#Quiz-based learning

[maxlearnmicrolearningplatform]

Using Retrieval Practice to Get the Most Out of Microlearning

In the evolving landscape of education and corporate training, microlearning has emerged as a revolutionary approach. It involves delivering training content in small, manageable chunks that learners can easily absorb and apply. However, to maximize the effectiveness of microlearning, integrating retrieval practice is essential. This article delves into how retrieval practice can enhance microlearning and help organizations achieve their training objectives.

What is Retrieval Practice?

Retrieval practice is a learning strategy that involves recalling information from memory, rather than simply re-reading or re-watching content. This active recall process strengthens memory and improves the ability to retrieve information in the future. It’s a well-researched method that has proven to enhance long-term retention and understanding of material.

The Science Behind Retrieval Practice

When learners engage in retrieval practice, they are effectively exercising their memory. This process helps to reinforce neural connections related to the recalled information, making it easier to retrieve the same information later. By continuously practicing retrieval, learners can build stronger and more durable memories. Studies have shown that retrieval practice is more effective than passive review methods, such as reading or listening to content repeatedly.

Microlearning and Retrieval Practice: A Perfect Match

Microlearning and retrieval practice complement each other exceptionally well. Microlearning’s bite-sized approach ensures that content is not overwhelming, making it easier for learners to engage in frequent retrieval practice. Here’s how combining the two can lead to optimal learning outcomes:

Increased Engagement: Microlearning modules are typically short and focused, which naturally leads to more frequent opportunities for retrieval practice. This increased engagement helps learners stay active and involved in the learning process.

Enhanced Retention: Retrieval practice boosts retention by requiring learners to actively recall information. When paired with microlearning, which emphasizes concise and targeted content, this leads to better retention of key concepts and skills.

Better Knowledge Application: Frequent retrieval practice helps learners transfer knowledge from short-term to long-term memory, making it easier to apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations. Microlearning’s practical and applied approach further reinforces this application.

Implementing Retrieval Practice in Microlearning

To effectively integrate retrieval practice into microlearning, consider the following strategies:

Frequent Quizzes: Incorporate short quizzes at the end of each microlearning module. These quizzes should focus on recalling key points from the lesson rather than just recognizing them.

Spaced Repetition: Use spaced repetition techniques to schedule retrieval practice sessions over increasing intervals. This approach helps reinforce learning over time and improves long-term retention.

Interactive Flashcards: Utilize flashcards that prompt learners to recall information actively. Digital flashcard apps can be especially useful, allowing learners to engage in retrieval practice on the go.

Scenario-Based Questions: Develop scenario-based questions that require learners to apply what they’ve learned to real-world situations. This not only aids in retrieval practice but also enhances problem-solving skills.

Reflection Prompts: Encourage learners to reflect on what they’ve learned by writing summaries or discussing key points with peers. This form of active recall helps consolidate learning.

Case Study: A Corporate Training Success

Consider a multinational company aiming to improve its sales team’s product knowledge and customer interaction skills. The traditional training methods were time-consuming and often ineffective in ensuring long-term retention. By integrating retrieval practice into their microlearning strategy, the company achieved remarkable results.

Customized Microlearning Modules: The company developed short, targeted modules focusing on specific product features, customer interaction techniques, and sales strategies.

Frequent Assessments: Each module ended with a quiz that required employees to recall and apply the information they had just learned. These assessments were designed to challenge their memory and reinforce key concepts.

Spaced Repetition: The company used spaced repetition to schedule follow-up quizzes and refresher modules. This helped ensure that employees revisited important information over time, leading to better retention.

Interactive Tools: The training program included interactive flashcards and scenario-based questions that encouraged employees to engage in active recall regularly.

Collaborative Reflection: Employees were encouraged to discuss their learning experiences and share insights with their peers. This reflective practice further reinforced their understanding and application of the material.

The results were impressive. Employees demonstrated significantly improved product knowledge, better customer interaction skills, and increased sales performance. The combination of microlearning and retrieval practice proved to be a powerful strategy for achieving these outcomes.

Benefits of Using Retrieval Practice in Microlearning

Improved Memory Retention: Retrieval practice helps solidify learning by strengthening neural connections, leading to better long-term memory retention.

Increased Learner Engagement: The active nature of retrieval practice keeps learners engaged and motivated, as they are constantly challenged to recall and apply information.

Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: By incorporating scenario-based questions, learners develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for real-world applications.

Greater Knowledge Transfer: Retrieval practice facilitates the transfer of knowledge from theoretical understanding to practical application, making it easier for learners to use what they’ve learned in their jobs.

Continuous Improvement: Regularly scheduled retrieval practice sessions ensure that learning is an ongoing process, leading to continuous improvement and skill development.

Challenges and Solutions

While the benefits of combining retrieval practice with microlearning are clear, there can be challenges in implementation. Here are some common obstacles and potential solutions:

Resistance to Change: Employees accustomed to traditional training methods may resist the shift to microlearning and retrieval practice. Solution: Communicate the benefits clearly and provide support during the transition.

Time Constraints: Finding time for regular retrieval practice can be challenging in busy work environments. Solution: Integrate microlearning modules and retrieval practice into daily routines, making them short and accessible.

Ensuring Engagement: Keeping learners engaged with frequent retrieval practice can be difficult. Solution: Use a variety of interactive tools, such as quizzes, flashcards, and scenario-based questions, to maintain interest.

Measuring Effectiveness: Tracking the impact of retrieval practice on learning outcomes can be complex. Solution: Use analytics tools to monitor progress and gather feedback to continuously improve the training program.

Conclusion

Retrieval practice is a powerful learning strategy that can significantly enhance the effectiveness of microlearning. By encouraging active recall and application of knowledge, retrieval practice helps learners retain information longer and apply it more effectively in real-world scenarios. For organizations looking to improve their training programs, integrating retrieval practice into microlearning can lead to better engagement, retention, and overall performance. Embrace this approach to unlock the full potential of your employee training and development initiatives.

[extrashortshorts]

Sims 2 tearing this family apart😭😭😭

<<< >>>

[grapecaseschoices]

what form of love do you embody?

quiz here, tagging: @sustainably-du-mortain @ava-du-mortain @mt07131 @sunshineandviolets @serenpedac @queerdetectiveblue @galpal95 @writerray @icanmakewords @thee-morrigan @quinnorion

Aleena:

love as violence

[ love as bloodshed, crimson as a knife slipped between your ribs ] when ocean vuong said "to arrive at love, then, is to arrive through obliteration" and when franz kafka said "you are the knife i turn inside myself; that is love" and when ada limon said "how do you love? like a fist. like a knife" and when richard siken said "sorry about the blood in your mouth. i wish it was mine"

love as hunger [I think this is better]

[ love as ravenous desire, love as something fragrant and home-built ] when florence welch said "we all have a hunger" and when jenny slate asked "who will come into my kitchen and be hungry for me?" and when violet trefusis wrote "I want you hungrily, frenziedly. passionately. I am starving for you..." and when anne carson asked "what are we made of but hunger and rage?

---

Tristan:

love as tenderness

[ love as gentleness after a lifetime of cruelty ] when ocean vuong said "sometimes being offered tenderness feels like the very proof that you've been ruined" and when pablo neruda said "like a jar you housed the infinite tenderness and the infinite oblivion shattered you like a jar" and when anais mitchell wrote "all i've ever known is how to hold my own, and now i wanna hold you, too”

[xe also got love as being known, which as a concept does fit but the qoutes don't strike me as hard for xyr ships. But it MIGHT fit xyr friendships--- hrm..]

----

Richard:

love as being known

[ love is knowing all of someone and loving them anyway ] when tim kreider said "if we want the rewards of being loved we have to submit to the mortifying ordeal of being known" and when joe wright said "The idea that these two people know each other, knew each other when they first saw each other. That they recognized each other from their future" and when micah nemerever said "it was a relief and a horror to be known so perfectly"

love as light [this works best]

[ love as a luminous force—warm, radiant, and golden ] when mary oliver wrote "light of the world hold me” and when charles bukowski said “I look at her and light goes all through me” and when david viscott said “to love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides”and when e. e. cummings said “lovers alone wear sunlight”

[cocotine]

i barely have any sense of self anymore beyond like. being lazy/tired and not wanting to do things.

i know the self is an intangible and abstract concept but im trying to decide what class i would be in bg3 (this is a really stupid reason to have an existential crisis i know) and i can't settle on anything bc i don't really know who i am or what im like anymore beyond my shortcomings and weaknesses. which sounds stupid but it's upsetting when something that's supposed to be a fun hobby becomes a source of despair because i can't stop ruminating and i can't enjoy the game bc im thinking of how inadequate i am. maybe this is why people play as characters that aren't themselves BUT I NEED TO SELF INSERT i need to. idk

[floorpancakes]

i will say that every so often i get a response to The Quiz that's like 'i dont know anything about idols but i didn't know how to answer some of the questions because they were about the idols that's so stupid' and all i could say to that is lol

like its on the label buddy idk what ya expected little guy

[cherrifire]

I'm late to behind-the-scenes-people, so I have a question about y'all. Ik the Hermits gets Hoffen to design things, Ik Martyn gets you to draw his thumbnails, and I recently learned you were involved in the quiz.

Who's the group? Who's the rest of y'all? Is it known? Are y'all on tumblr? Can I follow y'all?

😅✨️

MEET THE TRIVIA TEAM ✨️

Me! - Cherrifire!

I make YouTube thumbnails and I also worked on the Life Series merch this year! Grian asked me for Life Series fans to help with Trivia so I picked these goobers up by the scruff.

@ink-ghoul - Hoffen!

Hoffen does a lot of MC skins, texture pack, and model work for the Hermits! She also helped a little with the merch too, Hoffen made the Quizmaster and his stickers.

@cocoabats - Julia!

Julia did a lot of work on the Scarland Art book and helped with the Grian merch too! She set up the website, made the "Hang In There" shirt, and the desk mat! She also made the Pale White Horse AU :D

@applestruda - Bee!

Bee has only just started to dip her toes into working with CCs and I'm so proud of her and what she's accomplished. One of her drawings is actually framed in the background of Impulse's webcam and she did a Hermit TCG card for False! She so cool and I love her I love Bee Applestruda my Minecraft wife my wife my wife my--

@hopepetal - Zera!

Zera is very delightful, he's a writer and musician and wrote the Boatem Knights AU based on Applestruda's drawings! Grian actually asked him to make music for the Trivia bot but because he was a bit busy he couldn't get further than a rough draft so he took what he made to Oli and had it polished.

@liloinkoink - Lew!

My best friend (eyeroll), he's the writer of the Renchanting AU/fanfic Lamplight or whatever.

@xmaruu11 - Maruu

Maruu is the co-writer of the Desert Duo Vigilante AU comic and wrote 53% of the questions LOL (Yes I did the math). They've also worked with Ranboo in the past and is just a little goober!

[haizeleyes007]

[longroadstonowhere]

youtube has discovered my weak point: quiz videos on musical songs

anyway why was santa fe a place celebrated in two different musicals

also apparently they made a goosebumps musical??? that sounds fascinating, if it’s ever getting put on near me i should try and go see it i think (unless i look it up and it’s uninteresting)

[pyromaniac-cyndaquil]

It's been a lot of work over a lot of time but I think I can finally share this...

