.

Don’t you get it human?! You were distracting him! His body was at rest too long. Now shoo, you’re hindering him from doing his duty.

He represses these budding romantic feelings and ‘misinterprets’ them as deviant behavior. He even goes so far as to blame it on ‘useless hormones’ and convinces himself that it’ll pass. He spares it no thought until his pining becomes apparent to everyone except for himself

Que the driving force. Despite Sebek believing otherwise, he does have friends and his entire love-life can be credited to their affectionate stupidity.

Simply put, Ace takes every chance to seamlessly flirt with you whenever Sebek is around. Not in a subtle way either - he's making some risky comments and trying to eat up every moment of your time. The others in your year are well aware of what he's doing too. Deuce thinks he's being unnecessary, but also agrees that Sebek needs a push so he lets it happen. Epel has his gripes with Sebek, but admires him for his manly tenacity. So he's 100% in support of giving an extra push and even tries to copy Ace. Except... yeah, he's pretty bad at flirting so he gives up after one try. Jack is against it at first, not wanting to hurt your feelings in the process but gets talked into it after seeing you get salty over Sebek being distant. Ortho, bless his innocent soul, thinks of it as a fun experiment. Lil guy just wants everyone to be happy.

You have no idea though, which is great because all of Ace's attempts fail hardcore. Sebek and his chivalrous ways (jealousy) won't stand by if you're being constantly bombarded with 'unwanted' romantic affections.

Nevermind that you don't seem to be taking Ace seriously at all. It is still not proper behavior! It would be a stain to his Lord's image if Sebek knowingly let Malleus' beloved friend endure such a hardship.

Every time Ace makes an attempt, Sebek shuts him down faster than you ever could. You have no idea how he does it, but Sebek is always around when it happens. The timing is honestly creepy....until you catch on to what's happening because the Ramshackle prefect isn't a dumdum.

"So....prefect, how about we go get dinner together tomorrow? Just you and me, what do ya say?" Ace slides into the seat to your right during breakfast. He leans in on his fist, eyeing you with a mischievous grin that crinkles the heart on his cheek. Just as he does, Sebek occupies the seat at your left and pushes Ace back with his palm.

"Do you ever rest?! They will do no such thing, now eat your meal before it runs cold. The chefs worked too hard for their efforts to be wasted by a delinquent!" Sebek answers on your behalf like clockwork. This event was not an uncommon sight to anyone, neither was Sebek failing to control his volume, so no other student paid the show any mind.

Normally you'd let them spit a few words at each other before returning to their own devices. Yet letting this continue just felt cruel, especially knowing that Ace was doing it to get a rise from your friend. Although Sebek wasn't innocent in the matter either

"Alright - Ace, would you knock it off? You don't even like me that way so quit messing with my head. I thought you were better than this," you say in between bites, side-eyeing your friend with a disapproving glare "And you!" you turn to Sebek, "I can answer for myself. Why do you even care? It's not like you're in charge of my love life. Just because someone wants to date me doesn't make them a delinquent...sheesh"

Why...why does he care? Sebek short circuits at your scolding, opening and closing his mouth to rebuttal yet coming up with nothing. Angered by his own turmoil, he grabs his meal and goes to sit with others from his dorm.

Stupid human. How dare you be so haughty and ungrateful? He was just protecting you from....from, what exactly? It's not like you going out with Ace would impact him in any way. It's not like you were in danger or upset with his advances. If anything. he was doing a good job at keeping your relationship professional for the sake of his liege!

Go ahead and date that childish hooligan for all he cares! Sebek won't be there to protect you when you're lost, or lend you a scarf on cold winter days. Ace can be the one to call you before bed every night, and keep your yearbook photo on his desk. Possibly keep his favorite candid photo as a bookmark for his diary, not that Sebek would know anyone that keeps a journal. He can have your birthday written in his calendar with a heart drawn around it, and have your picture in his wristwatch. He can set alarms to know when your classes end and walk you home. He can worry when you're sick and listen to your obnoxious prying....he can receive all your affections, and have your loyalty. Listen to your silly ramblings and receive those random 'i just thought of you' presents that Sebek always has a dilemma over what their purpose serves

You can be Ace's headache, and Sebek's heart will be lighter for it. These attachments he's formed were a lapse in judgement and will never be allowed again.

...

