Hello Crystella here.
Due to being shy and lacking self confidence especially when it comes to socializing with new ppl. I prefer to stay away from the spotlight.
However I also wanted to at least say hi.
I probably won't post on a frequent basis considering posting stuff does put me under a spotlight. However I can see myself posting more often whenever I hit a massive confidence boost for a bit.
I am currently obsessed with the twisted wonderland videogame and love seeing fanart and reading fanfiction of it.
So maybe I'll do posts related to my twisted wonderland obsession in the near future. Probably just ramble about it, we will see.
Content warning: mentions someone almost getting hit by a car. failed kidnapping attempt mentioned.
Aria is a Half-Fae with a large mana pool and great affinity for magic. Aria lives in the Queendom of Roses which has more human than beast folk, merman or Fae around. This isn't mentioned in game but for this story majority of the Clock Town living here didn't have a considerable amount of magic/mana pool.
Basically, Aria lived in a place not brimming full of Fae magic and no one with considerable mana pools/magic to properly teach Aria proper control of her own magic.
Normally this isn't an issue for most kids. Since majority of them can barely use or access their magic at such a young age. A good example of this is Deuce who could only summon Cauldrons before attending NRC. Aria had a huge mana pool and could access it on instinct occasionally since she was 4 years old. Poor Ms. Whitecourt probably made raising Aria more stressful than she expected.
For both timelines it turns out it was easier to use magic teleportation to end up in another world more so than trying to use magic to leave one that possess no magic.
Aria's mana pool was diminished and drained upon walking up in another world. Without the means to replenish her magic regardless of sleep since the world started to suppress her magic the longer, she remained in this unfamiliar world. Aria got officially stuck in another world unable to return immediately after arrival.
For timeline two Aria got spooked and startled. Her reflexes sending her to another world via teleportation.
With no clear destination in mind upon teleporting she ended up somewhere she shouldn't have a place that was more of a challenge to leave rather than arrive at. Aria wakes up in the magic less world stuck until Night Raven College managed to send her back to twisted wonderland.
I think I figured out and decided what exactly spooked/startled Aria to the point of teleporting to a magicless world in timeline 2. I want it to be intense since the one for timeline 3 was also a bit of a panic teleport moment. It feels right that Aria teleport reflex/instinct usually doesn't go to the extreme extent of going off world unless its she feels like her life is in mortal danger.
For Timeline 2 Aria almost gets kidnapped around 14 years old. The culprits being other Clock Town Delinquents that rival/enemies of Deuce who just started his delinquent phase.
Aria was headed home alone at night when she encountered Deuce's enemies who was goanna hold her hostage or just take her away to beat her up as an send a message to Deuce and his gang to not mess with them and to get off 'their turf'. However, Aria managed to free herself and runs away. unfortunately, a member showed up around the corner in front of her and spooked her. She teleports away on instinct before the guy in front of Aria could grab her.
Deuce has no idea what happened to Aria she just went missing. there are rumors that a rival gang might've taken her, but that's just one of many rumors regarding Aria's disappearance. I haven't decided or come up with other rumors for this so far.
It would just make more sense to me. Instead of leaving it as, yeah somehow despite getting surprised spooked occasionally. Somehow this one time when Aria was already like 14 years old managed to send her to another world and not any of the many previous times.
Though maybe I could say that she did end up in other world before and the difference was this is the first time showing up in one that's magic less. The first time she couldn't just rest up and teleport back to Twisted wonderland on her own or with help from a magical resident of this other world.
For current timeline/timeline three. During their childhood, Aria and Deuce were playing around outside around the white rabbit festival hedges. Yumi approaches them and asked to play with them and even has a ball to play with. Aria and Deuce let her join them as they decided to toss the ball around between the 3 of them, changing who they threw the ball at next every so often. Eventually Yumi fails to catch the ball, and it rolls off. Yumi runs to get the ball with Aria close behind. Yumi runs into the street with a car approaching. Aria panics and manages to grab Yumi and on instinct teleports away to safety. The only problem left is they appear to be unable to return to twisted wonderland and is now separated from everyone else from Twisted wonderland.
Warning Twisted wonderland book 6 spoilers
Unique spell name: Rewrite Time
so yeah, Aria has a time related unique magic. I enjoy the time loop theory in Twisted Wonderland community/fandom and decided to implement it for Aria's story.
Aria unlocks her Unique magic during the overblot apocalypse in timeline 1. It alters the past and changes something in the past that increases the chances of reaching the desired outcome.
In this case preventing the overblot apocalypse was what her Unique magic is used for at end of Timeline 1. Using her unique magic won't guaranteed the outcome she is going for it just nudges the world towards her desired intentions/outcome she is aiming for.
Only one(s) that could remember the past timelines themselves are Aria and anyone who touches Aria when she is casting her Unique magic. There is a way for Aria to show her memories of the previous timelines to others but that's a discussion for later.
The change that occurs in timeline 2 is Aria ends up in the magic less world and returns to Twisted Wonderland via Night Raven College carriage. Her unique magic changed the past so that Aria would be at the Island of Woe during Idia's overblot which led to overblot apocalypse in timeline 1.
Aria manages to be at Night Raven College in order to run into Rook and follow him to the island of Woe and defeat overblot Idia thanks to using her unique magic. In timeline 1 Idia defeated the NRC students during his overblot and successfully released all the overblot Phantoms to all of Twisted Wonderland.
In this timeline Grim overblots near the end of Aria's 3rd year at NRC. This overblot causes Aria to use her unique magic yet again and rewrites the timeline once more.
What was needed this time is a beast tamer at NRC with Aria. So, the change that occurs in timeline 3 is Aria teleporting to another timeline with Yumi who has a beast tamer talent/skill. However, in order to achieve this the unique magic has Aria and Yumi end up in the magic less world during their childhood and shows up at NRC 2 years later compared to timeline 2.
In the previous timelines Yumi lives her whole life in twisted wonderland and becomes a potion maker or owns a store on Sage Island during the twisted wonderland game's main story.
Like to make a mention to when this happened to me and is still ongoing for over 6 months now.
@thelazyhermits
Found their series "A twisted future" by LazyRainDancer on Ao3 while looking for Sebek Zigvolt one shots, many months ago.
First oneshot I found was actually "Finding solace (in your arms)", didn't realize it was a series until after I finished reading that one shot. I couldn't stop reading the second I started it.
Then finally noticed it was a part of a series. I got excited and saw SO MUCH Content. I squealed as I started the binge reading the content from the beginning of the series from then on, and was reading it on and off for months.
I have already caught up to the current ongoing content weeks/month ago, still on cloud nine enjoying it still.
