[Despite the strained start to the morning, Cater goes through classes feeling energetic. There's a pep to his step that isn't normally there, though most people won't notice anything really different about him as he goes around snapping selfies and chatting up his classmates. By the end of the day, he's definitely running low on his social battery, and as he temporarily forgets what he promised to Vil, he makes his way into the Heartslabyul kitchen where he's sure his favorite dormmate will be.]
Aaaah, Trey, what a day! What's for dinner?
[You know, because obviously his food sounds way better than anything at the cafeteria right now. And he's so cute, why wouldn't Trey want to cook for him? Cater gives his best innocent face, poising his face in his hands as he leans across the kitchen counter.]
How about something invigoratingly spicy for the most adorable roommate ever?
To see that smile so much less forced than usual was a surprise indeed. A surprise and... hm. Maybe a touch concerning? Trey can't help but worry over things, and, well... He just hopes it isn't a fluke, is all.
When Cater comes in, he gives an amused huff.]
Sounds like you had an interesting morning.
[Trey keeps an eye out, and he'd noticed the teen hadn't seemed all that different upon first waking up... but once classes begun, it was as if a weight had lifted off his shoulders.
The request gets some raised eyebrows.]
You're also technically the least adorable roommate ever.
[He hums thoughtfully, a coy look coming to his face.]
I might be willing to make you something... if you tell me what's got you in such high spirits.
[Cater's smile freezes in place. Of course Trey would pinpoint exactly what's going on. Not even today, but this morning he says! He whines.]
You're so cruel, Trey, holding your culinary skills over my head like that...!
[Just like that, he remembers Vil's request. He said he'd think about it, promised he'd try, and he didn't really mean to do so within 24 hours...instinctively, Cater starts to retreat mentally. Maybe he can get away with keeping things at least somewhat casual.]
So unfair, trying to make me kiss and tell.
[At least that'll give Trey an answer without actually getting real about it.]
[Trey's walking with Riddle back from classes, the two carrying a light conversation. Things have been going fairly well, and Cater has already shown signs of improvement. Even Riddle hasn't shown any signs of realizing anything was different... except, perhaps, for Cater's demeanor. While he didn't know him quite as well as Trey did, he'd commented that Cater did seem to be in unusually good spirits.
But the problem with celebrity romances? They're damn near impossible to keep under wraps for long.
The two come upon Cater with a few other boys. Trey and Riddle exchange glances before Trey calls out.]
Hey, Cater!
[A couple of the people confronting him look over, but Cater doesn't. And nor does he respond.
Riddle's expression hardens. Trey reaches out with a hand to touch Riddle's shoulder. Quietly, he whispers to him, then moves forward, heedless of the other boys.]
Yo, I've been looking everywhere for you. Let's get going!
Your glasses broken, four-eyes? We're in the middle of something!
[All hell had broken loose halfway through his last class. As he always did when the lecture was just too boring to stay focused through, Cater had pulled his phone from his pocket to give it a quick glance from underneath his desk. Usually he had enough time to respond to a DM or like a couple Magicam posts. But this time, something was different. His push notifications were off the charts. Countless mentions, tags, and unread new messages.
What the Hell?
It's so surprising that the obvious answer doesn't hit him, but the second he opens Magicam his stomach drops. It's all he can do not to exclaim out loud, and forgetting himself ultimately gets called out by the professor. It's the only reason Cater puts his phone away, but he spends the rest of the class agitated, his legs restless. Vil, he has to call Vil. Has to see Vil. Has to get out of here.
When the bell lets them go he's out of his seat and out the door before anyone can stop him. As much as he wants to run, he keeps himself at a brisk pace, trying to keep some manner of calm about him on his way to Heartslabyul. Of course he wouldn't be so fortunate. Cater's attention is halfway focused on his phone as he walks, so he doesn't even notice as the other boys crowd in on him. All of a sudden his path is blocked, and he's forced to stop and face them head-on.
