Work Text:
Immediately after class, all of Class VII crowded around Rean’s desk. He blinked and tilted his head. Were they planning something?
Alisa was the first to speak. “Before anyone says anything, this was ENTIRELY Millium and Crow’s idea.”
At her words, Jusis sighed. “I personally would rather have no involvement in this foolishness.” Jusis crossed his arms and furrowed his brows.
Machias glared at Jusis in response. “Try to have fun for once in your life.”
Jusis returned Machias glare and huffed. “Oh don't worry, I'll take great joy in watching your defeat.”
Emma laughed nervously, before stepping in between the two boys glares. “A..anyway! Crow and Millium had the idea that we should all have a blade tournament together tonight.”
That wasn't something he expected. It did sound nice though. It had been some time since all of them gathered together and had fun. He had no plans, so there was no reason for him to turn the invite down. With a smile. Rean nodded his head and smiled. “Sure, sounds fun!”
Laura smiled. “Since we're all in agreement, let's head to the dorm together after we complete our task for the day.”
“Oh that sounds nice.” Elliot said.
Gaius nodded his head in agreement. “Let us meet up at the gate later today then.”
“...I'll try not to fall asleep beforehand…” Fie mumbled.
With all their plans decided on, the class dispersed and started to head their separate ways. By the time Rean was ready to leave, it was only him and Crow in the classroom. Crow wasn't a part of any clubs, so it was common for him to lag behind in the class.
“Wanna grab a bite at the union building?” Rean didn't know what compelled him to ask the question, but his mouth moved on its on. Crow looked equally surprised by the invitation. But his mouth quickly morphed into a devilish grin.
“Trying to butter me up so I feel guilty about beating you huh!”
Rean sighed. A part of him wondered if this guy ever took anything seriously. “Yes that's exactly my reasons for inviting you,” he said sarcastically. He earned a laugh for his efforts.
Despite feeling slightly annoyed at Crow’s joke, Rean felt himself smiling, but then, he always seemed to have that effect on him… for some reason Rean couldn't imagine.
The two were greeted by James upon entering the building. Rean headed straight to order food while Crow went to James counter to talk about what Rean could only assume to be gambling. They looked like they were enjoying themselves though, so he kept any criticism about underage gambling to himself.
“Those two are always going at it…” The cafeteria lady commented while Rean was watching them.
He turned his attention to her and nodded his head in agreement. “At least they're having fun I guess.” Though he didn't support the gambling, it was nice to see them having so much fun. He almost wanted to join in, but that was an entirely new world for him.
After finishing their order, Rean went to one of the free tables and sat down. His mind drifted to the plans they had for the rest of the day.
He had played Blade with all of his classmates, but he wasn't particularly confident in his chances at beating Crow. Really Rean was rather certain he'd be defeated if he actually made it to him, but the thought excited him just a bit.
Even though it wasn't as if he saw Crow as a rival or anything, in truth he was more like an irresponsible senior he needed to make sure wasn't getting into any trouble, but there was just something alluring about the idea of fighting him.
Crow joined him at the table, a grin on his face as he sat. “Sorry for the wait,” he said. His voice didn't sound a bit apologetic however.
“Don't worry, it's no longer than the wait for my money.”
A pout made its way to Crow’s face at Rean’s retort, and Rean couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction.
“You know it was only 50 Mira,” Crow said
“And I hope you know that's an entire glass of fresh milk I couldn't buy that day.”
“Would you have even got any in the first place?”
Rean huffed. “That was the plan actually.”
Crow narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. “So you have some addiction to fresh milk?”*
“...Maybe.”
The two stared at each other long and hard for a good minute, before erupting in laughter. The rest of their time they spent eating and discussing trivial and menial things, until they finished their food and headed for the gate where they stood to wait for their friends.
With a furrow of his brows, Rean groaned. “That's ridiculous,” Rean said as he continued their conversation. Crow had mentioned spotting a giant rainbow colored, glowing fluorescent fish in the Trista ponds.
“You're only saying that because you've never seen it.”
Rolling his eyes, Rean placed a hand on his hip. “Then please enlighten me Senior Armbrust.”
With a look of offended disgust, Crow groaned. “Ew, gross, don't call me that.”
