#deuce

Ace Trappola

He would do anything in his power to try spend time with you (annoy you lovingly), after all he doesn't get much of your time being a year below you and all.

Asks about you a lot, especially asks Jamil whom you share a class with, "Hey Jamil-senpai, we got a buncha sweets from the unbirthday party earlier, want some? No? Then give this to the prefect for me".

He's not slick, he asks which one you liked best so he can bring some more next time, he fills the pastry boxes to the brim and says it's for 'Grim too'.

Suddenly he wants to show off all his card tricks, stopping you randomly in the hall asking you to pick a card.

If he see's you in the basketball court to watch a game of his, he'll either show off or be distracted by you, most of the time it's both

His ego will be 100% crushed if you treat him like a kid, will copy trey and riddle's action to seem more mature.

Making you laugh at his jokes make him so giddy and want to squeal, kick his feet, and twirl his hair like a girl who sees her favorite anime character on screen.

Get's cocky when you praise him

Somewhat unnerved when you see past his unserious facade and see right through him

He definitely looks at Magicam posts about couples to cringe at, only to find himself taking pictures of the both of you and flexing on Deuce

"Who's the luckiest person rn?" "You're not even dating?" "Shut up and just be jealous!" "Of what? You're not dating??"

You hear Riddle's scolds in the hallway, the sight of Ace and Grim fill you with dread, what on earth did they do now? Questions later you told yourself before inserting in their situation. After redirecting Riddle's attention to another responsibility you told him you'd take care of the troublemakers in his stead, despite his protests he'd calmed down and walked off to find professor Crewel to help move papers.

"Mrah! Hench-human!" Grim climbed on your leg to sit himself on your shoulders, head resting against yours as he sighed in relief, "Man I seriously owe you one, walking around with Riddle's heavy collar is a problem I don't want to deal with" he chuckled scratching his neck, you sighed, stepping closer towards him"If you feel so indebted to me then do me a favor and stay out of trouble" fixing his uniform by buttoning up his undershirt and straightening his tie. He held his breath, your shampoo smelled so good, your fingers ghosting on his neck felt heavenly, he could ignore Grim as long as you were close to him. SEVENS GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF YOU SIMP, he yelled at his conscience.

You stepped back and held Grim in your arms, "Yeah, thanks... EHEM! I have a game next Saturday if you wanna watch", he held his head high trying to avoid eye contact as well as the embarrassment of his question. "Don't bother [---], he'll probably lose anyways" Grim yawned, "That's a lot of talk! Sorry but I don't take criticisim from someone who cant even hold a basketball" You patted Grim's head to refrain him from getting in another fight, "I'll be there" you accepted smiling at him softly before heading to your next class, Ace walked to his next lesson with the most satisfied grin, already planning his training so that he wouldn't embarrass himself during the game.

Deuce Spade

He admired your dedication to your studies and hobbies but most importantly your model student vibe.

He finds himself wanting to do better, so that he could feel he's the same level as you and worthy of your attention. (awwe T-T )

He's so honest and nervous with you, Ace gets secondhand embarrassment about the things that comes out his mouth.

"You were so sick today! I mean not sick as in sick, pretty- I mean yeah you look p-pretty good, great! You look great,a-and the potion you made earlier was so cool!" "That was hard to watch, don't mind him he's always weird"

Thankfully you pay no mind to his nervousness, which helps him get more comfortable around you, give him time, he'll start talking casually after a while.

He loves it when you rely on him, need an extra pencil? He's got 12 backups, Need to move stuff around Ramshackle? He's there to help as soon as you told him you were too busy to hang out. He opens doors, jars, stubborn wrappers, everything.

Deuce also texts Ace about you, the difference is that he sends messages of him overthinking his interactions with you.

"Hey do you think what I did earlier was too much?" "Why are you texting me when I sleep 5 footsteps away from you" "I think I came off a bit weird..." "OH MY SEVENS, ALL YOU SAID WAS THANK YOU, SHUT UP"

If you ever show up to a track event, he runs even faster, which straight up looks like sonic, and he gets all bashful if you compliment him a bunch afterwards.

