𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐬𝐦 (various!twisted wonderland x applejack!reader)

17/ Comfort

"I can't. I'm supposed to be doing independent study, and I have a lot of homework to do." Little Riddle says making Che'nya disappointed. "Independent study" means you pick what to do, right? My grand-paw says play is a form of study!"

Trey nods, "Just play with us for a little bit!"

Riddle brightens at the thought of being allowed to play and have fun, "...O-okay... Just a little, though!"

He makes his way out and immediately gets approached by the two, "So what's your name?" Trey questions.

"R-Riddle, Riddle Rosehearts."

Riddle smiles at the memory, "I had the best time playing with Trey and Che'nya." His smile turned slightly downcast, "We did so many things I'd never done before. They taught me lots of things I didn't know."

"After that, I snuck out of my room every day to play with them during independent study time." 

You stare at him dumbfounded. 'Is he happy or sad right now?'

The next memory gave you a jumpscare since it showed Che'nya looking at Riddle like he's an extraterrestrial nightmare. "Whaaat? You've never even tried a strawberry tart? They're out of this world."

"Yeah. My mom says sugar is basically poison."

"I mean, you probably shouldn't eat too much of it, but calling it "poison" is kinda...yikes." Trey scratches the back of his head, "You know, my family runs a cake shop. Let's go get a tart right now!"

Riddle let's out a shocked noise, "Really? But...I shouldn't." Trey smiles at him. "Just one slice. It'll be fine."

Che'nya pouts, "One slice for YOU, maybe. I want a whole one!"

"A bright-red strawberry tart on a white plate. To me, it shined more brightly than any gem could. That first bite was so sweet. It tasted like nothing I'd ever eaten before." He chuckles. 

"With each bite I became more entranced..."

'He's gonna say he forgot the time ain't he.'

"...and completely lost track of the time."

'I called it.'

Your ears were then met with a screaming woman, "I cannot believe this! Not only are you cutting independent study time, but I find you eating a mountain of sugar?!"

"Those two hoodlums must have incited this behavior. You must never play with them again!" You felt Riddle stiffen, since he was sitting with his back against the tree that was on YOUR BACK.

"I'm sorry, Mother! I promise, it will never happen again."

"Be quiet! You've broken the rules, and I'll not hear another word from you." She yells,  "Clearly, you're not able to handle the freedom of independent study. I need to keep a closer eye on you."

"Because I broke the rules, my favorite part of my day was taken away from me." He clutches his shirt where his heart was. "I vowed to never break my mother's rules again."

"After all, she was the most accomplished mother in the city, and therefore, the most correct. But Mom... Why? Why does my heart hurt so much? I want to eat a tart! It's my birthday, so can't I have some just this once? I want to play outside all day long! I want to make lots and lots of friends!"

"Tell me, Mom, please... What rule do I need to follow to make this pain go away?"

(Now how the hell do I comfort people)

You stare at him dumbfounded, had he been carryin' this his entire life? It's not weird that he gives the students such bad treatment!

You see his lip quivering, making you grab your roughed up hands in his soft ones.