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themaladaptivewriter12 · 7 months

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Title: Bad Luck Crush

Part 1 of my “The Lion's Den” series!

Parings: None

Summary:

Mirai's crush on the Savanaclaw Housewrden, Leona Kingscholar, leads to a series of unfortunate events, and now on Leona's bad side, his chances with the Lion Beastman are good as gone.

cw: light angst, misunderstandings, light angst, bloody noses mentioned (not too graphic), fist fights (again, nothing too graphic), unrequited crushes (Maybe, who knows)

a/n: This is not a "Bullies to lovers" fic. Just putting that out there. This is more of me just playing around the the fact that Leona didn't like Yuu too much in the beginning, and let's face it he didn't, he tried to fight us after all.

Reblogs are appreciated, just use my custom tag, #TheMaladaptiveWriter12, if you do! (─‿‿─)♡

Cross posted from my Ao3: TheMaladaptiveWriter12

Mirai could remember the first time he really met the dorm head of Savanaclaw, Leona Kingscholar. It was in the Botanical Gardens. Grim and he had been looking for the Groundskeeper when he had accidentally stepped on Leona Kingscholar’s tail, mistaking it for a twig. And when Leona emerged from the bright green foliage, the golden hour painting his skin in the likeness of copper, his piercing green eyes cold like a predator's, and his long silky chocolate tresses messy from sleep, Mirai was smitten. And the most surprising Mirai the most were the fluffy lion ears and tail that adorned the man’s body. He had only seen that type of thing in Anime or in video games, and Mirai immediately wondered what they felt like. Then he spoke with that deep gravelly voice, threatening him in every inch of his life, and Mirai went weak at the knees. Luckily Ruggie Bucchi came along, defusing the situation, letting Mirai and Grim get away without a scratch on them. Mirai wouldn’t have minded taking on the hunk of a dorm head, but they had other matters to attend to.

Mirai chuckled at the memory, his walk through the Botanical Gardens reminding him of the sleepy Upperclassmen. He was currently in Potionology and for the day's lesson, Professor Crewel wanted the Freshman to write a short informational report on two plants from the Botanical Gardens, to familiarize the students of where their potion ingredients came from. There were so many plants they could choose from, so many worth writing about, and since Mirai couldn’t decide, he just picked two that looked the most interesting.

Mirai was the last one left to fetch his samples, Grim, Ace, and Deuce having long left to start their reports in the library, but Mirai didn’t mind, that meant he now had a quiet moment to himself. So now here he was, looking for Hummingbird Mint and Blazing Star, by himself, but luckily for him, both plants were located on the warmer side of gardens, making his search easier.

Mirai found the Blazing Star plant first, it was pretty, and it reminded him of cheerleading pom poms. Mirai got his sample bag and plucked off a flower, dropping it to the bag.

“Okay,” Mirai muttered to himself, “now the Hummingbird Mint.

Mirai made his way down the rows, enjoying the little walk he was taking. It was warm in the region he was in, little butterflies fluttering about. Mirai hummed to himself as he looked, but with all of them being sorted alphabetically, it wasn’t long until Mirai made his way to the “H’s”.

“Hummingbird, Hummingbird, ah, there it is, Hummingbird Mint,” Mirai chirped.

And just as he did the previous flower, Mirai got his sample bag and plucked off and dropped it in the little bag, sealing it up.

“It really does smell like mint,” Mirai hummed quietly, checking off the plant on his clipboard.

Mirai took a leisurely pace as he made his way back to the Alchemy Labs, sightseeing. He never really had time to look at the pretty flowers in the gardens outside of class, since there was always something on his plate. From keeping up with classes and homework, to helping his friends out of tricky situations, and working to be able to survive in a world he knew nothing about, Mirai was fully booked. But surprisingly, Mirai didn’t mind it, it was, dare he say fun. Back at home he would have killed just to get a break or a day off, but here, Mirai didn’t mind his busy schedule.

As Mirai made his way out, he checked the time, he hadn’t realized how long he’d been in the gardens, and now he was borderline late. Switching from his leisurely pace, Mirai started a light jog, speeding across the stone pathway. As he turned the corner, Mirai saw a huge mass in the middle of the path, but it was too late, he was already tripping over it, sending himself and all his things flying into the path ahead of him. Mirai hit the ground with a grunt, the wind knocked out of him.

“Do you runts really enjoy stepping on me?!”

“Wha-”

Mirai gasped as he was yanked up but the back of his lab coat, and thrown onto his back in the grass. Mirai looked up, staring into menacing green eyes.

“W-Wait Leona, I’m, I’m sorry, I didn’t m-mean it,” Mirai rambled, scooting away from the angry lion.

“Uh, huh,” Leona said sarcastically with a sneer, “that’s what you said the last time.”

Mirai scrambled, and dove into the foliage as Leona lunged at him. Mirai wove through the thick leaves, dodging branches, jumping over rocks and sticks, and Leona chased after him, hot on his heels. Suddenly Mirai choked out a grunt as he was slammed into the ground, not even getting a chance to breathe as Leona turned him around and punched him in the face. Mirai grunted upon the impact, pain blooming on his face. Leona punched him twice more before getting up off the Ramshackle Prefect, storming off.

Mirai lay there, staring wide-eyed through leaves at the glass ceiling above. Mirai didn’t know how long he lay there, heart pounding, face hot as he slowly reached up, tenderly touching his swelling cheek, fingers coming back red from the blood that smeared from his dripping nose. Mirai cackled loudly, smiling even though it hurt to do so. Yeah, he was absolutely smitten.

Friday evening rolled around, and that meant sorting out Professor Crewel’s potions and storage closet. Mirai’s thoughts, no matter how much he tried to revert them, were on the Savanaclaw dorm head. He thought about those sharp green eyes that looked at him like he was a mouse, those long brown waves that Mirai wanted nothing more than to brush his fingers through, and his pretty rich skin. He thought about the scar that went down the left side of his face, his deep voice, his sly smiles, his mirthful laughter, and his sloppy way of dress. But it wasn’t just his looks he was attracted to, it was his strong will, his cleverness, his strength, his confidence, and his lazy demeanor that he found endearing, Mirai couldn’t get enough.

“That’s Cumin, not Cinnamon,” Crewel gruffed.

Mirai jumped from his thoughts, face flushing red, “A-Ah, my mistake sir, sorry sir.”

“You’re not doing your best today, Little Papillon,” Professor Crewel scolded. “Bad boy!”

Mirai flushed again, shoulder shooting up to his ears, “S-Sorry sir-I-I mean, Professor Crewel.”

“Come sit, pup.” Professor Crewel led Mirai to his desk and gestured for him to sit down in the chair next to his. “Speak.”

“I, uh, is it wrong to crush on someone for punching you in the face?” Mirai vomited out in one breath.

“W-What?!”

“That answered my question.”

“You told me you tripped into a tree,” Professor Crewel shouted.

Mirai’s face was still badly bruised a dark purple against his pale skin, even though it happened three days ago. So anytime anyone asked, he just told them he tripped over something in the Botanical Gardens, and smashed his face into a tree.

“And get myself and get the guy I’m crushing on in trouble? Hard pass,” Mirai scoffed.

“Who punched you?” Professor Crewel grit out angrily.

“But is it wrong? That’s the question.”

“Yuhara, why in Twisted Wonderland would you fall in love with someone who punched you?”

“Because he’s strong, and he looked pretty doing it,” Mirai flushed.

Crewel just looked lost, and a little concerned.

“Okay, okay, so I had a crush on him before then, but then we got into a semi fight over a misunderstanding, then he punched me, and for some reason the look of pure rage etched on his face and the fierce look in his eyes made my heart skip a beat?” Mirai said, the end of his rant sounding more like a question.

Crewel sighed, exasperated, shoving his face into his hands.

Mirai laughed loudly.

“Why, why, why,” Professor Crewel muttered to himself.

Mirai giggled.

“Who was it?” Professor Crewel sighed, looking at Mirai, head resting in his hands.

“Will you get him in trouble?” Mirai asked, giggling.

“It happened three days ago, so technically I can’t do anything.”

“Leona.”

Crewel groaned loudly, turning his face back into his hands.

Mirai cackled.

“Why did he punch you?”

“Technically he punched me three times, b-”

“He punched you three times?!”

“Details, details. But yeah, but in his defense I accidentally stepped on him.”

“But didn’t you just say it was an accident?!”

“Technically this would be the second time I’ve accidentally stepped on him.”

Professor Crewel groaned into his hands, “What is wrong with you people?”

Mirai laughed again.

“Should I be concerned?” Professor Crewel asked.

“About what? Me or about Leona?” Mirai asked.

“Yes.”

“Yes, and no,” Mirai laughed, “I don’t see Leona going out his way to punch me again, since he got even last time. But me? I’m a lost cause.”

“You’re lucky I like you, Little Papillon.”

Mirai giggled.

“Does this talk mean I can count you to finish the closet, and not to mix the Chamomile with the Pineapple Weed?” Professor Crewel deadpanned.

Mirai laughed with a nod, standing to get back to organizing and taking inventory of the storage closet.

It was Saturday morning, and Mirai was sitting behind the counter at Mr. S’s Mysterious Shop, mindlessly playing with the scale, trying to get it to balance out perfectly. Sam was in the back for now doing inventory, so that meant Mirai was in charge of the front.

There was a chime at the door and Mirai straightened up quickly, business smile suddenly faltering as the object of his desire walked through the shop door with Ruggie in tow.

“Hey, Prefect,” Ruggie greeted, smile falling when he saw the big purple bruise on his face. “What happened?”

“Heyaz,” Mirai waved. “I tripped over something in the Botanical Gardens and smashed my face into a tree.”

Ruggie looked stunned and so did Leona.

“Go on, you can laugh. Ace sure did.”

Ruggie burst out laughing, clutching his stomach, “H-How do you m-manage to, to do that?!”

“Natural talent,” Mirai said with a wink. “So what can I help you with?”

Ruggie ordered a large amount of meat, some bread, cheese, some drinks, and a box of donuts. Mirai was ringing the stuff up when he found the price for the steak in the system and the price for the steak on the packaging didn’t match.

“On sec,” Mirai said, turning around, shouting, “Hey Sam?”

“Yes, Little Imp?” Sam called back.

“I’ve run into an issue with pricing, it doesn’t match!”

After a couple of seconds, Sam came out from the back room, wiping his hands on his apron.

“Now let’s see if we can figure this out,” Sam said looking at the pricing.

