#Simulated Practice Exams

[examsimulatorconstructionprofe]

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[balkanlila]

on a more important note, i also realised i will pass anatomy

[adore-gregor]

i did okay i guess

[milestonetask]

Project Management Foundations Quiz

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[bizfly]

Best Clat Coaching in patna

Regular practice tests and mock CLAT exams are conducted to simulate the actual exam environment and assess students' progress.

[eduhubspot]

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[leaving-fragments]

not feeling well tbh

[omagpies]

Recently saw your roleswap AU and I’m loving it! I have a few things I’m curious about:

1. So by my understanding Anya failed her flight certification 8 times and PE was cheap enough to be fine with that? Did she never pass? Makes sense, I’m just kinda clarifying lol

2. Does nurse!Curly also feel like he wants to try something different in his career like in canon? Did he also not have enough savings after PE went under? Did he go to nursing school or did he also fail his entrance exams?

3. What’s Daisuke’s story in this AU? Did his mom push him to go to trade school to become a mechanic? Did he do that on his own and his mom suggested working with PE?

4. It’s so interesting to me that Anya tried E-dating after getting back to earth and seemingly got rejected based on her appearance, poor girl :( but I’m kinda wondering about Curly’s perspective on this, did he have feelings for Anya while she was E-dating and just sucked it up for her?

5. I’m kinda curious about Curly and Anya’s relationship pre-crash, was it a little bit flirty like in canon? Did Anya try to approach Curly with what Jimmy was doing or was the blackmail powerful enough for her not to say a peep to anyone?

haha gonna answer all of these at once! but first here's something on 5 :)

she never passed the Official Legit certification but passed what counts for it in PE (so, certified only to fly PE vessels) and kind of sees it as her last chance to make it as a pilot. still hopes to get properly certified one day, working at PE to make the money for simulator hours and exam fees

curly actually went to a med school on a football scholarship but had to drop out about two or three years in because he started prioritising studies over practice and the money got pulled. used the money he had left to switch tracks and certify as a nurse. joined PE because space travel sounded fun but is pretty bored of it because he doesn't get to do much on a regular haul. he isn't quite as existential in this regard as canon curly because working in a people-oriented nurturing profession actually makes him feel useful, he just wishes he could be more useful ya kno? has enough savings to be able to rent a place and find a job at a hospital, so overall it all kinda works out for him if you don't count all the horrors

i think in this au daisuke's mother actually pushed him to intern as a mechanic a few years earlier than in canon, which is how he met swansea (pilot with engineering background) and got inspired enough to go into trade school. by the time the events of the au begin he is a certified mechanic though not with a lot of experience :"3

curly has had the biggest fattest crush on anya almost the entire time of knowing her (i feel like he kinda spawns in already in love with anya), so her E-dating phase is kinda rough on him (like, Very rough; mans full on wasting away from his heart getting broken in tiny ways a hundred times a day), but he is king of denying himself and putting others first so he does his best to be A Good And Supportive Roommate about it. he even tries to date other people too! but with not nearly as much gusto and it never goes far. he is too whipped

there was definitely Something. i'll expand on it a bit more in a later ask i got about captain anya, but the tldr is that she goes to great pains to Act Professional and curly is never in a million years going to confess anything. and then jimmy's arrival blows it all up and any kind of romance plummets down everyone's lists of priorities. and anya never tells curly anything -- this is her problem to deal with, and with him being jimmy's friend there is a tiny part of her that is afraid of not being believed even though she overall thinks he's a good guy :")

anya writes all kinds of things, but it's all fiction. she dabbles in poetry, but her two main points of focus in prose are a) long meandering stream of consciousness type of pieces that span generations and have very convoluted plots and interpersonal relations (think woolf's waves meets one hundred years of solitude), inspired largely by the time she had to lie there and do little more than drift in and out of delirium and think, and b) shameless smut that starts out as your run of the mill romance and suddenly changes genres halfway through (funny how life can just Change all at once huh). she never really gains a Massive audience but does have a considerable number of dedicated fans of both categories

