Chapter Text
As if Vil’s day can’t get any worse, the only time he needs Rook he's missing how convenient he thought.
Then brushing cobwebs out of his hair, after deciding to destress by clearing out his whole walk-in closet. Which he somehow neglected long enough, to allow unwanted eight legged house guests to get comfortable. Not noticing until it was too late there now was a spider's web right at face level until it was on his head, so after having to clean himself up for the second time that day. He made an order of all of the makeup products he's in need of, on an itemized EASY-to-follow list which just needed to be picked up. Less than an hour errand if he didn’t stop for anything or anyone however an impossible feat for someone of his social status.
He was fully counting on Rook to be able to run for him, besides it's still on sage island. His problems are piling way too high for even him to handle but woopsies. Rook wasn’t there to run it for him, so instead of trying to find his huntsman he just put a letter of the list and a sticky note saying. “Just do it - Vil.” On Rook's door, albeit sloppy by his standards but he's running on too little time to worry about all of the finer details. Besides, he's let himself be more informal with Rook than anyone else in the whole college.
It doesn’t particularly matter to him at all since he trusts Rook even after the VDC. Rook is still his right hand man, and something potentially more. However he didn’t have the emotional capacity to deal with confronting that at that moment. Maybe another day. Maybe in a more reckless way, but that wasn’t how Vil worked he planned, festered and schemed. Though what he was more focused on was seeing a particularly mousey prefect, he talks to sometimes to relieve his stress.
So after making his way to Ramshackle. Hours after Rook left, and a little later then the prefect would’ve wished for visitors.
Though most of the time they would cave, when someone was really in need of a shoulder to cry on or an ear to lead they were always there, always dependable like a good versatile blouse in Vil’s words. Something Vil wished he could say he didn’t take advantage of as much as he did. But no one’s perfect, and he's finally accepting that he himself can’t be perfect as well. Though after many sleepless nights and mascara touch ups he’s finally accepting it.
Now after a few deep breaths and a sigh, he knocks on the door of the prefect's dorm with the door knocker. Now he must admit it is very nice and does bring the whole front exterior together.
Then after hearing a few mildly concerning noises of clattering and clamoring then even a crash. A beat of silence followed by a defeated mumble of some form of curse. As they opened up the door, already in the sleepwear despite it only being a quarter past six. Vil even checked 3 times on his watch to make sure he wasn’t unbearably late. However, not that Vil would ever admit the prefect did look quite cute at how relaxed they looked, but without missing a beat he smiled nicely and asked.
“Ah darling prefect, do you have anytime on your hands or are you busy as of late?” Waiting for an answer he was positive he was going to get. Concealing a grin as he hears a soft sigh leaving Yuu’s lips, as they nodded and waved for him to come in.
“Should I make a pot of tea? You have that mood like you're going to stay longer than just a question or two.” They grinned up at him.
Reading his whole demeanor perfectly like a picture book, which shocked him. Since no one other than some of the other third years, and then again it is mostly Rook. Who he has spent his whole school life with could read him like that. Even so sometimes they still get him wrong albeit rarely, but this person who he’s made fast friends with. Someone who he has only known for 6 months, read him with a near perfect accuracy of someone who has known him for almost 3 years. Give or take a bit, better given the circumstances placed between them, but quickly shutting his mouth before he can be compared to a cod. He nods, softening his demeanor and relaxing his shoulders which he didn’t realise was tense.
“Thank you sweet potato, that would be perfect. I can go and… um just sit down and look pretty and not be in your way… yah i’ll go and do that.” Vil said stammering.
Stammering for the first time in his life, he stumbled over his words and Great Sevens. Did he just say he’ll sit down and look pretty? Who is he, someone's trophy wife? Not that he would ever be opposed. He would love to just sit down and look pretty for someone every once in a while. But why was he saying that to the prefect, and Sevens did he just call them a sweet potato??? How much more can he fumble that day he thought, (much much more *cough* subtle foreshadowing *cough*) as he sat down on a bar stool facing opposite the prefect as he watched them make the tea.
However, before he was going to tell them how he liked it; a teaspoon of honey, if there is a bit of lavender syrup and a slice of lemon. He watched the prefect execute the process flawlessly, even having the exact kind of lavender syrup he likes. Which somehow made him even more flustered than he already was, causing him to turn away and cough into his gloved fist to try and bring his flush down. Which has started to spread from his ears down to his neck, even for all his efforts to try and be quiet and inconspicuous. The Prefect caught onto him, and slid a glass of water like a bartender.
