#this open lecture involves both topics

[kavardakmaria]

CONCLAVE | PROFESSORS AU

— There was no need to put your elbow here. That’s an invasion of my personal space.

— The composition’s better this way.

— As if you know anything about photography.

— As if you know anything about common sense.

— Professors! Can you please look at the camera, we don’t have much time before your lecture.

Partially inspired by this fic by roypeloy and by the photo under the cut

[grandline-fics]

id like to request something - desperate kiss prompt with kid💗 love how you write him hihi

DESCRIPTION: Prompt: Desperate Kiss

WARNINGS: none

CHARACTERS: Kid

WORDS: 822

A/N: Thank you for the request! I also didn't realise it's Kid's birthday until I was finishing this. I hope you like what I came up with for Kid and this particular prompt

*REQUESTS ARE OPEN*

DIRECTORY | PROMPT LIST

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Kid was always so self-assured, confident to the point some would call it arrogance. He was a true pirate, he wasn’t going to just roll over and let someone else take something he wanted. He also wasn’t going to just give up on pursuing something he wanted because someone was there first. Life was too short in his eyes to live anything but how he wanted and he did it unapologetically. Kid thought he was unshakable and never considered himself capable of hesitation. Then you had to come along and throw a wrench into his perception and the worst part? You had no idea what you did to him and with every passing moment of being around you he felt like he was slowly losing grip on the situation and going mad. 

On the calm, dark waters the Victoria Punk idly sailed through Kid had settled into his watch for the night. Knowing how bored Kid could get you decided to join him at least for a little while. To pass the time you shared a drink and idly chatted, mostly reminiscing about past adventures and tavern brawls. Which led you to talk about the most recent trip on shore that had gotten out of hand. 

“That poor guy didn’t have a clue what was happening.” You laughed with a small shake of your head. “Did you really have to punch him with your metal hand though?”

“Why not? Fucker had it coming.”

“Maybe it was the drink I had that night but I can’t remember him really doing anything to warrant a fight until everyone got involved.” You tired to focus your memory but still nothing came to mind. “I mean one minute he was boasting about his own crew then you appeared.”

“You forgot the part he tried to recruit you to his crew.” Kid explained and you gasped, reaching out to grab Kid’s arm as the memory sharpened. 

“That’s right!” You laughed, how could you have forgotten? Then you grinned broadly. “Were you scared I’d be sweet-talked into switching crews?”

“Don’t be a moron.” Kid scoffed, doing nothing to move away from your touch. “I wasn’t letting some nobody think he could take what’s mine.” Your smile stretched at Kid’s choice of words. You were part of the crew long enough to interpret what he’d been trying to say. You were his crew, a member of his family and he was a very possessive person and violently protective of the things that were important to him. To think his motivations went beyond looking out for a member of his crew wasn’t even in your mind to consider. 

“That’s what makes you the best Captain there is.” You smiled before finishing your drink. With a sigh you got up from your seat, taking his empty mug into your hand as well. Kid watched you carefully, his mouth falling into a scowl as he realised you were turning in for the night and he still had a handful of hours to endure a boring watch. You spotted his sour expression and mistook it for the earlier topic of conversation. Playfully you rolled your eyes and leaned down, pressing a kiss against your Captain’s forehead. “Promise I’m not going anywhere Captain. Stop worrying okay?”

You smiled and as much as you wanted to head straight to bed, you instead began to head for the kitchen to leave off the mugs you’d both been drinking from. The last thing you wanted was a lecture from Killer about the deck being left in a mess needlessly. Behind you, you could have sworn you heard Kid mutter ‘fuck this’ and thought he was cutting the rest of his watch short because of of how quiet it was. It wasn’t the first time he’d done something like that so it wasn’t entirely unexpected. What was unexpected though was when you heard his rushed footsteps drawing closer. As you reached for the door to the galley you were sharply turned and your back pushed against the solid wooden door. “Kid, what the-”

Before you could finish your question, Kid’s hand secured itself against your hip and his lips pressed hungrily and eagerly against yours. Fuelled purely by the desperate need for you to see him as more than just a Captain and desperate for you to finally see how he felt about you he couldn’t help but act the way he had. Against your lips, his arrogant grin crept in when he heard you drop the mugs in your hands as your mind caught up to what was happening. As the clattered loudly against the floor, you grabbed his arm and the back of his neck, returning the kiss at last with equal need. Inwardly he berated himself for doubting himself and hesitating making a move, because had he known kissing you would be like this he would have done this a long time ago.

——————————————-

TAG LIST (If I’ve missed anyone or if you want to be added just let me know) @3v37773, @tsaaps , @i-am-all-love-puns-and-lazy , @sanemisnonexistenteyebrow , @fiery-captain-spider-santa, @kabloswrld , @atanukileaf , @ane5e , @stuckinthewrongworld , @deathsmajestysworld , @cloudysunset04 , @chillerkiller , @extremely-ashtridic , @decayingpizza , @liesatemyocean , @ace-for-ace , @nerium-lil , @destynelseclipsa , @dreamcastgirl99 , @my-name-is-heartache , @iamn1ya ,  @yunho-leeknow , @hinata7346 , @h0oouwlss , @missrandomdreamer , @sleepykittycx , @ddawn111 , @jaygrl22 , @sylum , @acehyacinth , @resident-cryptid , @treelogirl , @maellem , @its-a-dam-blue-brick , @thulhu , @appalost , @dindjarins1ut

[brodygold]

The Lecture

Bruce slid into his usual seat in the front row of the lecture hall, noting his best friend, Sawyer, already there. Sawyer was hunched over his desk, rearranging his meticulously organized notes. His wide-rimmed glasses slid down his nose as he adjusted his pocket protector, crammed full of pens in every color imaginable. The faint glow of his acne-covered cheeks highlighted his enthusiasm.

Bruce set his worn-out bag on the floor and pulled out his trusty notebook, a favorite blue pen, and his lucky number 2 pencil. He also placed two highlighters—yellow and green—on the desk for easy access. He and Sawyer exchanged quick grins, ready for another one of Dr. Hanson's legendary physics lectures.

"I heard we're talking about quantum particles today!" Sawyer whispered excitedly, the grin on his face wide enough to show his braces.

"Poggers, Sawyer! I've been waiting for this since the semester started," Bruce replied, his voice buzzing with equal enthusiasm.

While Bruce didn't sport Sawyer's stereotypical nerdy look, he had his own geeky charm—a mop of unkempt blonde hair that fell past his shoulders, a pair of noise-canceling headphones permanently dangling around his neck, and a gamer’s gut, nurtured by too many late-night snack breaks. They were an inseparable pair, their shared passion for science and gaming solidifying their bond.

As the rest of the lecture hall filled, a hush fell over the room when the door banged open. A young man, probably in his late 20s, strolled confidently to the podium. His athletic build was hard to miss under a tight gold jersey, the fabric hugging his broad chest and biceps.

"Hey there bros. You all can call me Mr. Gold. Or Brody if you're feeling more casual."

Sawyer shot his hand up. "Mr. Gold, where is Mr. Hanson? He didn't say anything about missing class today."

"Great question, bro. I actually ran into him on his way to class and we had a nice chat. We both decided it might be good for me to give a guest lecture today while he runs some errands." Mr. Gold took the opportunity to write the title of the lecture on the board:

The Physics of Football

"Ew. Sports." Bruce thought.So much for quantum particles. He didn't even like playing video games about sports, and now they were forced to learn about the "math and science" behind it all? He wondered if he should just get up and leave, but he was sitting in the front and everyone would see him. Might as well just sit and listen to what Mr. Gold had to say.

"Now it might sound strange to you nerds, but there's actually a lot of math involved in sports. The players may be too dumb to do the calculations in their head, but they're there. Let's go over an example."

Mr. Gold turned around and started drawing on the board. It was easy to see it was one football player throwing the ball to another.

"Let's say that during the play, the QB wants to throw the ball to the wide receiver. Thanks to forces like gravity, the ball will eventually land. The tricky part is getting the ball to land in the receiver's hands. Let's say he throws the ball and the two are 70 yards apart. What shape is the path of the ball?"

Pfft. That was an easy question. Bruce went to put his hand up and give the answer, when his mind suddenly went blank. He knew they'd just covered this exact topic in his calc class, but nothing came to mind besides "curve." He tugged at the collar of his button down, feeling uncomfortable in it all of a sudden.

"Anyone? Guess we have a bunch of dumb jocks in this class." Mr. Gold let out a chuckle. "The answer is 'parabola.' The ball travels in a parabola from the quarterback to the receiver. Now let's just say the equation representing the parabola is as follows." He turned back around and wrote a relatively simple equation on the board.

"Now obviously the dumb jock isn't going to know what the equation is when he throws the ball. He just goes off of instinct and practice. But there's so much we can figure out from knowing the exact equation. For example, we can figure out when the ball hits the ground. Any idea how we might do that?"

Bruce scoffed. Another easy question. You just sent the equation equal to zero and... and... damn it! This was supposed to be so simple to a nerd like him! His mind felt like it was slowing down. Though the football example was making more sense now. He was getting a bit invested in it and could see Sawyer was too, the other nerd having taken off his glasses to better pay attention.

"You bros really are dumb jocks, huhu." This time some of the guys in the class laughed along, their voices seeming deeper than Bruce remembered. Maybe he shouldn't have stayed up all night binging that new space documentary series. "Let's work through it together nice and slow. We set the equation equal to zero like so. Then we just need to solve for x. Simple algebra at this point. Why don't we try it ourselves and see what we get?"

Bruce tried to solve the equation in his notebook, but he found it harder to hold the pencil. His hands almost seemed meatier than they should be. His grey t-shirt felt great though. Nice and tight, just how he liked it! But seriously, who would ever need to know this stuff? Like Mr. Gold said, it's all instinct and practice anyway!

"Alright bros. Did any of my dumb jocks get the answer? You should have gotten 6 seconds. By the blank looks on your faces, it seems you all may be a bit too dumb for this. I was going to ask if any of you remembered how derivatives worked, but why don't we all go throw the ball around outside instead?"

Bruce let out a yell of approval with all the other jocks in the class. He turned to look at his best bro Sawyer and gave the hot jock a fist bump,. Who cared about any of this nerd crap anyway? He looked at the golden jersey he was wearing with pride. The Golden Army was his home, through and through. He was just in school to get a sports management degree and work full time for the best team ever made!

Mr. Gold smiled at the cheers. "Excellent. Class dismissed."

[animeyanderelover]

Platonic headcanons ,Gun and killua with freind who is like the sweetest ,cooler and funny between them,but sometimes is just secretive about his life like his homeland and family,her nen ability is like controlling other people's bodies and minds by their blood and making weopens in any way she likes from her own blood and even clones of her self by using blood that's strong,

Tw: Yandere themes, possessive behavior, obsession, delusional mindset, stalking, protective behavior

Tags: @jamayah @chxxz @leveyani @cynniical @shenryu-sama @maggiequinn59

Best friend with blood abilities

🎣🪀Being discreet is certainly not one of Gon's strengths as his attempts to be subtle are everything but that as he often finds himself bluntly questioning you about your origins and family. His mind works rather simple after all. Killua, him and you are a trio so there are no reasons he can think of why you would withhold such information from him and his friend. Killua is the one who has to always pull him back and lecture him about his reckless approach about a topic you clearly do not wish to talk about. After all if his idiot friend gets too pushy you might start withdrawing yourself even more and this is something neither Killua nor Gon want. Obviously secretly Killua is curious and concerned about your past as well but he has learnt the art if being more subtle about it better than Gon and as an assassin he is very observant when it comes to your body language so as soon as he notices that the topic makes you uncomfortable he pulls back instead of being pushy like Gon would be.

🎣🪀Normally you are always funny and sweet yet there are moments where you are just somewhere else with your mind and get oddly quiet, a distant look in your eyes as soon as someone questions you about your home and your family. There has to be a connection somewhere and both Gon and Killua have caught up to the fact that you are trying to forget about your home and your family for unknown reasons. Something must have quite obviously happened though yet neither of them knows what exactly uccured and that does trigger their protective instincts. If it comes to family troubles Gon is confident that you should have no reason to keep any secret from him and Killua though. After all he grew up without any parents at all whilst Killua was raised in a professional family of assassins and for that had a very unique childhood to put it in nicer terms. Neither of them would judge you yet you still remain silent, something that greatly bothers the green-haired boy.

🎣🪀Killua shares in this point actually some views of his friend. If it comes to a troubled family life he could write you an entire novel. He's currently also trying to distance himself from his own family and their legacy simply to live his own life so he might be able to greatly sympathise with you if your past also involves a messed up family environment. As protective he is and as eager as he also is to find out what it is that is torturing you about your life before meeting them he can also understand why you perhaps wouldn't want to tell others. He's quite nonchalant about his background and his profession but he can imagine what some of the thoughts are that are going through your heas as he is sure he experienced the same thoughts as you at one point in his life. All of that flies over Gon's head though who feels like you don't trust them fully by not telling them more about yourself. He has never withheld any secrets from you and even Killua has opened up greatly to you over the course of your friendship.

🎣🪀Even if your Nen ability has an undeniable creepy factor to it, neither of those two really give the scariness of your powers too much thought. Throughout their adventures they have met enough Nen users with impressive and scary abilities after all, you are just one of many. Gon probably doesn't even recognise just how intimidating your Nen ability can be initially. Killua is quicker to catch on. As a trained assassin he realises how useful your ability would be to discretly infiltrate, gather information, torture and kill someone and he is probably the one who would give you the most creative ideas on how to wield your blood abilities, some of them pretty gruesome and reflective of his past as aprofessional assassin from a very young age on. Since all three of you have most likely spent a lot of time training together both have seen what you have accomplished over the years and vice versa. You're capable of defending yourself yet protective feelings are hard habits to be shaken off.

