Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

What happens when the best relationship in the school falls apart?

Well, this...

A very tense detention room.  Crewel can't count how many times these 6 pups were in his detention room, or in detention in general. It had to be more than 40, or 50? Crewel could've sworn the last time they were here (about three weeks ago) the pups were giggling and side eyeing eachother like the lovebirds the school knew them to be. 

This whole scene was new.  Ace leaning back on his chair with his arms behind his head and staring at the ceiling with a frown that formed more into a scowl when the ruffling of paper was heard from the boy two seats left.

Yuu was sitting there with a sleeping Grimm on his lap and chest.  Yuu was solely focused on the piece of folded paper in his hands, turning it into a small turtle.  Yuu picked another piece of paper from his pile to fold another small creature, making the purple haired boy behind him quietly groan and mumble silent words cursing the prefect out. 

Said boy turned his head and picked up his magic pen and began randomly scribbling in the corners of his notebook he left open for when he got bored.  Epel looked up to the front of the classroom to scan for the clock noting the 7 minutes until this punishment was over, only looking away after meeting Crewel's confused and calculating eyes. 

The half-fae sat ramrod straight in his seat with his hands in his lap counting every second.  Sebek occasionally glances towards Ace when he makes obvious annoying faces and gestures, purely looking for a fight.  However he keeps his composure and continues counting with a deeper frown on his face.

Across the room are the less hostile ex's.  The beast man in the back row and the second Heartslabyul student in the first.  Both students have neat and tidy desks with only the detention report slip in front of them.  However, The Heartslabyul student is leaning over his desk.  He eyes are wide just listening to the quiet room.  Deuce wants to be out of the classroom and quickly before someone starts fighting, he really doesn't want to explain to his housewarden just what is happening between the first years. 

The beast man just stares through the window, trying to shatter it with his gaze alone and shoot daggers onto the field of runners in the track and field club.  By the time this detention finished, club activities would be over and he would have to brave his way through several interrogations before he would get to his room. 

When the bell rang, a minute late as noted by Sebek, Deuce nearly sprinted out of the room when dismissed wanting to avoid the others at all costs.  All the rest left just as quietly as they arrived but looking more annoyed than before. 

After Trappola had left Crewel made the note to separate the three students in his class, he doubted any of the other pups would want to be anywhere near the suffocating air surrounding the little pups.  Crewel still wondered what happened to his pups for them to have fought like this?

/"What is happening?" Yuu asked into the eerie silence.
"Nothing." Was the short and sharp response from the heart and spade students.  
"This is not nothing!"  Yuu said back, clearly at a loss of what to do. 
"Just stop Yuu." Deuce warned when he faced the prefect
"Stop what? Giving a fuck about you?!" Yuu gripped at his uniform, "I leave for ten minutes and your already trying to tear eachother's heads off!"
Deuce looked back at Yuu still a little annoyed
"Okay, calm dow-" jack started
"No.  This is bullshit," Ace interrupted, "Why aren't you talking dumbass!"
"That's what we all want to know!" Deuce shouted back with equal venom. 
"Can y'all stop shoutin' for two minutes, damnit!" Epel screamed from behind them.
"Mind Your Damn Business!" Was the double response from the heartslabyul students.
"Theee is no need to be so vulgar." Sebek stepped in to defend Epel, "now cease your squabbling!" His voice boomed. Epel pushed Sebek out from in front of him to scream at the two and eventually join in their fight. In trying to talk over the top of them Jack got fed up and joined in the noise. Every sentence increased in volume. Every sentence laced with disdain and intensity. 
"Please stop..." Was the quiet plea from Yuu.  Watching in complete terror as what he thought was the best relationship he could get fell apart like all the rest. 

Finally the damn broke.  Epel was the first that stormed away, followed by Jack and Sebak seconds later.  Ace and deuce continuing to raise their voices hoping for the last word in a sea of violent names and curses.  The door slammed shut sending an earthquake that only Yuu felt.  Giving in to the caving floor Yuu felt the tidal wave come and sweep him off his feet, the rocks his (ex?) Boyfriends provided suddenly gone.  Drowning in icey water, the void of panic swelling in the pit of Yuu's stomach grew and swallowed him whole.  The lingering intense atmosphere drifted with the wind through the campus chilling the air with and uneasy and deafening cold silence./

Chapter Text

With a heavy pounding in his head, Yuu wakes to a bleary vision that slowly clears to reveal the dorm lounge. 'I must have cried myself to sleep..' was the thought dancing through his head.  'It's so cold..'

Yuu, in a daze with a head full of bitter memories, walks the staris to his room. He grabs his base clothing and walks to the bathroom to wash his face and change. 

Looking into the mirror, Yuu notices the red lining his eyes and the ghost-like palor to his skin.  He washes his face, aware of how his hands are still shaking when they collide with his face. 

Yuu's uniform doesn't make it any warmer.  While buttoning his white undershirt, Yuu hides the pendent, the symbol of their friendship, love, all the pain hardships they endured together, buttoning it under his shirt. 

Yuu walks back into his room and grabs his blazer to pull it over his shoulders.  'Where is Grimm?' Yuu walked to the adjacent room.  'Still in bed.. Did he sleep through all that noise?'  "Grimm, wake up." Yuu paused momentarily, shocked at how raw his throat was when he spoke, "We need to leave in five minutes." Yuu spoke again after clearing his throat.

Yuu had to rattle Grimm's cage a little to get him to stir.  Still, he was up shortly, and with a snack in hand, they started the walk to their classroom. 

The few weird looks from Grimm made Yuu believe he really didn't hear the fight the night previous.  While he tried to feign ignorance, he was hyper aware of the march-walk step behind them consistent with the half-fae.  Leaving Grimm incredibly confused as to why Yuu didn't stop to link his arm with the other and smile while talking about the newest books they were reading or the general subtle heath check-up he usually did.  But there was nothing. 

