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"You don't have to sit here with me, by the way." Azul says quietly, placing down his lunch tray onto the cafeteria tables. He keeps his head facing forward, not wanting to see the potential looks other students are giving him. "I'm fine, really. The twins will come over and—"
"They're not coming, said they had club matters right now." answers Ruggie as he follows suit, sitting beside the housewarden with his own lunch tray. To Azul's relief, if he would even bother looking up and around, nobody is paying them any mind. "You can relax, not a single soul is looking at ya."
After the events of the recent overblots, life for the average student at Night Raven College had grown just marginally off balance. Especially for the housewardens affected. It's been a while since it's all occurred, of course, but Azul can't help the lingering voice in his conscious giving him every little reason to feel insecure.
He doesn't have lunch in the cafeteria often, or at all, really. Sometimes it's much more convenient to eat at the dorm, where nobody can see you and to serve yourself food that you can monitor the contents of. However, Ruggie annoyed him incessantly about coming to enjoy lunch food together— and who is he to refuse? Well, he did. And Ruggie chose not to listen anyway.
So here he sits, at a sad wooden table in the corner of the room with Ruggie- a stupid smile plastered across his face since he's successfully managed to drag out the merman. Much too close for his liking, their shoulders are practically nudging together.
"Your tray is so empty, you should take more. It's not like they're charging you for it." Ruggie says, taking note of the very little food Azul has on his tray, "Is this about health concerns? C'mon, even I'm getting antsy seeing this."
Azul scowls at him, really not appreciating the poking finger at his side. He hadn't taken Ruggie as the type to worry so much about other people's portions, but perhaps this is projection of sorts. "I'll be fine, goodness— Just focus on your own plate, can you?"
A firm hand brushes over his jaw, causing Azul to freeze up in place and blink wildly at such a sudden gesture. Ruggie's gaze is pointed, accusing even. Then, he retracts his hand and flicks Azul on the forehead.
"Eat more." he says to him.
"I'm eating enough." Azul retorts.
Ruggie's gaze doesn't falter, "Here." He grabs a spoonful of mashed potatoes from his own portion and holds it up to Azul's lips. "Say ahh."
If Azul could get anymore red, he very much would've. His cheeks flush hotly at such a gesture, pushing Ruggie away in embarrassment. "N-Not here!" The burn curls itself in Azul's throat, making it hard to speak- What a wonderful way to go, choked out by the shame of being spoon fed by your lover. "I can eat by myself just fine!"
The hyena pouts, lowering the spoon and sloppily dropping the potatoes back onto the tray. It's an expected reaction, the normal reaction. Ruggie's sure he wouldn't want to be seen like this by others either. "If you won't let me feed ya, then at least go grab some more food." He jabs a finger into the octopus' side, "You've been cooped up for days, please tell me you—"
He's effectively silenced, the warm press of Azul's lips on his- there's unfortunately no time for him to savor it, as Azul pulls back almost immediately. "I am, don't worry. If it stops your nagging we can.. share. Our meals, I mean." This is met by a bright smile, wide enough that it pokes dimples into Ruggie's cheeks, infectious enough that Azul too can't help himself.
Evidently, sharing food seems to mean a lot to the beastman. So Azul chooses to ignore that little voice, and live in the moment for a while.
"Watch out!" Floyd exclaims, running around the school field with a water balloon in hand. He tosses the filled ball blindly into the direction in front of him, effectively hitting Kalim in the chest.
With special permission from Coach Vargas, the students enjoyed themselves with a game of water balloon-throwing to deal with today's searing hot weather. He used the excuse of physical training, a form of activity that tests reflexes, agility, reaction time- or something. Whatever it is, Azul was most definitely not in the mood to indulge. This didn't stop him from coming over to check it out, however. Maybe he finds some sort of joy seeing his schoolmates get pelted with water balloons, it's good blackmail if he manages to capture a particularly humiliating picture.
"Smilin' to yourself, weirdo?" Ruggie walks over, his sports uniform practically drenched in a mix of sweat and tap water (gross). His ears flick to get excess water off, slightly damp but fluffy looking nonetheless. "Wanna take over for me? Not really looking to get anymore wet than I already am."
"Oh Seven," Azul grimaces at the sight of Ruggie's clothes, "At least let the sun dry you out a bit."
"Don't wanna." the shorter man collapses onto the grass, finding shade through the conveniently placed tree that his boyfriend took cover under. "It's pretty cooling if you leave it on ya, you should try." An offer that is swiftly rejected, but Ruggie seems to not mind. Azul takes it as invitation to sit beside him when Ruggie pats the grass patch below.