🎣🪀Killua at least is wise enough to know when he should interfere and when not as he has quite a good grasp on your powers and your abilities. He's always observed you sharply and has even fought against you as a form of training a couple of times before all to know how strong you are and what you can do. A part of him is impressed with the range of your Nen abilities but the other part is slightly paranoid and worried that one day you might want to part ways with them since you can fend for yourself perfectly alone. Gon is the one who infuriates you more though as he is more insensitive to your capabilities and always rushes in to give you a helping fist even if you could have handled the situation all by yourself. He's always so confused when you later on start arguing with him, angry that he interfered. He probably doesn't even realise it himself but he is subconsciously babying you all of the time even if he argues against your accusations and merely states that he knows that you're strong but he wants to be there just in case something goes wrong.

🎣🪀The three of you are inseparable though as Killua and Gon have dragged you with them through all of their adventures, some of them fun and some of them rather dangerous but the three of you ultimately always left still alive. As time passes though Killua is worried that one day you will go your separate way and forget about them, a concern that Gon doesn't seem to share when Killua talks with him about this. In Gon's mind the three of you will stay best friends forever and that your bond will never be severed, a naive and painfully delusional optimism that his white-haired friend doesn't share. In a way it is Killua who makes Gon subtly more paranoid about the aspect of you breaking off all contact with them later on in your life because soon after Killua has shared his worries with him he asks you repeatedly that you would never think about moving on and forgetting about them. After all the three of you will always stay friends forever, right?

[flowersandbirdsflyingfree]

Hiii ✨️ I have a little ask for you!

How would the Primis crew react to a fem S/O that's generally quiet and reserved, only to learn that she is a big nerd when it comes to her special interests? Maybe she info-dumps and gushes about her knowledge of her special interest, and that's how they learn that she's really smart.

I, myself, am a huge nerd when it comes to astrology. Yet not many people know that 😅

Do take your time. I love your work 🩷

-🌾

AAAAAAAAAAAA THANK YOU SO MUCH💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

I know I have to do this one!!! As a bonus, I'll throw in my personal headcanons for their astrological signs

Reactions of Primis: Quiet Fem S/O Excitedly Info-Dumps Their Passions (Includes Personal Perspective about Astrology)

Edward Richtofen - Sagittarius

His mind is always running a mile a minute all the time. So already listening to his s/o talk about their interests helps distract from The Horrors™️. Seeing you bounce about with joy after weeks of turmoil puts the softest smile on his face... And the biggest kiss on yours!

Intellectual conversation of any kind is something he needs for a close connection. Sharing one-on-one quality time like this is exactly what helps him thrive in a relationship. Even if a topic isn't something he is knowledgeable with, it will have importance to him if it's important to you.

Richtofen is rather strict about his scientific profession and typically scoffs at any pseudosciences. This is all a façade. What he will never tell you is that he secretly practiced alchemy in the past and has occult involvement with the Illuminati. Nevertheless, he would always be gentle to his s/o. The doctor will simply stay respectful and curious about your interest with astrology. I think in the long-term he might just spill a tiny bit about his practices to you.

Tank Dempsey - Scorpio

Seeing his soft-spoken sweetheart so suddenly excited is a very pleasant surprise (and he hasn't been able to find many good surprises this whole shitshow of an expedition). The fact that you trust him enough to open up so brightly like this helps him grow closer to you. Tank is a very good listener, but please forgive his dopey smiling the whole time. Your soothing voice and happy little mannerisms are making his heart throb. It's truly a sweet thing to see.

You never fail to open his mind to new experiences and interest. You can be both sharp-minded and sweet. Those are just some of many shining reasons why he loves you so much. With that being said, please come to him the moment you need an ear to let you infodump. Tank Dempsey is best known for his loyalty and reliability, so please remember that.

He thinks the mythology behind all the constellations are really cool! Orion is his favorite one. I suggest explaining to him during a stargazing date about the various celestial events while lying down on his chest. If it gets cold at night, he'll have you burrow underneath his leather jacket to keep warm. As for astrology readings, he would like to have his horoscope read (and perhaps get a tarot reading as well with you!)

Takeo Masaki - Libra

Takeo is a strong support who's always there to listen no matter what is on his partner's mind. He’s someone who will listen and nod without interruption. He may chuckle if you start to get jittery with joy about what you’re lecturing to him. Such a vibrant soul hidden in such a timid angel!

Takeo’s presence is very patient. If by chance you feel worried about “talking too much”, he reassures you that you could never do such a thing. You deserve to be able to thrive in what makes you so happy. And for shame on whoever tried to invalidate what you had to say!

Out of everyone in the Primis Crew, Takeo is the most spiritual without a doubt. He very much believes every soul carries a fundamental purpose. Being a more introverted soul, he can often be found reflecting in solitude. He would be able to discuss the philosophy of destined fate and similar divination topics with ease. Because it can go hand in hand, I think he would be able to perform a bit of Reiki healing if you were feeling particularly stressed.

Nikolai Belinski - Aries

Nikolai is already doting on you to begin with as his quiet yet kind girlfriend. Once something inspires you to express yourself, he is taken aback by how much passion you have for your special interest. It keeps him wondering more about you. You’re just a beautiful enigma he so desperately wants to know more of!

He’s more of a listener, but his add-ons to the conversation are either genuine questions to learn more about said topic or slipped-in compliments about how brilliant you are. Nikolai also may bring up stories it reminds him of. He could spend hours learning about just about anything you tell him.

The Soviet Union repressed a lot of expression, one of them being astrology. Because of this, Nikolai is completely new to it. Typically, he is a skeptic approaching anything that he comes across. But being his beautiful little treasure, you have the gift to get him to understand that the universe wants what’s best for him. He would grow to trust the divine and the guiding light of fate itself. He says the most profound things that would touch your soul with an enlightening comfort.

[yenonnoff]

h. iwaizumi — my time is important | part 3 (finale)

pairing: iwaizumi x gn!reader

content: mini smau series, university au, swearing, crack, fluff, friends to lovers

synopsis: you've always been a devoted volunteer; the university's bulletin board where all volunteer opportunities are posted, might as well become your second home. however, competition is high. iwaizumi hajime seems to appear out of nowhere and mercilessly fights over the last spot with you every time! why is a busy volleyball player like him spending so much time stealing your spot anyway?

a/n: dates are inaccurate but times are mostly consistent (word count: 6.8k pls forgive me)

...my time is important | part 1, part 2, part 3 (finale)

endless chatter. countless voices spilled onto the walls and tables of the cafeteria. 

osamu occupied the seat next to you, his twin brother sitting on the other side. atsumu yawned, his outstretched arms almost knocked over your food. 

“hey,” you frowned. 

atsumu had annoyed you yesterday with one of his antics and you haven’t fully forgiven him for it. you couldn’t believe what you were reading when you saw his post about you and hajime. it’s safe to say you haven’t forgotten the incident and he hasn’t forgotten his lecture. 

atsumu retracted his arms hastily, a playful “oops” escaping his lips. after another lazy yawn he asked, “do you think he saw the post?” 

“no, hajime isn’t active on twitter,” you replied. “he only goes to check his messages sometimes.” 

your response garnered a whistle from atsumu. “a true hajime expert,” he smiled. 

sometimes you wished you could just throw him into an arena of lions and watch as he struggled. many times you thought this, however this time you were just being unfair. you were upset about how ironic the situation was. you know hajime so well and yet you haven’t properly talked to him in weeks. 

sure there were fleeting moments: waves in the hallways, brief exchanges of smiles, but never full on conversations. none in person, none in text (at least none that didn’t involve the topic of upcoming volunteer events). rarely you’d stop him and engage in idle chit chat, but like always he was whisked away shortly after.

the universe was playing tricks on you. the desire to talk to him—ask about his day randomly, how his volleyball practice was, or simply talk to him without needing a reason—grew and grew. it would be unusual if you discussed these things with him. after all, you were just friends. 

but you wanted to know. you wanted to ask him how he got into volleyball, ask about his high school experiences. you wanted to ask about him. was that so wrong? if you can’t do that as friends then you don’t want it. 

you watched blankly as your food slid towards the right, osamu’s lunchbox coming into view. 

“you’ve been distracted a lot lately, y’know that?” he said. 

you smiled sheepishly. “yeah, i know.” 

“here.” osamu opened his lunchbox and revealed pieces of homemade dumplings. you weren’t surprised at the display. he always made his meals from scratch and was working towards developing his own recipes. he even folded the dumplings in various fun styles. his skills truly know no bounds. 

you were one of his many taste testers, and as always, there was nothing to complain about his cooking. while there’s always room for improvement, you were cont—

“this needs more salt,” atsumu said mid way through chewing. 

you and osamu both looked at him. leave it to atsumu to ruin the mood. 

“talk or chew, don’t do both,” you scolded. 

“who said you could eat one anyway?” osamu asked, sliding his lunchbox back towards him. 

atsumu swallowed the food. he pouted when his brother swatted his grabby hands away from the dumplings. he continued to frown, “oh c’mon. you know i have superior taste buds.” 

“what does that even mean?” his twin sent him a look. 

as they bantered, you finished packing up the remainder of your food, stuffing the container into your backpack. the two stared at you when you stood up, confusion evident in their eyes.

“you’re leaving already?” 

you shrugged. “might as well get to bio early.” 

you waved them goodbye and walked away from the table. the twins were going to leave soon anyway. usually you’d join them on their walk around campus or hang out with them and suna in the music room, but not today. 

osamu’s words came rushing back to you: “you’ve been distracted a lot lately…” 

you couldn’t deny it. this was starting to get out of hand. 

in the corner of your eye you saw him. hajime iwaizumi, who you’d met coincidentally in front of your university’s bulletin board. he sat at a table a little further down from yours, his body facing your direction. he was grinning cheerfully—a rare occurrence but a striking one. you swear his gaiety could light up the whole room. 

you saw the corners of his eyes crinkle. he was paying close attention to whatever seth was saying or doing—honestly you weren’t too sure. everyone else was blurred out, your focus was set only on hajime. 

he laughed again. 

your heart thumped chaotically and you found yourself wondering what was so funny. for a moment you’d wished you had made him laugh like that. even tooru who sat next to seth was pouting, upset that seth had said a good joke and not him. 

then hajime shifted and glanced your way. first came his softened gaze, then a wave in your direction. 

vermillion kissed your cheeks. you waved back hurriedly and beelined for the exit. hajime had caught you staring. 

for the entirety of biology you couldn’t concentrate. your heart was still hammering against your chest and hajime stubbornly occupied all your thoughts. 

the next day was solely dedicated to preparing for the festival. it’s an annual event that requires the full participation of every department; it’s an annual event that many students dread. 

there are mixed feelings when it comes to the festival: the first half—setting up booths and decorations; navigating through the tight storage room; and working hectically in the heat—is a pain in the ass. this part requires the most heavy lifting and students despise the amount of work needed to be done. however, the later half—the festival fully decorated and finished with large crowds of people roaming the campus—is a wonderful sight. since admission is free to all students, they tend to have a field day after all their work. 

as for you, you enjoyed every single part of the festival (both the beginning and the finished product). being able to provide assistance to other people brings you joy. the festival is just like volunteering except with the bonus of being surrounded by friends and classmates. what more could you ask for? 

others were less optimistic however. all departments at Tokyo University were responsible for setting up food stands or activities. the profit made by each department goes to their respective budget; you’ve witnessed just how intense the competition gets between the different stands. the thought sends a chill down your spine. 

certain departments like art, fashion design, and theatre are able to host exhibits and shows. essentially they’re exempt from having to run around in the boiling heat. but the most exciting part of the festival has to be the music concerts. last year, there were symphony orchestra and jazz band performances; this year, it’s opened up to students. your dear friend suna and his band are going to perform, and you can barely contain your excitement. 

today is only preparation. the real panicking starts tomorrow, the opening day that lasts from 1 to 6pm. 

you could already hear the groans of agony from students as you left your dorm. you couldn’t blame them, honestly you were sure you’ll be complaining later on as well. after all… your department along with a couple others were selected for the afternoon shift. unbelievable. extremely unfortunate. 

shifts only last three hours at most and departments take turns setting up the festival. you couldn’t imagine spending the entire day trying to dig up dusty banners in the crammed storage room. still, three hours is a long time. your department just had to be picked for the shift when the sun’s at its highest. even osamu and seth weren’t this unlucky: their time slot was from 9am to 12pm. they bragged about it when they finished, sending you a selfie of them eating somewhere. 

you arrived to see clusters of students spread all around campus. you rushed to sign in and meet with a Board of Activities member. the morning shift had already set up booths and stands, assembling games and activities. they had done all the basic ground work. the afternoon shift was responsible for organizing the storage room and preparing boxes of decorations and lights for the evening shift. then all they would have to do is unpack everything, set up banners and posters, and test the lights hung around the festival. 

