#study date vibes

[ashenties]

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🥭 MANGOES & MAYBE 🥭 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

nerdy!kuroo × popular!reader (but lowkey nerdy too) genre: slow-burn fluff | college au | soft academia | mango-coded romance summary: you used to sit beside him like strangers—until a mango thesis, late night study sessions, and quiet conversations about ester bonds changed everything.

You weren’t exactly close.

For the longest time, you and the guy next to you in Chem-Finance were just… there. Sitting beside each other. Sharing space, but not words.

He was quiet. Diligent. All sharp angles, messy hair, and pen caps always tucked between the teeth. Always scribbling notes with laser focus and mumbling formulas like he was reciting spells.

And you? Well, people might’ve labeled you “popular,” but they didn’t know you stayed up late reading research papers just for fun. Especially anything related to organic chemistry and food science. You didn’t talk about it much—most people tuned out at the word "isomer"—so you kept it to yourself.

Until one day, after weeks of shared silence, you leaned toward him before lecture started and asked, “Hey… random question. Would you help me with a food chemistry thesis?”

He turned to you slowly. “Depends on the fruit.”

You grinned, a little nervous. “Mangoes.”

He froze. Blinked. Then the faintest smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Elite choice.”

“You think?”

“Mangoes are chemically fascinating. Ripening rate, sugar-acid balance, volatile compounds—it’s like fruit alchemy.”

That made you perk up, pleasantly surprised. “Exactly! That’s why I picked it. The ester interactions alone could take up an entire section.”

Now he was staring at you like you’d just revealed a hidden level of a video game.

“…You know esters?”

“Um, yeah. I’m majoring in food chemistry and finance.”

He blinked again. “No way. I’m chemistry and finance.”

You both laughed.

After a beat, he added, “You could look at my strawberry thesis if you want. For reference. Similar structural breakdowns.”

“Strawberries? Aren't strawberries... kind of boring?”

“excuse me? they’re a polyploid hybrid with over 600 volatiles and complicated parentage. I liked their duality—how they’re considered berries, but technically aren’t. Plus, they oxidize stupidly fast once cut. They’re a mess.”

You smiled. “That’s why you picked them?”

He looked sheepish for a second. “Also my ex liked them. So I thought maybe if I understood their chemical structure, I’d understand why she sucked.”

You snorted. “You tried to decode heartbreak through fruit?”

“I got an A.”

“That is lowkey impressive.”

From that day on, you brought him a small Tupperware of fresh mango pieces to class. He always accepted them with quiet reverence—and without fail, every time, he’d offer you a mango fun fact.

He announced one morning as you handed over the container, already opening it up and popping the fruit in his mouth “mango trees can live for over 300 years and still bear fruit.”

You paused mid-sip of your coffee, arching a brow with interest. “So basically, they’re the sugar daddies of the plant kingdom.”

Kuroo sputtered around the mango, half-laughing, half-struggling to recover.

You just grinned, grabbing a pen and sliding into your seat beside him. “Resilient and generous. Nature really peaked with that one. Oh and technically, I'm feeding you immortal snacks. How cool is that!”

He wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, smirking. “Cool enough to make me believe in soulmates with a fruit-based origin story.”

You started spending more time together after that. Studying. Swapping notes. Late-night library sessions where he explained reaction mechanisms and you countered with theories about flavor extraction in ripe versus overripe fruit. It was the kind of nerdy chemistry (pun very much intended) that felt easy.

He didn’t talk much at first, but when he did, he was sharp, teasing, and way more sarcastic than you’d expected. The quiet guy beside you turned out to be funny, lowkey cocky, and borderline annoying in the most endearing way.

But he never interrupted your train of thought. Never tried to one-up you. Just matched your energy and let you be.

That alone? Made him addictive company.

So when he turned to you after finance management class one day, scratching the back of his neck, and said, “Hey… there’s a cafe down the street doing a mango-themed menu,” you raised a brow.

“Oh?”

“Mango mousse. Mango sticky rice. All kinds. Thought you might want to join me for some… scientific research.”

