He Was Never Interested | TWST x MLB
Week 2 prompt! writing these ahead of time because i don't have a lot of time lol :'D also soft CW for stalking, (it's Rook and Marinette, the CW is only for one of them), harrassment, Aphobic remarks, and implied blackmailing.
(i also got carried away with writing the set up, and more hints of Aro! Adrien and Lithromantic! Rook, oops-)
Upon meeting the new student Rook was estatic to learn that they shared a common tongue. Naturally, there were divergences in each other's words, phrases and more, but Adrien was quick to pick up on the differences between the two. To learn something new of this student who didn't posses magic had Rook follow his underclassman around, learning about his habits and how to accomodate for them. Rook talked to Vil about Adrien whenever they met, gushing about the little cat he had grown so fond of.
"You sound really proud of him," Vil chuckled softly.
"Of course!" Rook shouted, continuing his rambled about Adrien.
When she appeared just after winter break, Rook had his worries when Adrien talked about her. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, a girl who shared the same class as Adrien in their old world. He didn't seem to know her well at all, yet still claimed that they were friends, albeit very hesitantly and with a scratch behind his neck.
"Do you not like her, Le Chat du Soleil?" Rook asked.
Adrien looked away, fiddling with his ring as a nervous tick, deep in thought before shrugging.
"She's nice, I guess..." He kicked the ground. "I don't know a lot about her... But, ya'know... She's the only thing I really have from my old world..."
Rook nodded, changing the subject and asking about his potionology class, Adrien lit up and began to ramble.
"Another one?" Rook asked.
Vil nodded, rubbing his temples, "this is the fourth time that this has happened, and it's only this week! Last week it was 10. Before that it had been 5."
The increase of Pomfiore students getting harrassed had increased significantly. No one could track down who it was, and those that had direct confrontations with the person were too petrafied to even say the name or describe them. From what Rook had been told, this person was intimidating the students for simply talking to Adrien and forcing them into silence and never talking to him again.
Rook had seen a few confessions from the love-struck boys of Night Raven, confessing to the young ex-model only to be politley turned down. Adrien seemed flattered by these confessions, but he never accepted them, instead offering the olive branch of friendship to them.
He didn't seem interested in romance, never talking about having someone on his mind, and always talking about the small group of frist years he's become close to. No one in Night Raven seemed to hold a grudge against these students, there was nothing in common with any of them.
Looking closer at the notes and letters, Rook frowned, he had his suspicions. He knew in his gut that it could only be one person. The stupidly lovesick look in their eyes and the anger that permiated around them when things didn't go there way.
Only two months in, and they were causing problems.
"Fear not, Roi du Poison," Rook gave his housewarden his ever charming smile. "I will take care of this."
Rook took to following Marinette around when he could. Something itched in the back of his mind, he had sensed the same thing years ago. Primal rage and protectiveness that seemed to be so deep-seeded into someone. He had experienced that before, Rook had found himself being obssesive and curious by nature, only to be focused on people that he found endlessly interesting.
Marinette was not interesting.
Not in the way Rook liked.
She followed Adrien around, mumbling under her breath about protecting him. He finds a detailed schedule of everything Adrien does in a week, then two, then three until it stops at about four years later. Rook takes the book, hiding it away as evidence. There had to be more to her that she was hiding.
Marinette would rant to herself, proclaiming that Adrien would fall for her when they get back home, that they'll get married and have kids. She danced around giggling and blushing, only to turn to silence upon seeing Adrien with anyone that showed any romantic interest.
(He watched as those that were merely friends with Adrien, weren't safe from her wrath either)
"You want me to record her?" Cater asked, looking midly intersted.
"Would that be too much, Monsieur Magicam?" Rook asked, keeping his normal smile.
Cater smiled, a devious grin that very few had seen. "Not at all, I've been meaning to get some dirt on the girl!"
Rook was shocked, and tilted his head. "Oh? What did she do to encure your wrath?"
"She managed to dump garbage onto Deuce," Cater ran his fingers through his hair, "he was already stressed about his grades, and Marinette only made it worse."
"... I've never seen him so upset before..." Rook let Cater mutter to himself.
He simply smiled, "I see. Do you know when, where and what time it happened?"
Cater looked at Rook, before that smile returned to his face.
"Of course, what kind of studet would I be if I didn't keep tabs of my underclassman?"
"Monsieur Doll!" Rook decended from the ceiling of Idia's room, ignoring the dorm leaders horrified shrieks.
Ortho turned around and tilted his head, "hey Rook! How can I help you?"
"I need a small tiny favor on behalf of Le Chat du Soleil," Rook pressed a finger to his lips, his smile growing wider.
The android-doll seemed intersted, a blaze in his eyes and one that clearly looked ready for some retribution.
"What do you need me to do?" Ortho ignored his older brother's confused stammers.
Rook's smile grew wider, filling Ortho in on what to do when he was with Adrien or any of their friends.
"Record everything you can, even if it seems mundane."
