Chapter Text
MONDAY
Whispers of the latest party news died down as students in the hallways noticed the infamous crimson tyrant passing them by.
One of the students abruptly stopped chatting and jumped out of their skin as soon as Riddle spared them a glance. He was aware of their fear, and he understood it, but sometimes it felt like they were doing too much.
A Scarabia party hardly sounded like anything to quiet down about. In fact, he already knew about it since during their latest housewarden meeting, Kalim hadn't exactly been discreet about asking Crowley for permission to host it. And knowing the headmage’s weakness to money the Al-Asims, it was a no brainer the party planning was already in motion.
Riddle ignored the cautious stares and silence the rest of his way to class.
—
“I’m so sorry, Headmage! I completely forgot!” At the mention of permit slips he was meant to print out, Kalim lowered his head in apology in the middle of the headmage’s office. “I’ll get them to you tomorrow!”
“Dear me… Well, I suppose with the amount of times Scarabia has thrown a banquet, a party shouldn’t be much of a difference.” Crowley held his head in thought, “I could make an exception!”
“Wahh really?!” Kalim sighed in relief, and fixed his posture, “Thank you, Headmage!”
“Oho, it’s no problem.” Crowley laughed proudly to himself as he wrote Kalim a letter of approval. “But yes, I am so kind.”
Kalim walked out of the office with his letter of approval and trademarked joy. As soon as he made it into the hallway, he wasted no time in telling his classmates all about his Spring at Scarabia! Party. He passed by Ace and Deuce on his way to his classroom and excitedly invited them.
There wasn’t much conversation amongst the three, Ace was quick to accept and began asking for details.
“Next Tuesday…” Ace held his chin but it was obvious no thought actually went through his head. “Weird to be in the middle of the week but sure!”
“Wait—” Deuce held onto Ace’s shoulder as if to prevent him from getting too eager, “— That’s our week for flamingo duty.”
The truth dawned on him as Ace’s grin shifted into a frown of realization. Knowing it was a party meant that it would probably be lasting until late at night. No way in Tartarus would Riddle allow any of his card soldiers to so much as pull an all nighter out of the dorms, especially if they have designated chores the next day. And for a party? That might just be actual decapitation.
Kalim watched the two and their frustrated expression, “Why don’t you just ask him? I’m sure Riddle could consider, I mean Jamil and I will be supervising!”
Deuce found no comfort in that statement, in fact he suspected Riddle would criticize more if he heard Kalim was the one supervising.
“Thanks Kalim.. But I don’t think we can finalize our attendance yet.” Ever so formal, Deuce bowed his head.
“It’s no problem, I’m sure everything will work out!” Kalim tried to sound upbeat and patted Ace and Deuce in reassurance.
—
Ace and Deuce sat together at the library.
The ginger propped his feet up on the chair to his left as he leaned on Deuce to his right. He held paper but rather than writing notes, he created a lazy paper-fortune teller. Deuce on the other hand struggled to study as he hunched forward yet still felt Ace’s hair on his neck.
“Do you have to occupy 3 chairs?” Deuce complained, tightening the grip on his pen.
Ace ignored him and started on a paper plane. “Man, I was with Epel during alchemy and he told me even he was going to the party.”
“Woah, really?” Deuce placed down his pen and rested his head on his hand, “I woulda thought Vil would be against the idea of a party, seeing it could probably affect Epel’s sleep. You know he’s really precise about that? He caught us gaming once, it was scary.”
“I thought the same! But apparently it’s good for ‘social status’, and that matters more? I wonder if there’s a queen rule about partying.” Ace slumped and his head fell between Deuce’s back and the chair’s backrest, “Ouch–”
“Maybe if you got up…”
“Im in mourning! My brother went to parties all the time with his gang.”
Deuce stiffened, “Your brother was in a gang? Maybe you look familiar…”
“What? No, I meant his friends.” Ace gave him a weird look. “He’d tell me all about it and teach me party tricks.”
“Is that where you got all your magic tricks from?”
“Partially, I actually found them interesting after learning a few and taught myself the rest.”
“Ooo, what’s happening here?” From the entrance of the library, the card-duo were met with Kalim and Jamil, looking like they were there to study as well.
“Don’t bother them, Kalim—” Before Jamil could finish reprimanding him, Kalim had already made his way to the other two.
“Are you guys studying? Me and Jamil were about to as well!” The second-year leaned on their table and easily chatted them up.
“Jamil! Kalim! Good afternoon!” Deuce shoo-ed Ace away from his seat and sat properly, “Well I was trying to study.”
Ace stuck his tongue out in reply and fixed himself on his chair. “I’m still pretty bummed about the party, okay! Literally everyone else is going.”
“Have you guys actually asked Riddle yet?” Jamil interjected, pulling up a chair for both him and Kalim.
Ace crossed his arms and shook his head, “Riddle would drink iced tea before letting us stay up partying during duty week.”
“Wow, no benefit of the doubt there, huh.”