PMD:EoS, but with all of the starters!

...Including Grookey, finally!!!!! 🥳

Introducing PMD: Expanded Sky!

This is a public mod available to download now! It adds in all starters from unova all the way to paldea, as well as zorua, axew and rockruff, and allows evolving eevee into sylveon.

Speaking of which, fairy type has been patched into the game! Disarming voice replaces milk drink and moonblast replaces judgement, which was unused.

Some non-traditional starters are no longer available as hero options in this due to lack of space, but are still available as partners. (Skitty can be chosen as a hero in version 1.0.0 only, so download that version instead of the latest if you wanna use her! Riolu and Shinx are available in version 1.2.1 and below)

If one of your faves was taken off the hero roster (eg vulpix, skitty, riolu, munchlax, etc), I have a tutorial here on how to quickly edit the patched file to put them back in :)

Several regional variants have been added! Alolan Raichu, Alolan Marowak and Hisuian Typhlosion are now available as potential evolutions for their respective base stages.

Partners across both rescue team and all three versions of explorers are available too, including Cubone, Munchlax, Machop, Vulpix, Riolu, etc

Sprites and portraits are courtesy of the brilliant PMD Sprite Repository and the many incredible artists who contribute to it!

Credits for all improvement patches, sprites and portraits are included in the download, as well as an explanation on how to patch the game and the full starter list.

The mod is split in two versions to accommodate all the partners - MIDDAY version and MIDNIGHT version. The download includes both, as well as the tool required to patch your game! You'll need a clean US copy of pmd eos at hand.

A full list of moves learned by newly added Pokémon can be found here, as well as info on how to evolve them and their IQ groups.

If you run into any issues, feel free to drop me an ask or DM and I'll see how I can help/what I need to fix!

You can find the download for this rom hack here!

Edits/updates noted under the cut:

(27/04/23)

The overall mod now has a name - expanded sky! Reflected earlier on in the post.

I've been informed that the included patching tool (XDelta) doesn't work on mac, and after some digging around and discussions in dms we found this tool works for Mac instead.

Added graphics to the post displaying which heroes and partners are part of the hack.

(11/05/23)

Added link to learnset compilation for all new pokémon.

(17/05/23) Version 1.1.0 has been released!

Sobble is now a starter, replacing Skitty (Skitty is still accessible by downloading v1.0.0 on the download page). Sobble is also now a partner in MIDNIGHT.

Zorua/Zoroark's moveset has been tweaked slightly

Base forms of all new starters can now be found in Oran Forest, and can be recruitable in the post-game. The new fire starters can also be found in Giant Volcano.

Extra portraits and sprites were added for Cubone, Psyduck and Machop. Like the rest of the new assets in this mod, these were imported from the PMD Sprite Repository, and credits are on the title screen and in the readme.txt.

Extra credits + more in-depth instructions for patching the game included in the readme.txt.

(18/05/23)

Added a link to a tutorial on swapping out heroes for others already existing in the game.

(22/05/23) - Version 1.1.1 has been released!

Fixed genders for female starter options on the quiz. Updated Fuecoco to use new portraits and sprites. (Credits to Garbage)

(23/05/23) - Version 1.1.2 has been released!

Female starters from gens 5-9 can now evolve correctly (save for starters who don't have evolutions in the game yet - these are listed in the text file in the download)

Rockruff can now evolve, and Midnight Lycanroc's evolution method has been fixed to use the Lunar Ribbon as intended.

(15/06/23) - Version 1.2.1 has been released!

In 1.2.0, a second version of the mod was included in the zip compatible with melon emulator, and potentially others that were having issues with saving.

Fairy gummis were also made available as mission rewards and shop items.

There's a couple more things that can be seen in the changelog including bugfixes, but the main other thing promised was that Froakie and Litten can now evolve directly into Greninja and Incineroar. Due to an evolution flag not being set this ended up untrue, but has been fixed in 1.2.1.

This post claimed dazzling gleam is in the game, but it should've said disarming voice.

🆕 (10/03/24) - Version 1.3.0 has been released!

Dusk Lycanroc, Drizzile, Inteleon, Grookey, Axew and Fraxure have been added, as well as Alolan Raichu, Alolan Marowak an Hisuian Typhlosion.

Axew replaces Shinx in the hero roster, and Grookey replaces Riolu. Additional portraits and sprites added for starter evolutions, including vanilla starters. Sleep animations have been copied over to EventSleep/Laying/Wake animations if missing.

Greninja erroneously had the same moveset as Froakie. This has now been fixed.

Credits are no longer displayed on the title screen.

Sprite, portrait and patch credits can now be viewed by talking to a Cyndaquil NPC on the crossroads.

Evolution help can also be accessed by talking to this same NPC.

🆕 (23/05/24) - Version 1.3.1 has been released!

The uhh. Grovyle problem. Yeah. That should be fixed.

(Grovyle was missing several sprites as a side effect of trying to add new ones, due to his unique setup in the vanilla game as such an important npc. His sprites should now be reverted to a functional state, rather than leaving him to walk fowards on the spot all the time).

An issue present from the start that caused the game to freeze while advancing floors in dungeons occasionally should now be resolved.

[solxamber]

Project Love - Rollo Flamme x reader

When your eccentric professor pairs you and Rollo up for a study on attachment types, you didn't realise how much it would change your lives.

Rollo Week Day 1! (also Rollo anon I hope you're seeing this).

It was just supposed to be an easy, laid-back semester. But no, the universe decided to throw you into the one psychology class known for ruining lives—and not even in the fun, dramatic, reality-show way. No, this was the kind of class where you could leave the semester with a full-blown existential crisis.

You didn’t even like psychology, but here you were, forced to take this professor’s class because all the others were full. To make matters worse, this wasn’t just any class; it was the dreaded experimental psychology class. The one where the professor was famous—not for his teaching, but for ruining lives in the name of academic study.

The rumor mill had been vicious: forget about traditional exams or group projects; no, this professor made people participate in wildly invasive experiments to "explore the human mind." And by "explore," it meant pushing boundaries until they snapped. You'd heard stories of students breaking up with their partners, dropping out, or crying in public. So, naturally, this was the class you got stuck in.

You thought they were joking, but the moment you walked into the room, saw the professor standing there with his glasses reflecting the overhead lights like some kind of horror movie villain, you knew. This wasn’t going to be good.

You look around the room, praying that maybe you could sit somewhere inconspicuous, keep your head down, and survive. But of course, the only seat open was next to that guy. The one who looked like he’d rather burn the entire campus down than breathe the same air as everyone else.

Oh no.

Rollo Flamme.

Your brief interaction with him was limited to vague campus rumors, but the gist was that he hated everything and everyone. He probably had a master plan to rid the world of all things fun—carnivals, birthday parties, and smiles. Which was ironic because the moment you locked eyes with him, all your social anxiety kicked in, and you smiled automatically. Like a reflex.

For a moment, Rollo froze. And then, something strange happened: instead of the scowl you expected, his expression softened, almost imperceptibly. He didn’t smile back, but you could see the flicker of surprise in his eyes, like your smile had thrown off his whole mood. In fact, as you sat down next to him, you noticed that he kept glancing at you out of the corner of his eye, like he didn’t know what to do with the fact that you smiled at him.

That smile, as far as he was concerned, was the cutest thing he’d seen all year. He wasn’t about to say that out loud, of course, but the thought definitely lingered.

You blinked at him, expecting some kind of verbal response, but before the moment could get any weirder, the professor clapped his hands, demanding everyone’s attention. You flinched, and so did Rollo. Not a great start.

“Welcome, students!” the professor announced with far too much enthusiasm for someone about to ruin lives. “This semester, we’re going to be conducting real-world psychological experiments again!”

You and Rollo exchanged a look—his full of concern, yours full of dread.

“And our first project,” the professor continued, “is an experiment to see how different attachment styles interact in relationships! You will be paired based on your attachment style, and for the next few months, you’ll be living together, learning to navigate these dynamics firsthand!”

What.

Living. Together?!

You wanted to raise your hand and ask if this was some kind of joke, but the professor’s manic grin told you he was dead serious.

He handed out some papers, one of which was an attachment style quiz. You skimmed through the questions, trying to focus, but your brain was already spiraling. Living with a stranger? No way. Not happening. Maybe you could drop out before the end of the class?

You finished the quiz, hoping against hope that this was just an exercise and not a real commitment. But then the professor came back, holding a clipboard with everyone’s results.

“Ah! You’re a secure type. Congratulations, that’s the healthiest attachment style.” He beamed at you like you’d won a medal. “And Rollo…” The professor glanced down, “You’re anxious-preoccupied. Interesting!”

You glanced at Rollo, who was currently gripping the sides of his desk like it was the only thing keeping him from a full-on nervous breakdown. Great.

The professor’s grin widened. “Well, this is perfect. You two will be paired together for this experiment. I’m sure this will be a very educational experience!”

You wanted to protest, but the professor moved on, pairing up the other students. You felt like the ground had just opened up beneath you. Live together? With Rollo Flamme? For a whole semester? How were you going to survive this?

By the end of class, it was official. You had to relocate to a new dorm today. It was like some twisted version of “new roommate bonding,” except instead of awkwardly sharing a bathroom schedule, you were forced to bond over psychological trauma.

The move itself was a nightmare. You were dragging your bags down the hall, trying not to collapse from the weight (both literal and emotional). By the time you finally managed to get all your stuff into the new dorm, you felt like throwing yourself off the nearest cliff. Or at least dropping out of school. Either would be fine.

You flopped onto your bed, groaning. “I swear, if I survive this, I’m never taking another psych class again,” you muttered to yourself. You were two seconds away from reconsidering all your life choices when Rollo appeared at the doorway, looking perfectly fine, not a hair out of place, and holding… pasta?

"I... thought it would be good to have something ready," he said, looking anywhere but directly at you. "Since we’re... apparently in a relationship. For the semester."

You blinked, completely stunned. After everything that happened today, you had not expected this. But you weren’t about to complain. In fact, you could feel a huge wave of relief wash over you. If you had to be stuck in this bizarre experiment, at least it was with someone who had a functioning kitchen and the decency to make dinner.

"I have never been more grateful for a pasta dish in my entire life," you said, dropping into the nearest chair. "I’m so happy you’re the one I got paired with, Rollo."

Rollo looked pleased, though he kept his expression neutral. He quickly sat down beside you, mumbling something about “it’s just dinner.” But you could tell he was trying.

As you sat there, eating the surprisingly delicious food Rollo made, you realized that maybe this semester wouldn’t be as bad as you thought. Or maybe you were just delirious from exhaustion.

Either way, at least you weren’t going to starve to death while this crazy project unfolded.

The first week of living together, and you're hit with a revelation: How the hell is this guy the one with his life together? Rollo Flamme, the same dude who almost gave you a whole monologue about chaos and anarchy the first time you smiled at him, is actually the most functional human being you've ever encountered.

His laundry’s always done, his side of the room is spotless, and somehow, he manages to work on his research without looking like he’s two seconds away from a nervous breakdown (unlike you, whose fourth cup of coffee is practically a security blanket at this point).

