#Dynamic Pricing Tools

[sciativesolution]

Top 5 Must-Have Features in Revenue Management Software (RMS) to Maximize Hotel Revenue

Revenue Management Software (RMS) is a game-changer for hotels and businesses aiming to optimize pricing strategies, maximize revenue, and stay competitive in today’s fast-paced market. The right RMS uses AI-driven insights, automation, and real-time data to make informed pricing decisions and boost profitability.

However, not all revenue management systems are created equal. With so many tools available, it’s essential to understand what features truly drive performance. In this blog, we break down the five most critical features of effective RMS that help hotels and businesses unlock their full revenue potential.

1. Dynamic Pricing: The Ultimate Revenue Maximization Tool

Dynamic pricing software is the cornerstone of any modern revenue management system. Unlike static or manual pricing models, AI-powered dynamic pricing adjusts rates based on real-time market data, competitor pricing, customer demand, and inventory availability.

Key Benefits of Dynamic Pricing:

Automated pricing updates without manual input

Real-time responsiveness to market shifts and demand spikes

Increased profitability through intelligent, optimized pricing

This feature is essential for industries like hospitality, travel, retail, and airlines, where pricing decisions must be agile, competitive, and profit-driven.

2. Open Pricing: Maximize Revenue Across Segments & Channels

Open pricing allows you to independently set prices for different room types, customer segments, and distribution channels—unlike traditional BAR (Best Available Rate) models, which apply a single rate across all segments.

Why Open Pricing Matters:

Optimize pricing individually per channel and segment

Avoid revenue loss by never closing inventory

Charge different prices for high-demand segments or packages

Hotels using open pricing strategies can increase conversions across OTAs, direct bookings, corporate clients, and group sales.

3. Real-Time Price Optimization: Stay Ahead of Market Fluctuations

Real-time price optimization helps hotels react instantly to competitor rates, market changes, and booking patterns—unlike traditional RMS tools that run on scheduled updates.

Benefits of Real-Time Optimization:

Immediate response to market demand and competitor changes

Prevent revenue leakage due to slow rate updates

Maintain optimal pricing 24/7

For high-demand seasons or last-minute bookings, real-time RMS capabilities can make or break profitability.

4. Pricing Boundaries: Control Meets Flexibility

While automation is crucial, setting pricing boundaries (minimum and maximum rates) ensures your RMS doesn’t go beyond acceptable limits—protecting brand integrity and profitability.

How Pricing Controls Help:

Prevent erratic price fluctuations

Align pricing with business goals and financial limits

Maintain pricing stability during peak or low-demand periods

Hotels can automate intelligently while keeping a strategic grip on pricing decisions.

5. 24-Month Pricing & Forecasting: Long-Term Revenue Planning

The best RMS tools provide 24-month forecasting—allowing hotels to analyze trends and set future rates proactively instead of reactively.

Why Long-Term Forecasting Is Essential:

Capture early bookings and maximize advance revenue

Plan for seasonality, events, or economic trends

Drive smarter decisions through data-backed foresight

Long-range planning ensures your hotel stays ahead—especially during festivals, holiday seasons, or peak travel periods.

Why Revenue Management Software is Crucial for Hotels

In the hospitality industry, Revenue Management Software (RMS) is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. From room pricing optimization to inventory distribution, RMS helps hotels:

Boost direct bookings and OTA revenue

Optimize inventory allocation to prevent overbooking

Enhance guest personalization with data-driven insights

Reduce manual workload with automated decisions

Stay competitive in a price-sensitive market

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Revenue Management System

Selecting the right RMS software is a key investment for any business aiming to grow revenue. Look for a solution that includes:

✅ AI-powered Dynamic Pricing

✅ Open Pricing flexibility

✅ Real-Time Price Optimization

✅ Smart Pricing Boundaries

✅ 24-Month Forecasting tools

ZettaPrice offers all these powerful features, making it one of the most comprehensive revenue management platforms in the market. Whether you're a boutique hotel or a large chain, ZettaPrice empowers you with tools to make smarter pricing decisions, increase efficiency, and drive sustainable profitability.

Supercharge Your Revenue Strategy Today!

Looking to maximize hotel revenue and streamline pricing strategies? Ensure your RMS software includes these must-have features.

👉 Choose ZettaPrice – the intelligent, automated, and adaptive revenue management software built for the future of hospitality.

To know more-https://sciative.com/research-articles/5-must-have-features-in-revenue-management-software

[manmishra]

✈️🌍 Travel just got a SMART upgrade! 🤖✨ From instant bookings 🔥 to AI-powered VR tours 🎮, 2025 is the year AI takes over your vacation plans! 💼🧳 No more language barriers 🗣️, lost bags 🧭, or boring itineraries 📝 — just smooth, eco-friendly 🌿, mind-blowing journeys! 🚀 Ready to explore like never before? 🌟 #AITravel #FutureOfTravel #ViralTrip #TechVibes #Explore2025

[mfilterit]

Digital Shelf Monitoring is the Future of E-commerce: Is your Intelligence Platform Covering Every Dark Store and Pin Code?

The Indian e-commerce sector is in a state of rapid transformation, with experts projecting it to hit an astonishing $400 billion+ by 2030, powered by a 19% annual growth rate, according to Inc 42 report. With this kind of momentum and each one vying for prominence on the digital shelf in a market as sprawling and diverse as India brands must dig deeper, focusing not only on top-tier cities but extending their reach into every dark store and at the pin code level to get the true picture.  

READ MORE>>

[amazonmarketingagency]

Lab 916: Your Partner in Crafting Winning Amazon Strategies

Introduction: Lab 916's Expertise in Amazon Strategy

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, Lab 916 stands as a beacon of expertise, providing businesses with tailored Amazon strategies to succeed in the competitive marketplace. With a deep understanding of Amazon's algorithms, trends, and best practices, Lab 916 helps businesses navigate the complexities of selling on the platform and achieve their goals.

Strategic Planning with Lab 916

Lab 916 takes a strategic approach to Amazon strategy development, focusing on optimizing product listings, implementing competitive pricing strategies, leveraging advertising tactics, and fostering customer engagement. By customizing strategies to align with each client's unique objectives and market dynamics, Lab 916 ensures that businesses can maximize their potential on Amazon.

Optimizing Product Listings for Maximum Visibility

A crucial aspect of Lab 916's Amazon strategy is optimizing product listings to enhance visibility and drive conversions. Through meticulous keyword research, compelling product descriptions, and high-quality imagery, Lab 916 ensures that each product listing is optimized to rank higher in Amazon search results. By improving the visibility and appeal of product listings, businesses can attract more customers and increase sales.

Implementing Competitive Pricing Strategies

Lab 916 assists businesses in developing competitive yet profitable pricing strategies tailored to their market segment. By analyzing competitor pricing data, market trends, and consumer behavior, Lab 916 helps businesses set prices that maximize sales while maintaining healthy profit margins. Additionally, Lab 916 provides guidance on leveraging dynamic pricing tools and promotional strategies to stay competitive on Amazon.

Leveraging Advertising Tactics for Enhanced Visibility

Advertising is a key component of Lab 916's Amazon strategy, aimed at increasing product visibility and driving targeted traffic to product listings. Lab 916 utilizes Amazon's advertising platform to create and optimize sponsored product ads, sponsored brand ads, and sponsored display ads. By strategically targeting keywords and audience segments, Lab 916 helps businesses maximize their advertising ROI and generate sales on Amazon.

Fostering Customer Engagement and Loyalty

Lab 916 emphasizes the importance of fostering strong customer relationships to drive long-term success on Amazon. Through proactive customer service, timely responses to inquiries and feedback, and strategies to encourage positive reviews, Lab 916 helps businesses build trust and loyalty with their customers. By delivering exceptional shopping experiences and maintaining positive seller ratings, businesses can enhance their reputation and drive repeat purchases on the platform.

Conclusion: Achieving Success with Lab 916's Guidance

In conclusion, Lab 916 serves as a valuable partner for businesses seeking to excel on Amazon. With Lab 916's expertise and strategic guidance, businesses can optimize their Amazon strategies and achieve success in the competitive e-commerce landscape. By leveraging Lab 916's insights and best practices, businesses can unlock their full potential on one of the world's largest online platforms.

