splitmemory | riddle/cater shenanigans

Staying back during break, the only two left in the Heartslabyul Dorm... were Riddle Rosehearts and Cater Diamond. Unfortunately for Cater, this meant that all of Riddle's attention was on him, scrutinizing his every movement, dragging Cater into studying or practicing with him at any given moment. Yes, they were meant to rest, but what did rest really mean when it came to Riddle? He practically didn't know the meaning of that.

At least, that's how their first day on break. The same as any other, really, with a lack of classes to attend.

The next morning, Cater wouldn't be woken up. If he chose to sleep in, he was allowed. If he didn't, that was also allowed -- Riddle didn't bother getting Cater when he'd gotten up for the day. Instead, his routine began, culminating in him sitting down in the common area of the Dorm, books piled high around him. Sheets of paper were strewn across the table. The homework they were assigned for break, as well as some extra work that Riddle had given himself, atop the work he'd assigned his Dorm members.

Riddle doesn't lift his head when he hears footsteps, the tell-tale sound of the only other person around waking up for the day. Riddle seems to have gotten dressed in most of his standard school uniform, aside from his jacket, which was nowhere to be found. His pen is in hand, eyes focused down on the paper.

"It's late to just now be waking up." He calls out towards Cater. It wasn't as if he was attempting to be harsh. That's just how Riddle's voice was!

Edited 2024-04-18 00:23 (UTC)

It was a surprise not to be woken up at the crack of dawn--Cater didn't set an alarm on his phone due to the holiday, but he was still expecting Riddle to bang on the door to get him out of bed. Blearily, he reaches for his phone and checks the time, groaning. For all intents and purposes, 8:00AM was beyond sleeping in for Heartslabyul, even on a weekend, but it was still earlier than he wishes he was awake. It must be how used he is to waking up early that jumpstarted his internal clock.

He takes his time getting up, though, scrolling through his phone for about twenty minutes before shuffling out of his room, still in his pajamas with his hair strewn messily around his face. Hearing Riddle's voice, he meanders in that direction, yawning.

"You're joking," he says, knowing that Riddle was far from being a kidder. "This is mega early for vacation hours--and are you really studying already? Did you even eat breakfast?"

What Cater believed was 'early' and what Riddle believed were 'late' were too close to the same thing, causing an overlap in their opinions. It's difficult for Riddle to not make a face at the idea that he, of all people, would be joking in any sense of the word. Maybe the narrowed eye stare would be enough, and he wouldn't need to remind Cater of the proper rising hour. Cater's a smart boy - surely he'll get it.

Still, those questions did not suggest any hope for him. Riddle huffs out a sigh, finally lifting his eyes to look at Cater. Oh. He hadn't even gotten dressed for the day. Annoyance seeps into every fiber of Riddle's face.

The first clue that something is wrong would be the answer to those questions. "I am. You should be too, you know." Riddle's pen is pointed towards Cater, before his expression softens. He could never truly get that angry with Cater, especially not when most students were taking a break right now. Even he knew that. "... I did not. I woke up with less of an appetite today and decided it was best to have tea and get to work if I was going to waste time debating on whether or not to eat at all."

Riddle, who never skips a meal. Riddle, who forces himself to stay on a strict diet, even with all the sweets he consumes. Riddle, who was left with a plethora of sweets made by Trey for their break. Riddle had skipped breakfast, because of a lack of appetite. Motioning lightly at the table, he raises a brow slightly at Cater. "Are you going to join me? We can resume where we left off yesterday."

Edited 2024-04-18 01:09 (UTC)

Cater seems completely unfazed by Riddle's derision--he's used to it by now. Despite his sleepiness, that familiar cheeky grin settles across his face. Ugh, studying. Riddle was going to make him study every single day of this break, and he's starting to wonder if he wouldn't have been better off dealing with his sisters.

Well, Riddle was cuter to look at, so he had that going for him.

"If you aren't eating, something's gotta be eating you." He hums, wondering if it was because Trey wasn't there--the guy did have a habit of feeding most of the dorm, after all, even if he didn't necessarily want to. "I'm going to make us both breakfast. Pancakes sound good? We still have that strawberry syrup you like left in the fridge."

