Curator Of Fiction

★ LEONA KINGSCHOLAR

the lunch hour was lively as ever―students at their tables with food, laughing with friends and the clutter of utensils clicking together. the usual chaos during lunch hours after a long class.

and somehow...you're still asleep during it all. you found a secluded table for one person at the end of the cafeteria, it's cramped but you didn't mind. you actually found it comfortable, laying your head against your arms with your papers scattered across the table and your empty lunch trey forgotten.

leona kept glancing at you during his meal, ruggie mindlessly stealing bits of his food when he wasn't looking to get his attention. but when he didn't even react when he snatched the piece of meat straight off his fork, ruggie scrunched his nose.

ruggie wasn't fully sure why leona cares so much about you peacefully sleeping until he notices a duo of boys messing with you. tugging the pencil out of your hand, poking your face and pulling your hair gently as they giggle.

who messes with someone while asleep? that's just pathetic.

seeing this, leona stood up without hesitation, legs taking him to the direction when he barks at the two other students to scram. the housewarden watches the two scurry away, dropping your pencil and hair and running back to wherever they crawled in from.

then he looks back at you― neutral face, hands in pocketa, but his mind was telling him to do something. emerald eyes stare down at you with a glare, taking the full scene up close. the noise, the constant poking to awake you, and your fast asleep.

body limp and breathing slowly, like you've been lacking sleep for years. he notices the papers, he knows the exact class your studying for and he clicks his tongue.

but he doesn't leave. instead, he approached you―slow and unbothered―as he took a seat to the empty spot close by to watch you.

you look... exhausted. completely worn out by the amount of work and stress. dead to the world. leona pushes the papers to one messy pile, just far enough for him to lift your head and rest it against his bicep.

for anyone walking by they would ask why leona is doing this, but it's an easy question actually.

so easy, he gets ticked off when he can't answer.

something in him just snaps and he lets his body so the rest.

he doesn't leave until you wake yourself up or if lunch ends and he has to wake you to drag your butt to somewhere more comfortable.

what? you were already asleep, what's missing a bit of class more? if you fall back asleep on him, he just falls asleep with you.

★ AZUL ASHENGROTTO FT JADE & FLOYD

he took one good look at you, and sighed disappointed. you would think he is far too busy to notice, and he is, but it's hard not to notice a human being laying flat across the booth in his own restaurant.

you're fast asleep, in the quiet atmosphere of the mostro lounge. at first, azul didn't believe floyd when the twins waltzed in his office saying a familiar shrimpy was dead asleep on the booth.

"...the prefect?"

"indeed," jade nods, standing beside his brother whose arms are lazily resting behind his head. "they seem to have taken the term, "make yourself at home" a bit too seriously. it is a cute sight, actually~ would you like to have a look"

"whatever gets you two off my tentacle..." adjusting his glasses, azul stood to his feet, black shoes clicked against the floor of the lounge as he followed the tweels.

which leads him to the present, adjusting his glasses with a spectacle look. his eyes scan your sleeping figure with jade and floyd behind the couch.

floyd has a sharp, teasy grin on his lips while jade smiles softly yet chilling down at you, like the easy prey for a meal. "hehe~ see, azul. she's knocked out~" floyd awes, poking your cheek as you squirm in your sleep.

"i see," the boss sighs when he gets a good look at you. curled up in the booth, head resting against your arm like a pillow with your other hanging over the edge. your school bag sits nearby, empty and clean―a empty plate and cup displayed on the table like he's been there for hours.

just how long have you been studying? and when did you fall asleep?

all the questions running through azuls mind as he priced together the puzzle. you weren't just asleep, you were crashed. exhausted, dead to the world around you. living a happy life in dream-land.

"what shall we do with her?" jade suddenly asks, his voice hushed as floyd stops bothering you and instead just watches you sleep.

azul thought, adjusted his hat and cleared his throat. "leave her, for how. get ready one of our guest rooms, she'll be sleeping over tonight."

floyd giggles happily at azul's words, "sleepover with the little shrimp? i call dibs tucking her in~"

"no one is taking any "dibs" on anything!" the mage sighs softly, careful not to awaken you. he removes his jacket, jade and floyd raises a brow when he drapes the fabric over you. his smell clings to it like glue―ink and sea salt―taking an extra moment to make sure it won't fall off.