'It got colder again.' Thought Yuu as the hairs on the back of his neck stood tall with each pair of eyes from their seniors or a (not so) subtle point in their direction.  His breath quickens, and his frown deepens with his increase in pace to the hallways leading to homeroom, which he also dreaded with each step. 

Finally, Sebek was no longer behind them because of the different hallways leading to their classrooms.  "Henchman! Is Grimm the Great so powerful that I've left you speechless?!" Yuu knew this was Grimm's way to ask <What's wrong?> or  <Are you okay?> Yuu just leant down slightly to pat him on the head to say that he's 'feeling fine, just a little wrung out.'  Grimm reluctantly accepted the answer. 

Yuu swallowed the lump in his throat as he opened the door to let Grimm run in first and take their seats.  Thankfully, they were only the third student; and the two Heartslabyul students hadn't arrived as of yet and would probably be late.

Yuu could've won a bet on the two being late.  But since no one really knew the issue at hand the seating arrangement was unchanged.  Which meant he would have to sit between two card soldiers poised for battle, ready to strike at the slightest pin drop. 

Regardless of how hard any of them tried to hide the aggressive atmosphere, everyone could tell.  It weighed over the classroom like the air was ten times denser.  So much so that Luscius had resigned himself to sitting next to the three in question.  With the cat having found the culprits of the intensity of the lesson, Trein kept his eyes keen and focused in their direction. 

Still, Trein was merciful, he didn't call for students to answer questions for the lesson.  He feared a sound from them would get someone hurt.  This would be a topic for discussion, it could not continue. 

Obviously this spread through the school like wildfire. Soon enough students of dorms in question; Heartslabyul, Savannaclaw, Pomefiore and Diasomnia, had explained to their seniors and leaders the problem at hand. 

At first all complaints were dismissed because there was no way the six of them had any fight that they couldn't work through on their own.  Usually a fight would be mediated and worked out before it even got to the respective Hosewardens.  Why should this be any different?

"You know how those two are," Riddle deadpanned to the concerning looks of his students, "most likely, they are pranking you."

"You really think the herbivores could fight?" Leona yawned with an exasperated sigh. "Now I know your pulling my tail."

"Oh Mon Cher, they will be alright, they always are, no?" Rook smiled to relaxing faced of his underclassmen. 
"If there was a problem Epel wouldn't be shy to voice his opinion." Vil added when he brought his teacup down from his lips.  Satisfied with the answer the pomefiore dorm students left to get their own food. 
"Should I follow them Roi des poison?"
"No, we should give them a day or two to figure themselves out, then we'll step in."
Vil sipped his tea once more. 

"There's no need to worry, if Sebek needed assistance he would say something." Lillia was reassuring in his assessment of his disciple.  The concerned student quickly were waved away with the notion with them being fine because "nothing was wrong this morning" (incorrect but okay-)
"Is there really something going on Fa- Lillia-san?" Silver asked half awake.
"If so, they will figure it out, I know they will."

This dismissal was quickly washed away when the chill returned.  Some freshmen still relatively traumatised from their morning lessons sat in their seats, eyes trained on the door.  Epel walked in followed by Deuce and Jack.  A few seconds later Sebek and Ace came through the door.  The once loud cafeteria, fell silent as eyes trained to the source of the uncomfortable feeling edging its way to suck the victim's souls' of their breath.  Yuu was last to walk in, he soured his expression after meeting some of their eyes.  Keeping his eyes trained on the floor or walls he found his way to the lunch bar.  Yuu asked for a fruit bowl and a tuna sandwich, all to take away.  He bent down to give Grimm his sandwich and made his break for the door. 

Epel found his way to the table in the corner.  Jack left to eat close to the next class.  Sebek was waved over by Lillia who was trying to save his son from this situation, he was however grateful for Sebek masking the tension he portrayed.  Ace and Deuce sat in opposite corners of the regular table.  For once in his life, Ace obeyed the rules and left once he finished eating.  Leaving a deserted table with a growing roar of whispers. 

"We might need to step in, Rook." Vil stated in a quiet voice for his vice housewarden to hear. 

The next lesson went by fast.  A combined lesson, where their words started out a colourful shade of amber, teetering on the edge of red.  The cauldron had enough of their back and forth and decided to blow up in their faces to add peace of mind to the rest of the students.  The negligence of the averted attention landed them a date with detention. 

Chapter Text

A day long gone, a new one has started.  Long lectures that seem to never end leads to lunch.  The next class is alchemy.  Whether they like it or not Ace, Deuce and Yuu are still partnered together. (No one wanted to partner with them lol, they are disasters)

Here they are in the Botanical Gardens, picking their ingredients.  Leona can hear them from a mile away, he thinks that anyone could with how they were raising their voices. 

He peeked from the hedge line he was napping behind to see Yuu picking up a few herbs and Ace and Deuce in each other's faces.

"Do you think I want to be here?!" Ace yelled
"We both know your failing." Deuces smug smile slowly itching up Ace's skin making his face curl in disgust. 

"Will you two quit it!" Yuu stood and shouted too. "We just have to pick the ingredients. Can you do that without making a scene?!"
"Hahahhhaah... just for that, No!" Ace's reply was tort.
"God you two won't stop bickering... like..." Yuu trailed his sentence off, the air was bad enough and that line didn't need to sour it more.

But they understood.  The missing words cut through scars and gouged dry rivers through their bones. Draining their hearts of guilt and anger, letting the blood carry it to display in their expressions. 

"... Like what, Yuu?.." The anger in Ace's voice promised vengeance, he let it cut through the air. He hoped the following words would hurt just as much as he thought they would.

"Like an old married couple." Yuu spoke knowing the consequences, but feeling more anxious over the growing feeling of apathy that replaced his anger and hurt. 

Deuce's face morphed into a feeling of betrayal.  He blamed Ace for the guilt trip his soul sent him on when those words left Yuu's mouth. 'The bastard just had to pick a fight.'

