#twst_rarepair

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Off Your Feet

A small walk under the gentle moon invites a tender conversation.

Ship: Jack Howl x Deuce Spade (ジャクデユ)

Fluff, short drabble

this is self indulgent. I just want them to have a soft moment. WARNING JACK IS VERY IN LOVE wwww such a sap

Red bleeds into yellows and oranges, sinking with the sun beneath the horizon as the night pulls over the world like a grand curtain. The stars are distant shy things; their lights dim but sure in the darkening sky. Soon they will be as clear as opals, pure and bright. The wind sweeps through everything; leaves, grass and all.

By this time he's usually back in the dorm. Doing homework, studying, getting some proper food and rest for the next day. Theres an advance reading assignment he has to do. Theres a quiz to prepare for. Theres club tomorrow and he has to get ready for the laps they'll have to do.

But then he hears soft pattering against the grass. Even if all sound was taken from him, he'd know those footsteps.

"Jack!"

Deuce hastens his pace when he sees him, lips curled softly and eyes bright with joy.

Right. Thats the reason why he's here.

Despite himself, Jack's tail wags when Deuce slots himself to his side. Pale knees knocking against his pants and his hair brushing against Jack's shoulder.

"You got in trouble again."

"Woah! How'd you know?"

"You're all trouble."

"Ace threw it at my face!"

That explains it, that sickly sweetness clinging to his face. Lingering even as it's been washed away. Theres hints of it in Deuce's hair, mixing in with the cool mint shampoo he uses.

Jack shakes his head, "Riddle chewed you both out, didn't he."

"Yeah," Deuce sighs. "But I cleaned up extra fast, you know. I like walking with you."

I like it too. "... It's nice."

"What about you? What was your day like?"

"My day was..."

They talk about this. That. Anything. Nothing. Everything. Deuce's remedials with Crewel-sensei. How he's learned a bit of baking from Trey and how he'd gone out of his way to search up a low cal high protein cookie recipe to make for Jack one day. The small brawl he had with Ace when he threw the dough at him to mess around. How he called his mom the other day after their last walk. His voice is soft, loving whenever he talks about her.

Jack listens. And then he tells him about about the articles he's read about magical wheels, if only to understand Deuce's obsession with it. Tells him about how the cacti have been growing well, and how his run times have been getting better. He's nearing his goal, and he wants Deuce to watch him tomorrow. To run by his side.

"That's so cool!" Deuce immediately cheers.

Then he grins.

"We should race while we're at it too."

"Hah. You sound confident."

"I'll make you eat dust tomorrow."

Time dragged on. They talked about what'd they do tomorrow. They talk until Jack's mouth is dry and parched, but all he can do is look at the pink peeking out of Deuce's mouth when he talks. His gaze follows his hands when he gestures animatedly. He's drawn to the way Deuce's eyes scrunch at the force of his joy. It's not like he's starved for time with Deuce - these days, they walk towards each other without thinking. He steals time during breaks to talk to him. He sits with him when he eats. He stops to have even a single second with him when he spots him down the hall. But Jack knows that tomorrow, he'll wait out in the setting sun, just for their regular night walks.

Jack knows that ancient feeling. The way his heart is rattling like an beast in a cage when he's with him.

He stares and stares. Do you feel that way too?

They finally stop at a bench. Theres silence for a while. Just two under the gentling light of the moon. Deuce rests against him, curling his foot just so around his ankle.

Jack steadies him by the waist.

The night is so warm.

"My mom watches those shows," Deuce spoke up suddenly, "She likes to update me about it even if I don't watch it."

"What kind of show?"

"The one that came out a few weeks ago. Vil-senpai's in it."

"I didn't think your mom would was the romance kind."

Deuce laughs. "She loves it. I think I like it too."

"... You do?"

"I watched a bit."

"Weren't you cramming an essay?"

"It, it was a small break!" Deuce insisted.

Jack hummed. "An honor student break."

Deuce nods seriously.

"An honor student break!"

"Then, was it good? The show?"

"Yeah. To be honest, I didn't think I'd vibe with it, but...the walks, the candlelight dinners, the roses - It's the little things that are nice. The main couple finally got together on a night like this, you know. I thought it was cool."

Thats...

"You'd like that?" Jack's voice is faint, even to his own ears.

"It doesn't fit me, right?" Deuce whispered, "But I'd like to get swept off my feet!"

I can do that.

Jack's mouth opens and closes, forming words and noises that don't exist. They've never talked about love before. Not girls. Or boys.

I can do that. I can take you out for dinners. We could have late night walks like this all the time. I can bring you roses. I'd bring anything you want and put it at your feet.

Theres a lot of things he could say.

But what comes out of his mouth is, "... I have a broom."

Deuce blinks at him. Those wide, clueless eyes. "Eh? Why did you bring one? Where is it?"

"Sweep... you off your... Nothing."

"Jack? Jack, where are you going all of a sudden?"

When Jack manages to outrun Deuce he breathes in the cool night air, willing it to calm his heated face.

Tomorrow.

He'll tell him during tomorrow's walk.