partycat

‧₊˚ ┊ It all started with a comment from Ace at breakfast. Somehow, the topic of periods was brought up amongst yourself and the other first years, a subject you were very familiar with. You, obviously, expressed how terrible periods can be, especially the cramps. Ortho, of course, responded with a scientific explanation of the excruciating cramps can be. "According to a brief bit of research, some people report experiencing cramps so painful that they find themselves unable to walk and some even report passing out." For some reason, the statement causes Ace to respond with an amused huff. "Oh, c'mon, that's a bit of an overreaction, don't you think? It seriously can't be that bad." The others looked between each other, clearly put off by the rather rude comment.

‧₊˚ ┊ "Um, from what I've heard, period cramps are pretty painful." Deuce hesitantly spoke up, awkwardly shooting you a glance as he tried to broach the subject as carefully as possible. "Yeah, they're no joke, Ace. You're kinda making yourself look like a jerk." Jack's stern assertion pulls a gruff chortle from Epel. "I mean, they can't be that bad, can't they? Girls act like they're getting their organs pulled out or somethin'. It's just a little blood, ain't it?" This time, Sebek speaks up with a rather… unexpected response. "Just a just bit of blood? JUST A BIT OF BLOOD, ARE YOU SERIOUS? THE PAIN ENDURED ON A MONTHLY BASIS IS COMPARABLE TO THE PAIN A SOLDIER EXPERIENCES ON THE BATTLEFIELD! YOU VASTLY UNDERESTIMATE HOW EXCRUCIATING CRAMPS CAN BE! TELL THESE FOOLS WHO WRONG THEY ARE, PREFECT!" 

‧₊˚ ┊ The table falls silent as they look to you — the only girl in their little group — for your say on the matter. Of course, you know that Ace and Epel's takes are a bunch of bullshit, but instead of calling them out on it now, you immediately start planning how to best to get your point across. "Sebek and the others are right. Cramps can be really bad at times, especially for people with conditions that make the pain worse. It's not fair for you to undermine pain you haven't experienced just because you think it's 'not that bad'. It's kinda a dick move, to be honest." Ace and Epel, of course, launch into arguments about how they 'weren't trying to be rude' but their clamoring falls on deaf ears.

‧₊˚ ┊ Not to defend them, but Ace and Epel have literally no idea how bad periods can be. Sebek and Jack have sisters, so they know full well the wrath periods wreck on one's body. Deuce, on the other hand, grew up watching his mom work her ass off day in and day out, period be damned, but even she had her days when the cramps got the best of her. Ortho only understands periods from a scientific perspective, but is completely aware of how terrible that can be for those that have them. All this to say, none of the boys have experienced cramps for themselves, but that's about to change. (Queue the evil, maniacal, laugher.)

‧₊˚ ┊ Sam boasts that his shop has literally everything for sale. You want a magic crystal? He's got it. You want school supplies? Say less. You want a period crank simulator? Odd request, but he's got it. For the low, low price of twenty thaumarks — after a discount thanks to all the points you've saved up from shopping there so often — you are now the owner of your very own period crank simulator machine! Now, you can put it to good use by showing the boys just how painful cramps can truly be.

‧₊˚ ┊ The next day, the first years gather at Ramshackle at your behest, confused and totally unprepared for what awaits them. "I have called you all here today for a very important meeting. The other day, the subject of period cramps was brought up, and I thought, since you all have never experienced them, that now would be a good time for you to see what I have to go through every month." Everyone except Ortho goes deadly silent, their expressions dropping and faces going pale. Immediately, Ace and Epel start trying to make up for their comments from the other day, while Sebek, Deuce, and Jack silently hope that they'll be exempt from this punishment. "Alright, who's going first? Of course, I won't subject Ortho to this, so play rock-paper-scissors, or I'll pick one of you myself." (Ortho decides that since he can't participate, he'll stand back and collect data on the experience instead lol.)

‧₊˚ ┊ Hesitantly, Deuce raises his hand. "I already know that isn't going to be good, but I'd like to get it out of the way as soon as possible." Sebek stands up to join him. "HOW HONORABLE OF YOU, SPADE! WORRY NOT, FOR I SHALL NOT LET YOU FACE THIS TERROR ALONE!" Despite his bravado, he looks a bit… queasy as you hook them up to the machine. Starting off on the lowest setting, they both seem to handle the pain pretty well. Level two sees them squirming a little, and by level three they're both tapping out. The others watch in horror as they both double other in pain, clutching their stomachs and begging you to switch off the machine.

‧₊˚ ┊ "Guess it's my turn now." Jack sighs, his ears pinned back against his head as he hesitantly approaches the machine. "I-I'll go too!" Much to everyone's surprise, Epel speaks up too. He wears a look of confidence that's undeniably marred by an undercurrent of what can only be described as fear. Level one and two go by without much of a hitch, maybe a sharp inhale or some uncomfortable squirming, but nothing crazy. Level three seems them both gritting their teeth and squeezing their eyes shut, but they don't tap out. So, you turn it up to level four. Jack and Epel last did all of ten seconds before they're frantically begging you to turn the machine off.

‧₊˚ ┊ "Well, you're up, Ace. Let's see if all the big talk amounts to anything." The cruel smirk that finds your lips sends a shiver down Ace's spine. He talked a big game about cramps not being that bad, but his precious confidence has all but eroded away after watching the others being subjected to this cruel form of torture. Still, Ace can't just back out after talking all that shit. "F-fine. Let's see how bad they really are." From the moment you turn the machine up to level one, Ace looks like he's about to throw up. While he plays like the pain is nothing, the way he grips the fabric of his pants tight enough to turn his knuckles white says otherwise. Wordlessly, you turn the machine up to level two. For a solid five seconds, everything is fine, but then the pain catches up with Ace's brain and he taps out. All that talk, and he calls it quits on level two. Hilarious. (Despite it all, the other first years find this ironically funny too.)

Masterlist

This might be a bit shite because I’m tired but I hope I get it across

• there were very few things that were unspoken rules when it came to the otherworldly being that was you.

• you’ve had basic things explained to you and details of the wars explained lived through in immense detail!

• but, one thing nobody really thought to mention? Dating. It’s not like it was their biggest concern but after a while it just kinda became a detail they forgot about y’know??

• this isn’t so bad… except for the fact that you had no idea of different species customs.

• one rule for Fae dating is the ‘flower rule’.

• everyone knows that for faes who thrive in the day ; if they give you a singular sunflower on a day of truly clear skies it’s a declaration of love

• in a similar vein if a nocturnal fae gives you a singular moonflower on a clear night of a full moon that’s a declaration of love!

• it isn’t a marriage proposal but it’s a definite exclusive thing

• now, back to you my sorry friend!

• you had thought the gesture just a simple gift! That’s all! But when others had saw it and the word had spread you noticed some who were flirting with you backing off

• but that wasn’t your concern. You and Lilia had been getting close. Well. More him pursuing you!

• he had been more bold with his cuddling , his little “friendly” hand kisses and treating you like a precious person of pure royalty! You were both so close and you knew he could just be a bit odd sometimes so the idea of him being into you just didn’t cross your mind.

