Work Text:
The courtyards of Night Raven College were usually filled with the sounds of Heartslabyul students chattering or the rowdy laughter of Savanaclaw students, but today, the courtyard was dominated by a completely different kind of noise. Specifically, the high pitched, manic, and deeply dramatic voice of one Nougat.
“Oh my sugar! No, no no! That is entirely the wrong angle for the banner! Move it three inches to the left, you absolute turnip!”
The students who were working with him groaned in annoyance, Yuu could pick out a few members of Pomefiore and, surprisingly Diasomnia students helping him. With a single glare from Nougat the students all started working again, albeit faster than before.
Yuu sighed, rubbing your temples as you leaned against a stone pillar. Nougat, the short, eccentric, and self proclaimed “royal” student – despite him not looking like he belonged to Twisted Wonderland – had somehow managed to convince Crowley to allow him into the school. Even worse, he seemed hellbent on bossing the other students around like they were his personal servant.
Despite his theatrical tone, you knew better than just to dismiss him. Beneath that eccentric uptight exterior, he had a fiercely competitive, arrogant streak that rivalled even Lilia and Idia. When Nougat wanted to win, or when he wanted things done his way, he didn't just demand it, he would force others to do his bidding or suffer under his Signature Spell.
“Nougat,” Yuu called out, walking over to the bench. “That banner looks fine. If you make me move them again, Riddle will have both of our heads.. Even though you don't know who I am talking about..” Yuu muttered the last part to themselves, staring at Nougat with a face of displeasure.
Nougat gasped dramatically, dropping his mic as he turned his gaze up to you. He adjusted his oversized jacket, which looked like it was always one movement away from falling off completely.
“Oh my miracle, it's you!” Nougat hopped down from the bench he was on with surprising agility, his gummy shoes clicking against the stone. He scampered over and poked his finger toward your chest, though there was a familiar, somewhat gleeful twinkle in his eyes. “You have the nerve to interrupt me! The absolute audacity! I am trying to teach these ruffians the true meaning of grandeur to this drab institution! and what do I get? Sabotage!”
“I am not sabotaging you Nougat. I am reminding you that you cannot keep threatening students, especially from Diasomnia, to do your bidding.” Yuu replied dryly, offering a small comforting smile.
For all his exhausting theatrics, an odd kind of platonic bond hand formed between the two of you. As the school's resident magicless supervisor, you were used to dealing with out-of-control egos, and Nougat was no exception. But while others found his borderline tyrannical nature endlessly frustrating, you found a strange comfort in how unapologetically absurd he was. And in return, Nougat found you to be one of the few people who'd openly challenge his rule making, which intrigued him very much.
“Is that a threat? Hah!” Nougat threw his hands in the air, spinning on his heel before falling into step beside you as you walked towards the main building. “Well it won't be a mere threat if these nincompoops don't pick up the slack! I am going to blow those boring magical displays right out of the water. Turbo-tastic, that's what it will be!”
Yuu blinked, your arms covered in goosebumps. “What did you say?"
Nougat froze for a fraction of a second. A strange, sharp expression crossed his face, something fiercely intense that didn't quite match his silly persona, before it vanished behind a wide, toothy grin. “A figure of speech my dear friend! Just a bit of flair! A Nougat-tastic spectacle!”
“Right,” Yuu murmured, choosing not to press it. You knew Nougat had his secrets. Rumors floated around the school that he wasn't just a quirky student with a sweet tooth: some students said he had completely rewritten records in the library to prove he existed here, or manipulated the school rankings just to keep himself near the top of the year. He had a brilliant, terrifying mind for strategy and control, which made Yuu sometimes reminisce on a time that Yuu didn't quite remember existed.. those shared conversations with Malleus and Grim under the Ramshackle trees revealed that they both seemed to recognize him elsewhere but couldn't put their mind to it.
“Anyway,” Nougat continued, pulling Yuu out of their mind as he slid his arm through yours to steer you toward the cafeteria. “All this supervising has left me entirely famished. You are going to accompany me for tea and pastries. And don't think you can escape to sit with those other cheaters, especially that Lilia and Trey fella. I require your undivided attention to review the layout for the racing tracks im proposing to the Headmage.”
“What's wrong with Trey, and Lilia? Wait, racing tracks?! Nougat, Crowley is never going to let you turn part of the sports field into a racetrack.”
“Oh, have some faith!” Nougat chuckled, a high pitched, mischievous sound that echoed off the hallway walls. He patted your arm affectionately with his hand. “The Headmage is entirely malleable with a few memory changes– I mean when you offer to sponsor the school's entire confectionery budget for the next semester! Now, let's not dilly dally here! I've had the kitchen prepare something special for us, and as the only tolerable companion in this castle, you get the first bite!”
Yuu couldn't help but laugh, shaking your head as you let King Candy drag you along. He is chaotic, completely self centered, and undoubtedly scheming something behind the scenes. But as far as Yuu's friends in Twisted Wonderland had to offer, you wouldn't trade your eccentric king for anyone else.