"well," jade smiles widely yet calmly at the sight, "you seem to have a soft spot for the prefect?" it was a joke, but azul didn't laugh.

"hardly," azul lingers his fingers over your shoulders before pulling away, "just making sure she's comfortable. the couch isn't the best place for a good night's rest. clean up her area, and get the room ready, i'll watch over her."

if it wasn't for jade to pull his twin brother away, azul would have risked awaking you with floyd's whines. gently, he shifts your books and papers to one organised pile at the edge of the table, leaning over to place your loose papers and pencils back in your backpack.

once you've settled, he sits beside you, hands resting at his lap while he watches you. there's a pause before he mummered, "pushing yourself beyond limits is poor judgment," he sighs, "even i recognize the importance of rest."

you adjust in your sleep, eyes still shut and your features calm as you move to rest your read higher. azul pauses, before malonh the decision to take you to the guest room. gently, he took you in his arms―despite being a tad bit on the slender side, holding you close to his chest wasn't a hassle.

his heels click down the hall like it's a business matter, upon reaching the room jade and floyd are already watching their boss carry you to the clean beds, sheets soft and blankets warm, placing you under and pulling away.

"next time," he tucks a piece of hair behind your ear, "come to me, i'll handle things from there."

even though you can't hear him, he still whispers. maybe somewhere in your dream, his voice can find its way in.

he takes his jacket back, resting it upon his shoulders he stands to his feet.

"rest well, yuu."

★ KALIM AL-ASIM

this party isn't one of kalims big ones―no overwhelming crowds, no loud music or blinding lights as usual―just a few students from his dorm, a few from others, and jamil. it's still lively, students singing and dancing to any music, snacking on food and sipping on drinks.

music drifts, laughter bubbles, and the warm light from lanterns makes everything feel comfortable and calm.

maybe too comfortable, but is there ever a thing called being "too comfortable"? apparently yes, because you're in the corner of the lounge, sitting on a single bean bag chair with your books and papers on your lap. head resting against the wall as you were fast asleep, pillows half-hidden behind you, your drink loose in your hand on the floor, your body slumped in a way that makes it look like you passed out.

you didn't mean to fall asleep, you just did. touw body betraying you with all those restless nights and late-nignt study sessions.

kalim spots you fast, you were caught in the corner of his eye mid-conversation with another. for a moment, he just stares, adjusting to the sunlight beaming across the floors, like he needs a moment on what he's staring at.

then he suddenly gasps, fearing for the worst he ditches the conversation he was in and rushed to your side, weaving through people surprisingly quickly with a shimmer of worry in his eyes. he's darting at the drink and your unconscious body, crouching to your level he hesitantly holds your arms.

"hey―yuu! can you hear me, are you okay?? yuu?"

he gives you a small shake.

nothing. not even a groan.

you're out cold.

kalim freezes, pupils wide and chest heavy. was there too much kick in the drink? jamil added just the right amount, maybe you grabbed the extra strong drink by accident?

with all these thoughts running through his mind, he suddenly sees all the papers and pens pool around you, like you've made your own oasis of school work.

blinking once, twice, kalim realizes your just asleep. your breath soft and grounding. "oh...oh, my sevens, your just sleeping."

a huge wave of relief hits him, exhaling loudly he clamps his chest happily. kalim lets out a soft laugh, shoulders relaxing after this moment of panic.

"you must have been really tired, huh?" he chuckled, eyeing all the paper around you. that's when he remembers the party―the loud noises, people laughing and singing―now that he actually listens, it's too loud.

too loud, you might wake up. he doesn't want that to happen, so the housewarden suddenly claps his hands to gain the attention of the party, asking politely to keep the noise down for the rest of the evening.

students stare confused, but jamil repeats kalim's request.

"much better," kalim whispers, carefully taking the cup out of your hand and placing it far from you, not to knock it over in your sleep. then, he adjusts the pillows around you, letting your head rest against one he helps you adjust your figure.

"ah, there we go! much more comfortable!"

he finds a soft, small blanket in the middle of the pillows, draping it across your body like a second skin, making sure it covers you just enough.

"you work too hard, yuu..." kalim suddenly whispers when he takes a pause to look at you. hair messy, drool over your lip and breathing slow. he sits cross-legged across from you, just enough to rest his chin on his hand.

