#Looking for Full stack Development Services

[bookshelf-dust]

promise to take care of my heart

carmy berzatto x fem!reader

gif by @emziess

word count: 1,830

warnings: nothing? a little swearing, but this is pure fluff and that’s all

synopsis: carmy wants to cuddle with you for the first time.

a/n: hi! new character, i know. but i’ve become rather attached to carm in the past few months and i had a cute idea for him and here we are. he’s bringing me so much comfort right now and now i’m gonna share that with you <333

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“Why don’t you pick out a movie or somethin,’ bub?” 

“If I could find your damn remote, Carm, I would.”

He lets out a breath of a laugh, eyes on his hands where they sit deep in the dishwater below. Good luck, he thinks. 

You scan the coffee table, the rug below the shabby couch. It’s not like there’s any use checking the tv stand because it’s still a fucking table tray. You know he doesn’t even own the full set of four table trays? He’s just got the one? That knowledge keeps you up at night. Just like how he doesn’t have a ceiling fan pull and has to get tweezers to change the speed.

You find the remote nestled in a stack of freshly organized books. You helped Carmen assemble a very simple bookshelf so that his stash of cookbooks wouldn’t have to live on the floor anymore. 

Just getting to help him turn his apartment into something other than a place to sleep brought you a contagious giddiness. Carmen’s chest aches with how much he’s laughed since he met you. 

Look at all my muscles, Carm. I’m practically ready for my dick now, don’t you think? 

Where’d you even get these? He’d looked down at the little allen wrench in your hand and said I don’t know, they were just here one day. 

Now you have a bookshelf, Bear. What a grown up. 

Carmen wouldn’t let you help him with the dishes after he cooked you dinner. He’d just kissed your shoulder and said, “Let me take care of it, alright?” with that little raise of his brows and quirk of his lips telling you not to argue because you’d never win. 

And when Carmen tells you to let him take care of something, well…you listen. 

You haven’t been dating very long, but it’s been enough that you’ve both developed this rhythm, this way of moving around and with each other and you just…work. 

He doesn’t understand how you can dial his shyness, his hesitance, so quickly, how you can make him feel like a human again so easily. But you do. 

You settle against the back of the couch, flipping through the tv guide (because Carm has never subscribed to any streaming services) until you find something worth listening to. It’s already a few minutes in, but you’ve seen the movie enough times that it doesn’t really matter. 

The overhead light in the kitchen switches off and Carmen pads out to the living room, socked feet dragging on the hardwoods. Your biggest pet peeve is people who don’t pick up their feet, but somehow it’s more tolerable when it’s him. 

He sits down on the edge of the couch. Just sits. On the edge. That means he wants to say something. You give him the time to psych himself up. 

Carmy chews on his thumb nail and rubs his nose before he turns to you, placing his hand on the couch. His blue eyes burn into yours, and the intensity of his gaze, trained on you, makes you feel like the most important person in the world. 

“H-hey, um…can we—could we snuggle, maybe?” He flushes at the fact that he just used the world snuggle. Richie would have his ass so quick if he’d heard him say that. 

Your grin is brilliant. You’ve never cuddled properly with Carmen before. Maybe a head on a shoulder or a leg tossed across another, but never a real cuddle session. “Fuck yeah, we can, Carm.” You giggle and the sound softens that bubble of fear in his chest. 

He bites the inside of his cheek, letting out the barest laugh. 

“How did you want t-to lay, Bear?” You blink at him. “Were you just gonna—” 

He starts to nod. “I was just gonna lay on your chest, honestly.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, that works.”

“Y-yeah.”

You snort. “Lemme’ stretch out for you and then you can be a teddy bear.” 

“Seriously?”

“Yes.” Carmen shakes his head at you. He lets you pull that shit because he likes it. Secretly.

When you have a pillow under your neck and are laid out on your back, Carm slips beside you against the back of the couch and clumsily settles on top of you. He doesn’t want to crush you or anything, so he settles between your legs, only allowing the weight of his torso to envelop you. 

One arm wraps around your back, the other cradling your hip, his curls brushing your chin. He turns his head to face the tv and lets out a satisfied sigh. 

On instinct your hand threads through his tangled hair, scratching at his scalp gently and sorting through any piece that feels knotted. 

“What is this?” Carmy asks, nodding in the direction of the screen. 

“The Wedding Planner. It has Jlo and Matthew McConaughey in it.” 

“Chick flick?”

You hum in agreeance. “Yeah, but you wouldn’t hate it. Jlo’s character is like you but if the restaurant was a wedding planning business and you were, you know, a chick.”

He laughs lightly against your stomach and you can feel the puff of air over your shirt. 

The weight of Carmen’s body on top of yours is easily the most calming feeling you’ve ever experienced. You can’t get enough of him. 

“This okay?” you ask, scratching his scalp a little more for emphasis. This is a new way of showing affection. Uncharted territory. 

“Hm?” He looks up at you briefly, blue eyes fluttering closed. “Oh yeah, feels nice. I like it.”

You grin and continue to play with his hair. He’s right. It does feel nice. It is. 

The next few minutes go by without any conversation, just silence. But it’s so comfortable. Carmen’s tired gaze is on the tv. You can feel him breathing, feel the way he scratches over your back absently. You don’t know if he’s aware he does it, but he nuzzles his nose against the soft of your stomach every now and then like it’s keeping him safe. 

“You know I thought about being a wedding planner?”

Carmy pushes up onto his elbows, looking at you with the smallest smirk playing on his lips. “Really?”

You playfully bat at his shoulder and he moves to lay back down, but not before pressing a kiss to your sternum over your shirt. “Mhm. Still think about it sometimes.” You pause, but Carm doesn’t say anything yet because he knows you aren’t finished with that thought. 

“I guess I just thought it’d be nice to help put things like that together? The organization would make me feel…complete, I guess. And you know I don’t like to help people in such an extroverted way? I like to be behind the scenes.” You laugh, a little self-deprecatingly. “Does that make sense?”

Carmen squeezes your side. “‘Course it does. And then you could come home and tell me stories about all the family drama you eavesdrop on.”

You giggle, and Carmy loves that he can feel it where he lays on your chest. He can feel your joy, and that’s fucking cool. “That I could.”

He rubs your back in small, gentle circles. “And you know, I happen to have some friends who make pretty good food and would be happy to help if you ever needed.”

“Oh, do you? Well, that’s very helpful, Mr. Berzatto. You’ll have to give me their number.”

Carmy laughs into your chest. A pure, genuine laugh. It’s such a beautiful sound, and you truly think you’d have it tattooed all over your body if that was even remotely possible. His glee makes you laugh, and then you’re both snickering like you’re teenagers doing something that’ll get you in big trouble. 

You reach for his hand, the one that’s resting on your hip now, and he lets you lift it towards your face. He bites his cheek, fighting the smile that rises when you press your warm and chapstick covered lips to his knuckles. 

“You have such pretty hands, Carmy.”

He pinches your back. “I still don’t get why you’re so fascinated by them.”

“Because they’re pretty. And, look—” You hold yours up to his. “—they’re so much bigger than mine. And I like your tattoos, obviously. I like that I know how talented you are with your hands and how capable. I’m very lucky to hold such capable hands, Bear.”

“Capable, huh?” He gives you a look, one that makes you want to both tackle him and smack him on the arm. Instead you roll your eyes and he raises up to kiss you. 

“Capable of being the world’s biggest pain in the ass.”

Carmy laughs. It’s that little chuckle, light and airy and like he can’t believe what he’s hearing but he wants to hear more anyway. He flops back down on your chest, making you let out a rather loud oomph. 

You take Carmen’s hand in yours again, rubbing over the dry patches on his knuckles, the scabs on the insides of his fingers, the scar on his palm. His whole life is written in these hands. 

You start massaging the pads of his fingers without even thinking about it. No one’s ever been that gentle with him—definitely not with his hands—and a little part of him melts at the feeling. 

You kiss the tattoo on the back of his hand and just look at his skin. You’re determined to memorize each line and freckle and fucked up cuticle he’s got. 

“At least your nails don’t look like Richie’s, Carm.”

His chest moves with the giggle that travels throughout his body. 

“Trust me, they didn’t look like that when he was still with Tiff.”

You grin, your eyes falling back on the television. Maybe Carm would be open to setting it on the bookshelf? That table tray has put in a lot of work. It deserves a break. 

Carmen can see why you’re so fond of this movie. It’s one of those that doesn’t require much thought, that has humor and feels more human than most. He knows he shouldn’t think it, but you having said what you said before makes him wonder if you’ll plan your own wedding…with him. 

Shut the fuck up, he tells himself. But maybe we’ll get there. 

You catch him smiling when they fuck up the statue in the garden and pretend not to notice. You both keep quiet now, but Carm reaches up and puts your hand back on his head.

Your fingers thread through his curls again, scratching at his scalp gently. Your other hand does the same thing to his back. You know it’s going to lull him to sleep. 

When you say it, he’s already dozed off. But you are so happy that you get to make him feel safe. That he’s comfortable enough to sleep on you like this. Lucky is an understatement. 

“Thank you for letting me in, Bear. I don’t think my life has ever been this beautiful.”

————

please let me know if you liked this! feedback is always appreciated!! comments and reblogs mean more than you know. <33

note: none of the gifs or images i use are mine! i get most of my images from pinterest or here, and gifs from about the same. please let me know if i ever don’t credit someone properly!

[riewritten]

QUESTIONS WITHOUT ANSWERS ˚ · . READ ON AO3

『JOHAN LIEBERT x GENDER-NEUTRAL!READER』

˚ · .─ SYNOPSIS: Set a decade after the monster's last havoc in Runenheim; he managed to settle someplace nobody knew him, resolute to wander alone until his questions were answered. Needless to say, a companion who'd be willing to stay amid his solitude was the last thing he expected on this journey.

˚ · .─ TAGS: post-canon, developing friendships, romance, fluff, soft johan (whew), pining, domestic bliss, acts of service, johan acting like a male wife when he's just a friend lol, johan is soft but his unremorseful tendencies still show itself if you squint hard enough. ˚ · .─ WORDS: 5.8k

⭒ ⊹ ⭒ hapee holiday season, everyone! here's a christmas gift for my johan lovers:)

You come by Johan's crib after a long day of work. The door's open and there’s a faint albeit very comforting scent of smoke oozing out of the kitchen—your favorite soup. You knock softly (as if Johan didn't already sense your arrival with the clanks of your feet from the hallway; he had come to memorize your footsteps at this point). You find him by the stove, stirring something, movements deliberately slow.

“Smells good,” you say, voice light but sincere.

He doesn’t turn immediately, focus maintained on the pot. "It's just a simple dish. I thought you might be hungry."