The BoA member gave you your first task: join the others in sweeping and cleaning the storage room. it didn’t take very long. everyone basically half-assed it, the room was going to become disordered and neglected again after the festival anyway. the next task was checking what decorations were available in the storage room. you were given a list of items and were instructed to find the boxes containing them. even with a group of people it took an extensive time to search the massive room. however your shift was quickly coming to a close; there was only one more task but you and the others were already drenched in sweat. hot air was constantly rushing into the storage room and it didn’t help that people were coming in more than they were leaving. 

you gave yourself a pat on the back when you finally finished. the urge to take a nap and an hour-long break was strong, but there was only one more task before everyone could go home. at least the board was generous with their snacks and drinks. 

when the last task came you weren’t sure if you should feel happy or exhausted. all the boxes that were checked on the list needed to be lugged to the front of the campus where it would be unpacked and assembled. it was the last task and the most laborious one at that. at least you could finally get some fresh air. you would be escaping from the suffocating and humid storage room, but your arms and legs would make you pay later. 

students shuffled out of the room with boxes in their hands; many needed a partner, the trip was going to be a long and tiring one. you felt your arms grow weak just by watching your fellow schoolmates. it wasn’t like you could sit by and do nothing; BoA members were present in the room and they take preparations seriously. 

you wouldn’t have minded doing the evening shift. putting up some posters and hanging silly banners didn’t sound so bad! 

you could only sigh and lament on your terrible luck. you went to inspect the lightest box. someone else can get the heavier ones, it wasn’t like you had a partner to help you carry it anyway. 

then voices and laughter distracted you. 

it came from outside the storage room but was approaching closer and closer. suddenly you saw atsumu and other familiar faces step into the room. with his signature smug expression, atsumu waved at the BoA members. even from the back you could hear his obnoxious voice. 

“yo! we’re finished with everything so we came to help.” 

you shook your head in disbelief. usually he would run away from any unnecessary and taxing tasks, but look at him acting all righteous. you wondered who actually brought up the idea of helping the other group in the storage room. you would have to thank them since—

oh. 

oh. he was here. 

you weren’t sure why you hid, your body automatically reacted when you saw hajime enter the room. was that why atsumu was here? you were sure he had some ulterior motive. 

more people were entering the space. they barely looked out of breath or covered in sweat. you turned to check the area that you were in: all the way in the back where the boxes were. there were only two or three people with you there. you needed to leave, exit the room before hajime could see you. 

your thumping heart was betraying you. you knew how you felt. you were happy to see that hajime had the same shift as you; truth be told, you were hoping that he did the entire time. but not now. you couldn’t talk to him here, this wasn’t the right time or place. you needed to leave. 

grabbing the lightweight box from earlier, you made sure to avoid hajime who was walking on the other side of the industrial shelves. you nearly escaped when you forgot about your annoying blond haired friend. he was still talking to the BoA member by the door, clearly trying to avoid helping out. when he turned and saw you, you regretted not staying put. everything was becoming a mess. 

“y/n!” he’d sounded shocked but you weren’t convinced. he beamed, “if it isn’t my favorite person in the whole world.” 

“liar. you said seth was your favorite last week.” 

he winked. “this is a secret, don’t tell him.” 

you rolled your eyes. compared to yours, his hair barely looked tousled. he wasn’t sweating profusely either (which actually might be a good thing). you attempted to sidestep him but he cut you off when you were about to say “goodbye.” 

you stared at him. “what are you doing?” 

“nothing!” 

perhaps you should’ve pushed him out of the way. you should’ve distracted him and left, tell him that a pretty girl was coming and get him to turn away. but you didn’t. you fell right into atsumu’s traps. 

footsteps approached you from behind and a familiar voice made you freeze in place. “y/n?” he called you. hajime was right behind you. 

you couldn’t pay attention to what atsumu was saying. your eyes widened and your legs felt weak. 

then, out of nowhere, atsumu snatched your box and flashed you a cheeky smile. you wanted to chase after him as he left the storage room, but hajime was watching from behind. that sneaky fox used him as a buffer! you weren’t going to forget this.

you peered over your shoulders and there he was. you felt a sense of deja vu standing so close to him in such a familiar place. the two of you were together during last year’s festival preparations as well. this’ll mark the second year. 

“hi, hajime.” you hoped he didn’t notice the falter in your voice. 

“hi, how have you been?” he asked and your shoulders lost their tension. why were you so nervous in the first place? there was nothing to worry about when you were with hajime. 

“i’m fine.” you have no idea what’s happened since the last time we talked. “are you here to help us?” 

he nodded. “i came to ask where the boxes were and saw you. i didn’t know you’d be here.” 

he didn’t, but someone else did. someone who wasn’t going to get away with trapping you like this. 

you weren’t ready to talk to hajime. you didn’t even know what to talk about. however you had to admit, this was the moment you’ve been hoping for. maybe it wasn’t too late to start remembering everything you’d wanted to tell him the past two weeks. 

you tilt your head towards the back. “it’s this way, i’ll show you.” 

“where were you guys before this?” that was the first question you wanted to ask him. 

hajime chuckled, “a lot of places.” 

the two of you were crouched in front of the boxes, both procrastinating on doing the task. the world seemed to slow down, the shuffling of feet in and out felt like a distant noise in the background. you both gazed at one another: hajime—who barely seemed fazed by the hot and humid room—and you—who felt time stopping, your stomach doing backflips at the way he looked at you. 

“we were inside most of the time,” he elaborated. “we helped move some of suna’s band stuff into the assembly room, hung out for a bit, and then got caught by a BoA member.”

you stifled a laugh and said, “of course that happened.”

“then we were ushered to the black box and instructed to organize the backstage.” 

your hand shot up at this. hajime raised a brow and watched you intently. “so while you were going from room to room with proper air conditioning, we were burning alive in this storage room?” 

you stared at him with narrowed eyes and an envious frown. it wasn’t hajime’s fault but still; you wanted to visit the band room and black box too, perhaps even relax under the aircon before getting caught.

the corners of hajime’s lips curled upwards. it was subtle but you were close enough to see it. the motion sent an chilling shock through your body. your cheeks burned—either from the stuffy atmosphere or from your dark haired friend. 

“it’s not as amazing when you realize how picky the theatre director was. she was basically supervising our every move.” 

“oh,” you felt a wave of sympathy. “that sounds terrible.” 

“can’t blame her. those props looked expensive.” 

this triggered an old memory of yours, when you and the twins snuck backstage and atsumu carelessly grabbed an intricate looking sword. he swung it around like a small child who had just won a trophy. little did the three of you know, the sword was actually excalibur and was needed for a musical. nothing was damaged or broken, but you all learned a valuable lesson that day. 

thinking back to that time, you realized how impulsive you were as a first-year. you laughed quietly to yourself, not realizing that hajime was still in front of you. he watched the smile creep onto your face and his features softened. 

“that reminds me,” he said suddenly, “our group got to see glimpses of the rehearsal. the skits are cool, you should check them out tomorrow.”  

“now you’re just showing off.” 

“we also checked out the art departm—“

you nudged hajime with your shoulder. a mistake. you were both still in a crouching position and collapsed onto the floor. a thud reverberated through the room and the two of you erupted into laughter. somewhere along in the conversation you had forgotten about the blazing heat and beads of sweat that tickled down your back. 

hajime helped you up to your feet, a slight grin still present on his face. you couldn’t believe you thought he was scary when you first met. standing at that bulletin board in the middle of the hallway, you thought he was intimidating—unapproachable with that surly scowl on his face. but there was more to him than you could ever imagine. you wanted to know him more; that grin of his carved a soft spot in your heart. 

when you looked around, the storage room was deserted. there was only the two of you and two remaining boxes that laid on the floor. they’ve been waiting to be picked up. how long was your conversation anyway? 

you chuckled hesitantly. “uh oh. looks like we should bring these out quickly.”

the walk to the front of the campus was unbelievably short. hajime listened as you rambled about trivial things: the show you watched before falling asleep last night; how ridiculous your professors were; and the meal that osamu made you last week. 

the two of you arrived, passing a couple students on the way that were fanning themselves with their hands. 

when hajime responded, you knew the conversation had ended. “i’d like to try that,” was all he said. 

you laid the boxes on the ground, careful not to brush your fingers against the hot concrete. you heard a sigh from your left and turned. you shielded your eyes from the sun with your hand. hajime was staring at his phone, thin lines forming in between his furrowed brows. 

“what’s wrong?” 

he glanced your way, his hard expression easing. “it’s just oikawa.” a pause. “if you see him around, please cover for me or just ignore him.” 

you tilted your head in confusion. you were about to comply when a blaring whistle caught the both of you off guard. silence, and then another one. 

hajime smiled, “or not.” 

once again you heard the groans of students as they scattered across campus. they weren’t groans of agony this time, they were sounds of relief. the whistle signaled the end of the afternoon shift; all tasks were checked and completed. 

wait—you thought—not yet. not now. 

things were starting to become normal again. there was so much more you wanted to talk to hajime about; you feared you wouldn’t have another chance after this. 

you wanted to stay with him just a little longer but your body was betraying you. your legs ache and a throbbing pain was coursing through your brain. you needed a shower and a nap desperately. even if you could stay, you weren’t selfish enough to keep hajime here. while he didn’t show it, you knew he was exhausted. 

crowds of students dispersed: some went back to their dorms, some went to eat, and some stayed. those with the evening shift were coming—there was no reason to stay anymore. 

“y/n.” hajime called to get your attention. “are you going back to your dorm?” 

you nodded. 

“do you want me to walk you there?” 

you swallowed hard. you never noticed how much affection he poured into his words when he was talking to you. it’s hard to notice but it’s there. your eyes traveled to his shirt where he neatly rolled up his sleeves, revealing his biceps. he was bothered by the heat after all. 

you smiled at him. “i’ll be fine. thanks for the offer.” 

then with a nod he left. “see you later, y/n.”

a part of you was elated thinking about the next time you’d be able to talk to him. the other part wondered if it’ll actually happen. he’d said the same thing last time and what happened? you were stuck running around in a loop, all your efforts and attempts completely shut down. 

you watched hajime leave, the distance between the two of you growing more gradually. the sight left a bitter taste in your mouth. you didn’t want this. you had already come to your conclusion about your feelings towards hajime; you were just too cowardly to act on them.

he makes you feel a certain way: a desire to be close to him, hear him talk, and see him smile and laugh. you’ve never felt this way towards anyone before and that’s why you didn’t tell him. you endured weeks of pretending that everything was normal—that you were both okay with being just friends. 

you were a coward, afraid that the feelings blooming in your chest would tarnish the friendship you had with him. if things didn’t work out and you had to go separate ways, you didn’t think you could handle that. not talking for weeks was bad enough; not knowing him at all felt hellish. 

so you sealed away your feelings, or at least attempted to. hajime made it difficult for you to do so. everything suddenly reminded you of him and without knowing it, your feelings grew heavy in your heart until you felt it would burst. 

you should’ve put an end to this a long time ago but you still had a chance. tomorrow was the festival and the perfect opportunity to confess. you’d swallow your cowardice and tell hajime your feelings. you’d face him and he’d give you his undivided attention as always. 

if it’s with hajime, then you want to try. 

on the day of the festival you arrived two hours before it opened. 

you saw students scrambling from one place to another; it wasn’t as crowded as yesterday since coming today wasn’t mandatory. students in departments that were operating food stands or activities needed to come to organize their stations. it was ultimately their responsibility and no one else’s. 

though not everyone needed to come. it only applies to those unfortunate enough to get selected or those with enough compassion to volunteer. 

you came early for no particular reason. scratch that—you came hoping you’d see hajime again. you heard from tooru that he’d be here, but what did you expect when the universe’s hobby was to watch you get your hopes up? you haven’t seen him all day and it’s been weighing on your mind. 

you worked under a canopy tent with the sides and back covered. kneeling over a plastic bag, you didn’t notice two sets of footsteps approaching. 

“y/n!” 

your head whipped to the side, your excitement giving you away. 

“woah,” atsumu teased. “were you expecting someone else? what’s with the mopey expression?” 

in a single moment your eagerness was wiped away and replaced with boredom. you saw atsumu pout; the pure disinterest written all over your face was enough to kill. 

you went back to putting pancake mixtures on the foldable tables. “what are you guys doing here anyway?” you wouldn’t be surprised if they were picked to come help—it’s not unlikely that they were both cursed luckless at birth. 

“nothing really. we came because everyone else was here,” osamu said. 

“so you’re just hanging out?” 

atsumu hummed. “what about you?” he was looking at the pancake mixtures on the table, his lips curled up into a smirk. 

“helping out,” you said plainly.

“wha—unlucky.” 

his sing-song voice received a glare from you. “i’m doing a favor for the art department.” 

“and you’re gonna do their job at the festival too?” 

you shook your head. when you arrived, some art students came up to you pleading for help. they were short-handed and too busy with the exhibit to set up their food stands. you couldn’t blame their desperation, this was going towards their department budget after all. “they’re coming back and taking over later.” 

osamu stepped into the tent, his hands in his shorts’ pockets. curiosity coated his words. “they’re doing something different this year.” 

“yeah, they’re making pancakes but you can ask them to draw stuff.” 

atsumu came in after his brother, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “woah! like those videos online.” 

“you think they’d be down to draw ‘tsumu’s ugly mug?” osamu pondered. 

“the hell?! what did i do to you?” 

you slide a cardboard box over as the two bantered. you didn’t doubt that they would: money was money and some of them were crushing madly on atsumu. they’d make him look ten times more attractive than he is and it’d unfortunately boost his ego. you shivered at the thought. 

atsumu refocused back towards you, having enough of his argument with his brother. “sooo, where’s your lover?” 

you stop momentarily. casting your gaze on the ground, silence overtook the tent. 

“i don’t know.” 

the twins shared a secretive glance at one another. they weren’t sure which was more surprising: you not correcting atsumu or the way you looked so distraught. 

then atsumu’s eyes widened and he yelled, “y/n, do you li—” 

osamu was quick to nudge atsumu roughly, getting him to shriek and shut up. silence sliced the air again. 