Rean snickered, but before he could think of anything else he could say to get under Crow’s skin. Their classmates arrived at the gate. Crow fled to Emma to complain that Rean was ‘bullying’ him. She giggled in response and patted him on his head.
Elliot approached Rean with amusement. “Did we make you wait long?”
With a shake of his, Rean smiled. “No we just got here.”
“Alright now let's get back to the dorm so we can get this blade party started!” Millium cheered excitedly.
Crow shot a pointed look at Rean while continuing to cling to Emma. “Then I'll strike my revenge on you for all those cruel comments!” Rean wanted to retort that he was only speaking the truth, but instead grinned at Crow.
“Bring it… Senior Armbrust.”
Rean enjoyed the look of disgust he got in response to his taunt.
Gathered around a cramped circle in Crow's room. Which Machias went ahead and made look ‘decent’ the moment they arrived. Class VII all stared down at the deck laid out in front of them. They had gathered a bundle of snacks to last them throughout the night so they wouldn't have to worry about getting hungry.
Alisa looked around them then down at their cards, and said, “So how do we decide the order of this.”
Machias hummed trying to seriously think of a solution, but Millium loudly exclaimed, “Flip a coin!” Machias facepalmed and groaned while everyone else laughed.
Nodding his head, Crow broke away from their circle and shuffled around his room then returned to his spot with a 50 Mira coin. Rean stared at it pointedly.
Noticing the stare, Crow whistled and averted his eyes away from Rean.
With a determined stare, Crow readied to flip the coin. “Heads, Alisa versus Elliot, Tails, Me and Rean. Afterwards we go in a clockwise circle,” Crow said. They all nodded in agreement. Then Crow flipped the coin.
They watched the coin flip through the air before it landed on the floor between them. They looked at it to see it landed on heads. Alisa and Elliot looked at each other. Elliot smiled nervously, but Alisa gave him a stare like she was staring down prey.
“Ready to go!” She asked.
Elliot swallowed and nodded his head. “I don't think this is going to end well for me…” he mumbled.
Laura shuffled out the cards and handed Elliot and Alisa their decks, then set the deck in the center of the floor. They both drew a card from the center deck and laid it on the ground.
A seven was on Alisa’s side while Elliot had a one. Alisa grinned while Elliot whimpered. Luck did not seem to be on his side for this match. A long pause developed between them until Elliot placed out a six, forcing them to discard their current numbers and draw again. They both drew fours and had to draw a second time, in which Elliot drew a three and Alisa drew a five. The set up was better than last time, though Elliot was still at a disadvantage.
Refusing to give up, Elliot put down a four, putting himself two points above Alisa. She huffed and put down a five so she was three points above, which would effectively force Elliot to use one of his higher number cards. Rean was seated beside Elliot and took a glance at his hand. Elliot held two Sevens, three fives, one mirror, one six, and one two. He could still win if he played his hand right, though that depended on what Alisa’s hand was.
The two had a steady back and forth that kept all of them on edge, until both players were down to one card and breathing heavily. All Elliot had left was a single Seven, which would put him six points above Alisa. She would need to use another seven in order to win. Elliot placed his card down and waited with baited breath.
With a triumphant grin, Alisa slammed down a seven.
“I win!” She cheered happily. She high-fived Crow who was seated beside her and giggled gleefully. “That was a great match Elliot!”
He sighed, disappointed that he lost, but smiled. “That was fun, Alisa!” He reached out and the two of them shook hands with satisfied smiles.
Seeing their match got the rest of them excited for their own match. After Elliot and Alisa, was Emma and Laura. Gaius shuffled the cards in Laura's place.
Emma smiled. “I think this might be the only kind of battle where I can actually have a chance at beating you, Laura,” Emma said. Her voice baring a hint of excitement as they waited for Gaius to finish shuffling the cards.
Chuckling, Laura returned Emma's smile. “This may not be a battle of steel blades, but I won't go down without a fight.” She gave her a challenging stare. Fie who was beside Laura, and Gaius who was on Rean’s other side looked at the two about to battle and swallowed.
“We are about to watch a blade match right?” Fie mumbled.
Gaius laughed nervously. “I think a real match between the two would probably demolish the dorm…”
The match started with Laura getting a six and Emma a five. Despite the one point difference, Emma remained confident. Machias who was beside her took a peek at her hand. It was a very balanced hand. She held one Mirror, one Restore, one bolt, two sevens, two sixes, one two, one four, and one five.