He says it as if it's nothing. As if he just coincidentally thought of cooking your favorite dish. You smile, walking over to the table where a fresh and warm buttered loaf of bread awaits.

“You always know exactly what I need.”

Johan almost lets out a small, almost imperceptible chuckle, still not looking at you. "I'm learning."

The first time you met Johan, it was in the bookstore you both frequented, the perfect place to disappear for hours in the quiet maze of shelves. You got to know him by the murmurs first then speaking to him second. It was the constant whispers of the librarians and regulars about a blonde man who seemed to have nothing in his closet but turtlenecks and trousers, yet the awe in their voices spoke volumes—albeit in hushed tones—as it tipped from intimidation to admiration. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” one of them had said once, “like straight out of a painting.” “I know,” replied the companion, her voice barely above a whisper. “But doesn’t he feel… untouchable? I wouldn’t dare.” You’d followed their gazes and caught the sight of him for the very first time. Seated by the large window in the philosophy section, he was a picture of quiet solitude. His blonde hair caught the sunlight like spun gold, but it was his stillness that struck you most. Calm and composed—indeed he must be carved from stone. Since then, you’d noticed the way others seemed to orbit around him, drawn in by his presence but never daring to get too close. “I hope someone gets the gall to talk to him,” you overheard one of the librarians mutter once. “It’s a pity seeing him alone all the time when he spends most of his days here. I get he might prefer it that way, but still…” The words had stuck with you, stirring a strange kind of curiosity. Who was he, this man who seemed to command so much attention yet cold enough to remain distant? Oh, if only you knew what the future holds for you two, you wouldn't be so nervous about it.

“Why are you laughing?”

When you snap out of it, the stove’s already closed and Johan’s attention is full at you. Needless to say, you’re flushed, but you at least manage to smile and say, “Nothing. Just remembered something funny.”

“Great,” he blankly muses as he carries the food to the dining area. “At least we’ve got something to talk about over dinner.”

The first time you gathered the needed gall to approach him yourself was when you were wandering the aisles. He was in his usual spot with a small stack of books aside. His posture was relaxed, one hand cradling a book while the other resting on the arm of his chair. The whispers you had heard didn’t do him justice. He was striking, indeed, but there was something else, something intangible—a quiet volume in his presence hiding beneath the tranquility. It was the same volume that made you hesitate, and so you lingered by the shelves first.  It wasn't until the librarian’s words echoed in your mind. “It’s a pity seeing him alone all the time…” Before you could talk yourself out of it, you stepped forward and blurted out (casually, or so you hoped), “What are you reading?” When his gaze met yours, you felt the air shift. His eyes were the clearest shade of blue you had ever seen, perhaps akin to a lake hiding depths you’ll never reach. Looking back at it, you might’ve been right during that moment, for there are still so many things you don’t know about Johan even now. Going back, Johan took his own time, as if weighing your question, and for a fleeting second, you think he might ignore you entirely. Fortunately, he tilted the book slightly so you could see the cover. “Being and Time,” he said, voice as quiet as the space around you. You’d expect his voice to be deep and manly, but his soft-spoken tone didn’t disappoint you either. In fact, you might’ve liked it more than you imagined. “Heidegger,” you say, mostly to fill the space. “That’s… a lot to unpack.” A faint smile touched his lips, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It is.” Then he closed the book in a manner so poised that it felt almost reverent. “Have you read it?” You shook your head. “Not yet. Philosophy’s always been a little intimidating. Too many questions, not enough answers. Not my thing.” For a brief moment, however, you thought it'd be nice to pretend you liked it just so you could talk to him longer. His smile lingered, softer this time. “That’s the point, isn’t it? The questions.” “And you like that?” you took a small step closer. “Questions without answers?” He leaned back slightly, considering you with a quiet curiosity that mirrored your own. “I think it’s better than answers without questions.” “Not really.” He raised his brows, and it didn’t take him too long to signal his hand on the spare chair in front of him, inviting you to his table so you could expound on your answer. You realized then that talking to Johan means having to deal with his words hanging often in the air, and even now you still find yourself caught between wanting to unravel his meaning and simply basking in the way he says it. Amid his tranquil is a tension, that invisible string pulled taut just before it breaks.

And, with that said…

“You don’t talk much about your past,” you start, voice almost shy. “I respect that. But I think I need to understand. Not for me, but for you. We’ve been friends for a while now.”

Johan doesn’t answer immediately. His fingers are wrapped around his cup, staring at the dark liquid inside as though it could offer him the answers. You’re right, all you know about him is that he’s named Johan. He’s past his thirties. He seems to like your company over dinner or while reading his daily dose of books. He likes spending the rest of his day in the library where you two first met after he’s done with his informal job of tutoring children around the neighborhood for a small price—because to quote one parent, “Mr. Johan is good at children! They love him,”—which almost made him chuckle sardonically at one point, only if he wasn’t with you at the time it was said.

He has always been careful with his words, but this time, he seems to hesitate a little longer than usual. Finally, he speaks, albeit his voice is quiet, almost a whisper.

“I’m not the person you think I am, you see…” he starts, and with that simple remark, he's able to deduce that he's not ready to talk about it at all. "...but the past is a weight deplorable people like me are not willing to carry. 

Not that he ever would be ready to talk about it, with you no less. Johan had spent so much time hiding his true self for the past decade not any more thrilled to see the reactions of others who’d come to know who he really was, even more not willing to see your reaction once you learn all of it, too.

But needless to say what he just said is progress. This is the first time in a decade that he has admitted out loud that he is a deplorable being. And that couldn’t be truer for him because even now as you talk, Johan still has no plan to carry the burden of his sins the way his victims would want to. 

He is, in fact, stuck in here, wandering aimlessly, still struggling to understand the need for it, still wanting to see the world the way those people had seen it. The vision doesn’t appear to him no matter how many books he reads, how many buoyant children he tutors, or how many happy parents he comes across. 

Then why does he allow you to see him little by little if he fails to understand it all?

“What only matters for me right now is what’s here,” He gestures around, eyes briefly meeting yours. “This. You.”

You don’t know what to say, but the fire starts feeling a bit warmer after that remark.

On Johan’s end, he seems to have formed some kind of enlightenment with his remark, too. 

Here, in his little crib, with you by his side, he’s slowly but finally allowing himself to be seen (in ways he can and knows how) for the monster that he is, and it's all thanks to your presence. His growing fondness for you has the potential of freeing him from his aimless wandering. And if this fondness, perchance, starts developing for other people as well (to your neighbors, to the kids he tutors, to the parents trusting him, to the librarians doing favors for his books), he believes he could finally start seeing the world the way those people have seen it.

“But I don’t need to know what you’ve done or whatever it is that makes you ‘deplorable’," you quote in the air. "I just want to know you."

And his questions will be answered. And, in time, Johan can finally face the weight of his sins with full understanding.

He looks at you then, his gaze steady and calm. “You already do.”

On the second, third, fourth, and perhaps even fifth time you two came across each other at the library, you had always pretended to see him coincidentally (feigning shock with a high-pitched “Oh hi there, Johan! Didn’t know you were there! It’s been a while! How are you?” that you prayed he didn’t find annoying) because, little did Johan know, your intrigue had been keeping you up at night. You frequented the library—with all sorts of books and topics diverse—to quench your curiosity about lots of things. But with this blonde man, how could your curiosity about him be quenched if not through this? At times, you thought he’d seen through your friendship scheme, but your inner demons brushed off the thought. After all, how could he tell that these moments were, in fact, not coincidental when you two were known by the librarians for frequently requesting library cards because the old ones had been too full to fill up? You glanced at the stack of books beside him and realized that they have a rather eclectic mix—existentialism, psychology, classic literature. “You have a theme going,” you say, nodding toward them. He followed your gaze. “These authors had… interesting ways of seeing the world. I like to understand how people think.” The faintest edge to his voice, however, made you wonder if he was speaking about others—or himself. “Do you ever agree with them?” “Not always, but understanding isn’t about agreement. It’s about perspective.” You nodded then, rendered into silence, unsure how to respond. There was a weight to his words that felt out of proportion to the simplicity of the conversation. But you didn’t mind. If anything, it makes you want to keep talking to him.  “I’m sorry—” you said suddenly, realizing you had been standing there for far too long. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I just couldn’t help but notice. I’ll be off then! Have a great time.” When his gaze met yours again, there was a flicker of something softer. “It’s not an interruption,” and for the first time, his voice held a hint of warmth. “Sometimes, a conversation can say more than a book.” You smiled at that, feeling a strange, inexplicable comfort in his words. “Well, if you ever need someone to talk to about… questions without answers, I’m around!” He didn’t respond immediately, but his expression shifted, the faintest trace of curiosity mingling with something you can’t quite name. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said at last, and though his words are polite, there’s a quiet sincerity to them that makes you believe him.

After dinner, the quiet hum of the night wraps around you as you sit in Johan’s small, meticulously organized living space. The fire dwindles to a much softer glow, casting long shadows across the room before you notice Johan's gaze flickering between the firelight and you. His hands rest loosely on the arm of his chair, seemingly content in the silence. His stillness betrays a quiet attentiveness though—for he's always aware, always considering.

“You didn’t eat much,” says Johan, proving your musings. It's not an accusation either, just an old flat remark on his end.

You shake your head, smiling softly. “I wasn’t that hungry earlier.”

He gets up without a word, movements unhurried as he disappears into the small kitchen. You hear the faint clink of a ladle against a pot and the gentle hiss of steam as he pours something. Moments later, Johan returns with a steaming bowl of soup and a slice of bread.

“Eat."

You hesitate for a moment before picking up the spoon, letting the warmth of the soup seep into your hands. “You don’t have to take care of me like this, you know?”

“I know,” he says simply before meeting your eyes, the usual coolness softened by something you couldn’t quite decipher. 

The soup is more than perfect, though—rich and comforting as always—and he knows you'd feel guilty if you don't eat it. “I don’t know how you do it,” you mumble in between, “but you always make things feel… manageable? I don’t know.”

He tilts his head slightly, as though considering your words. “Do expound."

"I’d rather not."

The chuckle he lets out with your statement has made it more difficult for you to hide your fluster, but much to your relief, Johan doesn't press you further.

The same chuckle wraps every crevice of your body with warmth. Oh, to have a friend taking care of you like this. His solitude can be dreary, but so utterly comfortable nonetheless.

Making Johan live next to you will always be one of the proudest decisions you ever made.

