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Synopsis: Isaac pushed you to your breaking point, and now you're plotting something for Prank Day.
Word count: 3,074
Content warning: academic rivals to lovers, fem!reader, reader is shorter than Isaac, reader is a witch, reader has fire powers, Isaac is mean and manipulative (whatâs new?), little bit of stalking
Author's note: This took me way longer than it should have to finish writing this and I apologize for that. I blame college and writerâs block for that. Despite me taking forever to finally post this, Iâm really proud of how this one turned out. This is my first time posting something other than drabbles on this account, so this means a lot to me. Itâs also my first time writing academic rivals to lovers, and I hope I did okay with writing this trope/dynamic. There are two more parts in this series, by the way. It could take some time for the next part to be posted, but I already outlined what I need to write. As always, reblogs and comments/feedback are appreciated!
Your fingers softly tapped against the mahogany desk in front of you. The sound was your only source of reprieve amidst the scattered chatter coming from your classmates in the classroom. Today was the day you were going to get your exam results for Experimental Chemistry. You had been waiting all day to find out your results. Your heart beat at a rapid pace in anticipation.
âMs. Y/L/N.â
A test paper slipped right in front of you. With eager eyes, you flipped the paper and searched for your score. It was a 99. A high score that made you pleased, nonetheless.
âMr. Night.â
Your interest piqued when you heard his name. You looked up from your test paper to see that your rival, Isaac Night, had received his test paper back.
âA perfect score. Excellent job as always, Mr. Night. I expected nothing less from you.â Professor Stonehearst patted Isaac's shoulder in approval.
You scowled at Professor Stonehearst's remark. Isaac had beaten you by a mere point. Normally, you wouldnât be concerned. But the issue at hand is that this was Experimental Chemistryâyour favorite subject. And Isaac Night had bested you at your strength.
âThis has to be a mistake.â You muttered to yourself with bated breath as you frantically searched for the reason why you got the question wrong.
But to your dismay, your score was true to your performance. A simple calculation error cost you a point. This realization made you ashamed of yourself. However, wallowing in self-pity was no longer an option due to a looming presence nearby.
âWell, well, well. What do we have here?â Isaac sneered.
You tried to prevent your test paper from being taken away, but Isaac was much quicker than you. He snatched it from your desk and smirked once he saw your score.
âSeems like youâre still not on my level, Y/L/N.â
âDoes it really matter? A 99 is still a high score.â You tried to refute, taking your test paper out of Isaac's hands.
âBut I thought witches were naturals at getting perfect scores in chemistry.â Isaac leaned in. âThereâs clearly something youâre still lacking, little witch.â
That nickname set you off, and you absolutely despised it. However, it wasn't the first time he called you by that nickname. You remembered that day as if it were yesterdayâyour first encounter with Isaac. It all started a year ago when you were a new student at Nevermore. After classes were finished for the day, you headed straight to the library to get some work done. The library was busier than usual that day, but you managed to find an empty spot in a secluded area. Once you were settled, you didn't waste time starting your homework. However, your work session was disrupted about ten minutes in.
âYou're sitting in my seat.â You heard someone say behind you in a mildly annoyed tone. Craning your head over your shoulder, you saw a pale, lanky boy with curly brunette locks.
âBut I got here first. It's only fair that I get to keep sitting here.â You reasoned with the brunette. âPlus, there are other spots in the library that you can sit at.â
The boy scowled at you, not convinced by your response. âNot a chance. This is my usual spot.â
âI'm sorry, but you're just going to have to find another place to sit. Good luck with forcing me out of this seat.â You resumed working on your homework, thinking that was the end of the conversation. But you were dead wrong.
A hint of a smirk appeared on the boy's face. With a flick of his wrist, the chair you had been sitting on was yanked from underneath you, leading you to fall on the floor with a yelp. Shortly after, your books and book bag also fell on the floor thanks to the brunette's power. The course of events shocked you.
âNow scurry off on your broomstick, little witch.â He snapped with no interest in bothering to even spare another glance at you.
Those bitter words cut you deep. Isaac's hostile behavior taught you two things. One, you could hold a grudge, and two, you wanted him to be miserable. Ever since that day, you vowed to get even with Isaac. You watched him with a careful eye, observing his routines and mannerisms to beat him at the one thing he's good atâacademics. It wasn't difficult to match Isaac's level of academic success. You were naturally gifted, like him. Every time he raised his hand in class, ready to spit out an answer, your hand was raised too. Every exam that he aced, you also did exceptionally well. Those days when you received a better grade than he did on an exam or assignment would have you surging with pride.