Sebek asks his lord for permission to court you. The next morning Malleus wakes to find the devotee bowed outside his bedroom, forehead attached to the floor and hands laid flat on the ground in reverence. Sebek proceeds to begin a long rant about how he's succumbed to his inner demons, and that he has sinned for letting another in his heart - Malleus cuts him off, happy to see love blossoming and interested to watch it all play out. He tells Sebek to take good care of you, before leaving. Meanwhile Sebek is sobbing at his lord's blessing

Once he's gathered himself, Sebek runs to your dorm and pounds on the door with fervor despite the early hour

Grim shakes you out of sleep, grumbling something about an 'annoying bastard' at the door before flopping back in bed. He shoves two pillows over his ears and tells you to fix the problem. That's when you hear the thumping, it's relentless and somehow sours your mood beyond what you thought possible. Mornings were not meant to exist on the weekend. So with an irritated groan, you slip on a robe over your pajamas and answer the door. A fist pauses in the air, moments from striking you. Sebek freezes momentarily, his body going ridged before coughing into his fist. A light blush dusts his cheeks.

“G-good morning, human. I apologize if I've disturbed your sleep, but I have an important announcement that cannot wait any longer" Sebeck studders, focusing on the door pane instead of your disheveled morning appearance.

“Alright" you sigh, resigning yourself to his whims, "what is it?"

Sebeck bows at the waist. "I am in love with you. Please accept my affections."

And so the motions continued on. A most unconventional pairing - possibly the hottest topic of the school year, in the words of Cater Diamond - was formed. Sebek was cautious of Ace at first, their previous spats leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. When he found out the truth, he was both appalled and grateful. So much that he scorned all his friends for weeks on end for pulling a stunt like that - but also thanking them. He apologizes for calling Ace a delinquent, and his heart changes a bit in response to their 'unique' display of care. Their intentions were good, and in the end it worked out. So he can pardon the indiscretion.

Life goes on until your relationship forms an 'awkward situationship'. The first time is brief. As it is with most cases of young love, the binding force that ties you to them crumbles. On earth it is highschool. In Twisted Wonderland it is NRC. Sebek knows where he's going - to serve the Draconias . The grey area is what you plan to do...because as much as his affections have grown, Sebek isn't willing to give up his dreams for you.

He's astonished when you decide to follow him to Briar Valley. He doesn't even have to breech the topic - arrangements were already being made without his input. You wouldn't be staying at the palace against his Lord's wishes. Instead a small cottage was built at a safe distance from the main city. Close enough for you to visit the castle, and far enough for you to feel comfortable and not out of place.

Seeing you taking his wants into consideration alters Sebek's perception of your relationship. You truly were lovers, and not a passing 'hormonal induced fling'. You loved him, and it's here when he truly begins to consider a forever. It was like the time when he first called your name, no longer calling you by 'prefect' or 'human'. He had done it many times in private, yet doing so to your face altered his brain chemistry. He loved the way your name rolled off his tongue, and the way your attention became his at the call.

Which leads us to the third and final major block-aid. Years have passed, and Sebek's well grown as an established knight for the Draconia family. He works alongside Silver, and many other comrades in arms. Everything is exactly as he dreamed. Malleus has become a beloved, strong king. Sebek is respected, and you are thriving as well. He didn't have much faith in your ability to last alone - it's not that he doubts your abilities, but he did doubt his people. When you first moved to Briar Valley Sebek was well aware that there were many like his past self - fae with a hatred for humans. He worried you would struggle to fit in.

Yet you surprised him. The tensions did exist against your kind, but you managed to card a space for yourself in Briar Valley with ease. You didn't even work in the palace, instead choosing to work towards becoming a children's teacher and work towards helping future generations of fae feel comfortable around humans.

His family adored you - with his mother in particular fawning over how Sebek fell down the same pipeline she did. His father offers you both advice on being an interspecies couple - and Sebek actually found himself listening.

Huh. Character growth. Is this what it's like to mature?

All is perfect, yet not. Sebek is forced to confront this when news travels that a human was attacked on their way to the palace. The dread that coursed through his veins was unlike anything Sebek's felt in his entire life. Under Malleus' rule, humans were slowly becoming more prevalent in Briar Valley. They hadn't mentioned your name specifically, but he jumped the gun.

