Twisted Fun

You carry a shadow that is towering, one that swamps your own in broad daylight. 

Physically, Jade is not clingy in the traditional sense. He is not hanging off your shoulder or demanding affection in public. In fact, he is oddly respectful of your space…which somehow makes him more overbearing? He simply has eyes in the walls. You grow accustomed to the sense of being watched over with time, as he is worse than a helicopter mom at disney world.  

A hand on the small of your back while walking through crowds. Casually steering you away from danger like you are a shopping cart with a broken wheel. If someone becomes too loud or aggressive near you, Jade inserts himself into the situation before you can speak. 

And seven help the sad sack who touches you without permission. 

Jade does not explode like Floyd or bark threats like Leona. No. He politely dismantles people with a shark-took grin. One warning is spoken with that overly pleasant customer service voice and suddenly the entire room feels humid. 

“Oh dear. I’m afraid you seem to have mistaken my partner for someone interested in your attention. How embarrassing for you.” 

People at Mostro Lounge learn very quickly that your name is not one to use carelessly in conversation, unless they want Jade’s attention - and trust me, that is not a fun prize. Gossip in his domain? Unless he thinks it is relatively harmless and might yield a cute reaction from you…nuh-uh-uh. 

Jade understands social warfare better than nearly anyone at NRC. He knows secrets. Everybody has secrets. Azul collects contracts but Jade collects information, and if someone threatens your reputation? Congratulations. They have just volunteered for psychological warfare against a man who enjoys sampling poisonous mushrooms in his free time. Very Mao-Mao from ‘Apothecary Diaries’ core. 

If someone DOES spread rumors about you? They tend to disappear before they gain traction. It is almost magical. One moment there is gossip circulating around NRC and the next the students involved are apologizing to you with sweat dripping down their backs while Jade stands nearby smiling like a proud parent at a piano recital. 

You never find out what he did to make it happen. Snitches get stitches, you can ask whomever you like. No one is about to get on a Leech’s bad side. Especially anyone from the Coral Sea…they like having their gills intact, thank you very much. 

In fact…your social circle seems to thin out. No one you’d miss, certainly. Anyone worth keeping around is already known by you before Jade’s fancy was stuck, after all. He just has a ‘quality’ that keeps bottom feeders away. 

Jade is significantly more possessive than he pretends to be. He acts amused when people flirt with you. Smiles. Tilt his head. You’d think him entirely unbothered, if not for the slight twitch of his lower eyelid. 

Meanwhile he’s mentally ranking the best burial locations on his usual mountain trails. He won’t do it. Just…let him tinker. He can only tolerate so much audacity from these people after all. 

Unlike Floyd’s explosive jealousy, Jade’s comes in the form of increased politeness. That’s how you know he is upset. The sweeter he sounds, the worse the situation is. If someone is heavily flirting with you, Jade becomes attached to your side for the rest of the day. He won’t intrude unless you explicitly ask – discounting the times you’re unaware of his presence – but he does expect you to shrug the plebs off. Make an effort or his ire might have you backed up against a wall later that night. 

Make no comment when he casually mentions your relationship status every three sentences either. Subtly, as he watches the offender making a move on you crumple like the trash they are and evaporate from his sight. Yet…if it continues beyond flirtations? If someone dares to make a vulgar comment at you?

His terrariums gain new fertilizer. 

No, because seriously. There is no situation where he’d let any sort of objectification or crude remark slide. Not interesting. Not funny. The only tolerable admiration is watching bottomfeeders deflate as they realize he’s already got the best pickings of the land. He can and will cut their tongues out. 

“My, what a vulgar thing to say. I do hope for your sake that you simply misspoke…though judging by your expression, I suspect not. How unfortunate. Shall we continue this conversation somewhere private? People do become rather forgetful when they are trying to impress someone who is already spoken for, don’t they? ” 

Jamil Viper 

7/10

Jamil does not WANT to be protective.

That is important to understand first and foremost. 

He already has enough responsibilities. Enough people depending on him. Enough stress. The last thing he needs is another person to worry over and yet somehow…there you are. Sitting comfortably in the center of his thoughts like you pay rent there. Mm. 

Annoying.

Very annoying.

He’s a bit of his own worst nightmare. Jamil finds a partner who is competent insanely attractive. Nothing gets him going like a show of power…but his brain doesn’t have an ‘off’ switch. So he naturally tries to take charge in most situations and has a terrible time letting his guard down. 

Because now he has to think about things like whether you ate today. Whether you got enough sleep. Whether Ace and Grim dragged you into another near death experience. He catches himself scanning crowds for your face automatically and gets irritated every single time he realizes he is doing it.

Just his luck that he’s fallen for the person with the self-preservation skills of a mosquito…ha..haha..hahaha.

Physically, Jamil is surprisingly attentive. Not overbearing, but hyperaware. He notices exhaustion before you say anything. Notices when your social battery dies. Notices when you are forcing yourself to smile through discomfort. He’s used to reading people. 

He is the type to silently pull you away from overwhelming situations under the guise of something casual.

“Come help me with this for a second.”

Suddenly you are outside getting fresh air while he pretends to sweep the outer courtyard. .

Jamil is not loud about protecting you because loud attention is dangerous in his mind. He prefers subtle control over situations. Strategic positioning. Standing between you and someone sketchy without making a scene. Steering conversations away from topics that upset you. Making sure you get back to Ramshackle safely even if he acts like it is an inconvenience.

And yes. He absolutely keeps track of where you are. Give him your phone so he can add you to Life360. Just do it. 

Not in a creepy way. In a “if something happens to you I will have a stress-induced migraine” way. He gets pissed when Grim takes your phone though. The headmaster seriously has you both sharing one? Just…look, take his old one. Don’t tell Kalim either. He’ll 100%% get you the newest model with an unlimited data plan, but Jamil isn’t about to have someone else doing what he can do for you just fine. Especially Kalim.

He especially hates when you wander around NRC late at night alone. This school has entirely too many weirdos, overblot incidents, and students with magical superiority complexes. The moment he finds out you went somewhere dangerous by yourself he is giving you ‘That Look’.

You know the one.

Socially, Jamil is vicious in the pettiest ways possible.

He does not have the authority of someone like Riddle nor the intimidation factor of Leona, so instead he weaponizes competence. If someone is rude to you publicly? Congratulations. Jamil is about to make them look stupid in front of everyone.

Not directly, of course. That would be messy.

But suddenly they are fumbling their words during class presentations because Jamil “helpfully” pointed out inconsistencies in their work. Suddenly they are losing arguments they thought they could win. Suddenly every flaw they have becomes painfully obvious because Jamil knows exactly how to press people until they crack.

He has years of experience surviving court politics. Some random teenager is light work.

The thing is, Jamil gets especially protective over your image because he understands what it feels like to have people make assumptions about you. So rumors? Harassment? People trying to paint you negatively? He…is guilty of doing that to others. 

So he is able to detect the early signs of someone scheming. No one’s ripping at your confidence. He’ll end them.

Not only because he cares about you, but because he genuinely cannot stand unfairness directed toward someone he loves. You become one of the very few people he allows himself to prioritize emotionally and he takes that seriously.

Now jealousy?

…Yeah. Yeah Jamil has issues.

Not outwardly at first. He tries SO hard to play it cool. He tells himself he is being irrational. That you can handle yourself. That he trusts you.

Then he sees someone flirting with you too comfortably and suddenly his eye is twitching.

Jamil’s jealousy manifests through hovering and passive aggression. He starts inserting himself into conversations uninvited. Interrupting. Pulling you away under flimsy excuses. Offering to do things for you before someone else can. Oh, he is burning. That ego he tries to keep under a tarp is coming out at full force. 

And the sass?

Unmatched.

“Oh? You suddenly developed interest in my partner after ignoring them for months? What a fascinating coincidence…sorry, what’s your name again?”

The worst part is that Jamil absolutely notices when people are attracted to you before they even realize it themselves. One lingering glance and he is already annoyed.

He also DESPISES overly touchy people around you. No one gets a pass. Kalim really pisses him off, but he has to bite it down. At least there’s the comfort of knowing it’s strictly platonic but still. 

Your little first-year group? He has so much beef with Ace it isn’t funny. That ******* knows exactly what he’s doing whenever he slings an arm over your shoulder. Floyd? Every basketball practice is one where Jamil is tempted to spike the ball at the back of his head. He tolerates Grim, knowing that the menace is going to be there until the day you both die. 

And if someone thinks to pass a vulgar comment? A cat-call? Mm. Patience isn’t always a virtue. 

Jamil’s entire expression flattens like someone turned his emotions off manually. He gets cold in a way that makes people instinctively backpedal. Unlike some of the others, he is less likely to threaten violence and more likely to verbally flay someone alive with frightening precision.

He knows exactly what insecurities to target too. Doesn’t matter who it is. He can pick them apart in a few short moments. 

“You know, confidence is attractive in moderation. Unfortunately for you, this is just embarrassing.”

Rook Hunt 8.5/10

Dating Rook is like accidentally befriending a very affectionate cryptid.

One day you are minding your business and the next you hear rustling in the trees followed by an enthusiastic Frenchman praising the way sunlight reflects off your hair. There is no such thing as privacy anymore. Not because Rook wishes to control you, but because he genuinely enjoys your existence so much that he cannot help orbiting around you constantly.

He is EVERYWHERE.

The scary thing? Half the time you do not even notice him until he speaks.

“Ah! Trickster! The way you leap away in surprise reminds me of a startled doe. Magnifique!”

Cardiac arrest. Immediate cardiac arrest. He ceases for the rest of the day but then is right back at it the next. 

At first his protectiveness does not even register because Rook treats everything with fascination. He watches everyone. Compliments everyone. Appears out of nowhere for everyone. So naturally, you assume his attention toward you is just part of his personality.

Then you realize he has been tailing you across campus for three hours because you mentioned feeling unsafe walking alone after dark.

Romantic.

Terrifying, but romantic.

This man has the instincts of a hunting dog and the perception of a military drone.

You are never unsafe around him.

Ever.

Physically, Rook is actually extremely protective. Far more than people expect. Underneath all the theatrics and poetry is someone with terrifying awareness of his surroundings. Rook notices danger instantly. The shift in someone’s body language. A suspicious movement in the crowd. The subtle signs someone intends harm.

A student reaching for their pen? He sees it. Someone following you through the halls? Already aware. Suspicious noises outside Ramshackle at night? He is perched somewhere nearby like a Victorian gargoyle with a bow in hand. Sorry Malleus. This one is not fit for your club to study…unless?

Ahem. You genuinely cannot sneak up on this man.

And because of that? Nobody sneaks up on you either.

The issue is that Rook treats protecting you like an act of devotion. He enjoys it. Not in a creepy controlling way but in a “the hunter safeguards what he treasures most” way. 

And unlike some of the others, Rook is willing to get physical FAST if he thinks you are genuinely threatened. People forget that beneath the dramatic monologues and layers of concealer is a man who hunts for fun.

For FUN.

One second someone is getting too aggressive with you. The next Rook is suddenly behind them smiling with their wrist pinned up against their back.

“Ah ah~ I would reconsider your actions, mon trésor’s comfort is far more important to me than your pride.”

The thing about Rook is that he rarely ‘sounds threatening. Which somehow makes him infinitely worse. He says horrifying things with the same tone someone would use to compliment flowers.

And LORD help the poor soul that genuinely hurts you somehow.

Rook becomes the physical manifestation of “I know where you live.” 

His little ‘Oo la la~’ pitch that carries in the wind like fallen leaves suddenly turns into Krampus incarnate. Deep, guttural, and spoken directly into the perpetrator’s ear with a promise for something much worse than a beating with a straw broom and some coal in their stocking. 

“Aha. No. We are not looking at mon coheur in such a manner. You may apologize now, or I will be forced to consider alternative persuasion. Un, deux, toi –” 

Socially, Rook is extreamly supportive rather than controlling. He absolutely hypes you up constantly. Shamelessly….it’s very much the ‘Wear whatever you want, my darling. I know how to fight’ dynamic amped to maximum overdrive. 

He will praise you in front of literally anyone with zero shame. Your intelligence, your beauty, your habits, the way your eyes crinkle when you laugh—nothing is safe from his admiration. At first people think it is exaggeration because surely no one can speak this poetically about their partner twenty-four hours a day.

No. He means every word.

The issue is that this also means he becomes deeply offended when others speak poorly of you. Rook values beauty in all forms and to insult someone he treasures? Mon dieu. The audacity.

Rook does not argue normally. He psychoanalyzes people like he is peeling an orange. Someone makes fun of you once and suddenly Rook is smiling thoughtfully while pointing out all the hidden insecurities fueling their behavior.

In front of everyone.

“Oh? Such cruelty toward someone so radiant…could it be envy, perhaps? How unfortunate. To possess eyes capable of witnessing beauty and yet remain unable to appreciate it.”

Murder. Actual murder.

And because Rook is naturally charismatic, people listen to him. He can spin social situations terrifyingly fast. One minute someone is mocking you and the next they are being publicly pitied by half the room while Rook comforts you dramatically like the star actor of a tragedy play.

But jealousy? Hah! Listen. 

Rook is a strange creature because he simultaneously understands why people are attracted to you while also wanting to put them in the ground for acting on it.

He appreciates beauty. Of course others admire you! How could they not? To him your existence is practically artwork.

So when others pursue you, he does not see them as something to dismiss. No. No. He will acknowledge their challenge…and you will find no one more competitive. He wants to win. 

Which means the flirting somehow becomes worse. He is a peacock spreading its feathers while aiming a shotgun with its beak. 

You think one person complimenting you is bad? Congratulations. Rook is now reciting poetry while kissing your hand in front of them with enough intensity to make bystanders uncomfortable.

He becomes unbelievably touchy too. Draping himself over your shoulders. Holding your waist. Tilting your chin toward him while maintaining eye contact with whoever dared flirt with you. If they want you, then they’ll have to offer you better than what he can provide. Which is impossible, because Rook spares no effort in ensuring you have everything you could ever want. 

And if someone says something vulgar about you? 

…they have a ten second head start. 

Rook does not mind admiration, he encourages all beauty to be appreciated, but crude lust disgusts him. In his eyes it reduces something precious into something cheap and tawdry. He takes it personally, like someone smeared mud over a painting. 

He merely teases the brim of his hat, ducks his chin low, and fixes the offender with sharp eyes and the terrifying realization that this man could absolutely hit a bullseye through their skull from fifty yards away.

“You speak of them so carelessly…how terribly sad. To witness something so precious and reduce it to vulgarity. I highly suggest you choose your next words with greater care, monsieur. ”

Lilia Vanrouge

6.5/10

At first glance, Lilia does not seem protective at all.

If anything, he encourages chaos.

Go explore dangerous places! Fight strong opponents! Experience life! Make reckless memories! Half the time it feels like he is actively encouraging your bad decisions while Sebek is somewhere nearby having a stress-induced aneurysm over it.

Lilia is not controlling. Not even remotely. Rather than stop you from pursuing danger, he’s walking into it at your side. 

He does not hover over your shoulder monitoring who you speak to or where you go. He will not cage you up “for your safety” because frankly? That sounds dreadfully boring to him. Lilia fell in love with YOU. Your spirit. Your freedom. Your ability to live fully despite fear.

Why would he take that away?

No, if you are with Lilia then you are expected to spread your wings and enjoy life to its fullest. He wants stories. Excitement. Late night walks, spontaneous adventures, troublemaking, dancing on rooftops because “the moon looks lovely tonight.”

He treats love like something alive. Something meant to grow unrestrained instead of being locked away. He’s waited seven-hundred years for this chance and will not waste a second of it. 

Which honestly makes people underestimate him terribly.

Because while Lilia is not overprotective in everyday situations…

He IS an elder fae. Even those of lower status are raised not to take matters of the heart lightly. Your soul is an extension of his own. 

The man could probably locate you in a foreign country with nothing but a vague description and a prayer. You will be halfway across campus thinking you're alone only to hear his voice from a tree branch.

"My, my. Fancy seeing you here."

He truly is an extension of your person now. While not tethered for centuries, he is quite fond of being a phantom limb of yours. 

Which becomes obvious the moment someone truly threatens you. He does not mince his words or offer mercy to those who threaten his family. Kingscholar was very fortunate to be spared after targeting Malleus during the spelldrive tournament during your first year in wonderland. Remember how brutal Lilia’s words struck. 

There is a massive difference between Lilia finding your recklessness amusing and someone else harming you intentionally. One earns laughter. The other earns silence.

And silence from Lilia Vanrouge is one of the most terrifying things a person can experience.

Because Lilia does not posture.

He does not threaten.

He does not growl warnings or puff out his chest.

He simply decides that someone is dangerous.

Then acts accordingly.

People often forget that beneath the jokes, the gaming addiction, and the culinary war crimes is a former general. A man who spent hundreds of years protecting a royal family through actual conflict. Lilia has survived war. Buried friends. He knows exactly how far he is willing to go for the people he loves. 

Which is as far as his body can take him. Lilia would die for you without hesitation. 

Not in the romanticized “I’d take a bullet for you” way either. In the very literal, non-negotiable sense that he has already accepted the possibility long ago. Loyalty is woven into Lilia so deeply that protecting his loved ones is practically instinctual. 

Which is why anyone who thinks otherwise, dares to even tinker with the thought of harming you, is scheduling an audience with General Vanrouge. 

Socially, Lilia is surprisingly relaxed. He has lived too long to care about petty gossip (although he does enjoy hearing it). Rumors roll off him like water because honestly? Most students at NRC are children to him mentally. Why would he value their opinions over yours?

That being said, he DOES care if the rumors genuinely hurt you.

Not because your reputation reflects on him, but because he cannot stand seeing someone he loves feel isolated or targeted. Lilia knows what loneliness feels like better than most people ever will. He still will not intervene though, not beyond offering a distraction to make you smile. 

Honestly? He finds caring about that sort of thing silly. With time you’ll understand and think the same, of that he’s certain. 

If someone dislikes you, they dislike you.

If someone talks badly about you, then they are showing their own character.

Most of the time he laughs it off. "Mhmm. Are they finished? Goodness, they seem to think about you more than I do."

Now jealousy?

Pshh. Manageable. A dime in a dozen. 

Lilia feels secure in your relationship. He does not panic over every passing flirtation because he trusts you and frankly finds some situations funny. Watching younger students awkwardly attempt to woo you while he sits nearby smiling into his tea is genuinely entertaining to him.

He especially enjoys making them nervous. “Oh? Trying to court my darling? My my, how brave~”

Although he is not against blipping in if harmless flirtations progress to crude vulgarity or a breach of boundaries. Which is unfortunately common with youth that possess egos with more concentrated power than the sun. The moment someone dares to say something genuinely degrading about your person, he eases in with the air of someone far superior and reminds the offender to view a specific chapter in their history textbook. He normally isn’t fond of his pictures in those books, but surely they have their uses. 

Ah...Unbirthday party, so many rules, so many colors, so many Heartslabyul students following the schedule to the letter, but it’s the new guests, the slight loosening of Riddle, the new activities, and the fresh air without a trace of tension or rivalry that makes this party feel more… alive. Loud music blares from someone’s speaker, drinks and sweets, too many sweets, that aren’t written in the beloved “Queen of Hearts’ Rules,” the atmosphere overflowing with camaraderie forged after a completely… catastrophic year. The red roses painted immaculately, students from the famously strict dorm welcoming every guest who wants to join, appreciating all the contributions to make this party feel more like a celebration than just a dorm event.

