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Chapter Text

"Mash! Will-will you go out with me?"

"Sure."

He was born without a facial mark. This mark was critical to maintain normality in current day society. Due to Mash Burnedead's lack of magical powers, it leads him to be without much friends, let alone trusted ones.

Y/N was one of few who took an interest in Mash, but for her it was in more romantic matters. One would question why the girl would be interested in someone who doesn't wield magic as that goes against social norms and is also undesirable. Most people often fawn over divine visionaries or anyone who were deemed attractive (at the very least). Maybe it was the fact that Mash never judged her. She also didn't have a lot of options. Although book smart, she was a girl with poor potential and incapable of progressing much in her physical abilities. Which led her to be unfavorable to most other wizards. But Mash never cared if she was shit at sorcery, he doesn't use magic anyway. If it ever came down to it he was someone who always and will only care about a persons intentions and a persons character.

Luckily for Y/N, it was (surprisingly) quite easy for her to claim Mash exclusively (when she finally gained the courage to confess). But due to his sheltered upbringing he is quite clueless when it comes to attraction and matters of romance which is why he failed to notice all of Y/N's advances initially.

Being as oblivious as he is, makes it difficult for him to be the type of person he needs to be for Y/N in a relationship. But the girls eagerness will help aid her persistence to help him understand companionship better. Despite her efforts, at the end of the day, she will come to realize that it was Mash that she failed to understand. Mash that she forgot to understand. And Mash who (unintentionally) gave her the ability to understand some of the most fundamental components of an intimate (or any) relationship: individualism and perspective.

Chapter Text

Somewhere far, far away, high up in the mountains, past the large lakes, through the vast evergreen forest and beyond the reach of the magic-less lies Easton Magic Academy. A school that teaches people how to really hone in on their abilities as witches and wizards.

Through the stone walls of this castle, holds a myriad of rooms and hallways. One of them, the Adler House. Behind the wooden door of this dormitory is the common area. An area which is currently occupied by two.

"Hey, Mash...." Y/N's voice is timid. She sits at the table, across from her classmate. One that she had become quite good friends with throughout their years.

Mash looks up at Y/N. He honestly wasn't doing much. His cheeks are stuffed as he continues to chew on his pastry. His hand brings the creampuff up to his mouth. He takes another bite before he even swallowed the first three.

Y/N sees the question in Mash's eyes. He's likely wondering what she needed. But she's hesitant to speak on. The girl had been preparing herself for this exact moment for a very long time. And just when she thought she was going to do it, she loses all self-confidence and determination. She says, "I...."

But she couldn't finish her sentence. By now, Mash has finished his snack. He stares blankly at the girl. Since he's a patient person, he waits.

"I was wondering...." Y/N tries her best. Her mind is currently going against her heart. She's nervous and afraid of possible rejection.

You see, Y/N likes Mash. A lot. She's been contemplating this for months (confessing that is). No matter how forward she is. No matter how inappropriate her words. No matter how obvious she made it. She knows that Mash will never realize the way she feels about him. Unless she's direct (which she never truly was).

"You okay?" Mash finally says something. His voice is bland and his face is void of emotion (as always).

The sound of his voice makes the girl flinch. She didn't expect him to speak, "Uhm!"

"Why are you sweating so much?" Mash asks. He's never been much of a perceptive person and so, he's completely unaware of her current mental state. The only thing he notices is how the girls forehead is perspiring.

Oh god. Now that she's thinking about it. She does feel quite sticky. Was that a bead of sweat rolling down her neck? When did her hands get so clammy? Y/N pulls at the collar of her uniform shirt and then she adjusts her House robe. It's hot in here. His question only makes her sweat even more. She doesn't know how to answer. Not without giving herself away of course. But isn't that what she's trying to do? She doesn't know anymore.

The girl was ready. So ready. To divulge her unyielding infatuation. To confess her unwavering crush. To tell him exactly how she feels about him. As harmless as Mash is, when the time came, she couldn't do it. Noway. Absolutely not. She never knew how something so simple could feel so complex. How scary.

"On second thought...." she chuckles sheepishly. Her fear rids of any and little confidence she had left in her the moment she opened her mouth, "....nevermind."

Mash Burnedead is a guy who was born without magical powers. These people were easily distinguishable, because they held no facial markings. Individuals who are born without magic are typically shunned from society and also disposed of. They were considered inferior and societal rules dictate that these people shouldn't live amongst the 'worthy'. For this reason, growing up, Mash was hidden and protected by his adoptive father. It was then in his later years, he was given a fake mark by a corrupt detective with the magical police, Brad Coleman. All so he could enroll into magic school and become a divine visionary; to later pave a new mindset for the future of humanity. And to live in peace with his family (of course, that is his ultimate goal).

The typical person would likely be too nosy to let something like this go. They'd likely press and question until they got some answers. But not Mash. Mash is different. Mash was very sheltered growing up so he's not use to picking up on romantic cues, gestures or even suggestive remarks. It made things very difficult for Y/N.

