They awake to find that familiar warmth gone, left alone in the warm room, the sunlight and smell of fresh rain fully awakening their senses, leaving the confused, scared prefect to shoot up in bed.
"Jack?" They're a tad embarrassed by how meek their voice sounds, but they're unable to care as they call out for the beastman once more.
"I'm right here," He appears in the doorway to the bathroom, aggressively trying to dry off his tail with a towel. His hair drips into his face as he frowns in their direction, ears perking at the sound of their distressed state. He slowly walks over, hands held high in a position to make himself seem as least threatening as possible. "Breathe, Yuu." They do as he says and take a deep breath standing on shaky feet as he places a large, warm hand on top of their head.
"What are you...?" They mumble, not willing to push the boy away yet. His face flushes and he looks away, scratching the back of his neck.
"It helps my little siblings when they get worked up. I figured it would work on humans too, since we're not too different..." They can only nod and get dressed for the day, catching a glimpse of their appearance in the mirror. Bloodied, bruised, deep bags under their lifeless eyes. They gulp and look away.
"Where to next?" The beastman asks.
"I-" They pause, unsure of where to go. "
"Let's see if the headmaster has anything," They feel the pit form in their stomach once more, shaking their head. The beastman places a hand on their shoulder. "Hey, I'm going with you no matter what. I won't let anything happen to you, yeah?"
For the first time since their venture into Heartslabyul, they feel warmth flood their heart, the warmth of spring after a long, cold winter. The warmth of fairy lights, of a homecooked meal, of sleeping in your bed after a long day, bundled up in quilts and comforters, the rest of the world blocked out. Tears prick the corners of their eyes as they sniffle and wipe them away with the back of their hands.
"Y-yeah..." They whimper. "Let's go."
Together they walk with Jack to the headmaster's office, the wolf acting as their shadow behind them, occasionally stepping closer to them when they enter a group of students from any one of the dorms. They finally make it to the door, Yuu raising a shaky fist and knocking on the solid oak door.
It swings open and they move to step inside, stepping aside to let another student out.
"Oh, good morning, Prefect," The familiar voice, the cold grey eyes, the blood red hair. Their breath catches in their throat as they practically scramble to grab onto Jack. Riddle frowns once looking over the state of their uniform- the now stained and torn blazer, the Scarabia uniform underneath, the bandanna tied around their arm. "How unsightly." They wince, backing up until they bump into Jack, their back pressed close to their chest as the short boy steps closer, reaching out.
"N-no..." They wince and turn their head, choking back tearless sobs that threaten to spill when they feel his hands on their collar.
"Your uniform should remain neat at all times," He scolds, readjusting the lapels on Deuce's blazer- the blazer of the boy he mercilessly slaughtered just days before. "Better. Good day, now." He strides off, heels clicking and echoing through the empty chamber. Jack holds them up, supporting them as their legs shake from the encounter.
Disgust and anxiety fill their chest, a heavy pressure that makes them want to scream and claw at their skin until the feeling of his touch is gone. In a fit of frustration, they claw at the blazer, messing it up once more with a grunt and a near sob.
"Hey," Jack holds their uninjured arm. "Breathe. He's gone. You're alright." They nod, gulping as they walk into the headmaster's office.
"Oh, hello. I see you've made a friend," The headmaster stands.
