Arlo x John [Oneshots]

Résoudre

[A/N- title: Resolve; How I think the pining would work]

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It had been exactly a week since everything was resolved, and a month since the whole school went into chaos because of the 'joker incident'.

John had come to understand his faults as the strongest ability user in the school. Thanks to Seraphina, he was able to see what his past mistakes, and why he was reliving his past. Not just because of the shitty system, but because of his pride, and his refusal to admit his mistakes, that he was unable to change. Seraphina had lent out a helping hand, after all that he'd done to her; and he's truly greatful for it. He doesn't know what he'd ever do without such a trusting friend- best friend even.

As much as he wanted to change, he knew it wasn't gonna be easy. Change takes effort after all. Changing meant trying new things, as well as listening, actually listening and taking advice from others. Sometimes he had the urge to punch people in the face, but if he really wanted to change, he knew he had to stop himself.

♡•JOHN'S POV•♡

Everone was angry at first.

I know deep down I deserve it. After all that I did to them, I deserve the mean comments that stabbed at my pride. As much as I hated the feeling, I had to endure. but after a few weeks of it, somehow, they started to warm up to me. The first week I had to keep apologizing. I'm not gonna lie, it was absolute hell. I didn't think it was worth it at all. But by the end of the 2nd week, Seraphine started to smile at me. After that, everyone else just... followed.

Surprisingly.

Blyke still acted snarky and all, which was kind of annoying, but he did show small acts of kindness here and there. Definitely no trust yet, but he did pass things for me and not just drop them on my feet. Isen used to flinch at me a lot, but now he doesn't do it so often. He still tries to avoid talking or being in the same room as me, which is nice. Remi still hates me. Even by the 3rd and 4th week, she would glare at me. Even if we had conversastions, it was always with short replies, then she'd turn away as soon as we were done conversing. I get pissed off by it, and Seraphina had to explain to me that she was very protective of Blyke, Isen and her other friends. I guess it'll take a while before she forgives me.

Theres just one person that remains at the core of my anger.

Arlo.

Just saying or thinking about his name pisses me off. Why? He's poked and prodded and completely taken advantage of my apologies and how I lower my pride. He absolutely continues to step on my ego and every day I reach my limit at trying to keep my mouth shut. The next months were complete hell because of him. He keeps me on a leash just because he's gained Seraphina's trust again.

As much as I hate him with all my heart and soul, there are these times.... small moments. It first happened on sunday of the 3rd week. Me, Arlo and Seraphina were hanging out at her dorm room, when she left to get us some snacks. We were all reviewing for school...

"You're supposed to put the x out of the parenthesis, idiot." Arlo corrects me, pointing out 1 out of many other mistakes. "I know that," I grunt in annoyance.

"You do? huh, doesn't seem like it, though," A teasing smirk creeps up his face, fully aware of the stick he's shoving up my ass [A/N - yes, you may take that in whatever context you want ;)]

"Shut up..." I grumble, half hoping he doesn't hear it and half hoping he does. My hopes are answered when I see him raise his eyebrows in my periferal. "thats not a very nice thing to say to a friend who's trying to help you study." a smirk is plastered on his face, now. "And considering what you've done to me and the other royals..."

Silence falls over both of us. I keep my head low and focus on answering the homework instead. Ever so slowly, my focus gets sucked into the equations.

When my focus breaks away from the paper, it's because Arlo's voice pricks the silent atmosphere.

"I can see you're trying to change though. That much I can see."

"....." I stay silent, pretending to be more focused on the piece of paper.

"You beating me up together with the other royals.... it was a wake up call, I think. I realised how careless I was as a king. I always say the royals are there to keep everyone in check... and yet I was the one who kept pushing you and kept being unfair to you," A dry laugh escapes his throat, and by this point, I've stopped writing. Although I was looking down on the paper, I was fully intent on listening.

"What a joke. I was even blind to the bullying of the lower-tiers. How was I even called a 'King'?" Arlo almost sounded hurt by his own words. There were no words coming up in my own mind, but I had a feeling in my chest. Understanding... was it? I wasn't sure. A few more moments passed before either of us spoke again.

"....Every King... has their faults." Was all I could say. It wasn't the best thing I could say, but somehow it still felt right for me. I look at Arlo in the eye when I mutter the last word, slightly frowning. Unsure if he understood what I meant, I mean, not even I did.  I hear him inhale sharply, then stutter a "y-yeah..." as he looks away and instinctively put a hand at the back of his nape. For some reason... his reaction.... I don't know. I look away after that and stare at the math equations again. While I do, I feel warmness spread through my cheeks for some reason. Before any of us say anything again, Seraphina walks in with chips and a couple of glasses.

Arlo's face stays red for the rest of the hang out, and my cheeks only cool down when I finally leave and wave Arlo goodbye.

That was the first encounter of... whatever that was. I thought of it as a moment that'd never happen again, but the more I spend small moments alone with him, I'm beginning to see how both our goals are intertwined. He wants to change just as much as I do. After the first encounter, more and more of it happened. Small moments of spending time with him alone. I see him talk alone with other people as well. I guess  he really does want to change for the better.

I guess... we're not so different.

◇•~End~•◇