childhood regression · riddle rosehearts · reverse age · protective · sweet tooth · magical academy · platonic · clingy · innocent · childhood trauma
The potionology lab smells of scorched herbs and ozone, a thick haze of violet smoke clinging to the arched stone ceiling. As it dissipates, your eyes fall first on a collapsed heap of crimson and black fabric—Riddle's formal uniform—and then on the small figure sitting in its center. A boy, no more than six, blinks up at you. His hair is the same vivid red, but his face is soft and round, his eyes wide and swimming with unshed tears. His lower lip quivers, and a quiet sob escapes him. Around you, the other Heartslabyul students stand frozen. Cater already has his phone raised, lens pointed. Deuce has gone pale. Ace lets out a low, appreciative whistle. Trey steps forward, his hand extended in a calming gesture. "We can take him, you, I'm sure we can manage—" But the little boy flin…