Against his better judgement, Sebek abandons his post and rushed to the city's clinic. The injured human wasn't you, thank the seven, but the dread lingered. So he ran to the school you taught at and practically barged into your classroom. Luckily it was empty as the day was near end. Sebek hadn't known that yet still behaved recklessly.

He rushed to your side, talking faster than your brain could keep up with while checking over your body. He flipped topics like a teen trying to pick a college major - scolding you for worrying him, blubbering gibberish about how you'd no longer be allowed to walk alone, and myriad of other things.

Sebek was so shook, that he completely forgot about his knightly station. Malleus didn't punish him for abandoning his post. Not like it mattered, considering Sebek was already doing ample damage on his own. The realization hit him like a stone punch to the gut - there was a threat to his liege, and instead of focusing on apprehending the criminal he chose to find you.

Malleus' power or his dismissal of the matter meant little in the overall picture. Sebek failed. He's ashamed beyond belief.

and yet, he can't help but wonder what ight have been. What if you were the one attacked and he chose to stay? He would have failed you in that scenario.

He's surprised to find that the prospect his failure hurts just as much - if not more. His lord is powerful, and there are many to serve him. Your last moments could have been spent in a cold medical bed, surrounded by strangers. Fading away and taking Sebek's dreams with you.

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

Ah. Since when had that word become plural? His dream was always to serve Lord Malleus. Now there are more - he wants a family, and he wants to go to that play you were organizing with the valley's children next weekend. He wants to become a greater knight to protect the city that houses all the people he cares about. Again, plural. Lilia, Silver, his siblings and parents, all the human and fae who are loyal subjects to his most revered. You, and your decedents to come.

It's frightening. How valuable one's life can become. His always belonged to the Draconia bloodline to do with at they pleased - now Sebek's in pieces. Is he truly worthy of being a knight if he cannot give his whole heart?

He doesn't blame you for this. In his youth Sebek might have tossed your relationship aside in a heartbeat - that, or he might've demanded Malleus dismiss him and send him to repent in exile or whatever. Sebek has a problem with embellishing with dramatics.

BUT... he's more mature now. Mature enough to realize that maybe he can have his cake and eat it too.

So, he asks Lilia for advice. At this time the general merely lazes around the castle like a bat on the wall - acting as an advisor and observer. Surely he'd know what to do.

"There is nothing wrong with sharing a heart amongst many. If anything, the toughest decisions make us stronger. The more you have to lose, the stronger you will become to protect"

Preach it grandpappy. Lilia wants to see his grandkids so stop the slow burn already.

It's deja vu because Sebek wants to propose as quick as possible. Just like when he confessed, the man nearly runs to your home on impulse. You can thank Lilia for your proposal not taking place at 3am with your door being broke in two (Sebek is much stronger than he was in his teens, and sometimes miscalculates his strength).

Instead, Sebek finds himself anxiously clutching a ring in his pocket the following week. It was the night of a school play you were hosting - one he was looking forward to since you were so proud in your work. Ergo, Sebek felt pride as well by default.

How unfortunate that he can't focus on the show. With his mind reeling so much, it's taking all he has to sit quietly in the audience. His eyes follow your movements as you direct the kids, and for a brief moment you smile at him from the stage.

Zap. Alright. Don't clutch metal when you're a living thunderbolt. Duly noted. If anything the jolt of pain brings him back to reality.

When the play ends, and all the children have gone home with their families, he finds you back stage sweeping confetti. His plan was to congratulate you, and take you to a nice restaurant where he could do this properly.

Except he can't wait. When you turn around from putting the broom away, he's already taken a knee and holding the ring out. Those diligent gold iris' not pulling away for one moment, as he holds the ring out between two fingers and his other hand placed over his heart as if taking an oath.

"Before you say anything - You have sacrificed time and time again for my happiness - my efforts are insignificant in comparison. I have taken your patience for granted like a spoiled juvenile. There was a time when I found this kindness of yours unnecessary. I thought it a distraction - a test of my strength to fulfill my destiny. I see now that I was foolish”

Sebek pauses, grinding his teeth together in regret and anguish.

“I had not known fear until you. I have more to lose now than ever before. Last week I abandoned my post - my purpose- In that moment, all I could think about was if you’d been attacked, then my life would be over. You make me lose all sense of logic and reason…so I demand that you take responsibility and marry me!”