Nothing like this has ever happened before, but it's not like he's never had to face a bully before. It's been awhile, but when it has happened (more recently when he's stepping in to help out an underclassman more than himself) he's generally able to diffuse the situation with an easy sort of charm. Right now, Cater can't think straight enough to keep himself in check. Their words and accusations sting, digging in like barbs in his weakest points.
From their distance, their conversation isn't easy to hear, and Cater's voice is low as he says something. Whatever it was, it clearly couldn't have been good, because all the bullies swing their attention directly back to Cater with a look of surprise, and then anger. One of them grabs him roughly by the front of his shirt, threatening.]
You think you're real hot shit all of a sudden, don't you?
[Things are escalating fast, but Cater doesn't make any kind of move to defend himself.]
[Riddle bodily gets in between himself and the other students, and with a deft hand, he reaches out to grab a pressure point of the student grabbing Cater, causing him to release his grip.
He isn't letting go.]
Give me one good reason why I shouldn't send you all to the infirmary and call it self-defense.
[It's enough distraction, at least, for Trey to pull Cater aside and hurriedly away from the group. And Riddle's boldly stepping in front of anyone who tries to follow.]
You're as pale as a ghost... What was that about?
[It's more Trey wondering out loud than actually asking. He doesn't really expect to get an answer.
For now, it's straight to the dorm, and to their shared room.]
[He's never felt so raw, so wounded before. Like an animal slowly bleeding out.
It'd taken everything in him to piece himself together enough to allow Trey and Cater to guide him back to the dorm and into his room. Everything to bottle the wracking sobs that threatened to burst forth again with everything breath. Everything to tighten the muscles in his throat to stop the whimpers from slipping out.
He managed, too, to keep it down while he was treated. Though he felt a persistent pressure behind his eyes, no further tears formed while the nurse tended to him. Quiet and subdued, he complied with any instructions, then thanked him for his service.
And when the nurse is gone, he's left staring up at the ceiling with Trey and Cater at either side, who'd been practically glued there since he came down from his Overblot. He looks drained, still feels like his heart has been torn open and like he wants to sob. Yet, the tears don't resume.
Instead, he takes a shaky breath, arm laying over his face.]
[It's been a rough day. You know, understatement of the century. For the sake of the other Heartslabyul members involved in the incident, Cater had done his best to project a positive image. Everything's fine now!
But of course, it wasn't fine. They were all exhausted, emotionally charged. There was plenty of relief that Riddle was going to be alright, that a big part of his issues had been addressed, but that didn't mean there wasn't plenty of other things to address. Cater is glad to be sitting down, his expression serious with it just being the three of them.
When Riddle speaks, he lets out a humorless laugh.]
[Well, it seemed that was all the permission Riddle needed. Maybe it was because he wasn't quite expecting it from Cater, but the tears rush forth, and the body-wracked sobs follow soon after.
Trey, for his part, it the picture of calm steadiness and reassurance. Except something's a bit off in his gaze right now— like he isn't entirely here. Like his mind is playing out some scenario that never happened.
It doesn't stop him from being here, hands holding one of Riddle's and giving it a comforting squeeze. That hand that was holding onto him like a lifeline.]
[There's a mixture of emotions Cater feels watching the scene before him. A want to be comforting to Riddle, his friend, and Trey, his even greater friend, clearly having been rattled by everything that had happened. Even now, though, insidious thoughts coil forward, trying to take hold of his psyche. The way the two hold hands--the ferocity make him feel detached from the situation, far away.
Still, he wrestles to maintain control with logic, keeping a hand on Riddle's opposite shoulder as he cries.
There isn't much that can be or needs to be said right now: simply being there is the best they can do. So Cater doesn't say anything until Riddle's tears of stopped and he seems on the verge of falling asleep.]
We should let you rest--but if you need anything, we're just on the other side of that door, okay?
[After the stress of being outed followed by Riddle's Overblot scare, Cater is looking forward to some downtime. It feels like ages between the start of everything and the first real weekend without having anything to worry about: no Heartslabyul plans, Riddle in good health, and most importantly...Vil being free!