He stares at the girl for a moment and all he says is, "...'Kay."

Y/N sighs internally. Her eyes go down to the table and her mind tries to convince itself to try again. How did this even start? Well, let's go back about three years. To the very beginning. When Mash and Y/N first became friends....

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Chapter Text

The sounds of paper rippling could be heard throughout the class room. There are people flipping through the pages of their textbooks with their wands. And there is one, flipping through the pages, with their hand.

"Hiii!~"

Mash looks up from the page of his tattered school book. With the most toneless voice, he says, "Hi."

Y/N smiles at the guy who she was paired with for a project. He had black hair with side-swept bangs which almost resembled somewhat of a bowl-cut (it's no wonder his nickname is mushroom head). His eyes were dull, yellow and held no emotion behind them.

Y/N didn't bother to interact with this person much. She didn't know much about him aside from what everyone else already knew. And that was, he had poor academics and didn't wield magic. Two things that already set him up for social failure. Y/N wasn't the shallow type though. She didn't care about these things and had no problems being friends with anyone if she was given the opportunity. She just hadn't had the chance yet. Until now. It also didn't help that one of Y/N's closest friends was someone who is very opinionated and someone who cared too much about status and image. It likely influenced her to stay away from such people who were viewed as 'below' them.

"What's your name?"

"Mash." He says.

"Mash? Like, mash potato?"

Mash stares at Y/N. He doesn't say anything. It gets awkward.

"Kidding!" The girl chuckles nervously. The guy seemed oddly quiet and strange. Maybe she offended him (she didn't. Mash actually found it funny. He just didn't know how to express it). She feels a bit badly about it, "I'm Y/N."

Mash responds by pointing at his chest; the pectoral muscles to be exact, "This is Kevin and Mike."

"Huh?" Y/N's confused. She thought it couldn't get any weirder.

It does. Mash keeps pointing to different parts of his body. He continues to introduce his muscles to the girl, from arms to abdominal, "And this is Tom, Kim, Yamada, Hikari, Koji, Satomi and Yukari."

"That's...." Y/N's eyes trickle down from the guys chest to his stomach. This guy was shredded. She's never seen someone his age with a body that matched that of a Greek god. Also, why was he even wearing athletic apparel at a time like this? At first it seemed like he was fucking around, but at the same time he seemed a bit too serious to be joking. The girl laughs again, this time in good humor. She didn't like to judge people. She was all too familiar with that feeling, "....thats nice. You're really fit. If I had your body, I guess I would name my muscles too."

Mash puckers his lips and hides his mouth with a hand. He changes the sound of his voice to make it seem like his muscles were thanking the girl, "Thanks."

She forces a smile. She tries not to judge him. Little did she know, he will likely be her favorite person in the near future.

Y/N was judged a lot. She didn't do well with magic, despite being born into a higher ranking family. Her lack of skill caused her to be bullied a lot. Which is why she chose to never judge people (personality and character were the only exceptions of course). Mash never judged the girl based on academics or skill either. Not once (he also had no right to). Maybe that's why she felt more drawn to him. Mash has a very apathetic personality. He's very stoic, but that somehow made him all the more funny. It came to a point where Y/N unknowingly sought out Mash's company any opportunity she could. And it wasn't something she realized until much later.

There was a time, in a certain classroom, where everyone was gathered. A time when Y/N finally realized something. On that day, a bunch of girls were ogling over a guy who had just stepped into the room. The sounds of admiration flit quietly through this group of women; including Y/N and her (then) close friend. Although, when her friend realized that Y/N's unwavering attention wasn't on divine visionary Rayne Ames (like everyone else), she was shocked. Her eyes followed Y/N's stare until it reached someone she least expected.

"Mash Burnedead?!"

"Mash Burnedead."

How could Y/N possibly fall for someone like Mash? Over Rayne? Mash held no magic and he didn't seem very bright academically either. Most people who didn't know him skin deep saw him as a slacker. Someone who was deemed unworthy to even walk these halls. What was it about him that Y/N liked so much? It couldn't be his mushroom of a head. It couldn't be the crumbs of his creampuff crusting in the corners of his lip. And It definitely couldn't be the filling that's currently smeared all over his mouth. Right?

"You do realize he's basically like a no-maj, muggle from.....what's that series again? Harry Potter?"

Y/N's friend didn't understand the appeal. She tried to persuade her otherwise but Y/N liked what she liked. She had her reasons for feeling this way. Which she explained.

"I don't care if he has no magic. I suck at magic anyway. He seems stronger than any magic user I know. Even your prized Rayne Ames." Y/N rolls her eyes when she emphasized the man's name. Then her eyes go across the room back to Mash. She smiles, "Plus, look at that body of his...."

