Work Text:
🤍
Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of Pomefiore’s studio, accentuating the gold-plated mirrors and peacock feathers by bathing them in soft, golden light. Atop one of the many mantles was a pile of fabrics, film, and makeup kits. At the front, Y/n kneels on the floor, organizing camera lenses in neat rows.
Vil Schoenheit, the cosmic beauty king himself, stood behind the first-year student. His arms were crossed, scrolling through the photos sent to him by Y/n titled Beauty Across NRC.
You see, about a week ago, Rook proposed the idea of “capturer la beauté of Night Raven College!” and Vil was surprisingly agreeable to the proposition. Vil offered to hire one of his photographers to do the job, but Y/n happened to overhear their conversation. Ever since he was young, Y/n had an interest in photography, and after picking it up, he was pretty good at it too.
Y/n practically begged Vil to let him do the job, for being at NRC made it so Y/n didn’t have much time to focus on his favorite hobby as much as he liked. And thankfully, after showing a few of his photos, Vil allowed Y/n to take up the job of capturing the faces of Night Raven College.
Y/n had just finished taking photos for Octavinelle yesterday; consequently, those were the photos Vil was currently looking over. Despite the first year’s calm demeanor, he was terrified about Vil not liking his photos to the extent that the Housewarden would no longer want Y/n to do the job.
“Your composition and lighting sense are acceptable,” Vil scrolled through a few more photos. “More than acceptably, actually.” Internally, Y/n let out the biggest breath of the century—thank The Seven, the Housewarden liked them!
“Your previous shots captured Azul’s tension beautifully.”
Y/n shrugged, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “He glared at me the entire time.” And that wasn’t even the worst part! Y/n couldn’t count how many times Floyd wanted to “squeeze” him. . .yeah, Y/n did not feel like shaking hands with death just yet, so he was only able to get a few photos of that guy. Jade was a little easier, but still, something about him scared Y/n a little more than Floyd did. Azul was the easiest; all Y/n had to do was not bother the Housewarden too much as he worked.
“And yet, you made the glare elegant. Some of my professional photographers aren’t able to do that.” Y/n felt a giddiness in his stomach from the compliments—it wasn’t every day someone, especially a first-year, got a compliment from the beauty king himself.
Vil diligently tucked his phone back in his pocket, crossing his arms over his chest and jutting his hip out. “I want you to focus on Savannaclaw on our next day off, okay?” It wasn’t a question, but Y/n was more than happy to oblige.
Y/n nodded, “I’ve never been to Savannaclaw before, I’ve always wondered what their dorm looks like.” He finally looked away from his lenses, meeting the commanding, amethyst eyes of the Pomefiore Housewarden.
“Don’t try to cause any altercations,” Vil advised, “the people of the dorm are fight-prone, and I have no intentions of harboring a student who’s black and blue in this dorm.”
And suddenly. . Y/n wasn’t too excited about the Savvanaclaw dorm. Fight-prone? He had heard that there were a few students who got into altercations, but nothing too bad! Were all of them like that?
“I’ll. . .I’ll do my best, Housewarden,” Y/n kept a brave face up. He didn’t want Vil to start doubting him.
“I know you will,” And with that, Vil left, leaving Y/n to his thoughts on the athletic—apparently delinquent—Savannaclaw dorm.
🤍
The Savannaclaw dorm looked just as Y/n thought it would in some ways, and completely different in others. The outside of the dorm itself was just as expected—desert floors, acacia trees, and the occasional flag representing the pride of the dorm. What most caught Y/n’s eye was the stadium. Alongside the dorm, the stadium was just as large, and even on a day off, there were students training either for fun, themselves, or the upcoming Magift game against Scarabia.
Y/n decided to start with the stadium; he wanted to capture the athletic reputation Savannaclaw upheld. As he walked past the giant stadium gates, he adjusted his camera settings to better fit the outdoors.
Y/n wasn’t in the business of interrupting someone’s workout routine, especially a Savannaclaw student’s. So, he decided to stay off to the sides of the stadium (minding those who ran laps), snapping action shots of students mid-pushup; capturing a practice boxing match; a magshift scrimmage, Savannaclaw V. Savannaclaw.