And here you are, the so-called "secure" attachment type, flailing around like you're barely hanging on to life. How was he not the secure one? This was messed up.

To make matters worse, Rollo is also incredibly polite. Always holding doors open, saying "thank you" after even the tiniest favor, and offering you a perfectly folded blanket when you passed out on the couch mid-cram session. He'd be the perfect roommate—if you were running a bed-and-breakfast. But for a relationship? Oh, no. This man had walls built so high around him, you’d need a rescue helicopter to even get near his emotions.

You weren’t about to let this continue, though. You had time. You were persistent. You’d break through that fortress if it killed you.

One day, you sat next to him in the living room, where he was working on his latest research paper. Curiosity got the better of you, and you peeked over at his screen. Magic, naturally. Specifically, how magic is dangerous and needs to be controlled more. You made an offhand comment about how he might actually be onto something—“Yeah, some people really don’t know how to use magic responsibly, it’s like handing a toddler a blowtorch”—and that’s all it took.

Rollo’s eyes lit up like you’d just complimented his entire worldview.

He turned to you, eyes wide, rapid-firing questions about your beliefs on magic regulation, ethics, and societal impact. For the first time since you met him, Rollo was genuinely invested, his polite, aloof demeanor melting away as he engaged with you on something that clearly mattered to him. You could practically hear the mental ding ding ding of his brain going, "Finally! Someone gets it!"

By the end of that conversation, the fortress had cracked. The walls weren’t all the way down, but you were inside the outer gates now.

The next day, the roles were reversed. You were on your fourth hour of staring at your own research paper, and the words on the screen were blurring into nonsensical strings of letters. Panic was creeping in, and you were halfway through reaching for your trusty fourth cup of coffee when—slap! Your hand was swatted away.

You looked up, highly offended, only to find Rollo standing over you with a disapproving frown. The audacity.

Without a word, he set down a glass in front of you. Some kind of healthy drink. You stared at it, not trusting it, and he raised an eyebrow, wordlessly daring you to refuse. He'd probably whipped it up himself—fresh, nutritious, and annoyingly sensible.

Grumbling under your breath, you drank it, because at this point, you might as well lean into the chaos of this semester. Surprisingly, it wasn’t bad. It tasted like nature and rejuvenation, or whatever health blogs promise, and you actually felt... better? You powered through your project, and the next morning, you woke up feeling—get this—good. No post-caffeine crash, no impending migraine, just clear-headed and ready to tackle the day.

Your joy was so overwhelming that you practically skipped into the kitchen, like a Disney princess who’d just had her life together for the first time. And there was Rollo, cooking breakfast like the absolute enigma that he was. Naturally, you wandered over and, without even thinking, gave him a back hug while peeking over his shoulder into the pan.

“Smells good,” you said, completely oblivious to the way Rollo froze, spatula in hand, his whole body going rigid.

In Rollo’s mind, you were some sort of divine being who had descended from the heavens to test his resolve. The second you wrapped your arms around him, his brain short-circuited. You were so close. Too close. And soft. And you smelled like whatever magical soap you used, which was currently wreaking havoc on his ability to think coherently.

Why were you like this?

Was this another experiment to see how fast you could make his heart explode?

He tried to maintain his composure, flipping the food in the pan with shaky hands while silently praying you’d release him before he combusted on the spot.

But no. You just kept on, completely oblivious to his suffering, chatting about your day while casually hugging him like it was the most normal thing in the world.

You ate breakfast like nothing was wrong, even thanked him with another hug before running off to class. Meanwhile, Rollo was left standing in the kitchen, staring after you like a Victorian gentleman who had just witnessed an ankle. The moment you were out the door, he crouched on the floor, hands covering his blushing face, mentally calculating how much more of this he could endure before he cracked entirely.

This experiment was going to be the death of him.

It was supposed to be a quick night out. A few drinks with some classmates after a grueling day, nothing crazy. You'd told Rollo you'd be back by 11 pm, tops. Maybe you should’ve accounted for the "one more drink" and the "just five more minutes" that inevitably pushed things to 12:30 am. And as fate would have it, your phone decided to die right around the time Rollo was pacing the floors of your shared dorm like a nervous cat, eyes flicking to the clock every five seconds.

By 12:01 am, the texts started. First, a gentle, "Hey, where are you? Still out?"

By 12:15 am, it escalated to "Are you okay? You said you'd be back by now."

At 12:20, "Should I come get you?"

By 12:25 am, he was borderline feral. "Why aren't you answering??" followed swiftly by "I'm about to call the authorities."

When he finally called and got the "unreachable" message, he nearly tipped into full-blown panic mode. His heart was doing triple time, his thoughts spiraling. What if something happened?

He was seconds away from convincing himself that you’d been kidnapped by a gang of magically-enhanced thugs when, to his immense relief, the door creaked open.

You strolled in like it was just another night, smiling at him, completely unaware of the mini-apocalypse happening in his brain.

"Hey! Sorry, my phone died—"

"You’re late," he interrupted, voice tighter than the grip he had on his phone.

You blinked. "Yeah, but—"

"No, do you realize what time it is? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?" His voice cracked, frustration evident, and you could see the tension practically radiating off him. His shoulders were rigid, and his hands shook ever so slightly as he ran them through his hair. He’d always seemed so calm, so composed, but this was the first time you were seeing the cracks.

Before you could stop yourself, your own irritation bubbled up. "I was just out for a couple hours, Rollo, it's not like I—"

But then, you saw it. His breathing was uneven, his whole posture screamed tension, and there was a slight tremor in his hands. Your words trailed off, dissolving in your throat.

He looked ready to combust, and not because he wanted to win an argument. He’d been worried. That realization clicked into place, and your frustration evaporated. He wasn’t angry—he was scared.

You stepped closer, quickly closing the gap between the two of you, and before he could say another word, you reached out and pulled him to you. His head rested on your shoulder, and for a second, he went completely still, as if surprised by the contact. But then, his rigid frame began to loosen, his shallow breaths slowing as he allowed himself to relax in your hold.

“I’m sorry,” you murmured, your hand running gently through his hair. “I should’ve found a way to let you know. My phone died and I didn’t think—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you like that.”

For a moment, the two of you just stood there in the middle of the room, his face pressed against your shoulder as he took deep breaths, gradually calming down. His grip on your sleeve tightened for a moment before he slowly pulled back, clearly feeling a little sheepish.

“No, I... I overreacted,” he said quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not my place to—"

“Stop that,” you interrupted. “Experiment or not, we're in this together. You’re allowed to worry. I should’ve told you somehow. I get it now.”

He looked at you, relieved but still unsure, before nodding. You’d come to a resolution—a better understanding of each other.

That night, you both settled on the couch, and you insisted on watching a horror movie to distract from the emotional rollercoaster of the evening. It was one of those ridiculously low-budget flicks with bad special effects and even worse acting, but it did the job.

You sat next to him, his hand gripping yours a little tighter than usual, but you didn’t mind. You leaned back, content, while the garbage horror played in the background, his fingers still interlocked with yours like an unspoken promise that things would be okay.

The next thing that happens makes you realize that the previous night’s breakthrough was only just the tip of the iceberg. Because, apparently, when it comes to Rollo, "issues" aren't fixed with a single comforting hug and some popcorn-level bonding.

It’s a chill afternoon, and you’re gaming in the shared area, completely immersed in your screen. You’ve been stuck on the same boss battle for nearly an hour, so you’re laser-focused, fingers flying over the controls like your life depends on it. You barely register it when Rollo asks something—something mundane, judging by his soft tone—but you’re too preoccupied to catch what it was. You only give a noncommittal grunt in response, eyes glued to the screen as your character slashes through another wave of enemies.

When you finally finish the round (victoriously, might I add), you glance up, stretching your arms, and catch sight of Rollo sitting across the room, looking... incredibly uncomfortable? He’s fidgeting with his sleeves, brow furrowed, biting his lip like someone just asked him to solve world hunger. You blink.

“Rollo?”

He jolts a little, startled by your voice, and looks over at you with wide eyes. You tilt your head. “Did you ask me something earlier?”

His response is instant: “Oh, no, it’s fine! You don’t have to—uh—I didn’t mean to bother you.”

Now that gets your attention. You pause your game, your controller forgotten, as you sit up a little straighter. "Wait, what? Bother me? Rollo, what are you talking about?”

You watch as he shifts awkwardly, his shoulders tight and his gaze flicking between you and the floor. It's the same nervous energy from the night before, except now it's wrapped in a weird layer of... guilt? What the hell?

You toss your controller aside, standing up and walking over to him, and without a second thought, you plop down on the couch right beside him. “C’mon, what’s up?” you coax, nudging him gently. “What did you want to ask me?”

For a second, he doesn’t answer, staring at his hands like they're the most interesting thing in the world. But you don’t move, waiting him out. After a few long moments, he lets out a sigh, almost resigned.

“I thought… I thought you were mad at me because I asked you a question, and you didn’t answer.” His voice is so quiet you almost don’t hear it.

You blink. Once. Twice. And then, the realization hits you like a ton of bricks. Oh, no. He really thought you were mad at him because you didn’t respond right away? Because you were busy gaming? You bite back a groan of exasperation, but not at him—no, at the fact that this poor guy is carrying around enough emotional baggage to fill a whole fleet of U-hauls.

“Rollo,” you say softly, scooting closer. He doesn’t look up. You reach out and place a hand on his arm, giving it a light squeeze. “I wasn’t mad. I didn’t even hear you, I was just really into my game.”

He finally lifts his head, and you can see the hint of skepticism in his eyes. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.” You give him a smile, trying to make it as reassuring as possible. “I wasn’t ignoring you or anything. I just... you know, lost track of everything. It happens.”

It’s like watching the air slowly deflate out of a balloon. Rollo’s shoulders visibly sag with relief, and he takes a deep breath, exhaling like he’d been holding it in for way too long. “Oh. Okay. That’s… good.”

You grin, giving him a playful nudge. “What, you thought I’d throw a fit over something like that? C’mon, give me some credit.”

His lips twitch, almost like he’s fighting back a smile. “I don’t know. You can get pretty intense when you’re gaming.”

“Fair, but I’m only intense about winning.” You flash him a cheeky smile. “Which, by the way, I did.”

His mouth quirks up at the corner, and just like that, the tension in the room finally dissolves. He’s not exactly laughing, but he’s definitely less tense, and that’s a win in your book.

You mentally add “reassure Rollo he’s not annoying” to the growing list of things you need to keep an eye on while living together. Clearly, you’d be doing a lot of emotional heavy lifting in this experiment. But hey, at least you’d have an extra hand when it came to back hugs in the kitchen.

It starts out innocently enough. You cancel a study session with Rollo—no big deal, right? It’s just one meeting, and you’ve got other commitments. You shoot him a quick text, fully expecting him to be fine with it.

But when you see him later that day? Oh boy.

Rollo looks like he’s just received news that the sky is falling. He’s pacing slightly, his expression carefully controlled, but you can feel the dark cloud of tension radiating off of him. It’s not like he’s outright mad at you, but something’s off. You tilt your head, watching as he fidgets with his sleeve, not quite making eye contact.

“Rollo? You good?”

He freezes for a second, then gives you a tight-lipped smile that’s about as comforting as a broken umbrella in a hurricane. “Fine,” he says, in the most not fine way possible.

