But he says it often enough that you know exactly how he feels about it.

Now, back to your nails.

No matter their length or design, he loves it. But... long nails with little charms are his favorite.

He's constantly asking you to play with his hair, the feeling heavenly after a long shift at Mostro Lounge.

Likes the little tug on his hair when your charms get tangled in it.

With his head resting on your lap, your nails lightly grazing his scalp, he closes his eyes in contentment, humming softly, his legs shifting just a little on the couch. He could fall asleep like this.

If you tease him and try to move your hands lower, the very tip of your nails trailing as light as a feather down his neck, it’ll raise every fine hair on his nape. Floyd laughs sharply, snapping awake. “Hahaha, that tickles!”

His long, bony fingers quickly wrap around your wrist, mismatched eyes gleaming. “I was so relaxed, but you woke me up, so I’m gonna get you now!”

Would appreciate it if you paint them the color of his hair or his eyes.

If you go the extra mile and recreate the streak in his hair, he’s even more pleased– just please get it right, if he sees a J accidentally you’ll have to face his bad mood + Jade will show up with bruises at your door asking you (very politely) to fix your nails.

(Floyd usually looks worse, though. You’ll have to patch him up, since this was all your fault~)

Seeing you try to make everything link to him, whether it’s your clothes, your nails, accessories, your hair– it calms his possessive nature.

That said, don’t go too far. A wig identical to his hair? Absolutely not. He prides himself on being unique.

He’ll pout, toss it aside, and tell you he likes you– not a copy of himself.

Anything else that reminds him of him, though? That earns you a very pleased eel. Floyd is complicated like that.

He loves the whole culture– listens attentively to your explanations of Gyarus, and you know how he has a photographic memory for whatever he enjoys listening, reading, experiencing? Yeah, he never forgets anything you tell him.

The core of Gyarus is breaking traditional roles, and he’s all in for it.

If anyone ever dares to make fun of you for your makeup or fashion choices? It’s so over for them.

“Betta-chan senpai, got something to say?” when Vil stares at your outfit for a second too long, Floyd’s already cracking his shoulders and smiling threateningly. 

Doesn’t care if he loses to the housewarden, he will not stand for anyone treating you poorly.

Not even his brother or Azul, if he senses there’s some truth to their teasing and it’s not all in good fun? They can get it too, damn it.

Chances are they mean well though. Octavinelle just pokes fun as a way of appreciating your bold style.

Still, they have to be careful with how they say it– because the second Floyd notices there’s a frown on your face, someone’s getting squeezed. 

Floyd dances to any gyaru songs.

100% lets you take selfies of you both striking the gyaru pose. Doesn’t care if it’s outdated, he starts doing it everywhere. Azul is growing white hairs watching Floyd making the hostages to join in customers pose with him.

His other favorite are your shoes choices!

Will always encourage bold options when you two go out shopping. If you like a pair but are a little intimidated by them, whether it’s their height or design, he’ll buy them for you.

“Now you have to wear them! I got them for you, so that makes them boyfriend material, like the ones Sea Bream’s always yappin’ about~”

If they’re cute enough to him, he’ll even take care of them for you.

Loves dressing you up.

He always gets something for you while he’s out on his own shopping sprees. He buys you necklaces that shine so prettily! Obviously, shaped like an eel.

Hates it, hates it when he catches other people staring. It makes his skin crawl, and if you smile at them, even innocently? Good luck.

His mood drops, turning towards you with a sharp glare. “What, you thought you were just gonna get away with that?”

Floyd will throw a fit and won’t let you leave his dorm for a few days afterwards. You’re too cute! What were you expecting him to do?

You can probably leave his room on the first day if you manage to calm him down enough, but his dorm? Nah.

“Now, don’t you dare look at the door, (YN). I am trying to have some faith in you after all~”

You don’t know how he manages to get Crowley off your hair while you miss class, but alas, Azul’s always willing to give you a shift at the Lounge so you won’t get too bored by yourself.

Just make sure your boyfriend’s with you at all times during your shift, how else will he be able to protect you from those gross little guppies?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Prefect! How are you feeling?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JACK

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

“Hey, Jack. You okay?”

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

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

Stop. “Jack! Is everything okay?!”

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

And then he drops. Unconscious.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Herbivore? What– good luck?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is this.. it?

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

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

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

“You know, I think I love you too.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RUGGIE

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

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

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

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

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

Cough–

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

“You okay?”

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

“Ruggie?”

…He likes the idea, doesn’t he?

“Shyeheehee, hey, listen here, prefect.”

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

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

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

“…This isn’t about his dinner?”

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

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

He chuckles, cheeks burning with affection.

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

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

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

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

“…I know.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But did he want you?

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

Yes.

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