“we forgot to mention that we’re looking for him,” osamu said suddenly. he turned to his brother as if trying to communicate a message. atsumu didn’t follow, only raising a puzzled brow and continuing to massage the sore part where he was elbowed. 

“who’s we?” 

osamu grumbled under his breath. the exchange almost made you crack into a smile. 

“seth’s looking for iwaizumi and asked us to help.” 

you and atsumu were now staring at osamu. confusion danced in the air. 

“oh, okay.” you replied, still unsure where this was going. “oh, that thing!” atsumu bursted into laughter. nervous laughter. you eyed him weirdly as if he were a random stranger that’d just approached you. “i remember now. we seriously couldn’t find him anywhere. am i right?” 

“yeah.” 

you smiled. osamu didn’t hide his disgust towards his brother. 

“y/n, please help find him for us.” atsumu clasped his hands together and peered at you with hopeful eyes. good thing he was aiming to play volleyball professionally; the acting industry did not need him. 

“if you guys can’t find him, what makes you think i can?” 

osamu shrugged. “he could be inside. we haven’t checked there yet.” 

“but the stand…” 

atsumu slapped a hand against his chest. “we can take over,” he cheered eagerly. 

with those four words alone you darted to your feet and wiped down your clothes. even if it was awfully clear that they were lying through their teeth, you weren’t going to say no. this was an excuse to find hajime. 

“perfect. just organize the food dye and squeeze bottles. then make sure to check that the pancake makers work properly.” then you were out of there, barely stopping to hear the twins groan with regret. 

when you left, atsumu froze in shock at his newfound responsibilities. he didn’t sign up for this. 

hajime wasn’t in the art or fashion exhibits. among the paintings and sculptures, mood boards and fashion sketches, you didn’t see anyone that resembled a spiky haired volleyball player. you continued to the theatre department where you didn’t see him either. he wasn’t in the music room; he wasn’t in the cafeteria. at some point you wondered if he had a secret hiding spot on campus somewhere, or if he had the ability to turn invisible. 

regardless, you gave up and went back outside. to your surprise, you found seth standing alone by a tent. 

“hi, seth. sorry, looks like i can’t find hajime after all.” 

he turned around to face you. despite his clear confusion, he still smiled—typical. “what do you mean?” 

“nothing,” you laughed tiredly. “this afternoon’s just been very anticlimactic.” 

seth crossed his arms in front of his chest. “if you’re looking for hajime, he and tooru went to buy supplies.” 

ah. your mouth hung open in realization. that's why you couldn’t find him anywhere, he wasn’t even on campus. you wished you knew that before walking all over the place. 

“is that why tooru wasn’t answering his messages?” you asked.

“oh, that was because some girl asked for his number earlier and the dummy gave it. he’s probably ignoring his phone on purpose.” 

you sighed. your friends were hopeless. “that’s good then. at least i know hajime isn’t hiding in a secret spot somewhere.” 

“secret spot? oh, no—you’ve got the wrong person. that’d be tooru. he knows a bunch of amazing spots on campus.” 

“and he didn’t tell me?” you huffed in disbelief. the two of you shared a laugh before silence washed over the conversation. 

“i’ve come to my conclusion, seth. i want to try it, confess how i feel and pray things work out.” 

seth didn’t respond at first, only staring up at the sky. today wasn’t as tortuously hot as yesterday; it was supposed to get cooler later towards the evening. “don’t worry. i know it’ll work out, it’s you and hajime after all.”

“and if things change?” 

he smiled. “things are meant to change. even if they’re bad things, just know you tried, y/n.” then you saw mischief swirl in his brown eyes. “so, when did you figure out you like him?” 

you blinked at his gleefulness. seth has always been interested in these kinds of topics. you tap a finger against your chin, thinking about an answer to give. truth be told, you weren't sure. was there a clear point where you realized it? you thought about hajime’s subtle but warm actions, his honest but comforting words. they’ve always made you feel some sort of way; perhaps your feelings towards him were developing slowly but surely this whole time. 

but to answer seth’s question, you could only say, “i’m not sure. my heart’s become weak lately. whenever i see him, it doesn’t know how to act.” 

seth’s smile widened when he saw your genuine expression. “yeah, that happens sometimes.” 

a sudden notification on his phone disrupted the conversation. one moment he’s all cheery, and the next he’s rushing to type a message. he caught your confused stare and said, “it’s 1pm. rin’s texting me to come to the music room. sorry y/n.” 

“music room? suna? for what?” 

“oh,” he slipped his phone back into his back pocket. “that’s right, i haven’t told you yet. i’m performing with rin’s band as a guest singer.”

your eyes widened and an excited grin spread across your face. “an aspiring fashion designer who’s popular with everyone, is now performing with suna’s band—what can’t you do?” 

“i can’t wait to see you and hajime at the show,” he winked.

you opened your mouth to reply but it never came. you only nodded and waved as he rushed away. 

there were still things you wanted to talk about with seth—“what if” questions that still plagued your mind. 

but you needed to hurry, the festival was already starting. you could only focus on the thought of getting to see and talk to hajime again. 

you hoped at the very least that he’d still smile softly at you. 

returning back to the festival was a chaotic nightmare. the campus was drowned in twinkling lights and hoards of people. some were students you recognized, others were random family members and high school students. this was the liveliest you’ve ever seen the festival got. people busied themselves in front of food stands and information booths; they blocked walkways and occupied the limited number of benches around campus. 

lively but troublesome. your chances of finding hajime just plummeted to the ground.

you took out your phone and read the time: 3:30pm. before this, you stopped by your dorm to shower and get changed. your notification center was filled with old messages from an hour ago. a majority were from your group chat with the twins. 

they had bombarded you with messages and pictures: one was of them with food stuffed in their mouths. you type back an apology and ask them if they’ve seen hajime. atsumu instantly replied: havent seen him

you start making your way down the endless aisle of food stalls. you steered away from large crowds, texting everyone you knew if they’ve seen him. 

you were desperate. you wanted anything at this point, even a single clue about where he might be. 

you stopped to scan your surroundings, a notification catching your eye. it was from osamu and sent to the group chat: i see him hes with oikawa

without skipping a beat you headed towards osamu’s location. you didn’t have a plan, you were going into this head first. you’d have to worry about what to say later, you just wanted to see him right now. 

when you stopped again, you saw him standing alone. he was off to the side and away from the crowd. 

“hajime,” you said, stepping closer. “you’re a hard person to find.” 

he watched as you caught your breath. “were you looking for me?” 

yes, you wanted to say. you were looking for him all day. 

but you only nodded in response. there was no running away anymore, no more waiting around for something to happen. 

“hajime, there’s something i need to tell you.” he nodded and crossed his arms, his unique way of telling you he’s listening. you shook your head. “not here. can we go somewhere else?” 

you had no idea where “somewhere else” might've been. you saw people every turn that you took. hajime must’ve seen your despaired expression because he pointed you in a different direction: the back of the festival. 

it was a grassy field that stretched for miles on end. you’d forgotten about this area, too exhausted and confused to think properly. you saw small groups of people set down picnic blankets and relax in the sun. they were sitting farther down the field and away from the festival. this was the perfect spot to talk to hajime one on one. 

when he sat down on the grass, he patted the empty space next to him. you followed him, your heart suddenly heavy in your throat. what are you going to do now? 

“is it okay here?” 

you hummed in response. no more running away, you reminded yourself. no more waiting either. 

“hajime, i’m sorry.” you saw him tilt his head towards you, his gaze intense. “i’m sorry for making you wait so long, sorry for not noticing everything sooner.” 

something shifted in his expression then. the small smile that he’d always reserved for you and you only, faltered. 

you rushed to clarify but he beat you to it. “so you know.” 

yes, you knew. you always wondered what would happen if atsumu hadn’t accidentally told you that day. if he didn't have such a big mouth and if you continued to remain clueless about hajime’s feelings. would he confess? would your relationship never change? 

but you were glad to know. you wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for that day. 

you confirmed, “i know. i should’ve noticed it sooner; were you going to keep it a secret forever?” 

“for as long as i could, yes. but it seems you already found out.” 

you shook your head. “i didn’t find out, i was told on accident. i’m sorry. you’ve done so much for me and yet i didn’t even notice how you felt.” 

“i did those things because you deserve it, y/n. you deserve that and more. i was fine with just being your friend.” 

but what about now? how do you feel about me?

you swallowed the questions in your throat. “thank you for volunteering with me, for everything you’ve done. but—“

the words stopped. you could only look at him. 

“but how do you feel now?” 

the question barely left as a whisper, you wondered if he could even hear you from where he sat. even now there was distance between the two of you. you were sitting far away from one another. 

it was a suffocating question—the answer would be much worse. 

it took him a moment to reply. you both sat still but the world around you continued to move. the trees and grass danced in the wind, but your focus was on hajime only. 

then he spoke gently. “y/n, do you feel uncomfortable by this? i was scared this would happen so i gave you space.” 

space. that explained the distance between you two. everything was for you; he was always thinking about how you felt. god, you felt horrible. 

the grass tickled your palm but you could only think about how to end this mess. you wanted to tell him everything: the butterflies he’s given you; the energetic beating of your heart whenever he was around; and the way you couldn't imagine being strangers with him. 

distance. you hated it. you wanted to close the gap, reveal everything and hope that he’d accept you still. 

you shake your head, hopefully for the last time. “no. i’ve never been uncomfortable by this. i was confused but not anymore.” 

you inhaled deeply. “i like you more than you think, hajime. you’re so incredibly kind and patient. i want to try and make this work. if it's with you then there’s nothing to worry about.” 

you weren’t sure if that was what you were supposed to say, but you hoped he got your message. you poured your feelings out to him. all that’s left to do was wait. 

hajime had broken eye contact a long time ago, his focus was elsewhere. your stomach churned at all the poor ways this could end. then, hajime covered his face with his arm. you saw it: the bright smile he tried to conceal and the redness of his cheeks. 

“you stole my line, y/n. i was supposed to say that.”

you thought your heart would burst. the sight of him smiling so pleasantly had you frozen in place. your heart really has grown weak. 

you grinned at him, a similar reddish hue appearing on your cheeks. the feeling was mutual. everything was okay. 

hajime stood from his spot and walked towards you. he lowered his hand and helped you up, just like that time in the storage room. then he interlocked your fingers together, his hand warm and inviting. 

when you gave it a gentle squeeze, his unoccupied arm went up to cover his face again. you both knew this would take time to get used to.  

you heard him mutter a small “thank you,” his face still hidden by his arm. 

this was worth it. he was worth all the running around and confusion. 

“you can tell me ‘thank you’ when we get to suna and seth’s concert. everyone’s waiting.” 

hajime’s gaze fell on your smiling face and he nodded. you wondered how you didn’t notice his feelings before. they were so obvious, a single look into his eyes and you would know. 

you also wondered how the others will react when they see this: you hand-in-hand with a flustered hajime. the sight would be priceless and the concert was the perfect way to end everything.

a/n: i am so sorry for the written portion. i was too ambitious. i am also very tired so i hope u liked this! @kqbukimono this one is for u <3

[teyrnacousland]

OC Tag Meme

Finally got around to doing this! I've been tagged by @trash-nerd, @larkinna, and @introvertedfangrl, thanks to all of you ♡

Tagging (no pressure, as always!) @sun-marie, @zwitter-iconic, @corvus-frugilegus, @ofcrowsanddragons aaaand if anyone else reading this hasn't been tagged please consider this me tagging you! (Also if anyone who tagged me wants to do this again with any of your other characters, feel free to consider this a tag back!)

Name: Cassia Mercar (née Cassia Porenni)

Alias(es): Rook, Cass

Gender: Cis woman

Age: 30

Place of birth: Carastes

Spoken languages: Common, and Tevene. She can read some other languages to varying degrees of success, but she doesn't speak any of them very well.

Sexual orientation: Ace and bi

Occupation: Shadow Dragon! (And...? I'm still figuring this one out. She must have had a way to get money during her time as a Shadow Dragon, right? But I'm not sure where she could work? I wanted to say a library because it matches her interests and skills, (and because that's where I work,) but that's a pretty public facing job for a wanted woman. Maybe something like a dishwasher/cleaner at a restaurant or something? tl;dr I don't know, but something!)

FAVOURITE

Colour: Bright yellow!

Entertainment: Do books count? I think books count. She also unironically finds attending random lectures entertaining, no matter the topic. What could be more entertaining than listening to someone talk about something they're passionate about? And, bonus, she gets to learn something new!

Pastime: Books again. She enjoys studying a new topic and getting sucked into that domino effect of researching one thing that leads to another that leads to another. She also enjoys trying new foods. And watching Lucanis cook. (She also learns during her time with Varic that she enjoys Wicked Grace, especially once she figures out how to count cards 😃)

Food: The lemon tart Lucanis made for her

Drink: Tea! Specifically herbal tea. Especially anything floral!

Books: Yes, please! (She only reads non-fiction, but Bellara gets her into her serials after Veilguard. She starts stealing trashy romance novels from Lucanis after that too. Two person book club date nights!)

HAVE THEY

Passed university: Yes, if the Circles in Tevinter count! Between the Circle and her father's added homeschooling she is very educated.

Had sex: Nope! She's very asexual.

Had sex in public: No, see above, but even if that wasn't the case she would explode from embarrassment at the mere thought.

Gotten tattoos: Yes! She has a small snake (for Tevinter/Shadow Dragons) with feathery wings (for Rook!) on her left ankle. It had been years since she'd left home by that point but still her main thought while getting it was "what would my father think?" The tattoo felt more like rebelling than the "abandoning her father's legacy and running away to join a literal rebellion" thing.