And then it clicks. This guy’s not just upset about canceled plans—he’s taking it personally. His anxiety is in full swing, and you realize this is way deeper than you thought. Suddenly, his every movement seems loaded with tension, like he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. And you're hit with the revelation that maybe—just maybe—Rollo’s not as emotionally stable as you first assumed.

So, after a beat, you decide to do the responsible thing and sit him down for a proper chat. You want to know why he’s so upset over something so trivial, but of course, the moment you bring it up, he’s immediately defensive.

“I don’t need you psychoanalyzing me,” Rollo snaps, his voice sharp as he crosses his arms. “I’m fine.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Rollo, you look like I’ve personally betrayed you by canceling a study session.”

And just like that, he launches into a tirade about how he’s not mad, he just doesn’t appreciate people dismissing his feelings, and maybe you shouldn’t be taking this whole experiment so lightly. Normally, you’d be ready to bite back with a snarky comment—because, hello, it’s one study session—but something stops you.

Instead of fighting fire with fire, you let him rant. You sit there, quietly absorbing his words, your expression calm, even though internally, your temper is flickering. After he’s done, his words hanging heavy in the air, you take a deep breath.

“I’m not trying to psychoanalyze you,” you say softly. “I just… I want to understand.”

And that’s when you see it—his defenses waver, just for a second. He stares at you like he’s trying to figure out if you’re genuinely concerned or just playing mind games. Slowly, that rigid posture of his deflates, and he lets out a long, weary sigh.

He starts talking. About his brother, the trauma, the way he’s carried that weight for years. His words are raw, and as he speaks, you feel your heart twist in your chest. You’re not sure when it happens, but at some point, you find yourself holding him, your arms around him as he finally lets himself be vulnerable.

It’s then that you realize, in the middle of all this emotional chaos, that you’ve fallen for him. Hard.

After a while, when the room has grown quiet and he’s calmed down, you pull away gently, but not too far. “I’ll make us some tea,” you say, your voice soft.

Rollo doesn’t protest. He just nods, sitting there, still processing everything he’s just shared with you. You head to the kitchen, your mind whirling, but your hands working on autopilot as you boil water and prepare two mugs.

When you return, you set the tea down in front of him and take a seat across from him. The air between you feels different now—softer, more open. For a moment, you both just sip your tea in silence, letting the warmth of the moment settle in.

But then, without really thinking, you reach across the table and take his hand. Rollo looks up, slightly startled, his eyes meeting yours.

“I just want you to know,” you say, your voice quiet but firm, “that I’m not doing this just for the experiment anymore. I like you, Rollo. I know this was supposed to be temporary, but… I don’t want it to be.”

He blinks, taken aback, and for a moment, he’s too stunned to speak. His grip tightens around your hand, though, his thumb brushing lightly over your skin. There’s a soft blush creeping up his cheeks, but more than that, there’s an overwhelming sense of relief in his expression, like he’s been waiting to hear those words all along.

“I… uh, I like you too,” he mutters, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. “If that… wasn’t obvious.”

You laugh, because of course you do, and before either of you can second-guess yourselves, you kiss him. It’s soft at first, tentative, but it deepens, the tension from earlier dissolving in the warmth of the moment.

Fast forward to the next day, and you two have a midterm check-in with the professor. You’re supposed to give him an update on how the experiment is going, but the moment you and Rollo walk into his office, looking all soft and lovesick, the professor just knows.

He peers at the two of you over the top of his glasses, takes in the way Rollo hovers near you like a protective shadow, and how you’re practically glowing. He doesn’t even bother asking any questions. He just nods, like he’s solved the world’s greatest mystery.

“Full marks,” he says, scribbling on his grading sheet. “I don’t need to hear a report. Just… submit a written one later. Excellent work.”

He’s smiling like a man who’s just unlocked the secrets of the universe, and you and Rollo exchange a look—half amused, half relieved. You walk out of there, knowing that somehow, this ridiculous relationship experiment has turned into something real.

By the end of the semester, you’ve somehow transformed from a procrastinating, caffeine-fueled mess into a finely tuned academic machine. Rollo’s influence on you has been nothing short of miraculous. You’re actually doing your readings ahead of time, submitting papers early, and your stress levels have dropped to the point where you don’t even twitch when the word “deadline” is mentioned.

Conversely, Rollo looks a lot less like he’s one passive-aggressive email away from an aneurysm. Your laid-back attitude has rubbed off on him just enough that he’s no longer muttering about society’s collapse over breakfast. A win-win, honestly.

And now, here you are. The final stretch. Tomorrow is your big joint presentation in front of the psychology class. After that, you’ll be free to go back to your regular dorms, and all this could be just a memory.

But you’re not worried. Why would you be? You confessed your feelings to Rollo weeks ago. He confessed back. Clearly, you’re in a relationship now. Right?

Oh, you sweet, naive fool.

The morning of the presentation, you and Rollo arrive at class, fully prepared to crush it. Everything goes smoothly, and by the time the professor finishes grading you, he’s practically buzzing with excitement. He’s so impressed with your development as a couple that he actually suggests the two of you join his extended study on attachment styles.

“Uh, no thanks,” you say, waving your hand like you’ve just been offered a ride on the Titanic. “I’ve seen enough of my own emotional baggage this semester to last a lifetime. I don’t need a sequel.”

The professor blinks, clearly not expecting you to decline with such flair, but he chuckles and lets it go. “Very well. Full marks, both of you.”

You and Rollo exchange satisfied glances. You’ve done it. It’s over. But as you walk back to your shared dorm for what might be the last time, you notice Rollo’s usual calm demeanor has slipped into something… different. He looks serious.

You figure it’s just post-presentation exhaustion, so when you get home, you flop onto the couch and playfully tug him down to join you. “C’mon, what’s up? We aced the project. You should be celebrating with me!”

Rollo doesn’t flop. He sits—very stiffly, very deliberately—beside you, eyes focused like he’s gearing up for a serious talk. “I need to ask you something.”

You grin, all relaxed and oblivious. “Shoot.”

He takes a deep breath. “What… what exactly are we?”

Oh no. Your brain blue screens. You can hear the windows error noise in your head as everything you thought you knew crashes and burns.

"EXCUSE ME?" you shout, staring at him like he’s just asked if the Earth is flat.

He looks a little startled, but he holds firm. “I mean… I know we’ve been spending a lot of time together. And we’ve shared things. But I don’t think we’ve ever really—”

You grab him by the shoulders, full-on shaking him like a soda can. “I LIKE you, Rollo! I confessed! You confessed! We’ve been cuddling and everything! I thought we were DATING!”

Rollo is frozen, staring at you with the wide-eyed expression of a man who’s just been struck by a bolt of lightning. His mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. You, still gripping his shoulders, feel your energy drain all at once. You stop shaking him and just sit there, both of you dumbfounded, staring at each other in complete silence.

Then, without warning, you burst out laughing—so hard that you actually tip off the couch and crash onto the floor, gasping for breath.

Rollo blinks down at you. “Are you… okay?”

Through your hysterics, you wave off his concern, already rummaging through your pocket. “Wait, wait, wait—hold on.”

Still lying on the floor, you pull out a ring pop from your pocket. With dramatic flair, you drop down onto one knee in front of the couch. Rollo’s eyes widen even more as you present the candy ring to him, grinning like an absolute maniac.

“Rollo Flamme,” you begin, in the most theatrical voice you can muster, “will you do me the honor of being my partner? Romantically. And in crime.”

Rollo looks at you, at the ring pop, back at you… and then lets out the longest sigh you’ve ever heard. “You’re impossible.”

You just smile up at him, unbothered. “You love me anyway.”

He pauses, still clearly baffled by your entire existence, but there’s a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah… I guess I do.”

He takes the ring pop, slides it onto his finger with an amused shake of his head, then leans down to give you a quick, sweet kiss. You bask in the victory of it all, still half on the floor, but your heart is soaring.

“Now, can we please cuddle on the couch like normal people?” you ask, hopping back onto the cushions, dragging him down with you.

Rollo, ever the good sport (and clearly exasperated), finally gives in, pulling you into his arms as the two of you settle into the couch. You both stay like that for the rest of the afternoon, the weight of the semester’s insanity finally lifting as you enjoy the most peaceful—and weirdly victorious—cuddle of your life.

Masterlist

this was actually inspired by this absolutely insane (and probably unethical) study i was a part of during a psych elective. we had to take a compatibility test and the worst compatible pairs had to pair up for the rest of the semester. it was hell on earth.

[obessedwithfictionalmen]

You want my jacket?

John Egan X W.A.C! Reader

Summary: Y/n wants Bucky's jacket, but they have a little competition before...

Warning: Swearing/ sport inaccuracies (Wikipedia stats)/ use of Y/n/ flirting/ mention of erection/ kiss/ sexism (little bit)

Word count: 1.1k

The music was loud, Y/n and her friends made their way through the room, it was a party in their honor, and someone’s 25th mission. The W.A.C division Y/n was in just got transferred to Thorpe Abbotts. Y/n was a weather broadcaster, she was going to brief the men on the conditions they were going to fly. She liked her job, sure it was boring sometimes, but she got the insight on big mission and her job was important. She felt like she was truly having an impact on the war, not a big one, but still.

When John Egan learned that W.A.C were coming on the base, he was like every man on the base; excited. Unlike Buck, he didn’t have anyone to write to at home, he was single and loved woman! When his eyes stopped on Y/n, he knew that he needed to talk to her. Her uniform fitted her so good; her curves were highlighted, and he always loved woman with curves. So, when he walked up to her, he was a little nervous, but he tried to hide it.

‘’Hello ladies’’ he said, looking at all the woman, then he looked at the one he wanted. ‘’Hi, I’m Major John Egan, but please call me Bucky, what’s your name, gorgeous?’’ he flirted. Y/n blushed and hid a giggle. ‘’I’m Y/n, nice to meet you’’ she extends her hand for him to take. The other girls were a giggling mess. When Bucky took her hand, she felt something pass through them, maybe she was just nervous, but it felt weird. They went to sit at a table and Bucky ordered drinks. ‘’So, Y/n, what are you doing here?’’ he asked, looking at her. ‘’I’m the new weather broadcaster, so we’re going to see each other a lot’’ she flirted. Words of his reputation had got to Y/n’s ears, when the Colonel briefed them on the attitude of the men at the base, the woman were warned about Major Egan. Y/n was curious to see if his reputation was true. ‘’You’ll be Miss Sunshine?’��� he asked, with a grin on his face. ‘’Exactly, but with this English weather, I’ll be Miss Cloud, Rain and Fog’’ she joked. He laughed at her joke, he always thought English weather was shit. ‘’Maybe your presence will bring more sun over the base’’ he took a sip of his drink. Y/n tilted her head, before taking a sip of her drink.

