"I Don't Ever Wanna Leave

"I don't ever wanna leave

with Jade Leech"

He despised the feeling of skin on skin. Few individuals were aware of this fact. In fact, it was just you and him and maybe his brother.

So, you never initiated any form of physical contact that wasn't with cloth on cloth. From your uniforms rubbing against each other on meeting, or his gloved hand holding yours. That was as far as either of you cared to tread.

But when the two of you were sleeping at your dorm, he shed his layers. Lean figure outlined in the dim lit room. "Jade, what's going on?"

He seemed to be pondering something when he moved closer to you. "I want to experiment with something, if you'd indulge me." Seeing you remain unfazed, he decided to move forward with his intention. "I'd like for you to shed your clothing as I had, leaving only what you deem necessary."

It was blunt and surprising, as most things said by your lover. But you complied, leaving on what you weren't okay with revealing. And he nodded thoughtfully when you described as much.

"Do not fret over my opinion or perception. it will not waver over your body, I assure you." With an earnest smile, he took another step closer. You could smell the hint of sand and salt in the close proximity.

Just as you were ready to question his idea of a test, he grabbed your shoulders, looking in your face for discomfort. When he spotted no such thing, he continued to pull you closer. Nearly bare bodies pressed together, he tensed up.

"Jade, I don't want you to force yourself to do something you're not ready for." He shook his head on your shoulder, trying to will his body to relax.

It was frustrating, to want to always hold you like this, but feel nauseated at the concept of it. "If you could, I would like to ask a favor. Please embrace me as you would normally. Arms around my torso."

You complied with hesitance and slowly, at what felt like an agonizing pace, his shoulders sunk more. His head fell into yours, and he seemed to relax. Genuine comfort appeared evident in his tighter grip.

"I'd like to practice this more, if that's alright with you. I enjoy the closeness to you, dear."

"Flufftober 2024 (Leaves)

with Vil Schoenheit"

He gently scolded you just minutes before about before careful not to trip in these woods. With all the leaves, it was easy to slip and lose your balance.

But you never listened, did you?

You grabbed the third year's hand and pulled him along in a small run, much to his protest. It must've been ingenuine with how quick he was to follow you. It was common nature for him to follow you where you went. It was an unspoken fact. He adored you much more than others. He didn't mind a small chase for your enjoyment.

He yelped a little as you pulled him down with you. Of course you tripped over a tree root. It appeared his warning fell on deaf ears yet again. He fell beside you into a surprisingly large pile of autumn leaves.

He was ready to lecture you, but he paused abruptly with his mouth agape. You looked shocked, still holding his hand a little tighter then before. You glanced at him, or stared. It felt like you were analyzing him for those 11 seconds he counted. Then you startled him again as you burst out in such a joyous display.

You were laughing. Not just that. You were laughing by his side. Like you were unafraid of him. This whole time, this little date you arranged for the two of you around the ramshackle woods, you never seemed to notice or even care about his face. There was no makeup on his face, and you didn't appear fazed.

So caught up in his own thoughts, he didn't notice the leaf you'd brought up to the side of his face. "It looks like you."

His gaze shifted to the dead piece of plant. If you were any other person, he'd be offended, but he couldn't bring himself to. Not with you. It was a yellow leaf with brown spots dotting it.

"It's my favorite that I've seen, you know." Looking each other in the eyes, he felt his breath get caught in his throat. This wasn't normal for him. "Most people enjoy reds and oranges, but I prefer the yellows and browns. Reds and oranges are what is shown to the public eye, due to the seemingly crisp and prefect nature of them," he didn't stop you when you reached a hand to cup his face. He watched with narrowed eyes as you continued, "but yellows and browns show more character behind them. All the markings are ugly to some, but so beautiful to me."

"Dear, don't tell me you view any aspect of me as ugly, or perceive it as ugly to an audience."

You smiled at his false annoyance. He really didn't do well with being shown such affections. "No, Vil, but I believe you perceived it as so." You pushed the leaf into his free hand that wasn't holding your own. "After all, this is the first time you've allowed me to see you in such a state, with all your internal and maybe even external markings."

So you did notice his lack of makeup.

"But I find all leaves beautiful, you know." You looked at your intertwined hands. "Though this little tangent of mine wasn't just about fall's blessings."