Gotten piercings: Only her ears, which she's had pierced since she was little.

Gotten scarred: She has a scar on her thigh from stabbing herself for blood magic reasons. She's had many other scars for blood magic reasons through the years but she heals them right away. Magisters practicing blood magic may be an open secret in Tevinter, but I imagine it's considered gauche to openly sport obvious blood magic scars.

Had a broken heart: Her first relationship was her sneaking around with girl in her class at the Circle. When the girl's parents found out, she refused to see Cassia anymore, even as a friend. (When Lucanis pulls away after the almost kiss she's worried she's ruined yet another friendship by getting feelings involved.)

Been in love: She's not sure anymore? What she has with Lucanis now feels like more than what she had in her few past relationships. (It's because she is an adult with both maturity and freedom this time.) (Edit: I have realized that the actual reason is fear. When she dated girls she was scared of being caught or judged or left. When she dated boys she was scared of being married or taken or trapped. She's free of all that now, and she trusts Lucanis. That's the difference.)

ARE THEY

A cuddler: Absolutely! She's definitely the type who seeks out warmth in her sleep and will cuddle up to whoever/whatever's closest.

Scared easily: In social situations? For sure. Scared of the consequences of failure? Definitely. Scared of taking risks or being in danger? Nah.

Jealous easily: No. She wouldn't be with someone she didn't trust completely. And she's with Lucanis. She's never trusted anyone more.

Trustworthy: Very. She would rather cut herself open from the inside than break a promise or disappoint someone. She's very loyal, as long as you don't want her to go against her morals. The only promise she makes that you can't trust is "I'm fine!"

FAMILY

Sibling(s): Nope! She's an only child.

Parents: She never knew her mother, since she died giving birth to Cassia. As for her father... I could honestly make a whole post about him as a character. He raised Cassia himself. He is a ruthless and cruel man, but he does his best to be good to her. He loves her, and she loved him. There was love there. Even monsters can love and be loved.

Pets: She's never had any pets :( She is so excited to meet Lucanis' snake though.

BLANK TEMPLATE:

General

Name:

Alias:

Gender:

Age:

Place of Birth:

Spoken Languages:

Sexual Orientation:

Occupation:

Favorites

Color:

Entertainment:

Pastime:

Food:

Drink:

Books:

Have They…

Passed University:

Had Sex:

Had Sex in Public:

Gotten Tattoos:

Gotten Piercings:

Gotten Scars:

Had a Broken Heart:

Been in Love:

Are They…

A cuddler:

Scared easily:

Jealous easily:

Trustworthy:

Family

Siblings:

Parents:

Children:

Pets:

[so-long-soldier-writes]

Flying Monkeys

kai parker x reader | requested by @chocolatepalacecloudhoagie

summary: kai mentions in passing that he can fly a plane. you challenge him to prove it.

tags: based on s06e08: Fade Into You, small drug references, flying / aircrafts, kai being confused by someone caring about him, developing friendships, implied possible future friends to lovers

word count: 2.5k

a/n: i wrote half of this when you sent that ask and totally forgot about it until this afternoon. i have so many requests i need to finish, it's so bad 💀 but i hope this is what you were looking for!!

“I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true!”

“There’s no freaking way; you’re totally bluffing.”

“I am not! Hey, if you need proof, ask Bonnie.”

You glance over at Bonnie, who’s sitting on the opposite side of the restaurant. She dines with one of her best friends, the both of them desperately needing a drink, they had announced. You originally went with them, but upon spotting Kai at the bar, abandoned their company to talk to the young witch. Damon begged you not to; he wanted you nowhere near him, yet you can’t help your interest in the boy. 

“Why would she know?” You ask instead. 

“‘Cause I flew her from Mystic Falls back to Portland.”

“Willingly?” 

“No, I had drugged her.”

“Kai!”

“She didn’t give me much of a choice! I had to get out of that stupid prison world, and she wasn’t going to let me out unless I manipulated my own way out. Unfortunately, I needed to use her to escape.”

A sigh leaves your lips. As much as you want to hate him for torturing her, you can’t blame his desperate need to get out of that hell. You hadn’t been in the prison world, but by the way the pair describe it, it’s a terrible place to be. To be stuck there for eighteen years, and then denied your only chance at freedom? Not to mention, Kai’s a sociopath who struggles with the way he’s supposed to feel about other people, and he’s insanely lacking in his social skills. What he did isn’t okay - not by a long-shot - though you can understand what drove him to do it. 

“Are you mad at me?” He asks, taking a sip of his drink. 

You cock your head, surprised by the question. “No, I just…”

“Hurting her was never my plan, I just needed to get out.”

Maybe it’s the alcohol talking. Maybe it's the effects of the merge. 

Regardless of which, you take it as a sign that Kai’s warming up to you. In that moment, you decide not to crush his tiny seed of trust. 

“...can’t believe you flew a plane,” you finish, changing the topic. 

Kai smiles. “But I did! It wasn’t a big one, it was a Cessna. One pilot - obviously, since I was the only one flying anything - and not meant for super long distances. Stopped for gas midway.” Then he mutters, “gave her a little more gas, too, so she’d sleep through it.” You ignore that part. “But I can promise you, I know how to fly.”

“You’ll have to prove it to me.”

“Yeah, I doubt anyone’s going to let that happen. I definitely don’t have a legal flying license.”

“We’ll convince Damon to compel someone to let you.”

“Something tells me he won’t support that.”

“All I’m hearing are excuses to keep you out of a cockpit.”

Your challenging tone has him straightening his posture. “You really don’t believe me?”

“Not one bit.”

