idk

sweet was the first word that came to deuce’s mind when people asked what he thought of you– saccharine, sickening, you were too kind for his heart to handle at times. yet, deuce still let himself over-indulge in your presence. from making sure he’d show up a bit early from when the four two of you would walk to the main campus together, hoping to catch you just a little sleepy still — and a few times he’s gotten lucky and your soft hand was cradled in his palm as you slipped your loafers on — to begging you to tutor him just for a few minutes after classes and before club, because no matter how ‘stupid’ you may think yourself to be, even an outworlder like you is a whole lot smarter than he is– and deuce does genuinely appreciate this help, even if it was just an excuse to see your pretty face contort in frustration, and light up when you figure out a difficult problem, pride evident on your features when he’s amazed and complimenting you.

and though some people didn’t agree with his opinion of you, just for you he tried to ignore them — which, most of the time deuce succeeded. mainly from the fact he’d felt like sebek glorifying malleus when he’d started an argument with someone who thought you were average. but, other times, he’d ended up marking another stain on his ‘model student’ reputation when someone had called you lame, or boring, or stupid– he was those things, sure, but it couldn’t be further from what you were. deuce knows you’d be heartbroken and embarrassed if you knew that’s what a few assholes thought of you, so he scares them into silence to make sure that nasty insults are never able to reach you. and it’s just another reason the two of you work so well together; along with the smoothness of your palms that glides perfectly against his rough ones, and the kindness in your heart that beats down the anger inside of his– the difference between you two should have you avoiding the other, but like magnets, there’s always a pull towards what’s opposite.

deuce is sure you must feel it, too– otherwise there’d be no reason for the scenario playing out for just him. grim (irresponsibly) left with ace for the afternoon, your hands held over his eyes as you try to push his larger frame forward, he can hear the smile in your voice as tell him how excited he’s gonna be with your surprise — and, while deuce would usually be confused at ‘surprise’ (after all, he doesn’t deserve your time nor efforts), his heart is warming and beating faster with every stumble knowing that you’re gifting him something for his special day. you don’t have to, but you still do– you haven’t even known each other that long, yet you’re treating him like one of those dearest to you. and that heavy feeling hits him again, a dizzing idea that you love him too that leaves his stomach fuzzy and twisty — the smell of birthday cake and burning wicks only adding to that. deuce wants to tear your hands from his face, to hold them in a grip that screams he’ll never let go, and kiss you with more emotion than he’s ever shown before.

he doesn’t, though. deuce plays the ‘good’ role, and steadies his thoughts back to simply enjoying what’s about to unfold in front of him — it’s worth it, in the end, seeing the messy spade suit cake, with the writing of ‘happy birthday, deuce!’ accompanied by a blue heart. he doesn’t acknowledge your comment of “ace, and grim helped too!”, because he’s already lost himself again– thinking about your happy expression whisking the batter, and your satisfied smile when you’ve finished piping the icing words, everything brought together once the candles have been placed and lit. you must’ve worn a cute apron, too, and he wonders if you bothered with gloves, or if you accidentally got icing on your face or fingers– something that he’d be grateful to clean off of you, to stick out his tongue against your face and lick it up, or to wrap his tongue around your fingers and gently suck the sweetness off of your digits.

his cheeks burn pink from the mental imaginings, and he lets out an embarrassed cough when you’re “calling deucey back to twisted wonderland” — right, he’s having a small celebration with you before he’s having his party back at heartslabyul, he should be cherishing this alone time with you instead of thinking about being alone with you. “t-thank you, prefect. i appreciate you! .. and your kindness.” he does, he really fucking does, and he appreciates that toothy grin and urge him to make a wish because you want to know if your present will be accurate to his wants– his heart almost stops completely thinking that you might just spill out your own .. before you slide a gift box onto the table, and fidget your fingers as you explain that it’s not much, but you really thought he’d like it when you’d seen it while out; and deuce’s takeaway from that is you think about him when you go shopping. it’s knowledge almost as good as a love confession.

but he squeezes his eyes shut, hopes and prays as he pictures you saying ‘i love you, deuce!’ to be what he receives, and quickly blows every candle out. you’re still idly standing by, the ghost camera in your hands as a film pops out– you want to capture this moment with him, you explain, and he wonders if you’ve photographed him when he had his back turned, or eyes closed, before. deuce tries to be gentle with the gift, and he carefully peels the tape from the sides, silently pleading for the wrapping paper to not tear so he can keep it forever — there’s excitement alongside his anxiety as he places his hands at the sides of the lid, you nod and mouth ‘open it!’ as you raise the camera once more to capture his first reaction–

