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The bustling atmosphere of scarabia during their annual end-of-year parties was something that Vil was not yet quite attuned to. It wasn't as if she didn't frequent parties on a regular basis, due to her status as an actress. Between movie premieres and afterparties after wrapping up a long shoot, she had lost count of the number of exclusive events she had been invited to over the last school year.
Even then, the parties at scarabia did have something special to them. Whether it was due to the live music accompanied by students from all dorms swaying to the beat, the elated atmosphere, or even the smell of spices wafting over from the tables full of freshly prepared food, nearly everyone truly seemed to be able to enjoy themselves to the fullest.
Vil has had a preference for the parties hosted at school ever since she had been expected to attend work related events. The absence of fake smiles and small talk just for the sake of digging up dirt related to a costar made the experience of a NRC party even more relievingly enjoyable.
Of course, it wasn't as if she could fully let go – she still had a reputation to uphold – and always felt a slight swarm of jealousy, quickly followed by guilt, while watching others dancing and chatting freely.
The party had been going on for hours now, but it was still in full swing. The pop music club had retired from performing, and the music had been swapped out for some song with a dramatically boosted bass that Vil only slightly recognized the chorus from, something that had probably gone viral on magicam.
Vil had gone the rounds earlier to speak to others, and had now decided to sit to the side with a drink. Her drink of choice would have been the fruity punch that Jamil had mentioned to her that afternoon, but she decided to forgo that option after seeing Floyd loitering around the punch bowls, and went for a sparkling water instead. She was sitting on one of the many lounge couches, posture perfectly straight with both hands folded gracefully in her lap, when Rook leaned in from her place seated beside her to speak to her.
“Reine du poison,” Rook started off, awfully close to Vil’s ear, as to make herself intelligible with the loud music in the room. “May I speak with you later this evening?”
Vil tore her gaze away from where she was fondly watching Epel laugh with some of the other freshmen, while making a mental note so that she wouldn’t forget to reprimand the younger girl for slouching her shoulders like that. She turned to her right, just enough to look at Rook, and made eye contact with the other, who was already watching Vil with a slight smile on her face.
Vil answered with a small nod, unable to trust her voice after feeling Rook’s breath brush her ear in the way it did just seconds ago. Rook’s smile grew wider at the gesture, stretching out into a full-on grin. Vil huffed a laugh and crossed her arms at her huntress’ antics as Rook went back to surveying the room with calculating eyes and much amusement.
-
Not much later, Vil left the party with Rook in tow, after strictly reminding Epel of the curfew that she tended to forgo.
These days, Rook was practically inseparable from Vil, even more so than before.
Rook had always seemed enamored by her, from the very moment they first met. While Vil returned Rook's affections in a more reserved and subtle manner, she became fully aware of her infatuation with the other after Rook had dropped all her duties and came all the way to STYX to rescue her.
The sheer devotion that Rook had shown in the events that unfolded at STYX had been the catalyst for an overwhelming wave of emotions that flooded her after returning to NRC. She had known that Rook was a dedicated person, but even Vil could not predict the lengths that Rook went just to see her again.
One realization came after another, and Vil eventually came to terms with the fact that she has had feelings for Rook all this time. However, she had yet to actually talk to Rook about these newfound realizations. Sudden insecurity had struck, with Vil questioning if Rook was fully devoted to her, or if it was just the other girls' passionate personality.
The past couple of months, the two had entered some sort of liminal space between friendship and something more. Due to Rook’s clinginess, and Vil’s subconscious encouragement, multiple of their peers have noticed a switch in their behavior towards each other, some of which even going so far as to ask either Rook or Vil what was going on, and later earning quite a scolding as a consequence of their mouthiness.
Neither Rook nor Vil reinforced the rumors of them dating, but Vil would most certainly be lying if she said she was upset that people assumed they were a couple. For once, she did not care whether rumors or anything of the sort had any kind of impact on her image.
The walk back to pomefiore through the hall of mirrors was filled with comfortable silence. Vil took the lead, with Rook always just a few footsteps behind.
The pomefiore lounge was mostly empty at this point in the evening, with most students either still attending the party currently being held at scarabia, or already having retired to their dorm rooms for a full nights rest.
They reached the end of the hallway, where Vil’s housewarden suite was located, when Vil swung open the door and stepped inside, not waiting to see if Rook was going to follow her in.
After all, she always did.
Vil sat on the bed, slipping off her heels, while Rook took off her hat and placed it neatly on the vanity against the wall. Without speaking, Rook toed off her own shoes before approaching Vil and moving to sit on the bed behind her, for easy access to her hair.
