THISTHISTHIS - Tumblr Posts

i just can't believe that oda fucking create sanji, a stereotypical ladies man who simps to an embarrassing degree for women while having his hackles comically raised around everyone he perceives as a man - and most notably butting heads with the more obvious ~manly man~ of the crew. haha, classic anime running gag, the kind that gets obnoxious at times but still makes you laugh.

AND THEN, like a billion chapters later, motherfucker steeples his fingers and goes "soooooooo... what makes a person Like That?"

and the answer is that he grew up in fucking Toxic Masculinity, The Kingdom. the answer is that he was always Different, in a way other guys instinctively perceived as weak, and that made him the target of visceral scorn and violence. the answer is that he was sensitive, sweet, caring, nurturing - feminine-coded traits which are only valued by patriarchy insofar that they're performed by women in service of men. the answer is that in a kingdom comprised almost entirely by violent men, the only ones who were ever kind to him, the only safety he ever had, were a girl and a woman.

so cooking is for women and servants, it makes you less of a man. only women will ever really value you for your passions and dreams. women are also actively hurt by the way the world works, they are unsafe unless they comply with men's violence, and you have to protect them.

(men will always know what you are, and they will hurt you if you let them.)

and even after he leaves... at baratie he is cherished and respected, but even that is an extremely masculine environment. we don't talk about our feelings, we don't let our guard down, the only love is tough love. when he tries to express his artistry and express himself through his cooking, rather than just filling orders and making money, he gets mocked.

so here is a man who will not raise a hand to a woman, because he rejects the masculinity he was raised with and refuses to become yet another man subjecting women to violence. he is desperate for women's attention and affection because it's SAFE, it's the only kind he can trust. other men are potential threats and must be treated as such. he must at all times be snarky, tough, Not Feminine, because to be perceived otherwise is to be powerless, to be hurt.

like y'all. the queer coding of it all? the overtly feminist themes? the active rejection of toxic masculinity and the way it's shown to be directly tied to imperialism? what the fuck.

so yesterday I went to a tiny tiny protest for Palestine and I just wanna say, truly don't underestimate what you can do with even just 2, 6, 10 people, just cuz you cannot gather thousands of people in your protest or action doesn't mean you can't do things, I gave some flyers and stickers to people that were passing by, some people asked things, some people expressed how they're with us, a very old Jewish man who knew basically 0 Spanish talked to me and still wanted the flyer even if it was in Spanish and said mazel tov and stayed there the whole time we were there, many people were interested in knowing things and listened and wanted the flyers and recorded our tiny protest, every little bit is something, do what you can, specially if youve read things and learned things about Palestine lately that mainstream media isn't covering, share what you know

"But I didn't notice you switching! I didn't see you acting differently!!" You did, actually, you just phrased it as:

"You're quieter than usual."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Quite the chatterbox today, aren't you?"

"But you said (x opinion) earlier!"

"You don't need to use big words, you can talk like you normally do."

"You're too old to play pretend."

"I thought you liked/didn't like (x)?"

"What's the occasion for this sudden fanciness/attention to detail?"

"When did you gain such an attitude?"

"You're such a strange child."

"Your demeanor changed."

"It's like you see (x) and a switch is flipped."

"Don't act like you're a little kid."

"What's with the sudden accent?"

"Are you alright?"

"Talking like a Victorian child now, are you?"

"You're so... quirky."