Trey and Cater busy themselves filling the dessert table, already overflowing with chocolates, strawberry tarts, bowls of plain strawberries, though you leave a pot full of cream for anyone who wants to make their fruit even more delicious. Vil and Rook bring more fresh food, prepared with the best organic ingredients from Pomefiore; even Epel brought several jugs of apple juice.

The atmosphere feels more energized, mixed with that dangerous aura of a bunch of hormone-driven kids with barely controlled magic who want to blow off stress one way or another; even if blowing off stress means eating until bursting, hitting a sugar spike… or getting drunk.

Because yes, this might be the calmest Unbirthday party in terms of rules, but that didn’t mean Ace couldn’t pull something. With a flask in hand and the most smug, mischievous grin that always shows when he knows what he’s about to do could land him in serious trouble, Ace pours the bright amber contents—shining and camouflaged perfectly in the punch, or was it iced tea?—so that no one notices the difference; or maybe they do, but they’re too busy with the food and with breaking more rules.

“If anything happens, blame my brother. His idea” the redhead tells you when you give him a look, though it doesn’t last long because you also want to try the contents of that new, gleaming drink.

Between hands and dancing, what starts as one cup filled to the brim with amber liquid mixed with fruit turns into two, three, even a fourth; it’s so sweet you can’t even taste the alcohol. Your legs, however, do notice, wobbling this way and that when you’re guided through the maze-like garden paths, or when Trey takes you to the lounge to help carry new tarts to the dessert table, him holding one in each hand without trouble.

The celebration that, by habit, usually lasts a couple of afternoon hours stretches longer and longer, the sun dipping below the horizon and the real magic beginning to hum with the moon in the sky. The lights grow sharper, more intimate, some colored, the music louder and the air heavier with sweetness.

You see Jack and Leona having a friendly arm-wrestling match on one of the lounge’s low tables, some betting on Jack, others, too afraid to go against him, on Leona. Jamil sits beneath a great rose arbor, enjoying that for once he doesn’t have to cook, letting Kalim do as he pleases.

Sebek’s constant shouting rings out as several people approach Malleus to strike up small conversations, noticeably affected by the punch enough to lose their fear, and the tall fae letting himself be drawn into countless discussions, most of which he barely understands, yet listening closely and laughing from time to time.

The air grows warmer with every minute as people shed the tension from their shoulders and let the stress dissolve on the improvised dance floor in the middle of the lounge. You feel hands brushing your arms and hips, bodies leaning against you to share gossip or simply mess with your hair or your reactions, someone placing a liquor-filled chocolate against your lips, waiting for you to bite so they can eat the other half.

Vague, sensory memories linger in your mind like small flashbacks: fingertips brushing the skin of your neck, a whisper in your ear, your back arching slightly thanks to the garden breeze over your nape freed from your hair. Someone moving your hair from your face and lips brushing your forehead before lowering to yours. Memories of your vision blurring and spinning and glowing while the noise of the party scatters, as if the crowd were drifting away, or maybe it’s you who’s drifting. The coldness of the wall against your back and a warm body against your chest.

Hands roaming your sides, tongues licking your thighs, a bed falling apart with every movement of both bodies; a rough gasp against your neck, teeth nibbling your earlobe, skin burning and the delicious anticipation of desire sliding between you. Words barely whispered or spoken through laughter, sometimes said with need, other times with pure overflowing desire, promising an endless night meant only for you.

Morning light pushes in annoyingly through the window, preventing you from opening your eyes to face the new day. A headache drills from behind your eyes and your body aches and feels heavy, and you’re unable to move without your legs feeling numb, like a pair of gelatin molds with a liquid center slowly pushing through and melting the outer layer.

╌╌╌╌╌╌𖤐☽༓☾𖤐╌╌╌╌╌╌𖤐☽༓☾𖤐╌╌╌╌

Cater

Waking up feels like you survived a tornado of sugar and bad decisions. Your head is pounding like it’s about to explode and your mouth is ridiculously dry. When you open your eyes, the first thing you notice is a trail of…

Glitter?

Well that’s new

You also notice the pillow is way too soft, much softer than yours at Ramshackle, and it smells like citrus mixed with both sweet and spicy.

You stretch, your body aching in a sharp way but also with a pleasant sensation between your legs and in your thighs, and your hand bumps into another body.

You bump it again… and again… and again.

Your hand keeps colliding with what seems to be a bare chest.

You hear a low, satisfied hum, look to your side, and find Cater’s awake face, hair a mess, phone in hand.

And the camera is pointed straight at your wrecked face.

“Morning, cutie~!” his voice far too energetic for this hour.

He flips the phone around and shows you the very lovely, very disastrous photo of your eyes barely open in the first morning light.

You look like absolute hell, sweetheart

“#GoalsIRL, am I right?”

“Delete that right now, Cater!”

He just laughs, tossing the phone onto the pile of discarded clothes at the foot of the bed—and by pile I mean a couple of your things and his, let’s say some shirts and a pair of pants.

Because the rest of the clothes… are everywhere.

Your panties are even hanging from the bedpost.

“Relax, babe, that one’s just for my private collection,” his mischievous eyes travel over your body, biting his lip. “Unless you want me to show the world the absolute snack I had last night”

You follow the line of his gaze and realize your chest is uncovered, bits of glitter stuck to your skin. Your eyes return to Cater, noticing his chest is also bare and covered in glitter.

You pull the sheets up to your chest, but you can’t help wanting to look underneath them. Very timidly you lift them and, to your not-so-surprise… yes, you’re naked; you clutch the fabric tighter around yourself and sit up slowly.

“We…?”

Cater gives you the most shameless grin. “Oh, we definitely did, cutie~” He winks and his voice drops into a wicked whisper. “Didn’t know you had what it takes to keep up with me. Didn’t peg you as someone so… insatiable”

Fragments return in chaotic bursts: his hands around your waist while he made you dance to a song neither of you was really listening to; his lips at your ear whispering all the things he wanted to do to you after the party.

His lips never leaving yours when he couldn’t wait until the end, whispering he needed you now, carrying you to his room while holding you in his arms, your legs wrapped around his waist, his hands gripping your ass.

The moment he tossed you onto the bed and didn’t waste a second before pressing his lips back to the skin of your neck, undoing every button he found in his path and stripping you in record time. His mouth biting you with each piece of clothing freed, leaving reddish marks on your collarbone, your breasts, your thighs. “Do you have any idea how gorgeous you look like this?”

His hands spreading your legs as he lowered his head, licking and sucking without restraint, growling in pleasure every time you moaned loudly. His tongue teasing your clit, sucking when he felt you getting desperate; his fingers sliding inside, first one then two, bringing your first orgasm of the night.

You remember riding him, your hands on your chest, his cock opening your wet cunt with every drop of your hips, your hair loose and eyes half-closed while your clit rubbed against his pelvis. Cater simply admiring your body moving deliciously, your breasts bouncing up and down.

His big hands holding one while the other gripped your hip firmly. “Come on, baby, move more, I want you to cum with my cock buried deep inside you”

The flash of his phone when he snapped a ridiculously shameless photo, the camera aimed right where his cock was driving into you, maybe even recording a short video; you managed to snatch the phone and throw it into a corner just as he smacked your ass hard.

The way he kept turning you and switching positions at will: your ass fully on display when he flipped you and kept you riding him, holding onto his legs; fucking you against the wall, his fingers sliding between your legs to play with your clit while he sucked your nipples.

Though his favorite position was missionary, his cock sliding in and out of your cunt already drenched from so many orgasms… while your mouth was also being used by one of his clones. “Keep moaning. I want the whole dorm to know who’s fucking you this good”

You remember feeling more than a couple of hands wandering over your body, gripping your hips, spreading your legs wider and keeping you from closing them, palms over your breasts playing with your nipples; and one particular hand gripping your throat so you could feel his cock sliding below.

“So delicious… you like it when I fuck you with my clones, baby? Hm? Want us inside everywhere?” your moans mixing with his breathless laughter as he thrust faster and faster until he spilled inside.

The moment he pulled out slowly, watching his semen slide from your pussy; his fingers gathering it and pushing it back in. “We’re not wasting a single drop, right cutie?” and before you could answer, he was already pushing back in, his cock hard again to start thrusting once more.

“You okay, baby? No regrets, right?” His words pull you out of the endless spiral of filthy, indecent fragments.

His thumb is working over a sore muscle in your back, slowly easing the tension. His gaze expectant and a bit nervous about whatever words you might say next.

“No regrets, Cay-Cay.” He smiles, satisfied—hearing that seems to free him from needing to hide under the biggest rock in society.

“…but you’re deleting everything you took yesterday.”

“Awww~ you’re so mean,” but there’s no offense in his tone.

Cater rolls onto his back, stretching, and you can’t help noticing the faint marks along his neck: hickeys, scratches, spots where you dug in your nails; he shows them like a supermodel.

“Wanna go for another round? Or need a second to catch your breath?”

You push his chest, though without much force and even less conviction. You let out a small laugh and he pulls you close, your body fitting perfectly at his side.

The warmth of his body wraps around you and for a second… you can set the headache aside.

Ruggie

The first thing you notice when you wake up is that your mouth is so dry it feels like the savanna itself, your head pounding a thousand miles an hour and an overwhelming, absolute need to chug a galleon of water.

You turn over, hoping to fall back asleep or at least find a position that might ease the drumming in your skull; you reach for the nearest thing to hug, thinking the soft pillow under your head might have a twin.

And you did find something, yes. But it’s not a pillow you’re hugging so tightly.

It’s something solid, hard, and a bit lean… and it’s alive.

You hear a yawn near your ear, followed by a soft chuckle. Something soft moves above your head.

A pair of ears twitch in time with your breathing.

…ears

You open one eye and find Ruggie’s messy hair, his gray-blue eyes looking at you from the next pillow over.

“Morning, sunshine—”

You don’t let him finish.

Still disoriented and a little sleepy, you grab the pillow under you and smack it straight into his face.

“AHHHHH… RUGGIE WTF?!?”

“Hey! Hey! Don’t hit me!”

Ruggie dodges a second strike by hiding under the sheets and peeking out with a wicked grin. He’s still laughing hard, coughing a bit from the intensity of that wake-up. “You’re more violent than a female hyena after mating”

“Ma-mating?!”

Your wide eyes take in Ruggie’s figure, only now barely covered; his torso is bare, a few scratches across his shoulders and pecs, a purplish hickey on his neck.

You glance down and see your own chest just as bare, covered in bite marks and a couple of hickeys along the curve of your breasts.

You clutch the pillow to you like a shield, covering your chest. “What…? Did we…? What happened?”

Ruggie props himself on one shoulder and starts counting on his fingers. “Let’s see… we danced a few songs, you stole a sweet straight outta my mouth, I got it back by kissing you, you asked me to teach you how the ‘wild animals of the savanna’ end the night… and I guess we got a little outta control, huh?”

The memories come in flashes: Ruggie’s hands on your hips while he spun you around again and again until you got dizzy. His wild laugh when you chased him down corridor after corridor, stumbling over your own feet, until you caught him and kissed him in the darkness of an empty hallway.

Wild, hungry kisses, little bites along your neck and collarbone. A particularly mischievous nip at your hip when he yanked your underwear down with his teeth; his hands positioning you on your back, one on your hip and the other lifting your leg, presenting you open for him.

His quick, skillful fingers moving nonstop inside your cunt while his tongue slowly licked your clit. “Fuck, best meal I’ve ever had” Your back arching when he found your most sensitive spot and hit it again and again and again, making you see stars and moan nonstop.

The way he bent you over, half your body on the bed, the other with your feet on the floor, your ass raised high so he could knead it, squeeze it, smack it.

The fast, eager rhythm of his thrusts, his hips slamming relentlessly into your backside, making it bounce. “Look at it move” His chest against your back, gripping your hips tight so you wouldn’t collapse.

His cock opening you inch by inch, trying to go deeper and harder, pinching your nipples so you couldn’t help but moan for him.

The way he sat you on top of him, Ruggie perfectly level with your breasts, squeezing and massaging them while you dropped down on him again and again. Your hands on his shoulders to keep your balance so you could move faster and keep your clit rubbing constantly against him.

His dirty words in your ear when he felt your spongy walls tighten, knowing you were about to cum. “C’mon, pretty, cum for me. I want you screaming for me”

Ruggie’s name on your lips when you cum hard, collapsing onto him, your nipples brushing his chest, already so sensitive and abused by his fingers and teeth; his reaction to having you squeeze him so tight, now moving you at his rhythm, fast and feral again.

“Ruggie! I-I’m sensitive!” him just moving you faster until you cum again, him chasing his own orgasm.

The moment Ruggie spilled outside, splattering your stomach with his seed. “I know you’ve got more in you, sunshine. ’Cause I’m nowhere near satisfied”

You groan, hiding your face behind the pillow, the fragments painfully vivid even with your eyes closed. “Oh Seven… really?”

“Yeah, pretty. And you were loud… pretty sure we didn’t let anyone in the dorm sleep.”

That does not make it better!!

Ruggie’s now stretched on his back, arms behind his head, the picture of satisfaction. You can’t help tracing his naked body with your eyes, every mark, every scratch, every hickey… drifting lower and lower, seeing the outline of his barely-awake cock under the sheets.

Ruggie’s eyes are up there, you know?

Your cheeks flush red and you look up at the ceiling, a mix of embarrassment and lingering arousal settling in your stomach and between your legs.

Ruggie stretches a hand toward your face, a finger tapping your nose. “You okay? No regrets?”

“I think… I think I’m okay.” You look back at him. “Just… wow.”

His grin now shows nothing but fangs and he sits up until your noses touch. “Just wow? Guess I’ll have to try harder then”

You shove him with the pillow and he catches your wrist, pulling you until you end up half on top of him. “You looked so happy last night, I wanna do it again”

His lips find yours, slow, almost a brush. His hand slides up your arm until he pulls away the pillow that so shamelessly hides the beautiful sight of your breasts marked by him.

“And if you’re in the mood, maybe I can make breakfast too… but only if you pay me in kisses.”

You settle more comfortably over him, wrapping both arms around his neck. Your cunt perfectly positioned over his throbbing, hungry cock, eager to sink back into you.

“Deal, hyena”

Jack

There’s a strong, solid, enveloping heat pressing you from all sides, keeping your back glued to a body much larger than yours, two limbs holding you tightly, wrapping around your waist from both sides.

You open your eyes, confused, and notice those limbs are two arms, huge and muscular, hugging you and keeping you firmly trapped.

And on top of that… you also feel something furry and fluffy tickling your leg.

…You lift the sheets.

It takes you a moment to register that: you’re naked, there’s a silver tail over your leg, the sheets aren’t yours, the bed isn’t Ramshackle’s… it goes without saying the room isn’t yours either.

Someone’s warm, light breathing prickles the skin of your neck. You turn your head slightly and see silver strands, adorned with two relaxed ears, barely twitching with each breath.

Jack huffs softly against your hair, his chest vibrating with his deep breathing. You feel his nose brush your nape and, with a low growl, he pulls you even closer, pressing your ass against his hip.

You feel his cock, hard, throbbing and big, even half-asleep; you hold back a gasp, noticing that small tingle of pleasure mixed with curiosity and the faint suspicion that last night was wilder than you want to admit.

“Jack…” your pulse suddenly races, like you’re running a marathon.

And with this wolf behind you… naked, for the record… there’s a very good chance you already ran that marathon.

You try to move slowly, but his arms tighten a little more, leaving small kisses along your nape.

Memories from the night before hit like lightning: the moment you leaned too heavily against his huge chest, your hands stroking up along his big arms, appreciating his muscles; his own hands pulling you even closer before pinning you against the wall.

His arms lifting you effortlessly—you weighing nothing to him—his mouth devouring yours while he held you snug against his groin. In that position, lifted and pressed between two solid surfaces, he made you feel so small; your cunt already growing wet with anticipation.

You remember the damp heat of his mouth moving down your neck, his tongue heavy with desire, soft bites leaving marks he then kissed tenderly or soothed with his tongue. “Does it hurt?” he’d whisper, and when you shook your head no, he dared to bite a little harder, growling when he felt you tremble beneath him.

The moment he laid you on your back on the bed, his knees between yours, his lips kissing every inch of your chest, licking, sucking your nipples until you were breathless.

His big, calloused hands exploring your body, opening your legs, sliding his fingers inside your more-than-wet pussy, opening you patiently but without hiding his desire, his palm right over your clit. Every time his fingers curled inside you, he stimulated that sensitive bundle at the same time.

His erection, heavy and throbbing, brushing your cunt, rubbing and letting your fluids wet him and make him harder; his tip rubbing your clit, ready to pull another orgasm from you without even being inside yet.

The way he arranged you on your side, lifting one leg and penetrating you slowly, filling you completely. Both your breathing ragged, mixed with gasps. His movements slow at first, sliding in and out, his hand holding your neck so he could bite you freely. “Let me mark you, let the whole world know you’re mine”

When you rode him, his cock sinking deeper, the wetness of your pussy soaking his abdomen and your legs, letting him thrust into you more easily, your hands on his chest, nails digging into his skin. The strength of his arms guiding you up and down, trembling when he felt your walls tighten more and more, cumming with his cock buried deep inside.

The moment you felt him swell at the base inside you, the pressure of his knot beginning to form, Jack gripping your waist to keep you from moving. “If you keep moving that good, I’m gonna cum deep inside you,” you trembled in his hold, his knot stretching you much wider.

The moment you both cum together, him howling your name muffled into your neck, the heat of his seed filling you, his knot firmly seated, keeping every drop from leaving your cunt and preventing you from separating while your orgasm made you writhe from head to toe.

The way he pulled you to him, his knot still deep inside, but his hands soft and protective, stroking your hair and face while you came down from the wave of your climax.

You dare to turn a little more, your memories from last night fresh and very, very hot, when you see Jack open his eyes, still confused and sleepy; his voice rough and deep… if that’s even possible.

“Morning, did you sleep well?”

“I think so… I can’t really feel my body… except my head.”

A small smile slips from him, nervous but sincere. “Didn’t mean to be rough last night.” His fingers trace the curve of your back. “But… I couldn’t stop touching you.”

A shiver runs down your spine, his fingertips along with the growing pressure against your ass. “I can tell”

You hear a growl leave his throat, your back arching as you reach to touch his chest, his shoulders; Jack bites his lip when he feels you press even closer to him. “You’re doing that on purpose”

You laugh at the little self-control he’s battling to maintain… though it makes you squeeze your eyes shut at the sudden stab of your headache. His hands stroke your body slowly so the sudden pain fades a little.

Every brush, every caress, is loaded with that contained animal desire, which finally snaps when he kisses your neck again, hungrier and deeper. Soon, the bed creaks again beneath both your weights, the heat rising between your bodies.

In the morning, all that remains is the murmur of your name on his lips and his arms, steady and strong, settling you beneath him once more, while the sun keeps rising over the horizon.

Azul

For a moment, everything feels too and perfectly still, like a silent cocoon of warmth and luxury. The sheets feel incredibly soft and there’s a scent in the air faintly like sea salt.

Okay… your dorm never smelled like sea salt and you never had sheets this soft.

You open your eyes, blinking slowly against a haze of early light slipping through elegant curtains.