It's true, Mash Burnedead may not be the most desirable man on campus for many reasons, but his physique and strength could rival (if not beat) that of a divine visionary. And that's saying a lot.

"Whatever. If being into blight-blood, lack-magic is your thing. Then don't expect me to be hanging around you two if you ever become a thing."

Y/N's friend came from a very prestigious family. So it made a lot of sense that the girl would feel this way about the magic-less or even the less fortunate. It was to uphold an image; their reputation. Something Y/N couldn't care less about. Y/N had no problem disowning the girl as a friend in order to stay true to who she is as a person. And she surely did disown her (eventually).

Y/N's eyes continue to admire Mash from afar. She's going to do it. She's thought about it long enough. She tells herself this. She's going to confess to him.

Chapter Text

Back in the present time.

The large hallway echos quietly when their shoes hit the unfinished stone floors.

"I know."

"What??" Y/N let's go of Finn's robe; the one she's been yanking on this entire time, "How do you know?!"

"Well...." Finn brings a hand up to scratch the back of his head. His eyes go off to the side somewhere, "....you're not very discreet about it."

Finn Ames is a student at Easton Magic Academy. He is also apart of the Adler House and the younger brother of divine visionary, Rayne Ames (which explains why they had similar bi-colored hair). Although related, their personalities were complete opposites. Rayne carried a cool demeanor, almost cold. He's strong and sure of himself. Finn, on the other hand, is timid and less certain of himself. Maybe even a scaredy cat. But Finn is definitely much more approachable.

Y/N had met Finn through Mash some time ago. Since then she had become quite close to him as well; along with their other mutuals: Lance, Dot and Lemon.

"Am too!" Y/N retorts. She felt she hid her feelings for Mash pretty well, "Name a time!"

Finn narrows his eyes at the girl in disbelief, "I can name more than one. Quite a few, actually."

Y/N brings her fisted hands to her hips. Her face challenges Finn to remind her, "Go on then."

The boy crosses his arm over his chest and then brings his fingers of a hand to his chin. His gaze goes up towards the boundless ceiling of this castle. Whether the girl knew it or not, Y/N had a bad habit of flirting with Mash-in public. Finn hums as his mind harks back to one of these moments, "Remember that time.........."

It's a nice day. Despite the amount of people sitting in the Adler dorm, the room is rather quiet. Mash lays on a bench press. He continues to pump 4.6 tons of iron and with ease. Y/N steps into the room. It's always like her to acknowledge Mash before anyone else.

"Hey Mash!"

"Hi." Mash continues to work the muscles of his chest and shoulders. His eyes don't leave above him.

Y/N sits on the floor next to Mash. She leans all her weight onto an arm and admires the guy's hard work by staring at his sculpted body, "Whatcha doin'?"

"Pumping iron."

"Wanna pump me instea-"

"OKAY!" Y/N interrupts Finn's story. She felt slightly embarrassed, "How did you even know I asked him that?!"

Did Y/N not see the rest of them in the room? She had literally walked past them upon entering. Finn makes a face, "We were all in the same room."

Y/N closes her eyes and wafts a hand through the air, "So that happened once. Big deal."

"Wellllllll...." Finn throws his hands up into a shrug; a placating gesture. He reminds the girl of another moment, "....there was also another time......"

It had been an extremely long day of Duelo (a broomstick-riding sport). Y/N was feeling a bit disheartened at having done so poorly. She felt bad for letting her teammates down. But Mash is a good friend. So he was inclined to make the girl feel better, the only way he knew how. Cream puffs.

"Want a creamp-"

"-pie?!" Y/N speaks before Mash could finish his sentence. This would certainly make her feel 10 times better (and not just mentally).

Mash finishes his sentence, "-puff?"

"Oh..." Y/N smiles nervously. Of course that's what he meant. The guy was practically a cream puff connoisseur. Her face burns with heat, "...right."

".....creampie?" Mash looks blankly at Y/N. He doesn't appear to be thinking but it's likely he was and Y/N already knew his thoughts weren't anywhere near what she had in mind. It never was, "I've never had one before. Are they good?"

"Oh, Mash...." Her voice is smooth with seduction and her eyes droop to a dreamy enticement. She tries to hide her suggestive expression as best she could. The heat continues to crawl against the skin of her neck to her face as she imagines it in her head, "....it could be so, so good...."

"I DID NOT SAY THAT!" Y/N slaps her hands onto her cheeks. Her face burns with immense embarrassment. She shakes her head. She did say that. She remembers.

"I was standing right next to you...." Finn's brows pinch together with concern. He also shakes his head. Mostly out of disbelief.

Y/N throws her hands into the air. Her blaming voice gives a poor excuse, "No one told you to stand next to me!"

"I was there first....." the guy grumbles beneath his breath with incredulity.

"Alright, so that was twice. Big whoop!"

"Hang on." Finn points a finger at the girl. He's going to prove his point, "I'm not done yet. There were many other times....."