It was approximately three months after those fateful (intentional) encounters, that the library had become a haven for you both. Your quiet camaraderie grew into something akin to a routine. You’d share the same table, absorbed in your respective books, the soft rustle of pages turning creating a rhythm that felt comforting in its simplicity. Occasionally, you’d catch Johan glancing at you, and there would go his unreadable gaze for a moment before returning to his book. That time, you were engrossed in a novel while Johan seemed to be studying Hegel. The silence between you was companionable, feeling like you had carved out your own little world amidst the whispers and movements of the library. But the spell broke when Johan spoke, “May I ask you a favor?” Not that it annoyed you. It actually did quite the opposite. Johan, this guy, asking you a favor? He rarely initiated conversations in the first place! Still, you tried to be calm about it, settling down your book with poise and all. “Of course, what is it?” “I’ve been considering moving to a quieter neighborhood. The place I currently reside in… lacks a certain tranquility.” You tilted your head, “Quieter, huh? You don’t strike me as someone who’d tolerate noise for long.” He gave you a faint but genuine smile. “It’s not the noise itself. It’s the... atmosphere. I’d prefer somewhere where the days feel less hurried.” “I might know a few places. My neighborhood is pretty quiet, actually. There’s a lot of greenery, and the people keep to themselves. It’s the kind of place where you can choose to go weeks without bumping into your neighbors or talk to them to your heart's content.” His eyes lit up very slightly, but that rare glimmer of interest in his face made your heart skip. “That sounds ideal. Do you happen to know of any available apartments?” You hesitated, mind racing. The apartment beside yours had been vacant for months. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was cozy, with a small balcony overlooking the courtyard. The thought of Johan living next door—of sharing more than just library visits—has kept your tongue tied for a while. “A-actually… there’s a place right next to mine.” But hey, at least you were still trying to sound casual about it. “It’s quiet, and the landlord’s a nice guy. I can give you the details if you’re interested.” “That’s very kind of you. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d appreciate it.” “Not at all!” you replied quickly, perhaps too eagerly. “I can show you the place after we leave here if you’d like.” “That would be helpful. Thank you.”

And now, as you go back to the present, you wonder why you’ve been feeling a bit too nostalgic lately, though it doesn’t stay unanswered when you glance at Johan’s calendar.

This day, last year, was the time you started sneaking on his spot at the library to initiate a talk. Reflecting on it now, your stupid tactics will never be something you’ll regret. He’s one of your closest friends now. 

Johan’s friendship isn’t one for grand gestures, but it becomes clear that his acts of care are his way of expressing what he’d prefer not to put into words. A favorite book you’d mentioned in passing has appeared on his coffee table. A small vase of daffodils now sits on the windowsill the next time you visit. His dinners are always for two, even when you show up unannounced—and if, for instance, you try to ask him about it, he’d just casually shrug and say, “I just ended up cooking a lot. Eat it while it’s hot.” More, and more, and more. It’s as though Johan is slowly turning his house into your own, too.

The same goes for the stuff you accidentally leave at his place. Your scarf? You’d see it neatly folded on the chair by the door the day after. Feeling a bit too cold during the evening? There, he has a blanket ready before you could even ask. 

One night, you arrive at his house later than usual, steps heavy from a particularly grueling day. The door's unlocked, as it has been when he expects you.

“Johan?” you call, shrugging off your coat.

“In here,” comes his voice from the kitchen.

You follow the sound and find him standing by the stove while stirring a pot. The dim light casts a warm hue over him; his sharp features soften along the way.

He glances at you briefly, offering a small nod. “Long day?”

You lean against the doorway with a tired sigh. “You have no idea.”

Without a word, he turns off the stove and begins ladling soup into a bowl. He sets it on the table, gesturing for you to sit.

He sits across from you, his own bowl untouched. Then there goes his gaze, lingering on you, unintrusive but steady, as though he's reading every line of exhaustion on your face and filing it away.

“You should take a break."

You smiled wryly. “From what? Life?”

“From pushing yourself too hard."

His words hang in the air, simple yet profound. You nod, not trusting yourself to speak. Johan’s protection of your peace became a natural extension of his care for you. He never pushed you to do anything for him. He never asked for more than you were willing to give. But he shows up. Every day. Quietly. Steadily. 

The warmth of this dinner where Johan casually asks about your day, muses about his, shares the books he had read, makes you chuckle at the tomfooleries of children he has tutored, and more has been consuming you. It doesn’t take long until you finally work up the courage to ask a question that’s been lingering in your mind for quite some time.

 “Why do you do all this for me?”

Johan looks at you, his expression unreadable. For a moment, you think he might deflect, as he so often does when conversations edge too close to vulnerability. But then, he answers, his voice quieter than usual.

“Because you stay.”

The simplicity of his words struck you. Johan, who has always been careful, always guarded, is telling you more than you realize.

“I stay because I want to."

His gaze doesn’t waver, but you notice the subtle shift in his expression—a faint, almost imperceptible relaxation.

“I know,” he replies, and for the first time, there's a hint of something like certainty in his voice.

With the winter deepening and the night growing colder, the warmth inside Johan’s home never falters. The conversations drift to lighter topics—books you’d read, places you wanted to visit, small dreams you’d never share with anyone else. Johan listens intently, his focus unwavering.

“I think you’d like the mountains,” he says at one point. “Quiet. Peaceful.”

You smile. “You make it sound perfect.”

“Well, it could be.” His gaze lingers on you for a moment longer than usual. “Don't you think so?”

There's something in his tone—something unspoken, undecipherable, and yet undeniable. You realize something that made your heart ache and swell all at once: Johan isn’t just taking care of you. He's allowing you to take care of him, too, in the only way he knows how: by letting you stay. And, just like what happened just now, his likes and preferences will slip out of his mouth without him noticing from time to time, albeit much of them still projected as something you might like instead.

It's not easy for him, you know. But every bowl of soup, every blanket, every quiet moment shared in his little home is his way of saying what he couldn’t bring himself to say outright.

And for now, that is enough.

Johan’s care remains consistent, though you begin to notice small changes in his interactions with you.

His gaze often lingers a second longer, softening in ways you don’t know how to interpret—maybe it even softens a little too much especially when you’re telling him about your days. And his voice—oh, his voice that has bewitched you since the first time you had heard it in the library—recently it lowers in an almost tender way, his tone more perceptive of what you need even before you realize it yourself. 

Then there goes the gestures. An extra blanket he drapes over your shoulders on particularly cold nights. A cup of tea that spawns on the table whenever he notices your mood falter. A brush of his hand against yours when he steadies you under the weight of too many things. All these moments feel small, insignificant even, and yet they’ve become harder and harder to ignore. 

Maybe it’s a you problem (even though you tried your very best to stop the thoughts, to be fair) but oftentimes you can’t help but ask, has he always been this way?

No way Johan could like you, that much you know. But if we’re talking about you and the things under your sphere, the feelings that you can control, what would you answer if he came one day to ask if you still like him as a friend, or if it has progressed to something more dangerous—what would you tell him, then?

Fortunately, the Christmas season has brought a whirlwind of gatherings—giving you the space that you need from your colleagues. And for the night of Christmas itself, you’ve chosen to attend one with your friends instead of having dinner with him. It’s not that you don’t enjoy his company; you do, perhaps a bit too much, even, but you thought a change of pace would help clear your head.

You never intended to get yourself wasted, but the way you kept thinking of him during the gathering, spacing out, wondering if he managed to cook his own dinner or if he ‘accidentally’ made it again for two. At one point you even considered excusing yourself early just so you could go back home—to him. Oh god, you’re doomed indeed.

Hours later, the cold night air hits you as you stumble back to your apartment, the warmth of good food and too much wine still buzzing in your veins. While fumbling with your keys in the dark, you notice a figure standing at the door next to yours.

Johan.

His posture is impeccable as always, but his face is unreadable, bathed in the soft light of the hallway lamp. His sharp eyes meet yours, flickering briefly to the keys trembling in your hand.

“How long have you been—”

“You’re late.” His voice is rather calm, but there’s a note of something you can’t quite place.

“Merry Christmas, Johan,” you smile softly, the silly intoxicated mind finding his concern oddly amusing. “But oh, wait! Sorry, you told me you don’t celebrate holidays, right? Silly me,” you sway slightly. “Still, I bought you a gift, but I—hic—I left it inside. Maybe you can accompany me inside so y—you could, uh… what was I gonna say again?”

“You’re drunk,” he states the obvious with eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

“No, I’m, hehe, not.” Though your keys clatter to the floor as if your body is mocking your denial. “Shit. I don’t have a spare key.” Disappointment so palpable as if the keys falling to the floor renders it unusable.

Johan sighs, bending to retrieve them with effortless grace. Without another word, he steps forward, unlocks your door, and gently guides you inside.

The warmth of your apartment envelops you, and you’re too tipsy to protest as Johan helps you to the couch. He disappears momentarily and returns with a glass of water.

“Drink.” His tone leaves no room for argument. You comply, sipping obediently, though you can’t help but watch him as he hovers nearby, his movements ever careful and deliberate, as though he’s weighing every action. When you finish, he takes the glass from your hands and sets it aside. “You should lie down.”

You nod. But then, Johan doesn’t accompany you to your room. He instead readies himself to leave. Why would he leave? He turns off the lights, assuming you are indeed on your way to your bedroom, and then bids you good night.

No.

The room spins slightly as you try to reach out to him. You fail miserably though, but Johan’s fast reaction steadies you immediately. He picks you up by the arm before you can even fall, “You okay?”

“Don’t leave.”

Johan squints his eyes, his thoughts lurking towards something. “Did something happen at the gathering? Did someone perhaps—”

“No, I—” you stammer because Johan’s proximity seems to have sobered you up. He gently sits your flailing body on the floor. He’s crouching, though his hold on your shoulder didn’t cease. “I just…I just realized something.”

He hums, waiting for you ever so gently to respond.

The same gentleness that pushes you off the edge.

“I like you.”

But the lights are off. You wouldn’t see Johan’s reaction.

The silence stretches painfully, and it doesn’t take long until you feel a pang of regret. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disappoint you.”

For a moment, he doesn’t respond, and you think he might leave. But then he speaks, his voice quiet, almost strained. “You didn’t disappoint me,” he says finally, and you find it strange how that simple—perhaps even empty—clarification plucked out a thorn in your vein. “It’s just that you don’t know what you’re saying right now.”

“I do,” you insist despite the haze in your mind. Your eyes scan everything else but his face above, trying to articulate it in a way he’d believe. “I’ve liked you since we met at the library. I pretended to come across you accidentally just so we could have something to talk about. I—I used to sit there for hours just hoping we’d talk. It kept me awake at night… thinking about you, about the way you look when you read. I thought I was just like that because I wanted to be your friend so bad, but I—” you exhale, ragged, exhausted. “I don’t think it passed even when we became close. There go your habits, and how you’re so kind to me… I can’t deny it any further and pretend I just want to be friends.”