Vil leaned her head back when Rook began to unpin her hair, letting it loose and running her hands through it, before she stood up once more to grab something laying on the vanity. She closed her eyes and let out a relaxed sigh once she felt Rook’s weight back on the bed behind her, and felt even more at ease once she felt the brush gliding through her hair.
Once Rook had seemingly deemed her work as well done, Vil turned around and motioned for Rook to do the same. After procuring the brush herself, Vil started to brush Rook's hair as well.
Their shared nighttime routine had started off in their second year as an irregular event, only occurring once every couple of months. Gradually, it started to become a biweekly event, until Vil was recovering from her overblot and Rook started to invite herself over nearly every night.
And while Vil did not always fully enjoy being doted on in the way that Rook did the few weeks after her overblot, a definitive positive outcome of the situation is that Rook managed to remember the housewarden’s full skincare routine after just a couple nights of Vil instructing her and guiding her through the steps.
Vil did not often let go of the feeling of needing to have control over situations, and appearing composed, but nights like this, with Rook as her only company, finally let her let go.
In the beginning, Vil was scared of how fast she started to trust Rook, what with her slightly offputting behavior or remarks. That concern was quickly rectified. Rook turned out to be an honest, authentic, and passionate person, which was a breath of fresh air compared to other people that Vil was forced to interact with on a regular basis.
While Vil felt Rook’s slightly calloused fingers applying a moisturizing face cream onto her cheeks, she heard the other start to speak.
“My beautiful Vil,” Rook started, but began to hesitate before continuing her sentence.
Vil opened her eyes, raising an eyebrow and making eye contact with Rook. “Do continue.”
“Well,” Rook paused once more. “Since the vacances d'été is encroaching on us, I was wondering if you, my reine du poison, have any plans for the coming weeks.”
“No, I have yet to plan anything.”
Rook fixed her with a look, tilting her head sideways in a gesture that made her look vaguely catlike. “Pourquoi?”
Vil huffed out a small sigh, “My father is shooting a film in the Queendom of Roses during the summer. Once he got the news of my overblot, he nearly dropped out of his role. I told him not to worry, and that I am perfectly fine looking after myself for a few weeks. I’ll probably just stay home and work on refining my potion brewing some more.”
Rook suddenly stood up and clasped her hands together in joy. “C’est parfait!”
Vil stared at Rook bewilderedly, wondering how on earth Rook came to that conclusion. In which way, exactly, was it perfect that she was left to her own devices all summer?
“Ahh, my queen, I do not mean it like that,” Rook began to backtrack, apologetically waving her hands in front of her. “I am simply overjoyed, this means that you will be able to join me in my endeavors this very summer.”
Vil, still not knowing exactly how to react, just sighed once more and motioned for Rook to continue rambling on, as she took a seat at the vanity opposite Vil.
“Well, you have noticed, as this has been quite a tiring semester,” Rook paused and winced in the middle of her sentence, realizing how her wording could be interpreted as slightly hurtful, “Nevermind that, pay me no mind.
What I meant by that, was that I would like to extend an invitation to you, to come and join me at one of my family’s villas. My parents will be travelling, but I do not deem myself in any state to be joining them. Since we would both be alone otherwise, I would appreciate you coming over and staying with me.”
Vil opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by Rook starting to speak once more.
“Ah, I had almost forgotten la meilleure partie! My family’s home in the shaftlands has a built-in spa.”
Vil’s eyes lit up at the prospect of a completely undisturbed afternoon spent with her huntress at a private spa.
“Well, I will gladly accept your invitation. I was going to do so nonetheless, but you do drive a hard bargain, Rook.”
Rook seemed elated by her answer, and jumped to her feet once more with a glint in her eyes. “I will be delighted to keep you company over the coming weeks, Reine du poison. Let us start packing our things right away.”
-
Vil and Rook were the very last to leave the dorm on the day of the students’ departure. Due to housewarden duties, Vil took the task of conducting room checks upon her, while Rook made sure to see the younger students off to the mirror chamber.
Once Vil deemed the common areas as neat enough, and had made sure to make note of all the students who left their dorm rooms in various states of disarray, she headed down to the mirror chamber herself, with her luggage in tow.
Once about halfway there, she noticed Rook walking towards her with her own suitcase, who, upon making eye contact, visibly lit up with one of the biggest smiles Vil had ever witnessed.
Rook jogged towards her to fully close the distance between the two, and stopped once directly next to Vil.