Introduction: Lab 916's Expertise in Amazon Strategy

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, Lab 916 stands as a beacon of expertise, providing businesses with tailored Amazon strategies to succeed in the competitive marketplace. With a deep understanding of Amazon's algorithms, trends, and best practices, Lab 916 helps businesses navigate the complexities of selling on the platform and achieve their goals.

Strategic Planning with Lab 916

Lab 916 takes a strategic approach to Amazon strategy development, focusing on optimizing product listings, implementing competitive pricing strategies, leveraging advertising tactics, and fostering customer engagement. By customizing strategies to align with each client's unique objectives and market dynamics, Lab 916 ensures that businesses can maximize their potential on Amazon.

Optimizing Product Listings for Maximum Visibility

A crucial aspect of Lab 916's Amazon strategy is optimizing product listings to enhance visibility and drive conversions. Through meticulous keyword research, compelling product descriptions, and high-quality imagery, Lab 916 ensures that each product listing is optimized to rank higher in Amazon search results. By improving the visibility and appeal of product listings, businesses can attract more customers and increase sales.

Implementing Competitive Pricing Strategies

Lab 916 assists businesses in developing competitive yet profitable pricing strategies tailored to their market segment. By analyzing competitor pricing data, market trends, and consumer behavior, Lab 916 helps businesses set prices that maximize sales while maintaining healthy profit margins. Additionally, Lab 916 provides guidance on leveraging dynamic pricing tools and promotional strategies to stay competitive on Amazon.

Leveraging Advertising Tactics for Enhanced Visibility

Advertising is a key component of Lab 916's Amazon strategy, aimed at increasing product visibility and driving targeted traffic to product listings. Lab 916 utilizes Amazon's advertising platform to create and optimize sponsored product ads, sponsored brand ads, and sponsored display ads. By strategically targeting keywords and audience segments, Lab 916 helps businesses maximize their advertising ROI and generate sales on Amazon.

Fostering Customer Engagement and Loyalty

Lab 916 emphasizes the importance of fostering strong customer relationships to drive long-term success on Amazon. Through proactive customer service, timely responses to inquiries and feedback, and strategies to encourage positive reviews, Lab 916 helps businesses build trust and loyalty with their customers. By delivering exceptional shopping experiences and maintaining positive seller ratings, businesses can enhance their reputation and drive repeat purchases on the platform.

Conclusion: Achieving Success with Lab 916's Guidance

In conclusion, Lab 916 serves as a valuable partner for businesses seeking to excel on Amazon. With Lab 916's expertise and strategic guidance, businesses can optimize their Amazon strategies and achieve success in the competitive e-commerce landscape. By leveraging Lab 916's insights and best practices, businesses can unlock their full potential on one of the world's largest online platforms.

[sciativesolution]

Hotel Competitor Analysis: A Complete Guide for Revenue Management

Introduction

The hospitality industry is evolving rapidly, and hotel competition is fiercer than ever. Hotels that fail to adapt to market trends, guest expectations, and competitor pricing strategies risk losing market share and revenue. This is where hotel competitor analysis becomes a game-changer. It delivers crucial insights into dynamic pricing in hospitality, occupancy rates, hotel marketing strategies, and guest experience trends.

A comprehensive competitive intelligence strategy empowers hoteliers to improve offerings, optimize revenue, and outperform rivals. In this guide, we’ll explore what hotel competitor analysis is, why hotel revenue management needs it, how to identify your competitors, how AI in hospitality transforms it, and how a pricing intelligence tool like Zettaprice can help.

What is Hotel Competitor Analysis?

Hotel competitor analysis is the process of collecting, monitoring, and analyzing data about hotels that compete in the same market. The goal is to understand their pricing models, revenue strategies, customer reviews, and marketing campaigns to fine-tune your hotel’s positioning.

Key components include:

Identifying direct and indirect hotel competitors

Tracking hotel pricing strategies and discounts

Monitoring hotel online reputation management

Studying distribution channels and OTA strategies

Analyzing service offerings, amenities, and guest feedback

Understanding the competitive landscape helps hotels use revenue optimization software and hotel pricing software to make data-driven decisions.

Why is Competitive Intelligence Crucial in the Hotel Industry?

1. Optimize Hotel Pricing Strategy

Hotel pricing must adapt to changing demand. With competitive pricing analysis, hotels can monitor real-time rates and adjust prices dynamically to stay competitive and profitable.

Example: If a competitor lowers prices due to low occupancy, a hotel can use dynamic hotel pricing software to decide whether to match, undercut, or enhance value instead.

2. Improve Guest Experience Using Competitor Insights

Travelers rely heavily on hotel reviews and social proof. Analyzing competitor feedback on platforms like TripAdvisor or Google Reviews reveals service gaps and improvement opportunities.

Example: If a rival gets poor feedback on slow check-ins, your hotel can highlight faster check-ins as a USP.

3. Boost Hotel Occupancy Rates

Understanding when and why competitors have high occupancy helps shape demand-based pricing, seasonal promotions, and value-added packages.

Example: During local festivals, if a competitor fills rooms quickly, create festival-centric offers and promote via hotel digital marketing.

4. Gain Competitive Edge

Competitive intelligence tools allow hotels to anticipate market changes and guest preferences. They help adopt sustainable travel trends, tailor hospitality pricing strategies, and offer exclusive services to stand out.

How to Identify Your Hotel Competitors?

1. Direct Competitors

These are hotels with similar pricing, amenities, customer base, and location.

2. Indirect Competitors

Alternatives like Airbnb, serviced apartments, or boutique stays that target similar travelers.

3. Aspirational Competitors

Premium or luxury hotels you benchmark against for innovation and service excellence, even if they’re in a different tier.

4. Emerging Competitors

New entrants, renovated properties, or tech-savvy competitors implementing AI hotel technology or automated pricing tools.

How AI Transforms Hotel Competitive Intelligence

1. Real-Time Hotel Price Tracking

AI-powered price intelligence tools like Zettaprice analyze rates across OTAs, metasearch engines, and direct websites. Hotels can instantly react to pricing changes and optimize rates for profitability.

2. Guest Sentiment Analysis

AI interprets thousands of guest reviews, extracting key sentiments around service, cleanliness, amenities, and staff behavior.

Example: If competitor reviews mention poor room cleanliness, you can highlight your hotel’s hygiene standards in marketing.

3. Accurate Demand Forecasting

Using AI, hotels can predict future demand by analyzing booking patterns, event calendars, weather, and economic indicators—resulting in precise rate recommendations and revenue management automation.

4. Marketing Intelligence

AI tracks competitors' digital advertising efforts, SEO keywords, social media campaigns, and content strategy. Hotels can replicate successful tactics or pivot to underserved channels.

5. Automation for Efficiency

AI replaces manual tracking with dashboards, real-time alerts, and hotel business intelligence tools—saving time and increasing decision-making speed.

How Zettaprice Enhances Hotel Competitor Analysis

Zettaprice is an AI-powered hotel pricing optimization tool designed to automate and enhance competitive rate analysis. It enables:

Real-time competitor price tracking

Dynamic rate recommendations

Historical trend analysis

Seamless integration with OTAs and PMS

Actionable insights through automated dashboards

By using Zettaprice’s pricing intelligence, hotels can reduce revenue leakage, adapt faster to market shifts, and improve RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room).

👉 Outsmart the competition — See Zettaprice in action!

Conclusion

Hotel competitor analysis is no longer optional—it’s essential for success in today’s data-driven hospitality landscape. By leveraging AI-driven pricing software, competitive benchmarking, and guest sentiment analysis, hoteliers can make smarter, faster decisions. Tools like Zettaprice give your property the edge to thrive in competitive markets, elevate guest satisfaction, and unlock sustained profitability.                                                                                                         

To know more visit- https://sciative.com/research-articles/hotel-competitor-analysis-a-complete-guide

[writersdrug]

Bartender!Ghost x Waitress!Reader Masterlist

Ghost Masterlist

Summary: You need some extra cash for rent, and you're sick of sitting at home, staring at a computer all day. You hear pub a few blocks away from your flat is looking for a server. Can't be hard, right? Well... the serving part isn't hard. But the brooding bartender that suddenly enters your life is - in more ways than one.