(more roleswap au)

[jadeshifting]

— THE OWLS ( YOUR GUIDE TO KEEPING SANE DURING EXAM SEASON )

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔

OWLs—the stuff of sleepless nights, whispered complaints, and ink-stained hands—are coming for you whether you like it or not. here’s what’s in the tea leaves: preparation is key, panic is optional but heavily practiced, and your ability to survive depends on cleverness, caffeine, and a slightly (for some, VERY) unhinged sense of determination

★⋆. — THE EXAM SETUP.

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LOCATION … the Great Hall, stripped bare of all its usual charm—no enchanted ceiling, no fancy food, just rows of wooden desks, looming professors, and energy as stiff as a petrified mandrake

SUPERVISORS … professors plus a handful of Ministry examiners (who look like they were brewed in a cauldron labeled “evil.”) they’re watching you like hawks—no cheating, no spells up your sleeve, and Merlin help you if you sneeze

FORMAT … you get two parts for each subject:

no.1 — the written exam : essays, tricky multiple-choice, and fill-in-the-blanks about everything you’ve (hopefully) learned. expect brain busters that make you question your life choices and every single class you’ve ever dozed off in

no.2 — the practical exam : here’s where your wandwork is scrutinized. think Charms cast on demand, Defense Against the Dark Arts duels under examiner supervision, and Transfiguration spells that can’t afford a fumble

★⋆. — THE SUBJECTS YOU’LL FACE.

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔

TRANSFIGURATION.

— expect : turning porcupines into pincushions, teacups into toads, and zero room for error

— pro-tip : precision is the name of the game here. showoff moves will backfire, and no one wants to see a toad halfway stuck as a teacup (ew)

CHARMS.

— expect : summoning spells, levitation charms, and intricate wand movements that require a steady hand

— pro-tip : practice non-verbal spells—they’ll hand out bonus points like candy

POTIONS.

— expect : brew a tricky potion under timed pressure—one misstep and you’re cooking up a classroom evacuation

— pro-tip : read the instructions twice, prep your ingredients like you’re prepping for war, and for Merlin’s sake, don’t spill

DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS.

— expect : dueling simulations and counter-curse demonstrations

— pro-tip : quick reflexes and confidence sell it. a well-timed Protego will earn you a lot more than panicked flailing will

HERBOLOGY.

— expect : repotting aggressive plants, identifying magical herbs, and dodging venomous vines trying to choke the life out of you

— pro-tip : gloves. always gloves. and don’t scream—it riles the plants

CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES.

— expect : feeding, identifying, and handling creatures that may or may not want to eat you

— pro-tip : be gentle, know your creatures, and keep snacks handy—both for bribing beasts and calming your own nerves

HISTORY OF MAGIC.

— expect : essays about goblin rebellions, dates, names, and enough dull facts to knock a troll unconscious.

— pro-tip : memorize key events, and for the love of Merlin, don’t fall asleep during the exam

ASTRONOMY.

— expect : sketching star charts in the dead of night and pinpointing celestial bodies under pressure

— pro-tip : coffee beforehand, steady hands, and a cloak because midnight chills will be the thing that takes you out if you aren’t prepared

DIVINATION.

— expect : interpretations of tea leaves, crystal balls, or dreams (bonus if you actually predict something !!)

— pro-tip : make it sound convincing. a little flair in your “visions” goes a long way

ARITHMANCY.

— expect : complicated magical equations that make everyone want to die

— pro-tip : if numbers scare you, study harder. there’s no winging this one

★⋆. — THE PANIC TIMELINE.