He got a few looks—which Y/n expected, considering it’s not every day you see someone in Pomefiore garb taking pictures of people—but for the most part, the Savannaclaw residents kept to themselves.
Y/n understood why Epel wanted to be a part of this dorm. Everyone seemed to be extremely strong; who wouldn’t want that? Still, Y/n knew he belonged in Pomefiore—potionology was always his best (and favorite) subject, and with his photography hobby, Y/n was always able to find beauty in the smallest of things.
Y/n flipped through his photos, smiling with satisfaction. He turned to leave, wishing to find the housewarden in the dormitory. The Housewarden represents the dorm itself, and so far, they’ve been compliant with the idea.
However, right before Y/n exited the stadium, someone caught the photographer’s peripheral vision. He looked over to see a wolf beastman leaning against the wall, a town draped across his shoulders as he drank from a water bottle. He seemed to have just finished a workout.
Perfect.
Y/n sauntered right up to the beastman, observing him as he did so. His hair looked fluffy, and was as white as snow—the same going for his pointed ears and bushy tail. His skin looked to be painted by daylight itself, pigmented to be a sun-kissed tan. As he approached, he realized just how much taller the beastman was. Y/n might meet the bottom of the guy’s chin, and that was being generous. His expression didn’t look the most welcoming, but that didn’t deter Y/n in the slightest; if anything, it encouraged him to approach even more.
The tall male quickly noticed Y/n’s fervent approach, his ears twitching as his head turned toward the photographer. Their eyes met before Y/n even finished walking.
His ear flicked again. “Do you need something?” He was blunt with his question, but not unkind with his tone. Y/n smiled, no hesitation as he answered, “Yes, I do.” He kept a reasonable distance from the beastman to avoid overcrowding him.
Y/n gestured to the camera strapped around his neck and resting against his chest. “I’m not sure if you know about the Pomrfiore ‘Beauty Across Night Raven,’ but I’m here to take pictures of each dorm’s residents,” he explained loosely, fiddling with the lens as he did so. The white-haired beauty glanced at the camera, then back at Y/n. “And you came in the middle of training hours for it?”
The photographer shrugged, “Strength is a beauty in its own, is it not?” The other raised a brow, unconvincing; nonetheless, he seemed curious despite himself (at least, that’s what Y/n thought after seeing a small twitch in his tail).
“That so?”
Y/n met his gaze steadily, “Definitely.” He offered his hand, “My name’s Y/n L/n from the Pomefiore dormitory, and I think you’d be perfect for our project!”
The beastman paused, “You’re serious?”
“I wouldn’t be talking to you if I wasn’t,” Y/n replied confidently.
He paused, studying Y/n—probably over-analyzing him—before settling, sighing, and enveloping his hand over Y/n’s. They shared a firm handshake as the beastman said, “I’m Jack Howl. . .what do you need me to do?” The end of his introduction took on a more uncertain tone, but Y/n reveled in the fact that he agreed.
Y/n brightened, squeezing Jack’s hand before letting him go. “Follow me,” he said, leading with that, he walked right out of the stadium. He looked over his shoulder after a few feet, pleased to find the beastman not far behind.
Y/n surveyed the area, and eventually he decided on an acacia tree adjacent to the main entrance of the dorm itself. He turned to Jack, “Could you stand by that tree, please?” The beastman simply nodded, following through with what was asked of him. When he settled, Y/n simply observed him for a moment. Just when Jack started to look a little uncomfortable with all the staring, Y/n spoke.
“The light’s hitting from the left. . .” he murmured to himself. Y/n tilted his head, squinting slightly. “Can you turn a little towards the sun?” Jack shifted.
“Not fully, just—yeah, like that.” Jack adjusted his previous stance, unsure at first before settling into it. The light highlighted his bronzed skin, making it glow while adding shadows to the right half of his face, contrasting nicely. The sun also brought a glimmer into Jack’s eyes, illuminating his brassy irises.
Y/n lifted his camera, adjusting the lens until Jack came in clear.
Click.
Y/n checked the screen, then looked up again. “Could you look towards the light for me?” Jack’s ear twitched before doing what was asked.
