Chapter Text
Rule 131: “You must lick salt after taking a sip of plain milk.”
Riddle sat at his desk, tapping his finger on his cheek as he stared at the homework in front of him. He had originally intended to get the work over and done with, but no matter what he did, he couldn’t get his pen to write more than 5 words per minute. The events of earlier today had been bouncing back and forth in his mind, it was making it hard to focus. He was about to get up to take a break before he heard the click of the door and the subsequent creaking.
“Hey, Rid. Y’busy?” Ace knocked twice on the wood as he came in, giving the Housewarden a wave. Despite asking, he came in and walked over to where Riddle was sitting and set down a glass.
“Milk?” Riddle glanced over at the glass, putting down his pen as his eyes flickered to Ace instead.
“I know Kalim was supposed to bring you some earlier, but I figured I’d get you something anyways.” Ace explained. A smirk adorned his face as he crossed his arms. “I’m not gonna just let him one-up me like that."
Riddle slightly furrowed his brows and quietly clicked his tongue in some kind of disappointment at Ace's competitive way of thinking. So much for thinking Ace was just being nice for once.
Ace’s eyebrows raised. “What? Don’t want the milk? I can take it back if you’ve already gotten your fill.”
“No, I’ll take it, thank you.” Riddle moved to take the glass, but for a moment he paused and looked at the drink before looking back down at his notes, “You forgot the salt.”
"Oh, I did? Whoops." Ace crossed his arms, staring at the open notes. He placed a hand on the side of his desk as he leaned over to take a look. "What'cha studying there?"
“I’m reviewing my history notes.” Riddle responded without looking up to make eye contact. “I suggest you do the same. If not now then later.” He added with a glance back over to the glass of milk.
"Super important test comin' up anytime soon?" Ace asked, completely ignoring him.
“Just a regular test.” Riddle didn’t really know he was being ignored but he did know that Ace most likely was not actually interested in what he was doing.
"Alright, I see." Ace smirked, before he finally got up from the desk, putting his hands behind his head. "Guess I'll leave you alone, then. Can't be disturbing you while you're doing your super important housewarden business."
“Yes, very important housewarden business.” Riddle repeated in a slightly stressed yet joking way. “Thank you for the milk.”
“Yeah, yeah. Enjoy your plain ol' milk.” Ace quickly turned heel to leave, strolling towards the door with his posture as casual as ever.
Riddle sighed as he glanced back at the milk. He couldn’t drink it without salt. He reached over a hand to move the glass closer to him, and as he slid the drink across his desk, he noticed two small seasoning packets sitting behind it. Riddle narrowed his eyes in confusion, picking one up and inspecting it more closely. Salt…
His eyes briefly widened, and his head turned to look at the doorway. “Ace-.”
But the freshman either didn’t hear him, or didn’t bother to stop, because he was already out of the door before Riddle could finish.
“Ah…” Riddle sighed, before looking back at the salt packet. His eyes studied it carefully for a brief moment, until he set it back down on the desk, picking up the glass and putting it to his lips.