You smiled. “Using me as an excuse to eat mangoes?”

“Definitely. Also, I think I’ve officially been conditioned. You feed me mango after class and now my brain expects it.”

You laughed. “Are you asking me out?”

He smirked. “I’m inviting you to assist me in a controlled, mango-based sensory experiment.”

“…That sounds dangerously romantic.”

He shrugged. “Only if the data supports it.”

She gave him a soft smile, "Text me the timings and address. I'll see you later" before turning around and leaving him a smiling fool

[torksmiths]

jameses from last april. huuuge fan of this weird guy

[aventurineswife]

This is more self indulgent so you don’t have to write about but uh imagine living a shojo manga life with dan heng

Ever since I made a valentine art pierce of high school au with dan heng im like thinking of so many scenarios

Like… reader and dan heng are in the same class and reader REALLY likes dan heng ever since he started tutoring them for one of their classes and they started to hang out with him after that. However they don’t think Dan Heng is the type to be into romantic stuff so they often hide it and is just satisfied by being dan henf’s friend. What reader doesn’t know is that dan heng is as equally pining for us and whenever reader looks away he just blush so hard he crunches down behind a Linsey shelf to compose himself. I should also mention dan heng wears glasses here.

One random afternoon during lunch in an empty classroom, he confessed and they had their first kiss in that classroom (idk the moment is just… wholesome).

Now they go on study dates :3 be it at the library, empty classroom, cafe, or at one of each other’s houses.

I’m such a wimp for dan heng ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´ω`ﾟ)ﾟ｡

“You Were the Answer to Every Question I Didn't Ask”

Summary: You’ve had a crush on Dan Heng ever since he started tutoring you, but you never thought he was the type to be into romance. Satisfied with just being his friend, you keep your feelings hidden—unaware that he’s been just as smitten with you. One afternoon in an empty classroom, everything changes when Dan Heng finally confesses. From that moment on, study sessions turn into study dates, and you both slowly learn what it means to be in love.

Tags: Dan Heng x Reader, Fluff, High School AU, Mutual Pining, Slow Burn, First Kiss, Study Dates, Soft!Dan Heng, Shoujo Manga Vibes, Friends to Lovers.

The first time you noticed Dan Heng, he was sitting in the corner of the library, completely absorbed in his book, adjusting his glasses every now and then as he read. He was quiet, distant even, but somehow, that only made him more intriguing.

You weren’t the best at one of your subjects—let’s just say math wasn’t exactly your strong suit—and when your teacher suggested tutoring, you hadn’t expected Dan Heng to be the one assigned to help you. At first, you thought he might find it a hassle, but he never complained. He would patiently go over problems with you, explaining concepts in a way that actually made sense, his voice always calm and steady.

That’s when it started. The crush.

It wasn’t anything dramatic—just small moments, like the way his expression softened whenever you understood something, or how he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose when he was deep in thought. Little things that made your heart beat just a bit faster.

But Dan Heng wasn’t the type to be into romantic things, was he? He was always composed, always in control. You didn’t think he was the kind of guy who cared about love confessions or cute couple things. So, you hid it. If being his friend was all you could have, then that was enough.

Or at least, that’s what you told yourself.

One random afternoon, the two of you ended up in an empty classroom during lunch. You had been reviewing for an upcoming test, your notebook open in front of you, but honestly, you weren’t focusing. Not when Dan Heng was sitting beside you, sleeves rolled up slightly, glasses sliding down his nose as he wrote something in his own notebook.

Your mind drifted—what would it be like if he liked you back? If he looked at you the way you looked at him?

“[Name].”

You blinked, realizing he had been staring at you.

“Huh?”

His gaze flickered away for a moment before he let out a quiet sigh. “You’ve been staring at me for a while.”

You felt your face heat up instantly. “I—I was just—”

Before you could come up with a reasonable excuse, he closed his notebook and exhaled. He looked almost nervous, which was rare for him. You weren’t used to seeing him like this.

Then, in a voice quieter than usual, he said, “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

You tilted your head. “What is it?”

