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HEARTSLABYUL GARDENS – THE NEXT DAY

The sunlight filtered through the rose trellises, casting red and gold shadows over the trimmed hedges. A low breeze carried the faint scent of sugar and tea leaves from the tea garden.

(Name) stood beneath a flowering arch, their Promeire uniform sharp and pressed, a soft breeze teasing the tips of their locs. Yuu leaned nearby, arms crossed, not entirely convinced this whole "tea date" thing was a good idea.

Yuu narrowed his eyes. "You sure you want to be alone with him?"

(Name) chuckled. "He's trying to apologize, Yuu. I think Riddle's finally calming down. It's progress."

"'Progress' doesn't mean you drop your guard." Yuu muttered, glancing toward the Heartslabyul dorm entrance. "This is still Riddle Rosehearts we're talking about."

"Relax," (Name) said with a small smile. "If anything happens, I can handle it."

Yuu sighed, clearly not convinced but nodded. "Fine. I'll be nearby. Just yell if he tries to declare 'Off With Your Head' again."

⸻

A FEW MINUTES LATER – ROSE GARDEN TABLE

Riddle arrived precisely on time, as expected. No cape this time. Just his neatly pressed uniform, a small checkered cloth in hand as he gently placed a tray of perfectly stacked pastries onto the white garden table. The tarts were shaped like hearts.

"I made these for you," he said, smiling softly. "And I promise... no oyster sauce this time."

(Name) laughed, sitting across from him. "Already an improvement."

They chatted idly as the tea poured, Riddle maintaining a pleasant, polished tone. He didn't shout. He didn't micromanage. He didn't even blink when (Name) accidentally put the fork on the wrong side of the plate.

(Name) leaned back, relaxing. "You've really changed, Riddle. I'm glad. I was worried your obsession with rules—and with me—was... too much. But it's nice seeing you like this."

Riddle's smile twitched.

"Oh?" he asked sweetly, voice like honey dripped over a blade. "You thought I was obsessed with you?"

(Name) raised an eyebrow. "Well... you did scream at Yuu when I sat next to him at lunch. And banned half your dorm from talking to me unless they logged it in your little clipboard."

Riddle laughed, almost convincingly. "Yes, I... may have gone overboard. I realize now how unhealthy that was. I only wanted to ensure your well-being. But I understand the difference between... admiration and possession."

(Name) visibly relaxed. "That's a relief. For a second, I thought I'd need to start dodging overblots every week."

Riddle reached across the table, brushing crumbs from (Name)'s sleeve with feather-light fingers. His eyes were unreadable behind a calm mask.

"I would never harm you," he said smoothly. "I'd destroy anyone who made you feel unsafe... but never you."

(Name) froze slightly, laughing awkwardly. "Uh... thanks?"

"You're very special to me, (Name)," Riddle continued, tilting his head. "So unique... so brilliant. You have a light inside you I simply cannot look away from."

(Name) blinked. That... sounded a little intense.

"...You know I'm flattered, right?" they said, half-joking. "But let's keep it healthy this time."

Riddle's smile didn't falter. But behind those stormy blue eyes, something cold flickered.

He hadn't changed.

He had adapted.

⸻

LATER THAT NIGHT – HEARTSLABYUL STUDY

Riddle sat at his desk, candlelight dancing over open notebooks and scattered photos. Every one was of (Name)—laughing at a school festival, standing beside Yuu, studying in the library, asleep in class...

He picked up the heart-shaped pastry (Name) hadn't eaten and placed it in a glass container, carefully labeling it: Monday – With (Name).

Then he opened a locked drawer.

Inside were dozens of similar containers. Hair strands. Napkins. A ribbon they'd once worn.

Riddle's hands trembled in silent glee.

"They think I've changed," he whispered, gently caressing one of the photo edges."But I haven't. I've only grown smarter."

His smile widened.

"One day, they'll realize they belong with me... and only me."🩵The air is cooler now. The sun dips behind the hedges, casting long shadows across the rose garden. Most of the students have cleared out after the last slice of salty strawberry tart was finished. Only three remain by the fountain—the tension between them sharp enough to cut through steel.

Yuu stands firm, arms folded across his chest, gaze locked on Riddle, who has just reappeared from the dorm after helping Trey.

Riddle straightens his collar, trying to appear composed, but his crimson eyes flick toward Name with a fervent hunger that hasn't dulled. If anything, the overblot has sharpened it.

Riddle: (with a polite smile that doesn't reach his eyes) "If you've come to speak about what happened... I assure you, I've already apologized to the dorm and taken accountability."

Yuu: (calm but firm) "This isn't about the dorm. This is about Name."

Riddle's smile tightens.

Yuu: "You lost control, Riddle. And in that moment, you were ready to hurt everyone—including him. And now you're acting like nothing happened?"

Riddle: (his voice clipped) "Name... was never in danger. I would never allow my magic to harm him."

Name: (tilting his head, arms relaxed but voice serious) "You screamed about taking heads, Riddle. I don't think the blot was making exceptions."

Riddle flinches. Just barely.