Ace clicked his tongue. He threw the herbs he was holding next to Yuu's feet, knowing Yuu would still bring them if he wanted to pass the class.  He took long strides to the door they entered from. 

What hurt wasn't the dejected look in Deuces eyes before he walked out the opposite door, it was the return of that same apathetic feeling when Yuu searched the depths of his soul when they met eyes.

Scrunching his nose Yuu thought, 'Fucking useless'

Leona sat back down turning his back to the bush he was peering over.  'I should tell Riddle... after a nap.' Leona slept, preparing his mind for the inevitable emotional comfort his student would be needing.

Chapter Text

Despite the dreary and dark academia nature of the Diasomnia, the mornings in the dorm were always lively.  Loud voices echoed down the halls bouncing around between tall ceilings.  Especially one voice. A voice that was seemingly absent. 

One morning was a nice, peaceful change of pace.  Two mornings was questioned even less. Three mornings is where the line was drawn. 

Silver was half asleep at the kitchen counter top when Sebek walked past. He had his lips pressed into a thin line. 

Sebek remained ever present in his duties. He was steady. Silver knew better. Sebek liked to hide; he believed his emotions were a hindrance. Silver knew this.

So why didn't he say anything? Why could he not offer a comforting word or two? Was it his place to do so? Did Sebek want that?

Silver watched Sebek sit down with a bowl of cereal. He watched Sebek slightly struggle to keep a straight posture.  He watched how his eyes would flutter before he forced them open. 

Before he knew it Sebek was leaving.  He missed his chance..

Lillia believed he had a fair amount of patience, but even those depths were proving to be more shallow than before. 

Everyone can tell that nothing has been resolved, Lillia included. Furthermore, Sebek's act hasn't improved any, Lillia can see the stroke of exhaustion creeping it's way into his disciple.

Each time he attempts a conversation he is met with a brick wall. 'He isn't ready to talk yet' Lillia tells himself. He just hopes Sebek is ready before it hurts him beyond repair.

Despite the differences Savannaclaw was fairly similar.  Quiet days, less fighting for superiority.  It got more rare to see Jack in the common areas.  He would confine himself to his room and trade his outside time to care for his plants.  He felt no need to socialise as the only people he liked socialising with now hated him. 

Leona was sitting up on his bed rubbing the edging sleep from his eyes.  Ruggie knocks and let's himself in, he notices Leona sitting there and hands him his now washed uniform. 
"Have you seen Jack recently?" Leona asks through his hand.
"I checked on him yesterday when I did the headcount" Ruggie started to leave. "He seemed fine. He also went for his run this morning, so nothing much." Ruggie shrugged his shoulders and left Leona wondering how much empathy he had left to spare.

Just outside Ruggie leaned on the railing and ran his hand through his hair. 'Now I have to deal with two depressed idiots' His mind ran with the wind on his way through the dorm, up and down rope bridges until he is left with the last first year to account for for the night. 
Jack.

Ruggie knocks once.  Twice.  With no answer Ruggie quietly let's himself in thinking he would see a sleeping figure. Empty.

In a slight panic Ruggie looks out Jack's window and sees him running the perimeter of the magishift field. 

"What time is it?" Ruggie's sudden voice startled the wolf so much he almost tripped.  Ruggie waited for his response.
"Umm.. I don't know.." Jack's ears pressed firmly against his head.
"It's past curfew.  How are you even running this late? You won't sleep for at least an hour now." Ruggie points out as he starts to lead Jack back to the dorms, and his room.  Jack stayed silent and headed inside his room, with a silent apology and an acknowledgement to be better.

The morning was more tense as the mirror chamber fills with students.  With a book in hand Sebek is trying to make his way out of the chamber, and Jack on his way to set up his first class for the day.  Until a poor and unfortunate student bumped into Jack a little to hard and pushed back a few steps, into Sebek.

Sebek was about to lecture the offender when he turned to see one he really didn't want to at that moment.  The staring competition was cut short by a rough shout from a very tired senior.  Leona made his way to Jack and stood between them ready to defend his pupil. 
"You wouldn't, not while I am present, right? Kingscholar?"  Malleus's appearance was sudden but didn't shake the Savannaclaw Housewarden.
"Then tell your pups to keep their paws off mine, Lizard"
"A threat, is that?"
"What else would it be?" The two Housewardens start throwing underhanded threats of violence should their be conflict, promising their students protection.
"Leona! Quit threatening them!" Ruggie's call broke the tension causing students unease.
"You too, Malleus," Lillia dropped in from overhead, "there is no need for violence." Lillia and Ruggie separated their housewarden's. Lillia's smile turned to a smirk. "At least... not yet"

Chapter Text

The wishing well in Pomefiore proved to be a quiet space for the purple haired boy.  That or everyone was avoiding him, even his roommate made some excuse to be anywhere but near him. 

For once in his life he appreciated Vil's mannerisms lessons.  They allowed him to fill his mind with something other than his feelings.  He also appreciated Vil's attention to detail, making the once forty-five minute lessons into and hour, and soon an hour and a half. 

Epel can see in his senior's eyes, that he's looking for an opportunity to say something, and he wants him to, so he doesn't engage with him much after. 

Epel also notices Rook make an attempt, although his methods are.. creepy.  'That's just Rook' something every student who has ever caught the eye of the vice housewarden has said at one point. 

Even Epel's club seniors, even with their loyalties to the beastman, have shown some concern. At least when he comes to practice and can barely keep his eyes open.  Or, when they spot a new bruise in the change rooms.  And he's greatful for it, but he still feels like he's half of himself.

He just wants to be a normal teenage boy.  First loves, heartbreak, peace, new life. That's normal right? The feeling, the feeling of leaving a draining relationship, that feeling should be freedom right?

'Why am I so heavy?'

School is a tiring affair, a classroom shared with one he used to admire for strength but now can't meet his eyes for fear of the emotions he might feel or see

Long lessons make for not long enough breaks.  All until it's club time.  Still tired and wandering through memories and the events that led them to the rough patch they seem to be traped in.  The distractions soften when he listens to Captain Leona's instructions until the plaguing white noise fills his ears and drowns his surfacing thoughts once again. 