Your words trail off, and the silence thereafter has felt suffocating. Johan remains unmoved, his posture rigid, and you can’t help but wonder what’s going on inside his head.

“Let's talk about it tomorrow…” Johan starts. “When you’re sober.”

“Okay…”

And yet, no one dares to move.

You finally look up after five minutes or so, and there you catch Johan’s gaze lingering on you—not piercing, but steady, contemplative. His hands rest loosely on your shoulders, yet you notice the slight tension in his fingers, the faint clench, and release as though he’s holding something back.

“You’ve been quiet,” you finally say, voice softer than intended, eyes up at him and nothing else.

“So have you,” he replies, and though his tone is even, there’s something in the way his eyes flicker to yours, then away, as if he’s caught in something too raw to name.

There goes the silence again, not because it’s awkward but because something has changed. Your body can sense it—the urge to move just a bit higher so you can reach his face, perhaps cup his cheeks just a bit, and maybe a small kiss on the forehead too…? Your heart flutters like a bird aching to be let out. Your feelings for Johan have been climbing higher than you ever intended tonight. And yet, the way he looks at you now, guarded but searching, makes you wonder if he feels even a fraction of what you do.

“Johan,” you say, voice trembling, “I…”

He looks at you again but in a manner quite different from how he usually reacts whenever you call his name. Still, you don’t let it scare you off. 

“I don’t care if you can’t carry the weight of your past,” you say, the words spilling out like water from a dam. “I just want to be with you, and… maybe—”

It’s just that you don’t get to finish.

Johan leans in fast; you feel the time pacing a bit quicker, perhaps so it could cater to your shock. His hold on your cheek is gentle and controlled, but the way he meets your lips fervently speaks the urgency of it, as though he’s been waiting for this moment longer than he’s willing to admit.

And so when you do more than push him away, your hand tentatively reaching for his arm instead—he deepens it further, his restraint crumbling just enough to let you feel his response to your confession. After all, what Johan lacks in words he always compensates in action. His care has always been consistent and predictable in its subtlety and restraint, thus making his lack of control and patience right now unusual and out of character. But even then, his lips have a careful precision that still feels so him.

Oftentimes you'd wonder how Johan's skin would feel against yours. He barely looks alive so you thought he'd feel cold. But oh how wrong you are. His hand languidly slides to your back, and then he abruptly pulls your body towards him. It's warm, perhaps too much that it overwhelms you. His heart is beating fast, the needed confirmation that this affects him just the same.

Johan’s movements feel as though he himself is unfamiliar with this feeling—as if this is the first time he's had this reaction. Your mind then races with questions. Does this mean he feels the same? Or is this meant to keep me guessing? What happens after this? 

The thoughts melt away when he pulls away, eyes lidded, lips puffed. “Johan, what—”

Only to kiss you harder again. Perhaps he did because he felt your attention drifting away from him. It’s as if to say you wanted this to happen, so relish it without thinking about anything else. This sudden assertion after keeping himself subtle is doing something in your brain.

Johan seems to take pleasure in your reactions, too—the way you pant as your lips pressed together, your hands clinging onto the waves of his hair, and when you slip out a little moan because his hands slide into your shirt to feel the heat of your back, you feel him smile. Then he becomes more passionate. More desperate. More longing. And in this moment, Johan feels more reachable, more understandable.

Perhaps his lack of usual poise also says a lot about how he’s still doing everything in his power right now to hold back, and he’s asking you to cooperate.

Johan pulls back for good in a rather slow, deliberate manner, just in sync with your panting breaths. His forehead brushes lightly against yours as he stays close. 

“I told you, hadn’t I?” His eyes, now open but still lidded, seemingly search your face for something—fear? Regret? Understanding? What is it? “We’ll talk about it tomorrow when you’re sober. You’re not listening to me.”

You open your mouth to say something but his fingertip presses gently to your lips.

“Don’t,” he whispers, his voice softer, reminding you of his restraint. “Not yet.”

But I just want to say that I liked it and I want more.

“Please,” he adds as if he just read your mind.

What a sight to see.

The way his face looks right now makes you feel his inner turmoil. The weight of his past he claims a deplorable being like him will not be willing to carry is making him more reluctant to let himself have this—to have you.

He needs time, doesn’t he? And so you finally nod, temporarily ceasing the itch to have your questions answered.

Johan sighs in relief, sounding genuinely tired as if this night has taken all of his energy and willpower. He doesn’t forget to usher you up, and when he realizes you’re not wobbling that much anymore, he nods, taps your cheeks, kisses your forehead, and repeats his good night.

As soon as the door closes, you slowly walk to your room. Eyes wide, fingertips touching your sore lips, and you plopped on the bed unceremoniously. 

For now, in the quiet of your apartment, with the taste of him still lingering on your lips, at least you can now assure yourself that for the first time since you’ve known each other, he finally let himself be vulnerable, even for a moment. And that is more than you ever could have asked for.

🏷️ SUBSCRIBE/UNSUSCRIBE TO STORIES | @chxrry-writes @nefarra @ellabellapumela @skexxll @xeiin-n

@melonvrs @s0m4-sh4rk

[judasrpc]

TIPS FOR WRITING COMBAT, TACTICS, AND / OR FIELD MEDICINE SCENARIOS PT. 2

Hello again! Coming out of the woodwork with my niche interests and hoping to pass along some information about writing things such as combat, tactical operations, and / or field medicine!

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor am I someone who has served in the military or law enforcement in any capacity. Any information in this post is gained from personal research in mostly internet circles. Some topics may be unsettling/disturbing, so please take care in reading.

You can view part one of this post [HERE].

Note: This part will be written more in-depth, as the sources I've pulled from are either no longer accessible, or from narrators I would not feel comfortable platforming due to their motives for sharing this information (e.g., anti-human rights individuals with qualified backgrounds). Knowledge is power, but we don't have to platform fascists in order to share it (* ^ ω ^)

To start this post off, I'll share some archives I've found since part one! This way, if you're just looking for resources and don't want to read something super lengthy, this post is still (hopefully) useful to my fellow writers.

Safety Data Sheets [Archive] - A collection of safety data sheets for what looks like various types of compounds, mostly based around industrial work (e.g., concrete mixes, roof coatings, etc.). While arguably not relevant to this sort of topic focus, I think it could be in the right scenarios, especially as sheets provide first-aid instructions, hazard classification, and details about specific compounds.

War Medicine [Archive] - Definitely a more historical reference (dated 1918), but published by the American Red Cross Society in France covering… war medicine. Includes various diagrams and topics.

Field Manuals and Technical Manuals [Archive] - A collection of field and technical manuals from various military services spanning across various decades. I believe most of these are U.S.-based.

Now, for the in-depth written information, placed behind the "keep reading" button.

CLOSE-QUARTERS BATTLE (CQB) / MILITARY OPERATIONS IN URBAN TERRAIN (MOUT)

CQB is typically defined as a short duration, high intensity conflict characterized by sudden violence at close range. MOUT is an example of a scenario where CQB may be applicable.

When in these environments, it's important for your character(s) to know how to navigate them. The presence of closer-knit buildings, various entryways, and populated environments means there's a lot of risk for both them and those around them.

As such, one of the founding concepts is entry and clearance.

There are many different ways to enter and clear rooms within a building, but the three primary types are as follows:

Conventional (aka: Strong Walling) - The leading individual "commits" to the room by stepping in with their full body, pressing their back to the wall opposite to the door's attachment, and using their upper torso to sweep the room with their light/weapon.

Lateral - The leading individual enters the room at either a 90-degree angle to the door (straight toward back wall of room) or a 45-degree angle (toward the corner opposite to the door).

Framing - Rather than step into the room, the leading individual peeks around the door frame and conducts their sweep from within it (think of them as using the door frame as a "mount" for their weapon, if they have one).

These can be conducted solo, or with a wingman.

A wingman is usually one other individual who stacks beside the leading individual, and uses an over-the-shoulder vantage to provide a secondary set of eyes for cover, while also being able to cover tasks such as opening doors.

Then, there's navigating environments as teams. With teams, there comes a need to develop tactics. With CQB in particular, there are two primary types of strategies:

Dynamic - Rapid movement and clearance; Your character(s) are likely in a high-intensity/time-sensitive scenario where speed is more important than safety. In these scenarios, your character(s) is/are more likely to clear rooms by committing with their entry and flooding in if in a team.

Deliberate - Slower movement and clearance; Your character(s) are likely still in dire circumstance, but they're able to take the time and prioritize safety over speed. In these scenarios, your character(s) is/are more likely to clear rooms by framing and entering one at a time to ensure all angles are covered.

But not every room is a perfect rectangle with wider-open spaces. Regardless of the structure, dead space is an important factor to consider for characters both outside and within these environments.

Dead space simply refers to the space that has not been cleared by the individual(s) entering the space. There are a few different types, including:

Anchored - The object creating the dead space is anchored to a wall, and thus prevents flanking. This could be a dividing wall, and certain types of cabinetry or other furniture.

Unanchored - The object creating the dead space is not anchored to a wall, and thus allows for flanking. This can be… any piece of furniture, crates/boxes/shelves, even certain installation pieces such as a 360-fireplace or showcase tank/terrarium.

Low - The object creating the dead space cannot fully conceal an individual/individuals who are standing, but could if they were crouched or laying prone. This could be things such as couches, tables with cloth over them, etc.

High - The object creating the dead space is elevated above the entry point. This usually, and pretty much only, includes things like stairwells, but it could include higher cabinetry if your character(s) is/are creative enough or able to navigate that.

Moving away from specific scenarios, there is something I've seen written a lot in fanfic and in rp spaces that I think would be important to clarify:

Do. not. attempt. to. catch. a. falling. gun.

I'm serious! In active combat, this isn't as applicable because your character's goal is (ultimately) to neutralize whatever threat is in front of them. Beyond that, though, your character(s) should never attempt to catch.

"But why? Wouldn't you want to stop it from discharging?"

That is why.

Yes, the firearm may discharge when hitting the ground… but in catching it, your character(s) may also discharge it. Unless they know for a fact they will not grab the area around or within the trigger guard, it's highly likely that a finger/fingers will slip into the guard and, due to the force of the catch, end up pulling.

The best practice, especially for a character/characters who are skilled with firearms and versed in safety practices, is to put the hands up and let it fall. Step back, find cover if possible, and retrieve the firearm after it has landed.

And again, I am not responsible for what y'all do with this info. Read responsibly, and stay frosty!