Your mood affects him too, if you're happy it makes him happy, if Ace did something that pissed you off, suddenly he's pissed at Ace too. And when you're sad he tries his best cheering you up, but he does it so awkwardly you end up laughing, mission failed successfully?

He gets all giddy when you notice his efforts to be better and talks about you to his mom

Deuce had another history exam coming up, usually he'd ask help from Trey or Riddle, unfortunately both tutors had important things to attend to leaving him to his lonesome. Deciding to suck it up and study by himself, he got confused on a few parts, yes, but it was self doubt that made him struggle. 30 minutes in is session he was ready to ask for help from anyone, hell, even Azul if he had to.

"Sorry did you wait long?" his eyes widened, speechless as you placed study materials of your own while sitting beside him. "Prefect, what're you doing here?" "Trey asked me if I could help you out, you have history tomorrow yes?" flipping through his notes and references eyes focused on the text. A strand of your hair falling to your face, you tucked it behind your ear, pen still in hand, while the other was scanning his flashcards. The way the light hit your face made you look serene, the comforting scent of your perfume, the slight furrow on your eyebrows, and the fact that you were helping made the scene all the more angelic. He felt his mouth go dry and face flush as he told himself to BE NORMAL!

"350 years?" "No, 530" the boy burried his face in his palms feeling most dissapointed at himself, he wanted to impress you and do well and all he's done so far is mess everything up, as he wallowed in his despair he felt a warm hand rub his back "You don't have to pretend to know everything, if you're confused about my discussion, ask me instead of nodding along, it's ok", he didn't believe that you were magicless at all, especially since you somehow always lifted the invisble weights on his shoulders. "Was I that obvious?" peeking at you from his palms, you nodded laughing softly, after a few more hours, with your guidance and constant encouragement, he answered your mock test perfectly and got all your oral questions right. He'd been tutored before but never once had he felt so happy and reassured the entire time, "I just want to say thank you for your time, I really learned from you, I don't jus feel like I'll do well, I know it!" The other students turned from their chairs and shushed him, feeling ashamed he whispered apologies to those he distrcted.

Jack Howl

Get's to know you through the heartslabyul duo, lowk loves that you have a moral compass and sense of justice, trusts you a lot because of it.

Asks Ruggie for your preferences once and now he has Ruggie AND Leona teasing him for liking you.

"Oho? Is the pup finally turning into a big boy?" "Shyeheheehee, aww leave the loverboy alone he can't help it!" "If you didn't want to tell me just don't"

His muscles WILL involuntarily flex if you hold onto his arm, you'd think it's cause he wants to show off his HARD work, but no, he's just a bit nervous

You often catch him following your example and doesn't notice until you point it out, he gets slightly embarrassed

Also a very acts of service guy and quality time kind of guy, he especially loves eating with you while you talk about anything at all as he passes you juice he poured out a can for you, totally cause you're his respected upperclassman nothing more nothing less.

DENIAL, his tsundere heart will try and pass his feelings off as admiration and 'looking up to you' but deep down he knows he likes you more than that but refuses to acknowlege it.

He finally gives into his feelings once he realizes that fighting it off and ignoring it won't make him like you less or make his feelings for you go away

When he gets shy but obviously happy he had those cute downward smiles ( ˶˘ ³˘)♡

He will always be on his best anything when you're around and tries to act more mature than usual even if he wants to participate in the Adeuce's games and competitions.

Heart goes all fuzzy when you help him improve himself

"Awwe you didn't have to help me out, I could have carried these by myself" teasing the poor boy with hand to your chest as he carried a sack of soil walking beside you, "It's nothing...No offense, but this is the same size as you, plus it's a hassle going back and forth from the shed" you sighed in defeat as you look down at your arms carrying stacks of little clay pots and a packet inside one that contained seeds. "What're you going to make with this stuff anyways?" his gruff voice softening, "Ingredients for Professor Crewel's class, he needs more of this stuff for a first year lesson next week" his ears perked up, curious "Wonder what were making..." he hummed "That's gonna be a surprise, I can't keep giving you hints for all your lessons, people might think I favor you more than I already do"

The dramatic statement caused him to stop in his tracks, what did you just say? Favor? HIM?! He shook his head like a dog shaking off water and caught up to you, "What do you mean by—" "Oh! There's a lot of space here!" You crouched on the unoccupied spot spacing the pots you placed on the floor as Jack opened the sack and helped plant ingredients. As his gloved hands patted the soil his eyes wandered, maybe it was the blooming plants around you or the pollen that blurred the rest of his vision and made you the only thing he could see in extreme detail, your soft lips as you murmured instructions, the slight glint in your eyes when you realize your using the proper method in this little gardening project, whatever it was he couldn't look away.