‘’I highly doubt that, but hey I’ll probably die of cold, you on the other hand, you’re going to be okay with that beautiful jacket’’ she smiled. He looked at his jacket, then looked at her. ‘’You like my jacket?’’ he asked, with a crooked eyebrow. She nodded as she finished her drink. ‘’Yeah, they didn’t give us any jacket, they didn’t have the money for us’’ she chuckles. A wicked idea came to her mind, she was a fan of baseball, so was he… ‘’Okay, what about a quiz, on the subject of your choice, if I win, I get your jacket, if you win, what do you want if you win?’’ she says. ‘’I want a kiss’’ he grins. ‘’Then if you win, you’ll get your kiss. You in?’’ she asked. He nodded and called Curt, he was a fan of baseball and knew the Yankees. ‘’I’m on, and by the way, I hope your baseball knowledge is good, you know the Yankees, sunshine?’’ he teased. He was 100% sure he was going to win; nobody knew baseball as good as him, but that’s what he thought. Y/n was grinning like a devil, she was getting that jacket!

‘’Ok, last question since you’re both equal in points, Spud Chandler broke the record for what this season?’’ Curt asked. Y/n thought for a second and then took the apple, it was their buzzer. ‘’Y/n?’’ the room went silent; money was changing hands around the bar. Their little competition was the main entertainement right now, soldiers couldn’t believe that someone knew baseball better than Bucky. ‘’ Lowest earned run average in a season’’ she said, smiling. Curt pushed his tongue on his cheek before looking at other guys. ‘’That’s right, you officially win!’’ He exclaimed, making the woman and some guy’s cheer for her. Bucky’s jaw was on the floor, that woman knew baseball, was supporting the Yankees and she just beat him. Now he had to give her his jacket! Bucky looked at the woman, she was smiling proudly. He smiled as he shook his head. He went closer to her. ‘’Let’s get out of here, sunshine’’ he said, she nodded, and they went outside.

‘’How come you know that much about baseball?’’ he asked. They started to walk around the base. ‘’Weather girl wasn’t my original plan, I wanted to be a sport reporter, but because I’m a woman, it’s impossible, but I know a lot about sports’’ she explained. He thought he was dreaming; this woman was surreal. ‘’That was really impressive, even though you beat me, it was amazing’’ he said, he truly meant it, he was in awe before her. ‘’Thank you, but I think you owe me something’’ she grins. Bucky rolls his eyes before taking his precious jacket off. ‘’Take care of it’’ he said, before giving it to her. ‘’Can you help me put it on?’’ she asked. Her back was facing him, he helped her put the jacket on, smelling her perfume properly for the first time. She smelled good, too good, it was going to be stuck in his mind now. Seeing her in his jacket kina turned him on, he didn’t know why, but it was a problem. ‘’Thank you, Major’’ she smiled proudly. ‘’I wish I could say it's my pleasure, but that would be a lie’’ he said, laughing to hide his pain. Y/n giggled as they continued their walk.

‘’That’s me, I have to go to bed early. I’m waking up at 0500 tomorrow I have to do my job’’ she smiles. Bucky nods quickly, expecting her to walk to her building, but she stays in front of him. ‘’Since we were equal, it’s only fair that you get your part of the bet’’ she says. Before he could process what she meant she quickly kiss him on the lips. By the time he acknowledges what just happened, she’s already at the door. ‘’Good night, Bucky, thanks for the jacket’’ she says, his name sounding like a prayer on her lips. ‘’Good night sunshine’’ he said. She blew him a kiss before entering the building, with his jacket on her. Yep, his problem was definitely growing more…

[ms-demeanor]

*screaming*

*continued screaming*

Okay. So. My introductory Visual C# class.

The professor for that class was Alice. Alice was the person who spoke in the introductory video and the person who we were supposed to email if we had any issues.

But all of the assignments, lectures, and quizzes were written and delivered by Bob. On the youtube channel "Bob's programming academy." The quizzes included Bob's name, like "if you do X will it return the string ProfessorBob, Professor, Bob, or Professor.Bob?"

This class was really frustrating for me because it was structured in such a way that you could easily pass the class with zero knowledge of the subject - it was totally based on quizzes that you could take an unlimited number of times and we *had* weekly programming assignments but they weren't graded so there was no incentive to do them (and look, if I wanted to teach myself programming with no incentives I could fail for several years to do that on my own, I don't need to pay fifty bucks a unit for that; the reason I am in a *class* and am not self-taught is because I need external motivation. That's why I sought out a class).

Also when there *was* a problem with an instruction that was unclear in one of the videos for the assignments, or if I thought I'd done something correctly that was very much incorrect, it wasn't Alice who had created the instructions, it was Bob - in 2017 no less - and I didn't really feel like I could ask Alice for help with an ungraded assignment that she hadn't written.

So. Now. My Python class.

Today is the first day of class. Professor is Charles.

I go to the mandatory attendance quiz and it is word-for-word the same mandatory attendance quiz as the C# class, down to the final question "what is your personal email address so I can keep in contact with you after the semester?"

I look at the syllabus.

Class grade is based on quizzes. We have assignments but none of them are graded. There's no textbook, just a series of videos from Professor Bob's Programming Academy.

So I'd been toying with staying at this school and trying to take more CS classes instead of going to another school, just to try to keep my records easier to manage, but since it seems like that *ENTIRE DEPARTMENT* is five Professor Bobs in a trenchcoat, I will probably be going somewhere else (and once again trying to force myself to do projects that I already know are *good for me to do* but *useless for the class and a massive time suck*)

I should drop this class. I should drop this class and apply for the other school so that I can start taking classes there in the spring because if I take this class and then go into the object oriented programming class in the spring and it's another professor bob sock puppet and I end up taking twelve units of programming classes where all I learn is how to google answers in a short time frame (something I already know how to do thanks) I am going to fucking lose it.

Also, again: I have a Bachelor's Degree. I spent five years at a community college when I was getting that degree. I took probably a dozen online classes starting in 2005 and going until 2011 in the process of getting that degree.

THIS bullshit, this "I'm your professor but actually I'm not and all the materials were created by someone else in the department or came directly from the textbook publisher and there is no writing and there are no assignments everything is multiple choice quizzes that are automatically graded" is *dogshit.*

This is NOT how online classes worked back in my day, not even online math classes, and as much as I know adjuncts are getting fucked over by academia in general, this isn't something that these professors should be getting paid as much as they are to do. Alice checked whether or not students turned in a hello world assignment and gave a pass/fail grades for three discussion boards that were responses to youtube videos. Nothing else in the class required her input. If this is the level of instruction that students are getting then the class is already automated and the students shouldn't have to pay for it.

This is crap. This is an incredible level of crap.

[jayjay-thejet-plane]

AND THEN THEY KISS

Coloured it! :D

[based off the prompt “homework help” given on wincest wednesday]

Transcription for your reading pleasure:

Page 1

D: Sammyyy get your nose out of those nerd books and pay attention to meeeee

S: The longer you distract me, the longer i'll have to study, so either quiz me or shit up jerk

D: Fine, bitch Hand me those cards

Page 2

D: Alright! What is the balance between forward and reverse processes that occur simultaneously? (I don't remember learning this...)

S: (That's because you didnt finish high school) That's dynamic equilibrium

D: Correct! Great job, time for a reward :D

S: What? No, Dean, I can't take a break after ev- What are you doing?

D: Giving you your reward <3

[minminbunny]

Academic Rivals AU - Lee Felix/Gender Neutral! Reader

💕Drabble Masterlist

❤️Ultimate Masterlist

"How much did you score this time, class pres'?" You asked, crossing your arms. Felix leaned back into his seat, "Baek," he said, showing his perfect hundred per cent score. You bit back a smug smirk, "That's great. I got Baek-," you said before Felix cut you off saying, "Oh, so we're even," he said, smirking at you. "As I was saying, I got Baek Sip," you said, showing him the extra plus ten on the side of your test. Felix's eyes widened, "How the fuck is that even possible?" he exclaimed, snatching your paper to compare your answers with his. You chuckled at him, "You're not going to find a mist-," you said when he cut you off again. "Ahah! You got this one wrong!" he said, leaping out of his seat and sprinting towards the teacher's lounge. Your blood cold, "Yah! Lee Felix Yongbok!" you screamed, running after him.

"Hey, long time no see," you whispered, your personality dimming after multiple burnouts. Felix furrowed his eyebrows, "So, how's uni doing for you?" he asked, not used to seeing you this drained. "Alright," you whispered, fidgeting with your fingers. Felix scoffed, gently nudging you, "So are your scores still on par with mine?" he asked, his smirk instantly dropping when he saw your lips wobble. "Hey, hey, hey. I was just teasing," he whispered, guilt filling his heart. You tilted your head back, hoping the tears wouldn't fall, "My scores are still above average," you whispered, knowing your CGPA always remained near three.

Felix nodded, "That's good. That's good," he whispered, rubbing the back of his nape. You bit your bottom, not wanting to continue the conversation but at the same time you missed this. You missed bickering with him. You missed out on scoring each other. "Hey, Lix?" you whispered, making eye contact for the first time during the whole conversation. Felix immediately turned his attention towards you, "Yeah? What is it?" he asked, locking eyes with you. "I know this seems sudden but could we do a kangaroo maths quiz? For nostalgia's sake?" you asked, hoping he'd agree. Felix chuckled, smirking at you, "Get ready to get your ass beaten, sweetheart," he said, drawing a subtle giggle from you. "Bring it on, freckles," you said, instantly opening the tab. Felix gasped, "Wait for me!" he chuckled, trying to grab your phone so he could catch up.

NSFW BELOW CUT

"Are you sure about this, sunshine?" Felix asked, rubbing your bare thighs. You nodded, "Of course. I'm going to give you the best head of your life," you said, looking up at him. Felix chuckled, "Oh yeah? You think you can give head better than me?" he teased, rubbing the base of your tummy. You smirked, flipping onto top of him, "Watch and learn, freckles," you said, tugging down his sweats. Felix hissed, the cold air hitting his hot shaft. You licked your lips and rubbed your nose against his frenulum. Felix bit back a groan, his bangs slowly matting on his forehead. You giggled, wrapping your lips around his leaking cockhead. "You think that's enough to make me cum, sweet, ah, heart?" he grits, gripping the sheets. You smirked around his throbbing gland and relaxed your throat. "Fuck, hah!" Felix growled as you took his whole length in one easy swoop. You swallowed around his cock, his pulsing cock head breaching your fluttering esophagus. Felix tugged your hair, "Fuck you," he moaned with a high pitch whimper as he ejaculated prematurely. You drank up every last drop with a smug smile on your lips, "I win," you said, kissing his messy slit. Felix cracked the joints in his neck, "Game on," he growled, manhandling you. "Do your worst, freckles," you chuckled, seeing the competitive rage in his eyes.

[familyvideostevie]

october twenty-sixth

day twenty-six: remus lupin you’ve been on three dates without a kiss. will today change that? | first kiss, early relationship, fluff | 1k

Three dates and Remus hasn’t kissed you.

Though your friends insist otherwise, you can’t help but wonder if there is something wrong with you.

He’s respectful, they tell you. He’s shy! You want to believe it. He’ll kiss you today.

God, you hope so.

Obviously, you could kiss him, but something in your gut tells you to let him make the move. It’s hard to resist though, as Remus is very kissable. He’s handsome in a way you don’t know how to describe. The scars on his face make him seem a bit severe but it’s cancelled out when you see the soft kindness of his eyes. He looks like someone who would give you directions in the middle of a rainstorm. He fills out his sweaters like they were tailor-made for him and his hands are huge.

