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If Ace had to say one thing that everyone was good at it would be over-exaggeration. And see, the thing is he gets it. It is so easy to embellish or to stretch out what truly happened and sometimes people cannot help but to add a little sparkle to their words. He understands, okay? Hell, he’s almost the kind of over-exaggeration when it comes to being in pain. So, he can forgive and understand why people might sometimes not tell the full truth and might be dramatic.
However, he would like to have whoever said dating Leona would be a pain to be burned at the stake for blasphemy. Because in all honesty, it is the best thing that’s happened to Ace.
Sure, dating the Lion can have its challenged. For one, he rarely ever texts back and when he does is the slowest and blandest texter. Quite frankly he can get more riveting conversation from talking to housewarden Riddle about Hedgehog maintenance. Also, the other has the tendency to be far too logical about things which can cause him to sometimes stream role through Ace’s feelings without taking a moment to think about them. Also, the other has a temper with a short handle on it.
However, Leona is also incredibly perceptive and is always able to make up for whenever he messes up. He also knows what to get Ace, what Ace likes and so much more even though he pretends he isn’t paying much attention to Ace when he’s rambling.
Leona is also extremely comfortable to snuggle, and surprisingly he is always up for cuddling, even when it doesn’t seem like it. He’ll just casually pull Ace into his lap or his bed, wrapping his arms around the younger and burying his face in Ace’s neck as he holds him as if he is the only one that matters.
And the dates! They vary based on the mood of the couple and whilst sometimes the other might not initially want to do something, they enjoy seeing the other happy. Like when Leona took Ace on a mini shopping spree even though he had no interest in being around all the noise, but seeing his boyfriend giddily find matching outfits and jewellery for them had been worth it. And Ace playing a game of chess with the other, simply because he enjoys seeing Leona so confidant and smart and simply being at ease with where he is.
Their relationship worked. All the way from Leona convincing Ace to grow out his hair by caring for it himself, to Ace indulging Leona’s wandering hands and possessive tendencies.
The problem was informing everyone. Especially after almost 6 months of dating.
Fuck.
“So Acey, what’s up? Why the nerves?” asked Cater, looking up from his phone to find Ace nervously fidgeting with his magical pen as he cast his eyes over Cater, Riddle and Trey one-by-one almost as if assessing which one is the biggest threat and danger.
‘Oh shit, what did he and deuce do now?” thought Cater mentally as he thought of ways to pacify Riddle, already watching as the other had crossed his arms and furrowed his eyebrows expectantly.
“Yes Ace, what is the matter? Did you do something?” asked Riddle, anger in his tone. Both Ace and Trey winced at the tone and Cater wondered, not for the first time, if this was the day that Trey was going to finally start developing grey hairs.
“Well technically, I didn’t do anything.” Ace tried to argue back but shrank back down when Riddle’s glare grew. Cater raised an eyebrow the reaction, because this was typically where Ace got even more jokey and sarcastic. “So, I just wanted to tell you three, because you are by dorm upperclassmen, and you deserve to know first before discovering it from an idiot who can’t keep their mouth shut.” Ace started rambling before a pointed cough from Trey caused him to pause and take a deep breath. “I am dating someone. In this school. And no, it isn’t a 2D portrait” Ace gave him a pointed look, as is sensing the joke that was about to come his way.
It was silent for a few seconds, before Riddle smiled brightly at Ace and gave a light chuckle. “Oh, is that it Ace?” he asked, shaking his head and getting up from his perch on the couch. “There was no need to be so nervous. We would never judge you for this.” He talked as he approached the younger, standing in front of him, smile relaxed. “So long as you are safe and happy, that is all the matters.” He patted the youngers shoulders.
Clearly, their reactions were not Ace was expecting because he stood there, jaw dropped as if someone told him that Riddle had told a particularly funny joke or that Deuce had gotten 100 on a written exam.
“Riddle is right.” Nodded Trey, smiling teasingly at the other.” There was no need to be so nervous.” The older got up and made his way to the kitchen with Riddle following him. “Now pie, anyone? I’m sure I have a few spares…” he trailed off, walking into the question with Riddle behind him.
That left only Cater and Ace in the room. Cater gave a smirk before swaggering over to Ace who already seemed to dread the conversation that was about to happen. “So Acey-pie?” cooed Cater, resting an arm on Ace’s shoulder, “Who on earth are you dating?” he asked the most vital question that seemed to slip from the other two’s mind, most likely just grateful that Ace hadn’t gotten into any major trouble. “There is no way you would be just scared of coming out to them. So, Who. Are. You. Dating?” asked Cater, punctuating every word with a finger to Ace’s chest.
Ace stared at the older wordlessly, before letting out an annoyed sigh, and ruffling his hair which Cater noticed had some considerable length to It compared to the previous hair style.
“And I thought I was gonna get away with it!” whined Ace, pouting at Cater.
“Nope!” giggled Cater, as he threw his arms fully over Ace’ shoulder and brought him closer. “So now, spill!”
Ace paused, as if almost contemplating if running was worth getting cornered later on before he sighed and turned around to fully face Cater. “It’s Leona.” He answered.
