Chapter Text
Tap, tap, tap, tap, TAP tap, tap, tap
Gilded gold claws continue tapping against the writing desk, playing an unknown song to you. Or, knowing the person with those claws, it’s likely a made-up tune the Headmage came up with in the moment.
“OH, my dearest prefect,” Crowley stops his rhythmic fingers, as if now noticing that you were in his office, even though he was the one who opened the door to you, “how in-tune you are to a soul’s needs to know that I am in distress!”
“Headmage, you are the one who messaged me saying you needed to see me as soon as possible.”
“NYAH! What do ya need now? My henchman and I want to get our spring break started!” Grim starts to wiggle in your arms as you take a seat in the chair across from Crowley’s desk, your co-student is obviously eager to enjoy a well-earned vacation from school before final exam season starts up.
With a smooth swoop the masked man glides out of his chair and to the large arched windows that look over the campus. Outside several students cheer and run around, feeling free from any academic worries for a week and almost appearing drunk on the pleasant spring temperatures.
“And that is exactly why I am in distress. Telling this news to you truly hurts me, but I am afraid you’re reprieve from classes will have to be disrupted this year-”
“WHAT!! You’re not allowing us to take a break?! Haven’t a mage as great as I-mmph!” You clamp one hand over Grim’s mouth and use your other one to scratch under the cat-monster’s chin to help him calm down.
“Wait a moment, Grim. Let the headmage finish explaining his reasoning, then get mad later.” You whisper the last part of that to Grim, not wanting the headmage to hear Grim’s complaints and risk making a possibly bad situation worse.
But you should’ve remembered that the headmage isn’t fully human and could hear your co-student with those pointed ears of his, “Yes! Yes, there’s no need for you two to be in as deep of despair as I am, oh aren’t I so sensitive to my students' feelings?”
Crowley takes long strides back to the desk, and instead of sitting back at his desk, choosing to perch himself on the edge of the front of it, “No dear students, you are still freed from your classes… And from your housing for the next three days.”
“...We’re homeless, AGAIN?!” You stop petting Grim to stare wide-eyed at the man, how many times in one school year will your dorm be under threat?!
“Mn? Again?”
Did Crowley now know about Azul’s plans for Mostro Lounge 2? Does he pay attention at all to what happens at this school?
Crowley just cocked his head to the side, similar to a bird and gave a small smile at the prefect’s admission.
“Ah, even better! Then you already have experience on what to do!” Crowley clasps his clawed hands together, clearly pleased to hear his charge is independent enough to not be his responsibility. As if Grim and the prefect were at all to begin with.
Crowley moves towards the door as if to passive-aggressively say ‘OK, meeting over, bye!’ but pauses mid step at Grim’s growl.
“What’s the big idea? You can’t just kick us out of our place with no explanation! We got SOME rights ya know.”
He just turns his head, towards the two of you, almost seeming surprised at the questioning, “Wasn’t it obvious? Have you two truly not noticed the, ah, ‘infestation’ at Ramshackle?”
Infestation?!
“W-what exactly is at Ramshackle that would warrant us having to move out for a few days?”
You haven’t noticed anything too out of the ordinary at your dorm, well nothing stranger than what usually comes with a haunted house. Just the regular ectoplasm cleaning and drafts that sound like someone screaming. Fairly normal.
The headmage sighs, as if exasperated by the questioning on what is so obvious. “Why, all the eggs laying around outside your home! Have you not seen the piles of rock trolls' eggs everywhere?”
You gave a blank stare.
Ah, of course, everyone, even people from a different world than Twisted Wonderland, knows what those are... Not.
Then you remember that, yes, there were more stones and rocks sitting outside. You absentmindedly rub at the palms of your hands, where you scraped them when you tripped on one of those rocks that sat on the walkway out of Ramshackle a few days ago.
Crowley shakes his head, “I suppose I should explain myself a bit. This humble mage has been given the opportunity of a lifetime, and it should prove to be very financially beneficial to mys-the school!” At this point he has turned back around fully, rubbing his hands together while thinking of these promised riches. He stands a bit taller, then begins to drone on as if reading off a practiced script.
“Yes! A representative from Troll Triangle LLC has turned me to the satisfying career of troll breeding! For only a small multi-installment payment of 10,000 madol, I receive a few dozen or so of eggs which I can then resell. Once hatched, I get to list them online to a classified advertisement website. What was it... Yes, Harold’s list! Once I reach a certain amount of sales then I can get a title in the company! But, if I can get some acquaintances interested in joining, the progress to a title speeds up exponentially!”