Happy just to have permission to leave campus and go into town, Cater uses his scrolling powers to find more options where they can eat healthy but otherwise lets Vil decide what would be fun for the day. Somehow, he's still kind of surprised when they end up shopping, though he knows he shouldn't be.
The store they're stopped in is way fancier than he's used to. Cater dresses trendy, of course, but he hardly has the funds to shop high end. It's hard not to feel a bit like a fish out of water as he eyes a rack of jackets.]
I've never been in here before--what kind of fit do you have in mind?
[The woman at the counter is clearly beyond dazzled to be in the presence of a teen superstar, so it goes without saying they'll be waited on to the best of her ability.]
it's dress up cater and appreciate the fuck out of him week
[It's good that the media's finally calmed down about Cater. There will always be ignorant spuds on social media, but that was something Cater was going to have to learn as nonsense not to listen to, and Vil would put in every effort to see that he would.
And part of that effort is boosting the redhead's morale and self-esteem. While it was true that beauty was only skin-deep, one would be hard-pressed to dismiss the boost of confidence that can come simply from dressing up, accenting a person's wonderful features that they were so blind to before.
... not that Cater knows that, but it's time to change that.]
What indeed. Actually, I'm not here for myself at all.
[He brings up a finger.]
We're going to find the clothes to bring out the true Cater— beautiful, handsome and wonderful as he is.
[Rook had sensed trouble long before the sound of glass shattering reached him from inside the Housewarden's dormitory. From the Pomefiore common area, he had smiled when the lovebirds had returned from their trip into town--it had been unexpected to see them back so quickly, but their body language made it clear just why they were back. Even Vil's much more calm and collected manner couldn't fool the huntsman. Ah, l' amour...
He wasn't eavesdropping--was keeping a respectful enough distance that he wouldn't be able to hear the ins-and-outs of their conversation. But his deft ears couldn't help but notice a shift in murmurings, a change in tone, where anyone else might not have heard anything at all. And when Cater Diamond had shuffled out so quickly, body tight and tense, Rook had a suspicion what may have happened.
Oh, beautiful Vil, what have you done?
He's brimming with concern, but when Rook knocks at Vil's door and opens it upon approval, he has his usual smile on his face. Even ad his worst, Vil's still unparalleled...and there's a big part of him that itches to see those volatile emotions. Naturally, he has a first-aid kit with him; he'll be sure to prevent Vil from retaining any scars.]
[Rook asks not for permission, only for forgiveness. But Vil knows this about him, so he merely approaches quietly, sitting beside his friend and housewarden and motioning to see the injury.]
More than in a physical sense, I take it.
[The shattered mirror, the blood that's now staining more than just Vil's fair skin...this is a mess, all right.]
When the two of you arrived, you seemed to be in particularly high spirits. Tell me, what changed so quickly?
[The walk from Pomefiore to the Hall of Mirrors and through the Heartslabyul gardens is maybe the single longest one he's ever had to take. Cater thought that it had been rough trying to keep himself together after he and Vil had been outed on social media...but this was different. In some ways, easier. He found that he was going through the motions pretty easily, laughing and smiling and chatting idly with people who stopped him along the way.
But he feels much, much worse. It's the emptiness. There's a deep dark hole inside of his heart that's growing every second, pulling more and more of him in, and no matter how much more easily he keeps up his mask, each footstep feels like it takes hours. By the time he gets to his dorm and flops on the bed, he's completely lost track of just how much time had passed when in reality he's back home way earlier than he should be.
Cater doesn't bother so much as taking off his shoes.]
[Cater feels his stomach tighten when Trey arrives. He knows he's going to have to tell Trey what happened--that he'll just find out, anyway. It's not that he doesn't want to talk about it so much as he's not sure he can. His thoughts are confused. His emotions are dark. Putting them all into coherent picture sounds like starting a fight that he's doomed to loose.]
Mmm.
[With the assenting sound, Cater rolls on his side, back to Trey. He pulls out his phone and his pen from his pockets and tosses them somewhere on the pillows above him, uncaring.]