And he’s tall, which you’re never opposed to.

And he likes to touch you. This is the main reason you haven’t given up hope on the kiss.

On your first date — a long afternoon of conversation at a coffee shop — he’d put his hand on your back on the way in and out, helped you take your coat off and held it out for you to put back on, and gave you a very lovely hug when you parted ways. On your second date he’d linked arms with you as you walked through a museum and held your hand when it got a little crowded.

He definetly likes you. Right?

Date three finds you at a bookshop. You’ve actually planned to go to a pub quiz down the road but you got the timing wrong and it doesn’t start for an hour, so you’re killing time.

There aren’t that many people milling around the stacks. Remus squeezes your hand and leaves you to browse on his own, which you appreciate. It can be kind of overwhelming to be under his gaze all the time, you’re learning. Maybe it’s just the force of your fancy, which is a bit outrageous after only three dates. You find yourself imagining him in your life — a couples Halloween costume, a fall weekend away, holiday parties and on New Year’s Eve.

Remus just makes it easy. He’s so…lovely.

So how can you get him to kiss you? It’s far too early for mistletoe. The bookstore is instead decorated with leaves and skulls and pumpkins. Maybe you’ll float the idea of a Halloween party, use some liquid courage to kiss him.

“Are you going to get anything?” Remus’s voice snaps you out of your thoughts. He looks at you patiently.

“Oh,” you say. “Not sure, actually.”

He hums. “I think I’m going to grab this.” He holds up a book you’ve heard of but not read. “If it’s good I’ll pass it along to you. You sure I can’t get you anything?”

Of course he’s offering, of course he’s ready and willing to share with you. He’s infuriating. “No,” you say, smiling. “Thank you, though.”

He squeezes your hand. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

True to his word, which you are learning he tends to be, he’s back quickly, grabbing your hand once more and leading you back out into the cool evening. “Is there going to be food at this quiz?” he asks. “I’m peckish.”

“’Course there is,” you say. “I’m not taking you to a pub without food, Remus. I’m not that bad of a date.”

He laughs. It’s quickly becoming one of your favorite sounds. “I’d never think that. I hope you don’t expect us to win, though, because I’m hopeless at these.”

You scoff. “I don’t believe you.” Remus is very smart and very modest about it.

“No, I really am!” he says. “I know useless things only. You’ll have to come to one with me and James and Sirius —” you know them as his best friends based on how he talks about them “— because they get really into it. I know you’ll being them to victory where I always drag them down.”

“You don’t know that I’m good at pub quizzes, Remus.”

His eyes twinkle under the streetlights. “I’ve got a hunch.”

He wants you to meet his friends. The thought warms you.

The light on the crosswalk changes and you stand, hands clasped, waiting.

Fuck it. You’re going to do it. You’re going to kiss him. You take a breath and turn to him, lean in before you can second guess yourself —

Remus turns his head to say something and your foreheads smack together.

“Oh my god,” you say, rearing back. “Oh my god, I’m so —”

“Are you okay?” he asks, hand on his own forehead. “What just happened?”

He releases his grip on your fingers to gently grab the back of your head, tilting your face this way and that as if he’ll find a wound.

You flop your face onto his shoulder. “Please, leave me to die of embarrassment,” you mumble.

“Never,” he says. “Really, darling. Are you alright? Didn’t hit you too hard?” His tenderness is making your stomach do something funny. Darling, darling, darling.

“No, Remus,” you sigh. You pull back to look at him. He really does look concerned, bless him. “I’m fine. I was trying to kiss you.”

“Oh,” he says, looking slightly surprised. “Sorry, I suppose. That’s my fault.”

“Yes,” you grumble. “It is, considering you haven’t kissed me yet, which is why I was trying in the first place.”

Your embarrassment is making you brave.

His eyes light up again. “Do you want me to?” His tone is slightly teasing.

“Remus!” He laughs and cradles your face in his warm hands. This man always has warm hands even when it’s cold out.

“Alright, alright, let’s try this again, hm?”

He leans in slowly. Your eyes flutter shut. When he kisses you it’s a light press of his lips at first and then a firmer pressure as he slots your mouths together properly. You let him do the work and you sigh into it until he pulls away

Your foreheads press together gently this time. “Let’s try to avoid any more injuries, alright?”

You smack his chest. He laughs.

thank you for reading <3 reblog, send feedback, general masterlist here! promptober masterlist, find all fics under #fvspromptober23

[shiny-jr]

damnation (peek I?)

Warning: Yes, this is a yandere thing. Gender-neutral reader.

Characters: Ace Trappola, Trey Clover, Cater Diamond, Riddle Rosehearts.

Summary: When you commit a crime, you receive a punishment. This is especially true in your society. No matter the crime, your punishment is the same: banishment. But to where you will be sent in exile and how miserable will it be? No one knows, because no one has ever returned.

Note: So, as mentioned in previous posts, this is only a snippet of what is to come in a project I’m working on. I just wanted to do something for my followers since we have surpassed the milestone that is 4,000 hearts, which is huge. So thank you! Unfortunately, I don’t really have time for a special like I’ve done before where I accept requests since I’ve been so busy with irl stuff and the current twst quiz project. So here’s a small bit of what you can hopefully expect. Remember, I may or may not change things, so what you see now may not be the same later in the final result. That being said, I’m sorry I couldn’t provide much else besides peeks at three of the seven results. I still have a LOT more to write. Like, a ton. But I hope you all look forward of what is to come. Added: Deleted the Scarabia and Pomefiore part to create their own sneak-peeks later.

I . . . II . . . III . . . IV . . . V . . . VI . . . VII

First there will be questions you must answer. Questions that I will not reveal in this sneak-peek, but based on the answers you give to those questions, you will receive a result with a story. This post is a peek at some of those stories/results. Important things to keep in mind that you learn from the questions: 

The mc is deemed a criminal in their society.

All criminals in this society are banished, no matter how insignificant or significant the crime may be. 

This particular society makes a show of banishment, to make others fear this fate. Which mc recalls seeing trials on tv about past criminals. 

All criminals are never seen or heard from again. No one knows for certain what happens to them, but most assume death. 

Although the most popular fantastical theory is that criminals become henchmen for infamous evil-doers, and receive punishment there that may range from anywhere like a violent painful death to spending eternity in some tiny horrid prison. 

THE RED QUEEN

Robes. You were wearing robes of the finest quality that weighed heavily on your shoulders. This surface you laid on felt... nice. Soft, nothing like the hard bench of the prison cell. As you sat up and recalled your current dire situation, you felt a sense of dread loom overhead like a thick blanket of gray clouds. Immediately, fearfully, you scanned your surroundings. Everything was painted red, there was so much red velvet. The floors were polished checkered black and white and the furniture, if not completely red, was crafted of finely carved wood. It was fancy here. Safe, for now. Wherever this place was.

There was something hefty on your head, only noticing its weight settling on your skull as you moved to stand up from the crimson red sheets on the king-sized mattress. As you removed the item from your head, you were perplexed to see a small golden crown and a heart-shaped staff beside the spot you had laid on. Wait just a moment... red everywhere? A fancy setting? A crown and a heart-shaped staff? Rapidly you dashed over to the mirror just beside the bed, gasping at your appearance.

You were dressed just like royalty. And not just any royalty, like a king. A king of red with a heart-shaped staff... Just like the meek king that was married to the ruthless Queen of Hearts from the fairytales. So it was true, criminals were often sent to dangerous tales where they would perish. And you... you were a criminal and you were here, but... you were the king. How did the story go again?

The Red Queen, or Queen of Hearts, ruled over Wonderland with an iron fist. She would behead anyone who got in her way, and her reign terrorized the residents of the realm. That is, until Alice fell down a hole and arrived in Wonderland. She would eventually free this land from the oppressive rein of the queen. As for the king... what happened to him again? He didn't really appear in the story. You wracked your memory for an answer, when the horrid realization came to you. The Red Queen had been so terribly jealous and suspected that her husband was cheating, that she had him beaded! His head left to rot as it floated in a river of blood, surrounded by the heads of other victims, and the king's lifeless skull still with the crown. He had died before Alice even arrived in Wonderland!

You clutched your neck, grimacing at the thought of your own detached head, crown still attached, doomed to sail in a moat of blood. It made you sick to your stomach just thinking about it. There had to be a way to prevent your death, or at least stall for time, but how? The king couldn't just up and run away! People would take notice immediately, someone would inform the queen, and you'd be a goner for sure! But then what? You couldn't kill her either, could you...? It certainly was an idea. You would be doing a favor for the rest of Wonderland too...

THUMP!

Abruptly the doors flew open, nearly causing you to shriek. But you managed to hold your tongue as you quickly placed your crown back on and clutched your staff. When your eyes focused on the door, you were surprised and almost relieved to see the figure of a short young man that had slammed the doors open. He was... rather adorable, actually. It caused you to tilt your head, endeared by his appearance.

The young man had hair that shamed the red roses, and wide gray eyes. As soon as his eyes landed on you, however, his face grew flush and his expression twisted into one of rage. Immediately he slammed the doors shut behind him, stomping up to you, his heels violently clicking against the tiled floors. When the short young man was in your face, another horrible realization dawned on you. With that crown on his head and his wondrous red garbs, this could only be the queen. Or at least, someone meant to be the red queen.

“You knave! Where have you been lurking?!”

“I…” You were at a loss for words. What were you supposed to say? What was the king even doing before you got here? Most importantly, how would you avoid the queen’s wrath?

At your lack of a response, he only seemed to grow more frustrated as he threw wild accusations, “You–– You’ve been sneaking about, seducing the men of my court, haven’t you?! I shall have your head––!”

“Wha–– N-No, I haven’t!” You blurted out. The king was originally beheaded because the queen was jealous and thought she would lose him to others. So if you could assure him that your heart belonged to him, well… survival just might be possible. Although acting wasn’t necessarily your strong point, you could only try for the sake of living another day. Nervously you smiled, throwing aside your staff as you lifted your hands to gently hold his fist he had been angrily waving near your face. Thank god he didn’t have a knife or anything of the sort, or you feared he may have tried to stab you out of raging envy. “How could I ever dare to throw my loyalty to you away…? You are amazing…! I apologize sincerely if I haven’t been able to express my love for you properly. S-Sometimes it feels like you’re really too much for my heart to handle, you in all your… glory…!” Oh god, this was going terribly. All you could do to give the messy act a bow to top it off, was lean your head down and hesitantly kiss the back of his hand.

Miraculously, that seemed to work. Almost. The queen’s face was no longer as flushed, but he gazed down at you as you lingered at his hand. Suspicion was still evident in his eyes. “How do I know?”

“H-Huh…?”

“How do I know you aren’t lying? How do I know you won’t leave me as well? How do I know that you still love me? Prove it to me.” Those gray eyes of his watched you carefully, seemingly unhappy with your lack of a response. After about five seconds of no answer, his face scrunched up and he bellowed, “Guards!! Gua–– mmph!”