So… We’re getting kicked out for a PYRAMID SCHEME?!
You sink into the chair, not caring if you are slouching. “Let me get this right. Grim and I can’t stay at Ramshackle because you’ve decided it is the ideal nursery for some pebbles?”
“I knew you would be understanding! Although rock trolls are repulsive to look at, I heard in some lands they make great nannies, especially to equally unattractive orphans.” Crowley taps his chin with one clawed finger and ponders, “Perhaps, for a 10% discount, I could sell you one-”
“Nope, no thank you Headmage.”
You are pulled to your feet by one hand, clutching Grim in the other and are not too gently pushed towards the door. “Wonderful meeting prefect! And don’t worry about your dorm, I will be sure to have all the trolls out after three days. The “rehoming” fee is quite generous so I am sure all the pebblings will be sold and gone before you return-”
“Hey hey hey! Where are we supposed to stay until then? I’m a growing Master Mage, I need plenty of room to stretch my legs at!” Grim spats out as he tries to climb your shoulder. You wince a bit at the claws that dig into the skin under your shirt, and try to hold onto Grim while he looks at the man that has now pushed you at the door’s threshold.
“Just do exactly what you did before! I truly appreciate how honest you are with your feelings on this predicament, dearest prefect. Anyways. Byeeee~!”
The door is then promptly slammed onto your ass, and Grim’s nose, propelling the both of you forward.
“That damn- Ugh that hurts.” You rub at your backside, trying to soothe the pain away and look towards Grim, who fell to the ground from the impact, and see he is doing the same to his nose. With a slightly smooshed nose he looks more like a Persian cat like Lucius than… Whatever he is.
“GREAT. How are we supposed to enjoy our deserved break with last minute plans like this?” The cat monster pouts and crawls to you. You scoop him up and start down the hall, already thinking of a list of people to talk to for suggestions. Maybe one of them would pity the two of you enough to open their home to you for spring break.
Grim thoughtfully hums. It feels more like a purr against your chest which helps calm your racing mind. “That shitty bird said just do what we did before… Do ya think that-”
Catching what Grim was thinking, and remembering months ago to this exact problem when it first happened to the two of you.“Nope, no way in Twisted Wonderland am I asking Leona Fucking Kingscholar to help us.”
It’s not that you HATE Leona. Your feelings towards him are… not the opposite of that either.
He is just so... Aggravating. It almost felt like he went out of his way to push your buttons. Sure, having a back-and-forth rapport with him was fun at the beginning of any encounter with him but it would quickly escalate to him insisting on having the final word in. He has even followed you all the way to PE class and poked fun at your running form!
Besides that, you felt some kind of... Admiration? Sure, how can someone not admire his tenacity. His prowess on the Magift field is unmatched, watching him in action and being ruthless in reaching his goal in a game is incredible. He is charismatic, his underclassmen fall into line with just a word from him and has natural leadership traits that almost make you want to follow him too. Him being, uh, easy on the eyes is a small bonus when you watch the college’s team.
Don’t make any mistakes on why you watch the Magift games though. That arrogant and grumpy lion is not the reason you go, you swear. You're in the bleachers to support your fellow first year, Epel. And to see Ruggie.
After the “Octavinelle Incident”, the two of you have come to an “alliance”. That’s what the freckled upperclassman calls it. But after enough errand runs together, listening to him complain about Leona and his dormmates getting in spats, and just sitting outside Sam’s while enjoying a Mystery Drink(™) it shouldn’t be called an alliance.
It’s totally “friendship”. But everyone in this damn school is too proud to admit they like being around someone.
Though you wonder if you’re not any better. Maybe if you were more upfront about putting a label on your relationships it would not have to feel so awkward to ask your classmates for help.
Earlier, you and Grim agreed to split up and cover more ground when it came to finding a place to crash for vacation. You hope Grim will manage to find someone because… You haven’t asked anyone.
You lean against the outside wall of Mr. S’s, and slide down, seating yourself on a patch of grass and hiding away behind the staircase leading up into the shop. This shouldn’t be so hard. Just say 'Hey! Super last minute here, but anyone got a couch Grim and I can surf on during break?'
You pull your phone out, and work up enough courage to open the app titled “Harmony” , then on the group chat titled “✨Firsties✨” . Tentatively typing. Then retyping. Ok one more revision…
PoifectPrefect
hey what r u guys doing for break?
Phew. Nailed it.
Your phone vibrates, a reply already?