The scene was quite domestic in his perspective and he didn't want to ruin this moment. While watering the seeds you had asked why he seemed so knowlegeable about plants, which led to a 2 hour tail wagging conversation about the succulent plants he had nurtured and researched about, and maybe even inviting you to plant one with him on your free time since you're interested?

Epel Felmier

Most likely met you through Rook talking about the beauty of your resilience

He tries to act more "manly" around you, he genuinely hates it when you find him cute, and though he's learns from Rook and Vil to see it as a strength he still has trouble getting used to it. When you make him feel reassured and more comfortable with that side of himself, and remind him it doesn't make him less of a man inevitably made him fall hard

He makes apple carvigs of things you like or mentioned you're interested in

You once helped him wipe off his smudged makeup, now he runs to you for makeup tips instead of Vil, whether your good at makeup or not he'd rather learn makeup with you/from you, cause apparently Vil's instructions are too long

Will come to Ramshackle to gorge on food Vil banned him from eating "I can't take nother day of that bland crap! So what if they got weird chemicals on em? Better than unseasoned chicken I tell ya!"

He'll let his accent fly loose, no need to act so prim and proper when he can be himself with you

If you compliment one of his cardigans he WILL give one to you and prolly brag to ace how you're wearing one of his clothes

Will show off his flight skills when you're out on the field or at a spelldrive match

When you try to carry a lot of things he'll want to help, mostly cause he wants to show off how stronger he's gotten

Wants to have your opinion when he tries wearing clothes that aren't his usual style

"Honestly, why not ask Vil for help?" you sighed patting his face with tissue to pick up oils, dirt, and sweat off his fair complexion "He once took an hour explaining proper cleaning techniques on 7 different brushes that looked all the same!" "That just means he's knowlegeable, you should take advantage of that and use it to improve" He huffed knowing you were right but was still too stubborn to listen, you chuckled at his very visible frustration as you lightly reapplied his makeup.

"But I get what you mean, he can be a bit overwhelming" "RIGHT?!" his eyes flew open, holding your wrist as his face held agreement with a touch of annoyance. You stared at him in surprise, realizing his hold on you and his sudden closeness, he got to see your features up close like he's never before. Your eyes and beautiful hue it had, your nose and forehead that gave him cuteness aggression, and the slight gape on your lips that made him want to close the gap. His face spread red all the way to his neck and ears in embarrassment once he heard your laughter letting his grip on you go and creating more distance.

"Oh you poor thing! I'll be sure to ask Vil to go easy on you the next I see him" "...P-please do" He shut his eyes again internally kicking himself for such a reckless act. You two continued to laugh and chat while you gently patted product on his skin. "Ah~ Young love! Such a beautiful act of devotion, and to think Monsieur Pomette would develop such feelings for the Trickster! Youth is truly the prime of romance, truly fantastique!" Rook clutched his chest as Vil creased his brow, "How crude, since he has so much time to criticize my methods of teaching then I shall have a 2 hour session of it's importance" he glared at the first year's back.

Sebek Zigvolt

Beats Jack in the denial stage, this guy is not accpeting it and gaslights himself trying to convince himself you're just another sophmore he respects, until it drives him stir crazy

He'll find himself contradicting himself though, and gets flustered when Ace teases him about it "Nonsense! This is clearly respect to it's highest form! I should have known someone like you would not understand!" "Yeah whatever makes you feel better man, I've got other stuff to do than argue with a brick wall"

He really appreciates your patience and gentle tone when you speak with him, he gets a little quieter to hear you better

Very happy if you recognize his liege's greatness with him too

Will seek you out if he hears people disrespect your name

You help him see the beauty of human nature and he'll never notice how he slowly starts to drop the nickname of human when talking to you

HUMAN WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HIM, WHY IS HE SUDDENLY EXPECTANTLY AWAITING YOUR HAND WRITTEN LETTERS? He told you once that he preferred traditional forms of communication and you noticing small details about him made his face fume, but not in anger

Lilia will nudge him into the right direction to understand his feelings, the old bat enjoys youthful romance it seems

It will take him a while to accept his feelings for you but once he does, he is not quiet about it

Will court you by fae standards but you don't really understand so you accept his gifts thinking it's out of platonic kindness which frustrates him to no end but he ends up frozen every time he tries to voice out his feelings in preson.