Just because you didn't know the word for what was going on doesn't mean it didn't happen. You just substituted what you didn't know with what you saw as the most logical conclusion (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just when you continue to press your assumption even when told what the reality is that you become rude). It's not your fault that you missed the signs, but the signs were there, and we'd like to have some acknowledgement of that.

self proclaimed schizoposter nervously typing '911' into their phone and hovering their thumb above the 'call' key as they hawkishly watch a disheveled guy at a bus stop make repetitive movements and ramble to himself

i know thg isn't *about* romance but the way people act like it's absurd for fans to focus on the romance because it's just a tiny insignificant part is so funny because like. the last line before the epilogue is the mc telling the main love interest that she loves him.

man sometimes i wish sega would lean into the fact that sonic and co. are animals more, yknow? like wiggling their ears when they hear things or baring their teeth when they’re angry or wagging their tails when they’re happy and stuff like that. i mean i get that it’s not supposed to be realistic, obviously foxes and rabbits can’t fly and all, but i think it’s a neat thing about the sonic characters that is both super integral to em but also kind of underutilized? i dunno. cause it’s not like it goes ignored; espio can camouflage cause he’s a chameleon and tangle has her long tail as a lemur and whisper did once wag her tail when she was excited but i guess i just don’t see it as often as i want to. mostly i just want to see them use their ears more. like have them turn towards sound and flick and stuff. i think that would be nice to see more of

why is explaining a villains sad backstory always taken as an effort toward excusing their actions. why does the conversation need to involve the question of excusing anything rather than just making their present behavior way more interesting by complicating their feelings or their motivations. why is acknowledging complicated feelings or motivations taken as apologism in and of itself. why is everyone so incredibly boring

you need a library card

Almost everyone I know doesn't have a library card, and some of them read less than they want to because they can't afford to buy the books they want???? GUYS BIG SOLUTION TIME

BOOKS! Audiobooks! DVDS! Movie/series/documentary streaming services! Ebooks! Video games! Magazines!

Air conditioning! Wifi! Heat! Meeting rooms to reserve! Copy machines! Printers! Quiet safe place!

FOR FREE! FOR FREE! NO COST! FOR FREE!!!

Let's face is inflation is killing us, and you may have had to sacrifice buying books for fun, keeping the heat at a comfortable temp, cancel a few subscriptions. Enter your library card

"I don't have time to go a library" me neither I use the audiobook and ebook app daily and check out digital books and get them on my phone immediately

"I want to support the author" If you like it then you buy it! You don't have to pay up front for something you might not like ten pages in! Buy a book you know you love even if you don't plan to reread it to support the author!

"I don't want to wait for a book" Fair enough then don't, check out the books you can wait for

This world has home, where you pay to be, and very very few places outside of the home that you don't have to pay to be. If you're losing your head and need to get out for a few hours, you have to pay to exist almost anywhere you want to go. Not libraries.

I've gone to libraries weekly, almost daily at times, my whole life and they have never once asked anything of me. They give.

This world takes and takes and takes and libraries give and give and give and you deserve to be given lovely things.

It is not hard to get a library card, for most people. In most places I've lived you need some form of evidence you live in the area the library serves, and I've brought in a piece of mail, a student ID or an electric bill and been good to go. Many libraries also work with people who don't have documentation like this to get one anyway.

Get a library card even if you don't think you'll use it. Because one day there will be a book you really want that your local bookstore doesn't have, but who has it? THE LIBRARY! GO GET IT!

This is a USA centric post, and also goes out to my non-American cousins who taught me that libraries are a beautiful gift and not a given, and we should take advantage of it more often than we do

Get a library card, love yourself

Mc being protected by all of the first years is 🥺 AHHHH! YOU DESERVE THE WORLD- NO! UNIVERSE FOR GIVING US THIS WONDERFUL PIECE OF WORK!! IT’S SO GOOD AND JUST AJAHSHSHSHDJN

Making a Stand - Part I

First Years/Prefect - Romantic Poly

Hi guys! I know there were quite a few of you that wanted the First years to win the Valentine's Day poll and I actually had a bit of an idea for them so I decided to go with it. This one is a little darker than normal with very obvious negative outlook on the upper classmen.

Hope you enjoy! <3

=================

“So, who’s up for a little murder and mayhem?” Ace grinned, his eyes glinting coldly.

He was leaning against Deuce, arm on his shoulder and gaze leveled on the Prefect who was currently surrounded by the Housewardens of Pomefiore, Savanaclaw, and Octavinelle.