“It’s not like we expect so little of our housewarden!” Deuce stuttered out, “We just don’t assume he’d um.. Let us do something possibly irresponsible?”
“If you put it that way,” Jamil pointed, “Your made-up delusion Riddle has a point. You’re digging your own grave with that logic.”
“Nah. straight up, I just wish Riddle would chillax once in a while. I mean it’s that rigidness that—”
Ace let the remainder of the sentence die on his tongue as he glanced at Jamil.
He clicked his tongue and waited for someone else to talk.
“What if we could help him?” Kalim suggested, “Maybe do something that can guarantee he’ll let you go?”
Deuce raised his brows “What do you mean?”
“Kalim, that’s terribly vague.” Jamil said,
“Think about it!” The housewarden urged, “Maybe someone or something that um.. inspires? him to go or be more outgoing! I mean if he were to go, he’d definitely let you guys too!”
“Great sevens.” Ace’s eyes lit up, “Are you saying we should get him a boyfriend?”
“What!” Deuce’s face flushed and he hit Ace’s arm, “When did he at all imply that?!”
“I mean, him getting a date would surely make him at least a bit laid back, no? What’s up deucey-chan? Flustered at the idea of Riddle kissing someone?” In honesty, Ace would also be speechless at the sight, but teasing Deuce was a priority.
“What– no— I mean, yes?”
Ace laughed at Deuce’s spluttering and scooched away from the blue-haired student’s biceps.
“Riddle dating someone is an interesting idea…” Jamil said, thinking about the pros and cons.
“Huh?” Deuce’s attention snapped away from Ace, “Jamil, you’re enabling this?!”
“Of course not. I don’t think you should be meddling with someone else’s affairs, much less literal affairs.” He side-eyed Kalim, noting that he’s probably already contemplating the idea. “Although, getting Riddle in a relationship sounds like it’d give mutual benefits.”
Deuce, although still visibly uncertain with the idea, seemed to have been considering it.
“But—” Jamil continued, “Everyone knows Riddle prioritizes his academics and rules more than anything. I, for one, respect his consistency, but others wouldn't. No one would get with someone if they’re not sure they can put them first.”
Ace, once again, deflated into his seat. “Damnit.. I forgot he had that kinda rep. I don't think any of my classmates would date him.”
Ever-so-optimistic Kalim proposed that he could ask around the second years. “I’m sure there’s someone!”
Ace beamed, “No way, you’d actually do that for us!?”
“Hold on, first, it’s not set in stone yet. We’re not sure if we can find someone.” Jamil reminded, “And you realize we’d have to set someone up and get Riddle to like them all in under a week.”
Deuce nodded with Jamil’s reasoning, “This doesn’t seem like the strongest plan.”
“But it’s possible!” Kalim pushed, “We aren’t aiming to get them official, just something that would welcome Riddle to the idea of, maybe, a serious relationship. Riddle in love! Can you imagine? He deserves it!”
“Yeah!” Ace cheered, “Don’t you wanna see our housewarden in love?”
“Not forced love..” Deuce commented, “Is it really smart or moral to be playing matchmaker?”
“I agree with Deuce. Even if we manage to get someone Riddle likes, he wouldn't just compromise his values. The ending results are too blurry for this to be a solid plan.” The vice-housewarden states.
“That’s good enough for us! As long as there's hope!” Ace brought himself closer to Jamil's ear and brought his hand around his mouth, hiding his words, “What if I start like ultra glazing you in front of coach? I know you’ve been thinking about making captain.”
“Quite desperate there, Trappola.” Jamil whispered back, “You do play your cards right.”
Ace grinned in satisfaction, leaning away. “All is fair in Night Raven.”
Jamil placed a hand on his hip and directed himself to Deuce, “Well, it’s not as if we’ll be forcing someone to get with Riddle. Neither will we push the plan if it fails. Kalim and I will discuss the boundaries of the mission,”
“Pleasure doin’ business with ya, teammate!” Ace shook his hand which Jamil halfheartedly reciprocated.
“And.” Jamil tightened his grip, “Not a word of the details to anyone else.”
“Of course not.”
The Scarabia duo excused themselves to another table to get on with their studying, leaving Ace and Deuce back alone.
“Ace, I’m still not so sure about this.”
“C’mon Deuce. It’s not like getting lai…err.. It’s not like getting a boyfriend would hurt!”
Deuce frowned, “Yeah, but the way we’re only doing this to get into a party… It feels kinda shallow. Maybe Jamil is right, we should give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Jamil can’t call us shallow, and they already agreed.” Ace reasoned, “Like they said if it doesn’t work out, they’ll stop. Housewarden wont get hurt, we’ll live with the satisfaction that we tried. So there’s nothing to lose!”
“Fine..”
Just as Deuce was about to continue his notes, he jolted upright and stared at Ace in horror. Ace flinched as well at the sudden movement and looked back at the man in confusion and slight-annoyance.
“Dude, what gives?”
“Is Housewarden even gay?!”
Well.
Que sera sera?