Idk If You Open Your Reqs, If You Felt Comfortable Then Could You Write "How To Win A Hear Of" For Rook

Idk if you open your reqs, if you felt comfortable then could you write "How to win a hear of" for Rook please? You could ignore it if you felt uncomfortable though.

How to win a heart of Rook Hunt?

1. Be.

Blink, blink. Inhale. Exhale.

...

You can't really prove anything, but you are sure that the clock that hangs above Train's desk is broken. Its hands are still staying in the same place, but when you doze off and check the time again, they seem to stay in the same place, if not going backwards.

You can't recognize any words from Train's monotone speech. Whenever he raises his tone, socking some poor student who sits at the front desk, is the only time you look up from your doodles scribbled on the cover of your notebook. They were getting more swirled with each minute; since this class, among the quick sketches Lucius, there appeared a weird-looking elephant in question and some fancy cake. Though, there is still a space for another decoration on the icing.

Luckily, Trein doesn't overlook class notes.

…

You muffle your yawn discreetly by covering your mouth.

After that, the sleepy and dull atmosphere should have just continued.

But no. There is some tension on your arms as if your body reacted by instinct, the one that turns on when you feel like you're in an unknown zone, carefully trying to make your way out of that internal Tierra Incognita.

And there it is. That irresistible impression of being observed, which brings an overwhelming feeling; almost suffocating and sticking to every part of your body, but warm, as if filled with adoration and joy.

...You will have to judge yourself if having such an admirer is a good thing. Especially if the admirer is Rook Hunt himself.

2. Lie.

"Could you stop that?" you ask aloud. "Rook Hunt."

To be completely honest with yourself, you aren't sure if he's around. In those few days, you almost got used to the gaze that follows you like an animal who is curious about a new human being, you. But also, you could never forget how each wild animal would effortlessly take you down.

From behind you, bushes don't rustle, when Rook Hunt steps in. You turn around to see him with a bright smile on his face. He seems very proud of something, and for the first time, you are sure that he was the one who followed you for days.

He stands in front of you as his gaze caresses every part of your body. He doesn't seem uncomfortable with open starring, but your arms stiffen a little.

"My, what a surprise!" He says after his eyes land on your face. You already know that he is the type of guy who never averts his gaze when talking to someone, but at first, that gesture is slightly intimidating. "Never have I supposed that you could actually spot me, Trickster-san!"

"So it was you?" The question arises before you can think of a better answer. Rook gives you a smile anyway. "Oh, well... Now that you're here, I can complain to you personally."You take a big breath. "Stop following me. I feel uncomfortable when I know that I can't relax anywhere."

"Oh, ma faute! I severely underestimated your observation skills...! However, I never noticed you feeling any negative emotion other than awkwardness when you spotted me. I think you smiled more." At this thought, or to visualize you the situation, his corners of mouth quirk up. "I am dazzled by you and I feel like I wouldn't be wrong if I guessed that you were happy with that attention. Didn't you like it?"

And there comes that lie, that contradicts the whole truth you have acknowledged by last week.

"No."

3. Show that you're willing to talk to him.

Your gaze lands on his silhouette, as he with the charm of every Pomefiore student, takes notes. He always seems upbeat, wanting to agree and conclude with the teacher's every word, but listens in silence.

There is no power in you to tear away your gaze. Again, for the third time in this lesson.

"I went crazy!" You think to yourself as the ring of long-desired bell fills the hallway and students leave their classes. "Did I guilt-trip myself or something, to think about him that much AFTER I missed a chance to befriend him?"

As you glance from your desk, you notice how Rook already left the class. Although you knew it will be really hard to find him now, after classes ended and bumping into each other is almost impossible, you quickly threw your books into the bag and run out the door.

...

Never have you known that Rook could that skillfully blend into the background.

Of course, you heard rumours. His posture, the way he entered classes and actively participated on each topic always gleamed with agility and grace. And mysteriously, he always knew you were looking at him. Back then, the smile never left his face.

Gravel rattled under your feet and you knocked a few pebbles away with your foot. After twenty minutes of searching, you weren't convinced that your childhood hide-and-seek talent was really as impeccable as you thought it would be. Rook Hunt wasn't hiding behind any of the bushes you passed.

He was above you.

Perched on a tall but sturdy branch, he can't help but stare at your distant figure littering the outside of the NRC. His eyes sparkle when you accidentally—or maybe not? Maybe these were those childhood skills—you lift your head up, and your gaze immediately lands on Rook's purple uniform.

"Looking for me?" He speaks in his melodic voice, smooth and clear as honey. "Moi, I am truly honoured!" His smile changes. It's hard to tell from the distance, but instead of his usual smile, there is now something resembling a smirk. "Perhaps I caught your attention~?"

4. Become a hunter

And by “hunter” there is no meaning of graduating NRC and travelling around the world to chase after animals of exotic species. No, the type of hunter that Rook needs and desires is a person who would challenge him and play with him a little.

The rule of the game is simple; find others' weaknesses first.

It isn't a friendly competition but isn't the enemy one either. It's a competition between rivals who don't want the duel in the end.

The rook may be awfully good at this game, but you will be a better target. Uncatchable. You hope so.

...

"I'd like to stop our little game," a familiar voice greets you as you open the door to the corridor from your room. Making way for you, he takes a step back with the grace of a dancer rather than a student or hunter.

You look at him in surprise. It takes you a moment to process his words and come up with an answer. "Huh. Are you changing your... 'target'?"

You can't hide the disappointment in your voice, and it echoes so loudly that you surprise yourself. The unexpected mix of feelings on your face makes Rook chuckle elegantly.

"Oh, no, no! After making a reconnaissance among most of your community circles, would you like to know what I found? Saying it works rather against me, but apart from a few unfair opinions, I found only your qualities..." He sigs with resignation he did not feel. A smile is painted on his lips, sincere though not wide enough to show his teeth. "I find it difficult to keep up this game when I can examine you personally."

"Uh?"