[The next day finds Vil's thoughts and feelings only more muddied instead of less.
The message from Cater has a knot forming in his stomach. Try as he might, nothing sounds good or right. After a solid fifteen minutes, he decides to put it off for a time.
Showering doesn't clear his head. Nor does his jog.
[It was a rough night. Aside from not really sleeping, thinking and overthinking the situation...it was hard not to keep beating himself up over what had happened. It had been Vil's way of crying out for help, hadn't he seen that? How had he misinterpreted things so poorly? And how had he sunken so far into his own self-pity that he couldn't reach outside of it?
When Cater finally forces himself out of bed for the morning, it's clear to him that he's not going to feel much better without talking to Vil directly. The idea of vomiting his thoughts out in the open is enough to make him want to be really sick, but it's the best he can really do. Put his feelings out there and, in turn, listen to Vil's.
So, he sends him a text. As far as he knows, Vil is free for the day...but who knows. Something could've popped up, or maybe he won't be ready to talk yet and will pretend that he's booked. Not really Vil's style, but Cater can't help thinking it. Somehow, being left on read completely isn't what he's expecting. WTF?
Well, for now, all he can do is head out and try not to obsess. Do not spam Vil Schoenheit's phone with needy texts, he tells himself. It was one thing when he was having a total meltdown while they weren't fighting. Doing it now would just be desperate. Coffee. He needs coffee. Breakfast.
He keeps checking his phone to see if the little "..." might pop up in their text history all the way to and from the cafeteria. Cater's intending to head back to Heartslabyul when he glances up to see Vil. From someone else's view, it might've almost looked like something out of a romance film. Cater looking up from his phone at the top of the main building's staircase. Vil pausing at the end of his jog at the foot of it...
And then Vil about faces and leaves. Cater all but drops his coffee, he is shook.]
V-Vil! Wait up!
[It takes him a second before his brain and his feet catch up with one another and he heads down the staircase. It's all he can do not to totally break out into a run, but that would definitely call too much attention on the both of them. The last thing either of them needs in the middle of this mess is a bunch of nosy classmates taking covert photos and rumor milling about trouble in paradise.
So, Cater does what he does best: pretends that everything is fine. He's not chasing Vil, they just...happen to both be walking in the same direction. Sipping nervously at his coffee, Cater covertly summons a couple of split cards to break off from either side so that either of may be able to cut Vil off at the stables or before the coliseum, depending on which way he keeps going.
Damn, those long legs can walk so fast! Hate to see you go but love to watch you leave, Vil. Cater's definitely regretting that he didn't have his skateboard on him.]
[There's bile burning at the back of his throat. His chest feels too tight. He can't, he can't, he can't.
Instinctively, he moves where there's less people. He feels unsteady, almost weak. And absolutely nauseated. He needs to go back to his dorm, where it's safe—
Cater steps out in front of him, and Vil stops just short of crashing into him, face paling.]
No...
[He starts heading for another direction, but then there's Cater again.
It's been a long while since he's felt all his nerves lit on fire like this. All frayed at the edges. His breath wavers as he backs against the closest wall, head ducking and hands coming up to cover his face.]
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an aside
Aaaah, Trey, what a day! What's for dinner?
[You know, because obviously his food sounds way better than anything at the cafeteria right now. And he's so cute, why wouldn't Trey want to cook for him? Cater gives his best innocent face, poising his face in his hands as he leans across the kitchen counter.]
How about something invigoratingly spicy for the most adorable roommate ever?
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To see that smile so much less forced than usual was a surprise indeed. A surprise and... hm. Maybe a touch concerning? Trey can't help but worry over things, and, well... He just hopes it isn't a fluke, is all.
When Cater comes in, he gives an amused huff.]
Sounds like you had an interesting morning.
[Trey keeps an eye out, and he'd noticed the teen hadn't seemed all that different upon first waking up... but once classes begun, it was as if a weight had lifted off his shoulders.
