Twisted Wonderland Riddle Roseharts X Reader - Tumblr Posts
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!”
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.”