Admittedly, it is very hot. Azul could very much use the air conditioning back at the lounge, but it's not supposed to be open today— what a drag. He's jolted out of his thoughts when wet hair strands brush the side of his face, the right sleeve of his inner shirt dampened by the figure on his side. Ruggie's made himself comfortable, it seems, nuzzling his cheek into Azul's shoulder with his body weight pressed against his. Azul hopes and prays that his sportswear is enough of a barrier to make sure no sweat sticks onto him.
"Floyd's having a field day," Ruggie hums sleepily.
"I see that," remarks Azul. "Jack is too." he eyes the head of white hair and big wolf tail shaking off the water like some drenched dog (well, close enough). Azul squints a bit harder, surprised to find Vargas himself engaged in this water balloon war. That can't be fair, but who is he to give his input? The housewarden relaxes his muscles, lifting a hand to scratch behind Ruggie's ears. "My lap, come on."
Through his sleep-addled brain, Ruggie shifts himself off of Azul's shoulders and onto his lap- his body resting on the grass while his head is cushioned on Azul's thighs. A content sigh can be felt through his PE slacks, before the beastman succumbs to slumber once more. What a silly man, Azul likes to think. Somehow finding ways to be comfortable in these conditions, he's been reduced to a pillow, a shame. It's quite intimate, maybe, if that's even the word. A quick rub and scratch behind the hyena's ears is enough to make Ruggie's tail curl slightly.
Hyenas, apparently, purr. Or makes a sound similar to it, at least. It's something that Azul found out by accident when Ruggie had fell asleep on his side, similar to how he is now. It's whirring, funny- even. Nothing like the soft buzz that Lucius makes, a bit less like a dog's whine. More of a winded down version of Ruggie's already scratchy growl. Whatever it is, it vibrates through his body in a rhythmic kind of way.
When Azul closes his eyes, letting his head rest on the tree behind him, he can only feel Ruggie's sleeping body pressed up against him. Ruggie's hand searches for Azul's, trapping it in a firm grip while Azul's free hand cards through dirty blonde locks. The contact is appreciated, indicative of the shiver through the hyena's core. "My neck is itchy." He mumbles out, rubbing his thumb over Azul's palm like a plea.
He obliges, scratching the spotty skin of his neck. They resemble large freckles, he wonders how far down they go exactly. Maybe put that on the bucket list of things Azul wants to see while on land, at least once. Perhaps a few more times. If Ruggie allows.
"Saps," says Jamil as he walks by. "Couldn't save the cuddling for later?"
"And what brings you here?" Azul replies snidely, the vice-housewarden is dressed normally- so he gets the impression that it's not at all to participate in the balloon throwing.
"I was wondering where Kalim went, is all. A few Scarabia students pointed out that a game was happening in the field." Jamil's eyes narrow to take in the figures running amok. "Seeing as it's under Coach Vargas, I shouldn't have to worry too much."
Azul smiles at him, "If you'd like, I'd be happy to keep my eyes on Kalim for you."
"I'd rather not leave that responsibility in your hands, thanks." Jamil scrunches up his face in disdain, but chooses to sit down on the grass just a few inches away from the merman. "What's up with Ruggie? Fainted?"
"Asleep." Azul's voice quiets down, continuing to stroke through the hyena's hair. He's met with a soft hum from Jamil before they continue observing the students in silence. The Sun slowly begins to set, blanketing the sky in an orange-blue hue. There's bursts of laughter (notably from Vargas) as he asks a few students to clean up the field. To Azul's surprise, they don't seem the slightest bit upset at being ordered around. Wow, what a way to lift the spirits of even the most lousiest of students.
Jamil stretches his arms, promptly getting off the ground before giving Azul a warning, "If he catches us here, coach is going to drag us into cleaning too. Best make a dash for it if you don't want your delicate body frazzled."
Never one to sugarcoat, is he? Azul takes his advice, shaking Ruggie awake- weighing his options of leaving Ruggie and making a run for it alone if he doesn't wake up in the next 10 seconds. Eventually, he stirs- much to Azul's relief.
Jamil's searing gaze can be felt from the back of Azul's skull, so without turning his head- he speaks his mind. "What is it this time?"
"Nothing, I'm just surprised with how calm he looks."
"What?" he blinks at Jamil, whose eyes are fixed on the groggy beastman instead of him.