Warnings: cursing, misogynistic/degrading behavior towards reader (not from tf141), NSFW, humiliation, pining, masturbation, jealousy, slow burn

Check out this amazing art by blobbysblog!!!

Storyline:

pilot

interview

day one

simon's jealousy starts

hurricane shot

customer yells at you

simon gets hit on

you meet BarOwner!Price

you ask simon to take the mean customers

mitch says something he shouldn't

simon makes you cry

you both apologize after you avoid him for two days

you suggest a promotional drink for Halloween

price gets you a stepstool

price makes simon work for what he wants

you spill drinks on your shirt

simon lets some stress out

simon finds you crying in the walk-in

you and simon kiss in the stairwell

Headcannons:

the vision

pub dynamics

flirting pt 1

"DOOR!!"

flirting pt 2

when customers leave you their numbers

kyle and johnny

plans for the au

replacing simon's tools with pink ones

[h-ri123intelegain456]

Intelegain is an award winning Software Development Company in Dallas that helps startups and businesses build software products. Among 20 promising IT

[midniqhtt]

james buchanan ‘bucky’ barnes

masterlist • marvel • 06/19/25

˚‧⁺ ･ ˖ · ୨ৎ recs five II one two three four

gif credit - @/unearthlydust

here are some bucky barnes stories i’ve read, loved, and reblogged. all the admiration for the writers who share their talent so generously. please be sure to read the warnings on each fic. and if you enjoy them, let the author know by a comment, reblog, or both! ♡

𑣲 how to impress a 21st century girl I @brunchable

Sam had forced Bucky to use Tinder to solve his abysmal love life. Bucky tells himself that if third time isn't a charm, he will officially give up trying to find a partner.

𑣲 i don’t want you like a best friend pt2 I @/brunchable

Bucky can't decide if the universe loves him or hates him. Maybe it loves to hate him. Maybe it's mischievous. Because he’s in love. He’s madly, deeply, painfully in love with a girl that he knows he’ll never have. Because the heavens created arguably the most perfect creature in their repertoire, dangled you in front of him for his entire life, and chose to rip you away before he had the chance to tell you how he felt.

𑣲 the best worst day ever I @jobean12-blog

You're having a shit day but then you see a dog and things start looking up...

𑣲 game night I @mugglebornmarvelite

Steve’s mandatory game night takes a turn when you and Bucky are paired up.

𑣲 bleeding heart I @mournthebird

You're his assigned nurse.

𑣲 domestic ws / soldat hcs I @/mournthebird

𑣲 cold metal I @/mournthebird

Soldat's arm gets cold. You are the solution.

𑣲 shower suds I @/mournthebird

You give Soldat his first bath out of captivity.

𑣲 silver and garnet I @/mournthebird

Soldat hurts himself a lot.

𑣲 condition I @/mournthebird

Soldat refuses to sit down, you notice he's in pain.

𑣲 gentle hand I @/mournthebird

Soldat has a panic attack.

𑣲 stained I @/mournthebird

Soldat continues to have nightmares.

𑣲 apricot toast I @/mournthebird

Soldat doesn't understand care can be without price.

𑣲 knots I @/mournthebird

You help the soldier with some self care.

𑣲 honey girl I @violentdelightsandviolentends

The Universe shows you your soulmate when it feels like you need them most. When you least expect it, you're given yours - Bucky Barnes. Your Dad's best friend. You can try to refuse it all you like; but the Universe wants what it wants. There's no denying fate.

𑣲 bucky can’t stand you I @buckyalpine

𑣲 mob!bucky I @/buckyalpine

𑣲 easy I @jaggedamethyst

life with bucky is amazing…but it’s easy to feel like you’re not enough when your relationship is a secret.

𑣲 sugar and skin pt2 pt3 pt4 I @tteotlma

Bucky’s never been sure if normalcy is something he’s cut out for. But when he meets you—a baker with a pretty smile—he starts to think maybe he could try.

𑣲 toy soldier pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 pt6 pt7 I @vunblr

She had been the tool Hydra used to keep him operational; he, the weapon manipulated by their tendrils to execute their ambitions. Years after breaking free, fate Sam Wilson brings them together once more. Now, they must navigate the challenges of forging a connection beyond the twisted dynamic that once bound them in the past.

𑣲 to mend a soldier I @/vunblr

Pressed by a worried Sam, Bucky reluctantly agrees to try an alternative -and, if you ask him, weird- therapy program: rent-a-mom. What starts as an obligation soon turns into something far more meaningful than he ever expected.

𑣲 what if…? I @/vunblr

Bucky navigates his insecurities and guilt from his past as he grows closer to his new neighbor, a nurse.

𑣲 roots and branches pt2 pt3 pt4 I @/vunblr

Bucky has built a quiet life in the woods, content to keep the world at arm's length. But when a new neighbor moves to town, her presence ignites emotions he’s hesitant to face.

𑣲 foundations pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 pt6 pt7 I @/vunblr

Bucky is doing his best to build a stable life for his newfound son, rescued from the guts of a Hydra facility. As he struggles with unexpected fatherhood and his own circumstances, he meets someone who slowly becomes part of their lives, establishing a connection he never saw coming.

𑣲 plump and ripe I @/vunblr

On a routine visit to the fruit shop, Bucky ends up with more than his usual goodies.

𑣲 built to last I @/vunblr

Bucky took up carpentry to keep himself busy, but didn't expect a hardware clerk to make him want more.

𑣲 touched starved I @mrsbuckybarnes1917

You accidentally walk in on Bucky touching himself when he thinks he is alone. Turns out he is thinking about you.

𑣲 a quiet escape I @thebarneschronicles

During a holiday stay at Clint Barton’s home, you’ve been desperately trying to steal a moment alone with Bucky—your super-soldier boyfriend—but the Avengers are constantly interrupting. Between Clint’s kids, Steve’s “bromantic” grocery runs, and Nat pulling Bucky into sparring sessions, it feels like you’re constantly fighting for his attention. Frustration finally boils over when you confront Bucky about your lack of privacy, only to discover he’s just as eager for some alone time as you are - and willing to do anything to get it.

𑣲 deny me I @drewbarymore

In which you feel like Bucky’s ashamed of you.

𑣲 dreamscape I @wkemeup

When Bucky falls under the spell of a Djinn, the line between fantasy and reality blurs. In order to survive, he must fight his way back to the real world - even if it costs him everything he's ever wanted.

𑣲 someone’s calling my name (and it sounds like you) I @mellowsaturns

after a mission gone wrong, bucky finds himself on the brink of unconsciousness and then you show up which causes him to reveal his true feelings

𑣲 mine I @cherrypickertheory

A new recruit joins the team, and gets a little too close to you for Bucky’s liking.

𑣲 dial tone I @atlaese

𑣲 lessons in lovemaking pt2 pt3 pt4 I @artficlly

You and Bucky Barnes go undercover as a married couple, but when a fake kiss gets too real, he unexpectedly finishes in his pants—leaving you both stunned.

𑣲 bitter I @/artficlly

Bucky doesn't do relationships, but maybe you'll be the one to change him

𑣲 his girls I @/artficlly

alpine barely tolerates anyone but bucky, so when she curls up in your lap without a second thought, the team is left reeling—especially when it leads to the not-so-subtle revelation that you and bucky have been sneaking around for months.

𑣲 loverboy I @thevillainswhore

Bucky, a lovesick, pining super soldier, vows to keep his feelings for you a secret — no matter how obvious his crush may seem. Those plans are ruined between a meddling Sam, an embarrassing fall, and a visit to the medbay with you.

𑣲 revenge sweeter than honey I @/thevillainswhore

When Bucky’s professor unfairly grades his college assignment, ruining his perfect GPA, he finds a way to get revenge — And doesn’t his sweet little wife look delicious?

