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Rook knew everything about Vil, even the things that the Pomefiore Prefect tried so hard to keep secret because that's how Rook shows he cares about him, that there's not a passing moment in which Rook does not think of him. Not a single moment where Rook is not reminded of Vil in everything his eyes lay upon, from how the grass danced with the gentle breeze reminiscent of Vil's grace, from the sound of the small birds perched on tree branches chirping that sounded just as much as a pleasant music like Vil's voice to how the rays of the sun gently caressed Rook's exposed skin like Vil's touches.
He also knew for a fact, that there are times in which the best course of action is to keep his mouth shut, bite his tongue and to hold his words back, emerald eyes meeting amethyst ones that concealed so many emotions at once. That was how Rook found Vil in the lounge of their dormitory in between their classes, a vacant period granted to them and thus leaving the dormitory empty aside from several few and not many would stay inside their rooms anyway as Vil is quite strict about the thought of how students would try to skip classes by locking themselves in.
Vil kept their gaze locked together, his lips also kept shut in a thin line before he averted his gaze away, slightly shifting on the couch as if inviting Rook to sit beside him by granting enough space for another without causing any discomfort.
Rook doesn't know what had happened that might have made him like this, but he'll find out later, he thinks to himself before removing his jacket in order for it to not get any creases on it because Vil does not like it when that happens. And Vil had already removed his own, the uniform folded neatly on another couch just opposite them.
Or perhaps he's merely fatigued.
Rook shoots him a smile, a reassuring one as he makes his way beside Vil, settling down with just a hair's breadth of space in between them because when Vil does not want to speak, does not want to say any word, physical contact would be the way to go. And Rook did relish so much on that fact while he entangles his fingers (his glove already removed because it's not often that Vil allows him to touch his bare skin, or himself) with the model's, clasping their hand together as he felt Vil place his head on his shoulder, with the only sound filling the room being their breathing and their heartbeats.
A hum left Rook's lips, shifting himself to better accommodate Vil. It was funny how they fit together like puzzle pieces no matter how strange their pairing is. One being the embodiment of beauty, sparing no effort in order to become the number one and the other being a hunter of love, always found in the wilderness with a bow on hand and a prey caught on sight. But then again, it wasn't exactly smooth sailing between the two of them at first. The memories of him doing his hardest in order to gain the model's favor are still fresh in his mind, cherishing those days because all of his efforts paid off, the proof being the way Vil let him in the ice walls that he had encased himself with that is now slowly being thawed because of the events that transpired in the VDC. That itself is a good thing because Vil does need to stop keeping to himself so much and choosing to bear his burdens alone.
His features softened when he felt the hand that was locked with his tighten ever so slightly, Rook returning a reassuring squeeze as if to tell Vil that he's here, he won't be going anywhere, not anywhere without him. Because Rook knew that Vil, while the two of them had told the other how much they loved each other, would still have the same nightmares of which Rook would either leave him or perhaps, a nightmare in which he had actually drank the poison. The fact that it was him causing Vil such great pain really hurts Rook too but the hunter is indeed determined to help Vil heal and if he needs to tell him that he'll stay by Vil's side no matter how long repeatedly, then so be it. Rook does not mind at all.
Soon enough, as Rook had guessed, Vil was indeed tired enough that he had fallen asleep on Rook, their hands still intertwined with each other yet Vil's grip didn't loosen but neither did Rook's. He had nearly lost Vil once to the insecurities that ate him inside out and made him overblot. He doesn't want to let it happen again. Because he no longer wishes for Vil to cry.
His ears picked up the sound of footsteps, head tilting towards the slightly open door to the lounge and catching the sight of their precious cherry apple clad in his gym attire poking his head in, eyes widening at the sight that greeted him, clearly not expecting to see the two of them act so intimately in the dorm's lounge of all places, no matter how it's currently class hours for the majority of Pomefiore students because Vil doesn't want to show something so private to other people but Rook knew that Vil no longer considers Epel as "other people" so it's okay. At the very least, their cherry apple is smart enough not to gasp or make any other sound that might rouse Vil awake.
Rook chuckled softly, shaking his head dismissively as he raised his free hand in front of his lips, extending one finger upwards. "Shh." The hunter mouthed to the first year, the corners of his lips quirked upwards when he saw that Epel merely returned it with a slow nod, his head turning left and right in the hallways (it seems that he's making sure there are no other students that would pass by and see what he also saw) before gently closing the door again.
And if it was because of Epel that no one had disturbed the two of them for the duration of their vacant class which they spent just enjoying each other's company as they rested, then perhaps he should convince Vil later to reward the boy and to go easy on him.
But for now…
Rook, thanking his junior in his heart, turned his attention back towards his beloved Roi du Poison, smiling to himself that at the very least, Vil is comfortable enough now.
"Rest, mon chéri. " Rook says, quiet and smooth as his thumb drew circles on the hand that was clasped tight with his. "For you deserve it."