"I assume anyone would keep their guard up around you, but Ruggie's been sleeping on your lap all safe and sound. I'd think he was crazy." Jamil's laugh is faux and low, a smile remains in place. "You both really are weirdos, made for each other- I'm sure."
There comes no reply from Azul, so he waves the man off while keeping a firm grip on Ruggie's sleepy body.
Those words seem to stick onto him for much longer than he'd like to admit.
When they hang out, it's usually in Azul's room. Being housewarden gives him the privilege of a private abode as opposed to Ruggie's two-person dorm. He's sure his roommate would leave them alone had he asked, but that's a kind of embarrassment he doesn't want to risk facing. So the housewarden's room it is.
Ruggie likes to act as if he owns the place, not in some tyrannical bratty sort of way— More like a pet who only understands the concept of calling dibs on a couch when they've just been brought in. (Both descriptors could mean the same thing, if you squint hard enough).
In the animal kingdom, it's called scent marking. And much too gross of a concept for Azul to want to wrap his head around. It doesn't translate to beastmen as far as he's aware, but from what he picks up on Ruggie- there is an equivalent.
"You like my pillows a lot." Azul comments, picking out some clothes from his closet to change into. Ruggie's made himself comfortable on the bed, wrapped in Azul's comforter and pressing his face into a cream colored pillow. "Does Savanaclaw not have those?" he jests, not too seriously.
"Of course we do," Ruggie muffles out through the cushioning, "Yours are just fluffier. Silky. I like it."
Azul responds with a hum, slipping into a much more casual dress shirt before he makes his way to the bed. His boyfriend continues to rub his face against the fabric, like he's attempting to mold the pillows and blankets into himself. Azul himself isn't sure if beastmen can scent things the same way their animal equivalents can, but regardless— it makes for a cute sight.
Ruggie senses his presence getting closer, so he blinks his eyes open and turns to face Azul. "Do you spray perfume on these? Smells like you."
"Fabric refreshers." Azul corrects dryly- playing with the soft comforter as he sits on the edge, "I tried to find a perfume that smells the same, why? Is it bad?" he asks, an expression morphing slowly into horror.
Without a reply, Ruggie pounces on him and buries his face into the housewarden's neck. "Never said that," a quick sniff to his nape, "You smell good."
There's an attempt made to push the hyena off, but it proves futile as Ruggie presses him further into the sheets and attacks his neck with kisses. "You- Is it a natural born talent of yours to be infuriating?" Azul groans at the onslaught.
"You don't seem to hate it." Ruggie's reply is quipping— planting kisses on certain spots more than once, moving down from where his nape connects with his Adam's apple. Azul whines, just a little bit, a quiet noise that he hopes Ruggie doesn't hear. Which he does, but doesn't comment on it.
The kisses move up to his jaw, and Azul finally speaks up. "What's up with this all of a sudden— Ow!" Azul pushes back on his partner, immediately sitting up and rubbing what now feels like a stinging patch on his face. "You bit me?!"
"Beastman thing," Ruggie jests, again. He leans in and softly pushes Azul back onto the head pillows. His lips meet the bitten spot, pressing down as if to heal what he'd just done.
"A beastman thing, or a you thing?" Azul's eyes narrow.
"That's for you to decide." he laughs, before capturing his boyfriend's lips in for a kiss. Azul makes out a small yelp in protest, drowned out when Ruggie kisses him harder. The merman feels himself being crammed further into the sheets, and he flimsily raises his hands to grab ahold of Ruggie's face. Whether to push him away, or hold him closer, he can't say. Because he feels his wrists bound tightly by Ruggie's own hands— pried away and pinned down onto the mattress.
They don't really make out, not often at least, Azul deemed himself far too inexperienced to do so. But it seemed like it was Ruggie's most favorite thing to do, like Azul's mouth was some sort of lavish meal— and he was starving. Well, thats a kind of nasty analogy, in hindsight, comparing Azul to a meal about to be devoured. Ruggie's grip onto Azul's palms tighten, nails digging into skin.
In moments like these, Azul feels glad that among the few things he shared with the common octopus, it was not three hearts. He feels like any other pressure and affection to this already sensitive body may make him explode. Ruggie's body heat nudging against his own, he might as well sear a hole into the bed in the shape of them together.
Ruggie's tongue licks against his teeth, demanding entry. To which Azul obliges, and he feels like he shouldn't have, since his mind is getting so buzzy he can barely think or move. After a while, Ruggie finally pulls off. A string of saliva connects their lips, gross- now that he thinks about it.