–and he thinks it’s the cutest thing he’s ever seen. and he knows to not trust the words of ‘it’s not much’ from you ever again. there’s a little family of hedgehogs, one blue and one red, and then there’s a little purple one in between them. there’s card with his name written so neatly it could only be your hand writing, and there’s a scrapbook that has all of you on the cover (though, he focuses on the fact the two of you are touching cheeks in the cramped photo). deuce thinks he might cry as he looks up, and over at you, a wide grin already on his face as he contemplates running over to you and squeezing you tight before he even looks further — “the hedgehogs are us! you’re the blue, and i’m the red,” if that’s so, then the purple must be– “.. and the, uh, purple is grim?”– grim. right, grim was what he was thinking.

even though this isn’t exactly what deuce wanted from you, nor is it the same as he pictured in his head when making the wish ... it is basically a confession from you, no? a wordless one, yet there’s even more meaning behind it than the three words he was looking to receive. you laugh when tears sprout from his eyes and make their way down his cheeks, leaving two small stains on the card (thankfully missing the writing), and you give your own sniffle when he flips through the scrapbook you’d put together– which, is mainly made up of you and him, and he has a serious tone when he turns to you and promises to forever keep and cherish it.

deuce spade will never fall out of love with you, and maybe one day you’ll say you’ve fallen in love with him.

The beastmen are the first to notice something off with them, as they have the most acute sense of smell. This is followed by a very close second with the merfolk (particularly the predacious ones) and an even closer third by the fae. All the boys from those dorms, minus Lilia who's lived long enough to know what a period is, clock in on their friend who reeks of blood and flesh (because you're also shedding pieces of your uterine lining).

Lord help you, as you're in a crowded area, the cafeteria, with not only them but the rest of their classmates that also smell your blood, because their immediate thought is that you're fucking dying.

Sebek is surprisingly the first to launch himself at you, shouting at the top of his lungs, “WHERE IS YOUR INJURY HUMAN?! YOU ARE SEVERELY INJURED YOU SHOULD BE IN THE INFIRMARY—” Before he is yanked off by a wide-eyed Jack, who's looking more and more like the dead as he leans down to sniff at you.

The blood from his face drains (ha) as he turns to look at Leona and Ruggie, as well as a small group of other beastmen—friend's you've made during the tournament—and nods. This causes them to all look horrified and gaze at you like a wounded puppy. Minus Leona, who just looks amused.

“It's coming from them.”

Still confused, you stare at the Heartslabyul group—who'd been eating breakfast with you—in bewilderment. They also look at you in confusion, except for Riddle, the latter of which pinches the bridge of his noses and takes a deep sigh.

“I think you're all being a bit dramatic, they're just on their—”

“DRAMATIC? I DON'T THINK YOU'RE BEING DRAMATIC ENOUGH!”

Floyd grabs you from behind, spinning you and shoving his face so close to yours that you noses are smushed together.

“Shrimpy… you gotta tell me who did it, cause I could tell from aaaaall the way in the hallway that ya hurt. Com'on! Tell Floydie, I promise I won't be mad.”

Jade placed a hand on his brother's shoulder as he leans down to chastise Floyd.

“Not now Floyd, the poor thing is hurt, we should take them to the infirmary. Then we can hunt down the dreadful soul that hurt our friend and have them trade their spot.”

You felt yourself being lifted from the ground, yelping and latching your arms around Floyd's neck as he cradles you in his arms. Effectively yanking you from Jack's grip, who immediately growls.

“Floyd! Be careful!”

“Ehhh? Yeah that sounds like a great idea! Let's go now, I'm itching for a good fight, ayhehehe!”

Leona and Riddle shared a look, the former sighed to try and explain.

“Look you idiots, they're not injured, they're—”

“What are you waiting for?” Ruggie interrupted him, annoyed by Leona's unconcerned attitude, instead gesturing to Floyd. “Let's go before they bleed out even more!”

The small group clamored out of the cafeteria, a few more concerned students following after them as they started to hear bits and pieces of the conversation. Leaving Leona and the others in the dust. Deuce piped up.

“… Uh, do they not know—”

“No, most beastmen aren't familiar with periods.”

“I'm guessing merfolk and fae don't either, based on the twins and Sebek.” Riddle sighed, feeling sorry for you.

Leona's ears perked as he heard the shrill shriek of a certain octopus in the distance. Riddle and the others also seemed to hear it as they winced.

“Probably not…”

“…”

“… should we?”

“Yeah, we probably should, before my boys wreck the school. Let's get Crewel.”