Rook grasps your hand. More than gentlemanly culture would allow, he takes your arm and pulls you away into a side corridor. "Would you like to go on a walk? I'd love to talk to the person I've been hearing from a lot lately." Another smile. What is with these smiles? Neither seems identical to the previous ones, just like snowflakes are never the same. Each one makes your chest burst with different emotions. "Not that I regret it."

5. Be, but be yourself.

You really don't want Rook Hunt in your room. There are so many things you hope you have already thrown away, but knowing your rotten luck, Rook Hunt will find something that will you have forgotten. You'll probably end up embarrassing yourself when trying to explain anything.

After all, your room is the place that almost defines you. Once you knew you will be staying in your dorm for a while, you started buying the decorations, placing most of them after only second thought and two more items in your shopping cart.

Now you realise how many items you bought impulsively.

"Please, don't," your muffled voice behind the closed door makes Rook smile. You glance around the room trying to find some reasoning. But will you be convincing? That's another thing. "My room is a mess."

"No need to worry, I already know how organized you are," he says smoothly, leaning on the door's handle and making you use more strength to keep the door closed. "Perhaps you are hiding something?"

"From you? Never!"

"Fufu~ Well, I believe that. I already checked your room—" these words make you hold your breath and crack the door open a bit, just to see how amusement glints in his eyes, "—and I don't believe you could create any big mess in just three hours."

"Never know," you glare at him, before examining the locks on your door. "I may surpass your expectations someday."

"You already do," he corrects you.

You can't hold back the sigh.

6. Spend some time together.

Can you and Rook call yourselves friends? "Yes," he would answer if someone asked him. And you, though you didn't think about it any longer, would nod in the reply given the amount of time you two had spent together.

Even if your rivalry is now gone—the idea of spending time with each other to discover each other has faded after only a few months of knowing each other. Rook probably still remembers the rules, the date and time of the game were re-write, but he also seemed to enjoy the change.

Now he has no qualms about dropping into your room at midnight to show you some nocturnal insect that you were talking about during the break.

Eventually, a certain, constantly developing routine had formed between you;

In the morning you are greeted by a new flower on your desk. You put it in a vase, your other hand flicking through an encyclopaedia of plants. You bought it when some student from the alchemy circle made you realise that this could be the language of flowers. He was not wrong.

You have at least one class a day together, you eat meals together incredibly often—never in the cafeteria. Always at the Botanical Garden or on an outdoor bench, you enjoy eating from the outdoor cafeteria.

Somehow, Rook can sense when you're in trouble. Mostly with some classes or tests. He's always eager to help, and more often than not will tell you the whole topic in an accessible way and add his own opinion or juicy facts off-topic.

"Good night," was never said 'just by'. Rook has made sure of that. He forces you to look him straight in the eyes, where tiny stars shine. "I'll see you tomorrow."

7. Have insecurity.

If you thought you could never surprise Rook Hunt, you were wrong.

He is shocked. And you aren't really sure why.

"That's unbelievable!"

You can't find a trace of dishonesty or sarcasm on his face when he starts asking questions. His brows furrow from worry and he isn't going to keep quiet about anything that just crossed his head. He opens his mouth to say something, but when he notices how you evade his gaze, he holds his breath, before bringing your hand to his lips.

Your heart flutters when he plants a kiss on the back of your hand. The place he kissed you is already burning with pleasant warmth—an invisible stamp of his lips that leave you with a vivid memorial of his touch.

Knowing he has your attention, he smiles lightheartedly. "If you could only see yourself just as I see you..."

8. Daydream.

The pages of your notebook that is supposed to be full of notes, is blank. You stare at the wall vapidly, while your mind is focused on anything but a lecture.

The chime of ring ending a class isn't enough to drive through thought haze.

"What are you thinking about, hm~?" Rook spoke up. There was amusement in his voice and his eyes brightened, though his hitherto hidden presence would have startled most other people. Not you, after so many situations where Rook had perpetuated your belief that he was some incredibly handsome type of phantom that could appear anywhere.

Living in fear that Rook Hunt would scare you while you were pouring hot tea into your mug and lead to tragedy, has strengthened your psyche.

This time he is on a thick branch of a tree growing close to the school building. You aren't sure if he had climbed it on the trunk itself or if he had jumped down from the window of one classroom to get there.

You turn your head up to look at him. Or rather, at his darkened silhouette, as the autumn sun, which pierces through the branches and tinted the leaves with warm colours, illuminates him from behind. "Would you like to try and guess?"

A sincere smile appears on Rook's face.

"Oh, so we are playing that way?" He runs his hand over feathers attached to his hat, not taking his eyes off you. "Fufu, what kind of secrets may conceal such a lovely heart of yours?"

9. Have that cliché romance in your head.

Tap... tap, tap...

Rain is gently falling down on the window glass.

You can't believe that it started now when you were spending your break outside, ten minutes of walk to the campus. Twenty, whenever you'd like to walk while using your bag to cover your head (you knew that it would not prevent you from getting all wet, and probably some of your books might get destroyed) or you could run for your life, trip on the now slippery path and come to your dorm being anything but fine or clean.

"And here was I wondering where my favourite was," you don't need to look up to know whose hand is placed on your shoulder. You haven't realised how your body got colder by the evening breeze until the warmth of his touch comforted you.

When your eyes finally lay on him, you notice how his hair ends are wet, uniform saturated, shoes and a hat—rain-soaked. He tightly holds an umbrella that is still not extended, even if the rain started a while ago.

"Did you run here...?" You ask, now quite concerned he might get sick. Emphasis on might, because you still don't know if his immune system isn't actually immortal, based on how he gets out of most of the collage-dangerous situations unscathed. But still concerned.

"Thought perhaps you could use some helping hand," he says with noticeable softness in his voice; it makes your heart melt, even when it's that cold, windy evening. "Or an umbrella."

"...Thank you."

He doesn't hand you an umbrella; he opens it, makes you hold his arm, as he covers you two from the rain with an umbrella.

The air is brisk, and it's getting pretty dark. Rook navigates you through the school grounds paths and warns you about every obstacle. You may not recognize each way when there's only a little light, but you're sure this way certainly doesn't lead to school.

"I am taking the longer route," he says, when you ask him. "A walk in the rain...! How romantic! I've been waiting so long for this moment."