"[---]! YOU LEFT YOUR NOTEBOOK WITH ME WHEN YOU WHERE EXPLAINING HUMAN SLANG TERMS"

Oh right I forgot lol

"THIS IS NO LAUGHING MATTER! ONE MUST BE MINDFUL OF THEIR BELONGINGS"

Even through the screen I can hear you 😭

"Why are you crying?!"

No sebek I'm not actually crying, it's just an expression 😓

"Why must humans find new ways to complicate things"

So how did talking to Lilia go? Can you finally understand him?

"Absolutely! Lilia even praised my use of terms, I lowkey killed him out there!"

You cackled in your room startling Grim but he brushed it off too tired to argue with you and went back to sleep. You turn to your side tapping on your keyboard, you genuinely hope he doesn't use these terms in person or else you wouldn't be able to hold it in and neither can Ace and the rest of the group.

Good on you for learning so quickly :))

"I am beyond grateful for your guidance, therefore I must return your notebook at once!"

Sebek the sun's already setting just give it back tomorrow morning

Deuce Spade

Leona Kingscholar

Kalim Al-Asim

Jamil Viper

Silver Vanrouge

Divus Crewel

And he does. That's the worst part. Even through the jealousy and the pain and the way his chest feels like it's caving in on itself, he genuinely cares about Deuce. Loves him like a brother. Which makes this whole situation feel like a betrayal and a tragedy all rolled into one.

"Really," Ace says, and this time he almost means it. "You're good for each other. Deuce needs someone who'll keep him from running headfirst into traffic, and you need someone who actually listens when you talk."

Unlike me. The words hang unspoken in the air.

You beam at him, relief written all over your face, and lean over to hug him. For a moment, you're in his arms again—warm and familiar and perfect—and he lets himself pretend. Lets himself imagine this is you telling him you love him back, not you saying goodbye to whatever chance he never took.

"Thank you," you whisper against his shoulder. "This means everything."

You mean everything, he doesn't say. You meant everything, and I was too much of a coward to tell you.

Instead, he pats your back and grins when you pull away. "Yeah, yeah, don't get all sappy on me. Save that for lover boy over here."

Deuce groans and covers his face with his hands. "Please don't call me that."

"Oh, I'm absolutely calling you that. And Juicy. And honey bun. And—"

"Ace!" you and Deuce protest in unison, and the sound of your laughter mixing together is beautiful and terrible and everything he'll never have.

Later, after you've both left to go celebrate or whatever it is new couples do, Ace lies on his bed and stares at the ceiling. His phone buzzes with notifications—probably Cater posting something stupid on Magicam, or Grim demanding tuna.

He ignores it all.

The thing is, he'd always just assumed. Assumed you'd be there when he was ready. Assumed that someday, when he'd gotten his act together, when he'd figured out how to be the kind of guy who deserves someone like you—someday, you'd still be waiting.

He'd been building himself a fence, thinking he was being smart. Playing it cool. Not wanting to ruin the friendship if you didn't feel the same way. Too scared of rejection to risk it all.

But while he was busy protecting himself, Deuce was being brave. Deuce was showing up. Deuce was becoming everything Ace was too much of a coward to be.

And now Deuce gets to hold your hand in public. Gets to kiss you goodnight. Gets to wake up every day knowing he's the one you chose.

The winner takes it all.

Ace rolls over and buries his face in his pillow, finally letting the mask slip. Finally letting himself feel the full weight of what he's lost, what he never even tried to win.

His phone buzzes again. A text from you: Thanks for being so cool about this. Love you, Ace.