It is my favorite twisted wonderland fanfic ever since I found it
Imagine you're opening AO3 and search for a fic. Imagine you're finding one that fits all your criterias. Imagine it has the perfect length. Imagine getting lost in the story and feeling almost high when it's over. Imagine looking up the author and they have written. so. many. more. fics. exactly. like. that. Imagine.
Timeline 2 bio
(Blue text is whatever matches with Aria's Bio from Timeline 3. This is done so u can easily pick out the differences between Aria T2 vs Aria T3.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Name: Aria Whitecourt
Pronouns: She/her
Species: appears mostly human. Has Fae like slit pupils. Red Fae-like eyes.
Appearance: I keep switching from long silver hair and long platinum blonde hair. Has red eyes with slitted pupils, just Like Lilia.
Dorm affiliation: Heartslabyul
Year and class: Junior
Birthday: November 13th
Age: 18
Height: 170cms (5"6)
Is slightly taller than Kalim.
Dominant hand: right-handed
Homeland: Queendom of Roses
Club: Gargoyle Research Society
Best subject: Art
Hobby: Gardening
Dislikes: being picked on, seeing her friends hurt, & being left out of things.
Favorite food: peanut butter & pickles, Anything with strawberries.
Least favorite food: Lilia's cooking
Talents: multitasking and balancing school and personal life. Keeping a cool head in the face of absolute chaos. however, won't stop her from mental breakdowns after a 'nightmare' tho.
Other: Aria is loosely based on the white queen and the white rabbit. very loosely tho. She can be a little spacey and lose track of time.
Aria seems quiet, serious, and unapproachable at first but is an absolute sweetheart once u get to know her. She is a little socially awkward on expressing her emotions and just comes off as indifferent most of the time. She shows her love through acts of service and genuine compliments. Aria is seen as a well-respected upperclassman of the Heartslabyul dorm. Is seen as a big sister figure to the Heartslabyul dorm. It took a while but is a frequent and welcomed visitor to the Diasomnia dorm as well.
Last updated/edited on: March 24, 2025
Rebloging this as I have recently edited and updated a few stuff on the bio including adding my drawing of Yumi Saito.
Timeline 3 bio
Name: Yumi Saito
Pronouns: she/he/they
Appearance: androgenous,black short hair (partially dyed black), brown Almond eyes.
Will be mistaken as biologically male from many in twisted wonderland during books 1 & 2. Yumi is AFAB. Yumi doesn't care what gender others see/identity her as and is cassgender.
Dorm affiliation: Ramshackle, would totally be sorted into Pomfiore if she had lots of magic potential like NRC students.
Species: human
Year and class: Freshmen, class 1-A
Birthday: July 10th
Age: 16
Height: 165cms (5"4)
Is between Riddle and Kalim's height.
Dominant hand: right handed
Homeland: Queendom of Roses, somewhere in the U.S. haven't decided where specifically yet
Club: whatever grim picks, is unofficial member of Photography club.
Best subject: Alchemy
Hobby: photography
Dislikes: overblots
Favorite food: oatmeal cookies
Least favorite food: whatever Aria's worst experimental food combo meals are.
Talents: beast tamer, babysitting, dealing with overblots apparently
Other: Yumi is Crewel's niece.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yumi gives tough girl vibes. Is very persistent and stubborn. She is determined to reach her goal of returning back to the magic less world and reunite with her family there. This causes tension and drama between Crewel and Yumi. Since Crewel is against her leaving Twisted Wonderland again. He just got her back after all.
Phew what a day. i really was on a role last night and this morning. I had fun creating stuff related to Aria and her dreams/nightmares.
i definitely am having the opposite of a writer's block lately which is why the posts have been frequent the last few days.
hope you guys enjoy it! <3
so far i have 3 more fanfic posts later for ya today/tonight.
I just remembered a problem I'm facing with my twisted wonderland fanfiction.
Thankfully it's something I can put off addressing for now but this issue will catch up with me eventually.
The issue: nicknames
Specifically what would Rook and Floyd nickname my OCS.
Thankfully for Yuzu and Yumi I can just use Trickster and Shrimpy.
However I still have no idea what they would call Sian or Aria as a nickname.
I've been asked before about more info about these silly characters of mine and even though I hoped to draw most of it I thought it would be nice to write it down too. I am not English or the best writer so I did ask chat GPT to format it better for me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Riddle x King of Hearts oc Simply how they met and to communicate Prim's personality a bit better! Like the King of Hearts, often forgotten but happy :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Story under the line ~
Riddle’s POV
The Night Raven College library was Riddle Rosehearts’ haven—a place where rules were respected, order was preserved, and silence reigned supreme. At least, it was supposed to.
The soft symphony of pages turning and quills scratching was disrupted by bursts of giggling and whispers. Riddle’s brows furrowed, his concentration shattered.
The offenders were four girls from Lady Mystic College, currently permitted to use the library while their own was under renovation. They sat at a table in the far corner, their uniforms pristine and polished, yet their behavior anything but.
Three of them leaned in close, whispering and snickering, their laughter bubbling up despite the clear disapproval of nearby students. The fourth girl, however, sat quietly at the edge of the group.
Riddle hadn’t noticed her at first, his irritation focused on the noise. But as he rose from his seat and made his way toward them, she caught his eye.
She was smaller than her friends, with blonde curls tied into two neat pigtails. Her dark blue eyes flitted nervously between her tablemates and the books in front of her. Braces gleamed faintly while her upperlip rested on them. Unlike her companions, she seemed more like an observer than a participant.
“Excuse me,” Riddle said sharply as he reached their table.
The three louder girls turned to him, blinking in mock surprise. “Oh, hi!” one of them said, her smile overly sweet.
“This is a library,” Riddle stated, his tone clipped. “Your noise is disrupting others. Please keep your voices down.”
The girls exchanged glances and giggled again. “Sorry about that,” another said, though her tone suggested she wasn’t sorry at all.
The fourth girl looked up at him, her cheeks flushing pink. “I—I’m so sorry,” she stammered. Her hands fidgeted with the edge of her book. “We will be quiet, promise!”
Riddle’s frown softened slightly. She seemed genuinely apologetic, unlike her companions. But rules were rules, and they all bore responsibility for their collective behavior.
“Just keep it down,” he said, turning on his heel and walking away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later, Riddle found himself standing in front of a particularly tall bookshelf, searching for a volume on advanced spell theory. The book he needed was on the highest shelf, just out of reach.
He huffed, rising onto his toes, but it was no use. He debated summoning a step stool when a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.
“Um... Excuse me,” the soft, slightly lisped voice said.
Riddle turned to see the blonde girl from earlier standing a few feet away. She was craning her neck, gazing up at a book several shelves above her head.
“I didn’t mean to bother you,” she said quickly, flushing again. “It’s just... I can’t reach it.”