{A gold band with an obsidian base. Gold and silver flakes are sealed atop the obsidian plate using resin. Very practical, yet charming nonetheless. Humans typically wear matching bands, yes? Sebek sees no purpose in getting separate designs since the point is to show proof of partnership. He needs a practical shape that will not interfere with combat, yet also wants it to be an aesthetic choice. Sebek could care less about looks, but if he’s going to give you a ring then it will be the best possible option to match to your worth}

Silver is beautiful like still ocean waters. He's breathtaking - literally and figuratively. With the beauty of a fairytale prince, personality of a wise knight, and deadliness of the deep sea. It's easy to be sucked in when Silver seemingly has no flaws. So easy that at one point there were rumors of him being a living doll, created by the fae to be a perfect solider.

These perceptions all rely on his outward appearance: the knight in shining armor. Albeit so, being so perfect almost makes him unnoticeable. Compared to his rowdy peers with quirks and notable personalities - Silver truly is a doll. Like the complacent child praised for being more mature than their siblings. He is as easily forgotten as he is admired.

Some would say that this is a flaw in itself - because no one is naturally perfect. No one is so complacent and calm at birth. It's simply a desirable flaw. One that hurts him, yet has ben praised by others.

Silver is strong. Silver is diligent. Silver is beautiful. Silver is breathtaking and yet not the showstopper - like gold. Gold brings warmth while silver is cold. Imperfections in gold give it character, and can be seen as art. Imperfections in silver are seen as unsightly scratches.

Silver knows this, yet doesn't want to be gold. He doesn't deserve to be gold.

Silver doesn't deserve anything. He has already taken so much simply by living. He has a world to be grateful for, and not enough time to repay his debts.

He is content being Silver - if he could then he'd be copper. Lesser. Yet he is Silver, a reminder of the blood he carries.

He will remain unremarkable yet dedicated. He will dedicate everything to his family and friends - do whatever he can to break free of his sleeping curse and help others. He will give until he cannot give anymore. Then he will give more, to repay all he has received.

....For as much as he is content with this life, Silver still envies gold.

You are beautiful like a new dawn. Ushering in each day with a vibrant display that commands attention. People instinctively admire you despite the risk of hurting their eyes. You heal the world naturally, and help others simply by existing. People take you for granted, because inevitably the moon will rise, and the cold will inevitably return.

You were bathed in golden light. This Silver noticed the moment he laid eyes on you. He couldn't tear his eyes away.

Silver envies gold.

........

You envy Silver. His calm, his family, his dedication despite being limited by his crippling drowsiness. Out of the students from Diasomnia, he was the one you lingered towards more often than not. The freshmen revered him for his skills, and he was a true gentle soul. You at first couldn't believe that he was Lilia's son - how did such a kind boy come from a rambunctious tease? Revelations of his past brought much to light, and now you couldn't think of him being anyone else.

Silver was loved like the first snowfall. He had a family that loved him dearly, no matter how short his time with them would be. He was raised to bring happiness to others, and protect their hearts using his demure temperament.

Silver was modest, and silver glistened when you'd expect him to the least. As the wind caressed his hair during an afternoon siesta, or sparks lit in his eyes while swinging his sword. How the horses nuzzle his side after equestrian practice, showing full trust and affection. Even in the sweat dripping from his brow, shining as he easily finishes a set of push ups.

Yet nothing struck your heart more than the melancholy he'd emit when no one was looking. How quickly he'd fade into the background, only popping in when necessary or if someone gave him note. In these moments Silver gleamed brilliantly, yet a shadow put out his shine.

You thought the melancholy inviting. It felt so natural, so real. Except you believed it balanced dangerously between despair and serene. The larger question being which side would he evidently fall towards.

.........

Silver admires gold.

He couldn't stop the pull. He just couldn't. Not with how you seemingly watch him when no one else does. Who wouldn't feel special? With the way you take note of things he normally wouldn't think of, and recklessly delve into helping others with no regard for yourself. Whether you desire the trouble is beyond him - the matter is that you see every issue through. There isn't a soul who doesn't know of the ramshackle prefect.

Perhaps this is his torment to endure. To get a taste for what he could have been, and willingly be tied to it.

Silver stares into a vanity mirror, his expression neutral despite the growing emotions inside. A slightly tattered sheet is tied around his neck like a bib, covering his front and part of his back. A shiver runs down his spine as you comb through his hair, deftly trimming the edges with a pair of kitchen scissors with the precision of a professional. A shiver runs down his spine every time your fingers linger against his scalp, either from tucking stray strands or combing through layers with your fingertips.