Resting one elbow on the table, pressing his chin against his hand to hold his head up there, he stares over at Cater, his index finger resting lightly over his mouth in thought. He didn't expect Cater to study every single day with him. That would be absurd, even he knew that much. Riddle could only expect that from himself, if anyone. At the very least...

He'd have company while he studied. It was awfully quiet in the dorm with everyone gone, he was finding. Since when did he like all that racket?

"I said I don't have much of an appetite, Cater. You don't have to make something for the both of us--!" The initial snap comes, an imminent lecture, before he takes in a sharp breath, forcing himself to calm down. It was too early to be getting worked up, especially over something so trivial, even if the very thought of food was enough to make his stomach churn.

"... Fine, yes. That will do."

Cater's expression brightens as he rouses further from his sleep. "Everyone has the stomach for pancakes! If I'm making some for myself, I might as well make enough for the both of us."

Besides, if Riddle really wasn't hungry, they could just put them in the fridge and reheat them later. No big deal.

"What are you studying right now, anyway?" Asking this, he pulls his wand out of one of his pajama pockets and summons a split card, that he quickly directs toward the kitchen. With it saluting and scampering off, Cater casually grabs the chair across from Riddle and pulls it over so he can sit backwards in it beside the younger teen.

How frustrating. Riddle supposes Cater is right, in some ways. He did need to at least make the attempt to eat. Especially with how the tea that was sat in front of him on the table had already gotten cold. He'd even ignored that, when usually he'd have drank the tea up all while it's still hot.

Shifting ever so slightly in his chair, Riddle leans back to motion with his magical pen towards the paper in front of him.

"Magic History. There were a few dates that I was mixing up, so I've decided to go through all of the lessons of this last section that my class has been focused on, regarding the different ways that our current forms of Elemental Magic have developed over time." Riddle explains, turning to face Cater. "I'm creating a study guide starting from the very beginning, with all of the dates as well as the details for each time period. This way, when I am inevitably explaining this to some of the other students, I will have something to reference."

As usual... an insanely large task, put onto his shoulders, by him alone.

"Hmm..."

Cater really wants to take his phone out of his pocket and start scrolling. His hands twitch as Riddle's explanation goes way, way longer than he was expecting. Out of respect for his housewarden, he somehow manages to restrain himself. He leans forward, resting his chin on the back of his hands, green eyes scanning the papers in front of him with disinterest.

"So, legit question: is this fun for you?"

What?

When did 'fun' ever come into the equation? Riddle's expression shifts to one of confusion - an expression that doesn't often cross the younger's face, usually hidden away if he felt such an emotion - as he stares at Cater, clearly trying to figure out if Cater was being serious or not.

"What..." Riddle starts, pausing again. His eyes tear away from Cater, back towards all the papers in front of him. "... What do you mean?" The question isn't answered yet, instead turned back around onto Cater.

Oh, Riddle. For someone so smart, you sure are clueless in some ways. Cater can't help but smile, though it looks a little sad--at least for a second or two. "I mean," he says slowly, like he's about to start a lecture of his own, "you talk about studying like it's a hobby of yours. But if it isn't, you're making a whole lot of extra work for yourself for no real reason. A couple of dates shouldn't equal going through everything for a comprehensive timeline that you've already more-or-less memorized."

And, because he can just imagine Riddle talking about how the reason is the other Heartslabyul students, Cater is quick to add, "you can encourage or, Seven, even pressure the students under your purview to study, but it isn't your responsibility to hold their hand while they do it. They either put in the work or they don't."

Take Ace, for example. He'd get better grades with a study guide like that, but he wouldn't learn a damn thing.

"How-- you--" Riddle stammers, before finally settling on the statement he wanted to lead with, "What are you even saying? That this is somehow purposeless? You have witnessed firsthand the lengths I will go to ensure no one fails or drops out within Heartslabyul. It's my job as Housewarden to watch out for all of the students under me, whether that be preparing study guides, keeping them on a strict schedule, teaching them the 810 rules of the Queen of Hearts, or doing something as simple as listening to them if they need someone to talk to." Riddle gets defensive fast, still avoiding the question as if the very question was something that, by answering it... he'd be letting someone down.

