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The rain was pouring, and Ace was waiting in the greenhouse for it to pass. He didn’t particularly hate the rain, he felt neutral about it, but he was so far from the dorm. And Ace was quite proud of the heart he drew on along with his eyeliner that morning.
The rain was heavily pattering against the ceiling, it sounded calming. Ace closed his eyes and listened to the sounds, the plants occasionally brushing against each other, the rain surrounding the whole greenhouse, and the sound of swears as the greenhouse door opened and shut.
“Fuck.” Ace knew that voice, he didn’t need to open his eyes to know it was Deuce. He was the only person Ace knew that could swear as if he learned what it was for the first time and at the same time could swear like a sailor.
Ace peeked one eye open and stifled a laugh. When Deuce looked at him directly he broke down in laughter.
“Oh my god you look like a wet cat!” Ace cackled, leaning over from laughing so hard. Ace got a second look, Deuce’s hair was soaked, his spade makeup began to run down his cheek, and his Heartslabyul vest was almost a different shade of red from the rain.
Deuce’s face turned a light pink as he removed his jacket, squeezing the water out from it. The water from the jacket landed against the concrete floor with a slight plinking sound.
Ace just observed, taking notice of the little details. The way his undershirt sleeves were slightly rolled up, the way his hands had very faded scars, the way his eyes were so focused on the jacket and slowly trailed up to meet Ace’s eyes.
“You’re staring.” Deuce stated, eventually tying the jacket around his waist.
“I know, I still stand by the fact you look like a wet cat.” Ace stammered, quickly looking away from Deuce.
Deuce smirked and let out a small huff of laughter, walking over to the window and trying to use it as a mirror to see how much his spade makeup had run down his face.
Ace glanced back over, walking up next to Deuce. He watched Deuce slightly mess with the spade makeup running down his cheek then observe the outside, the rain only getting harder.
“If it doesn’t let up I’m running back to the dorm.” Deuce stated, Ace’s eyes widened.
“How do you expect to do that? Riddle will kill you if you track water in the dorm.” Ace nearly yelled in shock. Deuce wasn’t phased and looked over at Ace, his makeup now severely smudged.
“You’re good with wind magic are you not?”
“You’re not expecting me to run in the rain? I’m fairly dry and would like to keep it that way, thank you.” Ace adjusted his jacket to add flair to his response. Deuce just stared, Ace sputtered the longer he looked.
“You’ll dry us off though, I just said that.” Deuce remarked, Ace couldn’t argue with that because he knew Deuce was right.
“Fine!” Ace grumbled, removing his jacket and slung it over his shoulder. Ace walked over to the door, opening it slowly. The rain became louder as the sound managed to enter the greenhouse.
“After you.” He said, Deuce walked out and stood in the rain. Ace just stared, watching as Deuce waited.
“I’m only going to start running when you do.”
“Oh my god, Deuce!” Ace exclaimed, stepping out into the rain and immediately running towards the hall of mirrors. Taking his jacket from off his shoulder and using it as a shield.
Deuce began running alongside Ace, showing no sign of getting tired of changing pace. ‘I guess that’s what being a part of the track and field team does for you.’ Ace thought, looking over at the other then at the path in front of him.
Ace began slowing down, he was never the best at endurance. Deuce looked over at Ace as he was falling behind, letting out a sigh before reaching his hand out.
“Take my hand.”
“And get my hair wet? I’m good, thanks!”
“Ace just put the jacket down, we'll get to the dorm quicker if you just take my hand!” Deuce urged with a slight exasperation. Ace sighed and quickly put his jacket back on, grabbing Deuce’s hand as he felt the rain pelt against his head.
Their pace quickened almost immediately, as if Deuce was holding back just so he didn’t leave Ace behind.
The wind blew in their direction, the rain hitting their faces. Ace decided to shut his eyes so the rain didn’t hit them. He trusted Deuce enough to properly guide him. Without sight he relied on the feeling of touch.
He felt the splash of puddles against his feet as they ran, the cold rain hitting his skin and getting his hair wet, and Deuce’s hand against his. ‘His hands looked so rough and yet while I’m holding it, it’s so… soft?’ Ace thought, he felt his face become warm amidst the cold.
