#ruggie fluff

Trying to break a fight between Grim and another student, you shielded him from a certainly more powerful-than-usual Unique Magic, strong enough that it knocked out your human body unconscious. When he heard the news, Sebek made sure the Headmage punished that insolent human that dared to hurt his friend. 

Still, as his housewarden, taking care of Grim is technically your responsibility. Being in this school and interacting with other dorms besides Diasomnia, he is aware that not every housewarden is like his young master: mighty and powerful yet compassionate, thoughtful, and caring. And despite not getting along that well with the little beast -the same one that forbids him from sitting next to you in every class you share- he gets it. You are doing more than well enough for yourself, and Sebek has to admit that despite being a human, despite every other circumstance you’ve faced, you carry yourself delightfully. It’s very admirable. And… diligent of you.

Sebek sighs into his hands. Who was he kidding? Things started to change inside of him as soon as he unwittingly stopped referring to you as just a human. Everything he learned about you these past few months was so lovely that it made his pale cheeks fill with a rosy blush– your conduct was so respectable and knight-like! He shouldn’t be ashamed of openly admiring it! So why was it so hard to do? Why couldn’t he come out and just say it, like he always does with everything else in his life?

Is it… because you’re a human? Sebek shakes his head at the thought. Lilia-sama would be disappointed in him if that were the case, and he knows it isn’t. For him, you haven’t been included in that category for a long time. Then why was he so reluctant? What was this uncomfortable feeling gripping his chest and confusing him so?

“Hey, man, if you keep making that face it will get stuck that way.”

“Leave him alone, Ace.” Deuce sits up, his eyes puffy despite how much he’ll deny it. “You don’t look much better.”

“Me? Have you seen him? How can I leave the guy alone?”

It takes Ace idly putting his hands on Sebek’s shoulder for him to realize that they were talking about him.

Immediately he frowns. Ace smiles back. “Sebek, I’m feeling generous tonight. Our friend here has inspired me to be a better person… just for one night, though. Penny for your thoughts?”

“No way, this guy can’t keep his volume in check. The hench-human is sleeping, so no yellin’ for you! Which means no talking in general!”

Sebek shakes off Ace’s touch, “Would all of you—! Shut up. You’re interrupting my thinking and the prefect’s rest already with all this… stupidity. If you’ve had enough, leave these premises at once!”

“Figure it out yourself then, jeez.” Ace tsks. “Well, Riddle-senpai will have our heads if we don’t leave now anyways, so we’ll leave it to you.”

It takes some more convincing until they can get Grim’s grabby self off you to let you rest, some whisper-yelling and threats that make Sebek wonder how you didn’t get up after all this noise, but finally all of them get up to leave, trusting the Diasomnia dorm member to take care of you (something they know he’s been doing for months, now). That is, until they hear a small voice coming from the half-fae right when they’re one step away from the door.

“Say,” Sebek scowls, looking frustrated as always, yet somehow… small. “Has the prefect ever talked to you guys… about me… No, never mind, you’ll be no help!”

Deuce gasps. Ace grins as he drags a shocked Deuce and Grim out of the room. “Guess you’ll have to ask them about it yourself~”

Sebek huffs again. It’s been about twenty minutes since the other boys left your infirmary room, and now you are both alone. He keeps staring holes into your face– the curve of your cheeks, your lips– staring as if they have either offended him and his entire lineage or hold all the answers he so desperately needs at this moment.

Maybe feeling watched even in your unconscious state, your eyelashes begin to flutter, slowly allowing your eyes to open.

Not even a few seconds later, you hear a familiar voice resounding in your ears.

“Prefect! How are you feeling?”

“…? Sebek?” you slowly rub your eyes, your voice a little raspy. “I’m… fine. Is this the nurse’s room?”