The Juice♠
hey! u guys wont believe this but my mom gave me the ok to go on a road trip ALONE!!
Aceinthehole♥
no she didnt dummy. she INSISTED i go w u. youd prob be dead within an hour on the open road on ur own
i think she wants me to go bc she has the hots for me. better start calling me dad now deucey
The Juice♠
dude going on a roadtrip was ur idea. only reason ur tagging along is bc its my moms car
and STAY AWAY FROM MY MOM
Several people are typing…
Jack🐺
Hey. I’m going to my Uncle Shep’s place near the Coral Sea with my family.
Aceinthehole♥
ok jack back me up here. i totally got a chance with deuce’s mom right
DragonApple🍎
hey ya’ll!! @PoifectPrefect im going to be swamped with orchard prep. damn apple blossoms are too delicate, last year harvest sucked bc the wind wrecked them
@Aceinthehole ♥ depends
@The Juice ♠ on a scale to one to ace how desperate is your mom
The Juice♠
@Mod.Roboto-chan 🤖 hey id like to report harassment
@DragonApple 🍎 it is a solid ZERO not happening!!!
Jack🐺
Alright that’s enough for me. Good luck being idiots, I’m going to start packing now.
@Everyone Have a nice break, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
You notice that Jack didn’t really go anywhere, he would usually set his status to “Do Not Disturb”.
Silly wolf, still wants to know what everyone is up to.
Aceinthehole♥
harsh. youll be singing a different tune when i pick her up for our first date
LordMalleus’sRightHand🐊
GIONG TO DENTIST CONVENTION WITH MY FATHER. DONT BOTHER ME
Aceinthehole♥
oh hang on. forget deuce’s mom. do dental hygienists go to those too
The Juice♠
wow. so quick to abandon my mom. such an absent father
dental hygienists????? is that a kink or
Aceinthehole♥
see. knew youd accept me. dont you worry son. and no ew, havent u noticed that like the assistants to dentists are always super hot
LordMalleus’sRightHand🐊
DONT BRING MY MOTHER INTO YOUR HUMAN NONSENSE
The Juice♠
@LordMalleus’sRightHand 🐊 ur mom is a dental hygienist? Thats cool
DragonApple🍎
i saw a pic of sebek’s mom before
yeah u dont have a chance ace
Aceinthehole♥
EPEL!!!!!
Mod.Roboto-chan🤖
This is everyone’s first and only warning: Please keep all mother discussions to the channel “ MILF SPOTTED” and out of gen chat
@PoifectPrefect Hi!! My brother and I are going to AnimeTW, I’m so excited!!! My brother got the VIP passes so we get to take photos with some of the special guests. This is a big step for him.
What about you? Do you have any plans for spring break?
Crap. Of course Ortho sprang the big question. Alright, don’t chicken out. Tell them you need a place to stay. They’re your friends, surely one of them can help you and Grim out.
Taking a deep breath, you type out a response.
PoifectPrefect
nothing too exciting. going to someone else’s place for a few nights. itll be nice to get off campus for a while
MOOOTHERFUC- COME ON. COWARD.
Aceinthehole♥
👀👀👀
The Juice♠
om7. its finally happened guys
PoifectPrefect
??? what did
DragonApple🍎
who is he?? how dare you get a bf and NOT tell any of us
PoifectPrefect
wtf are you guys talking about???? and hey it could be a GIRLFRIEND, i could be dating a girl if i wanted to. if i knew any here
Aceinthehole♥
exxxactly 😜 theres only guys here so it has to be a dude
and ur not staying w any of us sooooooo. its gotta be someone u really like if ur staying more than one night w him
Jack🐺
Who is he. I don’t care, just want to know in case he’s a huge dick.
It’d be a real hassle if I have to go save you from a shitty boyfriend.
Ah, knew he was lurking.
PoifectPrefect
awww youd come to my rescue? my knight in white shining fur
Jack🐺
Just answer the question!!
A new channel on the side popped up, “Prefect BF Speculations”. These little shits-
DragonApple🍎
quick tell us, dorm leader vil wants to dump a new beauty product on us to try while on break
im running out of time, this demonstration could take hours
In the corner of your screen you notice your battery icon flashing.
PoifectPrefect
guess its going to be a mystery on who im staying w. phone about to die
Aceinthehole♥
boooooo tease
The Juice♠
i know ur phone is cheap but it cant be that b-
Aaaaand your phone went black before you could see the rest of Deuce’s response. Great.
A shadow appears above you, before you can look up a cold something was pressed to your temple. “If your face gets any longer I’d hafta start calling you ‘horsey’.”