So lost admist his thoughts he only briefly notices the wind gushing past his face.  His face that is steadily plummeting towards the ground.  Epel's mid-air struggling is halted by the safety net that was finally remembered to be strung up. 

He suddenly feels all of his muscles strain and his bones creak in an attempt to pick himself up.  He was glad to feel himself all in one piece, even if it meant a lecture from the coach, captain, worried teammates, and his dorm learders. 

Once back in his room, the first tear slipped past the damn and opened the floodgates.  He couldn't stop each tear that rolled down his cheek at the prospect of people, the ones he considered the loves of his life, the ones who would drop everything to come to his aid (and vice versa), didn't even text asking him if he was injured.  He could've died and they didn't care.

Basketball club got less intense when they stepped out onto the court.  Ace was fine when he started to play.  Not even ten minutes into the game, the clear crystal on a chain around his neck, one he was still trying to figure out how to take off, was bouncing around his upper chest.  It made him think, even if he tried to lift it over his head the chain would get shorter, if he tried to unlatch it, the latch would disappear.  The necklace was a horrifying reminder of the ordeal that Twisted Wonderland bestowed on them and the people it connected him to.  A rigid and irrevocable reminder of what he caused.  So, when the diamond-cut crystal shone a soft purple light, indicative of the apple-scented and lavender-purple haired boy, he felt his heart drop with guilt.  He picked up the accessory and tucked it away under his shirt, an action that would be described as indifferent to an on-looker.  

Chapter Text

Loud sounds in otherwise silent halls would grab the attention of the surrounding people.  Especially if those people heard from several halls away from a conference room. 

It was meant to be a quiet respite in silent halls, a way to clear his head and gain the courage to talk to them.  Yuu continued his walk to the conference room, dorm leaders gathering on the weekend was no strange thing.

Yuu's steps halt when he hears the voices around the corner.  'Sevens why??' was his internal monologue when he recognised the voices.

He feels his heart cracking and his empathy and emotions drain in rivers. He doesn't know why his feet are suddenly moving towards the voices, disdain growing more evident.

Crack

Drip

He gets to the opening to the hallway.  He first notices Deuce, tear stains and a terrified expression.  Then Jack scowl deepening, tail tucked close to his leg, unmoving.  Next Epel, crying and furious.  An equally angry Ace, and a unnerving calm Sebek. 

Drip, drip.

Drip

Did Twisted Wonderland get off on torturing their souls? Is it so hard to let them be happy?

Crack

"Darnit, quit yer hissy fit! Y'all madder than a dying duck!" Epel's accent cuts through the halls. "And what is your 4-foot ass gonna do, huh?!" Ace retorted.

Drip, Drip

"Just stop, please!" Deuces voice was pained as more tears fell from his ocean eyes. 

Crack

"Oh, don't act like you care!" Jack's strong tone made Deuce quiver and shake more, barely managing to keep his knees from buckling.  "What a pathetic display, Human." Was Sebeks addition to the growing hostility. 

Drip, drip, drip,

drip Drip.

"Oh Fuck your high horse!!" Ace yelled back reigning in another opponent. "We ain't need yer two cents!" Epel added. 

.. Drip...

Drip...

Sebeks eyes met Yuu's.  He focuses his glare on the emotionless face the prefect donned.  "Are you just going to stand there?!" Sebeks voice dragged the attention of the other four. 

"..what do you want me to do?" Was the calm reply.  The already blury gaze blurred out to white. 

"If you don't have anything to add, then fuck off!!" Ace answered.

......

.........drip...

Deuce pleaded Ace to stop. "Enough!! please..."

.....

..... Huh? .....

..Oh.... there's nothing left...

"Hmm, okay." Yuu reached behind his head, movements devoid of life. "Since you care so much," Yuu unlatched his necklace, "You can have this then." Yuu threw the pendent.  Deuce scrambled on his already unsteady feet to catch it.  "I don't need it anymore." 

The five of them watched as all emotion fell from Yuu's face and body, becoming a husk, foregoing the ability to feel in order to detach himself; locking the memory of his love and adoration behind a deadbolted door in a corner of his subconscious. 

He turned to walk down the hallway back to the school gates, the meeting being half over already, and not wanting to deal with several lectures from the older housewardens. 

Ace scrunched his face and walked away in the opposite direction.  All of them found a separate way to walk save for Deuce who collapsed on the nearest wall and cried harder into the necklace in his hands, so deep in panic he was unable to hear the voice of his housewarden.  The tears took over in waves crashing into the shore of his aching heart, slowly sweeping the sand of his conscious mind into the depths of the ocean of guilt.

Chapter Text

An unconscious haze washes over Sebek's face. Not asleep but not waking either, slowly drifting through stages of unconcious mind, waking every so often to the feeling of a stabbing pain through his chest, accompanied by the image of a beloved holding the weapon. 

Naturally, a constant sleep and waking amounts to no sleep.  'Is that three, or four days...? Could be seven and I'm just delusional...'  He thought, unsure if he heard himself outloud or just in his head.

Call it second nature or not, Sebek makes it through his morning routine.  Sloppily buttoning his short until his vision focused enough for him to re-centre himself momentarily. 

His usual stride was interrupted after every few steps in favour of his balance.  Just an effort to save his pride, and the face of his Prince, Malleus, maybe Lilia and Silver too, but mostly Malleus. 

Malleus, Lilia, Silver (admitted under duress), his second family.  The people he grew up beside, who put up with his behaviour and taught him how to be useful.  He tells himself that these are the only people who matter to him, that he should never have mingled outside his duties like he did.  Sebek allowed his brows to crease further. 

Any passers-by, fuelled by fear from the aggressive mumbling tumbling from Sebek's mouth, give Sebek a wide berth in the halls despite his obvious struggle to remain on his feet.