“Prefect, you’re even aware of your surroundings after being concussed! Yes, you were brought here after a heroic act, I must add– defending your dorm member’s honour against another student. Don’t worry, I made sure the fool who tried to harm you and the little beast got what he deserved. Speaking of which, Grim’s fine…” Sebek sighs your name. “Even if you are a righteous, dutiful human, you are still a weakling. But do not fear– as Malleus-sama’s retainer, I made sure to guard your stay in this room! No one would even think of walking in with malicious intent! Feel honoured! I will not repeat such kindness, because in the future I will simply not allow this situation to happen again. My heart will not permit it.”

“I have been confused about this for far too long. My afternoon training, which starts at exactly 16:00, has been postponed until this matter is cleared up, and I am afraid you have all the answers to my questions!” he continues, his heart racing a million miles per hour, almost as fast as his mouth. Once he begins, it all just comes pouring out of him. “Pay attention now! I cannot stand seeing you get hurt. I admire that you put yourself at risk for your companion, even though it pains me that you chose to do so! If anything, the first thought on your mind should have been to call me for help! I missed my training to care for you– unasked! Unprompted! Never mind, Prefect, I have figured it all out. Saying all of this out loud makes it very clear. I think I might be in some kind of– no, positively– I am in love with you!”

“What? Slow down, Sebek, what are you talking about?”

“–And I will not hide it. Unlike your kind, I do not know how to. I don’t wish to learn either! Please allow me your hand!”

You don’t have the heart to scold him for yelling in the nurse’s room, even if you feel an incoming headache pounding in your head, your mind is not clear enough to understand half of his rant. He was talking about his feelings, wasn’t he? Did he mention righteousness, and confusion, and– and… what was that last part?

He takes your hand lying on the sheets carefully, so gently you can barely believe it is Sebek who is holding it.

“…I apologize. You are not included in that– your kind is not really… you. You are not like them. I have grown too fond of you not to notice.”

Gently, he leans closer and places your hand over his beating chest.

“I have not an ounce of doubt about my feelings for you. I am in love with you, Prefect. Would you allow me the right to your response?”

“His voice stumbled. “I’ve got it so bad for you (…) Really” –he blew out a breath– “really bad. I tried to keep you out of here.” He knocked his free fist against his chest. “But you won’t go. You’re never going to go. You just won’t.” — tessa bailey, hook, line, and sinker

JACK

It happened during practice with the Spelldrive team. It wasn’t strange for Jack to get hit with another student’s Unique Magic while playing, but his condition wasn’t the best that day, and something about that last hit made him feel feverishly weak. His broom fell on top of him on the ground, and as he slurred his words, pain shot up his spine.

“Hey, Jack. You okay?”

“Yeah, sorry, Ruggie-senpai. I got distracted… I’m not feeling that well–”

What was happening to him? His breathing comes out strained-everything too vivid, too loud. Even the sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet as you run toward him feels deafening. The entire world spins around him. Crunch, crunch, crunch.

Stop. “Jack! Is everything okay?!”

He feels hot all over, even when his upperclassmen kneel to help him get up, everything feels boiling hot and nauseating, and Sevens, he’s about to pass out. “Prefect, listen, I-I think I… in love… with you…” cough.

And then he drops. Unconscious.

Here's the thing, Jack knows you. He knows you like the back of his hand, way better than the Heartslabyul pups think they do.

He may not understand the big deal about romance. But he understands you– like the way you look when he gives you piggyback rides back to Ramshackle; he knows the look you give him when you think he’s not paying attention, he notices every little movement of your hands, your fingers tickling him as you weave them through his hair and up his fluffy ears, so gentle and so unlike how you act with the rest of your friend group.

Maybe if it were someone else, he wouldn’t have really noticed. Jack has a routine set: wake up, take a walk with Vil-senpai, go to school, and train. He hardly acknowledges anything outside of that, but you– he just can’t get you out of his head. Whether you’re in trouble, whether you’re happy, whether you’re studying, who you’re with, and why it isn’t him.

He gets so googly-eyed and distracted in his daily life that it eventually reaches the point where even Leona– his usually uninterested housewarden– tries to talk to him about it.

“Oi, quit it. You’re like a nervous puppy waiting to go out to poo. Tch, you’re interrupting my sleep.”

“I-I'm sorry, Leona-senpai. I'll get out of your hair.”