"Really?"

"Of course!" Rook smiles at you. "I even stole all your umbrellas to make this moment happen."

10. You can't run away. Not anymore.

He is everything.

How did Rook manage to be everything you could ever want and need? How could he got to your heart, not break it and keep it as his treasure?

("Oh, did you see that? That was my Trickster! They are full of surprises, aren't they?")

He is always there to help you,

("Calm down, calm down, I am here... I will treat that wound right away, so don't move around much, mon chéri.")

fight for you,

("Don't worry. I will just check how guys that hit you are doing," you still remember the cold smile on Rook's lips when he was reassuring you.)

appreciate you,

("My, what a great day! To see such a beautiful individual right in the morning? Such a blessing it is!")

care for you,

("What am I doing at midnight at your window, you ask? Fufu, I might tell you if you're so interested! I wanted to see how the most interesting person in our college is doing because you smiled three times less than yesterday. So? Who shattered your heart today, mon chéri?")

and love you unconditionally.

"I love you," he says as each part of his body screams it. His eyes are filled with hope, sunshine and moonlight, arms move unconsciously your way as if he wanted to reach for your warmth. "And since you know that..." He moves his hands back and places the right one on his chest. "This is the heart I offer you. Will you take care of it for me, mon chéri?"

When your Prince Charming arrives || First Years x Reader

What if someone from RSA seemed to be your dreamed lover?

Ace Trappola

It isn’t easy to make Ace seriously worried, about something that wasn’t caused by his friends, wanting to get revenge on his poor—as they defined them—jokes.

From the first sight he knew, that a boy, who “accidentally” bumped into you, was a danger. Some kind of.

He seemed just… too perfect: tall, muscular, with beautiful hair and natural charm, charisma. His clothes complemented the colour of dark as cosmos eyes, and his manners were impeccable. Ace started doubting that even Vil Schoenheit himself could point out anything to him, but he wouldn’t bet on his arm.

With each trait, something was pushing Ace away from the boy more and more.

If he hasn't paid much attention to him, then you definitely did. By the time the day was over, you managed to tell him ten times how he helped you get up—"You fell because of him," Ace replied while rolling his eyes—and characterized the boy verbally, so that no teacher would complain about not enough words on your opinion essay.

“Agh, enough-!” Ace got upset when, even while playing cards, you didn't talk about anyone else but that handsome hero who helped you get up faster than Ace did. He got up from the floor. “Marvel at him in his face! He will certainly want to hear all these compliments in person.”

He stormed out of the room before you could stop him.

His arms were shaking once he got out of the dorm, to the Rose Maze. He emanated with anger and grief; he swore to himself, that he will kick this guy from RSA the time he sees him. Though he wasn't sure... would you be mad at him...?

“Wait, Ace!” you had to run as fast as you could to catch up with the boy and bump hard into him. You hugged his waist tight, worried that he would run away as soon as you loosened your grip. “Sorry. I really didn't mean to upset you.”

Ace turned around to see your eyes. The corners of his mouth quivered before twitched into a weak smile.

"It's alright," he said, but his voice slowly cracking. “The better one wins, right?”

"Of course," you tightened your embrace so that your cheek was pressed tightly against Ace's body. “I won't be with any guy who can't destroy a chandelier with friends.”

The boy took a deep breath before finally wrapping his arms around you.

The warmth he felt from you and the one inside him caused a strange feeling in his stomach and chest. He didn't know exactly what he felt, but he didn't mind at all.

“Out of my advantages, you chose this particular one?” He said, his face showing a mischievous, a bit mocking, but still friendly smile. "I guess it was at the top of such a long list as ‘Advantages of Ace’"

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎‏‏‎ ‎

Deuce Spade

Deuce didn’t know what feeling was responsible for twisting his stomach, once he saw you and a boy from RSA, introducing him to some NRC classes.

Does his dark, rebellious side finally want to see the light of day?

Not as much as he wanted to hit that boy, he’d rather preferred to take you somewhere far away from him. From everybody.

“Someone's jealous!” Ace laughed when Deuce told him about his worries.

“Again, why did I come to you with this...?” The dark-haired man sighed, placing his hand on his hair and tightening it tightly. "You really think I'm, uh, jealous?"

“And not?” Ace tucked his hair back, laced the fingers of his hands together, and blinked several times. “Oh! My hero!” He said in a squeaky voice. “I will have to give up my lovely Deuce for you because you helped me up. A~aah!”

Deuce snorted and slapped Ace on the forehead. He fell onto the bed. The redhead burst out laughing as he looked at the nervous, sulking Deuce.

“Go Deuce,” he said, sitting down on the bed, still with an amused sparkles in his eyes. “Fight!”

Without waiting for any further words of encouragement, Deuce ran out of the room, towards the school. He went through all important, busier spots in the school before he found you in the cafeteria.

Of course, with that RSA guy.

He felt his body tighten like a tight string as you spotted him between the heads of the other students and waved at him.

"This is Deuce, my boyfriend," you introduced the boy to your dinner companion, and the dark-haired man looked away. So what if you guys were dating for months? The title "boyfriend" always made his heart run wild. “And this is [Boy's Name], a student from RSA.”

"Nice to meet you." Deuce reached out his hand and squeezed the boy's hand. He did it with such force that you could almost hear the crunch of bones and a soft gasp as the student jerked his hand away. “Now, I'm so sorry, but I have to take [Name] with me.”

He felt a twinge of guilt as you walked away, and the RSA boy was massaging his hand. However, now-not-yours prince charming will definitely go to the nurse, and on the way, he will surely run into one of the most beautiful students in NRC. It’s always like that in fairy tales.

You have to fight for your true love, right? They both have to find and keep the love of their lives.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

Epel Felmier

Just give him a chance, and he'll definitely try to kick that fop in the knee so hard he won't get up again.

"Fight fire with fire," Vil advised him during their usual dinner at Pomefiore. Even though Epel had said nothing about his worries, Vil could still sense a depressive aura from him that was definitely ‘not beautiful’.