Riddle glanced between her and the book. “Neither can I,” he admitted dryly, stepping closer.
Her lips twitched into a sheepish smile. “Oh, yeah-” she said, hugging her arms.
Riddle sighed, lifting his hand. With a precise flick of his fingers, the book floated down from the shelf, landing neatly in his grasp.
The girl’s eyes widened, a spark of wonder lighting them. “Wow! That’s so cool,” she said, her tone full of genuine awe.
“It’s basic magic,” Riddle replied, though he couldn’t help the slight warmth that rose at her reaction. He handed her the book.
“Thank you,” she said, her braces glinting as she smiled. “I’m Prim, by the way. I, um, wanted to apologize again that we were so noisy.”
Riddle studied her for a moment. There was a cheerfulness about her, a childlike wonder that seemed at odds with her companions. “Riddle.” introducing himself. “And it wasn’t entirely your fault.”
Prim hesitated, her expression flickering with something uncertain. “They’re not always like that,” she said, though her tone lacked conviction. “I think they just... like having fun.”
“Just make sure to not disturb others when you’re in a public library. We prefer this place to be quiet.” Riddle said, not to scold her but he feared it may have sounded like that.
“No, you’re absolutely right! It’s basic rules.” She looked down at the book Riddle just got for her. “Thank you again, Riddle!”
Riddle responded with a simple nod and she hugged the book to her chest and turned back toward her table. Riddle watched her go, noting the way her steps seemed lighter, more confident.
For the rest of the afternoon, the library was quiet. But Riddle found himself distracted, his thoughts lingering on the small girl with the blonde pigtails and wondering if she would ever realize she deserved better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, Riddle was once again settled in his usual spot in the library. The silence was pristine this time, and he relished the peaceful atmosphere. He had nearly immersed himself in his studies when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye.
Prim.
The girl with blonde pigtails walked hesitantly into the library, clutching her books and bag. She scanned the room for a moment before her eyes landed on him. A bright smile lit her face, and she made her way over.
“Hi,” she greeted softly, her voice still carrying that slight lisp.
Riddle nodded in acknowledgment. “Good afternoon, Prim.”
To his surprise, she pulled out a chair and sat next to him, setting her books down. “I hope you don’t mind,” she said cheerfully. “It’s nice and quiet here.”
“As long as you keep it that way,” Riddle replied, his tone neutral.
Prim giggled and nodded. “Promise. I’ll be quiet.”
She opened her notebook and began working on what looked like several assignments. Riddle glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, noting the way her handwriting flowed neatly across the pages. Occasionally, she would hum softly to herself, though it wasn’t disruptive—it was oddly soothing.
After a few minutes, he broke the silence. “You’re alone today.”
Prim looked up from her work, her curls bouncing slightly as she tilted her head. “Oh, yeah. My friends are out getting lunch.”
Riddle raised an eyebrow. “They left you behind?”
Prim waved a hand dismissively, her smile unwavering. “It’s fine. I had too much homework to do anyway. Besides, they’ll bring me something back.”
Her tone was so casual, so certain, that Riddle didn’t press further. But he couldn’t help the small pang of doubt that settled in his chest.
“They do seem to leave you out quite often,” he remarked, his voice carefully measured.
Prim paused, her pencil hovering over her notebook. Then she laughed lightly. “They don’t mean to. They’re just... busy. But they’re good friends, really.”
Riddle frowned but didn’t say anything. Her unwavering cheerfulness was admirable, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was excusing more than she should.
They fell into a comfortable rhythm, the soft scratch of pens and the faint rustle of pages filling the air. After a while, Prim closed one notebook and opened another, switching seamlessly between assignments. Riddle noticed she wasn’t just working on a single piece of homework—she seemed to be copying her answers onto three other sheets.
He glanced at her stack of papers. Each page was identical, and she was writing the same answers in the same neat handwriting on all of them. His brow furrowed.
“Prim,” he said quietly, his curiosity getting the better of him. “Why are you doing the same homework four times?”
Prim froze for a moment, her pen poised mid-sentence. Then she looked at him, her expression sheepish but still cheerful. “Oh, um... My friends forgot to do theirs, so I’m helping out. They’re really busy, you know, with... things.”
Riddle’s frown deepened. “You’re doing their homework? All of it?”
Prim shrugged, her smile not faltering. “It’s no big deal. I’m good at this stuff, and they always help me when I need it.”
Riddle didn’t believe that for a second. He leaned back slightly, studying her. She seemed so genuinely kind, so eager to help, but he couldn’t ignore the fact that her so-called friends were clearly taking advantage of her.
Prim seemed to sense his concern because she added, “I don’t mind, really. It’s nice to feel useful.”
Riddle opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Prim stood up, gathering her things into a neat pile. “I’m going to the restroom real quick,” she said with a smile. “Could you watch my stuff?”
He nodded, though his gaze lingered on her as she walked away.
Left alone, Riddle’s eyes drifted back to her work. The identical pages spread out in front of him confirmed what he already suspected—Prim was kind, but her kindness was being taken advantage of.
As he leaned back in his chair, waiting for her to return, Riddle couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of protectiveness toward her. She was cheerful and kind in her own way, but it was clear that she deserved better than what her so-called friends were giving her.
When Prim returned, still smiling as brightly as ever, Riddle resolved to keep an eye on her. Someone had to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Several days went by and Riddle found himself walking through the courtyard, a book tucked under his arm. It was his usual route to the library, but the sound of laughter and chatter drew his attention.
Underneath one of the large oak trees sat the same group of girls from Lady Mystic College. Their voices carried easily on the breeze as they chatted with a group of Savanaclaw students who seemed far too pleased with themselves.
Riddle’s gaze immediately went to Prim. She was sitting on the edge of the group, her blonde curls bouncing slightly as she nodded enthusiastically in response to the conversation. Despite her obvious effort to engage, none of the boys so much as glanced her way. Their attention was fixed on her three companions, who were leaning forward and giggling at every joke.
Eventually, the three girls stood, brushing themselves off and flashing bright smiles at the Savanaclaw students. “We’ll see you later,” one of them said, linking arms with another.
Prim started to stand, too, but one of the girls waved her back down with a quick, “Oh, just stay here, Prim. Keep the spot for us, okay?”
Prim blinked, then nodded quickly. “Sure! No problem!”
The group walked away, leaving her alone under the tree. She didn’t seem bothered, though. She pulled out a small lunch box and began unpacking it, her expression as cheerful as ever.
Riddle hesitated, his steps slowing. It wasn’t his business, and he wasn’t the type to meddle. Yet something about the scene nagged at him.
Prim’s so-called friends hadn’t even offered to include her. They left her behind without a second thought. And though she waved them off as if it were perfectly natural, Riddle couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t right.