They had just gotten out of class and were heading to the cafeteria for lunch when their Prefect had been called for by the pale haired octomer. Of course, being as nice as they were – too nice – they didn’t hesitate to promise the group that they would be right back before jogging over to Azul to see what he needed.

Whatever Azul had been planning on speaking with their Prefect about had been derailed when Leona had sauntered over and injected himself into the conversation without hesitation or care to the icy glare the octomer was shooting him.

It was only compounded a few moments later when the beautiful Queen joined them, charming smile and thinly veiled acid being flashed at the other two while he offered a private lunch and tutoring session on potions. Which, of course, was argued against by the lion, and Azul pointed out that he had a whole restaurant for the Prefect to eat and study at.

It left their Prefect standing there confused and trying to mediate an argument that they could tell was going on but didn’t understand in the slightest beyond the fact that three of their most powerful friends looked about ready to claw each other’s eyes out.

A situation that, regrettably, had become more common as their Prefect saved and won over the various princes, celebrities, and rich heirs that ran their school.

A situation that Ace had finally decided they needed to snuff out before anyone else got any bright ideas about the Prefect.

Their Prefect.

“Lilia-sama would be most displeased if I was expelled for being caught exterminating troublesome students.” Sebek admitted begrudgingly, though his expression very clearly stating that he was almost willing to risk it.

“Then we just won’t get caught.” Epel grinned nastily, pounding his fist into his palm, sharing Ace’s blood lust eagerly and more than willing to make his Housewarden disappear.

“It’ll be a long list.” Deuce pointed out, his own brow furrowed, arms crossed, and he had the same look in his eyes that he got when he slipped into his old delinquent ways. “We’ll need an alibi and a way to hide the bodies.”

Jack heaved a sigh, his ears remained pointed in the direction of their Prefect and the three Housewardens.

“We’re not killing anyone, guys.” He said, though his tone indicated that he was saying this more because it was against the rules rather than a lack of desire to go through with it.

“Haaah,” Ace glared as he leaned around Deuce to turn his focus on the wolf. “And what do you suggest then? Keep letting these assholes throw themselves at the Prefect until one of them manages to trick them into something?” he demanded.

“They wouldn’t-“ but Jack cut off when all four boys turned their own looks of disbelief on him.

“The only one that didn’t hurt or try to kill them was Kalim and he only gets a pass because he was brainwashed at the time.” Epel said firmly, fists clenched tightly.

“Yeah, and I’m still pissed that he stood up for the asshole when Jamil literally BRAINWASHED the Prefect.” Deuce glared, shoulders tense at the memory.

“They don’t get to just apologize and then act like nothing happened and try to get into their pants.” Ace said darkly.

Jack glared at the red head but couldn’t help looking back to how Leona was now leaning on the Prefect, fingers tucking a strand of hair behind their ear and smirking at the confused blush on the human’s face.

Those same fingers had almost turned their friend to dust.

He didn’t even think Leona had even properly apologized about it either, just took the beating they got during Magift and acted like that made them even.

The wolf looked to Sebek.

“You’re okay with this? Malleus wouldn’t exactly be happy if you interfered with him trying to win the Prefect over.” He pointed out, which was absolutely true, and something that the half-fae had almost had a mental breakdown over when they found out that the Prefect’s ‘friend’ Tsunotarou was, in fact, his beloved Waka-sama.

The green haired male shifted, his expression torn as he clearly struggled between his loyalty to his liege and…his feelings for the Prefect.

Feelings that the others of their group shared but had never dared to voice. Not when their Prefect needed their unwavering support and the possibility of a romantic relationship with them wasn’t worth the possible awkwardness or ripping away the safety the magic-less human felt with them.

“While I believe Waka-sama would be only the best of partners, I…I am not convinced that it is what the Prefect wishes for.” He finally admitted, swallowing harshly and clearly feeling like he was betraying Malleus with such words somehow. “And if the Prefect does not wish for the relationship then it would only harm Waka-sama should it continue.”