Yep, definitely not Ramshackle.

And this is not your room, much less your bed.

From the décor and the scent in the air… it’s obviously Octavinelle.

Your heart starts hammering, panic rising because you don’t know what the hell you’re doing here, until you feel a weight shift beside you. You turn and see Azul sitting on the bed, already wearing his glasses, hair messy from sleep, reading what you assume are his latest contracts.

He turns his head when he notices you move and smiles at you, a little hesitant but very soft…

Damn, much softer than any smile he’s ever given a client or even his dormmates.

“Ah, good morning” His voice low and honeyed, surprisingly calm for a man who just woke up naked beside you.

Naked

Because yes, Azul’s torso is completely bare, free in all its glory, the sheet very low, too low, barely covering him from the waist down.

And your body is naked too

“Good morning…” is all you manage to say, your voice completely shot, your throat sore.

Your memories come back in swirling flashes: you approaching Azul behind an improvised bar in the middle of the lounge, whispering things to him that obviously had nothing to do with the party and absolutely couldn’t be repeated in broad daylight. His hands guiding you out of the lounge, leading you to his room and devouring your mouth like the hungriest man alive.

His slightly trembling hands stripping you piece by piece, caressing every part he uncovered; the way he adored every curve, the softness of your skin, his mouth lingering with unusual slowness over your chest, his attitude almost devout.

“You’re so soft, so beautiful, it’s… you make me insatiable” his tongue licking your nipple while the other was stroked and lightly twisted by his fingers. Your breasts were the main course for Azul, kissing, licking, biting, every inch of total interest to him.

Your hand in his hair when he moved down to your wet cunt, pulling him closer, asking, begging him to continue, to devour you like you deserved. “More, Azul, please, keep going” The groan he let out reverberated against your clit, his fingers sliding in gently. Your wetness already staining the bed and his face, and like a proper gentleman he didn’t stop until you cum with his face buried between your legs, his tongue cruel on your clit.

His eyes widening when he slided in for the first time, feeling your spongy walls squeeze him everywhere. Your legs wrapped around his waist, your hands on his back, pulling him toward you to kiss him and let him fucked you however he wanted: slow and deep, savoring every moan, or fast and hard, shouting his name as you cum.

“That’s it, my love, keep going, let me hear how sweetly my siren sings” His cock plunging into you again and again and again, his fluids mixing with yours, bringing you to the next orgasm with his thumb on your clit.

You blush hard, instinctively pulling the sheet up to cover your chest. Azul’s gaze is hungry and devout, but careful. “Are you alright? Are you sore, my siren?”

You open your mouth, only to catch sight of something strange and pink on the skin of your arms, round and vividly colored, like they were made with a lot of pressure and enthusiasm.

You lift your arms, the trail continuing over your chest, shoulders, even down your hips. Beneath the sheets it’s the same—more marks across your thighs. Perfectly scattered, forming a pattern.

The marks are shaped like…

Suction cups?

You look at Azul, who’s gone red with both mortification and fascination. “Uh… those are… yes, they are suction cups.” He brings a hand to his eyes, adjusting his glasses. “My apologies, you were so soft that… I lost control a bit.”

You don’t know whether to laugh or scream from adrenaline.

You choose the first.

A small gasp escapes you, followed by a soft laugh and then a more euphoric one, still not fully processing what’s happening. “You… you marked me? With… your… tentacles?”

HOLY SHIT!!!

More memories crash in like storm waves: Azul holding both your legs with two of his tentacles, spreading you at will, keeping you from closing them while he penetrated you with what you assume was his inseminator tentacle; both coiling over your thighs and squeezing lightly.

The cold, heavy pressure now around your arms, even your neck, as Azul increased the intensity, his tentacle sliding in and out, twisting inside you with inhuman speed. “You look so delicious like this, so helpless, and so mine”

His tongue returning to your breasts while his tentacle curled and explored your interior, tearing scream after scream from you that had to be muffled by another of his tentacles. At first just covering your mouth, but Azul’s gaze when he saw your lips wet from his limbs showed he wanted even more from you.

The wet limb sliding its tip over your mouth, playing with your tongue as if it were another tongue, until reaching your throat and twisting like the one inside your cunt. Both creating waves of pleasure and heat that made you convulse and cum.

“Can you bear it, my siren? I want you to feel what it is to be truly possessed,” the inhuman rhythm as he panted at your ear, his tentacles never stopping, even when you felt him spilled deep inside.

His smile as he watched you tremble, his torso pressed to your back, two tentacles wrapping your waist and keeping you still while he penetrated you again and again, thrusting with undulating movements, the tip of another limb playing with your clit, every contraction pushing your body further past its limit.

“I can give you a cream if you wish,” Azul’s voice cuts through your thoughts. “Though you will have to cover yourself quite well for the next few days.”

Still amazed and a bit stunned at what your body endured, you smile, because in the end… your body feels deliciously, painfully satisfied.

You roll onto your side, letting the sheet fall a little more. “I’ll take the cream, but I’m not covering up to my neck.”

“Oh, no?”

“No—” you cough, still feeling the soreness in your throat. “They’re proof the octopus fucked me pretty well.”

He swallows hard, the tips of his ears completely crimson, looking like they might explode.

“Well… if you put it that way… I can’t help but accept that it was a… sublime night.”

10/10

“Impossible not to desire someone like you” His gaze drifts down your breasts, your torso, biting his lip as if wanting to lift the sheet and lose himself between your legs again.

You lean closer, tugging his arm so he falls over you, his glasses crooked on his face. “Impossible not to want you either”

“You are dangerous, you know that? Now it’s going to be impossible for me to concentrate at the Mostro” He kisses you long along the collarbone, his arms wrapping your waist, fingertips stroking your soft skin.

“Oh, poor unfortunate soul~”

You let out a squeak when you feel Azul bite your shoulder.

Kalim

The bright, golden sun wakes you, your eyes opening heavily and almost closing again. Your head hurts like hell and you’re pretty sure that if you move too fast you’ll end up terribly dizzy.

The room smells far too sweet, like coconut, but mixed with spice and turmeric, and the atmosphere is far too soft to be real.

The sheets are just as soft, a kind of silk only found in Arabic countries, accompanied by red and gold accents that definitely don’t belong to your room.

Yeah… you’re in Scarabia.

You stretch and immediately freeze. You feel warmth, but not the kind of warmth from sheets—this is the warmth of another body pressed very close to yours, skin against skin.

And you’re naked and…

OH GOD! The other person is too.

Kalim’s feet, tangled with yours, brush along your legs, waking slowly and pulling you even closer to him.

Your eyes meet his ruby ones and a smile spreads across his face, so radiant and gentle, and he nestles his head even closer to your neck, as if he wanted the two of you to fuse into one.

His hair is completely messy, his skin glowing, and he is absolutely, gloriously, not worried at all about the fact that neither of you is wearing clothes. His hand rests on your hip, his thumb tracing slow, lazy circles on your skin.

“Oh! Good morning, my love!” he smiles, his voice still a little rough with sleep. “How is the most beautiful desert's flower feeling?”

“Umm, my head hurts a little.”

“Ah! That’s not good, I’ll see if I can bring you something for the pain.” He barely gets up, the sheet sliding down his torso, leaving him in all his glory… and it keeps dropping.

And more… and more… and more… until he stands fully revealed before you, his cinnamon skin shining in the sunlight.

You make a small sound of surprise, half embarrassment, half delight.

Kalim, already out of bed, turns his back to you, letting you see thin red marks trailing from his shoulders down to his hip; the tattoos on his arms, combined with the shine of leftover sweat, make them look a bit more defined.

Wait… leftover sweat… both of you naked…

“Kalim?”

“Hmm?”

“Did we…? Did we sleep together?”

Kalim moves back toward the bed, kneeling so his face is level with yours. “Yes, my love! We were together all night!” His eyes now show a hint of concern. “You don’t remember?”

You blush instantly, memories from last night flickering behind your eyes: Kalim pulling you onto the dance floor, laughing so much he almost dropped you, but his hands—always soft and steady—keeping you close; every spin among waves of color and music making you dizzy with happiness. A stolen kiss in the middle of a turn, then another, and another… until his lips never left yours while he pinned you against a wall to devour you properly.

“Let me show you how much I desire you” he whispered in your ear once you were naked in his bed, his mouth returning to yours but not staying long; his need now to roam your burning skin while his hand wandered over your stomach until reaching your thighs.

His tongue passing over the hollow of your neck, along the side of your breast, licking one nipple with calm devotion, using your moan to slide a finger along your wet folds, discovering step by step what made you moan more sweetly, what made you arch or beg for more, before even pushing inside or circling your clit.

The warmth of his body in sync with yours, watching how much you enjoyed everything he gave you; you were the most beautiful and exquisite sight he had ever seen. “Come on, qalbi, let go for me, I want to see you tremble with pleasure”

The moment he sat you on top of him, wanting to see your face when he slided in, his hands roaming your body, from your shoulders to your thighs, massaging the softness of your abdomen and the roundness of your breasts. He let you control the rhythm, biting his lip as he watched your body bounce and move over him.

“How beautiful you are… I want to see you like this every day” Kalim’s moans and gasps echoed in the room, his head thrown back, feeling your walls tighten every time you sank his cock deep inside.

The wind raising goosebumps on your skin when he held you against the columns of his window, letting the moonlight outline your figure, a drop of sweat shining as it slid between your breasts and Kalim licking it away; his hands holding your ass while his hips struck as he thrust into you again and again and again.

You remember the moment he cummed inside you, the warmth of his semen filling you, his mouth releasing the sweetest, wildest groan you’d ever heard. Your own orgasm followed soon after thanks to his skilled thumb and his fervent need to see you cum with his cock still inside.

Even after he’d finished and you were both breathless, Kalim didn’t want to leave your warmth, moving his hips slightly just so you’d feel him hardening again inside your walls. “I’m not satisfied yet, qalbi, I want more of you”

Both of you in bed, sweaty and panting; Kalim kissing your hands, your stomach, collecting with his fingers the mess sliding from your cunt, staining the expensive sheets, and bringing it to his mouth, looking straight at you as he tasted it.

The heat between your thighs intensifies when Kalim kisses your forehead, realizing you’re getting lost in the indecent memories. “Did I exhaust you?”

“I...I guess...a little, yes.”

“Stay right here, I’ll be back.”

You watch him grab a pair of boxers from the floor and barely pull some pants on before leaving the room. After a little while, he comes back carrying a glass of fruity liquid and something for your headache.

Oh gods, what a sweetheart

Little by little your pain fades and you can melt even deeper into the soft bed; your heart flutters when Kalim lies back down, pulling you close and hugging you as if afraid you might disappear at any moment.

What a pleasant moment…

Your stomach tightens when his hand slides along your inner thigh. “Kalim—”

“You’re so beautiful when you’re nervous, look at you, all flushed! I want you to relax even more, qalbi.”

Before you can answer, his fingers are already brushing your sensitive cunt; you gasp, your hips arching unconsciously.

Kalim’s lips curve into a mischievous, charming smile. “You’re still wet? Did you miss me, my love?”

He kisses you slowly and deeply, his fingers never stopping their soft circles before sliding into your cunt again. You melt feeling him in the morning light, pleasure right at the surface.

Your fingers run through the white strands of his hair, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss, Kalim moans against your mouth and you answer by biting his lower lip.

The whole room seems to turn golden as the two of you lose yourselves in each other again, tangled in the sheets.

Epel

The sweet, fresh smell of apples fills the air, mixed with the warm fragrance of clean sheets and some natural, expensive undertones… You don’t even need to open your eyes to know you’re not in your cold, poorly kept dorm.

The second thing you allow yourself to feel is your dry mouth, your head pounding from every possible angle.

And the third is the brush of a naked leg against your thigh, and uneven breathing behind your neck.

You open your eyes slowly, blinking at the damn light slipping through the light, characteristically expensive Pomefiore curtains, and turn your head. Epel is asleep on his stomach, one hand in his tangled hair; his leg so shamelessly stretched to rest between your bare thighs.

AHHHHHHH BARE!!

Your whole body is naked and if you look at Epel’s body again—especially his chest rising and falling in a quiet breath—you’ll see he’s naked too.

You also notice thin scratched lines, suspiciously like the kind made by nails, and a fairly large purplish hickey in the hollow between his shoulder and neck.

SHIT… Vil is going to kill me

“Fuck…”

It was just a tiny groan, nothing loud, but enough to wake the lavender-haired boy. He opens one eye, and when he sees you looking at him, he jolts, a mix of embarrassment and shock.

“HOLY SHIT!”

Okay, his came out louder.

You both stare at each other, him trying to cover his modesty with the blanket already sprawled across the bed, his face completely red up to his ears; meanwhile, you’re processing the disaster.

“So… we… we did a… thing… right?”

“Uh… I guess? I remember… a couple things…”

Slowly, and with your head still throbbing, the memories return in flashes: the exact moment Epel, already heated by alcohol and excitement, caught you in his arms in the middle of the party, not caring who was watching, and pulled you tight against him, devouring your mouth right on the dance floor.

His audacity dragging you outside the lounge, not giving a damn that Vil was watching from the other end and shouting that “that’s no way to treat a lady”; Epel simply flipping him off while still kissing you and sliding his hand onto your ass, even sneaking it under your pants to pull you closer.

“I’m not stopping, I want you all to myself, now,” the way he slammed you against the wall the second you reached his room, stripping your clothes with trembling hands but completely sure of what he wanted. The desire to have you naked and screaming for him so everyone in the dorm would hear who was fucking you so good.

His hands squeezing and marking with desperate urgency, wanting to feel you arch and tremble under him; his nails scraping your thighs while he spread your legs without asking, his fingers sliding between your cunt.

His digits, at first two, then three, moving in and out with such obscene ease that even the small wet sounds from you didn’t improve your pathetic situation; and on top of that making a mess on the floor with your fluids running down your legs and splashing the carpet.

You remember when he grabbed your waist and spun you suddenly, pressing you face-first to the wall with your ass perfectly positioned for him, his cock entering your cunt in a first thrust that tore a raw, overflowing moan from you.

“That’s it, my häschen, moan louder, let the whole dorm hear you” he fucked you in a frantic rhythm, both hands gripping your hips so hard they left finger marks on your skin, pulling you back into him so his cock disappeared into your wet, spongy walls.

The warmth of his chest against your back when he leaned in to grab one of your breasts and squeeze it, pinching your nipple between his fingers. His pants at your ear, his teeth leaving marks on your shoulder and neck.

The moment your walls tightened harder around him, your orgasm coming, and that same hand dropping to your clit, making fast, merciless circles to push you over quicker. “Yes! Yes, Epel… fuck! Don’t—don’t stop”

The cry of pleasure on your lips when you cum, Epel still buried deep inside you; his thrusts didn’t stop, he kept going to the limit, making you shake and beg. “Gods! Sevens… Epel, give me a sec! I need a sec—”

“No, no, no, beautiful, I’m gonna make you cum again, give me everything, häschen,” his own voice turning rougher and wilder as he fucked you harder and faster.

The way he fucked you not just against the wall but also on the floor, his cock sliding even deeper when he lifted your legs to place them over his shoulders. His pelvis deliciously brushing your sensitive clit.

Epel holding your hips open while the heat of his semen spilled inside your cunt, his teeth biting your shoulder, and in a spasm, your breast.

You return to this morning, Epel avoiding your eyes and curling himself into a small bundle in the sheets. “At least I wasn’t a disaster, right?”

“N-no!! No, you were…”

Great? Amazing? Way bolder than I thought?

“Yeah...yeah you were really bold…”

“…that’s good, or bad?”

“It’s good, Epel!”

The moment is a bit awkward, but sincere and sweet and that’s all that matters.

“Okay, okay, I think I can come out of this victorious”

That’s the spirit

You settle against his shoulder, grabbing the sheet and wrapping it around both of you. It’s warm and he is too; maybe this calm is exactly what you need for your terrible headache.

Though there’s one small problem left to solve.

“OH SHIT!! VIL IS GOING TO KILL ME WHEN HE SEES ME.”

Yup… that little problem.

And let’s be honest, you took the night to “ruin” Epel’s image too with the scratches and the hickey.

Good luck.

Sebek

The first sound you hear when you wake isn’t birds or the sun coming through the window. It’s a crash: a low, guttural groan mixed with the creak of the bed, followed by a snort so loud even the pillow trembles.

You feel the sheet tangled around your waist, your body sticky with sweat, your hair a mess, and a huge hand gripping your thigh so tightly it’s like it wants to hold you forever.

You open your eyes, trying to focus through the sunlight slipping past the curtains into a room… far too dark…

And...gothic? Very refined, actually.

You look down, the sheets just as dark, the structural wood of the bed dark too… it’s like being inside a gothic and rather expensive dream.

Ah, and by the way your torso is bare, the sheets only covering your legs…

And yep, underneath those you’re naked too.

You cover your chest, noticing finger marks, bites, burning skin, and swollen lips (and a bit dry).

You turn your head and see Sebek, eyes wide as saucers, his chest bare too, skin dotted with bites and scratches that who knows where they came from.

Spoiler alert: it was your own nails, during a moment so out of control and pleasurable, that created such a masterpiece.

“AH!” he shouts, voice loud and raw. “W-what…?”

His morning-rough voice comes out with some alarm… only to end in a small howl of pure embarrassment.

You try to speak, but only a hoarse sigh comes out. Your head throbs, your body burns, and your groin pulses and tingles.

Holy… shit…

The silence lasts barely a second before Sebek starts unleashing a torrent of rushed words, practically yelling, red to the roots of his electric-green hair.

A green so intense it hurts to look at right now with this massive headache.

“I-it is not proper for a gentleman! I have committed an unforgivable error! Miss, I swear by the Great Lord Malleus that I would never…!”

“FUCK… DON’T SHOUT SO LOUD!! MY HEAD IS SPLITTING!”

Absolute silence when you bring your hands to your temples, trying to ease the pain by pressing them.

Silence… silence… only silence is needed.

Your memory returns in flashes: you remember pulling Sebek to dance, even if only for a few minutes… or a few songs?… in the middle of the improvised dance floor, though honestly… you weren’t expecting to dance with him, but to feel his big, strong, calloused hands hold your hips while you whispered things to him (things you definitely can’t say out loud), watching him blush.

The moment Sebek, also weakened by the alcohol, lifted you into his arms without any care, as if you weighed no more than a feather. His heavy, loud breathing at your neck while he kissed you, his long, powerful strides taking you out of the lounge and into the darkness of his room.

“I cannot stop, this is not the conduct of an honorable knight… but I desire you too much,” those same hands roaming every part of your body almost desperately, squeezing, scratching, leaving red marks on your thighs and sides, unable to measure his strength.

The moment you took his hands and placed them on your breasts, teaching him how to touch you, how to make you arch and moan and gasp under his touch, Sebek learning like a proper knight and like the lover he wanted to be for his sweet maiden, feeling your warmth beneath his fingertips.

The same happened when you guided his hand to your stomach, sliding it slowly so he could feel you tremble when his fingers found your clit. “You need to do it slowly first, feel how I get wet when you touch me like that” Slowly, learning, feeling his fingers grow slick while he brushed your wet folds uncertainly.

You remember his clumsy but very hungry mouth moving down your breasts, biting your nipple until you moaned and kissing the mark when he released it, then doing the same to the other.