• but as time went by and things got more and more close you couldn’t deny the tension that suffocated you both into eachothers arms

• but still,

• a deep horrible uncertainty settled in you , that dread of possibly losing a close friend…

• I mean c’mon?? No way he’d ever date you! You were just a silly mortal!

• so one day you tried to ask him , it was terrifying but you did it.

• his face if genuine shock when you asked him what yous were was kind of priceless-

• he immediately asked you what you think they are! And when you answered best friends he looks so offended! He begins to ask you about the moonflower and if that meant nothing and you confessed to not knowing what the hell the slower had to do with this…

• honestly it just clicked for him.

• he let out a laugh feeling the weight come off his shoulders as he awkwardly explains it to you. This is where you find out too you’ve been dating for the last couple months

• and when you raised your concerns of faes living several human lifetimes he reminds you that at his age he’s more than likely going to life roughly around your long lifespan so he’s got no issues staying with you.

• anyway! You might become a ghost after anyway!

• he lets you know that you’re his everything.

• and on the next full moon he recommits himself to you and when you finally let him kiss you he feels like a spry young thing again

• when you told him after pulling him alone for five minutes he almost dropped his teacup.

• like you could physically see the information running through him.

•…you’re staying?

• he begins to panic, his face going red as he asks you if this is due to your worries of Crowleys incompetence and you’re just settling here!

• but once you reassure him that yeah. Staying here is what you want…he genuinely doesn’t know what to say.

• I mean, he knows people are able to live lives here without magic but after all you’ve been through. The fact that you have no records and it will truly be a big curve to being able to exist here worries him

• he almost forgets about the unbirthday as he begins to drag you off to help you get your affairs in order so you can live an easier life

• you can see though once you get back to the party he’s over the moon. You were ultimately one of the people who snapped him out of his miserable state and let him finally help himself

• you are truly a part of their world and he’s so happy he never has to let you go

• okay so like. When he screamed and woke up grim that’s not his fault! He never expected you to stay!

• I mean c’mon. He forgot you aren’t from this world but everytime he was reminded he was convinced you’d leave one day. He only pushed it down because it was too hard an idea to deal with

• so when you tell him you really are staying he’s so in shock.

• he actually punched himself because he genuinely thought this was a dream. But once he saw it was real he started laughing and hugging you

• while in his dream you could still go home knowing that you JUST wanted to stay here with him made him elated.

• you had told him when you were walking back with him to his dorm from a track club meeting of his.

• he started choking on his water to the pint he has to lean on a tree-

• once he finally calms down he immediately begins asking you a million questions a second like if you’re sure , if you’re really happy here, what are you gonna do when you leave?! Do you need a place to stay? His house has a spare home! His mum loves you you’re always welcome!

• and once again when FINALLY he catches his breath and you reassure him on your decision and plans he bursts into tears as he hugs you so damn tight

• you’re one of his first friends ever when he turned his life around. You helped him stay at night Raven college.

• you became such a fixture in his life that honestly he’s relived he never has to learn what’s it like when you’re permanently not around

• though I do warn. You better tell the others quickly because he will accidentally mention it at least twice the next day

• His mask fell like a ton of bricks.

• like immediately looked you dead in the eyes with a blank face as he asked you to repeat yourself.

• so when you do you seek the real Cater, a smile that truly reaches his his eyes forms as he throws around his arms to hug you, his phone forgotten strewed across the floor. He’s so relived he doesn’t have to say goodbye to you

• even if he has other people losing another to the normalities and changes of life as his normal he doesn’t want that anymore y’know??

• once you both calm down from the joy he asks if he can post a little photo celebrating it. He adds a funny little cryptic caption so you can have the thunder of letting others know you’re staying

• you had told him in the middle of a baking session he had invited you too! He had been inviting you around to help out a lot lately because for some reason he had this deep gut feeling something was up.

• not a bad something was up but just that something was going to happen.

• so when you mentioned it casually to him as he was busy in a particularly difficult part of making the pastries he only froze for a seconds before smiling and telling you “you sure? You’ve seen how bad it can get.”

• but once you reassure him that you wanna stay he just nods continuing the baking

“I mean I guess you have lived through the worst of it. You’re already prepared.”

• but once it’s all in the oven and he’s able to move freely he crushed you in a hug not even caring about the muck on you both.

“And there’s no better offering than lifting your spirits, so this time…!”, Sebek grabs your hand, reaches into his pocket with his other hand and places something hard in your palm, then closes it. It feels like a bracelet of some sort, but slightly damp…? It’s as if Sebek’s palms were sweaty before giving it to you. That’s something you noticed a lot lately, you considered asking Lilia why his hands have been sweating so much, but you wanted to save him from the doting.

“Wow, thanks, Sebek.”, you smile awkwardly, then look down and try and open your hand, but Sebek quickly puts his back over yours and sits close to you. “Don’t look yet! It needs your full attention, not one little thing shall take your eyes off of it…”, he trails off, getting weirdly quiet. When you look up at him, you notice him making this strange face, something between a cringe and a pout. You noticed that he’s done that a lot too, but when you asked him about it, he just snapped and claimed he had ‘training to do’.

The silence was a few moments away from becoming uncomfortable before Sebek speaks up again, “Feathers, I see you were reading the book I gifted to you last week. You’re obviously enjoying my selection, I knew I’d choose the best one!”, he grins as he boasts, which you’ve learned that he does it mostly out of embarrassment. You just nod, thinking that you’re helping him out by not reacting much, but it actually makes him feel sad and that he’s bothering you, not that he’ll tell you. “Well, Feathers,”, he gives your hand a squeeze as he stands up, “I’ll take my leave now, I don’t want to interrupt any more of your reading time.”

He finally lets go, then scurries off like something that’s ten times smaller than his actual size. You sigh and shake your head, wondering if he hit his head recently. Not that you didn’t appreciate it, but Sebek’s been acting so weird lately. He keeps giving you gifts every three days, some as simple as some fruit in a basket, and some as off putting as a vile of his tears. You didn’t know he could cry in the first place, much less cry enough to fill a whole vile. Sebek said they were ‘tears of passion’ to show how much he cares for you, but you feel like he would’ve been better off calling you his best friend.

Speaking of calling you things, Sebek keeps calling you ‘Feathers’ and sometimes ‘Tweety’ when he’s feeling more affectionate. He NEVER calls anyone besides Lilia and Malleus by any nicknames, and even then they’re technically titles and not nicknames. He doesn’t even call Silver anything and they’ve known each other long before NRC, he doesn’t even call him ‘human’ like he does with literally anyone else. You don’t mind the nicknames, but you almost feel like he’s expecting you to call him something back. At this point, you might ambush him with interpretive dance to see if it’ll get him to settle down with…everything.

Like Sebek acts like it’s his sworn duty to walk you back to your dorm every night. He would make you go with Malleus every time you eat lunch in the cafeteria, since Malleus practically scares everyone in line, so you’d both get first dibs on everything. Malleus didn’t mind, just happy to be making a new friend, you on the other hand wanted to back away like everyone else. Sebek would even offer to do the most mundane things for you, but in the most unhinged way possible.