Dan Heng hesitated, pushing up his glasses as if gathering his thoughts. Then, in the next moment, he spoke, his words careful but certain.

“I like you.”

You froze.

It took a second for your brain to catch up, to process the words that had just left his mouth.

Dan Heng liked you?

Your heart skipped several beats, and your mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. Meanwhile, he looked away, his usual calm demeanor betraying just a hint of nervousness.

“…You don’t have to answer right away,” he murmured.

That’s when you realized—he thought you didn’t feel the same.

Before you could overthink it, you reached for his hand. “I—I like you too.”

His head snapped up, and for the first time, you saw his composure crack completely. A soft pink dusted his cheeks, his lips parting slightly in surprise. It was endearing—so much so that you didn’t think before leaning in.

The kiss was soft, tentative. Just a brush of lips, but enough to make your heart feel like it was going to explode.

When you pulled away, you could see the way Dan Heng’s ears had turned red. He looked down, one hand subtly gripping the edge of the desk as if grounding himself.

You let out a small laugh. “You’re blushing.”

His gaze flickered to you, then away again. “You were staring first.”

You smiled. Maybe he wasn’t as composed as he always seemed.

From that moment on, everything changed.

Your study sessions turned into study dates. Sometimes at the library, where he would let you borrow his notes (which were somehow neater than the textbooks). Other times at a café, where he would quietly push his dessert toward you, pretending he wasn’t in the mood for sweets when in reality, he just wanted to share.

Once, you even ended up at his house, where he awkwardly made you tea before pulling out his books. You couldn’t focus much that day—he looked way too cute wearing his casual glasses, sitting beside you in his hoodie, quietly reading while you tried (and failed) to actually study.

He still wasn’t the type to openly do romantic things, but he had his own way of showing affection. Like how he’d wait for you after school, even if he didn’t say much. Or how his fingers would linger just a little longer when he handed you something. Or how, whenever you looked away, he’d quietly push up his glasses, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he watched you.

And maybe, just maybe, you weren’t the only one who had been pining all along.

[planeentertainer]

Like the sky is falling

[yang-jin-seo]

Day 48 💻

2025.4.20

[royaltea000]

I like the human actors a lot too! (I say as if the actors weren’t initially human)

[tizian-a]

it's missing the louvre hours

[hallucicated]

[luna-the-cretar]

So I was thinking about my Shepnax highschool au, and thinking about what subjects the boyos would be good at and. Idk. I feel like Shepherd would be really good at like math and science (specifically the more mathematical science, like physics).

Like, I get the feeling he probably has dyslexia or something (idk why, just vibes), so he’s probably not the greatest at reading, and because of that, a lot of people think he’s not all that bright. That is, until you give him a calculus equation and he can solve it so quickly with minimal use of the calculator.

Sarnax, on the other hand, is the opposite. He does exceptionally well in subjects such as English, history, and social studies, but struggles with math (am I just projecting? Maybe, you don’t know). So much so that it’s almost embarrassing.

I feel like they would study together a lot. Sarnax would read over Shep’s essays and correct any spelling and grammar mistakes, and Shep would help Sarnax understand his math homework. Sarnax doesn’t judge Shep for his mistakes, and Shep is uncharacteristically patient with Sarnax if he’s having a hard time understanding.

I am. Very normal about them. And I have been thinking about this au a normal amount.

[enbysiriusblack]

gay and wondrous life of caleb gallo as marauders:

caleb gallo- sirius

karen- lily

billy- james

benicio- remus

freckle- peter

lenjamin- marlene

tatiana- pandora

[coffeeismycallsign]

still waiting on a bookshelf to arrive to my new place. Moving, working, and studying can take a lot out if a person.

[thebrokenmechanicalpencil]

Red Stripes

( @quibble-auk gonna jump in the time line a bit, gonna get out of order real fast. This takes place after Comet has healed a bit, he's closer with Jep and Dropmix. Drop is doing his old man solitaire with his not son in a chair beside him. Dropmix takes Comet out on his field medic stuff off record so he can eat, overall Comet's doing better. This is before Jazz shows up though, soon but not yet.

