#rakiah

Considering he had been caught napping in the botanical gardens with Kalim, and Ruggie just HAD to remind him he had a potionology makeup class.

He saw Vil doing calculation after calculation, drafting list after list, his frustration clear in his usually pristine features, his hair was definitely out of place in some areas.

The potion that Leona had to perfect for the makeup class assignment from Crewel was a more advanced medicinal kind, of which the professor thought Vil was a suitable person to help him.

On the downside, Leona could see this was not the case.

"Oi, Schoenheit." Leona called out from his position at the opposite table, putting down the pen he had been using to write more notes.

"What?" Vil snapped, turning to him, arms crossed. "Don't talk to me right now."

"Unclench your jaw, you'll wreck your teeth." came Leona's laconic reply.

"I don't need you to tell me that." Vil scoffed, but he did look like he was trying hard to calm himself down.

Leona sighed. He butted heads with Vil often, but this was not of their usual nature.

Was something actually bothering him?

"Vil, be honest. You haven't successfully done this assignment before either, have you?"

Vil stared at him like he had been shot at with a metaphorical arrow.

The lion beastman made a small noise, that could only mean one thing. "I thought so."

"I have been spending weeks, to try and perfect this brew. And to think I am called to assist, even though I haven't perfected it...is unthinkable. I do not offer anything less than my best."

Vil seemed to be brimming with unanswered questions and the doubts that kept on surfacing, but seemed to be doing his best to keep it together.

It was Leona's turn to scoff, but deep down he could understand Vil's struggles. It wasn't a common sight to see Vil this disheveled and shaken. He may be a celebrity, but he was still a student.

People tended to forget that.

His meticulous nature was what could save them, something Leona could also offer, but now was a waiting game, there wasn't much they could do except occasionally stir the cauldron.

Leona found it amusing to watch, but after a point, it looked incredibly painful. He stood up from his seat.

Normally he preferred to have his own space and comfort when in a pinch, but he did know a thing or two on how to comfort someone when they are upset.

Mostly thanks to Cheka, or so he thought.

He made the approach slowly.

First, establish contact.

A hand laid itself on Vil's shoulder.

"Hey."

Vil looked almost scandalised, but he was also puzzled. "What is it, Leona?"

Second...

"Come here." He pulled the other closer to him.

A yelp, and Vil was already nestled in Leona's chest. Leona's hand made its way, one carefully on his shoulder, the other up and down his back.

(Because he knew if he messed up Vil Schoenheit's hair, he'd probably be subject to Fairest One Of All.)

Oddly, the protesting slowly died down, as Vil found himself calming down. The sound of Leona's heartbeat, and he swore Leona was purring.

Leona kept at the rubbing back gesture and stopped after a moment.

He did not expect Vil's hands to make their way around his torso.

The fellow must have been more tightly wound than he thought.

His guard was completely let down in his grasp.

Normally a predator takes a chance at this.

But what point was there to harass him even further?

They both still had that stupid assignment to finish.

Leona happily allowed Vil to stay in his hold, as he inhaled lightly.

Stupid perfume...

Leona could feel his nose twitch, but realised it was a different kind of scent, not the stronger kinds he usually caught a whiff off Vil whenever he passed by. Must have been that way in order not to clog up the air vents of the Pomefiore underground laboratory that they were allowed to borrow for this assignment.

It dawned upon him why he noticed so much about Vil.

Was he really that much interested in Vil?

Leona only laughed to himself as he too remained in this embrace, seating them both to get comfortable.

At least for a while...

...

...

Vil pulled himself away slightly when he realised he was in Leona's arms still.

"Leona?" he asked quietly.

"Huh, so you finally are yourself?" he said, almost mischievously.

"Of course, I just needed time to regain my composure, is all." Vil replied huffily as he stood up. Carefully, he adjusted his lab coat and goggles.

That pompous dialogue but Leona did not miss the cues of the very thing conveyed in his body language.

"Thank you."

"How long was I in your---how long did we---"

"Forty-five minutes. The potion hasn't boiled yet."

Vil sighed. "This is going to take a while..."

Leona chuckled, as he watched Vil check something on his phone, but one thing was for sure.

Vil was back to his old self.