"night, yuu!!" he giggles to himself, knowing you probably can't hear him. but the sudden twitch on your lips states otherwise.

if someone gets too loud, he glares at whoever is making the noise and shushes them. he gets jamil to prep you tea and food for when you wake up, also requesting a second blanket.

when the party ends, jamil finds you and kalim both asleep at each other's sides with the tea and food on a tray in his hands. the vice-housewarden simply sighs and lets you both sleep for a little longer before waking you up.

★ VIL SCHOENHEIT FT. ROOK HUNT

pomefiore's lounge is pristine. every surface is polished, every wall is detailed, and the environment no one can ever call a flaw―especially during the evening. curtains a bold purple, lights dim and the atmosphere soft and quiet.

you're fast asleep on one of the long couches after, you assumed, all the students called it a night.

until rook hunt found you, unbeknownst to you, obviously. he pauses mid-step, eyes lingering over your figure like you're a painting as he takes in the scene.

your laying on your side, not elegantly―just there. fast asleep, surrounded by scattered notes and papers, a book half-opened and your pen loose between your fingers. arm hanging over the edge of the cushion, the hunter simply smiles.

your head rests against the cushions like a comfortable pillow, legs curled just enough to take up the whole couch like you simply ran out of energy.

rook crouches slightly, his hat tilting with him as he hums lightly. "oh non, trickster...to be claimed by sleep so completely, even in such an unbecoming position."

he thinks for a moment, "you must have fought it long and hard to find yourself in this predicament, oui?"

there's only one person in the whole dorm who can figure out what to do, so rook leaves you for a few moments and returns with none othwr then,

"so she's, asleep?"

"oui! i presumed you, roi du poison, has an idea what to do with our dear, exhausted trickster?" the hunter smiles as he walks side by side with the housewarden down the halls and back to the lounge.

don't mock her, rook.

"honestly, rook, if this is one of your dramatics again―"

suddenly, his eyes land on you. a pair of velvet and emerald eyes stare down at you like a wild animal and decide to call the pomefiore lounge its bed for the evening.

your position was adjusted slightly, your head now fully off the edge and your arm dangles mid-air. vil immediately kisses his teeth, "how on earth does one find this position comfortable? rook, move her legs back onto the cushions."

"oui!"

vil and rook each take your limbs and position you back onto the couch, the housewarden gently takes your neck and shoulders to rest on one side and brushes your hair behind your neck.

"unacceptable! not only is she not a member of pomefiore, she insists on sleeping on the couch like she owns the dorm?"

"roi du poison, has it occurred you she may just be too tired? look at her hair," rook states in a hushed time, combing his gloved fingers through your greasy hair.

"stress affects the skin and hair, too much of it can damage your body." as rook examines you, vil notices your body twitch but does not wake up. he sighs, heels clicking against the floors to clean the papers.

"if that is the case," he resumes, "pushing herself until she collapses like this is highly inefficient. true beauty requires proper rest, but right now she's an ugly mess."

"then we shall let her sleep until she awakens!" rook beams, already fluffing up a blanket to drape over you. before vil even could ask where he got the blanket, it was already comfortably on top of you.

once you've settled, vil sighs and stares at you while rook makes his exit. his fingers curl under your chin to get a good look at you, "don't neglect yourself like this, darling...it's not good for you or your body."

he ends up staying with you for a little longer before returning to his room, leaving a hand lingering against your skin as he straightens.

"we will be discussing your sleeping habits next thing tomorrow...for now," vil tucks a piece of hair behind your ear, "sleep well, prefect~ rook will be here when you awake."

★ IDIA SHROUD

ignihyde lounge was dimly lit by the blue screens that illuminated the room and the small flicker of computers. it was quiet, almost too quiet. the faint humming from a certain housewarden filled the silence.

it wasn't like idia wanted to step outside of the comfort of his room.. during these hours―the clocks read three am on the dot and idia was in desperate need of a midnight snack. he was mumbling under his breath about what he should order until he felt the presence of another.

his eyes squint on the couch in the middle of the lounge, seeing the hair of a familiar person. he steps closer, carefully, already alarmed and ready to activate the intruder alarms if necessary.

how could anyone just waltz into the ignihyde dorm undetected. does idia have to tweak with the security again? ugh, he wishes he doesn't and his eyes are playing tricks on him.

idia finally reaches the couch, blue hair peaks over to spot―

"yuu?" he whispered loudly, covering lips immediately after with his hands and ducks behind the couch again.