“Is that all you got to say to me?” he yawns, one of his eyes half open. “So troublesome for no reason. Fine, then. Good luck to you and the herbivore.”

“Herbivore? What– good luck?”

It’s a second too late. Leona is already asleep, his tail gone still as Morpheus welcomes him into his realm. But Jack already had his doubts about you, and the moment the lazy lion actually asks him about it, confusingly enough, makes him realize something that has heat rushing to his face.

Apparently, despite how much he claims to be the one that knows you best, he was the only one left out of the loop on this. So a week after that conversation, when he gets even the slightest chance at vulnerability– even if it comes in the form of magically getting knocked the fuck out by some other student– then of course his own heart and mouth would betray him and his perfectly proper, carefully thought out plan to confess to you, and instead he just spills everything before promptly passing out.

Which was okay. Totally fine. Not like he’s embarrassed or anything! He’s not avoiding you either, no matter what that idiot Ace says. He just happens to remember a chore so incredibly important every single time you’re within a 29,838 mile radius! It’s not Jack’s fault your timing isn’t the best, okay?

But even that gets to a point. And you’ve had enough. 

Once you’ve talked to Ruggie (in exchange for sacrificing one Tuesday filled with doing Leona’s laundry), you finally corner Jack just when he’s about to leave for Spelldrive practice.

It’s a wonder how he doesn't sniff you, probably too preocupied literally sneaking out, because he actually squeals when you cage his large build with your arms against a wall. “Jack!”

“You– what are you doing here?! Who let you in– do you know how late it is– no, how dangerous it is for you to be out here!”

“You know why I’m here. We need to talk.”

“No,” he stutters, crossing his arms over his chest. “I have nothing to say to you. There’s nothing for us to talk about, especially not when I’m already running late for practice–”

The sun is barely up. It’s at least two hours until he absolutely has to get to the sports club. From the way his tail flicks nervously at his sides, Jack knows this too.

You sigh patiently. “…Jack, that night, you said something to me that only you and I heard. I want to ask you if you really meant it.”

“We were not the only ones who heard it! Adeuce are getting a kick out of this behind my back and right in front of me– w-wait, no, forget I said that. It’s just… well, you know…”

“Hey.” Looking at him, you slowly, gently take hold of his hand, giving him time to back out if he wanted to. Gaining a little confidence when all he does is blush, you continue. “I’m not upset about what you said that night. Why else would I be looking for you everywhere? I just need to know if it was, I don’t know, some kind of secondary effect of that Unique Magic, or if you were mistaking me for someone else– God, I hope not– but you just disappeared, and I don’t know what to think anymore, Jack. So I need you to explain things to me.”

Jack takes one long look at you– tired, hopeful– and if his heart wasn’t racing before, now it’s going a hundred miles an hour.

Is this.. it?

He can’t stand that look on your face anymore. Fine. It’s done already– he’s screwed up once, and you’re clearly not willing to just let this whole thing pass. Sighing, he confesses, properly this time.

“Prefect, what you heard was real, it wasn’t some secondary effect of anything… I mean, I wouldn’t have said it that way if I’d been in my right mind, because I didn’t mean to screw it up like that… but everything I said was real. I think I’m in love with you.”

He almost misses it; the urge to squeeze his eyes shut and escape the situation is too strong. But Jack’s glad he forces himself through it, because what he gets in return is the brightest grin he’s ever seen on you. It’s blinding, and so charming that, like a dumbass, he finds himself wondering if your smile could rival the rising sun.

“You know, I think I love you too.”

There’s a sudden breeze somewhere near your knees, and it only takes one look at Jack to know where it’s coming from. You giggle as his tail starts wagging even faster.

“It’s not like I was looking for an answer so soon, you know…”

“Oh, I’ll understand if you need more time to process this, then.”

“No, absolutely not! You can’t take it back now! Where’s your integrity? Honestly, making me say all of this…”

That makes you laugh. Jack focuses on the curve of your smile, vulnerable with a happiness that’s contagious, and he squeezes your hand.

“Let me walk you back to your dorm. We can talk on the way.”