Cater froze. A part of him wanted to laugh it off as one big joke and teased Ace into telling him who he was actually dating but one look at Ace’s face made the words dry up his throat.
His eyes were wide and honest, almost scared as if sensing the incredulity that Cater had. Cater stared into Ace’s eyes for a moment, almost as if hoping to see if there was a sign of a lie but there was none. Instead, Cater threw him arms around Ace and gave him a tight hug. “Make sure you get that bag, Ace,” He whispered jokingly to the younger giving him a quick squeeze before letting go and going into the kitchen. “Good luck telling everyone else!” he called behind him, waving at Ace.
“Ace, who’s face had gone cherry red at Cater’s first sentence, immediately paled dramatically as he realised what’s going to be instore for him and Leona.
“Hey crabby!” called out Floyd as he watched Ace dress quicker than the other has ever done before. “Whatchya doin’?” he asked.
“Getting changed?” replied Ace, slightly perplexed at the obvious question. He was already halfway dressed and now in the customary wite collared shirt and school pants, whilst everyone else was still taking their time, discussing the club session and improvements they can do to beat RSA.
“Duh!” snapped Floyd annoyed, crossing his arms at the tone. “Buy why on earth are you of all people getting changed so quick?” he asked, his mis-matched eyes furrowing in confusion before lighting up with teasing glee and loudly asking “Got a hot date?” asked Floyd, leaning into Ace’s personal space.
“Can’t a guy just wanna leave a locker room after a sweaty club session and get away from the smell?” asked Ace, pouting at getting asked such an embarrassing in front of everyone, who all seemed to latch onto the bait like eager sharks.
“I mean, that could explain why he tried so hard at today’s club session.” Slinked in Jamil, mocking smile on as he watched Ace jump a foot in the air at the sudden appearance. “Wanted to brag about becoming the new ‘star’ of the club?” he teased, enjoying the red on Ace’s face as he spluttered at the accusations. The rest of the club let out little titters at the red-heads reaction.
“I have no idea what either of you are talking about!” Ace huffed as he used one of the cherry clips gifted to him by Leona to clip back his hair. “1) I simply wanted to impress Vargas -sensei so I can have an excuse to skip out on the next PE lesson.” So, Leona can use him as on over-sized pillow. “2) Everyone here smells like ass, and I simply do not want to have to walk all the way back to my dorm with that lingering on me.” Also, Leona gets incredibly jealous when he smells other people on the redhead and Ace had just ordered a cool new top and he would like to wear it without his neck looking ravaged. “And 3) If I did have a date, it would be none of your concern.” Leona was planning on having Ruggie bring something form the monstro-lounge as a little mini date.”
At the end of his little mini tirade, he had finished stuffing his clothes into his bag and swung it over his shoulders. “Any questions?” he asked, turning around to give them a petty glare.
“Yeah, the hell did crabby mean when I smelt bad?” glared Floyd, rage clear as he stood up and advanced threateningly towards the younger. Ace cringed and cursed his big mouth and his emotional response. Thankfully however, his ticket out had spawned.
“Exactly as spikey said, you all smell like a barnyard.” They’re stood Leona, ears twitching in annoyance, leaning on the door frame for his boyfriend. “Don’t get mad at him for telling it how it is.” He flicked his tail at Ace in a come-hither motion. Ace eagerly did so, sidling up to his tall boyfriend and leaned up, wanting a kiss. Leona, reciprocated, to the shock of just about everyone in the room. He finished off the kiss with a quick nip which promised Ace more when they were safely back in Leona’s room before said boyfriend turned to address the room.
“Deodorant and anti-perspirants are fucking cheap and if Ruggie can afford them then you fuckers have no excuses.” He left them with this final message before wrapping an arm around Ace’s shoulder and guiding him out of the room and to Leona’s dorm room so they can have their date.
The basketball club stood there silent before a rare Igihide student turned to a Diasmonia student and held their hand out. “That’s 100 thaumarks, thank you very much.”
“What?” asked Floyd irritably, turning to glare at the two students.
Rare Igihide must either be dumb or far too excited about winning money to care about Floyd’s tone and now hightailing it out of there. “We had a bet to see whether Ace or Leona would get together prior to Leona leaving for his internship.”
“And what made you think Leona and Ace would be dating?” asked Jamil, folding his arms and raising an eyebrow.
“Ace is one of the few students that Leona allows to interrupt his naps, Ace has started to wear extremely expensive watches and jewellery. Leona has started to carry out more hair bands and Ace has also started to grow his hair out more. Ace has also been spotted wearing a few of Leona’s shirts, even the dorm shirt one time. Also, Ace has had multiple wounds on his neck which he plays off as mosquito bite, however if you look carefully at this bite and compare it to a lion’s mouth, they do look similar.” The Igihide student had taken out notebooks, all filled with evidence of Ace and Leona’s relationship, and they were standing in front of everyone holding the imagine of a lion’s mouth and a grainy picture of bite wound on Ace’s neck.
Everyone stood there silently as they watched the crazed student, all who were close to him, moving back a few steps as to not catch whatever crazy he had.