"what is the prefect doing at ignihyde? did ortho let them in without tel-wait a a minute―why are they still here?! it's past midnight!!? pause...was she?"

he blinks, peaking out once more to look at you again. fast asleep, on the couch, papers and pens scattered across the table and floor. idia looks around at the empty lounge, then back at you.

your breathing is steady, arms dangling off the couch and your legs curled comfortably to your chest. he blinks, hair flickering, "is that... comfortable?"

another pause.

"well...this is awkward." but as awkward as he is, something inside idia shifts the longer he looks at you.

your not just asleep, your crashed. like a video game on its last level done. he can tell just by the way your positioned and snoring. your grip on your pen loose and papers mixed together like you fought back even the thought of sleep.

"damn... you must've been grinding hard to manage a sleep like this..."

wait a minute, UGH AM I BEING A WEIRDO? STARING AT THE PREFECT WHILE SHE'S ASLEEP?? awh, man i hate this!

idia fumbles with his fingers, the thought of a midnight far from his mind as he thought about what to do. his hands hover and pull back just to hover over you again.

"ugh, what do norms do in a situation like this? just take me now!...but i can't leave her like this..."

oh, poor idia. he carefully leans over to pull you back to rest properly against the couch as you snort and he panics, letting you go limp against the cushions again but at least your laying on your back.

"ok...step one, done." he mumbles to himself as he circles around the couch to fully face you. he takes the papers and pens acarrer across the table and places them back in your back, silently apologizing over and over for touching your stuff.

now he stares at the blanket close by, sighing heavily he grabs it and gently drapes it over you, like you're a delicate piece of technology worth trillions of thaumarks.

"you...really trust this place enough to crash here?...huh, werido."

idia, please, let the girl sleep.

he steps back on his heels and hugs himself, unsure what to do now. does he still order take out? he feels obligated to get your something when you wake up, maybe a easy breakfast?

he simply sighs, pulling out his tablet before taking on the final look at you. curled up in his dorm blanket, body relaxed and posture now straight.

"...you owe me, big-time." and walks off, shutting off all the bright lights with a single click of his tablet.

don't be alarmed when you see ortho in your face the next morning with breakfast, happily saying idia ordered or for you. he will deny it to his core.

★ MALLEUS DRACONIA

rain taps lightly against the stone ceiling of the garden arbor your sitting against, head leaning against the railing and your book forgotten on your lap. backpack leaning against your side like a small blanket, the sound of the rain soothing you to slumber.

the sun was still out, but it was softly spitting―it's an odd sight seeing someone fast asleep in this weather. however, a certain dragon heir was the only one to witness such a scene.

"... child of man?" his deep voice rumbles over the pitter patter of the rain, arms folded with a hand hovering over his cheek as he stares at you. eyes wide and lips dropped to a small pout, like he's more curious than concerned.

you don't answer, he's just greeted with a soft snore and he simply laughs. he notices your backpack and paper, untouched and prepped on your lap.

"so, this is where you've hidden yourself?" he mused, stepping closer to your sleeping figure. there's no rush in his movements, he is calm and gentle.

you haven't stirred when he reaches you, not even a mumble. that's when he realizes the scenario. you aren't simply "taking a nap" you're exhausted from head to toe. he can sense it, just by staring at you.

"you must have overworked yourself again, dear child..." his voice hushed instinctively, looking back at the empty courtyard and back at you, "to fall asleep in such positions."

a hand hovers over your cheek, fingers tickling your skin as he trails down and takes your papers from your lap and sets them aside, allowing himself to sit beside you.

and as if on command, he notices your body leaning back, about to fall backwards to the ground. he catches you with a sharp gasp, your figure falling back to his lap. your head against his thighs, arms curled under your chin as your still asleep.

how on earth―

malleus chuckles after a few moments, fingers combing through the hair to calm himself. "what a curious human you are,"

he pauses, smiling softly still strong lovingly down at you

"very well," he whispers, "i shall stay with you until you waken..."

no one bothers.

no one dares too.

only lilia, who came searching for the heir of briar valley when sebek nor silver could find him and cooed at the sight. they both now, stayed with you until you woke up from what you can call the best sleep of your life.