It took a whole hour of you reassuring the small crowd that had formed around your bed in the infirmary before anyone calmed down. Floyd and Jade were being constantly pulled back into the infirmary by the ear by the nurse, who kept telling the two to stop trying to go beat up the imaginary person that, quote unquote, “hurt you”.

“What do you mean Shrimpy isn't hurt? I can smell the blood from all the way down the hall!”

“Yes, it's quite a potent scent, and distinct to our dear Prefect.” Jade held his hand to his chest as he sniffled. “We've smelled it before when they've gotten hurt, but this is a whole different level.”

“Yeah! Almost all of Savanaclaw could smell it” Ruggie nodded in agreement as Jack followed.

“They must be really hurt if we all could smell it from that far away! You need to help them nurse!”

Their voice's grew again in volume, Sebek in particular, as he vowed to also hunt down the “ruffian who would dare harm a fellow student on the campus Master Malleus attended!”

The nurse, growing more and more annoyed trying to corral the group (she wondered how ethical it would be to use a silencing spell and another to stick them to the ceiling), sighed in relief as the echo of Crewel's whip commanded immediate silence.

“Oh, thank the Sundrop, Professor Crewel, please control them. I am up to here with their foolishness—”

“Foolish? The Prefect might be dying!” Azul cried out, surprisingly attached to your side. She'd tried to yank him off of you earlier, but was met with a shocking amount of strength as his grip on the metal bed frame caused an Azul-sized hand indent to form. His strength, easy to forget in his slender frame. Now, he was trying his best to coax the name of the student responsible with promises of free drinks and discounted food.

“No I'm not!” You cried out in exasperation. “I've been trying to tell you, but y'all won't listen!”

As you tried to get up from the bed, trapped in a blanket cocoon made by Azul, the boys started up again. Half urging you to stay in bed and rest, while the other half argued with the nurse, and now Crewel, about healing you up.

A near ear-shattering rumble of thunder caused another silence to fall over everyone. This time, though, the group shrunk into themselves as Malleus, standing proud and tall, entered the room. Sebek perked up, rushing over to meet him.

“Young Master! I've ensured that the human was taken to the infirmary, but so far they've refused any healing—”

“Thank you, Sebek. I will speak to them myself.”

Malleus, his school jacket flourishing behind him (one of the students murmured that he felt like a background character in a romance movie), flew to your side. Where you had been squirming your upper body out of the blanket cocoon, smacking at Azul's hands as he kept attempting to swaddle you back in.

Now freed waist up, you turned to face Malleus, who had elegantly kneeled down by your bedside (you could hear Sebek muffled a shriek) and held your hand like a delicate piece of china.

“Child of Man, my friend, what happened? Are you alright? Did someone hurt you?” Malleus cooed at you, green eyes peering into yours, full of concern.

So it was a surprise to everyone in the room when you groaned, which morphed into a soft scream.

“Uh… Child of Man?”

“I'm fiiiiiine!” You sighed, slumping back into the bed. “I'm just on my period, you guys.”

The room remained quiet, a bit too quiet as you lifted your head back up to look at the room of confused looking men. Crewel had a hip cocked as he looked unimpressed over the crowd. The nurse was rubbing her temples. You heard Azul clear his throat, drawing his attention as he asked,

"What's a period?"

Finally, the crowd had settled, all of them huddled around your bed as you tried your best to explain what a menstral cycle was.

"So you like, bleed every month? Randomly?"

"Amount 28 days, so once a month yeah. And now it's not random, it's part of the reproductive cycle. It's my body preps for a new egg—"

"But, I though humans didn't lay eggs?" Floyd asked, leaning against Azul's right shoulder.

"We don't, it's different the egg turns into a baby itself so there's no egg to lay—"

Ruggie spoke up, "We get that, but I don't get why the egg makes you bleed? It can't do that can it?"

"No, no, no. It's not the egg itself, it's my body. In order for the egg to get fertilize it needs a good environment to grow, so the uterus grows a fresh lining once a month for the egg to latch on to, so—"

You sighed as once of the other fae students interrupted.

"Fresh lining? Like, the skin? Of the uterus?"

You nodded, trying to keep your patience as you attempted to explain to your friends that, no, you were in fact not bleeding to death.

"Yes, that's the blood, the skin is shedding to make a fresh one for the next egg."

You don't think it's working, as that last sentence caused a wave of mortifcation amongst the crowd.

"That... sounds like it hurts." Malleus, still holding your hand, softly asked. "You're not hurting though, correct?"

Pursing your lips, you looked up at the ceiling, avoiding eye contact. Wow had that cobweb always been in that corner?

"Yuu."

Malleus's voice, calling out your name for once, was full of questioning.

"Yeah Horns?"

"it doesn't hurt, correct?"

