It was a rainy day, the kind where the sky seemed determined to drench everything in sight. The usual hustle and bustle of Night Raven College had quieted under the steady downpour, leaving the world feeling smaller and more intimate. For Y/n and Ruggie, it was the perfect excuse to spend a day indoors together.
Y/n had invited Ruggie over to Ramshackle Dorm for a movie day—a rare moment of calm amid their usual whirlwind of chaos. The dorm, though old and slightly drafty, had been transformed into a cozy haven. Soft fairy lights hung around the room, their gentle glow bouncing off the mismatched pile of blankets and pillows on the couch. A bowl of popcorn sat ready on the coffee table, alongside mugs of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows.
When Ruggie arrived, his hoodie soaked and his sandy hair dripping from the rain, he shook himself off like a wet puppy on the porch. "Heh, talk about bad weather," he joked as Y/n handed him a towel.
"Perfect movie weather," Y/n replied with a grin. "Come on, I made it extra cozy in here just for you."
Ruggie followed them inside, his blue eyes immediately lighting up at the sight of the setup. "Whoa, look at all this! You're really pullin' out all the stops, huh?"
"Only the best for you," Y/n teased, handing him a steaming mug of cocoa.
Ruggie chuckled, his tail flicking playfully behind him. "Careful, Prefect, you're gonna spoil me."
"That's the plan," they shot back, plopping down onto the couch and patting the spot next to them.
Ruggie didn't need to be told twice. He dropped onto the couch, snuggling into the mountain of blankets and pillows as Y/n hit play on a romantic comedy. As the movie started, the rain outside became a soothing background rhythm, creating a cocoon of warmth and comfort around them.
At first, Ruggie was his usual cheeky self—stealing popcorn from Y/n's hand, making sarcastic comments about the movie's cheesy dialogue, and laughing when Y/n playfully swatted at him. But as time went on, the atmosphere softened. He shifted closer to Y/n, draping an arm around their shoulders and pulling them against his side.
"You're really warm," he murmured, his voice low and content.
"So are you," Y/n replied, leaning into him.
For a while, they sat in peaceful silence, the movie playing on the screen barely holding their attention. Ruggie absentmindedly played with a strand of Y/n's hair, his fingers gentle and slow.
"You know," he said suddenly, his voice softer than usual, "I don't get to do stuff like this much. Just relax, hang out... feel normal."
Y/n turned their head to look at him, their heart tugging at the vulnerability in his tone. "You deserve to, Ruggie. You work so hard all the time. You should get to take it easy."
He gave them a small smile, his blue eyes glowing in the dim light. "Yeah, well... guess I got lucky today, huh? Getting to spend it with you."
Y/n's cheeks warmed, and they looked away, focusing on the popcorn instead. "You're surprisingly sweet, you know that?"
"Shh," Ruggie said, putting a finger to his lips with a grin. "Don't ruin my image."
The two laughed softly, their voices mingling with the sound of the rain. As the movie reached its climactic romantic scene, Ruggie shifted, his gaze falling on Y/n.
"Hey," he said, his voice quieter now.
"Yeah?" Y/n asked, meeting his eyes.
"I, uh..." He hesitated for a moment, then leaned in slightly, his golden eyes locked onto theirs. "Thanks for today. Really."
Y/n's heart raced as they realized how close he was. His face was only inches away now, and his usual smirk had softened into something more earnest.
"Anytime, Ruggie," they whispered, their voice barely audible over the rain.
Time seemed to slow as they leaned in closer, the space between them shrinking until—
The door to the dorm slammed open with a loud bang, and a familiar high-pitched voice rang out.
"Y/n! You'll never believe what I found in the kitchen—oh, hey, Ruggie!" Grim's dramatic entrance shattered the moment, and Ruggie immediately pulled back, a mix of annoyance and amusement flashing across his face.
"Grim," Y/n groaned, throwing a pillow at the mischievous cat-like creature. "Can't you knock?!"
Grim ducked the pillow with ease, his big eyes widening in confusion. "What? I live here! Besides, it's raining, and I need to dry off too!"
Ruggie let out a resigned laugh, leaning back against the couch. "Guess that's my cue, huh?" he teased, his tail flicking lazily.
Y/n sighed but couldn't help laughing too. "Next time, we're locking the door," they muttered.
Ruggie smirked, leaning over to ruffle Y/n's hair. "Don't worry, Babe. I'm not goin' anywhere."
Even with Grim's interruption, the warmth between them lingered, promising more moments like this to come.