Grabbing you a sheet of paper when you need to write down notes, even though you clearly had plenty in your notebook. Tying your shoes even if they were the SLIGHTEST bit loose, bending down on one knee as if it were a sacred practice. But the most unhinged was last Friday, he pulled you close to him and didn’t let you go for ten minutes straight. It WAS a little chilly outside in the woods, but not chilly for him to act as a human blanket. It was so absurd, you didn’t even question how or why he even followed you into the woods.

You don’t even question why he’s been so adamant on being all over you. Even in public surprisingly, though in those situations he just stands obnoxiously close to you, but it still counts. It’s not that you didn’t care, it’s just that you had bigger things to worry about. Sebek being affectionate was the least concerning of his…behavior lately. In fact, you feel kind of honored since you never see him be this soft with anyone else.

Later on the still lovely Tuesday, you were in potionology class and you and Silver were partners. You and Silver were great friends actually, having lots of things in common help you two become close. While you guys were mixing your assigned concoction. Silver looks at you with a serious look in his eye, “[Name], I know this might not be the best time, but I need to talk to you about something.” “Oh, sure. What is it?”, you say curiously, but you secretly hope it wasn’t anything too upsetting. “Do you not like Sebek or something? He says you haven’t been taking his courting very well.”, he looks concerned, but also worried on Sebek’s behalf. “He’s been trying so hard, y’know, and if you don’t like him back, you should put a stop to it before this goes any further-…”

“WOAH, WOAH, WOAH…!”, you yell for the entire class to hear, earning you a couple dirty looks, making you feel a little bashful, but you continue, “Courting???” As soon as Silver sees the shock and confusion on your face, he remembers you’re more clueless on fae culture than he is on human culture. He looks at you with second hand embarrassment, then says something along the lines of, “I’ll let him explain”, but then he starts to feel drowsy and cuts himself off, leaving you to worry more about his safety at the moment.

That night in Diasomnia, Silver finds Sebek in his dorm room, usually at this time, he’d hear him saying his nightly prayers to his Malleus portrait, but now he hears him just grumbling to himself. “Sebek? Are you feeling alright?”, Silver ask softly as he approaches Sebek. Sebek huffs and gives him an almost offended look, “NO! I am NOT okay! I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, usually in couples, after the third day, your partner would reciprocate! If they’re shier, maybe five, but it’s been over a MONTH now. AND-…!” “Sebek.”, Silver calmly interrupts, “They don’t understand fae courtship. They were raised among humans, remember.”

Sebek jaw drops as if he was just told the sky was falling, which to him it might as well be because how could he forget one of the most important things about the very person he’s perusing. He felt so silly, he was so busy being glad that you were fae, so you would understand what humans would consider strange, that he wasn’t thinking about how SILVER of all people understood the rituals more than you. Sebek shoos Silver away after a minute, then he writes down a strict, five page plan on how to court you properly in a way that the both of you could understand.

The warmth of your two bodies pressed together, the rhythm of your heartbeat helping to slow his down, and your cute little snores.

Nowadays, whenever you don’t cuddle up to him at night, he assumes you’re upset or he’s done something wrong.

Leona

Lions naturally sleep in piles, so it wouldn’t be far off for lion beastfolk to fall asleep cuddling one another.

In fact, it was Leona who rolled over on top of you one day, then you just snuggled in, and it’s been that way ever since.

Leona does notice after a while that you prefer holding onto him and cuddling, rather than him sleeping on top of you, so he pays more attention.

He’ll pull you in rather than rolling onto you, or just placing you on top of him, he’ll just wrap an arm around your waist and let you do what you want.

Once Leona gets used to you cuddling him, he’s going to expect cuddles every night, so you should warn him in advance before you get in bed.

If not, he’s just gonna snuggle up to you, and pull you close like he always does.

Azul

Like Riddle, Azul finds it unacceptable when you suddenly get into his personal space at first. But unlike Riddle, he immediately takes it as a sign that you’re comfortable with him.

He also goes stiff the first few times you roll on top of him, or squeeze him tight in your sleep. Not because he’s uncomfortable, but because he doesn’t want to disturb you.

It means so much to him that you’re comfortable enough to be so close to him while being in your most vulnerable state, and he doesn’t want to ruin anything.

Azul slowly starts to get used to it, and you notice that he’ll cling onto you too, though it hard to tell if it because he loves you so much, or it’s just instinct from being an octomer.

Either way, you two become so used to each other’s body heat, that whenever you’re not near each other, it’s freezing.

Jamil

Jamil finds it odd at first, but takes it as a sign of trust and show of further your relationship, and just cuddles you back after a while.

It does get hot in Scarabia, so sometimes he’ll slide you off without waking you up somehow, so you’ll open your eyes the next morning and notice you’re separated.

When Jamil doesn’t end up sliding you off, he’ll wrap an arm around you tightly in an almost vice grip, as if someone was going to steal you.

You’re the first person he’s ever shared his heart with, and he wants to be the only one, so if cuddling makes you happy, so be it, it makes him happy too.

If you really are bothered by getting slid off sometimes, he’ll compromise by holding your hand, so you won’t be completely apart.

Vil

Vil almost thought you had lost your mind the first time you snuggle your way into his personal space. Why you go and ruin his beauty sleep?? You know the oils from your face are gonna-…

“Wait, couples actually do this outside of tv…”, he thinks as he looks down at your peaceful face.

It takes a while for Vil to get used to, but the number one rule is that you CANNOT press your cheek against his.

Even if he has you on the same impeccable skincare routine as his, he doesn’t want to risk any drool, he’d rather you drool on his pajamas top if either of you can help it.

Eventually, Vil will welcome your cuddles with open arms, and even be excited for them as they’ll start being his most favorite part of the day.

Idia

Idia audibly gasps the first time, and probably the next couple time you wrap your arms around him in your sleep. He doesn’t even think he’s worthy of being your ‘snuggle buddy’.

He unironically calls the two of you that now ever since he got used to you cuddling him, and he thinks of it as some kind of honor.

Idia already treats your hugs as some kind of power up, but you cuddling him in bed at night like he’s some romance manga protagonist? He treats it as a SSR legendary reward you can only earn at the highest possible level.

You better believe he’s never letting you go, you’re his ‘snuggle buddy’ now, no matter how cringe that sounds to you and him.

Since Idia spends so much time in his room, and you hang out there a lot, he won’t initiate it himself, but he’ll start subtly asking for cuddles all the time.

He’ll want you to snuggle up to him while he’s playing on his console, he’ll want you on his lap when he’s sitting his gaming chair, and he’ll want you to lay on top of him while you’re watching anime together.

You of course don’t mind at all, and you two become almost inseparable in the comfort of Idia’s room.

Malleus

Malleus thinks you rolling on top of him at night and hug him tight as just another one of your human customs, so he welcomes the gesture with open arms.