Once Rook's posture was straightened, she extended her free arm to Vil, who in turn linked their arms.
“Shall we?”
Vil shook her head out of fond exasperation with a slight smile, “We shall.”
The pair continued their walk to the mirror chamber, accompanied by Rook's insistent humming.
The mirror chamber was nearly empty, with only a couple scraggling students awaiting their turn. Some seemed overjoyed at the prospect of returning home, others not so much.
Once everyone in the line in front of them had stepped through the mirror, Rook stepped forward, still gently tugging Vil along with her.
“Are you ready?” Rook looked at her with a fond questioning gaze.
“Always,” Vil answered. The ‘I’m always ready when I'm with you’ that should have come after it went unsaid, but she was fairly sure that Rook got the message.
-
Rook had immediately taken it upon herself to give Vil a full property tour on arriving. They had left their luggage in the foyer, with Rook insisting that they would come back to get it later on.
The house, if it could still be called that due to its size, was big. Far bigger than the home that Vil shared with her father. The entryway had floor-to-ceiling windows, that let an abundance of natural light into the room, along with a grand spiraling staircase and high ceilings.
Rook led Vil around the house, showing off the kitchen, dining room, and lounge areas. Once they had taken the stairs to the second floor, Rook took the liberty of showing off the guest room, as well as her own bedroom.
The guest room had an enjoyable aesthetic, but it certainly paled in comparison to Rook’s bedroom. Her room was decked out in deep purples with white and crimson accents, as if it was specifically decorated to cater to Vil’s, slightly extravagant, tastes.
Vil gasped excitedly, clasping her perfectly manicured hands together, “I applaud your sense of style and decorations wholeheartedly. The rug fits perfectly with the curtains. Goodness me, the dark oak closet is simply wonderful.”
Rook watched Vil's excitement with a smile on her face. “Forgive me, dear Vil, but may I interrupt you for just a second?”
“Of course, go on.”
“Well, as you have seen, the guest room is fully set up and furnished for you. However, if I may selfishly make a request, I would love for you to join me and stay in my room. There’s more than enough space and I would be glad to keep you company.”
Vil’s eyes darted across the room. Her cheeks had suddenly gained a pink hue that was unmistakably much darker than the blush that she had meticulously applied that morning.
Her eyes eventually landed on Rook, who was still watching her, but whose smile seemed to have slightly faded after Vil’s slight hesitation towards her proposal.
“I’d be happy to,” was what Vil settled on, not fully trusting herself to say much more, as she was deathly afraid she would suddenly blurt out everything she has left unsaid for the past three years.
Rook regained her signature grin, suddenly elated by Vil’s acceptance.
“Merveilleux! Let us get you settled in then.”
-
Once the pair had diligently unpacked their luggage, Rook had made sure to deliver on her earlier promise, and showed Vil around the house’s makeshift spa.
Wearing a purple matching swim set and one of Rook’s fluffy black bathrobes, she made her way down to where Rook was waiting on her.
Rook looked up when she must have heard Vil’s footsteps approaching. She had sat down in the circular hot tub, wearing nothing but a bikini top and boardshorts, with her hair up in a ponytail and bangs pinned to the side, out of her face.
Vil was not caught off guard often, but the sight of Rook this way, unguarded and waiting on her, made her stop right in her tracks.
She had known that Rook had a toned body, a product of her hunting endeavors and time spent exercising. However, she had not seen Rook in this particular state for a while now. Her biceps seemed more defined than the last time, as well as her stomach muscles, which were currently underwater, but as Vil looked closely and intense enough, she seemed to notice a glint near her abdomen, clearly indicating the presence of the new bellybutton piercing Rook had mentioned a few months ago.
Rook must have noticed her offputting behavior, as she tilted her head, with a puzzled expression and started to laugh.
Vil huffed out an exasperated breath at herself, tired of her own behavior. She picked the pace back up and closed the gap between her and Rook, stopping just in front of the hot tub.
“Hello again, beautiful Vil. You look wonderful.”
Vil started to shrug off her bathrobe, before stepping out of her slippers and into the water. She sat down right across from Rook, partially to be able to speak with her clearly, and possibly also so that she would still be able to stare. But in a polite and respectful way, of course.
“Thank you kindly, Rook. You look truly amazing as well.”
Vil was not sure if Rook was surprised by the statement or just pleased, but Rook’s cheeks suddenly started to flush a dark pink similar to the color that Vil was very familiar with at this point.
“You flatter me.”
“Only the best for my loyal huntress.”