“What happens when people open their hearts?” Reiko clasped her hands together on the table, cigarette dangling from her lips. She was enjoying this. “They get better,” she said. — haruki murakami, norwegian woods

RUGGIE

“Sorry guys, a clingy and feverish asshole is faking his death on my lap right now. Let’s hang out once I’ve convinced him that a cold doesn’t mean he’s dying.”

Ruggie listens attentively to the sounds of despair your little freshman friends whine over the phone and laughs when you hang up, shyeheehee~

He smiles contentedly. It’s been a while since Ruggie let anyone touch his head– specifically his fluffy hair and ears. The kids back home are never as gentle as you are, always tugging and biting at him, but even that sort of affection was welcome. Ruggie doesn’t realize how much he misses it until one night he goes straight to your dorm after a long shift, tired and grumpy, flopping down on your lap as he lets you caress him, not realizing what he’s doing until an unconscious purr rumbles from deep within him.

His ears still turn red when he remembers how you laughed at the sight.

He thinks about it now, with your hands threading through his hair. You’re lovely. Putting your phone down and keeping him entertained, unaware of the thoughts running through his mind. So honest and sincere even while making excuses for him– such a weirdo, like he deserves any of your attention. Haah, he’s got a lot to teach you, you have a long way to go before you’re ready to come back home with him.

Cough–

He catches himself, eyes widening as you stop running your hands through his hair, confused.

“You okay?”

But– no way, that’s impossible. And you were… you. He would have to protect you, and he already has enough people to protect, but he can't just leave you be, at least until you find your way around that bunch of shacks, but hey, now that he thinks about it…

“Ruggie?”

…He likes the idea, doesn’t he?

“Shyeheehee, hey, listen here, prefect.”

“No, I won’t go to the cafeteria to stand in line again. Leona should give us at least one afternoon off for you being sick.”

Us. Ruggie’ll never admit the way his stomach flips at your words. Since when did you two become a package deal?

Internally shaking in his boots, he pretends to roll his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. It ain’t that.”

“…This isn’t about his dinner?”

“Nope. And how do you know his schedule, anyway?”

“Please, like it doesn’t make your life easier.”

He chuckles, cheeks burning with affection.

It’s a warm afternoon outside. Not quite summer, but getting there. The perfect weather for a hyena back home, where it’s nothing but the scorching sun and a stench of heat that follows him everywhere in the slums. This is nice in comparison, a kind of peace and scenery he didn’t get to experience much. Not in Sunset Savanna, not even at NRC. Constantly juggling part-time jobs, being the attendant of a prince– even if it benefits him– not once did he stop to think, hey, maybe I’d enjoy honoring my ancestors and laze around beneath the sun for a bit.

He would’ve kept his hectic daily life if you hadn’t happened. If you hadn’t shown up in his life and fought against his own reasoning just to stay with him like this– under the same sky, sharing the same breaths.

His heart clenches at the thought that one day he might not have this anymore.

“Prefect, y’know, I ain’t really that sick. Not showing up for dinner? Come on, it’s not like I’m kicking the bucket over a cold– who d’ya think I am?”

“…I know.”

But you start touching him again, your hands reaching every last strand of his hair, from his crown to his nape with gentle caresses. Ruggie feels himself purr, and this time, he doesn’t make an effort to stop it.

He looks up at you. You’re beautiful, and weird, and he gets the sudden urge to feed you. His hand squeezes lightly, unwittingly, against yours where it rests in his hair. He wants to kiss you; wants to hear you gasp in surprise against his mouth before smiling, kissing him back like he knows you will. The thought doesn’t shock him anymore. How did he not think of this before?

He wants to rest with you until he can’t anymore.

“I think I might be in some kind of love with you.”

He pauses, staring at the curve of your eyes, your nose, down to your lips. So lovable. So real. So sincere beside him.

“I-idiot,” you stutter, punching his shoulder. “Did it take you this long to figure it out? Aren’t you supposed to be the quick-witted one? Fuck, then I might be in love with you too.”