The Pomefiore leader was also not very happy with the arrival of some students from the RSA. But until they were more beautiful than he was—not that anyone like that existed—their presence did not irritate them that much.

Of course, you didn't forget about Epel—you felt so drawn to your new acquaintance's aura that you sometimes lost track of time, but you make sure not to skip your meetings.

He felt like a pawn in a game of chess, not a player. He was attractively dressed, and now standing next to that RSA boy who had attracted your attention all too often. He took you with him a lot, that one day he almost offered to take you with him to the RSA. It would only require some paperwork, wouldn't it?

“[Name]” Epel turned to you, his voice trembling with anxiety and anger. He took a deep breath but didn't feel any cooling down. “The final decision will always be yours. But I want to say something about it here.” He pointed at the visitor and glared at him.

He felt a sudden need to straighten his hair and his clothes as silence fell around him. All the witnesses waited for his next move, and even though no one was saying anything, he felt like he was the new hot topic of gossips.

He went over to you and locked you in a hug as if he didn't want to watch all those onlookers.

"I know you may not believe me, but I really am not sure if he can bring you the happiness you expect," he blushed here. “I-I mean… I don't know if I can offer you a life only filled with happiness you want, but… I will try… So, uh, please don't go with him…!”

“Huh? There's no way I'm going with him,” you said, tearing away from him. "I'm addicted to apples and a certain apple boy, and I won't survive without this combination."

Epel breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his cheeks flush with shame, and memories of words that even sounded too serious for him.

Even though he felt terrible in this elegant garment, he couldn't think of it as his feelings exploded in his body.

Ah, yes. He couldn't want to love anyone else that much.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

Jack Howl

Jack never wanted to stop at anything other than "true love".

When you two started dating, he saw no other way than planning his future with you... But this RSA guy was never included in your plans.

"He's joining us," you told your new friend, pointing at Jack. He had his arms crossed and he was at least a head taller than the boy, so the boy had to raise his chin to see Jack's ears. “He offered to help us with cleaning.”

"Ah, yes," [Boy's Name] cleared his throat, trying to remain indifferent. He felt overwhelmed by Jack's presence and Jack made no effort to make it easier for him. Because what was he supposed to do? Squat down so that he doesn't feel trapped like surrounded by tall rocks? "We'll definitely need someone strong."

Everything went very agile and neat.

Even if you and the RSA student previously thought it would take a long, long time, in half an hour you managed to do more than you were allotted to. Maybe it's because your loved one didn't allow too long conversations between you and [Boy's Name]?

It would certainly have been hours if the two of you were left for each other. Ideally, a lot of time to make another appointment, exchange phone numbers, cancel your joint vacation plans with Jack and change your school, right?

“Thank you for your hard work” you put the broom in the storage box. Cleaning with magic was definitely simpler and easier, but as long as you can clean, magic can feel a little sloppy while comparing the cleanliness of rooms.

"Thank you for your hard work," [Boy's Name] replied, dusting his hands of the fluff. "Maybe... you'd like to go together, just the two of us," he stressed the last words, "to the cafe?”

"I'm sorry," you smiled apologetically. You looked at Jack who was just coming back and started walking towards him with a smile on your face. “You may not see it, but this one needs a daily dose of hugs because later he will be very sad.”

Jack silently denied as he turned his head to the side out of intimidation as you hugged him tightly.

… For moments like this, the existence of people like [Boy's Name] is needed.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

Sebek Zigvolt

“We need your assistance, [Name]” just after taking the left corridor, Sebek appeared in front of you and a student from RSA. The green-haired man had a stoic expression and his hands were behind his back, what made him seem much more composed than he thought himself. There was so much going on in his head that it would be easier to talk about what he wasn't thinking about. “It's urgent.”

Without further ado, he grabbed your wrist, knocking the RSA student's hand off your shoulder. He gave him a frightening look before he turned on his heels and you and you walked far, far away from this place.

"Hey, Sebek," you broke the silence that had been with you since you stepped out into the uncrowded corridor. “Something happened?”

“What do you mean?” He replied in a gruff voice and picked up the pace.

"For example," you panted, trying to keep up with him, "you're almost crushing my hand."

As if on cue, Sebek immediately let you go, doing it as quickly as if he had touched hot coal. With a surprised look, he glanced at your wrist, which turned slightly red from his tight grip.

"Ah, uh, forgive me," he muttered, rubbing his temple. "I still feel sick to see that human from the Royal Sword Academy."

“You mean [Boy’s Name]?” you asked, and Sebek made a face at his name. For him, this boy will always be "human" in the worst tone and sense of the word. "Some have described him as ‘so sweet that he is so bland’”

“It suits him.”

“You don't like him too? Too cute by Diasomnia standards?” you guessed jokingly. “Or were you jealous, hehe?”

“T-that's not the point!” He growled, feeling his face flush red. You looked at him in shock, now sure, you guessed it, and Sebek felt even more exposed by it. "It's just that this human looked at you so... so strange! I didn’t not like this.”

"There is a way," you said, smiling frivolously at him. “You can invite me to tea and vice versa, and then we will not see him anymore.”

Hmmm, a Honeyworks fan, I see, I see 👀

Hmmm, a person of culture, I see, I see! 👀

Saying that I didn’t fall in love with Suzumi Hiyori, at first sight, would be a lie when I have other profile pictures of her on almost all my accounts on media. And, the animation!! As much as it is a pain to find any content in English, HoneyWorks did an incredible job with all its videos. Those animations!! Those lovely characters!!!

I can’t wait for the movie that will come in April~~

How to win a heart of Riddle Rosehearts?

1. Fail an exam.

You stared in horror at the paper sir Train just handed to you.

The big, red mark was nothing but visible and disturbing, like the hard to swallow nut in a fluffy cheesecake. A low score like that could bring death to anyone who cared for their grades.

„Uh-oh,” Cater gasped slightly, shifting his gaze from the grade on your test to your frowning expression. Even he felt the distaste and pressure of getting only a few points, but the thing that terrified you both—and eachas the Hearslabyul's people—the most, was a dorm leader who was capable of murder; the harsh one in case of lowering Heartslabyul average. „So, what are you going to do about Riddle?”