Your expression is stern, eyes intensely focused as you cut around his ear, afraid to nick him in the process. He finds the expression adorable yet bites his tongue. Silver couldn't think those thoughts. Not when you offered to do this out of the kindness of your heart.

Nonetheless, his heart thrums. If it were possible he'd think the organ about to pop out at any moment.

"Finished!" you smile in satisfaction and tussle Silver's soft locks for good measure. In one fell swoop, you undo the knot around his neck and pull the makeshift apron off of him. Silver nods, a slight smile teasing the edge of his lips. He stands from the chair and steps over any hair on the floor, reaching for the broom to clean before you could think to. "Thank you. I no longer need to schedule with a barber. This will save much time," In truth he had no intentions for a haircut. You were the one to notice how his bangs hindered his vision, and offered to help. Silver couldn't bring himself to deny your kindness. "You really like it? Hehe. Y'know, maybe I should start a shop on campus? I only started doing this since there aren't any affordable salons....maybe with it I can finally afford to fix the guest room!" you cheer and prattle on about all the different possibilities. Occasionally you'll ask for Silver's input, or even give an off hand compliment about how he was the perfect 'test subject'. Your company is intoxicating, he realizes. Talking with you is as easy as drinking water. Before Silver realizes, night has fallen and you've fallen asleep on the couch. Despite his better judgement, he finds himself wandering the Ramshackle door. He compulsively cleans up the mess you'd both left behind during his visit, doing the dishes from dinner and rearranging things here and there. As he does so, Silver notes all the little improvements around the dorm. It feels more like a home than a school building. Then again you do live alone. He wonders how often you host visitors, and if you unknowingly ensnared them just as you've done to him. He covers your shoulders with a blanket and steps outside under the moonlight.

It’s cold.

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

You wake up the following day to find all the windows shut, your living room clean, and a warm blanket covering your shoulders. Your eyes peer around for silver, yet turn up empty.

Of course. Silver has a dorm to return to and people that would miss him if he returned late.

Shuffling around the silent dorm, the rickey old floorboards creek underneath your weight. In manufactured motions, you brew a cup of tea and pour it into the only well-used cup from the cabinet.

As your cup brews, you sit at the table with the blanket still clutched tight over your shoulders.

The tea goes cold, yet you are warm.

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

Silver loves gold.

but silver and gold don't mix. The question always is: silver or gold? When deciding a piece of jewelry to match your skin tone, people will ask 'silver or gold'? The metals are not meant to mix because they clash. It's an outfit catastrophe.

Yet, Silver cannot help but wonder. As he lays with his head in your lap and the sun and silence coaxing him to slumber - what if an outfit existed to compliment both silver and gold?

"Silver..are you sleeping again?" you tap his cheek with one hand, and his eyes open instinctively. Despite his drowsiness he will always look for you. Yet right now he's never regretted the magnetic pull more. With the sun casting a golden overcast, you peer down at him from above with tender eyes typically reserved for one's child. Your glow is breathtaking, and he cannot help the sinking feeling in his stomach that he is unworthy. With such gentle hands combing across his scalp and eyes that look upon him so tenderly - he is afraid to steal your warmth. And yet… "You are beautiful," Silver lets it slip, his hand reaching to brush against your jaw as if under a spell. He feels unnervingly calm. Not in his usual way, where he is constantly observing and playing a game of mental chess. This is a true calm, and he knows now that this is a point of no return.

Silver is beautiful like a still ocean. You are beautiful like the rising sun. When combined, a perfect image is formed just waiting for an artist to stumble upon it.

Against his wishes, the world has granted the child of dawn another gift. The gift of true love. 'True love's kiss will break the curse' and while it is childish to believe so in this case, Silver does so wholeheartedly.

When with you, the days pass like minutes. He wants nothing more than to forgo need for sleep, if only to work harder towards becoming a man worthy.

Silver envies gold for it's effortless demand for love, yet he no longer wants to be gold. He no longer wishes he were born copper.

Gold loves silver, so Silver he will be.

And with time, both Silver and Gold will be ground to dust regardless.

He thinks of this on a winter evening while holding a ring up into the moonlight. It's cold outside, yet he doesn't mind. The chill atop his nose does nothing but tinge it a lovely rosy color.