Mirai listened intently as Sam explained what had happened, a simple misprint, but he also explained how Mirai could find the right pricing if he ever got stuck in a situation like that or similar. As Sam explained Mirai could feel those cold piercing eyes on him again. Subtly, Mirai darted his gaze to the little desk mirror on the counter. Leona was looking at him. From this angle, Leona couldn't see himself, nor the Prefect in the mirror, but Mirai could see Leona. His deep green eyes were narrow, staring bullets into his skull, and Mirai couldn’t help but wonder if he actually was still mad.

“Here you go Little Imps, sorry for the wait,” Sam said apologetically, voice startling Mirai from his thoughts. “The donuts are on the house.”

Mirai helped bag, passing it off to Ruggie, who happily took the box of free donuts. And as he did so, he still felt those eyes on him until the pair left.

Monday rolled around, and that meant gym class with Coach Vargas. Mirai didn’t like gym class, he never liked it. It was too much work, too humiliating for a dumb grade, but today, Coach Vargas decided on bringing out the soccer balls, which meant they got to choose who they wanted to play with, what they played and how they played. So Mirai, Ace, Deuce, and Grim all decided on a simple game of passing the ball back and forth. It was almost therapeutic passing the ball to each other while they joked around with each other, talking about anything or anyone. And the best part of it was that they were getting a passing class grade for the day just for fooling around.

Mirai laughed as a group of guys, along with Coach Vargas, ran by playing a serious game of soccer. They were all sweaty and red in the face, and Mirai couldn’t understand why they would pass up such an opportunity to not do anything and get graded for it.

“You wanna play, Deuce?” Ace asked.

Mirai looked back at Deuce who was staring intently at the game.

“A-Ah, no, well, k-kinda,” Deuce stuttered.

“Aw, then go play,” Mirai said, feeling a little guilty. “Don’t let us ruin your fun.”

“Nah. And besides, it wouldn’t be fun without you guys.”

Mirai’s heart warmed at his words.

Ace laughed loudly, “Ew! Enough with the sappy stuff! Gross!”

“Hey,” Deuce shouted, “Is not!”

“Is too!”

“Is not!”

Mirai laughed as the two bickered back and forth.

“Okay, okay. How about this,” Mirai said, breaking the two up, “We got ten minutes of class, so how about a game of keep-away until the bell rings?”

“Two on Two?” Ace asked.

“Mn, but to make it fair, Deuce, you gotta take Grim.”

“What?!” Deuce shouted.

“Mrah?!” Grim yelled.

“Deucey, your athletic ability is enough for two people, and I can’t play well, to even the playing field, me and Ace will take you and Grim on,” Mirai explained.

“I guess it does seem fair,” Deuce muttered, scratching the back of his neck.

“And besides, Grim plays very well, for a cat. It’s his inability to work with others you gotta watch for.”

Ace cackled and Grim and Deuce balked at Mirai’s words.

“Ready, set, go,” Mirai said in one breath, taking a head start, kicking the ball away from the group.

“Hey,” Deuce and Grim shouted.

Ace laughed, running after the group.

Before they knew it, Coach Vargas blew the whistle, signaling the end of class, and Mirai offered to put the ball away.

“You sure?” Deuce asked.

“I’m just putting it in the shed,” Mirai said, waving Deuce off, “Be back in a minute.”

Mirai jogged across the field to the equipment shed. It wasn’t far from the locker rooms, so it wasn’t a problem really. Mirai pulled open the shed door, and of course there were soccer balls everywhere.

“Can’t they just put them on the rack?” Mirai muttered angrily. With a tired sigh, he got to work.

It didn’t take too long, but Mirai managed to put all twenty-six balls on the rack. As Mirai pushed the rack in place, a volleyball from another rack fell from where it was precariously stacked against the wall. Mirai glared at the ball, just wanting to change out. Maybe he could chuck it back up there, then call it a day? Mirai grabbed the ball, taking a step back and then shot the ball up onto the rack. The ball, in fact, did not make it on top of the rack. Mirai flinched as it bounced off the rack, sending the ball back his way, and the rack toppling over and falling into the corner. As the rack fell, clattering into the back wall, there was a shout. Mirai stopped dead in his tracks because volleyballs were not supposed to talk.

“What in-Ima kill whoever did that!”

“Uh oh,” Mirai winced. He really was becoming more and more familiar with that voice.

A mop of brown hair shot up from the corner, a pair of lion ears stood upright with alert, and with a growl, Leona shoved the rack, sending it flying across the shed. Mirai flinched, ducking with a shout, as the rack flew by, smashing into the back wall, volleyballs flying and bouncing every which way. When Mirai cracked an eye open, Leona was fuming, green eyes glaring his way.

“H-Hey, Leona,” Mirai stuttered, “H-How’s it going?”

Leona growled deeply, baring his teeth. “You,” Leona shouted, climbing from his spot in the corner.

“Gotta go,” Mirai shouted quickly, chucking the ball in his hands, and just his rotten luck, it collided into Leona’s face. Leona groaned with a curse, falling backwards into the corner, holding his nose.

Mirai sprinted out of the shed, and back to the locker rooms where he quickly shucked off his gym uniform, pulling his school one on.

“What’s the hurry man?” Ace asked as he lounged on the bench, scrolling through his phone. Grim and Deuce stared curiously at Mirai.

“It seems the universe hates me and I really don’t wanna die today, so Ima get a head start,” Mirai rambled, getting his things.

“What are you-”

There was a bang on the far side of the locker room, before a furious voice roared, “Herbivore!”

Mirai jumped out of his skin, “See ya!”

Mirai opened one of the windows and jumped through, sprinting as far away as he could from the locker room.

Twisted Wonderland seemed to have it out for Mirai, testing his limits by putting him on a rigorous trial that consisted of Mirai being in horrible situations with the Savanaclaw dorm head, Leona Kingscholar. First there was the lunch mishap where Mirai accidentally bumped the third year, causing Leona to drop his grilled cheese sandwich, and it was the very last one. Then there was the mishap in the hall where Mirai dropped a stack of Professor Trein’s textbooks on Leona’s foot, then there was the time where Mirai dropped a can of soda, causing it to explode, sending it flying down the hall in right onto the ground at Leona’s feet, where it then spat sticky purple liquid all over his vest and shirt. Mirai felt horrible about all of it, it all probably taking a toll on the Beastman as much as it was him.

Mirai was currently in Potionology, and Professor Crewel was explaining the day’s lesson plan, and unfortunately, Mirai was lost in thought. He felt horrible about his streak of bad luck with him and Leona, and to top it all off, he was still crushing on the lion. Mirai supposed his chances, assuming even if had a chance to begin with, were gone. Mirai sighed tiredly, heart in his stomach.

“Oi! Are you gonna start already or are we just gonna sit here all class?”

Mirai jumped, slipping a bit, but never falling. Of course the object of his desire, which was also the source of his suffering, was standing in front of him, lab coat and all.

“W-What, what are you-”

“You weren’t listening were you?” Leona deadpanned.

Mirai flushed, shaking his head guiltily.

Leaon threw his head back, groaning exasperatedly, muttering curses to himself. “Ya’know, I could just let you fail right here?” Leona gruffed.

“Sorry,” Mirai muttered, eyes downcast.

“But I need this grade too, so Ima only explain this once. Listen carefully.”

The lesson was simple really. They were paired with an Upperclassman to make a simple swamp potion. Leona kept the pint sized cauldron warm as Mirai fetched the ingredients, Frog’s Breath, Mucus of a Forest Lizard, Toadstool Mushrooms, Algae, Toad Venom, and Mandrake Root.

First they added some water and waited for it to boil, after that it was time to add the ingredients.

“Lizard Mucus,” Leona droned, “add it.”

Mirai nodded, pouring in the viscous mucus, scraping it out with a spoon.

“Toadstool.”

“How many?” Mirai asked.

“Three.”

Mirai used forceps as he dropped in three mushrooms

“Toad Venom.”

Mirai poured in the milky white liquid, the contents of the pot taking on a white color, the liquid becoming thicker.

“Frog’s breath,” Leona sighed.

Mirai picked up the beaker filled with foggy smoke, its contents swirling around as Mirai turned about the beaker. He didn’t know how that was even in there, or how he was supposed to even add it to a liquid, but Mirai stopped questioning things around here a long time ago. Pulling the cork off the beaker, Mirai quickly tipped the glass, and as if it was a liquid, the fog poured from the beaker into the cauldron. Mirai stared wide eyed as the smoke cascaded down into the potion.

“That actually worked,” Mirai whispered in awe.

Leona snorted a laugh, “Why wouldn’t it?”

“This definitely isn’t possible where I’m from.”

Leona went silent, a look on his face that Mirai couldn’t decipher.

“So,” Mirai said, “what’s next?”

As Leona instructed, Mirai added the Algae, and the Mandrake Root, and now their potion was done, judging how it matched the color, which was a dark green, the texture, which was slimy, and the consistency, which as a thick viscous one, just like how textbook described.

Mirai got sad at the last ingredient, the Mandrake Root, knowing that those roots were previously alive at some point, with little faces, and running legs.

“What’s the matter? Got some in your eye?” Leona gruffed as he poured potion into a beaker.

Mirai shocked his head, keeping his head down, eyes glaring at the potion.

“Ya tired?”

Mirai shook his head.

“Then what’s up?!”

Mirai was quiet before he sighed, “I-It’s not fair.”

“What? You poutin’ because you wanted mix?!” Leona asked befuddled.

“No! It’s not fair that those poor Mandrakes had to die,” Mirai cried, eyes welling up with tears.

Leona stood there dumbfounded. He didn’t know what to say or do. The Prefect was actually upset over the Mandrake Root.

“Good boy,” Professor Crewel praised, “You two did well-wh-what’s wrong, pup?”

Mirai shook his head.

“Kingscholar,” Professor Crewel growled.

“Can it, Crewel,” Leona huffed, “He’s cryin’ over the Mandrake Roots.”

Professor Crewel’s angered expression dropped into a sympathetic one. “Little Papillon, we’ve been over this before.”

“I-I know,” Mirai whimpered.

Professor Crewel sighed, placing a hand on Mirai’s head, “Since you two passed, would you like to hold one until class ends?”

Mirai looked up at Professor Crewel hopefully.

“Speak.”

“C-Can I?” Mirai asked.

“Yes you can,” Professor Crewel said walking off.

There was a loud screeching from the back room, and the lab went silent, multiple students jumping in their seats, and not long after, Crewel returned, red pumps clicking on the stone floors, as he made his way back to Mirai and Leona with a small Mandrake squirming in his hands.

“Here,” Professor Crewel said, slowly handing over the living plant.