Through his fogged up glasses, he can see Ruggie's tail wagging rapidly- akin to a dog seeing their owner after a grueling half day all alone. And the other seems to notice, because he pats the tail down in a frantic attempt to save face. Failing, Ruggie flops onto the bed beside Azul. "You took that pretty well."
"I did not, you just left me with no openings." the merman retorts. Azul stretches his hands, before laying on his side to take in Ruggie's now tousled appearance. "Was all that a 'beastman thing' too?"
There comes no answer, Ruggie mirrors his movements so that they are looking at each other— partially, the hyena's eyes seem focused elsewhere. He moves the hand not squished between torso and mattress to softly brush against Azul's cheek, Ruggie's own hands freckled yet dry. "A me thing." a scratchy-sounding chuckle, before Ruggie leans in to kiss him chastely.
Whatever kind of scent marking that hyenas do, Azul's sure that he has it all over him by now. Probably his desk chair too. And his bed likely has dual-ownership if that's the case. His boyfriend has a stupid grin on his face, as if to imply he won something grand and is proud. There's something unbalanced in the air, no evident smell but still lingering heavy.
"Why do you like kissing me so much?" questions Azul, a hand traveling up Ruggie's sides and under his shirt. A cold (and slightly sweaty) palm rests atop his skin, sudden frost against a naturally warm body.
Ruggie looks at him like he'd asked something stupid, pretending to mull it over before replying, "You're my boyfriend, why would I not?" Yet despite such a flippant response, his eyes hold nothing but desire. Downturned in the way that Azul's been accustomed to, however much deeper with an expression he can't pinpoint. If Azul thinks about the development of all of.. this, for too long, his chest might ache more.
"I- I'm not good at it…" Azul admits defeatedly, immediately looking away as to not see the smirk on the other's face.
"You're not good at lying either, but that hasn't stopped you." Ruggie chuckles softly, earning a soft pinch to the torso.
"I'm a wonderful liar!"
"Like it's something to be proud about," the hyena grins from ear to ear (metaphorically, he supposes), kissing Azul on the nose this time. "You're adorable sometimes."
Azul's deception is easy to detect if one has observed his mannerisms for long enough, as shown by people like Yuu or those rascals from Heartslabyul. Ruggie, however, has never been lied to, not intentionally at least. The beastman is just intuitive like that, which makes even the tiniest of white lies hard to go through.
And that sharpness is what makes his boyfriend so irritating, how Azul can get nothing past Ruggie— the same way that Ruggie can't with him. A balance, of sorts. Two Joker cards being played at the same time, if you will. Azul wonders if that's what drew him in, except instead of a beautiful siren singing- it's some hyena who hoards snacks and jobs like the world ends tomorrow.
Again, his chest aches at the thought. How of all the people in the school (perhaps even, universe!) he could've fallen for, it's Ruggie. It's like his pride crumbles day by day the longer he stays with him. On cue, Ruggie caresses his face- sensing that inner turmoil. "You're thinking too hard."
"You give me too many things to think about." Azul's voice is small, hushed.
"I'm in your head? That's unfortunate." Ruggie smiles, his thumb rubbing softly in circles. "Stop thinking about me then."
There comes no response, the merman hmphs stubbornly before pulling Ruggie in so he's flush against his chest. A small 'oof' sounds through the shirt. "C'mon, you're pissy at me now?" Ruggie's words go ignored, followed by another annoyed huff, so he takes it as a sign to drop the matter and hug Azul tight. Warmth divides between them almost immediately, the hyena fiddles with his hands behind Azul's back.
As expected- Ruggie rubs his face against Azul's shirt. He takes in the smell (Azul's perfume, practically imprinted onto himself with how often he uses it), floral- which is ironic, given the whole underwater thing. Not like Azul particularly bothers, it's a brand he used upon coming to Night Raven College and has stuck with since. Familiarity, and distinct enough that Ruggie could likely sense him from a mile away.
And even that thought makes his body sting in a weird way, the mental image of Ruggie spotting Azul among a crowd of students because he's gotten so used to the smell of him. How despite all the worries and duties this man has, he still manages to split some of his time to see Azul. See him enough times that Azul himself can note down every little quirk and habit. A runt who's suffered in the past being able to find safety and comfort in the hands of Azul, of all people. This would be the last place to even consider being 'safe'.
Though, as Azul does with his business and tasks, he completes them with maximum efficiency. Thus, that same ethic must be shared with loving too.
"I'll think about you for as long as I want, until I grow sick at even the mention of you." Azul's voice is unnaturally gentle- unguarded, lips pressed onto Ruggie's crown. "Now quiet."