Chapter Text
The first time they met, was just after Leona’s Overblot. Yuu was dealing with the stress of two deadly events tied so close together. This world was weird, foreign, and dangerous. Despite the friends she’d made there was a clear power imbalance between her and her classmates. So she had fallen back on an old form of stress relief. And one that made her feel at least a little bit powerful amongst her magic-wielding peers.
Yuu pulled the bow taut as she eyed her target, she let out the breath she had been holding as she released the arrow, watching it fly straight forward striking the target’s bullseye.
It wasn’t until she heard the clapping that she realized she wasn’t alone. “Très Magnifique.” the boy with straight blond hair, and enchanting emerald eyes. Dressed in leather pants, a white shirt, boots, and a brown hat with a feather sticking out settled on top of the crown of his head. On his back hung a bow and quiver.
“Ah I’m sorry I didn’t know anyone else would be here,” Yuu replied lowering her own bow. “I hope there isn’t a sign-up or something I missed. If so I’m sorry.”
“Non” the boy shook his head. “I’m simply happy someone else sees the beauty to be found within archery. Your grace and beauty astounds mademoiselle” as he spoke he gently took her hand and placed a kiss upon her knuckles before dropping in it. “ I am happy to share the archery field with you, there is plenty of room for both of us. Unless my lady had wished to be alone?”
Yuu had intended to be alone. Given a chance to sort through her thoughts and feelings. But a soft smile curled on her lips. “No I don’t mind,” she replied before turning to her practice once more.
No more was said between the pair, but she caught herself glancing at him every so often, taking in his form. It was clear he was far above her in terms of skill and it did make her a bit self-conscious, but still couldn’t bring herself to leave until her arms were like Jello and she couldn't fire straight anymore, nearly missing the target with her last shot.
It was two weeks later when she finally learned his name. She caught sight of him in the corner of her eye as he walked through NRC’s halls. She barely recognized him, dressed in his elaborate Pomefiore dorm uniform. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the hat upon his head, the same style as one that he wore that day at the range just purple and red, she wouldn’t have realized it was him at all. He was flanked by another man, a crown crooked upon his head, and violet tips at the ends of his blonde hair. There was a scarily ephemeral quality to the other man. But he hadn’t been her focus. “Who’s that?” She whispered leaning into Deuce.
Deuce followed her gaze and frowned. “I don’t know.”
She frowned and Ace was giving them a look as Cater walked up behind them wrapping his arms around Deuce and Yuu. “Watcha whispering about.” he grinned.
“Yuu just asked who those Pomefiore guys are but I have no idea.” Deuce shrugged.
“Oh, you have good taste.” Cater grinned. “The one in the crown with the gorgeous blonde and purple hair is the love of my life Vil Schoenheit, Dorm head for Pomefiore. The one next to him is his vice dorm head and best friend Rook Hunt.”
“Love of your life…? But weren’t you just complaining you were single?” Ace twisted his face in a grimace.
“Well, he doesn’t know it yet.” Cater let out a bit of a laugh.
But Yuu had been distracted as she ran the name “Rook Hunt.” over her lips with a bit of a smile. The boys at least hadn’t noticed her staring too busy ribbing Cater for his crush on Vil.
It was another week before she met him on the range again. She had given up seeing him there again, as she had come to the range at least three times a week since their first meeting, but never saw hide nor hair of him. It wasn’t like she had purposefully been looking for him. It couldn’t have been the disappointment she felt each time she was left to shoot alone. But it did mean she was confident enough to start singing to herself as she practiced.
The sounds of crunching leaves gave him away this time, as she turned around to see Rook standing there with a smile on his face. “You didn’t tell me you were such a songbird Mademoiselle.” Rook smiled at her before repeating the same greeting as before. Taking her hand and placing a kiss on her knuckles. “You are quite full of surprises are you not?”
Yuu blushed and shook her head. “I …I didn’t mean for anyone to hear that.” she squeaked a bit.
“Ah, but the world should be privy to your beauty,” Rook responded a bit dramatically placing a hand on his chest. “But for now I will cherish this lovely melody that only mine ears have heard.”
“My name is Yuu by the way.” She spoke a bit timidly. “Cater told me your name the other day in the hall and I thought it only fair you know mine.”
“Ah Monsieur MagiCam, is a friend of yours is he not?” Rook tilted his head.
“If…you mean Cater, then yeah. I mean I spend a bit of time in Heartslabyul thanks to Ace and Deuce, so I feel like the others have kind of adopted me.” Yuu explained.
Rook just chuckled before turning toward the targets. “Well I’m glad he made up for my Faux Pas, Vil might poison me if he knew I had not introduced myself properly to such a beautiful and talented young lady.”
“I..” Yuu started at him a bit flush in the face, flustered at his words. She wasn’t used to compliments. “Its…its ok. I didn’t offer you mine before now either.”
Rook just smiled at her before beginning his own practice.
After that, she managed to catch him at least once a week. She feared to say how much she looked forward to practicing alongside him, even if they only exchanged a few words. Yuu also discovered for better or worse that Rook talked like that to everyone. At least she felt less flustered around him, mistaking his normal behavior for flirting.
Yuu had made the mistake of asking him about his dorm head and had gotten an earful for at least half an hour as Rook waxed poetically about the man. By the end of it, she was pretty sure Cater had no chance with the “love of his life.” if this is how the man’s best friend felt about him.