Before he could stop himself, he changed course and approached her.
Prim looked up as his shadow fell over her. “Oh! Hi, Riddle!” she said brightly, her dark blue eyes lighting up.
“Good afternoon,” he said, stopping a few feet away. He glanced at her lunch box and then at the empty space around her. “You’re alone.”
She smiled and nodded. “Yeah, the girls went off with those boys. They didn’t want to intrude, and, well, it would’ve been rude for me to tag along since I wasn’t invited.”
Riddle frowned, his grip tightening on the book in his hands. “They left you here.”
Prim waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, it’s fine. I already had lunch anyway, and they asked me to keep this spot for them. It’s a nice spot, don’t you think? Nice shade, good view...”
Her voice trailed off as she gestured to the courtyard around them, clearly trying to paint the situation in the best possible light.
Riddle remained silent, his expression unreadable. He wanted to tell her that her friends shouldn’t have asked her to stay behind just to save a spot. That if they truly cared about her, they wouldn’t leave her sitting alone while they went off with boys who didn’t even acknowledge her.
But Prim’s smile didn’t falter. She continued to eat her lunch, completely at ease.
Riddle’s mind whirred. He had never been particularly skilled at making friends himself, and he often struggled with understanding social dynamics. Yet he couldn’t stand to see someone as kind and cheerful as Prim being so blatantly overlooked.
“Prim,” he said abruptly, his tone firmer than he intended.
She looked up, blinking at him. “Yes?”
“Would you... like to join me for lunch?”
Prim’s eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, she seemed at a loss for words. “Oh, um, really?” she asked, her voice slightly higher than usual.
“Yes,” Riddle said, a little awkwardly. “If you’ve already eaten, I could still use some company. That is, if you’re not busy keeping this spot occupied.”
Prim laughed softly, her smile brightening even further. “Well, I suppose the spot will still be here when I get back.”
Riddle stepped back, allowing her to stand. As they walked toward the cafeteria together, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. It wasn’t much, but at least she wouldn’t have to sit alone this time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prim’s POV
The shade under the oak tree was nice, shielding them from the midday sun as the breeze rustled through the leaves. Prim sat with her three friends—Hazel, Trinity, and Opal—all of whom were laughing and chatting animatedly, their voices blending together in an upbeat melody of giggles.
Prim listened quietly, her hands folded neatly over her lap, her lips twitching upward in a small smile. Hazel said something that made Trinity snort, and Opal burst into another fit of laughter. Prim tried to join in, even though she didn’t entirely understand the joke.
They’re just so confident, she thought, watching them. “It’s one of the things I admire about them.”
Sometimes they’d say things to her that she wasn’t sure how to take. Like when Hazel turned to her mid-laughter and said, “Prim, I wish I could be as pure as you. So innocent!”
Prim chuckled along, though her cheeks flushed. They mean well, she reassured herself. It’s not like they’re being mean. I guess I don’t get all their jokes, so they’re right. It’s fine.
Then there was Trinity, who had tilted her head at Prim’s pigtails earlier and remarked, “Your hair is so unique, Prim. I’d never have the patience to deal with all those curls!”
Prim had thanked her for the comment, though part of her wondered if “unique” had been the right word. It was true, though—her hair never behaved like Hazel’s silky locks, Trinity’s sleek waves, or Opal’s perfectly tousled bob. But it was fine.
It was fine.
When a group of boys approached, Prim felt herself tense up slightly. She wasn’t used to being approached by boys—especially not bold, self-assured ones like these.
Hazel, Trinity, and Opal perked up immediately, their voices gaining a lilting edge as they welcomed the boys with coy smiles and casual jokes. Prim sat up straighter, her cheeks flushing pink as she tried to follow along with the conversation.
One of the boys told a story about his latest Spelldrive match, and Prim laughed softly at the right moment, hoping it sounded natural. But the boy didn’t look her way. None of them did. Their eyes were fixed on her friends.
She felt a small pang in her chest.
It’s okay, she told herself quickly. She isn’t his type. And that’s okay.
Her friends were tall, poised, and effortlessly pretty. Their hair shimmered in the sunlight, their makeup was flawless, and their laughter was infectious. Prim, meanwhile, was shorter, with unruly curls that seemed to have a mind of their own. Her braces made her mouth always stand open a bit, and as long as she can remember she talked with a lisp.
They’re just more... grown-up than me, she reasoned. And that’s okay. I’ll get there eventually.
For a fleeting moment, the pang threatened to grow into something heavier. But she shook it off, summoning her usual cheerful resolve.
I totally get it, she told herself, nodding slightly as if to reinforce the thought. I understand why they’d get all the attention. Besides, I don’t even need a boyfriend right now! I have my friends. And I’m happy for them. Really, I am.
When the boys eventually asked Hazel, Trinity, and Opal to join them for lunch, Prim was already smiling again.
“Oh, just stay here, Prim. Keep the spot for us, okay?” Hazel said over her shoulder as they stood.
“Sure! No problem!” Prim said brightly, waving at them as they walked off.
She settled back under the tree and reached for her lunch box. It’s fine, she thought as she unwrapped her sandwich. I packed a good lunch, and this spot is really nice. I’m totally fine. And they’ll be back soon anyway.
As she took a bite, she looked up and froze mid-chew.
Riddle stood a few feet away, his red hair unmistakable in the dappled sunlight. He was looking directly at her, his expression as composed and stern as always.
“Oh!” Prim swallowed quickly, straightening up and brushing crumbs off her lap. “Hi, Riddle!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riddle’s POV
Riddle wasn’t entirely sure why he’d asked her to join him for lunch. It wasn’t as though he usually sought out company during meals. Quite the opposite, in fact—he valued the quiet solitude that came with sitting alone, free from the noise and chaos of others.
And yet, here he was, walking toward the cafeteria with Prim by his side, her cheerful chatter filling the silence he usually preferred.
“I really didn’t expect you to invite me to lunch,” Prim said, her voice bright with surprise. “But thank you! It’s nice to have someone to eat with. It’s always fun!”
Riddle glanced at her, taking in her wide smile and the way her dark blue eyes seemed to light up with genuine delight. Her optimism was almost childlike in its sincerity, and though it was different from the carefully composed demeanor he usually gravitated toward, he found it oddly... refreshing.
As they settled at a table, Prim eagerly unpacked her lunch box again, chatting as she went. “So, do you always eat alone? Or do you sit with your dorm mates sometimes?”
“I usually eat alone,” Riddle replied, his tone matter-of-fact. “It’s more efficient. The dining hall can be... chaotic.”
Prim tilted her head, nodding thoughtfully. “I get that. It can get loud sometimes. But it’s nice to have people to talk to, don’t you think?”