Also he's friends with Echo :D)

tw. Grief, angst, sad stuff in general. Custody au.

--

“Did you update your frame? Or did Dropmix finally feed you?”

Comet jolted sharply at the casual jab, all teasing from Echo of course. 

They were sitting on the edge of the range, Comet tight in his blanket as the cruel wind whipped. Echo was flat with his rifle, aiming far down range. The smaller blue mech had seen the wind as an opportunity to practice his aim in such conditions. Cometeater of course without much to say on the matter helped let him into the locker, and out onto the field. It was a simple kindness.

And Comet got to have some fresh air, he wouldn’t be able to be out too long but it was enough. He enjoyed not smelling disinfectant and being blinded by a light that wasn't just eye meltingly white.

Sideswipe would have recommended he switch the fixtures to something happier, like pink.

Comet had winced at the thought, knowing his brother would have done it. But the idea was still a good one. And it would have made Sideswipe laugh.

Cometeater turned his gaze to the smaller mech and raised his eyebrows, a primal fear making his heart beat faster. 

Echo had noticed something, Echo had seen something. 

The pale green pretender didn’t want to kill Echo.

With practiced calm, knowing if he overreacted it would cause further suspicion, he forced his face to have an almost forgetful expression. Like he was surprised Echo noticed. Maybe. He was hoping that's how it came across, maybe a neutral look would have sufficed?  If Comet-

“Yeah, your..” Echo tapped his gun, soft rhythmic taps punctuated by a flicking movement of his thumb over his knuckles. Not a nervous getsure, Comet reminded himself, just Echo being Echo.

“Your helm is striped now? And I swear you're less..Stringy.” Echo’s voice was teasing, it always seemed to be when the pretender hung around him. Comet allowed his deadpan to fall on the mech, to keep his panic at bay.

Stripes? Comet didn’t have stripes? On his horns? No, those never faded, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe’s patterns were always there..Comet held in a twinge of pain.

He could explain the added bulk, maybe his body had decided he needed more amour?  The pretender’s cells would have enough fuel to do so, even if the threat levels have been low for months now.

He had gone out and fed the day before.  Dropmix as his guide once again, Cometeater felt an odd twinge at the thought of the mech watching over him. How Comet had felt safe.

 Which went back behind the door. Not now.

Comet forced himself to huff softly, he couldn’t just sit silently no matter how much of a good idea it was. Echo..Comet liked Echo.

“Thanks for noticing, I got an upgrade from the old man.”

Echo raised his eyebrows behind his visor, “Really? Your..How old are you to be getting actual frame upgrades?”

Shit. Comet could slap himself, it had been sarcastic? A joke? Well he’s committed now. He needed to search through those journals and find more data on Cybertronian growth cycles. If they did grow. No, they had frame transfers right? When they are sparklings, yes? Upgrades as their sparks grow? 

Not now. Study later, talk now.

Comet almost felt bad, “...Its complicated.” It was a shutoff for any conversation he didn’t want to be a part of. It worked when he first met Echo, and he hoped it would work now. The blue bot had something odd flash across his face, a clench to his fingers and an odd lowering of his doorwings. Cometeater felt guilt snap his gut. He hoped it hadn’t been too blunt. 

“ But the stripes..Yeah I just wanted something different.” Cometeater decided to soften the nip slightly, he had no idea why. It would be easiest to never talk to Echo again. Just sit and let himself drown in his brain. But Comet was sorta over doing that, he had fun talking to Echo when he had the energy. 

That didn’t explain the stripes. What fragging stripes?

The bot lightened up ever so slightly, “Well they look good on you, its..interesting.” Comet forced himself to give Echo a smile, an upturn of his lips. Cometeater looked out around the range as another gust started. 

“If your going to shoot and miss do it now.” It was a jab, but Comet felt his smile grow real when Echo puffed up and chuckled challengingly. 

“Says the one who won’t get within a foot of a gun, just watch.”