"This isn't holding their hand. It's preparation, to ensure each and every one of their success," Riddle sets his pen down onto the table, tilting his head back slightly at Cater.

That question still needed an answer.
Glancing away, Riddle seems to be looking for someone that wasn't there. Someone listening, watching, waiting for him to slip up. Finally, his gaze moves back to Cater. "No person in this world would find studying day in and day out to be fun. It's simply what I must do. Not only as Heartslabyul's Housewarden." But also... because he really doesn't know what to do otherwise. Gritting his teeth, Riddle looks away, trying to avoid Cater's gaze.

Cater takes the entire outburst in stride--because really, for Riddle, it was pretty tame. He expected much worse indignation. And there it finally is, at the end of the rant, avoidance.

"But as...?"

No, he knew the answer. After everything he learned from his overblot...

"There's nobody here you need to impress, you know. It's just me."

He perks up, hoping to lighten the mood before things get any darker.

"You should let me take you out! There's plenty of places in town on the island that I'm sure you'd really like! Anyway, the animals need feeding so you'll have to take a break from studying sooner or later. It's a good opportunity to take advantage of having the time off. I have so many ideas!"

He wonders if anyone had ever offered to take Riddle anywhere, before. Even Trey didn't seem to try all that hard when it came to breaking Riddle out of his over studying. Not that Cater did, either. There were usually too many people around.

Nobody here you need to impress. It was something that Riddle needed a reminder of, on occasion. He knew if he kept all of those feelings locked inside, buried deep within his heart, that he'd end up overblotting again, causing even further trouble for those around him. It was only a matter of time.

No one else was on campus. At least, no one in their dorm. Sneaking out for a little while... it would be just like when he snuck out during his breaks to see Trey and Chenya. The memory of his mother's angry face, the lectures he got--

No, she couldn't lecture him here. That's the whole reason why he stayed behind.

Moving to completely face Cater now, turned to sit sideways in his chair, Riddle inspects the other boy. Still in his pajamas, yet talking in such a mature way, capable of pushing even him to be tempted to slack off.

"Where would we go?" The question is asked almost hesitantly, the slight shake to his voice clear. His gloved hand, even, had reached out to grab onto part of Cater's shirt hem, tugging it almost like a nervous child. No one else was here. Who, then, we he trying to impress...?

Not Cater. No. That would be absurd. If he wanted to impress Cater, he'd need to start slacking off and posting on Magicam again.

"Tell me some of your ideas. You are right about the animals needing feeding, and..." No, he wasn't about to admit Cater was right, "And I shouldn't force you to study for your whole break. That would be cruel, even for me."

When Riddle does so much more than calm down--seems to even be considering his proposition, Cater brightens even further than before. "Even for you? Riddle, there's nothing cruel about you!"

Some might think so, but Cater knew better. He hadn't been privy to Riddle's history the same way Trey had been, until the overblot incident had blown that door wide open, but what he did know was even when Riddle had been at his most tyrannical, it hadn't ever come from a place of ill intent. No, he was just...kind of socially inept. But what did you expect out of a kid that was never allowed to socialize? He took his job as housewarden seriously. Too seriously, in some regards, even now, but he wanted to do right by the students he was leading. He wanted them to succeed, just as he said. He didn't enforce all those rules just to watch them struggle.

No, Cater knows that Riddle would be happiest of all if his soldiers were all smiling back at him.

"I was thinking we could walk through the park, enjoy the holiday atmosphere, and stop for lunch at this mega cute café that I've been dying to show you. If you feel up to it, we can go shopping, too."

Because he needs to get Riddle out of his uniform.

Cater was stupid. That's the one thought floating through Riddle's head, as Cater seems to brighten up even further. As Cater makes that comment. Did Cater...-- He saw him, didn't he? Even after the overblot incident, it was difficult to come to terms with the idea that anyone knew of his history, that anyone could truly see him, could understand.