Riddle hesitated. Socializing had always felt more like a chore than a pleasure for him. Yet, as he watched Prim, he couldn’t bring himself to agree. “Perhaps,” he said finally.
They fell into a rhythm of small talk, much to Riddle’s surprise. Prim carried most of the conversation, her cheerful nature making it easy to follow along. She told him about her favorite classes, how she was still adjusting to Lady Mystic College, and how much she loved the library at Night Raven College.
“And the oak tree in the courtyard!” she added with a bright smile. “It’s such a nice spot to sit. Perfect shade, good view... It’s the best, really.”
Riddle nodded politely, though his thoughts lingered on why she’d been left there in the first place.
Finally, he couldn’t stop himself from bringing it up. “You said earlier that your friends went off with those guys and left you behind. Does that happen often?”
Prim blinked, caught off guard. “Oh, well... not often,” she said, though her tone wavered slightly. “They were just being polite, you know? It wouldn’t have been right for me to tag along if I wasn’t invited.”
Riddle frowned. “But if they’re your friends, shouldn’t they have invited you in the first place?”
Prim hesitated, her cheerful facade faltering for the briefest moment. “I mean, they’re just... busy. And I don’t really mind! I’m happy to keep the spot for them.”
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. “Do you really think that’s fair to you?”
She shifted uncomfortably, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her lunch box. “Well, it’s not like they’re being mean or anything,” she said quietly. “They’re nice to me. And they’re so cool and pretty, you know? I’m lucky to have friends like them.”
Riddle’s frown deepened. “Are they really your friends if they constantly leave you out? If they treat you like an afterthought?”
Prim’s shoulders slumped slightly, and for the first time, her ever-present smile wavered. “They have to be my friends… if they’re not…” she said softly, “then... it would mean I didn’t have any at all…”
Riddle’s chest tightened at her words. He’d never been particularly adept at comforting others, but the sadness in her voice stirred something in him. He’d always been strict, proper, and precise in his interactions, yet in this moment, he felt compelled to say something more.
“You do have a friend,” he said quietly, surprising even himself.
Prim’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. “Mm?”
Riddle shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his face heating slightly. “I mean... I wouldn’t invite just anyone to lunch. So if that makes you feel better... consider me your friend.”
For a moment, Prim simply stared at him. Then her face broke into the brightest smile he’d ever seen, her braces gleaming as her eyes filled with joy. “Really? You mean it?”
He cleared his throat, looking away to hide his own embarrassment. “Yes. Of course.”
“Yeah!” Prim said eagerly, her sadness forgotten as she practically beamed at him. “Yeah, I guess we are friends, huh?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The park on Sage Island was quiet that afternoon, the soft rustle of leaves and distant chatter providing a soothing backdrop to Riddle’s thoughts. He didn’t come to the park often—it seemed frivolous to idle in nature when there were more productive things to do—but something had drawn him there today.
It was then that he saw her.
Prim was balancing on a low railing near the path, her arms stretched out for balance and her curls bouncing with each careful step. She looked utterly carefree, the sunlight catching the faint glint of her braces as she smiled to herself.
Riddle slowed his pace, his gaze lingering on her. The sight struck a chord in him—her innocence, her lightheartedness. She embodied a freedom he had never known.
Growing up under his mother’s strict rules, even the thought of such behavior would have been unthinkable. Walking on a railing? Playing games in public? There was no place for that in the rigid schedule of the Rosehearts household. And even now, as a college student, Riddle often felt the weight of responsibility pressing on his shoulders, keeping him bound to the rules he upheld so fiercely.
Prim, however, seemed untouched by such constraints.
When she spotted him, her face lit up, and she hopped down from the railing with a bounce. “Riddle!” she called, hurrying toward him. “Hi! What a surprise to see you here!”
“Good afternoon, Prim,” he said, straightening his posture.
“It’s so nice to see you,” she said, her grin bright as ever. “Are you here for a walk too?”
“I thought some fresh air might be beneficial,” Riddle replied. “And you?”
“Oh, I’m on my way to the bookstore,” she said, clasping her hands behind her back. “I need a new diary. My old one’s almost full.”
“A diary,” he echoed.
“Yep!” she said cheerfully. “I write about everything—what I did, how I felt, what made me happy. It’s nice to look back on later, you know?”
Riddle nodded, though he couldn’t fully relate. His own life had always been so structured, so focused on rules and expectations, that the idea of reflecting on daily joys felt almost... indulgent.
As they walked together, Prim continued to chat, her energy as boundless as ever. “I’ve been hanging out less with Hazel, Trinity, and Opal,” she said after a while, her tone casual. “It’s easier now that I have a friend.”
Her words caught him off guard, and he turned to look at her. “You mean me.”
“Of course!” she said brightly, glancing at him with a sincerity that made his chest tighten.
He felt his cheeks heat slightly and quickly looked away. “I... see.”
Prim tilted her head, her expression softening. “Thank you for having lunch with me last week, by the way. It was really nice. I hope I wasn’t talking too much.”
Riddle shook his head. “You were fine. I didn’t mind.”
Her face lit up again, and she clasped her hands together. “I’m glad! I’ve been eating alone more often lately, and I think I finally get what you mean—it’s nice to have that quiet sometimes. It’s efficient, and I can actually focus on my food!”
Hearing her repeat his words from before made something stir in his chest. She wasn’t just cheerful; she genuinely listened.
They walked in companionable silence for a few moments before Prim spoke again. “You should come with me to the bookstore,” she said suddenly, her voice bright.
Riddle blinked, caught off guard. “Me?”
“Why not? It could be fun! And I’m sure they’ve got plenty of interesting books for you to look at.”
He hesitated, searching for a reason to decline, but none came. “I suppose I could use a new reference book,” he said finally, convincing himself it was a practical decision. “Very well.”
Prim clapped her hands together. “Great! Let’s go!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bookstore was small but inviting, its shelves packed with an eclectic mix of novels, journals, and academic texts. Prim headed straight for the section of journals, her excitement palpable.
“What do you think of this one?” she asked, holding up a diary with a floral cover. “Or this one?” She picked up another, this one decorated with stars.
“They’re both... adequate,” Riddle said diplomatically, though his tone lacked the sternness it usually carried.
Prim giggled. “You’re so formal, Riddle. You’re so cool.”
He stiffened, the unexpected comment catching him off guard. “I—cool is hardly the appropriate word.”
She laughed again, completely unbothered by his awkwardness. “I like it,” she said simply, flipping through the pages of a diary.
Riddle turned his attention to the nearest shelf, scanning the titles even as his thoughts lingered on her. She was so unabashedly sincere, so quick to express herself without reservation. It was entirely unlike him, and yet he found it oddly refreshing.