Ruggie laughs, a surprised shyeheehee bursting out of his mouth, then cuddles closer in your lap.

There’s so much to consider. So many things he has yet to plan, so many steps to becoming a man worthy of your love, your care. Well, it never really mattered to him whether he deserved something or not. He was undeserving of most things in his life, after all.

But did he want you?

He laughs breathily against your thighs, his heart beating a million miles an hour.

Yes.

You’re all he wants. For now, that’s enough.

"the shop was a lil' packed today for some reason," he sighs, handing you the paperbag full of cooking ingredients, "so you gotta pay me double for that, shishishi!" he snickers, rubbing his hands together menacingly.

"sigh ... of course i'll pay you." his face lights up at your reply, almost jumping excitedly as he await whatever payment you're giving him. "here, i made some donuts earlier. you can have some!" you hand him a food container filled with all kinds of donuts. if ruggie were to die, this would probably be the heaven waiting for him in the afterlife.

"woah! no way, all of this is for me?!"

"well, yes ... you don't want this?"

"hey, i never said that!" he almost immediately snatched the container from your hands, snickering to himself. "if ya want me to help with something again, you can always hit me up! still with payment, of course." after he took the container, he left quickly, skipping his ways towards the gates of ramshackle.

it seems like he's very happy about those donuts.

the next few days, whenever you are struggling with something, ruggie always materializes right beside you and says something along the lines of, "seems like you're in need of my help, shishishi!" and right after that, you would always pay him with homemade goods.

even if ruggie accepts it happily, he can't help but feel suspicious of you. because who the hell would act so kind towards someone like him?

so, one day, after he had received another one of your homemade donuts in his favorite flavor-not sure how you knew that-he asked you a question. "hey, don't know if you're dense or what, but don't you think you're being a little too kind in this school? y'know, this place's not exactly kind to kind people."

"i don't see anything wrong with it." you replied, looking as innocent as ever. seriously, do you actually think if you keep acting kind towards people, everybody will like you? you're just going to be taken advantage of! like he's currently doing right now. er, not really.

"it's just cuz' you're so oblivious."

"then, should i stop giving you donuts?"

what?! that's the worst solution you could ever come up with! "no, no, no, i never said that. 'm just telling you to be more careful!" he sighs, making you raise an eyebrow. "this school will chew you up someday." he mutters under his breath, opening the food container in his hands.

"guess i better stick around to make sure that doesn't happen, shishishi." he continues, snickering to himself as he took one of the donuts to munch on it.

"hm? did you say something?"

"yeah," he says with a mouthful, tail flicking behind him. "the donuts are good ... just like usual."

You couldn’t stop the smile on your face, even though Ruggie couldn’t stop snickering at you. It wasn’t everyday that your boyfriend took you back to his hometown. Any chance you could go to the Sunset Savanna, you jumped on the opportunity.

“Are you going to stare with your mouth open like a carp the whole time?” He giggled.

“I can’t help it! The Savanna is so beautiful! I wish I could stay here forever.” You heaved a lovesick sigh.

He shook his head, his fingers brushing yours. “You’re so silly. It’s not like you’re never going to see this place again. Besides, you’re visiting for the whole summer and the break just started! We’ve got time to enjoy everything the Savanna has to offer.”

Your smile grew impossibly wide. “You’re right! And you get to show me everything, and I mean everything!”

Ruggie laughed. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right. I’ll be a better tour guide than Leona.”

“Sounds good.” You pecked his cheek. “But first, you promised I’d get to meet you grandma. I want to meet her first.”

He seemed to pause for only a millisecond. “Ah, yeah, you’re right. We’ll go there first.”

With your ever present bright smile, you tugged your boyfriend along as you made your way into his home village. It was small, but charming. It also gave you a pang of homesickness, but you didn’t dwell on those thoughts. You were more concerned about meeting your boyfriend’s grandmother for the first time. Whenever you managed to get him to talk about her, he spoke fondly of how she took care of him and all the other children in the village. You were determined to meet the wonderful woman who shaped the amazing guy you were absolutely in love with.