He loves getting to know you better and learning about the strange things humans do, so after a few nights of this, he’ll ask you directly why you cuddle him so tightly at night.

When you explain it’s a gesture of love and trust, Malleus is overjoyed that his child of man feels so close to him.

He quickly begins to cuddle you at night as well to show how much he loves and trust you back, he even curls around you slightly as if you’re a hoard of treasure, which to him, you are.

Malleus loves cuddling so much to the point where he’ll start doing it in public, he won’t care, and it’s not like anyone’s going to tell him to stop besides his more eccentric guard.

Whether you do or don’t like it, you’ll have to explain what PDA is, why other people could be uncomfortable by it, and whether or not you’re comfortable with it.

Cater Diamond

cater would notice it almost immediately. the first time it happens, he probably pauses mid-sentence because he genuinely wasn't expecting that reaction. he compliments your outfit, you immediately turn bright red, and suddenly he's staring at you like he's discovered a new species. "wait... was that because of me?" the second he realizes he's the cause, it's over. not in a malicious way—he's not trying to embarrass you—but he'd find your reactions unbearably cute. the thing is, cater spends so much time being charming that he's used to people laughing, rolling their eyes, or flirting back. seeing someone become genuinely flustered because of something he said makes his heart do a weird little flip. at first he teases you relentlessly. "aww, look at you! you're all red!" unfortunately for him, the teasing usually backfires because seeing you cover your face only makes you even cuter. eventually he starts softening up. sometimes he'll lean over and quietly tell you something sweet just to see that familiar blush spread across your cheeks. not because he's making fun of you, but because there's something reassuring about knowing his words affect you that much. every time you hide your face, he'll be sitting there with the biggest smile, wondering how someone can be so adorable.

Riddle Rosehearts

riddle completely short-circuits the first time it happens. he'll say something sincere without thinking—perhaps thanking you for always supporting him or telling you how much he appreciates your company—and suddenly you're blushing all the way up to your ears. immediately, he assumes he's done something wrong. did he say something strange? were his words inappropriate? is your face red because you're upset? poor riddle is internally panicking while you're desperately trying to hide your face. once he realizes you're embarrassed because of the compliment, however, he becomes flustered too. congratulations. you've created a feedback loop. now both of you are red. the funniest part is that riddle is naturally very sincere when he cares about someone. he genuinely means every compliment he gives. so every time he says something sweet and watches you melt into a blushing mess, he finds himself getting embarrassed afterward because now he's hyper-aware of how romantic he sounded. over time, though, he grows strangely fond of it. there's something comforting about seeing such an honest reaction. it makes him feel like his feelings are reaching you. even if he ends up blushing almost as much as you are.

Idia Shroud

idia is not surviving this. at all. the first time he notices, his brain immediately blue-screens. imagine him awkwardly mumbling something nice, expecting the conversation to move on normally, only for you to turn bright red and hide your face. he'd stare for a solid five seconds before internally screaming. "there's no way. there's actually no way my rizz levels are that high!!" the poor guy would spend the rest of the day replaying the moment in his head. the thing is, idia already struggles with expressing affection. every compliment feels like he's putting himself in emotional danger. so when he sees you react that strongly, part of him is delighted and another part wants to launch himself into orbit. after he recovers, though, he absolutely starts noticing patterns. if he calls you cute? tomato. if he tells you he missed you? tomato. if he accidentally says something genuinely romantic? fucking tomato. he'd never admit it out loud, but those reactions become one of his favorite things. whenever you're blushing and trying to hide your face, idia feels a little less insecure because it's proof that his feelings matter to you. the only downside is that every time it happens, he gets flustered right alongside you. neither of you can function properly.

Epel Felmier

lilia falls in love with you knowing exactly what's happening, and that somehow makes it worse. unlike many of the students around him, he's lived long enough to recognize the signs immediately. he knows what affection looks like, he knows what attachment feels like. he knows the dangerous warmth that begins settling in his chest when a particular person starts occupying more of his thoughts than they should. he has seen countless romances bloom and fade over the years. he has watched people fall in love, build lives together, grow old, and disappear. he has experienced enough of life to understand his own emotions better than most. that is precisely why he notices the problem almost immediately.

the first time he catches himself looking for you in a crowd, he notices. the first time your laughter lingers in his mind long after a conversation ends, he notices. the first time he finds himself smiling simply because he knows he'll get to see you later that day, he notices. unfortunately, recognizing the problem does absolutely nothing to stop it. if anything, it only gives him more time to dwell on it. at first, he tries not to take it seriously. surely it is just fondness. you are an entertaining human, after all. clever, resilient, endlessly fascinating. anyone would enjoy spending time around you.

yet the feelings continue growing despite his best efforts to dismiss them. he starts seeking out your company more often than before, conversations that were once casual become the highlight of his day. he finds himself remembering small details about you with alarming ease. the foods you like, the stories you've told him, and the little habits you probably assume nobody notices. before long, thoughts of you become woven into the fabric of his everyday life. and that's when the real problem begins.

because unlike younger people who can throw themselves into love without thinking, lilia knows exactly how dangerous it is to care this deeply. he knows how fragile happiness can be. he knows how quickly things can disappear. the truth is that lilia's greatest insecurity has never been his appearance, his abilities, or even his age itself. it's time. time is the one thing he has never been able to defeat. he has spent centuries watching the world move forward around him. people enter his life and eventually leave it. seasons change. kingdoms rise and fall. faces he once loved and cherished become memories.

no matter how much he cares, no matter how desperately he wishes otherwise, time always wins in the end. that reality has shaped him more than he likes to admit. it is why he treasures the people he loves so fiercely. it is also why falling for you frightens him more than any battle ever could. because when he looks at you, he cannot stop himself from imagining a future. he imagines hearing your laughter years from now. he imagines sharing quiet moments together. he imagines growing closer, building memories, becoming an irreplaceable part of each other's lives. then, inevitably, another thought follows. what happens after that? what happens when time continues moving forward as it always does? what happens when the future arrives? for perhaps the first time in years, lilia finds himself wishing he knew less. wishing he could be young enough to ignore consequences and simply enjoy his feelings. instead, he understands exactly what loving you could mean. he understands the risk. yet despite all of that knowledge, despite all of those fears, he cannot stop himself from wanting you anyway.

the realization settles quietly one evening while the two of you are sitting together watching the sunset. the conversation has long since drifted into comfortable silence. you're talking about something simple, something unimportant, and lilia finds himself watching you instead of listening. not because he isn't interested in what you're saying, but because for a brief moment, he feels overwhelming gratitude that you're here at all. that he met you, that he knows you, that he gets to sit beside you and listen to your voice. the feeling hits him so suddenly that it almost steals his breath away.

silver falls in love with you so quietly that, for a long time, neither of you notice it happening. unlike some people, silver doesn't spend weeks panicking over strange feelings or desperately trying to figure out what they mean. the problem is much simpler than that: he genuinely doesn't realize anything has changed. spending time with you feels natural, comfortable, and easy. you become part of his routine before he even thinks to question it.