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔

2 MONTHS OUT … the studious ones hit the books. everyone else starts to think about hitting the books

1 MONTH OUT … libraries turn into battlegrounds, textbooks become pillows, and caffeine dependence hits the damn roof

THE WEEK BEFORE … fears, existential crises, and the desperate hunt for last-minute tutors. study groups form out of thin air, and everyone’s all of a sudden best friends with the top students in their year

THE NIGHT BEFORE … cramsville. you’ll see students muttering incantations in their sleep, surrounded by half-eaten chocolate and ink stains. sleep is for the weak

★⋆. — TIPS FOR SURVIVAL.

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔

SNACKS ARE SACRED . chocolate frogs, pumpkin pasties, and licorice wands can fuel the studying like you wouldn’t believe. bring some to exams if you can, for the morale boost

STUDY SPOTS . the Hogwarts library is a blessing and a curse—full of knowledge and unrelenting Ravenclaws hogging every desk. stake your claim early or find an undiscovered nook—behind the Herbology section works wonders

TAKE BREAKS . when your brain feels like mashed mandrakes, step away (you’re not a house elf, you need to take five.) grab a butterbeer, take a walk on the grounds, or sit by the lake and yell existential questions at the giant squid—it’s weirdly therapeutic

FIDGETING . carry a worry stone enchanted with calming runes, or mess around with a stress-relief charm that makes sparks dance between your fingers

SELF-STUDY SPELLS . a mild Calming Draught or a Focus Charm won’t hurt, but don’t go overboard. no one likes a jittery potion accident

DON’T SKIP SLEEP . use a mild Dreamless Sleep Draught if you’re prone to anxiety-fueled nightmares about flunking Charms and accidentally turning yourself into a hedgehog

LUCKY CHARMS . wear something lucky—maybe your favorite socks, a brooch, or that enchanted bracelet that Auntie Freya swears boosts brainpower. confidence comes from the little things

KEEP PERSPECTIVE . keep the big picture in mind: your future career doesn’t rest solely on your Arithmancy grade, and life goes on even if you confuse aconite with asphodel (it happens)

★⋆. — THE AFTERMATH.

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔

once you’ve handed in that final exam parchment, it’s out of your hands, so don’t spiral. sleep for three days, binge chocolate, drink yourself half to death under a strobe light and celebrate with your friends—party like it’s a victory (whether you aced it or bombed.) when your results arrive, just remember: OWLs are a big deal, but they’re not everything. you’ve got magic, and magic finds a way :)

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆. ࿐࿔

[babygurlaura]

REDESIGNING THE ACADEMY

STRUCTURE IN NARUTO

Honestly at times felt we should have seen more of Naruto academy days and think more could have been done showcasing how the ninja system works within Konoha which is a militarized system.

This is essentially apart of my naruto rewrite which creates a system for how ninjas are evaluated and taught within the academy. To start off we’ll start off with the entrance exam into the academy. We know from Shikamaru that you can decide whether or not you want to become a ninja. And also how a lot of ninjas who come from established clans are already taught basic and sometimes advance techniques. So with the idea of an entrance exam it’s meant to essentially evaluate the students ability and place them into the track course that’s fits their skill set.

Entrance Exam: Initial Placement Based on Ability

Purpose: Sort students into tiers or tracks based on their existing skill sets. This allows the narrative to reflect why clan children (like Sasuke, Neji, or Ino) are often more advanced due to family training.

Criteria: Intelligence (strategy, problem-solving), combat aptitude (sparring or basic taijutsu forms), chakra control, and maybe even psychological profiling (to match with senseis later).

Outcome: Students are placed into Track A (advanced), Track B (standard), or Track C (remedial) classes—or more tiers if needed.

Narrative Benefit: Shows Naruto’s underdog status isn’t just social—it’s systemic. He likely tested low due to a lack of home training or emotional instability, so he starts at the bottom tier.

Let’s now proceed with how these classes are leveled and the overall structure. There would be general classes such as history or math it makes sense in the grand scheme seeing the amount of propaganda that takes place within Konoha. But also these general courses would be utilized in strategy, mission planning and so on.