And the Prefect really hadn't ever spoken of their fae-prince friend as anything more than a friend.

In fact, they seemed completely oblivious to the attentions from everyone around them, or at least oblivious to the type of feelings they were inspiring.

Maybe their world expressed such emotions differently, or maybe it was just their dumb little Prefect being their normal dumb little self too willing to see all the great things about others but never their own.

The Prefect didn’t notice the eyes that followed them. Didn’t see the want and desire on clear display. Didn’t catch just how willing they all were to play dirty if it meant winning them for their own.

Like a prize from a game.

Well Ace was a master at games and he was also very willing to cheat.

They had all been accepted to NRC for a reason, after all.

“The point, Jack, is that we can’t trust any of them.” Ace said darkly, gaze flicking back over to where their Prefect had still not managed to extricate themself from the posturing and focused attentions of the three Housewardens.

“Or do you want to risk what they could do to the Prefect if they manage to force them into a relationship? How much do you trust that prince of yours, because I can tell ya, I’ll ‘off’ Riddle’s head myself before I let that tyrant bastard force his perfectionist bullshit on them more than he already does. You know he actually uses every rule he can to touch them? Adjusting their clothes and hair even when nothing’s wrong? Even Trey has been pushing it. He just had to show the Prefect the right way to mix batter so he could practically molest them!”

Deuce nodded in confirmation.

“The Prefect was very uncomfortable and we managed to drag them away from the kitchen but Trey-senpai and Cater-senpai are sneakier than you’d expect.”

The pale haired therianthrope shifted, tail swaying tensely behind him in clear agitation as he watched the way his own leader was getting into their Prefect’s personal space despite the smaller human clearly being uncomfortable about it.

Come to think of it, their Prefect had become less tactile recently when around others. Only reaching out to their fellow first years when their small group was in Ramshackle or away from prying eyes.

Jack didn’t remember the other students – especially the Housewardens – being so eager to touch others until the Prefect was there, and then suddenly they all stood a little too close and touched just a little too long for it to be comfortable or casual.

If it was happening and the Prefect just didn’t feel like they could say anything about it…if they felt afraid to say something about it to the very influential, very powerful upperclassmen…

The last bit of hesitation was swept away as he watched Leona continued to hang off the Prefect as their human gave awkward apologies and tried to leave, only finally giving in and letting go when they promised to come by to visit later. A clear attempt to escape the current situation and not a real desire to spend more time with the lion.

He watched the Prefect’s shoulders remain tense and expression strained until their gaze fell on the group. Instantly it was all wiped away. Their eyes lit up and a smile bloomed on their face as they picked up their pace to jog over to them. He watched the three Housewardens’s gazes remain on the Prefect, following their steps.

“Alright, I’m in.” he said softly, earning sharp nods from Sebek and Deuce while Ace and Epel flashed vicious grins.

“Hey guys! You didn’t have to wait for us!” the Prefect beamed as they reached them, Grim grumpily moving from their arms to their shoulders where he couldn’t sit before because of Leona.

“Yeah right, Ace and Deuce would eat everything before you got back if we didn’t.” Epel laughed, his viciousness from before no where in sight as he hooked his arm with the Prefect’s and started tugging them towards the cafeteria.

They all settled around them as they walked, falling into a comfortable pattern that Jack hadn’t even realized they had taken up. One that kept the Prefect safely in the middle where they were protected from any of the students that got it in their heads that they could try to still bully their friend…but he realized that maybe the others had started to do it to keep others away as well.

As Ace slung his arm around the Prefect’s shoulders – dislodging Grim and making the feline tumble into his partner’s arms with a curse – and how they were relaxed and their laughter bright instead of forced…Jack allowed his own doubts to disappear and he shared a glance with Sebek. The half-fae’s gaze told him that even though he had his duties and loyalty to his prince…he was willing to do what he had to, to protect their friend.