“What kind of books do you like?” Prim asked suddenly, breaking his train of thought.
“Primarily academic texts,” Riddle replied. “I don’t often read for leisure.”
“That makes sense,” she said with a nod. “You’re so disciplined, Riddle. I admire that about you.”
He glanced at her, momentarily speechless. She said it so matter-of-factly, as if her praise was simply the truth. “Thank you,” he said quietly, unsure of how else to respond.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The walk back from the bookstore was peaceful, with Prim happily clutching her new diary to her chest. She was chatting about the various things she planned to write in it—her favorite moments, her thoughts on the day, and even the little goals she set for herself. Riddle listened quietly, his hands neatly folded behind his back, offering the occasional nod or small response.
As they reached a crossroads in the park, Prim slowed her pace, her expression shifting slightly. “I should probably start studying when I get back,” she said with a small sigh. “I’ve got this one chapter that’s been giving me so much trouble.”
Riddle raised an eyebrow. “What subject?”
“Potions,” Prim replied, scrunching her nose. “There’s this one section about ingredient interactions that I just can’t wrap my head around. It’s like the words blur together every time I try to read it.”
He stopped walking, considering her words. He remembered studying potions theory himself the year prior. It wasn’t an easy subject, especially when it came to understanding the subtleties of ingredient dynamics. But he’d mastered it, of course.
Prim tilted her head, glancing at him curiously. “What is it?”
Riddle felt a flicker of hesitation. The idea of offering his help seemed straightforward enough, but his mind began to overanalyze. Would it be strange to suggest it? They were friends now, weren’t they? And helping a friend was a reasonable thing to do.
But what if she felt pressured to accept? Prim had always been eager to please, and the last thing he wanted was for her to feel obligated. Still, she had said she was glad they were friends. Surely she wouldn’t find the gesture unwelcome?
“Riddle?” Prim’s voice was soft, her gaze searching his.
He straightened, pushing his doubts aside with a deep breath. “If you’re struggling with that chapter,” he began carefully, “I could help you study.”
He watched her expression closely, his heart beating just a little faster as he waited for her response.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prim’s POV
Prim clutched her study books tightly to her chest as she walked toward Night Raven College. The path to the all-boys school was winding, but she didn’t mind. The weather was nice, the air crisp, and her heart felt unusually light.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the day before, when Riddle had offered to help her with her potions studies. It had been so unexpected, and the moment he’d asked, she’d said yes without hesitation.
Of course, she was grateful for his help. Riddle was brilliant—he knew so much, and she was certain he’d explain things far better than her textbook ever could. But more than that, the thought of spending time with him made her genuinely happy.
She smiled to herself, her steps quickening as she remembered the feeling. She’d made an actual friend.
In high school, she’d been alone more often than not. She tried to fit in, but it was like she didn’t quite know how. Her curls were too unruly, her braces too shiny, and her lisp made her stumble over words when she was nervous. She remembered watching other girls gather in groups, laughing and chatting easily, while she lingered on the edges, hoping to be noticed.
When she’d started college, she promised herself things would be different. She’d make friends this time, no matter what. And she had—Hazel, Trinity, and Opal had been quick to include her. But it hadn’t taken long to realize that their kindness only went so far.
Prim sighed softly, her grip tightening on her books. Her so-called friends weren’t really nice to her, not in the way that mattered. She knew that. But wasn’t it better to have bad friends than none at all?
At least, that’s what she used to believe.
But then there was Riddle. He was so different from anyone she’d met before—kind in his own quiet, composed way. He didn’t laugh at her or make her feel small. When he talked to her, it felt like he actually saw her, not just the odd girl with the curls and the braces.
Riddle is a real friend, she thought, her heart fluttering.
She almost started skipping as she neared the gates of Night Raven College, her excitement outweighing her nerves. The idea of walking into an all-boys school was a little intimidating, but she didn’t let it bother her. Riddle had offered to help, and she was determined to make the most of it.
When the imposing gates of the school came into view, Prim spotted a familiar figure waiting for her.
Riddle stood with his hands clasped neatly in front of him, his posture as straight and proper as ever. He spotted her immediately and stepped forward.
“Good afternoon, Prim,” he said, his tone formal but not unfriendly.
“Hi, Riddle!” she greeted, her voice bright as she hurried up to him. “Thanks for meeting me.”
“It’s no trouble,” he replied, gesturing toward the campus. “I thought it would be best to guide you directly to my dorm. Night Raven College can be... confusing to navigate if you’re unfamiliar.”
She nodded eagerly, her nerves momentarily forgotten. “I really appreciate it. I’ll try not to get in the way too much!”
Riddle gave a small shake of his head. “You’re not in the way. I offered, didn’t I?”
Her smile widened at his words, and as they began walking, she glanced around, taking in the grand architecture of the school.
“It’s such a big campus,” she said, her awe evident. “It must be amazing to go here.”
“It has its merits,” Riddle said simply, though there was a faint note of pride in his voice.
Prim followed him through the gates and into the courtyard, her excitement bubbling up again. She had no idea what to expect, but one thing was certain—Riddle was her friend now. She can’t wait for tonight, when she can write in her diary about today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riddle’s POV
As Riddle led Prim through the gates of Heartslabyul, he noticed the usual shift in demeanor among his dormmates. Students standing idly by quickly straightened their postures, their conversations quieting as they noticed him. It was routine, of course—expected behavior from those under his jurisdiction—but it wasn’t something he’d ever given much thought to.
Prim, however, seemed to notice. She glanced around curiously as they passed a group of first-years who hurriedly bowed their heads in greeting.
“Good afternoon, Housewarden!” one of them called.
Prim blinked, slowing her steps slightly. “Housewarden?” she repeated, looking at Riddle.
He cleared his throat, feeling a faint warmth creep up his neck. “Yes,” he said stiffly. “I am the housewarden of Heartslabyul.”
Her eyes widened as the pieces seemed to fall into place. “Ohhh, that makes so much sense now!” she said, her voice light with realization. “No wonder everyone is so respectful around you. You’re in charge!”
Riddle frowned slightly, his usual composure slipping just a little. “It’s merely my duty,” he said, trying to downplay the significance.
Prim, however, seemed delighted. “That’s amazing, Riddle! You must be really good at what you do for them to listen to you like that.”
Her praise caught him off guard, and he quickly turned his attention back to the path, his face warming further. “It’s nothing remarkable. Let’s continue to my room.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When they reached his room, Riddle opened the door and stepped aside to let Prim in. She hesitated for a moment before walking in, clutching her books tightly.
“I’ve never been in a boy’s room before,” she said with a small giggle, glancing around.
Riddle stiffened, his hand tightening slightly on the doorknob. “It’s just a room,” he said quickly, closing the door behind them.