You started whistling a little tune, studying the dirt under your nails.

"Dear Prefect," Jade this time. "Answer the question?"

The group leaned in closer as you grumbled under your breath.

"Speak up Shrimpy."

".........not always."

"Come on, stop being shy, you act like a puppy most of the time" Ruggie was getting annoyed.

".....cramps..not move...not always."

"It's okay Yuu, you can say it." Azul cooed.

"...Sometimes the cramps makes it hurt too much to move, but not always."

You braced yourself as the crowd once again riled up.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT HURTS TOO MUCH TO MOVE?"

The nurse off to the side still, leaned over to tell Crewel, "I told you we needed an interspecies health class."

it takes a lot of convincing to get riddle to accept to a full-day date in an amusement park

heck, the moment the words left your mouth, riddle froze and smiled awkwardly, having been ingrained to him that amusement parks were 'a waste of time and money where people go and slack off'

still, he was always ready to try new experiences and get rid of any incorrect prejudices he might have

more so to you, his beloved rose who began pouting when he expressed his concerns about a suspicious place such as playful land

but whaat?? if he won't go with you, you'll go with ace and the others???

how can he even trust them to protect you??? there's no way

is the reasoning he told you, but his inner child undeniably wants to go as well

he studies up on all the available information on amusement parks so he'll have an idea of what to expect

also asks cater for advice as to what couples generally do and what spots are recommended

he wants to give you the best experience possible too of course!

once you're actually in the park, it's time to have fun!!

riddle plans the most efficient route so the two of you can make the most of the day

starting early with the rollercoaster ride! just in case any of you decide to throw up

"I still don't understand the appeal of these... contraptions. It seems rather reckless and disorderly," he says hesitantly, his gaze fixated on the twist and turns of the rollercoaster.

"Hmm... It's really for the thrill and excitement. I guess you can think of it as an experience for non-mages who can't fly on brooms?" You hum.

Riddle nods thoughtfully, though the apprehension in his eyes doesn't quite fade. "I see your point, but I still can't help but question the safety of this entire endeavor."

"Just relax, Riddle. Sometimes it's good to let go and have a little chaos in life." You giggle at his seriousness.

Riddle smiles softly at your enthusiasm, his cheeks tinted pink. "Well, I suppose there's no harm in trying it once. For the sake of this... date."

surprisingly(?), riddle enjoyed the rollercoaster!

his hair is all disheveled, and his clothes are semi-wet, but there's no denying the innocent sparkle in his eyes, akin to a child who discovered a new toy

like the gentleman that he is, he helped you fix your hair and lent you his handkerchief to dry yourself

says he's fine but his face becomes as red as his hair when you wipe him down

after that, you guys grab food, and there are so many strawberry sweets there he's very excited

sharing food and him getting embarrassed about indirect kissing hehehe

then it's back to the other attractions!

if anyone dares cut in line, they'll be in for a scolding from riddle who immediately says that it's against the rules AND illegal because you're jeoparadising other guests' enjoyment of the park :⁠0

riddle feels like the merry go round is a bit too childish, but seeing you enjoy yourself melts all his worries away

you're both beginners at pool, so it's kinda just you two fumbling around while riddle tries to use physics to understand how to play and oh!!! he got one in!!

cater told him that couples always go to the stall minigames and win prizes for their partners as a way of showing off

and riddle would never deny the chance to show he's a capable lover!

he very quickly discovers that these games are incredibly rigged (⁠ノ⁠｀⁠Д⁠´⁠)⁠ノ⁠彡⁠┻⁠━⁠┻

but thanks to Cay Cay's incredible advice, Riddle does manage to win a medium strawberry plushie!

when you comment that the shade of red is the exact shade of his hair and you'd sleep with it every night he died inside

around sunset, riddle leads you to the ferris wheel

the vibrant blue sky started to fade into hues of orange and pink and you sat in the cart admiring the view of the park and sage island

"My Rose," he starts, making you turn your focus to him. "I... I wanted to thank you for inviting me here today," Riddle's words carrying a sincerity that warmed the evening air.

"It's my pleasure, Riddle," you smile. "I'm glad you were able to enjoy yourself,"

He nods, looking out over the landscape as the ferris wheel gently ascends. "It's more than that though..." He continues, his tone a bit more relaxed now, "Ever since I met you, you've always given me a better perspective on so many things. You've given me so many precious memories..."

Your heart swells at his words, and you reach for his hand. "Riddle, I'm glad I met you too. I'm grateful for every moment we've shared."

Riddle blushes at your words. "If it's with you... then I'm sure every day will be exciting," he finishes, locking eyes with you and wearing a heartfelt smile on his face.