* side note Iruka would be placed as homeroom teacher who looks over all the students files and handles their evaluations *

now onto the tracks.

Shinobi Skill Tracks (Specialized Tiers)

Based on entrance exam results and ongoing evaluations, students are placed into Skill Tracks, each one tailored to their progress:

Track A (Advanced): Clan kids or prodigies like Sasuke, Shikamaru, Neji, Ino, etc.

Track B (Standard): Average students like Kiba, Hinata, and Choji.

Track C (Remedial/Development): Students like Naruto, who struggle with chakra control or combat due to a lack of prior training or trauma.

Track A: Advanced Track (Clan Prodigies & High Aptitude)

Track B: Standard Track (Average Performers with Growth Potential)

Track C: Developmental Track (Late Bloomers & Undertrained)

* side note Tenten was originally placed in track c but after further evaluation felt Track B was more suited for her but i have yet to make that adjustment cause i be working a lot *

One thing I plan on implementing into the academy would be practical mission simulations centered on team work, problem solving, leadership, stamina, and emotional maturity.

The format is basically three students, one from each track placed into a group with a professor often times Iruka to evaluate their teamwork skills mainly.

Always felt like these missions worked based for the academy as practical missions centered around teaching team work and so on.

Narrative Use:

Naruto repeatedly fails missions not because he’s uncooperative, but because others sabotage, ignore, or abandon him, reinforcing his isolation.

Iruka could witness this firsthand, shifting his attitude from skeptical to supportive.

Also for further clarification when it comes to the Track courses it’s a flexible system, students are able to “test into” specific Track A classes while still being officially enrolled in Track B or C. This allows for strength-based specialization and highlights individual talent rather than purely clan status.

How It Works:

Access Type | Requirement | Example Classes

Full Track A Enrollment

Consistently high evaluations across all areas

Sasuke, Neji, Shino, Ino

Partial Track A Access

High scores in specific subjects (written or practical)

Sakura (Genjutsu & Strategy), Shikamaru (Tactics)

Audit Access

Permission from the instructor + a qualifying project

Rock Lee (Taijutsu Theory), Hinata (Chakra Control)

======================================

Lastly how the students are evaluated and how they graduate.

For this purpose there are three evaluations, the first being one that’s done to permit you into the academy and see where your skill set lies. The second being the mid academy evaluation.

Mid-Academy Evaluation: Class Advancement or Early Graduation Eligibility

Purpose: Assess progress and see who is eligible to move up a class tier or skip ahead to graduation training.

Example: Itachi likely tested into Tier 1 from the start, and during his Mid-Evaluation, his Genjutsu proficiency and advanced battle sense flagged him as ready for early genin status.

This also adds stakes—students who don’t progress may be held back or even washed out of the Academy.

Pre-Graduation Evaluation: Readiness Check

This could be the equivalent of what Naruto kept failing—not the final “you pass or fail” moment, but an indicator of whether you're ready for the true graduation exam.

It would include:

Teamwork simulations

Mission mock-ups

Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu grading

Chakra nature, aptitude or potential

Graduation Exam: A Cumulative Test

Each class has a specific "Final Jutsu" (like Naruto’s class using Shadow Clones). It allows the exam to vary depending on the needs of the era, the teacher’s design, or even the village’s political state.

For Naruto’s class:

Passing would mean being able to safely and successfully use a multi-clone jutsu and complete a small mission simulation (like rescuing a “hostage” or retrieving a scroll).

Naruto fails this not just because he struggles with the technique, but because of chakra control and inconsistency, again reinforcing why the "failures" are more holistic than just one jutsu.

======================================

That’s all for my Ninja academy redesign I have made some example schedules for some of the Konoha 11 which shows how the tracks work and what classes they’d be place into. But i hope you liked my lil rambling and concept. This is honestly the most structured i’ve been with my post besides my Uzumaki OC.