“Fine. Then I will prove it to you.”

~~~~~

A week later, you’ve successfully convinced Damon to one, let Kai fly a plane short distance from one small airport to another; two, let you ride with him, and three; compel a pilot to let him borrow a plane, as well as compel everyone who would typically be involved to pay no attention to the unattended aircraft that will inhabit two runways and the open sky for roughly thirty minutes total. 

Bonnie, to say the least, is not happy about this plan. When you and Kai first approached their table in the grill to discuss it, she was pissed. Now, as Damon drives the three of you to the airport, she’s still lecturing you on the dangers of not only flying with an unlicensed flier, but for said flier to be Kai Parker, of all people. 

But to her dismay and Kai’s surprise, you shrug her off, promising you’ll be fine. 

“Okay,” Damon says, parking his car. “I’ve secured thirty minutes for you two dumbasses to do this. The flight distance is twenty miles, so your actual time in the sky should only be-”

“-about ten minutes,” Kai interrupts, “I know. I know what I’m doing.”

Damon ignores him and continues, “giving you ten minutes to start up, ten to fly, ten to land. I did some research of my own when you proposed this completely diabolical plan to me.”

“It’s not-”

“Do it quickly,” he ignores again, “and keep her safe.”

“Maybe compel him for that part,” Bonnie says.

“Smart.” Damon puts a hand on Kai’s shoulder. 

Kai shrugs him off. “You don’t need to compel me. I’ll keep her safe, I promise.”

Damon looks over to you.

“I trust him,” you affirm.

The man stares at you like you’ve grown a second head. 

“I’ll be okay,” you tell him, trying to ease his nerves. It doesn’t appear to work, but you don’t try again. “Kai?”

“Hm?”

“Ready?”

“Yep. See you guys in thirty.”

The plane is sitting in the middle of the runway, left alone with the keys, after Damon had compelled its owner away on a “super serious mission,” in which, if the man didn’t run inside and make Bonnie a coffee with specifically one and a half packs of sugar and a dash of peppermint mocha creamer, his new boss would fire him on the spot. Then, by the time he comes back and you and Kai are already in the sky, he’ll compel him to not freak out, but go to the neighboring airport for his plane, because it had been taken over by flying monkeys. 

Damon recites the second part of his plan as the pair of you climb into the plane. Bonnie rolls her eyes at him. None of you comment. 

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s having fun,” Kai says once out of earshot.

“Oh, he definitely is.”

Down below, Bonnie finally mutters, “I don’t even like peppermint mocha.”

“Well then I guess he’ll get fired.”

The girl rolls her eyes again. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

“Y/N? With him? Hell no.” He sighs. “The minute our poor, actual, pilot comes back, we’re getting to that airport quickly.”

“Alright,” Kai sits down in the cockpit. You go to the seat beside him. “Put your seatbelt on.”

You fight the urge to giggle as he practically commands you to be safe. It’s so un-Kai-like. Then again, he is taking you five thousand feet into the air. 

“Okay,” he starts pointing to all the little instruments, “this is the speed, this is the altitude, this is the height above sea level, this is the rate of turn, this is the compass, and this is the vertical speed.” 

“How high above sea level are we right now?”

“Five hundred and ninety-four feet.”

“Ah.”

“These controls have a lot of explanation, and I better start so Damon doesn’t yell at me, but I can talk about them another time. Briefly, pedals down here, steering wheel - or yoke, in fancy people terms - here, throttle, and what controls the wings.” He points to the right of all that. “Communication stuff that I don’t use, to talk to other pilots, confirm take-off and landing and weather conditions and all that. Navigational systems.” He points to the left for those. “Ready?”

“Mhm.”

“Are you scared?”

“No.” Just a little. 

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes.” Hopefully that’s the right choice. 

“Okay. Up we go.”

The boy quiets as he starts up the plane. You can’t help but admire his concentration. 

Kai manages the controls carefully, and before you know it, you’re lifting off the ground. Your hand flies to the side door, gripping the handle bar subconsciously. 

“You okay?” He peeks over at you. He could practically feel you tense up, although he expected you would. 

“Mhm,” you nod.

He’s not entirely convinced, but there’s nothing he can do about it now. He continues gaining altitude, and before you know it, you’re completely in the sky. 

“You still good?”

“Yeah.”

“Need any sleeping pills?”

“Kai!”

“I’m just joking!” 

You look over and playfully roll your eyes at his teasing, dimpled face. He’s glad he’s cute, otherwise there’s no way you would’ve actually gone through with this idea. Thinking about it now, it’s totally crazy - letting a boy you barely know fly you into the sky when he doesn’t even have a license. But for some reason, you trust him, and as he effortlessly controls the plane as it travels through the blue beyond, you’re confident about placing your trust in him.

Although… your friends down below are probably losing their shit…

“How high are we?” You ask, distracting yourself from that thought. No reason to worry about it now.

“You sure you want to know?” He laughs.

“Hit me.”

“Oh, alright,” he checks the meter, “about eight thousand feet up.”

When your eyes go wide, he chuckles. “Scared?”

“I trust you,” you assure both him and yourself. 

That answer seems to relax him. A gentleness settles in his eyes, brightening the usual gray to a color more like that which surrounds you. Your grip on the door handle eases up, and you ride in silence for a while, appreciating the journey. 

After a couple of minutes, he announces, “coming up on the airport.”

“Already?”

“It was only about a ten minute flight.”

“Damn.”

“Do you think we’ll see our unhappy co-conspirators on the ground?”

You snort, then immediately cover your mouth. Kai only smiles. “Definitely. Shaking their heads and rolling their eyes.”

“Surprised I didn’t crash the damn thing.”

“Or kidnap me.” He starts to laugh, but then pauses, unsure if you’re joking. But then you start to laugh at your own joke and he takes it as a sign that he can laugh along with you. “Guess this means I believe you… you really can fly a plane.”

“Don’t praise me yet, we haven’t landed.”

“What?!”

“Easy, I’m kidding. Landing will be just as smooth as take off was. I’ve gotcha.”

And it is. He skillfully lands the plane with minimal roughness, and maintains a good distance away from the distraught-looking pair. When he turns off the engine, he throws you the keys and a wink. 

You barely catch them, then let out a laugh. “I’ll admit, I’m impressed.”

“Why thank you, Y/N.”

“So how did you learn, really?” “Books, manuals, and lots of trial and error.”

“How bad of an error?”

“Died once or twice… or more… but I couldn’t actually die in the prison world, so I’d just crop back up and try again.”

“Ouch.”

He shrugs. “But that’s all over now.”

“You have to be more careful to avoid situations that could get you hurt now.” He narrows his eyes at you, making you confused by his reaction. “No more trial and error anything. If you’re not in the prison world, you’re susceptible to getting hurt, or worse, and I’m not letting that happen on my watch.”

“I’m on your watch now?”

“Well… yeah.” You shrug, “I mean, in terms of reckless behavior, yeah. You’re my friend, and I want you to be able to live now that you’re not stuck in that Groundhog Day world, but in order to do that, you have to be safe and avoid situations where you could get hurt.”

“You consider me a friend?”

“Is that okay?”

“Yes,” he answers quickly, “I’ve just… never had a friend before.”

“Well you do now. And your friend is super impressed by your flying skills, but wants you to stay safe, too, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Good.”

“But you weren’t scared, right? This wasn’t brought on because you thought I was gonna crash, was it?”

“‘Course not, I had full faith in you the entire time. I only got worried when you said you died trying to learn.”

“Oh.”

“So no more of that, right? You can impress me with all the skills you already know, but no more near-death experiences. Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Thank you. I-” Your next words are cut off by your own scream as someone knocks on the plane door. Looking down, you see Damon reaching up. 

“Get on out of there, you lovebirds. We have to return this plane to its actual pilot.”

“Ugh.” You both roll your eyes, but listen to the man. Kai comes around to your side as soon as he’s out. He puts a stabilizing hand on your shoulders, which comes in handy when you stumble with your first step. 

“You okay?” Both men ask at once.

“Good. I always trip when I leave airplanes, too.”

A few feet away stands an annoyed looking Bonnie. “Glad to see you’re still alive.”

“Glad to see you, too, Bon. Alive and well.”

“You could’ve-”

Her retort is interrupted by the pilot running over for his keys. “Those flying monkeys! Have they returned my plane?!”

Damon tosses the keys to him. “Yep, good as new! Not a scratch!”

“Oh, thank god! Thank god. I was afraid I’d never see it again. If you find those monkeys, can you tell them I’m really upset, and that they need to go away?!”

“Of course I will. You have a good day.” The pilot runs away and Damon turns towards you and Kai. “You heard the man, time to go.” He shuffles you into the car, stuffing you both in the backseat again, Bonnie in the front, and starts the drive back to town. 

The forty minute drive is quiet, everyone too afraid to get on Bonnie’s nerves, but you and Kai text in the back. 

y/n: thank you again for the flight. i enjoyed it very much!

kai: i’m glad you let me show you my skills :)

kai: but i’ll keep your promise, no more dying

y/n: good

kai: thanks for the friendship. i’m glad to have you

y/n: me too

y/n: i knew i was gonna like you the minute damon complained about you

y/n: after he got out of the pw

kai: what did he say??

y/n: that you were talkative and annoying and seemed like just the type of person i would befriend

y/n: appears he was right

y/n: except for the annoying part

kai: huh. the talking doesn’t annoy you?

y/n: no i like hearing you talk, plus i know you were isolated for a long time, and i would like to be a person you’re comfortable talking to

kai: wait, really?

“Why are you smiling?” Damon’s voice cuts through the silence. He eyes Kai through the back mirror.

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“Ummm…”

“Because I told him what you said when you got out of the prison world about me befriending him. Seems you were right.”

“I said that as a joke.”

“Yet you hit it right on the nose.”

Damon huffs. “Well I also said he was annoying, and that’s true, too.”

“Maybe, but it just so happens that I like his,” you use quotation marks with your fingers, “‘annoying’ qualities, just as much as I like the rest of him, too.”

“It’s your headache, Y/N.”

You only shrug. 

y/n: yes, i do like hearing you talk, and i do like even the ‘annoying’ parts about you

y/n: they’re kind of endearing, actually

Kai tries to ignore the weird fluttering-like symptom in his stomach and nervously replies, 

kai: thank you

kai: i like you too

[twistedminutia]

A Million and One Minutia: The Solar System

The Ramshackle prefect teaches ADeuce and Riddle about the solar system. Crossposted to AO3 here.

Getting thrown into a parallel universe naturally involves a bit of a learning curve. No getting around it. Even when a universe is superficially close to your own, there’s always some change, some difference that you have to adjust to. (I assume. I’ve only ever been thrown into the one.)

Everyone assumes, in Twisted Wonderland, that the thing I’m struggling to adjust to most is magic.

Which isn’t to say that it’s not an issue. Primarily in classes. Even Grim, who falls asleep two minutes into lectures and acts as though cracking a book will kill him, has a basic understanding of magic. I, meanwhile, feel a little more like I walked into algebra before I learned my times tables. Except the times tables will explode if you do them wrong. And also everyone around me has a natural affinity for them and can intuit that three times two is six while I sit around trying to make those grids out of blocks and count them all up.

So. Not a fun experience. But it’s hardly the worst issue in the world. I don’t know what Crowley told the other teachers, but they’re aware I’ve got no magic and have the decency to dumb down the work I have to do, or give me alternate assignments when I can’t complete the practical work. The thing with magic is that it’s obvious, especially here at magic school, and there’s a billion and one resources to learn about it with. I know I need to learn more about magic and I do, all the time.

It’s just that sometimes, I forget magic isn’t the only difference between my world and this one. The little differences, those are the ones that get to me. It’s like walking into a room after someone’s moved around your furniture. Yes, it’s annoying that your bookshelf’s on the other wall now, but you can see that one plainly and adapt. It’s a lot harder to stop tripping over the couch that was only moved an inch to the left. It’s blindsiding.

Usually, I study in Heartslabyul- it’s more convenient for Ace and Deuce, who will only study if I’m there to force them, and Ramshackle is, well, ramshackle enough that it’s not totally comfortable. Grim is okay with it because he can beg food off Trey. And Riddle’s at least mellowed enough that he doesn’t immediately snap at us for wandering off topic and getting a little too loud.

Deuce and Ace are flipping through a set of books on Alchemy- we have a quiz in a few days on restoratives, and they’re trying to figure out the most efficient way to craft an elixir of power. Grim should be doing the same, but he’s half-asleep, crumbs of a tart surrounding his mouth. For my part, I’m trying to memorize the list of restoratives and common ingredients between them. The practical portion of the quiz is a bit of a weird spot for me- technically I can measure and portion ingredients, but Grim needs to be there to infuse the entire mixture with magic. The last time I talked to Crewel, he was still debating on whether I should work with Grim on the potion and our grade should be combined, or if it would be better to make Grim do the practical portion on his own and have me take an extra-long written portion.

In truth, I don’t care what he chooses. I just wish he’d chosen sooner, because now I have to study both a larger chunk of information and the actual way to make the potion itself. I know for a fact that if Grim and I take the practical together, I’ll end up carrying him. Then again, if I’m not there to help, he might blow something up. Win some, lose some.

I lean my head back against the wall behind me and close my eyes for a moment. Alchemical symbols swirl behind my eyelids. Grim gives a particularly loud snort and rolls over. I open my eyes just in time to see Riddle fixing us with a venomous glare from across the room, barely visible behind a stack of books. I nudge Grim awake.

“Myaah? …Cut it out,” Grim mumbles, lazily waving a paw in my direction. I pinch him and he tries to scramble up to retaliate. Unfortunately, his paws land on a small stack of paper, which slips out from under him and sends him sprawling to the ground with a thump and a shriek.

“Shhh!” Riddle hisses from across the room. I make an apologetic gesture and gather Grim up.

“We should go back to Ramshackle,” I say. Grim squirms in my arms, grousing about being carried.

“You’re leaving already?” Deuce asks, finally looking up. Ace yawns, leaning over to stretch his back.

“It’s already past seven,” I say. I think. I don’t have a phone or a wristwatch, and some of the clocks in Heartslabyul are set wrong. I asked Riddle about it (if he likes punctuality so much, why is he making it harder for people to know the time?) and he threw out some rule about having to keep some clocks on alternate times that I didn’t really listen to. But the correct clocks tend to agree, and two clocks in this room point to seven ten as the current time. The darkness outside seems to concur.

Deuce leans over to glance outside. His expression sours upon seeing night has mostly fallen. “I didn’t realize it was so late. Are you going to be okay going back in the dark?”

“I’ll be fine,” I say as Grim starts puffing himself up in my arms.

“Yeah! Nothing out there could be a match for the great and powerful Grim!” I don’t roll my eyes. Barely. But I don’t.

Ace abruptly launches himself to his feet, sending the book on his lap spilling to the floor. Another furious ‘SHHHH!’ comes from Riddle’s corner of the room. “No, no, Deucey is right,” he says, lowering his voice enough that Riddle is mollified. “You can’t walk all the way back there yourself. I’ll come with you.”

I narrow my eyes. “You just don’t want to study anymore.”

Ace frowns. “Hey! I’m just worried about my friend walking back to her dorm all by herself-”

“We could use a break,” Deuce cuts in. “We’ve been studying for hours.”

Eh. He’s right, and it’s not like I don’t appreciate the company. “Thanks, then,” I say. I lift my voice and direct it towards Riddle. “And thank you for your hospitality, Housewarden.” Riddle glances up and acknowledges us before ducking back down to his work.

Together, we organize our materials and head for the front door of the dorm. I open the door, pausing to let Ace and Deuce don their scarves- it’s started to get cold at night, and there is a bit of a hike to get to Ramshackle.

While waiting for them, I take a moment to look up at the sky. It’s dazzling here- so many stars. Maybe they’re brighter in Twisted Wonderland, or maybe light pollution just works differently, because despite electric lighting of the dorm, I can see an enormous smattering of stars across the sky. It’s not quite as full as some photos I’ve seen of clear night skies, but it’s close.

I’ve never been good with stars, but I turn my gaze toward the one celestial object I’ve always known how to find- and pause. It’s not there.

“Are you coming?” Ace asks. I blink. He and Deuce have walked past me and are now waiting on the steps of the dorm. I’m still dithering in the open doorway.

“Sorry,” I say, giving one more glance up at the sky. “I was looking for Venus. I guess the sky’s different here.”

“What’s Venus?”

I look at Deuce. He blinks back at me, expression perfectly bewildered. The thing with the chickens in the eggs was one thing, but this is another. I look over at Ace, hoping to see the grin he gets when he’s ready to tear Deuce a new one, but he is staring at me too.

“It’s probably a constellation,” Ace says with a shrug. “Don’t ask me where it is, though. I’ve never been any good at that sort of thing.”

“No,” I say, a little incredulous and a little trepidatious. “It’s a planet.” Nothing. “The planet Venus? Second in our solar system? Only planet named after a woman?” Nada.

Deuce’s face scrunches a little. “I’ve never heard of it.” Ace shakes his head.