The moment you sat astride him, positioning your wet cunt over his already painfully hard, needy cock. Your hand sliding down his broad chest, over his stomach, which tensed when he felt your nails scrape his skin; the warmth of your hand when you wrapped it around his cock and stroked him.

His eyes barely open as you moved your hand up and down over him, watching shamelessly as he melted beneath you, barely holding back before finishing in your hand.

The moment you rode him, at first slowly, your nails digging into his chest, Sebek’s muscles tense and his mouth open, moaning louder than you thought possible. “Oh, seven… more—don’t stop! Please, don’t stop!”

The wild rhythm of your hips slamming against his, both bodies colliding hard, the mattress squealing; your drops so rough you could feel him deep inside, his cock deliciously opening you, your own body seeking to feel more and more of him.

Sweat running down his neck, so perfect shining in the dim light of the room, that you couldn’t help but lean down and run your tongue over his skin, your clit brushing his stomach, your breasts pressing against his chest. The new angle letting him go deeper and pound your sensitive spot.

“I don’t… I don’t think I can hold on much longer!” and that was the last thing he said before grabbing your hips and moving you at a speed you never could have reached on your own.

The moment you both cum at the same time, so strong and explosive that you simply collapsed on top of him, your clit throbbing against his stomach; Sebek trembling as he spilled inside you, his semen slipping from your entrance down your legs, a nearly beastlike groan and his whole body shaking with pure pleasure.

“We did something… inappropriate… didn’t we?” Sebek’s low, defeated and astonished voice breaks through your indecent memories.

You don’t know whether to laugh, cry, or hide your face again.

“Y-yeah… uh… yeah, we did”

Keep your breathing steady, your head doesn’t hurt as much now, but anything you say could ruin the morning.

“But… I don’t think it was inappropriate”

He stays silent, swallowing. He searches your eyes for any hint of insecurity or regret… and he thinks he finds none.

“Was it… something good? Did I hurt you at any point?”

The unexpected tenderness hits your chest; you take his hand and your fingers squeeze his tightly. “You didn’t hurt me at all… it was just… intense.”

“Intense?”

“Mhm… you left me shaking.”

You see him relax a little… juuust a little, still unable to believe what he just lived through.

Putting the drama aside… it was the best fuck either of you ever had in your lives… and you were his first time.

Congratulations!!

⊹୨୧ Leona Kingscholar⭑.ᐟ

A hiss comes from your lips when you stab your finger with a needle yet again, almost all fingers adorned with a bandage. Trying to embroider your boyfriend's name onto a handkerchief, it was a wonder the cream fabric wasn't stained with blood yet. Next, I'll try to work on some leaves.

Watching the handkerchief now, you tried your best and hoped Leona would think the same when he opened it on his birthday.

The day came quickly, and the present in your hand was tucked away in a neat, small box. Wanting to wait till you're alone with Leona to hand it to him.

"So herbivore? You didn't just bring yourself as a present did you? Though I wouldn't be opposed ~" He was resting on his bed, holding his head up as his eyes followed y, ou, taking a seat on the bed. "Of course not.. here.. please don't laugh!" Handing him the little box, Leona sits up more before taking the box into his hand and opening it. "Huh.." Carefully unfolding the handkerchief that was embroidered with his name.

"Herbivore.. You're a brave one, proposing to me while we're still in school." A smirk plays on the man's lips in front of you. "P-Proposing?!" A blush grows on your cheeks, not understanding what he meant. "An embroidered handkerchief is considered a proposal." Trying to quickly grab the present back now, Leona pulls it away, storing it in his pocket, telling you how you won't ever get it back.

⊹୨୧ Ruggie Bucchi⭑.ᐟ

Since Ruggie had mentioned how the cold winter air was bothering him, but he didn't have the funds for a thicker scarf right now, you decided to make one for him.

Never having knitted before, the scarf was coming out a bit wobbly and not so perfect, but knowing Ruggie, you knew he would still love it. It was in a pretty yellow and brown color, a gradient over the whole scarf.

After finally finishing the scarf, you pack it into a bag ready to go over to Savanaclaw and give Ruggie his little gift you made. "Hey! Didn't know you were coming over!" Ruggie spots you at the entrance, running over to you and giving you a big hug. "What'cha got there?" Looking down at the bag, the hyena was interested in its contents. "Remember how you mentioned you wanted a scarf? So I made one!" Tugging the scarf out of the bag to show it to Ruggie.

His eyes blink slowly, before he blushes hard. "O-Oh, wow, thank you! That's wow! I-I didn't expect that!" Fumbling with his words as he looks at the scarf with a bright blush. "You don't like it do you?" A sad look makes its way onto your face, Ruggie quickly shakes his head no. "No no! It's just.. in my home this is kinda off.. like a proposal.. a marriage proposal! But hey, you probably didn't know, so it's fine!!" Waving his hands around, your own face is blushing now. "Oh my seven! I didn't know.." Looking at him wide-eyed, he tells you it was fine as he takes the scarf and puts it on.

"I love it, will definitely help me at school, thank you!" Giving you a quick kiss, before tugging the scarf off again, for Savanaclaw it was definitely too warm.

⊹୨୧ Jack Howl⭑.ᐟ

Tongue between your lips as you concentrate on closing up the little crochet wolf you made. It was white, just like Jack's transformation, a giggle escaping your lips as you were finally able to look at the finished product of your labour. "I hope he likes it.."

Putting it safely in your bag, you quickly make your way to school. The first period was with Crewel before you were finally able to see Jack at lunch.

"Hey! How was your first lesson?" Taking a seat beside him now, opposite you was Epel, and the others were probably still arriving or getting their lunch. Jack tells you his lesson was fine, before he watches you rummage around your bag. "I made you a little plushie! Look!" Showing him the little white wolf, his ears stand up straight in your direction, eyes wide and confused.

"A-Aren't we a bit young for this?!" His question confuses you, too young for a crochet plushie? Epel opposite of your snickers. "What do you mean? It's just a crochet wolf.." Jack coughs a little, realising you didn't know what it meant. "W-When your partner crouchets you a small plushie, especially if it represents you, it's kind of like a marriage proposal." Epel was fully laughing now, finding this whole conversation to be funny.

"Must I paint a heart on my cheek every day? Why not a crown, or something more fitting us? Like a rose?" his daughter huffed, yet went to paint a large red heart over her cheekbone regardless.

Just like her father, she'd received her invitation to Night Raven. The girl was expecting it, her certainty fueled by perfect grades and a strong aptitude for magic. She did not lack confidence.

Just like her father, she was assured to land in Heartslabyul. Already prepping her cheek-mark before the mirror made any verdict.

Just like her father, she aimed for the position of Housewarden before setting a single foot on campus.

Yet unlike her father, she held no issues in speaking her grievances. She bemoaned about packing, groveled at her mother's feet for her favorite biscuits before living off cafeteria meals, and surely had no reservations stealing Riddle's best fountain pen for her studies.

She keenly resembled a certain ginger that still calls the Rosehearts' household every day despite getting blue-screened by the answering machine.

That’s the last time Riddle allows you to chose the godfather of his child. Ace is an insufferable influence without that power to toss around.

Riddle sighed, plucking the brush from her fingers and pinning her V-shaped bangs back to examine her uniform. He flattens her lapels and redoes her necktie.

His necktie. Gods he’s raised a little thief.

For a moment, as he loops the tie-knot, he's a young boy calling the girl's mother over each morning to straighten her uniform. It's nostalgic, especially with how his daughter squirms under his appraisal.

Definetly her mother’s daughter, he thinks.

It is then that Riddle sees himself through her wide eyes - they're the same greyish blue that were hardened on his first day. His daughter's are much kinder, he notes. She'll easily find companions to eat her meals with.

Her cheeks are full with sweetness- his were too, but by genetic design rather than an extra treat here and there. To this day his baby-face lingers.

Her cheeks were 100% rounded with uncle Trey's spoiling. Not that Riddle could deny her when he'd eat just as much sweets while toiling over papers in his office. He remembers the familiar patter of feet slipping in, tiny hands pushing a cookie on his desk and coating it with crumbs.

He'd scold her to bring a plate next time, but take a break from work to enjoy the moment. Strict yet not domineering. A child that shares should be encouraged, at least that's what one of his many parenting manuals said.

She shared his button nose and tiny stature. Except she loved wearing matching Mary-Janes with her mother, while he wouldn't be caught without a heel at that age. She inherited his height but not his insecurity. Thank goodness.

Perhaps all those comments about his genetics weren't solely in regard to her magical prowess or ambitions. "....Father? Hellloooo?" she side-stepped to grab her bags, just as he reached to flatten her hair for the fifth time. His heart mellowed enough to not scold her impropriety.

"Ah - " Riddle coughed into his fist, " - apologies, little rose. I just never realized how much you look like -"

"You?” She cut in, “Yeah, psssssh. Mother says it at least once a day. About time you listened."

Riddle snorted, pinching between his brows. Yes, of course it was said. Although only now was he beginning to believe it.

"In appearances, yes. Yet your manners are as deplorable as ever."

Leona hopes his children are nothing like him. Which is impossible, since beastmen carry dominant traits when pitted against humans. He's not surprised in the slightest when his child has two little cub-ears atop their head, or that tiny chord barely passing as a tail. A ready snack he threatens to bite off when they misbehave.

At the very least, he hoped for your eyes. His piercing citrine was attractive, no doubt about that. He's not displeased to have them peer up at him from a bassinette each morning. Yet it is your eyes that carry a softness that this palace needs for him to get through his day.

Hey. At least there's no question of paternity. The joke falls flat with the midwives though. 'course it does.

Multiple times, by the way. For someone who claims to dislike loud children, Leona's genes are intent to sire three spitting images of himself.

In every which way - from their squeaky yawns after a mid-day siesta, to the magic flowing in their veins.

"Papa! Look what I learned how to do!"

Leona barely had time to look up from his endless pile of paperwork. The damn thing was near endless, and he'd missed three scheduled siestas just trying to get through the civil dispute filings. His brother spared no mercy in delegating the less 'enthusing' tasks to his 'smart, wise, people-smart' - pah - little brother.

He hated the sea of menial administrative filings.

His eldest daughter was well aware - she hated her homework just as much.

"A stampede's on it's way! Better freeze up before it's too late!"

Which is why she chose that moment to turn her beloved papa's woes to stone. Literally.

The moment her little fingers touched papyrus, the entire stack turned into solid rock. As did the blood in Leona's veins. Sparkly citrine eyes looked at him expectantly. Somewhere in the palace the lioness' tutor was undoubtly scouring to find her, take her back to magic theory, maybe try to cover this up from the other servants.

"You - OI! I needed those - urk, what else have you turned to stone?" he drops the pen in his hand and tries to move the now frozen stack into a drawer.

"Dammit Ki'faji...Where are your tutors? This is exactly why I told your mom combined lessons with Cheka would be a hassle," Leona grumbles and kicks from his desk, quick to check the hall outside. The kid was a bad influence - rambunctious as a twerp and even more riled up as a preteen.

Upon seeing no servants, guards, or even Cheka running up after his cousin - Leona's both relieved and angered.

Angered that his daughter was left alone. She probably escaped to avoid classwork, which he did too at that age but she deserved better. A proper education outside of solitude. One where she could hopefully grow up optimistic about this country and the people inside of it.

Relieved that no servant witnessed her Unique magic. They wouldn't understand. He can't bear the thought of them speaking of her like they did him.

Except it would be inevitable.

Then angered again, because in his hurry her little tail tucked between her legs. She hugged the side of his work desk with her hands fisted at the hem of her tunic. Her lips set in a scared pout, looking up at him past that untamed mane in her eyes. Worried.

"Papa...did I do something wrong?"

He wonders if this is what his father felt like. Being confronted with your own child, knowing that by cruel fate they'd have to face hardships and hatred for something out of their control.

Suffocating. His own throat felt full of sand. The leather on his hands too tight. She looked so much like him. Acted like him. That much Leona never once contested. Ki-Faji bemoaned to the skies that it was like time never passed, and he was stuck in a loop teaching the same unruly child.

It was funny, until it wasn't. "Nah, kiddo. Nothin' like that," he tried to keep his usual drawl. Unclench his fists. Forget about when he first slipped gloves on, "ya gotta warn me before a shock like that. So you finally got your magic tamed down, huh? Good job."

He shut the door and it set closed with a load thud. Leona might have an idea of what his father felt, but right now? She came first.

Ensuring she felt wanted, strong, and damn right accomplished - came first. Everything else later.

So with just a few strides, he swept her up over his shoulder and out from under that desk. She giggled and squawked about turning 'him' to stone if he made her go back to classes.

And Leona made no promises, but set her on the edge of his desk with 'threats' of turning her sweets to sand if she didn't at least try.

"With Unique Magic like that, you'll out-class your cousin before he even catches wind," and a bit of rivalry never hurt to keep the bloodline strong too.

Which judging by his daughter's immediate squirming to go and turn the first-prince to stone? She inherited Leona's competitive streak as well.

Unions between Merfolk and Humans are rare. Roughly 1/100 and that is giving benefit of the doubt. There were too many boundaries and complications. Prejudice born from history, the need for transfiguration, differing lifespans and culture.

One strong deterrent, perhaps the most impactful, is childrearing. The genetic output - while not impossible - is exceedingly unpredictable. Each species of merfolk reproduces differently, and their genetic dominance when put against a human's gene (especially if the mother is human) can cause complications. Capricious complications.

And as we all know - Azul is not fond of chance. Were his child to be born on land, yet have gills? Their lungs are so small, so new, they wouldn't make it to water in time. The same could be if they were born underwater and needed air.

One thing he is certain of, is that Octopi carry strong genetics. Literally. Should the child inherit his strength its kicks could do much more to your stomach than be a tickle to fawn over.

His mother wanted grandchildren, as did his great-grandmother did great grandchildren. Truth be told he wouldn't be opposed to raise one to leave his legacy to. Yet the Ashengrotto genes were strong with each descendent, so much that when he discovered you were with child? He couldn't be happy. Not truly - because too much was at risk and out of his control.

He prayed, which is not something Azul ever does, that the child would take after you. At each stage of development you were monitored down to the last detail, looking for any complications. Even the slightest hint of a tentacle or incompatibility.

Luckily, the child formed feet. Its first kick scared the hell out of him, but at most left you sore. Yet he wasn't able to relax. Not until you were taken care of in the best hospital on land, with a literal aquarium set up next to the bed just in case.

A medical marvel. That's what this child was.

Not a miracle. Not a blessing.

A medical marvel, and the most beautifully unpredictable thing that has ever happened to Azul in his entire life.

There was no clear picture of how his son might look at birth. He waited with bated breath, mentally running through every text he could find on mer-human unions. Banking on all the preparations He arranged and trying not to bite through his nails from the anxiety. The success rate was too low, but you insisted.

And he was most fortunate, because had you not then he wouldn't be holding the most cherished prize of his life.

The baby didn't cry, yet neither did he according to his mother. He was pale, no gills in sight but the wispy swirls of light gray on his head showed Azul's genes wouldn't rescind everything.

It was hidden from view for now, but there were signs of mixed blood on his son's skin. Plentiful black dots spotted his entire body, too dark to be freckles yet too light to be like Azul's outer skin in his mer-form. Time would only tell if Azul's genes really did overtake all, and if his son would look at the world with wet purple eyes.

Yet what struck Azul the most wasn't these obvious traits, ones he predicted at the very start of your pregnancy after endless nights of research.

It was that right below his son's lip, in the same spot as his father, was a small mole. That truly was by chance with no genetic influence.

He thumbed the little speck, marveling at something so small yet he didn't realize he wanted until it was there.

"You weren't lying, huh? Those are some strong genetics you carry."

Azul balked, just barely stopping himself from whipping around too quick. He turned to scold you for not sleeping, worry ebbing at him all over again.

Yet you rest your head against his shoulder, cheek pressed into his ruffled button down to sink against him. His heart still spun like it did as a teenager.

"Look at his little head of hair," you laughed, and he mutely did just that, "if he gets glasses, then I think my bloodline's finished. Might as well say you did mitosis"

That got him to scoff.

"Hardly," he said dismissively, but his lips pulled to smile regardless, "I don't recall giving him feet. That's all your doing."

"Well excuse me for not having eight legs."

"You are excused," he snickered, "Truly, he would be so much more productive with them."

Azul didn't mean that. Well, partially. Yes his son would get much more done with four sets of arms but with other costs.

You hadn't pressed, and he was grateful.

Kalim wants a large family. Not only because it is expected of him as the eldest Asim, but also because he is a family man. He adores his siblings and does his absolute best to give them all attention despite their large quantity.

He's the most doting husband, and is even more attentive as a parent. One thing he will do differently from his father is keeping his family 'small'. Four children minimum, six children maximum. Monogamous as well. As much as he loves all his siblings, the unspoken tensions are too much to endure. Kalim's also a one-spouse kind of guy, and the thought of sharing - while normal for someone of his status - is not for him. No amount of suggestion or pressure will change that. It is bad enough that his children will be subject to worries about their uncles, aunties, and cousins possibly harboring ill-will. Kalim is set on ensuring that they are part of a true family, one without such tensions, and that he can give them all the love they deserve.

Perhaps he feels guilt as the eldest. He received the most attention from his father as the heir, but he has siblings who barely know anything about their father aside from how he looks. He has step-mothers he has met only in formality, and as time went on there were strains between his siblings that he couldn't ignore. Not after taking his official seat.

Kalim will not be the same as his father. Regardless for his respect and love for the man - No matter what the future does to him, no matter if he lives a long life or one cut short. Kalim will make sure his spouse and children are cared for. He loves them more than anything on the planet.

Should he have a family, and the situation demand it? He'd give up his spot as heir in a heartbeat and move far out into the dunes with nothing but the clothes on his back. All for them to be happy and safe. That's the kind of dad he is.

"Baba?"

Kalim resisted the urge to giggle. His eldest son hated when Kalim acted too childlike, and he was already pushing the boy's patience. He was just past thirteen, his fourteenth birthday already planned for a week-long celebration in just a half-month. It would be the biggest banquet the Scaldings Sands had see since Kalim's wedding. His son would soon start officially training as the next head Asim, just like Kalim did at that age.

Yet it was never too early to celebrate one of the best days of Kalim's life. Which is exactly why Kalim hovered outside the boy's window at an hour long past their family's 'bedtime'. The carpet under his feet familiar as ever, as was his son's exhausted disapproval (we wonder which attendant he inherited 'that' look from).

"Come on! Let's go for a carpet ride. Just you and me tonight," Kalim gently pat the space next to him, his smile adamant, "we don't even have to tell your mother."

His son deadpanned. Even Kalim grimaced at that one.

"Okay! If we get caught, I'll take the hit for both of us. Please? It's such a lovely night out. Perfect for a flight~"

Normally it would be the son begging his father to sneak out, not the other way around. Yet Kalim's eldest was much more mature than he was at that age. Despite being his physical copy, those ruby reds never sparkled with excitement like his father's. They were aways fully concentrated - be it on his studies, his charity, or whomever captured his attention. There came a point when a rumor surfaced that he couldn't possibly be Kalims, yet they didn't reach far thanks to the physical resemblance.

The 'only' resemblance. Since the kid hadn't cracked a laugh since he was in diapers.

Something Kalim learned to accept, but never gave up trying.

His son observed from his bed, the boy's nose wrinkled with thought. No doubt wondering if he should tattle to his mom. He was a doting momma's boy, at least he had that in common with his father.

