Congrats on 1K, Rinna! It's such a big number :O
Actually is it okay if I request an AU of my own?! It's called PHD AU (I'm so smart 😔) bc @/rakiah put the idea of Ancient Magic PHD student Leona, and since I'm planning on pursuing a PHD myself it'd be pretty interesting bc I'm planning to pursuing archeology so like- similar fields but also not so rivals-to-lovers speedrun during a research project idk 😳 anything short works! I just needed someone to scream about this too 💀💀
pull your weight
Pairing: Leona Kingscholar x gn!reader
Synopsis: he was the one person you never wanted to work with, but life never goes the way you plan
Tags: banter, forced collaboration, academic rivalry, teasing, slowish burn(?)
Word count: 1k+
Notes: im like 2 months late wth sorry soru (๑•﹏•), i hope you'll enjoy this haha
Masterlist
He was the last person you wanted to work with.
All you needed was a solid grade on your final project for you to finally say goodbye to all your years of studying. But fate seemed to have a cruel sense of humour, for your academic fate was intertwined with his in a dreaded group assignment.
The universe revelled in its own sadistic humour as it matched you with none other than the very figure you had observed, with a mix of bemusement and irritation, in the library on countless occasions. A man seemingly fused with the furniture itself, always deep in sleep even as you worked tirelessly away.
You drew in a deep breath, readying for the challenge of a less-than-motivated teammate as you approached his seat with determined steps.
In truth, he was a striking man, or beastman, more accurately. His untamed, lengthy brown mane matches the intensity of his emerald gaze, creating an impression akin to a masterpiece fashioned by Pygmalion himself. But aesthetics aside, you couldn't just stare at him; you had an actual task to complete together.
"Kingscholar, right?" you asked, reaching out your hand as a gesture of goodwill.
His gaze shifted from a distant point to meet your outstretched hand. A brief pause hung in the air, during which you're uncertain if he would even acknowledge your gesture. Then, almost begrudgingly, he raised his hand and shook yours with a firm grip.
"Yeah, that's me," he responded, his tone carrying a touch of irritation. "Whadaya want?"
You felt your eye twitch in annoyance, yet you maintained your smile. "I'm your assigned partner for the research project."
"Tch... what a pain," you overheard him grumbling, his hand absentmindedly brushing back his unruly hair. "Fine, but you better pull your own weight, herbivore." A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Of course," you replied with an unaffected tone, though any warmth in your voice had long dissipated. "I assure you, I'm here to contribute. And I expect you to do the same."
A charged tension lingered in the air, a blend of rivalry and cooperation intertwining like threads in a complex tapestry.
With an abrupt turn, he shifted his gaze away from you. "Let's just get this over with. Meet at the library Thursday at 3 o'clock," he grumbled impatiently. "And stop calling me Kingscholar," he added as he began to stride away.
You raised an eyebrow at his sudden shift in demeanour. "Okay," you murmured, your voice softening, "... Leona," you hesitantly pronounced his name, testing it on your lips. But by then, he had already disappeared into the distance.
"Leona..." you groaned, the tip of your pen repeatedly poking his arm "Wake up..." though it seemed none of your efforts could stir this man from the land of dreams.
Hours had passed in focused collaboration. Each of you brought your strengths to the table, your efforts converging into a symphony of intellect and expertise. Leona, though rude and demanding, was surprisingly knowledgeable, and hidden behind his sharp words laid great advice and ideas for the project. Despite the initial friction, a sort of rhythm began to form, a silent understanding of when to speak and when to listen.
You heaved out a sigh, fatigue settling in after an afternoon of relentless work, not to mention the late-night study session you had to 'pull your weight' as he demanded. You had continued working for quite a bit even after he fell asleep, the passage of time fading as the sun sank below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the room where your joint project lay spread out before you.
'Alright,' you conceded to yourself. 'A short break won't hurt.'
Your gaze rested on his peaceful slumber, his lengthy eyelashes casting ethereal, feather-light shadows upon his features. In response, a subtle smile tugged at the corners of your lips.
"You really are just a big, grumpy cat, huh?" you murmured to yourself.