Emma placed her two down first and kept an even smile as Laura countered with another two. Emma followed with a five which caused Laura to furrow her brows before placing down a seven. Emma's expression didn't change as she said, “Bolt!”
“She baited her!” Crow yelled. He leaned forward excitedly. Getting into the match after the sudden traitorous turn of events.
Milium folded her arms. “I didn't think Emmy would play so dirty…”
Both in their own little world, Laura and Emma ignored the comments and focused on their match. Laura placed down another seven to restore her previous place so they were once again at fifteen and twelve.
Emma looked down at her hand, her expression remaining even, as she then reached and placed down a four. Jusis looked down at the cards and furrowed his brows. “What's she planning…?” he mumbled from Laura's other side.
Laura placed down a six to put a large gap between them, probably in hope of forcing Emma to use all of her large numbers early. Almost as if she expected this turn of events, Emma immediately placed down one of her two sevens. Laura responded immediately with a six. As if this was still according to her plan, Emma followed up immediately with a Mirror.
“She baited her again!” Rean exclaimed this time.
A long moment passed where Laura simply stared at the board, before she placed all her cards down. All that remained in her hand were Three’s and Two’s. “I admit defeat,” Laura said.
Emma relaxed and let out a breath of relief. “Oh my that was intense.”
“You were an amazing opponent Emma,” Laura said. She sounded oddly pleased.
With a shake of her head, Emma reached out to shake Laura's hand. “One slip up would have cost me the match. You were the amazing one Laura.”
Millium whimpered. “I'm not looking forward to playing against Emma.”
Fie nodded her head in agreement. “You said it…”
“It was almost as if she knew exactly what Laura would play each turn…” Alisa mumbled with a look of dread.
The following match was Machias and Jusis. The group wasn't sure what to say throughout it. The first card of the deck laid out was a draw. After which was another draw, then another, and another. Followed by one more draw before Machias was given a six point lead, so Jusis played a six and placed them at another draw.
That back and forth continued until they were both down to one card.
“...I'm not sure if I should be amazed or what,” Crow said as he stared down at the game with stunned amusement.
Rean chuckled. “This is the exact kind of match I expected from these two.”
Jusis groaned as he stared at his last card. There was a two point difference between them, and all he held was a single four. With dread and reluctance he placed his last card down. Much to his surprise though, Machias did not cheer.
Before he could question his behavior. Machias placed down a two. Effectively ending their match in a draw.
With narrowed eyes, Jusis placed his head in the palm of his hands. “Aidios…”
Everyone stared at the results of the match in silence. Millium was the first to break the quiet with a loud laugh.
Finding Millium’s laughter infectious. Alisa giggled. “Of course they had a draw!” The rest of their circle joined in laughing. It didn't take long until Machias and Jusis succumbed to the mirth and snickered at their own bad? luck.
Fie was the victor of her match against Gaius do to a well timed mirror. Crow had commented that it seemed like even in a cardgame Fie was sneaky. She stuck her tongue out at him in response.
The next match was the long awaited duel of Crow and Rean.
Crow grinned at Rean. “Ready to lose Reanie?”
Rean returned his grin and leaned forward. “Bring it, Senior Armbrust.”
Alisa snickered, then started to shuffle the cards.
“I swear everytime you call me that a small part of me dies inside.”
Rean gave him an unamused stare. “Says the guy that calls me ‘Reanie’ every day.”
With a wink, Crow smiled. “It's a sign of my love~.”
“Don't want it,” Rean replied. Crow responded by clutching his heart and making a look of fake hurt.
The rest of class VII chuckled at the exchange between the two. Done shuffling, Alisa placed out the cards, then sat back and waited impatiently for Rean and Crow to draw.
They stared at each other, before they both quickly drew their first cards. The two both drew a seven. Machias and Jusis both groaned.
“They better not be a repeat of our match,” Machias said. Remembering the card battle that had transpired only some minutes ago.
“Please Aidios no.” Jusis responded.
Crow chuckled, then they both drew again, successfully breaking the draw with Crow in the lead. He had a five and Rean had a two.
“Well this is a bit unfair,” Rean said as he looked at the numbers. He was at a disadvantage but victory was still well within his grasp. With a calm smile, Rean placed down a four. He preferred to use up his smaller numbers first to better his odds late in the game.