“You’ve never heard of Venus?” Maybe if one of them hadn’t heard of it, I would have brushed it off. But given that both of them are giving me looks like I’ve gone bonkers, I’m starting to get a little nervous.

Okay. Third opinion. I turn to Grim. Wait. Maybe a third opinion from someone who isn’t an idiot. I head back into the dorm, stirring up shouts of horror from Deuce and Ace. I ignore them and march straight back to the common area.

Riddle looks up as I walk in and his face immediately goes tomato-red. “Why are you wearing your shoes in the dorm?!”

“Riddle. This is important. What’s Venus?”

He sputters for a moment. Long enough for Deuce and Ace to come scrambling into the room behind me. “Wh- I- The painting?”

“No!” I half-yell, throwing my hands up. “The PLANET!”

Riddle looks around me at Ace and Deuce. “Is she… all right?”

“I dunno,” Ace says. “We were just heading out and then she started getting all weird about the sky or something? Asking where Venus was?” He looks and Deuce, who nods along.

“The only Venus I know is the painting,” Riddle says. “It’s of a goddess of the same name who was worshipped a long time ago.” He peers at me uncertainly. “I don’t know of a planet called Venus.”

I take a deep breath. “I need to see what the solar system looks like.” The three boys and Grim look at each other. “Please.”

Riddle pulls out a blank piece of paper and rapidly sketches something, then slides it toward me. It’s a simplified diagram of the solar system, as seen from above.

There are only five planets.

I look over it a few times to make sure I’ve got it right. It’s a pretty simplified diagram, but Riddle’s drawn it clearly. Five planets. And the second-closest one to the sun is labeled ‘Twisted Wonderland.’

I stare at the paper for a long time. Five planets. Caselotti is the closest one to the sun. The furthest out is Arendia. Walten comes next, and the third furthest is Olead.

“Um.” Deuce clears his throat. “Gray? Are you…?” He trails off, glancing at Ace and Riddle. Both of them look equally nonplussed. I can’t imagine how insane I look right now, storming in and demanding a drawing of the solar system. Even Riddle’s staying silent, though I’m sure he’s ready to explode about my shoes touching the dorm’s carpets.

I feel somewhat stupid now. Obviously the planets wouldn’t be the same here. The stars aren’t the same either, probably. I’m in a totally different world. It makes sense that the solar system would look different.

Somehow, though, it just… never occurred to me. A weird emotion twists in my gut, like I’m dropping away from the rest of the world, further away from anyone than I’ve ever been. The realization that even the sky is different here feels like something fundamental has been ripped away from me. Something I never even considered important before.

“Huh. Y’know, it looks different where I’m from,” I say. My tone’s as deliberately light as I can make it. “I guess I never considered it before.”

Ace and Deuce are silent, still looking mildly concerned. Riddle arches an eyebrow at his drawing. “In your world, you mean? The place you’re from?” He’s been the most curious about where I’m from since I told the Heartslabyul crew about how I got here. He’s also generally too polite to push about it, but I can see the interest in his eyes. “How different?”

“Well, for one, there’s nine planets,” I say. “Actually, there might only be eight now. I was never clear on what happened with Pluto.”

“Pluto?” Ace repeats, his face scrunching. “That’s a dog’s name.”

“It’s a planet name where I’m from,” I say.

“And Venus is too?” Deuce confirms. I nod.

“Sorry for kind of freaking out a little there. I guess I was just surprised it’s so different.”

Grim huffs at my feet. “Are we going to head back to Ramshackle or not?”

“Sorry, Grim.” I bend over to pick him up so he can see what we’re doing. “I just… wanted to check something. We’ll head back.”

He’s already distracted, staring at the drawing on the table. “What’s that supposed to be?”

Riddle looks offended. “It’s the solar system.”

Grim nods. “What’s that?”

There’s a moment of stunned silence. “Oh yeah,” I say. “I always forget you never attended actual school before this one.”

We all pitch in to try and teach Grim the basics of the solar system, though we keep having to detour to explain concepts like ‘gravity’ and ‘planets.’ Eventually, Riddle remembers that I’m still wearing my shoes and pitches a fit, prompting Grim and me to retreat back to the mirror, and leaving Ace and Deuce to whatever lecture Riddle is sure to give.

[dreamsmearcampaign]

a. You are literally using a tag that a lot of people who are against Dream use. You cannot say that they are stepping into your community, if you did it first. I hate people who send death threats and I really do hope that you will be able to handle the toxicity of those fans. But do you have to put yourself in danger to protect Dream? In every community there are toxic fans. Dream admits that his community has bad apples too and he doesn't want them and other CCs are the same. Blocking people is your best option in these situations, but if you have a blog like this which uses a tag that can be easily found by toxic fans, it's just unreasonable.

b. I genuinely don't know how often and where Tommy joked about Dream being a pedo (private or public) and I agree that it is a horrible thing to throw out. I do hope he stopped/stops doing that. We can agree on the notion that him using 'pedo' and Dream using 'r-word' was wrong and let the situation dissipate.

c-d. I'm not sure what you mean by educated. because I'm unmedicated and my only resources are internet, the same thing he has access to too. i never had any people in my life who understood my condition and etc.

I also think and agree that different people can have different struggles. I'm mostly talking about him being a CC, who has been in this sphere and having to adapt to it for a long time. Like, if you're saying he's uneducated on these topics, then he can use his money to get some lectures or idk, anything to better his way of communication, which he admits he struggles with. Neurogivergent people aren't stupid and aren't incaple of changing. I believe that he wants people to understand him, but he's struggling with understanding how other people think. That is a thing he can focus on improving in himself.

(also i only heard that he has autism, does he have both? just curious, no hate)

e. Now I am curious if there were any cases of him admitting how he didn't do the greatest job at managing the DreamSMP. Like, I am a firm believer that people can change. But they do need to put the effort and the people that weren't happy with their behavior have the right to never forgive or talk to them again. To me there is a stark difference between an annoying kid and a grown-up 20 year old Tommy. I didn't see much of that in Dream, but I wouldn't be against seeing some examples.

f. Again.. Most people don't actually care and if they do, I'm not sure if you would be able to change their opinion. And by trying you are opening yourself up for hate. You have a literal counter for it at the top. This is gonna sound quite condescending, but I do hope you decide against this whole thing for your own health. I assume you have your own personal things that constantly tire you out as all of us have. There is no denying that all the people involved (Tommy, Tubbo, Dream and etc) have a lot of money and can easily take a break and do nothing for a long time, but I'm sure that you can't. And that is extremely exhausting. Hope you have a better day.

a. The death threats were sent long before we made this post. We are responding to hate, just as Dream responded to Tommy's comments. We have tried to block many of the death threats, but as many of you know. Tumblr is bad about anon blocking.

b. Thank you for your candor.

c-d. By "educated," we meant the habits learned via the school one attends, the environment one is in, and the information one finds online. We recognize that ignorance is often a symptom of the culture an individual is from rather than an intentional bias.

e. Two of us are moderators on Discord, and we agree he could have been better at moderator. A previous anon mentioned Schlatt sent porn to the Discord in a general chat, which is disturbing to us. We hope that never happens again.

f. We recognize the danger of this, but we also believe in educating others. It was not easy for those to resist the Nazis in Germany, to fight against the first Trump administration, to be kind in the face of cruelty. Yet, we choose to do it because It is the right thing.

We appreciate your concern, anon, and we hope you have a good day.

-Mod A

[facesofcsl]

Christina Battle, PhD - Media Artist

Christina Battle (she/her) is a film and video media artist based in Edmonton and Treaty 6.

What does your work entail?

My work initially centered on film and video, focusing on how media takes time—not only to create but also to communicate stories and ideas. Over time, I began applying that same sensibility to other artistic disciplines, particularly participatory practices. These practices often involve performance artists whose work consists in working with communities, creating projects, and developing frameworks that encourage participation. By engaging public groups and fostering interaction, my work aims to explore and expand the boundaries of art as a shared experience.

How does your work overlap with Community Service Learning (CSL)?

There’s a significant overlap between my artistic practice and CSL, particularly in the shared focus on community building and the complexities of what it means to “be in community.” The term “community” is used so broadly in both art and society that it often requires unpacking.

CSL offers an incredible opportunity to slow down and ask foundational questions: What does it mean to engage in community? How can we imagine new ways of connecting? My work also asks similar questions—how do we build relationships, understand one another, and decide who we want to engage with? Both approaches involve exploring how we create spaces for connection and collaboration.

How do you incorporate CSL students into your work?

In Spring 2023, I was invited by Lisa Prins and Allison Sivak (CSL course instructors), to share my practice with their CSL 370 class, which focused on plants and gardening—topics that resonate deeply with my work around seeds, plants, and climate change. We met in a park one afternoon, where I brought seeds and shared my projects. The conversations were some of the most engaging I’ve had. While my projects often appeal to artists, this group approached the work from a different perspective, yet shared a genuine interest in the intersections of community, art, and environmental issues.

In Spring 2024, Lisa and Allison invited me to engage more deeply with their course, and I eagerly accepted because of my positive experience the previous year. Collaborating with their students has been incredibly rewarding, creating spaces for shared knowledge and fostering conversations about topics I’m passionate about.

What have you learned by being involved with CSL?

Teaching art and design for 15 years has taught me a lot about pedagogy, but CSL offered a profoundly different approach to learning. Unlike traditional classrooms, which often rely on rigid hierarchies and lecture-based knowledge transmission, CSL fosters experiential, relational, and participatory modes of learning. This aligns perfectly with my practice, where learning alongside and from others is key.

The CSL classroom challenged me to rethink the boundaries of knowledge and how we connect with each other’s histories, cultures, and experiences. It was refreshing to work with students who didn’t identify as artists but were eager to explore art as a tool for justice, politics, and environmental concerns. The openness of the CSL framework allowed us to bypass the conventions of artistic training and dive directly into the complexities of the world we live in.

What do you hope CSL students take away from your presence in the classroom?

I hope students see artistic practice as a powerful strategy for communication. Art isn’t just about self-expression—it’s about relationality and finding ways to connect with others, especially around complex issues like climate change and social justice. Participatory art, in particular, focuses on building relationships and exploring how we can engage with the world in meaningful ways.

Working with the CSL class reminded me of the collective desire to address these challenges. While individual action can feel isolating, coming together in shared spaces—whether through art, conversation, or collaboration—can inspire new strategies for expression and problem-solving. I hope the students left with a sense of empowerment to use creative tools to communicate and enact change.

How has your involvement with CSL impacted you?

One lasting memory from my time with the CSL class is tied to the sunflower seeds we worked with. When the class ended, I took home some of the seeds we had discussed and distributed. Over the summer, I harvested seeds from the plants that grew, creating a physical reminder of our shared experience. This ongoing relationship with the seeds feels symbolic of community building—an ongoing, iterative process that takes time and care but can yield incredible results.

Another moment that stood out was during a postcard-making session. One student hesitated, saying, “I’m not an artist,” yet created an absolutely stunning piece. It reminded me that the label of “artist” can be limiting. Many people create beautiful, meaningful work without having been formally trained or identifying with the term. Moments like these reinforce the importance of opening up definitions of art and helping people see its potential as a universal tool for storytelling and connection.

How would you sum up your experience with CSL?

CSL has been an inspiring opportunity for community building, knowledge sharing, and mutual learning. Rather than a traditional artist talk where I simply present my work, the CSL classroom was an activated, relational space where I learned as much as I taught. It was a powerful reminder of the value of slowing down, fostering connections, and embracing art as a tool for collective exploration.

[jitendra030]

Top Distance mca colleges in india

In India, pursuing a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) through distance education has gained popularity, offering flexibility for working professionals and those unable to attend traditional classes. Several institutions stand out as leaders in this domain, each with unique features.

Fee Structure: The fee for distance MCA programs varies across institutions. Renowned colleges often offer comprehensive courses with competitive fees, making quality education accessible to a broader audience. It's crucial to compare fee structures, considering the program's duration and the facilities provided.

Admission Process: Admission procedures typically involve submitting application forms online, along with relevant documents. Some top distance MCA colleges in India may conduct entrance exams or evaluate candidates based on their previous academic performance and relevant work experience. Aspiring students should thoroughly research admission requirements for each institution.

Course Structure: The curriculum of distance MCA programs is designed to cover core computer science and information technology topics. It includes subjects like programming languages, database management, software engineering, and system analysis. Top colleges ensure a contemporary syllabus, keeping pace with technological advancements. Prospective students should review the course structure to ensure it aligns with their career goals.

Admission Process: Admission procedures typically involve submitting application forms online, along with relevant documents. Some top distance MCA colleges in India may conduct entrance exams or evaluate candidates based on their previous academic performance and relevant work experience. Aspiring students should thoroughly research admission requirements for each institution.

Colleges and Universities: Several institutions in India excel in providing quality distance MCA education. Sikkim Manipal University's Directorate of Distance Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), and Annamalai University are among the top choices. These institutions are known for their experienced faculty, updated curriculum, and robust infrastructure for remote learning.

Sikkim Manipal University (SMU-DE): SMU-DE is a pioneer in distance education, offering a well-structured MCA program. With a focus on practical skills, the university employs modern teaching methodologies and provides study materials both in print and online. SMU-DE's flexible approach attracts working professionals seeking career advancement through higher education.

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU): As a prominent name in open and distance learning, IGNOU offers an MCA program catering to a diverse student base. The university provides study materials, video lectures, and online resources. IGNOU's widespread network of study centers facilitates student support and examination processes, making it a preferred choice for distance education.

Annamalai University: Known for its comprehensive distance education programs, Annamalai University's Directorate of Distance Education offers an MCA course with a contemporary curriculum. The university emphasizes industry-relevant skills, preparing students for real-world challenges. Annamalai's commitment to quality education is reflected in its accreditation and recognition.

Conclusion: Choosing the right distance MCA college in India involves careful consideration of factors such as fee structure, admission process, course curriculum, and the reputation of the institution. Sikkim Manipal University, IGNOU, and Annamalai University are among the top choices, each contributing to the educational landscape by providing accessible and quality MCA programs through distance learning. Prospective students should research and compare these options to make an informed decision based on their career aspirations and personal preferences.

[muskanhealthcareblogger]

The Rise of Online Medical Courses in India: What You Need to Know

Think about it — a few years ago, who would have believed that medical education, a field so deeply rooted in labs, cadavers, and clinics, could go digital? Yet here we are. The world of medicine is evolving, and India is riding this digital wave like never before. Online medical courses are no longer a futuristic concept; they’re today's reality. And if you’re wondering whether they’re worth your time, money, and trust — let’s break it all down for you.

Understanding Online Medical Education

What Are Online Medical Courses?

Online medical courses refer to structured educational programs that are delivered entirely via digital platforms. These can range from basic anatomy lessons to advanced surgical techniques and even full degrees in public health or biotechnology.

Traditional vs. Online Medical Learning