[l-starlight-l]

The love of a hero

Missed Confessions

Masterlist

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

A/n: Just a quick chapter with Red hood I whipped up

Description: Red hood is worried about how much you’ve been working lately and pays you a visit

Pairing: Red Hood x Reader

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:Reference:

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Dead tired. You were dead tired. Being short staffed was understandable at first, manageable but now it’s just getting annoying. Your past five shifts, they’ve made you stay overtime and it was horrible. Your patients, even being horrible people, didn’t deserve to get a lesser service just because the hospital they are at doesn’t know how to manage staff. So in all honesty you were both very angry and very tired.

You stormed down the hallway on your way to your office with a stack of paperwork. Very kindly you offered to finish one of the nurses paperwork because her mother had gotten mugged. You practically threw the papers on your desk and plopped down in your desk chair, ready to get to work.

After about and hour or two there was a knock on the door. You huffed and spoke a loud come in, expecting a coworker to walk in giving you even more work. Luckily for you it was the charming red hood. You lifted your head and a soft smile formed on your lips, “what are you doing here” you said with a sudden perk in your voice.

He lifted his helmet off, revealing his concerned eyes under his domino mask. “Damn, you look tired” he said oddly serious.

Annoyed you rolled your eyes, “yes, thank you for the compliment” you bit back, “what are you doing here, red” you readied.

He shrugged, “I came by when you were on break” he explained, “you weren’t at our spot”. He plopped down on one of the comfortable chairs across from you, on the other side of the desk.

~Our spot~ for some reason his choice of words made you blush. You were to tired to feeling anything to aggressive though. “Oh, Im so sorry” you said guilt mixing with the massive headache you had, “I had to work through my break”. You looked up at him with a forced smile even though you truly did feel bad.

“What” he said sitting up in his seat looking quite mad, “how long have you been working straight?”.

Embarrassment creeped up your spine, “a long time” you hesitated trying to explain, “we’re understaffed, I’ve had to fill in”.

He shook his head and let out a sigh full of frustration for you. Softening his mood he suggested “Why don’t you just take a short smoke break then?”, holding a cigarette in his hands.

You narrowed your eyes at the cigarette and then looked at the pile on your desk, only a third of the work left. Hesitantly you nodded, “sure”. Getting up you pushed open the big window in her office and waved him over, “technically there’s no smoking in the building, but what are they gonna do fire me?” You let out a weak laugh at that idea. They would never dream of it, you could probably kill someone and they would cover it up just to keep you on the very small staff.

You admired his beautiful features as he placed the cigarette in his mouth, lit it and inhaled. He then passed it to you and you inhaled the same. “Thank you” you said softly looking off to the distant.

His eyebrows knitted, “what for?” He asked confused.

“For coming to check on me” a weird feeling laid in your stomach. The past few weeks had been confusing for you. You had started to develop feelings for Jason, your neighbor, but you felt similarly towards the man standing next to you. The situation has been stressing you out lately and you didn’t know what to do. You crawled up on the large window ceil, sitting and hugging your knees to your chest after passing Jason the cigarette back.

He watched you with sad eyes, “I’m just worried about you” he admitted, “you’ve been working to hard lately and I..” he hesitated closing his eyes, “and I’m starting to really like you” he admitted. He had wanted to tell you for so long but didn’t want to lose you as a friend and he figured doing it under the mask was the best option so, if it needed bad he still had you as Jason. When you hadn’t responded he looked over at you and let out a affectionate laugh.

A small snore came from your mouth as you slept up against the wall. He smiled as he admired everything about you. Smoothly he put one hand under your legs and the other under your upper back and lifted you. There was a small couch in your office and he set you down on that. He gently covered you with a blanket and hesitating kissed you on the forehead. He started to the the room but looked back just to make sure you were okay. He had been worried about you all day, you never leaving his mind. Which wasn’t unusual even on days he didn’t worry.

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[deliictum]

you do not know me but rest assured i know you, MR. JOSEPH HORATIO LEVY. you are the CHILD OF THE ELDEST DAUGHTER OF LORD EVERLEY. you maybe be known for your IDEALISM but it is only a mask for the true nature of your NAIVE ways. however, i am not here to spread slander on the queen’s jewels, though i suspect you are her BLUE TOPAZ. the ton says your name reminds them of FADED TRAVEL JOURNALS WITH RESTLESS HANDWRITING AND INKSTAINS; A STACK OF PAMPHLETS HIDDEN AWAY, EVERY WORD OF WHICH IGNITES A NEW SPARK WITHIN YOU; A LOCKET WARM FROM BEING HELD TOO LONG; STARING AT THE CEILING OF A BALLROOM AND YEARNING FOR AN OPEN SKY.

full name: joseph horatio levy nickname(s): jo, yossele (only used his parents), bubbeleh (only used by his paternal grandparents) gender & pronounds: cis man, he & him age: nine and twenty orientation: ??? languages spoken: english, some yiddish & hebrew

character inspiration: lady sybil (downton abbey), nicholas de lenfent (the vampire chronicles)

tw: death (parental)

it's 1777 when elias levy, only recently promoted to be an official diplomatic attaché for matters of trade relations for the british crown, travels to london to report on the findings for his latest assignment. while in town, he is encouraged to join the social season and, having come into some wealth thanks to his position, suddenly finds himself an eligible bachelor, despite his lack of title. word travels fast that he is working for the royal family - and that he is not bad looking at that, too. he receives an invitation to the diamond ball, feels utterly out of place and considers leaving until miss hannah everley makes her entrance, and soon all thoughts of going home are abandoned.

their courtship is a long and drawn out one, with elias having to leave for london for diplomatic missions every now and again, but finally, two years after their meeting, hannah and elias marry in a quaint ceremony in 1779. it's another five years until their first child is born, and in those five years elias works his way up in the social scene - the day joseph horatio levy (named after his paternal and maternal grandfather) is born, elias gets named offical ambassador of the british crown.

little jo, or yossele as he is affectionately called by his parents, sees little of his father for the first few years of his life, but it makes him all the closer to his mother. a patron of the arts and poetry, she is keen for him to receive a similar education to her, one that favours music, writing and painting. and while jo cannot seem to get the hang of rhyming and riding, he is all the more proficient at the violin and with a brush in his hand. after a period of heavy responsibilities, his father is able to take a break from active diplomatic service for a while. on his return, he is dead set on providing the other part of joseph's education, and the days are filled with fencing and the like. it's great having him home, having them all be together. there's a balance, in his education, in their household.

tragedy strikes a month after his bar mitzvah when his mother succumbs to her fever suddenly and unexpectedly. his father works through his grief by throwing himseflf back into his work, and joseph is passed between paternal and maternal grandparents for a few years. it seems fitting, now that he has officially begun his journey to adulthood, that he is on his own and left to fend for himself. he clings to the interests and values his mother has passed on to him, develops a keen interest in the arts and a newfound appreciation for nature. he's grown into a sensitive and sensible young man, in love with the world and the people around him. unlike his father who processes his emotions by avoiding them he feels everything deeply, and it makes him feel connected to his mother.

at twenty he begins to attend oxford but finds no particular joy there. the noble sons attending just for the sake of attending rub him the wrong way, perhaps in their tory-affiliated sentiments or simply their rowdy ways, and so to make his university years bearable he sneaks out time and again to attend courses at the academy of arts. joseph isn't sure why he keeps it a secret, he's not sure if his father would mind - he's not sure if he would even care, to be frank. when he turns twenty-three his father steps down from active duty again for the season and asks joseph to accompany him to london, and the tense relationship between father and son manages to heal a little over the course of spring and summer.

but something else blossoms, and while initially aversed to the idea of a pre-arranged match he soon finds he has nothing to object to. on the contrary! the young miss safiye is the picture of beauty, grace and intellect, and it seems as if the sun is constantly shining down on her, bathing her in its most favourable light. in line with his nature, he falls hard and fast and head over heels for her. rarely a day goes by that he does not call on her or write her a poem, and it hits him all the harder when, by the end of the season, their connection sizzles out and fades. his father returns to his ambassador duties and joseph returns to oxford with a broken heart.

he completes his studies a year later and instead of returning to london like the rest of his extended family he asks his father and grandfather to go on the grand tour. he finds another thing he can pour his heart and soul into, in his travels he finds completion, a part he has been missing ever since his mother's death. joseph extends his time abroad, extends it again and again, staying with distantfamily members from overseas.

joseph has never truly been one to follow poltics, but during his travels he happens to stumble upon small gathering of revolutionary figures in vienna. meetings in austriaturn into pamphlets in france and italy, and soon enough he finds himself thoroughly connected to a network of radicals. though he does not see their ideas as anything but sensible, and his passions and ideals soon begin to align with theirs. down with the monarchy, down with frivolous royals, down with power-hungry leaders itching for the next war. as a man of higher standing he's not targeted or suspected by the authorities, and so he delivers illegal pamphlets and letters, spreads the idea around europe.

in italy a letter arrives from his father - come home, grandpa horatio is thinking about changing the line of succession. there's nothing further from his mind than inheritance, but he yearns to see his family again - and it will be an opportunity to spread the word to england.

wanted connections

tba.

[jesncin]

Honestly, you are like the most based person ever. A Martian Manhunter fan and a MAWS critic? F YEAH!

I'm so disappointed with MAWS' Lois :( Her romance with Clark could've been so good. SO GOOD. But they decided to go for fan service instead. She just gives off Lena (from cwsg) vibes and that's never a good thing.

Speaking of Supergirl, what's your opinion on the show? And on the show's portrait of J'onn. It baffles me how much hate the show got for the same things fans are willing to overlook now on MAWS. Aren't those some double standards, geez...

Aw shucks thank you! 2 incredibly niche but based things to be...

Sob! Call it the ace in me but whenever people think MAWS!Clois have chemistry because they're easily amused by seeing hot characters undress I lose life force. I didn't witness a couple that grew mutual respect and affection, I saw an insta-crush that led to Lois becoming so entitled to a guy she'd known for less than a week to the point of demanding full transparency of his private life before they even started dating. And then the narrative says it's Clark's fault for having reasonable boundaries, and then they're a couple. What is this.

I've briefly talked about CW Supergirl before, but my takeaway is: if people think MAWS is genuinely good writing then they should absolutely watch CW Supergirl because it must look like high art in comparison to MAWS. Maybe people are less judgy when something's animated and that's not fair. If we want to take animation as a serious medium we should hold it to the same standard and not coddle it. As someone who watched a few eps when CW Supergirl aired and then revisited and watched the whole thing years after the show concluded, I feel that the misogyny surrounding people's discourse around the show has led to people judging the show based on a fanon idea of it rather than its own merits.

more under the cut!