He looks through the windowpane into a home masquerading as a school building. His reflection is familiar yet changing rapidly in comparison to his family. The years have aged him, yet not by much. Silver is stronger, his soft jaw a bit sharper. His bangs have grown long again, it would soon be time for a cut. Perhaps he'd enlist a 'barber' after relocating back to the castle in briar valley.

Inside you sit at the couch, sipping from a well-used mug with Grim on your lap and watching cartoons. Silver's bag rests on the armchair, unzipped with nightly necessities spilling out the side. A slightly newer baby blue mug sits on the coffee table, with steam evaporating into the air as it waits to be used.

Silver smiles, walking towards the door and walking inside. Heat warms his cheeks and he is calm.

"I know I am unworthy of you, the thought plagues me to this very moment. Yet I cannot help but love you - like wishing on a star yet knowing deep in the depths of your heart that miracles are made not granted. I've received many, so I would know. My father gifted me life through love - and with you I understand how it is possible. I cannot imagine life without you. I promise this, I will cherish you and protect you for as long as you allow it. Would you marry me?"

Months later a ceremony is held in a secluded forest, in the yard of a cottage where a child first learned love. As an adult, he joins his most precious in matrimony, offering his sword to be sworn faithful.

You are beautiful like the first breech of daylight - and for once, Silver is happy to be a man of dawn.

Silver and gold.

Silver and gold.

Everyone wishes for silver and gold.

How do you measure it's worth?

Just by the pleasure it gives here on earth.

{A ring forged from a silver band, gold leaf embellishments, and a moss agate core. Enough said.}

[rose-tea-and-strawberries]

Ramshackle Family PowerPoint Night Slumber Party Headcanons

Masterlist

Bonus: First years

Sleepovers at Ramshackle are common but one day you decided to spice things up by having a powerpoint night party

You told Ace and Deuce your idea on Monday so that they had enough time to prepare for Friday.

The party begins in the afternoon and the three of you start baking all sorts of treats in the kitchen like cookies and brownies before you get changed into your pyjamas

Deuce: 

His are really simple but bless him he worked so hard

He gets super into his and gets all animated and excited 

He loves it when you ask questions 

His slides are very neat, like one or two bullet points at most with a few pictures. He uses a baby blue background with standard black text. 

“I didn’t want to make it hard to read” ♡

Ace: 

Ace is what happens when a primary schooler is introduced to powerpoint for the first time

Every single transition and animation is used. He uses those cool font sites to make gif fonts that are going on every slide. It looks like a party popper exploded all over it. Each slide is a different garish colour. ‘Body text’? What’s that? Word art and word art only is his text

His presentations are either typical meme stuff like playing smash or pass with smash bros. characters or they’re the saltiest roasts you’ve ever heard

Yes, the last one was specifically made for you. He loves you dearly and has noticed that you’ve been on the receiving end of many a wandering eye. Prefect, you could do so much better

Grim

Since he’s baby™ he can’t make a powerpoint so he just has a whiteboard with the words ‘BUY ME MORE TUNA’ scribbled on

I’m not going to do the reader’s slides to make it more general but when it’s your turn to present you bet that it would be dead silent. If Ace so much as coughs, Deuce is decking him with a pillow.

After powerpoint night has ended, you play other games like those random Kahoot quizzes, charades with the ghosts, board and card games etc.

You even assemble a blanket fort that takes half an hour longer because of a pillow fight Ace instigated 

You all decide to do it again next week

[a-local-idiots-shitpost]

Yuu: sad boy hours are over let's go

Deuce: you just cried for ten minutes

Yuu: and I said sad boy hours are over

Deuce: do you... need someone to talk with?

Yuu: nope I'll deal with my emotions like I always do and just bottle everything up until it explodes

Deuce: (concerned) I think you should take a break

[kalims]

the package deal

summary. random scenarios I think about daily

content. scenarios, fluff, not proofread

featuring. jamil, ace, floyd, gender neutral

note. @merotwst hello beh para ito sayo 🥺 SORY ITS VERY LATE I GOT BUSY

scenarios are by order of the names ^^ & double post as an apology for inactive-ness LOL

your personal basketball shield

"what in the great seven are you doing?"