𑣲 do i even have a chance? I @noceurous

you’ve found him and he was sure he didn’t have a chance

𑣲 b.b. boy I @bucky-bucket-barnes

Bucky and you have been friends ever since he arrived that rainy at the Compound. Silently pining, you’d hope he would pick on the numerous hints you dropped. It’s not until a small miscommunication happens that he confronts his feelings for you.

𑣲 hooked on you I @elysium-library

𑣲 which avenger are you destined to date I @marvelettesassemblenow

When Natasha found out about the Quiz which showed which Avenger you should date, the Avengers decided they all should take the test and go on these dates.

𑣲 your touch I @/marvelettesassemblenow

Bucky hadn’t been long at the compound when he noticed that others sought you out to calm down. So slowly he started too and had to figure out his feelings for you

𑣲 the catalyst I @aquaticmercy

In this universe, you and Bucky are happy. In other universes, it might not be that simple.

𑣲 jackass I @/aquaticmercy

Everyone is horrified that Bucky is flirting with a married woman, but then they realise there's a reason why. 

𑣲 have we met before? I @/aquaticmercy

America Chavez says that you and Bucky are together in every universe. 

𑣲 laryngitis I @skaye44

You're super talkative and your fellow agents tease you, but you don't care. You always chat up the quiet hunky super soldier who always manages to spend some time around you. One day when you can't talk due to an illness, Bucky gets concerned and seeks you out to make sure you're ok. He ends up talking to you for once.

𑣲 arm pat I @/skaye44

You go on a date with Bucky and hit it off, or so you think, but it ends weirdly. Nat steps in and gets other agents involved to send you flowers and gifts to get Bucky's attention and make him jealous for screwing up.

𑣲 stuck in the middle I @helaintoloki

you come home from work to find the last person on earth you want to see cooking dinner in your kitchen

𑣲 somethin’ stupid I @/helaintoloki

a drunken confession spoils a perfectly good evening

𑣲 everybody loves somebody I @/helaintoloki

Thrown into a blind date against his will, Bucky does his best to prepare in the days leading up to Saturday night, a feat that proves to be much more difficult than expected thanks to his neighbor across the hall.

𑣲 back to you I @/helaintoloki

Yelena’s interest in y/n forces Bucky to confront his feelings for her as the Thunderbolts take refuge in her home

𑣲 a favor I @/helaintoloki

you pretend to be Bucky’s girlfriend in order to help his campaign despite your very real feelings for him

𑣲 misunderstanding I @/helaintoloki

you accept Bucky’s invitation to attend Tony’s charity gala as his date, but your night quickly turns sour when you find out about his bet with Natasha

𑣲 40s!bucky I @/helaintoloki

after accidentally sending yourself back in time, you run into a younger version of the man you loathe only to find yourself questioning your feelings for him

𑣲 it’s been calling me I @godmadeaterribleerror

You've had these… dreams. Strange, realistic, detailed dreams of the same man, almost your whole life. But they're just dreams. You've been so sure, for so long, that they're just dreams. So sure, until you're not.

𑣲 the time thor third wheeled I @mercurial-chuckles

𑣲 option two I @nev3rfound

after nightmares continue to haunt his nights, bucky knows there’s one person left who could potentially provide some form of comfort, but is she still willing to see him after all this time?

𑣲 shut up I @fandoms-writings

𑣲 his only contact I @cjsinkythoughts

𑣲 the soldier and his mission I @magical-reid

When a trigger sends Bucky back into the grip of the Winter Soldier, he shadows you with an unyielding protectiveness that leaves the team on edge, though he doesn't harm anyone. After days of tension and careful steps, Bucky finally breaks through the icy barrier, returning to himself in a quiet, tender moment, finding solace in your presence.

𑣲 from one perfect moment pt2 I @yikesdrama

bucky’s birthday is coming up soon and you just want to do something special for him, maybe even take a time travelling trip to see his maa….

𑣲 the third wheel I @writing-for-marvel

When Bucky finally asks you out on a date, the last thing you expect is for his high school crush Connie to also have been invited.

𑣲 in too deep pt2 I @marvelstoriesepic

After Bucky calls, and you come running, you end up locked in his bathroom, trying to get rid of the evidence that something hasn’t gone well this time.

𑣲 drabble I @eufezco

𑣲 drabble I @bcksbarnes

𑣲 echos I @brokenbarnes

Bucky's worst nightmare comes true. You come back to him after taking a turn in Hydra's electric chair.

[vunblr]

Masterlist

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the journey through these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.

The Weight of Choices (Slight angst. Smut.) Oneshot.

Summary: Torn between his instinct to protect his family and his desire to be a part of their lives, Bucky tries to deal with the reality of his ex-wife going on a date while he stays home caring for their son.

An Unfinished Goodbye (Slight Angst. Side-story of The Weight of Choices.) Oneshot

Summary: Bucky tells himself he’s only watching over his ex-wife and son for their safety. But when someone threatens to alter the status quo, his quiet vigilance falters.

What If?... (Fluff. Smut) Oneshot

Summary: Bucky navigates his insecurities and guilt from his past as he grows closer to his new neighbor, a nurse.

The Memory Remains (Fluff. Smut.) Oneshot

Summary: An unexpected encounter brings Bucky face-to-face with someone from his past, stirring memories he thought were long buried.

Wounds and Walls (Slight angst. Smut.) Oneshot

Summary: Bucky starts to walk into his new civilian life but struggles with his painful past, while slowly building a connection with someone who sees through his walls. As the relationship deepens, he must decide if he’s ready for something more, or if he’ll hide and push it all away.

Crumbs of Connection (Fluff.) Oneshot

Summary: When Bucky wanders into a quirky late-night bakery, he doesn’t expect the warmhearted owner to challenge his defenses.

Spells and Fangs (World of Warcraft AU) Oneshot

Summary: Bucky, a grumpy worgen warrior, and his sharp-tongued mage partner are sent on a relatively simple quest that quickly spirals into chaos.

Roots and Branches (Fluff. Smut. Lumberjack AU)

Summary: Bucky has built a quiet life in the woods, content to keep the world at arm's length. But when a new neighbor moves to town, her presence ignites emotions he’s hesitant to face.

A Heart in Hiding (Angst-Hurt/Comfort) Oneshot

Summary: Caught between the shadows of his past and an unexpected connection, Bucky wrestles with his demons and his growing feelings for a new Avenger.

To Mend a Soldier (Slight angst. Comfort. Fluff.) Oneshot

Summary: Pressed by a worried Sam, Bucky reluctantly agrees to try an alternative -and, if you ask him, weird- therapy program: rent-a-mom. What starts as an obligation soon turns into something far more meaningful than he ever expected.

Toy Soldier (Angst. Hurt/Comfort. Smut) Ended.

Summary: She had been the tool Hydra used to keep him operational; he, the weapon manipulated by their tendrils to execute their ambitions. Years after breaking free, fate Sam Wilson brings them together once more. Now, they must navigate the challenges of forging a connection beyond the twisted dynamic that once bound them in the past.

The Broken Waltz (Angst. Hurt. Sprinkles of comfort. Dark content.) Toy Soldier's Side-story. Oneshot

Fifteen Minutes (Angst. Hurt. Sprinkles of comfort. Dark content.)

Toy Soldier's Side-story. Oneshot

Summary: Before freedom, before choice, there was only function. A tool and a weapon, bound in a dance orchestrated by Hydra’s cruel hands. The tool was meant to mend, the weapon to destroy. That night, the tool got to witness the weapon's other purposes.

The Price of Silence (Blue-collar Bucky) Ongoing

Summary: Porn with a little plot. Cynical and disenchanted with the world Bucky finds a job at a construction site after the blip. Tasked with retrieving lunch from a local bakery, he never expects to fall into a fuck-buddies situation with the clerk.

A Hand in the Dark (Angst. Hurt/Comfort.) Ongoing

Summary: In a brief moment of lucidity, Soldat makes a choice. And some choices echo across time, shaping the future in ways no one could predict.