He shouldn't have listened to their sweet lies.
He shouldn't have let himself get dragged under.
He shouldn't have given in to his human desires so easily.

He finds himself at the common room, so close to the kitchen, a cup of tea should help. It has too..

He shouldn't have been so weak.
He shouldn't have hurt them so much.
He shouldn't be be alive for what he did to them. 

The kitchen doorway crept up on him.  He was faced with silver with a cup of coffee on hand.  Just how long did he 'sleep' in?

He could feel the weight of his eyelids threatening permanent slumber. 

He saw Silver's mouth move, but heard no sound. 

He vaguely recognised the blur of balck and magenta before losing the fight against his own body. 

Finally a dead sleep, some proper rest.

This might help heal his shattered heart.

Chapter Text

He got a small shipment of left over apples that morning.  The weekend was quiet, and his roommate had left early that morning.  He hadn't even bothered to change out of his pyjamas. 

He picked up the next apple. Starting at the stem he bubbled a line in and out, creating a wave.  He carved a small straight line under the last one making an small petal pattern.  By the third row the shape of the potential flower pattern was starting to show.  He was halfway through the fourth round of petals when the knife slipped and caught his index finger that was holding the apple.

He dropped the apple to inspect his now bleeding finger.  The cut wasn't deep just enough to make it bleed.  He thought about getting up to find the first aid kit for a band-aid but was stopped by the thought of seeing one of his dormmates in the hall. 
He opted to leave it to coagulate on its own and picked the apple back up.  Epel moved to make another cut in the apple but he barely saw through his blurry vision. His hand slipped again, this time it sliced closer to the webbing skin between his first two fingers.  Still, he kept his grip and continued carving the apple. 

A speckle of blood ran down his index finger and found the flesh of the apple in his hand.  The blood spiderweb-ed through the cracks in the apple's flesh, painting the apple a crimson red.

"Rook, have you seen Epel today?"  Vil asked his vice. "I have not, Roi du Poison." Rook responded with a sad smile and a shake of his head.

"I'm going to check on him then." Vil turned away from his vice and walked the hallway to the rooms inhabited by the first years.  Rook followed close behind determined to back his muse.

As they drew nearer to Epel's room, a smell peaked the Vice's interest, "Beautiful Vil, I can smell blood," A few steps closer and Vil can smell it too.  "Rook get a first-aid kit, quickly." Before Vil could finish his sentence Rook had already begun walk-running in the direction of the nearest kit. 

Vil nocked once and announced himself.  Hearing a small acknowledgement from inside the room he entered.  He saw Epel clutching a stained crimson apple. 

Vil was immediately in the room and grabbing some tissues to slow the bleeding of the small cuts.  The cuts weren't big, or deep, but there was at least 12, maybe 14, that Vil could see. 

Room returned with the kit already holding the box of plasters ready for Vil.  They carefully ensured that all the small cuts were covered or no longer bleeding.  Vil noticed the distant look in his first-year's eyes, he brought Epel's head to his shoulder and held him there tightly. 

Allowing Epel to let the tears slip past his eyes

Chapter Text

With Ruggie working extra shifts at the Mostro lounge and Jack dwelling in his grief, Leona was forced to actually supervise his dorm members.  He laid back on a lounge chair as some of his dormmates wrestled in the spring in the dorm lounge. He watched through the open window in the stone at the said grieving underclassmen.

Jack was in the outside gym. He was trying bicep curls.  His muscles looked tired and overworked.  Leona wondered how he hadn't torn a muscle yet.  Jack's workout was cut short when he lost control of his hands and dropped the weight, it almost landing on top of his foot. Jack stared at his hands then combed them through his hair stopping at his ears. He gripped them harshly but not enough to harm.  

It was then that Leona was reminded of a phrase, 'trauma bonding', the kids relied on eachother to keep them afloat when in reality they're all drowning.  It was a simple concept and glaringly obvious when considering the kids history of getting dragged into trouble. 

Leona was pulled from his thoughts by Jack sauntering past him and down the hallway to the student living spaces. 

When Ruggie returned from The Mostro Lounge finishing his shift, Leona left him to supervise the students in the lounge.  On his way back to his housewarden suite Leona heard one of the freshmen zebra beastmen raising their voice.  Leona sighed having to break up a fight on the way to his room to nap.  He stopped when he turned the corner and saw the zebra beastmen telling off Jack, who was just blankly staring back.  Usually the more prey beastmen don't fight with the predator beastmen but Jack is certainly in no shape to fight with anyone, nor does he want to. 

With Leona's interference made the zebra beastman leave Jack alone and that's when Leona saw the slight twitch in Jack's hands. Jack had a small water bottle, presumably for watering his plants, that was starting to fall from his wavering grip.  Leona reached up to Jack's already down turned ears and pet him a few times, that small bit of comfort felt like food for the starving to Jack.  Leona, feeling drained of empathy for the day retreated from his underclassmen's presence and stalked back to his room. 

Usually Ruggie would pay no mind to hearing something smash, but this time he gave a shit.  The sound of ceramics shattering against stone carried through the corridor sourcing from Jack's room.  Ruggie got to Jack's room and called out to him as he opened the door. 

Ruggie saw Jack on his knee, kneeling in some broken ceramics clutching a painted plant pot with a round and flowering cactus in it.  Jack sat back still holding the pot in his arms.  Ruggie saw the bleeding around Jack's knee where some of the plant pot shards cut through the skin.  When looking higher checking Jack over for more injuries and before getting the first aid kit outside on the wall in the hallway, Ruggie noticed cactus spines in Jack's arm. 
"I'll be back in a second Jack" Ruggie pet Jack's head as he ran out of his room and a few steps down the hall where the first aid kit for this hallway was.  'If Headmaster weren't so cheap every room would have one of these'. Ruggie thought as he unclipped it and returned to Jack, still holding the cactus. 