Fuck they already did look like one with a rag over their shoulder, even though they were just in sleepwear and making tea. They had a certain charm to them that flustered the usually unshakeable Vil Schoenheit. Muttering a soft thanks, he downed the glass of water with a satisfied sigh. Following soon after his blush finally decided to go down, he decided to speak again looking at them as they gave him his cup of tea. His earlier frustration coming back in a huff, after a sip of tea he spoke. His usually poise and elegant way of speaking slowly leaves, and is replaced with a sharper and frustrated tone.
“Oh Potato you wouldn’t believe the kind of day I’ve had today, it was absolutely dreadful. First of all I ran out of my favourite foundation.”
“My my how horrible.” They answered sarcastically.
“I know right? Then I couldn’t find Rook when I needed him to do something for me and.” Vil now sighing softly, his temper going down to a simmer, biting the inside of his cheek he began to speak again after a small sip of his tea and straightening up.
“Potato, do you know what it's like to be an actor? Sincerely not in a way to hold it over your head, and to say my life is much harder than yours. Since I know both our lives are equally hard.” Vil spoke as he looked up at them.
Shaking their head, the prefect began to speak again once more. “No, actually I don’t know what it’s like. Since even in school plays I would be in the background like a techie I suppose.” Which caught Vil by surprise.
Since truly he thought they must’ve at least had some sort of acting background, with how they were able to deliver lines and speak during presentations. Then something else shocked him when they spoke again.
“Yah no I wasn’t ever really on the stage like that but I am a ballerina, well I suppose I was a ballerina since I only was an official one back in my world.” They sighed, as they looked down into their mug waiting for Vil to keep speaking. “Anyways sorry for rambling you were saying something?”
“Oh, oh right.” Clearing his throat, the actor spoke again a hint of defeat etching slowly in his tone.
“Yes, so I have recently signed a contract saying that I get to star in a production where I am a main character… the protagonist even.” Vil voiced his tone dreamy with a strange twinge of sadness.
If the prefect strained their ears enough, to really try to listen in. Which admittedly would be a hard thing to do, if you weren’t paying attention. However luckily for the prefect they listened in, and listened in they did. Since they caught every little twinge of disappointment laced in his words, and covered with an actively crumbling bravado.
“But my co-star, who is a very important element in the production, is the second main character.”
…
“They.”
…
“Terminated their contract, they even fought it in court to be allowed to quit the project. Since they wanted to ‘explore new potentials and to keep their options open’. I don’t even know why.. What they would mean-” Catching himself, he looked up at the prefect and sighed before starting again.
“…Be honest with me, okay? I mean completely honest.” Sucking in a deep breath, Vil began to speak once more.
“Prefect… Am I truly such a horrible and scary person that someone would rather leave a whole production, than have to work with me? I know the role’s I’ve played in the past but… But I just can’t bring myself to believe that answer.” Lamented Vil, in a seemingly defeated way as if already predicting their answer of either forced pity, reassurance or for them to cement his biggest fears.
Shocked, the prefect spoke without thinking as if blurting their words out in a flurry of desperation to get Vil to listen to them, a kind of desperation that they were stunned by themselves.
“No no Vil you're amazing- I mean.” Sighing and clearing their voice they began to speak again once more.
“Vil, you're an amazing person I swear I promise I'm not lying when I say this you're such a great, generous and just kind person over all… Despite finding you scary at first- AH but- but- for not the reasons you think, I promise I just have a kind of… Sort of… Aversion for people who are… quite vertically blessed-”
“Potato what are you rambling about?
“Vil I am scared of tall people okay?”
“... Darling, why? Why would you ever feel the need to be scared of tall people?”
“Story for another day I promise to tell you okay, but right now I am more focused on helping you understand how incredible an individual you are. Since firstly you are amazing in your craft, secondly the characters you play as they are a completely separate entity then you are-”
“Yuu I know that already-”
“SHUSH, I am not finished yet.”