The request gets some raised eyebrows.]
You're also technically the least adorable roommate ever.
[He hums thoughtfully, a coy look coming to his face.]
I might be willing to make you something... if you tell me what's got you in such high spirits.
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You're so cruel, Trey, holding your culinary skills over my head like that...!
[Just like that, he remembers Vil's request. He said he'd think about it, promised he'd try, and he didn't really mean to do so within 24 hours...instinctively, Cater starts to retreat mentally. Maybe he can get away with keeping things at least somewhat casual.]
So unfair, trying to make me kiss and tell.
[At least that'll give Trey an answer without actually getting real about it.]
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I do like to get some sort of compensation now and then.
[Also, it's just fun to tease Cater and make him squirm.
The words make him raise his eyebrows.]
Kiss and tell? No kidding?
[... huh. It's not like he has eyes on Cater 24/7, but still, it baffles him that he's not really sure who it could be.]
Come on, Cater, we're not in high school anymore. Who is it?
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the truth come out
But the problem with celebrity romances? They're damn near impossible to keep under wraps for long.
The two come upon Cater with a few other boys. Trey and Riddle exchange glances before Trey calls out.]
Hey, Cater!
[A couple of the people confronting him look over, but Cater doesn't. And nor does he respond.
Riddle's expression hardens. Trey reaches out with a hand to touch Riddle's shoulder. Quietly, he whispers to him, then moves forward, heedless of the other boys.]
Yo, I've been looking everywhere for you. Let's get going!
Your glasses broken, four-eyes? We're in the middle of something!
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What the Hell?
It's so surprising that the obvious answer doesn't hit him, but the second he opens Magicam his stomach drops. It's all he can do not to exclaim out loud, and forgetting himself ultimately gets called out by the professor. It's the only reason Cater puts his phone away, but he spends the rest of the class agitated, his legs restless. Vil, he has to call Vil. Has to see Vil. Has to get out of here.
When the bell lets them go he's out of his seat and out the door before anyone can stop him. As much as he wants to run, he keeps himself at a brisk pace, trying to keep some manner of calm about him on his way to Heartslabyul. Of course he wouldn't be so fortunate. Cater's attention is halfway focused on his phone as he walks, so he doesn't even notice as the other boys crowd in on him. All of a sudden his path is blocked, and he's forced to stop and face them head-on.
Nothing like this has ever happened before, but it's not like he's never had to face a bully before. It's been awhile, but when it has happened (more recently when he's stepping in to help out an underclassman more than himself) he's generally able to diffuse the situation with an easy sort of charm. Right now, Cater can't think straight enough to keep himself in check. Their words and accusations sting, digging in like barbs in his weakest points.
From their distance, their conversation isn't easy to hear, and Cater's voice is low as he says something. Whatever it was, it clearly couldn't have been good, because all the bullies swing their attention directly back to Cater with a look of surprise, and then anger. One of them grabs him roughly by the front of his shirt, threatening.]
You think you're real hot shit all of a sudden, don't you?
[Things are escalating fast, but Cater doesn't make any kind of move to defend himself.]
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[Riddle bodily gets in between himself and the other students, and with a deft hand, he reaches out to grab a pressure point of the student grabbing Cater, causing him to release his grip.
He isn't letting go.]
Give me one good reason why I shouldn't send you all to the infirmary and call it self-defense.
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You're as pale as a ghost... What was that about?
[It's more Trey wondering out loud than actually asking. He doesn't really expect to get an answer.
For now, it's straight to the dorm, and to their shared room.]
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Post-Overblot Riddle
It'd taken everything in him to piece himself together enough to allow Trey and Cater to guide him back to the dorm and into his room. Everything to bottle the wracking sobs that threatened to burst forth again with everything breath. Everything to tighten the muscles in his throat to stop the whimpers from slipping out.
He managed, too, to keep it down while he was treated. Though he felt a persistent pressure behind his eyes, no further tears formed while the nurse tended to him. Quiet and subdued, he complied with any instructions, then thanked him for his service.