if he sees something that reminds him of you, his first instinct is to tell you about it later. if something good happens, he wonders what your reaction would be. if he's tired—and considering this is silver, that is often—he finds himself gravitating toward your presence without consciously meaning to. none of this seems unusual to him. you're important to him, so naturally he wants to be around you. that explanation satisfies him for a surprisingly long time. unfortunately, everyone else notices almost immediately. lilia notices. sebek notices. even wakasa—malleus notices.

silver, meanwhile, remains completely oblivious. when lilia casually points out that silver has been staring at you for several minutes straight, he simply blinks and asks if he has. the answer is yes. he accepts this information and somehow learns absolutely nothing from it. the truth is that silver has always been someone who loves quietly. his affection does not appear in grand gestures or dramatic declarations. it appears in the little things. making sure you get back safely after late-night events. saving you a seat without thinking about it. remembering details you mentioned months ago and bringing them up later. offering his jacket when you're cold. checking whether you've eaten. none of it feels particularly significant to him, he's simply taking care of someone important to him. the problem is that eventually you become more important than anyone else. that realization sneaks up on him.

one day he notices that hearing your voice immediately improves his mood. another day he realizes he remembers your schedule almost as well as his own. then he catches himself searching crowds for you automatically whenever he arrives somewhere. little things begin piling up until they become impossible to ignore. the moment of clarity arrives unexpectedly when you're talking to another student during lunch. it's a perfectly normal conversation, completely harmless. yet he finds himself watching from across the cafeteria longer than necessary.

then there's a strange feeling in his chest. not anger. not irritation. something else, something rather unpleasant. jealousy. the realization catches him so off guard that he nearly drops the book he was holding. because jealousy implies something. it implies he wants your attention, your time, and your affection. suddenly a hundred little moments begin making sense. the way he always seems happiest when you're nearby. the way your praise lingers in his thoughts. the way your smile somehow feels more rewarding than it should. the way he always notices when you're gone. silver has never been particularly afraid of emotions, but this one leaves him strangely unsettled. not because he dislikes loving you. quite the opposite. the frightening part is how natural it feels.

loving you slips into his heart so easily that he cannot even remember what it was like before. somewhere along the way, thoughts of you stopped feeling separate from his everyday life and simply became part of it. the idea of losing that is what truly scares him. because despite his calm nature, silver carries insecurities of his own. he knows he's a bit unusual. he falls asleep at inconvenient times. he struggles with things others find easy. there are moments when he feels out of step with the people around him, moments when he wonders whether he is difficult to understand.

then there is the matter of his origins, the lingering uncertainty that has followed him for much of his life. questions he still doesn't fully know how to answer. questions about where he belongs. questions about who he is. when his feelings for you deepen, those insecurities begin whispering in the back of his mind. what if you deserve someone better? someone more dependable? someone who can stay awake through an entire conversation? someone easier to love? the thoughts never become overwhelming, but they linger quietly in the background.

the realization fully settles one evening while the two of you are walking through the gardens.the conversation drifts easily from topic to topic as the sun begins setting around you. at some point, you laugh at something he says. not a polite laugh or a forced one, but a genuine laugh, bright and warm and completely unguarded. silver finds himself staring before he can stop himself. the sound settles somewhere deep in his chest, and suddenly he understands. not because you're extraordinary, although you are. not because you're kind, although you are that too. it's because being with you feels like coming home.

malleus falls in love with you long before he intends to. in fact, if anyone had asked him beforehand what kind of person would capture his heart, he likely would not have had an answer. romance isn't something he spends much time considering. his life has always been filled with duties, expectations, lessons, responsibilities, and obligations that stretch far beyond what most people his age could even imagine. as the future ruler of briar valley, malleus has spent most of his life being viewed as something larger than a person. a prince, a prodigy, a future king, a force of nature.

very few people ever approach him without fear, and even fewer treat him normally. then you arrive and accidentally change everything. it begins with something deceptively simple: you talk to him. not because you want something. not because you are trying to gain favor. not because you feel obligated. you simply enjoy his company. (also because he was standing outside your dorm at a questionable hour.) at first, malleus finds this refreshing. then he finds it comforting. then, before he realizes what is happening, he begins looking forward to every interaction. he starts seeking you out during school events. he remembers every conversation the two of you have ever shared. tiny details about you settle effortlessly into his memory: the foods you enjoy, the expressions you make when you're annoyed, and the way your eyes light up whenever you become excited about something. gradually, without either of you noticing, you become one of his favorite parts of every day.

the realization that he loves you doesn't arrive dramatically. there's no lightning strike. no sudden revelation. instead, it sneaks up on him during one of your nightly conversations. you're talking about something completely ordinary. grim had done something ridiculous earlier, and you're recounting the story while laughing. he listens quietly, watching the way your face brightens as you speak. then, for a brief moment, a thought crosses his mind. he wants this forever. the realization is so natural that it takes several seconds for the weight of it to sink in. forever. he wants to keep hearing your stories. he wants to keep walking beside you. he wants to keep seeing that smile. the thought should probably alarm him. instead, it settles into his chest with surprising ease. loving you feels less like falling and more like coming home.

the problem begins afterward. because once malleus allows himself to imagine a future with you, he cannot stop thinking about all the ways it could go wrong. not because he doubts you. because he doubts himself. most people assume malleus is impossibly confident. powerful. untouchable. the reality is far more complicated. malleus knows exactly what he is. he knows people fear him. he knows they whisper about him when they think he cannot hear. he knows many students still hesitate before approaching him. some avoid him entirely. others place him on a pedestal so high that genuine friendship becomes impossible. he has spent most of his life feeling isolated from the people around him.

then you came along and somehow crossed every barrier without even realizing it. you treated him like a person before you treated him like a prince. you spoke to him before you spoke to his title. you saw him before you saw the future king of briar valley. and now he is terrified of losing that. because for perhaps the first time in his life, malleus has something precious enough to fear. the more he loves you, the more questions begin haunting him. could you truly be happy standing beside someone like him? could you endure the responsibilities attached to his future? would you still smile at him so easily if you fully understood what his life entails? what happens when he eventually becomes king? what happens when duty begins demanding more and more of his time? what happens if the weight of his title becomes too much? hese thoughts linger far longer than he would ever admit aloud. every time he catches himself imagining a future together, another part of him immediately begins searching for reasons why such a future might be impossible. yet no matter how many doubts arise, they always crumble whenever he's with you.

one evening, the two of you are wandering the grounds together after sunset. the campus is quiet. the stars shine overhead. the conversation drifts naturally from one topic to another until eventually you stop walking and glance up at the sky. for a moment, neither of you says anything. then you smile. it's not directed at his title. not at his magic. not at his status. just him. and suddenly he feels something in his chest ache. because after everything—after years of isolation, years of loneliness, years of being viewed as something distant and untouchable—you are looking at him with nothing but affection. no fear. no hesitation. no expectations. just warmth. the realization nearly overwhelms him. for all his power, all his strength, all the centuries of draconic magic sleeping beneath his skin, you have managed to accomplish something nobody else ever has. you make him feel wanted. not as a prince. not as a future king. not as the mighty malleus draconia. just as malleus. and perhaps that is why he falls so hard.