That seemed to snap Vil out of his dissociative shell-like state. Long enough to listen to them talk about how amazing and spectacular he is, which more than he would like to admit did stroke his ego pretty nicely. Since believe it or not, it was a nice thing to hear people endlessly compliment you sincerely. While he was getting them spoon fed to him with little to no realisation from the other party. So with a sigh and hum came a thought, though not evil but definitely a scheming one, where he had to physically move his hand to cover his expression. As he waited for the prefect to finish their nonconsensical rambling and reassurance, which was very true and sincere of what VIl deduced from their jumble of words. Now raising his hand to stop them from verbalising an essay of his greatness, which he wouldn’t have usually stopped as being used to Rook and his consistent wordy french serenades he did. Since he is now waiting to say something quite important that can benefit them both.
“Oh darling please stop for a second your flattering me too much, almost to an unhealthy amount, I do however have a question dear prefect. Firstly though, would you do me a favour as well?” He smiled, his whole demeanor a whole doing a 180 back to his charming side.
“Oh yah yah sorry for my rambling, but I suppose I wouldn’t be too opposed to answering a question and doing something for you I guess…” They spoke softly, catching their breath.
Pausing before they began to speak again. “However it depends what you're asking me, and what you want me to do for you… Remember I don’t possess any magic.” Yuu answered back, waiting for Vil to speak once more.
Though unknowingly they are more so like an unwilling and unknowing mouse in a trap, with a cat circling them with a fretful plan brewing in its head. However the prefect was the mouse and Vil was the cat, who was most definitely planning and plotting something behind his perfectly purple eyes. Something Yuu could get lost in forever if the actor let them.
“Yes, yes of course nothing horrible Yuu I am not a monster, so firstly how well are you with commitment?” Vil inquired.
“Quite well I suppose, I mean I usually don’t give up easily when something doesn’t go well or abandon something if I get bored of i.t” Answered Yuu, as they walked around the table and sat down next to Vil.
Hummed before Vil started he watched the Prefect's mannerisms. Only if Epel can take that away from all of the time he hangs out with Yuu, but he mustn't be picky now. Finally speaking again while analyzing Yuu.
“You're quite poised aren’t you? Who taught you such elegance and don’t tell me you're just naturally like this, or I might just snatch you to Pomefiore.” The actor said teasingly, as he watched the prefect’s ears start to flush an adorable shade of scarlet.
“Oh, um, yes I… My ma taught me very well table manners and tea party etiquette, so I wouldn't make a fool of myself if I were to ever be dragged into an impromptu tea party.” Stammered Yuu as they sipped their tea.
Then quickly adding. “However I usually always apply what my mama taught me to every situation so I don’t seem like an utter slob and mess.”
“Ah so I do need to kidnap you to Pomefiore huh? Since you're so naturally poised and elegant, I think you would fit in quite well.” Vil continued to tease, as if a cat was batting and playing with a scared mouse.
Somehow flushing and blushing even more, they pulled their long sleeved night gown over their head. As they squeaked, never not beating the mouse allegations. Then muttering softly in a volume Vil even had a bit of trouble understanding.
“I wouldn’t particularly mind moving to Pomefiore… It would help get Crowley off my back all the time…”
“So you do want to stay in Pomefiore? Where do you suppose you would stay then potato? Hm? Epel’s dorm is already full.” said Vil as if he wasn’t already making mental preparations for them to stay in his room.
Watching them stammer then admit defeat by answering softly into their night gown. That they probably should just stay in Ramshackle, since they would have no where to stay in Pomefiore. Though that proposition made Vil chuckle as he shook his head, as he fixed their hair and untucked their face from their night gown. Humming softly as he tilts their head fully examining and dissecting their whole face, and not that he would like to admit but he goes give credit where credit is due. They are quite objectively attractive, with a very nice and symbiotic facial structure. Holding it gently and caressing their jaw with his thumb, pretending to wipe imaginary dust off their face. Just to have an excuse to hold them longer, then finally letting go he speaks up.
“You know potato you have really good bone structure right? It’s very symmetrical, and your skin is very nice. Though it makes me wonder what else of you looks nice.” Smiling at the Prefect all poster boy style, who is now thoroughly crimson, and stilled in his hand. Buffering like a broken record trying to make a sensible string of words, which just keeps getting gumbled up.
“Now Yuu I need you to focus alright? Just focus on me alright, look at my eyes if it helps. Seriously I need you to be honest and fully committed if you agree to this alright.” Vil said, still holding their face not trusting their stability at that current moment. While the prefect nods still red and they look up at Vil his eyes are still as purple as ever.
“Wait wait one question though, before you start okay?” Yuu said gaining some of their solidity back, after feeling like melted putty for sevens knows how long.