He needed everything he can on Marinette and her actions against other students.
"Have you had anyone you fancy in the past, Le Chat du Soleil?" Rook asked, it was nearing Valentines day, so he figured he could ask Adrien. (An innocent question on the surface, but Rook had been digging)
Adrien shrugged. "Not really, it's never something I gave attention to."
"Ah, I understand what you mean." Rook nodded.
His underclassman looked interested, "really?"
"Yes, yes! I've found that I love, Roi du Poison. He is my everything and I wish to be by his side for all of eternity." Rook swooned, he smiled as Adrien laughed a little.
"Why don't you tell him?"
"Not possible," Rook shook his head, "as beautiful as he is, for my love to be reciprocated would bring my feelings for him to be nonexistant. It would distress me greatly for something like that to happen."
Adrien stopped walking, causing Rook to look back at the younger boy.
"Le Chat du Soleil?" Rook asked.
"So," Adrien thought about his next words carefully. (Rook could see the familiar figure of Marinette just a few spaces away from them (she could hear them)) "What if you've... Never felt romantic feelings before? Like, ever? Would that be okay?"
His voice grew quieter as he dragged it out, shoulders hunching in on themselves making Adrien look smaller than he was. Eyes drawn to everything but Rook and clearly uncomfortable. As if saying that would manifest into something terrible to come, that he would be rejected and scrutinized.
Rook had felt the same for so long before, how he felt wrong for feeling so strongly about someone only to be disintrested in them when they confessed to him. He was seen as a coward, a fraud and most hurtful of all: a monster. Leading someone on only to reject them. Rook moved forward, careful as he gently placed his hands on Adrien's shoulders.
He looked up, eyes wide and mouth pulled into a straight line.
"That is completely fine," Rook smiled, "you are not less of a person for not loving someone like that. It is normal to feel that way, it is something to be proud of."
Adrien's eyes filled with tears, he held back a sob, quickly pulling Rook into a hug. He returned it, looking over at Marinette.
She stumbled back, looking shocked that Rook had seen her.
He frowned, gently combing his fingers through Adrien's hair, not breaking eye contact until Marinette hurried off, face flush and a grimace on her face.
Epel had taken Adrien to his dorm room just as Vil had returned from a photoshoot. The young boy looked shaken up, horrified as he held Grim tightly and Epel ushered him into the dorm, both whispering words of comfort. Not even ten mintues pass before Deuce, Ace, Jack, Ortho and Sebek barge into Pomfiore, carrying multiple blankets, pillows and snacks, and making a b-line towards Epel's room.
Vil pressed his ear against the door.
"... I-I explained I didn't like her... Door was blocked... Te-terrified and I couldn't breathe..."
He moved away, already knowing what had happened. The pieces had been there since she arrived, her blushing and stuttering around him. How multiple students who were close to Adrien had started to get harmed, physically and emotionally. He didn't do anything, Vil clenched his fists heading off to talk to Crowley.
"Huh- Rook!" Vil called after.
The hunter ignored him, heading towards Epel's room.
"Rook!" Vil shouted, hurrying over as his vice-warden gave a firm three knocks on the door.
Ortho opened the door, stepping out and closing it behind him.
Rook smiled, "I apologize for the intrusion, Monsieur Doll. I believe you have something for me?"
"Yup!" Ortho pulled a small flashdrive from his wrist, handing it to Rook. "I edited it and made sure to capture everything that happened, and even made sure to highlight certain parts."
"Wonderful! Thank you greatly, Monsieur Doll." Rook patted Ortho on the shoulder.
The young android-doll grinned before stepping back into the room.
Vil watched as Rook's smille fell, a look he's only seen very few times.
"How long have you been-"
Vil kept pace with his vice-warden, not daring to question, because he knew Rook was dedicated to those he was close with. He had seen how Rook smiled, teased and helped Adrien in adjusting to Twisted Wonderland and Night Raven College. The smile on his face was wide, full of affection for the younger student, and one of deep-seeded primal protection.
They had heard from Adrien about his life before, the casual and dissmissive nature of his father and friends. How he seemed to slowly realize who Marinette truly was as she followed him around and proclaimed acts of protection he didn't need. Her distrust of the school and those close to Adrien leeked into his mind, looking over his shoulder and tensing up when she was around.
Everyone had seen the bags under Adrien's eyes slowly grow, the whining from Grim about her behavior, the loud proclomations from Sebek during lunch. How Epel would casually tell Vil and Rook that he saw Marinette setting up something to get back at another student, she was causing problems and ruining everyone's time at school. Destruction of property, harrassing and threats of violence.
Crowley looked over the evidence, Vil should have been shocked at the amount, but Rook had been careful in his plans. He was always a step ahead of those around him, promising protection and security.
Vil scrunched up his nose at some of the stuff, reminded of the few fans of his that had become so obsessed that legal action had to be taken. The rest of the housewardens and their vices showed up, giving testimony of Marinette's behvaiour.