vil falls in love with you slowly, carefully, and with far more fear than he would ever admit aloud. most people assume someone like vil would never struggle with insecurity. they see the flawless appearance, the confidence, the poise, the years of success built upon talent and relentless effort. they see the beautiful actor, the admired housewarden, the person who seems to walk through life with absolute certainty in himself. what they do not see are the years spent being compared to others. the years of being told he was almost enough. beautiful, but not the most beautiful. talented, but not the star. exceptional, but somehow still standing in someone else's shadow. vil learned long ago that perfection is not something you achieve; it's something you chase endlessly, knowing you will never quite reach it.

that's why falling in love with you feels so terrifying. at first, he handles it the way he handles everything else in his life: logically. you're someone he respects. someone whose company he genuinely enjoys. someone hardworking, kind, and resilient. naturally, he appreciates you. naturally, he wants to spend time with you. naturally, he thinks about you more often than most people. there's nothing strange about that. except the thoughts never stop.

he begins looking for you automatically whenever he enters a room. he notices when you seem tired before anyone else does. small details about you linger in his mind long after conversations end. before he realizes it, your smile has become one of his favorite sights in the world. and that's where the trouble begins. because he's used to being admired. he's not used to wanting admiration in return. the realization unsettles him far more than he expects.

suddenly, your opinions matter in ways that feel dangerously important. a compliment from you can brighten his entire day without warning. casual praise leaves warmth lingering in his chest for hours afterward. worse, criticism sticks with him. even harmless comments find a way to replay in his mind. not because you are cruel—you never are—but because he cares what you think. far too much. and then, against all better judgment, he begins wondering whether you could ever look at him the same way he looks at you. that thought becomes impossible to escape.

because the more he falls for you, the more his old insecurities begin resurfacing. vil knows beauty better than anyone. he understands how temporary it is. how fragile. how easily it can disappear. he has dedicated years of his life to maintaining himself, improving himself, perfecting himself. but loving you makes him painfully aware that there are some things beauty cannot guarantee. what if you prefer someone else? someone warmer. someone easier. someone who doesn't spend so much time worrying about appearances. someone who does not need to try so hard all the time. someone with softer eyes and a cuter look.

the thoughts are irrational. he knows they're irrational.byet they remain. some days they become almost unbearable. especially when he catches himself comparing. it happens more often than he would like to admit. a passing comment about another student's appearance. seeing you laugh with someone conventionally charming. hearing others praise people around him. none of these things should bother him. they're insignificant. meaningless. yet somehow they do. because there is a small, ugly part of him that wonders whether all his effort matters at all. whether, underneath the makeup, the skincare, the discipline, and the perfection, there's actually anything worth loving. the thought humiliates him. he hates it. he hates how vulnerable you've made him without even trying.

the realization fully hits him one evening after a particularly exhausting week. he is sitting in his room, reviewing lines and trying unsuccessfully to focus. his reflection stares back at him from the vanity mirror nearby. normally, he would find flaws to correct, areas to improve, adjustments to make. tonight, however, his thoughts keep drifting elsewhere. to you. to your laugh. to your smile. to the way you always look so genuinely happy to see him. then a horrible thought slips into his mind. would you still look at him like that if he were ordinary? not vil schoenheit the actor. not vil schoenheit the housewarden. not vil schoenheit the celebrity. just vil.

the question settles heavily in his chest because despite everything he has accomplished, despite all the praise he receives, despite all the beauty he has spent years cultivating, there is still a frightened part of him that worries the answer might be no. the next time he sees you, that insecurity lingers. he hides it well, as always. no one else would notice. but you do.

"you're quiet today," you tell him while the two of you walk across campus. "i'm simply thinking." "hm." your gaze lingers on him for a moment before you smile. not the polite smile you give strangers. not the amused smile you give when grim does something ridiculous. a soft one. the kind reserved entirely for people you care about.

before he can ask what prompted it, you speak. "you know, i really like being around you." just that. nothing dramatic. nothing elaborate. a simple truth. yet it hits harder than any compliment he has ever received. because there is no mention of beauty. no mention of fame. no mention of appearances. just him. for a moment, he can't speak. all those fears he has been carrying. all those doubts. all those insecurities whispering that perhaps he's only valuable because of what he looks like. they don't disappear, but they grow quieter. because when you look at him, there's no awe in your eyes. no pedestal. just affection. real, genuine affection.

jamil falls in love with you knowing full well he shouldn't. that realization settles into his chest long before he ever allows himself to acknowledge the actual feelings attached to it. because love, to jamil, has always felt like the sort of thing meant for other people. people with freedom. people allowed to want things openly without guilt clawing at them afterward. not him. especially not him. so at first, he tries very hard to ignore whatever this is becoming.

you're simply pleasant to be around. easier than most people at NRC. you speak to him like he's a person instead of kalim's attendant, and somehow that alone feels dangerously comforting. conversations with you come naturally in ways he's not used to. you notice things about him other people overlook. ask his opinions directly. seek him out specifically. naturally he grows accustomed to your company over time. naturally he starts relaxing around you more than intended. that should have been where he stopped it. instead, he lets himself linger. and that's his first mistake.

because once he starts genuinely caring about someone, he canct do anything halfway. slowly, quietly, you begin settling into parts of his life he had spent years keeping closed off from other people. hearing your voice after exhausting days eases tension from his shoulders immediately. your laughter stays stuck in his head for hours afterward. if several days pass without seeing you properly, something restless and irritable coils beneath his skin until he finally does again. he notices all of this. he hates it instantly. because deep down, he already knows how this story ends. people like you don't fall for people like him. not when there are brighter people standing beside him.

"you've been distracted lately." jamil barely glances up from the food he is preparing. "have i now." kalim hums thoughtfully nearby. "mhm. usually you only stare off into space like that when something's bothering you." "...nothing is bothering me." except there is. you are. constantly. the problem isn't simply that jamil likes you. the problem is how badly he likes you despite knowing better. because the more attached he becomes, the more impossible it gets to ignore the ugly thoughts buried beneath those feelings. why would someone like you ever truly choose him?

jamil has spent his entire life standing behind kalim. quieter. less important. less wanted. even now, people gravitate toward kalim naturally while jamil remains the one lingering at the edges making sure everything runs smoothly. dependable. useful. forgettable. he learned very young that his place was behind someone else, never beside them. and part of him still believes that. which makes these feelings feel humiliating. because every time you smile at him kindly, some awful hopeful part of him immediately wants more. more attention. more affection. more of your time. he catches himself growing jealous whenever you laugh too easily with someone else, especially kalim. and afterward guilt crashes into him immediately because what right does he have to feel possessive over someone who isn't his? what right does someone like him have to want at all? that question haunts him constantly.