Holy Seven, his eyes are beautiful. Y/n willed himself not to stare, bringing his camera into focus to snap more photos in this new angle.
Y/n was never one to take multiple shots per millisecond. He liked to enjoy the amount of time it could take to capture the perfect moment, even if it took five seconds for Jack’s tail to swish along a faint wind, spotlighting his beastman qualities.
Y/n’s next shot was slow and intentional. “Relax your shoulders a bit,” he instructed.
Jack tensed even more, “I am relaxed,” he argued. Y/n smiled faintly, “You’re ‘Savanaclaw relaxed,’” he emphasized, “the look that seems ready to pounce just about anything. I need ‘Jack relaxed.’”
The beastman exhaled, rolling his shoulders. This time, when he dropped them, he seemed less rigid; less hunting predator and more relaxing lion.
Click.
“There,” he offered the camera to Jack for him to look at. “See? That’s what I’m looking for.”
“You’re pretty picky,” Jack commented. Still, he looked content with the photo presented to him. Y/n wondered if he’d ever gotten his picture professionally done.
Well, professionally, as in Y/n’s best abilities.
The Pomefiore student laughed, “It comes with the job.” He took a few steps back to continue his work. He studied Jack directly before raising his camera.
“You don’t have to pose like the Housewarden’s here,” Y/n said, “Just stand how you normally would.”
Jack hesitates. . .then shifts into an even more relaxed stance, balanced and grounded. He was effortless in a way that couldn’t be taught.
Click.
Y/n doesn’t check the screen immediately this time; instead, he lets his eyes stay on the physical subject just a little longer.
A breeze passes through, and Jack’s hair shifted slightly. His ears flicked toward a distant sound, but his gaze came back to Y/n.
Click.
“Keep looking at me,” Y/n asked softly. Jack stills before meeting Y/n’s eyes fully this time.
Click.
Y/n lowers the camera. “Yeah,” he whispers. Gaining a little confidence, he steps closer without thinking, adjusting Jack’s angle manually. He holds his chin as he dips it lower and brings an arm to Jack’s bicep to shift his upper body to the right.
Y/n then realizes how close he is. “Sorry, I just—” He finished adjusting Jack, “Had to get the right angle,” he reasoned.
Jack was stiff, but he quickly recovered. “You’re fine,” he offered.
Y/n stepped back, regaining his composure. As he lifted his camera, he said, without thinking, “You’re easier to photograph than you think.”
Jack furrowed his brows, and Y/n was quick to capture the expression. “I didn’t say I was,” the beastman said.
“I know,” Y/n took another photo, “But you definitely thought it.” He took a few steps back. “Alright, last few, I promise.”
Jack nodded, opting to move his arms so that they now fold neatly across his chest.
“Look off to the side,” Y/n instructed, and Jack does, his posture sharpening just slightly.
Click.
“Now back to me.”
Click.
Y/n lowers his camera slowly, looking at his pictures, then at Jack.
“That's all?” The beastman asked. Y/n nodded, “For today.” He hesitated before adding, “I might come back. Different lighting gives different results.”
Jack’s arms shifted, tightening more around himself. “Or you just want more pictures,” he tilted his head, his ears following the action as his tail flicked with interest.
Y/n smiled, “You seem to feel the same,” he rebutted. Pink settled nicely across Jack’s face, and Y/n immediately regretted saying their picture-taking session was over. He definitely has to come back now—he had to capture flusterdness on the beastman, for he certainly wore it well.
Y/n lets the camera settle on his chest, “I’ll show you the edits after they're done, if you want?” He proposed, taking a small step back to start his retreat.
Jack hesitated before resolving on his answer, “Yeah, I’d like to see them.” Y/n nodded.
“You might not recognize yourself,” the photographer said, and Jack tilted his head. “Why’s that?”
“Because I think you’re a lot more than what you see.” The silence that followed after Y/n’s claim lingered for a moment, and Jack didn’t respond; however, his expression shifted, just slightly.
Y/n decides that that’s that, and he fully turns from Jack, walking off. His fingers lingered on his camera, his face feeling warm as he walked toward the dorm exit with a smile on his face.
Jack watches him go. Absentmindedly, he adjusts his posture.
The same way Y/n had told him to.
🤍