"Hey, Mash. Wanna show me your leg-day routine? I would love to have you make my thighs ache."

"You really don't need to do this...." Y/N grimaces (at herself more than anything). She didn't realize how cringey she is. The girl continues to listen to her friend.

But Finn doesn't care, "Or...."

"Hey, Mash. I know a bedroom workout that burns 300 calories per hour. Wanna exercise?"

"Or...."

"Hey, Mash. What size is  your  wand?"

"Ok-" Y/N's tone subliminally asks the guy to shut up, "-I get it."

But Finn likely didn't hear the girl-intentionally. He continues on.

"Hey, Mash. I don't have a broom. Can I ride yours?"

"Finn, please...." She tries again, nicely.

"Bench press? Wanna press me on your bench? We could take turns doing reps?"

"Finn!"

"Hey, Mash. Wanna play Jenga with me? I wanna see how good your pull-out game is."

Y/N's fist will soon knock the stuffing out of him if he didn't stop talking. And it surely did. Cause in moments his body had left the ground. It gyrates upward at top speed. Finn's body becomes nothing but a speck the higher he flew. He hits the incredibly tall ceiling. There's some rubble that falls before he spirals back down and dents the ground. That was quite the punch.

Unfortunately, Y/N was just daydreaming. She could never pack a punch that hard; one that could send someone flying. That was only something Mash Burnedead could achieve. Finn's still standing there. In front of Y/N. Unscathed.

Y/N's unwavering stare finally blinks out of her fantasy and back to reality. She sighs in defeat, "I make it obvious. SO DAMN OBVIOUS! And yet, he can't get a freaking clue!"

"What do you expect?" Finn tilts his head to the side and smiles with humor, "It's Mash."

Y/N slaps her hands onto her face. She shakes her head from side-to-side, out of frustration. She doesn't know how else to make it anymore evident than it already is, "What should I do?! What should I do!? What should I do?!?!"

"H-hey. Calm down." Finn smiles at her nervously. His eyes close and his hands come up in front of him. The guy waves them in attempts to offer her some sort of resolve, "I mean....you could....just....tell him?"

"I tried!"

Finn's hands go down to his sides. There's a curious gleam in his eyes when he opens them, "You did?"

"Yes!"

"What did he say?" Finn couldn't even begin to imagine how Mash would respond to someone confessing their interest in him. Romantically at least.

"Uhm, well, I guess.....I actually didn't get that far yet..." Y/N puts her hands behind her back and she chuckles nervously under her breath, "I tried to ask him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it...."

Finn deadpans. If that was the case, the girl has no reason to be upset.

Without warning, the girl grabs onto his arms. She shakes him furiously, "I can't do it! I can't! What if he doesn't like me like that?? What if he says no?!"

"ThenNnNnnnnn-" Finn's voice vibrates with each forceful movement, "-you'reEeEEee justTTtTtt goingGgGGgg toOooOoo haveEEe TOooOo acceptTtTt thAaattTt!"

At his words, a great sense of weariness sweeps over her, sucking her energy with it. Y/N melts onto her knees into a puddle of disappointment. How dramatic.

"Everything okay?"

Finn's eyes which have been watching Y/N sink to the floor go up to the sound of a familiar voice.

"Mash-kun...."

Mash stares stonily. You'd think someone who stares quietly as long as he does would have a lot on their mind but all the guy says is, "Hi."

Y/N looks up immediately. Mash?! It's Mash. She stands up and dusts herself off, "Mash...."

Mash sticks his hand into his robe. He pulls out a cream puff and then looks at Y/N with his dull yellow eyes, "Did you fall?"

"For yo-"

"I'm still here........" Finn cuts Y/N off. His face scrunches. He's uncomfortable. This will likely be another cringey moment the girl won't remember and one Finn will archive in his mind.

"Sorry." Mash's head hangs down slightly. The cream puff sits in his hand at chest level. He felt bad for making her fall.

"Why are you apologizing?" Finn could literally peel the skin off his face with his hands with how absurd this situation was, "That's also not what she means...."

Y/N was so lost in her thoughts, there were literally stars forming around her in the background. She continues to admire Mash with her cow eyes. She currently hears nothing.

"Oh." Mash's head hangs even lower. He feels bad for misunderstanding. And the guy still doesn't really understand, "Sorry."

"You don't need to apologize for everything, Mash." Finn sighs in defeat. He then turns around and begins to walk away. Maybe the girl will muster the courage to confess to Mash again if he wasn't around, "I need to leave.....I'll see you guys later."

"Bye." Mash finally takes a bite of his beloved pastry. The cream smears all over his mouth as he watches Finn's retreating figure.

Mash and Y/N are alone. There's tension (only for the girl). She swallows. She deals with her inner battle once more. He's right here. She tells herself to do it. Just do it. Waiting any longer will just feed her anxiety more.