CW Supergirl is a show with great highs and lows. This results in things being hit or miss. But when something hits- CW Supergirl is not given nearly enough credit as it deserves. As a Martian Manhunter fan, I believe that their take on J'onn is the most competent and well adapted in not just adapted media, but all of comics canon. That doesn't mean I like everything they did with his lore and character, but I can acknowledge that they actually bothered developing him outside of the comics/cartoon's fixation with making him mope about his Origin Story all the time. He gets to find love, have adopted daughters through Kara and Alex, reckon with what it's like to preserve aspects of a culture he doesn't fully identify with, deal with his dad going through Martian Alzheimer's disease, and most importantly MAKE PEACE WITH HIS BROTHER. CW Supergirl has hands down, the best take on Ma'alefa'ak in all of canon.

I think Lena is a great character on the show. She's dealing with the trauma of being constantly manipulated by her own family, the legacy her name carries and who she is in all that. But because the supercorp ship permeates the way people perceive the show, she's reduced to that by discourse. When Lena has drama over Kara's secret Superhero identity, it's something that's built up to and informed by trauma, trust-issues, and TIME. We are shown that she has these problems. It gets melodramatic at times, but it's still something that was built up to. Meanwhile in MAWS Lois just tells us she has daddy issues and that it's why she really needs the cute guy at work to spill all his personal info to her even though she gets to lie to him for her own personal gain multiple times. I appreciate what CW Supergirl did to bring more attention to what was an obscure character. Whenever I bump into Lena in the comics, it hasn't stacked up to the character I met on the show.

I've called this out before but while CW Supergirl isn't perfect by any means especially with their treatment of Jimmy Olsen as a love interest to Kara and a generally sidelined Black supporting character, they still discussed and acknowledged Jimmy's identity as a Black American man! Sure it was heavy handed many times, but that's way better than MAWS straight up ignoring Jimmy's Blackness and even making an unintentional jab at it!! Like cw Supergirl Jimmy knows bigotry and has experienced it. MAWS Jimmy thinks bigotry is being ghosted for a camping trip. I have seen the exact same critics call out cw Supergirl for Jimmy's treatment while gleefully thinking Jimmy's treatment in MAWS is so uwu perfect. It makes me sick! Am I going insane?? It's the double standards for me.

[falaanamarketing]

Rank Higher, Grow Faster – With the Best SEO Services in Jaipur

In today’s digital world, if your business isn’t showing up on Google, it’s almost invisible. That’s where Falaana, the best digital marketing agency in Jaipur, steps in. We specialize in delivering results-driven SEO solutions designed to put your brand on the map—literally and digitally.

At Falaana, we understand that SEO isn’t just about rankings—it’s about growth. Our expert team is committed to offering the Best SEO Services in Jaipur that help businesses not just get found, but truly stand out. From keyword research and content optimization to backlinks and technical audits, we use proven strategies that align with Google’s latest algorithms and your customer’s search behavior.

Why SEO Matters More Than Ever

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the backbone of digital visibility. Whether you're a local store, a growing brand, or a service-based business, being on the first page of search results builds trust, drives traffic, and increases conversions. And with Falaana by your side, you’ll have access to the Best SEO services for businesses to grow, no matter what industry you're in.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all strategies. Instead, we tailor every SEO campaign based on your business goals, target audience, and local market conditions. Looking for a Local SEO expert near me? Falaana has helped countless Jaipur-based businesses rank for highly competitive local keywords—and we’re ready to do the same for you.

What We Offer – More Than Just SEO

Falaana isn’t just about search rankings—we’re about building brands. As the best digital marketing agency in Jaipur, we offer a full stack of digital services that work together to grow your business:

Website Design & Development: Fast, responsive, and SEO-friendly websites built to convert.

Social Media Management: Engage your audience, build your brand voice, and grow your community online.

Graphic Design: Stunning visuals that capture attention and communicate your message instantly.

Content Marketing: Strategic, high-quality content that boosts SEO and tells your brand story.

App & Software Development: Custom solutions to streamline operations and improve customer experiences.

Photography & Videography: Professional visuals that make your brand stand out on every platform.

Why Choose Falaana?

We don’t just deliver services—we deliver results. Our SEO experts dive deep into your niche, analyze your competition, and implement customized strategies that deliver long-term success. From on-page optimization to local SEO dominance, we’re the partner you’ve been looking for.

We keep things transparent, flexible, and growth-oriented. Whether you’re looking for national exposure or local visibility, our team knows exactly how to get you there.

Let’s Take Your Brand to the Top

Don’t settle for average when your business deserves the best. Contact Falaana today for the Best SEO Services in Jaipur and start your journey toward better visibility, more leads, and real growth. Let’s grow your brand together—with Falaana, your trusted local SEO expert near me and the best digital marketing agency in Jaipur.

Ready to rank higher and grow faster? Let’s connect today.

[maxsmith007-blog]

Can Open Source Integration Services Speed Up Response Time in Legacy Systems?

Legacy systems are still a key part of essential business operations in industries like banking, logistics, telecom, and manufacturing. However, as these systems get older, they become less efficient—slowing down processes, creating isolated data, and driving up maintenance costs. To stay competitive, many companies are looking for ways to modernize without fully replacing their existing systems. One effective solution is open-source integration, which is already delivering clear business results.

Why Faster Response Time Matters

System response time has a direct impact on business performance. According to a 2024 IDC report, improving system response by just 1.5 seconds led to a 22% increase in user productivity and a 16% rise in transaction completion rates. This means increased revenue, customer satisfaction as well as scalability in industries where time is of great essence.

Open-source integration is prominent in this case. It can minimize latency, enhance data flow and make process automation easier by allowing easier communication between legacy systems and more modern applications. This makes the systems more responsive and quick.

Key Business Benefits of Open-Source Integration

Lower Operational Costs

Open-source tools like Apache Camel and Mule eliminate the need for costly software licenses. A 2024 study by Red Hat showed that companies using open-source integration reduced their IT operating costs by up to 30% within the first year.

Real-Time Data Processing

Traditional legacy systems often depend on delayed, batch-processing methods. With open-source platforms using event-driven tools such as Kafka and RabbitMQ, businesses can achieve real-time messaging and decision-making—improving responsiveness in areas like order fulfillment and inventory updates.

Faster Deployment Cycles: Open-source integration supports modular, container-based deployment. The 2025 GitHub Developer Report found that organizations using containerized open-source integrations shortened deployment times by 43% on average. This accelerates updates and allows faster rollout of new services.

Scalable Integration Without Major Overhauls

Open-source frameworks allow businesses to scale specific parts of their integration stack without modifying the core legacy systems. This flexibility enables growth and upgrades without downtime or the cost of a full system rebuild.

Industry Use Cases with High Impact

Banking

Integrating open-source solutions enhances transaction processing speed and improves fraud detection by linking legacy banking systems with modern analytics tools.

Telecom

Customer service becomes more responsive by synchronizing data across CRM, billing, and support systems in real time.

Manufacturing

Real-time integration with ERP platforms improves production tracking and inventory visibility across multiple facilities.

Why Organizations Outsource Open-Source Integration

Most internal IT teams lack skills and do not have sufficient resources to manage open-source integration in a secure and efficient manner. Businesses can also guarantee trouble-free setup and support as well as improved system performance by outsourcing to established providers. Top open-source integration service providers like Suma Soft, Red Hat Integration, Talend, TIBCO (Flogo Project), and Hitachi Vantara offer customized solutions. These help improve system speed, simplify daily operations, and support digital upgrades—without the high cost of replacing existing systems.

[connectinfo1999]

Here's a breakdown of the key responsibilities and areas of expertise that Full Stack Developers typically cover

[mariacallous]

As tempers flared last month during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s disastrous Oval Office confrontation with US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance, Trump offered a blunt assessment of Ukraine’s limited leverage in any future negotiations with Russia. “You don’t have the cards,” he told Zelenskyy. It is a message the US leader has repeated on multiple occasions as he seeks to broker a peace deal and end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Trump’s logic is easy enough to understand. After all, Ukraine is currently locked into a brutal war of attrition against a far larger and wealthier enemy. For over a year, the Russian army has been slowly but steadily advancing as Ukraine struggles to address mounting troop shortages and encounters regular issues with the flow of military assistance from the country’s Western allies. If this continues, most observers believe Moscow’s overwhelming advantages in terms of manpower, firepower, and funding make eventual Russian victory virtually inevitable.

The Ukrainians are acutely aware that the odds are stacked against them. However, they also understand that Russia’s invasion represents an existential threat to their nation. This helps to explain the remarkable resilience displayed by Ukraine’s army and Ukrainian society as a whole. Faced with a fight for survival against a military superpower, Ukrainians recognize that they cannot realistically expect to match Russia in terms of conventional military strength. Instead, their country’s trump card in this uneven struggle is the innovative and rapidly expanding Ukrainian defense tech sector.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion just over three years ago, an improvised industry of defense tech startups has mushroomed in garages, workshops, and warehouses across Ukraine. This trend has benefited from the country’s vibrant prewar IT industry, with many existing IT businesses and tech entrepreneurs switching their focus in 2022 to support the Ukrainian army.

This has led to dramatic increases in the domestic production of key items such as surveillance and attack drones, with Ukrainian developers engaged in a relentless daily race to stay ahead of their Russian adversaries. Hundreds of Ukrainian companies are now engaged in drone manufacturing, compared to a mere handful in 2021. The Ukrainian government recently unveiled plans to purchase around 4.5 million first person view drones in 2025, more than doubling last year’s number. This is enhancing Ukraine’s reputation as a global defense tech hub and boosting the country’s efforts to reduce its reliance on military aid from the West.

Ukrainian drones are playing a key role in transforming the modern battlefield and are now responsible for around two-thirds of Russian losses, according to a recent report by the Royal United Services Institute. Ukraine’s progress has been so groundbreaking that leading Western defense companies are increasingly looking to learn from the country. For example, Silicon Valley companies are tapping into the know-how of Ukrainian drone makers, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The impact of Ukraine’s defense tech prowess is perhaps most evident in the Black Sea. At the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s navy was virtually nonexistent, while the dominance of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was taken for granted. Three years on, Ukraine has successfully leveraged low-cost, high-impact naval drones to offset Russia’s initial advantages and break the blockade of the country’s Black Sea ports.

Ukraine’s maritime drones have repeatedly proved their effectiveness, sinking or damaging numerous Russian warships and forcing Putin to withdraw the bulk of his fleet from Crimea to the safety of Russia itself. Despite the distances involved, Ukrainian naval drones are able to pose a threat to Russian shipping far from Crimea. In summer 2023, Ukraine launched a long-range drone attack that reportedly damaged a warship close the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, around six hundred kilometers from the nearest Ukrainian naval bases in the Odesa region.

