Archive of Our Own ^beta

"Hey Hey Prefect, I have a question for ya." Ace, was leaning against the table, eyes crinkled with amusement. You were attending the tea party at Heartslabyul, having been invited by both Riddle and Trey, despite not being part of the dorm, they had become rather close with you, making sure to include you whenever there was a party or celebration at the dorm. You were having a swell time, enjoying the treats and engaging with the others, until Ace spoke. Looking at Ace, you gave him a smile, "Yes? What is your question?" Everyone was quiet, having stopped their conversations to listen in. "You have been hanging around us for a while now, ever since you dropped in during the ceremony orientation, and it got me thinking. Out of all of us here, who would you go on a date with?"

'.....what?" The whole table was silent as they were left stunned by Ace's question, not expecting that at all. The one to break the silence was Riddle, "Ace! It is rather rude to ask a question like that, especially during an Unhappy Birthday. Riddle was not amused, his expression a bit miffed, but he wasn't in full on rage mode. Ace looked confused, "What? I'm just asking them a simple question, I don't see anything wrong." Trey, being the reasonable one of the group, tried to move the conversation to something else. "Ace, while I get you are just being curious, this isn't something to just ask out in the open, its better to ask something like this in private." Cater, however, had other plans, as he threw an arm around your shoulder. "Now now, I bet everyone else is as curious as Ace-chan~." Smiling at you, Cater held you a bit closer, causing you to flush a bit. Deuce, had to admit, he was wondering about it, but he knew that this was making you uncomfortable, "Prefect, you don't have to answer if you don't want to." Riddle's eyes soften listening to Deuce, admiring how he cared more about how you felt answering Ace. He, himself, was interested as well, but he respected your right not to answer.

Everyone was staring you, anticipating what you had to say. Seeing as you weren't going to get out of this, you thought heavily about your answer. Coming to a decision, you spoke, "Well......the person I like to go on a date with is......"

🍓The minute you said Riddle's name, the whole table was quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Riddle's whole face was bright pink, mouth opening and closing like a fish, stunned that you said his name. Him? You wanted to go on a date with him? Riddle had never anticipated that, as he didn't think you saw him that sort of way. He had never dated anyone in his life, focusing more on his studies and his role as dorm leader, romance and dating being the last thing on his mind. And now, here comes you, saying outright that you would date him. It had his heart fluttering like crazy.

🍓Almost everyone in the table remained silent until Cater spoke, "Wow~ So you like the dorm leader? I can totes see you too dating~" Cater smirks, admiring how red both you and the dorm leader were. Embarrassed, you covered your face with your hands, regretting what you had said, but you were being serious. After Riddle's overblot, you had gotten close to him, becoming one of his friends. What started as platonic feelings slowly began to blossom into something more, as you began to see more of the real Riddle, a kind boy, while having a temper, was an amazing individual, holding himself up with elegance and grace, treating everyone he met with respect, and showing great determination and pride with whatever he did. He was, in ever sense of the way, a prince charming, in your eyes.

🍓"HUH?!? THE DORM LEADER?!? Are you cra-" Ace's words were cut off as Deuce gave him a smack to the head, shutting him up, knowing he was close to getting himself collared. Trey was glad Deuce did that, as he walked over to you, patting your head, seeing as this was only making you more shy. Riddle, having recovered a bit from what you said, let out a cough, signaling everyone to stop with the rowdiness. "Ahem! Well, the prefect was kind enough to answer your question, Ace. May we proceed with the festivities without any more disturbances?" Everyone flinched, except you, under the harsh gaze of Riddle, letting out a "Yes, Dorm Leader," as they continued on with the tea party. Riddle's gaze then turned towards you, softening as he observed how your cheeks were still pink, eyes casted down to the ground, twiddling your fingers.