“Yes potato?”
“Are your eyes always that purple? Or do you wear contacts to make them look brighter.” The prefect asked, which caught Vil off guard. Since even when he was little his eyes were a large portion of his identity and of who he was. But he couldn’t help but chuckle at how direct the question was.
“Yes dear, my eyes are naturally this purple. I don't do anything to maintain them, besides eyedrops whenever they feel too dry.” Vil continued to laugh quietly, at how straight forward and strayed away from the topic the question was.
“Was that answer satisfactory enough for you darling hm?” Vil purred, still holding the prefect wondering if it would just be easier for the both of them if he just let them rest on him.
Then Yuu hummed in agreement, now awaiting for Vil’s question. Sucking in a breath he started up again and began to speak once more.
“Darling, I was wondering if you can do this favour for me, of course you can decline and I won’t hold it against you but.” Now Vil felt down right cruel for adding in bait, but it felt the favour felt more worthy if there was something to gain so he continued.
“If you do this I can find you better living commendations than ramshackle, you can live with me until the end of my college days at Night Raven in Pomefiore. Then after I graduate you can decide what to do next.” That was a lie.
He wants them to stay with him forever and live with him as a roommate, (or more) until they grow old. Despite it being one of his biggest fears; growing old and withered. Though it seemed more bearable with the prefect by his side somehow. Then just as he could ask for the actual favour for himself Yuu spoke up softly, a hint of fear laced in their voice which he didn’t understand why there was.
“You graduate in a year's time, correct? Your third year is your second last year here right?”
“Yes dear but I don’t understand how that’s relevant-”
“So after you pay me back for living with you for a year you plan to throw me out?” Yuu started, holding their hand up to prevent Vil from speaking any more.
“So after I were to do that favour for you, the plan was for me to live with you for a year as payment. Then to throw me out once you feel as if your obligation of care is finished? Since of course Yuu good old reliable Yuu can just figure it out. I mean that's what they do all the time to fix it, and if you have a problem go to Yuu they’ll listen to you rant and cry and vent their ears off. Honestly I should’ve known.” They hissed as they stared at the ground.
Straightening up and pulling away from his hands made Vil’s hands feel cold, reminding him of the horrible conditions of ramshackle. Which was one of the many reasons he wanted Yuu to live in Pomefiore with him, in his dorm no one else's. Feeling hurt he tried to speak up but his throat tightened, each word the prefect said knocked the wind out of him, sitting there silently feeling like an utter fool played by hope and love. Defeated by misunderstanding he watched the prefect open the door, and say the sentence he wasn’t ever hoping to hear.
“I think it’s time for you to go now” Yuu said coldly as if trying to ice out any emotion in their voice.
Without any struggle to not upset Yuu any further, he got up and thanked Yuu for the tea that he didn’t even get to finish and left. Tears prickled his eyes which he held all the way to the mirror chamber, through the Pomefiore halls and to his room. Where he just sat at his vanity watching the tears fall stunningly, something he perfected for movie roles, but now? Now something he hated, since it made him think what he was feeling was all staged. However deep down he knew it wasn’t, but he just couldn’t help but feel like his whole plan went not even off road anymore. No the hypothetical vehicle drove into the fucking ocean, and the wheel just disappeared. Watching empty as his mascara ran down his cheeks in dark black messy streaks.
Then just as he was going to fix himself up he heard a knock and soft whistles and hums. Recognising it’s Rook he opened the door, not bothering any more to try or pretend that everything is alright when clearly nothing is fine. With no words Rook pulled him into a bear hug, letting Vil tuck his head into his shoulder. Though needing to lean down slightly since he is a bit taller than Rook, who stepped in his room and shut the door behind him.
“Oh Roi Du Poison, I see something happened… with the prefect? You smell like them I can tell.” Rook whispered softly, while taking Vil’s hair down and brushing it gently with his fingers raking through the strands. Gently wiping away all of Vil’s make up with a handkerchief.
“Yuu… they thought, It went horribly and now I think they hate me.” Vil said, still shell shocked.
“I asked them for a favor, I even said that they can live here in Pomefiore until I graduate. if they do it so they can have a break from that musty excuse for a dorm, but I didn’t even get to finish before they thought that I was only doing it out of pity for them. Which I wasn't. It wasn't even a pity. I think it would be lovely for them to live with me, but no my throat felt like it was closing up and I couldn’t even say anything. No matter how hard I tried. Nothing came out so I left. I LEFT ROOK I LEFT LIKE A COWARD.” Vil sobbed, now the tears falling harder and faster as he cried into his vice’s shoulder holding onto him like a life line.