If the fanatic knight thought the situation serious enough to risk his position or prince’s favor…well Jack didn’t think there was any greater indicator that it was the right choice.

And he knew there were no others that he trusted more than Grim, Ace, Deuce, Epel, and Sebek to have the Prefect’s best interest at heart.

-

The next couple of days went by normally, though the first years did more to stay at the Prefect’s side and try to hinder any of the other students – especially the upper classmen – from having time alone with them. Ace, Deuce, and Sebek were surprisingly the best at this, easily playing ignorant to what the older ones were wanting and coming up with excuses to drag the Prefect away or remain stubbornly at their side.

They also planned and began taking steps to ensure that the unwanted attention and focus would stop, doing their best to keep it secret. Especially from the Prefect.

Some of the other upper classmen might have noticed, though, as a few were getting more and more brazen about their attempts. The eel twins were a couple of them, along with Jamil.

Thankfully, the one time Floyd and Jade had managed to corner the Prefect, Jack was with them and while the two eelmers weren’t afraid of Jack in the slightest, he stood a better chance of acting as a barrier to them than the humans of their group.

Jade’s smile had been as placid as ever – though his eyes sparked daggers – but Floyd made no attempt to hide the urge he was feeling to rip Jack’s throat out with his teeth.

The Prefect had promised they would see the twins at work before snagging Jack’s wrist and dragging him away as fast as they could.

“Man…Floyd’s really in a bad mood today.” They muttered wiping the nervous sweat from their brow when they finally turned enough corners that it didn’t feel like the two’s mirrored heterochrome eyes were following them.

“Thanks for staying with me, Jack. I know those two can be a bit intense.” They admitted sheepishly, turning an open and grateful expression up at him that made the wolf’s heart skip a beat as it always did.

“It’s fine. I’m not afraid of them.” He answered, feeling his chest warm when the Prefect let their hold shift to his hand to intertwine their fingers and began swinging it between them absently.

“Well you’re definitely braver than me.” They chuckled. “I mean, I know they wouldn’t do anything really bad but man, Floyd really doesn’t know his own strength sometimes.”

Jack’s expression hardened. “Has he hurt you before?”

“Hm? Oh, no, not really.” They said quickly. “I mean, not on purpose at least. He’s just really strong and I don’t think he realizes that humans are a lot squishier than merfolk.” They chuckled. “Sometimes he can get a little rough when he picks me up and stuff be he always apologizes and carries me around to make up for it.”

“I see.” Jack muttered, tail flicking back and forth in agitation.

The Prefect watched him for a moment, their expression turning concerned.

“Are you okay, Jack? Is something wrong?” they asked worried, their hand squeezing his lightly in reassurance. “You know you can tell me if something’s bothering you, right? I know I don’t have magic like you guys but I’ll help any way I can.”

The wolf’s ears twitched slightly before he stopped and promptly hauled the Prefect up to sit on his forearm, his other hand steadying against their waist.

“If you ever need someone to carry you just ask me or Sebek. We won’t mind.” He said simply as the Prefect blinked owlishly at him, a light blush dusting their cheeks.

“O-oh…okay.” They said, clearing their throat a little and looking away quickly.

“About time!” Ace called, causing them to look up to where Ace, Epel, and Sebek were waiting for them at the breakoff walkway that lead up to Ramshackle. “We’ve been waiting so long Deuce and Grim just decided to go and grab the snacks without us and meet us there.” He grinned.

“Hi, guys.” The Prefect smiled, giving a little wave.

“HUMAN! WHY IS JACK CARRYING YOU!? ARE YOU HURT!?” Sebek demanded, stepping over to them quickly and ignoring how they tried to ease his concern.

“I’m alright, really, Seb,” they chuckled as the half-fae began moving their limbs around a turning their head to make sure they didn’t have any obvious injuries. “Jack just offered to carry me since Floyd has kind of been in a bad mood.”