Riddle: "I—I was not myself. But you have to believe me, Name, you are the exception to everything. You are—"

Yuu: "—Not your possession."

Riddle's mouth snaps shut.

Yuu: (stepping forward now, low and protective) "He's not something you get to control or smother. He's not here for your fantasies or your guilt. You think one baking lesson makes up for nearly killing your whole dorm?"

Riddle: (tense, defensive) "I am trying to change! I'm trying to make amends—for Name, for everyone."

Name: (softly, placing a hand on Yuu's shoulder) "Yuu... it's okay. Let me talk to him."

Yuu steps back reluctantly, but his stare never leaves Riddle.

Name: (gentle, always gentle) "I appreciate the apology, Riddle. And I'm really happy you're being honest with your feelings now. But I need you to understand... that doesn't mean I belong to you."

Riddle: (his voice trembling) "I don't want to possess you. I just want to protect you."

Name: "Then let me live, Riddle. Protecting me doesn't mean suffocating me. And if you truly care, you'll give me the space to decide how close we should be."

Riddle looks devastated. But something—something dangerous—flickers behind his eyes.

Riddle: (barely audible) "If space is what you need... then I'll wait. No matter how long it takes."

Yuu: (cold) "That's not a vow. That's a threat, the way you're saying it."

Riddle: (bowing his head with eerie calm) "Not at all. You misunderstand me, Yuu. I simply meant... even if a rose isn't mine to prune, I'll always be there to water it."

Name shivers slightly. Yuu steps in again, inching protectively closer.

Name: (with forced lightness) "Let's head back, Yuu. I've had enough thorns for one day."

As they turn to leave, Riddle watches. Unblinking. Unmoving.

And when they vanish past the hedge, his lips part with a whisper only the wind catches:

"You'll see, Name. One day, you'll understand that no one else will love you like I do."꒷︶꒷꒥꒷‧₊˚૮꒰˵•ᵜ•˵꒱ა‧₊˚꒷︶꒷꒥꒷

⸻

📍SAVANACLAW DORM — TRAINING FIELD, LATE AFTERNOON

The scent of sun-baked sand, sweat, and aggressive testosterone hangs in the air like a challenge. Savanaclaw students stretch and spar across the wide-open field, their laughter sharp, territorial. The dorm's energy is raw, unfiltered, and prideful—built on power, not pretense.

Yuu and Name step into this arena of dominance and dismissiveness. Instantly, the atmosphere shifts. Some boys stop what they're doing. Others glance sidelong at Name—hungrily, like he's something rare and sweet that wandered into a den of wolves.

Yuu narrows his eyes.

Yuu (thinking): This dorm's vibe is weird. Way too much attention on Name. Like they're circling something they've already claimed.

Out loud:

Yuu: "You all act like he's some kind of prize."

A low scoff ripples across the field.

Jack Howl, upright and towering, shrugs without apology as he crosses his arms.

Jack: "Because he is."

Yuu's lips part slightly.

Yuu: "He's not a trophy. He's a person."

From behind Jack, another third-year clicks his tongue.

Savanaclaw Student A: "A person with power, charm, and a face that even the Headmage drools over. Sounds like a trophy to me."

Savanaclaw Student B: "You're just bitter 'cause he actually smiles at us."

A few of them chuckle. Name doesn't speak yet—watching, cautious, unreadable.

Leona strolls in like he owns the sun itself, arms tucked behind his head, eyes half-lidded with disinterest—but as soon as he sees Name, something darkens beneath that sleepy amber gaze.

Leona: "Tch. What's the watchdog doing sniffing around here?"

Yuu (coolly): "Just making sure Name doesn't get dragged into something he'll regret."

Leona (laughing bitterly): "You act like you're protecting prey. You think we're the type to steal him?"

Yuu's silence is sharp.

Leona (stepping closer): "Let me tell you something, Herbivore. This dorm doesn't need or want your protection. You're a liability. A no-magic tag-along. An outsider that no one here respects. But Name? He's the outlier. Someone who doesn't belong in your little Ramshackle world. And unlike you, we don't pretend to deserve him."

Yuu clenches his fists.

Yuu: "At least I don't treat him like a conquest."

Leona: "No. You treat him like a glass doll. But we know better."

Savanaclaw Student C (leaning against the wall): "He walks in here like he owns the damn sun, and none of us mind the heat. That should tell you something."

Yuu: "It tells me you're all obsessed."

Leona (smirking): "Good. Keep thinking that. And keep your eyes open, watchdog. 'Cause sooner or later, he's gonna realize the ones who really see him... aren't you."

Silence stretches.

Name, finally speaking, voice soft but steady:

Name: "I see you both. Just don't forget—I don't belong to anyone."

A few whistles and murmurs break out.

Leona raises an eyebrow but doesn't push. The grin on his face is all teeth, and it doesn't reach his eyes.

Leona: "Sure, sweetheart. Whatever helps you sleep."

⸻

Yuu walks out with Name. But his mind? Racing.

Yuu (thinking): They're hiding something. Obsession that deep? That territorial? That's not normal. And I'm not gonna let it slide.