Chapter Text
They were peeled..
Ruggie sat down to his designated spot on the rug after he dropped off his soon to be filled tupperware in the Scarabia dorm kitchen, to find that the orange he set aside for himself was neatly peeled. His ears flattened against his head as he tried to remember if he automatically peeled them before leaving his spot. He picked up one of the oranges and inspected it curiously…
"Do you not know how to eat oranges?"Jamil observed as he served out a portion of pita with generous fillings for Kalim.
"Obviously." Ruggie retorted back as he popped the slice into his mouth pointedly. " I just don't remember peeling it is all." He chewed on the orange, feeling the sweet juice burst into his mouth.
"I peeled it for you" The vice dormhead nonchalantly said, his gaze fixated on stuffing the pita.
Ruggie's ears perked up as he automatically started to mentally rifle through the interactions with Jamil that would make him inclined to peel the simple fruit.
When nothing in particular came up he squinted suspiciously at the other. "Why??"
Jamil finished preparing the pita while he tilted his head to the side inspecting the dish before turning his gaze to Ruggie "I had the time to."
Blue eyes squinted as he watched the other second year serve the coordinated plate of food to his respective dormhead. "Thanks…" Ruggie ended up replying slowly.
"No problem." Jamil cooly smiled at the Savannaclaw student before he produced another serving for himself.
The hyena's ear flicked as he stared holes into the oranges in front of him. When was the last time anyone did anything for him without him asking, and not expecting anything in return. Aside from Jack of course, going through the trouble of appeasing him just to be an "older brother" figure. But this is Jamil we're talking about, he's able to read a situation and turn it into his favor, meticulously setting up a situation where he could safely escape or benefit from it. They've never interacted past the dinners at scarabia or the stares across the classroom…
Why would he do this for a lowly hyena like me?
He sighs in defeat as he picks up another slice and pops it in his mouth.
Jamil will most likely ask me for something later .
—
Soft chirps of crickets lulled in the background as Kalim dozed on the plush cushions in the sitting area. In the kitchen the Scarabian vice dorm head turns off the faucet as he sets the last cleaned dish on the drying rack. Beside him Ruggie was sealing his last container of food as he happily plopped it into his tupperware stuffed backpack. Humming to himself about how he'll be set for the rest of the week, his tail gently swishing as he zips up the bag.
Jamil gently smiles towards the Scarabian guest as he dries his hands with a nearby kitchen towel.
Ruggie catches his expression, misinterpreting it he sighs. "Alright Jamil, out with it."
The other's eyebrows knit in confusion as he neatly folds the used towel to the side. "What do you mean?"
"You're obviously going to tell me something."
The ebony haired student paused resting his index finger on his chin as he collected his thoughts analyzing the situation, scanning his eyes for some context.
"I'm not following.."
"The Orange!"
"The… Orange.." Jamil parroted back, staring at Ruggie as if he grew a second head.
"Earlier I placed an unpeeled orange at my spot while I set my bag down in the kitchen." Ruggie gestured to the pack next to him." When I came back to my spot, the orange that I left.. was peeled! Usually if someone takes my food they'd leave no trace of it, not that I'd ever give them the chance." Ruggie huffed as he remembered old memories.
Jamil relaxed slightly as he crossed his arms. " I apologize for disrupting your orange if that's what you wanted from me." He gingerly confessed.
"It's not that! you left it for me at my spot.. in a nice line to top it off! You blatantly did that so you can ask me for a favor in return!"
"Ruggie what are you talking about... "
"Back in my town, peeling fruit for someone and offering it to them is practically the same thing as mooching up to someone to ask a favor."
"Well what if I wanted to do it for you because I just wanted to." Jamil emphasized as he started to make sense of the situation. " I'm genuinely not asking anything from you."
Ruggies ears flattened as he glared at Jamil. making sure he was being genuine.
Jamil rolled his eyes as it was his turn being scanned. " Look…Back at my home, peeling fruit for someone is a way of showing… affection…a nonverbal way that you want the other person to be comfortable." Jamil plucked an orange from a nearby basket and held it between the two, turning it slightly. " If we're going by your home rules, I can peel another orange for you to ask you to calm down about this fruit situation."
Blush dusted on freckled cheeks after hearing his explanation, embarrassed he slid on his backpack. "Whatever, I'll just take the damn fruit." He grumbled as he grabbed the juicy orb and walked towards the exit. "Thanks for the dinner."
"No problem." Jamil cooly replied with a smirk on his face as he watched the Hyena waddle out the door.
Passing through the Lounging area Ruggie's ear flicked once more.
"Pssst"
Ruggie turned his head toward the cushions, Kalim was peeking his head out and waving his hand to come closer. So Ruggie did, expecting the Dormhead to say his goodbyes.
"Y'know Jamil doesn't peel fruit for anyone right?" Kalim whispers audiably.
The Savannah claw student sagged slightly while casting his gaze up at the light fixture.
Kalim heard the whole interaction.
" He peels fruit for you all the time, right." He looks back down to the seated student
"Well that's because we're best friends!"
Ruggie twinged inwardly.
" So? Doesn't he do it for your dorm's feasts or whatever."
"Well… yes.. but those are meant to be served in big sharing platters! Aside from me, Jamil never peels a personal fruit for someone! Other than his sister probably." The heir thought out loud.
"Okay?" Ruggie slowly started to connect the dots.
"What im trying to say is…" Kalim did a quick look around to make sure no one was in audible distance. " He likes you!"
Ruggie almost crushes the orange in his hand, feeling his tail stand straight. " But, he just wanted me to be comfortable, right? Cuz I was a guest and all that?"
Kalim huffs as he scoots closer, as if it would make the Savanaclaw student understand better. "Peeling a fruit for someone personally, is also a type of love language.. Meaning that they genuinely care and like like you."
Ruggie felt his face heat up, he looked at the fruit in his hand as if it was about to explode. Never in his entire time at Night raven college did he ever consider being interested in someone romantically
" I- uh."
"Kalim it's time for you to get ready for bed." Jamil called from the hallway.
Ruggie squeaked an unintelligible "thankyouforinvitingmeihavetogonow!" as he zipped out of the blazing dorm.