"Fine," he sighed heavily, and rolled out of bed like it was torture.

Kalim waited, holding the curtain open eagerly until his boy hopped the ledge and sat cross-legged on the carpet's far edge.

Then they were off. High above the city where no one would see. Kalim bobbed his head happily, pointing out buildings as if his son hadn't memorized the entire map of their homeland at the ripe age of five.

"Oh! And there's the restaurant I took your mother on our first date. She loves their Kanafeh -"

"Baba, I know. We have it for breakfast twice every week."

Kalim guided the carpet towards lower ground without a response - keeping air, sassy teenagers, and his messy turban from whacking him in the face.

Only two of those three succeeded.

"Why are we even out here? Shouldn't you worry more about your responsibilities? What if mother wakes to an empty bed, did you consider the consequences? Her worries?"

There came those older thoughts out of such a young mouth. Kalim couldn't help but slump inwards, although his smile still hung on. "You're turning fourteen soon," life will change, "Don't you want to enjoy life a bit more before starting your studies? Baba will understand, you know." he said, and perhaps that was not what his son expected to hear. The boy puffed up. His tanned skin rouging with lost composure.

"I'm not like you. Being al Asim means something to me. Maybe you'd understand if you were a proper sultan who took his job and family seriously! Rather than sneaking off in the night for merry rides on a flying carpet!"

Under the moonlight, his son's perfectly primmed white hair bounced in the wind. Even in sleep he managed to keep his appearance tidy. There were times it was like Kailm was looking in warped a mirror. Those rare moments when he caught the boy lapse, usually with his younger siblings or cousins. When he looked softer, his garnet eyes full of kindness rather than the contempt held in them right now.

Except in these moments too - he still saw a mirror. Just one he wished to avoid.

He too disliked his father's way of doing things, to a certain extent. That his own son felt similar wasn't a surprise. It did not lessen the sting regardless.

"Tifli..." Kalim started, and his son faltered at the endearment, "think what you want, but there is nothing that means more to me than our family."

And even if his son wouldn't admit to it - Kalim knew he saw the mirror too. Just because Kalim disliked his father's choices, didn't mean he did not love him.

He reached for his son without a second thought, pulling the boy down to roughly rub his cheek over his head.

and just like that, Kalim was back to being happy and his son back to groaning complaints - albeit less agitated, to Kalim's delight - and pretending he was much more mature than he was deep down. Kalim's opposite yet perfect little replica.

"Ahahaha!!! Look at you! Just wait until the council has to fight against that fire! I can't wait to bring you with me! "

"AGH LET ME GO!!! WHY DID I EVEN AGREE TO THIS?!"

Papa Vil - now that's one unexpected title to tack onto his Resume. Contrary to what everyone might believe of a superstar leading a life on the go, Vil is proud to be a father. His own raised him while juggling his goals, why should Vil's career deny him the joys of fatherhood?

No. When Vil's daughter is born, he is more than prepared to balance family and work. He locked in when taking a spouse, and is never one to be unprepared.

When you were pregnant, he announced a hiatus in his career just as you entered the third trimester. He can afford it. The public loves a family man. He has money money, and wasn't going to risk missing the birth of his first child while travelling.

Also. Supportive husband to the maximum. Considering you were carrying his child, the bare minimum he could do was be readily available as you go through the roughest stage. That baby had a college fund made and filled before she was even born.

Not that he'd just let her mooch - no child of his would grow up without ambition and practiced life skills. He was not 'aiming' to create a replica or enforce his standards...but she wouldn't lack drive. No Schoenheit - not even you - is going to go through life quietly.

His hiatus was meant to extend until she turned one. Old enough to enjoy life on the road, for you to recover, and give 3-5 years for him to work until she started school. Unlike him at that age, she wouldn't be chartered around as much for his work. Nope.

He already had it planned. She'd be enrolled in a private academy, you'd work as you liked in a good neighborhood, and he wouldn't take any contracts outside of the Shaftlands until she was a teenager. Balance. She would have every opportunity, proper support, and hopefully independence to grow outside of his shadow.

The last thing Vil wanted was for her to be influenced by his career - well, other than admiring his films and being that perfect little face to single out int the audience while at a talk-show or photoshoot.

Speaking of Schoenheit genetics and their blossoming careers - heavens above, he fell in love the moment she first opened her eyes. There were few curly blond ringlets that grew out at super speed as the months past, and she inherited his lavender eyes. Although on a baby they were more rounded, doe-like, and would most definitely take his sharp edge as she grew. Every time he booped her little nose, the little giggle that came was almost melodic.

Such a well behaved baby made a cameo in one of his largest projects to date. He took the role of an unruly ostracized duke, where the special effects makeup made him both enchanting yet horribly frightening to young children. His character gained his redemption through raising an orphan, and Vil's little girl was the only baby they could find who wouldn't cry when seeing her father act so heinous.

"Vil, everyone here is itching to know, is it true that the baby we see in 'Redemption of our Finest ' is your own daughter? There are rumors and speculations from those on set yet we'd love confirmation."

Vil shifts in his chair. The many cameras at all angles did little to deter his focus from the interview in progress. It was one of many, and the talk-host across from him looked very eager to get the first scoop on his latest hit success. He smiled to the camera with his eyes, pretending to be in thought for a moment. The questions were all pre-approved, after all.

"Your assumption and the rumors are all correct," he started, crossing his legs and folding his hands together in them, "unfortunately we struggled to find a child that would not cry when faced with my appearance. Poor little things - it is a struggle to rear child actors. Especially babies."

The reporter blinked, somehow still shocked despite knowing the already.

"And you're saying that your daughter is a cut above the rest?" they asked, and he tutted inwardly. The phrasing was poor, as always with these reporters.

"Yes," he gave them a moment's victory, "and no."

He didn't wait for further inquiry.

"My daughter is remarkable - she is my greatest production, a work of perfection alongside my beloved spouse. Yet this film is rated PG-13, and includes scenes not fit for young eyes. Babies act on instincts alone, and for the majority of this film my appearance was...ah, I so rarely say this, but I was unsightly."

His tone carried warning for them not to twist his words, and the message was received as they gestured for those behind the scenes to alter the backdrop.

"We could even argue your acting ability is that good! To make such a beautiful face and poised demeanor come off as cold." they said, and with the click of a button the screen behind them changed.

On it came a picture of an old, tattered bassinette left on the front stoop of a castle. The picture flicked to show inside, and in it was Vil's precious little girl. Special effects added some dirt on her cheeks, and they wrapped her in a tattered blanket for the scene. Yet despite their efforts to make the child look abandoned, Schoenheit genetics demanded the world see such an adorable baby for all she is.

The audience awed at the picture, even without a cue card. Vil himself took on a genuine lift to his practiced smile when seeing her.

"And just look at her folks! Such an adorable little baby! Can you really expect anything less from THE Vil Schoenheit and Eric Venue's heritage. An actor before she can even count! Your wife's genes didn't even try here, did they Vil?"

The crowd appears insatiable as the host scrolls through a series of photos. Some taken from the film, others from photoshoots and the occasional candid photo snuck by paparazzi. He knew better than to try and hide his family, but said nothing as they all made assumptions.

After all - he was beautiful, and his daughter was undoubtedly the most beloved baby in all of Twisted Wonderland. It was only natural and who was he to turn his nose when faced with one of the few facts these reporters have gotten right.

Although, he wasn't entirely content He laughed into his palm, unable to resist the chance and made direct eye-contact with one of the cameras. Knowing full well that you were watching somewhere back stage, lips likely puckered from being disrespected and just waiting for him to come sneak your family out before the public was dismissed.

"I'm afraid there is nothing to argue there. My genes are perfection, not to mention competitive," he smirked seductively at the camera, propping his chin in the palm of his hand, "but I'm not opposed if my wife would like a rematch for a chance to win the next battle."

And with that - he simultaneously spiked his popularity rating and soft-launched what would likely be a second replica coming to life soon.

Maybe.

If you didn't kill him for that stunt first.

Prodigies spawn prodigies. At least in this case.

Idia never pictured himself as a family man. Hells he never thought anyone would even look at him with anything other than disgust (minus that one ghost lady. He doesn’t like to talk about it) let alone marry him. Needless to say that he cannot decide if you are an idiot or if he has plot armor - because those are the only two reasons you could possibly ever agree to give up your entire life and move to STYX just to be with him.

**see Marriage series for settling THAT can of worms

Yet you do, and now he’s got not only his little brother but a whole ass spouse. He’s on cloud nine. Life cannot be letting him have such good luck. The RNG is rigged

Until he learns that you’re with child - and it all goes boom. Literally. Since not only does his daughter inherit his curse, his fiery flames that never tame themselves, and his spiked teeth that nip his lips way too many times for comfort -

She inherits his genius.

Raising a child in a contained base is a living nightmare.

Raising a child with a need to infiltrate the laboratories and experiment is hell. At least he kept to his room when tinkering as a kid. Idia’s daughter has his brains and your craftiness for going around undetected…and your habit of initiating dramatic events. Needless to say that she does NOT keep to your family’s apartment, does NOT submit to any security (he regrets teaching her how to decode the base padlocks), and very much enjoys making STYX ‘lively’….haha…yeah

No one has ever met such a happy Shroud. Excluding Ortho. He was a sweet type of happy. You spawned a menace.

But let’s not derail. Even if he didn’t want her per-say - Idia loves his daughter. His gut twisted seeing the Shroud curse start taking hold over such a tiny body. She was just a toddler and already burning through enough blot to tie her to this place. He knew the feeling of those youthful amber eyes looking at him for guidance. She looked so much like Ortho as a toddler, and as a child began to resemble him more with longer flames.

It was a constant battle every day. Balancing his work while also trying to do better - because his attitude sucked. He knew his attitude sucked. You warned him about using self-deprecative language and for the most part he did learn to reign it in.

Except old habits die hard, and deep down he still struggles to like himself. Seeing his daughter follow in his footsteps burns brutally, since she has all this potential and just like him she’ end up working for the family business without a choice. All because of these stupid flames and these stupid teeth and these stupid genetics and this STUPID curse -

“MAMAAAAAAAA!!!! DADDY’S BEING A BIG MEANIE AGAIN!!!”

Her shrill high-pitched cry carried throughout the apartment. Idia had just enough time to swipe the alarm system off before it processed. He wishes he could regret putting a system to detect and alert if she was distressed when alone here - but couldn’t. Even now. Since this was totally 100% his fault.

Dammit this kid has lungs of steel.

“Nonononononono - No Mama! No! Shhh shh shh shh!” He grapppled at her little shoulders with clammy hands, “Look! Look I’m not sad, see??? We have pretty hair! Super cool hair! Please please please stop crying -“

And then she did.

The tonal whiplash. The way this tiny manipulator just ceased all her tears, mouth clamping shut with an audible click. A literal child pulling out a handkerchief from her pocket to pat her eyes dry - like some twisted 60yr old swindler at a poker game who’s been training for this moment for decades.

He should have known.

Honestly. Idia can’t even bring himself to be mad. The amount of gaslighting it took to get this kid off his Ninswendo last week already put his best tricks to use.

He is the one who created this monster.

Just like her dad - his little girl was hyper aware of people. Including him, and picked up all his weaknesses. She knew damn well that he genuinely had reason to fear only two people - her momma and her grandmother. Both of which lecture him about being a good model. She knew that system was put in place, and to be good when no one was around to watch her. Not that she ever stayed quiet in their home with S.T.Y.X labs to infiltrate.

He just never thought the day would come, when her demon like tendencies would be used for something like this.

“Your her father, not her friend” his mother said.

“It’s bad enough you turned me into a living photocopier - don’t you dare get lenient with her at this age” you warned.

“That child scares me” he thought, and you agreed. Awful. Awful parents. You both mean it in the most loving way possible.

“Hwee hee hee! I’m glad you think so, daddy,” she grinned up at him all sweet-like, with those pointy little chompers ready to stake their claim. She snapped her teeth at him like a piranha, “hehe~ Mommy says our teeth are cool too. The pointies make eating steak easier - oh! Oh! Can we please have steak for dinner tonight? Please?? Pleaseeeeee?”

Something told him that should he say no, those distress detectors would be set off before he could catch them.

“U-uh…yeah, kiddo. Sure thing. Just go play and I’ll put an order in.”

He tried desperately to hide the quiver in his voice, but knew he failed. She skipped off to her bedroom much too happily - even if father’s were supposed to want their kids to be happy, that was too much - and whatever work remained for the evening didn’t seem important

As Idia slid up to one of the house control panels to check for instant-card delivery, he wondered how this became his life, and if this is how his parents felt having a prodigal spawn of the under-hells for a son.

No. He wasn’t that bad….was he? Did he even want to know at this point?

Boom

“DADDY!!! MY EXPERIMENT BLEW UP AND IS LEAKING RED GUNK!”

No. No. He really did not want to know. For the sake of whatever relationship he had with his parents.

He wants as many children as possible. The definition of that one clip of of the kid who wanted 100 children, so that they'd all have to be his friend. Not that Malleus would force his children to be his friends - well, it would be a plus surely - but he does want a large family to live his life beside.

He finds comfort in solitude, but comfort's close companion is loneliness. He wishes to never be partnered with that feeling. There was opposition. Union between the Briar Prince and a human? Unheard of. Not to mention the life-span difference. Not just between himself and you, but also for his children. Half-fae live long, but not as long as full-blooded fae. In time he will still come out alone, but he hopes to have many memories. Much love and warmth to take with him.

Yet this isn't meant to be sad - no, let us focus on the absolute joy he felt when his first child was born. A boy, his magic exceedingly strong despite his lineage. Even the elders were surprised at the magical prowess this child held. It was almost as if Malleus' nightly wishes for his child to be well, to be loved, to be healthy - taking every precaution to ensure you were well cared for during pregnancy, speaking blessings to your stomach in the dead of night - it all just manifested and out came the world's most perfect child.

A Draconia who would grow up with both parents. He'd be protected, nurtured, loved, and never ever alone. Some might call the King overbearing, making sure his spouse had a desk in his office and attending his meetings with a bright yellow baby sling over his chest. It definitely stood out against his royal attire but Malleus didn't mind.

In magic - there was also physical appearance. Being half-human, the child physically aged quicker than Malleus did in his youth. Yet he still retained the Draconia genes, with two curled scaly horns poking out above his forehead. He had no tail at birth, but around puberty many little scales began to poke their way through at his temple, back, wrists, and neck. No one predicted this since the Draconias have never reproduced with humans, but you tried to calm him with poorly convoluted jokes about ' fancy dragon acne'.

Yet according to Lilia, the boy looked like a near carbon-copy of Malleus once he sprouted up. His hair may have been kept shorter, slicked back, and he may carry himself entirely different from his father. Yet the look in his slitted-emerald eyes was exactly the same. His aura was the same.

And Malleus hadn't any idea how to handle that observation. Surely it was meant as a compliment. In the moment, he laughed and took it as one. Who wouldn't be prideful to see themselves in their child? Especially one so accomplished, growing into his scales with pride and eagerly stepping into his role as prince.

Except Malleus wouldn't, because the thought of his child sharing the feelings he had at that age? It unsettled him greatly. Perhaps one of his worst nightmares as a doting father.

“Father?”

Three sharp knocks echoed in Malleus’ study. He needn’t look up from his book, since the door opened with a thud without waiting for his approval.

Not that he minded - no, quite the contrary. He felt excitement building up at the first knock after all. There was only one person who it could be.

No one would dare impose on the Briar King during his downtime.

None had permission for such rudeness.

No one except his dear family, of course. Although as much as he wished for them to cling to his side and be a welcome reprise from his duties - Malleus was rarely afforded such a gift. His eldest son in particular conducted himself more as a knight or distant consultant than a loving son. Perhaps that came from leaving him in Sebek’s care - as much as his knight was ecstatic to become the first prince’s personal guard, his constant reverence to the elder briar ways likely left an impact on an impressionable child. Instead of bedtime stories, the little Draconia likely fell asleep to Sebek's long-winded lectures on the daily.

Back when he was a starry-eyed toddler, of course. Now the boy wouldn't dare let his guard down enough to sleep, even if his safety was guaranteed. Somehow despite Malleus taking every last precaution to rear a tranquil child, he raised a stickler instead.

“Hm? You look troubled, my son” Malleus met his eldest’s rare lack of decorum with amusement. He didn’t bother to hide a fanged smirk from him.

His son, who seemed to bristle in the doorway when under Malleus’ eye, clearly struggled to contain himself into the proper prince he was trying to be.

“Because I am troubled, father” he grit out, hands flexing at his sides. Sharp black fingernails pricking at his palms.

“Oh? And what seems to be the problem? You so rarely come to me with such matters” - to anyone who didn’t know the king, the sentence read as a bitter slight.

Yet it was merely a father sulking for his son’s attention, in his own prideful way.

“That’s precisely the issue,” his son huffed, “with all held respect, you cannot just drop in on my classes whenever you feel like it! It’s disruptive!”

Malleus merely turned the page in his book, “and whose fault is it that I had to resort to such measures?”

His question met a guilty conscience, and so he continued.

“What else am I to do? My child no longer behaves as my blood. He writes home giving stale reports as if he is one of my soldiers and bids his precious family far too few visits,” Malleus looks up from his ‘reading,’ and gestures to the uniform his son wears, “What else am I to do to see my precious son, other than visit his school? I was a student there once. Your headmaster wouldn’t dare to deny my entry.”

“Father - I understand your anger with my negligence but that is not an excuse for disrupting my classmates -“

“They looked quite please with my presence. I even supplemented material for your lecture -“

“They were scared beyond their wits! - And what of mother?! Surely she was against doing something so drastic! Think of our image! The King of Briar Valley cannot just casually drop his responsibilities whenever he so pleases.”

The boy’s composure finally cracked - and even for a half-blood, his power easily contorted the world around them if left unteathered.

Crackles of electricity buzzed across the study, flickering through a lit desk-lamp. As did the temperature lessen some degrees. Rather than be miffed by his son’s explosion, Malleus laughed in the face of it.

So this is how he must have looked during his moments of impulsivity. Hah.

“You’d be foolish to assume she didn’t try and come along. I thought to spare you her ire, as a mercy.”

At that, the lamp ceased it’s flickering to beam a steady light once again. The teen’s cheeks flushed a shameful color, so rare for one who prides himself more than any of his siblings.

"That was not necessary," he softened almost instantly. Even if she nearly committed the same 'crime' as Malleus, it seems favorites were at play.

"You know with certainty that it was."

A Draconia through and through. What was the term Lilia used? “Momma’s boy”? Considering that none disrespect the Queen - the King included - as her ire could strike the most sore spots of their family after all.

The boy pulled at his collar, out of arguments and simmered to displeasure rather than anger. He muttered an apology for losing his temper, and Malleus found himself wishing for the argument to continue just a bit longer.

After all, these were the times he felt most like a father, a husband, part of a family - rather than a king. He misses the early days when he was only the first three, before the council and other influences pushed his children to focus on responsibilities and their lineage.

“I’m sorry for not writing home…or visiting…I hadn’t thought it would trouble you. I simply - I thought it best to place distance between us.”

“Distance?” Malleus balked, “Distance from your family?”

He couldn’t understand why his child would want distance.

How could the boy he worked so hard to instill belonging within, whom he raised from egg to man, whom he would give up everything for - possibly say such a harrowing thing.