When you reached his house, he stopped you. Scratching the back of his head, he took the chance to explain, “Hey, just so you know, my grandmother, she can be a bit much sometimes. So if she’s a bit demanding or rude, that’s just who she is. She’s old-school, you know? So just, be prepared.”

You squeezed his hand, ignoring his blush for the sake of his pride. “Ruggie, I’m sure she’s just fine.”

Before he could protest, you knocked on the door. When the door opened to reveal his grandmother, she lit up. Pulling your both into a hug, she squeezed you tight.

“Ruggie! You’re here! And you brought your girlfriend! Oh, and she’s absolutely lovely! I can see why you fell in love with her.”

While you laughed, he groaned in annoyance. “Grandma, please-”

“Oh, hush!” Pulling you closer, she gave you a once over. “Let me get a good look at you. Yes, yes, you’re perfect for my Ruggie. Now come in! Come in! Tell me all about school and how you two started dating.”

“Grandma!” Ruggie barked out, his cheeks a deep shade of red. You still continued to laugh. At least you got her seal of approval. You could breathe a little easier now.

The three of you talked for hours over watery tea and biscuits. You had to admit, his grandmother was a phenomenal baker. When you mentioned this to her, she thanked you and told you she would give you the recipe so you could make them yourself. Of course this led to a discussion all about baking. And since Ruggie knew more about eating pastries than making them, he kept quiet and watched with both relief and joy to see his two favorite people getting along so well.

As he was about to make some more tea, there was a knock at the door. Upon answering it, he saw a couple of the neighborhood kids. He smiled, crouching down so he was eye level with them.

“Hey guys. How can I help you today?”

The boldest of the three took a step forward. “We saw there was an outsider in town. We’re here to check it out.”

Ruggie laughed as you walked up behind him. “Looks like the whole town knows you’re here. Y/n, meet Ayden, Isaac, and Yesenia.”

You nodded and held out your hand. “Nice to meet you three. Thank you for stopping by. I promise I’m not here to cause any trouble.”

Ayden crossed his arms over his chest. “See that you don’t. We’ve got enough problems here already.”

Yesenia tugged on his sleeve, a small pout on her lips. “Ayden, hush. Mama said not to talk about stuff like that.”

You winced a little. “Ah, well, is there anything I can do to prove I’m here as a friend?”

“Can you cook?” Isaac asked.

“Of course I can! What would you like me to make?”

The three children glanced at each other before coming to a consensus.

“Doughnuts!”

You laughed, ruffling Ruggie’s hair. “I see where you get it from.”

Swatting your hand away, he whined. “Oh c’mon!”

Shaking your head, you slipped back into the kitchen. “Grandma Bucchi, do you mind if I make doughnuts for some of the kids in town?”

She grinned. “Why, of course! Help yourself! I can even go get more ingredients if you need it. I will tell you, these kids have bottomless stomachs, just like Ruggie. One won’t be enough to satisfy them.”

You nodded. “Of course. I’ll do the best I can.”

After that, you got to work. It’s been a while since you last baked. But the process was just like riding a bicycle. It didn’t take too long for you to get back into the swing of things. Before too long, you had made a few dozen doughnuts for the kids to try.

With the goodies on a tray, you went back into the living room, where Ruggie and the kids were roughhousing. Smiling, you set the tray down on the coffee table. All four of them scrambled over, practically drooling. 

“Alright. Tell me how I did.”

All it took was one bite and they were in love. The doughnuts were gone in no time and they were begging for more. You simply patted them on the head and promised you would do your best.

As you started to head back to the kitchen, Yeseniya tugged at your shirt.

“You should go to the community center. They have a bigger kitchen and more supplies so you can make even more doughnuts!”

Almost choking on nothing, you blinked owlishly at her. You didn’t think your doughnuts were that good! But her pleading eyes were making you melt. Besides, you were making these kids’ day by making them doughnuts. Who were you to deny them?

“Oh, I don’t know. We’ll have to see if it’s okay-”

“It’ll be more than okay.” Ruggie’s grandmother interjected. “We have people who come in to cook for those who can’t afford it all the time. Besides, the center is always open and fully stocked for whoever needs to use it. Money is hard to come by in these parts, so we’re always lending a helping hand to those who need it.”