Ukraine’s naval drone fleet continues to evolve at a rapid pace. In recent months, a new model equipped with missiles reportedly shot down a Russian helicopter over the Black Sea. Marine drones have also been developed as launch craft for aerial drones. Ukrainian officials claim these “miniature aircraft carriers” have already been used to hit Russian military targets in occupied Crimea and southern Ukraine. Looking ahead, the use of naval drones as platforms for aerial attacks could create opportunities for Ukraine to bypass Russian front line defenses and launch strikes from unexpected angles.

As Ukraine enters a fourth year of full-scale war against one of the world’s leading military powers, the need for continuous innovation on the battlefield and at sea remains critical. Ukraine’s remarkable success in the Battle for the Black Sea is an indication of what can be achieved when the Ukrainian military makes the most of the country’s innovative defense tech industry. Kyiv’s partners should take note of the key role being played by Ukrainian defense tech innovators and maximize their support for this strategically crucial sector.

[hiremobileappdevelopertoday]

Hire a Mobile App Development Company in India Today

Looking for high-quality mobile app development at affordable prices? You’ve come to the right place. At Mobulous Technologies, we help startups, enterprises, and entrepreneurs turn their app ideas into stunning reality.

Why Choose India for Mobile App Development?

Access to the best Indian app developers for hire

Cost-effective pricing without compromising on quality

Skilled teams in Flutter app development, React Native, Android, and iOS

Seamless communication and project management

End-to-end solutions: UI/UX mobile app design to deployment

What We Offer

Custom Mobile App Development India

Cross-Platform App Development (Flutter, React Native)

On-Demand Mobile Apps

Android and iOS App Development Company India

Full-stack App Development Services India

Technologies We Work With

We combine the latest technologies to build modern, user-centric mobile application solutions:

Flutter App Development

React Native Developers

Swift, Kotlin, Node.js, Firebase

Figma, Adobe XD for UI/UX

AI, Blockchain, IoT, AR/VR integrations

Why Hire Us?

Recognized among the top mobile app development companies India

500+ apps delivered across industries

ISO certified process, 100% NDA-secure

Dedicated project manager & on-time delivery

Trusted by global brands and startups alike

Affordable Mobile App Development in India

We offer flexible engagement models to suit all business sizes. Whether you’re building an MVP or a fully customized solution, our pricing fits your budget.

App Type with Estimated Cost (USD)

Basic App: $5,000 – $10,000

Mid-Level App: $10,000 – $30,000

High-End Custom App: $30,000+

How to Get Started

Step 1: Share your idea with us

Step 2: Get a detailed proposal with timeline and cost

Step 3: We build your app with frequent updates

Step 4: Launch your product and scale your business

Let’s Build Your App Together

Ready to build your dream app with the help of top-tier mobile app developers in India? Let Mobulous Technologies help you every step of the way.

Also Read This: https://sites.google.com/view/hiremobileappdevelope/10-reasons-you-should-hire-a-mobile-app-development-company-in-india-today

[thesocialstackio]

Why Every Local Business Needs a Digital Marketing Partner in 2025

In 2025, the digital world isn’t just growing — it's dominating. If you’re running a local business, your future customers are no longer walking by your storefront… they’re scrolling on their phones.

That’s why partnering with the best digital marketing agency in Ahmedabad could be the smartest business move you make this year.

🌐 The Digital Shift is Real — And It’s Here to Stay

Over 82% of customers look online before making a purchase. Whether it’s searching for a nearby café or checking reviews for a salon, people trust Google and social media more than billboards or newspaper ads.

💡 Stat you can’t ignore: Local businesses with consistent digital marketing see up to 3X more engagement and 2X more revenue.

And yet, many businesses in Ahmedabad are still trying to “do it all” without expert help — and burning time and money in the process.

🧱 Common Struggles Local Businesses Face

Even the best products or services won’t sell if people don’t know about them. Local business owners are hustling every day, but often lack:

Time to create content

Knowledge of SEO or paid ads

Resources to build or update a website

A consistent brand story

That’s where a leading digital marketing agency in Ahmedabad like The Social Stack comes in — with solutions, systems, and a skilled team.

🛠️ What a Digital Marketing Partner Really Does (That You Shouldn’t Be Doing Alone)

When you partner with experts, here’s what you can finally stop worrying about:

✅ Social Media Marketing

Creating content, managing platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and growing your following.

✅ SEO & Local Search Ranking

Helping your business show up when people search “best salon near me” or “Ahmedabad’s top fitness center.”

✅ Website Design & Development

From mobile-friendly design to high-converting landing pages — your website is your 24/7 salesman.

✅ Google Ads & Meta Ads

Targeted paid marketing that reaches your exact customer based on location, interests, and behavior.

✅ Content Marketing

Blogs, reels, graphics, and more — content that speaks your brand language.

All these services under one roof, saving you time, money, and energy. That’s what working with the top digital marketing in Ahmedabad looks like.

🚀 A Glimpse at Real Growth: The Social Stack Difference

Imagine this: You run a boutique in Ahmedabad. Sales are okay, but you know it can grow.

You join hands with The Social Stack.

✅ We build your Instagram with stunning visuals & reels ✅ We list you on Google Business with optimized SEO ✅ We launch a basic e-commerce site ✅ We run location-based ads targeting young shoppers

Within 3 months — your in-store footfall increases, your online orders start pinging, and you go from “just another store” to a local brand name.

That’s what a digital partner brings — not just marketing, but momentum.

🧠 Explore our services at The Social Stack

📍 Why We're the Best Digital Marketing Agency in Ahmedabad

We’re not a faceless agency. We’re a small, passionate team that lives and breathes brand building. At The Social Stack:

We work with you, not just for you

We customize plans based on your goals and budget

We keep communication transparent

We deliver results you can measure

Whether you're a gym, clinic, café, or local startup — we have the tools and strategies to amplify your digital presence.

🔗 Visit our official website 📩 Ready to talk? Drop us a message today.

🧭 Quick Guide: Choosing the Right Digital Partner

When picking your agency, look for:

Proven experience with local businesses

Positive reviews and real success stories

Full-stack services under one roof

Clear reporting, not just fancy jargon

A team that understands your vision

Let the top digital marketing in Ahmedabad help you focus on running your business while we grow it.

📣 Final Word: In 2025, Digital Is the New Word of Mouth

Gone are the days when word of mouth alone could keep your business alive. In 2025, your digital presence is your business card, billboard, and sales funnel — all rolled into one.

You don’t need to figure it all out alone. Let The Social Stack be your behind-the-scenes growth engine.

👉 Partner with the leading digital marketing agency in Ahmedabad today. 📞 Let’s talk strategy, growth, and how we can turn your brand into a household name.

🔗 Click here to get started

[theblogvibe]

Dovian Digital: Redefining Global Reach with New York Precision

Introduction: Building Global Influence Starts at Home

Success in 2025 isn’t just about going digital—it’s about going global. Dovian Digital, a premier digital marketing agency in New York, has become the go-to growth partner for brands that dream bigger. More than just running ads or optimizing content, Dovian builds digital ecosystems that help businesses cross borders, scale smarter, and connect deeper.

Why New York Powers Global Growth

New York is where cultures collide, ideas ignite, and innovation is currency. Dovian Digital channels this high-impact energy into its work, crafting custom marketing strategies that work just as well in Dubai or Sydney as they do in NYC. In a city that never stops moving, Dovian keeps your brand a step ahead—globally.

Dovian’s Global Services Blueprint

Unlike traditional agencies, Dovian integrates every digital service into a results-driven roadmap:

SEO at Scale: From technical audits to geo-targeted keyword optimization across languages

International Paid Media: Region-specific ad creatives with cultural sensitivity

Full-Spectrum Web Development: UX/UI that performs from Lagos to London

Global Social Management: From content calendars to influencer tie-ups, globally aligned

Multilingual Content Strategy: Scripts, captions, blogs, and visuals designed to translate meaning, not just words

Real Impact: Global Brand Wins Powered by Dovian

EdTech Expansion into Latin America: By launching a Spanish-first content campaign, Dovian helped an EdTech platform see a 240% user increase across Mexico and Colombia.

Consumer Goods Growth in Canada and Australia: Tailored Google Ads, local PR campaigns, and geo-fenced offers led to a 6x return on ad spend.

Crypto Exchange Marketing in MENA Region: By localizing UI/UX and publishing Arabic content in trusted fintech portals, Dovian secured a 38% increase in verified signups.

What Sets Dovian Digital Apart

Cultural Empathy: Not just translation—true cultural adaptation.

Cross-Platform Fluency: Omnichannel mastery from email to TikTok.

Agile Frameworks: Campaigns that shift based on real-time feedback.

Transparent Growth Models: Milestone-based KPIs, tracked in real dashboards.

What the Next 5 Years Look Like

Dovian is not preparing for the future; they’re shaping it.

AI Assistants for Campaign Planning

Zero-Click Search Strategy for Voice & AI Interfaces

Green Messaging Templates to align with eco-conscious buyers

Regional Data Clusters for Hyper-Personalization at Scale

Why the World Chooses Dovian

Their processes are global-first, not US-centric

Their tech stack is designed for multilingual, multi-market rollouts

Their storytelling is human, regardless of language or screen size

Final Word: Think Global, Act with Dovian

In a saturated market, you don’t need more noise—you need more strategy. Let Dovian Digital, the most trusted digital marketing agency in New York, help you scale your brand across languages, borders, and time zones.

Contact Dovian Digital

Phone: +1 (437) 925-3019 Email: contact@doviandigital.com Website: www.doviandigital.com

[aceaussupp]

Shopify App Development: Unlocking The Full Potential of Your Online Store

What is Shopify App Development?

Shopify app development involves creating custom applications that integrate seamlessly with Shopify stores. These apps can help store owners automate processes, improve customer engagement, optimize marketing, and enhance store performance. Whether it’s a private app for internal use or a public app available on the Shopify App Store, the right solution can significantly impact business growth.

Types of Shopify Apps

Public Apps — Available on the Shopify App Store, these apps are accessible to all Shopify merchants.

Custom Apps — Designed for a specific store, these apps are built to address unique business requirements.

Private Apps — Used within a single store and not listed on the App Store, these are ideal for businesses needing specialized functionalities.

Benefits of Shopify App Development

Enhanced Store Functionality — Custom apps allow store owners to integrate additional features beyond Shopify’s default capabilities.

Automated Processes — Reduce manual work by automating tasks such as order management, customer segmentation, and inventory tracking.

Improved Customer Experience — Features like chatbots, personalized recommendations, and loyalty programs can enhance user engagement.

Seamless Integrations — Apps can connect Shopify stores with third-party platforms such as CRM, ERP, and email marketing tools.