His own blood. His heart and soul. To spew such things in the face of ancestors who were bound to loneliness.

Whatever explanation for his manners didn’t matter so long as he was happy, but to intentionally want to be away from all Malleus thought worthwhile in life?

Never-mind. Malleus wanted the argument to cease. Indefinitely. And to tie himself to this desk for a decade or more.

“Yes, Father. Otherwise it is too difficult-“ he hesitated to continue, but one look at his father- whatever expression he might hold that couldn’t be contained despite his efforts - seemed to be the last push, “- being away. From my family. Leaving. I do not like it, but it is my duty. Coming home, hearing from you, mother, even the care packages I receive from grandfather! I can’t eat them but somehow just smelling the burnt food makes me falter! How can you expect me to preform up to our family’s standards, if I am homesick all the time!?”

It was the first time since he was a boy, clinging to Malleus’ legs, begging his parents not to leave him with his babysitters, that his son cried so openly. Malleus nearly gave in each time it happened too.

The pressure of royal duties, of perfection, on his shoulders was the same as those who came before him. Yet Malleus found himself more relieved than anything, even if his child might never recover his pride.

It was also the first time in many years that Malleus hugged his son, careful to avoid his growing blunted horns, and wasn’t pushed away.

Riddle Rosehearts

The moment the words leave their mouth “Is she single?” Riddle’s entire posture goes rigid.

His teacup pauses mid air, between his fingers.

“Excuse me?”

“Did you just ask if my girlfriend… is single?”

His voice is clipped, sharp, and cold as iced rosewater. He sets the teacup down with a quiet clink that somehow echoes ominously.

The poor soul stammers something about “just wondering” and “didn’t know,” but Riddle’s already standing.

“She's not available. And even if she were, she has standards. Ones you clearly don't meet.”He’ll give a thin, polite smile.

Later, he pulls you aside, still flushed with frustration but still some gentleness in his eyes.

“You’re mine… right?” he whispers with a hand in yours “I don’t like the thought of you’re not with me.”

Leona Kingscholar

Someone asks if you’re single?

Leona slowly, very slowly, looks up from where he was lounging, one brow raised. The smirk that curls across his lips is predatory.

“What’d you just say?”

He stands casually, almost lazily but there’s nothing relaxed about the way he rolls his shoulders, his eyes fixed on the poor idiot like a lion spotting its next meal.

“You’re asking if my herbivore is available? While I’m right here?”

He’ll laugh. Not kindly. And step just close enough to loom.

“She’s not. And unless you’ve got a death wish, I’d keep your mouth shut next time.”

Later, he yanks you down into his lap and keeps an arm around your waist for the rest of the event, chin resting possessively on your shoulder.

Azul Ashengrotto

Azul’s reaction is the definition of menacing composure.

He doesn’t even blink at first just adjusts his glasses, gives a small, polite smile, and says:

“I beg your pardon?”

When the person repeats themselves, he chuckles softly, like someone just told him a particularly stupid joke.

“Interesting. Because unless there’s another girl who shares her name, face, and affection for me, I’m fairly certain she’s taken.”

Azul’s eyes glint with something far too dark for the bright lounge lighting. The tension in the room thickens.

“Perhaps next time, you’ll inquire more carefully. Or not at all.”

He kisses your hand later that evening, voice sweet and soft:

“Do you know how close I was to dragging them into a contract just to shut them up?”

Jamil Viper

Jamil’s expression goes completely blank the moment the question is asked. It’s a scary kind of calm. He blinks once. Twice.

“…What?”

They repeat it, a little more hesitantly this time.

He lets out a slow breath. Smiles. “She’s not single. She’s very much in a relationship. With me.”

Then he leans in, voice dropping:

“If you value your time here at NRC, I suggest you redirect that interest… elsewhere.”

He acts totally unbothered afterward, but you catch him side-eyeing every guy who walks within three feet of you for the rest of the day.

“What? I'm just keeping an eye out.”

Vil Schoenheit

Vil doesn't get angry. Not in public. But when someone asks if you're single?

He pauses mid-sentence, his head tilting just slightly as he regards them with a dazzling smile so cold it could cut glass.

“How bold. You must be new here.”

He doesn’t even raise his voice. He doesn’t have to. His presence alone makes the person shrink.

“She is not single. She's taken. Proudly. By me.”

He'll lean back in his seat, legs crossed, and flick an imaginary speck of dust from his sleeve.

That night, he touches your cheek gently and murmurs:

“You're far too radiant for them not to notice. But don't worry, love they can look. They just can't have.”

Idia Shroud

The second someone asks if you're single, Idia nearly chokes on his drink.

“WHAT?!”

He turns beet red. His hair flickers with hot-pink panic.

“Y-you mean, like, single-single? Or like—is this a prank? Did Ortho set this up?!”

Once he realizes it’s a genuine question, something in him snaps but in his own Idia way.

“No. No she’s not single. Are you blind? I’m literally standing right here.”

Then quieter, more to himself: “NPCs like this always try to romance-lock the wrong route…”

Later, when you find him sulking in his room, he clutches your hand and says:

“You’re mine, right? Like, final boss level committed? I… I just need to hear it.”

You kiss his forehead. “Always.”

Malleus Draconia

Oh. Oh no. Oh no no no no…

The moment someone asks if you’re single, Malleus goes absolutely still. It’s the kind of stillness that makes the air feel heavier.

“What… did you just ask me?”

His voice is calm, but the magic in the room shifts. Dark. Primal.

He steps forward, eyes glowing ever so slightly.

“She is my girlfriend. My beloved. My chosen. There is no version of reality where she is single and I’m not with her”

The person stammers an apology. Malleus tilts his head.

“I would advise you to remember that. Unless you wish to find yourself… forgotten.”

He says it with a gentle smile that somehow feels like a curse.

Later, he presses your hand to his chest and whispers:

“They must not know what it means to belong to someone. When your heart only beats for them.”

..............................................................................................................................

Cater wore an annoyed look on his face. One you didn’t even notice from the way you were completely engrossed in the show on your phone. For the last half hour you hadn’t paid him any mind, and it was starting to annoy him.

“Y/n~” the ginger haired male whined. “I’m in dire need of your attention right now or I’ll die from neglect.”

His dramatization makes you laugh. “Just one more episode Cay, then I’m done.”

Huffing in annoyance, Cater buried his face into the crook of your neck, your hair tickling his nose. He inhaled contentedly. The scent of your shampoo relaxes him even more. His arms wrapped tighter around your midsection to keep you closer. When you still didn’t look up from your show, he frowned.

Fine. Cater would take matters into his own hands.

You immediately flinched at the cold feeling of Cater’s fingers on your skin. He chuckled, his breath hot against your neck. His hands trace up and down your sides, fluttering teasing at first before Cater begins to full blown tickle you.

Your laughter fills the room much to his delight. You try to squirm out of his grasp with no avail, accidentally kicking some of the pillows off the bed. “Stop, Cay your hands are cold!” You manage to wheeze out through your laughs. Now, your stomach was beginning to hurt.

“Not until you give a kiss first and tell me how amazing I am,” Cater insisted.

“Okay! Okay! I yield.” You’re finally freed from your boyfriend’s torture, rolling over to face him with a playful glare. Cater smiles, waiting expectantly for his kiss which you deliver. “You’re so clingy, you know that?”

Cater’s grins only widens. “Only when it comes to you.”

trey clover

No one can convince me that this man isn’t just a giant teddy bear. He’s such a gentle cuddler that’s equal parts big spoon and little spoon. Do you want him to hold you? He does so with tenderness and love. Want to cling to him like a koala? Go for it.

One of his favorite things though is to wake up with you in his arms. You just fit so perfectly against him and there’s nothing better than being able to have you at his side each morning.

As the sun peeks through the curtains, the light makes Trey stir, his eyebrows furrowing in annoyance. He turns on his side, facing away from the window, in hopes that sleep would reclaim him for a few extra minutes. Sleepily, he feels around the bed before finding what he’s looking for, wrapping his arms around your midsection, and pulling you back against his chest.

You groan a bit in your sleep, shifting around to face him so that you could nuzzle against his neck, your legs intertwining together with the messy sheets. Trey’s scent leaves you content and cozy. He always smells good to begin with.

“What time is it?” Trey mumbles, his voice sounding husky and deeper than usual from the drowsiness. He presses lazy kisses across your cheek and jaw, oddly clingy yet very gentle in the way he touches you.

“Dunno,” you yawn. “Don’t you have to help with the preparations for the unbirthday party today?”

“Right…”

Trey reaches over you to the dresser so that he could grab his glasses. His vision starts to clear once he puts them on, finding it a welcome sight to see you cuddled up against him.

“Good morning, sweetheart.” Trey presses a kiss to your temple.

“Do you have to get up now?” You whine. “You’re so warm.”

Trey laughed. “Unfortunately, I do have duties to attend to.”

You tightened your hold around him before giving the best puppy dog eyes you could muster. “Just five more minutes in bed? Please?”

That was all it took to break Trey’s usually so unwavering resolve. How could he say no to you? After all, five more minutes with you in his arms didn’t sound all that bad.

leona kingscholar

King of naps and cuddles. It doesn’t matter if you’re not tired. If he wants to lay down and close his eyes for a few hours, you’re joining him whether you want to or not

Is a very protective cuddler. The kind to keep you close with a lazy arm around your waist. If you stray too far or act like you’re going to get out of bed, he wakes up to ask where you’re going. Leona is not letting you out of his sight.

The sound of your phone vibrating makes you stir awake. You groggily feel around for it, shutting the alarm off by pressing the button, before trying to close your eyes for a few extra minutes of sleep. Moments later, your second alarm goes off which makes you sigh in defeat.

After turning off the alarm, you try to sit up so that you could begin getting ready for your next class. Only…you can’t. A firm arm’s wrapped around your waist, pulling you down on to someone’s chest. No amount of wiggling allowed you to break free.

“Leona~let me go,” you complain. “I have to get ready for my next class.”

“Just skip,” the man beneath you grumbles, his voice husky from exhaustion. Leona’s arm tightens around you when you try to move. His tail wraps itself around you calf, tickling your skin. Nuzzling against the crook of your neck, Leona lets out a content, almost purr-like sigh.

You sigh exasperatedly as you’re completely stuck in his hold. As comfortable as you were, you really did have to get up.

“You can’t afford to skip anymore classes either mister,” you say. “And, we’ll be late if we don’t get ready.” Leona grunts in response, still making no effort to move. You manage to turn around to face him. Placing a teasing kiss against his jaw, you add, “if you get up and go to class, I’ll clear my schedule so that we can nap together all weekend.”

“Fine.”

A few moments pass before reluctantly, the lion sits up, yawning tiredly. You follow suit and stretch out the aches in your arms, but before you could get out of the bed, Leona steals a kiss which catches you off guard.

“I hope you know, that I plan to keep you all to myself this weekend, herbivore,” Leona mused. A playful smirk spread across his face. “And I don’t plan on letting you go.”

vil schoenheit

He’s more of a casual cuddler. The kind that has you tucked against his arm while watching a movie type. He keeps one hand free to access his phone while the other will absentmindedly trace circles down your back that eventually lulls you to sleep.

In public he’s not a big fan of PDA, so when you finally have some alone time with you out of the limelight does he shower you with physical affection. And don’t even think about trying to escape

Vil emerges from the bathroom feeling refreshed and relaxed. After a long day of filming and back to back shoots, he was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to just get in the bed and wind down for the evening.

You were already in your shared bed, tucked under the covers in your silky pajamas (that matched Vil's) with a bowl of freshly popped popcorn in your lap. Vil frowned.

"Really? You know having that much oil before bed will make your skin break out," Vil scoffed as he pulled back the blankets to slide in the bed next to you.

"I know, but we can't watch a movie without popcorn!" You retort, smiling at him.

Vil suppressed his own smile behind an eye roll. "You're just going to fall asleep within the first thirty minutes."

"Will not!"

"If you say so."

Tucking you under his arm, Vil pulled you close against his side before using the remote to turn on a movie. You had picked the film for the night, choosing one Vil himself had starred in with Neige Leblanche (Much to his dismay), but you had insisted it was because you enjoyed Vil's performance the best in this particular movie.

Resting your head on Vil's shoulder, you sunk further into his embrace. A few handfuls of popcorn and twenty minutes later, you had fallen asleep, exactly how Vil predicted.

"You didn't even put a dent in the popcorn," Vil sighed. He set the bowl on the night stand before carefully moving to tuck you under the covers. Your hand shot out to grab his arm.

"Don't go," you mumbled in your sleep.

Vil smiled. "Wouldn't dream of it." He laid down beside you, holding you in his arms as he slowly drifted off.

rook hunt

A true romantic that will sweep you off your feet. Literally. He likes to surprise you with his affections, picking you up from behind when you least expect it and stealing kisses when you’re caught off guard

He does this in public too. He’s not shy about PDA and letting the world know how much he loves you. But of course, if it makes you uncomfortable he’ll refrain. But when it’s just the two of you, Rook loves nothing more than to hold you in his arms.

You were in the bathroom doing your nightly routine to get ready for bed. Rook had been a gentleman in running you a warm bath to unwind. After thoroughly relaxing, you applied your usual skin and hair care before rubbing your body down with your favorite lotions and scrubs.

While bending down to put your items away under the sink cabinet, you don't notice your partner enter the bathroom. Suddenly, Rook's behind you, arms wrapping around your waist to lift and spin you around. A startled squeal leaves your lips, before you begin laughing.

"Rook! Don't do that! You're going to make me have a heart attack."

"Sorry mon amour! I cannot help myself when you look très belle in the pajamas I got you," Rook apologizes with a smile. "Ah! And I see you used the new lotions as well. Might I say the fragrance is absolutely delightful."

"It's kind of hard not to want to use them when I come home to find the most romantic bath waiting for me with a basket full of more roses and toiletries one could use in a lifetime," you say knowingly.

You knew it had to have been Rook who left the giant basket of all the new skin care products, essential oils, lotions, and scented fragrances you used on the bed. There was so much stuff that you couldn't possibly use them up any time soon, which made the basket insanely heavy. But, the sentiment was so endearing that it made your heart flutter.

"I just merely want ma belle to have the best to be able to relax after a long day of hard work." Rook placed a kiss on your cheek.

"Well, hurry up and shower so I can finish my long day in your arms," you tease. "You're not allowed in the bed until you take your outside clothes off."

"If that's what ma belle wants, ma belle shall receive."

idia shroud

Physical touch makes his brain short circuit, so you have to ease him into it. You have to initiate in the beginning, taking it upon yourself to wrap your arms around him while you’re laying in bed. Idia awkwardly at first doesn’t know whether to hold you back or leave you be

Eventually, his confidence grows and he becomes more comfortable being the big spoon. One of the most comfortable positions for him is to have you in his lap, laying back against his chest with his arms around your waist while the two of you play video games together

"Dammit!" You swear, throwing the controller across the bed. "Why is this level so stupidly hard!?" This was the fourth time in a row you had died in the game, and you were beyond frustrated at this point. You hadn't even made much progress, getting killed over and over at the same opponent.

"What level are you on?" Idia asks, not looking up from his computer where he had been playing a similar game to the one you played on the console.

"Level 13," you sigh. "The stupid bird thing keeps spitting out fire, and I can't avoid it in time without running into the turtle."

Idia spins his chair slightly to face the T.V. He holds his hand out for the controller which you place in his palm. Restarting the level, he begins to walk you through it. "When you get to this point, you have to hit this box here. It'll give you this power up to be able to take out the first enemy. It only last 10 seconds though, so you have to move quick."

Once he moves the character to a safe location after demonstrating what to do, Idia hands you back the controller. You take it from him then climb into his lap. His hair turns a brilliant shade of pink as you make yourself comfortable.

"W-what are you-"

"Shh! I have to focus, and I need you for emotional support."

You take it upon yourself to wrap Idia's arms around your waist. Hesitantly, he holds you a bit awkwardly. Not too tight, but not secure enough for your liking. So you lean back into his chest. Eventually, Idia relaxes a bit and hugs you close, hoping you can't feel the erratic beat of his heart through his sweatshirt.

Five seconds later, you die in the game. "DAMMIT!"

Sighing, Idia takes the controller from you. With his arms still around you, he takes over and flies through the level with ease, you encouragingly yelling for him to kill the bad guys.

"Did you plot this all along?" He mumbles, resting his chin on top of your head.

You maintain an innocent smile. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

lilia vanrouge

A chaotic cuddler. You never know if he’s going to be a gentle big spoon and give you royalty like treatment or wrestle you into the blankets. It stresses you out, cause you could be chilling out, watching a show when he decides to initiate a tickle fight.

Although he tends to be playful, he is very comforting when and if you need it. If you have a bad day, you can always count on Lilia to cheer you up by showering you will all the affection you need.

The day had sucked.

It was just one bad thing after the other. You overslept through your alarm. You failed your history test. Then an accident in Alchemy resulted in your uniform being soaked. Needless to say, you were over the day.

Even though it was still relatively early, you went back to the dorm, showered, and put on your pajamas. Putting your phone on DND, you then got in the bed and promptly passed out.

Hours later, when you wake, dusk has crept across the sky casting its orange hue through the window. You feel small circles around your back, realizing someone was gently tracing them while you slept. Groggily, you begin to sit up.

“Oh, dearie, you’re awake,” Lilia says, closing the book he had been reading. You squint, trying to make sense of his presence. “Are you still tired? You can go back to sleep if you want.”

“What are you doing here? What time is it?”

“Almost dinner time. You weren’t answering your phone, so I was worried something happened. Imagine my surprise to find you all ready for bed at three o’clock in the afternoon.”

You let out a tired sigh and lay back down into Lilia’s arms. He resumes tracing random circles across your back, the soothing sensation nearly lulling you back to sleep.

“It was a long day,” you say.

“I figured. Would you like to talk about it?”

You shake your head. “Later. I just want you to hold me right now.”

“That, I can do, and you don’t even have to ask.”

malleus draconia

Literally loves the intimacy that comes with cuddling. He loves being physically close to you in such a casual manner and cares more about you being comfortable. Do you need him to move his arm? Do you want to lay on his shoulder? He's happy to accommodate to your needs.

Secretly enjoys being the little spoon. Malleus loves it when you hang on to him, even if you happen to be smaller than he is. He finds it endearing, and something about you not wanting to let him go fills his chest with adoration.

Malleus watched your movements curiously.

You had instructed him not to move then proceeded to straddle his waist. It caught him off guard, the level of boldness, but followed directions and let you do what you wanted. You spent the last few minutes messing with his hair, looking intently focused on what you were doing.

“Okay done!” You finally announce. You had braided Malleus’s hair back into a French braid, looking quite proud of your work. His hair was so soft and silky with a natural shine to it that made it fun to play with.

“Thank you,” Malleus says with a smile. “You seem quite pleased with yourself.”

“Well, with your hair pulled back, I can better see the scales on your forehead,” you explain. Gently, your fingers brush against the black scaling that adorned the base of his crown. You look to Malleus for permission, who nods, even bending his head down more to be able to feel the smooth texture.

“Why does something so minuscule please you?” Malleus asked curiously. “Majority of the time they are covered by my hair that they go unnoticed.”

“I like them because they’re unique to you,” you answer. “I like seeing all the most intimate parts of you. I feel as if I get to learn more about you this way.”