Foundations (Slight Angst. Fluff) Ended

Summary: Bucky is doing his best to build a stable life for his newfound son, rescued from the guts of a Hydra facility. As he struggles with unexpected fatherhood and his own circumstances, he meets someone who slowly becomes part of their lives, establishing a connection he never saw coming.

Plump & Ripe (Fluff. Smut.) Oneshot

Summary: On a routine visit to the fruit shop, Bucky ends up with more than his usual goodies.

Lush (Fluff. Smut.) Oneshot

Summary: After Bucky is reminded by an offending shirt that his body isn't what it used to be, Sugarplum finds just the right way to get him out of his head.

Terms of Attraction (Fluff. Slight Comfort. Sexual Tension.) Oneshot

Summary: Long hours, sharp tongues, and unbreakable trust have defined Industrial Inputs CEO Bucky Barnes and his secretary’s dynamic, always walking a fine line. But some lines aren’t meant to be left uncrossed.

Tangled (Merman! Bucky. Fluff. Slight Angst. Teratophilia.) Ended

Summary: Between fear and fascination, a solitary creature struggles to protect his hidden world -and himself- after an unexpected encounter with a curious human woman makes him question everything he thought he knew about trust, danger, and boundaries.

Built to Last (Fluff) Oneshot

Summary: Bucky took up carpentry to keep himself busy, but didn't expect a hardware clerk to make him want more.

A Star Without a Sky (Slight Angst. Comfort. Fluff. Smut) Ongoing

Summary: A wounded Sheriff Barnes seeks shelter in a young widow’s home, and finds himself wrapped in a warmth he no longer believes he deserves, and longing for something he thought long buried.

Behind Closed Doors (Slight angst. Mommy Kink) Oneshot

Summary: Most days, Bucky is a functional, dependable, and even deadly man. Others, when the noise in his head gets too loud, behind closed doors, he becomes Jamie.

The Trouble With Saturdays (Fluff) Oneshot

Summary: Life at the Thunderbolts Tower is loud, chaotic, and full of questionable moral choices. Bucky’s used to keeping to himself, until one night, after one of those questionable moral choices was made, the guys got him high.

Spasibo (Smut) Oneshot

Summary: She offered kindness where there should’ve been fear. Now it haunts her in silence, starved for warmth it can’t forget.

EVENTS MASTERLISTS

AA Bucky's 108th birthday Bingo

AA Kinky Bingo

Chains of Fate (Fluff. Smut.) Destroyer!Chris. Oneshot

Summary: A florist keeps having trouble with her bicycle, and Chris, her rugged mechanic neighbor, is always available to help. Or isn’t he?

Dividers by: @/cafekitsune

[astrologydray]

…Pallas in the houses…

Pallas through the houses shows how and where your brain naturally sees patterns, solves problems, and defends what matters. It’s your built-in strategist, often working in the background through intuition, logic, or observation—this is the part of you that “just gets it.”

1st House – The walking strategist

You naturally read situations fast and lead with sharp instincts—people may feel like you’re always five steps ahead. Your mind and identity are fused; you can spot the game, make the move, and stay calm under pressure.

2nd House – The value-based problem solver

You’re great at figuring out how to make things last, make things make sense, or make money. You’re wise when it comes to worth—whether that’s self-worth, price tags, or how to build real security.

3rd House – The verbal pattern genius

You’re sharp with words, ideas, and reading the room—you could probably win a debate with your eyes closed. You solve problems by talking it out, explaining it clearly, or connecting dots no one else sees.

4th House – The emotional strategist

You instinctively know how people feel and how to protect what’s sacred. You’re the person who can sense emotional patterns in family, memory, or childhood dynamics before anyone else picks up on them.

5th House – The creative chess master

You use art, humor, flirting, or performance as tools to read and shift energy. You solve problems by shining your light in smart ways—and you’re great at making others feel seen or outwitted, depending on your mood.

6th House – The low-key expert

You’re a behind-the-scenes brain who knows how to fix, tweak, heal, and improve things quietly but powerfully. Your mind thrives in routines, systems, health practices, or jobs that require smart efficiency.

7th House – The relationship whisperer

You can see through people, understand dynamics instantly, and know exactly how to handle conflict without making it a war. You’re a master at reading between the lines in partnerships—business or romantic.

8th House – The emotional hacker

You’re psychologically sharp—you just know what’s going on under the surface. Your intuition is next-level, and you often solve deep, taboo, or emotionally messy problems like it’s nothing.

9th House – The big-picture thinker

You’re gifted at seeing patterns in belief systems, cultures, or worldviews. You solve things with a zoomed-out view—philosophy, teaching, spirituality, or calling out BS with facts and faith.

10th House – The public mastermind

Your wisdom shows up in how you move through your career, reputation, or leadership role. You’re seen as someone who “has it together,” because you apply smart strategies to your goals and grind.

11th House – The visionary connector

You’re brilliant in groups, ideas, or future plans—you just get networks, friendships, and what society needs. Your brain is wired for innovation and creating smarter systems for collective growth.

12th House – The intuitive mystic

Your wisdom comes from dreams, subtle energy, or divine downloads—you solve problems through gut feelings, not spreadsheets. You might not always explain how you know things… but you always do.

[meltedbluecaterpillar]

Incognito Mode…

All characters are depicted as 18+ | May contain Dark Content! | orange banners were made by @twisted-desires ! Please, Pick Your Poison: #5 Blokes Lookin’ For A Shag #Hungry Beastmen Near You! #Wild and Wet Mermen In Your Area #Hypnosis and Transactional Relationships Only #Lusty Androgynous Baddies Seek You Now #Gamer Boy Solos #Freaky Ancients and More

What’s his favorite category? Check his incognito tab!

Riddle Rosehearts

Most Searched: Dominant Short King

Riddle seems like the guy who would turn up his nose and cross his arms saying 'humpf! I would never stoop as low as to indulge in something so vulgar!'. Very anti porn when people ask him. I don’t think he’s very inclined to pleasure himself but he does get pent up from overworking himself mentally and physically. So I like to think he started with an accidental erotic novel, moved up to peeking at a porn mag, before finally visiting a porn site.

He gets off easiest to things with men similar in height to him. Like a confidence boost if that makes sense? Seeing that even a ‘short king’ can force someone into submission makes his tip sticky. The perfect material for relieving his stress.

He likes seeing men in heels, carrying whips/riding crops, and other 'training tools' during the scenes. He's a light BDSM enjoyer and he likes how there is a power dynamic between both parties. It makes him feel good knowing that he can be normalized during something intimate and usually very vulnerable. He was ashamed of his desires before investing thought into them.

One of the first things he does is look up potential safe words and the world of ‘BDSM’ because he does genuinely like it. Some of the videos look like torture dungeons which is far too advanced for Riddle… He needs things to be lighter and plain. Normal vanilla extract.

His first assumption was he was a dangerous pervert, who would ever want to be swatted with a crop?! But he was wrong. Some people do like it. And that includes him. And hopefully that includes you.

Trey Clover

Most Searched: Big 'O' Compilation

First of all; Trey wants to suck on your nipples while he works you open with his fingers. I know we get the ‘creampie’ jokes. It’s a necessity for Mr. Clover. But as sure as I am that Trey likes to see a hole gush with a load he likes seeing the sub having their toes curl and their eyes roll up into their skull.

I think Trey gets off better when he feels like the porn isn’t fake. Even if it is fake he likes when everyone looks like they feel good.

One sidedness is something he has dealt with (dealing with Riddle and his tantrums) so he became… A martyr on accident? How he cares for others is spoiling them but it can become excessive very fast.

So his idea of a good time mixing with his taste in porn gives him a bonus overstim category. I think when the person being pleasured (the bottom usually) actually looks and sounds like they’re being pleasured it makes him excited.

Have no fear. Trey is happy to make you feel good for the low, low price of; your time and a few kisses.

Cater Diamond

Most Searched: Bisexual Gangbang Party

This is pretty obvious for Cater. But the big reason I picked this one is based around how he sees relationships and how he grew up never having a real connection with anyone. So he likes watching orgies and gangbangs because the idea of so many people having fun makes him excited. That’s why he likes being outgoing in his day to day life.