A pang of empathy hit your heart as you thought about what she had to say. Well, if it was for a good cause, you had to do it now! So with a smile, you nodded.

“I’ll do it.”

“Yay!” The kids started tugging at you, dragging you to the community center. Ruggie just laughed and followed along.

Before too long you were cooking up a storm in the community center. Ruggie was acting as your faithful assistant, plating the warm doughnuts and setting them out for people to take. The three kids had raced around the town, telling people that there were free doughnuts at the community center. Ruggie’s grandmother was helping you keep up with all the hungry people. You had it all down to a system, making sure everyone got more than they needed.

While this wasn’t what you had in mind when you came to the Sunset Savana for holiday break with Ruggie, you were happy with how it turned out. It makes you feel good to help others and put a smile on people’s faces. You were swapping stories of home with Ruggie’s grandmother, and learning all of his embarrassing stories from when he was a little kid. It felt like you really had joined the Bucchi family and become a part of his home.

Little did you know that Ruggie was so happy he brought you home. Seeing you get along with his grandmother and his hometown made him swell with pride and love. He didn’t believe it was possible to fall in love with you more than he already was. Yet here he was, falling in love with you all over again. You were absolutely perfect, not just for him, but for his family as well. It was then that he made a vow to himself that he would never let you.

By the time the last plate of doughnuts were taken, the sun was setting on the horizon. You and his grandmother were out of breath, practically collapsed on kitchen chairs. He smiled tenderly at the sweet scene before him.

“Don’t worry about dinner tonight. I’ll take care of it. It’s the least I could do for all your hard work today.” He said.

You smiled gratefully at him. “Thank you Ruggie, that would be wonderful.”

“Think you can help your old granny home?” His grandmother asked with a breathy chuckle. “These old bones ain’t what they used to be.”

He chuckled. “Of course. Then you can tell me what you want to eat tonight.”

“Not doughnuts, that’s for sure.” She muttered as Ruggie helped her onto his back.

"Don't be mean, Ace! He's probably hungry. Why else would he be stealing food?" You picked over your own lunch, tearing your own sandwich in half and picking a few strawberries from your fruit cup. You whistled for the dog, waggling the sandwich in a manner you hoped would make it appear more tempting. "Come here, buddy! Who's a good boy? Want something nummy?"

It barely took a moment before the dog was bounding up to you, tail wagging in a blur as it snarfed the sandwich from your grip, big tongue lapping all over your fingers as it chomped down the handful of cut strawberries as well. You couldn't help but let out a delighted laugh at his antics, burying your hands in the thick, wiry fur around his neck and shoulders.

"Aww, that's a hungry boy! I bet you didn't get to have lunch today, did you puppy?" You cooed, babbling high-pitched nothings to the dog soaking up your attention as you ruffled his fur up and down, scratching under the chin and behind the ears, smushing his face between your hands.

"I can't believe you're actually choosing a dog over me right now. That's harsh, Prefect."

"But look how sweet he is, though! Baby boy!~" The dog was melting into your affections, eyes blissfully shut as his tail thumped upon the soft grass.

And really, for a stray dog he was being incredibly sweet. Had he possibly been abandoned? That would explain why he was so good about being pet. It wouldn't explain how he got into a school campus, though.

You pat the grass next to you. "Wanna lay next to me, buddy? Come here! That's a good boy." The dog cozied up next to you, resting his chin and one paw up on your leg with a contended huff. You wasted no time in burying your fingers in the thick fur on his mohawk, which made the pup begin whining in delight. "Oh, you love getting scritchies, don't you? Yes you do! Yes you do!"

So smitten were you with this adorable, seemingly stray dog, that you failed to notice another one of your school friends jogging up to join the two of you. Jack slowed to a stop a good few paces away, offering a hand to haul his fellow first-year to his feet.