“Thanks, Professor Crewel,” Mirai mumbled, taking the root.

As Professor Crewel handed it over, its distressed squirming calmed down as Mirai held it, its screaming calming down to little chirps. Crewel scoffed at its behavior, leaving Mirai so he could check on the rest of the class.

Mirai held the Mandrake with a hand under its arms and his other under its legs, and it continued to chirp as Mirai sat down at the lab table, setting the Mandrake down. The root stood up from its sitting position, slipping over its long root-like feet as it tried to walk on the smooth surface. Mirai chuckled as he lay on his arms, resting on the table. Leona sat down on the other side of the table, eyes transfixed on the walking root.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Mandrake act like that,” Leona gruffed as the Mandrake chirped, playing with the Prefect’s hand.

“You just gotta be nice, is all,” Mirai muttered, voice sounding stuffy from crying.

“That really bothered you?” Leona asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

“Yeah,” Mirai whispered, “There’s just something about knowing that the Mandrake here is just like the one I had to use in a potion. I don’t know, it's just…”

Mirai sighed, running a finger across the leafy top of the root, listening to it croon at the petting.

“But it’s just like our food, ya know,” Leona said, “Chicken, bacon, hamburgers, fish, it all was living.”

“I-I know, but I just, It’s just, I don’t know,” Mirai sighed, “It just feels wrong to me, like, it’s not fair.”

Leona hummed quietly.

The mandrake tottered around the table, slipping and teetering back and forth. Mirai stuck out a finger, brushing against the root, and Leona stuck out his hand as well, reaching for the Mandrakes head. The Mandrake jumped at his presence, slipping and scurrying to hide behind Mirai’s arm. Leona growled, his expression something close to a pout.

Mirai breathed a laugh, moving his arm, “It’s okay. The big bad lion won’t hurt you.”

“Oi,” Leona shouted.

Mirai held the Mandrake up to Leona. The Mandrake wasn’t too happy about it, but it didn’t protest as Leona ran a clawed finger across the root’s tufted head. The Mandrake chirped at the touch, nuzzling the lion’s finger.

The bell rang, signaling the classes end, and Mirai sighed.

“I’ll clean up,” Leona said, “you can put the plant back.”

Mirai nodded, a small smile in thanks as he got up to give the root to Crewel.

Somehow, there was a horrible mishap on the second level exterior hallway causing it to now need extensive cleaning. Mirai volunteered, and Ace, per Riddle’s demand, did as well, to help clean up after classes. Professor Trein even went as far as bribing the students by telling them that the first several students who volunteered got a reward dished out by the Headmage himself. So here Mirai was, mopping the stone floors, humming to himself, while Ace wiped down the columns, grumbling, muttering curses under his breath.

“Why do I gotta do this?!” Ace huffed, chucking the sodden dishrag down onto the floor, the cloth making a wet splat sound.

“Would you rather be cleaning at your dorm?” Mirai asked, “Wasn’t Riddle in a bad mood today?”

Ace cringed, picking up the rag again, “Still doesn't mean I wanna spend my time cleaning.”

Mirai chuckled, shaking his head and went back to mopping.

It got hot after a while, and Mirai tossed his blazer off, setting it on one of the clean railings, and Ace did the same, rolling up his sleeves, getting back to work. One of the third years called for a break, leaving to go get a soda, and Mirai, Ace, and a couple of others raced to the archways, sticking their heads out like dogs in a car, enjoying the weather.

“Man, this is nice,” Ace sighed.

“Yeah,” Mirai sighed.

The pair sat side by side, looking out at the courtyard below. It was relatively empty, but the lack of people made it so serene and peaceful. Many students around this time were either in a club activity, eating, studying, or just enjoying life. The wind blew the leaves on the trees, creating a calming sound that relaxed the Ramshackle Prefect. It made him a little homesick. He missed the summers in his world. He missed the Summer Fairs in America, eating cotton candy, candy apples, corn dogs, popcorn, hot dogs, and drinking blue raspberry slushies. He missed betting with his friends on who’d throw up first after eating a load of greasy fair food and going on a number of fast rides together. Maybe he’d get some ice cream later?

“Okay, let’s finish this up,” Mirai sighed, stretching.

Mirai went back to mopping the floors, making sure to get up whatever it was that exploded all over the hallway. Ace scrubbed the doors with a coarse hand brush, and there were a couple of other students washing the walls, and others washing the carpets. But with their group effort, they were able to get the exterior hallway cleaned in under two hours.

“Nice job everyone,” a Pomefiore student with long platinum hair gushed, “Such beautiful team effort!”

“What should we do with the water?” a brunette asked, ignoring him.

“I don’t know,” a blonde third year student said, “toss it out the window.”

Everyone looked skeptical, but when the blonde picked up the bucket and dumped the dirty water off the side, and nothing happened, everyone else grabbed a bucket. Going down the line, the brunette dumped his bucket, then a strawberry blonde, then a short freshman with cat ears, then the Pomefiore student, then Ace, and lastly Mirai.

With a grunt, Mirai sat his bucket on the ledge and tilted it, dumping the dirty sudsy water out. As he poured, there suddenly there was a startled screech from below, and everyone sped to the edge, sticking their heads out to see what happened. Stories below Mirai’s archway was Leona, soaked to the bone, and seething with rage. Mirai gasped as their eyes met, his hands slipping, spilling the rest of the water, the bucket falling right on the lion’s head with a loud thunk.

Mirai and the rest of the students were speechless as they stared down at Leona who was growling, baring his teeth at everyone, mostly Mirai, up above.

“I’m gonna kill you, Herbivore,” Leona screamed, “Ya hear me?! Ima kill you!”

“Shoot,” someone whispered.

And like that, everyone dispersed, sprinting from the exterior hallway.

“You’re gonna die man,” Ace hissed.

“I know,” Mirai hissed back.

“I wasn’t here, I wasn’t here, you guys don’t know me, I don’t know you,” the short cat student babbled, terrified.

There was a bang and the doors at the end of the hall flew open, revealing a sopping wet, fuming Leona, and the group stopped in their tracks, frozen in fear.

“You,” Leona seethed.

“Run,” the blonde hissed.

You didn’t have to tell Mirai twice and he booked it in the other direction. Leona passed everyone out, hunting the Prefect down.

“He’s fast,” the strawberry blonde said.

“He’s dead,” Ace deadpanned.

“Let us pray to the great seven that he’ll make it to see the sun again,” the Pomefiore student said, bowing his head, clasping his hands together.

Mirai weaved down the halls, pushing through doors, slides on the corners to make it out of the building. And to make matters worse, he could hear the aggravated haggard breathing coming from Leona getting closer and closer to him, his loud footsteps getting louder and louder. Mirai found an open classroom as he turned a corner, slipping inside, driving behind a row of desks. Leona wasn’t stupid enough to fall for it, entering the classroom after him, and Mirai knew that, but he also knew if he played his cards right, he could slip out while Leona looked for him.

Suddenly, the sound of the door shutting, the lock snapping in place had Mira frozen, his heart sinking into his stomach, the sound echoing in his ears. He was dead meat, wasn’t he?

“You’re not getting out of this one,” Leona growled.

Ice cold with fear, Mirai crouched down, crawling down the steps away from the sound of Leona ragged breathing. As Leona went right, Mirai went left, making his way down the lecture hall. Mirai made it to the middle of the room, and peaked from behind the desk. Leona was on the other side, looking behind the desks. Mirai took the chance to scurry across the room. Mirai continued, crawling on his hands and knees. He passed another row, and didn’t see Leona, and the same outcome for the next three rows. Mirai made it to the bottom of the lecture hall, crawling out from behind the front row of desks when he saw a pair of green eyes staring back at him.

“Get over here,” Leona yelled, running towards him.

Mirai screamed, sprinting back up the stairs, but didn’t get far as Leona dove after him, sending the two of them rolling down the stairs. Leona ended up on top, wringing the Prefect up by the collar, and Mirai threw his arms up, shielding his face.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Mirai chanted over and over, breathing haggardly.

“You ain’t sorry,” Leona growled, “You’ve been doin’ this all week.”

“I’m sorry,” Mirai gasped, “I-I-, It, It was an-an accident.”

“You expect me to believe all of that was an accident?!”

“Y-Yes, yes! It was an accident,” Mirai gasped out.

Leona growled, throwing Mirai down on the floor.

“Whaddya gonna do to make up for it?” Leona growled.

“Wh-What?”

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t rearrange your face right now.”

“I-, a-anything, anything,” Mirai gasped out, arms still crossed over his face, “Anything in the realm of reasonability.”

Truth be told, Mirai wasn’t guarding his face for protection, not anymore, he really was covering the deep blush that colored his cheek, too deep to be from running for his life. His heart was pounding for many different reasons, as was the cause of his heavy breathing.

“Whaddaya mean?”

“L-like I’m not being your doormat,” Mirai huffed, moving his hands, “or your foot rest. You might as well get it over with and punch me.”

Leona stopped to think for a second before speaking, “This weekend, you’ll be my assistant. You’ll do anything I tell ya to do, and Ion want any lip from you.”

“Why would you want that?” Mirai scoffed, “Ruggie not enough for you?”

“Nah, I just wanna see how long it takes until someone like you breaks.”

Mirai sneered at him, his teeth grinding behind curled lips.

“Take it or leave it, Herbivore.”

“On my hours,” Mirai spoke again, standing to look the Beastman dead in the eyes.

“Huh?” Leona asked, looking a bit taken aback.

“I don’t have the liberty like Ruggie to come to you at your beck and call. I can’t afford to skip classes, and I can’t afford to miss my shift with Sam. I don’t have the liberties like the rest of you.”

Leona looked surprised at Mirai’s confession. Not many besides Ruggie were brave enough to make demands like that, but what also surprised him was the Prefect's determination.

“Deal or no deal?” Mirai asked.

“Fine,” Leona gruffed, “But don’t think you’re gonna have it easy, Herbivore. I’m not letting you off the hook until I see fit. The moment you mess up, you’re gonna have more than a black eye to worry about.”

“Give me your best shot,” Mirai smirked.

12 notes · View notes

themaladaptivewriter12 · 11 months

Text

Title: Slumber Party!

Part 2 of my “Every Other Friday!” series. Part 1 here.

Parings: Platonic

Summary:

Another Friday passes and it's time for yet another Housewarden meet, so how about a slumber party in the Ramshackle Dorm?

Cw: Light angst but nothing too big

a/n: This was like the second fic I’ve written for this fandom, and it’s been sitting in my docs since last year lol, anyways, enjoy!

