Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The late morning sun hung lazily over Night Raven College, dappling the world in hazy warmth. Despite the time, the campus still echoed with its usual brand of barely-contained chaos—specifically when it came to a certain pair of Heartslabyul first-years who had vanished right before a potionology exam.
Ashyu sighed, the kind that said I am too tired for this nonsense and walked a little faster down the stone path. Her boots crunched against the gravel as Grim padded beside her, paws tapping rapidly to keep up.
“I told ya, Ashyu! I smelled Ace’s stupid hair gel this way!” Grim declared, puffing out his chest.
“And I told you,” Ashyu muttered, sweeping a vine aside, “we’re not barging into the Botanical Gardens without knowing what’s in there. Some of the plants bite, remember?”
Grim huffed. “Please, those plants love me.”
Ashyu paused mid-step, giving Grim a long, unamused stare.
“…They tried to eat you last week.”
“They were just confused!”
She rolled her eyes and pushed open the heavy, vine-draped doors. The smell of rich earth, dew-soaked petals, and sun-warmed leaves wrapped around her like a lullaby. The garden was beautiful—wild and overgrown, more like a jungle than a school facility. Sunbeams filtered through the greenhouse ceiling in fragmented golden slivers, and if it weren’t for the hunt for two missing idiots, Ashyu might’ve actually enjoyed it.
Grim sniffed the air like a bloodhound, tail twitching. “They went this way!”
Ashyu followed his lead cautiously, ducking under ferns and stepping over flowering roots. They turned a corner around a wall of ivy—and immediately froze.

There, sprawled like a jungle cat atop a patch of sun-warmed moss, was a tall, muscular figure in a loose, open-collared uniform shirt and black slacks. His long, tawny hair draped over one arm, and his golden ears flicked once at their approach.
Leona Kingscholar.
His sharp green eyes cracked open slowly, glinting with irritation. “Tch… you’ve got a lot of nerve makin’ noise this close to my nap spot.”
Ashyu's lips parted, a quick apology halfway to forming, but then Grim barreled forward.
“Hey, lazy lion! Seen Ace or Deuce in here?” Grim asked with the subtlety of a crowbar to the ribs.
Leona raised a brow, slowly propping himself up on an elbow. “That how you greet royalty in your world, furball?”
“Royalty?” Grim snorted. “All I see is someone who’s allergic to effort.”
Leona's expression darkened, a fang glinting in the sunlight. “You wanna repeat that?”
Ashyu lunged forward, scooping Grim up and pressing a firm hand over his mouth. “He’s just cranky when he’s hungry—which is all the time. Sorry for disturbing you.”
Leona looked her over, slow and unreadable. His eyes didn’t leer—just observed. He looked half-amused, half-bothered, but something in the set of his brow hinted at curiosity. Ashyu met his gaze without flinching, though her hand remained firmly over Grim’s mouth as he mumbled something about lions with anger issues.
“You new?” Leona asked bluntly.
“Relatively,” she replied, shifting Grim in her arms. “Ashyu. I got here not too long ago with this guy.” She gave a nod toward Grim, who blinked up at Leona with wide, round eyes and claws still slightly extended.
Leona’s gaze flicked to Grim, then back to her. “…You his mom or something?”
Ashyu chuckled, a little surprised. “Might as well be.”
There was a brief silence. Then Leona leaned back with a sigh, flopping into the moss again and draping an arm over his eyes. “Huh. That explains the babysitter vibes.”

Ashyu opened her mouth to defend herself but bit it back. Babysitter? Rude. Accurate? Painfully. Still—rude.
“Anyway,” Leona continued without looking up, “no sign of your idiotic freshmen friends. Try the potionology greenhouse. They were skulking around earlier. Loud as hell.”
Ashyu nodded slowly. “Thanks… uh, your highness?”
A low, lazy growl rumbled from the lion’s throat. “Don’t call me that.”
“…Thanks, Leona.”
He gave no response but a dismissive flick of his tail.
Grim huffed as they turned to leave. “We’re never coming back here again.”
Ashyu glanced back one more time—Leona's form stretched out like a sun-drenched predator, his breathing slow but not quite asleep again. She didn’t realize until much later that even though his eyes were covered, he'd been watching her through the gaps in his fingers.