Ace rolled his eyes in disgust. “I swear, that psycho probably has bodies stashed somewhere to chew on when he gets hungry.” He snorted before grinning up at the Prefect as they turned and started making their way towards the more secluded dorm. “But don’t worry about him! We’ve got a movie night ahead of us!” he said pleased with himself as he pulled his bag off his shoulder and around the front so he could dig inside.

“My brother sent me some of our movies from home so I’ve got a great selection to choose from now.” He said pleased with himself as he pulled out a handful of cases to flash at them.

“Oh, cool! What did he send?” the Prefect asked, reaching down to accept the ones Ace passed up to them, not bothered by Jack still carrying them and just shifting their weight a little more against his shoulder so they could look through the movies without losing balance.

There were actually a good range of genres and the red head had even more still in his bag so they were all pretty excited to get to watch them. Sebek hadn’t seen any of them – stage theater being more common in Briar Valley - and there were some even Epel hadn’t gotten to watch yet. Jack had seen all but one, but insisted he didn’t have any problem with watching some over. Especially if the others would like them.

Once they reached Ramshackle, the Prefect let them in and they all began working together to rearrange the front room how they always did when they had sleep overs.

Mattresses from unused bedrooms upstairs had been brought down and kept in one of the side closets, ready to be pulled out and pushed together in front of the fireplace. They moved the couches out of the way and shoved the coffee table to the side but close enough to put their snacks on and situate the laptop that Ace always brought to watch the movies on.

Epel and Ace helped the Prefect bring down the many blankets and pillows that they kept clean just in case any of them wanted to stay the night outside of weekends while Sebek got the fire sorted and put the grate up around it.

Grim and Ace were active sleepers and after they had almost rolled over into the flames more than once – despite there being plenty of room between them – and the group had quickly learned to not forget it.

By the time Deuce and Grim returned, the room was all set and they were all changing into their pajamas, the Prefect running upstairs to grab theirs.

“Did you get what we needed?” Epel asked the blue haired boy while Ace and Grim pulled out the snacks to set out and get the popcorn started.

Deuce nodded, a sharp, pleased grin pulling on his lips as he flashed his phone.

“You’d be surprised what people say around you when they think you’re an idiot.” He shrugged.

There were certain societal things that Deuce didn’t understand or catch onto. It was something he shared with Sebek. But he hadn’t been a delinquent for years, broke the law without getting caught, and then get accepted into the most prestigious school for magic users without his own skills and acumen.

Many forgot about that though, and saw him not getting jokes or struggling with dyslexia and assumed he was an idiot.

The lavender haired boy quickly took the phone and began copying all the information, pictures, and videos over to his own and then making another copy to keep on a memory card for backup.

“I really wouldn’t.” he snorted with derision. “People underestimate me all the time because of how I look.” He pointed out, earning a comforting pat on the shoulder from Jack.

The Pomefiore boy flashed the wolf a smile before returning to his work. “Besides, it works in our favor. I was able to get what I needed too. Ace already got me his.” He explained, earning a nod from them.

Jack crossed his arms over his chest, purposefully listening for the sound of the Prefect’s footsteps heading downstairs again. They didn’t want to worry the stressed dimension traveler more than they already were. He might not have really liked having to take sneaky measures to keep their human safe, but he certainly didn’t want to do it in a way that would just add to the Prefect’s problems.

His tail swished tensely as he went over his own part of the plan.

“I did what you said. I think I made it sound natural, but Ruggie might be on to me.” He admitted.

Ace snorted as he returned to the room with Grim on his shoulder while he and Sebek carried large bowls of popcorn.

“Don’t worry about Bucchi.” He waved off the concern. “He might dance to Leona’s tune but he won’t put himself in a position of risk. Not after how close it all went to shit the last time he put faith in someone.” Ace understood Ruggie better than most, after all, seeing the same sharp selfishness and willingness to drop anyone at a moment’s notice should it benefit him.

