#mod spitz

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▷▷ Malleus Draconia

Malleus didn’t want to get involved in the rivalry Leona tried to force upon him. As an heir to the throne, numerous items on his priority list outweighed the bitter second-born prince who sought to project his troubles onto him. That was until he met you.

From your fated encounter that autumn night, something about you had struck him. It had been so long since he met someone that didn’t immediately cower in fear in his presence or throw themselves pathetically at his feet. You saw him as you saw anyone else, and he never realized how desperately he sought after such a connection.

Needless to say, he quickly grew fond of you and your accompaniment. He found himself eagerly awaiting your chance encounters outside the Ramshackle Dorm, but with each passing night, the space between your meetings felt agonizingly long even for a being as ancient as him. He didn’t quite know or understand what drew him to you so desperately--maybe he was lonelier than he thought--but he began to seek you out during the day between class periods.

From across the courtyard, he saw you, a growing flutter in his chest that he found annoyingly persistent. With a call of your name, his eyes met with yours. And then they met with those of the beastman that stood before you.

▷▷ Leona Kingscholar

Recalling your first impression with the lion prince, it seemed a miracle you two ended up so close. In the beginning, Leona was inconsiderate at best and antagonistic at worst, leaving you with little interest in befriending him. Yet during your brief stay following your eviction from the Ramshackle Dorm, you began to see him in a kinder light. Maybe it was your mind’s attempt at adding a silver lining to a rather miserable situation, but even after you returned home--or rather your "home" in Twisted Wonderland--the feeling persisted. Leona was most definitely being nicer to you.

Unbeknownst to you, Leona had developed quite a respect towards you. Your quick tongue and assertive nature attracted his interest, and before he realized it, your paths regularly crossed during the day.

Ruggie, a third wheel to many of these encounters, held his tongue each time Leona stopped you mid-transit for brief conversation, proceeding to then cackle hysterically once you were out of earshot. While Leona adamantly denied his underclassman’s teasing, he couldn’t stay away from you. He wanted to brush it off as simple amusement, but as he found himself pondering the faintest details of your face while sinking into his daily nap, he had to admit defeat and realize he had feelings for you. Even he wasn’t that stubborn.

So, he persisted in following you--Ruggie's judgment be damned. It soon became a natural occurrence for him to stop you as you crossed the courtyard in the direction of your next class, and you happily welcomed the change of pace--as long as Leona remained civil. And the moment your name passed through his lips, you heard it once more echoing from behind you. Oh, it’s Tsunotarou!

▷▷ Malleus & Leona

Neither Leona nor Malleus were stupid. The moment they locked glares they understood the situation. It seemed both had taken a fancy to you, and by the way your eyes darted curiously between the two posturing men, you were clueless.

Feeling an uneasy tension and the looming threat of tardiness, you politely dismissed yourself and scurried away. Little did you know that the coming weeks would be quite..interesting to say the least.

Malleus and Leona's appearances in your daily routine sharply increased, oftentimes overlapping and resulting in aggression-laced exchanges through grit teeth.

While it wasn't uncommon for electricity to spark through the air when Leona and Malleus' paths crossed, the amount in which Malleus more overtly struck back at the other was startling even for his guardian and subordinates.

Each would find excuses to monopolize your time, attempting to whisk you away while the other was preoccupied. This often worked in Leona's favor during the day, as he made a habit of skipping his classes anyways, but Malleus had the benefit of taking your full attention at night as he waited for you outside the Ramshackle Dorm.

While not wanting to be off-putting, they both made their fair share of physical passes, trying subtle things like "accidentally" brushing their hands against yours or "coincidentally" finding your legs pressed against one another as you sat together.

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▷▷ Azul Ashengrotto

Azul was not initially interested in Darling. In fact they were rather uninteresting to him. No magic, no exceptional skills, no athletic prowess. Certainly not the type of person who would cross his mind more than once. Yet somehow they managed to slowly draw him in.

Maybe it was the way they looked at him with such disdain upon their first encounter. They saw him as nothing more than a spineless con man, getting by in life through cheap tricks.

It certainly made the taste of victory that much sweeter as he watched the realization of their hopelessness spread further across their face with each failed attempt at besting him.