Ruggie stood over you, he must’ve gotten into Mr. S’s without you noticing since your eyes were glued to your phone. He held Mystery Drinks(™) in both hands with one of them being pressed to your head. You try to reach for the one being offered to you but the hyena pulls it back.
“Ah-ah! Need some payment first! You’re really in some deep debt with my drink deliveries you know.” Despite this, he still sat next to you and handed you a straw and set the drinks on the ground while you both started to get the straws out of their paper prisons.
Cool, sweet and sour goodness flooded your mouth, while Ruggie readied his straw, intending to blow the paper still on it to hit you in the face.
“Thanks Ruggie, but I’m not in the mood to be target practice today.” And grabbed the paper before he could try anything.
“Mmm, what’s up? Come on and tell me, ya know I can’t stand a pathetic lookin’ face and yours’s looks real bad.” He shifts around a bit, grabbing the paper back and putting the wrapper in this pocket and puts a small grin on his face, “Look, see? I’m allllll ears, shyeheehee!”
He points to the large ears atop his head, which got the result he wanted and got you to match his smile.
You just stirred your drink. Should I tell him? He wouldn’t go around telling everyone, especially if he thinks he could find a way to lord it over my head… Well, it should be alright if one person knows, he could know a few tips on surviving a few nights alone on campus.
“...You have to swear you won’t tell anyone, ok? I rather not have the whole school know I need help. The last thing I need on my plate is someone like Azul using my dilemma against me and having me in steep debt.”
The hyena gives a dramatized gasp, “Prefect! I am the image of a perfect confidant! I promise I won’t repeat a word you say.”
Waiting a beat, staring at him, and internally debating with yourself on whether to tell him what the Headmage has done now. What’s the worst that could happen?
And that thought sealed your fate. If you were more perceptive, you would’ve noticed the slight glow from your upperclassman’s pocket. While he was pocketing his trash he decided to use the prefect’s vulnerability to his benefit and have someone else join the conversation.
You’ll forgive me for this, right pipsqueak? 'Sides I'm not saying anything. And this is for everyone’s best interests… Mostly mine, heehee.
His phone was on and on a call with someone.
FINALLY, what was takin’ that damn hyena so long to call.
In a slowly darkening room, a sunset is going down outside the large bay windows, and all over the floor laid shirts and only glanced at pages of homework. In the room of the Dorm Leader of Savanaclaw, Leona was groggy from his afternoon nap being interrupted by his phone vibrating and picked it up after a few rings, getting ready to chew out Ruggie for taking his time getting his dinner for tonight.
Instead of the playful voice of his subordinate, a different voice came out of the speaker. Your voice. And, damn, did you sound annoyed.
“-AND THEN he just slammed the door on us! No, ‘oh I will get you a hotel for a few nights’ or even a THOUGHT of helping us find a place to stay even though it is his fault to begin with!”
The voice was muffled from the barrier of Ruggie’s pocket but Leona could pick that clear pitch that he was growing familiar with from a crowd. The Ramshackle prefect. Never heard ‘em like this before, nice change of pace from their usual snarky ‘yes, sirrrrr’ attitude.
Leona rolls over onto his stomach, choosing to stay quiet for now while flicking his tail back and forth while he listens in. So, the pathetic prefect needs a place to crash. Again. What could be the angle here, Ruggie?
“Huh, sounds to me you need a real pal to house ya. Sucks to be you.”
“I guess you won’t open your heart and home to-”
“Noooo way. I don’t want anyone from school seeing where I live, and I really don’t want your gross human stink all over my place either.” Leona picks up the sound of rustling, Ruggie adjusts how he is seated next to you, letting the unknown-to-you third party listening in that what he will say next is important.
“I bet whoever you choose to ask though, you would either be verrrrry grateful and have to repay them or the other person can be freed of any debts they have for you too. Enticing offer but I’m goin’ to pass this time.”
Ah, so that’s what it is then. The lion beastman stretches himself out, while he calculates the pros and cons of what Ruggie is trying to hint at him to do.
It’s not that Leona LIKES you. And it’s definitely not that he hates you. Well, maybe some resentment. No, not that either. It started that way especially from the aftermath of the Magift tournament but now it was different. It was some feeling that made his chest clench when he would see you in the bleachers, cheering as loud as you could for his teammates. It’d also happen when he would see you trailing after those troublesome first-years, like a small cub following its parent.
