Chapter Text
life's uncertainty, it was one of the things Riddle despised, the year started fine, but then, poof, overblot. Riddle hated how scared some students looked when they saw him coming down the hall, he hated the glances and the whispers, but most of all, he hated himself. He knew his rules and regulations were foolish, hell over his overblot he tried to go easier on them, yet nothing hurt more than being called on your shit by a handful of your underclassmen, even now they still do, like give him a break he's trying! Riddle would never admit it, but he was slightly jealous of Yuu's relationship with his first year, unyielding friendship, through thick and thin...imagine. He wanted that, yet it slipped from his grasp like water over stone. Want is not needed, and if it is not needed it is not necessary, or that's what his mother said, but he had come to realize...she wasn't always right, maybe...he could let himself go.
Riddle walked into the kitchen, it was like any other morning, apart from it being the weekend, so there were no classes, but plenty of study. His eyes caught sight of none other than Deuce Spade, he was a sweet boy, odd, but sweet. Riddle shrugged his thoughts away, moving to the fridge to get out some yogurt for breakfast. Deuce looked up through his lashes, his eyes squinty and tired, had he slept at all? The dorm leader approached him, his hand slowly hefting the first-year chin up to get a closer look at the black bags under his eyes, sevens, they were dark. Riddle sighed loudly, disturbing the half-asleep male,
"Have you been resting at all? Deuce you should know sleep is very im-"
Before his speech could start his underclassmen frowned, speaking shakily,
"i-it's nothing house warden, just some nightmares"
Riddle felt a wave of dread envelope his chest, nightmares? The small redhead's lips tilted down, his teeth nipping at his lip leaving small indents where they had pressed,
"May I ask about what?"
Deuce looked away, rubbing his neck anxiously, Riddle had started to understand each of their cues, Deuce's neck rubbing often meant discomfort, The smaller housewardern sighed, sitting down next to Deuce,
"Look, I know I haven't been the most...approachable, in the past, but if you ever need someone to talk to, my door is always open"
Deuce looked at Riddle blinking a few times before pressing his lips into a tiny smile, so small it was nearly invisible,
"Thanks, house warden"
Riddle was at his desk, past notes lying about the wooden surface, potionology on one side, history on the other, his hand hurt but he pushed on, scribbling down different words, all of which seemed to blend, tire waring down his shoulders and exhaustion began to tingle along his spine, the urge to place his head down and a nap was strengthing, Riddle was inches for slumber when a knock broke the spell, The small redhead moved to the door at a quicking pace, opening it to reveal Deuce, the first year was in blue pajamas, his hair messy, but one more clear thing, was that red puffy tear streaks down his face. Riddle acted on impulse, gently grabbing the boy's arm guiding him to the bed, and sitting him down, his thumb rubbing over his knuckles (Yuu had done the same when he opened up about his mother), his voice was gentle, as gentle as he could get it anyway,
"what's the matter"
Deuce snuffled, moving his free hand to wipe sad eyes, his sleeve irritating the already sore skin,
"I...the nightmares we're back again, a-and they were really scary house warden...go I..I must look like a weakling"
The self-deprecation was cut before it could start, the second year shaking his head,
"nonsense, nightmares happen to everyone, do you wish to talk about it?"
Deuce looked down, grabbing Riddle's pillow and pressing it to his chest sniffling gently,
"...I...I have nightmares about your...ya know, I know it's over, and I'm being dra-"
Riddle was spiraling, his overblot, his issues, had caused one of the sweetest boys he had come to know, to have such scary nightmares he had to seek shelter in the arms of the one person who caused it. It was all his fault, Riddle knew he had to help him, and he would help him. Riddle grasped the other wrist lightly, his fingers were so tiny compared to his,
"No, you are not, you do not choose to have nightmares, and I am sorry that my ire has caused you such distress, but I promise, I will not overblot again alright? you are safe now"
Deuce looked down at the smaller man, before knawing at his lip and fiddling with his hands,
"...can I...hug you Riddle-senpai?"
Riddle gave the boy a long curious look before smiling, opening his arms,
"I apologize if it is not up to par, but yes you can"
The small house warden hadn't expected this giant hunk of a boy to launch himself into his chest like an over-excited puppy, embracing his arms around him so tightly it made his bones creak, but Riddle would have been lying if he said it wasn't pleasant. Deuce didn't let go of the man, and Riddle refused to let go of his charge, even though smaller, the hugging position made Deuce burrow into his chest like a child, he looked so small like this, almost like a little boy... the upperclassmen carded hands through the bluenettes hair, messing with the strands. As they sat in peace, small snores began to roll from Deuce's mouth, poor boy was exhausted, The second year had half the mind to take him back to his room, but why should he...he could just nap in here till morning, no harm in that.
That night was the best night Deuce had ever slept in weeks, tucked taunt against his upperclassmen chest, in a cuddle, he was safe.