your affection only makes everything worse. jamil is careful with things like that, careful with closeness, because vulnerability has never come easily to him. but somehow you slip past his defenses little by little anyway. if your hand brushes his accidentally, his thoughts derail for the rest of the conversation. if you lean against his shoulder during study sessions, he becomes painfully aware of your warmth beside him. one evening you fall asleep near him in scarabia's lounge and jamil sits there motionless for almost an hour because moving would wake you. he stares at you quietly the entire time. and somewhere in that silence, something inside him cracks. because looking at you like this feels unbearably dangerous. soft. hopeful. selfish.

selfish.

that word settles heavy in his chest because jamil has spent so much of his life suppressing his own desires that wanting you at all feels wrong somehow. wanting someone to choose him first. wanting someone to stay because they genuinely love him instead of needing something from him. it feels impossible. and yet despite everything, despite every instinct screaming at him to let this go before it hurts worse, he can't stop himself from wanting it anyway. wanting you anyway.

the realization fully settles one late evening after an especially exhausting day. kalim had dragged you both into another crowded event, and now scarabia is finally quiet again. jamil sits alone trying to organize his thoughts when you enter the room carrying tea for him without being asked. "you looked stressed," you mumble softly while setting the cup beside him. just a small and thoughtful gesture. something in jamil's chest twists painfully. because nobody does things like this for him. not without expectation. not just because they care. he tries to thank you normally, but his voice comes out quieter than intended. you notice immediately, of course you do. your expression softens as you crouch beside him slightly, fingers brushing lightly against his arm.

"jamil... are you okay?" and that destroys him a little. because your concern is genuine. focused entirely on him. not scarabia's vice housewarden. not kalim's servant. just him. and suddenly every feeling he has spent months trying to suppress crashes together violently. every jealous thought. every quiet moment spent longing for your attention. every selfish, impossible hope he tried desperately to bury. he loves you. so very hopelessly. and the worst part, for the first time in his life, jamil realizes he doesn't wannt to give something up simply because he thinks he should. he wants this. wants you. even if it's selfish. even if it hurts.

leona notices he likes you long before he actually admits it to himself. unfortunately, acknowledging things means dealing with them, and leona would rather take a three-hour nap in the middle of the botanical garden than willingly unpack his own emotions. so instead, he spends an embarrassingly long amount of time pretending there's a reasonable explanation for why he suddenly tolerates your presence more than everyone else's.

at first, he tells himself you're just less annoying than most people at NRC. which is true. you don't constantly demand things from him, you're not intimidated enough to act weird around him, and you somehow manage to talk to him normally without trying too hard. it's tolerable. relaxing, even. sometimes you sit beside him while he naps, rambling quietly about your day while he pretends not to listen despite remembering every word afterward. naturally he starts letting you linger around more often. naturally he stops chasing you off when you invade his space. that doesn't mean anything.

except eventually, it starts meaning a lot. the problem is that leona gets used to you far too quickly. your presence slips into his routine so naturally that he barely notices it happening. he expects you beside him during lunch. expects your voice cutting through the quiet while he rests. expects your company in the botanical garden during lazy afternoons. and when you aren't there, he notices immediately, though he would rather die than admit that out loud.

unfortunately, ruggie notices for him. "ya keep lookin' over there." leona barely opens one eye from where he is sprawled beneath a tree. "no 'm not." "uh-huuuh." ruggie grins shamelessly. "prefect ain:t even here yet and you’ve checked the doorway like six times." "...you're annoyin'." ruggie's laughter nearly gets him mauled.

after that, leona becomes irritatingly aware of his own behavior around you. because now that the idea exists in his head, he starts catching himself doing things he cannot explain away casually anymore. letting you steal food off his plate without complaint. instinctively pulling you closer whenever crowds get too dense around campus. opening one eye during naps just to check whether you are still nearby before falling back asleep. it's ridiculous. even worse, physical affection becomes a complete disaster.

leona is naturally kinda touchy with people he tolerates, but with you it starts feeling different somehow. heavier. more instinctive. if you lean against him while talking, his tail flicks lazily around your leg before he even realizes what he is doing. if your fingers brush through his hair absentmindedly, he nearly melts into the touch despite himself. one time you fell asleep against his shoulder and leona stayed completely still for over an hour because moving would wake you up. it's pathetic. especially because you remain completely oblivious.

"you're staring again." leona blinks slowly from where he's lounging across the couch. "...am not." you snort. "you totally are." "maybe your face is just in my line of sight." "...that doesn't even make sense." he shrugs lazily while refusing to acknowledge the fact that he has absolutely not processed a single page of the book in his hands for the past ten minutes because you keep smiling at your own thoughts beside him.

honestly, everyone figures it out before leona bothers admitting it properly. ruggie has been insufferable about it for weeks. jack notices because leona starts making exceptions for you specifically, which basically counts as a public declaration by his standards. even the savanaclaw students start quietly moving away whenever you approach because somehow they all realize faster than leona does that he actually likes having you near him. and that's the problem, really. he likes you near him too much. more than is safe.

because somewhere along the line, you stopped feeling temporary. your presence became comforting in a way leona isn't used to allowing himself. when NRC gets exhausting, he looks for you instinctively. when something irritates him, your voice calms him faster than it should(y/n and the ceo ahh). your trust settles warm and heavy in his chest every time you seek him out naturally, like you never doubted he'd let you stay. that part affects him most. leona has spent years convincing himself not to need people too deeply. disappointment is easier when expectations stay low. attachments are easier when they remain shallow enough to walk away from. except he can't imagine wanting you gone anymore.

the realization hits him during one of those quiet afternoons in the botanical garden. he's half-asleep beneath the shade of a tree while you sit nearby reading aloud from some book neither of you actually care about. your voice drifts lazily through the warm air, soft enough that he could easily fall asleep listening to it. then, without thinking much about it, you reach over and brush a few strands of hair away from his face. simple. gentle. comfortable. and leona feels something tighten unexpectedly in his chest.

because suddenly every strange instinct over the past several months lines up perfectly. every moment he sought you out unconsciously, every irrational spike of irritation when other people monopolized your attention, every ridiculous urge to keep you close whenever possible. ah, so that's the problem. he's in love with you.

ruggie falls in love carefully, mostly because he has spent most of his life learning that getting attached too easily is dangerous. relying on people too much, trusting that they'll stay, expecting things from them— those are risks ruggie usually avoids unless he absolutely has to. he's used to things being temporary. used to looking out for himself first. so when he starts growing attached to you, he doesn't recognize it for what it is at first because his brain immediately files it under something safer. you're useful to have around. you are fun to tease. you are easy to talk to. simple. except it stops being simple surprisingly fast.

somewhere along the line, ruggie starts looking for you automatically throughout the day. he notices when you skip meals, notices when you are stressed, notices when you are pretending to be okay even when you are exhausted. he learns your habits without trying, memorizes your expressions without meaning to, and starts keeping little things aside for you instinctively, like snacks he knows you like or random objects he thinks will make you laugh. which would all be fine if his feelings stayed casual. they absolutely do not.