Ruggie patched the wounds and pulled the cactus spines from his forearm and wrapped it up.  In less of a daze Jack looked at Ruggie.  Ruggie reached out to pet Jack. 
"Lie down and take a nap Jack, this can be cleaned up later when your not shaking."  Jack nodded and stood using the wall for support.  He placed the pot down on his nightstand and sat on the edge of his bed. 

Ruggie finally got a good look at the plant pot. It was painted with little cartoon images of lightning, hearts and spades, apples, dogs and cats, with 'Happy birthday' around the rim. This made Ruggie feel a twinge of guilt and sorrow for his underclassman. 

Ruggie left to inform Leona of the incident. Leaving Jack to feel his feelings.  

Chapter Text

Deuce knew he was being stupid, he knew he is taking it too far but he can't help the guilt draining him.  Having just come back from visiting his mother for a day, he decided he'd had enough. 

His mother would be disappointed in him.  He knew that.  Which is why he gave her an extra long hug before leaving.  His best friends hate him, his soulmates hate him and he doesn't know what to do.  This is all he could come up with. 

The fire doors led to their dormitory roof.  The doors didn't have an alarm, something Ace and Deuce discovered when finding escape routes within the dorm. 

He stood close to the railing.  He felt the sun warm over his face as his hands met the chill of the metal railing.  He clutched Yuu's necklace that he tangled further in between his fingers. 

Deuce removed his blazer, folded and laid it on the ground.  He poised the necklace in the centre, using his blazer as a soft podium. 

Riddle and Trey were quickly running up to the third floor of the dormitory., catching Cater along the way.  With a quick response from Trey, Cater joined their chase. 

A few minutes earlier a worried first year came to Riddle to tell him that he saw a certain navy haired student exit via the emergency door.

Riddle opened thedoor in such a panic it recoiled.  Trey caught the door over Riddle's head, allowing Riddle and Cater to run out to the balcony. 

Deuce turned to face his upperclassmen. He was sitting beyond the railing on the stone ledge. He had tears streaming past his eyes that he couldn't seem to stop.  Before Deuce could react, Cater had grabbed a fistful of Deuce's shirt through the railing.  He adjusted his grip slightly to keep Deuce from falling. 

The tears seemed to catch his throat and choked him as he hiccuped through sobs with his senior's words of support. 

With a small nod Duece agreed to climb back over the ledge. 

He grabbed the rail, still being supported by Cater.  Cater let go for a second to reach over the railing for a better hold of Deuce. 

Just as Cater grabbed a hold of Duece's arm his foot slipped.  It took his upper body with him.  He was pulled form Caters grip and his upper body caught under his arm bring his head down to greet the stone ledge. 

Riddle's quick uptake of his magic pen stopped Duece from falling further off the edge, however unconscious. 

Trey brought Duece back to his bed.  Cater in front opening doors and Riddle trailing behind on the phone to the school's nurse.

The placed him safely in his bed asigning Cater to watch over him for the foreseeable future.  

Chapter Text

'Trey brought Duece back to his bed.  Cater in front opening doors and Riddle trailing behind on the phone to the school's nurse.

He placed him safely in his bed, asigning Cater to watch over him for the foreseeable future.'

Was the ideal scenario. 

Until Cater opened the bedroom door leading to Ace and Deuce's room. 

"Oh Shit!" Was Cater's response to the scene followed by a stream of obscenities.

Sentiments that were echoed when Riddle and Trey watched from the doorway. 

Ace was sprawled out on the floor by his bed.  And two panicking roommates begging their seniors to do something, a panic that spiralled further seeing an unconscious Deuce held tight within their Vice's arms. 

Riddle walked into the room, still on call with the school nurse, urging her to be swift.  His face paled more, realising why Ace was unconscious, seeing Cater knelt down beside their junior holding a handkerchief, the first thing his hands found, to his bleeding arm.  He was bleeding from long lines clearly laying down all his guilt and despair, only slightly masked by the few tears that fell from Cater's eyes. 

By now, Trey has laid down Deuce to rest on one of the roommate's beds, with permission, of course, to keep the new scene clear for the recently arrived nurse to work properly.  Trey worked to calm the two freaked juniors attempting to gain a story.

"We were in the lounge studying, but we forgot some supplies... and... he was just... there!" One stated.

Trey did his best to calm them, only able to assure them that the nurse would help, what they could do he was unsure, but is had to be something. 

With Ace being stable, the nurse was able to turn her attention to Deuce.  Have him moved to his own bed and checked over for any prominent damage.  Thankfully, nothing was too of note. Other than a little bump, that would be painful but not harmful. 

Finally settled, Riddle nominated himself to look after the lost first years, fearing that if they left his sight, they would disappear for real.  This was argued by Cater and Trey, who also wanted to stay.  Compromising, the three of them sat in the room quietly, talking and completing homework with occasional glances to the beds in question. 

Such tribulations are seldom ever kept close to home, the housewardens and vice housewardens of the other houses, especially those who housed a lost yearling, were made aware of the conditions they were facing.  This prompted a meeting amongst them to protect their kids.  They traded information of their current conditions;
Ace and Deuce - unconscious
Epel - injuring himself
Sebek - asleep (multiple days atp)
Jack - in a state of shock
Yuu - Indifference and emotionless

They wondered about just how they could help and praying to all the higher powers possible that the first years figure themselves out soon.  