You couldn't help but sigh at his question.

„I just need to get rid of the evidence,” you answered, squishing the test in your hands. Then you threw the paper into the trash—or at least you thought that you threw it correctly, not wanting to look at the test ever again—and quickly started to pack your books, ready to take your leave and stop thinking about the failed exam.

At the same moment, the infamous redhead walked into the room, catching the moment when you threw the paper away. He picked it up from the floor, sighing, and went to bin it properly. If it wasn't only for the Train's red marker, which caught Riddle's attention, maybe you would still be safe and sound.

Cater gave you a side nudge, with a slight but jerky movement of his head pointing towards the door. The look he gave you mirrored what happened behind you. You didn't have to turn around to know who is there, what are they doing and what will happen.

„He found you,” Cater whispered, halfly trying to make his voice dramatic. It didn't help to keep your breath calm, as Riddle slowly turned your way and started walking towards you.

Even without Cater's attempt, it was dramatic enough already.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

2. Survive one—hour lecture.

After giving you a lecture Riddle would give up... your last moments of freedom.

“[Name]!” his voice echoed through the halls, followed by the taps of his hills against the tiles. You could swear it sounded like the ticking of the clock, counting down to execution. Your execution. And the executioner was quicker than you imagined, despite you fastening your pace. “Wait, you! How dare you skip the preparations for the unbirthday party!?”

You halted, mentally scolding yourself for forgetting. You smiled awkwardly, maladroitly turning to the dorm leader. “Sorry... I... was studying for the exam. You know, dorm leader, your words really motivated me to study.”

Perhaps Riddle heard these words many times as an excuse because he looked even more irritated.

“Ha! Studying the same way you got your last grade?” he asked, his voice showing off something you could (poetically) describe as a 'cold amusement' that gave you a shiver. Before you could even reply, the annoyance in his gaze returned. “I am not letting you off this time, [Name]. You need to re-do that exam. And you can't neglect your duties.”

“Yes, yes, I understand,” you nodded at his words, something in your stomach started to twist. Now you felt nothing but discomfort when Riddle glanced at you.

So cold.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

3. Don't underestimate him.

“[Name], like, what can he do?” your classmate commented, taking another cookie from your plate. They were Scarabia student and were supposed to help you with revising your notes, however, when you put the cookies on the table, nothing and no one could get more attention from them than these sweets. “Only magic is making him scarier than he actually is.”

“Oh, stop,” you quieted them. “You know nothing about our dorm leader.”

They shrugged but tried to read your thoughts from your face. You winced playfully at that and got a loud 'tch' back. “Well, I know that he is giving you a hard time with keeping your grades high. Isn't he forcing you to study even if that was the only test you failed? Duh, you have great grades! You even helped me with retaking my test!”

You smiled softly at their words. It was kind of unfair. But you also knew that people much more consider other's flaws rather than flaws. In NRC everyone knew that and daily used that judging system.

“Hah...” you breathed out. “I know it is wrong, judging someone for just one thing. But, you know, even if I don't like studying when someone tells me to do so, maybe I will be able to improve my grades that way? Maybe dorm leader has good intentions... or something.”

“Keep telling yourself that, keep telling,” your friend laughed your response off, waving their hand at you.

That laugh, even if they were laughing at you more than with you, cheered you up somehow. Another mystery of Scarabia students: their laugh was infectious.

“Whatever. I am going to retake the exam and show Riddle that I am capable of writing my exam right. I will get a better grade than him!”

Little did you know that Riddle himself heard your declaration. It wasn't that hard to hear each conversation in an almost empty library.

He, just a bookshelf away, where there weren't any walls or soundproof barriers, could overhear the whole meeting. He couldn't help but smile. He also couldn't tell why. Something between amazement and proudness pierced his body.

Having a rival in a field he is excellent at? And increasing dorm status at the same time?

He couldn't wear the smile on his face off.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

4. Bribe him with strawberries 🍓

“Dorm leader, could I not participate in today's croquet?”

Riddle lifted his chin, tearing his gaze away from data, he got from Crowley at today's meeting. Some lines were already underlined with markers and completed with bright red notes Riddle scribbled.

“And why is that, [Name]?” he asked, shifting his whole attention to you. You could feel its weight on your muscles, which stiffened in few seconds. He used a type of tone that almost made you take back your question. Almost, since you bit the back of your cheek and loudly swallowed saliva before answering.

“My friend asked me for help and I already told them I will be there... I may bring some strawberries later,” your left hand wrapped around your wrist, and started playing with the sleeve's fabric. You fidgeted in the result. Oh lord, where you should put your hands? Were they always there?

Riddle looked at you carefully, and the silence between you two during a while that you almost didn't expect the answer from him.“...Is that a bribe? The part with strawberries.”

You widened your eyes at the question, but also a smile appeared on your face. You did your best not to show how his input lightened you up. However, your muscles relaxed visibly.

“Yeah, that's one of my tactics to take over the world,” you replied sarcastically, allowing yourself to make that joke. Riddle didn't question nor disapproved your answer but nodded in—false, you assumed from the too theatrical expression on his face—acknowledgement.

“Well then. You may go.”

“Thank you, dorm leader!” You bowed. It was hard to believe that it wasn't a dream and Riddle loosened. You could only suppose that the overblot event sometimes had its breakthrough points. Or Riddle was trying to master the modern humour. “I will bring you as many strawberries I can carry!”

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5. Remember few random rules.

“Don't you dare drink that!” Riddle warned you in a loud cautionary tone that made you spin around. You didn't even notice that he was in the kitchen until he spoke up. You also hoped for no one to notice you, preparing yourself a night snack. Now, you weren't sure what's worse—if your roommates nagged you to share your food with them or meeting the dorm leader here.

Cater, who was searching for popular drink recipes, while sitting next to you, was already one person too much in this kitchen.

“What?” you muttered the question, and the dorm leader gave you a lopsided look while pursing his lips and frowning.

“Rule 256 says you cannot drink lemonade honey past 8 pm,” he recited, accenting with devotion every word. He still gave you an unimpressed look. “And what are you holding in your hands? Lemonade.”