He also saw the same greed and desire in his eyes but the difference was that Ace was willing to do something about it where Ruggie stayed to the shadows and only made moves when it couldn’t fall back on him.

He was smart, but a coward.

Ace knew he wasn’t a threat no matter how much Ruggie might want the Prefect for himself, or be willing to help Leona if it meant he would share them.

“Worry about the hyena?” Grim asked, brow furrowing from where he dropped down onto the mattress pallet beside Epel. “Why would we care about what that dog is up to?”

“Hyenas are actually closer to fel-“ “Jack, no one cares.” Ace rolled his eyes, though his tone didn’t hold the acid it did when he insulted anyone outside their group.

Jack shot him a glare but didn’t bother arguing back and just accepted when the red head pushed the large bowl into his hands.

“We’re setting up a plan to get everyone off of your henchman’s back.” Ace explained to the monster, who’s ears perked up instantly.

“Oh, yeah? Count me in!” he said instantly, actually pausing from where he had started to root around in the candy bag. “Those guys are getting way too close to my human! They all act like I’m a stupid cat that doesn’t see what they’re trying to get away with!” he snapped, electric blue eyes narrowing as his forked tail sliced through the air.

“Exactly.” Ace nodded, his grin widening and gaining a dangerous sharpness that Jack only ever saw on predators stalking their prey. “We’re going to fix that.”

“Uh huh.” Grim said dryly, leveling a knowing look on the red head. “I’m all for it but why should I trust you guys when you want the same thing as them?”

Epel actually threw his head back at that and laughed while Deuce and Sebek looked thoroughly shocked and Ace seemed somewhat impressed.

“Because, Grim,” Jack said seriously as the others recovered.

He had suspected that Grim realized more than he was letting on.

“We love the Prefect and you know we would do anything for them.” His tone even despite the somewhat embarrassing admittance. “We were willing to wait and let the Prefect decide what they wanted for themselves, but the others…they aren’t going to be patient forever and some are already trying to use underhanded means to force them into something they don’t want.”

“JACK IS CORRECT! IT IS UNACCEPTABLE!” Sebek declared angrily, taking a moment to settle his voice down a little when Deuce tapped him lightly on the wrist to let him know his volume was louder than he intended. “If the Prefect liked any of them in a romantic way it would be different.” He added, spine straight and eyes narrowed dangerously. “But they do not, as is obvious in their actions, and yet the filth proceed to force themselves on our friend! We will stand for it no longer!”

“The point is, Grim,” Ace said with a nod to Sebek’s words. “Is that you know we would never force the Prefect to do anything they didn’t want to do. As long as they are here, though, they are going to be a target. They attract people even when they don’t mean to. It’s just the kind of person they are. Especially in this place. You can’t protect them on your own, so you’ve got to make a choice. Help us keep them safe, or risk any or all of the others managing to hurt them again.”

“Do you trust them or us?” Epel asked, finally finished with the phone and handing it back to Deuce.

“Who does the Prefect trust?” the blue haired boy added as a final point.

The monster took a long moment as he eyed each of them in turn, clearly debating seriously over what they were saying and what might come from this. He wasn’t human, wasn’t any of the humanoid races that were even similar to his henchman. There was quite a bit of human-humanlike society that he didn’t understand and didn’t want to understand.

But if there was one thing that monsters did know it was greed and gluttony. Always wanting more. Always wanting what they didn’t have.

He saw that same look in the students of NRC and it was all leveled at his partner.

His henchman.

“I’ll agree to this with the condition that you understand that the Prefect belongs to me. You do whatever you’re planning, have whatever weird human relationship with them that you want, but they are mine and you are not going to be trying to replace me.” He said lowly, a growl in the back of his throat and sharp teeth glinting in the low light.

For an instant, the image of raging blue fire and screams of agony and fear flashed through Jack’s brain but was gone as fast as it came.

