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The Heartslabyul dorms were never too hot like Scarabia nor too cold like in Draconia. The temperature in Riddle's room at least was always perfect for him at any given point in time to make sure it would distract him from his studies.
Now a different, very warm thing was keeping his attention away.
The sun was peeking through the curtains, shining a beam of warmth onto where Riddle was splayed out on his bed, underneath a human heater.
Except Riddle wasn't entirely sure if calling Ruggie a human would be totally accurate.
The hyena wasn't snoring, simply dozing off with his head against Riddle's chest, ear pressed against his heart, and his arms trapped under Riddle's back while the smaller boy ran his fingers through his messy hair and scratched under his ears. Occasionally Riddle would hear Ruggie make a low rumbling noise but he never felt as though he was in any danger.
"Are you asleep, dog?" Riddle hissed at some point.
Ruggie opened his eyes and grinned. "Why, do ya want me to be?" he asked.
"Is that some kind of riddle?"
"Nah." Ruggie propped his chin up on Riddle's collarbones. "'m awake, what do ya need?"
Riddle cleared his throat. "Nothing, really," he replied.
"Aren't you the one who's always tellin' me to 'mean what I say, say what I mean'?"
"I don't appreciate you using my own words against me." Riddle huffed, lightly pinching Ruggie's ear, the other boy letting out a wince.
"Okay okay, I'm sorry!" Ruggie laughed it off, that ear-drum breakingly loud, awful-sounding laugh.
Riddle loved it so much. People's laughter normally sounded the same to him, just all blended together into one noise. There wasn't a laughter in existence that was as bright as the sun, that was just the person's voice. He hated how much people romanticised that idea. Riddle liked Ruggie's laugh because it was different. Unique.
"I wanted to tell you that you're very warm," Riddle spoke.
"Aw, are ya usin' me as your blanket, Rosie?"
Riddle immediately almost turned as red as his hair, both from embarrassment and flusteredness. "Rosie?? What kind of nickname is that?!"
"Cause your last name is Rosehearts!"
"That's simply idiotic!"
"No need to get so hot-headed over it." Ruggie pressed a soft kiss to Riddle's nose as an apology and to try to cool his blush away.
It didn't work.
"Kiss me properly, dog," Riddle commanded.
"Not until you come up with a cuter nickname for me," Ruggie smirked, leaning in just close enough that Riddle could feel his breath against his mouth but not far enough to feel the brush of their lips against each other.
"I don't see why I should."
"Fine, play hard to get. I'm willing to stay here for a while~."
"You're such a tease." Riddle sighed. "Puppy, please."
Ruggie was immediately caught off guard so Riddle took the opportunity to lean in and kiss him. It didn't take long for Ruggie to melt into it and soon they were sharing soft, open-mouthed kisses that made Riddle want to melt. His hands reached up and caressed his boyfriend's head, taking control of the kiss. Ruggie allowed him to, letting Riddle decide the rhythm.
They parted after a minute or so and Ruggie grinned. "Puppy, huh?"
"You said cuter than dog, and a puppy is simply a baby dog..."
"I like it." Ruggie pressed their cheeks together. "I like you."
Riddle hummed, closing his eyes. "I'm fond of you as well."
"And with that, I'm going back to sleep."