Not knowing what else to do, you kissed him. He wanted a sign of devotion, right? Oh god, this was it. Your death was here and now. You had no other way to shut him up. If you covered his mouth with your hands, you were a goner. If you attacked him, you were a goner. If you tried to continue reasoning, you were still a goner! You can’t believe that this was how you died, having to kiss a stranger as your last desperate attempt to live. Well, he wanted a sign. You were ready for him to push you off and armored guards come running in to drag you to the guillotine, when the most unexpected thing happened. He froze, he didn’t fight back or scream bloody murder.

When you slowly pulled away, you were stunned. His face was flush again, but for an entirely different reason other than anger. There was a dazed look on his face, and it almost looked as if he wanted to do it again judging by how he gazed longingly at your lips. It was then you understood that your reckless decision making might’ve just saved your neck.

The red ruler frowned, but you were unsure if it was because he was unsatisfied with something or if it were for another reason entirely. This time, when he opened his mouth, he spoke softly, as if still dazed. “You scoundrel… How dare you play with my heart like this? I should still take your head for that.” You gulped, but he continued. “But… I truly didn’t want to get rid of you. So I’m glad we can avoid that now. I expect to see you well away from the noblemen.”

“Y-Yes… Your Majesty.”

At your obedient response, he smiled and patted your head. “Good.” Taking one step closer, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss against your cheek. He lingered there for a few moments, before taking one step back.

The action left you flustered, embarrassed, because not only had you kissed a stranger but they had kissed you in return. And not only that, this crimson ruler believed you were his partner, the king! Under normal circumstances, you would’ve considered yourself lucky to land in such a position since the king has so much power and wealth. But in this type of situation, you can only shudder to think of what may come next and what would’ve become of you. Because these were no ordinary circumstances, and this was no normal kind ruler.

“Come along now. I don’t want you alone, do you understand?”

“Yes… Your Majesty.”

He beckoned you towards the very doors he entered from, and when he opened them, you were met with another character. It was a tall man with glasses and short messy dark green hair. Immediately he bowed to the queen, but when his eyes landed on you, he looked as if he saw a ghost.

“Change of plans, Trey. We will not be beheading my dear today. Nor tomorrow, I think. They’ve become quite affectionate, so my doubts have been dismissed.”

“O-Of course, Your Majesty…” The glass-wearing man, Trey, glanced over at you with disbelief, but he looked a bit relieved, it’s as if he wanted to say something. But he opted to hold his tongue and instead shifted his gaze forward as he walked beside the red-haired royal. “There is still that soldier imprisoned that displeased you.”

“Ah yes, the one that claimed to see those messy blonde locks but failed to capture our lost wanderer. Bring him to me in the throne room.” Just then he glanced at you as you walked a bit behind him, “My dear, you must be there with me. This should be quite the spectacle. I will see you in a moment.”

“A-As you say, Your Majesty…” You replied stiffly.

He frowned and stopped in his tracks before grabbing your collar and bringing your face closer to his. What you half expected was a sharp knife against your throat, something that would kill you, but there was no such thing. There was only his sharp gaze and disappointed tone. “You’re supposed to respond with: my dear. Not Your Majesty, not Rosehearts, but perhaps I’ll allow Riddle for now. Do you understand, dearest?”

So his name was Riddle. Judging by Riddle’s tone, he wasn’t angry, but rather irked that all the sweetness from earlier was now gone. Proceeding, you chose your words carefully as you attempted to smile as convincingly as possible, “Y-Yes, of course, anything you say, Riddle, my darling.”

At your words his cheeks became a pink hue before he let go of you and cleared his throat, quickly turning away and proceeding forward towards the end of the hall where he had whatever duties to fulfill. So you were left with Trey, his subordinate. The calm tall man’s shoulders sagged once the royal left, all the tension seemingly evaporating from his body. When he gave you a somewhat soft smile, your worries ceased for the moment as well. “I’m glad you’re still intact. I was certain you were a goner.” He was… nice? “You need to be more careful. I don’t know what you did to change Riddle’s mind, but he was ready to behead you himself. You know how he keeps that huge battle ax under his bed. He mentioned something about using that, and I thought he was going to use it to chop your head clean off.”

Oh god. That little guy was going to do that? That stupid kiss really did save your skin. “Heh, I’m still a little shaken…” Wait, you were supposed to be acting like the king! What did the king even act like? How were you supposed to know? He never even lived long enough to make it into the story! “I, um, am very appreciative towards your concern… Trey.”  

Trey appeared a bit surprised but he then smiled once more at you. “We’ll talk more later. Right now, we have a situation on our hands.”

What kind of situation? You didn’t even have time to ask when Trey led you down the checkered hall to an opening behind velvet red curtains which were the entrance directly to the large elegant throne room. There, you saw another stranger talking animatedly to the less-than-pleased-looking Rosehearts. This stranger had orange hair that brushed against his lower neck, and he had much more enthusiasm than those you had encountered thus far.

“Dear, there you are.” Instantly Riddle visibly brightened up as he gestured to the soft smaller heart-shaped throne beside his much larger grand seat. “Come, sit, we’re currently discussing the important matters at hand. Such as the dilemma with our prisoner. Cater, continue.”

When this Cater, fellow’s, green eyes trailed over to you, they became filled with surprise as he fumbled over his words, “Huh–– O-Oh! Right!” Forcing his gaze back on the red-haired royal, he began explaining, “There’s nothing really new to talk about, Your Majesty! I mean, seriously, this rookie was just the unlucky one that happened to see that blondie Ellis. According to him when I went to question him, he just said that he saw the guy in blue and when he went to confront him, Ellis escaped with some purple beastman!”

“Purple beastman…?” For a mere moment he appeared perplexed, when quickly the dots began to connect in his mind as he gasped, “Chen’ya! Why, the nerve of that––!”

When you saw his face begin to heat up again and a look of anger crossed his face, you slowly placed your hand over his arm that rested on the armrest of the throne. Then, he froze, everyone else, Trey, Cater, the few servants, the many armored guards in the room, they all were wide-eyed at what you had done. You had touched the queen when they were about to enter a fit of rage! You messed up–– Shit––

Riddle released a slow breath before placing his other hand atop your own. You felt such a massive flood of relief knowing you made the right move when he appeared much calmer as he nodded his head toward you, “Thank you, my dear. We shall discuss a proper punishment for that wretched feline later. For now…” Instantly his voice did a one-eighty as he turned his head toward the two imposing doors and shouted, “Bring him!!”

Nervously you looked over at Trey who stood tall and upright by Riddle’s side, and he remained oddly focused on the door. And that orange-haired guy, Cater, where did he go…?

“Hey…!”

Your eyes flittered over to you right where Cater was bent over a bit to whisper in your ear, while everyone else was distracted by the prisoner being escorted inside.

“I’m so happy that you’ve alive…! Don’t go dying on me so quickly, ‘kay? You wouldn’t leave me all alone here, would you?”

“Uh… no, of course not.” Huh. This Cater guy seemed pretty close to the king, or now you actually.

When you averted your eyes to the front, you listened to the clacking of armor as you watched more soldiers bring forward one of their own. Yet unlike all the others masked by metal, this soldier in shackles didn’t have a helmet. His messy red hair stuck out every which way, which made you wonder how on earth he even managed to fit that mess of hair under a helmet at all. His eyes were glued to the floor, and he wore a stiff frown as his shackles rattled with every step he took until he was right before the steps leading up to the red royal. When he refused to kneel, he was pushed down to his knees as Riddle eyed him with disdain.

Riddle wasted no time, because as soon as this prisoner was on his knees, he began his tirade of questions. “Ace Trappola, was it? We know you saw Ellis. Do you know where he is?”

The soldier’s head lolled forward a bit, his warm-colored eyes stopping on you for a moment as you gazed back at him. In a way, this Ace reminded you of… well, you. In shackles, forced to kneel, in front of a higher authority that was obviously not particularly fond of you, and likely with a sentence that could only mean your doom ahead of you. In a way, you did feel for him after hearing the basis of why he was arrested.

All was silent, only his shackles could be heard again as he slowly shrugged and snapped back, “I’d like to know that too! I mean, I’m sure wherever he is, he’s free as a bird. Meanwhile, me? Locked up for trying to do my job––!”

“Failing to do your only job.” Riddle corrected with a scoff. “I will ask you one more time. Where. Is. Ellis?”

Ace, still annoyed, continued. He must’ve been either stupid or brave for continuing. Although it might’ve been both as he mocked him. “Didn’t you hear me the first time? I. Don’t. Know.”

Under your hand you felt Riddle’s fingers dig into the armrest, his knuckles growing white as he raised his voice an octave, “What if I take off your head? Will you know then?”

“If you took my head, you wouldn’t get any answers after that.” He retorted with a slight eye roll.

Underneath your hand you could feel Roseheart’s anger growing the tighter he dug his nails into the chair. When you saw his face, you and everyone else could tell that he was fit to burst, no doubt ready to seal this soldier’s doom. Instantly you shot up from your throne, wanting to help save this prisoner. However, you very quickly began to regret it when all eyes darted over to your form, and you now became the center of attention. You couldn’t just sit back down, so with no other choice, you awkwardly cleared your throat and proceeded nervously, “My dearest, earlier when in our chambers I had an… um… epiphany! A vision! Y-Yes, I had a vision…! Ellis will slay your–– our, pet dragon jabberwocky.”

Instantly Riddle’s eyes widened. “He killed our jabberwocky?!”

“No…! No, at least not yet!”

Technically you weren’t lying. The story goes that the Red Queen had a powerful dragon, the jabberwocky, which was the main reason why she could keep such a grip on the kingdom with no rebellion ever coming close to dethroning her. At least, that is until Alice comes along and slays the jabberwocky. If you could somehow get rid of Alice, or Ellis in this case, and stay in Riddle Roseheart’s good graces, you would have it made! It was practically certain that the court back home thought you would’ve been beheaded already and your head would float in that river of blood for eternity. Yet here you were, alive, and if things went smoothly, you could live out your life in splendor here. Yes, you’d have to deal with the red royal, but if you could just stay in his good graces at all times, you would have a wonderfully lavish life! At this point you were just speeding things up, Ellis’ intentions of slaying the jabberwocky probably weren’t supposed to be revealed until much later. But, it would make a perfect excuse now.

As all eyes remained on you, you recounted your fake tale, “It all makes sense now…! In… In my vision I saw… A red-haired knight, um, clashing swords with a blonde man in blue and white!” Well, that part was a lie. There never was a red-haired knight in the stories. But this was an opportunity to potentially save Ace as well, and give him a chance to redeem himself in Riddle’s eyes. When you turned to face Ace, he was gazing at you with furrowed eyebrows, but you proceeded anyway as you gave your attention to Riddle now. “Riddle, I think–– I mean, I b-believe that knight is this one here in front of us.”

“Him?” The royal exclaimed in disbelief, looking at the soldier with something akin to disgust. To which the said soldier stuck out his tongue before a stern glare from Trey and Cater made Ace close his mouth. Riddle blinked, quiet for a moment before gazing up at you, his expression softening as he flipped over his hand so it held yours. “Is that what you were doing in our chambers alone? You were studying texts and had a vision, to save me?”

“Y…Yes…?”

His big gray eyes became fixated on you, as his voice became soft when he replied, “I’ve misjudged you, my dear… I believed you were being unfaithful, but you were working hard for me. How wrong I was.” The way he looked at you could only be described as adoringly.

