"The Way She Is With Me

"The way she is with me

with Cyno"

No one would believe you. No one would believe that the general mahamatra was sitting in front of you allowing you to place little flowers in his previously braided hair. Absolutely no one would think you were telling the truth if you announced how serene his expression was while asking how it looked.

And that was fine.

You didn't need others to believe you and your boyfriend's silly little moments like this. Maybe that's what made them so special. The fact that no one could replicate the behavior on either of your ends just made it that much more amusing.

"My art is completed," you triumphantly declared. He chuckled softly, content in this very state. Just with you in your guys' special date spot. Like a crevice in the universe just for the two of you, molded by his hands.

With his flower-strewn braids, he turned to face you slowly. He wasn't willing to destroy your handiwork. You noticed the smirk on his lips, "You really “rose” to the occasion, didn't you?"

You couldn't help but laugh at his typical antics.

And that laugh just made him fall a little further into your heart.

"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."

"Lulled into rest

with Lilia Vanrouge"

He swore he'd never fall for any human. It would only bring sorrow and misfortune, should he lose you. Besides, you simply couldn't grasp the gravity of a situation with a fae lover.

Yet, he still stared, mesmerized.

Silver was fast asleep in the commons of the Diasomnia dorm with his lap. He was completely relaxed as you lulled a soft melody. If he had human ears, there's no way he'd be able to hear such a quiet and serene song.

He'd only ever witnessed such a peaceful rest from his son while in his own arms. So why? Why did you have this effect?

He heard a soft chuckle behind him and recognized immediately that Malleus was behind him. "Have you noticed? They are trying to earn their place in our family. They have everyone under their spell, despite having no magic."

The shorter of the two went rigid.

Everyone? Under a mere human's spell?

"Even Sebek is at ease in their presence, so why is it that you're so guarded, Lilia? Are you perhaps.." he bit his tongue, "scared?"

Yes, he was. Very

I heard this song come on my recommended and I just couldn't help but think of Lilia Vanrouge

"Flufftober 2024 (Feelings)

with Jade Leech"

"You looked lonely, so I figured you needed a friend," was your response when he asked why you insisted on staying in the lounge after hours.

There was no malice in his voice, just drowsiness. His shoulders were more slumped than usual. You wanted nothing more than to offer assistance with cleaning up, but you knew it wouldn't do. The ever independent Jade Leech despised relying on others, much less the idea of owing them.

It was a tiring evening, you'd gathered. All the other students were permitted the chance to return to their rooms. All but the twins, and Floyd had already slithered off to go lay down. Jade never stopped anyone from leaving him to deal with these messes.

Scanning the lounge, it all looked fine. As expected from the moray, not a speck of filth remained. So why did he stay? He knew you were fully capable of walking yourself back to your dorm.

He looked exhausted while attempting to hold his smile. "I certainly hope that isn't pity I detect in your tone. I could find out quite-," but you did the unthinkable.

"I'd like to hug you, Jade. Is that okay?"

You caught him off guard.

"Ah- pardon?" His eyes no longer held their dreary appearance. They were blown wide.

But you kept going, with your uncomforting honestly. Like a barrage of attacks. "It's okay if not. But you appear exhausted, and I'd like to be here for you." His heart was racing at an abnormal rate. "I'm sure my feelings for you are obvious, so I'm not concerned with that. I just can't have you dying on me before I know how you feel."

Oh dear. Were human's faces meant to get this warm?

"My, you could stop anyone's heart with such carelessness. Or have your own trampled. Do you have such little regard for rejection?" He was hoping to turn the situation around on you. Like a last ditch effort. But it failed.

"Is that a no?"

"I...don't recall saying that."

Walking out the door with your bags

with Al Haitham"

You wished you'd been at work when he decided to move his stuff out. At least it would've been easier to come home to the absence of him and his possessions. It would've still been painful, but not like seeing him carry out his boxes of items you convinced him into having at your place.

Despite still paying for and legally living with Kaveh, he kept many of his "hideous" house decor in your home after his roommate banished it. Now you'll lose that hint of a smile or chuckle he gets when Kaveh complains to you about them.

"If you'd just communicate more, you wouldn't have to do all this," you mumbled. You were more than just bummed out, sitting on a dining room stool.

Just as he was about to walk out another box, he stopped. "Well, I have no intention of changing for an individual who sees nothing wrong with their own self. But it's also not my job to tell you how you should or should not be."

Archons, that stung.

"This is my final box. Goodbye, and I do hope we can be cordial for our friends' sake." You wanted nothing more than to run up, hug him from behind, and beg for him to stay. But there was no point. He had no intention of changing for you two, and you couldn't either.

"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.