Reblogs are appreciated, just use my custom tag, #TheMaladaptiveWriter12, if you do! ( ´ ▽ ` ).｡ｏ♡

Cross posted from my Ao3: TheMaladaptiveWriter12

It was the Friday after next and this week was “Slumber Party.” What better place to throw it than Ramshackle Dorm. Mirai was excited. None of them, besides the inhabitants of Heartslabyul, had ever been to his dorm, and that was only to help clean, and now it was. There were no more squeaky floorboards, no holes in the ceilings, no torn and dirty wallpaper, no chipping paint, no more water damage, no more flickering lights, and no more dust. Mirai was proud that he was able to host this event, and everyone chipped in too. Trey and Jamil were bringing food, Kalim was bringing blankets and pillows, Idia was bringing board games, junk food, and a movie projector, Azul was providing drinks, and all Mirai had to do was provide housing, since he didn’t really have anything. So Mirai made sure everything was in place. The floors had been swept and mopped, the carpets were cleaned, miscellaneous objects were put away, Grim’s cat toys, or that’s what Mirai likes to call them, were put away, and as for Grim, well, Mirai couldn’t stash him away. But Mirai also wanted to bring something to the table, so he called Jamil, who picked up on the third ring.

“Mirai? Has something happened?” Jamil asked through the receiver.

Mirai tended to see Jamil like an older brother, although Jamil worries too much, which Mirai hated sometimes, but he always was looking out for Mirai.

“No, I’m fine. I wanted to know if I could make something for Kalim if you were there to supervise the process?” Mirai asked carefully.

“Supervise?”

“Well, Kalim always says that he can’t eat anything but your cooking, and I know you being his advisor makes you weary of what he eats, and I wanted to bring a little bit of home to the party, so I-”

“You wanted to make it in front of me so Kalim could eat it?” Jamil finished.

“Yeah. Is that okay?” Mirai asked. “You can help if you want.”

There was a long silence before Jamil made a noise of affirmation, “I don’t see why not, but I can’t leave Kalim by himself.”

“What about Cater or Lilia?”

“Ah, of course. Be there in twenty minutes.”

“Thanks. See you then,” Mirai beamed from his side of the phone.

“You are quite welcome, Mirai.” Jamil said, a hint of a smile in his voice.

“See you in twenty. Later.”

“Good bye.”

Mirai hung up the phone and rejoiced, dancing a bit. He had been racking up some courage to ask Jamil, but couldn’t do it. He really wanted to bring a piece of his home to his new one, and what better way to do that than food.

“What’s got you in such high spirits, human?” Grim asked, walking into the lounge chomping on an apple.

“I’m excited for tonight. I finally have the right stuff to make something from home,” Mirai exclaimed.

“Is it edible?!”

“Yes,” Mirai laughed, “And you’ll get some if you be a good little cat and do not cause any trouble.”

“I’m good! Ima be good,” Grim said eagerly, practically drooling.

“That reminds me, did you want to hang with us tonight, or are you gonna disappear like you always do after eight?”

“I don’t know yet, but you better save me some snacks,” Grim demanded little paws on his little cat hips.

“Of course,” Mirai said, racing down to pet Grim between his flaming ears.

“Hey! Hey,” Grim shouted, “Enough with that sappy stuff! You’re weirding me out!”

Mirai laughed as Grim scampered off to somewhere in the dorm, and went to prepare the things for when Jamil arrived.

A while later, knocking at the door had Mirai jumping from his kitchen cleaning.

“Grim! Could you get that? My hands are full,” Mirai called from the kitchen.

“Who are you to be bossing the Great Grim around,” Grim griped, but did it anyway.

Not long after Jamil was following Grim to the kitchen. It was five-thirty, and the party started at seven-thirty. They still had a good amount of time.

“Hey Jamil! Glad you could make it,” Mirai said, washing his hands.

“Hey,” Jamil chuckled, “It looks great in here.”

“Oh, yeah, thanks man,” Mirai said, quickly busing himself with tying his hair up into a bun, sliding his favorite blue cloth headband over his bangs, “It took a while, but without the help from the guys at Heartslabyul, this probably wouldn’t be happening.”

Jamil was silent for a second but Mirai ignored it. He was used to the stares when people saw the state of the left side of his face.

“Hope you don’t mind,” Jamil said, lifting up a duffel bag in one hand, and a tiered cake tray of food in the other, “But I didn’t know how long it would take, so I bought my stuff with me.”

“No, no, you're fine. Just stick the bag in the foyer and the food can go on the kitchen table.”

Jamil left and came back shortly after, and Mirai just got done putting a glove on his prosthetic hand. Jamil walked up after Mirai finished and washed his hands.

“So, what are we making?” Jamil asked, drying his hands.

“Shoofly Pie,” Mirai beamed.

“Shoo-Shoofly Pie?” Jamil stammered.

Mirai cackled. “Yeah, Shoofly Pie. It’s a pie from where I come from. It’s mainly molasses and sugar, but once it bakes, it’ll have a cake-like texture. Hence why we call it the cake baked in a pie shell. No actual flies needed.”

“Sounds good. What do we need?”

Mirai scurried around the kitchen, preheating the oven, getting out the flour, the dark brown sugar, some cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, molasses, baking soda, and a stick of butter. Jamil watched with amusement, letting the Prefect do as he wanted.

“Oh wait! Bowls,” Mirai gasped.

Mirai raced over to the cabinet where Grim and he kept the bowls and began climbing the counters.

“Woah, woah! What are you doing?!” Jamil yelled, rushing to the Prefect’s side.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” Mirai waved off, setting two mixing bowls down next to his knees, then he closed the cabinet.

Jamil sighed, grabbing the two bowls and set down at where they were cooking, before racing back over to Mirai. “Here,” Jamil said as he grabbed Mirai by his bony hips and lifted him up off the counter, and then lowered him onto solid ground.

The whole moment seemed to slow down time. All Mirai could focus on were Jamil’s large hands, clamped around his waist, and the straight face Jamil seemed to always carry. Even if it was so little, his face still told a whole story, held so much weight, so much emotion.

“I-I was fine, r-really,” Mirai stammered, when Jamil let him go.

Jamil sucked his teeth in annoyance, thinking about a certain white haired Housewarden, “Now you are. So what’s next?”

Mirai walked him through the steps of measuring the flour, salt, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon and put them in a bowl.

“Now we slowly add the butter,” Mirai muttered, breaking off bit by bit of butter, mixing it into the dry mixture.

“Is this the filling?” Jamil asked as he mixed up a decent pie crust.

“Uh, no. It’s for the crumble on top.”

After the crumble topping was made, Mirai grabbed their third bowl and started on the filling. Mirai added the light molasses, water, baking soda, and one lightly beaten egg.

“Is that really all?” Jamil asked as he kneaded the pie dough.

“Yep,” Mirai chirped, mixing the filling. “I’ve had it a couple of times for the holidays, it’s quite sweet.”

Jamil didn’t look too convinced, but he kept his mouth shut.

The two continued in a comfortable silence, the two of them doing their respective jobs. Jamil finished the pie crust and started the process of rolling it out. Mirai on the other hand began cleaning up around him, putting things back where they belonged, putting their used dishes in the sink, and cleaning off the countertops.

Jamil was still rolling out the dough when he had gotten a call from Kalim. “I gotta take this. Finish rolling that out for me?”

“Sure,” Mirai said, changing the glove on his prosthetic, “One sec.”

Jamil didn’t say anything as he left the room.

Mirai walked over to where Jamil had been rolling out the pie dough and took over. But as Mirai began to roll out the dough, or in this case, tried to, he realized that he was struggling. He was too short, well, short enough to where he needed a stool to actually get a good push on the rolling pin.

“Give it here,” Jamil said.

Mirai jumped, Jamil scaring him, and allowed the Scarabia Vice to take the rolling pin from Mirai and began rolling out the pie dough like a pro.

“How come you make that look so easy?” Mirai pouted.

“It’s nothing really,” Jamil mumbled, rolling the dough.

“Well, I wouldn't say that,” Mirai said, looking over his shoulder, “I surely couldn't do that, and it looks like you have a lot of experience in the kitchen. I admire that.”

Jamil was silent, but from the way Jamil lost his steady hand, and the way he turned his face to the far left, Mirai could tell he was flustered, but he didn’t comment on it.

Now that the dough was rolled out, Jamil filled the pie tin, Mirai filled the crust with the filling, and once the crumble topping was added, Mirai put the pie into the oven to bake.

“Well that’s done,” Mirai sighed as he stretched his arms over his head.

“That wasn’t too bad,” Jamil said, drying off his hands, “You did good.”

“Thanks.”

“Anything else I can help with?”

“Uh, you don’t have to, but I was gonna make some hot dogs.”

“We still have some time to kill,” Jamil said, looking over to the clock on the wall. “Just tell me what to do.”

Mirai and Jamil spent the next hour making hot dogs, they were the prepackaged kind, but they had to make quite a lot of them. But halfway through, Jamil suggested also making a chili to go on top, and so they divided the work until there were thirty hot dogs and a pot full of chili.

“Thanks Jamil,” Mirai smiled, taking a sip of his water.

“Why are you thanking me?” Jamil asked. “I just helped you cook.”

“You're smarter than that Jamil,” Mirai chuckled, untying his hair, and removing the cloth headband, “I think you can figure it out.”

Jamil looked taken aback, beautiful dark eyes going wide. “I didn’t do anything, really,” Jamil mumbled, playing with his bangs, “I should be thanking you.”

“You’re welcome, Jamil.”

Jamil smirked, before patting Mirai on the shoulder, “You’re welcome, Mirai.”

“Now let's get cleaning,” Mirai whooped, rolling up his sleeves.

Jamil shook his head fondly.

Just as they finished cleaning the kitchen, the oven timer dinged.

“Pie’s done,” Mirai chirped just as a knock sounded at the door, “And just in time too.”

“Human,” Grim called from the lounge.

“I’m busy,” Mirai sang back.

The door sounded and muffed talking could be heard. Mirai checked the time, it read six-twenty.

“What’s cookin’ good lookin’?”

“Cay-Cay,” Mirai cheered.

Cater laughed, opening his arms in invitation, “Didn’t I say it was Cay-Cay if you were cray-cray?”

“Well, there’s your answer,” Mirai laughed, returning the hug.

Mirai snuggled against Cater. He liked hugging Cater. He was warm, he always smelt good, like something fresh and crisp, with a little hint of spice, and he always felt safe in his solid form.

“You comfortable there, Hon?” Cater asked, one hand scratching through Mirai’s hair, and his other was rubbing at Mirai’s waist.