"I didn't realize you'd found Senpai. I've been looking all over campus for him." He gave Ace a hearty slap on the back, which only served to send Ace into a second fit of wheezing coughs. "We managed to figure out who tried to cast a spell on Leona, but we haven't figured out how to break it yet."

"Wha... What are you talking about? Cast on... On who? What?" Through his wheezing Ace was barely able to gasp out his confusion. Somehow, you and your new canine friend had remained oblivio0us to the conversation happening nearby as you begin nuzzling your face into the top of his head.

Jack huffed, crossing his arms. "A Savanaclaw second-year attempted to curse the Housewarden with a magical bracelet that would transform him into a beast. Unfortunately, Leona didn't want it, so he handed it off to Ruggie-senpai. So now..." He gestured to the massive dog draped across your lap. "We don't know how to get him back to normal."

"Wait, hold on. So that's... That's Ruggie? The dog?"

"Hyena. But yes."

".....snrk."

"This isn't funny, Ace."

"P-PWAHAHAHAHA! ARE YOU KIDDING? THE PREFECT'S BEEN ALL OVER HIM! THIS IS HILARIOUS!"

As Ace hit the ground again, this time in a flurry of laughter, you finally glanced up and noticed Jack standing there. As you made a move to stand up, however, the dog whined, draping his paw further across your lap.

"Don't worry, buddy! I'm just gonna go talk to my friend, okay?" When the dog only whimpered again, you smiled and leaned forward to press a kiss in between his fuzzy ears. "It'll just be a m-"

POOF!

A cloud of smoke quickly engulfed you and the dog, thick and sandy-yellow and smelling of grasses and fresh laundry. You coughed a bit, waving your arm around to force it to dissipate more quickly, and as it did you saw the friendly pup you'd been cuddling with had been replaced by Ruggie, head laying across your lap and blinking up at you with an owlish expression. You stared down at him, and he stared up at you.

"Uhh... Woof?"

You yelped, jumping to your feet and forcing the second-year to tumble from your lap and into the grass. You covered your face with both hands and could feel it burning beneath your palms. Of all the people to secretly be a big, adorable dog, did it have to be the one you were crushing on? Oh, you wanted to crawl into a hole and just die.

Ace's raucous laughter in the near distance was doing you no favors, you could see him kicking his feet in the air through the gaps in your fingers. Jack, at least, has the decency to look a bit embarrassed in your stead. He moved towards his upperclassman and towed the shorter boy to his feet.

"I hope he didn't give you any trouble, Prefect." Jack bowed to you, Ruggie standing a bit behind him with the faintest hint of color to his cheeks.

"It's fine." You barked out, though it was mostly muffled by your palms. "You should go see the Professor or something. Anything."

"Right. Of course. Senpai?" Jack turned to Ruggie, but Ruggie just motioned for Jack to move past him as he stepped towards you.

"Gimme a sec, alright? I'll catch right up. Scout's honor."

"Please don't disappear again, senpai."

Jack stepped away to give you two a bit of privacy, no matter how desperately you hoped he'd stay and save you from this awkwardness. Ruggie stood there a moment before clearing his throat, scuffing his shoe against the dirt.

"I was just gonna take yer sandwiches. I wasn't expectin' you to get all sweet on me or anythin'. So don't think I was like, tryin' to trick you."

"Mhm." You responded. Still muffled, still hidden.

"And it's not like I didn't like it or anythin', either. So if either of us should be embarrassed it's probably me!"

You peeked through your fingers again, slowly beginning to bring your hands down. Ruggie's cheeks were getting redder by the minute, and he seemed to be making every effort not to look at your face as he continued to ramble.

"So if you wanna like, like uh, pet me, or scratch my ears, or... or k-kiss my head or anythin', that's-that's fine. I won't even make you get me a sandwich for it. I don't mind." He tucked his chin, one hand rubbing at the back of his neck as he stared into the ground. "...I kinda like it, anyway. If it's you."

Your heart did an eager stutter jump in your chest, but before you could respond Ruggie had already pivoted on his heel and begun jogging down the hill towards Jack.

"See ya around, Prefect!" He barked out. "Thanks for the grub!"