Worse than that is when his ears would always perk up when he recognized your footsteps coming into the botanical garden, off on a search to get something for Crewel like the good teacher’s pet you are. And how they’d move at the sound of your laugh, trying to listen in, paying attention to your half laugh the one that is holding back to avoid attention, usually in reaction to some dumb shit those Heartslabyul kids were up to.
Leona could say he was impressed. A magicless human that somehow managed to not only stay alive after several Overblots but can get under enough students' skin or just sticking your nose into their business yet used it to your advantage to help them, which only gave you a long list of allies at Night Raven.
It was obvious that Leona found you…
To be a free source of entertainment.
Me and the prefect, trapped at Sunset Savanna for three days... I could finally needle them enough to get a real reaction out of ‘em. See a different side than what they’re hidin’ behind that strained smile they plaster on for everyone. Leona picks up his phone and brings it to his face. Time to make this little prefect squirm.
“Hey. Mouse, you need a place to sleep, right? Meet me outside your dorm in 30 minutes.”
Thank the Seven you were almost done with your beverage because with how high you jumped at the sound of Leona’s voice, your drink would have splashed into the air and your uniform would’ve been soaked.
“Wh- No. Ruggie, you bastard.” You harshly whisper to the boy next to you, while he just giggles at your glare.
Ruggie takes his phone out of his pocket, “Aw, looks like Leona already hung up. So… whatcha goin’ to do, pipsqueak?”
“You mean after I throttle you?”
“Puh-lease, you’d never do anything to me. Plus, empty threats look terrible on you too.” He leans his side against yours, giving his best pout at your annoyed face, and he knows he’s in the clear from any chance at your wrath when you return the same amount of weight back onto him.
Sevens above, come on, The hyena thinks to himself as he sees you rubbing at the back of your neck, again deep in thought. Do everyone, especially ME, a favor here and figure it out yourself!
What was the angle? Well Ruggie has been watching you and Leona dancing around each other for six long months now. Anyone looking at how the two of you bicker, usually sending teasing barbs at the other could tell there was some tension there.
Get a clue and realize you’re crushing on each other! I knew the prefect could be dense but Leona too?!
He recalls when he first figured out the two of you were a match, as he reaches for your forgotten cup and starts chugging the remains.
It was two weeks after the ruined Magift tournament plot, he was trying to nag Leona into getting up and into class while he was fast asleep in the gardens. It was like any other day, but then a rustle came from behind and the prefect came in, wadding through the bushes, with their eyes first cast to the ground looking around trying to find something until they spotted Ruggie and Leona.
“Oh, um, hey. How are you guys?” Your voice was low, and was avoiding the hyena’s gaze, obviously still feeling awkward about what happened not too long ago.
He was still unsure about the magicless human and would rather they leave the two of them be. “What do you want? And speak up if yer goin’ to talk.” The embarrassment from the tournament was still a fresh wound for Savanaclaw and the Ramshackle student was only a painful reminder of it.
But, instead of turning tail and running like most students do, they just crossed their arms in front of their chest. Then smirked. “Rude response to the one who saved both of your lives. Maybe you should try being nicer to me.”
When did this kid grow a backbone?
“Alright, you’re really going to backtalk-”
“Quiet.” Ruggie turned away from the prefect and out of his instinctual fighting stance and looked wide-eyed at his Dorm Leader who was awake.
No way… Nothing can wake Leona if he doesn’t want to be up. What’s going to happen next, elephants flying?!
Leona continues, sending a half-lidded stare at the interruption that walked in, “Don’t group me up with Ruggie, I didn’t say anythin’. Now, answer his question, what do you want.”
You paused for a moment and looked at the lion, looking surprised too at being addressed by him. “Crewel needs a lot of herbs for the alchemy practical tomorrow so he sent me to get them.”
“Ok, and? Get ‘em and get out of here, I want to sleep longer.” Leona yawns and shimmies his shoulders to try and get comfortable again to fall asleep.
“I would, if I knew where everything was. So, it looks like I will be here for a while. Sorry for the inconvenience… your majesty.”
Oh hoh oh, you are not going to get away with THAT- wait. Ruggie watches as Leona gets up from where he was laying, seeing his tail swishing back and forth, clearly agitated from the sarcastic quip you tacked onto the end.
Y-yeah, that’s right boss! Like some tiny human will easily walk away from you after saying-
“Fiiiine, let’s get this over with. What’s first.”
What.
…Not even a small death threat?
Ruggie stands in shock as he watches Leona, LEONA , take the basket you were using to gather ingredients, “Wait I didn’t ask for your help, I can get them myself.”