But there were also times when he would get his way, like when he ultimately won the professors' favor when an argument erupted between you and Isaac. It was like he knew what exact words to say to gain the professors' approval while making you look like you're in the wrong. He also took great pride in knowing what words to say to disarm and injure your ego. You were sure Isaac caught on to your plan of revenge. There was no denying it. Both of you were trying to outdo each other like it was a game of chess.
Returning to reality, you let out a scoff and mustered the best smile you could muster in response to Isaac's remark. âWell, at least I know I don't lack an actual heart, unlike you, Tin Man.â
The smug smirk that Isaac wore disappeared immediately once he processed what you said. Gasps from your classmates erupted in the room. You may have taken things too far and made Isaac lose his cool for once. However, your satisfaction was cut short.
âYou conniving witch!â With a flick of his wrist, Isaac held you in a chokehold with his DaVinci power. Your eyes widened as you helplessly gasped for air.
âThatâs enough, both of you!â Professor Stonehearst yelled, quickly intervening.
Isaac loosened his hold on you, and you violently coughed once free from his grip.
âI don't know what's gotten into both of you today, but the way both of you are acting is unacceptable!â Professor Stonehearst scolded.
Isaac gave the professor an apologetic look and placed his hand over his heart. âI apologize, Professor Stonehearst. I'm not in the best mood today. It won't happen again, I promise.â
âThat's what I like to hear, Isaac.â Professor Stonehearst redirected his attention to you. âNow, young woman, you should know better than to offend a fellow classmate.â
âWait, what? But he was the one who insulted me first!â
âYou're more than welcome to leave the class if you're questioning my judgment.â Professor Stonehearst sternly stated.
Before you could utter a reply, Isaac cut in. âYou heard what Professor Stonehearst said. It's not wise to question him. Know your place, little witch.â
You bowed your head in shame, rendered speechless by what just happened. A mixture of emotions swirled inside you like potion ingredients mixed inside a cauldronâhumiliation, anger, regret. You clenched your fists, trying your best not to explode and let your emotions control you.
You shot Isaac a glare and returned to your seat, accepting your defeat. Class continued as if nothing had happened, but deep inside, a bubbling rage within you threatened to spill out. Isaacâs grating voice and superficial smile were still plastered in your mind for the remainder of class.
Once class was over, you grabbed your book bag and left the room immediately. You no longer wanted to be in the same room as Isaac. However, you heard your name called, which made you stop in your tracks. You turned your head to see none other than Atticus, a classmate of yours who's a vampire. He pulled you aside to talk to you.
âHey, are you alright after everything that happened back there?â
âYeah.â You nodded, convincing yourself you were fine. âI was just startled, that's all.â
âAre you sure? I think Professor Stonehearst was wrong back there. He shouldn't have sided with a student who resorted to violence.â
âThanks. It's good to know someone's looking out for me.â
âOf course. It's not right for someone lovely like you to get treated badly.â
You felt your heart skip at the compliment. âIt's reassuring to hear that there's someone in this school who doesn't fear me, given my ancestry.â
âWhy should I be afraid?â Atticus moved closer to you and placed his hand on your shoulder. âThere's nothing to fear from you. You're an Outcast no matter what, and Outcasts should have each other's backs.â
Atticus's words made you feel warm inside, so you couldn't help but crack a smile. âYou're quite the sweet talker, aren't you?â
Atticus withdrew his hand that was on your shoulder and chuckled. âYou could say that. By the way, are you excited for Prank Day tomorrow?â
The mention of Prank Day sparked a brilliant idea to pop into your head. âYeah, it sounds like it'll be fun. I actually need to go now, but I feel a lot better after talking to you!â
You waved goodbye to Atticus and headed to your dorm. But as soon as you left, you felt an unshakeable presence watching your every move. What you didn't know was that someone was watching your conversation with Atticus the whole time.
After some time had passed, you made it back to your dorm. Your roommate, Francoise, was sitting at her desk when you entered the dorm. She greeted you, but you didn't reply. Instead, you went straight to your bookshelf, searching for your potion book.
Francoise immediately went to your side, detecting that something was up. âWhat has gotten into you?â She asked, concerned with the way you were acting.
âI experienced an epiphany.â You flipped through the pages of the book once you found it. âWhy didn't I think of doing this before? I should have done this way earlier!â
âYou sound just like Isaac right now,â Francoise noted with amusement.
You immediately stopped what you were doing and pointed a finger at Francoise. âDon't ever compare me to the likes of him. What he did to me in class was despicable!â
âSo I've heard. Word travels fast here.â
âHe is such a nuisance.â You set the book on your desk and started pacing around the room. âAll the words that come from his lips are just sour milk.â
Francoise raised an inquisitive eyebrow at you. âWait, were you staring at his lips?â
âIt's not what it sounds like, I swear!â Frustrated, you threw your hands up in the air. How dare Francoise put that image in your mind? Now your mind was somewhere else, and you almost lost your train of thought. Taking a few deep breaths, you pushed that thought away and continued your rambling. âThe point is, he humiliated me in front of the entire class and then almost tried to kill me! He's a monster!â
âI think you need to calm down. You don't know Isaac like I do.â Francoise insisted.