“Yeah,” came Mirai’s muffled reply.

Cater chuckled fondly.

“You just smell really good,” Mirai groaned, letting Cater go.

Cater laughed loudly, and Jamil chuckled from his spot next to the stove.

“You here by yourself?” Mirai asked.

“Yeah,” Cater said, “Riddle is helping Trey, and Kalim is with Lilia.”

“Thank the Seven,” Jamil sighed.

“You know I wouldn’t leave him by himself.”

“Well, we’re almost done,” Mirai said, pointing to the table full of food. “The pie just came out of the oven.”

“Ooh! What kind is it?”

“Shoofly?” Jamil asked more than said.

“You remembered,” Mirai smiled.

“Never heard of it,” Cater said. “Does it come from your home world?”

“Ding! Ding! You would be correct!”

Cater and Jamil chuckled at Mirai’s sound effects.

“We also made hot dogs and chili dogs for those who don’t want pie,” Mirai informed.

“Aww, look at you,” Cater gushed, pulling the Ramshackle Prefect into a hug, “Always so thoughtful!”

A set of knocks echoed throughout the dorm and Mirai perked up.

“I got it,” Cater called, letting Mirai go to answer the door.

There was shuffling from the lounge and shortly after Trey and Riddle entered the kitchen.

“Evening guys,” Mirai greeted

“Evening, Prefect,” Trey greeted, “Where should I put this?”

“The kitchen table is fine! We can fix it when everyone gets here.”

“Sounds good.”

“Evening Mirai,” Riddle greeted happily.

“Hey, Riddle, how are things?” Mirai asked.

“Everything is in order, as it should be.”

“That’s good.”

“Oh, we didn’t know where to put our bags, so we just sat them with the other two. Hope that’s okay?” Trey asked.

“You’re good.”

“Well now that we’ve got more hands,” Cater chirped, “Let’s get this party started!”

Cater pulled his Bluetooth speaker from his bag and began playing wherever he felt fit the mood, and with the help from Jamil, Trey and Cater, Riddle directed from the top of the stairs, Mirai rearranged the lounge so that everything faced the window. The couch that was in front of the window was moved to sit along the rug, the couch in front of the stairs was moved horizontally to the window, the rocking chair was moved to the base of the stairs and the end table and coffee table were moved to sit horizontally to the window. Grim just sat there on the couch as he read, letting them move him about. Halfway through, Vil and Rook showed up and watched it all unfold.

“Evening, Rook, Vil,” Mirai called over the music.

“What fun this looks, Roi du Sommeil,” Rook commented.

“It’s getting there,” Mirai huffed, walking over to the two, “Just set your things there, we’re almost done.”

“I was told to bring fairy lights,” Vil said, holding up the two large plastic bags.

“Fairy lights?” Mirai asked.

“Those are for later,” Cater cut in, taking the bags.

There was a knock on the door, and Vil opened it to let Kalim, Lilia, and Malleus in.

“Hey guys, drop your stuff in the foyer for now,” Mirai instructed, “After we get this situated we can go from there.”

“Okay,” Kalim complied, “I bought even more blankets!”

As Trey rearranged the food on the coffee table, Mirai, Jamil, and Malleus laid out the blankets so that the hard wooden floors were covered and cushioned, then Kalim added the pillows. Cater and Jamil stopped midway through and had a dance break, then Lilia changed the music to something harder, the base loud and booming, which he screeched along to. Riddle and Vil perfected everything, looking as pretty and important as ever as they gave orders. With help from Rook and Trey, Mirai brought another end table down to the lounge just as the Octavinelle trio arrived.

“Little Shrimpy,” Floyd called, “Where are you?”

“Lounge,” Mirai called, “Just drop your stuff near the door.”

Azul, Jade, and Floyd entered the lounge, the drinks in a cooler.

“Oh, that goes next to the coffee table,” Mirai directed, pointing to the space next to it.

“Of course,” Jade said, walking the cooler to the coffee table.

“Shrimpy,” Floyd yelled, tackling Mirai onto the floor.

“Floyd,” Azul chided, “Be careful!”

Mirai grunted as he hit the floor, taking the entire weight of the six foot two eel human.

“You okay, Prefect?” Jade asked.

“Y-Yeah,” Mirai coughed, strain in his voice, “Fl-Floyd, it’s nice t-to see you too, b-but you gotta be c-careful. You might b-break m-me.”

Floyd cackled, snuggling his face into Mirai’s hair, “Shrimpy’s weak.”

“Yes I am, that’s why you gotta get off me,” Mirai laughed, patting Floyd on the back.

“Okay!”

Floyd sat the two of them up, sitting cross legged on the blanket pallet.

“What time is it?” Mirai called.

“It’s seven-ten,” Malleus answered.

“Thanks.”

“Idia’s here,” Vil called.

Idia entered the lounge with his projector equipment, and a long black bag.

“Heyaz,” Mirai waved from within Floyd's hold, “Set it up whenever you’re ready.”

Idia nodded, walking his equipment over.

“We’re setting it up in front of the window, right?” Idia asked guesting to the small blank end table next to the surge protector plugged into the wall.

“Yep. Is that okay?”

“No, no, that’s fine. Just making sure,” Idia said with haste.

“Cool, just tell me if you need something.”

“Here Cater,” Idia said tossing the long black bag to him.

“Thanks,” Cater chirped, “Okay Ima need help from my tall guys for this!”

“For what?” Mirai asked.

“It’s a surprise,” Cater said with a finger to his lips.

Cater left the room to gather everyone else, and Floyd followed shortly after being called by his brother.

“What are they doing?” Mirai muttered.

Mirai turned his body around to look at Idia. Mirai thought he looked cute in his hoodie as always, and this time, he wore his hair in a ponytail, a baseball cap atop his head, and with the light of the golden afternoon, Mirai thought he looked even prettier, ethereal even. And the way he worked with the equipment, he looked more in his element than ever. His hands were working fast as he positioned the projector and his laptop, plugging in cords here, there, and everywhere, his eyes were narrowed in concentration, the tip of his tongue peeking from blue tinted lips, with a flash of his sharp teeth here and there as he muttered to himself. Mirai found the tall gamer all too cute.

“Wh-What is it? Did I d-do something wrong?” Idia asked after realizing the Ramshackle Prefect was staring.

“N-No,” Mirai stammered, “I was just watching.”

“O-Oh. It’s nothing interesting,” Idia muttered.

“You just seem really good at that kind of stuff, and that’s what makes it interesting.”

Idia’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly, as he tried to come up with an answer. Mirai laughed while getting up to leave Idia to work.

“W-Wait,” Idia called, grabbing Mirai’s arm.

Mirai was surprised, but so was Idia, his face was red, hair growing pinker and pinker. He looked like he was surprised with himself, like didn’t mean to do that.

“Leona and Ruggie are here,” Lilia called from somewhere in the dorm.

Idia let go of Mirai and quickly busied himself with the projector again. Mirai took that as Idia wanted to forget what just happened, and got up to greet the last of his guests.

“Oi Herbivore,” Leona called, “Move your dorm. The walk here is too long.”

Mirai laughed. “I don’t think I can do that, but I’ll ask the Headmage and let you know what he says.”

Leona smirked, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips.

“How come we’re the last one’s here, but on time?” Ruggie asked, dropping his stuff next to everyone else's.

“They were helping set up,” Mirai explained.

“Hey Ruggie, come here,” Trey called from somewhere.

“Coming,” Ruggie called back jogging off.

There was a sound of pattering feet from behind, Mirai turned around to catch Trey, Azul, Malleus, and five Caters scurrying into the lounge.

“What are they doing?” Mirai questioned, walking off.

“Hey herbivore,” Leona said, running his whole hand across Mirai’s head, tangling his fingers in thin blonde strands and pulling, “you smell good.”

Mirai made a surprised noise akin to a choking cat, and tilted his head back, bending his body, as Leona pulled him by the hair.

“Good?” Mirai grunted, trying to get Leona’s hand out of his hair, “I’ve been cooking and moving around all day. Ya sure it’s not just sweat?”

“No, like, you smell really good,” Leona muttered. “Like meat?”

“Leona,” Mirai whined, face flushing, “That’s just gross. Even if I was just making hot dogs, that’s still gross.”

Leona chuckled. “Yeah that’s what it is.”

“Ugh! Now I wanna change my clothes. That’s just plain nasty.”

Suddenly there was a crackling sound and then the whole dorm went dark.

“Guys?! What happened?! Are you okay?!” Mirai yelled, wringing himself from Leona’s grasp.

Mirai tripped over the bags as he scrambled to the lounge, thinking of the worse. When he entered the whole room was pitch black.

“G-Guys?” Mirai called wearily.

One by one, strings of fairy lights lit up the room, little balls of light danced around the room like golden fireflies, making the huge blanket fort more and more visible. The top of the fort was peaked, hanging from the chandelier, a side was connected to the fireplace and the railing of the stairs above the couches. And at the front, there was a little pathway leading from the entryway into the fort, and the little door was made of blankets and sheets, tied on the edges to keep them out of the way. Mirai was in awe. He’d never seen anything like it. He just stared at the setting in front of him.

A flash broke Mirai from his stupor, making him startle. Cater was smiling from behind his camera.

“You gonna come in or just stand there?” Cater chuckled.

“Wh-What’s happening?” Mirai asked, voice a little distant.

A push at Mirai’s back had him whipping his head around to Leona who was smirking at him.

“C’mon,” Cater smiled, grabbing Mirai’s hand, leading him in.

They had to crawl in the little path way, but once they pushed past another set of blankets, the fort opened up. Kalim’s red, orange, burgundy, and purple blankets looked even better from the inside. Fairy lights lit the inside of the fort, and the little balls of light from outside also floated around in here. There were poles situated in the corners, where the fort, keeping it all in place, and in the back, there was yet another doorway, just like the one Mirai had crawled through. Mirai honestly didn’t know how they did it.

Azul and the twins were chatting on one of the couches, Kalim, Jamil, Trey, and Riddle were sitting around the coffee table on the blanketed floor. Malleus, Lilia, and Vil sat on the other couch, Rook sat at Vils feet on the floor, Idia sat next to the projector, and Ruggie sat around one of the other tables. Leona scooted in from behind Cater and Mirai, crawling over to Ruggie, where he promptly got comfortable.

“You can thank Cater for orchestrating all of this,” Azul said from the couch, “It was all his idea.”

“The light’s were from Vil and I,” Lilia added.

“Idia engineered the fort layout,” Malleus imputed. Idia flushed at his honorable mention.