Mash chews slowly. He has no idea the things that are currently running through Y/N's mind. He thinks about how awesome this cream puff is. The amount of bread in his mouth made one side of his cheek look like that of a chipmunk.

"Hey, Mash...."

Mash looks at Y/N. He takes another bite. He waits for her to speak.

"Uh...."

Mash continues to chew. His expression is impassive. Nothing new.

"I was wondering...." She continues but she can't seem to form her thoughts into words properly. All that white stuff accumulating around Mash's lips was very distracting. The girl changes the subject, "You got a little something....." Y/N points to her mouth to gesticulate what she means, ".....on your....."

Mash stops chewing. He glances at his cream puff. Then stares at it. Then his eyes go back up. The guy stares at the girl. Somethings spooling in his mind. But we'll never know what he's thinking.

"Here let me...." He's taking too long. So she helps him instead. Y/N's hand reaches out to him. She swipes all the cream off his face with a hand. And just as she's about to clean her fingers with her robe. Mash grabs her by the wrist. She swoons. Y/N could just about faint from this minor hand hold.

There was noway in hell Mash was going to let the girl waste all that cream. The cream he spent so long to make in the dormitory kitchen. The cream that costed him his blood, sweat and tears. Mash brings most of the girls fingers into his mouth. He licks and sucks them clean.

Y/N's nostrils shot out a coordinated dance of blood streams after that.

Chapter Text

"I can't believe this!!" Dot slams his fists onto the table. He sits somewhere across the room of the Adler dormitory kitchen, "Damn, mushroom head!!"

The red-haired man continues to rant to Finn Ames about how he hates good-looking guys. Because of them he isn't able to get a girlfriend(s). Poor excuse. But what's more agitating, is the fact that Dot didn't think Mash was an attractive person. Yet somehow, the lack-magic still managed to get Y/N's attention.

"Just look at them!!" Dot points a finger at the two in a very exaggerated manner.

Finn rests the side of his face onto the palm of his hand. Across the room was Mash and Y/N. Mash is currently baking cream puffs. And the girl keeps him company in the heart of the kitchen.

"You don't need to go for every single girl...." Finn's eyes go back to the heated Dot who appears to be baring his teeth at Mash, ".....you know that?"

Dot Barrett is also apart of the Adler House. He's hot-blooded, obnoxious and falls in love too easily with girls. He has red hair that is held up into a spiky style with a bandana. Dot is also an Ira Kreuz mage; these mages have an increase in their magic power when their emotions are heightened.

"What do you know?!" Dot turns to bark at Finn. There's a fiery exclamation of wrath that flares across his face, "You got no game!!"

Finn's lips thin to a line. He rolls his eyes in annoyance. The guy isn't going to let his friends pithy insults get to him. It's not that Dot had any game himself either, if he did, he'd likely have someone by now.

Across the kitchen...

Y/N watches Mash pipe his puff pastry with cream. The girl is always hinting for something more romantic. She hopes he'll eventually catch on, but Mash will be Mash.

"Mash." Y/N crosses her arms against the table. She presses her weight against the cold granite and leans closer to the man of her dreams, "I want you to focus on the first three words."

Mash stops piping. He stares at his cream puffs and the cogs in his brain begin to turn. He thinks hard. Focus on the first three words? What were the first three words? One, Mash. Two, I. Three, want. He blinks a few times and then his gaze averts up to Y/N. Did she want something? Was he supposed to fill in the blank?

Once Mash's eyes met Y/N's, her gaze goes elsewhere. She flicks a nervous glance at him and then looks away just as quick. The surge of excitement that fills her body was almost dizzying. The girls face gets warm knowing that she has his current attention. Did he finally catch on? She smiles softly at the idea.

Mash does what he believed the girl wanted. He immediately shoves a cream puff into Y/N's mouth. His voice is monotone and not at all enthusiastic as he sings, "Crea, a puff, a creamy puff-"

Y/N attempts to make the food pass quicker by pounding her chest with a fist. She almost chokes. Then she coughs aggressively after everything travels through the esophagus and into her stomach.

Mash goes back to piping. He continues to sing tonelessly, "-mp, a puff, a creamy puff. Uff, a puff, a creamy puff."

Y/N cries internally, "Thank-Thanks for sharing, Mash....."

She was wrong. He didn't catch on. It was always like this. But she'll keep trying. Again and again, "Hey, Mash, if I could rearrange the alphabet....I'd put the letters U and I together...."

Of course Dot is eavesdropping. He cringes and says under his breath, "How about N and O."

"Dot...." Finn deadpans. He didn't mean to eavesdrop and unfortunately for him, he's in the same room (as always). He'll remember this one for the books too. He corrects his red-haired friend, "....those letters are already next to each other."

Dot's face wreathes with irritation. Such a know-it-all, he thinks. The guy growls, "OH YA?! HOW 'BOUT F AND U THAN?!"