And it made him all the more ravenous in his desire to see more. He wanted to toy with them. Have them rely on him for a feeling of confidence and security only to have it torn down once more. Break their spirits over and over.

However, his toy gave him little thought following his overblotting. Why would they want to return to the Mostro Lounge, especially to see him?

He needed to draw them in once more, but his busy schedule allowed little time for chase. Fortunately for him, Jade and Floyd were eager to assist.

It was rather obvious to Darling they were being watched. It was hard not to notice the two large eels in their peripheral, especially after they had so many unpleasant encounters with the two mere weeks prior.

It seemed with every minor inconvenience one of them slid to their side, inquiring in an eerily casual way only to lead to suggesting Azul’s assistance in the matter. Darling rejected them at every turn, but their persistence was unyielding.

Sometimes they would take further measures that forced Darling’s hand. Late into the night they would have to cautiously enter the lounge in order to retrieve Grim, who had been bribed into staying with the promise of complimentary snacks. Like clockwork, Azul would corner them.

Darling would fidget nervously, desperately trying to pull Grim out as quickly as possible. Azul attempted light conversation, his sultry voice sending a chill through their spine as he feigned surprise at their arrival.

Their responses would be short -- if they even responded at all. This was irritating, but it was nothing too concerning. A measure of respect for his power was needed to instill a reliance after all. Why would they come seeking aid if they didn’t think he could give them something significant in return?

As they hastily retreated, he let out a sigh, slightly disappointed but satisfied. While they had left him once more, the initial barrier of getting them to return again was overcome. Now the true pursuit could begin.

▷▷   Rook Hunt

Rook had never had the pleasure of being formally introduced to Darling, and for any other typical human, he would not have felt any reason to pursue them. However, after discovering the unique conditions of their arrival, how could he stay away?

A mysterious individual brought to the school with no recollection of themself or their origin. Perhaps they weren’t even from this world. How mystifying! How intriguing!

Rook longed to analyze them, but from afar there was nothing to be seen. They blended in with the crowds so easily, the cat-like monster perched on their shoulder being the only part that made them stand out.

If Rook were more naive -- more careless -- he would have dismissed them, but his hunter’s blood boiled hot in his veins. He knew there was something more. Something deeper.

Had Darling been his prey, he would simply capture them and inspect them thoroughly by hand, inside and out. Truly the temptation burned in the back of his mind as he took every free opportunity to shadow them from afar.

Yes, he had become rather obsessed. More so than with any other creature he had pursued, but how could he not? Never before had someone like this existed, and that in itself was the truest embodiment of beauty.

It was not Darling who first realized they were being followed. It was Jack subtly warning them of the continued pursuit that had made them fully aware of the piercing eyes that had tracked them from every angle.

They had heard of Rook in fleeting conversations, and each victim of his interest had the same horror story to tell. From what they could gather, his observations were harmless, but the chill of anxiety they felt under his eyes told them a different tale.

They threw a glance over their shoulder, feeling his ever present gaze immediately falling upon them as they left the classroom. Their eyes locked for the first time, and a wide smile stretched across his face, Rook disappearing into the mass of students filing into the hallway. With the warmth sapped from their body, Darling realized at that moment they were most definitely not safe. But what fun was the chase if there was no fear mixed in?

▷▷   Riddle Rosehearts

Riddle was no stranger to being dodged. Aside from a handful of friends, his presence was often met with fear. Students fled at the possibility of losing their head for any misstep. While he had improved, he still needed to maintain some semblance of order lest his dorm fall into chaos.

Darling was no exception. As he entered the dorm’s common area, he saw them, sitting with Ace and Deuce, chatting away merrily. With one glance he could note every flaw in their posture, their tone, their grammar...Everything was in need of adjustment, and it festered inside of him like a desperate itch he couldn’t scratch.

It was Ace’s face slightly faltering that caused them to look his way. Seeing their eyes widen with worry and their smile wither away was always painful. They had such a lovely smile. Riddle couldn’t help but frown bitterly, which surely didn’t help him appear any more welcoming.

He resented how unpleasant he had become to them. His first impression wasn’t ideal, and it seemed even in his improved state there was tension.

Riddle simply wanted to help them. Oh, how he longed to help them. Fix them and turn them into the perfect being. One that followed every rule with flawless execution and could serve as the partner to his queenship. He had imagined it everyday, and with each averted glance and snuffed bout of laughter, he felt his heart chip away.