"you're basically acting like a kicked puppy whenever prefect ignores ya." ruggie almost chokes on his drink. "HUH?!" jack looks completely serious while saying it too, which honestly makes it worse. "you keep staring at them whenever they're busy." "i do not!" jack raises an eyebrow. "...sheesh, okay, maybe a little."

the problem is that once someone points it out, ruggie starts noticing his own behavior way too much afterward. suddenly every interaction with you feels suspicious. every joke lands a little differently. every smile aimed at him specifically sticks around in his head longer than it should. and honestly? he hates how easy it becomes for you to affect his mood. if you're happy, he feels lighter without meaning to. if you seem upset, he gets irritated at everyone around you automatically. if someone else gets your attention for too long, something unpleasant twists in his chest before he can stop it. it's annoying. worse, you are completely oblivious to what you're doing to him.

ruggie has always been naturally touchy with people he likes, so at first he doesn't think much about casually leaning against you or throwing an arm around your shoulders. except now every bit of affection feels different somehow. heavier. if you laugh and grab his sleeve while talking, his thoughts derail instantly afterward. if you thank him sincerely for something small, he remembers it for the rest of the day. one time you fell asleep against him accidentally and ruggie sat there for almost an hour barely breathing because he didn't want to wake you up. it's bad. especially because he keeps trying to convince himself it isn't.

"ruggie?" a beat. "...hm?" you blink at him while waving a hand in front of his face. "you've been staring at the same chip for like five minutes." ruggie glances down at the snack in his hand before immediately grinning like nothing happened. "maybe i'm just appreciating its beauty, shishishi~" you snort while he internally screams.

honestly, everybody notices before he properly admits it to himself. leona figures it out almost immediately because apparently suffering is free entertainment for him. jack notices because ruggie starts giving away food to you voluntarily, which is apparently alarming enough to count as a confession by itself. even the savanaclaw students start exchanging looks whenever your name is said and ruggie perks up too fast. he denies everything automatically. very loudly. which only makes everyone more convinced.

because the truth is terrifying once he starts looking directly at it. you matter to him too much. ruggie is used to wanting things: food, money, comfort, security— things he can work for, things he can survive without if necessary. but you're different because somewhere along the line, your presence stopped feeling optional to him. seeing you has become part of his day. hearing your voice settles something restless inside him. your trust feels precious in a way he doesn't know how to explain casually. and worst of all, he catches himself wanting to be someone reliable for you specifically. that part scares him most. because wanting is dangerous enough already. needing is worse.

the realization hits him during a completely ordinary afternoon. the two of you are sitting together outside while he steals half your fries despite already having his own food. you complain weakly about it, and ruggie laughs while you glare at him without any real annoyance behind it. then, still grumbling, you absentmindedly wipe ketchup off the corner of his mouth with your thumb. and he freezes. completely. because your hand lingers there for half a second too long, warm against his skin, and suddenly every confusing feeling he has been avoiding crashes together at once. every instinct to stay near you, every moment he looked for you first in a crowd, every ridiculous spike of happiness whenever you smiled at him specifically.

floyd falls in love in the most inconvenient way possible: accidentally. because at first, you are just interesting. fun to mess with, fun to surprise, fun to watch reactions from. you're different from most people at NRC because you don't immediately panic around him the way others do, and honestly? that catches his attention fast. you talk back to him sometimes, tease him right back, roll your eyes when he gets dramatic instead of running away. it's entertaining. naturally floyd starts hanging around you more often because boredom is the enemy and you make things less dull. except eventually, somewhere along the line, your presence stops feeling like entertainment and starts feeling necessary. that's where things get weird.

because floyd is used to getting bored of people quickly. one day someone is interesting, the next day they're not. it happens all the time. but with you, the interest never fades. if anything, it gets worse. he keeps wanting more of your attention, more of your reactions, more time near you just to see what you will do next. and instead of getting tired of you, floyd starts building entire routines around finding you whenever he feels restless. which should probably alarm him more than it does.

"you're looking for the prefect again?" floyd glances over from where he is half-draped across the lounge counter. "hm?" jade smiles pleasantly. "you've checked the front door six times in the past ten minutes, floyd." "...maybe i'm bored." "i see." the knowing look jade gives him afterward is deeply irritating. especially because floyd immediately realizes jade is right.

it gets bad after that. suddenly floyd starts noticing all the little things he does around you automatically. how he gravitates toward you in crowded rooms without thinking. how his mood improves embarrassingly fast whenever you laugh at something he says. how he gets weirdly irritated when other people monopolize your attention for too long. and honestly? the possessiveness sneaks up on him harder than anything else. because floyd likes attention, especially yours.

if you ignore him too long, he sprawls across your lap dramatically until you acknowledge him again. if someone interrupts your conversations, he immediately inserts himself back into them like an oversized eel-shaped problem. if you spend too much time with another student, floyd suddenly appears beside you with his chin hooked over your shoulder acting clingier than usual for the rest of the day. he doesn't even realize he's doing it at first. you do.

"floyd" you laugh while trying unsuccessfully to push his face away from where he is squishing against your cheek, "you've been attached to me all day." "mmhmm?~" "...why?" "you're just so fun to be around, shrimpy!" which is technically true. just not the whole truth.

physical affection becomes an even bigger disaster. floyd already invades personal space naturally, but around you it starts carrying actual weight behind it. like if you hug him unexpectedly, he clings right back and refuses to let go for an unreasonable amount of time. one evening you fall asleep against him in the vip room and floyd stays awake almost the entire time just staring at you with this strange heavy feeling sitting in his chest. that part unsettles him a little (surprisingly) because floyd isn’t used to wanting softness from people, but with you, he starts craving it constantly.

the realization itself takes longer than it probably should because he doesn't spend much time analyzing his emotions unless forced to. he just acts on instinct most of the time. if he wants to see you, he finds you. if he wants attention, he takes it. simple. except eventually even he notices this feeling has become way too big to ignore casually. especially after azul points it out.

"you seem unusually attached to the prefect lately." floyd immediately narrows his eyes and puts on a fake pout. "what's that supposed to mean?" azul adjusts his glasses carefully. "it means you become intolerable whenever they are absent for extended periods of time." "...ruuude." "am i wrong?" floyd opens his mouth. then closes it again. because unfortunately, no.

the truth hits him fully during a completely random moment. the two of you are sitting together in the lounge after closing hours while floyd complains dramatically about something unimportant. you are laughing softly beside him, tired enough that your reactions are slower and more genuine than usual. then, still smiling, you reach over and poke his cheek lightly. "you're cute when you sulk." he freezes completely.

because something in his chest twists so suddenly and sharply that it catches him entirely off guard. and all at once, every weird feeling over the past several months crashes together perfectly. every instinct dragging him toward you constantly, every spike of irritation when someone else stole your attention, every ridiculous urge to keep touching you just because he could.

he likes you. seriously. way more seriously than he realized. and honestly? once the realization settles properly, he starts grinning. because suddenly all his clinginess, all his attention-seeking, all his constant need to stay wrapped around you somehow finally makes sense. meanwhile you are still looking at him in confusion because he has gone weirdly quiet. "...floyd?" he immediately flops sideways onto you like a giant sea snake. "shrimpyyyy~" "that did not answer my question at all." "don't care~"