The upperclassman just continued walking off, “I’m not helping. The sooner you get your shit the sooner I get back to my nap. Lemme guess, Crewel needs raspberry leaves, probably some mugwort- Ruggie quit standin’ around all slack jawed and go get some of this so they can get out of here.”
The blond tries to shake himself awake; he has to be dreaming… right? He follows along and before long the prefect had a basketful of herbs and roots to take to the alchemy lab. Actually, they had an excess of ingredients, which Ruggie took upon himself, slightly dazed, and held the rest cupped in his shirt while he and the prefect walked back to the main school building.
“You don’t have to do this. I really could do this myself if you want to go.”
Ugh, go back to being snarky. This nice guy persona is sickening.
“Nah, it doesn’t matter. Today has been super weird. Just hope I wake up from whatever dream this is in time for breakfast.”
You stop walking at that, causing Ruggie to fall out of step and turn back to see why you stopped only to meet a worried look. “Are you feeling ok? I know Savanaclaw was hit really hard from the tournament. And, um,” You pause a moment to consider your words, which only make Ruggie more irritated, “you were hurt badly even before the matches started.” The prefect gave a quick glance at his bandaged arm, an even more painful reminder from the tournament, before returning their concerned eyes to Ruggie’s gray ones.
…Huh, it’s not a persona. You really WERE that nice.
“Hah, relax pipsqueak. This is nothing, you should be lookin' out for yourself around here. There are too many people here that will do ten times worse if you show even an ounce of vulnerability.” He continues walking ahead of you since he was starting to feel overwhelmed by your eyes on him.
“Does that include you?”
Ruggie hums, as if lost in thought, “Mm, I haven’t decided yet~”
Nope, he’s already decided as soon as he saw Leona actually get up to aid you in your assignment. He’s going to get two birds with one stone: Get Leona more focused on you so he leaves him alone and reduce his chores yet still get paid and get back at you for ruining the tournament plot by setting you up with the pain-in-the-butt prince.
Which is how we got here, outside Mr.S’s shop with Ruggie giving a friendly elbow to your side to get you to snap out of it. The past few months of him getting closer to you only confirmed his suspicions that Leona took an interest in you, and you in him. And, ok he will admit it to himself. He was starting to enjoy hanging out with you once you started to open up to him. You would even make him laugh at some of the under-your-breath comments in response to the normal nonsense that happens at Night Raven College.
“Ya know. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” Ruggie assures you, then goes back to your drink to chew on the ice leftover in it.
You gently push Ruggie off from where he was leaning on you with your shoulder, then get up and brush off any dirt that got on your uniform and give an exasperated sigh, “I know that but I do need to find a place to stay.”
“Huh, oh that’s not what I meant.” Ruggie picks himself up, not liking that he has to look up from his position on the ground. “I meant you don’t have to go meet up with Leona. Soooo does that mean you are going to his place for the holiday?”
The prefect just furrows their eyebrows at him, still annoyed at putting them in this situation. “I guess I have no other choice in the matter and… I actually would like to go- hey don’t get the wrong idea!” Their tired expression only deepens at Ruggie’s smirk.
“I’ve been in Twisted Wonderland for so long now but I’ve barely seen any of it. I know Leona is going to practically torture me while I’m stuck with him. But I think it will be worth it to see the sights and palace life even for a few days.”
Besides, You think to yourself, if I can’t withstand it I know Ace and Deuce would find some way to get me out of there. Your shoulders relax, you didn’t even realize how tense you were, but remembering how your idiots dropped everything to try and rescue you and Grim from being kidnapped by Scarabia last winter break made you feel better even if only for a moment.
After Ruggie glances at the time on his phone he looks at your face again and caught himself feeling more at ease too from seeing you less stressed than when he found you. “Oh no, the cushy rich life? However will you survive, shyeheehee~ Doesn’t matter much to me, whatever you choose I’m sure you’ll manage.” He starts to walk off but is stopped by your hand on his elbow.
"Thanks Ruggie. I'm mad at you but I know you mean well. In your own weird Ruggie-way. I'll see you off at the mirrors tomorrow, right?"
Ugh, you are such a softie. But he keeps that thought to himself and his smile just grows wider when he nods at you. The hyena waves goodbye to you, intending to get started on gathering any leftover food that is stocked in the buildings on campus to trudge back home tomorrow.
You start walking off too, but your renewed pep in your step from being with Ruggie slows as you see a familiar silhouette in the distance, leaned against the front gate of your dorm.
Ugh, let’s get this over with.