Cater can clone himself too? So this is a fantasy for him to try at least once or twice. Porn doesn’t always translate to real life interest. So if you asked him to clone himself for an experiment that would be fine. But if you asked to invite someone new that would be a very different story.

I think Cater would actually be insecure if it was a consistent thing in your actual sex life. But again in porn it’s very different. It affects his cock and balls. Not his feelings with you personally.

He also would like watching creampie videos but that’s because part of him thinks it’s oddly romantic? Regardless of gender to have that skin on skin and filling sensation makes his face hot.

Cater hasn’t had a genuine partner outside of a closet quickie or a cheap hotel. So he’s happy that you show interest in him. And maybe you can watch some of his favorite videos with him.

Ace Trappola

Most Searched: Lesbian Soft Core Compilation

I know what I’m talking about when I say this. You can be as mad as you want but I promise you this is what Ace likes he is that brand of annoying.

But also lesbian soft core is fantastic I would know I am a frequent viewer. I think Ace actually prefers making out vs full on sex. Like watching close ups of making out gets him excited or even dry humping and heavy petting? Oh yeah that’s all he needs.

Ace claims that he watches crazy wild videos and that he’s into some ‘freaky’ stuff but he’s pretty plain with his tastes. He just likes lesbian soft core because “If there’s a dude involved that makes me gay! >:(” even though I believe he plays for both teams and he’s in denial.

Ace probably has seeped over into watching gay softcore at some point but he refuses to tell anyone… I think he might dance around cunnilingus and blowjob videos from time to time but he keeps things simple. Maybe brat taming? But in a switch way…

Ace isn’t a bad guy. He’s just someone who wants to experiment. Please don’t check his search history… And please don’t make fun of him…

Deuce Spade

Most Searched: Romantic Amateur

I jokingly headcanoned with a friend the first time he got into porn he accidentally subscribed to something that charged his mom’s card. Or back in the day you could buy porn on your cable network! So it would’ve shown up and she would have seen it… Ruining his life forever. And of course Ace makes fun of him for it…

Deuce in my mind is a switch. But he’s also a very well behaved young man. So I don’t think his searches would be anything outrageous like people might hope. I think he feels the most excited watching amateur porn. Just because it’s not actually acting. It’s two people turning on a camera having sex.

Like soft moaning and ‘I love you’ and light dirty talk makes him super excited. Even seeing the people in the video so close or grinding on one another gets him riled up.

I don't think he would be into the Hollywood level adult films at all. Knowing subconsciously it's all fake might make him soft. In my opinion... I don't think Deuce would ever be comfortable with a one night stand or any form of quick hookup. He comes off as someone who sees sex as vulnerable and it's something he can only do with a trusted partner!

You need to be dating or married to have sex it’s just how the world works. He likes watching the actors kiss and touch and actually look like they’re into each other. Where in the professional films it’s all about hard and fast and it’s just too much for him. And Deuce is a fast learner. He might be able to recreate some of his favorite videos with you; only if you’re cool with it.

[signode-blog]

Unveiling the Power of Volume Chart Indicator in Trading: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction: In the vast landscape of financial markets, traders continuously seek tools and indicators to gain an edge in their decision-making process. Among these tools, the volume chart indicator stands out as a powerful ally, providing invaluable insights into market dynamics. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of the volume chart indicator, exploring its…

[supernova2205]

The Silence Of The Mole

Part 2

Summary: The past has a way of catching up, no matter how far you run. Years after leaving the 141 behind, you’ve built a new life one filled with purpose, loyalty, and something close to peace. But when fate forces your paths to cross again, old wounds are ripped open, and buried emotions resurface. Some things were never meant to be forgiven.

The moment you handed Price your transfer papers, you felt something inside you shatter.

You had spent years with the 141, built something you thought was unbreakable, but after everything after the interrogations, the bruises, the betrayal you couldn’t stay. Even if Soap and Gaz had started to mend the wounds they helped create, it wasn’t enough. Not when every time you saw Ghost or Price, all you could hear was their cold accusations, feel the phantom pain of their hands gripping you too tight, their voices laced with distrust.

Price didn’t try to stop you. He read the papers, his jaw tightening, then gave a single nod. “I’ll approve it,” he said gruffly. No apology. No fight. Just acceptance, as if he had already known this was coming.

Ghost hadn’t said a word. He watched you pack your things in silence, his mask betraying nothing, but his body was tense, like he wanted to say something anything. But he didn’t. And that hurt more than anything else.

Soap had been the one to argue, to try and convince you to stay. “We can fix this,” he had pleaded. “We will fix this.”

But some things couldn’t be fixed.

So you left.

The weight of the past was always with you, even when you thought you’d left it behind.

After the betrayal of the 141, you had nowhere else to turn. Los Vaqueros offered you a chance to start anew, and though you hesitated at first, something in you clicked when you met them. They treated you like family, not a tool or a weapon.

Alejandro was the first to speak with you when you arrived. His eyes were kind, though you could sense the professionalism in his demeanor. He didn’t ask too many questions. Instead, he offered you a place on his team, and with it, a new sense of purpose.

Rodolfo was the one who welcomed you with open arms, like a sibling you never had. He taught you the intricacies of their operations and helped you adjust to their way of working. Your Spanish, though solid, became smoother under his guidance. You felt a pride in being able to converse with ease now, the words rolling off your tongue without hesitation.

In the months that followed, you found comfort in the family dynamic of Los Vaqueros. They cared for each other in a way that made you feel safe, valued. For the first time in a long while, you allowed yourself to believe that maybe, just maybe, you could be happy again.

But when the mission came when you found out you’d be working with 141 again it felt like the universe had decided to toy with you.

The first time you saw Ghost and Price again, you felt your heart stop. They were standing in the same room, their presence so heavy that it felt like the air was suffocating.

“You,” Ghost whispered, his eyes not meeting yours as though he couldn’t quite process seeing you again.

“Yeah,” you said, your voice even. “Me.”

Price was quieter than usual, his gaze flicking between you and the rest of Los Vaqueros. He nodded but said nothing, his face hardened.

“Are we working with them?” Soap asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he glanced at you.

“Sí,” Alejandro replied. “We need all the help we can get for this mission.”

It was the first time you had heard your old team’s voices in years, and despite your resolve, your emotions churned beneath the surface. You thought you had moved on, that you had buried the past but seeing them here, now, stirred up memories you weren’t ready to face.

You barely spared them a glance as you moved to your new team’s side, but Soap’s eyes lingered on you. You could see the pain there, the regret that was still fresh in his expression. You wanted to ignore it. You wanted to walk away from the past entirely but you couldn’t.

The mission was a blur of violence and strategy. You worked seamlessly with Los Vaqueros, and the team’s camaraderie was unmatched. But every moment with the 141 was a struggle.

Soap tried his hardest to bridge the gap, even joking with you in the same way he used to, but it fell flat. The wounds ran too deep. You could feel him watching you when you weren’t looking, as though waiting for a sign that you would return to the old dynamic.

Gaz was softer in his approach, but there was still a distance, an invisible wall between you and the rest of them. You felt it every time they looked at you, as though they were unsure whether you were still the person they once knew.

But it was Ghost who caused the most turmoil.

His eyes never left you, not for a moment. Even when you were deep in the mission, you could feel the weight of his stare. It wasn’t just the old tension between you two. No, it was something else guilt, regret, fear.

One night, after the mission had wrapped for the day, he approached you.

“Do you ever think about it?” he asked, his voice low and rough, the words hanging in the air between you.

You glanced at him, your heart hammering in your chest. “What?”

“The past,” he said, his eyes flicking to the ground. “Do you ever think about what happened?”

“I think about it every day,” you said, your tone steady, but the weight of your words hung heavily between you. “But that doesn’t mean I can forget it.”

You watched him swallow, his hands clenched at his sides as if he were fighting some internal battle. “I never meant to hurt you,” he muttered, almost to himself.

You didn’t respond. Instead, you turned away and walked off, leaving him standing there, a shadow of the man you once knew.