Echo did not miss, Comet rolled his optics in response to the triumphant smirk he received. It had been punctuated with a barking laugh. It was enough to keep Cometeater’s mind firmly in the present, and make his lips twitch with a grin.

The warmth did not last when he and Echo parted ways, Comet needed to take care of his newest feature and see if what Echo had noticed was salvageable.

Avoiding most if not all bots, Comet fell into his old habit of slinking through the base. He was in the medical wing without a sound, swept in and out before Jeopardy even had time to notice the doors opened. He had been speaking with some mech, Dropmix at his desk. 

Comet felt that bright optic nick his back when he made it down the mouth of the hall. Avoiding the older mech’s stare was harder said than done. Nothing happened in the dark mech’s domain without him seeing it.

Cometeater made a mental note to come out with a book and sit with him, to discourage any nosiness or suspicion. The idea of being perched near the large medic made his heart slow and calm, maybe he would be able to get some of that research done. It made Comet’s lips twitch with a smile.

Then it dropped. He stood now in front of a mirror in Jeopardy’s room, it wasn't very large but it was enough. Comet choked at the sight of himself.

His horns were duller, but a tad brighter than he had last seen. Armour that pale soft green it had been since.. Since Comet lost them. He shoved the thoughts away and forced himself to focus on his helm, his chest too.

Along the creases of his helm, there were stripes. Thin stripes but stripes all the same. He looked down and along the seams of his collar bones were the same red swatches of color.

The same red as Dropmix.

Mortification and betrayal paralyzed the pretender as he stood shell shocked. His body had, without his consent or even notice, started to mimic the medic.

It's because he had eaten, he had given himself the energy, naturally his flesh wanted to fit in. To be as safe and as stable as possible.

Long ago in the pits he had lightly copied his brothers. Horns and their markings deeply reminiscent of their own, it was a piece of Comet he cherished. 

But his instincts had just spat on it.

He loved his brothers, he adored them. But he knew that his instinctive change had been a manipulative one to keep him safe. A happy accident.

His brothers gone, his body chose a new subject to add and catalogue. To attach himself to.

It felt like a betrayal.

The pretender silently willed the stripes away, wanting them to go. He had no reason to even allow himself such a thing. It was a link to the mech he knew the medic could never want. Those stripes would bind them.

Dropmix did not love him like the twins did. Or even at all. The mech allowed him, the mech let him stay because Jeopardy loved him.

Why couldn't he have copied Jep?

Because Dropmix made Comet feel safe, protected.

Like the twins did.

The grief was too much to bear as Comet began to cry, sobs curling over his teeth. He had been doing so well, he hadn’t cried in days. He was happy. For a moment everything was ok.

But his brother’s were dead, and Comet had to just go and spit on their love for him. 

Cometeater cried harder because he knew Dropmix wouldn’t want him. Those marks meant he was safe, that Dropmix was something worth imitating.

A disgusting organic trait that would make the ex gladiator wrinkle his nose. 

Comet could see it in his mind, that disgust, the anger. That Comet would dare think that he was anything special to him. 

More cries tore through the pretender, the conflicting breeds of pain overwhelming.

The red stripes still sat, his body firm in its counsel.

[yang-jin-seo]

Day 23 🧭

2025 3.26

[bardengarde]

Billy Joel may be a Houilhawk warrior..... results pending.....

[youremyonlyhope]

I'm not a "new musical theatre style music" person. Never have been.

Even when I was doing voice lessons, I'd steer towards the golden age or jazzy musical theatre songs. My voice teacher would have to drag me kicking and screaming towards adding anything new musical theatre to my repertoire. For a while, the most modern song in my book was I Know The Truth from Aida, and I wouldn't count that as new musical theatre style since I mean more the Pasek&Paul or Joe Iconis type.

And now I have an audition coming up for a small production of a show in that style and I'm supposed to sing a song in a similar style. And I'm looking at all my sheet music like... let me do some Cole Porter... or Gershwin... at least Sondheim please...

[hallucicated]