#im sorry i will fix the readmore function once tumblr pc starts functioning properly

[twst-campos13]

ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʜᴇᴍᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ᴍɪʟᴇsᴛᴏɴᴇ ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛ ɪs ɪɴsᴘɪʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ @raven-at-the-writing-desk . ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ғɪɴᴅ ʜᴇʀ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ʜᴇʀᴇ!

In the still chilly morning of February, the sun shone bright and warm. He appeared with radiant waves of blinding them with his gleeful smile and white wings of wispy clouds. The sun appeared magnificently that the sensation of awe was more like a sucker-punch to the gut.

“Is it just me, or is this what it feels like when gods show you their divine form?” Ace grimaced, blocking his hand over his eyes to spare them from the merciless rays. Deuce muttered just beside him. “I think that’s just Hunt-senpai…” His eyes adjusted from the light and they widened in surprise at his senior’s get-up. “Wearing...really different clothes…”

“Bonjour, monsieurs!” The hunter greeted, ebullient. Rook stood proudly in front of the first years. His enthusiasm curved at the smiles of his eyes. If anything, it is quite overwhelming for the five of them. More so…

“Hunt-senpai,” Deuce timidly raised a finger for his attention, “if I may ask, er, what are you wearing?”

At the corner of his eye, he saw Epel’s lip twitch, probably fighting the urge to facepalm or laugh. Rook smiled wider at Deuce’s question and chuckled. “Oh, Monsieur Spades. I am wearing the clothes suited for this blessed day!” Rook spread out his arms to better show his get-up.

He was wearing a pristine white toga that billows like pillows of clouds by his knees. A thin, golden belt shimmered around his waist, shaping his muscular form properly in the toga. In place of his signature hat was a crown of small white blushing roses. His bag of quivers sits right at his shoulder, its quills shaped vaguely like hearts. To top it off, the straps around his shoulders held the quaint wings at his back. It was almost comical, really, that Jack’s tail thump against Epel’s back so that the boy would disguise his laugh as a cough.

The first years’ reactions vary and juxtaposes Rook’s exuberant smile. Ace seems like he is repressing some unwanted memories with his furrowed brows and pursed smile. Deuce appeared polite despite the obvious internal debate of telling Rook he looked ridiculous. Jack’s stoic expression and body language is just a front to keep Epel from bursting out in laughter. Sebek, meanwhile, is the most truthful out of them.

“I believe we were asked to carry out a task,” Sebek reminded, serious (and a bit confused) as the knight he is. “Is this truly the appropriate attire or are you making fun of us, Hunt-san?”

“Dude!” Ace exclaimed at his friend’s bluntness. Sebek gave him a side glance. He had not said anything particularly wrong, right?

Fortunately, Rook only laughed. “Non, non, Chevalier du Dragon! I am not making fun of all of you, not in this beautiful day.” Rook gestured from his wings down to the sandals of his feet. “Do you not recognize who I am imitating?”

Deuce considered answering but Rook did not wait for it. “It is Cupid, the messager de l’amour himself! The winged god of love!”

The first years exchanged glances with each other. The situation has been assessed and each of them came up with assumptions, conclusions, and solutions.

“On this special day, love is truly in the air! And in this school, it seems I am the only one interested in spreading its importance and sentiment!” Rook continues, a slight lament in his tone. He shook his head as if he is pecked by small flies of negativity then looked over the first years excitedly. “But no more shall the Chasseur d’amour do this honorable task alone!”

Rook was truly appreciative of their thoughtfulness upon volunteering. It was unsure if he was aware of Ace and Epel’s sour expressions, or Deuce’s hesitance, or even Jack and Sebek’s uncertain countenance. If Rook was aware of their worries, he only shone brighter in attempts to motivate them.

Ace finally spoke up after some deliberation. “Isn’t this a bummer for us, though?” he tried to excuse, a petulant sigh and a shake of his head. “Most of us are single and you want us to do some lovey-dovey delivery service for the couples around us?”

The smile on Rook’s face turned into a line and he shook his head. “Monsieur Hearts, that is not what Valentine’s day is simply for!”

“But it’s kind’f intended for that—isn’t it?” Epel quipped, playing with his fingers behind him as he thoughtfully looked at his feet, a curious wonder in his tone. “Valentine’s became a special day for couples. You get to show your significant other how special they are to you…and…” he paused, looking back at the eyes on him then jumped on his heels.

“A-At least that’s what I noticed was commonly happening!” Epel stuttered defensively. Though his friends were more attentive to the hunter exasperatedly sighing.

His exasperation did not translate to the smile that returned to his lips. Which was odd because considering under different circumstances, their seniors would definitely be annoyed. In Rook’s case, his eyes were rather fond. Determined, even.

“Monsieurs, what theme does Valentine’s day value?” Rook asked them. The first years exchanged glances with each other. “Love?” they answered in varying tones.

“And is love objectively romantic?”

They almost answered on the whim. The question made them think despite the obvious answer. “Well…I spend my Valentine’s with my mom,” Deuce sheepishly answered. There was a murmur of agreement from his friends with the similar story. This made Rook chuckle. “Precisely, Monsieur Spades!” He clapped the first year on the shoulder. Deuce nearly doubled over by the force.

“Love is not a constant state. It changes and adapts into magnificent forms—it is something to be nurtured so that when shared, others can see how beautiful it is,” Rook mused ardently with a twinkle in his eyes. “If you subject love to one thing—and one thing only—can you still consider it as love?”

The first years exchange looks once more. Rook somehow made sense, and regardless of their varying experiences about what love is, they could not help but agree with him. It transcended more than just an emotion—and Rook was aware of this.

With collective sighs they came to a mental agreement.

“It’s just for today, right?” Ace confirmed. “I am a man of my word. After this, we shall part ways.” Rook placed a solemn hand of promise near his heart. “Very well. We shall proceed as agreed,” Sebek declared with authority present in his tone.

Satisfied with their answers, Rook embraced them heartily. The way his arms was able to accommodate five of them was shocking.

“Merveilleux, monsieurs, merveilleux!” Rook laughed earnestly. “Now, without further ado…” he handed them an off-white suit box—where did that come from—which lid was pinned with a shimmering gold bow. Their names were written in calligraphy on each box.

Ace whistled at how fancy it was. Deuce and Epel were rather careful in holding it, the elegance intimidating them. “This will be our attire?” Sebek inquired, having already opened his box to check its contents.

The smile on Rook’s lips graced into a mischievous curl. “Wearing the appropriate attire for such occasion is imperative,” he chuckled. Rook then turned his heel, faux wings bouncing with his every step.

"Come now, monsieurs. The letters won't deliver themselves!"

(commentary in the notes)