🍓The tea part had come to end, as everyone began to tidy up. Ace and Deuce waved you a goodbye, as they headed back to their dorm rooms. Trey and Cater also said their goodbyes as well, not before Trey gave you an apologetic smile and Cater snapped a selfie with you, while also whispering a sorry next to your ear, as even though he encouraged it, he felt guilty. As you waved goodbye to them, you were stopped by a quiet "Ahem" from behind you. Turning around, you saw Riddle standing behind you, arms crossed, face stern yet his eyes were kind. "Oh Riddle, sorry…um..did you need something?" You felt incredibly awkward, remembering what you had said before.

🍓"Yes. From what I recall, your answer to Ace was that you would like to…court me. Is that correct?" Riddle looked serious, but his whole stomach was getting butterflies. Blushing, you looked down, fingers twiddling again, "Umm yeah." Riddle blinked at you, as he stepped closer to you. Motioning to grab your hand, he bend down to one knee, moving closer to place a soft kiss to your hand, making you blush almost as red as his hair. Pulling away, Riddle gazed at you with a warm smile, "I, Riddle Roseheart, humbly accept your proposal for a date." You stood as still as a statue, not at all expecting that. Riddle gazed at your reaction, having stood up again, tilting his head. "Are you alright? I'm not well equipped with the rules regarding dating, so I assumed this was the proper way to respond?" Gray eyes stared at you with concern.

🍓Shaking your head, you tried to focus, "No...no..just...wasn't expecting that. Ummmmm are you okay with it? Going on a date with me? Riddle crossed his arms, "Well I accepted your proposal, did I not?" Looking away, rubbing your neck, you didn't know how to word what you were going to say next. "Well yeah you did, but I just wanted to make sure you were accepting it because you wanted to, not because of some tradition or rule that you have to follow. I don't want you to be forced into something like this." Riddles eyes had widen at your words, not glaring at you, but more surprised, yet he didn't say a word. Great now, you felt like you insulted him saying that, refusing to look at him, eyes down to the ground. Footsteps were heard, as you noticed his shadow was coming closer. "Y/N, raise your head." His words were soft, lacking the authoritative tone they always held. A hand went to your cheek, as you began to look back up.

Riddle was gazing at you with a kind smile, as his hand continued to caress your cheek, "There is certain traditions from my hometown involving courting and romance. However, I ignored them, focusing more on my studies then certain distractions. This is the first time that I wanted to explore and learn more about things like this. I'm following my own path and I want to go on a date with you because its my choice." Your stomach was full of butterflies, as you continued to stare at Riddle, who was saying all of this to you, with a tint of pink on his cheek. Riddle, realizing that he was touching your cheek for a long time, stepped back, suppressing his embarrassment with a cough. His cuteness was making you laugh, as soft giggles escaped your lips. "Haha, never knew you were such a romantic, Riddle." Riddle stuttered, face almost as red as his hair, yet he continued to watch you laugh, a small smile appearing on his face. "So, wanna go on a date now?" You spoke in a teasing tone, face appearing closer to him, making him more nervous, but he held his grown.

"R-right now? Well, there is still classes and homework assignments. Plus there are certain tasks that I must finish as dorm leader. Maybe Friday, no that's an exam, let's see then maybe." He was rambling, going back an forth between deciding a day to go while stopping remembering how that there were certain assignments to do. Laughing again, you stepped closer, patting his head, stopping his rant. "Riddle, I was kidding. I know the both of us are busy. Let's come up with a date plan during a time when we are not both busy, okay? Riddle flushed a bit, before he relaxed, giving you a smile. "Alright." The both of you conversed for a little bit, until it was time for you to head back to Ramshackle, knowing that Grim was there, waiting for you. You gave a goodbye wave to Riddle as he waved back, the both of you heading in opposite directions. As your left Heartslabyul, you couldn't contain the giddiness that you felt. You were going to go on a date with him soon, feelings of excitement and nervousness filling you up. You honestly couldn't wait, as you headed to Ramshackle with a little skip in your step.

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