"Held memories

with Lilia Vanrouge"

"You used to have long hair?" The fae on your chest, peeks up at you with a grin. Every time you asked a question in regards to his past, he felt a sense of nostalgia. It used to scare him, but he'd grown more used to the emotion as you two progressed in this easy-going relationship.

With a chuckle, he nodded. "Yes, you are correct. Although, I'm rather curious as to how you found out."

His eyes widened briefly as you reached a hand up to tuck his stray locks behind his ears. He wasn't one to get flustered, but he would be lying if he denied your doting movements made his heart skip a beat.

You cupped his face and he relaxed into your touch. "You know how they say hair holds memories, Lilia?" He hummed softly, still preoccupied in your warm hands.

"Is that what they're saying nowadays?" When he cracked his eyes open to see your genuine and sincere expression, he giggled once more. "Well, let's just say I have some memories I'd prefer to forget, and leave it at that, hm?"

Despite your growing curiosity for his lack of explanation, you decided against prying. Maybe one day, he'd indulge your need for answers.

"Harness

with Wanderer"

The world was cruel to him, proving there was no point in being kind, much less trying to build bonds with others. Relationships only showed the aged puppet that there was no use in trusting a human who sought to destroy and discard you.

The life set out for him did not involve or include any space for another being. The only one in this wretched world he can rely on is himself. And even with that ally, he almost failed to make it to where he stood currently.

Yet, there was an unaccounted variable. In all the mess of his new persona at the akedemiya, he failed to take into perspective how persistent you were. Desperate to befriend this unknown hat-bearer.

It bothered him to no end, seeing you out of his peripheral vision. He wanted to yell at you to scram. But he couldn't. You were his partner for this new project assigned.

"Let's get one thing clear here." Anger brimming in his low voice, he didn't care to address you in the eyes. He knew you were listening by the way your stupid pencil fell from your fingers. "I don't need any companion, so stop loitering in my presence after this assignment. Understood?"

Your heart raced, stinging from the rejection of the guy you only wanted to seek as a friend. But you knew better than to persist any further. Not all stories work out. Especially for students like you.

"Got it, hat guy."

Epel/Ruggie rambling

I already made a small drabble on this, but I associate Epel's guardedness towards Vil/Ruggie's hesitance towards Leona as the a specific phrase.

"I'll bite the hand that feeds."

Typically used in medias for familial bonds or animals, I admire the concept of someone of less "power" or "status" being more aggressive or passive towards another in the opposing position.

Typically in animals, namely dogs, they aren't aggressive by choice necessarily. Not towards those they value in some form or another. Unless they find it as needed, they try to stay in good graces to ensure they're kept well-fed or stable.

But, how does that change when it's weighed over their head, or used as a tactic of what FEELS like manipulation? The answer is defense. Fight or flight, with their freedom seeming to be the necessity at that very point.

"Maybe I'm afraid of you

I'll bite the hand that feeds me"

Neither are in a dangerous situation, but when it comes to their freedom or rather debts, they feel trapped. People and animals alike do irrational things when they feel afraid.

Even as Vil or Leona try to insist that they live free as they'd like, that underlying belief that it's all fake leaves the younger two feeling like they need to be on guard.

Just a small drabble while I'm half asleep

"How to care

with Riddle Rosehearts"

Sitting in his dorm room, trying to fulfill his nightly routine, regret was evident from the slight tremble in his fingertips. It typically happened at the first sign of agitation.

As he replayed all that happened in his head, he couldn't identify the cause for his unrest. The only eventful result from this day was the fact that you both had chosen to split up. But why would that bother him? He was the one who claimed he'd prefer to be alone to focus on academics.

Maybe it was your demeanor that haunted his body. How conflicted you appeared. It wasn't like you were shocked, at least you didn't show it. It was more akin to acceptance, or the struggle to accept the current circumstances.

"If that's what would be best, I won't stop you from leaving," you paused briefly before continuing again, "but I won't be here waiting for you to choose to play that role again."

A curt nod was all you received before he turned on his heels and left you on the steps leading to ramshackle.

He didn't feel much after the interaction until he got back into his dorm. More irritable and agitated, most of his dorm appeared to avoid him actively. That was fine. He'd be fine. He always was.