Your response catches Malleus off guard. The faintest hint of pink touches his cheeks before he smiles and pulls you into his chest. “You make my heart feel so full. I feel so lucky to have you.”

“Aether signal tracking successful.” Ortho announces. “We have arrived at the designated coordinates.”

You, Grim, Silver, Sebek, Ortho, Leona, Deuce and Idia’s tablet reach the next dream and land at the entrance to the Heartslabyul Dorm. Checking in on Deuce, not only was he not sick from the journey from dream to dream, but he simply LOVED the experience. You were about to start looking for the dreamer when someone appears.

“Oh, hey Deuce. And Grim and (Y/N).” Ace greets you. “What brings you to our dorm? Wait, you've also got Leona with you. And Ortho, and some Diasomnia guys... Okay, what gives?”

“Well, uh...” Deuce tries to come up with an explanation. “We happened to run into each other, and we decided to get together for tea...”

“TEA? You? With Leona and these guys?”

“L-Leona can have tea sometimes, when he feels like it!”

“Me? Having tea at Heartslabyul?” Leona mutters to himself, but without denying what Deuce was saying. “Couldn't that idiot have come up with literally any other cover story?”

“The idea of Leona joining Deuce for tea in Heartslabyul is so inconceivable, I actually wanna see it now.” Idia comments to himself too.

“Uh, but enough about us. What are you up to?” Deuce returns to the subject.

Ace says he was going to the courtroom because he received a Magicam message summoning everyone to an emergency trial. Deuce finds it very strange that such an important message was sent by Magicam. He also asks Ace why he's wearing his school uniform instead of his dorm uniform, but Ace just shrugs it off nonchalantly and says he can change at any time if the housewarden gets on his case.

Ortho asks if you could all go with them and sit in these Heartslabyul trial. Deuce starts to say that students from other dorms can't sit in when Ace cuts him off, saying that it shouldn't be a problem and the housewarden himself would probably welcome them. Deuce is shocked, but doesn't question Ace much. After that, Ace continues on his way to the courtroom and Deuce tooks off after him.

However, another Deuce approaches you, this time a Deuce in his school uniform. You realize that this is the Deuce from the dream so you decide to knock him out and tie him up so he doesn't interfere with your mission.

Arriving at the Heartslabyul courtroom, there were a lot of students there,and a lot of them were in regular school uniforms, like Ace. You hear the judge's wooden gavel bang and you look at the person who did it.

“I just got a Magicam message from the housewarden.” It was Trey. “He says he's on his way in, so let's get the proceedings underway.”

“Order in the court!” Another voice you recognize says, more authoritative. “Card soldiers, line up by suit!”

It was Riddle, but when you look at him, not only was he not wearing the housewarden's uniform, but the normal school uniform, he also had a red heart mark on his cheek, just like Trey has a black clover on his. You hear trumpets playing like announces the arrival of someone important.

“Our leader!” Riddle proceeds. “The red sovereign!”

The doors open and someone comes in, passing you on a skateboard so fast that you only see a red and black blur.

“All rise for Housewarden Cater!”

When Cater stops, you see him wearing a kind of military uniform, but more stylized, red and black, full of medals and other golden accessories on it. You see the dreamer's silver bird flying around his head too.

“Yooo! Hello, my peeps!” He greets everyone with a smile and his usual enthusiasm.

All the students react with the same enthusiasm, clearly adoring him. Cater keeps showing off for a little, sliding along the courtroom stairs and pulling a kickflip. When he stops in front of Trey, they high five each other.

“Okay, let's get this trial started... Hm?” Cater looks at your group. “Wow, there's an extra-unusual sight. What're you peeps doing here in Heartslabyul?”

“Greetings, Cater Diamond. We've been curious about the unique events that Heartslabyul holds.” Ortho explains. “So we asked Deuce to let us sit in.”

“Ooh, I see... Whoa, Leona's here too! What possessed YOU to come here?”

“...That freshman invited me over for tea.” Leona just rolled with it.

“Huh? Deuce-chan invited you over for tea, and you actually showed?! Now I'm even more curious what possessed HIM to do that. Welp, gotta post this on Magicam and get it booming, stat.” Cater takes a picture with Leona and posts it with a few hashtags as usual.

“Housewarden Cater, it's 15 minutes past time to begin the trial.” Riddle warns him.

“How about we have some tea and take our time chatting with Leona and the others after the trial's done?” Trey suggests.

“Whoop, my bad! Anyway, welcome to Heartslabyul and all that. With that out of the way... Let's get trial on the road!”

The other students celebrate as if he had just announced the start of a party.

“Let's go, (Y/N)-chan~” He tells you and takes your hand to take you with him.

“Wait, what? Go where?” You ask confused.

“Go sit with me in the judge's seat, silly. Every time you sit in these trials, your sit is always beside me... or my lap if we're in that mood~” He winks at you. “After all, the place of the housewarden's sweetheart is beside him... remember~?” He smirks seductively.

“S-sweetheart?” Grim questions. “What are you talkin’ about?”

“Aww, Grim-chan is still jealous that I started dating his bestie. How cute. Don't worry, I won't steal (Y/N)-chan from you. You can sit up front with us if you want. I'll get you a really comfy pillow.” Cater winks at him with a smile.

“D-DATING?!” Deuce is the most shocked by that information after Grim.

“Oww, not you too Deuce-chan. We've already talked about this.” He plays with his lock of hair. “Come on, let's get this started. The sooner we start, the sooner we'll finish, and the sooner we'll have that tea together.”

Still holding hands, Cater takes you with him to the judge's high seat. But before the two of you go up the stairs to the seat, he takes you behind the stairs for a moment, hidden from everyone. He holds you by the waist, pulls you towards him and brings his face so close to yours that it looks like he's going to kiss you, but he doesn't.

“You know, I'm not the original Cay-kun.” He whispers to you, your noses and foreheads touching. “The real me is in the Lounge. And if I keep you here to myself, he’ll will be mad.” He pouts. “So, you should go meet with him. I'll come up with an excuse if the others ask for you.” He kisses your cheek and breaks the hug with a wink.

He shows you the back door and you go out through it.

When you enter the Heartslabyul lounge, you see Cater lying on the shezlong, scrolling through his phone, with the dreamer's silver bird around his head. He hears someone enter the lounge and looks with his head upside down. When he sees it's you, a huge smile automatically forms and he quickly gets up to get closer to you. He was wearing the same military-style clothes as the Cater from the courtroom.

“(Y/N)-chan~!” He hugs you affectionately. “Did you come to see your Cay-kun as soon as you were free?” He kisses your cheek. “You didn't tell me you were coming. Or at least not so early.”

“I... Deuce invited me for tea.”

“Really?! Deuce-chan was never much of a tea person. Hahaha. Aww, he wanted to spend more time with his bestie. You guys are so cute~.”

“Oh, and not just me. Ortho, Silver, Sebek, and even Leona came with me.”

“Oh, really? Heh, I shouldn't be surprised that you have so many... wait, did you say LEONA?! Like in Leona Kingscholar?! No way!”

“Yeah, your... um... other you that showed up at courtrom even took a picture with him and posted it on Magicam. Didn't you see?”

“Oh, I saw I posted something, but I was watching other videos and forgot to check.” He picks up his phone to see the photo. “OMG! It's true! I HAVE to go see this live!”

“Yes! You should definitely go to the courtroom!” After all, HE was the Cater you need to wake up. And if the others in the courtroom were all darkness, your team could be in danger.

“Hmmm~ Well, if he's going to stay after the trial... we still have a little time...” He smirks at you. “That and I can always get my other me to...” He brings his face closer to yours. “Tie him up a little longer...”

If you let him, he kisses your lips with a skill that makes you melt into it, as he gently pulls you with him back to the shezlong. He lays you down on it and positions himself on top of you.

“Hm? Aww, you still get shy about this? Heheh.” He brings his lips closer to yours again. “How cute~” And continues kissing you. “Your Cay-kun was already missing you sooo much~.” He kisses you more. “I wanted so much to snuggle with you...” More kisses. “You have such good timing...” More kisses. “I should reward you later for being so thoughtful and attentive.” More kisses. “My (Y/N)-chan is such a good partner~” And the kisses keep coming.

After a make-out session, Cater sits in the shezlong and sighs, saying he should go see how things are in the courtroom, especially since they were probably already in the middle of a post-trial party or something. But before that, he takes his hat off his head and puts it on yours after you also sit up next to him.

“Heh Heh, I knew it. You look totes adorbs with it! Come here, my cutie~”

He holds you by the waist to bring you closer to him, takes out his phone and takes a couple selfie of the two of you. And then kisses your cheek to take a second one. And maybe your lips for a third one.

On the way back to the courtroom Cater had one of his arms around your shoulders the whole time.

“Hey peeps!” Cater greets everyone as soon as you two walk through the door. “I heard that Leona came over for tea. I got so curious I HAD to drop by in person to－ WHOA!”

It didn't even look like the courtroom anymore. The walls were covered in neon signs, reminiscent of a casino, but even these lights couldn't shine brightly because of the dark smoke coming from the black goop covering the floor. And looking at the other Heartslabyul students, including Trey, Riddle, and even the other Cater, their faces had disappeared and their skins were as black as the darkness.

“What in the goop?! Okay hold up, what's the deal?” Cater takes his arm off your shoulder and puts it in front of you to push you behind him. “There's gooey black gunk splattered everywhere. It's grossing me out!”

“(Y/N)!” Deuce says relieved. “You're okay! Does this mean that the person with you is the real Cater?”

“Hi, Deuce-chan! Yup, I'm the genuine article. So, uh, can you catch me up, or...?”

“YOU!” Darkness Riddle shouts with that scary rage of his. “Stay away from Housewarden Cater! YEEAAARGH!”

“Yikes... Riddle's covered in black gunk and flying off the handle!” Cater realises. “You're at an eleven and I need you at like, an eight, okay? You're spoiling your cute features... Hrk?!” The dream begins to distort. “I'm getting the weirdest sense of déjà vu here... Agh, my head!”

“Cater, don't worry about a thing. I've got this under control, okay?” Darkness Trey reassures him.

“Trey? I... Augh!”

He remembers one of the moments with Trey, working together behind the scenes to balance things between Riddle and the other students. Supporting each other.

“I don't recognize it, but I DO recognize it... What's... Rgh!”

“Cater's starting to wake up!” Silver says.

“I think not.” Darkness Riddle retorts. “Your heads shall all roll! OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!”

“I've... seen this before... Aaagh... AAAAAAGH!” Cater remembers what happened when Riddle overbloted and the dreams brakes.

After that, you hear him use his signature spell and then immediately turn around to hug you protectively. He made three copies of himself. One to stand in front of Deuce, another in front of Grim, and another in front of you two. All three were collared instead of the original targets of the fake Riddle's spell.

“Phew. Just in the nick of time! You okay?” Cater asks you before asking the same to Deuce and Grim.

“You're awake!” You say.

“Morning, (Y/N)-chan~. Boy, it looks like I've been embarrassing myself in front of my underclassmen. Well, now you're gonna see the regular cool, upbeat Cay-kun in action... So, don't miss a second, 'kay? If these mean fakes have been scaring you guys, they need a little punishment.” He smiles mischievously and use his signature spell again to create a bunch of Caters to fight the darkness figures with the others. “Okay, mes... Give 'em the business.”

“Housewarden... Cater...” Fake Riddle says weakly.

“Don't leave us, Cater...” Fake Trey says.

“Oh, ick. As if!” Cater says disgusted. “File those lines under, 'Things Trey and Riddle would never say to me, EVER'. So hey, mind disappearing already? Cya!” And with one last blow he makes those two figures disintegrate into black goo.

“Tch, about time you woke up. Way to be a pain in our necks.” Leona complains.

“G'morning, Leona! I got woken up by a prince, huh? Is that a stirring development or what?”

You can't help but glance sideways at Cater.

“So, how's it feel gettin' a rude awakening, courtesy of a prince's magic and fists?”

“Ahaha! Terrible. Literally the worst. I would rather have been woken up with a sweet kiss from my (Y/N)-chan.” He winks at you, before turning back to the others. “I guess this means you guys didn't actually swing by Heartslabyul for tea. I said good morning since you guys were talking about being awake, but what's the sitch here?”

“I can cover that.” Ortho volunteers. “Could you watch this video?”

“Wooow. Malleus sure knows how to go big.” Cater says. “Hmm... so... this was all a dream and you all...” He looks at you. “So... you...” He’s trying to appear as calm as possible. “You were the one who met me in the lounge, w-weren't you?”

You confirm.

“I... Can I speak to you... in private? For a moment?... Please?” He asks relatively seriously, but still calm and collected.

You agree and then he turns to the others, his gaze and smile slightly menacing.

“I don't need to create more mes so you guys don't snoop around, right?”

“Not everyone is the gossipy type y’know?” Leona retorts with a smug smile.

“Deuce-chan.” Cater’s smile turns friendly in the blink of an eye. “I can count on you to stand guard, right?”

“Yes, sir!” Deuce accepted his new mission like a proud card soldier.

Cater asks you to accompany him to a room adjacent to the courtroom. It appeared to be the archive room where the trial documents were kept. He closes the door and you can feel the sadness and embarrassment in the room.

“(Y/N)...” You knew Cater had this sad, or even depressive side, but letting you see him like this and unable to look you in the eye is still shocking. “I... am so sorry... if I... somehow abused my status as housewarden or your senpai. I don't remember the details well, but I remember what... happened in the lounge. You... didn't feel...”

“NO, no!” You deny it immediately. “You were... being flirty as always. And you were acting under the certainty that we were... dating, but...” You admit that what you did was because you allowed it and wanted it, and confess that you like him too.

“Are you sure? You’re a very nice person, but if you feel something different and are afraid of hurting the other person if you tell the truth, you... you shouldn't... No, you CANNOT put other people's feelings above your own.” He spoke with a conviction you had never seen before, and as if he were giving you advice he himself couldn't follow. “And even if it makes the other person sad or upset with you, you shouldn't care about it. You shouldn't...” He sighs and smiles with a sad look at you. “Don't stop being who you are... but don't let anyone abuse that cute side of you either, ‘kay?”

You insist that what you said was true, that you know about the sides of him he tries to hide and that you like it too. You even wish he felt more comfortable revealing more of those sides to you.

“Ha ha ha. What are you talking about? I...” He, as always, tries to deny it, until he realizes who he was talking to and gives up on it with a sigh. “You don't want to see that... it's not... that fun...”

“I know. No one has only their fun and smiling side. That would be creepy.”

“You think I'm nicer than I really am...” He smirks darkly.

You confidently get closer to him and smirk back.

“And you think I'm more naive than I really am... senpai~”

You decide to become the flirty one to convince him and you start talking and acting more seductively towards him. He doesn't move away and smiles seductively back.

“Aww, Cay-kun is being such a bad example for you, isn't he?” He cups your face. “He’s such a meanie...” He brings his face close to yours and whispers. “...corrupting your cute innocence like this.”

“Who said I was ever innocent?” You finish and kiss his lips that were already so provocatively close to yours.

CONTEXT: Like the original Twisted Tsumderland 2 event, this takes place after the events of the first Twisted Tsumderland. And, surprise, your Tsum is back! But it's the only one, all the other Tsums that came with it are completely new visitors.

You were with your Tsum in the lounge of Ramshackle Dorm, and it wouldn't leave the window as if it was waiting for something. You ask if it wants to go somewhere, but it shakes its head and continues looking out the window.

A short time later you heard a loud bang at the front door as if something had been thrown at it, and your Tsum finally leaves the window and hops towards the door. Even before you open the door, you can hear Ace laughing and Deuce complaining.

When you open it, you find Deuce struggling to contain his Tsum who is trying to break free from his arms.

“Sorry (Y/N).” Deuce apologizes “I can't contain this guy. It started running... or hopping, like crazy when it realized we were going to pass by here.”

Your Tsum makes that cute tsum noise to get the attention of Deuce and his tsum. The two look down and their eyes light up as they see your Tsum. Deuce’s tsum breaks free from Deuce's arms and lands right next to your Tsum. And the two tsums begin to rub their little faces and noses against each other. Deuce blushes automatically.

Ace, who watched the whole scene, stopped laughing and was now looking at the tsums with a sulky face. “Oi? What's up now with this guy?” he questions.

“I-I-I don't know.” It's the only thing Deuce can say in response.

“Hey, wait a minute.” Ace continues. “Your Tsum came back? Why? Our housewarden's didn't. Neither did Cater's.”

You say you don't know.

“Maybe your tsum is dragged into everyone's messes too.” Deuce says, smiling. “Not even it has a break with us, hum?”

Your Tsum headbutts Deuce's Tsum to get its attention, taps one of its little hands on the ground 5 times and Deuce's Tsum realizes the urgency of something. The two tsums start hopping towards the gate.

“OI! WHERE ARE YOU GOING NOW?” Deuce shouted.

The three of you run after the Tsums, but they reach the Hall of Mirrors first and go through the mirror to Heartslabyul.

“Well, on the one hand they saved us work.” Ace says.

“Yes, but they are on the loose!” Deuce replies.

You go through the mirror, run a little further and stop abruptly when you come across Riddle and Trey. Your tsums were close to their feet and were still very close to each other.

“See? They arrived on time.” Trey says. “They must have just had a little mishap with the tsums. Right?”

Ace and Deuce confirm. Riddle welcomes you and invites you to the Unbirthday Party that will be happening soon. He also tells Ace and Deuce to go do their party preparation duties. After he and Trey leave, Deuce realizes what happened.

“I get it now. Your tsum was telling mine the time, and warning it that we were going to be late.”

“Damn, even your Tsum needs two Tsumsitters.” Ace laughs. And Deuce-tsum hits him.

When it was preparing to hit him a second time, your Tsum got in the way and started rubbing its face against Deuce-tsum’s, calming it down.

“See my point?” Ace adds, and this time it's your Tsum that hits him.

You were walking through the school hallways, with your Tsum in your arms, when you crossed paths with Floyd. He automatically smiled when he saw your Tsum.

You ask each other what the other is doing there and Floyd tells you that he was playing a board game with Azul and his Tsum. He says that he left them playing with each other in the classroom. You feel your Tsum move excitedly in your arms.

After saying goodbye to each other you go to the classroom where Floyd said they were. You knock on the door and pop your head inside. You see both Azul and his Tsum immersed in the game, but not enough to not notice your presence.

“Oh, good afternoon (Y/N).” Azul greets you with a smile. His Tsum quickly looks towards the door when it hears him say your name. “Please come in.” You do so. “Is there anything you need or-” He sees your Tsum and widens his eyes with a sparkle in them.

Azul-tsum makes that happy tsum sound, jumps to the floor, stops for a second, jumps back onto the table to make its move on the board game, and then gets off the table again to hop happily towards you. Your tsum jumps out of your arms and lands on the ground. And when Azul-tsum finally reaches yours the two begin to cuddle with each other.

Azul was focused on the game and only after making his play “Okay tsum, your tu-” did he look at the two tsums, and blushes slightly. He clears his throat loudly causing his tsum to look at him.

Azul’s tsum turns to yours and makes another cute sound, then the two of them hop back to the table. Azul's tsum returns to its place on the other side of the board, but yours jumps into Azul's arms to his surprise. He managed to catch it, then it looked at him and smiled with its eyes, making Azul stare at it in wonder.