[deusvervewrites]

the mention of the heroes v villain exam trope got me thinking bc honestly, the practical simulations of the hero course have a lot of untapped potential. like, of course theres the classic team battles and spars that a lot of fics will fill out class time with, but consider: theres so much to heroics in mha that isnt just fighting! maybe its a stealth centric lesson where someone like hagakure can shine! an information gathering assignment where they need to pull truth out of rumors! hell, im pretty sure theres an entire forest on campus! let them do a class there and get them out of their typical urban/industrial sets!

and like,, theres no setup necessary for it! just toss em into any situation u please! no need to go "oh theres this specific villain, and these students just so happen to be on the right work studies, or any other setup for the Situation At Hand, blah blah," it is simply class time and they are here to learn and perhaps have some fun with their friends!

(this isnt really to say that there are no fics out there with stuff like this, mostly just that i would very much like to see more, so like,,, if anyones got some recs,,,)

(tbh writing this makes me want to get better at writing so i can play with these characters like lil action figures. alas, ive got stuff to do :(

What it Means to Be a Hero had at least two of those and that's genuinely because I was mad about how canon gives us so few canon classes.

[milestonetask]

PMP Exam Prep Knowledge Area Quizzes

PMP Exam Prep Knowledge Area Quizzes PMP Exam Prep demands a robust understanding of the ten knowledge areas outlined in the PMBOK Guide. Preparing for the PMP exam is no small feat, and to aid in effectively assessing your knowledge and sharpening your skills, I have compiled a series of quizzes covering each knowledge area. These PMP Exam Prep Knowledge Area Quizzes consist of comprehensive…

[wrathofrats]

Kinktober day 10: hands

Prompts by @kroas-adtam

Mature, 500 words

Aether/aurora

Aurora gives aether an oral exam

Warnings for: drool, magic use, talks of violence, kinda predator prey, kinda, this isn’t even porn like ???? This isn’t porn I’m just crazy I think

“And what are you here for today sir?” Aurora said in a light tone, reaching to pull a couple blue latex gloves onto her hands.

“Well, You’re supposed to be giving me an oral exam” aether cocked his eyebrow, watching her as she gathered her tools beside her on the small exam table.

“Can you just play along please?” Aurora grumbled, rolling her eyes. Aether gave her a small chuckle, making a mental check of her set up. It was a small test, just to see if she could be trusted in the infirmary without supervision, even if aether knew he could trust her, he wanted to be certain.

“Fine. Nurse Aurora there's a sore in my mouth that’s been bothering me, do you mind checking it out?”

“Thank you, yes I can”

The latex tastes powdery and sharp as Aurora places her index finger on his lips, pushing down for him to open his mouth so she can look inside. Aethers lips are dry, partially cracked due to the dry season. Aurora shines a light to the back of this throat, moving it side to side in an attempt to simulate a real exam. She’s practiced these moves multiple times with aether before on dolls, almost robotically trained in how to be thorough.

Aethers teeth are sharp. Auroras never seen them this close before, pointed canines that shine in the white light of the office along with strong molars. She’s sure if she pushed down too hard with her glove it would rip them. Aurora runs a finger lightly over a sharpened tooth, feeling how dangerous his teeth really are.

“Wow..” Aurora whispered, shining her small light over the top row of teeth. “These could do a lot of damage couldn’t they?”

“They can” aether confirmed as she retracted her finger. He had a confident smile, something cocky from the strange compliment.

“Could just maul anything, or anyone”

Aurora thumbed along aethers lips again, rubbing the bit of saliva that had collected along the dry skin. His lips are pretty, pink and soft, she’s never seen them this close or detailed before. The light returns to shine into his cheek while Aurora pets over his tongue lightly.

Another finger sits heavy on his bottom jaw as she moves to close his mouth, feeling the pin pricks of those sharp teeth against her glove. Aether just lets her. Sits still and doesn’t protest, even when Aurora starts to push her fingers in and out slowly.

