Crazy In Love! [Twisted Wonderland]

Deuce Makes an Entrance

The wind was cool as it passed through Ace, occasional puffs of air leaving his mouth as he ran through the streets leading up to the Ramshackle dorm. At first, the air was a nice breeze, but as he continued his running on the gravel below him, it began to pick up, rushing to him with a mad fury. Ace shivered as a result and threw his arms to hug his body in an attempt to keep some control of his warmth, a control over something, a control over a situation. As he ran, he wished he still had his jacket, but of course, it just had to be ruined when he started fighting with him.

When he fought with Deuce.

Ace thought about him for a second, and then another, before immediately erasing him from his mind.

He wouldn't think about him right now. He just couldn't. He believed there was a way to reverse the spell, somehow, anyway, but it had to wait. Deuce just had to hold on a little longer, just a little longer.

After an intense series of sniffles and shivers, Ace finally reached his destination. It was still quite early, so the music had yet to start playing, and Ace could hear the quiet chatter and laughter from those behind the door. As Ace hopped swiftly up the steps, he put his hand lightly over the door knob before tucking a piece of hair behind his ear and took a deep breath in. "Everything is fine," He reminded himself. "Everything is hunky-dory." And with a final reassurance, he opened the door.

A pair of eyes immediately greeted Ace.

"Ace!" Yuu exclaimed. " Woah, what are you doing here this early? Oh, whatever, doesn't matter. Come in! We're just hanging out for the moment until everyone comes pouring in." Yuu paused, their expression changing for a moment before turning bright again. "No wonder you looked weird coming in here by yourself! Where's Deuce at?"

Yuu was pouring a cup, eagerly awaiting an answer. Ace walked into the dorm and looked around the place. It was decorated to the brim, perfectly reflecting the holiday as pink and reds covered the walls, tables, and stairs. Ace smiled in spite of himself and approached Yuu.

"Oh, Deuce? Right... you see, he got sick, so he's not coming. It sucks but it happens." Ace replied, patting himself on the back mentally for thinking of that one.

Yuu looked at him, surprised. "Deuce isn't feeling well? Oh, that's a bummer. Let him know to come here sick next time and we'll bring the party to his room!" Yuu said as they laughed, handing Ace a drink before nudging his shoulder playfully. Yuu opened their mouth, about to ask Ace another question, but before they were able to, four people entered the room, holding drinks and snacks in their hands.

"Nah, I'd say the part where the woman put on all that make-up to try and appeal to the guy was the scariest! That's every day at Pomefiore!"

"Epel, the things that scare you are really lame."

"... Right. I don't know. The movie just didn't really scare me that much. It just seemed too unrealistic."

"I FEEL THE SAME WAY- Oh, hello Ace."

The four paused in their step and looked at the pair before them.

Jack asked, confused, "Ace? Here early? Now that's scary." He laughed, but it was cut short as he soon realized something. "Wait, where's Deuce? Aren't you guys a thing now? You're already neglecting your boyfriend?"

Yuu replied. "That's what I said! Weird, right? But apparently, Deuce got sick, so he's not - wait, boyfriend?"

"Not coming?" Epel asked, "Darn, well, I'll make sure to have fun just for him, hehe!"

Ace's composure staggered a little, but he still kept up the act. "Yup... poor Deuce. Anyway, why don't we continue talking about whatever it was you guys were talking about-"