“And rule 622 says that you must drink something citrusy at the weekend,” you answered quickly, curious for Riddle's reaction. That Heartslabyl law was one of the few rules you remembered past the first hundred—at least you hoped you knew that much. One time you just browsed through the list of all rules. And you (accidentally) memorised that one. “And we still haven't drunk anything like that.”

Knowing the rules that included food was usually a life-saving knowledge if someone liked to eat. You did.

Riddle raised his eyebrow, as Cater for once lifted his eyes from the phone. A weak smile, forming as the surprise sank in, appeared on the dorm leader's mouth. “Oh? I am surprised you remember that rule.”

You struggled with a reply. “Of.. of course, I do. I am Hearslabyul student, am I not?”

Riddle only nodded silently. Once again he looked at you, at drinks, and Cater, before he turned his back to you and walked away, saying 'goodnight' to you two. After placing two cups of lemonade on the table, you finally sat down next to Cater.

He flashed you a grateful smile that quickly turned into a smug.

“You totally remember all the rules, [Name]-chan. With like 50 gaps between every one you remember,” he said after tasting his drink. It wasn't sweet at all. Much more, it was sour and refreshing and cold and that was the thing which lured Cater to pick that recipe.

You kicked him lightly under the table, receiving a small chuckle in return. “Sheesh, I tried to look good... Be thankful for having a lemonade.”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

6. Teach yourself how to brew tea.

“Dorm leader! Would you like some tea?”

Riddle stiffened for a second, his eyes aimed at you as his gaze travelled from you to the teapot. He was on his way to check the condition of the roses and didn't expect anyone to be here. It wasn't rare for to somebody having tea on their own when they feel like it, but, nevertheless, Riddle still was surprised. Pleasantly surprised.

“Can you brew it well?” There was some genuine curiosity in his voice as he walked to the table. “I haven't seen you making tea at all.”

“I practised it especially for you! And also, it will help me to stay awake... I hope!” You gestured to the pile of books and notes stacked next to you. Riddle recognized not only your handwriting; he guessed that you probably asked some people for their notes. That was a good tactic, since people while listening to lectures note different things. “You can see how hardworking student Hearslabyul has!”

Riddle only gave you a smile in response. He took an empty seat at your left, and you poured him a cup of black tea, which he didn't drink until it cooled. The pleasant silence interrupted by the occasional twitter of the birds and rustling in the bushes was stretching between you two before he lifted the teacup to his mouth and started speaking again.

“Hey, [Name]... Would you mind if I asked you to stop calling me by a title..?” That was a question that lingered in his mind for some weeks. And even with many good moments during these weeks, he chose the one when he took you by surprise. If you were drinking tea at the moment, you would surely choke on it.

You answered as quickly as the first shock sank in. “...So by name then? Wait, what was your name again, dorm leader...” You theatrically pressed your hand to a forehead, as if trying to recall his name. And perhaps you were a good actor because his whole body tensed. “I am joking, I swear!”

The sudden burst of steam from the kettle distracted your attention.

You refilled his cup. “Well, here is your tea, Riddle.”

“Thank you... [Name].”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

7. Feed flamingos while wearing pink.

Cater sometimes could be too harsh when it came to you wearing something “outdated”—out of actual trends that changed once a month—but if you ever needed any fashion tip or piece of clothing to complete your outfit, he would always be there.

“Isn't that Cater's jersey?” Riddle pointed out, seeing you in a very oversized, pink sweatshirt with dark, printed letters 'TWISTED AND WONDERFUL'. It was stylishly oversized for Cater, but on you, it just looked... too big. You had to pull your sleeves up once every three minutes, and you surely were frustrated, since feeding flamingos without making any mess was near impossible.

“It is,” you shrugged, dusting your hands off. “I couldn't find any of my pink clothes, so I borrowed them from him.”

Riddle nodded slightly, his slate grey eyes wandering to your hands, wet and with sticky animal food remnants. He reached into his pocket and took out the handkerchief he handed you. You welcomed it with gratitude and relief.

“Be careful not to dirty it, or he will be complaining all the day about it.”

You gave him a cheeky smile.

“Then next time you need to give me pink clothes,” you stated, watching as Riddle stands a little bit straighter. “Or will you grumble too?”

“I- I won't,” he replied quickly. If he was able to take his mind of thoughts of borrowing you his clothes, he would glare at you with a gaze that both electrified people and stuck them to the ground. But he wasn't able to look up at you, as he turned around to leave. “Anyway, don't be late for classes, [Name]..!”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

8. Play chess.

You re-did your exam. And after studying the notes and textbooks for so long, you were happy that you had the light feeling blooming in your chest when you exited the classroom.

And, as the feeling predicted, it was a great score. 98 points out of 100. Sadly, Riddle didn't make any mistake on that test, so you couldn't celebrate as much as you wish to.

“Checkmate,” Riddle moved his chess piece, white knight, and trapped your king without a way to escape. The dark king on your side magically keeled over, indicating Riddle's victory.

You sighed, as all pieces themselves started to return to their original places. The dorm leader's win wasn't a big surprise. He was known for being good at chess since some rules required him to practice it at weekends. Second, whenever you thought you made a good move with your piece, Riddle's move proved to you that you could have done better.

You sighed again, and Riddle didn't pay any attention. He got used to your sighing whenever it was his turn. “Don't you want to let me win sometimes?”

“No.”

“So cruel!”

“You are clever, [Name],” he said, his voice soft and thoughtful, even if he didn't look directly at you. “You can figure your tactic by yourself.”

“Thank you... but I hope I won't win anytime soon. I would be disappointed if I won against you, who is pride and joy of our Hearslabyul, just after starting to play chess.”

“Don't worry about that, it won't be that easy,” you got a little chuckle in response. This time your chess pieces were white and the honour of making the first move belonged to you. Riddle waited patiently for you to make up your mind, as he spoke again. “You've retaken your test already, right? Even though I adore your spirit, it won't make up the two points you lost to me.”

You let him continue, which you regretted a moment later.