Rook cooed gingerly while stroking his head. “Oh dear Vil, would you like it if I were to speak with them?” The huntsman asked smoothly, trying to ease his housewardens distress since it was clearly upsetting him to great lengths.
Shaking his head Vil snapped up a slightly manic look painted over his amethyst eyes, still holding onto Rook and making him sit down at his chair. As he paces around huffing and laughing to himself, having a slightly insane look to him where Rook couldn’t help but feel entranced at. Then starting to speak again, since his worry for his housewarden is clearly rising by the second. He cleared his throat and starting up once more.
“Oh fairest Vil, why… Why are you pacing around so much like this? Wouldn’t you like to sit as well-”
“Rook. I’ve got it. I understand now, i know what to do” Vil said in a tone that is almost breaching hysteria.
“I’ll let them live with me forever, no choices all in or all out- no no that's bad, I will give a very highly encouraged choice, yes yes that sounds perfect right Rook?” Vil asked as he calmed himself down. Looking up at Rook for an answer, his huntsman just stares at him and hums, nodding to himself for a second then starts to speak up once more.
“Roi du Poison, perhaps that is a good idea, yes. But maybe you should let all of the emotions simmer down a bit? Since they are probably still very upset now. And they are probably seeking some comfort from someone else I think.” Rook answered honestly, which satisfied Vil enough temporarily for now.
Meanwhile the housewarden sits on his bed taking in a deep breath and resting for a bit, while plotting his speech and apology in his head. Then Rook walks around a bit and sets up his nightly routine for him, walking out then coming back with the things Vil asked him for.
“Oh Rook, what would I do without you?” Said Vil smiling, as he meets Rook half way setting the bag on his vanity walking him to the door.
“My my, Roi du Poison I think you would survive quite well without me-” Rook answered, then getting cut off with a kiss on the cheek from Vil. Who he sees now shutting his door smiling and humming to himself.
“Oh mon Dieu…” Muttered the huntsman, as he held his cheek and walked himself to his dorm quite happy with himself.
Meanwhile with Yuu and Crewel who is now trying to console them.
“Oh puppy I’m sure it’s all a big misunderstanding and he meant well, I’ve known Vil since he was a first year and not once has he ever played with someone’s feelings like that. With how it sounds he seems to quite like you alot.” Crewel tried to reassure his now newly ‘adopted’ ward.
Adopted in quotations, since it is a little tricky right now since he does want to adopt them. However without a birth certificate, or a proper Twisted Wonderland form of identification is quite a challenge, which is what he is trying to handle. Though now posing as an actual threat, of his want to become the primary guardian of the prefect. Who he is holding while they are absolutely sobbing into his arms.
“No. Vil is going to hate me forever, and I just fumbled fine shit so bad I can’t even show my face to the outside world anymore. I swear I am one more bad thing away from running away and flinging myself off a cliff.” Yuu huffed as big tears continued to roll down their face, thoroughly soaking Crewel’s shirt. Which he now needs to wash, not that he minds but just another chore to do on top of grading some tests for the third year. From their final alchemy project they submitted yesterday.
“Pup please don’t fling yourself off a cliff-”
“God Crewel you're so old I didn't actually mean it.”
“I’m not old puppy I’m only 30 thats barely middle age-”
“Yah yah whatever you say unc.” Huffed the prefect, now thoroughly tired from sobbing and crying for almost a whole hour to their almost dad.
“What does that mean- Puppy?... Puppy?... Did you just fall asleep on me? Alright fine up we go.” Picking up the prefect, and mentally noting how light they are.
He brought them to their room, tucked them in and fixed Grim up as well. Only after finding him under their bed passed out from all the tuna he ate. Setting them next to each other he huffs does a general sweep of the whole room and kitchen. Just to make sure everything is at least not all instant ramen, but much to his dismay it mostly is. As well as a whole cabinet of tuna cans supposedly for Grim, grabbing his wallet and setting about 100 thumark (give or take he didn’t properly count them all) on the counter with a note saying: “Buy real food. - Crewel (and call me again if you feel upset I’ll cancel my classes for the day just this once.)” Then with that left hoping his almost child will be okay on their own.