Nodding Crow placed down a two, putting himself one point above Rean, who took that opportunity to put down a three. Crow narrowed his eyes. Rean didn't seem to be in any rush to end this fight. With a huff Crow placed down a four. Rean responded with a two.
The two paused, clearly trying to consider their next move. The rest of the class could only stare in both bewilderment and astonishment.
“They're both taking this really seriously,” Alisa commented.
“This is exactly what I expected from them,” Millium said.
Jusis let out a sigh. “I just can't believe they would intentionally tie,” he said. He was clearly also still having bad memories of his match with Machias.
The two both drew a five, shrugged it off, drew again, and both pulled a two. Rean’s eyes narrowed while Crow let out a nervous laugh. They drew again only to both then pull out a seven.
“...What are the odds,” Crow mumbled. He was starting to dread that their match might end up like Machias and Jusis fight.
They drew again, both holding their breath. There was a sigh of relief on both sides when Crow pulled a Restore-- which meant his number was one, and Rean pulled a seven.
“Looks like the the table has turned in my favor this time huh?” Rean said.
Crow simply grinned though. “I wouldn't be so sure-- Mirror!”
With the sudden swap of points, Rean furrowed his brow. He fell right into his trap. “I guess it's a good thing I saved this then. Bolt!”
“Wha!--.” Crow wasn't sure how to handle such an attack. It seemed Rean wasn't holding anything back.
Rean smiled. He didn't play blade that often outside of train rides when they were going on their field studies, but Crow often challenged him to matches here and there over some nonsensical bet on occasion. The matches they had during those times were never easy, but they were always fun. Without fail Rean always found himself smiling during their blade fights-- even if it always ended with Crow conning him one way or another.
Feeling as excited as Rean, Crow threw down a restore.
“I should have known you had one of those up your sleeve,” Rean commented.
“It wasn't up my sleeve, it was in my hand.”
Rean chuckled and tossed down a seven. Crow pouted at the move and silently put down a six. A pause dragged between them, as if Rean was hesitant about his next move.
Folding her arms, Laura hummed. “No matter how you look at it, Rean is in a tough a spot.”
Emma nodded her head in agreement. “He either has to use a large number card, or a Mirror if he has one, and if that's his last special card, he would need to rely solely on numbers for the rest of the game.”
“Another bolt might do some good, but if that's his last one and Crow has another high numbered card, he would just be putting himself right back in the same position but with less options.” Elliot said.
No matter how they looked at it, Rean’s choice in this turn would decide the rest of the games flow.
After a long moment of inner turmoil. Rean played a Mirror. Crow responded with a pout. “The table is practically spinning at this point,” Crow said. He placed down a six and stared at Rean pointedly.
Rean returned his stare and put down a two.
Watching the two intently, Gaius let out an amused chuckle. “They're back at it again.”
Nodding in agreement, Fie chomped down on one of the many bags of chips lied out on the floor. “It's kind of impressive.”
Nothing was said as Crow placed down a two, apparently enjoying the one up game. Though it probably was smart to get rid of the low numbers when they were so low on cards at this point. The one up chain was suddenly disturbed though when Rean placed down a four. Apparently unbothered by that, Crow immediately responded with a six.
Keeping a steady poker face in contrast to the earlier points of their match, Rean put down a seven. Almost as if he wanted this to happen, Crow made a wide grin.
“Alright Reanie, let's have a gamble.”
Rean narrowed his eyes, but let out a chuckle. “You wouldn't…”
With an almost mischievous giggle, Crow put down a four.
Machias lurched forward. “What!?” He yelled.
Jusis shook his head. “He intentionally tied them.”
Laughing, Alisa shook her head as well. “I knew he liked gambling but I didn't expect it to be this bad.”
Both glaring at each other, the two pulled a card. They both placed down bolt cards. Not breaking the tension, they repeated and both played a three this time. Rean redirected his glare towards the deck. He was not about to have a draw. They pulled again, and both placed down a five.
“This is…” Rean started, not even sure where to begin.
“Awesome!” Crow announced. He was clearly enjoying the constant draws. They repeated that for two more draws before finally Crow pulled a three and Rean pulled two. His breath caught in his throat, Rean placed his last card, a seven. Crow smiled a content smile, then softly put down a seven as well.
Crow was the victor.