"I'm doing nothing, I'm completely innocent." you nervously reply before adding; "and I'm um... a student from room C."

well the first part made you look suspicious now.

but the second part is a lie though.

you in fact, are not a student from room C. you purposely left out mentioning what year you were in all together in favor of hopefully, having your identity still anonymous the remainder you'd still be inside the court.

speaking of. you aren't even supposed to be here right now.

the student eyes you weirdly, and you refrain from sweating bullets under their gaze.

for your own sake you just ignore them and focus on the court, your eyes immediately zeroes on the seemingly tight block (attempt at this point) at floyd, but he doesn't have any problem getting past them at all. you blink and he had already slammed the ball in and hung off the net like he's trying to play monkey bars.

to be fair your getup is immensely out of place, you're wearing all black, the hood is over your head and you're wearing shades which wouldn't have been strange if you hadn't wore it indoors. a black jacket to match when it's 36 degrees outside? yeah right.

in all honesty you're trying to gaslight yourself that you're just here to show support for one of your friends but you hadn't spared a wink of a gaze in ace's direction ever since you had entered.

instead you're staring at an empty spot at the bench, usually occupied by a certain someone you know. yet it isn't, you're just staring in hopes that he'll magically appear out of thin air and leave you something to stare at.

you're a mixture of confusion, and disappointment. this isn't very independent boss of me. you sweatdrop, pining over a boy... was not part of your plan.

maybe getting hit by a basketball flying off court and miraculously in your direction wasn't too but thankfully before you could screech bloody hell and break your nose, a palm reaches out and literally slaps the ball away casually?

you peek out your arm and peek up at jamil who doesn't even look at you and stares in the direction of which where the ball had come from with unblinking eyes (it seemed kind of intense but you don't want to question it.) he's wearing his signature club wear, his water bottle present in his other hand and a towel over his shoulder. the slightly dampened fringes that frame his face tells you that he had gone to wash up.

"you should be aware of your surroundings." he chides.

and he finally looks at you, you swear you just exploded.

you don't have it in yourself to reply to the echo of an apology from the court but is only able to stare dumbly at jamil who stares back.

... this is awkward.

"thanks..." you trail off, flabbergasted and warm as hell. maybe you shouldn't have used a jacket? maybe it was the weather? definitely!

before you know it, he stalks off with a tilt of his head and you believe you're being delusional again when he keeps looking in your direction whenever he scores like... it's for you.

covering the edges of a table

"I can't believe you spend time with trey."

unsurprisingly there's a deadpan directed to ace, not from deuce, riddle, nor cater but from you. sure he's just teensy tiny little bit bothered because well, it's not like he considered those other people romantically and there's been a silent promise to himself to prove that he is in fact; not as dumb as you think he is when you look at him like that.

usually when 'that' comes into mind ace would have imagined it to be a look he gives you daily, like you're sure he's the biggest idiot of the world but he's your idiot. he definitely does not want to get into detail but it's those looks people in love give which he used to cringe about.

ironically enough he's one of the subjects daydreaming about it.

you get him? he wanted that look not this one.

ace throws up his arms in the air with a deep sigh. "I live with him but that doesn't magically make me good in cooking, plus... trey bakes!" he rolls his eyes, speaking with a matter-of-factly tone.

you squint at him.

"have you not tasted trey's homemade dishes for dinner? those are to die for."

"no I haven't." he snaps.

"to think you even have the resident cook of scarabia mentoring you..." you continue, dodging a spatula that was thrown at your head. you frown at him in mock disappointment. "now now, you really wanna get charged for assault?"

from across the counter ace gives you the forbidden triple fuck you fingers. there's a silly pink apron he wears because you stole the only one which doesn't give his eyes a seizure, a red one. red looks good on you, he thinks but then his eye twitches.

when he had invited you over most of the second and third years had gone out for a camp, right now the first years are rejoicing the absence of their strict dorm leader and cooped up themselves in their respective rooms, eating every single junk food in the rules.

so that meant no one was really willing to cook, even ace wanted take out but you gracefully intervened.

to be fair you were hungry and the food would arrive at like 2 hours with how much ordering the residents had done.

"I think it's ready." he scratches his head, looking more unsure than you.

"you think?"

just then the timer beeps.

"how hard is it to make curry..." you shake your head, grabbing a set of utensils... to use, somehow.. even you aren't that experienced because all crowley does is send you microwavable food from the convenience stores and only the pizza was decent enough to call nice.

his brow creases. "not that hard."