Something sparkled in his eyes. As much as he was stern about most of the mistakes on every test, the one you made, amused him. You weren't sure if him being angry wouldn't be better. “Hm, wasn't one of them lost, because you forgot to sign your test? Should we practice writing your name?”

“Dorm leader-! Riddle, don't you dare start teasing!” You squealed. That made Riddle smile even more. “I can't take that!!”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

9. Try to bake and burn a cake.

“So, what were you doing with Trey?”

The aroma of strawberries and the sweetness of baked cake were filling the kitchen. There was also something bitter, ashy, but that scent seemed to be covered under other fragrances.

On the kitchen counter, there was a glass epergne with creamy cake on it. The dessert was beautiful and rich in every way as always; just by looking at it, you knew that it was a flavour bomb and decorations made by the experienced hand of a confectioner hid that sweet danger.

“A cake for unbirthday party,” you answered Riddle's question. It wasn't a lie, considering that you helped with the cake that soon will be on one of the party tables. But were there much more to this short answer? Of course.

Riddle winced, and you weren't sure if he raised his eyebrows or frowned.

“It took you so long? It always takes less time,” he noticed. His hand rested on his cheek as he was sitting next to you and idly browsing through the cookbook full of sticky notes with Trey's comments. Though his posture suggested he was uninterested, his voice was sounding opposite; it was slow, but as if he were analyzing your every word and saving in long-term memory.

“Well, I asked Trey to help me with something,” you replied wanting him to stop questions here. But somehow, he didn't stop asking. You were almost surprised that he needed such a specific description of what you were doing in a kitchen with Trey and few fellow students.

“Something like..?”

“Something that certainly isn't a cake that I wanted to give you tomorrow, but burned in the process.”

That finally caught his attention. His whole body shuddered before he became breathless. The thoughts were occupying him that much, that he couldn't function properly.

“Y-you... you wanted to bake a cake... for me?”

You hadn't noticed before, but now, when Riddle was surely flustered, and his cheeks reddened to the shade of red that resembles strawberries on the cake, he stuttered. You couldn't help, but think that was rather charming.

“I just said 'isn't'!” You protested, sounding offended, but there is a big, heartful smile on your face. “But, yes. I will ask him again to help me with it.”

There was some pause before Riddle asked another question. Not about the cake this time.

“May I help you with it this time?” He struggled with forming a sentence, but his voice sounded somehow steady. You couldn't tell the same about the face, cheeks still hot and red, eyes running on the floor, not knowing where to stop. “I know I am not as good baker as Trey... but we can make it together, following the recipe of your choice.”

“Okay... Okay, then!” You smiled at the question. Warm, fuzzy feeling exploded in your chest, leaving your face and ears in the cherry shade of red.“I look forward to my cooking class with you.”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

10. Break the rule.

“Where is [Name]?” Riddle asked Trey and Cater, his gaze shifting from one student to another. It was the third time he regarded each student that attended the party, and still, he couldn't find his favourite—in his mouth replaced by 'in need of attendant who will stop you from doing anything stupid'—student.

“I have no idea,” Cater looked around, and even considered calling you, before spotting your phone next to an empty plate, one seat from him. “Maybe they have sneaked out of unbirthday party or something. Should I go search for them?”

Riddle shook his head. “I will go. Trey, Cater, please look after students when I am not here.”

He got a nod from Trey before he headed further into the gardens. Going through the Rose Maze was the quickest and most discreet way to get to... just anywhere in Heartslabyul gardens. And not only, since some passages led just to NRC—no one knew why, but the portal was the most stable way to get there—it didn't mean that there weren't other ways.

“[Name]!” Riddle called you, as he recognised the similar silhouette. You turned around, “Why aren't you at the party?”

Panicked, you looked up at Riddle. Truth be told, you spent whole daydreaming and somehow starstruck. You didn't really know—you only had a suspicion. “S-sorry... But I have a great reason!”

...

You didn't have a good reason.

“Like?” Riddle asked, crossing his arms.

“Uh,” your gaze fell, sticking to the ground. “Like... like...” And you said the words that repeated in your mind for so long. They weren't supposed to be spoken here, but now you weren't thinking properly. “I... I love you?”

As much as Riddle reddened whenever you did something affectionate, now he was pale, not less than a sheet of paper. He looked as if he was too faint, and inexplicably the tears glimmered in his eyes.

“W-what? And... and it- is that a question?”

“Do you love me?” You asked, now really not knowing what to do. You quickly bring your hands to cover your mouth, before panicking again. “W-wait, no! Ahaha, please treat it as a joke. I... I am sick I guess. I will go to the party, right now. I am okay.”

You quickly turned on your heels, ready to run away from the scene. From Hearslabyul. From Riddle.

“W-wait-!” He cried out, grabbing your sleeve. He used his whole strength in arms, to draw you closer. “I- I do. I do love you.” He said it loudly and clearly but also panicking. After realizing what he said, his grasp loosened, but you weren't trying to escape anymore. “A-a-at least I think so.”

You opened your mouth, wanting to say something, but no sound came out. After a short while, you encouraged yourself to speak.

“O... Oh, great!” You imitated cheering, but you were still stunned. The only thing that sank in, was that Riddle didn't reject your sudden confession. Could your heart take that much happiness at once? “'Cause I wasn't joking about loving you. It was a lie when I said I... was joking.”

“Please don't lie about that,” he whispered so quietly, and you could only hear him because you were still closed in his tight embrace. You smiled lightly, your eyes filling with tears as well.

“I won't.”

I love your writing so much and I need to thank you. Your "how to win the heart of" series actually helped me accept my crush on someone close to me and to build up the courage to confess. We are now a couple. Thank you a lot. I hope you do well in life.

Ohh—! Congratulations! I'm glad I could be a help (even if it was a type of passive help, haha!)

And, also thank you for sending this message—reading it was a striking experience in a very positive way. Very wholesome. Thank you!!

I wish you a great life!

Target: Tartaglia „Childe”

No. 11 of the Eleven Harbingers of the Fatui

A small knife flew towards a boy with hair in the color of ginger.

Surely the blade would have hit his scalp, between amber curls, if the boy hadn’t turned around and sprang it with his weapon.