Chapter Text

"Ace! Deuce!"
Ashyu's voice rang through the courtyard near the potionology greenhouse like a mother calling her delinquent children in for dinner. A few heads turned, mostly students curious to see who was about to get scolded.
Sure enough, Ace and Deuce were crouched behind a row of bubbling cauldrons, mid-argument about whether mixing in "just a little" Eelweed Extract was worth the risk.
Deuce perked up instantly. “Ashyu! You found us!”
Grim hopped out of Ashyu’s arms and landed with a pomf on the grass. “You two idiots owe us a nap, a snack, and a therapy session after what we just went through!”
Ace blinked. “Therapy? What happened?”
Ashyu crossed her arms, looming over them with a deadpan stare. “You two went missing before the exam, so we went looking for you.”
“Aw, you care,” Ace teased with a smirk. “I’m touched.”
Ashyu squinted. “And then we made the mistake of checking the Botanical Gardens.”

Both boys winced.

“You went in there?” Deuce asked, glancing at the greenhouse like it was the den of a monster.
“I told her not to,” Grim grumbled, grooming his paw. “But nooo, she had to listen to her ‘common sense’ or whatever.”
Ashyu shot him a look but continued. “It was like walking into a jungle. Looked like Ace and Deuce had been there—Grim smelled the hair gel trail.”
Ace ran a hand through his hair. “Scented for your convenience.”
Ashyu ignored him. “Then we found him.”
“Who?” Deuce asked, slightly concerned.
“The sunbathing lion,” Grim said grimly. “Big, lazy, grumpy, and apparently royalty.”
“Wait,” Ace said, face slowly twisting into disbelief. “You mean Leona Kingscholar?”
Ashyu nodded once. “Yep.”
Ace howled. “No way! You interrupted Leona’s nap and survived?”
“I’m standing right here, aren’t I?”
“Barely!” Grim threw in. “That guy looked like he was one second away from turning me into a hairball!”
Ashyu rolled her eyes. “He was mostly annoyed. Threatened Grim, called me a babysitter, and told us to get lost. Then, very generously, pointed us here.”
“Generous?” Ace snorted. “Leona only moves when something annoys him or when there’s meat involved. You must’ve made a real impression.”

Ashyu blinked. “That… sounds vaguely insulting.”
Deuce rubbed the back of his neck. “It kind of is. But Ace has a point. Leona doesn’t talk to people unless he has to. Or if he's sizing them up.”
“Sizing me up?” Ashyu repeated, raising a brow. “What, like for a fight?”
“No, like—” Ace grinned. “—like this might be worth my time.”
Ashyu blinked again. “I… don’t like the way you said that.”
Grim let out a dramatic groan. “I’m telling ya, that lion looked at her like a steak. And not in the hungry way. The interested way.”
“I think I'd prefer hungry,” Ashyu muttered under her breath.
“Oh no, no, no,” Ace said, fully leaning into his devilish grin now. “You’ve caught the eye of the king of naps himself. Congrats, Ashyu. You’re gonna be his new hobby.”
Ashyu tilted her head with a sweet smile. “If I am, I’m dragging you both down with me.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Ace quipped.
“Is that a Heartslabyul thing or are you just like this?” she asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Deuce, mercifully, steered the topic back. “You said he called you a babysitter?”
Ashyu sighed. “Yeah. After I grabbed Grim to stop him from fighting.”
“Honestly,” Grim muttered, “I wasn’t gonna fight. I was just gonna lightly scratch his pride.”
“Grim,” Ashyu said with a blank stare, “you were halfway into your ‘fiery speech of vengeance’ before he even sat up.”

Deuce chuckled nervously. “Well, uh… at least you didn’t get kicked across the garden like Jack did during Beast Tamers Club last semester.”
Ashyu frowned. “He kicked Jack?”
Ace waved it off. “More like launched him. But, y’know, Jack got up after a minute. Eventually.”
“Good to know I made it out alive without needing a stretcher,” she deadpanned.
Deuce nudged her arm. “Still. Be careful around him. Leona’s not like the other dorm leaders. He’s not just dangerous—he’s unpredictable.”
Ashyu nodded slowly. She didn't say it aloud, but there had been a moment—just a flicker—when Leona had looked at her. Not annoyed. Not angry. Just… curious. As if deciding whether she was worth remembering.
And somehow, that unsettled her more than if he’d just yelled.