Sometimes he forgot just how little they knew of Grim and what he could ultimately be capable of.

Ace didn’t seem to care, though, and just met the dangerous smile with his own.

“You stop trying to cockblock us and you’ve got yourself a deal.” He chuckled lowly, causing Jack to sputter and Sebek to let out an awkward squawk and began babbling denials in a language that none of them understood.

Grim’s nose wrinkled but he finally snorted and looked away. “Gross, but fine.” He said before leveling that heavy gaze on the red head once more. “But if any of you try something my henchman doesn’t want or like I’ll roast you myself.”

Jack absolutely believed him.

Ace’s grin didn’t waver and Epel flashed one of his brilliant, completely fake smiles that Vil forced him to practice in the mirror.

“Wonderful, then we’re all in agreement!” he said cheerfully.

“Agreement for what?” the Prefect’s voice interrupted them and Jack couldn’t help but tense, the fur on his tail puffing up as he had been so distracted by Grim’s words that he hadn’t continued to listen for their return.

“Sorry I took so long, I wanted to clean up a bit before changing.” They admitted sheepishly.

“Oh! We think we should start with the scifi trilogy.” Ace said without skipping a beat, any of the earlier emotions wiped clean from his smile. “The superhero series is like, insanely long so we should probably start that last.”

The Prefect hopped down the last few steps eagerly with their own smile as they threw themself into the mass of blankets and pillows with a laugh.

“That sounds great! That’s the one with the cool light up swords, right?” they beamed, gathering Grim in their arms and settling themself down between Jack and Epel.

“Yup! They’re super cool and manly!” Epel met their excitement as they all settled into their cuddle pile to start the movie.

When they were finally situated, Jack was leaning back against the couch with his legs draped over Deuce’s hip – who preferred laying down while watching movies together – with the Prefect laying back against his shoulder while snuggled into Epel’s lap.

Ace was draped over the lavender haired boy’s shoulders comfortably with his chin resting near his neck, while Sebek – who’s knight training made it difficult to feel at east unless he was able to react in a moment’s notice – was on Jack’s other side where he could lean against him but was also not held down and was positioned between them and the doors and windows.

The Prefect absently ran their fingers through Deuce’s hair where his pillow was laying on Epel’s outstretched legs at their hip, while their other hand idly brushed up and down Grim’s back where he was curled up contently in their lap and munching on the popcorn.

The movies were good, but they didn’t really matter in the end as the group just basked in the feeling of comfort and warmth that only ever felt complete when they were all together.

It was a feeling that hung heavy around them even when most of them had fallen asleep during the third film.

Sebek had to help Ace cover the others up from where they had all migrated into laying positions on the mattresses, tangled together so that it was difficult to tell where one ended and another began.  

The red head took the time for one last chance to take in how cute the Prefect looked curled into Jack’s chest with Epel plastered to their back and his nose buried into their neck while Deuce’s arm was thrown haphazardly over them. With Grim sprawled out near the Prefect’s head and Sebek sleeping with his back pressed against Jack’s and facing the door and windows as always – his sheathed sword in easy reach – he couldn’t help but admit that it made his heart flutter with feelings he didn’t even think himself capable of.

Yes, he decided.

This was how things were meant to be.

And they were going to make sure it stayed that way.

Grabbing his shoes, he silently slipped them back on and tucked his phone into his pocket before tiptoeing towards the door. He nodded at Sebek – who’s near glowing eyes tracked his movements before returned it in silent understanding – and then slipped out into the darkness.

The upperclassmen were going to find out exactly what happened to anyone that threatened what they had. Threatened their Prefect. Threatened any of them.

Ace knew better than to risk what he cared about, and he didn’t play fair.

None of them did.

And he was willing to do more than just draw blood.

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Hope you guys like it! I might be continuing this but I can't promise, it'll depend on if I can come up with the next part and make it work how I want or not.

<3

@love-thanatopsis