The mission progressed, and tensions mounted. Days passed with little change. But then, during a particularly dangerous operation, everything went wrong.

Soap got separated.

You didn’t know how it happened one minute, you were all moving together, and the next, Soap was gone, lost in the chaos of the battlefield.

Rodolfo immediately took charge, his voice commanding as he directed the team to search for him. You didn’t wait for orders. You moved, your mind on nothing but Soap’s safety.

You found him a few hours later, battered and broken, his breathing shallow but steady. His eyes flickered open when he heard you approach.

“You came,” he whispered, his voice weak but relieved.

“I always will,” you replied, your hand gently touching his shoulder.

You worked quickly to patch him up, your hands steady despite the pounding in your chest. The mission had already been a nightmare, but losing Soap after everything was too much.

He winced as you worked, but he didn’t complain. “I’m sorry,” he muttered again, his eyes meeting yours with a sincerity you hadn’t seen in years. “For everything.”

You didn’t know what to say. Instead, you just nodded, wrapping the bandages tight to stop the bleeding.

Rudy stayed close by, his presence a comforting constant as you worked. He’d been by your side this whole time, a steady hand when you needed it most. He wasn’t like the 141. He didn’t judge you or question your worth. He just supported you.

“I’m glad you’re here,” you said to him quietly, your voice hoarse.

“Siempre,” he replied, his hand resting on your shoulder.

After the mission, you couldn’t shake the feeling that things had changed irreparably. Soap had apologized, but there was still a distance between you, one that couldn’t be crossed so easily. Ghost had said his piece, but his actions spoke louder than any apology.

Price? He stayed quiet, as always, but his eyes were full of things left unsaid.

But you were no longer the same person.

And neither were they.

After all that chaos you guys were supposed to meet with Graves. The mission had started well, or so you thought. You had tracked your targets to a small compound nestled deep in the mountains. Alejandro led the way, as always, with his calm and steady presence. You had become accustomed to the rhythm of the team the way everyone knew their place, the way Los Vaqueros operated like a well-oiled machine.

But then, as with most missions, things went wrong.

You had been in the middle of clearing a room when the explosion rocked the building. Dust and debris filled the air as the ground beneath your feet gave way. The next thing you knew, you were thrown to the ground, your ears ringing, your vision spinning.

By the time you regained your senses, Alejandro was gone.

The panic in Rudy’s voice was unmistakable as he called out for Alejandro, but there was no answer. The silence that followed was even worse than the explosion itself.

Then came the realization: Alejandro had been taken.

And you…

You’d been captured too.

They didn’t waste time.

You were dragged through dark, damp corridors, your hands bound tightly behind you. You had no idea where they were taking you, but you knew it wasn’t going to end well.

“You worked with them,” one of the captors hissed. “You were with 141.”

The words stung more than they should have. The weight of the accusation the way they spat it at you felt like a blow to the chest. You were no longer just a soldier. You were the traitor who had betrayed them.

They made sure to remind you of that with every strike, every torture, every demand for information.

At first, you held your tongue. You knew better than to give them anything, but the pain was unbearable. They knew what to target, what to make you remember. And every time they dug deeper, every time they tore at your flesh, your mind flashed back to the 141 back to the accusations, the interrogations, the betrayal.

They knew about your past with them. They used it against you.

It felt like days weeks even before you heard any familiar voices. You barely recognized them through the haze of blood and pain, but when Rudy’s voice broke through the darkness, you almost couldn’t believe it.

“Hold on, we’re getting you out,” he said, his voice full of concern.

The next few hours were a blur of gunfire, explosions, and chaos. Rudy’s steady hands helped free you from your restraints, but the pain was still fresh. The wounds were deep, but they didn’t matter as much as what had been taken from you.

By the time Alejandro was found, it was clear that something inside you had broken. You had always been the medic, the one who healed others but you had nothing left to give.

Back at the safe house, the mission debrief felt like a slow-motion nightmare.

You sat in the corner, barely able to look at the 141, who had just joined the operation. The tension was palpable like a wall that had been built between you and the rest of the team. You could barely meet their eyes without feeling the weight of everything that had happened.

But it wasn’t the 141 that you were most concerned about.

It was Alejandro.

He had seen the toll that the torture had taken on you, and while he didn’t say much, his eyes betrayed the concern he felt. He pulled you aside after the meeting, his gaze soft but unwavering.

“Are you alright?” he asked, though he already knew the answer.

“No,” you replied, your voice barely a whisper. “I’m not.”

Days passed, and the pain of the mission lingered in the pit of your stomach. You couldn’t shake the memories of the torture, the feel of their hands on your skin, the words they had used to break you.

You couldn’t do it anymore.

The decision came as a shock to the team.

You told Rudy you couldn’t do it anymore and talked to Alejandro, unable to find the right words to explain why you were leaving.

“I can’t keep doing this,” you said quietly. “I’m not the person I was before.”

Alejandro didn’t say anything at first. He just looked at you, his brow furrowing as if trying to understand, trying to find a way to fix this.

“I’m sorry,” you added, your voice cracking. “I know you were counting on me. But I can’t keep pretending that I’m okay. I’m not.”

Finally, he spoke, his voice heavy with regret. “You’ve done enough, hermana,” he said softly. “No one can ask you to carry this burden forever.”

It was the hardest decision you had ever made. Leaving Los Vaqueros was like tearing a part of yourself away. You had built something with them, something real. But you couldn’t stay in a world that had broken you, couldn’t continue fighting when everything inside you felt like it was already shattered.

The 141 they had taken that from you. You had been so loyal, so willing to fight for them, but now all that was left was a hollow shell.

So, you walked away.

The days following your departure were lonely. You couldn’t bring yourself to speak to anyone, not even Rudy, not even Alejandro. It felt like they had all moved on without you.

But one night, as you sat in a dimly lit bar in a quiet corner of the world, you heard a familiar voice.

“Not the kind of place I expected to find you.”

You didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Soap’s accent was unmistakable, even in the quiet hum of the bar.

When you did look up, he was standing there, his face tense but soft with emotion. His eyes searched yours for something anything.

“I’m not here to fight,” he said quietly. “I just… I need to see you.”

You didn’t say anything. You didn’t know how to.

But in that moment, you realized that you were done with them. But you weren’t ready to forgive either.

The days following your decision to leave were filled with uncertainty, but they were also peaceful. You moved to a small town, far from the chaos of the battlefield and the haunting memories of what you had endured. It wasn’t an easy transition, but you found comfort in the little things things you had once pushed aside in the name of duty.

You took up painting, something you had always loved but never had the time to pursue. The soft brushstrokes on the canvas became your refuge, your way of expressing what words couldn’t. You would spend hours lost in color, in texture, in creating something beautiful from the turmoil that had once consumed you.

You also started gardening, planting flowers in your backyard. The smell of fresh soil and the sight of buds slowly blossoming into life brought you a sense of calm you hadn’t felt in years. It was strange to feel peace again, but it was also liberating.

At night, you would sit on your porch with a cup of tea, staring at the stars, thinking about the life you had left behind. The memories of your time with Los Vaqueros and the 141 faded slowly, like the setting sun. It was as if you were finding yourself all over again, carving out a new identity far from the battlefield.

But no matter how far you went, no matter how much you tried to forget, there was one thing you couldn’t escape your past.

Years had passed since you walked away from the life you knew, and for the most part, you had found a quiet peace. But in the back of your mind, the shadows of your past still lingered, always just beyond reach.

One evening, while you were painting on your porch, you felt a strange sense of being watched. You glanced up, your breath catching in your throat as you spotted him. Simon, standing just at the edge of the trees, his figure cloaked in shadows.

He didn’t move didn’t say anything. He simply watched you, his masked face hiding whatever emotions were behind it. The familiar weight of his presence settled in your chest. Your heart skipped a beat, but you didn’t run. Instead, you stared back at him, trying to make sense of the moment.

What was he doing here?

Had he been watching you all this time?

Years of pain and uncertainty bubbled up inside you, but you didn’t speak. You couldn’t. Not yet.