Chapter Text

“Leona doesn’t come to class,” Ace announced, sprawled on a bench by the fountain with Deuce beside him. “So if you want that group project done, you gotta find him.”
Ashyu pinched the bridge of her nose, already regretting asking about the project details. “And where exactly do you expect me to find the second prince?”
“Duh, the Savannaclaw dorm,” Deuce answered with a shrug. “He’s either napping, training, or causing chaos. Probably all three.”
Ace smirked. “Plus, it’ll be fun to see you try. You’re braver than me.” Ashyu gave a dry laugh. “Or just more reckless.”
“Same difference,” Ace replied.
So here she was, standing at the threshold of the Savannaclaw dormitory, clutching the syllabus and her notebook like a shield.

The heavy wooden door creaked open before she could knock.
“Looking for trouble?” a sly voice drawled.
Ashyu blinked and looked up into a pair of sharp, amber eyes set in a handsome but mischievous face. It was Ruggie, Leona’s right-hand hyena. His grin was wide, teeth flashing, and his ears twitched with interest.
“Uh, actually, I’m looking for Leona,” Ashyu said cautiously.
Ruggie’s grin deepened. “Bold move. Follow me.”
Ashyu stepped inside, the dorm’s interior warm and wild—wooden beams, sprawling plants, and the faint scent of spices hung in the air. Suddenly, a tall, lean figure stepped out of the shadows, arms crossed and smirking lazily.
“Jack Howl,” Ruggie introduced with a nod.
Jack gave a slow, teasing smile. “You must be the one looking for the lion himself.”

Ashyu’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she held her ground. “That’s me.”
Jack’s smile turned a little softer, almost approving. “You picked the right day. I think he’s awake.”
They led her through a winding corridor until they reached a spacious common room cluttered with leather cushions, weapons racks, and trophies.
And there, amidst the organized chaos, lounged Leona Kingscholar — looking every bit the reluctant prince, but with a spark in his eyes as he spotted Ashyu.

“Finally,” Leona said, voice low and teasing. “Didn’t think you had it in you to show up here.”
Ashyu smiled. “Well, you’re kinda hard to ignore.”
Leona’s gaze flickered, unreadable but not unkind.
“Let’s get this over with,” he said, standing and stretching. “Group project, huh? Guess I’ll try not to nap through it.”
Ace and Deuce’s faces flashed in Ashyu’s mind, and despite the growing tension, she felt the slightest flicker of something like… excitement.

Chapter Text

Leona stretched his long limbs and finally dropped onto a leather cushion, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. “Alright, babysitter,” he said with a lazy grin, “what’s this project about again?”

Ashyu rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile creeping onto her face. “It’s a group assignment for Night Raven’s History of Magical Creatures class. We have to research and present on a creature native to our dorm. Obviously, that means the desert beasts of Savannaclaw.”
Leona’s green eyes gleamed with interest. “Figures. Always the wild ones. Fine by me. I’ll tell you everything you want to know—if you can keep up.”
Grim sat nearby, his eyes flicking between Ashyu and Leona, sensing the electric tension.

As Ashyu pulled out her notebook, Leona began weaving stories about the creatures, the harshness of the savanna, and the pride of the dorm. His voice was low and steady, occasionally peppered with sarcasm or sharp wit. Despite his usual gruffness, Ashyu found herself drawn in by the passion beneath his aloof exterior.
At one point, Leona glanced at her and smirked. “You’re not as boring as I thought, babysitter.”
Ashyu’s cheeks warmed. “You’re not as intimidating as your reputation.”