Prim wandered further inside, her eyes wide as she took in the neat, organized space. The room was larger than she had expected, with a tidy desk, bookshelves filled to the brim, and a large canopy bed. Everything was perfectly arranged, a reflection of Riddle’s meticulous nature.
“This is so nice!” she said, smiling as she turned to him. “It’s so... Riddle.”
He blinked. “What do you mean by that?”
“It’s so neat and organized,” she said, laughing lightly. “It just feels like you. I love it.”
Her laughter was high but not too loud often accompanied by a snort. It was infectious and Riddle found himself relaxing slightly.
Prim grinned, plopping herself onto the edge of the chair near his desk and opening her books. “Okay, ready to study?”
He nodded, pulling out a chair for himself and settling in beside her. “Let’s begin. You mentioned you were struggling with ingredient interactions?”
As they worked through the chapter, Riddle was surprised by how focused Prim was. Though she had trouble grasping some of the concepts at first, she listened intently to his explanations, asking thoughtful questions and jotting down notes.
Her enthusiasm was refreshing, and Riddle found himself genuinely enjoying the session.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A knock at the door interrupted them just as Prim was beginning to understand a particularly tricky concept.
“Come in,” Riddle called, glancing up.
The door opened to reveal Trey, carrying a tray of freshly baked cookies. He smiled when he saw them. “I thought you two might want a snack,” he said, placing the tray on the desk.
Prim’s eyes lit up. “Oh, wow! These look amazing!”
“They’re still warm,” Trey said with a chuckle. “Help yourselves.”
Prim picked up a cookie and took a bite, her eyes widening in delight. “These are so good!” she said, her voice muffled slightly by the cookie.
Riddle picked one up as well, though he was far more reserved in his reaction. “Thank you, Trey,” he said politely.
Trey turned to Prim, bowing his head slightly wearing a kind smile. “Nice to meet you, I’m Trey, the vice housewarden of Heartslabyul.”
Prim sat up straight and returned his smile with one of her own. “Nice to meet you too! I’m Prim!”
Trey smiled knowingly, glancing between the two of them. “Well… Let me know if you need anything else,” he said before heading out.
As the door closed, Prim turned to Riddle, her smile as bright as ever. “Your dormmates are so nice. And these cookies? Best study snack ever.”
Riddle nodded, feeling a faint sense of pride in Heartslabyul’s hospitality. “Trey is an excellent baker,” he said.
Prim grinned, holding up her notebook. “And you’re an excellent teacher. I’m actually starting to get this now!”
Riddle looked at her, his expression softening. “You’re a quick learner,” he said. “You just needed someone to explain it in a way that made sense to you.”
Her smile widened, and she leaned forward slightly. “Thanks, Riddle. Really. You’re the best.”
His face warmed again, and he quickly turned back to the open book in front of him. “Let’s continue,” he said, his voice a little tighter than usual.
Prim giggled, taking another bite of her cookie before diving back into her notes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Riddle shifted in his chair, trying to focus on the textbook in front of him, but his thoughts kept wandering. It wasn’t the material that distracted him—he’d long since mastered the subject—but rather Prim, who was sitting just a little too close.
She was leaning forward slightly, her notebook open as she jotted down notes, the end of her pencil tapping lightly against her lip in thought. Her blonde curls framed her face in soft spirals, bouncing faintly with every movement. Her braces gleamed when she smiled, the colorful elastics drawing his attention in a way he didn’t expect.
When she spoke, her slight lisp added an unexpected charm to her words, her voice full of enthusiasm even as she struggled with the material.
Riddle frowned slightly, feeling a warmth creep up his neck. He wasn’t used to this—having someone so close, so lively, so...
He surprised himself when the thought crossed his mind: She’s kind of cute.
The realization made his stomach twist, and he quickly looked back at his book, his posture stiffening. Focus, Riddle, he scolded himself silently. You’re here to help her study, nothing more.
Still, it was difficult to ignore her presence, especially when she turned to him with that bright smile, her gratitude shining in her eyes.
When their study session ended, Prim packed up her books, her smile never fading. “Thank you so much, Riddle,” she said for what felt like the tenth time. “You’re seriously the best. I actually feel like I understand this now!”
“It was no trouble,” he replied, his voice clipped as he tried to maintain his composure.
Riddle walked her back to the gates, insisting on showing her the way in case she would get lost. Walking back they made a bit of small talk and Riddle could feel the stares. But he tried to ignore them, he was just walking his friend out.
Prim slung her bag over her shoulder, pausing when they arrived at the gates. “I’ll see you soon, okay? Thanks again!”
She waved cheerfully before walking back to her own dorm, leaving Riddle alone.
He let out a small breath, his shoulders relaxing. The session had gone well, but he couldn’t shake the strange fluttering sensation in his chest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later, in the Heartslabyul lounge, Riddle sat with a book in hand, though his thoughts kept drifting back to Prim’s visit.
“Hey, Riddle!”
He looked up to see Trey and Cater approaching, both wearing knowing smiles.
“How did the study session go?” Trey asked casually, though there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.
“Was she nice? Fun? Cute?” Cater added, leaning in with a teasing grin.
Riddle frowned, not catching the implication. “It went well. She understood the material by the end, and she was very polite.”
Cater’s grin widened. “Oh, ‘polite,’ huh? That’s it?”
“She seemed... eager to learn,” Riddle continued, ignoring Cater’s tone.
Trey chuckled softly. “And you were okay with her being in your space? You usually don’t let just anyone into your room.”
Riddle hesitated, adjusting his tie. “She’s a friend,” he said finally. “It’s natural to help a friend, isn’t it?” Calling her a friend almost made him feel proud.
Cater exchanged a look with Trey, his grin turning sly. “Right. A ‘friend.’”
Before Riddle could respond, the lounge door burst open, and Ace and Deuce strolled in.
“Hey, Housewarden!” Ace called, plopping down on one of the couches. “We heard you had a guest today.”
Deuce looked confused. “Guest?”
“Yeah,” Ace said, smirking. “A girl.”
Riddle’s grip on his book tightened. “What of it?”
“C’mon, spill! Is she your girlfriend or something?” Ace asked, leaning forward with an exaggerated grin.
Riddle’s face turned red, and he slammed his book shut. “O-of course not!” he snapped, his voice sharp.
Ace burst out laughing, clearly enjoying himself. “Whoa, calm down! I was just asking.”
“She’s a friend, nothing more,” Riddle said firmly, glaring at Ace.
Deuce, sensing the tension, elbowed Ace. “Knock it off, Ace. You’re being rude.”
“What? I’m just curious!” Ace said, still grinning.
Riddle stood abruptly, his expression stern. “If you’re finished with your childish remarks, I have work to do.”