“These teeth could sink right into flesh, made for it in fact” aethers mouth started to fill with saliva, coating auroras fingers and running down his lips as she pushed back in. “Rip right into me, could take off a finger of mine if you wanted”

“You wouldn’t hurt me though, would you?” Aurora half joked. Her tone was breathy, as if she almost expected him to answer yes.

Aether doesn’t answer, he can’t around auroras fingers still slipping in and out between his lips, drool now starting to drip down his chin and along the column of his throat.

He had a confused look in his eye, saliva still pooling rapidly as Aurora pushed down on his tongue.

“Being so sweet, if you really wanted to hurt me you would’ve by now” drool was starting to stream down her glove and drip onto the floor from her forearm. Water magic was a hell of a thing, especially as aether still couldn’t piece together what was happening to him.

[eduhubspot]

[eclipsellium]

Why I hate the pomodoro method.

You’ve probably seen someone suggest the Pomodoro method before— you do short sprints (typically 25 mins) followed up by a quick break (typically 5 mins).

I don’t like it, and I will never go back to using it. Don’t get me wrong, it can work really well! My sibling only gets anything done if they use this method, so there is something good about it. However, I’m going to talk about the downsides and what else to do instead of this method.

1. It focuses on time spent rather than results.

Many tasks are quite flexible in how long we take to complete them. Take walking home for example. When I am in a rush to school, it takes about 20 mins uphill, but my legs cramp really bad. When I’m just listening to my music and vibing, it takes about 30 mins downhill.

It's a similar idea for studying. Apply pressure on your learning and assignments, and they get completed faster. Too much pressure, you get exhausted or can’t think straight. (HINT: Procrastination). Too little pressure, and it takes forever to get anything done.

Different results require different amounts of time and pressure.

Trying to strive for a specific time frame undermines what your true goal is: to get some something done. The repetitive cycle assumes a “one size fits all” but that is rarely ever the case. Saying “I studied for two hours today” means nothing compared to “I wrote my essay, read a research paper, and annotated my notes from yesterday.”

2. It discourages focus and flow.

When I was trying out the method, I kept trying to find the ideal time for work and for breaks. The problem is it's never the same. Some days, you are more mentally exhausted and need longer and more breaks, otherwise you are just going to be miserable.

As it is, the five-minute break isn’t long enough to go on a short walk, take a dedicated snack, or fully disconnect. It’s a waste of time that taunts you with distractions that aren’t conducive to a good work environment.

The opposite is also true. Good days can be rare, so when you get into the zone, there’s no reason to come out of it for anything other than a natural transition. A ticking timer to your productivity doesn’t help, and breaking up that “flow state” isn’t maximizing your time or your efforts.

I also haven’t heard many people mention stamina. If you are in school and taking tests, you realize they are typically around the same length (90 - 120 mins where I am). The pomodoro method contradicts this. For a lot of people, focusing and doing your best on a test for such a long period of time can be difficult.

Oh, but that’s just life.

Maybe a part of it is, but you can take steps to improve your stamina during test taking. Spending upwards of two hours studying or taking practice tests, especially leading up to huge exams, can make the test fly by. Simulating test conditions is also a great way to study or increase pressure, which is what long term study periods achieve. Taking longer study periods also relates back to breaks. With the same amount of break time, you consolidate it into a greater block. You can grab a snack, watch an episode of your favorite show, take a walk outside, or do your hair. All fun stuff you can’t do with pomodoro.

3. It brings technology back into the equation.

If you’re using pomodoro method, most likely, its on your computer or your phone. Which means you have to have a device in reach and visible (for work on paper) or be constantly switching tabs (for work online).

Distractions are a huge part of this modern age, which means that you could inadvertently be teasing your mind with a computer game or social media or whatever you enjoy. Even if you don’t give in, you *are* losing focus.