“I bought extra blankets and sheets,” Kalim cheered, raising his hand.

“Rook and I concocted a potion that glows in the dark, mimicking fireflies,” Trey said racing up to a ball of light.

“What’s happening?” Mirai muttered again, still in shock, “H-How, why?”

“Because we wanted to,” Cater said looking Mirai in the eye, “And according to a little kitty cat, a certain Prefect was feeling down, and wanted to find a way to cheer him up.”

Grim poked his head in from the other blanket door, ears flat to his head.

“You weren’t supposed to go blabbing all that,” Mirai chided

“Well you said you were homesick,” Grim mumbled, “And you were all mopey. A-And it was annoying, so…”

Mirai was taken aback by Grim’s confession. Yeah he was feeling a little homesick. He missed the food, he missed the music, he missed the familiarity of it all, he missed not having to try and understand everything that was thrown at him, but he wouldn’t trade this for the world. He now had friends that cared for him, he now had a purpose, even if it was small in the greater of things, he now had a reason to look forward to tomorrow and what was to come. Yeah it was hard sometimes, yeah some of these guys could kill him with their pinky finger, but he was happy with life, more than he’s ever been for a long time.

Mirai threw his head back laughing, mirth spilling from his lips before it boiled over into misery. Tears filled his eyes, and Mirai bowed his head and cried into his hands.

Everyone was everywhere at once. Mirai couldn’t tell who was who, or what anyone was saying over his own sobbing voice. But he was trying to stop the tears that just wouldn't stop falling.

“I-I’m f-fine,” Mirai sobbed.

Mirai was pulled into a pair of soft arms. They smelled sweet like strawberries and something floral, like roses. It was Riddle.

“Ramshackle Dorm Rule by default, Mirai must confide in his upperclassmen whenever he’s in trouble, no matter the problem,” Riddle muttered, petting into Mirai’s hair.

Mirai pulled away, sniffling as he wiped his face with his sleeves, voice wet and raspy, “Thanks guys, I mean it.”

“You’re welcome,” chorused around.

Mirai smiled, wiping at his eyes again, “You guys are the best, you know that?”

“I mean, I already know that,” Leona boasted, a snarky smirk on his lips, “But I don’t mind hearing from you.”

“Please,” Vil scoffed, “If anyone here is the best, it’s me.”

“I think it is I whom he was referring to,” Malleus’ deep baritone voice rumbled.

The three began to bicker, much to everyone’s chagrin and Mirai watched the scene unfold in front of him.

“Ready?” Cater asked, bringing the Ramshackle Prefect from his thoughts.

“Yeah,” Mirai nodded.

“Alright! Party in the Blanket Castle of Ramshackle is a go!”

Everyone filed out and changed into their pajamas, and Mirai found it a funny sight. Riddle was in a red button up pajama set rimmed in white, the cuffs of his sleeves and the hem of his pants lined with white lace, Trey was wearing a green T-shirt and red plaid pajama pants and Cater was wearing a black muscle tank, an orange and white striped pair of pants, and a cardigan that matched them. Leona was in nothing but a pair of yellow pajama pants, Ruggie was dressed in an yellow oversized t-shirt and light blue shorts. Azul wore a purple button up pajama set rimmed in black, Jade and Floyd both wore blue pajama pants with little shells printed on them, and instead of the white tee like Jade was wearing, Floyd wasn’t wearing one. Kalim was dressed in a loose champagne pajama set, and Jamil was in a red tank and loose blank pants. Rook was in a dark blue button up pajama set, and Vil was wearing a flowy dark blue satin gown. Idia was in cyan blue pajama pants and a black graphic tank, and black ankle socks, Lilia was in a large magenta shirt and black leggings, and Malleus was wearing a black satin pajama set, rimmed in a fluorescent green.

“Everyone ready?” Trey asked, from inside.

“Coming,” Mirai called, crawling on his knees, back into the blanket fort.

Mirai was wearing a loose long sleeved shirt, the sleeve that held his missing arm was tied a little ways below the stump. His loose black shorts reached his thighs, and on his feet were black ankle socks.

“C’mere you,” Cater cooed, holding Mirai under his arms, and pulled him into the fort.

“Cater,” Mirai laughed as they both tumbled inside, Mirai ending up lying on top of Cater, both of them giggling.

“Getta room,” Leona hollered.

Cater stuck his tongue out at the Lion Beastman.

“Where’s Grim?” Mirai asked.

“Over here,” Trey laughed.

Grim, who was currently pouting, was dressed in a tiny blue t-shirt and gray pants, and he looked absolutely adorable.

“Aww,” Mirai gushed, “You’re wearing clothes!”

“Well he had to fit the dress code,” Kalim laughed.

“Wait,” Mirai gasped, untangling himself from Cater, and reached up onto the mantel to grab the Ghost Camera.

“Is that a Ghost Camera?” Cater asked.

“Yeah,” Mirai nodded, turning it on, “The Headmage said to use it to take pictures of my time here, to record all the nice moments, and why not use it now?”

“Then allow me.”

The ghosts, Biggie, Smalls, and Rangy, materialized and took the camera from Mirai.

“Good idea,” Mirai chirped, getting into position.

Everyone shuffled around, pushing and shoving here and there. Floyd made a scene about sitting next to Mirai, which caused Kalim to act out as well. Eventually to make it fair, Riddle made everyone sit in height order, shortest in front, tallest in the back, and Grim in Mirai’s lap.

“Everyone ready? On three,” the Rangy said, “One, two, three.”

The camera sparkled and shook, white mist swirled around it before it stopped.

“Thank you,” Mirai thanked them, putting the camera away as they dissipated once more.

“So Jamil says you made something for everyone?” Malleus asked.

“Oh yeah,” Mirai shouted, scooting over to the snack table. He only fell on his face once, but no one commented on it. “I made Shoofly Pie!”

“Fly?” Floyd asked. “Is it made with flies?”

Mirai snorted a laugh, “No. It’s just called that. It’s mainly molasses, and it’s kinda like a cake, well, a cake in a pie crust. But it’s really sweet.”

Trey cut the pie beautifully, serving it to those who wanted some, topping each piece off with the choice of a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream. Mirai waited for everyone to get a slice before eating a piece.

“It’s sweet,” Riddle said, surprised.

“It kinda tastes like chocolate,” Kalim said with a smile.

“It's weird,” Floyd laughed. “It’s like cake, but it’s pie.”

“That’s the point,” Mirai laughed. “That's why we call it the cake in a pie shell.”

“You did good,” Jamil said, smiling as he ate.

“Thanks,” Mirai smiled, finally being able to taste home. Mirai felt like crying again, but refused to cry again for a second time.

“Well don’t stop here,” Jamil said, “There's plenty of food to go around.”

And like that, the slumber party was in full swing. Trey passed around cakes and cookies, Jamil dished out a slew of finger foods like fries, wraps, sandwiches, and more. Idia bought out the chips, some dip, and some candy, Azul passed around bottles of soda, water, iced teas, and fruity drinks. Mirai bought the hot dogs and chili out, Ruggie, and Leona were more than happy to have some meat, and Cater and Lilia were more than happy with the added spice from the chili. Once the food was passed out, Idia pressed play on the movie, starting the movie marathon, and apparently it was a series about a magical dark academia. Mirai dug into almost everything. The sandwiches were amazing, so were the chicken and lettuce wraps, he also had some fries and some chips. And before he could forget, he made a plate for Grim. As they ate, Mirai tried not to look at Leona as he devoured the meat in his plate. For some reason, the look Leona had when he bit into his food, Mirai would flush, and he didn’t need to have to go down that route in explaining himself.

“Shrimpy sure eats a lot,” Floyd chuckled.

“I could eat an entire pizza if I wanted to,” Mirai answered, gulping down some cream soda.

“That’s disgusting,” Vil cringed, “Do you know how much grease and fat is in that?”

“A lot, but hey, I’ve eaten worse.”

Vil scoffed, eating his wrap.

“Mirai,” Kamil called, “Try this!”

Kalim was in his face in an instant, in his hand was a plate of spherical pastries, swirled with chocolate.

“Wha-”

“It’s called Luqaimat,” Kalim said, sticking one of the dumplings with a toothpick, and bringing it up to Mirai’s face, “Here, open!”

Mirai complied, opening his mouth, letting Kalim feed him the dumping.

“How is it?! How is it?!” Kalim asked excitedly.

Mirai chewed thoughtfully, eating the sweet dumpling. It was soft and fluffy, deep fried, and smothered in chocolate. It was good.

“It’s good,” Mirai laughed.

“See,” Kalim cheered, eating one himself, “Here, here! Have another!”

Mirai laughed, finding Kalim’s excitement adorable. And he complied, letting the eager Housewarden feed him.

“I want some,” Grim called, bounding over to Kalim.

“Here,” Kalim said, feeding Grim.

Grim’s big eyes lit up at the taste. “I want more!”

Kalim laughed, “There’s plenty!”

Later on Idia, Azul, Trey, Riddle, Jamil, Ruggie, and Lilia played a very intense game of Old Mage, which resulted in a screaming match between Riddle and Idia. Mirai could vaguely hear Riddle saying something along the lines of something being against the rules, which turned into him screaming his little red head off. Trey tried to calm him down but he seemed too far gone to care, Idia started going on about something like ‘you noobs being no match for me’ which resulted in an even angrier Riddle. Ruggie laughed the entire time, and Mirai was pretty sure he was cheating somehow. Cater had a photo op, taking pictures of everyone and everything, Malleus, Kalim, Jade, and Rook were very engaged with the movie and its storyline, Vil sat off to the side, having a very extensive conversation about potions with Rook, and at some point, Mirai ended up lying between Floyd and Leona.

Floyd lay to Mirai’s right, stuffing his face with treats, while he read a comic book, and on the other side of the Ramshackle Prefect was Leona, the Beastman playing with the back of Mirai’s hair as he dozed, his long tail hitting the back of his leg as it swished lazily. Mirai knew he was doing it on purpose, but it didn’t bother him, so he let him be.

But right now, Mirai was internally having a crisis. He was stuck between the tall, pale, lean muscles of Floyd, his shoulder blades sharp, and the tiniest hints of his rib cage showed through his skin when he moved. And on the other side was tall, broad, and bronze Leona, who was pure muscle, so Mirai distracted himself by reading a book he had been meaning to read.

“Will Shrimpy’s arm grow back?” Floyd asked, lightly touching the shoulder of his remaining arm.

“No,” Mirai laughed, “Human’s can’t grow their limbs back.”

