The quiet corners of the Ramshackle Dorm had always been Y/N's sanctuary. A place to breathe, away from the madness of Night Raven College's cutthroat dorms. Yet, unbeknownst to her, she had become the sanctuary for someone else—a young man whose obsession ran as deep as the roots of the rose bushes in Heartslabyul.
Trey Clover, calm and composed, was a model of reliability to everyone around him. But within, his feelings for Y/N simmered dangerously. From the moment she had entered their world, Trey had been captivated. She wasn't like the others—too loud, too brash, too superficial. No, Y/N was a beacon of warmth and light. And Trey, who had always stood in the shadows, wanted nothing more than to bask in her glow.
At first, he kept his feelings in check. He told himself it was just admiration, a harmless crush. But admiration turned into fascination, and fascination into obsession. He found excuses to be near her—bringing her leftover pastries from Heartslabyul, offering to help with her chores, and lingering longer than necessary whenever they crossed paths.
But then, something changed.
—
It started with a glance in the courtyard. Trey had been carrying a tray of freshly baked tarts when he saw her—laughing, her cheeks glowing pink as Cater Diamond leaned in close to whisper something in her ear. The tray trembled in his hands as jealousy coiled in his chest like a viper.
He told himself it was nothing, a fleeting moment of insecurity. But the signs became impossible to ignore. Y/N and Cater walking together between classes, sharing private jokes, and sitting too close during Unbirthday parties.
One evening, Trey gathered the courage to ask her outright. Under the guise of delivering a basket of strawberry scones, he approached her at the dorm.
"You've seemed...happy lately," he said, his voice carefully neutral.
Y/N smiled, her eyes soft and dreamy. "I have been. Cater and I have been spending more time together. It's nice to have someone who understands me, you know?"
Trey's world tilted on its axis. He managed a tight smile. "Yeah, I get it. Cater's good at making people feel special."
But as he walked away, his hands clenched into fists. His nails dug into his palms, leaving crescent-shaped marks. Cater doesn't understand you. Not like I do.
—
The next day, Trey's obsessive thoughts reached a breaking point. He found Cater alone in the kitchens, scrolling through his phone while humming a cheerful tune.
"Hey, Cater," Trey called, slipping on his usual calm demeanor like a mask. "I was thinking of experimenting with a new tart recipe. Want to help me out?"
"Sure, man! Always happy to lend a hand," Cater replied, setting his phone aside.
They worked side by side, Trey guiding Cater through the steps. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, his mind racing with the plan he had been perfecting all night.
As Cater leaned over to inspect the dough, Trey struck. The blade was quick and silent, slicing through the air and into Cater's back. The redhead gasped, his body collapsing onto the countertop.
Trey stood over him, his chest heaving. "You should've stayed away from her," he whispered, his voice trembling with rage and relief. "She's mine."
The rest of the night was a blur of calculated efficiency. Trey cleaned the kitchen meticulously, erasing every trace of Cater's presence. He worked through the night, turning Cater's remains into the secret ingredient for a special tart—a gift for Y/N.
—
The following afternoon, Trey arrived at Ramshackle Dorm with a plate of freshly baked tarts. Y/N greeted him with her usual warmth, though her expression was clouded with sadness.
"I made these just for you," Trey said, his voice soft and affectionate. "I wanted to show you how much I care."
Y/N's smile was faint, her hands trembling slightly as she accepted the plate. "Thank you, Trey. That's so sweet of you."
She took a bite, and for a moment, the sadness lifted. "Trey, this is amazing! What's in it?"
He chuckled, his amber eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Just a secret ingredient. I'm glad you like it."
But as she finished the tart, her earlier sadness returned. She set the plate aside, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Trey had to use all his willpower to hide the smirk spreading across his lips. "What's wrong?"
"It's just...Cater's been missing for a day now," she said softly. "I don't understand. He wouldn't just disappear without telling anyone. I'm really worried about him."
Trey felt a pang of guilt, fleeting and quickly replaced by satisfaction. He leaned closer, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Hey," he said gently, his voice steady. "Cater's always been a bit unpredictable, hasn't he? Maybe he just needed some time to himself. I'm sure he'll turn up soon."
Y/N sniffled, wiping her eyes. "You think so?"
"Absolutely," Trey said, his tone warm and reassuring. "And in the meantime, you have me. I'll take care of you, Y/N. You don't have to face this alone."
His words seemed to comfort her, and she nodded, offering him a weak smile. "Thank you, Trey. You're always so kind to me."
Trey's heart swelled with dark triumph as he pulled her into a gentle hug. "Anything for you, Y/N," he murmured, a twisted sense of victory washing over him.
Cater was gone, his competition eliminated, and now Y/N was his. And with every bite of the tarts she loved so much, a shock of pure ecstasy shot through the vice-housewarden.