You shook your head in disagreement over Francoise's words. She can be so naĂŻve at times. âWell, it doesn't take a genius to know that he's a pathetic boy who likes to pick on people whom he sees as inferior in his eyes. People like that infuriate me so.â
âAnd I'm not going to let that stop me from doing what I'm going to do to him tomorrow on Prank Day,â you said, feeling determined.
Francoise noticed you had a crazed look on your face. She's seen that look before in her brother. Just like him, you were hellbent on getting what you wanted and didn't want anything standing in your way.
She grabs you by the shoulders, forcing you to look into her eyes. You can see on her face that she was apprehensive about what you were planning. âWhatever you're going to do to him, I don't want you to do it.â
It was natural that Francoise was trying to talk you out of it. But you already had your mind made up and knew her attempts to convince you otherwise were futile. You didn't like disappointing her, but vengeance was far more important at the moment.
âI'm sorry, but my patience has been worn thin for far too long, Fran.â You gently removed her hands from your shoulders. âI've already made up my mind. Someone needs to teach him a lesson, and I will be the one to put him in his place.â
Francoise sighed. You went back to flipping through your potion book, and it didn't take long for you to find what you had been looking for: the recipe for a silencing potion. You scanned the recipe description: whoever drinks this potion will have their mouth gone for 24 hours. Overall, it was the perfect prank for Isaac.
âIf I can't convince you out of this, can I tag along with you at least? To make sure you won't harm my brother.â
âFine. I don't mind the company.â You left a bookmark on the recipe page and placed it in your book bag. "Just let me change my clothes.â
You quickly changed into more comfortable clothing: a black sweater, shortalls, and combat boots. Once you were satisfied with your outfit, a knock was heard at the door. You saw Francoise make a beeline for the door and open it, revealing none other than Isaac.
âWhat are you doing here?â You angrily questioned. âYou're not supposed to be here.â
Isaac's smug smirk almost disappeared from his face when he caught sight of your bare legs. But he quickly regained his composure at record speed. âJust wanted to check up on my sister. Where's the harm in that?â
You narrowed your eyes at him, not believing his words. âYou're lying. Come on, spit it out.â
Isaac dropped the act, clearly caught red-handed. âYou're as sharp as ever. I wanted to check in with you. I saw you with that bloodsucker, Atticus, and I can't help but think that you were conspiring with him against me.â
Your expression darkened. This wasn't good. He was spying on you earlier and knows you are up to something.
âWhat I do is none of your business. Plus, why were you eavesdropping on us in the first place?â You folded your arms across your chest and gave him a suspicious look.
âIsaac, please, just give it a rest.â Francoise went to Isaac's side and clutched his arm. "Y/N isn't up to anything. She was having a normal conversation with Atticus.â
Isaac gave his sister a meek smile and patted her shoulder. âAlright, I trust your word, Sis.â
He redirected his attention to you, and his smile faded. âIf I suspect you're up to something, you're done for.â The young scientist warned before leaving.
Once Isaac was gone, Francoise reached for your hand and grasped it. âPromise me you're not going to hurt him?â
You squeezed her hand in reassurance. âOh, relax. It's a harmless potion. These kinds of potions only last for 24 hours.â
Francoise accepted your answer, but you could tell she was still reluctant.
After you were sure Isaac was gone, you and Francoise made it to your lab. With one hand, you lit all the candles in the lab with your power. The lab was located near the chemistry room, but hidden. You can only access it through a certain spell, hence why no one knows of its existence besides you and Francoise.
The lab was spacious enough to accommodate two people. Despite this, however, it was quaint and comfy. There were shelves along the wall that held various ingredients and supplies for potion making. At the center was a wooden table with two chairs. Nestled between the shelves was your cauldron, resting on a small counter right by the ornate windows.
After placing your book bag on the table, you went to work gathering the needed supplies to make the potion. The silencing potion was simple to make, and you had all the ingredients on hand in your lab. It had been way too long since you last brewed a potion. Making potions had been your favorite pastime and your sole talent. You loved the various aromas and sights that filled your senses when you stirred the cauldron. The entire process was also relaxing for you.
It was quiet ever since you and Francoise entered the secret lab. The latter was looking through the pages of your potion book as you prepared the ingredients. While heating the cauldron, you heard Francoise speak.