Still, she’d grown to find Rook’s mannerisms charming. His flowery language and broken french was sometimes hard to follow but it became clear that Rook was someone who found beauty in everything and desired nothing more to find hidden in the most unexpected places. Rook was so passionate about his views, that it helped open her own eyes to the beauty that surrounded her.
Yuu was terrified to sing in front of other people, but Rook had managed to coax her voice out on more than one occasion, gushing profusely about the beautiful melodies she could create.
He’d also offered to help her with her form. Stepping behind her on more than one occasion to help guide her arms, twist her wrists slightly. Yuu could feel his breath on the back of her neck, she wasn’t a fool, she knew what the feelings were that started to swirl inside her. She shoved them down, however. outside the little bubble of the archery field, they never spoke. Him being a junior and her a freshman meant there weren’t many chances for their paths to cross outside of occasional glances in the hall. Plus there was the added complication that this wasn’t her home, and one day she would presumably go back to her normal, boring mundane life. And that was even if he would feel the same, doubtful given the way he spoke of his Dorm Lead.
No, she would be content to enjoy his company and friendship while she could have it.
It was after Jamil’s overblot, and the stress of almost dying a 4th time hit her, that he found her once again firing away rapidly at the targets set up in the range. Once again she’d been left feeling powerless as those around her risked their lives. Sure even Azul had complimented her on her leadership skills, but she was sure it was just platitudes. And the look on Ace and Deuce’s faces when they arrived told her everything she needed to know about what they thought of her competence in a fight. She didn’t want to be a damsel in distress.
“Are you alright mademoiselle songbird? I heard about what happened with Monsieur Multi and Roi d'Or” Rook asked her as he approached. She stayed quiet a moment firing off another arrow. Rook was the last one she wanted to see her as weak.
“I’m fine.” Yuu hadn’t meant to snap at him like she did and finally lowered her bow as some of the energy drained from her. “I’m sorry, I just…part of the reason I kept up on my archery training was so that I’d have some way to defend myself. But it's not like it would have done me any good against Riddle, Leona, Azul, or Jamil.” she confided turning to look at him.
Rook just let out a soft chuckle and she felt herself getting angry that he’d laugh at her like this until he opened his mouth. “My lady, you are quite more capable than most of the students on this campus. Many of us would face trouble against an Overblot. And from what I hear, it's your efforts that have brought many of them to a short end. Magic or no, if my back was against a wall, there are not many others I would wish to have standing next to me.”
Yuu wanted to call his words into doubt, but there had never been anything but a raw honest truth come from his lips before, and tears came to her eyes. “Thank you.”
“The pleasure is mine.” Rook smiled once again taking her hand into his and offering it a kiss. “Never doubt your beauty, my lady.”
Yuu blushed, he’d once again successfully managed to calm her nerves and lift her spirits. It gave her enough courage to speak the words that had been stuck in her throat. “Rook, I know you’re busy but….would you join me for lunch today, after practice?” she nodded to a basket she’d brought with her sitting off to the side in the clearing.
Rook’s response was for a large smile to blossom on his face. “It seems my lady, that we were of one mind today,” he spoke jovially as he produce his own basket that was hidden behind his back.
Yuu couldn’t help but giggle. “I take it that's a yes.”
“Most definitely.” Rook replied before walking over and placing his basket down next to hers.
She had come to the field feeling frustrated and angry but by the time practice was over she couldn’t help but smile as the anticipation hit her. It was only two friends having lunch with each other. But it still caused feelings she’d been trying to repress to bubble back up to the surface.
Both of their packed lunches had been a simple affair, sandwiches, fruit, and water. But that hadn’t really mattered as they sat enjoying each other's company. She sat there recounting how her holiday had gone. How they had uncovered Jamil’s plan. And that it hadn’t all been bad. The party at the oasis was fun, and she’d learned a new appreciation for Azul and the twins.
When the food was gone, he pulled out a lute and strummed a few chords. Normally she’d balk at the idea of singing in front of someone, Ace and Deuce had never heard a single chord from her. But Rook had heard her many times, so it was almost too easy to slip into song alongside his playing.
As their song was finished Rook just smiled at her. “Très Magnifique as always my beautiful songbird.” he sat the lute down. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. Night Raven College is hosting the Voice and Dance competition during the upcoming cultural festival. Vil and I are in charge of gathering a group together. And I think you’d be a lovely addition to our team if you wished to try out.”
“Me? In a competition…I don’t know.” Yuu covered her face.
“You have a beautiful voice my lady, and I understand if you wish to keep it a secret. At least give it some thought non?” Rook replied taking her hands in his, pulling them away from her face.
For a moment she felt frozen as she gazed into his emerald eyes, her chest thumped and she moved forward slightly. Before all her courage left her and she looked down. “I’ll think about it for you.”
“That's all I can ask.” Rook replied before gently letting go of her hands. “But as much as I would love to stay in this enchanted wood with you for nigh on eternity. I’m afraid the real world calls and I must get back to my duties. Thank you my lady, we will certainly have to do this again.” he said with a bow, before picking up his basket, and in a moment he was gone as silently as he came.
Yuu brought her hand back to her face as a few tears pricked in her eyes. It was hard to deny, she was completely head over heels in love with a man she could never have. It hurt, yet she couldn’t bring herself to pull away from him. Wanted whatever he would give her. And she knew deep down she’d try out if nothing else than to be able to spend more time with him.
In the end, she really was her own worst enemy.