Chapter Text

Ace slowly managed to blink his eyes open.  Squeezing them shut again with the instant headache the light gave him.  Trey had just walked in, he was going to change over Ace's bandages.  Ace was boneless as he let Trey put fresh bandages over his arm, all his complaints about 'never waking again' and 'let me bleed out' died in his throat when he saw the hurt cross his uperclassmen's face as he worked. 
"You should come downstairs and get something to eat." Trey spoke, containing his joy at seeing Ace awake and responsive.  "I'm sure Riddle would look the other way for a bit if you want a small slice of cherry pie for breakfast?"
"That breaks rule 619, one must have eggs for breakfast on the third Sunday of the month." Ace softly replied.
"I'll concede for today Ace." Ace's attention was brought to the doorway where Riddle stood, taking in the fact his junior is responding. "Think it as a reward for remembering that rule"

Downstairs, Cater is sitting at the table having finished his breakfast, waiting for Riddle and Trey to return.  He didn't expect Ace to trail them down the stairs.  Cater smiled and hugged Ace lightly.  He noticed the distant look to his eyes and led him to a seat.  A few minutes later a (not very small) slice of cherry pie, that Trey stress-baked the night before, was placed in front of Ace.  He stared for a moment then took up his fork.  He smiled sweetly and thanked his upperclassmen. 

"Ace, you go outside and get some fresh air." Riddle started, "sit with the hedgehogs and play with them for a bit. That usually helps clear my head." Cater and Trey almost protested before Ace softly replied.
"Okay." When Ace finished he brought his plate to the kitchen and cleaned up before walking out the dormitory with a nod and thankyou towards his seniors.

"Riddle, why did you send him out?! Deuce went out there not long ago." Cater softly yelled. "The way he looked and carried himself, reminded me of my overblot." Riddle answered.  Trey and Cater gave him a few confused looks.  "I needed to break before I could learn," Riddle continued, "they broke, now they can put eachother back together again."  Trey acknowledged that it was a good deduction.  "Still it takes a lot of courage to make that first step to reconcile... I would know." Trey replied as he looked over to Riddle."So we're just crossing our fingers here?" Cater asked earnestly.  Riddle and Trey hesitantly nodded. 

Out in the gardens Ace found the hedgehog pen.  The hedgehogs scurried away until he sat down and watched them roll around and slowly come back around.  He spotted the red, lime-green, yellow, lavender, and light-grey hedgehogs play what looked to be a version of hide and seek.  A dark-blue hedgehog came up to Ace and nudged his hand until Ace picked it up and watched it snuggle into the warmth of his hand.  It reminded him of his navy lover, and how he would sneak into his bed and stuff his face into Ace's chest.  That thought brought a smile to his face, he could never stop loving them.  He wanted to apologise at least and even if it took months to reconcile their relationship, he would wait years just to kiss him again. 

Deuce had similar thoughts when he saw Ace in the hedgehog pen holding the hedgehog so dutifully named Frying Pan.
Ace looked around and met Deuce's saddened eyes.  Much to Pan's dismay Ace put him down and closed the pen behind him.  He took a shakey breath before turning to face Duece. 

Deuce took a step towards Ace, he lifted a slow hand, wanting to brush Ace's hair away, hesitating slightly he took the strands of hair and moved them away looking out for any signs of malcontent from Ace. 

Ace stepped forward and tentatively danced his hands over Deuce's chest.  He brought his head down to rest on the familiar shoulder.  He let the stray tear slip as Deuce wraped his fingers around the skin of Ace's waist feeling his warmth under his shirt. 

Having noticed the bandages on Ace's left arm, Deuce gently took his wrist and lifted it to his lips and left a mark of his love over the bandaged, scarring skin. 
"To help it feel better" they were bitter-sweet words, ones that Yuu would use to comfort them when they were hurt.  Ace pulled his hand from Deuce's grip and placed it to the side of his Spade's face, letting out a small giggle when he nuzzled his hand just like the little Frying Pan.  Ace smoothly pulled Deuces head down and gently collided his lips with the scabbed cut over Deuce's eyebrow.  "Housewarden told me what happened.." Ace trailed his sentence, not being able to meet His lover's eyes. 
"Our roommates told me a few things too.." a small quiet washed over their conversation. 

"I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry Deuce" Ace moved to hide his face in the other's collar. "I love you too much, I can't...  I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too, my Heart, I love you so much more than I can say." Deuce spoke into Ace's hair. 

With a soft huff, Ace admitted, "I can't even remember what we were fighting about." Ace lifted his head to meet Deuce's forehead keeping his hands balanced on the other's collar bone. 

"It doesn't matter right now."  Deuce said coolly, watching Ace move closer. "May I?"
Ace's lips connecting with his was answer enough as he let Ace absorb all his thoughts. 

These last two weeks had Ace forgetting how sweet Deuce's lips were and how they slot together so nicely.  He savoured the love Deuce handed him and let their lips ghost over eachother when they reluctantly parted for air. 

Ace took Deuce's hand in his, and caressed his palm.  He moved his attention to his fingers as he leaned into his navy lover, such action making a silent promise that they would attempt to apologise to their other lovers.  Duece squeezed Ace's hand, promising they would do so together. 

And if they ended their day tangled in eachothers limbs with Deuce's head tucked under Ace's chin, well only they knew that.

The onlooking dormmates let out such a sigh of relief, the tension over the dorm lifted in only a few short seconds.  Riddle could only be proud of his (favourite) juniors.  He sent an image of the embrace to the Main Senior's chat, sparking some hope in the other Housewardens and Vice's

Chapter Text

"Father?" Silver peeked into Sebek's room in looking for Lilia. 
"He hasn't risen yet, Silver"
Silver sighed and walked to Sebeks bedside. 
"Usually I'm the one sleeping the days away." Silver spoke as he felt his little brother's temperature. "He doesn't feel ill"
"He is just asleep, perhaps a bad few nights of insomnia." Lilia spoke softly. "Just like when you both were children."
"Is Malleus-sama's fury, his condition, or him not telling us he was suffering?" Silver asked looking over Sebeks peaceful face.
"I think it is a little of both, child"

Sebek's nightmares were fuelled by his guilt.  His attemps to wake were fleeting in the static ticking through his mind.  They showed him his beloveds and family.  The pointest end of Malleus being upset with him jabbing through his heart, and disappointed looks from Lilia and Silver sealed the deal as he slowly bled out. He wished he would slumber for the rest of existence if it meant he wouldn't face this reality he believed.  Fate wouldn't give that reprieve.

