Work Text:
Riddle sat on a bench in the academy courtyard, a piece of his bow tie clutched in his hands, nervously twisting and untwisting it. At the same time, he tapped the heel of his loafer on the ground, moving it rapidly up and down. A dryness settled in his throat, and his eyes began to water, which only intensified the frantic tapping of his heels.
"Riddle?" The redhead jumped slightly at the sound of Yūken's voice, who was standing in front of the bench. "What are you doing?"
"N-Nothing. I was just leaving. Sit down if you want," Riddle whispered, untying his bow tie and standing up, intending to leave.
"You don't need to get up, I'll just..." Yūken looked at his bag, where he kept his school supplies, and took out a book, which he handed to Riddle. "I was looking for you to return the book you lent me for studying. It's been a great help, thank you."
Riddle nodded several times in quick succession as he took the book in his hands.
"Anything else?" he asked, his eyes flashing rapidly. Noticing this, Yūken walked around the bench and approached Riddle, looking concerned.
"Riddle, are you alright? You're blinking a lot."
"Yes! I'm fine! It's just..." The redhead glanced at his companion across from him, who was frowning in a distressed expression. His eyes watered, and he began blinking again, smiling as he looked away. "Something's bothering me. I must have gotten a speck in my eye."
"You don't seem very sure," Yūken said calmly. "Riddle, are you alright? You're blinking a lot."
Riddle parted his lips slightly in surprise before pursing them and shaking his head several times before saying:
"I'm sure of it." Then he paused and sighed, before lowering his head and whispering, "Then, why am I crying?"
Yūken raised an eyebrow, puzzled, but when he saw Riddle drop the book and cover his face with his hands as he began to sob, his expression shifted from confusion to pity.
"Riddle?" The Japanese man approached the other and placed his hands on his shoulders, trying to comfort him. He didn't know what was wrong with Riddle, but he thought that, since he had been hiding something, perhaps that something was too much for him, and the stress and pressure had caused him to start crying as a way to release it. "Riddle, tell me what's wrong."
"There you go again, with your protective, gentle, kind, worried attitude!" Riddle exclaimed, pulling away from Yūken's grasp and lifting his head slightly.
"What are you saying? You're acting strange. Are you okay?"
"No, because I like you! And every time I see you, I remember that and feel guilty! I'm sorry!" Riddle clenched his fists and continued crying, letting out small hiccups between sobs. "That's why I'm acting so weird—because I like you!"
Yūken's eyes widened in shock. Although he didn't quite understand why Riddle was crying, he understood that he had said he liked him and that, therefore, he felt sorry for it. What he knew for sure was that he had been hiding this feeling for so long that a small interaction between them had caused him to explode. He hadn't been able to bear it any longer, and Riddle's guilt had made him start crying and shouting.
"You don't have to feel sorry..." he began to say, calmly.
"Yes, I must!" Riddle looked Yūken in the eyes and smiled sadly before sniffing and continuing between small hiccups: "I treated you very badly at first, and I have nothing to offer you, unlike the rest of those who are after you. I don't have Kingscholar's strength and agility, capable of protecting you in case of danger; I don't have the persuasive words, the smooth talk of Azul that can get you anything in the blink of an eye; I don't have skillful hands that know how to cook and perform the most delicate tasks like Viper, or a smile that lights everyone up like Kalim; I don't have spectacular beauty or theatrical talent like Vil, which charms everyone he meets; I'm not a genius like Idia, and I don't have great vocal and magical abilities like Draconia. I don't have any quality that could attract you like the others do, and I feel guilty for liking you, because you don't deserve someone like me chasing after you. I wish I could offer you something, but I can't. I'm sorry, I'm sorry for loving you!"
Yūken grimaced before watching as Riddle covered his face with his hands again, still trembling from crying.
"Well, I'm sorry you think you're not enough," he whispered seriously, drawing the attention of the housewarden of Heartslabyul. "You may not possess the qualities of the other housewardens, but you do possess them in your own way, like them: you're not physically strong, but your spirit is because you have a strong character and heart; you're not a persuasive person by nature, but you have good reasons and can convince people with them, without needing to manipulate them; you don't have a gift for cooking, but you strive to make the dishes you prepare turn out well, with dedication, and you may not have a radiant smile, but I think we all agree that, when you do smile with genuine happiness, you're able to transmit that feeling; you don't need any acting skills because you don't have to pretend, and believe me, there isn't a single ugly person in this school: not even you. You have a great mind, being one of the most intelligent people I've ever met. And maybe you don't have the best vocal or magical abilities, but your singing voice is cheerful and lively, and your Unique Magic is very powerful. You have many qualities, Riddle, and it's sad that you undervalue yourself because you think the others are a better match for me, you know? You're enough, Riddle."
Riddle raised his head, surprised to hear Yūken say those words.
"And, besides," Yūken added, "you have two things that others don't."
"Really?"
"First, your perseverance and diligence. Your ability to accomplish things perfectly, your dedication and effort. I haven't seen anyone who strives for their goals as hard as you do." Yūken smiled and reached out and gently wiped one of Riddle's damp cheeks.
"And the second?" the redhead asked, feeling comforted by Yūken's actions and words.
Yūken softened his gaze and hugged Riddle, whispering:
"And for your confession, Riddle... Arigato."
The redhead's eyes widened at the sound of that word in Yūken's native language. When spoken after a second person's confession, it carried a different connotation than usual.
"You mean...?" Riddle began, incredulous.
"They can pursue me and possess every quality in the world, but it won't do them any good if they can't win my heart," Yūken interrupted, pulling away from Riddle and gazing affectionately into his eyes.
The housewarden of Heartslabyul smiled happily, feeling tears well up in his eyes once more. Riddle stared at Yūken's lips, longing to kiss them. However, he decided to respect the mood and wait a little longer, choosing instead to embrace Yūken, who returned the hug.
-MGGBBRAE