He strode out of the lounge, his cape billowing behind him, leaving the others behind.
Trey shook his head, though he was smiling faintly. “You pushed too hard, Ace.”
“Aw, come on,” Ace said, leaning back with a laugh. “You can’t blame me for asking. Did you see how flustered he got?”
Cater grinned. “I don’t know, Ace. Maybe he’s just new to this whole ‘having friends’ thing.”
“Or maybe,” Trey said with a small chuckle, “he’s starting to realize that having a friend like Prim might be a little more important to him than he thought.”
None of them noticed the faint blush creeping up Riddle’s ears as he listened just outside the door, his grip tightening on his book.
tw - suicide attempt, suggestive paragraph, Prefect is unstable, Sebek is angry
- I had made a more lighthearted version, but decided to change it. - I don't think it is truly x reader, more like x oc, but it is still a prefect and still a part of my series.
It's been raining for three days already.
But today, the weather decided to go all out - a full-blown storm. Trees bent under the howling wind, rain swallowed everything in sight. It was too much for November, you thought. Luckily, you didn't have any outdoor lectures today, and the lightning started right after you reached the main building.
Speaking of lightning...
Now that you think about it, the quarrel was so stupid. You can't even remember what exactly started it. Words flew back and forth, escalating until, somehow, it's been more than two weeks since you and Sebek last spoke.
You know it was your fault. You know you overreacted, said too much, maybe. But you were just so tired, so overwhelmed. So much had been happening, and... you should have chosen your words more carefully. But it's too late now.
Everything is hazy from that day, except for Sebek's voice. It was raw - cracking, even though he was almost shouting, more than usual. You remember the sound of that pain clearly.
And it's all you have now.
Only now, with his booming voice gone from your daily life, you realize how empty it feels around you. Sure, you hear him in the corridors sometimes, calling out to Malleus, or in the cafeteria while you eat.
But none of it is directed at you. Since the day you became... more than friends, you'd claimed his shouts, his "human!" as something reserved just for you. His yelling was yours. His scolding was yours. His huffs were yours. His worried reprimands were yours, and yours alone.
And now, you've ruined it.
Both of you are too proud to apologize first, so you dwell in the silence that stretches between you now. It's not like you don't hear him - it's that you don't feel it anymore. Without him speaking to you, it's as if you've gone deaf. Ace and Deuce have to call your name more than once to drag you out of this limbo, but it doesn't matter. What's the point of listening to the world if you can't hear his voice?
Loud or quiet, harsh or gentle - Sebek's voice always made you feel something. Calm, safe, shattered, mad, confident, soft, light, warm...
When you were sobbing in your ramshackle bedroom, his voice dragged you back to reality. When you were down, surrounded by darkness in your head, his thunderous tone jolted you like lightning, forcing you to pull yourself together. When you hesitated because of past failures, his shouts were the push you needed to act without fear.
Sebek's loud presence took away all fear in your life. Of sounds, of memories, of love, of yourself.
Because of Sebek, you also stopped being afraid of storms. Thunderstorms used to bring back sounds you'd rather forget, but Sebek changed that. Now, you crave the clash of thunder and the flash of lightning because they remind you of him.
The way he speaks, the way he yells, the way he scolds you... his voice is louder than any storm, and it's become your favorite sound.
It echoes in the walls of your mind, crawls under your skin, blankets your thoughts in a haze of rain and static, and resonates all over inside out. When he comes for another scold, going on and on, coming closer and closer, and becoming quieter and quieter - words dropping from a roar to a murmur until all you can hear are the breaths you share in the dark, intertwining until you can't differentiate between your moans and his, merging in a symphony of sounds shared only between you-
"Louder. I can't hear you."
A sudden clash jolts you out of your daze. You blink, realizing you've dozed off on the couch in the Ramshackle lounge, a book - which Sebek lent you - almost falling from your lap. For a split second, you thought you heard him, but it was just thunder. It's raining again.
You sit up, the book slipping from your fingers as you clutch your head.
"Not you. Again." you whisper, not noticing the tears slipping down your cheeks. You stare blankly out the window as the lightning streaks across the sky.
"Still not you. You're brighter. Louder."
Sebek is brighter than any lightning, louder than any thunder. What is this mockery? Like you don't deserve to hear the real thing - your Sebek - just these dim imitations...
"Pathetic human" you imagine Sebek would say. And he'd be right.
You don't want it to be a text, so you record a voice message.
"I love you. I'm sorry."
You can't hear his voice, but at least he can hear yours - one last time.
The storm only gets worse, but you're glad. The noise means no one will notice, not for a while. From where you stand on the roof of NRC, you can see the whole campus spread out like a map below you. A few months ago, Malleus showed you this hidden spot - tucked behind the gargoyles, yet easily accessible - so you could admire them together. You never thought you'd be here now, misusing this knowledge in the worst way.
"What am I doing wrong?" you whisper into the rain.
"Please, shout at me like you always do. Wake me up with your thunderous roar. Call me an insolent human, make me ashamed of myself... like I should be.
Say something....please...I want to hear you...I need to hear you again.
I need to hear your voice.
You are my voice of reason.
You have always been my voice of reason, my sound of hope...
Please. Seb. Please."
Nothing.
Well, then - into the silence you go.
You take a step forw-
Green lightning fills your vision, a deafening roar shakes the world. Your vision goes white, and before you can react, strong arms wrap around you, squeezing so tightly you can't breathe. Everything is a blur, your senses reeling from the storm's chaos and the rage vibrating in his voice.
"I'M TALKING TO YOU! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?! LOOK AT ME! I SAID LOOK AT ME!"
His voice sounds so close yet so far, you can feel his breath on your skin. You try to reach him with your hand but-
"Sebek..." is all you manage before darkness pulls you under.
You wake in your room at Ramshackle, body trembling with cold. How long had you been standing there, soaked? It doesn't matter. You turn your head, seeing Sebek at your bedside, fury and worry twisting his face.
"Woke up already?" he snaps, voice low and angry. Really angry.
But he's here. He's with you. He's talking to you. It's all that matters.
"Sebek...I'm sorry..."
"YOU BETTER BE!" he thunders, the force of his voice filling the room.
"You'd better have a damn good explanation, or I'll make sure you don't move without my supervision for the rest of your life!" he hisses, quieter but no less angry.
"It was stupid. I'm sorry for making you worry..."
"LIKE YOU SHOULD BE!" he yells again, and you can see it now, the fear beneath the anger. You're such a fool.
"Prepare yourself for a long lecture, you hear me?!" he demands.
Without thinking, you get up and reach for him, pulling him into a tight embrace, face buried against his neck.
"Yes. Yes, I can hear you. And I want to hear that lecture. Please.
I love hearing your voice."