“Man, you’re even creepier than seagull.” Floyd told him, pulling a face at his peer. He grabbed his bag and stormed out of the club room, with many following suits, not wanting to be alone with the other student.
“You know.” Jamil began as he and Floyd walked side by side to the mirrors. “Polyamory is always a thing.” He said cryptically before walking to the mirror to take him to his dorm.
Floyd stared at the mirror, almost hoping to summon the snake back before he sighed and ruffed his hair. ‘Too many emotions for the day.’ He thought to himself.
The first years all stared Ace down as he attempted to ignore them and focus on his cherry pie that Trey had baked him as an apology for Riddle’s earlier outburst.
Eventually, Sebek had finally lost his patience. “HUMAN!” he yelled loudly, attracting attention from all the poor people who happened to pass by.
“Idiot.” Replied Ace, as he ate another part of his apology pie. He isn’t gonna lie, hearing Sebek splutter over the insult was so far from his favourite memory of the other.
“Ace.” Began Epel, sitting down next to him and shooting the cherry pie a quick glare before turning soft eyes on him. “We’re sorry that we didn’t believe you about Leona and laughed at you when you said you were.” Apologised Epel, big eyes growing even wider. “Can you please forgive us?” asked Epel, leaning in closely.
“So long as you stop glaring at my pie as if killed your entire family.” Replied Ace pettily which caused Epel to let out a little snicker and punch him lightly on the shoulder. Ace finally looked up to the rest f his friends and was both shocked and pleased to see them seem genuinely remorseful.
“Leona gave me an earful when I got back to the dorm, and I really am sorry.” Ace couldn’t help but feel slightly bad, especially at the kicked puppy image that Jack was exuding. “I just thought that you would never go out with Leona because it didn’t seem like you two would get along and from what you told us about your ex, I just thought that you were in general not looking for a relationship.” Ace had to give it to the other, for as much as he tried to play the tough guy image, he can be incredibly sweet.
“I forgive you as well.” Sighed Ace and tried to not laugh as Jack’s tail began waggling excitedly.
“I believed you from the start!” declared Ortho and Ace smiled as he wrapped an arm around the younger’s shoulders. “I know you did.” He said, squeezing the other into his side, so far, his favourite first year.
“I APOLGISE FOR THE DISRESPECT I- “
“I GOT IT!” Interrupted Ace, absolutely not in the mood to put up with such foolishness any longer. “Sit down.” Ace demanded before turning to Deuce who immediately crashed into Ace. Ortho, thankfully, already sensing what was about to happen, jumped out of the way just in time and the rest of the friend group watched as Ace frantically attempted to comfort a near-crying Deuce.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry-.” Apologised Deuce over an over. He had bene the last one to find out that Ace was dating Leona and that had come from an extremely loud screaming match between Ace and Riddle over Riddle finding out that Ace was in fact dating Leona. It had led to hurtful words coming from both sides with an eventual pie apology from Riddle, who seemed shameful of his actions. Clearly getting chewed out by both Trey and Cater had been the wake-up call for him.
“Okay I got it!” Yelled Ace, trying to not let out any pained noises as he tried to get used to the pain on his back from being tackled by his best friend. “I forgive you just let me up so I can finish my pie!”
And because all of his friends are assholes, not a single one attempted to help, instead they all just sat there laughing at him. Thankfully, they all hated cherry too much to eat his pie.
“You know, we could have just made out in the cafeteria to reveal everything.” Leona grumbled as he brushed Ace’s hair for him.
Ace gave him a non-committal hum and continued scrolling through his messages from people congratulating him on his relationship to still complete disbelief about his relationship with a prince. And then there was Azul trying to pressure him into having a date at the monstro lounge. Sigh. Businessmen and their schemes.
“You could have also made sure that Rook was turned into a sand sculpture.” Replied Ace sweetly as he tilted his head back, pouting his lips for a kiss. Leona allowed it and leaned it. They held the kiss for a few slow moments before Ace pulled back, eyes twinkling. “However, I must say watching Riddle-senpai beat him up with his staff for asking how we ‘mate’ was the best part of the week.” He grinned cheekily.
“Really?” asked Leona, raising an eyebrow at the freshmen. “Even better than when I took you to that dessert shop and let you pick out as many things as you want?”
“Yup.”
“Even better than when I got you than new watch and let you get it custom made.”
“Yup.”
“Even better than when I put you in front of my mirror and fu-.” The rest of Leona’s world were muffled as Ace sprang from his lap and turned around; face beat red as he glared at his boyfriend. Unfortunately, that glare had no affect and only caused Leona to let out a low laugh.
“Okay, no, but still. It was pretty great you have to admit.” Pouted Ace at getting teased.
“Can’t disagree.” Agreed Leona as he turned Ace around and finished doing his hair. When he finished, he planned several kisses on the back of Ace’s hair. “Let’s sleep now.” And it would have sounded like a demand if Leona were talking to anyone else.
“okay.” Ace turned around again and planted a kiss on Leona’s cheek before flopping down on the bed.
Leona joined him and cradled him in his arms. And with that, the happy couple fell asleep in each other’s arms.