Oh. That...
Everything Cater suggested sounded absolutely lovely for this time of year. Riddle's own expression seems to brighten some. Specifically, his eyes light up a little. Despite the feeling in his body, the slight weakness overtaking him in ways he couldn't quite identify yet, the uncomfortable slight warmth that creeped through him... Cater had successfully drawn him in.

It's about a minute of silent deliberation, Riddle staring up at Cater, his thoughts hidden behind those observing eyes. At last he responds, with a simple word. "Alright."

"Make no mistake," Riddle begins to add quickly, "We will spend more time studying during our break." He reaffirms, pulling his hand back from Cater's shirt hem to instead press his index finger against Cater's chest, to make his point clear. "Do not expect me to slack off all break."

Pulling his hand back, he offers the slightest smile to Cater.

"For today, I will follow your lead." It was... exhilarating. The very first time someone had actually asked him to go out with them, in such a way. The only time that came close was the first time he was asked to go play with those two foolish boys. That was completely different. This-- this was someone who he could consider a friend, asking him to do things friends did at school.

Never in his life did he think he'd be asked this, nor did he believe he'd accept the offer.

"Breakfast first. Then you'll need to change. I hope you aren't planning on wearing this...?"

Edited 2024-04-18 04:29 (UTC)

When Riddle relents with a smile, Cater's so floored that he can't contain his surprise and excitement. "Seriously? For realsies? OMG, we're gonna have so much fun! Okay, okay, lemme go change right now and if breakfast isn't ready when I'm done, I'll help myself finish up."

All smiles, Cater springs from his seat.

"No take backs! Today's a no-study day!"

Tomorrow, he'd make it up to Riddle and study along with him for real. At least until he got too bored to stand it. Today, though? Cater wanted to make sure he showed Riddle just how much fun he deserved to have. He zooms off, already pulling off his pajama top as he races out of the room toward the stairs to his dorm room, because clearly he can't get ready fast enough.

Cater was.... so excited. More so than Riddle had ever seen anyone be, especially when they had to spend a whole day with him. He's at a loss for words as he watches Cater practically rush off, unable to hold back a brighter smile, hidden away in the privacy of his own little world of books. The way Cater was all smiles -- oh, Seven, what's gotten into him?

Riddle decides to stand up from the chair, pushing it back lightly as he does. A small gasp escapes the small man, his hand coming up to steady his spinning head. That....

Could not bode well.

Shaking it off, his smile falling just as easily as it had come about, Riddle organizes his papers into a nice pile, pushing everything to one part of the table. This would allow the two of them to share breakfast here, once it was done being made.

Looking down to his teacup, Riddle narrows his eyes.

He should heat that up. Grasping the cup between both of his hands, he glances towards the stairs, then back towards where the kitchen would be. Hm... he stands there for a moment, before the tell-tale clack of heels against the floor could be heard by Cater's double.

By now, he's used to the doubles. He moves over briefly, glancing over towards the pan where his split was cooking, before shifting to slip his cup into the microwave.

"You have seen nothing." He informs the double, as if what he was doing was a crime in itself. It was, a little bit, but it didn't break any of the rules. He's simply ashamed that this is the way he's reheating his tea.

While Cater is busy getting dressed and making himself presentable to the public, the Split Card grins and Riddle with a wink, expertly flipping a pancake in the pan. "My lips are sealed, King," he reassures.

The second Cater makes good time with the breakfast, and is setting up two plates for the students by the time that the OG Cater comes back, dressed casually for a day on the town, hair and makeup done. "Oh, awesome, I'll take it from here, me."

He takes the plates from the other him before the Split Card is dismissed entirely, swinging around to bring them to Riddle's desk. First thing was first, of course, and as soon as the plates are where they're meant to be, Cater's pulling out his phone for a picture.

"I'm gonna document the whole day, starting with breakfast!"