Rean closed his eyes and sighed. He gave it his all, but Crow still managed to surpass him with a gamble. He opened his eyes though when he felt a hand gently patting the top of his head.
“That was a good game Rean,” Crow said, his smile and voice a carrying a genuine happiness Rean wasn't sure he had ever seen. It was so infectious Rean felt himself smiling in turn, despite his loss.
“Yeah.”
The half of the class that on Crow’s side cheered, and the Half on Rean’s side clicked their tongues. Rean wasn't sure what to think when he saw Millium and Fie exchanging Mira.
They went on to have finals which consisted of all the winners against each other. Alisa and Crow went against each other in the final match. Crow won, but had to fight a ‘bonus’ round against Millium where he was defeated after a long back and forth. She claimed his share of the snacks as a reward.
Eventually they started to grow tired, but instead of returning to their rooms, they simply settled and got comfortable where they were. Using each other as pillows. Emma, Crow and Gaius ended up playing the roll of everyone's resting place.
Fie claimed the spot of Emma's lap, Emma used Crow's shoulder, Alisa used Crow’s back, Laura was on Alisa’s lap. Rean was surprised to see Laura take her hair down beforehand. Gaius leaned against Emma's other shoulder. It took a moment of debate before Jusis simply lied on Gaius lap. Though Millium waited until Jusis fell asleep to lie on his stomach. Machias refused to join the pile but was grabbed by Millium and held in a light choke hold before he eventually gave up and fell asleep, from what Rean hoped was exhaustion and not a lack of air. Elliot who was the first to get tired amongst their group, slept on Gaius shoulder.
Rean and Crow, were the last two to get tired. Rean sat in front of Crow who was patting his lap invitingly.
“There's still space,” Crow said.
Albeit reluctantly, and a bit flustered-- the thought of Sara or Sharon finding them all piled on each other sleeping and taking a picture was high and something he didn't want to think about. Though despite how squished together they all were, everyone looked comfortable and at peace. Rean shrugged and settled his head on Crow’s lap.
“Sleep tight, your senior will watch over you.”
Sleepily, Rean mumbled, “Thought you didn't like being called that…”
Letting out a soft chuckle, Crow started patting Rean’s head. It was soothing. “I'll allow it for tonight.”
Rean let out a soft laugh as his consciousness started to leave him. “I'm honored,” he managed, before finally falling asleep.
In contrast to the way he fell asleep, Rean awoke cold and alone.
He blinked and looked around him to see he wasn't in Crow's room any longer, or the dorm for that matter. He actually wasn't sure where he was. His mind drifted from that when he noticed his face was wet.
“Tears?” Rean questioned. He was confused. That is, until he looked to the large window and everything clicked. “Ah…”
A hollow laughed bubbled in his throat, and he could feel his body starting to shake.
It was a dream… all of it. A dream of a memory that felt oddly distant despite in reality only being a few months ago. Before the war with Crossbell, before the civil war, before they were all separated by Trista being occupied. Before Crow…
Rean curled into himself in an attempt to subdue the shaking. His eyes were burning and he was sure it wouldn't be long before Altina came to get him for their next mission. He couldn't stay like this. He couldn't cry, not here, not in Crossbell while on a crucial mission. He wiped at his eyes with his shirt sleeve, but it only seemed to make things worse.
“Crow would probably laugh at me for crying over him like this…” He was certain, he'd laugh, pat his head, and tell him not to be such a crybaby. A choked suppressed sob escaped his throat at the image, and he quickly covered his mouth.
He missed it, the peaceful days they all spent together. Reaching into his pocket, Rean stared at the gleaming silver coin he brought with him during this trip. “I wonder… are you still watching over me?”
Outside the door to Rean’s hotel room, Altina’s hand paused upon hearing a soft choked sob coming from the other side. Rean was crying again.
She didn't consider herself an expert on human emotions, but it felt wrong to simply knock after hearing such a thing. She knew she had no words of comfort for him, so she dropped her hand and sighed.
“I'll come back later… there's still plenty of time until the mission needs to be commenced.”
Altina turned away from the door and began to walk back towards her own room. She stopped and glanced back at Rean’s door and furrowed her brows. She wondered why was it that she felt a strange pain in her heart.
Shaking her head, Altina started to head back to her room once again. Perhaps she didn't get enough rest.