"She gave Ruggie food poisoning and destroyed Jack's cactai," Leon mentioned, trying to be dissmissive. (his tail lashed back and forth)
"She had ruined part of Heartslabyul's gardens," Riddle growled showing photos of burned and marred hedges.
"She was badgering our patrons and causing scenes weekly," Azul hissed when Jade provided several videos.
"She tried to dump water on Ortho," Idia tugged on his jacket strings when Ortho's videos played.
"She's constantly monitering everyone close to Adrien," Malleus said, a strain in his voice.
List after complaint after accusation.
Crowley's face had been passive, uninterested in the beginning, but Vil watched as his face knitted into that of confusion, discomfort and finally horror.
"Earlier today," Rook began once everyone had said their pieces. "Adrien had been getting ready to go out with Deuce, Ace, Grim, Epel, Jack, Ortho and Sebek. They were going to spend Valentine's day together as a group, he had been excited of this news, wanting to spend the day with his friends."
Vil watched as Rook took his hat off, face solem, hiding the anger he felt.
"Marinette had been insiting that she come along, wanting to "protect" him from the others. She accused the others of manipulating Adrien, saying that the only reason he can't love some is because they've changed him for the worse." His words were careful, calculated and dripping with a hatred Vil was sure he was holding back.
"She trapped him in his room, cornering him, crying and trying to manipulate Adrien into believing her. Breaking his walls down to move in, Grim burned the door down and the two left where he met with Epel. Currently Adrien, Grim, Ace, Deuce, Jack, Sebek, Epel, and Ortho are there. Marinette is likely wandering around campus looking for Adrien."
Vil and Rook insited on finding Marinette and bringing her to the Headmage's office. It was hard to find her at first, she was hiding and making sure to be hidden from them, already aware of the consequences of what she had done. Vil followed behind Rook, trusting his vice-warden to find the girl, and he did.
She had locked herself into a storage closet, Vil had wanted to go in peacefully, but Rook had already kicked the door in. Marinette pressed herself against the wall, snarling at Rook as she moved forward. (Vil stayed back.)
"What are you planning on doing to me?" Marinette hissed, holding the end of a mop to Rook's chest.
"I'm here to take you to the headmage." Vil watched as Rook gave a slight head tilt, the smile on his voice.
Marinette shoved him back before pressing herself against the wall once more. "Like that'll happen, you don't have anything against me!"
Vil was shocked, her voice sounded so sure of what she said, the confidence that no one could possibly touch her. He wanted to step forward, bark and say she was wrong, but Vil kept to the entrance. They couldn't let her get away.
"Oh~" Rook chuckled, "how naive of you to think so."
Marinette pushed over several tools within the closet as Rook drew forward.
"I have waited for this. I have watched you closely. You think I would just idly stand-by as you torment Le Chat du Soleil? Oh, no, no, no, no."
"You're all dangerous!" Marinette snapped, trying to hit Rook with the mop, only to miss. "You're only using him and manipulating him so he doesn't return home! If you all just stayed away, let me take care of him then we wouldn't be here for so long!"
The delusion Marinette was in. He had seen it from many of his fans.
"You don't love him like I do! I'm doing this because Adrien deserves to be happy, and he's only pretending to be happy with you!"
Rook stepped back as Marinette tried to strike him again.
"HE LOVES ME AS WELL! I KNOW IT! ONCE WE'RE BACK WE'LL BE HAPPY AND AWAY FROM YOU FREAKS!"
Rook laughed at that, a whole belly laugh that had him hunch over and hold himself up.
Vil watched as Marinette's face contorted into that of confusion, terror in her eyes. He watched as she realized there was an opening, Marinette threw the mop to the ground, ready to bolt out of the closet.
Rook had always been fast, Vil blinked and the sound of Marinette shouting and struggling had his eyes slowly move to the ground where Rook had restrained her. Vil walked in, grabbing rope from a box.
"Le Chat du Soleil will never love you like that." Rook hissed, his voice dripping with venom,
"I could change that!... He just... ACK... Hasn't found... The right person... I can make him better... He just... Needs some... Convincing!" Marinette struggled under Rook's weight.
Vil saw Rook's face, uninterested and bored. He crouched down, carefully tieing a knot around Marinette's wrists.
"You can not change him," Rook whispered, "he doesn't need changing."
Once Marinette was restrained, Vil stood up and took the lead back to Crowley's office. Marinette didn't stop talking, she was making excuses and trying to play victim.
"Le Chat du Soleil will never love you like that."
"You can not change him, he doesn't need changing."
The words rang through Vil's ears, opening the door and letting Marinette talk herself to her grave.
'Le Chat du Soleil' roughly translate to 'The Sun Cat.' (apologies if this is wrong, i used a translator-)
Huuuhh.... That was a lot... I got way into this one and i just couldn't stop. Sorry if there's not much on the Aro or Lithoromantic part.
if this doesn't suffiace, then you don't have to post this :]