Finn makes a face to depict his sadness, "That's-that's not nice...."

Back over in the heart of the kitchen, Mash stares at Y/N as he tries to understand her. He's not sure if he even really remembers the American alphabet, "Why?"

"Because...." She shrugs and she tries not to appear too nervous at her suggestion, "....I think they would look better together."

Mash's eyes are dull and unexciting. Even if he doesn't get it, he still agrees with her, "...'Kay."

Y/N cries internally-again.

Mash finally finishes piping. He throws his hands into the air with alleged joy. He doesn't look or sound happy at all, but he is, "Yay."

"You're finished." Y/N grins. Her eyes glaze over all the tasty cream puffs.

"Yay." Mash says again in the most unenthused manner.

"So...." Y/N watches Mash take a cream puff into his hand. She'll never stop flirting with him. Even if he doesn't realize it, "....wanna finish me now?"

"Alright."  Y/N paces back and forth in her room, "I'm going to do it."

She stops walking. Her minds currently thinking of all the ways she could possibly confess to Mash Burnedead (for the umpteenth time).

The girl starts pacing again, "I'm really going to do it this time."

Y/N makes her way to a standing mirror. One that's leaning against the wall of her room. She looks at herself with growing confidence. Then she speaks motivation to her reflection, "You got this girl!"

She exhales roughly through her mouth and smiles exuberantly at herself. Then she leaves her room.

The staircase spirals downward. Y/N continues to walk to the common area of Adler dorm. She had this. That's what she told herself at least. So why is she feeling the second thoughts the more she descends? She curses under her breath and tries to shake away the self-doubt.

Once she arrives to the area she intended to go, her searching eyes don't find what she needs, "Where's Mash?"

Lance Crown, a guy with light blue hair, sits at the couch in the room. He's one of the only double-liners in Y/N's year. The amount of markings on someone's face could be used to determine how much magical power they carry. Lance is also one of the girls good friends. He came from a prestigious family and is known for his gravity magic. The guy turns around to answer her question, "He just walked out."

"Oh." Y/N's voice wreathes with disappointment. Something Lance picked up on.

"Is everything okay?" He asks the girl.

"I just needed to talk to him." Her eyes go from his to the side.

There's a brief moment of silence as Lance watches Y/N with careful evaluation, "Are you going to tell him?"

"Tell him what?" She grows nervous. Does Lance know about her feelings?

"You very well know what." The guy found it slightly irritating that she's trying to hide it.

"How did you know??"

"Everyone knows." Lance answers. It's true, everyone did know. Everyone. Except Mash.

Y/N groans. She throws her hands up in the air in defeat, "Great!"

"If you leave now-" Lance encourages her, "-you should still be able to catch up to him."

Y/N doesn't contemplate the decision. She rushes out of the dormitory.

The door slams behind her and she looks down the extremely long hallway where Mash is currently walking. The girl runs after him, "Mash! Wait up!"

Mash stops walking when he hears the sound of Y/N's voice calling to him. He turns around and waits for her to catch up. The girl was practically out of breath by the time she reaches him.

She looks at him with strained hope but then she grows hesitant. She feels uncertain. Oh no! Not again! If the girl couldn't do it now. She'll never be able to do it. It will stay a vicious cycle of wishful thinking; a pipe dream.

Mash waits patiently. His eyes are direct and steady. It's always hard to tell what the guy is feeling or thinking. It's likely not much though. He is a very simple person.

"Will...." She begins but her voice tapers.

Mash doesn't blink. He doesn't move. He also, doesn't say anything. The guys expression reveals nothing. That alone, makes it all the more nerve wracking.

It's now or never. She blurts, "Will-will you go out with me?!"

Chapter Text

"Will-will you go out with me?!"

She did it. She finally did it. But the confession wasn't even the worse part. That was easier than she anticipated. The worst part? Was Mash's extended silence following her question. Y/N's words echo loudly against the stone walls of this old castle. The sound of it seemed to taunt her. Her expression begs for an answer. The seconds that pass seem to feel like hours. It was insufferable.

In just a few seconds the self-doubt, the lack of confidence, the pessimism all returns. Mash and Y/N had been friends for a few years now. What if he only saw her as a friend? What if Mash will never return her feelings? What if this ruins their friendship? Y/N's insides churn at the thought of rejection. She didn't want to lose Mash as a friend. Now she's regretting her impulsive action. She continues to overthink as she waits for his answer. She's witnessed unrequited love before. Never did she think she would be in this position. And never did she think it would feel as horrible as this. She was desperate for him to respond but as time crawls by, she's now hoping he doesn't. She doesn't want to know. Not anymore. But no answer, is still an answer. There's a bolt of fear that gnaws at her chest. Her anxiety consumes her and her heart is clenching with dread.

"Sure."