"do it then."

"..."

ace just stares at you, leans over and slaps you over the head. while you've been a victim of many of these, you didn't expect him to literally lean over the counter to do that. "assault." you comment dryly, you curse under your breath when it goes flying under the table.

"it's your word over mine." he shrugs. blinking when you crouch. "what are you doing?"

"I dropped them because of your criminal ass." you roll your eyes, reaching over to grab the scattered utensils all over the floor, great. now you have to wash them too.

only when you realize that there was a possibility of hitting your head (which by the way, was never a fun experience. you're sure there's a carved up line from how many times you've hit it on your head.) when your head indeed bumps, but it's not exactly the hard surface that sends a jolt of sharp pain up your head.

instead there is a soft cushion. it ruffles your hair a bit and you're immensely confused.

you immediately look up when you stand up, unharmed but ace is just looking away from you. stirring the... pot which is weird cause there hasn't been any seasonings put in it.

you shrug.

missing the red ears.

getting hit by a ball to his face but he pretends it doesn't hurt because you're there

you're surprised that basketball even exists in this world when they apparently can't tell the difference between magishift and football, you're practically itching to slap someone when you explain the similarities between the two and they still have the audacity to deadpan at you like they're the most different things to ever exist!

namely, some idiot named ace trappola.

maybe leona too since he was giving you a stinky side eye but you don't want to get slapped back too.

what you appreciate though is floyd, you can't tell if he's just a big, strong ball of idiocy or the smartest person between all the people listening cause he seemed to be the only one interested in what you were saying.

and he even agreed that they were similar! albeit even if his usual manners are confusing floyd isn't that much of a guy that agrees with people a lot so it's a shocker.

and you're confused why he seems to be so attached to you. the tweels are almost always together, where one is, always is the other trailing along. so you're a little concerned because you can't take the presence of the resident friendly terrorists of the schools.

floyd was always following you around till he just wordlessly shoves a flyer of a game that's about to occur in his club, a wide grin on his face as he boasts about how he's on the starting line up and 'going to crush the other team.' literally or figuratively? you don't know but.. probably both.

basically he wanted you to watch so here you are.

not to exaggerate or anything but he is indeed, crushing the other team. a whooping 17 point lead between them, of course NRC leading. you'd be more confused if they weren't the one in first if they have floyd. (who apparently attends practice like one time a week but just enough to stay at the club...)

not to mention before it even started floyd had mentioned something along the lines of decimating the other team for your name. which is floating around the borderline of romantic and insanity.

for your delusions you will believe it romantic.

you're torn if you should cheer for the team, cause you know. you are technically part of NRC so it's natural but you know floyd would get all pouty, in a bad mood so you hesitate. vice versa because if you cheer for floyd you're gonna get weird looks cause so far, he's been doing selfish plays, not passing but scoring.

well this is the least villainous thing a student from a school that worships villians can do...

floyd is playing well, you would not like to admit that you're staring because he looks a little too good in that uniform... sweaty, pushing his hair back with a grin as he glowers at his opponents and sends them into peeing their pants. it works though cause they almost always hesitate when floyd is the one they're up against.

just wow.

you're just 100% sure you're watching a basketball god who would ascend to a higher life form if he wasn't so lazy till there's an abrupt silence that definitely isn't normal.

thankfully you catch the sight of a ball being... shoved to floyd's face like a dunk? should you really be thankful to witness that.

and for once entirety of the room agreed on one thing for that person. rest in piece.

floyd rubs his face and narrows his eyes, it almost looked like he was about to tear up but you swear he looked at you and immediately forced a wobbly grin, closing his eyes so the tears wouldn't fall and opens them to stare at the poor guy intensely.

in the distance you could hear a vague chuckle of jade.

"you don't know where to dunk, lil' guy?" floyd flashes them a sharp toothed grin, ironically you witness their soul leaving their body at the sheer intensity he excludes. most held their breaths cause they're sure that he would have started quietly threatening them but... there's no threats.

almost like he's holding back to act unfazed?

the 'lil guy' gulps and can't even muster up an answer.

floyd smiles at him. "I'll show you."

before the game ended that player left with a red round stain on their face, clear evidence of floyd's 'accidental payback.'

... now he's asking if you've seen how he's carried the team.