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RIDDLE ROSEHEARTS was aware of your relationship, biting his tongue when he sees you kiss the other man on the lips―he tells himself he can't, it would bend the rules of relationships. so he didn't get in the way.
but something's off. he sees the way the other boy pushes you away to focus on the game with his friends, when he barely reacts to the kiss he would die for.
how his face cringes after the kiss, your back turned he fakes a gag in front of his so called "friend group" you had also claimed to be friends with.
the way he brushes you away like your nothing but a whittled rose, disrespectful ! he's never seen such behavior towards the one you are supposed to cherish and love.
still, he couldn't stand up for it―he knew in his heart be had to say something to you, but in your eyes that's just his love language. riddle sees the pain in your eyes when your boyfriend rubs the kiss away in his cheek, the way your smile fades when you walk away from him.
if that boy were in his dorm, he'd have his head in a matter of seconds―but unfortunately, he hadn't broken any queen of hearts rule, nor started a fight on campus―he was just being...rude.
in reality, it was none of his business―you were his friend, yah...friend. every time he sees your current boyfriend treat you with disrespect his jaw tightens, fighting back to "off this boy's head" every second he's near you.
he thought the irritation would fade away with time, but it didn't. he couldn't get you out of his head, wishing you a better relationship―silently wishing you chose him.
that's when ace blurts out during lunch, "did you not hear?" he shouts at deuce, who tilts his head at the ginger. riddle happened to be a few steps away hearing ace's voice. "they broke up! she broke up with him! just last night, man and right in front the whole class too? HA! hate to be that guy," taking a bite out of his sandwich, deuces' eyes widen.
ace laughs, riddle drops his empty trey by the trash and clears his throat; cheeks flushed at the sudden scene he caused. ace and deuce whip their heads in the housewardens direction, watching him apologize and dust his uniform off before stepping out of the cafeteria.
he didn't care about the eyes that lingered, pushing past other students he had a mission.
he must find you, now!
~~
he finds you in the courtyard one cold evening, an hour before the queen of hearts rule states for all students to be inside, preparing for bed―but he didn't bother about pestering you with rules right now, taking proud yet careful steps toward.
you're sitting on the bench, doodling in an old sketchbook―the one you had while with your as of now ex. you hear heels clack against the pavement, you tilt your head to find riddle rosehearts standing before you― moonlight hitting his back, perfect posture and his hand clamped behind his back.
you scrambled to grab your pens and sketchbook, closing it quickly before he could see what you were drawing―he raises a gentle hand up and asks you to stay seated before asking to sit with you.
you blink, your breathing slow and you laid back against the bench, allowing the boy to sit with you. and so he does, a respectful distance comfortable for both you and him.
the silence is loud, yet grounding. it's nice having riddle here, you told yourself. exhaling to yourself you rest your head against the wood and stare at the apple tree above the both of you.
getting his mind right, the words scripted in his head; riddle finally speaks up, voice gentle and kind. "how are you doing?"
okay, no―no, sevens no, don't ask her that! she's obviously not doing any better than a few hours ago! the housewarden immediately takes back his words in his head, stuttering over his breath, you just let out a soft laugh. "man, word travels fast huh?" you lean forward, resting your elbows on your knees the red-haired boy clears his throat.
he explains ace informed deuce, and he overheard their conversation because it was ace. ace was rarely quiet―especially when it's about a juicy topic among his friends. you scoffed out a dry laugh, course he did. to be fair, you had caused a scene infront of trein's classroom―not very private for a break up.
there's more silence, but riddle seemed to have scooted closer to you. his finger twitched beside yours, resting on the wood of the bench he spoke up again, "i... refrained from speaking before..." his voice was low, quiet―almost cracking. "I refuse to make that mistake again."
just as a housewarden, riddle gets straight to the point. how digilent of him. "It is... disrespectful...to speak about someone who is committed," his red eyes sparkle at the moonlight, finally getting the courage to face you. "i have admired your spirit, your kindness, your..." he pauses, "your very presence."
you blink, eyes widen at his words but he continues. "if you so wish, i ask to court you. properly." the tone of his voice...it's not causal, it's honest. bold and intentional. he was serious, riddle rosehearts, house warden of heartslabyul―wanted to be yours, be the one who makes you smile and be the reason for you to stay.
"you deserve respect, honesty―and the worth of feeling loved. let me be the one to give it to you," his fingers brush over yours, "you deserve someone who chooses your everyday!"
okay, a bit more than what he wanted to say...but he was in such a state of mind, he couldn't shit his mind up.
you chuckle out a laugh before bursting into soft laughter, catching him off guard. he stutters over his words once more; "i―i..fail to see the humor in this situation? if you refuse, i will gladly walk away now and you never have to―"
"oh shut up, rosehearts, i accept!"
he froze, swallowing back his words the both of you stare at each other for what seemed like an eternity, the world seemed to have stopped when his red eyes searched yours―it found no lies, no mockery―just pure truth and lust.
now he's the one laughing, a boyish chuckle leaves his lips as you lean closer to him, "you could have just told me you wanted to kiss me, yah?" you whispered in his ear, his giggles turned into a noise he didn't know he could make. cheeks redder then his hair, he panics and hides his face in his hands as your laughter echoes through the courtyard.
as he offered to escort you back to his dorm, the door shuts behind the both of you you pulled him into a kiss―resting your forehead against his and whispered how thankful you were for him, and how you can't wait to spend the rest of your life with him.
and riddle? was already a lifetime ahead of you.