The sound of his voice could make her crumble to nothing. Wait. Did she hear him properly? Did Mash just say, sure? Y/N pulls back slightly to get a better look at him. She stares at him for a long moment before her animated gaze reveals her shock.

Y/N's eyes twinkle with excitement. She throws her fists up under her chin cutely, "R-really?!"

"Yeah."

The girl didn't care if he sounded bored and uninterested. Because no matter what the guy was doing, he always sounded this way.

"Oh, Mash...." Y/N's eyes begin to sweat. She had to blink back her tears of happiness. She never thought this day would come. There was even a time she was about to give up all hope. This is truly a dream come true for the girl.

But Mash ruins it instantly, "I've been wanting to go out to Marchette street again."

Marchette street is a place filled with eateries and shopping. It's the very first place Mash ever visited with friends. He had a lot of fond memories there.

Once again, he misunderstands her.

"No." Y/N's face goes from joy to utter disbelief, "No. That's-thats not what I mean."

Mash's mouth parts slightly. He sees how upset she is and tries to think where he interpreted incorrectly.

"Mash!" Y/N drops her hands back down to her sides, "I don't know how much more direct I need to be?...."

"Sorry, Y/N." Mash's eyes drift to the floor. His head tilts downward. He's sad (at himself). Maybe he'll understand when she explains herself one more time. Well, he'll try at the very least, "I'll try harder to understand."

Y/N sighs. Mash is so amendable. It was always hard to stay mad at him. So, she tries again. One last time, "I....like....you....."

Mash's gaze finally leaves the floor. It returns to the girl who's standing in front of him—confessing.

"......a lot. And I want to be your girlfriend. And I'm not saying I want to be your friend that's a girl. Because, I'd like to think we're already friends. We've been friends. What I'm trying to get at is....."

He finally gets it.

"....I want to be your girl."

Her second confession was much smoother and easier than the first. In that moment of frustration, she came to terms with any unfavorable outcome she may encounter. Time heals. She understands this.

Since Mash is Mash. And always will be. He responds in the most Mash-iest way possible. He says, "....'Kay."

A few months later.

Y/N always thought dating Mash would be her most ideal scenario. She's been quite obsessed with him over the years and had been waiting for this day to be able to call him hers. You'd think after all this time, with Mash's personality, she would have realized he wasn't a person who was well versed in romantic gestures.

It had only been a few months of dating and it seemed like nothing has changed between the two of them. He still felt like just a friend. It didn't help that Mash is habitually quiet and a man of few words. And it didn't help that one of Y/N's leading love languages is physical touch, which he was terrible at. The girl literally had to teach him how to be a 'boyfriend'.

"Mash, don't you want to hold my hand?" She reaches out to him. The guy has never once initiated a handhold (or even thought about it).

Mash looks at Y/N's hand. He then brings up his own and stares at it. Then he looks at her. He's so confused that question marks were literally materializing around him, "H'come?"

"Well, that's kind of a thing that girlfriends and boyfriends do....."

"....'Kay."

Y/N didn't mind it at first. Teaching him the cues. Teaching him the gestures. But eventually, it became a bit taxing. Because no matter how much she reminded him. He could never remember. Maybe it wasn't something important enough for him to want to remember. It made Y/N feel less of their relationship. But she tries her best.

"Mash!" The girl runs and throws her arms around the guy, "I missed you!"

Mash looks down at the top of Y/N's head. He pats her shoulder gently with a hand.

Y/N makes a face against his robe. She grabs his arms and wraps them around her waist for him, "You're supposed to hug me back."

"....'Kay."

Eventually, to Y/N, it felt as if he just didn't care. It made her feel as if her needs weren't important to him. It was very discouraging. Despite that, she still loved him. She always will.

Somewhere in the halls of Easton Magic Academy, were sounds of goading. These voices were quite abrasive.

"Hey loser."

"Oh, you're the lack-magic lover."

Y/N knew who these girls were. She couldn't exactly remember their names but only their personalities. They were nasty. Big bullies. And they were currently nagging her about dating a blight-blood.

"You and that lack-magic should be expelled."

"That guys a slacker! He doesn't even do magic! He doesn't belong here! And neither should you for supporting him!"

Prior to getting picked on for dating Mash, they dogged on her skills a lot. Y/N wasn't the best at casting spells and her specific magic wasn't exactly a 'wow' factor either.

"I don't care what you guys have to say about me!" Y/N's hands ball into fists. She's offended, "But don't you dare slander Mash! I bet it's not easy. Waking up everyday, knowing that you'll never belong. Knowing that you'll never be accepted no matter how hard you work. Wishing you were never born! And despite all of that....Mash still....defies the odds against him. That's something your low-lives will never understand! Everyday he still strives to be the best version of himself. Everyday he wakes up and paves his own destiny. And that, to me, is amazing! I feel like everyone should take a page out of his book."

One of the girls claps her hands and her voice wreathes with sarcasm, "Nice speech. Was that supposed to move me?"

