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Not much sound was heard from the lab room at this time of day.
Or, rather, this time of night. The clock on the wall ticked away into the night as the second hand made its way around the face, the only other sound in the room being the scribbling of pens and quiet breathing of the three students currently inhabiting said room.
“Azul,” Jamil mumbled into his hand that was propping his face up as he worked on his portion of calculating data from their group project. “What time is it?”
Azul squinted through his glasses at the clock on the wall, forgetting in his exhaustion that he wore a watch wherever he went. “It’s about a quarter ‘til 2am.”
“Mm, surprised you haven’t passed out like our good friend over there,” Jamil smirked, nodding to Azul’s other side, where, in fact, Riddle Rosehearts had slumped over in his seat and fallen asleep against Azul’s shoulder.
“And I’m surprised he even made it past midnight,” Azul grinned. “I, myself, am plenty familiar with a late night push.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you are.”
The two fell back into their silent work, only to be interrupted approximately five minutes later by a very sleepy “You calculated that wrong,” coming from Riddle.
Riddle, who was still laying against Azul’s arm, eyes shut.
“Excuse me?” Azul asked. “Weren’t you just sound asleep, moments ago?”
Riddle yawned, slowly opening his eyes as he reached for Azul’s pen. “Yes, but I could feel your arm moving as you were messing up the equation. You’re not in top form this late either, are you, Azul?” He smirked, as he pulled the paper over and started writing in corrections to Azul’s work.
Jamil snickered at the sight, earning him a frown from Azul. This, of course, only made Jamil want to laugh even more.
“Ugh, really,” Azul rolled his eyes at the pair. “Why is it the only time I ever see you in good spirits,” he said to Jamil, “it’s at my expense?”
“Oh? Are you not honored to be the one making me smile?” Jamil teased, walking around the table and sliding into the chair on the other side of Azul, their shoulders pressing together as Jamil leaned over to take a closer look at the corrections Riddle was making.
“I’m too tired to argue with either of you,” Azul said, yawning to further punctuate his statement.
Riddle nodded in agreement as he finished writing his corrections. “We’ve been awake far too late. I suggest that everyone head back to their rooms and get some sleep immediately.” He said as he stood from his chair.
“Mhm…” Jamil nodded, his head bumping against Azul’s shoulder.
“Come on, now. One of you using my arm for a pillow was quite enough for tonight,” Azul said with a grin at Riddle as he moved to help Jamil stand.
Riddle only scowled at Azul as the three left the room.
By the time they’d reached the mirror chamber, both Riddle and Jamil had both returned to sleepily leaning against Azul. Azul himself was too tired to complain.
“Alright, we’re here, now. Off with you two,” Azul said when they came to a halt. He moved one hand to pat Riddle on the head. “No falling asleep on the way to your bed.”
Riddle scoffed, swatting at Azul’s hand, and stepped towards the mirror to Heartslabyul. “Of course I won’t.”
“Hmm, right…” Azul sleepily turned to Jamil, who sleepily looked back at him.
“Good night,” Azul leaned over, giving Jamil a quick kiss on the lips.
“Mhm, night,” Jamil said, reciprocating the kiss, and then stumbling through the Scarabia portal.
Riddle stood, mouth agape, having not left for his own dorm yet. “...Excuse me, did I miss something!?”
“....Hm?” Azul blinked slowly at Riddle’s sharp gaze. “What are you talking abo-?”
“You just kissed Jamil!” Riddle said, feeling so stunned that he was more awake than he was moments ago. “I wasn’t aware you’d ever broken past your hopeless pining stage. When on earth did you finally make such a giant leap of progress?”
“Wh…?” Azul blinked slowly again.
Riddle could practically see the gears in his head turning as his sleep-deprived brain did its best to catch up.
His eyes grew wide, and his face turned bright red. “No,” he whispered, covering his mouth with his hands. “No, I didn’t.”
“You did. I just watched it happen. Goodnight, Azul.” Riddle said with a quick pat to Azul’s shoulder before disappearing into Heartslabyul.
Azul followed suit, bolting into the Octavinelle mirror and into his dorm room before anyone could question why he was returning so late with such a flustered expression.
And Jamil, his own realization having set in the second he turned away from Azul, was already locked away in his bedroom where he could stare at the ceiling in confusion and disbelief all night, in peace.