While traditional learning thrives on face-to-face interaction and physical labs, online education leans on technology — video lectures, AI-based simulations, interactive quizzes, and more. It’s not a replacement, but it’s definitely a powerful supplement.

Growth Drivers Behind Online Medical Courses in India

1. Increased Internet Penetration

India’s cheap data revolution and expanding 4G networks have made high-speed internet accessible to even remote villages. This digital backbone fuels the spread of online learning.

2. Affordable Tech Devices

Smartphones, tablets, and laptops are more affordable than ever. Students now carry classrooms in their pockets.

3. Demand for Quality Education

Many rural and Tier 2/3 city students don’t have access to top medical colleges. Online courses bridge that gap.

4. EdTech Boom

Platforms like Byju’s, Unacademy, and WhiteHat Jr. have made online learning mainstream. The medical segment wasn’t far behind.

Popular Platforms Offering Online Medical Courses in India

Medvarsity: India’s first online medical certification platform, backed by Apollo Hospitals. Offers everything from cardiology to diabetes management.

DocMode: Popular among doctors for CME (Continuing Medical Education).

NPTEL & Swayam: Government initiatives offering online content from IITs and medical institutions.

Coursera & Udemy: These platforms offer access to courses from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford.

Types of Online Medical Courses Available

Certification & Diploma Programs

Ideal for working professionals looking to upskill in niche areas like ICU care or infectious diseases.

Degree Programs

IGNOU and some foreign universities offer online degrees in public health and biomedical sciences.

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

Required for doctors to maintain licenses. Many are now fully online with interactive modules.

Specialized Topics

Courses on topics like dermatology, radiology, surgery, and mental health attract both students and practitioners.

Advantages of Online Medical Courses

Flexibility: Learn at your own pace, around your schedule.

Affordability: Often cheaper than offline alternatives.

Global Expertise: Learn from international doctors and professors.

Tech-Enhanced Learning: Simulations, VR labs, and AI-driven assessments make learning immersive.

Challenges of Online Medical Education in India

Lack of Practical Training

Medicine is hands-on. No matter how good the video, it can’t replace touching, feeling, and doing.

Urban-Rural Divide

While cities thrive with tech, rural areas still struggle with basic connectivity.

Language Barriers

Most courses are in English. Regional-language content is still lacking.

Government and Regulatory Body Involvement

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is exploring frameworks to recognize online medical content. AIIMS has launched online modules, and IGNOU is a pioneer in distance healthcare education. The government is also integrating online CME into licensing requirements.

Role of AI and Virtual Reality in Online Medical Learning

Virtual labs now allow you to "cut open" a digital cadaver. AI tutors can analyze your mistakes in real-time. It’s like having a personal mentor 24/7. Virtual Reality takes you inside the human body — literally.

Online Medical Courses for NEET and PG Prep

Top students now swear by platforms like Prepladder, Unacademy NEET, and Marrow. These offer mock tests, doubt-solving sessions, and video lectures by top educators — all from your phone.

Online Courses for Healthcare Professionals

Nurses, lab technicians, paramedics — everyone benefits. Whether it’s learning CPR or handling ventilators, these short-term courses improve patient care standards and boost careers.

Career Scope After Online Medical Certifications

Hospitals are open to certified professionals with practical knowledge. Telemedicine startups are booming, and research roles are expanding. Public health jobs in NGOs and government bodies often require up-to-date digital skills and knowledge.

Future of Online Medical Education in India

Hybrid learning — combining digital and in-person modules — is the way forward. More institutes will offer virtual internships and simulation-based assessments. Acceptance by top hospitals and medical councils will grow with better regulation.

How to Choose the Right Online Medical Course

Check Accreditation: Is it NMC or globally recognized?

Content Quality: Look at modules, instructors, and student feedback.

Support & Community: Does it offer mentorship, peer forums, and doubt clearing?

Conclusion

Online medical education in India is no longer a secondary option — it’s a smart, scalable, and impactful path to learning. Whether you're a student prepping for NEET, a doctor upskilling in cardiology, or a nurse wanting to enhance patient care — there’s an online course just for you. The future is digital, and in Indian medical education, it’s already here.

Checkout different courses below:

Radiology Courses

Cardiology Courses​

Internal Medicine Courses

Obstetrics and Gynecology Courses

Critical Care Medicine Courses

Emergency Medicine Courses

Paediatrics Courses

Embryology Courses

Oncology Courses

Cosmetology Courses

Clinical Cardiology Courses

Clinical Embryology Courses

Neurology Courses

Echocardiography Courses

Endocrinology Courses

Diabetology Course​s

FAQs

1. Are online medical courses valid in India? Yes, many are recognized by the NMC or affiliated with reputed universities. Check credentials before enrolling.

2. Can I become a doctor through an online course? No, MBBS and MD require clinical training and can't be completed 100% online. But many prep and CME courses are available online.

3. What are the best platforms for online medical learning? Medvarsity, DocMode, Marrow, and NPTEL are highly recommended in India.

4. Do online courses offer practical training? Some do via simulations or in-person workshops. But full practical exposure still requires offline participation.

5. How do I verify the authenticity of a medical course? Look for accreditation, university affiliation, faculty details, and genuine student reviews.

[alicevgcna]

Open Your Career: How to Become a CNA Online in 5 Simple Steps

Unlock Your Career: How to Become a CNA Online⁢ in 5 Simple Steps

If you’re looking for a fulfilling career in the healthcare field, becoming a certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) might be the perfect choice for you. The demand for CNAs⁢ is on the rise, and pursuing this career online ⁤is more accessible than ever. This guide will walk you through the process ‌in just five simple steps to help you unlock your career potential.

Why Become a ⁣CNA?

Before diving into the steps, let’s explore⁢ some benefits of becoming a CNA:

High Demand: The healthcare industry is continuously growing, leading ⁤to a consistent demand for cnas.

flexible Education: With online programs, you can study at your own pace and schedule.

Career Advancement: Starting as a CNA can lead to‌ further opportunities ‌in nursing and‌ healthcare.

Personal Satisfaction: CNAs ⁢play a ​crucial role in patient care, offering a sense of fulfillment through service.

Step ⁤1: Research CNA Programs

the⁤ first ⁤step to becoming a⁤ CNA online is to research various CNA training programs. Look for⁢ accredited institutions that offer complete coursework. Here are some ⁢factors to consider:

Accreditation status

Program length

Costs and financial aid options

Student reviews and outcomes

Step 2: Enroll ⁤in an Online CNA Program

Once you’ve researched⁤ your options, it’s time to enroll. Make sure to fill out all necessary forms and provide any required documentation. Typically, you might need:

High school diploma or GED

Background check information

Health screening (vaccination records)

Look for programs that ⁢offer both theoretical knowledge through online classes and ⁣practical experience through clinical training.

Step 3: Complete Your Coursework

as you‌ embark on your CNA journey, your education will‌ involve ⁢completing coursework that covers essential topics, including:

Basic nursing skills

Patient⁣ care ​techniques

Healthcare ethics

Dialog skills

Online coursework often consists of video​ lectures, readings, quizzes, and interaction with instructors and peers via discussion forums. Ensure you keep a steady study schedule to keep up with assignments.

Step‌ 4: Pass the CNA Certification Exam

After successfully completing ‌your CNA training program, the next step is to⁣ pass the CNA certification exam. This exam typically includes​ both a written component and a skills presentation. Here’s what you‌ can expect:

Exam component

Description

Written Exam

tests your knowledge of‌ CNA concepts, ⁢procedures, and the healthcare ​system.

Skills Test

Assesses your ability to perform essential skills required for patient care.

Prepare adequately by reviewing your coursework, utilizing study guides, and taking practice⁣ exams.

Step 5: Apply for CNA Positions

After successfully⁣ passing the certification exam, it’s ​time to enter the workforce. When ⁢applying for CNA positions, consider:

Crafting a tailored resume highlighting relevant skills and experience

Networking with industry professionals

Joining⁤ local or online CNA groups for support ⁣and job leads

Real-Life Experiences: What to Expect ‌as a CNA

Many CNAs find the role to be both demanding and⁣ rewarding. here are some firsthand insights:

“Being a CNA allows you ‍to make a real difference in someone’s life.The relationships you build with patients are incredibly rewarding.” – Sarah, a CNA with 3 years of experience.

⁣ “The job can be physically demanding,but the satisfaction of helping others keeps me motivated.” – Tom, a CNA working in a senior care facility.

Practical Tips for Success as ​a CNA

To thrive as a CNA, consider these practical tips:

Stay organized: Use checklists to manage your tasks⁤ effectively.

Communicate clearly: ⁤ Build good communication skills to interact more effectively ⁣with patients and healthcare teams.

Seek feedback: Regularly ask for ⁢feedback from supervisors to improve your​ skills.

Conclusion

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant online is a fantastic way to start your career in ⁢healthcare. By⁤ following these five simple steps—researching programs,enrolling in a training course,completing your coursework,passing the certification exam,and applying for positions—you can unlock a rewarding future. Remember, every step‍ you⁢ take brings you closer to making a positive impact in the lives ⁢of‍ others. Take the leap today,‍ and embrace the prospect to change ‍your career for the better!

https://cnaclassesonline.net/open-your-career-how-to-become-a-cna-online-in-5-simple-steps/

[ramxswords]

Blog rules

✨Please note that this is a side-blog, so if you follow it, I won't be able to follow you back via this URL, so I'll most likely follow from my main Multimuse blog.

✨This is a mature 21+ RP blog as the stories can go into all levels of details. I don't shy from anything as long as you don't ask me to write gross topics.

✨Choose whichever style of roleplaying you want: it can be novella type writing, dialogue based writing (in which our Muses interact through message threads or asks), private messages roleplay (in which we dm each other in case you are shy or want the story to stay private).

✨The type of relationships that our Muses can pursue can be anything from friends, enemies, frenemies, lovers, friends with benefits, platonic relationship, familial bond (for example if you want our Muses to be siblings or cousins in a group RP, but in this particular case please discuss with me prior to making anything official on your blog or in your interactions), etc.

✨I'm usually the type to like cute, wholesome stories with fluff and adorable interactions (my strong games are writing romance and comedy), but I won't say no to angst, drama or action either, only thing is that I am not that skilled with writing fights.^^' Oh, and smut is perfectly fine with me too, only thing is that I'd prefer this to not be the only type of interactions our Muses have or the only focus of our threads (this is not a smut centric blog).

✨Multiship blog, as well as multiverse. Each ship and interaction has its own separate verse, unless stated otherwise. While the blog does revolve around a character from the Bleach anime, I am open to RP with cannon characters and OCs from any fandom (preferably ones that I have actually knowledge on too, like the source material), given that I am not picky by any means as long as it's not a problematic show/book/comic, so I can easily adapt something for my Muse(s) to fit in your character's universe.

✨No bullying and no hate topics! Everyone should be nice to everyone and I'm trying to create a friendly environment, so I won't partake in topics involving harassing or slandering other RP accounts. If I see you reblogging or posting any hateful, homophobic, racist or transphobic material on your blog, that'll result into an instant block!

✨We can interact between Mods too, I am always open to making new friends so don't hold back from sending me a message if you want. ^^ I am perfectly fine with both spontaneous new interactions and pre-planned and plotted ones.

✨I am a university student currently enrolled into my Master's Degree, so my schedule is pretty hectic, but I will always make sure to reply in due time to our threads! If it takes me longer to reply, it might just mean I am busy with working on assignments or projects, or that I am stuck at my lectures or labs (during the week). In no shape or form would I ignore you.❤ If a thread goes unanswered for a longer period of time, you can always bring it up to me via IM. Just please don't pester me daily with questions like "when are you going to reply?", cause that'll kill my mood.

✨While I am not entirely bothered by people reblogging memes from my blogs, I'd prefer you refrain from using me as a roleplay memes source, since I get notified for each and every reblog and this can easily start clogging up my notifications with useless notifs, making me lose track of the actual important notifications about thread replies.

✨Triggering topics will be listed under the 't/w' tag, adapted to the specific context of the trigger (ex: 't/w: blood', 't/w: nsfw', 't/w: graphic mentions of violence' etc.)

[laraphleb]

Open Your Career: Top Phlebotomy Training Programs in Raleigh, NC

Unlock Your Career: Top Phlebotomy Training Programs in Raleigh, NC

Are‍ you looking ⁢to launch a rewarding⁤ career​ in healthcare? Phlebotomy could be the perfect fit for you! With the growing demand for skilled professionals in the medical field, enrolling in a phlebotomy training program⁣ can help you ⁢take the first step ⁤towards your⁣ new career. This article will guide you ​through the best phlebotomy training programs in Raleigh, ‍NC, highlighting their features, benefits, and practical ​tips for enrolling.

Understanding Phlebotomy

Phlebotomy involves the drawing⁢ of blood ​for various medical purposes, including laboratory tests, donations, and transfusions. Certified phlebotomists are essential in‍ ensuring accurate test results and ⁤effective ​patient care. As healthcare continues to evolve, the demand ⁤for trained phlebotomists is on ⁣the rise, making this a stable and ​well-paying ‍career choice.

Benefits of Becoming a ⁤Certified Phlebotomist

High Demand: ⁣ The need for phlebotomists is growing, with job opportunities expected⁣ to increase in the coming years.

Quick Entry: Training programs ​typically last from a‌ few ⁤weeks to a few months, allowing ⁣you to enter the workforce relatively quickly.

Competitive Salary: certified phlebotomists earn competitive wages, making this career financially rewarding.

Diverse Work Environments: Phlebotomists can find employment in hospitals, ‍clinics, laboratories, and​ blood donation centers.

Top ​Phlebotomy ⁢Training Programs in raleigh, NC

Program Name

Duration

Online/Onsite

Certificate/Accreditation

Wake Technical Community College

6 Months

Onsite

Yes‍ (Accredited)

Durham technical Community College

1 Semester

Onsite

Yes (Accredited)

american Red Cross

8 Weeks

Onsite

Yes (Nationally Recognized)

Fortis College

9 ⁢Months

Onsite

Yes (Licensed)

Detailed⁢ Reviews of Top Programs

1. Wake Technical​ Community College

Wake Technical Community College offers a robust phlebotomy ‌training program that‍ combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical practice. ‍The⁣ program encompasses essential topics such ‌as anatomy, veinpuncture technique,⁣ and patient interaction. Upon completion, students ‌earn a certificate that prepares ‌them ⁤for⁤ national certification exams.

2. Durham Technical Community⁢ College

This program is ideal for those looking for a quick pathway into the phlebotomy field. the curriculum emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring students⁤ are well-prepared for their future‍ roles. Graduates receive a certificate recognized by healthcare employers throughout North Carolina.

3. American Red ⁤Cross

With a focus on real-world training, the American Red Cross provides a dedicated phlebotomy training program. ⁢This course emphasizes safety, ethical practices, and ⁤patient care, complemented by ‌ample hands-on experience. Graduates are⁤ often highly sought after due⁤ to the program’s ‍reputable standing in the medical community.

4. fortis College

Fortis College offers a comprehensive phlebotomy program that includes‌ a strong emphasis on patient communication and ​phlebotomy techniques. The course delivery combines ⁣lectures and practical⁤ labs, helping students master the skills needed in a clinical setting. Graduates ⁢earn a diploma and are well-prepared for certification ⁤exams.

Practical Tips for Enrolling in a Phlebotomy Program

Research Accreditation: ‌ Ensure the program is ⁤accredited by⁢ a recognized body for better job prospects.

Check for Hands-on experience: Look for​ programs that offer clinical practice to gain real-world experience.

Certification Preparation: Choose programs that prepare you ⁤for national certification exams,which‌ can‍ enhance⁣ employability.

Consider flexibility: ⁢If you have a‍ busy schedule, look for programs offering evening or weekend classes.

First-Hand Experiences

Student Testimonials

“The phlebotomy program at wake Technical Community College transformed my ⁢career prospects. The instructors were incredibly supportive, and I felt confident when I⁢ completed my training!” -⁤ Emily R.

“I chose the ⁣program at the American Red ⁣Cross, and it was the best decision I ever⁣ made. The hands-on‍ practice was invaluable, and⁢ I landed a job shortly after graduating!” ​ – Jason⁢ T.

Conclusion

Embarking on a career‍ as a phlebotomist can be a fulfilling⁢ and lucrative decision.With the right training program ‌in Raleigh, NC,‍ you can unlock a world of opportunities in the healthcare industry. by exploring ⁤the options available⁤ and ⁤understanding what each program offers,you can choose the best fit for your career goals. Start your journey toward‌ becoming a certified phlebotomist today!

https://phlebotomycareertraining.net/open-your-career-top-phlebotomy-training-programs-in-raleigh-nc/