The other girl yawns out of provocation, "Booooooring! I think you need to shut up already."

They both kick Y/N to the ground.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Mash had been close by. He was just about to turn the corner, but he stopped in his tracks when he heard Y/N speaking. Her defensive speech made him feel some type of way. He steps out into the hallway to join them.

"Speak of the devil." One of the girls look up to see Mash. She grins, "If it isn't the lack-magic."

"Here to save your girlfriend? We'd like to see your sorry ass try."

Y/N looks up. She tries to diffuse the situation, "Mash....I'm fine."

But Mash ignores her. His gaze doesn't leave the two people who hurt you. He cracks his knuckles, "I'll give you the chance to walk away before I beat the stuffing out of both of you."

They laugh, "What are you going to do?! You don't even know magic! You gonna punch a couple of girls? Not very gentleman like."

"These hands are rated E...." Mash couldn't care less. He believes in equality; no matter race, sexuality or identity. He believes in treating others how you want to be treated. It's only fair. He brings a hand up and gets into an offensive stance, "....for Everyone."

"Mash...." Y/N couldn't remember the last time she saw him this way. It definitely wasn't for her the last time she witnessed this behavior. But knowing how protective he was over her in this instance, made her feel very important.

The girls laugh again, "Alright, if that's the case. Let's go you blight-blood! You're nothing compared to us!"

"Show me...." Mash's eyes darken and although his face doesn't show it, there's anger that uncoils slowly within him. He shoots them a warning look, "....the difference in comparison, between me and you."

Chapter Text

Mash didn't care if they were female or male or they or it. If anyone laid a hand on the people he cares about, if anyone disrespects the people he cares about, he will certainly reprimand accordingly.

And yes, he clapped the shit out of those girls. They ran away crying shortly after.

"Thank you...." Y/N stands up and dusts herself clean. She looks up and her eyes glue to the back of Mash, who seems to still be watching the shit-heads run away, "....you didn't have to."

"I should be thanking you." Mash continues to talk the other way, "For defending me."

Mash was grateful for Y/N. He appreciated her so much. Because he understands that she does not need to do these things for him. He understands the kind of position she puts herself in when she protects him. He knows that people shun her and treat her differently, just because she's associated with him. And yet, despite knowing all of that, she still stays by his side. Y/N had a strong sense of character. She never sways from what she believes in. Her intentions were pure. Mash loved her for that. He loved her a lot. It's too bad he's not the best at showing it. Or even saying it. But he, definitely, feels it. And maybe he does show it. Just not always in the way she wants.

Mash finally turns around, "Thank you, Y/N."

For a moment, she almost sees the smile behind his eyes. Of course. How could she look past this? How could she look past Mash? It was there all along. He was here all along. And she felt terrible to have not realized it sooner. She failed to understand Mash. She failed to understand who he is as a person. Maybe her ideas and expectations tried to change him too much. And it only led to her own disappointment. She disappointed herself. She realizes now, that the person she envisioned is not the person she fell in love with. It's not who she wants to fall in love with either. She loved Mash the way he was before they started dating so why did she feel the need to change him? (He wasn't very moldable in that sense anyway).

But it didn't matter anymore. As she stands here looking into his dull, yellow eyes. Even if his face is void of emotion. Even if his voice sounds toneless. She sees it now, everything. That he does care. That he knows she's important to him. He just shows it in a different way. She felt bad. For not noticing all those acts of service. For not noticing all the times he's made or brought her speciality cream puffs. Things he normally would never share. All these things were his way of showing her that he cared. Individualism is important. Perspective is important. It's how you choose to see things.

"You're welcome." She says, "I would never let anyone talk about you like that freely."

Mash holds his hand out to Y/N.

The girl looks down at his hand then her eyes flick back up to meet his. She's just a bit confused. Does she owe him something for that little stunt?

He sees the question in her eyes, so he answers, "Should we hold hands?"

Y/N's lips slowly form into a smile. That was not something she expected, "Why?"

Mash stares at her blankly. He thought it would make her feel better after what happened. He thought it would make her happy. The guy reminds her, "Because girlfriends and boyfriends do those things."

The girl manages a quiet chuckle. She nods slowly in agreement, "Yes, Mash. They do."

Mash doesn't wait for her. He grabs her hand. She laces her fingers into his and then they begin to walk. That was the first time Mash initiated a handhold. All on his own. It further grows the girls smile.

"Let's go on a cream puff date."

"Yay."

There's warm hues seeping through the large mosaic windows of Easton Magic Academy. It paints the stone walls into a kaleidoscope of colors. Y/N and Mash continue to walk down the hallway at sunset. She wasn't going to force anything anymore. She was going to let Mash Burnedead be exactly who he is. Because that's who she fell in love with. Her perspective, finally, chooses to understand.

"I love you, Mash."

"........"

"Okay, you're right. One thing at a time."

THE END