“That’s not fair. Azul can grow legs back in his Octopus form.” There a moment before Floyd asked softly, “Does it hurt?”

“Sometimes, but it doesn’t really bother me anymore,” Mirai said, looking up at Floyd.

Floyd was pouting, heterochromatic eyes distant.

“Don’t worry about it,” Mirai giggled, smiling.

“Shrimpy’s too nice to me,” Floyd whined, throwing an arm over Mirai, “I can’t be mean to him.”

He was changing the subject. Mirai guessed he didn’t like, or more like, he isn’t used to genuine niceties being given to him.

Mirai laughed, “That’s called being conscious of other people’s feelings.”

Floyd was silent, a thoughtful expression returning to his face. For a moment, Mirai thought he was gonna just ignore his comment, or worse, squeeze him for it, but it never came.

“Well I don’t like it,” Floyd finally said, pouting. Floyd got up and crawled over to his brother, draping himself around Jade from behind. Mirai could tell he was just embarrassed, and Mirai found it was endearing.

“Is that also where the scar on your eye came from?”

Mirai rolled his head over to look at Leona. He was dreading having to face Leona again, because he didn’t know how he would act having to be totally aware of his state of undress.

“Mn,” Mirai nodded.

The scarring was pretty bad. It mimicked a burning pattern, flesh dark in some spots, light and shiny in others. It started at his forehead, and it traced down over his eyebrow, splitting it in two, down his left eye, over his cheek, and chin, ending a little ways down his neck and shoulder. It was so bad that his once green eye was now mixed with a cloudy white, little flecks of green now only shown through the top of his iris. Only on the worst days did it throb with pins and needles of pain.

“Does it still hurt?” Leona asked quietly.

“Sometimes,” Mirai answered.

Leona reached over, running the backs of his finger across Mirai’s cheek, turning his hand, he ran the pad of his thumb tenderly over the scars across Mirai’s face. Mirai stared intently back at Leona. His eyebrows were frowned a bit, eyes not looking anywhere in particular, filled with an intensity Mirai couldn’t name. When Leona’s thumb reached Mirai’s eye, he closed them. It was too soft, and too intense, and Mirai didn’t know if he could take it.

“What about your scar,” Mirai challenged, sounding too soft, too raw for his liking, trying to revert the attention away from him.

“That’s a secret,” Leona smirked, letting his hand fall, catching the hint.

“Fine, I’ll come up with my own story behind it.”

“Oh?” Leona chuckled, “And what would that be?”

“You are six years old, and stuck in a tree,” Mirai smirked.

Leona growled something deep from within his chest, and Mirai was sure the noise would be engraved into his brain for the rest of his days. But the smirk stayed on his face, so Mirai knew it was okay to continue.

“You’re calling for help as you're stuck, and your brother comes to your rescue. The branch breaks, landing you into your brother's arms, but in your descent, you cut your face in the process.”

Leona laughs, like, genuinely laughs, and Mirai is absolutely smitten. He ends up laughing too. After their laughter dies down, Leona speaks up again.

“You okay?” Leona asked, propping his head up on his hand.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Mirai asked, tilting his head a bit.

“Well earlier, you were upset.”

“Yeah, I’m fine now. Jus’ a lot of stuff going on, and I failed to remember what was in front of me.”

“Oh yeah, and what’s in front of you now?”

Mirai was genuinely going to answer his question, until he noticed the slyness behind it. He knew, Leona knew.

Mirai stuck his tongue out, making a little noise as he did.

“Careful, Prefect,” Leona warned, “I just might have to bite it off.”

“Bleh,” Mirai said, sticking it out again.

Leona growled, and lunged at Mirai.

Mirai yelled as was pushed down as he and Leona wrestled, rolling around in the blankets, pushing and shoving.

“No roughhousing in the Blanket Castle of Ramshackle,” Cater laughed chidingly, even if he was taking pictures of the two.

“He started it,” Leona said, trying to keep Mirai still.

“Did not,” Mirai shot back.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched.

“That looks fun,” Floyd commented, “Shrimpy fight me next”

One of Leona’s hands ended up skirting Mirai’s waist and Mirai squealed, pushing Leona away.

They both went stock still.

“You’re ticklish?” Leona smirked.

“N-no,” Mirai denied, panic slowly going on his face.

Leona started inching closer.

“Le-Leona, st-stop,” Mirai demanded, shooting away from his assailant.

Leona lunged forward, legs bracketing the Magicless Prefect below him, his attacks switching their target to Mirai’s waist, fingers skittering his belly.

Mirai laughed uncontrollably, as he kicked and wiggled, trying to get away.

“Say I win,” Leona breathed a laugh, “Say I win. Say you yield.”

“Y-you win, you win,” Mirai cackled, “I y-y-yield!”

Leona stopped his assault and looked down at the boy beneath him. Mirai was panting, face flushed red from laughter, mouth stuck in a smile as he giggled as if he could feel the tickle.

Leona chuckled, “You-”

Leona grunted as Mirai whopped him upside the head with a pillow.

“Now you’re gonna get it,” Leona roared, snatching a pillow from behind him, and started beating Mirai with it.

“Hey, he’s defenseless,” Kalim yelled, grabbing a pillow and whacking Leona with it.

“My turn! My turn,” Floyd cheered, grabbing a pillow, and smacking Leona.

“H-Hey! Why am I getting hit?!” Leona asked, shielding himself as he tried to hit the other two.

Mirai gasped as he was yanked from under Leona by under his arms. Looking up, Malleus was smirking down at him.

“Thanks,” Mirai said, going in to hit Leona again.

“Ruggie, help me,” Leona yelled.

“I don’t know,” Ruggie said in fake thoughtfulness, “You look okay ta me.”

“Don’t worry, Leona! I’ll help you,” Cater yelled, raining his attack on Kalim and Floyd.

Floyd whipped and flung his pillow around, smacking anyone who got to close. On one of Floyd’s backswings, it ended up flying from his hands, hitting Vil in the face.

“Hey,” Vil shouted, picking it up and throwing it back, it hit Riddle.

Riddle yelped, as it smacked him dead in the face.

“You,” Riddle growled, grabbing the cylinder shaped cushion, swinging it by the tassels, flinging it back, it hit Azul.

Azul screeched, picking up a pillow and throwing it back.

The chain continued until everyone had a pillow, attacking each other. Floyd was in no man's land, hitting anyone he could reach, Jamil had joined Floyd's side, tag teaming Riddle and Trey, getting his hits on Kalim during the battle. Malleus joined in some time after, using magic to throw pillows at Leona with a vengeance, and then that was when Ruggie and Lilia joined their charges’ sides. Jade and Azul took turns fighting off a very unpredictable Floyd or they set their assaults on Vil and Rook, who had deadly precision.

“Fl-Floyd! Floyd! Floyd,” Azul shouted at the cackling eel twin, “You’re hitting me in the face!”

Floyd laughed as he wailed on Azul, before turning around and hitting his brother.

“A dangerous game you play there, dear brother,” Jade said, a sinister smile gracing his lips.

Grim kept a stash of pillows at his side, using to hit anyone who got too close. Mirai found it cute as Grim tried to lift some of the bigger pillows and throw them. Mirai on the other hand, ended up crawling from Cater, who made it his mission to hit him, and in the process, hit Idia, who was sitting very still in the corner.

“Oopsie, sorry babe,” Cater apologized.

It was like night and day, one second Idia looked like a cornered rabbit, then next he was a hawk, sinking his talons into his prey. In a flash, he was snatching a pillow from beside him and was wailing on Cater.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Cater chanted, trying to get away from Idia.

“Thanks Idia,” Mirai laughed.

Idia nodded.

Mirai laughed and playfully hit Idia in the arm with his pillow, Idia snickered and hit him back.

Slowly but surely, the pillow fight ended, everyone huffing and puffing as they lied there in a pleasant silence. Kalim giggled, then he went silent, then he giggled again. And like a virus, they were all laughing.

“‘M tired,” Floyd giggled, still catching his breath.

“As I,” Jade agreed.

“I can’t believe that just happened,” Vil said fondly, “You have quite the hit, Azul.”

“As do you, Vil. But you can thank Floyd for that.” Azul laughed, glasses long gone.

That tidbit earned him a couple of chuckles.

“The Great Grim wants a do over,” Grim huffed from where he was spat on the floor, “All you guys did was hit me.”

“You’re an easy target,” Leona gruffed.

“Fynya! Am not!”

Laugher rang out once more.

“I suppose this should be a good time to settle down,” Malleus muttered, looking off to the windows.

Riddle hummed in agreement, “It is already nine-thirty.”

“Then I suppose some cleaning is in order.”

“Then let’s hop to it then,” Mirai said, sitting up.

After the food was cleared out, the tables were moved for the right, to give more space. Mirai helped clean up the best he could before Trey and Cater sent him away. Mirai helped out elsewhere, and in no time flat, everything was cleared out for the night.

It was late, Mirai realized, the sun had long set, making way for the moon and the stars in the dark sky. Everyone was beginning to wind down, the energy from earlier melting into something more calm and cozy. Mirai entered the fort once again, and found Idia sitting by himself, knees to his chest, biting his thumbnail as he watched the movie.

“You seen this before?” Mirai asked Idia as he sat down next to him, shoving a chip into his mouth.

Idia jumped, but settled back down when he realized who it was, muttering, “Yeah.”

“So what’s it about?”

Idia started out small, telling Mirai about the story from its origins as a novel, but once he kept going, he couldn’t stop.

“The film is a masterpiece all in itself,” Idia rambled, flames growing brighter, and larger, his smile turning into a smirk full of sharp teeth, “Like the storyline, totally S-tier, the producers were fans themselves, so they wanted to make sure the movie hit the best points, and it did! The acting is great, although I think Henry’s acting skills are a bit mid. And like, the special effects team totally out did themselves, everything is on point. And don’t get me started on the OST.”

Mirai giggled at Idia’s rambling. Mirai found it cute when he geeked out.

“Like the use of the fog machine in this scene, genius! And-”

Idia suddenly clamped his mouth shut, face flushing a lovely red.

“Sorry,” Idia mumbled.

“What for man? So you like the makings of films that originated as literary masterpieces? We all have our likes and hobbies, so why be embarrassed about it?”

There was a beat of silence before Idia’s eyes narrowed harshly. Mirai was about to ask what was the matter when he spoke once more.

“Why are you so nice to me?” Idia finally asked, tone harsh.

“Why not?” Mirai asked nonchalantly.

“Well you’re not gonna gain anything from this, so you might as well stop your efforts.”

“You just seemed like a really cool dude.”