He stares at those three words until his vision blurs, knowing you'll never mean them the way he does when he types back: Love you too, loser.

The gods threw their dice, and someone way down here lost someone dear.

And all Ace can do is smile and pretend his heart isn't breaking.

Leona - Vil

The words hit him like a physical blow.

"Did you hear? They're dating now—officially."

Leona's grip tightens around his phone, knuckles going white as Ruggie's voice continues on the other end, oblivious to the way his housewarden's world just tilted off its axis.

"Vil and—"

He hangs up before he can hear your name spoken in the same breath as his. The phone clatters onto his desk, and Leona stares at it like it's personally offended him. Like it's the messenger he wants to shoot.

But the damage is done. The words are already echoing in his skull, bouncing around like shards of glass.

You're with him now.

Leona sinks back into his chair, one hand dragging down his face as something hot and vicious claws at his chest. It burns—Sevens, it burns like he's swallowed fire, like there's molten metal pooling in his lungs. He can't breathe around it.

He should have seen this coming. Should have known that someone like you wouldn't stay single forever. Should have known that when he let his pride and his fears drive you away, someone else would be there to catch what he'd been too much of a coward to hold onto.

And of course it had to be Vil.

Perfect, untouchable Vil Schoenheit. Everything Leona isn't and never will be. Where Leona is rough edges and lazy afternoons, Vil is polished perfection and ambition that burns brighter than the sun. Where Leona pushes people away with his sharp tongue and sharper truths, Vil draws them in with charm and grace.

The worst part? He can see it. Can see exactly why you'd choose Vil over the memory of what you had together. Vil won't make you feel like you're asking for too much when you want to hold his hand in public. Won't make you question if he actually cares when he gets distant and cold. Won't make you cry in empty hallways because he's too proud to say the words you needed to hear.

Leona's jaw clenches so hard it aches.

He wants you in his arms instead. And that's the thing that's killing him—you had belonged there. In his arms, in his space, in his life. You'd fit against him like you were made for it, like the universe had crafted you specifically to fill the hollow spaces he'd carried around his whole life. And for a while, a brief, shining while, he'd let himself believe it could last.

But he'd been a fool. Playing by rules he'd never understood, building walls when he should have been building bridges. Every time you'd reached for him, he'd pulled back. Every time you'd needed reassurance, he'd given you silence. Every time you'd tried to make it work, he'd found a new way to sabotage it.

Because that's what second sons are good for, right? Destroying things. Being the one who doesn't get the crown, doesn't get the happy ending.

The chair groans as he pushes back from his desk, stalking to the window. The sun is setting over the garden, painting everything gold and orange, and he wonders if you're watching it too. If you're watching it with him.

His reflection stares back at him from the glass—tired eyes, bitter smile, the face of someone who's lost everything that mattered and knows it's his own damn fault.

"The winner takes it all," he murmurs to his reflection, voice rough with something that might be tears if he were anyone else. If he were the kind of person who got to cry over lost love instead of just... enduring it.

But he's not. He's Leona Kingscholar, second prince of the Sunset Savanna, and he doesn't get to fall apart just because the best thing in his life chose someone better.

Even if it's ripping him apart from the inside out.

Even if he'd give anything—his pride, his title, his very soul—for one more chance to hold you and do it right this time.

Even if the thought of Vil's hands where his used to be makes him want to scream until his throat bleeds.

The sun disappears behind the horizon, and Leona closes his eyes.

Why should I complain?

Jamil - Kalim

"Jamil! Jamil, you'll never guess what happened!"

Kalim bursts through the door of Scarabia's lounge like a miniature sun, all bright smiles and boundless energy. He's practically vibrating with excitement, and Jamil doesn't need to guess what's put that particular glow in his eyes.

He already knows. Has known since he saw you and Kalim dancing together at last night's party, saw the way you laughed at something Kalim whispered in your ear, saw the way Kalim looked at you like you hung the stars in the sky.

"Let me guess," Jamil says, not looking up from the paperwork spread across the coffee table. His voice is perfectly level, perfectly controlled. Years of practice have made him an expert at hiding the cracks in his composure. "You asked them out."