And when the nurse is gone, he's left staring up at the ceiling with Trey and Cater at either side, who'd been practically glued there since he came down from his Overblot. He looks drained, still feels like his heart has been torn open and like he wants to sob. Yet, the tears don't resume.
Instead, he takes a shaky breath, arm laying over his face.]
...you two can go. I'll be fine.
[Eventually.]
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But of course, it wasn't fine. They were all exhausted, emotionally charged. There was plenty of relief that Riddle was going to be alright, that a big part of his issues had been addressed, but that didn't mean there wasn't plenty of other things to address. Cater is glad to be sitting down, his expression serious with it just being the three of them.
When Riddle speaks, he lets out a humorless laugh.]
It's okay not to be fine right now.
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Trey, for his part, it the picture of calm steadiness and reassurance. Except something's a bit off in his gaze right now— like he isn't entirely here. Like his mind is playing out some scenario that never happened.
It doesn't stop him from being here, hands holding one of Riddle's and giving it a comforting squeeze. That hand that was holding onto him like a lifeline.]
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Still, he wrestles to maintain control with logic, keeping a hand on Riddle's opposite shoulder as he cries.
There isn't much that can be or needs to be said right now: simply being there is the best they can do. So Cater doesn't say anything until Riddle's tears of stopped and he seems on the verge of falling asleep.]
We should let you rest--but if you need anything, we're just on the other side of that door, okay?
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it's fashion week (not really)
Happy just to have permission to leave campus and go into town, Cater uses his scrolling powers to find more options where they can eat healthy but otherwise lets Vil decide what would be fun for the day. Somehow, he's still kind of surprised when they end up shopping, though he knows he shouldn't be.
The store they're stopped in is way fancier than he's used to. Cater dresses trendy, of course, but he hardly has the funds to shop high end. It's hard not to feel a bit like a fish out of water as he eyes a rack of jackets.]
I've never been in here before--what kind of fit do you have in mind?
[The woman at the counter is clearly beyond dazzled to be in the presence of a teen superstar, so it goes without saying they'll be waited on to the best of her ability.]
it's dress up cater and appreciate the fuck out of him week
And part of that effort is boosting the redhead's morale and self-esteem. While it was true that beauty was only skin-deep, one would be hard-pressed to dismiss the boost of confidence that can come simply from dressing up, accenting a person's wonderful features that they were so blind to before.
... not that Cater knows that, but it's time to change that.]
What indeed. Actually, I'm not here for myself at all.
[He brings up a finger.]
We're going to find the clothes to bring out the true Cater— beautiful, handsome and wonderful as he is.
guess it's the week he DIES
[Cater freezes in surprise, looking over at Vil as he makes his big reveal. A shock of confusion floods his face--and then he bursts out laughing.]
Pffft! You've already got the beautiful and handsome aesthetic covered. Cater Diamond's cute or bust!
rest in pieces sweet prince
put lilies on his grave
Re: put lilies on his grave
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1/3
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mira mira...
He wasn't eavesdropping--was keeping a respectful enough distance that he wouldn't be able to hear the ins-and-outs of their conversation. But his deft ears couldn't help but notice a shift in murmurings, a change in tone, where anyone else might not have heard anything at all. And when Cater Diamond had shuffled out so quickly, body tight and tense, Rook had a suspicion what may have happened.
Oh, beautiful Vil, what have you done?
He's brimming with concern, but when Rook knocks at Vil's door and opens it upon approval, he has his usual smile on his face. Even ad his worst, Vil's still unparalleled...and there's a big part of him that itches to see those volatile emotions. Naturally, he has a first-aid kit with him; he'll be sure to prevent Vil from retaining any scars.]
Bonjour, Roi du Poison.
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I don't recall giving you permission to come in.
[His voice is surprisingly steady and neutral despite what had happened. A Housewarden through and through.
In spite of that, he doesn't try to dismiss him. Instead, he simply sits on his bed again, the injured hand off to the side.]
Mmn. I've made a mess of things.