Forget the clocks, forget the devices, forget the notifications. It’s so much easier to be productive if you have nothing else to do and no distractions to take you away from something that, at the heart of it, you enjoy. Because if you hate studying, why are you still reading this??????

This is really long so I’ll make another post about different study methods next week.

[thebunnyslibrary]

Bucky Barnes Valentine's Drabble ❤️

wc. ~1500

pairing. Bucky x Curvy!Reader

summary. Reader is alone and in the gym on Valentine's Day of all days. Until the man of her dreams Bucky Barnes wanders in and offers to be her sparring partner...

an. I had a last minute idea for a drabble......that then morphed into TWO ideas!! Bucky is first up and I have another idea with Loki that I should hope to finish in the next couple of days. (PS I haven't forgotten my last Ficmas fic. I just kind of hit a wall and i'm still struggling to get over it. Maybe this will help.)

Also big shout out to @chasingmidnights for helping inspire me today ❤️

Going to the gym wasn't exactly your first choice of things to start your Valentine’s Day; but here you were. You preferred to come early early, still dark out early, for two reasons. First for being a bit of an early riser yourself. Usually not as early as you were today, but enough that in the summer, you were able to hear the birds sing at breakfast.

 The second that there were less people to stare at you. Confident as you were in your curves, the world had not gotten used to the idea of fat people working out in gyms NOT to lose weight add you’d rather not start today, of all days, that way. Valentine’s Day. You had no real hatred for it. But you did get a little jealous sometimes when you walked in the office and saw so many other desks littered with flowers and candies. But you couldn’t recall a time someone had sent you so much as a single rose.

This year, you’d decided to take the self-care route. You’d ordered takeout last night and tucked it away in the fridge for tonight, along with a slice of your favorite cheesecake from the old-fashioned delicatessen down the street (family owned since the days Tony’s father running Stark Industries). You’d chosen not to weep for your singleness but instead use it as a night of rest and recovery. A good meal, a nice book and your favorite vinyl record along with a long soak in the tub were you self-loves tonight…and your now charging vibrator would take care of the other kind too.  You just had to make it through the day.

                Even though you were a desk jockey, there was a physical exam all SWORD agents had to pass. You weren't extraordinarily physically gifted, but you could kick but in Just Dance when you wanted to. Unfortunately, the virtual reality sparring simulator at the Avengers compound certainly wasn't as fun as silly dance moves to 70s music in your apartment You knew sparring with the examiner wouldn't be like this, but you had no one else to spar with. And that was where Bucky found you.  

"If you'd like I can practice with you, agent." He’d startled you as you quickly removed the virtual reality headset and turned to see him standing there. It was amazing how well he fit into modern clothing.  He was wearing a sleeveless shirt, showing off this metal arm. You’d never seen his arm this closes and you were in awe of the Wakandan craftsmanship. You'd long admired the former assassin, but never thought in a million years he'd notice you. He was the dark contrast to Captain America, the golden boy. Both were incredibly handsome but there was something mysterious about him that drew you to him. You could easily see why he’d been a lady’s man in the 40s. And you were just a desk clerk. You couldn’t compete with the women, all of whom looked like super models, that threw themselves at him.

You looked around, not seeing any one else and turned back to him, standing there and looking at you, a genuine smile on his face. You nodded and quietly responded.

"Uh...yeah. that would be nice."

Sparring with Bucky gave you a much better experience. Being able to actually fight someone who was there instead of just a simulation felt great. Even though you were sure Bucky was taking it easy on you, you were a lot stronger than you thought, not to mention quick. You were able to duck and dodge and lay a few quick jabs to his chest. And that was nothing compared to how confident you felt, and how good Bucky looked. He seemed to be enjoying himself, a smile never leaving his face. Once or twice you’d stared a little too long and he’d gotten a few jabs in, but you recovered quickly. 