"Yes! And they said yes!" Kalim spins around, arms spread wide like he wants to embrace the whole world. "Can you believe it? I was so nervous, but you know how you always tell me to just be honest about my feelings? So I did, and—Jamil, I think I'm in love."

The pen in Jamil's hand stops moving.

Be honest about your feelings.

Of course. Of course that's the advice that would come back to haunt him. How many times has he told Kalim exactly that? How many times has he watched him succeed simply by wearing his heart on his sleeve, by being brave in all the ways Jamil has never allowed himself to be?

Jamil clears his throat, forces the words out.

"I'm happy for you."

And the truly devastating part is that he means it. Even as his own heart is crumbling to dust in his chest, even as every breath feels like swallowing glass, he genuinely wants Kalim to be happy. Because that's what he's been trained to do his entire life—put Kalim's happiness above his own.

Even when it destroys him.

"I have to plan the perfect date," Kalim continues, oblivious to the way Jamil's world has just collapsed. "Maybe a carpet ride at sunset? Or we could have a picnic by the oasis! Oh, or—"

"The carpet ride," Jamil interrupts quietly. "They mentioned once that they'd always wanted to try flying."

You'd mentioned it to him. During one of those late-night conversations when it was just the two of them in the kitchen, when you'd help him prep for the next day's meals and talk about everything and nothing. You'd looked so wistful when you said it, so quietly longing, and Jamil had filed it away in his heart like every other precious detail about you.

He'd planned to take you himself. Had been working up the courage for weeks, crafting the perfect moment in his mind. After the next exam, he'd told himself. After Kalim's birthday celebration. After the inter-dorm tournament. Always after, always waiting for the perfect moment that would never come.

"Really?" Kalim's face lights up even brighter, if that's possible. "You always know exactly what people want, Jamil. You're the best!"

The praise feels like a knife between his ribs.

"I should go tell them now!" Kalim heads for the door, then pauses and turns back. "Actually, wait. You don't mind, do you? I know you two are friends, and I don't want things to be weird..."

Mind? Jamil wants to laugh, wants to scream, wants to grab Kalim by the shoulders and shake him until he understands that this isn't just friendship, that Jamil has been desperately, hopelessly in love with you for months.

But he can't. Because Kalim is looking at him with such genuine concern, such innocent worry about disrupting a friendship, and it's clear that Kalim has no idea. No clue that Jamil's feelings run deeper than casual companionship.

And why would he? Jamil has spent so long hiding, so long keeping every emotion locked behind layers of duty and propriety and fear. So long being the perfect servant who wants for nothing, who exists only to facilitate his master's happiness.

"Of course not," Jamil says, and his voice doesn't even waver. "Why would I mind? You're perfect for each other."

More perfect than we could ever be.

The thought tastes bitter as poison. Because it's true, isn't it? Kalim can offer you everything Jamil can't. Freedom. Adventure. A future without the weight of servitude hanging over every moment. Kalim can love you openly, publicly, without having to hide behind carefully constructed walls.

Kalim can give you the world. Jamil can barely give you an honest conversation about his feelings.

"Thanks, Jamil!" Kalim beams and rushes out, leaving Jamil alone with the wreckage of his carefully guarded heart.

The paperwork blurs in front of him. The numbers don't make sense anymore, each figure dissolving into meaningless shapes as something hot and desperate claws at his throat.

He'd been so careful. So cautious. Waiting for the right moment, the right words, the right everything. Terrified of rejection, yes, but more terrified of what acceptance might mean. How could he ask you to tie yourself to someone who isn't even free? Someone who can't promise you anything beyond stolen moments and hidden affection?

But while he was busy protecting himself, protecting you from the complications his feelings would bring, Kalim was simply... being Kalim. Open. Honest. Brave in the way that only someone who's never had to hide can be.

The winner takes it all, and the loser has to fall.

Jamil sets down his pen and buries his face in his hands, finally allowing himself this one moment of weakness. This one moment to mourn what never was and never could have been.

Tomorrow, he'll smile and congratulate you both. He'll help plan the perfect dates and give the perfect advice and be the perfect friend, because that's what's expected of him. That's what he's good at.

But tonight, in the silence of his own failure, Jamil lets himself grieve for the love he was too afraid to fight for.