As the sun's last rays painted the room in hues of warmth, fatigue finally caught up with you. The chair beneath you seemed to cradle your weariness, its embrace inviting and soothing. Your eyelids grew heavy, and despite your intention to take a short break, the weight of the day pulled you under.
"Hey," a gentle voice penetrates your drowsy state. "Wake up."
You groggily pry your eyes open, squinting against the ambient light of the library. The world swims into focus, shades of muted gold and soft shadows dancing before you.
"Leona…?" you mumble. "What time is it?"
"Half past ten. The library is closin' soon."
Your groggy mind stirs to life, realization piercing through the haze like a ray of sunlight breaking through morning mist. "Half past… ten?! Oh no, the project!"
With a hushed urgency, he places his palm over your mouth, muffling your alarm. His face looms close, his breath brushing against your skin in gentle wisps. "Shhh, you're still in a library, herbivore," he cautions, his words painted with a touch of amusement. "The project is halfway done."
A moment of bewildered disbelief freezes your thoughts in mid-air. "Wait… Huh? Did you—"
"I said hush," his voice is a silken thread of command, pausing your entire line of questioning. A playful glint dances in his eyes. "If I were you, I'd be more worried about the drool on your face."
Your hand shoots up to your face like a reflex, your fingers searching for the phantom traces of embarrassment, only to find nothing but your own flushed cheeks.
"Hahaha, that woke ya up, didn't it?" he chuckles.
You're left momentarily bewildered, a mix of relief and embarrassment coursing through you. As your senses fully awaken, you sit up, your grogginess slowly dissipating as you reclaim your wits.
"You know," he begins, his voice still hushed, "you're not entirely useless," he conceded, his tone a mixture of grudging approval and a touch of surprise.
You blink at his words, processing for a few seconds before realising he was referring to your work on the project. Your initial embarrassment gives way to a rekindling of your competitive spirit, and you respond with a half-smile that mirrors his own. "Likewise, I suppose. Turns out, this 'herbivore' can hold their own."
The smirk that plays at the corner of his lips was no longer purely condescending. "Don't get too comfortable. This doesn't mean I'm going easy on you."
"Wouldn't have it any other way, Leona" you shot back.
Masterlist
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first creator shoutout of the year! changing from a monthly thing to a bimonthly thing because I’m lazy here are some of the talent brilliant incredible amazing showstopping spectacular art pieces, edits, and gifsets that graced my dash the past couple of months!
🤍 art
[x] mdzs x the price we had to pay by @k-dayun
[x] spirited away by @crimson-chains
[x] vegas with his iconic witchy shirt by @thatgothsamurai
[x] new member of the hot priest club amen by @thatgothsamurai
[x] mikey by @mirshroom
[x] hayakawa aki by @mirshroom
[x] goth boy by @rakiah
[x] luo fumeng by @zazrichor
[x] humanity’s strongest by @kelpls
🤍 edits
[x] vice versa x how fates intertwine by @oswlld
[x] sleep with me by @oswlld
[x] succession season 3 by @romanticspeculation
[x] hayakawa aki by @ohreigen
[x] mikage reo by @kanbayashis
[x] alon by @xiaolanhua
🤍 gifsets
[x] lbfad by @yilinglaozu
[x] hayakawa aki by @11x11pm
[x] merlin 10th anniversary by @arthurpendragonns
[x] park joong gil by @thoresque
[x] beyond evil by @thoresque
[x] hotd x labyrinth by @vhagar-apologist
[x] favourite targaryens by @lucrezia-borgia
[x] everything everywhere all at once by @binariesuns
[x] hotd x we know we’re damaged by @padme-amidala
[x] wednesday by @makingemi
[x] hotel del luna by @jangman-wol
[x] hero by @natahjikio
[x] lbfad by @baijingting
[x] the blood of youth chaotic gifset by @belsmultifandommess
[x] love by @belsmultifandommess
[x] iwtv vampires in season 1 by @dirchristophernolan
[x] tlou by @wakandasforever
[x] hayakawa aki’s morning routine by @bl-astoise
[x] the theerapanyakun’s real love languages by @spicyvampire
[x] a love letter to puentalay from vice versa by @ardentlytess
[x] yoon sae bom by @venuseda
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