 At one point he had his arms around you in a hold and you were amazed how warm he felt. His chest brushed against your back and you let out a little gasp that you prayed to God he didn't hear. But you saw the smirk play at his lips.

"Sorry, doll. I run a little warm cause of the serum."

"It's alright.” You said, sheepishly. “Your touch actually feels nice." You bit your cheek as you realized how wrong that probably was to say. To your surprise, Bucky didn’t mention it.

"Well the best way to pass a test is with the proper tools. Not with Tony’s toys." He said, rolling his eyes. “And your touch feels good too.” You raised your eyebrows in surprise before he continued “You’ve got a good strong grip.” He shot you a wink and you couldn’t begin to process what he meant when the sparring resumed. Bucky and you trained for a good hour or so and by the end you felt much better about the exam.

Bucky also took the time to show you a few new self-defense maneuvers. He was demonstrating a quick way to hit someone in the gut before raising your hands up to hit them in the face.

"It's one fluid movement." He guided your arms. By now you were CERTAINLY used to his touch. Especially in moments like now where you when his arms where wrapped around you to guide you.  You'd never felt more safe and secure.

"Like this...." You jabbed your elbows backwards before swinging are your arms up, hands closed together and you FELT the contact against Bucky’s nose as you'd executed the move perfectly. But your pride turned to panic as Bucky grunted, then started a fit of coughing as you realized what you’d done.

"Holy shit. Oh my God. I mean... oh shit. Uhm. Captain America is gunna kill me.... Sargent Barnes uhm...sir...?? Are you okay??"

Bucky coughed a few more times, before his breathing finally shallowed. His hand was clutch his nose, now paying attention to that and feeling to make sure it wasn't broken before he finally spoke to you.

“Well doll, I certainly didn't expect you to knock the wind out of me twice in one day. But I'll take it. And you can just call me Bucky.” He said and you felt like you were going to faint. Had he just said what you thought he did?

"Wha...what...? Twice?" you said in disbelief.

“Sure doll.” Bucky admitted. “First was when I walked In here today.  Though I have to say you've done it a few times before that" he admitted. “Like the other day when I dropped off that paperwork and you looked so beautiful in your blue dress.” He bit his lip, recalling the memory.

“You're not. You're not serious, right?” He couldn’t be.

“Yeah. Uhm. I am doll. I’ve been wanting to say something for a while but I was worried you were scared of me.”  Your heart twinged a little and you gently placed your hand on his mechanical arm.

“Not at all Bucky. In fact, I’ve liked you for some time as I just…didn’t think you’d notice me. You could have any girl you want and I’m just a desk clerk.” You said. “Not a supermodel or a superhero. Or anything special."

“Hey listen to me. You’re absolutely gorgeous doll. Why do you think I’m the one that’s always bringing you everyone else’s paperwork.” You thought for a moment before you realized it was true. You’d never noticed it but while you often saw other Avengers dropping off work to someone else, whenever something had to come to you, Bucky was always the one to bring it. “It’s the highlight of my day when I get to see you. His words, full of honesty and admiration made your heart swell. He placed his flesh hand over yours and squeezed it tight. You gazed into the crystal blue pools of his eyes as he broke the moment.

“Besides everyone knows it’s desk clerks that makes the world go round. Trust me, My ma worked as a secretary for a while. The stories she could’ve told.” You both laughed at that and you loved his laugh. You weren’t sure you’d ever heard him really laugh before. It wasn’t as deep or boisterous as Thor’s. Rather it pattered and reminded you of summer’s rain on a wooden roof. And you loved the way his shoulders shook, even if it wasn’t that big of a laugh.

“Listen, doll, I know it's super last minute...and if you didn’t already have plans tonight… I We'll never get a reservation anywhere. But you could come back to my place and I could cook you dinner? Maybe we can watch a movie?” Bucky asked. You smiled and happily replied.

                “It's a date.”