The first voice he heard was that of his mentor. 
"Sebek, are you with us?" Lilia asked when he noticed the baby crocodile stirring.
"Sebek?" He repeated. "Yes, lilia-sama." Was the only response his exhausted brain could muster.
"Good, malleus you can calm now." Lilia petted Sebek, smoothing out a few stray strands. 
"I know, Lilia. I'll open the curtains." Malleus opened the curtains and let in the little light the Diasomnia atmosphere could muster.  Sebek was tense in realising Malleus and Silver were with them in the room.  The latter woke when Sebek moved away from his grip to curl in on himself. 

"Sebek, talk to me." Lilia started calm. Sebek opened his mouth to speak but the words escaped his voice. So, he held his knees tighter to his chest. 

"..How long have I been out..." came an uncharacteristically quiet response from the crocodile. 
"Three days, nearly four." The slight harshness in Malleus's voice sent several shivers down Sebek's spine.
"What happened to make you fight with them like this?" Silver sleepily asked while trying to steel back his pillow in the form of Sebek's arm.
"I.. don't know." Was the small reply.  Llilia's hands that had been methodically carding through the electric strands of hair, softly scratching at his disciple's scalp, stilled for a moment. 
"You don't know?  How could you not know, this has been a very big fight" the worry-based harshness crept back into Malleus's words. This time however, Sebek didn't miss the worry laced through his Prince's words. 
"Malleus." Lilia reminded Malleus, forcing him to take an extra breath leaving room for Sebek to answer the question.
"I don't remember what we were fighting about." The reply came out even softer than before.  "I missed the first part of the argument, and when I tried to mediate I got roped in too." With his free hand - the other was relinquish to Silver's efforts - wiped away the beginnings of a tear.
"Sebek, you are not the first couple to fight, and you most certainly won't be the last."  Lilia's words of wisdom always fuelled the fire within his heart but this time it was empty calories.  Although, he still took to heart the words and let them sit while he sifted through memories.

"Do you know if they are okay?"  Sebek asked a little louder.  "Well, it's not really pretty..." Lilia began his explanation of the condition the others were in, noting Ace and Deuce seem to be better once waking up.  "But, enough of that for now, you must be hungry." Sebek only just managed to cool the visceral reaction his body had when Lilia suggested he cook something. 
"How about I make something, Father? We need the kitchen to stay intact." Silver stepped in, patting Sebek's arm he had hostage for a small amount of comfort. 

Malleus led them out of the room, staying close to Sebek.  The students of Diasomnia that spotted Sebek let out heavy breaths while some noted the clearer air that he shared with a small but forced smile when Malleus spoke.

Silver made a very delicious stir-fry, paying extra attention to making extra so Sebek could have more - he did.

Sebek had been quietly talking with himself, "Deuce, seemed receptive to reconciliation...  I was just too stubborn to do anything" he argued with himself drumming his fingers.  "Stupid pride."
"You could try to talk to him." A voice peeked in from no where. 
"M-master Lilia! When did you get here?" Sweat dripped down his brow. 
"In the morning, see him before class and attempt an apology." Lilia ignored the questions tumbling from Sebek's mouth.
"How?" Lilia turned back to see his disciple looking for an answer, any wisdom he could find. "You will know." Sebek pondered the words as he watched the pink-ish specks flt through the air and mask Lilia's retreat.

'You will know' Sebek repeated those words as he left through the doors leading to the overpass.  'They're my partners, of course I'll know!'  He tried to reassure himself with a puffed out chest that deflated almost immediately. 'I think.' Sebek left the mirror and walked through the hall of mirrors out and up to the school.  If he's being honest he doesn't think Deuce would be early, that wasn't like him.  With a huff Sebek turned to walk a different way, maybe to get some food.  He paused when he met pastel eyes.  Sebek smiled when he saw Epel but didn't expect to be tackled and hugged with reality defying strength. 

"Epel?" Sebek tentatively held Epel back, not quie as bone crushing though.
"Are you okay? You were unconscious.  What happened?"  A stream if worries ran from Epel's tongue. 
"And here I thought I was the loud one." Sebek remarked as he picked them both up off the floor.  "I'm fine, it was just insomnia."  Sebek took epels hands in his.  He noted how he always loved the size difference between them, in spite of his size Epel always had a rough and tumble attitude that was a slightly more refined version of Sebek's own attitude.  But with his smaller hands drawing little circles and hearts in his larger ones he saw the little cuts joined by coagulation. 
"Sevens," Sebek sounded exasperated "how much did I miss?" Sebek looked down more disappointed in himself for not paying more attention, or trying to resolve earlier. 
"I was carving some apples.." Epel looked up to Sebek, pulling closer to hold him a little longer.  "Ace and Deuce too, they ummm.." Epel trailed off but Sebek was patient and listened. "Ace hurt himself and deuce tried to..." Epel didn't need to finish his sentence. Sebek understood his hesitation.  Perhaps they could devise a plan to make it up to the both of them.
"What about Yuu?" Sebek asked hoping for a better answer than the one he knew would come.
"Still nothing.." Sebek hummed at Epel's reply, 'Add Yuu to that make-up list'

"I'm sorry." Was the tearful declaration made into Epel's lavender strands.
"I'm sorry too, my teddybear."  Epel released Sebek from his hold and pulled him by his collar to match his eyes.
"But you know I don't care for apologies." Sebeks hand moved to Epel's waist with the sudden force of epel's pull very intrigued by the shorter's words

"Fucking kiss me you coward" Epel spat after a much too long pause. 
"Gladly." Sebek retorted with the smugest of grins. 

Lilia watched with a devilish grin setting his eyes on the hunter swooning over the little first years.  He took a picture and sent it off to the group chat, now Leona just had to convince Jack to leave the dormitory.  Said group chat nominated possibly the worst person to see about Yuu, Idia.  Could that have gone better?

Distant voices piqued the interest of a white wolf directing him towards the sound.  Seeing the others so happy had him retreating to closed doors.