“Cool? You think I’m cool?” Idia asked, unconvinced.

“Mn,” Mirai nodded.

“What’s so cool about me? Who wants to befriend an introverted trash-tier Housewarden, who won’t leave his room unless he really has to, to only binge play MMORPG’s all night?”

“The introverted trash-tier Magicless Prefect, who never left his room unless he had to, binge playing FPS’s all night,” Mirai deadpanned.

Idia clamped his lips together, eyes widening.

Mirai sighed. “Being here has let me see the other side of things,” Mirai spoke quietly, “Being here has let me make friends. That little Housewarden meeting was the first time I actually felt seen since coming here. Being here has let me cook with someone, for someone, and talk to people who actually care about me. So even if it’s for a little while, why not try and start over and befriend the S-tier Housewarden with the cool flaming hair?”

Idia hid himself, pushing his blushing face into his knees.

“You’re not trash-tier,” Idia mumbled, “Definitely S-tier with some cool DLC.”

Mirai laughed.

“But seriously,” Mirai said, “Next time, if you need a gaming buddy, call me! I need someone who will binge play all night with me.”

Idia laughed loudly, accepting.

“Prefect, come!”

Mirai waved to Idia and kneeled his way over to Vil, who was sitting on the couch with his legs curled underneath himself.

“Sit,” Vil said, gesturing to the space in front of him on the floor with a brush.

Mirai crawled over and sat.

Vil ran his fingers through his hair, combing through the thin strands, starting from the root, manicured nails scratching softly at Mirai’s scalp, as he pulled gently down to the tips. Vil said nothing as he did this, they both sat in a comfortable silence. After a while, Vil ran his long thin fingers over Mirai’s forehead catching the headband with the tips of his fingers, pulling it back and down off his head.

Vil was terrifyingly beautiful to Mirai. He was a force to reckoned with, he let no one in his way, and he let no one tear him down. Mirai loved his presence, his confidence, the way he held himself, he was like a diamond, so pretty, yet unbreakable.

“Your hair is so thin, though it’s soft, like bird feathers,” Vil muttered, “you have to take better care of it.”

“It’s always been that way,” Mirai answered.

Vil sucked his teeth in annoyance as he grabbed the brush and started running it through his hair.

“Rook,” Vil called, “Get that purple bag.”

“Yes, Belle Vil,” Rook obeyed happily, crawling out of the fort.

“No, no,” Mirai stammered, twisting his body from Vil, “You don’t have to-”

“Hush child and sit still,” Vil scolded softly, tapping Mirai’s shoulder with the brush.

It wasn’t long after Rook came back with a travel bag filled with hair care products, and another filled with tubs, tubes, and vials of creams.

“Here,” Vil said, passing the bag of creams, “Do his face.”

Vil busied himself with opening various vials of oil and dumped them into his hands, rubbing them together, then from root to tip, Vil began running his oil hands through Mirai’s hair. Mirai’s face contorted as Vil tugged at his roots, head lolling back every time.

“Roi du Poison’s grip is strong, non?” Rook laughed, mixing various creams into his large hands.

“Am I hurting you?” Vil asked, hands in his hair stilling.

“N-No,” Mirai stuttered.

“Good,” Vil said, continuing.

Rook rubbed his hands together, as he stood on his knees, scooting closer to the Ramshackle Prefect until his knees bracketed Mirai’s crossed ones.

Mirai found Rook pretty. He was strong, yet so soft, it made his beauty even more intense and overwhelming. His jaw was sharp, but his eyelashes were long and soft. His green eyes were a fierce green, while his lips were in a soft smile. It made Mirai’s stomach flutter.

“Head up,” Rook commanded and Vil tilted Mirai’s head back.

Rook got closer, placing his large warm palms on Mirai’s cheeks, using his thumbs to massage the creams into his face.

Mirai winced at his touch.

“Son visage est si rouge,” Rook laughed. Vil leaned forward and looked down, he smirked with a chuckle, sitting back and continuing his work.

“Smells good,” Mirai mumbled, closing his eyes and Rook worked his thumbs higher on his face.

“Which one,” Vil asked.

“Both.”

Vil grabbed a comb this time, and started at the tips, working his way up to the roots, getting the knots and tangles. Rook grabbed another cream, it was pink, and began working it into Mirai’s cheeks and the dark purple bags under his eyes.

“Your freckles are magnifique,” Rook mumbled softly, “Like the stars in the skies of the Savanna. And your scars, they’re like a map, joining those constellations together.”

Mirai could feel his face flush, lips pursing themselves together.

“Beautiful,” Rook cooed, massaging Mirai’s temples.

“Don’t hide your insecurities, you’ll never learn to live them. You’re far too beautiful to hide yourself away,” Vil mumbled, his voice bitter, “Learn to take compliments, learn to love yourself. If you continue to compare yourself to others, you’ll never learn of your own beauty.”

“There’s nothing beautiful about me,” Mirai mumbled bitterly.

He thought he came to terms with himself, with his appearance. But then again he wouldn’t be so beant on hiding his face with his hair, and hiding his prosthetic with a glove, calling a fashion statement. He wouldn’t be holding back the tears that were threatening to fall. He spent his whole life comparing himself to others, indirectly downgrading himself into nothing. It was hard to see himself as anything at all.

“Don’t cry, Roi du Sommeil” Rook soothed with a sad smile, holding Mirai’s face in his hands as he leaned in to place a chaste kiss on his temple, “You’re too pretty to cry.”

“There is nothing pretty about too thin lips, too thin hair, a body that’s too thin, too boney, too pale, too many freckles. There’s nothing pretty about missing an arm, or the scars that burn my face, and the discoloration of my left eye,” Mirai bit out, angry and bitter.

“If you don’t see it, then I’ll make you. I’ll shower you in the love you deserve, until you see it,” Vil threatened.

“Where you see your flaws, I see your assets,” Rook whispered, “Don’t see yourself short.”

“But-”

“Hush, now. Let us take care of you,” Vil chided, lips brushing the crown of Mirai’s head.

Mirai sighed, keeping his eyes down, because if he looked at Rook, he didn’t know if he could take the feelings those green eyes held.

The night waned on and the party atmosphere was starting to dwindle. Vil took up one of the couches, a light-up hand mirror in Rook's hand as he applied his face creams. Leona was asleep towards the back entrance, snoring a little loudly. Floyd was dozing against his brother as Jade, Azul continued to watch the movie. Idia was dozing as well, but continued to watch, even if he had seen it many times before. Jamil and Trey were discussing their vice Housewarden duties quietly, Malleus took up the rocking chair, book in his hand.

“Hey guys,” Lilia whispered, “Come look.”

Everyone looked to where Lilia was referring to, and as Ruggie got up, he stepped on Leona’s tail.

“What is it?’ Leona asked, waking with a snort.

In the far corner of the fort, Mirai and Kalim were sleeping. Kalim was clutching Mirai like a stuffed animal, snoring quietly into his hair, and Mirai was snuggled into Kalim’s chest, legs wrapped around the Scarabia Housewarden like a koala.

“You stepped on me for that?” Leona gruffed, lying back down.

“Oh, I gotta getta pic. Where’s my phone?” Cater whispered excitedly.

Kalim muttered something in his sleep, his body curling over to hold the Prefect a little tighter, and Mirai twitched at the movement, his breath stuttering, but the two never woke.

Mirai woke up hot and sweaty, his shirt sticking to his back like a second skin. He looked up and found Kalim’s sleeping face above him, his lips slightly parted as he drooled into his pillow. Giggling, Mirai shimmied himself out of his grasp, which caused Kalim to promptly turn over and snuggle him into Jamil’s arms. Sitting up, Mirai stretched his back, looking around the room. It was quiet. The only thing lighting the room was the fairy lights at the peak of the fort, and even with that, it was still quite dark. Mirai felt around for his phone, but he never found it, and he didn’t dwell too much about it. The movie was no longer playing, Idia’s laptop closed with a sleeping Idia lying next to it, his giving off a dim blue glow, the flames tame and low. Vil had his back turned to everyone, taking residence on the couch next to the stairs, thin body wrapped in a soft purple blanket, and Rook was below him on the floor wrapped in his own. Riddle was on the one above Mirai, leg and arm flopped over the edge, Jamil was to Kalim’s right and next to him was Trey. Cater was to Mirai’s left, sleeping facing up, and next to him was Malleus, who was facing Lilia who was next to him. In the front, Azul was squished between the twins, their long legs tangled together, Floyd muttering in his sleep, chewing on Azul’s collar. In the back lies Leona snoring like a freight train, with Ruggie at his side. Grim was nowhere to be found, probably in his room.

“You’ll be tired come dawn, Dear Boy.”

Mirai jumped at the deep voice, whipping his head around, a pair of glowing half lidded magenta eyes started back at him. “Lilia,” Mirai pouted, his voice quiet.

“Apologies,” Lilia chuckled quietly, sitting up, “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“N-No, it’s fine.”

“Did you have fun?” Lilia asked, tilting his head to the side, a smile in his voice.

“Yes, I did,” Mirai whispered.

“I’m glad. You deserve to-”

Leona’s snoring stopped abruptly, making a sound akin to someone choking. Mirai and Lilia froze. Leona's ears twitched, as he rolled over into Ruggie, throwing an arm over his shoulders, cuddling more into hyena, and a moment later, he was snoring again.

Mirai laughed quietly.

“You deserve to live your youth the way you want to,” Lilia continued, a chuckle in his voice, “You only get one chance.”

“I know, and yet I still asked for a second. That’s why I can’t mess up this one,” Mirai whispered.

“A peculiar child, you are. Come.”

Mirai slowly as he tried no to step on anyone, made his way over to Lilia, who grabbed him when he was within arms reach. Lilia situated them so that Mirai was in between him and Malleus.

“Says the vampire,” Mirai chuckled, once he was comfortable, pulling the blanket over the two of them.

“Is that what I am to you, a Vampire?” Lilia asked mirthfully.

“Are you not? You have fangs, pointy ears, red eyes, and every time I see you, you have a bat next to you. Not to mention that you speak like you’re older than everyone, and when you tell stories, they sound too personal to be just a story.”

“Lilia, sleep.”

Mirai looked up, and Lilia craned his around. Malleus’ glowing green eye cracked open tiredly.

“You too, Son of Man.” Malleus mumbled, throwing an arm around Mirai, fingers brushing against Lilia’s as he closed his eyes once more, “You’ll be tired come morning.”

Lilia chuckled, wrapping his arms around Mirai, “I’ll be whatever you want me to be. Now sleep.”

And Mirai did.

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