Leona chuckled, the sound like a growl and a purr at once. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today.”
Suddenly, Ruggie and Jack appeared in the doorway, watching the pair with amused expressions.
“Look at you two, actually cooperating,” Jack teased. “Almost makes me forget he’s usually asleep or fighting someone.”
Ruggie grinned. “Yeah, don’t get used to it, babysitter. This is probably the only time he’s doing schoolwork willingly.”
Ashyu laughed, feeling more at ease than she had expected.
As the afternoon sun filtered through the windows, she realized this might be the start of something unexpected — a wild friendship, maybe more — between the fierce prince of Savannaclaw and the stubborn, caring girl who refused to back down.

Chapter Text

The warm afternoon light had shifted into a soft golden glow by the time Grim, curled up in a corner, had finally drifted off to sleep. His soft snores filled the cozy Savannaclaw common room as Ashyu and Leona sat cross-legged on the floor, notebooks and scattered papers between them.

Leona glanced sideways at Ashyu with an amused glint in his emerald eyes. “So… babysitter, huh?”
Ashyu shot him a look. “Hey, it’s not like I chose the nickname. Grim just—”
“Calls you that because he thinks you’re his mom,” Leona interrupted, smirking.
“I am not his mom!” Ashyu protested, cheeks flushing.
“Oh, come on,” Leona teased, leaning back on his hands, “you’re the one who drags him around, stops him from causing trouble, and keeps him fed.”
Ashyu crossed her arms but couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “If being responsible for Grim means I’m his mom, then fine. But don’t expect me to start knitting.”
Leona chuckled low, the sound rumbling like distant thunder. “I’m just surprised Grim doesn’t have you wrapped around his paw already.”

Ashyu shook her head, laughing softly. “You’d be surprised what stubbornness Grim can hide beneath the fluff.”
For a few moments, they returned to their project, exchanging notes and ideas about Savannaclaw’s desert creatures. They talked about the myths, the real animals, and even the dorm’s traditions. The conversation flowed easier than Ashyu expected, the usual sharp edges of Leona’s personality softening in the quiet space between them.
Before they realized it, the sun had dipped lower, casting long shadows across the room.
Leona stood, stretching with a yawn. “Looks like we lost track of time.”
Ashyu gathered their papers and books, smiling tiredly. “Yeah, I didn’t expect it to get this late.”
He walked her to the dormitory’s heavy wooden doors, the sounds of the evening stirring around them—distant students, a soft breeze rustling leaves, the faint hum of Night Raven College settling down.
At the threshold, Leona paused, his usual confident demeanor giving way to something quieter.
“Not bad for a babysitter,” he said, eyes meeting hers with an unreadable expression.
Ashyu smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest. “Not bad for a lazy lion prince either.”
He smirked, then gave a slow nod. “I’ll see you around… babysitter.”

“See you, Leona.”

As she stepped out into the fading light, Ashyu couldn’t help but wonder how many more surprises this wild lion had in store—and what role she might play in his kingdom of sun and shadow.

Chapter Text

The bell had rung for the last class, and the usual flood of students streamed out of the halls, but Ashyu didn’t head back to her dorm just yet.

Instead, she waited by the grand oak tree near the cafeteria, her notebook in hand, eyes scanning the crowd for a familiar wild mane of hair.
Leona appeared exactly on time, lounging against the trunk with that signature lazy smirk.
“No Grim today?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ashyu nodded. “Ace and Deuce offered to take him back to Heartslabyul for the evening. Thought it’d be easier to work without him bouncing around.”
Leona’s smirk softened just a bit. “Wise move. Grim’s energy could scare off a pride of lions.”

Ashyu laughed. “Exactly.”

They found a quiet corner of the courtyard, spreading out their notes on a stone bench. The sun was dipping low, but the air still held the heat of the day.
As they worked, the banter came easier this time—less teasing, more genuine curiosity.
Leona surprised Ashyu with sharp insights about the desert creatures’ survival tactics, and Ashyu caught glimpses of the fierce pride behind his usual gruffness.
At one point, Leona leaned forward, brushing a stray leaf off her notebook.

“You’re a good partner,” he said quietly, eyes locking with hers.
Ashyu’s heart skipped, but she played it cool. “Don’t get used to it.”
He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine.
Hours slipped by unnoticed until the sky blushed pink and purple.
Leona stood, stretching. “We should call it for tonight.”
Ashyu nodded, gathering their papers.
As they walked back toward the dorms, Leona fell into step beside her, a comfortable silence settling between them.