âYou have a crush on Atticus, right?â
You paused what you were doing and gave her a nod. âYeah, I do. He makes me feel good about myself.â
âAnd you haven't confessed to him yet?â
âNo, I haven't.â
âWell, what's stopping you if you like him so much?â
âThe fear of rejection, of course.â You reluctantly admitted out loud.
Francoise stood up and walked towards you with your potion book. She pointed to a page in the book. âWell, good thing witchcraft has the solution to your problem.â
Your eyes scanned the text written on the page. If the receiver of this potion has feelings for someone, they will express them openly to that person. This potion doesn't create love; rather, it reveals it. Effects last for 24 hours.
Your eyes widened as you realized what Francoise was implying. âWhat you're suggesting is insane.â
âI know, but it's better to try than not to try.â Francoise's persistence was admirable.
âYou're practically asking for trouble at this point.â You sternly warned her with an incredulous expression on your face. âLove potions cause all sorts of chaos for those involved.â
âIf the love potion doesn't work, then you move on. Other boys out there might catch your eye.â Francoise nudged you and smiled. âWho knows, maybe you've already caught someone's attention.â
You look back at the potion book. If you were finally acting on all the pent-up rage you felt towards Isaac, maybe it wouldn't hurt to do so with your feelings for Atticus.
You let out a sigh, hoping you won't regret this later. âWhat are the ingredients?â
been thinking of this since work, but i desperately needed to point this out for my beloved husband.
i want you to take notice in just how fast those gears and pumps are turning inside that clockwork heart right there. you can almost already hear the sharp and aggressive ticking emitting from it if you focus. the flash of bright red pulsing in his expression and fresh crimson running down his hand are all a reminder. a harsh reminder, that yes, issac was mechanical and overly-calculating, yes, he was cold and clinical, he was all of that and more while still being agonizingly and painstakingly human. despite the incessant need to be alive.
the entire sight makes me reflect on a comment issac himself made while confronting professor orloff that i truly believe not only was an insult to the man ( or head ) that stood before him but also a jab at his own personal dilemma.
after reintroducing himself, issac tells orloff that âyoure only alive because of me. my invention gave you 30 years of borrowed time.â
to which he then collects his âgivenâ time by rejuvenating himself to further complete his own mission. what a beautiful play on foreshadowing, or simply just a play on words.. as stretched time seems to be an ongoing theme for this boy.
from the very start of his life, to the successful surgery on his heart using an invention he made from scratch, to the first death, and the second, issac night has lived on his own borrowed time. he was always doomed, if you will.
which makes it all the more interesting when you look at his face in this exact moment, theres no obvious signs of fear, but his heart will always tell the truth. heâs not not scared, but this fight has gone on far too long. he had failed to save the one true person heâs ever cared about, lost himself and identity, and those ambitious dreams he had once have become nothing but just that. dreams, of a person whoâd never really been quite a person, but now just a broken amalgamation of what he thought something living should be.
i turn my nose up remembering how such an addicting and complex character was brought up for 8 episodes, if barely that, and they still just didnât quite nail it on the head for me. he was dead for the first half, a zombie for the second, we saw him in all his glory for about 2 minutes and then he was gone. đŹ sigh.
issac ( and many others that didnt get as much screen time ) is such an unbelievably good character to work with iâll never understand why they didnât play with him more. donât worry baby, big mama will keep ur legacy alive
isaac night realistic headcanons lll
†carries an embroidered handkerchief with his initials
†smug, charismatic & confident, his presence is intense
†if he accidentally cuts his finger he'll quickly lick the blood off
†his style is flamboyant (see his costume reveal at the venetian gala), he cares about his appearance and clothes, self-centered, vain. fashion clothes reflect dramatic flair.
†tender, protective, gentle around loved ones, but very controlling, dependent and maybe even desperate. oversteps boundaries
†poetic when emotionally involved
†driven by love and/or resentment
†wears gloves to avoid leaving grease and fingerprints on his stuff
†probably enjoys ballet
†victorian-industrial aesthetics, steampunk, symbolic details. his taste is classical
Somewhere, in some cursed corner of the internet, a writer whispered the dangerous idea that your first draft should be⊠good. And like all bad ideas, it spread. Suddenly, everyoneâs trying to make their draft read like it could be printed and shelved in the bookstore tomorrow. Which is ridiculous.
Your first draft isnât a book. Itâs⊠well, itâs barely even a thing. Itâs the ugly braindump you slap down before the real work begins. The plot doesnât make sense yet. Half the characters sound the same. Thereâs a paragraph in chapter six you donât even remember writing. And thatâs totally fine.
Right now, your only job is to get the story out of your head and onto a page before it rots in there. Forget about making it pretty or âgood.â Youâll get to that later. <3
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