It made you nervous, but you could only awkwardly smile in return. In order to ensure your own life of comfort here, you had to be sure to ruin the plot of the story. This meant that Ellis, the protagonist, could not win no matter what. Although it pained you to do such a thing, knowing that the outcome would most likely mean death by beheading him and his allies, you were more afraid of death than you were of the hero. For this, you would have to make sure the antagonist, Riddle Rosehearts in the role of the Red Queen, obtained a happy ending instead of a bad ending where he himself would be banished after being defeated by Ellis.

Clearing your throat, you hesitantly listed off the sequence of events in the way you recalled them playing out, “In my vision I saw… a blonde boy in blue, a purple feline beastmen, and a hatter, among other allies. Ellis will… will attempt to infiltrate the palace, and gain your favor under a disguise, and steal the ancient sword that can slay our Jabberwocky.” As all eyes and ears remained on you, you hesitated once again, mentally apologizing for what you were about to do. Maybe in the end, you might be able to plead with your supposed spouse to spare them. But deep down, you knew it was unlikely for the ruthless tyrant to even consider the idea. “Your Majesty, my darling, i-if I may make a suggestion…?”

Riddle nodded as he listened attentively, “Go on.”

Thankfully you had moved your hands away from his, and had them folded in your lap so he couldn’t feel the way your fingers trembled with anxiety. “I would like to suggest we allow this knight before us to carry the sword, sheathed and hidden at all times. Let this be his redemption–– um, please, if you allow it, your Majesty.” Said knight gazed up in surprise. “It would be best to keep sir Ace in our sights. So might I ask that he and another capable knight become my guards?” Guards. Smart move, especially if things get hairy later. “I-I’d also like to suggest an increase in your personal escorts too… my dear. So… so you’ll be safe. And, no one else besides those in this room, will know of what we spoke of today––”

“That way, Ellis will come here all on his own, and if he searches for the sword it will not be there.” Riddle finished, to which you nodded. He caught on quickly. “That’s brilliant!” You nearly breathed a sigh of relief as the red royal turned to glance at his two subordinates, Trey and Cater, only to gesture to the former prisoner and demand of them, “Unbind him, Trey. How can he wield a sword if his hands are bound?”

Trey slowly stepped forward as Ace was allowed to stand, and he unlocked the shackles around the knight. Ace continued to peer up at you, suddenly flashing a grateful smile. To which you only caught a glimpse of before being distracted by the redhead on the throne.

“Cater!” Cater stood upright immediately and awaited orders from the royal. “Find a suitable knight to escort my partner! I expect only the strongest and most obedient of knights! Am I understood?”

“You got it, Your Majesty! I already have a few in mind.”

“Wonderful. I will be interviewing them myself, as well as hand-picking my own escorts.” Riddle stood from his throne, tossing out more commands and orders to be followed by his remaining subordinate and the guards that had escorted the former prisoner. “You lot, I want an increase on the perimeter and another search crew to hunt down that wretched boy Ellis! Trey, go and fetch the sword. As for you, Ace Trappola,” Turning to face the knight, he warned, “You have one more chance. Should you fail a second time, there will be no do-overs. Your head will roll and your family shall pay the price for your mistakes.”

For a mere moment, disbelief and anger flashed on Ace’s face. Just as he opened his mouth, you spoke up, “T-Thank you, Your Majesty…! You really are so… merciful.” Better to be a pawn in this game than to be dead.

Riddle turned his attention to you before smiling, such a true and proud smile as he declared, “I have you to thank for this, for saving my kingdom and protecting me. Once we have Ellis and his companions captured, we will have a morning execution for him, with front row seats to the show." As his eyes drifted back to the onlookers, he commanded, "All of you shall speak nothing of what transpired in this room.”

A chorus of Yes, Your Majesty echoed in the chamber. The royal nodded, content for now, sending you one last smile before turning on his heels and walking off to elsewhere with Cater in tow. Leaving you alone with Trey and Ace as all other attendants and soldiers exited the throne room to go fulfill their duties.

Just for a moment, you wanted to talk to Ace alone. There was something about Trey, something about the way he watched you so calmly but there was something in those yellow eyes behind those glasses. Something that made it seem like he knew your secret, like he knew you were not really the king. You weren’t sure if it was your paranoia getting to you and your mind was just playing tricks on you, but you wanted to distance yourself as far away from him as possible. As the former prisoner made his way towards you, you cleared your throat and spoke quietly, but loud enough for Trey to hear. “Can–– M-May I have a word with you, sir Ace…? In private.”

“Sure, I’m free now.” He half joked, giving a bit of a grin which didn’t do much to ease your worries.

Trey stood beside the empty throne, watching as you glanced over at him and made a gesture for him to carry on with the assigned duty of retrieving the legendary sword, as dictated by His Majesty. To which he did, after he carefully observed the way you scurried behind velvet curtains with the knight not too far behind.

When you were finally out of sight with Ace, you noticed his raised eyebrow. Noticing this and the way he tapped his foot, you hesitated, unsure where you were even going with this or what you should do now. “You… You look like you have something to say.”

“Why’d you save me?” He demanded, all that cheerfulness from before gone now as things took a serious turn. Looking you up and down, he crossed his arms and continued, “You could’ve had your cute little hubby chop off my head like all the others before me. So, say it. That’s the reason you wanted to talk alone, isn’t it?”

He got you. Were you that obvious? You’d definitely have to work on being more discreet… Looking around twice to make sure no one was listening in, you huddled with him in a corner by the stained glass windows as you whispered hurriedly, in a panic, “O-Okay, whew, you’re gonna think I’m crazy, but… I’m not really the king, or queen, or whatever role I’m supposed to play here! Well, I guess I am now? Uhhh… h-here! It’s like this: I was put on trial in my homeworld, and as punishment I was banished. When I woke up, I was in Roseheart’s bed and he started talking to me like I was an unfaithful partner! I didn’t understand it, until I realized that it was all exactly like a story I read as a child. My punishment was to become the king that dies by being beheaded by his own wife! I… I got out of that somehow, and now, well…”

Ace was looking at you as if you were crazy, as if you had grown an extra head or something. His arms were crossed and he continued to stare at you. Should you have done that? Could you trust him? Well, he did owe you his life. If things really came down to it, you could have him arrested again and beheaded. Play the victim, call guards, and make up some lie that he attacked you, but you really really didn’t want it to go like that… Finally, after a few seconds, he shook his head and gave a weak chuckle, as if he couldn’t even believe it. “Hold on, let me get this straight: You’re not royalty, but you’re a criminal from another world? Did you hit your head or something?”

You knew it. He wouldn’t believe you after all.

“I mean, they keep saying this Ellis loser came from another world too… So… Maybe your story doesn’t sound too crazy after all.” His scarlet eyes focused on the floor, as if considering something. “You really weren’t lying about knowing the future. And I thought you had gone mad or something! So I’m a hero in the story?”

You could only scratch your arm nervously, a bit regretful for having to crush his sudden burst of excitement. “Ahaha… not exactly? I made that part up…”

Disappointed at the revelation that he wasn’t some badass hero wielding a legendary sword, he scoffed, “Seriously? So why save me then?”

“Look…” You took a deep breath, hiding your fidgeting fingers in your palm as best as you could. “We were both supposed to die. At least my character was mentioned in the story, but you? Y-You weren’t even mentioned at all…! You were just a nameless faceless soldier, someone not even worth mentioning––”

Offended, he snapped back, “Faceless? Rude much!”

You quickly shushed him, internally freaking out at the prospect that you may have been overheard. But when nothing else and no one else stirred, you frowned and muttered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that, I’m just really nervous… I guess what I’m trying to get at here is… why don’t we both help each other survive?”

“What?” Shaking his head in disbelief. First this person called him someone not even worth mentioning then they ask for his help? Seriously, what was with them?

“T-Think about it…! I’m the second most powerful person in the entire kingdom…! I know what will happen! Kinda…”

“Well, I do want to live just as badly as you do…” It appeared he was still on the fence. Leaning his weight against the wall, he demanded, “But what do you mean you kinda know what will happen? I thought you, for sure, know.”

“Um…” Twiddling your fingers, you hesitantly explained the dilemma, “I did mention we were both supposed to die… And while that part isn’t a lie and the whole you being the destined one to stop Ellis was a lie, the other thing I didn’t lie about was Ellis gathering with his allies to infiltrate the palace and acquire the sword to kill the Jabberwocky. That will actually happen. S-So, since I told everyone that––”

“Let me guess, you told it early?”

Freezing, you gazed up at him and murmured, “H-How did you…?”

He shrugged, “I would’ve done the same thing if I were in your position. That means a higher chance of survival, right? Assuming that the blonde is the good guy and our king Rosehearts is the bad guy of the story. And considering all that, now you have no idea how the story will be affected, right?”

“R-Right…” Wait, now it just looked like you were useless! Immediately interjecting, you added, “But I can still make predictions based on what I know, like how things were originally supposed to play out…!”

“And you are still technically a royal…” Ace placed a finger to his chin, probably thinking about possible outcomes, upsides, and downsides if he agreed to work together. Finally, when his gaze flittered back to you and you stood upright, he questioned, “What if things don’t go how we–– you plan?”

You actually considered this briefly. If everything came crumbling down and all plans failed, there was but one last option to avoid any punishment. “Find Ellis and the White Queen… or is it the White King? I-It doesn’t matter…! The point is, the White Royal is very kind and merciful. If I go to them and explain that I am not really the Red King’s consort, then they’ll spare me…! If you come too and bring the sword to slay the Jabberwocky, that will assure them of our good intentions!”

“Isn’t that just running away? I don’t want to do that. And come on, the Whites? Are you for real? I thought us Reds were bad, but those pristine prissy little killjoys are no fun.”

For a second you wanted to strangle him. What kind of idiot would risk certain death by staying here if everything goes south, instead of fleeing to a good place that would grant you sanctuary? “It’s exactly running away, that’s the point…! The point is to stay alive!”

The redhead tilted his head to the side, his disappointed and serious behavior disappearing as he grinned. “What if I became king?”

Now it was your turn to look at him as if he were the insane one. Was this knight actually the mad hatter that had been driven insane by mercury poisoning?

“I do owe you one for saving my neck back there. And I won’t lie, I’ve dreamed about being king one day. And you, you’re actually way more ruthless than you seem at first. I thought you were a scared little wimp that always cowers behind their little hubby husband.” He mocked. Ouch. He thought you were a wimp…? “But turns out, I was so wrong about you. Sounds like you’re willing to do whatever it takes to live another day. Even turn on your own husband!”

He was whisper yelling, and it was starting to make you anxious that someone would overhear. So you whisper yelled back at a lower volume, “S-Stop that…! You know the truth, he’s not really my husband…”

That smirk made you think that he was going to respond in a louder voice, but thankfully he wasn’t that stupid. Just stupid enough to plan to overthrow the bloody Red King and talk about it in his own palace. But maybe you were stupid too, for talking about such delicate matters in the palace halls. Ace took your hands and performed a mock bow. “No running away, you got it? I’ll take that tiny red punk’s crown and become king, then I’ll keep you as a royal beside me, it’s the least I can do after what you did. We’ll both not only survive, but thrive. What do you say, Your Majesty~?”