“I'll concede that you are indeed charmingly cute.” He then whispers to himself: “As much as the person you resemble.”

You approach to sit with them and Azul suggests that you sit next to his tsum. The two Azuls exchange a suspicious look with each other.

They keep playing. When it's not Azul's turn, your tsum makes little sounds or something that makes him look at it. And when it's not Azul-tsum's turn, it seems to be undecided between paying attention to the board or looking at you so you can pet it. In the end, the two were practically tied, but Azul-tsum makes a play that makes it win the game. Both his tsum and your tsum celebrate, coming back to cuddle with each other.

“Ah, so that was your real move.” Azul said with a smirk. “You used (Y/N)'s tsum to distract me. Actually no, worse than that, you two are partners in crime.”

The two tsums looked smugly at Azul. But he didn't seem upset despite having lost. In fact, he seemed to be looking thoughtfully at the tsums. You ask what's wrong or if he's okay.

“Oh, don't worry, it's nothing. I was just thinking...” He looks back at the tsums who look back at him with an encouraging look. Both of them. “From what I've been able to observe, tsums have a lot in common with the person they resemble, especially their personality. After seeing how these two work together I was just wondering...” He looks at you and smiles confidently. “Wouldn't you happen to have the same interest as your tsum in being my partner too? Hum... partner in crime, I mean.”

You were walking through the Main street with your Tsum in your arms, when you see a little thing hopping towards you. It stops right in front of you, at your feet, and smiles at you with its eyes, making that cute tsum sound, as if it were greeting you politely. From the side where the dark grey strand is facing and from the calm demeanor, you can tell it's Jade's tsum.

Your tsum makes the cute tsum sound back to Jade-tsum and you let your tsum jump to the ground for the two to rub their faces against each other.

After that, you hear footsteps approaching you. Looking ahead you see Jade. His tsum looks at him and then jumps into your arms smiling at you with its cute little eyes. When Jade gets close to you he laughs.

“He he. You are quite cunning indeed, tsum. Or should I just say coward at this point?” He was still smiling, but with that look that was worryingly difficult to decode. Then he looks at you. “Forgive me for not greeting you first, (Y/N). I got... worried about the tsum when I lost sight of it. I'm genuinely relieved that you were the one to find it safe and sound.” He looks down at your tsum. “Aw, what a lovely sight, your sweet tsum is back.”

You feel Jade-tsum tense up in your arms, but it barely moves. Jade bends down and holds out his cupped hands for your tsum to jump into them. You feel Jade-tsum once again tense slightly, but without moving. Jade raises your tsum in front of his face. It smiles at him innocently.

“Undoubtedly adorable.” Jade says. “But you shouldn't just jump into anyone's hands like that.” He lowers his hands to chest height, holds the tsum with one hand while, with the other, he makes a claw-like movement as if he were going to imprison it. “It could be dangerous.” He looks at his own tsum in your arms, who still doesn't move.

“But it didn't just jump into anyone's hands.” You say. He looks at you meeting your eyes. “However you're right, it can be very dangerous. But you should have told that to YOUR tsum.”

Both Jade and his Tsum are surprised by what you said. And suddenly you tighten your hug around Jade-tsum as if you were Floyd squeezing someone. But in this case, you are squeezing the tsum with love and affection. It waves its little arms and legs as if it were asking for help, but not trying very hard to escape.

Jade laughs delightedly, and frees your tsum from his clutches, taking it to his chest just to pet it affectionately. He looks at that little angel face face that knew he wouldn't hurt you or your tsum and smiles.

“In fact, you are a danger on the loose.” He jokes. “Tell me, would the both of you like to accompany me and my little lookalike to Mostro Lounge? We came here for a stroll around campus because I thought it would be a nice bonding exercise. But I’m sure that something like sharing a smoothie, for example, could also be great for bonding.”

You look happy with the idea of going with them to Mostro Lounge. But in the meantime you realize that tsums don't have mouths. How could they share a drink?

“Oh, well, perhaps I wasn't referring to the tsums.” He smiles at you with that bold confidence.

Kalim, his tsum and Jamil took a magic carpet tour of campus. Kalim-tsum’s eyes were sparkling the whole time during it, but something must have piqued its interest because after that it disappeared.

Meanwhile, you were with your tsum in the Ramshackle Dorm lounge when you heard someone knocking on the door. You open it to find... no one. Until you hear that happy tsum sound near your feet. You look down and see a Kalim-tsum smiling at you with its eyes.

As soon as you say hello, it wastes no time in jumping on your shoulder and brushing its face against your cheek. You hear another tsum sound behind you. You turn around and Kalim-tsum sees your tsum. Kalim-tsum makes another happy sound and jumps off your shoulder to hug your tsum. Or at least that's what it looked like despite its short arms.

If that tsum was there without Kalim, most likely he was looking for it. And consequently Jamil too. Therefore, you decide to take the two tsums in your arms and go find Kalim.

Just as you predicted, you found Kalim and Jamil together on Main Street. When Kalim sees you from afar, he happily waves his arms in the air to call you to join them.

“Hi (Y/N)!” Kalim greets you. “I'm so glad I found you! I really wanted you to meet-” He looks at the two little creatures you carry in your arms when you get close to him. “AH! You found it! You're amazing!”

Jamil sighs with relief. And then they both realize what, or rather, who, the other little creature is. Kalim's eyes shine and a huge smile spreads across his face.

“It can't be! There's one like you too! It's so cute! Aw, I want to hug it so much! Can I? Can I? Pretty pleeease~?”

If you’re more outgoing, your tsum will smile with its eyes at him. If you are more shy, your tsum will be too flattered and hide its face in your arms. Which will make Kalim find it even cuter.

“I know they may look like plushies,” Jamil says “but I don’t think you should treat them like one.”

“Don't worry, I won't hurt it.” Kalim says both to Jamil and to you.

“I'm also worried about the other way around. If that is even possible.”

“What? No way!” Kalim stretches out his arms welcomingly for your tsum to jump into them. And it does. He turns to Jamil. “You don't really think this adorable little thing would hurt anyone, do you?”

Jamil looks at your tsum, who smiles at him with its eyes and he blushes slightly to the point of having to look away. “Appearances can be deceiving.”

“And I am a great judge of character.” Kalim completed confidently. He brings your tsum close to his face to see it better. “Oh, if you were bigger I could hug you for real.”

This gives your tsum an idea and suddenly it starts to grow, which takes everyone by surprise, until it stops at the size of a pillow. Kalim has no other way to hold it other than hugging it and that's what he does. He hugs it tight like it's the most adorable thing on earth and he never wants to let it go.

And apparently, Kalim's tsum wants the same treatment, but from you, so it also grows to the size of a pillow for you to hug it.

Jamil looks at you all slightly uncomfortably and can only say: “If you ever do that to each other, at least get a room first.”

It was already late in the afternoon. You were walking across campus with your tsum in your arms when you heard a "CUT!". You have heard that a few other times before, it was Vil's voice and he must have been filming something for the film club.

Your tsum moves in your arms as if it was also curious to see what he was doing. You follow the sound and walk until you reach the Main Street.

“Rehearsal is over.” You hear Vil say and you stop. “Now we must capture this scene before the sun sets. Focus!”

That sounded like your cue not to interrupt him. You weren't at a place where you could appear in the frame, so you just wait there, watching, just like your tsum. However, someone else was watching the scene as well, hidden in the bushes.

“Now the real fun begins.” Rook says, both to his tsum and to Epel, that he dragged it with him. “Let us watch Vil and the rest of the club shine!”

Rook's tsum hops eagerly and the two observe Vil, until something else catches the tsum's attention and it looks to the side. Rook notices this.

“You changed the target of your attention, monsieur tsum. What could have possible divert your gaze from Vil?” He follows the tsum's gaze and finds you, standing there watching Vil. “Bien sûr, there could only be one reason.” He sees your Tsum in your arms. “Oh, marvelous! Tricster's tsum is back! Even more beauty to behold.”

Everything goes smoothly until the end of the recordings. And it is only when Vil sees you and greets you that you approach him. His attention (and everyone's actually) goes to your tsum.

“I see you've also been assigned as a tsumsitter.” Vil says. “I heard it had shown up the first time this happened, but I ended up not having the pleasure of meeting it. I'm glad I got this chance.” He smiles at your tsum who looks at him in wonder. “One also appeared in Pomefiore. A Rook lookalike.”

You feel your tsum spasm in your arms, and then you hear something jumping towards you. You turn around and a wild Rook-tsum appears and greets you with that happy tsum sound.

Your tsum jumps to the ground and lets Rook-tsum approach it first. It jumps to get closer to your tsum but, to everyone's surprise, your tsum dodges and runs away.

You panic a little, your tsum had never done that until now, and Rook-tsum goes jumping after your tsum, even though it has already lost sight of it. You are about to start running to look for them when you feel a hand on your shoulder. You are startled by Rook's sudden appearance.

“Worry not, trickster. I have been following monsieur tsum and it has been an enriching experience. You could accompany me and we can observe them together. There is no place they can go that I won't find them.” he winks.

You go with Rook following your tsums. You notice that every now and then your tsum stops as if provoking Rook-tsum and when it is about to catch your tsum, it dodges again and continues running away.

“How fascinating.” Rook laughs “Tell me, doesn't it look like they're playing with each other?”

You continue following the tsums to the botanical garden, already in the early evening. Where they finally stop. Or rather, where your tsum finally lets itself be caught, in the subtropical zone. You see Rook-tsum clinging to your tsum and making a movement with its head as if were kissing your tsum passionately.

“I wonder...” Rook says “If this is all some kind of mating ritual for the tsums.” he laughs seeing your reaction. “What's wrong, trickster? That look is not from someone who dislikes the idea~ Is there anything your heart would like to share? Because any question you have about mine can be answered by looking at monsieur tsum.”

You were walking through campus with your Tsum in your arms when you heard something above you.

“PREFECT!” You hear Ortho's voice shout from somewhere. “LOOK OUT!”

You see an unidentified flying object coming towards you at high speed. Your instinct is to cower and duck. But the object stopped before it hit you and landed on the ground in front of you. You look and see an Ortho-tsum. Ortho approaches you.

“He he he. Did we scare you? Sorry. Are you OK?” He asks. You answer that you are. “I’m glad. We just wanted to surprise you. Have you already heard of these little creatures called tsums, (Y/N)?”

You stand up, revealing your tsum that had been hidden in your arms when you ducked. Both Ortho and his tsum are happy to see your tsum.

“OH! One like you also appeared! So cool!”

Ortho-tsum uses its new device to fly towards your tsum, who got surprised by it. Your tsum jumps from your arms to the ground and gestures for Ortho-tsum to come closer to it.

Ortho-tsum lands near your tsum again and it starts walking around ortho-tsum as if it is examining the new device suspiciously. The tsum make sounds as if they were chatting.

“I don't know what they're saying...” Ortho laughs. “But from the tone and what they're doing, it seems like your tsum is worried about my tsum's new antigravity device. The audio of the noises I'm capturing sounds similar to a scene from a movie I have stored in my memory, where an older sister is saying things like 'Where did you get that?', ‘Are you sure it's safe?’, ‘You could get hurt.’ Ha ha ha.”

After this conversation between the tsums, Ortho's tsum flies for a second, lands again and makes an inviting sound for your tsum. It jumps on Ortho-tsum's back and the two slowly and carefully take flight.

“I think it wants to play with your tsum. Will you play with us too (Y/N)? Pretty Please?”

If you feel safe with Ortho, he will take you flying on his back. If you're scared he'll say: “It's okay, I understand. We can play close to the ground. We don't need to go up to the clouds to have fun together."

After walking around campus you decided to stop to rest on one of the benches in the Courtyard. You sit down and your tsum stays on your lap. A few seconds later, when you thought you could rest a little, something falls into your lap and on top of your tsum, startling you both.

After enjoying your reactions, the new tsum jumps next to you on the bench and turns to face you. It's a Lilia's tsum.

“Yay! Your tsum is back!” A voice behind you startles you and your tsum again, making it jump from your lap to Lilia-tsum's side.

Your tsum starts making sounds like it's complaining, but Lilia-tsum starts rubbing its face against your tsum to calm it down.

“Khee hee hee. Sorry.” Lilia says upside down, floating next to you. “You were trying to rest, weren't you?” He gestured for the tsums to move away so he could sit next to you.

They jump into your lap, where they get so close that it looks more like they're snuggling in a nest.

“I know it may not seem like it, but my tsum was getting tired too. But neither it nor I could resist surprising you and your tsum. Isn't it as charming and cute as me?”

You look at the tsums in your lap who seemed to be cuddled up sleeping. You joke that Tsum can be cuter.

“Ow, you're just saying that because of the plush shape it has. But looking at you and your tsum, I understand what you mean. Your tsum is also cuter than you.” He sees you pout slightly, and smiles mischievously. “Khee hee hee. Looks like someone didn't like being hit with their own spell.”

Lilia-tsum wakes up from its short nap and jumps to the ground, waking up your tsum as well. Lilia-tsum makes an inviting happy sound to your tsum, who also jumps off your lap to join it.

“I think it wants to play with your tsum now.”

You and Lilia follow your tsums to see what they will do. They prank a student. He was distracted reading a magazine when Lilia-tsum makes a sound that catches his attention. He looks, sees Lilia's tsum, rubs his eyes, looks again, and sees Lilia's and yours tsums. He rubs his eyes again, looks again and only sees your tsum. He gets up startled, looks the other way, looks back to where the tsum were and there is nothing there anymore. You hear him walking away wondering if he's going crazy or hallucinating.

You and Lilia laugh. And then Lilia has another idea for a prank.

The four of you go to the library and find two students chatting at a table. One of them is telling the other that he had seen Lilia transform into a small, round creature in front of him. The other wondered if it was some shapeshifting spell or some prank of Lilia's. Lilia-tsum hopped over to them.

“SEE?! HERE! This was the creature I saw Lilia transform into!”

You appear and greet the students. Lilia-tsum jumps into your arms in front of them and Lilia casts a light spell that temporarily blinds them, long enough for your tsum to take your place. When the students look again, they find two tsums.

“AHH! It's not a spell, it's some curse!” the other student says. “If any of them touch us, we become one of them too!”

Your two tsums walk slowly but menacingly towards them, and the students run away. Lilia bursts out laughing.

“This must have been the best one yet. Don't you also think it's funny when two big boys run away in fear from a cute little thing?”

The two tsums return to you. Lilia-tsum looks tired.

“We don't have that much stamina at this age, do we?” Lilia says smiling. He holds out his arms for his tsum to jump into them, but it doesn't. “Um? You don't want me to carry you?”

Lilia-tsum walks up to your tsum and cuddles with it.

“Oho, I see. In that case...” Lilia takes his blazer off his shoulders and ties the ends together as if making a hammock. “Okay you little lovebirds, here's a nest for you.” The two tsums jump in and snuggle together. “In fact, there is one thing cuter than our separate tsums: them together.” He looks at you, but the cute smile turns into a mischievous one when he sees your face. “What's wrong? Don't tell me you don't think they would make a pretty couple. That would break my heart.”

You shoved your hands in your pockets like you hadn’t just flipped fate the bird.

“I’m staying. Sorry yall are stuck with me.”

He stared. “You’re jokin’.”

“Nope.”

“But… your family. Your home. Don’t ya miss it?”

“Of course. But I’ve made something here too. I’ve got friends, a life, a new home. And you.”

His cheeks flared pink immediately.

“me?”

“Yeah. You, Epel. I stayed for a lot of reasons. But you were one of the biggest ones.”

He looked down, then quickly looked away like he was mad—but his ears gave him away.

“Y’can’t just say stuff like that,” he muttered.

“I ain’t good at all that sweet-talking. I don’t got Vil’s fancy words or Rook’s weird poetry. I just…”

You waited, watching him.

“I just know it felt wrong thinkin’ about you leavin’. Made my stomach twist up. Like I was gonna throw up.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m staying, huh?”

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he tugged you forward and buried his face in your shoulder. It was a quiet kind of hug—no words, just held breath and the sound of his heartbeat against yours.

“…Dumbass,” he murmured “If you ever think about goin’ again, I’ll build a whole damn barn around the mirror.”

"Then I guess I'm staying forever"

The sun was high, the portal shimmered, and Leona looked completely unbothered.

He was lying on his side in the shade of a tree near the mirror, one arm tucked under his head. You were supposed to be saying your goodbyes. The whole college was buzzing about “the hero’s return to their original world.”

You approached him, unsure how to say it.

“I’m not going.”

Leona cracked one eye open.

“What, you miss your exit window or somethin’?”

“No. I chose not to go. I’m staying.”

He blinked. Slowly sat up.

“Hah?”

“I’ve decided,” you repeated. “Everyone here’s stuck with me now, for better or for worse.”

There was a long pause, dry het against his face.

“You serious?”

You nodded. “As a sleeping lion.”

That got a snort out of him. But he wasn’t laughing. He stood, looming close, emerald eyes scanning your face for any sign of joke. Finding none, he frowned.

“…What the hell would make you give up your entire world just to stay in this dump?”

You looked up at him with a small smile.

“Because this ‘dump’ is where I found people who really saw me. And you… Leona, you were a big part of that.”

His ears twitched. He looked away, jaw clenching.

“So you stayed for me? What a dumbass move.”

“Guess you're stuck with a dumbass now.”

Leona groaned and dragged a hand down his face.

“You really are a menace.”

But he stepped forward anyway, arms slipping around your waist, forehead resting against your neck.

“You better not regret it. I’ll kill myself trying to make this place worth it for you.”

“Too late. You’re already enough.”

He didn’t reply. But his hold tightened.

That was answer enough.

The portal glowed with beauty—an open door to the world you once called home.

Crowley was weeping. Sebek looked at the floor trying to keep his cool. Silver stood silently, eyes cast downward. Malleus watched from the shadows, silent as always.

And Lilia?

He stood apart, arms crossed and smile as playful as ever, but his eyes were too quiet. He was too silent.

You walked right past the swirling gateway and headed toward him with steady steps.

“I’m not going,”

Lilia blinked. Tilted his head like you’d just announced a new species of human had taken over Briar Valley.

“Oh? And here I was preparing a dramatic goodbye kiss to end all goodbye kisses.”

You laughed. “Sorry to ruin your moment.”

He chuckled, sharp fangs glinting.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

You nodded. “I’m staying. That portal can shimmer all it wants—this world is my home now. Everyone here is stuck with me, for better or for worse.”

His expression shifted.

“…You do understand what you’re giving up, little bat?”

"Yes. And I've had months to clear my mind"

He stared at you—deeply, as if searching for any hint of doubt inside your eyes. And you didn’t shy away.

“I thought it would feel like a story ending, but… it doesn’t. It feels like a new chapter, yeah. One I want to write with you.”

Something behind his smile trembled. Lilia looked away, eyes glimmering.

“…Do you know how rare it is for someone to choose a someone like me? To choose a man with a life already half-lived, a past in war and blood, and an uncertain tomorrow?”

“I chose you. Not for what you’ve been. For who you are. For everything you still want to be.”

For all the playful charm he wielded like a shield, it shattered the moment your hands reached for his.

“I stayed for a lot of reasons. But you were the one that made my heart stay before my body ever did.”

He laughed—a little broken.

“You reckless, lovely fool…”

Then he pulled you, kissed you like he had all the time in the world to memorize the moment, and whispered against your lips: