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The news spread like a wild fire, it hadnt even been a full hour before the whispers that something horrible had happened in the Afterglow Savannah. Something horrible had happened in the royal family. It wouldn't be until perhaps mintues afterwards where the news stating that the King of the Savannah had died finally started to spread around. Ruggie had tried his best to get to Leona to somewhat brace him for the news, but by the time he got to the dorm he had been too late. He arrived just as his Housewarden ran past him, presumably heading to the mirror chamber. No one saw or heard from the Leona for almost an entire two weeks after that. It was was said that the King had been murdered, a group of assassins had made their way into the Palace and in an attempt to murder the young Prince. The King of course defending his son had ended up losing his life. The world was on pins and needles, after all, not a single Kingdom wanted to be on the Afterglow Savannah's bad side. That or many were worried about their leaders being next. The funeral for the King was televised, the school mourned the loss of a good King, a wife mourned the loss of a husband, a son mourned the loss of a father and a brother mourned the loss of a older sibling.
When Leona returned, the man locked himself away in his dorm, no one could blame him. Why would they? While he may have not always gotten along with his older brother, that was still family to him. Losing someone like that was never easy, the Professors didnt seem to mind that he wasnt in class, grief was a powerful thing. All of Savannaclaw seemed to be mourning the loss of a great King. By the end of the second week, Ruggie found himself worried, he had seen Leona at all since his return. He had not seen him once exit his room, no one had, in fact. Ruggie could respect the fact that Leona did not wished to be bothered, but he knew that neglecting his own health would not help him, would not make it hurt less, would not bring back his brother. So the Hyena did the only thing he could think of doing. He went off, got the man some sandwiches, snacks and drinks from the shop before heading up to Leona's room. He wouldnt force the Housewarden to come out, but he at least wanted to make sure the other ate something.
To say he was nervous was a understatement, would the lion even answer his door? Would he even be able to get in? Ruggie had no idea, but the Hyena had to try something. He found himself sitting in front of the man's door, for a moment he debated on just leaving, but quickly pushed that idea out of his head. Leona needed him- needed someone to be there for him, especially right now. No matter how tough and untouchable the Lion made himself seem, no one could just easily shrug off the murder of their relative. So the young man sighed, knocking on the door, his large ears swiveling forward, he could hear movement inside the room, and at least that let him know that the other was awake.
"Go away." Came the muffled demand. But the tone was weak, raspy. Ruggie's ears flattened slightly as he reached for the doorknob and sighed in relief. Unlocked, good. He stepped into the room and frowned at the sight of utter disarray the place was in. Books scattered all over the floor, torn papers, his chessboard clearly having been flung across the room. A mirror he had shattered into pieces around him. Truth be told the room looked as though a stampede had ran through here. And Leona? Well, he didnt look much better. His long hair a tangled mess, dressed down into a pair of sweats and a oversized t-shirt. The lion was facing what was usually the large balcony that over looked their practice field, even the long curtains were pulled closed, keeping the room shrouded in darkness. Leona sat on the floor, his back against his bed, head hung low, long hair keeping his face hidden and out of view. "I said go away-"
"I know." Ruggie said gently as he carefully stepped over the books, chess peices and papers before finally reaching the older male. He said nothing as he crouched next to him, tilting his head so he could try to get a look at his face. Though his nose scrunched up slightly. The other desperately needed a shower. "I brought ya some food. But you gotta go get washed up. I'll clean up the room."
"I didnt ask you to. Get out." The lion growled, though it was soft, there wasnt any real fight in his words. So Ruggie paid him no mind as he set the bag of food down on the other's bed and stood up, standing in front of the other. "Are you deaf or something? I said get out!"
"I know what you said." The Hyena raised a brow when the other shouted but was unbothered, he reached down, grabbing onto Leona's wrists and pulling as hard as he could until the other was standing up. "But that doesnt mean I'm gonna listen. I know you didnt ask, but that doesnt mean you have to. Go. Shower, food, then sleep." Typically Ruggie would be making all sorts of comments about how hopeless the Prince was and how he was so spoiled that he needed him to do all of these things for him or make him do all of these things. But right now, it wasnt because he was spoiled, it wasnt because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. This was happening because the man is grieving, trying to come to terms with the fact that his brother is gone. He let go and watched as the other simply made his way to the private bathroom connected to his room and shut the door behind him. With a heavy sigh, the Hyena looked around the room before getting to work on cleaning.
It didn't take all that long to clean up a bit, and it honestly would have gone faster had he opened up the curtains all the way, but he figured once Leona was done with his shower he would want them closed again. So for now Ruggie did his best to clean up the room, picking up the books and papers. Throwing away what was no longer useful and keeping what could still be used. His ears perked up when the sound of running water stopped, indicating that Leona had finished. So the Hyena was quick to pull out fresh clothes for the other to wear and close the curtains. The room was silent aside from the lion walking over to his bed and slowly getting dressed and of course the sound of Ruggie pulling out the food from the bag he had brought with him. Upon turning to face the other, he felt his heart sink a little at the sight of him merely sitting on the edge of his bed, arms resting on his legs and head hung low. The towel simply draped over his head.
Seeing Leona with no motivation was normal, but this was more then just a lack of motivation because of his depression. He said nothing as he walked over, carefully standing between his legs and taking the towel in hand, starting to carefully dry his long hair. All the while, neither spoke a word, not even when the Hyena pressed his nose to the top of his head, simply holding Leona there in place. They werent good with comforting words, they never had been. But at this moment the Hyena wished that they were. He wished he could somehow say something- anything that would make the lion feel better. But he couldnt, he knew there was nothing he could say that would help Leona feel better. "You gotta eat for me...okay?" He asked, his face still pressed to the top of Leona's head. He felt the other nod ever so slightly, which helped the anxiety Ruggie was feeling lighten ever so slightly. Only after his hair was properly dried and brush did Ruggie allow him to sit up and eat. They did this in silence, Leona eating what Ruggie handed him while the Hyena simply sat with him. To the outside world it did not seem like much, but to Ruggie, he knew that Leona appreciated the company. And how would he know this? Simple.
Because if Leona truly wanted him to leave, he would have physically thrown him out himself. Leona wouldn't have allowed him to do any of what he just did. It felt like hours before the lion deemed he was full and was now laying down, Ruggie happily laying behind him. At one point, the Hyena watched as his shoulders began to shake, how his breath hitched, how it took everything in the lion to keep himself from making any sort of sounds. Ruggie laid there, gently rubbing his back, occasionally running his hand through his hair. He didnt whisper comforting words or sweet nothings. Those things would do nothing for Leona, eventually he just wrapped his arms around the other's waist, cheek pressed against his back and he held the other close, trying to keep him from completely falling apart.
It would take time, but the pain would go away and until then and even long after, Ruggie would be here, ever at his side.