Their running slowed, and eventually stopped with the rain. Ace opened his eyes and realized they were inside the hall of mirrors, where a bunch of other students were waiting out the rain.
Deuce quickly let go of Ace’s hand, his face turning a slight pink. Considering Ace’s face still felt warm, he had a feeling he was equally flushed.
“We could just wait here.” Ace muttered to the other, Deuce shook his head.
“No.” Was all he said, grabbing Ace’s arm and moving past people to get to Heartslabyul’s mirror.
“There’s other hearts kids here, we could go back with them when the rain stops.”
“And get beheaded when the other students track in water even though we’re dry? Nah-“ Deuce’s voice was cut off as he stepped through the mirror, pulling Ace in with him.
“You are dead set on not getting beheaded.” Ace steadied his footing as he came out the other side of the mirror.
They began to run through the maze, Deuce adjusted his grip so he was holding Ace’s hand once more. On a specific turn they got a good look at the bushes of red roses, now slowly turning white with the wet paint slowly washing off.
With a final turn the dorm was in sight and they rushed under the roof, neither seeming to let go of the other’s hand.
Deuce got a good look at Ace, before bursting out in laughter. Ace knew exactly why, and felt like he was waiting for Deuce to just use his words.
“Who’s the wet cat now man? You look like Grim after Yuu gives him a bath!” Deuce manages to say through his fit of giggling.
“Hey low blow!” Ace pouted, removing his pen from his jacket pocket with his free hand. “Do you want to get dried off or not?”
“Yeah…” Deuce’s laughing fit ceased with one final exhale. While fixing his posture Deuce realized his hand was still holding Ace’s, but he didn’t let go. He didn’t want to let go.
Ace flicked his pen and a gust of wind nearly swept them off their feet, the water on their uniforms drying off quickly. Deuce was lucky to still be holding Ace’s hand, he was not prepared for the strength of the wind.
The wind finally calmed, and the two were both relatively dry enough to step inside. Ace calmly let go of Deuce’s hand, immediately missing the feeling of his hand.
But yet they didn’t go inside, ‘it wouldn’t hurt to stand out here a little longer.’ Deuce thought, turning to look at Ace.
“Thanks… you’re not going inside?” He asked, almost confused as to why Ace was still standing next to him.
“I’m only going if you do.” Ace joked, quoting Deuce’s words from earlier.
“Haha, we’re gonna be out here for a little bit. I want to just watch the rain for a while longer.”
“You’re a fan of the rainy weather?”
“My mom let me run around in the rain as a kid.” Deuce replied, turning to the maze and watching the rain fall.
“You’re not gonna love it when we have to repaint the roses red afterward.” Ace muttered, Deuce groaned in response, eliciting a small snicker from Ace.
“You laugh but we’re both going to be painting.” Deuce retorted, Ace stopped his short laughter, and after a moment of pondering he turned to walk inside.
“I thought you weren’t gonna go unless I did.” Deuce teased, tilting his head at the other.
“Taking a nap before the rain ends, once it’s over we’re gonna be painting roses for hours.” Ace opened the door and looked back at Deuce. “I think you’d probably wanna do the same.”
Ace left the door open on entry, Deuce stood there for a moment before walking inside, wiping his feet on the mat just to be sure he was completely dry before progressing further.
Ace was sprawled out on the couch in the lobby, Deuce rolled his eyes, staying quiet to let Ace fall asleep.
Deuce sat on the couch across from Ace, positioning himself to get comfortable sleep on the arm of the couch while also leaving space for others to sit if they wanted to. He knew Cater liked to scroll through Magicam and Riddle liked to study while the other two napped.
He let his mind wander as he dozed off, the only thing on his mind as he fell asleep being: ‘I wonder if I’ll ever be able to hold his hand again.’
The mere thought brought a smile on Deuce’s face as he fell asleep.
Cater walked into the room, scrolling on his phone, looking up at the napping freshmen, both wearing small smiles on their faces. The sight put a brighter smile onto his face.
“Wonder what they’re dreaming about.” He muttered, taking a picture of them before sitting down next to Deuce.
From an outside eye, when looking at the two card soldiers it could be assumed their minds were off in separate places.
But they were intertwined in each other's dreams, their feelings mixed like a deck of shuffled cards in a skilled magician's hand.