“Good morning, [Name]” he raised his eyes to see a small—or at least in the presence of the surrounding wooden beams and marble columns—silhouette crouching almost under the ceiling.

"Hello, hello," you replied, jumping off the raise. You neatly landed next to him and smiled broadly. "I can see that you are still in good condition.”

"To your misfortune," he shrugged, but also smiled.

Your afternoons usually followed this pattern: you break into Fatui's base, attack Childe, he avoids every hit, and later, as if nothing ever happened, you both go into conversations about everything and nothing. Sometimes you do a little sparring for skill.

Days like these had been going on months, but apart from your two, no one knew about them.

Not that you wanted to tell someone.

[First Name] [Surname], was a hair to a small outlaw-military organization. The organization disagreed with Fatui's actions and pursued its own policies to oppose the removal of Gnosis from the seven Archons.

The problem is that your family business employed no more than half of the employees compared to Fatui. Although every person who joined your organization was trained (in combat – like you or even in law or speaking), every day you have been overwhelmed by another load of tasks to be done since there were no people to fulfill all the missions.

One of them, which began exactly two months ago, was a task to murder Tartaglia.

You knew it wasn't going to be easy.

You also knew he was probably much stronger than you.

But you tried anyway – in the name of your honor and for your family.

You couldn't admit that you can't kill him. And it was no longer about the skills themselves.

Every day you spent with him, made you feel frustrated, excited, and full of butterflies in your stomach. Each day, whenever some feelings were growing up in your body, you wanted to find out why you felt that way. Why only with him?

Your work should have never allowed you to let your personal feelings into your thoughts.

You were a spy! A killer! How dare you think in such a girlish way since you have such a tainted innocence card?

"[Name],” your parents called you to the office. Ever since they founded this organization, your relationship has been more like an employee-employer than a daughter-parents. "We decided to change your mission.”

"Is... is it because I did not get rid of him?” you asked. Your hands started to shake, even when you clenched your hands on your shirt. "Give me some more time, I promise I'll eliminate him!"

Father shook his head.

"We've already lost too much time," he said. "We'll get rid of Fatui later. If we get as many allies as possible now, we can actually gain an advantage” with his right hand, he moved the some paper towards you, and even without reading, you could tell it was someone's data. "We want you to improve your relationship with this man. Try to convince him to sign with us.”

You nodded wordlessly.

You knew you should have killed Childe beforehand.

Maybe then you wouldn't feel that today was your last, relatively friendly, encounter.

‎‎‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

Childe turned around again.

For several days now, he has been constantly checking if anyone was following him. But he no longer felt this familiar, playful sight.

And that was the problem.

He didn't want anything other than for you to jump out and try to take his life. Of course, he wouldn't get hurt, but he'd watch you start pouting that in this four-day break for attacking him, he didn't forget your tactics.

Then he would smile, pat you on the shoulder and say that "the loser is not forever a loser, but in your case, it is" and allow you to lightly hit him with your elbow. He didn't even realize how much he enjoyed your meetings until you stopped appearing.

"Have you seen how cute she is?" he heard whispers from excited teenagers. Both were dressed in floral outfits and held small, elegant handbags in their hands.

Ah, yes.

There was a holiday in Liyue, right? On the occasion of the new year?

Tartaglia found himself in the main square, not noticing all the stalls surrounding him and the floating lanterns and aromas of Liyueian dishes. Most of the passers-by wore elegant robes in warm colors, but in their normal attire did not stand out from the crowd.

"Yes!" her dark-haired friend replied. "Do you think we can get the same hairstyle as hers?"

Childe lurched when he finally took his eyes off the cobblestone path and looked ahead. His heart stood when he recognized you.

You were standing next to a man, dressed in a kimono-inspired by lilies – light blue, made of delicate material, which sleeves flowed down your shoulders. You had your hair tied up in a high bun, and through it came a gold, decorative hairpin, the ending of which resembled a flower. Light make-up and long earrings further completed your outfit. It flashed under the light of all the lanterns as if you were their beloved person on this festival.

Tartaglia knew you were beautiful.

He always met you in dark, practical, and comfortable clothes that would not get anyone's attention. Even in them, he thought that you would be able to outdo many beauties.

And now, in such a beautiful outfit, you were standing there, attracting eyes of passing constants... in front of him... and with a man putting his hand around your waist.

He frowned when he took a step (or at least wanted himself to look confident since his mind was surrounded by doubts) he moved towards you.

"Good evening, [Name]," his voice didn’t betray the nervousness as you turned harshly towards him. "I did not think we'd meet here.”

"Ah, good evening... Tartaglia," you replied, breaking eye contact with him. One more second and you'd forget your name and how you breathe.

"Is this your friend?" asked the man standing next to you. You nodded as he turned to Childe. "Excuse me, but tonight I will kidnap her from your company," he laughed at his own joke.

"Kidnap?" Tartaglia repeated, smiling friendly. "I'm sorry to say that, but you don't know anything about kidnappings.”

As soon as he said it, he grabbed your wrist and snatched you from the man's embrace. You collided with Childe's torso before he took you in his arms and rushed into one of the side streets. You were all confused when people started talking louder about the call of the guard. Childe slipped through a few less crowded streets as you tried to punish himself with his strong embrace, only seeing a rapidly changing floor in front of his eyes.

"Let me go! "You hit him with your foot and tried to push him away with all your might. "Childe, leave me!"

"Hehe," he laughed bitterly. "And why is it? It's a penalty for running away from our daily workout.”

"This is the end of our training!” you swung your knee again, but after this attempt, you gave up. "I couldn't get rid of you, so now I have to do something else.”

"And that's something to do with that man, right?" he was silent. "Believe me or not, I definitely preferred that mission with my assassination. At least then I could see you every day.”

…

"I... I also liked these days," you admitted. You sighed loudly, feeling the smell of the forest. This meant that Childe had already took you out of Liyue and you two were far from the city. "But... I can't object to my parents, so—”

“As I said before," he interrupted you, and a mysterious flash came in his eyes. He smiled at you as if ensuring that everything would be fine. "This is a kidnapping.”