Rook smiled, before looking away, “In all earnestness, Reine du poison, I am glad you're still here.
I was terrified during your overblot, terrified of the possibility of losing you. Everyday I count my blessings, grateful to no end that you are still here. At the same time, I am filled with guilt. I should have noticed you were struggling, I am deeply sorry.”
Vil's smile turned into a small frown, surprised by the sudden serious tone in the situation, “Don't say that. I would not have even been here without you. It’s all due to you, Rook. You saved my – and Neige's – life.”
Rook’s own expression fell, “I just wish I could have done more.”
Vil stands up, taking a few steps between her and Rook, and ends up standing right in front of the other.
She places her hands at the sides of Rook's cheeks, cradling her face in her hands, “Stop doubting yourself, please. You have already done so incredibly much for me, I really have no clue what I would do without you. Thank you for walking up to me that one day in freshman year, Rook. Since then, I have cherished our time together more than I have cherished anything else.”
Rook's eyes began to tear up. She brought her hands upwards towards her face, to embrace Vil's.
Vil noticed the sudden change in behavior, “What’s wrong?”
Her lower lip began to tremble slightly, “I am afraid.”
Vil pulled back slightly, so she could make proper eye contact with Rook. Her eyebrows furrowed, visibly confused, “What for? Afraid of what, exactly?”
“Afraid of myself. Afraid of your reaction… When you find out what I have been hiding from you all this time. I’m afraid it will push you away.”
“Nothing you could say could ever make me think of you less, or cause you to push me away. I’m fairly hard to get rid of, you know,” Vil dropped her hands from Rook’s face, choosing to hold Rook’s hands instead.
Rook looked away, contemplating her next words. Vil patiently awaited her response, brushing her fingertips over the callouses on Rook’s hands in some semblance of comfort.
Rook took a deep breath before starting to speak, “I have always respected you deeply, my dear Vil. When I was younger and I saw you on TV, I had quickly realized you were the very epitome of beauty.”
“Well, yes, you’ve mentioned that before. I don’t understand how tha-”
Vil was interrupted by the other girl, who shook her head, “That was not all I had to say. After we first met I quickly felt that feeling morph into something new. Of course I still respect you, I always will. However, the respect has been joined by something stronger. I feel the constant need to be beside you, and it scares me deeply.”
“Oh, Rook,” Vil leaned down and buried her head between Rook’s neck and shoulder. “Can I tell you something?”
She felt Rook start breathing in regular patterns once again.
“Of course,” Rook replied.
“As I mentioned earlier, these last years that we’ve spent together have been the best of my whole life. I do not regret anything about them – about us.
The only thing I would change was telling you this earlier. I’m in love with you, Rook. I was terrified of telling you, afraid that you wouldn't feel the same way about me. I still am.”
Rook stiffened beneath her.
Suddenly, Vil felt hands gently grasping her waist, pulling her in close and picking her up slightly, only to drop her onto Rook’s lap.
Vil felt her face flush a deep pink, before giggling, in a somewhat undignified way.
“I guess you feel the same way, then?”
Rook, in turn, buried her own face in Vil’s neck, seemingly embarrassed.
Vil ran her hands through Rook’s ponytail, with a small pout on her face, “I want to hear you say it.”
When Rook still hadn’t responded within a couple seconds, Vil poked her cheek with a finger. Rook finally stopped trying to hide her face near Vil’s pulsepoint.
She looked up at Vil with a huge smile on her face, “I love you, ma reine.”
Vil scoffed fondly at this, “As I love you, my huntress.”
Rook reached up to grasp at Vil’s face, pulling her down to her eye height. She had a certain twinkle in her eye, which was the only warning that Vil had of what was about to happen.
She had two suspicions of what Rook was about to do. The first being her pushing Vil off her lap and dunking her under water. Though, due to certain circumstances, the second was far more likely, and judging on how Rook was slowly leaning in towards her, the second was the only viable suspicion.
Vil met her halfway, brushing their lips together for the first of hopefully many times. It wasn’t perfect, as they were both smiling too much for it to be so, but it was everything Vil had dreamed of and more.
Rook pulled back, and Vil couldn’t help but lean back in once more. The position was better this time, with their noses brushing less, and lips slotting together easier.
Once they pulled back for the second time, Vil caught sight of both of them in the mirror behind the hot tub.
She squished Rook’s cheeks together to turn her head so she also could catch a glimpse of the mirror. They made eye contact with each other's reflections, and Vil realized that she had never found Rook, or herself for that matter, more beautiful than in this moment.