RUGGIE IS SUCH A CUTIE PATOOTIE 💘💘
Ruggie had never been one to put his feelings on display. In fact, he usually prided himself on keeping everything under control—feelings, plans, schemes, all kept neatly in check. But lately, something was different. The usual rhythm of his days had been thrown off, and the reason kept sneaking up on him when he least expected it.
It happened in little moments. He'd be working, minding his own business, only to spot Y/N across the courtyard, laughing with someone, completely oblivious to the way his chest tightened at the sight. He would roll his eyes, scoff even, and pretend he wasn't affected. "What's wrong with you, Ruggie?" he muttered to himself more than once. "Just a little crush, that's all."
But it didn't go away. If anything, the feeling only got stronger each time he caught a glimpse of them, or heard their voice, or saw them give one of those small, genuine smiles that felt so rare in his world.
One day, it hit him out of nowhere. He was sitting under a tree, taking a break after a long morning of running errands for Leona. He had closed his eyes for just a moment, thinking about how nice it would be to have some company that didn't involve scheming or stress. And the first person who came to mind was... Y/N. No hesitation, just their face filling his thoughts.
Ruggie felt his heart skip a beat. He sat up, rubbing the back of his neck in disbelief. "Oh no... I think I'm done for."
It was a startling realization. He, the guy who always looked out for himself first, the one who knew better than to rely on anyone else, had somehow let someone in. And that someone was Y/N. The thought sent a thrill through him, equal parts exciting and terrifying.
He'd fallen for them. And for once, he wasn't sure he had a scheme or plan to get himself out of it.
The days that followed were... confusing, to say the least. Ruggie found himself thinking about Y/N more than he cared to admit. Every time he saw them, his mind spun with thoughts he didn't know what to do with. He'd catch himself smiling when they passed by, his gaze lingering a second too long, and his chest doing that weird, fluttery thing that made him feel like he was losing control.
He'd always been clever and quick on his feet, someone who could charm his way out of anything. But this—these feelings—weren't something he could smooth-talk or joke his way around.
One afternoon, as he was bringing a tray of food to Leona, he spotted Y/N sitting alone, reading a book under a tree. The sun was casting a warm glow on their face, and they looked so peaceful, so content. Without thinking, Ruggie stopped in his tracks, staring. He felt his cheeks heat up, and his grip on the tray tightened as he took a deep breath to steady himself.
"You staring or something?" Leona's voice snapped him out of his trance. Ruggie nearly jumped, realizing Leona was watching him with a raised eyebrow, an almost knowing smirk tugging at his lips.
"Psh, nah!" Ruggie brushed it off, quickly setting the tray down beside him. "Just thought I saw a bug or something. Anyway, here's your food, ya picky asshole."
Leona chuckled, clearly unconvinced but not pressing further. "Sure, whatever you say."
Ruggie tried to act normal, but the rest of the day he couldn't stop thinking about the look on Y/N's face under that tree. It was as if they were perfectly at ease, like they belonged there, and suddenly he wanted nothing more than to be a part of that picture.
The next day, he found himself searching for ways to get closer to them. He'd make up excuses to cross paths, "accidentally" bumping into them at the cafeteria or offering to help with little things around campus. Every time he did, his heart raced, a rush of nervous energy filling him. And when they thanked him or offered that warm smile of theirs, he'd feel on top of the world.