Maybe this was the start of something more—something wild, unexpected, and fiercely real.

Chapter Text

Ashyu carefully placed the last page of their project into the folder and let out a long, satisfied sigh. Across the table in the library’s quieter back corner, Leona leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, watching her with a lazy but undeniably proud smirk.

“Done,”

Leona raised an eyebrow. “Hmph. Thought you’d drag it out another day just to babysit me a little longer.”
Ashyu rolled her eyes. “If anyone was babysitting, it was me dragging you through your own dorm’s research.”
He chuckled low in his throat. “Not denying that.”
Despite the sharp words, there was a warmth between them now—an ease that hadn’t been there in their first few tense, sarcastic meetings. Over long evenings of research and trading insults, something softer had settled between the two: respect, curiosity… and maybe something a bit more personal.
Leona reached into his coat pocket and casually slid his sleek black phone across the table.

“Give me your number.”

Ashyu blinked. “What, so you can text me threats when you skip class again?”
“Maybe. Or maybe I’ll just send you pictures of Grim doing dumb things,” he said with a grin.
Ashyu took the phone anyway and typed in her contact. “I’ll regret this huh?”
“Nah,” Leona said, taking the phone back. “You’ll just be more entertained.”
As she gathered her things, Leona stood and offered a rare, relaxed stretch of his arms before glancing over at her.
“Thanks, Ashyu. You didn’t have to do all this.”
Ashyu paused, surprised. There was something quieter in his voice—not forced, not cocky. Genuine.
“I wanted to,” she replied simply.

Later That Night — Heartslabyul Common Room

Grim was sprawled belly-up on the rug in front of the fireplace, purring like he’d eaten three dinners. Ace was tossing a small ball of paper into the air, and Deuce was sitting stiffly with an expression that could only be described as “concerned older sibling mode.”
When Ashyu stepped in, Ace narrowed his eyes instantly.
“There she is. Traitor.”
Ashyu raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
Deuce nodded solemnly. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Leona Kingscholar.”
“Like, suspicious amounts,” Ace added dramatically. “And not even with Grim as backup.”
Grim snorted in his sleep. “I still think the lion wants to eat her...”
Ashyu sighed and flopped down onto the couch. “You guys are being ridiculous.”
“Are we?” Ace leaned forward. “You willingly went to Savannaclaw. Repeatedly. You smiled in his presence. You exchanged numbers, didn’t you?!”
Ashyu opened her mouth, but paused. Then said carefully: “Yes.”
Deuce audibly gasped.
Ace looked like she’d told him she joined the Octavinelle cult.
Ashyu raised her hands. “Listen. We worked on the project together. We got along. We’re friends now. That’s it.”
Ace shook his head slowly. “You don’t just become ‘friends’ with Leona. He doesn’t even have friends. He has… people he tolerates.”
“Yeah!” Grim mumbled, rolling over. “He called me a hairball and tried to flick me like a bug!”
“I’m not you, Grim.”
Ashyu hugged a pillow and stared into the fire for a second before speaking. “You guys know I don’t make friends easily. But Leona… he’s different. Not in the bad way everyone says. He’s guarded, yeah, but he listens. He pays attention.”
Deuce’s brow furrowed. “But he’s also dangerous. You can’t pretend he’s not.”
“I’m not,” Ashyu said gently. “But I think there’s more to him than just the dorm leader who sleeps through class and picks fights.”
Ace groaned, dramatically collapsing against the arm of the couch. “She’s doomed.”
Grim climbed up beside her. “If he breaks your heart, I’m turning him into lion stew.”
Ashyu smiled, resting her chin on top of Grim’s head. “Thanks, Mom Jr.”
Deuce and Ace looked at each other and sighed.
“Just… be careful, okay?” Deuce said finally.
“I will,” she promised.
They sat together in silence for a while, letting the warmth of the common room settle around them. Outside, the moon rose over Night Raven College.
Somewhere back in Savannaclaw, Leona looked down at his phone, where a new contact blinked in his list.
Ashyu.
“Don’t sleep through class tomorrow.”