By instinct the words fell from his mouth. “Sit properly!” “The study period is for studying, NOT socializing!” “Properly enunciate! How do you expect me to hear you if you’re mumbling!” He felt so cruel, but the desire to correct was overwhelming. Increasingly so with them.

He could not overcome the irritation that gnawed at him incessantly as he witnessed what he believed could be the perfect companion conduct themself so poorly, and with each criticism, he could feel them further slipping from his grasp.

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You didn’t remember your reason for barging into Ruggie's room in such a rush. Was it to show him something? Ask for a favor? The thought escaped you the moment your eyes met with his startled stare. Maybe it was the relaxed nature of your friendship or the lawless air of the Savannaclaw dorm, but regardless of the reason, not knocking had become a much worse lapse in judgment than you could have expected.

Ruggie curled into himself as his hands clenched the oversized shirt he readied to put on, and you cursed your eyes for wandering beyond his face to the bare expanse of his chest. While faded, you knew what you had seen, and you hated yourself for having seen it.

"O-oh, I'm sorry..!" you sputtered, turning away while shielding your peripheral with your hand. Was this the proper etiquette you wondered, or were you overreacting? Was it wrong to treat this situation any differently than if you had walked in on anyone else? You froze with uncertainty. The last thing you wanted to do was make him uncomfortable, but that line was crossed the second you walked through the door.

"It's alright," Ruggie affirmed, shrugging it off as he let out a tired sigh. "I was just changing out of my work clothes. They ran me ragged today at the lounge, but it's not any worse than what Leona makes me do." He let out a quiet snicker, and you lowered your hand in tune.

"I apologize for not knocking.. I didn't mean to.. Uhm.."

"Hey, we're both guys, right? No big deal. After classes most of the students here ditch the shirts quicker than they can reach their rooms. An animal thing, I suppose." He laughed again, his tone growing increasingly melancholic. You didn’t want to pry, but his words clearly didn’t match his tone. Uncertain whether to speak up again, you fidgeted in silence as he finished dressing.

"It's been awhile since I had to think about it, y'know?" Ruggie began again. "When I first came here it was a bit intimidating. Getting sorted with lots of hulked-out types that say whatever comes to their mind. Not a kind bunch by any means. I knew I’d have to really fend for myself with this group, but that’s what I’ve been doin’ my whole life.” The corners of his lips turned upright into a sad smile. Ruggie’s hand rubbed the back of his neck as he gazed out the window, pondering a moment before continuing.

“Amazingly, I haven’t gotten shit for it. Y’know, it gets real hot here, and sometimes ya just wanna laze around in the lounge pool all day. Didn’t think I’d get the chance, but Leona -- he's pretty good when he wants to be -- told me if anyone said anything, he'd be the first to bust some heads. Guess he stayed true to that." Ruggie laughed once more in an unfittingly restrained manner.

You chewed your lip, carefully mulling over the situation. Even in his oversized clothes, he never seemed so small, as if he was shrinking right before your eyes. Ruggie was never one to talk about his feelings, but you knew this open recollection was meant to tell you how he felt. Ruggie wasn’t a coward, but everyone had things they were afraid of, and right now he was afraid. A painful knot twisted in your stomach at the thought that you had given the impression that this could be a bother, but you knew you needed to remedy the matter at once.

"I would never give you shit for it!" you interjected, startling Ruggie out of his daze. "Something like this would never make me feel any different about you, and I apologize if I ever made you feel like it would. You’re my friend, Ruggie, and I’d always have your back no matter what!”

Ruggie looked away once more. You wondered if what you said was too cheesy. Thinking it over again, it did sound like something straight out of a sitcom. You internally winced, but your introspection was interrupted by Ruggie bursting into laughter. Spinning on his heel, he looked to you, flashing his signature smile.

“Shishishi, you’re such a worrier,” he teased. All at once, he brushed off the moment of vulnerability, and you couldn’t help but smile back.

“I am really sorry about just barging in, though..” you wanted to add.

“Pfft, you being stressed about that is more courtesy than anyone here would have,” Ruggie said, making his way to you before slapping his hand on your shoulder reassuringly. “Thank you, though.” For just a moment, his smile softened in a way more genuine than you’d ever seen before.