Finally, Simon took a slow step forward, but stopped at the edge of your yard. He stood there for a long while, silent, his gaze never leaving you.

It wasn’t until you put down your paintbrush that he spoke. His voice was low and steady, as if nothing had changed. “You’ve been busy, huh?”

You nodded, unsure of what to say. It wasn’t the words that mattered it was the presence. The weight of everything that had come before this moment. Moments passed with just the two of you standing in silence.

“I never wanted to hurt you,” Simon continued. His words were raw, more vulnerable than you had ever heard them. “But I didn’t know how else to protect you.”

You stood still, letting the silence stretch between you, letting the weight of his apology settle in. It was enough for now. The years of hurt, of betrayal, of everything that had gone wrong, were too much to unpack in a single moment. But what you felt wasn’t anger anymore. It wasn’t rage. It was… sadness. A sadness that you had lost something you would never get back.

Finally, you broke the silence. “I’m okay now, Simon. I’ve found peace. I don’t need anything from you.” Your voice was soft but firm, as if you were reassuring yourself more than him.

His eyes softened his blond short hair slightly moving with the wind, It was calming in a sense staring at the face you once loved and would give your life for. And for a moment, you thought you saw a flicker of regret. But he said nothing. He simply nodded and turned, walking away into the night.

Months went by, and life returned to its quiet rhythm. You still painted, still gardened, still lived a life you could be proud of. You didn’t think about Simon every day, but there were moments like when the breeze would rustle the trees or when the stars hung low in the sky that you couldn’t help but wonder if he was out there, somewhere, still watching over you from a distance.

But you didn’t need him anymore. You had moved on, built a life for yourself, and in the end, that was all you could ask for. The weight of the past had finally begun to lift, and though there were days when you still felt the sting of what had been lost, you were stronger now. You had learned to live again.

And as you sat on your porch one evening, painting beneath the stars, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace. You had come a long way farther than you had ever thought possible and for the first time in years, you felt like you were exactly where you were meant to be.

Even if Simon still watched from afar, you knew that you were finally free.

This is where your journey truly began. The story of pain, loss, and healing had come full circle. It was no longer about the past, or the choices you made, but about the future you were building on your own terms.

Authors note: Hey everyone! I really hope you enjoy this chapter! I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to keep going with it because the last chapter felt like it could stand on its own, but all the love and encouragement from my last post inspired me to continue. I truly appreciate your support! Please let me know what you think and what else you’d love to see in the future. Your feedback means a lot to me!🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

[jude457]

So I’ve been getting a lot of asks lately questioning my characterisation of Inho, and I figured it’s time I just lay it all out. Here’s how I personally interpret his character, and how I view his relationship with Gihun.

To me, Inho is a deeply broken and traumatised person. Not just morally conflicted, but someone who’s spent years building a carefully controlled facade. Underneath the precision and control is someone who harbors a deep resentment for humanity, a philosophy born from intense personal suffering and emotional isolation.

Returning to the Games to become the Frontman wasn’t a power grab—it was a form of emotional self-destruction. A kind of psychological self-harm. He built an identity where he could carry out the unthinkable by pretending it wasn’t really him doing it. He’s compartmentalised so heavily that he views the Frontman and Inho as separate people. A shield. A way to detach from the horrors he’s enforcing. Inho is the man behind the trauma; the Frontman is the role he steps into so he can function within a system that destroyed him. It’s all about control and surviving by suppressing what’s left of his humanity.

His relationship with the VIPs is not one where they are equals or where there is an inkling of respect—far from it. While Il-nam was a peer to them, Inho has always been a player. Player 132. Just another body who survived. To the VIPs, he’s not a partner in their cruelty—he’s a well-dressed dog they keep on a leash. I headcanon their relationship as one that’s exploitative, abusive, and dehumanising. They exert control over him in every way, including sexually, because they don’t see him as a person, just a tool. Just dirt.

And Inho survives that, too, by dissociating. He tells himself it’s happening to the Frontman. That this is the price of keeping them entertained. Keeping them happy. He can endure anything if he keeps believing it isn’t really happening to him.

And then there’s Gihun.

Gihun is the one person who disrupts all of that. He’s proof that pain doesn’t have to rot you from the inside out. That empathy and defiance can survive. Gihun becomes this accidental mirror to Inho’s own buried innocence—something I like to believe Young-il represents. A ghost of who he used to be. The version of him that might have believed in people before everything broke. And without meaning to, Gi-hun speaks to that part of him. Gi-hun becomes the embodiment of an idea Inho no longer believes in: that suffering doesn’t always destroy, that people can still choose kindness in hell.

Which brings me to their relationship.

I love the idea that their dynamic flips post-canon. Gihun, after everything he’s been through, carries this weight of grief and guilt for the people he couldn’t save. He becomes quieter, more guarded. Meanwhile, Inho—freed from the mask—starts to feel again. He’s almost childlike in how he approaches love, like someone experiencing it for the first time. He’s giddy, awkward, overwhelmed. There’s a tenderness to him that he’s terrified to express but desperate to hold onto.

But that tenderness—what Inho starts to feel around Gihun—it terrifies him. Because it’s unfamiliar. It’s fragile. And deep down, he doesn’t believe he deserves it.

Inho is someone who has learned to equate intimacy with danger. Submission, control, violence—those are the currencies he knows. Love? That’s alien. And more than that, it feels like a trap. So as their bond deepens, he does something tragic: he tries to twist it. To make Gi-hun hurt him. To turn their closeness into punishment.

He’ll push. He’ll provoke. He’ll offer himself up not as a man who wants love, but as one who wants to be used. Because that, at least, he understands. That, at least, makes sense in the broken framework he’s built to survive. If Gihun hurts him, then maybe the guilt becomes manageable. Maybe it justifies everything Inho has done. Maybe it makes it easier to believe he can’t be forgiven.

But the tragedy is—Gihun won’t play into that script.

Gihun sees the cracks. He sees the pain beneath the bravado. And even though he’s carrying his own unbearable grief, he refuses to become Inho’s executioner. He won’t give him that out. He doesn’t offer redemption through punishment—but through presence. Through patience. Through refusing to stop seeing him.

He touches Inho with intention, with care. And that’s what makes it so much harder. Because being touched gently doesn’t just feel unfamiliar—it feels dangerous. His body remembers what he worked so hard to forget. Every soft moment risks unearthing something he locked away.

Sometimes Inho flinches at things that aren’t threats. Sometimes he pulls away when he wants nothing more than to lean in. Sometimes Inho weeps and doesn’t know why. Sometimes he shakes under the weight of a kiss. Sometimes he begs without words for it to stop—not because it hurts, but because it doesn’t. And that makes it harder than anything. And sometimes—worst of all—he tries to recreate the conditions of his own abuse. He offers himself up like he’s disposable, hoping Gihun will use him. Hurt him. Confirm his worthlessness.

Because if someone like Gihun—someone who has every reason to walk away—can still choose to stay, to try, then maybe Inho has to face the scariest truth of all: that love might not be something he has to earn through suffering. That maybe—just maybe—he’s still capable of being loved as he is.

While I do enjoy reading bottom!Gihun/top!Inho dynamics (and there’s some really great writing out there that explores that side of them in compelling ways), when it comes to how I personally write them, I’ll always lean toward Inho as the bottom.

For me, it’s not just about preference—it’s about what it means for his character.

Inho is someone who’s spent so much of his life exerting control or being controlled in dehumanising, painful ways. His entire existence—especially as the Frontman—has been defined by rigidity, repression, and survival. So when I write him as the one giving up control, it’s not about dominance or submission in a traditional sense—it’s about catharsis.

It’s about him choosing to be vulnerable. About letting someone else take the lead not to hurt him, not to punish him, but to give him something. To care for him. To make him feel good. That, in itself, is radical for someone like him.

To be at the mercy of someone else—not for violence, but for pleasure—is the clearest way I can express how his relationship with Gihun is healing. It’s not about erasing his trauma. It’s about rewriting the narrative. About allowing his body to become a place of comfort, safety, and intimacy again.