[It's said so casually, one could only tell by knowing Vil that his hand wasn't the only thing bleeding.]
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More than in a physical sense, I take it.
[The shattered mirror, the blood that's now staining more than just Vil's fair skin...this is a mess, all right.]
When the two of you arrived, you seemed to be in particularly high spirits. Tell me, what changed so quickly?
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anyway here's wonderwall
But he feels much, much worse. It's the emptiness. There's a deep dark hole inside of his heart that's growing every second, pulling more and more of him in, and no matter how much more easily he keeps up his mask, each footstep feels like it takes hours. By the time he gets to his dorm and flops on the bed, he's completely lost track of just how much time had passed when in reality he's back home way earlier than he should be.
Cater doesn't bother so much as taking off his shoes.]
CUZ AFTER ALL
Riddle was finally on the mend. Cater seemed in high spirits. All in all, things seemed to be going well...
...until now.
When he opens the door and sees Cater on the bed, he lets out a slow breath, and closes the door behind him.]
... date got cut short?
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Mmm.
[With the assenting sound, Cater rolls on his side, back to Trey. He pulls out his phone and his pen from his pockets and tosses them somewhere on the pillows above him, uncaring.]
Pretty sure I was just dumped.
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The message from Cater has a knot forming in his stomach. Try as he might, nothing sounds good or right. After a solid fifteen minutes, he decides to put it off for a time.
Showering doesn't clear his head. Nor does his jog.
And as he finishes up, he sees Cater. He stops.
Then he turns, and briskly walks away.]
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When Cater finally forces himself out of bed for the morning, it's clear to him that he's not going to feel much better without talking to Vil directly. The idea of vomiting his thoughts out in the open is enough to make him want to be really sick, but it's the best he can really do. Put his feelings out there and, in turn, listen to Vil's.
So, he sends him a text. As far as he knows, Vil is free for the day...but who knows. Something could've popped up, or maybe he won't be ready to talk yet and will pretend that he's booked. Not really Vil's style, but Cater can't help thinking it. Somehow, being left on read completely isn't what he's expecting. WTF?
Well, for now, all he can do is head out and try not to obsess. Do not spam Vil Schoenheit's phone with needy texts, he tells himself. It was one thing when he was having a total meltdown while they weren't fighting. Doing it now would just be desperate. Coffee. He needs coffee. Breakfast.
He keeps checking his phone to see if the little "..." might pop up in their text history all the way to and from the cafeteria. Cater's intending to head back to Heartslabyul when he glances up to see Vil. From someone else's view, it might've almost looked like something out of a romance film. Cater looking up from his phone at the top of the main building's staircase. Vil pausing at the end of his jog at the foot of it...
And then Vil about faces and leaves. Cater all but drops his coffee, he is shook.]
V-Vil! Wait up!
[It takes him a second before his brain and his feet catch up with one another and he heads down the staircase. It's all he can do not to totally break out into a run, but that would definitely call too much attention on the both of them. The last thing either of them needs in the middle of this mess is a bunch of nosy classmates taking covert photos and rumor milling about trouble in paradise.
So, Cater does what he does best: pretends that everything is fine. He's not chasing Vil, they just...happen to both be walking in the same direction. Sipping nervously at his coffee, Cater covertly summons a couple of split cards to break off from either side so that either of may be able to cut Vil off at the stables or before the coliseum, depending on which way he keeps going.
Damn, those long legs can walk so fast! Hate to see you go but love to watch you leave, Vil. Cater's definitely regretting that he didn't have his skateboard on him.]
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Instinctively, he moves where there's less people. He feels unsteady, almost weak. And absolutely nauseated. He needs to go back to his dorm, where it's safe—
Cater steps out in front of him, and Vil stops just short of crashing into him, face paling.]
No...
[He starts heading for another direction, but then there's Cater again.
It's been a long while since he's felt all his nerves lit on fire like this. All frayed at the edges. His breath wavers as he backs against the closest wall, head ducking and hands coming up to cover his face.]
Don't!
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