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It was late. Later than it shouldve been. Vils work had carried him deep into the night with studies and the buzzing Anxiety of tomorrow's day. He shouldn't be so worried, he knows. Its something hes working on... But he had a test. He needed to study. He needed to be prepared. He needed to do. not sit around and worry. But was that really the problem?
Since the overblot, the need for change slammed into him with the force of a fear right before you die. With that last gulp of air before your head dips under the water. He always chased perfection, chased bettering. Chased the idea of the best version of himself in every possible way...
But thats not what he needed anymore.
Not really.
He needed change.
Vil sat at the desk in his room, scribbling away at his notebook while turning the page on the alchemy textbook infront of him. But his mind kept drifting to that night. It wasnt really the test tomorrow he cared about. It was everything that happened.
After the initial shock of it all, the doctor visits, the reassurance from the others... it had all started to feel like the clearest blur hes ever seen. Scenes in perfect detail in his mind he just couldnt stop replaying, like he was searching them for some kind of answer to the problem before him. what do i do about this? His brow knitted together as he continued writing.
Then his eyes flicked up, for a moment glancing at the mirror on his desk, before he froze completely and looked. Properly looked at himself. His makeup from the day was still on. Still intact, yes (it was meant to last days on end and resist all sorts of things) but off ever so subtly, in the ways no one but him would notice. He shouldn't even have had it on so long, it wasnt good for his skin. Neither was the stress. His eyes then slid away slightly from the mirror, locking onto nothing particular as he took a moment to think. And suddenly the calmer thoughts took over. If he truly cared for his friends, for Rook, Epel, Kalim, Jamil, The prefect, Ace and Deuce, all the ones that brought them so far in the first place... Then he knew what he should do.
He sighed, his chest still feeling tight with emotion, but that tension behind his eyes faded. He closed the textbook and set his pen down, before standing and turning to his wardrobe. He started shedding off the days uniform, the vest, then his top, then lower. Once he changed into his nighttime clothing, he slid a robe over his arms before reaching up and begining to let down his hair fully, carding his fingers through the braids until they came undone. This ritual of the day was long overdue...
He then sat down at his vanity, pulling his hair back with a headband as he started his skincare routine. It all came naturally to him. It was what felt right. And it slowly calmed him... one serum at a time.
As he finished up however, he suddenly heard a sound, the creak of the door. Vils head whipped around towards his rooms door... Only to see Rook, standing there. He was slightly disheveled, like his night so far had consisted of tossing in his sheets. Vil let out a sigh of relief
"Rook."
He said, almost a little too firmly form the initial shock. It wasnt very often the hunter properly startled him. Infact, it wasnt very often the hunter made himself known until he was already close to Vil, and Vil could feel his breath pass over his neck, but Prehaps it was due to Vil just having calmed down from his thoughts that caused his startlement
He however, failed to acknowledge this odd change in behavior from Rook with the usual logic he might, until Rook was suddenly infront of him. Rook fell to his knees infront of where Vil sat, his arms wrapping around Vils legs that was both gentle and desperate. Vils eyes widened again.
He didnt know what he was expecting but this certainly wasnt up there, but before he could question, retort, or perhaps even scold the man who was clinging to him like a desperate child... he paused.
Rooks face was half buried against Vils thigh. The other half of his face was covered by his strands of hair, the gold threads passing over his features like a veil to cover his pained expression, should he find himself at the feet of his queen...
"I didnt wish to bother you with this... mon cher..."
Rook admitted quietly, but his grip tightened slightly, strong arms wrapped around Vil with a conscious control.
Vils gaze softened, as he looked down at him.
"Well you have already, havent you?"
He offered in response. He meant it as a tease, but quietly regretted it. He leaned down, moving a hand to run it through his hair, his other hand resting on Rooks shoulder
"Its never a bother Rook..."
He murmured softly. He didnt see Rook like this often... he knew it more serious when he did.
"Whats wrong?"
He asked, his hand sliding down from Rooks hair to his cheek, tilting his head up just a bit, to let Rook stare up at Vil through his disheveled hair. Vils thumb caressed Rooks freckled cheek, the tip of his thumb passing under Rooks eye, catching a stray tear, only to have it smear between passing skin on skin. Vil let out a soft breath, his heart breaking a little to see him like this.
Vil sat up straight, looking over at the time... 12:03... just about midnight. Vil then sighed, quietly considering before looking back down at Rook who had gone back to rest against his leg.
"...Eyebags aren't a flattering look on anyone..." He then started to get up, leaning down to pry away Rooks arms and help him upright
"No use getting them when theres an easy solution." Vil guided Rook back towards the bed, pulling the neatly placed comforter aside. He then shed his robe and headband, letting it hang off the back of his chair and his hair fall free, before turning off the lamp at his bedside, shrouding the room in a comfortable darkness. He used his hands to find Rooks arms, guiding him back and onto the bed with him.
They shifted until they found themselves comfortable, Vil lying on his back on the bed, head sunk into a silk pillow with Rook lying half ontop of him, his face buried in the actors chest... Rook seemed to relax heavily... the feeling of having Vil against him calming any wandering thoughts of before. Vil felt it too... especially in the way Rook urged him so close.
"better?"
Vil hummed, and Rook hummed back an approving sound... Vils hand came up once more, finding Rooks hair
"Do you want to tell me now?..." Vil asked
Rook didnt. He didnt want to admit how he was haunted by Vils overblot. How, the memory when Vil trembled when he finally came out of it... how visceral it was. It lacked every ounce of the control that Vil was... it lacked every bit of the boy he loved. How moments ago out of Vils presence Rook had lost himself in the feeling of that fear. How He just needed to see him. To have Vil Close, even if only for a moment.
Rook let out a small grumble
"Tu ne peux pas simplement me laisser t'aimer?" He said, his voice silky with a relaxation turned sleepy.
Vil sighed softly... he understood every word... and maybe every reason he didnt want to share. But he could feel the soft tug of sleep starting under his eyes and creeping around the back of his head
"if you must." He murmured, holding his hunter close as they both drifted off.