He smirked.
Maybe he wouldn’t.

Chapter Text

“I REFUSE!”

Ashyu's voice echoed through the hallways of Night Raven College like a curse hurled straight from the Underworld.
But it didn’t matter.
Headmage Crowley beamed at her as if she’d just accepted a prestigious honor and not the absolute nightmare he’d just thrown onto her plate. “Oh, but my dear, who better to coordinate a school-wide cultural festival than someone responsible, level-headed, and already trusted by all the dorms?”
“More like someone who doesn’t have the power to say no,” Ashyu muttered.
Crowley clapped dramatically, ignoring her mutiny. “You’ll do splendidly! I’ll even give you three extra star tokens for your efforts!”
Ashyu stared at him, deadpan. “I would rather eat an enchanted mop.”
“Wonderful spirit!” he chirped, then vanished in a puff of feathers.

By the end of the week, Ashyu regretted everything.
Heartslabyul wanted proper decorations, perfectly symmetrical banners, and a three-tiered tea station that wouldn’t “offend the Queen.”
Octavinelle kept sending her itemized invoices for “event space fragrance customization” and "aesthetic ambience fees."
Scarabia had too many ideas and a shared Google Doc that was now 83 pages long.
Ignihyde wouldn't respond to messages unless they were formatted like software patch notes.
Diasomnia—well, she was 90% sure they wanted to summon something eldritch "for dramatic effect."
And Savannaclaw? Leona hadn’t even responded.
“I’m going to explode,” she muttered as she sat on a stone bench outside the school gardens, her planner full of sticky notes fluttering in the wind.
Grim sat next to her, licking his paw. “You know, you shoulda said no. Or turned invisible. Or pretended to be a ghost haunting the third-floor toilets.”
“I tried,” she groaned, resting her head in her hands.
She was so caught up in her mental spiral she didn’t even notice the approaching scent of sunbaked sand and bitter herbs until a familiar voice drawled beside her:
“You look like someone stepped on your tail.”
Ashyu lifted her head to see Leona, hands in his pockets, eyebrow raised.
“I feel worse,” she mumbled. “And you didn’t even respond to my messages.”
He shrugged, stepping closer. “I figured you had your paws full.”
Grim huffed. “She’s drowning in dorm drama. It’s like she’s holding the school together with string and caffeine.”
Ashyu opened her planner to show the chaos. Schedules crossed out and rewritten. Lists half-checked. A post-it that just said “scream.”
Leona whistled. “Yikes.”
“Gee, thanks,” she snapped. “Glad my stress is so impressive.”
Leona sat beside her, unusually quiet. Then, after a long pause, he muttered, “...You should’ve asked for help.”
Ashyu blinked. “Would you have given it?”
Another pause.
Then: “Maybe. Depends on how you asked.”
She gave him a tired laugh, the kind that wasn’t quite amused. “I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.”
He leaned back on his hands, gaze lifting to the fading sun. “You’re doing what no one else wants to do. That's more than most people here.”
Grim curled up in Ashyu’s lap, purring, as if to soothe her frazzled nerves.
Leona glanced at her again. This time, his tone was gentler.
“Come by the dorm later. I’ll help you sort the schedule.”
Ashyu stared. “Seriously?”
He gave her a sideways look. “Don’t make me change my mind, babysitter.”
Something eased in her chest, just a little.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Thanks, Leona.”
He stood, brushing nonexistent dust off his coat. “Come on. You’ve earned at least one evening of not losing your mind.”
Grim yawned loudly. “And snacks. I demand snacks for emotional support.”
Ashyu chuckled. “You are my emotional support raccoon.”
“I’m a cat, you seaweed-brained—!”
As they walked back toward the dorms, the pressure didn’t disappear—but the weight was easier to carry. Between Leona’s quiet support, Grim’s dramatics, and the fire slowly returning to her spirit, Ashyu felt like maybe—just maybe—she wouldn’t completely fall apart.
And from the way Leona occasionally glanced at her, green eyes softer than they should’ve been, maybe he was starting to care a little more than even he expected.