Riddle nods to the Split Card in approval. Only when the microwave beeped did Riddle do anything more, simply keeping an eye on the Split Card in the meantime, watching him flip a pancake as if he'd been doing that his whole life. How easy Cater made it look, double or not, was frustrating.

He slips back out of the kitchen, steps resounding out through the hall as he moves back to the desk he'd taken up in the common area, setting his teacup down carefully upon the perfect coaster he'd claimed for the day.

Lifting his head as Cater returns, Riddle's eyes narrow yet again at the phone.

"Do you expect me to be in these pictures?" He asks, leaning back in his chair to stare Cater down. With him wearing his uniform, Cater dressed so casually... they didn't match whatsoever, did they? Riddle was going to look so awfully out of place among the public. Not that this was a concern to him in the moment.

Cater's grin is as wide and cheeky as ever as he slides over to get Riddle in frame. Even if the short king glowers down into the camera, that's not going to stop Cater from getting a photo of it. "Of course I do," he agrees. "Say #vaycaybuds!"

Of course, if Riddle was really uncomfortable, Cater would take different photos, and he's still undoubtedly going to take food pictures that involve neither of them.

Glower into the camera, no. Glance to Cater in annoyance before ultimately resigning to his fate, yes. Riddle breathes out the heaviest of sighs. For one single moment, Riddle seemed to tilt his head towards Cater, allowing one perfect photograph. He did not, however, say the phrase.

Once the photo was done, he picks his teacup back up, waiting patiently for Cater to take the photos of their matching plates. Well, matching aside from how Riddle's were drenched in strawberry syrup.

"Hurry up." The demand is light. He wants to eat!

"KK, I'm all done." Cater laughs as he gets a final couple snaps in and then mercifully puts his phone away to focus on eating. Oh pancakes, so delicious and so not unnaturally sweet unless slathered in syrup. He could eat his buttered or otherwise plain and they're still just as fluffy and satisfying as one could hope for.

He waits until Riddle has taken a bite first before he digs in, himself.

"So, what do you think? I'm not Trey or anything, but I don't think I did half bad."

Finally! The impatient Queen almost drops his teacup down into his coaster, quickly grasping his fork and knife as properly as he could when rushing to get a taste. It's with a careful hand that he cuts a small piece, popping it into his mouth without waiting.

Riddle pauses, his cheeks dusting a light red. It was so good, and not just because of the syrup he had slathered over his.

In one swift movement, Riddle is pointing directly at Cater's face with his knife. It must be so threatening, seeing his face slightly flushed and that knife pointed in the very same way that his wand had been many times before.

"..."
"You are on breakfast duty until break is over." No choice in the matter, apparently. But, in perfect Riddle fashion, he adds on, "We will share the duty of our meals, during Trey's absence. You will take care of breakfast and I will handle dinner. Lunch will be something we take care of for ourselves."

Cater startles slightly when he finds himself at knifepoint, but then giggles when Riddle gives his order. He winks, giving a slight bow from his sitting position. "I am at your command!"

It's fine by him, as long as Riddle doesn't expect him to get up at the crack of dawn to make breakfast each morning. He does wonder what kind of foods Riddle even knows how to cook for dinner...but they'll cross that road when they get to it. As long as he's not being fed sweets, Cater's perfectly fine dealing with whatever Riddle comes up with.

For now, though, he'll focus on polishing off his plate so they can get going. There wasn't any rush, but Cater had gotten himself all excited and he couldn't help raring to go.

For the moment, that sates Riddle. The knife is no longer pointed towards Cater, instead brought back down to his plate at once. "Good."

It's almost like watching Riddle go at something that Trey had made for him, the focus, the precision. He cuts each piece up before popping it into his mouth, unable to hold a small smile back as he did. Loosening up, allowing himself to be far more chill was a difficult task, yet... small things like this tended to drag the more childish things from Riddle, such as being happy over something as small as pancakes with his favorite strawberry syrup.

Upon finishing, Riddle wastes no time. He pushes his chair back, standing up and grasping his dishes in both hands.

"Are you done?" He asks Cater, offering a tentative hand towards his dishes too.

overworked rosehearts

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