Key Considerations for Shopify App Development

Understanding Business Needs — Identifying gaps in your store’s functionality is crucial for developing an app that solves real problems.

Choosing the Right Tech Stack — Shopify apps are commonly built using Shopify’s API, Node.js, React, and Liquid.

App Security — Since apps handle sensitive customer data, security measures like data encryption and authentication protocols are essential.

Scalability & Performance — Ensure that your app can handle increased traffic and grow alongside your business.

How OyeCommerz Can Help with Shopify App Development

Our Shopify App Development Services

Custom App Development — Creating bespoke Shopify apps that cater to your store’s unique needs.

API Integrations — Connecting Shopify with third-party tools for better workflow automation.

App Maintenance & Support — Continuous monitoring and updates to ensure optimal performance.

UI/UX Optimization — Designing user-friendly interfaces for an enhanced shopping experience.

Conclusion

Investing in Shopify app development can unlock limitless possibilities for your eCommerce store. By leveraging custom apps, businesses can optimize operations, improve customer satisfaction, and drive revenue growth. If you’re looking to develop a Shopify app that aligns perfectly with your business needs, get in touch with OyeCommerz today!

[net-craft]

Hire App Developers: Guide to Finding the Perfect Team for Your Project

In Phoenix, Arizona, the mobile app development scene is booming. Businesses of all sizes are recognizing the power of a well-crafted app to reach new customers, enhance user experiences, and drive sales. But with a plethora of app developers in Phoenix vying for your attention, choosing the right team can be a daunting task. Worry not! This comprehensive guide from Net-Craft.com, a leading app development company in Scottsdale, will equip you with the knowledge to find the perfect app development partner for your project.

Understanding Your Needs: The Foundation for Success

Before embarking on your search for app developers in Phoenix, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your project's specific needs. Here are some key questions to consider:

App Purpose: What problem does your app solve? What unique value proposition will it offer?

Target Audience: Who are your ideal users? Understanding their demographics, behavior patterns, and mobile habits is critical.

App Features: Prioritize the core functionalities that deliver the most value to your users.

Budget and Timeline: Determine your budget and desired development timeframe.

Finding App Development Services in Phoenix: Exploring Your Options

There are several avenues to explore when seeking app developers in Phoenix:

In-House Development: Building your own development team offers complete control, but requires significant resources and expertise.

Freelance Developers: Hiring freelance developers can be cost-effective, but managing multiple freelancers and ensuring consistent communication can be challenging.

App Development Companies: Partnering with a reputable App Development Services provider in Phoenix offers a full-service solution with experienced teams, proven methodologies, and a deep understanding of the local tech landscape.

Choosing the Best App Developers in Phoenix: Key Factors

Company Expertise and Experience:

Look for a team with a proven track record of success in developing apps similar to yours.

Research their portfolio and case studies to understand their expertise in your industry or niche.

Development Process and Methodology:

Inquire about their development approach (e.g., Agile, Waterfall). Choose a methodology that aligns with your project needs and preferences.

Understand their communication style and how they will keep you informed throughout the development process.

Technology Stack and Capabilities:

Ensure the developers have experience with the programming languages and frameworks required for your app.

Consider their expertise with cutting-edge technologies that might benefit your app (e.g., AR/VR, AI).

Location and Cultural Fit:

Consider partnering with an app development company located in Phoenix. This facilitates easier communication and fosters a deeper understanding of the local market.

Evaluate if the company's culture aligns with your own. Building a strong rapport with your development team is crucial for project success.

Cost and Value Proposition:

Get quotes from several app developers in Phoenix and compare pricing structures.

Focus on the value proposition beyond just cost. Look for a team that demonstrates a genuine understanding of your project goals and can deliver a solution that provides a high return on investment (ROI).

The Importance of Communication and Collaboration

Building a successful app hinges on clear communication and strong collaboration with the development team. When evaluating potential partners, prioritize companies that:

Value open communication and are readily available for discussions.

Utilize project management tools to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Actively listen to your feedback and incorporate it into the development process.

Net-Craft.com: Your Trusted Partner for Custom App Development in Phoenix

At Net-Craft.com, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities faced by businesses in Phoenix. We offer a comprehensive range of App Development Services in Phoenix, from concept development and design to development, testing, deployment, and ongoing support.

Our team of experienced developers is passionate about collaborating with entrepreneurs and businesses to bring their mobile app visions to life. We pride ourselves on:

Understanding your specific needs and tailoring our approach accordingly.

Employing a transparent and collaborative development process.

Delivering high-quality, custom-developed apps that meet your unique requirements.

Ready to Take the First Step? Contact Net-Craft.com Today!

Don't settle for anything less than the best! Schedule a consultation with Net-Craft.com to discuss your app vision and explore how our team of top app developers in Phoenix can help you turn your ideas into a thriving mobile application. Together, we can create a mobile app that empowers your business and delights your users.

Know more https://www.net-craft.com/blog/2024/10/15/hire-app-developers-guide/

[daisygrace9871]

Why Quytech Is Trusted by Enterprises to Hire AI Developers

In today’s digital world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way businesses operate. From improving customer service with chatbots to automating business processes, AI is making a big impact. But to get the most out of AI, companies need skilled and experienced AI developers. That’s where Quytech comes in.

Quytech has become a trusted name among enterprises when it comes to hire AI developer services. With a strong portfolio, skilled talent, and client-first approach, enterprises choose Quytech to hire AI app developer, build smart solutions, and stay ahead in the competitive market.

1. Proven Track Record in AI Development

Quytech has over a decade of experience in software development and has successfully delivered many AI-powered projects across industries like healthcare, finance, eCommerce, real estate, logistics, and more. This track record builds confidence among enterprises looking to hire AI engineers with real-world experience.

Whether it's building predictive analytics solutions or creating virtual assistants, Quytech’s team has done it all. That’s why businesses globally hire dedicated AI developers from Quytech to build reliable and scalable AI solutions.

2. Access to Pre-Vetted and Skilled AI Talent

Finding and hiring skilled AI talent is a challenge for many enterprises. Quytech solves this problem by offering access to a pool of pre-vetted AI programmers. Each developer is tested for their technical, logical, and problem-solving abilities.

When you hire AI programmers from Quytech, you’re getting experts in machine learning, deep learning, NLP (Natural Language Processing), computer vision, data science, and more. Whether you're working on a smart chatbot or a complex recommendation system, Quytech has the right AI talent for your needs.

3. Flexible Hiring Models

Every business has different needs, and Quytech understands this. That’s why they offer flexible hiring models. You can hire remote AI developer on an hourly, part-time, or full-time basis. This helps enterprises scale their teams quickly without going through a lengthy hiring process.

Whether you're a startup building an AI-powered MVP or an enterprise expanding your digital capabilities, Quytech provides you the freedom to choose a hiring model that suits your budget and timeline.

4. Expertise in Multiple AI Technologies

AI is a vast field, and Quytech’s developers are skilled in using the latest tools and frameworks. Their expertise includes:

Machine Learning with Python, TensorFlow, and Scikit-learn

Natural Language Processing (NLP) using NLTK, spaCy, and GPT-based models

Computer Vision using OpenCV, PyTorch, and YOLO

Deep Learning with Keras and TensorFlow

AI Integration with mobile apps, IoT systems, and enterprise software

This wide range of expertise makes Quytech the go-to choice for companies that want to hire AI app developers in India who understand modern tech stacks and deliver results.

Read More:- Why Quytech Is the Best Partner to Hire AI Developers from India

5. Trusted by Global Enterprises

Quytech has worked with over 500 clients globally, including startups, SMEs, and Fortune 500 companies. Clients from the USA, UK, Europe, Middle East, and Asia choose to hire AI developer in India from Quytech because of their professional approach and timely delivery.

Their client retention rate is one of the highest in the industry, proving that Quytech is not just a vendor, but a reliable technology partner.

6. Transparent Communication and Project Management

Effective communication and transparency are important for project success. Quytech uses tools like Jira, Trello, Slack, and Zoom to keep clients updated throughout the development process.

When you hire AI app developer from Quytech, you also get a dedicated project manager who ensures everything runs smoothly. Regular updates, real-time collaboration, and milestone tracking help maintain clarity and build trust.

7. Cost-Effective AI Development Services

Hiring in-house AI developers can be expensive, especially in regions like the US or Europe. By choosing to hire Indian AI developers for hire, enterprises can significantly reduce costs without compromising on quality.

Quytech offers affordable rates, especially for businesses looking to hire remote AI developer or hire AI engineer in India. Their cost-effective hiring model is ideal for both short-term tasks and long-term AI product development.

8. Quick Team Setup and Onboarding

Time is money in the tech world. Quytech understands the urgency and helps enterprises onboard developers quickly. Once you share your requirements, their recruitment and tech team identifies suitable profiles and sets up interviews within 48-72 hours.

This speed and efficiency make Quytech the best destination to hire AI developers without wasting time on long hiring cycles.

9. Dedicated AI Teams for Enterprise Projects

For large-scale enterprise AI projects, Quytech offers dedicated AI teams. These teams include AI developers, data scientists, UI/UX designers, testers, and project managers who work together to bring your vision to life.

Enterprises that want full control over the development process prefer Quytech’s dedicated team model. It offers better productivity, accountability, and project alignment.

10. Excellent Post-Development Support

Building an AI solution is just the beginning. Maintaining it, updating it with new features, and ensuring it runs smoothly is equally important. Quytech provides post-development support and maintenance to keep your AI product up-to-date.

This ongoing support makes businesses come back to Quytech when they need to hire AI developers for new phases or upgrades.

Why Enterprises Prefer Indian AI Developers

Many enterprises worldwide are now looking to hire AI developers in India for the following reasons:

High Talent Pool: India has a large number of skilled developers in AI, ML, and Data Science.

Cost Advantage: Hiring Indian developers costs significantly less than hiring locally in the US, UK, or Europe.

English Proficiency: Most Indian developers are fluent in English, making communication easy.

Time Zone Benefits: Indian teams can work in multiple time zones, offering round-the-clock productivity.

If you're looking for reliable Indian AI developers for hire, Quytech offers the best combination of quality, cost, and communication.

Final Thoughts: Hire the Best AI Talent with Quytech

AI is shaping the future of digital transformation, and having the right team makes all the difference. Quytech’s client-centric approach, proven AI expertise, and flexible hiring models make it a top choice for businesses looking to hire AI developers.

From startups to global enterprises, companies trust Quytech to hire AI app developers in India who can turn complex ideas into working products.

So, if you’re planning to develop an AI-powered solution or expand your existing product, Quytech is your ideal technology partner. Whether you want to hire dedicated AI developers, hire AI programmers, or hire AI engineers, Quytech has everything you need under one roof.